SKYUCiHT VHNT COMBINATION KFRLD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a skylight and vent combination. BACKGROUND ART The applicant's previous invention relating to a wind directional skylight vent is described in International Patent Publication No. WO2003/052215, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Tn the vent described therein, the external shape and configuration of a cowl enabled a rotatablc and transparent air outlet in the form of a hood to orientate the vent's mouth into the leeward direction to provide an exhaust vent function, whilst the light transmitting hood permitted external light to enter an interior building space or cavity to perform a skylight function.

Previously described devices operating solely as skylights with no venting function have typically included a shaft made from an opaque, non-light transmitting and /or spectral material such as galvanised and/or enamelled or coaled metal to carry the light received through a top clear dome or lens into an internal building area, fn colder seasons when the sun follows a Hatter trajectory, the light captured in the shaft by such prior skylights is minimal, notwithstanding that greater light would be desirable during such periods.

The above description of the prior art is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as, an indication of lhe common general knowledge pertaining to the invention, but rather to assist the person skilled in the art in understanding the developmental process which led to the invention.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides a vent and skylight combination device for a structure having a cavity to be exhausted and illuminated by external light, the device including: a) a throat mounted to the structure; and b) a head rotatably mounted to the throat, wherein the throat includes at least a wall section made from light transmissible material adapted to permit the passage of light having a low angle of incidence through the wall section into the throat to increase the amount of light entering the cavity and to increase the heat in, and induce greater draft through, the throat. llic throat may include a lower section and an upper section. The lower section may be mounted to the structure and the head may be rotatably mounted directly to the upper

section. The angle of inclination of the upper section may be movable relative to the lower section to IUciliUilc the rotaiability of the head to optimise drui.1 lhrough the throat.

The upper section may include or consist of the wall section.

^' ITiC throat may include an internal specular surface whereby the incoming reflected light travels in a downward direction towards the cavity.

^' Hie internal specular surface may be mounted on, or form part or all of, the lower section.

The throat may include a slidable or pivotable joint adjustably connecting the upper and lower sections together.

The joint may be a sKdable joint having an elliptical shape and lying in a plane oriented transverse Io a notional central line extending longitudinally through the throat.

The lower section may comprise a high wall side and an opposed low wall side, liie upper section may comprise a corresponding short wall side and long wall side. The rotation of the upper section about the slidable joint may therefore change the throat from a substantially cylindrical tube (υ a lube with an elbow. The upper section can be moved about the slidable joint to adjust the angle of inclination of (he head to the pitch of the structure.

'Jlic upper section can be moved about the slidable joint to adjust the angle of inclination o I-:

(a) the upper section to suit the predominant angle of incidence of sunlight; (b) the head Io improve draft through the throat or to minimise wear on the rotatable bearing on which the head is mounted.

The upper section may be made from material adapted to permit the passage of light therethrough and the long wall faces the direction from which sunlight predominantly conies. Hie internal specular surface may be positioned on the inside of the lower section at least in the region of the high wall. 'ITic internal specular surface optionally may cover a large proportion or the entire surface area of the internal surface of the lower section. The internal specular surface preferably faces the direction from which sunlight predominantly comes. The internal specular surface may be a reflective film applied to the high wall.

The device may terminate at its lower end with a venting dill user. The venting diiϊuser may diffuse direct sunlight as it enters the cavity. The venting diffuscr may permit exhaustion of air out of the cavity and into the device.

The device may include a light tube including vent means for communicating the throat with the cavity. The vent means may comprise slots or apertures through which uir may flow. I ^" he light tube is advantageously in communication with the throat whereby to extend the device through the venied cavity to a second internal space of the structure. The device may terminate at its lower end with a diffuser that diffuses direct light as H enters (he second internal space. However, the diffuser may be configured as an entirely solid or partial barrier that prevents or partially obstructs the passage of air through the diffuser.

BR[RF DESCRIPTION 01' THIi DRAWINGS The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of the preferred embodiments, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a skylight vent according to a first embodiment of" the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a skylight vent according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a skylight vent according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a skylight vent according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a skylight vent according to a tilth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a skylight vent according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;

Figures 7 - 10 arc schematic views of the skylight vent according to the first embodiment shown in situ;

Figure 1 1 is another perspective view of the skylight vent hood and throat according to the fourth embodiment;

Figure 12 is a perspective view a head of the skylight vent according to the fourth embodiment; Figure 13 is a perspective view a throat of the skylight vent according to the first embodiment;

Figure 14 is a perspective view a Hashing base of the skylight vent according to the fourth embodiment;

Hgure 15 is a plan view of a rotating spider with bearing around a fixed shaft;

I' igure 16 is a schematic cross-section exploded front view of a hoυd for a vent mounted on a ring hearing according to a filth embodiment;

Figure 17 is a schematic cross-sectional side view υf a vent according Io the fifth embodiment;

Figure 18 is a schematic cross-sectional end view of the vent according Lo the fifth embodiment;

Figures 19 and 20 are schematic cross-seclionaJ side views of a vent according to a sixth embodiment showing a pivoting flap in operation. DElAlLbD DESCRIPTION OF I HR DRAWINGS

Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a skylight vent combination 1 having a transparent hood 2 that is blow moulded and sized to fit inside a throat 3.

