US4953450A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Crawl space ventilator system
Assignee: Windward Products Inc
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Filing: 1989-09-06
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Granted: 1990-09-04
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Expires: 2009-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A method, system and apparatus for venting the foundation of a building having a space provided below the floor of the building. Such space is ventilated by exhausting air from the space and drawing air into the space, only after sundown and before sunrise. In the preferred form, a photocell is utilized to set the system into operation by energizing a timer switch which, after it becomes dark as determined by such photocell, a ventilating fan is actuated for a predetermined time and for a predetermined time interval before sunrise.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul D. Remondino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:51
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/62; E04B1/70; E04B1/7069; E02; E02D; E02D31/00; E02D31/008; E02D31/02; F; F24; F24F; F24F7/00; F24F7/007; F24F7/013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A system for venting the foundation of a building in which a space is provided below the floor of the building and the foundation surrounds such space comprising: an inlet opening for admitting air into said space; an exhaust opening for exhausting air from said space; ventilating means for drawing air into said space through said inlet and exhausting air out of said space; control means for controlling the operation of said ventilating means; and means whereby said ventilating means is operated only after sundown and before sunrise.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A system for venting the foundation of a building in which a space is provided below the floor of the building and the foundation surrounds such space comprising: an inlet opening for admitting air into said space; an exhaust opening for exhausting air from said space; ventilating means for drawing air into said space through said inlet and exhausting air out of said space; control means for controlling the operation of said ventilating means; and means whereby said ventilating means is operated only after sundown and before sunrise.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for venting the foundation of a building in which a space is provided below the floor of the building and the foundation surrounds such space comprising: an inlet opening for admitting air into said space; an exhaust opening for exhausting air from said space; ventilating means for drawing air into said space through said inlet and exhausting air out of said space; control means for controlling the operation of said ventilating means; and photocell means responsive to the ambient light outside of said building for controlling the operation of said control means whereby said ventilating means is operated only after sundown and before sunrise.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for venting the foundation of a building in which a space is provided below the floor of the building and the foundation surrounds such space comprising: an inlet opening for admitting air into said space; an exhaust opening for exhausting air from said space; ventilating means for drawing air into said space through said inlet and exhausting air out of said space; control means for controlling the operation of said ventilating means; and photocell means responsive to the ambient light outside of said building for controlling the operation of said control means whereby said ventilating means is operated only after sundown and before sunrise.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 in which a timer switch means is provided to establish the exact time period between sundown and sunrise when said ventilating means is operated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 2 in which a timer switch means is provided to establish the exact time period between sundown and sunrise when said ventilating means is operated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 3 in which the timer switch means is set to operate the ventilating means at a time generally after the dew settles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 4 in which the timer switch means is set to operate the ventilating means at a time generally after the dew settles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 3 in which the ventilating means is generally caused to operate sometime within the time frame of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 4 in which the ventilating means is generally caused to operate sometime within the time frame of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
An air ventilating unit for exhausting air from the crawl space underneath the floor of a building and replacing it with ambient air outside the building comprising: a housing; an inlet opening in said housing; an exhaust opening in said housing; a fan; a timer switch adapted to control the operation of said fan; and a photocell exposed to the outside of said housing for detecting the ambient light outside the housing for controlling the operation of said timer switch in response to darkness outside the unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
An air ventilating unit for exhausting air from the crawl space underneath the floor of a building and replacing it with ambient air outside the building comprising: a housing; an inlet opening in said housing; an exhaust opening in said housing; a fan; a timer switch adapted to control the operation of said fan; and a photocell exposed to the outside of said housing for detecting the ambient light outside the housing for controlling the operation of said timer switch in response to darkness outside the unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The air ventilating unit of claim 9 in which a timer switch is provided for controlling the operation of said fan, said timer switch being controlled by said photocell.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The air ventilating unit of claim 9 in which the ventilating means is generally caused to operate sometime within the time frame of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for venting the foundation of a building in which a space is provided below the floor of the building and the foundation surrounds such space comprising: providing an inlet opening for admitting air into said space; providing an exhaust opening for exhausting air from said space; drawing air into said space through said inlet and exhausting air out of said space; and said ventilating step being accomplished only after sundown and before sunrise.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for venting the foundation of a building in which a space is provided below the floor of the building and the foundation surrounds such space comprising: providing an inlet opening for admitting air into said space; providing an exhaust opening for exhausting air from said space; drawing air into said space through said inlet and exhausting air out of said space; and said ventilating step being accomplished only after sundown and before sunrise.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 in which the ventilating step is accomplished only after the dew settles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 in which the ventilating step is accomplished within the time frame of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-09-03 | 1994-03-05 | 1994-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-03 | 1998-03-05 | 1998-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-03 | 2002-03-05 | 2002-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |