Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SPECIFICATION
This invention pertains to an article of commerce
in the form of a square which on one face of the square carries
a multiple of surfaces for the purpose of enhancing the visual
appearance of a wall, a floor, a ceiling, a roof or the like.
More particularly, this invention pertains to an article of
manufacture which is suitable for creating a number of
variations in visual appearance due to the almost
infinite variety of optical interplays of the various
surfaces, creating a great variety of visual effects and
optical illusions in three-dimensional space. Still further,
this invention pertains to a construction element which
employs lighted, shaded, and shadowed areas based on the
arrangement of these construction elements. The resul-t is
surfaces which intersect or present discontinuities creating
optical, visual effects ranging from extremely subtle to
starkly accentuated. These effects, at the same time,
optically present illusions which, upon further viewing,
change.
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BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION
In the construction of various surfaces to achieve
decorative effects, two- or three-dimensional surfaces have
been created such as on floor tiles. By varying the colors
of the various tiles and by changing the arrangement of the
size and/or orientation, various effects are achieved. For
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example, these effects range from the mosaic appearance, that
is, non-ordered, to completely ordered symmetrical effects.
Further, floor tiles have carried various patterns which have
created some optical illusions. For the most part, floor tiles
have been two-dimensional or have used color and contrast for
creating different appearances, i.e., such as in the Roman
mosaics and the like.
Further, three-dimensional visual effects have also
been created in these two~dimensional tiles, such as by
imparting variously alternating wavy lines giving the appearance
of a three-dimensional, wavy surface.
For facades, e.g., for buildings, walls, etcO, or for
interior surfaces, three-dimensional surfaces have been created
by having building blocks formed of three-dimensionally raised
and lowered surfaces or even hollow passages, thereby creating a
pleasing or striking visual appearance.
Furthermore, terra cotta construction has been
employed to give exquisite details to building facades.
Some of these have had a glazed surface which has created
iurther distinguishing features, such as in color and
light. -
In general, the three-dimensional repeating
structures tha-t have been created have found acceptance, but
for a single common element in the basic building or
construction element there have been limited possibilities
for creating a varied visual appearance attributable to the
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interplay of the light on the surfaces.
Still further, the limited application of the
interplay has been based on the difficulty in assembling
intricate, three-dimensional patterns, since it is difficult for
the worker or artist opt.ically to relate these patterns by
working with these in such a manner as not to commit errors in
~he assembling or errors when using the material in building a
st~ucture.
Although almost any surface reflects light, in a
manner, if it has a different angle of incidence from a
surface next to it, this effect can further be enhanced if
the intersections of these surfaces are presented in such a
form as to cause reflection, shadow, or shade refraction in
almost infinite varieties. To wit, this principle is being
used such as in cut glass, i.e., crystal manufacture and
shaping, and this principle has often been employed with
striking results, such as in the cut crystals or chandeliers
that employ this principle. However, the assembling of almost
an infinite variety of structures based;on only one or at
most two faces o~ a single element is not known to the
inventor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In construction and decoration and for enhancing
the appearance of a surface, namely~~a surface such as
a floor, ceiling or wall, be it interior or exterior, various
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visual appearances are now created by selecting a standard
element. This element is three-dimensional, and it relies on
creating visual effects and appearances based on the orientation
of a number of specifically related surfaces on one or two faces
of a square elemerlt For purposes of construction, almost an
infinite variety of surface appearances may be created by the
appropriate placement and orientation of a single square element
and its relationship to each adjoining or juxtapositioned square
elements, all of which are preferably in a pattern of a square
(although these may also be produced in multiples of the single
square element). Moreover, this invention pertains to the
discovery that these articles of manufacture may be varied
rom having a very subtle appearance to a very stark appearance
in terms of shaded, shadowed and lighted areas. When employing
two three-dimensional r opposite faces such as in glass blocks
or acrylic blocks, an added three-dimensional effect is
achieved.
