Replaceable foundation vent

Abstract

The replaceable foundation vent has a mounting frame and a plurality of vent components, including a screen, ventilation plate, and a slider. The ventilation components are removably attachable to the mounting frame using fasteners. The mounting frame has a built in lintel, the entire frame being adapted for permanent mounting in an opening in a block, brick or frame foundation wall. Overhanging portions of the frame lintel rest atop foundation wall members laterally disposed on either side of the frame. Additional foundation wall members can be disposed on top of the lintel to seal off the initial top opening. By releasing/removing the fasteners, the vent components can easily be removed from the mounting frame for repairs to the vent when necessary.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to foundation vents, and more particularly to a replaceable ventilation vent having a permanently installed mounting frame.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Foundation ventilators are required by building codes at spaced locations for moisture control among other reasons. Such ventilators preferably include a means for opening and a means for closing the air passageway so that air flow can be increased during the warm season to minimize trapped moisture inside the foundation and air flow can be minimized during the cold season to minimize heat loss during colder periods.[0005]Foundation ventilators are usually installed in the openings provided in the foundation wall by applying mortar around the perimeter of the ventilation unit once it is positioned in the opening. Such an installation method is accompanied by many problems in that the application of mortar around the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The replaceable foundation vent comprises a mounting frame and a vent having a plurality of ventilation components, including a screen, a stationary ventilation plate, and a slider. The ventilation components are removably attachable to the mounting frame using fasteners. The mounting frame has a built-in lintel, the entire frame being adapted for mounting in an opening in a block, brick or frame foundation wall. Overhanging portions of the frame lintel rest atop foundation wall members laterally disposed on either side of the frame. Additional foundation wall members can be disposed on top of the lintel to seal off the initial top opening. Frame and vent function in the same manner as older styled unitarily constructed vents. By releasing / removing the fasteners, the ventilation components can easily be removed from the mounting frame for repairs to the vent when necessary.

Problems solved by technology

Such an installation method is accompanied by many problems in that the application of mortar around the ventilation unit perimeter may not be precise, resulting in messy residue that must be cleaned up, eating up valuable construction time.

Moreover, the application of mortar around joints requires a high degree of skill in the artisan.

The aforementioned installation method results in a permanent installation that defies easy repair or replacement, in that the mortar must be chipped away from the opening using hammer and chisel or the like.

The very process of striking at the mortar may result in inadvertent permanent damage to the ventilation unit, instead of the repair that was sought.

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