US3188938A - Ventilating device - Google Patents

Description

June 15, 1965 E. c. HALLocK v 3,188,938

VENTILATING DEVICE Filed June 12, 1963 lo 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR EDWYRD C.HALLOCK June l5, 1965 Filed June 12. 196s E. C. HALLOCK VENTILATING DEVIGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Il" 0 l' /5 I I' Z6 FIGA. 4Z 1' 4o 2,4 29 38 3 j I4 34 3222 32 {In} 6 Il] L0 26 l I 1 l5 F |G.5.

32 z2 ze 32 1 /14 I, 4a #M44 HH l( l Q ff' +8 -so Ig-42 Elm 52o 38 @42 z/4m 32 INVENTOR EDWARD C. HALLOCK HIS ATTORNEYS if member and the support plates, a coating United States Patent Otce dii Patented .June 15, 1965 3,188,938 VENTHLATING DEVICE Edward C. Hallock, 85 Woodland Ave., Summit, Nail. Filed .lune l2, 1963, Ser. No. 2$7,252 6 Claims. (Cl. gS--IZD This invention relates to Ventilating devices and, more particularly, to an improved method of fabricating ventilating devices of the type suitable for installation in masonry or concrete walls, and to an improved ventilating device.

In the construction of interior partitions and exterior walls in closed spaces in buildings such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, and the like, a number of types of small Ventilating devices have been employed to prevent moisture from accumulating and for cooling or air circulation intake. Known forms of Ventilating devices, for example, simple grille plates, box-like ventilators having perforated front surfaces, or Somewhat more elaborate cast ventilators, have been fabricated from sheet metal or have been made by casting. As so constructed, sheet metal ventilators require the provision of a suitable opening in the Wall with a lintel used to support the wall above the opening. The ventilator or grille plate is then installed in the opening. Presently known cast Ventilators, while having the advantage of being of sufficient strength to support the wall structure above the ventilator, have substantial limitations inherent in casting methods. For example, casting restricts the size and geometry of the ventilator and limits the amount of free area for the openings. Also, cast metals are generally weak and brittle, making them subject to cracking, contain structural defects occurring during manufacture, and are relatively poorly adapted t-o receive linishes, such as anodizing or baked enamel.

These and other disadvantages and limitations of known forms of Ventilating devices are overcome in accordance with the invention by a novel and improved method of fabricating a modular Ventilating device of the type suitable for direct installation in masonry or concrete walls. More particularly, a Ventilating device is produced by the extrusion of a channel-shaped member of predetermined configuration, forming apertures in the front side or web of the channel member, and selectively mounting transverse support plates between its top and bottom ilanges. The support plates may also be extruded and have bosses formed on one or on both sides for receiving fasteners from the ilanges of the channel member and for contributing to the structural rigidity of the ventilator. In order to simplify fabrication of a wide variety of different sized ventilators and substantially reduce the cost of production, the channel member and the support plates may be continuously extruded, in accordance with well known extrusion techniques, and then may be selectively cut oit at the appropriate lengths. Suitable louvered apertures may be formed in the web of the extruded channel member, for example, by slitting the web and pressing the slit portions into the space between the flanges. The support plates are then placed in position between the flanges and attached thereto.

It is often desirable to install a screen in the Ventilating device to prevent the entry of insects, small animals and the like into the building, and advantageously, the screen may be installed, in accordance with the invention, behind the web of the channel member adjacent t; c apertures and held in place by the bosses on the support plates, thereby eliminating the necessity of other fastening means to retain the screen. Further, in order to prevent moisture from seeping through the joints between the channel of a suitable sealing compound may be applied at the joints.

The method of the invention is readily adaptable to the use of materials such as bronze or aluminum, which have the desirable characteristics of light weight, corrosion resistance, attractive tinish, and high strength.

The sturdy construction of the Ventilating device of the invention renders it useful as an integral structural portion of a wall, thereby affording a substantial reduction in the cost of installation inasmuch as it is unnecessary to construct a reinforced opening in the wall, as is normally required with the present types. Installation is particularly elcient in brick or concrete block walls, since the Ventilating device may be of modular size and merely set in place in a course of brick or block, and the adjacent bricks or blocks laid around it. For installation in concrete walls, the Ventilating device may be built into the wall forms and concrete poured around it. A Ventilating device, in accordance with the invention, is preferably formed with ribs extending longitudinally along the outer faces of the ilanges of the channel members to secure the Ventilating device in a masonry joint or in concrete. Also, the transverse location of the ribs on the upper and lower flanges, respectively, may be arranged to provide interlocking between two 0r more vertically stacked ventilating devices.

he use of extruded members together with only a minimum of assembly steps enables considerable savings in the cost of production. An important advantage of the method is that the Ventilating devices may readily be formed in any desired length, advantageously, in multiples of the length of a brick or a block, by cutting the continuous extrusion to the desired length and installing transverse plates at appropriate intervals. Extrusion enables the fabrication of Ventilating devices having superior strength properties, better appearance, greater adaptability to finishes and more free Ventilating area than presently known types.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures of the drawing, in which:

FIGURE l is a front elevational view of a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a Ventilating device installed in a wall, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top View of the Ventilating device of FlG. l with a portion of the upper fiange of the channel member cut away in a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is an end View in section taken along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a partial View in vertical section showing an interlocking arrangement between stacked Ventilating devices aiiorded by the transverse location of longitudinal ribs on the iianges of the channel member;

FIG. 5 is an end View in section similar to FIG. 3 of the Ventilating device illustrating a clip for holding a screen in place; and

FIG. 6 is a partial plan View in section illustrating the clip of FIG. 5, taken generally along the line 6 6 of FIG. 5.

The Ventilating device lil, installed in a wall 12, includes a channel member i4, having a web 18 and iianges 22 and 24, extruded from a suitable material, such as aluminum, in accordance with well known techniques. The channel member i4 is severed or cut to an appropriate length from a continuous extrusion, either before or after forming the apertures 15 and the louvered slats '16.

A plurality lof elongated apertures i5 are formed in the web 13 of the channel member I4, for example, -by cutting or slitting the web 1S -to form elongated louvered slats 16 which are pushed back into the space between the llanges 22 and 24 at a suitable angle to the plane of the web i3?. The apertures 15 are'more readily and neat.

annessa ly formed in the web i5 if their ends Aare'cut so as'to Transverse plates 26 are selectively installed betwee p the anges'ZZ and 24 and adjacent the ends of the channel member 14, Vfor example, by one or more screws 28 inserted through Suitable Iopenings in the flangesZZ and 24 and engaged by hook-like integrally with the plates Z6. The bosses 3d eliminate the necessity of providing clips or other fastening means, or of welding to secure the transverse plates 26 in the channel member i4. Advantageously, the plates 26 may also be extruded from the same material as `the channel member 14. In addition to serving as convenient receiving means for the screws 28, the bossesil also increase the ilexural rigidity of the plates 26, thus adding strength to the Ventilating device lil and eliminating the need for special support means such as lintels in the lwall in which the Ventilating device lib is to be used.

As aforementioned, the Ventilating device itl may be made in any desired length. When necessary, intermediate transverse support plates 27 maybe instailed atappropriate intervals alongthe channel member 14 intermediate the ends, requirements for the Ventilatingrdevice. Advantageously, the intermediate plates 27 may have bosses 33 and Btl extruded on broth sides, thereby adding greatly to `their bosses 3i), preferably formed f l0,

the spacing depending on the strength,

Yin place in units in which the transverse pla-tes 26 are spaced ratherifar apart and the bosses 3d do not secure the screen in the fdevice as completely as desired. The clip'44 is fabricated from a strip yby bending the ends to lform a U-s'hape. The clipilf is installed in the device so that its base dbears against the .screen and the ends of Y therlegsfdb and Si) are engaged, respectively, by the downstanding flange at the end of the upper ange 22 of the channel lmember 1li and by theupstanding flange 3S at the end Iof the lower flange 24.

Thus there is provided, in accordance withthe invention, a method 'of making Ventilating devices which involves the assembly ofvonly two basic extruded parts, the channel member and the transverse plates. Further, the absence of any intricate assembly procedures, such as welding, attaching clips, screws, bolts or the like reduces 'the time and labor involved and, consequently, the exstrengthy and also affording a retaining means to hold a screen i2 in place, as described in more detail hereinafter. The Ventilating device 10 may have a number of sets of apertures 15 and slats i6 formed therein, and spaced from cach other by a solid transverse portion 19 of y"the web ib, thereby enablingthe intermediate plates 27, which extend laterally across the flanges 22 and 24, to rbear against the inside of the web 1S ofthe channel member i4.

