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A rollable ridge vent includes an elongated panel having a pair of opposite ends and a pair of opposite sides, a plurality of first baffles depending from the panel and arranged to form a pair of first rows adjacent the sides of the panel, a plurality of second baffles depending from the panel and a

A rollable ridge vent includes an elongated panel having a pair of opposite ends and a pair of opposite sides, a plurality of first baffles depending from the panel and arranged to form a pair of first rows adjacent the sides of the panel, a plurality of second baffles depending from the panel and arranged to form a pair of second rows adjacent and at least partially overlapping the first baffles, with the first and second baffles being spaced from one another to provide a plurality of drainage spaces therebetween, a plurality of third baffles depending from the panel that are arranged in a sinusoidal pattern and disposed between the second rows of second baffles, and in which the ridge vent further includes a seal member at each end of the panel, with a generally triangular dowel formed in one of the seal members and a lug having a generally triangular socket with a constricted throat formed in the opposite seal member, the dowels and sockets being co-operable with corresponding dowels and sockets formed on similar ridge vent members. A rollable ridge vent system is also disclosed wherein a plurality of ridge vent members are mounted over an opening formed in a peak of a roof. A method of installing a ridge vent system over an opening formed in a roof is further disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

A rollable ridge vent includes an elongated panel having a pair of opposite ends and a pair of opposite sides, a plurality of first baffles depending from the panel and arranged to form a pair of first rows adjacent the sides of the panel, a plurality of second baffles depending from the panel and a

A rollable ridge vent includes an elongated panel having a pair of opposite ends and a pair of opposite sides, a plurality of first baffles depending from the panel and arranged to form a pair of first rows adjacent the sides of the panel, a plurality of second baffles depending from the panel and arranged to form a pair of second rows adjacent and at least partially overlapping the first baffles, with the first and second baffles being spaced from one another to provide a plurality of drainage spaces therebetween, a plurality of third baffles depending from the panel that are arranged in a sinusoidal pattern and disposed between the second rows of second baffles, and in which the ridge vent further includes a seal member at each end of the panel, with a generally triangular dowel formed in one of the seal members and a lug having a generally triangular socket with a constricted throat formed in the opposite seal member, the dowels and sockets being co-operable with corresponding dowels and sockets formed on similar ridge vent members. A rollable ridge vent system is also disclosed wherein a plurality of ridge vent members are mounted over an opening formed in a peak of a roof. A method of installing a ridge vent system over an opening formed in a roof is further disclosed. id second clearing position. 2. The discharge chute subapparatus is claimed in claim 1, wherein said shield latch pin is approximately the same length as said discharge chute. 3. The discharge chute subapparatus is claimed in claim 1, wherein said shield latch pin in providing said latching function engages said discharge chute at two separate, spaced apart, locations, and wherein said shield latch pin in providing said latching function engages said shield at two separate, spaced apart, locations. 4. A discharge chute subapparatus for use with a snowthrower having a selectively operable discharge impeller, said subapparatus including a clean-out feature for allowing the clearance of snow from within said subapparatus, said subapparatus comprising: a latch member configured to be operably connected to said discharge chute; a shield including a shield latch portion, said shield movably attached relative to said discharge chute and configured to be moved between at least two positions, namely a first shielding position in which said shield positions a barrier portion proximate said discharge chute, and a second clearing position in which said barrier portion is moved further away from said discharge chute than it was in said first position; a shield latch pin including an elongate latching portion configured to provide at least two functions, the first function being as a latch pin configured to engage said latch member and said latch portion of said shield such that said chute and said shield are detachably latched together such that said shield is in said first shielding position, and the second function of said latch pin being to provide a clean-out device when removed from said latching position and when said shield is moved to said second clearing position; and a safety switch configured to sense when said shield latch pin is in place, said safety switch configured to preclude operation of said discharge impeller should said safety switch sense that said shield latch pin is not in said latching position. 5. The discharge chute subapparatus is claimed in claim 4, wherein said shield latch pin is approximately the same length as said discharge chute. 6. The discharge chute subapparatus is claimed in claim 4, wherein said shield latch pin in providing said latching function engages said discharge chute at two separate, spaced apart, locations, and wherein said shield latch pin in providing said latching function engages said shield at two separate, spaced apart, locations. 7. A method for clearing snow from a snowthrower discharge chute having a discharge opening, said method comprising the steps of: providing a discharge chute having a shield movable from a shielding to a non-shielding position; providing a shield latch pin in a latched position such that said shield is latched in said shielding position relative to said chute by said shield latch pin; removing said latch pin such that said shield is unlatched relative to said chute; moving said shield from said shielding position to said non-shielding position; and while said shield is unlatched relative to said chute, using said latch pin as a tool for clearing said discharge chute by inserting said shield latch pin into said discharge opening of said snowthrower discharge chute to dislodge snow therefrom. 8. A method for clearing snow from a snowthrower including an engine for driving an impeller such that snow is discharged through a snowthrower discharge chute having a discharge opening, said method comprising the steps of: providing a discharge chute having a shield movable from a shielding to a non-shielding position; providing a shield latch pin in a latched position such that said shield is latched in said shielding position relative to said chute by said shield latch pin; providing a switch for sensing when said shield is in said shielding position and when it is not in said shielding position, said switch configured to cause said engine to s top driving said impeller when said switch senses said shield is not in said shielding position; removing said latch pin such that said shield is unlatched relative to said chute; moving said shield from said shielding position to said non-shielding position such that switch causes said impeller to stop; and using said latch pin as a tool for clearing said discharge chute by inserting said shield latch pin into said discharge opening of said snowthrower discharge chute to dislodge snow therefrom. 9. A method for clearing snow from a snowthrower including an engine for driving an impeller such that snow is discharged through a snowthrower discharge chute having a discharge opening, said method comprising the steps of: providing a discharge chute having a shield movable from a shielding to a non-shielding position; providing a shield latch pin in a latched position such that said shield is latched in said shielding position relative to said chute by said shield latch pin; providing a switch for sensing when said latch pin is in said latched position and when it is not in said latched position, said switch configured to cause said engine to stop driving said impeller when said switch senses said latch pin is not in said latched position; removing said latch pin such that switch causes said impeller to stop moving and such that said shield is unlatched relative to said chute; moving said shield from said shielding position to said non-shielding position; and while said shield is in said non-shielding position, using said latch pin as a tool for clearing said discharge chute by inserting said shield latch pin into said discharge opening of said snowthrower discharge chute to dislodge snow therefrom. compressible structure, called a p-diamond, comprising an upper frame, a lower frame, one or more a p-diamond linkages each of which comprises eight links further comprising four diamond links, two end links, a top length link, a center length link, a bottom length, link wherein said nine links are hingeably connected by link hinges, wherein said top length link is rigidly attached to said upper frame, and said bottom length link is rigidly attached to said lower frame, wherein the four said diamond links are hingeably interconnected by said link hinges to form a diamond shape, with two top links and two bottom links wherein two diamond links with one bottom link, are called outside diamond links because they face away from the center of said p-diamond and the other two diamond links are called inside diamond links, wherein the two outside diamond links must be equal in length and the two inside diamond links must be equal in length with each other and with the two said end links, wherein a top link hinge connecting the top two said diamond links is hingeably connected to said top length link, wherein a bottom link hinge connecting the bottom two said diamond links is hingeably connected to said bottom length link, wherein the two said outside diamond links are hingeably connected by a link hinge called the outside link hinge, and the two inside diamond links are hingeably connected by a said link hinge called the inside link hinge, wherein said top length link is also hingeably connected to one of said end links, and said bottom length link is also hingeably connected to the other one of said end links, wherein said end links are hingeably interconnected by a link hinge called the end center link hinge, wherein said center length link is connected to said inside link hinge and said end center link hinge, wherein the overall configuration of said eight links of said p-diamond linkage is two parallelograms and a diamond which overlap one another and which is why the invention is referred to as a p-diamond, wherein the two said outside diamond links constrain said p-diamond to compress in such a manner that said top length link remains parallel to said bottom length link which means said p-diamond compresses without tilting. 2. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said compression limiting mechanism comprises a stop means to rigidly stop compression, wherein said stops means could be a rigid beam located between said lower frame and said upper frame or a tether connecting said outside link hinge to said inside link hinge. 3. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said compression limiting mechanism comprises a spring system to store and return impact energy caused by compressive forces on said p-diamond. 4. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said compression spring system comprising one or more vertical springs acting between said lower frame and said upper frame, wherein said vertical springs may be one of many types such as helical springs, coiled springs, leaf springs, or bow springs. 5. The space shoe of claim 4 wherein said spring system comprises one or more horizontal springs acting between said inside link hinge and said center length link, wherein said one or more horizontal springs may be attached at any location along the length of said center length link, wherein said one or more horizontal springs may be one of many types such as helical springs, coiled springs, leaf springs, or curved-bow springs. 6. The space shoe of claim 5 wherein said horizontal spring has a force curve which allows the force curve of said spring system to be approximately constant over the compression of said p-diamond. 7. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said p-diamond linkage further comprises a mirrored p-diamond linkage which adds to the original p-diamond linkage the mirrored image or structure of said p-diamond linkage, minus said outside diamond links, wherein said mirrored image comprises a second center length link, a second top l ength link, a second bottom length link, and two second end links, wherein said second top length link is hingeably connected to said top link hinge, said second bottom length link is hingeably connected to said top link hinge, and said second center length link is hingeably connected to said outside link hinge. 8. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said p-diamond linkage further comprises a stacked p-diamond linkage comprising one or more p-diamond linkages stacked, one above the next, and attached, one to the next. 9. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said link hinges comprise necked hinges which are monolithic with said nine links and which flex due to being necked down to a small width at the hinge location. 10. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said upper frame further comprises a push-off means including a push off frame which allows said wearer to flex his metatarsal joint, push off his toe, and lift his heel as he rocks forward onto his toe during push-off, wherein said push-off means constrains the heel of said wearer to raise and lower vertically with respect to said upper frame. 11. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said p-diamond linkage is oriented longitudinally along the wearer's foot. 12. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said p-diamond linkage is oriented transversely across the wearer's foot. 13. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said lower frame comprises a curved bottom. 14. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said foot attachment means comprises straps and buckles to attach a pre-existing shoe to said space shoe. 15. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said foot attachment means comprises straps, buckles, a toe cup attached to the front of said upper frame, and a heel cup attached to the rear of said push-off frame, wherein a pre-existing shoe or simply the foot of said wearer can be confined to said space shoe by said straps, said toe cup and said heel cup. 16. The space shoe of claim 10 wherein said space shoe further comprises elastic outer walls connecting said push-off frame and said upper frame with said lower frame. 17. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said p-diamond linkage has an end-on profile of an hourglass shape which is wide at the top and bottom and narrow in the center. 18. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said p-diamond linkage has an end-on profile of a pedestal shape which is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. 19. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said lower frame comprises at least one flex-rigger, flexibly attached to a side of said lower frame so that said at least one flex-rigger can bend or rotate in a horizontal plane but not in a transverse-vertical plane, wherein said at least one flex-rigger is biased to stick approximately straight out to the side, wherein said at least one flex-rigger is dimensioned and constructed to resist sideways tipping over of said space shoe which could cause said wearer to sprain his ankle, wherein said at least one flex-rigger can optionally be compressed inward along its length. 20. The space shoe of claim 10 wherein said push-off means comprises a toe cup fixably attached to the front of said upper frame, wherein this is the only location of said foot attachment means, wherein said toe cup may optionally further comprise straps. 21. The space shoe of claim 10 wherein said push-off means comprises a rear-foot guide to constrain the heel of said wearer to raise and lower vertically with respect to said upper frame. 22. The space shoe of claim 10 wherein said push-off means comprises a toe hinge connecting a push-off frame to said upper frame in the region of, or behind, the wearer's metatarsal joint, wherein said push-off frame allows said wearer to lift his heel as he rocks forward onto his toe during push-off, wherein said push-off frame constrains the heel of said wearer to raise and lower vertically with respect to said upper frame, wherein said push-off frame extends a variable distance back toward and around the heel of said wearer, wherein said push-off frame is located at a variable level from the level of the bottom of the foot of said wearer to a level a variable distance above the level of the bottom of the foot of said wearer, wherein said push-off frame extends a variable distance beneath the bottom of the foot of said wearer. 23. The space shoe of claim 22 wherein said toe hinge comprises a necked hinge which flexes due to being necked down to a small width at the hinge location. 24. The space shoe of claim 22 wherein said push-off frame comprises a heel hugger which closes said toe hinge so that the rear lower part of the said p-diamond sole does not flop or hang below the heel of said wearer during swing phase, wherein said push-off frame remains in contact with the rear section of said upper frame during swing phase. 25. The space shoe of claim 24 wherein said heel hugger comprises a zero-force heel hugger comprising a toe lever pivotally connected to said lower frame, a toe-lever spring biasing said toe lever to extend below said lower frame, a drive link pivotally connected to said toe lever, a drive link guide attached to said lower frame for guiding said drive link upward, a hinge spring connecting said drive link to said push-off frame, wherein ground contact of said lower frame pushes said toe lever to drive said drive link up and relax the pull of said toe-lever spring to close said push-off frame against the rear part of said upper frame, wherein in swing phase said toe-lever spring closes said push-off frame against the rear part of said upper frame. 26. The space shoe of claim 24 wherein said heel hugger comprises a low-eccentricity heel hugger comprising a bias spring connected to said push-off frame, a spring tube rigidly attached to said upper frame, a tube spring housed within said spring tube, a spring catch pushed by said tube spring toward said upper frame and rotatably attached to said bias spring, wherein said bias spring biases said push-of frame to contact the rear part of said upper frame, that is to close it, when said push-off frame is rotated below a threshold angle, wherein said spring catch compresses a tube spring and said spring catch to move to align the line of force of said bias spring along the direction of said push-off frame and passing approximately through said toe hinge, wherein the torque due to said bias spring to close said push-off frame remains very small as said push-off frame continues to rotate beyond said threshold angle. 27. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said space shoe further comprises a front/back brace leg further comprising a harness for coupling to a wearer's pelvis, a front hip pivot, a back hip pivot, a front thigh link pivotly attached to the front of said harness with said front hip pivot, a back thigh link pivotly attached to the front of said harness with said back hip pivot, a front tibia link pivotly attached to the front of said brace foot, a back tibia link pivotly attached to the back of said brace foot, a front knee pivot connecting said front thigh link and said front tibia link, a back knee pivot connecting said back thigh link and said back tibia link, one or more hyper-extending knee pivot locks at the locations of said front and back knee pivots to prevent pivot hyper-extension, an optional back hydraulic knee lock pivotly attached to said back thigh link and said back tibia link, an optional front hydraulic knee lock pivotly attached to said front thigh link and said front tibia link, a front ankle pivot for the connection of said front tibia link to said upper frame, a back ankle pivot for the connection of said back tibia link to said upper frame, a knee cross link connecting said front knee pivot with said back knee pivot, wherein said front and back hip pivots are located approximately above the center of each leg, wherein the front and back locations of said brace leg elements prevents interference with said runner's legs. 28. The space s hoe of claim 27 wherein said harness comprises a front/back pack extension further comprising a front pack-frame pivot at the front of said harness, a back pack-frame pivot at the back of said harness, a front pack frame attached to the front of said harness via said front pack-frame pivot, a back pack frame attached to the back of said harness via said back pack-frame pivot, pack straps, a front pack secured to said front pack frame by said pack straps, and back pack secured to said back pack frame by said pack straps, wherein said brace legs continuously support said front and back packs as said wearer walks or runs. 29. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said space shoe acts as a prosthetic leg, wherein said space shoe further comprises a pylon attached to said upper frame, wherein said pylon attaches to the stump of an amputee's leg. 30. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said space shoe is a component of a robotic limb or a robotic actuated part. 31. The space shoe of claim 4 which further comprises a bow shoe for use by a runner, wherein said spring system comprises a bow spring located above said upper frame and hingeably connected to said upper frame, a leg attachment means for attaching said bow spring to the leg of said runner, a suspension system connecting the top of said bow spring to said lower frame, wherein the force of both the runner's toe and heel cause said bow spring to be loaded throughout foot-strike, wherein heel impact energy is not returned prematurely at the beginning of push-off, but rather is returned optimally during toe-off during the latter part of push-off. 32. The bow shoe of claim 31 wherein said suspension system comprises one or more ankle-pivot supports rigidly attached to said lower frame and extending around and above the level of the top of the foot of said runner, one or more ankle-pivot housings rigidly attached to said ankle-pivot support and housing an ankle pivot, one or more cords attached to said upper frame and passing around the foot of said runner and through said ankle-pivot housings, and a cord guide to constrain said cords to the location of said ankle-pivot. 