Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to the field of vent covers, and particularly to truss vent covers with selective size adjustability. The present invention is particularly adaptable for use by homebuilders, contractors, or do-it-yourself home owners to improve the aesthetic nature of the vent chutes and provide protection from the natural elements. The truss vent cover with selective size adjustability of the present invention allows the installer to adjust the size of the vent cover and properly cover the vent chutes of the house.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of vent covers, and particularly to truss vent covers with selective size adjustability. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Normal household activities can cause damage to a roof and attic if proper roof ventilation systems are not provided for the attic. When the weather is cold, warm air generated by washing machines, dryer, showers, dish washing, and cooking is trapped in the house causing the built up of moisture. Also, when the weather is hot, the heat that builds up encourages premature aging and cracking of wood and roofing materials. Unwanted heat can also transfer back down into living areas, reducing energy efficiency. One of the only ways to address these problems is with a proper ventilation system, where wind blowing over the ridge of the roof creates a negative pressure that draws the warmer air out of the attic. Replacement air enters through the truss vents, undereave, or soffit vents, circulates underside of the roof, and exits at the ridge cap through ridge vents, roof vents, or gable vents. Some problems with having these vents and vent chutes include the generally unsightly and unaesthetic nature of the vent chutes which show from the outside of the house, and more importantly these vents expose the attic to elements from the outside ranging from rain and dust to animals and insects. 
         [0003]    A variety of vent covers have been utilized by home builder and home owners in order to make their house more aesthetically pleasing and also protect the attic from the natural elements. However, because these vents never have exactly the same dimensions, often times the vent covers are either too small or too large, which require some manipulation of the vent cover by the installer for it to properly cover the vent, usually leaving the vent cover noticeable and unsightly. Furthermore, if the vent cover is not properly fitted onto the vent chute, small opening can still allow the natural element and small animals and insects to get through into the roof. While there has been a trend to standardize vent sizes and vent covers and to make them more aesthetically pleasing, further improvements in the effectiveness and ability of the vent cover to properly cover and protect the vent chutes are desirable, and the truss vent cover with selective size adjustability of the present invention addresses the existing problems and provides related solutions and benefits. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates generally to the field of vent covers, and particularly to truss vent covers with selective size adjustability. The present invention is particularly adaptable for use by homebuilders, contractors, or do-it-yourself home owners to improve the aesthetic nature of the vent chutes and provide protection from the natural elements. The truss vent cover with selective size adjustability of the present invention allows the installer to adjust the size of the vent cover and properly cover the vent chutes of the house. 
         [0005]    The present invention recognizes that providing aesthetically pleasing vent covers which can be used with a range of vent sizes can make instillation of the vent covers easier and cost efficient by providing a vent cover that can be easily and selectively sized to cover a range of different types and sizes of vent chutes. There are many terminology used for the type and location of the vents or vent chutes that are used to ventilate a house. These terms include truss vents, undereave, or soffit vents. However the present invention can be built and/or adapted to be used in connection with any vents or vent chutes of any size at any location in or on the house, and although this application makes reference to a truss vent cover, this should not be limiting the total scope of the present invention, which can be used with any size vent chutes at any location in or on the house. 
         [0006]    A first aspect of the present invention includes a truss vent cover including a substantially rectangular border body with a substantially empty center region having a front face and an opposing back face and being able to substantially fit between two adjacent truss beams and over a truss vent chute, the substantially rectangular border body including a first member having a first top lip, a first bottom lip, and a left lip, a second member having a second top lip, a second bottom lip, and a right lip, wherein the length of the right lip is shorter than the length of the left lip such that the second top lip and the second bottom lip are able to slidingly fit into the first top lip and the first bottom lip of the first member, and a screen fixedly attached to the back face of the first member the substantially rectangular border body covering the substantially empty center region. 
         [0007]    A second aspect of the present invention includes a substantially rectangular truss vent cover including a border having an empty center region, the border including a top side, a bottom side, a left side, and a right side, wherein at lease one of the sides includes means for selective size adjustability, and a screen fixedly attached to the back sides of the truss vent. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of an embodiment of the truss vent cover. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of an embodiment of the truss vent cover. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of an embodiment of the truss vent cover. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the truss vent cover. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a front view of an embodiment of the truss vent cover that is installed between two truss beams. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Introduction  
       [0013]    The present invention recognizes that providing aesthetically pleasing vent covers which can be used with a range of vent sizes can make instillation of the vent covers easier and cost efficient by providing a vent cover that can be easily and selectively sized to cover a range of different types and sizes of vent chutes. 
