Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ROOF VENT
FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to roof vents for venting the
roof of
.. a building such as a house.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Roof vents provide the necessary ventilation to the roof of a
house
or other building, inhibiting condensation in the roof due to the infiltration
or
otherwise collection of moisture into the roof or attic cavity. Various roof
vents
employ vanes, grates and louvers to permit air to be channeled between the
roof
and the atmosphere, and to try to inhibit rain from entering the roof through
the
roof vent. A variety of caps and covers have been used to act as a guard to
prevent the infiltration of rain. However, prior art roof vents have thus far
been
ineffective in inhibiting the infiltration of snow into the attic space,
particularly in
cases of snow storms and the like.
SUMMARY
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a roof vent
that
obviates or mitigates at least some of the above-presented disadvantages in
the
art.
[0004] An improved roof vent which facilitates adequate attic
ventilation
but at the same time inhibits the infiltration of snow particles, water
droplets,
water runoff of the roof surface, burning cinders, and/or other undesirable
elements from the atmosphere from gaining entry into the roof via the roof
vent is
desired.
[0005] A first aspect provided is a roof vent for ventilating a roof
of a
building via a hole in the roof to atmosphere, the roof vent comprising: a
flange
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portion for resting on the roof, the flange portion having an opening for
overlapping with the hole; a frame portion having sides extending upwardly
from
the flange portion about the opening, the frame portion for maintaining a cap
in a
spaced apart relationship with the flange portion; the cap connected to the
frame
portion and covering over the opening; and a corrugated filter plate extending
between the cap and the flange portion and interposed transversely between the
opening and the atmosphere, the corrugated filter plate providing for a
passage
of air between the atmosphere and the opening, the corrugated filter plate
having
a pore size sufficient for facilitating the air passage of air through the
corrugated
filter plate while blocking passage of atmospheric particles through the
corrugated filter plate.
[0006] A second aspect provided is an insert for a roof vent for
ventilating
a roof of a building via a hole in the roof to atmosphere, the roof vent
having a
cap for connecting to a flange portion, the insert comprising: a flange
portion for
resting on the roof, the flange portion having an opening for overlapping with
the
hole; and a corrugated filter plate for extending between the cap and the
flange
portion and interposed transversely between the opening and the atmosphere,
the corrugated filter plate providing for a passage of air between the
atmosphere
and the opening, the corrugated filter plate having a pore size sufficient for
facilitating the air passage of air through the corrugated filter plate while
blocking
passage of atmospheric particles through the corrugated filter plate.
[0007] A third aspect provided is an insert for a roof vent for
ventilating a
roof of a building via a hole in the roof to atmosphere, the roof vent having
a cap
connected to a flange portion via a frame portion, the insert comprising: a
base
for resting on the flange portion, the base having an opening for overlapping
with
the hole; and a corrugated filter plate positioned on the base for extending
between the cap and the flange portion and for being interposed transversely
between the opening and the atmosphere, the corrugated filter plate providing
for
a passage of air between the atmosphere and the opening, the corrugated filter
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plate having a pore size sufficient for facilitating the air passage of air
through the
corrugated filter plate while blocking passage of atmospheric particles
through
the corrugated filter plate.
[0008] A fourth aspect provided is an insert for a roof vent for
ventilating a
roof of a building via a hole in the roof to atmosphere, the roof vent having
a
flange portion for connecting to a cap via a frame portion, the flange portion
for
resting on the roof and having an opening for overlapping with the hole, the
insert
comprising: a cap for connecting to the frame portion and covering over the
opening; and a corrugated filter plate connected to the cap and for extending
between the cap and the flange portion and for interposing transversely
between
the opening and the atmosphere, the corrugated filter plate providing for a
passage of air between the atmosphere and the opening, the corrugated filter
plate having a pore size sufficient for facilitating the air passage of air
through the
corrugated filter plate while blocking passage of atmospheric particles
through
the corrugated filter plate.
[0009] A fifth aspect provided is a replacement cartridge for an
existing
roof vent for ventilating a roof of a building via a hole in the roof to
atmosphere,
the roof vent having a flange portion connected to a cap via a frame portion,
the
flange portion for resting on the roof and having an opening for overlapping
with
the hole, the replacement cartridge comprising: a corrugated filter plate for
connecting with at least one of the flange portion, the cap .or the frame
portion,
the corrugated filter plate for extending between the cap and the flange
portion
and for interposing transversely between the opening and the atmosphere, the
corrugated filter plate providing for a passage of air between the atmosphere
and
the opening, the corrugated filter plate having a pore size sufficient for
facilitating
the air passage of air through the corrugated filter plate while blocking
passage
of atmospheric particles through the corrugated filter plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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[0010] The foregoing and other aspects will now be described by way of
example only with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roof vent;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the roof vent shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the roof vent shown in FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top view of an optional collar portion of the roof
vent
shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the collar portion shown in
FIG.
4;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a top view of the collar portion with a corrugated filter
plate
of the roof vent shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the filter plate
portion of
the roof vent shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment the cross sectional view of
the
roof vent shown in FIG 3;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a further alternative embodiment the cross sectional
view
of the roof vent shown in FIG 3;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a further alternative embodiment the cross sectional
view
of the roof vent shown in FIG 3;
[0021] FIG. 11a is an alternative embodiment of the roof vent shown in
FIG 1;
[0022] FIG. 11b is an alternative embodiment of the roof vent shown in
FIG 1;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a further alternative embodiment the cross sectional
view
of the roof vent shown in FIG 3;
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[0024] FIG. 13 is a further alternative embodiment the cross sectional
view
of the roof vent shown in FIG 3;
[0026] FIG. 14 is an alternative embodiment of the roof vent shown in
FIG
4;
[0026] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the roof vent shown in FIG 14 with
cap attached;
[0027] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the roof vent shown in FIG 14
without cap attached;
[0028] FIG. 17 is an insert as an alternative embodiment of the roof
vent
shown in FIG 1;
[0029] FIG. 18 is an alternative embodiment of the insert of FIG 17;
and
[0030] FIG. 19 is a further alternative embodiment of the insert shown
in
FIG 18.
[0031] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate
corresponding
parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Figure 1,3 show a roof vent 10 for ventilating the roof of a
building
to the atmosphere. The roof vent 10 includes a flange portion 12 to lay
against
the roof, the flange portion 12 having an opening 22 to let air vent from the
interior of the building (e.g. an attic). The roof vent 10 can optionally
include a
collar portion 14 extending from the flange portion 12 and enclosing, at least
in
part, about a periphery of the opening 22, and a cap 16 dimensioned and
configured to cover over the opening 22 (including the hole 28 in the roof)
and
optionally over the collar portion 14. The cap 16 is configured to provide a
passage (between the flange portion 12 and the cap 16) through which air can
pass between the atmosphere and the opening 22. The roof vent 10 also
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includes a corrugated filter plate 46, e.g. partially enclosed by the cap 16,
and
interposed between the central opening 22 and the air passage (e.g. gap)
between the cap 16 and the flange portion 12. The corrugated filter plate 46
can
have a pore size 47 (e.g. perforations, holes, a plurality of apertures, etc.
¨ see
Fig. 7) sufficient to facilitate air to pass through the corrugated filter
material 46
(e.g. from one side 19 of the corrugated filter material 46 to the other 19)
but
inhibit the passage of snow particles, cinder particles and/or water droplets
there-
through (e.g. from one side 19 of the corrugated filter material 46 to the
other 19).
In any event, it is recognized that the purpose of the corrugated filter
material 46
is to provide for the flow through of air while inhibiting the passage of
undesirable
particles/droplets (e.g. solid and/or liquid pieces of matter) through the
corrugated filter material 46 impinging from the atmosphere and into the
interior
of the roof via the opening 22 and adjacent hole 28.
