Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02417442 2003-O1-28
RIDGE VENT FOR TILE ROOFING
BACKGROUNr7 OF THE IN~IENTION
(0002] The present invention relates to a roof ridge vent for use in building
construction to enhance the circulation of air in a space between the roof and
an underlying
ceiling structure, arid mere particularly, to a ridge vent for tile roofing.
[0003] It is v~rell known in the construction industry that the attic space of
a building
should be well ventilated. Ideally, the ventilation system would provide
sufficient air flaw to
keep the air temperature in the attic close to the outside air temperature.
Adequate ventilation
reduces the build up of heat in the attic wring summer months which can
substantially
reduce cooling costs and other problems associated with excessive heat. During
cooler
periods, attic ventilation assuzes that moisture that migrates out of interior
spaces and through
the insulation does not remain trapped in the attic space and re-condense on
or in the attic
insulation.
(0004) Nurrierous devices have evolved over the years for providing attic
ventilation.
Such devices include simple gable vents to provide cross ventilation, passive
ventilation
systems which typically combine vents placed under the eaves or soffits at the
lowermost
portion of the attic with passive roof vents located at strategic positions
along the slope of the
roof, and active roof ventilation systems, which traditionally include
thermostats that activate
fans above a predetermined temperature to force hot air out of the attic.
[0005] Of the passive ventilation systems, ridge ventilation is one of the
most
effective. Ridge vent systems generally include a long opening formed along
the apex or
ridge of a roof. This vent opening is created during construction by leaving a
gap between
the roof deck and the roof beam rmuring along the ridge extending essentially
the length of
the roof. The: ridge vent is designed to work from convection wherein warmer
lighter air
rises in the attic space and is exhausted through the ridge vent and then
replaced by cooler air
entering through the sofflt vents. The venting operation is assisted by
suction created by
wind blowing over the ridge which acts to draw air out of the ridge vent.
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[0006] In ridge vent systems, the vent slot must be covered to keep water,
dirt and
pests out of the Structure. Even though the vent slot is covered, rain or snow
can be driven
into the roof opening during storms with sufficiently high winds. This is of
particular
concern when ridge venting is used in tile roofing applications.
[0007) U.S. patent Nos. 5,921,863 and 6,213,865, which are owned by the
assignee-of the
present application and which are hereby included by reference, disclose ridge
venting
structures that include movable elements that block wind driven moisture from
entering the
attic space.
[OOOS] In the '863 apparatus, the movable member has a pressure-responsive
surface
that responds to ambient winds speeds in excess of a predetermined level to
move into a
closed position closing the passages. Accordingly, entry of moisture into the
structure is
restzieted. The movable member in this prior application is relatively
inflexible. Furthermore,
it has been learned that under certain atmospheric conditions, wind speed
access the tip of the
baffle and the top of the ventilating device can act to partially open the
baffle even atler it has
been closed, thereby permitting moisture to enter the structure.
[0009) In the '8b8 device, the movable member is made out of cloth, which is
relatively flexible and thus is able to close against the outer edge of the
ventilating device
more easily than the relatively stiff movable mezober disclosed in the prior
'863 patent.
Further, the upper edge of the '868 invention terminates in a flexible cavity
or "bubble" that
extends longitudinally along the edge of the movable member. During storms,
the movable
member first moves into a position to close the vent openings, and the bubble
is thereafter
deformed against the upper edge of the ventilating device, thus providing a
seal to better
resist entry of snow and moisture into the vent passages. The movable member
acts as
weather-stripping that seals against the elements in response to wind speed.
[0010] While the advances of these prior developments have been quite
effective in
shingled roof applications, problems still remain when used with tile roofing
where the nature
of the materials and surface textures tend to promote more splashing which
renders the
venting system more susceptible to water entry even at low wind speeds.
Accordingly, there
remains a need for an improved ridge venting system suitable for use with tile
roofing
applications that effectively restricts the entry of moisture into the vented
space.
[0011] U.S_ Patent No. 5,002,$ I6 to Hofmann, et al_ discloses a sealing strip
or
ridging that is intended for use on a tile roof. The sealing strip includes a
non-woven air-
permeable material attached to side strips of polyisobutylene (PIB): The
sealing strip also
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includes an expanded metal for use in the side strips and may bridge center
strip from non-
woven material. Hofmann, et al. does not disclose any vent member for use in
connection
with the sealing strip other than the sealing strip itself. It is am object of
the present invention
therefore to provide an improved vent system that is suitable for use on tile
roofing that
provides an air-permeable, moisture resistant material used in conjunction
with a vent
member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention provides a ventilating apparatus for a structure
with a
roof having a ridge member and a vent opening. In one embodiment, the
ventilating
apparatus includes a vent member attached to the ridge member that extends
along the lengtb~
of the ridge member and covers at least a portion of the vent opening. The
vent rr~ember
includes a number of passageways that connect the vent opening to the ambient
atmosphere.
The apparatus further includes a layer of air permeable and moisture resistant
material or
means that covers the vent member and a rapping structure that covers the
ridge member, the
vent opening and the vent member. Vented air from the vented opening passes
through the
material layer. Moisture coming into contact with the layer of material from
outside the
structure is inhibited from entering the vent opening.
[0013] In another embodiment of the invention, the vernilating apparatus
includes a
flexible flashing member that seals the space between roofing tiles and the
vent member. The
layer of material provides a drip edge above the flashing member. The drip
edge may be
folded over or extended to various lengttxs past the vent mtmber.
[014] In yet another embodiment of the ventilating apparatus, a support
bracket is
attached to the top of the ridge member. The vent member and support bracket
may be
covered with a shaped layer of material. A closure element may be used to seal
the space
between the roofing tile and the vent member. T'he shaped material .may
include a skirt that
extends under the tile and a drip edge that extends over the closure element.
The support
bracket forms a peals in the shaped material to enhance the run-off'of
moisture.
(0015] In still another embodiment of the invention, the air permeable and
moisture
resistant material or means includes skirt portions that extend beyond the
vent member. In
this embodiment the capping structure includes longitudinally extending side
edges, and the
skirt portions extend outwardly at least as far as the side edges. The skirt
portions may also
be movable in response to wind conditions, wherein the skirt portions may move
from an
inactive position lying loosely downward from the side edges of the capping
structure to a
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wind driven active position contacting the side edges to inhibit moisture from
entering an
inner space between the capping structure and the air permeable, moisture
resistant material
or means.
[0016] In an additional embodiment of the invention, the layer of air
pernieable,
moisture resistant material serves as a form for mortar or mastic material
applied adjacent
said vent opening.
[0017] A further embodiment of the invention includes a method of installing a
ridge
vent having a moisture resistant barrier to a structure having a tile root:
The method inchrdes
the steps of. providing a ridge member and a vent opening at an apex of the
structure;
attaching at least one vent member to the ridge member adjacent the vent
opening; covering
the vent member with a layer of air permeable, moisture resistant fabric;
deploying the fabric
layer to provide a form for applying a sealant; applying the sealant between
the fabric layer
and a course of roofing tile adjacent the vent opening; and covering the ridge
vent with a
course of capping tile.
[00x8] Accordingly, the invention accomplishes numerous objectives including
providing a roof ridge ventilating device for a tile roof that allows the
passage of air into and
out of a structural space while inhibiting water entry under various weather
conditions. The
invention accomplishes a further object to provide such an apparatus which
passes air freely
and uniformly along its entire length with minimal flow resistance: The
invention
accomplishes yet another abject of providing such an apparatus which is highly
inconspicuous and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install. 'fhe
invention does not
reside in any of the above features per se, which are intended merely to
assist the reader in
understanding the invention, but rather is defined by the claims following the
detailed
description of the several embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCItIPTI(JN CAF THE DRA~VV1NGS
[0019] Figure 1 is a partial top perspective view of a structure having a
ridge vent
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] Figures 2-3 are front perspective views of a ridge vent according to
one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the ridge vent of Figures 2 and 3
with the
ridge tile cap removed.
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[0022] Figure 5 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a vent member
according to the present invention.
[0023] Figures 6 and 7 are front perspective views of a ridge vent according
to a
second embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] Figures 6A and 7A are Front perspective views of a ridge vent according
to a
modified embodiment of the ridge vent shown in l;igures 5 and 7.
[0025] Figure 7B is a front perspective view of the modified embodiment shown
in
Figures 6A-7A with a fabric member moved to an active position by wind force.
[0026] Figure 8 is a top perspective view ofthe ridge vent of Figures 6 and 7
with the
ridge tile cap removed.
[OOZE] Figure 8A is a top pez~spective view of the ridge vent of Figures 6A,
7A and
7B with the ridge tile cap removed.
