Serviceable soffit vent

Abstract

An attic soffit ventilator for a dwelling having a removable filter. The soffit ventilator includes a frame having a plurality of louvers on one side, wherein the frame is fixed to the underside surface or soffit structure of a roof. The frame includes a side openings or slot for receiving a filter media. The filter media is inserted into the frame by sliding it into the frame from the side opening or slot. Further, the filter media can be removed, cleaned, and re-inserted into the frame.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional Application Ser. No. 13 / 199,288 filed on Aug. 24, 2011.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is a system and device for ventilating the attic of a dwelling. More specifically, a serviceable soffit ventilator is provided having a removable and re-usable filter.BACKGROUND[0003]Excessive heat and moisture trapped in an attic or other space underneath the pitched roof of a structure can damage the roof, can damage the remainder of the structure and can promote mold and decay within the attic. To avoid these effects, the ambient air space between the roof and dwelling ceiling, referred to as the attic, must be constantly ventilated, and replaced with fresh contiguous outside ambient air.[0004]During daylight hours, the sun shining on the roof warms the deck surface, causing the deck to become warmer than the ambient air. The warm roof deck ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a user serviceable attic air intake vent that allows the user to restore the net free air flow of the soffit filter media without the necessity of removing and replacing the affixed vent housing or the entire soffit air vent. The frame of the soffit vent is formed from one piece of galvanized steel and the filter is stamped from one piece of metal with more than 50% net free open surface area for the incoming air to pass into the attic space. The device allows the user to easily remove, clean, and reinstall the filter media. Additionally, the soffit vent is designed to protect the structural and aesthetic integrity of the eave / soffit structure or wall panel.

Problems solved by technology

Excessive heat and moisture trapped in an attic or other space underneath the pitched roof of a structure can damage the roof, can damage the remainder of the structure and can promote mold and decay within the attic.

In addition, the enclosed attic space is vulnerable to wind gusting through roof and gable vents and entering the attic when the wind pressure is greater than the exhaust pressure of the ridge or roof exhaust vents.

This condition causes loose debris, dust, insulation materials and other disturbed materials resident in the attic to become airborne and randomly relocate within the attic space.

In most cases, this debris lands and stays on the attic side of the eave or soffit vent, blinding the filter component of the soffit vent and rendering said vent incapable of freely providing unrestricted necessary intake air.

Over time, and starting immediately after the installation of traditional soffit vents, the fixed filter screen begins to become blinded by airborne organic material, including but not limited to, dust, dirt, pollen, leaves, organic material and mud.

The debris is small enough in size to pass through the vent frame air openings, but large enough to become trapped in the smaller passages in the screen material, rendering the filter to be compromised, blocked and unable to deliver adequate air flow to the attic space.

Further, traditional methods contemplate the permanent installation of the captured soffit vent filtered housings, affixing them to the eave / soffit structure with nails, screws or adhesives with no provision for post installation removal for maintenance or service.

This removal procedure normally destroys the vent housing, rendering it unusable, and damages the eave or soffit structure that the vent was affixed thereto.

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