Wall-mounted light-transmissive structure

Abstract

This architectural assembly includes a wall, and a structure supported on the wall over a top portion of the opening. The structure has a light transmission portion permitting light from the opening to pass therethrough. The structure comprises a lower and an upper frame structures. A transparent or translucent, preferably stained-glass, panel is secured between the cornice members using a silicone or other adhesive material. The upper and lower frame structures each have a groove therein facing the groove of the other that receives the adhesive and the glass. A top panel cover structure covers the upper frame stucture. A method for efficiently manufacturing the structure is also provided.

1 . An architectural assembly comprising:
 a wall of a building;   a structure supported on the wall, said structure comprising   first and second laterally spaced side members secured in engagement with and projecting outwardly from the wall, and a cross member extending laterally therebetween and spaced from the wall; and   a light transmission portion permitting light from the opening to pass therethrough supported on at least said cross member and extending downwardly therefrom.   
   
   
       2 . The architectural assembly of  claim 1  wherein the wall has an opening therein through which light passes, and
 the structure is mounted on the wall so that said light transmission portion overlies a top portion of the opening.   
   
   
       3 . The architectural assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second side members and cross member together form an upper structure, and the structure further comprises a lower structure secured to a lower end of the light transmission portion. 
   
   
       4 . The architectural assembly of  claim 3  wherein the upper and lower structures are formed of material having a continuous or repeating cross-section. 
   
   
       5 . The architectural assembly of  claim 4  wherein the upper structure has a downwardly disposed recess and the lower structure has an upwardly disposed recess, and the light transmission portion is secured in said recesses. 
   
   
       6 . The architectural assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said first and second side members and said cross member together form a box structure. 
   
   
       7 . The architectural assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the light transmission portion comprises one or more plates of light-transmissive material extending downward from the side member and first member. 
   
   
       8 . The architectural assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the plate or plates have a lower edge, and a lower structure is secured to the lower edge. 
   
   
       9 . The architectural assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the lower structure comprises two side members and a front member each supported below a respective corresponding member of the first portion. 
   
   
       10 . The architectural assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the side members and the front members are each formed of sections of material of constant or repeating cross section. 
   
   
       11 . The architectural assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the plates are secured by adhesively with said upper and lower structures. 
   
   
       12 . The architectural assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the cover structure has a top panel supported over the upper structure so that light from the opening does not pass above said upper structure. 
   
   
       13 . The architectural assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an electrical light source is supported between the cross member and the wall so as to transmit light through the light transmissive portion. 
   
   
       14 . A method of fabricating a cover structure for a wall in a structure, said method comprising:
 cutting a portion of molding material so as to yield two side portions and a front portion;   said stock material having a milled portion defining a continuous groove therein and said cutting including at least two matching miter cuts;   assembling the side portions and the front portion so as to form a box structure in which the groove extends continuously in a lower portion thereof;   securing panels of light transmissive material in said groove so as to project downwardly away from the box structure.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , and further comprising;
 cutting a second portion of a second molding material so as to form two second side portions and a second front portion, said cutting including at least two matching miter cuts;   assembling the second side portions and the second first portion so as to form a frame structure; and   securing said frame structure to lower edges of said plates so that the frame structure, and the first and second side portions, and the first and second front portions align with each other.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second molding material has a groove therein and the plates are secured therein. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plates are secured to the box structure using a silicone adhesive. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , and further comprising:
 securing a top member over the box structure on a side thereof opposite the light transmissive panels.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , and further comprising:
 forming said top member of a center number and two top side members and a top front member,   said top side members and top front members being cut from molding material and being sized to fit outside an upper edge of the box structure.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , and further comprising:
 securing said box structures to a wall of a building having an opening therein such that the light transmissive portions are supported in front of the opening.   
   
   
       21 . An ornamental design of cornice structure as disclosed and described in regards to
   FIGS. 1 to 6  herein,     FIGS. 7 to 11  herein,     FIGS. 12 to 16  herein,     FIGS. 17 to 21  herein, or     FIGS. 22 to 26  herein.