Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a composite panel comprising a pourable and settable base material, preferably cementitious mortar, and a plurality of through elements (10) made of glass for transmitting light between two base surfaces (1,1?) of the panel (1). The method includes making a semi-finished product comprising a central body (50) which incorporates the through elements (10), which emerge from two mutually opposite main surfaces (51,52). In particular, the method includes making the semi-finished product by defining two containing frames, mutually opposite with respect to the body, each of which emerges from one of the central surfaces. The method includes closing the semi-finished product between two containing elements so as to define two half-spaces, each of which at least partially delimited by said containing frames. The method then includes filling each half-space with cementitious mortar and removing the manufactured item which is made, after the mortar has set.

Abstract: An architectural block may be arranged with a front face separated from a back face by a border configured with a beveled surface comprising an aperture extending into a space between the front face and the back face. The aperture and beveled surface can each be configured to secure a light strip around the border and a light source of the light strip in the aperture.

Abstract: A floor support includes a base having a bottom surface and a top surface; a plurality of bosses arranged in an ordered array on the base, the ordered array configured to provide multiple options for routing an electric heating cable among the plurality of bosses; and a thermal insulation layer adjacent the bottom surface. Each of the plurality of bosses includes an upper surface; a perimeter wall extending from the upper surface to the top surface, the perimeter wall sloping underneath the upper surface; and an interior wall sloping continuously toward an interior of the boss as the interior wall as the interior wall extends from the upper surface to the top surface.

Abstract: A double glazing insulation system of the present invention is characterized by including: double glazing having a chamber formed between a pair of glass windows, a bead entrance through which air and a plurality of beads enter and exit the chamber, and an air entrance through which air enters the chamber; a storage tank for storing the plurality of beads; a bead flow pipe guiding the plurality of beads such that the beads flow; an air exhaust pipe guiding the flow of air discharged from the storage tank; an air flow pipe guiding the flow of air entering and exiting through the air entrance; and a main blower which sucks air of the chamber through the air flow pipe or through the air exhaust pipe, thereby filling the chamber with the plurality of beads or discharging the same from the chamber.

Abstract: A bowed barrier extends across a passageway to prevent pets or children from moving through the passageway. The bowed barrier has a barrier panel, such as a plastic sheet, and a perimeter retainer, such as foam, that extends along the left and right sides of the barrier panel. The perimeter retainer interfaces with the sides of the passageway to retain the bowed barrier in place. The stress induced in the bowed barrier panel creates a force that retains the bowed barrier in a bowed configuration across the passageway. The convex side of the bowed barrier faces a barrier area, or area where a pet or small child may be confined to. If the child or pet pushes on the convex side of the bowed barrier, the bowed barrier has increased force against the passageway, thereby preventing the bowed barrier panel from being dislodged.

Abstract: A bowed barrier extends across a passageway to prevent pets or children from moving through the passageway. The bowed barrier has a barrier panel, such as a plastic sheet, and a perimeter retainer, such as foam, that extends along the left and right sides of the barrier panel. The perimeter retainer interfaces with the sides of the passageway to retain the bowed barrier in place. The stress induced in the bowed barrier panel creates a force that retains the bowed barrier in a bowed configuration across the passageway. The convex side of the bowed barrier faces a barrier area, or area where a pet or small child may be confined to. If the child or pet pushes on the convex side of the bowed barrier the bowed barrier will increase the force against the passageway, thereby preventing the bowed barrier panel from being dislodged.

Abstract: A building panel includes an insulating member having a first surface and a second, opposing surface, and a first sheathing member secured to the first surface of the insulating member and including a coupling portion. The coupling portion has a recessed portion, a first extension portion adjacent the recessed portion, and a second extension portion on the opposite side of the recessed portion from the first extension portion. A sum of a width dimension of the first extension portion and a width dimension of the second extension portion is substantially equal to a width dimension of the recessed portion, and at least one side surface of the insulating member is substantially coplanar with a respective side surface of the first sheathing member.

Abstract: A light-conducting component, in particular finished concrete part in the form of a masonry brick, for constructions and buildings. The component is produced in a casting mold by casting into at least one casting building material and the optical waveguide is made of a light-conducting building material, e.g. PMMA polymer or glass, which is accessible at at least two positions on the outer surface of the light-conducting component for the input of light and output of light. The optical waveguide is configured as a self-supporting 2D or 3D lattice body composed of rods having a thickness/diameter of greater than 1 mm. The self-supporting 2D or 3D lattice body has approximately the same or an only slightly smaller width (W), or length (L), or base dimensions (W, L), or total external dimensions (W, L, H) than the casting mold itself.

Abstract: A hybrid solar cells integrated glassblock structure, includes, at least one glass shell (0) having at least a light transparent surface (2, 9, 13) intended to be exposed to solar radiations, a Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSC) device (3, 8) associated to the surface (2, 9, 13) so as to receive solar radiations passing through the surface, the device having electric contacts, at least one hole (7, 11, 15, 17) allowing passage to an external area of the glassblock of electrical connections leading to the device contacts; and a prestressed and dry assembled glassblock panel for the construction of translucent building envelope even in high-rise buildings, which may also provide high performance related to energy production and saving.

Abstract: A block wall system comprising a framework having a perimeter, an intermediate vertical mullion, and an intermediate horizontal mullion with the blocks retained therein using flexible flanges. The intermediate vertical mullion and the intermediate horizontal mullion define one or more cavities within the framework. A block has a top, a bottom, a front face, a back face, and a pair of narrow faces. One or more detents are defined within each narrow face. Next, a flange is anchored within the intermediate vertical mullion, wherein the flange flexes and thereafter retracts to embed itself into the detent of the block when the block is inserted into the cavity such that the block is retained within the framework, thereby eliminating the need to use a fastener directly into or against the block to secure the block within the framework.

Abstract: The invention discloses devices and methods utilizing a thermally efficient building block. The block generally has three walls separated by two open spaces. One open space, the closest to the outside of the building, generally serves to remove unwanted heat entering through the outer wall of the block; the second open space is adapted to accept infrastructure elements such as wires, cables, and pipes. The block prevents unwanted heat from entering usable spaces while also protecting heat generated within a structure.

Abstract: A construction method is disclosed. The method includes providing a bottom support between a plurality of structural members and using the bottom support to support a structural material in a plastic state. The method also includes using the bottom support to support the structural material as it hardens from a plastic state into a hardened state. The structural material remains attached to the bottom support after the structural material hardens. The bottom support is transparent or translucent.

Abstract: A block wall system comprising a framework having a perimeter, an intermediate vertical mullion, and an intermediate horizontal mullion with the blocks retained therein using flexible flanges. The intermediate vertical mullion and the intermediate horizontal mullion define one or more cavities within the framework. A block has a top, a bottom, a front face, a back face, and a pair of narrow faces. One or more detents are defined within each narrow face. Next, a flange is anchored within the intermediate vertical mullion, wherein the flange flexes and thereafter retracts to embed itself into the detent of the block when the block is inserted into the cavity such that the block is retained within the framework, thereby eliminating the need to use a fastener directly into or against the block to secure the block within the framework.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hollow multi-wall structural component comprising a plurality of spaced-apart sheets that transmit an incident radiation, and connected with reinforcing members; wherein at least a portion of one surface of at least one of the sheets comprises a plurality of radiation transmission-enhancing elements. Methods for forming the hollow multi-wall structural component are also described.

Abstract: A glass block including an insulating material disposed with an interior chamber. The block includes a first block half, a second block half, and a frame. The frame is positioned between and aligns the first block half and the second block half so that the block halves and the frame define a complete enclosure. The frame holds at least two partitions inside the block. The partitions divide the interior of the block into a plurality of chambers including at least one interior chamber disposed between the partitions. An insulating material is disposed in the interior chamber between the partitions.

Abstract: A glass block assembly (2) includes first (4) and second (6) glass block halves. A spacer (8) is disposed between the glass block halves to thermally isolate the first glass block half from the second glass block half. A sealant extends from the outer surface of the first glass block half over the spacer to the outer surface of the second glass block half to hermetically seal the internal chamber of the assembly. The spacer has a pair of legs (24) extending laterally outwardly from the body to define shoulders that engage the inner surfaces of the first and second halves. The legs of the spacer define a slot (25). An interior lite (10) is carried by the spacer in the interior chamber.

Abstract: An illuminated floor assembly, comprising: a composite floor panel; an overlay; a polymer block and an LED light channel between the composite glass floor panel and the overlay; a hook-and-loop fastener between the polymer block and the composite glass floor panel; and a support between the overlay and the hallway foundation.

Abstract: A translucent wall panel includes a single body of translucent polycarbonate material having skin walls and a multiwall support extending between the skin walls. The skin walls include an outer weather wall, an inner liner wall, a longitudinally extending first side and a longitudinally extending second side opposite to the first side. The first side has outer projecting and recess parts and the second side has outer projecting and recess parts. The projecting and recess parts of the first side are of mating form with corresponding recess and projecting parts respectively of the second side for engagement between the first side of one panel and the second side of another like panel. The sides have additional spacer recesses which are aligned so that when two similar panels are aligned adjacent to one another a spacer element bridges a gap between the panels and a support frame element such as a purlin.

Abstract: A fire-resistant glass block including a thermal break and methods for making same. Embodiments of the glass block assembly include at least two portions filled with fire-resistant gel, wherein the at least two portions are connected using a thermal break channel. The thermal break channel improves the thermal conductions characteristics of the assembly and mitigates the potential for breakage in either glass block half unit through direct heat transfer. The glass block assembly can be made by connecting two or more glass portions using a thermal break channel and filling the connected glass block portions with fire-resistant gel.

Abstract: A process for making a brick comprises the steps of prearranging at least one pair of half-shells (3a, 3b) and fixing said half-shells (3a, 3b) to each other to define a main body (2) of the brick with a cavity {4} therein. The process further comprises the step of introducing a preset quantity of argon into said cavity (4), A brick comprises a pair of half-shells (3a, 3b) fixed to each other to define a main body (2) of said brick (1); said main body (2) exhibits an inner cavity (4); said cavity (4) holds a preset quantity of argon.

Abstract: A support frame of glass brick wall has multiple horizontal beams, multiple vertical beams and multiple side bars. Each of the horizontal beams and the vertical beams has a body, two side wings respectively and longitudinally formed on and protruding from two edges of the body, and two lamp slots respectively and longitudinally formed on and recessed from two sides of the body. Each of the vertical beams is securely mounted between two adjacent glass bricks in a corresponding row of glass bricks with adhesive. Each of the horizontal beams is securely mounted on a top of a corresponding row of glass bricks with adhesive. Two of the side bars are securely mounted on two edge sides of the glass brick wall. Each of the side bars has openings to replace light strips mounted in the lamp slots. Accordingly, the support frame provides a clean and easy lamp replacement solution.

Abstract: A glass element for forming glass brick walls, which has an overall parallelepiped shape and side walls shaped to enable insertion-engagement with the adjacent elements.

Abstract: There is provided an illuminated surface mounted on a base surface. The illuminated surface includes a plurality of transmissive tiles configured to allow light to pass therethrough. Each of the transmissive tiles includes an exterior surface, an attaching surface and a plurality of lateral sides disposed between the exterior and attaching surfaces. The attaching surface is affixable to the base surface. The transmissive tiles are arranged in spaced relation to each other to define a cable channel. The cable channel is defined by opposing lateral sides of adjacent transmissive tiles. A fiber optic cable is in optical communication a light source and receives light therefrom. The fiber optic cable includes a longitudinal axis and a first segment disposed within the cable channel. The first segment is configured to radially radiate light along the longitudinal axis into the lateral sides of the adjacent transmissive tiles.

Abstract: An aftermarket application to improve the insulating properties of an existing window using vessels filled with nanotechnology insulating materials. Application does not impede users' ability to see through while minimizing heat transfer allowed through the window. The vessels can be customized by contractors and engineers to control range and direction of vision that viewers from the inside and outside can see.

Abstract: A translucent building block and method of manufacturing the same where the block has at least two oppositely oriented outer surfaces between which extend a plurality of translucent members that are mounted to a retainer which supports the translucent members spaced inwardly of opposite free ends thereof which extend outwardly from the retainer to points adjacent the at least two outer surfaces and wherein a plurality of openings are provided through the retainer to permit passage of cast material during introduction of the material about the translucent members within a mold during a manufacturing process.

