US2708019A

US2708019A - Package clothes chute construction

Info

Publication number: US2708019A
Application number: US119615A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ernest F Kluegel; Joseph E Kluegel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-10-05
Filing date: 1949-10-05
Publication date: 1955-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 1972-05-10

Description

May 10, E955 E. F. KLUEGEL ET AL PACKAGE CLOTHES CHUTE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5. 1949 3 rwem tm ill I! I'll III:

w 5 m Km 0 F H. Y m e 0 United States Patent PACKAGE CLOTHES CHUTE CONSTRUCTION Ernest F. Kluegel and Joseph E. Kluegel, St. PaulyMinn. Application October 5, 1949, Serial No. 119,615

Claims. (Cl. 193-34) The present invention relates to an improvement in package clothes chutes wherein it is desired to provide a prefabricated clothes chute which may be built into a house or apartment during the formation thereof.

Most homes and many apartments are provided with clothes chutes through which soiled clothing may be inserted to drop to a laundry located on a lower floor. Most of these clothes chutes are custom built to fit the individual installation. While the building is being constructed-the builder engages a sheet metal worker to build a chute of proper size and length to fit the installation.

The present invention resides in the provision of a clothes chute which may be sold as a complete unit and purchased in sections so that the length of the chute may be varied. The chute is designed to fit between a pair of wall forming studs before the wall is completed. The vertical portion of the chute is contained entirely between the studs so that it will not interfere with the wall construction. A sleeve is provided at the top of the chute exending laterally from the upper section of the chute. This sleeve is supported to project outwardly from the remainder of the chute beyond the stud between which the chute is mounted. As a result this sleeve may extend substantially to the surface of the finished wall after plaster or a suitable wall board has been applied thereto.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a chute which is formed in sections and thus may be variable in length. The upper section of the chute includes the laterally projecting sleeve and the mounting for the chute door. The remaining chute sections may be similar in form and may extend downwardly from the top section to the desired extent. As a result the chutes and sections may be similarly constructed and accordingly may be produced in quantities at a considerable saving in price.

A feature of the present invention lies in the manner in which the chute is supported. The upper section of the chute containing the door sleeve is detachably connected to an angular cross member of sufficient length to cross the studs between which the chute is mounted. This cross member interlocks with the chute and acts as a support therefor. A second cross member extends between the spaced studs along the upper portion of the chute top section to hold the top of this section from outward movement. This cross member is also connected to the studs. The lower chute sections may be suspended directly from the uppermost chute and are arranged in interlocking relation thereto.

- An added feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a preformed chute having a laterally projecting sleeve and in providing a door having a marginal frame including a sleeve which is of proper size to telescope into the forwardly projecting sleeve of the upper chute section. The door frame is secured to the upper chute section when in proper position with the door frame engaging against the outer surface of the wall.

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present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification? Figure 1 is a cross sectional view through a wall adjacent to the chute showing the general arrangement of the parts.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the upper chute section supported between a pair of studs before the wall surface has been applied.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the upper chute section.

Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the door section.

Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of the door section;

Figure 6 is a sectional view through the assembled chute, the section being taken on a vertical plane through the chute.

Figure 7 is a transverse section through the chute the section being taken on a horizontal plane.

The chute A is designed to be mounted between a pair of vertically extending partition forming studs 10. The body of the chute is within the wall, lying between the opposite surfaces thereof as indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings. In Figure 1 the studs 10 are shown as having a foundation material 11 secured to the studs for supporting a surface material 12 thereupon. The mounting material 11 may be in the form of laths or the like and the surface material may be plaster or similar material. Similarly the wall may be surfaced with composite board, wall board, or other materials. The opposite surfaces of the studs 10 are likewise covered by a foundation material 13 and a surfacing material 14. The material 14 is usually plaster or plaster board but may be other suitable material.

The chute A includes an upper chute section 15, a door section 16 and one or more lengths of chute such as 17. The lengths of chute 17 are usually similar in form and come in standard lengths so that a chute of thedesired length may be built up from a series of shorter lengths;

The upper chute section is formed as best illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 6, and 7 of the drawings. This upper section 15 includes a back panel 19, a pair-of

parallel side panels

20 and 21, and a front panel formed of several individual parts. The lowerportion'of-the front panel is indicated at 22. The upper portion of the front panel is indicated by the numeral 23. As shown in Figure 3 of the drawings the front panel also includes

side strips

24 and 25 which are connected to

thefront panel portions

22 and 23 by

rivets

26 and 27, respectively.

As illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings the rearpanel 19 is bent along

vertical corners

29 and 30 to form the

side wall panels

20 and 21. These

side walls

20 and 21 are provided at their forward edges with outturned-

flanges

31 and 32. The

side strips

24 and 25 forming a part of the front panel are bent to provide inturned

flanges

33 and 34 which enclose the out-turned

flanges

32 and 31. Thus the

strips

24 and 25 are firmly connected to the

side wall

20 and 21.

The

front panel strips

24 and 25 are provided with forwardly extending parallel flanges 35 and 36 which extend forwardly and are then folded rearwardly to form a reinforcing flange. The flange 35 is provided with a reinforcing flange 37 while the flange 36 is provided with an integral reinforcing flange 39. This structure presents a forwardly extending flange which has a rounded edge at its outermost extremity.

The front panel portion 22 is provided along its upper edge with a forwardly projecting flange 40. This flange 40 is bent to provide a spaced flange41 parallel to the flange 40. The flange 40 is co-extensive with the forwardly projeeting flanges and 36 so as to form three sides of a forwardly projecting sleeve.

The fourth side of the forwardly projecting sleeve is formed by thetop panel. 42. This top panel projects forwardly to the plane of the folded edges of the

flanges

35, 36 and 40 and is bent rearwardly to provide a flange 43 in spaced parallel relation to the top panel 42. The flange 30 is bent over the forwardly extending flange 44 on the lower edge of the front panel portion 23.

The top panel 42 is provided with down-turned marginal edges 45 extending along three sides thereof. The upper ends of the rear wall 19 and of the

side walls

26 and 21 are oif-set inwardly to some extent as indicated at 46. The upper extremities 9f these walls are bent upon themselves to form a downwardly extending reinforcing flange .46 which terminates in an, upwardly extending flange 47 enclosing the down-turned flange 45 of the top panel. The end of the flange 47 may be bent over the top panel 42 as indicated at 49. The rear panel and sidewall panels are similarly connected to the top panel so as to provide a smooth inner surface in the upper chute section.

The rectangularly arranged forwardly projecting sleeve on the upper chute section is indicated in Figure 3 of the drawings, the exposed portions of the flanges being indicated at 37, 39, 41, and 43. ing flange is of proper length to extend substantially through the wall including the foundation material 13 and the surfacing material 14. In usual form the plaster surface 14 extends directly up to the forwardly projecting sleeve so as to leave exposed only the rectangular opening with a metallic lining.

The upper chute section 15 is connected to the studs 10 as best illustrated in Figures 2 and 6 of the drawings. An angle strip 50 is composed .of two right angularly extendinghflanges 51 and 52. The flange 51 rests flush against the outer surfaces of the studs 10 and is secured thereto by nails or screws 53. The horizontally extending flange 54 of the angle strip 50 extends between the forwardly extending flange 40 and its spaced reinforcing flange 41. Thus the angle strip 50 holds the upper chute section from movement in any direction.

A transversely extending channel strip 55 also assists in holding the chute to the studs 10. The chute 55 ex tends forwardly of the front panel member 23 and has a vertical flange 56 which lies forwardly of the member 23 and a connected shorter parallel flange 57 which extends rearwardly of the panel forming member 23. In other words, the channel strip 56 encloses the upper edge of the panel forming member, 23 and prevents the chute from moving forwardly or rearwardly "at its upper end. Nails or screws 59 form a means of attaching the channel strip 55 to the studs 10.

The rear panel 19, the

side wall panels

20 and 21, and the front panel member 22 are rectangularly arranged at their lower edges. inwardly as indicated in Figure 6 of the drawings at 60. All of the walls are similarly constructed, but only the front and back walls are shown in section. As shown in Figure 6 the lower end of the rear wall 19 is bent upwardly upon itself as indicated at 61 and is provided with an outwardly and downwardly inclined flange 62 which terminates in an upwardly directed hook flange 63. Similarly the front wall 22 is folded at its lower end to provide an upwardly extending flange 64 which is bent at 65 to provide a downwardly and outwardly inclined flange 66 which terminates in an upwardly directed hook flange 67.

The upper end of each chute section 17 is rectangular in shape and is of proper dimensions to fit outwardly of the up-turned flanges attached to the lower edges of the top section 15 and inwardly of the upwardly directed hook flanges. In other words rear and

front walls

69 and 70 of the chute section 17 extend outwardly of the

flanges

61 and 64 respectively and inwardly of the

hook flanges

63 and 67 respectively. The side walls 71 of the chute This forwardly project- 1 Each of these wall panels is off-set ell) ' tween the hook flange 63 and the downwardly and outwardly inclined flange 62. A similar finger 72 is engaged between the hook flange 67 and the downwardly and outwardly inclined flange 66. As the chute section 17 is inserted upwardly into telescoping relation with the chute '1 section 15, the fingers 72 flex inwardly slightly and the

flanges

62 and 66 flex outwardly to some extent until the fingers 62 are above the level of the hook flanges. A downward force upon the chute section 17 will then cause engagement between the fingers 72 and the various hook flanges to hold the parts assembled.

Numerous chute sections 17 may be provided below the top section 15. Each chute section 17 is formed at one end with fingers such as 72 projecting outwardly therefrom. At the other end of each chute section we provide a structure similar to that at the lower end of the upper section 15. In other words, the joint illustrated at the lower end of Figure 6 is duplicated between each adjoining pair of chute sections 17.

The structure thus described is anchored to the spaced partition forming studs and the wall surfacing material is applied as indicated in Figurel of the drawings. A projecting sleeve lines the aperture in the wall and extends at least flush with the wall surface. The door section 16 is next applied as indicated in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings.

