Lintel

Abstract

A lintel is disclosed for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening. The opening is defined between a first supporting surface and a second supporting surface. The course of blocks include a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion. The lintel comprises an elongated base having a first end and a second end for extending between the first supporting surface and the second supporting surface. The elongated base has a top portion and a bottom portion, a first side and a second side. A riser extends from the top portion of the elongated base for increasing the load capacity of the lintel. A first dam extends upwardly from the first side of the elongated base for pooling the binder adjacent to the first dam. A second dam extends upwardly from the second side of the elongated base for pooling the binder adjacent to the second dam. The first and second bearing portions of the course of blocks are positioned above the first and second dams with the pooled binder supporting the first and second bearing portions of the course of blocks.

1 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening, the opening defined between a first supporting surface and a second supporting surface, the course of blocks including a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion, comprising: 
 an elongated base having a first end and a second end for extending between the first supporting surface and the second supporting surface, said elongated base having a top portion and a bottom portion, a first side and a second side;    a riser extending from said top portion of said elongated base for increasing the load capacity of the lintel;    a first dam extending upwardly from said first side of said elongated base for pooling the binder adjacent to said first dam;    a second dam extending upwardly from said second side of said elongated base for pooling the binder adjacent to said second dam; and    the first and second bearing portions of the course of blocks positioned above said first and second dams with the pooled binder supporting the first and second bearing portions of the course of blocks.    
   
   
       2 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the binder includes a mortar.  
   
   
       3 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the course of blocks include masonry blocks.  
   
   
       4 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said base, riser, first dam and second dam are formed from a single metallic material.  
   
   
       5 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said base, riser, first dam and second dam are formed from a single polymeric material.  
   
   
       6 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said riser includes a textured surface for increasing the bonding strength between the binder and the lintel.  
   
   
       7 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said riser includes a first and a second riser extending from the top side of said elongated base; and 
 said first and second risers being disposed in a spaced apart parallel relationship between said first and second dams for increasing the load capacity of the lintel.    
   
   
       8 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said riser has a proximal end and a distal end; 
 said proximal end being secured to said top portion of said elongated base; and    said distal end includes an enlarged flange for increasing the load capacity of the lintel.    
   
   
       9 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said riser has a proximal end and a distal end; 
 said proximal end being secured to said top portion of said elongated base;    said distal end includes an enlarged flange for increasing the load capacity of the lintel; and    said enlarged flange having a generally triangular cross-section.    
   
   
       10 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said riser has a proximal end and a distal end; 
 said proximal end being secured to said top portion of said elongated base;    said distal end includes an enlarged flange for increasing the load capacity of the lintel; and    said enlarged flange having a generally circular cross-section.    
   
   
       11 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said riser has a proximal end and a distal end; 
 said proximal end being secured to said top portion of said elongated base;    said distal end includes an enlarged flange for increasing the load capacity of the lintel; and    said enlarged flange having a generally square cross-section.    
   
   
       12 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said riser has a proximal end and a distal end; 
 said proximal end being secured to said top portion of said elongated base;    said distal end includes an enlarged flange for increasing the load capacity of the lintel; and    said enlarged flange having a generally V-shape cross-section.    
   
   
       13 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said riser has a proximal end and a distal end; 
 said proximal end being secured to said top portion of said elongated base;    said distal end includes an enlarged flange for increasing the load capacity of the lintel; and    said enlarged flange having a generally rhombus shape cross-section.    
   
   
       14 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said riser has a proximal end and a distal end; 
 said proximal end being secured to said top portion of said elongated base;    said distal end includes an enlarged flange for increasing the load capacity of the lintel; and    said enlarged flange having a generally V-shaped bottom portion and a semi-circle upper portion intersecting the V-shaped bottom portion.    
   
   
       15 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , including a first guide riser and a second guide riser extending from said top portion of said elongated base for aligning the course of blocks on the lintel.  
   
   
       16 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said riser includes a first and a second riser extending from the top side of said elongated base; 
 said first and second risers being disposed in a spaced apart parallel relationship between said first and second dams for increasing the load capacity of the lintel; and    a plurality of hangers extending between said first and second riser for supporting a reinforcement bar disposed in a parallel relationship between said first and second risers for increasing the load capacity of the lintel.    
   
   
       17 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said riser includes a first and a second riser extending from the top side of said base; 
 said first and second risers being disposed in a spaced apart parallel relationship between said first and second dams for increasing the load capacity of the lintel;    a plurality of hangers extending between said first and second riser for supporting a reinforcement bar disposed in a parallel relationship between said first and second risers for increasing the load capacity of the lintel; and    said reinforcement bar extending beyond the first end of said elongated base.    
   
   
       18 . A lintel for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said riser includes a first and a second riser extending from the top side of said base; 
 said first and second risers being disposed in a spaced apart parallel relationship between said first and second dams for increasing the load capacity of the lintel;    a plurality of hangers extending between said first and second riser for supporting a reinforcement bar disposed in a parallel relationship between said first and second risers for increasing the load capacity of the lintel;    said reinforcement bar having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion; and    said horizontal portion positioned upon said plurality of hangers and said vertical portion secured to the first supporting surface.    
   
   
       19 . A method for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening, the opening defined between a first supporting surface and a second support surface, the course of blocks including a first bearing portion and a second bearing portion, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an elongated base having a first end and a second end with a first and a second dam extending upwardly from a first and a second side of said elongated base;    positioning said first and second end of said base on the first and second supporting surfaces;    positioning the binder adjacent to said first and second dams; and    positioning the first and second bearing portions of the course of blocks above said first and second dams with the pooled binder supporting the first and second bearing portions of the course of blocks.    
   
   
       20 . A method for supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 19 , including the step of filling the course of blocks with binder.  
   
   
       21 . The method of supporting a course of blocks with a binder above an opening as set forth in  claim 19 , including the step of positioning a second course of blocks with a binder above the course of blocks.