U.S. patent application number 10/830207 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-03 for rigid spacer for glass block window assemblies.
Invention is credited to Tjakra, Horace.
Application Number | 20050241268 10/830207 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35185637 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050241268 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tjakra, Horace |
November 3, 2005 |
Rigid spacer for glass block window assemblies
Abstract
A rigid spacer used in the construction of translucent or glass
block window or wall assemblies, the rigid spacer has a shape
conforming to the edge profile of glass blocks and a plurality of
rigids extending toward the glass blocks to engage and secure the
glass blocks.
Inventors: |
Tjakra, Horace; (Norwalk,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SQUIRE, SANDERS & DEMPSEY L.L.P.
14th Floor
801 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles
CA
90017-5554
US
|
Family ID: |
35185637 |
Appl. No.: |
10/830207 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/786.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04C 1/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/786.13 |
International
Class: |
E04C 001/42; E04B
005/46; E04D 001/36; E04C 003/00; E04C 002/54 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A rigid spacer for use in assembling glass or translucent block
assemblies, the rigid spacer comprising: an elongated spacer
heaving a profile to generally correspond to the shape of the edges
at glass or translucent blocks; and a plurality of projections
extending outward from the profile of the spacer.
2. The rigid spacer of claim 1 wherein the elongated spacer has a
cross-sectional profile in the shape of opposing elongated
tear-drop shaped sections.
3. The rigid spacer of claim 1 wherein said rigid spacer is formed
by extruding polyvinyl chloride.
4. The rigid spacer of claim 1 wherein said rigid spacer is formed
from aluminum.
5. The rigid spacer of claim 1 wherein said plurality of
projections are rigids.
6. The rigid spacer of claim 1 wherein said plurality of
projections are steps.
7. The rigid spacer of claim 1 wherein said plurality of
projections are rigids and pointed projections.
8. The rigid spacer of claim 1 wherein said plurality of
projections increase the surface area of the rigid spacer exposed
to an adhesive.
9. A rigid spacer for use in assembling glass or translucent block
assemblies, the rigid spacer comprising: an elongated spacer having
a cross sectional profile in the shape of opposing elongated
teardrop shaped sections; a plurality of projections extending
outward from the profile of the spacer, said plurality of
projections shaped as steps, ridges or pointed projections.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to glass block or translucent
block assemblies for use in, for example, decorative wall
constructions and windows and buildings. More specifically, the
invention relates to a rigid spacer used in the construction of
such assemblies.
[0003] 2. General Background and State of the Art
[0004] Glass block and translucent block window assemblies are
described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,992,111 and 5,687,521.
Generally, such assemblies include a plurality of glass blocks
placed within a framing assembly. The plurality of glass blocks can
be assembled into various shapes, including rectangles, squares and
other shapes in standard sizes in order to be placed into openings
formed for such windows or walls. The prefabrication of these
assemblies makes the actual construction at the jobsites proceed
more quickly, as the glass block assemblies are prefabricated prior
to delivery to the jobsite.
[0005] As shown for example, in the Pat. No. 5,992,111, there may
be a spacer positioned between the respective glass blocks to aid
the assembly. An alternative design for such a spacer is depicted
in U.S. Pat. No. DES. 402,535, a design which is exemplary of the
construction used by one of the manufacturers of glass block
windows.
INVENTION SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention is directed to a rigid spacer for use
in translucent or glass block assemblies to be placed between the
adjacent blocks forming the assembly. As described herein, it
should be understood that when the phrase glass block is used it
could also relate to translucent blocks made of other materials
including plastics. The rigid spacer of the present invention has a
design which provides structural support within a glass block
window assembly and which is contoured to facilitate attachment and
securement to the contour of the edges of glass blocks and to
provide appropriate surfaces for allowing adherence between the
rigid spacer and the adhesives to secure glass blocks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of the rigid spacer of
the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the rigid spacer of
FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 depicts a left or right side view of the rigid spacer
of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 4 depicts a top or bottom side view of the rigid spacer
of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 5 depicts the cross-sectional view of the rigid spacer
of FIG. 1 positioned between opposing glass blocks.
