Glass block assembly, system, and method of use thereof

Abstract

A transparent or translucent block assembly and method thereof has a frame with a plurality of spaced apart horizontal plates and a plurality of spaced apart vertical plates that intersect in a grid configuration defining a plurality of cells between respective plates. The frame is to be installed at a location within a building that offsets the plates a dimensional distance from a rear wall in the building that is less than two feet but greater than a direct connection to the rear wall. There are a plurality of transparent or translucent blocks, wherein one transparent or translucent block is disposed within one cell. There may be a padding material that surrounds the transparent or translucent block in each cell. The transparent or translucent block and padding material may be sealed into the frame via a sealant that is free of mortar.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A transparent or translucent block assembly comprising:
 a frame including a plurality of spaced apart horizontal plates and a plurality of spaced apart vertical plates that intersect in a grid configuration defining a plurality of cells between respective plates;   wherein the frame further comprises:
 a first side and a second side, wherein the horizontal plates extend laterally between the first side and the second side; 
 a top and a bottom, wherein the vertical plates extend vertically between the top and the bottom; 
   a plurality of transparent or translucent blocks, wherein one transparent or translucent block is disposed within one cell;   a padding material that at least partially surrounds each transparent or translucent block in the plurality of transparent or translucent blocks, wherein the padding material is interposed between the transparent or translucent block and the plates that define the cell, wherein the padding material is resiliently flexible; and   a sealant that is free of mortar to seal each transparent or translucent block and padding material within each cell of the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The transparent or translucent block assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first tubular column support defining a first side of the transparent or translucent block assembly, wherein the first tubular support includes a center transverse axis and a center lateral axis.   
     
     
         3 . The transparent or translucent block assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first angle bracket having a first leg and a second leg defining a generally L-shaped configuration, wherein the first leg is connected an exterior surface of the first tubular column support and wherein the horizontal plates are connected to the second leg; and   a first radius of curvature of the horizontal plates that define a concavity of the transparent or translucent block assembly.   
     
     
         4 . A transparent or translucent block assembly comprising:
 a frame including a plurality of spaced apart horizontal plates and a plurality of spaced apart vertical plates that intersect in a grid configuration defining a plurality of cells between respective plates, wherein the frame is installed in situ at a location within a building that offsets the plates a dimensional distance from a rear wall in the building, wherein the dimensional distance at which the plates are offset from the rear wall is less than two feet; and   a plurality of transparent or translucent blocks, wherein one transparent or translucent block is disposed within one cell.   
     
     
         5 . The transparent or translucent block assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the dimensional distance at which the frame is offset from the rear wall is less than twelve inches. 
     
     
         6 . The transparent or translucent block assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the dimensional distance at which the frame is offset from the rear wall is less than six inches. 
     
     
         7 . The transparent or translucent block assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a padding material surrounding at least partially around each transparent or translucent block in the plurality of transparent or translucent blocks, wherein the padding material is interposed between the transparent or translucent block and the plates that define the cell.   
     
     
         8 . The transparent or translucent block assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the padding material is a medium density foam tape, wherein the padding material has a hardness value of about 40 when measured on the Shore 00 hardness scale, and wherein the padding material has a density that is about 15 lbs./cu.ft. 
     
     
         9 . The transparent or translucent block assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the frame comprises:
 a first side and a second side, wherein the horizontal plates extend laterally between the first side and the second side;   a first radius of curvature of the horizontal plates when viewed from above that defines a slight concavity of the transparent or translucent block assembly.   
     
     
         10 . The transparent or translucent block assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the frame further comprises:
 a vertical center axis of the frame, wherein the first radius of curvature is symmetric relative to the vertical center axis of the frame, and the first radius of curvature is in a range from about 100 inches to about 1000 inches.   
     
     
         11 . The transparent or translucent block assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the frame further comprises:
 a vertical center axis of the frame, wherein the first radius of curvature is offset and asymmetric relative to the vertical center axis of the frame, and the first radius of curvature is in a range from about 100 inches to about 1000 inches.   
     
     
         12 . The transparent or translucent block assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the frame further comprises:
 a second radius of curvature of the horizontal plates when viewed from above, wherein the second radius is located on an opposite side of a vertical center axis of the frame to define a serpentine configuration of the frame.   
     
     
         13 . The transparent or translucent block assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the frame comprises:
 a first tubular column support defining a first side of the transparent or translucent block assembly, wherein the first tubular support includes a center transverse axis and a center lateral axis;   a connector that connects the frame to the first tubular column support, wherein the connector extends parallel to the center transverse axis.   
     
     
         14 . The transparent or translucent block assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the frame further comprises:
 an end plate that defines a side end of the frame, wherein the frame defines an aperture that is hidden when the transparent or translucent block is installed within the cell.   
     
     
         15 . The transparent or translucent block assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the frame further comprises:
 an end plate that defines a side end of the frame, wherein the frame defines an aperture that is exposed when the transparent or translucent block is installed within the cell.   
     
     
         16 . A method of constructing a transparent or translucent block assembly comprising:
 constructing a frame composed of a plurality of spaced apart horizontal plates and a plurality of spaced apart vertical plates that intersect in a grid configuration defining a plurality of cells between respective plates, and the frame comprising side supports that are connected with the grid configuration; and   installing the frame at a location within a building that offsets the plates a distance less than two feet from a rear wall.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 surrounding at least a portion of a perimeter of a transparent or translucent block with a padding material, wherein the padding material is resiliently flexible;   inserting the transparent or translucent block with padding material at least partially surrounding the perimeter into a cell of the frame; and   sealing the transparent or translucent block and surrounding padding material within the cell with a sealant that is free of mortar.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 constructing the plurality of spaced apart horizontal plates with a first radius of curvature that is symmetric relative to a vertical center axis of the frame, and the first radius of curvature is in a range from about 100 inches to about 1000 inches.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 constructing the plurality of spaced apart horizontal plates with a first radius of curvature that is asymmetric relative to and offset from a vertical center axis of the frame, and the first radius of curvature is in a range from about 100 inches to about 1000 inches.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 constructing the plurality of spaced apart horizontal plates with a first radius of curvature and a second radius of curvature, wherein the second radius of curvature is offset from the first radius of curvature to impart a serpentine shape to the frame.