Patent Publication Number: US-9851115-B2

Title: Vent sealing device and system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit to U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/332,550 filed on May 7, 2010, and U.S. application Ser. No. 13/098,702 filed on May 2, 2011, the contents of each of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to vent protection devices, and more particularly to a vent sealing device and system which can be utilized to protect or replace damaged flashing. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Roof structures typically have one or more openings to allow vents and other objects to extend through. For example, plumbing vents are typically required at all drainage points in a building so that air can displace water draining into the sewer system. During new construction of a building, a hole is cut into the roof structure and a vent pipe is then routed through the hole and connected to the building plumbing. In order to maintain a water-tight seal between the vent and the roof, flashing material (often made from lead) is used to surround the vent and mate with the roof. Unfortunately, squirrels and other rodents are often attracted to the lead flashing and tend to damage it with their claws and teeth. Over time, the damaged flashing can leak or otherwise provide a sub-nominal seal between the vent and roof. Moreover, as the top of the vent pipe is designed to be open to the air, it is common for small animals, rodents and insects to freely enter the vent and gain access to the building plumbing and/or the building itself. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for a vent sealing device and system that is able to cure the above described deficiencies and which can be easily installed on a new or existing roof structure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a vent sealing device and system for protecting roofing ventilation shafts. 
     One embodiment of the present invention can include a vent sealing device that includes a first elongated tubular member having a second tubular member disposed therein via a generally funnel shaped cap. The device functioning to direct rainwater into an existing vent without allowing rain water to make contact with the existing flashing. The device can also include a screen that is configured to prevent debris from entering the vent pipe. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention can include a vent sealing system having the above described device and a roof attachment unit that includes an elongated base structure having an opening that includes a flexible sleeve protruding outward therefrom. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
         FIG. 1A  is an exploded view of a vent sealing device that is useful for understanding the embodiments disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 1B  is an exploded view of a vent sealing device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the vent sealing device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the vent sealing device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side by side illustration of the a sealing device in operation, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a vent sealing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the vent sealing system in operation, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a vent sealing system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate one embodiment of a vent sealing device that is useful for understanding the embodiments disclosed herein. To this end, vent sealing device  10  can include an outer tube  20 , an inner tube  30 , a cap  40 , and a screen  50 . 
     The outer tube  20  (i.e., first tubular member) acts to provide a barrier against exterior elements and can include an elongated hollow tubular section having a top end  20   a , a bottom end  20   b  and an inner diameter that is greater than both a conventional plumbing vent  12  and conventional flashing  16 . (See  FIG. 2 ) Although illustrated as having a bottom portion that is perpendicular to the top, the lower end  20   b  of the outer tube  20  may be disposed at one or more angles to match the existing surface profile of the roof  18 . (See  FIG. 3 ) 
     In one preferred embodiment, outer tube  20  can be constructed from a durable and waterproof material such as polyvinyl chloride pipe (PVC), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, for example. However, one of skill in the art will recognize that many other materials having similar characteristics can be utilized without diverting from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     Outer tube  20  can also include one or more fasteners  21  for securing the vent guard  10  to the flashing/plumbing vent for which it is to cover. In one preferred embodiment, the fasteners  21  can include elongated threated bolts which can be hand or machine tightened against one or more of the conventional plumbing vent  12  and conventional flashing  16 . Of course, the device is not limited to this configuration, as the fasteners  21  can include virtually any type of known hardware capable of securing two objects together. Such hardware can include nails, bolts, screws, punch pins and rivets, among many others. 
     The inner tube  30  (i.e., second tubular member) can include an elongated hollow tubular member having a top end  30   a , a bottom end  30   b  and an outside diameter that is less than the inside diameter of the outer tube  20  so as to be positionable therein. In one preferred embodiment, inner tube  30  can include a length that is approximately one quarter the length of the outer tube  20  and can also be constructed from PVC or other similar material having good tensile strength. In this regard, the inner tube  30  can be designed to terminate just above the top portion of the vent pipe  12  and can function to direct rainwater directly into the vent pipe without exposing any portion of the existing flashing  16  to the elements (See  FIG. 4A ). 
