Abstract:
The invention relates to a venting band with at least two side strips extending parallel to one another and a center strip. Parallel to the side strips extend venting bands formed by continuously connected walls or webs. The venting bands can therein have diverse forms. At least one venting channel is provided; however, it is also possible to provide several venting channels. Through the use of certain materials with restoring forces for the venting band, the at least one venting channel can open automatically during the rolling out of the venting band. However, it is also possible, to bring about an opening of the at least one venting channel by pulling on the side strips.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is a 35 U.S.C. §371 national phase conversion of PCT/EP2007/004981 filed Jun. 5, 2007, incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The invention relates to a ventilation strip, in particular for high-pitched roofs. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    Venting bands are often employed for sealing a gap between ridge- or hip-battens of a pitched roof. As a rule they are formed as rolls which are unrolled on a ridge- or hip-batten. 
         [0006]    Such venting bands serve, for one, to prevent the penetration of water, snow or vermin into the interior of the roof, however, on the other hand also to vent the space under the roof such that, for example, condensation water or rot or mold and mildew do not form. Known venting bands do not meet all of these requirements. If they deter water, snow and vermin, they often are not sufficiently permeable to air. 
         [0007]    A venting band is already known which is comprised of a center strip and two side strips, the side portions having through-holes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,041). The side portions can be comprised of pieces disposed one above the other in the manner of an accordion. 
         [0008]    A venting band with a center strip and two side strips is furthermore known, whose center strip has through-holes (GB 2,155,516 A). On the side strips are located ventilating strips, disposed substantially perpendicularly, which are provided with through-holes. 
         [0009]    Further is known a ridge- or hip-batten sealing strip with ventilating function, which is comprised of a strip that is corrugated at the margins and in the center is air permeable (EP 1 260 650 A2). This strip includes cutouts provided in its center, extending transversely to the strip and closed by joining the edges extending in the transverse direction. 
         [0010]    A venting element for a roof space is furthermore known, which includes several ventilating walls which are disposed between an upper and a lower plate (JP 2001 323618 A). These ventilating walls are disposed perpendicularly or obliquely and include several holes. However, this venting element cannot be wound into a roll. 
         [0011]    The invention addresses the problem of providing a venting band which ensures high air exchange without water, snow or vermin penetrating through this venting band. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    This problem is solved as described herein. 
         [0013]    The invention consequently relates to a venting band with at least two side strips extending parallel to one another and a center strip. Parallel to the side strips extend venting bands, which are formed by walls or webs connected continuously with one another. The venting bands can therein have the most diverse forms. At least one venting channel is provided. However, it is also possible to provide several venting channels. By utilizing certain materials for the venting band which have restoring forces, the at least one venting channel can open automatically when rolling out the venting band. However, it is also possible to effect the opening of the at least one venting channel by pulling on the side strips. 
         [0014]    The advantage obtained with the invention comprises in particular that a rollable venting band comprises venting opening with good venting properties of the plane beneath a roof skin, these venting openings being secured against driving rain and blowing and drifting snow and the like. Penetration of driving rain and blowing snow is prevented through one channel or through several channels, which are comprised of breatheable or dense materials with through-holes. The venting region can here be either geometrically permanently open or only afterwards, i.e. after the venting band has been rolled out, form the channel or the channels. Through the invention several venting planes are formed, which are either disposed laterally one next to the other or be disposed offset one above the other in the installation position. Each additional venting plane represents herein a further hindrance against the penetration of driving rain. Drainage channels in all planes, except the innermost one, ensure that the water flows off outwardly in the potentially available intermediate planes. 