Abstract: A universal concrete or masonry block with four walls, a hollow center within the four walls, and a recessed knockout panel on each wall. Each recessed knockout panel is half the height of the block and has recessed cutting slots partially through the wall on either side of the recessed panel. The recessed knockout panels may be removed to leave an opening as desired on any or all of the four sides of the block. The opening(s) may be used to support a fence rail, a light or a plant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiwall panels comprising micro-scale surface features and methods of making the same. In one embodiment, a multiwall panel is disclosed. The multiwall panel comprises, a top sheet, a bottom sheet, a rib disposed between and connected to the top sheet and the bottom sheet, and a micro-scale surface feature disposed on a surface of the multiwall panel, wherein the micro-scale surface feature comprises a width measured at a base of the surface feature, wherein the width is about 30 micrometers to about 3 millimeters. In another embodiment, a process of forming multiwall panels is disclosed. In yet another embodiment, a naturally lit structure is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for building using glass blocks is disclosed which employs spacing strips. The spacing strips comprising elongate, generally planar elements having a cross section generally corresponding in shape to the intended spacing between two adjacent blocks in the completed construction. The spacing strips are hollow and may be provided with interior supporting webs. The strips are provided with adhesive which may be included during manufacture.

Abstract: A base structure for a ball court, and in particular a squash court, with a supporting structure resting on a base and a floor forming a playing surface resting on the supporting structure. The floor comprises a plurality of safety glass panes laid adjacent each other and which are freely vertically movable relative to one another and whose surface forming the playing surface is provided with a plurality of rough areas. The supporting structure has an elastic layer beneath the safety glass panes.

Abstract: A glass element for forming glass brick walls, which has an overall parallelepiped shape and side walls shaped to enable insertion-engagement with the adjacent elements.

Abstract: Laminates comprising at least two glass plys surrounding at least one interlayer having at least one bore extending through the laminate are produced by excluding the interlayer from the area surrounding the bore(s) and positioning a load bearing insert around the bore. The insert may be positioned before or after the laminating process. The invention reduces the tendency for delamination around the area of the bore when the laminate is placed under load.

Abstract: A fire-resistant glass block including a thermal break and methods for making same. Embodiments of the glass block assembly include at least two portions filled with fire-resistant gel, wherein the at least two portions are connected using a thermal break channel. The thermal break channel improves the thermal conductions characteristics of the assembly and mitigates the potential for breakage in either glass block half unit through direct heat transfer. The glass block assembly can be made by connecting two or more glass portions using a thermal break channel and filling the connected glass block portions with fire-resistant gel.

Abstract: A building element (E) is used for building walls, partitions, plates or closing devices such as blinds and doors, in particular for buildings and includes at least one volume (3) in particular in the form of a prism or cylinder limited by first (1) and second (2) faces made of a transparent material and sidewalls (4), wherein the element (E) includes at least one lens (5) which contains a focal plane and is placed near the first face (1) and a translucent screen (7) placed between the lens (5) and the second face (2). The image of a space in front of the lens (5) is formed on the screen 7 and can be seen from the rear of the building element (E).

Abstract: Devices, apparatus, systems, and methods of installing LED (light emitting diodes) for glass tiles and glass blocks. The LEDs can be housed in flexible strips having flexible bendable transparent housing sleeves with ends that can interconnect by male and female ends to one another with various types of interconnectors. Each separate sleeve can house up to 33 LEDs in a transparent plastic sleeve. A transparent connector sleeve can be slid over the interconnected ends and heat shrunk in place. The glass tiles can be laid out to uniform joints spacings between the glass tiles of approximately 3/16 of an inch. The LED strips can be placed on a surface layer of transparent grout that has been laid in the joint spacing, followed by a top layer of transparent grout. The transparent grout can be removable grout and include clear Silicon. The LED strips can have peel and stick back layers with adhesive backing that allows mounting to the lower surface.

