GB2171430A

GB2171430A - A lintel

Info

Publication number: GB2171430A
Application number: GB08603674A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Stephen Doyle; Noel Patrick Fagan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-01-31
Filing date: 1986-02-14
Publication date: 1986-08-28
Also published as: GB2134560A; GB8603674D0; IE54407B1; IE830174L; GB8402042D0; GB2171430B; GB2134560B

Abstract

A lintel (1) comprises a pair of plate members (7 and 8) joined by a channel member (11) having webs (14 and 15), and insulating material (34) provided on the rear web of the channel. <IMAGE>

Description

1 GB2171430A 1

SPECIFICATION

A lintel The present invention relates to a lintel, and in particular to a lintel for supporting a wall above an opening for, for example, a window, door or the like.

According to the invention there is provided a lintel for supporting a wall over an opening, the lintel comprising a locating means for abutting and locating a frame in the opening.

In one embodiment of the invention, the lin tel comprises a pair of elongated plate mem bers for supporting the inner and outer leaves of a cavity wall, the plate members being joined by an elongated structural element.

In another embodiment of the invention the locating means is an elongated locating mem ber extending adjacent one plate member.

Preferably, one plate member is in a plane below the other, and the locating member is formed by a portion of the structural member extending from the lower plate member.

In another embodiment of the invention the structural element is an inverted channel mem ber.

Advantageously, the free longitudinal edges of the webs of the channel are joined to the inner longitudinal edges of the plate members, so that the plate members extend away from each other, and outwardly of the channel member.

In one embodiment of the invention a lower portion of the web adjacent the lower plate member extends substantially perpendicularly from the lower plate member to form the lo cating member.

Preferably, the perpendicular portion of the web forming the locating member extends to at least the plane of the higher plate member, and preferably to a distance of five millimetres from the lower plate member, and in many cases may extend ten millimetres or more from the lower plate member.

In another embodiment of the invention, the channel is of V-shaped cross section. And preferably one web is substantially perpendicu lar to one of the plate members, and advanta geously, it is perpendicular to the upper of the two plate members.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the webs of the channel member terminate in an apex, and preferably, the upper portions of the webs extend upwardly parallel to each 120 other, adjacent each other.

Alternatively, the top of the webs are joined by an elongated cross member, which may be substantially horizontal, or inclined. In one em bodiment of the invention, the lintel is formed from a single sheet of material, while in an alternative embodiment of the invention it is formed from two sheets of material, one sheet of material forming the lower member and its adjacent web, while the other sheet forms the upper plate member and its adjacent web, preferably, the two sheets of material are joined adjacent the upper webs, and preferably by spot welding. In another em- bodiment of the invention, straps are provided between the plate members to add to the rigidity of the lintel.

In another embodiment of the invention, a plaster keying strip of perforated metal is at- tached to at least one of the plate members.

In one embodiment of the invemtion, the lintel is of sheet metal, and may be galvan ised, while in an alternative embodiment, it is of stainless steel.

In a further embodiment of the invention, insulation material is provided on one of the webs of the channel, and preferably, on the inner face of the channel extending from the upper plate member.

Additionally, the invention provides a lintel comprising a pair of elongated plate members for supporting the leaves, the plates being joined by an elongated structural element, and a heat insulating material being provided on a substantially upwardly projecting web of the structural element.

Advantageously, the structural element is of channel section and the heat insulating material is provided on the inner face of the web adjacent the plate member for supporting the inner leaf of the cavity wall.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lintel according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the lintel of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the lintel of Fig.lin use, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of portion of the lintel of Fig. 1, also in use, Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of a lintel according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 3 of thelintel of Fig.5, Fig. 7 is a perspective view similar to Fig.

of the lintel of Fig.5, Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of a lintel according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of a lintel according to a still further embodiment of the invention, Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of a lintel according to a still further embodiment of the invention, Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view of a lintel according to a still further embodiment of the invention, Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view of a lintel according to a still further embodiment of the 2 GB2171430A 2 invention, Fig. 13 is according to invention, Fig. 14 is according to invention, Fig. 15 is according to invention, Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view of a lintel according to a still further embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view of a lintel according to a still further embodiment of the 80 invention.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 4 thereof, there is provided a lintel according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The lintel 1 is suitable for supporting the inner and outer leaves 3 and 4 respectively of a cavity wall 5 above an opening 6.

The lintel 1 comprises a pair of elongated plate members 7 and 8 for supporting the leaves 3 and 4 respectively. An elongated structural element, in this case an inverted channel member 11 of substantially V-shaped cross section, having a pair of side webs 14 and 15 join the plate members 7 and 8. The 95 inner plate member 7 is in a plane higher than the outer plate member 8, as can be seen in Fig. 2. In this case, the distance between the planes of the higher and lower plate members 7 and 8, is approximately ten millimetres. The 100 web 14 is substantially perpendicular to the upper plate member 7, and both the web 14 and the plate member 7 are formed integrally from a single sheet of galvanised sheet metal.

The web 15 is inclined, and a lower portion 16 of the web 15 extends substantially perpendicular from the lower plate member 8 to form a locating member for abutting and locating a window frame 17, see Fig. 3. In this case, the portion 16 extends approximately thirty five millimetres from the lower plate member 8. The web 15 and plate member 8 are also formed integrally from a single sheet of galvanised sheet metal. Upper portions 18 and 19 of the webs 14 and 15 respectively, project upwardly parallel to each other, and the webs are joined by spot welding the portions 18 and 19 together.

The outer free edges of both plate members 7 and 8 are bent downwardly at approximately an angle of ten degrees to the horizontal at 20 to form drip means which facilitate water run off from the plates.

Straps 22 also of sheet metal, join the plate members 7 and 8 together, and add to the rigidity of the lintel. Although, only one strap is illustrated in Fig. 4, it will be appreciated that many more straps are used. The straps 22 are spotwelded to the plate members, and the straps are cranked downwardly adjacent a cross sectional view of a lintel a still further embodiment of the a cross sectional view of a lintel a still further embodiment of the a cross sectional view of a lintel a still further embodiment of the the lower plate member 8 to accommodate the plate member 8. A sheet of perforated metal 25 is secured to the upper plate member 7 by spotwelding, to form a plaster key- ing strip, as can be seen in Figs. 3 and 4 the perforated metal strip 25 extends partly across the channel member 11.

Depending on the load which the lintel has to carry, the sheet metal material of the lintel may be one, two or three standard wire gauge. In general, it is envisaged that the material forming the plate member 7 and web 14 which supports the inner leaf of the cavity wall, will be of a heavier gauge than the other sheet. A typical example would be a sheet forming the plate member 7 and web 14 would be of 3 mm, while the other sheet forming the plate member 8 and web 15 would be of 2mm. In certain cases it is envi- saged that the lintel may be made from stainless steel. It is also envisaged that the sheet metal may be of sizes in the range from 0.5 to 5 millimetres.

In use, the cavity wall 5 is constructed as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. When the wall 5 has been constructed to the top of the opening 6, the lintel is then placed across the opening and the ends of the plate members 1 and 8 rest on the constructed inner and outer leaves 3 and 4. The lower plate member 8 is placed on the outer leaf 4 while the higher plate member 7 is placed on the inner leaf 3. The remainder of the wall is then constructed with the plate member 7 and 8 supporting the higher courses of brick forming the inner and outer leaves 3 and 4. This can be clearly seen in Figs. 3 and 4. The bent portions 20 facilitate water run-off and prevents water travelling beneath the plates 7 and 8, which could cause subsequent corrosion leading to collapse of the wall.

Before constructing the inner and outer leaves above the lintel, a damp proof course 27 is positioned as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The window frame 17 is inserted in the opening 6 so that the frame abutts the locating member 16 of the lintel 1. The window is secured in position and a mastic seal 30 is then provided around the outer portion of the window frame 17.

The inner surface of the inner leaf 3 is plastered, and the plastering is continued beneath the upper plate member 7 and is retained securely by the plaster keying strip 25.

The advantage of having the portion 16 forming a locating member, is that it provides a positive location for the window frame, and removes all elements of trial and error from fixing a window frame into the opening 6.

