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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
ROOF VENTILATION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/166517
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A ventilation device (1) for mounting to an elongate air gap of a structure (S) is disclosed. The ventilation device (1) comprises: - an elongate structure (2), extending in a longitudinal direction, the longitudinal direction being represented by a longitudinal axis (3) of the elongate structure (2); - the elongate structure (2) also extending in a second direction along a second axis (8), the second axis (8) being oriented in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (3); - the elongate structure (2) comprising at least one ventilation opening (4), the ventilation opening (4) being adapted to allow an air flow through the elongate structure (2); - the elongate structure (2) having an outer surface comprising a first abutment area (A1) and a second abutment area (A2), the first abutment area (A1) and the second abutment area (A2) being arranged on opposite sides in the second direction of the ventilation opening (4), each of the abutment areas (A1, A2) extending along the longitudinal axis (3), - whereby the first abutment area (A1) and the second abutment area (A2) are adapted such that at least a first abutment portion (P1) comprised within the first abutment area (A1) and a second abutment portion (P2) comprised within the second abutment area (A2) abut against portions of the structure (S) surrounding the air gap when the ventilation device (1) is mounted to the air gap; - whereby each one of the first abutment area (A1) and the second abutment area (A2) has an extension in the second direction such that the ventilation device (1) can cover air gaps of different dimensions (G) and/or different types. Further, methods for mounting the ventilation device (1) to air gaps are disclosed.

Inventors:
ARSTAD JAN-ERIK (SE)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2013/057304
Publication Date:
October 16, 2014
Filing Date:
April 08, 2013
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
LENNJONT AB (SE)
International Classes:
E04D13/17; F24F7/02
Foreign References:
US20080318510A12008-12-25
GB2115920A1983-09-14
GB2135360A1984-08-30
US20100229498A12010-09-16
NL9100187A1992-09-01
US4126973A1978-11-28
EP0186268A21986-07-02
GB2136473A1984-09-19
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
VALEA AB (Göteborg, SE)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A ventilation device (1) for mounting to an elongate air gap of a structure (S), the

ventilation device (1) comprising:

- an elongate structure (2), extending in a longitudinal direction, said longitudinal direction being represented by a longitudinal axis (3) of said elongate structure (2);

- said elongate structure (2) also extending in a second direction along a second axis (8), said second axis (8) being oriented in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (3);

- said elongate structure (2) comprising at least one ventilation opening (4), said ventilation opening (4) being adapted to allow an air flow through said elongate structure (2);

- said elongate structure (2) having an outer surface comprising a first abutment area (A1 ) and a second abutment area (A2), said first abutment area (A1 ) and said second abutment area (A2) being arranged on opposite sides in said second direction of said ventilation opening (4), each of said abutment areas (A1 , A2) extending along said longitudinal axis (3),

- whereby said first abutment area (A1 ) and said second abutment area (A2) are adapted such that at least a first abutment portion (P1 ) comprised within said first abutment area (A1 ) and a second abutment portion (P2) comprised within said second abutment area (A2) abut against portions of said structure (S) surrounding said air gap when the ventilation device (1 ) is mounted to said air gap;

- whereby each one of said first abutment area (A1 ) and said second abutment area (A2) has an extension in said second direction, such that said ventilation device (1) can cover air gaps of different dimensions (G) and/or different types.

2. The ventilation device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein said elongate structure (2) is of cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape, whereby said longitudinal axis (3) is

represented by a cylinder axis (3), and whereby said extension of said first abutment area (A1 ) and said second abutment area (A2) in said second direction is represented by an outer surface of said elongate structure (2).

3. The ventilation device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein said elongate structure (2) has a cross section which is at least partly wedge-shaped or at least partly trapezoidal.

4. The ventilation device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein said elongate structure (2) has a rectangular, square or other polygonal cross section.

5. The ventilation device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein said elongate structure (2) has an elliptic or oval cross section.

6. The ventilation device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, further

comprising at least one adjustment member (9, 12) adapted such that an air flow rate through said ventilation device (1) can be adjusted.

7. The ventilation device (1) according to claim 6 in combination with claim 2,

comprising rotation sockets (9) mounted to ends of said elongate structure (2), such that said elongate structure (2) is rotational relative to the rotation sockets (9), thereby adapted to allow adjustment of an air flow rate through said ventilation device (1) when mounted to said air gap, by enabling adjustment of an orientation of said ventilation opening (4) with respect to said air gap and said structure surrounding said air gap.

8. The ventilation device (19 according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said adjustment member (9, 12) comprises at least one element arranged rotationally displaceable or linearly displaceable relative to said elongate structure (2), such as to allow adjustment of an air flow rate through said ventilation device (1).

9. The ventilation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said elongate structure (2) comprises an outer hollow cylindrical element (11) and an inner cylindrical element (12), whereby said inner cylindrical element (12) is arranged coaxially inside said outer hollow cylindrical element (11),

wherein said longitudinal axis (3) is represented by the cylinder axis (3);

wherein a first opening (5) is formed through a first circumferential section of said outer cylindrical element (11) and a second opening (6) is formed through a second circumferential section of said outer cylindrical element (11) and wherein said inner cylindrical element (12) comprises a through-going channel (13) oriented at an angle to said cylinder axis (3), wherein said first opening (5), said second opening (6) and said through-going channel (13) can be positioned relative to each other such as to form said ventilation opening (4).

10. The ventilation device (1) according to claim 9, wherein said inner cylindrical element (12) is hollow, wherein said through-going channel (13) is provided by a third opening

5 (14) through a third circumferential section of said inner cylindrical element (12) and a fourth opening (15) through a fourth circumferential section of said inner cylindrical element.

