Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a specially configured, extruded
molding for use with glass block building materials. This
invention relates to my copending application Serial No. 332,297,
filed March 31, 1989, now U.S. Patent No. 5,014,471, issued, 14 May
1991. The embodiment disclosed herein comprises an alternate
embodiment to those disclosed in the reference application and
patent. In particular, the molding is used for glass block
structures, especially where mortared glass block are set in wood
1G frame structures and it is desired that the exterior wall surface
be flush with exterior surface of the glass block structure.
The recent popularity of glass block for exterior walls,
windows, room dividers and other more innovative structures has
provided new challenges in integrating the masonry structures into
existing or new buildings. Because of the increased use of glass
block in home building, particular methods of adaptation must be
employed since home building is largely of wood frame construction.
Since glass block structures are not load bearing and are
extensively used for external windows and wall sections, the glass
block structure must be encased by a means that prevents water
intrusion. Prior to this invention, a simple sheet metal channel
has been employed around the perimeter of the glass block structure
as an interface between the masonry materials and conventional wood
framing. While the channel isolates the glass block masonry
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structure from the wood frame, it does not prevent water from
seeping under the channel resulting in damage to the supporting
wood structure.
Additionally, the increased use of glass block in
interior design has resulted in structures that are innovative,
such as glass wall partitions, low rising dividers, door transoms,
and walk-way walls and the like. Frequently, the glass block wall
structure must be incorporated into the frame construction building
by a means that is both functional, attractive and structurally
sound. Since most interior walls are constructed with two by four
studs that are covered with sheet rock, an attractive trim that can
be interposed between the glass block structure and the framing
wall is desirable. In such situations, the weather flash also
provides a flange for convenient seating and securing of the frame
structure to the rough wood casement of the wall. The frame
structure of this invention can be used with finish caps to finish
exposed sides of the block structure and can also be use with
anchor straps for securing the molding frame to the motared block
panels.
The direct contact of wood materials to masonry
structures is preferably to be avoided. Furthermore, a molding
member that can accommodate glass block of the two different
standard widths would be useful in both interior and exterior
environments. The molding can also be used with new plastic block
that is a light-weight counterfeit of glass block with particular
application in light-weight room dividers.
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These and other conditions in the construction of glass
block structures have presented certain difficulties requiring more
adequate solutions. Molding that is specially designed for masonry
block would be useful to the construction industry. The extrusion
moldings invented have been devised to solve the problems of
incorporating glass block structures into new and existing
buildings, particularly buildings that are of wood frame
construction.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The uniquely configured extruded molding of this
invention comprises a specialty trim for seating and framing glass
masonry block in both interior and exterior environments.
The extruded molding devised when used in an exterior
environment includes a combination weather flashing and nailing
flange which prevents seepage of water behind the molding. Seepage
of water invariably results in damage to the structure supporting
or framing a glass block masonry structure. The molding devised
both isolates the masonry structure from direct contact with the
frame structure and secures the molding to the frame structure by
a means that insures weather proofing.
The extruded molding when used for the interior
environment provides a uniform wallboard trim and provides a
convenient nailing flange for securing the frame structure and
contained block structure in a rough wall frame.
The molding is useful for masonry buildings or wood
building and is particularly designed as an attractive encasement
trim where the trim serves a functional as well as ornamental
purpose.
The extruded molding is preferably of an inexpensive and
non-corrosive metal such as aluminum which may be finished with an
anodized or coated surface as is customary for aluminum glazing
extrusions. The molding preferably is fabricated in standard rigid
lengths, for example, twenty feet, and has a uniform cross section
along its length. The cross section for purposes of description
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is divided into multiple elements, but it is to be understood that
the elements are integrally formed as a unitary structure during
formation of the extrusion.
The molding is formed with a wide, flat, base element
with outside edges having perpendicular, flat, side elements
projecting from a seating surface on the side of the base element
that abuts the glass block structure. The base element and side
elements form a channel. The base element is sized to accommodate
the width of a block when seated within the channel against an
insulation pad of synthetic rubber, fiberglass or closed cell foam.
