Patent Publication Number: US-4924850-A

Title: Method and adaptor for installing flue liner to a fireplace insert

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to fireplace inserts and particularly to a method and an adaptor for installing a flue liner to the fireplace chimney and to the firebox of the fireplace insert. 
     In the installation of fireplace insert a flue liner or duct must be provided for the firebox to conduct the exhaust from the firebox of the insert to the chimney of the fireplace. Commonly, an exhaust opening is formed at the top panel of the firebox which will be located below the chimney opening when the firebox is fully inset into the fireplace. A flue liner or duct is installed on the exhaust opening of the firebox and is pushed upwards into the fireplace chimney to ensure that the exhaust gas is directed entirely up into the chimney so that no exhaust gas can leak into the space between the firebox and the fireplace. Such leakage of exhaust gas would return to the room to present a human health hazard. It has been problematic in the installation of the flue liner to the fireplace insert firebox in that there is an extremely little space between the firebox and the fireplace walls once the firebox is inset into the fireplace. Thus it is extremely difficult to maneuver the flue liner into the chimney or to connect it properly to the exhaust opening of the firebox of the fireplace insert. 
      SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of installing the flue liner precisely in the fire place chimney as well as to the firebox exhaust opening. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an adaptor for the fireplace insert which facilitates the flue liner installation. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective elevation view of a firebox having a flue liner adaptor according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective to elevation view of the flue liner adaptor according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the flue liner adaptor. 
     FIG. 4 through 6 are side schematic elevation views illustrating the method according to the present invention of installing the flue liner to the chimney as well as to the firebox in a fireplace. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings, the fireplace insert is composed of a firebox 10 having an exhaust opening 11 formed at its top panel. An upstanding flange 12 is provided at the upper front edge of the firebox 10. Two mutually parallel slider brackets 13 and 14 are provided on the top of the firebox 10. The slider brackets 13 and 14 preferably extend throughout the entire longitudinal length of the firebox top panel from the front to the rear. However, it can be appreciated shorter brackets or a plurality of short brackets may be provided to obtain similar function which will become more apparent from the following description. 
     A flue adaptor 15 may be mounted to the top of the firebox 10 by slidably engaging with the slider brackets 13 and 14. The flue adaptor 15 consists of a slider plate 16 which has a width equal to the spacing between the channels of the slider brackets 13 and 14 and has a length equal to the firebox 10. An upstanding front flange 17 is provided at the front edge of the slider plate 16. The length of the upstanding front flange 17 is slightly less than the distance between the opposing lateral edges of the slider brackets 13 and 14 such that the ends of the flange 17 are recessed from the lateral edges of the slider plate 16. A downwardly extending skirting flange 18 is provided at the rear edge of the slider plate 16. A coupling opening 19 is formed in the slider plate 16 and a short coupling sleeve 20 is provided at the coupling opening 19 and extending upwardly therefrom. The flue adaptor 15 may be mounted to the top of the firebox 10 by slidably engaging the edge portions of the adaptor plate 16 with the channels formed between the slider brackets 13 and 14 and the top of the firebox 10. In the fully mounted position, the front flange 17 abuts the upstanding flange 12 at the upper front edge of the firebox 10, meanwhile the rear flange 18 abuts the rear panel of the firebox 10, also the coupling opening 19 of the adaptor becomes aligned with the exhaust opening 11 at the top of the firebox 10. The flue adaptor 15 can be secured to the firebox 10 by using a bolt or screw engaging opening 21 formed in the firebox front flange 12 and the opening 22 formed in the front flange 17 of the adaptor 15. 
     As shown in FIGS. 4 through 6, in installing the firebox 10 into the fireplace, the flue liner or duct 23 is first simply pushed upwards into the fireplace chimney. This can be easily achieved since the empty fireplace provides open free access to the chimney. The flue liner 23 may be a metal duct shaped in predetermined angle for easy engagement with the fireplace chimney or a flexible type metal duct may be used. The bottom end of the flue liner 23 is then secured to the coupling sleeve 20 of the flue adaptor 15 in a well known manner. The firebox 10 may then be pushed into the fireplace with the flue adaptor 15 inherently slidably engaging with the slider brackets 13 and 14. When the firebox 10 is fully inset in the fireplace the front flange 17 of the flue adaptor 15 will abut the upstanding flange 12 at the upper front edge of the firebox while the skirting flange 18 will abut the rear panel of the firebox. The flue adaptor 15 may then be secured to the upstanding flange 12 of the firebox 10 with at least one screw or bolt. The slider brackets 13 and 14 in combination with the intimate engagement of the flanges 12 and 17 and the skirting flange with the rear panel of the firebox 10 formed a tight enclosure to prevent the exhaust gas from the firebox 10 from leaking through the joints between the firebox 10 and the adaptor 15. 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present invention is defined by the claims construed in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the preferred embodiment of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.