US2635526A - Downdraft diminishing means for - Google Patents

Description

April 1953 w. T. ANDERSON 2,635,526

DOWNDRAF'T DIMINISHING MEANS FOR CHIMNEYS Filed March 1, 1951 William I Anderson IN VEN TOR.

BY WM 3m Patented Apr. 21, 1953 DOWNDRAFT DIMINISHING MEANS FOR CHIMNEYS William T. Anderson, East Jaffrey, N. H. Application March 1, 1951, Serial No. 213,423

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to improved ways and means, through the medium of which the efficiency of operation of a chimney is improved and it has more particular reference to downdraft diminishing and checking means.

It is a matter of common knowledge that when high winds are prevalent within the vicinity of a chimney, turbulous wind currents descend into the chimney flue and create undesirable disturbances. This is objectionable even when a fire is not burning in the fireplace, furnace or elsewhere. However, it is all the more nervewracking and objectionable when there is a blazing fire in existence in the fireplace. All sorts of chimney cowls, chimney tops and the like have been devised to insure the creation of effective updrafts without commingling objectionable downdrafts. The present matter has to do with downdraft regulators and eliminators in general and a significant object of the invention is to structurally, functionally and otherwise improve upon known types of downdraft controls, particularly those which are in any manner installed within the limits of the chimney passage or flue.

Another object of the invention is to provide downdraft diminishing means which is in the nature of a readily applicable and removable insert, the latter being comparatively simple, practical, economical and such in construction that installation and repairing is enhanced by the appropriateness of construction of the components which go to make up the over-all insert means.

A further object of the invention is to provide simplified structural means defining a downdraft diminishing device in which manufacturers, users and others will find their essential requirements and needs fully met, contained and satisfactorily available.

In carrying out the invention a structural assemblage is adopted which is characterized by an adapter unit and a pair of readily insertable and removable truncated cone units.

More explicity, the invention appertains to the stated adapter unit which takes the form of a cylinder, said cylinder being provided on its upper end with a suspension and hanging collar, the cone units being fitted by tongue and groove association within the confines of the cylinder and being in vertically spaced relation. The uppermost cone unit is provided with a conical annulus which constitutes a canopy. The canopy is anchored on the chimney-top and hoods in umbrella fashion over the suspension collar.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawmgs.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of a conventional chimney showing the improved draft intercepting and diminishing means and the manner in which the same is constructed and installed;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section on the line 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the complete insert.

Referring now to the drawings by reference numerals and accompanying lead lines and with reference particularly to Figure 1, the numeral 4 designates a brick or equivalent chimney, stack, or equivalent structure. The adapter sleeve is a sheet material cylinder 6. This is of suitable cross section and length and telescopes into the passage 8 of the chimney. It is provided on its upper end with an endless annulus or flange [0 which constitutes a supporting and anchoring collar. The flange will correspond in shape to the cross section of the chimney and will, of course, be sufficiently large to properly suspend the cylinder in the passageway of the chimney. The lower end portion of the cylinder is provided with an annular channel l2 which may be referred to as a keeper groove. This is adapted to accommodate a corresponding and complemental bead or tongue l4 carried by the lower open end or base portion I6 of a truncated cone l8. The latter is in effect a bafile and the upper tapering and truncated end is, of course, spaced from the internal surfaces of the bore of the cylinder. Thus, we have a truncated conical baflle held by a tongue and groove connection in the lower end portion of the cylinder. A similar truncated conical bafiie 20 is provided and this too has a cylindrical base portion 22 having a bead or tongue 24 fitting removably into a retaining keeper groove 26. The upper truncated end portion of the upper cone or baiile 20 extends above the upper flanged end of the adapter sleeve. This upper end is provided with a conoidal apron or canopy 28. This is welded at 30 to the upper truncated end of the cone and. is of a size to extend beyond the collar l0 and to hood over and cover the collared upper end of the adapter sleeve. The collar and canopy are both anchored in a cement or equivalent cap 32 on the upper end of the chimney. It follows that the collar covers the space between the adapter sleeve and the bore or passage of the chimney. The canopy 28 extends over the collar and covers the upper end portion of the adapter sleeve in the desired hood-like fashion. It is obvious that the manner in which the canopy hoods over the flanged adapter sleeve or cylinder provides a necessary weather shield and rainwater is, of course, prevented from accumulating in the pocket which exists between the cone 20 and the sleeve.

It is clear that the collar and canopy provide ideal cooperating members for secureand practical anchoring of the parts 6 and 20 on the chimney. The low silhouette of this downdraft attachment is an attractive feature to those who object to a change in the upper end construction of a residential or equivalent chimney. In fact, the device, when installed, will extend no more than three inches above the brickwork and will hardly be noticeable.

It is believed that the several views of the drawing will singly and collectively reveal all necessary details of construction, the functions and coordination of parts.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding. of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes. in shape, size and arrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired;

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A downdraft interceptor and diminishing attachment for a chimney comprising a vertically elongated cylindrical adapter sleeve designed to telescope into the passage of a chimney, an outstanding supporting flange united with the upper end of said sleeve and adapted to rest atop the chimney, and insertable and removable conical baflles mounted in said sleeve, each baffle being in the form of a truncated cone, each baffle being provided at its lower end with a keying bead and said sleeve having keying grooves into which the respective beads are friction fitted.

2. A downdraft interceptor and diminishing attachment for a chimney comprising a cylindrical adapter sleeve, adapted to telescope into the passage of a chimney, an outstanding supporting flange attached to the upper end of said sleeve and adapted to rest on the chimney, and insertable and removable conical baflles mounted in said sleeve, each baflie being in the form of a truncated cone, having tongue and groove connection with the sleeve.

3; The structure as specified in claim 2 wherein the upper cone is provided with a canopy which is adapted to overlie the sleeve and to extend beyond the flange for attachment to a chimney.

WILLIAM T. ANDERSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 236,507 Mihan Jan. 11, 1881 256,919 Patterson Apr. 25, 1882 454,492 Oster June 23, 1891 1,700,018 Blanchard Jan. 22, 1929 2,408,665 Lovely Oct. 1, 1946 2,573,436 Gray Oct. 30, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 13,918 Great Britain 1909

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