One-piece roof vent device and methods of constructing and utilizing same

Abstract

A unitary metal vent apparatus for securement to the roof of a building is formed from a single aluminum disk, into the form of a first flange portion, a tubular second portion, a cap-shaped third portion, and a vent hole portion disposed between the tubular portion and the cap portion. Preferably, the apparatus is produced by spinning a tubular protrusion in an aluminum disk, drilling vent holes, and collapsing the end of the tubular protrusion to form a cap-shaped portion.

We claim: 
     
       1. A one-piece ventilation apparatus comprising: a substantially horizontal flat annular base portion;   a generally tubular portion extending integrally upwardly from said base portion;   a first bend portion extending integrally outwardly and downwardly from the upper end of said tubular portion;   a vent-hole portion extending integrally downwardly from said first bend portion;   a second bend portion extending integrally upwardly from said vent-hole portion;   an arcuate cap side portion extending integrally upwardly from said second bend portion;   a substantially horizontal cap top portion extending integrally above said arcuate cap side portion;   said vent-hole portion having a plurality of vent holes provided therein;   said apparatus being entirely integrally and unitarily formed from a single piece of deformable material; and said generally tubular portion comprises:   a lower substantially cylindrical portion extending integrally upwardly from said base portion;   an intermediate arcuate transition portion; and   an upper substantially truncated conical portion.     
     
     
       2. A one-piece ventilation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said substantially cylindrical portion defines substantially one-third of the overall height of said apparatus.   
     
     
       3. A one-piece ventilation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said vent holes are disposed proximal to said second bend portion.   
     
     
       4. A one-piece ventilation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said deformable material comprises aluminum.   
     
     
       5. A one-piece ventilation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: an annular space is defined between said vent-hole portion and the upper external end surface of said truncated conical portion.   
     
     
       6. A one-piece ventilation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said base portion, cylindrical portion, transition portion, conical portion, cap side portion, and cap top portion are all relatively concentric.   
     
     
       7. A one-piece ventilation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said deformable material is a thermoplastic material.   
     
     
       8. A one-piece ventilation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said deformable material is an aluminum alloy. .Iadd.   
     
     
       9.  A one-piece ventilation apparatus, comprising: a substantially horizontal flat annular base portion;   a substantially hollow, substantially vertically elongated portion extending integrally upwardly from said annular base portion;   said substantially hollow elongated portion having a generally circular cross-sectional shape which decreases in diameter upwardly along at least a portion of the length of said hollow elongated portion;   a first bend portion extending integrally radially outwardly and downwardly from the upper end of said hollow portion;   a vent-hole portion formed integrally with said first bend portion;   a second bend portion extending integrally radially outwardly from said vent-hole portion;   an arcuate cap side portion extending integrally upwardly from said second bend portion;   a substantially horizontal cap top portion extending integrally above said arcuate cap side portion;   said vent-hole portion having a plurality of vent holes provided therein; and   said apparatus being entirely integrally and unitarily formed from a single piece of deformable material..Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       10.  A one-piece ventilation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: said substantially hollow portion includes a lower section extending integrally upwardly from said base portion, and an upper substantially truncated conical section having said first bend portion extending integrally outwardly and downwardly from the upper end thereof..Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       11.  A one-piece ventilation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: said base portion, said hollow portion including said lower and upper sections thereof, said cap side portion, and said cap top portion are all relatively concentric. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. A one-piece ventilation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein:   said deformable material comprises aluminum..Iaddend.