US5079886A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Decorative panel
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-05-21
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Granted: 1992-01-14
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Expires: 2010-05-21
Abstract
Abstract A decorative panel which simulates the exposed surfaces of installed glass blocks. The panel, which is transparent, semi-transparent or translucent, has a variety of configurations simulating various combinations of 2", 3", 4", 6", and 12" glass blocks such that an installation of the panels in adjacent relationship can be adapted on-site to provide almost any rectangular planar area with the glass block effect. Each of the panels is adhesively secured to an existing planar glass surface therebeneath. A layer of air trapped between each of the relatively thin panels and the underlying glass surface provides a thermal barrier for insulating purposes. The underside of the panels can be tinted, frosted, etched or sculpted whereby a window containing the underlying glass surface is rendered translucent, providing visual security. A modified embodiment of the decorative panel is constructed of solid transparent, semi-transparent or translucent material for applications where the insulating air layer is not required or where a solid bordering edge is needed around an installation using panels having the insulating air layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary L. Downs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:17
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04F; E04F13/00; E04F13/07; E04F13/08; E04F13/0871; B; B44; B44F; B44F1/00; B44F1/06; B44F1/063; E06; E06B; E06B3/00; E06B3/04; E06B3/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
346 words
A device for providing visual security for an existing, transparent glass pane having a planar glass surface, said device providing the pane with the appearance of a plurality of installed existing glass blocks wherein the existing glass blocks have a characteristic coloration, manufactured by the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of first rectangularly shaped panels having four sides, each said panel having: (1) a peripheral edge; (2) structure means for providing a low profile; said structure means including: (i) an outer surface having a peripheral trough running along each one of said four sides, adjacent to said peripheral edge, such that said peripheral trough along each said side simulates one-half of a mortar joint between two of the existing glass blocks, adjacently installed; (ii) a planar, back surface defined by said peripheral edge; (iii) profile means for providing said first panel with the appearance simulating one of the existing glass blocks; and (iv) said first panel constructed of severable, transparent plastic; and (3) tinting means for providing said first panel with the characteristic coloration of the existing glass blocks; (b) providing a plurality of second rectangularly shaped panels similar to said first panels, each including a peripheral edge and structure means having an outer surface with a peripheral trough as aforesaid, each further including: (1) a planar, back surface defined by said panel peripheral edge and extending approximately behind said peripheral trough; and (2) an inner surface defined by said back surface; said inner surface recessed inwardly from said back surface toward said outer surface; and (c) adhesively removably securing said back surfaces of said first and second panels to the existing pane such that said second panels are secured in adjacent abutting relationship by said adhesive to the planar glass surface of the pane toward the center thereof and said first panels are severed and secured in adjacent abutting relationship and adjacent to said second panels by said adhesive to the planar glass surface of the pane such that a border is formed about said second panels by said first panels.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
346 words
A device for providing visual security for an existing, transparent glass pane having a planar glass surface, said device providing the pane with the appearance of a plurality of installed existing glass blocks wherein the existing glass blocks have a characteristic coloration, manufactured by the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of first rectangularly shaped panels having four sides, each said panel having: (1) a peripheral edge; (2) structure means for providing a low profile; said structure means including: (i) an outer surface having a peripheral trough running along each one of said four sides, adjacent to said peripheral edge, such that said peripheral trough along each said side simulates one-half of a mortar joint between two of the existing glass blocks, adjacently installed; (ii) a planar, back surface defined by said peripheral edge; (iii) profile means for providing said first panel with the appearance simulating one of the existing glass blocks; and (iv) said first panel constructed of severable, transparent plastic; and (3) tinting means for providing said first panel with the characteristic coloration of the existing glass blocks; (b) providing a plurality of second rectangularly shaped panels similar to said first panels, each including a peripheral edge and structure means having an outer surface with a peripheral trough as aforesaid, each further including: (1) a planar, back surface defined by said panel peripheral edge and extending approximately behind said peripheral trough; and (2) an inner surface defined by said back surface; said inner surface recessed inwardly from said back surface toward said outer surface; and (c) adhesively removably securing said back surfaces of said first and second panels to the existing pane such that said second panels are secured in adjacent abutting relationship by said adhesive to the planar glass surface of the pane toward the center thereof and said first panels are severed and secured in adjacent abutting relationship and adjacent to said second panels by said adhesive to the planar glass surface of the pane such that a border is formed about said second panels by said first panels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
412 words
In combination with a window unit including a fixed sash with a frame and a recessed glass panel mounted therein and a movable sash with a frame and a recessed glass pane mounted therein, the improvement of a system for applying a decorative pattern of panels to said pane of said movable sash, which comprises: (a) a multiple-segment panel including: (1) an outer surface; (2) an inner surface; (3) a generally rectangular configuration with four sides and a laterally-extending panel perimeter at said sides; (4) a network grid comprising multiple troughs recessed into said panel outer surface and criss-crossing at right angles with respect to each other; (5) a plurality of sets of discrete panel units each having a rectangular configuration and being bounded by said panel perimeter and/or multiple said troughs, said panel unit sets comprising: (i) a first set with length and width dimensions; (ii) a second set having a width dimension substantially equal to that of the first set and a length dimension substantially equal to one and one-half times the length dimension of the first set; (iii) a third set having a width dimension substantially equal to two times the width dimension of the first set and a length dimension substantially equal to one and one-half times the length dimension of the first set; (iv) a fourth set having a width dimension substantially equal to three times the width dimension of the first set and a length dimension substantially equal to one and one-half times the length dimension of the first set; and (v) a fifth set having a width dimension substantially equal to three times the width dimension of the first set and a length dimension substantially equal to three times the length dimension of the first set; (b) a decorative pattern formed on said movable sash glass pane by said multiple panel units; (c) means for separating said panel into multiple discrete panel units along said troughs whereby peripheral troughs are formed around each said panel unit, each said peripheral trough having a front surface and a back surface; (d) adhesive means for adhesively fastening said panel units to said movable sash pane and including adhesive applied to said peripheral trough inner surfaces; (e) finished troughs formed in said system by adjacent, respective perimeter troughs; and (f) means for providing said system with the appearance of glass blocks having mortar joints therebetween, said means comprising the juxtaposition of adjacent, respective perimeter troughs of said panel units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
412 words
In combination with a window unit including a fixed sash with a frame and a recessed glass panel mounted therein and a movable sash with a frame and a recessed glass pane mounted therein, the improvement of a system for applying a decorative pattern of panels to said pane of said movable sash, which comprises: (a) a multiple-segment panel including: (1) an outer surface; (2) an inner surface; (3) a generally rectangular configuration with four sides and a laterally-extending panel perimeter at said sides; (4) a network grid comprising multiple troughs recessed into said panel outer surface and criss-crossing at right angles with respect to each other; (5) a plurality of sets of discrete panel units each having a rectangular configuration and being bounded by said panel perimeter and/or multiple said troughs, said panel unit sets comprising: (i) a first set with length and width dimensions; (ii) a second set having a width dimension substantially equal to that of the first set and a length dimension substantially equal to one and one-half times the length dimension of the first set; (iii) a third set having a width dimension substantially equal to two times the width dimension of the first set and a length dimension substantially equal to one and one-half times the length dimension of the first set; (iv) a fourth set having a width dimension substantially equal to three times the width dimension of the first set and a length dimension substantially equal to one and one-half times the length dimension of the first set; and (v) a fifth set having a width dimension substantially equal to three times the width dimension of the first set and a length dimension substantially equal to three times the length dimension of the first set; (b) a decorative pattern formed on said movable sash glass pane by said multiple panel units; (c) means for separating said panel into multiple discrete panel units along said troughs whereby peripheral troughs are formed around each said panel unit, each said peripheral trough having a front surface and a back surface; (d) adhesive means for adhesively fastening said panel units to said movable sash pane and including adhesive applied to said peripheral trough inner surfaces; (e) finished troughs formed in said system by adjacent, respective perimeter troughs; and (f) means for providing said system with the appearance of glass blocks having mortar joints therebetween, said means comprising the juxtaposition of adjacent, respective perimeter troughs of said panel units.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-13 | 1995-07-15 | 1996-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-13 | 1999-07-15 | 2000-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-13 | 2003-07-15 | 2004-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |