Extension for a turbine ventilator

Abstract

A turbine ventilator extension to increase the distance of a turbine ventilator from a roof line. By doing so the ventilator is not plugged by snow in winter climates and provides increased speed being higher above the roof line.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Turbine ventilators are utilized in the roofs of buildings to eliminate trapped heat and moisture. Such ventilators are available from companies such as Lomanco, Inc. of Jacksonville Ariz., GAF Materials Corporation of Wayne N.J. and MasterFlo of Burgaw N.C.

Turbine ventilators provide a solution to a number of ventilation problems relating to hot air being trapped below a roof. In particular when heat is trapped below a roof it results in:

1. Excessive heating and cooling costs.

2. Wet insulation as a result of moisture being contained in the hot air.

3. Paint peeling, and roof or wall damage.

4. Rotting of the infrastructure due to the trapped moisture.

5. Deterioration of the roof surface, such as crumbling, cracking and curling of shingles.

6. Buildup of mildew which may result in health problems.

Manufacturers of turbine ventilators suggest mounting the ventilator approximately two feet from the ridge peek to facilitate air flow for a cooling affect below the roof. Unfortunately due to severe weather climates that result in heavy snow fall, a standard ventilator becomes buried in the snow and is unable to exhaust the warm air below the roof, resulting in the problems listed above. One option is to remove the ventilator in the winter season, however this results in extra labour and if not properly sealed allows for the intrusion of snow beneath the roof. Snow entering the roof can soak insulation, rendering it ineffective as well as causing moisture damage.

The present invention is directed to an extension which raises the ventilator above the snow level to allow for year round usage of the ventilator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an extension for a turbine ventilator, the turbine ventilator having a turbine head and a turbine base, the extension in use being mated to each of the turbine head and the turbine base.

The present invention is further directed to a process for installing a sleeve extension to a turbine ventilator, the ventilator having a turbine head and a turbine base, the process comprising:

a) securing the turbine head to one end of the extension, through the use of fastening means; and

b) securing the turbine base to the opposing end of the extension through the use of fastening means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which aid in understanding an embodiment of the present invention and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating the use of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2B is a plan view of connection means for the embodiment of FIG. 2A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to FIG. 1 a plan view illustrating the present invention is shown. The present invention is an extension 10, which is attached to a ventilator head 12 and a ventilator base 14. Attachment of extension 10 to ventilator head 12 and ventilator base 14 may be accomplished in many ways. In one embodiment components 10, 12 and 14 may be attached through the use of sheet metal screws through holes 16. The positioning of holes 16 in FIG. 1 is meant simply to be illustrative of a means of attachment as holes may be placed in a number of positions to best secure extension 10 to ventilator head 12 and ventilator base 14. Other means of attachment could include bolts, soldering or glue, depending upon the material used to construct extension 10.

Extension 10 is manufactured to mate ventilator head 12 to ventilator base 14. In the current art extension 10 would be cylindrical having a diameter of twelve or fourteen inches. It is not the intent of the inventors to restrict the shape of extension 10 to a cylindrical shape, this serves only as an example of one embodiment. Although the most efficient shape for extension 10 is cylindrical, it is possible to construct extension 10 in any number of designs have a variety of horizontal polygonal cross sections to mate ventilator head 12 with ventilator base 14.

Extension 10 has a leading edge 18 and a trailing edge 20. In one embodiment extension 10 may be formed from a flat sheet of metal or plastic to allow for the creation of a cylinder of a desired diameter. The example shown in FIG. 1 is an embodiment that is manufactured as a cylinder and makes use of a plurality of rivets 22 to attach leading edge 18 to trailing edge 20.

Feature 24 indicates a sloped roof line to which ventilator base 14 is attached.

Referring now to FIG. 2A an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As opposed to using rivets 22 as shown in FIG. 1, leading edge 18 and trailing edge 20 are connected through the use of a rolled crimp formed in leading edge 18. Such a configuration works well with sheet metal and allows the extension 10 to be shipped flat to reduce on packaging and shipping charges.

Referring now to FIG. 2B a plan view of a connection means for the extension of FIG. 2A is shown. Leading edge 18 comprises a rolled crimp with a slot 30 to accept trailing edge 20. Edges 18 and 20 may then be secured through the use of a screw 32 or other connecting device. In the case of metal this may be solder or bolts and in the case of plastics heat or glue. In this embodiment holes may be predrilled in leading edge 18 and trailing edge 20 to accept screws 32 to facilitate quick instillation.

The advantages of providing extension 10 as a flat component are twofold, namely:

1. It allows for extension 10 to be manufactured as flat sheets which are more cost effective to manufacture and ship than an extension that has leading edge 18 and trailing edge 20 secured; and

2. It allows the installer to cut either leading edge 18 or trailing edge 20 prior to installation to make for a perfect fit.

As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art extension 10 may be manufactured in any vertical or horizontal length. Experimentation has shown that a twelve inch vertical length works well in Canadian climates and due to the increased height, the ventilator spins faster increasing the rate of ventilation.

Extension 10 may be made of any material such as plastic or sheet metal. An embodiment utilizing twenty six gauge aluminum has been found to be weather resistant and quite durable. Finally any finish may be provided to match the colours of the existing ventilator and base for example, black, brown, aluminum or galvanized.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. For example, it is not the intent of the inventors to restrict the materials of which extension 10 is manufactured or the fastening means. Any material and fastening means that are capable of long life in a harsh climate will be adequate for implementing embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An extension for a turbine ventilator said turbine ventilator having a turbine head and a turbine base, said extension in use being mated to each of said turbine head and said turbine base.

2. The extension of claim 1 wherein said extension is manufactured as an open ended cylinder.

3. The extension of claim 1 wherein said extension is manufactured as a single piece of flat material which may be formed into an open ended cylinder by an installer.

4. The extension of claim 1 wherein said extension is manufactured from metal.

5. The extension of claim 1 wherein said extension is manufactured from plastic.

6. The extension of claim 3 wherein said extension has a leading edge and a trailing edge, said leading edge mating with said trailing edge to create said cylinder.

7. The extension of claim 3 wherein said extension has a leading edge and a trailing edge, said leading edge and said trailing edge overlapping to create said cylinder.

8. The extension of claim 1 having a horizontal polygonal cross section.

9. A process for installing a sleeve extension to a turbine ventilator, said ventilator having a turbine head and a turbine base, said process comprising:

a) securing said turbine head to one end of said extension, through the use of fastening means; and

b) securing said turbine base to the opposing end of said extension through the use of fastening means.

10. The process of claim 9 further comprising the steps of;

c) determining the correct diameter for said extension and cutting a leading edge or a trailing edge; and

d) attaching said leading edge to said trailing edge through the use of fastening means.