The present invention relates generally to suspension systems, and more particularly, to a ceiling border structure which can be utilized in an suspended ceiling system. The border structure, also referred to herein as a border member, is secured to suspension channels in the ceiling system and not to a wall or partition. As a result, the border member can be utilized in island/floating ceiling systems. It is also desirable to utilize the border member of the invention in ceiling systems used in locations that experience low to severe seismic activity.
Suspended ceiling systems, including exposed metal grid systems for lay in panels and systems utilizing metal hook-on type panels, are extensively used in private and commercial buildings. Such ceiling systems are suspended from the building structure and provide a substantially uninterrupted planar ceiling appearance. Lighting fixtures, air handling vents and the like are often incorporated at various locations in the system.
Conventional suspended ceiling systems which utilize metal panels often include supporting grid elements structured to grip the upstanding edges of the metal panels. Ceiling systems utilizing metal panels have application to buildings that have large ceiling areas or high access areas. These systems are most frequently used in corridors, lobbies, entryways, and hospitality and retail spaces. The metal panels come in widths of varying sizes, are completely accessible and fully conceal the suspension system. The panels provide downward accessibility, requiring minimum plenum clearance.
In geographical regions subject to earthquakes, buildings are designed with lateral force resisting systems, i.e. seismic systems, to resist the effects of earthquake forces. Seismic systems make a building stiffer against horizontal forces, thus minimizing the amount of relative lateral movement and resultant damage. Although the buildings may be designed structurally to provide seismic resistance to lateral forces, the ceiling panels suspended adjacent the trim or border of the ceiling system remain very susceptible to displacement under severe environmental conditions. Thus, the connection of the wall or partition to the ceiling system, ceiling system members and their connections must be designed to support the reaction force of the wall or partition from prescribed loads applied perpendicular to the wall or partition during a seismic event.
Also, island, or floating, ceiling systems, in which the termination of the ceiling plane stands proud of the wall, are in increasing demand as such systems provide an architect with substantially unlimited aesthetic variations in a ceiling system.
The present invention provides a suspended ceiling system in which the border panels are secured to the suspension elements of a suspended asymmetric ceiling system. The ceiling system includes a plurality of suspension elements, a plurality of grid elements, a plurality of hangers and a plurality of border structures. Each hanger has a slot for attaching either a grid element or a border structure to a suspension element.
Each border structure has a plurality of horizontal surface members and a plurality of intervening vertical surface members. A first horizontal surface member can be inserted into a hanger slot for attaching the border structure to a suspension element. A second horizontal surface member supports a border panel. As a result, the border panel is attached to the suspended ceiling system and unintended displacement of the border panels is avoided should the wall be displaced.
Various other advantages stem from the ceiling system and border structure of the invention. One advantage is that the system is simpler and economical to use. For example, the system requires only one border structure extrusion as there is no need to design and manufacture custom sizes with custom miter cuts. The absence of the need for multiple extrusions results in savings in manufacturing and makes installation and replacement less complicated. In addition, as the border element is extruded and is therefore softer, it is easier to field cut. By being easier to field cut, the installer can feel more comfortable making various angle cuts on the border structure.
Further, the border element of the invention can be used at both wall and bulkhead locations. As the border element can be used in multiple locations, and as custom sizing is no longer required, it is practical to stock the border member. The ability to stock the border member results in a large reduction in manufacturing lead times, which can be utilized as a marketing tool. In addition, the border element eliminates the need to manufacture custom size panels to fit the architecture and standard suspension components placed on walls.
The invention possesses many other advantages, and has other purposes which may be made more clearly apparent from consideration of the example embodiments. The example embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings and form part of the specification. The example embodiments will now be described in detail for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, but it is to be understood that the description of the example embodiments should not be considered limiting.
The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known embodiment. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the embodiments described while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and may even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof, since the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims.
The border structure 420 also has first and second vertical sections, 425 and 427 respectively, and a third horizontal surface member 426 positioned between the first and second horizontal surface members 424, 428. The third horizontal surface member 426 adjoins the first and second vertical sections 425, 427. A first pair of hold down clip flanges, 430, 431 extend horizontally from the first vertical section 425. A second pair of hold down clip flanges, 432, 433, extend horizontally from the second vertical surface member 427. The first and second pairs of hold down clip flanges run the entire longitudinal length of the border element 420 and provide respective grooves 441 for placement of standard spring hold down clips 440. Having a groove 441 which runs along the entire length of the border member 420 allows an installer to cut the border member 420 at any location along its length.
Further, a boss 434 extends vertically from flange 431 and is opposite from a second boss 436 which extends vertically from the third horizontal surface member 426. These bosses 434, 436 provide a channel for a simple connector 530 (shown in
The border structures can be formed by the extrusion of an aluminum sheet or a metal sheet. The border structure can also be roll-formed from a metal sheet.
As shown in
A fastener 160 secures either the first or the second horizontal surface member in the slot of the J-bar hanger 120. In turn, a plug-in clip 140 secures the J-bar hanger 120 to the U-profile 100. The border panel 250 is placed inside the border element 420 where it is supported by either the first or second horizontal surface members, depending on which of the first or second surface members is not inserted in the slot of the J-bar hanger 120. Thus, the border panel 250 is secured to the U-profile and, as a result, the status of the border panel is dependent on the status of the ceiling system, not the wall or partition.
The border element 500 further includes a pair of splice plate support flanges 524, 526 extending horizontally from the vertical section 510 and positioned between hold down clip flange 522 and the second horizontal surface member 514. A first boss 527 extends vertically from splice plate support flange 524 and is opposite a second boss 528 extending vertically from splice plate support flange 526. These bosses 527, 528 provide a splice channel for splice plate support.
For additional splice plate support, additional splice plate channels are provided. As shown in
As shown in
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the function in combination with other claim elements as specifically claimed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/451,440, filed Mar. 3, 2003.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20040172907 A1 | Sep 2004 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60451440 | Mar 2003 | US |