Abstract:
A system and method for providing a deck drain vent system is disclosed. The deck drain vent system includes at least one panel disposed below a lower surface of a deck. The panel is substantially planar and has a bottom side and a top side facing and spaced apart from the lower surface. At least one vent penetrates the panel to allow fluid communication between the cavity and the bottom side. The deck drain vent system further includes a shaft lock secured to the vent. The shaft lock hinders liquids and debris from entering the vent, yet allows air to freely circulate between the cavity and a surrounding atmosphere.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to U.S. Provisional Application having Ser. No. 60/749,653 filed on Dec. 12, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application is further related to U.S. Provisional Application having Ser. No. 60/751,488 filed on Dec. 19, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to deck drainage systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a deck drainage system that includes a ventilation system for allowing gas to circulate between a cavity formed by the deck drainage system and the adjacent deck such that water vapor may escape and not collect within the cavity. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are a multitude of deck drainage systems designed to catch liquids and solids which pass through spacing of deck boards. All of these systems, however, do not allow air and gases to circulate between a cavity formed by the deck and the deck drainage systems. By not allowing gases to circulate, moisture collects within the cavity and enables mold, fungus, and bacteria to grow, as well as potentially leading to rotting of the deck structure. 
     There exists a need in the art for a deck drainage system that includes a venting system that enables gases to circulate between the cavity and ambient. In addition, the venting system should prevent liquids and solids from falling into the space beneath the deck or other elevated platform. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, a deck drainage vent system is disclosed. The deck drainage vent system comprises at least one panel disposed below a lower surface of a deck. The panel is substantially planar and has a bottom side and an opposed top side that faces and is spaced apart from the deck&#39;s lower surface. The top side and the lower surface form a cavity between the panel and the deck. At least one vent penetrates the panel to allow fluid communication between the cavity and a surrounding atmosphere. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a deck drain vent system consistent with embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a detail of a portion of the deck drain vent system depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  depicts an exploded assembly of the detail depicted in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a flow chart outlining a method for providing a deck drain vent system; and 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  depict components of a support member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show specific embodiments for practicing the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Embodiments may be practiced as methods, systems or devices. Accordingly, the following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     Referring more particularly to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts a deck drain vent system  100  consistent with embodiments of the present invention. The deck drain vent system  100  includes a deck  105  including a joist  110  and at least one panel  115  located beneath the deck  105 . The panel  115  of the deck drain vent system  100  includes at least one vent  120 . The vent  120  penetrates the panel  115  to allow fluid communication between a cavity  125  formed by the panel  115  and the deck  105 . In addition, the panel  115  may include a pitch relative to horizontal such that liquids and solids (e.g., rainwater, leaves, pine straw, etc.) may be gravity fed to a gutter system  130 . The gutter system  130  is configured to catch and divert liquids and solids which pass through spaces between deck boards of the deck  105  such that the cavity beneath the deck  105  remains substantially free of liquids and solids most of the time (i.e., after rain passes). 
     As stated above, cavity  125  is formed by panel  115  and deck  105 . The dimensions of cavity  125  may vary depending upon a particular installation. Generally, panel  115  may be located below the deck surface at distances ranging from about six inches to about 18 inches. Panel  115  may be formed by extrusion or bending a material via standard sheet metal forming techniques. Panel  115  may alternatively be formed of various forms of plastic formations which may be made by injection molding or extrusion. 
     To avoid cluttering  FIG. 1 , only a single vent  120  proximate the structure is depicted; however, it is understood that the deck drain vent system  100  may include multiple vents that may be spatially distributed in various patterns and distances. For example, the deck drain vent system  100  may include four vents, with one vent placed at each corner of the deck drain vent system  100 . The deck drain vent system  100  also may include multiple vents evenly distributed along the perimeter of the deck drain vent system  100  or, alternatively, vents may be spaced in a random or decorative pattern. While  FIG. 1  depicts a single vent  120 , it is contemplated that the deck drain vent system  100  may include multiple vents  120 . The vents  120  may be spaced so that a minimum or maximum number of vents  120  are included within a certain square footage of panels. For example, the vents  120  may be spaced such that there are three vents  120  for every ten square feet of panel surface area. In addition, the total number of vents  120  spacing may be such that a minimum or maximum combined area in plan view for vent openings exists for a certain square footage of panels. For example, the vents  120  may be sized and spaced such that there may be a minimum of one square foot and a maximum of two square feet of vent openings per ten square feet of panel area. 
