IE42925B1 - Improvements in lintels - Google Patents

Abstract

The lintel (1) is for a cavity or hollow wall (2) which has an opening (3) in it. The lintel (1) is made up of two sections (4, 5). The first section (4) is preferably formed of a pair of plates (6, 7) welded together, for example by spot-welding or high-frequency welding, at a point (8). The plate (6) has a lip (9). The second section (5) overlaps the first section (4) when in place. The region formed by the plates (6, 7) is preferably a rhombus in shape but may be triangular.

Description

The invention·relates to apparatus including a lintel of the kind which can be used to span a cavity in a cavity wall.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus, comprising a lintel adapted to span an aperture in a cavity wall having a part which can lie closely adjacent the face, directed into the cavity, of the inner skin of the cavity wall, a plate joined at or adjacent the lower edge of the part and adapted to be supported at least at an end thereof upon courses forming parts of the outer skin of the cavity adjacent the aperture and adapted to span the cavity and support the outer skin of the wall above the aperture in use, a rigid damp resistor plate which extends from the upper portion of the said part across the cavity to join with the plate adjacent the outer skin of the cavity wall, ahd a component which has a first part which can overlie the said upper portion so that relative movement is capable in use between the component and the part, the component further having a second part connected to the first part which is securable to the inner skin of the cavity wall.

The arrangement is thus such that when in position in a wall, the lintel and component are so disposed that relative movement can take place therebetween According to a second aspect, the invention provides a cavity wall includ-242925 ing apparatus as hereinbefore defined.

Apparatus embodying the invention is hereinbefore described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of one apparatus in position in a cavity wall; Figure 2 shows an end elevation view of a second apparatus; and Figure 3 shows an end elevational view of part of a third apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows apparatus including a lintel 1, for a cavity wall 2 which has a cavity 3, and a component 5. The lintel 1, is suitably formed from a pair of plates 6 and 7 secured together as by welding e.g. spot welding or high frequency welding, at 8.

The plate 6 has a lip 9 and a first horizontal plate or part 10, an integral substantially vertical limb 11 merging into an inclined plate or part 12, which in turn terminates in a vertical limb 13. The limb 13 lies adjacent and is secured to a vertical limb 14 of the second plate 7 which is in the form of an angle section plate in which the lower limb 15 spans the cavity 3 as well as being secured to the first horizontal plate or part 10 as by welding e.g. spot welding or high frequency welding at 8.

The limbs 11 and 14 are substantially parallel and are spaced apart a distance corresponding substantially to the width of the cavity 3 so that in use they line respective inner surfaces of the cavity. The inclined plate or part 12 in use can act as a damp resistor plate as it spans the cavity in a downwardly inclined direction from the inner 16 to the outer 17 skin of the wall.

The component 5 is suitably in the form of a metal plate which has a part 18 adapted to lie along and to be secured as by a pin 19 to the inner skin 16, and a part 20 parallel thereto and connected therewith by an intermediate portion 21. The length of the intermediate portion 21 is such that the distance between the inner skin and the part 20 can freely receive the upper part 13 and 14 of the lintel 1, 4.

In use, the lintel 1, 4 is used in a cavity wall in which the outer skin -317 is constructed from several courses of blocks or bricks which are mortared together in a conventional manner. The inner skin 16 is constructed at least in part from wooden beams or timbers.

The wall is formed with an aperture 22 or opening therethrough and the lintel 1, 4 has a length greater than the length of the opening so that when it is placed across the opening 22 it will overlie the walls on either side of the opening. The ends of the lintel 1, 4 are then securely connected to the wall as by being embedded on cement or mortar. The outer skin 17 of the wall can then be built up by being supported by the part 10, and the inner skin of timber is built up alongside the limb 14. The cavity is thus formed, the limbs lining the cavity 3.

The component 5 is secured to the inner skin as by nailing or screwing so that the part 20 overlies the upper portion or part 13,‘14 of the lintel.

