System for ventilating a structure

Abstract

A fully-integrated system for ventilating a structure. System includes a hood, an outlet tube, a flapper, a flange, and an adapter. Adapter allows the system to be integrated into the structure, for instance on a roof. System allows air to flow out of the structure. Flapper lifts with airflow but falls with gravity, providing both an outlet for outflow air and a barrier to inflow air. Flange protects the hole in the structure into which the system is installed, and can be flat, meaning perpendicular to the plane of the length of the tubular member, or at an angle thereto, for installation on flat or angled roofs. Hood provides protection from airborne debris, precipitation, animals, or other objects that may block the system. System may include a flexible membrane that allows integration into different shapes of structures and provides an additional measure of protection to the structure and the system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for ventilating a structure, comprising:
 at least one tubular member having an adapter end and a hood end;   at least one base disposed near the adapter end of the at least one tubular member, the at least one base further comprising:
 at least one flange disposed around the at least one tubular member; 
   at least one flapper, the at least one flapper disposed near the hood end of the at least one tubular member; and   at least one hood, the at least one hood disposed at the hood end of the at least one tubular member.   
     
     
         2 . The system for ventilating a structure in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one screen, the at least one screen disposed between the at least one flapper and the hood end of the at least one tubular member.   
     
     
         3 . The system for ventilating a structure in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one flexible membrane encasing the at least one tubular member.   
     
     
         4 . The system for ventilating a structure in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one base further comprises:
 at least one flexible membrane covering the at least one flange.   
     
     
         5 . The system for ventilating a structure in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one base further comprises:
 at least one flexible membrane disposed between the at least one flange and the hood end of the at least one tubular member.   
     
     
         6 . The system for ventilating a structure in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one flexible membrane, the at least one flexible membrane disposed such that it encases the at least one tubular member and covers the at least one flange.   
     
     
         7 . The system for ventilating a structure in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flange is disposed near the adapter end of the at least one tubular member such that the adapter end of the at least one tubular member extends beyond the location of the flange. 
     
     
         8 . The system for ventilating a structure in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tubular member further comprises:
 a first portion, the first portion comprising a segment from the hood end to the at least one base; and   a second portion, the second portion comprising a segment from the at least one base to the adapter end.   
     
     
         9 . The system for ventilating a structure in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one flange is disposed between the first portion and the second portion of the at least one tubular member. 
     
     
         10 . The system for ventilating a structure in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hood is disposed at the hood end of the at least one tubular member such that an inside surface of the at least one hood does not touch the hood end of the at least one tubular member. 
     
     
         11 . The system for ventilating a structure in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hood is disposed at the hood end of the at least one tubular member such that there is a gap between the at least one hood and the at least one tubular member. 
     
     
         12 . The system for ventilating a structure in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flapper further comprises:
 at least a curved edge and at least a straight edge, configured to form a half-circle shape.   
     
     
         13 . The system for ventilating a structure in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 at least one first flapper;   at least one second flapper; and   at least one strut, the at least one strut coupled to the straight edge of the at least one first flapper and the straight edge of the at least one second flapper such that the at least one first flapper and at least one second flapper lay perpendicular to an inside surface of the at least one tubular member.   
     
     
         14 . The system for ventilating a structure in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flapper further comprises:
 at least a four straight edges, configured to form a rectangle.   
     
     
         15 . The system for ventilating a structure in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 at least one first flapper;   at least one second flapper; and   at least one strut, the at least one strut coupled to at least one straight edge of the at least one first flapper and at least one straight edge of the at least one second flapper such that the at least one first flapper and at least one second flapper lay perpendicular to an inside surface of the at least one tubular member.   
     
     
         16 . A system for ventilating a structure, comprising:
 at least one tubular member having an adapter end and a hood end;   at least one base disposed near the adapter end of the at least one tubular member, the at least one base further comprising:
 at least one flange disposed around the at least one tubular member; 
   at least one flapper assembly, the at least one flapper assembly disposed near the hood end of the at least one tubular member and further comprising;
 at least one first flapper; 
 at least one second flapper; and 
 at least one strut, the at least one strut coupled to at least one edge of the at least one first flapper and at least one edge of the at least one second flapper such that the at least one first flapper and at least one second flapper lay perpendicular to an inside surface of the at least one tubular member; 
   at least one screen, the at least one screen disposed between the at least one flapper assembly and the hood end of the at least one tubular member; and   at least one hood, the at least one hood disposed at the hood end of the at least one tubular member, wherein the at least one hood is coupled with the at least one tubular member via at least one brace such that there is a gap between the at least one hood and the at least one tubular member.   
     
     
         17 . A system for ventilating a structure, comprising:
 at least one tubular member having an adapter end and a hood end, wherein the at least one tubular member is encased in at least one flexible membrane;   at least one base disposed near the adapter end of the at least one tubular member, the at least one base further comprising:
 at least one flange disposed around the at least one tubular member; and 
 at least one flexible membrane disposed between the at least one flange and the hood end of the at least one tubular member; 
   at least one flapper assembly, the at least one flapper assembly disposed near the hood end of the at least one tubular member and further comprising;
 at least one first flapper; 
 at least one second flapper; and 
 at least one strut, the at least one strut coupled to at least one edge of the at least one first flapper and at least one edge of the at least one second flapper such that the at least one first flapper and at least one second flapper lay perpendicular to an inside surface of the at least one tubular member; 
   at least one screen, the at least one screen disposed between the at least one flapper assembly and the hood end of the at least one tubular member; and   at least one hood, the at least one hood disposed at the hood end of the at least one tubular member, wherein the at least one hood is coupled with the at least one tubular member via at least one brace such that there is a gap between the at least one hood and the at least one tubular member.