IE42560B1 - Lintels - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to lintels, and concerns metal lintels, particularly though not exclusively for use in cavity walls.

According to the invention there is provided a lintel including a boundary surface comprising a metal plate connecting two other surfaces of the lintel, and a plurality of rows of holes through the plate, the rows extending over substantially the whole surface area of the plate between the two other surfaces and, in use of the lintel, preventing or hindering transfer of heat from one part of the lintel to another.

Constructions according to the invention are diagrammatically illustrated, 10 by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure 1 shows a side elevational view of a lintel; Figures 2 and 3 show plan views of parts of a bottom plate of the lintel; Figure 4 shows a side elevational view of a second lintel; and Figures 5 to 7 each show a perspective view of further embodiments of lintel.

Referring to the drawings in which like parts are indicated by like numerals, Figure 1 shows a metal lintel 1 for spanning an aperture in a cavity - 2 42560 wall. The lintel 1 has an upper substantially horizontal plate, part or member 2 for supporting an inner skin of the wall above the aperture and a lower substantially horizontal plate part or member 3 for supporting an outer skin of the cavity wall.

A support plate, part or member 4 connects the plates 2 and 3.

When the lintel is in position in a cavity wall, the plate 4 extends across the cavity. A vertical support plate or member 5 extends downwardly from the first plate 2 at or adjacent a rear edge thereof and connects with a substantially horizontal (in use) plate, part or member 6 which in Use extends across the cavity and connects the front and rear surfaces of the lintel 1 as defined by the plates 3 and 4, and 5 respectively.

The lintel thus has a hollow box-like configuration the box being defined by the plates 2, 4, 6 and 5.

The plate 6 between the front and rear surfaces of the lintel has 15 means for preventing or hindering heat transfer in the form of a plurality of holes or perforations 7 through it, as shown in Figure 2. The holes 7 decrease the amount of metal in the plate 6 and thus decrease the heat transfer gradient between the front and rear boundary surfaces (i.e. those parts to the left and right respectively as viewed in Figure 1) of the lintel so that in use the inner skin of the wall is not subjected to a cooling effect owing to the heat transfer property of the metal between the inner and outer surfaces of the lintel.

The holes 7 are generally rectangular with rounded corners.

The holes 7 form a series of straight parallel rows each extending longitudinally of the lintel, the holes in one row overlapping the holes in an adjacent row, Figure 2, so as to lengthen the path between the front and rear boundary surfaces of the lintel. The holes could be oblong as shown at 8 in Figure 3, one inch long by a quarter of an inch and with a lengthwise spacing of half an inch. In this case the plate is 8.5 inches wide, the perforations - 3 42560 occupying a five inch span which commences at a distance of 3/4 of an inch From one (in use, rear) edge 9 of the plate 6. The edge 9 is under a lower (as viewed) flange of the vertical support plate 5.

The holes 7 could , it will be understood, be of any desired 5 configuration, for example of cruciform shape.

The lintel may. also have a metal mesh or lathing 10 for facilitating the adhesion of plaster etc. Between the mesh 10 and the vertical support plate 5 there may be means for preventing or hindering heat transfer in the form of a layer of insulating material 11 such as wood wool i.e. an insulating material formed from wood shavings bonded with a cement slurry.

The wood wool can be forced between the mesh and support using a ram.

It could, however, be applied using an adhesive, and/or clamps.

Figure 4 shows a lintel 20 in which the rear plate 5 has downwardly 15 and upwardly directed upper and lower lips or flanges 12 and 13. Λ block of wood wool 14 having end grooves 15 can then be mounted in position by lining up the grooves and flanges and sliding it into the lintel 20. The wood wool block 14 then projects laterally beyond the rear face of the lintel and plaster etc. can be applied directly thereto. Also, the block 14 does not extend over the full height of the lintel so that recesses 15 are formed which provide keying means for plaster, mortar or cement.

The lips or flanges could be formed on the plates 2 and 6. The plate 6 has perforations 7, or B as before.

Alternative materials such as polyurethane or other foam could also 25 be used in place of wood wool 11, 14. These foams could be injected using a foam gun.

Figures 5 to 7 show further lintels 50, 50 and 70. All the lintels have means preventing or hindering heat transfer in the form of holes 7 in the lower plate 6 and holes 18 in their rear plate 5. The holes 7 are like those - 4 42560 shown in Figure 2, while the holes 18 are circular, arranged in a symmetrical array or grid.

The lintel 50 is similar to the lintel of Figure 1 i.e. it is a three part lintel. The lintel 60 is a two part lintel. The front plate 3, plate 4, top plate 2, rear plate 5 and a rear lip 5ji are fonned from a single sheet of metal to which the lower plate 6 is secured as by welding.

The lintel 70 is fonned from two channel members 71 and 72, the latter being secured internally of the flanges of the former as by welding to define a hollow box-like configuration.

It will be understood that the holes can also provide keying means for mortar, plaster, cement and the like.

It will also be understood that the holes extend over substantially the whole surface area of a plate of a particular lintel.

It will also be understood that the lintels shown and described are by way of example only and that various modifications may be made. For example, the plate 4 may be of any desired shape providing it joins the plates 2 and 3 and in use extends across the cavity of a cavity wall to act as a deflector plate for moisture that may condense in the cavity.

The metal lintels may be made of galvanised sheet steel plates.

Or they may be made from metal coated with plastics. The holes in the different rows may not be staggered as they are shown in Figure 2.

The embodiments of Figures 1 and 4 form the subject of our Patent

Claims (9)

1. A lintel including a boundary surface comprising a metal plate connecting two other surfaces of the lintel, and preventing or hindering transfer of heat from one part of the lintel to another.

2. A lintel according to Claim 1, in which the lintel has two boundary surfaces each comprising a metal plate, at least one of the plates being provided with the rows of holes. - 5 43560

3. A lintel according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which at least some of the holes are each of a rectangular configuration.

4. A lintel according to Claim 3, in which the corners of the rectangle are rounded.

5. 5. A lintel according to Claim 2, in which at least some of the holes are circular.

6. A lintel according to Claim 2, in which the holes through one plate have a shape that is different from the shape of the holes through the other plate. 10

7. A lintel according to any preceding claim, in which the holes of one row are staggered with respect to the holes of an adjacent row.

8. A lintel according to Claim 2, in which the other plate additionally includes an insulating material.

9. A lintel, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to 15 and as shown in Figures 1 to 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6 or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.