Patent Publication Number: US-8528271-B1

Title: Multi-module vent cover system for a roof ventilation vent

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Continuation-in-Part application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/263,173 filed on Oct. 31, 2008, which claimed the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/984,000, filed on Oct. 31, 2007, which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the building industry, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, relates to a multi-module cover for a roof ventilation vent, including both a screened module to prevent the intrusion of insects, rodents, squirrels, bats, or other animals and a solid module to protect the vent and/or roof from wind, water, flying debris, and/or airborne embers from hurricanes, storms, and wildfires. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Adequate roof ventilation is important for both residential and commercial buildings. It saves money on air-conditioning, helps prevent ice dams caused by uneven heat distribution, and provides fresh air to prevent condensation, mold, and mildew problems in the roof and/or attic. Therefore, a conventional building construction practice is to install sufficient roof ventilation vents, for example, soffit vents (intake vents) in the lower border of a roof that overhangs the wall and gable end vents (exhaust vents) at the end of a pitched roof (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). 
     While roof ventilation is essential for optimum functioning of a house or building, at times soffit vents, gable end vents, and other roof ventilation vents can prove to be a detriment to that same house or building. For example, hurricanes or other intense storms regularly produce a strong wind blowing from one direction. The high pressure from the substantially unidirectional wind forces air into the vents on one side of the building with such force that the vents on the opposing side of the building may not be adequate to relieve the pressure, thus resulting in damage or destruction of the roof and/or ceiling. This often occurs either because the building was constructed with more vents on one side than on the opposing side, or because the vents on one side are blocked by debris or insulation. Damage can occur when the net free air flow allowed to escape on the low pressure, leeward side of the building does not equal the net free air flow entering the roof on the high pressure, windward side of the building. Additionally, even though roof ventilation vents may have louvers or baffles designed to keep water out, they are not designed to keep out water driven by hurricane force winds, so may allow water to intrude into the roof, walls, or attic. Testing has shown that winds of over 90 mph may even drive water through the soffit vents under the eaves. Additionally, roof ventilation vents can be damaged by flying debris propelled by severe winds, necessitating expensive repairs. 
     Another problem with conventional roof venting occurs in wildfires. Airborne embers, transported by winds or breezes, can be drawn into the vents as the vents are functioning in a normal manner by drawing air into the roof. 
     It would be advantageous to provide an easily attachable and easily removable, economical, non-permeable solid cover that could prevent wind and water from entering the exposed soffit, gable, and other roof ventilation vents during hurricanes and intense storms, that could prevent damage to the roof ventilation vents from flying debris, and that could prevent airborne embers from entering during wildfires. It would also be advantageous to have a non-permeable cover for covering vents during painting of the vent area to protect the vent from accidental paint spatters—saving time and effort in clean up and paint removal. Additionally, it would be an advantage for the non-permeable cover to be easily removable during normal conditions to allow proper roof ventilation. 
     A further problem with conventional roof venting concerns the exclusion of rodents, birds, squirrels, insects, and the like. Conventional roof vents could be improved by introducing a mesh cover that will exclude animals and/or insects, with the size of the mesh dependant on the animal or insects to be excluded. An economical mesh screen vent cover that can be utilized in new construction and that is cooperatively usable with a solid cover, providing a convenient method of attachment for the solid cover, as presented in the instant invention, is desirable. 
     Thus, with the need for a porous vent cover with a mesh appropriately sized for exclusion of the animals of interest and with the need in some situations for a removable solid vent cover, the current invention of an easy-to-install and easy-to-remove system providing a solid vent cover module and a screen vent cover module that are cooperatively useable is an advantageous solution to current roof ventilation problems. 
