WO1994011676A1

WO1994011676A1 - Chimney cleaning apparatus with built-in fire prevention features

Info

Publication number: WO1994011676A1
Application number: PCT/CA1993/000487
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Guy VALLIÈRES; Jean-Pierre VALLIÈRES
Original assignee: Gingras, Robert
Priority date: 1992-11-16
Filing date: 1993-11-16
Publication date: 1994-05-26
Also published as: CA2082996A1

Abstract

The chimney cleaning device (10) is fixable to a top of a chimney (14) from a fireplace (18). A first protective chamber encloses motor (22) and drum (26). Brush (30) is suspended to cable (28) from drum (26) to raise or lower brush (30) inside the chimney (14). A second protective chamber, underneath the first chamber, encloses heat-absorbing material (50). A spacing chamber, underneath the second chamber, has a bottom wall (58) provided with an aperture (60) and a peripheral wall provided with apertures for evacuation of smoke. A third protective chamber, underneath the spacing chamber, has a peripheral wall (64) that encircles brush (30) in its highermost position and is provided with apertures for evacuation of smoke. Motor control mechanism (96, 98, 100) provides a signal to motor (22). Heat sensing device (90) sends a signal to a remote location.

Description

CHIMNEY CLEANING APPARATUS WITH BUILT-IN FIRE PREVENTION FEATURES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of chimney cleaning apparatus and more specifically to a chimney cleaning apparatus having a built-in temperature sensing device and a configuration adapted to optimize the draft, both features being adapted to minimize fire hazards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chimneys associated with domestic fireplaces must be cleaned periodically to prevent built-ups of combustion deposits on the inner peripheral walls caused by the combustion of conventional combustibles such as wood. The cleaning operation is traditionally performed with a metallic brush suspended to a rope or a rigid rod acting as a long handle. The individual performing the operation is positioned on the roof and manually moves the brush up and down inside the chimney, thus scrapping the inner peripheral wall of the chimney. The task is not only time consuming but also unpleasant and even potentially dangerous since it is performed from the roof. Many individuals have resorted to professional chimney cleaners but the latter have proven to be quite costly. Known in the art is Canadian patent No. 1,147,512 granted to G. Rioux on June 7 , 1983 disclosing an electrically powered chimney sweeping device adapted to be positioned on the top of the chimney and to be remotely activated from the inside for cleaning the venting duct of the chimney. The sweeping device has a brush attached to a cable windingly linked to a drum rotated by an electrical motor. The cable is adapted to be wound and unwound on the drum to lift and lower the brush, thus cleaning the inner wall of the chimney.

Although the sweeping device disclosed in Canadian patent No. 1,147,512 eliminates the need for manual manipulation of the cleaning brush, it presents a major drawback. Indeed, since it is positioned at the discharge aperture of the chimney, it creates an obstruction to the passage of the smoke emanating from the fireplace. Even though a spacing has been provided specially for allowing the smoke to escape the chimney between conducts connecting the device to the chimney, this spacing has proven to be insufficient.

The present invention proposes a modified structure having a multiplicity of venting outlets strategically positioned to allow the smoke to escape the chimney with a minimal amount of restriction and to optimize the draft of the chimney. A specially shaped dome cover protecting the internal mechanism of the device further enhances the draft by creating an aerodynamic suction.