1 1. The ventilation device (1) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein said first 10 opening (5) and said second opening (6) are provided radially opposite each other, and wherein said through-going channel (13) is oriented at a perpendicular angle to said cylinder axis (3), and wherein said first opening (5), said second opening (6) and said through-going channel (13) are provided at corresponding axial positions on said outer hollow cylindrical element (11) and said inner cylindrical element (12),

15 respectively.

12. The ventilation device (1) according to claim 11 , wherein two or more of said first opening (5), said second opening (6) and said through-going channel (13) have corresponding cross sectional areas in the direction of an intended air flow.

20

13. The ventilation device (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein said at least one ventilation opening (4) is adjustable by relative rotation and/or relative linear displacement of said inner cylindrical element (12) and said outer cylindrical element (1 1) such as to allow adjustment of an air flow rate through said ventilation device (1).

25

14. The ventilation device (1) according to any of the previous claims, comprising a

protection element arranged such as to prevent passage of undesired objects through said ventilation opening (4).

30 15. The ventilation device (1) according to claim 14, wherein said protection element is a net, a perforated element, a filter, or a film or felt fabricated with a plurality of apertures.

16. The ventilation device (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 13 in combination with 35 one of claims 14 or 15 wherein said protection element comprises a net hose arranged between said inner cylindrical element (12) and said outer cylindrical element (11), preferably by said net hose being fitted to said inner cylindrical element (12).

5 17. The ventilation device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said ventilation opening (4) has an elongate shape along a direction a, said direction a being oriented at an angle a with said longitudinal axis (3), where preferably -15°< a<+15°, more preferably a has a value about 0°.

10 18. The ventilation device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said elongate structure (2) comprises a plurality of said ventilation openings (4).

19. The ventilation device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, further

comprising a hollow telescope element arranged coaxially with said elongate structure

15 (2), either exterior or interior to said elongate structure (2), and arranged to be linearly movable relative to said elongate structure (2), such as to provide a telescopic arrangement whereby a length of said ventilation device (1) can be adjusted.

20. The ventilation device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, further

20 comprising a socket (9) mounted to at least one of the ends of said elongate structure (2), whereby said socket (9) preferably comprises an elastic material.

21. The ventilation device (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said first abutment area (A1 ) and said second abutment area (A2) have corresponding

25 dimensions, preferably said first abutment area (A1 ) and said second abutment area (A2) are mirror symmetrical with respect to a plane extending in a direction of the intended air flow through said ventilation opening (4).

22. The ventilation device (1) according to any one of the previous claims adapted for 30 mounting across an air gap in the eave area of a building, especially between two parallel roof elements of a parallel ridge roof structure and/or between timber roof trusses of a roof structure.

23. A structure (S) comprising an elongate air gap and a ventilation device (1) according to any one of the previous claims mounted to said air gap.

24. The structure (S) according to claim 23, whereby said structure is a building and said 5 air gap is an air gap in an eave area of said building.

25. Use of a ventilation device (1) according to any one of the previous claims for

providing ventilation within or below a roof section of a structure.

10 26. Use according to claim 25, whereby said ventilation device (1 ) is mounted from the outside across an elongate air gap in an eave area of said structure, such as in an area between two parallel roof elements of a ridge roof structure and/or across an air gap in an area between timber roof trusses of a roof structure.

15 27. A method for mounting a ventilation device (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 22 to an air gap of a structure, comprising the steps of:

- mounting said ventilation device (1) to said air gap such that said ventilation opening (4) faces said air gap;

- mounting said ventilation device (1) to said air gap such that said at least portions 20 (P1 , P2) of said first abutment area (A1 ) and of said second abutment area (A2) abut against portions of of said structure surrounding said air gap.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein said structure comprises a building, and wherein said ventilation device (1) is mounted to said air gap from the outside of said

25 building.

29. The method according to any one of claims 27 or 28, wherein, if a width (G) of said air gap is smaller than a dimension of said ventilation device (1) along said second axis (8), only a portion of said ventilation device (1) is mounted within said air gap.

30

30. The method according to any one of claims 27 or 28, wherein, if a width (G) of said air gap is larger than a dimension of said ventilation device (1) along said second axis (8), a rim is mounted along the length of said air gap, whereby the width (G) of said air gap is decreased, prior to mounting said ventilation device (1) to said air gap.

35

31. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 30, further comprising the step of attaching two of said ventilation devices (1) lengthwise to each other via a connection socket (9) provided between the respective ends of said two ventilation devices (1). 32. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 31 , further comprising the step of adjusting said ventilation opening (4) such as to adjust an air flow rate through said ventilation device (1).

Description:
ROOF VENTILATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a ventilation device for mounting to an air gap of a structure, such as a building. Especially, the ventilation device is suitable for providing controlled ventilation to roof spaces, such as attics or intermediate spaces of parallel ridge roof structures. Furthermore, methods for mounting the ventilation device are disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ventilation of attic spaces and spaces between an inner and an outer roof element, such as an intermediate space of a ridge roof having an inner and an outer roof parallel to each other, a so called parallel ridge roof structure, is often realized by the provision of air gaps, usually horizontal, in an eave area of a building. In order to avoid animals, such as birds and insects, and also debris, from entering the space an insect net is often mounted across the air gap. Since the air gap can be difficult to access from the interior of an existing building, especially in the case of parallel ridge roof structures, the mosquito net is commonly attached from the outside of the building, often by nailing it to the structure surrounding the air gap. However, a number of different problems are associated with this system.

