US1729818A - Transparent structure and component parts thereof - Google Patents

Description

L. BURGESS Oct. 1, 1929.

TRANSPARENT STRUCTURE AND COMPONENT PARTS THEREOF Filed July 15 192"! 3 Sheets-Sheet l awuemtoz USJJ biwxsm L. BURGESS Oct. 1, 1929.

TRANSPARENT STRUCTURE AND COMPONENT PARTS THEREOF" 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 15 1927 Ha? F1616 has; Ear/0 ----:--z:----- a J Fla-14 amoemtoz IS Sheets-Sheet. 5

.. Filed'July 15, 1927- Snvemtoz Patented Oct. 1, 1929 LOUIS BURGESS, OF ROSELLE, NEW JERSEY TRANSPARENT 'SIRUGTURE AND COMPONENT PARTS THEREOF Application filed July 15,

This invention relates to transparent structures, such as solariums and greenhouses, and to componentparts thereof. This invention has for its object a form of con-truction for structures or extensions involving large transparentsurfaces whereby temperatures either above or below the outside temperature may be more easily maintained therein.

I accomplish this object by the form of construction illustrated in the drawings in which: 1

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a unit employed in constructing transparent surfaces.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross section showing the ends of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse central cross section'of the same.

' Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview of an alternative form of unit. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross section showing the ends of the same.

Fig. 6 is a transverse central cross section of the same.

- Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a number of the units shown inFigs. 1, 2 and 3 as assembled and Fig. .8 is a longitudinal cross section of the same thru the line 'I-I.

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a number of units shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 assembled and Fig. 19 is a longitudinal cross section thru the line II--II.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of anassembly of units as shown inFigs. 7 8, 9 and 10 in combination with means for mantaining same in position to form a panel. Fig. 12 is a side elevation of same. Fig. 13 is a cross section of Fig.11 thru the line III-III. Fig. 14 is anend view of Fig. 11. Figs. 13 and 14 show in addition the manner of attachment of such panels to contiguousones.

Fig. 15 is. a perspective view of panelsas- 'sembled to. form part of a wall androof.

Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view with part omitted of a structure comprising such panels showing construction details. Fig. 17 is a complete cross sectional view of the same. Fig. 18 is a side elevation of part of Fig. 17 thru the line IV-IV and Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the structure as a whole.

Referring specifically to Fig. 1 the transparent unit of low thermal conductivity 1 is made of transparent materialsuch as glass.

1927. Seria} No. 205,893.

Colored glass having light filtering properties may be used in case it is desired to selectively limit transmitted light and special glass. or other transparent material in case it is desired to extend the transmitted radiation into the ultra-violet or infra-red. Referring specifically to Fig. 2 the unit 1 is provided with wall 2 and preferablyconcave ends 3 and 4 whereby it is better enabled to resist external stresses.

contains a vacuum 5. I

The interior of such unit Preferably the major part of the volume bounded by the outer surfaces of same is vacuum, subject to the limitation that the Walls must be sufiiciently strong to resist circumbent pressure of the atmosphere and stresses incidental to use. Any vacuum will be partly effective but for best results the absolute pressure in the unit should be less than 10 mm. and mercury.

preferably less than 1 mm. of

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 represent corresponding 1 views of an alternative form 1A corresponding numerals denoting corresponding parts.

These units may be made either by the manipulation of tubing etc. as by glass blowing or by blowing fiuid or semi-fluid glass into moulds as at present practiced or by any other suitable method. An extension tube is preferably aflixed or made as an integral part of the unit to be utilized for evacuation thereof "and thereafter to be permanently sealed as by fusion to form the tip 6.

