Combined chimney cover and damper

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The combined cover and damper of the present invention can be readily installed on a chimney by the average home owner without the services of a mechanic, and when installed is effective to prevent loss of heat and entry of birds and animals.
Chimney flues are generally one of three standard sizes and the present invention will be made in appropriate sizes to conform with the conventional chimney sizes.
An elongated sleeve made from sheet metal is dimensioned to fit snugly within a chimney flue and to extend into the flue about one or two feet (5 to 10 centimeters).
The upper end of the sleeve is closed and flanges extend outwardly from the sleeve and rest on the chimney top to support the closed end in spaced relation to the top of the chimney.
The closed top of the sleeve is about one or two feet (5 to 10 centimeters) above the top of the chimney, and the upper exposed portion of the sleeve above the chimney has one or more apertures (preferably four) to provide communication between the atmosphere and the interior of the sleeve and the chimney therebeneath.
The apertures in the sleeve are normally closed by a damper slidably mounted within the sleeve and resiliently retained against the lower surface of the cover.
A chain extends from the damper to the hearth and when the chain is tensioned the resilient mounting of the damper to the cover is overcome and the damper is moved downwardly within the sleeve beneath the apertures in the sleeve to establish communication between the atmosphere and the interior of the chimney.
A peripheral flange extends around the cover in spaced at least partially overlying relation to the apertures in the sleeve to protect the apertures against wind blown snow and rain when the damper is in operative position.