US5487701A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plastic foundation vent
Assignee: Mid-America Building Products Corp
•
Filing: 1994-06-20
•
Granted: 1996-01-30
•
Expires: 2014-06-20
Abstract
Abstract The plastic foundation vent embodying the invention comprises a plastic body with an integral peripheral rectangular wall surrounding the plastic body and defining opposed long sides and opposed short sides, an integral peripheral flange extends outwardly from the peripheral wall. A central integral screen portion having openings for bending and prevention of entry of animals and the like is provided within the peripheral wall. The peripheral flange has a front surface and a rear surface. A first groove is provided on the rear surface of one of the flanges alongside to define a live hinge line permitting the flange to be bent backwardly and forwardly. A second groove on the front surface of the flange on each of the short sides permits bending of the flange along the short sides, A third groove on the front surface of the flange along the short sides permits bending of the short sides about a second live hinge, cutting lines ace provided at right angles on the flange having live hinge to permit corners of the flange to be cut for use in replacement of a foundation vent.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Schedegger
- 👤 Clyde G. Allen
- 👤 Michael C. Clark
- 👤 Aundrea Nurenberg
- 👤 Jack Wnuk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:41
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F13/00; F24F13/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A plastic foundation vent comprising a plastic body with an integral peripheral rectangular wall surrounding the plastic body and defining opposed long sides and opposed short sides, an integral peripheral flange extending outwardly from the peripheral wall, a central integral screen portion having openings, said peripheral flange having a front surface and a rear surface, a first groove provided on the rear surface of the top flange to define a live hinge line permitting the flange to be bent backwardly and forwardly, a second groove on the front surface of the flange on each of the short sides to permit bending of the flange along the short sides.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A plastic foundation vent comprising a plastic body with an integral peripheral rectangular wall surrounding the plastic body and defining opposed long sides and opposed short sides, an integral peripheral flange extending outwardly from the peripheral wall, a central integral screen portion having openings, said peripheral flange having a front surface and a rear surface, a first groove provided on the rear surface of the top flange to define a live hinge line permitting the flange to be bent backwardly and forwardly, a second groove on the front surface of the flange on each of the short sides to permit bending of the flange along the short sides.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The plastic foundation vent set forth in claim 1 including a third groove along the front surface of the flange on each of the short sides forming a second line hinge to permit bending of the short sides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The plastic foundation vent set forth in claim 2 including cutting lines at right angles at the sides of said top flange to facilitate cutting off the end of the top flange.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The plastic foundation vent set forth in anyone of claims 1-3 including instructional indicia on said vent indicating the lines along which the bending should occur.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The plastic foundation vent set forth in claim 4 including a plurality of horizontally extending vertically spaced louvers pivoted to said peripheral wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The plastic foundation vent set forth in claim 5 including interengaging means between said louvers and said peripheral wall limiting the normal movement between said louvers and said peripheral wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The plastic foundation vent set forth in claim 6 wherein said interengaging means comprise a generally horizontal recess in said wall and laterally extending tabs on each the ends of said louvers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The plastic foundation vent set forth in claim 7 wherein said louvers are flexible such that they can be pivoted to bring the tabs out of said recesses and into engagement with said peripheral wall to hold the louvers in open position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The plastic foundation vent set forth in claim 8 wherein each said louver includes a lower edge, each louver edge having a finger receiving recess to facilitate opening each louver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The plastic foundation vent set forth in claim 9 wherein said peripheral wall has a finger receiving recess adjacent the lower edge of said lowermost louver.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1673379A
Cited
US2116457A
Cited
US2611310A
Cited
US2505147A
Cited
US3192849A
Cited
US3220079A
Cited
US4175480A
Cited
US4274330A
Cited
US4249460A
Cited
US4592271A
Cited
US4669371A
Cited
US4875318A
Cited
USD321557S
Cited
US5293920A
Cited
US5349799A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-29 | 1999-07-31 | 2000-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-29 | 2003-07-31 | 2004-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-29 | 2007-07-31 | 2008-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |