AU2017200420B2

AU2017200420B2 - A Ridge Vent

Info

Publication number: AU2017200420B2
Application number: AU2017200420A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Duane Todd DeGruchy; Michael Craig Lowe
Original assignee: Stratco Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Stratco Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-01-21
Filing date: 2017-01-20
Publication date: 2021-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 2037-01-20
Also published as: AU2017200420A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ridge vent for ventilating a roof space. According to one embodiment, the roof vent 10 includes a ridge skirt 20R, 20L, a chassis 30 and a cover 50. The chassis 30 is connected to the ridge skirt by suitable connection means, for example by rivets R1. The cover 50 is connected to the chassis 30 so that the connection means is located below the cover 50 whereby in use of the ridge vent 10, the cover 50 prevents rain from striking directly onto the connection between the chassis 30 and the ridge skirt 20R, 20L. 4#40 Figure12

Description

4#40

Figure12

A Ridge Vent

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved ridge vent for use on buildings. The invention has particular, but not exclusive, application on domestic buildings such as houses, garages and carports.

Background of Invention

[0002] Ridge vents are used to enable ventilation of roof spaces. Ventilation reduces the heat that can build up within the roof space during the summer season and also allows humid air to escape from the roof space. Proper ventilation thereby eliminates or at least reduces the need to provide artificial cooling to the living or work space of the building and also minimises the risk of damage due to dampness consequential to humidity within the roof space.

[0003] Ridge vents are designed to allow egress of air from the roof space but must also be designed to prevent rain entry. One common water entry point through ridge vents is through small gaps around fasteners used to assemble the roof vent or used to secure the roof vent to the roofing material. Another entry point is through the ends of the ridge vent that are meant to be closed off. If the ridge vents are not properly assembled or installed, rain will potentially flow into the ridge vent and into the roof space causing damage.

[0004] Ridge vents are typically assembled from quite a number of different components and thus assembly can be quite a time consuming process. If assembly is not conducted properly, there is a greater risk that the roof vent may leak allowing water entry into the roof space. It would be advantageous if the time to assemble roof vents of this type could be reduced, whilst still ensuring that the roof vent prevents rain entry into the roof space.

[0005] The discussion of the background to the invention herein is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of this application.

Summary of Invention

[0006] According to the present invention there is provided a ridge vent for ventilating a roof space, the roof vent including a ridge skirt, a one-piece chassis and a cover, the chassis is connected to the ridge skirt by connection means, and the cover is connected to the chassis so that the connection means is located below the cover whereby in use of the ridge vent, the cover prevents rain from striking directly onto the connection between the chassis and the ridge skirt and wherein the chassis includes at least one aperture to enable air to flow from the roof space and out through the at least one aperture and wherein the ridge skirt includes right and left side ridge skirts and the chassis is connected to each of the right and left side ridge skirts.

[0007] Preferably, the chassis is made from a sheet of material that has been folded or formed to the required configuration. The sheet of material may be formed with perforations or have apertures formed. The perforations or apertures provide the means through which air can be ventilated out of the roof space during use of the ridge vent.

[0008] The cover preferably extends over the chassis so that when viewed from above, the cover has a footprint substantially equal to or greater than the chassis or that part of the chassis which is perforated or contains apertures for ventilation. In this way, the cover also protects rain from passing directly through the apertures or perforations of the chassis.

[0009] The chassis is an elongate member and includes at least one lip extending along the length thereof. The cover is also and elongate member which has preferably been formed from a planar sheet of material. The cover includes a least one lip extending along the length thereof. The at least one lip of the cover is arranged to engage with the at least one lip of the chassis so that an upper face of the lip of the cover is located against or closely adjacent to a lower face of the lip of the chassis.

[0010] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the chassis includes right and left side lips and the cover includes right and left side lips. The right and left side lips of the cover are arranged to engage or mate with associated right and left side lips of the chassis. The connection between the cover and the chassis is preferably a "clip" type or "slide" type connection whereby the cover is "clipped" or "slid" over the lips of the chassis. Such a "clip" type connection is enabled by appropriate relative dimensioning of the cover and the chassis and because of the springn" in the cover due to its shape and material selection. Alternatively, the "slide" type connection is enabled by appropriate relative dimensioning of the cover and the chassis. The connection between the cover and chassis may adopt different forms but it should be such as to establish a connection between the cover and chassis which does not require fasteners such as rivets to extend through the cover. This thereby eliminates potential water ingress points in the cover due to the use of such fasteners.

