Chimney Sleeve

Abstract

A method and apparatus for venting around a chimney termination point. The invention includes a chimney sleeve having a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, both the first opening and the second opening capable of fitting a vertical chimney pipe with a clearance. The sleeve can be fitted with a support collar and various other attachments, including a screen extension and rain cover. The gasses heated by the chimney pipe may vent through the sleeve. The sleeve also serves to force a clearance around the chimney pipe, which prolongs the realized lifespan of the chimney pipe and further helps prevent fires.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A chimney sleeve apparatus, comprising:
 a sleeve having a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, both the first opening and the second opening configured to fit around a vertical chimney pipe with a clearance; and   a vertical support collar operably attached to the sleeve and extending from the sleeve, wherein the clearance allows for venting of heated gases between the sleeve and the chimney pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The chimney sleeve apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the clearance is at least 1 inch. 
     
     
         3 . The chimney sleeve apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the clearance is at least 2 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The chimney sleeve apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical support collar has at least a two-inch ledge around a circumference of the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The chimney sleeve apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the vertical support collar comprises a series of supporting folds operably incorporated into edges of the vertical support collar. 
     
     
         6 . The chimney sleeve apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a screen extension operably connected to the sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . The chimney sleeve apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the screen extension provides at least two inches of extension above the sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . The chimney sleeve apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a rain collar operably placed over the screen extension. 
     
     
         9 . The chimney sleeve apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the rain collar is configured to fit around the vertical chimney pipe and extend outward to cover the screen extension while maintaining a gap for venting between a lower edge of the rain collar and an upper edge of the screen extension. 
     
     
         10 . A method of venting air around a chimney termination point, comprising:
 placing a chimney sleeve around the chimney termination point, the chimney sleeve having a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening; and   positioning a chimney pipe through the chimney sleeve, wherein the chimney sleeve provides a clearance around the chimney pipe through the termination point, allowing for venting of heated gases between the chimney sleeve and the chimney pipe.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising attaching a vertical support collar to the chimney sleeve, wherein the vertical support collar extends outwardly from the chimney sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the vertical support collar comprises a series of supporting folds operably incorporated into edges of the vertical support collar. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising connecting a screen extension to the chimney sleeve, wherein the screen extension extends above the chimney sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the screen extension provides at least two inches of extension above the chimney sleeve. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising placing a rain collar over the screen extension, wherein the rain collar is configured to fit around the chimney pipe and extend outward to cover the screen extension while maintaining a gap for venting between a lower edge of the rain collar and an upper edge of the screen extension. 
     
     
         16 . A chase pan assembly, comprising:
 a chase pan having a central opening; and   a sleeve collar extending vertically from the central opening of the chase pan, the sleeve collar configured to fit around a chimney pipe with a clearance,   wherein the clearance allows for venting of heated gases between the sleeve collar and the chimney pipe.   
     
     
         17 . The chase pan assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising a screen extension operably connected to the sleeve collar, wherein the screen extension extends vertically above the sleeve collar to allow venting of the heated gases while preventing debris entry. 
     
     
         18 . The chase pan assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the screen extension provides at least two inches of vertical extension above the sleeve collar. 
     
     
         19 . The chase pan assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a rain collar operably placed over the screen extension, wherein the rain collar is configured to fit around the chimney pipe and extend outward to cover the screen extension. 
     
     
         20 . The chase pan assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the rain collar maintains a gap of at least two inches between a lower edge of the rain collar and an upper edge of the screen extension to allow venting of the heated gases.