To start with, it is difficult to ensure that the net is tightly connected to the structure surrounding the air gap such as to efficiently prevent entry of animals through the air gap. Wasp's nests, and also bird's nests, are common problems in attics. Further, the net often becomes clogged with time, by accumulating debris and by inadvertently becoming covered by paint during painting of the building, whereby the air flow across the net is decreased, leading to insufficient ventilation. Replacement of a net that has been attached as described above is very time consuming. A roof space ventilation device suitable for retro-fitting to existing buildings and preventing debris and animals entering the roof space is presented in GB 2 136 473 A. Here an elongated structure having an L-shaped cross section comprising a ventilation channel and an insect grille mounted across the inlet opening of the ventilation channel is described. The width of the ventilation channel, and thus of one of the L-parts of the ventilation device, is determined by a spacer mounted across the outlet opening of the ventilation channel. The ventilation device according to GB 2 136 473 is adapted to be mounted on top of the fascia board such that the tiles and the lining of the roof edge portion rests on an outer wall of the ventilation device. The ventilation device as disclosed by GB 2 136 473 A can therefore only be fitted into a space, e.g. an air gap, having a width large enough such that the outlet L-section can be inserted into it. It cannot be mounted to air gaps having a width smaller than the width of one of its L-sections. The air gap subsequently has to be closed off with respect to the ventilation device by arranging roof elements, such as the roof lining and tile infills, to rest on an outer wall of the ventilation device. This leads to a cumbersome, labor intensive mounting procedure.

Another problem with the ventilation systems as described in GB 2 136 473 A is the lack of possibility to adjust the amount of air flow into the space which is to be ventilated. The living area of modern buildings are well isolated, and also often the ceiling between the living area and the attic of existing buildings are being retro-fitted with supplementary insulation in order to decrease the amount of heat leaking out through the roof, in order to decrease costs associated with heating. This leads to colder attic spaces, which in turn leads to a higher humidity and condensation in the attic space, which can lead to problems with mildew damaging both the building structure as well as belongings stored in the attic space. Further, the degree of humidity in the attic space is also increased by convection of humid air from the living areas of the building, which is in principle impossible to fully avoid. This leads to a need for a certain amount of ventilation of the attic space, in order to remove the humidity. However, to maximize the amount of air flow through the attic space is not the solution to the mildew problem, since outside air has a certain amount of humidity, varying with the season, the weather and the climate. Also, an air flow through the attic space leads to further heat loss. Therefore, it is of importance to be able to adjust the amount of air flow, such that the air flow rate is not too low, which would lead to an insufficient amount of air replacement, and should also not be too high which would lead to too high entry of humid outside air and further heat loss. The amount of air flow giving proper ventilation is not the same for all building structures, but depends on the particular characteristics of a building, such as the dimensions of the space which is to be ventilated. Further, it also varies with the outside air humidity, which is dependent on season and climate. Herein below a ventilation device is presented, which can be used for a variety of different structures, primarily buildings, such as residential buildings, but it could also be used e.g. on boats, ships, and camping vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ventilation device as presented herein is adapted to solve the problems stated above. It may be used on any structure requiring ventilation while preventing entry of debris, birds and insects. It is especially suited for buildings, especially in the roof area, but it may also be used on other structures, such as boats and ships. It may be used for any type of building, constructed of any material. The ventilation device may be mounted across an air gap provided for ventilation, and may be used anywhere where controlled ventilation is required. In advantageous embodiments, the ventilation device allows for adjustable ventilation while preventing entry of insects, birds, debris etc.

The ventilation device is further easy to attach to existing buildings, for retro-fitting into existing ventilation air gaps of such buildings. The ventilation device may also be mounted to air gaps that are difficult to reach due to the geometry of the building structure surrounding the air gap.

The ventilation device may be mounted during fabrication of the structure, but it may also be mounted to existing structures, such as to be fitted to existing buildings. As discussed further in detail below, it provides for an easier replacement of the net structure, since the ventilation device may be easily mounted across a ventilation air gap.

In a first aspect, a ventilation device for mounting to an elongate air gap of a structure is presented. The ventilation device comprises:

- an elongate structure, extending in a longitudinal direction, said longitudinal direction being represented by a longitudinal axis of said elongate structure;

- said elongate structure also extending in a second direction along a second axis, said second axis being oriented in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;

- said elongate structure comprising at least one ventilation opening, said ventilation opening being adapted to allow an air flow through said elongate structure;

- said elongate structure having an outer surface comprising a first abutment area A1 and a second abutment area A2, said first abutment area A1 and said second abutment area A2 being arranged on opposite sides in said second direction of said ventilation opening, each of said abutment areas extending along said longitudinal axis, - whereby said first abutment area A1 and said second abutment area A2 are adapted such that at least a first abutment portion P1 comprised within said first abutment area A1 and a second abutment portion P2 comprised within said second abutment area A2 abut against portions of said structure surrounding said air gap when the ventilation device is mounted to said air gap;

- whereby each one of said first abutment area A1 and said second abutment area A2 has an extension in said second direction such that said ventilation device can cover air gaps of different dimensions and/or different types.

Air gaps of different dimensions is to be understood as air gaps having different dimensions in a height, width and/or length direction. The ventilation device may be mounted to different types of air gaps, especially advantageously to air gaps provided in the eave area of buildings, which are horizontally oriented air gaps, but it may also be mounted to any other type of air gap, such as other air gaps provided for ventilation in a structure, which may be vertical.