[0011] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the connection between the chassis and the ridge skirt is made using at least one first fastener, such as a rivet. The rivet has an upper end which is located within a chamber at least partially defined by the chassis and the cover.

[0012] Preferably, at least one support is connected to the chassis by at least one second fastener having an upper end. The support is connected to the chassis prior to the cover being "clipped" to the chassis. The upper end of the at least one second fastener is located within the chamber defined by the chassis and the cover. Further, the roof of the chamber extends over the upper end of the at least one first fastener and the at least one second fastener so as to prevent rain from striking directly onto the upper end of the first or second fastener.

[0013] Multiple supports are preferably provided and are spaced along the length of the chassis to provide support for the cover along its length. The supports are arranged so as to maintain an air flow cavity below the cover even if the cavity is crushed due to a downward loading.

[0014] As the upper ends of the first and second fasteners are located within the chamber defined by the chassis and cover, and the cover is configured to extend over the upper ends thereof, they will not be directly exposed to rain that may fall on the ridge vent. Accordingly, if there are any small gaps or openings about the upper ends of the first and second fasteners, they will not be directly exposed to rain and are thus not a possible entry point for rain into the roof space. Accordingly, it is not necessary to strictly avoid creating such gaps or openings during the vent assembly process. Nor is it necessary to seal such gaps or openings during the assembly process. Thus, assembly of a roof vent in accordance with an embodiment of the invention can be completed in a timelier manner.

[0015] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the at least one support includes a spacer, in the form of a tongue, that is arranged to be located on or very closely to an upper part of the chassis so as to space the cover from the chassis by a required distance. The support provides support to the cover in the event that a generally downward loading is applied to the cover. The spacer limits or prevents deformation of the cover which may cause the cover to inadvertently unclip from the chassis or which may permanently deform the cover to establish a water pooling point thereon. As mentioned previously, the support also prevents "crushing" of the cover and thus helps to maintain an airflow path from the roof space and out of the roof vent even if the cover was to be damaged.

[0016] Preferably, the ridge vent includes at least one end cap. Preferably, the ridge vent includes first and second end caps. The first and second edge caps are fitted to the cover and chassis to provide first and second ends to the chamber and to help secure the cover to the chassis.

[0017] Each end cap preferably includes an overlap configured in use to overlap an upper face of the cover. The overlap preferably also overlaps a right and left outer side face of the cover. The overlap is provided to further prevent against water ingress into the chamber via the first and second ends of the chamber and to hold the cover to the chassis. The end caps are preferably made of a plastics material.

[0018] The end caps are preferably configured to support the elongate end portions of the cover in the event that a generally downward loading is applied to the ends of the cover. Such support limits or prevents deformation of the cover which may cause the cover to inadvertently unclip from the chassis or which may permanently deform the cover to establish a water pooling point on the cover. Support is preferably provided by one or more plugs extending from an inner side of the end cap and configured to be received within the chamber when the end cap is located on the cover and chassis.

[0019] As used throughout this specification, relative terms such as "above" and "below" and "upper" and "lower" are used in the context of the ridge vent being located on the ridge of a roof.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0020] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a ridge vent according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is an exploded isometric view of the ridge vent shown in Figure 1;

[0023] Figure 3 is an enlarged end view of the ridge vent shown in Figure 1 with the end cap removed;

[0024] Figures 4A to 4D illustrate the construction steps of the ridge vent shown in Figure 1;

[0025] Figures 5A to 5C illustrate end, side, and isometric views detailing a modified version of the end cap shown in Figure 1;

[0026] Figure 6 illustrates right and left side isometric views of the end cap shown in Figures 5A to 5C;

[0027] Figure 7 is an isometric view of a ridge vent according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

[0028] Figure 8 illustrates right and left side isometric views of the end cap shown in Figure 7.

Detailed Description

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a ridge vent 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention for use on a roof ridge. The ridge vent 10 is suitable for use with a 3-bend ridge. Figure 7 illustrates a ridge vent 100 according to a second embodiment of the invention and Figure 8 better illustrates the end cap 60" of the ridge vent 100. The ridge vent 100 is suitable for use with a rolltop ridge. The mode of assembly and use of the ridge vents 10 and 100 are the same. As such, to simplify the following description, assembly of ridge vent 10 will only be described.

