Patent Application
20200248452
Coverings for Lintels
Steel lintels, also known as angle irons, are utilized to support the weight of materials like bricks or masonry blocks above openings of structures or buildings, including above windows, garages and doors. Over time exposed portions of the lintel oxidizes resulting in an unsightly appearance. Coverings may be used to protect the exposed surfaces of the lintel from the effects of exposure such as weathering and corrosion.
An angle iron cover such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,150 may provide for an aesthetic covering, but it can cause issues with water pooling since water may leak into the structure or can be retained within the angle iron cover. Over time, water exposure can lead to oxidation of the steel lintel and damage to the structure.
Canadian Patent No. 2,926,843 discloses a lintel cover having a flap and hinge bend to form a sealed air space at a location between the structure and the steel lintel. This design may be cumbersome to install.
Many existing coverings require regular maintenance or are cumbersome to install. There is a need for an aesthetic covering which is easy to install and requires little maintenance, which may be used with existing building material to create complete coverage of a lintel.
In an embodiment there is provided a cover for a lintel, the lintel having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion generally perpendicular to the lower portion. The cover comprises an upper surface and a lower surface. A side surface connects the upper surface and lower surface at one edge of the upper and lower surface, the upper surface, lower surface and side surface covering the lower portion of the lintel. A lip extends from an opposite edge of the upper surface adjacent to the upper portion, the height of the lip being less than the height of the upper portion of the lintel.
There is also provided a method of installing a cover for a lintel, comprising the steps of placing the cover on the lintel so the cover covers a portion of the lintel over a structural opening and placing a flexible covering over the lintel so the flexible covering partially overlaps the cover.
In various embodiments, there may be included any one or more of the following features: the upper surface is generally parallel to the lower surface and the side surface is generally parallel to the lip, and the upper surface and lower surfaces are generally perpendicular to the lower surface and the side surface; the lip extends up less than half of the height of the upper portion of the lintel; the height of the lip is between half an inch to one inch; the flexible covering further comprises a flashing covering over the lintel so the flashing partially overlaps both the lip of the cover and a structure behind the lintel; and placing tar paper over the flashing so the tar paper partially overlaps the flashing.
These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in the claims.
Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in which like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in which:
Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described here without departing from what is covered by the claims.
Lintel covers protect the exposed faces of a lintel from the elements. Typically, when a lintel is installed over an opening of a structure the front face and underside of the lintel are exposed to the elements and may rust over time. Furthermore, water may leak behind the steel lintel or pool on or around the steel lintel and between the structure and the outer wall, causing potential for water damage to the building. Ideally, the covers work to divert moisture over the lintel and away from the structure face, preventing the oxidation of the steel lintel. As shown in
As shown in
Lip 28 extends partially up the upper portion 32 of the lintel. The height of the lip 28 is preferably less than the height of the upper portion 32 of the lintel 12 to increase the ease of installation of the lintel cover 10 and may be substantially shorter than the height of the upper portion 32, for example less than half the height of the upper portion 32. The lip 28 extends far enough up the lintel to create complete coverage of the lintel by allowing protective building materials to overlap the lintel cover. In this way, the lip 28 functions as an upper lip which provides for a vertical surface to overlap with flashing. Using a lintel cover with a lip shorter than the lintel's upper portion helps the lintel cover be easier to install and saves on material costs. The lintel cover 10 allows for the flashing to be attached to the upper lip 28 which may allow for complete coverage and for water to be funneled over and away from the lintel and therefore the structure as well.
The lip 28 that extends partially up the upper portion 32 of the lintel is useful to limit or stop moisture from entering the structure from the upper surface 22 of the lintel cover 10. Although the amount of moisture that would otherwise accumulate behind the brick may be minimal, without the lip 28, moisture and water would make its way back into the structure and eventually make its way between the cover and the lintel which over time would cause deterioration and could eventually lead to failure. Even a very small lip 28 may stop the brunt of the water. However, if the lip is not of sufficient height, there is a risk that water may flow up or around the plastic flashing and back down in between the cover and the lintel. Wind may also be an issue, particularly on a third or fourth level scaffold, and so if the lip is of an insufficient height, it may be difficult to keep the plastic/tar paper flashing in front of the lip throughout the length of the lintel. A balance must be made between having a lip that is too long and therefore cumbersome and redundant, as compared to one that is too short and does not provide sufficient protection from moisture or does not allow a structure for the plastic/tar paper to secure against. Preferably, the lip may extend no more than one inch in height. For example, the lip may extend a height between half an inch to one inch.
Certain lintel covers with complicated flaps and joints may be annoying for workers to install because they need to be manipulated in order to be installed correctly. In cases where the lintel covers require manipulation by the workers in order to get into a proper position, sometimes the worker may forget to do whatever manipulation is required, which may lead to the lintel cover hitting the structure and both the cover and lintel may not sit properly on the brick or over the window.
Providing a lip with minimal height may provide multiple benefits, including making the lintel cover easier to cut, handle, and install. A lintel cover with a minimal height lip sits on the steel lintel better and can be kept in position by workers such as masons well placed on the lintel as bricks are being installed. By keeping weight and size to a minimum, shipping costs and the amount of storage space required are reduced.
The lip 28 is configured to be integrated with existing or new building material to create complete coverage of the lintel from the elements. The building materials may be any material used to create a barrier to protect the structure, for example flashing, tar paper or house wrap, alone or in combination. The flashing may be for example polyethylene flashing. Other types of materials may be used to construct the flashing. Preferably, the flashing is made from a durable, lightweight and waterproof material. Lintel cover 10 may be used with any house wrap. The house wrap may be for example Tyvek™ HomeWrap™.
The lintel cover 10 preferably extends long enough to cover the entire exposed surface of the lintel 12, for example at least the width of the structural opening.
The lintel cover 10 is preferably manufactured for a precise fit on the lintel, and with a thickness chosen so the cover does not substantially interfere with the structural elements of the building or the surrounding materials.
The components may be installed over each other starting from the bottom, allowing water to be diverted away from the structure. Lintel cover 10 is designed to be relatively compact so that it may be quickly and easily installed. To install the lintel cover 10 it is slid over the steel lintel 12 creating over-under coverage. The flexible covering such as polyethylene flashing 14 may then be draped over the lip 28 of the lintel cover, followed by tar paper 16 draped over the polyethylene flashing 14, ensuring each layer at least partially overlaps with at least the layer immediately below it. Bricks or other wall material may then be placed on the upper surface of the lintel cover. Installing a lintel with a lip 28 that extends partially up the upper portion 32 of the lintel, may allow for substantially easier installation for workers than if more complicated structures of lintel covers are used. Moreover, the lintel cover is compact and easy to handle and can be installed using available construction materials. This can create time and cost savings.
The exterior brick wall shown in
In a preferred embodiment, the lintel cover is extruded out of PVC with added stabilizers.
In the claims, the word “comprising” is used in its inclusive sense and does not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles “a” and “an” before a claim feature do not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of the individual features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by virtue only of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as defined by the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3031992 | Jan 2019 | CA | national |
| 3057127 | Sep 2019 | CA | national |
