U.S. patent application number 11/079531 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for knock down universal chimney cap.
Invention is credited to Michael G. Barry, Robert Bishop, Michael J. Corbin, Russell A. Dimmitt, Ronald J. Lach, Luann Morton, Greg Polakow, Karen K. Stickels, Michael Wolfe.
Application Number | 20060211357 11/079531 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37010998 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060211357 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barry; Michael G. ; et
al. |
September 21, 2006 |
Knock down universal chimney cap
Abstract
A chimney cap that permits compact storage and quick
installation is described. The chimney cap is at least partially
hinged, which permits the cage to be quickly set up from a folded
condition. This is accomplished by hingeably coupling the sides of
the cage to the bottom of the cage. The sides are coupled together
by inserting a pin into concentric knuckles formed when
corresponding edges are joined together. The folded product may be
stored for transport or sale in a substantially flat box.
Inventors: |
Barry; Michael G.;
(Fairfield, IA) ; Bishop; Robert; (West End,
NC) ; Corbin; Michael J.; (Cameron, NC) ;
Dimmitt; Russell A.; (Fairfield, IA) ; Lach; Ronald
J.; (Pinehurst, NC) ; Morton; Luann;
(Fairfield, IA) ; Polakow; Greg; (Fairfield,
IA) ; Stickels; Karen K.; (Douds, IA) ; Wolfe;
Michael; (Fairfield, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO LLP
1825 EYE STREET NW
Washington
DC
20006-5403
US
|
Family ID: |
37010998 |
Appl. No.: |
11/079531 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23J 13/08 20130101;
F23L 17/12 20130101; F23J 2900/13005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/012 |
International
Class: |
F23L 17/12 20060101
F23L017/12 |
Claims
1. A chimney cap for covering a flue for preventing ingress of
undesirable elements into said flue, said chimney cap comprising: a
lid; and a cage for supporting said lid, said cage having hinged
sides.
2. A chimney cap as in claim 1, where said sides are configured to
fold substantially flat.
3. A chimney cap as in claim 2, where said folded cage is smaller
than a length and width of said lid.
4. A chimney cap as in claim 3, where said folded cage is
configured to fit substantially within a well formed by the
underside of said lid.
5. A chimney cap as in claim 4, wherein said cap is adapted to be
placed on said flue, said flue having a first flue size and a first
flue shape.
6. A chimney cap as in claim 5, wherein said cap is adapted to be
placed on a second flue said second flue having a second flue size
and a second flue shape, said second flue size being different from
said first flue size.
7. A chimney cap as in claim 1, wherein one of said sides is
adapted to be easily coupled without welding to another of said
sides.
8. A chimney cap as in claim 1, wherein one of said sides is
adapted to be coupled to another of said sides by inserting a pin
into apertures formed by aligned knuckles from said respective one
and another of said sides.
9. A chimney cap as in claim 1, wherein one of said sides is
adapted to be coupled to another of said sides by manipulation tabs
formed by aligned edges from said respective one and another of
said sides.
10. A chimney cap as in claim 1, wherein said sides are formed from
perforated metal.
11. A chimney cap, comprising: a bottom side; a first pair of sides
hingeably coupled to said bottom side; and a second pair of sides
hingeably coupled to said bottom side.
12. The cap of claim 11, further comprising a lid for covering said
cage, said lid being adapted to be fastened to the top of said
cage.
13. The cap of claim 12, wherein said cage further comprises a
plurality of studs, each said stud disposed in a location of said
cage to secure said lid to said cage.
14. The cap of claim 11, further comprising a securing mechanism
adapted to secure said cage to a flue.
15. The cap of claim 11, wherein said first pair of sides is
substantially similar in size to said second pair of sides.
16. The cap of claim 11, wherein said second pair of sides are
wider in size than said first pair of sides.
17. The cap of claim 11, wherein said cap includes substantially
flat perforated rectangularly shaped expanded metal.
18. The cap of claim 17, wherein a portion of said cage is adapted
to fit on top of said flue.
19. A method of assembling a chimney cap, comprising the steps of:
removing said chimney cap from a box; subsequently, unfolding sides
of said chimney cap; coupling adjacent sides of said chimney cap;
and placing a lid on said sides.
20. A packaged chimney cap product, said packaged product
comprising: a box having a width greater than its height; and a
folded chimney cap located within said box.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a chimney cap for
protecting the upper open end of a chimney flue from the ingress of
undesirable elements.
[0002] Chimney caps may be used to prevent the ingress of
undesirable elements into the upper end of the chimney flue. For
example, the undesirable elements may include birds, squirrels, and
rain. Chimney caps can also be used to prevent the egress of embers
from the upper end of the chimney flue.
[0003] The prior art does not permit compact and convenient
handling of chimney caps and/or components for shipping and
storage. It would be desirable to store new caps in flat storages
boxes. Such a storage system can provide various advantages related
to space. For example, flat boxes would save a chimney sweep space
in his or her vehicle. Chimney cap components stored individually
in flat boxes can also save retailers and wholesalers storage
space. Furthermore, manufacturers using caps and components that
will fit into flat boxes can reduce material handling and shipping
costs, packaging requirements and storage space.
[0004] There is known in the related art, a chimney cap having a
four-sided cage having rectangular cage components. See, for
example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,473 (Alexander et al.), U.S. Pat. No.
4,535,686 (Hisey), U.S. Pat. No. 4,334,360 (Simmons et al.) and
U.S. Pat. No. 2,976,796 (Anthony et al.). The resulting caps
generally could not be easily stored because of their rectangular
shape. Additionally, in certain chimney caps the studs used to
secure the lid to the top of the cage are secured, e.g., welded, to
brackets and the brackets are secured, e.g., welded, to the top of
the cage. These brackets are also typically substantially
right-angled in shape, having one leg substantially parallel to the
side of the cage and one leg extending substantially perpendicular
from the side into the interior of the cage. Consequently, these
inconsistently shaped trapezoidal cages with angled brackets
further made compact storage difficult.
[0005] Therefore, it would be desirable to have consistently shaped
chimney caps that permit compact storage.
[0006] Additionally, it would be desirable to have compactly stored
caps that permit relatively quick, easy setup.
SUMMARY
[0007] The invention relates to a chimney cap that is reasonably
uniformly manufactured and permits compact storage. The invention
also relates to a compactly stored chimney cap that permits
relatively quick and easy setup. In one exemplary embodiment, a
chimney cap has a lid and a cage. The cage is five sided and
collapsible so that the cage can be stored substantially flat and
easily setup on location. The side walls of the cage are hinged to
the base area of the cage enabling the side walls to be folded over
and/or under the base area for compact storage. The cage is setup
by unfolding the side walls so that all the side walls are on the
same side of the base of the cage. Each side wall has a hinge leaf
configured such that corners of adjacent walls are coupled together
by inserting a pin through the leaves.
[0008] These and other features and advantages of the invention
will be more readily understood from the following detailed
description of the invention which is provided in connection with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a chimney cap
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the chimney cage portion of the
chimney cap of FIG. 1 in an unfolded condition.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lid in the cap of FIG.
1.
[0012] FIGS. 4(a) and (b) are orthogonal views of a securing
mechanism used in the installation of the cap of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an assembled cap of FIG. 1
installed on a flue.
[0014] FIGS. 6(a) and (b) are perspective views of a folded cap of
FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of chimney cap
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another securing mechanism
used in the installation of the cap of FIG. 1 or 7.
[0017] FIGS. 9(a)-(c) are orthogonal views of the securing
mechanism of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which
is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments of
the invention. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail
to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the
invention, and it is to be understood that other changes may be
made to the specific embodiments disclosed without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0019] FIGS. 1 and 2 show chimney cap 100 according to an
embodiment of the present invention which includes a cage 110 and a
lid 140. The cage 110 is a substantially square shaped figure
having sides with perforations that permit the egress and ingress
of limited elements. The lid 140 is disposed above the cage 110 and
serves as the top of the chimney cap 100 and the lid 140 is secured
to the sides of the cage 110.
[0020] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the cage 110 is formed from a
perforated material with perforations sufficiently large to permit
air flow through the cage, but sufficiently small enough to
reasonably prevent embers from egressing the chimney flue through
the cage 110 and also to prevent the ingress of undesirable
elements, e.g., small animals. The cage 110 is initially generally
either substantially square or rectangular in shape. The cage 110
has four side walls 170, 180 that may all be of substantially
identical dimensions and contour thereby forming a square-like
cage. Alternatively, the side walls 180 may both be either larger
or smaller than the side walls 170 thereby presenting a rectangular
cage.
[0021] The bottom portion, floor, of the cage 110 is provided with
four flanges: a first pair of flanges 172 and a second pair of
flanges 182. As seen in FIG. 2, the flanges 172, 182 are configured
in a square shape in substantially a single plane with flanges 182
on the top and bottom sides 1212, 1210 of the square 1208 and the
flanges 172 on the right and left sides 1216, 1214 of the square
1208. Thus portions of flanges 172, 182 overlap. In an exemplary
embodiment, parts of the overlapping flange portions are spot
welded 1202 together.
[0022] Still referring to FIG. 2, the flanges 172, 182 extend
in-part substantially perpendicular to the respective side walls
170, 180 to which the flanges 172, 182 are coupled through a
respective hinge 190, 192. For example, as seen in FIG. 2, a flange
172 is coupled to one leaf of hinge 190 and the other side of hinge
190 is coupled to the bottom of side wall 170. As also seen in FIG.
2, a flange 182 is coupled to one leaf of hinge 192 and the other
side of hinge 192 is coupled to the bottom of side wall 180. In an
exemplary embodiment, each hinge 190, 192 extends over
substantially the entire length of the edge formed by a side and
its corresponding flange. The flanges 172, 182 serve to strengthen
and support the side walls 170, 180. In an exemplary embodiment,
one leaf of hinge 190 is spot welded to flange 172 and the other
leaf of hinge 190 is spot welded to side wall 170. Additionally,
one leaf of hinge 192 is spot welded to flange 182 and the other
leaf of hinge 192 is spot welded to side wall 180. In a preferred
embodiment, the perforated material used to form the side walls
170, 180 and flanges 172, 182 is expanded eighteen (18) gauge AISI
304 or 304L stainless steel or galvaneal coated carbon steel mesh.
Other suitable material may also be used.
[0023] Each side edge 1170 of side wall 170 is coupled to a leaf
194 of a hinge 1195 (FIG. 1) that, in a preferred embodiment,
extends substantially along the length of the side edge 1170 of
side wall 170. Each side edge 1180 of side wall 180 is coupled to a
leaf 196 of a hinge 1195 that extends substantially along the
length of the side edge 1180 of side wall 180. In an exemplary
embodiment a leaf 194, 196 is spot welded to a respective side wall
170, 180. In an exemplary embodiment, the distance between hinge
centers on each side of a side wall 170, 180 is thirteen and
three-eighths inches (133/8'').
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, the sides walls 170, 180 and flanges
172, 182 of the cage 110 are derived from flat, perforated metal
portions; e.g. expanded metal or metal mesh. In an exemplary
embodiment, to form a substantially square shaped cage 110, each
side wall 170, 180 is formed from an approximately nine by thirteen
inch (9''.times.13'') piece of expanded metal. Additionally, each
flange 172 is formed from an approximately four by twelve inch
(4''.times.12'') piece of expanded metal and each flange 182 is
formed from an approximately four by thirteen inch (4''.times.13'')
piece of expanded metal. In an exemplary embodiment, each hinge
190, 192 is approximately twelve inches (12'') and placed
substantially centered on each respective side edge. In a preferred
embodiment, hinge 190 is oriented so that side wall 170 is folded
over the top of a plane substantially formed by the flanges 172,
182 and hinge 192 is oriented so that side wall 180 is folded under
the bottom of a plane substantially formed by the flanges 172, 182.
These dimensions are provided to illustrate an exemplary embodiment
of the invention. The invention may be constructed with other
suitable dimensions. In a preferred embodiment, the diamond shaped
mesh used to construct the side walls 170, 180 is oriented with a
long dimension of the diamond in a horizontal direction. Such
orientation results in the smoother points of the diamonds exposed
at the top 1196, 1194 of the side walls 170, 180. Similarly, the
diamond shaped mesh used to construct the flanges 172, 182 is
oriented with a long dimension of the diamond in a direction
substantially parallel to the long sides of the respective flanges.
Such orientation results in the smoother points of the diamonds
exposed at the interior edge of the flanges 172, 182. Reducing the
sharp ends can reduce the likelihood that a worker, e.g., a chimney
installer or chimney sweep, or a tool used by a worker, gets
snagged on an exposed top 1196, 1194 or on an interior edge of
flange 172, 182. In a preferred embodiment, five-eighths inch
(5/8'') apertured mesh is used.
