Connectors for roof ridge ventilator

Claim 2

A connector for joining sections of a generally T-shaped roof ridge ventilator, said connector having a generally T-shape and including a leg and comprising: a central T-shaped planar web portion and a pair of spaced generally parallel flanges projecting laterally from each face of said web, said flanges defining a narrow, ventilator end receiving slot therebetween; the central portion of said web including parts of the leg of said T-shaped connector being cutaway to define an open portion having sides and to form a part of the central top portion of said connector into a flexible bridge and the length of said open portion being so related to the height of said T-shaped web portion that said connector can be flexibly reshaped to adjust to roofs of a substantial range of pitches without significant distortion of said connector slot on each side of said web.

Claim 3

A connector as described in claim 1 wherein a flange-like skirt extends from each face of said web along the sides of said open portion.

Claim 4

A connector as described in claim 2 wherein the lower end of said skirt extends generally downwardly and laterally to form laterally projecting flashing legs.

Claim 5

A connector as described in claim 3 wherein one of said parallel flanges has a transverse width less than the other of said flanges along a portion of its length.

Claim 6

A connector as described in claim 4 wherein said one of said flanges includes a peaked top portion, side portions and inwardly directed portions integral with the lower ends of said side portions, each of said inwardly directed portions having a generally truncated triangular shape in plan.

Claim 7

A connector as described in claim 5 wherein said laterally projecting flashing legs increase in thickness from their lateral edges to their longitudinal center lines so that their undersurfaces are beveled.

Claim 8

A connector as described in claim 6 further including a sealing rib extending longitudinally along the undersurface of each of said flashing legs.

Claim 9

A connector as defined by claim 7 wherein said other of said flanges is beveled along its upper surface so that said receiving slot opens outwardly.

Claim 10

A connector as defined by claim 8 wherein the upper surfaces of said inwardly directed portions are beveled to increase the ease of assembly to a ventilator section.

Claim 11

A connector for joining adjacent ventilator sections, each section being of the type including a hood portion, integral side wall portions, panel portions and outwardly extending, downwardly angled flashing portions, said connector comprising: an intermediate planar web having a centrally cutout wall portion having a main section and depending leg sections, said connector wall being shaped to conform to the general cross-section of said ventilator section; an outer connector jacket longitudinally directed laterally from each side of said intermediate web relative to said ventilator sections and extending around the periphery of said wall; and an inner connector sleeve spaced from and extending laterally from each side of said web in parallel relationship with said outer connector jacket, said inner connector sleeves extending adjacent at least a portion of said outer connector jacket to thereby define slots to sealingly receive and connect the ends of adjacent ventilator sections and the length of said central cutout being so related to the vertical height of said intermediate web that each connector is capable of flexing about said main section without significant distortion of said connector slots on each side of said intermediate web.

Claim 12

A connector for joining adjacent ventilator sections, each section being of the type including a hood portion, integral side wall portions, panel portions and outwardly extending, downwardly angled flashing portions, said connector comprising: an intermediate planar web having a centrally cutout wall portion having a main section and depending leg sections, said connector wall being shaped to conform to the general cross-section of said ventilator section; an outer connector jacket longitudinally directed laterally from each side of said intermediate web relative to said ventilator sections and extending around the periphery of said wall; and an inner connector sleeve spaced from and extending laterally from each side of said web in parallel relationship with said outer connector jacket, said inner connector sleeves extending adjacent at least a portion of said outer connector jacket to thereby define slots to sealingly receive and connect the ends of adjacent ventilator sections and the length of said central cutout being so related to the vertical height of said intermediate web that each connector is capable of flexing about said main section without significant distortion of said connector slots on each side of said intermediate web.

Claim 13

A connector as defined by claim 10 further including upstanding inner jackets extending vertically along the inner edge of the leg portions of said intermediate wall portion, said outer connector jacket extending down a portion of the outer lateral edge of said leg portion; and flashing legs extending outwardly and downwardly from said upstanding inner jackets and said leg portions of said intermediate wall.

Claim 14

A connector as defined by claim 10 wherein said outer connector jacket includes inwardly directed, generally horizontal portions adapted to engage the underside of said panel portion of said ventilator section and wherein said outer connector jacket has a transverse width less than the transverse width of said inner sleeve.

Claim 15

A connector as defined by claim 12 wherein said inner sleeve has an upper surface beveled so that the slot opening increases longitudinally from said intermediate wall.

Claim 16

A connector as defined by claim 13 wherein said inwardly directed portions of said outer connector jacket have a truncated, triangular shape in plan and the upper surfaces thereof are beveled transversely of said intermediate wall.

Claim 17

A connector as defined in claim 14 wherein said outer connector jacket extends down said depending leg portions and then extends outwardly and downwardly to define flashing portions.

Claim 18

A connector as defined by claim 15 further including a sealing rib extending longitudinally of each of said flashing portions along the underside thereof.

Claim 19

A connector as defined by claim 16 wherein the undersurface of each of said flashing portion is beveled from the lateral edges thereof to the longitudinal center line thereof.