GB2542772A

GB2542772A - A device for cleaning a chimney flue

Info

Publication number: GB2542772A
Application number: GB1516991.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Flanagan Brendan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-09-25
Filing date: 2015-09-25
Publication date: 2017-04-05
Also published as: GB201516991D0

Abstract

A device suitable for cleaning and locating within a chimney flue comprising a brushing tool 12 with means for rotating the bristles 12 located in a housing 11, a plurality of motorised driving units 15 attached to and extending from the housing and engageable with the internal wall of the flue to move the device vertically. Optionally the driving units 15 are attached by pivotally mounted rods 17 to the housing and with the propulsion motor located within. The device may have an elongate distance adjusting means 21 attached to the housing which lies along the centre line of the chimney flue, pivotally connected at one end 22 to the drive unit and at a second end to a collar 23 located around and moveable along the member. The brush may be removeably mounted on a drive shaft 13 connected to a motor and aligned along the centre of the chimney. Optionally the device comprises a sensor (figure 2, 34), a waste collector (figure 2, 36), a vacuum source (figure 3, 43), a waste storage unit (figure 3, 44), a cable attachment point 27 and means for detecting and orientating the device in the flue. The driving units may be caterpillar tracks (figure 2, 33).

Description

A device for cleaning a chimney flue

This invention relates to a device for cleaning a chimney flue and locatable therein and, in particular, to a device for cleaning a domestic chimney flue.

Cleaning devices are known, which are used for cleaning the walls of a chimney. These chimney cleaning devices can be used manually, automatically, or by a combination of both means. U.S. Patent Publication No. US2013/0327358 A1 discloses a chimney cleaning apparatus including a soot-scraping scrubber attached to an adjustable handle. A receptacle is also attached to the handle for receiving the dislodged soot particles therein. A vacuum system can be attached to the receptacle for withdrawing the soot particles to facilitate cleanup. The apparatus can be adjusted to clean the chimney from hearth level or from roof level by switching the position of the sootscraping scrubber and the receptacle.

Although the length of a pole section of the adjustable handle of the apparatus, as described, is adjustable, there is a limit to the length of chimney that can be cleaned using the apparatus.

Furthermore, as the apparatus of US2013/0327358 is manually operated it requires more effort by the user, as the scrubber is moved further into a chimney, particularly where the chimney is being cleaned from hearth level.

German Patent Publication No. DE10204541 A1 discloses a device for automatic cleaning of chimneys, which has a motorised, rotatable telescopic rod, which moves a sweeping tool to clean the walls of a chimney from bottom to top and vice versa.

However, the cleaning device as described is limited to cleaning chimneys up to a certain length, which length is determined by the maximum extension of the telescopic rod.

Furthermore, as the telescopic rod extends up the chimney more energy is required to maintain the rotation of the telescopic rod while also cleaning the chimney. U.S. Patent Publication No. US2003/005543 A1 discloses a chimney vacuum system having an adaptor head for fluidly removing accumulated soot under vacuum from a flue or chimney. The user controls a sweeping tool to loosen debris from the chimney walls, while another user collects the debris using a vacuum.

However, the chimney vacuum system as described uses a manually operated chimney brush and requires the user to employ one or more assistants in order to clean a chimney.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the chimney cleaning devices hereinbefore described.

Thus, the invention provides a device for cleaning a chimney flue and locatable therewithin, the device comprising a housing, a brushing tool attached to one end of the housing, means for rotating the brushing tool located in the housing, a plurality of motorised driving units attached to and extending from the housing and engageable with the internal wall of the chimney flue, such that, in use, the motorised driving units move the device up and down within the chimney flue.

An advantage of the cleaning device in accordance with the invention is that the length of the chimney flue that can be cleaned is not limited by the design of the device as the device is self-contained and is not physically connected to the user, in use. A further advantage of the device in accordance with the invention is that the effort required to move the device within a chimney flue is provided by the motorised driving units rather than by the user.

Preferably, the motorised driving units are attached to and extend from the housing by means of one or more rods, with the and each rod being pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the housing and at the other end thereof to one of the motorised driving units.

An advantage of the pivotally mounted rods is that they allow some relative movement between the housing and the motorised driving units, in use. This reduces the possibility of the device becoming jammed in a chimney flue, in use.

In one embodiment of the invention, means for adjusting the distance that the and each motorised driving unit extends laterally from the housing is attached to the housing.

An advantage of the provision of an adjusting means is that the device in accordance with the invention can be adjusted to fit within chimney flues of differing internal dimensions.

