Patent Publication Number: US-9890965-B2

Title: Roof ridge vent and ventilated roof employing same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/701,834, filed Feb. 8, 2010, entitled ROOF RIDGE VENT AND VENTILATED ROOF EMPLOYING SAME. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The disclosed concept relates generally to vents and, more particularly, to roof ridge vents for ventilating the roof of a structure such as, for example, a building. The disclosed concept also relates to ventilated roofs employing ridge vents. 
     Background Information 
     Vents are commonly employed on the roofs of structures, such as residential buildings, commercial buildings and other structures, in order to exhaust air from beneath the roof (e.g., from an attic space) into the surrounding atmosphere, and to remove moisture. 
     For example, a variety of passive roof vents have been employed at various locations on building roofs in an attempt to release heat which can undesirably build up and become trapped under the roof. Passive vents provide an air passageway for such hot air to be exhausted from the roof, and thereby help to maintain a relatively comfortable temperature within the building. More specifically, by releasing unwanted hot air, a lower average temperature can be maintained without requiring excessive energy to be expended to cool the air, for example, by air-conditioning. The vents serve to stimulate natural convection of the air by releasing the hot air which has risen to the roof and, in turn, drawing and circulating cooler air, which is more dense and thus resides in relatively low-lying areas, throughout the building. Such vents also serve a safety function, as excessive heat can result in damage to the roof, and could potentially cause a fire. This is particularly important in warm climates where the roof is exposed to excessive and prolonged heat and sunlight. In cooler climates, venting the attic space serves to exhaust undesirable moisture-laden attic air, in order to prevent damage to the internal structure. It will be appreciated, therefore, that roof vents not only function to eradicate unwanted heat and/or moisture from the roof assembly, but in doing so, also extend the life of the roof assembly and, in particular, roof shingles (e.g., without limitation, asphalt shingles). 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show an example of a ridge vent  2 , which is employed at the peak or ridgeline  4  of the roof  6  of a building  8 , as partially shown in  FIG. 1 . The ridge vent  2  generally includes a resilient elongated body  10  having first and second opposing sides  12 , 14  and opposing lateral edges  16 , 18 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first side  12  is structured to overlay an exterior surface (e.g., without limitation, shingles  20 ) at or about the roof ridgeline  4 , and the second side  14  is structured to be covered by a plurality of finishing shingles  22 . The ridge vent  2  facilitates the aforementioned passive ventilation by providing passageways  24 , 26  at the lateral edges  16 , 18 , respectively, as well as passageways  28 , 30  at the longitudinal ends  32 , 34 , respectively, of the ridge vent  2 , through which air can circulate, as desired. In the non-limiting example of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the passageways  24 , 26  at the lateral edges  16 , 18  of the ridge vent  2  are a plurality of closely spaced slots  24 , 26 , and the passageways  28 , 30  at the longitudinal ends  32 , 34  of the ridge vent  2  are formed by a predetermined arrangement of generally V-shaped members  36 , 38  (best shown in  FIG. 2 ). Upturned shields or baffle members  40 , 42  extend upwardly at the lateral edges  16 , 18 , respectively, to at least partially shield, and/or create a baffle for, the slots  24 , 26 . 
     Generally, such ridge vents  2  have been effective for ventilating traditional gable style roofs  6  of the type shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , a gable style roof  6  has a substantially straight ridgeline  4  that runs the entire length of the roof  6  at substantially the same elevation, all the way to the edge of the building  8 , or slightly beyond the edge of the building  8 . The upper course of shingles  20 , near the peak  4  of the roof  6 , provides a relatively smooth and flat surface for the ridge vent  2  to mount and conform to. However, a hip roof  44  of the type shown for example in  FIG. 3 , often presents a stair or stepped surface with which the ridge vent  2  must interface. Specifically, unlike the aforementioned gable roof  6  ( FIG. 1 ), the hip roof  44  has hip ends  46 , 48 , 50  which slope backwards and can result in a plurality of ridgelines  52 , 54 , 56  being formed at different elevations. Consequently, a sloped ridgeline transition section is required between the ridgelines. For example, sloped ridgeline transition section  58  transitions from ridgeline  54  to ridgeline  56 , and sloped ridgeline transition section  60  transitions from ridgeline  52  to ridgeline  56 . These sloped areas of the hip roof  44  create the aforementioned stair or stepped surfaces, which are not conducive for traditional roof ridge vent designs. That is, use of conventional ridge vents  2  over such stair or stepped surfaces results in gaps between the base (e.g., first side  12 ) of the vent  2  and the roof shingles (e.g., shingles  20 ). In order to resist weather and/or debris from entering through such gaps, extreme care must be used to close them, for example, using roofing sealants. 
