Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02635558 2008-06-20
Attorney Docket No. 018695-9467-00
EXHAUST VENT ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
100011 The present invention relates to vent assemblies and, more
particularly, to vent
assemblies for venting exhaust from a structure.
SUMMARY
[00021 In some embodiments, the invention provides an exhaust vent assembly
for a
structure including a base supportable on the structure and defining an
exhaust outlet and a cover
having a first end pivotably connected to the base for pivoting movement
relative to the base
between a closed position, in which the cover extends across the outlet and a
second end of the
cover contacts the base substantially preventing exhaust flow through the
outlet, and an opened
position, in which the second end of the cover is moved away from the outlet
to allow exhaust
flow through the outlet. The cover can have an arcuate exterior surface
extending substantially
from the first end toward the second end and a raised lip extending along the
second end of the
cover.
100031 In other embodiments, the present invention provides an exhaust vent
assembly for a
structure including a base supportable on the structure, defining an exhaust
opening, having an
interior periphery surrounding the opening to at least partially define an
interior region adjacent
to the opening, and having a rim extending outwardly from the interior
periphery. The vent
assembly can also include a cover having an outermost perimeter. The cover can
be connected
to the base and be pivotable between a closed position, in which the outennost
perimeter is
positioned substantially within the interior region, and an opened position,
in which at least a
portion of the outermost perimeter is positioned outside of the interior
region. The vent
assembly can further include a windbreak including a lip positioned along a
portion of the
outermost perimeter of the cover and a recess positioned along the rim
adjacent to the lip when
the cover is in the closed position to prevent unintended opening of the
cover,
100041 Also, the present invention provides an exhaust vent assembly for a
structure
including a base supportable adjacent to the structure and having a raised rim
defining an outlet
of an exhaust flow channel and a cover moveably secured to the base for
movement relative to
1
CA 02635558 2008-06-20
Attorney Docket No. 018695-9467-00
the base between a closed position, in which the cover extends across the
outlet substantially
preventing exhaust flow through the outlet, and an opened position, in which
the cover is moved
away from the outlet to allow exhaust flow through the outlet. The vent
assembly can also
include a windbreak operable to prevent wind from moving the cover toward the
opened
position. The windbreak can include a first contour on the raised rim and a
second contour on an
adjacent edge of the cover.
[0005] In addition, the present invention provides a method of venting exhaust
from a
structure, the method comprising the acts of providing a base defining an
outlet for exhaust from
a conduit, the conduit extending from a structure, pivoting a cover relative
to the base in
response to exhaust pressure from the conduit between a closed position, in
which the cover
extends over the outlet, and an opened position, in which a distal edge of the
cover is moved
away from the outlet to allow exhaust flow from the outlet, and directing wind
across a
windbreak and away from the distal edge of the cover to prevent wind from
moving the cover
toward the opened position.
100061 Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of
the detailed
description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vent assembly according to some
embodiments of the
present invention prior to being mounted on a wall of a structure.
[0008] Fig. 2 is a fi=ont perspective view of the vent assenibly shown in Fig.
1 with the cover
in an opened position.
100091 Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the vent assembly shown in Fig. 1
with the cover
in a closed position.
100101 Fig. 4 is a front view of a base of the vent shown in Fig. 1.
[00111 Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the base taken along line 5-5 of
Fig. 4.
100121 Fig. 6 is a front view of a cover of the vent shown in Fig. 1.
2
CA 02635558 2008-06-20
Attorney Docket No. 018695-9467-00
100131 Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cover taken along line 7-7 of
Fig. 6.
100141 Fig. 8 is a rear view of the cover shown in Fig. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00151 Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is
to be
understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details
of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the following
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
or of being
carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the plu-
aseology and tenninology
used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as
limiting. The use of
"including," "comprising," and "having" and variations thereof herein is meant
to encompass the
items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
[00161 Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted,"
"connected,"
"supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and
encompass botli direct
and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further,
"connected" and
"coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or
couplings.
[0017] In addition, it is to be understood that phraseology and tenninology
used liercin with
reference to device or element orientation (such as, for example, terms like
"front," "rear," "top,"
"bottom," "lower", "up," "down," etc.) are only used to simplify description
of the present
invention, and do not alone indicate or imply that the device or eleinent
referred to must have a
particular orientation. The elements of the present invention can be installed
and operated in any
orientation desired. In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" are used
herein for purposes
of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance
or significance.
[0018] Figs. 1-8 illustrate a vent assembly 20 according to soine embodiments
of the present
invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the vent assembly 20 can be used to provide a
conduit for exhaust
gas through a structural barrier (e.g., from inside a building to outside a
building). For the
purpose of this description, "exhaust" will include the material conducted
through vent assembly
20, and "wall 22" will include the sti-uctural barrier through which the vent
assembly 20 provides
3
CA 02635558 2008-06-20
Attorney Docket No. 018695-9467-00
a conduit. However, it should be apprcciated that the structural barrier can,
in other
embodiments, be a door, window, roof, among other things.
[00191 The vent assembly 20 can have an "opened" state which enables exhaust
to flow fi-om
inside to outside the building through wall 22, and a "closed" state which
prevents this flow. In
some embodiments, the "opened" state can also enable reverse flow (i.e., flow
in the opposite
dircction (e.g., from outside to inside the building)). Similarly, the
"closed" state can also
prevent reverse flow in some embodiments.
100201 As shown in Fig. 1, the vent assembly 20 can include a duct 24 which
can provide a
closed conduit for exhaust produced by an appliance or other machine, for
example. In some
embodiments, such as the one illustrated in Fig. 1, the duct 24 can be
elongated and cylindrical in
shape having a distal end (not shown) and a proximal cnd 26. Such embodiments
can include a
deformable sleeve 28 that extends along at least a portion of the length of
the duct 24; the basic
cylindrical shape of the sleeve 28 can be maintained by a helical
reinforcement 30.
Altematively, the reinforcement 30 can comprise a set of rings spaced axially
along the sleeve
28. The reinforcement 30 can be formed of metal, plastic, or another suitable
material.
Similarly, the material which fonns the deformable sleeve 28 can constitute a
wide range of
materials ranging from naturally existing to man-made and, in some
embodiments, can provide
thermal insulation between the exhaust within the duct 24 and the environment
surrounding the
duct 24.
[0021) It is acknowledged that the embodiment of Fig. I illustrates only one
particular
construction of a duct 24, while conduits of various sizes, shapes, and
materials can provide
similar utility in the present invention. For example, the duct 24 could
alternatively include
polyvinyl chloride piping, a metal chute, or an elastic hose, among othcr
things. The duct 24 can
be secured to an exhaust outlet of an appliance or other machine (not shown)
with one or more
fasteners (not shown). In some embodiments, the fasteners and/or the distal
end of the duct 24
can provide a seal between the exhaust outlet of the appliance and the duct
24. Suitable fasteners
can include but are not limited to: zip ties, adjustable collars, brackets,
screws, bolts, etc.
Alternatively or in addition, some type of adhesive (e.g., tape, glue, caulk,
solder, braze, etc.) can
be used to secure the distal end of the duct 24 to the exhaust source.
4
CA 02635558 2008-06-20
Attorney Docket No. 018695-9467-00
100221 The proximal cnd 26 of the duct 24 can be attached to a duct adaptor or
extension 32
as shown in Fig. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the duct 24 and the adaptor
32 can together
define a flow channel for the exhaust. The duct adaptor 32 can also provide a
fitting to connect
the duct 24 to a vent assembly 34, which will be described in greater detail
below. As shown in
the illustrated embodiment of Fig. 1, the adaptor 32 can have substantially
the same cylindrical
shape as the duct 24 and can be connected to the proximal end 26 of the duct
24 at a distal end 36
of the adaptor 32. The distal end 36 of the adaptor 32 can be secured to the
proximal end 26 of
the duct 24 with the use of one or more suitable fasteners 38 and/or adhesive
as discussed above
in reference to the connection of the distal end of the duct and an exhaust
outlet.
[00231 The proximal end (not shown) of the adaptor 32 can be connected to a
vent opening
40 such that the adaptor 32 extcnds substantially perpendicularly from the
vent 34, as shown in
the illustrated embodiment. The proximal end of the adaptor 32 can include
slots or similar
elements which can be positioned to receive tabs, hooks, or the like on the
vent 34, in order to
secure the adaptor 32 to the vent 34. These elements will be described in
greater detail below.
Alternatively or in addition, tabs, hooks, or the like can be positioned on
the proximal end of the
adaptor 32 in order to be received by corresponding slots or similar elements
on the vent 34. In a
further embodiment, the adaptor 32 can be secured to the vent 34 by means
described above with
reference to the connection between the duct 24 and the exhaust outlet.
