Ventilation member with holding clip and systems incorporating the same

Abstract

Ventilation members for venting and/or draining moisture in building structures include a base panel and at least a transversely extending panel. Vent or drain openings are provided through the transverse panel, and a holding clip extends from the transverse panel for holding a drainage mat in place.

1 . A ventilation member comprising:
 a base panel for mounting on a substrate;   a first panel extending transversely from the base panel;   a second panel extending transversely from the panel and spaced apart from the first panel;   a third panel extending transversely from the base panel and spaced apart and between the first and second panels'   at least one first opening formed through the first panel;   at least one second opening formed through the second panel; and   a holding clip extending transversely from one of the first and second panels in a direction away from the other two panels, wherein a space is defined between the holding clip and the base panel, wherein said space comprises a first width, and second width narrower than the first width.   
     
     
         2 . The ventilation member of  claim 1 , wherein the holding clip comprises a base portion extending from said one of said first panel and second panel and a head having a curved outer surface extending distally from the base portion. 
     
     
         3 . The ventilation member of  claim 2 , wherein the space has a width as measured between a surface of the base panel facing the holding clip and a surface of the holding clip facing the base panel, wherein said width decreases and then increases in a direction from the proximal end of the head adjacent the base portion to the distal end of the head. 
     
     
         4 . The ventilation member of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one of the first and second panels comprises a first portion forming a shelf adjacent the base panel and a second portion extending distally from the first portion in a direction away from the base panel, wherein said at least one first opening or said at least one second opening is formed through said shelf. 
     
     
         5 . The ventilation member as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the holding clip is a first holding clip extending from the first panel in a direction away from the second and third panels, wherein the ventilation member comprises a second holding clip extending from the second panel in a direction away from the first and third panels, wherein said space is a first space, wherein a second space is defined between the second holding clip and the base panel, and wherein the second space comprises a first width and a second width narrower than the first width. 
     
     
         6 . The ventilation member of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second holding clips comprises a base portion extending from its corresponding first or second panel and a head having a curved outer surface extending distally from its base portion. 
     
     
         7 . The ventilation member of  claim 6 , wherein the first space has a first space width as measured between a surface of the base panel facing the first holding clip and a surface of the first holding clip facing the base panel, wherein the second space has a second space width defined between a surface of the base panel facing the second holding clip and a surface of the second holding clip facing the base panel, wherein each of said first space and second space widths decreases and then increases in a direction from the proximal end of its corresponding head adjacent its corresponding base portion to the distal end of its corresponding head. 
     
     
         8 . The ventilation member of  claim 7 , wherein the first space width at the distal end of the head of the first holding clip is greater than the first space width at the proximal end of the head of the first holding clip, and wherein the second space width at the distal end of the head of the second holding clip is greater than the second space width at the proximal end of the head of the second holding clip. 
     
     
         9 . The ventilation member of  claim 5 , wherein the first panel comprises a first portion forming a first shelf adjacent the base panel and a second portion extending distally from the first portion in a direction away from the base panel, wherein said at least one opening formed through the first panel is formed through said first shelf, and wherein the second panel comprises a third portion forming a second shelf adjacent the base panel and a fourth portion extending distally from the third portion in a direction away from the base panel, wherein said at least one opening formed through the second panel is formed through said second shelf. 
     
     
         10 . The ventilation member as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said second portion is inclined downward relative to the first portion and wherein said fourth portion is inclined downward relative to the third portion. 
     
     
         11 . The ventilation member as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the third panel forms a leg extending from the base panel and inclining downward. 
     
     
         12 . The ventilation member as recited in  claim 9 , comprising a first member and a second member, wherein the first member comprises said first panel, and wherein the second member comprises said second and third panels. 
     
     
         13 . The ventilation member as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said first and second members are each formed by extrusion. 
     
     
         14 . The ventilation member as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said first member is formed from a first single piece of material that is bent to define the first panel and wherein the second member is formed a second single piece of material that is bent to define the second and third panels. 
     
     
         15 . The ventilation member as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said ventilation member is formed by extrusion. 
     
     
         16 . The ventilation member as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said ventilation member base panel, first panel, second panel, third panel, first holding clip and second holding clip are integrally formed by bending a single sheet of material to sequentially define each of said base panel, first panel, second panel, third panel, first holding clip and second holding clip. 
     
     
         17 . The ventilation member as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the third panel comprises a first surface opposite a second surface, wherein the distance between the first surface and the second surface proximate the base panel is expandable whereby expanding said distance increases a distance between the first and second panels. 
     
     
         18 . The ventilation member as recited in  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second holding clips are moveable for allowing for insertion of drainage mats into the first and second spaces and are biased for providing pressure against said drainage mats once inserted into said first and second spaces. 
     
     
         19 . The ventilation member as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the holding clip is moveable for allowing for insertion of a drainage mat into the space and is biased for providing pressure against the drainage mat once inserted into the space. 
     
     
         20 . The ventilation member as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the holding clip is a rigid member, and wherein the holding member comprises a surface portion at the second width for engaging a drainage mat once inserted into the space.