Needless to say, while the opening in the cavity wall has been described to accommodate a window frame, it will of course be appreciated that it could accommodate a door frame or any other frame.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 17, lintels ac- 3 GB2171430A 3 cording to other embodiments of the invention are illustrated. These lintels are substantially similar to that just described and similar com ponents of each lintel are identified by the same reference numerals.

Figs. 5 to 7, illustrate a lintel 33 according to another embodiment of the invention. The main difference between this lintel 33 and lin tel 1 is that a sheet of heat insulating material 34 is provided on the inner face of the web 14, in other words, the face of the web 14 facing the web 15. This, it will be appreci ated, considerably enhances the insulation of the building. The insulating material in this case, is polystyrene foam insulation, and it is 80 bevelled at 35 to accommodate the inclination of the web 15. The straps 22 retain the insu lation material 34 in place.

In this case, the wall is constructed in simi lar fashion, as described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, and the lintel 33 is positioned the upper portion of the cavity wall 5 and is then constructed above the lintel and insulat ing material 36 is provided on the inner leaf 3 of the cavity wall. As can be seen in Fig. 7 90 by virtue of the fact that insulating material 34 is provided in the lintel, continuity of the insu lation is provided in the upper portion of the cavity wall down to the top of the opening 6 in the cavity wall.

Referring now to Fig. 8, there is illustrated a lintel 37 according to another embodiment of the invention. The only difference between this lintel and lintel 1 is that the inclination of the web 15 is different, thus leading to a shorter lintel. This lintel also has a sheet of heat insulating material 34.

Fig. 9 shows a lintel 38 according to a still further embodiment of the invention. In this case, the channel member 11 is of substan- 105 tially V-shaped cross section with the apex of the V removed. The top of the webs 14 and are joined by a substantially horizontal elongated cross member 39. In this case, the lintel is formed from one continuous sheet of 110 material which is bent to form the plate member 7 and 8, the webs 14 and 15 and the cross member 39. A sheet of heat insulating material 34 is also provided.

Fig. 10 illustrates a lintel 40 according to another embodiment of the invention. This lintel 40 is substantially similar to the lintel 38 of Fig. 9, with the exception that the straps 22 extend between the webs 14 and 15. As can be seen, the strap is substantially vertical 120 and is spotwelded to the webs 14 and 15.

Fig. 11 illustrates a lintel 41 according to another embodiment of the invention. The lintel 41 is formed from two sheets of material, which are joined by spotwelding the upper portions 18 and 19 of the webs 14 and 15. As can be seen, the upper portions 18 and 19 are parallel to each other, and form a slightly inclined cross member 39 joining the webs 14 and 15. In this case straps 22 have 130 been dispensed with and only one drip means 20 is provided on the lower plate member 8.

Fig. 12 illustrates a lintel 42 according to a still further embodiment of the invention. In this case, the lintel is of substantially similar cross section to the lintel 41 of Fig. 11, with the exception that this lintel 12 is manufactured from a single sheet of material, being bent to form the plates 7 and 8, the webs 14 and 15, and the slightly inclined cross member 39.

Fig. 13 illustrates a lintel 43, which is formed from a single sheet of material. The plate members 7 and 8 and and the webs 14 and 15 are formed by bending the sheet of material.

Fig. 14 illustrates a lintel 44, which is formed from two sheets of material. One sheet forms the plate member 7 and the web 14, and the second sheet forms the plate member 8 the web 15 and the cross member 29. The two sheets are joined by spotwelding the upper portions 18 and 19 of the webs 14 and 15.

Fig. 15 illustrates a lintel 45 according to a further embodiment of the invention. In this case, the perpendicular portion 16 extends substantially the height of the lintel. The lintel is formed from two sheets of material joined by spotwelding the upper portions 18 and 19 of the webs 14 and 15.

A lintel 46 according to a still further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 16. This lintel is substantially similar to the lintel of Fig. 1, with the exception tat the perforated metal forming the plaster keying strip 25, extends right across between the two plate members 7 and 8.

