Two-Piece Ventilation Units, Apparatus, Systems, and Related Methods

Abstract

Ventilation units of some embodiments comprise bases and housings which define (twist-on) quick attachment couplings via which the bases and housings releasable couple. Units of some embodiments comprise solar panels coupled to the housings and which are pivotable between stowed positions in which they are flush with the housings and extended positions in which they extend at an angle from the housings. Some embodiments provide units comprising bases, housings, and pivotable solar panels wherein the bases and houses couple to each other via quick attachment couplings. Units of embodiments further comprise locks to lock the quick attachment couplings in place and biasing members to bias the locks into their locked positions. Units of some embodiments comprise risers adapted to couple between the bases and housings and which are adapted to be mounted on angled roofs. Moreover, units can comprise fans and 120 VAC supplies.

1 . A two-piece ventilation unit comprising:
 a bottom base defining a flashing shaped and dimensioned to divert runoff around the ventilation fan and defining a riser extending from the flashing and further defining a first half of a quick attachment coupling;   a top housing containing a fan and defining a second half of the quick attachment coupling by which the top housing is releasably coupled to the bottom base;   a thermostat operatively coupled to the top housing by a pair of wires; and   a solar panel coupled to the top housing and being pivotable between a stowed position in which the solar panel lies flush with the top housing and an elevated position in which the solar panel extends from the top housing, the solar panel being in electrical communication with the fan.   
     
     
         2 . A ventilation unit comprising:
 a base defining a flashing shaped and dimensioned to divert runoff around the base and defining a riser portion extending from the flashing and further defining a first half of a quick attachment coupling; and   a housing defining a second half of the quick attachment coupling by which the housing to be releasably coupled to the base.   
     
     
         3 . The ventilation unit of  claim 2  wherein the housing is releasably coupled to the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The ventilation unit of  claim 2  further comprising a thermostat operatively coupled to the housing by a pair of wires. 
     
     
         5 . The ventilation unit of  claim 2  further comprising a fan contained in the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The ventilation unit of  claim 2  further comprising a solar panel coupled to the housing and being pivotable between a stowed position in which the solar panel lies flush with the housing and an extended position in which the solar panel extends from the top housing 
     
     
         7 . The ventilation unit of  claim 6  wherein the housing defines at least one drain aperture positioned so as to allow water to drain from between the solar panel and the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The ventilation unit of  claim 7  wherein the housing defines four drain apertures further position on corresponding sides of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The ventilation unit of  claim 6  wherein the solar panel is spaced apart from at least a portion of the housing whereby a space between the solar panel and the housing can breathe. 
     
     
         10 . The ventilation unit of  claim 2  further comprising an electrical connection adapted to receive 120 VAC (volts alternating current). 
     
     
         11 . A ventilation unit comprising:
 a base defining a flashing portion shaped and dimensioned to divert runoff around the base;   a housing coupled to the base; and   a solar panel coupled to the housing and being pivotable between a stowed position in which the solar panel lies flush with the housing and an extended position in which the solar panel extends from the housing.   
     
     
         12 . The ventilation unit of  claim 11  further comprising an electrical connection adapted to receive 120 VAC. 
     
     
         13 . The ventilation unit of  claim 11  wherein the base and the housing define a quick attachment coupling by which the housing is releasably coupled to the base. 
     
     
         14 . The ventilation unit of  claim 11  wherein the base defines a riser portion extending from the flashing and further defining the quick attachment coupling. 
     
     
         15 . The ventilation unit of  claim 11  wherein the housing defines at least one drain aperture positioned so as to allow water to drain from between the solar panel and the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The ventilation unit of  claim 15  wherein the housing defines four drain apertures further position on corresponding sides of the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The ventilation unit of  claim 11  wherein the solar panel is spaced apart from at least a portion of the housing whereby a space between the solar panel and the housing can breathe. 
     
     
         18 . The ventilation unit of  claim 11  further comprising a fan contained in the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The ventilation unit of  claim 11  further comprising a thermostat operatively coupled to the housing by a pair of wires. 
     
     
         20 . The ventilation unit of  claim 11  wherein the housing is releasably coupled to the base.