The present invention relates generally to suspended ceiling systems, and more particularly, to a suspended ceiling system which includes trim elements along its perimeter. The trim elements of the invention can be utilized in floating ceiling systems, in order to bridge the construction clearance between a perimeter grid element and a soffit or soffit-type wall.
Suspended ceilings often have a plurality of perimeter grid elements which extend parallel to the wall perimeter but are terminated at a location spaced from the wall. One way to eliminate this space is to construct a soffit which extends down from the primary building structure above to the level of the ceiling perimeter. However, in some instances, due to the difficulties of constructing and leveling a soffit, a construction clearance may be visible between the soffit and perimeter grid elements.
One solution of eliminating the visibility of the construction clearance between a soffit and a perimeter grid element extending parallel thereto is to attach a conventional L-shaped beam member, or right angle, to the soffit. In this well known configuration, the upper leg of the wall angle is placed in abutting relation and is fixedly attached to the soffit. The lower leg of the wall angle extends in a direction perpendicular to the upper leg and fits under the flange of a perimeter grid element. As previously mentioned, due to construction imperfections, the soffit is rarely level across its entire span. As a result, gaps are frequently visible between the wall angle and soffit, resulting in a nonuniform, undesirable appearance at the ceiling perimeter. To eliminate these gaps, using the L-shaped wall angles would require custom sizing. Also utilizing a wall angle having a wide lower leg may be aesthetically undesirable if its width is greater than the flanges of the grid elements which are visible at the interior of the room.
The present ceiling system provides a solution for covering any construction clearance between a soffit and a perimeter grid element where such grid element extends parallel to the soffit. At the same time, the ceiling system preserves the aesthetic appeal of the ceiling system and eliminates the need for custom wall angles.
The ceiling system of the invention includes a grid framework having perimeter grid elements spaced from, and preferably running parallel to, a soffit-type wall. A construction clearance is provided between the perimeter grid elements and the soffit. The ceiling system further includes a trim strip which conceals the construction clearance between the perimeter grid element and the soffit. The trim strip can either be mounted onto the perimeter grid element or attached to the underside of a soffit.
There are several advantages of the system of the invention including the ability of the trim strip of the invention to compensate for construction inaccuracies in the construction of the soffit. Also, the system is economical to use, as it eliminates the cost of manufacturing custom wall angles or specials. 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.
Referring now in greater detail to the Figures, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the drawings.
For further positive engagement of the trim element 20 to the grid element 10, the second leg 24 of the trim element 20 may contain a tab 30 extending from the second leg 24 and into the grid receiving channel 28. Upon insertion of the first portion 14 of flange 12 into the grid receiving channel 28 of trim strip 20, tab 30 snaps over the top side of first portion 14. When viewed from below, the intermediate section 26 will cover the bottom side of first portion 14, and, thus, have the appearance of the bottom portion of flange 14.
As shown in
It should be noted that the second horizontal step 38 of the clearance covering portion 32 can be mechanically fastened to the soffit, such as by a screw 50 as shown in
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/557,642, filed Mar. 30, 2004, entitled Trim System.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60557642 | Mar 2004 | US |