IE20150404A1 - Lintel with improved thermal break plate - Google Patents

Abstract

A lintel assembly comprising an open profile lintel having two lateral portions for supporting the lintel in situ on a pair of spaced apart support members. A central protruding portion for spanning between the two lateral portions defining an insulation receiving cavity. A thermal break plate being adapted to span the gap of the open profile lintel along at least part of the length of the lintel. The thermal break plate having an arrangement for retaining insulation in position for preventing movement of the insulation relative to the lintel assembly. <Figure 3>

Description

The present invention relates to a lintel with an improved thermal break plate and in particular to an improved lintel and thermal break plate adapted for ease of assembly and production.

Lintels are horizontal members present over a building void which are supported at both ends by vertical support members. They are generally used to support the weight of the structure above recesses for windows, doors etc. Lintels can be formed from stone, wood, plastic, and they are commonly known to be formed from metal. Some lintels are formed from at least one metal sheet folded into a central protruding portion with two lateral support portions such as a top hat profile in vertical cross section. These types of open profile lintel generally have two lateral planar portions separated by an inverted channel portion. Another common cross sectional shape for the protruding central portion is a substantially trapezoidal profile and other shapes are also known.

It is known for lintels to have an insulation material housed within the central cavity defined by their cross~sectional profile. This insulation material can be fixed in position with a securing arrangement such as a plug. The plug can be inserted through the wall of the lintel into the insulation material with the shank of the plug having means to retain the plug in the respective hole. This prevents movement of the insulation material in both lateral and longitudinal directions. Another method for housing insulation material within the cavity of the lintel is via a plate commonly known in the industry as a thermal break plate positioned transverse the opening of the inverted channel portion. The plate is attached to the two planar portions in an intermittent fashion with the insulation material being encapsulated within the resulting chamber. This plate provides support for the insulation material and also acts as a strut to improve the flexural rigidity of the lintel. The thermal break plate is adapted to provide air gaps between the plate and the planar portions as a result of the intermittent connection. This air gap insulation mitigates the transfer of cold/warm temperatures from the exterior facing portion of the lintel to the interior facing portion of the metal lintel.

The use of a plug is effective for holding the insulation material in place but it requires manual time and effort during installation and it requires additional steps in the manufacturing process. The use of a plate for supporting the insulation material in place is seen as more effective than the plug because it visually reassures end users by blocking the opening preventing the insulation becoming dislodged from the cavity. The insulation material rests on top of the thermal break plate and there is generally no interference fit between the insulation and the encapsulating llntel and thermal break plate assembly. During transport, the insulation within the llntels can be subjected to high wind speeds which can cause the insulation to slide laterally along the lintel and break plate assembly, meaning part of the lintel is not properly insulated if it is not re—aligned on site. It has been known forthe insulation to become completely dislodged from the lintel which can have negative safety impact if this occurs during transport. There is currently no simple arrangement for holding the insulation material in place on the thermal break plate to prevent lateral movement of the insulation relative to the remainder of the lintel. As the plate has a substantially flat surface with a relatively low coefficient of friction, the insulation material can quite easily slide in a lateral direction causing misalignment.

A second problem with the assembly of open profile llntels and flat thermal break plates occurs because the break plate has to be accurately positioned on the Iintel for fixing the two together following encapsulation of the insulation. This is normally carried out by spot welding or riveting. The ideal situation for reduction of thermal transfer across the thermal break plate is to use a flat thermal break plate with staggered connecting lugs. The width of the main body of the thermal break plate is ideally just less than the width of the cavity with the lugs mounting the break plate on the two lateral planar portions extending from the central channel section. The production problem arises with securing the flat thermal break plate in a fixed position on generally flat lateral support portions to allow spot welding or riveting of the lugs to the lintel. Any imperfect contact prior to first fixing causes the break plate to slide out of position requiring re-alignment. This is a slow laborious process and slows the production time for llntels of this type.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problem of lateral movement of insulation material resting on a thermal break plate as well as addressing the problem of locating the thermal break plate in an accurate position on the lintel for mechanically fixing the two components together for assembly.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a lintel assembly comprising an open profile lintel having two lateral portions for supporting the lintel in situ on a pair of spaced apart support means and a central protruding portion for spanning between the two lateral portions and defining an insulation receiving cavity, a thermal break plate being adapted to span the gap of the open profile lintel along at least part of the length of the lintel, the thermal break plate having a means for retaining insulation in position for preventing movement of the insulation relative to the lintel assembly.