     However, other lengths and materials are also contemplated. For example, in another embodiment, the inner tube  30  can have a length that is greater than the outer tube  20  such that the inner tube extends beyond the bottom of the outer tube. Additionally, the bottom end  30   b  of the inner tube  30  can include an outer diameter that is small enough to be inserted into the plumbing vent  12 . To this end, when the inner tube  30  is positioned within the plumbing vent  12 , the inner tube can act to provide lateral stability to the vent guard  10 , which is useful when being exposed to adverse wind and weather conditions. Moreover, in this capacity, any rain water entering the device  10  can be directed into the vent pipe  12 . 
     Although the inner tube  30  is illustrated above as having a uniform shape and diameter, other embodiments are also contemplated. For example,  FIG. 1B  illustrates another embodiment of the device  10  wherein the bottom end  30   b  of the inner tube  30  further includes a plurality of vanes  31 , each having various lengths, that extend downward therefrom. The vanes  31  acting as a channel for directing small amounts of water that run down the length of the tube  30  towards the center of the device (i.e., central axis), in order to ensure the water flows directly into the existing vent pipe  12 , as shown below. Additionally, the diameter of inner tube  30  can taper from a first diameter along the top end  30   a , to a second diameter along the bottom end  30   b , said first and second diameters can be any number of different sizes. 
     In either instance, the cap  40  can function to secure the inner tube  30  within the center of the inside portion of the outer tube  20 . In this regard, the cap  40  can function as a funnel which, along with the inner tube  30 , operates to direct rain water directly into the inside portion of the plumbing vent  12 , while preventing any water from making contact with the outside surface of the existing flashing  16  (which may be damaged and/or leaking). 
     As shown, the cap  40 , can include a generally inverted cone/funnel shaped member having an upper section  41 , a graduated frustum-like middle section  42 , and a lower section  43 . In one preferred embodiment, the three sections  41 ,  42  and  43  combine to form the cap  40  in one continuous piece while providing an opening/hollow interior channel  41   a  extending from the top section through the bottom section. 
     In one embodiment, the upper section  41  can include an outside diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the top end of the outer tube  20   a  such that the upper section  41  and the top end  20   a  of the outer tube  20  can be secured together to form a watertight connection. Likewise, the middle section  42  and the lower section  43  can be constructed to fit within the inside portion of the outer tube  20 . In this regard, the outside diameter of the lower section  43  can correspond to the diameter of the top end of the inner tube  30   a  such that the lower section  43  and the top end  30   a  of the inner tube  30  can be secured together to form a watertight connection. 
     In one embodiment, the vent guard  10  can further include a screen or filter  50  which can be permanently or removably affixed to the upper section of the cap  41  and/or the top end of the outer tube  20   a , in order to extend across the top of the channel  41   a . In one embodiment, the screen  50  can include a flat sheet of ABS plastic that is glued to the outer periphery of the top end of the cap  41 . The screen  50  can include a plurality of small openings suitable for allowing air and water to flow into channel  41   a  while restricting unwanted objects such as leaves, rodents and insects from entering the channel. 
     Of course any number of other materials such as a conventional screen, for example, and/or attachment materials such as adhesive tape, hook and latch material (i.e. Velcro®) and the like can be provided. In another embodiment, the screen can be formed as an integral component to the cap  40  at a time of construction through the use of known manufacturing processes. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another embodiment of the vent guard  10  that further includes one or more breathing/ventilation holes  23  positioned along the outer tube  20 . Holes  23  can be used to allow additional venting to the device when needed or desired. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of the vent guard  10 , described above, in operation. As shown, vent guard  10  can be placed over an existing vent pipe  12  and flashing  16  by inserting the bottom end  20   b  of the outer tube  20  downward along the outside of the flashing  16  until the bottom of the outer tube  20   b  makes contact with the roof  18 . When so positioned, the inner tube  30  can be positioned directly above the vent pipe  12  or can extend into the vent pipe  12  depending on the length of the inner tube  30  and the length of the vent pipe  12  protruding through the roof. In either instance, once the bottom of the outer tube  20  makes contact with the roof, the device  10  can be secured to the flashing and vent pipe  12  via the fasteners  21 . 
