Patent Application
20220025652
The disclosures set forth in the following applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties:
The present disclosure relates to ceiling panel assemblies and associated structures.
Lighting and acoustics are two principal features in the design of a room space. Typically, however, acoustics and lighting are considered separately, and satisfied by light fixtures and acoustic panels of different configurations of shape, texture, thickness, placement, orientation and the like.
It may thus be desirable to provide novel approaches for lighting and/or acoustics, or at least to provide the public with one or more useful alternatives.
In an aspect, there is provided a ceiling panel assembly, comprising at least one frame structure configured to be assembled into an at least partially closed outer ring structure to define an inner ceiling panel receiving region therein. A plurality of ceiling panels may be configured to be positioned in the inner ceiling panel receiving region in side-by-side relation, with each panel extending from a central location therein. Each panel may have a first peripheral region configured to be supported by the frame structure, a support hub structure configured to be centrally positioned adjacent the inner panel receiving region to define a central location. Each panel have a second peripheral region configured to be supported at the support hub structure, to present the panels in an operative position to an interior space beneath the ceiling panel assembly with the panels radially extending outwardly from the central location.
In some example embodiments, the at least one frame structure may be configured to provide the outer ring structure with a number of outer side regions which is equal in number to the panels.
In some example embodiments, the first peripheral region of each panel may have an outer edge region which is configured to be aligned with a designated one of the outer side regions.
Some example embodiments may comprise at least one first positioning structure configured to extend from the first peripheral region for engaging the at least one frame structure, and at least one second positioning structure configured to extend from the second peripheral region for engaging the support hub structure.
Some example embodiments may comprise at least one support structure for supporting the at least one first positioning structure on the at least one frame structure.
In some example embodiments, the support hub structure may comprise a circumferential region, at least in part, to define a locating region which is configured to receive the at least one second positioning structure.
Some example embodiments may comprise a barrier structure configured to releasably block removal of the at least one second positioning structure from engagement with the locating region.
In some example embodiments, the barrier structure may be configured to be rotatably positionable adjacent the support hub structure, with an access region therein for the at least one second support structure to pass therethrough to engage the locating region.
In some example embodiments, the support hub structure and the barrier structure may each be configured to be positioned by a common ceiling mounted structure.
In some example embodiments, each second positioning structure includes an arm structure with a remote end region formed thereon.
In some example embodiments, the locating region may be defined by an annular recess which is configured to receive the remote end region.
In some example embodiments, the remote end region may be hook shaped.
In some example embodiments, the barrier structure may be or include a plate structure configured to be rotatably supported by the ceiling mounted structure, with the access region including a notch through an edge region of the plate structure to receive the second support structure therethrough.
In some example embodiments, the access region may be configured for a single support structure to pass therethrough.
In some example embodiments, the second positioning structure may include a base plate structure configured to be securable to the panel, wherein the arm structure extends outwardly from the base plate structure.
In some example embodiments, the arm structure may be configured with a first portion to extend outwardly from a surface of the panel, a second portion to extend along the panel and in spaced relation thereto so as to extend beyond an edge region of the panel, and a third portion to extend in a direction toward a plane of the surface of the panel.
In some example embodiments, the at least one first positioning structure and at least one first support structure may collectively include respective ones of a plurality of complementary coupling formations.
In some example embodiments, the at least one first positioning structure may include a wall structure with at least one passage therein, and the at least one first support structure may include a retainer structure to extend through the passage and to support the wall structure thereon.
Some example embodiments may comprise at least one LED array extending at least partially along the at least one frame structure.
In another aspect, there is provided a ceiling panel support assembly, comprising at least one support structure configured to provide at least one panel receiving region adjacent thereto, and at least one support hub structure to be centrally positioned in the at least one panel receiving region. The at least one support structure and the at least one support hub structure are configured to support a plurality of panels therebetween, with at least a subset of the plurality of panels oriented relative to a circumferential region of the at least one support hub structure and extending outwardly therefrom.
In some example embodiments, the circumferential region may define at least one locating receiver which is configured to receive at least one positioning structure on a corresponding end region of the at least one panel.
In some example embodiments, the locating receiver may include a channel extending along the circumferential region, at least in part.
Some example embodiments may comprise a barrier structure may be configured to releasably block removal of the positioning structure from the at least one locating receiver.
In some example embodiments, the barrier structure may be configured to be rotatably positionable adjacent the support hub structure, with an access region therein for receiving the positioning structure therethrough to engage the locating receiver.
In some example embodiments, the support hub structure and the barrier structure may each be configured to be positioned by a common ceiling mounted structure.
