GB2412164A

GB2412164A - Removable ventilation device for the ventilation of buildings

Info

Publication number: GB2412164A
Application number: GB0405997A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian John Mcllraith; Richard Allan Peak
Original assignee: Titon Hardware Ltd
Current assignee: Titon Hardware Ltd
Priority date: 2004-03-17
Filing date: 2004-03-17
Publication date: 2005-09-21
Also published as: GB0405997D0

Abstract

A system for providing ventilation to/from a building comprises a ventilation casing 10 and at least one removable ventilation device 70 (pressure controlled), 72 (pivotal flap). Devices 70, 72 may be housed in a removable tray 50 (docking station) permitting servicing and replacement of the devices 70, 72 with other interchangeable devices such as humidity, acoustically or temperature controlled ventilators, or a powered ventilator providing a forced air flow. Tray 50 may receive at least two ventilation devices in parallel of the same or different types. Ventilation device 70 may not fully occupy the tray 50 and a blank extrusion (275, fig 3A) may be cut to length to provide the additional length. The system may be installed above a window or door frame (410, fig 5) of various sizes using a frame adaptor (409) and filler extrusion (429) or fitted into an aperture in a wall (fig 7A - 7C), floor or roof of the building. The system may comprise a rotatable hit and miss grille (872, 874, fig 8A) for the interior of the building, which may also operate in combination with a sliding member (886) for the exterior. An exterior grille 893 reducing the ingress of insects and a pivotable flap (899) to prevent gusts of wind may be provided.

Description

A VENTILATION SYSTEM AND DEVICE

The present invention relates to a system for providing ventilation to or from a building, and also to a ventilation device for the ventilation of buildings.

Ventilation systems and ventilation devices for buildings may be installed in the region of a window and/or door frame, or can be installed in a slot in a frame or they can be glazed in between a frame and a window or door panel. Alternatively, the system or device can be installed above a window or door frame or it can be fitted into an aperture in a wall, floor, roof or similar structure. In each of these cases, once a system or ventilation device is installed it cannot generally be accessed very easily. From time-to-time it is desirable to clean the components of a ventilation device or system. It is also sometimes necessary to replace components or to update them with newer technology, for example if newer and more stringent building regulations must be adhered to. However, in most cases, it is generally not possible to access or remove the ventilation device or system from its installed position without causing considerably damage to the device system or to the frame in which it is installed. Therefore, to clean or service the system or device or to change it is extremely difficult.

A known ventilation system includes a removable filter. The filter can be removed and cleaned and then replaced. However, this does not address the problem of enabling access to a ventilation device for cleaning or replacement thereof and nor does it address the potential opportunity to replace a ventilation device with a device of a different type.

It is an aim of aspects of the present invention to provide a system of ventilation to alleviate these problems.

Furthermore, known ventilation systems frequently use a "hit and miss grille" type of ventilation device, in which a slotted closure member and an elongate grille member are typically attached together such that sideways movement of the closure member opens up or closes over the apertures of the grille. In use when the ventilation device is closed, the slots in the closure member are out of register with the slots in the grille, so that the slots in the grille are covered over, preventing airflow through the grille. Subsequent sideways movement of the closure member to the open position causes the slots in each of the closure member and the grille member to align such that the slots in the grille are open, allowing air to pass through the ventilation device.

Whilst this type of ventilation device works well, it is often necessary to provide extra space at the sides of the grille member in order to accommodate the sideways movement of the closure member. Furthermore, the closure member functions only to open and close the ventilation grille. It is therefore a further aim of the present invention to address these problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for providing ventilation to/from a building, the system comprising a ventilation casing, and at least one removable ventilation device. The system thus allows one or more ventilation devices to be removed from the casing and to be serviced, cleaned or replaced by another ventilation device. The ventilation device may be interchangeable. Thus a ventilation device can be replaced by a device of the same type or of a different type. The system may comprise a docking station, such as in the form of a tray or slidable drawer, in which the ventilation device is received, the docking station being removably housed in the ventilation casing. The docking station is therefore easy to access for the purpose of assembly or for cleaning. The ventilation device itself is therefore also easily accessible for cleaning, servicing or replacement thereof. The docking station may be configured to receive at least one or more than one type of ventilation device at one or more respective docking positions.