Ideally, the thermal break plate being adapted to couple the two lateral portions of the open profile lintel together along at least part of the length of the lintel.

Ideally, the thermal break plate having a means for retaining a block of insulation in position for preventing lateral movement of the insulation.

Preferably, the thermal break plate having a means for retaining a block of insulation in position for preventing lateral movement of the insulation towards or out of open ends of the lintel.

Ideally, the thermal break plate being adapted for improving the structural performance of the lintel while minimizing the thermal bridge effect of the thermal break plate and open profile lintel.

Ideally, the thermal break plate further comprising means for locating and retaining the thermal break plate in position relative to the open profile lintel for assembly.

Preferably, the insulation retaining means and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means comprising one and the same means.

Advantageously, the open profile lintel and thermal break plate assembly of the present invention have been designed to obviate major problems with these types of two part assembly with insulation encapsulated there between. Firstly, the block of insulation is fixed in place on the thermal break plate for preventing lateral movement of the insulation out of the open ends of the lintel. Secondly, locating and retaining the thermal break plate in position on the open profile lintel in the precise location for subsequent fixing of the thermal break plate and the open profile lintel together makes the assembly process more efficient.

Finally, in one embodiment, it is possible to achieve these two functions using the same component. This allows the component to perform two functions which significantly improves the efficiency of the production process of these types of open profile lintel and thermal break plate assemblies as well as more reliably fixing the location of the insulation relative to the lintel assembly.

Ideally, the thermal break plate being designed to intermittently couple the two lateral portions of the open profile lintel together along at least part of the length of the lintel.

Preferably, the means for retaining the block of insulation can be located anywhere on the thermal break plate.

Ideally, the means for retaining the block of insulation is located along one or more of the edges of the thermal break plate, andlor anywhere on the main planar surface of the thermal break plate.

In the embodiment where the means for retaining a block of insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are one and the same component, the means for retaining a block of insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are located along at least part of at least one longitudinal portion of the thermal break plate.

In the embodiment where the means for retaining a block of insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are one and the same component, the means for locating and retaining a block of insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are located along at least part of both longitudinal portions of the thermal break plate. Advantageously, this prevents the insulation from moving in any longitudinal direction during insulation encapsulation.

In the embodiment where the means for retaining a block of insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are one and the same component, the means for retaining a block of insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are provided by a plurality of spaced apart tongues protruding from at least one longitudinal edge ofthe thermal break plate.

Ideally, the means for retaining a block of insulation and/or the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are provided by a plurality of spaced apart tongues protruding from at least one longitudinal edge of the thermal break plate.

Preferably, the means for retaining a block of insulation and/or the thermal break plate locating and retaining means extend at an angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate.

Ideally, the means for retaining a block of insulation and/or the thermal break plate locating and retaining means extend in the same direction at an inclined angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate.

Ideally, the plurality of spaced apart tongues extend in the same direction at an inclined angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate. Advantageously, the plurality of spaced apart tongues act as a spiking means for an insulation member fixing the insulation at a predetermined position on the thermal break plate.

Preferably, the means for retaining a block of insulation and/or the thermal break plate locating and retaining means extend in the same direction at an obtuse angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate.

Ideally, the plurality of spaced apart tongues extend in the same direction at an obtuse angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate.

Preferably, the means for retaining a block of insulation and/orthe thermal break plate locating and retaining means extend in the same direction at or about a perpendicular angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate.

Ideally, the plurality of spaced apart tongues extend in the same direction at or about a perpendicular angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate.

Preferably, the means for retaining a block of insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means abut against an internal surface of at least one wall of the protruding portion of the open profile lintel. Advantageously, this locates the thermal break plate relative to the open profile lintel to allow further fixing of these two components together when the insulation has been encapsulated there between.

Ideally, the means for retaining a block of insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means abut against an internal surface of both walls of the protruding portion of the open profile lintel. This arrangement provides further resistance to movement during the permanent fixing of the thermal break plate and the open profile lintel together.

Preferably, the thermal break plate is located above the open profile lintel for permanently fixing the two components together.

Ideally, the thermal break plate has intermittent mechanical coupling means for intermittently mechanically coupling the thermal break plate to the open profile lintel.

Preferably, the thermal break plate has intermittent mechanical coupling means for intermittently mechanically coupling the thermal break plate to the two lateral portions of the open profile lintel. ideally, the thermal break plate has intermittent mechanical coupiing means for intermittently mechanically coupling the thermal break plate to the underside of the two lateral portions of the open profile lintel. ideally, the width of the thermal break plate is less than the width of the gap between the two corners of the two lateral portions and two protruding walls of the central protruding portion along the length of the thermal break plate and the open profile lintel apart from at the location of the intermittent mechanical coupling means of the thermal break plate where the width of the thermal break plate is greater than the width of the gap between the two corners.

Preferably, the intermittent mechanical coupling means overlap the underside surface of the lateral portions of the open profile lintel.

Ideally, the intermittent mechanical coupling means are spaced apart on each longitudinal side of the thermal break plate.

Preferably, the location of the intermittent mechanical coupling means on opposing longitudinal sides of the thermal break plate are staggered relative to one another.

Ideally, the intermittent mechanical coupling means comprise spaced apart tabs protruding from the longitudinal edges of the thermal break plate.

Preferably, the intermittent mechanical coupling means protrude in a coplanar fashion with the main plane of the thermal break plate.

Ideally, the intermittent mechanical coupling means and the means for retaining a block of insulation and/or the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are adapted to define an angle section formed for interacting with the corner of a wall of the protruding central portion and a lateral portion of the open profile lintel. Advantageously, when a production operative sets the thermal brake plate into position for final fixing the interaction of the angle section and the corner provide reassuring haptic feedback that correct positional location has been achieved.

Preferably, the open profile lintel is manufactured and most preferably roll formed or pressed from a single sheet of material.

Ideally, the lateral portions of the lintel are planar.

Preferably, the thermal break plate is manufactured from a single sheet of material and most preferably punched or cut from a sheet of material.

Ideally, the thermal break plate comprises a plurality of similar sections.

Preferably, the thermal break plate has a plurality of rebated portions between the intermittent mechanical coupling means.

Ideally, the thermal break plate is a planar member.

Preferably, the rebated portions providing an air gap between the thermal break plate and the lateral portions of the lintel.

Advantageously, the air gaps providing insulation to the lintel reducing the effect of thermal bridging when the lintel is installed.

Ideally, the insulation means comprising but not limited to expanded polystyrene foam (EPS), Extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), Polyisocyanurate foam or Polyurethane foam or any combination thereof.

Preferably, the thermal break plate having a plurality of discontinuities creating a thermal barrier by forming a tortuous path for heat transfer between the two longitudinal sides of the thermal break plate.

Preferably, the discontinuities may be rows of elongate slots staggered such that the gap between slots on one row coincides with a slot on an adjacent row and vice versa. The discontinuities may also be circular, zig-zag or any shape capable of providing a discontinuity in order to retard heat transfer from one side of the thermal break plate to the other.

Advantageously, the plurality of apertures or discontinuities can have slightly raised edges for increasing the coefficient of friction between the thermal break plate and the insulation member during assembly on one surface of the thermal break plate and/or raised edges on the obverse surface acting as a keying means for a render material on the thermal break plate.

Further advantageously, the plurality of apertures also acting as air gaps increasing the insulation properties of the thermal break plate.

Ideally, the thermal break plate and the open profile lintel are mechanically coupled together.

Preferably, the thermal break plate and the open profile lintel are mechanically coupled together by welding or clinching.

Ideally, the thermal break plate and the open profile lintel are coupled together by, adhering, bonding or gluing.

The skilled man will appreciate that all preferred or optional features of the invention described with reference to only some aspects or embodiments of the invention may be applied to all aspects of the invention.

It will be appreciated that optional features applicable to one aspect of the invention can be used in any combination, and in any number. Moreover, they can also be used with any of the other aspects of the invention in any combination and in any number. This includes, but is not limited to, the dependent claims from any claim being used as dependent claims for any other claim in the claims of this application.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only one embodiment of a lintel with an improved thermal break plate in accordance with the invention.

