Abstract:
A venting device and system for subterranean basement structure walls to provide interior wall flow-through ventilation. Multiple venting devices are positioned strategically in the wall at intervals there along in an inter-dependent pattern allowing for convection intake and outflow of ambient interior air through the walls. The venting devices define a continuous insertable conduit with size specific restriction exposed end access fixtures. The strategic placement of the venting devices facilitates thermal exchange and creates a homeostatic static temperature and dew point between communicating spaces by means of pressure differential, air density and temperatures.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to venting devices that are used to provide air circulation through hollow block and like wall construction. Such walls are below grade and are prone to moisture buildup and associated dampness which can promote the growth of unhealthy airborne mold and mildew. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Prior art devices of this type have been relied on a variety of ventilating wall elements and inserts, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 761,711, 2,657,570, 2,931,215, 3,429,084, 4,159,673, 4,656,802, 4,910,937, and 6,912,820. U.S. Pat. No. 761,711 is directed to a ventilating-wall construction in which custom-molded building bricks are provided with interconnected venting passageways when in a wall configuration. Venting portals are provided in some bricks for inlet air flow. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,657,570 discloses rectangular flat sheet wall ventilators that are fitted into the joints between the blocks during construction. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,931,215 claims the combination of tie-down and wall ventilators that comprises a hollow stake that is positioned vertically inside the block wall, extending between adjacent blocks with upstanding retainment tongues engageable on the block surfaces forming an anchor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,429,084 shows an insect-proof weep hole of a Z-shape conduit with a screened insert therein. The device is positioned in the mortar joint between the blocks allowing for moisture transfer from behind the wall. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,673 discloses a vent block having a plurality of adjacent vent holes with an air duct in communication therewith respectively. 
     A vent pipe configuration for block walls can be seen U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,802 having a screened end cap for positioning in the tops of the block wall cavities. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,912,820 a drainage system for concrete masonry wall construction is disclosed, having a tray unit with a strip of water permeable material attached which provides a water conduit from the interior of the wall. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A venting apparatus and method of placement installation for hollow block basement walls that utilize a series of tubular conduits inserted through corresponding apertures formed in the walls. Multiple vent conduits are sequentially positioned at different wall heights and longitudinal spacing imparting a convection flow-through ventilation of the wall. Each venting device has integrated retainment elements and a restrictive size barrier to allow only fluid gas transfer there through preventing moisture buildup and associated dampness on the interior of the wall. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the primary venting device with an extension element and gasket position for engagement therewith. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded side elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the venting device with the extension element attached. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged sectional view of the primary venting device of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged front elevational view on Lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged rear elevational view on Lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a partial sectional view showing an installed venting device in a basic block wall construction. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial sectional view showing an installed venting device in an alternate wall construction. 
         FIG. 9  is a partial sectional view showing an installed venting device of the invention in a third alternate wall construction. 
         FIG. 10  is a graphic representation of a venting device wall installation pattern in a subterranean wall configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to now to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, a basement wall venting device  10  of the invention can be seen having a primary venting body  11  and adjustable extension body  12 . The primary venting body  11  is of a cylinder configuration with a wall engagement annular end flange  13  and a plurality of flexible annular sealing flanges  14  positioned in longitudinally spaced relationship to one another thereabout in space relation to the end flange  13 . The multiple sealing engagement flanges  14  are of an equal annular dimension each having an annular orientation to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder venting body  11 . The end flange  13  extends at right angles from the venting body  11  having a contoured perimeter outer edge  15 . An annular recess  16  is formed in the inner engagement surface of the flange  13  inwardly of its hereinbefore described perimeter edge  15  into which an annular sealing gasket  18  is positioned. The sealing gasket  18  will insure a seal between the venting body  11  and the interior wall surface through which it is inserted. In this example, the sealing gasket  18  is of a butyl sealant with a release sheet (not shown) as it is well-known and understood by those skilled in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5  of the drawings, a venting lattice  17  is formed within the opening of the end flange  13  of the primary venting body  11  defining a mesh surface of equal sized aligned openings. The venting lattice  17  is preferably molded intricately but may be formed of any suitable mesh material having similar aperture dimensions to provide a barrier to insects and the like without restricting the thermatic flow of gas therethrough as will be disclosed in greater detail hereinafter. 
     The adjustable extension body  12  is always used in conjunction with the vent body  11  to extend its effective length, best seen in  FIGS. 1-3  of the drawings. The adjustable extension body  12  is of a corresponding cylindrical configuration with a central body  19  having two areas  20  and  21  on which multiple longitudinally spaced flexible annular angular sealing flanges  22  extend therefrom. The sealing flanges  22  are of an identical configuration to that of said venting body flanges  13  so as to provide retainment and sealing for the extension body  12  within an applied mounting opening B in the wall W surface as seen in  FIG. 9  of the drawings. 
     The extension body  12  has an area of reduced annular dimension at  23  extends inwardly from the fitting engagement end  24  to allow for insertion into a corresponding open end  25  of the vent body  11  as seen in  FIG. 3  of the drawings. It will be noted that the length of this reduced diameter portion  23  is equal to an interior receiving area  26  best seen in  FIG. 4  of the drawings for a frictional retainment fit there within. 
     The extension body  12  has an annular bevel  27  thereabout designing a “cut” indicator band at  27  located between the respective flange areas  20  and  21  to foreshorten and provide different vent length combinations to accommodate different wall-mount depth configurations as illustrated in  FIG. 9  of the drawings, as will be described hereinafter. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-9  of the drawings, a variety of different wall constructions  29 ,  30 , and  31  can be seen having different effective wall depths requiring different length venting devices. In  FIG. 7  of the drawings, a typical cement hollow block  32  is shown in a wall configuration wherein the access opening B is drilled by conventional means (not shown) therein. The primary venting body  11  of the invention with the sealing gasket  18  attached is inserted into the opening B. The free insert end of the venting body  11  has a chamfered end  33  to facilitate ease of installation while the hereinbefore described multiple flexible annular sealing flanges  14  deform assuring a secure frictional fit within the opening B inhibiting transient leakage during thermal and moisture exchange between the communicating interior condition space S of the building and the interior I of the block wall W as indicated by flow arrows F. 
     In  FIG. 8  of the drawings, a finished block wall FW can be seen having the hollow block  32  with a furring strip element  34  and a finish wall board  35  secured thereto. The primary venting body  11  is inserted in an installation opening  36  through the finish wall board  35  and surface of the block  32  aligned therewith. It will be seen that the primary body vent  11  is of sufficient length in this application to engage and seal therebetween forming a communication passage way P. 
     In  FIG. 9  of the drawings, an alternate wall construction is shown the hollow block  32  with a substantial interior from element  37  and the finish wall board  35  secured thereto. This wall construction is of a greatly increased depth requiring the primary venting body  11  to be supplemented by the full extension body  12  as illustrated. The extension body  12  provides the additional length for sealing engagement within the hollow block  32 , maintaining a vent passage from the room interior R to within the block  32 . In order to effectively vent any of the referred wall configurations, the placement of the hereinbefore described venting bodies  11  and extension  12  is critical. 
     A preferred vent placement orientation is illustrated therefore in  FIG. 10  of the drawings in which a hollow block wall  38  construction having staggered multiple horizontal lock rows  39  is shown. Given the typical construction as illustrated, each of the blocks  31  have a pair of internal open chambers  40  extending vertically there through. The staggered horizontal multiple rows  39  therefore form natural vertical interconnected passageways  41  illustrated in broken lines. 
     The vent devices  10  of the invention are placed in a first exposed block bottom row  39 A in every other adjacent block  32  therein. 
     The next set of vent devices  10  are installed in alternate vertically ascending block rows  39 B, C, D, and E. 
     Given the staggered block placement in a typical block wall construction, adjacent rows will be seen that the vents  10  accordingly intersect and communicate with the so-formed natural vertical block passageways  41  allowing for thermal convection venting there through, illustrated by the vent channel arrows, and joined and broken lines. 
     It will be seen that by using multiple venting devices  10  of the invention that its primary vent body  11  and alternate attachable extension vent body  12  when needed that multiple effective airflow and moisture communication paths can be established in a variety of different subterranean wall construction configurations. Given the strategic placement pattern of the vents of the invention in alternate block rows and corresponding alternate blocks horizontally within said rows, as hereinbefore described, a unique effective venting system of the invention can be quickly and easily established assuring proper ventilation of multiple types of walls within these environments. 
     It will thus be seen that a new and novel subterranean basement wall venting system has been illustrated and described and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, therefore I claim.