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 is secured to an interior 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 at least two sides of an interior surface 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 into the chimney flue 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 hook 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 disposed between said sealing flange and said top plate to provide a seal in said downward closed position. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising a cap stop angle joined to a distal edge of said bird and animal screen where, when said rod is in said upward open position, said cap stop angle contacts a lower surface of said sealing flange. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said support structure further comprises at least two lower arms, each of said lower arms comprising an engaging end configured for engaging said interior surface of the chimney flue, a lower pivot point and an upper pivot end, said lower arms joined at said lower pivot point for rotation about said pivot point; and at least two upper arms, each of said upper arms comprising a lower pivot end pivotally joined to one of said lower arms upper pivot end and a pivoting end, each of said pivoting ends pivotally joined to said at least one pulley where, when a downward force is applied to said pivoting ends, said engaging ends move outward engaging said interior surface of the chimney flue and thus securing the apparatus. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said support structure further comprises flue cleats joined to said engaging ends for providing addition friction on said interior surface of the chimney flue. 
   
   
       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 cap stop angle joined to a distal edge of said bird and animal screen;   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 configured to be secured to at least two sides of an interior surface 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, said mechanism comprising 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 an upward open position where said cap stop angle contacts a lower surface of said sealing flange 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 hook 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 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. 
   
   
       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. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said support structure further comprises at least two lower arms, each of said lower arms comprising an engaging end configured for engaging said interior surface of the chimney flue, a lower pivot point and an upper pivot end, said lower arms joined at said lower pivot point for rotation about said pivot point; and at least two upper arms, each of said upper arms comprising a lower pivot end pivotally joined to a one of said lower arms upper pivot end and a pivoting end, each of said pivoting ends pivotally joined to said at least one pulley where, when a downward force is applied to said pivoting ends, said engaging ends move outward engaging said interior surface of the chimney flue and thus securing the apparatus. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said support structure further comprises flue cleats joined to said engaging ends for providing addition friction on said interior surface of the chimney flue. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said support structure further comprises a rod guide for constraining horizontal movement of said rod.