Abstract:
A stained glass porch system including multiple posts supporting a beam defining multiple openings, and a plurality of spandrel device mounted within the openings and in contact with the beam.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed to a stained glass porch system.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The use of stained glass, in particular leaded stained glass for windows in buildings, particularly in churches is old. In these applications, a stained glass window is made by connecting different size, shape, color and/or textured stained glass pieces together using lead metal. The typical stained glass window is supported around its outer edges by the wood frame of the window.  
         [0003]     More recently, there has been a renewed interest in stained glass for use in homes and retail businesses. For example, the front doors of many homes have stained glass windows panels in the doors themselves or in side lites or transom lites located above the door. In most applications the original see-through clear glass panel is replaced with a stained glass panel in the conventional frame.  
         [0004]     The present invention involves the novel combination of stained glass devices and a porch of a home or commercial building. The stained glass porch system according to the present invention provides a unique look to both the porch and the home or commercial building.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The first object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system.  
         [0006]     A second object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system including a porch having multiple posts supporting a beam defining multiple openings, and a plurality of stained glass spandrel devices mounted in the openings between adjacent posts or the facade of the building and a post.  
         [0007]     A third object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system including a porch having multiple posts supporting a beam defining a plurality of openings, and a plurality of low profile rectangular-shaped stained glass spandrel devices mounted in the openings and extending between adjacent posts or the facade of the building and a post.  
         [0008]     A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system, said system comprising a porch having a plurality of vertical posts supporting a horizontal beam and defining multiple openings; a plurality of spandrel devices each mounted within one of the openings and extending between a pair of adjacent posts and in contact with a lower edge of the beam, the spandrel devices each including a low profile rectangular-shaped frame including four (4) frame members mitered and joined together at comers of the rectangular-shaped frame, the frame members being grooved along the length of one edge to provide a receiver for edges of a plurality of stained glass panels; a plurality of stained glass panels disposed side-by-side in a horizontal linear array within the rectangular frame; a seal provided in the grooves of the frame members of the rectangular frame, and provided between edges of the stained glass panels and an inner edges of the grooves; and a plurality of vertical dividers extending between an upper frame member and lower frame member of the rectangular frame, and connecting adjacent stained glass panels together, wherein the plurality of spandrel devices are coordinated by color and stained glass design to create an overall unique coordinated decorative look to said porch and building.  
         [0009]     A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system wherein the frame members are made from a polyurethane material.  
         [0010]     A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system wherein said stained glass panels are each defined by a single piece of rectangular-shaped stained glass.  
         [0011]     A seventh object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system wherein adjacent stained glass panels are different colored from panel-to-panel.  
         [0012]     A eighth object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system wherein the stained glass panels are square.  
         [0013]     A ninth object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system wherein the stained glass panels are colored and square.  
         [0014]     A tenth object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system wherein one or more of the stained glass panels have multiple different colored stained glass areas providing a unique stained glass design.  
         [0015]     A eleventh object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system wherein adjacent stained glass panels are coordinated in color and design from panel-to-panel to create a coordinated color design for the particular spandrel device.  
         [0016]     A twelfth object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system wherein the stained glass panels are leaded stained glass panels.  
         [0017]     A thirteenth object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system wherein the stained glass panels are leaded stained glass panels.  
         [0018]     A fourteenth object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system including multiple spandrel devices provided on a front of the porch.  
         [0019]     A fifteenth object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system including multiple spandrels provide on both a front and side of the porch.  
         [0020]     A sixteenth object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system wherein the rectangular frame is colored coordinated with said posts of the porch.  
         [0021]     A seventeenth object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system wherein the dividers are metal H-shaped track dividers.  
         [0022]     A eighteenth object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system including one or more openings provided with a set of triangular-shaped brackets mounted to a pair of adjacent posts and the beam.  
         [0023]     A nineteenth object of the present invention is to provide a stained glass porch system wherein each the triangular-shaped bracket, includes two (2) equal length bracket members mitered and joined together to provide a square comer; a third longer length bracket member mitered, overlapping and joining ends of the equal length bracket members to form two acute angle comers, the bracket members grooved along the length of one edge to provide a receiver for edges of a triangular-shaped stained glass panel; and a triangular-shaped stained glass panel disposed within the bracket members, wherein the third longer length bracket member protects a hypotenuse edge of the stained glass panel.  
         [0024]     The present invention is directed to a stained glass porch system. The system according to the present invention includes a porch having a plurality of vertical posts supporting a horizontal beam defining a plurality of openings, and a plurality of spandrel devices mounted within the openings and extending between adjacent posts or the facade of the building and a post, and preferably in contact with the beam.  
         [0025]     The porch preferably includes a plurality of vertical posts located along the front elevation of the house or building. A plurality of spandrel devices according to the present invention can be installed or mounted within the openings defined by adjacent vertical posts. In some embodiments, additional spandrel devices according to the present invention are mounted from the posts to the facade of the house or building on one or more side elevations of the porch. In other embodiments, the porch includes both front vertical posts and side vertical posts allowing spandrel devices according to the present invention to be mounted between adjacent vertical posts on both the front elevation and side elevation of the porch. Preferably, all spandrel devices are located at the same height on the porch.  
         [0026]     The spandrel devices according to the present invention preferably include a rectangular-shaped frame, more preferably a low profile rectangular-shaped frame. The frame is preferably made out of a polyurethane material. For example, stock rectangular-shaped cross-sectional stock polyurethane material can be used for making the frame. The frame includes four (4) separate frame members mitered and joined together to provide four (4) comers of the frame. The frame members are provided with a groove on one side and extending along the length thereof to define a receiver for edges of the stained glass panels.  
         [0027]     The spandrel devices according to the present invention preferably include a plurality of stained glass panels connected together in a one (1) dimensional horizontal array disposed within the frame. For example, the stained glass panels can be single rectangular-shaped stained glass pieces connected together by vertical dividers. In another preferred embodiment, the stained glass panels are each a different color. In a preferred embodiment, the glass panels are square-shaped. In other embodiments, the glass panels are made from multiple stained glass pieces joined together to form the stained glass panels. In a more preferred embodiment, adjacent stained glass panels are coordinated in color, texture, and stained glass design so that the entire spandrel device is a coordinated color and design unit. Even further, all of the spandrel devices are preferably coordinated in color, texture and stained glass design to provide an overall coordinated look and appearance to the porch and house or building.  
         [0028]     The stained glass porch system according to the present invention can utilize all spandrel devices according to the present invention, all bracket devices according to the present invention, or a combination thereof.  
         [0029]     The stained glass bracket devices according to the present invention are triangular-shaped bracket devices. For example, the stained glass bracket device can include a pair of equal length frame members mitered and joined together to form a square comer, and a longer frame member mitered and joined to the ends of the equal length frame members forming a triangular-shaped frame. In a preferred embodiment, the longer frame member overlaps the ends of the two equal length frame members and protects a hypotenuse side of a triangular-shaped stained glass panel.  
         [0030]     In a preferred embodiment of the spandrel devices and bracket devices according to the present invention, a seal is provided in the groove receiver of the frame members between the edge of the stained glass panel and an inner edge of the receiver. This seal positively connects and seals the edge of the stained glass panels to the frame members, and prevents damage or breakage of the edge thereof. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0031]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stained glass porch system according to the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is an interior perspective of another stained glass porch system according to the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a spandrel device according to the present invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a broken away perspective view of a comer portion of the frame of the spandrel device shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is a traverse cross-sectional view of a frame member of the spandrel device, as indicated in  FIG. 3 , showing a detail of the foam seal.  
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is a transverse cross-sectional view of a divider of the spandrel device, as indicated in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational of a stained glass bracket device according to the present invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 8  is a broken away perspective view of a portion of a frame member of the stained glass bracket device shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of the spandrel device according to the present invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the spandrel device according to the present invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of a fifth embodiment of the spandrel device according to the present invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 12  is a front elevational view of a sixth embodiment of the spandrel device according to the present invention.  