     While  FIG. 1  depicts a deck drain vent system  100  attached to a house, it is contemplated that the deck drain vent system  100  may be used with free standing deck structures. For example, the deck drain vent system  100  may be installed under a gazebo. Furthermore, while  FIG. 1  depicts multiple interlocking panels  115 , it is contemplated that a single panel may be fabricated for locating under the deck  105 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a detail of a portion of deck drain vent system  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . Panels  115  may include a standing seam  135 . The standing seam  135  may be used to attach the panel  115  to the joist  110  via at least one support member  140 . The panel  115  includes a first sidewall  180 , a bottom wall  175 , and second sidewall  185 . As illustrated, the second sidewall  185  includes a u-shaped portion configured to surround the first sidewall  180  creating the standing seam  135 . While  FIG. 2  the depicts support member  140  as a mechanical clasp nailed to the joist  110 , it is contemplated that the support member  140  may be attached to the joist  110  in other manners such as bolting, use of an adhesive, or a combination of attachment techniques. It is further contemplated that the support member  140  may be constructed in a manner that would require no secondary components to attach the support member  140  to the joist  110 . For example, the support member  140  may be manufactured to include one or more protrusions that may be hammered directly into the joist  110 . In addition, while  FIG. 2  depicts the support member  140  attaching to the panel  115  via a mechanical clasp, it is contemplated that the support member  140  may attach to the panel  115  via other methods including but not limited to, welding, bolting, use of an adhesive, or a combination of attachment techniques. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the support member  140  may be manufactured from a variety of materials including but not limited to, plastics, metals, and ceramics and that the support member  140  may be a component of the panel  115 . For example, the panel  115  may be constructed of a plastic and include one or more protrusions that may attach directly to the joist  110 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts an exploded assembly of the detail depicted in  FIG. 2 . The panel  115  includes a vent  120 . The vent cover  145  may be attached to the panel  115 . The shaft lock  150  may be attached to the panel  115  and the shroud  155  may be suspended above the vent  120 . In addition, the shaft lock  150  may be attached to the joist  110 . The shaft lock  150  does not necessarily need to be the same shape as the vent  120 . In addition, the shroud  155  does not necessarily have to be the same shape as the vent  120  or the shaft lock  150 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  depict components of a support member  140 A,  140 B used in one embodiment of the present invention. Support member component  140 A may contain various holes  160  to enable the support member to be secured to deck  105 . Support member components  140 A and  140 B may be secured together via bolts or screws (not shown). Holes  165 A and  165 B may contain a threaded fitting  170  that may be press-fitted into holes  165 A and  165 B. While  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show the use of threaded fitting  170 , it is contemplated using a nut instead. It is further contemplated that threaded fitting  170  may be omitted and either or both of support members  140 A and  140 B may be tapped or the bolts or screws used to fasten support members  140 A and  140 B together may be self-tapping and require no additional hardware. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , panel  115  also comprises at least one vent  120 . Vent  120  may be comprised of penetrations in panel  115 , perforations, or corrugations. The penetrations may be of various shapes in plan view including but not limited to circles, rectangles, or other polygonal shapes. It is further contemplated that vent  120  may be of various sizes. For example, vent  120  may comprise circular openings ranging in size from one square inch to twelve square inches. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the vent  120  may also include a vent cover  145 . The vent cover  145  may be configured to provide a decorative appearance, to keep small animals from entering the cavity  125 , or to allow a person to access the cavity  125 . Additionally, complementary mating surfaces of the vent cover  145  and the panel  115  may be bonded together with a sealant. In general, the vent cover  145  may be an “off-the-shelf” product distributed by vendors such as GRAINGER or MCMASTER-CARR. For example, a foundation vent distributed by GRAINGER stock number 4KY88 or a breather vent distributed by MCMASTER-CARR stock number 4471K11 may be used as the vent cover  145 . In addition, the vent cover  145  may include a powered fan to facilitate air and gas communication between the cavity  125  and ambient. Furthermore, the vent cover  145  may be a screen material similar to that found on windows. The screen material may be secured to the panel via an adhesive or other attachment methods. 
