Patent Publication Number: US-2004043723-A1

Title: Baffled vent for flexible covers for outdoor use

Description:
REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION  
     [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/407,633 filed Sep. 3, 2002. 
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] This invention relates to ventilated covers, and in particular the invention relates to the use of a baffled vent attached to the cover in order to allow natural outside drafts to pass through the unit in turn removing damaging condensation. The ventilated covers are intended for use particularly in outdoor situations, and are typically employed with such various household items as barbecues, air-conditioner heat exchangers and condensers, patio furniture, as well as with other recreational items as boats and other watercraft, motorcycles, all terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, spare tire covers for sports utility vehicles, and so on.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] Throughout North America, and elsewhere, many persons store household items of various sorts outdoors. For example, in the northern parts of North America, household barbecues are quite often stored on the patio for the barbecue season. Indeed, many households keep a barbecue outdoors all year. In the southern parts of North America, just as in the north, barbecues and other household items are covered, but usually for different reasons.  
       [0004] Specifically, barbecues, air-conditioner heat exchangers and condensers—which cannot be moved indoors or to other storage facilities in any event—and other seasonal household and recreational items such as those referred to above, may require to be covered for a variety of reasons. Typically, and in any event, they are covered, especially during the winter seasons, to protect them from the elements and the environment. Rain, snow, blowing leaves, dust, sand and so on, must be protected against. So also must the incursion of insects and rodents be protected against.  
       [0005] The existing covers on the market, when placed over an object (e.g. a barbecue or air-conditioner) cover the unit entirely, not allowing air to flow around the unit. Fully covering any household items such as those described above is tantamount to an invitation to disaster. When condensation builds up within the confinement of the cover, it remains trapped because there is no airflow through the unit, which in turn begins to rust inside components. The condensation leads to rusting and mildew, as well as cobwebs, spider nests, and the like.  
       [0006] However, if the covered household or recreational items are ventilated at the same time, then there is much less risk of any damaging condensation, rusting, mildew, cobwebs, spider nests, and the like, developing. This is because air can flow in and out of the shelter which is provided by a ventilated cover in keeping with present invention, unlike prior art covers which are not ventilated and which may give rise to serious damage to the very household articles that they are intended to protect.  
       [0007] Even in the middle of winter, a sunny day may result in significant air expansion within the interior of a cover over a household or recreational item. If the cover is ventilated, in keeping with present invention, then that air can flow out of the cover, taking with it stale air and moisture. Then, in the evening, as the sun goes down, ambient air pressure equilibrium will cause airflow back into the interior of the cover, thereby replacing fresh air for the previous stale air that has been expelled. This is particularly likely to happen because, almost invariably, covers for barbecues, air-conditioner heat exchangers, and the like, are dark colored and therefore will absorb radiant heat from such as sunshine. Still further, by the presence of ventilation in a cover, the relative humidity inside and outside of the cover will remain effectively at equilibrium, and thereby the chance of rust developing may be reduced, if not precluded.  
       [0008] However, the elements—and particularly rain, snow, and wind—are always present, and therefore it is not appropriate to ventilate a cover merely by the addition of a screen or a series of apertures formed in the material of the cover.  
       [0009] Thus, the present invention provides for appropriate baffling to preclude direct incursion of rain or snow as they may be carried by the wind, or insects and the like, but so as to permit airflow into and out of the interior of a cover when it is placed over a household or recreational article as described above. The details of such construction are, of course, described hereafter.  
       [0010] Effectively, the inventors herein provided at least one vented section which may be placed into a material cover—typically, a tarpaulin-like material, a rubberized material, or other suitable plasticized or rubberized fabrics that have sufficient flexibility to be folded when not in use, and sufficient sewability or other adhesive characteristics that a cover for any designated household or recreational item of any shape may be constructed, as is well known to those in the cover industry. In addition, the vented section also incorporates a handle for easy removal or adjustment of the cover from the protected unit.  
       [0011] Because rain and snow typically fall more or less downwardly, certain improved embodiments of ventilated covers, and particularly the baffled vent intended for use with them, provide for additional protection against downwardly falling precipitation. In addition, the use of one or more baffled vents help prevent cover from being blown off by gusts of wind.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a baffled vent for attachment to material of a cover structure intended for outdoor use to cover an article.  
       [0013] The baffled vent has a grip portion and a vent portion mounted to the grip portion. The vent portion has an inner side and an outer side and has a channel passing therethrough. The channel is in fluid communication with both the inner side and the outer side. A fluid flow constrictor is mounted to the vent portion within the channel.  
       [0014] A baffled vent in keeping with the present invention may have a vent portion with an outer face, the outer face having an upper end and a lower end when the baffled vent is oriented in a generally vertical direction. The outer face may slope generally outwardly from the upper end to lower end.  
       [0015] A baffled vent in keeping with the present invention may also have a peripheral portion around the periphery of the vent portion where the peripheral portion is adapted for attachment to the cover.  
       [0016] Still further, the vent portion may have a cap portion and a base portion mounted to the cap portion. The base portion may have a base aperture and the channel may have an inner end and an outer end. The base aperture may be positioned at the inner end of the channel.  
       [0017] If so, the inner end of the channel may positioned proximate to the inner side and the outer end may be positioned proximate to the outer side. The cap portion may have an upper end and a lower end. The lower end of the cap portion and the base portion may define an outer aperture positioned at the outer end of the channel.  
       [0018] In that case, the outer end of the channel may be oriented generally downwardly when the baffled vent is oriented in a generally vertical direction.  
       [0019] The fluid flow constrictor may be positioned between the inner end and the outer end of the channel.  
       [0020] The fluid flow constrictor may further be a member extending from one of the cap portion and the base portion into the channel such that the cross-sectional area of the channel is reduced near the fluid flow constrictor.  
       [0021] Optionally, the vent portion may have a base portion and a cap portion mounted to the base portion. The grip portion and the cap portion may be formed integrally with one another.  
       [0022] In addition, the cap portion may have an upper end and a lower end when the baffled vent is oriented in a generally vertical orientation and the grip portion may be finger holds formed near the lower end of the cap portion.  
       [0023] The outer face of the cap portion may be optionally adapted to receive a plaque or to have a logo molded therein.  
       [0024] The baffled vent may be flexible and molded from a material chosen from the group consisting of: flexible PVC, vinyl, rubber, and mixtures thereof.  
       [0025] Another aspect of the present invention is a cover structure for outdoor use to cover an article. The cover structure is made from a flexible waterproof material cut and sewn in a pattern so as to cover an intended article to be covered. One baffled vent as described above is placed in a region of the material so as to be oriented substantially vertically when the cover is in place over the intended article.  
       [0026] Typically, a cover which is in keeping with present invention will be such that the baffled vent is secured to the flexible waterproof material of the cover at the peripheral margin of the baffled vent.  
       [0027] Still further, they may typically be two baffled vents secured to the flexible waterproof material of the cover in regions which are opposed to one another when the cover is placed over an intended article.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0028] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which:  
     [0029]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical embodiment of a baffled vent for use in a cover in keeping with present invention;  
     [0030]FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the baffled vent of FIG. 1 as seen from the outside of the cover;  
     [0031]FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the baffled vent of FIG. 1 as seen from the inside of the cover;  
     [0032]FIG. 4 is a sectional end view of the baffled vent taken along section A-A of FIG. 2;  
     [0033]FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of the baffled vent taken along section B-B of FIG. 2;  
     [0034]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a baffled vent for use in a cover in keeping with present invention;  
     [0035]FIG. 7 is a side view of the baffled vent of FIG. 6;  
     [0036]FIG. 8 is a end view of the baffled vent of FIG. 6 as seen from the bottom of the baffled vent;  
     [0037]FIG. 9 is a top view of the baffled vent of FIG. 6 as seen from the ouside of the cover;  
     [0038]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a baffled vent for use in a cover in keeping with present invention;  
     [0039]FIG. 11 is a side view of the baffled vent of FIG. 10;  
     [0040]FIG. 12 is a end view of the baffled vent of FIG. 10 as seen from the bottom of the baffled vent; and  
     [0041]FIG. 13 is a top view of the baffled vent of FIG. 10 as seen from the ouside of the cover. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0042] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following discussion.  
     [0043] A baffled vent which is particularly in keeping with the present invention is shown at  10  in FIGS.  1  to  5 . The baffled vent which is illustrated has a particular shape and embodiment which were chosen for purposes of utilization of the baffled vent in a particular design of cover which was made for a barbecue. It will be very clear from an understanding of the descriptions which follow that the precise configuration, shape, and size of the baffled vent are mere matters of choice and design, without bearing on the principles of the present invention as they are described herein.  
     [0044] As seen in FIG. 1, the baffled vent  10  has a cap portion  12  and a base portion or base plate  14 . Cap portion  12  and base portion  14  may be collectively referred to as the vent portion of baffled vent  10 . Cap portion  12  has a face plate  16  and side walls  18  extending inwardly from face plate  16  to meet base portion  14 .  
     [0045] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shape of face plate  16  is that of a stylized flame. Face plate  16  extends from a narrow upper or top end  20  to a wider bottom or lower end  22 . Lower end  22  extends between corners  24  and  26 . Side wall  18  extends inwardly from face plate  16  to base plate  14  around the periphery of face plate  16  from corner  24  to upper end  20  and around to corner  26 .  
     [0046] Lower end  22 , base plate  14  and side wall  18  at corners  24  and  26  define a generally rectangular outer or lower aperture  28 . Outer aperture  28  has an outer edge  30  along lower end  22 . Outer edge  30  is composed of four curved ridges which serve as a grip  32 . Grip  32  is adapted and sized to permit easy insertion and placement of four fingers of a user.  
     [0047] As seen in FIG. 4, face plate  16  is further from base plate  14  at lower end  22  than at upper end  20 . As a result, face plate  16  slopes downwardly and outwardly.  
     [0048] Base plate  14  is a flat plate that has the same stylized flame shape as face plate  16  except that it is larger. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, base plate  14  can have almost any shape. Base plate  14  is provided with an inner or base aperture  34 . Inner aperture  34  corresponds approximately to the shape of the upper half of face plate  16 , although it does not extend beyond side walls  18 . Inner aperture  34  has a horizontal lower edge  36  and a flame-shaped outer edge  38 .  
     [0049] Face plate  16  has an inner face  40  and an outer face  42 . Base plate  14  has an inner face  44  and an outer face  46 .  
     [0050] Inner face  36  of face plate  16 , side walls  18  and outer face  38  of base plate  14  define a channel  48  between outer aperture  28  and inner aperture  34  as shown in FIG. 4. A fluid flow constrictor or lip  50  extends outwardly from base plate  14  along lower edge  36  of inner aperture  34  so as to sharply reduce the cross-sectional area of channel  48  in this region. As a result, lip  50  acts as a baffle to restrict air flow through channel  48  (as indicated by the arrows  52  in FIG. 4).  
     [0051] Outer face  42  of face plate  16  is provided with a logo region  54 . It will be understood that the purpose of that region is to accommodate a plaque bearing the name of a manufacturer thereon. Typically, the name is that of the manufacturer of the barbecue, air-conditioner heat exchanger or condenser, or other household or recreational item which is to be covered by a cover structure which incorporates the baffled vent  10 , or typically two such baffled vents, as discussed hereafter.  
     [0052] However, it may also be possible that a logo which may be that of the manufacturer may be molded directly into the baffled vent  10  in the logo region  54  thereof.  
     [0053] A peripheral region  56  may also be formed around the periphery of base plate  14 . Such a region is be suitable for attachment to the cover.  
     [0054] It will be understood that the baffled vent should have a certain amount of flexibility. Thus, it is desirable that the baffled vent will be molded from a suitable material such as flexible PVC, vinyl, rubber, and mixtures thereof.  
     [0055] It will be seen in FIG. 4 that airflow through channel  48  may follow arrows  52 . However, this sense of the arrows—that is, their direction—may be also in the opposite direction than that which is shown, depending on whether airflow is into or out of the interior of a cover when it is in place over an article, as discussed above.  
     [0056] An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown at  60  in FIGS.  6  to  9 . Baffled vent  60  is made up of a cap portion  62  and a base plate  64 . Cap portion  62  is a curved enclosure that meets base plate  64  along the curved portion of a half-oval shape. Cap portion  62  has an outer face  66 , an inner face  68 , an upper end  70  and a lower end  72 . Lower end  72  extends downwards and outwards from base plate  64 . Lower end  72  and base plate  64  define a generally semicircular outer or lower aperture  74  which is exposed to the air outside the cover.  
