Threat-Resistant Glass Block Panel

Abstract

A glass block panel assembled, framed and attached to a substrate such that it resists threats from forced entry, prisoner escape, bullets from guns, bomb blasts, and tornados.

1 . A glass block assembly, comprising:
 at least one solid glass block;   a unitized frame, wherein said solid frame has exterior walls that define a perimeter and a depth that is greater than the depth of said at least one solid glass block, further wherein said solid frame includes interior dividers that are spaced to form interior cells wherein said interior dividers are formed from walls of said interior cells, said interior cells having an interior perimeter for receiving a shock-absorbing border into which one of said at least one solid glass block fits, wherein said shock-absorbing border surrounds the exterior of each of said solid glass block.   
     
     
         2 . The glass block assembly of  claim 1 , further including a high performance sealant that surrounds each of said solid glass blocks. 
     
     
         3 . The glass block assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said unitized frame has grooves in the exterior walls and interior dividers adapted to received said sealant. 
     
     
         4 . The glass block assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said walls of said interior cells include at least one hole. 
     
     
         5 . The glass block assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said unitized frame is fabricated from stainless steel. 
     
     
         6 . The glass block assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said shock-absorbing border is fabricated from a rubber-like material. 
     
     
         7 . The glass block assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said rubber-like material is SANTOPRENE. 
     
     
         8 . The glass block assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said high performance sealant is a modified urethane. 
     
     
         9 . The glass block assembly of  claim 1  that is capable of withstanding physical challenges from forced entry, prisoner escape, guns, bomb blasts and tornados and retain structural integrity. 
     
     
         10 . The glass block assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising anchor bolts, wherein said anchor bolts are adapted to secure said unitized frame to a building substrate. 
     
     
         11 . The glass block assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said solid glass block includes a groove on a side of the glass block. 
     
     
         12 . A method of fabricating a glass block assembly, comprising the steps of:
 forming a matrix of cells accommodated to accept a plurality of solid glass block, comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a plate of solid material, wherein said plate has four arms and a center area, said center area being approximately the size of overall glass block assembly, wherein said arms have a length that is less than a depth of said solid glass block; 
 bending each of said arms orthogonally to center area to form a box having an exterior face comprised of said center area, an interior face opposite said exterior face, and four sides comprised of said arms forming an exterior wall of said glass block assembly; 
 welding or melting each of said arms to an adjacent arm to form an exterior of said glass block assembly; 
 cutting said center area to form a plurality of openings in said exterior face to form a lattice of said plate, said lattice having an exterior face and an interior face; 
 forming a matrix of cells by welding or melting a plurality of interior walls to the interior face of said lattice, said interior walls being oriented perpendicular to said interior face; 
 welding or melting each of said interior walls to an adjacent interior wall or an adjacent portion of said exterior wall of said glass block assembly to form a matrix of cells comprising a unitized structure; 
   placing a shock-absorbing border around each of said plurality of solid glass block;   placing each of said shock-absorbing border and glass block into one of said plurality of cells;   introducing a high-performance sealant between each of said shock-absorbing borders, said glass block, and said sides of said cells; and   curing said laminate to form said glass block assembly.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising drilling holes in said sides of said cells prior to forming said matrix. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein prior to introducing said laminate, said unitized structure is placed face down such that the exterior face of said lattice is on a solid surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said cells and said external frame are stainless steel. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said cutting step is achieved by a laser or water jet cutter. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said shock-absorbing border is fabricated from a rubber-like material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein high-performance sealant is a modified urethane. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein glass block assembly is capable of withstanding physical challenges from forced entry, prisoner escape, guns, bomb blasts and tornados and retain structural integrity.