Roof Vent Cage Assembly

Abstract

A roof vent cage assembly includes a first screen that is formed into a cylinder to surround a powered roof vent on a building. The first screen is comprised of a mesh material to inhibit an animal to pass through the first screen. A second screen is coupled to the first screen such that the second screen is positioned over the powered roof vent when the first screen is positioned around the powered roof vent. The second screen is comprised of a mesh material to inhibit an animal from passing through the second screen. A plurality of flange screens is each coupled to and extends outwardly from the first screen to rest on the powered roof vent when the first screen is positioned around the powered roof vent.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

[0004] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

[0005] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

[0006] The disclosure relates to cage devices and more particularly pertains to a new screen device for inhibiting animals from entering a building through a powered roof vent.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

[0007] The prior art relates to cage devices including a variety of vent hood devices that includes a screen that is mounted to a wall of a building for covering a vent. The prior art also discloses a vent pipe cover that includes a cylinder and a screen that is slidable over a roof penetrating vent pipe. The prior art discloses a hemispherical roof vent cover that is includes a dome shaped screen for inhibiting animals from entering a roof vent. In no instance does the prior art disclose a cylindrical cage that is positionable beneath a housing of a powered roof vent.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a first screen that is formed into a cylinder to surround a powered roof vent on a building. The first screen is comprised of a mesh material to inhibit an animal to pass through the first screen. A second screen is coupled to the first screen such that the second screen is positioned over the powered roof vent when the first screen is positioned around the powered roof vent. The second screen is comprised of a mesh material to inhibit an animal from passing through the second screen. A plurality of flange screens is each coupled to and extends outwardly from the first screen to rest on the powered roof vent when the first screen is positioned around the powered roof vent.

[0009] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0010] The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a roof vent cage assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a roof vent cage assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5 is an exploded in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new screen device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0018] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the roof vent cage assembly 10 generally comprises a first screen 12 that is formed into a cylinder thereby facilitating the first screen 12 to surround a powered roof vent 14 on a building 16. The building 16 may be a house or the like and the powered roof vent 14 may be a powered roof vent of any conventional design. The first screen 12 is comprised of a mesh material, such as galvanized steel or the like, to inhibit an animal from passing through the first screen 12. The first screen 12 has a top edge 18, a bottom edge 20, a first lateral edge 22 and a second lateral edge 24. Moreover, the first screen 12 is bent into a circle such that the first lateral edge 22 abuts the second lateral edge 24.

[0019] A plurality of first fasteners 26 is provided and each of the first fasteners 26 is coupled between the first lateral edge 22 and the second lateral edge 24 for retaining the first screen 12 in the cylinder. The first fasteners 26 are spaced apart from each other and are distributed between the top edge 18 and the bottom edge 20. Each of the first fasteners 26 may comprise J-clips or other type of permanent fastener that is crimped in place with a crimping tool.

[0020] A second screen 28 is provided and the second screen 28 is coupled to the first screen 12. In this way the second screen 28 positioned over the powered roof vent 14 when the first screen 12 is positioned around the powered roof vent 14. The second screen 28 is comprised of a mesh material, such as galvanized steel or the like, to inhibit an animal from passing through the second screen 28. The second screen 28 has an outer edge 30 and the outer edge 30 is continuously arcuate about a center point of the second screen 28 such that the second screen 28 has a disk shape. The second screen 28 is positioned on the top edge 18 of the first screen 12 having the outer edge 30 being aligned with and being coextensive with the top edge 18.

[0021] A plurality of second fasteners 32 is provided and each of the second fasteners 32 is coupled between the outer edge 30 of the second screen 28 and the top edge 18 of the first screen 12 for retaining the second screen 28 on the first screen 12. The second fasteners 32 are spaced apart from each other and are distributed around a full circumference of the second screen 28. Each of the second fasteners 32 may comprise hog rings or other type of permanent fastener that is crimped in place with a crimping tool.

[0022] A plurality of flange screens 34 is provided and each of the flange screens 34 is coupled to and extends outwardly from the first screen 12. In this way each of the flange screens 34 rests on the powered roof vent 14 when the first screen 12 is positioned around the powered roof vent 14. Each of the flange screens 34 has a first edge 36 and a bottom side 38, and the first edge 36 of each of the flange screens 34 is attached to the bottom edge 20 of the first screen 12. The bottom side 38 of each of the flange screens 34 lies on a plane that is oriented perpendicular to a line extending between the top edge 18 and the bottom edge 20 of the first screen 12. Additionally, the flange screens 34 are spaced apart from each other and are distributed around a full circumference of the first screen 12.

[0023] A plurality of screws 40 is provided and each of the screws 40 is extendable through a respective one of the flange screens 34 and engages the powered roof vent 14 for attaching the flange screens 34 to the powered roof vent 14. Each of the screws 40 may comprise self tapping sheet metal screws or other similar type of screw that is capable of penetrating metal. A plurality of washers 42 is included and each of the washers 42 has a respective one of the screws 40 extended therethrough. Each of the washers 42 is compressed between the respective screw 40 and the respective flange screen 34 through which the respective screw 40 extends such that the washers inhibit the screws 40 from passing through the respective flange screen 34. In an alternative embodiment 44 as is most clearly shown in FIG. 1, the flange screens 34 may be absent from the first screen 12. Each of the screws 40 may be extended through the first screen 12 to engage the powered roof vent 14.

[0024] In use, a housing 46 for the powered roof vent 14 is removed and the first screen 12 is positioned around the powered roof vent 14 such that each of the flange screens 34 lies on an outer ring 48 of the powered roof vent 14. Each of the screws 40 is extended through the respective flange screen 34 for attaching the flange screens 34 to the powered roof vent 14. In this way the first screen 12 and the second screen 28 inhibit animals, such as mice, squirrels or other rodents, are inhibited from entering the building 16 through the powered roof vent 14. Moreover, the first screen 12 and the second screen 28 can be attached to the powered roof vent 14 without penetrating the roof 50 of the building 16 and potentially causing leaks in the roof 50. The housing 46 is installed on the powered roof vent 14 thereby inhibiting the first screen 12 and the second screen 28 from being visible.

[0025] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0026] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. A roof vent cage assembly for inhibiting animals from entering a powered roof vent on a building, said assembly comprising: a first screen being formed into a cylinder wherein said first screen is configured to surround a powered roof vent on a building, said first screen being comprised of a mesh material wherein said first screen is configured to inhibit an animal to pass through said first screen; a second screen being coupled to said first screen wherein said second screen is configured be positioned over the powered roof vent when said first screen is positioned around the powered roof vent, said second screen being comprised of a mesh material wherein said second screen is configured to inhibit an animal from passing through said second screen; and a plurality of flange screens, each of said flange screens being coupled to and extending outwardly from said first screen wherein each of said flange screens is configured to rest on the powered roof vent when said first screen is positioned around the powered roof vent.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein: said first screen has a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, said first screen being bent into a circle having said first lateral edge abutting said second lateral edge; and said assembly comprises a plurality of first fasteners, each of said first fasteners being coupled between said first lateral edge and said second lateral edge for retaining said first screen in said cylinder, said first fasteners being spaced apart from each other and being distributed between said top edge and said bottom edge.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein: said second screen has an outer edge, said outer edge being continuously arcuate about a center point of said second screen such that said second screen has a disk shape, said second screen being positioned on said top edge of said first screen having said outer edge being aligned with and being coextensive with said top edge; and wherein said assembly comprises a plurality of second fasteners, each of said second fasteners being coupled between said outer edge of said second screen and said top edge of said first screen for retaining said second screen on said first screen, said second fasteners being spaced apart from each other and being distributed around a full circumference of said second screen.

4. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of said flange screens has a first edge and a bottom side, said first edge of each of said flange screens being attached to said bottom edge of said first screen having said bottom side of each of said flange screens lying on a plane being oriented perpendicular to a line extending between said top edge and said bottom edge of said first screen, said flange screens being spaced apart from each other and being distributed around a full circumference of said first screen.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of screws, each of said screws being extendable through a respective one of said flange screens and engaging the powered roof vent for attaching said flange screens to the powered roof vent.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, further comprising a plurality of washers, each of said washers having a respective one of said screws being extended therethrough, each of said washers being compressed between said respective screw and said respective flange through which said respective screw extends such that said washers inhibit said screws from passing through said respective flanges.

