Externally Baffled Ridge Vent With Fastener

Abstract

A roof ridge vent includes a receptacle adapted to receive a fastener and located in the top wall of the roof ridge vent. The fastener is embedded in the top wall and positioned in the receptacle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A residential and commercial roof generally serves utilitarian functions for building structures. Reliably heating and cooling building structures under those roofs can pose a number of challenges.

Roof ridge vents may be employed to promote air circulation in attics. Current attempts to secure roof ridge vents have been largely unsuccessful. There remains a long-felt need for a suitable means of making and installing roof ridge vents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in elevation of a roof ridge having an installed roof ridge vent in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of a roof ridge vent according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of a roof ridge vent according to FIG. 1 with a portion cut out to show detail.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the roof ridge vent similar to FIG. 1 having four sections.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of series of stacked roof ridge vents.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

There is provided a roof ridge vent. The roof ridge vent includes an elongate top wall secured to a pair of opposed outer sidewalls depending generally outwardly and generally downwardly from peripheral longitudinal edges of the top wall, and a pair of opposed end walls depending from opposite ends of the top wall, each of the outer sidewalls having a lowermost edge, and an upturned flange projecting from the lowermost edge. The roof ridge vent includes a receptacle adapted to receive a fastener and located in the top wall of the roof ridge vent. The fastener is embedded in the top wall and positioned in the receptacle.

There is also provided a method of installing a roof ridge vent onto a roof. The method includes providing a roof ridge vent having a nail embedded therein. The method includes positioning the roof ridge vent onto the ridge of the roof and nailing the nail embedded into the roof ridge vent into the roof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preliminarily, it should be noted that certain terms used herein, such as for example above, below, upper, lower, left and right, are used to facilitate the description of the invention. Unless otherwise specified or made apparent by the context of the discussion, such terms and other directional terms should be interpreted with reference to the figure(s) under discussion. Such terms are not intended as a limitation on the position in which the invention or components may be used. Indeed, it is contemplated that the components of the invention may be easily positioned in any desired orientation for use. Likewise, numerical terms such as for example “first”, and “second” are not intended as a limitation or to imply a sequence, unless otherwise specified or made apparent by the context of the discussion. The term “operatively connected” is understood to include a linking together of the portions under consideration and may include a physical engagement and/or a functional or operational connection.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 a roof ridge vent, indicated generally at 20, according to the invention. For purposes of clarity and simplicity, the roof ridge vent 20 may simply be referred to as the vent 20 herein. The illustrated vent 20 may be about four feet long, thereby requiring a plurality of vents to be employed in most roofing installations. The vent 20 may be produced in any suitable length. The illustrated vent 20 has means to create a “venturi effect” or air draft to draw hot air outwardly from the underlying attic

The vent 20 is shown applied to the ridge 24, or peak portion, of the roof 28. The vent 20 is shown above a plurality of shingles 32 on a plywood substrate 36. The vent 20 is shown above an opening 40 which provides an air ventilation passageway between the rafter 44 over the underlying attic area 48 and the ambient atmosphere 52. Typically, the shingles 32 may be secured to the plywood substrate 36 with nails applied by roofing nail guns or other suitable means.

The vent 20 allows for fluid communication between the attic area 48 and the ambient atmosphere 52. The term “fluid communication” may suggest a route and/or system of routes for the flow of a fluid. The term “fluid communication” may also suggest the traveling and/or transporting of a fluid. The term “fluid communication” may include [but is not limited to] the general ability or capacity for fluid to flow between the parts, sections, or components under consideration. The term “fluid” may include [but is not limited to] a substance having particles that easily move and change their relative position generally without a separation of the mass and that generally easily yield to pressure. It will be appreciated that fluids are generally capable of flowing. Nonlimiting examples of fluids include liquids and gases, including water, air, hydraulic fluids, and the like. A substance may be considered a fluid even though particles are entrained therein.

Each illustrated vent 20 provides a path of circulation for air exiting the building through the ridge opening 40. Air is directed generally laterally between the vent 20 and the plywood substrate 36 and through ventilation openings 56 in the outer sidewalls 60 of the vent 20. The term “wall” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, any generally structure or functionality which generally covers, encloses and/or divides something. FIG. 1 shows the sidewalls 60 of the vent 20 with only a few ventilation openings 56, while FIG. 1 shows the sidewalls 60 of the vent 20 with more openings 56. The illustrated vent 20 includes an elongate top wall 64 and a pair of opposed outer sidewalls 60. The top wall 64 is generally rectangular having opposing longitudinally-extending side edges, 68 and 72. The top wall 64 has a longitudinal centerline 76 about which the vent 20 optionally bends to accommodate the pitch of the roof and for ease of installation. The centerline 76 generally defines optional opposite wings, 80 and 84, of the top wall 64. The term “wing” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, any structure(s) or functionality which includes a generally rigid generally horizontal structure projecting from one or more sides. The wings, like many of the features shown herein, are optional. The top wall 64 need not be contoured and may optionally be generally smooth or generally contoured as desired. The term “smooth” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, any structure(s) or functionality having a generally even surface, which may be generally free from projections or indentations. The term “contoured” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, any structure(s) or functionality which includes a generally curving form.