Preferably, the distance adjusting means is an elongate member attached to the other end of the housing and extending perpendicularly therefrom, such that, in use, the elongate member lies along the centre line of the chimney flue, a collar locatable around the elongate member and movable therealong, and a connecting arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the collar and at the other end thereof to one of the motorised driving units.

An advantage of the distance adjusting means is that the distance is simply adjusted by moving the collar along the elongate member, which results in the motorised driving units moving closer together or further apart, depending on the direction of movement of the collar.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the motorised driving units are caterpillar tracked units.

An advantage of the use of caterpillar tracks is that the tracks will accommodate small variations in the internal surface of the chimney flue without loss of traction.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a propulsion motor for the and each motorised driving unit is located within the housing.

An advantage of locating the propulsion motor in the housing is that a single motor can power the and each motorised driving unit with a consequent saving in cost and weight.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the rotating means is a motor located in the housing, with the brushing tool being mounted on a drive shaft connected to the motor, which drive shaft extends from the end of the housing, such that, in use, the drive shaft lies along the centre line of the chimney flue.

An advantage of having the brushing tool centrally mounted on the device is that the weight of the device is evenly distributed around the brushing tool and is centralised within the chimney flue, in use.

Preferably, the brushing tool is removably mounted on the drive shaft.

An advantage of a removable brushing tool is that it can be replaced easily when it is damaged or worn out.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a sensor is mounted thereon, which sensor, in use, detects when the device is at the top of the flue.

An advantage of a sensor is that the device will detect when it has reached the top of the chimney flue rather than the user having to observe when the brushing tool has reached the top or employing an observer to so do.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a waste collecting receptacle is attachable to the other end of the housing.

An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that any debris removed from the chimney flue will be caught just below the device, in use, thus avoiding the creation of clouds of dust in the flue and/or the room into which the base of the chimney flue opens.

Preferably, a vacuum source in connectable to the waste collecting receptacle by means of a tube.

An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the waste collecting receptacle will not overflow during normal use as the waste will be emptied out by the vacuum source

Further, preferably, a waste storage unit is attachable to the vacuum source.

An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the waste can be safely stored on site without creating any dirt in the environs of the chimney flue being cleaned.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a cable attachment point is located on the device.

An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that a cable can be attached to the device, which cable may be used to retrieve the device from the flue, in the event that it gets stuck therein.

In a further embodiment of the invention, means for detecting and adjusting the orientation of the device within the flue, in use, is mounted on the device.

An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the device may be used in a flue, which includes some bends therein, which may be negotiated by directing the device using the detecting and adjusting means.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a device for cleaning a chimney flue in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the device of Fig. 1, with a waste collecting receptacle attached thereto;

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the device of Fig. 1, in use;

Fig. 4 is a side view of a collection trailer, in a collecting position, for use with the device of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a side view of a collection trailer, in an empting position, for use with the device of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is illustrated generally at 10, a device for cleaning a chimney flue in accordance with the invention. The device 10 comprises a housing 11, a brushing tool 12 mounted on a drive shaft 13 at one end 14 of the housing 11, and the drive shaft 13 is connected to means for rotating the brushing tool in the form of a motor (not shown) located in the housing 11. Three motorised driving units 15 are attached to a top plate 16 of the housing 11 by rods 17. The rods 17 are pivotally attached at one end 18 thereof to the top plate 16 and at the other end 19 to the motorised driving units 15.

Means, shown generally at 20, for adjusting the distance that the and each motorised driving unit 15 extends laterally from the housing 11 is attached to the housing. The distance adjusting means 20 consists of an elongate member 21, which is attached to the other end 22 of the housing 11 and extends perpendicularly therefrom, such that, in use, the elongate member 21 lies along the centre line of a chimney flue 30 (see Fig. 2). The distance adjusting means 20 also consists of a collar 23 locatable around the elongate member 21 and movable therealong, and a connecting arm 24 pivotally mounted at one end 25 thereof to the collar 23 and at the other end 26 thereof to one of the motorised driving units 15.

In use, as the collar 23 is moved along the elongate member 21 in the direction of the housing 11 the motorised driving units 15 will move apart laterally to accommodate a larger chimney flue. A locking mechanism 26 holds the collar 23 in a chosen position on the elongate member 21.

An eyehole 27 mounted on end 28 of the elongate member 21 is used for attaching a cable (not shown) thereto for retrieving the device 10 from the chimney flue (not shown) in the event that it gets stuck in place.