         [0014]    Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To gain a full appreciation of the scope of the present invention, it will be further recognized that various aspects of the present invention can be combined to make desirable embodiments of the invention. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Where a term is provided in the singular, the inventor also contemplates the plural of that term. The nomenclature used herein and the procedures described below are those well known and commonly employed in the art. 
       I. A Truss Vent Cover  
       [0015]    One embodiment of the present invention includes a truss vent cover including a substantially rectangular border body with a substantially empty center region. The border of the vent cover may be of any desired size, but it is important the empty center region be of a proper size with respect to the vent chute so that free air flow is not substantially encumbered and air flow and exchange can take place from the out side. The border body includes a front face and an opposing back face and is able to substantially fit between two adjacent truss beams and over a truss vent chute. The border body of the present invention can be made from any suitable rigid material such as wood, metal, plastics, or a combination thereof. The pieces of the present invention that are connected to each other can be made separately or molded in one or more unit. 
         [0016]    The substantially rectangular border body includes a first member having a first top lip, a first bottom lip, and a left lip, a second member having a second top lip, a second bottom lip, and a right lip, wherein the length of the right lip is shorter than the length of the left lip such that the second top lip and the second bottom lip are able to slidingly fit into the first top lip and the first bottom lip of the first member. It is important that the difference in the length of the right lip and left lip be just enough such that the complementary surface of the first top lip of the first member is in contact with and slides over the complementary surface of the second top lip of the second member, and the complementary surface of the first bottom lip is in contact with and slides under of the complementary surface of the second bottom lip of the second member, such that there is substantially no open space between the complementary surfaces and contact regions. This configuration and sizing can also be reversed wherein the top and bottom lips of the second member slide over and under the top and bottom lips of the first member respectively. Also, the configuration may be divided wherein the top and bottom lips of the first member both slide over the top and bottom lip of the second member or alternatively, the top and bottom lip of the second member both slide over the top and bottom lip of the first member. 
         [0017]    In other words, the first member and the second member are each a rectangle with one side missing, and when the two members interfit, the top and bottom lips of the second member have complementary surface regions which slide inside the area provided by the top and bottom lips of the first member forming the four sides of the rectangle, wherein the two members can movably and slidingly engage one another. In such configuration, the interfitting and sliding mechanism of the first and second members provide an extendable vent cover, wherein the sliding mechanism provides for selective size adjustability of the vent cover, where the rectangle can be made to have a range of lengths depending on how far or deep the members slide into one another. This is particularly useful and effective because the distances between truss beam often range is sizes and are never exactly the same, and instead of having to cut the vent cover to fit to size, the present invention provides for size adjustability in order to accommodate the normal range in distances of adjacent truss beams. By way of example, it is preferred that the overall dimension of the vent cover be between about 21 inches to about 23 inches long and between about 3½ inches to about 5½ inches wide. More preferably, the vent cover is 22½ inches long and 3⅜ inches wide. 
         [0018]    The present invention can include fastening means for attaching the truss vent cover to the adjacent truss beams. The fastening means can be any suitable fastening means for this purpose, for example nails, screws, and adhesives are preferred fastening means. It is preferred that the left lip of the first member and the right lip of the second member each include one or more orifices for fastening the truss vent cover to two adjacent truss beams by way of nails or screws. 
         [0019]    The present invention also includes a screen fixedly attached to the back face of the first member of the substantially rectangular border body covering the substantially empty center region. It is important that the length of the screen be longer than the length of the first member, so as to allow the screen to fully cover the back face of the second member. Because the second member can slide into and out of the first member, the extra length of the screen ensures that the back side of the second member is covered event at times when the second member has to be placed at the extreme limits of its size adjustability. The extra length of the screen can easily be trimmed in times where the second member needs little or no reason to extend the sides of the first member. The screen of the present invention can be any type of suitable screen and be made from any suitable material including plastics and metals, preferably galvanized steel to protect against corrosion. The size of the screen holes should be small enough as to prevent small animals and event insects to enter the screen and into the attic. Preferably, the size of the holes of the screen is about ⅛ inches. The screen can be attached to the back side of the first member by any suitable attaching methods, however it is important that the screen be substantially attached such that small animals or insects will not be able to pass through. Preferably the screen can be attached to the back surface of the first member by way of high heat being applied at one or more location on the screen such that the screen becomes fused with the back side of the first member. 
