Block member and panel structure

• US 5,860,260 A
• Filed: 03/24/1997
• Issued: 01/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nihon Koshitsu Garasu Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Nihon Koshitsu Garasu Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Hase, Toshizo
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Application Number:
  US08/822,003
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 52/396.1, 52/396.08, 52/396.09, 52/307, 52/308, 52/476, 52/777, 52/778, 52/762, 52/591.1, 52/591.3, 52/586.1
• US Class Current: 52/307
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 1/42 of glass or other transparent material panels made of glass bricks E04C2/546
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/546 made of glass bricks

Abstract

The invention provides a block member and a panel structure which are of a relatively simple construction, which may permit reduction in production and fabrication costs, which may be easily assembled with a sufficient strength, and which may have superior appearance when assembled. A block member comprises a block body 21 of a rectangular configuration having a center point and four sides, the block body including a flange portion 24 in the outer peripheral surface 21c of each of the four sides, the flange portions being formed integrally with the block body and protruding outwardly from the outer peripheral surface, the flange portions having a thickness less than that of the outer peripheral surface, each of the flange portions having a deformed portion 25 which restricts the amount of protrusion of the flange portion 24, the deformed portions being formed in the flange portions disposed at corner portions of the block body at which the adjoining sides of the block body meet together. The block members are clamped by the pair of support members disposed along the front and rear surface of the flange portions 24, through the use of a space defined by the deformed portions 25 and attachment holes in the support members.

Claims

1. A block member comprising a block body of a rectangular configuration having a center point and four sides, the block body including a flange portion in the outer peripheral surface of each of the four sides, the flange portions being formed integrally with the block body and protruding outwardly from the outer peripheral surface, the flange portions having a thickness less than that of the outer peripheral surface, each of the flange portions having an arcuate deformed portion which restricts the amount of protrusion of the flange portion, the deformed portions being formed in the flange portions at corner portions of the block body at which the adjoining sides of the block body meet together for inserting an attachment means for connecting a pair of support members which are to be disposed along the front and rear surface, respectively, of the flange portion on each sides of the block member.

2. A panel structure comprising:

block members each including a block body of a rectangular configuration having a center point and four sides, the block body including a flange portion in the outer peripheral surface of each of the four sides, the flange portions being formed integrally with the block body and protruding outwardly from the outer peripheral surface, each of the flange portions having a deformed portion which restricts the amount of protrusion of the flange portion, the deformed portions being formed in the flange portions in a symmetric relationship with respect to the center point of the block body;

a pair of support members disposed along the front and rear surface, respectively, of the flange portion on each sides of the block member, each of the support members having at least one hole, the position of which corresponding to a position of a space defined by the deformed portions of the adjoining block members; and

an attachment means including pairs of bolt and nut, wherein the pair of support members are disposed along the front and rear surfaces of the flange portion on each side of the block member, wherein the pair of support members are tightened together by means of the attachment means, through the use of the holes of the support members and the space defined by the deformed portions of the block members, whereby the flange portions of the block members are clamped by the support members.

4. A panel structure according to claims 2 or 3 wherein the confronting flange portions of the adjoining block members are clamped by a common pair of support members.

5. A panel structure according to claims 2 or 3 wherein the support members are of a web-like configuration, and wherein each support member is formed with at least one attachment hole, the position of which corresponding to a space defined by the deformed portions of the block members.

3. A panel structure comprising block members each comprising a block body of a rectangular configuration having a center point and four sides, the block body including a flange portion in the outer peripheral surface of each of the four sides, the flange portions being formed integrally with the block body and protruding outwardly from the outer peripheral surface, the flange portions having a thickness less than that of the outer peripheral surface, each of the flange portions having a deformed portion which restricts the amount of protrusion of the flange portion, the deformed portions being formed in the flange portions disposed at corner portions of the block body at which the adjoining sides of the block body meet together;

a pair of support members disposed along the front and rear surface, respectively, of the flange portion on each sides of the block member, each of the support members having at least one hole, the position of which corresponding to a position of a space defined by the deformed portions of the adjoining block members; and

an attachment means including pairs of bolt and nut, wherein the pair of support members are disposed along the front and rear surfaces of the flange portion on each side of the block member, wherein the pair of support members are tightened together by means of the attachment means, through the use of the holes of the support members and the space defined by the deformed portions of the block members, whereby the flange portions of the block members are clamped by the support members.