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Glass block panel anchor and reinforcing systemGlass block panel anchor and reinforcing system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060272250, Glass block panel anchor and reinforcing system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a panel anchor system for glass block walls, which is installed during the construction of the glass block wall. BACKGROUND [0002] Glass block walls are gaining increasing acceptance both as feature walls and for use in providing walls for other purposes. For example, prisons are now using glass block walls so that guards can see that inmates are on the other side without seeing clear images of the inmates. Unlike brick walls, glass block walls must be supported from the perimeter structure around the wall. For glass block walls that use mortar, the conventional support as seen in FIGS. 1-3 consists of a strip of galvanized sheet metal, called panel anchors, 13 sufficiently narrow to fit within the two ridges 15 that run along the outside edges of glass blocks. The panel anchor 13 is bent 90 degrees at one end so that end can be screwed to a perimeter wall support while the remainder of the panel anchor 13 is fitted between the ridges of the adjacent glass blocks as seen in FIG. 3. A pair of galvanized wire reinforcing rods 11 held parallel by periodic cross braces 17 integral with the wire reinforcing rods 11 are placed over the panel anchor 13 and mortar is mixed and placed over the reinforcing rods 11 and panel anchor 13. Another block is placed over the mortared outside edge containing the panel anchors 13 and the wire reinforcing rods 11. Such anchoring is repeated every 2 or 3 rows. The panel anchor 13 and the wire reinforcing rods 11 come in various lengths. Usually workmen purchase the longest length of reinforcing rods 11 which come in 10-foot lengths and simply cut them to length on the job site to the desired length. Unfortunately, cutting the reinforcing rods 11 exposes the steel in the region of the cut. Similarly, bending the panel anchor 13 causes cracks in the galvanized coating and also exposes the underlying steel to corrosion. Corrosion of the panel anchor 13 and reinforcing rods 11 eventually results in discoloration and cracking of the mortar. In order to fix this problem, the entire wall must be demolished and a new wall with new materials built in its place. [0003] In order to eliminate this problem, suppliers began making the panel anchors out of stainless steel. However, stainless steel panel anchors are expensive and increase the cost of materials significantly. In any event, the panel anchors are only part of the problem. The reinforcing rods must also be made of stainless steel. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] According to the invention there is provided a reinforcing segment and panel anchor system for glass blocks, which includes a plastic panel anchor having an injection molded 90.degree. first end attachable to a perimeter frame and a second end rigidly attached and perpendicular to the first end having a plurality of openings along its length to permit passage of mortar. [0005] Preferably. a first elongated plastic reinforcing segment is engageable with the plastic panel anchor being dimensioned to fit between rows of the glass blocks in combination with a spacer and to provide resistance to forces applied laterally to the glass blocks. [0006] The reinforcing segment has a clasp at one end and a clasp connector at an opposite end so that a clasp end of one of the reinforcing segments may be inserted into and locked to a clasp connector end of another of the reinforcing segments. [0007] The panel anchor and the reinforcing segment each have a series of holes along their length to permit the passage and bonding therethrough of mortar during construction. The panel anchor is also capable of accepting traditional wire reinforcing. [0008] In another aspect of the invention there is provided a first plastic reinforcing segment having connectors operative to rigidly connect to another reinforcing segment, the reinforcing segment having openings along its length to permit passage and subsequent bonding of mortar and being dimensioned to fit between rows of the glass blocks in conjunction with spacers. [0009] The reinforcing segment may have a clasp at one end and a clasp connector at an opposite end so that a clasp end of one of the reinforcing segments may be inserted into and locked to a clasp connector end of another of the reinforcing segments. [0010] Advantageously, the plastic is any polymer, but the preferred polymer is a member of the olefin family, namely, glass filled polypropylene. [0011] In yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a first plastic reinforcing segment having a plurality of clips spaced apart along its length on either side thereof, the reinforcing segment trip having openings along its length to permit passage and bonding of mortar and being dimensioned to fit between rows of the glass blocks. A second plastic reinforcing segment is snugly slidably insertable into the first plastic reinforcing segment through a space between said clips and a top surface of the first reinforcing segment, said second reinforcing segment having openings along its length to permit passage and bonding of mortar and being dimensioned to fit between rows of the glass blocks. [0012] The retainer clips may be L-shaped with a base of the L's on one side spaced upwardly from a top surface of the first plastic reinforcing segment and facing the base of the L's on an opposite side. [0013] The first plastic reinforcing segment may have a plurality of spaced apart abutments on an underside thereof dimensioned to provide a space for the mortar. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] Further features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example, of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the reinforcing rods; [0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a metal panel anchor with a perimeter wall engaging part at 90 degrees to an elongated part; [0017] FIG. 3 a perspective view of a pair of adjacent glass blocks with a portion cut away showing how the segments and reinforcing rods are installed; [0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the plastic panel anchor showing a bottom thereof; [0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the plastic reinforcing segment with end connectors showing the bottom surface; [0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the plastic panel anchor with the reinforcing segment slidably inserted into the panel anchor; Continue reading about Glass block panel anchor and reinforcing system... Full patent description for Glass block panel anchor and reinforcing system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Glass block panel anchor and reinforcing system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Glass block panel anchor and reinforcing system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Sealant assemblies and methods Next Patent Application: Composite floor system with fully-embedded studs Industry Class: Static structures (e.g., buildings) ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Glass block panel anchor and reinforcing system patent info. 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