     Accordingly, there is an established need for a convenient, economical, multi-module vent cover system for a roof ventilation vent that provides a permanently installed screen module to prevent the intrusion of insects, rodents, squirrels, bats, or other animals that may gain access to the roof and/or attic and also provides an easy-to-attach and easy-to-remove solid module to removably cover the screen module to prevent a pressure differential, flying debris damage, water intrusion, airborne embers, and accidental paint splatters. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward a multi-module vent cover system for installation onto a roof ventilation vent including both a solid module and a screen module that are cooperatively useable to cover a roof vent, and are especially adapted for new construction. The solid module is configured with holes adapted to receive fastening studs extending from the screen module allowing removable mounting of the solid module over the screen module. The solid module is designed to removably cover the ventilation vent to prevent a pressure differential, flying debris damage, and water intrusion during hurricanes, to prevent airborne embers from entering during a firestorm, and to protect the vent against accidental paint splatters. The screen module is designed to permanently cover the ventilation vent and is designed with a mesh sized to exclude the animal or animals of interest from access into the roof and/or attic. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-module vent cover system for a roof ventilation vent that can be adapted for use with a wide variety of conventional roof ventilation vents. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a multi-module vent cover system for a roof ventilation vent that is economical to use. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-module vent cover system for a roof ventilation vent that includes a solid module that is configured to easily attach and easily detach to the screen module over the roof ventilation vent area. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a multi-module vent cover system for a roof ventilation vent will guard the screen module from wind, water, flying debris, fire embers, and/or paint splatters. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a multi-module vent cover system for a roof ventilation vent that will exclude an animal or animals of interest from the roof and/or attic. 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a building, showing airflow in a conventional roof ventilation system of the prior art; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view showing a first preferred embodiment of a small-sized screen module, utilizing a medium-sized screen module[,] having a screen with medium-sized openings and a solid module of the multi-module vent cover system for a roof ventilation vent of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view showing a first preferred embodiment utilizing a small-sized screen module having a screen with small-sized openings and a solid module of the multi-module vent cover system for a roof ventilation vent of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a first preferred embodiment of a rectangular screen module and a rectangular solid module and showing a second preferred embodiment of a triangular screen module of the multi-module vent cover system for a roof ventilation vent of the present invention, illustrating their application over soffit vents and over a gable end vent on the exterior of a building; 
         FIG. 4  is a detail perspective view, taken of circle  4  of  FIG. 3 , of the solid module of the first embodiment of the multi-module vent cover system for a roof ventilation vent of the present invention as installed over a soffit vent; 
         FIG. 5  is a detail perspective view, taken of circle  5  of  FIG. 3 , of the screen module of the first embodiment of the multi-module vent cover system for a roof ventilation vent of the present invention as installed over a soffit vent; 
         FIG. 6  is a cutaway end view along the lines of  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4  of the solid module and screen module of the first embodiment of the multi-module vent cover system for a roof ventilation vent of the present invention, illustrating installation over a soffit vent; 
         FIG. 7  is a cutaway side view along the lines of  7 - 7  of  FIG. 4  of the solid module and screen module of the first embodiment of the multi-module vent cover system for a roof ventilation vent of the present invention, illustrating its installation over a soffit vent; 
         FIG. 8  is a cutaway side view, as in  FIG. 7  but without the solid module installed, of the screen module of the first embodiment of the multi-module vent cover system for a roof ventilation vent of the present invention, illustrating its installation over a soffit vent; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view showing the solid module  60  of the second preferred embodiment of the roof ventilation vent cover of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view showing the solid module  60  of the third preferred embodiment of the roof ventilation vent cover of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view showing the solid module  60  of the fourth preferred embodiment of the roof ventilation vent cover of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view showing the solid module  60  of the fifth preferred embodiment of the roof ventilation vent cover of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a top view showing the screen module  70  of the second preferred embodiment of the roof ventilation vent cover of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a top view showing the screen module  70  of the third preferred embodiment of the roof ventilation vent cover of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a top view showing the screen module  70  of the fourth preferred embodiment of the roof ventilation vent cover of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 16  is a top view showing the screen module  70  of the fifth preferred embodiment of the roof ventilation vent cover of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward a convenient multi-module vent cover system  10  for installation onto a roof ventilation vent including both a permanently attached solid module  60  and an attachable screen module  70  that in combination are adapted to be utilized with a variety of shapes and styles of roof vents, and are particularly adapted for new construction or reconstruction of roof vents. 
