Folding Flue
The present invention relates to a folding chimney flue cap [ 1000 ] for fitting chimneys. The folding flue cap [ 1000 ] is manufactured as a flat body [ 1100 ] having an end panel [ 1140 ], a side panel [ 1160 ], another end panel [ 1150 ], and another side panel [ 1170 ], separated by fold lines [ 1180 ] between the panels. The folding chimney flue cap [ 1000 ] also includes top tabs [ 1120 ] above each of these panels. There are also bottom tabs [ 1130 ] below each of these panels. The flat body [ 1100 ] has a first connector part [ 1210 ] at one end and a second connector part [ 1220 ] on the other end. The folding flue cap [ 1000 ] may be readily shipped in its compact form and assembled into a box shape connecting first connector part [ 1210 ] to second connector part [ 1220 ]. The top tabs [ 1120 ] and the bottom tabs [ 1130 ] may be bent either inwardly or outwardly to better match the structures to which it would connect.
1 . A compact folding chimney flue [ 1000 ] comprising:
a) a substantially flat body [ 1100 ] having a first end and a second end, the flat body [ 1100 ] having:
b) a plurality of fold lines [ 1180 ] dividing the body [ 1100 ] into a plurality of panels [ 1140 , 1150 , 1160 , 1170 ];
c) a first connector part [ 1210 ] capable of attaching to a second connector part [ 1220 ], the first connector part [ 1210 ] attached to one end of the flat body [ 1100 ];
d) a second connector part [ 1220 ] connected to the second end of the flat body [ 1100 ], such that when the flat body [ 1100 ] is folded on the fold lines [ 1180 ], a geometric shape is formed and the first connector part [ 1210 ] connects to the second connector part [ 1220 ].
2 . The compact folding chimney flue [ 1000 ] of claim 1 wherein:
at least one of the panels [ 1140 , 1150 , 1160 , 1170 ] has a plurality of vents [ 1110 ] and the flue acts as a flue vent.
3 . The compact folding chimney flue [ 1000 ] of claim 1 wherein:
the connector parts [ 1210 , 1220 ] have loops which intertwine and receive an elongated rod which holds the loops together.
4 . The compact folding chimney flue [ 1000 ] of claim 1 wherein:
the connector parts [ 1210 , 1220 ] are other known means for attaching metal parts.
5 . The compact folding chimney flue [ 1000 ] of claim 1 wherein:
the top tabs [ 1120 ] are adapted to fold inward toward a center of the folding flue to move top connections 1230 inward to fit various top caps.
6 . The compact folding chimney flue [ 1000 ] of claim 1 wherein:
the top tabs [ 1120 ] are adapted to fold outward away from a center of the folding flue to move top connections [ 1230 ] outward to fit various other top caps.
7 . The compact folding chimney flue [ 1000 ] of claim 1 wherein:
the bottom tabs [ 1130 ] are adapted to fold inward toward a center of the folding flue to move bottom connections [ 1240 ] inward to fit various top plates.
8 . The compact folding chimney flue [ 1000 ] of claim 1 wherein:
the bottom tabs [ 1130 ] are adapted to fold outward away from a center of the folding flue to move bottom connections [ 1240 ] outward to fit various top plates.
9 . The compact folding chimney flue [ 1000 ] of claim 1 wherein:
the top tabs [ 1120 ] are adapted to fold to an angle and stay at that angle to attach to angled surfaces of chimney structure surfaces.
10 . The compact folding chimney flue [ 1000 ] of claim 1 wherein:
the bottom tabs [ 1130 ] are adapted to fold to an angle and stay at that angle to attach to angled surfaces of chimney structure surfaces.
11 . A method of providing a compact chimney flue to a remote location at lower cost than prior art methods, comprising steps of:
a) providing flat body [ 1100 ] with a plurality of panels [ 1040 , 1050 , 1060 , 1070 ], the panels being serially connected, and separated by weakened fold lines, and having a first end [ 1215 ] and a second end [ 1225 ], the first end [ 1215 ] and second end [ 1225 ] being capable of being connected together;
b) shipping the flat plate to a remote location;
c) at the remote location, folding the flat body [ 1100 ] on each of the fold lines [ 1180 ] to cause the first end [ 1215 ] to come in contact with the second end [ 1225 ]; and
d) connecting the first end [ 1215 ] to the second end [ 1225 ] to create a chimney flue [ 1000 ].
12 . The method of providing a compact chimney flue to a remote location of claim 11 wherein the step of providing a flat body comprises the step of:
providing flat body [ 1100 ] with a plurality of panels [ 1140 , 1150 , 1160 , 1170 ], the panels being serially connected, and separated by weakened fold lines, and having a first end [ 1215 ] and a second end [ 1225 ], the first end [ 1215 ] and second end [ 1225 ] being capable of being connecting together.
13 . A compact plate capable of being folded into a chimney flue [ 1000 ] comprising:
a) a flat body [ 1100 ] having a plurality of vent openings, a first end [ 2325 ] and a second end [ 1225 ], a top edge [ 1125 ] and a bottom edge [ 1135 ], a plurality of panels [ 1140 , 1150 , 1160 , 1170 ] having fold joints [ 1180 ] between adjacent panels;
b) first connector part [ 1210 ] on the first end [ 1215 ] of the flat plate; and
c) second connector part [ 1220 ] on the second end [ 1225 ] of the flat plate capable of securing the first connector part [ 1210 ] when the flat plate is folded on its fold joints [ 1180 ] creating a chimney flue [ 1000 ];
d) adjustable top tabs [ 1120 ] capable of fitting various top caps; and
e) adjustable bottom tabs [ 1130 ] capable of fitting various top plates.
14 . The compact plate of claim 13 wherein the fold joint [ 1180 ] is:
a perforated fold line.
15 . The compact plate of claim 13 wherein the fold joint [ 1180 ] is:
an indentation line between two adjacent panels.
16 . The compact plate of claim 13 wherein the fold joint [ 1180 ] is:
a weakened section between two adjacent panels.
17 . The compact plate of claim 13 wherein:
at least two of the panels fold on top of two other panels to result in a double strength, smaller item to ship.