Foundation Door-Vent with Insulation
InsulVent, the insulated foundation vent, is a crawl-space foundation vent that is designed to open from the exterior as a door. This allows the homeowner to easily open the vent to install insulation during cold weather and remove it during warm weather. The vent is unique because no other foundation vent is designed to open and close from the outside as a door. In addition to a removeable insulation block, the varmint screen is also removeable and replaceable. The door is designed to operate without hinges; however, a hinged version can easily be adapted.
NA
STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED R&DNA
REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”, ETCNA
BACKGROUND OF INVENTIONMost crawl space foundations have vent screens inserted between the cement blocks so as to allow for moisture to escape from under a house which helps prevent mold, mildew, fungi growth and wood rot. All existing vents can be opened and shut during the winter to keep the wind from blowing cold air under the house; however, most people find that closing the vent is insufficient for keeping the crawl space protected against the cold winter air. For years people have reacted to this situation by stuffing insulation behind the vent or propping something like a bail of straw or a piece of insulation in front of the vent. Both methods work, but propping or stuffing something in front of the vent is unsightly and crawling under a house is unpleasant.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTIONAn attractive permanent insulated foundation vent with a housing and door system that allows the user to both insert/remove a styrofoam insulation block or change a damaged crawl space screen by opening the vent door from the outside of the house. The unique and structurally attractive door system is designed to be permanent, easy to use, construction friendly and user friendly. It is designed to be used for both new construction and to replace existing vent systems
The invention will be described by way of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a foundation vent that opens from the exterior like a door and allows for the insertion or removal of a Styrofoam insulation block, the present invention is not limited to the above described embodiment, and various modifications in design may be used as a method of opening and closing the vent door
Claims
1. A vinyl frame that fits into a rough opening equal to the size of a cement block.
2. A vinyl door uniquely designed to open to the exterior without the use of a mechanical hinge, using an angle on the back side of the door configuration that allows it to swing forward and containing grooves for accepting a screen and insulation block.
3. A replaceable screen.
4. A small Styrofoam block glued to the top.
5. A larger Styrofoam block used for insulation. The foundation vent allows the owner the easy access of a door to react to changing climate conditions.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 17, 2008
Publication Date: Sep 17, 2009
Inventor: Richard Charles Brown (Cheboygan, MI)
Application Number: 11/608,608