Abstract:
A fully-integrated system for ventilating a structure. System includes a hood, an outlet tube, a flapper, a flange, and an adapter. Adapter allows the system to be integrated into the structure, for instance on a roof. System allows air to flow out of the structure. Flapper lifts with airflow but falls with gravity, providing both an outlet for outflow air and a barrier to inflow air. Flange protects the hole in the structure into which the system is installed, and can be flat, meaning perpendicular to the plane of the length of the tubular member, or at an angle thereto, for installation on flat or angled roofs. Hood provides protection from airborne debris, precipitation, animals, or other objects that may block the system. System may include a flexible membrane that allows integration into different shapes of structures and provides an additional measure of protection to the structure and the system.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to construction and, more specifically, to a system for ventilating a structure. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    To date, the construction industry has relied heavily on custom-made ventilation systems that vary in design and cost. Moreover, the existing systems are piece meal, meaning that a builder must purchase separately the individual pieces to be included and then put them together specifically for, and often at, the particular job site. In the present invention, an entire ventilation system is pre-assembled and ready for installation at any job site. Furthermore, the present system is fully-integrated, including means that have been difficult to come by or integrate in past methods. The present invention can be made in advance, purchased in bulk by a builder, and offers a significant improvement over ventilation methods currently in use. The system overall is an advancement over the inadequate, piece-meal, custom-made history of construction ventilation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    This invention relates generally to construction and, more specifically, to a system for ventilating a structure. 
         [0004]    In one embodiment, a system for ventilating a structure may include a tubular member having an adapter end and a hood end, a flange disposed around the tubular member, a flapper assembly, including at least one flapper, disposed near the hood end of the tubular member, and a hood disposed at the hood end of the tubular member. In another embodiment, the system for ventilating a structure may include a screen disposed between the flapper assembly and the hood end of the tubular member. In one embodiment, the system for ventilating a structure may have a hood disposed at the hood end of the tubular member such that the inside surface of the hood does not touch the hood end of the tubular member, leaving a gap between the hood and the tubular member. 
         [0005]    In an exemplary embodiment, the system for ventilating a structure may include a flexible membrane encasing the tubular member. The system for ventilating a structure may include a flexible membrane covering the flange. In another exemplary embodiment, the system for ventilating a structure may include a flexible membrane disposed between the flange and the hood end of the tubular member, but not in direct contact with the flange. In one embodiment, the system for ventilating a structure may include a flexible membrane disposed such that it encases the tubular member and covers the flange. 
         [0006]    In another exemplary embodiment, the system for ventilating a structure may include a flange that is disposed near the adapter end of the tubular member such that the adapter end of the tubular member extends beyond the location of the flange. In another embodiment, the system for ventilating a structure may include a tubular member with a first portion comprising a segment from the hood end to the flange, and a second portion comprising a segment from the flange to the adapter end of the tubular member. In a further embodiment, the system for ventilating a structure may have a flange disposed between the first portion and the second portion of the tubular member. 
         [0007]    In an exemplary embodiment, the system for ventilating a structure may include a flapper assembly wherein the flapper of said flapper assembly is comprised of a curved edge and a straight edge, configured to form a half-circle shape. In a further embodiment, the system for ventilating a structure may have a first flapper, a second flapper, and a strut coupled to the straight edge of the first flapper and the straight edge of the second flapper such that the first flapper and second flapper lay perpendicular to an inside surface of the tubular member. In an alternative embodiment, the system for ventilating may include a flapper assembly wherein the flapper of said flapper assembly is comprised of four straight edges, configured to form a rectangle. In a further embodiment, the system for ventilating a structure may have a first flapper, a second flapper, and a strut coupled to at least one straight edge of the first flapper and at least one straight edge of the second flapper such that the first flapper and second flapper lay perpendicular to an inside surface of the tubular member. 
         [0008]    In another exemplary embodiment, the system for ventilating a structure may include a tubular member having an adapter end and a hood end; a base disposed near the adapter end of the tubular member and further comprising a flange disposed around the tubular member; a flapper assembly disposed near the hood end of the tubular member and further comprising a first flapper, a second flapper, and a strut coupled to at least one edge of the first flapper and at least one edge of the second flapper such that the first flapper and second flapper lay perpendicular to an inside surface of the tubular member; at least one screen disposed between the flapper assembly and the hood end of the tubular member; and a hood disposed at the hood end of the tubular member, wherein the hood is coupled with the tubular member via at least one brace such that there is a gap between the hood and the tubular member. 
         [0009]    In another exemplary embodiment, the system for ventilating a structure may include a tubular member having an adapter end and a hood end and encased in a flexible membrane; a base disposed near the adapter end of the tubular member and further comprising a flange disposed around the tubular member, and a flexible membrane disposed between the flange and the hood end of the tubular member; a flapper assembly disposed near the hood end of the tubular member and further comprising a first flapper, a second flapper, and at least one strut coupled to at least one edge of the first flapper and at least one edge of the second flapper such that the first flapper and second flapper lay perpendicular to an inside surface of the tubular member; at least one screen disposed between the flapper assembly and the hood end of the tubular member; and a hood disposed at the hood end of the tubular member, wherein the hood is coupled with the tubular member via at least one brace such that there is a gap between the hood and the tubular member. 
         [0010]    In addition to the foregoing, various other methods, systems and/or product embodiments are set forth and described in the teachings such as the text (e.g., claims, drawings and/or the detailed description) and/or drawings of the present disclosure. 
         [0011]    The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, embodiments, features and advantages of the device and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent in the teachings set forth herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the system for ventilating a structure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the system for ventilating a structure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the hood end portion of the system for ventilating a structure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the adapter end of the system for ventilating a structure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the system for ventilating a structure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a detailed view of the flapper assembly of the system for ventilating a structure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a detailed view of the flapper assembly and the screen of the system for ventilating a structure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a detailed view of the hood of the system for ventilating a structure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The present invention provides a single-unit system for ventilating a structure. The present invention is comprised of a hood, a tubular member, a flange, and a base adapter. 
         [0021]    The present embodiment is comprised of a system for allowing airflow. In one embodiment, this system includes a tubular member  1  having a hood end  2  and an adapter end  3 . In some embodiments, the tubular member  1  will have a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including the hood end  2  and the second portion including the adapter end  3 . In some embodiments, the tubular member  1  will be a single tubular piece from the hood end  2  to the adapter end  3  of the tubular member. In some embodiments, this single tubular piece will comprise of both the first portion and the second portion. In some embodiments, the tubular member  1  will be separate pieces, one piece comprising the first portion and another piece comprising the second portion. The tubular member may be any rigid material, such as rolled sheet metal, PVC pipe, aluminum tubing, wood, etc., without altering the function of the system. In some embodiments the tubular member  1  will have a crimped seam  4  where the sides of the material join to form the tube. In some embodiments the tubular member  1  will have a rolled seam  4 . In some embodiments the seam  4  will be welded, cemented, riveted, or otherwise joined. Many methods may be used to join two portions of a material to form a tube, and the proper method will depend on the type of material used to form tubular member  1 . 
         [0022]    The present embodiment is further comprised of a hood  5 . The hood  5  is a manner of protecting the system for ventilating a structure from airborne debris, precipitation, animals, or any other object which might block the system.  FIG. 2  shows the hood  5  as a trapezoidal shape, but the hood may be any number of shapes, such as cylindrical, square, circular, etc., without altering the function of the hood. The hood  5  as shown is exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the shape of the hood. The hood  5  is joined to the hood end  2  of the tubular member  1  by a connecting means  16 . The hood  5  is connected to the tubular member  1  such that the inside surface of the hood does not touch the rim of the tubular member, leaving a gap for airflow in and out of the tubular member. In an exemplary embodiment, the connecting means  16  is a brace. In another embodiment, the connecting means  16  may be a rigid screen. In another embodiment, the connecting means  16  may be any method of connecting the hood  5  to the tubular member  1 , so long as the connecting means leaves a gap between the hood and the tubular member. 
         [0023]    The system for ventilating a structure is further comprised of a base, which consists of at least one flange  6 . The flange is a manner of protecting from outside contaminants the area into which the ventilation system will be inserted, as well as providing stability of the system for ventilating a structure. In the present embodiment, the flange  6  is disposed near the adapter end  3  of the tubular member  1 , meaning that the flange is in the lower half of the tubular member, yet not flush with the adapter end of the tubular member. The flange  6  as depicted is square, but the flange can be any shape, such as a circle, a rectangle, a triangle, etc., without altering the function of the flange. The flange  6  as depicted is flat, meaning that it is perpendicular to the plane along which the length of the tubular member  1  runs, and parallel to the plane on which the end of the tubular member sits. This is in part what allows the pre-assembled ventilation system of the instant disclosure to be installed in multiple job sites, including sites with flat roofs, further providing the aforementioned benefit over the inadequate, custom-made systems. The flange  6  could also be at an angle to the plane along the outside surface of the tubular member  1 , allowing the system to be installed on angled roofs, such as, for example only, an A-frame roof. The flange  6  as shown is exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the shape or plane of the flange. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the system for ventilating a structure may have a base membrane  7 . The base membrane  7  is a flexible material disposed over the surface of the flange  6 . This is a secondary method of protecting the structure from contaminants, and is in part what allows the pre-assembled ventilation system of the instant disclosure to adjust to the requirements present at the particular job site, providing the aforementioned benefit over the previously-known inadequate, piece-meal, and custom-made systems. The base membrane  7  also serves to better integrate the ventilation system into the structure by allowing the membrane to better conform to the shape of the structure. In some embodiments, the base membrane  7  may provide insulation to the system for ventilating a structure. In one embodiment, the base membrane  7  may be disposed directly on the surface of the flange  6 . In some embodiments, the base membrane  7  may be over the flange  6  but not in direct contact with the flange. In the present embodiment, the base membrane  7  is shown as square so as to conform to the shape of the flange  6 . However, the base membrane  7  may be any shape, and that shape may or may not conform to the shape of the flange  6 , neither of which would alter the function of the membrane. In the present embodiment, the base membrane  7  is larger than the flange  6 . In some embodiments, the base membrane  7  may be the same size as the flange  6 . In some embodiments, the base membrane  7  may be slightly larger than the flange  6 . In other embodiments, the base membrane  7  may be significantly larger than the flange  6 . 
