Precipitation resistant off-ridge vent

Abstract

A precipitation resistant ventilator for a structure enclosing an interior space. The ventilator encloses a space that is in communication with the structure interior space. A thin sheet of air permeable water resistant material is disposed within the ventilator interior. The thin sheet of air permeable water resistant material forms a barrier that excludes the entry of precipitation and other foreign matter into the roof structure while still allowing air exchange.

1 - 48 . (canceled)  
   
   
       49 . A vent comprising: 
 a top panel defining a plurality of discrete top panel airflow passages;    at least one vent panel disposed under the top panel and defining a plurality of discrete vent airflow passages; and    at least one sheet or air permeable material contacting airflow through the top panel airflow passages and the vent airflow passages.    
   
   
       50 . The vent of  claim 49 , in which a plurality of vent panels are disposed under the top panel.  
   
   
       51 . The vent of  claim 49 , in which the top panel defines a generally axial route exposing the top panel airflow passages therein.  
   
   
       52 . The vent of  claim 51 , in which the sheet is affixed to the top panel such that the airflow leaving a roof contacts the sheet before the airflow enters the top panel airflow passages.  
   
   
       53 . The vent of  claim 49 , in which the sheet is affixed to the vent such that the airflow leaving a roof contacts the sheet before the airflow enters the vent airflow passages.  
   
   
       54 . The vent of  claim 49 , in which the at least one vent panel comprises first and second vent panels.  
   
   
       55 . The vent of  claim 49 , in which the air permeable material includes a synthetic polymer.  
   
   
       56 . A vent positionable proximate a ridge of a roof, comprising: 
 a top panel;    first and second generally opposed vents contacting a bottom surface of the top panel, the first and second vents each comprising a pair of outer plies and an inner ply, the outer plies and inner ply defining a plurality of generally discrete airflow passages; and    an air permeable material contacting an airflow through the vents.    
   
   
       57 . A device for ventilating a roof, comprising: 
 a top panel;    a pair of vent panels affixed to an interior surface of the top panel; and    means for inhibiting precipitation from entering an interior portion of said roof.    
   
   
       58 . The device of  claim 57 , in which the top panel defines a generally axial route.  
   
   
       59 . The device of  claim 57 , in which the means for inhibiting precipitation includes an air permeable material.  
   
   
       60 . The device of  claim 59 , in which the air permeable material is positioned to contact an airflow leaving the roof before the airflow enters the device.  
   
   
       61 . The device of  claim 59 , in which the air permeable material is positioned to exclude insects and particulates from entering the interior portion of said roof.  
   
   
       62 . A process of manufacturing a roof vent, comprising: 
 contacting a pair of vent panels to a top panel, said vent panels and said top panel each comprising structure defining a plurality of discrete air passages; and    positioning an air permeable material such that an air flow leaving a roof onto which said roof vent is affixed will contact said material before contacting said discrete air passages of the vent panels or said top panel.    
   
   
       63 . The process of  claim 62 , in which the contacted pair of vent panels is affixed to the top panel.  
   
   
       64 . The process of  claim 63 , in which the affixed vent panels are generally opposed to one another.  
   
   
       65 . The process of  claim 64 , in which the material is positioned so as to contact the air flow before said air flow contacts the discrete air passages in the vent panels.  
   
   
       66 . The process of  claim 62 , further comprising routing a portion of the top panel, thereby exposing the air passages in the top panel to an inside of the vent.  
   
   
       67 . The process of  claim 66 , in which the portion of the top panel is generally axially routed.  
   
   
       68 . The process of  claim 66 , in which the material is positioned to contact said air flow before said air flow enters said routed top panel portion.  
   
   
       69 . The process of  claim 62 , in which the material is positioned so as to contact the air flow before said air flow contacts the discrete air passages in the vent panels.  
   
   
       70 . The process of  claim 62 , in which the positioned material is non-woven and spunbonded.  
   
   
       71 . The process of  claim 70 , in which the positioned material comprises randomly arranged synthetic polymer fibers.  
   
   
       72 . A method of manufacturing a roof vent, comprising: 
 contacting a pair of vent panels to a top panel, said vent panels and said top panel made from a multi-ply material having a pair of outer plies and an inner ply disposed between the outer plies, the outer plies and the inner ply defining a plurality of discrete air passages; and    step for inhibiting foreign matter from entering an interior of a roof ventilated by said roof vent.