Multi-light glass block panel assembly and method

• US 5,448,864 A
• Filed: 10/06/1994
• Issued: 09/12/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John E. Rosamond
• Original Assignee: John E. Rosamond
• Inventors: Rosamond, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US08/319,063
• Time in Patent Office: 341 Days
• Field of Search: 52/306, 52/307, 52/308, 52/591, 52/474, 52/475, 52/477, 52/668, 52/656.1
• US Class Current: 52/307
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 2/546 made of glass bricks

Abstract

A multi-light glass block panel assembly adapted for pre-fab manufacture and application. A grid of perimeter and interior frame members having grooved interior faces seats in the grooves a plurality of glass blocks, one in each opening of the grid. A sealant such as a silicone sealant is interposed between the blocks and the adjacent frame members. In manufacture, the perimeter frame members are pulled tightly against the blocks, thereby securing them in their respective openings.

Claims

1. A multi-light glass block panel assembly comprising:

a) top, bottom and perimeter frame members having grooved inside faces and inwardly projecting central lands, thereby forming a pair of laterally spaced grooves in each inside face,

b) a plurality of interior frame members having opposite faces and central lands, thereby providing a pair of laterally spaced grooves on each opposite face,

c) a plurality of glass panel blocks each having outwardly projecting, laterally spaced marginal and central ribs,

d) the frame members being assembled to provide a grid of framed openings, each receiving a glass block with the marginal ribs thereof seated in the laterally spaced grooves of the adjacent frame members and with the central ribs registering with the inwardly projecting central lands,

e) spaced apart marginal seal means interposed between the grooves and the marginal ribs and central seal means interposed between the lands and the central ribs, thereby forming insulating pockets between each block and the adjacent frame members,

f) the perimeter frame members being arranged in end-to-end frame-forming relation, and securing means securing the perimeter frame members in their end-to-end frame forming relation, thereby retaining the glass blocks locked in their respective framed openings.

2. A multi-light glass block panel assembly of a plurality of horizontally and vertically arranged glass blocks comprising:

a) a plurality of glass panel blocks each having outwardly projecting spaced marginal and central ribs,

b) top, bottom and side perimeter frame members having inside faces provided with laterally spaced grooves and central lands, arranged end-to-end in frame-forming relation,

c) at least one horizontal interior frame member having opposite faces provided with laterally spaced grooves and central lands and dimensioned and contoured for placement in horizontal orientation between vertically adjacent courses of blocks, substantially abutting the side frame members,

d) a plurality of vertical interior frame members having opposed faces provided with laterally spaced grooves and central lands dimensioned and contoured for placement in a vertical orientation between horizontally adjacent blocks,

e) the frame members being assembled to provide a grid of framed and grooved openings, each receiving a glass block with the marginal ribs seated in the grooved faces of adjacent frame members and with the central ribs registering with the central lands.

f) spaced apart marginal seal means interposed between the grooves and the marginal ribs and central seal means interposed between the lands and the central ribs, thereby forming insulating pockets between each block and the adjacent frame members, and

g) securing means securing the perimeter frame members in their end-to-end frame forming relation, thereby retaining the glass blocks locked in their respective openings.

3. A multi-light glass block panel assembly of a plurality of horizontally and vertically arranged glass blocks, comprising:

a) a plurality of glass panel blocks each having spaced marginal and central ribs,

b) top, bottom and side perimeter frame members having grooved inside faces and central lands, arranged end-to-end in frame-forming relation,

c) at least one horizontal interior frame member having grooved opposite faces and central lands and dimensioned and contoured for placement in horizontal orientation between vertically adjacent courses of blocks, substantially abutting the side frame members,

d) a plurality of vertical interior frame members having grooved opposed faces and central lands, dimensioned and contoured for placement in a vertical orientation between horizontally adjacent blocks,

e) the frame members being assembled to provide a grid of framed and grooved openings, each receiving a glass block with the marginal ribs seated in the grooved faces of adjacent frame members,

f) spaced apart seal means between the marginal ribs of the glass blocks and the grooves in the frame members,

g) miter joint means between the vertical interior frame members and the horizontal frame members, for positioning the vertical interior frame members and stabilizing the panel assembly, and

h) securing means securing the perimeter frame members in their end-to-end frame-forming relation, thereby retaining the glass blocks locked in their respective openings.

4. A multi-light glass block panel assembly comprising:

a) top, bottom and side perimeter frame members having grooved inside faces,

b) a plurality of interior frame members having grooved opposite faces,

c) a plurality of glass panel blocks each having outwardly projecting laterally spaced marginal ribs,

d) the frame members being assembled to provide a grid of framed openings, each receiving a glass block with its marginal ribs seated in the grooved faces of the adjacent frame members, thereby forming interfaces between the frame members and blocks,

e) a plastic, sealant applied to said interfaces,

f) the perimeter frame members being arranged in end-to-end frame-forming relation, and

g) securing means securing the perimeter frame members in their end-to-end frame-forming relation, thereby retaining the glass blocks locked in their respective framed openings,

h) the plastic, sealant having properties predetermined to enable correction of any misalignment of the assembly components in the assembled condition thereof.

5. The glass block panel assembly of claim 4 wherein the sealant comprises silicone resin sealant.