GB2384044A

GB2384044A - Chimney terminal assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2384044A
Application number: GB0300369A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen D Turner
Original assignee: Turner & Wilson Ltd
Current assignee: Turner & Wilson Ltd
Priority date: 2002-01-08
Filing date: 2003-01-08
Publication date: 2003-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-08
Also published as: GB0300369D0; GB2384044B; GB0200311D0

Abstract

A chimney structure is comprised of a chimney pot 14 having a flue liner 13 which projects upwardly from the top of the pot and which is provided with a terminal assembly 1. The assembly 1 comprises a first location component 2 which locates the assembly 1 in position on the chimney pot 14 and has an aperture through which the liner 13 projects upwardly from the first component 2. A second component is mounted on the first component 2 to cover the upper end of the flue liner 13 and to form with the first component 2 a discharge outlet for exhaust gases. The first component may comprise a plate which seats on the chimney pot 14 having means such as adjustable sprung legs 8 to engage with the interior of the pot 14. The second component is preferably spaced from the flue liner and is supported by fixed struts 5 which are pivotally mounted on a first component. A terminal assembly <I>per se</I> wherein the 1<SP>st</SP> component comprises a plate is also claimed.

Description

TERMINAL ASSEMBLY AND PROVISION THEREOF The present invention relates to the provision of terminal assemblies at the upper, discharge end of a flue liner provided for the discharge of exhaust gases from a gas fired heating appliance such as a gas boiler, gas fire or the like. The invention relates more particularly to chimney structures incorporating such assemblies, methods of providing such assemblies on chimney structures, and also to such assemblies per se.

The exhaust gases from a combustion heating appliance generally need to be discharged externally of the building in which the appliance is situated. Depending on the type of appliance and its position within the building, one possibility is for the gases to be discharged via a balanced flue. Another common practice, which is particularly applicable to domestic buildings, is to discharge the gases through an existing chimney which was constructed as part of the building. For this purpose, the existing chimney is provided with a flue liner, the upper end of which is provided with a terminal assembly to allow discharge of exhaust gases but nevertheless to reduce the possibility of rain, birds etc from entering the flue lining.

Generally an existing chimney of a building will have a chimney pot. When fitting a flue lining in an existing chimney, it is frequent practice to remove the chimney pot and provide the terminal assembly at a level more-or-less that of the base of the chimney which has been removed. However, the removal of the chimney pot may not be desirable for aesthetic or regulatory reasons.

GB-A-2 135 039 proposes a structure for a terminal assembly which is located on an existing chimney pot, with the discharge vent of the terminal assembly being located above the chimney pot.

The terminal assembly of GB-A-2 135 039 comprises a flange for location on the top of the chimney with the terminal itself being provided above the flange whereas depending therefrom is a sleeve which extends downwardly into the

chimney. The flue liner itself terminates below the top of the chimney pot and the terminal assembly is located on the liner by positioning the aforementioned sleeve over the upper end of the liner. It is stated in GB-A-2 135 039 that the terminal assembly and lining are preferably connected together before the lining is lowered down through the chimney pot into the chimney. However such a method poses disadvantages. In particular, it is difficult to measure accurately the length of liner that must be fed down the chimney. Furthermore, the working space at the base of the chimney may be limited so that it is impractical to feed a greater length than required down the chimney and simply cut off the bottom end to the required length.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above mentioned disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a chimney structure comprised of a chimney pot having a flue liner which projects upwardly from the top of the pot and which is provided with a terminal assembly for discharge of gases wherein the assembly comprises a first location component which locates the assembly in the position on the chimney pot and having an aperture through which the liner projects upwardly from the first component, and a second component mounted on the first component to cover the upper end of the flue liner, and to form with the first component a discharge outlet for an exhaust gas from the flue.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming a structure as defined in the previous paragraph, the method comprising feeding the flue liner along the chimney so that the upper end of the liner projects above the chimney pot, if necessary cutting the liner to a predetermined length above the top of the chimney pot, locating the projecting upper end of the liner through the aperture in the first location component and locating that component in position on the chimney pot, and locating a second terminal component which provides a cover for the upper end of the liner onto the first component.

In accordance with the invention, the terminal assembly includes a first location component which is located on the chimney pot and which has an aperture through which the flue lining (which leads down to the gas appliance) projects and on which the second component is mounted. This arrangement of the first and second components is such that the terminal assembly may be fitted to the upper end of the flue liner after the latter has been provided along the chimney. Furthermore because the flue liner projects through the first location component, there is no need to cut the liner to exact length before it is fed along the chimney. It is possible to feed an"overlength"of liner along the chimney and position it such that the lower end is in the required position for connection to the outlet of the gas appliance. The length of liner projecting above the top of the chimney pot may be trimmed to the required length.

The upper end of the lining may then be fed through the first component which is located in position on the chimney top. Subsequently the second component is located in position on the first component so that they together define a discharge outlet for an exhaust gas.

Thus the arrangement of the invention provides a simple and effective means for providing a terminal above the level of a chimney pot without the need for firstly fitting the terminal assembly to the liner and then feeding the liner along the chimney with the associated disadvantage of ensuring that the liner is cut to length in the first place, furthermore the discharge outlet for the flue gas is defined as a result of fitting the second component onto the first component without the need for a specially constructed vent arrangement.

Preferably the first component comprises a plate (or flange), the undersurface of which seats on the chimney pot.

Preferably also the first component is provided on its underside with means which engage the inner surface of the upper region of the chimney pot so as to locate the first component in position. These means may for example comprise springs. Conveniently the first component is provided with an adjustment member which, once the component has been seated on the chimney pot, allows the springs to be moved

radially outwardly into firm engagement with the interior of the chimney pot. Most preferably the springs comprise downwardly and outwardly inclined legs (the ends of which may be formed into a V-shaped configuration) and the adjustment means comprises a ring having an upper edge which bears against the"inner"surfaces of the legs. Means are provided for axial movement of the ring upwardly so as to provide for radial outward movement of the spring legs so that they come into engagement with the inner surface of the chimney.

Alternatively, the means (provided on the underside of the first component) which engage the inner surface of the upper region of the chimney pot may comprise rigid legs (preferably inclined downwardly and outwardly) which are associated with means for urging the legs outwardly into engagement with the inner surface of the chimney pot. Such means may for example comprise a spring ring passing through the legs and exerting a radially outwardly directed force for urging the legs into said engagement. Alternatively the means may comprise a ring which can be expanded by a screw threaded adjuster.

The second component of the terminal assembly is conveniently a cap member which is located over, but spaced from, the upper end of the flue liner. The cap member may be supported on the first component by a plurality of spaced struts (or the like) so that the peripheral edge of the cap member is above the first component. This vertical spacing between the two components provides the discharge outlet of the terminal assembly.

The struts may for example be fixed to the periphery of the cap member.

Conveniently, such struts are part of assemblies pivotally mounted on the first component and having radially inner ends which (by virtue of the pivotal movement) may be moved into engagement of the liner once the latter has been located through the aperture in the first component. Alternatively or additionally the pivotal assemblies may incorporate a spacer element which (with the pivotal assembly in its 'deployed'position) partially overlies the aperture of the first component (but vertically spaced therefrom). This facilitates trimming of the upper end of the flue

liner to ensure that the correct length projects above the first component (otherwise the pivotal assembly cannot be moved into its'deployed'position) prior to location of the second component in position.

The preferred constructions of terminal assembly as defined above for use in the first and second aspects of the invention constitute an important (third) aspect of the invention in accordance with their own right.

Therefore in accordance with this third aspect there is provided a terminal assembly for location on a chimney pot and at the upper end of a flue lining extending along the chimney, the assembly comprising: (i) a first location component having and aperture through which the flue lining will extend and further having a plate (or flange), the undersurface of which will seat on the chimney pot, the first component being provided with means which locate the first component in position on the chimney pot, and (ii) a second component for location on the first component and to form therewith a discharge outlet of an exhaust gas from the flue.

More preferred features for the terminal assembly of the third aspect of the invention are as defined above in relation to the first and second aspects.

A further, fourth, aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts comprising a length of flue liner and a terminal assembly as defined for the third aspect of the invention.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of terminal assembly in accordance with the invention;

Fig 2 illustrates the assembly of Fig 1 in position on a flue lining which extends through a chimney ; Fig 3 is a side elevation of a further embodiment of terminal assembly in accordance with the invention.

Fig 4 is a partially exploded view of a portion of the element shown in Fig 3; and

Fig 5 illustrates a clip employed in the assembly of Figs 3 and 4.

Referring to Fig 1, the illustrated terminal assembly 1 comprises a terminal location unit 2 and a cap member 3 for a flue lining 13 (see Fig 2).