[0025] Each leaf 192, 194 is configured such that when side walls
170, 180 are positioned to form an edge, the knuckles 1191 of
associated leafs 192 and 194 are interleaved and a pin 160 (FIG. 1)
is inserted to form a hinge. In an exemplary embodiment, leaves 192
and 194 are configured such that the top edges 1196, 1194 of side
walls 170, 180 are at substantially the same height. Although the
invention is described with reference to each side wall 170, 180
being adapted to be coupled to a neighboring side wall 180, 170 by
interleaving knuckles 1191 with the neighboring side 180, 170 and
securing with the insertion of a pin 160 down substantially the
length of the combined knuckles 1191, the invention is not so
limited. For example, neighboring sides 170, 180 can be secured
with the use of locking tabs.
[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, a fastening stud 310 is attached
to each side wall 170 at the top 1196. As seen in FIG. 2 (and in
FIG. 1) each stud 310 is resistance welded to a placement pad 312,
which in turn is welded to a respective side wall 170. The studs
310 are positioned on the side walls 170 to correspond to the
openings, e.g., holes, 146 in the lid 140 (FIG. 3). In a preferred
embodiment, the placement pad 312 is a three (3) inch by one and a
half (11/2) inch triangle of twenty four gauge stainless steel and
is fastened to the exterior of each respective side 170.
[0027] The lid 140 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3. The lid
140 is preferably sufficiently configured to prevent weather
elements such as rain, snow or the like, from directly downwardly
accessing a chimney flue. The lid 140 has a central flat area 142
and four sloped eaves 144. The eaves 144 are sloped top to bottom
which minimizes the congregation of elements on the top side of the
lid 140 and prevents elements from directly rolling off of the top
side of the lid 140 into a chimney flue or the cage 110. In a
preferred embodiment, the lid 140 is formed of twenty-four (24)
gauge stainless steel or galvaneal coated carbon steel. The
perimeter of the lid 140 has a one hundred and eighty degree (180)
rollover that is three-eighths (3/8) of an inch, where the roll is
formed towards the underside of lid 140. Each eave 144 is a three
(3) inch overhang that is sloped at a forty-five (45) degree
downward angle. The lid 140 also has two (2) openings 146, i.e.,
holes, that are used to secure the lid 140 onto the cage 110.
[0028] After a lid 140 is placed over the chimney cage 110 and the
fastening studs 310 protrude through holes 146, wing nuts 149 (FIG.
1) are screwed onto fastening studs 310 to secure the lid 140 to
the chimney cage 110. It is preferable that a washer 148 is placed
over the fastening stud 310 and between the top of the lid 140 and
the bottom of the wing nut 149.
[0029] A securing mechanism 130 secures the chimney cage 110 to a
flue 50. As seen in FIG. 4(a), a securing mechanism 130 is
approximately "C shaped" having sides 403, 405, and 407 and a
flange 401. The flange 401 extends roughly perpendicular from side
403 in the direction of side 407. In a preferred embodiment flange
401 has one side 402 (FIG. 4(b)) that is approximately concave
shaped which can aid the securing mechanism 130 in grasping a
surface of a flue 50. The side 405 has a hole 413 through which a
mounting stud 135 is extended away from the surface of side 405. In
an exemplary embodiment, the mounting stud 135 extends three
eighths of an inch (3/8'') from the surface 405 and is secured to
the side 405 by a right angle weld stud 411. Side 407 has a hole
408 through which a securing screw 134 (FIG. 1), e.g., having a
pointed end, is used to fasten the securing mechanism 130 to a flue
50. On the interior surface of side 408 is a nut 409; the aperture
of nut 409 is aligned with hole 408, both of which are adapted to
receive the screw 134. In an exemplary embodiment, the nut 409 is
slab welded to the inside surface of side 408. In an exemplary
embodiment, flange 401 is one half inch (1/2'') in length, side 403
is one and nine-sixteenth inches (1 9/16'') in length, side 405 is
one and fifteen-sixteenth inches (1 15/16'') in length, and side
409 is one and one-sixteenth inches (1 1/16'') in length, and the
sides and flange are one and three-eighths inches (13/8'') in
width. Longer lengths of side 403 can increase the flexibility of
the securing mechanism 130 and consequently decrease the strength
of the securing mechanism 130. These dimensions are provided to
illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The invention
may be constructed with other suitable dimensions.
[0030] The size and shape of a flue 50 may vary. For the chimney
cap 100 to be effective, ideally the aperture of the flue 50 fits
within the bottom of the cage 110.