Due to the arrangement of the abutment regions, a good fit between the ventilation device and the borders of the air gap may be established even when the ventilation device does not fit entirely within the air gap. Especially, the ventilation device may be mounted to an air gap having a width which is equal to or smaller than the extension of the elongate structure in the second direction. The abutment areas A1 and A2 are adapted such that the positions of the abutment portions P1 , P2 will depend on a width and/or geometry of the air gap. The abutment portions P1 , P2 will abut against portions of the structure surrounding the air gap such that one of the abutment portions abut against a portion of the structure on one side of the air gap, in the length direction of the air gap, and the other abutment portion will abut against a portion of the structure on the opposite side of the air gap.

The elongate structure is preferably fabricated from a relatively rigid material, which is not easily deformed and thus substantially maintains its shape during mounting to a structure. Preferably it is made of a weather resistant plastic material, but it could alternatively be made of metal or any other suitable material.

In one embodiment, the elongate structure is of cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape, whereby the longitudinal axis is represented by a cylinder axis, and whereby the extension of the first abutment area A1 and the second abutment area A2 in the second direction is represented by an outer surface of the elongate structure. The abutment areas thus comprise outer surfaces of the cylinder or semi-cylinder. The term outer surface is to be interpreted as a surface of the ventilation device facing portions of the structure surrounding the air gap or facing the environment when the ventilation device is mounted to the air gap. The cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape has as an advantage that the ventilation device may be mounted even if the dimension of the ventilation device does not fit the width of the air gap. Due to its cylindrical shape, it may be mounted also across an air gap that is narrower than the diameter of the ventilation device. In this case, the ventilation device is pushed as far possible into the air gap, and will thereby form a tight fit while protruding from the air gap.

According to an embodiment, the elongate structure may have a cross section, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, which is at least partly wedge-shaped or at least partly trapezoidal. According to an embodiment, the elongate structure may have a rectangular, square or other polygonal cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

According to an embodiment, the elongate structure may have an elliptic or oval cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

According to an embodiment, the elongate structure may be of arbitrary elongate shape or cross section, which enables mounting of the ventilation device to air gaps having different widths. Such requirement excludes an L-shape such as illustrated in GB

2 136 473 A.

According to one embodiment, the ventilation device comprises at least one adjustment member adapted such that an air flow rate through said ventilation device can be adjusted. According to one embodiment, the ventilation device, where the elongate structure is of cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape, further comprises rotation sockets mounted to the ends of the cylinder or semi-cylinder, such that he elongate structure is rotational relative to the rotation sockets. An adjustment lever may be connected to the cylinder or semi- cylinder such as to enable easy rotation thereof. Thereby an adjustment of an air flow rate through said ventilation device is possible, through rotation of the elongate structure with respect to the rotation sockets. The rotation sockets are adapted to be fixedly mounted to a structure, such as a building. The rotation sockets then function as adjustment members, by allowing adjustment of the orientation of the ventilation opening with respect to the air gap when the ventilation device is mounted to an air gap, and also with respect to a wind direction, thereby allowing adjustment of the air flow rate through the ventilation device. Thereby, an effective cross sectional area of the ventilation opening perpendicular to the intended air flow is adjusted, thereby adjusting the amount of air flow possible through the ventilation device.

The sockets are mounted to the elongate structure such that the outer surfaces of the sockets are not protruding out of the outer circumferential surface of the elongate structure, that is, the surface comprising the abutment areas. Preferably, the outer surfaces of the sockets are flush with the outer surface of the elongate structure. Thereby, the abutment areas will provide for portions abutting to the structure surrounding the air gap to which the ventilation device is mounted. This may be realised for example by the rotation socket comprising a protruding end adapted to fit within an inner diameter of the elongate structure, or by the elongate structure having ends of smaller diameter such as to fit within an inner diameter of the rotation sockets. Further, the rotation socket and the ends of the elongate structure may be provided with corresponding threads, such as to enable rotation and fixation of the elongate structure with respect to the rotation sockets. If the rotation sockets are constructed with both ends identical, they may further function as connection sockets, enabling connection of two elongate structures to each other in a lengthwise direction.

Further, the rotation sockets may comprise an elastic material, such as to enable fixation of the ventilation device into an air gap of corresponding length, whereby the elastic material of the sockets provide a spring force against outer borders of the air gap. The rotation sockets then additionally function as fixation sockets.

By adjusting the cross sectional area of the ventilation channel, an air flow rate there- through can be adjusted. Thereby, the ventilation device may be adjusted such as to provide a proper amount of ventilation to the space which is to be ventilated. The cross sectional area may be fixed in a position corresponding to an average amount of ventilation required for the specific building to which the ventilation device is mounted, or it may be varied, e.g., depending on the season. Thus, by mounting the ventilation device as described above across an air gap of a structure, the ventilation of the structure may be controlled.

According to one embodiment, the ventilation device comprises at least one adjustment member comprising at least one element arranged rotationally and/or linearly displaceable relative to said elongate structure, such as to allow adjustment of an air flow rate through the ventilation device. For example, the ventilation device may comprise a flow regulator mounted centrally within a hollow elongate structure, whereby the air flow rate through the ventilation channel can be adjusted. Specifically, in an embodiment where the elongated structure comprises a hollow cylindrical element, the flow regulator may comprise a plate like element with its centre of rotation coinciding with said cylindrical axis. Alternatively, a further at least partly cylindrical element having a curvature similar to that of the elongate structure and large enough to cover the ventilation openings, may be provided inside the hollow cylindrical element and rotationally and/or linearly movable with respect to the hollow cylindrical element and the ventilation opening, such as to allow adjustment of the ventilation opening between a fully open, a partially open or a fully closed state.

In one embodiment, the ventilation device comprises two coaxially arranged cylinders. In this embodiment, the elongate structure comprises an outer hollow cylindrical element and an inner cylindrical element, whereby the inner cylindrical element is arranged coaxially inside the outer hollow cylindrical element,

wherein said longitudinal axis is represented by the cylinder axis;

wherein a first opening is formed through a first circumferential section of the outer cylinder and a second opening is formed through a second circumferential section of the outer cylinder and wherein the inner cylindrical element comprises a through-going channel oriented at an angle to the cylinder axis, wherein the first opening, the second opening and the through-going channel can be positioned relative to each other such as to form the ventilation opening. Preferably, the first opening, the second opening and the through-going channel are all oriented perpendicular to the cylinder axis.

In one embodiment, the inner cylindrical element is hollow, and the through-going channel is provided by a third opening through a third circumferential section and a fourth opening through a fourth circumferential section of the inner cylinder. In one embodiment, the first opening and the second opening are provided radially opposite each other, and the through-going channel is oriented at a perpendicular angle to the cylinder axis, and wherein the first opening, the second opening and the through- going channel are provided at corresponding axial positions on the outer hollow cylindrical element and the inner cylindrical element, respectively.

In one embodiment, two or more of the first opening, the second opening and the through- going channel have corresponding cross sectional areas in the direction of an intended air flow.

In one embodiment, the at least one ventilation opening is adjustable by relative rotation and/or relative linear displacement of the inner cylindrical element and the outer cylindrical element such as to allow adjustment of an air flow rate through the ventilation device. The cross sectional area of the ventilation channel may thus be adjusted by relative rotation of the inner cylindrical element and the outer cylindrical element. An adjustment lever may be connected to the inner cylindrical element. Such adjustment lever is preferably mounted close to one of the ends of the inner cylindrical element and radially protruding therefrom. A corresponding slit is provided on the outer cylindrical element, such as to allow the adjustment lever to protrude there through.

In one embodiment, the ventilation device further comprises a protection element arranged such as to prevent passage of undesired objects through the ventilation opening. In one embodiment, said protection element is a net, a perforated element, a filter, or a film or felt fabricated with a plurality of apertures. The apertures are small enough to prevent unintended objects such as animals, e.g., insects and birds, and different kinds of debris transported with the air, from passing through the ventilation device, while still being large enough to provide a proper air flow rate there through.

The protective element may be positioned exterior or interior of the elongated structure. In one embodiment, where the elongate structure is of hollow cylindrical shape, it is arranged in the interior of this cylinder. In an especially advantageous embodiment, the protective element is formed by a net hose. Such net hose may be attached to the inner cylinder wall by the use of an adhesive, or by other suitable means.

In one embodiment, the protection element comprises a net hose arranged between the inner cylindrical element and the outer cylindrical element, preferably by the net hose 5 being fitted to the inner cylindrical element. The net hose may be fitted to the inner cylinder such as to be supported by this cylinder. The net hose may be replaceable, and may be provided as a spare part. Thereby, a damaged or clogged net hose can be replaced by demounting the ventilation device; disassembling it and replacing the net hose, and subsequently reassemble the ventilation device and mounting it back to the 10 structure. Alternatively, the inner cylinder with a net hose fitted to it may be provided as a spare part.

In one embodiment, the ventilation opening has an elongate shape along a direction a, the direction a being oriented at an angle a with the longitudinal axis, where preferably - 15 15°< a<+15°, more preferably a has a value about 0°. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the ventilation opening is arranged with its elongation parallel to the longitudinal axis.

In one embodiment, the elongate structure comprises a plurality of ventilation openings. A plurality is to be understood as two, three, four or more.

20

The ventilation device may be fabricated in a length corresponding to a standard distance between roof trusses, which in many countries is 120 cm center to center.

In one embodiment, the ventilation device further comprises a hollow telescope element 25 arranged coaxially with the elongate structure, either exterior or interior to the elongate structure, and arranged to be linearly movable relative to the elongate structure, such as to provide a telescopic arrangement whereby a length of the ventilation device may be adjusted.

30 In one embodiment, length adjustment and eventual fixation of the position of the

telescope element is provided at one end of the elongate structure, and an air flow regulation is provided at the other end. In order to prevent relative rotation of the elongated structure and the telescope element during telescoping action, which might be possible if the elongate structure and the telescope element are of cylindrical or semi- cylindrical shape, the telescope element and the elongated structure may be, respectively, provided with a slit and a corresponding ridge in the longitudinal direction.

In one embodiment, the telescopic arrangement may comprise means by which, after adjustment to a desired length the relative positions in the axial direction of the ventilation device and the telescopic cylinder can be fixed.

In the embodiment of the ventilation device comprising an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, the telescopic arrangement may be realized by a telescope cylinder arranged coaxially with the outer hollow cylindrical element such that the outer hollow cylindrical element and the telescope cylinder are able to slide relative to each other in the axial direction.

In one embodiment, the ventilation device further comprises a socket mounted to at least one of the ends of said elongate structure, whereby the socket preferably comprises an elastic material. The socket may provide a length adjustment such as to fit the ventilation device into the air gap. When the socket comprises an elastic material, it may provide for a fit into the air gap by the resilient properties of the elastic material. In one embodiment, said first abutment area A1 and said second abutment area A2 have corresponding dimensions, preferably said first abutment area A1 and said second abutment area A2 are mirror symmetrical with respect to a plane extending in a direction of the intended air flow through said ventilation opening.