The throat 3 is a sliding throat that is made up of a top section 4 and lower section 5 connected by an annular or elliptical sliding joint 6. The throal 3 is substantially cylindrical in shape, lhc rotation of the top section 4 relative to the lower section 5 enables the angle of inclination of the hood 2 relative to the vertical to be adjusted to accommodate different roof slopes or pilches. Lower section 5 is preferably set (north lacing in the Southern hemisphere or south-facing in the northern hemisphere) (o act as an internal reflector directing light further down the throat 3. The throat 3 is made from clear, light-admitting material, such as polycarbonate. This allows substantially more daylight into the throat and, consequently, the building cavity 15 with which the skylighl-vent 1 is in communication.

The throat 3 may also incorporate a rellector 7. The reflector is fixed in position and attached to the internal wall of the throat 3. The reflector 7 is oriented so that it is sun- lacing. This will generally mean (hat the reflector 7 faces towards the direction from which sunlight is expected to predominantly come, (i.e. northwards in the southern hemisphere and southwards in lhe northern hemisphere). The internal wall of the throat 3 is substantially concave in shape and follows the contours of the cylindrically-shaped throat 3. Preferably, the reflector 7 is a reflective film applied to the internal surface of the high wall 8 of the lower section 5. Accordingly, the top and lower sections 4, 5 may be made from the same clear acrylic material.

The reflector 7 enables optimisation of the amount of natural light S that passes through (he vent 19 into the cavity 15. The reflector 7 may form part of or comprise the internal specular section 5i. The reflector 7 is. preferably mounted in a location and orientation calculated to optimibe the transmission of natural light into the cavity 15. For example, the

rellector 7 may be fixedly mounted to a fixed shall 62 (see Figs. 15 and 16) on which the lhroat 3 may be also mounted. The reflector 7 is spaced from the fixed shall 63 and located in <i position lacing a desired direction, based on the performance requirements. For example, the reflector 7 may be located to face in an easterly direction Io capture the morning sun or a direction from which sunlight predominantly comes. For example, in the southern hemisphere, the rellector 7 may lace a generally northerly direction. In the northern hemisphere, the reflect or 7 may face a generally southerly direction whereby to optimise the amount of natural light S rellected into the cavity 15. It will be appreciated that the reflector 7 preferably remains in the same position irrespective of the rotated orientation of the head 2. The reflector 7 may be inclined to the vertical. The reflector 7 may include a convex or concave surface to facilitate the transmission of natural light S from a range of angles down the throat 3 and into the cavity 15.

In an alternative arrangement, the reflector 7 may be coupled to a drive mechanism that is calibrated to move to face the general direction of sun during the day. This may be done incrementally by having multiple prc-sct positions. Again alternatively, the reflector 7 may comprise multiple surfaces, each panel surface facing a dWTereπt direction corresponding to different positions of the sun at different times of the day or year.

^■ | ^~ hc throat 3 may comprise multiple sections 4,5 that are adjustable relative to one another to achieve different orientations of the head 2. The throat 3 may comprise two or more such sections 4,5. Moreover, the reflector 7 may be internally mounted to a throat section 5 that is adjustable relative to a throat base section 5. This arrangement allows the reflecLυr 7 to be adjusted Io (ace a direction from which the sun predominantly comes at a particular time of the day or year.

The sliding joint 6 may comprise a tongue-groove arrangement, lhc joint components may optionally be coated with a low-friction material, such as Teflon φ. However, this is not essential as the sliding joint 6 does not need to be particularly low-friction, ihc sliding joint 6 will generally be used only once to adjust the pilch of the hood 2 to the roof line 34 and left permanently in that position.

Typically, in the pre-adjusted configuration of the throat 3, the top and lower sections 4, 5 will be coaxial Iy aligned, lhc dimensions will typically be 300mm in diameter by 190mm in height. However, other dimensions and relative proportions of component parts arc envisaged as being within the scope of this invention.

As shown in Figure 2, the skylight -vent 1 a may be mounted on an extended shaft or light pipe 10 interposed by an adapter base 9 that allows a smaller diameter throat 3a (for example 300mm) to be mounted to a wider diameter light pipe 10 (for example 400mm).

Where the structure 46 is a building having a roof cavity 16, for example defined by a roof truss, or other attic space, the embodiment the light pipe 10 may be a hollow shall communicating the head 2 with the cavity 16 to permit the egress of exhausted air from the cavity 16 through the shall 10 and out through the mouth 19 to the external environment. The hollow shall IO may include an internal Hghl reflective surface to maximise the passage of natural light S from the external environment through to the cavity 16. Preferably the shaft 10 is fixed relative to (he structure 34 and the head 2 may be rotatably mounted directly on the upper most portion of the shaft 10. l ^" he .shaft 10 may include vents in its wall or walls to exhaust the space in the roof cavity 16. The adapter base 9 may be mounted onto the external roof line 34 by forming a corresponding support structure such as a frame about an appropriately sized aperture in the roof 34 and seating the light pipe 10 in the frame. The join between (he adapter base 9 and the roof 34 may be effected using an annular seal, typically made of rubber or rubberised silicon. This is useful to provide a weatherproof seal about the slightly smaller diameter aperture in the roof line 34. The light pipe 10 extends through the attic space of a building. An annular ring 1 1 is used to seal the join between the ceiling 12and the lightpipe 10. The cavity 15 to be exhausted may be an internal living space in the building.

