Patent Abstract:
A tile roof ridge row vent and the method of its use and construction are disclosed. The ridge row vent is designed for use with either barrel tile or flat tile. The tile roof ridge row vent includes an elongate member having a vertical section and a side section connected to allow air flow therebetween. The vertical section has a lower sealing skirt that extends under the top row of roof tiles and the side section includes plurality of ventilation openings angled downwardly and outwardly to allow air to exit the vent while preventing rain or other inclement weather from entering the vent. A second embodiment is shown for use with a single sided or mansard type roof. A third embodiment is shown for use in high wind and hurricane prone areas with an angled roof and includes an external baffle added to the ridge row vent. A fourth embodiment utilizing the ridge row vent with the external baffle is shown for use with a mansard type roof.

Full Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/721,359 filed Nov. 22, 2000 now abn. which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/651,038 filed Aug. 30, 2000 now abn. and these prior applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a ridge row ventilation system for angled tile roofs to facilitate the exhausting of hot air from the attic space beneath the angled tile roof. The ridge row vent of the current invention is equally suitable for roof tiles with a semi-circular cross section, commonly referred to as barrel tile, or flat tiles. 
     Typically, tile roofs have been constructed with the tiles laid in rows called courses. Adjacent courses overlap each other to allow rain to run off the roof. Such roofs are known for their durability. The primary problem with such roofs is the venting of hot air from the attic space under the tile roof. Previous construction techniques had the last or top row terminate at the ridge row or header board so there is no ventilation slot. A curved tile or cap tile is then secured to the ridge row header board. This cap tile curves downwardly to within a few inches of the top row of roof tiles on either side of the ridge row header board. Just prior to the cap tile being nailed to the header board, the space between the edge of the cap tile and the top row of roof tiles is filled with mortar to act as a sealer to prevent rain or other inclement weather from blowing under the edge of the cap tile. 
     This system works reasonably well in providing a weather tight roof but leaves much to be desired in allowing venting of the hot air in the attic space under the roof. With this system, hot air cannot be vented from the attic space beneath the roof. Therefore, there exists a need for a tile roof ridge vent that is economical, easy to install and efficiently vents the hot air from the attic space under the tile roof. Additionally, such a tile roof ridge vent with an external baffle would be desirable in high wind or hurricane prone areas to ensure wind driven water does not enter the ridge vent. It is the construction and method of use of such tile roof ridge vents to which the present invention is directed. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,637 to R. E. Mason discloses a roof ridge ventilator that uses a preformed metal louver that is installed under a roof ridge. Other types of roof ridge ventilators using a preformed louver installed under a roof ridge are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,285 to C. A. Cooper and U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,445 to J. P. Mankowski. 
     A system using a filter in combination with a ventilator is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,318 to M. J. Rotter. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,842 to M. P. Donnelly discloses a ventilator system using a system of interlocking blocks to elevate the ridge row and improve ventilation. 
     A venturi system specifically directed to tile roofs is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,071 to H. G. Kirkwood. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The tile roof ridge row vent of the present invention and the method of its use and construction is designed for use with a tile roof using either barrel tile or flat tile. The tile roof ridge row vent is designed to ventilate the interior space under a tile roof to the exterior. It includes an elongate member having a vertical section and a side section. The vertical section and side section are connected to allow air flow therebetween. The vertical section has a lower sealing skirt that extends under the top row of roof tiles and the side section includes plurality of ventilation openings angled downwardly and outwardly to allow air to exit the vent while preventing rain or other inclement weather from entering the vent. 
     The tile roof ridge row vents are designed for use with an angled roof having a first plurality of roofing tiles arranged in overlapping courses located on one side of the angled roof and a second plurality of roofing tiles arranged in overlapping courses located on an adjacent side of an angled roof. The roof terminates in a ridge row header board disposed between the first plurality of roofing tiles and the second plurality of roofing tiles. The roofing tiles terminate just short of the ridge row to form ventilation slots adjacent the ridge row header on each side. The ridge row vents are attached to the ridge row header board with the ridge row vents disposed over the ventilation slots to facilitate air flow from the interior space under the roof to the exterior. A plurality of ridge row cap tiles are secured to the ridge row header to prevent ingress of inclement weather and a sealing mortar is applied between the ridge row vents and the roofing tiles. The ridge row vents are formed of an injection molded plastic and typically are four feet in length. Additional ridge row vents are laid end to end along the length of the ridge row to allow full venting of the hot air in the attic space under the roof. 
     A second embodiment is shown for use with a single sided or mansard type roof. A third embodiment is shown for use with an angled roof and includes an external baffle added to the ridge row vent. This external baffle angles upwardly and outwardly away from the ridge row vent and ensures wind driven rain will not enter the ridge row vent. It is particularly suited for high wind or hurricane prone areas. A fourth embodiment utilizing the ridge row vent with the external baffle is shown for use with a mansard type roof. 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a ridge row vent particularly suited for use with tile roofs that is economical and allows full venting of the attic space under the tile roof. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a ventilation system for a tile roof that works with curved or flat tiles. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a ridge row vent particularly suited for use with tile roofs that is easy to install. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a ridge row vent with an external baffle for use in high wind or hurricane prone areas. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention are pointed out in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this disclosure. A full and complete understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings and description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are set forth below and further made clear by reference to the drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tile roof ridge vent installed on a typical angled roof. 
     FIG. 2 is a section view of the tile roof ridge vent of FIG. 1, taken along lines  2 — 2 . 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tile roof ridge vent, partly in section. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tile roof ridge vent installed on a single side or mansard style roof with flat tiles. 
     FIG. 5 is a section end view of the tile roof ridge vent of FIG. 4, taken along lines  5 — 5 . 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tile roof ridge vent installed on a typical angled roof. 
     FIG. 7 is a section view of the tile roof ridge vent of FIG. 6, taken along lines  7 — 7 . 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tile roof ridge vent, partly in section. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tile roof ridge vent installed on a single side or mansard style roof with flat tiles. 
     FIG. 10 is a section end view of the tile roof ridge vent of FIG. 9, taken along lines  10 — 10 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a typical angled roof is shown. Ridge row vent of the present invention is denoted generally by numeral  10 . Ridge row vents  10  are disposed on each side of ridge row header  12  of angled roof  14 . Ridge row header  12  sits atop ridge board  16 . Roof rafters  18  abut and are secured to ridge board  16  by nailing or suitable means as is well known by those of ordinary skill in the art and define the angle of the roof  20 . Decking or sheathing  22  is secured to rafters  18  by suitable means as nailing. Each side  24  of roof  20  is covered by a plurality of roofing tiles  26  laid in overlapping rows or courses  28  and secured to decking or sheathing  22  by suitable means such as nailing. Although roofing tiles  26  are shown as being semicircular in cross section, tiles  26  could be flat and work equally well. Ridge row cap tiles  30  are secured to ridge row header  12  by suitable means as nailing. 
     As best seen in FIG. 2, the upper end of roofing tiles  26  are sealed to ridge row vent  10  by mortar  32 . Decking or sheathing  22  terminates a short distance, typically ¾″ to 1″, from ridge row header  12  and ridge board  16  to form ventilation slot  34 . Hot air within the attic space below roof  20  can then flow upward through ventilation slots  34  and out through ridge row vents  10 . The height of ridge row header  12  and the size of ridge row cap tiles  30  are chosen so that air gap  36  is left to allow the aforementioned hot air to vent to the outside air. 
     Details of ridge row vent  10  are best seen in FIG.  3 . Ridge row vent  10  is composed of vertical section  38  and side section  40  molded as a unitary structure of a suitable thermal set plastic. Vertical section  38  and side section  40  are connected by air channel  42  allows the free flow of air upwardly and outwardly through ventilation openings  44 . Side section  40  with ventilation openings  44  is angled downwardly to minimize the ingress of weather elements such as blowing rain or snow. Primary baffle supports  45  are positioned periodically within ventilation openings  44 . Positioned between primary baffle supports  45  are secondary baffles  45   a.  Secondary baffles  45   a  help to prevent the ingress of inclement weather, such as blowing rain or snow. Any inclement weather entering through secondary baffles  45   a,  is stopped by the downward slope of ventilation openings  44  and can then run back out ventilation opening  44 . Vertical section  38  includes securing points or buttons  46  integrally formed on the rear of vertical section  38 . Securing points or buttons  46  allow proper spacing of ridge row vent  10  with respect to ridge row header  12  and ensure air channel  42  is positioned over ventilation slots  34 . Sealing skirt  48  is also integrally formed on the lower portion of vertical section  38 . Sealing skirt  48  can be bent to accommodate varying roof angles. At one end of ridge row vent  10  and formed on sealing skirt  48  is lip seal  49 . Lip seal  49  is designed to overlap sealing skirt  48  when ridge row vents  10  are laid end to end and prevent any leakage between adjacent ridge row vents  10 . Sealing skirt  48  is nailed to decking or sheathing  22  underneath roofing tiles  26 . As noted above, mortar  32  is applied between sealing skirt  48  and the upper end of roofing tiles  26  to ensure blowing rain or other inclement weather does not get underneath roofing tiles  26  to decking  22 . 
     A second embodiment showing roof ridge vent  10  in conjunction with a single sided or mansard style roof  50  is shown in FIG.  4 . Those items which are the same as in the first embodiment retain their numerical designations. Ridge row vents  10  are disposed on the side of ridge row header  12  of mansard roof  50 . Ridge row header  12  sits atop header board  52 . Roof rafters  18  abut and are secured to header board  52  by nailing or suitable means as is well known by those of ordinary skill in the art and define the angle of mansard roof  50 . Decking or sheathing  22  is secured to rafters  18  by suitable means as nailing. Side  54  of mansard roof  50  is covered by a plurality of roofing tiles  56  laid in overlapping rows or courses  58  and secured to decking or sheathing  22  by suitable means such as nailing. Although roofing tiles  56  are shown as being flat, tiles  56  could be of a semicircular cross section and work equally well. Ridge row cap tiles  30  are secured to ridge row header  12  by suitable means as nailing. 
     As best seen in FIG. 5, the upper end of roofing tiles  26  are sealed to ridge row vent  10  by mortar  32 . Decking or sheathing  22  terminates a short distance, typically ¾″ to 1″, from ridge row header  12  and header board  52  to form ventilation slot  34 . Hot air within the attic space below roof  50  can then flow upward through ventilation slot  34  and out through ridge row vents  10 . The height of ridge row header  12  and the size of ridge row cap tiles  30  are chosen so that air gap  36  is left to allow the aforementioned hot air to vent to the outside air. The opposite side of roof  50  is closed off by suitable sealing means as flashing  60 , well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     A third embodiment showing high wind area ridge row vent  100  in conjunction with a typical angled roof is shown in FIG.  6 . Those items which are the same as in the previous embodiments retain their numerical designations. High wind area ridge row vents  100  are disposed on each side of ridge row header  12  of angled roof  14 . Ridge row header  12  sits atop ridge board  16 . Roof rafters  18  abut and are secured to ridge board  16  by nailing or suitable means as is well known by those of ordinary skill in the art and define the angle of the roof  20 . Decking or sheathing  22  is secured to rafters  18  by suitable means as nailing. Each side  24  of roof  20  is covered by a plurality of roofing tiles  26  laid in overlapping rows or courses  28  and secured to decking or sheathing  22  by suitable means such as nailing. Although roofing tiles  26  are shown as being semicircular in cross section, tiles  26  could be flat and work equally well. Ridge row cap tiles  30  are secured to ridge row header  12  by suitable means as nailing. 
     As best seen in FIG. 7, the upper end of roofing tiles  26  are sealed to high wind area ridge row vents  100  by mortar  32 . Decking or sheathing  22  terminates a short distance, typically ¾″ to 1″, from ridge row header  12  and ridge board  16  to form ventilation slot  34 . Hot air within the attic space below roof  20  can then flow upward through ventilation slots  34  and out through high wind area ridge row vents  100 . The height of ridge row header  12  and the size of ridge row cap tiles  30  are chosen so that air gap  36  is left to allow the aforementioned hot air to vent to the outside air. 
     Details of high wind area ridge row vent  100  are best seen in FIG.  8 . High wind area ridge row vent  100  is composed of vertical section  102  and side section  104  molded as a unitary structure of a suitable thermal set plastic. Vertical section  102  and side section  104  are connected by air channel  106  that allows the free flow of air upwardly and outwardly through ventilation openings  108 . Side section  104  with ventilation openings  108  is angled downwardly to minimize the ingress of weather elements such as blowing rain or snow. Primary baffle supports  110  are positioned periodically within ventilation openings  108 . Positioned between primary baffle supports  110  are secondary baffles  112 . Secondary baffles  112  help to prevent the ingress of inclement weather, such as blowing rain or snow. 
     High wind area ridge row vents  100  also include external baffle  114  positioned adjacent ventilation openings  108 . External baffle  114  is molded integrally as part of high wind area ridge row vent  100 . External baffle  114  includes bottom channel  116 , side lip  118  and upper lip  120 . Side lip  118  and upper lip  120  are angled upwardly and outwardly from channel  116  to direct wind and wind driven water away from secondary baffles  112 . Drain slots  122  are molded into external baffle  114  at the juncture of bottom channel  116  and side lip  118  to ensure drainage of any water away from secondary baffles  112 . Any inclement weather entering through secondary baffles  112 , is stopped by the downward slope of ventilation openings  108  and can then run back out ventilation opening  108  and drain slots  122 . 
     Vertical section  102  includes securing points or buttons  124  integrally formed on the rear of vertical section  102 . Securing points or buttons  124  allow proper spacing of high wind area ridge row vents  100  with respect to ridge row header  12  and ensure air channel  106  is positioned over ventilation slots  34 . Sealing skirt  126  is also integrally formed on the lower portion of vertical section  102 . Sealing skirt  126  can be bent to accommodate varying roof angles. At one end of high wind area ridge row vents  100  and formed on sealing skirt  102  is lip seal  128 . Lip seal  128  is designed to overlap sealing skirt  126  when high wind area ridge row vents  100  are laid end to end and prevent any leakage between adjacent high wind area ridge row vents  100 . Sealing skirt  126  is nailed to decking or sheathing  22  underneath roofing tiles  26 . As noted above, mortar  32  is applied between sealing skirt  126  and the upper end of roofing tiles  26  to ensure blowing rain or other inclement weather does not get underneath roofing tiles  26  to decking  22 . 
     A fourth embodiment showing high wind area ridge row vent  100  in conjunction with a single sided or mansard style roof  50  is shown in FIG.  9 . Those items which are the same as in the previous embodiments retain their numerical designations. High wind area ridge row vents  100  are disposed on the side of ridge row header  12  of mansard roof  50 . Ridge row header  12  sits atop header board  52 . Roof rafters  18  abut and are secured to header board  52  by nailing or suitable means as is well known by those of ordinary skill in the art and define the angle of mansard roof  50 . Decking or sheathing  22  is secured to rafters  18  by suitable means as nailing. Side  54  of mansard roof  50  is covered by a plurality of roofing tiles  56  laid in overlapping rows or courses  58  and secured to decking or sheathing  22  by suitable means such as nailing. Although roofing tiles  56  are shown as being flat, tiles  56  could be of a semicircular cross section and work equally well. Ridge row cap tiles  30  are secured to ridge row header  12  by suitable means as nailing. 
     As best seen in FIG. 10, the upper end of roofing tiles  26  are sealed to high wind area ridge row vent  100  by mortar  32 . Decking or sheathing  22  terminates a short distance, typically ¾″ to 1″, from ridge row header  12  and header board  52  to form ventilation slot  34 . Hot air within the attic space below roof  50  can then flow upward through ventilation slot  34  and out through high wind area ridge row vents  100 . The height of ridge row header  12  and the size of ridge row cap tiles  30  are chosen so that air gap  36  is left to allow the aforementioned hot air to vent to the outside air. The opposite side of roof  50  is closed off by suitable sealing means as flashing  60 , well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The novel method of use and construction of my tile roof ridge row vent will be readily understood from the foregoing description and it will be seen that I have provided a novel ridge row vent for use with tile roofs of various types. Furthermore, while the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. The present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications, and is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4