AU4352499A - A lintel, a lintel side plate and a method of forming a lintel - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): MITEK HOLDINGS, INC.

Invention Title: A LINTEL, A LINTEL SIDE PLATE AND A METHOD OF FORMING A LINTEL.

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 A LINTEL, A LINTEL SIDE PLATE AND A METHOD OF FORMING A

LINTEL.

This invention relates to a lintel, a lintel side plate and a method of forming a lintel.

Lintels are typically used as structural framing members over windows and doors, and skirters to support roof and floor trussers, and in other residential, industrial, commercial and agricultural applications. Generally, lintels span the distance between two space supports and carry structure loads, eg. the weight of the structure above the lintel.

Conventional lintels are used in Australia generally formed from solid large section timber on cold formed or hot rolled steel beams.

Conventional lintels of the type referred to above 20 generally have far more capacity and utilise far more materials than necessary for most applications in which they are used. Furthermore, such lintels are heavy to carry, and labour-intensive to install.

Another known type of lintel is made partly of wood and "partly of steel and is marketed under the trade name TRIFOLD. These lintels include a shaped steel member having a centre web portion and integral flanges that extend in the same direction from opposing side edges of the web portion. The metal webs are secured between top and bottom chords with one flange of the metal web extends :over the top surface of a frame member and the other flange extends over the bottom surface of the frame.

The present invention, in a first aspect, may be said to reside in a lintel side plate for a lintel which has a top chord and a bottom chord, the lintel side plate including: \\melb files\home\paulad\Keep\speci\86112-98-prov-mitek.doc 11/08/99 3 a substantially planar plate body; a first grouping of connection elements; a second grouping of connection elements spaced from the first grouping; a flange.extending from the plate body transverse with respect to the plate body; and wherein when the lintel side plate is connected to the top chord and bottom chord of the lintel the flange extends between the top chord and bottom chord to form a stiffening between the top chord and bottom chord.

The lintel plate of this aspect of the invention enables a lintel to be formed by constructing a frame of a building above an opening such as a window, with the frame having a top plate and header plate above the opening. The lintel is completed by connecting a plurality of the lintel side plates to the top plate and header plate by means of the first and second grouping of connection elements with the flange being located between the top and header plates to 20 form stiffenings between the top and header plates and therefore assist in taking load exerted by the weight above the formed lintel.

In one embodiment of the invention the first and second groupings are located respectively adjacent first and "second opposed sides of the substantially planar plate body.

In one embodiment the first and second groupings of connection elements comprise TYLOCK (trade mark) type punched teeth, punched from and extending from the :substantially planar plate body.

However, in other embodiments the connection elements could comprise punched teeth of other configurations or simply holes through the planar plate body for receiving nails to secure the lintel side plate to the top and bottom chords.

\\melbfiles\homeS\paulad\Keep\speci\8112-98-prov-mitek.doc 11/08/99 4 In this aspect of the invention the lintel is effectively formed on site and the top plate and header plate comprise the top chord and bottom chord of the formed lintel.

Preferably the flange is integral with and extends from a side edge of the planar plate body which extends between the edges having the first and second grouping of connection elements, the flange extending for only part of the length of the side edge so that the flange can locate between the top chord and bottom chord of the lintel with the substantially planar plate body overlapping the top chord and bottom chord of the lintel.

A further aspect of the invention may be said to reside in a method of forming a lintel including: constructing a building frame having a top plate and a header plate located above an opening in the constructed frame; locating a plurality of lintel side plates 20 between the top and header plates and connecting the lintel side plates to the top and header plates; and wherein the top and header plates of the formed frame comprise the top chord and bottom chord of the formed lintel.

S This aspect of the invention enables a lintel to be formed on site by using conventional framing members, together with the addition of lintel side plates to complete the formed lintel. The formation of the lintel in this manner does away with the need for an additional top chord and bottom chord of a prefabricated lintel thereby reducing the amount of material in the lintel and frame in which the lintel is installed.

In one embodiment of the invention the lintel side plate may comprise lintel side plates as described above in which the flange forms stiffenings between the top chord and \\melbhfi es\home\pauad\Keep\spci6112-98-prov-mi ek.doc 11/08/99 5 bottom chord of the formed lintel.

However, in other embodiments frame studs may be secured in place between the top and header plates, and the lintel side plate may comprise a substantially planar plate body.

The plate body preferably includes first and second groupings of connection elements which may be formed in a manner described above.

The invention may also be said to reside in a lintel formed in a timber framing construction of a building, said lintel including; a top plate and a header plate of the constructed frame, located above an opening in the constructed frame; and a plurality of lintel side plates connected between the top and header plates so that the top and bottom plates form a top chord and a bottom chord of the formed lintel.

In one embodiment of the invention the lintel side plate may comprise lintel side plates as described above in which the flange forms stiffenings between the top chord and bottom chord of the formed lintel.

However, in other embodiments frame studs may be secured in place between the top and header plates, and the lintel side plate may comprise a substantially planar plate body.

The plate body preferably includes first and second S:"groupings of connection elements which may be formed in a manner described above.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; \\melb~files\homeS\pauad\Keep\ speci\86112-98-prov-mitek.doc 11/08/99 6 Figure 1 shows a building frame including a lintel according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of a lintel side plate used in the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a lintel side plate according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a plan view of the lintel side plate of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a front view of a lintel including the lintel side plates of Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 is a view along the line VI-VI of Figure Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 6 of a lintel according to a further embodiment of the invention' Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 7 of a lintel according to a still further embodiment of the invention.

With reference to Figure 1 a building frame 10 is shown which comprises a top plate 12 and a plurality of studs 14 which extend between the top plate 12 and a bottom plate 16. A window opening 20 is formed in the frame 10 below a header plate 22 and a sill plate 24. Studs 21 extend between the sill plate 24 and the bottom plate 16. A lintel 30 is formed above the opening 20 and includes the top plate 12 and header plate 22 which effectively will form the top chord and bottom chord of the lintel 30. The lintel 30 also includes a number of vertical studs 32 30 extending between the top plate 12 and header plate 22.

The studs 32 will form stiffenings of the lintel 30 when the lintel is completed.

All of the framing components referred to above are formed from timber as is conventional.

The lintel 30 is completed by a plurality of lintel plates \\melbfiles\home\pauad\Keep\speci\6112-98-rov-mitek.doc 11/08/99 7 shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 which are secured to the top chord 12 and bottom chord 22 to complete the lintel Figure 2 shows a view of the lintel plates 40 used in Figure 1. The lintel plates 40 comprise a generally planar plate formed from metal having an upper edge 42 and a lower edge 44. The plates may include gussets, folds or the like for adding strength to the plates 40. Teeth 46 are punched from the plates in two groupings adjacent to respective sides 42 and 44. The teeth 46 are preferably of TYLOCK configuration so that they can be easily hammered to penetrate into the top chord 12 and bottom chord 22 to secure the plates 40 between the top chords 12 and 22.

However, punched teeth of other configurations could also be used. In an alternative embodiments the punched teeth could be omitted and openings could merely be formed in the plates 40 to receive nails to secure the plates 40 to the top chord 12 and bottom chord 22.

The length of the plates L shown in Figure 2 are preferably dimension to suit stud spacings having 450 mm centres or 600 mm centres. The plates having lengths L to suit 450 mm or 600 mm stud centres can have varying depths D to suit various lintel depths. Typically plates 40 of 450 mm or 600 mm centres could be made in two or three different depths D to suit lintel depths of different sizes.

Top edge 42 of the plates 40 are preferably flushed with a top edge of the top chord 12 but bottom edge 44 does not extend completely to the bottom of bottom chord 22, so that "i the plates 40 are positioned spaced from the bottom edge of the bottom chord 22. This spacing provides for convenient attachment of sidings or other materials to the bottom chord 22 without interference by the plates 40. This preferred aspect of the invention is fully disclosed in our co-pending patent application No.86112/98 (the contents of \\melbfiles\homeS\pauad\Keep\speci\86112-98-prov-mitek.do 11/08/99 8 which is incorporated into this specification by this reference).

As disclosed in the above mentioned co-pending application a third grouping of connection elements (not shown) could be provided between the first and second groupings 46 generally centrally of the plates Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the invention in which side plate 40' is provided with a flange 43 which extends transverse to the plane of the plate 40' and preferably perpendicular to the plane of the plate Like reference numerals in Figure 3 show like parts to those previously described. The flange 43 extends from one side edge 45 and is preferably formed integral with the plate 40' and bent at right angles. The flange 43 extends only part of the length of the side 45 between the first and second groupings of connectors 46.

Figures 5 and 6 show a lintel formed from the side plates In this embodiment the flanges 43 locate between the top chord 12 and bottom chord 22 and form vertical stiffenings between the top chord 12 and bottom chord 22 thereby avoiding the need to insert wooden studs (such as the studs 32) shown in the embodiment of Figure 1. Preferably top edge 43a of the flange 43 and bottom edge 43b of the flange 43 contact the bottom of top plate 12 and the top of header plate 22 respectively so as to bear some of the load exerted by the weight of the formed lintel.