100241 The adaptor 32 can be rigid or flexible, can have any of a number of
shapes and sizes,
and can be formed of a wide variety of materials, including but not limited to
those discussed
above with respect to the duct 24. In the event that the proximal eiid 26 of
the duct 24 and the
vent opening have different cross-sectional areas or shapes, the adaptor 32
can be designed to
compensate for the differences. For example, the adaptor 32 can have a distal
end 36 that
corresponds to the cross-sectional area and shape of the duct 24 and a
proximal end that
corresponds to the cross-sectional area and sllape of the vent opening. In
some embodiments, the
adaptor 32 can be formed from a rectangular sheet of metal liaving two
opposite ends that can be
connected to form a cylinder. Each of the opposite ends can be provided witli
folds such that
when the opposite ends are brought togetlier to form the cylinder, the folds
of one engage and
catch those of the opposite to retain the cylindrical shape. The adaptor 32
and duct 24 of a
particular embodiment can be formed of the same or different materials and can
be connected in
CA 02635558 2008-06-20
Attomey Docket No. 018695-9467-00
a manner that is the same as or different from that in which the duct 24 is
attached to the exhaust
outlet. In a further embodiment, the adaptor 32 can be integrally formed with
the duct 24. In a
still further embodiment, the adaptor 32 can be integrally formed with the
vent 34.
[0025] As illustrated in the embodiment of Figs. 1-3, the vent assembly 34 can
include a
frame or base 42 having a front face 44 and a rear face 46. Figs. 4 and 5
illustrate the base 42
according to some embodiments, in which the outlet or opening 40 is positioned
(connecting the
front and rear faces 44, 46) to enable exhaust to exit the flow channel
through the vent 34. The
opening 40 can have a generally circular shape as shown in the illustrated
embodiments.
However, the opening 40 can be any other shape or size that accommodates the
exhaust flow
and/or the proximal end of the ducting that the vent provides an outlet for.
In some
embodiments, the base 42 can be formed of any plastic or moldable synthetic
material in a single
piece construction. Alternatively, certain elements of the base 42 (to be
discussed in detail
below) can be formed separately and molded together or connected by other
means. In other
embodiments, the base 42 can be cast shaped or fonned from a wide variety of
other natural
aiid/or man-made materials.
[00261 As shown most clearly in Fig. 5, the base 42 can include flanges 48 and
tabs 50 that
surround the opening 40 and can extend substantially perpendicularly from the
rear face 46. In
some such embodiments, the flanges 48 and tabs can be integrally fonned with
the base 42. The
flanges 48 can provide a guide for the connection of the proximal end of the
duct adaptor 32 to
the base 42. Altematively or in addition, the flanges 48 can provide
structural support for the
adaptor 32 and/or assistance in maintaining the connection between the vent 34
and the adaptoi-
32. The tabs 50 can be positioned to be received in slots (not shown) in the
proximal end of the
adaptor 32 in order to maintain the conncction between the components. In
other embodiments,
retaining eleinents such as hooks, clips, and/or other fasteners can take the
place of the tabs 50.
Alternatively or in addition, the flanges 48 or another part of the base 42
can includc apertures to
receive tabs or any other similar retaining elements provided in the proximal
end of the adaptor
32. As discussed above, in other embodiments, the adaptor 32 and the vent 34
can be connected,
secured, and/or scaled by other means.
6
CA 02635558 2008-06-20
Attorney Docket No. 018695-9467-00
[00271 As shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, in some embodiments, the opening 40 in
the base 42
can be surrounded by an interior surface 52 that is substantially flat. In
some embodiments, the
surface 52 can include bosses 54 for screws, nails or the like so that the
vent 34 can be mounted
to the wall 22. In a further embodiment, the surface 52 can be shaped to
correspond to the
surface on which it is to be mounted. In a still further embodiment, the
bosses 54 can be
provided on another part of the base 42. Alternatively, integral fasteners can
be provided for
securing the base 42 to the wal122. Also visible in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, the
interior surface 52 of the
vent assembly 34 can include a laterally-extending ridge 56 that is positioned
below the opening
40 and which can project substantially perpendicularly from the surface 52.
The function of the
ridge 56 will be discussed in greater detail below.
(0028] As illustrated by Figs. 4 and 5, inner walls 58 can surround the
surface 52 foi-ming an
interior periphery and can be oriented from the surface 52 in a direction that
is at an angle to the
inner surface 52. Thc inner walls 58, together with the interior surface 52
can at least partially
fonn a three-dimensional interior region 60. As shown in the illustrated
embodiment, the portion
of the interior region 60 defined by the surface 52 and inner walls 58 can be
substantially the
shape of a rectangular prism. ln some embodiments including the illustrated
embodiment, a rim
62 can extend outward at an angle from the inner walls 58. Further, as seen
inost clearly in Fig.
5, outer walls 64 can extend back from the rim 62 to complete the frame of the
opening 40.
Other embodiments of the vent assembly do not require that a rim 62 or outer
walls 64 surround
the interior region 60. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, a
rim 62 can extend
from only one of the inner walls 58 of the base 42.
