S-shaped roof vent, ventilated roof employing the same and method of installing the same

Abstract

A generally S-shaped vent is provided for a roof including a substructure having at least one ventilation hole and being covered by a plurality of tiles. The tiles form a finish layer having peaks and valleys. The vent includes a base assembly having a number of flange members and at least one venting member with a vent aperture. The flange members are coupled to the roof substructure at or about the ventilation hole. At least one cap member is coupled to the base assembly, overlaying the vent aperture and including an upslope end, a downslope end, first and second sides, and an arcuate portion extending between the first and second sides. First and second louvered portions of the first and second sides of the cap member provide a ventilating passageway through the vent. The vent substantially conforms to the peaks and valleys of the finish layer of the roof.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention relates generally to vents and, more particularly, to generally S-shaped roof vents for ventilating the roof of a structure, such as a building, while conforming to the general shape of the finish layer of the roof. The invention also relates to ventilated roofs. The invention further relates to a method of installing roof vents.[0003]2. Background Information[0004]Vents are commonly employed on the roofs of structures, such as residential buildings, commercial buildings and other structures, in order to exhaust air from beneath the roof (e.g., from an attic space) into the surrounding atmosphere.[0005]For example, a variety of passive roof vents have been employed at various locations on building roofs in an attempt to release heat which can undesirably build up and become trapped under the roof. Passive vents provide an air passageway for such hot air to be exhausted from the roof, and thereby help to ma...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]These needs and others are met by embodiments of the invention, which are directed to a generally S-shaped roof vent and associated method of installation which can be adapted for use in a wide variety of configurations with shaped roofing tiles, such as S-shaped or Spanish tiles, in order to effectively ventilate a roof, without undesirably detracting from the appearance of the roof.

[0013]Each cap member may further comprise a first end piece coupled to the upslope end of the cap member, and a second end piece coupled to the downslope end of the cap member. The first end piece may form a sloped angle between the cap member and a corresponding one of the venting members of the base assembly, in order to deflect moisture and debris away from the vent. The second end piece may include a number of louvers in order to further increase air flow through the vent. The first and second louvered portions of the cap member may extend inwardly from the first and second sides of the cap member, respectively, in order that the first and second louvers are generally disposed beneath and are shielded by the arcuate portion of the cap member.

[0014]The venting members of the base assembly may further comprise an upturned flange adjacent the vent aperture thereof, and the cap member further comprises a pair of attachment flanges generally extending between the upslope end of the cap member and the downslope end of the cap member. The attachment flanges may engage and overlap the upturned flange of the corresponding one of the venting members of the base assembly, thereby resisting the undesired entry of moisture and debris therebetween. The first and second louvered portions of the cap member may each form an angle with respect to a corresponding one of the pair of the attachment flanges of the cap member which is less than about 90 degrees. The base assembly of the vent may comprise five separate components coupled together, namely a first flange member, a second flange member, a third intermediate flange member disposed therebetween, and first and second venting members. The vent may also include a pair of first and second cap members, wherein the first cap member is coupled to the first venting member of the base assembly and the second cap member is coupled to the second venting member of the base assembly.

[0018]It is an object of the invention to provide a generally S-shaped vent which substantially blends in with the surrounding tiles of the roof, in order to be aesthetically pleasing (i.e., so as not to undesirably detract from the overall appearance of the roof).

[0023]It is another object of the invention to provide a generally S-shaped vent which is relatively easy and inexpensive to make and install.

[0026]It is another object of the invention to provide an improved method of installing generally S-shaped roof vents wherein the sub-flashing of the vent can be installed prior to cutting the ventilation hole in the roof, and wherein the sub-flashing can serve as a template to optimize the precision with which such ventilation hole is made.

Problems solved by technology

Such vents also serve a safety function, as excessive heat can result in damage to the roof, and could potentially cause a fire.

This can be particularly difficult where, for example, the tiles of the roof have a relatively complex shape such as, for example, the general S-shape which is commonly associated with Spanish tiles.

This disadvantageously requires numerous different skeletons to be made for each particular type of roof application.

Such spacing presents the possibility for debris, animals, moisture, or other matter to undesirably enter under the vent cap, through the space between the cap and the base.

In addition to the foregoing, there are also a number of unique problems with the manner in which such vents must be installed.

Such problems are, in large part, related to the construction of the vents.

However, the roof might not be tiled until several days or even weeks later.

Accordingly, the aforementioned matter, such as moisture, and relatively small debris can undesirably enter the building through the primary vent.

It is also difficult to size and position the hole in the roof decking precisely so as to match the hole of the primary vent in order to maximize the net flow area and ventilation through the vent.

Images