In the drawings:— Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the thermal break plate; Figure 2 is a section view of the thermal break plate showing the abutment means; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the lintel assembly having the thermal break plate installed.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a lintel assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 which has an open profile lintel 2 having two lateral portions 3, 4 for supporting the lintel in situ on a pair of spaced apart support arrangements such as a cavity wall not shown. The two lateral portions 3, 4 are generally coplanar elements. A central protruding portion 7 spans between the two lateral portions 3, 4 and defines an insulation receiving cavity 8. The thermal break plate 9 is designed to intermittently couple the two lateral portions 3, 4 of the open profile lintel 2 together along all or part of the length of the lintel 1 to improve the structural performance of the lintel 1 while minimizing the thermal bridge effect of the thermal break plate 9 and open profile lintel 2. The thermal break plate 9 has an arrangement 11 which retains a block of insulation, not shown in drawings. The thermal break plate 9 also has an arrangement 11 which locates and retains the thermal break plate 9 in position relative to the open profile lintel 2 for assembly. The arrangement 11 that locates and retains the insulation material and the arrangement 11 which locates and retains the thermal break plate 9 are one and the same arrangement 11 in the embodiment shown. However, the scope of the invention covers the situation where only an arrangement for retaining the insulation in position is provided.

Advantageously the open profile lintel 2 and thermal break plate 9 have been designed to obviate major problems with this type of two part assembly which have insulation encapsulated there between. Firstly, the block of insulation is iocated and fixed in place on the thermal break plate 9 which avoids lateral slip of the insulation along the thermal break plate 9. Secondly, locating and retaining the thermal break plate 9 in position on the open profile Iintel 2 in the precise location for subsequent fixing of the thermal break plate 9 and the open profile Iintel 2 together is effective for production. In one embodiment illustrated in the drawings although not limited to this embodiment, this is achieved using the same arrangement 11 as the arrangement 11 used for fixing the insulation. This allows the same arrangement 11 to perform two functions which significantly improves the efficiency of the production process and overall lifetime efficacy of these types of open profile Iintel 2 and thermal break plate 9 assemblies 1.

The arrangement 11 which retains a block of insulation 10 and the thermal break plate 9 locating and retaining arrangement 11 are located along part of one longitudinal peripheral portion or edge of the thermal break plate 9. In an alternative embodiment not shown in the drawings they are located along part of both longitudinal peripheral portions or edges of the thermal break plate. This would prevent the insulation 10 from moving in any direction during the lifetime of the Iintel. The arrangement 11 which retains a block of insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining arrangement 11 is provided by spaced apart tongues 12, see especially Figure 2 which protrude from one longitudinal peripheral portion or edge of the thermal break plate 9. The tongues 12 which retain a block of insulation and the tongues 12 which provide the thermal break plate locating and retaining arrangement 11 extend in the same direction at an angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate 9. The tongues 12 extend at an inclined or obtuse angle or in the embodiment shown in the drawings at or about a perpendicular angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate 9.

Advantageously, the tongues 12 act as a fixing arrangement for an insulation member which fixes the insulation member 10 at a predetermined position on the thermal break plate 9. The tongues 12 are thin metal components and easily slice into the insulation to embed themselves therein creating multiple fixing points along the length of the insulation.

The arrangement 11 which retains the block of insulation 11 and the thermal break plate locating and retaining arrangement 11 abut against an internal surface 13 of at least one wall 6 of the protruding portion 7 of the open profile lintel 2. In an embodiment not shown in the drawings, the arrangement 11 abuts against the internal surface 13, 15 of both walls 5, 6 of the protruding portion 7 of the open profile lintel 2. Advantageously, this locates the thermal break plate 9 relative to the open profile lintel 2 which allows for further fixing of these two components together when the insulation has been encapsulated there between and provides further resistance to movement. The thermal break plate 9 is located above the open profile lintel 2 during the fixing stage of the production process which permanently fixes the two components together.

The thermal break plate 9 has intermittent mechanical coupling portions 17 which intermittently mechanically couple the thermal break plate 9 to the open profile lintel 2 and preferably these couple the thermal break plate 9 to one lateral portion 4 of the open profile lintel 2. The other longitudinal edge portion of the thermal break plate 9 is entirely in contact with the other lateral portion 3. In an embodiment not shown in the drawings, the thermal break plates 9 intermittent mechanical coupling portions 17 intermittently mechanically couple the thermal break plate 9 to the underside of the two lateral portions 3, 4 of the open profile lintel 2. In this embodiment, not shown, the width of the thermal break plate 9 is less than the width of the gap between the two corners 19, 20 of the two lateral portions 3, 4 and two protruding walls 5, 6 of the central protruding portion 7 along the length of the thermal break plate 9 and the open profile lintel 2 apart from at the location of the intermittent mechanical coupling portions 17 of the thermal break plate 9 where the width of the thermal break plate 9 is greater than the width of the gap between the two corners 19, 20.