A layer of bitumen or felt br similar material 23 can be placed over the upper, as viewed in the drawing, part 18 Of the component 5. The upper part 13, 14 of the lintel 1, 4 can therefore move freely within the part· 20, both laterally and vertically and movement between the inner and outer skins can be accommodated. Moreover, the plate 12 and the component 5 also act as damp resistor plates and ensure that moisture condensing in the cavity is directed to the exterior of the outer skin 17.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown apparatus including a lintel 101 comprising a part 102 constructed from an L-shaped member and a member 113 which has a portion 114 secured as by welding e.g. a single row of spot welds 105 against the upper region (as seen in the Figure) of the upright limb of the L-shaped member. The portion 114 leads into an inclined portion 106 which meets the lower, horizontal, limb 107 of the L-shaped member 102 intermediate its length and leads to a further portion 108 which overlies the limb 107 and projects laterally beyond it to terminate in a downwardly inclined lip 109. The portion 108 and the limb 107 are secured together as by welding e.g. by a double row of spot welds 110. In use to span an aperture in a cavity wall in which the inner skin (not shown) is made at least in part of timber, the wall is -442925 built up to a desired height and the lintel is then laid in position across the opening.

The outer skin of the wall, formed of bricks or the like, can then be built up and be supported by the horizontal limb 108, 107, while the inner skin of timber is built up alongside and in abutment with the upright limb of the member 102. The cavity is thus continued over the opening, the portion 105 forming a damp resistor plate which spans the cavity.

The apparatus also includes a component 111 which is secured to the inner skin so that its lower limb 112 (as viewed in Figure 2) overlies the upper marginal region of the portion 114 of the lintel 101. Any moisture condensing in the cavity is then directed by the component 111 onto the damp resistor plate 105. Also, relative, movement between the lintel 101 and the component 111 across the cavity can be accommodated since neither part is physically secured to both skins of the wall.

Figure 3 shows a third apparatus comprising a modification of the lintel of Figure 1 in which the inclined portion 206 (Figure 3) terminates above the lower limb (as viewed in Figure 3) and leads to a vertical upper portion 204 and a vertical lower portion 2Ϊ3. The portion 204 extends upwardly beyond the limb corresponding to, the limb 14 of the lintel of Figure 1. In use, the vertical portion 213 lies against or closely adjacent to the inner surface of the outer skin of the wall.

The component for overlying the portion or part 204 is not shown in Figure 3.

In every embodiment, the lintel can be formed from hot dipped, galvanised sheet steel to B.S. 2989-Class 2A. The external surfaces have one coat of zinc rich, air drying, primer to a minimum thickness of 0.001.

There may be one component 5 or 111 running the length of the first lintel member, or a plurality of such components at spaced apart intervals along the length of the lintel.

Moreover, the lintel 1, 4 or 101 may be formed in one piece with the limbs secured as shown, or it may be made in two or more parts secured together. -54202S The Inclined portions 12, 106, 206 may be arcuate rather than planar as shown.

Claims (6)

1. Apparatus, comprising a lintel adapted to span an aperture in a cavity wall having a part which can lie closely adjacent the face, directed into the cavity, of the inner skin of the cavity wall, a plate joined at or adjacent the lower edge of the part and adapted to be supported at least at an end thereof upon 5 courses forming parts of the outer skin of the cavity adjacent the aperture and adapted to span the cavity and support the outer skin of the wall above the aperture in use, a rigid damp resistor plate which extends from the upper portion of the said part across the cavity to join with the plate adjacent the outer skin of the cavity wall, and a component which has a first part which can 10 overlie the said upper portion so that relative movement is capable in use between tne component and the part, the component further having a second part connected to the first part which is securable to the inner skin of the cavity wall.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, in which the rigid damp resistor plate of the lintel has an inclined or arcuate portion which extends across the cavity 15 in use.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the rigid damp resistor plate has a part which lies closely adjacent the inner face, directed into the cavity, of the outer skin of the cavity wall.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding Claim, in which there is a plurality 20 of said components.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, in which the or each component is of generally Z-shape.

6. A cavity wall including apparatus according to any preceding claim.