By lighted areas it is meant, for the disclosed
element, areas on which the light impinges directly; by
shaded àreas it is meant where a diffused light plays on
a surface, and by shadowed areas it is meant areas where
a surface or a three-dimensional element either casts a
distinct shadow on another surface or surfaces,
This definition is employed with reference to
a single light source. When multiple light sources are
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directed on the exposed surfaces of the novel element, different
effects appear.
The visual appearance o~ the elements is such that
with different indicental liyht, there is a subtle and constant
interplay of the light striking the surfaces. These changes
occur in an almost kaleidoscopical manner as the light plays on
the surface of the novel element, for example, sunlight on the
exterior of the building as the sun ascends and descends during
the course of the day~
Furthermore, by having the surfaces arranged in almost
an infinite variety, a great number of patterns may be created
which may take on various effects as the light strikes each of
the patterns. Thus a domain may be created of these ~lements
arranged in one form, and adjacent to it a domain may be created
where the elements are arranged in another form. Be¢ause the
arrangement is based on a square element which has a number of
surfaces, the almost infinite variety of the domains are also
possible within an overall surface. At the same time, assembly
of these elements in each domain is very easy by appropriate
rotation, offsetting and juxtapositioning of these elements and
the finishing of the boundary regions.
Typically for the present invention, the elements
have equilateral sides and have five surfaces of which one
is in a plan view a square, and the others are fractions
of the same square, again in a plan view. Eurthermore, by
dividing this square with five surfaces in four sections~
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mirror image sections may be created which, upon orientation,
become identical. Two of these four subsections can then be
used to complete any border portion or boundary area of the
surface which needs to be completed. Moreover, also the
bisecting of the surface, that is by dividing the surface with a
straight line and creating two equal portions, a rectangular
section may be created which also my be used for completing the
boun
dary areas of a surface which is being finished with these
elements, such as for the above-mentioned different domains.
~ owever, for purposes of const~uction and ease of
assembling including the ready production, it has been found
most convenient to use a square element which has five surfaces
in plan view or the two subunits thereof that have four surfaces
in plall view. These and other variations and applications of
these surfaces will be further explained herein.
Still further, each of the surfaces for any given
application may be further distinguished by color reflection or
refraction properties of the surface o~r any combination of these
to achieve further the infinite varieties in which these
elements can be combined.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION,
THE EMBODIMENTS THEREOF AND THE DRAWINGS THEREOF
In pxesenting the invention and the various elements
thereof, the reference is made to the drawings, wherein:
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Figure 1 is an isometric view of a terra cotta facing
of the novel article;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the face of the terra
cotta article shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is an upper edge plan view of Figure 2 of the
article;
Figure 4 is a lower edge plan view of the article
shown in Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a plan view of the right-hand side of the
article shown in Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a plan view of the left-hand side of the
article shown in Figure 2;
Figure 7 is a bottom view of the article shown in
Figure l;
Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the article
shown along cross section lines 8-8 of Figure 2;
Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of the article
s~own along cross section lines 9-9 of the article in Figure 2;
Figure 10 illustrates the angular and equidistant
relationships of the various surfaces and points on the element
shown in Figure 1 and along cross sectional lines 10 of Figure .
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Figure ll shows a plan view of the article shown in
Figure 1 with the cross sectional lines 10 10 as an imaginary
line and 12-12 as another imaginary line which illustrate the
cross sections and the angular:rela~ionship and spatial
relationships for a novel article,
Figure 12 shows the cross sectional and spatial
relationship of the article shown in Figure 11 along cross
sectional lines 12 and the angles thereof, includinq the
distances thereof;
Figure 13 is an isometric view of a further embodiment
o this invention, namely--a concrete block;
Figure 14 is a top view of the block shown in Figure
13;
Figure 15 is a front plan vlew of the block shown in
Figure 13;
Figure 16 is a right-hand plan view of the block shown
in Figure 13;
Figure 17 is a left-hand plan view of the block shown
in Figure 13;
Figure 18 is a cross sectional view along lines 18 of
Figure 14;
Figure 19 is a cross sectional view of the block shown
in Figure 15 along cross sectional lines 19;
Figure 20 is an isometric vie~w of a glass construction
block; :~
Figure 21 is a plan view of one of the faces of the -
glass block shown in Figure 20;
Figure 22 is a plan view of the top edge shown in
Figure 20;
Figure 23 is a plan view of the bottom edge shown in :
Figure 20;
Figure 24 is a plan view of the left-hand side of the
article shown in Figure 20;
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7~65
Figure 25 is a right-hand plan view of the article
shown in Figure 20;
Figure 26 is a bottom view of the article shown in
Figure 20;
E'igure 27 is a cross sectional view along cross
sectional lines 27-27 of Figure 21;
Figure 28 is a cross sectional view along the cross
sectional line 28 of Figure 21.
