GB2032502A

GB2032502A - Apparatus Comprising a Bressummer for Installation in a Cavity Wall

Info

Publication number: GB2032502A
Application number: GB7841794A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Catnic Components Ltd
Current assignee: Catnic Components Ltd
Priority date: 1978-10-24
Filing date: 1978-10-24
Publication date: 1980-05-08
Also published as: AU4233378A; GB2032502B; AU529901B2; NZ191374A

Abstract

The invention relates to a bressummer and lintel construction for a timber frame building having a brick faced cavity wall, the bressummer 2 having a downwardly open channel 3 into which an upstanding flange 5 of the lintel 6 is slid, the lintel having a sloping part 16 for spanning the cavity in the wall and a plate or part 18 for supporting overhead brickwork of an outer skin of the wall. The channel 3 may comprise a series of lags welded at 7 to the bressummer. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus comprising a Bressemer for Installation in a Cavity Wall The invention relates to apparatus comprising a bressemer for installation in a cavity wall. Such a bressemer is particularly used in combination with a lintel so that the combination spans an opening in a timber frame construction wall.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus comprising a bressemer, characterised by a device defining a channel for receiving a flange of a lintel so that a combined bressemer and lintel are relatively movable when in position in a cavity wall.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus characterised by a bressemer as hereinbefore defined, and a lintel having a flange for inserting in the channel.

Using the invention it is possible to provide for relative movement between the inner and outer skins of a cavity wall of a timber frame building and to support a timber frame wall above an opening in that wall.

The device may define a downwardly open channel, as considered in use. This provides for a relatively simple construction.

The channel may preferably be defined by a limb of the bressemer and a substantially parallel part of the lug spaced from that limb. This again simplifies construction as only two parts are required.

There may by a plurality of lugs spaced along the length of the bressemer, each lug having a part which is substantially parallel to and spaced from the limb of the bressemer.

The or each lug may be a separate lug which is joined with the bressemer, for example as be welding. This arrangement provides a relatively simple construction and enables uniform lugs to be produced in batches, the requisite number of lugs being welded to the bressemer as required.

Alternatively the lug and the bressemer may be integral. This enables the lug and bressemer to be formed from one piece of material, for example a length of metal plate. The lugs may be struck out of the metal sheet in a forming step in conjunction with a folding operation in which the bressemer is formed to a required shape.

Apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bressemer and lintel in combination; Figure 2 shows a transverse section of the combination in position in a cavity wall of a timber frame building, taken of the line "A-A" of Figure 3; and Figure 3 is a front elevational view, to a smaller scale, of the combination in position as in Figure 1, with the front skin of the cavity wall removed for clarity.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus 1 comprises a bressemer 2 which is made of sheet steel and has a device in the form of a plurality of, in the embodiment shown, four, lugs 3 which are spaced from and substantially parallel to a limb 4 of the bressemer 2 to provide a downwardly open channel into which a flange 5 of a lintel 6 can be slid longitudinally of the bressemer 2, that is from left to right or from right to left as viewed in Figure 1.

The lugs 3 each form part of a "Z"-shape bracket which has a limb 7 secured as by welding e.g. spot welding, to the limb 4 of the bressemer 2. The limb 7 of each bracket merges with a downwardly inclined part which merges in turn with the lug 3.

The bressemer 2 has a limb or flange 8 for hooking over and securing to a plate 9 of a timber frame construction wall 10. The limb 4 of the bressemer 2 has through holes 11 for receiving nails, screws or the like whereby the bressemer 2 is secured to vertical battens 12 of the timber frame construction wall.

The limb 4 terminates in a flange 13 which in use extends into a cavity wall and which strengthens the bressemer 2.

There is an upturned lip 15 at the free edge of the flange.

The lintel 6 comprises the upstanding flange 5 which leads into a rigid damp resistor plate or part 1 6 which in turn merges with a vertical part 1 7 which terminates in an in use forwardly extending plate or part 18 which is adapted for supporting a brick outer skin 1 9, of the cavity wall. The plate or part 18 terminates in a drip lip 20.

The timber frame inner skin of the wall 10 of the timber frame construction building is a prefabricated unit comprising the spaced vertical wooden struts or laths 12 and the horizontal wooden plate 9 and further ones 21 and 22 extending transversely of the struts 12.

Where there is to be an opening for example for a door or window, the vertical struts which would normally extend into the opening are cut off. The space between the plate 21 and the plate 22 is filled with a wooden block 23, and the front, rear and under faces of the part of the frame over the opening are faced with suitable facing material.

The upper surface of the plate 9 has a rebate 24 of substantially the thickness of the metal of the bressemer 2. In use to erect a brick faced cavity wall of a timber frame construction building, the timber frame wall forming the inner skin is erected at the position of the inner skin with the opening positioned at the correct position for the window or door. The brick facing of the outer skin is built up to the required height at either side of the opening to form buttresses.

The bressemer 2 is laid in place so that its flange 8 engages in the rebate 24 of the plate 9. Nails are drived through prepared holes in the flange 8 into the plate 9 and nails are also driven through the holes 11 in the limb 4 into the struts 12. The bressemer is then secured to the frame, its ends overlapping the two vertical struts 12 defining the lateral boundaries of the opening (Figure 3).

The flange 5 of the lintel 6 is engaged behind one end lug 3 and the whole lintel is then slid along so that it engages behind all four lugs (Figure 3). The lintel rests at its ends on the buttresses, which it overlaps to provide support.

The outer skin of brickwork 19 is then built up over the opening, on the plate or part 18, which supports the overhead load of the brickwork.

A spike (not shown) is driven down through the plates 9 and 21 so that the bressemer is securely clamped between them, and the wall is finished as desired, e.g. by mounting a door or window frame 25 on the opening.

It will be understood that the solid lines shown in Figure 3 show a single storey. Additional stories are indicated by the dashed lines 1 2a which represent upward continuation of the struts 12. Whether a single or multi-storey construction is being erected the overhead load in the timber frame over the opening is received by the bressemer and transmitted downwardly to the two lateral struts 12 defining the extremities of the opening. In this way any potential weakness in the timber frame over the opening is obviated by the bressemer, which can also be used to span a much greater width of opening than can a traditional wooden lintel. Also, the arrangement of the lintel 6 and bressemer 2 allows relative movement owing to differential expansion between the wooden frame and brick skin, or due to settlement or the like to be accommodated as the bressemer and lintel can slide relative to one another. The lintel also ensures that any moisture condensing in the cavity is deflected to the outer skin of the wall by the damp resistor plate 1 6. The lintel, it will be understood, is made of sheet metal too.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising a bressemer, characterised by a device defining a channel for receiving a flange of a lintel so that a combined bressemer and lintel are relatively movable when in position in a cavity wall.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised in that the device defines a downwardly open channel in use.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised by a limb of the bressemer and a substantially parallel part of a lug spaced from that limb defining the channel.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, characterised by a plurality of lugs spaced apart along the length of the bressemer, each lug having a part which is substantially parallel to and spaced from the limb of the bressemer.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, characterised in that the or each lug is a separate lug which is joined with the bressemer.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterised in that the or each lug is joined with the said limb of the bressemer by welding.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterised in that the or each lug is integral with the said limb.

8. Apparatus comprising a bressemer, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

9. Apparatus characterised by a bressemer according to any preceding claim, and a lintel having a flange for inserting in the channel.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, characterised in that the flange is in the channel and in that the bressemer and lintel are in position in a cavity wall.

11. Apparatus comprising a bressemer and a lintel, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.