Wall ventilation apparatus and method of ventilating a wall structure

Abstract

A wall ventilation device and associated method of use, which device includes a plurality of orifices in the front of the device and a means for filtering in the rear of the device to achieve an improved method of ventilating the exterior walls of a brick home, reducing the likelihood of mold buildup, and reducing unwanted pest entry through the traditional weep holes placed between layers of brick.

1 . A device for providing ventilation and eliminating unwanted pest entry through the outer wall of a structure comprising: 
 a face plate having a ventilation means for providing air ventilation through said face plate;    a mechanism for the opening and closing of said ventilation means on said face plate; and    an encasing member sized and shaped for reception into an opening of a wall structure and having openings in communication with said ventilation means and with space adjacent said apparatus, opposite said face plate.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said ventilation means comprises: 
 a first plurality of orifices in said face plate;    a louver plate juxtaposed to said face plate and having a second plurality of orifices which, when substantially aligned with said first plurality of orifices, provides ventilation through the combination of said face plate and said louver plate; and    means for moving said louver plate relative to said face plate for moving between a first ventilation position wherein said first and second plurality of orifices are substantially aligned for providing said ventilation and a second position wherein said first and second plurality of orifices are substantially non-aligned for substantially obstructing air flow through said combination of said face plate and said louver plate.    
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  further comprising filter means attached to said encasing member.  
   
   
       4 . A method for providing ventilation to an interior space of a wall structure comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a device comprising: 
 a face plate having a ventilation means for providing air ventilation through said face plate;  
 a mechanism for the opening and closing of said ventilation means on said face plate; and  
 an encasing member sized and shaped for reception into an opening of a wall structure and having openings in communication with said ventilation means and with space adjacent said apparatus, opposite said face plate.  
   inserting said encasing member into an opening formed in a wall structure to establish air flow communication between space outside of said wall and space interior of said wall structure; and    securing said device in said opening.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said ventilation means of said device comprises: 
 a first plurality of orifices in said face plate;    a louver plate juxtaposed to said face plate and having a second plurality of orifices which, when substantially aligned with said first plurality of orifices, provides ventilation through the combination of said face plate and said louver plate; and    means for moving said louver plate relative to said face plate for moving between a first ventilation position wherein said first and second plurality of orifices are substantially aligned for providing said ventilation and a second position wherein said first and second plurality of orifices are substantially non-aligned for substantially obstructing air flow through said combination of said face plate and said louver plate.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said device further comprises filter means attached to said encasing member.