OFF-RIDGE ROOF VENT
An off-ridge vent for a roof may comprise a longitudinally-extending main body having an arcuate lateral cross-sectional shape with two ends, a front flange extending from one lateral side of the main body, and a rear flange extending the other lateral side of the main body; two end caps, each end cap attached to and closing one of the ends of the main body, each end cap including a face portion which attaches to the main body and a side flange extending from the face portion; wherein, at least one of the end caps comprises a vented portion. The rear flange of the main body and the side flanges of the end caps may comprise return flanges that assist in redirecting any water that contacts the flange. The vent may overlay an aperture in the roof such that air may flow through the aperture and out the axial vent ends.
This application generally relates to roof vents. More specifically, this application relates to off-ridge roof vents that are wind resistant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere are many types of roof vents that are applicable to modern construction. In a house with a typical gable roof, the vents may be located on a ridge of the roof or at a non-ridge location. In particular, with tile roofs, a typical off-ridge vent comprises a goose-neck vent.
Goose-neck vents include a number of disadvantages. First, a typical goose-neck vent has a high profile. This high profile makes the vent more susceptible to the forces generated from high wind situations. Secondly, goose-neck vents include a serpentine path that air from the attic space must travel in order to exit the attic. In a forced air vent, the serpentine pathway may now provide a disadvantage. In a non-forced air vent, however, the air does not have a direct path to escape. The air first must go vertically upward, change direction and travel downward, and then change direction and travel back upward. As hot air tends to rise, the serpentine path may retard ideal venting.
As such, there is a need for a more efficient and wind resistant off-ridge vent. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are hereby submitted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn off-ridge roof vent may comprise a longitudinally-extending main body having an arcuate lateral cross-sectional shape with two ends, a front flange extending from one lateral side of the main body, and a rear flange extending the other lateral side of the main body; two end caps, each end cap attached to and closing one of the ends of the main body, each end cap including a face portion which attaches to the main body and a side flange extending from the face portion; wherein, at least one of the end caps comprises a vented portion.
In another embodiment, a roof assembly for use in high wind areas may comprise a roof deck, the roof deck having an aperture therethrough; at least one underlayment layer attached to a top of the roof deck; a vent overlaying the roof deck aperture and attached to the roof deck, the vent comprising a longitudinally-extending main body having two ends and an arcuate lateral cross-sectional shape, a front flange extending from one lateral side of the main body, and a rear flange extending the other lateral side of the main body; two end caps, each end cap attached to one of the ends of the main body, each end cap including a face portion which attaches to the main body and a side flange extending from the face portion; wherein at least one of the end caps comprises a vented portion.
A third embodiment may comprise a method of venting a tiled roof in a high wind area, comprising the steps of providing a roof deck having an outer surface and an aperture therethrough; providing a vent having a longitudinally-extending main body with an arcuate lateral cross-sectional shape, front and rear lateral flanges, and two axial vented ends, the axial vented ends comprising the sole vented portion of the vent; optionally providing at least one underlayment layer attached to an outer surface of the roof deck; attaching the vent to the roof deck such that the vent main body overlays the aperture in the roof deck; and attaching a tile to the roof such that a portion of the tile overlaps the rear lateral flange.
An embodiment of an off-ridge vent, generally identified by reference number 10, is illustrated in
As illustrated in
In one embodiment, main body 12 is formed from a single piece vent blank that is bent to form rear flange 16, longitudinally-extending arced portion, and front flange 14 portion. In such an embodiment, where main body 12 is bent from a single piece blank, the length, or longitudinal extent, can be readily adapted to desired lengths and may be selected based on the requirements of the particular roof to which it will attach. It is also contemplated that the main body 12 may be provided in one or more standard lengths that would be useful in the majority of roofs.
It is also contemplated that main body 12 may be formed from discrete portions. For example, the front flange 14, arcuate portion, and rear flange 16 may all be formed from separate pieces. Main body 12 may be formed from aluminum, aluminum alloys, stainless steel, or any of a plurality of other materials.
Vent 10 may further comprise end caps 20. End caps 20 may be formed from a single piece of appropriate material, or may be from a plurality of discrete elements. End caps 20 may include face portions 22 and side flange 24. As illustrated in
The vents or louvers 26 in end caps 20 may be configured to minimize the influx of rain. For example, the upper edge of each vent or louver 26 may be spaced outwardly relative to the lower edge of each vent or louver 26. Alternatively, if, for example, a series of apertures were used as the vented portion, the apertures may be punched from the inner surface of face 22 so that the borders of the apertures extend outwardly.
Vent 10 may be useful when used in conjunction with tiled roofs. In the embodiment illustrated in
Vent 10 may be manufactured from stainless steel, copper, aluminum, or other metals and metal alloys. Alternatively, vent 10 may be manufactured from a rigid polymer. If the vent 10 is manufactured from a rigid polymer, it is contemplated that the entire vent 10 may be molded as a single monolithic unit.
