Abstract:
A chimney cap capable of being secured to a chimney and including a base; an annular collar member for insertion into a chimney, and having an outside circumference smaller than an opening of the chimney so as to be readily received therein; an annular shaped mesh member that is supported about the collar; a top supported over the base; and a plurality of support rods attached to the collar and for the purpose of supporting the annular shaped mesh member. The annular shaped mesh member has discharge openings for air flow and at least one elongated slot through which one of the support rods extends for securing the annular shaped mesh member. The elongated slot in combination with the one support rod enables adjustment of the diameter of the annular shaped mesh member.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to chimney caps and more particularly to an improved chimney cap that is adapted for use with air cooled chimneys. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Chimney caps are presently provided in many different shapes and forms. In one sense chimney caps can be basically broken down into two categories, namely those used with regular or non-air-cooled chimney structures and those used with air-cooled chimney structures. Presently, there are two separate cap designs that are used, one for use with non-cooled chimney structures and a different cap for use with air cooled chimney structures. By way of example these different types of chimney caps are shown in the 2005 Product Catalog of Improved Consumer Products, Inc. on page 12 and identified as respective models WSA and WSA-TDW. 
     One of the problems associated with installing chimney caps is that they are required to fit into chimneys or flues of different size, type and style. Existing chimney caps are not well suited for this installation. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved chimney cap in which the chimney cap can be more readily installed to a variety of different size chimneys or flues. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved chimney cap in which a mesh screen in particular is adjustable and readily securable to the chimney structure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing and other objects of the invention are attained by a chimney cap capable of being secured to a chimney or flue preferably of an air cooled type chimney structure. The chimney cap comprises a base; an annular collar member for insertion into a chimney or flue, and having an outside circumference smaller than an opening of the chimney or flue so as to be readily received therein; an annular shaped mesh member that is supported about the collar; a top supported over the base and a plurality of support rods attached to the collar and for the purpose of supporting the annular shaped mesh member. The annular shaped mesh member has discharge openings for air flow and at least one elongated slot through which one of the support rods extends for securing the annular shaped mesh member. The elongated slot in combination with the one support rod enables adjustment of the diameter of the annular shaped mesh member. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the present invention the annular shaped mesh member may comprise a mesh grid pattern having openings that are square or rectangular; the elongated slot may be formed by an elongated opening that extends across several squares or rectangles of the discharge openings; the elongated slot may extend circumferentially about a portion of the total circumference of the annular shaped mesh member; the annular shaped mesh member preferably has opposed ends that overlap and that have at each end thereof aligned elongated slots that, once overlapped, define the elongated slot of the annular shaped mesh member; the end slots preferably terminate short of the opposed ends of the annular shaped mesh member; the annular collar member preferably has an overlap joint; the overlap joint may include a lower segment that extends substantially longitudinal of said collar member and a top segment that extends diagonal to the lower segment enabling compression of the diameter of the collar member; and may further include means for securing an inner end of each support rod to the collar, along with a clip for securing an outer end of each support rod to a fixed chimney structure. 
     In another version of the invention there is provided a chimney cap capable of being secured to a chimney and comprising: an annular collar member for insertion into the chimney, having an outside circumference smaller than an opening of the chimney and for enabling support of the annular collar member in the chimney; a base having a central opening that is fitted over the annular collar member and that is disposed about the annular collar member between respective top and bottom ends of the annular collar member and an annular open member that is adapted for support over the chimney and under the base. The annular open member may have plural apertures for the passage of exhaust gas from the chimney. The cap further includes a plurality of support posts attached at one end thereof to the collar member and extending radially from the annular collar member. The annular open member further may have at least one elongated slot through which one of the support posts extends for holding the annular open member in place. The elongated slot in combination with the at least one support rod enables adjustment of the diameter of the annular open member. 
     The chimney cap may also include a top supported over the base by means of a plurality of spacers; the annular collar member may have an overlap joint including a lower segment that extends substantially longitudinal of the collar member and a top segment that extends diagonal to the lower segment enabling compression of the diameter of the collar member; the annular open member may comprise a mesh grid pattern having openings that are square or rectangular; the elongated slot may be formed by an elongated opening that bridges several of the apertures and wherein the elongated slot extends circumferentially about a portion of the total circumference of the annular open member; the annular open member may have opposed ends that overlap and that have at each end thereof aligned elongated slots that, once overlapped, define the elongated slot of the annular shaped mesh member; the end slots may terminate short of the opposed ends of the annular open member, leaving at least one aperture at each end; may include means for securing an inner end of each support post to the annular collar member, and a clip for securing an outer end of each support post to the chimney; the clip may include a first fastener to secure the clip with the support post and a second fastener for securing the clip with the chimney; there may be at least three support posts disposed radially about the annular collar member; and the annular open member may have apertures that are any one of square, rectangular, oval, circular, and diamond-shaped. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a chimney cap constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the chimney cap of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view partially cut away to show a portion of the chimney cap construction of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of the chimney cap construction of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the chimney cap illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
         FIGS. 6-8  illustrate the mesh construction; 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are plan views illustrating the manner in which the diameter of the mesh structure may be adjusted; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the novel mesh structure of the present invention as disposed under the base of the chimney cap construction; 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of the chimney cap of the present invention with the mesh installed; 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view illustrating the use of three securing bolts taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a fragmentary view illustrating one of the securing bolts as associated with the mesh structure; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view illustrating the chimney cap of the present invention as installed over an air cooled chimney structure; 
         FIGS. 16-18  are fragmentary views illustrating means for attaching the mesh structure to the chimney structure; and 
         FIG. 19  is a view illustrating alternate versions of the mesh structure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference is now made to the drawings for an illustration of a chimney cap structure that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Most of the different components that comprise a chimney cap are constructed of a lightweight metal material that may be formed from lightweight sheet metal. The adjustable mesh that is described hereinafter, is also preferably constructed of a lightweight metal material and may be in many different forms. 
     The chimney cap  10  is illustrated in the drawings as including a base  12  having a central opening that receives and supports the collar  14 . Alternatively, the collar  14  may be supported primarily from the top  16 . In this regard,  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate the collar  14  at its top circumferential edge secured with a flange  17  of the top  16 .  FIG. 3 , for example, also illustrates a pair of bolts or screws at  15  for securing the collar with the top  16  while at the same time also securing in place the support hoop  22 . The support hoop  22  may support other chimney cap components such as an additional mesh screen (not shown). In this regard, refer to co-pending application Ser. No. 11/879,436 filed on Jul. 17, 2007 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates, in an exploded perspective view, the various components that comprise the chimney cap.  FIG. 2  illustrates the series of posts  18  which are for the support of the top  16  relative to the base  12 . Bolts  19 A pass through the post  18  and are secured with the base by means of respective nuts  19 B. In the embodiment illustrated herein, there are three such support posts  18  that are provided. In alternate embodiments of the invention, other numbers of posts may be provided preferably equally spaced about the perimeter of the base  12 . 
       FIG. 3  also illustrates the collar  14  as having a longitudinal edge  14 A that leads into a tapered edge  14 B. The edges  14 A and  14 B provide a lap joint. The diagonal portion  14 B enables more ready compression of the diameter of the collar  14 . 
     Reference is now made to, for example,  FIGS. 12 and 15  that show a more complete chimney cap construction.  FIG. 15  in particular illustrates the chimney cap with the collar  14  inserted into the flue structure illustrated at  30  in  FIG. 15 . As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the flue structure  30  is an air-cooled flue or chimney structure having separate ducts  30 A and  30 B. Arrows  39  illustrate an air flow pattern through the air cooled chimney structure. 
       FIGS. 1 and 12  illustrate the mesh  20  as supported below the base  12 . The primary support of the mesh structure is by means of a series of bolts  24  that are each supported from the collar  14  and each extend radially. In this regard refer to the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 13  that illustrates one embodiment for the placement of the bolts  24 . This illustrates the bolt head  24 A as secured to the collar member  14 . For that purpose a nut  24 B may be tightened against the head  24 A. At the outer end of each of the bolts  24  there may be provided a washer  25  and a wingnut  26  that engages with the threaded bolt  24 . In the drawings three such support bolts  24  are provided. At a minimum it is preferred to have at least two bolts  24  diametrically disposed to each other. Also, greater than three bolts may also be employed. It is preferred that the bolts be evenly spaced about the perimeter of the base and collar. Refer to  FIG. 13  for an illustration of the use of three bolts  24  being disposed each at a relative spacing of 120 degrees to the adjacent one thereof. The wing nuts  26  are tightened against the washer  25  to hold the mesh screen in place. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 6-11  for further explanations relating to the mesh  20 . The mesh  20  is in the form of a wire grid and in the illustrated embodiment is comprised of a series of longitudinal and latitudinal wires that form square or rectangular grid openings or apertures  21 . In one embodiment of the mesh construction illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  at opposed ends  23  there are provided respective elongated slots  40 . These slots  40  do not extend to the very edge  23 . For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , each of the slots terminates before the edge  23  leaving at least one grid member such as illustrated at  41  in  FIG. 7 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the ends  23  are meant to overlap such as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10  so that the slots  40  can likewise overlap as is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . As noted in  FIGS. 7-11 , there is essentially only a single overlapping slot  40 , provided once the edges  23  are made to overlap such as particularly shown in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  also illustrates by the arrow  42  the manner in which the overlapping can be changed so as to change the overall diameter of the mesh structure  20 . In this way, the mesh structure  20  can be more readily fitted to the chimney structure. In this regard refer to  FIG. 15  that shows the mesh structure as fitted about the top of the chimney structure  30 . Refer also to  FIG. 17  that shows the bottom of the mesh structure  20  fitted over the top edge of the collar  14 . Thus, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a relatively simple way of adjusting the diameter of the mesh structure  20  so that it can match a different size flue or chimney structure. The wing nut  25  may then be screwed inwardly so as to hold the mesh structure  20  at the proper position such as illustrated in  FIGS. 15-17 . 
     Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention a single pair of overlapping slots  40  is provided to set the diameter adjustment of the mesh structure  20 . An alternate embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 6  in which there are end slots  40 A but also toward the middle of the mesh structure respective slots  40 B and  40 C. The slots  40 B and  40 C may be shorter in length than each of the slots  40 A. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6  is meant for a chimney structure in which there are three support bolts or rods  24 . By providing the multiple slots illustrated in  FIG. 6 , this provides some additional latitude as far as the adjustment of the diameter is concerned. One bolt would be accommodated in the end slots  40 A and second and third bolts would be accommodated in respective slots  40 B and  40 C. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 16 and 17  for a further means that is used for securing the mesh structure  20  to the chimney structure  30 . This includes a clip  46  having opposed holes. One hole extends over the bolt  24  and under the washer  25 . The other hole at the bottom end of the clip viewed in  FIGS. 16 and 17  receive a securing bolt  48  and associated nut  49 . The bolt  48  passes through a hole in the chimney structure  30 . This arrangement provides for a closure of the mesh structure  20  to the proper diameter while also securing the bolt  24  and mesh to the chimney structure by means of the clip  46 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 18  for a slightly different version of a fastener means for securing the mesh structure  20  in place. This includes a bolt  50  that is received by the fixed nut  52 . The nut  52  is internally threaded and is secured to the collar  14 . The bolt  50  is adapted to thread into the nut  52 . At the head  51  of the bolt there is preferably provided a washer  54 . The embodiment of  FIG. 18  also includes a clip  56  that is secured at one end with the bolt  50  and that extends at the other end so as to be secured to the chimney structure  30  by means of a smaller bolt  57 . The bolt  57  is secured to the chimney structure with the use of a clip  58 . The clip  58  may simply be slid over a top edge of the chimney structure as illustrated in  FIG. 18 . The clip  58  functions as a nut for receiving and securing the bolt  57 . The bolt  57  passes through a lower disposed hole in the clip  56 , through the mesh structure  20  and also through the clip  58 , and a hole that may be drilled at the top end of the chimney structure  30 . 
     In the embodiments that are described herein, a limited number of fasteners have been illustrated. It is understood that any number of different types of fasteners may be used for securing the mesh structure in place as well as for securing the mesh structure to the chimney structure. Also, one particular mesh structure is illustrated herein. However, it is understood that various other types of similar structures may be employed. For example, a welded wire cloth may be employed or a woven wire cloth. The square shaped apertures shown in the illustrated embodiment may provide openings of one-quarter inch or one-half inch. The gauge of the metal wire for the mesh structure may be 16 gauge or larger. Reference is now made to  FIG. 19  for a schematic illustration of a mesh structure  60  that is illustrative of the different types of apertures that may be provided by providing apertures in a metal sheet. As illustrated in  FIG. 19 , these various apertures may have shapes of a circle, oval, rectangle, square, or a diamond shape. Also, variations of the apertures illustrated in  FIG. 19  may be employed with the principles of the present invention. 
     It is evident from the description of the preferred embodiments that the objects of the present invention are attained by providing a chimney cap that has, inter alia, an adjustable diameter mesh structure. Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration an example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation. Although the present invention has been disclosed in multiple embodiments, it is understood that other means are also contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention. The spirit and scope of this invention is to be limited only by the following appended claims.