[0029] As illustrated in Figs 4 and 5, the base 42 can inelude minor proti-
usions 66 on the
interior surface 52 and apertures 68 at upper corners of the interior region
60 between the interior
surface 52 and the inner walls 58. In other embodiments, the minor pi-
otrusions 66 and apertures
68 can be positioned in other locations within the inner region 60. As
illustrated in Figs. 2-5, the
base 42 can include a contour that extends along a portion of the inner wall
58 and/or rim 62. In
some embodiments, the contour can be a laterally-extending i-ecess 70
positioned between the
inner wall 58 and the rim 62, and below the ridge 56. 1'he functions of the
recess 70, along with
those of the minor protrusions 66 and apertures 68, will be discussed in
greater detail below.
7
CA 02635558 2008-06-20
Attorney Docket No. 018695-9467-00
[0030] As illustrated in the embodiment of Figs. 1-3, in addition to the base
42, the vent
assembly 34 can include a door or cover 72 having an outermost perimeter 74
that is designed to
fit substantially within the interior region 60 of the base 42. As shown in
Figs. 6 and 8, the cover
72, according to some embodiments, can have a substantially rectangular shape
as viewed from
the front or rear, and as such can include an inner face 76 and an outer face
78. As will be
described in further detail later, in some embodiments, the inner face 76 can
generally be in fluid
contact with exhaust from the duct 24, while the outer face 78 can generally
be in fluid contact
with outside air or wind.
[0031] As shown in Figs. 6 and 8, according to some embodiments, the cover 72
can have a
substantially rectangular shape as viewed from the front or rear, and as such
can include a top
edge 80, a bottom edge 82, and two side edges 84, which are circumscribed by
the outermost
perimeter 74. In some embodiments, the cover 72 can be formed of any plastic
or moldable
synthetic material in a single piece construction. Alternatively, elements of
the cover 72 can be
fonned separately and molded together or connected by other means. In other
embodiments, the
cover 72 can be cast or fonned of a wide variety of other natural and/or man-
made materials and
can take any of a number of shapes.
[0032] Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the vent assembly 34 in "opened" and "closed"
positions or
positions, respectively. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the state of
the vent 34 can
depend on the position of the cover 72 with respect to the base 42. In the
vent assembly 34 of
Figs. 2 and 3, the cover 72 is connected to the base 42 and can pivot with
respect to the base 42.
Specifically, posts 86 can extend from the side edges 84 along the top edge 80
of the cover 72 as
illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8. In some such ernbodiments, the posts 86 can
extend through the
apertures 68 in the base 42, such that the apertures 68 retain the cover 72
and allow pivoting
movement of the cover 72 about its top edge 80. Alteniatively, in some
embodiments, the posts
86 can extend from the side edges 84 at a location slightly below the top edge
80, in which case
the cover 72 would rotate about an axis slightly below the top edge 80. In a
further embodiment,
the apertures 68 can be replaced with blind holes in which the posts 86 are
retained.
[0033] The posts 86 of some embodiments can include stops 88 that can extend
from the
cover 72 a distance along the posts 86 and can have a greater diameter than
the apei-tures 68. As
8
CA 02635558 2008-06-20
Attomey Docket No. 018695-9467-00
shown in the illustrated embodiment, the post stops 88 can compensate for any
gap between the
inner walls 58 of the base 42 and side edges 84 of the cover 72 in order to
substantially prevent
lateral movement of the cover 72 with respect to the base 42. In a similar
fashion, minor
protrusions 66 provided on the front face 44 of the base 42 can compensate for
any gap that may
exist between the cover 72 and the base 42, in order to prevent oscillation
and accompanying
noise. In the illustrated embodiment, the minor protrusions 66 are provided
along the top of the
interior surface 52 to stabilize the top edge 80 of the cover 72.
Alternatively or in addition,
minor protrusions 66 can be provided at other locations on the base 42 or
cover 72 within the
interior region 60 to serve the same purpose. In other embodiments, foam or
another similarly
elastically deformable material can be provided alone or in combination with
the elements
discussed above in order to restrict and/or dampen the movement of the cover
72 with respect to
the base 42. Alternatively or in addition, such material can be provided in
some embodiments to
form a sea] between the cover 72 and the base 42 in the "closed" position.