A second embodiment of an off-ridge roof vent, generally identified by reference number 110, is illustrated in
Vent 110 may therefore be installed directly to the roof deck 32 via adhesives and/or fasteners, and underlayment 36, 38 may be installed such that it overlaps flanges 114, 116, and 124. Fasteners and/or adhesives may also be used to install underlayment 36, 38 to the flanges of vent 110. Shingles or tiles 40 may then be installed such that they overlap underlayment 36, 38.
After vent 10 or vent 110 is installed on a roof 30, air may flow from the attic space or through a pipe, through opening 42 in the roof deck and into the vent 10 or 110, as generally illustrated in
It is contemplated that vents 10, 110 may have different lengths, heights, and radii of curvature based on different preferences, requirements, and building codes. In one exemplary embodiment, vent 10 may comprise front and rear flanges of seven inches, return flanges of one inch, a main body height of thirteen inches and a main body arc length, measured from front flange to rear flange, of approximately seventeen inches.
As stated above, the longitudinal extent of the exemplary vents 10 or 110 may also be any desired length. To that end, a third embodiment of vent 210 is illustrated in
A fourth embodiment of vent 310 is illustrated in
A fifth embodiment of vent 410 is illustrated in
The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the forgoing application. The invention, which is intended to be protected herein should not, however, be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, as these are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description should be considered exemplary in nature and not limiting the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims
1. An off-ridge roof vent, comprising:
- a longitudinally-extending main body having an arcuate lateral cross-sectional shape with two ends, a front flange extending from one lateral side of the main body, and a rear flange extending the other lateral side of the main body;
- two end caps, each end cap attached to and closing one of the ends of the main body, each end cap including a face portion which attaches to the main body and a side flange extending from the face portion; wherein,
- at least one of the end caps comprises a vented portion.
2. The off-ridge vent of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a continuously-curved cross-section.
3. The off-ridge vent of claim 1, wherein the main body does not comprise a vented portion.
4. The off-ridge vent of claim 1, wherein the end caps are mechanically fastened to the ends of the main body.
5. The off-ridge vent of claim 4, wherein the end caps are fastened to the ends of the main by an interlocking hem.
6. The off-ridge vent of claim 1, wherein the front flange and rear flange are substantially coplanar.
7. The off-ridge vent of claim 1, wherein the front flange, rear flange, and both side flanges are substantially coplanar.
8. The off-ridge vent of claim 1, wherein the rear flange further comprises a return flange, the return flange extending at an angle toward the main body.
9. The off-ridge vent of claim 8, wherein the side flanges each comprise a return flange, the return flange extending at an angle toward the main body.
10. The off-ridge vent of claim 1, wherein the side flanges each comprise a return flange, the return flange extending at an angle toward the main body.
11. The off-ridge vent of claim 1, wherein the main body, front flange, and rear flange are monolithic.
12. The off-ridge vent of claim 1, wherein at least one of the end caps includes an aperture therethrough, and wherein a vent insert is attached to the aperture.
13. The off-ridge vent of claim 11, wherein the vent insert is rotatably attached to the end cap aperture.
14. A roof assembly for use in high wind areas, comprising:
- a roof deck, the roof deck having an aperture therethrough;
- at least one underlayment layer attached to a top of the roof deck;
- a vent overlaying the roof deck aperture and attached to the roof deck, the vent comprising: a longitudinally-extending main body having two ends and an arcuate lateral cross-sectional shape, a front flange extending from one lateral side of the main body, and a rear flange extending the other lateral side of the main body; two end caps, each end cap attached to one of the ends of the main body, each end cap including a face portion which attaches to the main body and a side flange extending from the face portion; wherein at least one of the end caps comprises a vented portion.
15. The roof assembly of claim 14, wherein the front flange and rear flange of the main body are located under a portion of the underlayment layer.
16. The roof assembly of claim 14, wherein the front flange and rear flange of the main body are located on a top surface of the underlayment layer.
17. The roof assembly of claim 14, wherein a portion of at least one roof tile is installed over at least one of the front flange and rear flange.
18. The roof assembly of claim 14, wherein the vent is located on the roof assembly at a location other than the ridge of the roof.
19. The roof assembly of claim 14, wherein the rear flange of the vent further comprises a return flange, the return flange extending at an angle toward the main body.
20. A method of venting a tiled roof in a high wind area, comprising the steps of:
- providing a roof deck having an outer surface and an aperture therethrough;
- providing a vent having a longitudinally-extending main body with an arcuate lateral cross-sectional shape, front and rear lateral flanges, and two axial vented ends, the axial vented ends comprising the sole vented portion of the vent;
- optionally providing at least one underlayment layer attached to an outer surface of the roof deck;
- attaching the vent to the roof deck such that the vent main body overlays the aperture in the roof deck; and,
- attaching a tile to the roof such that a portion of the tile overlaps the rear lateral flange.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 5, 2007
Publication Date: May 7, 2009
Inventor: Daniel E. Osborne (Naples, FL)
Application Number: 11/934,819
International Classification: E04B 7/02 (20060101); F24F 7/02 (20060101);