[0012] FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of the rigid spacer of
FIG. 1 positioned between opposing glass blocks after assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a rigid spacer 10
according to the present invention. The rigid spacer is also
depicted in the perspective view of FIG. 2, the left or right side
view of FIG. 3 and the top and bottom side view of FIG. 4, wherein
like reference numerals will be applied to corresponding features
in each figure.
[0014] As best depicted in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, the
rigid spacer 10 includes mirror image sections 12 and 14. Each of
sections 12 and 14 is essentially an elongated hollow teardrop
shape joined at the larger end. Each section 12 and 14 includes a
plurality of steps or ridges 20 that project outward from central
portions of the sections 12 and 14. Pointed projections 22 define
the edge of a transition towards the tip or outer edge of the
respective sections 12 and 14. The external edges of the respective
sections 12 and 14 are closed and have a flattened end portion 30.
Near the central portion of the rigid spacer 10, ridges 24 extend
slightly outward from the sections 12 and 14. Each section 12 and
14 defines a hollow interior 32 and 34, respectively. The hollow
interiors 32 and 34 allow the introduction of support bars which
may interact at the edges of the rigid spacers either with other
rigid spacers or with the edge of a frame assembly in which the
glass blocks are placed.
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts the rigid spacer 10 position between opposing
ends of glass blocks 40. The glass blocks 40 have end profiles
which are common in the industry. Generally, glass blocks are made
by first forming opposing half sections and then fusing the
opposing half sections together. In doing so, the half sections
have lands 42 which, when fused together edgewise, form a raised
profile 44 at the center of all sides of the glass block 40.
Moreover, glass blocks 40 generally also include a bulbous end 46
at the edges which recesses backwards towards the lands 42 on the
sides.
[0016] The rigid spacer 10 is configured so that the steps or
ridges 20 and pointed projections 22 extend towards the lands 42 of
the glass blocks 40. Ridges 24 on the rigid spacer 10 project
generally towards the raised profile 44 of the glass blocks 40.
When the opposing glass blocks 40 are finally assembled as show in
FIG. 6, the steps or ridges 20 of the rigid spacer either contact
or come into close proximity with the lands. 42 of the glass blocks
40. The space between the rigid spacer 10 and the edges of the
glass blocks 40 can be left open or can be filled with a silicon or
an epoxy or other appropriate adhesive, cement or grouting
material. The flat end portions 30 of the rigid spacer 10 can thus
either be exposed edgewise or can be covered by an adhesive or
grouting material.
[0017] The configuration of the rigid spacer 10 illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 6 is generally proportional to the configuration of 2
inch thick glass blocks 40. Thicker glass blocks, for example a 3
inch glass block, will call for a more elongated rigid spacer which
may have additional steps or ridges 20 in the central portions of
the respective sections 12 and 14.
[0018] The rigid spacer 10 can be formed of any appropriate
material, however, extruded or otherwise formed polyvinyl chloride
("PVC") may be preferred while aluminum or other light weight rigid
materials may optionally be used depending on the strength
requirements for the assembly.
[0019] The rigid spacer 10 of the present invention provides a
plurality of surfaces to trap an adhesive as between the rigid 10
spacer and the glass blocks 40 to increase the adherence between
the glass blocks 40 and the rigid spacer 10. The incorporation of
the steps or ridges 20, pointed projections 22 and ridges 24 all
tend to increase the surface area of the rigid spacer that is
available to bond to the silicon, epoxy or other appropriate
adhesive, cement or grouting material. In addition, the opposing
bulbous teardrop design of the rigid spacer 10 prevents lateral
shifting of the glass blocks 40. The design can be altered by, for
example, providing one of the sections to be thicker so that a
curved glass block construction may be assembled.
[0020] The foregoing description of rigid spacer is intended to
define the preferred embodiment and enable construction by those
skilled in the art. Additional modifications and configurations
utilizing the invention described herein may become apparent upon
review of the specification and attached claims. Accordingly, the
scope of the present invention is defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *