Patent Publication Number: US-2018038113-A1

Title: Ventilation system for tile roofs

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/938,538, which was filed Nov. 11, 2015, will issue as U.S. Pat. No. 9,803,367 on Oct. 31, 2017, and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/135,641, which was filed Jun. 9, 2008, is now abandoned, and claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/942,712, filed Jun. 8, 2007. All of the foregoing are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention is related to the general field of attic and roof ventilation systems. It is particularly related to a roof ridge ventilating system for tile roofs. 
     It has been a long known practice to ventilate attics under gable roofs by running a vent along the roof ridge. Such vents are created by an open slot running along the roof ridge, essentially the length of the roof, which causes ventilation out of the attic by convection airflow and by suction from wind blowing across the roof. 
     Differences between the various types of ridge vents are often found in the capping structures used over the vent slot to exclude water and pests. Various types of ridge vents and capping structures are known in the art. The present inventor has developed a number of novel venting configurations for various asphalt, metal and tile roofs over the years. One early development used a unitary mat constructed of randomly-aligned synthetic fibers which are joined by phenolic or latex binding agents and heat cured to provide an air-permeable mat with a varying mesh. Cap shingles are supported by the mat and are nailed directly to the roof through the mat. However, this arrangement does not prevent the ingress of moisture through the cap shingles that then travels into the open ridge slot. The mesh is also subject to various manufacturing issues. Additionally, this earlier vent was generally only usable for flat roof types, and cannot be used in conjunction with contoured roofs or with heavy roofing tiles. As used herein, the phrase “heavy roofing tiles” refers to tiles made from materials which include, but are not limited to, slate, terra cotta, concrete, and clay. These tiles are distinguished by their bulk and weight, as contrasted to the relatively lighter shingles made of asphalt, wood, fiberglass, polymers and the like. 
     The prior known vent structures useable with such heavy roofing tiles generally included structure to support the capping elements, which are frequently heavy ridge cap tiles of same or similar shape and construction as the roof tiles, for example, as provided in the inventor&#39;s prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,318. However, the construction of an assembled support from bent-up sheet metal and porous vent material requires shipment in fixed lengths. The cost for making and shipping this type of vent would therefore be high. Additionally, if the roof tiles and cap tiles were “mudded” into position with cement to close the gaps between the overlapping cap tiles, as well as the gaps between the bottom of the cap tiles and the valleys of the roof field tiles along the roof ridge, these gaps, which were intended to remain open for venting in such prior known systems, would likely be filled with cement in accordance with customary roofing practices to prevent leaks, and therefore block any air flow that the vent was intended to provide. 
     A contoured roof ridge ventilation system for metal roofs has also been developed by the present inventor, and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,953. This system is intended for use with metal roof panels having a contoured surface, and provides a contoured ventilation strip covered with a flat cap that is nailed to the roof structure. This does not address tile roofs, in which not only the field of the roof is contoured, but also the cap is cylindrical shaped and tiled, such that the bottoms of the cap tiles do not present an even surface, and in which rain driven parallel to the roof ridge may penetrate between the cap tiles. 
     In the inventor&#39;s prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,476, many of these issues are addressed by another type of roof vent that is specifically adapted to tile roofs, but which can still be provided in roll form that is easily cut to length by the roofer and allows for simple installation. However, it would be desirable to ensure that no wind driven rain can penetrate the ridge vent, even in hurricane conditions. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed to a novel roof ridge ventilation system which is designed for use with heavy ridge tiles, and to a method of venting such tiled roofs with this novel system. In particular, it is designed for typical tile roofs, wherein the tiles have a generally semi-circular section profile, and are laid in rows alternatingly inverted and overlapped with the preceding row to form an undulating sequence of crests and gutters. The same or similar shaped tiles are then laid along the ridge and affixed to the ridge pole to cap over the vent slot and to impart a rounded appearance to the ridge. In another aspect, the ridge vent can also be used for tile roofs having flat field tiles. 
     The present invention provides a ridge vent for tile roofs. The vent comprises a center baffle that is installed over the ridge pole and a vent strip located on each side of the ridge. Each vent strip includes a vent material, preferably formed from a non-woven mat that includes a first surface, which can be flat or is contoured to a profile to match a profile of the tile roof, and a second surface. An upper water barrier is attached to the second surface and extends over the roof ridge. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the center baffle may be replaced with a center water dam assembly which includes additional strips of vent material located adjacent to either side of the ridge pole, as well as a lower water barrier attached to each side of the addition vent strips. The ridge vent pieces can be provided separately or can be connected together for simpler installation. 
     In one assembled embodiment, the center baffle or water dam is connected to a flexible holder that is used to connect the vent strips to one another. The flexible holder allows the positions of the vent strips to be independently adjusted for alignment with the roof tiles on either side of the ridge. The upper water barrier overlaps both vent strips. The upper water barrier directs any moisture that passes through the cap tiles away from the vent slots through the roof structure. The vent assembly is rollable for easy transport, storage and use on the roof. 
     In another embodiment where at least some of the pieces are provided as separate pieces, the center baffle or water dam, which is rollable, is first installed on the ridge pole, preferably using a temporary adhesive and/or nails After the last course of tiles is set up to the ridge vent slot, the strips of vent material are separately installed. The upper water barrier can be provided separately, or can be connected to one or both of the strips of vent material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be explained in more detail in connection with the drawings in which presently preferred embodiments are shown. 
         FIG. 1  is cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a roof ridge vent arrangement for tile roofs in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a view taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 1  of a second embodiment of a roof ridge vent arrangement for tile roofs in accordance with the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a flat pattern view of the center baffle used in the first and second embodiments of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a stand-off molded into the center baffle taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a partially schematic cross-sectional view of the assembly of the roof ridge vent arrangement of  FIG. 1  for tile roofs with a generally flat profile. 
         FIG. 7  is a partially schematic cross-sectional view of the assembly of the roof ridge vent arrangement of  FIG. 1  for tile roofs with a curved profile. 
         FIG. 8  is a flat pattern view of a flexible carrier for the vent strips used in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a roof ridge vent arrangement for tile roofs in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a roof ridge vent arrangement for tile roofs in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 11, 12   a  and  12   b  are views of a commercial embodiment of the invention similar to  FIG. 6 . 
         FIGS. 13, 14   a  and  14   b  are views of a commercial embodiment of the invention similar to  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 15, 16   a  and  16   b  are views of another commercial embodiment of the invention similar to  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded view of a commercial embodiment of the invention similar to  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded view of a commercial embodiment of the invention similar to  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not considered limiting. Words such as “front,” “back,” “top,” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. This terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. Additionally, the terms “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically noted. 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawing figures, where like numerals represent like elements throughout. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a ventilation system  10  for a tile roof  12  is shown. The tile roof  12  includes a roof structure formed from roof rafters  14  that are connected to a ridge pole or beam  16 . Sheathing  18  may be applied over the rafters  14 , as shown, and a gap or slot  20  is left on each side of the ridge pole  16  for the ridge vent. Nailer boards  19  may be located along the slots  20  for engaging the last course of tiles. Alternatively, purlins or other support structures can be utilized. The ridge pole  16  extends above the sheathing  18 , or is built up to a desired height, so that the cap shingles  30  for the tile roof  12  can be affixed to it. Roofing felt or another water barrier  22  is applied over the sheathing  18 . The roof tiles  32  are then placed in position on the roof until the final, uppermost row of tiles  32  ends at a point below the slots  20 . 
     In a first preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the ventilation system  10  is comprised of a center baffle  24  that extends over the top of the ridge pole  16  and down both sides. The center baffle  24 , which is shown in a flat pattern in  FIG. 4 , includes a center holding strip  25  that is centered over the ridge pole  16 . Adhesive material  48  can be pre-applied to the center holding strip  25  to assist in assembly on the roof ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ). Alternatively or in addition, nails can be driven through the center holding strip  25  into the ridge pole  16 . 
