GB2513099A

GB2513099A - Condensation trickle vent

Info

Publication number: GB2513099A
Application number: GB1303137.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-22
Filing date: 2013-02-22
Publication date: 2014-10-22
Also published as: GB201303137D0

Abstract

A vent assembly comprises a length of tube 2 and a pair of ventilation face plates 1. At least one of the face plates has a socket 3 into which the tube is glued. One of the face plates may have a means to adjust the flow of air through the vent. One of the face plates may be fixed to the tube by clips, screwing or tolerance fit. One or more parts of the assembly may be made from plastics or metal. One of the face plates may be pre-assembled with the tube. The assembly may comprise of more than three parts. The face plates may have flat, convex or concave profile. The vent assembly may be installed in a hole through a wall 4 that is within an arms length of a window such that a pre-assembled vent assembly with an exterior face plate is installed into the hole from within a room by passing the vent assembly through an open window. Installation through an open window prevents the need to work at height on ladders. One of the face plates may have a fly screen. The tube may be cut to length to match the wall thickness.

Description

CONDENSATION TRICKLI VENTS

This invention relates to the installation of airvents in domestic dwellings and other buildings.

BACKGROUND

A large quantity of UK Dwellings and other buildings can suffer from condensation forming on the inside surfaces of walls and ceilings, leading to dampness and mould growth. This is due to insufficient ventilation in the building which has been an increasing problem in recent years, due mainly to the installation of plastic windows and doors with highly efficient draught seals. ractors such as; fitted carpets, solid concrete floors and draught excluding strips around timber doors and windows and the use of tumble driers as opposed to hanging washing outside to dry, also contribute towards the condensation problem.

The condensation problem is for more likely to occur in the upstairs rooms of the house because warm air rises and warm air carries a greater amount of moisture than cold air. The condensation is caused when this warm, moisture laden, air comes into contact with the cold inner surface of the exterior walls and the ceilings.

The problem could largely be solved by good housekeeping practices by the occupants, E.G. opening windows or existing vents, particularly whilst showering or drying cloths on a radiator or in a tumble drier. Unfortunately, the desire for warmth in the building often means that this does not happen and in fact, in many cases, existing vents are blocked in an attempt to reduce heating bills.

Double glazed windows are sometimes fitted with trickle vents which, if left open, can help to reduce the condensation on the window but often, mould and dampness can still occur at higher levels in the room because that is where the warmest, most moist, air goes.

Many older properties already have large, brick sized, vents installed in some of their exterior walls.

These are regularly, permanently blocked by the occupants because they are excessively large and allow too much heat to escape from the property. These ventilation holes can also become blocked by debris from within the cavity wall itself, particularly if the hole is of a small diameter.

The condensation problem can be countered by making small, carefully located air ventilation holes in the interior and exterior walls of the dwelling which allow a constant trickle of moist air to escape from the building without losing too much heat. To make these hole aesthetically pleasing and to stop entry by insects, rodents and birds, they have to be covered with some sort of ventilation face plate incorporating and insect screen, both internally and externally, which has to be screwed or otherwise fastened to the wall which can be a time consuming and awkward procedure involving power drills and To overcome the issues associated with fitting face plates to ventilation holes and to counter the problem of small diameter holes becoming blocked by debris from the cavity wall, the present invention proposes the installation of easy to fit, small diameter vent assemblies, comprising of a piece of tube that can be cut to an appropriate length and a pair of ventilation face plates, each to incorporate a socket for gluing to the tube and a fly screen.

The advantage of this is that the ventilation face plates are fixed by being glued to the ends of the tube and no further screwing or fastening is required. This reduces the use of power tools and working at height from ladders.

In many cases, the ventilation holes can be bored through the wall within an arms length of a window and if the exterior ventilation face plate is glued to the tube before it is passed through the wall, it is often possible to install the complete vent from within the building using the open window for access hence greatly reducing the need to work at height on ladders.

The chance of the vent being blocked by debris from within the wall is no longer an issue because once the ventilation plates are glued in place, the ventilation tube is effectively sealed against this sort of debris.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows a three dimensional view of the unassembled vent. The flange diameter of the ventilation face plates 1 are sufficiently large enough to cover any damage caused to the wall or partition during the boring of the hole.

Figure 2 shows an end view of a ventilation face plate incorporating a fly screen.

Figure 3 shows an end view of a ventilation face plate incorporating an alternative design of fly screen.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the un-assembled vent.

FigureS shows a side view of an assembled vent in situ in a wall or partition.

Figure 6 shows a side view of an alternative vent unit In figure 4, the length of tube 2 is to be placed through a pre-bored hole in a wall or partition and a ventilation face plate ito be glued to each end of the piece of tube. Glue to be applied to the inner face of the socket 3, which is then pushed over the outside of the tube.

In figureS, the length of tube 2 has been cut to the correct length for the wall or partition 4. The tube has then been placed in situ in the wall or partition 4 and the ventilation face plates 1 glued in place. The vent assemble is shown in situ in the wall or partition 4.

In figure 6, the unassembled vent is shown incorporating a tube 2 of such a diameter that it is assembled by applying glue to the outer faces of the sockets 3 which are then pushed into the inside of the ends of the tube 2.

Figures 2 and 3 show two versions of the ventilation face plates, each incorporating a different style of fly screen. Other designs of fly screen may also be used.

Figure 1, 4, 5 and 6 all show ventilation face plates 1 with a flat profile. Concave or convex profiles could also be used.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vent assembly, comprising a length of tube and a pair of ventilation face plates incorporating sockets into which the tube can be glued, one face plate to be glued to each end of the tube.
2. A vent assembly according to claim 1, in which one of the ventilation face plates has means to variably adjust the flow of air through the vent.
3. A vent assembly according to claim 1, in which one or more of the ventilation face plates are fixed to the the tube by means of clips.
4. A vent assembly according to claim 1. in which one or more of the ventilation face plates are fixed to the tube by means of screwing.
5.A vent assembly according to claim 1, in which one or more of the ventilation face plates are fixed to the tube by means of tolerance fit.
L.A vent assembly according to claim 1, in which one or more parts of the assembly are made from plastic.
7. A vent assembly according to claim 1, in which one or more parts of the assembly are made from metal.
8. A vent assembly according to claim 1, in which one of the ventilation face plates is supplied pre-assembled with the length of tube.
9. A vent assembly according to claim 1, comprising of more than three parts.