GB2059480A

GB2059480A - Lintel

Info

Publication number: GB2059480A
Application number: GB8023518A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Hill and Smith PLC
Current assignee: Hill and Smith PLC
Priority date: 1979-08-11
Filing date: 1980-07-18
Publication date: 1981-04-23

Abstract

A sheet metal box section lintel with substantially parallel upper and lower horizontal members 14, 15 and a pair of non-parallel side members 12, 13 one at least of which is inclined outwardly and downwardly, the lintel being constructed of two L shaped members 10, 11 of which the longer limbs are flanged to provide, with the upper and lower members 14, 15, respective outward flanges at opposite corners. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lintels This invention relates to lintels made from sheet metal and intended for spanning an opening for example for a window or door and upon which a brick or building block structure is built.

There are in existence a number of sheet metal lintels, the invention being concerned with a type of lintel of box section.

It is necessary for the lintel to provide adequate strength to support the appropriate load but the load, being spread over the whole width of the wall above the lintel, should be supported by the lintel over that wall width or substantially so, no overhang being desirable.

The object of the invention is to provide a sheet metal lintel of box section which provides adequate load carrying capacity, with improved structural stability.

According to the invention there is provided a sheet metal lintel of box section having substantially parallel upper and lower members which are generally horizontal in use, and a pair of non-parallel side members joined to the upper and lower members at or near their ends respectively, at least one of the said side members being inclined outwardly from the upper towards the lower member and the lintel being constructed from two elements, each of generally L configuration in section, the longer limbs forming the side members of the lintel, each free end of the longer limbs having a portion turned outwardly, in the opposite direction to the shorter limbs, each such portion being attached to the shorter limb of the other element, to define respective outwardly extending flanges at two diagonally opposite corners of the box section.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, the single figure of which is a crosssectional view of a lintel constructed in accordance with the invention.

The lintel shown is of box section and is formed from sheet metal. Preferably this is galvanised after assembly or otherwise treated against corrosion.

The lintel is intended for use in a building structure in a position over a window or door opening usually in an inside single skin wall. The lintel is of constant cross-section throughout, its ends being engaged in use in brickwork beside the opening to be spanned to an appropriate depth to accommodate the required loading.

Built on top of the lintel is a brick or other structure. The entire area of the wall both at the sides and above the opening are preferably plastered and the side areas of the lintel are also plastered. In order to provide adequate plaster key, expanded metal may be applied to the lintel by welding at intervals. Alternative plaster key arrangements formed on or applied to the lintel may be used.

The lintel itself as shown is made from two sheet metal elements 10 and 11. Each is of generally L shape. The longer limbs 12, 13 of the two elements form the two side members of the lintel and the shorter 14, 1 5 form the upper and lower members of the lintel respectively. The upper and lower members 14, 15 are, in use, parallel and horizontal, whereas the side members 12 and 13 are non-parallel. The side member 12 may be vertical in use of may incline outwardly towards the Idwer member 1 5 at a small angle which may be of the order of 3 .

The side member 13 is inclined outwardly towards the lower member 15 and in this example the angle to the vertical is 730.

Each of the long limbs of the elements 10, 11 terminate in outwardly turned portions 16, 1 7 which extend in opposite directions to the shorter limbs 14 and 1 5 respectively. The portions 16, 17 are attached as by welding to the extremities of the shorter limbs 14 and 1 5 respectively thus forming, at two diagonally opposite corners of the lintel, outwardly directed parallel flanges.

The length of the flange at the upper end of the lintel formed by the shorter limb 14 of one of the elements 10 and the portion 1 7 of the other element 11 has a length such that its extremity is in use vertically above the corner of the element 11 between the longer and shorter limbs 13 and 1 5 of that element respectively. This provides a space for plaster. The other flange formed by the shorter limb 15 of the element 11 and the portion 16 of the element 10 provides a ledge on which plaster can be supported. The outward inclination of the side member 12 is optional.

In use, the width of the brickwork above the lintel is at least equal to the total length of the shorter limb 14 forming the upper member and flange at the top of the lintel.