Once again, the lintel of Figures 3 to 6 is formed by constructing the frame of the building having the top plate 12 and header plate 22 above an opening 20 (see Figure 1) but omitting the studs 32, and then attaching the side plates 40' to the top chords 12 and bottom chord 22 with \\melbfiles\home$\paulad\Keep\speci\86112-98-prov-mitek.doc 11/08/99 9 the flange 43 extending between the top chord 12 and bottom chord 22 to form the vertical stiffenings of the formed lintel 30'shown in Figure Figure 7 shows a modification to the embodiment of Figure 1 in which the length of the window opening is not equal to the integral number of the plates 40. In this embodiment one of the plates (labelled 40a) can be secured to rear of the lintel and overlap one of the plates 40 on the other side of the lintel Figure 8 shows an embodiment similar to Figure 7 but using the plates 40' of Figures 3 and 4. In this embodiment one of the plates 40'a is located on the rear surface of the lintel 30' and overlaps one of the lintels 40' on the other side of the lintel As disclosed in the above mentioned co-pending application, spaces could be provided between some of the lintel plates 20 40 and 40' to provide room for electrical, plumbing or other members without the need for drilling or cutting of the lintel.

In other embodiments of the invention the side plates may include a flange (not shown) extending from side edge 49 (see Figure 3) so that each plate 40' has two flanges for location between the top chord 12 and bottom chord 22 of the lintel 30'. In the embodiment shown the flange 43 extends substantially the entire width of the chord 22.

30 However, the flange 43 could extend only part of the width of the chord 22.

Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may readily be effected by persons skilled within the art, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described by way of example hereinabove.

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Claims (15)

1. A lintel side plate for a lintel which has a top chord and a bottom chord, the lintel side plate including: a substantially planar plate body; a first grouping of connection elements; a second grouping of connection elements spaced from the first grouping; a flange extending from the plate body transverse with respect to the plate body; and wherein when the lintel side plate is connected to the top chord and bottom chord of the lintel the flange extends between the top chord and bottom chord to form a stiffening between the top chord and bottom chord.

2. The lintel side plate of claim 1 where the first and second groupings are located respectively adjacent first and second opposed sides of the substantially planar plate body.

3. The lintel side plate of claim 1 where the first and second groupings of connection elements comprise punched teeth, punched from and extending from the substantially planar plate body.

4. The lintel side plate of claim 1 where the connection elements comprise holes through the planar plate body for receiving nails to secure the lintel side plate to the top and bottom chords.

The lintel side plate of any one of claims 1 to 4 where the flange is integral with and extends from a side edge of the planar plate body which extends between the edges having the first and second grouping of connection elements, the flange extending for only part of the length of the side edge so that the flange can locate between the top chord and bottom chord of the lintel with the \\melbfiles\home$\paulad\Keep\speci\86112-98-prov-mitek.doc 11/08/99 11 substantially planar plate body overlapping the top chord and bottom chord of the lintel.

6. A method of forming a lintel including: constructing a building frame having a top plate and a header plate located above an opening in the constructed frame; locating a plurality of lintel side plates between the top and header plates and connecting the lintel side plates to the top and header plates; and wherein the top and header plates of the formed frame comprise the top chord and bottom chord of the formed lintel.

7. The method of claim 6 where the lintel side plate may comprise lintel side plates according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the flange forms stiffenings between the top chord and bottom chord of the formed lintel. 20

8. The method of claim 6 including securing frame studs in place between the top and header plates, and the lintel side plate may comprise a substantially planar plate body.

9. A lintel formed in a timber framing construction of a building, said lintel including; a top plate and a header plate of the constructed frame, located above an opening in the constructed frame; and a plurality of lintel side plates connected between the top and header plates so that the top and .bottom plates form a top chord and a bottom chord of the formed lintel.

10. The lintel of claim 9 where the lintel side plate comprises lintel side plates according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the flange forms stiffenings between the \\melb files\homeS\paulad\Keep\speci\86112-98-prov-mitek.doc 11/08/99 12 top chord and bottom chord of the formed lintel.

11. The invention of claim 9 where frame studs are secured in place between the top and header plates, and the lintel side plate comprises a substantially planar plate body.

12. The lintel of claim 11 where the plate body preferably includes first and second groupings of connection elements.

13. A lintel side plate substantially as hereinbefore descried with reference to Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of forming a lintel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 20

15. A lintel formed in a timber framing construction of a building, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 11th day of August 1999 S*MITEK HOLDINGS, INC. By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia \\melb~files\home\paulad\Keep\speci\6112-98-prov-mitek.doc 11/08/99