As previously discussed, a terra cotta article of
manufacture has been shown in Figures 1 to 9. The principle for
the use of the decorative element has been explained in Figures
lO to 12. A concrete block embodiment has been shown in Figures
12 to 19, and a two-faced glass block in Figures 20 to 28.
The description of terra cotta materials is found
in publications such as Terra Cotta by Landmarks Preservation
Council of Illinois, 407 So. Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois
60605, 1984.
Olin et al., "Construction, Principles, Materials and
~ethods", 3rd Ed., The Institute of Financial Education,
Chicago, Illinois, 1975, describe concrete block, masonry wall,
and ceramic tile finishes, as well as glass block usage. Hence,
the description of the various materials from which the novel
element can be made may be found in literature readily
available.
Turning now to the Figures, Figure 1 is an
isometric view of the element 3 shown for purposes of
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illustration as a terra cotta facing suitable for a building
surface such as for an exterior building surface.
In Figure 2, the surfaces on the square element 3 are
five in number and have been labeled as 11 to 15.
In Figure 3, the relationship of these sur~aces is
illustrated by the following. Edge 16 defines the zero
elevation plane of the element; point 17 in Figure 1, and also
as indicated in Figures 2 and 3 and elsewhere in the drawings,
defines the minus one point of the element, and point 18 defines
the plus one point of the element 3. These may also be
expressed as planes, but as these are points these have been
labeled as such, i.e., 17 and 18. Thus line 16 deines the zero
elevation plane of the element 3 with point 16a, 17 and 18 being
in the middle of the square element 3 and equidistant from each
corner 7 for the respective points along the respective edges of
the element.
For example, for line 16 the point 16a is equidistant
from each of the corners of the element shown in Figure 1.
For easy understanding, all of the various points and
lines for each of the elements have been shown in each of the
figures with the same numbers and identified accordingly.
The plan view of the back surface of the terra
cotta facing shown in Figure 7 illustrates the typical
construction of a terra cotta facing with the rim 19
defining the surface which is abuttingly affixed to a wall
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and the backside of surfaces 11 to 15.
With reference to Figure 8, the same cross
section appears also along the section line 8-8 in
Figure 3, and the corresponding rim has been
identified as 19.
Although point 17 may rest directly on the surface
in terra cotta construction such as for anchoring purposes and
the like, the surfaces are raised by an adequate increment
such as illustrated by the distance identified with the numeral
21.
Turning now to Figures 3 and 4, ~f one of the two
elements 3 is rotated 180 degrees vis-a~vis another element
3, i.e., where point 18 of one coincides with point 17 of
the other element, then one o~ the elements 3 rotated and
placed on top of the other will form a square block, i.e.,
a top surface of one of the elements will matingly rest on
the top surface of the other and be secure for
transportation and storage. Consequently, these surfaces
may be readily protected vis-a-vis each other. For
transportation purposes, these lockingly interact and are thus
securedly moved from the suppply location or on the
construction site.
As these square elements are repeatable, the storage
and/or transportation advantages are readily apparent therefrom.
As it is clearly evident f~rom Figures 13 to 19/
element 3 may be part of a concrete block 6 as one face thereof,
or may be as thin as a floor tile.
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An angle alpha shown in Figure 10 thus may be from
almost zero (but not zero) to a maximum of tending towards 90.
For practical purposes, however, an anyle alpha
greater than 45 makes these blocks more difficult to
manufacture and/or transport. An angle alpha of 45 will
define a perfect cube for two blocks mated face to face if there
is no raised portion such as 21 illustrated in Figure 8. An
interior angle beta shown in Figure 13 on one edge of the
element is further used to define these blocks. For example,
for the block in which alpha is 45 on surface 22 shown in
Figure 1, the angle beta about point 18 is' 90. A complementary
angle 17a in Figure 5 for point 17 will, together with anqle
beta, define 360.
An embodiment which utilizes various
possibilities of an element where alpha is 45 and beta
is 90 will be further described herein.
Likewise an angle beta such as 120 around point
18 allows the formation of a series of hexagonal repeats
if the element 3 is placed on edge 22.
When these elements are placed on edge 22, thus
various other shapes may be obtained, for example for the
element where the angle alpha is 45 and the angle beta
about point 18 is 90, a square arrangement may be obtained.
These possibilities further enhance the ability of element 3
to function, not only when it is laid flat on its back
surface such as when it is laid on rim 19, but also when it
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is laid on edge 22. For this purpose, however, the point 17
must not be of~set, such as by the offset amount 21 shown
in Figure 8.
Turning now to the further description of the
element 3, when it is placed on a side such as shown in E'igure
10, the edge 22 as previously mentioned must be two units high
vis-a-vis the reference point 17. One of the intersection
points l~a thus defines one equal unit.
As it is evident from Figures 1 and 2, each of the
surfaces 11 to 15 may also carry different colored glazing
and/or different reflective coatings. Thus a multiple of
vaxiations are possible on each of the surfaces. An assembly
of these in a wide variety of combinations having an almost
infinite variety of surface texture possibilities are
evident.
Turning now to the previously mentioned
illustration where the angle alpha is ~5 and the angle beta
about point 18 is 90, when the element with such angles is
placed on edge 22, four of these blocks;will define in the
interior thereof a square in a plan view. That is, viewing
down from the top, the upper edges, that is the edge 23
opposite to edge 22, will form a square in the interior
surfaces thereof, defined each corner with point 17. The
figure will resemble a cross in the form of a "Red Cross".
Again, these assemblies can then be~used in a number of
runs such as on a wall or a ceiling. Accordingly, these
will form an appropriate wall covering projecting only towards
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the viewer a multiple of squares and a form of "Red Cross".
Similarly, when the angle beta that is about point 18
defines 120 and the elements are placed on the edge 22, then a
hexagonal will be formed by three of the elements and a series
of hexagonals will be formed with each assembly of three with a
hexagollal void space therebetween. The hexagonal void space
will be equivalent to two elements 3 placed back to back.
Consequently, if in the void space the two elements
are placed back to back, that is, where points 17 are against
each other and points 18 are opposite to each other, a void
space precursor for a hexagonal is partially formed with the
adjacent hexagonal three element unit.
As it is evident from the above discussion, these
varieties then provide a great freedom for creating surface
effects with elements that function both as building blocks, as
decorative tiles, glass blocks or floor tiles and the like. For
floor tiles, the angle of alpha in Figure 10, of course, will be
very small, and the floor tile surface may then appropriately be
filled to make a rectangular flat shape~after it has been laid.
On surfaces 11 to 15, when an epoxy or polyurethane polymer is
used to cover these, it creates a flat and pleasing yet visually
three-dimensional effect. These tiles may be pre-formed with
epoxy coating or the epoxy resin may be poured in place.
. A further illustration in Figures 20 to 28 has been
shown for a glass block with two oppo~ite faces. These are
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useful for cons~ruction of separations and for creating various
light effects. Typically glass blocks are hollow and are made
in two parts. Thereafter the two parts are joined together.
Edge rim 19 shown in Figure 27 in relation to spacing 21
likewise shown in Figure 27, for the glass blocks may be of the
appropria-te dimensions to make the two-sided glass block 9 of
the selected thickness depending on the load bearing necessity.
Of course, when the two-sided arrangements such as for glass
block 6 are used in hot pressing or forming transparent or
initial plastic sheets, the pressings allow production and
assembly (in various configurations) of plastic sheets of square
configuration and of great variety, again for the reason that
all repeat units will be of the same size. Boundary conditions
as previously described may also be employed.
