Vent cap for an opening in a roof, wall, or other structure

Abstract

A vent cap that is configured for use in guarding an opening in a structure, such as an opening in a roof or wall. The invention is particularly well suited for use on panels that have flats separated by one or more upstanding ribs. The inventive vent cap includes a rib receiver designed to fit closely over a panel rib. Two lateral shoulders are preferably provided to increase the footprint and internal volume of the hollow vent cap. These lateral shoulders allow the vent pipe to be laterally displaced from the panel rib while the vent cap remains centered on the rib.

Having described my invention, I claim: 
     
         1 . A vent cap for covering an opening in a panel having a first flat, a second flat, and an upstanding rib therebetween, comprising:
 (a) a hollow central portion including an opening;   (b) a hollow first shoulder extending laterally from a first side of said central portion;   (c) a hollow second shoulder extending laterally from a second side of said central portion;   (d) a flange running around said central portion, said first shoulder, and said second shoulder; and   (e) said flange including a rib receiver sized to fit over said upstanding rib of said metal roof panel.   
     
     
         2 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an overhang proximate said opening. 
     
     
         3 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said rib receiver runs along a centerline of said vent cap. 
     
     
         4 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (a) a cricket; and   (b) wherein said flange runs around said cricket as well as said central portion, said first shoulder and said second shoulder.   
     
     
         5 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said central portion, said first shoulder, said second shoulder, said flange, and said rib receiver are made as an integral piece. 
     
     
         6 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said central portion, said first shoulder, said second shoulder, said flange, and said rib receiver are made as an assembly of multiple pieces. 
     
     
         7 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) said panel has multiple ribs and a standard distance between each of said ribs;   (b) said vent cap has a centerline; and   (c) said first shoulder extends a lateral distance from said rib receiver that is at least one-half said standard distance between each of said ribs.   
     
     
         8 . A vent cap for covering an opening in a panel having a plurality of upstanding ribs with a standard distance therebetween, comprising:
 (a) a hollow central portion including an opening;   (b) a hollow first shoulder extending laterally from a first side of said central portion;   (c) a hollow second shoulder extending laterally from a second side of said central portion;   (d) a flange running around said central portion, said first shoulder, and said second shoulder; and   (e) said flange including a rib receiver sized to fit over one of said upstanding ribs of said panel.   
     
     
         9 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising an overhang proximate said opening. 
     
     
         10 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said rib receiver runs along a centerline of said vent cap. 
     
     
         11 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 8 , wherein each of said first and second shoulders include a vertical portion and an angled portion. 
     
     
         12 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said central portion, said first shoulder, said second shoulder, said flange, and said rib receiver are made as an integral piece. 
     
     
         13 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said central portion, said first shoulder, said second shoulder, said flange, and said rib receiver are made as an assembly of multiple pieces. 
     
     
         14 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first shoulder extends a lateral distance from said rib receiver that is at least one-half said standard distance between each of said ribs. 
     
     
         15 . A vent cap for covering an opening in a vertically-oriented wall panel having a plurality of upstanding ribs with a standard distance therebetween, comprising:
 (a) a hollow body including a first lateral extreme, a second lateral extreme, and an opening;   (b) a flange running around said hollow body; and   (c) said flange including a rib receiver sized to fit over one of said upstanding ribs of said wall panel.   
     
     
         16 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a drip rail proximate said opening. 
     
     
         17 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said rib receiver runs along a centerline of said vent cap. 
     
     
         18 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 15 , wherein:
 (a) said hollow body includes a cricket; and   (b) said flange runs around said cricket as well as said hollow body.   
     
     
         19 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said hollow body, said flange, and said rib receiver are made as an integral piece. 
     
     
         20 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said hollow body, said flange, and said rib receiver are made as an assembly of multiple pieces.