[0033] For example, the corrugated filter material 46 can be
positioned as
extending upwardly between the flange portion 12 and the cap 16 (covering the
opening 22). It is recognized that the corrugated filter material 46 can be in
contact with a top surface 13 of the flange portion 12, in contact with a
underside
surface 17 of the cap 16, and/or in contact with the top surface 13 of the
flange
portion 12 and with the underside surface 17 of the cap 16. It is recognized
that
a sidewall 15 (e.g. collar wall ¨ see Fig. 2) extending upwardly from the top
surface 13 of the flange portion 12 can also be considered as part of the top
surface 13 of the flange portion 12. It is recognized that a sidewall (not
shown)
extending downwardly from the bottom/underside surface 17 of the cap 16 can
also be considered as part of the bottom/underside surface 17 of the cap 16.
[0034] Corrugated (see Fig. 7) can refer to draws or bends into folds or
alternate furrows and ridges of the surface of the filter plate 46. A
corrugated
surface can also refer to a pleated surface 19. A corrugated surface 19 can
also
refer to a shape into folds or parallel and alternating ridges and grooves.
The
juncture between the folds can be well defined (e.g. a crease line) or can be
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distributed over the surface (e.g. an arcuate change in direction from one
fold to
the next, such as an arcuate portion of the surface 19 of the corrugated
filter
material 46). For example, the corrugated filter material 46 (e.g. plate) can
be a
single walled surface 19 as shown, can be a double walled structure, not
shown,
(e.g. having a space between adjacent walls having a corrugated surface 19,
etc). Preferably the corrugated filter material 46 has a corrugated surface 19
exposed to the passage of air impinging on the corrugated filter material 46
from
the atmosphere and directed towards the opening 22 (and overlapping hole 28 in
the roof membrane of the building) and into the roof cavity (e.g. attic
space).
Preferably the corrugated filter material 46 has a corrugated surface 19
exposed
to the passage of air impinging on the corrugated filter material 46 from the
exiting the roof cavity (e.g. attic space) and directed towards the opening 22
(and
overlapping hole 28 in the roof membrane 50 of the building) and into the
atmosphere.
[0035] In terms of positioning of the corrugated filter material 46 with
respect to the cap 16 (at least covering the opening 28) and with respect to
the
flange portion 12, the corrugated filter material 46 is positioned transverse
to both
of the cap 16 (e.g. underside surface 17 of the cap 16) and the flange portion
12
(e.g. upper surface 13 of the flange portion 12). As such, it is recognized
that the
corrugated filter material 46 can be in contact with one of the surfaces
13,17, with
both of the surfaces 13, 17, an/or in contact with none of the surfaces 13,17
(e.g.
suspended between the surfaces 13,17 by a secondary structure that can also
be used to position the cap 16 in a spaced apart relationship with the flange
portion 12. For example, the secondary structure can be provided by the collar
portion 14 described herein as an example only. In any event, the corrugated
filter material 46 extends transversely (in whole, in part, etc.) between the
cap 16
and the flange portion 12 (e.g. base of the roof vent 10). In terms of in-
whole,
then any passage of air between the opening 22 and the atmosphere would pass
though the body of the corrugated filter material 46. Alternatively, in terms
of in-
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part, some of the passage of air between the opening 22 and the atmosphere
would pass though the body of the corrugated filter material 46 and passage of
air between the opening 22 and the atmosphere would go around the body of the
corrugated filter material 46. In terms of transverse, this can be referred to
as
situated or lying across (e.g. between the opposing surfaces 13,17), lying
sideways (e.g. between the opposing surfaces 13,17), crosswise (e.g. between
the opposing surfaces 13,17), crossing from side to side (e.g. between the
opposing surfaces 13,17), athwart (e.g. between the opposing surfaces 13,17),
crossways (e.g. between the opposing surfaces 13,17), lying or extending
across
or in a cross direction (e.g. between the opposing surfaces 13,17), cross
(e.g.
between the opposing surfaces 13,17). One example of transverse (e.g.
between the opposing surfaces 13,17) can be lying at right angles to or
perpendicular to each or both of the opposing surfaces 13,17). It is also
recognized that the angle of the corrugated filter material 46, when extending
away from (either in or out of contact with the actual surface 13,17) the
surface
13,17, can be other than 90 degrees, as desired.
[0036] The roof vent 10 can be considered as a roof vent type for
natural
ventilation, as using the process of supplying and removing air through an
indoor
space (e.g. attic) without using mechanical systems. Natural ventilation
implemented by the roof vent 10 can refer to the flow of external air to an
indoor
space as a result of pressure or temperature differences. There can be two
types
of natural ventilation occurring in buildings: wind driven ventilation and
buoyancy-
driven ventilation. While wind can be the main mechanism of wind driven
ventilation, buoyancy-driven ventilation can occur as a result of the
directional
buoyancy force that results from temperature differences between the interior
and exterior of the building. Alternatively, natural ventilation can be
referred to as
Passive ventilation, as a way to provide attic ventilation for shingle roof
assemblies is by nonpowered, passive ventilation based roof vent 10. This
method relies primarily on natural air convection¨the upward movement of
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heated air because of its lower density¨but may also take advantage of wind-
generated pressure differences.
[0037] Natural convection can initiate the upward flow of air through
an
attic and through the roof vent 10. This air current can be maintained to aid
in
continuous circulation of air through the attic if intake vents placed low in
the attic
make colder air available to replace the heated air exhausted through vents
placed high in the attic. Convection-assisted ventilation can be effective
when
approximately equal amounts of ventilation opening areas are placed at the
soffits or eave and at or near the top of the attic space, referred to as
"balanced
ventilation." It is also recognized that the roof vent 10 can be a powered
type
roof vent rather than a passive type. For example, the roof vent 10 can have a
powered unit, e.g. a fan with corresponding drive mechanism (e.g. motor) for
assisting flow of the passage of air through the corrugated filter plate 46.
[0038] In terms of the net free cross sectional area for the passage
of air
through the corrugated filter plate 46, the aggregate total open area (e.g.
summation of the effective open area of each of the individual pore 47 cross
sectional areas) of the plurality of holes/pores 47 can be configured to
satisfy a
minimum net open area threshold. For example, the open area threshold can be
approximately 50 square inches of flow ability (e.g. net free area) available
for
the passage of air to flow through. It is recognized that the minimum net open
area threshold can be a standard defined threshold, different for each
country,
province, and/or state based building codes/standards. In an example where the
corrugated filter plate 46 does not extend from surface 13 to surface 17, the
total
net free air flow area available would be the aggregate of the effective open
area
of each of the individual pore 47 cross sectional areas of the corrugated
filter
plate 46 and the open cross sectional area of an air gap between an end of the
filter plate 46 and the adjacent surface 13,17.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 1,3, the roof vent 10 provides for roof
ventilation
while at the same time inhibiting the infiltration of snow (e.g. undesired
particles)
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into the attic. The roof vent 10 has the flange portion 12, optionally the
collar
portion 14 (shown as an example embodiment) and the cap 16 configured to
cover over (e.g. most) of the collar portion 14 and to cover over a portion of
the
surface 19. Flange portion 12 is preferably flat to rest flush with the roof
(not
shown) to make it easy to install the roof vent. Collar portion 14 extends
perpendicularly upward from flange 12. Cap 16 is dimensioned to enclose much
of the collar portion 14 but to leave a space gap 18 between the cap 16 and
flange portion 12 to permit atmospheric air to pass through collar portion 14.
[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, flange portion 12 has a (e.g.
central) aperture 22 and collar portion 14 has a (e.g. central) cavity 26
which
communicates with aperture 22 providing for air to circulate between attic
interior
30, through hole 28 in roof 26 and cavity 26. Collar 14 can have one or more
apertures 24 through which air can circulate between cavity 26 and outside
atmosphere 32 through air passage 20 and a gap 18 (between the flange portion
12 and the cap 16). As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, collar portion 14 can be
formed as a (e.g. annular) frame having upper portion 38, lower portion 40 and
sides 36 formed from support members 34. Apertures 24 are formed between
support members 34. The collar portion 14 is one example of a frame (e.g.
frame
portion 14) that can provide for structural rigidity between the cap 16 and
flange
portion 12, thus providing for structural integrity of the roof vent 10 in
keeping the
cap 16 at a spaced apart distance from the flange portion 12. It is also
recognized that the frame portion 14 can be separate from the corrugated
filter
material 46 (e.g. the frame portion 14 and the corrugated filter material 46
are
separate and distinct pieces of the roof vent 10). It is also recognized that
the
frame portion 14 can be integrated with the corrugated filter material 46
(e.g. the
frame portion 14 and the corrugated filter material 46 are an integrated
component of the roof vent 10). For example, the frame portion 14 with
integrated corrugated filter material 46 can be attached to both the cap 16
and
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the flange portion 12, such that the frame portion 14 extends away (e.g.
upwardly, downwardly, etc.) from the respective surfaces 13,17.
[0041] Referring again to Fig. 3, the cavity 26 can form a continuous
opening between upper and lower portions 38 and 40, respectively. Upper and
lower portions 38 and 40 can have channels 42 and 44, respectively which are
opposed (e.g. parallel) to each other and which are dimensioned and configured
to receive side edges of corrugated filter plate 46 so that the corrugated
filter
plate 46 is positioned transversely between interior 26 and aperture 24.
Therefore, air passing from the aperture 24 can pass through corrugated filter
plate 46 to enter cavity 26. Alternately, the corrugated filter plate 46 is
positioned
transversely between the atmosphere and the aperture 24.
[0042] The corrugated filter plate 46 can be a wire mesh which is
corrugated to increase its surface area, thus providing for the passage of air
through the surface 19 at a multiple of angles relating to the different
surfaces of
the folds that are angles to one another. As such, the corrugated surface 19
has
a greater surface area as compared to a corresponding planar surface of a side
of the roof vent 10 (e.g. a planar cross sectional area of a bounded surface
measured between an adjacent pair of support members 34 and the adjacent
and opposing surfaces 13,17). The corrugated filter plate 46 can have a pore
47
size which is selected to inhibit the passage of atmospheric particles (e.g.
snow
particles) through the corrugated filter plate 46, while facilitating the flow
of air
through the corrugated filter plate 46 from side 19 to side 19. For example, a
pore size of approximately 120 microns can inhibit the passage of snow while
providing for adequate air circulation through the corrugated surface of the
filter
plate 46, as compared to the planar surface area of a non-corrugated cross
sectional area of a side of the roof vent 10 (e.g. covered by a fibrous layer
that is
non-corrugated ¨ e.g. planar). The material of the corrugated filter plate 46
can
be composed of metal, such as but not limited to stainless steel, aluminum, or
other materials that can inhibit attachment of the particles (e.g. snow) to
the
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corrugated surface 19, when the surface 19 is in an extending orientation
(e.g.
upwardly, away from, towards, etc.) with respect to the surface(s) 13,17.
[0043] Referring back to FIG. 3, collar 14 can extend transverse
(e.g.
perpendicular) to opening 22. Cap 16 can be dimensioned to close off opening
22 from precipitation and other particles from entering the opening 22 from
above. An air passage 20 can be formed between cap 16 and collar portion 14
so that air flows through the side walls of collar 14 and air passage 20 and
out
gap 18. As mentioned above, collar portion 14 can have the corrugated filter
plate 46 (see FIG. 6) mounted thereto so that air flowing from outside vent 10
passes (at least in part) through the corrugated surface 19 of the filter
plate 46
before entering opening 22, hole 28 and attic interior 30. Any wind driven
snow
can be trapped between collar 14 and cap 16 and thus be inhibited from
infiltrating the attic space 30. Since air passage 20 can be larger than gap
18, a
quantity of snow can accumulate on the outside of collar 14 while at the same
time be inhibited from blocking off the flow of air between exterior 32 (e.g.
atmosphere) and attic interior 30. As mentioned previously, the corrugation of
filter plate 46 (see FIG. 7) provides for a larger surface area, that what
could be
achieve by a planar porous layer, positioned about the opening 22, thereby
increasing the amount of filter media available to permit air to flow through
the
filter plate 46. It is recognized that the corrugated filter plate 46 can be
of any
peripheral shape (e.g. about the periphery 29 of the hole 28), for example
square
as shown in Fig. 6, as well as any other shape as desired (e.g. circular,
oblong,
triangular, rectangular, pentagonal), as well as any number of sides (e.g. a
square has 4 sides, a triangle has three sides, etc.), as well as any side
shape
(e.g. linear, arcuate, etc.).
[0044] It will be appreciated that numerous modifications can be made
to
invention without departing from the core of the invention. In particular, the
corrugated filter plate 46 can be laid out within the collar portion 14 so
that the
filter plate 46 lies parallel to opening 22 (e.g. overlapping the opening 22).
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Certain advantages have been found to a transverse (e.g. perpendicular)
arrangement between the filter plate 46 and opening 22 (see Fig. 3). In
particular,
it is recognized that a perpendicular arrangement can provide for appropriate
air
circulation through the roof vent 10 while improving the roof vent's 10
ability to
block wind driven snow from passing through the filter plate 46. In some
applications, it can be more cost effective to produce a roof vent 10 where
the
filter plate is laid out parallel (or some other angle other than
perpendicular)
relative to the central opening 22.
[0045] In view of the above, referring to Fig. 8, shown is an
alternative
embodiment of the roof vent 10 having a cap 16 (covering opening 22)
positioned
in a spaced apart relationship with the flange portion 12 by an intervening
frame
portion 14 (integrated with the filter plate 46, separate from the filter
plate 46,
etc.), and the corrugated filter plate 46. In this example, the cap 16 does
not
overlap or otherwise cover the corrugated surface 19 of the filter plate 46,
as is
shown in Fig. 3. It is recognized that in Fig. 8, a collar sidewall is not
shown. As
such, it is considered that the collar sidewall(s) can be separate from and
thus
added to the configuration of a roof vent 10 combination of cap 16, flange
portion
12 and corrugated filter plate 46, as desired. For example, the corrugated
filter
plate 46 can be positioned as a retrofit (e.g. optional insert module to an
off-the
shelf roofing accessory) into an existing cap 12, frame 14 (e.g. collar
portion with
or without sidewalls extending from a flange), and flange configured roof vent
10.
For example, the flange portion 12 (e.g. with groove) and associated
corrugated
filter material 46 can be sold as an insert to be combined with an existing
cap 16
and/or flange combination roof vent 10.
[0046] Referring to Fig. 9, shown is an alternative embodiment of the roof
vent 10 having a cap 16, frame portion 14 including collar sidewalls 11, the
flange portion 12, and the corrugated filter material 46 extending between the
cap 12 and the flange portion 12, such that the corrugated filter material 46
is
positioned between the aperture 22 and the opening 22 (see Fig 3).
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[0047]
Referring to Fig. 10, shown is an alternative embodiment of the roof
vent 10 having a cap 16, frame portion 14 including collar sidewalls 11, the
flange portion 12, and the corrugated filter material 46 extending between the
cap 12 and the flange portion 12, such that the corrugated filter material 46
is
positioned between the aperture 22 and the atmosphere.
[0048]
Referring to Fig. 11a, shown is an alternative embodiment of the
roof vent 10 having a cap 16, a flange portion 12, and a corrugated filter
material
46 there between, such that the roof vent 10 is positioned non-vertically with
respect to a sloped roof surface 50.
Referring to Fig. 11b, shown is an
alternative embodiment of the roof vent 10 having a cap 16, a flange portion
12,
and a corrugated filter material 46 there between, such that the roof vent 10
is
positioned vertically with respect to a sloped roof surface 50.
[0049]
Referring to Fig. 12, shown is an alternative embodiment of the roof
vent 10 having a cap 16, frame portion 14 including optional collar sidewalls
11,
.. the flange portion 12, and the corrugated filter material 46 extending
between the
cap 12 and the flange portion 12, wherein the collar sidewalls 11 are
positioned
between a bottom end of the corrugated filter material 46 and the flange
portion
12.
[0050]
Referring to Fig. 13, shown is an alternative embodiment of the roof
.. vent 10 having a cap 16, frame portion 14, the flange portion 12, and the
corrugated filter material 46 extending between the cap 12 and the flange
portion
12, such that an air gap 52 is positioned between a top 54 (adjacent and
spaced
apart from surface 17) of the corrugated filter material 46, thus providing
for air
exchange with the interior via opening 22 both as air passing through 56 the
corrugated filter material 46 and bypassing 58 the corrugated filter material
46 by
flowing around the top 54 of the corrugated filter material 46 and through the
air
gap 52.
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[0051] Referring to Figs. 14, 15, 16 shown is an alternative
embodiment of
the roof vent 10 as an arch top roof vent having the flange portion 12 (base),
an
optional collar portion 14 (extends from base including sidewall 11) which
also
could be referred to as the frame portion 14, and the cap (hood) 16 configured
to
cover over the corrugated filter material 46. Flange portion 12 is preferably
flat to
rest flush with the roof 50 to make it easy to install the roof vent 10.
Collar portion
14 extends away/upward from flange portion 12. The cap 16 can be dimensioned
to enclose much of the collar 14 but to leave a gap 18 between the cap 16 and
flange portion 14 to facilitate atmospheric air to pass through the corrugated
filter
material 46.
[0052] The flange portion 14 has an aperture 22 and the collar portion
14
has the cavity which provides for air to circulate into the attic interior via
the hole
in the roof 50 and cavity of the collar portion 14. The collar portion 14
facilitates
the air to circulate between the cavity and the outside atmosphere through the
air
passage and gap 18. The flange portion 12 can provide support members 14
(illustrated at the four corners) that support the cap 16 above the flange
portion
12 and provide clearance between a bottom surface of the cap 16 (e.g. cap arms
59 as an extension of the surface 17) and upper edge 60 (e.g. opposite the
flange portion surface 13) of the collar portion 14.
[0053] Corrugated filter plates 46 can be positioned between the support
members 14. The corrugated filter plate 46 is positioned transversely between
interior 22 and atmosphere. Therefore, air passing from atmosphere can pass
through filter plate 46 to enter cavity 22. Preferably, a channel can be
formed in
the flange portion 12 for receiving the filter plate 46.
[0054] Illustrated is an arch top design for the optional collar portion
walls
11. The cap 16 can be similarly shaped to conform to the collar walls 11 shape
to
maintain a similarly sized air gap all around the collar portion walls 11. The
top
edge 62 of the cap 16 (labeled "up" in the drawings) is arcuate (i.e. non-
linear) to
provide for snow and rain to move away from the top edge 62 to help limit
CA 02851109 2014-05-07
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accumulation of the show and/or water as encountered based on the season.
The shape of the collar portion wall 11 perimeter can vary but preferably, the
top
edge can have a curve or arcuate shape to limit accumulation of snow or rain.
The perimeter of cap 16 shown in the drawings is trapezoidal but other shapes
can include square or diamond so long as the top edge is arcuately shaped.
