GB2461754A

GB2461754A - Air vent for use as an air brick with a float valve and insect mesh

Info

Publication number: GB2461754A
Application number: GB0813046A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Kelly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: JOHN KELLY
Priority date: 2008-07-17
Filing date: 2008-07-17
Publication date: 2010-01-20
Also published as: GB0813046D0

Abstract

A vent includes a body 1 with at least one air flow channel; at least one float-controlled valve23, 25, 27, 29, through which air is permitted to flow under normal operation and which floats in the presence of water (e.g. during a flood) to seal the air flow channel; and a mesh 19, 21, 47 located in the region of an air inlet and outlet of the air flow channel to prevent the entry of insects into body 1. The air flow channel and valve 23, 25, 27, 29 may be provided in at least one component 7, 9 that is removable from body 1 (e.g. for cleaning). The mesh 19, 21 near the air outlet may include a peripheral frame 15, 17 and comprise a gasket 11, 13 to form a seal between removable component 7, 9 and body 1. Mesh 19, 21, 47 may be constructed from plastics (high-density polyethylene), or a non corroding metal (stainless steel, brass) and have an aperture size of about 2mm.

Description

VENT

This invention relates to a vent, for example to replace an air-brick.

It is well known in the construction industry to use air-bricks in buildings, for example in cavity walls, to allow air to circulate, for example under internal flooring. However, if the area around the building is flooded, water can enter the building through the air-bricks and the building can become flooded.

One solution to this problem is to erect a barrier, for example of sandbags, before the flood waters arrive so as to prevent the water reaching any openings, such as air-bricks, doors or other openings. However, such a solution is time consuming and labour intensive and requires the availability of sand and bags or pre-filled sandbags, as well as the construction of a protective wall from the 1 5 filled sandbags. Moreover, further labour is required to remove the sandbags after the flood waters have receded.

Another solution is to fit a periscope-like device to an air-brick so as to raise the level of the air inlet point. However, as with sandbags, this solution requires adequate prior warning of approaching flood waters in order to fit the device and, once again, the device must be removed after the flood waters have receded.

It is known from GB-A-2 379 592 to provide a vent which resembles an air-brick in that it has an apertured front face, but is provided internally with a float-controlled valve which closes automatically in the event of a flood and opens again as the flood waters recede. A disadvantage of such a vent is that it has openings that allow insects and the like to enter in order to make nests or otherwise prevent the float-controlled valve closing in the event of a flood.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vent which overcomes, or at least ameliorates, the disadvantages of known vents.

According to the present invention there is provided a vent comprising a vent comprising: a vent body; at least one air flow channel through the body, the or each air flow channel 1 5 having an air inlet and an air outlet; at least one float-controlled valve, the or each valve having a first, normal position in which air is permitted to flow through an air flow channel and a second position in which the valve floats in the presence of water to seal the air flow channel; and a mesh provided in the region of the air inlet and in the region of the air outlet to prevent the entry of insects into the vent body.

The or each air flow channel may include an aperture with an annular valve seat between the air inlet and the air outlet, the or each float-controlled valve including a ball normally in the first position spaced from the valve seat, but which can float up to the second position in the presence of water to engage the valve seat and seal the air flow channel.

The or each air flow channel and the or each float-controlled valve may be provided in at least one component which is removable from the vent body.

The vent body may have a front side and a rear side and may be provided with at least one recess which opens to the front side for receipt of a corresponding removable component.

The removable component may have a lower chamber opening to the front side of the vent body, an upper chamber opening to the rear side of the vent body and at least one air aperture forming part of the at least one airflow channel and providing a passage for air between the lower and upper chambers. At least one float member may be located in the lower chamber, the float member being adapted to float in water and arranged such that, in the absence of water in the lower chamber, air is permitted to flow between the lower and upper chambers through the air aperture and such that, upon ingress of water into the lower chamber, the float memberfloats and moves upwards until it reaches the second position, closes the air aperture and prevents ingress of water into the upper chamber. The or each float valve may comprise a ball, the air aperture being substantially circular and of a smaller diameter than the ball.

The vent may include an apertu red plate attached, for example removably, to the front face of the vent body, the apertures in the plate being substantially larger than apertures in the meshes. The mesh in the air inlet region may be provided between the vent body and the apertured plate. The mesh may be part of an assembly including a frame for supporting the mesh.

A gasket may be provided between the or each removable component and the vent body to form a seal between the removable component and the vent body.

The mesh in the air outlet region may be incorporated into the gasket, for example the gasket including a frame for supporting the mesh and for forming the seal. Alternatively, the mesh in the air outlet region may be secured to the vent body. In such a case, the mesh may be part of an assembly including a frame for supporting the mesh.

The meshes may be made of a plastics material, such as extruded high-density polyethylene, or a non-corroding metal such as brass or stainless steel.

