GB2034385A

GB2034385A - Lintels

Info

Publication number: GB2034385A
Application number: GB7937070A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: British Steel Corp
Current assignee: British Steel Corp
Priority date: 1978-10-25
Filing date: 1979-10-25
Publication date: 1980-06-04
Also published as: GB2034385B

Abstract

A lintel for a cavity wall comprising a first member 1 having a web 6 for spanning the cavity and a pair of vertically spaced substantially horizontal arms 4 and 5 located on opposite sides of the web, a second member 2 of generally inverted T-shaped, the upright 10 of the T adjoining the uppermost arm 4 of the first member at a position near the web so that a channel is formed between the uppermost arm 4, the T upright and a first arm 12 of the T cross-member, the second arm 13 of the T cross- member adjoining the web 6 of the first member, stiffening means 3 secured within the channel and adapted to maintain the uppermost arm of the first member in fixed relationship relative to the upright of the T member, insulating material located within the channel and extending rearwardly of the channel to a point at or near its rear edges together with keying means located adjacent the rear edges of the channel. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in lintels The present invention relates to lintels for spanning openings in cavity walls.

According to the present invention there is provided a lintel for a cavity wail comprising a first member having a web for spanning the cavity and a pair of vertically spaced substantially horizontal arms located on opposite sides of the web, a second member of generally inverted T-shape, the upright of the T adjoining the upper most arm of the first member at a position near the web so that a channel is formed between the uppermost arm, the T upright and a first arm of the T cross-member, the second arm of the T cross-member adjoining the web of the first member, stiffening means secured within the channel and adapted to maintain the uppermost arm of the first member in fixed relationship relative to the upright of the T member, insulating material located within the channel and extending rearwardly of the channel to a point at or near its rear edges together with keying means located adjacent the rear edges of the channel.

Preferably the stiffening means comprises a plurality of metal plates spaced along the length of the channel. Suitably the plates are arranged transversely of, and are secured to, the uppermost arm of the first member, the Tupright and first arm of the T cross-member.

Conveniently the T cross-member and the lowermost arm of the first member are located in the same horizontal plane.

Preferably the web of the first member has a substantially vertical portion adjoining the lowermost arm, and an inclined portion adjoining the uppermost arm and the vertical portion.

Am embodiment of the invention will now be particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a lintel according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the lintel shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the lintel comprises a first member 1, a second member 2 and a pair of transverse stiffening plates 3.

The first member 1 is of generally Z-section and has upper and lower horizontal arms or flanges 4 and 5 located at either end of and on opposite sides of a web member 6. Lowermost flange 5 is adapted to be engaged with the outer skin of a cavity wall and is provided with a slightly downwardly inclined drip lip 7 whose purpose is well known in the art.

Uppermost flange 4 is adapted to be engaged with the inner skin of the cavity wall. Web member 6 is in two portions 8 and 9 and in use, spans the cavity of the wall and acts as a damp resistor plate. Portion 8 of web member 6 extends vertically from lowermost flange 5 and meets an inclined portion 9 which joins with the uppermost flange 4.

The second member 2 is of generally inverted T section having an upright 10 which adjoins flange 4 at a position close to that end of the flange 4 nearer to the web 6. The upright 10 is welded to the flange 4.

The cross-member 11 of the T member 3 is welded to the upright 10 and has a first arm 1 2 which is located on the same side of the upright 10 as the uppermost flange 4 forming with the upright 10 and the flange 4 a channel which extends along the length of the lintel. The channel is provided with a pair of steel plates 3 which are located transversely of the lintel and situated close to each end of the channel. The plates 3 are welded to flange 4, T-upright 10 and cross-member arm 1 2. The plates 3 impart considerable stiffness to the channel and substantially reduce or prevent the flexing of the uppermost flange 4 under load. Indeed any flexing of the upright 10 and the first cross-member arm 1 2 is also minimised.

Cross-member 11 of the T member 2 has a second arm 1 3 which adjoins the web member 6 of first member 2 and is welded thereto.

The lowermost flange 5 and the T cross member 11 are contiguous or co-pianar. Arm 1 3 forms with the upright 10 and the web member 6 a closed box structure imparting to the lintel considerable rigidity and resistance to flexing under load.

While not shown the base of the lintel (the lower surfaces of flange 5 and T-cross member 11) can be provided with conventional means eg expanded metal laths, for enabling plaster or other facing material to be attached to the lintel.

1. A lintel for a cavity wall comprising a first member having a web for spanning the cavity and a pair of vertically spaced substantially horizontal arms located on opposite sides of the web, a second member of generally inverted T-shape, the upright of the T adjoining the uppermost arm of the first member at a position near the web so that a channel is formed between the uppermost arm, the T upright and a first arm of the T cross-member, the second arm of the T cross-member adjoining the web of the first member, stiffening means secured within the channel and adapted to maintain the uppermost arm of the first member in fixed relationship relative to the upright of the T member, insulating material located within the channel and extending rearwardly of the channel to a point at or near its rear edges together with keying means located adjacent the rear edges of the channel.

2. A lintel as claimed in claim 1 in which

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in lintels The present invention relates to lintels for spanning openings in cavity walls. According to the present invention there is provided a lintel for a cavity wail comprising a first member having a web for spanning the cavity and a pair of vertically spaced substantially horizontal arms located on opposite sides of the web, a second member of generally inverted T-shape, the upright of the T adjoining the upper most arm of the first member at a position near the web so that a channel is formed between the uppermost arm, the T upright and a first arm of the T cross-member, the second arm of the T cross-member adjoining the web of the first member, stiffening means secured within the channel and adapted to maintain the uppermost arm of the first member in fixed relationship relative to the upright of the T member, insulating material located within the channel and extending rearwardly of the channel to a point at or near its rear edges together with keying means located adjacent the rear edges of the channel. Preferably the stiffening means comprises a plurality of metal plates spaced along the length of the channel. Suitably the plates are arranged transversely of, and are secured to, the uppermost arm of the first member, the Tupright and first arm of the T cross-member. Conveniently the T cross-member and the lowermost arm of the first member are located in the same horizontal plane. Preferably the web of the first member has a substantially vertical portion adjoining the lowermost arm, and an inclined portion adjoining the uppermost arm and the vertical portion. Am embodiment of the invention will now be particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a lintel according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the lintel shown in Fig. 1. Referring to the drawings, the lintel comprises a first member 1, a second member 2 and a pair of transverse stiffening plates 3. The first member 1 is of generally Z-section and has upper and lower horizontal arms or flanges 4 and 5 located at either end of and on opposite sides of a web member 6. Lowermost flange 5 is adapted to be engaged with the outer skin of a cavity wall and is provided with a slightly downwardly inclined drip lip 7 whose purpose is well known in the art. Uppermost flange 4 is adapted to be engaged with the inner skin of the cavity wall. Web member 6 is in two portions 8 and 9 and in use, spans the cavity of the wall and acts as a damp resistor plate. Portion 8 of web member 6 extends vertically from lowermost flange 5 and meets an inclined portion 9 which joins with the uppermost flange 4. The second member 2 is of generally inverted T section having an upright 10 which adjoins flange 4 at a position close to that end of the flange 4 nearer to the web 6. The upright 10 is welded to the flange 4. The cross-member 11 of the T member 3 is welded to the upright 10 and has a first arm 1 2 which is located on the same side of the upright 10 as the uppermost flange 4 forming with the upright 10 and the flange 4 a channel which extends along the length of the lintel. The channel is provided with a pair of steel plates 3 which are located transversely of the lintel and situated close to each end of the channel. The plates 3 are welded to flange 4, T-upright 10 and cross-member arm 1 2. The plates 3 impart considerable stiffness to the channel and substantially reduce or prevent the flexing of the uppermost flange 4 under load. Indeed any flexing of the upright 10 and the first cross-member arm 1 2 is also minimised. Cross-member 11 of the T member 2 has a second arm 1 3 which adjoins the web member 6 of first member 2 and is welded thereto. The lowermost flange 5 and the T cross member 11 are contiguous or co-pianar. Arm 1 3 forms with the upright 10 and the web member 6 a closed box structure imparting to the lintel considerable rigidity and resistance to flexing under load. While not shown the base of the lintel (the lower surfaces of flange 5 and T-cross member 11) can be provided with conventional means eg expanded metal laths, for enabling plaster or other facing material to be attached to the lintel. CLAIMS

2. A lintel as claimed in claim 1 in which the stiffening means comprises a plurality of metal plates spaced along the length of the channel.

3. A lintel as claimed in claim 3 in which the plates are arranged transversely of, and are secured to, the arms and the web of the channel.

4. A lintel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the lowermost arms of the members are located in the same horizontal plane.

5. A lintel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the spacing means lies in the same horizontal plane as the lowermost arm.

6. A lintel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the spacing means comprises either a single plate extending along the lintel or a series of spaced plates extending along the lintel.

7. A lintel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the first member has s substantially vertical portion adjoining the lowermost arm, and an inclined portion adjoining the uppermost arm and the vertical portion.

8. A lintel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the keying means is secured to the stiffening means.

9. A lintel as claimed in claim 8 in which the keying means comprises a board.

10. A lintel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the insulating material is in the form of blocks or slabs.

11. A lintel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the insulating material is a foamed plastics material.

12. A lintel as claimed in claim 11 in the material is polyurethane, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride or a phenol formaldehyde resin.

13. A lintel as claimed in claim 10 in which the insulating material is a mineral wool fibre.

14. A lintel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.