         [0020]    In the present invention, the substantially rectangular border body may be manufactured to have an arc configuration, such that the substantially rectangular border body can be pressed and flattened during the installation ensuring a tight fit with the truss vent housing. This is particularly useful and effective because the vent housing, chute, or side walls of a house are rarely perfectly straight and include slight curves, peaks, and valleys. In this way the arc shape of the border body provide a center the can be aligned with the vent chute, vent housing, or outside wall while the right and left sides are slightly raised. The right and left sides can be pressed down to flatten the border body, which will provide a tight fit without allowing space for undesired outside elements to enter. 
         [0021]    The present invention can also include one or more decorative structural support means fixedly attached to the screen and fixedly attached in between the first top lip and the first bottom lip of the first member of the substantially rectangular border body. For example, the decorative structural support means can include three circular members attached in between the first top lip and the first bottom lip of the first member of the substantially rectangular border body. 
       II. Rectangular Truss Vent Cover  
       [0022]    Another embodiment of the present invention includes a substantially rectangular truss vent cover including a border having an empty center region, the border including a top side, a bottom side, a left side, and a right side, wherein at lease one of the sides includes means for selective size adjustability, and a screen fixedly attached to the back sides of the truss vent. The means for selective size adjustment may include a side of the rectangular truss vent cover which is slightly shorter that its opposing side and the side itself includes two other attached sides forming a rectangle with a missing side, such that the two rectangular parts of the truss vent interfit, the top and bottom sides of the second member slide inside and over the top and bottom sides of the first member forming the four sides of the rectangle. In such configuration, the interfitting and sliding mechanism of the first and second members provide for selective size adjustability of the vent cover, where the rectangle can be made to have a range of lengths depending on how far or deep the member slide into one another. 
         [0023]    The present invention can include fastening means for attaching the truss vent cover to the adjacent truss beams. The fastening means can be any suitable fastening means for this purpose, for example nails, screws, and adhesives are preferred fastening means. It is preferred that the left side and right side each include one or more orifices for fastening the truss vent cover to two adjacent truss beams by way of nails or screws. 
         [0024]    In the present invention, the truss vent cover may be manufactured to have an arc configuration, such that the vent cover can be pressed and flattened during the installation ensuring a tight fit with the truss vent housing. This is particularly useful and effective because the vent housing, chute, or side walls of a house are rarely perfectly straight and include slight curves, peaks, and valleys. In this way the arc shape of the border body provide a center the can be aligned with the vent chute, vent housing, or outside wall while the right and left sides are slightly raised. The right and left sides can be pressed down to flatten the border body, which will provide a tight fit without allowing space for undesired outside elements to enter. 
         [0025]    The present invention can also include one or more decorative structural support means fixedly attached to the screen and fixedly attached in between the top side and the bottom side of the truss vent cover. For example, the decorative structural support means can include three circular members attached in between the top side and the bottom side of the vent cover. 
         [0026]    All headings are for the convenience of the reader and should not be used to limit the meaning of the text that follows the heading, unless so specified. Various changes and departures may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited to that specifically described in the specification or as illustrated in the drawings, but only as set forth in the claims. Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions, and additions may be made therein and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       EXAMPLES 
     Example I 
     A Truss Vent Cover  
       [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , this example provides an embodiment of a truss vent cover  100  including a substantially rectangular border body  101  with a substantially empty center region  102  having a front face and an opposing back face and being able to substantially fit between two adjacent truss beams  501  and over a truss vent chute, the substantially rectangular border body  101  including a first member  201  having a first top lip  103 , a first bottom lip  104 , and a left lip  105 , a second member  202  having a second top lip  106 , a second bottom lip  107 , and a right lip  108 , wherein the length of the right lip  108  is shorter than the length of the left lip  105  such that the second top lip  106  and the second bottom lip  107  are able to slidingly fit into the first top lip  103  and the first bottom lip  104  of the first member  201 , and a screen  109  fixedly attached to the back face of the first member  201  the substantially rectangular border body  101  covering the substantially empty center region  102 . In such configuration, at leas one side of the trust vent cover  100  provides for the means for selective size adjustability  403 . 
         [0028]    The truss vent cover  100  can also include fastening means  401  for attaching the truss vent cover  100  to the adjacent truss beams  501 . In this configuration, the left lip  105  of the first member  201  and the right lip  108  of the second member  202  each include one or more orifices  401  for fastening the truss vent cover  100  to two adjacent truss beams  501  by way of nails or screws. The truss vent cover  100  may also include one or more decorative structural support means  402  fixedly attached to the screen  109  and fixedly attached in between the first top lip  103  and the first bottom lip  104  of the first member  202  of the substantially rectangular border body  101 .