Freeze-free vent
US5762551A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 4, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/7841
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A flap valve vent hood for discharging air to atmosphere from clothes dryers and bathroom vents is provided freeze-free by a secondary valve that is mounted on the principal flap valve and covering an open area that provides a secondary air flow path through the principal flap valve. The principal flap valve and the secondary valve are normally closed and the principal flap valve is biased to its closed position by gravity. A lip along an edge of the open area may be provided to minimize accumulation of moisture where the two valves are in contact with one another. A soffit vent hood of particular construction is provided in which there are two members detachably interconnected one being a downwardly directed hood and the other an insert therefor which carries the valves for respective ones of a pair of outlet discharge openings.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.