Structures for mitigating wind suction atop a flat or slightly inclined roof

Abstract

An apparatus secured to extend upwardly from a rooftop for redirecting free oncoming flow of a gas passing over an edge of the rooftop. The apparatus has an elongated member having at least a lower flow-surface, and a leading edge portion having a leading-rim extending therealong. A plurality of supports is spaced along the elongated member. An upper-end of each support is secured to, integrated-with, or otherwise extends from the lower flow-surface of the elongated member. There may be several such elongated members that may be joined. The lower-end of each support extends from the rooftop or sidewall structure to provide a spaced relationship between the lower flow-surface and the rooftop. The leading-rim of the leading edge portion extends into the oncoming flow to redirect of at least a portion thereof so that it flows under the leading edge portion and along the lower flow-surface and, preferably, on into a re-circulation region above the rooftop. A self-deployment mechanism for each support allow for deployment of the apparatus to an operational position upon sufficiently strong gusts.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.