The meshes may have an aperture size of about 2 mm.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a vent according to the present invention; Figure 2 is another exploded perspective view of the vent shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a further exploded perspective view of the vent shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figures 1 to 3 show a vent which comprises a body I having dimensions substantially corresponding to those of an air-brick. Within the body are two recesses 3, 5 which are open both to the front side and to the rear side and which snugly receive respective hollow components 7, 9. Gaskets 11, 13 provide a substantially air-tight seal between the rear side of the hollow components 7,9 and the body 1. Gaskets 11, 13 each comprise a peripheral frame 15, 17 for sealing between the hollow components 7, 9 and the body 1 and a fine mesh 19, 21 covering the space within the frame. The mesh 19, 21 prevents the entry of insects and the like into the body I from the rear and comprises, for example, an extruded high-density polyethylene mesh which has a mesh size of about 2 mm and offers protection against the smallest of insects and debris, while allowing good fluid flow. As an alternative, the mesh 19, 21 may be made of other materials, such as suitable plastics or non-corroding metals. The mesh 19, 21 may be embedded in the frame during manufacture of the gaskets 11, 13.

Each of the hollow components 7, 9 houses a respective pair of balls 23, 25 and 27, 29. An apertured panel 31 is secured to the front face of the body 1 by means of screws 33, 35, 37 which are received in corresponding threaded bores in inserts 39, 41, 43 fitted in the body 1. The apertures 45 in apertured panel 31 provide an inlet to the vent while the open rear ends of the recesses 3, 5 provide an outlet at the rear side of the vent. A further mesh 47 is provided between the apertured panel 31 and the body I and prevents the entry of insects and the like into the body 1 from the front and may comprise the same material as the mesh 19, 21 of the gaskets 11, 13. The mesh 47 is held in place, for example, by the screws 33, 35, 37 passing through the mesh.

Each of the hollow components 7, 9 is formed with a lower chamber 49 which opens to the front, inlet side of the body 1, and therefore of the vent, and an upper chamber 51 which opens to the rear, outlet side of the body, and therefore of the vent. The lower chamber 49 and the upper chamber 51 are separated from each other by a substantially horizontal partition 53 in which is formed a pair of circular apertures 55, 57 which provide passages for air leading from the front, inlet side of the body 1 to the rear, outlet side thereof. The balls 23, 25, 27 and 29 are constructed so as to float in water, but to sink in still air, and are sized so that, in the event of flooding, each can float upwardly and seat against the respective aperture 55, 57 thereby preventing water from passing through apertures 55, 57. When the balls 23, 25, 27 and 29 are seated against the apertures 55, 57 this effectively closes the passages between the front and rear sides of the vent and water cannot gain ingress to the inside of the building through the vent.

The meshes 19, 21 and 47 should make it unnecessary to clean the interior of the vent, but in the event cleaning is considered desirable a pair of circular lower apertures 59 are provided in the bottom of the lower chamber 49, the apertures having a diameter slightly larger than that of the balls 23, 25, 27 and 29. The purpose of the lower apertures 59 is to permit the balls to be removed from the lower chamber for cleaning purposes following unscrewing of the three screws 33, 35, 37, removal of the apertured panel 31 and withdrawal of the hollow components 7, 9. Moreover, to facilitate removal and reinsertion of the hollow components 7, 9 together with the balls 23, 25, 27 and 29, the floor of each recess 3, 5 is provided with a pair of upwardly facing grooves 61, 63, each positioned beneath a corresponding aperture 59. The grooves 61, 63 are deepest at the front side of the body I and are shallowest towards the rear side of the body. This ensures that, as the hollow components 7, 9 together with the balls 23, 25, 27 and 29 are inserted into their respective recesses 3, 5 in the body 1, the balls 23, 25, 27 and 29 tend to roll upwardly into the respective lower chamber 49.

A channel 65 is formed along the front side of the body I below a lower edge of the recesses 3, 5 for collecting any water which may enter the vent through apertures 45 in the apertured panel 31, the angled grooves 61, 63 also facilitating drainage of any water from within the lower chambers 49. Any such water can drain out of the vent through holes 67 in the apertured panel 31, for example in the bottom corners thereof.

In use of the vent, the vent is incorporated into a wall of a building in the same manner as a conventional air-brick, with the apertured panel 31 to the outside of the building. In normal conditions air can pass between the outside and the inside of the building through apertures 45, lower chambers 49, air apertures 55, 57 and upper chambers 51 so as to provide ventilation. However, in the event of flooding, ingress of water is prevented due to the balls 23, 25, 27 and 29 being lifted within their respective lower chambers 49 by the incoming water until they seat against their respective apertures 55, 57 to prevent the passage of water into the upper chambers 51 and out of the rear of the vent.

In high winds, the flow of air blowing through conventional air-bricks can be sufficient to cause excessive draughts within the building, particularly where the building has a floor made of timber planks. This drawback of conventional air-bricks can be avoided with a vent according to the present invention by appropriate choice of, for example, dimensions for the diameter of the balls 23, 25, 27 and 29, of the diameter of the air apertures 55, 57, and of the height of the lower chambers 49, such that, when the air flow through the vent reaches a predetermined critical value, the balls 23, 25, 27 and 29 will lift under the influence of the air flow to close the air apertures 55, 57. In this case, the risk of excessive draughts within a building having a floor of timber planks can be substantially obviated, even in windy conditions.

The various components of the vent can be formed from any suitable materials.

Conveniently, the various major components, apart from the screws 33, 35, 37 and threaded inserts 39, 41, 43, which may be made of a corrosion resistant metal such as stainless steel or brass, are moulded from a suitable plastics material, such as filled acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer. The gasket frames 15, 17 may be made of a suitable elastomeric material, in which the meshesl9, 21 may be embedded. The mesh 47 may, if desired, also be provided with a peripheral frame of elastomeric material, for example to improve handling thereof and sealing with the body 1.

When the vent is intended for incorporation in a building during its construction, it may be preferred to provide at least some of the outer surfaces of the body 1 with external grooves, ribs, lands, or other surface features which will assist in anchoring the vent in the cement, mortar or mastic used to hold it in place. On the other hand, when the vent is intended for incorporation in a pre-existing building, it may be preferable to provide the body I with substantially smooth outer surfaces so as to minimise the size of the opening required for insertion of the vent into the existing brickwork. -10-

In the event of a flood, water may percolate through the soil beneath a building and cause dampness in any space below the ground floor. By temporarily removing the front panel and the components within the body, larger apertures are available to assist in drying out such dampness, for example by inserting air hoses through the body. Once the dampness has been reduced to acceptable levels, for example by blowing in the air, the components within the body and the front panel can be replaced. -11 -

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vent comprising: a vent body; at least one air flow channel through the body, the or each air flow channel having an air inlet and an air outlet; at least one float-controlled valve, the or each valve having a first, normal position in which air is permitted to flow through an air flow channel and a second position in which the valve floats in the presence of water to seal the air flow channel; and *S.. * S* 5S *S*.a mesh provided in the region of the air inlet and in the region of the air outlet to prevent the entry of insects into the vent body. S. Si

: *
2. A vent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each air flow channel S. * includes an aperture with an annular valve seat between the air inlet and the air outlet, the or each float-controlled valve including a ball normally in the first position spaced from the valve seat, but which can float up to the second position in the presence of water to engage the valve seat and seal the air flow channel. -12-
3. A vent as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the or each air flow channel and the or each float-controlled valve are provided in at least one component which is removable from the vent body.
4. A vent as claimed in claim 3, wherein the vent body has a front side and a rear side and is provided with at least one recess which opens to the front side for receipt of a corresponding removable component.
5. A vent as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the removable component has a lower chamber opening to the front side of the vent body, an upper chamber opening to the rear side of the vent body and at least one air aperture forming part of the at least one air flow channel and providing a passage for air between the lower and upper chambers. * * . S. * S...

* ** . 5
6. A vent as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one float member is located :.:. in the lower chamber, the float member being adapted to float in water and arranged such that, in the absence of water in the lower chamber, air is permitted to flow between the lower and upper chambers through the air * aperture and such that, upon ingress of water into the lower chamber, the float member floats and moves upwards until it reaches the second position, closes the air aperture and prevents ingress of water into the upper chamber.
7. A vent as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the or each float valve comprises a ball, the air aperture being substantially circular and of a smaller diameter than the ball.
8. A vent as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7 and including a gasket provided between the or each removable component and the vent body to form a seal between the removable component and the vent body.
9. A vent as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mesh in the air outlet region is incorporated into the gasket.
10. A vent as claimed in claim 9, wherein the gasket includes a frame for supporting the mesh and for forming the seal. S... * . . S. * *.SS * .
11. A vent as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mesh in the air outlet region is secured to the vent body.
12. A vent as claimed in claim 11, wherein the mesh is part of an assembly including a frame for supporting the mesh.
13. A vent as claimed in any preceding claim and including an apertured plate attached to the front face of the vent body, the apertures in the plate being substantially larger than apertures in the meshes.

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14 - 14. A vent as claimed in claim 13, wherein the apertured plate is removably attached to the front face of the vent body.
15. A vent as claimed in claim 3 or 14, wherein the mesh in the air inlet region is provided between the vent body and the apertured plate.
16. A vent as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mesh is part of an assembly including a frame for supporting the mesh.
17. A vent as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the meshes are made of a plastics material or a non-corroding metal.
18. A vent as claimed in claim 17, wherein the meshes are made of extruded **** : high-density polyethylene. s. * *
19. A vent as claimed in claim 17, wherein the meshes are made of brass or stainless steel. ** S. * S S * S S. *
20. A vent as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the meshes have an aperture size of about 2 mm.
21. A vent substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.