1. A sheet metal lintel of box section having substantially parallel upper and lower members which are generally horizontal in use, and a pair of non-parallel side members joined to the upper and lower members at or near their ends respectively, at least one of the said side members being inclined outwardly from the upper towards the lower member and the lintel being constructed from two elements, each of generally L configuration in section, the longer limbs forming the side members of the lintel, each free end of the longer limbs having a portion turned outwardly, in the opposite direction to the shorter limbs, each such portion being attached to the shorter limb of the other element, to define respective outwardly extending flanges at two diagonally opposite corners of the box section.

2. A lintel as claimed in Claim 1 in which both the side members are inclined outwardly from the upper towards the lower member.

3. A lintel as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the outwardly extending flange formed at the upper corner of the box section extends, in use to a position substantially vertically above the outward extremity of the lower adjacent corner,

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Lintels This invention relates to lintels made from sheet metal and intended for spanning an opening for example for a window or door and upon which a brick or building block structure is built. There are in existence a number of sheet metal lintels, the invention being concerned with a type of lintel of box section. It is necessary for the lintel to provide adequate strength to support the appropriate load but the load, being spread over the whole width of the wall above the lintel, should be supported by the lintel over that wall width or substantially so, no overhang being desirable. The object of the invention is to provide a sheet metal lintel of box section which provides adequate load carrying capacity, with improved structural stability. According to the invention there is provided a sheet metal lintel of box section having substantially parallel upper and lower members which are generally horizontal in use, and a pair of non-parallel side members joined to the upper and lower members at or near their ends respectively, at least one of the said side members being inclined outwardly from the upper towards the lower member and the lintel being constructed from two elements, each of generally L configuration in section, the longer limbs forming the side members of the lintel, each free end of the longer limbs having a portion turned outwardly, in the opposite direction to the shorter limbs, each such portion being attached to the shorter limb of the other element, to define respective outwardly extending flanges at two diagonally opposite corners of the box section. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, the single figure of which is a crosssectional view of a lintel constructed in accordance with the invention. The lintel shown is of box section and is formed from sheet metal. Preferably this is galvanised after assembly or otherwise treated against corrosion. The lintel is intended for use in a building structure in a position over a window or door opening usually in an inside single skin wall. The lintel is of constant cross-section throughout, its ends being engaged in use in brickwork beside the opening to be spanned to an appropriate depth to accommodate the required loading. Built on top of the lintel is a brick or other structure. The entire area of the wall both at the sides and above the opening are preferably plastered and the side areas of the lintel are also plastered. In order to provide adequate plaster key, expanded metal may be applied to the lintel by welding at intervals. Alternative plaster key arrangements formed on or applied to the lintel may be used. The lintel itself as shown is made from two sheet metal elements 10 and 11. Each is of generally L shape. The longer limbs 12, 13 of the two elements form the two side members of the lintel and the shorter 14, 1 5 form the upper and lower members of the lintel respectively. The upper and lower members 14, 15 are, in use, parallel and horizontal, whereas the side members 12 and 13 are non-parallel. The side member 12 may be vertical in use of may incline outwardly towards the Idwer member 1 5 at a small angle which may be of the order of 3 . The side member 13 is inclined outwardly towards the lower member 15 and in this example the angle to the vertical is 730. Each of the long limbs of the elements 10, 11 terminate in outwardly turned portions 16, 1 7 which extend in opposite directions to the shorter limbs 14 and 1 5 respectively. The portions 16, 17 are attached as by welding to the extremities of the shorter limbs 14 and 1 5 respectively thus forming, at two diagonally opposite corners of the lintel, outwardly directed parallel flanges. The length of the flange at the upper end of the lintel formed by the shorter limb 14 of one of the elements 10 and the portion 1 7 of the other element 11 has a length such that its extremity is in use vertically above the corner of the element 11 between the longer and shorter limbs 13 and 1 5 of that element respectively. This provides a space for plaster. The other flange formed by the shorter limb 15 of the element 11 and the portion 16 of the element 10 provides a ledge on which plaster can be supported. The outward inclination of the side member 12 is optional. In use, the width of the brickwork above the lintel is at least equal to the total length of the shorter limb 14 forming the upper member and flange at the top of the lintel. CLAIMS

3. A lintel as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the outwardly extending flange formed at the upper corner of the box section extends, in use to a position substantially vertically above the outward extremity of the lower adjacent corner, the side member at this side of the box section being inclined outwardly.

4. A sheet metal lintel of box section substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.