         [0015]    Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, which refers to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Embodiment examples of the invention are depicted in the drawings and will be described in the following in further detail. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  a venting band according to the invention which has been laid out on a roof ridge, 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  a lateral view of the venting band according to  FIG. 1 , 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  an enlarged illustration of a partial region of the venting band according to  FIG. 1 , 
           [0020]      FIG. 4   a  a top view onto another embodiment of the venting band according to the invention, 
           [0021]      FIG. 4   b  a perspective view of the front side of the venting band according to  FIG. 4   a,    
           [0022]      FIG. 5  a view onto the front side of a further embodiment of the invention, 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  a perspective side view onto the venting band according to  FIG. 5 , 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  a perspective view onto a further embodiment of a venting band according to the invention, 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  a perspective view onto an embodiment of the invention with two venting channels, 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  a variant of the venting band depicted in  FIG. 8 , 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  a venting band laid out on a roof ridge over which is placed a ridge tile, 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  a perspective illustration of the device depicted in  FIG. 10 , 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  a segment from the eaves region of a pitched roof, 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  an enlarged segment from  FIG. 12  with a venting band, 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  a folded venting band which substantially corresponds to the venting band according to  FIG. 5 , 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  the venting band according to  FIG. 14  in the semi-upright state, 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  the venting band according to  FIG. 14  in the completely upright state, 
           [0034]      FIG. 17  a venting band with spring element in the nearly folded state, 
           [0035]      FIG. 18  the venting band according to  FIG. 17  in the folded-open state, 
           [0036]      FIG. 19  a spring element of the venting band according to  FIG. 17  or  FIG. 18 , a partially rolled-up venting band according to  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]      FIG. 1  shows a roof ridge  1  with roof tiles  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  and a venting band  10  according to the invention, which comprises two side strips  11 ,  12  and a center strip  13 . The side strips  11 ,  12  are in contact on the roof tiles  2  to  9 , while the center strip  13  rests on a ridge batten  14 . The side strips  11 ,  12  are comprised of a plastically deformable material—or include such at least at their end—such that they adapt to the form of the roof tiles  2  to  9 . This is not shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0038]    In the following only the right region of the venting band  10  is described since the left region is structured like the right and is mirror-symmetric with respect to it. 
         [0039]    Between the side strips  11 ,  12  and the center strip  13  a venting channel  15  is provided, which has a rectangular shape formed by four walls  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19 . In the walls  17  and  18  are through-holes, not evident in  FIG. 1 . While the wall  19  is formed by the center strip  13 , the wall  16  is formed by the side strips. Wall  18  can also be a portion of the side strip  12 . Similar applies to wall  17 , which can represent a continuation of the center strip  13 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the venting band  10  according to  FIG. 1 . Evident is herein the side strip  12  as well as the center strip  13 . In wall  17  are provided several through-holes  20  to  25 . The through-holes in the opposite wall  18  are not evident in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0041]    The venting channel  15 , formed by walls  16  to  19 , is shown at an enlarged scale in  FIG. 3 . This is the region identified in  FIG. 1  by “A”. The through-holes  20 ,  21  provided in wall  17  are evident as well as the through-holes  26 ,  27  provided in wall  18 . The through-holes  26  and  27  are offset with respect to through-holes  20 ,  21  by the distance “b”. If, for example drifting and blowing snow should pass through the through-holes  20 ,  21 , it impinges on the opposite wall  18  onto a closed surface and not onto the through-holes  26 ,  27 . Due to the disposition of the through-holes  20 ,  21 ,  26 ,  27  a type of labyrinth is formed. The entering air is deflected on its path into the interior of the roof, whereby the drifting snow is barred from entering into the interior of the roof. In order for water, which has penetrated through the through-holes  20 ,  21  into the venting channel  15 , to be able to flow off again, it is recommended to allow the through-holes  20 ,  21  in the wall  17  to continue up to wall  16 . This is indicated with the dashed lines  28 ,  29 . However, it is also possible to provide between the through-holes  20 ,  21  and wall  16  separate openings in wall  17 , which serve as water draining openings. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4   a  shows another embodiment of a venting band  45  in top view. Again, two side strips  30 ,  31  are evident and a center strip  32 . The regions  33 ,  34  of center strip  32  are such which are connected, for example adhered, with the side strip  30 ,  31  implemented in the form of waves. In the center strip  32 , and specifically in the proximity of regions  33 ,  34 , are provided through-holes  50  and  51 , respectively, implemented as circular holes. Behind these through-holes  50  and  51 , respectively, fabric material can be seen since the venting band  45  is compressed. In the compressed state it can be rolled up. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4   b  shows the same venting band  45  as  FIG. 4   a , however, in a view from below, i.e. placed on its back. In this perspective illustration the venting band  45  is in the uncompressed state. This venting band  45  comprises two venting channels  185 ,  186  extending parallel to one another. Herein can be seen the through-holes  40  and  35  to  38  in walls  46  and  48  as well as the through-holes  50  and  51  in walls  47  and  49 . Through-holes  35  to  39  and  40  to  44  were not yet evident in  FIG. 4   a.    
         [0044]    If the side strips  30 ,  31  are pulled apart in the direction of arrows  52 ,  53 , the form shown in  FIG. 4   a  is obtained again. The through-holes  35  to  38  and  40  are then directly over the walls  54  and  55 , respectively, while the through-holes  50 ,  51  are located directly opposite walls  56 ,  57 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  shows the right half of a further embodiment example of a venting band  60  of non-divided flexible material, and specifically in a front view. It can be seen that the center strip  61  at its ends is bent downwardly and first forms wall  62 , then wall  63 , then wall  64 , hereupon wall  65 , subsequently wall  66  and lastly transitions over into a side strip  67 . At the site at which the wall  65  rests on center strip  61  it is possible to establish a connection by welding or in any other manner. The same applies to the contact of wall  63  on the side strip  67 . The through-holes in walls  62 ,  64 ,  66  are not visible in the illustration of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0046]    In contrast to the preceding embodiment examples, the embodiment example of  FIG. 5  comprises two venting channels  68 ,  69 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  shows the venting band  60  shown in  FIG. 5  again from the side. Through-holes  70  to  74  in wall  62  can herein be seen. 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  shows a further variant of a venting band  75 . The flexible venting band  75  comprises a venting channel  76 , whose center strip  77  transitions over into an oblique wall  78  with through-holes  79 ,  80 . 
         [0049]    Conversely, the side strip  81  transitions over into an oblique wall  82  with through-holes  83 ,  84 . The venting channel  76  has herein the cross sectional shape of a trapezoid. 
         [0050]      FIG. 8  depicts a further variant of a flexible venting band  85  with two venting channels  86 ,  87 . The walls  88  to  90 , which form the venting channels  86 ,  87 , are herein placed obliquely such that they form triangles. Through-holes  91 ,  92  in wall  90  are evident as well as a through-hole  93  in wall  89  and two through-holes  94 ,  95  in wall  88 . In venting channel  87  can additionally be seen obstructions  96  or  97  and  98 , which are disposed behind the through-holes  93  or  91  and  92 . Thereby a labyrinth is formed. The resulting air current is indicated by arrows  100  to  104 . A center strip is denoted by  105 , while a side strip is denoted by  106 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 9  shows a further venting band  107 , which also comprises two venting channels  108 ,  109  and is structured similarly to the venting band  85 . 
         [0052]    In  FIG. 10  is shown a further venting band  110 , which is laid in the ridge region of a roof. The center strip  111  is placed onto the ridge batten  122  and the venting band  110  is covered with a ridge roof tile  112 . In the following the right half of the venting band  110  is described in further detail. 
         [0053]    The center strip  111  forms a first straight piece  114 , which subsequently extends at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the left and forms a wall  115 . Hereupon the center strip  111 , after a turn to the right, extends toward the right parallel to the top side of the roof tile  113 , forming a wall  116 . After another left turn the center strip  111  forms a wall  117 , and subsequently, after a further left turn, extends parallel to the straight piece  114 . A side strip  118  extends initially parallel to the surface of the roof tile  113 , then bends upwardly to abut the piece  114  of the center strip  111 . Hereby a wall  119  is formed which, together with the straight piece  114  and the wall  115 , forms a venting channel  120 . A further venting channel  121  is formed by the walls  117 ,  115 ,  116 . In walls  117 ,  115  and  119  are located through-holes, which are not visible in  FIG. 10 . By  122 ,  123  and  124  are denoted ridge battens, which support the roof tiles  112 ,  113  and  99 . The left region of the venting band  110  shown in  FIG. 10 , is formed mirror-symmetrically to the right region and is therefore not described in further detail. 
         [0054]    The depiction of  FIG. 11  corresponds to the depiction of  FIG. 10 , except that it is a perspective view. Herein can be seen the through-holes  125  to  127  in wall  117 , as well as a through-hole  128  in wall  115  and a through-hole  129  in wall  119 . 
         [0055]    The above used designation “venting channel” includes not only a venting channel  120  continuous in the longitudinal direction of venting band  110 , but also an interrupted venting channel  120 . 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 12  is depicted a segment from the eaves region  130  of a pitched roof. Evident are three parallel rafters  131  to  133  extending in the direction toward the ridge as well as counterbattens  134  to  136  fastened on the top sides of the rafters  131  to  133 . Perpendicularly to the rafters  131  to  133  and the counterbattens  134  to  136  extend transverse battens  137 ,  138 . Between the rafters  131  to  133  and the counterbattens  134  to  136  is located a sarking membrane  139 . 
         [0057]    Through this disposition two venting planes are formed, one lower venting plane  179  as well as an upper venting plane  180 . Via the lower venting plane  179  melt water penetrated in or diffused through is discharged. The upper venting plane  180  supports the task of the lower venting plane  179  and, additionally, ensures the fast drying of the sarking membrane  139 . 
         [0058]    A segment from the eaves region  130  shown in  FIG. 12  is shown in  FIG. 13  and specifically together with a venting band  140 . This venting band  140  is structured similarly to that half of the venting band  60  which is shown in  FIG. 5 . The side strips  141 ,  142 , however, form here an angle of 90 degrees. In the walls  143 ,  144 ,  145  of venting band  140  through-holes  146  to  149  are provided extending parallel to one another. The one side strip  142  rests in contact on a front side  150  of a rafter  151 , while the other side strip  141  rests on a counterbatten  152  and abuts a transverse batten  153 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 13  furthermore shows that the venting band  140  is connected with the counterbatten  152  and the rafter  151  across connection elements, of which only two are provided with the reference numbers  181 ,  182 . These connection elements can be, for example, nails. While the venting band  140  can be adhered via its side strips  141 ,  142  with the rafter  151  or the counterbatten  152 , it is, however, of advantage if the venting band  140  is additionally fastened via connection elements with the rafter  151  or the counterbatten  152 , respectively. 
         [0060]    The side strips  141 ,  142  can be comprised of only one material or also of several materials disposed one above the other. 
         [0061]    This venting band  140  is comprised of a substantially flexible material. This venting band  140  can be comprised of an air-permeable or also of an at least partially air-permeable web material. This material can be film-like or fabric-like. As the fabric preferably an organic fabric is utilized. If the material is film-like, thin synthetic material films, metal foils or also organic films are utilized which have a thickness of up to approximately 1 mm. Depending on the type of material, the venting band  140  can be water-repellent or also at least partially water-permeable. 
         [0062]    Thereby that the venting band  140  is comprised of a flexible material, it can assume two different states. In a first state, the compressed state, the venting channels  176 ,  177  are not open. This is the case when the venting band  140  is rolled up. In a second state, the uncompressed state, the venting channels  176 ,  177  are open. This occurs for example when rolling out the venting band  140 . Through the use of certain materials for this venting band  140 , the venting channels  176 ,  177  can open automatically when rolling out the venting band  140 . This is the case, for example, when materials with restoring forces are utilized for the venting band  140 . 