Thus while previously some of these effects have been
sought to be achieved with two-dimensional elements, the present
invention allows the achievement of three-dimensional surfaces
with far greater optical vibrancy and optically pleasing
appearances which can be tailored from the most subtle to stark
and contrasting and visually having a tremendous impact on the
viewer. The further advantage of the various optical illusions
that can now be created three-dimensionally provide great
freedom in selecting, not only for the appropriate light
conditions the incidence of the light, but creating an enormous
variety in surfaces which heretofore have been rather
uninteresting.
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Various arrangements of these elements, if
photographed with light at differen-t incidence and different
viewer location, produce strikingly beautiful surface effects.
These photographs, especially if taken in black and white where
only a white element 3 is used, or in color where different
colors and elements are used, point out beautifully the
interaction of these elements with light.
Thus in the creation of these eEfects, great use is
made of the surfaces themselves such as surfaces ll to 15, the
surface intersections, because of the different angular
relationship of the surfaces to the other at varying angles
alpha and beta, and the offsetting of the various elements
vis-a-vis others to introduce surface discontinuities. By
surface discontinuities is meant a surface which vis-a-vis its
next adjoining surface has a 90 intersection with the base of
the element 3 laid on the surface sought to be covered.
In addition to the above illustrations when the half
or quarter elements are used for finishing edges or boundaries,
these may also be used to make a transi;tion from a pattern to a
pattern for a domain of different patterns.
In the finishing operation, the one quarter of the
tile elements are best used for that`purpose because these are
symmetrical about lines 24 or lines 25 shown in Figures 1 and 2.
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The material which may be use~ully employed for
this purpose may be ceramic materials, plaster of Paris,
fiberglass, resin or polymers such as acrylics, polyesters,
reinforced resins, metals such as steel, aluminum and the
like which may be further surface coated. Ceramic -tiles
may be fired to further use these ei-ther in their fired s-tate
or with glazes and with a variety of colors for the glazes.
Similarly, plaster of Paris may be used in
natural form or painted or surface treated and the like.
As previously mentioned, the floor tiles may be of
ceramic bottom and epoxy top, giving a -translucent solid top
and a solid bottom, where the surfaces of 11 to 15 may be of
any color. Thereafter these may be laid in epoxy and the
seams finished wih epoxy resin and the like.
Decorative paneling may also be obtained
accordingly which may be also fiberglass, reinforced plastic,
as well as metal and steel aluminum. These materials may
be made in various sizes to suit the various conditions.
The materials may also be hollow, such as the terra
cotta illustration shown in Figures 1 to 9 and the glass
blocks of Figures 20 to 28, and again of various sizes such
as from two inches to two feet when used as exterior
decorating surface elements for walls. Similarly, metals
such as steel or aluminum as well as fiberglass,
reinforced plastics, vinyls, ABS and the like may be used as
suitable for interior or exterior applications. For transparent
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effects as well, polyacrylic resins or glass and the like may
be employed. For example, acrylic and glass material may
be in any color or shading. These blocks are illustrated by
those embodiments shown in Figures 13 to 19 and Figures 20 to
28.
Load bearing exterior or interior decorative blocks
are likewise used, such as concrete blocks 6 shown in Figures
l~ to 20, with the surface being as defined for the elements
above and the spacing 21 as shown in Figure 8 being of the
necessary thickness for the load bearing purposes. These
may be hollow or solid, but preferably with hollows 6a
as it is well known, and these may be natural, painted or
glazed, such as when made from various forms of concrete
described by Olin et al., supra. Again, the sizes of these are
typically varied such as for the concrete blocks 6 within the 8
by 8 by 8 specification, or any other variation as long as the
requisite unit relationship obtains for the surface of it which
is exposed to a viewer.
Further possibilities exist such as for roof
coverings and other coverings or claddings and the
varieties as previously mentioned. Other possibilities exist in
providing toy and game blocks for entertaining children, such as
made from plastic, ABS plastic and the like.
Although these illustrations are indicative,
there are many other variations, and the invention as -
disclosed herein is applicable to these variations without
restricting the same to any particular embodiment.
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