The top wall 64 and sidewalls 60 of the vent 20 may be secured together. The term “secured” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, any structure(s) or functionality which is/are generally positioned or fixed firmly together. When two components under discussion are said to be secured, it is understood that this may also be understood to include the case in which they may be integrally formed.

The sidewalls 60 depend outwardly and downwardly from the peripheral longitudinal edges, 68 and 72, of the top wall 64. Each of the outer sidewalls 60 extends to a lowermost edge 88 which confronts the shingles 32 on the roof deck and includes a plurality of ventilation openings 56 located between the top wall 64 and the lowermost edge 88 of the sidewall 60. In addition, each sidewall 60 may include a generally upturned flange 92 projecting from the lowermost edge 88. The upturned flange 92 provides a wind baffle and helps to shield the ventilation openings 56 from unwanted windblown foreign objects. The flange 92 may also assist to draw air through the ventilation openings 56 and promote air circulation through the attic area 48 via the ventilation openings 56.

FIG. 1 shows a plurality of nails 96 embedded in the top wall 64 of the vent 20. The term “embedded” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, any structure or functionality which is generally fixed into the surface of something or surrounded closely by something. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows two rows of seven nails 96 each. The rows are generally aligned. The nails 96 may be of any suitable number, placement, type and size. A one-and-three-fourth inch ring-shank nail may be employed, as may be any suitable size. A suitable fastener may be employed in lieu of the nails 96 as desired. Each nail 96 is shown generally embedded in an optional generally hollow receptacle 100. The term “receptacle” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, any structure or functionality which receives and/or contains something. The illustrated receptacle 100 is generally cylindrical, but it doesn't have to be.

Each illustrated receptacle 100 includes an opening 104 at the top end of the receptacle 100. The term “opening” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, any structure or functionality which defines an aperture, breach and/or gap. Each illustrated receptacle 100 includes a closed bottom 108 at the bottom end of the receptacle 100. The optional receptacle 100 is a receptacle for the nail 96 and need not be round. The diameter of the opening 104 at the top end of the receptacle 100 may be generally smaller than the closed bottom 108 at the bottom end of the receptacle 100 to allow for the opening 104 to be fit with the nail 96. The term “diameter” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, any measurement of a generally straight line passing from side to side through a central region of a circle, sphere or shape. The term “diameter” may also be understood to include a chord or measure or length of a generally straight line passing through the center of a figure, body or opening. The respective shapes, sizes, numbers, and positions of the nails 96, openings 104 and closed bottom 108 may be varied as desired. When the closed bottom 108 receptacle 100 is employed, the point of the nail 96 optionally does not protrude through the bottom end of the receptacle 100.

FIG. 4 shows a plurality of braces 112a through 112m. The term “brace” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, any structure or functionality which generally serves to generally separate, strengthen or support. While FIG. 4 shows thirteen generally equally spaced braces 112a-112m, any suitable number and spacing scheme may be employed. As shown, a brace 112 may extend the entire width of the vent 20 or only a part of the width of the vent 20 as desired. The braces 112a through 112m are shown generally positioned at an angle with respect to the flange 92 projecting from the lowermost edge 88. The term “angle” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, any structure or functionality which generally defines or creates a corner. The corner may constitute a projecting part or an enclosed or partially enclosed space. The corner may be generally straight, generally curved or arced—or partially straight or curved. The term “angle” may also include the space between two lines or surfaces at or near the point at which they touch or intersect. The braces 112a through 112m may be positioned at any suitable angle.

When seven nails 96 are employed on each side of the vent 20, seven receptacles 100 may also be employed on each side of the vent 20. The receptacles 100 may be positioned generally adjacent to one or more of the braces 112a through 112m or be generally embedded in one or more of the braces 112a through 112m. The term “adjacent” may include [but is not limited to] structures or components situated generally near or generally close to each other, which may or may not be touching and/or connected. For example, seven receptacles 100 on each side of the vent 20 (or a total of fourteen receptacles 100) may be staggered and positioned generally adjacent to or generally embedded in braces 112a, 112c, 112e, 112g, 1121, 112k, and 112m. The seven receptacles 100 associated with the seven braces 112a, 112c, 112e, 112g, 112i, 112k, and 112m would each accommodate one nail—for a total of seven nails on each side of the vent 20. Assuming the same configuration on each side of the vent 20 as shown, a total of fourteen receptacles 100 and fourteen nails 96 may be employed.

Referring primarily to FIG. 4, the underside of the vent 20 may include wall segments 116 protruding generally downwardly. The wall segments 116 may be spaced apart and located at opposing ends of the underside of the vent 20. Any suitable number, placement, type and size of wall segments 116 may be employed. The segments 116 may be staggered or placed in rows.

The vents 20 may be stacked for packaging and transport, as shown in FIG. 5. The nails 96 may protrude through the top wall 64 by any suitable amount. The vent 20 may be any suitable thickness. As shown in FIG. 5, when the vent 20 is about one inch thick and the nails 96 are about one-and-three-fourths inch thick, the vent 20 can be stacked with little or no entanglement of the nails 96 and the adjacent vent 20.

In operation, the vent 20 with embedded nails is expected to ease installation of the vent 20 and save money. When using the vent 20, roofers and users of the vent 20 no longer need to precisely position loose nails where the embedded nails are placed. This may save time, labor and thus most likely saves money. This may save time required to remove nail from a laborers nail pouch—due to use of the embedded nails. This also prevents nails from being nailed in undesirable locations.

The vent 20 can be used in a method, or a wide variety of methods, of installing the roof ridge vent 20 onto a roof. The method might include, but is not necessarily limited to the following steps. The user may provide the roof ridge vent 20 having one or more nails 96 embedded therein. The user may position the roof ridge vent onto the ridge of the roof. The user may then nail, with a hammer or commercial nail gun or the like, the nail 96 embedded in the vent 20 into the roof.

The invention may be made from any suitable material and by any suitable method. The invention may be adapted to fit a wide variety of uses. It will be appreciated that the components of the invention may be easily modified as needed to accommodate varying sizes and shapes. The vent 20 may be constructed from a polymer material, such as for example polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, and/or a high impact copolymer polypropylene.

These definitions provided herein are provided solely to facilitate an understanding of the invention—not to limit the invention. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the accompanying description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The disclosure may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including equivalent constructions. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract and disclosure are neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor are they intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

1. A roof ridge vent comprising:

an elongate top wall secured to a pair of opposed outer sidewalls depending generally outwardly and generally downwardly from peripheral longitudinal edges of the top wall, and a pair of opposed end walls depending from opposite ends of the top wall, each of the outer sidewalls having a lowermost edge, and an upturned flange projecting from the lowermost edge; and

a receptacle adapted to receive a fastener and generally located in the top wall of the roof ridge vent,

wherein the fastener is embedded in the top wall and positioned in the receptacle.

2. The roof ridge vent of claim 1 further comprising one or more ventilation openings in the outer sidewalls.

3. The roof ridge vent of claim 2 wherein the fastener is a nail.

4. The roof ridge vent of claim 1 further comprising a brace wherein the receptacle is embedded in the brace.

5. The roof ridge vent of claim 4 wherein the receptacle is generally cylindrical.

6. The roof ridge vent of claim 5 wherein the receptacle includes a closed bottom at a bottom end of the receptacle.

7. The roof ridge vent of claim 6 wherein a diameter of an opening at a top end of the receptacle is generally smaller than a diameter of the closed bottom at the bottom end of the receptacle.

8. The roof ridge vent of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of ventilation openings in the outer sidewalls.

9. The roof ridge vent of claim 1 wherein the fastener is a plurality of nails generally aligned in rows.

10. The roof ridge vent of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of braces and a plurality of receptacles wherein the receptacles are embedded in the braces generally aligned in rows and the plurality of nails are generally aligned in rows.

11. A roof ridge vent comprising:

an elongate top wall; and

a fastener secured to the top wall of the roof ridge vent,

wherein the fastener is embedded in the top wall.

12. The roof ridge vent of claim 11 further comprising a pair of opposed outer sidewalls depending generally outwardly and generally downwardly from peripheral longitudinal edges of the top wall.

13. The roof ridge vent of claim 12 wherein the outer sidewalls have a lowermost edge and an upturned flange projecting from the lowermost edge.

14. The roof ridge vent of claim 11 further comprising a pair of opposed end walls depending from the top wall.

16. The roof ridge vent of claim 11 wherein the fastener is a nail.

17. The roof ridge vent of claim 11 further comprising a receptacle adapted to receive the fastener and located in the top wall of the roof ridge vent.

18. The roof ridge vent of claim 17 wherein the receptacle is generally cylindrical.

19. The roof ridge vent of claim 18 wherein the receptacle includes a closed bottom at a bottom end of the receptacle.

20. A method of installing a roof ridge vent onto a roof comprising:

providing a roof ridge vent having a nail embedded therein;

positioning the roof ridge vent onto the ridge of the roof, and nailing the nail embedded into the roof ridge vent into the roof.