Abstract:
A venting system that is incorporated into the roof and/or wall allows the same to provide continuous air flow to ventilate the roofs and walls and prevent condensation build up and ultimate water damage to the structure. The venting system is adapted to allow air flow around air flow obstacles contained within the walls or roofs, such as, for example roof joists, and/or floor and ceiling supports in walls. The venting system can provide air flow around in wall obstacles by channeling in air from the outside or carrying air around the obstacle from within the wall or roof itself. The channeled venting system can be incorporated into the roof and/or wall sheathing and thereby is not prone to blockage by improper or amateur insulation installations.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a Divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11,179,721 filed Jul. 12, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to construction. More particularly, it relates to the venting of roofs and walls to prevent condensation build up and water damage to structures.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Insulating attic and wall areas has become a necessity for new or existing structures. The insulating of these areas is imperative for energy conservation. However, it is very easy to incorrectly insulate these areas. By way of example, an overly insulated area (e.g., wall or attic space stuffed with the wrong “R-factor” insulation of simply too much of the power R-factor insulation, will result in condensation build up and ultimate water damage to the structure. Another example would include newly developed materials that seal any air flow normally  
         [0006]     Unfortunately, even properly vented roofs are easily blocked by new insulation installations. This is generally due to the fact that at the lowest insulated areas (e.g., where the roof rafters meet the ceiling joists), there is not enough room for an individual to maneuver, in addition, the installer&#39;s vision is impaired for proper installation. Venting through varying projected soffet over hang areas leaves a gap or blockage with insulation between the soffet rafters, thus not allowing seepage of cross ventilation of outside air into the structure. Cross ventilation is needed to eliminate water condensation.  
         [0007]     Thus, there is a need for a roof/wall venting system that cannot be impaired or blocked by improper insulation installations. In order to provide this system, the venting system must become part of the roof/wall structure or fascia/gable end, yet not be exposed to the exterior weather, so as to protect the venting system and air flow there through.  
         [0008]     In other embodiments, the venting system need only function to circumvent the air blocking obstacle within the roof or wall. In this manner, the roof/wall venting material can be secured around the air blocking obstacle in any known manner and in any location so as to provide the preferred continuous air flow.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to provide a roof/wall venting system that cannot be impaired or blocked by improper insulation installations.  
         [0010]     It is another aspect of the invention to provide a roof/wall venting system that is concealable and not visible to the consumer once installed.  
         [0011]     This and other aspects are achieved in accordance with the invention wherein the venting system for walls includes an opening in the wall in an area of the wall containing an air flow obstacle, and a vent positioned with respect to said opening and having a plurality of parallel vents with open ends, said open ends being positioned to channel air flow around the air flow obstacle within the wall. In one embodiment, the open ends of the vent extend from below the air flow obstacle in the wall to above the air flow obstacle in the wall.  
         [0012]     In other embodiments, the opening is made in an exterior finished siding of the wall. The opening enabling said ends of said vent to receive ambient air from outside the wall and channel it into the wall around the air flow obstacle within the wall. Those of skill in the art will recognize that multiple openings in the wall can be made such that corresponding multiple vents can be disposed in each of the multiple openings. The multiple openings providing airflow around multiple air flow obstacles within the wall.  
         [0013]     In accordance with other embodiments, the venting system for walls, includes an opening in the wall in an area of the wall containing an air flow obstacle, and a vent positioned with respect to said opening and having a plurality of parallel vents with open ends. The open ends enabling air flow around the air flow obstacle within the wall. In one implementation the open ends of the vent are exposed to outside ambient air on one side, and the interior of the wall on the other side. In this implementation, the vent is covered with exterior siding such that the opening ends exposed to the outside ambient air are under the exterior siding and not visible. In another implementation, the open ends of the vent are exposed to an interior of the wall below the air flow obstacle on one side and the interior of the wall above the air flow obstacle on the other side.  
         [0014]     According to other contemplated embodiments, the method for venting an exterior wall includes identifying an air flow obstacle within a wall, positioning a venting device over said air flow obstacle, and securing the venting device such that it enables air flow around the air flow preventing obstacle contained within the wall.  
         [0015]     The positioning can further includes forming an opening in the exterior wall, where the opening exposes the air flow obstacle.  
         [0016]     Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     In the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote similar components throughout the views:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is side view of a corrugated vent according to an aspect of the invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the corrugated vent according to an aspect of the invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3   a  is a partial cross sectional view of a roof line showing the venting system according to an aspect of the invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3   b  is a rough schematic view of another roof line showing the venting system according to an aspect of the invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a partial cross sectional view of a wall showing the venting system according to another aspect of the invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross sectional view of one type of flat roof showing the venting system according to an aspect of the invention; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross sectional view of another type of flat roof showing the venting system according to an aspect of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a corrugated vent  10  according to an aspect of the invention. The vent has a height h that can be any suitable height to provide a flush finish to the wall or roof. According to one preferred aspect of the invention, height h is ⅛ inch. The vent  10  has a plurality of vents  16  and is open at each end  11  and  12  and which have a predetermined opening size and spacing. By way of example, corrugated vents like vent  10  are known by the Acceptance Criteria for Attic Vents (AC132) issued by the ICBO Evaluation Service, and which is incorporated herein by reference. The AC132 report sets forth venting size and requirements for Attic venting. The vent  10  of the present invention complies with all venting criteria set forth in AC132. Venting material such as vent  10  is sold under the trademark COR-A-VENT®, which is registered to Cor-A-Vent Inc. in Michigan.  
         [0026]     According to certain aspects of the invention, a straight end  11  can be used, while an angled end  12  can be used to change the size of the air openings to the vents  16 . The angled end  12  has a width w that determines the size of the air opening on that end and also changes the angle θ. The larger the width w, the longer the air openings and the smaller angle θ. The overall length of the vent  10  can be infinitely varied according to the particular installation without changing the function or operation thereof.  
         [0027]     According to other embodiments, vent  10  can include an adhesive backing  19  over the entire surface thereof. This adhesive backing will adhere the vent  10  to the wood and thereby hold the vent in place while the remainder of the roof or wall installation is completed.  
         [0028]     Channel  14  is cut into vent  10  transverse to the plurality of vents  16 . The channel  14  provides additional air input/output from the vent. As will be described later with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the channel  14  allows for increased air flow (venting) of the roof and/or wall. In other embodiments, the corrugated vent  10  may include perforations or small holes  17  on one side thereof. The purpose for such perforations would be to increase airflow, and more particularly, would operate to provide the required airflow in installations where an open end ( 11 ,  12 ) is not possible. For example, in some cement or block like constructions, one or both of the open ends can be closed by the construction itself. As such, perforations  17  will provide airflow even when the opens ends  11 ,  12  are blocked.  
         [0029]      FIG. 3   a  shows a partial cross sectional view of the roof venting system  30  according to an aspect of the invention. The ceiling joist  5  meets with the roof rafter  6 , and is faced with the fascia panel  7 . According to an aspect of the invention, the lower portion  31  of roofing plywood sheathing  36  is removed to accommodate the venting system of the invention. Plywood  36  (i.e., roofing sheathing) is generally ½ inch, however other thicknesses are possible and will be discussed later. The amount of the lower portion  31  of plywood  36  removed can be in a range of 1-4 feet from the fascia panel  7 . In other embodiments, the vent  10  can be randomly placed throughout the roof in order to bypass construction blockage. For Example,  FIG. 3   b  shows a rough schematic view of vent  10  as installed in two places within the roof sheathing  36  to provide roof venting where blocked by the exterior wall  58  and the interior second floor wall  28 .  
         [0030]     Once removed, a new piece of plywood sheathing  34  is positioned in the lower portion  31  as a base for the new venting system. Plywood sheathing  34  has a thickness that is approximately ⅜ inch, such that the combined height of the vent  10  (with water protection membrane  32 ) and plywood  34  is substantially equal to the ½ inch plywood sheathing  36  above the lower portion  31 . A water protection membrane  32  is positioned over plywood  34  and fascia panel  7  as shown, and vent  10  is then disposed on top of the water protection membrane  32 . The openings  11  of vent  10  are exposed to the outside over the fascia panel  7 . The angled end  12  is positioned to abut the upper sheathing  36 , yet remain open to air flow by positioning the lower sheathing  34  such that a space  18  remains between the plywood sheathing  36  and lower plywood sheathing  34 . Space  18  can be adapted for any application and is preferably in a range of 0.5-2 inches wide.  
         [0031]     A second water penetration membrane  32  is disposed over the vent  10  and extends upward beyond the joining of vent plywood sheathing  36 . Once the water penetration membrane  32  is positioned, the roofing material  38  can then be installed. As shown, the air openings  11  and  12 , in addition to channel  14 , provide free air flow from the outside up into the roof rafters. In this manner, air flow from the exterior of the structure can be provided into the roof rafters and thereby prevent the build of condensation and moisture that is otherwise trapped in an inadequately vented roof system.  
         [0032]     As mentioned above, the combined height of the venting system  30  is such that it is flush (i.e., even with) the height of roof sheathing  36 . Those of skill in the art will recognize that different thicknesses for plywood  36  can be used, and thus the thickness of lower sheathing  34  will change accordingly. For example, when plywood  36  is ½ inch thick, the combined height of channel vent  10 , water protection membrane  32  and plywood  34  is the same ½ inch. For exemplary purposes, the channel vent  10  would be 3/32 inch, the water protection membrane would be 1/32 inch, and the plywood  34  would be ⅜ inch.  
         [0033]     The same will be the case when plywood sheathing  36  is ¾ inch thick. In this instance, for example, the plywood  34  is ½ inch, while channel vent  10  is 7/32 inch and water protection membrane  32  is 1/32 inch.  
         [0034]     In this respect, it is important that the combined vent  10  and underlying sheathing  34  comply with minimum sheathing requirements for roof installations, and in particular, the sheathing strength requirements for the same. In order to comply with these requirements, the wall between the vents  16  can be made thicker to increase the strength of the vent material  10  (e.g., for thinner overall vent material) in order to comply with any local or state sheathing strength requirements. In other terms, the combined strength of the vent  10  and underlying sheathing  34  must be equal to or greater than the sheathing strength of the full size sheathing  36  for that particular roof installation. In other contemplated embodiments, more than one layer of the vent material  10  can be stacked in order to provide a particular thickness, and/or to provide appropriate strength to comply with the minimum sheathing requirements.  
         [0035]     By incorporating the venting system  30  into the actual roof, it is physically removed from the insulation and can no longer be subject to blockages caused by improper insulation installations. The integrated venting system of the present invention allows the venting of the roof by providing one continuous air flow from the exterior of the structure to the roof rafters and ultimately out a ridge or eave vent (See  FIG. 4 ). This continuous air flow limits energy losses in heating and cooling the structure and also serves to completely eliminate chronic problems associated with condensation build up in unventilated roofs, and the extensive water damage caused by the same. In addition, those of skill in the art will recognize that the continuous air flow provided by the present invention also operates to evaporate ice or snow build up along the eve of the roof.  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  shows an exemplary implementation of the venting system  40  into a wall structure, according to an aspect of the invention. In this embodiment, not only are the walls provided with continuous air flow to vent the same through blockages (such as floors or ceilings), but also allow for much needed cross ventilation between the walls into the roof structure.  
         [0037]     In structures having multiple floors, the floor joists  48 ,  50  (or the floors built thereon) often serve to block air passage through the wall from one floor to another. As shown, floor joist  48  sits on the sill plate  46  of foundation  44  and encloses the bottom of the wall (particularly when a floor is installed on the joists). By way of example, the second floor joists  50  sit on support post  56  and as such, the air flow within the wall and between the first and second floor is blocked. The wall insulation  58  is to be installed such that a small air gap  62  exists between the outer siding sheathing  42  and the insulation.  
         [0038]     As shown, a portion  60  of the siding sheathing is removed that extends below and above the support  56  and floor joist  50 . This portion  60  is then replaced with a channel vent  10   b  and a new piece of sheathing  48  having a thickness that allows the combined vent  10   b  and sheathing  48  to be flush with the original siding sheathing  42 . In this manner, the air flow in the air gap  62  is re-opened between floors and any condensation that could ordinarily build up in this floor/ceiling junction is eliminated.  
         [0039]     The same concept can be applied to the lower portion of the wall where vent  10   a  is installed to allow air flow over the sill plate  46  into the air gap  62  in the wall. In addition, an upper wall vent  10   c  can be implemented to carry the wall air gap  62  into the attic space and out the ridge vent  68  (or other eave vent not shown).  
