Chimney Sleeve

Abstract

A method and apparatus for venting around a chimney termination point. The invention includes a chimney sleeve having a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, both the first opening and the second opening capable of fitting a vertical chimney pipe with a clearance. The sleeve can be fitted with a support collar and various other attachments, including a screen extension and rain cover. The gasses heated by the chimney pipe may vent through the sleeve. The sleeve also serves to force a clearance around the chimney pipe, which prolongs the realized lifespan of the chimney pipe and further helps prevent fires.

Claims

1. A chimney sleeve apparatus, comprising: a sleeve having a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, both the first opening and the second opening configured to fit around a vertical chimney pipe with a clearance; and a vertical support collar operably attached to the sleeve and extending from the sleeve, wherein the clearance allows for venting of heated gases between the sleeve and the chimney pipe.

2. The chimney sleeve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clearance is at least 1 inch.

3. The chimney sleeve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clearance is at least 2 inches.

4. The chimney sleeve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vertical support collar has at least a two-inch ledge around a circumference of the sleeve.

5. The chimney sleeve apparatus of claim 4, wherein the vertical support collar comprises a series of supporting folds operably incorporated into edges of the vertical support collar.

6. The chimney sleeve apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a screen extension operably connected to the sleeve.

7. The chimney sleeve apparatus of claim 6, wherein the screen extension provides at least two inches of extension above the sleeve.

8. The chimney sleeve apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a rain collar operably placed over the screen extension.

9. The chimney sleeve apparatus of claim 8, wherein the rain collar is configured to fit around the vertical chimney pipe and extend outward to cover the screen extension while maintaining a gap for venting between a lower edge of the rain collar and an upper edge of the screen extension.

10. A method of venting air around a chimney termination point, comprising: placing a chimney sleeve around the chimney termination point, the chimney sleeve having a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening; and positioning a chimney pipe through the chimney sleeve, wherein the chimney sleeve provides a clearance around the chimney pipe through the termination point, allowing for venting of heated gases between the chimney sleeve and the chimney pipe.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising attaching a vertical support collar to the chimney sleeve, wherein the vertical support collar extends outwardly from the chimney sleeve.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the vertical support collar comprises a series of supporting folds operably incorporated into edges of the vertical support collar.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising connecting a screen extension to the chimney sleeve, wherein the screen extension extends above the chimney sleeve.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the screen extension provides at least two inches of extension above the chimney sleeve.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising placing a rain collar over the screen extension, wherein the rain collar is configured to fit around the chimney pipe and extend outward to cover the screen extension while maintaining a gap for venting between a lower edge of the rain collar and an upper edge of the screen extension.

16. A chase pan assembly, comprising: a chase pan having a central opening; and a sleeve collar extending vertically from the central opening of the chase pan, the sleeve collar configured to fit around a chimney pipe with a clearance, wherein the clearance allows for venting of heated gases between the sleeve collar and the chimney pipe.

17. The chase pan assembly of claim 16, further comprising a screen extension operably connected to the sleeve collar, wherein the screen extension extends vertically above the sleeve collar to allow venting of the heated gases while preventing debris entry.

18. The chase pan assembly of claim 17, wherein the screen extension provides at least two inches of vertical extension above the sleeve collar.

19. The chase pan assembly of claim 18, further comprising a rain collar operably placed over the screen extension, wherein the rain collar is configured to fit around the chimney pipe and extend outward to cover the screen extension.

20. The chase pan assembly of claim 19, wherein the rain collar maintains a gap of at least two inches between a lower edge of the rain collar and an upper edge of the screen extension to allow venting of the heated gases.

Description

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES

[0019] FIG. 1 is a drawing of prior art ventilated chase as originally recommended by the original manufacturing company for chase pans.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a drawing of the sleeve-based ventilated chase of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a drawing of the sleeve with a support collar of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a drawing of the sleeve with a support collar where the support collar has folds.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a drawing of the sleeve with a support collar being placed in a chimney chase.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a drawing of the sleeve with a chase pan.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a drawing of the sleeve with a chase pan and a screen extension

[0026] FIG. 8 is a drawing of the sleeve with a chase pan, a screen extension, and a rain collar. A chimney pipe is drawn for reference.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional drawing of a chase pan with a sleeve collar of the present invention with a chimney pipe.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a three-dimensional drawing of a chase pan with a sleeve collar and a screen extension of the present invention with a chimney pipe.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a three-dimensional drawing of a chase pan with a sleeve collar, a screen extension, and a rain cover of the present invention with a chimney pipe.

[0030] FIG. 12 is a flowchart describing a method of forming the apparatus of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 13 is a drawing of a sleeve of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 14 is a drawing of a support collar of the present invention

[0033] FIG. 15 is a drawing of a chimney pipe reaching through a chase pan with a sleeve collar of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 16 is a drawing of a chimney pipe reaching through a sleeve and a screen extension of the present invention

[0035] FIG. 17 is a drawing of a chimney pipe reaching through a sleeve, a screen extension, and a rain collar of the present invention

[0036] FIG. 18 is a drawing of two example screen extensions of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 19 is a drawing of a rain collar of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 20 is a drawing of a chimney sleeve of the present invention with a cover that prevents the interaction of the chimney gases with the vented gases.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] The present field of the invention is directed toward the improvement and safety of chimney termination points. The present invention provides mechanisms and methods related to the capping or crowning of a chimney. The mechanism and methods allow for the exchange of gasses between the chimney chase and the outlying environment, to allow gasses to vent. The present mechanisms and methods also allow for a clearance to be established around a chimney pipe or flue.

[0040] There is a need to vent gasses that are heated by a chimney pipe. Chimney pipes will heat the air around the pipe, and often, this air is contained. The heated air can build and cause fires to start. Exacerbating this problem is the presence of solid materials often touching the outside of the chimney pipe or flue at the termination point. The solid materials may react to temperature changes at a different rate than the chimney pipe and cause the pipe to tear or crack. These materials may also wear on the chimney pipe over time, causing abrasive damage, and depending on the material placed in proximity to the chimney, they may start a fire as well. So, it is a hope of this invention to help prevent fires by providing a clearance for chimney pipes and a system for venting around a chimney pipe.

[0041] It is worth noting that there are many styles and varieties of chimney [0041.] termination points. Commonly, residential chimneys will have chimney chases. The present invention may be applied to chases but also may be applied when the chimney terminates from other structures besides chases.

[0042] It will be appreciated that a clearance around a flue or pipe provides a venting mechanism for the chimney pipe or flue. This occurs because the clearance is on the outside of the pipe or flue, and thus it provides an opening for heated gasses to escape through. This clearance, by definition, results in keeping solid materials that may fatigue or damage the pipe or flue away from the pipe or flue.

[0043] With regard to the chimney sleeve of the present invention, in at least one exemplary embodiment, the sleeve fits around a chimney pipe to provide a clearance around the pipe, as shown in FIG. 2. The clearance may be any clearance that will begin to allow the gasses inside to vent to the outside. However, particular clearances can be selected. For example, clearances are 1 inch around the pipe for gas fireplaces and 2 inches around the pipe for wood-burning fireplaces. The result for a one-inch clearance around the pipe will often be a sleeve with a 10-inch diameter and for a sleeve with a two-inch clearance, a 12-inch diameter. As mentioned above, clearances may come in a range of sizes and may vary even around a single pipe or flue. Thus, it can also be said that an embodiment of the sleeve has at least a 1-inch clearance for a gas-burning fire and another at least a two-inch clearance for a wood fire.

[0044] These clearance dimensions hold true in the embodiment of the present invention, which is a chase pan that provides venting and clearance.

