Product Allowing For Partitioned And Directional Flow Of Gases And Fluids

Abstract

A product allowing for the partitioned and directional flow of gases and fluids is disclosed herein. The product generally comprises six faces or edges having grooves, channels, and/or passageways on a face or defined with the product that allow gases or fluids to pass along and/or through the product unobstructed. Incorporated into and along two long edges of the product are a plurality of fins meant to aid in the installation of the product into a rafter bay.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A product comprising:
 a top face, a bottom face, a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges;   a plurality of channels located on the top face; and   a plurality of passageways defined within the product between the top face and the bottom face.   
     
     
         2 . The product of  claim 1  further comprising a fin on at least one of the two side edges. 
     
     
         3 . The product of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of fins on at least one of the two side edges. 
     
     
         4 . The product of  claim 1  further comprising three fins on each of the two side edges. 
     
     
         5 . The product of  claim 4  wherein the three fins comprise an uppermost fin, an intermediate fin, and a lowermost fin. 
     
     
         6 . The product of  claim 5  wherein the intermediate fin protrudes a greater distance from the product than the uppermost fin. 
     
     
         7 . The product of  claim 6  wherein the lowermost fin protrudes a greater distance from the product than the intermediate fin. 
     
     
         8 . The product of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of peaks between the plurality of channels located on the top face of the product. 
     
     
         9 . The product of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of peaks prevents the product from being deformed or crushed when a compressive force is applied to the top face. 
     
     
         10 . The product of  claim 1  further comprising a flame prevention coating on the bottom face. 
     
     
         11 . The product of  claim 1  further comprising a gypsum wallboard panel adhered to the bottom face. 
     
     
         12 . The product of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the top edge or the bottom edge comprises a stepped design. 
     
     
         13 . A roof rafter bay for a structure comprising a product installed therein, the product comprising:
 a top face, a bottom face, a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges;
 a plurality of channels located on the top face; and 
 a plurality of passageways defined within the product between the top face and the bottom face. 
   
     
     
         14 . The roof rafter bay of  claim 13  wherein the product is installed between a pair of rafters. 
     
     
         15 . The roof rafter bay of  claim 13  wherein the product touches an underside of a roof sheathing. 
     
     
         16 . The roof rafter bay of  claim 13  wherein the bottom edge of the product protrudes from an exterior envelope of the structure. 
     
     
         17 . The roof rafter bay of  claim 13  wherein the structure comprises a soffit comprising a perforated vent. 
     
     
         18 . The roof rafter bay of  claim 13  wherein at least one of the top edge or the bottom edge comprises a stepped design. 
     
     
         19 . A method of using the product of  claim 1  comprising the step of installing the product in between a pair of rafters in a rafter bay. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the steps of:
 constructing a soffit, the soffit comprising a perforated vent; and 
 allowing a plurality of outside air to enter the soffit through the perforated vent and flow through the plurality of channels and the plurality of passageways of the product.