Abstract:
A structurally adaptive flood vent device disposed to allow the passage of both air and flood fluid through and existent structure, in order to relieve buildup of excess water around a structure, while concurrently affording protection from intrusion of foreign matter. The instant design features constant aeration properties, in conjunction with automatic operation toward relief upon the onset of external structural flooding. Use of a door assembly which is entirely removed in an automated process upon flooding is featured.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention, defined in several embodiments, relates generally to multi-purpose vents for household and industrial usage. Specifically, the present invention relates to vents that allow the passage of both air and flood water, in order to relieve buildup of excess water around a structure, while concurrently affording intrusion protection. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The utilization of venting systems for directing a buildup of external fluid surrounding the lower particulars of an enclosed structure, into the aforementioned structure, in order to relieve stress from the foundation and allow for proper drainage and removal of the fluid through an internal drainage system. As illustrated in the state of the art, systems regularly include apparatuses with moving parts, such as hinged or rotating elements. 
         [0003]    With the advent of major flooding issues throughout many areas of the United States, national agencies such as Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a flood insurance division of FEMA, have set out to that building codes mandate that new and existing structures install flood and air ventilation systems within the foundations. 
         [0004]    To date, within FEMA defined flood zones, in order to obtain building permits and flood insurance for structures, whether newly constructed or substantially renovated that incorporate crawl spaces and/or unfinished basements, FEMA and the NFIP now require the installation of flood vents. However, current designs in the art either fail to operate automatically with the onset of flood water or fail to allow for a fully cleared opening after the vent function has occurred. 
         [0005]    Within the state of the art, the concept behind the utilization of flood vents finds basis in the reaching equilibrium between the water pressure upon the exterior and the interior of the foundation walls of the existent structure. In operation, as flood water rises around the foundation of the structure, the flood vent is designed to allow flood fluids to enter into the foundation/crawlspace, so as to equalize water pressure on the exterior and the interior of the foundation walls. In much the same theory as an in-ground pool, if the fluid were to be evacuated from the pool, the pressure of the surrounding underground area, against the structure of the sides of the pool, may cause severe damage to the structure of the pool walls, and in some cases total catastrophic failure. Thus, the existence of the fluid within the pool equalizes the pressure of the surrounding ground and the pool water against the walls of the pool. 
         [0006]    Therefore, it is understandably vital that flood water is allowed to flow freely into and out of a foundation, crawl space or other functional equivalent, in times of flooding, as if this condition is not afforded for, the constant, unidirectional pressure will eventually create great structural damage and given time, even catastrophic failure. 
         [0007]    Many concurrent designs of flood vents are disposed to allow for the flow of flood water out of the existing structure. 
         [0008]    However, such systems inherently fail when flood water surrounding the edifice rise to the level wherein the internal and external water levels reach equilibrium. Thus, in such an equilibrium state, water can no longer be evacuated from the space through the vent and the foundation area will become completely flooded. Additionally, many systems incorporate screen mechanisms which, upon operation in flood mode, allow for the accumulation of debris and subsequent blockage of flow. 
         [0009]    Thus, the ability to provide proper aeration and flood relief, without creating restrictions to flow is tantamount. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The instant invention, as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
         [0011]    Briefly stated, in one aspect of the present design, an apparatus disposed to allow the flow of fluids, particularly air and water, into a structure. Under normal circumstances, the instant system allows a flow of air which properly aerates the lower portion of an edifice in order to maintain structural integrity of the edifice. Under exigent circumstances, particularly structural flooding, the instant apparatus allows for the flow of water surrounding a structure, into a designated area within the structure, for evacuation to a proper drainage system. 
         [0012]    Additionally illustrated is a structural fluid control system adapted for mounting within an exiting structure, or a newly fabricated structure, particularly with the foundation thereof, comprising a favorable lack of permanently connected moving parts, to prevent blockage of flow. The instant apparatus and accompanying design prevents failure through seizing by not incorporating any rotational mechanical parts. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for installation within a foundation wall for air ventilation and passage of flood water is provided, wherein the system comprises a frame assembly disposed for straightforward installation into a foundation wall, wherein the foundation wall comprises a pre fabricated assembly receptacle area. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, the instant system may comprise a door assembly, wherein the door assembly is design to be removably attached to the frame assembly. The door assembly may include an area disposed to house a screen in order to allow for air flow and may be easily released in order to allow water into the structure. The door assembly may also comprise one or many blowout panels. 
         [0015]    The instant system may comprise a substantially “boxlike” construction and may be manufactured from many materials including polymers, metals and composites thereof. 