Hence the system can operate with one or more different types of ventilation device to accommodate varying applications of the system. The docking station may be configured to receive at least two said ventilation devices in parallel. Therefore, more than one ventilation device can be installed in the docking station. This is particularly advantageous where it is desirable to provide ventilation that is controllable by multiple criteria, for instance temperature and/or humidity.

The above features allow the ventilation device(s) to be contained within the removable tray and the tray can be slotted into and removed from the casing of the system even once the casing has been installed in or around a window or door frame or in a wall of a building. Furthermore, the above features enable a single standard casing to house ventilation devices of different specifications and applications. This enables a single standard casing to be used for any type of application of the ventilation system. The use of a docking station in the form of a tray or slidable drawer in preferred embodiments enables a full array of ventilation devices to be quickly removed and changed or serviced as desired.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for providing ventilation to/from a building, comprising a ventilation module for ventilating a slot or aperture, the ventilation module having a cross sectional profile; and a blank having a cross-sectional profile substantially the same as that of the ventilation module; wherein an end wall of the ventilation module is attachable to an end wall of the blank so that the ventilation module and blank are in adjoining alignment. The advantage of this is that the ventilation module can be self-contained, and does not need to be cut to length to fill a slot or aperture. Instead, the blank can be cut to size and attached to an end of the ventilation module to make up the size of the system to the size of the slot or aperture into which it is to be installed.

The ventilation module may be a moulding. Forming the ventilation module as a moulding gives the designer of the system far more flexibility to design a compact and efficient ventilator than if the module had to be extruded, as far more complex shapes can be moulded than can be extruded. The blank may be an extrusion. The blank can thus be easily cut to size to act as a spacer to fill the slot or aperture.

The end wall of one of the ventilation module or the blank may include at least one male part of a male/female fastening device. The end wall of the other of the ventilation module or the blank may include at least one female part of a male/female fastening device. A gasket or adhesive mastic may be provided between an end wall of the ventilation module and the end wall of the blank. This provides a seal between the ventilation module and the blank. The ventilation module may include a flange surrounding at least a portion of the end wall thereof, the flange extending in a longitudinal aspect of the ventilation module. This allows a push fit of the blank extrusion into the flange such that it fits tightly adjacent the gasket. In some embodiments, the blank may be at least half the length of or more than the length of the module along a longitudinal direction thereof.

The ventilation module may include at least one interchangeable ventilation device. The ventilation device of the system may be pressure controllable. The ventilation device may be manually controllable. The ventilation device may comprise at least one elongate flap. The ventilation device may be a "hit and miss type" grille. The ventilation device may be humidity controllable. The ventilation device may be temperature controllable.

The ventilation device may be powered by electricity. The ventilation device may be acoustically controllable. The module may include a selection of more than one type of such devices.

The system may further comprise a frame adapter for enabling the ventilation module to be installed over a window or door frame. The frame adapter may be attachable to the ventilation module. The frame adapter thus allows the ventilation module and/or blank to be fitted to a window or door frame of any standard depth, such as 60mm or 70mm. The frame adapter may be an end cap for enabling the ventilation module to be installed adjacent a window or door frame. The frame adapter may be a vertical spacer. The frame adapter may attach to the ventilation module via a tongue and groove attachment mechanism. A further advantage of the frame adapter is that it can improve the stability of an assembled and installed ventilation system. Several said frame adapters, such as of different types, may be used.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a ventilation device is provided for the ventilation of buildings, the ventilation device comprising a housing, a ventilation grille containing at least one aperture and a first closure member for selectively opening and closing at least one aperture wherein the first closure member is pivotally movable relative to the ventilation grille, from a position above or below the ventilation grille, between at least a closed position in which the at least one aperture is at least partially closed and a more open position. An advantage of this device is that the mechanism of the first closure member does not require additional space at the sides of the ventilation grille in which to accommodate the first closure member in order for it to be adjustable from side-to-side. Instead, the first closure member occupies a space substantially above or below the ventilation grille. Furthermore, the pivot mechanism can be utilised to operate a further ventilation device if so desired.

The first closure member may contain at least one aperture that is out of register with the at least one aperture of the ventilation grille. Thus, when the first closure member is in the closed position thereof, the at least one aperture does not line up with the at least one aperture in the ventilation grille and the at least one aperture of the ventilation grille is at least partially closed. However, when the first closure member is in the more open position thereof, in which it may occupy a space substantially above or below the ventilation grille, the at least one aperture in the first closure member can provide extra ventilation through the system.

The ventilation grille may be an elongate grille member with an arc shaped profile. The ventilation grille may contain several apertures. The first closure member may be an elongate member with an arc-shaped profile that is substantially equal to the profile of the ventilation grille. Thus when assembled, the first closure member is able to pivot easily relative to the ventilation grille and to lie adjacent to the ventilation grille when in the at least partially closed position thereof. The first closure member may contain several ventilation apertures. When the first closure member is in the more open position or a fully open position thereof, this feature may allow substantial increase in the volume of airflow through the ventilation device.

The first closure member may contain several apertures. The ventilation grille may be rigidly affixed to the housing. The first closure member may be pivotally attached to an end wall of the housing. The ventilation grille may be arranged to operate at an interior side of a building. The ventilation device may further comprise a ventilation opening. The pivoting movement of the first closure member to open or close the ventilation grille may be arranged to cause the linear movement of a second closure member to correspondingly open or close the ventilation opening. Thus operation of the ventilation device at an interior side of the building also conveniently operates the device at the exterior side of the building, to allow a throughflow from one side of the device to the other. The first closure member and second closure member may be linked via a pivoting linkage such that movement of the first closure member causes movement of the second closure member. The second closure member may therefore automatically open and close in accordance with the first closure member. If the first closure member is partially closed, the second closure member is preferably also partially closed. The ventilation opening may be the opening of a hood of the ventilation device at an exterior side of the building.

When the ventilation opening is open, the hood may protect it from the ingress of rain, leaves or other material that might adversely affect the operation of the ventilation device.

The present invention will now be explained in more detail by the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments of the invention and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded schematic view of a system embodying a first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a first aspect of the invention; Figure 3A is an exploded schematic view of a system embodying a second aspect of the invention; Figure 3B is a schematic cross-section of an assembled system of the embodiment of Figure 3A; Figure 4A is a schematic perspective view of a system embodying the second aspect of the invention; Figure 4B is a schematic cross-section of a ventilation module embodying a second aspect of the invention; Figure 4C is a schematic cross-section of a frame adapter embodying a second aspect of the invention; Figure 4D is a schematic cross-section of a further frame adapter embodying a second aspect of the invention; Figure 5 shows a schematic of a system embodying the second aspect of the invention installed over a window or door frame; Figure 6 shows an exploded schematic view of various adaption devices used for installing a system embodying the first and second aspects of the invention to a window or door frame; Figure 7A is an exploded schematic view of a system embodying the first aspect of the invention suitable for installation in a wall cavity; Figure 7B is a schematic exterior view of a system of Figure 7A installed in a wall cavity; Figure 7C is a schematic cross-section of the system of Figure A installed in a wall cavity; Figure 8A shows an exploded perspective schematic view of a ventilation device embodying a third aspect of the invention; Figure 8B is a schematic cross-section of the embodiment of Figure 8A in a closed position thereof; and Figure 8C is an cross-sectional schematic view of the ventilation device of Figure 8A in an open position thereof.

A system for providing ventilation 1 comprises a casing 10 having a removable tray 50. The casing 10 is an elongate plastic or aluminium moulding, of substantially rectangular plan form and having an upper wall 12, lower wall 14, interior wall 16 and exterior wall 18. It is to be understood that use of terms such as "interior" and "exterior" is purely for clarity of description and is not to be taken as purely limiting in this way. The labels "interior" and "exterior" apply to the system as installed and refer to the interior side and exterior side of the building wall or frame into which the system 1 is installed.