The door section 16 includes a generally rectangular frame 74 of metal or other suitable material. The frame 74 is provided with a central aperture 75 which is encircled by an off-set 76 designed to extend toward the top chute section 15. The frame 74 is connected with a marginal flange 77 by means of an off-set 79. The flange 77 is designed to engage against the outer surface of the wall surfacing material 14 and the off-set 79 may accommodate for varying thicknesses of Walls.

A rectangular door 80 is provided with a marginal strengthening flange 85. The door 80 is of somewhat larger outside dimensions than the opening 75 and is dcsigned to rest against the rear surface of the door frame 74 adjacent to the aperture 75. As indicated in Figures 5 and 6, a pair of ears 86 are struck from the door panel 80 near its upper extremity and are bent into parallel relation at right angles to the door panel 80. A rectangular frame 87 is provided with a right angular flange 89 weldcd or otherwise secured to the rear surface of the frame 74. A pair of cars 90 are struck downwardly from the upper end of the rectangular frame 87 to lie in parallel relationship outwardly of the cars 86. A pivot shaft 91 extends through the cars 90 and through the ears 86 to pivot ally attach the door to the frame 74. A spring 92 encircles the pivot 91 and urges the door panel 80 against the frame 74.

It will be noted that the rectangular frame 87 of the door unit 16 is of slightly smaller dimensions than the forwardly projecting flange of the upper chute section 15. As shown in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, this rectangular frame 87 is inserted into the forwardly projecting rectangular frame on th upper chute section and remains in telescoping relation thereto. A series of spaced apertures 93 are provided in the rectangular frame 87 and are designed to accommodate metal screws which may cxtendin to the frame on the upper section 15. Thus once the door section is telcscoped into the upper chute section it may be fastened in place by suitable metal screws or the like.

As walls areusually formed'with partitionstuds formed of two by fours, and as these studs are usually placed at least a minimum distance apart, it is possible to construct a clothes chute which may be used in almost any house or building. Similarly it is possible to provide a clothes chute including a top section, a pair of strips for supporting the top section to the studs, a door section for one or more chute sections of similar construction depending from the top section. The chutes may be produced in volume, thereby considerably reducing the normal cost of production of such an item. In ordering a chute it is only necessary to specify the number of lengths of chute which are required to produce a clothes chute of proper length in order to purchase a chute ready for installation. This arrangement is highly advantageous over the usual method of building a chute to fit each individual installation and permits the chute to be installed at lower cost and with less difliculty.

In accordance with the patent statutes, we have described the principles of construction and operation of our clothes chute construction, and while we have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, we desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of our invention.

We claim:

1. A clothes chute section comprising top, back, side and front panels, said top panel projecting forwardly beyond the general plane of said front panel to form a sleeve portion, said side panels each having an outturned flange, a side strip reversely folded about each outturned flange and having flanges projecting forwardly to form second and third sleeve portions, said front panel terminating at a spaced location beneath said top panel and provided with a forwardly projecting flange to form a fourth sleeve portion, said sleeve portions all cooperating to form a complete sleeve designed to extend through the wall of the building in which said chute section is to be installed, and a door section telescopically received in said complete sleeve.

2. A clothes chute section including top and front panels, an angle member having horizontal and vertical flanges, a margin of said top panel being reversely folded about said horizontal flange, a transverse strip member of greater length than the width of said top panel to form laterally extending anchoring means for the chute section,

a portion of said strip element being reversely folded about the upper edge of said vertical flange, a second angle member having vertical and horizontal flanges, said vertical flange being of a greater length than the Width of said front panel to form additional anchoring means for the chute section, the upper margin of said front panel being reversely folded about the horizontal flange of said second angle member.

3. A clothes chute including an upper chute section having rectangularly arranged wall panels and a top panel, a rectangular sleeve extending forwardly from one of said wall panels, an angular supporting member extending transversely of said sleeve beneath the same, interlocking means on said chute section embracing portions of said supporting member and holding the same from relative movement other than longitudinally of said supporting member, and a second supporting member extending transversely across said section above said sleeve.

4. The structure defined in claim 3 and in which the second supporting member and said chute section include interlocking portions capable of holding said section from forward or rearward movement relative to said second supporting member.

5. The structure defined in claim 3 and including an upwardly extending flange on said chute section, and in which the second supporting member is folded to enclose a portion of said upwardly extending flange.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 177,729 Loring May 23, 1876 1,036,662 Triggs Aug. 13, 1912 1,071,535 Townshend Aug. 26, 1913 1,413,843 Finstad Apr. 25, 1922 1,536,642 Wall May 5, 1925 1,789,123 Triggs Jan. 13, 1931 1,877,234 Gallagher Sept. 13, 1932 1,968,007 Willey July 24, 1934 2,299,896 Harper Oct. 27, 1942 2,491,700 Zwerling Dec. 20, 1949 OTHER REFERENCES Montgomery-Ward Catalogue, Fall-Winter, 1946-47 (page 934 relied on).