     The deck drain vent system  100  may also include a shaft lock  150 . The shaft lock  150  may be attached to the panel  115  or to the vent cover  145 . The shaft lock  150  may be of varying heights. For example, the height of the shaft lock  150  may range from one-quarter of an inch to just below the lower surface of the surface  105 . Generally, the height of the shaft lock  150  may range from one-quarter of an inch to twelve inches. The shaft lock  150  may be configured such that liquids and solids falling into the cavity  125  will flow around the shaft lock  150  and not through the vent  120  to the area below the deck  105 . Fluid communication between the cavity  125  and the surrounding the environment is not substantially hindered as a result of the shaft lock. 
     The shaft lock  150  may be manufactured from various materials such as plastics, metals, or ceramics. Furthermore, the panel  115  may be manufactured such that the shaft lock  150  may be directly incorporated into the panel  115 . For example, the panel  115  may include an extruded section that forms the shaft lock  150 . In addition, the shaft lock  150  and the panel  115  may have complementary mating surfaces that may be sealed with a sealant, such as silicon, caulking, welded together, or soldered. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the deck drain vent system  100  may also include a shroud  155 . The shroud  155  may be configured such that liquids and solids which pass through the deck  105  do not fall directly into the vent  120  or the shaft lock  150 . In addition, the shroud  155  may also include a slope so that liquids or solids may be diverted onto the panel  115 . The shroud  155  may be attached to the deck drain vent system  100  in a various ways. For example, the shroud  155  may be attached to the joist  110 , the panel  115 , the shaft lock  150 , suspended from the support member  140 , or a combination of these and other techniques. The shroud  155  may have a surface area in plan view that equals or exceeds the area of the vent  120 . In addition, the shroud  155  may be of various shapes. For example, the shroud  155  may have an area ranging from one square inch to several square feet and be rectangular or circular. The shroud  155  may be manufactured from various materials such as plastics, metals, or ceramics. 
     While  FIGS. 1-3  depict various components of the deck drain vent system  100 , it should be understood that certain components may be omitted in various embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, referring to  FIG. 3 , the shroud  155  may be omitted while incorporating the shaft lock  150  without departing from the scope of the invention. Similarly, the shaft lock  150  or the vent cover  145  may be omitted while incorporating the shroud  155  without departing from the scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a flow chart outlining a method  400  for providing a deck drain vent system. The method  400  begins by installing a gutter system  410 . After the gutter system is installed, at least one vent  415  may penetrate the panels. Shaft locks may then be installed  420  as necessary. Next, shrouds may be attached  425  as desired. Last, at least one panel is located beneath a preexisting structure  430 , such as a deck. 
       FIG. 4  outlines various stages for providing a the deck drain vent system  100 . It is also contemplated that the various stages may be performed in a different order. For example, the panels  115  may be penetrated with vents  415  and the shaft lock  150  may be attached  420  before the panels are suspended beneath the deck  430 . In addition, attaching shrouds  425  may be the first stage of construction and installing the gutter  410  may be the last stage. Furthermore, various stages may be omitted in various embodiments of the invention. For example, attaching the shrouds  425 , attaching the shaft locks  420 , and/or installing the gutter  410  may be omitted. 
     Reference has been made throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “embodiments” meaning that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, usage of such phrases may refer to more than just one embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
     One skilled in the relevant art may recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, resources, materials, etc. In other instances, well known structures, resources, or operations have not been shown or described in detail merely to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
     While example embodiments and applications of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise configuration and resources described above. Various modifications, changes, and variations apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems of the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.