Retractable Hideaway Chimney Damper Cap

Abstract

An apparatus for a damper cap for a chimney flue includes a top plate having dimensions conforming to a top of the chimney flue. A bird and animal screen is joined to and extends from a bottom of the top plate. The screen has dimensions for insertion into the chimney flue. A rod joined to a center of the top plate extends downward into the chimney flue. A support structure including a second plate having dimensions conforming to the shape and thickness of the chimney flue is secured to an top of the chimney flue. A mechanism is joined to the support structure and the rod for moving the rod in a vertical direction. In an open position the top plate is above the chimney flue to allow smoke to exit and the screen restricts birds and animals from entering. In a closed position the top plate is proximate the chimney flue restricting airflow into and out of the chimney flue and the apparatus is retracted into the flue.

1 . An apparatus for a damper cap for a chimney flue, the apparatus comprising: a top plate being configured with dimensions conforming with a top opening of the chimney flue; a bird and animal screen joined to and extending from a bottom surface of said top plate, said bird and animal screen being configured with dimensions suitable for insertion into the top opening of the chimney flue; a rod joined to a center of said top plate for extending downward into the chimney flue; a support structure configured to be secured to the uppermost part of the chimney flue, said support structure constraining horizontal movement of said rod; and a mechanism joined to said support structure and said rod for moving said rod in a vertical direction, where, in an upward open position, said top plate is at a sufficient distance above the top opening of the chimney flue to allow smoke to exit the chimney flue and said bird and animal screen extends downward to at least the top opening of the chimney flue substantially restricting birds and animals from entering the chimney flue, and where, in an downward closed position, said top plate is proximate the top opening of the chimney flue substantially restricting airflow in and out of the flue by means of a gasket profile secured to the perimeter of top plate and the apparatus is substantially retracted within the flue. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said mechanism further comprises at least one pulley and a cable in engagement with said pulley, said cable being joined to a distal end of said rod and extending downward through the chimney flue to a firebox where, when said cable is pulled, said rod is raised to said upward open position, and, when said cable is released, said rod is lowered to said downward closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a bracket positioned within the firebox for securing said cable when said rod is in said upward open position. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a cable retainer for retaining said cable in a groove of said at least one pulley and allowing said at least one pulley to freely rotate. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing flange joined to the top opening of the chimney flue, said sealing flange comprising an opening dimensioned to receive said bird and animal screen where, when said rod is in said downward closed position, said top plate rests on a top of said sealing flange. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising a gasket adhered to perimeter said sealing flange and said top plate to provide a seal in said downward closed position. Said gasket profile obscures metallic look of perimeter of sealing flange when in said downward closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising a cap stop angle joined to a distal end of said rod, when said rod is in said upward open position, said cap stop angle contacts a lower surface of said holding apparatus and prevents further upward movement. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said support structure further comprises a U shaped bracket connected to tabs on two adjacent sides of said sealing flange recited in  claim 5 , and said U shaped bracket is configured to allow bird and animal screen to retract to closed position. Bottom of said U bracket has holes in perspective positions to allow through cable to move said pulley recited in  claim 2  to be held in proper position to move said top plate recited in  claim 1  to move up up and down. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said support structure further comprises a bracket comprised in such a way as to hold said pulley recited in  claim 2  in proper place subsequently preventing said cable from jumping off pulley. The proper placement of said pulley close to tabs on top and right of side of said bracket further prevents cable from jumping off pulley. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said support structure further comprises a rod guide for constraining horizontal movement of said rod. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for a damper cap for a chimney flue, the apparatus comprising: means for damping the chimney; means for restricting birds and animals from entering the chimney flue; means for supporting the apparatus in the chimney flue; and means for moving said damping means and said restricting means to an open position for allowing smoke to exit the chimney flue and substantially restricting birds and animals from entering the chimney flue, and to a closed position for substantially restricting airflow into the chimney flue where the apparatus is substantially retracted within the chimney flue. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising means for operating said moving means from a firebox. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising means for sealing said damping means to the chimney flue. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for a damper cap for a chimney flue, the apparatus comprising: a top plate being configured with dimensions conforming with a top opening of the chimney flue; a bird and animal screen joined to and extending from a bottom surface of said top plate, said bird and animal screen being configured with dimensions suitable for insertion into the top opening; a sealing flange joined to the top opening of the chimney flue, said sealing flange being configured with an opening dimensioned to receive said bird and animal screen; a rod joined to a center of said top plate for extending downward into the chimney flue; a support structure, holding rod and pulley in position, said support structure constraining horizontal movement of said rod; and a mechanism joined to said support structure and said rod for moving said rod in a vertical direction, said mechanism comprising at least one pulley and a cable in engagement with said pulley, said cable being joined to a stop bracket attached to distal end of said rod and said cable extending downward through the chimney flue to a firebox where, when said cable is pulled, said rod is raised to an upward open position where said stop bracket contacts a lower surface of said U bracket and said top plate is at a sufficient distance above the top opening of the chimney flue to allow smoke to exit the chimney flue and said bird and animal screen substantially restricts birds and animals from entering the chimney flue, and, when said cable is released, said rod is lowered to a downward closed position where said top plate rests on a top of said sealing flange substantially restricting airflow into the chimney flue and the apparatus is substantially retracted within the flue, whereby said top plate and bird and animal screen can be raised easily under severe weather conditions and when retracted said bird and animal screen is hidden from view. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a angle bracket positioned within the firebox for securing said cable when said rod is in said upward open position. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising cable retainer tabs as part of said support structure for retaining said cable in a groove of said at least one pulley and allowing said at least one pulley to freely rotate. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a gasket disposed between said sealing flange and said top plate to provide a seal in said downward closed position including an outer tab obscuring outer edge of said sealing flange. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said support structure further comprises a U shaped bracket attached to protruding tabs on adjacent sides of flange collar allowing bird and animal screen to be retracted inside flue. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said top plate is guided to correct closed position by attached all-thread rod further comprising with an acorn nut on lower end. Said acorn nut when contacting hole in top of support structure cited in  claim 14  positions said top plate in correct closed position allowing gasket recited in  claim 17  to function 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said support structure further comprises a rod guide for constraining horizontal movement of said rod.