Patents Assigned to Smart Vent, Inc.
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Publication number: 20160298383Abstract: A flood vent includes a door pivotable within a frame between a closed position and an open position. A fluid trigger that is triggerable by a fluid to allow the door to pivot from the closed position to the open position includes a retainer and a fluid modifiable material. The fluid modifiable material is positioned between the door and the retainer thereby obstructing the door from pivoting from the closed position to the open position until the fluid modifiable material is modified by contact with the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: Smart Vent, Inc.Inventors: Winfield Scott Anderson, JR., Tom Little, James Rycek, Michael J. Graham
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Patent number: 6692187Abstract: A flood gate is provided that includes a frame defining a fluid passageway, a door pivotally mounted in the frame for movement between a plurality of open positions to permit flow of fluid therethrough, and at least one latching mechanism for holding the door in the closed position. The latching mechanism can release the door when the fluid force meets a preset level, by floatation, or by flow actuation. In addition, the latching mechanism can reset the door to the closed position when the fluid force acting on the door drops below the preset level. The door can include a ventilation opening, an automatic louver assembly for controlling air flow through the ventilation opening and a screen covering the ventilation opening. The flood gate may include a retention mechanism for preventing the door from opening when the structure in which the flood gate is mounted, such as an overhead garage door is rotated or otherwise moved.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Smart Vent, Inc.Inventors: E. Carl Sprengle, Sr., E. Carl Sprengle, Jr., Michael Graham
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Patent number: 6485231Abstract: A flood gate is provided which includes a frame defining a fluid passageway therethrough, a door pivotally mounted in the frame for movement between a plurality of open positions to permit flow of fluid therethrough, and at least one latching mechanism for holding the door in the closed position. The latching mechanism can sense a fluid force acting on the door and can release the door when the fluid force meets a preset level. In addition, the latching mechanism can reset the door to the closed position when the fluid force acting on the door drops below the preset level. The door can include a ventilation opening, an automatic louver assembly for controlling air flow through the ventilation opening and a screen covering the ventilation opening. The automatic louver assembly can contain at least one louver, a temperature sensitive actuating device and a member connecting the louver to the temperature sensitive actuating device and can open and close in response to ambient temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Smart Vent, Inc.Inventors: Martin J. Montgomery, E. Carl Sprengle, Sr.
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Patent number: 6287050Abstract: A flood gate for use in a foundation crawl space and the like comprises a frame having side walls defining a fluid passageway therethrough, a door pivotally mounted in the frame for bidirectional rotation between two open positions and a closed position therebetween to permit tidal water flow therethrough, and at least one catching assembly for holding the door in the closed position against a minimum level of pressure of the tidal water flow. Tidal flood waters exceeding the minimum pressure level are automatically vented through the crawl space and the like reducing a risk of structural damage from the tidal flood waters. The flood gate can further comprise a door having a ventilation opening, an automatic louver assembly for controlling air flow through the opening, and a screen covering the opening. The automatic louver assembly opens and closes responsive to ambient temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Smart Vent, Inc.Inventors: Martin J. Montgomery, E. Carl Sprengle
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Patent number: 5944445Abstract: A flood gate for use in a foundation crawl space and the like comprises a frame having side walls defining a fluid passageway therethrough, a door pivotally mounted in the frame for bidirectional rotation between two open positions and a closed position therebetween to permit tidal water flow therethrough, and at least one catching assembly for holding the door in the closed position against a minimum level of pressure of the tidal water flow. Tidal flood waters exceeding the minimum pressure level are automatically vented through the crawl space and the like reducing a risk of structural damage from the tidal flood waters. The flood gate can further comprise a door having a ventilation opening, an automatic louver assembly for controlling air flow through the opening, and a screen covering the opening. The automatic louver assembly opens and closes responsive to ambient temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Smart Vent, Inc.Inventor: Martin J. Montgomery