Patent ID: 6109257
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: E04F,F24B

Abstract:
A chimney for use with a fireplace having a smoke chamber, the smoke chamber having an upper surface defining an exhaust opening, the chimney comprising:a. a plurality of modular blocks forming at least one stack, each modular block having a first cross-sectional width, a block top surface, and an opposed block bottom surface, wherein the block top surface and the block bottom surface are substantially planar and parallel to each other, each modular block defining a bore having a first diameter extending therethrough between the block top surface and the block bottom surface of each modular block, wherein the block top surface of one modular block is sized to complementarily engage the block bottom surface of one adjacent modular block so that the modular blocks can be sequentially stacked in a nesting relationship in which the bore of each modular block co-axially aligns with the bores of the modular blocks in the stack to form a chimney passage extending through the stack of modular blocks, the chimney passage in fluid communication with the exhaust opening of the smoke chamber; andb. a ledger block having a second cross-sectional width that is greater than the first cross-sectional width of the modular blocks, a ledger block upper surface and an opposed ledger block lower surface, the ledger block defining a ledger block bore having a ledger block diameter substantially the same as the first diameter of the modular block, the ledger block bore extending through the ledger block between the ledger block upper surface and the ledger block lower surface, wherein the plurality of modular blocks includes a first modular block and a second modular block, wherein the ledger block lower surface is sized to be disposed onto and complementarily engage the block top surface of the first modular block and the ledger block upper surface is sized to receive and complementarily engage the block bottom surface of the second modular block that is stacked onto the ledger block, so that the ledger block is in a nesting relationship with the adjacent first and second modular blocks and so that the ledger block chimney bore is in substantial co-axial alignment with the first block bore and the second block bore, and wherein, when the block bottom surface of the second modular block is stacked onto the ledger block, a ledge having a substantially horizontal ledge surface is defined, wherein the ledge extends circumferentially about the chimney at a distance below a roof structure, the ledge surface allowing desired decorative surfacing to be structurally supported when placed onto the ledge surface.