Abstract:
An insulated sewer vent cover designed to passively prevent ice blockage, comprises a sealed annular insulating space comprising either entrapped air or an appropriate insulation material. The vent cover further comprises a plurality of concentrically arranged and chemically bonded plastic plumbing components which include a pair of bushings, a pair of couplers, and a pair of tubing sections of different diameters. These components are designed to be installed and chemically bonded onto an existing roof-mounted sewer vent pipe.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Jan. 20, 2010, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to ventilation pipes for sewer systems, and in particular, to a selectively customizable insulating cover for a sewer vent pipe. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A common problem experienced in sub-freezing temperatures is the freezing over of a roof-located ventilation pipe of a sanitary waste system. The warm air that rises out of such stacks generally contains a significant amount of water vapor. When the vapor passes by the cold, exposed portion of the roof vent, it condenses onto the interior surfaces of the roof vent at a rapid rate and subsequently freezes. If this condensation and freezing cycle continues for a sufficiently long period, total blockage of the vent line can occur. 
     Unblocking the vent line generally requires a dangerous trip to the roof, which in such weather is often covered with snow and ice just. The actual removal of the ice is inefficient and dangerous, requiring the user to remove the blockage by physical force or by pouring hot water over the vent. 
     One (1) known method for insulating such roof vents is wrapping the vent line with an electrical heat trace tape. This requires the routing of an electrical line to the vent location along with associated electrical power usage, which is difficult and either exposes unsightly and dangerous wires along the roof or requires specialized construction of an available electric source at additional cost and inconvenience. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide insulating structures for various pipe structures. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. Patents, including U.S. Pat. No. 2,613,166; U.S. Pat. No. 3,436,880; U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,181; U.S. Pat. No. 4,115,961; U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,643; U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,804; U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,724; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,006. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices are difficult to install. Also, many such devices provide a physical barrier outside of a vent but do not provide significant thermal conductive insulation. Furthermore, many such devices are required to be purchased in a particular size or shape corresponding exactly to an existing vent. Accordingly, there exists a need for an insulated cover for a sewer vent without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a cover for a sewer vent which provides significant thermal insulation and can be utilized with a range of existing sewer vents. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to include a method for modification of and attachment to an existing sewer roof vent and to prevent freezing of the sewer roof vent after installation. The device comprises a pair of couplers, an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, and a pair of bushings. The components of the device are preferably constructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a similar plastic material. 
     Another object of the present invention is to be available in a kit form, enabling a user to assemble the device during installation over an existing roof vent. The various components of the device are affixed relative to each other utilizing a chemically bonding adhesive. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to utilize the couplings and the bushings to orient the inner sleeve within the outer sleeve with an annular insulating space in between the two (2) sleeves. The annular insulating space is preferably occupied by either air or a fiberglass insulating material and provides significant conductive thermal insulation between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to coat the exposed outer surface portions of the device with a black plastic-compatible coating media to promote solar heat retention during cold weather conditions and further inhibit freezing within the vent. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to attach over an existing sewer roof vent. The second bushing includes a stop which abuts the existing sewer vent pipe to provide a mechanical fit, while the user can utilize the chemically bonding adhesive to further secure the device in place. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of obtaining an instance of the device; reaching the location of the sewer vent pipe; measuring the height of the sewer vent pipe above the roof; using a tube cutter to cut-off the excess height of the sewer vent pipe; chemically cleaning the remaining sewer vent pipe with an appropriate solvent; chemically cleaning the corresponding inner portion of the second bushing with the solvent; applying the chemical bonding agent to the cleaned surfaces; installing and pushing the device downward over the prepared sewer vent pipe bottomed against the stop; ascertaining the security of the installation; and prevent freezing of condensation passing through the roof vent due to the insulating and heating properties of the insulating annular space and the darkened exterior of the device. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective top view of an insulated sewer vent cover  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 2  is an orthographic partially cut-away view of the insulated sewer vent cover  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 10 
                 insulated sewer vent cover 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 first coupler 
               
               
                   
                 13 
                 outer sleeve 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 inner sleeve 
               
               
                   
                 15 
                 stop 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 first bushing 
               
               
                   
                 17 
                 insulating annular space 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 second coupler 
               
               
                   
                 19 
                 second bushing 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 chemically bonded interface 
               
               
                   
                 81 
                 roof flashing 
               
               
                   
