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(11) | EP 0 856 710 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Ventilation apparatus |
| (57) The invention relates to ventilation apparatus 1 for providing flow of gas, in the
embodiment air, from one side 'I' of a closure, such as a window 2, to the other side
'E', the apparatus comprising a body 3, suitably of extruded plastic, defining a passage
4 for flow of the air, and a filter element adapted to obturate flow of foreign bodies
through the passage 4, from an outlet 7 to an inlet 6. The filter element is a plastic
gauge element which is bent in the embodiment to a U-shape and sprung into place in
an intermediate chamber 14 of the body. Other embodiments of filter element are described. |
[0001] The invention relates to ventilation apparatus, particularly to such apparatus as is used to provide flow of a gas such as air past a closure such as a window or door in a wall such as a cavity wall of a building for example a dwelling.
[0002] In such a construction, it is important to have an air flow from an interior to an exterior of a room, to provide for each fresh ambient air circulation. However, any passage for such an air flow provides for ingress of foreign bodies, particularly anti-social elements such as mosquitos, flies, wasps, hornets and the like which can be a hazard to health.
[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided ventilation apparatus for providing flow of gas from one side of a closure to another, comprising a body defining a passage for flow of gas, and a filter element of the body adapted to obturate passage of foreign bodies along the passage.
[0005] There may be means for releasable engagement with a frame of a closure. This provides for a positive mounting of the apparatus, particularly where the means comprises part of a member of the body extending substantially transversely of the passage, in use, and providing for flow of gas.
[0006] There may be two spaced apart members each of which may have a through aperture for flow of gas. This provides for a true mounting of the body.
[0007] There may be a plurality of spaced apart through apertures through each member. This provides a relatively unobstructed gas flow.
[0008] The member may define with a boundary of the body, an inlet chamber, an intermediate chamber and an outlet chamber. This provides a relatively simple construction; the filter element may he mounted in any chamber, particularly the intermediate chamber, or alternatively in the outlet chamber.
[0009] The filter element may comprise a substantially U-shaped element. This provides a relatively simple construction which provides two filters comprising the limbs of the 'U' through which air must pass. Moreover the U-shaped member may, in use, be held in position by part of the frame of the closure. This provides a positive mounting for the filter element, particularly when it is formed of a resilient or flexible material.
[0010] The filter element may be curved, and may be convex towards the outlet. Alternatively, the filter element may comprise a substantially planar element.
[0011] The planar element may extend across the outlet, whereby to prevent passage of foreign bodies such as wasps.
[0012] The filter element may comprise a gauze element. This is effective yet relatively simple to produce, particularly when the gauze element may comprise a plastic gauze element.
[0013] The apparatus may comprise a device selectively to obturate the inlet. This provides for selective gas flow, particularly where the device may be slidable on the body whereby selectively to obturate the inlet. Alternatively, the device may be pivotable to obturate the passage.
[0016] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a set of parts for assembly to provide ventilation apparatus for providing flow of gas from one side of a closure to another, comprising a body defining a passage of How of gas, and a separate filter element assemblable with the body and adapted to obturate passage of foreign bodies through the passage.
[0017] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a building construction, comprising a wall and, in the wall, a closure, there being above the closure, ventilation apparatus as hereinbefore defined, for providing flow of gas such as air from one side of the closure to another.
[0019] Ventilation apparatus, a set of parts for assembly to make same and a construction incorporating same are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020] Figs. 1 to 6 show respectively schematic transverse sectional views of ventilation apparatus for providing flow of gas, particularly air, from one side of a closure to another, the apparatus being shown mounted in a construction such as a cavity wall.
[0021] Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are referred to by like numerals, Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of ventilation apparatus 1 for providing flow of gas, in this case ambient air, from one side 'I' of a closure 2 to another 'E', comprising a body 3, suitably of extruded plastic, defining a passage 4 for flow of the air, and a filter element 5 of the body 3 adapted to obturate passage of foreign bodies along the passage 4, particularly to an inlet 6 from an outlet 7 thereof.
[0022] The body 3 has a boundary wall comprising a base or main planar member 8 from which depend spaced lateral walls 9 and 10. Between those spaced walls are two spaced intermediate wall members 11, each of which is perforated as by a through aperture 12 or spaced through apertures or elongate slots 12. The lateral walls 9, 10 and intermediate wall members 11 thus define for air an inlet chamber 13, an intermediate chamber 14 and an outlet chamber 15.
[0023] The apertures or slots 12 provide for flow of gas through the apparatus 1 from the inlet 6, through the inlet chamber 13, through the intermediate chamber 14, through the outlet chamber 15 and through the outlet 7 from the interior 'I' of the room to the exterior 'E' of a room (i.e. to the ambient atmosphere) as indicated by arrows 'X'.
[0024] The intermediate chamber 14 houses the filter element 5, in the embodiment a plastic gauze of U-shape in cross-section, the legs of which are supported on a frame 16 of the closure 2, the web of the 'U'- being in contact with the inner face of the base element 8, so the filter element 5 is held secured in position being "sprung" into position as described, the natural resilience of the material ensuring this.
[0025] The intermediate walls 11 have means for engagement, in the embodiment releasable engagement, with cooperable means of the closure frame, which in the embodiment is a UPVC unglazed window frame. The engagement means comprises a hook means 17 of each intermediate wall 11 which snap-engages with a lip or ledge 18 of the frame 16.
[0026] The boundary wall part 9 terminates in an inturned lip 19 having a ball joint to which is pivoted a shutter 20 which has a part 21 long enough to extend across the inlet 6 and close same when the shutter is pivoted by grasping a hand-part 22. The shutter 20 may be of such a design that its normal position is to close the inlet, by being counterbalanced, as shown in chain dashed lines in Fig. 1.
[0027] In use, the ventilator apparatus 1 is mounted in a cavity wall 23 to bridge the cavity 24 and extending from plaster 25 of the inner skin 26 under the brickwork of the outer skin 27. The ventilation apparatus 1 is mounted over the closure frame 2 by being snap-engaged therewith via the hooks 17.
[0028] The filter element 5 filters out foreign bodies such as wasps which might pass counter to the direction of the arrows 'X' from externally of a room to internally thereof, at 'E' and 'I', when the shutter 20 is activated to open the inlet 6.
[0029] Turning now to Fig. 2, the embodiment of ventilation apparatus 200 shown therein has a filter element 205 which is in the intermediate chamber 14 and is of substantially hemispherical shape, the ends of the limbs being held in position between a respective adjacent intermediate leg 11 and a lug 201 of the frame. The shutter 202 in the embodiment is a slidable, liftable (as viewed) shutter, which is raised to open the inlet 6 from the closed position shown, by grasping and raising a hand-part 203, so that a U-shaped part 204 is lifted off a lug 206 and received between a seat defined by depending lugs 207.
[0030] The embodiment of ventilation apparatus 300 shown in Fig. 3 is similar to that of Fig. 1 except that the filter element in this case is a convex filter element 305 mounted in the outlet chamber 15 and through which air must pass.
[0031] In Fig. 4 the ventilation apparatus 400 has a filter element 405 which is removable and is like that of Fig. 3, with a shutter 202 like that of Fig. 2.
[0032] Turning now to Figs. 5 and 6, the respective ventilation apparatus shown 500 or 600 has a filter element 505, 605, which is substantially planar and which extends across the outlet 7, having a part 506 which is received in a seat formed between a lug 507 of the intermediate wall and the frame, in Fig. 5 the shutter 20 being like that of Fig. 1, and in Fig. 6 the shutter 202 being like that of Fig. 2.
[0033] In all embodiments ingress of foreign bodies from the exterior 'E' through the outlet 7, is obviated by the respective filter element when the shutter is actuated to open the flow path for passage of air from inside the room to externally thereof, over the closure.
[0034] It will be understood that modifications may be possible. Thus, there may be means to hold the shutter in an open position, for example the ball and socket may be frictionally mounted and so might the raisable slidable shutter. Additionally, there may be means such as snap-engageable means such as a pin and socket which engage to hold the shutter open, for example, pins, noses, "blips" on the interiors of the lugs and socket or the U-shaped part of the shutter which engage when the shutter is raised. These pins, noses or "blips" could also be part of the ball and socket of the Fig. 1 kind of construction, so enhancing holding of the shutter in the open position.
1. Ventilation apparatus for providing flow of gas from one side of a closure to another,
comprising a body defining a passage for flow of gas, characterised by a filter element
(5, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605) of the body (3) adapted to obturate passage of foreign
bodies along the passage (4).
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised by means (17) for releasable engagement
with a frame of a closure (2).
3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, characterised by the means (17) comprising part of
a member (11) of the body (3) extending substantially transversely of the passage
(4) in use and providing for flow of gas.
4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, characterised by there being two spaced apart members
(11) each of which has a through aperture (12) for flow of gas.
5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, characterised by there being a plurality of spaced
apart through apertures (12) through each member (11).
6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterised by the member (11) defining with a boundary
(9, 10), of the body (3), an inlet chamber (13), an intermediate chamber (14), and
an outlet chamber (15).
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterised by the filter element (5) being mounted
in the intermediate chamber (14).
8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, characterised by the filter element (5) comprising
a substantially U-shaped element.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, characterised by the legs of the U-shaped member (5),
in use, being held in position by part of the frame of the closure (3).
10. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterised by the filter element (305, 405, 505,
605) being mounted in the outlet chamber (15).
11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, characterised by the filter element (305, 405) being
curved.
12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, characterised by the filter element (305, 405) being
convex towards the outlet (7).
13. Apparatus according to Claim 10, characterised by the filter element (505, 605) comprising
a substantially planar element.
14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, characterised by the planar element (505, 605) extending
across the outlet (7).
15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised by the filter element (5,
205, 305, 405, 505, 605) comprising a gauze element.
16. Apparatus according to Claim 15, characterised by the gauze element comprising a plastic
gauze element.
17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised by a device (20, 202) selectively
to obturate the inlet.
18. Apparatus according to Claim 17, characterised by the device (202) being slidable
on the body whereby selectively to obturate the inlet (6).
19. Apparatus according to Claim 17, characterised by the device (20) being pivotable
to obturate the passage (4).
20. Apparatus according to Claim 18 or 19, characterised by the device (20, 202) comprising
manually-graspable means whereby to actuate the device.
21. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised by the body (3) being extruded
in one piece from plastic material.
22. A set of parts for assembly to provide ventilation apparatus for providing flow of
gas from one side of a closure to another, characterised by a body (3) defining a
passage (4) for flow of gas, and separate filter element (5, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605)
assemblable with the body (3) and adapted to obturate passage of foreign bodies through
the passage (4).
23. A building construction, comprising a wall and, in the wall, a closure, characterised
by above the closure, ventilation apparatus (1) according to any of Claims 1 to 21
or assembled from a set according to Claim 22 for providing flow of gas such as air
from one side of the closure to another.
24. A building construction, characterised by a wall (26, 27) thereof comprising a cavity
wall and the closure comprising a window (21).