Vent cover with paddle wheel

Abstract

A duct vent cover attaches to an exterior wall at a duct exhaust point. The duct vent cover comprises a hood, mounting bracket, and a paddle wheel. The duct vent cover shields the duct vent from weather effects. The paddle wheel deters the ingress of wildlife, such as, for example, birds, squirrels and other animals which nest in vents, while allowing the egress of exhaust air, lint, and other debris.

Description

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION[0001]A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its figures contain material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.BACKGROUND[0002]I. Field[0003]This invention relates to covers for vents.[0004]II. Description of Related Art[0005]Dryers and other household appliances typically generate waste air which needs to be exhausted. This waste air is typically exhausted through tubing leading from the appliance to an outdoor space. Successful venting to the outdoors requires an aperture at the termination of the tubing through which the waste air can flow. This aperture is the vent opening.[0006]An effective vent opening allows the flow of air from the vent tubing and thus the appliance. Thus, it is advantageous to facilitate exhaust through the vent opening. An occlusion prevents ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention aims to prevent contamination and infestation in ducts by shielding them from weather effects and preventing animals from entering them. A cover is attached to the exterior wall at the duct exhaust point to allow the egress of exhaust air, lint, and other debris while preventing animals from entering. This helps to maintain the duct system and allows for proper ventilation.

Problems solved by technology

Dryers and other household appliances typically generate waste air which needs to be exhausted.

An occlusion prevents the flow of air from the vent tubing or duct work, thereby preventing the flow of appliance's exhaust air and increasing the risk of appliance failure, such as by overheating the appliance's motor, increasing drying times, or unsafe levels of heat buildup elsewhere.

A vent opening which is too occluded constitutes several risks.

It may effectively block the air flow from the appliance by completely obstructing the vent opening.

It may also increase the risk of fire by preventing the free flow of lint or other debris along with the exhaust air, thereby causing a clog in the vent tubing which decreases appliance performance, increases the risk of appliance failure, and increases the risk of a fire.

Conversely, a vent opening which is insufficiently occluded constitutes several different risks.

Further, rain and other weather effects can be detrimental to exposed vent tubing.

Flaps can become stuck open, which not only defeats their ability to prevent a backdraft, but also prevents any visual feedback to the viewer.

Thus, even a vent opening with backflow flaps is still susceptible to blockage by a nesting bird.

Notwithstanding these known advances, the problem of vents openings becoming clogged over time remains.

Dryer vents, in particular, tend to become clogged over time with dryer lint.

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