Interior mounted cover having a breathable membrane for a roof ventilator

Abstract

A ventilation opening closure to close off a standard opening in a support structure such as a roof or wall includes a base and a cover plate. The base comprises a base ring, a seal ring between the base ring and the support structure, and a bevel-shaped seal ring to align and seal the cover plate with the base ring. The closure includes a pair of complementary hinges so that the closure can be opened to the right or to the left. Alternatively, rather that the second hinge, the closure may include a latch means to more quickly shut the closure.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A ventilation opening closure to close off an opening in a support structure, the closure comprising: 
 a. a base including: 
 i. a base ring;  
 ii. a first seal ring to seal between the base ring and the support structure through which the ventilation opening penetrates;  
 iii. a second seal ring on the base ring opposite the first seal ring;  
   b. a cover plate including: 
 i. a seat to mate with the second seal ring;  
 ii. a breathable membrane capable of closing off the support structure from inclement weather while simultaneously permitting moisture to vent through the opening;  
   c. a first hinge for coupling the base to the cover plate.    
     
     
         2 . The closure of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of flange members extending from the base ring to secure the base ring to the support structure.  
     
     
         3 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the first hinge includes: 
 a first hinge mount extending from the base ring; and    a first hinge plate extending from the cover plate, wherein the first hinge plate is capable of being hingedly mated to the first hinge mount using a pin.    
     
     
         4 . The closure of  claim 3  wherein the base ring and the first hinge mount are formed as an integral unit.  
     
     
         5 . The closure of  claim 1 , further comprising a second hinge, wherein the first and second hinge are alternatively selectable for hingedly attaching the cover plate to the base ring.  
     
     
         6 . The closure of  claim 5 , wherein the second hinge is positioned opposite the first hinge.  
     
     
         7 . The closure of  claim 5 , wherein the second hinge includes: 
 a second hinge mount extending from the base ring; and    a second hinge plate extending from the cover plate, wherein the second hinge plate is capable of being hingedly mated to the second hinge mount using a pin.    
     
     
         8 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the second seal ring has a bevel-shaped cross section and the seat of cover plate has a frustoconical shape to mate with the bevel shape of the second seal ring.  
     
     
         9 . The closure of  claim 8 , wherein the second seal ring comprises a bevel-shaped projection molded as an integral part of the base, and wherein the projection is covered with a compressible polymeric material.  
     
     
         10 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the breathable membrane closes off the support structure from inclement weather by forming a thermal barrier that retains heat inside the support structure while simultaneously permitting moisture to vent through the opening.  
     
     
         11 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the breathable membrane is comprised of GORE-TEX®.  
     
     
         12 . A method of closing a ventilation opening through a support structure, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a. mounting a base around the ventilation opening, the base including: 
 i. a base ring;  
 ii. a first seal ring to seal between the base ring and the support structure through which the ventilation opening penetrates;  
 iii. a second seal ring on the base ring opposite the first seal ring;  
   b. coupling a cover plate to the base with a first hinge, the cover plate having a seat to mate with the second seal ring; and    c. closing the cover plate against the second seal ring and securing the cover plate to the base, wherein the cover plate includes a breathable membrane capable of closing off the support structure from inclement weather while simultaneously permitting moisture to vent through the opening.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second seal ring includes a bevel-shaped cross section, and the seat of the cover plate has a frustoconical shape that mates with the seal ring when the cover plate is secured to the base.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising venting moisture through the breathable membrane of the cover plate while forming a thermal barrier that retains heat inside the support structure.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the breathable membrane is comprised of GORE-TEX®.  
     
     
         16 . A ventilation opening closure to close off an opening in a support structure, the closure comprising: 
 a. a base including: 
 i. a base ring;  
 ii. a first seal ring to seal between the base ring and the support structure through which the ventilation opening penetrates;  
 iii. a second seal ring on the base ring opposite the first seal ring;  
   b. a cover plate including: 
 i. a seat to mate with the second seal ring;  
 ii. a breathable membrane capable of closing off the support structure from inclement weather while simultaneously permitting moisture to vent through the opening;  
   c. a first hinge for coupling the base to the cover plate; and    d. a second hinge for coupling the base to the cover plate, wherein the first and second hinge are alternatively selectable for hingedly attaching the cover plate to the base ring.    
     
     
         17 . The closure of  claim 16 , wherein the first hinge is positioned opposite the second hinge.  
     
     
         18 . The closure of  claim 16 , wherein the breathable membrane closes off the support structure from inclement weather by forming a thermal barrier that retains heat inside the support structure while simultaneously permitting moisture to vent through the opening.  
     
     
         19 . The closure of  claim 16 , wherein the second seal ring has a bevel-shaped cross section and the seat of cover plate has a frustoconical shape to mate with the bevel shape of the second seal ring.  
     
     
         20 . The closure of  claim 16 , wherein the breathable membrane is comprised of GORE-TEX®.