     Baffles  26  are located on each side of the center holding strip  25 , and are connected to it by connector strips  27 , which generally have a width of less than 0.25 inches and preferably have a length of at least one inch. A fold line  28  is formed near the outer edge of each of the baffles  26 , and a flange  29  is formed across the fold line  28  as an integral extension of each of the baffles  26 . The fold line preferably forms a pre-fold of about 45° ; however, the material of the center baffle  24  is preferably flexible so that the angle can be adjusted to the particular pitch of the roof at installation. Stand-offs  31  are located on, formed in, or attached to the baffles  26 . As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the stand-offs  31  preferably have a depth “X” of at least 0.75 inches, and more preferably have a depth X greater than or equal to one inch. The stand-offs  31  are preferably located in each of the baffles  26 , and are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction (the direction of the roof ridge) between 6 and 15 inches, and more preferably between 9 and 12 inches. Preferably the center baffle  24  is made of a polymeric material, such as PVC or polyethylene, and the stand-offs  31  are formed or heat pressed therein. The connector strips  27  are formed by punching out the intermediate pieces of material. The entire center baffle  24  is flexible and rollable, allowing it to be easily carried onto a roof for installation and cut to the proper length so that seams can be avoided. 
     The center baffle  24  is preferably installed over the ridge pole  16  with the baffles  26  extending down generally parallel to and offset from the ridge pole sides due to the stand-offs  31 . The flanges  29  are then preferably located on top of the sheathing  18  and water barrier  22 , and held in place with the uppermost nailer boards  19 , adjacent to the ridge vent slots  20 . 
     For contoured tile roofs, vent strips  38 , which are formed from a contoured strip of vent material  40 , are installed after the final course of roof tiles  32  have been placed. The vent material  40  is preferably a non-woven synthetic material that has a high net open free area to allow for air passage therethrough, while acting as a filter to prevent ingress by bugs or debris. The material also generally prevents moisture permeation, such as wind driven rain, while still allowing air flow for attic ventilation. A preferred material is disclosed in the inventor&#39;s prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,579. However, other suitable mesh materials, whether woven or non-woven may be utilized. 
     The vent material  40  has a first surface  42  which is contoured with a complementary profile to the roof tiles  32 , and a second surface, generally opposite to the first surface that is generally flat. The vent material  40  preferably has a thickness that is greater than a depth of the valleys in the roof tiles  32  so that it can be contoured and remain in one piece. The material  40  may be formed as a single piece, or may be made of a plurality of pieces of material that are connected together, such as by adhesives, sewing, heat staking, heat or friction welding or fusion. 
     The vent material  40  is preferably adhered to the roof tiles  32  by an adhesive  52  applied to at least one of the vent material  40  and the roof tiles  32 . The adhesive  52  is preferably pre-applied on the roof side of the vent strips  40 . The adhesive  52  may include a fluid or semi-solid substance applied to at least one of the vent strips  38  and the roof tiles  32  during the installation process. Alternatively, the adhesive  52  may include adhesive strips, of the type known in the art, supplied pre-attached along the roof-facing surface of each vent strip  38 ,  38 ′. These adhesive strips preferably include a release strip which, when removed, reveals an adhesive such as acrylic or silicone. 
     An upper water barrier  44  is affixed to the second surface of the vent material  40 . For contoured tile roofs, the upper water barrier  44  is wide enough so that it will extend over the ridge pole  16  in the installed position, and at least partially overlaps the upper water barrier  44  extending from the other strip of vent material, as shown in  FIG. 7 . This allows the two vent strips  38  to be adjusted in the longitudinal direction to match the contour of the tiles on each side of the roof. 
     The upper water barrier is preferably made of a closed cell foam material or a polyvinyl chloride or other polymeric sheet material, but may be made from any suitable water resistant material that can be adhered to or affixed to the vent material  40 , such as by an adhesive, heat staking, sewing, solvent or heat welding, or by any other suitable means. An adhesive material  46  may be applied to one or both sides of the free ends of the upper water barriers  44 , so that upon installation, the upper water barriers  44  from the vent strips  38  overlap and can be adhered to one another. However, this is not required. As shown in  FIG. 1 , preferably the upper water barrier  44  has some stiffness and is bowed outwardly, toward the underside of the ridge cap tiles  30 . 
     For flat tiles, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the vent strips  38 ′ do not need to be contoured, and a single upper water barrier  44 ′ can be used with one vent strip being connected to each longitudinal edge. Adhesive material  46  is preferably provided in the center area for connection onto the center holding strip  25  of the center baffle  24 . 
     In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in  FIG. 3 , the profiled vent strips  40  are connected to a separate flexible carrier  50 . The carrier  50 , shown in  FIG. 8 , has a centering strip  54  which allows assembly with the center baffle  24  and the upper water barrier  44 ′. The connector strips  56  end in attachment strips  58  along the longitudinal edges for attachment to the profiled vent strips  40 . Connector strips  56  are provided with a length which is sufficient to allow the contour of each of the profiled vent strips  40  to be aligned with the roof tiles  32 . The connector strips  56  are preferably at least 3 inches long and preferably less than 0.25 inches wide. The strips  56  are preferably spaced apart by at least 6 inches and more preferably are 12 to 15 inches apart. Preferably, the flexible carrier  50  is made of a stamped or punched PVC sheet. However, other materials can be utilized. The center baffle  24 , the carrier  50  with the profiled vent strips  40 , and the water barrier  44  can be pre-assembled by gluing or heat staking along the center section that attaches to the ridge pole  18 . The entire assembly remains rollable due to the flexibility of the materials. 
     In reference to  FIG. 9 , a ventilation system  110  according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the center baffle is replaced with a center water dam assembly  124 . The center water dam assembly  124  includes a ridge pole cap  125 , vent strips  160 , and lower water barriers  162 . Attached to the outward facing sides of the ridge pole cap  125  are vent strips  160 , preferably comprised of a non-woven synthetic material similar to that described above with respect to the first preferred embodiment. The vent strips  160  are preferably attached to the ridge pole cap  125  by an adhesive, or adhesive strip, applied to at least one of the vent strip  160  and the ridge pole cap  125 . The lower water barriers  162  are secured to the vent strips  160  on an upper portion  164  thereof, preferably by an adhesive. The water barriers  162  may also include a down-turned or hooked portion on an end of the upper portion  164  in order to more effectively prevent in ingress of moisture and debris. The lower water barriers  162  are preferably formed of a flexible material, such as stamped or punched PVC sheet, so that the angle of the flanges  166 , formed in the lower water barrier, can be adjusted to fit the particular pitch of a roof. 
     For installation, the ridge pole cap  125  is placed over the ridge pole  116  and preferably is fixed thereto by an adhesive material, nails, screws, or other suitable fastening means. The flanges  166  are placed on top of the sheathing  118 , and held in place with the nailer boards  119 , adjacent to the ridge vent slot  120 , in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     Vent strips  138  are placed on either side of the ridge vent slots  120  and are preferable adhered to roof tiles  132  in the manner described above with respect to the first embodiment. Similarly, the vent strips  138  may be joined with at least one, and preferably two, upper water barrier  144  in the manner described above with respect to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The separate flexible carrier described in the second embodiment may also be utilized to connect the vent strips  138 . 
     In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, show in  FIG. 10 , a ridge riser bracket  170  is utilized in conjunction with the water dam assembly  124  described above with respect to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the ridge pole has been replaced with a ridge riser board  171 . The ridge riser bracket  170 , used to support the ridge riser board  171 , includes a ridge riser board opening  172 , leg portions  174 , and flanges  176 . The ridge riser bracket  170  is configured to be fitted into the water dam assembly  124 , with the ridge riser board  171  located in the ridge riser board opening  172 . 
     Similar to the connector strips  27 ,  56  described in the first and second embodiments, the leg portions  174  and the flanges  176  of the ridge riser bracket  170  preferably comprise spaced apart strips with a width of preferably less than 0.25 inches, which permit air flow through the ridge riser bracket  170 , and into the ridge gap  120 . Preferably, the ridge riser bracket  170  is formed from metal. The flanges  174  are preferably secured to the roof to provide a ridge pole to connect the cap tiles. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 6, and 7 , for installation of the first and second preferred embodiments, the center baffle  24  is first installed over the ridge pole  18 . After the field tiles on the roof have been laid up to the upper course (below the vent slots  20 ), for the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , the individual profiled vent strips  40  with the attached upper water barriers  44  are then installed. The contoured surface  42  of each strip  38  is aligned with the complementary projections and recesses of the roof tiles  32 , with the upper water barriers  44  overlapping one another over the ridge pole  16 . For the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , for flat tiles, the upper water barrier  44 ′ with the non-profiled vent strips  40 ′ is installed as a single piece over the ridge pole. The cap tiles  30  can then be placed to complete the installation. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 , the vent material  40  is partially compressed by the cap tiles  30  so that the gaps (indicated at  50  in  FIG. 2 ) created by overlapping cap tiles  30  are filled. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment where the vent material is at least partially formed of a non-woven synthetic fiber matting as described, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,579, the vent material  40  is preferably heated so that it “lofts” or expands and is then calendered down to a specific thickness prior to the profiles being cut to match the roof contours. Since the material  40  is calendered, it can also expand somewhat due to sun generated heat on the roof after installation in order to further fill the gaps  50  to prevent the ingress of insects or debris. 
     With respect to the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the entire venting assembly, including the center baffle  24 , carrier  50  with profiled strips and upper water barrier  44 ′, is attached to the ridge pole  16 , preferably with adhesive and/or nails. The flanges  29  of the center baffle  24  are connected to the sheathing  18 , over the water barrier  22 . The roof field tiles  32  are laid in the usual manner and the vent strips  40  and upper water barrier  44 ′ are flexed upwardly to allow the final upper course of tiles  32  to be laid up to a position adjacent to the vent slots  20 . The profiled vent strips  40  can then be longitudinally adjusted to match the contour of the roof tiles due to the length and flexibility of the connector strips  56 . The upper water barrier  44 ′ remains in place, and the cap tiles  30  can then be installed in the usual manner. 
     In use, the upper water barriers  44 ,  44 ′ prevent any moisture which may permeate the seams between the overlapping ridge cap tiles  30  from penetrating the roof structure through the slots  20 . Any wind driven moisture that is driven up the roof slope is stopped by the vent material  40 ,  40 ′ or the baffle  26 , which returns any water that permeates the vent material  40 ,  40 ′ back down the roof. Air flow occurs over the baffles  26  through the spaces between the connector strips  27 , and in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , also between the connector strips  56 . This provides a high net free area for ventilation with superior resistance to the ingress of moisture from wind driven rain in a rollable product. 
     With respect to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 9 , the center water dam  124 , including the ridge poll cap  125 , vent strips  160 , and the lower water barriers  162 , is attached to the ridge pole  116 , preferably with adhesive and/or nails The flanges  166  of the lower water barriers  162  are connected to the sheathing  118  over the water barrier  22 . The individual vent strips  138  and upper water barrier  144  are then installed in the same manner as described above with respect to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     The fourth embodiment of the present invention, shown in  FIG. 10 , is installed in a similar fashion. The ridge riser board  171  is fitted into the ridge riser bracket  170 . The center water dam assembly  124  is then fitted over the ridge riser bracket  170  and the ridge riser board  171 . The flanges  166 ,  176  of the lower water barriers  162  the ridge riser bracket  170  are connected to the sheathing  118  over the water barrier  22 . The installation of the vent strips  138 , the remaining roof tiles  132 , and the cap tiles  130 , is similar to that which is described above with respect to the first embodiments of the present invention. 
     In use, the third and fourth embodiments prevent moisture and debris from entering the roof slot  120  in much the same manner as the previous embodiments. The upper water barrier  144  prevents any moisture which may permeate the seams between the overlapping ridge cap tiles  130  from penetrating the roof structure through the slots  120 . Wind driven moisture driven up the roof slope is stopped by the vent strips  138  and  160 , or the lower water barrier  162 . In the third embodiment depicted in  FIG. 9 , air flow occurs through the slots  120  and passes through the center water dam assembly  124  through the vent strips  160 , and continues through the vent strips  138 . In the fourth embodiment, air flow occurs again through the slots  120 , continues through the openings between the leg portions  174  and the flanges  176  of the ridge riser bracket  170 , enters the water damn assembly  124  through the vent strips  160 , and proceeds through the vent strips  138 . 
       FIGS. 11, 12   a  and  12   b  show a commercial version of the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . The water dam provided by the center baffle  25  includes additional stand-offs  31   a  for better positioning on the ridge beam. 
       FIGS. 13, 14   a  and  14   b  show a commercial version of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , with the extra standoffs  31   a  on the center baffle  25 . 
       FIGS. 15, 16   a  and  16   b  show a third commercial embodiment similar to  FIGS. 1, 13, 14   a  and  14   b . Here, the vent strips  40  have a deeper profiling to match the roof field tiles. 
       FIG. 17  shows an exploded view of a commercial embodiment of the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . The subassembly of the center water dam  124  as a separate part is clearly visible. 
       FIG. 18  shows an exploded view of a commercial embodiment of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments described above which should be considered as merely exemplary. Further modifications and extensions of the present invention may be developed and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.