US4432273A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fan powered roof venting method and apparatus
Assignee: Monroe Co Inc
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Filing: 1981-12-07
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Granted: 1984-02-21
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Expires: 2001-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A roof vent for flat built-up roofs, having a truncated pyramid-shaped air stack with a protective cap and an internal fan for inducing upward air flow through a check valve at the upper end of the stack. A solar panel provides power for operating the fan, a thermal switch is employed for enabling the fan above an ambient temperature of 50° F. (10° C.) and a humidistat may be employed for disabling the fan below 50% relative humidity.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald J. Devitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:13
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04D; E04D13/00; E04D13/17; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291; Y10S454/00; Y10S454/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A flat roof dryer for removing moisture from an insulation cavity formed in a built-up flat roof having a layer of insulation underlying a roof mat having a plurality of plies of roof felt, comprising: a housing having a lower, flat peripheral base flange adapted for sealingly mounting the housing to the surface of the built-up roof; a cover means covering the top of said housing to prevent the entry of rain and other foreign matter into the housing; at least one outlet opening disposed generally below said cover means; a fan means mounted in said housing to produce a generally upward airflow through said housing; a one-way flow valve means mounted in the housing and interposed between the cover means and the fan means to permit airflow only in a generally upward direction from said fan means; an energizing means to automatically energize said fan means; and a control means to prevent energizing of the fan means when the temperature in the housing is below a predetermined temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A flat roof dryer for removing moisture from an insulation cavity formed in a built-up flat roof having a layer of insulation underlying a roof mat having a plurality of plies of roof felt, comprising: a housing having a lower, flat peripheral base flange adapted for sealingly mounting the housing to the surface of the built-up roof; a cover means covering the top of said housing to prevent the entry of rain and other foreign matter into the housing; at least one outlet opening disposed generally below said cover means; a fan means mounted in said housing to produce a generally upward airflow through said housing; a one-way flow valve means mounted in the housing and interposed between the cover means and the fan means to permit airflow only in a generally upward direction from said fan means; an energizing means to automatically energize said fan means; and a control means to prevent energizing of the fan means when the temperature in the housing is below a predetermined temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The flat roof dryer of claim 1 wherein the housing has a generally truncated pyramid shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The flat roof dryer of claim 1 wherein the cover means is a cap member having an upper portion covering the top of said housing and a lower peripheral portion of said cap member defines an outlet opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flat roof dryer of claim 1 wherein the one-way flow valve means comprises a counterbalanced flapper valve pivotally mounted relative to an opening generally vertically spaced from said fan means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flat roof dryer of claim 1 wherein said energizing means further comprises a photovoltaic cell externally mounted to the housing and connected via said control means to said fan means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
164 words
A built-up flat roof drying system comprising: a built-up flat roof including a layer of insulation underlying a roof mat having a plurality of plies of roof felt, said roof mat having a cut-out opening defining an insulation cavity; a housing having a lower flat peripheral base flange sealingly engaging the upper surface of said roof mat, said housing being generally positioned to cover said cavity; a fan means mounted in said housing to produce a generally upward airflow from said cavity; a cap member having an upper portion covering the top of said housing and having a lower peripheral portion defining an outlet opening; a one-way flow valve means mounted in the housing and interposed between the cap member and fan means to permit airflow only in a generally upward direction from said cavity; energizing means to automatically energize said fan means; and control means to prevent energizing of the fan means when the temperature in the housing is below a predetermined temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
164 words
A built-up flat roof drying system comprising: a built-up flat roof including a layer of insulation underlying a roof mat having a plurality of plies of roof felt, said roof mat having a cut-out opening defining an insulation cavity; a housing having a lower flat peripheral base flange sealingly engaging the upper surface of said roof mat, said housing being generally positioned to cover said cavity; a fan means mounted in said housing to produce a generally upward airflow from said cavity; a cap member having an upper portion covering the top of said housing and having a lower peripheral portion defining an outlet opening; a one-way flow valve means mounted in the housing and interposed between the cap member and fan means to permit airflow only in a generally upward direction from said cavity; energizing means to automatically energize said fan means; and control means to prevent energizing of the fan means when the temperature in the housing is below a predetermined temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The dryer system of claim 6 wherein the housing has a generally truncated pyramid shape.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-02-20 | 1987-08-22 | 1988-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-20 | 1991-08-22 | 1992-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-20 | 1995-08-22 | 1996-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |