Folding Flue

Abstract

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.