AU783290B2

AU783290B2 - Improved mounting system

Info

Publication number: AU783290B2
Application number: AU15678/02A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Scott Noel Holyoake
Original assignee: HOLYOAKE IND VIC Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Price Holyoake NZ Ltd
Priority date: 2001-03-08
Filing date: 2002-02-19
Publication date: 2005-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2022-02-19
Also published as: AU1567802A

Description

AUSTRALIA

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o°° e Applicant: HOLYOAKE INDUSTRIES (VIC.) PTY LIMITED Invention Title: IMPROVED MOUNTING SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: IMPROVED MOUNTING SYSTEM Technical Field This invention relates to improvements to mounting systems used to install components into ceilings. Specifically the present invention will be referred to throughout this specification as being used to mount air conditioning diffusers within a ceiling. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that other components may also be mounted using the present invention and as such reference to air conditioning 0 diffusers throughout this specification should in no way be seen as limiting.

ooeo, Background Art o.

Modern ceilings have a number of components installed into the decorative outer S 15 finish of the ceiling. For example, in air conditioned buildings a number of air outlet ducts with associated diffusing components need to extend out through the ceiling into an area to be air conditioned. Other components such as lighting or sprinkler systems also need to be installed into ceilings. It is important to ensure that the final decorative surface provided to the ceiling through panels, plaster or other finishes is not marred or damaged by the installation of such components. Care and attention needs to be taken installing components such as air conditioning diffusers (and also in the design of the diffuser) to ensure that the overall finished ceiling is attractive and aesthetically pleasing.

However, it is difficult to mount components within a ceiling while preserving the decorative finish of the ceiling. In the case of air conditioning diffusers the attachments or connections between the ceiling and the diffuser need to be strong enough to support both the weight of the diffuser and other air conditioning components also connected directly to the diffuser. In some instances the ceiling structure must support both the weight of the diffuser as well as ducting used to supply air to the diffuser from an air transport duct. In some instances an air expansion compartment is also attached to the top portion of the diffuser to ensure that air is emitted evenly from all portions of the diffuser. In all of these cases the weight of components supplied may be supported by the ceiling.

Installation of components into a ceiling is complicated by firstly the size of the ceiling compartment in which air conditioning ducts and other building infrastructure components are run. To economise on building costs, the size of the ceiling cavity is minimised where possible to provide more space for the occupants of the building.

However, this restricts the room which installers have to manoeuvre within in mounting components in a ceiling.

Furthermore, installers must effectively work from underneath a component to be installed to mount same into a ceiling. The easiest way to provide a connection between a ceiling and a component such as a diffuser would be to drive a bolt, screw, nail or other attachment directly up vertically into the ceiling structure. However this "approach will mar the final appearance of the component when installed and the decorative finish of the ceiling. Normally screws, bolts or nails are driven horizontally 20 through the upper portions of a component which extend into the ceiling cavity and which are not visible from below. However, as can be appreciated this further complicates the installation process as it is difficult for installers to both work in the confined ceiling space and in turn use power tools or other application systems in the neck of a ceiling diffuser.

Disclosure of Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a ceiling component mounting system which includes, an adapter configured to engage with a cavity formed in a ceiling, and at least one attachment means configured to connect the adapter to the ceiling, and wherein the adapter includes a plate portion configured to lie in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the ceiling when installed, and wherein the adapter is configured to be connected to a ceiling component to secure the ceiling component with respect to the ceiling.

20 In one form the adapter can include a neck portion configured to sit substantially within the ceiling cavity.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing a ceiling component oooee S 25 characterised by the steps of: inserting a neck portion of an adapter into cavity formed in a ceiling, and (ii) attaching a plate portion of said adapter to the c 30 ceiling, said plate portion being adapted to lie o.o* substantially parallel to the surface of the ceiling, and (iii) connecting the ceiling component to the neck portion of the adapter.

In one form the plate portion of the adapter can be attached to the ceiling through at least one shaft threaded through an aperture formed in the plate portion.

It would be advantageous if at least some embodiments of the present invention provided a mounting system which allowed ceiling components to be easily and quickly installed into a ceiling without degrading the aesthetic qualities or finish of the ceiling.

The present invention is adapted to provide a ceiling component mounting system. The particular configuration and arrangement of the mounting system employed may vary depending on the particular component which is to be 20 installed. For example, if the mounting system is used to install an air conditioning ceiling diffuser it may have a "different shape or design than a mounting system used to install a lighting component or element. Reference throughout *o this specification will also be made to the present invention oooo• S 25 being employed to mount ceiling diffusers, preferably within a ceiling without marring or damaging the finish of the 00 ceiling. However those skilled in the art should appreciate Soo.

*0000that the same concepts or ideas used with the mounting system .discussed below with respect to ceiling diffusers may also be 30 used to mount other types of ceiling components.

*.99 o or 9*go o The mounting system constructed in accordance with the present invention includes an adapter configured to engage with a cavity formed in a ceiling. A cavity may be formed in a ceiling in the location or position at which the component is to be installed, and the adapter may engage with this cavity to facilitate the installation of the diffuser.

Preferably the cavity formed in the ceiling may also allow the diffuser to be connected to an air transportation duct used to supply cooled or heated air. Furthermore, in other embodiments where different types of components are mounted, the cavity formed in the ceiling may be positioned so as to connect the component to other types of building infrastructure if required for the proper operation or use of the component involved.

In a preferred embodiment the adapter may initially be fixed or connected to the ceiling in the vicinity of the cavity formed within same and then the diffuser to be installed can be attached or connected to the adapter. This will provide the diffuser with an indirect, but secure connection to the •ceiling.

