GB2267517A

GB2267517A - Spacer for lintel

Info

Publication number: GB2267517A
Application number: GB9309601A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Gwyn Williams
Original assignee: Catnic Ltd
Current assignee: Catnic Ltd
Priority date: 1992-06-02
Filing date: 1993-05-10
Publication date: 1993-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2013-05-10
Also published as: GB2267517B; GB9309601D0

Abstract

A spacer comprises a mild steel strut member 22 which is substantially planar and which has mounting means e.g. U-bends 23 adjacent both ends whereby the device 1 is adapted to be mounted on the lintel 4 so that the strut member 22 extends between the plate elements 2, 3 to maintain them in the desired spatial relation. <IMAGE>

Description

A STRUCTURAL ELEMENT The invention relates to a structural element, particularly a lintel which is used to span an aperture in a cavity wall, and to a device for maintaining the dimensional integrity of such an element or lintel under load particularly tension loads at or adjacent the ends of the structural element.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a device for maintaining two spaced apart plate elements in a desired spatial relation, comprising a strut member adapted to extend between the plate elements whereby to maintain them a desired distance apart, and means adjacent one end of the strut member and carried thereby for mounting the strut member on one plate element.

There may be mounting means adjacent each end of the strut member. This provides for ease of manufacture.

The strut member may comprise a planar plate-like member. This is a relatively simple construction, particularly as the device may be formed integrally from a metal which may be coated with plastic. This provides for a thermal break and can prevent corrosion.

The mounting means may each comprise a substantially U-shaped extension of the strut member. This provides for ease of mounting.

A free leg of the U-shaped extension may be longer than a leg which is a continuation of the strut member. This provides for a secure fixing on a lintel.

The U-shaped extension may comprise a flange which may extend in a direction substantially at right angles to the planes of the legs of the U-shaped extension.

This provides for a mechanical fixture to a part of a lintel.

The flange may extend from the free leg of the U-shaped extension, or alternatively from the leg which is a continuation of the strut member. Either construction provides for ease of mounting, and construction.

One mounting means may comprise a substantially U-shaped extension of the strut member and the other mounting means may comprise a substantially right angle flange at the other end of the strut member. This is an alternative which uses less material.

A free part of the right angle flange may lie in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of the strut member. This provides for ease of fixing.

The strut member may have a configuration adapted to close an end of the lintel.

This provides for retention of a foam insulation formed in situ in the lintel.

The device may also be formed integrally from plastic.

This provides for a non-conductive device, which can provide a thermal break.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a set of parts, comprising a structural element such as a lintel having two spaced apart plate elements, and a device as hereinbefore defined, adapted to be mounted on the plate elements.

The plate elements may be substantially parallel plate elements.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a structural element such as a lintel having two spaced apart plate elements and, mounted on those elements, at at least one end of the structural elements and extending between the plate elements, a device as hereinbefore defined.

The structural element may include a device mounted at each end of the structural elements. This provides for symmetrical end load compensation.

The structural element may have in use forwardly and rearwardly extending further plate elements extending respectively from the two spaced apart plate elements, one of the mounting means adjacent the rear (in use) further plate element being secured thereto by mechanical receiving means such as by a rivet.

This provides a secure fixing.

Devices and structural elements or lintels embodying the invention are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a part of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a part of a third embodiment of a device according to the invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a device according to the invention; Fig. 6 shows in end elevation a lintel in situ over an aperture in a cavity wall, in configuration with a device according to Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 7 is an underneath plan view of the lintel of Fig. 6 taken in the direction of arrow 'A' in that Figure; Fig. 8 shows a sectional view at the mid-position of the lintel; Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of device and lintel for which it is designed;; Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of device according to the invention; and Fig. 11 shows a yet further embodiment of device according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are referred to by like numerals, particularly Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7, there is shown a device 1 such as an end clip for maintaining two spaced apart plate elements, such as substantially parallel and upright (in use) front and rear (again in use) members 2 and 3 of a structural element such as a metal lintel 4, in a desired spatial relation. The plate members 2 and 3 are secured together mechanically, but without welding, rivetting or the like at the top 5, in use, as shown in Fig. 6, the plate members being brought together but being separated by a thermal break or barrier in the form of a continuous PVC extrusion 6.The plate members 2 and 3 lie within a cavity 7 of a cavity wall 8, the plate elements 2 and 3 terminating respectively in front and rear support plates 9 and 10 which respectively support outer and inner skins of the wall 11 and 12, the front support plate 9 terminating at the free edge in a downwardly formed drip lip 13. The rear support plate 10 has a plurality of perforations formed therethrough, in the form of blind elongate holes 14 with rounded ends, which in addition to providing a thermal barrier also provide a key for plaster, cement, mortar and the like rendering or facing medium 15 as that medium 15 before it sets passes through the perforations 14 when applied to the lintel 4.

