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.

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.