         [0025]    The system for ventilating a structure may, in some embodiments, have a tubular membrane  8 . The tubular membrane  8  is a material disposed around the tubular member  1 . In some embodiments, the tubular membrane  8  may be a flexible material. In some embodiments, the tubular membrane  8  may be a rigid material. The tubular membrane  8  serves to provide insulation and protection to the rigid material of the tubular member  1 . In the present embodiment, the tubular membrane  8  is disposed around the entire circumference of the tubular member  1 , such that the tubular membrane completely encases the tubular member. In some embodiments, the tubular membrane  8  may be disposed around only a portion of the circumference of the tubular member. In some embodiments, the tubular membrane  8  may be disposed along the entire length of the tubular member  1 . In some embodiments, the tubular membrane  8  may be disposed along only a portion of the tubular member  1 . In the present embodiment, the tubular membrane  8  is disposed along the first portion of the tubular member  1 , such that it encases the tubular member from the hood end  2  to the base membrane  7 . In some embodiments, the base membrane  7  and the tubular membrane  8  may be a single piece of flexible material. In some embodiments, the base membrane  7  may be entirely separable from tubular membrane  8 . In some embodiments, base membrane  7  and tubular membrane  8  may be the same type of material. In some embodiments, the base membrane  7  and the tubular membrane  8  may be different types of material. 
         [0026]    The system for ventilating a structure may have a flapper assembly  9 . The flapper assembly  9  may be disposed inside the tubular member  1 , such that the perimeter surface of the flapper assembly is in contact with the inner perimeter surface of the tubular member. The pre-integrated flapper assembly is in part what allows the pre-assembled ventilation system of the instant disclosure to be installed in multiple job sites, further providing the aforementioned benefit over the inadequate, custom-made systems. The primary function of the flapper assembly is to provide both an outlet for the outflow air and a barrier to inflow air. In some embodiments, the flapper assembly  9  may be coupled with the tubular member  1  by rivets, screws, or other piercing methods of coupling. In some embodiments, the flapper assembly  9  may be coupled with the tubular member  1  by weld, cement, or other non-piercing methods of coupling. In some embodiments, flapper assembly  9  may be disposed near the hood end  2  of tubular member  1 , meaning in the upper half of tubular member  1 , yet not flush with hood end  2  of tubular member  1 . 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the flapper assembly  9  may be comprised of a first flapper  10 . In some embodiments, flapper  10  may have an exterior perimeter that is substantially the same as the interior perimeter of tubular member  1 . In some embodiments, flapper  10  may be coupled with the flapper assembly  9  at only one point, allowing the flapper to move up and down within the tubular member  1 . In some embodiments, the flapper assembly  9  may have a second flapper  11 . In some embodiments, flapper  10  and flapper  11  may be joined such that together the exterior perimeter is substantially the same as the interior perimeter of tubular member  1 . For example, if tubular member  1  is cylindrical, flapper  10  and flapper  11  may both be half circles, joined at their straight edges to form a circle with a circumference substantially the same as the inner circumference of the cylindrical tubular member. In another example, if the perimeter of tubular member  1  is square, then flapper  10  and flapper  11  may both be rectangular, joined at one side such that the exterior perimeter of the resulting square is substantially the same as the interior perimeter of the tubular member. In some embodiments, the flapper assembly  9  may have a strut  13 . In some embodiments, the first flapper  10  may connect to the strut  13  such that the flapper can rotate about the strut in a complete 360 degrees. In another embodiment, the strut  13  may serve to connect first flapper  10  and second flapper  11 . In a further embodiment, a strut  13  may additionally serve to limit the motion of flappers  10  and  11 , such that the flappers can only move in an upwards direction, towards the hood end  2  of tubular member  1 . A purpose of the flapper assembly  9  is to allow air to escape the structure into which the system for ventilating a structure has been installed. Another purpose of the flapper assembly  9  is to prevent external air and contaminants from entering the structure through the ventilation system. The flapper assembly  9 , and more specifically the flappers  10 ,  11 , could be any material that is light enough to be moved by the outward airflow of the ventilation system, yet heavy enough to fall still with gravity. In some embodiments, the flapper  10  will be turned by the airflow of the ventilation system. In some embodiments, flappers  10 ,  11  will be lifted toward the hood end  2  of the tubular member  1 .  