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Ventilated translucent block with solar reflective panelVentilated translucent block with solar reflective panel description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070277461, Ventilated translucent block with solar reflective panel. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of a patent application entitled "Solar Reflective Ventilated Translucent Blocks", filed Oct. 14, 2003 and assigned Ser. No. 10/684,921, which application is a continuation-in-part application of an application entitled "Ventilated Interlocking Translucent Blocks", filed May 8, 2002, and assigned Ser. No. 10/142,306 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,341 describing an invention by the present inventor. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to transparent/translucent blocks as building materials used in commercial and residential construction and, more particularly, to ventilated interlocking blocks of manmade materials and having a solar reflective panel peripherally supported therein. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] For decades, hollow glass blocks have been used to form interior or exterior walls or sections thereof in order to permit transmission of light through such walls. Usually, these glass blocks distort any images viewed therethrough or the blocks may be translucent to permit passage of light and yet provide a significant degree of privacy. For example, glass blocks have been used as part of a bathroom wall to permit transmission of light therethrough, particularly important if there are no windows in the bathroom, and yet provide privacy. In a commercial or private environment, walls or wall dividers have been formed of translucent hollow glass blocks to delineate floor space while accommodating light transmission therethrough to create a more airy and open environment without compromising privacy. [0006] Hollow glass blocks serve the sought end result very well but several difficulties are created. First, the glass blocks are relatively heavy and generally are only permitted to be used under building codes in conjunction with supporting brick walls; conventional wood frame construction is generally considered of insufficient structural strength to support a panel of glass blocks. Second, transport of the glass blocks from a point of manufacturer to the end user is generally expensive because of the weight and the attendant crating and shipping costs. Third, in order to accommodate the change in pressure within the hollow part of the glass block due to temperature and elevational changes, the glass walls must be very thick. Fourth, assembling a wall, wall section or panel of glass blocks requires a skilled artesian to properly align the glass blocks and to exercise skill in securing the glass blocks to one another with a binding agent. Fifth, exterior walls of glass block permit solar transmission therethrough causing heating of the environment interior of the glass block panel. [0007] To overcome the weight and handling difficulties attendant hollow glass blocks, hollow blocks of transparent/translucent manmade materials have been developed; hereinafter referred to as plastic blocks. These plastic blocks generally include interlocking elements to permit seating and rapid assembly. In some circumstances, depending upon the configuration and use of the plastic block, a binding and/or sealing agent must be used. The primary benefits of plastic blocks include light weight, ease of handling and installation, and relatively low cost. [0008] The plastic blocks are hollow and the interior space is sealed against intrusion of foreign matter as well as air. In response to temperature changes or changes in elevation (primarily during shipping), the pressure within the plastic blocks increases and decreases proportionately. The pressure changes within the plastic blocks generally result in inward or outward flexing of the walls of the plastic block. Such flexing creates stresses within the plastic material. During cleaning with conventional cleaning agents, lines of stress become visually apparent. The resulting disfiguration becomes permanent and compromises the aesthetics of the wall, wall section or panel formed of the plastic blocks. [0009] As with glass blocks, transparent or translucent plastic blocks permit penetration of solar radiation. The solar radiation transmitted into the plastic block impinges upon the interior side wall and causes heating of the interior side wall. Heat from the side wall will radiate into the adjacent environment and raise its temperature. Furthermore, solar radiation transmitted through the plastic block will heat any solar radiation impinged objects and the temperature of the ambient environment will be raised. If the solar radiation is particularly intense, it can also cause damage to or deterioration of objects by heating them or if they are sensitive the frequency spectrum of the solar radiation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention is directed to ventilated transparent and/or translucent hollow plastic blocks having interlocking elements for rapidly building a wall, a wall section or a panel of such plastic blocks. Ventilation of the plastic blocks to avoid imposing stresses on the walls of the plastic blocks due to temperature changes and elevational changes is provided. A sheet of material for reducing transmission of solar radiation through the plastic block extends across the interior of the plastic block. Equalization of pressure within each plastic block with the ambient pressure is provided by a single vent disposed in the bottom side wall of a mounted plastic block. The vent is also in fluid communication with the interior space or compartment on either side of the sheet of material. [0011] It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a ventilated plastic block that reduces transmission of solar radiation therethrough. [0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a ventilated translucent or transparent plastic block for use as a wall section or panel that reduces heating of the plastic block adjacent the interior surface of the wall section or panel. [0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sun screen interior of a ventilated plastic block. [0014] Still another object of the present invention is to provide is to provide a single vent for ventilating the space on either side of a sun screen extending across the interior of a plastic block used in the construction of a wall or of a panel. [0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a specifically located single aperture serving as a vent in a transparent or translucent hollow plastic block to reduce the likelihood of condensation settling on the interior surfaces of the hollow plastic block or on a sun screen disposed therein. [0016] A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a two part ventilated transparent or translucent plastic block having a sun screen mounted therebetween. [0017] A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for assembling a sun screen within a hollow transparent or translucent plastic block. [0018] A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for avoiding stressing the side walls of a hollow plastic block and a sun screen disposed therein due to pressure changes resulting from temperature and elevational changes. [0019] A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for reducing transmission of solar energy through a hollow transparent or translucent plastic block. [0020] These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description there proceeds. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Continue reading about Ventilated translucent block with solar reflective panel... Full patent description for Ventilated translucent block with solar reflective panel Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Ventilated translucent block with solar reflective panel 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. 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