BUILDING BLOCK ASSEMBLY SYSTEM

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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. As shown throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a corner portion of a block assembly according to one particular embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a portion of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the sill member and one of the horizontal internal framing members of the assembly shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken through a jamb member of the assembly shown in FIG. 1.

Claims

1. A block assembly, comprising: a plurality of first framing members each having a first longitudinal axis;a plurality of second framing members each having a second longitudinal axis; said first longitudinal axis being substantially perpendicular to said second longitudinal axis such that said first and second framing members together form a grid including a plurality of openings;a plurality of blocks, each of said blocks being received within a respective one of said openings; anda plurality of support rods, each of said support rods being inserted through a respective one or more of said first framing members along the first longitudinal axis of each of the one or more of said first framing members and being inserted through each of said second framing members.

2. The block assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said first framing members has at least two of said support rods inserted therethrough.

3. The block assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said support rods is inserted through a respective two or more of said first framing members.

4. The block assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said second framing members is provided in between respective first ones of said first framing members and respective second ones of said first framing members.

5. The block assembly according to claim 1, wherein said blocks are glass blocks.

6. The block assembly according to claim 1, wherein said blocks are plastic blocks.

7. The block assembly according to claim 1, wherein said blocks are masonry blocks.

8. The block assembly according to claim 1, further comprising one or more flanges provided along at least a portion of the perimeter of said block assembly.

9. The block assembly according to claim 1, wherein said one or more flanges are adapted to be received in a framing system normally intended to receive flat glass.

10. The block assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said support rods has a first threaded end and a second threaded end, and wherein a first nut is provided on each first threaded end and a second nut is provided on said second threaded end.

11. The block assembly according to claim 10, wherein each said first nut, each said second nut and said support rods bind said first framing members, said second framing members and said blocks together.

12. The block assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a first jamb member provided at a first outer side of said assembly, a second jamb member provided at a second outer side of said assembly opposite said first outer side, a sill member provided at a third outer side of said assembly, and a head member provided at a fourth outer side of said assembly opposite said third outer side.

13. The block assembly according to claim 12, wherein each of said support rods is inserted through said first jamb member and said second jamb member.

14. The block assembly according to claim 12, wherein one or more of said first jamb member, said second jamb member, said sill member, and said head member each include one or more flanges adapted to be received in a framing system intended to receive flat glass.

15. The block assembly according to claim 1, wherein each joint between each adjacent ones of said blocks is between about one-eighth of an inch and about one-half of an inch wide.

16. The block assembly according to claim 15, wherein the joint between each adjacent ones of said blocks is sealed with a sealant.

17. The block assembly according to claim 16, wherein said sealant is silicone.

18. The block assembly according to claim 8, further comprising a non-metallic material provided adjacent to said one or more flanges to resist thermal transfer from a weathering side of said one or more flanges to the interior of said block assembly.

19. The block assembly according to claim 18, wherein said non-metallic material is urethane or another plastic material.

20. The block assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a non-metallic material provided adjacent to each of said one or more flanges to resist thermal transfer from each of said one or more flanges to an interior of said block assembly.

21. The block assembly according to claim 20, wherein said non-metallic material is urethane or another plastic material.

22. The block assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first framing members are oriented in a horizontal manner and said second framing members are oriented in a vertical manner.

23. The block assembly according to claim 12, wherein said sill member includes at least one hole which is positioned to allow water which has accumulated in a cavity provided in said sill member to seep out the bottom of the assembly.