[0031] The chimney cap 100 is compactly stored by folding the
chimney cage 110 into a reasonably low profile folded condition. A
pair of sides is folded over the top of a plane substantially
formed by the flanges 172, 182 (FIG. 2) and by folding the other
pair of sides under the bottom of the plane substantially formed by
the flanges 172, 182. In a preferred embodiment, hinge 190 is such
that the significant portion of the knuckles of hinge 190 is on the
upper or top surfaces of side wall 170 and flange 172. As such,
side wall 170 is folded over the top of a plane substantially
formed by the flanges 172, 182. Hinge 192 is such that the
significant portion of the knuckles of hinge 192 is on the lower or
bottom surfaces of side wall 180 and flange 182. As such, side wall
180 is folded under the bottom of a plane substantially formed by
the flanges 172, 182.
[0032] FIG. 6(a) shows a chimney cap 100 ready for storage or
installation. As seen in FIG. 6(a), the side walls 170, 180 are
folded over and/or under the floor of the cage 110. In an exemplary
embodiment, as seen in FIG. 6(a), the side walls 170, 180 are
folded substantially over and/or under the floor of the cage 110
resulting in a reasonably flat, compact cage 110. The height of the
folded cap is less than 25% of the height of the assembled cap 100.
A lid 140 can be placed over the folded cage 110. In an exemplary
embodiment, the folded cage 110 fits substantially within a well
143 (FIG. 3) formed by the underside of the lid 140.
[0033] A folded cage 110 with a lid 140 can be placed in a flat
cardboard box 600 as seen in FIG. 6(b). Associated hardware, e.g.,
the four securing mechanisms 130, the four pins 160 and other
fasteners (e.g., four wing nuts 131, four washers 132, two wing
nuts 149 and two washers 148), can be placed in the box 600 as
well. In an exemplary embodiment the box 600 is not substantially
bigger than the size of the folded cage 140 and lid 110--the box
600 is approximately twenty inches long by twenty inches wide by
two and one half inches tall (20''.times.20''.times.2.5''). The
height of the box 600 is preferably less than 25% of the width of
the box 600. Thus the box 600 may have the size and shape of a
conventional "pizza box" with its substantially square-shaped top
and low profile. In an exemplary embodiment, the box 600 may also
have a handle 603 for carrying the box. In an exemplary embodiment,
the associated hardware is contained in a plastic bag (not shown),
which would increase the likelihood the hardware will remain with
the cap 100 when need for use later. This knock down chimney cage
110 design permits storage in a compact sized box 600 that reduces
the need for storage space for the chimney cap 100 with all of its
component parts as described above. In another aspect, a folded
cage 110 with a lid 140 can be placed in a plastic bag rather than
a flat, cardboard box. In an exemplary aspect, the plastic bag is
see-through and slightly larger than the size of the folded cage
110 with a lid 140 with room to also contain the associated
hardware.
[0034] The chimney cap 100 is quickly set up for installation by
removing the lid 140, the cage 110 and component parts from the box
600. The securing mechanisms 130 are secured to a chimney flue 50
with the screw 135 positioned in an upward direction. The screws
134 are tightened thereby firmly securing the securing mechanisms
130 to the flue 50 such that the mounting studs 135 extend in an
upward direction. The chimney cage 110 is unfolded and configured
into a box-like arrangement such that coinciding knuckles 1191 of
leaves 194, 196 are interleaved. Pins 160 are placed into the
opening of the knuckles 1191 and extend substantially the length of
the leaves 194, 196 to form a hinge 1195 and mechanically couple
the corresponding sides 170, 180 of the cage 110. The cage 110 is
placed appropriately over the aperture 45 of the flue 50, such that
mounting studs 135 protrude through openings of expanded metal in
the bottom of cage 110. Wing nuts 131 are screwed onto mounting
studs 135 to secure the chimney cage 110 to the flue 50. It is
preferable that a washer 132 is placed over the securing stud 135
and between the top of the bottom of the cage 110 and the bottom of
the wing nut 131. A lid 140 is secured to the chimney cage 110 as
described above. An additional advantage of the bottom of the cage
110 having a multitude of openings in the expanded metal is that
the cage 110 can be easily re-oriented on the securing mechanisms
130 as the position and placement of the securing mechanisms 130
can differ on each flue 50.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an assembled cap 100
installed on a flue 50. As seen in FIG. 5, the lid 140 is secured
to the top of the cage 110 and the cage 110 is secured to the flue
50. The flue 50 may be any appropriate flue of a home, business, or
industrial exhaust.
