Vent pipe cap for metal roof

Abstract

A roofing vent cap that is configured for use on a metal roof. The inventive vent cap includes a rib receiver designed to fit closely under a metal roof panel rib. Two lateral shoulders are 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 roofing 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 metal roof 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 a lower portion of 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 above 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 , wherein each of said first and second shoulders include a vertical portion and an angled portion. 
     
     
         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 of molded polymer. 
     
     
         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 sheet metal pieces. 
     
     
         7 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) said metal roof 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 metal roof 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 a lower portion of 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 metal roof panel.   
     
     
         9 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising an overhang above 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 of molded polymer. 
     
     
         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 sheet metal 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 metal roof 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 a lower portion of said hollow body; and   (e) said flange including a rib receiver sized to fit over one of said upstanding ribs of said metal roof panel.   
     
     
         16 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising an overhang above 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 each of said first and second lateral extremes include a vertical portion and an angled portion. 
     
     
         19 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said central portion, said first lateral extreme, said second lateral extreme, said flange, and said rib receiver are made as an integral piece of molded polymer. 
     
     
         20 . The vent cap as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said central portion, said first lateral extreme, said second lateral extreme, said flange, and said rib receiver are made as an assembly of multiple sheet metal pieces.