     There is, therefore, room for improvement in roof ridge vents. 
     SUMMARY 
     These needs and others are met by embodiments of the disclosed concept, which are directed to a roof ridge vent including a number of elongated resilient members structured to provide an effective seal between the vent and exterior surface (e.g., without limitation, roof shingles), even in locations where the shingles form a stair or stepped surface. 
     As one aspect of the disclosed concept, a vent is provided for a roof. The roof includes an exterior surface. The vent comprises: a body comprising an inner surface structured to face the roof, an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface, a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, a first side, and a second side disposed opposite and distal from the first side; a first edge portion disposed at or about the first side and including a plurality of first openings for the passage of air; a second edge portion disposed at or about the second side and including plurality of second openings for the passage of air; a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the inner surface of the body; and a plurality of elongated resilient members extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end, each of the elongated resilient members cooperating with a corresponding number of the protrusions. The elongated resilient members are structured to compress against the exterior surface of the roof, thereby forming a seal between the vent and the roof. 
     The body may further comprise a bottom edge. At least a portion of each of the elongated resilient members may extend beyond the bottom edge, in order to substantially fill in and seal spaces between the exterior surface of the roof and the vent. 
     As another aspect of the disclosed concept, a ventilated roof comprises: a substructure including a substantially flat layer; at least one ridgeline including a ventilation opening; a plurality of shingles attached to the substantially flat layer; and at least one vent overlaying the ventilation opening, the at least one vent comprising: a body comprising an inner surface facing the shingles, an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface, a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, a first side, and a second side disposed opposite and distal from the first side, a first edge portion disposed at or about the first side and including a plurality of first openings for the passage of air, a second edge portion disposed at or about the second side and including plurality of second openings for the passage of air, a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from the inner surface of the body, and a plurality of elongated resilient members extending longitudinally between the first end and the second end, each of the elongated resilient members cooperating with a corresponding number of the protrusions. The elongated resilient members compress against the shingles, thereby forming a seal between the shingles and the at least one vent. 
     The protrusions of the at least one vent may be a plurality of transverse supporting members, wherein each of the transverse supporting members includes an inner edge disposed at or about the inner surface of the body of the at least one vent, and an outer edge disposed opposite the inner edge. The inner edge may include a cutout, and each of the elongated resilient members of the at least one vent may comprise a separate member including a mounting portion and a sealing portion. The mounting portion may be disposed in the cutout, and the sealing portion may extend outwardly from the mounting portion toward the roof. The sealing portion may comprise a plurality of sealing projections, wherein each of the sealing projections extends outwardly from the mounting portion and compresses against the shingles of the roof, in order to substantially fill in and seal spaces between the shingles and the at least one vent. 
     Each of the elongated resilient members may be a dual durometer component, wherein the mounting portion is generally hard and the sealing portion is generally soft. The vent may further comprise a filter element. The filter element may be disposed between the elongated resilient elements and the inner surface of the body of the vent. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full understanding of the disclosed concept can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a portion of a gable style roof and conventional ridge vent therefor; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the underside of the ridge vent of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified isometric view of a non-limiting example of building having a hip style roof of the type with which the disclosed roof ridge vent can be employed; 
         FIG. 4  is a top isometric view of a roof ridge vent in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom isometric view of the vent of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a cutaway portion of the vent of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged side elevation view of a portion of one of the protrusions or supporting members of the vent, showing the cutout therein for receiving an elongated resilient member in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 8  is a partially exploded end elevation view of the vent of  FIG. 6 , also showing a portion of a ventilated roof in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a portion of a roof showing an elongated resilient member of the vent sealing an uneven (e.g., without limitation, stepped) surface of a roof shingle, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged side elevation view of a portion of a protrusion and elongated resilient member of a vent, in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosed concept; and 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged side elevation view of a portion of a protrusion and sealing member of a vent, in accordance with a further embodiment of the disclosed concept. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of illustration, embodiments of the disclosed concept will be shown and described as applied to ventilation of hip style roofs, although it will become apparent that they could also be applied to ventilate any other known or suitable type of roof (e.g., without limitation, gable style roofs; roofs having a combination of hips and gables). 
     Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, up, down, top, bottom and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein. 
     The specific elements illustrated in the drawings and described herein are simply exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concept. Accordingly, specific dimensions, orientations and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting on the scope of the disclosed concept. 
     As employed herein, the terms “gable,” “gable roof,” “gable type,” and “gable style” refer to a roof structure for a building or other structure wherein the peak or ridgeline of the roof extends to the edge of the building, or slightly beyond the edge. 
     As employed herein, the terms “hip,” “hip roof,” “hip type” and “hip style” refer to a roof structure for a building or other structure wherein the peak or ridgeline of the roof does not extend to the edge of the building, but rather stops short of the edge of the building and, therefore, includes a plurality of sloped portions. 
     As employed herein, the term “shingle” refers to any known or suitable type of roof finishing layer, expressly including, but not limited to asphalt shingles, slate shingles, as well as shingles made from any other known or suitable synthetic material. 
     As employed herein, the term “durometer” is used in its traditional sense to refer to the relative hardness or softness (e.g., without limitation, resiliency; elasticity; compressibility) of the material (e.g., without limitation, rubber) from which a component is made. Accordingly, a “dual durometer” component in accordance with the disclosed concept is one having a first portion with first hardness or softness, and a second portion with a second, different hardness or softness. 
     As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are “coupled” together shall mean that the parts are joined together either directly or joined through one or more intermediate parts. 
     As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality). 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show top and bottom isometric views, respectively, of a vent  102  for ventilating a roof  200  (partially shown in simplified form in phantom line drawing in  FIG. 8 ; see also  FIG. 9 ) in accordance with the disclosed concept. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the vent  102  cooperates with (e.g., is disposed over) the exterior surface  202  of the roof  200 , wherein the roof  200  generally includes a substructure  204  having a substantially flat layer  206 , which may be formed, for example and without limitation, from plywood or any other known or suitable substantially flat material. The vent  102  is disposed at a ridgeline  208  of the roof  200 , where a ventilation opening  210  is provided. More specifically, a plurality of shingles  212  are suitably attached to the substantially flat layer  206  of the roof  200 , and the vent  102  overlays the ventilation opening  210  such that the vent  102  engages the exterior surface  202  of the roof shingles  212  on either side of the ventilation opening  210 . The roof structures (e.g., without limitation, substructure  204 ; substantially flat layer  206 ; ridgeline  208 ; ventilation opening  210 ; shingles  212 ) are only partially shown in simplified form in phantom line drawing for simplicity of illustration and economy of disclosure. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , as well as  FIG. 6 , the vent  102  includes a body  104  having an inner surface  106 , which is structured to face the roof  200  ( FIG. 8 ), and an outer surface  108 , which is disposed opposite the inner surface  106 . The vent  102  further includes first and second opposing ends  110 , 112  (both shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ), and opposing first and second sides  114 , 116 . A first edge portion  118 , which is disposed at or about the first side  114 , includes a plurality of first openings  120  for the passage of air. A second edge portion  122 , which is substantially similar to the first edge portion  118  and is disposed at or about the second side  116  of the vent  102 , includes a plurality of second openings  124  ( FIG. 6 ) for the passage of air. 