[0036] FIG. 7 shows a chimney cap 700 according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention which includes a cage
710 and a lid 740. Chimney cap 700 differs from cap 100 in that cap
700 is substantially more rectangularly shaped, e.g., sides 780 are
substantially longer than sides 770.
[0037] FIG. 8 shows the chimney cap 100 of FIGS. 1-6 in another
aspect. In this aspect a mounting strongback 820 and bracket 830
are shown in place of securing mechanisms 130 to secure a cage 110
to a flue 50. The strongback 820 is a slotted metal portion with a
channel 823 and a hole 821. The strongback 820 is placed channel
side down across the bottom of a cage 110, substantially in the
middle of the cage 110 both in terms of length and width,
effectively `bridging` a flange 172 on one side with a flange 172
on the opposite side of the cage 110. In a preferred embodiment,
the strongback 820 is formed from twelve gauge stainless steel, is
twelve inches (12'') long, having a channel 823 one inch (1'')
across with one half (1/2'') side walls of the channel 823 and is
welded to flanges 172.
[0038] FIGS. 9 (a)-(c) show a portion the bracket 830 of FIG. 8 in
greater detail. As seen in FIGS. 9(a) and (b), a securing mechanism
830 is shown to be a V-type bracket assembly. The securing
mechanism 830 has a V-shaped bracket 856 comprising a rod 850
coupled to one end of a metal portion 881 which is coupled on the
other end of metal portion 881 to two metal portions 882. Metal
portion 882 has two legs 891, 892 and in a preferred embodiment
metal portion 882 is bent resulting in an acute angle between legs
891, 892 of 30 degrees. The other end of metal portion 881 is
sandwiched between metal portions 891. As seen in FIG. 9(c), a
coupling nut 854 is attached by its exterior at each end of the
metal portion 882 such that the hole of each nut 854 is
substantially five (5) degrees 857 off parallel, in a radial
direction, to metal portion 882. Two threaded rods 852 (FIG. 8) are
threaded into a respective coupling nut 854. A wing nut 862 is
threaded onto the rod 850 above a washer 872 and is used to secure
the cage 110 through the strongback 820 to the flue 50.
[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the bracket 856 is constructed of
twelve gauge stainless steel and is at a transverse angle from the
plane perpendicular to the rod 850. The threaded rods 852 are at
least six (6) inches in length and the threaded rod 850 is at least
four (4) inches in length. Rod 850 is two and one-half inches long
(21/2'') and three-eighths in diameter. Metal portion 881 is four
and one-half inches (41/2'') by one inch (1''). Metal 882 is four
and one-half inches (41/2'') by one inch (1'') with the bend
between leg 891 and leg 892 at two and one-half inches (21/2'').
Although described with reference to a bracket assembly 830, other
types of securing mechanisms can be used. For example, a securing
mechanism can be used like that described in Daniels U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/634,753.
[0040] The cage 110 is adapted to be disposed with a portion of its
bottom to be within a flue 50 which is within a chimney 51. The
securing mechanism 830 secures the cage 110 to the flue 50.
[0041] Therefore, a chimney cap of the present invention is
provided that is compactly stored and easily set up for use and
installation. The use of folding sides increases the compact
storage capabilities. The compacted cap reduces the amount of
storage space (e.g., for wholesalers, distributors, retailers,
installers) required for the cap. Additionally, because part of the
cost of shipping a product is based on the dimensions of the
shipping box, the compact design of the chimney cap reduces
shipping costs, particularly when shipped by air. The use of easily
coupled corners of a cage, e.g., through the insertion of pins into
the interleaved knuckles, permits the cage to be field installable
by an installer or homeowner who doesn't have to perform
significant work, such as welding during set up, to couple the
sides.
[0042] While the invention has been described and illustrated with
reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it should be
understood that many modifications and substitutions can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Although the embodiments discussed above describe preferred angles,
size, shape, and specific numbers of sides, bends, fasteners, etc.
the present invention is not so limited. For example, the
dimensions are provided to illustrate an exemplary embodiment of
the invention. The invention may be constructed with other suitable
dimensions. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as
limited by the foregoing description but is only limited by the
scope of the claims.
* * * * *