In one embodiment, the abutment areas are arranged with respect to the ventilation opening such that, if one considers a plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and oriented such that the projection of the ventilation opening is maximized in that plane, the first abutment area A1 has a projection D1 in that plane, and the second abutment area A2 has a projection D2 in that plane. The projections D1 , D2 are preferably related by the equation 0.5D2 < D1 < 2D2.

In one embodiment, the ventilation device is adapted for mounting across an air gap in the eave area of a building, especially between two parallel roof elements of a parallel ridge roof structure and/or between timber roof trusses of a roof structure. In one embodiment, a structure is presented comprising an elongate air gap and a ventilation device according to any one of the embodiments described above mounted to the air gap. In one embodiment the structure is a building and the air gap is an air gap in an eave area of the building.

In a second aspect, a use of a ventilation device according to any one of the

embodiments described above for providing ventilation within or below a roof section of a structure is presented.

In one embodiment, the ventilation device is mounted from the outside across an elongate air gap in an eave area of the structure, such as in an area between two parallel roof elements of a ridge roof structure and/or across an air gap in an area between timber roof trusses of a roof structure.

In a third aspect a method for mounting a ventilation device according to any one of the embodiments described above to an air gap of a structure is presented. The method comprises the steps of:

- mounting the ventilation device to the air gap such that the ventilation opening faces the air gap;

- mounting the ventilation device to the air gap such that at least portions of the first abutment area A1 and of the second abutment area A2 abut against portions of the structure surrounding the air gap.

In one embodiment, the structure comprises a building, and the ventilation device is mounted to the air gap from the outside of the building.

In one embodiment, if a width of the air gap is smaller than a dimension of the ventilation device, only a portion of the ventilation device is mounted within the air gap. Due to the arrangement of the abutment areas the ventilation device can be mounted with a good fit to the air gap, by the abutment portions abutting against portions of the structure surrounding the air gap. In one embodiment, if a width or height of the air gap is larger than a dimension of the ventilation device a rim is mounted along the length of the air gap, whereby the width of the air gap is decreased, prior to mounting the ventilation device to the air gap. The width or height of the air gap is thereby decreased, such that the ventilation device can be mounted as described above to the air gap, with abutment portions abutting to portions of the structure surrounding the air gap. The rim will then form part of the structure surrounding the air gap.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of attaching two ventilation devices lengthwise to each other via a connection socket provided between the respective ends of said two ventilation devices.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises a step of adjusting said ventilation opening such as to adjust an air flow rate through said ventilation device.

As described above, according to one embodiment the air flow rate may be adjusted by the orientation of the ventilation opening relative to the intended air flow and/or relative to the ventilation gap. As described above, according to one embodiment, the ventilation device may comprise at least one adjustment member adapted to allow adjustment of the possible air flow rate through the ventilation device, by adjustment of the position of the adjustment member relative to the at least one ventilation opening. The ventilation device as described herein is especially well adapted to being used for ventilation in an eave area of a building. Thereby, the ventilation in an attic space or an intermediate space between two elements of a ridge roof structure may be controlled.

The ventilation device may be fabricated of any material suited for use in buildings, and suitable to withstand different weather conditions. Preferably, the elongate structure may be fabricated from plastic. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will hereinafter be further explained by means of non-limiting examples with reference to the appended figures where:

Fig. 1 A schematically illustrates the ventilation device or a part thereof according to some preferred embodiments;

Fig. 1 B schematically illustrates a cross section along section A-A of FIG. 1A;

Fig. 1C schematically illustrates a cross section, similar to that of FIG. 1 B, of a ventilation device mounted to an air gap;

Fig. 2A schematically illustrates an inner cylindrical element of the ventilation device according to an embodiment of the ventilation device comprising two coaxial cylindrical elements;

Fig. 2B schematically illustrates a cross section along section A-A of FIG. 2A;

Fig. 3A schematically illustrates an assembled ventilation device according to some preferred embodiments; and

Fig. 3B schematically illustrates a cross section along section A-A of FIG. 3A according to an embodiment of the ventilation device comprising two coaxial cylindrical elements;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, in some of the preferred embodiments the ventilation device has a cylindrical shape. In the figures and the embodiments described below, a cylindrical shape is described. It is to be understood, however, that an analogous discussion applies to other embodiments where the ventilation device has other shapes, and that the ventilation device according to any of the other embodiments can comprise analogous features.

