Hooded exhaust vent

Abstract

An exhaust vent for routing dryer exhaust from within a structure to outside of the structure includes a unitary vent hood which is designed to be mounted to an outer wall of the structure. The vent hood includes a rear wall which defines a substantially circular exhaust aperture. Surrounding the exhaust aperture is a generally cylindrical connecting portion which is designed to receive a flexible exhaust conduit. A forward wall of the vent hood in combination with the rear wall defines a downwardly and forwardly directed exit opening. A hinged flapper is received by the rear wall of the vent hood for closing the exhaust aperture against outside air when exhaust from the dryer is not flowing through the aperture. In a larger designed embodiment of the exhaust vent, the flapper is replaced by a pair of overlapping and hinged louvers. The exit opening is covered by a grid-like guard which snaps onto the vent hood. The grid-like guard defines a substantially uniform pattern of grid openings for allowing the exhaust to flow freely therethrough. The guard is designed so as to prevent the nesting of birds and small animals inside of the vent hood. Three snap-in/ snap-on designs are disclosed involving a substantially planar guard. In another embodiment the substantially planar guard is replaced by a basket guard which creates a larger volume between the guard and the exit opening which permits lint and debris to be collected.