The present invention relates to a combination mounting block/dryer vent outlet hood for mounting on the exterior of a structure.
In the mounting of dryer vent outlets of the exterior of structures, particularly those sided with any of a variety of sidings, a problem exists with obtaining a weather/water proof seal between the back surface of the vent outlet hood or other configuration and the side of the structure. In many installations, the rear surface of the dryer vent outlet or hood must be applied to the structure over a junction between two pieces of, for example, lapped siding. Since the rear surface of the dryer vent hood or outlet is normally planar, it is normally applied directly over the junction or tilted to lie flat against the upper of the two pieces of lapped siding. Either of these two methods of installation results in; 1) an unsightly installation; or 20 an installation that allows for the entry of water coming down the side of the structure. Even when, in the latter case, caulk or other sealant is applied to the joint between the dryer vent hood and the siding to limit the infiltration of water, the dryer vent hood or outlet is normally in an unsightly tilted upward position and not horizontal as it was designed, and the caulking or sealant ultimately shrinks, cracks or otherwise deteriorates so that water can enter between the rear surface of the dryer vent outlet or hood and the exterior surface of the structure. Such infiltration of water often results in deterioration of the siding about the lower edge of the dryer vent hole that has been bored into the siding.
It would thus be highly desirable to have a dryer vent outlet or hood that incorporated a mounting block that appropriately and properly engaged the siding and provided a planar surface for the attachment of the dryer vent hood or outlet or incorporated the dryer vent outlet or hood as an integral member thereof.
Mounting blocks for the application of, for example, electric meters, exterior electrical fixtures and the like to sided structures are commonly commercially available and provide both aesthetically acceptable and planar attachment surfaces for such devices while properly engaging the siding on the structure to which the meter or electrical fixture is to be applied. Such mounting blocks provide a means of securing such devices to the side of a sided structure while permitting waterproof attachment of such devices.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dryer vent outlet mounting device that permits planar, aesthetically pleasing and waterproof attachment of a dryer vent outlet to a structure that is sided in one fashion or another.
According to the present invention there is provided a dryer vent outlet hood mounting device comprising a mounting block portion having a central opening, an interior peripheral wall about the central opening and a pair of planar, generally rectangular, peripheral flanges extending at right angles from and joined to the interior peripheral wall to define a peripheral channel for the receipt of siding, and a dryer vent outlet hood mounted on the exterior surface of one of the peripheral flanges. The central opening may include a member incorporating a central circular aperture for engagement with a dryer vent tube. The mounting block may include a variety of nailing members as well as the incorporation of a variety of score lines that permit adjustment of the size of the mounting block portion for adaptation to a variety of new and retrofit siding configurations. The dryer vent hood may also incorporate openable louvers and a bird or bug impermeable mesh over its outlet