GB1604646A - Lintels and systems incorporating them - Google Patents

Description

(54) LINTELS AND SYSTEMS INCORPORATING THEM (71) We, CATNIC COMPONENTS LIMITED, a British Company, of Pontygwindy Estate, Caerphilly, Glamorgan 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 lintels, and to systems incorporating them.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus including a lintel comprising a first plate or part for supporting the load of a superimposed course or courses of building blocks, a second plate or part spaced vertically from and substantially parallel to the first plate or part, and two spaced apart rigid support members which are spaced apart and each extend between the first and second plates or parts and one of which defines a front face of the lintel, which front face has connection means which allow for releasable mounting of a weather protection device, such as a canopy, at different levels, on the front face of the lintel, and a weather protection device such as a canopy which has a part for overlying the front face, the part including means allowing a releasable fastening device to co-operative with the connection means for connecting the canopy to the lintel when in position in a wall.

Constructions embodying the invention are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings filed with the Provisional Specification, in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a first lintel; Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a second lintel; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the lintel of Figure 1 with a weather protection device in the form of a sun canopy secured in position; Figure 4 shows a side elevational view of an assembled set of parts installed over an aper Nre, in this case for a window; Figure 4A shows a transverse section through the sill of Figure 4; and Figures 5 and 5A show similar views to those of Figures 4 and 4A respectively, but with a modified sill construction.

In the drawings, like parts are indicated by like reference numerals.

Referring to Figure 1 or the drawings, there is shown a lintel 1 made from members 2, 3 and 4 which are hot dipped galvanised sheet steel to BS2989 1975 Z1 quality coating type 'C' the members being secured rigidly to- gether as by high frequency welding at position W.

The member 2 is of 'Z' shape, the member 3 is of channel shape, and the member 4 is planar. When constructed from its members, the lintel 1 has a first horizontal plate or part 5, a second horizontal plate or part 6 spaced vertically downwardly from the first plate or part, and rigid support members 7 and 8 which in the embodiment are vertical and are spaced apart. The support members 7 and 8 extend between the plates 5 and 6. The construction is such that no building units are, in use, placed in the interior of the lintel owing to the postion of the rear support member 8; the lintel is thus light in weight, yet strong and relatively inexpensive.

The plate 6 and the support members 7 and 8 have a series of hole 9 through them, some of which are indicated, so that in use mortar, cement, rendering or plaster can key to the lintel. Each hole 9 also forms a connection means whereby a weather protection device such as a sun canopy can be secured to the lintel.

The lintel 1 has lips or flanges 10, 11, and 12 at three lateral edges.

Referring now to Figure 2, the lintel 20 shown is identical to that of Figure 1 save that it is wider, namely 225mm wide rather than 150mm wide.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown apparatus comprising the lintel 1 of Figure 1 to which is secured a weather protection device in the form of a sun canopy 13. The sun canopy 13 has an upturned flange 14 which has a row of slotted holes 15. When the canopy 13 is offered up to the lintel 1 so that the holes 15 each lie over a corresponding hole 9 in the support member 7 forming a front face of the lintel, releasable fastening devices in the form of nuts and bolts 16 can be inserted through the aligned holes 9 and 15 to secure the canopy 13 and lintel 1 together. The height of the canopy 13 above the plate 6 can be adjusted by selecting an appropriate row of holes 9 at which to secure the canopy 13.

The canopy 13 has a depending flange or lip 17 at the end opposite the flange 14. The lip has an inturned part 18.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 4A, the apparatus shown therein assembled and positioned above an aperture 19 in the form of a window in a wall 21 comprises the system of Figure 3. In addition to the lintel 1 and canopy 13 there are however a window frame 22, a sill member 23A which extends parallel to the canopy 13, and two weather hoods 23 which sit at opposite sides of the opening, between the wall and the adjacent jamb of the frame 22. The sill member 23A has a threshold 24 for mounting the lower (as viewed) transom 25 of the frame 22 and also provides a seating for an internal window sill 26. The lower transom 25 is secured as by screws 27 to the threshold 24. The upper (as viewed) transom 28 of the frame is secured as by screwing through a wooden fillet 29 into the lintel 1 through a hole or holes 9 in the plate 6.

The sill 23A itself is secured to the wall 21 as by screwS and plugs 30 (of which one is shown in Figure 4A) and is supported from below by a limb 31 of a right angle bracket, the other limb 32 of which is secured to the wall as by screws and plugs 33. These screws and plugs 33 also secure a perforated channel shaped side cheek or soffit 34 which fits between the limb 32 and a depending lip 35 of the sill 23A. An exterior screed of the wall passes through the perforations in the soffit 34 and is thus keyed in place. The screed also prevents atmospheric attack on the underside of the sill.

(It will be noted too that plaster, cement, mortar or the like is also keyed to the lintel 1 by passing through the perforations 9 in plates 6, 7 and 8 (Figure 4) ).

The weather hoods 23 extend forwardly beyond the lip 35 and downwardly at least as far as the bottom edge of the limb 33 so that a flush external appearance is achieved.

It will be understood that suitable beading or sealant 36 is interposed between the threshold and the frame, and that suitable spacers 37 are inserted between a rear lip or 'flange 38 of the sill and the wall 21.

