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.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.