Patent Publication Number: US-4257342-A

Title: Fireplace damper position indicator

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Fireplaces generally have a damper to open and close the flue since that when a fire is not burning in the fireplace the damper is closed preventing air from escaping out of the room. It is often difficult to determine whether a damper is open or closed without opening the screen and looking up the flue. Often a person will build a fire without realizing that the damper is closed and thus allowing smoke to escape into the room. 
     It would be desirable to have an easily attachable indicator which would show whether the damper was open or closed. 
     SUMMARY 
     I have devised a fireplace damper position indicator briefly comprising a magnetic attachment means and a U-shaped sign having embossed indicia to indicate open on one side and closed on the other. The sign is positionable on the lintel under the forward, upper portion of the fireplace opening such that it is disposed in easy view to indicate whether the damper is closed or open. Once the damper is moved to the open or closed position the position indicator is changed to reflect which position the damper is in. 
     The primary object of the invention is to provide a device which indicates whether the fireplace damper is open or closed. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is universally attachable to existing fireplaces as well as fireplaces constructed in the future. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a device which indicates the position of the damper without interfering with the screen or other protected devices normally associated with fireplaces. 
     Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent upon studying the detailed description hereinafter following and the drawings annexed hereto. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Drawings of a preferred embodiment of the invention are annexed hereto so that the invention may be better and more fully understood, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the position indicator and a typical fireplace; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the magnetic holder and hanger and upper portion of the indicator; 
     FIG. 4 is a front elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view thereof; and 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9. 
     Numeral references are employed to designate like parts throughout the various figures of the drawing. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 12 generally designates the damper position indicator secured to the lintel 14 in the upper portion of a typical fireplace opening 16. FIG. 1 depicts a typical fireplace 18 having a screen 20 secured forward of the lintel 14. 
     The lintel 14 generally comprises a piece of heavy angle iron for supporting masonary above the opening 16 in the fireplace 18. It is generally constructed of a ferrous type metal such as heavy steel. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-10, the damper position indicator 12 generally comprises an attachment means such as a circular magnet 22 secured within a hollow magnet holder 24. The hollow magnet holder 24 generally comprises a circular disc having deflected sides 24a. An attachment loop 26 is formed by stamping the metal to shear same along either side of this loop and deflecting the metal outwardly to form a passage 28 in the central portion of the magnet holder 24. 
     A triangular shaped hanger 30 having ends 31 and 32 joined adjacent each other in opposed parallel direction and adapted to be spread apart. The hanger is positioned through the passage 28 in attachment loop 26 such that the upper end 33 is pivotally secured within the loop 26. The connector means or hanger 30 pivotally secures a U-shaped oval sign 34 to the magnet holder 24. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 5-10, the sign 34 comprises a first side 36 and a second side 38 joined by a connector member 40 to form the U-shaped sign 34. Sides 36 and 38 are generally oval shaped such that they do not have any pointed edges. Stiffening rings 42 and 44 are formed in each of the sides 36 and 38. This provides rigidity in the length of the sign 34. It should be readily apparent that by spreading ends 31 and 32 of hanger 30 that the connector member 40 may be slideably disposed over either side of the hanger 30 and allowed to drop into a resting position on the ends 31 and 32 as the ends 31 and 32 close back together. 
     Indicia indicating the word &#34;open&#34; is stamped in raised letters 46 on the first side 36 of the sign 34. 
     Likewise, indicia indicating the words &#34;closed&#34; is stamped in raised letters 48 on the second side 38 of sign 34. 
     The position indicator 12 is easily attached to a ferrous metal lintel 14 by simply positioning the magnet 24 on the surface of lintel 14. The sign 34 is pivotally secured downwardly into the fireplace opening 16. The device is positioned such that the word &#34;open&#34; appears outwardly when the damper of the fireplace is open and is simply reversed by detaching the magnet from the lintel 14 and reattaching it to the lintel 14 such that the word &#34;closed&#34; is displayed when the damper is closed. 
     The device is pivotally secured from a hanger such that if a log or other device accidently hits the sign 34, it will pivot instead of being knocked downwardly from the lintel thereby soiling the sign or creating confusion as to whether the damper is open or closed. Further the oval shape of the signs prevents any injury to the head or hands if accidently hit. 
     It should be readily apparent that the invention heretofore disclosed accomplishes the objects hereinbefore discussed. 
     It should further be apparent that other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic concept herein.