Channels of different width accommodate block of the various
standard widths. The base element in one embodiment includes a
pair of bracket elements in the seating surface of the molding to
engage and retain the tongue segment of an anchor strap. The
anchor straps are particularly useful in retaining a prefabricated
panel of blocks and the molding frame.
The opposite side of the base element has a backing
surface that includes at least two screw slots to allow mitered
ends of common molding to be fastened together by self-threading
screws during assembly of an encasement frame. The screw slots and
the bracket elements provide stiffening to the moldings and the
underside support surface that interfaces the building structure.
by use of the molding, a pre-formed encasement can be constructed
which forms a straight uniform border for the block structure and
an accurate guide for block placement during assembly of the block
wall structure. For smaller structures or structures using light-
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weight plastic block, the block can be assembled within the
frame prior to placement of the frame in the building structure.
The extrusion of this invention provides the building with
the necessary materials for efficient and attractive encasement
and trim of glass block masonry structures in both interior and
exterior environments.
In one aspect, the present invention provides an extruded
molding adapted to form a perimeter frame around wall structures
of glass masonry block, in combination with a flat anchor strap
having a bent tab end, the anchor strap being used for anchoring
mortared block to this molding, the molding comprising a
unitary, elongated extrusion formed with a wide flat base
element having a seating side and a backing side, the base
element having further, outside edges with flat side elements
projecting from the seating side at the outside edges of the
base element, perpendicular to the base element, wherein a
single channel is formed in which a glass block structure having
a standard width is adapted to be seated, wherein the base
element has a flat flash means for preventing seepage of water
behind the molding and for securing the molding to a building
structure having an exterior facing material with a predefined
thickness, wherein the flash means comprises a nailing flange
arranged perpendicular to the base element projecting from the
backing side of the base element, the nailing flange being
arrangeable against a frame member of a building structure for
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attachment thereto by securing means when the molding is
supported against the building structure, the nailing
flange being displaced a distance from one of the side
elements wherein the facing material when applied over the
nailing flange is substantially flush with the side
element, wherein the base element includes screw receptacle
means for interconnecting mitered ends of the extruded
molding in forming a molding frame, and wherein the base
element has an anchor strap retaining means engaging and
retaining the flat anchor strap, wherein the anchor strap
retaining means comprises a pair of opposed, spaced bracket
elements in the seating side of the base element wherein a
slot is formed that engages the bent tab end of the anchor
strap.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided
an extruded molding adapted to form a perimeter frame
around wall structures of glass masonry block having an
edge of standard width; the molding comprising a unitary,
elongated extrusion formed with a wide flat base element
having a seating side and a backing side, the base element
having further, outside edges with flat side elements
projecting from the seating side at the outside edges of
the base element, perpendicular to the base element,
wherein a single channel is formed in which a glass block
structure having a standard width is adapted to be seated,
wherein the flat side elements at each of the outside edges
of the base element are of an equal height sized to contain
an insulation pad and the edge of the standard width glass
block with the side elements being located sufficiently
proximate the glass block for sealing between the glass
block and the side elements with a sealant bead when the
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glass block is seated on an insulation pad between the flat
side elements, wherein the base element has a flat flash
means for preventing seepage of water behind the molding
and for securing the molding to a building structure having
an exterior facing material with a predefined thickness,
wherein the flash means comprises a nailing flange arranged
perpendicular to the base element projecting from the
backing side of the base element, the nailing flange being
arrangeable against a frame member of a building structure
for attachment thereto by securing means when the molding
is supported against the building structure, the nailing
flange being displaced from one of the side elements a
distance substantially equal to the thickness of the facing
material wherein the facing material when applied over the
nailing flange is subsequently flush with the side element,
and wherein the base element includes screw receptacle
means for interconnecting mitered ends of the extruded
molding in forming a molding frame.
In another aspect of the invention there is provided
an extruded molding adapted to form a perimeter frame
around wall structures of a plurality of glass masonry
blocks, each having an edge of standard width, the molding
comprising a unitary, elongated extrusion formed with a
wide flat base element having a seating side and a backing
side, the base element having further, outside edges with
flat side elements projecting from the seating side at the
outside edges of the base element, perpendicular to the
base element, wherein a single channel is formed in which
each glass block structure having a standard width is
adapted to be seated, wherein the flat side elements at
each of the outside edges of the base element are of an
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equal height sized to contain an insulation pad and each
edge of each standard width glass block with the side
elements being located sufficiently proximate each glass
block for sealing between each glass block and the side
elements with a sealant bead when each glass block is
seated on an insulation pad between the flat side elements,
wherein the base element has a flat flash means for
preventing seepage of water behind the molding and for
securing the molding to a building structure having an
exterior facing material with a predefined thickness,
wherein the flash means comprises a nailing flange arranged
perpendicular to the base element projecting from the
backing side of the base element, the nailing flange being
arrangeable against a frame member of a building structure
for attachment thereto by securing means when the molding
is supported against the building structure, the nailing
flange being displaced from one of the side elements a
distance substantially equal to the thickness of the facing
material wherein the facing material when applied over the
nailing flange is subsequently flush with the side element,
and wherein the base element includes screw receptacle
means for interconnecting mitered ends of the extruded
molding in forming a molding frame.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an end segment of an
alternate configuration of the exterior molding of this invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the molding of
Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the molding of
Fig. 1 in a typical building structure.
Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of an end segment of
an alternate configuration of the exterior molding of this
invention.
Fig. 5 is a partial side elevational view of a typical
panel anchor bent for installation in the molding of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a detail view of a frame corner of two
molding segments of the type of Figs. 1 and 4.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
One preferred embodiment of the extruded molding of this
invention is shown in Figs. 1-3 and is designated by the reference
numeral 170. This molding is designed for use in flush wall
structures where it is desired to position glass or plastic block,
such as the "thin-line" block 172 of Fig. 3, flush with the wall
surface 174. The molding 172 comprises a channel structure 176
having a wide, substantially flat base element 178 with a top
seating surface 180 and a bottom backing surface 182 with edges 184
having raised flat side elements 186, and a projecting finish bead
187. The channel structure has a flat flash member 188 projecting
from the bottom backing surface 182 perpendicular to the base
element 178. The side elements 186 and flash member 188 are plate-
like in construction, and are arranged in parallel planes to one
another, and run the length of the molding.
As shown in Fig. 3, the block is seated between the side
elements 186 on a filler base 190 that may be of an expansion
composition such as a synthetic rubber mastic. This enables a
block structure framed with the molding to have a different
coefficient of thermal expansion than the preferred aluminum of the
molding. The space between the block and the side elements 186 is
filled with a conventional sealant bead 192 of a material such as
butyl rubber, a synthetic rubber, that adheres well to glass and
metal and provides an expansion seal when cured. The base element
178 seats on a cripple stud 194 forming part of the structural
casement 195 into which a frame, formed of molding segments that
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are mitered and joined, is installed. The base element includes
screw slots 196 for fastening mitered corners together. The screw
slots 196 provide a screw receptacle means for conveniently
interconnecting mitered ends of the extruded molding when forming
a frame. The base element also includes guide grooves 198 for
securing the molding to a structural casement using nails 200 and
the flash member of the molding is also secured by nails 200 to the
encasement. The flash member has a break-off notch 199 for
removing the flash member when the molding is used without the
flash member. Additionally, screws or other fasteners can be used.
The structural casement is covered on the inside by
conventional wallboard 201 and on the outside with a vapor barrier
202, screen 204 and a stucco coating 206. Other facing material
may of course be used. The setback of the flash member 188 from
the edge 184 of the channel structure 176 at the exterior side of
the wall 209 enables the exterior wall to be substantially flush
with the glass block.
