Operating mechanism for fireplace damper

For use with a fireplace damper having a depending actuating lever located within the firebox area above the hearth of a fireplace, an operating mechanism extending through the front wall portion of the fireplace and operatively engaging the damper arm for opening and closing the same, said operating mechanism comprising an elongated three-section actuating rod, two of said rod sections being adjustable with respect to each other for adjusting the length of the rod and for inserting the rod in place in the fireplace wall, the innermost end of one of said rod sections being bent to form a generally L-shaped end portion, a U-shaped bracket mounted on said L-shaped rod portion and engageable with the depending end of the damper actuating lever, a clamp for securing the adjustable sections of the rod together, a one-way hinge swingably engaging the second and third sections of the rod together whereby the third section of the rod can be swung upwardly, a cap pivotally engaged on the forward end of the third rod section, and an actuating knob swingably engaged with said pivoted cap for gripping engagement by a user to slide the rod axially to open and close the damper, said third rod section being swingable upwardly against the fireplace wall when the rod has been pulled to open the damper.