The lower section 5a may comprise an internal specular or relleclive surface, whereas top section 4a and hood 2a may each be made from transparent material. In another embodiment, the top section 4a comprises one side 13 of its wall that is made of clear material to admit light from the predominant direction of the sun and its opposed side 14 has an internally reflective surface to optimise the admission and trapping of light in the throat 3 a. The internal specular section 7 may be permanently oriented to face towards the direction from which sunlight S can be expected to predominantly come, so that a large amount of light is received into the throat 3 through the light transmissible section 13 and is retained in the throat 3 by the specular section 7 located on the side of the throat 3 opposed to the light transmissible section 13. lTic specular section 7 may therefore generally face north in the southern hemisphere and may generally face south in the northern hemisphere. This direction can vary, for example, depending on local geography and topography, other man-tnade structures or local vegetation.

The light pipe 10 may be internally entirely specular to optimise (lie amount of sunlight S that enters (he throat 3a reaching the cavity 15. However, it may be desirable to permit a portion of the light thai enters the light pipe 10 to exit into the attic space 16.

Accordingly, the light pipe 10 may be translucent to permit at least some diffuse light D to

enter the attic space 16. Alternatively, the light pipe 10 may have apertures or slots formed in its walls lυ permit direct or reflected light R to shine into the attic space 16.

Preferably, the adapter base 9 is also made from clear plastic to maximise the amount of light admitted into the light pipe 10. With reference to Figure 3, there is shown a skylight- vent 1 b in which the hood 2h, the llirυat 3b and lhe base adapter 9b are all made from clear plastic material to admit daylight into the specular light pipe 10b. The light pipe 10b may terminate at its lower end with a diffuscr panel 1 X, which may be a venting dill user. The panel 18 may be made with translucent plastic or glass and may have formed therein venting holes to permit the How of exhaust air from the cavity 15 to the mouth 19 of the head 2b. Alternatively, the light pipe 10b may include venting apertures in its side walls to permit venting of the attic space 16, whilst sunlight is fed through the solid lens of the diffuser 18 into the internal building cavity 15. Accordingly, the skylight-vent 1 b may exhaust one space (attic 16), but provide light to a separate building space (cavity 15). l'igurcs 4 is a perspective view according to another embodiment of the invention including a skylight vent Ic comprising a head 2c and throat 3c. llic head 2c includes a blow moulded, hollow hood section having a mouth 19c, hood 23 and support 24. The head 2y is made entirely of a clear or transparent material such as an acrylic plastic, for example polymethyl methacryiate. The mouth 19c includes a moulded mesh screen 25 to prevent entry of vermin into the head 2c and, ultimately, the cavity 1 5. The hood 23 is shaped to flare about the edges 26 defining the mouth 19c whereby to provide increased wind resistance on the mouth side of the head's 2c vertical rotational axis. Therefore, the rotalable head 2c will lend to align itsel f with (lie mouth 19c facing the leeward direction. Furthermore, at the apex 27 of the mouth 19c, the hood 2c includes an upturned crest 54 that is effective to act as a drag inducer to develop a negative pressure in the immediate vicinity of the mouth 19c whereby to induce exhaust How of air from the cavity 15 out through the mouth 19c.

The head 2c is freely rolalable about the throat 3c by the action of the support 24 that includes a ring bearing (not shown) and may include or use a thrust bearing. ^' l ^" he support 24 is made from a rigid, shock resistant material which is effective to stiffen the hood 2c structure about Hs lower edges. Although lhe support 24 may be made of various optionally opaque, translucent or transparent materials, for example polypropylene, it is preferably made from substantially transparent or translucent material.

Hie rotatablc head 2c may be mounted by a number of mounting means. The head 2c may be mounted to the throat 3c on a bearing. lTic bearing may be made from transparent or translucent materials. The bearing is most preferably made irom or at least coaled with

material suitable for use as bearing, low friction material, such as Teflon® (polytetraflυoroeuiylene, PTFE). The bearing may include an annular race or track to rotatably support the head on an upper edge or wall of the throat.

The throat 3c comprises a top section 4c and a lower section 5c rotatably and coaxially engaged together by virtue of an elliptical ring bearing 6c that allows the top section 4c to be rotated about a substantially cylindrical axis X relative to the lower section 5c, The lower section 5c is lixed tυ a roof 34 of a building by standard means for roof ventilators. For example, the lower section 5c may include a Hashing base 35 integral Iy formed or Otherwise attached to the cylindrical portion of the lower section 5c and the planar flange 35 may be attached to, for example, a corrugated roof 34 by pop rivets 36.

As the top section 4c rotates relative to the lower section 5c, the cylindrical axis X of the top section 4c may be caused to vary relative to the cylindrical axis Y of the lower section 5c as the long walls 37, 38 of the top and lower sections 4c,5c, respectively, are brought into line or moved away lrom each other. It can therefore be seen (hat the throat 3c may be adjusted to suit the angle of inclination of the head 2c to accommodate variations in roof pitch from one installation to another.

Advantageously, the top section 4c is made from light-transmitting material, such as a polycarbonate material as described in relation to the head 2c. Accordingly, sunlight having a trajectory with a large horizontal component may enter the throat 3c. Were the throat 3c to be made exclusively Irυm opaque materials, the sunlight at such an angle of incidence would likely travel straight through the head 2c and only secondary and diffuse light would make its way into the throat 3c. Accordingly, by making at least the top section 4c of the throat 3c substantially transparent, a much larger proportion of sunlight may enter the throat 3c and, consequently, may be reflected into the cavity 15 of the building.

The lower section 5c may be made using opaque materials, such as galvanised metal and may be internally specular. In such an arrangement, the lower section 5c will be fixed relative to the roof 34 and its high wall 38 will be located so that its internal surface 38a faces the direction lrom which sunlight S predominately shine?.. The high wall 38 may have an internal specular surface 38a whereby to capture the light transmitted through the clear plastic top section 4c and reflect the light further into the throat 3c. Accordingly, where the throat 3c is cylindrical, the internal specular surface 38a will be concave whereby to present a directly opposed reflective surface to incoming sunlight S, irrespective of its angle of incidence relative to an east-west extending horizontal line. Furthermore, such incident light is concentrated by the concave surface 38a whereby to maximise the amount of light entering the building cavity 15.

Heretofore, prior art lhroals of vents have been made exclusively with non-transparent materials, such as metal. This may be understood to be because the throat is a supporting structure which is required to be strong and is exposed Io the elemenis. Il may thereby be required ⁽ o be weather resistant and resistant to degradation caused by ultraviolet light (UV) as well as extremes in temperature. Furthermore, where the throat 3c is bisected by pitch adjustment means 6c in the form of a sliding joint 33. The joint material needs to be strong through thin curved walls Io avoid failure along the joinl 33. In this regard, transparent materials, such as polymeric materials, have generally heretofore been considered unsuitable for such purposes. Modern plastics moulded to achieve thickened jointing enable the throat 3,3a,3b,3c to be made with robust rigidity. New fluorescent dyes may be applied that afford light to be channelled via cabling from the device acting as the light source throughout the building, such as a domestic house, as desired

Optionally, the lower section 5c may also be made from a transparent material. The lower section 5c may comprise a combination of transparent material in one half of the throat 3c cylinder closest to the direction from which the sun predominately comes. The throat 3c preferably includes a reflective internal surface on the internal surface 38a of wall 38 so that light can enter the throat 3c from the side opposed to wall 38 and be reflected further inlo the throat 3c by the internal rellective surface 38a.

The lower edge of the lower section 5c may be secured and sealed to the flat panel 35 by standard means, such as pop rivets and/or sealant. The building cavity 15 may be an attic space 16 immediately below the line of the roof 34 so that (he internal space of the throat 3c communicates directly with the cavity 15 to be exhausted. This is particularly important in regions where buildings arc prone to mildew and effective exhaustion of damp attic-space air and the introduction into the cavity of bright sunlight may be effective to eliminate or minimise mildew. Furthermore, many nocturnal pests find an attic space a comfortable environment because it remains in permanent darkness or semi darkness and the introduction of bright sunlight may be effective to reduce this problem.

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a skylight vent device 1 d similar to the arrangement shown in Figure 2, with the exception that there is provided a roof profile flashing base 17 between the adapter base 9d and the light pipe I Od to improve weather sealing. The flashing base 17 is made of malleable metal and defines a circular aperture corresponding to the diameter of the throat 3d. The Hashing base 17 improves weather sealing at the join of the device with the roof line 34 in accordance with standard vent installation practice.

Turning to Figure 6, there is shown a skylight vent combination device Ie that, again, is similar in construction to the devices I aJ d shown in Figures 2 and 5. However, device I e further includes a pest barrier 40. The pest barrier 40 is primarily to prevent the invasion

ol ^' moths and other light-seeking insects into the building cavity 15, particularly at night when light from the internal living areas may project light via the skylight vent Ie oul into lhe environment whereby attracting insects. The pest barrier 40 has a central elevated apex 41 and sloping sides 42 extending to the peripheral edge 43 of the pest barrier 40, corresponding to the internal edge of the centra) aperture of the flashing base 9c. llic pest barrier 40 is made from clear polycarbonate material formed into a mesh pattern with, numerous equally spaced tiny apertures ranging between 0.5-5min in diameter to allow passage of air therethrough, but to retard all but the smallest of insects. The pest barrier 40 may take the shape of an inverted cone and (his is preferred. However, the pest barrier 40 may also take the shape of a three or more-sided pyramid. The slope of the pest barrier walls 42 is preferably sufficiently acute to ensure that pest bodies slide downwards towards the peripheral edge 43 whereby (hey do nol present a wide-spread barrier to the flow of air A upwards through the skylight vent I e or the transmission of light from the throat 3e and down into the cavity 15c. The mesh pattern that may be used to form the pest barrier 40 may include downwardly aligned ribs 44 that stand proud of lateral ribs 45 to facilitate the sliding of pest bodies down the sloped wall 42 Io the peripheral edge 43. ^' 1 ^" Ue throat 3c is preferably conveniently H lied o IT the flashing base 9c to provide easy access for maintenance of the pest barrier 40 and removal of pest body debris. In Figure 7, there is shown a building 46 having a roof 34f and cavity 16f. Installed on die roof 34f is a skylight vent If similar to the device 1 shown in Fig. 1, the skylight vent 1 1 ^' having a swivelling head 2f and an adjustable throat 31 ^" . Installation of the skylight vent device If on the roof 341 ^" is effected with the throat 31 ^' rotatably adjusted about its sliding joint of to adjust for the pitch of the roof 341 ^" . The device 1 f allows light to enter during the day into the cavity 161 ^' to reduce mildew, particularly where the storage of items in the attic space 16 are sensitive to moisture build up.

In Figure 8, the skylight vent device If is effective to provide light in the attic space 16f to deter light-sensitive vermin 47, particularly nocturnal animals such as rodents, cockroaches, spiders, termites, possums and other pests. Referring to Figure 9, the device If is shown schematically to induce the exhaust flow of air lrom the cavity 16f whereby the hood 2 is shaped to cause the mouth 19f to swivel away from the direction from which the wind and possibly rain 48 approaches. By this action, the skylight venl If is effective to reduce condensation, mould and mildew in the cavity 16f. Tn relation to Fig. 10, the skylight, vent 1 1 ^' is shown to also be effective in extracting heat in a three phase extraction: involving the Stack or Chimney effect creating differential air

2008/001151

1 1 buoyancy between external and internal air masses, wind assisted drawing of air flow and attic siphonage. In particular, the skylight vent I f ventilates a internal cavity or room space 151 ^" as hot air rises in a room 15f and is vented into a lighlpipe 101". Similarly, a roof or attic space space 16f is also ventilated as hot attic air is vented into the upper regions of lhe lightpipe 1Of and onwards and upwards into a throat 3f and head 2f. Hie skylight vent If dually provides daylight Io both the room and the attic spaces 15f,16f. The hot attic space 16f is ventilated through apertures or slots in the upper wall of a lightpipe I Of within the confines of the attic space 16f.

The room space 151 ^' is ventilated through a dtlTuser 1 If that may be either in the form of a clear plastic mesh with an array of ventilation holes. Alternatively the difruscr Hf has vent slots or apertures at the sides of the diffuser 1 If. The main horizontal panel of the diffυscr Hf may be vertically spaced from the ceiling 121 ^" to provide the venting potis or one or more gaps and the panel may be suspended by substantially vertical depending arms mounted directed or indirectly to the ceiling 12 f or to the lowermost wall section of the lightpipe I Of. The lightpipe 1Of is preferably a cylindrical pipe at least a section of which is made from clear or light transmissible material such as clear polycarbonate. This permits incoming light to be divided between the attic space 16f and the room space 15f.

Again in I'ig. 10, the head 2f freely rotates so mat its mouth 19f faces away from the direction on a wind or breeze 48, the drag inducing shape ol ^" the head 21 ^" causing negative pressure in (he vicinity of the mouth 19f and inducing air Il ow from the cavity 16 f out to the environment.

Accordingly, the skylight vent device If is useful to deliver light into the cavity on a daily basis, even in colder seasons when the sun lies low in the sky at midday, the light- admitting throat 3f is generally oriented in an upright position so that its walls are substantially vertically aligned whereby to present a broad transparent or translucent wall through which light can enter. Known prior art throats arc opaque and do not provide for light entry, particularly when the sun lies low on the horizon.

The head may be in the form of a housing made of a variety of shapes or configurations. For example, the head may be predominantly cylindrical. The mouth preferably faces the leeward direction, to reduce rain penetration and increase How over exhaust suction.

The head may define a mouth with a range of different shapes. For example, the mouth may be circular, square, triangular or the like. The mouth may lie in a particular plane. The plane may be inclined to the vertical. The mouth may be inclined to the leeward or windward direction. The plane in which the mouth lies may be vertical and normal relative to the plane in which the vane generally lies. The mouth may be in the lbrm of an extended portal, extending in the leeward direction.

WItIi reference to Figs. 11 and 12, there is shown a skylight vent Ig having a head 2g and throat 3g. The head 2g has a mouth 19g that is shown facing outward from the page. Jlic moulh 19g includes a pesl barrier 25 comprising a broad mesh formed from moulded polycarbonate. The head 2g is rotatably mounted to the throat 3g by means of a spider arrangement 50. l ^* hc spider 50 includes a cone head 51 supported by radial aπns (not shown) mounted to a support 24g. lTie cone head 51 has an underneath recess for mounting on a complementary spindle (not shown) supported by a spider with radially extending arms (not shown) mounted to the throat (as described in the applicant's earlier international application published under No. WO2003/052215). The cowl or head 2g v ^' > moulded in one piece using clear polycarbonate material. The head 2g material is high impact (hail) and UV resistant and its lower edges arc seated in the generally annular support 24g that may be made made from polycarbonate or a more rigid material such as reinforced polypropylene to give the head 2g greater structural rigidity. The skylight-vent combination 1 may include wind-directional means 52 to urge the head 2 to swivel into line with the direction of lhe wind. The wind directional means 52 may be a feature attached to the head 2. Alternatively, the wind directional means 52 may be a feature inherent in the shape and configuration of the head 2 effective to cause the head 2 to rotate in response to changes in wind direction. I ¹ Or example, the external surface of the head 2 may be contoured whereby Io provide wind directional means m which greatest wind resistance is effected when the mouth 19 is lacing windward and causes least wind resistance when the mouth 19 is facing leeward. For example, the mouth 19 of the head 2 may present a larger cross-sectional area than the external surface corresponding to the back of the head 2, whereby the head 2 may tend to rotate until the orientation of least wind resistance is found so that the mouth 19 faces leeward. Suitable hood or head devices are described in the above referenced W 02003/052215.

The wind directional means may include a wind vane 59 in the form of a discreet feature mounted to the head. The wind vane 59 may include a panel or, combination of panels. The vane 59 may also be made from material which is translucent or transparent to permit the passage of light therethrough.

To optimise lhe low pressure ol'the pocket of air immediately adjacent to the mouth of the head, the arrangement may include a drag inducer. The drag inducer may create turbulence immediately above the head mouth to promote the exhaustion of air from the cavity into the head and out to the immediate environment. The drag inducer may include an angled plate or a more solid feature with an inclined or curved surface. The drag

inducer may be inclined away from lhc direction of the approaching wind. The drag inducer may be winged shaped to optimise the drag effect.

The drag inducer may be in the form of a cowl. ϊb.c cowl may be a discreet feature attached to the head such as a plate, panel, lin or lhe like. Alternatively, lhe cυwl may be a feature inherent in the shape and/or configuration of the head or a hood associated " therewith. I ¹ Or example, the cowl may be formed integrally wilh Lhe head or hood. The cowl may be an inclined hood formed together with the head during a moulding process, preferably a blow moulding process.

The roof of the head is preferably curved to reduce turbulence within the head and permit smooth egress of air therefrom. The diameter or lateral width of the head may be varied. Generally, the larger (he diameter or width, the greater the volume per unit time may be exhausted through the vent. In a preferred embodiment, the head is cylindrical at its base where it is mounted to the throat and the diameter thereof is 300mm-400mm.

The device may further include an adapter base to accommodate a shaft or lightpipc of greater width than a standard diameter shaft (e.g. to expand from 300mm diameter to 400mm.). Thus the adapter base may include opposed coaxial openings of 300mm to engage lhe throat and 400mm to connect to a lightpipc or shaft of that diameter.

The hood 2g is flared at the edges 52 defining the mouth 19g Io provide the wind- directional function in which the head 2g, when properly mounted, swivels its mouth 19g in lhe leeward direction because (he dared edges 52 provide.greater wind_resistancc than the narrow rear 53. The hood 2g further includes a drag inducer in the form of upturned crest 54g that is effective to cause a negative pressure in the vicinity of the moulh 19g as air W passes over the crest 54g.

ReI erring to Fig. 13, there is shown a throat 3 (similar to that shown in I ¹ Ig. 1) comprising a top section 4 and a lower section 5. The top and lower sections 4,5 are rotatably connected by a sliding joint 6 that may be formed using a myriad of arrangements}, depending on the materials used to form the top and lower sections 4,5 and/or whether the joint 6 components are integrally formed with the top and lower sections 4,5 or ure separately formed. In a preferred arrangement, the top and lower sections 4,5 are each separately made from polycarbonate and the joint 6 components formed during the moulding process. The lower edge of the top section 4 may comprise a bead and the upper edge of the lower section 5 may comprise a complementary shaped channel for receiving the bead. Clearly the joint 6 must be sufficiently loose to permit relative rotation of top and lower sections 4,5, but sufficiently tightly engaged to prevent unwanted relative rotation in situ when the device 1 has been installed and the top and lower sections 4,5 rotated into their permanent position. For this reason, there may be provided a locking

device 55 comprising a clip mounted to the top section 4 and seciirablc to the lip of the joint component of the lower section 5 to secure the top mid lower sections 4,5 once set in (heir relative portions.

In relation to Fig. 14, there is shown a flashing base 17. The flashing base 17 has a substantially planar sheet 56 and a central annular upstanding flange 57 defining a central circular aperture 58. I he lower section 5 is adapted to fit over the flange 57 to enable a lower section of throat 3 - 3g to be mounted to a roof 34 by placing the planar sheet under or over the roofing materials such as tin sheeting or tiles and secured optionally with fasteners as required. Referring to Figures 15 and 16, there is shown a spider arrangement 61. llic bearing includes an axial spindle 62 mounted on the spider arrangemeiil 61 extending across (he upper section of the throat 3. The spider arrangement 61 may be mounted either to the throat 3 or to a head 60 and the spindle 62 complementarity mounted to the other of these twu structures 60,3. The head 60 may therefore be mounted using a fixed shaft 62 about which the head 60 rotates. The head 60 mounting means may include a bayonet arrangement. The bayonet may be attached or form part of either the throat 3 secured to the structure or to the head 60, either directly or indirectly via, (or example, the spider arrangement 61. A fixed shall 61 or bayonet stub is receivable in a hollow body 63 defining recess to which the spider is mounted for rotation. The cone 63 is supported by radial arms 64 in turn mounted to a support 24h on which a head 60 is mounted. ITic cone 63 has a recess underneath into which is inserted an axial spindle 62, the spindle 62 supported by radial arms 65. With specilie reference to Fig. 16, there is shown an exploded view of an alternative mounting means 4 I or mounting a head 2 in the form of a hood 60, (he mounting means including a bayonet connection 61. l ^" he bayonet connection Gl includes the lixed spindle or bayonet stub 62 adapted to be received in the cylindrical recess of cone 63. The hood 60 is mounted to the cone 63 by a spider 64. The stub 62 is fixedly mounted to support and radial arms 65.

The head 60 is preferably mounted using an annular bearing. The annular bearing preferably includes a Tellon ^1M bush rotatably supporting the head. Alternatively, the annular bearing may include a thrust bearing rotatabiy supporting the head 60.

The bearing may form part of a molded support structure adapted to support and/or reinforce the head 2b, including the lower walls or edges 9b thereof. The support may be separately molded relative to the head 2b and subsequently secured to the head 2b by attachment means such as snap-lit engagement means, fasteners, adhesive, etc. Li Figure 17, the side profile of the hood 60 is clearly shown. The hood 60 includes a curved shell 66 extending to a cowl 67 at its apex on the leeward side of the hood 60. ^' iTic

hood 60 includes a large mouth 68 defined by the upex 67 and the waJl edges of the shroud depending towardly at an inclined angle to meet the ring of the spider 64 at spaced locations thereon. lTic arrangement includes a hollow cylindrical shaft 69 spacing the spider 64 from the base 65. The hollow shall 69 may be used to elevale the hood 60 well above the roofline or to provide the communication of the hood 60 Io the cavily through a roof or attic space.

