Block wall vent and method

Abstract

A vent is rigidly mounted in a block wall as a substitute for a block to provide venting through the attendant wall. A lintel extends across the top of the vent and is supported by adjacent blocks. Louvered panels are attached about the exterior and interior openings of the vent. The exterior louvered panel accommodates either a flat finish or a stucco finish. The interior louvered panel can accommodate either a flat finish of the wall or a wall finished with sheet rock.

1 . A combustion air vent for use in a block wall, said vent comprising in combination: 
 a) a front louvered panel, top, bottom and side panels defining exterior dimensions generally corresponding with a conventional block used to build the block wall, said top, bottom and side panels including interior edges,    b) a top flange extending from and along said top edge a sufficient distance to overlie mortar to be placed between said vent and a lintel block;    c) a bottom flange extending from and along said bottom edge a sufficient distance to overlie mortar to be placed upon an underlying block and between said vent and the underlying block;    d) a pair of split flanges extending from and partly along one of said side edges a sufficient distance to overlie mortar to be placed intermediate an adjacent block and said side panel;    e) a further pair of split flanges extending from and along the other of said side edges a sufficient distance to overlie mortar to be placed intermediate further adjacent block and the other of said side panels;    f) a first flange disposed between said pair of split flanges and extending in a direction opposite to that of said pair of split flanges;    g) a second flange disposed between said further pair of split flanges and extending in a direction opposite to that of said pair of further split flanges;    h) a rear louvered panel attachable to said vent to cover the opening in said vent defined by said interior edges; and    I) a lintel positionable upon said top panel and extending past said side panels of said vent.    
   
   
       2 . The combustion air vent as set forth in  claim 1 , including at least one side flange extending outwardly from each of said side panels.  
   
   
       3 . The combustion air vent as set forth in  claim 1 , including at least one bottom flange extending outwardly from said bottom panel.  
   
   
       4 . The combustion air vent as set forth in  claim 3 , including at least one side flange extending outwardly from each of said side panels.  
   
   
       5 . The combustion air vent as set forth in  claim 1 , including a pair of bottom flanges extending outwardly from said bottom panel.  
   
   
       6 . The combustion air vent as set forth in  claim 1 , including attachment means for attaching said rear louvered panel to said first and second flanges.  
   
   
       7 . The combustion air vent as set forth in  claim 1 , including an insect screen and securing means for securing said insect screen to the interior surface of said front louvered panel.  
   
   
       8 . The combustion air vent as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said rear louvered panel includes a lip extending from its perimeter for enclosing therewithin said top flange, said bottom flange, said pair of split flanges and said pair of further split flanges.  
   
   
       9 . The combustion air vent as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said rear louvered panel includes a first and a second pair of apertures, said second pair of apertures being located laterally outwardly from said first pair of apertures and attachment means extending through said first pair of apertures for engagement with said first and second flanges.  
   
   
       10 . The combustion air vent as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said rear louvered panel includes a first and a second pair of apertures, said second pair of apertures being located laterally outwardly of said first pair of apertures, furring strips disposed on the block wall for supporting drywall and attachment means extending through said second pair of apertures for engagement with the underlying furring strips.  
   
   
       11 . The combustion air vent as set forth in  claim 1 , including knock-outs disposed in said bottom panel.  
   
   
       12 . A method for placing a vent in a block wall, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) placing the vent upon mortar supported on one or more underlying blocks;    b) imbedding a flange extending from the vent into the mortar during exercise of said step of placing;    c) further imbedding a further flange extending from one side of the vent into mortar between the one side and an adjacent block;    d) yet further imbedding a yet further flange extending from the other side of the vent into mortar between the other side and an adjacent block; and    e) locating a lintel across the top of the vent to receive support from blocks on opposite sides of the vent.    
   
   
       13 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , including the step of essentially covering the mortar about the sides, top and bottom of the vent with flanges extending from the interior edges of the vent.  
   
   
       14 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , including the step of attaching a rear louvered panel to flanges extending from the sides of the vent.  
   
   
       15 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , including the step of attaching a rear louvered panel to cover the interior edges of the vent to furring strips mounted on the block wall.  
   
   
       16 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , including the step of removing knock-outs disposed in the bottom of the vent.  
   
   
       17 . A combustion air vent for use in a block wall, said vent comprising in combination: 
 a) a front louvered panel, top, bottom and side panels defining exterior dimensions generally corresponding with a conventional block used to build the block wall, said side panels including rear edges;    b) a pair of flanges, one flange of said pair of flanges extending from one of said side edges and another flange of said pair of flanges extending from the other of said side edges;    c) a rear louvered panel;    d) attachment means for attaching said rear louvered panel to said pair of flanges;    e) at least one side flange extending outwardly from each of said side panels; and    f) at least one bottom flange extending outwardly from said bottom panel.    
   
   
       18 . The combustion air vent as set forth in  claim 17 , including a lintel extending across said top panel.  
   
   
       19 . The combustion air vent as set forth in  claim 17 , including an insect screen and means for securing said insect screen adjacent the interior surface of said front louvered panel.  
   
   
       20 . The combustion air vent as set forth in  claim 17 , including a pair of bottom flanges extending from said bottom panel.  
   
   
       21 . The combustion air vent as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein said rear louvered panel includes a lip extending about its perimeter for bearing against the block wall.  
   
   
       22 . The combustion air vent as set forth in  claim 17 , including knock-outs disposed in said bottom panel.