AU4123499A - Architectural panels - Google Patents

Description

WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -1 Architectural Panels FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to architectural panels and in one particular embodiment relates to improvements to ceiling 5 panels. BACKGROUND ART There are many known methods of forming a ceiling. One method in common use is to make ceiling tiles of standard dimension and install them in tracks to form a suspended ceiling. 10 Ceiling tiles are typically made of a solid material including compressed materials and often are relatively heavy and inflexible. Such prior art tiles are generally available in a very limited range of surface textures and colours and typically are unsuited to being back-lit for diffuse illumination and are prone to damage. The concept of a stretch ceiling is also known. One form of stretch ceiling is 15 described in Australian Patent Application No 35397/89. In this arrangement a suitable material, such as BARRISOL PVC sheet, is stretched between wall mounted rails to form a ceiling. The sheet is attached to an edging comprising a form of hook which is then hooked over a complementary portion of rail to support the sheet and maintain the desired stretch in the sheet. Since sheet material 20 suitable for use in this arrangement may be prepared with a large number of different colours and finishes, some of which may be back-lit the stretch ceiling system is highly versatile. However, such stretch ceilings are produced individually to meet the dimensions of each particular ceiling. Such stretch ceilings are accordingly less versatile 25 than ceiling tiles in that it is not practicable to replace a portion of a ceiling, for example, for aesthetic or advertising purposes.

WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -2 Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. 5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an architectural panel assembly of three dimensional external configuration for placement through a surface aperture, the architectural panel assembly including a frame defining at least one aperture for supporting a substrate so that at least 10 part of the substrate is visible through said aperture, said architectural panel assembly including attachment means for securing said architectural panel assembly in said aperture. The surface aperture may be formed in a planar surface such as a ceiling in a building, or a bill-board for carrying advertising. The surface aperture may also 15 be one of a plurality of such surface apertures in a two-dimensional ceiling grid for a suspended ceiling in which planar ceiling panels are usually suspended. Preferably said attachment means comprises, in one form, a portion extending outward from the periphery of said frame for abutment against the interior of the surface surrounding said surface aperture. In this manner, the "aesthetic part" of 20 the architectural panel assembly is visible through the surface aperture, while the attachment means are obscured from view. Such an arrangement is especially suitable for suspending the architectural panel assembly from a ceiling tile track in a two-dimensional ceiling grid for a suspended ceiling. Preferably said frame defines at least two planes in which said substrates are 25 supported, said at least two planes being disposed at an angular disposition to each other. Preferably said frame is formed from structural members joined by at least one WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -3 joining element adapted to secure and retain said structural members. The present invention provides in one embodiment an architectural panel. In one particularly preferred embodiment an architectural panel according to the present invention comprises a ceiling panel. It is convenient to further describe the 5 invention in relation to this particularly preferred embodiment. It is to be appreciated that the present invention may be advantageously applied to other forms of architectural panel and the scope of the invention is not to be restricted to ceiling panels. The present invention accordingly provides, in one embodiment, an architectural 10 panel assembly capable of being suspended from a ceiling, the panel assembly including an apertured frame for supporting at least one substrate relative thereto so that at least part of the substrate is visible therethrough, and attachment means for attaching the architectural panel assembly to the ceiling whereby to facilitate suspension of the panel from the ceiling. 15 An architectural panel assembly according to the present invention is preferably self-supporting whereby it can be positioned on a ceiling by hanging from the ceiling or from a ceiling component such as a ceiling tile track. Thus the attachment means may comprise a portion of or extending from the apertured frame, to rest in a ceiling tile track or the like. 20 An architectural panel assembly according to the present invention when suspended from a ceiling creates a discontinuity in a normally substantially planar ceiling surface comprising a plurality of planar ceiling tiles and/or a planar sheet of plasterboard. At least part of the frame of the panel assembly is accordingly disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal whereby to provide a 25 visual focus for that part of the ceiling from which the ceiling panel is suspended. An architectural panel assembly according to the present invention may be used for a variety of applications including the formation of ceilings, walls, floors, fronts for light boxes and other architectural, aesthetic and/or decorative features.

WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -4 A aperture formed by the frame may be of any suitable shape. The shape may be planar or non-planar. Preferably the frame defines a regular, substantially planar shape in which a substrate presenting a regular shape can be received. Regular shapes preferred for use in accordance with the present invention 5 include squares, rectangles, triangles and other polygons, circles, and combinations of these. Alternatively the aperture defines an irregular shape for the substrate. Such an irregular shape may be planar or non-planar, and include sinusoids and wave forms whereby to provide the architectural panel with an aesthetic aspect. Other 10 irregular shapes are envisaged, such as concave or convex curvatures. A substrate affixed across an aperture of this type may accordingly assume a concave or convex appearance when viewed from below or from a distance. A substrate according to the invention may take any suitable form. In one embodiment the substrate comprises a display panel. 15 The substrates may comprise rigid sheet such as acrylic or some other plastic sheet, which may be optionally supported in a panel frame if not sufficiently rigid to be self supporting in the aperture. Alternatively, the substrate may be formed of stretched plastic sheet such as the BARRISOL sheet referred to above, which can be attached to a panel frame for placement in the aperture. A most preferred 20 substrate is one which is opal or transluscent in character, to allow transmission of light therethrough, for backlighting of advertising and the like carried on the sheet. This may also be achieved using a transparent substrate which has screen printing applied to its surface. Where a sheet of resiliently deformable material under tension is employed, the 25 sheet utilised may comprise any resilient material suitable for mounting on the frame under tension. Such a sheet may comprise a membrane consisting of one or more layers. At least one layer of the sheet acts as a tension layer which is capable of remaining in a state of tension for an extended period of time without undergoing significant stretching, creep or other tension reducing process. The WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -5 extended period of time is preferably at least equal to the anticipated life of the panel. Preferably the frame has a sufficient degree of rigidity to allow a rigid assembly comprising the frame, one or more display panels received in a frame aperture or 5 sheets of resiliently deformable material to be formed. Preferably frame elements cooperate to define frame apertures whereby the assembled frame defines a plurality of said at least one apertures, through which a plurality of said substrates mounted therein are visible. A frame according to the present invention may be of unitary welded or pressed 10 construction, or may be constructed from one or more structural members. In the case of the latter, the structural members will include perimeter frame elements for extending along at least part of the perimeter of the frame, joining elements for joining one or more perimeter frame elements and optionally auxiliary elements such as strengthening elements and elements for retaining light fittings and other 15 applications. The frame may comprise a pair of opposed end frame portions connected by one or more connecting elements, formed by perimeter frame elements. The arms of the end frame portions and connecting elements preferably define a cradle in which at least part of a substrate can be cradled and held. In one particularly 20 preferred embodiment a frame portions and one or more connecting elements are formed from a right-angled section whereby part of the angled section defines a supporting lip for a substrate in the form of a display panel received therein. A perimeter frame element may be formed from any suitably shaped material. The element may be of constant or variable cross-section. The element may be 25 tubular or solid rod. A lightweight material such as aluminium, plastics or alloy tubing of square or rectangular cross-section may be used as a perimeter element. A most preferred frame element comprises an extruded angle aluminium.

WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -6 In one embodiment a frame according to the invention defines with the ceiling a closed or open-sided polyhedron. In one preferred embodiment an assembled frame according to the present invention defines with the ceiling and substrate(s) a polyhedron capable of being 5 suspended from the ceiling. In one particularly preferred embodiment a perimeter frame defining an aperture is substantially rectangular. In this arrangement the frame includes at least one auxiliary element for the purpose of providing extra support in resisting the forces exerted on the frame by resiliently deformable or stretched sheet so that the 10 frame remains substantially undeformed under the influence of the said forces. In this embodiment, the auxiliary element is in the form of a rod which extends between the long perimeter sides of the frame, parallel to the short perimeter sides. In this embodiment, the auxiliary element may be made slightly longer than the span between the long sides so that the rod may be slightly bowed when 15 fitted to the frame. In this way, the auxiliary element may exert an outwardly directed force on the long perimeter sides of the frame to assist in the resistance of the inwardly directed tensile forces exerted by the stretched sheet on the long perimeter sides of the frame. In this embodiment, this auxiliary element is not fixed to the sheet. A sheet for use in accordance with the invention is preferably 20 less than 1.0mm thick. Most preferably, the sheet is between 0.10 mm and 0.50 mm thick. The tension layer is preferably capable of remaining in a state of tension in any direction substantially tangential to the sheet. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the tension layer comprises a PVC sheet exhibiting the 25 abovementioned properties. The sheet may be a PVC copolymer and may include levels of plasticiser, flame retardants, colorants and other additives to provide the desired properties. The degree of cross-linking, axial orientation, surface finishing and/or other aspects of the sheet material may be varied consistent with the desired properties of the sheet material.

WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -7 The sheet material may be apertured, embossed or otherwise treated as known in the art. The sheet material used in accordance with the present invention should retain its characteristics of resilient deformability across the temperature range 5 experienced at the intended installation. One such sheet material which has been found suitable for use in accordance with the present invention is marketed as BARRISOL sheet. A sheet according to the invention may be affixed to the frame of the architectural panel assembly or to the panel frame of a display panel by fixing means. 10 Suitable fixing means may include any suitable means for fixing a sheet to a frame to form a display panel. The fixing means may comprise an adhesive such as an epoxy based adhesive. It has been found that the adhesive marketed as ARALDITE 2021 (XD4661 A/B) is particularly effective when used to fix BARRISOL sheet to an aluminium frame. 15 Any item adapted for joining one or more perimeter frame elements may be used as a joining element according to the present invention. Preferred joining elements have an external profile complementary to the internal profile of a perimeter element providing a friction fit therein. The internal profile of the perimeter element may be ribbed or otherwise adapted to facilitate the friction fit 20 of the joining member. Joining elements according to the invention may be adapted to form joins with other frame elements, which comprise an in-line, angle, corner, T-junction or other form of junction between frame elements. A joining element may join a frame element to the same frame element or to 25 another frame element. In a preferred embodiment the frame elements are tubular and the joining elements are solid. In this embodiment the joining elements may be push fitted into the frame elements.

WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -8 A most preferred element for joining structural members joins structural members formed of angle section, where the structural members have at least two exposed edges, each exposed edge having opposed faces immediately adjacent thereto. A common type of structural member featuring such a construction is extruded 5 angle aluminium or rolled or forged mild steel angle, either of which feature two flat arms integrally joined together along one edge to form an integral length having a "L" cross section. The angle between the arms is usually 900, but the angle may vary from this as required. Each arm has an exposed edge with two opposed faces immediately adjacent 10 thereto. The opposed faces are usually disposed in parallel relationship to each other (one on each side of the arm in question), with the exposed edge lying in a plane disposed at an angle of 900 to the parallel faces, but there is no reason why the opposed faces cannot be joined at an acute angle with the exposed edge being the apex of the join (ie the opposed faces can converge towards the 15 exposed edge. Similarly there is no reason why the opposed faces cannot diverge towards the exposed edge. Finally each exposed edge may comprise a curved transition between the opposed faces. In accordance with the most preferred form of element for joining structural members there is provided a joining element for joining structural members of the 20 type having at least two exposed edges and opposed faces immediately adjacent thereto, said joining element having a body incorporating parallel slots for each structural member to be joined by said joining element, each slot of said parallel slots being aligned on said body for slideably receiving a respective said exposed edge and adjacent said opposed faces; said body including a projection for each 25 structural member to be joined by said joining element, said projection being provided to be received in a recess formed in said structural member to retain said structural member from withdrawal from said joining element. The recess formed in the structural member is most preferably arranged in a surface of the structural member. Where practical, the recess may simply (and 30 most preferably) be an aperture through an arm or other aspect of the structural WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -9 member. Thus, preferably each projection is located on said body along a face thereof provided to abut a surface of a said structural member, located along from a slot of said parallel slots. In another arrangement there may be a projection located on said body along a 5 face thereof, located along from each slot of said parallel slots, but in most cases it should not be necessary to go to the extent of providing more than one projection for each structural member, in order to obtain sufficient rigidity. Preferably said projection includes a sloped leading surface, to allow said structural member to ride thereover, during the connecting of said structural 10 member to said joining element. Preferably said projection includes an abrupt trailing surface, to prevent withdrawal of said structural member, once said structural member is connected to said joining element. Alternatively said projection includes a sloped trailing surface, to allow said 15 structural member to ride thereover, and allow withdrawal of said structural member from said joining element. Preferably said slot is formed in a raised portion on a said face, said raised portion forming a stop for another adjacent said structural member being joined by said joining element. 20 A substrate according to the invention may be mounted on the frame in any suitable manner. The panel assembly may accordingly include a mounting arrangement for the substrate. The mounting arrangement is preferably such that the substrate is held relative to the frame so that at least part of the substrate is visible through a frame aperture. 25 The frame and the substrate may carry complementary mounting members to facilitate mounting of the substrate to the frame.

WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -10 The mounting arrangement may be such that the substrate in the form of a display panel is cradled in frame elements of the frame. In this embodiment the frame may be provided with a supporting lip for the display panel on which the panel is received and held relative to the frame. A supporting lip according to the 5 invention allows the display panel to be positioned relative to an aperture defined by frame elements of complimentary shape, permitting perimeter regions of the display panel to fall into alignment with the frame elements. In an embodiment where the frame is curved defining a curved frame aperture, the frame and the substrate in the form of a display panel or sheet of resiliently 10 deformable material may be provided with complimentary mounting members. In one arrangement of this embodiment, the frame may compromise a channel whereby mounting members on the display panel or resilient sheet are received in the channel and are movable relative thereto. Other mounting arrangements are envisaged within the scope of the present invention. 15 Attachment means according to the invention may take any suitable form. The attachment means is preferably adapted to enable the panel assembly to be hung from a ceiling and be self-supporting. In one embodiment the attachment means comprises a plurality of attachment elements in the region of free ends of frame elements of the frame. The attachment elements may form part of the frame. An 20 attachment element is preferably integral with the frame. In one embodiment an attachment element comprises a flange or other projection capable of engaging with a track for a ceiling tile whereby the flange rests on the horizontal portion of the track enabling the panel assembly to be suspended therefrom. The flange or projection is preferably outwardly extending relative to a frame member to which it 25 is attached. Other attachment means arrangements are envisaged within the scope of the present invention. A panel assembly according to the invention may be provided with securing means to assist in securing the assembly in a ceiling following attachment by the attachment means. Securing means may be provided for reasons of safety, and 30 may include safety clips and/or other securing means.

WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -11 Thus, the invention provides in one particularly preferred embodiment an architectural panel assembly capable of being suspended from a ceiling, the assembly including an open-sided substantially triangular frame for supporting substrate pairs, the open sides of the frame defining opposed apertures so that at 5 least part of a substrate mounted across an aperture is visible through the aperture, and attachment means for attaching the assembly to the ceiling, the attachment means comprising attachment elements in the form of flanges or projections at free ends of the frame capable of engaging with and/or resting on a complementary part of a ceiling tile track whereby the assembly can be 10 suspended from the ceiling and be self-supporting. Further, the present invention accordingly provides in another embodiment an architectural panel assembly of three dimensional external configuration capable of being suspended from a ceiling, the panel including a frame having at least one aperture for supporting at least one display panel relative to said at least one 15 aperture so that at least part of the display on the display panel is visible through the aperture, and attachment means for attaching the architectural panel assembly to the ceiling whereby to facilitate suspension of the panel from the ceiling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 20 Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from below of an architectural panel according to one embodiment of the invention, shown suspended from a ceiling; Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of a frame according to the first 25 embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side elevation of the panel of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cut-away view of a tubular T-junction of a frame which may be utilised in the first embodiment or a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is an exploded view of a joining element for the frame T-junction 30 of Figure 4; WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -12 Figure 6 is a perspective view of a three way connector utilised in a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a third angle projection of the three way connector shown in figure 6; 5 Figure 8 is a cut-away cross section through section A-A in one of the views in figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a frame for an architectural panel according to the third embodiment; and Figure 10 is a part perspective view of part of the frame shown in figure 9. 10 Turning to the drawings Figures 1 to 3 show an architectural panel 10 capable of being suspended from the tracks 12, 13 of a ceiling 18. In the embodiment shown, transverse ceiling tracks 15, 16 are shown for the purpose of illustration only. It will however be appreciated that tracks 15,16 could also be employed for the purpose of suspending the panel 11 from the ceiling should that be 15 necessary. The architectural panel 10 is intended to replace any one of a conventional planar ceiling tile such as those indicated by reference numeral 19. Panel 10 includes a frame 21 comprising a plurality of structural members in the form of perimeter frame elements. In the embodiment shown, the frame 21 has opposed end frame members 23 having frame elements in the form of arms 25, 20 the end frame members 23 forming a V, and connected by a perimeter frame elements an elongated connecting element 27 to form the rigid frame 21. It will be seen that the frame 21 so constructed defines a plurality of frame apertures consisting of two triangular frame apertures at the ends 23 of the frame and two rectangular frame apertures in the planes parallel to arms 25 respectively of the 25 frame 21. Two such apertures are more clearly shown in Figure 1 and are shown fitted with a rectangular substrate 29 and a triangular substrate 31. With regard to Figure 1, it will be appreciated that corresponding apertures which are not visible in the drawing are also fitted with substrates similar to those identified by reference numerals 29 and 31.

WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -13 A substrate according to the invention may comprise a display panel receivable in the frame 21, a sheet of resiliently deformable material affixed across a frame aperture of frame 21, or a sheet of plastic or glass. Suitable display panels may comprise a sheet of acrylic such as opal acrylic or 5 transparent acrylic, optionally carrying signage or the like, either self supporting or fitted in a panel frame. Alternatively a suitable display panel may comprise a sheet of stretched BARRISOL plastic sheet, optionally carrying signage or the like. An example of the latter arrangement may be such as is described in Australian Provisional Patent Application PP2006 to two of the inventors of this 10 invention. The apertures defined by frame 21 are capable of supporting substrates 29, 31 in the form of display panels by cradling them in the frame 21 defined by the opposed end frame members 23 and connecting element 27. Although not clearly shown in the drawings, in this embodiment the frame elements are in the form of 15 right angled sections arranged to cradle display panels received in the frame elements whereby the upright part 33 of arms 25 defines a supporting lip for the display panel. The free ends of arms 25 each carry attachment means comprising attachment elements in the form of outwardly extending flanges or projections 35. As can be 20 seen in Figure 3 flanges 35 rest on respective ledges defined by the base of the ceiling tracks 12, 13 to suspend the panel 10 from the ceiling 18. In this manner, the panel assembly 10 is self-supporting. The visible face of or each display panel cradled in frame 14 or resilient sheet affixed across a panel aperture may be printed with images such as decorative, 25 informative or advertising images. Figures 4 and 5 show part of an alternative embodiment where the frame elements 40, 41, and 42 are formed of rectangular box-section aluminium extrusion. As can be seen in figure 5, element 42, which corresponds to WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -14 connecting element 27 in the first embodiment, has a folded shape which results in a pleasing external appearance in the completed panel assembly. Referring to the exploded view shown in figure 5, the tubular frame elements 40, 41, and 42 are joined together using a push-fit T-section 43 having a shape complementary 5 to that of the internal void of the tubular frame elements 40, 41, and 42 which it joins. Referring to figures 6 to 8, a joining element 61 for structural elements in the form of angle aluminium perimeter frame elements is shown. The joining element 61 is intended to join three structural members in the form of 32mm x 32mm x 1.5mm 10 angle (900) aluminium 51 (see figure 6), at right angles to each other, to form part of a box framework in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention shown in figures 9 and 10. The pieces of 32mm x 32mm x 2mm angle aluminium 51 are arranged in this frame with their insides within the space defined by the framework. The angle aluminium 51 is of the type having two exposed edges 53 15 and opposed faces 55 and 57 immediately adjacent to each exposed edge 53. The opposed faces 55 and 57 comprise opposite surfaces of the arms 59, comprising the angle aluminium 51. The three pieces of angle aluminium 51 correspond to arms 25, forming the end frame members 23, and the elongated connecting element 27 as shown in the first embodiment. 20 The joining element 61 has a body incorporating two parallel slots 63 for each piece of angle aluminium 51 to be joined by the connector. Each slot 63 is formed in a raised portion 65 located on the inside surface of the body 61. Each slot 63 is aligned for slideably receiving an exposed edge 53 and adjacent opposed faces 55 and 57 of the angle aluminium 51, when connecting the 25 connector with the angle aluminium 51. The body 61 includes a projection 67 for each piece of angle aluminium 51 to be joined, the projection 67 being arranged to be received in a recess in the form of an aperture 69 drilled through an arm 59 of the angle aluminium 51. The aperture 69 is located so as to be in correct alignment with the projection 67. 30 When the angle aluminium 51 is slid into the slots 63 the outer face 59 will slide WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -15 against the inside of the body 61 of the connector. The projection 67 will ride away from the angle aluminium 51 as the angle aluminium 51 is urged past the projection 67, until the projection 67 reaches the aperture 69 when the projection 67 projects into the aperture 69. 5 Referring to figure 8, the projection 67 includes a sloped leading surface 71 to allow the angle aluminium 51 to ride up during the connecting of the angle aluminium 51 to the connector. The projection 67 also includes a trailing surface 73 having a slope mid-way between the slope of the sloped leading surface 71 and an abrupt (vertical) trailing surface. This allows removal of the angle 10 aluminium 51 from the connector, however removal is more difficult than joining element. If removal is required to be prevented, an abrupt trailing surface would be utilised. Two of the raised portions 65 have a back 75, the backs 75 forming a stop for pieces of angle aluminium being joined by the joining element. 15 It will be appreciated that changes may be made to the joining element 61, depending upon the type of extrusion or length of material being joined. Types of extrusion contemplated for use with the invention include those having parallel exposed edges, or those with uneven edges that may be guided by proud edge points that prescribe a parallel relationship. The type of extrusion or material 20 being joined may also vary. Thus, it will be understood from the foregoing description that an architectural panel assembly may be formed from five pieces of angle aluminium 51, four of which include attachment means, and two joining elements 61; with four pieces of angle aluminium 51 forming two end frame members 23 (as shown in the first 25 embodiment) and one piece of angle aluminium 51 forming the elongated connecting element 27 (as shown in the first embodiment). An architectural panel may be supplied in kit form, with or without display panels, allowing completed product to be readily transported from factory to installation site at the lowest possible freight rates.

WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -16 Referring to figure 9, a frame 21 for an architectural panel assembly according to the third embodiment is shown. The frame 21 has opposed end frame members 23 formed by frame elements in the form of arms 25. The arms 25 of each end frame member 23 are joined at right angles by joining elements 61 as described 5 above. The opposed end frame members 23 are joined by elongated connecting element 27 which connects to joining elements 61 as described above. The angle of disposition of elongated connecting element 27 to any arm 25 is also a right angle. The opposed end frame members 23 and arms 25 are formed from 32mm x 32mm x 1.5mm 90 0 -angle aluminium extrusion. As can be seen in the 10 figures, the top upright side 76 of each arm 25 is trimmed at an angle of 450, in order to prevent interference of the arms 25 with fixtures in or parts of ledges of ceiling tracks, or fixtures or fittings otherwise located above the ceiling which might otherwise be contacted by the arms 25 if untrimmed. The opposed end frame members 23 are also joined by elongated connecting 15 elements 77, connected by rivets 79. The elongated connecting elements 77 comprise lengths of 20mm x 12mm x 1.5mm 135 0 -angle aluminium extrusion. The 12mm wide aspect 81 of elongated connecting elements 77 provide attachment means for resting in ledges of ceiling tracks, or around the periphery of a rectangular hole cut in the ceiling, as the case may be. 20 The frame 21 may be conveniently shipped as five pieces comprising two riveted assemblies of one elongated connecting element 77 and two arms 25 of the opposed end frames (part of which is shown folded about rivet 79 in figure 10), an elongated connecting element 27, and two joining elements 61. These pieces may be packed in an elongate cardboard box as small in cross-section as 50mm 25 x 50mm, and of appropriate length to accommodate the elements 27 and 77. On arrival at the site of installation, the parts are unpacked, the arms are rotated to an angle of 900 relative to the elongated connecting element 77, and the joining elements 61 fitted to complete the opposed end frame members 23, and the elongated connecting element 27 is fitted to the joining elements 61.

WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -17 To complete the architectural panel assembly, triangular end panels such as those indicated at 31 in the first embodiment are fitted to the end frame members 23, on the inside of the arms 25 so that the arms 25 provide an external frame for each triangular end panel. Fitting of the triangular end panels is reliably 5 achieved using double-sided-adhesive foam-tape, although other methods could be employed. Rectangular panels such as those indicated at 29 in the first embodiment are fitted between the end frame members 23, resting on the inside of the arms 25 and the elongated connecting element 27. The triangular end panels and rectangular panels can be formed from 2mm acrylic sheet (poly 10 methyl methacrylate sheet commonly sold under the trade marks Shinkolite and Perspex). The architectural panel assembly according to the present invention may be mounted across a light fitting so that it is back-lit, or it may be self-illuminating, whereby display information such as advertising indices carried by the substrate 15 are visible when viewed from below or from a distance. Whilst it has been convenient to describe the invention herein in relation to particularly preferred embodiment, it is to be appreciated that other constructions and arrangements are considered as falling within the scope and ambit of the present invention. Various modifications, alterations, variations and/or additions 20 to the constructions and arrangements described herein are also considered as falling within the scope and ambit of the present invention.

Claims (22)

1. An architectural panel assembly of three dimensional external configuration for placement through a surface aperture, the architectural panel assembly including a frame defining at least one aperture for supporting a substrate so 5 that at least part of the substrate is visible through said aperture, said architectural panel assembly including attachment means for securing said architectural panel assembly in said aperture.

2. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises, a portion extending outward from the periphery 10 of said frame for abutment against the interior of the surface surrounding said surface aperture.

3. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said frame defines at least two planes in which said substrates are supported, said at least two planes being disposed at an angular disposition to each other. 15

4. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said frame is formed from structural members joined by at least one joining element adapted to secure and retain said structural members.

5. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding 20 claims wherein said frame is of unitary welded construction.

6. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said frame is of unitary pressed construction.

7. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said frame is constructed of a plurality of structural members 25 including include perimeter frame elements for extending along at least part WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -19 of the perimeter of the frame, and joining elements for joining one or more perimeter frame elements.

8. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said frame comprises a pair of opposed end frame portions connected by at least one 5 connecting elements.

9. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein said frame portions are formed from a right-angled section whereby part of the angled section defines a supporting lip for said substrate.

10. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding 10 claims wherein the substrates are selected from one or more of rigid acrylic sheet or other plastic sheet, optionally supported in a panel frame, and Stretched plastic sheet attached to a panel frame.

11. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein said joining element is adapted to join structural members of the type 15 having at least two exposed edges and opposed faces immediately adjacent thereto, said joining element having a body incorporating parallel slots for each structural member to be joined by said joining element, each slot of said parallel slots being aligned on said body for slideably receiving a respective said exposed edge and adjacent said opposed faces; said body including a 20 projection for each structural member to be joined by said joining element, said projection being provided to be received in a recess formed in said structural member to retain said structural member from withdrawal from said joining element.

12. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said recess 25 formed in the structural member is arranged in a surface of the structural member. WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -20

13. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said recess is an aperture through an arm of the structural member, and each said projection is located on said body along a face thereof provided to abut a surface of a said structural member, located along from a slot of said parallel 5 slots.

14. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein a said projection is located on said body along a face thereof, located along from each slot of said parallel slots.

15. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14 10 wherein said projection includes a sloped leading surface, to allow said structural member to ride thereover, during the connecting of said structural member to said joining element.

16. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said projection includes an abrupt trailing surface, to prevent withdrawal of said 15 structural member, once said structural member is connected to said joining element.

17. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said projection includes a sloped trailing surface, to allow said structural member to ride thereover, and allow withdrawal of said structural member from said 20 joining element.

18. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 17 wherein said slot is formed in a raised portion on a said face, said raised portion forming a stop for another adjacent said structural member being joined by said joining element. 25

19. An architectural panel assembly as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 18 wherein the attachment means comprises a plurality of attachment elements in the region of free ends of frame elements of the frame. WO 99/61722 PCT/AU99/00410 -21

20. An architectural panel assembly of three dimensional external configuration adapted for suspension from a ceiling, the panel including a frame having at least one aperture for supporting at least one display panel relative to said at least one aperture so that at least part of the display on the display panel is 5 visible through the aperture, and attachment means for attaching the architectural panel assembly to the ceiling.

21. An architectural panel assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

22. In an architectural panel assembly a joining element substantially as herein 10 described with reference to the drawings.