     A plurality of protrusions  126 , 128  (described in greater detail hereinbelow) extend outwardly from the inner surface  106  of the vent body  104 , and a plurality of elongated resilient members  130 , 132  (two are shown) extend longitudinally between the first end  110  and the second end  112  of the vent body  104 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . As will be described in greater detail hereinbelow, the elongated resilient members  130 , 132  are structured to compress against the exterior surface  202  of the roof  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , thereby forming a seal between the vent  102  and the roof  200 . More specifically, as best shown in the end elevation view of  FIG. 8 , each of the elongated resilient members  130 , 132  preferably extends beyond the bottom edge  134  of the vent body  104  (see, for example, elongated resilient member  132  of  FIG. 8 ; elongated resilient member  130  is shown exploded away from the vent  102  in  FIG. 8  for purposes of illustration), prior to being installed on the roof  200 . In this manner, the elongated resilient members  130 , 132  function to substantially fill in and seal spaces or voids between the exterior surface  202  of the roof  200  and the vent  102 . It will, however, be appreciated that the elongated resilient members  130 , 132  are preferably sufficiently resilient (e.g., compressible) and/or a sufficient relief area  170  ( FIG. 7 ) is provided in the protrusions  126 , 128  that, when the vent  102  is installed on the roof  200 , the elongated resilient members  130 , 132  are compressed upwardly (from the perspective of  FIG. 8 ) so that the vent  102  may lay flat (e.g., flush) against the exterior surface  202  of the roof  200 . That is, when the vent  102  is installed on the roof  200 , it is not a requirement of the disclosed concept that the elongated resilient members  130 , 132  continue to extend below the bottom edge  134  of the vent body  104 , as is the case prior to installation on the roof  200 , and as shown in the non-limiting example of  FIG. 8 . 
     The structure of the vent  102  will now be described in greater detail. Specifically, as best shown in  FIG. 5 , the aforementioned protrusions  126 , 128  of the example vent  102  include a first number of protrusions  126 , which extend laterally inwardly from the first edge portion  118  of a vent body  104  toward the second edge portion  122 , and a second number of protrusions  128 , which extend laterally inwardly in the opposite direction, from the second edge portion  122  toward the first edge portion  118 . In other words, the protrusions preferably comprise a plurality of transverse supporting members  126 , 128 , which extend downward from the inner surface  106  of the vent body  104 . Each of the elongated resilient members  130 , 132  extends perpendicularly across a corresponding one of the first number of protrusions  126  and the second number of protrusions  128 . More specifically, the example vent  102  includes a first elongated resilient member  130 , which extends longitudinally across the first number of protrusions  126 , and a second elongated resilient member  132 , which extends longitudinally across the second number of protrusions  128 , substantially parallel with respect to the first elongated resilient member  130 . Thus, when the vent  102  is installed on the roof  200 , as partially shown in simplified form in  FIG. 8 , the first elongated resilient member  130  forms a seal on one side of the roof ridgeline  210 , and the second elongated resilient member  132  forms a seal on the other side of the roof ridgeline  210 , as shown. 
     As shown with reference to the cutaway vent segment of  FIG. 6 , when the first elongated resilient member  130  is disposed on the first number of protrusions  126 , it is spaced from the inner surface  106  of the vent body  104 , thereby forming a number of first gaps  136  between the inner surface  106  and elongated resilient member  130 . The first gaps  136  enable airflow to the plurality of first openings  120  disposed at the first edge portion  118  of the vent  102 . Similarly, when the second elongated resilient member  130  is disposed on the second number of protrusions  128 , it is spaced from the inner surface  106  of the vent body  104  to form a number of second gaps  138 , which enable airflow to the plurality of second openings  124  at the second edge portion  122  of the vent  102  (see also first and second gaps  136 , 138  beneath first and second elongated resilient members  130 , 132 , respectively, in  FIG. 5 ). 
     In the example shown and described herein, the elongated resilient elements  130 , 132  are separate members which are structured to be coupled to the protrusions  126 , 128 , respectively, of the vent  102 . It will, however, be appreciated that they could alternatively form an integral part of the vent  102 , for example and without limitation, by being molded as an integral feature of the vent body  104 , without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. Among the benefits of the elongated resilient elements  130 , 132  comprising separate components that are subsequently coupled to the vent  102 , is the fact that they can be relatively easily replaced or exchanged. For example and without limitation, the potential exists for a wide variety of different elongated resilient elements (e.g.,  130 , 132 ) having any known or suitable alternative shape, configuration and/or material properties (not shown) other than those which are shown and described herein. In this manner, the vent  102  could be readily adapted for use in a wide variety of different roofing applications (e.g., without limitation, different positions on the roof; different roof types (e.g., without limitation, hip roof; gable roof); different types of finishing surface (e.g., without limitation, shingles)). 
     The manner in which the exemplary elongated resilient members  130 , 132  are coupled to the vent  102  will now be described in greater detail. Specifically, each of the aforementioned protrusions or transverse supporting members  126 , 128  includes an inner edge  140  disposed at or about the inner surface  106  of the vent body  104 , and an outer edge  142  disposed opposite the inner edge  140 . The outer edges  142  of at least some of the transverse supporting members  126 , 128  include a cutout  144  (see also  FIG. 7 ). For simplicity of illustration and economy of disclosure, only the first number of protrusions or transverse supporting member  126  will be described, in detail, herein. It will be appreciated that the second number of protrusions or transverse supporting members  128  are substantially similar. Specifically, the example elongated resilient members  130 , 132  each include a mounting portion  146  and a sealing portion  148 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the mounting portion  146  is disposed in the corresponding cutouts  144  of the protrusions  126 , and the sealing portion  148  extends outwardly form the mounting portion  146  toward the roof  200  (see, for example,  FIG. 8 ). The cutouts  144  of the protrusions or transverse supporting members  126  are aligned, such that they collectively form a channel  150  for receiving the corresponding elongated resilient element  130 . To help secure the elongated resilient member  130  and, in particular the mounting portion  146  thereof, within the corresponding channel  150 , the mounting portion  146  preferably includes a plurality of resilient ribs  152  (best shown in the partially exploded view of  FIG. 8 ). It will be appreciated that, when the mounting portion  146  is disposed in the channel  150 , the resilient ribs  152  compress against the transverse supporting members  126  within the cutouts  144  thereof, thereby securely coupling the elongated resilient member  130  to the vent body  104  by way of an interference fit. It will, however, be appreciated that any known or suitable alternative manner or mechanism (not shown) of suitably securing the elongated resilient members  130 , 132  to the vent  102  could be employed, without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. 
     It will also be appreciated that the cutouts  144  in the outer edges  142  of the projections  126  preferably further include a relief area  170 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . In the example of  FIG. 7 , the relief area  170  includes a first, tapered relief portion  172  disposed on one side of the channel  150 , and a second relief portion  174  disposed on the other side of the channel  150 . Together these relief portions  172 , 174  provide sufficient relief area  170  for the corresponding elongated resilient element  130  ( FIGS. 6, 8 and 9 ) to be received (e.g., without limitation, compressed within) such that the bottom edge  134  of the vent body  104  can lay flush against the exterior surface  202  of the roof  200  when the vent  102  is installed. 
     It will be further appreciated that the vent  102  may, but need not necessarily, be employed with a suitable filter element  300 , as partially shown in phantom line drawing in  FIG. 5 . In view of the aforementioned manner in which the example resilient elongated members  130 , 132  are coupled to the vent body  104  and, in particular, to the projections or transverse supporting members  126 , 128  thereof, the potential exists for the elongated supporting members  130 , 132  to function as a fastening mechanism for mechanically fastening the filter  300  to the vent body  104 . More specifically, the filter element  300  could be disposed beneath (e.g., from the perspective of  FIG. 5 ) the elongated resilient members  130 , 132  such that the filter element  300  is captured between the elongated resilient members  130 , 132  and the inner surface  106  of the vent body  104  when the elongated resilient members  130 , 132  are coupled to the corresponding protrusions  126 , 128 , respectively, as shown. 