[0034] Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of the cover 72 according to
some
embodiments. As is evident from this perspective, in some embodiments, the
cover 72 can have
a contoured shape such that the inner face 76 is concave (Fig. 8) and the
outer face 78 is convex
(Fig. 6). Further, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the curvature of
the cover 72 can be
arcuate in shape and can be centered about a line (not shown) that runs
laterally between the side
edges 84 about half the distance between the top edge 80 and the bottom edge
82. In some
embodiments, the contoured shape of the inner face 76, can more efficiently
allow the cover 72
to rotate or pivot away from the "closed" and maintain an "opened" position
when sufficient
pressure of the exhaust flowing througli the ducting contacts the inner face
76.
[0035] As most clearly visible in Figs. 2 and 7, in some embodiments, the side
edges 84 of
the cover 72 can extend substantially perpendicularly from the contoured face
76, 78. In such
embodiments, when the vent 34 is in a "closed" position, the side edges 84 can
be in contact with
the interior surface 52 and substantially parallel to the inner walls 58 of
the base 42. As
discussed above with respect to the contoured inner face 76 of the cover 72,
the side edges 84
can also more efficiently allow the cover 72 to rotate away from the "closed"
position and
maintain an "opened" position.
9
CA 02635558 2008-06-20
Attorney Docket No. 018695-9467-00
[0036] As shown in Fig. 7, in some embodiments of the vent assembly, a rounded
lip 90 can
extend laterally along the bottom edge 82 of the outer face 78 of the cover
72. As the illustrated
embodiment shows, the lip 90 can correspond to a rounded depression 92 that
can extend
laterally along the bottom edge 82 of the inner face 76. Also in some
einbodiments, a strip of
foam 94 or a similar elastically deformable material can be adhered to the
inner face 76 of the
cover 72 in the depression 92 as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. In some embodiments,
the foam 94 can
muffle the sound of the vent 34 closing. Alternatively or in addition, the
foam 94 can at least
partially foml a seal with the lateral] y-extending ridge 56 on the interior
surface 52 of the base
42 when the vent 34 is "closed".
[0037] As illustrated in Fig. 3, in some embodiments, the bottom edge 82 of
the cover 72 is
positioned within rim 62 of the base 42 (i.e., within the interior region 60)
in the "closed"
position. This particular arrangement of elements can help to ensure that
wind, birds and small
animals can not move the cover 72 to open the vent 34. Further, in the
illustrated embodiment,
the recess 70 in the base 42 can direct air currents flowing around outside
the vent 34 to prevent
them from opening the vent 34. The lip 90 on the outer face 78 of the cover 72
and/or the
contour of the outer face 78 can perform the same function alone, or in
combination with the
recess 70. As such, the outer face 78 of the cover 72, the recess 70, and/or
the lip 90 can serve as
a windbreak 96 for the vent assembly 34. In other embodiments, the windbreak
96 can include a
protruding ledge on the upper edge of the recess 70 that guides air currents
away from the
bottom edge 82 of the cover 72. In further embodiments the foam 94, and in
still further
embodiments, the ridge 56 on the interior surface 52 of the base, can also
prevent outside air
currents from moving the cover 72 from the "closed" position. Thus, the shape
of the front face
44 of the base 42, the outer face 78 of the covcr 72, and the position of
these elements with
respect to each other can prevent the vent 34 from being opened from outside.
[0038] As discussed briefly above, the shape of the inner face 76 of the cover
72, alone, or in
conjunction witll the side edges 84, can facilitate the opening of the vent 34
from inside (i.e., in
order for exhaust to be vented). A certain amount of fluid (i.e., exhaust)
pressure against the
concave inner face 76 of the cover 72 can break the seal between the laterally-
extending ridge 56
and the foam 94, if necessary and cause the cover 72 to rotate against gravity
into an "opened"
position, Furtlier, in soine embodiments, these elements, alone, or in
combination with the sti-ip
CA 02635558 2008-06-20
Attorney Docket No. 018695-9467-00
of foam 94 positioned adjacent the bottom edge 82 of the cover 72 can prevent
the cover 72 from
closing prematurely or from oscillating severely due to pressure fluctuations.
Thus, the shape of
the inner face 76, the side edges 84 of the cover 72, and the position of
these elements with
respect to each other can allow the vent 34 to be opened efficiently from
inside.
[0039] As discussed above, corresponding designs of the base 42 and cover 72
can allow the
vent assembly 34 to switch between "opened" and "closed" positions within a
particular pressure
level window. In summary, a design such as that of the illustrated embodiment,
can enable a
vent 34 to maintain a "closed" position until exhaust pressure builds to a
certain level (regardless
of the air currents outside the vent), at which point, the vent 34 opens and
remains in an
"opened" position until the exhaust pressure decreases to a certain level, and
the vent 34 closes
to prevent reverse flow.
(0040] Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and
described, other alternative ernbodiments will be apparent to those skilled in
the art and are
within the intended scope of the present invention.
Il