In some example embodiments, each positioning structure may include an arm structure with an offset remote end region formed thereon.
In some example embodiments, the channel may include an annular recess.
In another aspect, there is provided a ceiling panel assembly, further comprising the ceiling panel support assembly as defined in any claim, clause or example herein, and a plurality of the ceiling panels.
In another aspect, there is provided a ceiling panel assembly, comprising a ceiling panel support assembly as defined in any claim, clause or example herein, and a plurality of the ceiling panels, wherein the positioning structure on each panel includes an arm structure with an offset remote end region to be received in the at least one locating receiver, so that the corresponding panel extends adjacent the support hub structure to at least partially conceal the support hub structure from view below the ceiling panel assembly.
In some example embodiments, the plurality of panels may be configured to at least partially conceal the support hub structure from view below the ceiling panel assembly.
In some example embodiments, wherein at least a subset of panels in the plurality thereof may triangular shaped at least in part, with each panel having a pair of edge regions extending radially from a central location defined by the support hub structure.
In another aspect, there is provided a kit for configuring a ceiling panel for use in the assembly as defined in any claim, clause or example herein, comprising first and second positioning structures configured to be installed on corresponding first and second peripheral edge regions of a ceiling panel, for installation in the ceiling panel assembly.
In another aspect, there is provided a ceiling panel as defined in any claim, clause or example herein.
In another aspect, there is provided a support assembly for supporting a plurality of ceiling or wall panels, comprising at least one support structure configured to provide at least one panel receiving region adjacent thereto, and at least one support hub structure to be centrally positioned in the at least one panel receiving region, wherein the at least one support structure and the at least one support hub structure are configured to support a plurality of panels therebetween, with at least a subset of the plurality of panels oriented relative to a circumferential region of the at least one support hub structure and extending outwardly therefrom.
Several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be provided, by way of examples only, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:
It should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical, mechanical or other connections or couplings. The terms upper, lower, and vertical are intended for operative context only and are not necessarily intended to limit the invention only to those configurations or orientations. In any instance in which the disclosure refers to a single instance of an element, example embodiments may include a multiple of such elements. The term “at least one” in reference to any element is not intended to force an interpretation on any other reference elsewhere in the disclosure to a single instance of an element to mean only one such instance of the element. Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific mechanical and/or other configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention. However, other alternative mechanical and/or other configurations are possible which are considered to be within the teachings of the instant disclosure. Furthermore, any one element, feature, structure, function, of any aspect and/or example embodiment described in the present disclosure including the figures, clauses and/or claims herein, may itself be claimed on its own or be combined with any one or more elements, features, structures, functions, and/or steps from the same or any other aspects and/or example embodiments described in the present disclosure including the figures, clauses and/and claims herein.
The term “LED” used herein may include, but not be limited to, semiconductor, electroluminescent, organic, polymeric or other material based light sources commonly known as generally as light emitting diodes, as well as polymeric and other such light sources, equivalents and variants thereof.
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Each frame structure 12 further comprises at least one support structure 40 for supporting the at least one first positioning structure 36. A ceiling panel support structure 41 may be defined by at least one support structure 40 configured to provide at least one panel receiving region 16 adjacent thereto. The at least one support hub structure 26 may be configured to be centrally positioned in the at least one panel receiving region 16, wherein the at least one support structure 40 and the at least one support hub structure 26 may be configured to support a plurality of panels 20 therebetween, with at least a subset of the plurality of panels 20 oriented relative to a circumferential region “L” of the at least one support hub structure 26 and extending outwardly therefrom.
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The barrier structure 46 may be configured to be rotatably positionable adjacent the inner support hub structure 26, with an access region 48 therein for each second positioning structure 38 to pass therethrough to be received in the locating region 44, as shown aligned with the second positioning structure 38 in
Thus, the barrier structure 46 may be configured to enable each of the second positioning structures 38 to pass through the access region 48, for example by rotating the barrier structure 46 successively to a position so that the access region is open to the designated location for each of the second positioning structures 38, as each panel is installed.
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The barrier structure 46 may take the form of a plate 58 and configured to be rotatably supported by the ceiling mounted cable 52. The access region 48 region may thus be positioned to a designated location for a designated positioning structure 28. The access region 48 may take the form of a notch through an edge region of the plate 58 to receive each arm structure 54 and end region 56 therethrough.
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The configuration of the ceiling panel assembly 10, similarly, ceiling panel assembly 100 in
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While the present disclosure describes various exemplary embodiments, the disclosure is not so limited. To the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements, as will be readily appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art.