The present invention also improves over the device disclosed in Canadian patent No. 1,147,512 by providing a built-in heat sensing device adapted to detect excessive heat built-ups in the chimney and to accordingly send a signal to a remote location. The chimney cleaning device comprises a piece of insulating material adapted to provide thermal inertia to the heat sensing device, thus preventing the device from unwillingly sending a signal when only a brief temperature peak is reached in the chimney. The present invention also offers various mechanical improvements such as the use of a single switch operated remote control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, the chimney cleaning device is adapted to be fixed to a top outlet port of a chimney for evacuating smoke emanating from a fireplace. The chimney cleaning device has a first protective chamber which protectively encloses a motor coupled to a drum. A brush is suspended to a cable that wind and unwind on the drum for respectively raising and lowering the brush inside the chimney. A second protective chamber is provided underneath the first protective chamber. This second chamber protectively encloses a relatively heat-absorbing material. A spacing chamber is provided underneath the second protective chamber. The spacing chamber has a top wall, a bottom wall and a peripheral wall. The bottom wall of the spacing chamber is provided with an aperture for receiving the smoke emanating from the fireplace. The peripheral wall of the spacing chamber is provided with a set of apertures allowing the smoke to escape radially. A third protective chamber is provided underneath the spacing chamber. The third protective chamber has a peripheral wall for circumferentially encircling the brush when the brush is in its highermost position. The third protective chamber is also provided with a set of peripheral apertures for allowing the smoke to escape radially. A motor control means is provided for selectively making the motor lower the brush into the chimney and back the brush out of it. A heat sensing means is positioned adjacent the relatively heat- absorbing material for sensing a temperature level at ' this location and sending a signal to a remote location when the temperature exceeds a predetermined level. Preferably, the third protective chamber is fixed to the spacing chamber by a set of spacing legs. The spacing legs provide a spacing between the spacing chamber and the third protective chamber for allowing the smoke to escape radially. Preferably, the chimney cleaning device has a dome- shaped cover. The dome-shaped cover has a substantially half oval cross-section which creates an aerodynamic suction which in turn enhances the draft of the chimney. Preferably, the motor control means comprises a "T"- shaped actuator having a vertical branch and a horizontal branch. The "T"-shaped actuator also has a lever associated with a toggle switch. A first abutting pin is fixed at a top end of the cable and a second abutting pin is fixed at a lower end of the cable. The cable is adapted to slide inside the vertical branch of the "T"- shaped actuator and the lever of the toggle switch is partially inserted inside the horizontal branch of the "T"-shaped actuator. When the brush reaches its lowermost position, the first abutting pin abuts against the actuator and pivots the lever downwardly, and when the brush reaches its highermost position, the second abutting pin abuts against the actuator and pivots the lever upwardly.

Preferably, the motor control means comprises an infrared transmitter for producing an infrared beam towards an appropriate infrared receiver, an optically obstructing tongue pivotally mounted between the infrared receiver and transmitters, means for pivoting the obstructing tongue in an obstructive position for preventing the infrared beam from reaching the receiver when the cable reaches its lowermost position, and means for rotating the obstructing tongue back into a non- obstructive position for allowing passage of the infrared beam between the transmitter and the receiver when the brush reaches its highermost position.

Preferably, the chimney cleaning device also has a centering bracket positioned adjacent the drum for centering the cable substantially in line with a rotation axis of the drum.

Preferably, when brushes having a non-circular configuration are used, a set of guided pins extending downwardly and vertically from the spacing chamber are provided for preventing the brush from unwillingly rotating when the brush is in the third protective chamber.

The objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof-, • • given for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a front view of a chimney upon which is mounted a chimney cleaning device according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow

2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 2a is a cross-sectional view illustrating an alternative mounting embodiment used when a cleaning device according to the present invention is mounted on the body of a chimney;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the lifting mechanism taken along arrows 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a close-up view of a toggle arrangement taken inside arrow 4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4a is a view of Fig. 4 with the toggle mechanism in its lowermost position; Fig. 5 is a top view of an alternative toggle mechanism using an infrared beam; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows

6-6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 6a is a view of Fig. 6 with the toggle mechanism in its lowermost position;

Fig. 7 is a top view of a top aperture of a chimney having a pipe outlet with a circular cross- section; Fig. 8 is a top view of a top aperture of a chimney having a pipe outlet with an oval cross- section; Fig. 9 is a top view of a top aperture of a chimney having a square cross-section and no pipe outlet; Fig. 10 is a top view of a top aperture of a chimney having a rectangular cross-section and no pipe outlet; Fig. 11 is a top view of a dome cover of a chimney cleaning device according to the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a close-up view of a snapping mechanism taken inside arrow 12 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow 13 of Fig . 11 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a cleaning device 10 according to the present invention, mounted on a pipe outlet 12 of a chimney 14. A cleaning device control box 16 is placed on a countertop of a fireplace 18. Referring now more specifically to Fig. 2, the cleaning device 10 has a lifting mechanism 20. The lifting mechanism 20 comprises a motor 22 mechanically coupled to a reduction gear box 24. The gear box 24 is coupled to a drum 26 around which winds and unwinds a cable 28 for respectively lifting and lowering a cleaning brush 30 in the chimney 14.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the motor 22 and the gear box 24 are fixed to a mounting plate 32 by a set of adjustment bolts 34 and 35 tightened by a corresponding set of associated nuts 33 which allow for horizontal adjustment of the spacing between the mounting plate 32 and the gear box 24. The mounting plate 32 is welded to a base platform 36.

A centering bracket 38 is fixed to the base platform 36. The centring bracket 38 has an aperture 40 extending therethrough. The aperture 40 is positioned in-line vertically with a rotation axis 42 of the drum 26. The cable 28 is adapted to slide through the aperture 40. The aperture 40 will thus ensure that the cable 28 will fall substantially in-line with the rotation axis 42 of the drum 26 whether the cable 28 is fully winded around the drum or only partially winded.

Referring to Fig. 2, a dome-shaped cover 44 is snappingly fixed to the base platform 36. The cover 44 and the platform 36 form a first protective chamber for protectively enclosing the lifting mechanism 20.

Figs. 2, 11, 12 and 13 illustrate more specifically the manner in which the cover 44 is fixed to the platform 36. The cover 44 has a peripheral rim 46 and a set of relatively arcuate snapping prongs 48 extending integrally therefrom. The rim 46 being made of relatively flexible material, it is adapted to bend as illustrated in Fig. 12 in order to snappingly grasp the lower edge of the base platform 36. A slot 47 separates the rim 46 from the prongs 48.

Referring to Fig. 2, one of the main features of the present invention resides in the use of a built-in heat sensing device. The heat sensing device comprises a thermostat 90 fixed to the base platform 36. The thermostat 90 is adapted to transmit a signal through a cable 92 to a remote location such as the control box 16 (shown in Fig. 1) when the temperature reaches a preselected level. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the threshold temperature level is selected by the user at the control box 16.

The chimney cleaning device 10 also comprises a layer 50 of relatively heat-absorbing material provided directly underneath the first protective chamber defined by the cover 44 and the base platform 36. The layer 50 of relatively heat-absorbing material is protectively enclosed inside a second protective chamber defined by the platform 36, a peripheral wall 52 and a bottom wall 54. The second protective chamber is adapted to protect the relatively heat-absorbing material 50 against moisture or other deteriorating agents. The relatively heat-absorbing material 50 is adapted to provide thermal inertia to the heat sensing device for preventing the heat sensing device from unwillingly sending a signal when only a brief temperature peak is reached in the chimney. The heating sensing device synergistically combines with the other components of the chimney cleaning device 10 since these components, which could initially be thought of as creating an obstruction to the draft of the chimney and thus as potential fire hazards, are now used as deflective means for deflecting and transmitting the heat carried by the smoke to the heat sensing device.

A spacing chamber is provided underneath the second protective chamber enclosing the layer 50 of relatively heat-absorbing material. The spacing chamber is defined by the bottom wall 54 of the second protective chamber, a set of peripheral spacing elements 56 and a bottom wall 58. The bottom wall 58 is provided with an aperture 60 extending therethrough. The aperture 60 allows smoke and fumes depicted by arrow 62 emanating from the chimney to enter the spacing chamber. The peripheral spacingε between the spacing elements 56 allows the smoke 62 to escape radially from the spacing chamber.

A third protective chamber is provided underneath the spacing chamber. The third protective chamber is formed out of a peripheral sheet of material 64. The third protective chamber is adapted to protectively surround the cleaning brush 30 attached to the cable 28 and associated cable tensioning counterweights 66 when the latter are in their uppermost position. The peripheral sheet of material 64 is provided with a set of venting apertures 68 allowing the smoke depicted by arrow 62' to escape radially from the third protective chamber. The sheet of material 64 is fixed to the spacing chamber bottom wall 58 by a set of suspending legs 70. The clearance between the sheet of material 64 and the bottom wall 58 allows the smoke depicted by arrow 62'' to escape radially. The cleaning device 10 is fixed to the chimney 14 by either one of two following methods depending on whether the chimney 14 has a venting pipe outlet 12 as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 8, or whether the chimney 14 does not have a venting pipe outlet 12 as illustrated in Figs. 2a, 9 and 10. When the chimney 14 has a venting pipe outlet, a set of fixing legs 72, fixed at their top ends to the bottom wall 58 of the spacing chamber, extend vertically through the third protective chamber beyond the lower rim 74 of the peripheral sheet of material 64. The lower rim 74 is adapted to be abuttingly rested on the venting pipe outlet 12 while a securing ring 76 having a tightening mechanism 78 tightly squeezes the fixing legs 72 around the pipe outlet 12.

As illustrated more specifically in Fig. 2a, when the chimney 14 does not make use of a venting pipe outlet, a set of substantially "L"-shaped legs 80 are rigidly fixed to the corresponding fixing legs 72. The "L"-shaped legs 80 are fixable to the chimney 14 by conventional fixing means such as bolts 82. Typically, when the latter arrangement is used, the sheet of material 64' does not have any venting aperture such as the venting apertures 68 of the sheet of material 64 shown in Fig. 2. The clearance between the lower rim 74' of the sheet of material 64' and the chimney 14 provided by the "L"-shaped legs allows the smoke 62' to escape radially.

Whether the cleaning device 10 is fixed directly to the chimney 14 or to the venting pipe outlet 12, the the chimney 14 or to the venting pipe outlet 12, the smoke emanating from the fireplace 18 is allowed to escape radially through at least three superposed peripheral exit outlets. These three superposed exit outlets are easily recognized in Figs. 2 and 2a by the trajectory of the fumes 62, 62' and 62". These three superposed evacuation outlets constitute a major improvement over the corresponding structure described in Canadian patent No. 1,147,512 which only proposes a spacing between the conducts connecting the structure to the chimney. The superposed peripheral outlets of the present invention allow the smoke to escape the chimney with a minimal amount of restriction and also further optimize the draft. To further optimize the draft, the dome cover 44 is given a substantially half oval cross- section as illustrated clearly in Fig. 2, instead of a half round cross-section as proposed in Canadian patent No. 1,147,512. Whenever the wind hits one side of the half oval dome cover 44, an aerodynamic suction effect is created on the opposing side which further enhances the draft of the chimney.

When the channel 84 of the chimney 14 has a non- circular cross-section as illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 showing respectively oval, square and rectangular cross sections, the cleaning brush 30 must have a corresponding shape in order to clean adequately the peripheral surface of the channel 84. In Figs. 2a, 8, 9 and 10, the numerals 12 (pipe outlet), 14 (chimney) and 84 (channel) are followed by letters a, b and c to indicate respectively oval, square and rectangular cross- sections.

When such a non-circular cleaning brush 30 is used, a set of guiding pins 86 extending from the bottom wall brush 30 from rotating, in order to allow the brush 30 to be fittingly inserted in the channel 84 when the cable 28 is lowered.

Two embodiments will now be described in order to illustrate embodiments of mechanisms adapted to send appropriate signals to the control box 16 (as shown in Fig. 1).

Referring to Figs. 2, 4 and 4a, in the first of these embodiments, the cable 28 extends through the vertical branch 94 of a substantially '^"-shaped actuator 96. The vertical branch 94 slides inside a sleeve 88 extending vertically through the second protective chamber. A lever 98 of a toggle switch 100 is inserted inside a horizontal branch 102 of the "T"-shaped actuator 96. The toggle switch 100 which is fixed to the base platform 36 is linked to the control box 16 by a cable 104. A set of abutting pins 106, 108 are strategically fixed to the cable 28 respectively at the top and bottom ends of the cable 28, as shown respectively in Figs. 4a and 4. The toggle switch 100 is used to invert the rotation of the motor 22.

A cleaning cycle may be initiated by a user by pushing for example on a suitable button of the control box 16. Electrical power is then sent to the motor 22, and while the lever 98 is in its upper position as illustrated in Fig. 4, the motor 22 rotates the drum 26 so as to unwind the cable 28 and lower the brush 30 into the channel 84 of the chimney 12. When the brush 30 reaches the preselected level adjusted by prepositioning the pin 106 on the cable 28 as illustrated in Fig. 4a, the pin 106 will abut on the horizontal branch 102 of the actuator 96 which will in turn lower the lever 98 of the switch 100, and invert the rotation of the motor 22. The drum 26 will then rotate in the opposite direction so as to wind the cable 28 and lift the brush 30 back to its original position. When the brush reaches its original position , the pin 108 abuts against the vertical branch 94 of the actuator 96, consequently lifting the lever 98 as illustrated in Fig. 4, so that when a new cleaning cycle is initiated, the brush 30 will be lowered again into the channel 84 of the chimney 12.

In the second embodiment of a mechanism adapted to send the signal to the control box 16, an infrared ray is used instead of the toggle switch 100.

Referring to Figs. 5, 6 and 6a, there is shown an infrared transmitter 110 adapted to send an infrared beam 112 towards an infrared receiver 114. An optically obstructing tongue 116 is pivotably mounted on a pivot base 118 fixed to the base platform 36. The cable 28 is slidingly inserted inside a ring 120 formed integrally with one end of the tongue 116 while the other end of the tongue 116 is adapted to pivot in order to obstruct the passage of the infrared beam 112 between the transmitter 110 and the receiver 114. A set of abutting pins 106' and 108' are fixed to the cable 28 at the top and lower end of the cable 28 respectively. The cable 28 and its associated pins 106' and 108' are adapted to slide inside a sleeve 88' extending through the second protective chamber. The infrared beam 122, like the lever 98 of the toggle switch 100 shown in Figs. 4 and 4a, is used to determine the direction of the motor 22. When the lower pin 108' abuts against the ring 120 as shown in Fig. 6 , the tongue 116 allows passage of the beam 122, thus sending a signal to the motor 22 to rotate accordingly in order to lower the brush 30. When the pin 106 abuts against the ring 120 as illustrated in Fig. 6a, the tongue 116 is pivoted in a position intercepting the beam 122. In such a position, a signal is sent to the motor 22 to invert its rotation so that the brush 30 will be lifted.

Claims

1. A chimney cleaning device (10) adapted to be fixed to a top outlet port (12) of a chimney (14) for evacuating smoke emanating from a fireplace (18), comprising: a first protective chamber protectively enclosing a motor (22) and a drum (26) rotatively coupled to said motor (22); a brush (30) suspended to a cable (28), said cable being adapted to be wound and unwound on said drum (26) respectively to raise and lower said brush (30) inside said chimney (14); a second protective chamber positioned underneath said first protective chamber and protectively enclosing a relatively heat- absorbing material (50); a spacing chamber positioned underneath said second protective chamber, said spacing chamber having a top wall (54), a bottom wall (58) and a spacing chamber peripheral wall, said bottom wall (58) being provided with a bottom wall aperture (60) for receiving said smoke emanating from said fireplace (18) and said spacing chamber peripheral wall being provided with a set of spacing chamber peripheral wall apertures for allowing said smoke to escape radially from said spacing chamber; a third protective chamber positionned underneath said spacing chamber, said third protective chamber having a third protective chamber peripheral wall (64) for circumferentially encircling said brush (30) when said brush (30) is at its highermost position, said third protective chamber peripheral wall being provided with a set of third protective chamber peripheral wall apertures for allowing said smoke emanating from said fireplace (18) to escape radially from said third protective chamber; a motor control means (96, 98, 100) adapted to send a signal to said motor (22) for selectively making said motor (22) lower said brush (30) into said chimney (14) from said highermost position to a position adjacent said fireplace (18) and to raise said brush (30) back to its original position; a heat sensing means (90) positioned adjacent said relatively heat- absorbing material (50) for sensing a temperature level adjacent said heat absorbing material (50) and sending a signal to a remote location when said temperature level exceeds a predetermined level.

2. A chimney cleaning device (10) according to claim 1, wherein said third protective chamber is fixed to said spacing chamber by a set of spacing legs (70) providing a spacing between said bottom wall (58) of the spacing chamber and said third protective chamber, said spacing allowing said smoke emanating from said fireplace (18) to escape radially between said bottom wall (58) of the spacing chamber and said third protective chamber.

3. A chimney cleaning device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first protective chamber has a dome- shaped cover (44) having a substantially half oval cross- section.

4. A chimney cleaning device (10) according to claim 1, wherein said motor control means (96, 98, 100) comprises a "T^π-shaped actuator (96) having a vertical branch (94) and a horizontal branch (102), a toggle switch (100) having a lever (98), a first abutting pin (106) fixed to said cable (28) substantially close to an upper end thereof and a second abutting pin (108) fixed to said cable (28) substantially close to a lower end thereof, said cable (28) being adapted to slide inside said vertical branch (94) of said "T"-shaped actuator (96) and said lever (98) of said toggle switch (100) being partially inserted in said horizontal branch (102) of said "T"-shaped actuator (96), whereby, when said brush (30) reaches said lowermost position, said first abutting pin (106) abuts against said actuator (96), thereby pivoting said lever (98) downwardly, and when said brush (30) reaches said highermost position, said second abutting pin (108) abuts against said actuator (96), thereby pivoting said lever (98) upwardly.

5. A chimney cleaning device (10) according to claim 1, wherein said motor control means (96, 98, 100) comprises an infrared transmitter (110) adapted to send an infrared beam (112) towards an infrared receiver (114), an optically obstructing tongue (116) pivotally mounted between said infrared transmitter (110) and said infrared receiver (114), means (106', 120) for pivoting said obstructing tongue (116) in an obstructing relationship with said beam (112), thereby preventing said beam (112) from reaching said receiver (114) when said cable (28) reaches said lowermost position, and means (108', 120) for pivoting said obstructing tongue (116) in a non-obstructing relationship with said beam (112), thereby allowing passage of said beam (112) between said transmitter (110) and said receiver (114) when said brush (30) reaches said highermost position.

6. A chimney cleaning device (10) according to claim 1, wherein said brush (30) has a non-circular peripheral configuration, and wherein a set of guiding pins (86) extend vertically from said spacing chamber for preventing said brush (30) from unwillingly rotating when said brush (30) is in said third protective chamber.

7. A chimney cleaning device (10) according to claim 1, comprising a centering bracket (38) positioned adjacent said drum (26), said centering bracket (38) having a centering bracket aperture (40), said cable (28) being adapted to extend through said centering bracket aperture (40) for centering said cable (28) substantially in line with a rotation axis (42) of said drum (26).