Abstract: A decorative partition or like curtain wall structure is disclosed which can be formed by stacking a number of elementary glass blocks within a generally rectangular supporting frame. Each glass block has at least top and bottom faces contoured correspondingly for interfitting engagement with similar faces of the upper and lower blocks. The opposite lateral faces of each block may also be contoured correspondingly for interengagement with similar lateral faces of the blocks on both sides. Vertical bracing rods can be used to increase the stability of the glass blocks.

Abstract: A building structure which utilizes logs or timbers of readily available dimensions. A plurality of timbers are horizontally disposed in parallel, vertically spaced relationship to form wall sections. Intermediate each pair of adjacent horizontal timbers there is a pair of convex panels of flexible synthetic resinous material, symmetrically disposed about the vertical axis. Upper and lower edges of each panel are inserted into oblique panel-receiving slots provided in the upper and lower surfaces of each horizontal timber. The panels are preferably inserted after assembly of the timbers and support no direct load. Insulating material is placed between each pair of panels. The panels may be inserted during or after assembly of overlapping end surfaces of timbers of end-adjacent vertical walls. If desired, insulating material may be inserted in the confined zone between panels and successive logs.

Abstract: A novel decorative ceiling comprising:1. a grid of T-bar runners and cross members,2. a flat horizontal rigid plastic sheet, preferably having a pattern of areas transmissive to light and areas opaque to light, the edges of which rest on said T-bars,3. a source of illumination in the plenum above said grid,4. adhesively joined to said sheet and extending downwardly from transmissive areas, a plurality of plastic cells having planar sides, said cells being open at their bottom ends, the planar sides of adjoining cells being spaced apart by a distance at least equal to the width of the horizontal portion of said T-bars.Also, the subcombination, adapted to be supported at its edges by T-bars, comprising:1. a flat horizontal rigid plastic sheet having a pattern of areas transmissive to light and areas opaque to light the edges of which rest on said T-bars,2.

Abstract: A window portion is interposed between the incident light and a heat absorbing portion and at least one of the heat absorbing and window portions has a plurality of spaced apart reflecting surfaces, separate ones of which face each other and transmit the incident light by multiple reflections to the heat absorbing portion. In at least one embodiment, these opposed reflecting surfaces converge in the direction of light travel from the window portion to the heat absorbing portion and infrared reflecting means are interposed between the window portion and the heat absorbing portion to return infrared light emitted by the heat absorbing portion back to the heat absorbing portion.

Abstract: Shaped articles such as doors, internal partitions and other building elements, are composed of a cellular thermoplastic material, and have at least one integral non-cellular transparent or translucent panel. The thermoplastic material is preferably a water-extended polymer, and may contain a colouring agent dispersed therethrough, e.g. a dye or pigment, or may be printed. The panels may be embossed to provide a visible decoration. Compared with equivalent articles having separately glazed panels as previously known, the present integral panels remove the need to fit and secure separate panes, e.g. of glass, during assembly, they provide a more unified appearance, and give designers greater scope in enabling them to incorporate panel shapes which would previously have been impossible or uneconomic to use.

Abstract: A hollow building block of transparent material comprises four perpendicular walls defining a rectangle, and a partition wall extending obliquely with respect to a plane at right angles to said perpendicular walls, said partition wall forming a boundary of a hollow space within said building block for containing liquid and the arrangement being such that when said hollow space is partially filled with a transparent liquid, light incident upon one of said perpendicular walls of the block can be reflected through said block by total internal reflection at a portion of said oblique wall immersed in said liquid.