RAIN CAP VENT FLUE ADAPTER
A rain cap system includes a rain cap and an adapter to mount the rain cap to multiple types of gas flues or pipes. The adapter includes a first flange to mount to the rain cap and an adjustable mounting portion to mount to the gas flue. The adjustable mounting portion includes first and second moveable links having first and second surfaces with first and second edges and first and second interfacing portions, wherein the first and second edges define an opening of the adapter. The adapter includes an adjustment portion to move the first and second moveable links towards one another to decrease the size of the opening of the adapter. The adjustment portion is configured to move the first and second links away from one another to increase the size of the opening of the adapter.
The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and method for adapting a rain cap or lid to a vent tube or flue. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to an adapter that allows a single size rain cap or lid to mount to gas vents or flues having multiple diameters or dimensions.
BACKGROUNDFlue or gas vent rain caps are necessary for preventing ingress of rain and/or snow into chimney flues or gas vents that allows a proper flow of gasses from a chimney or gas vent. Gas vents or flues may have varying dimensions (e.g., varying diameters) based on the specific application or installation, which required a rain cap that is specifically designed for each size or type of gas vent or flue. Further, each brand of gas vent or flue and corresponding rain cap may require specific installation procedures. Field technicians may not be familiar with each specific installation procedure which decreases efficiency in installation out in the field and/or may result in incorrect installation. The current disclosure seeks to solve the aforementioned deficiencies of the present technology by providing a rain cap that is compatible with multiple brands and/or models of rain caps and/or gas flues. Further, the current disclosure seeks to improve efficiency and reduce the possibility of installation errors when the rain cap is installed.
SUMMARYThis summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a rain cap system is disclosed. The rain cap system may include a rain cap and an adapter configured to mount the rain cap to a gas flue. The adapter may include a first flange configured to mount to the rain cap and an adjustable mounting portion configured to mount to the gas flue. The adjustable mounting portion may include a first moveable link having a first surface having a first edge and a first interfacing portion. The adjustable mounting portion may further include a second link, which may include a second surface having a second edge and a second interfacing portion, wherein the first edge and second edge at least partially define an opening of the adapter. The adapter may further include an adjustment portion configured to move the first moveable link and the second moveable link towards one another causing a decrease in the size of the opening of the adapter, and wherein the adjustment portion is configured to move the first link and the second link away from one another causing an increase in the size of the opening of the adapter.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an adapter is disclosed, the adapter may include a first flange configured to mount to a first device and an adjustable mounting portion configured to mount to a second device. The adjustable mounting portion may include a first moveable link having a first surface having a first edge and a first interfacing portion and may include a second link having a second surface having a second edge and a second interfacing portion, wherein the first edge and second edge at least partially define an opening of the adapter. The adapter may further include an adjustment portion, wherein the adjustment portion is configured to move the first moveable link and the second moveable link towards one another causing a decrease in the size of the opening of the adapter, and wherein the adjustment portion is configured to move the first link and the second link to move away from one another causing an increase in the size of the opening of the adapter.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an adapter is disclosed, the adapter may include a first flange configured to mount to a first device and an adjustable mounting portion configured to mount to a second device. The adjustable mounting portion may include a first moveable link having a first surface with a first edge and a first interfacing portion and may include a second link having a second surface with a second edge and a second interfacing portion and a third link having a third surface with a second edge and a second interfacing portion, wherein the first edge, second edge, and third edge at least partially define an opening of the adapter. The adapter may further include an adjustment portion, wherein the adjustment portion is configured to move the first moveable link, second moveable link, and third moveable link towards one another causing a decrease in the size of the opening of the adapter, and wherein the adjustment portion is configured to move the first link, second link, and third link to move away from one another causing an increase in the size of the opening of the adapter.
Additional advantages and novel features of these aspects will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or upon learning by practice of the disclosure.
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 flue or gas vent pipe and adapter and rain cap is installed and in an in-use orientation.
Throughout the disclosure the terms flue or gas vent pipe 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 or propane stove or heater vent, to name a few non-limiting examples. The flue or gas vent pipe may be have a circular, oval, square, rectangular, or any enclosed geometric shape. In some examples, the flue or gas vent pipe may be single walled or double walled.
The present disclosure is related to an improved rain cap adapter for use with a rain cap and flue or gas vent pipe. Known flue pipes from different manufacturers and/or models of pipes from the same manufacturer may have different diameters, dimensions or geometries at the terminal end of the flue pipe. Likewise, specific rain caps must be provided for each manufacturer or model in order to properly interface with the terminal end of the flue pipe. Thus, rain caps and flue pipes may not be cross-compatible requiring the inventory or multiple types of rain caps. Further, each brand or model of flue pipe and/or rain cap may require a specific method of installation requiring specific instructions and/or training in order for technicians to properly install each specific type of rain cap. The current disclosure seeks to solve one or more of the aforementioned deficiencies by providing an adapter and/or rain cap with a built in adapter that allows a single type of rain cap to be useable with a number of different diameters and/or types of flue pipes. Providing a rain cap and/or adapter that is usable with multiple types of flue pipes allows for improved efficiency of maintaining inventory. Further, the current disclosure provides an efficient method of installation that is common to a number of different flue pipes to which the rain cap may be fastened. Accordingly, use of the disclosed rain cap and/or adapter decreases the possibility of inconsistent or incorrect installation by technicians in the field, thereby reducing the possibility of leakage, blockage of flow from the flue pipe, or other issues that may arise from improper installation.
With reference to
The adapter 100 may include a rain cap adapter mounting portion 153 including a substantially flat adapter interface surface 154 and a radial adapter flange 156. The adapter interface surface 154 may be configured to mate with the rain cap interface surface 54, and the radial adapter flange 156 may be configured to mate with the radial rain cap flange 56 when the rain cap 50 is mounted to adapter 100. The rain cap 50 may be permanently connected to adapter 100 via spot welds or friction welds at an interface between any of the aforementioned mating surfaces. Further the rain cap 50 may be connected to the adapter 100 via an adhesive and/or via fasteners such as bolts, rivets, and/or screws to name a few examples. Accordingly, the rain cap 50 may be permanently or removably connected to the adapter 100 via any known method.
With further reference to
In the example in
As shown in
Each one of the brackets 108a, 108b, and 108c may be slideably connected to a surface 190 of the adapter 100. As shown in
The adapter 100 may further include an adjustment portion 103. The adjustment portion 103 may comprise an adjustment bracket 106 connected to the adapter via surface 190. The adjustment bracket 108 may be connected to the surface 190 of the adapter 100 via any known fastening method, which may include and is not limited to the examples of fastening methods listed herein throughout. The adjustment bracket 108 may have a hole or threaded portion for receiving a threaded adjuster 104. In one example the adjustment bracket may have a threaded receiving portion (e.g., a nut) welded or otherwise connected to the adjustment bracket. The second bracket 108b may be connected to the other end of the threaded receiving portion as shown in
In one example, the aforementioned features allow a single rain cap 50 to be used with multiple diameters and/or styles of gas flues or pipes. For example, if the ran cap 50 is to be installed on a gas flue having a first diameter, the threaded adjuster 104 is rotated in direction 46 (
Likewise, if the rain cap 50 is to be used with a gas flue having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, the threaded adjuster 104 is rotated in direction 45 (
The foregoing description of various aspects and examples have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the disclosure to the forms described. The embodiment(s) illustrated in the figures can, in some instances, be understood to be shown to scale for illustrative purposes. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings, including a combination of the abovementioned aspects. Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The various aspects were chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the present disclosure and various aspects as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The scope of the present disclosure is, of course, not limited to the examples or aspects set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather, it is hereby intended the scope be defined by the claims appended hereto.
Claims
1. An adapter, comprising:
- a first flange configured to mount to a first device;
- an adjustable mounting portion configured to mount to a second device, comprising: a first link having a first surface with a first edge, and a first interfacing portion; a second link having a second surface with a second edge and a second interfacing portion, wherein the first edge and second edge at least partially define an opening of the adapter; and an adjustment portion configured to move the first link and the second link towards one another causing a decrease in a size of the opening of the adapter, and wherein the adjustment portion is configured to move the first link and the second link away from one another causing an increase in the size of the opening of the adapter.
2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adjustment portion further comprises:
- a threaded adjustment portion that is rotatable about a first axis, wherein turning the threaded adjustment portion in a first direction causes the first link and the second link to move towards one another causing a decrease in the size of the opening of the adapter, and wherein threading the adjustment portion in a second direction causes the first link and the second link to move away from one another causing an increase in the size of the opening of the adapter.
3. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the first interfacing portion and the second interfacing portion are configured to engage with an engagement ridge of the second device via movement of the threaded adjustment portion in the first direction.
4. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the adjustable mounting portion further comprises:
- a third link having a third surface with a third edge and a third interfacing portion, wherein the first edge, second edge, and third edge at least partially define the opening of the adapter, wherein turning the threaded adjustment portion in the first direction causes the first link, second link, and third link to move towards one another causing a decrease in the size of the opening of the adapter, and wherein threading the adjustment portion in a second direction causes the first link, second link, and third link to move away from one another causing an increase in the size of the opening of the adapter.
5. The adapter of claim 4, wherein the third interfacing portion is configured to engage with an engagement ridge of the second device via a turning of the threaded adjustment portion in the first direction.
6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the threaded adjustment portion is connected to the second moveable link and the first flange.
7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the first link is connected to the second link via a slideable interface.
8. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter further comprises an adapter surface, wherein the first link and second link are slideably mounted to the adapter surface.
9. A rain cap system, comprising:
- a rain cap;
- an adapter configured to mount the rain cap to a gas flue, comprising: a first flange configured to mount to the rain cap; an adjustable mounting portion configured to mount to the gas flue, wherein the adjustable mounting portion comprises: a first moveable link having a first surface with a first edge, and a first interfacing portion; a second link having a second surface with a second edge, and a second interfacing portion, wherein the first edge and second edge at least partially define an opening of the adapter; and an adjustment portion configured to move the first moveable link and the second moveable link towards one another causing a decrease in a size of the opening of the adapter, and wherein the adjustment portion is configured to move the first link and the second link away from one another causing an increase in the size of the opening of the adapter.
10. The adapter of claim 9, wherein the adjustment portion further comprises:
- a threaded adjustment portion that is rotatable about a first axis, wherein threading the adjustment portion in a first direction causes the first link and the second to move towards one another causing a decrease in the size of the opening of the adapter, and wherein threading the adjustment portion in a second direction causes the first link and the second link to move away from one another causing an increase in the size of the opening of the adapter.
11. The adapter of claim 10, wherein the adjustable mounting portion further comprises:
- a third link having a third surface having a third edge and a third interfacing portion, wherein the first edge, second edge, and third edge at least partially define the opening of the adapter, wherein threading the adjustment portion in the first direction causes the first link, second link, and third link to move towards one another causing a decrease in the size of the opening of the adapter, and wherein threading the adjustment portion in a second direction causes the first link, second link, and third link to move away from one another causing an increase in the size of the opening of the adapter.
12. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the third interfacing portion is configured to engage with an engagement ridge of the gas flue via movement of the threaded link in the first direction.
13. The adapter of claim 10, wherein the first interfacing portion and the second interfacing portion are configured to engage with an engagement ridge of the gas flue via movement of the threaded adjustment portion in the first direction.
14. The adapter of claim 9, wherein the threaded adjustment portion is connected to the second moveable link and the first flange.
15. The adapter of claim 9, wherein the first link is connected to the second link via a slideable interface.
16. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter further comprises an adapter surface, wherein the first link and second link are slideably mounted to the adapter surface.
17. An adapter, comprising:
- a first flange configured to mount to a first device;
- an adjustable mounting portion configured to mount to a second device, comprising: a first moveable link having a first surface with a first edge, and a first interfacing portion; a second link having a second surface with a second edge, and a second interfacing portion; a third link having a third surface having a third edge and a third interfacing portion, wherein the first edge, second edge, and third edge at least partially define an opening of the adapter; and an adjustment portion configured to move the first moveable link, second moveable link, and third moveable link towards one another causing a decrease in the size of the opening of the adapter, and wherein the adjustment portion is further configured to move the first moveable link, second moveable link, and third moveable link away from one another causing an increase in the size of the opening of the adapter.
18. The adapter of claim 17, wherein the adjustment portion further comprises:
- a threaded adjustment portion that is rotatable about a first axis, wherein threading the adjustment portion in a first direction causes the first moveable link, second moveable link, and third moveable link to move towards one another causing a decrease in a size of the opening of the adapter, and wherein threading the adjustment portion in a second direction causes the first moveable link, second moveable link, and third moveable link to move away from one another causing an increase in the size of the opening of the adapter.
19. The adapter of claim 18, wherein the first interfacing portion, second interfacing portion, and third interfacing portion are configured to engage with an engagement ridge of the second device via movement of the threaded link in the first direction.
20. The adapter of claim 19, wherein the first moveable link is connected to the second moveable link via a first slideable interface, the second moveable link is connected to the third moveable link via a second slideable interface, and the third moveable link is connected to the first moveable link via a third slideable interface.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 24, 2019
Publication Date: Mar 25, 2021
Inventors: Sriganesh Thangavel CHANDRASEKARAN (Tiruchirappalli), Vikas Ashok PATIL (Jaysingpur), Atul Anant SHITKANDE (Pune)
Application Number: 16/580,797