Unit 2 is comprised of a generally annular plate 4 (the central aperture being referenced as 4a) on the upper surface of which are four circumferentially spaced, upstanding, plate-like brackets 5 each having an upper edge 6 which inclines upwardly in a direction radially inwardly of the plate and extending to a radially inner-most horizontal edge portion 6b. On the inclined portion 6a of the upper edge of each bracket 5 is an integral upstanding tab 7, the purpose of which will be described more fully below.

Located on the undersurface of the plate 4 are four spring legs 8 which incline downwardly and outwardly of the axis of the annular plate 4. The lower ends of the legs 8 are upwardly and outwardly turned so as to provide a generally V-shaped configuration as referenced by numeral 9. Suspended beneath the plate 4 on adjusters 9 is a ring 11 having an upper edge which bears against the"inner surfaces"of the legs 8. The adjusters 10 extend through apertures in the plate 4 and are axially moveable relative to the apertures. Such axial movement may be effected, for example, by virtue of the upper ends of the adjusters 10 being screw threaded and

being provided with a nut (not shown) which when turned effects movement of the adjusters).

Cap member 3 is essentially of dish-like configuration (and so is frustocinical in cross-section) and is provided in its"sloping"wall 3a with four circumferentially spaced slots 12 dimensioned and orientated to allow location of the tabs 7 therein.

For convenience the central region is referenced as 3b.

Reference is now made to Fig 2 which illustrates location of the terminal assembly on the upper end of a flexible flue liner 13 extending through a chimney pot 14.

To arrive at the arrangement shown in Fig 2, the flue liner 13 is firstly inserted along the length of the chimney so as to project from the upper end of the chimney pot 14. If necessary, the length of the flue liner projecting above the chimney pot 14 is then cut to the necessary predetermined length. The terminal location unit 2 is then located over the upper end of the flue lining by insertion of the latter through the central aperture 4a of the plate 4. Unit 2 is then moved downwardly so that the outer region of the under surface of plate 4 seats on the top of the chimney pot 14, as clearly illustrated in Fig 2. Adjusters 10 are now operated so as to cause ring 11 to rise vertically. This causes the upper circumferential edge 11 a of ring 11 to"ride" upwardly along the inner surfaces of the spring legs 8 and cause them to move radially outwardly so that their V-shaped lower ends come into firm engagement against the inner surface of the chimney pot 14. As a result, unit 2 is firmly located in position.

Finally the cap member 3 is positioned on the location unit 2 such that the caps 7 (on the brackets 5) of the latter pass through the slots 12 in the wall 3a of the former. Finally tabs 7 may be turned down by any suitable means so as securely to locate cap member 3 on the location unit 2.

With the cap member so located in position, the inner surfaces of its inclined walls 3a are seated on the inclined edges 6a of brackets 5 and the lower surface of central region 3b of cap member 3 is seated on the upper edge 6b of bracket 5. It will be appreciated that the length of the flue liner 13 projecting above the plate 4 should be such that the upper end of the liner 13 is below the level of the central region 3b of cap member 3. As clearly shown in Fig 2, the peripheral edge of cap member 3 is located above the plate 4. This arrangement provides for the discharge outlet of the terminal.

A further embodiment of terminal assembly will now be described with reference to Figs 3 and 4 of the drawings.

This further embodiment of terminal assembly 101 for a ribbed flue liner 113 comprises a terminal location unit 102 and a cap member 103.

Terminal location unit 102 comprises a generally annular plate 104 of shallow, inverted (as viewed in Figs 3 and 4) dish-like configuration (the central aperture being referenced as 104a) which at a radially outer region of its undersurface is intended to be seated on the upper edge of a chimney pot 105 (illustrated in chain dot lines). Unit 102 additionally comprises four equiangularly spaced depending legs 106 which are angled downwardly and radially outwardly of the annular plate 104 so as to engage against the inner surface of the chimney pot 105.

Provided on the upper surface of the generally annular plate 104 are four swivel assemblies 107 (not all illustrated in the drawings) which serve to support the cap member 103 on the terminal location unit 102 in the manner described below.

In more detail, each of the swivel assemblies 107 (which are equiangularly spaced around the plate 104) comprise a clip 108 (see also Fig 5) which at its radially inner end (as viewed in Figs 3 and 4) carries a generally L-shaped vane 109. As viewed in Figs 3 and 4 (and see also fig 5) each of the four clips 108 has a flat basal section 108a which is turned upwardly at its radially inner and outer ends. At the

outer end, the clip 108 is formed with a vertical leg 108b from which extends an inclined leg 108c projecting partly back over the basal region 108a. Legs 108 and 108c effectively form a strut for supporting cap member 103 (see below). At the radially inner end of the basal region 108a, the clip 108 is formed with a further generally vertical leg 108d (of lesser height than leg 108b) which then turns through 900 into a horizontal leg 108e on which the vane 109 is supported.