     The solid module  60  of the multi-module vent cover system  10  is designed to removably cover the ventilation vent to prevent a pressure differential, flying debris damage, and water intrusion during hurricanes, to prevent airborne embers from entering during a firestorm, and to protect the vent against accidental paint splatters. The screen module is designed to provide an attachment point for the solid module while permanently covering the ventilation vent to prevent the intrusion of insects, rodents, squirrels, bats, or other animals may try to gain access to the roof and/or attic. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a building in the form of a residential dwelling or house  18 , representing an exemplary conventional application of roof ventilation vents, having a louvered gable end vent  25  installed in a gable end  22  of the house  18  and having a louvered soffit vent  20  installed under the eaves on a horizontally projecting soffit  15  of the house  18 . The intake airflow  11  flows into louvered soffit vent  20 , allowing the uptake of fresh air which passes through the roof  19  area, allowing exhaust airflow  12  from within the structure to escape to the atmosphere via gable end vent  25 . The intake airflow  11  and exhaust airflow  12  may either be designed to operate in an active manner with a conventional device increasing the amount of airflow or to operate in a passive manner. Although in general such a typical roof ventilation process is beneficial, in particular situations it is desirable to temporarily cover the roof ventilation vents  20 ,  25 . To this end is provided the solid module  60  of the multi-module vent cover system  10 . There is also a need to exclude particular animals of interest from access to the roof or attic area through the ventilation vent. To this end is provided the screen module  70  of the multi-module vent cover system  10 , preferably replacing the louvers. 
     The multi-module vent cover system  10  includes a solid module  60  used with a screen module  70  of the multi-module vent cover system  10  are illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The screen module  70  may be a medium-size screen module  70  having a more open mesh (as shown in  FIG. 2A ) or a small-size screen module  70  having a finer mesh (as shown in  FIG. 2B ). The screen module  70  is illustrated with two exemplary varying sizes of screen mesh to demonstrate the potential variability of the screen mesh size to meet the need to exclude particular animals of interest. For example, to exclude insects the smaller mesh of  70 ′ would preferably be chosen, while to exclude rodents and allow greater air circulation, the larger mesh (1 centimeter or over) of  70 ″ would preferably be chosen. The screen module  70  is illustrated with two exemplary varying sizes of screen mesh to demonstrate the potential variability of the screen mesh size to meet the need to exclude particular animals of interest. For example, to exclude insects the smaller mesh of  70 ′ would preferably be chosen, while to exclude rodents and allow greater air circulation, the larger mesh (1 centimeter or over) of  70 ″ would preferably be chosen. 
     The screen module  70  is designed to be permanently installed, preferably during new construction of the building or reconstruction of the vent area, over the opening forming the ventilation vent  20 ,  25 , such as is generally formed by rafters  32 . The screen module  70  is configured with projecting fastening studs  40  onto which the solid module  60  may be removably secured over screen module  70 . 
     As illustrated in the first embodiment of  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  3 ,  4 ,  6 , and  7  the solid module  60  includes a substantially solid-module planar base member  21 , four solid-module planar side members  26 ,  28 ,  36 ,  38 , and a planar first and second solid-module securing member  24 ,  34 . 
     For efficiency of manufacture, solid module  60  is preferably a unitarily molded unit of metal or plastic or other polymer. However, it is not required that solid module  60  be constructed as a unitary structure; in alternative, it may be formed of individual members and bonded together or mechanically joined together by conventional means. 
     In the first embodiment of  FIG. 2A  to  FIG. 8 , the solid-module planar base member  21  is substantially rectangular and is provided in a length and width slightly larger than the length and width of the screen module  70 . 
     Solid-module first longitudinal side member  28  ( FIG. 6 ) and solid-module second longitudinal side member  38  ( FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 6 ) are preferably formed integrally with (or, less preferably, joined to) the opposing longitudinal edges of solid-module planar base member  21 , substantially forming a right angle. A first solid-module lateral side member  26  ( FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 7 ) and an opposing second solid-module lateral side member  36  ( FIG. 7 ) are preferably formed integrally with (or, less preferably, joined to) the opposing lateral edges of solid-module planar base member  21 , substantially forming a right angle. The depth that the first solid-module lateral side member  26 , second solid-module lateral side member  36 , first solid module longitudinal side member  28 , and second solid module longitudinal side member  38  extend from solid-module planar base member  21  is slightly larger than the distance that screen module  70  protrudes. 