[0028] Figure 9 is a front elevational view of a ridge vent according to a
third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] Figure 10 is a top perspective view of the shaped fabric of the ridge
vent of
Figure 9.
[0030] Figure 11 is a perspective view including a metal flashing beneath the
shaped
Fabric.
DESCRIPTION OP THE PREFERREIy EMB017IMEhffS
(0031] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the
invention, reference will nvw be made to the embodiments illustrated in the
drawings and
specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be
understood that
no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The
inventions includes any
alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and described
methods and
further applications of the principles of the invention which would normally
occur to title
skilled in the art to which the invention relates_
10032] With reference tv FIGS. I-3, a roof ventilating device generally
indicated by
the numeral 10 according to the present invention is applied to the ridge of a
roof generally
indicated at 12. Roof 12 includes a longitudinally extending ridge member 14
and
transversely spaced inclined rafters I 6, I 8. The rafters 16, I $ are covered
by underlayment or
sheathing generally indicated by the numeral 20_ A portion of the sheathing 20
adjacent the
ridge mernber 14 is cut away to define a vent opening 22, shown more clearly
in Fig. 3 which
extends longitudinally along both sides of the ridge member 14. Typically the
sheathing or
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CA 02417442 2003-O1-28
underlayment 24 can be covered by a layer of felt paper which is not shown.
l~ooftng tiles 24
are applied to the sheathing or underlayment 20 to complete the roo~ The
installed tiles 24
have an edge 25 and produce a ridge affect having alternating peaks 26 and
valleys 28. por
the purpose of this discussion a Spanish style tile is displayed, however,
this is not critical to
the invention and no limitation is intended thereby.
[0033] The venting apparatus 10 as well as the vent opening 22 is covered by a
ridge
cap 30 formed from a series of semi-circular ridge tile pieces 32. Vl7ith
respect to the ridge
cap 30 there is created a.n air space 33 underneath the ridge cap 30 that is
opened to
atmospheric conditions through the tile valleys 28.
[0034] Turning to Fig. 4, the ridge cap is removed to reveal the vent
structure I O in
more detail. In one embodiment, roof venting dtvice 10 includes vent members
34 that are
preferably bonded to the ridge member 14. Alternatively, the vent members 34
may be
attached using any suitable means, several of which are well-lczxown in the
art. Each vent
member 34 extends longitudinally along the ridge member 14 substantially tha
full length of
the vent opening 22 and extends over vent opening 22.
[0035) Shown in detail in Fig. S, in one embodiment, vent members 34 consist
of a
number of courses or plies 39 of corrugated materi2~1_ As more clearly
described in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,949,657, the corrugated material has been waterproofed by treatment by
an appropriate
material such as by epoxy paint_ The corrugations define a plurality of
passages 40 that
extend substantially parallel with one another from the inner surface 36 to
the outer surface
38 of the vent member 34. Thus, the vent passages provide a vent pass from the
space below
the vent opening 22 to the inner space 33 beneath the ridge cap 30 that is
open to ambient
conditions. Of course, as is known in the arc, passages 40 may also have a
square or
rectangular cross section.
[0036] According to the present invention, the outer surface 38 of vent
members 34 is
covered by a layer of flexible, air pernneable, moisture repelling
fabridmaterial or means 42.
The fabric 42 may be a non-woven, spunbonded fabric consisting of randomly
arranged
polypropylene fibers such as is sold as "Typar 3121" by Snow filtration
Company,
Cincinnati, Ohio. The fabric allows vented air from within the structure to
pass through
while moisture coming into contact with the fabric from outside the structure
is repelled.
Although primarily selected for its water repellency characteristics, the
fabric also effectively
repels insects and debris. On each side ofthe vent opening 22, the fabric
skirt 44 is laid
beneath the roofing tile 24_ With the fabric skirt 44 secured, the fabric acts
as a form far a
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CA 02417442 2003-O1-28
layer of mortar or mastic material 46 that is applied betveen the tile ends
and the fabric to
seal the ends of the tile 24_ The fabric prevents the mortar from flowing into
the vent 22. A
layer of mortar 46 may also applied along the edge 25 of the tile 24 to seal
the tile edge 25.
[0037] Turning now to >~igs. 6-$, another embodiment of a ridge vent according
to
this invention will be described. In this embodiment, a flexible flashing 48
is applied to the
ends of the tiles 24. 'fhe flashing has a flap SU that is laid against the
vent element 34 and
covers any remaining portion of the vent opening 22 not covered by the vent
element 34. The
flashing can be made of polycarbonate plastic or similar material.
[0038] In this embodiment, the fabric skirt 44 can overlay the flashing to
form a drip
edge that directs accumulated moisture onto the flashing and away from the
vent opening.
While. a mortar seal 46 may still be required at the tile edge, the flashing
48 eliminates the
need for a mortar seal at the ends of the roofing tile 24 adjacent the vent
opening z2 as
depicted in the previous embodiment shown in Fig. 4. When the fl~.shing 4$ is
applied, a
suitable sealant or adhesive can be applied between the vent 34 and the
flashing flap 50 and
also between the flashing 48 and the tile 24_
[0039] A modified embodiment of the roof ventilating device shown in Figures 6-
8 is
shown in Figures 6A, 7A, 7B, and 8B. The difference is that the modified
embodiment uses
a wider piece of moisture repelling fabric 42a having a fabric skirt 44a that
extends to or
beyond longitudinally extending side edges 52 of the ridge tile pieces 32 of
ridge cap 30. In
normal conditions, fabric 42a will lie as shown in Figure 7A with the fabric
skirts 44a laying
on flashing 48 or tiles 24, llawever, when a wind represented by arrows W
blows across tiles
24 as shown in Figure 7B, fabric skirt 44a is lifted and contacts side edges
52 of ridge tile
pieces 32 to inhibit wind driven moisture. S~l from entering into the inner
space 33_
1=uzthermare, the top of fabric 42a then serves as a secondary moisture
inhibitor to prevent
any moisture that may work its way into inner space 33 from going down into
vent members
34 and into the structure through vent openings 22. The fabric skirt 44a may
also be glued or
otherwise attached co side edges 52 so that the position shown on the wind
driven side of
Figure 7Ii is maintained at all times.
(0040] Yet another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs, 9 and 10. In
this
embodiment, a ridge member 114 which is supported by rafters 116 and 118 is
shown_ An
undeslayrnent or sheathing 12t) is applied over rafters 116, 11$ and is cut
away at the ridge
member to provide a vent opening at 122. The sheathing 120 is covered with a
layer of felt
CA 02417442 2003-O1-28
paper 121 upon which roofing tile 124 are laid. A tile cap formed from tile
cap pieces 132
cover the ridge and vent opening.
[0041] dent structure 110 includes vent elements 134 which are attached to
ridge
member 114 preferably by a suitable adhesive. The vent menz~bers 134 are
covered by a
shaped weather shield fabric 142 that is shown in detail in Fig. 10. The
apparatus includes a
support bracket 152 attached to the top of ridge member I 14 to support the
upper portion 143
of the shaped fabric 142 and form a peak 153 therein. Peak 1 S3 enhances the
run-off of any
moisture that comes in contact with the shield fabric 142 to help preclude the
moisture from
permeating the fabric. The fabric 142 includes a skirt portion 144 that
extends underneath the
tile pieces 124_ The shaped fabric 142 also includes a folded drip edge 147.
The apparatus
also includes a flexible closure element 148 which is sized to fit over the
ends of tile 124 and
extend to engage and hold a side portion 145 (Figure 11) of the shaped fabric
142 against
vent element 134. Folded drip edges 147 are formed in the shaped sloth 142 and
over lay the
ends of closure element 148 to direct accumulated moisture away fmm the vent
area. A
suitable sealant can be applied at sealing points 155 to the fabric and the
closure element if
desired.
[0042] In Fig. 11, it can be seen that a metal flashing 160 may be added to
the vent
structure. In the embodiment shown, metal flashing 160 has an L-shape with one
leg IGOa of
the L, being affixed to sheathing 120, and the other leg 160b of the L being
affixed to vent
elements 134. Metal flashing 160 provides an additional moisture barrier to
vent apeniag
122 should any moisture penetrate fabric 142 along skirt portion 144 or side
portion 145. Of
course, flashing 160 may be used with any of the embodinnents disclosed herein
or any
suitable material may be used for the flashing.
[0043) The embodiments of the invention herein described avercorrle the
shortcomings of the prior art by providing a ridge vent structure for tile
roofing that
effectively repels moisture while providing adequate ventilation of the vented
space in a cost
effective manner.
[0044] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the
drawings
and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and
not restrictive in
character_ It should be understood that only the preferred embodiments have
been shown and
described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit
of the invention
are desired to be protected.
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