[0030] Figure 2 illustrates by way of an assembly view, the components of the ridge vent 10. The components include right and left side ridge cap skirts 20R, 20L, a chassis 30, supports 40, cover 50 and first and second end caps 60.

[0031] The ridge cap skirts 20R, 20L in accordance with an embodiment of the invention are made from a sheet of folded metal. However, the form of the ridge cap skirts may vary and may, for example, be made from a flexible material. The chassis is made from a perforated sheet of metal which is folded or stamped into the required configuration. Supports 40 are also made from a piece of folded or stamped metal sheet. The end caps 60 are preferably injection moulded plastic end caps. It is envisaged that the various components of a ridge vent in accordance with embodiments of the invention may be made or constructed from materials other than as indicated.

[0032] To assemble the ridge vent 10, the first step is to connect each ridge cap skirt 20R, 20L to the chassis 30. Various different connection mechanisms may be used for this purpose including, for example, fasteners, adhesives, tabs, and welding. However, in accordance with the described embodiments, the connection will be achieved using rivets because of their ease of use. Accordingly, the right side ridge cap skirt 20R is riveted to the right side of the chassis 30 and the left side ridge cap skirt 20L is riveted to the left side of the chassis 30. As clearly shown in Figures 4A and 4B, rivets R1 are used to establish the required connection between the chassis and the side of the skirt 20R, 20L. The rivets R1 are spaced along the length direction of the chassis 30.

[0033] Supports 40 are then secured to the chassis 30 and through the ridge cap skirts 20 using rivets R2. The supports 40 are preferably spaced along the length of the chassis 30 at regular intervals as shown in Figure 4B. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each support 40 adopts a generally U-shaped inverted configuration and includes a tongue 42 that extends downwardly from one side of the top flat 44 of the support 40.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the lower edge of the tongue 42 is arranged to be located on or very closely to the top flat 32 of the chassis 30. Accordingly, when the cover 50 is connected to the chassis 30, the supports 40 and more particularly the tongues 42 of the supports 40 in conjunction with the chassis 30 support the cover 50 so that it maintains the desired profile. This is important to prevent inadvertent disconnection of the cover 50 from the chassis 30 and/or pooling of water on the cover 50 which may occur if the cover 50 was to sag or be permanently deformed. Further, the tongues 42 of the supports 40 in conjunction with the chassis 30 provide additional strength to prevent damage to the shape of the cover 50 if, for example, the cover 50 is walked on or subject to some other form of downward load. This maintains an air flow cavity and/or air flow path for air ventilating from the roof space.

[0035] As shown in Figures 4C, cover 50 is then attached to the chassis 30 over the supports 40. The connection between the chassis 30 and cover 50 is best illustrated in Figure 3. Chassis 30 includes right and left side lips 32R, 32L that extend longitudinally along the length of the chassis 30. The right and left side lips 32R, 32L of the chassis 30 are arranged to engage with associated right and left side lips 52R, 52L of the cover 50 that extend longitudinally thereof when the cover 50 is connected to the chassis 30. As shown in Figure 3, the lips 32R, 32L of the chassis are directed outwardly so that the exposed outermost face of each lip 32R, 32L establishes the outermost part of the chassis 30 relevant to the central vertical plane thereof. In contrast, the right and left side lips 52R, 52L of the cover 54 are directed inwardly away from their associated elongate outer side face 54R, 54L of the cover 50.

[0036] When the cover 50 is connected to the chassis 30, the upper face of the right side lip 52R of the cover 50 is located against the lower face of the right side lip

32R of the chassis 30. Similarly, the upper face of the left side lip 52L of the cover 50 is located against the lower face of the left side lip 32L of the chassis 30.

[0037] The connection between the cover 50 and chassis 30 is preferably a "clip" or "slide" type connection whereby the cover 50 is "clipped" or "slid" over or under the lips 32R, 32L of the chassis 30. As will be appreciated from an examination of Figure 3, the connection between the cover 50 and chassis 30 is such that the cover 50 cannot be lifted off the chassis 30 unless the engagement between the lips 52R, 52L of the cover 50 is intentionally disengaged from the lips 32R, 32L of the chassis 30.

