Abstract:
The chimney cleaning apparatus includes a soot-scraping scrubber attached to an adjustable handle. A receptacle is also attached to the handle for receiving the dislodged soot particles therein. In one embodiment, a vacuum system is attached to the receptacle for withdrawing the soot particles therefrom to facilitate cleanup. The apparatus can be adjusted to clean the chimney from hearth level or from roof level by switching the position of the soot-scraping scrubber and the receptacle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to chimneys, and particularly to a chimney cleaning apparatus and method. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Burning fossil fuels (wood, coal, etc.) in furnaces, stoves and fireplaces produces soot particles that coat the inside surfaces of flues and chimneys. The soot particles contain combustible materials that will readily ignite and burn under the proper conditions, often resulting in dangerous and damaging fires. Regular cleaning would prevent the buildup of soot on the interior walls of the chimneys and flues, thus lessening the chances of a dangerous fire. 
         [0005]    There are many tools disclosed in the related art that are utilized for dislodging soot from the walls of chimneys and flues. Unfortunately, these tools have proven to be less than satisfactory, since they often involve dangerous ascents to the roof of a home or building and since they lack the ability to collect the dislodged soot, thereby assuring a messy cleanup. The art would certainly welcome a soot-cleaning apparatus that could be utilized from either the hearth or from roof level, and that would allow thorough chimney or flue cleaning while efficiently collecting dislodged soot. Thus, a chimney cleaning method and apparatus solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The chimney cleaning apparatus and method provides for effective chimney or flue cleaning. The apparatus includes a soot-scraping scrubber attached to an adjustable handle. A receptacle is also attached to the handle for receiving the dislodged soot particles therein. In one embodiment, a vacuum system is attached to the receptacle for withdrawing the soot particles therefrom to facilitate cleanup. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, the invention presents a chimney/flue cleaning arrangement that is versatile, efficient and effective. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes. 
         [0008]    These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic environmental perspective view of a first embodiment of a chimney cleaning apparatus according to the present invention, showing the apparatus configured for cleaning the chimney from hearth or fireplace level. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic environmental perspective view of the chimney cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing the apparatus configured for cleaning the chimney from roof level. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the chimney cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic environmental perspective view of a second embodiment of a chimney cleaning apparatus according to the present invention, showing the apparatus configured for cleaning the chimney from hearth or fireplace level. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are perspective views of alternative configurations of the soot collecting receptacle of a chimney cleaning apparatus according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic environmental perspective view of a third embodiment of a chimney cleaning apparatus according to the present invention, showing the apparatus configured for cleaning the chimney from hearth or fireplace level. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic environmental perspective view of the chimney cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 6 , showing the apparatus configured for cleaning the chimney from roof level. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of the chimney cleaning apparatus of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
       [0017]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in a first embodiment, the chimney cleaning apparatus  10  may be alternately configured for cleaning a chimney or flue  14  either from below (i.e., from fireplace level) or from above (Le., from roof level).  FIG. 1  shows how a user may employ the chimney cleaning apparatus  10  from hearth or fireplace level  12  to dislodge soot particles from the walls of a chimney or flue  14 .  FIG. 2  shows the cleaning being performed when the user is positioned at roof level  16 . 
         [0019]    As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the chimney cleaning apparatus  10  comprises a pole handle  24  having a hollow telescoping section  20   a  that permits adjustability. A conventional spring-biased detent  22  is mounted in handle section  20  that selectively engages spaced-apart apertures  19  along the length of the hollow telescoping handle section  20   a  so that the handle  24  may be locked in a desired length when the cleaning process is performed. A handgrip or handle-manipulating member  26  is mounted on a proximate end of the telescoping handle section  20   a  to enhance manipulation thereof. 
         [0020]    A soot-scraping scrubber  28  is adapted for removable attachment to the pole handle  24  in any conventional manner. The scrubber  28  comprises an annular ring  30  having radial spokes  32  extending from a hub having a connector for attaching the scrubber  28  to the pole handle  24 . Metal scrubbing wires  35  (preferably stiff steel or copper filaments) are mounted to the entire circumferential edge of the ring  30 . The scrubber  28  will have a diameter slightly smaller than the chimney or flue to be cleaned. A soot-collecting receptacle  34  is also adapted for removable attachment to the handle  24 . The receptacle  34  is preferably of a circular, bowl-shaped configuration having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the flue or chimney to be cleaned. The receptacle  34  defines a concave surface  34   a  that is provided to collect dislodged soot thereon. Although the circular configuration is preferred, it should be noted that other configurations may be utilized, such as (but not limited to) the receptacle  36   a  in  FIG. 5A  (a circular bottom and an annular wall extending 90° to the bottom) and the receptacle  36   b  in  FIG. 5B  (a circular bottom and a sloping annular wall extending from the bottom at an obtuse angle). 
         [0021]    When using the tool for manually cleaning the chimney from ground or fireplace level (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), the scrubber  28  is mounted on the distal end of the pole handle  24  and the receptacle  34  is mounted at a position between the proximal end and the distal end. When cleaning the chimney  14  from the roof (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), the receptacle  34  will be mounted on the distal end of the handle and the scrubber  28  is mounted at a position between the proximate end and the distal end. In both instances the concave surface  34   a  of the receptacle  34  will face the scrubber  28 . Interchangeability of the position of the scrubber  28  and the receptacle  34  may be provided in any conventional manner, e.g., by connecting the scrubber  28  and the receptacle  34  by a short handle extension  25  having male connectors at opposite ends (e.g., threaded studs, male quick connect couplers, etc.), by providing the scrubber  28  with a connector at the hub that has two female connectors (internally threaded sockets, female quick connect couplers, etc.) facing 180° opposite each other, and by providing the receptacle  34  with two female connectors (internally threaded sockets, female quick connect couplers, etc.) facing 180° opposite each other. Manipulating the tool up and down will cause the scrubber  28  to dislodge soot from the walls of the chimney or flue  14 . The dislodged soot will fall into receptacle  34  for retrieval and proper disposal. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment wherein a soot collecting receptacle  40  is provided with a funnel-type outlet  40   a.  A hose  42  connects the receptacle  40  to a vacuum device V. This arrangement permits the withdrawal of dislodged soot without periodically retrieving the receptacle  40 . 
         [0023]      FIGS. 6-8  illustrate an embodiment of the apparatus wherein a different scrubber  38  is employed to scrape the soot from the interior walls of chimney  14 . The scrubber of  FIGS. 6-8  employs two circular, bowl-shaped members  38   a,    38   c  having opposing concave and convex surfaces mounted on the handle  24 . Each member  38   a,    38   c  is provided with a sharp, circumferential edge for dislodging soot. A flat disc  38   b  is sandwiched between the members  38   a  and  38   c.  The disc  38   b  is also provided with a sharp, circumferential edge for dislodging soot. When mounted, the respective convex surfaces of members  38   a  and  38   c  are arranged to abut opposite surfaces of the flat disc  38   b.  This arrangement provides three scraping edges for dislodging soot from the chimney walls. The scrubber  38  can also be employed with the vacuum extraction system as described above. 
         [0024]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.