Abstract:
In a preferred embodiment, an illuminated glass deck light panel, including: a plurality of glass pavers, structural plank glass elements, or other structural lenses; a longitudinally extending support pan for embedding in a supporting substrate; the plurality of glass pavers, structural plank glass elements, or other structural lenses resting on ledges formed in the support pan; a sealing material disposed between the glass pavers, structural plank glass elements, or other structural lenses and the support pan; a plurality of illumination sources disposed in the support pan underneath the plurality of glass pavers, structural plank glass elements, or other structural lenses; and the plurality of illumination sources being at all times illuminated whenever one of the plurality of illumination sources is illuminated. The plurality of illumination sources may also be selected from the group consisting of: pulsed illumination sources, blinking illumination sources, and progressive illumination sources to direct persons in a certain direction.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/086,965, filed Mar. 4, 2002 now abandoned, and titled ILLUMINATED GLASS DECK LIGHT PANEL AND METHOD OF INSTALLATION, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to lights generally and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a novel illuminated glass deck light panel and method of installation. 
     2. Background Art 
     Known embedded glass paver lights are limited to individual lights. There is no known light assembly that can extend indefinitely or for any desired length. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an illuminated glass deck light panel that can extend to any desired length. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide such an illuminated glass deck light panel that provides a sealed chamber. 
     It is an additional object of the invention to provide such an illuminated glass deck light panel that is rugged and fully stabilized so that the light panel can be used in driveways, for example. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide such an illuminated glass deck light panel that can be formed in a number of shapes. 
     It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a method of installation of such a light panel. 
     Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or be apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention achieves the above objects, among others, by providing, in a preferred embodiment, an illuminated glass deck light panel, comprising: a plurality of glass pavers, structural plank glass elements, or other structural lenses; a longitudinally extending support pan for embedding in a supporting substrate; said plurality of glass pavers, structural plank glass elements, or other structural lenses resting on ledges formed in said support pan; a sealing material disposed between said glass pavers, structural plank glass elements, or other structural lenses and said support pan; a plurality of illumination sources disposed in said support pan underneath said plurality of glass pavers, structural plank glass elements, or other structural lenses; and said plurality of illumination sources being at all times illuminated whenever one of said plurality of illumination sources is illuminated. Said plurality of illumination sources may also be selected from the group consisting of: pulsed illumination sources, blinking illumination sources, and progressive illumination sources to direct persons in a certain direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       Understanding of the present invention and the various aspects thereof will be facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawing figures, provided for purposes of illustration only and not intended to define the scope of the invention, on which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of an illuminated glass deck light panel constructed according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a fragmentary end elevational view, in cross-section, taken along line “ 2 — 2 ” of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a fragmentary side elevational view, in cross-section, taken along line “ 3 — 3 ” of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary side elevational view, in cross-section, taken along line “ 4 — 4 ” of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary isometric view of a glass panel assembly being inserted in a support pan. 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary isometric view of an end portion of a glass panel assembly support frame. 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary side elevational view of an end portion of an illuminated glass deck light panel constructed according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an end elevational view, in cross-section, of a glass paver glazed directly to a support pan. 
         FIG. 8(A)  is identical to  FIG. 8 , except that layers of structural plank glass have been substituted for the glass paver. 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of a light panel in a continuous non-linear pattern. 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of a light panel in a non-continuous non-linear pattern. 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of a light panel having arcuate elements. 
         FIG. 12  is an end elevational view, in cross-section, of one embodiment of a light panel. 
         FIG. 13  is an end elevational view, in cross-section, of another embodiment of a light panel. 
         FIG. 14  is an end elevational view, in cross-section, of an additional embodiment of a light panel. 
         FIG. 15  is an end elevational view, in cross-section, of a further embodiment of a light panel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference should now be made to the drawing figures on which similar or identical elements are given consistent identifying numerals throughout the various figures thereof, and on which parenthetical references to figure numbers, when used, direct the reader to the view(s) on which the element(s) being described is (are) best seen, although the element(s) may be seen on other figures also. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a portion of an illuminated glass deck light panel, constructed according to the present invention, and generally indicated by the reference numeral  10 . Light panel  10  includes two elongated support pans  20  and  22  in which are disposed pluralities of illuminated glass blocks, as at  24 , which may be glass pavers, structural glass planks, or other structural lenses, the details of which light panel are described below. Support pans  20  and  22  have a common joint  40  and may have dimensions of about one-inch to 12-inches wide by about four feet long, although other dimensions may be provided as well. Also, it is not necessary that support pans  20  and  22  be straight as shown, but may be curved and/or may be joined at an angle. Although any desired dimensions may be provided, “W” on  FIG. 2  may be about 6-¼ inches and “D” may be about 2-¾ inches. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates illuminated light panel  10  and illustrates some of the details of the construction thereof. Light panel  10  includes a horizontally extending upwardly open, generally channel-shaped support pan  50  embedded in a supporting substrate  52 , the substrate in this case shown as being concrete. The substrate could also be any material in which it is desired to embed the light panel such as soil or support pan  50  could be framed into wood or masonry construction or it may be placed on any supporting structure. Support pan  50  may be constructed of extruded aluminum or formed from steel, for example, or constructed of any other suitable material. Two longitudinally extending illumination sources  60  and  62  are disposed lengthwise in the bottom of support pan  50 . Illumination sources  60  and  62  may be light cables, fiber optic cables, or strings of fluorescent or incandescent light bulbs, for example. Of course, a greater or a lesser number of illumination sources may be provided, depending on the application. The bottom of support pan  50  underlying illumination sources  60  and  62  may be coated with paint or other suitable white or colored material. 
     A longitudinally extending glass panel assembly support frame  70  is attached to support pan  50  by means of a layer  72  of silicone caulking material, or other appropriate sealant, disposed between bottom surfaces of glass panel assembly support frame and horizontal ledges  74  and  76  formed in the support pan. Glass paver  24  ( FIG. 1 ) is inserted in glass panel assembly support frame  70  and sealed thereto by means of a cemetitious material  80 , or other appropriate setting material, covering horizontal bottom portions and most of the vertical sides of the glass paver. A bead  90  of silicone caulking material is placed along the top of cemetitious material  80  between glass paver  24  and glass panel assembly support frame  70  for waterproofing. 
     Illumination sources  60  and  62  do not intrude on or otherwise interfere with glass pavers  24  and support pan  50  provides a sealed true and controlled environment that is essential for paving glass performance. Illumination sources  60  and  62  may have the capability of being pulsed, or blinking, or progressive to direct or aim people in a certain direction, as well as being continuously illuminated. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the joining of adjacent glass pavers  24  ( FIG. 1 ). Here, an intermediate inverted T-shaped form  100  is disposed between adjacent glass pavers and joined to the glass pavers by means of a cemetitious material  102  in a manner similar to the joining of glass paver  24  to glass panel assembly support frame  70  ( FIG. 2 ). A bead  110  of silicone caulking material is provided at the top of cemetitious material  102  and intermediate inverted T-shaped form  100  for waterproofing. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the joining of adjacent sections  22  and  24  ( FIG. 1 ). Here, the joining method is essentially the same as that illustrated on  FIG. 3 , except that L-shaped forms  120  are placed at the ends of sections  22  and  24  and are joined together by means of a cemetitious material  122  placed therebetween. A bead  130  of silicone caulking material is placed at the top of cemetitious material  122  for waterproofing. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a longitudinally extending glass panel assembly  140  being lowered into support pan  50 , with illumination cables  60  and  62  disposed in the bottom of the latter. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the construction of glass panel assembly support frame  70 . First and second L-shaped members  150  and  152  are provided as sides of glass panel assembly support frame and are joined to suitably notched intermediate inverted T-shaped forms  100 . A suitably notched end L-shaped form  160 , parallel to T-shaped forms  100 , is provided as the end of glass panel assembly support frame  70 . The members of glass panel assembly support frame  70  may be extruded or formed of suitable material and attached together by means of welding or by other suitable means depending on the material of construction. The bottom surfaces of the members of glass panel assembly support frame  70  lie in a common, horizontal plane. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the end of section  22  ( FIG. 1 ) and illustrates that L-shaped form  160  rests on a horizontal ledge  170  formed in bottom pan  50 . The bottom surface of L-shaped form  160  also lies in the same plane as that of the other members of glass panel support frame  70  ( FIG. 6 ).  FIG. 7  also illustrates that illumination source  60  is connected to a power source (not shown) through a waterproof connector  164  attached to a waterproof conduit  166 . 
     In construction, support pan  50  ( FIG. 2 ) is embedded in substrate  52 . Then, illumination sources  60  and  62  are placed therein and wired. Before or after placing of illumination sources  60  and  62 , temporary Styrofoam blocks, or other appropriate infill material, may be inserted into support pan  50  to provide a smooth surface for other construction activities. Finally, the Styrofoam, or other appropriate infill material, (if used) is removed, silicone or other suitable caulking material  72  ( FIG. 2 ) is placed on horizontal ledges  74  and  76  and the vertical inner upper surfaces of support pan  50  and on horizontal ledge  170  ( FIG. 7 ) of the support pan, and prefabricated glass panel assembly  140  ( FIG. 5 ) is lowered into the support pan. When it is necessary or desirably to replace illumination sources  60  and  62 , silicone or other suitable caulking material  72  is cut and glass panel assembly  140  removed. After replacement of illumination sources  60  and  62 , glass panel assembly  140  can be rebedded in support pan  50 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates that a glass paver  180  may be glazed directly to a support pan  182 , with silicone caulking material  184  placed between the glass paver and the support pan. 
       FIG. 8(A)  illustrates that two layers of structural plank glass  186 ′ may be substituted for glass paver  180  ( FIG. 8 ). Here, the two layers of structural plank glass  186 ′ are separated by a suitable laminate  190 , such as polycarbonate. More than two layers of structural plank glass may be provided if desired and depending on the application. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates illuminated glass deck light panel  10  applied in a continuous non-linear manner. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates illuminated glass deck light panel  10  applied in a non-continuous non-linear manner. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates that glass deck light panel  10  may have arcuate elements, here, elements  200  that are formed of curved structural plank glass or other structural lenses. 
     Illuminated glass deck light panel  10  is fully stabilized and may be used in sidewalks (where it can be walked upon), driveways (where it can be driven over by vehicles), decks, and/or for accent lighting, etc. It can provide accent, mood, security, or other type of lighting. The light panel can be supplied in a variety of standard lengths which would be job site joined to accommodate any length of shape requirements and can be designed for any load. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates that illumination sources  60  and  62  can be fiber optic or rope light cables, with a reflective surface  200  disposed on the bottom of support pan  50 . Reflective surface  200  can be, for example, plastic, glass, mylar, a mirror, or prisms, or any other suitable reflective material. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates that illumination can be provided from external light source  210  disposed above glass block  24  and reflected from reflective material  200  disposed on support pan  50 . In this case, the bottom surface  220  of glass block  24  is sandblasted or formed of prismatic glass to give the appearance that the glass block is illuminated from below. External light source may be, for example, a fluorescent or incandescent light or may be solar. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates that illumination sources  60  and  62  can be a string of incandescent light bulbs, disposed either as shown for illumination source  60  or illumination source  62 . The under surface  220  of glass block  24  may be sandblasted or provided with prismatic glass and/or a reflective surface  200  may be disposed on the bottom of support pan  50 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates that support pan  50  can have sloped sides, with illumination source  230  disposed at the bottom of the support pan. The sloped sides of support pan  50  may have one or both layers  240  and  242  of reflective material disposed thereon and/or the bottom surface  220  of glass block  24  may be sandblasted or provided with prismatic glass. 
     In the embodiments of the present invention described above, it will be recognized that individual elements and/or features thereof are not necessarily limited to a particular embodiment but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in any selected embodiment even though such may not be specifically shown. 
     Spatially orienting terms such as “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and the like, when used herein, refer to the positions of the respective elements shown on the accompanying drawing figures and the present invention is not necessarily limited to such positions. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those elucidated in, or made apparent from, the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction and method without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown on the accompanying drawing figures shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.