Eaves vent

Abstract

An eaves vent 14 comprising spacing members 16 spaced along a longitudinal axis of the vent, a first surface 20 for contacting an upper surface of a facia board 2, and a grill portion 18 positioned be

Description

FIELD This invention relates to an eaves vent for ventilation of a roof space, in particular over facia ventilation. BACKGROUND Eaves vents are used to provide ventilation to the roof space of a building. They are positioned at the intersection between the facia board, at the top of an outer wall of a building, and the roof covering. Typically, eaves vents provide an air passage for air to flow to the roof space while keeping small animals, birds and detritus out. The eaves vent also provides a structure for supporting the roof covering and a surface for affixing the roof covering. The eaves vent itself is affixed to the facia board at the top surface of the outer wall of the building. Existing eaves vents typically provide an airflow (or free area) of 10,000 mm2 to 25,000 mm2 per metre. To provide this the eaves vent has a grill which provides the equivalent of a 10 mm or 25 mm air gap. Due to condensation problems eaves vents are becoming more widely used for roof ventilation. An issue arises due to regional differences in typical building materials and building styles: existing eaves vents may be too large for the space between the facia board and the roof tile. When existing eaves vents are fitted in these situations the last course of roof tiles (or other roof cover material) may be kicked upwards. This leads to inconsistency in the roof angle. The resulting roof structure may not meet specification. As there is a requirement to provide a suitable airflow to the roof space the eaves vent cannot simply be made smaller. It has therefore been realised that it is desirable to develop an eaves vent which has a lower overall profile, or vertical height in use, whilst maintaining adequate ventilation. Available eaves vents do not meet these requirements. The present invention seeks to solve or mitigate the above-mentioned problems, other problems, or provide a useful alternative, by providing an eaves vent which has a lower profile while providing sufficient airflow. SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention provides an eaves vent comprising: a plurality of spacing members spaced from each other along a longitudinal axis of the eaves vent; a first surface configured to contact an upper surface of a facia board; a grill portion positioned between the spacing members along the longitudinal axis of the eaves vent; and wherein the grill portion extends along a transverse axis of the eaves vent on an oblique plane relative to the first surface; wherein the eaves vent is configured so that in use the upper surface of the facia board at its corner with the outer surface of the facia board is exposed to define an airflow passage through the eaves vent. Angling the grill portion on an oblique plane can provide a larger cross sectional area for the airflow passage for a given height than a grill portion which is vertical or horizontal relative to the ground in use. Angling the grill portion can thereby increase the air flow achievable relative to the height of the eaves vent. Additionally, exposing the upper surface of the facia board at its corner with the outer surface to define an airflow passage through the eaves vent means there is no need to provide a lower wall as part of the eaves vent for the airflow passage. By eliminating the lower wall the overall height of the eaves vent can be further minimised. Preferably, the first surface is on each of the plurality of spacing members. Preferably, the spacing members are a plurality of ribs each extending along a transverse axis of the eaves vent; wherein the first surface is on each of the plurality of ribs. Preferably, the grill portion contacts the upper surface of the facia board and together they define an airflow passage through the eaves vent. Preferably, the grill portion comprises grill members, and an end of each grill member contacts the facia board in use. Thus air can only pass between the grill members allowing for airflow at a reduced height of the eaves vent. Preferably, each of the plurality of spacing members comprises a second surface which is substantially perpendicular to the first surface and intersects the first surface; wherein the second surface is configured to contact an outer surface of the facia board. Preferably, a height of the eaves vent from the intersection between the first and second surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the first surface is less than 10 mm. Preferably, the first and second surfaces intersect at an intersection point on each spacing member, and the eaves vent is not formed at a point along the longitudinal axis between two adjacent intersection points. This means that the upper surface of the facia board is exposed at its upper, outer corner which allows improved airflow over the upper surface at that point compared to existing eaves vents which have a plate extending around that corner. The grill portion may be sized to provide an air flow of between 5000 mm2 and 10000 mm2 per metre. Preferably, the grill portion is sized to provide an air flow of about 7500 mm2 per metre. Preferably, the oblique plane is at about 10° relative to the first surface of the plurality of spacing members. Preferably, the plurality of spacing members are configured to extend around a corner edge of the facia board. In this way the eaves vent is mountable to the corner edge of the facia board. The grill members may be spaced from each other by about 2 mm to about 4 mm. Preferably, the grill members are spaced from each other by about 2 mm. Preferably, the eaves vent comprises openings for receiving fixing means for affixing the eaves vent to the facia board. The openings for receiving the fixing means may be positioned on the first support member. The eaves vent may be integrally formed. Optionally, the eaves vent comprises locating means for locating the outer surface of the facia board, and optionally the eaves vent is configured to expose the upper surface of the facia board adjacent to the locating means in the transverse direction. The resulting eaves vent allows the space between the facia board and the roof tile to remain narrow, thereby overcoming the issues of kicking up the roof tiles. The solution could be implemented easily with little extra cost or training. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the gable end of a building showing a roof structure; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the roof structure without tiles and with an eaves vent according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 shows an end view of the roof structure and eaves vent of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the eaves vent of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the eaves vent of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 depicts a section view from looking from the side of, along the longitudinal axis of, the eaves vent of Figs. 2, 4 and 5; Fig. 7 shows a different section view from looking from the side of the eaves vent of Figs. 2, 4 and 5; Fig. 8 shows an underside view of the eaves vent of Fig. 2 to Fig. 7; Fig. 9 shows a top view of the eaves vent of Fig. 2 to Fig. 8; Fig. 10 shows a front view of the eaves vent of Fig. 2 to Fig. 9; Fig. 11 shows a back view of the eaves vent of Fig. 2 to Fig. 10; Fig. 12 (a) shows a perspective view of the eaves vent of Fig. 2 to Fig. 11; Fig. 12 (b) and Fig. 12 (c) show perspective views of existing vents; Fig. 13 (a) shows a section view of the eaves vent of Fig. 2 to Fig. 11; Fig. 13 (b) and Fig. 13 (c) show section views of the existing vents of Figs. 12 (b) and (c); Fig. 14 shows a section view of the side of a building with an existing vent in situ; Fig. 15 shows a side view of a building with the eaves vent of Fig. 2 to Fig. 11 in situ; Fig. 16 shows a side view of a building with the eaves vent of Fig. 2 to Fig. 11 in situ. Referring to Fig. 1, a perspective view of a building including a roof structure is shown. The building has roof covering 8, or roof tiles 8, positioned across the roof surface. The building has a vertical walls 6 which meet the roof structure. The vertical orientation is relative to the ground when in use. Fig. 2 shows the exposed roof structure without roof covering 8 where connection between the roof structure and the walls is illustrated. The facia board 2, also known as a barge board, runs along the lower edge of the roof and is positioned adjacent to the top of and offset from vertical wall 6. Roof joists 10 extend from the facia board 2 to the ridge plate 4 at the apex of the roof structure. An upper surface of the facia board 2 is one which faces upwards in use. The upper surface of the facia board 2 faces the underside of the roof structure. The upper surface of the facia board 2 defines a plane which lies approximately perpendicular to the vertical walls 6 of the building in use. The facia board 2 has an outer surface. The outer surface is parallel to a vertical wall and faces outwards in use. The eaves vent 14 according to an embodiment of the invention sits atop the upper surface of the facia board 2. The eaves vent 14 is positioned at the intersection between the facia board 2, at the top of a vertical wall 6 of a building, and the roof covering 8. The eaves vent 14 provides a gap between the roof tiles 8 and the facia board 2 to ensure air can flow into the roof space to adequately ventilate the space. The eaves vent 14 provides airflow between the outside of the building and the roof space and vice versa. Fig. 3 shows an end view of the eaves vent 14 in position on the upper surface of the facia board 2. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show the eaves vent 14 according to the present embodiment. As shown the eaves vent 14 is elongate and has a longitudinal axis L. Fig. 5 illustrates a portion of the eaves vent 14 in more detail. The eaves vent 14 comprises a plurality of spacing members 16. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 the spacing members 16 are a plurality of ribs 16, but this is not essential. The plurality of ribs 16 are spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis L of the eaves vent 14. The plurality of ribs 16 are each configured to extend around a corner edge of the facia board 2. The plurality of ribs 16 are identical. Each rib 16 comprises a first (lower) surface 20 which is configured to sit atop the facia board 2. The plurality of ribs 16 each extend around the corner edge to extend down the outer face of the facia board 2 as shown in Fig. 3. Thus, the plurality of ribs 16 are each substantially L-shaped, preferably. The lower surface 20 of the plurality of ribs 16 abuts the top of the facia board 2. Each rib 16 comprises a second surface 21 which is perpendicular to the lower surface 20. The second surface 21 is configured to abut the outer surface of the facia board 2 when in use. The lower surface 20 and the second surface 21 form a right angle, as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. The intersection of the first and second surfaces 20, 21 is suitable for receiving the corner edge of a facia board. In this way the eaves vent 14 is mountable to the corner edge of the facia board 2. The plurality of ribs 16 comprise a third surface 22 for supporting the roof tiles / covering 8. The third surface 22 is uppermost and outermost in use. The third surface 22 intersects the second surface 21 at the end of the second surface 21 which is opposite to the end where the second surface 21 intersects the lower surface 20. An outermost portion of the third surface 22 is substantially rounded. The rounded third surface 22 provides a smooth leading edge allowing it to sit discreetly on top of the fascia board 2 beneath a felt layer or the roof covering / tiles 8. The plurality of ribs 16 are not connected to each other at the intersection of the first and the second surface 20, 21. Therefore, in use, when the facia board 2 is positioned at the intersection of the first and second surface 20, 21 of the plurality of ribs 16, the portion of the facia board 2 between each rib 16 is exposed. The plurality of ribs 16 support a grill portion 18. The grill portion 18 is positioned between each of the plurality of ribs 16 along the longitudinal axis L of the eaves vent 14. The grill portion 18 extends from a plane defined by the lower surface 20 of the plurality of ribs 16, across the plurality of ribs 16, to an outer edge of the plurality of ribs 16. The grill portion 18 lies on an angled plane relative to lower surface 20 of the plurality of ribs 16. In the present embodiment, the grill portion 18 is at an angle of between 8° and 12°, more specifically at an angle of about 10°, to the lower surface 20 of the plurality of ribs 16, but this is not essential. Since the lower surface 20 of the plurality of ribs 16 is configured to contact the upper surface of the facia board 2, in use the grill portion 18 is angled at about 10° to the upper surface of the facia board 2. The grill portion 18 extends from a plane defined by the lower surface 20 of the plurality of ribs 16 to an outer edge of the plurality of ribs 16 in use. The grill portion 18 extends from a plane defined by the lower surface 20 of the plurality of ribs 16 to the third surface 22 of the plurality of ribs 16. In some embodiments the grill portion 18 extends to what is the outermost point of the plurality of ribs 16 when in use. The grill portion 18 comprises a plurality of grill members 28, or elongate elements, which are spaced from each other. As shown in Fig. 8 the grill members 28 are positioned along the longitudinal axis L of the eaves vent 14. The grill members 28 are spaced from each other by 2 mm. In some embodiments the grill members 28 are only connected to each other at one end. Fig. 6 is a section view of the eaves vent where the section is taken through a grill member 28. As shown each grill member 28 lies on the angled plane extending at an angle to the plane defined by the lower surface 20 of the plurality of ribs 16. In use the grill portion 18 and the upper surface of the facia board 2 together provide an airflow passage through the eaves vent 14. The direction of the air flow through eaves vent 14 is shown by arrows A in Fig. 7. Angling the grill portion 18 provides a larger cross sectional area for the airflow passage for a given height than a grill portion 18 which is vertical or horizontal relative to the ground in use. Angling the grill portion 18 thereby increases the air flow achievable relative to the height of the eaves vent 14. In the present embodiment, in use, the grill portion 18 contacts the upper surface of the facia board 2 and together they provide an airflow passage. In some embodiments an end of each grill member 28 directly contacts the facia board 2 in use, thus air can only pass between the grill members 28. Therefore the width of each air flow passage formed by the grill members 28 and the upper surface of the facia board is 2 mm. This arrangement allows for airflow at a reduced height of the eaves vent 14. In the present embodiment, the airflow (or free area) provided by the eaves vent 14 is between 5000 mm2 and 10000 mm2 per metre, and is more specifically about 7500 mm2 per metre. As shown in Fig. 8 the eaves vent 14 comprises a back section or plate 24. This is not essential. The back section 24 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. The back section 24 extends along the length of the eaves vent 14. The back section 24 is configured to contact the facia board 2 in use. The back section 24 is connected to and coplanar with the lower surfaces 20 of the plurality of ribs 16. The grill members 28 extend from the back section 24, whose lower surface is coplanar with the lower surfaces 20 of the plurality of ribs 16, to the third surface 22 of the plurality of ribs 16 in a section view along the longitudinal axis. In the present embodiment, as is preferred, the first and second surfaces 20, 21 intersect at an intersection point on each rib 16, and the eaves vent 14 is not formed at a point along the longitudinal axis between two adjacent intersection points. This means that the upper surface of the facia board is exposed at its upper, outer corner which allows improved airflow over the upper surface at that point compared to existing eaves vents which have a plate extending around that corner. The described embodiments are advantageous because currently available eaves vents can kick up the last line of roof tiles 8. Fig. 12 and Fig.13 illustrate the embodiment of the eaves vent 14 of the present invention described above (a) and existing eaves vents (b) and (c). As shown the eaves vents of Fig. 12 (b) and (c) and Fig. 13 (b) and (c) are larger and have the lower surface wall which abuts a facia board in use. When the roof tiles 8, or other roof covering, are kicked upwards by more than 10 mm the overall angle of the roof is disrupted as shown in Fig. 14. This may cause problems such as inadequate water flow off the roof. In some regions sheet roofing, such as corrugated steel, is used as a roof covering and kicking the roof covering up can cause kinks or damage the roof surface. In the described embodiments the height of the eaves vent 14 is minimised by using the upper surface of the facia board 2 as one of the walls for the air flow passage. Therefore there is no need to provide a lower wall as part of the eaves vent for the airflow passage. Such a lower wall would increase the height of the eaves vent 14. A first support member 30 is provided to increase the stability of the eaves vent 14, but this is not essential. The first support member 30 extends along the longitudinal axis L. The first support member 30 provides a surface for the roof tiles 8 to sit on. The first support member 30 supports the roof structure. The first support member 30 extends across the third surfaces 22 of the plurality of ribs 16. In the present embodiment, the first support member 30 is integrally formed with the third surfaces 22 of the plurality of ribs 16. A second support member 32 is provided. The second support member 32 extends along the longitudinal axis L of the eaves vent 14. The second support member 32 connects the second surfaces 21 of the plurality of ribs 16 together. The second support member 32 is positioned such that in use it rests against the outer surface of the facia board 2. The eaves vent 14 shown in Fig. 9 also includes openings 26 for receiving a fixing means, such as a screw, for fixing the eaves vent 14 to the facia board 2. As shown, the openings 26 are positioned on the first support member 30 which is, in use, substantially parallel with the upper surface of the facia board 2. By these fixing means, the eaves vent 14 can be attached to upper surface of the facia board 2. In this position, the eaves vent 14 does not kick up the end tile on the course. Fig. 15 and 16 show embodiments of the eaves vent 14 in situ with the roof tiles supported by the eaves vent. In Fig. 15 a gutter is also shown. In Fig. 16, there is no gutter. The embodiments discussed herein are injection moulded from a polymeric material or composite. In particular, polypropylene is used. Alternatively, the embodiments discussed herein may be partially or fully produced using additive manufacturing techniques. 5 The present invention has been described above purely by way of example. Modifications in detail may be made to the present invention within the scope of the claims as appended hereto. Furthermore, it will be understood that the invention is in no way to be limited to the combination of features shown in the examples described 10 herein.

Claims

1. An eaves vent comprising:a plurality of spacing members spaced from each other along a longitudinal axis of the eaves vent;a first surface configured to contact an upper surface of a facia board;a grill portion positioned between the spacing members along the longitudinal axis of the eaves vent; and wherein the grill portion extends along a transverse axis of the eaves vent on an oblique plane relative to the first surface;wherein the eaves vent is configured so that in use the upper surface of the facia board at its corner with the outer surface of the facia board is exposed to define an airflow passage through the eaves vent.

2. The eaves vent of claim 1 wherein the spacing members are a plurality of ribs each extending along a transverse axis of the eaves vent; wherein the first surface is on each of the plurality of ribs.

3. The eaves vent of claim 1 wherein the grill portion contacts the upper surface of the facia board and together they define an airflow passage through the eaves vent.

4. The eaves vent according to claim 3 wherein the grill portion comprises grill members, and an end of each grill member contacts the facia board in use.

5. An eaves vent according to any preceding claim wherein each of the plurality of spacing members comprises a second surface which is substantially perpendicular to the first surface and intersects the first surface; wherein the second surface is configured to contact an outer surface of the facia board.

6. An eaves vent according to claim 5 wherein a height of the eaves vent from the intersection between the first and second surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the first surface is less than 10 mm.

7. An eaves vent according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the first and second surfaces intersect at an intersection point on each spacing member, and the eaves ventis not formed at a point along the longitudinal axis between two adjacent intersection points.

8. An eaves vent according to any preceding claim wherein the grill portion issized to provide an air flow of between 5000 mm2 and 10000 mm2 per metre.

9. An eaves vent according to any preceding claim wherein the grill portion issized to provide an air flow of about 7500 mm2 per metre.

10. An eaves vent according to any preceding claim wherein the oblique plane is at about 10° relative to the first surface of the plurality of spacing members.

11. An eaves vent according to any preceding claim wherein the plurality of spacing members are configured to extend around a corner edge of the facia board.

12. An eaves vent according to claim 4 or any claim dependent thereon wherein the grill members are spaced from each other by about 2 mm to about 4 mm.

13. An eaves vent according to claim 4 or any claim dependent thereon wherein the grill members are spaced from each other by about 2 mm.

14. An eaves vent according to any preceding claim comprising openings for receiving fixing means for affixing the eaves vent to the facia board.

15. An eaves vent according to claim 14 wherein the openings for receiving the fixing means are positioned on the first support member.

16. An eaves vent according to any preceding claim wherein the eaves vent is integrally formed.

17. A computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to control an additive manufacturing device to manufacture the eaves vent of any preceding claim.

18. A method of manufacturing a device via additive manufacturing, the method comprising:obtaining an electronic file representing at least the surface configuration of product, wherein the product is an eaves vent according to any one of claims 1 to 16;5 andcontrolling an additive manufacturing device to manufacture, over one or more additive manufacturing steps, the product according to the surface configuration specified in the electronic file.14 1025AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:CLAIMS:

1. An eaves vent comprising:a plurality of spacing members spaced from each other along a longitudinal axis of the eaves vent; a first surface configured to contact an upper surface of a facia5 board;a grill portion positioned between the spacing members along the longitudinal axis of the eaves vent; and wherein the grill portion extends along a transverse axis of the eaves vent on an oblique plane relative to the first surface;wherein the eaves vent is configured so that in use the upper surface of the facia10 board at its corner with the outer surface of the facia board is exposed to define anairflow passage through the eaves vent;wherein the spacing members are a plurality of ribs each extending along a transverse axis of the eaves vent; wherein the first surface is on each of the plurality of ribs;15 wherein each of the plurality of ribs comprises a second surface which issubstantially perpendicular to the first surface and intersects the first surface; wherein the second surface is configured to contact an outer surface of the facia board;wherein a height of the eaves vent from the intersection between the first and20 second surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the first surface is less than 10 mm.

2. The eaves vent of claim 1 wherein the grill portion is configured to contact the upper surface of the facia board and together they define the airflow passage25 through the eaves vent.

3. The eaves vent according to claim 2 wherein the grill portion comprises grill members, and an end of each grill member contacts the facia board in use.

304. An eaves vent according to any preceding claim wherein the first and second surfaces intersect at an intersection point on each spacing member, and the eaves vent is not formed at a point along the longitudinal axis between two adjacent35 intersection points.14 10255. An eaves vent according to any preceding claim wherein the grill portion is sized to provide an open area of between 5000 mm2 and 10000 mm2 per metre.5 6. An eaves vent according to any preceding claim wherein the grill portion is sizedto provide an open area of about 7500 mm2 per metre.

7. An eaves vent according to any preceding claim wherein the oblique plane is at 10° relative to the first surface of the plurality of spacing members.

108. An eaves vent according to any preceding claim wherein the plurality of spacing members are configured to extend around a corner edge of the facia board.

9. An eaves vent according to claim 3 or any claim dependent thereon wherein the 15 grill members are spaced from each other by 2 mm to about 4 mm.

10. An eaves vent according to claim 3 or any claim dependent thereon wherein the grill members are spaced from each other by 2 mm.20 11. An eaves vent according to any preceding claim comprising openings for receivingfixing means for affixing the eaves vent to the facia board.

12. An eaves vent according to claim 11 wherein the openings for receiving the fixing means are positioned on a first support member.2513. An eaves vent according to any preceding claim wherein the eaves vent is integrally formed.

14. A computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable 30 instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to controlan additive manufacturing device to manufacture the eaves vent of any preceding claim.

15. A method of manufacturing a device via additive manufacturing, the method35comprising:obtaining an electronic file representing at least the surface configuration of a product, wherein the product is an eaves vent according to any one of claims 1 to 13; andcontrolling an additive manufacturing device to manufacture, over one or more 5 additive manufacturing steps, the product according to the surface configuration specified in the electronic file.14 1025s

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