         [0016]    Moreover, the instant system strives to comply with, or be adaptable to, the following standards, including but not limited to:
       FEMA/FIA Technical Bulletin TB 1-93 “Engineered Opening Requirements”;   American Society of Construction Engineers (ASCE) 24-05 “Flood Resistant Design and Construction”; and   FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Regulations 44 CFR 60.3;       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0020]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a front assembly view of the system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a rear assembly view of the system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the removable door assembly, illustrating the screen assembly with the cover in place and the door post retaining devices in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and, chambers to trap air or other buoyant material. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    The present invention comprises a dynamic foundation and flood vent, disposed to allow a controlled flow of air for ventilation purposes, and fluid, for drainage of flood waters and such matter which may surround a commercial or residential structure. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, the vent may include a dynamically operational system comprising a frame assembly, designed to be embedded into the side wall of the lower portion of a structure, preferably a concrete or other such load bearing foundation. Additionally, the system may comprise a dynamic door assembly, wherein the door assembly comprises features which allow for both airflow and relief of flooding around the lower portion or foundation of an edifice. In operation, the lower portion of the door assembly should enclose air or a similar gas, which is lighter than water, or be substantially buoyant, such that upon flooding, a slight amount of water should be allowed to lift the door assembly in order to initiate the lift off process. 
         [0026]    Referring to FIGs and particularly  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the dynamically operational structural fluid control apparatus  10  comprises a frame assembly  20  in communication a lower portion of a structure, a door assembly  30 , wherein the entirety of door assembly is fully dynamic and wherein the door assembly  30  is in removable communication with the frame assembly  20  and wherein the door assembly  30  further comprises a screen assembly  40  and a removably attached screen assembly cover  50 ; and wherein the frame is disposed to be attached to a foundation of a structure and wherein said dynamically operational structural fluid control apparatus allows for a flow of fluids through the foundation. The screen assembly  40  may be press fit, molded or inserted in to the door assembly  30  and also may be composed of stainless steel. 
         [0027]    The screen assembly  40  will allow airflow while preventing intake of unwanted items such as waste mater traveling in the air, animals, insects and other foreign matter, unwanted within the interior of a structure. Furthermore, the instant design provides great merit as the screen assembly  40  is attached to the door assembly  30  and thus, when the door assembly  30  is automatically jettisoned under flood conditions, the screen assembly  40  goes with the door assembly  30 . In this manner, blockage by foreign matter during flooding conditions is vitiated, allowing continual, free flow to the pumping area. 
         [0028]    Thus the instant system allows for airflow to provide aeration for the lower portion of the structure in order to maintain a dry environment, in conjunction with affording the passage of flood waters into the internal space in order to create an equilibrium state and relieve stress on the structure. The door assembly  30  further comprises at least two door post retaining devices  31 . The frame assembly comprises at least two cam latches  21  disposed to retain the corresponding post retaining devices  31  and fixedly retain the two door post retaining devices  31  in normal operation mode. In additional embodiments, greater than two door post retaining devices and corresponding cam latches may be utilized. 
         [0029]    The door assembly may also include a lower portion  32  comprising a series of chambers  33 , retaining compartments  33  or air chambers  33  in which air, other materials or other fluids which are lighter than water, may be housed. Further, either in cooperation or independently, the lower portion  32  chambers  33  may be composed of buoyant materials or compositions, including but not limited to such polymer based products as Styrofoam®, and thus allow for a floating affect. 
         [0030]    The chambers  33  may be divided by a series of baffles  34  or fins  34  and the chambers  33  and the baffles  34  may also be intentional manufactured from a buoyant material. 
         [0031]    Further discussing the operational modes of the instant design, the vent door is disposed to be in the closed position at all times, until a flood occurs. In this mode, as discussed above, the screen assembly  40  There is a screened area on the door itself with a with the screen assembly cover  50  that will allow airflow to pass through while the flood door remains closed. 
         [0032]    Next, in the event of a flood, as the flood water rises, it will eventually rise to the level of the chambers  33  contained in the lower portion  32  of the door assembly  30 . As the flood water continues to rise, the air in chambers  33  is unable to escape as the flood water seals off the bottom openings in the chambers  33 . By design, an amount of the water will be able to flow and escape through the bottom area of the door assembly  30  but the water will continue to rise and begin to rise over the outside of the flood vent door at a faster pace than the water that escapes through the crevices between the door assembly  30  and the frame assembly  20 . 
         [0033]    As air is lighter than water and will have nowhere to displace, the door assembly  30  will be forced to rise vertically with the continued rising of the flood waters. As the water level rises, the entrained air will be displaced in between baffles or fins  34 . The rise of fluid will inherently cause the door assembly  30  to rise within the cam latches  21 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of cam latches  21  comprises a release opening  22 . With the onset of rising fluid, the release openings  22  are disposed to allow the door post retaining devices  31  to break free of the confines of the cam latches  21 . 
         [0034]    In operation, the door post retaining devices  31 , and of course the entirety of the door assembly  30  first move in vertical component until door post retaining devices  31  reach the area of the release opening  22 . Thus, the door assembly  30  will rise in the track of the cam latches  21  on each side of the frame assembly  20  and will move and inward as the flood water flows. This will continue until the door assembly breaks free of the frame assembly  20  on the bottom. At this time, a horizontal component of motion begins to be exhibited as the door post retaining devices  31  are allowed to exit the release opening  22 . 
         [0035]    This will allow for free flow of flood waters into the crawl space/foundation achieving the goal of allowing water to flow into the crawl space/foundation. There will be no obstructions in the opening as the entire door assembly  30  will wash into the crawl space/foundation. 
         [0036]    Thus, each of the individual cam latches  21  comprises a release opening  22  wherein the release opening  22  is disposed to allow the at least two door post retaining devices to move first vertically and second horizontally through said release opening  22  upon flood operation mode. 
         [0037]    The frame assembly may further comprise a set of opposing ribs  23 , located on the upper internal portion of the frame assembly and disposed to removably retain the door assembly  30  via physical contact with the upper portion of the door assembly  30 . The set of opposing ribs  23  may comprise at least three rearward ribs and at least two forward ribs. 
         [0038]    Addressing the retention of the upper portion of the door assembly  30 , the series of alternating or opposing ribs  23 , retain the upper portion of the door assembly during static mode. Subsequently, with the onset of rising flood fluids and simultaneous with the end of the horizontal component of motion wherein the door post retaining devices  31  are allowed to exit the release opening  22 , the door assembly begins to fall away from the opposing ribs  23 , and thus free of the entirety of the frame assembly. The door assembly will thus completely detach from the frame and float freely, allow fluid to pass through the frame and into the interior of the structure. In order to retain control of the door assembly  30 , the door assembly may be tether to the frame in such a way as to allow the door assembly to freely release, but not float away and become lost. 
         [0039]    In daily or non-flooding operation, the door assembly  30  is locked into place with the cam latches  21  in the bottom of the frame assembly  20  and door assembly  30  and there is a small lip  26  at the very rear of the frame assembly  20 , disposed to work in conjunction with the opposing ribs  23 , to keep the door assembly  30  from being pushed into the foundation by small animals or rodents, until the occurrence of a flooding event. Additionally, the water pressure will not allow the small lip  26  at the back of the frame assembly  20  to interfere with the door assembly  30  operation. Thus, the door assembly  30  cannot be pushed in as it must rise vertically at a slight angle and falls away from top in order to release. 
         [0040]    Additionally, to enhance secure mounting of the frame assembly into the structure, the frame assembly may possess a series of press fittings  24  which compress upon insertion into the mechanical opening in the structure wall and expand in order to retain the frame assembly within the mechanical opening. The frame assembly may further comprise a series of apertures  25  disposed on a left side portion and a right side portion of the frame assembly and wherein the series of apertures  25  are disposed for affixing or fastening the frame assembly  20  to a foundation and through the given hole. Each side of the frame assembly  20  may further comprise at least two apertures  25 . Te frame may also comprise at least one aperture  27  for receiving a tethering line. Consequently, the door assembly  30  may also comprise at least one aperture  35 , disposed to receive the opposing side of the tethering line. Ergo, as the door will be tethered, subsequent to the flooding event, the door assembly may be recovered and reinstalled. Additionally, the tethering device will be stainless steel. 
         [0041]    As the flood waters recede, the water will be free to flow out of the structure until the level of the water reaches the lowest level of the opening of the frame. After that, the rest of the flood water in the foundation may be pumped out and removed from the structure. Also, the screen cover assembly may comprise at least two latching mechanisms  51  for mating with the door assembly. 
         [0042]    Finally, the instant system may be made of many materials including polymers, metals and composites thereof. In one embodiment, the system may comprise a material with a rodent resistant additive, as is particularly suited for polymeric materials or plastics, which will deter rodents from chewing on the door assembly  30 , frame assembly  20  or constituent parts thereof. Products made of metals will not have a rodent resistant additive. The system may also be UV resistant. 
         [0043]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0044]    The Figures and the following description relate to preferred embodiments by way of illustration only. It should be noted that from the following discussion, alternative embodiments of the structures and methods disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viable alternatives that may be employed without departing from the principles of what is claimed. For purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the invention. 
         [0045]    Reference in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
         [0046]    Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. For example, some embodiments may be described using the term “connected” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. In another example, some embodiments may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context. 
         [0047]    As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present) and both A and B are true (or present). 
         [0048]    In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the invention. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. 
         [0049]    The figures and/or displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will be apparent from the description below. In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the invention as described herein. 
         [0050]    Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted that wherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figures depict embodiments of the disclosed system (or method) for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles described herein.