The casing 10 typically has a length to height ratio of approximately 7 and has a generally rectangular planform. The casing 10 can be a onepiece mould or it can be formed of a two-piece mould that is split into either upper and lower portions or interior and exterior portions.

The tray 50, which can be considered to be a docking station with several docking points thereon, consists of a plastic or aluminium moulding comprising a lower wall 52, end walls 54 and 56 and exterior wall 58. The main dimensions of the tray 50 are slightly smaller than those of the casing 10 such that the tray 50 can be inserted through an aperture 20 in the interior wall 16 of the casing 10 such that the tray is fully housed in the casing 10. A channel 53 at each end of the tray 50 enables it to be slidably received, in the manner of a drawer, on a corresponding lug (not shown) of the casing 10. The tray 50 includes several interior stations (or docking points) 60A, 60B and 60C running along an interior face of each of the end walls 54 and 56. Each docking point 60A, 60B and 60C comprises a locating hole or channel for receiving a ventilation device 70,72. Each docking point 60A, 60B and 60C includes a part that protrudes from or is in end wall 54, and a corresponding part protruding from or being in end wall 56 such that the two parts of the station docking point are in alignment on opposite faces of the tray 50.

Docking point 60A is shown in Figure 1 to be configured to receive a control flap 72 for controlling the direction of airflow exiting the ventilation system at the interior side thereof. The flap 72 comprises an elongate rigid plastic or aluminium flap member 73 and a mounting rod 74 for pivotally mounting the flap member 73 on to the docking point 60A inside the tray 50.

Docking point 60A is located at an interior-most section of end walls 54 and 56 such that in use, the flap 72 hangs substantially outside of the tray SO at an interior side thereof. The flap member 73 includes a snib 75 for manual rotation of the flap to control the direction of airflow. Docking point 60B is shown to be configured to receive a pressure controlled ventilation device 70 such as substantially described in International Patent Publication No. W003/060387. The ventilation device 70 fits inside the channel and is held in place with locating means 76 in the holes 77. The channel formed at docking point 60C could receive a blanking strip (not shown) or a mesh strip (not shown). Further types of ventilation device that can be received in tray SO include a humidity controlled ventilator, an acoustically controlled ventilator, a temperature controlled ventilator, a powered ventilator or a gas regulations specification ventilator or any other appropriate type of ventilator. The tray 50 can be configured to receive several ventilation devices of different types or of the same type, depending upon the application of the ventilation system.

Overall, the ventilation system may provide powered ventilation or may allow passive unpowered ventilation.

The exterior wall 58 of the tray 50 includes an elongate aperture 62 and a "hood" portion 64 that, in use, locates into a weather hood (not shown) of the casing 10 protruding from the exterior wall 18.

In use, the tray 50, including any ventilation devices received therein, is inserted through aperture 20 of the casing 10 such that the tray 50 is fully housed inside casing 10. The tray 50 snap fits into the casing 10 using a flexible snap fastening such as the fastening 11 of the casing 10 and the opening 13 in the end walls 54 and 56 of the tray 50. The tray 50 may alternatively push fit into the casing 50. In either case, the tray 50 is removable from the casing 10. Where the snap fit is used, the tray 50 is pulled away from the casing 10 with sufficient force to overcome the flexible snap 1 1.

When installed inside the casing 10, the ventilation devices 70,72 provide controlled ventilation through the system 1. If it is desired to replace or interchange any of the ventilation devices 70,72 then the tray can be removed by sliding thereof after releasing fastening 11 for easy access to the devices. The tray 50 can also be removed for cleaning or servicing purposes.

The upper wall 12 and lower wall 14 of the casing 10 include shallow recess portions 80 that, in use, provide locating portions for installing the casing 10 on to a window or door frame. The casing 10 can be affixed to a window or door frame using screws 85 or any other appropriate fastening means.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a casing 1110 and a tray 1150, in which the tray 1150 is first of all fitted into a housing sleeve 1130 through an elongate aperture 1135 in a front face thereof, such that the tray 1150 is housed inside the sleeve 1130 with an interior face of the tray 1159 lying flush with the front face of the sleeve 1130. The sleeve 1130 is then insertable into an aperture l l l S and an end wall 1 1 17 of the casing 1 1 10. The sleeve 1130 snap fits into the casing 1110 using the flexible locating lugs 1140 which locate into a machined slot 1145 in an interior wall 1116 of the casing 1110. Machined slot 1145 is of the same height as elongate aperture 1135. In use, when the casing 1110 sleeve 1130 and tray 1150 are installed over a window or door frame or in a wall aperture, the key 1150 remains removable from the casing 1110 by pulling the tray 1150 out from machined slot 1145. In order to achieve this, the flexible locating lugs 1140 in the end walls 1154,1156 of the tray l l SO must be push removed. Tray 1150 can of course be inserted into sleeve 1130 after sleeve 1130 has been inserted into casing 1110.

The casing 10,1110 and tray 50,1150 (and sleeve 1130 where utilised) form a ventilation module 100. The ventilation module 100 can be moulded to a specific standard size. The standard size can be installed in slots or apertures of varying size.

Figure 3A shows a casing 210 and a removable tray 250 and a blank extrusion 275. The blank extrusion 275 comprises an elongate plastic or aluminium extrusion, having substantially the same cross-sectional profile as that of the casing 210. The blank extrusion 275 includes shallow recesses 285 matching up with the shallow recesses 280 of the casing 210. In use, the blank extrusion 275 is cut to length to provide the additional length next to a ventilation module 200 that is required to fully occupy an aperture or slot above a window or door frame.

An end wall 217 of the casing 210 includes several lugs 283 spaced around a periphery thereof. A gasket or adhesive mastic 290, formed in the shape of the profile of the end wall 217 contains locating holes 292. The gasket 290 is affixed over the lugs 283 to create an insulating seal between the ventilation module 200 and the blank extrusion 275. A flange 295 extends partially around the periphery of the end wall 217 of the casing 210. The flange 295 extends in a lengthwise direction of the casing 210 and protrudes away from the casing 210. The blank extrusion is push fitted into the flanged 295 to achieve a tight push fit adjacent the gasket 290. The blank extrusion is shown installed adjacent the casing 210 in Figure 3B. The gasket 290 may be affixed to the casing 210 or to the blank extrusion 275 by any appropriate means. The blank extrusion may be fitted to the casing 210 of the ventilation module 200 by any appropriate means.

The ventilation module and/or blank extrusion may need to be installed over a window frame or a door frame which are made in different frame sizes.

Typical standard frame sizes can be 60mm or 70mm in depth from an interior side of the frame to an exterior side thereof. Figure 4A, Figure 4C and Figure 4D show a frame adapter 309 for allowing a ventilation module 300 to be fitted to any window frame size. In this embodiment, the ventilation module includes two "feet" 303 running in parallel along the length of a lower wall 314 of the ventilation module 300. The feet 303 can be included integrally in the moulding or extrusion of the casing 310. Each foot comprises an L-shaped channel section and each faces away from the other as shown in Figure 4B.

Feet 303 can also be included on an upper wall 312 of the casing 310.

The frame adapter 309 comprises a substantially U-shaped channel section of extruded plastic or aluminium having side walls 311 and 319 and an adjoining wall 321. The channel section includes two channel portions 323 extending outwardly from the adjoining wall 321 away from the side walls 311 and 319. The channel portions 323 face inwardly toward each other, and are spaced apart at a distance such that the feet 303 of the ventilation module 300 can be received in the channel portions 323 to attach a ventilation module 300 to the frame adapter 309. The frame adapter 309 can fit window frames of different sizes depending on the space inbetween the side walls 311 and 319.

Figure 4C shows a frame adapter configured for a 60mm frame whilst Figure 4D shows a frame adapter configured for a 70mm frame.

The frame adapter 309 can be fitted to the upper wall 312 or lower wall 314 of the casing 310 as is necessary to fit a frame or slot.

A similar extrusion channel 329 having an extended height can be tiffed to the upper wall 3 l 2 in much the same way as the frame adapter 309 such that the filler extrusion 329 acts as a vertical spacer in much the same way that the blank extrusion 275 acts as a horizontal spacer for the ventilation module 300.

The ventilation module 300 can then be fitted to many different sizes of gap or aperture. The same adapter 309 and filler extrusion 323 can improve the stability of an assembled structure.

Figure 5 shows a ventilation module 400 installed between a frame 410 and a ceiling 425 at the interior of a building (not shown). A frame adapter 409 is attached to the feet 403 of the ventilation module 400 at the lower wall 414.

The side walls 411 and 419 of the frame adapter 409 push fit tightly over the frame 410 beneath the ventilation module 400. Above the ventilator module 400, the ceiling 425 rests directly on to the module 400 at the interior side of the building. In order to accommodate the ceiling 425, a filler extrusion 429 is located over feet 403b at the upper wall 412 of the ventilation module 400.

The filler extrusion 429 fills the gap between the ceiling 425 and a structural ceiling (not shown). A gasket 439 can be used to seal the gap between the filler extrusion 429 and the structural ceiling.

Adapters can also be fitted to the end walls of the ventilation module andfor blank extrusion to allow them to be fitted to different types of window or door frame 610. Figure 6 illustrates three different types of end cap adapter 649a, 649b, 649c and 649d. Each end cap adapter 649a-d is shaped differently according to a type of frame 610 to which it can be fitted. For example, end cap adapter 649d can be used to form a butt joint with window frame 610.

Figure 6 also illustrates that a blank extrusion 675 may be utilised at one end of the ventilation module 600 or it can be used at both ends of the ventilation module 600 in order to fill a slot or aperture. The end cap adapter 649a-d can be fitted to the blank extrusion 675 or to the ventilation module 600.

It can also be desirable to install the ventilation module, with or without a blank extrusion, into a wall of a building. Figure 7 shows a schematic of an embodiment of a casing 710 and a tray 750 of a ventilation module 700 of the system 1 adapted for use in a wall cavity. The tray 750 is identical to that of the first embodiment of the tray 50. The casing 710 has been altered for use in a wall cavity 730. The casing 710 has a substantially rectangular cross sectional profile. The casing remains shallow and is advantageously shown to be approximately the same length and height as a brick in Figure 7B.

However, the casing 710 need not be of the same frontal dimensions as a brick.

The wall cavity 730 is a double wall with a cavity between each part of the wall. The casing 710 includes two protruding flanges 755. The flanges 755 protrude from the entire length of at least an upper wall 712 of the casing 710 such that once the casing is installed into the wall cavity 730, the flanges 755 fit just inside the cavity adjacent each part of the wall.

Figure 7C shows a cross-sectional schematic view of the ventilation module 700 installed in the wall cavity 730. The tray 750 occupies approximately half of the depth of the casing 710, which is of an extended length in order to fit the wall cavity 730. The tray 750 is located at an interior side of the casing 710. A grille is fitted at the exterior aperture 722 of the casing 710.

Figures 8A, B and C show a ventilation device 870 that can be used in a tray 850 of a ventilation module 800. The ventilation device 870 comprises a "hit and miss grille" type ventilator having a first grille member 872and a second grille member 874. The slots in the second grille member 874 are out of register with the slots in the first grille member 872 when the ventilation device 870 is assembled for use. The first grille member 872 and the second grille member 874 are each elongate members having an arc-shaped profile.

The slots of the first grille member and second grille member 874 are oriented along the curvature of the arc.

The first grille member 872 is rigidly attached to a housing, which could be the end walls 854 and 856 of the tray 850, such that the curvature of the first grille member 872 curves outwardly toward an interior side 876 of the ventilation device 870. The second grille member 874 is pivotally attached to the end wall 856 of the tray 850, such that the second grille member 874 is able to pivot in an arc that is concentric with the arc profile of the first grille member 872.

