Decorative utilitarian glass block

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I claim: 1.
A glass block, said glass block having a one-piece construction, said glass block being homogeneous in composition, said glass block comprising only a continuous central panel, the two surfaces of the central panel being generally parallel to one another; and a wall peripherally enclosing the central panel, the central panel and the enclosing wall being disposed substantially perpendicularly to one another, said central panel being located at the midportion of the enclosing wall, said enclosing wall having an interior surface extending inwardly substantially perpendicularly to opposite sides of said central panel, the interior surface of said enclosing wall disposed around the central panel forming a shelf on both said sides of the central panel, whereby said shelf is accessible by hand from both said sides of the central panel.
2.
The glass block of claim 1 further characterized in that the enclosing wall has a substantially uniform thickness.
3.
The glass block of claim 2 further characterized in that the central panel has a substantially uniform thickness.
4.
The glass block of claim 1 further characterized in that upper and lower edges of the enclosing wall have a flange which extends outwardly peripherally around the wall to thereby form a concave depression in the exterior surface of the wall about its periphery.
5.
The glass block of claim 1 further characterized in that at least one of said interior and an exterior exposed surfaces of the enclosing wall has a color coating which is dissimilar to the color of the block to thereby provide an aesthetically different color effect.




Description:
This invention pertains generally to glass blocks and more specifically to a glass block especially well adapted for interior use which has a pleasing aesthetic appearance as well as excellent functional characteristics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Glass blocks have been known for many years but by and large they have been designed and used in conjunction with exterior construction, or, if used in conjunction with interior construction, generally only structural characteristics have been emphasized, presumably on the basis that the glass block must be capable of both interior and exterior applications, and the most rugged application must be provided for