Glass block panel construction and method and apparatus for fabrication thereof
US5890335A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 6, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE04C2/546
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the prefabrication of glass blocks panel, and the panel formed thereby is provided. Glass blocks are spaced on a spacing rack such that upper and lower slots are formed between adjacent blocks and a joint cavity defined therebetween. A pair of moving manifolds disposed at right angles to each other communicate with the glass blocks assembled on the spacing rack to internally caulk and seal the blocks together. The moving manifolds include vertically disposed feed tube devices, each including a pair of elongated feed tubes which are in a spring-like relation. The feed tubes include an aperture disposed on opposing surfaces proximate to the distal ends for simultaneous dispensing sealant into the upper and lower slots of adjacent glass blocks and a protruding distal end portion for simultaneously compressing the sealant into the lower and upper and lower slots of adjacent glass blocks as the sealant is released. The sealant used may be silicone, or any other adhesive that adheres naturally to glass.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.