FIG. 6  shows an exemplary embodiment, where flappers  10 ,  11  are shown in a closed position, joined on their straight edges by strut  13 .  FIG. 7  shows the same embodiment, but where flappers  10 ,  11  are in an open position, having moved at the circular edges toward the hood end  2  of the tubular member  1 , while the straight edges are held in place by strut  13 . 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, flappers  10  may be coupled with strut  13  by a hinge. In some embodiments, flapper  10  may be coupled with strut  13  by a rotating structure, such as an axle. In some embodiments, flapper  10  may be coupled with a strut  13  by another piece of material  12  disposed through or around the strut and coupled with the flapper. In some embodiments, flapper  10  and flapper  11  may be joined to strut  13  by the same means. In some embodiments, flapper  10  and flapper  11  may be joined to strut  13  by different means.  FIGS. 6 and 7  show an exemplary embodiment, in which flappers  10  and  11  are joined to strut  13  with a flexible piece of material coupled to the flappers by a piercing method such as a rivet  17 . There are many ways to join flapper  10  to strut  13 , without altering the functionality of the flapper assembly. Additionally, any means by which flapper  10  could be coupled with strut  13  is also applicable to flapper  11 . 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, flapper assembly  9  may be comprised of a length of material  14  of substantially the same perimeter as the interior perimeter of tubular member  1 . In some embodiments, flapper assembly  9  may have a length of metal, plastic, foam, or some other material of substantially the same perimeter as the interior perimeter of tubular member  1 . In some embodiments, flapper  10  may rest on length of material  14  when in the closed position. In some embodiments, flappers  10  and  11  may rest on length of material  14  when in the closed position. In one embodiment, length of material  14  may be coupled with tubular member  1  by cement, weld, or a piercing method of coupling. The means by which length of material  14  is coupled with tubular member  1  is dependent on the type of material of which tubular member  1  is comprised, and many different methods could be used interchangeably without altering the functionality of the system. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the system for ventilating a structure may be comprised of a screen  15 . In some embodiments, screen  15  may be disposed above flapper assembly  9 , near the hood end  2  of tubular member  1 , meaning in the upper half of tubular member  1 , yet not flush with hood end  2  of tubular member  1 . In a further embodiment, screen  15  may be disposed near the hood end  2  of tubular member  1  such that flapper  10  can move freely under screen  15 . In some embodiments, screen  15  may be coupled with tubular member  1  by cement, weld, or a piercing method. The means by which screen  15  is coupled with tubular member  1  is dependent on the type of material of which tubular member  1  and screen  15  are comprised. Many different methods could be used without altering the functionality of the system. 
         [0031]    One exemplary embodiment of the system includes one tubular member having an adapter end and a hood end; one base disposed near the adapter end of the one tubular member, including one flange disposed around the one tubular member; one flapper disposed near the hood end of the one tubular member; and one hood disposed at the hood end of the one tubular member. Another exemplary embodiment includes one tubular member having a hood end and an adapter end; one base disposed near the adapter end of the one tubular member, including one flange and one base membrane over the one flange; one flapper assembly disposed near the hood end of the one tubular member, including one strut and two half-circle flappers joined to the strut on the straight edge; and one hood coupled with the hood end of the tubular member such that there is a gap between the hood and the tubular member. Another exemplary embodiment includes one tubular member with a hood end and an adapter end; one base disposed near the adapter end of the one tubular member, including one flange disposed around the one tubular member and one base membrane disposed over and in direct contact with the one flange; one flapper assembly disposed near the hood end of the one tubular member, including one strut and two half-circle flappers joined to the strut on the straight edge; one screen located between the one flapper assembly and the hood end of the one tubular member; and one hood coupled with the hood end of the tubular member such that there is a gap between the hood and the tubular member. 
         [0032]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing specific exemplary systems and/or devices and/or technologies are representative of more general systems and/or devices and/or technologies taught elsewhere herein, such as in the claims filed herewith and/or elsewhere in the present application.