Composite lintel system

Abstract

A composite lintel structure is disclosed for spanning openings in a building structure and for supporting building materials thereon. The composite lintel structure has a vertical leg for affixation to a building structure and a horizontal leg for placement of one or more courses of building materials thereon. The materials of construction of the lintel structure are preferably selected from composites that are moisture impermeable and corrosion resistant. The lintel structure may also comprise one or more stiffeners rigidly or adjustably attached between the horizontal and vertical legs to accommodate load transference from the horizontal leg to the vertical leg of the lintel structure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a lintel system for supporting bricks and other veneers above openings in a building structure. More specifically, the present invention comprises a composite lintel that is lighter and more corrosion resistant as compared to conventional steel lintels. The lintel has a variety of configurations to accommodate various areas of a building structure that require the use of a load bearing support member. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] Brick and concrete structures are common in the prior art. Many structures are built from brick, concrete and the like because of their many advantages including: durability and strength; fire resistance; temperature and sound insulation; general attractiveness; and ease of maintenance, i.e., elimination of the rotting, denting, warping, rusting, splitting, peeling, and fading associated with wooden structures, as well as a deterrent to wood...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0028] In accordance with the present invention, a new and useful lightweight moisture impermeable lintel structure is disclosed as being fabricated of an elongated composite shelf angle having a rigidifying means affixed thereto. The rigidifying means comprises spaced apart stiffeners that are disposed in integral multiples of the brick lengths (including space for the mortar therebetween). The preferred form of stiffeners is a relatively light gage composite material in the form of triangular members attached between the vertical and horizontal legs of the composite shelf angle. Accordingly

Problems solved by technology

A problem with steel angle irons is that they are heavy and that steel bends under a sufficient load.

In fact, the weight of the steel in the angle iron alone will cause it to deform—this sagging is compounded by the additional weight of the brickwork above that is to be supported by the sagging member.

The sagging of the member will cause cracks and weakening of the brick structure above, necessitating eventual replacement of the lintel and brickwork.

The cracks in the brickwork will also cause moisture to enter beneath the brickwork thereby damaging the underlying structure and exposing it to wood infesting insects.

It is another problem with steel angle iron that by its nature, steel (or other metals) will expand and contract due to thermal expansion.

This thermal expansion will inevitable cause such coatings as paint or galvanization to be decimated over time and allow the underlying steel to be exposed to moisture, thereby causing corrosion.

Furthermore, because these coatings are relatively thin, they are easily damaged during shipping and installation of the angle iron.

Furthermore, corrosion of the angle iron creates greater problems.

Accumulation of moisture can cause damage to the underlying wooden or metal structure.

However, some moisture is still retained between the veneer and the structure.

This inevitably leads to corrosion of exposed metal members in the structure, i.e., steel angle irons used as lintels.

Corrosion of the steel lintel can cause diagonal cracks to extend up from the ends of the lintel.

Corrosion that builds up on the top surface

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