7. A roof vent cage assembly for inhibiting animals from entering a powered roof vent on a building, said assembly comprising: a first screen being formed into a cylinder wherein said first screen is configured to surround a powered roof vent on a building, said first screen being comprised of a mesh material wherein said first screen is configured to inhibit an animal to pass through said first screen, said first screen having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, said first screen being bent into a circle having said first lateral edge abutting said second lateral edge; a plurality of first fasteners, each of said first fasteners being coupled between said first lateral edge and said second lateral edge for retaining said first screen in said cylinder, said first fasteners being spaced apart from each other and being distributed between said top edge and said bottom edge; a second screen being coupled to said first screen wherein said second screen is configured be positioned over the powered roof vent when said first screen is positioned around the powered roof vent, said second screen being comprised of a mesh material wherein said second screen is configured to inhibit an animal from passing through said second screen, said second screen having an outer edge, said outer edge being continuously arcuate about a center point of said second screen such that said second screen has a disk shape, said second screen being positioned on said top edge of said first screen having said outer edge being aligned with and being coextensive with said top edge; a plurality of second fasteners, each of said second fasteners being coupled between said outer edge of said second screen and said top edge of said first screen for retaining said second screen on said first screen, said second fasteners being spaced apart from each other and being distributed around a full circumference of said second screen; a plurality of flange screens, each of said flange screens being coupled to and extending outwardly from said first screen wherein each of said flange screens is configured to rest on the powered roof vent when said first screen is positioned around the powered roof vent, each of said flange screens having a first edge and a bottom side, said first edge of each of said flange screens being attached to said bottom edge of said first screen having said bottom side of each of said flange screens lying on a plane being oriented perpendicular to a line extending between said top edge and said bottom edge of said first screen, said flange screens being spaced apart from each other and being distributed around a full circumference of said first screen; a plurality of screws, each of said screws being extendable through a respective one of said flange screens and engaging the powered roof vent for attaching said flange screens to the powered roof vent; and a plurality of washers, each of said washers having a respective one of said screws being extended therethrough, each of said washers being compressed between said respective screw and said respective flange through which said respective screw extends such that said washers inhibit said screws from passing through said respective flanges.

8. A roof vent cage assembly for inhibiting animals from entering a powered roof vent on a building, said assembly comprising: a first screen being formed into a cylinder wherein said first screen is configured to surround a powered roof vent on a building, said first screen being comprised of a mesh material wherein said first screen is configured to inhibit an animal to pass through said first screen, said first screen having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, said first screen being bent into a circle having said first lateral edge abutting said second lateral edge; a plurality of first fasteners, each of said first fasteners being coupled between said first lateral edge and said second lateral edge for retaining said first screen in said cylinder, said first fasteners being spaced apart from each other and being distributed between said top edge and said bottom edge; a second screen being coupled to said first screen wherein said second screen is configured be positioned over the powered roof vent when said first screen is positioned around the powered roof vent, said second screen being comprised of a mesh material wherein said second screen is configured to inhibit an animal from passing through said second screen, said second screen having an outer edge, said outer edge being continuously arcuate about a center point of said second screen such that said second screen has a disk shape, said second screen being positioned on said top edge of said first screen having said outer edge being aligned with and being coextensive with said top edge; a plurality of second fasteners, each of said second fasteners being coupled between said outer edge of said second screen and said top edge of said first screen for retaining said second screen on said first screen, said second fasteners being spaced apart from each other and being distributed around a full circumference of said second screen; a plurality of screws, each of said screws being extendable through said first screen and engaging the powered roof vent for attaching said first screen to the powered roof vent; and a plurality of washers, each of said washers having a respective one of said screws being extended therethrough, each of said washers being compressed between said respective screw and said first screen such that said washers inhibit said screws from passing through said first screen.