Abstract:
A system for venting enclosed spaces between a roof and an attic space of a building may comprise an opening in a roof deck; wherein exterior roofing material overlies the roof deck and completely overlies the opening; wherein the roofing material comprises roof material segments; and wherein the roof material segments are in spaces between segments through which air flow can pass.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefits of Provisional Application 61/220,674 filed on Jun. 26, 2009. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to venting systems for building roofs and walls and, more particularly, to systems which provide for release of air from confined airspaces below to the exterior of the building. 
         [0003]    Many buildings are constructed with an intervening airspace below a roof and above an occupied area. For example, residential buildings may be constructed with enclosed attics or other enclosed spaces between a roof and an interior ceiling. For any particular building at any particular time, exterior temperature and humidity conditions may differ from interior temperatures and humidity conditions. These differences may cause moisture accumulation and heat buildup in the enclosed spaces. In order to avoid this phenomenon, it is accepted practice in the building industry to provide venting of these enclosed spaces so that temperature and humidity in the enclosed spaces may equalize with exterior conditions. 
         [0004]    Provision of such venting typically requires visible penetrations of roofs or attic walls. Such penetrations are subject to intrusion of rain, snow dust or sparks and are often costly and, in some instances, may be considered esthetically unattractive. 
         [0005]    As can be seen, there is a need for venting systems which are not visible from an exterior of a building. Additionally, there is a need for a venting system which may preclude intrusion of rain, snow, dust, and sparks or flames. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one aspect of the present invention, a system for venting enclosed spaces between a roof and attic space of a building may comprise: an opening in a roof deck; wherein exterior roofing material overlies the roof deck and completely overlies the opening; wherein the roofing material comprises roof material segments; and wherein the roof material segments have seams with spaces between segments through which air flow can pass. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of the present invention, a vent assembly for venting an interior space of a building to an exterior of the building, the vent assembly may comprise: a frame for attachment to sheathing or a roof deck of the building; a framed opening with a shape and size that corresponds to a shape and size of an opening in the sheathing or roof deck; and the frame having a thickness no greater than a thickness of an elevating batten support onto which segments of exterior building covering are attached. 
         [0008]    In still another aspect of the invention, a method for venting an interior space of a building to an exterior of the building may comprise the steps of: making an opening in sheathing or a roof deck of the building; attaching support for segmented building covering material adjacent the opening; and attaching the segmented building exterior covering material to the support: so that the building exterior covering material is elevated above the sheathing or roof deck; so that the exterior roofing material overlies the roof deck and completely overlies the opening; and so that the roof material segments are installed so that air can flow between the seams and spaces in the roof tile. 
         [0009]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a simplified perspective view of a building with venting in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a partial section view of the building of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a partial section view of the building of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B b  and  4 C are views of a vent assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D and  5 E are views of a vent assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0016]    Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
         [0017]    Broadly, an exemplary embodiment of the invention may comprise a system of venting enclosed spaces of a building through an opening in sheathing or the roof deck of the building over which segmented exterior building covering material may be placed. The segmented exterior building covering material may be elevated from a surface of the sheathing or roof deck so that air may flow through the opening and through openings between segments of the exterior building covering material. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a building  10  is illustrated in simplified form. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention a roof  12  may be provided with venting. The venting may be invisible to an observer outside of the building  10 . For purposes of illustration, areas of venting may be identified by the numeral  12 - 1 . 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  a partial cross sectional view of the roof  12  may illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a venting system in accordance with the invention. A roof deck  14  may have an opening  14 - 1  therethrough. The roof deck  14  may enclose an attic or other enclosed space  16  above a ceiling (not shown) of the building  10 . Battens or supports  18  may be attached to the roof deck  14 . Segments  20  of exterior roof material or exterior building covering material may be attached to the supports  18 . The segments  20  may be materials such as concrete or clay tile or segments of metal roofing. The segments  20  may be installed so that spaces between individuals ones of the segments  20  may permit air flow. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 , air may flow through he opening  14 - 1  and past the segments  20  so that humid and/or heated air may be vented from the enclosed space  16 . 
         [0020]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a vent assembly  22  may be placed over the opening  14 - 1  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The vent assembly  22  may have a thickness less than a thickness of the supports  18 . Thus the segments  20  may overlie the vent assembly  22  and the vent assembly may be invisible from an exterior of the building  10 . 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , an exemplary embodiment of one of the vent assemblies  22  may be seen in detail. The vent assembly may comprise a frame  22 - 1  and a screened opening  22 - 2 .  FIG. 4A  may illustrate a top side  23  (i.e., a side of the vent assembly  22  which when installed would be facing away from the sheathing or roof deck  14  of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4B  may illustrate a bottom side  24  (i.e., a side of the vent assembly  22  which when installed would be facing toward the sheathing or roof deck  14  of  FIG. 3 ). A main moisture diverter  22 - 3  may be attached to the top side  23 . Secondary moisture diverters  22 - 4  may also be attached to the top side  23 . The moisture diverters  22 - 3  and  22 - 4  may prevent incursion of moisture or rain water into the enclosed space  16  of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 4C , the bottom side  24  of the vent assembly  22  may be seen in detail. In  FIG. 4C , an exemplary embodiment of an installation arrangement of the vent assembly  22  is shown. The vent assembly  22  may be positioned adjacent to two of the battens or supports  18 . The vent assembly may have a rectangular portion  22 - 5  with a length L that is about the same as spacing between the supports  18 . The vent assembly may be provided with nailing holes  22 - 6  which are spaced apart a width W that corresponds to spacing between rafters (not shown) that support the roof deck  16  of  FIG. 3 . An adhesive strip  22 - 7  may be applied to the bottom side  24  so that incursion of rain water or moisture incursion may be precluded between the bottom side  24  and the deck  14 . 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5A through 5E , there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of a vent assembly  30 . The vent assembly  30  may have moisture diverters  30 - 1  which may preclude moisture or rainwater incursion. The vent assemblies  30  may have a chevron configuration with triangularly shaped openings  30 - 2 . In the case of the vent assembly  30 , the triangularly shaped opening  30 - 2  may be configured so that a single clay tile used as outer roofing material may overlie the entire opening  30 - 2 . 
         [0024]    The vent assemblies  22  and/or  30  may be constructed from sheet metal or alternatively they may be constructed as molded plastic units. When used on roof decks, the vent assemblies  22  and/or  30  may have an overall thickness of about ¾ inch so that they do not protrude above the supports  18 . 
         [0025]    While the vent assemblies have been described herein as roof vents, it may be noted the vent assemblies  22  and/or  30  may be employed to provide venting through vertical walls of buildings. The vent assemblies may also be used in conjunction with gable end vents, ridge vents, and soffit vents or dormer vents. For example, if a building has a large attic, some gable ends vents may be used and these gable ends vents may be supplemented with roof venting in accordance with the present invention and building code requirement. 
         [0026]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.