Abstract: Glass blocks and glass block panel assemblies with improved thermal and solar heat gain resistance are described. The blocks are comprised of two symmetric glass elements, one that would face the exterior of a building and another that would face the interior of a building, separated by a second material that acts as a thermal break between the inside and outside of a building. The thermal break may optionally encircle one or more pieces of material that become enclosed in the block for performance or aesthetic purposes. Additional adhesives and sealants may be used as needed to insure structural and functional reliability of the block. For application into building structures, wall and window installation methods are also described including spacers that help ensure quality block alignment.

Abstract: There is provided an illuminated surface mounted on a base surface. The illuminated surface includes a plurality of transmissive tiles configured to allow light to pass therethrough. Each of the transmissive tiles includes an exterior surface, an attaching surface and a plurality of lateral sides disposed between the exterior and attaching surfaces. The attaching surface is affixable to the base surface. The transmissive tiles are arranged in spaced relation to each other to define a cable channel. The cable channel is defined by opposing lateral sides of adjacent transmissive tiles. A fiber optic cable is in optical communication a light source and receives light therefrom. The fiber optic cable includes a longitudinal axis and a first segment disposed within the cable channel. The first segment is configured to radially radiate light along the longitudinal axis into the lateral sides of the adjacent transmissive tiles.

Abstract: An improved panel section for use in a sound barrier is disclosed and is of the type: having a cementitious body; for use with at least two vertically-extending, ground-mounted I-beam columns, each having two parallel flanges and a transverse web extending therebetween and being positioned with its web substantially parallel to the web of adjacent columns and substantially normal to a line defined by said columns; and disposed, in use, in respective vertically-stacked groupings to form one or more wall panels interleaved between adjacent pairs of columns, each panel having a pair of end edges disposed, one each, in mechanically-engaged relation, between the flanges of a respective pair of adjacent columns. The improvement comprises: the body having defined therethrough an opening; and a glazing element secured to said body to occlude said opening and impede sound passage therethrough. A sound barrier constructed from the improved panel section is also disclosed.

Abstract: A glass block panel assembled, framed and attached to a substrate such that it resists the shock wave resulting from a blast event.

Abstract: A translucent wall panel (1) comprises a single body of translucent polycarbonate material comprising skin wall means and a multiwall support (4) extending between the skin wall means. The skin wall means comprises an outer weather wall (2), an inner liner wall (3), a longitudinally extending first side (5) and a longitudinally extending second side (6) opposite to the first side. The first side (5) has outer projecting and recess parts and the second side (6) has outer projecting and recess parts. The projecting and recess parts of the first side (5) are of mating form with corresponding recess and projecting parts respectively of the second side 6 for engagement between the first side (5) of one panel A and the second side of another like panel B. The sides (5, 6) have additional spacer recesses (51, 52) which are aligned so that when two similar panels (50) are aligned adjacent to one another as illustrated in FIG.

Abstract: A block assembly that includes first framing members, second framing members, and clips, wherein each of the clips is inserted through a respective one of the first framing members. Each of the clips has an upper portion that extends above an upper surface of the first framing member through which it is inserted and a lower portion that extends below a lower surface of the first framing member through which it is inserted. For each of the clips, the upper portion is received within a first one of the second framing members and the lower portion is received within a second one of the second framing members such that the first and second framing members form a grid including openings. The block assembly further includes a plurality of blocks, with each of the blocks being received within a respective one of the openings.

Abstract: A modular shade system with solar tracking panels includes a series of generally North-South oriented, spaced apart torque tubes, each torque tube having an axis, a series of panels mounted to at least some of the torque tubes to create spaced-apart rows of panels along the torque tubes, at least some of the panels being solar collector panels. The system also includes a shade structure, positioned at a selected location between selected ones of the torque tubes and above the support surface so to provide an enhanced shaded region thereunder, and a support structure. The support structure includes a first mounting assembly mounting each torque tube above the support surface for rotation about the axis of each torque tube and a second mounting assembly supporting the shade structure at the selected location. The system further comprises a tilting assembly selectively rotating each torque tube about its axis.

Abstract: A building element (E) is used for building walls, partitions, plates or closing devices such as blinds and doors, in particular for buildings and includes at least one volume (3) in particular in the form of a prism or cylinder limited by first (1) and second (2) faces made of a transparent material and sidewalls (4), wherein the element (E) includes at least one lens (5) which contains a focal plane and is placed near the first face (1) and a translucent screen (7) placed between the lens (5) and the second face (2). The image of a space in front of the lens (5) is formed on the screen 7 and can be seen from the rear of the building element (E).

Abstract: Devices, apparatus, systems, and methods of installing LED (light emitting diodes) for glass tiles and glass blocks. The LEDs can be housed in flexible strips having flexible bendable transparent housing sleeves with ends that can interconnect by male and female ends to one another with various types of interconnectors. Each separate sleeve can house up to 33 LEDs in a transparent plastic sleeve. A transparent connector sleeve can be slid over the interconnected ends and heat shrunk in place. The glass tiles can be laid out to uniform joints spacings between the glass tiles of approximately 3/16 of an inch. The LED strips can be placed on a surface layer of transparent grout that has been laid in the joint spacing, followed by a top layer of transparent grout. The transparent grout can be removable grout and include clear Silicon. The LED strips can have peel and stick back layers with adhesive backing that allows mounting to the lower surface.

Abstract: A translucent panel (1) comprises a single body of translucent material. The single body comprising an outer weather skin (2), an inner liner skin (3) and a multiwall support (4) between the outer weather skin (2) and the inner liner skin (3). The inner liner skin (3), outer weather skin (2) and multiwall support (4) all being of translucent material. The panel (1) further comprises an integral overlap portion (10) at least one end and/or side thereof. An end edge (60) of the overlap portion is heat sealed to prevent any ingress.

Abstract: A glass wall (1) has two parallel wall elements (3), at least one of which consists of a material made of glass or a similar material, which is transparent to light, and behind which LEDs, with which the transparent wall element (3) can be lit translucently, are arranged in rows as illuminating devices. To achieve illumination of the glass wall (1) over the largest possible areas, provisions are made for LED light sources (7) to be arranged in a small number of illuminating groups on plate-like carriers (17) in the area of the front-side end of a narrow, elongated light chamber (6). A plurality of such light chambers are arranged separated by transverse walls (4, 4?, 5) in the vertical position next to each other or in the horizontal position one on top of another to form the glass wall (1). Each light chamber (6) has at least one translucent wall element (3) with an inner surface having a refractive and reflecting structure.

Abstract: Internally colored glass and glass-like blocks (10) and the method for making them. No means for coating the internal cavities (26) of clear glass and glass-like hollow blocks has been available. Color coating provides aesthetically pleasing structures. Internally colored glass and glass-like blocks may be used in building internal room dividers, providing colorful building designs and for providing color relief in heretofore otherwise drab structures.

Abstract: Glass bodies are decoratively affected by having coatings of dichroic materials applied to an uneven surface. The dichroic materials transmit or reflect different colors of light in patterns that are determined by the unevenness of the coated surface and an angle of view of an observer. Both the color patterns and the colors forming the patterns change with different viewing angles of the coated surface.

Abstract: A block assembly including a plurality of first framing members each having a first longitudinal axis and a plurality of second framing members each having a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis such that the first and second framing members together form a grid including a plurality of openings. The assembly further includes a plurality of blocks, such as glass, plastic or masonry blocks, each being received within a respective one of the openings, and a plurality of support rods, each of the support rods being inserted through a respective one or more of the first framing members along the first longitudinal axis of each of the one or more of the first framing members and being inserted through each of the second framing members.

Abstract: Internally colored glass and glass-like blocks (10) and the method for making them. No means for coating the internal cavities (26) of clear glass and glass-like hollow blocks has been available. Color coating provides aesthetically pleasing structures. Internally colored glass and glass-like blocks may be used in building internal room dividers, providing colorful building designs and for providing color relief in heretofore otherwise drab structures.

Abstract: A construction block which has improved thermal insulation qualities, has improved sound transmission migration reduction properties, and which reduces or outright eliminates the effects of a seam failure. The construction block is comprised of a pair of generally parallel faces joined by a plurality of sides. At least one baffle is disposed within the interior chamber and is located along the weld seam that joins the two body member halves of the construction block. A desiccant or insulation gas, or both can be disposed within the interior chamber of the block.