Contoured Mesh Ridge Vents

Abstract

Ridge vents and deck covers are disclosed that have a fibrous mesh mat and a moisture barrier. The mesh mat may be contoured to define a variety of structures and may have regions of relatively higher fiber density and regions of relatively lower fiber density. Solar cells may be exposed on the ridge vents to collect solar energy when the vents are exposed to sunlight.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ridge vent comprising:
 an elongated moisture barrier having a central portion and opposed edge portions;   a fibrous mat material depending from and extending along the length of the elongated moisture barrier;   the fibrous mat material defining at least a first region of relatively lower resistance to the flow or air and at least a second region of relatively higher resistance to the flow of air;   the at least one second region extending generally along at least one of the edge portions of the moisture barrier.   
     
     
         2 . The ridge vent of  claim 1  wherein the moisture barrier comprises a coating. 
     
     
         3 . The ridge vent of  claim 1  wherein the moisture barrier comprises a membrane. 
     
     
         4 . The ridge vent of  claim 1  wherein the membrane comprises a layer of fibrous materials that is sufficiently dense to prevent penetration of water through the layer. 
     
     
         5 . The ridge vent of  claim 1  wherein the first region comprises an air gap. 
     
     
         6 . The ridge vent of  claim 5  wherein the air gap extends generally along the central portion of the moisture barrier. 
     
     
         7 . The ridge vent of  claim 6  wherein the air gap is generally V-shaped to accommodate folding of the ridge vent along its central portion. 
     
     
         8 . The ridge vent of  claim 1  wherein the at least one second region comprises a second region extending along one of the edge portions of the moisture barrier and another second region extending along the opposite edge portion of the moisture barrier, the first region being defined between the second regions. 
     
     
         9 . The ridge vent of  claim 8  wherein the second regions are contoured. 
     
     
         10 . The ridge vent of  claim 9  wherein the second regions are contoured to define spaced apart transversely extending notches. 
     
     
         11 . The ridge vent of  claim 8  wherein the first region comprises an air gap. 
     
     
         12 . The ridge vent of  claim 8  wherein the first region comprises a region of fibrous mat material having a density less than the density of the fibrous mat material in the second regions. 
     
     
         13 . The ridge vent of  claim 1  wherein the moisture barrier is scalloped to mimic the look of ridge cap shingles. 
     
     
         14 . The ridge vent of  claim 13  wherein each scallop has a land and a riser and wherein the riser is air permeable to provide ventilation through the risers. 
     
     
         15 . The ridge vent of  claim 13  wherein each scallop has a land and a riser and further comprising an overhang extending outwardly from each land to form a gap with the next adjacent land, the gap sized to receive an edge of a ridge cap shingle. 
     
     
         16 . The ridge vent of  claim 1  wherein the at least one first region is disposed beneath the elongated moisture barrier and the at least one second region is located outboard of at least one edge portion of the moisture barrier. 
     
     
         17 . The ridge vent of  claim 16  wherein the at least one second region is contoured to define a wind baffle outboard of the edge portion of the moisture barrier. 
     
     
         18 . The ridge vent of  claim 1  wherein the at least one first region projects downwardly from the moisture barrier a distance greater than the downward projection of the at least one second region to define a plug extending generally along the central portion of the moisture barrier, the plug configured to fit into a ridge slot. 
     
     
         19 . The ridge vent of  claim 18  further comprising a longitudinal gap extending along the length of the plug to accommodate a ridge beam extending along the ridge slot. 
     
     
         20 . The ridge vent of claim in  claim 1  further comprising solar energy collectors disposed on an upper side of the moisture barrier. 
     
     
         21 . The ridge vent of  claim 1  further comprising windows extending through the moisture barrier and the mat material to admit light through the ridge vent to be directed to the interior of a building. 
     
     
         22 . A ridge vent comprising an upper layer that is substantially impermeable to water and a lower layer of an open weave mat material that permits a flow of air therethrough, the lower layer comprising a first region that is relatively less resistant to a flow of air and a second region that is relatively more resistant to a flow of air. 
     
     
         23 . A ridge vent as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the lower layer has a contoured bottom surface. 
     
     
         24 . A ridge vent as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the first region comprises a gap. 
     
     
         25 . A ridge vent as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the first region comprises a less dense open weave mat material and the second region comprises a more dense open weave mat material. 
     
     
         26 . A ridge vent as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the upper layer is contoured to resemble ridge cap shingles.