[0038] As also best seen in Figure 3, the heads of the rivets R1 and heads of the rivets R2 are all located within respective right and left sides of a chamber C defined at least in part by the cover 50 and the chassis 30 and are covered by the cover 50 which extends over thereof. The chamber C has a roof which is formed by the cover and which does not have any apertures for allowing water ingress into the chamber C. As also shown in Figures 1 and 3, cover 50 when viewed from above has a footprint that is substantially equal to the footprint of the chassis 30. In this way, the cover 50 extends fully over the chassis 30 preventing rain from striking directly onto the chassis 30 or, if the chassis 30 was to adopt a different shape, the cover 50 prevents rain from striking at least directly onto that portion of the chassis 30 that contains apertures or perforations.

[0039] The heads or upper ends of the rivets R1, R2 are located within the chamber C and are covered by the roof thereof and as such are not directly contactable by any rain that may fall on the cover 50 of the ridge vent 10. Also, if there are any small gaps about the upper end or head of any of the rivets R1, R2 they also will not be exposed to any direct rain and thus are not a possible entry point for rain.

[0040] It will also be apparent from Figure 3 that rain striking the cover 50 of the ridge vent 10 will be directed to flow towards either the right or left outer side faces 54R, 54L of the cover 50 due to the angular configuration of the upper most part of the cover 50. Such water will then either drip directly onto the associated ridge cap skirt 20R, 20L or may run onto the underside of the associated right and left side lips

52R, 52L of the cover 50, before then dripping onto the associated ridge cap skirt R, 20L. Water that lands on the ridge cap skirt 20R, 20L will then flow away from the ridge vent 10 due to the angular configuration of the ridge cap skirts 20R, 20L. Accordingly, there is decreased likelihood that any water will flow into or be blown into the chamber C of the ridge vent 10.

[0041] It will also be noted from Figure 3 that the right and left side faces 54R, 54L of the cover 50 are located further outwardly from the central plane of the ridge vent than the right and left angled side faces 30R, 30L of the chassis 30. Accordingly, the outer most parts of the cover 50 overhang the angled side faces 30R, 30L of the chassis 30.

[0042] The final step in assembling the ridge vent 10 is to attach an end cap 60 to either end of the ridge vent 10. End caps 60 are configured so as to fit within the open ends of the chamber C so as to prevent water ingress, to provide support for the cover 50 and to help hold the cover 50 and the chassis 30 together. To this end, and as best shown in Figures 2 and 6, each end cap 60 includes one or more, but preferably two main protrusions 62 configured in use to be received within respective right and left sides of the chamber C. Vertically extending tabs 64 located between the two main protrusions 62 facilitate location of the end cap 60 within the open end of the chamber C. As per the end cap 60'shown in Figure 6, a further protrusion 66 may be included in the end cap 60'. The further protrusion 66 is arranged to be located in use in an opening defined by the underside of the cover 50 and the top flat 32 of the chassis 30. The positioning of the further protrusion 66 is best shown in Figure 5B and the related enlargement. Protrusion 66 provides further support for the cover 50 to maintain the shape of the cover 50 under downward force loading. The end cap 60 is profiled to match the profile of the ridge and may include advertising or branding indicia.

[0043] Each end cap 60 includes an overlap 68 which in use overlaps the upper face of the cover 50. The overlap 62 is configured so as to also cover the right and left outer side faces 54R, 54L of the cover 50.

[0044] End caps 60 also prevent the cover 50 and chassis 30 from sliding or lifting relative to one another and thus prevent inadvertent sliding or disconnection of the cover 50 from the chassis 30.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3D, rivets R3 may be used to secure each end cap 60 to the associated end of the ridge vent 10. This is recommended to prevent accidental removal of the end cap 60. However, if rivets R3 or other fasteners are used to secure the end cap 60, they should be located so as to extend through the right or left outer side face 54R, 54L of the cover 50. This minimises the likelihood of any gap around the rivets or other fasteners acting as an entry point for water ingress into the chamber C.

[0046] As will be apparent from the previously provided assembly instructions and the Figures, embodiments of the invention do not include any rivets, fasteners or other connections in the upper face of the cover 50. The only rivets or fasteners extending through the cover 50 are those that may be used to connect the end caps , 60', 60" thereto and such rivets or fasteners should be connected through the outer side faces 54R, 54L of the cover 50 and not the upper face thereof. As there are no rivets or fasteners in the upper face of the cover 50, there are no entry points along the length of the cover 50 for water ingress into the chamber C. Accordingly, roof vents according to embodiments of the invention are less likely to allow water ingress than prior art arrangements that include fasteners in the upper face thereof. Further, it will be appreciated that a roof vent made in accordance with an embodiment of the invention has only a small number of component parts that can be quickly assembled together. Only a few simple fasteners are required making assembly both simple and relatively quick.

[0047] It is envisaged that a ridge vent in accordance with an embodiment of the invention would be sold to customers as an assembled unit. Assembly of roof vents in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is easier than prior art arrangements because of the reduced usage of rivets and other connectors.

[0048] It is envisaged that ridge vents in accordance with embodiments of the invention would be provided in a number of standard lengths and may be coloured to match the colour of common roofing sheet materials. Custom length ridge vents would also be available.

[0049] Ridge vents according to embodiments effectively vent the roof space whilst still adopting a low profile. This makes them virtually unnoticeable on a roof as compared to many other venting systems, and this is attractive to many users.

[0050] Although rivets are used as the means for connecting the parts of the ridge vent together in accordance with the described embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not so limited and that other forms of connection are envisaged.

[0051] The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention are envisaged.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS

1. A ridge vent for ventilating a roof space, the roof vent including a ridge skirt, a one-piece chassis and a cover, the chassis is connected to the ridge skirt by connection means, and the cover is connected to the chassis so that the connection means is located below the cover whereby in use of the ridge vent, the cover prevents rain from striking directly onto the connection between the chassis and the ridge skirt and wherein the chassis includes at least one aperture to enable air to flow from the roof space and out through the at least one aperture and wherein the ridge skirt includes right and left side ridge skirts and the chassis is connected to each of the right and left side ridge skirts.

2. A ridge vent according to claim 1 wherein the chassis is an elongate member and includes at least one lip extending along the length thereof, and the cover is an elongate member including a least one lip extending along the length thereof, and wherein the lip of the cover is arranged to engage with the lip of the chassis to connect the cover to the chassis.

3. A ridge vent according to claim 2 wherein the at least one lip of the cover is arranged to engage with the at least one lip of the chassis so that an upper face of the lip of the cover is located against a lower face of the lip of the chassis.

4. A ridge vent according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the chassis includes right and left side lips and the cover includes right and left side lips and the right and left side lips of the cover are arranged to engage with associated right and left side lips of the chassis.

5. A ridge vent according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the connection between the chassis and the ride skirt is made using at least one fastener, the fastener has an upper end which is located within a chamber at least partially defined by the chassis and the cover.

6. A ridge vent according to claim 5 further including at least one support connected to the chassis by at least one second fastener and wherein the upper end of the at least one second fastener is located within the chamber defined by the chassis and the cover and the roof of the chamber extends over the upper end of the at least second first fastener so as to prevent rain from striking directly onto the upper end of the second fastener.

7. A ridge vent according to claim 6 including multiple supports spaced along the length of the chassis to provide support for the cover along its length.

8. A ridge vent according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the at least one support provides support to the cover and includes a spacer that is arranged to be located on or very closely to an upper part of the chassis so as to limit or prevent deformation of the cover in the event that a generally downward loading is applied to the cover.

9. A ridge vent according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the ridge skirt includes right and left side ridge skirts and the chassis is connected to each of the right and left side ridge skirts.

10. A ridge vent according to any one of the preceding claims further including first and second end caps.

11. A ridge vent according to claim 10 wherein the first and second end caps are fitted to the connected cover and chassis to provide first and second ends to the chamber.

12. A ridge vent according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein each end cap includes an overlap configured in use to overlap an upper face of the cover to prevent water ingress into the chamber.

13. A ridge vent according to claim 12 wherein each end cap overlaps a right and a left outer side face of the cover.

14. A ridge vent according to any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein the end caps are configured to support the elongate free ends of the cover in the event that a generally downward loading is applied to the ends of the cover.

15. A ridge vent according to claim 13 wherein at least one fastener extending through the right or left outer side face of the cover is used to secure the end cap to the cover.