Figure 18 shows the mouth 68 as defined by a flange 68λ extending downwardly from the apex 67 and edges of the shell 66. The folded flange 68 provides a channel for water to be directed towards the spider 64 and dispensed at outlets 70 (see Figures 19 and 20). The channel provides means to reduce the ingress of rainwater and the like into the mouth 68. llic head may include screening means to resist the ingress of pests, rain, dust, debris and the like. The screening means preferably is at least adapted to resist the entry into the cavity of nuisances such as birdb, and mice and other vermin. Still more preferably, the screening means is adapted Io resist the entry into the cavity of pests such as cockroaches, ants, bees, wasps and the like. The screening means may comprise a series of bars, slats, strips, parallel wires etc. adapled Io resist entry by larger nuisances such as birds and pests such as mice. The screening means may include thin clear plastic slats or wire strands. The screening means may include Hy mesh, such as plastic or metal mesh adapted to resist entry of smaller pests such as cockroaches, ants and other insects. However, it will be appreciated that use of insect screens may interfere with the draft achieved by the vent and may not be suitable in applications where only low drafl is anticipated or high drall conditions are expected or necessary. The slats may be metal, plastic or wooden. The slats may be movable. The slats may be rotatablc. The slats may be pivotablc, cither discreetly or in unison. Preferably, the slats arc collectively pivotable about parallel axes in a single plane.

The device may still further include a pest barrier. Prior art pest screens are generally placed across the mouth of a roof vent to prevent moths and other insects entering building spaces through the vent. The pest barrier may extend across the mouth of the head. Alternatively, the pest barrier may be located internally in the head or throat or may form part, of lhe spider structure on which the head rotates. Preferably, the pest barrier is located in the lower section of the throat. ϊ ^* hc pest barrier may be made from wire mesh or moulded or drawn plastic mesh. Preferably, the optical properties of (he pest barrier permit the passage of the light therethrough. Accordingly, the pest barrier may be made of a clear plastic material such as polycarbonate or polypropylene. lTic pest barrier may be a substantially planar mesh screen. Advantageously, the pest barrier may be inclined Lo provide a sloping surface so tliat pest debris collect at a particular location. This may

facilitate cleaning of die pest barrier and will provide a partial self-cleaning fealure us Lhe pest bodies lend not Io obstruct passage of either air or light across lhe broad pest barrier surface. Preferably j lhe pest barrier is in the shape of pyramid or inverted cone with an elevated central apex sloping to it lower peripheral edges. I he sloped wall of the pest barrier may be stepped or, more preferably, graded so that it is steeper closer to its apex.

Referring finally to Figures 19 and 20, there is shown an alternative screening means in the form of a deflectable pivotablc flap 77 mounted to pivoting points 78 on the respective internal surfaces of the hood 60. The flap 77 is adapted to pivot through an arc limited by a stop means 79 which may comprise one or more stubs formed in the moulded hood 60 or a lateral rod extending through the internal space of the hood 60. The stop means 79 is adapted Io restrict the rotation of the flap 77, preferably the top portion 80. It is intended that the flap 77 generally will not rotate in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Figure 19) beyond the vertical either because it is its natural resting position or because the base of the hood 60 provides a stop means beyond which the flap cannot pivot. Ilic flap 77, in combination with the cowl 67, is adapted to reduce the incidence of down drafts entering the vent from the immediate external environment. Accordingly, when a positive pressure exists irnmediately oulside the mouth 68 in urea 26, the Il ap 77 is urged to its vertical closed position whereby its lower portion 81 moves into abutting relationship with lower portions of the hood 60. The wind direction W interacts with the combined cowl 67 and hood 60 shape and configuration surrounding the mouth 68 and encounters high resistance when the hood is oriented in the direction whereby the cowl faces windward. The hood 60 is therefore urged to rotate such that the cowl 67 turns away from the wind and ends up facing the leeward direction. In this orientation, the cowl 67 and overall shape and configuration of the hood 60 causes least wind resistance and creates a negative pressure in the area 26. This causes a pressure differential between the cavity and the area 26 resulting in a draft D. The draft D urges the flap 77 to open by pivoting about pivot points 78 and, in its greatest open extent, the top portion 80 of the (lap 77 rests on the stop means 79.

The drainage outlets 70 may more clearly be seen in Figures 25 and 26 which indicate that the channel of the Jlange 68a directs water down onto the mounting panels 81 of the base 65.

Referring further to the drawings, in one embodiments shown in Figures I and 2 there is provided a multiple-part throat 3 including an upper section 4 with an upper cylindrical axis 3x and a lower section 5 with a lower cylindrical axis 3y for use in a skylight vent combination device 1 having a head 2 mounted on the throaG , the angle of the head θ being adjustable to suit a particular pitch of a substrate surface 34 (such as a roof on which

the device is to be installed). At least (he upper and lower sections 4,5 may be joined to each other by an elliptical sliding joint 6 lying in a plane transverse to the upper and/or lhe lower cylindrical axes 3x,3y or a line bisecting the upper and lower cylindrical axes where they are not coaxial. The upper section 4 may have a high wall side 13 and an opposed low wull side 14 and the lower section 5 may have a complementary high wall side 8 and a low wall side Ri. Tn such an embodiment, when the upper section high wall 13 is aligned with the lower section low wall 8i, the throat 3 is substantially in the form of a cylinder in which the upper and lower section cylindrical axes 3x,3y are substantially coaxial. When the upper section 4 is rotated about the upper cylindrical axis 3x relative Io lhe lower section 5, so lhal the upper section high wall 13 is not aligned with the lower section low wall 8i, the upper cylindrical axis 3x is not coaxial with the lower cylindrical axis 3y. l-'or example, the upper cylindrical axis 3x may be at an angle 0 relative to the lower ■ cylindrical axis 3y. ^' l ^" hc throat 3 may include an internal reflective surface 5i adapted to direct light received through the light transmissible material and having an angle ol ^' approach O above (be boriκon in lhe general direction of the lower edge of the lower section 5ii.

The phrase "average cylindrical axis" means a theoretical line that bisects the upper and lower cylindrical axes when they arc coaxial, and means the cylindrical axis when the upper and lower cylindrical axes arc coaxial. The phrase "cylindrical axis" means the axis of the throat when the upper and lower cylindrical axes 3x,3y of the lop and lower sections arc coaxial, so that the throat 3 has a single cylindrical axis. The phrase "cylindrical axes" mean* the upper and lower cylindrical ax.es 3x,3y when they arc not coaxial in such a situation, the average cylindrical axis is different to the upper und lower cylindrical axes 3x,3y. The wall section 13 and the internal reflective surface 5i arc preferably positioned relative to each other so that they are adapted to admit into the throat 3 light incoming substantially transverse to the upper and lower cylindrical axes 3x,3y whereby the reflected light R travels in a direction having a vector component parallel to the cylindrical axes 3x,3y mid away from the head or cover 2. ϊ"hc direction of light S approaching at a significant angle σ transverse to the average cylindrical axis of the throat corresponds to sunlight when (he stm has a low trajectory and is close (o the horizon. On the other hand, the angle of approach σ of sunlight is small relative to the average cylindrical axis when the sun has a high trajectory at midday in summer months because the sunlight approaches from near directly overhead (its /.enitb) and the average cylindrical axis will have a generally upright orientation when the device is mounted on, for example, a roof. Typically, the average cylindrical axis of the throat 3

will be cJosc to vertical after installation and with a range of 10 - 30%, depending, of course, on the pilch angle of the structure.

The throat 3 includes one or more side walls 8,13 wherein a notional, longitudinal central line 3i of the throat 3 is generally parallel to the one or more walls 8,13. The head 2 includes an exhaust outlet 19 and the throat 3 may include an internal reflective surface 7 located on or in lhe throat 3. The light-transmissible section 13 and the internal reflective surface 5i are positioned relative Io each other to cooperate in admitting into the throat 3 light S approaching from a direction aligned substantially transverse to the notional central throat line 3i so that the reflected light R travels in a direction having a vector component parallel to the notional central throat line 3i and away from the head 2.

'1 ^' hc term "transverse" means a path in a cross or angled direction relative to a reference line, wherein the path may or may not be normal to the reference line, but is not parallel thereto.

The head 2 is mounted for rotation relative to the throat 3 and the outlet 19 is in communication with the environment external to the structure 46 and also in communication with the cavity 15 whereby air is urged to How from the cavity 15, through the throat 3 and the head 2, and out through the outlet 19 to the environment.

The throat 3 is preferably cylindrical in general shape and the sliding joint 6 is preferably an elliptical shape lying in a plane inclined relative to the horizontal, lhc upper section of the throat 4 (and therefore the head 2) may be rotated so that the upper edge of the top section 4 may be adjusted between a substantially horizontal orientation through to an orientation substantially inclined to the horizontal. The variable orientation may be used to adjust the head 2 orientation to suit roof pitches 34 of varying inclinations.

The light transmissible materials of which the throat 3, uppersection 4, lower section 5 and/or the head 2 may be translucent and/or transparent. They may include a variety of materials having a wide range of optical properties. For example, the light transmissible materials may include polymer materials such as polycarbonates, acrylic plastics including polymethyl methacrylale (Perspex (K)), hardened glass and safety glass including glass/plastic layer combinations. The throat 3 may include ut leabt a section 5 in which the material includes a coating of metal such as aluminium or aluminium to achieve a two-way mirror effect. The coated material may be used in a lower section 5 of the throat 3 whereby to minimise loss oflight from the throat 3. Such an urrangement may be used for the portions of the throat 3 facing away from the predominant direction from which sunlight approaches.

I ')

The head 3 may be made from a combination of materials or component parts. ltie head 2 may comprise a combination of an opaque or translucent portion and a translucent or transparent portion. For example, the portion associated with and surrounding the mouth 19 may be made of a material which is translucent or transparent and the back of the head 2 may be made from a translucent or opaque material. Preferably, however, the head 2 is integrally formed iϊom a single translucent or transparent material,

^' l ^" hc head 2 may be formed in a number of ways according to conventional methods of which the person skilled in the art will be familial". Where the head 2 includes metal material such as light gauge aluminium or galvanised iron, the material may be cast or formed from sheets and worked into shape according to standard practice in the venting industry. The translucent or transparent material may be formed from a number of moulding processes. For example, the translucent or transparent material may be blow moulded, ihc different components of the head 2 may be joined together by any suitable means. For example, the head 2 components may be joined by rivets, industrial strength adhesive or other fastening methods familiar to skilled persons. Preferably, however, the head 2 is formed from a single translucent and/or transparent material. The translucent and/or transparent material may be formed from a moulding process.

Trie structure 46 or substrate surface may be a roof 34 or other external structure separating an internal cavity 15 from the environment. Conceivably, the structure 46 can be an internal wall or floor/ceiling divider in a large installation such as a factory or mine. ^' However, typically the structure or substrate surface 34 will be a roof 34 or a domestic, industrial or commercial building 46.

Oricntational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are Io be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise lhat the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the heud 2 or top section 4,31 uppermost.

Throughout the specification the word "comprise" and its derivatives are intended Io have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the context requires otherwise. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that muny modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.