US1392202A

US1392202A - Flue-cleaner

Info

Publication number: US1392202A
Application number: US368924A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nechville Wencil
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1920-03-26
Filing date: 1920-03-26
Publication date: 1921-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 1938-09-27

Description

W. NECHVILLE.

FLUE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25, 1920.

Patented Sept. 27,1921.

Mn w My 8 WITNESSES A TTORNEYS PATENT OFFICE.

WENCIL' NECHVILLE, OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.

ELITE-CLEANER.

Specification of Letters Patent}. Patented Sept. 27, 1921 Application filed Marches, 1920. Serial No. 368,924.

1 '0 (iii whom it may concern:

Be'it known that I, lVnNoIL NEOHVILLE', a citizen of the United States, and a resident ofCedar Rapids, in the county of Linn and State of Iowa, have invented a new and Improved Flue-Cleaner, of which the following iis'a full, clear, and exact description.

Mypresent invention aims to provide a simple and efiicient flue cleaner which shall operate in such a manner as to automatically conform to varying widths of flues so that upon a cleaner embodying my improved construction being moved through the flue the latter will be efiiciently cleaned.

A further object of my invention is the construction of a device of the character stated in which those portionsof the device subject to wear may readily be renewed or substituted if this is desired.-

Further objects ofmy invention will appear in the annexed specification taken in connection with the drawings which latter illustrate one practical embodiment of my invention, and in which;

Figure 1 is a side view of a flue cleaner embodying my improved construction and showing the parts of the same in their normal or closed position.

Fig. 2 is a face view thereof, and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing the position which the parts assume when the device is being used.

To move the cleaner through the flue I may employ any suitable means permitting of the attachment of a cable or a rod therevto, but in the embodiment illustrated a handle 5 is shown by means of which a cable may be associated therewith, it being noted that this handle includes a bowed piece of material between the ends of which a pin 6 extends.

The pin 6 also forms a pivot for the arms 7 the upper ends of which are attached thereto. It is to be noted that these arms are preferably bowedadjacent thelr points of attachment to each other so that the major portions of their bodies are well spaced, and further I preferably turn the side edges of each of these arms inwardly to provide flanges 8 whereby a greater rigidity is imparted thereto.

Now with a view of providing means which will serveto swing the free ends of the arms away from each other it will be noted in Fig. 1 that a pair of links are preferably employed, which links have their outer ends secured one'to each of the inner faces ofthe arms 7 as at 10, a loop 11 encirclingthe inner ends of these links where= by to movably secure them one to the other thusxforming a toggle. F urther' a spring 12 has one of its ends secured to the loop member 11" and its opposite end may conveniently engage the pin 6. Thus due to the fact that the arms 7 are spaced the links 9* must necessarily. diverge with respect to each other, so that the spring 12 will be constantly exerting a tendency to straighten the toggle formed by the links 9, and consequentl as inf ig. 3 at all times exists.

To' now provide means adapted to exert as'crapin'g'or cleaning action it will be seen inthe' embodiment illustrated that I have shown cleaning members in the nature of combs includingteeth 13. These combs'are provided with reduced body portions which are of such a width as to be capable of overlying and snugly fitting the ends of the arms 7 when in applied position. To retain these contact members in this position I utilize spring strips 15, the upper ends of which are secured one to each of the arms 7 the lower ends thereof being free and bent inwardly so that they normally extend through openings 17 in the body portion of the contact or combing members, as well as through openings in the arms 7 thus retaining these elements fixed with respect to each other.

Finally it will be noted, reference being had to Figs. 1 and 8 that a latch is provided; This latch includes two major parts, one of which is associated with each of the legs 7 and adjacent the outer ends thereof. Thus a striker 18 formed with an inclined forward edge is provided the body of the striker having an opening through which the end of the latch 20 may project, it being noted that I preferably associate stops 21 for the latter member which is pivotally secured to the second leg.

Thus it will be seen primarily that the contact members comprising the combs may readily be detached from or associated with the legs of the member by means of the improved construction provided. Further the device may be rigidly carried with the latch parts engaged as at Fig. 1 and may be inserted in this manner into the flue to be cleaned. The latch may now be opened either by jerking the device by means of the a tendency for the arms 7 to spread cable to which it is associated, or by any other suitable expedient, and it will be appreciated that. upon the device being drawn through the flue that by virtue of the spring and toggle construction that the contact members will press intimately against the faces of the flue thus thoroughly cleaning the same.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that all of the objects set forth in the preamble of this specification have been accomplished, and it will further be appreciated that numerous modifications of structure might readily be resorted to without in the least departing from the scope of my claims.

hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows 1. A fine cleaner, including a pair of arms hingedly secured together adjacent one of their vends, a pair of yoke links pivotally secured together at one of their ends'and being pivotally attached to the inner faces of said arms, and a spring extending between the point of pivotal connection of said yoke links one to the other, and having its opposite end secured to said arms at their point of hinged connection, one with the other, and fine cleaning means secured to the outer ends of said arms.

2. A flue cleaner, including a pair of arms hingedly secured together adjacent one of their ends, means for expanding said arms, flue contacting means each including a body portion, means adapted to engage the flue adjacent one of the ends of said body portion, the body portions of said flue contacting means being adapted to be secured to said arms adjacent their ends, and to form a continuation of the same, a latch and a striker being secured one to each of the arms and to the inner faces thereof, and being adapted to cooperate to retain the arms in contracted position.

3. A flue cleaner, including a pair of arms hingedly secured together adjacent one of their ends, means for expanding said arms, flue contacting means each including a body portion and means adapted to engage the flue adjacent one of the ends of said body portion, the body portions of said flue contacting means being each provided with an opening, a springsecured to the exterior face of each of said arms, and terminating in an inwardly extending lower end portion adapted to project through the opening in the body portion, and fine contacting means for retaining the latter in applied osition.

WENCIL NEGHV LLE.