Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Enclosure or cover – with supplemental fluid-guiding port... – Attic vent
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-27
2001-10-30
Horton, Yvonne M. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Enclosure or cover, with supplemental fluid-guiding port...
Attic vent
C052S095000, C052S101000, C052S198000, C052S309100, C055S323000, C055S385100, C055SDIG003, C210S454000, C454S067000, C454S366000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308473
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to roof louver vents and more specifically it relates to a roof louver filter system for preventing snow from entering an attic of a building structure through a roof louver vent during inclimate weather conditions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Roof louver vents have been in use for years. Typically, a conventional roof louver is attached to the roof of the building structure. The roof louver typically has a tubular structure that extends through the roof of the building structure and extends from the exterior surface of the roof a finite distance thereby allowing moist air within the attic to escape the attic. A shield member is attached a finite distance above the tubular structure thereby allowing the escape of warm moist air while preventing the entry of precipitation such as snow, sleet or rain into the tubular structure. The shield member has an outer rim that extends downwardly in an attempt to prevent high winds from blowing precipitation into the tubular structure.
Unfortunately, during winter storms high swirling winds often times will force snow underneath the shield member of the roof louver into the tubular structure. The snow then either directly enters the attic or it is melted within the tubular structure and drains into the attic. The melted precipitation within the attic thereafter causes severe damage to the insulation and structure of the building. The water will also sometimes drain into the interior portion of the building causing water damage to the interior furnishings and sheet rock.
While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for preventing snow from entering an attic of a building structure through a roof louver vent during inclimate weather conditions. Conventional roof louvers allow rain and snow to enter the attic thereby allowing severe water damage to the building structure to occur.
In these respects, the roof louver filter system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of preventing snow from entering an attic of a building structure through a roof louver vent during inclimate weather conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of roof louver vents now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new roof louver filter system construction wherein the same can be utilized for preventing snow from entering an attic of a building structure through a roof louver vent during inclement weather conditions.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new roof louver filter system that has many of the advantages of the roof louver vents mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new roof louver filter system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art roof louver vents, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises an air permeable material that is formed into a U-shaped structure for being positioned within a roof louver. The U-shaped structure includes a front portion, a first side portion and a second side portion. The first side portion includes a first slanted edge and the second side portion includes a second slanted edge for conforming to the rear rim of the roof louver when installed. The inventive device is preferably constructed of a polyester fiber material thereby preventing water and insects from entering into the roof louver. The inventive device prevents snow from directly blowing into the attic of the building through the roof louver during inclimate weather conditions.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, 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 following 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 the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a roof louver filter system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.
Another object is to provide a roof louver filter system that prevents precipitation from entering an attic through a conventional roof louver.
An additional object is to provide a roof louver filter system that can be added to an existing roof louver.
A further object is to provide a roof louver filter system that does not interfere with the natural air flow through the roof louver.
Another object is to provide a roof louver filter system that does not interfere with the exterior appearance of the roof louver and building structure.
A further object is to provide a roof louver filter system that easily installs upon conventional roof louvers.
An additional object is to provide a roof louver filter system that reduces water damage to a building structure.
A further object is to provide a roof louver filter system that maintains the R value of the insulation by not allowing moisture to enter the attic.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.
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