FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a bridging lintel with support hangers for an insert and block system for an outdoor structure constructed with structural blocks. The bridging lintel with support hangers forms a portion of the insert and positions, retains and secures the insert within courses of the structural blocks used in the construction of the outdoor structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Outdoor fireplaces, outdoor kitchens and other outdoor living structures have become increasingly popular, either as a landscape feature or to provide a functional outdoor gathering and/or relaxing space. However, construction of such outdoor structures can be labor intensive, labor specialized and consequently expensive. Typical outdoor fireplaces and other similar outdoor structures can be constructed from brick, block or stone components that may have to be custom built, and in some cases custom produced, for each installation. Additionally, the bricks, blocks or stone components used in the construction of these outdoor structures usually requires joint width or spacing and mortar between courses to position or hide lintels used to span desired gaps or openings in the outdoor structure, thereby increasing the need for specialized labor and increasing the difficulty and cost of constructing the outdoor structure. Further, some bricks, blocks or stone components require on site field cutting to properly position and place lintels within the structure, further increasing the difficulty and cost of construction.

It would be desirable to provide a system of blocks for constructing an outdoor fireplace, outdoor grill station, outdoor kitchen or other outdoor structure that combines the ease of installation of modern segmental block units with the attractive appearance of a random or irregularly patterned visually exposed surface. The block system should be efficient, easy to use and allow the construction of structures with 90 degree corners and the construction of freestanding structures. It would further be desirable to provide a lintel with support hangers that forms a portion of an insert for the outdoor structure and that positions, retains and secures the insert within the structural blocks used in the construction of the outdoor structure without the use of mortar, joint spacing, block field cutting or other specialized labor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An outdoor structural system including a plurality of structural blocks having opposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed front and rear surfaces and opposed first and second side surfaces, the bottom surfaces of the plurality of structural blocks having a receiving channel extending along the bottom surface from the first side surface towards the second side surface, the receiving channel sized and shaped to receive and retain a hanger. The outdoor structural system including at least one bridging lintel, the bridging lintel having an upper surface, front and rear sides and first and second sides, the bridging lintel having first and second hangers extending from the upper surface of the bridging lintel, the first hanger extending a distance along the upper surface and a distance outward from the upper surface beyond the first side of the bridging lintel, the second hanger extending a distance along the upper surface and a distance outward from the upper surface beyond the second side of the bridging lintel.

An outdoor structure constructed with multiple courses of structural blocks, the outdoor structure having a plurality of structural blocks having opposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed front and rear surfaces and opposed first and second side surfaces, the bottom surfaces of the plurality of structural blocks having a receiving channel extending along the bottom surface from the first side surface towards the second side surface, the receiving channel sized and shaped to receive and retain a hanger. The plurality of structural blocks including at least a first lower course of structural blocks and a second upper course of structural blocks, the first lower course of structural blocks having at least a first gap extending a distance between first and second structural blocks of the first lower course. The outdoor structure including at least one bridging lintel, the bridging lintel having an upper surface, front and rear sides and first and second sides, the bridging lintel having first and second hangers extending from the upper surface of the bridging lintel, the first hanger extending a distance along the upper surface and a distance outward from the upper surface beyond the first side of the bridging lintel, the second hanger extending a distance along the upper surface and a distance outward from the upper surface beyond the second side of the bridging lintel. The bridging lintel of the outdoor structure is positioned along the first lower course of structural blocks such that the first hanger is placed on the top surface of the first structural block of the gap and the second hanger is placed on the top surface of the second block of the gap such that the upper surface of the bridging lintel is substantially flush with the top surfaces of the first and second blocks of the gap. Each of the first and second hangers of the bridging lintel of the outdoor structure are received and retained within one or more receiving channels in the bottom surfaces of the structural blocks of the second upper course.