Fig. 17 illustrates a lintel 47 according to another embodiment of the invention. This lintel is substantially similar to those described with the exception that the plate members 7 and 8 are in the same plane, and the locating member has been dispensed with. Insulating material 34 is provided in the channel member 11.

It is appreciated that while the lintels according to various embodiments of the invention just described, have in general comprised a pair of plate members joined by a structural member which has been formed by a channel member, it is not necessary that the structural element should be a channel member, it could be a structural member of any cross section, for example, it is envisaged in certain cases, it could be a structural member of box section, trapizoidal section, triangular cross section, or indeed, in certain cases it could be formed by a solid member or any other suitable section. Further, it will be appreciated that while straps have been illustrated for joining the plate members to increase rigidity of the lintel, the straps if desired, could be dispensed with, and in certain cases, the straps could be replaced by a continuous plate member extend- 4 GB2171430A 4 ing over the length of the lintel.

Further, it will be appreciated that while the locating member has been described in all cases as being formed by a portion 16 of the web 15, this is not necessary, it could be formed by an elongated strip of material extending over the length of the plate member, which could'in certain cases depend downwardly from the plate member, or could be formed by an extension of the web 15. Further, it will of course be appreciated that it is not necessary for the locating member to be a continuous plate at all, it could be formed by one or more lugs extending from a plate member or the structural element.

Further, it will be appreciated that while one plate member has been described as being lower than the other, this would not be necessary if the locating member were not formed by portion of the web 15. If, for example, the locating means were formed by lugs or any elongated plate extending from the plate member 8, then it is envisaged that the two plate members 7 and 8 would be in the same plane.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that materials other than sheet metal or stainless steel, could be used, for example, in certain cases, it is envisaged that a plastics material could be used, and in other cases, possibly wood may be an alternative. It is envisaged that in certain cases, the structural member joining the plate members could be of timber material. Further, it will be appreciated that while particular gauge thickness of material have been described, materials of any other suitable gauge could be used.

Additionally, it is envisaged that in certain cases the perforated sheet metal forming, the plaster keying strip, could be dispensed with altogether, or other suitable material to form a plaster keying strip could be used. Of course it will be appreciated that while in certain embodiments of the invention the plaster keying strip has been described as extending partially, and in one case entirely over the channel member, this is not necessary. It will be appreciated that the plaster keying strip may be provided on one plate member, or it could extend across both plate members in all cases. Such variations of course will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

It is also envisaged that while certain constructions of lintel have been described with- out insulating material, insulating material could be provided in all constructions. Additionally, the constructions illustrated with insulation material, could be provided without insulation.

Further, it will be appreciated that while the outer free edges of the plate members have been described as being bent to form a drip means, any other suitable form of drip means could be provided, indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the drip means may be dis- pensed with altogether on possibly one or in- deed in certain cases both plate members.

It will of course be appreciated that while the lintels in some of the embodiments of the invention have been described for supporting a cavity wall above a window opening in a cavity wall, it could be used for any opening, for example, an opening for a door frame or the like.

Claims

1. A lintel for supporting the inner and outer leaves of a cavity wall, the lintel comprising a pair of elongated plate members for supporting the leaves, the plates being joined by an elongated structural element, and a heat insulating material being provided on a substantially upwardly projecting web of the structural element.

2. A lintel as claimed in claim 1 in which the structural element is of channel section and the heat insulating material is provided on the inner face of the web adjacent the plate member for supporting the inner leaf of the cavity wall.

3. A lintel as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the insulating material is polystyrene.

4. A lintel for supporting a wall over an opening, the lintel comprising a locating means for abutting and locating a frame in the opening.

5. A lintel as claimed in claim 4, in which the lintel comprises a pair of elongated plate members for supporting the inner and outer leaves of a cavity wall, the plate members being joined by an elongated structural element.

6. A lintel as claimed in claim 5, in which the locating means is an elongated locating member extending adjacent one plate member.

7. A lirntel as claimed in claims 5 or 6, in which one plate member is in a plane below the other, and the locating member is formed by a portion of the structural member extending from the lower plate member.

8. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, in which the structural member is an inverted channel member.

