Refuse Chute

Abstract

A refuse chute for a building assembled from a plurality of tubular chute sections, the chute sections being stackable in an end-to-end or end-wise nesting relationship and securable to provide an enclosed refuse disposal shaft, at least some of the chute sections having one or more openings in a side wall of the chute section, characterised in that a baffle each is associated with one or more of the openings, the baffle extending from the side wall into the disposal shaft and being preferably inclined such that there is an obtuse angle between the baffle and the opening with which the baffle is associated. A refuse chute section is also claimed.

1 . A refuse chute for a building assembled from a plurality of tubular chute sections, the chute sections being stackable in an end-to-end or end-wise nesting relationship and securable to provide an enclosed refuse disposal shaft, at least some of the chute sections having one or more openings in a side wall of the chute section,
 characterised in that a baffle each is associated with one or more of the openings, the baffle extending from the side wall into the disposal shaft and being preferably inclined such that there is an obtuse angle between the baffle and the opening with which the baffle is associated.   
   
   
       2 . The refuse chute according to  claim 1 , wherein the angle and the distance that the baffle extends into the disposal shaft are chosen such that the baffle provides an awning for an opening below the opening with which the baffle is associated. 
   
   
       3 . The refuse chute according to  claim 2 , wherein the end of the baffle distal to the opening with which it is associated is on a near horizontal or horizontal plane with the lower edge of an opening below. 
   
   
       4 . The refuse chute according to  claim 1 , wherein the baffle is a plate that extends substantially across a width of the chute section. 
   
   
       5 . The refuse chute according to  claim 4 , wherein the plate is secured to opposite side walls and at or near a lower edge of the opening with which it is associated. 
   
   
       6 . The refuse chute according to  claim 4  or  5 , wherein the plate has a ledge depending from the plate end distal to the opening. 
   
   
       7 . The refuse chute according to  claim 6 , wherein the ledge includes a reinforcement bar. 
   
   
       8 . The refuse chute according to any one of  claims 5  to  7 , wherein the plate is welded to the side walls such that the angle is between 110 to 150 degrees. 
   
   
       9 . The refuse chute according to  claim 8 , wherein the angle is about 120 degrees. 
   
   
       10 . The refuse chute according to  claim 1 , wherein the baffle is hinged at or near the edge of the opening and securable at discrete angles of inclination with respect to the vertical, preferably in a range between 100 and 160 degrees. 
   
   
       11 . The refuse chute according to  claim 1 , wherein the baffle is exchangeably secured to the chute section. 
   
   
       12 . The refuse chute according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more chute sections further include a stacking facilitation portion which extends from the inner side of the lower edge of the chute section and nests into the immediately below adjacent chute section. 
   
   
       13 . The refuse chute of any one of  claims 1  to  12  wherein the baffles exhibit shock and/or sound absorbing properties 
   
   
       14 . A tubular refuse chute section, adapted to be stacked with like chute sections in an end-to-end or end-wise nesting relationship to form a refuse chute for a building, said refuse chute having a disposal shaft, said refuse chute section having one or more openings in a side wall of said chute section, and a baffle associated with one or more of the openings, said baffle extending from the side wall into the disposal shaft and being preferably inclined such that there is an obtuse angle between the baffle and the opening with which the baffle is associated. 
   
   
       15 . The refuse chute section according to  claim 14 , wherein the angle and the distance that the baffle extends into the disposal shaft are chosen such that the baffle provides an awning for an opening below the opening with which the baffle is associated. 
   
   
       16 . The refuse chute section according to  claim 15 , wherein the end of the baffle distal to the opening with which it is associated is on a near horizontal or horizontal plane with the lower edge of an opening below. 
   
   
       17 . The refuse chute section according to  claim 14 , wherein the baffle is a plate that extends substantially across a width of the chute section. 
   
   
       18 . The refuse chute section according to  claim 17 , wherein the plate is secured to opposite side walls and at or near a lower edge of the opening with which it is associated. 
   
   
       19 . The refuse chute section according to  claim 17  or  18 , wherein the plate has a ledge depending from the plate end distal to the opening. 
   
   
       20 . The refuse chute section according to  claim 19 , wherein the ledge includes a reinforcement bar. 
   
   
       21 . The refuse chute section according to any one of  claims 18  to  20 , wherein the plate is welded to the side walls such that the angle is between 110 to 150 degrees. 
   
   
       22 . The refuse chute section according to  claim 21 , wherein the angle is about 120 degrees. 
   
   
       23 . The refuse chute section according to  claim 14 , wherein the baffle is hinged at or near the edge of the opening and securable at discrete angles of inclination with respect to the vertical, preferably in a range between 100 and 160 degrees. 
   
   
       24 . The refuse chute section according to  claim 14 , wherein the baffle is exchangeably secured to the chute section. 
   
   
       25 . The refuse chute section according to  claim 14 , wherein the chute sections further include a stacking facilitation portion which extends from the inner side of the lower edge of the chute section for nesting into an immediately below adjacent chute section. 
   
   
       26 . The refuse chute of any one of  claims 14  to  25  wherein the baffles exhibit shock and/or sound absorbing properties