Abstract:
An exhaust vent assembly for a structure. The exhaust vent assembly can include a base supportable adjacent to the structure and having a raised rim defining an outlet of an exhaust flow channel and a cover moveably secured to the base for movement relative to the base between a closed position, in which the cover extends across the outlet substantially preventing exhaust flow through the outlet, and an opened position, in which the cover is moved away from the outlet to allow exhaust flow through the outlet. The vent assembly can also include a windbreak operable to prevent wind from moving the cover toward the opened position. The windbreak can include a first contour on the raised rim and a second contour on an adjacent edge of the cover.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to vent assemblies and, more particularly, to vent assemblies for venting exhaust from a structure. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    In some embodiments, the invention provides an exhaust vent assembly for a structure including a base supportable on the structure and defining an exhaust outlet and a cover having a first end pivotably connected to the base for pivoting movement relative to the base between a closed position, in which the cover extends across the outlet and a second end of the cover contacts the base substantially preventing exhaust flow through the outlet, and an opened position, in which the second end of the cover is moved away from the outlet to allow exhaust flow through the outlet. The cover can have an arcuate exterior surface extending substantially from the first end toward the second end and a raised lip extending along the second end of the cover. 
         [0003]    In other embodiments, the present invention provides an exhaust vent assembly for a structure including a base supportable on the structure, defining an exhaust opening, having an interior periphery surrounding the opening to at least partially define an interior region adjacent to the opening, and having a rim extending outwardly from the interior periphery. The vent assembly can also include a cover having an outermost perimeter. The cover can be connected to the base and be pivotable between a closed position, in which the outermost perimeter is positioned substantially within the interior region, and an opened position, in which at least a portion of the outermost perimeter is positioned outside of the interior region. The vent assembly can further include a windbreak including a lip positioned along a portion of the outermost perimeter of the cover and a recess positioned along the rim adjacent to the lip when the cover is in the closed position to prevent unintended opening of the cover. 
         [0004]    Also, the present invention provides an exhaust vent assembly for a structure including a base supportable adjacent to the structure and having a raised rim defining an outlet of an exhaust flow channel and a cover moveably secured to the base for movement relative to the base between a closed position, in which the cover extends across the outlet substantially preventing exhaust flow through the outlet, and an opened position, in which the cover is moved away from the outlet to allow exhaust flow through the outlet. The vent assembly can also include a windbreak operable to prevent wind from moving the cover toward the opened position. The windbreak can include a first contour on the raised rim and a second contour on an adjacent edge of the cover. 
         [0005]    In addition, the present invention provides a method of venting exhaust from a structure, the method comprising the acts of providing a base defining an outlet for exhaust from a conduit, the conduit extending from a structure, pivoting a cover relative to the base in response to exhaust pressure from the conduit between a closed position, in which the cover extends over the outlet, and an opened position, in which a distal edge of the cover is moved away from the outlet to allow exhaust flow from the outlet, and directing wind across a windbreak and away from the distal edge of the cover to prevent wind from moving the cover toward the opened position. 
         [0006]    Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vent assembly according to some embodiments of the present invention prior to being mounted on a wall of a structure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the vent assembly shown in  FIG. 1  with the cover in an opened position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the vent assembly shown in  FIG. 1  with the cover in a closed position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a base of the vent shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the base taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a cover of the vent shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the cover taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a rear view of the cover shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” and “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. 
         [0016]    Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
         [0017]    In addition, it is to be understood that phraseology and terminology used herein with reference to device or element orientation (such as, for example, terms like “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “lower”, “up,” “down,” etc.) are only used to simplify description of the present invention, and do not alone indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation. The elements of the present invention can be installed and operated in any orientation desired. In addition, terms such as “first” and “second” are used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance. 
         [0018]      FIGS. 1-8  illustrate a vent assembly  20  according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the vent assembly  20  can be used to provide a conduit for exhaust gas through a structural barrier (e.g., from inside a building to outside a building). For the purpose of this description, “exhaust” will include the material conducted through vent assembly  20 , and “wall  22 ” will include the structural barrier through which the vent assembly  20  provides a conduit. However, it should be appreciated that the structural barrier can, in other embodiments, be a door, window, roof, among other things. 
         [0019]    The vent assembly  20  can have an “opened” state which enables exhaust to flow from inside to outside the building through wall  22 , and a “closed” state which prevents this flow. In some embodiments, the “opened” state can also enable reverse flow (i.e., flow in the opposite direction (e.g., from outside to inside the building)). Similarly, the “closed” state can also prevent reverse flow in some embodiments. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the vent assembly  20  can include a duct  24  which can provide a closed conduit for exhaust produced by an appliance or other machine, for example. In some embodiments, such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the duct  24  can be elongated and cylindrical in shape having a distal end (not shown) and a proximal end  26 . Such embodiments can include a deformable sleeve  28  that extends along at least a portion of the length of the duct  24 ; the basic cylindrical shape of the sleeve  28  can be maintained by a helical reinforcement  30 . Alternatively, the reinforcement  30  can comprise a set of rings spaced axially along the sleeve  28 . The reinforcement  30  can be formed of metal, plastic, or another suitable material. Similarly, the material which forms the deformable sleeve  28  can constitute a wide range of materials ranging from naturally existing to man-made and, in some embodiments, can provide thermal insulation between the exhaust within the duct  24  and the environment surrounding the duct  24 . 
         [0021]    It is acknowledged that the embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrates only one particular construction of a duct  24 , while conduits of various sizes, shapes, and materials can provide similar utility in the present invention. For example, the duct  24  could alternatively include polyvinyl chloride piping, a metal chute, or an elastic hose, among other things. The duct  24  can be secured to an exhaust outlet of an appliance or other machine (not shown) with one or more fasteners (not shown). In some embodiments, the fasteners and/or the distal end of the duct  24  can provide a seal between the exhaust outlet of the appliance and the duct  24 . Suitable fasteners can include but are not limited to: zip ties, adjustable collars, brackets, screws, bolts, etc. Alternatively or in addition, some type of adhesive (e.g., tape, glue, caulk, solder, braze, etc.) can be used to secure the distal end of the duct  24  to the exhaust source. 
         [0022]    The proximal end  26  of the duct  24  can be attached to a duct adaptor or extension  32  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the illustrated embodiment, the duct  24  and the adaptor  32  can together define a flow channel for the exhaust. The duct adaptor  32  can also provide a fitting to connect the duct  24  to a vent assembly  34 , which will be described in greater detail below. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the adaptor  32  can have substantially the same cylindrical shape as the duct  24  and can be connected to the proximal end  26  of the duct  24  at a distal end  36  of the adaptor  32 . The distal end  36  of the adaptor  32  can be secured to the proximal end  26  of the duct  24  with the use of one or more suitable fasteners  38  and/or adhesive as discussed above in reference to the connection of the distal end of the duct and an exhaust outlet. 
         [0023]    The proximal end (not shown) of the adaptor  32  can be connected to a vent opening  40  such that the adaptor  32  extends substantially perpendicularly from the vent  34 , as shown in the illustrated embodiment. The proximal end of the adaptor  32  can include slots or similar elements which can be positioned to receive tabs, hooks, or the like on the vent  34 , in order to secure the adaptor  32  to the vent  34 . These elements will be described in greater detail below. Alternatively or in addition, tabs, hooks, or the like can be positioned on the proximal end of the adaptor  32  in order to be received by corresponding slots or similar elements on the vent  34 . In a further embodiment, the adaptor  32  can be secured to the vent  34  by means described above with reference to the connection between the duct  24  and the exhaust outlet. 
