Patent Application
20220034060
The present disclosure relates generally to an anchor plate adapter that is cross compatible with multiple chimneys. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to the anchor plate adapter that allows chimneys with different inner diameter and/or locking mechanism to be securely mounted.
Chimneys or flue gas vents are required in many structures to allow proper flow of gasses. Certain type of chimneys have a double tube construction and are required to be able to withstand a specific amount of heat for a specified period of time in order to comply with residential or commercial codes. A specific model or brand of chimney may have a specific exterior dimension, interior dimension, locking mechanism, and/or mounting interface which may urge for a need of separate anchor plate adapters. Conventionally, different anchor plate adapters are manufactured for different type of chimneys which increases operational cost and need to maintain adequate inventory.
The current disclosure seeks to solve the aforementioned deficiencies of the conventional techniques by providing a cross compatible anchor plate adapter that enables secure mounting of different chimneys.
The present disclosure envisages a cross-compatible anchor plate adapter. The anchor plate adapter comprises a first locking interface and a second locking interface. The first locking interface and the second locking interface employ different locking arrangements, wherein one of the first locking interface and the second locking interface is utilized to securely mount a chimney on the anchor plate adapter.
In an embodiment, the first locking interface comprises a pair of opposing holes. The pair of opposing holes is configured on both an outer wall and an inner wall of the adapter. Further, one or more complementary holes are configured on the chimney that are aligned with the pair of opposing holes to facilitate passage of a fastener for securely locking and mounting the chimney on the adapter.
In another embodiment, the second locking interface is configured on the outer wall in form of a protrusion. The second locking interface engages with an inward protrusion configured on an abutting surface of the chimney.
In an embodiment, the inner wall of the adapter has a step profile that provides drip resistant contact with the chimney.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, an anchor plate adapter comprises a plurality of first locking interfaces and a plurality of second locking interfaces. The plurality of first locking interfaces and the plurality of second locking interfaces employ different locking arrangements, wherein one of the first locking interfaces and the second locking interfaces are utilized for securely mounting a chimney on the anchor plate adapter.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, an anchor plate adapter comprises a plurality of locking interfaces, wherein each locking interface employ a different locking arrangement and at least one of the plurality of locking interfaces is utilized to securely mount a chimney on the anchor plate adapter.
Various objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent and better understood by referring to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.
The novel features believed to be characteristic of aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain figures may be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative aspects of the disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein. The definitions include various examples and/or forms of components that fall within the scope of a term and that may be used for implementation. The examples are not intended to be limiting. Further, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as to not unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.
For purposes of the disclosure, directional terms are expressed generally with relation to a standard frame of reference when the chimney or gas vent pipe and adapter are installed and in an in-use orientation.
Throughout the disclosure the term substantially may be used as modifier for a geometric relationship between elements or for the shape of an element or component. While the term substantially is not limited to a specific variation and may cover any variation that is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to be an acceptable variation, some examples are provided as follows. In one example, the term substantially may include a variation of less than 10% of the dimension of the object or component. In another example, the term substantially may include a variation of less than 5% of the object or component. If substantially is used to define the angular relationship of one element to another element, one non-limiting example of the term substantially may include a variation of 5 degrees or less. These examples are not intended to be limiting and may be increased or decreased based on the understanding of acceptable limits to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Throughout the disclosure the terms flue or gas vent pipe, chimney, or gas flue may be used interchangeably. A flue or gas vent pipe may include any pipe that allows for fluid flow. Some examples may include exhaust pipes for the exhaust of fumes from a fireplace, furnace, heater, boiler, oven, cooktop or other cooking device; a dryer vent; a natural gas, propane stove, or heater vent, to name a few non-limiting examples. The flue or gas vent pipe may have a circular, oval, square, rectangular, or any enclosed geometric shape. In some examples, chimney, flue, or gas vent pipe may be single tube or double tube.
The present disclosure relates to an anchor plate adapter that is enabled to facilitate mounting of chimneys with different inner diameters and/or employing different locking mechanisms. The chimneys compatible with the anchor plate adapter of the present disclosure can be of different designs and/or from different manufacturers and/or models. Likewise, the anchor plate adapter may allow proper mounting of chimneys that may not normally be possible as the conventional anchor plate adapters tend to be fabricated/manufactured for specific type of chimneys. That is, the conventional anchor plate adapters were application specific and not universal as they were not compatible with multiple chimneys. For example, the mounting interface of each of the chimneys may have different connection interfaces, locking mechanisms, and/or may have differing geometry which would result in formation of gaps with the anchor plate adapter. Amongst other advantages, the anchor plate adapter of the present disclosure may allow for a decrease in the brands and/or types of anchor plate adapters that must be inventoried. The anchor plate adapter may further provide a drip resistant contact and high-temperature resistant seal. The drip resistant contact is a drip-free contact that prevents condensate dripping between an abutting surface of the chimney and the anchor plate adapter.
Referring to
Referring to
In one example, the adapter 200 of the present disclosure may be compatible with a first chimney 400 (refer
In another example, the adapter 200 may also be compatible with a second chimney 700 (refer
The first female interface 502 of the first chimney 400 and the second female interface 802 of the second chimney 700 may employ different locking arrangements and mounting interfaces for mounting on the adapter 200. Additionally, the inner diameters of both the first chimney 400 and the second chimney 700 may be different. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the first female interface 502 may be different from the inner diameter of the second female interface 802. The anchor plate adapter 200 of the present disclosure enables mounting of either of the first chimney 400 or the second chimney 700 irrespective of having different inner diameters while ensuring a drip resistant contact/joint 602 (best shown in
Although, the present disclosure focuses on two chimneys it is to be understood that the adapter 200 is cross-compatible with different chimneys. The anchor plate adapter 200 is compatible with one of, but not limited to, double tube chimneys, single tube chimneys, type B gas vents wherein inner tube and outer tube are curled together as an integral unit.
In some embodiments, the adapter 200 may comprise an outer wall 202 and an inner wall 204.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner wall 204 and the outer wall 202 of the adapter 200 may be configured in a spaced apart configuration to accommodate one or more insulation layers or insulators.
In an embodiment, the outer wall 202 comprises a top portion 1002 and a bottom portion 1004 (shown in
The bottom flange 218 is secured to an adapter plate 216, also referred as a base plate. In an embodiment, the bottom flange 218 may be secured to the adapter plate 216 by means of spot welding or any other suitable technique(s).
In one embodiment, the diameter of the top portion 1002 is less than the diameter of the bottom portion 1004 thereby defining a notch 304 between the top portion 1002 and the bottom portion 1004. The bottom portion 1004 replicates a skirt portion extending from the top portion 1002.
In an embodiment, one or more first locking interfaces 302 is configured on the adapter 200. The first locking interface 302 comprises one of a pair of slots, a pair of slits, a pair of holes, a pair of cuts, or any combination thereof. Preferably, the first locking interface 302 (best shown in
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more complementary holes (not specifically shown in the figures) may be configured on the female interface 502 of the first chimney 400. Specifically, the pair of opposing holes, i.e., the first locking interface 302 is aligned with one or more complementary holes configured on the first chimney 400 to facilitate passage of the fastener 208, thereby locking and mounting the first chimney 400 on the adapter 200. In an embodiment, the fastener 208 may be selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, a bolt, screw, pin, rivet, Tek screw, snap.
Alternatively, in another aspect of the present disclosure, the material used for manufacturing the adapter 200 may enable usage of Tek screws which are self-drilling screws. An operator or a technician may secure or lock the first chimney 400 to be mounted on the adapter 200 by means of Tek screws which may be drilled based on the position of the complementary holes on the first chimney 400 for reception of the Tek screws. In this aspect, the first locking interfaces 302 may not be required to be pre-fabricated on the adapter 200 at the time of manufacturing. In some embodiments, the first locking interface 302 may comprise a marking indicating a weaken portion for reception of the fastener 208.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more second locking interfaces 206 (best shown in
In an embodiment, the second locking interface 206 may be formed as an elongated protrusion which may be curved. The second locking interface 206 may have a shape selected from, but not limited to, square shape, rectangular shape, triangular shape, star shape, delta shape, polygonal shape, and any geometrical or non-geometrical shape. In another exemplary embodiment, the second locking interface 206 may have a shape that is complementary to the shape of an inward protruding member 706 (best shown in
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to
Each of the first portion 1102, the second portion 1104, and the third portion 1106 are separated by one or more step risers 205. In an embodiment, the step riser 205 may be in form of an inclined surface or substantially perpendicular to the adjacent portions. Specifically, the step profile of the inner wall 202 enables the adapter 200 to securely mount chimneys having different internal diameters.
Referring to
While mounting the first chimney 400 on the adapter 200, the first female interface 502 partially overlaps the outer wall 202 and the inner wall 204. That is, the abutting surface of the outer tube 402 partially overlaps the outer wall 202 and the abutting surface of the inner tube 404 partially overlaps the inner wall 204. Specifically, abutting surface of the inner tube 404 makes the drip resistant contact/joint 602 with the inner wall 204. More specifically, the second portion 1104 of the inner wall 204 makes the drip resistant contact/joint 602 with the abutting surface of the inner tube 404.
In an operative configuration, while the first chimney 400 is being mounted on the anchor plate adapter 200, the abutting member of the first female interface 502 abuts the top surface of the adapter 200. The first female interface 502 is provided with one or more complementary holes (not specifically labelled in the figures). In an embodiment, the complementary holes may be configured on either the inner tube 404 or the outer tube 402 or both. When the first female interface 502 abuts the top surface of the adapter 200, the one or more complementary holes configured on the first female interface 406 are aligned in-line with the one or more first locking interfaces 302, thereby enabling passage of the fastener 208 for securely locking and mounting the first chimney 400 on the adapter 200. In an embodiment, single complementary hole may be configured on the first chimney 400, wherein the complementary hole and the first locking interface 302 are in-line.
In another embodiment, while the first chimney 400 is being mounted on the anchor plate adapter 200, the first female interface 502 abuts the top surface of the adapter 200. The operator locks and secures the section of the first chimney 400 on the adapter 200 by means of one or more Tek screws. The Tek screws are drilled through the inner wall 204 and the outer wall 202 of the adapter 200 passing through one or more complementary holes configured on the first female interface 502, thereby securely locking and mounting the first chimney 400 on the adapter 200.
Now referring to
During installation, the second female interface 802 partially overlaps the adapter 200, i.e., the abutting surface of the outer tube 702 partially overlaps the outer wall 202 and the abutting surface of the inner tube 704 partially overlaps the inner wall 204. Specifically, the inner tube 704 makes drip resistant contact/joint 602 with the inner wall 204. More specifically, the step riser 205 of the inner wall abuts the abutting surface of the inner tube 704 to provide the drip resistant contact/joint 602. As the inner diameter of the second chimney 700 is greater than the inner diameter of the second portion 1104 extending from the step riser 205.
In an operative configuration, while the second chimney 700 is being mounted on the anchor plate adapter 200, the second female interface 802 abuts the top surface of the adapter 200. Specifically, the abutting member 902 abuts the top surface of the adapter 200. One or more second locking interfaces 206 may be formed as an elongated protrusion which may be curved. The one or more second locking interfaces 206 may allow one or more inward protruding members 706 to twist-and-lock or rotate-and-lock via engagement with the second locking interface(s) 206 of the adapter 200.
The first locking interface 302 and the second locking interface 206 employ different locking arrangements and at least one of the first locking interface 302 or the second locking interface 206 is utilized to securely mount the chimney on the anchor plate adapter 200. That is, either the first locking interface 302 may be utilized for securely mounting the chimney or the second locking interface 206 may be utilized for securely mounting the chimney. In one non-limiting embodiment, both first and second locking interfaces may be utilized for securely mounting the chimney.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a flap 1100 may be configured on an operative top of the inner wall 204. In one embodiment, the flap 1100 may be connected with the top flange 210. In one non-limiting embodiment, the top surface of the adapter 200 may comprise of the top flange 210 and the flap 800 of the inner wall 204.
In an embodiment, the anchor plate adapter 200 is made from a material capable of withstanding temperature up to 2100 degrees Fahrenheit. In another embodiment, the anchor plate adapter 200 may be made from one of, but not limited to, stainless steel, Galvanized steel, and aluminum.