     When so installed, the outer tube  20  of the device  10  can act to cover any damaged portions D in the existing flashing while simultaneously preventing rodents, insects and the like from making contact with the flashing  16 . Moreover, as described above, the cap  40  and inner tube  30  will act as a funnel which will direct any rain water R directly into the vent pipe  12  thereby preventing the outer surface of the flashing  16  (including the damaged portion D) from becoming wet. Such a feature advantageously allows the device to prevent damage to the roof and/or interior of the home which would otherwise be caused by water entering the damaged flashing. Finally, the screen  50  can function to prevent debris and other foreign objects from gaining entry to the building and/or vent pipe. As such, the inventive features disclosed herein can be utilized on existing roof structures without the need to remove conventional flashing which may or may not be damaged. 
     As described herein, each element of the vent guard  10  can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings, magnetic elements or other weather-resistant materials. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, in one preferred embodiment, each element of the vent guard  10  including the outer tube  20 , the inner tube  30 , the cap  40 , and the screen  50 , can be formed together as one continuous piece of material, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrates one embodiment of a vent sealing system  100  utilizing the vent guard  10  described above and a roof connection unit for allowing the vent guard  10  to be utilized on vent pipes  12  of new construction roofs  18  where no existing flashing has been installed. 
     The roof connection unit  60  can include a generally flat roof plate  61  configured to rest on top of a building roof  18 , and a flexible (corrugated) tubular sleeve  62 , each having a central aperture that is configured to be placed over a portion of the vent pipe  12 . In one embodiment, the flexible sleeve  62  can be located in the center of the roof plate  61  and can extend outward in a generally perpendicular manner. As described herein, the term “generally perpendicular” is purposefully selected to permit variation of the angles Θ between the roof surface  18  and the vent pipe  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the system can be installed on a new construction roof (or a roof that is having new shingles installed) as an alternative to conventional flashing. To this end, the flexible sleeve  62  of the connection unit can be positioned over the vent pipe  12  and slid down until the roof plate  61  makes contact with the roof or until a desired position has been achieved. Owing to the flexibility of the sleeve, it is possible for the base plate  61  to be adjusted to rest on the roof surface at virtually any angle Θ. 
     Once in place, the vent guard can be installed by positioning the vent pipe  12  within the outer tube  20 , and sliding the device down until the bottom end of the outer tube  20  makes contact with the base plate  61 . In this regard, the outer tube  20  will act to encompass the flexible sleeve  62  as the inner diameter of the outer tube  20  is greater than the outer diameter of the flexible sleeve  62 , thus allowing the flexible sleeve  62  to be positioned within the outer tube  20 . 
     Once positioned, the vent guard  10  can be secured to the connection unit  60  via the fasteners  21  or by any number of additional means for securing two items together. In this regard, the system can utilize known components ranging from a leaf spring (not illustrated) interposed between the sleeve  62  and the outer tube  20 , or can include threads for allowing the outer tube  20  to be “screwed” onto the flexible sleeve. These are but a few of the numerous possibilities for securing these items together which are contemplated by the inventive concepts disclosed herein. 
     As shown, the roof plate  61  can be secured in place via a plurality of additional fasteners  21  (such as nails, for example) or can be held in place by the roofing shingles  19 . In this regard, any gap G between the vent pipe  12  and the roof surface  18  will be covered by the connection unit  60  without the need for conventional flashing and the vent guard  10  will act to direct rain water into the vent pipe  12 , while also protecting against adverse elements and other unwanted pests as described above. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of a vent sealing system  100  in which the outer tube  20  further includes a flexible tube  62  which is connected to a flat plate  61  as described above. In this regard, both the outer tube  20  and the flexible tube  62  can be fused into a single tubular member acting to perform the dual functions of both the outer tube  20  and the sleeve  62 . To this end, resulting system can be installed in virtually the same manner as that described above in a single step. 
     As the above description explains, the vent sealing device and system can act to protect damaged and new flashing and vent pipes. To this end, in one embodiment, the device will fit snugly over the existing components. For example, in an instance where the vent pipe ( 12 ) itself has a two inch opening, the vent sealing system can include the following dimensions: Inner tube  30  inside diameter is 1.8 inches and inner tube outside diameter is 1.9 inches; the base plate can be 2.5 inches; the outer shell inside diameter can be 2.9 inches and the outer shell outside diameter can be 3.1 inches. As would be known to one of skill in the art, the above dimensions are for illustration purposes only, as many other sizes are also contemplated. 
     As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.