     The first solid-module securing member  24  and the second solid-module securing member  34  are preferably formed integrally with, or alternatively, joined to, the distal edges of first solid-module lateral side member  26  and second solid-module lateral side member  36 , respectively, substantially forming a right angle, and therefore, are in a plane substantially parallel to the solid-module planar base member  21 . First solid-module securing member  24  and second solid-module securing member  34  are configured with holes  14  ( FIG. 7 ) adapted to receive a fastening stud  40 . Holes  14  are generally disposed in a peripheral location, as illustrated. The solid module  60  is secured over screen module  70  via nuts  42  engaged on fastening studs  40 . The number, size, configuration, and positioning of the holes  14  may be varied as required to secure the solid module  60  over screen module  70 . 
     Preferably first solid-module securing member  24  and second solid-module securing member  34  are triangular with the wider base of the triangle shape attached to the edge of first lateral side member  26  and second lateral side member  36 , respectively 9 ( FIG. 4 ). The attachment of the wider base of the triangle to the lateral side members  26 ,  36  provides robustness and strength, while the narrower apex configured with hole  14  is compact, yet strong enough to allow convenient attachment via nuts  42  and fastening studs  40 . Additionally, the exterior edges of the solid-module securing members  24 ,  34  and of the longitudinal side members  28 ,  38  may be formed with rounded outward edges to promote safety during removal and installation. The rounded edges may be formed by rolling the edges, grinding the edges to achieve smoothness, or the like. 
     Turning now to the underlying and permanently installed screen module  70  onto which solid module  60  is removably attachable, screen module  70  includes a substantially rigid exterior frame member  45  ( FIG. 2B , FIG.  5 ), a foraminous intermedial screen member  50  fitted within the frame member  45 , a planar first screen-module securing member  61  configured with a first fastening stud  40   a , and a second screen-module securing member  62  configured with a second fastening stud  40   b.    
     The frame member  45  is generally thin and forms an exterior framework defining an interior central air flow space. The frame member  45  may be formed of a metal, a polymer, wood, or the like, but is preferably formed of a lightweight metal, such as aluminum. Frame member  45  comprises two generally thin, rigid lateral members  63 ,  64  ( FIG. 8 ) and two generally thin, rigid longitudinal members  66 ,  67  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     The planar first screen-module securing member  61  and second screen-module securing member  62  are substantially rigid, thin, planar, and generally triangular, being substantially parallel to the screen member  50 . Both the planar first screen-module securing member  61  and the second screen-module securing member  62  are configured with a fastening stud  40 , which preferably takes the form of a permanently attached bolt or stud. One of fastening studs  40  is securely attached to and projects downwardly from the planar first screen-module securing member  61  and another from the second screen-module securing member  62 . Fastening stud  40  may be pressed into the planar first screen-module securing member  61  and the second screen-module securing member  62 , or attached in a similar secure manner. Preferably the extending end of fastening stud  40  is configured with machine screws to allow easy engagement and tightening of a corresponding nut  42  ( FIG. 7 ), after the solid module  60  is positioned over the mesh screen module  70  and the fastening studs  40  are inserted into the holes  14  of solid module  60 . Preferably the nut  42  will be a wing nut for ease of application if a manual installation and removal of the solid module  60  is anticipated. 
     The frame member  45  is configured with securing holes  43  ( FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 8 ) used to fasten the frame member  45  over the ventilation vent via utilization of frame fasteners  44  ( FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 8 ). Frame fasteners  44  can be screws, nails, or other conventional fastening modalities, with the type of fastener chosen dictated by the material at the exterior of the ventilation vent to which the screen module  70  will be secured. For example, if the area at the exterior of the ventilation vent is wood, such as rafters  32 , preferably the frame fasteners  44  would be wood screws or nails. Frame fasteners  44  are illustrated as nails in  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8 . 
     For efficiency of manufacture, the exterior frame member  45 , planar first screen-module securing member  61 , and second screen-module securing member  62  are preferably a unitarily molded unit of metal or plastic or other polymer. However, it is not required that the frame member  45 , planar first screen-module securing member  61 , and second screen-module securing member  62  be constructed as a unitary structure; in alternative, the planar first screen-module securing member  61  and the second screen-module securing member  62  may be formed of individual members and mechanically joined or adhesively bonded to frame member  45  by conventional means. 
     The intermedial screen member  50  is formed of a porous material to allow air flow through the central air flow space defined by frame member  45 . Preferably the material forming screen member  50  provides apertures of a generally consistent size, with the aperture size dictated by consideration of the particular animal or animals to be excluded by the screen member  50 . The material forming screen member  50  may be any conventional screen or mesh material, such as, for example, wire mesh, woven wire mesh, wire mesh screen, woven wire cloth, wire cloth, wire cloth screen, wire weaving, metal cloth, welded wire fabric, or the like composed of fiberglass or other synthetic fiber, aluminum, vinyl-coated polyester, stainless steel, copper, or other corrosion resistant alloys, or the like. 
     The intermedial screen member  50  extends within the frame member  45  to the inside edges of frame member  45 , being securely attached to frame member  45 , preferably in a replaceable manner. The screen member  50  may be attached to frame member  45  in any conventional manner replaceable manner, such as, for example, frame member  45  may be configured with a grove along its interior edge into which the edges of the screen member  50  are pressed and held by a conventional spline or rubber-like strip, as is common in screen installations. Less preferably screen member  50  may be permanently attached to frame member  45 , such as by adhesives. 
     To use the multi-module vent cover system  10  of the present invention, the screen module is securely attached over a roof ventilation vent via frame fasteners  44 , preferably during new construction of a building or during remodeling or reconstruction of the soffit area. Frame fasteners  44  are installed through holes  43  in the frame member  45 . Then a layer of building materials such as plaster, stucco, or plywood  69  ( FIG. 8 ) is preferably installed over the planar first screen-module securing member  61  and over the second screen-module securing member  62  with the fastening stud  40  on both the planar first screen-module securing member  61  and on the second screen-module securing member  62  extending through the plaster or plywood  69  with sufficient extension to allow for attachment of the solid module  60  via nut  42 . Thus the screen module is preferably permanently installed. 
     When desired or needed, the solid module  60  of the multi-module vent cover system  10  of the present invention can be removably installed over the screen module  70 . The solid module  60  is placed over the soffit vent  20  in a position that allows the installed fastening studs  40  extending from the screen module  70  to extend through the peripheral holes  14  of the first solid-module securing member  24  and the second solid-module securing member  34 . Solid module  60  is then secured by engaging and tightening a corresponding nut  42  on each of the fastening studs  40 . When desired, to remove the solid module  60 , the nuts  42  are un-tightened and disengaged from fastening mechanisms  40 . 
     The permanent mounting of a fastening stud  40  provides for convenient repeated use of the solid module  60  of the multi-module vent cover system  10 . For example, the above steps to install the solid module can be performed for hurricane preparation; then after removal the solid module  60  can be stored until needed again, and then the above installation steps can be repeated for a second hurricane preparation, a wild fire risk, etc. 
       FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 12  illustrate a second, third, fourth, and fifth exemplary embodiment of the solid module  60  of the present invention. The second, third, fourth, and fifth exemplary embodiments of the solid module  60  are substantially similar to, and function in a similar manner to, the solid module  60  of the first exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2A  to  FIG. 7 , but illustrate the exemplary variations of shape to accommodate the conventional roof ventilation vents commercially available, and therefore, necessarily have a variation in the number of side members, in the structure of first solid-module securing member  24  and second solid-module securing member  34 , and in the position of the holes  14  in the solid-module securing members. 
     The solid module  60  of  FIG. 9  illustrates a triangular shape configured to fit over and to cover the screen module  70  of  FIG. 13 , such as gable end vent  25 , so therefore, has only three side members,  37 ,  38 , and  39 . First solid-module securing member  24  and second solid-module securing member  34  are disposed on side member  37  and side member  38  and are configured with holes  14  to receive fastening studs  40 , in a similar manner to the first embodiment. Although illustrated with only two solid-module securing members, an additional third solid-module securing member can be provided, if desired, for additional support. 
     The solid module  60  of  FIG. 10  illustrates a circular shape configured to fit over and to cover the screen module  70  of  FIG. 14 , so first lateral side member  26 , second lateral side member  36 , first longitudinal side member  28 , and second longitudinal side member  38  are preferably joined to form a preferably continuous circular side member  30 . First solid-module securing member  24  and second solid-module securing member  34  are disposed on opposite sides of the circularly shaped roof solid module  60  and configured with holes  14  to receive fastening studs  40 , in a similar manner to the first embodiment. 
     The solid module  60  of  FIG. 11  illustrates a circular shape configured to fit over and to cover the screen module  70  of  FIG. 15 , having side member  30  and also having the solid-module securing members joined to form circular solid-module securing member  33 , annularly disposed on the circularly shaped solid module  60 , substantially perpendicularly joined to the edge of side member  30 . Circular solid-module securing member  33  is configured with holes  14  to receive fastening studs  40 , in a similar manner to the first embodiment. 
     The solid module  60  of  FIG. 12  illustrates an octagonal shape configured to fit over and to cover the screen module  70  of  FIG. 16 , so has eight side members, and also illustrates eight solid-module securing members  16 ,  17 ,  41 ,  23 ,  24 ,  27 ,  29 ,  34  disposed on the eight sides of octagonally-shaped solid module  60  of  FIG. 12 , substantially perpendicularly joined to the edges of the eight side members, respectively. Solid-module securing members  16 ,  17 ,  41 ,  23 ,  24 ,  27 ,  29 ,  34  are configured with holes  14  to receive fastening studs  40 . 
       FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 14 ,  FIG. 15 , and  FIG. 16  illustrate a second, third, fourth, and fifth exemplary embodiment of the screen module  70  of the present invention. The second, third, fourth, and fifth exemplary embodiments of the screen module  70  are substantially similar to, and function in a similar manner to, the screen module  70  of the first exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 8 , but illustrate the exemplary variations of shape to accommodate the conventional roof ventilation vents commercially available, and therefore, necessarily have a variation in the number of sides comprised by frame member  45 , the shape of intermedial screen member  50 , the shape of screen-module securing members, and in the position of the holes  43  disposed within frame member  45 . Also demonstrated is the possible variation in the mesh aperture size. 
     The screen module  70  of  FIG. 13  illustrates a triangular shape configured to fit over and to cover a triangular vent, such as the conventional triangular gable end vent  25 ; thus frame member  45  is formed of three side members,  46 ,  47 , and  48 . Frame member  45  is configured with holes  43  to receive frame fasteners  44  ( FIG. 8 ), in a similar manner to the first embodiment. The screen module  70  is configured with multiple fastening studs  40 , including a third and fourth fastening stud, which are attached to and protrude from planar first screen-module securing member  61  and second screen-module securing member  62 , allowing the engagement of solid module  60 . 
     The screen module  70  of  FIG. 14  and of  FIG. 15  illustrates a circular shape configured to fit over and to cover conventional circular roof ventilation vents. Thus frame member  45  is preferably formed of a single continuous circular side framework  49 , and the intermedial screen member  50  is formed in a circular shape. The framework  49  of frame member  45  is configured with holes  43  to receive frame fasteners  44 , in a similar manner to the first embodiment. 
     The screen module  70  is configured with multiple fastening studs  40  which are attached to and protrude from a first screen-module securing member  61  and/or a second screen-module securing member  62 , allowing the engagement of solid module  60 . 
     The screen module  70  of  FIG. 16  illustrates an octagonal shape configured to fit over and to cover conventional octagonal roof ventilation vents; therefore frame member  45  comprises eight sides,  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57 ,  58 . Some or all of the eight sides  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 ,  57 ,  58  of frame member  45  are configured with holes  43  to receive frame fasteners  44 . 
     The screen module  70  is configured with multiple fastening studs  40  which are attached to and protrude from a first screen-module securing member  61 , allowing the engagement of solid module  60 . 
     In other aspects, the screen module  70  and the solid module  60  of the second, third, fourth, and fifth exemplary embodiment are substantially similar to the screen module  70  and the solid module  60  of the first exemplary embodiment described above. 
     As will be apparent from the five exemplary embodiments, the multi-module vent cover system  10  of the present invention is well adapted for use with a variety of roof ventilation vents of a variety of sizes, types, and shapes. The screen module  70  and solid module  60  have been shown in conventional vent configurations, meant to illustrate and not to limit the present invention to a particular size, type, or style. The number, size, configuration, and positioning of the various elements of screen module  70  and solid module  60  may be varied as a function of the material, the size, the shape, and the particular specifications of the vent area to be covered, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. 
     From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the multi-module vent cover system  10  of the current invention is well adapted to permanently exclude animals from entry into the roof area, while offering removable protection from wind, water, flying debris, fire embers, and/or paint splatters. 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.