Abstract: A roof ridge vent comprises a body including inner and outer surfaces, first and second ends, and first and second sides. First and second edge portions disposed at or about the first and second sides, respectively, include vent openings for the passage of air and baffles for shielding the vent openings. A central portion is disposed between the first edge portion and the second edge portion. The central portion has a first height, and the body tapers as it extends laterally outward from the central portion to the first edge portion and second edge portion such that the first and second edge portions have a reduced height.

Abstract: A roof ridge vent comprises a body including inner and outer surfaces, first and second ends, and first and second sides. First and second edge portions disposed at or about the first and second sides, respectively, include vent openings for the passage of air and baffles for shielding the vent openings. A central portion is disposed between the first edge portion and the second edge portion. The central portion has a first height, and the body tapers as it extends laterally outward from the central portion to the first edge portion and second edge portion such that the first and second edge portions have a reduced height.

Abstract: An insulated cover for a whole-house fan includes a base defining an opening for disposal over the whole-house fan, and first and second, oppositely disposed, ceiling doors each hingedly connected to the base. In a closed configuration the ceiling doors each sit at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane corresponding with a bottom surface of the base. The base and ceiling doors are formed from thermal insulation board.

Abstract: A roof vent includes a continuous elongate mat composed of a mesh of randomly oriented fibers. The mat has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a first longitudinally extending side surface. A portion of the mat proximate to and forming the first longitudinally extending side surface is configured as a wind baffle. The wind baffle includes a wind deflector lip, formed from the mesh, which extends above the top surface of the mat.

Abstract: A roof vent includes a continuous elongate mat composed of a mesh of randomly oriented fibers. The mat has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a first longitudinally extending side surface. A portion of the mat proximate to and forming the first longitudinally extending side surface is configured as a wind baffle. The wind baffle includes a wind deflector lip, formed from the mesh, which extends above the top surface of the mat.

Abstract: An insulated cover for a whole-house fan includes a base defining an opening for disposal over the whole-house fan, and first and second, oppositely disposed, ceiling doors each hingedly connected to the base. In a closed configuration the ceiling doors each sit at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane corresponding with a bottom surface of the base. The base and ceiling doors are formed from thermal insulation board.

Abstract: A roasting stand particularly adapted for use in imparting flavoring steam to a chicken or the like during the cooking process within an indoor oven, outdoor grill or the like. The roasting stand comprises an elongate hollow tube with an open end and a closed end, and a plurality of apertures provided around the circumference of the tube from medial portion and upwards toward the open end of the tube. The closed end of the tube forms a cavity for receiving a flavoring liquid such as liquid smoke. The roasting stand further includes a cap element for removably closing the open end of the tube, and a support base provided around at least a portion of the circumference of the closed end of the tube to support the tube in an upright position with the open end at the top thereof. Thus, the roasting stand will serve to supporting retain a chicken thereon and will deliver flavoring steam from the tube cavity to the inside of the body cavity of the chicken or the like during the cooking process.

Abstract: A barbecue grill including a lower housing, heating means and food support means positioned within the lower housing, an upper housing or hood adapted to enclose the lower housing, a smoke exhaust means provided in said upper and/or lower housing for allowing smoke to escape from within the barbecue grill, and a filter positioned within the smoke exhaust means for removing contaminants from smoke passing therethrough into the atmosphere.

Abstract: An adjustable filter uses an eight member frame construction to provide a wide range of filter sizes. A panel for encasing one or more layers of filtering materials within the frame is formed from a grid having a border which unevenly encompasses the crossbars of the panel in order to allow various sizes of panels to be formed without producing exposed barbs and without increasing the air resistance of the filter. An embodiment using an electric field is disclosed to enhance the filtering properties of the filter.

Abstract: A barbecue grill including a lower housing, heating means and food support means positioned within the lower housing, an upper housing or hood adapted to enclose the lower housing, a grease collecting grease pan mounted within the top surface of the lower housing so as to prevent heat flow therearound into the upper housing, and a plurality of apertures provided adjacent at least a portion of the perimeter of the lower housing to provide heat flow from the lower housing into the upper housing.

Abstract: A distributor apparatus and its method of operation for interconnecting a node of a bus in a node-limited serial data bus computer network to a plurality of subnode devices. A transmission on the bus is distributed or routed through the distributor to each subnode device connected thereto. A transmission from a subnode device is coupled to the bus through the distributor after the distributor selects one transmitting subnode device in the event that there are more than one subnode devices transmitting or requesting to transmit. Selection of one transmitting subnode device is carried out by rotating priority arbitration that occurs during an idle timing interval or quiet slot such that bus timing parameters are obeyed.

Abstract: A barbecue grill including a housing having a bottom surface, a heat source adjacent the bottom surface, a heat deflector positioned above the heat source for uniform heat distribution, a grease collection and drainage system, a food supporting grate and a removable hood. Heat is evenly distributed throughout the housing by the heat deflector, and grease from food on the food supporting grate is efficiently collected and disposed of by the grease collection and drainage system. The grease collection and drainage system is adapted to easily convert the barbecue grill to use as both a smoker and a steamer.