Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~5~
A SUPPORT BRACKET
FT~T.n OF ~IR INVRNTION
THIS INVENTION relates to a glass block wall and in particular to a
support bracket used in the construction of a glass block wall.
~RIEF SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention employs a support assembly utilising channels
formed in glass bricks of the type made from two hollow halves welded together
and wherein a separation strip or frame element is located between adjacent glass
bricks. The separation strip or frame element has opposed longitudinally
extending beading locating the separation strip in the channels of said adjacentglass bricks, the separation strip being supported at its end by a bracket
telescopically engaging the separation strip.
In one embodiment the bracket employs a plurality of fingers adapted to
project into a hollow portion of the separation strip to thereby support the
separation strip at a predetermined orientation relative to a main frame member.In a further embodiment the bracket includes a plurality of fingers adapted
to straddle the separation strip thereby projecting into the channels of adjacent
glass bricks with fingers projecting into the channels above and below the
separation strip. The fingers are typically about the same thickness as the beading
so that the fingers locate flush or below the beading in the separation strips.
Typically two fingers are positioned on either side of the separation strip, thefingers protruding generally at 90 to the bracket body, the bracket body being
generally planar and being adapted to be fastened to a wall, frame or the like.
Preferably, the bracket includes a marker or position indicating means so
the bracket can be located at a pl~dt~ "";"ed position so that the separation strip
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supported by the bracket is positioned generally at 90 to the wall or support to
which the bracket is fitted.
Typically, the separation strip is self locating in a channel of the glass
bricks and includes a hollow into which support member fingers project.
In one application the present invention is used in a glass block fire wall
comprising a plurality of glass blocks forming a wall, frame elements separatingadjacent glass blocks, the frame elements being made from a fire resistant
material, typically a ~u~ d fibrous cement with the frame elements being
supported by brackets.
Typically horizon~al and vertical frame elements are employed in the wall.
The frame elements are preferably elongate prefabricated compressed
fibrous cement strips having channels or recesses in opposite faces thereof. Thestrips are typically medially bulged in shape having relatively narrow edges so
that in profile the strips taper toward their edges.
Preferably the strips are secured in position using brackets having fixed end
sockets with opposite ends of the strips plugging into respective sockets. The
sockets are preferably carried on mounting brackets or plates secured to a support
by fasteners. The bracket ûr plate preferably includes an aperture forming the
socket or the socket can be formed as a projecting ring-~ike member shrouding
a marginal end portion of the strip.
The glass block fire wall preferably includes three separate materials
applied between the blocks, firstly a fire-proof silicon or equivalent is applied as
a bedding in a space between each block and the framing strip and then grouting
in the form of a fire rated sealant or equivalent is used between blocks adjacent
` ~ 215~94~
the respective edges of the framing strips.
The glass block wall is typically built up with a peripheral gap which is
later filled with a fire-proof materiai. Preferably a polyurethane expanding foam
or fire-proof ceramic fibre blanket designed to absorb expansion and contraction
5 is compacted into the gap around the glass block wall, then the gap is sealed with
fire rated sealant.
In another aspect the present invention resides in a glass block wall frame
element supported by a bracket comprising a strip of ~ d fibrous cement
or functional equivalent, the strip preferably having opposed tapered marginal
10 edge portions and being medially bulged and having opposite faces including
channels or recesses extending longitudinally therein and being telescopically
retained by the bracket.
In another aspect the invention resides in an anchor bracket for a frame
element of a glass block wal~, the bracket having a socket adapted to support an
15 end portion of a framing strip against transverse movement. The socket is
prefelably shaped to correspond with the cross-sectional shape of the framing
strip.
IN TT~ nRAWIN~5
In order that the present invention can be more readily understood and be
20 put into practical effect referenoe will now be made to the accompanying
drawings and wherein:-
Figure 1 is a part construction of a glass block wall according to thepresent invention;
Figures 2 to ~ are sections illustrating typical embodiments of the
21~69~2
invention;
Figure 5 is a completed glass block wall;
Figure 6 is a front view of a typical bracket; and
Figure 7 is a side view of the bracket of Figure 6 also showing assembly
5 details in phantom.
Figures 8 to 10 illustrate a further embodiment of the present invention;
and
Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a still further embodiment of the present
inven~ion .
DES~RTPTION OF A 5pE(~TFIc F~ oDJM~T
Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 there is illustrated a glassblock wall 10 shown partially completed and employing a plurality of glass
blocks 11 forming the wall. The frame elements 12 are made from milled
compressed fibrous cement, are positioned between the blocks and are secured
15 in place at their ends using anchor brackets 13 screwed or otherwise fastened to
a wall or frame as shown in Figure 1.
As can be seen in Figure 1 the brackets 13 include a projecting socket
portion 14 and the framing elements 12 fit neatly into the projecting socket
portion 14. The projecting socket portion 14 in use creates a gap at 15 between
20 the peripheral glass blocks and the wall and this gap must be fiiled. Likewise
grouting is applied between the glass blocks.
Referring now to Figures 2 to 4 there is illustrated in section various
different shaped separation strips 12, and as is evident from Figures 2, 3 and 4 a
layer of silicon is applied at 17 between the glass blocks and the strips. This
42
layer of silicon assists in bonding the strips to the glass blocks and therefore resists
cracking of the layer between the glass blocks and the strips should a fire cause
expansion of the wall. A fire-retardant sealant is employed as grouting at 16.
A full glass block fire wall is shown in Figure 5. As can be seen a
peripheral gap is formed at 15 and this is filled. Preferably this is filled according
to the description set out above.
Referring to Figures 6 and 7 an alternative bracket is illustrated and as can
be seen the bracket is made up of a plate 13 and a hollow ring section 14 havinga peripheral roll 18, the ring section being made separately of the plate so it fits
into position shown in Figure 7.
Referring to Figures 8 to 10 there is illustrated a separation strip 25 having
tapered marginal edges 26 and 27 and shoulders 28 and 29 so that the separation
strip can automatically locate in channels of commonly available glass bricks.
The separation strip 25 is hollow in that it includes two chambers 30 and 31
adapted to take fingers 32 and 33 of bracket 34 so that the separation strip 25 can
be suitably aligned in relation to a frame 35 and glass bricks 36.
A pointer 37 is employed on bracket 34 so the bracket can be centrally
located relative to the support 35.
Referring to Figure 11, there is illustrated a glass brick wall 200 .ur,,,~,, i~;
a plurality of glass bricks 201, the glass bricks 201 being supported by separation
strips 202 carrying beading 203 and being held in place by brackets 204, the
brackets 204 having projecting fingers 205 which are adapted to extend into
channels 206 of the glass bricks 201 so the fingers 205 are disposed between theseparation strips and the glass bricks.
21~gA~
This can be see in more detail in Figure 12 where like numerals have been
used to illustrate like features.
As can be seen the bracket 204 includes a plate section 207 secured to a
timber frame 208 by a pair of screws 209 and 210, the bracket 204 being located
in place by aligning the pointer portion 210 with a locating line 212 drawn on
the timber frame 208. This enables the bracket 204 to be located in the proper
position so that the separation strip 202 ~shown in phantom~ is automatically
positioned correctly due to the position of the projecting fingers 205. As can be
seen, the fingers 205 have been positioned to straddle the end 213 on the
separation strip 202.
In the case illustrated the fingers 205 are just thick enough so that they do
not extend above the beading on the separation strip 202 so that they fit fl,ush and
are positioned between the separation strip and the adjaoent glass bricks without
interfering with the positioning of the glass bricks in the glass brick wall.
The brackets 204 are typically made from sheet metal stamped into the
general shape illustrated in Figure 12.
Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of
the present invention, many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent
to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of
the invention as herein set forth.