A great number of variations of form may be employed without departing. from my invention, thus such units may be of any polygonal, oval or even irregular cross section. They should preferably be of a form such that they may be conveniently assembled to form an extensive surface as illustrated in vertical plan in Figs. 7 and 9 and cross sectionally in Figs. 8 and 10. Such units may be made close fitting, or interlocking, surfaces in contact may be made serrated, or the joints between contiguous units may be sealed with any transparent or semi-transparent cementing material such as for' instance clear varnish, nitrocellulose or bakelite, alterna material Although I may lay these units and par ticularly the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 contiguously to form an entire Wall my preferred method is to assemble same with suit' able retaining means to form panels, which retaining means is preferably so constructed that the external load will be carried thereby when panels are contiguously joined to form a structure, thereby relieving the units of strain and permitting thinner walls therein to form an aggregate surface of extremely low thermal conductivity and excellent transparence to light.

The retaining means illustrated in Fig-11 comprises angle iron frames 7, sides 8 and ends 9. These sides and ends may be of any material of strength and low thermal conductivity although I prefer wood or asbestos wood. Holes 10 are preferably provided at the margins so that panels may be bolted together or otherwise secured in contiguous relationship to form part of a wall and/or roof, the details of'such connection beingshown in Figs. 13 and 14. Fig. 13 is a cross section and Fig. 14 an end view with 9 removed of a panel as secured to contiguous ones.-

Panels assembled in this manner are shown in perspective in Fig. 15. As shown cross sectionally in Fi s. 17 and 18 the roof is vertically supporte by ridge beam 11 carried on columns such as 12. The walls are secured against horizontal thrust resulting from the Weight of the roof by angle iron 13, torsion rods such as 14 and turnbuckles such as 15 or any other suitable means.

The panels may be carried on a foundation of cement or brickwork such as 16. Wood or other filling material may be interposed at joints between Wall and roof sections 17 and between roof sections 18. A crown piece 19 is preferably provided. An. additional, roof sheathin or shingling 20 of transparent material suc i as plates of glass may be provided to facilitate shedding of rain or snow, as illustrated cross sectionally in Fig. 16.

A complete structure is shown in perspec tive in Fig. 19. Sections such as 20 and the door shown may comprise the units hereinbefore described (specially shaped where necessary) or may be of ordinary construction and section 20 is preferably made Openable for ventilation purposes.

The useof such structures is substantially identical with that of transparent structures now available except that less fuel or other available energy is required for maintaining desired temperatures therein under adverse weather conditions. Suitable heating equipment will of course be included in case temperatures above those external to the structure are desired and suitable cooling equipment in case temperatures below are desired The specific views shown are in illustration and not in limitation. Various alternatives surfaces of which bodies is vacuum, the said bodies being laid with their major axes substantially parallel each to the other and to the plane of the said transparent surface.

2. A transparent surface of low thermal conductivity comprising tubular bodies of transparent material, the major part of the volume bounded by the outer surfaces of which bodies is vacuum, the said bodies being laid with their major axes substantially parallel and coincident with the 'plane of the said transparentsurface and sealing means i at the line of contact between the said bodies.

3. An article of manufacture comprising a group of bodies of transparent material, the major part of the volume bounded by the outer surfaces of which bodies is vacuum, the said bodies being of substantially equal length, laid with their ends substantially flush and their major axes coincident with the plane of the extensive surface so formed, and means marginally embracing said group of bodies and adapted to retain same in fixed relationship to form a pariel.

4. An article of manufacture comprising a group of bodies of transparent material, the major part of the volume bounded by the outer surfaces of which bodies is vacuum, the said bodies being of substantially equal length, laid with their ends substantially flush and their major axes coincident with the plane of the extensive surface so formed, means marginally embracing said group of bodies and adapted to retain same in fixed relationship to form a panel, and means whereby the said panel may be joined to similar panels to form structural surfaces.

5. An article of manufacture comprising a group of bodies of transparent material, the

major part of the volume bounded by the outer surfaces of which bodies is vacuum, the said bodies being of substantially equal length, laid with their ends substantially flush 6. An article (if manufacture accordin to claim 3 in which the said bodies are of tu ular form.

7. An article of manufacture according to 5 claim 4 in which the said bodies are of tubular form.

Louis BURGESS.

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