Referring now to Fig. 4, an alternate embodiment of the
extruded molding, designated generally in Fig. 4 as reference
numeral 210, is shown mounted on the_same type structural casement
195, into which a frame 212 (shown in part) is installed for
framing a panel 213 of glass block 172 (one shown). A frame 212
is formed by mitering the ends 214 of molding segments 216 and
joining the ends together with screws 263 as shown in the detail
of Fig. 6.
The casement 195 includes a cripple stud 194 on which the
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molding 210 is seated. The casement 195 is finished with a vapor
barrier 202, screen 204 and a stucco coating 206 on the outside and
sheetrock wall 201 on the inside capped with a sheet metal corner
strip 220.
The molding 210 is similarly constructed to the molding
170 of Fig. 1 and has a channel structure 221 with a wide,
substantially flat base element 222 with a top seating surface 224
and a bottom backing surface 226 with outside edges 228 having
raised flat side elements 230 with a projecting finish bead 232.
The channel structure 221 has a flat flash member 231 projecting
from the bottom backing surface 226 perpendicular to the base
element 222. The flash member 231 is perpendicular to the base
element 222 and parallel to the side elements 230 and' forms a
nailing flange to secure the molding 212 to the casement 195 with
nails 200.
To insure that a block panel 213 is secured to a frame
212 fabricated from the molding 210, the base element 222 includes
a pair of opposed brackets 234 in the top seating surface 224
forming a slot 225 into which a bent end tab 236 of one or more
panel straps 238 is installed.
Each panel strap 238 is preferably stamped from 20 gage,
galvanized steel sheet and has a repetitive, hourglass
configuration. This configuration enables the strap to be bent at
a constriction 240 to form the end tab 236 that can be placed
between the two brackets 234 and twisted 90°to the locking position
shown in Fig. 4. Once in the slot, the panel strap 238 can be slid
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into position against the side of a block 172 before the next
adjacent block is mortared in place. The strap 238 has a
corrugated profile as shown in Fig. 5 and includes a series of
holes 242, 244, and 246 allowing flow-through of mortar to improve
the anchoring effect with the holes 244 and 246, also providing the
optional means for securing the strap 238 to the molding by short
screws 248 through the brackets 234 or long screws 249 through the
base element 222 into the casement 195 for additionally securing
the molding to the casement structure.
Straps 238 are generally used between every other block
and are approximately a foot in length. Customerily, the integrity
of the remaining block panel, displaced from the frame is provided
by reinforcing wire in track-like segments placed between motared
block.
The blocks are seated on an elastomer pad 250 and sealed
with a sealant bead 252 over a glazing tap 254. The molding 212
is similarly sealed with a sealant bead 256 on the juncture with
the corner finish strip 220 as shown.
The base element 222 is preferably configured with a foot
258 between brackets 234 on the bottom backing surface 226 with
additional support toes 260 to elevate the brackets 234 and screw
slots 262 such that mitered ends will provide enough bite for
interconnecting screws 263 threaded into the screw slots 262 and
into the slot 264 formed by the bracket 234, where additional
fastening is required, as shown in dotted line in Fig. 6.
The block panel can either be prefabricated with the
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frame formed from molding segments and installed as a unit in the
building structure casement, or, the frame can be installed in the
casement with block set on site.
The molding member is suited for use in interior
structures as well as exterior structures and is ideal for use with
new clear block fabricated from plastic compositions for light-
weight structures such as room dividers in homes and offices.
The various moldings shown and described can be used in
a variety of different structures which incorporate the use of
glass building block. The example of typical structures shown
herein is not intended to limit the types of block structure that
can be constructed for advantageous incorporation of the moldings
described.
While, in the foregoing, embodiments of the present
invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the
purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may
be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may
be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and
principles of the invention.
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