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501,008 · Haustein · "Frame for Illuminating-Tiles" · Page 2 Home  > Prism Glass  > Patent Index  > Page 2

501,008: 2 of 5

observed, is entirely devoid of cross-bars, such as are provided in other structures of the same class. This I consider a valuable feature of my invention, inasmuch as it simplifies the construction of illuminating tiles, materially reduces their cost, and avoids the recessing or notching of the bars at the intersecting points, which invariably weakens the tile frame. Constructed as described the frame can also be made and put together in quicker time, as all the bars can be punched at once to a templet without measuring or marking them. Having, moreover, the bars edgewise, as shown, it augments the area of lens surface and increases the strength of the frame considerably.     Within the frame, between the bars A A', are set the lenses C and half-lenses C', which are arranged in parallel rows that are unbroken by cross-bars and form as many different panels in the tile. These lenses or blocks of glass are preferably made in the shape of squares, or half-squares, and are usually provided with a rectangular groove c that runs around them on all four sides and forms outwardly-projecting upper and lower flanges c' c². The width of the groove c is such that the flanges c' and c² respectively bear upon the upper and lower edges of the bars, which are thus partly or wholly incased in glass according to their thickness. The flange c' is made much thicker than the flange c² so as to better resist wear. The lenses, as will be seen by reference to Figs. 1 and 6 are arranged within the frame in such a manner as to break joints, the object being to divide the strain upon different points of the bars and improve the general aspect of the tile.     Fig. 9 shows a modification of the lenses represented in the other figures. The difference in their construction consists in that the lenses illustrated in Fig. 9 are not entirely surrounded by a groove as in the case of the other lenses, but are tongued and grooved on opposite sides as shown. This construction enables me to discard the bars A in the tile-frame, retaining only the outer bars A' and the rods B, as the lenses are all bound together and therefore self-supporting. An illuminating-tile of this nature possesses the neat appearance and efficiency of one made of a single pane of glass and is preferable to the other kind where the tile is to be set up in a vertical position, for instance in windows of an elevator-shaft or in a partition between apartments in a building.     D represents the spaces intervening between the various lenses inserted into the frame. These spaces are filled with concrete or Portland or other cement G, which binds the lenses firmly together and imparts strength to the whole tile. The bulk of the concrete or cement lies, of course, in the grooves between the lenses, where its effect is more likely to be felt, but it comes out also more or less to the top and bottom, according as the lenses are set more or less close together. As to the

spaces D' between the different rows of lenses they are usually filled with the same material as the spaces D in order to cover the bars, but there also the width of the concrete or cement joints varies, being regulated by the thickness of the bars, which may be drawn or screwed up more or less closely.     G' indicates borders composed of same material as the filling between the lenses and which are laid down along the sides and ends of the tile-work when used to form a section of sidewalk.     The tiles are joined to one another by means of a bearer or beam H, as shown at Figs. 6, 7, and 8. The body of this bearer is in the shape of an I or double T-beam, and preferably made of metal. It is therefore made with parallel flanges h h', the lower of which is adapted to bear upon any suitable support, such as masonry or brick-work J. Besides the flanges h h', the bearer is also provided with an under flange h², which increases in width as the bearer is farther from its supports, being quite wide at the middle and gradually growing smaller as it nears the ends. This construction is fully shown at Fig. 11, and is calculated to strengthen the bearer without giving it unnecessary weight and bulk. But where lightness is required or admissible, the flange h² may be discarded, as indicated at Fig. 7. In putting the tiles in place, the sides of the frame through which the rods B run are brought within the upper and lower parallel flanges of the bearer so the flange h' will come flush with the under surface of the lenses whereas the flange h will be partly concealed between the tops thereof. A layer of filling material, concrete or cement, is then placed over the bearer and the rods of the tile frames on each side.     Having now described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is--     1. An illuminating-tile frame composed of parallel bars having holes at each end, screw-threaded rods passing through said holes, and nuts at both ends of said rods, substantially as set forth.     2. An illuminating-tile consisting of thin inner bars laid edgewise and provided with end holes, similarly-perforated outer bars of increased thickness, screw-threaded rods passing through the holes of all said bars, and lenses between the same, substantially as set forth.     3. The herein-described illuminating-tile construction comprising a bearer having parallel upper and lower flanges, tile-frames, and lenses the under surface of which is flush with the under surface of said lower flange, substantially as set forth.     4. The herein-described illuminating-tile construction comprising tile-frames thinner than the lenses therein, and a bearer having upper and lower flanges between which the sides of said frames may be inserted, substantially as set forth.