US20090233538A1

US20090233538A1 - Foundation Door-Vent with Insulation

Info

Publication number: US20090233538A1
Application number: US11/608,608
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard Charles Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-17
Filing date: 2008-03-17
Publication date: 2009-09-17

Abstract

InsulVent, the insulated foundation vent, is a crawl-space foundation vent that is designed to open from the exterior as a door. This allows the homeowner to easily open the vent to install insulation during cold weather and remove it during warm weather. The vent is unique because no other foundation vent is designed to open and close from the outside as a door. In addition to a removeable insulation block, the varmint screen is also removeable and replaceable. The door is designed to operate without hinges; however, a hinged version can easily be adapted.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

NA

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED R&D

NA

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”, ETC

NA

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Most crawl space foundations have vent screens inserted between the cement blocks so as to allow for moisture to escape from under a house which helps prevent mold, mildew, fungi growth and wood rot. All existing vents can be opened and shut during the winter to keep the wind from blowing cold air under the house; however, most people find that closing the vent is insufficient for keeping the crawl space protected against the cold winter air. For years people have reacted to this situation by stuffing insulation behind the vent or propping something like a bail of straw or a piece of insulation in front of the vent. Both methods work, but propping or stuffing something in front of the vent is unsightly and crawling under a house is unpleasant.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An attractive permanent insulated foundation vent with a housing and door system that allows the user to both insert/remove a styrofoam insulation block or change a damaged crawl space screen by opening the vent door from the outside of the house. The unique and structurally attractive door system is designed to be permanent, easy to use, construction friendly and user friendly. It is designed to be used for both new construction and to replace existing vent systems

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Application #11608608

FIG. 1 is the front elevation of the foundation vent as it would appear assembled.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the vent housing.

FIG. 3 is the front elevation of the vent housing.

FIG. 4 shows the door section inserted into the vent housing.

FIG. 5 is a cross section showing how the door and screen fit into the vent housing.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the door illustrating the method of securing the screen and insulation block into the end of the door.

FIG. 7 shows the screen frame and varmint grill structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Application #11608608

The invention will be described by way of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to FIG. 1, the insulated foundation vent, a plastic injection molded ventilation system, comprised of a frame 1, a door 2 and a screen 7. The door 2 inserts into the frame 1 and is secured by slipping the door 2 under a weather flange 3 of the frame 1. The door 2 also has a weather flange 4 that meets up with flange 3 to form a reasonable weather seal. The insertion of door 2 into the frame 1 creates a non-mechanical hinge allowing the door to open and close with a rotating motion. Door 2 is secured to frame 1 by plastic tabs 6 that overlap each other and, with moderate pressure, snaps tightly. Door 2 has a pull cavity 5 that allows the operator to pull the door open. Door 2 also has a screen 7 that inserts into the door while in the open position. The screen 7 is replaceable in the event that it becomes damaged.
FIG. 2, is a side view of the vent frame 1. Behind the façade of the vent frame 1 there is a groove 8 that surrounds the vent and is used for placing a bead of caulk or construction glue that will secure the vent to a cement wall. There is also a cut-off indentation 9 that can be scored with a utility knife to remove a portion of the frame 1 making the vent easier to install when replacing an existing foundation vent. A piece of Styrofoam 10 is glued to the top of the vent frame 1 to make it equal to the size of a cement block opening. This insures a good fit and helps conserve energy. The opposing ends 11 of the vent frame are sized to fit appropriately between two cement blocks where a block has been left out of the foundation for venting purposes.
FIG. 3 is the front view of the vent frame 1 and shows both the cut-off groove 9 and position of the Styrofoam block 10. Particular emphasis is placed on the housing weather flange 3 that is used for the door insert.
FIG. 4 shows the door 2 inserted into the frame 1 at intersection area 12.
FIG. 5 is a cross section of the frame 1, door 2, screen 7 and Styrofoam block 14 that is inserted into the door to create an insulation barrier. An angle 13 is used mid-way through the door frame 2 which allows the door to open while at the same time providing for a minimum loss in insular quality.
FIG. 6, is an end view of the door frame 2 and illustrates the position of the screen 7 between two tabs 16 that secure it into place. The tabs 15 also work in conjunction with tabs 16 to secure the Styrofoam insulation block 17.
FIG. 7, illustrates the screen frame 7 and how it is formed with a varmint grill 18 through injection molding. A piece of metal screen 19 is applied to the frame 7 and grill 18 using a heat process.
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a foundation vent that opens from the exterior like a door and allows for the insertion or removal of a Styrofoam insulation block, the present invention is not limited to the above described embodiment, and various modifications in design may be used as a method of opening and closing the vent door

Claims

1. A vinyl frame that fits into a rough opening equal to the size of a cement block.

2. A vinyl door uniquely designed to open to the exterior without the use of a mechanical hinge, using an angle on the back side of the door configuration that allows it to swing forward and containing grooves for accepting a screen and insulation block.

3. A replaceable screen.

4. A small Styrofoam block glued to the top.

5. A larger Styrofoam block used for insulation.

The foundation vent allows the owner the easy access of a door to react to changing climate conditions.