Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02531538 2005-12-23
VENTILATION SYSTEM
The present invention relates to a ventilator, and more particularly, relates
to that
which is known as a static ventilator.
The ventilation of attic spaces between the roof and ceiling is known in the
art.
Such ventilation is required to overcome the problem of excess heat and/or
moisture.
Thus, excess heat build up can cause room temperatures below the ceiling to be
substantially higher than would otherwise be the case. A further problem is
the build up
of excess moisture in colder weather causing condensation and subsequent water
damage.
Various types of ventilators to be utilized on a roof to permit air exchange
in an
attic are known in the art. Thus, there is the so called turbine type of
ventilator which is
designed to rotate with wind. However, in very high winds, such turbine
ventilators have
been known to be torn off the roo~ This is naturally a frustrating and
expensive
experience for the owner of the building.
A second type of ventilator which is used is known as a static type. This type
uses
a chimney effect to draw air out of the attic. An air inlet is provided at a
lower entry point
- this is usually achieved through the use of perforated eaves.
A problem associated with the manufacture of static ventilators is to make
them
suitable for roofs having different slopes. To this end, there are various
types of adaptors
which are used such that the ventilator will be suitable for use on roofs of
different slopes.
A further problem with such static ventilators is that they are generally
formed of a
metallic material. As such, they become very heavy and are rendered more
difficult for
the average handy person to install.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a ventilator which is both
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lightweight and easy to install.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a static
ventilator which comprises a base, a housing secured to the base, the housing
being
pivotally adjustable with respect thereto, at least one rain deflector
assembly mounted on
the housing, at least one screen arrangement formed within a side of the
housing and
protected by the rain deflector, and a cover.
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a static ventilator according to an
embodiment of
the present invention;
Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view thereof;
Figure 3 is an exploded view thereof;
Figure 4 is a side sectional view thereof;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the base portion of the static ventilator;
Figure 6 is a further perspective view of the base portion with a number of
knockout plates being removed therefrom;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a locking member for securing the housing
and
base together in a desired position; and
Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of a method of formation of a pair of
deflectors.
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters
thereto,
there is illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 a ventilator which is generally
designated by
reference numeral 10.
Ventilator 10 is comprised of a base assembly generally designated by
reference
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numeral 12; a housing assembly generally designated by reference 14; a screen
assembly
generally designated by reference numeral 16; one or more rain deflectors
generally
designated by reference numeral 18; a separator generally designated by
reference
numeral 20; and a cover member generally designated numeral 22.
Base assembly 12 comprises a base flange 24 which functions as a flashing when
the ventilator 10 is secured to a roo~ Extending upwardly from base flange 24
is a
mounting portion generally designated by reference numera126 and which is
comprised of
a pair of side wall segments 28, 28' having apertures 30, 30' at an arcuate
end thereof.
There is also provided a back wall 32 which includes a plurality of knockout
plates 34 as
may best be seen in Figures 5 and 6. Adjacent the front and back of mounting
portion 26
there are provided a plurality of ribs 36. At the front wall there is also
provided a
channel 38 for reasons which will become evident hereinbelow.
Housing 14 includes a pair of side walls 40, 42; a front wal144; and a back
wall 46.
At the base of front wall 44 there is provided a quarter round structure 48
which is
designed to fit over channel structure 38 of base 12. Similarly, there are
provided ribs 50
which extend between quarter round structure 48 and front wal144. At the sides
of
quarter round structure 48, there is provided an aperture 49.
Extending upwardly from walls 40, 42, 44 and 46 are screen mounting
members 52. At the junction of rear wall 46 with side walls 40 and 42, there
is provided
an aperture 54 for reasons discussed hereinbelow.
Screen structure 16 comprises a plurality of screen frames 56 with screening
58
mounted therein. In this regard, it is preferred that screen 58 have
relatively small
aperture dimension to prevent entry of any undesired animals therein including
relatively
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small creatures such as bees and various insects.
Rain deflectors 18 are comprised of a plurality of sloping surfaces 60 and are
designed to fit within each other in a spaced apart relationship as is known
in the art.
Intermediate each rain deflectors 18 is a separator 20.
As is known in the art, any number of deflectors 18 may be provided -
generally
in a range of between two and four such deflectors. Actually, the more
deflectors present
in the ventilator, the greater the surface area of the screen member 16 and
accordingly, the
greater the ventilating capacity.
On the top of the uppermost deflector 18, there is provided a cover member 22.
In
one embodiment of the invention, cover member 22 may comprise or have
incorporated
therein a solar cell which would be operatively connected to an air
circulating device
interiorly of the ventilator 10. Such an arrangement would be advantageous on
relatively
hot sunny days wherein the cooling capacity of the ventilator would be
augmented by the
use of such a fan.
In use, base member 12 is secured to the roof with flanges 24 serving as a
flashing.
Housing 14 is placed thereon and is secured together at the front walls by
means of a
rod 62 which passes through apertures 49 and through channel structure 38.
Naturally,
rod 62 is provided with securement means at one end thereof.
Subsequently, the housing 14 can be pivotally rotated until the deflectors 18
are in
a horizontal position. At this point in time, a securing device 64 is passed
through
aperture 54 and secured to a desired one of apertures 36. In this regard,
securement
device 64 is shown in Figure 7 and includes a handle portion 66 having a
locking shaft 66
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extending outwardly therefrom. Locking lugs 68 are designed to lock the
securement
device 64 in position.
The placement of securing device 64 in a desired aperture 30 may be done
visually
or alternatively, there may be provided indicating means on each of the
apertures 30
corresponding to a certain roof pitch.
As shown in Figure 8, a structure generally designated by reference numera170
may be formed and each of which comprises a pair of rain deflectors 18. In
order to form
the same, a cutting device may be used about the equator of the device 70 to
form two
such rain deflectors 18.
The ventilator may be made of many different materials though a preferred
material
is plastic.
As previously discussed, one or more knock out plates 34 may be removed,
depending upon the angle of placement of housing 14 on base member 12. Such an
arrangement will ensure maximum ventilation.
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of
illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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