9. A lintel as claimed in claim 8 in which the free longitudinal edges of the webs of the channel are joined to the inner longitudinal edges of the plate members, so that the plate members extend away from each other, and outwardly of the channel member.

10. A lintel as claimed in claim 7 in which the lower portion of the web adjacent the lower plate member extends substantially perpendicularly from the lower plate member to form the locating member.

11. A lintel as claimed in claim 10 in which the lower perpendicular portion of the web forming the locating member extends to at least the plane of the higher plate member.

12. A lintel as claimed in claim 11 in which the perpendicular portion of the web extends at least five millimetres.

GB2171430A 5

13. A lintel as claimed in claim 12 in which the perpendicular portion extends at least ten millimetres.

14. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 8 to 13 in which the channel is of V-shaped cross section.

15. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 8 to 14 in which one of the webs is substantially perpendicular to one of the plate members.

16 A lintel as claimed in claim 15 in which the perpendicular web extends from the higher plate member.

17. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16 in which the webs terminate in an apex.

18. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17 in which the upper portions of the webs extend parallel to each other adjacent each other.

19. A lintel as claimed in claim 18 in which the upper portions of the webs extend sub- 85 stantially upwardly.

20. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 8 to 19 in which the top of the webs are joined by an elongated cross member.

2 1. A lintel as claimed in claim 20 in which the cross member is substantially horizontal.

22. A lintel as claimed in claim 20 in which the cross member extends downwardly forwardly from one of the webs.

23. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 4 to 22 in which the lintel is formed from a single sheet of material.

24. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 8 to 22, in which the lower plate member and its adjacent web, are formed from a single sheet of material, and the upper plate member and its adjacent web are formed from a single sheet of material, the sheets being joined at the upper edges of the webs. 40

25. A lintel as claimed in claim 24 in which 105 the sheets forming the lintel are joined by spot welding.

26. A lintel as claimed in claim 24 or 25 in which the material forming the upper plate member and its adjacent web is of heavier gauge than the other sheet of material.

27. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 5 to 26 in which the plate members are joined by straps.

28. A lintel as claimed in claim 27 in which the straps extend from the plate members.

29. A lintel as claimed in claim 28 in which the straps are cranked downwardly adjacent the lower plate member.

30. A lintel as claimed in claim 27 in which the straps extend between the lower portions of the two webs.

3 1. A lintel as claimed in claim 30 in which the straps are in a substantially vertical plane.

32. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 5 to 31 in which the outer free edge of one of the plate members is directed outwardly downwardly to form a drip means.

33. A lintel as claimed in claim 32 in which the outer free edge of each plate member is directed outwardly downwardly.

34. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 4 to 33 in which the lintel is of sheet metal material.

35. A lintel as claimed in claim 34 in which the sheet metal material is galvanised.

36. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 4 to 33 in which the lintel is of stainless steel material.

37. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 4 to 36 in which a heat insulating material is provided in the lintel.

38. A lintel as claimed in claim 37 when dependent on claim 5 in which the heat insu- lating material is provided along one web of the structural element.

39. A lintel as claimed in claim 38 in which the heat insulating material is provided on the face of the web facing the other web.

40. A lintel as claimed in claim 38 or 39 in which the heat insulating material is provided on the web adjacent the upper plate member.

41. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 37 to 40 in which the heat insulating material is polystyrene.

42. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 5 to 41 in which the upper plate member supports the inner leaf of the cavity wall.

43. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 4 to 42 in which a plaster keying strip is provided on portion of the under surface of the lintel.

44. A lintel as claimed in claim 43 when dependent on claim 2 in which the plaster keying strip is provided on one of the plate members.

45. A lintel as claimed in claim 44 in which the plaster keying strip extends at least partly across the channel member.

46. A lintel as claimed in claim 45 in which the perforated metal extends between both plate members.

47. A lintel as claimed in any of claims 43 to 46 in which the plaster keying strip is perforated metal.

48. Lintels substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Printed in the United Kingdom for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Dd 8818935, 1986, 4235. Published at The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1 AY, from which copies may be obtained.