Roof ridge vent

Abstract

A ridge vent for a roof includes a body having a first end, a second end located opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side located opposite the first side. The vent also includes a plurality of ports formed in the first and second sides of the body. The ports have a shape that permits the vent to be installed on the roof using a nail gun. An interlock system provides a positive and accurate interlock between adjacent vents when a series of vents are required to cover the ridgeline of the roof. The vent further provides a mechanical means for reliably mounting a filter, such as a spun-bond fabric weather filter, to the vent during manufacture and for retaining the filter in place during installation of the vent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vent for a roof, the vent comprising:
 a body having a first end, a second end located opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side located opposite the first side; and   a plurality of ports formed in the first and second sides of the body, the ports having a shape that will permit access by a nail gun to enable the vent to be installed on the roof using the nail gun.   
     
     
         2 . The vent of  claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of ports comprises a floor and a wall extending upwardly from the floor. 
     
     
         3 . The vent of  claim 2 , wherein the wall is U-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The vent of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the body further comprises a top surface that is provided to face away from the roof; and   the wall of each port extends to the top surface.   
     
     
         5 . The vent of  claim 2 , wherein the floor of each port has an upward cant from one of the first side and the second side toward the back of the port. 
     
     
         6 . The vent of  claim 5 , wherein the upward cant is about 15°. 
     
     
         7 . The vent of  claim 2 , wherein the floor has a variable thickness. 
     
     
         8 . The vent of  claim 1 , wherein each one of the plurality of ports is flush mounted to the roof. 
     
     
         9 . The vent of  claim 8 , wherein:
 nails from the nail gun are driven into the roof at each one of the plurality of the ports; and   the nails extend less than ½ of an inch above the surface of the roof.   
     
     
         10 . The vent of  claim 9 , wherein the nails extend no more than 3/16 of an inch above the surface of the roof. 
     
     
         11 . The vent of  claim 1 , wherein the vent can be installed on the roof without being distorted. 
     
     
         12 . The vent of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the body further comprises a bottom surface that is provided to face toward the roof; and   a plurality of retainer clips protrude from the bottom surface to provide a means for mounting a filter a predetermined distance from the bottom surface.   
     
     
         13 . The vent of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of retainer clips have an arrowhead shape. 
     
     
         14 . The vent of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of retainer clips have a fish-hook shape. 
     
     
         15 . The vent of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one interlock clip disposed on one of the first and second ends. 
     
     
         16 . The vent of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one interlock clip comprises a tapered clip. 
     
     
         17 . The vent of  claim 15 , further comprising an interlock receptacle disposed on the other one of the first and second ends. 
     
     
         18 . The vent of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality ports comprises four ports formed in the first side of the body. 
     
     
         19 . The vent of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality ports comprises four ports formed in the second side of the body.