权利要求：
CLAIMS
1. A series of perforated plates, or approximately planar materials, the combination of
which creates structural members of approximately ‘H’ cross section, with a groove or
recess in which pieces of plate glass (or other approximately planar material, such as
acrylic, polycarbonate, wood, plywood, sheet metal, plastic, etc) are mechanically held
in a co-planar or near-coplanar configuration, whilst remaining visible due to
perforations in the outermost plates. This structure may be used to create a window,
or window-like structure (such as a mosaic or lampshade) which may or may not be set
into a broader wall or surface.
2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the structure is comprised of multiple
perforated plates, the combination of which creates members with an approximately
‘H’ cross-section, the grooves of which secure the glass or other approximately planar
material. Where appropriate in the design, such as but not limited to when the design
meets an external surface or edge, or when glass is only required to be held on one
side of the structural member, the cross-sectional profile may instead resemble a ‘'C' or
‘U’" shape. This should also be taken to be an embodiment of the present invention. 3. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the structure is comprised of exactly 3
perforated plates, the combination of which forms structural members with an
approximately ‘H' cross-section, the grooves of which secure the glass or other
approximately planar material.
4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the structure is comprised of a single thick
perforated plate, and material is deposited on the plate in order to form flanges, which
creates a recess or groove in which the glass or similar material is mechanically held. 5. The invention according to claim 1, wherein two external perforated plates restrain the
glass from the outer edges without an inner plate.
6. The invention according to claim 5, wherein a substance is inserted between them into
the void between the held pieces of glass or similar material to form the inner member
of the ‘H’ shaped cross-sectional construction.
7. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the perforations in the external plates are
substituted with a transparent or semi-transparent material, such that the internal layer
remains visible.
8. The invention according to claim 1, whereby the perforated plates are formed by a
casting or moulding process, before or after the glass or similar material is in place. 9. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the glass or similar material is formed after
the claimed structure, whether through moulding, blowing, casting or other method. 10. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the structure is formed through a 3d
printing or other manufacturing method, which enables it to be produced as a single
piece around the held glass or other material.
11. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape does not
resemble an ‘H’, but whose elements nevertheless perform a comparable function, in
mechanically constraining the glass or other approximately planar material. 12. The invention according to claim 1, wherein either the perforated plates, inserted
planar materials, or both, possess a curvature, which may or may not accrue to form a
curvature in the overall piece.
13. The invention according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the external plates are solid,
having no perforations, and may or may not be made from a transparent material. 14. The invention according to Claims 1 through 13, in which the series of plates is held
together with any of the following: mechanical fasteners (screws, nuts, bolts, rivets),
adhesives, clamping, magnetism, soldering, welding, external frames. 15. The invention according to Claims 1 through 13, in which the series of plates is held
together with any other method not listed in this document.
16. The invention according to Claims 1 through 15, wherein a putty, grout or other sealant,
such as silicone, is inserted between the glass (or other approximately planar material)
and the frame structure.
17. The invention according to Claims 14 and 15, wherein the fastener is obscured by a
deposit of glue, resin, putty or other material, which may or may not be shaped to
appear similar to the bead of solder deposited on the frame members of a traditional
Leadlight or Stained-Glass Window.
18. A structure comprising multiple layers of glass or similar approximately planar material,
which utilises the multi-plate construction method outlined in Claims 1-15. 19. A structure consisting of multiple embodiments of the invention according to Claims 1
through 16, assembled together in a co-planar, perpendicular or angular arrangement,
in order to create a three-dimensional structure such as a lampshade, box, or any other
structure.
20. A combination of perforations in the outer plate which creates a design or silhouette
which sits on the surface of the glass (or other approximately planar material), without
passing through it or between two adjacent pieces.