         [0024]    The adaptor  32  can be rigid or flexible, can have any of a number of shapes and sizes, and can be formed of a wide variety of materials, including but not limited to those discussed above with respect to the duct  24 . In the event that the proximal end  26  of the duct  24  and the vent opening have different cross-sectional areas or shapes, the adaptor  32  can be designed to compensate for the differences. For example, the adaptor  32  can have a distal end  36  that corresponds to the cross-sectional area and shape of the duct  24  and a proximal end that corresponds to the cross-sectional area and shape of the vent opening. In some embodiments, the adaptor  32  can be formed from a rectangular sheet of metal having two opposite ends that can be connected to form a cylinder. Each of the opposite ends can be provided with folds such that when the opposite ends are brought together to form the cylinder, the folds of one engage and catch those of the opposite to retain the cylindrical shape. The adaptor  32  and duct  24  of a particular embodiment can be formed of the same or different materials and can be connected in a manner that is the same as or different from that in which the duct  24  is attached to the exhaust outlet. In a further embodiment, the adaptor  32  can be integrally formed with the duct  24 . In a still further embodiment, the adaptor  32  can be integrally formed with the vent  34 . 
         [0025]    As illustrated in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , the vent assembly  34  can include a frame or base  42  having a front face  44  and a rear face  46 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the base  42  according to some embodiments, in which the outlet or opening  40  is positioned (connecting the front and rear faces  44 ,  46 ) to enable exhaust to exit the flow channel through the vent  34 . The opening  40  can have a generally circular shape as shown in the illustrated embodiments. However, the opening  40  can be any other shape or size that accommodates the exhaust flow and/or the proximal end of the ducting that the vent provides an outlet for. In some embodiments, the base  42  can be formed of any plastic or moldable synthetic material in a single piece construction. Alternatively, certain elements of the base  42  (to be discussed in detail below) can be formed separately and molded together or connected by other means. In other embodiments, the base  42  can be cast shaped or formed from a wide variety of other natural and/or man-made materials. 
         [0026]    As shown most clearly in  FIG. 5 , the base  42  can include flanges  48  and tabs  50  that surround the opening  40  and can extend substantially perpendicularly from the rear face  46 . In some such embodiments, the flanges  48  and tabs can be integrally formed with the base  42 . The flanges  48  can provide a guide for the connection of the proximal end of the duct adaptor  32  to the base  42 . Alternatively or in addition, the flanges  48  can provide structural support for the adaptor  32  and/or assistance in maintaining the connection between the vent  34  and the adaptor  32 . The tabs  50  can be positioned to be received in slots (not shown) in the proximal end of the adaptor  32  in order to maintain the connection between the components. In other embodiments, retaining elements such as hooks, clips, and/or other fasteners can take the place of the tabs  50 . Alternatively or in addition, the flanges  48  or another part of the base  42  can include apertures to receive tabs or any other similar retaining elements provided in the proximal end of the adaptor  32 . As discussed above, in other embodiments, the adaptor  32  and the vent  34  can be connected, secured, and/or sealed by other means. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 , in some embodiments, the opening  40  in the base  42  can be surrounded by an interior surface  52  that is substantially flat. In some embodiments, the surface  52  can include bosses  54  for screws, nails or the like so that the vent  34  can be mounted to the wall  22 . In a further embodiment, the surface  52  can be shaped to correspond to the surface on which it is to be mounted. In a still further embodiment, the bosses  54  can be provided on another part of the base  42 . Alternatively, integral fasteners can be provided for securing the base  42  to the wall  22 . Also visible in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 , the interior surface  52  of the vent assembly  34  can include a laterally-extending ridge  56  that is positioned below the opening  40  and which can project substantially perpendicularly from the surface  52 . The function of the ridge  56  will be discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0028]    As illustrated by  FIGS. 4 and 5 , inner walls  58  can surround the surface  52  forming an interior periphery and can be oriented from the surface  52  in a direction that is at an angle to the inner surface  52 . The inner walls  58 , together with the interior surface  52  can at least partially form a three-dimensional interior region  60 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the portion of the interior region  60  defined by the surface  52  and inner walls  58  can be substantially the shape of a rectangular prism. In some embodiments including the illustrated embodiment, a rim  62  can extend outward at an angle from the inner walls  58 . Further, as seen most clearly in  FIG. 5 , outer walls  64  can extend back from the rim  62  to complete the frame of the opening  40 . Other embodiments of the vent assembly do not require that a rim  62  or outer walls  64  surround the interior region  60 . For example, in some embodiments of the invention, a rim  62  can extend from only one of the inner walls  58  of the base  42 . 