         [0040]     According to other contemplated embodiments, for new constructions, vent  10  can be incorporated into every wall of the structure, and may even become a first wall sheathing layer that can be used throughout the entire construction (i.e., ground level to roof level). In other embodiments, the vent  10  can be adhered to exterior insulation layers that are added to existing structures during re-siding or remodeling. In this embodiment, the vent will sit adjacent the siding sheathing and provide adequate air flow to the wall from the exterior. This may eliminate and will undoubtedly reduce any condensation or moisture build up in the wall.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show the venting system for flat roofs according to two different embodiments of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the Flat roof includes load bearing wall  502  having a stud  503  and double top plate  504 . The exterior of the wall includes a sheathing  518 . A rafter  506  is supported by the double top plate  504 . The rafter  506  extends beyond double top plate  504  and serves to form soffet  522 . A rough fascia  508  fronts the rafter(s)  506 , and a finished fascia  510  over lays rough fascia  508 . Several layers of sheathing (or other materials)  516  overlay rafter(s)  506  and rough fascia  508 .  
         [0042]     In accordance with the wall/roof venting system of the present invention, the vent  10  is incorporated to this otherwise standard flat roof construction. As shown, a portion of the wall sheathing  518  is removed, and a gap  517  is made in the sheathing so as to expose the same to the inside of the wall  502 . Vent  10   a  replaces the removed sheathing and fills the gap  517  and abuts the lower sheathing  518 . Vent  10   a  is preferably the same thickness as the removed sheathing so as to provide a flush transition between vent  10   a  and the remaining wall sheathing  518  immediately adjacent the same. Another vent  10   b  is disposed under the soffet sheathing  522  and connected to the wall vent by a 45 degree angled connection  12 . A Fascia vent  10   c  is connected to the soffet vent  10   b  in the same angled manner. A top vent  10   d  is disposed between the rough fascia and the edge blocking  512  covered by the flashing  514 . As shown, the top vent  10   d  is installed by removing some of the sheathing layers  516  in the room material.  
         [0043]     In this manner, air flow between the wall and the flat roof is possible without affecting the construction of the flat roof. This continuous air flow will completely eliminate the potential for condensation build up in improperly vented/insulated walls or roofs. It will be apparent that for new constructions, the implementation and integration of vents  10  into the building is relatively easy and straight forward. For pre-existing constructions, the installed will be required to perform the following steps in order to retrofit an existing construction with the venting system of the present invention: 
    1) remove the fascia board  508 ;     2) cut flat roof to make gap  524  that is beyond any potential air flow blockages;     3) measure thickness of existing sheathing  516  and subtract thickness of vent from sheathing  516  and remove the same from above the rough fascia board  508 .     4) install top vent  10   d  and with angled end  12  disposed in gap  524  and the opposing angled end connected to the fascia vent;     5) remove soffet  522 ;     6) install fascia vent  10   c  and adhere same to rough fascia board  508 ;     7) remove siding (not shown) and cut out sheathing  518  in wall  502 , subtract thickness of wall vent  10  from sheathing thickness;     8) install soffet vent  10   b  and adhere same to underside of rafter(s)  506 ;     9) install wall vent  10   a  such that gap  517  is closed and vent  10   a  is flush with the adjacent wall sheathing  518      10) re-install finished fascia  510  over vent  10   c , and edge blocking  512  and flashing  514  over the vent  10   d , gap  524  and finished fascia  510 ; and     11) re-install siding and soffet  522  over flush mounted venting system.    
 
         [0055]      FIG. 6  shows another type of flat roof construction, where two separate vents are used to vent the wall and the roof. As shown, a single vent  10   a  is installed along the exterior of the wall  502  and recessed into the sheathing  518  as described above with reference to the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . Vent  10   c  is installed behind finished fascia  510  and connected with the top vent  10  that is flush mounted with the roof sheathing  516  so as to be open in the gap  524  formed in the roof sheathing  516 . In this manner, air flow from vent  10   a  vents wall  502  into the roof rafters  506 , while vents  10   c  and  10   d  combine to vent the overhang portion the roof (i.e., soffet).  
         [0056]     While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the present principles as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described and devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the same. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the present principles. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the present principles may be incorporated in any other disclosed, described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.