The intermittent mechanical coupling portions 17 overlap the underside surface of the iateral portion 4 of the open profile lintel 2 and are spaced apart on one longitudinal side of the thermal break plate 9. The intermittent mechanical coupling portions 17 comprise spaced apart tabs 18 which protrude from the longitudinal edge of the thermal break plate 9.

These preferably protrude in a coplanar fashion with the main plane of the thermal break plate 9. The intermittent mechanical coupling portions 17 and the arrangement 11 which retains a block of insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining arrangement 11 are adapted to define an angle section 21 see Figure 2 which is formed for interacting with the corner 19 of a wall 6 of the protruding central portion 7 and a lateral portion 4 of the open profile lintel 2. Advantageously, when a production operative sets the thermal break plate 9 into position for final fixing the interaction of the angle section 21 and the corner 19 provide reassuring haptic feedback that correct positional location has been achieved.

The open profile lintel 2 is manufactured by roll forming or pressing a single sheet of material, most preferably metal or metal alloy, and the lateral portions 3, 4 of the lintel 1 are planar, most preferably coplanar with one another. The thermal break plate 9 is a planar member, is manufactured from a single sheet of material, most preferably metal or metal alloy, and is most preferably punched or cut from a sheet of material. Alternatively it can comprise a plurality of similar sections. In a preferred embodiment the thermal break plate 9 has a plurality of rebated portions 24 between the intermittent mechanical coupling portions 17. These rebated portions 24 provide an air gap 25 between the thermal break plate 9 and the lateral portion 4 of the lintel 1.

Advantageously, the air gaps 25 provide insulation to the lintel 1 which reduces the effect of thermal bridging when the lintel 1 is installed. The insulation member can comprise but is not limited to expanded polystyrene foam (EPS), Extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), Polyisocyanurate foam or Polyurethane foam or any combination thereof. The thermal break plate 9 has a plurality of discontinuities 26 which create a thermal barrier by creating a tortuous path for heat transfer between the two longitudinal sides of the thermal break plate 9. These discontinuities 26 can be rows of elongate slots staggered such that the gap between slots on one row coincides with a slot on an adjacent row and vice versa. The discontinuities 26 can also be circular, zig-zag or any shape which is capable of providing a discontinuity in order to retard heat transfer from one side of the thermal break plate to the other. The discontinuities 26 can also have slightly raised edges which will increase the coefficient of friction between the thermal break plate 9 and the insulation material during assembly on one surface of the thermal break plate 9. Alternatively or in combination, the thermal break plate 9 can also have raised edges on the obverse surface which will act as a keying arrangement for a render material on the thermal break plate 9. The discontinuities 26 comprise a plurality of apertures which will also act as air gaps which will further increase the insulation properties of the thermal break plate 9. in relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment.

In the preceding discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of the said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (9)

1. CLAIMS . A lintel assembly comprising an open profile lintel having two lateral portions for supporting the lintel in situ on a pair of spaced apart support means and a central protruding portion for spanning between the two lateral portions and defining an insulation receiving cavity, a thermal break plate being adapted to span the gap of the open profile lintel along at least part of the length of the lintel, the thermal break plate having a means for retaining insulation in position for preventing movement of the insulation relative to the lintel assembly. . A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 1. wherein the thermal break plate is adapted to couple the two lateral portions of the open profile lintel together along at least part of the length of the lintel. . A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the thermal break plate has a means for retaining insulation in position for preventing lateral movement of the insulation. . A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal break plate has a means for retaining insulation in position for preventing lateral movement of the insulation towards or out of open ends of the lintel. . A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal break plate further comprising means for locating and retaining the thermal break plate in position relative to the open profile lintel for assembly. . A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the insulation retaining means and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means comprising one and the same means. A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for retaining the insulation can be located anywhere on the thermal break plate which will be in contact with the insulation. 8. 10. 11. 1

2. 1

3. 15 A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for retaining the insulation is located along one or more of the peripheral portions or edges of the thermal break plate, and/or anywhere on the main planar surface of the thermal break plate which will be in contact with the insulation. A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 or claim 8 when dependent on claim 6, wherein where the means for retaining insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are one and the same arrangement, the means for retaining insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are located along at least part of at least one longitudinal peripheral portion or edge of the thermal break plate. A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 6 or any one of claims 7 to 9 when dependent on claim 6, wherein where the means for retaining insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are one and the same arrangement, the means for locating and retaining insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are located along at least part of both longitudinal peripheral portions or edges of the thermal break plate. A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 6 or any one of claims 7 to 10 when dependent on claim 6, wherein where the means for retaining insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are one and the same arrangement, the means for retaining insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are provided by a plurality of spaced apart tongues protruding from at least one longitudinal peripheral portion or edge of the thermal break plate. A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for retaining insulation extends at an angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate. A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for retaining insulation extends in the same direction at an inclined angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate. I0 25 1

4. 1

5. 1

6. 1

7. 1

8. 1

9. 20. 21. 16 A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for retaining insulation extend in the same direction at an obtuse angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate. A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for retaining insulation extend in the same direction at or about a perpendicular angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate. A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for retaining insulation is provided by a plurality of spaced apart tongues protruding from at least one longitudinal peripheral portion or edge of the thermal break plate. A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 5 or any one of claims 6 to 16 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the thermal break plate locating and retaining means extend at an angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate. A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 5 or any one of claims 6 to 17 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the thermal break plate locating and retaining means extend in the same direction at an inclined angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate. A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 5 or any one of claims 6 to 18 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the thermal break plate locating and retaining means extend in the same direction at an obtuse angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate. A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 5 or any one of claims 6 to 19 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the thermal break plate locating and retaining means extend in the same direction at or about a perpendicular angle out of the main plane of the thermal break plate. A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 5 or any one of claims 6 to 20 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are provided by a plurality of spaced apart tongues protruding from at least one longitudinal peripheral portion or edge of the thermal break plate. 25 22. 23. 17 A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 5 or any one of claims 6 to 21 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the means for retaining a block of insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means abut against an internal surface of at least one wall of the protruding portion of the open profile lintel. A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 5 or any one of claims 6 to 22 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the means for retaining a block of insulation and the thermal break plate locating and retaining means abut against an internal surface of both walls of the protruding portion of the open profile lintel. 24. A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal break plate being adapted for improving the structural performance of the lintel while minimizing the thermal bridge effect of the thermal break plate and open profile lintel. 25. A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal 26. 27. 28. 29. break plate being designed to intermittently couple the two lateral portions of the open profile lintel together along at least part of the length of the lintel. A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal break plate has intermittent mechanical coupling means for intermittently mechanically coupling the thermal break plate to the open profile lintel. A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein the thermal break plate has intermittent mechanical coupling means for intermittently mechanically coupling the thermal break plate to one or both lateral portions of the open profile lintel. A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 26 or 27, wherein the thermal break plate has intermittent mechanical coupling means for intermittently mechanically coupling the thermal break plate to the underside of one or both of the lateral portions of the open profile lintel. A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the claims 26 to 28, wherein the width of the thermal break plate is less than the width of the gap between two corners of the two lateral portions and two protruding walls of the central protruding portion along the length of the thermal break plate and the open profile lintel apart from at the I0 25 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 18 location of the intermittent mechanical coupling means of the thermal break plate where the width of the thermal break plate is greater than the width of the gap between the two corners. A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the claims 26 to 29, wherein the intermittent mechanical coupling means overlap the underside surface of one or both of the lateral portions of the open profile lintel. A lintei assembly as claimed in any one of the claims 26 to 30, wherein the intermittent mechanical coupling means are spaced apart on one or both longitudinal side of the thermal break plate. A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the claims 26 to 31, wherein the location of the intermittent mechanical coupling means on opposing longitudinal sides of the thermal break plate are staggered relative to one another. A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the claims 26 to 32, wherein the intermittent mechanical coupling means protrude in a coplanar fashion with the main plane of the thermal break plate. A lintel assembly as claimed in any one ofthe claims 26 to 33, wherein the intermittent mechanical coupling means and the means for retaining a block of insulation and/or the thermal break plate locating and retaining means are adapted to define an angle section formed for interacting with the corner of a wall of the protruding central portion and a lateral portion of the open profile lintel. A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal break plate has a plurality of rebated portions between the intermittent mechanical coupling means. A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 35, wherein the rebated portions providing an air gap between the thermal break plate and the lateral portions of the lintel. A lintel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermal break plate having a plurality of discontinuities creating a thermal barrier by forming a tortuous path for heat transfer between the two longitudinal sides of the thermal break plate. 38. A lintel assembly as claimed in claim 37, wherein the plurality of apertures or discontinuities can have slightly raised edges for increasing the coefficient of friction between the thermal break plate and the insulation member during assembly on one surface of the thermal break plate and/or raised edges on the obverse surface acting as a keying means for a render material on the thermal break plate. 39. A lintel assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.