FIG. 1A shows a ventilation device 1 having an elongate structure 2, shown in FIG. 1 B as being of cylindrical shape, i.e. having a circular cross section. In this embodiment, the longitudinal axis corresponds to the cylinder axis 3. In Fig. 1A the ventilation device 1 is illustrated comprising two ventilation openings 4. It is however to be understood, that in certain embodiments only one ventilation opening 4 is provided, which may then extend along a major part of the elongated structure 2, whereas in other embodiments a plurality of ventilation openings 4 may be provided, for example two, three or four ventilation openings. FIG. 1 B shows a cross section along section A-A of FIG. 1A. A first opening 5 and a second opening 6 are formed through the wall of the elongate structure 2, whereby the ventilation opening 4 allows an air flow through the elongate structure 2 via the first opening 5 and the second opening 6. A direction of an intended air flow is indicated by the arrow 7, which here is perpendicular to a second axis indicated by 8. In FIG. 1 B the first opening 5 and the second opening 6 are illustrated as being similar in size and arranged radially opposite each other. However, the first opening 5 and the second opening 6 may be of different sizes. Also, they are not necessarily arranged radially opposite each other, but may be arranged with an offset with respect to each other. The outer surface of the elongate structure 2 further comprises a first abutment area A1 and a second abutment area A2, on opposite sides of the ventilation opening 4, and extending along the cylinder axis 3. In the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, the first and second abutment areas will comprise the outer cylindrical areas, each extending along the cylinder axis and along the outer cylinder surface on opposite sides of the ventilation opening 4 between the openings 5, 6. The abutment areas A1 , A2 extend over the outer surface of the elongate structure 2. As illustrated in FIG. 1 C, when mounting the ventilation device to an air gap having a width G equal to or smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical ventilation device, abutment portions P1 , P2 comprised respectively within the first and second abutment areas A1 , A2, will abut against portions of the structure surrounding the air gap. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1C, the abutment portions P1 , P2 will substantially be lines. Thereby, the ventilation device 1 can be mounted with a good fit to different types of air gaps, especially to air gaps having a width G smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical ventilation device. The specific positions of the abutment portions P1 , P2 where the ventilation device 1 abuts against e.g. the edges of the air gap will depend on the width G of the air gap. This is enabled by the shape of the elongated structure of the ventilation device and the arrangement of the abutment areas A1 , A2 on its outer surface.

In the specific embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 B, the first opening 5 and the second opening 6 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the cylinder axis, which leads to symmetrical abutment areas A1 and A2.

However, in embodiments comprising other geometries of the elongate structure, the first abutment area A1 may be different in size and orientation from the second abutment area A2. Common to all embodiments is that the abutment areas A1 , A2 are arranged such that the ventilation device 1 can cover different types of air gaps, having different widths G, while the abutment areas A1 , A2 comprise at least portions, denoted abutment portions P1 , P2, which abut against portions of the structure surrounding the air gap to which the ventilation device is mounted. The first abutment portion P1 will then abut against portions on one side of the air gap, while the second abutment portion P2 will abut against portions of the opposite side of the air gap, such that the air gap is covered by the ventilation device. Preferably, the abutment areas A1 , A2 are arranged such that if one considers a plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 3 and oriented such that the projection of the ventilation opening 4 is maximized in that plane, the first abutment area A1 has a projection D1 in that plane, and the second abutment area A2 has a projection D2 in that plane. In the illustration of FIG. 1 B, such a plane will coincide with the second axis 8, whereby D1 is equal to D2, due to the symmetrical embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 B.

When mounted to an air gap of a structure, the ventilation device is adapted to be mounted with its second opening 6 facing the air gap or positioned inside the air gap, such that an air flow can flow through the air gap via the ventilation opening 4. Portions P1 , P2 of the first abutment area A1 and the second abutment area A2 will then abut against portions of the structure surrounding the air gap.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 C, when a ventilation device 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1A and 1 B is mounted to an air gap G, with the second opening 6 facing the air gap G the ventilation device will abut to the structure S surrounding said air gap, such that the first abutment area A1 abuts in an abutment portion P1 and the second abutment area A2 abuts in an abutment portion P2. As can be understood from Fig. 1C, the location of the abutment portions P1 and P2 within the first and second abutment areas A1 , A2 will depend on the geometry, e.g. the width of the air gap G, as well as on the specific orientation with which the ventilation device is mounted to the air gap G. FIG. 1 C shows the ventilation device mounted with the second opening 6 symmetrical in the air gap G. However, the ventilation device could also be mounted rotated with respect to the longitudinal axis such that the second opening is not oriented symmetrical with respect to the air gap, while the abutment areas A1 , A2 still provide for portions where the outer surface abuts against edges surrounding the air gap. By the choice of orientation of the second opening 6 with respect to the air gap, the air flow rate through the ventilation device and through the air gap can be adjusted. The ventilation device can be mounted either fixed with respect to the air gap, whereby the possible air flow rate and thereby the amount of ventilation of the space which is to be ventilated is fixed, or it can be mounted such as to be rotatable, whereby the orientation of the second opening 6 with respect to the air gap G can be adjusted, such as to enable adjustment of the possible air flow rate and thereby the amount of ventilation, for example depending on season or weather. In this case the structure, such as the building, to which the ventilation device is mounted, functions as an adjustment member.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the ventilation device may further comprise rotation sockets 9 at its ends, in which the cylinder 2 is rotationally mounted. The rotation sockets 9 are adapted to be fixedly mounted to the structure, such that adjustment of the air flow rate is enabled by rotation of the cylinder 2 with respect to the rotation sockets 9. A lever 10 may be provided on the cylinder 2 such as to provide easy adjustment of the rotation of the cylinder 2 with respect to the rotation sockets 9.

Alternatively, any other suitable means enabling easy rotation may be provided on the cylinder. For example, a portion of the outer surface may be provided with a structure providing for a good grip on the cylinder, for example by a portion of the outer surface being provided with protrusions or ribs.

The rotation sockets 9 may further be adapted to also function as connection sockets, enabling the attachment of several ventilation devices to each other along the longitudinal direction Alternatively, the ventilation device 1 may comprise a specific adjustment member enabling regulation of an air flow through the ventilation opening. This may be realized e.g. by the provision of a flow regulator or any other type of member arranged to adjust the opening percentage. For example, an elongate plate structure may be rotationally arranged within the cylinder such as to provide a flow regulator, or an element may be provided within the cylinder such as to be linearly movable with respect to the cylinder axis, such as to enable adjustment of the element such as to partially, fully or not at all cover the ventilation openings.

In further preferred embodiments, the ventilation device 1 may be provided with a protection element, not illustrated, adapted to prevent passage of unintended objects, such as birds or insects but also debris, through the ventilation opening 4. Such protection element may be provided by a net structure attached to the inside of the cylinder 2 such as to cover at least either of the first or second openings 5, 6. For example, the net structure may be provided as a net hose attached to the inner wall of the cylinder 2, e.g. 5 by being attached by an adhesive.

In a still further preferred embodiment, the ventilation device 1 comprises an arrangement comprising two coaxial cylinders. In this embodiment, the ventilation device comprises an outer hollow cylinder 1 1 , similar to that shown in FIG. 1A and 1 B, whereby this outer

10 hollow cylinder comprises the first and second abutment areas A1 , A2. The inner cylinder 12 is illustrated in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, FIG. 2B illustrating a cross section along line A-A of FIG. 2A. The inner cylinder 12 comprises at least one through-going channel 13, adapted to form a part of the ventilation opening 4. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A shows two through-going channels 13 corresponding to the two ventilation openings 4

15 illustrated in FIG. 1A. The inner cylinder 12 is adapted to be arranged coaxially within the hollow outer cylinder 1 1 , and the first opening 5, the second opening 6, and the through- going channel 13 can be positioned relative to each other such as to enable an air flow through the ventilation channel 4. The inner cylinder 12 therefore has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer cylinder 11 , such that the inner cylinder 12 fits within the

20 outer cylinder 11 , while an intermediate space is created between the inner and the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder 12 can be either solid or hollow, FIG. 2B illustrating an embodiment where the inner cylinder 12 is hollow. The through-going channel 13 then comprises a third opening 14 and a fourth opening 15.

25 The inner cylinder 12 may be arranged coaxially inside the outer hollow cylinder 11 such as to be rotational with respect to the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder 12 thus functions as an adjustment member. A rotational adjustability may be provided by a lever 10 (shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A, 3B) protruding from the outer surface of the inner cylinder 12. A corresponding slit 16 (illustrated in FIG. 1A) may be provided on the outer hollow cylinder

30 1 1 . The circumferential extension of the slit 16 will provide the limits of the relative

rotational positions of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 1 1 . By adjusting the relative rotational position of the inner cylinder 20 and the outer cylinder 1 1 the allowable air flow rate through the ventilation opening(s) 4 can be adjusted. Thereby, the amount of ventilation of a space, such as an attic space, can be adjusted. For example, if ventilation

35 devices 1 are mounted to air gaps in the eave area of a building, where these air gaps open into the attic space of the building, the ventilation of the attic space can be controlled and adjusted to a proper level such as to minimize problems with air humidity in the attic space and problems with mildew caused by an excessive degree of humidity, by adjusting the amount of relative rotation of the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 1 1 .

5

The assembled ventilation device 1 , according to an embodiment comprising two coaxially arranged cylinders as described above, is illustrated in FIG. 3A and 3B. In the specific embodiment illustrated here, the sockets 9 attached at the ends of the ventilation device 1 are adapted to also function as connection sockets, enabling the attachment of several

10 ventilation devices to each other along the longitudinal direction. FIG. 3B illustrates a

cross section along section A-A of FIG. 3A. It illustrates the embodiment of the ventilation device comprising two coaxial hollow cylinders as described above: an inner hollow cylinder 12, an outer hollow cylinder 1 1 , an a socket 9 and an adjustment lever 10 for adjustment of the relative rotation of the inner cylinder 12 with respect to the outer cylinder

15 1 1 .

As described above, smaller length adjustments of the ventilation device in order to fit into the length of an air gap may be provided by the mounting of sockets to the ends of the ventilation device, where the sockets are of a size suitable to provide a length adjustment

20 of the ventilation device such as to fit the length of the air gap. Especially, the socket may comprise an elastic material, such that the sockets are elastic in the axial direction, whereby the ventilation device may be fitted into the air gap by a snap-fit arrangement, where the socket provides a spring force in the axial direction. The sockets 9 described with respect to some of the preferred embodiments may be adapted to provide also for

25 this.

Another way to provide for length adjustment is to provide the ventilation device with a telescope arrangement, as discussed above.

In further preferred embodiments, the ventilation device may be provided with a protection 30 element adapted to prevent passage of undesired objects, such as birds or insects but also debris, through the ventilation opening 4, such that an entry of such objects to e.g. an attic space is prevented. In an embodiment, such as that illustrated in FIG. 3A and 3B, such an element is preferably provided by a net, such as an insect net, arranged in the intermediate space between the inner cylinder 12 and the outer cylinder 1 1. Advantageously, such net is provided by a net hose fitted to the inner cylinder 12, such as to be supported by the inner cylinder.

The ventilation device as described above could be delivered as a kit of parts, which can be assembled according to the specific geometry and ventilation requirements of a structure. For example, in addition to the elongate structure, insect nets and elements allowing adjustment of an air flow rate, rotation sockets, fixation sockets, connection sockets, and/or telescope elements may be provided such as to enable length adjustment of the ventilation device in order to fit it to the length of the air gap if this length deviates from the length of the ventilation device.

Especially, the net hose as described above can be provided as a spare part, which can be easily replaced at regular intervals in order to prevent a decreased amount of air flow with time due to accumulation of debris in the net. Further modifications of the ventilation device, the method for mounting it to an air gap of a structure, and its use, within the scope of the claims will be apparent to the skilled person.