It to be noted that, although the anchor plate adapter 200 is shown to have a circular cross-section. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the cross-section of the anchor plate adapter 200 can be selected from square, rectangle, conic section, hexagon, polygon with rounded vertexes, oval, oblong, or any geometric or non-geometric shape.
In one embodiment, the anchor plate adapter 200 may comprise a plurality of locking interfaces. Each locking interface may employ a different locking arrangement, and one or more of the plurality of locking interfaces may be employed to securely mount a chimney on the anchor plate adapter 200.
In one other embodiment, the anchor plate adapter 200 may be compatible with double tube chimneys, single tube chimneys, type B gas vents wherein inner tube and outer tube are curled together as an integral unit, and the like.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the anchor plate adapter 200 may be enabled to securely mount chimneys having female interface that comprises one or more tubes. In an embodiment, the chimney may be securely mounted while being coupled with one of the inner wall 204 or the outer wall 202 of the adapter 200.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the anchor plate adapter 200 of the present disclosure may be compatible with single tube chimneys or chimneys having integral inner tube and outer tube. The tube, of the single tube chimneys or chimneys having integral inner tube and outer tube, may be mounted on the anchor plate adapter 200, wherein the tube may abut or partially overlap the outer wall 202 of the anchor plate adapter 200. Further, the chimney may be secured to the anchor plate adapter 200 by utilizing one of the locking interfaces configured on the outer wall 202 of the anchor plate adapter 200.
In another non-limiting embodiment, the anchor plate adapter 200 of the present disclosure is also compatible with a single tube chimney having a female interface comprising an inner ring and an outer ring. In this embodiment, the outer ring may partially overlap or abut the outer wall 202 of the anchor plate adapter 200; and the inner ring may partially overlap or abut the inner wall 204 of the anchor plate adapter 200. The single tube chimney may be secured to the anchor plate adapter 200 by utilizing one or more locking interfaces configured on the outer wall 202 or the inner wall 204 or both.
The present disclosure further envisages a method of manufacturing an anchor plate adapter 200 having an inner wall 204 and an outer wall 202. The method comprising: configuring one or more first locking interfaces 302 on the inner wall 204 and the outer wall; and configuring one or more second locking interfaces 206 on the outer wall 202.
In an embodiment, the first locking interface 302 is one of a pair of slots, a pair of slits, a pair of holes, a pair of cuts, or any combination thereof. Preferably, the first locking interface 302 (best shown in
In yet another embodiment, a method for securely mounting a chimney on an anchor plate adapter is envisaged. The method comprising: abutting a female interface of the chimney with a top surface of the adapter 200; and engaging the female interface of the chimney with at least one of a plurality of locking interfaces of the adapter 200.
In an embodiment, the anchor plate adapter 200 may comprise a unibody structure having an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface may have a profile similar to the outer wall 202 and the inner surface may have a profile similar to the inner wall 204. In this embodiment, one or more first locking interfaces 302 extend between the outer surface and the inner surface. Further, one or more second locking interfaces 206 is configured on the outer surface. Still further, the first locking interface and the second locking interface employ different locking arrangements and at least one of the first locking interface 302 and the second locking interface 206 is utilized to securely mount the chimney on the anchor plate adapter 200. That is, either the first locking interface may be utilized for securely mounting the chimney or the second locking interface may be utilized for securely mounting the chimney.
In another embodiment, the first locking interface(s) comprises one of a slot, a slit, a hole, a scored section, a sliced section, a cut section, and combination thereof.
In an embodiment, the second locking interface can be protrusion. In one non-limiting embodiments, the protrusion can be in form of a thread, i.e., a continuous helical ridge formed on the outer surface or the outer wall 202 of the adapter 200.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the present disclosure envisages a method of manufacturing an anchor plate adapter 200 having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the anchor plate adapter is a unibody structure. The method comprising: configuring at least one first locking interface 302 in form of a hole extending between the outer surface and the inner surface; and configuring at least one second locking interface 206 on the outer surface.
The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps can be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions can be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
The order of method steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps.
