GB1600124A - Lintels - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN LINTELS (71) We, CATNIC COMPONENTS LIMITED, a British Company, of Pontygwindy Estate, Caerphilly, Glamorganshire, CF8 2WJ, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The Invention relates to improvements in lintels and particularly concerns lintels of the kind which are formed from lightweight sheet steel.

According to the invention there is provided a lintel for supporting the load of superimposed course of building blocks such as bricks, slabs, breeze blocks or beams or joists over an opening in a wall, comprising a first planar plate for receiving the building blocks, a second plate or part separated substantially vertically, in use, from the first plate or part and adapted to rest on a course of building blocks on either side of the opening, two spaced rigid substantially vertical, in use, support members of substantially the same height connecting the first and second plates or parts and defining with them a substantially hollow box section, and a plurality of lips which extend longitudinally of the lintel and which project exteriorly of the box section which lips are planar and one of which is of greater width than the other(s), the lip of greater width being overlain by an extension of one of the rigid support members, the free edges of the extension being immediately adjacent the free edge of the lip.

The lintel may include insulation means.

The insulation may be thermal insulation means at either an interior or an exterior surface of the lintel.

Lintels embodying the invention hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 17, 19, 21, 22, 27, 32, 33, 38 and 38A show end elevations of different embodiments of lentels; Other Figures show different examples of box section lintels which do not form a part of this invention.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are referred to by like reference numerals, the lintels shown each have a first plate or part 1 which is horizontal, a second plate or part 2 spaced vertically downwardly from the first plate or part 1 (as viewed) and vertical rigid support members 3 and 4 connecting the plates or parts 1 and 2.

The lintels shown in Figures 1 to 16 have means in the form of an extension 5 of one plate for seating a building element such as a layer of insulation or other building element such as a window frame.

The lintels can also have a layer of thermal insulation 6 integrally formed at an internal surface, or at an external surface as shown in Fig. 23.

The lintels may be rolled from lightweight sheet metal such as galvanised steel.

Where separate metal plates are used to form the lintels, they are secured as by being welded together to form the lintel. However, it will be understood that certain parts of the lintel e.g. a first plate and rigid support could be rolled from a single piece of metal.

In Figure 23, a metal capping member or interior wall lintel 8 for receiving a window frame is also shown.

Figure 24 shows the lintel of Figure 6 in position in a cavity wall. It is used in conjunction with a fixing bracket 11 secured to a window or door frame 12 by a securing means such as a screw or screws 13 and an interior lintel 14 of L-shape with a lip 14' (Figure 29) which sits over the bracket 13 and seats a building block such as a breeze block 15. A lip 16 of the lintel engages forwardly of the downwardly projecting limb of the bracket 11, and butts against the frame 12.

Figure 25 shows the lintel of Figure 9 used in the same manner as the lintel of Figure 24.

Figure 26 shows the lintel of Figure 16 used in conjunction with an interior lintel 17 of generally "Z"-shape. The lower (in use) limb 18 of the lintel 17 engages over the window or door frame 12 against the opposite face of which an edge strip in the form of a plastics extrusion 19, push engaged on the forward lip of the lintel, abuts.

Figure 27 shows the lintel of Figure 19 in position in a wall and used in conjunction with an interior lintel 17. A double glazing unit 19 is mounted to the frame 12.

Figure 28 shows the lintel of Figure 20 in position in a wall and used in conjunction with an interior lintel 20 of L-shape, the limb 21 of which is secured to a wooden frame part 22 by securing means in the form of screws (of which only one 23 is shown) in a counter sunk bore 24. Insulation 6 is mounted at two external faces of the lintel.

All the lintels can have mesh 9 such as expanded metal, secured to them as by welding or clips 10, for enhancing the adhesion of rendering, plaster, cement etc. to the lintel.

In Figure 30, the mesh comprises a first run 24 stretched tight between studs 25 and 26 and a second run 27 stretched tight over studs 28 and 29. In this way three faces of the lintel are covered with mesh.

In Figure 31, the mesh comprises one run 30 stretched tightly between studs 31 and 32 so that two faces of the lintels are covered with mesh.

In Figure 32, the mesh comprises one run 33 stretched tightly between studs 34 and 35. The stud 35 is on the upper (in use) surface of a lip 36 of the lintel so that the mesh covers the lower face of the lintel and extends round the forward part of the lip and partly along it.

All the lintels, it will be understood, are of hollow box section, defined between upper and lower is viewed plates or parts and the first and second rigid support members.

The lintels shown in Figures 31 and 32 both have a substantially vertical rear face 37 in the embodiments shown formed by a channel section member 38 secured as by welding between top and bottom plates or parts of the lintels. The rear face 37 has in each embodiment a plurality of integral spaced anchorage means in the form of two series of holes 39 and 40, superimposed vertically at 200 mm centres in this case.

The holes 39 and 40 extend along the lintels at suitable horizontal spacings. The vertically superimposed holes 39 and 40 are arranged to receive a batten holder 41 (Figure 33) which is in the form of a clip 42 of circular section spring steel in the present case. The clip 42 has a generally channel shape, the free ends of the limbs 43 terminating in lips 44 which are inclined at 25 to the horizontal and which can be hooked into the holes 39 and 40 to secure the clip to the lintel by urging the limbs together under spring pressure and then releasing them when the lips have been engaged. The web 45 is slightly bowed (by 10 from each limb).

In use when a clip 42 is mounted in holes 39 and 40 a batten say of rectangular section wood is inserted between the rear face 37 and central point 46 of the web so that the batten is gripped firmly and secured to the lintel. A series of clips 42 may be spaced along the batten to hold it in place.

When in place on the rear surface 37 of the lintel, an excellent means for securing ancillary equipment such as a curtain rail to the lintel is provided by the batten. To this end it will be appreciated that the holes 39 and 40 are positioned so that the ancillary equipment can be positioned at the optimum position. Although only two series of holes have been shown, it will be understood that several may be incorporated over the rear face 37 so that a choice of position for mounting the clips 42 is obtained. Also, the clips may be pushed with a push fit in the holes, the push fit ensuring that they are held in position. Alternatively, the clips may be of L-shape so that they provide hooks which hold the battens in place. In this case only one hook in say a hole 39 may be required.

Referring now to Figures 34 to 36, the lintel shown is made from light weight galvanised steel. It has a top (as viewed in Figure 34) horizontal plate or part 47, a bottom horizontal plate or part 48 and vertical rigid support plates 49 and 50 which connect the two plates or parts 47 and 48. The top plate 48 turns downwardly and forwardly so as to define in use, a lip 51 which provides a seating for a building element.

The lintel also includes an internal strengthening support plate 52 and transverse plates or brackets 53 and 54 which provide mounting means for mounting a roller or expansible shutter 55 internally of the lintel. Any suitable means may be used for mounting the shutter so that it can revolve.

The bottom plate 48 of the lintel also has a lip 56 and "L"-shape brackets 5 for assisting in the support of the plates or brackets 53 and 54.

In use, a layer of insulation 58 (Fig. 34) is mounted adjacent an opening 59 of the lintel so that it is contiguous with the outer surface of the roller blind when this is fully retracted into the lintel.

There is a guide 60 through which the shutter passes (as shown by dashed lines).

The lintel has means in the form of metal mesh 61 secured by lugs 62. The mesh helps the adhesion of plaster, mortar, cement and the like to the lintel.

All the metal plates of the lintel may be rolled, and they are secured together in any suitable way, as by spot welding.

In use, when the lintel is in position in a wall of a building, the shutter 55 can be extended from a first end position in which it is within the lintel to a second end position in which it extends from the lintel through the guide 60 to close an opening below the lintel. The shutter can be moved between the two positions by rolling, if it is a roller shutter, or by expanding or contracting it if it is of the kind which can collapse into itself for stowing in the lintel.

Referring now to Figure 37, there is shown a bundle 62 of four lintels similar to those of Figure 31. The lintels are stacked two-high on a bearer 63 with two lintels in the same horizontal plane having their rear faces directed away from each other.

The lintels are held in place by securing means 64 which could be for example shrunk wrapping or strapping 64' round the bearers 64" (Figure 38A).

In Figure 38 there is shown a bundle 65 of four lintels 66, 67, 68 and 69. The lintels 67 and 68 are upside down so that their flange intended to be the lower one in use is uppermost.

The lintels are again on a bearer 63 to which they are secured by securing means 64 in the form of shrink wrapping or strapping 64' round bearers 64". Two spacers 70 separate the lintels 66 and 67 and help to provide stability for the bundle 65. There may be a plurality of bearers spaced along the bundle.

It will be understood that in every embodiment the lintels are made of sheet metal plates such as hot dipped galvanised sheet steel to BS 2989 1975 ZI Quality Coating Type 'C'.

Box section lintels are described and claimed in our Patent No. 1 488 122. We hereby disclaim any matter claimed in that Patent.

Attention is hereby also directed under the terms of Section 9 of the Patents Act, 1949, to the claims of the Specification of our co-pending application No. 48804/77, Serial No. 1 593 799.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A lintel for supporting the load of superimposed course of building blocks such as bricks, slabs, breeze blocks or beams or joists over an opening in a wall, comprising a first planar plate for receiving the building blocks, a second plate or part separated substantially vertically, in use, from the first plate or part and adapted to rest on a course of building blocks on either side of the opening, two spaced rigid substantially vertical, in use, support members of substantially the same height connecting the first and second plates or parts and defining with them a substantially hollow box section, and a plurality of lips which extend longitudinally of the lintel and which project exteriorly of the box section, which lips are planar and one of which is of greater width than the other(s), the lip of greater width being overlain by an extension of one of the rigid support members, the free edge of the extension being immediately adjacent the free edge of the lip.

