Method and Apparatus to Prevent Infiltration in a Vent Assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure introduces a method and apparatus which makes possible to retrofit an existing vent assembly into a substantially more infiltration resistant vent assembly. The apparatus makes retrofitting possible either prior or post roof installation. Retrofitting can be done safely from the attic beneath the roof by an inexperienced installer such as a handyman or a do-it-yourself homeowner. In addition, the method and apparatus can be integrated within a vent assembly design, prior to manufacture, thereby representing a novel vent assembly invention offering a unique infiltration resistance feature.

1 . An apparatus to prevent infiltration in a vent assembly comprising:
 at least one base component;   at least one wing component; and   a mesh component.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said base component has a portion characterized by features that can clamp or attach onto said vent assembly including by conforming to the shape of said vent assembly. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said base component has a portion characterized by a feature resembling a fishing hook that can secure said mesh component onto said base component. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as in  claim 3 , wherein said base component has one said feature resembling a fishing hook which is hinged to said base component, can pivot with respect to said base component, and has prongs that can pierce through said mesh component and latch onto said base component thereby anchoring said mesh component. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said mesh component can be secured to said based component using portions and or features on said base component. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said wing component has a portion that can operatively couple with said base component and thereby said wing component is allowed to pivot in place with respect to said base component. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said wing component has a portion shaped as a flying wing that lifts when exposed to wind and or particles traveling with some speed around said wing component's surfaces. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said wing component is free to fly, pivot and thus modify the geometry of said vent assembly's opening thereby either partially or fully closing said vent assembly's opening. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a collection of more than one said base component, more than one said wing component, and said mesh component that is secured collectively by all said base components attached to said vent assembly. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further optionally comprising at least one diffuser component. 
     
     
         13 . A method for arresting infiltrating particles before they reach the opening of a vent assembly and redirecting said particles to the outer surface of said vent, comprising:
 Including an apparatus comprising a pivoting wing on said vent assembly's opening;   Locating said pivoting wing on the outer portion of said vent assembly's opening;   Shaping said pivoting wing to respond to a certain wind speed threshold; and   Sizing said pivoting wing to modify the geometry of said vent assembly's opening thereby either partially or fully closing said vent's opening.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further comprises: an electric motor; and related electronics to remotely control the pivot position of a wing component or a plurality of wing components 
     
     
         15 . A vent assembly, comprising:
 an existing vent assembly; and   the apparatus according to  claim 1 ,   wherein the apparatus is attached to or integrated with the existing vent assembly to provide infiltration resistance.   
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The vent assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the housing of the existing vent assembly further comprises an understructure component, a canopy component; and at least one post component. 
     
     
         24 . The vent assembly of  claim 15 , wherein a base component of the apparatus is attached to or integrated within the housing of the existing vent assembly. 
     
     
         25 . The vent assembly of  claim 15 , wherein a wing component of the apparatus has a portion that can operatively couple with a base component of the apparatus and thereby said wing component is allowed to pivot in place with respect to said base component. 
     
     
         26 . The vent assembly of  claim 15 , wherein a wing component of the apparatus has a portion shaped as a flying wing that lifts when exposed to wind and or particles traveling with some speed around said wing component's surfaces. 
     
     
         27 . The vent assembly of  claim 15 , wherein a wing component of the apparatus is free to fly, pivot and thus modify the geometry of said vent assembly's opening thereby either partially or fully closing said vent assembly's opening. 
     
     
         28 . The vent assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said vent assembly has features to securely attach a mesh component of the apparatus to the housing of the vent assembly. 
     
     
         29 . The vent assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a plurality of more than one base component, more than one wing component, and a mesh component all securely attached to, operatively coupled or integrated with the housing of the vent assembly.