Patent ID: 8684803
Filing Date: 2014-04-01
Classification: F24F

Abstract:
1. A method of preventing fire brands from entering a building, comprising the steps of: providing a vent apparatus that comprises a frame defining an inlet side, an outlet side, and an internal passage extending from the inlet side to the outlet side defined by a plurality of inlet guide members and outlet guide members, wherein the inlet guide members and outlet guide members each comprises (i) a base portion and (ii) a first leg and a second leg second extending from the base portion at 45 degree angles and convergent with one another; wherein the inlet guide members are spaced apart from one another to form a plurality of inlet spaces therebetween; wherein the leg portions of the inlet guide members are positioned relative to the leg portions of the outlet guide members to form a plurality of narrow passages; wherein the internal passage directs air flow to make a (i) a first 90-degree turn, (ii) a Z-shaped turn defined by (a) a 45 degree angle of an inlet leg element and (b) a 45 degree angle of an outlet leg element, and (iii) a second 90-degree turn; and wherein each inlet space has a corresponding channel space defined by (i) a first narrow passages between a first inlet leg element and a first outlet leg element and and (ii) a second narrow passages between a second inlet leg element a second outlet leg element; wherein the channel space is less than about one half of the inlet space, thereby producing a throttling effect that inhibits fire brands from passing through the internal passage.