2. A lintel according to Claim 1, including anchorage means in an, in use, rear support member for connecting ancillary equipment to the lintel.

3. A lintel according to Claim 2, the anchorage means comprising series of holes extending in a longitudinal direction of the rear rigid support member.

4. A lintel according to Claim 3, the holes extending through the thickness of the plate or part or rigid support member.

5. A lintel according to Claim 4, the adjacent holes in each series being substantially vertically aligned, in use of the lintel.

6. A lintel according to Claim 5, and a holder for mounting in the holes and adapted to secure a mounting device for ancillary equipment to the lintel.

7. A lintel according to any preceding claim, including insulation means.

8. A lintel according to Claim 7, the insulation means being interiorly of the lintel.

9. A pack of four lintels according to any preceding claim secured by securing together by strapping.

10. A lintel for supporting the load of a superimposed course of building blocks, such as bricks, slabs, breeze blocks or beams or joists over an opening in a wall, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in any one of Figs. 17, 19, 21, 22, 27, 32, 33, 38 and 38A of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. rolled, and they are secured together in any suitable way, as by spot welding. In use, when the lintel is in position in a wall of a building, the shutter 55 can be extended from a first end position in which it is within the lintel to a second end position in which it extends from the lintel through the guide 60 to close an opening below the lintel. The shutter can be moved between the two positions by rolling, if it is a roller shutter, or by expanding or contracting it if it is of the kind which can collapse into itself for stowing in the lintel. Referring now to Figure 37, there is shown a bundle 62 of four lintels similar to those of Figure 31. The lintels are stacked two-high on a bearer 63 with two lintels in the same horizontal plane having their rear faces directed away from each other. The lintels are held in place by securing means 64 which could be for example shrunk wrapping or strapping 64' round the bearers 64" (Figure 38A). In Figure 38 there is shown a bundle 65 of four lintels 66, 67, 68 and 69. The lintels 67 and 68 are upside down so that their flange intended to be the lower one in use is uppermost. The lintels are again on a bearer 63 to which they are secured by securing means 64 in the form of shrink wrapping or strapping 64' round bearers 64". Two spacers 70 separate the lintels 66 and 67 and help to provide stability for the bundle 65. There may be a plurality of bearers spaced along the bundle. It will be understood that in every embodiment the lintels are made of sheet metal plates such as hot dipped galvanised sheet steel to BS 2989 1975 ZI Quality Coating Type 'C'. Box section lintels are described and claimed in our Patent No. 1 488 122. We hereby disclaim any matter claimed in that Patent. Attention is hereby also directed under the terms of Section 9 of the Patents Act, 1949, to the claims of the Specification of our co-pending application No. 48804/77, Serial No. 1 593 799. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A lintel for supporting the load of superimposed course of building blocks such as bricks, slabs, breeze blocks or beams or joists over an opening in a wall, comprising a first planar plate for receiving the building blocks, a second plate or part separated substantially vertically, in use, from the first plate or part and adapted to rest on a course of building blocks on either side of the opening, two spaced rigid substantially vertical, in use, support members of substantially the same height connecting the first and second plates or parts and defining with them a substantially hollow box section, and a plurality of lips which extend longitudinally of the lintel and which project exteriorly of the box section, which lips are planar and one of which is of greater width than the other(s), the lip of greater width being overlain by an extension of one of the rigid support members, the free edge of the extension being immediately adjacent the free edge of the lip.

2. A lintel according to Claim 1, including anchorage means in an, in use, rear support member for connecting ancillary equipment to the lintel.

3. A lintel according to Claim 2, the anchorage means comprising series of holes extending in a longitudinal direction of the rear rigid support member.

4. A lintel according to Claim 3, the holes extending through the thickness of the plate or part or rigid support member.

5. A lintel according to Claim 4, the adjacent holes in each series being substantially vertically aligned, in use of the lintel.

6. A lintel according to Claim 5, and a holder for mounting in the holes and adapted to secure a mounting device for ancillary equipment to the lintel.

7. A lintel according to any preceding claim, including insulation means.

8. A lintel according to Claim 7, the insulation means being interiorly of the lintel.

9. A pack of four lintels according to any preceding claim secured by securing together by strapping.

10. A lintel for supporting the load of a superimposed course of building blocks, such as bricks, slabs, breeze blocks or beams or joists over an opening in a wall, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in any one of Figs. 17, 19, 21, 22, 27, 32, 33, 38 and 38A of the accompanying drawings.