GB2398085A - Glass block wall building system - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for building and locking together glass building blocks comprises injection moulded mitred sections <B>8</B>. Four sections <B>8</B> are secured around each block via male <B>5</B> and female <B>6</B> snap lock connectors. The blocks can then be connected to one another by male interlocking legs <B>1</B> and female extended slots <B>2</B>, these allow for the blocks to be built in a staggered configuration (figure 5b) or one on top of another (figure 5a). Strengthening rods may be placed in channel <B>9</B>, which are necessary for areas of blocks larger than 3m<2>. A grouting stop <B>10</B> is also provided, predetermining the amount of finishing grout used.

Description

Page 1

Description of invention

Glass block surround The invention is a labour saving dry wall system for building and locking together architectural glass building blocks. Or socalled glass block walls.

The invention consists of one injection moulded mitred snap lock section of which four are required to surround the block Although the invention is a very simple solution to a problem the injection moulded mitred snap lock section is a very complex piece of engineering and as far as we are able to ascertain nothing like it exists Over the years, a wide variety of architectural building blocks commonly known as glass blocks or glass bricks have been developed for use in exterior and interior walls and/or other types building structures. Austrian Patent Nos. 169151 and 183209, Belgian Patent No 567594, Canadian Patent No. 71230O, French Patent Nos. 1155005, No 1186063, No 1196461 and No 1341653 and United States Patents Nos. 951,01O, 2,17O,602, 2,194,756, 3,387,421, 3,422,588, 3,438,165, 3, 798,861, 3,954,326, 4,O04,392, 4,628,652 and 4,852,321 generally disclose glass blocks or glass bricks used for buildings and the like, All have the major drawback that they all require mortar, spacers, grout and steel reinforcing rods to build. The invention thus eliminates the need for mortar, spacers, grout. special tools and masonry skills previously required for building glass blocks.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved building technique for building and locking together architectural glass building blocks. Or so- called glass block walls.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings on the following page.

Page 2

Description of invention

Glass block surround Fig. I shows the inside edge of the section and the male 5 and female 6 snap lock connectors also the radius edge at female end of section 3.

Fig. 2 shows, two sections, snap locked together forming a quarter round edge 7. and four male interlocking connectors 1. It also shows grouting stop 10. and a rebated section for electric wiring 8. Should it be required Fig. 3 Shows an end view of the section.

Fig 4. Shows a top and side view of the section.

Fig 5. Shows two blocks interlocking together.

Fig.5a. Shows an assembly, grouting indentation and reinforcing rods Fig Sb. Shows a staggered assembly with side reinforcing rods Fig 5c. Shows the sections surrounding glass block.

Referring to the drawings the glass block surround it requires four injection moulded mitred snap lock sections to surround the block. The means of securing the sections around the block are Fig 1 6.5 Snap three injection moulded mitred snap lock sections together, insert the glass block finally snap on the fourth section.

Also the section has four integrally formed connectors Fig.4. 1and four extended slots 2 equidistant from each corner of the section, for interconnecting an adjacent block In order to link the blocks together the male and female interlocking legs push together Fig.5 2 1 Fig 4 2 l Strengthening rods are place in channel Fig.3 9 Fig 4 9. Fig 5a. Fig.5b.

When the blocks are placed together one on top of the other Fig 5 or staggered Fig.5b l 2 using the invention they form a ready-made grouting indentation Fig 5a 11 Fig3 for grouting between the blocks. This predetermining the amount of finishing grout used.

It also has at one end a curvature Fig.l 3 to enclose the centre and rounded corners of glass building blocks..

The male interlocking legs I and female extended slots 2 allows for each block to be built either staggered, or one on top of the other For large areas more than 3 meters square and/or at least one extruded square metal strengthening rod and/or a terminating fastener T piece is required, either top and bottom or side to side if staggering the blocks. Fig.5b Wig 5c.

Claims (4)

1. Page 3 Claims Glass block surround 1 Glass block surround comprising of a

   single plastic section of which four are required to surround a glass block having male and female snap lock fittings to snap the four sections together to form the surround having each single section with four extended slots and four extended legs equidistant from each other on the outside edge for interlocking to another block having one end of a single plastic section with a radius having a grout stop along each side of plastic section.
2. 2 Glass block surround as claimed in Claim I comprising of a single plastic section of which four are required to surround a glass block.
3. 3 Glass block surround as clamed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 having male and female snap lock fittings to snap the four sections together.
4. 4 Glass block surround as clamed in Claim I or Claim 3 having each single section with four extended slots and four extended legs equidistant from each other on the outside edge for interlocking to another block.

   Glass block surround as clamed in Claim I or Claim 4 having a grout stop along each side of plastic section 6 Glass block surround as clamed in Claim 1 or Claim 5 having one end of a single plastic section with a radius 7 Glass block surround substantially as described herein with reference to Figures]-5 of the accompanying drawings