     As best shown in the partially exploded view of  FIG. 8 , the sealing portion  148  of the example elongated resilient member  130  includes a plurality of sealing projections  154 , 156 , 158  (three are shown), which extend outwardly from the mounting portion  146 , and are structured to be compressed against the exterior surface  202  of the roof  200 , as previously described hereinabove (see also sealing projections  154 ′, 156 ′, 158 ′ of elongated resilient member  132 ). More specifically, although not required, the elongated resilient element  130  is contemplated as being comprised of a dual durometer component wherein the mounting portion  146  is generally hard (e.g., without limitation, harder than the sealing portion  148 ), and the sealing portion  148  is generally soft (e.g., without limitation, softer than the mounting portion  146 ). This will enable the elongated resilient member  130  to maintain a generally straight shape within the corresponding channel  150  of the vent body  104 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , while simultaneously enabling the sealing projections  154 ′, 156 ′, 158 ′ (e.g., without limitation, molded arms, ribs or legs) to compress, as desired, against the exterior surface  202  (e.g., without limitation, shingles  212 ) of the roof  200  to substantially fill in and seal spaces between the shingles  212  of the roof  200  and the vent  102 . 
     The ability of the disclosed vent  102  to effectively seal uneven (e.g., rough; stepped; having a stair profile) surfaces  212  will be further appreciated with reference to the simplified illustration of  FIG. 9 , which shows the interaction of the elongated resilient element  130  of the vent  102  (not shown in  FIG. 9  for simplicity of illustration) with the roof shingle  212 . Specifically, in the example of  FIG. 8 , the exterior surface  202  of the shingle  212  includes a stair or stepped portion  214  having a relatively high or raised area  216 , and a relatively low or recessed area  218  adjacent to the raised area  216 . Such a stepped portion  214  would ordinarily result in an undesirable gap for conventional roof vents (see, for example, roof vent  2  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), between the base of the vent  2  and the relatively low recessed area  218  of the shingle  212 . However, the elongated resilient element  130  and, in particular, the sealing projections  154 , 156 , 158  (only sealing projection  154  is shown in  FIG. 8  for simplicity of illustration) are compressible and extend beneath the bottom edge  134  of the vent body  104 , as previously discussed, to address and substantially overcome this problem in order to form an effective seal. Specifically, a portion  160  of the sealing projection  154  can be compressed at locations where the exterior surface  202  of the roof  200  is relatively high or raised (see, for example, raised area  216 ), but may also extend into relatively low areas (see, for example, recessed area  218  of shingle  212 ). In other words, the portion  162  of the sealing projection  154  of the elongated resilient element  130  is uncompressed, or less compressed than compressed portion  160 , such that the sealing projection(s) (only sealing projection  154  is shown) extend into the recessed area  218  of the roof shingle  212 . In this manner, the elongated resilient element  130  forms an effective seal, substantially eliminating gaps or voids between the exterior surface  202  of the roof  200  and the vent  102 . This is particularly useful in applications such as, for example and without limitation, hip style roofs of the type generally shown in  FIG. 3 , where the roof  44  has a variety of different ridgelines  52 , 54 , 56 , some of which are disposed at angles (e.g., sloped portions  58 , 60  of  FIG. 3 ) and therefore result in uneven (e.g., without limitation, rough; stepped; a stair profile) surfaces of the type generally shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Accordingly, the disclosed vent  102  is readily employable with a wide variety of different roof types (e.g., without limitation, gable style; hip style; a combination of hips and gables) and roof finishing surfaces (e.g., without limitation, shingles) to provide an effective seal while establishing the desired ventilation of the roof  200 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a portion of a protrusion  326  and an elongated resilient member  330  that may replace each of the aforementioned protrusions  126 , 128  and the corresponding elongated resilient members  130 , 132  in the vent  102 , in accordance with a non-limiting alternative embodiment of the disclosed concept. In the example of  FIG. 10 , the elongated resilient member  330  includes a first elongated portion  332  and a second elongated portion  334 . The second elongated portion  334  includes a first projection  336  and may optionally include a number of additional projections  338 , 340  (shown in phantom line drawing), each of which is structured to compress against and form a seal with the exterior surface of the roof  200  (partially shown in simplified form in phantom line drawing in  FIG. 8 ; see also  FIG. 9 ). In other words, the elongated resilient member  330  may have substantially the same shape and configuration as the elongated resilient members  130 , 132 , previously discussed, but is preferably formed as part of (i.e., is integral with) the protrusion  326  such that the resultant vent  102 ′ is made from one single unitary piece of material as shown in  FIG. 10 , and as will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. Of course, it will also be appreciated that the vent  102 ′ and integral elongated resilient member  330  therefor could have any known or suitable alternative size, shape or configuration (not shown), without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. 
