US6287050B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foundation flood gate with ventilation
Assignee: Smart Vent Products Inc
•
Filing: 1999-08-31
•
Granted: 2001-09-11
•
Expires: 2019-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A flood gate for use in a foundation crawl space and the like comprises a frame having side walls defining a fluid passageway therethrough, a door pivotally mounted in the frame for bidirectional rotation between two open positions and a closed position therebetween to permit tidal water flow therethrough, and at least one catching assembly for holding the door in the closed position against a minimum level of pressure of the tidal water flow. Tidal flood waters exceeding the minimum pressure level are automatically vented through the crawl space and the like reducing a risk of structural damage from the tidal flood waters. The flood gate can further comprise a door having a ventilation opening, an automatic louver assembly for controlling air flow through the opening, and a screen covering the opening. The automatic louver assembly opens and closes responsive to ambient temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin J. Montgomery
- 👤 E. Carl Sprengle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:53
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/62; E04B1/70; E04B1/7069; E04B1/7076; E02; E02B; E02B7/00; E02B7/20; E02B7/40; F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/70; F24F11/72; F24F11/74; F24F11/76; F24F13/00; F24F13/08; F24F13/082; F24F2221/00; F24F2221/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A flood gate for use in a foundation wall adjacent an enclosed space, the flood gate comprising: a frame located in the foundation wall defining a fluid passageway therethrough; a door pivotally mounted in said frame for bidirectional rotation between two open positions and a closed position therebetween to permit flow of fluid therethrough; and at least one latching mechanism for holding said door in said closed position, said latching mechanism including a float for sensing a level of the fluid and releasing said door when the level exceeds a preset height.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A flood gate for use in a foundation wall adjacent an enclosed space, the flood gate comprising: a frame located in the foundation wall defining a fluid passageway therethrough; a door pivotally mounted in said frame for bidirectional rotation between two open positions and a closed position therebetween to permit flow of fluid therethrough; and at least one latching mechanism for holding said door in said closed position, said latching mechanism including a float for sensing a level of the fluid and releasing said door when the level exceeds a preset height.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flood gate according to claim 1 , wherein said float is disposed within said door, said door permitting the fluid to contact said float.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The flood gate according to claim 1 , wherein said latching mechanism includes a sensing and releasing device to sense the height of the float and to release said door when said float is at the preset height.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The flood gate according to claim 4 , wherein said frame defines an open slot adjacent said float, said sensing and releasing device is a pin extending from the float, said pin adapted to be inserted into said open slot, said pin being positioned within said open slot preventing said door from pivoting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The flood gate according to claim 4 , wherein said open slot includes an opening, the position of said opening determining the preset level, whereby upon the fluid lifting said float to said preset level, said pin exits said opening of said open slot and said pin is unconstrained by said open slot thereby enabling said door to rotate between said two open positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flood gate according to claim 4 , wherein said frame defines a channel enabling passage of said pin through said frame when said door rotates between said two open positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flood gate according to claim 1 , wherein said latching mechanism is resettable after releasing said door when said door is perpendicular to ground.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The flood gate according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one stake for attaching said flood gate to the wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flood gate according to claim 8 , wherein each stake includes: a longitudinal member, and an attachment portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The flood gate according to claim 9 , wherein said frame defines a tine slot for receiving said longitudinal member, and said longitudinal member is insertable into said tine slot in a first direction and resistant to removal in an opposite direction from said first direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The flood gate according to claim 1 , wherein said frame defines opposing door slots and said door includes opposing door pins respectively positionable within said opposing door slots, each of said door slots including a bottom defining a resting vertical and horizontal position of said door pins upon insertion into said door slots.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The flood gate according to claim 11 , wherein each of said door slots includes: a door slot opening positioned above said resting vertical position, and a lower portion adjacent said bottom of said door slot, said lower portion being perpendicular relative to ground.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flood gate according to claim 11 , wherein each of said door pins is respectively pivotable within said door slot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The flood gate according to claim 1 , wherein said door includes: a ventilation opening, an automatic louver assembly for controlling air flow through said ventilation opening; and, a screen covering said ventilation opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The flood gate according to claim 14 , wherein said automatic louver assembly opens and closes responsive to ambient temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The flood gate according to claim 14 , wherein said automatic louver assembly comprises: a plurality of louvers; a temperature sensitive actuating device; and, a member connecting said plurality of louvers to said temperature sensitive actuating device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
117 words
A flood gate for use in a wall adjacent an enclosed space, the flood gate comprising: a frame located in a wall defining a fluid passageway therethrough; a door pivotally mounted in said frame for bidirectional rotation between two open positions and a closed position therebetween to permit flow of fluid therethrough; and, at least one latching mechanism for holding said door in said closed position, said latching mechanism sensing a level of the fluid and releasing said door when the level exceeds a preset height; wherein said latching mechanism includes a float to determine the level of the fluid, said float is disposed within said door and said door permitting the fluid to contact said float.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
117 words
A flood gate for use in a wall adjacent an enclosed space, the flood gate comprising: a frame located in a wall defining a fluid passageway therethrough; a door pivotally mounted in said frame for bidirectional rotation between two open positions and a closed position therebetween to permit flow of fluid therethrough; and, at least one latching mechanism for holding said door in said closed position, said latching mechanism sensing a level of the fluid and releasing said door when the level exceeds a preset height; wherein said latching mechanism includes a float to determine the level of the fluid, said float is disposed within said door and said door permitting the fluid to contact said float.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
132 words
A flood gate for use in a wall adjacent an enclosed space, the flood gate comprising: a frame located in a wall defining a fluid passageway therethrough; a door pivotally mounted in said frame for bidirectional rotation between two open positions and a closed position therebetween to permit flow of fluid therethrough; and, at least one latching mechanism for holding said door in said closed position, said latching mechanism sensing a level of the fluid and releasing said door when the level exceeds a preset height; wherein said frame defines opposing door slots and said door includes opposing door pins respectively positionable within said opposing door slots, each of said door slots including a bottom defining a resting vertical and horizontal position of said door pins upon insertion into said door slots.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
132 words
A flood gate for use in a wall adjacent an enclosed space, the flood gate comprising: a frame located in a wall defining a fluid passageway therethrough; a door pivotally mounted in said frame for bidirectional rotation between two open positions and a closed position therebetween to permit flow of fluid therethrough; and, at least one latching mechanism for holding said door in said closed position, said latching mechanism sensing a level of the fluid and releasing said door when the level exceeds a preset height; wherein said frame defines opposing door slots and said door includes opposing door pins respectively positionable within said opposing door slots, each of said door slots including a bottom defining a resting vertical and horizontal position of said door pins upon insertion into said door slots.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The flood gate according to claim 18 , wherein each of said door slots includes: a door slot opening positioned above said resting vertical position, and a lower portion adjacent said bottom of said door slot, said lower portion being perpendicular relative to ground.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flood gate according to claim 18 , wherein each of said door pins is respectively pivotable within said door slot.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
149 words
A flood gate for use in a wall adjacent an enclosed space, the flood gate comprising: a frame located in a wall defining a fluid passageway therethrough; a door pivotally mounted in said frame for bidirectional rotation between two open positions and a closed position therebetween to permit flow of fluid therethrough; and, at least one latching mechanism for holding said door in said closed position, said latching mechanism including a float to determine a level of the fluid, and a sensing and releasing device to sense the height of the float and to release said door when the level exceeds a preset height; wherein said frame defines an open slot adjacent said float, said sensing and releasing device is a pin extending from the float, said pin adapted to be inserted into said open slot, said pin being positioned within said open slot preventing said door from pivoting.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
149 words
A flood gate for use in a wall adjacent an enclosed space, the flood gate comprising: a frame located in a wall defining a fluid passageway therethrough; a door pivotally mounted in said frame for bidirectional rotation between two open positions and a closed position therebetween to permit flow of fluid therethrough; and, at least one latching mechanism for holding said door in said closed position, said latching mechanism including a float to determine a level of the fluid, and a sensing and releasing device to sense the height of the float and to release said door when the level exceeds a preset height; wherein said frame defines an open slot adjacent said float, said sensing and releasing device is a pin extending from the float, said pin adapted to be inserted into said open slot, said pin being positioned within said open slot preventing said door from pivoting.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
64 words
The flood gate according to claim 21 , wherein said open slot includes an opening, the position of said opening determining the preset level, whereby upon the fluid lifting said float to said preset level, said pin exits said opening of said open slot and said pin is unconstrained by said open slot thereby enabling said door to rotate between said two open positions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flood gate according to claim 22 , wherein said frame defines a channel enabling passage of said pin through said frame when said door rotates between said two open positions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
163 words
A flood gate for use in a wall adjacent an enclosed space, the flood gate comprising: a frame located in a wall defining a fluid passageway therethrough; a door pivotally mounted in said frame for bidirectional rotation between two open positions and a closed position therebetween to permit flow of fluid therethrough; at least one latching mechanism for holding said door in said closed position, said latching mechanism including a float to determine a level of the fluid, and a sensing and releasing device to sense the height of the float and to release said door when the level exceeds a preset height; and, at least one stake for attaching said flood gate to the wall, said stake including a longitudinal member, and an attachment portion; wherein said frame defines a tine slot for receiving said longitudinal member, said longitudinal member being insertable into said tine slot in a first direction and resistant to removal in an opposite direction from said first direction.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
163 words
A flood gate for use in a wall adjacent an enclosed space, the flood gate comprising: a frame located in a wall defining a fluid passageway therethrough; a door pivotally mounted in said frame for bidirectional rotation between two open positions and a closed position therebetween to permit flow of fluid therethrough; at least one latching mechanism for holding said door in said closed position, said latching mechanism including a float to determine a level of the fluid, and a sensing and releasing device to sense the height of the float and to release said door when the level exceeds a preset height; and, at least one stake for attaching said flood gate to the wall, said stake including a longitudinal member, and an attachment portion; wherein said frame defines a tine slot for receiving said longitudinal member, said longitudinal member being insertable into said tine slot in a first direction and resistant to removal in an opposite direction from said first direction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-09-10 | 2005-03-12 | 2005-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-09-10 | 2009-03-12 | 2009-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-09-10 | 2013-03-12 | 2013-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |