Foundation vent cover

Abstract

A foundation vent cover having generally rectangular body having a flat outside surface, an opposing inside surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge and a right edge. At least one leg is normally disposed along the left and the right edges, and a foot is disposed upon each leg. A plurality of apertures is defined between the outside and inside surfaces of the body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/398,731, filed Jul. 29, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to vent covers, and in particular to a vent cover for covering a masonry foundation vent in a building.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Vents installed in home foundations provide an exit path for noxious gasses such as radon, which may accumulate over time, to harmful levels. The majority of vents have a sliding portion which allows the vent to be opened and closed. Many foundation vents, especially those of older design, are considered to be unsightly.

[0006] The related art shows the development of more visually appealing vents and vent covers which function to seal a vent. The art does not, however, show a device that is capable of being retrofitted over existing vents in order to conceal, beautify and protect the foundation vent while at the same time permitting the vent to function normally.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,368, issued to Hempel, discloses an air vent cover having a central panel, side walls, end walls, and a peripheral mounting flange. The '368 invention differs from the present invention in that it completely seals its associated vent. The central panel also has no apertures nor a decorative design.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,130,659, issued to Compton, discloses a vent closure that is generally pyramidal in shape and is secured to a vent with a curved shank. The '659 invention differs from the present invention in that the present invention lacks a pyramidal structure and has a plurality of apertures to allow for air flow.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 2,843,035, issued to Jacks, discloses a foundation vent cover having a flat surface and an attached flange. The flat surface rests directly against the associated vent. The '035 invention differs from the present invention in that the present invention has several legs and feet which separate the flat surface of the invention from the associated vent.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,628, issued to Sarazen, Jr. et al., discloses a shallow-profile foundation ventilator having a body with at least one vent opening extending therethrough which is covered by a screen. The '628 invention differs from the present invention in that it cannot be retrofitted over an existing vent, and it also lacks the legs and feet of the present invention.

[0011] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is a foundation vent cover having a generally rectangular body with a flat outside surface, a similarly shaped opposing inside surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge and a right edge. At least one leg is normally disposed upon the left and the right edges, and a foot is normally disposed upon each leg. A plurality of apertures is defined between the outside and inside surfaces of the body.

[0013] The vent cover is ordinarily attached by its feet to the masonry surrounding a foundation vent. The top surface of the body is decorative and functions to hide the associated vent from view while still permitting regular vent airflow.

[0014] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to cover a foundation vent.

[0015] It is another object of the invention to cover a foundation vent in a decorative manner.

[0016] It is a further object of the invention to protect a vent from damage.

[0017] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

[0018] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a foundation vent cover according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vent cover as it is installed over a vent.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the present invention being inserted onto a vent.

[0022] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] The present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is a foundation vent cover 10, and has a generally flat and rectangular body 12 with an outside surface 14, an inside surface 16, a top edge 18, a bottom edge 20, a right side 22 and a left side 24. The invention further has at least two legs 26, 28 disposed generally normal to the body 12 along the right 22 and left 24 sides. At least two feet 30, 32 are disposed generally normal to the legs 26, 28. An aperture 34 is defined in each foot 30, 32 and is used preferably in conjunction with an appropriate fastener, such as a masonry screw or nail 33, to attach the vent cover 10 to a structure. The aperture 34 defined in the right foot 30 is not shown in this view but is identical to the aperture 34 shown on the left foot 32.

[0024] The outside surface 14 of the body 12 is ordinarily decorative in design with the actual design not being critical to the invention. Ordinarily the design would incorporate a plurality of apertures 36 which allow for a normal flow of air to and from the associated vent V. The legs 26, 28 hold the body 12 of the vent cover 10 away from the vent V itself. This allows additional air to flow into the vent V along the top 18 and bottom 20 edges of the body 12.

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates how a second embodiment of the vent cover 40 would be positioned over a vent V. Similar reference numbers denote similar structures in different embodiments. The vent cover 40 is sized and dimensioned to cover a standard 8×16 inch vent V and has two apertures 34 defined in each foot 30, 32. The number of apertures 34 in each foot is not critical to the invention. The body 12 of the vent cover 40 shown in FIG. 2 has a different decorative design than the body 12 of the vent cover 10 of FIG. 1. In all other respects, the vent covers 40 and 10 are identical.

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the vent cover 50. In this embodiment the vent cover 50 has legs 56, 58 and feet 60, 62 similar to those of the first two embodiments, except that the legs 56 and 58 extend from the inside surface 16 of the body 12 rather than the side edges 22 and 24. The legs 56, 58 are not normal to the body 12 but are canted outward, and the feet 60, 62 form an acute angle with the legs 56 and 58, giving a barbed appearance when viewed from the top or bottom, as seen in FIG. 3.

[0027] The legs 56 and 58 and feet 60, 62 are positioned such that they may be wedged into the opening defined in the foundation for a vent V. The tension generated by the resilience of the legs 56 and 58 and the feet 60, 62 against the inner surface of the vent V opening holds the vent cover 50 in place. In that way, there is no need for fasteners such as masonry screws or nails to secure the vent cover 50.

[0028] The present invention may be constructed of cast iron, galvanized steel, aluminum, plastic, copper or vinyl. One skilled in the art may easily alter the invention to alter the size and number of legs and feet. For example it is within the scope of the invention to have four smaller legs and attached feet positioned along the top and bottom of the left and right sides.

[0029] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A foundation vent cover, comprising:

a generally rectangular flat body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a left edge and a right edge;

a first leg extending perpendicularly from said left edge;

a second leg extending perpendicularly from said right edge;

a first foot extending perpendicularly from said first leg;

a second foot extending perpendicularly from said second leg; and

a plurality of apertures formed through said outer surface and said inner surface of said body.

2. The foundation vent cover according to claim 1, wherein said body is sized and dimensioned to cover a standard 8 inch by 16 inch masonry vent.

3. The foundation vent cover according to claim 1, including at least one aperture formed in each of said respective first foot and second foot.

4. The foundation vent cover according to claim 1, wherein said outer surface is a decorative surface.

5. A cover for a vent, said vent cover being surrounded by the walls of a building, said cover comprising:

a generally rectangular flat body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a left edge and a right edge;

a first leg extending perpendicularly from said left edge;

a second leg extending perpendicularly from said right edge;

a first foot extending perpendicularly from said first leg, said first foot being in abutment with a wall of the building;

a second foot extending perpendicularly from said second leg, said second foot being in abutment with a wall of the building;

a plurality of apertures formed through said outer surface and said inner surface of said body; and

at least one aperture formed in each of said first foot and said second foot.

6. The cover according to claim 5, wherein

said body is sized and dimensioned to cover a standard 8 inch by 16 inch masonry vent.

7. A foundation vent cover, comprising:

a generally rectangular flat body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a left edge and a right edge;

a first leg extending angularly from said inner surface wherein said first leg is canted toward said right edge;

a second leg extending angularly from said inner surface wherein said second leg is canted toward said right edge;

a first foot formed on said first leg and extending therefrom at an acute angle;

a second foot formed on said second leg and extending therefrom at an acute angle; and

a plurality of apertures formed through said outer surface and said inner surface of said body.

8. The foundation vent cover according to claim 7, wherein said body is sized and dimensioned to cover a standard 8 inch by 16 inch masonry vent.

9. The foundation vent cover according to claim 8, wherein said outer surface is a decorative surface.