The embodiment of Figures 5 and 5A is similar to that of Figures 4 and 4A, excepting that the sill does not include an integral threshold. Rather there is a separate wooden threshold or fillet 39 to which the frame 22 is secured as by screws 40. The sill 41 is of L-shape and it sits on a limb 42 of an L-shaped bracket which caps the corner of the wall the other limb 43 being secured as by screws and plugs to the wall as before. There is also, as in the previous embodiment, a perforated side cheek or soffit 34, but between it and the sill there is a block 44 into which securing means such as screws 45 are inserted through selected ones of the perforations. A screed 46 again acts as a weather seal and is keyed in place by passing through the perforations in the soffit 34.

The screws 43 also help to secure the soffit in place.

Beading or sealant 47 is situated between the frame and the sill.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus including a lintel comprising a first plate or part for supporting the load of a superimposed course or courses of building blocks, a second plate or part spaced vertically from and substantially parallel to the first plate or part, and two spaced apart rigid support members which are spaced apart and each extends between the first and second plates or parts and one of which defines a front face of the lintel, which front face has connection means which allow for releasable mounting of a weather protection device, such as a canopy, at different levels, on the front face of the lintel, and a weather protection device such as a canopy which has a part for overlying the front face, the part including means allowing a releasable fastening device to co-operate with the connection means for connecting the canopy to the lintel when in position in a wall.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, the front face of the lintel including a series of rows of holes comprising said connection means and the means of the part of the canopy comprising a row of holes in that part.

3. Apparatus according to any preceding claim further including a sill member which, when the parts are assembled is parallel to and is spaced from the weather protection device.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, further including two weather hoods which in use extend up and down in respective spaced substantially parallel planes between the canopy and the sill member.

5. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings filed with the Provisional Specification.

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

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. in the form of nuts and bolts 16 can be inserted through the aligned holes 9 and 15 to secure the canopy 13 and lintel 1 together. The height of the canopy 13 above the plate 6 can be adjusted by selecting an appropriate row of holes 9 at which to secure the canopy 13. The canopy 13 has a depending flange or lip 17 at the end opposite the flange 14. The lip has an inturned part 18. Referring now to Figures 4 and 4A, the apparatus shown therein assembled and positioned above an aperture 19 in the form of a window in a wall 21 comprises the system of Figure 3. In addition to the lintel 1 and canopy 13 there are however a window frame 22, a sill member 23A which extends parallel to the canopy 13, and two weather hoods 23 which sit at opposite sides of the opening, between the wall and the adjacent jamb of the frame 22. The sill member 23A has a threshold 24 for mounting the lower (as viewed) transom 25 of the frame 22 and also provides a seating for an internal window sill 26. The lower transom 25 is secured as by screws 27 to the threshold 24. The upper (as viewed) transom 28 of the frame is secured as by screwing through a wooden fillet 29 into the lintel 1 through a hole or holes 9 in the plate 6. The sill 23A itself is secured to the wall 21 as by screwS and plugs 30 (of which one is shown in Figure 4A) and is supported from below by a limb 31 of a right angle bracket, the other limb 32 of which is secured to the wall as by screws and plugs 33. These screws and plugs 33 also secure a perforated channel shaped side cheek or soffit 34 which fits between the limb 32 and a depending lip 35 of the sill 23A. An exterior screed of the wall passes through the perforations in the soffit 34 and is thus keyed in place. The screed also prevents atmospheric attack on the underside of the sill. (It will be noted too that plaster, cement, mortar or the like is also keyed to the lintel 1 by passing through the perforations 9 in plates 6, 7 and 8 (Figure 4) ). The weather hoods 23 extend forwardly beyond the lip 35 and downwardly at least as far as the bottom edge of the limb 33 so that a flush external appearance is achieved. It will be understood that suitable beading or sealant 36 is interposed between the threshold and the frame, and that suitable spacers 37 are inserted between a rear lip or 'flange 38 of the sill and the wall 21. The embodiment of Figures 5 and 5A is similar to that of Figures 4 and 4A, excepting that the sill does not include an integral threshold. Rather there is a separate wooden threshold or fillet 39 to which the frame 22 is secured as by screws 40. The sill 41 is of L-shape and it sits on a limb 42 of an L-shaped bracket which caps the corner of the wall the other limb 43 being secured as by screws and plugs to the wall as before. There is also, as in the previous embodiment, a perforated side cheek or soffit 34, but between it and the sill there is a block 44 into which securing means such as screws 45 are inserted through selected ones of the perforations. A screed 46 again acts as a weather seal and is keyed in place by passing through the perforations in the soffit 34. The screws 43 also help to secure the soffit in place. Beading or sealant 47 is situated between the frame and the sill. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Apparatus including a lintel comprising a first plate or part for supporting the load of a superimposed course or courses of building blocks, a second plate or part spaced vertically from and substantially parallel to the first plate or part, and two spaced apart rigid support members which are spaced apart and each extends between the first and second plates or parts and one of which defines a front face of the lintel, which front face has connection means which allow for releasable mounting of a weather protection device, such as a canopy, at different levels, on the front face of the lintel, and a weather protection device such as a canopy which has a part for overlying the front face, the part including means allowing a releasable fastening device to co-operate with the connection means for connecting the canopy to the lintel when in position in a wall.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, the front face of the lintel including a series of rows of holes comprising said connection means and the means of the part of the canopy comprising a row of holes in that part.

3. Apparatus according to any preceding claim further including a sill member which, when the parts are assembled is parallel to and is spaced from the weather protection device.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, further including two weather hoods which in use extend up and down in respective spaced substantially parallel planes between the canopy and the sill member.

5. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings filed with the Provisional Specification.