Each vane 109 is fixed on its respective clip 108 and has a vertical stem 109a (the lower end of which is attached to clip 108) and an upper horizontal leg 109b which projects beyond the free end of horizontal leg 108d of the clip 108.

Each clip 108 is pivotally supported on the plate 104 by means of a respective rivet 110 (see Fig 3). This pivotal arrangement allows each swivel assembly 107 to be moved from a position as illustrated in Fig 3 in which the free ends of horizontal leg 109b of vane 109 and horizontal leg 108e of clip 108 project over the aperture 104a of plate 104 and a further position in which they do not overlie the aperture (see also the scrap view in Fig 4).

At its upper end, each of legs 106 has an integral plate-like section 106a by means of which it is fixed to the annular plate 104 firstly by means of the aforementioned rivet 110 and secondly by means of a further rivet 111 which is located radially outwardly of rivet 110 and which passes only through the plates 104 and 106a. With the swivel assembly 107 located in the position illustrated in Fig 3, the rivet 111 is overlaid by the basal region 108a of clip 108, which region may have a shallow depression for overlying the top of the rivet and assisting location of clip 108.

Towards their lower ends, each of the legs 106 is formed with an elongate aperture 112 which extends in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the leg. A spring ring 114 (which is transversely split so as to have overlapping ends as depicted generally by reference number 114a) extends through all of the apertures 112 and serves normally to urge the lower ends of the legs 106 radially outwards.

The installation of the terminal assembly 101 will now be described.

As with the arrangement described with reference to Figs 1 and 2, the flue liner 113 is firstly inserted along the length of the chimney so as to project from the upper end of the chimney pot 105.

The terminal location unit 102 (without the cap member 103 fitted thereon) is next located in position on the chimney. For this purpose, the swivel units 107 are initially moved so that the legs 109b of the vanes 109 no longer project over the aperture 104a of the plate 104. Additionally, the lower ends of the legs 106 are pushed radially inwardly so that they can be inserted into the chimney pot 105. The unit 102 may now be pushed downwardly onto the pot 105 so that the radially outer region of the base 104 its on top of the chimney pot 105 and the unit 102 is retained in position by virtue of the lower ends of the legs 106 being urged radially outwardly (by spring ring 114) into contact with the inner surface of the chimney pot 105. It will of course be appreciated that during location of the unit 102 in position, the upper end of the flue liner 113 is able to pass through the aperture 104a by virtue of the fact that legs 109b of the vanes 109 do not overlie aperture 104a.

The upper end of the flue liner 113 may now be cut to length. As described below, a subsequent step in installation of the assembly involves moving the swivel assemblies 107 so that the legs 109b of vanes 109 project over aperture 104a in plate 104. It will therefore be appreciated that the upper end of the flue liner 113 must be trimmed to a length which is such that it projects above plate 104a but is below the undersurface of legs 109b (when the latter in the position shown in Fig 3). Thus in this respect the vanes 109 ensure that the liner 113 is trimmed to the correct length.

As indicated above, swivel assemblies 107 are now pivoted about rivet 110 so that the legs 109b of vanes 109 again project over aperture 104a. With this movement of the swivel assemblies 107, the radially inner ends of horizontal legs 108b of clips 108 are able to engage with the ribbed flue liner 113 to provide for secure location.

With the terminal location unit 102 located in position as described, the cap 103 is fitted. More particularly, the sloping sides of cap 103 sit on the legs 108c of the clips 108 and are fixed in position be means of self-tapping screws or the like. It will thus be appreciated that the legs 108b and 108c of clip 108 effectively provide a strut for supporting the cap member 103 above plate 104 so as to provide a discharge opening for flu gases.