Referring to Fig. 2, the device 10 is illustrated in position within a chimney flue 30. A set of bristles 31 is fixed to the brushing tool 12.

The set of bristles 31 extends to the inner wall 32 of the chimney flue 30.

Each motorised driving unit 15 has a caterpillar track 33 attached thereto, which caterpillar tracks 33 abut the inner wall 32 of the chimney flue 30, which results in the device 10 moving up and down the chimney flue 30 as the caterpillar tracks 33 are driven. A sensor 34 is mounted on a surface 35 of the brushing tool 12. The sensor 34 detects when the device 10 has reached the top of the chimney flue 30. A waste collecting receptacle 36 is attached to the elongate member 21, which is attached to other end 22 of the housing 11. The waste collecting receptacle 36 is funnel shaped and extends almost to the inner wall 32 of the chimney flue 30. A vacuum tube 37 is attached to the waste collecting receptacle 36 at end 38 thereof. The vacuum tube 37 is connectable to a vacuum source (see Fig. 3).

Referring to Fig. 3 the device 10 is illustrated schematically in position in the chimney flue 30 and just emerging from top 40 thereof.

The vacuum tube 37 extends from the end 38 of the waste collecting receptacle 36, down through the chimney flue 30, out of a hearth 41, over a collecting drum 42 and hence to a vacuum source 43 located on a collection trailer 44, parked externally of a house 45.

In use, the device 10 is inserted into the chimney flue 30 at the hearth and the motorised driving units (not shown) are adjusted to fit the internal dimensions of the chimney flue 30 and it travels under its own power up the chimney flue 30, in the direction indicated by an arrow 46. When the device 10 reaches the top 40 of the chimney flue 30 the motorised driving units (not shown) change direction, the brushing tool 12 is engaged and sweeps the chimney flue 30 clean as the device is driven, in the direction indicated by an arrow 47, back down to the hearth 41. Any debris brushed off the chimney flue 30 will collect in the waste collecting receptacle 36 where it will be sucked away to the collection trailer 44.

Referring to Fig. 4 the collection trailer 44 is illustrated in a collecting position. The collecting trailer 44 consists of a container 50 mounted on a flat bed trailer chassis 51. The vacuum tube 37 is wound onto a trailer drum 52, which is mounted on end 53 of the container 50. The vacuum tube 37 is connected to the vacuum source 43, which is mounted on roof 54 of the container 50.

Referring to Fig, 5 the collection trailer 44 is illustrated in an emptying position. The container 50 has been tipped up by a hydraulic ram 55, a tailgate 58 has been opened allowing any debris present in the container 50 to be emptied out.

Claims

Claims: -

1. A device for cleaning a chimney flue and locatable therewithin, the device comprising a housing, a brushing tool attached to one end of the housing, means for rotating the brushing tool located in the housing, a plurality of motorised driving units attached to and extending from the housing and engageable with the internal wall of the chimney flue, such that, in use, the motorised driving units move the device up and down within the chimney flue.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the motorised driving units are attached to and extend from the housing by means of one or more rods, with the and each rod being pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the housing and at the other end thereof to one of the motorised driving units.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein means for adjusting the distance that the and each motorised driving unit extends laterally from the housing is attached to the housing.

4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the distance adjusting means is an elongate member attached to the other end of the housing and extending perpendicularly therefrom, such that, in use, the elongate member lies along the centre line of the chimney flue, a collar locatable around the elongate member and movable therealong, and a connecting arm pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the collar and at the other end thereof to one of the motorised driving units.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the motorised driving units are caterpillar tracked units.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein a propulsion motor for the and each motorised driving unit is located within the housing.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the rotating means is a motor located in the housing, with the brushing tool being mounted on a drive shaft connected to the motor, which drive shaft extends from the end of the housing, such that, in use, the drive shaft lies along the centre line of the chimney flue.

8. A device according to Claim 7, wherein the brushing tool is removably mounted on the drive shaft.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein a sensor is mounted thereon, which sensor, in use, detects when the device is at the top of the flue.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein a waste collecting receptacle is attachable to the other end of the housing.

11. A device according to Claim 10, wherein a vacuum source in connectable to the waste collecting receptacle by means of a tube.

12. A device according to Claim 11, wherein a waste storage unit is attachable to the vacuum source.

13. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein a cable attachment point is located on the device.

14. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein means for detecting and adjusting the orientation of the device within the flue, in use, is mounted on the device.

15. A device according to Claim 1 for cleaning a chimney flue and locatable therewithin, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.