Patent Application
20080078375
The following drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts, are provided for illustration of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any manner whatsoever.
The following descriptions of the preferred embodiments are presented to illustrate the present invention and are not to be construed to limit the claims in any manner whatsoever.
Referring now to the
Each lower portion 24 having a port 26 for receiving fasteners therethrough. For example, the type of fastener used in the field is dependent on the material used for the building structure, for example, a lag screw with a lock washer plus a standard washer is a viable and preferred option in a typical residential setting. Although, it is envisioned that other types of fasteners may be incorporated herewith.
Said device 10 further includes a pair of bridging members 40 each having a substantially L-shaped body with two sections 42, 44 wherein the length of the first section 42 is greater than or equal to the length of the second section 44, such that the body of each member 40 further maintains a thickness MT and height MH which are both substantially uniform. In a preferred embodiment, the height MH is about two-inches (2″) although MH maybe in the range about one-inch (1″) to about five inches (5″), wherein the thickness MT is about three-thirty-seconds of an inch ( 3/32″)+/−two-thirty-seconds of an inch ( 2/32″) for example 13 gauge metal, although steel is preferred having an oxidation resistance property such as a coating or plating. Moreover, it is envisioned that other materials maybe incorporated that are similar in strength and that are oxidation resistant or proof. The first section 42 of each bridging member 40 is cooperatively connected together C1, whereas each second section 44 is cooperatively connected C2, C3 to an upper portion 22 of a leg 20, wherein a band is formed that is substantially u-shaped.
In a preferred embodiment, each connection C1, C2, C3 includes at least one pressure clamp 60, wherein said clamp 60 comprises a body 62 having a opening therein 64 for part of a fastener 66 to pass therethrough. The body of the clamp 60 having a shape that wraps substantially about the body of a leg 20, a member 40, or any combination thereof (e.g., 20,20; 20,40; and/or 40,40). The clamp 60 is configured and dimensioned to slide longitudinally along the leg 20 or member 40, when the fastener 66 is loose, unlike when the fastener 66 is tightened. In practice, it is preferred to have a clamp 60 that need not use special tools to adjust, thus it is preferred for the clamp 60 to be tightened via a thumb or allen type screw as exhibited in
An alternative embodiment is illustrated in
In a preferred embodiment, each connection C1, C2, C3 includes at least one pressure clamp 160, wherein said clamp 160 comprises a body 162 having a opening therein 164 for part of a fastener 166 to pass therethrough. The body of the clamp 160 having a shape that wraps substantially about the body an element E1, E2, E3, E4. The clamp 160 is configured and dimensioned to slide longitudinally along the element E1, E2, E3, E4, when the fastener 166 is loose, unlike when the fastener 166 is tightened. In practice, it is preferred to have a clamp 160 that need not use special tools to adjust, thus it is preferred for the clamp 160 to be tightened via a thumb or allen type screw as exhibited in
In a further embodiment (not shown) each height of each leg, member, and element is non-uniform. Particularly, the height of the lower portion of each leg may be greater than the upper portion wherein the height of each upper portion is equal to the height of the each second section, and wherein the height of each first section are the same, but different or the same as the height of the second section. Moreover, the height of intersection between the first and section sections is greater than or equal to the height of the first and section sections themselves, this would be to reduce materials and maximize surface area in contact with the corners of the chimney.
Moreover, all of the above referenced patents; patent applications and publications are hereby incorporated by reference. Many variations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above detailed description. All such obvious modifications are within the full-intended spirit and scope of the claims of the present application.
