US3409002A

US3409002A - Fireplace ash removal and disposal device

Info

Publication number: US3409002A
Application number: US632429A
Authority: US
Inventors: Willie Vackar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1967-04-20
Filing date: 1967-04-20
Publication date: 1968-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 1985-11-05

Description

NOV. 5, 1968` Wl VACKAR 3,409,002

FIREPLACE ASH REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL DEVICE Filed April 20, 1967 BY #agde/n Praz/e@ United States Patent Omce 3,409,002 Patented Nov. 5, 1968 3,409,002 FIREPLACE ASH REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL DEVICE Willie Vackar, 904 Longley, Houston, Tex.

Filed Apr. 20, 1967, Ser. No. 632,429 6 Claims. (Cl. 126-420) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A double wall fireplace with an outer chimney containing a central fiue with the inlet end of a suction duct opening into the ash area of the fireplace and the exhaust end of the duct opening into the disposal space bounded on the inside by the inner fireplace wall and the central liuc, respectively, and on the outside by the outer fireplace wall and the chimney.

Background of the invention Summary of the invention The apparatus of the present invention comprises a fireplace of double wall construction. This includes an inner firebox in -which fuel, such as logs, is burned and which is connected to a central ue extending upwardly through a chimney for conducting smoke fumes from the firebox to the atmosphere. An outer chimney surrounds the central flue and rests on an outer fireplace. The space formed between the outer fireplace wall that extends around three sides of the ffirebox walls and the firebox as well as the space between the chimney and central flue is used to dispose of the ashes accumulated in the fireplace. -The ashes are drawn into the inlet of a suction duct which opens into the fireplace. The outlet of the duct opens into the structural space resulting from the double wall construction.

The system of the invention provides removal of ashes from a fireplace and disposal of the ashes in an area which is part of the lfireplace structure itself.

The preferred embodiment of this invention will be described hereinafter together with other features thereof, and additional objects 4will become evident from such description.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof within an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 is a vertical section of the ash removal apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal Ysection taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

Description of the preferred embodiment The drawings illustrate an ash removal apparatus for use in a fireplace indicated generally at y10. The fireplace includes a firebox 11 formed of the inner wall '12 and an outer fireplace wall 13. The walls 1-2 and 13 are constructed of brick or other appropriate material. A duct 14 formed of metal or other fireproof material opens into the firebox 11 adjacent a hearth 15. An inlet end 14a of the duct 14 is covered by a metal screen v16 to prevent large unburned pieces of fuel from entering the duct 14.

The duct 14 extends from the firebox 11 to a ysuitable pump 17 nonmally disposed externally of a chimney 18. The chimney 18 is constructed of brick or other suitable material. As shown, the pump 17 is driven by an electric motor 19 having a suitable control switch (not shown) which may be located near the fireplace 10 or remote therefrom, as desired. Both the pump 17 and motor 19 are preferably protected from the weather by a removable housing or cover 20 of metal or other material.

A central ue 21 of metal, tile, or other suitable material extends from the iirebox 11 to the top of the chimney 18 where it opens to the outside air. A throat 24 formed at the juncture of the lirebox 11 and the flue 21 is normally equipped with a conventional damper 25 which may be moved to the open position shown in phantom at 25a.

The outer chimney wall 18, central fine 21, outer fireplace wall 13, and inner fireplace wall 12 co-operate to define a storage or disposal vault 23. The upper end of such storage vault 2 3 is preferably provided with a cover or top 24 formed of brick or metal or the like with an air vent 26 therein. An exhaust opening 14b of the duct 14 opens into the disposal space 23 near its upper end and below the cover 24. Also, as shown, an opening 13a is provided in the wall 23 for removal of stored ashes, or to service the apparatus of this invention should that be desirable. A removable cover or plate 27 is also provided to close the `access opening 13a.

Operation of the invention After ashes have accumulated from the combustion of fuel in the `firebox 11, the electric motor 19 may be activated -by the switch to drive the pump 17. The suction created by the pump 17 draws the ashes through the screen 16 and into the inlet opening 14a of the duct 14. The ashes travel through the duct 14 and pump 17 and are then exhausted at the outlet end 14b of the duct 14 into the disposal space 23. The air vent 2'6 affords a means of escape for the air pumped into the disposal space 23 while the screen 26a covering the air vent 26 prevents the ashes or other material from escaping into the outer air.

The ash removal apparatus of the present invention is completely constructed of reproof materials and as -a consequence, should a live ember inadvertently be deposited with the spent ashes in the disposal space 23, it will present no lire hazard.

Under normal household use, the disposal space 23 can accommodate the ashes accumulated over a relatively long period of time. If the disposal space 23 should become filled, the access cover 27 may be opened to allow removal of the ashes from the space 23.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in size, shape, and material as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A fireplace ash removal and disposal apparatus comprising:

(a) a fireplace and chimney structure;

(b) a disposal space within the confines of said fireplace and chimney structure; and A (c) a suction duct opening into said fireplace and exhausting into said disposal space.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said Ifireplace and 3,-40210021 fL :iA 4

chimney structurecompriseaYY-doubleewa-ll fireplaceand (b)V ascreened air-vent opening through vsaid cover a chimney with a central flue. plate; and

3, The invention of claim 1 lwherein said suction duct (c) a motor driven pump connected to said suction includes a pump driven 'by an electric motor. duct.

4,-The invention of claim 1 wherein said disposal 5 References Cited Space includes al1 all' Vent.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said disposal space 6. The invention of claim 5 including:

(aziol fsf; screen over fe Het Opemng of Sad suc' FREDERICK KETrERER, Primary Examiner.