33. The bow shoe of claim 32 wherein said suspension system further comprises a shin-level bow spring assembly comprising a bow spring pivotly attached to said one or more ankle-pivot housing, a bow guide pivotly attached to said one or more ankle-pivot housing and to the top of said bow spring, wherein said bow guide changes length telescopically, a shin slider slidingly attached to the top of said bow guide, and a shin strap for attaching said shin slider to the shin of said runner, wherein said cords extend to connect to the top of said bow spring, wherein the impact force of said runner's foot on said upper frame loads said bow spring via said cords. 34. The bow shoe of claim 32 wherein said suspension system further comprises a thigh-level bow spring assembly comprising an inside shift-to-side pulley attached to the inside one of said one or more ankle-pivot housings, an outside shift-to-side pulley attached to the outside one of said one or more ankle-pivot housings, a shin tube pivotly attached to the outside one of said ankle-pivot housings, wherein the outside ones of said cords pass directly through the outside said ankle-housing and the inside ones of said cords pass around said inside shift-to-side pulley and then around said outside shift-to-side pulley, wherein all said cords then pass up though said shin tube, a side knee pivot housed by a knee-pivot housing rigidly attached to the top of said shin tube, a hyper-extension stop preventing said side knee pivot from hyper-extending, a bow spring pivotly attached to the top of said shin tube, a bow guide pivotly attached to said shin tube via said side knee pivot and to the top of said bow spring, wherein said bow guide changes length telescopically, and a thigh strap for attaching the top of said bow spring to the thi gh of said runner, wherein said cords extend through said side knee pivot to connect to the top of said bow spring, a second cord guide to constrain said cords to the location of said side knee pivot, wherein the impact force of said runner's foot on said upper frame loads said bow spring via said cords. 35. The bow shoe of claim 34 wherein said side knee pivot further comprises a straightening means to ensure that said shin tube is aligned with said bow guide at heel-strike. 36. Tile bow shoe of claim 34 wherein said straightening means comprises simple knee-joint straightener further comprising a first spring post fixedly attached to said knee-pivot housing and located on the front side of said side knee pivot, a second spring post fixedly attached to said shin tube and located on the front side of said side knee pivot, and a straightening spring connecting said first and second posts, wherein said straightening spring bias said shin tube to align with said bow guide. 37. The bow shoe of claim 34 wherein said straightening means comprises a robust straightener comprising a closer cord, a cord-path system which routes said closer cord through a path along both the back side and the front side of said shin tube and bow guide about said side knee pivot, wherein said closer cord is fixed at a first end to said bow guide, wherein the cord-path length on the back side of said side knee pivot increases more rapidly than the cord-path length on the front side of said side knee pivot as said shin tube unfolds to align with said bow guide, a closing spring located on the front side of said bow guide so as to align said bow guide with said shin tube when engaged, a spring release connected to said bow guide and to a second end of said closer cord, and a pawl system, wherein the configuration of said cord-path system causes said closer cord to pull taut at a particular flexion angle, of said bow guide with respect to said shin tube, as said suspension system extends during swing phase--causing said closer cord to pull against said closing spring accelerating this extension, wherein said spring release is triggered to release said closing spring from acting against said closer cord as just as full extension of said suspension system occurs, thereby allowing easy and force-free folding of said bow guide with respect to said shin tube at toe-off, and a reset spring for re-engaging said closer cord with said closing spring during swing phase when said closer cord becomes slack, wherein said robust straightener is keyed to said flexion angle for guaranteed alignment using said closing spring, and it is keyed to full alignment for guaranteed release of said closing spring as folding begins. 38. The bow shoe of claim 34 wherein said straightening means comprises a low-eccentricity knee-joint straightener comprising a shin tube extension extending above said side knee pivot from said shin tube, a circle tube rigidly attached to said knee-pivot housing, a slide ring slidingly attached to said circle, a circle spring connecting said slide ring to the upper end of said circle tube and confined to said circle spring, a close spring connecting said slide ring to said shin tube, wherein as said shin tube descends beyond a chosen flexion angle to straighten, said low-eccentricity knee-joint straightener acts to accelerate this straightening via said close spring with a force that increases proportional to the eccentricity of the force of said close spring about said side knee pivot, wherein when said shin tube folds beyond said chosen flexion angle said shin tube extension pushes said slide ring around said circle tube to maintain said eccentricity at a near-zero value and to maintain the torque of said close spring to resist further said folding to a very small value exerted by said circle spring. 39. The space shoe of claim 1 wherein said lower frame comprises a back-heel which is a rigid, upwardly curving extension of s