Patent ID: 7926539
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: E05B,E05C,E06B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A flood vent access door assembly, comprising: a frame assembly defining an entrance aperture, wherein the frame assembly comprises a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a top wall, and a bottom wall, and wherein a frame latch is coupled to the frame assembly; a door formed so as to be received within the entrance aperture of the frame assembly, wherein the door is pivotably coupled, via door pivot pins, within the frame assembly, so as to be pivotable relative to the frame assembly; at least one ventilation opening formed through the door for allowing fluid to pass through the door; and at least one latching/release mechanism for releasably maintaining the door in a fixed position relative to the frame assembly if a level of fluid is not above a determined level and releasing the door to pivot relative to the frame assembly if the level of fluid is above the determined level, wherein the latching/release mechanism comprises a latch block attached or coupled to a rear side of the door, an elongate release arm pivotably coupled, via a release arm pivot pin, to the latch block and pivotable between an open and a closed position, a float means coupled to the release arm so as to provide a degree of buoyancy to at least a portion of the release arm, a latch positioned at least partially within an open latch block channel formed in the latch block, wherein the latch is pivotably attached, via a latch pivot pin, to the release arm such that if the release arm is in a closed position, a portion of the latch extends beyond the latch block, into an open frame latch channel formed in the frame latch, and if the release arm is pivoted to the open position, the latch is retracted within the latch block a sufficient distance so as to be removed from the open frame latch channel of the frame latch.