Soffit exhaust vent

Abstract

A soffit vent preventing an ingress of air while facilitating egress thereof, including a cylindrical frame containing an internal vent mechanism, which frame is mounted to the external surface of the soffit duct opening. The other end of the soffit vent is mounted on the vent duct. Within the cylindrical frame is an internal vent mechanism, comprising a cross beam defining two interstices, each interstice having a vent flap on the downstream side. A tension means holds the flaps closed, until the pressure within the building is greater than that outdoors, which pressure pushes the flaps open.

1 . A soffit vent for mounting on a duct opening in a soffit, comprising
 a frame;   a crossbeam affixed within the frame, bisecting the frame forming first and second interstices between the frame and the crossbeam;   a first vent flap pivotally connected to the crossbeam to allow for the closure of the first interstice;   a second vent flap pivotally connected to the crossbeam to allow for the closure of the second interstice;   a tension means; and   a grill adapted to be secured to the frame wherein the tension means is connected from the first vent flap across the crossbeam to the second vent flap, such that it provides a force pulling the first vent flap to close the first interstice and pulling the second vent flap to close the second interstice.   
     
     
         2 . The soffit vent of  claim 1  wherein the frame is cylindrical and the crossbeam is positioned diametrically across the frame, and the first and second vent flaps are semicircular in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The soffit vent of  claim 1  wherein the first interstice has a lip against which the first vent flap rests when closed, and the second interstice has a lip against which the second vent flap rests when closed. 
     
     
         4 . The soffit vent of  claim 1  further comprising a collar permitting engagement with a smaller diameter vent duct. 
     
     
         5 . The soffit vent of  claim 5  wherein the collar has tabs to allow for the securing of vent ducts onto the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The soffit vent of  claim 1  wherein the tension means is an elastic band or a spring.