In accordance with the invention, t-he channel ymember 14 may be formed with longitudinal ribs 32 extending along the outer surfaces of the flanges 22. and 24 to secure the Ventilating device it) firmly in mortar jointsk 33 in a masonrywall or in a concrete wall. Additionally, the ribsr 32 strengthen the flanges 22 and 24. Additionally; as shown in FG. 4, the transverse locations of the ribs 32 on the upper and lower anges ZZand 24 may, respectively, be arranged for interlocking two ormore vertically stacked ventilatingdevices, thus eliminating the need for fasteners between them,V Y

The extruded channel member i4 may also include an upper drip molding 34 to prevent water runningdown the wall of the building from entering the Ventilating device 1t) and a lower drip molding 36 to prevent leakage at the joint between the lower flange 24 and the wall l2. The upper and Vlower faces of the upper and lower drip moldings 34 and 36, respectively, may be mated, so as to afford further interlocking between the devices 10, and also to present a neater appearance when stacked, as illnstrated'in FG. 4. Y

Y ln the event that water does enter the Ventilating device l0, an upstanding edge of the lower ange Z4 of the channel Will serve as a darn to Vprevent water from Ydraining from the Ventilating device it@ rinto the building, and water trapped by the flange 38 maybe drained out through one or more drain ports 40 located at the Ibottom of -th'eweb 18. The drain ports 49 may be stamped intothe web during the forming of the apertures 15. K

Birds, insects, or other creatures may be prevented from entering the building through the Ventilating device'by installing a screen 42 across the back edges of the slats. i6. The screen may be box-like with its sides bearing against the interior Walls of the Ventilator andl can be held -in place by the bosses `3i) and 3thl thus eliminating the the assembly of ther flange 33 extending along the back Y member i4' pense of manufacture. Alventilating device, made by the method of the invention, includes a number of features not heretofore feasible in ventilators made by presently known methods lThe method also enables the fabrication of a wide VVariety of Ventilating ,devices of substantial length `vcapable of being readily installed as an integral structural portionwof a wall and having the advantages of greater free Ventilating area, improved appearance and adaptability to Abetter finishes. i

it will be understood by those skilled in the art that theV above-described method and embodiment of a ventilating dev-ice'are meant to be merely exemplary and are susceptible,of'variationand modification without departing from the spirit kand scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not deemed to be limited except as defined in the appendedV claims.

l claim: Y

il. The method "of fabricating a" Ventilating device, comprising the steps of extruding an elongated channel member of predetermined length having a web, an upper flange extending ylaterally from one edge of said web at a substantially right angle thereto, a lower llange extendingfrom the opposite edge of said web and lying Vsubstantially parallel to said upper flange, said upper and lower flanges extendinglongitudinally with said web, a

' said upper and lower flanges; forming a plurality of clongated. slats lin said web of said channel member; pressing saidrslats into the Vspace between said upper and lower anges and at an angle and intlouvered relation to said web; forming at least one drain port in said web adjacent said lower langejV extruding a member having at least one longitudinalV hook-likeY boss projecting from one side thereof; severing said extruded member in predetermined lengths to form a plurality oftransverse' plates; inserting a respective one of said transverse plates into the space between said upper and lower lianges and adjacent each Y end of said channel member'and in contact with said upper and lowerianges and said web to form the end Walls of said Ventilating device; and securing said transverse plates to said channelfrnember by inserting fasteners through rsaid. upper and lower flanges. yinto said longitudinal hook-like bosses. t

j 2. The method of fabricating a Ventilating device, comprising the Vsteps of yextruding a continuous elongated channel having a web, an upper flange extending laterally Ifrom one edge of said web at an angle thereto, and a Y lower flange extending from the other Vedge of said web andrlying in substantially parallel relation to said upper iiange; severing said channel at a predetermined length to form a channelV member; forming a plurality of elongated slats in said web of said channel member; pressing said slats into the space between said upper and lower flanges and at an angle and in louvered relation to said web; ext-ruding a member having at least one longitudinal boss projecting from one side thereof, the boss defining a longitudinal slot for receiving fasteners; severing said extruded member in predetermined lengths to form a plurality of transverse plates; inserting a respective one of said transverse plates into the space between said upper and lower flanges and adjacent each end of said channel member and in contact with said upper and lower flanges and said web to form the end walls of said Ventilating device; and inserting fasteners through said upper and lower flanges of said channel member into said bosses to secure said transverse plates to said channel member.