                 82 
                 sewer vent pipe 
               
               
                   
                 83 
                 roof 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an insulated sewer vent cover (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means for passively eliminating ice blockage on existing roof-mounted sewer vent lines. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a top perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  is an assembly comprising a first bushing  16 , a first coupler  12 , a second coupler  18 , an outer sleeve  13 , an inner sleeve  14 , and a second bushing  14 . It is envisioned that all members of the apparatus  10  are made of polyvinylchloride (PVC) or similar plumbing-grade plastic material, and that they can be purchased either as regular plumbing components, in the form of a kit, or as a manufactured assembly. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an orthographic partially cut-away view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  assembly comprises a plurality of chemically bonded interfaces  21 , and the second bushing  19  comprising a stop  15 , having a lower end intended to limit the correct depth of engagement of the apparatus  10  onto a sewer vent pipe  82 . An inner portion of the first bushing  16  comprises a chemically bonded first interface  21  with a corresponding upper outer end portion of the inner sleeve  14 . An outer portion of the first bushing  16  comprises a chemically bonded second interface  21  with an inner portion of the first end of a first coupler  12 . An inner portion of a second end of the first coupler  12  comprises a chemically bonded third interface  21  with a corresponding upper outer end portion of the outer sleeve  13 . A lower outer end portion of the outer sleeve  13  comprises a chemically bonded fourth interface  21  with a first inner portion of a second coupler  18 . A second inner portion of the second coupler  18  comprises a chemically bonded fifth interface  21  with a corresponding outer portion of the second bushing  19 . The inner portion of the second bushing  19  comprises a chemically bonded sixth interface  21  with a correspondingly cut-off length of an upper end outer portion of the sewer vent pipe  82 . A lower outer end portion of the inner sleeve  14  comprises a chemically bonded seventh interface with an upper end of the stop  15  of the second bushing  19 . The inner sleeve  14  is in fluid communication with the sewer vent pipe  82  when properly installed. The dimensional difference between the outside diameter of the inner sleeve  14  and the inside diameter of the outer sleeve  13  provides a sealed insulating annular space  17 , wherein the desired insulation is provided either by the entrapped air, or by an appropriate insulating material, such as fiberglass, installed during the assembly of the apparatus  10 . All exposed outer surface portions of the apparatus  10  are envisioned to be coated with a black plastic-compatible coating media to promote solar heat retention during freezing conditions. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of an assembled apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing the assembled apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring ladder; extending the ladder to the height of the roof  83 ; securing the ladder at the desired location; climbing onto the roof  83 ; reaching the location of the sewer vent pipe  82 ; measuring a height of the sewer vent pipe  82  extension above the roof flashing  81 ; measuring a depth to the stop  15  of the second bushing  19 ; transferring the depth measurement onto the sewer vent pipe  82  extension; clamping a tube cutter at the depth measurement mark; rotating while progressively tightening the tube cutter to cut-off the excess height of the sewer vent pipe  82 ; chemically cleaning the outer portion of the remaining sewer vent pipe  82  stub with an appropriate solvent; chemically cleaning the corresponding inner portion of the second bushing  19  with the solvent; applying the chemical bonding agent to the cleaned surfaces; create the sixth chemically bonded interface  21  by installing and pushing the apparatus  10  downward over the prepared sewer vent pipe  82  portion until bottomed against the stop  15 ; ascertaining the security of the installation of the apparatus  10 ; descending from the roof  83 ; returning the ladder to its lowered height; and, cleaning and storing the tools and the ladder. 
     The method of assembling and installing the apparatus  10  when purchased either in a form of a kit, or in the form of a plurality of regular plumbing components, may be achieve by performing the following additional assembly steps before performing the above described installation steps: chemically cleaning all interface  21  mating surfaces with the appropriate solvent; applying the chemical bonding agent to the inner portion of the first bushing  16  and the corresponding upper end portion of the inner sleeve  14 ; creating the first chemically bonded interface  21  by pushing the inner sleeve  14  through the inner portion of the first bushing  16  until the upper end portion of the inner sleeve  14  is flush with the outer top surface of the first bushing  16 ; sequentially creating the plurality of subsequent chemically bonded interfaces  21  by following plumbing standard procedures; cleaning the corresponding interface  21  portions; applying the chemical bonding agent; pushing the corresponding members together until bottomed; and, coating all exposed outer surfaces with a back plastic-compatible medium. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.