The plate elements 2 and 3 define therebetween a cavity 16 which is closed off at the bottom (in use) of a plaster key means in the form of a moulded, (extruded in the embodiment) plastic, usually PVC, continuous element 17 which has means whereby it is a push fit in the cavity, and continuous grooves 18 which define a plaster, mortar or cement key, the plaster, mortar or cement entering the grooves 18 of dovetail configurations in cross-section, and being secured therein when applied thereto, and after setting. To seek to ensure thermal insulation between the front and rear of the cavity 16 in the lintel 4 (and thus of the cavity 7 on the wall 8 at the lintel portion), the lintel 4 is filled with a full fill insulation 19 such as a shaped polystyrene foam continuous block of suitable low heat conductivity such as it= 0.037 W/mK.

The lintel 4 can support a load over an aperture 20 in which is mounted a door or a window frame 21 the front and rear support plates 9 and 10 supporting the superimposed loads of the outer and inner skins 11, 12 respectively, and as a result the lintel 4 is subject to applied tension loads at its longitudinal ends, and compressive loads at or near the mid-span position. The tension loads at the ends can have a tendency to make the plate elements 2 and 3 splay apart, which whilst upsetting the dimensional integrity of the lintel, can also load to movement and hence cracking or failure of the plaster, mortar or cement 15.

In order to obviate the splaying out, there is provided the device 1 (Figs. 1, 2, 6, and 7) which comprises a mild steel strut member 22 which is substantially planar and which has mounting means 23 adjacent both ends whereby the device 1 is adapted to be mounted on the lintel 4 so that the strut member 22 extends between the plate elements 2, 3 to maintain them in the desired spatial relation shown (Fig. 6). The mounting means 23 of the first device of Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7 comprises a U-shaped element at both ends of the strut member 23, the free legs 24 of which are longer than the legs 25 which are a continuation of the strut member 22.

The device 1 is integrally formed from mild steel and is coated with a plastic coating so there is no metal to metal contact between the device 1 and the lintel 4 so that corrosive electrochemical action is not set up in use.

The spacing between the legs 24, 25 of the 'U' is such that the device 1 can be mounted with a push fit on the plate elements 2 and 3, which are of a thickness just to be received in the spacing between legs 24 and 25.

In use, a device 1 is mounted with a push fit one at each end of the lintel 4, as near the base 9, 17, 10 as possible. In this position the strut member 22 of each device 1 is inboard of the adjacent end of the lintel and is thus able to extend between the plate elements 2 and 3 and to maintain them in the desired spatial relation. This is because the device 1 acts in tension and the U-shaped mounts 23 hook onto the plates 2 and 3 respectively so that as the load increases they are ever more firmly secured in place and the strut member 22 thereafter holds the plates 2 and 3 together.

The embodiment of Figs. 3, 4 and 5 acts in a similar way to that of the device of Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7 except that in these other embodiments this inner mounting means 26, 27 and 28 comprises a flange 29 which is secured as by a rivet (not shown) to the inner support flange 10 of the lintel 4. In Fig. 3, the flange 26 is a continuation of the inner leg 25 of the U-shape 23 in Fig. 4 it is a continuation of the outer, free leg 24 of the U-shape 23 while in Fig. 5 there is no inner U-shape, merely a right angle flange. In Figs. 3 and 4 there is a Uconfiguration at the outer (in use) side and the flange 29 in all cases is at substantially 900 to the plane of the strut member 22.In all the embodiments, in which like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, the strut member 22 lies within or inboard of the end of the lintel and the U-configuration mounting means 23 when used provides a very small surface area so that the device is not readily knocked off the lintel 4, and can therefore be transported in situ. Also, the strut member 22 can have means which act to collect moisture intermediate the length thereof so as to obviate capillary transfer to the inner skin of the wall of any moisture condensing on the lintel in the cavity of the wall.

To counter the compressive forces referred to, the mid-span of the lintel 4 includes a mild steel stiffener 30 of U-shape as shown in Fig. 8 which nests within the U-profile of the bottom plaster key 17. Thus the stiffener prevents inward bowing of the lintel 4 adjacent the mid-point under compressive loads, thereby again maintaining the structural integrity of the lintel 4.

It will be understood that modifications may be made, for example the device may be made from any suitable material than mild steel as particularly described, for example any suitable steel.

Referring now to Fig. 9, there is shown a device in the form of a U-shaped steel clip 31 which is secured between limbs 2, 3 of the lintel 4 by either separate mechanical fasteners (not shown) or by suitable alternate means such as welding at 'X'. As is shown in Fig. 9 the U-clip can be secured in a variety of attitudes.

Referring now to Fig. 10, there is shown a device 32 which is a development of the U-channel clip of Fig. 9, being of a shape to fill in or close the end of the lintel 4 by its web 33 when in position. This is a particularly suitable device for use when an insulating material such as a polyurethane foam is moulded in situ in the hollow interior of the lintel. The device 32 is made left - or right - handed so that one can be mounted on the lintel at each end, to entrap the insulating material.

Fig. 11 shows a non-conductive device 34 in the form of a plastic push-on clip, the edges of the limbs 2, 3 of the lintel being received in channels 35 of the clip 34.

The clip usually needs additional fastener means, not shown, for retention, the additional means being secured through limbs 36 into the lintel 4.

Claims

1. A device for maintaining two spaced apart plate elements in a desired spatial relation, comprising a strut member adapted to extend between the plate elements whereby to maintain them a desired distance apart, and means adjacent one end of the strut member and carried thereby for mounting the strut member on one plate element.

2. A device according to Claim 1, comprising a mounting means adjacent each end of the strut member.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the strut member comprising a planar plate-like member.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, formed integrally from metal.

5. A device according to Claim 4, the device being coated with plastic.

6. A device according to any of Claims 2 to 5, the mounting means each comprising a substantially U-shaped extension of the strut member.

7. A device according to Claim 6, a free leg of the U-shaped extension being longer than a leg which is a continuation of the strut member.

8. A device according to Claim 7, the U-shaped extension comprising a flange which extends in a direction substantially at right angles to the planes of the legs of the U-shaped extension.

9. A device according to Claim 8, the flange extending from the free leg of the U-shaped extension.

10. A device according to Claim 8, the flange extending from the leg which is a continuation of the strut member.

11. A device according to any of Claims 2 to 5, one mounting means comprising a substantially U-shaped extension of the strut member and the other mounting means comprising a substantially right angle flange at the other end of the strut member.

12. A device according to Claim 11, a free part of the right angle flange lying in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane of the strut member.

13. A device according to any preceding claim, the strut member having a configuration adapted to close an end of the lintel.

14. A device according to Claim 1, or Claim 2, being formed integrally from plastic.

15. A device for maintaining two spaced apart plate elements in a desired spatial relation, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A set of parts, comprising a structural element such as a lintel having two spaced apart plate elements, and a device according to any preceding claim adapted to be mounted on the plate elements.

17. A set of parts according to Claim 16, the plate elements being substantially parallel plate elements.

18. A set of parts substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A structural element such as a lintel having two spaced apart plate elements and, mounted on those elements at at least one end of the structural elements and extending between the plate elements, a device according to any one of Claims 1 to 15.

20. A structural element according to Claim 19, including a device according to any of Claims 1 to 15 mounted at each end of the structural element.

21. A structural element according to Claim 20, the structural element having in use forwardly and rearwardly extending further plate elements extending respectively from the two spaced apart plate elements, one of the mounting means adjacent the rear (in use) further plate element being secured thereto by mechanical securing means.

22. A structural element according to Claim 21, the mechanical securing means comprising a rivet.

23. A structural element according to Claim 22, including a strut member for countering compressive forces situated between the plate elements and intermediate the length of the structural element.

24. A structural element such as a lintel in combination with a device according to any of claims 1 to 15, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.