[0055] Referring to Fig. 17 is an insert 70 for an existing roof vent
71 for
ventilating a roof of a building via a hole in the roof to atmosphere, the
existing
roof vent 71 having a cap (shown in ghosted view) for connecting to a flange
portion 12, the insert 70 comprising: the flange portion 12 for resting on the
roof
50, the flange portion 12 having an opening 22 for overlapping with the hole;
and
the corrugated filter plate 46 for extending between the cap and the flange
portion 12 and interposed transversely between the opening 22 and the
atmosphere, the corrugated filter plate 46 providing for a passage of air
between
the atmosphere and the opening 22, the corrugated filter plate 46 having a
pore
size sufficient for facilitating the air passage of air through the corrugated
filter
plate 46 while blocking passage of atmospheric particles through the
corrugated
filter plate 46.
[0056] Referring to Fig. 18 is an alternative embodiment of the insert
70 for
the existing roof vent 71 for ventilating a roof of a building via a hole in
the roof to
atmosphere, the existing roof vent 71 having a cap connected to a flange
portion
via a frame portion (shown in ghosted view), the insert 70 comprising: a base
72
for resting on the flange portion, the base having an opening 74 for
overlapping
with the hole; and a corrugated filter plate 46 positioned on the base 72 for
extending between the cap and the flange portion and for being interposed
transversely between the opening and the atmosphere, the corrugated filter
plate
46 providing for a passage of air between the atmosphere and the opening, the
corrugated filter plate 46 having a pore size sufficient for facilitating the
air
passage of air through the corrugated filter plate 46 while blocking passage
of
atmospheric particles through the corrugated filter plate 46.
- 17 -
[0057]
Referring to Fig. 19 is an alternative embodiment of the insert 70 for the
existing roof vent 71 for ventilating a roof of a building via a hole in the
roof to
atmosphere, the existing roof vent 71 having a flange portion with an opening
(shown in
ghosted view) for connecting to a cap 16 via a frame portion 14, the flange
portion for
resting on the roof and having an opening for overlapping with the hole, the
insert 70
comprising: a cap 16 for connecting to the frame portion 14 and covering over
the
opening; and a corrugated filter plate 46 connected to the cap 16 and for
extending
between the cap 16 and the flange portion and for interposing transversely
between the
opening and the atmosphere, the corrugated filter plate 46 providing for a
passage of air
between the atmosphere and the opening, the corrugated filter plate 46 having
a pore
size sufficient for facilitating the air passage of air through the corrugated
filter plate 46
while blocking passage of atmospheric particles through the corrugated filter
plate 46.
[0058]
It is recognized that the corrugated filter plate 46 can also be referred
to
as a corrugated filter material 46 or corrugated filter structure 46. It is
also recognized
that the corrugated filter plate 46 can be provided as a replacement cartridge
(to replace
a damaged filter plate) for an existing roof vent (e.g. like those shown in
Figs. 17,18,19).
The replacement cartridge can include the corrugated filter plate 46 as well
as any of
the components of the roof vent provided for in the Figs. 1-19, as desired.
For
example, the replacement cartridge is for an existing roof vent for
ventilating a roof of a
building via a hole in the roof to atmosphere, the roof vent having a flange
portion
connected to a cap via a frame portion, the flange portion for resting on the
roof and
having an opening for overlapping with the hole. The replacement cartridge can
also
comprise a corrugated filter plate for connecting with at least one of the
flange portion,
the cap or the frame portion, the corrugated filter plate for extending
between the cap
and the flange portion and for interposing transversely between the opening
and the
atmosphere, the corrugated filter plate providing for a passage of air between
the
atmosphere and the opening, the corrugated filter plate having a pore size
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-06-03
CA 02851109 2014-05-07
,
- 18 -
sufficient for facilitating the air passage of air through the corrugated
filter plate
while blocking passage of atmospheric particles through the corrugated filter
plate.
[0059] A specific embodiment of the present invention has
been disclosed;
however, several variations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as
within the scope of this invention. It is to be understood that the present
invention
is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all
embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