         [0043]      FIG. 13  is a front elevational view of a seventh embodiment of the spandrel device according to the present invention.  
         [0044]      FIG. 14  is a front elevational view of a eighth embodiment of the spandrel device according to the present invention.  
         [0045]      FIG. 15  is a front elevational view of a ninth embodiment of the spandrel device according to the present invention.  
         [0046]      FIG. 16  is a front elevational view of a tenth embodiment of the spandrel device according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0047]     A stained glass porch system  10  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0048]     The house or building  12  is provided with a porch  14 . The porch  14  includes a front elevation  16  and a side elevation  18 .  
         [0049]     The porch  14  includes four (4) posts  20  supporting a hidden beam  22  and extending upwardly from the porch floor  24 . The posts  20  are set vertically, and the beam  22  is set horizontally.  
         [0050]     The porch  14  is provided with five (5) spandrel devices  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  (shown) and a right side elevation spandrel device (not shown) according to the present invention. The spandrel device  26  extends from the house facade  34  to the left side post  20  on the side elevation  18  of the house  12 . The spandrel devices  28 ,  30 ,  32  extend between adjacent posts  20 ,  20  and contact with the beam  22  on the front elevation of the house  12 . Specifically, the upper edge of the spandrel devices  28 ,  30 ,  32  contact with the lower edge of beam  22 . The spandrel devices  26 ,  28 ,  30  are fastened to the posts  20  and beam  22  by mechanical fasteners (e.g. screws, brackets, nails, plates).  
         [0051]     The upper edge of the left side elevation spandrel device  16  is in contact with the hidden beam  23 . A fifth spandrel (not shown) is provided on the right side elevation of the porch  14 . As shown, the spandrel devices  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  have different lengths to accommodate the different distances between adjacent posts  20 ,  20  on the front elevation of the porch  14 , and between the house facade  36  and post  20  on the left side elevation of the porch  14 .  
         [0052]     The posts  20  can have a wide variety of different spindle shapes or designs, or can be a column. The posts  20  can be made of wood, fiberglass, plastic, concrete or other suitable structural material.  
         [0053]     A second embodiment of the stained glass porch system  100  is shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0054]     The stained glass porch system  100  is shown with four (4) spandrel devices  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 . The spandrel devices  128 ,  130 ,  132  extend between adjacent posts  120  on the front elevation of the porch, and the spandrel device  134  extends between the house facade and post  120  on the right side elevation of the porch. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the upper edge of the spandrel devices  128  and  130 ,  132 ,  134  are mounted and installed in contact with the lower edge of the beams  122  and  123 .  
         [0055]     A spandrel device  40  according to the present invention in shown in  FIGS. 3-5 .  
         [0056]     The spandrel device  40  includes a frame  42  having an upper frame member  44 , side frame members  46 ,  48 , and a lower frame member  50 . The frame members  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50  are mitered and joined at the comers  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 . The frame  42  is rectangular-shaped and has a low profile (i.e. low ratio of the vertical height to the horizontal length). The frame members  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50  are preferably made of rectangular or square cross-sectional polyurethane, vinyl, plastic, wood stock material.  
         [0057]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the stained glass spandrel device  40  includes two (2) stained glass panels  60 ,  62 . The stained glass panels  60 ,  62  are joined by a vertical oriented divider  64 . For example, the divider  64  can be a metal (e.g. zinc) H-shaped channel member having a pair of grooves  64   a,  as shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0058]     The glass panels  60 ,  62  are shown as being rectangular-shaped, however, the stained glass panels  60 ,  62  can be square (see embodiment of  FIG. 13 ). In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the stained glass panels are each made from a single piece of stained glass. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the stained glass panels  60 ,  62  are made up of individual stained glass pieces a, b, c, d, e for stained glass panel  60  and  62   a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l  for stained glass panel  62 . The individual pieces of stained glass are joined together by sealing, gluing, welding, soldering and/or leading.  
