US3481263A - Ridge type roof ventilator device - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 2, 1969 M. c. BELDEN RIDGE TYPE ROOF VENTILATOR DEVICE Filed May 13, 1968 I N VENTORv FIE4 BY Maeuwa C 3510 50 4rr0P/um5' U.S. C]. 98-42 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A roof ventilator device mounted in straddling relation on the ridge line of a roof including a pair of similar lateral sections hingedly connected together. Each section including a lower wall, a lower side wall, an upper side wall, vertical end walls and a top wall, the latter being hinged to the top wall of the other section to permit adjustment of the device to accommodate substantially any roof regardless of the pitch thereof. The vertical end walls of each section including inner portions disposed in overlapping relation with end portions of the adjacent end walls of the other section so that a closure is formed at the ends of the ventilator device even though the ventilator device is adjusted during installation.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Although ridge-type roof ventilators are commercially available, some of these commercial types are comprised of a plurality of parts which must 'be assembled when the divice is applied to the roof. Other commercial devices can be adjusted only by bending the ventilator at its apex to accommodate roofs that vary in pitch. Since these ventilators are sometimes quite long this bending is diflicult. Further these types of ridge ventilators if bent for adjustment also require provision of different end plates.

The present invention is directed to a ridge-type roof ventilator which is highly effective for ventilating air from an attic or similar space, and which is adjustable to fit substantially any roof regardless of its pitch. Since the various components of the present ridge-type roof ventilator are interconnected together, there is nothing to assemble during installation of the device. Although the end walls of the ventilator device are arranged and constructed to permit adjustment during installation of the device, these end walls form a watertight closure so that the present ventilator device permits hot moist air to be exausted from an attic but prevents the intrusion of moisture into the attic space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF TH DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective of a building incorporating ridge-type roof ventilating devices,

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the ridgetype roof ventilator device,

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the ventilator device applied to a roof having a predetermined pitch,

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating the ventilator device diagrammatically in section applied to a roof having a different pitch, and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale of the hinge mechanism of the ventilator device illustrating details of construction thereof.

DETAILED RESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that United States Patent O "ice one embodiment of the novel ridge-type roof ventilator device 10 is thereshown. This ventilator device 10, as best seen in FIG. 1, is adapted to be mounted on the peak or ridge of the roof of a building to permit effective exhausting of hot moisture laden air from the attic or similar space of the structure. It is desirable that the ventilator device be adjustable so that it may be mounted upon the roof regardless of the pitch thereof. In this regard, the present ventilator device is comprised of a pair of similar lateral sections 11 which are hingedly connected together to permit the desired adjustment. The entire ventilator device is formed of a suitable rigid metal preferably of a type which is non-corrosive, such as aluminum or the like.

Each lateral section 11 includes a substantially flat lower wall 12. This lower wall 12 of each section has its longitudinal inner marginal portion bent upwardly to define an upturned flange 13 as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. The terminal portion of the upturned flange 13 is also bent in angular relation thereto to define an outwardly projecting lip 14. It will -be noted that when the ventilator device 10 is applied to a roof, the lower walls 12 of the respective lateral sections are spaced apart as are the upturned flanges 13 to define a generally vertically extending throat 15 through which the air circulates.

Each lateral section 11 also includes a lower side wall 16 which as shown extends upwardly and outwardly and has an outturned flange 17 integrally formed with the lower edge thereof. It will be noted that the' outturned flange 17 is integral with the outer longitudinal edge of the lower wall 11 so that the flange 17 is actually bent upon the lower wall 12. The lower side wall 16 of each lateral section has a plurality of elongate slots or openings 18 formed therein at the juncture of the lower side wall and its associated outturned flange. These openings permit water to drain therethrough in the event that any moisture collects interiorly of the ventilator device.

Each lateral section 11 also includes an upper side wall 19 which is of flat construction and is integral with the lower side wall 16. The upper side wall 19 is also integrally formed with a top wall 20 which is hingedly connected to the top wall of the other lateral section 11. It will, therefore, be seen that the lower Wall, lower side wall, upper side wall and top wall of each lateral section are integrally formed from a single blank of material. The upper side wall 19 of each lateral section extends upwardly and inwardly from the lower side wall while the top walls which extend inwardly extend upwardly at only a relatively shallow angle.

Each of the upper side walls 19 has a plurality of inwardly struck small fixed louvers 21 formed throughout the major portion of the length thereof and generally known in the trade as eyebrow louvers. It will be noted that these louvers are arranged in vertical rows and define an opening 22 between each adjacent louver 21. These louvers are generally pointed upwardly at an angle and permit air to flow therethrough while minimizing any tendency of moisture to pass downwardly therethrough. It will be noted that each adjacent row of louvers is separated by small vertical strip 23 so that the louvers 21 are symmetrically arranged throughout substantially the entire major portion of the surface area of the upper side walls. These louvers may be formed by a stamping operation which is well known in the art.

The top wall 20 of each lateral section is of imperforate construction and is hingedly connected to the top wall of the other section by hinge mechanism 24. This hinge mechanism 24 includes a pair of elongate hinge elements 25 each being integrally formed with one of the top walls 20 and projecting upwardly and outwardly therefrom. In

this regard, it will be noted that each hinge element 25 is formed by bending the inner longitudinal edge portion of one of the top walls 20 upwardly, then slightly outwardly so that each hinge element extends longitudinally substantially throughout the major length of each top wall 20.

The hinge mechanism 24 also includes an elongate exterior hinge element 26, which as shown, is of generally circular cross-sectional configuration but which has a slot 27 formed therein throughout the length thereof. It will be noted that the interior hinge elements 25 extend through the slot 27 and into the interior of the exterior hinge element 26. Small, generally cylindrical closure cups 28 are positioned in opposite ends of the exterior hinge element 26 and are secured thereto to prevent the intrusion of moisture through the ends of the hinge mechanism. This hinge mechanism 24 permits the lateral sections to swing towards and away from each other about substantially longitudinally axis so that the ventilator device may be accurately and conveniently positioned upon the peak of a roof regardless of the pitch thereof.

Each lateral section 11 also has a pair of imperforate vertically disposed end walls 29 each affixed to one end thereof. Each end wall 29 of each lateral section is of flat metallic construction and is of five-sided configuration. The marginal edge portions adjacent four of the five sides are bent outwardly to define an outturned peripheral flange 30 which is positioned against and secured to the inner surface of the associated lower side wall, upper side wall, top wall and lower wall. It will be noted that that portion of the outturned flange 30 which overlies the lower wall 12 of each lateral section 11 projects inwardly beyond the inner edge of lower wall, and the juncture between this portion of the outturned flange and the end wall 29 has a cut made therealong. This cut or severance line extends outwardly from the inner edge of this portion of the outturned flange 30 through a point spaced from the inner edge of the lower wall 12. Thus the inner end of this portion of the outturned flange 30 defines an arm 31.

It will be noted that the inner portions of the end walls 29 of one lateral section overlies the corresponding portions of the end walls of the other section. With this arrangement, the ventilator device may be adjusted to accommodate a roof of predetermined pitch without interfering or destroying the watertight character of the end walls of the ventilator device. Similarly, the arms 31 associated with the end walls may be bent into overlapped relation as best seen in FIG. 2 to conform to the pitch of the roof at the peak or ridge line thereof.

In use, the ventilator device will be applied to the ridge line or peak of a roof and may be installed on an existing structure or one that is being built. The ridge or peak of the roof will have an opening therein which will be straddled by the ventilator device which may be adjusted to accommodate the roof regardless of its pitch. It is merely necessary to shift the hingedly connected lateral sections towards or away from each other as diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The ventilator device may then be secured to a roof by suitable nails or the like. A caulking strip may be applied below the marginal edge portions of the lower wall to form a suitable seal thereat.

The ventilator device will permit the hot, moist, humid air to be readily exhausted from an attic space but will prevent the intrusion of water into this space. In this regard, it will be noted that upturned flanges 13 are positioned inwardly with respect to the uppermost and most inwardly disposed louvers 21 of the upper side walls 19. Therefore, in the event that water does pass inwardly through the openings 22 in the upper side walls 19, the water will be impeded from flowing in an inward direction by the flanges 13 and will pass outwardly through the openings 18 in the lower side walls 16.

However, the louvers 21 permit the hot, moist air to flow upwardly and outwardly therethrough in a highly eflicient manner as indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 3

and 4. In this regard, it is pointed out that the flow of colder air over the exterior surface of the ventilator device produces an air foil eflect or pull with respect to the hot, moist air so that this moist air is directed outwardly and is constantly exhausted.

From the foregoing, it will, therefore, be seen I have provided a novel ridge line type adjustable louver device which is readily adjustable to fit substantially any roof regardless of the pitch thereof. This novel louver device is not only effective for exhausting hot, humid air from an attic space or the like but is arranged and constructed to prevent the escape intrusion of moisture into the attic space.

Thus, it will be seen that the present invention is directed to a novel and improved ridge type ventilator device, which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction, but one which functions in a more efficient manner than any heretofore known comparable device.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. A ventilator device comprising:

a pair of similar lateral sections hingedly connected together and being positioned in straddling relation with respect to the ridge of a roof, each of said sections including an elongate generally rectangular flat lower wall adapted to engage the roof and having its inner longitudinal marginal portion bent upwardly to define an upturned flange,

an upwardly extending lower side wall having an outturned flange integrally formed with its lower edge, said outturned flange being positioned upon said lower wall and integral with the outer edge thereof,

an upper side wall integral with said lower side wall and extending upwardly therefrom, said upper side Wall having a plurality of openings therein formed by a plurality of inwardly struck longitudinally extending louvers,

a top wall integral with said upper side wall extending upwardly and inwardly therefrom,

hinge means hingedly connecting the top walls together adjacent their respective inner edges for hinging movement of the lateral sections about an axis extending longitudinally of said ventilator device,

vertical end walls at each end of each section secured to the associated lower wall, lower side wall, upper side wall and top wall, the end walls at one end of each section having an inner portion thereof disposed in over-lapping relation with respect to the inner portion of the adjacent end wall of the other section.

2. The ventilator device as defined in claim 1 wherein each end wall has an outturned flange integrally formed with the lower edge thereof and extending longitudinally therefrom, the end portion of said end wall flanges being disposed in overlapping relation with the inner end of the adjacent lower edge end wall flange of the other section.

3. The ventilator device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said lower side walls has a plurality of openings therein located adjacent the juncture of the lower side wall and its outturned flange.

4. The ventilator device as defined in claim 1 wherein the upturned flange of each lower wall has an outwardly projecting longitudinally extending lip integral with the upper edge thereof.

5. The ventilator device as defined in claim 1 wherein said hinge means between said lateral sections includes a pair of internal elongate hinge elements each integrally formed with one of said top wall sections, and an elongate slotted outer hinge element embracing said inner hinge elements.

6. The ventilator device as defined in claim 2 wherein the inner lapped end portions of said outturned lower 5 6 edge end wall flanges are angularly bent with respect to 3,082,576 3/1963 Bailey 52-198 X the remaining portion of said last-mentioned flanges. 3,311,047 3/1967 Smith et a1. 98-42 3,326,113 6/1967 Smith et a1. 98-42 References Cited P 5 E. Primary Examiner 507,545 10/1893 Kinnear 52- 57 934,329 9/1909 Martin 5257 5257 2,690,599 10/1954 Thompson et a1 5264 X

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