Abstract:
A ventilator comprising a base having a central opening with inner and outer housings, the outer housing being pivotably connected to the base with the inner and outer housings being secured together accounting for the slope of the roof, and a vent section having a vent passage permitting egress of air from within the housing, deflectors located about the vent passage to deflect rain from entering the same. The ventilator is preferable formed of a plastic material and the structure permits easy adjustment thereof.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a ventilator, and more particularly, relates to that which is known as a static ventilator.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The ventilation of attic spaces between the roof and ceiling of a structure is known in the art. Such ventilation is required to overcome the problem of excess heat and/or moisture. Thus, excess heat build up can cause room temperatures below the ceiling to be substantially higher than would otherwise be the case. A different problem is the build up of excess moisture in colder weather causing condensation and subsequent water damage.  
         [0003]     Various types of ventilators to be utilized on a roof to permit air exchange in an attic are known in the art. Thus, there is the so called turbine type of ventilator which is designed to rotate with wind. However, in very high winds, such turbine ventilators have been known to be torn off the roof. This is naturally a frustrating and expensive experience for the owner of the building.  
         [0004]     A second type of ventilator which is used is known as a static type; This type uses a chimney effect to draw air out of the attic. An air inlet is provided at a lower entry point—this is usually achieved through the use of a perforated soffit. A static type ventilator also requires an air outlet. This may be accomplished by the provision of a ventilator strip along the ridge of the roof or alternatively, with a structure designed to be secured to the roof. In many climates, the roof ridge type of ventilator does not function when the roof is snow covered. Also, such types of ridge vents are susceptible to moisture penetration during storms with high winds and the like.  
         [0005]     A problem associated with the manufacture of static ventilators is to make them suitable for roofs having different slopes. To this end, there are various types of adaptors which are used such that the ventilator will be suitable for use on roofs of different slopes.  
         [0006]     A further problem with such static ventilators is that they are generally formed of a metallic material. As such, they become very heavy and are rendered more difficult for the average home owner to install.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a ventilator which is both lightweight and easy to install.  
         [0008]     According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a ventilator comprising a base having a central opening, an inner housing, an outer housing pivotably connected to the base, means for securing the inner housing to the outer housing in a plurality of positions, at least one vent section located above the inner and outer housing, the vent section having a vent passage permitting egress of air from within the housing, deflectors located about the vent passage to deflect rain from entering the vent passage, and a cap.  
         [0009]     According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided in a structure having a roof, a ceiling and an attic therebetween, the improvement comprising at least one ventilator mounted about an opening in the roof, the ventilator having a base having a central opening, an inner housing, an outer housing pivotably connected to the base, means for securing the inner housing to the outer housing in a plurality of positions, at least one vent section located above the inner and outer housing, the vent section having a vent passage permitting egress of air from within the housing, deflectors located about the vent passage to deflect rain from entering the vent passage and a cap.  
         [0010]     The ventilator is preferably formed of a plastics material and many such materials are known in the art including polypropylene, polyethylene etc. It will, however, be understood that other materials such as metallic material may be utilized. If other materials are utilized, certain modifications may be necessary to one or more components of the ventilator such as the type of connections between the various components. It will also be understood that a combination of materials may be utilized.  
         [0011]     As aforementioned, in a preferred embodiment, there is provided a base with an inner housing connectable thereto. If desired, the base and inner housing could be formed as a single unit.  
         [0012]     The outer housing is pivotably mounted with respect to the inner housing such that the ventilator can be utilized on roofs having different slopes. In order to correctly interconnect the outer housing and inner housing, there may be provided indicia indicating the place of connection for a given slope. This is useful when the assembly or adjustment takes place on the ground before installation. Alternatively, the ventilator may include a level incorporated in one of the components. Naturally, it would also be possible to use a conventional level during installation.  
         [0013]     Means of interconnecting the components such as the outer housing and vent section may be provided. There could be various types of clip members although, in a preferred embodiment, the deflectors are connected to other components by means of locking keys as will be described in the preferred embodiment. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a roof ventilator according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 1B  is a side elevational view of a modified roof ventilator;  
         [0017]      FIG. 1C  is a side elevational view of a further modified roof ventilator according to the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the roof ventilator of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view thereof;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the roof ventilator of  FIG. 1  installed on a low slope roof;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view showing the roof ventilator installed on a steeply sloped roof;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the roof ventilator;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along the lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the outer body portion of the roof ventilator showing insertion of a locking member;  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken along the lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along the lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a deflector section illustrating insertion of a locking key;  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  12 - 12  of  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view of a locking key;  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view taken along the lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 11 ; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view illustrating deflector sections and the locking keys. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0032]     Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1A  a roof ventilator according to one embodiment of the present invention and which roof ventilator is generally designated by reference numeral  10 .  
         [0033]     Initially, reference will be had to  FIG. 6  illustrating roof ventilator  10  in an exploded view. For purposes of explanation, Applicant will refer to first and second sides, a front, and a rear. These terms are used merely for clarity of description and the invention is not limited to this precise arrangement as different configurations are possible.  
         [0034]     Roof ventilator  10  includes a base generally designated by reference numeral  12  and which base  12  has an upwardly extending pair of side walls  14 ,  16 , a rear wall  18 , and a front wall  20 . Located on side walls  14 ,  16  are locking lugs  22 .  
         [0035]     Extending outwardly from side walls  14 ,  16 , rear wall  18  and front wall  20  is a base flange  24  for securing the roof ventilator to the roof. To this end, base flange  24  is provided with nailing apertures  29  to receive nails  28  ( FIG. 7 ). It will be noted that base flange  24  on the underside thereof, has a recess into which is placed a sealing tape  26 . Sealing tape  26  may be located merely at the nailing apertures  29  or alternatively and preferably, is provided about the circumference of base flange  24 .  
         [0036]     Roof ventilator  10  also includes an inner body generally designated by reference numeral  30 . Inner body  30  has a first side wall  32  and a second side wall  34  with each side wall being substantially identical and therefore only one will be described in detail herein.  
         [0037]     First side wall  32  includes a plurality of apertures  36 , each designed to receive and mate with a corresponding locking lug  22  on side wall  14  of base  12 . The engagement of locking lugs  22  with apertures  26  secures inner body  30  to the base  12 .  
         [0038]     Inner body  30  also includes a relatively low front wall  38  and an arcuate back wall  40 . Apertures  46  are provided to receive a pivot bar  42  which is retained in position by means of a locking cap  44 . It will be noted that there are a plurality of indicia  48  on side walls  32 ,  34  for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow.  
         [0039]     Roof ventilator  10  also includes an outer body generally designated by reference numeral  50  and which outer body  50  has a first side wall  52 , a second side wall  54 , a rear wall  56  and a front wall  58 .  
         [0040]     Side walls  52 ,  54  are again substantially identical and thus only one will be described herein. As may be seen, side wall  52  includes a side wall front aperture  60  which is designed to align with apertures  46  to receive pivot bar  42  to thereby secure inner body  30  and outer body  50  together in a pivotable relationship.  
         [0041]     Side wall  52  also has a side wall rear aperture  62  and a viewing aperture  66  for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow.  
         [0042]     A locking pin  68  secures inner body  30  and outer body  50  in a desired position by extending through aperture  62  in side wall  52 .  
         [0043]     As may be seen in  FIG. 6 , outer body  50  is provided with rectangular cutouts  70  at the upper corners thereof. Associated with cutouts  70  are diagonally extending key traps which comprise a diagonal wall  72  extending between abutting walls.  
         [0044]     A locking key  74  is provided for use at each corner. As may be seen, each locking key  74  has a lower section  76  and an upper section  80  which are offset with respect to each other. Each locking key  74  has an L-shaped cross sectional configuration. On one wall of lower section  76 , there is provided a locking tongue  78  while on upper section  80 , there are provided a pair of locking tongues  82 ,  83 .  
         [0045]     The roof ventilator  10  includes at least a lower section generally designated by reference numeral  84 . Lower section  84  includes downwardly and outwardly sloping deflector walls  86 . Extending about the inner periphery of the lower section  84  is an inner vertical wall  88 . Lower section  84  further includes a diagonally extending wall  90  to define a key trap  91  in a manner similar to that described with respect to key trap  72 .  
         [0046]     Situated above roof section  84  is a spacer ring generally designated by reference numeral  92  and which spacer ring  92  has a base portion  94  with spacer elements  96  extending upwardly therefrom. Spacer ring  92  is sized to fit about the exterior of inner wall  88  of roof section  84 .  
         [0047]     An insect screen  98  is sized to fit interiorly of spacer elements  96  resting on the upper edge of inner wall  88  of roof section  84 . It will be noted that insect screen  98  has bevelled corners  100  to allow for placement of key locks  74 .  
         [0048]     Roof ventilator  10  also includes a vent section  102  which is similar to lower section  84  in that it is provided with a sloping deflector walls  104  and an inner wall  106 . However, a roof cap  108  is mounted thereon to cover the top portion. A level indicator  110  is provided on roof cap  108 .  
         [0049]     As may be seen in  FIG. 7 , ventilation is permitted through screen  98  under deflectors  104 .  
         [0050]     Also, as seen in  FIG. 7 , the unit is suitably secured to the roof by means of nails  28  or other like fastening devices which go through apertures  29  in base flange  24 . Sealing is automatically provided by means of a tar seal  26  or like sealing compound.  
         [0051]     Lower housing  30  is secured to base  12  through the inter-engagement of locking lugs  22  with apertures  36 . Outer housing  50  is suitably secured to inner housing  30  by means of pivot bar  42  and locking cap  44 . Locking pins  68  are inserted through apertures  62  in wall  52  of outer housing  50  to engage one of the apertures  49  in side wall  32  of inner housing  30 . The attachment at the correct angle may be done through the visual sighting of indicia  48  through viewing aperture  66  or alternatively, level  110  may be utilized.  
         [0052]     Locking keys  74  as previously mentioned, have a single projection or locking tongue  78  which will engage with apertures  64  formed in side walls  52 ,  54 . The upper portion  80  of locking keys  74  have two tongues  82 ,  83  which will engage side wall  88  as may be seen in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0053]     A second set of locking keys is illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15  and references numerals in the  200 &#39;s are used for like components. Thus, locking keys  274  have first and second locking tongues  282 ,  283  on an upper portion thereof while there is provided a single locking tongue  278  in the lower portion. As seen in  FIG. 15 , locking tongue  278  engages rearwardly of locking tongue  83  which locking tongues  282 ,  283  function to engage vertical wall  106  of vent section  102 .  
         [0054]     While there is shown only a single vent section in the above embodiment, a further vent section  202  may be added as shown in  FIG. 1 B  using the same type of locking keys.  
         [0055]     In  FIG. 1C , a ventilator having a still further vent section  302  is illustrated.  
         [0056]     It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modification may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.