     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 10 , the example first elongated portion  332  is integral with, and extends from, the protrusion  326 , and the projections  336 , 338 , 340  extend from the first elongated portion  332 . Thus, as seen in  FIG. 10 , there is no line separating the protrusion  326  from the first elongated portion  332 , and no line separating the first elongated portion  332  from the projections  336 , 338 , 340 . That is, the vent  102 ′ is a single unitary component (e.g., without limitation, an injection molded piece). In other words, the protrusions  126 , 128  and the separate corresponding elongated resilient members  130 , 132  are replaced with the elongated resilient member  330 , which is integral with the protrusion  326 . Accordingly, manufacturing is advantageously simplified by eliminating the need to separately manufacture and subsequently attach the elongated resilient members  130 , 132  to the vent  102 . In one non-limiting example, the first elongated portion  332  and corresponding integral protrusion  326  are preferably harder than the projections  336 , 338 , 340 . Thus, the hardness of the elongated resilient member  330  may vary from the first elongated portion  332  to the projections  336 , 338 , 340 . As a result, the projections  336 , 338 , 340  are better able to compress against and form a seal with the exterior surface of the roof  200 . In other words, the vent  102 ′ is formed (e.g., without limitation, injection molded; 3-D printed) as one single unitary piece, but may have sections or portions of different materials and/or different material properties (e.g., without limitation, hardness). 
     Furthermore, although the disclosed embodiment has been described in association with the protrusion  326  and the elongated resilient member  330  replacing each of the protrusions  126 , 128  and the corresponding elongated resilient members  130 , 132 , it is within the scope of the disclosed concept for the protrusion  326  and the elongated resilient member  330  to replace only the protrusions  126  and the elongated resilient member  130  in the vent  102 . That is, any desired portion(s), or alternatively all of the vent  102 ′ and elongated resilient member  330  may be integrally formed as a common single unitary piece of material. 
       FIG. 11  shows a portion of a protrusion  426  and a sealing member  430  (shown in simplified form), for a vent  102 ″, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the disclosed concept. The sealing member  430  is preferably caulk, resin, or polyvinylchloride, each of which is a material that is able to advantageously provide a relatively strong sealing connection. It will be appreciated, however, that any known or suitable alternative material(s) could be employed to perform the desired sealing function. 
     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 11 , the protrusion  426  includes an inner edge  440  that is structured to be located at or about the inner surface  106  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) of the vent body  104 , and an outer edge  442  located opposite the inner edge  440 . The outer edge  442  may include a portion having a cutout  444 , as shown (or any other suitable configuration). The sealing member  430  sealingly engages the portion of the outer edge  442  at or about the cutout  444 , advantageously providing a relatively secure connection between the sealing member  430  and the protrusion  426 . Furthermore, the sealing member  430  is structured to compress against and form a seal with the exterior surface of the roof  200  (partially shown in simplified form in phantom line drawing in  FIG. 8 ; see also  FIG. 9 ), thus providing a relatively secure connection and seal between the exterior surface of the roof  200  and the protrusion  426 . 
     Additionally, when the sealing member  430  is used in place of each of the aforementioned elongated resilient members  130 , 132 , the sealing member  430  preferably extends longitudinally between the first end  110  and the second end  112  of the vent body  104 . However, it is within the scope of the disclosed concept to have sealing members not extend longitudinally between the first end  110  and the second end  112 , such as, for example and without limitation, isolated individual sealing members (not shown) located only at locations where a protrusion (e.g., the protrusion  426 ) intersects the roof  200 , or at any other desired location(s) or portion(s) of the vent  102 ″. It is also within the scope of the disclosed concept for the sealing member  430  to replace only one of the aforementioned elongated resilient members  130 , 132 . 
     While specific embodiments of the disclosed concept have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.