BIRD-PROOF EXHAUST VENT COVER APPARTUS AND METHODS
Provided, herein is a bird proof exhaust vent apparatus, the apparatus comprising a top portion, the top portion comprising a vent inlet opening disposed for connection to an exhaust vent of a building structure, the exhaust vent apparatus further comprising a sidewall portion in connection with the top portion, the sidewall portion comprising an vertically oriented elongate sidewall portion forming a conduit and terminating in an outlet opening, wherein the conduit has a cross-sectional, dimension that is less than the wingspan of a target bird.
The present disclosure relates to exhaust vents, air inlets and outlets. In particular, the present disclosure relates to bird-proof exhaust vent covers.
BACKGROUNDExhaust vents, such as exhaust vents for clothes dryers and bathroom exhaust fans, allow birds to get into the exhaust duct and build nests. The resulting obstruction causes air flow issues, as well as safety issues, and results in increased operational and repair expenses, as well as increased utility bills. Known exhaust vents sometimes include a mesh screen to keep birds out, but the screen catches lint, dust, causing the screen itself to become an undesirable obstacle to air flow. For example, for clothes dryer vents having a screen, within a few weeks to months the screen becomes blocked by lint, causing the dry time to be extended (if the clothes dry at all). The dryer can overheat, again increasing operational costs, repairs and high utility bills.
Provided herein is a bird proof exhaust vent apparatus. The apparatus includes features to make it difficult, if not impossible, for birds to enter the vent or build nests in the vent or vent cover. The apparatus, in come embodiments, offers the further advantage of being low maintenance, requiring little to none in terms of cleaning and maintenance during its useful life (decades).
In an example shown in
The cover 10 includes several key features that prevent birds from building nests, obstructing, entering, or otherwise interfering with the vent 100 and vent louver 110, as well as the vent opening (not illustrated). In the example of
As shown in
Optionally, the sidewall portion 40 of cover 10 further includes a permeable sidewall portion 30 that is permeable to air flow. The permeable sidewall portion 30 in the illustrated examples is a screen, such as a metal wire mesh screen having square openings of about 0.5 to 1.0 inch. However, the permeable sidewall portion 30 can be of any material, such as metal, plastic, or other screen material compatible with exposure to the exhaust air and with environmental elements such as sun, rain, snow, wind, for example. Optionally, in the preferred embodiments, the permeable sidewall portion 30
includes a screen of significant opening sizes as to allow for ready exhaust air flow, while also permitting visual monitoring of the vent 100 and vent louver 110 function by a user from the ground under cover 10.
In the example illustrated in
Lastly, the cover 10 is adaptable to installation over existing, previously installed vents 100. As shown in
While the inventive concepts herein are illustrated in one embodiment, other embodiments are conceived and adequately described and enabled herein so as to entitle the inventor to a claim scope broader than the embodiment illustrated. Nothing herein is intended to narrow that scope.
Claims
1. A bird proof exhaust vent apparatus, the apparatus comprising a top portion, the top portion comprising a vent inlet opening disposed for connection to an exhaust vest of a building structure, the exhaust vent apparatus further comprising a sidewall portion in connection with the top portion, the side wall portion comprising an vertically oriented elongate sidewall portion forming a conduit and terminating in an outlet opening, wherein the conduit has a cross-sectional dimension that is less than the wingspan of a target bird.
2. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the vertically elongate side wail portion is a cross-sectional width of less than 7 inches.
3. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion is at least 8 inches long.
4. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 3, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion includes a permeable portion.
5. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 4, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion includes a permeable portion that comprises a screen material.
6. The bird proof-exhaust vent apparatus of claim 5, wherein the screen material comprises. a square mesh material.
7. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mounting portion configured for attachment to the building-structure.
8. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mounting portion comprises a back portion attached to the sidewall portion, the back portion comprising mounting means for attachment to the building structure.
9. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top portion further comprises louvers for opening and closing of the inlet vent opening.
10. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the vertically elongate sidewall portion is a cross-sectional width of less than 7 inches.
11. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 10, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion is at least 8 inches long.
12. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 11, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion includes a permeable portion.
13. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 12, wherein the vertically elongate sidewall portion includes a permeable portion that comprises a screen material.
14. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 13, wherein the screen material comprises a square mesh material.
15. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a mounting portion configured for attachment to the building structure.
16. The bird proof exhaust vent apparatus of claim 15, wherein the mounting portion comprises a back portion attached to the sidewall portion, the back portion comprising mounting means for attachment to the building structure.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 29, 2013
Publication Date: Jun 19, 2014
Inventor: Michael Timothy Carter (Laurel, MD)
Application Number: 14/014,196
International Classification: F24F 13/20 (20060101);