Soffit vent
OwnerJames Robert Lyonsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An exterior elevated assembly with a walking surface is described which has features for facilitating inspection of the interior support frame of the assembly. The assembly includes a support frame for the walking surface, which defines an interior space and a soffit covering an underside of the support frame. The soffit provided with an opening. A vent panel is provided for covering the opening and a vent panel retention mechanism is provided for reversibly holding the vent panel in place over the opening. Methods and kits for installing a vent panel in a soffit of an exterior elevated assembly with a walking surface are also described.
Claims18
A method for retrofitting a soffit of an exterior elevated assembly with a walking surface to provide the soffit with a soffit vent, the method comprising:
- a) cutting the soffit to remove a portion thereof and provide an opening therein;
- and
- b) covering the opening with a soffit vent panel having a reversible retention mechanism allowing the soffit vent to be removed from the opening, thereby permitting a visual inspection of a support structure for the walking surface and allowing subsequent replacement of the soffit vent to cover the opening, the soffit vent panel including a frame covering boundary edges of the opening, wherein the frame comprises a member configured to extend into and above the opening and to make contact with a portion of the support structure which is located directly above the opening and between the boundary edges of the opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.