[0045] In at least one exemplary embodiment, the sleeve has a support collar. The support collar extends from the sleeve and may rest on or be embedded in the structure surrounding the pipe or flue. As the chimney termination point is often vertical, this support collar allows the sleeve to be supported by the structure around the chimney termination point.

[0046] Thus, in at least one exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises a sleeve having a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, both the first opening and the second opening capable of fitting around a vertical chimney pipe with a clearance, and a vertical support collar operably attached to the sleeve and extending from the sleeve.

[0047] By fitting the sleeve around, not in the chimney, any clearance between the sleeve and the chimney will connect the chimney chase or internal structure environment with the external environment allowing the heated air to vent. By controlling the clearance between the sleeve and the chimney pipe, the amount of air vented can be controlled. By operating as a sleeve, this method of ventilation has the additional benefit of providing a clearance between the chimney pipe and other materials, including combustibles and non-combustibles, for example, concrete. This clearance is provided because the materials will be separated from the pipe by the sleeve.

[0048] Because the chimney pipe fits through the sleeve, the sleeve should have a first and second opening. As the chimney pipe may extend through the sleeve, chimney pipe components that fit the chimney pipe may still be used, for example, term caps and pipe vents, which are inserted into the end of the chimney pipe itself.

[0049] Because we are focused here on the chimney as it exits a structure, the chimney pipe will be vertical, and the sleeve must be able to fit the vertical chimney. To support the sleeve and to allow for potential modular attachments to the chimney sleeve a support collar is attached. This support collar allows the chimney to sit vertically by providing a collar that rests on it embedded in the surrounding material.

[0050] In at least one embodiment, the support collar for the sleeve is designed to be placed in a concrete chimney cap so that the sleeve may protect a clearance around the chimney pipe or flue and also serve as a vent. Typically, a concrete slab is supposed to be used in conjunction only with a masonry-type flue, but may also occur in practice, for example, when a previous masonry fireplace has been retrofitted with a prefabricated chimney pipe.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary sleeve 200 of the present invention with a support collar 210. The sleeve 200 is shown in a vertical configuration. The support collar 210 extends perpendicular to the horizontal plane in this vertical configuration. This orthogonal orientation of the support collar 210 allows the support collar 210 to keep the sleeve 200 from falling into a chimney chase or other structure when the sleeve is vertically arranged to fit a vertical chimney pipe.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary sleeve 200 of the present invention with support collar 210 having folds 211. These folds 211 provide support when the collar is embedded in a concrete cap. These folds help anchor the collar into the concrete.

[0053] To support the collar itself, during the construction of a chimney cap, the collar 210 may have winglets 212 or other connection points. For example, these winglets will help allow the sleeve to be placed into concrete when scaffolding is placed above the chimney termination point. The winglets may connect to such scaffolding to hold the chimney sleeve in place as the concrete is being set.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary sleeve with winglets 212 set in a chimney cap area 500. The winglets 212 attach to wooden boards placed above the chimney cap area 500. It can be seen that the support collar 210 extends into the chimney cap area 500 which will receive concrete. Notice that the opening of the sleeve 200 provides a space, with clearance, for a chimney pipe.

[0055] Although any level of clearance will provide protection for the chimney over no clearance and allow for some venting. To ensure the safe operation of a gas-burning chimney, the clearance should be at least an inch between the pipe and the sleeve, and for a wood-burning chimney, the clearance should be at least two inches between the sleeve and the chimney pipe. The differences between gas-burning and wood-burning chimneys are due to the different temperatures of the gasses that will flow through the chimney pipe. These minimum clearances are codified, and the sleeve provides an elegant solution for builders to ensure that these clearances are met while providing the additional benefits of venting.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a chase pan may be fitted with the sleeve of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a chase pan 610 with a sleeve 200 extruding from the chase pan 610. The center of the chase pan contains a hole that fits the sleeve 200. The sleeve may be a separate component, or it may be directly integrated into the chase pan. The sleeve may extrude from the top or the bottom of the chase pan, and in at least one embodiment, it extrudes from both the top and the bottom of the chase pan. The portion of the sleeve extruding from the top of the chase pan may serve as the chase pan collar.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve will extend from the top of the chase pan to form a chase pan collar. As a sleeve, this collar can be fitted with the sleeve extensions and attachments as discussed below.