         [0029]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the base  42  can include minor protrusions  66  on the interior surface  52  and apertures  68  at upper corners of the interior region  60  between the interior surface  52  and the inner walls  58 . In other embodiments, the minor protrusions  66  and apertures  68  can be positioned in other locations within the inner region  60 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2-5 , the base  42  can include a contour that extends along a portion of the inner wall  58  and/or rim  62 . In some embodiments, the contour can be a laterally-extending recess  70  positioned between the inner wall  58  and the rim  62 , and below the ridge  56 . The functions of the recess  70 , along with those of the minor protrusions  66  and apertures  68 , will be discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0030]    As illustrated in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , in addition to the base  42 , the vent assembly  34  can include a door or cover  72  having an outermost perimeter  74  that is designed to fit substantially within the interior region  60  of the base  42 . As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the cover  72 , according to some embodiments, can have a substantially rectangular shape as viewed from the front or rear, and as such can include an inner face  76  and an outer face  78 . As will be described in further detail later, in some embodiments, the inner face  76  can generally be in fluid contact with exhaust from the duct  24 , while the outer face  78  can generally be in fluid contact with outside air or wind. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , according to some embodiments, the cover  72  can have a substantially rectangular shape as viewed from the front or rear, and as such can include a top edge  80 , a bottom edge  82 , and two side edges  84 , which are circumscribed by the outermost perimeter  74 . In some embodiments, the cover  72  can be formed of any plastic or moldable synthetic material in a single piece construction. Alternatively, elements of the cover  72  can be formed separately and molded together or connected by other means. In other embodiments, the cover  72  can be cast or formed of a wide variety of other natural and/or man-made materials and can take any of a number of shapes. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate the vent assembly  34  in “opened” and “closed” positions or positions, respectively. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the state of the vent  34  can depend on the position of the cover  72  with respect to the base  42 . In the vent assembly  34  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cover  72  is connected to the base  42  and can pivot with respect to the base  42 . Specifically, posts  86  can extend from the side edges  84  along the top edge  80  of the cover  72  as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . In some such embodiments, the posts  86  can extend through the apertures  68  in the base  42 , such that the apertures  68  retain the cover  72  and allow pivoting movement of the cover  72  about its top edge  80 . Alternatively, in some embodiments, the posts  86  can extend from the side edges  84  at a location slightly below the top edge  80 , in which case the cover  72  would rotate about an axis slightly below the top edge  80 . In a further embodiment, the apertures  68  can be replaced with blind holes in which the posts  86  are retained. 
         [0033]    The posts  86  of some embodiments can include stops  88  that can extend from the cover  72  a distance along the posts  86  and can have a greater diameter than the apertures  68 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the post stops  88  can compensate for any gap between the inner walls  58  of the base  42  and side edges  84  of the cover  72  in order to substantially prevent lateral movement of the cover  72  with respect to the base  42 . In a similar fashion, minor protrusions  66  provided on the front face  44  of the base  42  can compensate for any gap that may exist between the cover  72  and the base  42 , in order to prevent oscillation and accompanying noise. In the illustrated embodiment, the minor protrusions  66  are provided along the top of the interior surface  52  to stabilize the top edge  80  of the cover  72 . Alternatively or in addition, minor protrusions  66  can be provided at other locations on the base  42  or cover  72  within the interior region  60  to serve the same purpose. In other embodiments, foam or another similarly elastically deformable material can be provided alone or in combination with the elements discussed above in order to restrict and/or dampen the movement of the cover  72  with respect to the base  42 . Alternatively or in addition, such material can be provided in some embodiments to form a seal between the cover  72  and the base  42  in the “closed” position. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional side view of the cover  72  according to some embodiments. As is evident from this perspective, in some embodiments, the cover  72  can have a contoured shape such that the inner face  76  is concave ( FIG. 8 ) and the outer face  78  is convex ( FIG. 6 ). Further, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the curvature of the cover  72  can be arcuate in shape and can be centered about a line (not shown) that runs laterally between the side edges  84  about half the distance between the top edge  80  and the bottom edge  82 . In some embodiments, the contoured shape of the inner face  76 , can more efficiently allow the cover  72  to rotate or pivot away from the “closed” and maintain an “opened” position when sufficient pressure of the exhaust flowing through the ducting contacts the inner face  76 . 
         [0035]    As most clearly visible in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , in some embodiments, the side edges  84  of the cover  72  can extend substantially perpendicularly from the contoured face  76 ,  78 . In such embodiments, when the vent  34  is in a “closed” position, the side edges  84  can be in contact with the interior surface  52  and substantially parallel to the inner walls  58  of the base  42 . As discussed above with respect to the contoured inner face  76  of the cover  72 , the side edges  84  can also more efficiently allow the cover  72  to rotate away from the “closed” position and maintain an “opened” position. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , in some embodiments of the vent assembly, a rounded lip  90  can extend laterally along the bottom edge  82  of the outer face  78  of the cover  72 . As the illustrated embodiment shows, the lip  90  can correspond to a rounded depression  92  that can extend laterally along the bottom edge  82  of the inner face  76 . Also in some embodiments, a strip of foam  94  or a similar elastically deformable material can be adhered to the inner face  76  of the cover  72  in the depression  92  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . In some embodiments, the foam  94  can muffle the sound of the vent  34  closing. Alternatively or in addition, the foam  94  can at least partially form a seal with the laterally-extending ridge  56  on the interior surface  52  of the base  42  when the vent  34  is “closed”. 
         [0037]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, the bottom edge  82  of the cover  72  is positioned within rim  62  of the base  42  (i.e., within the interior region  60 ) in the “closed” position. This particular arrangement of elements can help to ensure that wind, birds and small animals can not move the cover  72  to open the vent  34 . Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the recess  70  in the base  42  can direct air currents flowing around outside the vent  34  to prevent them from opening the vent  34 . The lip  90  on the outer face  78  of the cover  72  and/or the contour of the outer face  78  can perform the same function alone, or in combination with the recess  70 . As such, the outer face  78  of the cover  72 , the recess  70 , and/or the lip  90  can serve as a windbreak  96  for the vent assembly  34 . In other embodiments, the windbreak  96  can include a protruding ledge on the upper edge of the recess  70  that guides air currents away from the bottom edge  82  of the cover  72 . In further embodiments the foam  94 , and in still further embodiments, the ridge  56  on the interior surface  52  of the base, can also prevent outside air currents from moving the cover  72  from the “closed” position. Thus, the shape of the front face  44  of the base  42 , the outer face  78  of the cover  72 , and the position of these elements with respect to each other can prevent the vent  34  from being opened from outside. 
         [0038]    As discussed briefly above, the shape of the inner face  76  of the cover  72 , alone, or in conjunction with the side edges  84 , can facilitate the opening of the vent  34  from inside (i.e., in order for exhaust to be vented). A certain amount of fluid (i.e., exhaust) pressure against the concave inner face  76  of the cover  72  can break the seal between the laterally-extending ridge  56  and the foam  94 , if necessary and cause the cover  72  to rotate against gravity into an “opened” position. Further, in some embodiments, these elements, alone, or in combination with the strip of foam  94  positioned adjacent the bottom edge  82  of the cover  72  can prevent the cover  72  from closing prematurely or from oscillating severely due to pressure fluctuations. Thus, the shape of the inner face  76 , the side edges  84  of the cover  72 , and the position of these elements with respect to each other can allow the vent  34  to be opened efficiently from inside. 
         [0039]    As discussed above, corresponding designs of the base  42  and cover  72  can allow the vent assembly  34  to switch between “opened” and “closed” positions within a particular pressure level window. In summary, a design such as that of the illustrated embodiment, can enable a vent  34  to maintain a “closed” position until exhaust pressure builds to a certain level (regardless of the air currents outside the vent), at which point, the vent  34  opens and remains in an “opened” position until the exhaust pressure decreases to a certain level, and the vent  34  closes to prevent reverse flow. 
         [0040]    Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, other alternative embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the intended scope of the present invention.