US3888166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molded plastic flue damper
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1974-04-12
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Granted: 1975-06-10
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Expires: 1994-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A flue damper is shown mounted over the vent opening of a kitchen exhaust hood to prevent back drafts. The damper is formed of molded plastic material having a central beam supporting a pivoted plate on each side thereof. The parts include snaptogether hinging means for ease of assembly. The central beam is furnished with a transverse cantilever beam serving as a stop means for supporting each pivoted plate in a normal horizontal closed position.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L Stottmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:07
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23L; F23L11/00; F23L11/005; F23L13/00; F23L13/02; F24; F24C; F24C15/00; F24C15/20; F24C15/2021; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7898; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87265; Y10T137/8741; Y10T137/87442
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A flue damper comprising a stationary support beam and a generally flat, light-weight, hinged plate on at least one side of the beam, and a pair of spaced snap-together hinging means between the beam and the plate so that the plate may pivot freely with respect to the beam between a horizontal closed position and a vertical open position, each of said snap-together hinging means between the support beam and the hinged plate comprising a horizontal pivot bar on one member and releasible spring means on the other member for slipping around the pivot bar and forming a loose, generally frictionless, hinge connection, the beam including stop means beneath the plate for supporting the plate in a generally horizontal closed position, such that when an upward airflow is caused to bear against the underside of the hinged plate this plate will assume a generally vertical open position, and when the direction of airflow is reversed or the airflow discontinued then the hinged plate will naturally return to its normal horizontal closed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A flue damper comprising a stationary support beam and a generally flat, light-weight, hinged plate on at least one side of the beam, and a pair of spaced snap-together hinging means between the beam and the plate so that the plate may pivot freely with respect to the beam between a horizontal closed position and a vertical open position, each of said snap-together hinging means between the support beam and the hinged plate comprising a horizontal pivot bar on one member and releasible spring means on the other member for slipping around the pivot bar and forming a loose, generally frictionless, hinge connection, the beam including stop means beneath the plate for supporting the plate in a generally horizontal closed position, such that when an upward airflow is caused to bear against the underside of the hinged plate this plate will assume a generally vertical open position, and when the direction of airflow is reversed or the airflow discontinued then the hinged plate will naturally return to its normal horizontal closed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A flue damper as recited in claim 1 wherein the hinging means for the plate includes a pivot bar at each end of the support beam that is outwardly spaced from the side of the beam and generally parallel thereto, said hinging means also including spring means adjacent one edge of the plate at each end thereof for engaging and holding onto the pivot bar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A flue damper as recited in claim 2 wherein the said stop means for the hinged plate includes a transverse cantilever beam extenting outwardly from the support beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A flue damper as recited in claim 3 wherein the support beam and the hinged plate are molded of a plastic material having a high strength to weight ratio such as polypropylene, such material also being capable of withstanding temperatures between about 250*F and 300*F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A flue damper as recited in claim 1 wherein the support beam has a flat plate hinged to each side of the beam, the said snap-together hinging means being substantially the same for each plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A flue damper as recited in claim 5 wherein each end of the support beam is provided with a generally vertical strut member having an outwardly directed foot with a spring means on its underside that is adapted to become engaged in a close fitting opening in a support plate on which the foot is braced.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
A flue damper as recited in claim 6 wherein the hinging means for each plate includes a pivot bar at each end of the support beam that is outwardly spaced from the side of the beam and generally parallel thereto, said hinging means for each plate also including spring means adjacent one edge of the plate at each end thereof for engaging and holDing onto the pivot bar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A flue damper as recited in claim 7 wherein the said stop means includes a transverse cantilever beam for each plate extending outwardly from the support beam, said transverse beams being located off-center from each other so that pivoted plates may not be assembled upside down.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A flue damper as recited in claim 8 wherein the several parts are molded of a plastic material having a high strength to weight ratio such as polypropylene, such material also being capable of withstanding temperatures between about 250*F and 300*F.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-09 | 1978-12-09 | 1979-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-09 | 1982-12-09 | 1983-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-09 | 1986-12-09 | 1987-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |