Patent ID: 7588343
Filing Date: 2009-09-15
Classification: E04C,F21V,F21W

Abstract:
1. A decorative structural column, comprising: a. a first elongated post, a second elongated post, a third elongated post, a fourth elongated post, the four posts being spaced apart and parallel to each other to form a generally square structure, the first and second post being in the same plane, the second and third posts being in the same plane, the third and fourth posts being in the same plane and the fourth and first posts being in the same plane; b. a first upper cross-piece adjacent a top section of and interconnecting the first and second posts and a parallel spaced apart first lower cross-piece adjacent a bottom section of and interconnecting the first and second posts, a second upper cross-piece adjacent a top section of and interconnecting the second and third posts and a parallel spaced apart second lower cross-piece adjacent a bottom section of interconnecting the second and third posts, a third upper cross-piece adjacent a top section of and interconnecting the third and fourth posts and a parallel spaced apart third lower cross-piece adjacent a bottom section of and interconnecting the third and fourth posts, and a fourth upper cross-piece adjacent a top section of and interconnecting the fourth and first posts and a parallel spaced apart fourth lower cross-piece adjacent a bottom section of and interconnecting the fourth and first posts; c. a first frame supported by said first and second posts of said first upper and lower cross-pieces, a first glass panel supported in the first frame, a second frame supported by said second and third posts and said second upper and lower cross-pieces, a second glass panel supported in said second framed, a third frame supported by said third and fourth posts and said third upper and lower cross-pieces, a third glass panel supported in said third framed, and a fourth frame supported by said fourth and first posts and said fourth upper and lower cross-pieces, a fourth glass panel supported in the fourth frame; d. a lower base molding attached to the bottom ends of the four posts and the four lower cross-pieces and an upper crown molding attached to the top ends of the four posts and the four upper cross-pieces, the four posts, four upper cross-pieces, four lower cross-pieces, four frames and their respective glass panels, the lower base molding and the upper crown molding forming a column with a hollow interior; e. a lower base plate having an upper surface on which is supported a pair of oppositely disposed connecting brackets by which the lower base plate is connected to the lower base molding, the lower base plate supporting a lower electrical fixture with at least one bulb extending upwardly therefrom, the lower base plate having a multiplicity of openings to enable a respective one of a multiplicity of connecting bolts to respectively extend through a respective opening and be mounted in a support pier; f. a top plate having a lower surface on which is supported a pair of oppositely disposed connecting brackets by which the top plate is connected to the upper crown molding, the top plate supporting an upper electrical fixture with at least one bulb extending downwardly therefrom, the upper base plate having a multiplicity of openings by which connecting means attach the top plate to the beam of a structure; g. wiring means extending through the column and interconnecting the lower electrical fixture and the upper electrical fixture and connected to a source of power; h. the at least one bulb of the lower electrical fixture extending below the level of the glass panels and the at least one bulb of the upper electrical extending above the level of the glass panels, so that the bulbs are not visible through the glass panels; and i. the posts and cross-pieces and bases form a column which acts as a structural member to support a structure while the at least one bulb of the lower and upper electrical fixtures provide backlighting through the column whereby the glass panels are illuminated to create aesthetic beauty and illumination in the area surrounding the column.