3. A- Ventilating device, comprising an elongated extruded channel mem-ber having a web, an upper flange extending laterally from one edge of said web at an angle thereto, a lower flange extending from the other edge of said web and lying generally parallel to said upper flange, said upper and lower flanges extending longitudinally with said web, a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinally extending elongated apertures formed in the web and longitudinally extending slat means for each of the elongated apertures formed integr-ally with said web and connected along one side thereof and extending inwardly relative to said channel member at an angle to the plane of said web; a transverse plate mounted adjacent each end of said channel member, each of said transverse plates having a boss extending along the inner surface thereof and aligned generally perpendicular to the flanges, said bosses defining slots for receiving fasteners; and fastener means inserted through said upper and lower flanges of said channel member and into said boss slots for fastening said transverse plates to said channel member.

4. A Ventilating device as claimed in claim 3, in which said upper and lower flanges have a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs on the outer surfaces thereof to facilitate mounting said Ventilating device in a wall.

5. A Ventilating device as claimed in claim 4, in which at least two of said ribs are transversely positioned on said upper and lower flanges so as to provide interlocking contact along their edges when the devices are vertically stacked.

6. A Ventilating device, comprising an elongated extruded channel member having a web, an upper flange extending laterally from one edge of said web at a substantially right angle thereto, and a lower flange extending from the opposite edge of said web and lying substantially parallel to said upper flange, said upper and lower flanges extending longitudinally with said web, said web having a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinally extending elongated apertures formed therein, at least one drain port in said web adjacent said lower flange, a short upstanding flange extending along and at an angle to the edge of said lower flange opposite the edge where said lower flange joins said web, projecting drip moldings extending longitudinally along and outwardly from the corners of said channel member formed by the joinder of said web and said flanges, and a plurality of ribs extending longitudinally along the outer surfaces of said upper and lower flanges; and a plurality of transverse plates respectively mounted in and adjacent the respective ends of said channel member and forming therewith the end -Walls of the Ventilating device.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,178,253 10/39 Fader 98--l21 X 2,780,978 2/57 Peirson 98--121 X 2,954,727 10/60 Katt 98-37 X 3,051,071 8/6-2 Leigh 98-37 3,086,442 4/63 Waldron 98-121 3,120,036 2/64 Minds 98-121 X 3,120,883 2/64 Greiling 98-121 X ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. THE METHOD OF FABRICATING A VENTILATING DEVICE, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF EXTRUDING AN ELONGATED CHANNEL MEMBER OF PREDETERMINED LENGTH HAVING A WEB, AN UPPER FLANGE EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM ONE EDGE OF SAID WEB AT A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLE THERETO, A LOWER FLANGE EXTENDING FROM THE OPPOSITE EDGE OF SAID WEB AND LYING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID UPPER FLANGE, SAID UPPER AND LOWER FLANGES EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY WITH SAID WEB, A SHORT UPSTANDING FLANGE EXTENDING ALONG AND PERPENDICULAR TO THE EDGE OF SAID LOWER FLANGE OPPOSITE THE EDGE WHERE SAID LOWER FLANGE JOINS SAID WEB, PROJECTING DRIP MOLDINGS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY ALONG AND OUTWARDLY FROM THE CORNERS OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBER FORMED BY THE JOINDERS OF SAID WEB AND SAID FLANGES, AND A PLURALITY OF RIBS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY ALONG THE OUTER SURFACES OF SAID UPPER AND LOWER FLANGES; FORMING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED SLATS INTO THE WEB OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBER; PRESSING SAID SLATS INTO THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID UPPER AND LOWER FLANGES AND AT AN ANGLE AND IN LOUVERED RELATION TO SAID WEB; FORMING AT LEAST ONE DRAIN PORT IN SAID WEB ADJACENT SAID LOWER FLANGE; EXTRUDING A MEMBER HAVING AT LEAST ONE LONGITUDINAL HOOK-LIKE BOSS PROJECTING FROM ONE SIDE THEREOF; SEVERING SAID EXTRUDED MEMBER IN PREDETERMINED LENGTHS TO FORM A PLURALITY OF TRANSVERSE PLATES; INSERTING A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID TRANSVERSE PLATES INTO THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID UPPER AND LOWER FLANGES AND ADJACENT EACH END OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBER AND IN CONTACT WITH SAID UPPER AND LOWER FLANGES AND SAID WEB TO FORM THE END WALLS OF SAID VENTILATING DEVICE; AND SECURING SAID TRANSVERSE PLATES TO SAID CHANNEL MEMBER BY INSERTING FASTENERS THROUGH SAID UPPER AND LOWER FLANGES INTO SAID LONGITUDINAL HOOK-LIKE BOSSES.

Images