         [0059]     The frame members  40 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50  are provided with a groove  66  provided on an inner edge and along the length thereof, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The groove  66  provides a receiver for the edge of the stained glass panel  60 ,  62 . For example, the stock material can be cut with a circular saw or router to form the groove  66  on one edge thereof prior to assembly into the frame  42 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a seal  68  is provided in the groove  66  to connect the stained glass panel  60  to the frame member  50  and to protect the edge of the stained glass panel  60  from damage or breakage. For example, a foam or sealant material (e.g. latex, silicone, resin) is provided in the groove  66  prior to installation of the stained glass panel  60 . When the foam or sealant cures or hardens, the stained glass panel  60  is bonded to the frame members  50 . Preferably, the seal  68  is provided along the entire length of the groove  66  on all four frame members  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50 .  
         [0060]     A stained glass bracket device  70  according to the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  
         [0061]     The stained glass bracket device  70  includes a triangular-shaped frame  72  having a pair of equal length frame member  74 ,  74  connected to a longer frame member  76 . Specifically, the frame members  74 ,  74  are mitered and joined together to form a square corner, and the ends of the frame member  74 ,  74  are overlapped by the ends of frame member  76  provided a pair of acute angled comers  80 ,  80 . The ends of the frame member  76  protect the ends of the frame members  74 ,  74  and the hypotenuse edge of the stained glass pieces  82 ,  84 ,  86  forming the stained glass panel  81 . The dividers  88 ,  90  join together the stained glass pieces  82 ,  84 ,  86 .  
         [0062]     The frame members  74 ,  74 ,  76  are provided with a groove  92  provided on one edge and along the length thereof, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The groove  92  provides a receiver for the edge of the stained glass panel  81 . Further, a foam or sealant bead like that shown in  FIG. 5 , is provided in the groove  92  to connect, seal and protect the edges of the stained glass panel  81  with the frame members  74 ,  74 ,  76 .  
         [0063]     The spandrel device according to the present invention can have a wide variety of different stained glass panels, as shown in FIGS.  9  to  16 .  
         [0064]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the spandrel device  200  is provided with three (3) identical stained glass panels  260 ,  260 ,  260  joined together by dividers  264 . The stained glass panels  260  include four (4) pieces  260   a  of textured and colorless glass and a center square piece  260   b  of colored stained glass.  
         [0065]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the spandrel device  300  is provided with three (3) different stained glass panels  360 ,  361 ,  362  each having its own unique design. However, the three panels  360 ,  361 ,  362  are coordinated in both stained glass design and color to form an overall stained glass design among the three panels  360 ,  361 ,  362 .  
         [0066]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the spandrel device  400  is provided with three (3) identical stained glass panels  460 ,  460 ,  460  each having four separate lightly colored and translucent stained glass pieces and a center circlular stained glass piece.  
         [0067]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , the spandrel device  500  is provided with nine (9) rectangular-shaped stained glass panels  560  joined by dividers  564 . The stained glass panels  560  are each a single piece of colored stained glass, and the stained glass pieces are different colors from panel-to-panel.  
         [0068]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 , the spandrel device  600  is provided with eight (8) square stained glass panels and a single rectangular-shaped panel.  
         [0069]     An additional three (3) spandrel devices according to the present invention are shown in  FIG. 14-16 . These provide additional examples of the stained glass panels, dividers and stained glass designs for the spandrel device according to the present invention.  
       Construction  
       [0070]     The stained glass porch system according to the present invention can be achieved by first constructing a porch having a plurality of vertical posts supporting an upper horizontal beam. The posts can be along a front elevation and/or one or more side elevations of the porch.  
         [0071]     After construction of the porch, the spandrel devices according to the present invention are constructed, and then installed or mounted between adjacent posts or the house or building facade and a post, and in contact with the beam. For example, the spandrel devices are constructed to fit exactly between a pair of adjacent posts and in contact with the lower edge of the beam. The spandrel devices are then connected to the post and beam by mechanical fasteners to secure same in place.