Cambered Lintel Lift System for Masonry Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional post and lintel construction techniques lead to lintel deflection and sagging over time, resulting in costly, labor-intensive repairs due to the lack of a reversible cambered angle lintel solution for supporting masonry units.
Innovation Solution
A lintel lift system featuring a cambered angle lintel with support columns and lift bolts that can be reversed to restore old lintels or install new ones, allowing for adjustable support and stabilization of masonry loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional post and lintel construction technique is used, then simple and effective load support is achieved, but lintel deflection and sagging occur over time requiring costly repairs
Solution Approach 1:
The lintel is pre-cambered during manufacturing to counteract future deflection. This preliminary action of pre-shaping the lintel with an upward curve compensates for the sagging that will occur under load over time, allowing the lintel to return to a horizontal position rather than deflect downward.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces adjustable support brackets and shims that allow the lintel system to adapt dynamically to deflection. The support brackets can be positioned at different locations and adjusted with shims to compensate for sagging, transforming a static structure into one that can be dynamically corrected.
2Ease of repair
If lintel repair is performed using conventional methods, then damaged lintels can be restored, but the process is time consuming and labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The repair system is divided into separate modular components: support brackets that attach to the lintel, adjustable shims for positioning, and cambered angle irons. This segmentation allows each component to be independently installed and adjusted, simplifying the repair process and reducing time compared to complete lintel replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The support brackets incorporate adjustable parameters through shims and positioning mechanisms, allowing the repair system to adapt to various degrees of deflection and different lintel conditions. This adjustability enables quick adaptation to specific repair needs without requiring custom fabrication or complex procedures.
3Ease of operation
If traditional lintel support is used, then initial installation is straightforward, but the lintel rotates and sags requiring unsafe repositioning of masonry load
Solution Approach 1:
The support brackets act as intermediary elements between the lintel and the supporting structure. These brackets provide additional support points that prevent rotation and sagging, mediating the load distribution and maintaining lintel stability without requiring complex anchoring or complete structural redesign.
Data Source
AI summary
A doorway lintel lift apparatus and method are provided. The door lintel lift apparatus may include two support columns, a lintel that is configured to be attached to the support columns, and that includes a vertical flange and a horizontal flange. The apparatus may include two lift bolts coupled to two end portions of the horizontal flange. The two lift bolts may be configured to respectively raise the two end portions of the horizontal flange. The apparatus may include two rotatable lift nuts that, when rotated, raise the lift bolts to engage and raise the two ends of the horizontal flange.