     [0057] Base plate  64  is rectangular and is provided with an inner aperture (not shown) similar to that of the preferred embodiment in that it does not extend beyond the edges of cap portion  62 . A channel  76  extends between outer aperture  74  and the inner aperture. A fluid flow constrictor such as baffle  78  extends outwards from base plate  64  to restrict airflow (as indicated by arrows  80 ) between the air outside the cover and the inside of the cover.  
     [0058] A further alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown at  60  in FIGS.  10  to  13 . This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6, except that two cap portions  62  are affixed to a single base plate  64 , each of which has a channel  76 .  
     [0059] It will be clearly understood that the baffled vent of the present invention is particularly intended to be incorporated into a flexible waterproof cover which will be used outdoors to cover any intended article, typically a household or recreational item such as a barbecue, an air-conditioner heat exchanger or condenser, patio furniture, bicycles or motorcycles, or even larger item such as vehicles, boats, trailers, and the like. Because such covers will vary significantly in shape, size, and configuration, but each will incorporate at least one and typically two baffled vents  10  which are in keeping with the present invention, the specific appearance of such a cover will be well understood to those skilled in the art.  
     [0060] Accordingly, it will be understood that whenever a cover for outdoor use to cover an article incorporates at least one baffled vent in keeping with the teachings hereof, the baffled vent will be placed in a region of the flexible waterproof material which is cut and sewn to the desired configuration in such a location that when the cover is in place over an intended article, it will be oriented substantially vertically.  
     [0061] The baffled vent is typically oriented and mounted to the cover so that inner face  44  of base plate  14  faces the covered object and that channel  48  is in fluid communication with the air inside the cover via inner aperture  34 . In addition, outer aperture  28  is in direct contact with the air outside the cover.  
     [0062] Typically, the baffled vent or handles  10  are secured to the flexible waterproof material of the cover or cover structure at the peripheral margin of the baffled vent or baffled vents. Typically, the baffled vents will be located near the upper part of a cover to allow rising hot air within the cover to escape through the vents.  
     [0063] It will also be understood that, especially when two baffled vents are employed, they will typically be located in regions of the flexible waterproof material of the cover where they will be opposed one to another when the cover is in place over the intended article.  
     [0064] It will be understood from the above discussions that covers which incorporate baffled vents in keeping with the present invention, and as described above, will serve all the purposes which had been noted above. In particular, pressure and relative humidity equilibrium can be reached between the interior of the cover incorporating at least one baffled vent in keeping with the present invention, and the ambient surrounding air temperature, relative humidity, and pressure. The use of baffled vents in a cover will help prevent the covers from being blown off the articles as air that gusts into the bottom of the cover will flow through the cover and return to the outside via the vents. Moreover, the influx or incursion of debris such as leaves or twigs, as well as of insects, spiders, rodents, and the like, will be precluded as a consequence of the placement and configuration of the downwardly facing channel  48  and the presence of the fluid flow constrictor  50 .  
     [0065] As well, downwardly falling rain and snow which falls onto the baffled vent or rolls onto the baffled vent from the cover will be directed outwardly from the baffled vent as it slopes down outer face  42  of face plate  16 . In addition, lower aperture  28  faces downwardly. Thus, falling rain and snow will not penetrate inside the cover through channel  48 .  
     [0066] In addition, the grip  32  allows a user to place his or her fingers within lower aperture  28  to grasp the vented baffle and to lift or adjust the cover. A pair of baffled vents positioned on opposite sides of a cover allows the user to use two hands to more easily move or adjust a cover. Where a cover is too large for a single person to use two baffled vents to lift (such as a cover for a boat or a trailer), multiple baffled vents may be placed around the cover allowing multiple persons to lift or adjust the cover.  
     [0067] Other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.  
     [0068] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not to the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.  
     [0069] Moreover, the word “substantially” when used with an adjective or adverb is intended to enhance the scope of the particular characteristic; e.g., substantially vertical is intended to mean perpendicular to a horizontal orientation, or near so, and/or exhibiting characteristics associated with a general vertical element or orientation.