Ventilation system for the attic space of a building

Abstract

A ventilation system for an attic space in a building having a roof includes a ventilation tube defining a ventilation channel. The ventilation tube is configured for the movement of air within the ventilation channel between a first end of the ventilation tube and a second end of the ventilation tube. The ventilation tube is disposed within an attic space in a building, such that the first end of the ventilation tube is positioned adjacent a soffit vent, and the second end of the ventilation tube is positioned within the attic space.

1 . A ventilation system for an attic space in a building having a roof, the ventilation system comprising:
 a ventilation tube defining a ventilation channel and configured for the movement of air within the ventilation channel between a first end of the ventilation tube and a second end of the ventilation tube;   wherein the ventilation tube is disposed within an attic space in a building, such that the first end of the ventilation tube is positioned adjacent a soffit vent, and the second end of the ventilation tube is positioned within the attic space.   
   
   
       2 . The ventilation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the ventilation channel is further configured for the movement of air between the soffit vent and a roof vent. 
   
   
       3 . The ventilation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the ventilation tube is attached to a roof sheathing of the roof. 
   
   
       4 . The ventilation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the ventilation tube includes four elongated walls defining the ventilation channel having a substantially rectangular transverse section. 
   
   
       5 . The ventilation system according to  claim 4 , wherein joints between adjacent walls define living hinges; and
 wherein the ventilation tube is movable between a folded position wherein the ventilation tube is substantially flat, and an open position wherein the ventilation tube has the substantially rectangular transverse section.   
   
   
       6 . The ventilation system according to  claim 4 , wherein the walls include an attic floor facing wall, a roof sheathing facing wall opposite the attic floor facing wall, and first and second side walls connecting the attic floor facing wall and the roof sheathing facing wall;
 the ventilation tube further including a flap portion extending outwardly of the attic floor facing wall and defining a leading edge;   wherein a living hinge is defined between the attic floor facing wall and the flap portion; and   wherein the flap portion is movable between a first position wherein the flap portion is substantially coplanar with the attic floor facing wall, and a second position wherein the flap portion is pivoted about the living hinge such that the leading edge is oriented substantially toward the second end of the ventilation tube.   
   
   
       7 . The ventilation system according to  claim 6 , wherein in the second position, the flap portion defines an insulation barrier between the soffit vent and a remainder of the attic space in a building having a roof. 
   
   
       8 . The ventilation system according to  claim 7 , wherein leading edge surfaces of the first and second side walls at the first end of the ventilation tube are formed at an obtuse angle relative to the flap portion. 
   
   
       9 . A ventilation system for an attic space in a building having a roof, the ventilation system comprising:
 a ventilation tube defining a ventilation channel and configured for the movement of air within the ventilation channel between a first end of the ventilation tube and a second end of the ventilation tube;   wherein the ventilation tube includes four elongated walls defining the ventilation channel having a substantially rectangular transverse section.   
   
   
       10 . The ventilation system according to  claim 9 , wherein joints between adjacent walls define living hinges; and
 wherein the ventilation tube is movable between a folded position wherein the ventilation tube is substantially flat, and an open position wherein the ventilation tube has the substantially rectangular transverse section.   
   
   
       11 . The ventilation system according to  claim 9 , wherein the walls include an attic floor facing wall, a roof sheathing facing wall opposite the attic floor facing wall, and first and second side walls connecting the attic floor facing wall and the roof sheathing facing wall;
 the ventilation tube further including a flap portion extending outwardly of the attic floor facing wall and defining a leading edge;   wherein a living hinge is defined between the attic floor facing wall and the flap portion; and   wherein the flap portion is movable between a first position wherein the flap portion is substantially coplanar with the attic floor facing wall, and a second position wherein the flap portion is pivoted about the living hinge such that the leading edge is oriented substantially toward the second end of the ventilation tube.   
   
   
       12 . The ventilation system according to  claim 11 , wherein in the second position, the flap portion defines an insulation barrier between a soffit vent and a remainder of an attic space in a building having a roof. 
   
   
       13 . The ventilation system according to  claim 9 , wherein leading edge surfaces of the first and second side walls at the first end of the ventilation tube are formed at an obtuse angle relative to the flap portion. 
   
   
       14 . A method of providing ventilation system in an attic space in a building having a roof, the method comprising:
 disposing a ventilation tube within an attic space of a building; and   positioning a first end of the ventilation tube adjacent a soffit vent, and positioning a second end of the ventilation tube within the attic space;   wherein the ventilation tube defines a ventilation channel; and   wherein the ventilation tube is configured for the movement of air within the ventilation channel between the first end of the ventilation tube and the second end of the ventilation tube.   
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the ventilation channel is further configured for the movement of air between the soffit vent and a roof vent. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 14 , further including attaching the second end of the ventilation tube to a roof sheathing of the roof. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the ventilation tube is formed having four elongated walls defining the ventilation channel; and
 wherein the ventilation tube has a substantially rectangular transverse section.   
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the ventilation tube is formed such that joints between adjacent walls define living hinges; and
 wherein the method further includes moving the ventilation tube between a folded position wherein the ventilation tube is substantially flat, and an open position wherein the ventilation tube has the substantially rectangular transverse section.   
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the walls include an attic floor facing wall, a roof sheathing facing wall opposite the attic floor facing wall, and first and second side walls connecting the attic floor facing wall and the roof sheathing facing wall;
 wherein the ventilation tube further includes a flap portion extending outwardly of the attic floor facing wall and defining a leading edge;   wherein a living hinge is defined between the attic floor facing wall and the flap portion; and   wherein the method further includes moving the flap portion between a first position wherein the flap portion is substantially coplanar with the attic floor facing wall, and a second position wherein the flap portion is pivoted about the living hinge such that the leading edge is oriented substantially toward the second end of the ventilation tube.   
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein leading edge surfaces of the first and second side walls at the first end of the ventilation tube are formed at an obtuse angle relative to the flap portion. 
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 14 , further including urging the roof sheathing facing wall against a roof sheathing of a roof such that any shingle nails extending through the roof and into the attic space are urged through the roof sheathing facing wall, thereby attaching the ventilation tube to the roof sheathing. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 14 , further including inserting fasteners through the roof sheathing facing wall and into a roof sheathing of a roof, thereby attaching the ventilation tube to the roof sheathing of the roof. 
   
   
       23 . A method of providing ventilation system in an attic space in a building having a roof, the method comprising:
 disposing a ventilation tube within an attic space of a building;   wherein the ventilation tube defines a ventilation channel;   wherein the ventilation tube is configured for the movement of air within the ventilation channel between a first end of the ventilation tube and a second end of the ventilation tube;   wherein the ventilation tube is formed having four elongated walls defining the ventilation channel; and   wherein the ventilation tube has a substantially rectangular transverse section.   
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the ventilation channel is further configured for the movement of air between a soffit vent and a roof vent. 
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 23 , further including attaching the second end of the ventilation tube to a roof sheathing of the roof. 
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the ventilation tube is formed such that joints between adjacent walls define living hinges; and
 wherein the method further includes moving the ventilation tube between a folded position wherein the ventilation tube is substantially flat, and an open position wherein the ventilation tube has the substantially rectangular transverse section.   
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the walls include an attic floor facing wall, a roof sheathing facing wall opposite the attic floor facing wall, and first and second side walls connecting the attic floor facing wall and the roof sheathing facing wall;
 wherein the ventilation tube further includes a flap portion extending outwardly of the attic floor facing wall and defining a leading edge;   wherein a living hinge is defined between the attic floor facing wall and the flap portion; and   wherein the method further includes moving the flap portion between a first position wherein the flap portion is substantially coplanar with the attic floor facing wall, and a second position wherein the flap portion is pivoted about the living hinge such that the leading edge is oriented substantially toward the second end of the ventilation tube.   
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein leading edge surfaces of the first and second side walls are formed at an obtuse angle relative to the flap portion. 
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 23 , further including urging the roof sheathing facing wall against a roof sheathing of a roof such that any shingle nails extending through the roof and into the attic space are urged through the roof sheathing facing wall, thereby attaching the ventilation tube to the roof sheathing. 
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 23 , further including inserting fasteners through the roof sheathing facing wall and into a roof sheathing of a roof, thereby attaching the ventilation tube to the roof sheathing.