In a modification to the illustrated arrangement, the spring ring 114 may be replaced by a'screw-actuated'ring (not illustrated). This could comprise a split ring having its ends formed with facing flanges through which a threaded adjuster member is provided. Rotation of this adjuster member would allow the ring to be increased or decreased in diameter as required so as to effect appropriate movement of the lower ends of the legs 106. In a further modification, there may be less or more than four of the swivel assemblies 107.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A chimney structure comprised of a chimney pot having a flue liner which projects upwardly from the top of the pot and which is provided with a terminal assembly for discharge of gases wherein the assembly comprises a first location component which locates the assembly in the position on the chimney pot and having an aperture through which the liner projects upwardly from the first component, and a second component mounted on the first component to cover the upper end of the flue liner, and to form with the first component a discharge outlet for an exhaust gas from the flue.
2. A structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first component comprises a plate (or flange), the undersurface of which seats on the chimney pot.
3. A structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the first component is provided on its underside with means which engage the inner surface of the upper region of the chimney pot so as to locate the first component in position.
4. A structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means comprise springs.
5. A structure as claimed in claim 4 provided with an adjustment member which allows the springs to be moved radially outwardly into firm engagement with the interior of the chimney pot.
6. A structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein the springs comprise downwardly and outwardly inclined legs and the adjustment means comprises a ring which has an upper edge which bears against the"inner"surfaces of the legs, means being provided for axial movement of the ring upwardly so as to provide for radial outward movement of the spring legs so that they come into engagement with the inner surface of the chimney.

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7. A structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means comprise legs which are associated with means for urging the legs outwardly into engagement with the inner surface of the chimney pot.
8. A structure as claimed in claim 7 wherein the means for urging the legs comprises a spring ring (preferably passing through the legs) exerting a radially outwardly directed force for urging the legs into said engagement.
9. A structure as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means for urging the legs comprises a ring which can be expanded by a screw threaded adjuster.
10. A structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the second component is a cap member which is located over, but spaced from, the upper end of the flue liner.
11. A structure as claimed in claim 10 wherein the cap member is supported on the first component by a plurality of spaced struts (or the like) so that the peripheral edge of the cap member is above the first component.
12. A structure as claimed in claim 11 wherein the struts are fixed to the periphery of the cap member.
13. A structure as claimed in claim 12 wherein the struts are part of assemblies pivotally mounted on the first component.
14. A structure as claimed in claim 13 wherein the pivotal assemblies have radially inner ends which may be moved into engagement with the liner once the latter has been located through the aperture in the first component.
15. A structure as claimed in claim 13 or 14 wherein the pivotal assemblies incorporate a spacer element which may partially overlie the aperture of the first component but vertically spaced therefrom.

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16. A method of forming a structure as defined in any one of claims 1 to 15, the method comprising feeding the flue liner along the chimney so that the upper end of the liner projects above the chimney pot, if necessary cutting the liner to a predetermined length above the top of the chimney pot, locating the projecting upper end of the liner through the aperture in the first location component and locating that component in position on the chimney pot, and locating a second terminal component which provides a cover for the upper end of the liner onto the first component.
17. A terminal assembly for location on a chimney pot and at the upper end of a flue lining extending along the chimney, the assembly comprising: (i) a first location component having and aperture through which the flue lining will extend and further having a plate (or flange), the undersurface of which will seat on the chimney pot, the first component being provided with means which locate the first component in position on the chimney pot, and (ii) a second component for location on the first component and to form therewith a discharge outlet of an exhaust gas from the flue.
18. An assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the means which locate the first component in position on the chimney pot are provided on the under surface of the plate and are adapted to engage the inner surface of the upper region of the chimney pot.
19. An assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein said means comprise springs.
20. An assembly as claimed in claim 19 provide with an adjustment member which allows the springs to be moved radially outwardly into firm engagement with the interior of the chimney pot.

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21. An assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the springs comprise downwardly and outwardly inclined legs and the adjustment means comprises a ring which has an upper edge which bears against the"inner"surfaces of the legs, means being provided for axial movement of the ring upwardly so as to provide for radial outward movement of the spring legs so that they come into engagement with the inner surface of the chimney.
22. An assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein the means which locate the first component in position on the chimney pot comprise legs which are associated with means for urging the legs outwardly into engagement with the inner surface of the chimney pot.
23. A assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein the means for urging the legs comprise a spring ring exerting a radially outwardly directed force for urging the legs into said engagement.
24. A structure as claimed in claim 22 wherein said means for urging the legs comprises a ring which can be expanded by a screw threaded adjuster.
25. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the second component is a cap member which is located over, but spaced from, the upper end of the flue liner.
26. An assembly as claimed in claim 25, wherein the cap member is supported on the first component by a plurality of spaced struts (or the like) so that the peripheral edge of the cap member is above the first component.
27. A chimney structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 1 and 2 or Figs 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

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28. A terminal assembly for location on a chimney pot and at the upper end of a flue liner extending along the chimney substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Figs 1 and 2 or Figs 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.