Adjustable lintel

Abstract

A lintel for use in supporting construction blocks over an aperture in a wall including the construction blocks, the lintel comprising a lintel body defining substantially longitudinally opposed end sections and an intermediate section extending therebetween, the lintel body defining a block supporting element in the intermediate section for supporting the construction blocks over the aperture; and a pair of end elements each mounted to a respective one of the end sections, each of the end elements defining a lintel supporting element for supporting the lintel in the wall between adjacent rows of the construction block on a respective side of the aperture. Each of the end elements is securable to a respective lintel body end section at upper and lower positions relative thereto. Also, a wall including the lintel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lintel for use in supporting construction blocks over an aperture in a wall including the construction blocks, the lintel comprising:
 a substantially horizontally elongated lintel body defining substantially longitudinally opposed end sections and an intermediate section extending therebetween, the lintel body defining a block supporting element in the intermediate section for supporting the construction blocks over the aperture; and   a pair of end elements each mounted to a respective one of the end sections, each of the end elements defining a lintel supporting element for supporting the lintel in the wall between adjacent rows of the construction block on a respective side of the aperture;   wherein each of the end elements is securable to a respective end section at upper and lower positions relative thereto.   
     
     
         2 . The lintel as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the block supporting element defines a substantially horizontal block supporting surface facing substantially upwardly and the lintel supporting elements are each substantially plate-shaped and substantially horizontal. 
     
     
         3 . The lintel as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion has a substantially L-shaped transversal cross-sectional configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The lintel as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the relative position between each of the end sections and the end element mounted thereto is continuously adjustable between the upper and lower positions. 
     
     
         5 . The lintel as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the end sections each define a substantially vertically extending end section mounting plate and the end elements each define a substantially vertically extending end element mounting plate, wherein, with the end elements operatively mounted to the end sections, the end element mounting plate and end section mounting plate abut against each other in a substantially parallel relationship relative to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The lintel as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the end section mounting plate is provided with a threaded bore and the end element mounting plate is provided with a substantially vertical slot extending therethrough, the lintel further comprising a threaded fastener inserted through the slot and threadedly engaging the threaded bore. 
     
     
         7 . The lintel as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the slot is narrower adjacent the end section mounting plate than opposed to the end section mounting plate. 
     
     
         8 . The lintel as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of substantially vertical lead screws each supported by a respective one of the end sections and threadedly engaging a threaded aperture extending vertically in a respective one of the end elements, wherein rotating the lead screws moves the end elements between the upper and lower positions. 
     
     
         9 . The lintel as defined in  claim 1 , wherein in the upper and lower positions, the lintel supporting element is respectively higher and lower than the block supporting element. 
     
     
         10 . A wall structure, comprising:
 a plurality of superposed rows, each row including a plurality of constructions blocks, the construction blocks delimiting an aperture in the wall structure; and   a lintel provided adjacent and above the aperture, the lintel including
 a substantially horizontally elongated lintel body defining substantially longitudinally opposed end sections and an intermediate section extending therebetween, the intermediate section extending above and across the aperture, the lintel body defining a block supporting element in the intermediate section supporting the construction blocks topping the aperture; and 
 a pair of end elements each mounted to a respective one of the end sections, each of the end elements defining a lintel supporting element embedded in the wall on a respective side of the aperture; 
   wherein, prior to construction of the wall, each of the end elements is securable to a respective end section at upper and lower positions relative thereto.   
     
     
         11 . The wall structure as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the block supporting element defines a substantially horizontal block supporting surface facing substantially upwardly supporting the construction blocks topping the aperture and the lintel supporting elements are each substantially plate-shaped and substantially horizontal, each of the lintel supporting element being inserted between adjacent rows. 
     
     
         12 . The wall structure as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the intermediate portion has a substantially L-shaped transversal cross-sectional configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The wall structure as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the relative position between each of the end sections and the end element mounted thereto is continuously adjustable between the upper and lower positions. 
     
     
         14 . The wall structure as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the end sections each define a substantially vertically extending end section mounting plate and the end elements each define a substantially vertically extending end element mounting plate, wherein the end element mounting plate and end section mounting plate abut against each other in a substantially parallel relationship relative to each other. 
     
     
         15 . The wall structure as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the end section mounting plate is provided with a threaded bore and the end element mounting plate is provided with a substantially vertical slot extending therethrough, the lintel further comprising a threaded fastener inserted through the slot and threadedly engaging the threaded bore. 
     
     
         16 . The wall structure as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the slot is narrower adjacent the end section mounting plate than opposed to the end section mounting plate. 
     
     
         17 . The wall structure as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising a pair of substantially vertical lead screws each supported by a respective one of the end sections and threadedly engaging a substantially vertical threaded aperture extending in a respective one of the end elements, wherein rotating the lead screws moves the end elements between the upper and lower positions. 
     
     
         18 . The wall structure as defined in  claim 10 , wherein in the upper and lower positions, the lintel supporting element is respectively higher and lower than the block supporting element. 
     
     
         19 . The wall structure as defined in  claim 10 , further comprising one of a window frame and a door frame in the aperture, the lintel being configured, sized and positioned so that the weight of the wall above the aperture is substantially entirely supported by the lintel to prevent excessive loads on the window or door frame.