A lower corner 878 of the second grille member 874 is attached to a pivot link 877, at the opposite end of which is a hub 879, through which extends a pivot axis 881. The second grille member 874 is thus pivotable between an open position, in which it lies substantially "below" the first grille member 872 and a closed position in which it is rotated upwardly as shown in Figure 8A to a position immediately adjacent the first grille member 872.

The hub 879 also forms one end of a pivot linkage 883 that connects the second grille member 874 to a closure member 886 at an exterior side 887 of the ventilation device 870. The closure member 886 is an elongate rigid flap that lies in a substantially horizontal plain as shown in Figures 8A, B and C. Pivotal movement of the second grille member 874 to close the slots of the first grille member 872 causes, via the pivot linkage 883, a corresponding horizontal movement of the closure member 886 away from the second grille member 874.

Figure 8B shows the ventilation device installed in a housing 850, in a closed position thereof. The first grille member 872 is fitted to an interior side 876 of the housing 850. The second grille member 874 resides immediately adjacent the first grille member 872. The pivot linkage 883 is fully extended and the closure member 886 covers over an aperture 888 in a lower wall 852 of the housing at an exterior side 877 of the ventilation device 870. The ventilation device 870 further includes an exterior grille 893 to reduce the ingress of insects into the ventilation device and furthermore includes a canopy hood 897 and a pivotable storm flap 899 to prevent gusts of wind from entering the ventilation device 870.

In order to operate the ventilation device 870 from the closed into an open position, the second grille member 874 is pulled downwards such that it rotates to lie "below" the first grille member 872. The movement of the second grille member 874 away from the first grille member 872 allows air to flow through the apertures in both of the grille members for maximum ventilation through the ventilation device 870. As this happens, the pivot linkage 883 is contracted, and the closure member 886 is retracted from the aperture 888 to open the exterior side of the ventilation device. The ventilation device 870 may be operated at any degree of openness between the fully open and fully closed positions described above, as desired or as necessary.

It will be apparent to the skilled man that various aspects of each of the embodiments can be used with other embodiments of the invention.

Various modifications may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims, as interpreted under patent law.

Claims

1. A system for providing ventilation to/from a building, the system comprising a ventilation casing, and at least one removable ventilation device.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the ventilation device is interchangeable.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the system further comprises a docking station adapted to receive at least one ventilation device, the docking station being removably housed in the ventilation casing.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3 in which the docking station comprises a slidable tray.

5. A system as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the docking station is configured to receive at least two said ventilation devices in parallel.

6. A system for providing ventilation to/from a building, comprising a ventilation module for ventilating a slot or aperture, the ventilation module having a cross-sectional profile; and a blank having a crosssectional profile substantially the same as that of the ventilation module; wherein an end wall of the ventilation module is attachable to an end wall of the blank so that the ventilation module and blank are in adjoining alignment.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6 in which the ventilation module comprises a moulded casing.

8. A system as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, in which the blank is an extrusion.

9. A system as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the end wall of one of the ventilation module or the blank includes at least one male part of a male/female fastening device.

10. A system as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 or claim 8 or claim 9 in which the end wall of the other of the ventilation module or the blank includes at least one female part of a male/female fastening device.

11. A system as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10 wherein a gasket or adhesive mastic is provided between an end wall of the ventilation module and the end wall of the blank.

12. A system as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 11 in which the ventilation module includes a flange surrounding at least a portion of the end wall thereof, the flange extending in a longitudinal aspect of the ventilation module.

13. A system as claimed in any of claims 6 to 12 in which the ventilation module includes at least one interchangeable ventilation device.

14. A system as claimed in claims 12 or 13 in which the ventilation module further comprises a casing, an end cap having a said end wall, and a tray, the tray being removably housed in the casing.

15. A system as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 in which the at least one ventilation device is arranged to be removably received in the tray.

16. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 or 13 to IS in which the at least one ventilation device includes a ventilation device which is pressure controllable.

17. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to S or 13 to IS in which the at least one ventilation device includes a ventilation device which is manually controllable.

18. A system as claimed in any of claims I to S or 13 to IS in which the at least one ventilation device includes at least one movable closure member.

19. A system as claimed in claim 18 in which the closure member is a hit and miss type grille.

20. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to S or 13 to IS in which the at least one ventilation device includes a ventilation device which is humidity controllable.

21. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to S or 13 to 1 S in which the at least one ventilation device includes a ventilation device which is temperature controllable.

22. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to S or 13 to IS in which the at least one ventilation device includes a ventilation device which is powered by electricity for powered air flow.

23. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 or 13 to 15 in which the at least one ventilation device includes a ventilation device which is acoustically operable.

24. A system as claimed in any previous claim, in which the system further comprises a frame adapter for enabling the ventilation module to be installed over a window or door frame.

25. A system as claimed in claim 24 in which the frame adapter is attachable to the ventilation module.

26. A system as claimed in claim 25 in which the frame adapter attaches to the ventilation module or blank via a tongue and groove attachment mechanism.

27. A ventilation device for the ventilation of buildings, comprising a housing, a ventilation grille containing at least one aperture and a first closure member for selectively opening and closing the at least one aperture, wherein the first closure member is pivotally moveable relative to the ventilation grille between an at least partially closed position in which the first closure member is adjacent the ventilation grille and a more open position in which the first closure member is above or below the ventilation grille.

28. A ventilation device as claimed in claim 27 in which the first closure member contains at least one aperture that is out of register with the at least one aperture of the ventilation grille.

29. A ventilation device as claimed in claim 27 wherein the ventilation grille is an elongate member with an arc-shaped profile.

30. A ventilation device as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28 wherein the ventilation grille contains several apertures.

31. A ventilation device as claimed in claim 29 in which the first closure member is an elongate member with an arc shaped profile that is substantially the same as the profile of the ventilation grille.

32. A ventilation device as claimed in claim 31 in which the first closure member contains several apertures.

33. A ventilation device as claimed in claim 32 wherein the ventilation grille is rigidly affixed to the housing.

34. A ventilation device as claimed in claim 32 in which the first closure member is pivotally attached to an end wall of the housing.

35. A ventilation device as claimed in any of claims 27-34 in which the ventilation grille is arranged to operate at an interior side of a building.

36. A ventilation device as claimed in any of claims 27-35 wherein the device further comprises a ventilation opening.

37. A ventilation device as claimed in claim 36 wherein the pivoting movement of the first closure member to open or close the ventilation grille is arranged to cause the linear movement of a second closure member to correspondingly open or close the ventilation opening.

38. A ventilation device as claimed in claim 37 in which the first closure member and second closure member are linked via a pivoting linkage such that movement of the first closure member causes movement of the second closure member.

39. A ventilation device as claimed in any of claims 36-38 in which the ventilation opening is the opening of a hood of the ventilation device at an exterior side of the building.

40. A ventilation device as claimed in any of claims 36-39 in which the housing includes at least one interior docking point for receiving at least one further ventilation device.

41. A ventilation device as claimed in claim 40 in which the further ventilation device is removable.

42. A ventilation device as claimed in claim 40 or claim 41 in which the further ventilation device is interchangeable.

43. A ventilation device as claimed in any of claims 27-42 in which the ventilation device further comprises a casing, and wherein the housing is a docking station that is removably housed in the easing.

44. A ventilation device as claimed in claims 16 to 23 or claim 43 wherein the docking station includes a combination of any of the ventilation devices of claims 16 to 23.

45. A building having a wall including a system as claimed in any preceding claim.

46. A building having a wall including a ventilation device as claimed in any preceding claim.

47. A window or door assembly, including a ventilation device as claimed in any of claims 27-44.

48. A window or door assembly, including a system as claimed in any of claims 1-26.

49. A ventilation device for the ventilation of buildings, comprising a housing, a ventilation grille having at least one elongate aperture and a first closure member for selectively causing relative opening and closing of said aperture by relative movement along the direction of the elongate aperture.