Fireplace plug

Abstract

There is provided, in combination, a fireplace having a flue and a damper handle, and a fireplace flue sealing device. The fireplace flue sealing device has an inflatable bag-like member with a top portion and a bottom portion of a flexible, air impermeable material. The top portion and the bottom portion are sealed together about an outer periphery of the bag-like member for retaining pressurized air therebetween. The bag-like member has a selectively slitable, sealed area extending from the outer periphery towards the centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area. The bag-like member is sized and shaped to sealingly engage the fireplace below the flue thereof when inflated. There is also a closable conduit communicating with the bag-like member for admitting pressurized air into the bag-like member.

1 . In combination: 
 a fireplace having a flue and a damper handle; and    a fireplace flue sealing device having an inflatable bag-like member with a top portion and a bottom portion of a flexible, air impermeable material, the top portion and the bottom portion being sealed together about an outer periphery of the bag-like member for retaining pressurized air therebetween, the bag-like member having a selectively slitable sealed area extending from the outer periphery towards the centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area, the bag-like member being sized and shaped to sealingly engage the fireplace below the flue thereof when inflated, and a closable conduit communicating with the bag-like member for admitting pressurized air into the bag-like member.    
   
   
       2 . The combination as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bag-like member further includes a centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area having a prop device engagement means for engaging a prop device that supports the fireplace sealing device  
   
   
       3 . The combination as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bag-like member is substantially elliptical in shape.  
   
   
       4 . The combination as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the selectively slitable sealed area comprises a round end portion and a narrow elongated portion.  
   
   
       5 . The combination as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the conduit includes an elongated hose.  
   
   
       6 . In combination: 
 a fireplace having a flue and a damper handle; and    a fireplace flue sealing device having an inflatable bag-like member with a top portion and a bottom portion of a flexible, air impermeable material, the top portion and the bottom portion being sealed together about an outer periphery of the bag-like member for retaining pressurized air therebetween, the bag-like member having a centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area having a prop device engagement means for engaging a prop device that supports the fireplace sealing device, and a closable conduit communicating with the bag-like member for admitting pressurized air into the bag-like member.    
   
   
       7 . The combination as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the bag-like member further includes a selectively slitable sealed area extending from the outer periphery towards the centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area, the bag-like member being sized and shaped to sealingly engage the fireplace below the flue thereof when inflated.  
   
   
       8 . The combination as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the prop device engagement means comprises a pair of loops that are affixed to the non-inflatable area.  
   
   
       10 . The combination as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the bag-like member is substantially elliptical in shape.  
   
   
       11 . The combination as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the conduit includes an elongated hose.  
   
   
       12 . In combination: 
 a fireplace having a flue and a damper handle;    a telescoping prop device having a first end and a second end opposite thereof; and    a fireplace flue sealing device having an inflatable bag-like member with a top portion and a bottom portion of a flexible, air impermeable material, the top portion and the bottom portion being sealed together about an outer periphery of the bag-like member for retaining pressurized air therebetween, the bag-like member having a centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area having a prop device engagement means for engaging the telescoping prop device, and a closable conduit communicating with the bag-like member for admitting pressurized air into the bag-like member.    
   
   
       13 . The combination as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the bag-like member further includes a selectively slitable sealed area extending from the outer periphery towards the centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area, the bag-like member being sized and shaped to sealingly engage the fireplace below the flue thereof when inflated.  
   
   
       14 . A method of sealing a fireplace having a damper with a damper handle from air-leakages comprising the steps: 
 providing a fireplace flue sealing device having an inflatable bag-like member with a top portion and a bottom portion of a flexible, air impermeable material, the top portion and the bottom portion being sealed together about an outer periphery of the member for retaining pressurized air therebetween, the bag-like member having a centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area having a prop device engagement means for engaging a prop device that sustains the fireplace sealing device, the bag-like member having a selectively slitable sealed area extending from the outer periphery towards the centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area, and a closable conduit communicating with the bag-like member for admitting pressurized air into the bag-like member;    partially inflating the bag-like member using the conduit;    slitting the selectively slitable sealed area according to the placement of the damper handle and thereby providing a slit and a first portion of the bag-like member and a second portion of the bag-like member on opposite sides of the slit;    inserting the bag-like member using the telescoping prop device into the fireplace such that the damper handle extends through the slit;    overlapping the first portion and the second portion of the bag like member to accommodate the size of the fireplace; and    inflating the bag-like member using the conduit to ensure a proper seal with the fireplace.