         [0063]    Although in  FIG. 13  rectangular venting channels  176 ,  177  are shown, it is also conceivable that the venting channels  176 ,  177  in the upright state have a different form in cross section. It is thus, for example, possible that the venting channels  176 ,  177  in the mounted state have a trapezoidal, triangular or also loop-shaped cross section. The through-holes  146  to  149  formed as holes, can also have different forms. Thus, the through-holes  146  to  149 , for example, can be circular, rectangular, triangular or U-shaped. It is not absolutely necessary, as shown in  FIG. 13 , that the opposing through-holes  146  to  149  are offset with respect to one another. It is also conceivable that these through-holes oppose one another. If in the venting channels  176 ,  177  through-holes of different type are disposed, between these through-holes different types of water obstructions can be disposed. The through-holes can additionally be covered with an air-permeable fibrous web. While the through-hole herein remains air-permeable, however, the quantity of exchanged air is hereby less. This is in particular of advantage if an air channel is to be provided, which permits a lower air exchange without, however, changing the size of the through-holes. With the size of the through-holes remaining the same and the number of them remaining the same, the air exchange can be regulated without having to provide a new venting band. For this purpose, the fibrous web can, for example, be simply disposed on wall  143  such that it covers the through-holes implemented as venting holes  146 ,  147 . 
         [0064]    The venting band  140  depicted in  FIG. 13  is supplied as a roll. In this state it is compressed, such that the walls of the venting channels  176 ,  177  are flat and in contact on one another and the venting channels  176 ,  177  are closed. A volume increase does not occur herein. Such a roll is shown in  FIG. 20 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 14  shows a venting band  183  provided for the eaves region in the compressed state. A first side strip  154  and a second side strip  155  are evident. The walls  156  to  158  of the venting band  183  are folded over and extend nearly parallel to the side strips  154 ,  155 . These walls  156  to  158  as well as the side strips  154 ,  155  can be comprised of a substantially flexible material. Between walls  156  to  158  two venting channels  187 ,  188  are disposed. 
         [0066]    With the aid of forces acting according to the directions of arrows  159 ,  160  onto the first side strip  154  and the second side strip  155 , rise the walls  156  to  158 . With increasing extension in the transverse direction of the venting band  183 , i.e. in direction  159  and in direction  160 , approximately half of the maximum extension has been reached and the venting channels  187 ,  188  of venting band  183  are partially opened. This state can be seen in  FIG. 15 . In  FIG. 16  the state of the venting band  183  after the maximum extension is shown. 
         [0067]    The forces symbolized by arrows  159 ,  160  can be applied, for example by two hands. 
         [0068]    This venting band  183  can be disposed, for example, in an eaves region of roofs. 
         [0069]      FIG. 17  shows a further venting band  161 , in which the walls automatically upright themselves when the venting band  161  is wound off a roll. Between the strips  162 ,  163  walls  164  to  166  are disposed. Between two walls  164  to  166  each are located spring elements  167 ,  168 , which exert forces onto the strips  162 ,  163 , and specifically in the opposite direction. 
         [0070]    These two venting channels disposed parallel to one another can be disposed one next to the other or also one above the other. 
         [0071]      FIG. 18  shows the manner in which the walls  164  to  166  stand nearly perpendicularly on strips  162 ,  163  due to the forces exerted by the spring elements  167 ,  168 . 
         [0072]    The spring element  167  is shown by itself in  FIG. 19 . It can be seen that it has two shanks  170 ,  171 , which form an L. The one shank  171  has several prongs  172 ,  173 , while the other shank  170  has a continuous surface. The spring element  167  is comprised of an elastically resilient material which, at the termination of the action of a force compressing the spring element  167 , assumes its original position again. 
         [0073]    In the compressed state, cf.  FIG. 17 , the venting band  161  can be wound up again into a roll. Through the process of rolling-out, sufficient forces are raised to compress the venting band  161 . Consequently, only at the beginning of the formation of the roll does the end of the venting band  161  need to be compressed manually. 
         [0074]    In  FIG. 20  a roll  175  is shown, which is the wound-up venting band  140  according to  FIG. 13 . In this venting band  140  the side strip  141  is pressed against the side strip  142 . Thereupon the unwinding can be started. 
         [0075]    This roll  175  demonstrates that in the rolled-up state the though-holes  146  to  140  are closed, since the walls of the venting band  140  are largely compressed. In the rolled-up stage there are also no longer any venting channels, since these are also compressed. 
         [0076]    Although particular embodiments have been described, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the specific disclosure herein.