Knock down universal chimney cap

Abstract

A chimney cap that permits compact storage and quick installation is described. The chimney cap is at least partially hinged, which permits the cage to be quickly set up from a folded condition. This is accomplished by hingeably coupling the sides of the cage to the bottom of the cage. The sides are coupled together by inserting a pin into concentric knuckles formed when corresponding edges are joined together. The folded product may be stored for transport or sale in a substantially flat box.

1 . A chimney cap for covering a flue for preventing ingress of undesirable elements into said flue, said chimney cap comprising: 
 a lid; and    a cage for supporting said lid, said cage having hinged sides.    
     
     
         2 . A chimney cap as in  claim 1 , where said sides are configured to fold substantially flat.  
     
     
         3 . A chimney cap as in  claim 2 , where said folded cage is smaller than a length and width of said lid.  
     
     
         4 . A chimney cap as in  claim 3 , where said folded cage is configured to fit substantially within a well formed by the underside of said lid.  
     
     
         5 . A chimney cap as in  claim 4 , wherein said cap is adapted to be placed on said flue, said flue having a first flue size and a first flue shape.  
     
     
         6 . A chimney cap as in  claim 5 , wherein said cap is adapted to be placed on a second flue said second flue having a second flue size and a second flue shape, said second flue size being different from said first flue size.  
     
     
         7 . A chimney cap as in  claim 1 , wherein one of said sides is adapted to be easily coupled without welding to another of said sides.  
     
     
         8 . A chimney cap as in  claim 1 , wherein one of said sides is adapted to be coupled to another of said sides by inserting a pin into apertures formed by aligned knuckles from said respective one and another of said sides.  
     
     
         9 . A chimney cap as in  claim 1 , wherein one of said sides is adapted to be coupled to another of said sides by manipulation tabs formed by aligned edges from said respective one and another of said sides.  
     
     
         10 . A chimney cap as in  claim 1 , wherein said sides are formed from perforated metal.  
     
     
         11 . A chimney cap, comprising: 
 a bottom side;    a first pair of sides hingeably coupled to said bottom side; and    a second pair of sides hingeably coupled to said bottom side.    
     
     
         12 . The cap of  claim 11 , further comprising a lid for covering said cage, said lid being adapted to be fastened to the top of said cage.  
     
     
         13 . The cap of  claim 12 , wherein said cage further comprises a plurality of studs, each said stud disposed in a location of said cage to secure said lid to said cage.  
     
     
         14 . The cap of  claim 11 , further comprising a securing mechanism adapted to secure said cage to a flue.  
     
     
         15 . The cap of  claim 11 , wherein said first pair of sides is substantially similar in size to said second pair of sides.  
     
     
         16 . The cap of  claim 11 , wherein said second pair of sides are wider in size than said first pair of sides.  
     
     
         17 . The cap of  claim 11 , wherein said cap includes substantially flat perforated rectangularly shaped expanded metal.  
     
     
         18 . The cap of  claim 17 , wherein a portion of said cage is adapted to fit on top of said flue.  
     
     
         19 . A method of assembling a chimney cap, comprising the steps of: 
 removing said chimney cap from a box;    subsequently, unfolding sides of said chimney cap;    coupling adjacent sides of said chimney cap; and    placing a lid on said sides.    
     
     
         20 . A packaged chimney cap product, said packaged product comprising: 
 a box having a width greater than its height; and a folded chimney cap located within said box.