[0058] One attachment, for example, is a screen extension. This screen extension can be placed on top of the sleeve as shown in FIG. 7. Here, sleeve 200 has screen extension 600 placed onto sleeve 200. It will be noticed that the screen extension shown here, and even the sleeve itself is not closed off but vertically open. This screen extension 600 helps vent the gasses as the sleeve system grows more complex. It is also worth noting that the screen may be built into the sleeve itself and not necessarily placed on the top of the screen. In fact, in at least one embodiment, another sleeve may be placed on top of the screen extension.

[0059] The screen extension 600 may be placed on the sleeve 200 of chase pan 610. This forms a chase pan having an opening that fits the chimney pipe while providing a clearance; a sleeve serving as a chase pan collar; and a screen extension.

[0060] To close off the sleeve with a screen extension, a rain collar that fits the chimney pipe may be placed. In at least one embodiment, this rain collar may be of sheet metal which is not significantly abrasive to the chimney pipe. As shown in FIG. 8, the rain collar 700 can be placed on the screen extension 600 so that the rain collar fits around the chimney pipe 100 and rests on the extension 600. For best practices when it comes to safety, the lower lip of the rain collar 700 should remain at least two inches above the bottom of the screen extension 600. Having a rain collar resting on the sleeve without a screen extension for the sleeve will prevent gasses from venting in most cases.

[0061] When the sleeve and accompanying system of the present invention are in place, the chimney pipe may still receive the usual attachments, such as a term cap. The term cap may be anchored inside the chimney pipe as usual because the system of the present invention does not utilize the inside of the chimney pipe. Further, the chimney pipe may still receive linings or insulation. In such cases, the sleeve may provide a clearance around the linings or insulation as well as the pipe itself.

[0062] As mentioned above, the sleeve of the present invention can be integrated with a chase pan. This sleeve may be connected to a chase pan. The sleeve would fit inside of the chase pan collar. This occurs but is not limited to occurring, by either having the support collar operate as a chase pan, placing the chase pan over the sleeve, or incorporating the sleeve as the chase pan collar. FIG. 9 shows the supporting collar 200 now takes the shape of a chase pan while the sleeve 200 acts as the chase pan collar. The sleeve does not drop down in the embodiment shown but may in others. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the sleeve has an additional support collar that can be embedded in a chimney cap.

[0063] Cases where a chase pan is placed over the sleeve, or other situations where the sleeve and chase pan are not integrated into each other, may occur. The sleeve itself does not preclude the use of chase pans. Further in such cases, and even when the screen collar is integrated with the chase pan, the screen extension may be moved to the chase pan. Such a case is shown in FIG. 10. Where screen extension 600 rest on the chase pan collar.

[0064] Even the rain collar and other attachments may be added to the chase pan. FIG. 11 shows a chase pan 900. The chase pan 610 fits the sleeve 200 instead of the chimney pipe 100. The screen extension 600 is placed on the collar of the chase pan 900, and the rain collar 700 is fitted around the chimney pipe 200 but covers the screen extension as described in the discussion of FIG. 8. It is worth nothing that the sleeve and extensions may be placed before or after the chimney is placed as it fits over the chimney.

[0065] It will be appreciated that there are several ways to form the sleeve and support collar of the present invention. For example, the sleeve may be a sheet of metal rolled into a cylinder, which provides an even clearance around the chimney pipe; the sheet metal may be bolted or otherwise fixed to retain the sleeve's shape. The support collar may be cut out of sheet metal and combined with the sleeve, for example, by welding. This process of forming a sleeve with a support collar is shown in FIG. 12. Here, the metal sheet 1000 is rolled into a cylinder 1001 and bolted. Metal sheet 1110 has an area 1111 cut out, which will fit cylinder 1001. This sheet 1110 may be cut and folded to form folds 211 (not shown). Sheet 1110 may then be welded to cylinder 1001 to form the sleeve and supporting collar of the present invention. Once the cylinder 1001 is formed, a screen extension 600 may be fixed to the cylinder, this may occur before or after the addition of the support collar 210. The attachments, indeed the apparatus itself, can be made at a factory or even at the job site.

[0066] Many innovative components of the invention have been discussed above in relation to the present invention and its embodiments. It is worth reviewing the individual components.

[0067] FIG. 13 shows a 200 sleeve of the present invention. This sleeve is cylindrical but may be any shape that provides a clearance all around the chimney pipe (due to codes at the time of this writing, which require certain clearances, it will only be practical for now, to change the shape of the sleeve provided that the minimum clearances discussed above of one inch and two inches be maintained.) This sleeve should be long enough to provide clearance to the chimney pipe through the termination point. In many cases, 8 or 10 inches of length will be sufficient.

[0068] FIG. 14 shows the support collar 210 of the present invention. This support collar sits on the outside of the sleeve and supports the sleeve as it sits vertically aligned with the chimney pipe. There are many variations of the support collar possible, with the best variation for a task dependent on the details of the task. The support collar may have at least a two-inch ledge diameter in an exemplary embodiment. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the supporting collar may have folds 211, which stabilize the support collar. The supporting collar may also utilize attachment aids, such as the winglets 212, shown in FIG. 5.

[0069] FIG. 15 shows a chase pan 110 with opening 113 with sleeve collar 114 that fits around a chimney pipe while providing a clearance. This chase pan allows hot air to vent without raising or overhanging the chimney chase. FIG. 16 shows the chase pan of FIG. 17 now with a screen extension 600. This screen extension improves the ventilation the chase pan offers when the clearance is covered.

[0070] FIG. 18 shows two exemplary embodiments of the screen extension collar: 600a and 600b. The collar here is cylindrical, which fits a cylindrical sleeve or chase pan sleeve collar. However, the shape of the screen extension may vary. This screen extension may be placed on the chimney sleeve, for example. When it is placed, the screen extension will go around the chimney pipe. The screen extension extends at least one inch above the sleeve in an exemplary embodiment. As indicated by FIG. 18, many versions of the screen patterning may exist.

[0071] FIG. 19 shows the rain collar of the present invention. The rain collar, for example, may be placed above the screen extension. In an exemplary embodiment, there will be at least two inches of clearance between the top of the sleeve and the bottom of the rain collar to allow for gasses to vent.

[0072] As previously described, FIG. 11 shows the sleeve, screen extension, and rain collar placed around a chimney pipe. As noted above, the rain collar and the screen extension work in conjunction to keep the rain and larger objects out of the chimney chase. It is worth noting that in certain cases, the screen collar or rain cover may not be necessary. Instead, those duties may be taken up by other chimney components, such as a screen and cover, such as a chimney shroud, placed over the entire chimney pipe and chase.

[0073] However, when a chimney shroud is used, it may be useful to separate the gases rising from the chimney pipe from the air in the chase. One method of doing this is to use a cover.

[0074] FIG. 20 shows a chimney pipe 100 rising through a cap area 500. The collar 200 allows the air to vent through screen 600. Cover 2000 sits above screen 600 and fits to the chimney pipe (although in some cases, it may still provide some clearance, even matching the clearance of the vent). This cover significantly reduces the interaction of the chimney gases with the vented chase gases by providing a physical barrier between the two gases.

[0075] The cover 2000 has openings 2001, which allow the vented gases to escape. In an exemplary embodiment, the cover extends to at least one of the edges of a shroud where the opening 2001 would allow the gasses to escape the shroud. It is worth noting that a rain collar 700 may still be utilized and placed under the cover 2001.