In a preferred embodiment the adapter may include a neck S 25 portion which extends out from the main body of the adapter and is provided in use to protrude into the cavity formed within the ceiling. A neck portion formed in the diffuser may 000.

to or be associated with air supply ducting within the interior of the ceiling to allow air-conditioned air to 30 be supplied to the lower portions of the diffuser attached to o o.

the adapter. Furthermore, the neck portion formed may also eoS preferably allow a ceiling component to be connected to the adapter.

The plate portion is configured to lie in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the ceiling when the adapter is connected to the ceiling. This plate portion may provide a relatively large surface area component which engages with a corresponding surface of the ceiling to facilitate the connection of the adapter to the ceiling. A number of different types of attachment means may be used to connect the plate portion and structural elements of the ceiling together.

Furthermore, the opposite side to the plate portion (not being in contact with the ceiling) will also normally be covered by the undersides of the diffuser to be mounted.

Therefore, this configuration of the invention will allow an attachment means to be used which protrudes out and be visible from the underside of the plate portion.

0 0e In a further preferred embodiment the plate portion of the "adapter may also include a raised ridge or surface which extends above the other areas of the plate portion. In use this raised ridge may extend towards the ceiling. Preferably ooooe 25 such a ridge may extend along the perimeter of the plate portion so that when the plate portion is engaged with the *surface of the ceiling, it will act to provide strong 0000 0.0.6compressive forces to the ceiling and therefore will lock the 0 *a* .0 plate portion in place.

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0:0 040 In a preferred embodiment the mounting system may include at least one attachment means which is adapted or configured to connect the adapter to the ceiling. As very little of the adapter will be visible once the diffuser is installed on the ceiling, a number of different types of attachment means may be used in conjunction with the present invention.

Those skilled in the art should appreciate the particular type of attachment means used will be determined at least in part by the construction of the ceiling which the adapter is to be connected to. For example, in some embodiments, nails, bolts or screws may be driven through into the main body of the adapter or its neck portion to secure the adapter with respect to the ceiling.

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Preferably an attachment means may be used to connect the plate portion to structural or reinforced elements of the ceiling. A structural or reinforced element may be formed from for example, a stud, beam or rigid framework of material which can more easily bear the weight of the adapter and the associated ceiling component than for example, plaster or ceiling tiles.

S•Preferably an attachment means used to connect an adapter to a ceiling may include at least one shaft which is threaded through an aperture formed within the plate portion and through into the ceiling or components thereof. Furthermore, multiple shafts and associated apertures within the plate portion may also be provided to secure the adapter to the ceiling across many different points of attachment. Such shafts may be formed from, for example, threaded screws or alternatively nut and bolt arrangements which can firmly engage the plate portion with respect to the ceiling.

In an alternative embodiment the attachment means used may be formed from a flexible clip arrangement which extends through an aperture formed in the adapters plate portion to engage with the opposite side or surface of the ceiling not normally visible to the occupant of the building. Preferably such a flexible attachment clip may be positioned so as to engage with re-enforced or strengthened areas of the portion surface of the ceiling to ensure that the diffuser and any other associated componentary has its weight fully supported. Furthermore, a number of such flexible attachment clips may also be provided along the sides of the adapter to provide a secure and balanced connection to the ceiling.

Such a flexible clip may be easily used to install any adapter in ceilings. An installer simply needs to position an aperture formed within the plate portion in the correct location below a strengthened area in the ceiling and then positioned in a curved surface or hook element of the clip into engagement with the top area of the ceiling.

In a preferred embodiment the diffuser may be connected to the adapter through frictional engagement of an upper neck portion formed in the diffuser with a neck portion formed in the adapter. The dimensions in each of these components may be adapted so as to allow the diffuser neck to be inserted inside the adapter neck through the application of a moderate amount of force. Frictional engagement between these two engagements will then hold the diffuser in place with respect to the adapter.

In a further preferred embodiment an additional connection means may also be provided to connect the adapter to the diffuser. For example, in one embodiment i 10 flexible connection clips may be provided which engage on the bottom face of the diffuser and then run up inside of the diffuser neck to clip around and over the top of an adapter neck portion. Such a flexible clip may be easily manoeuvred in place by being pushed up through the diffuser and adapter neck and then clipped around the adapter neck and the bottom of the diffuser.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to an adapter and diffuser being connected together using a frictional fit between each of these components in addition to the flexible connection clips discussed above. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that any other type of connections or connection means may also be used to attach these two components together and reference to the above only should in no way be seen as limiting.

In a preferred embodiment an airtight seal may be provided between the adapter and the ceiling component: it is designed to mount into a ceiling. This seal may run along all sides or the circumference of the diffuser to ensure that any path or channel for air provided through the adapter out into the surrounding environment is blocked. This seal may be adapted to ensure that any air supplied through or past the adapter can only escape out into occupied regions of the building through the diffuser or other types of ceiling component.

Brief Description of Drawings Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 10 Figure l a and 2a show adapters which may be configured in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure lb shows a mounting system when used to install an airconditioning diffuser into a plaster ceiling, and Figure 2b shows a mounting system when installed to install an airconditioning diffuser onto a tile ceiling.

Best Modes for Carrying out the Invention Figures 1 a and 2a show side cross-section views of the adapter 1 which may form part of a mounting system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The adapter 1 may be formed with a neck portion 2 which is adapted to extend up into a cavity formed within a ceiling. The adapter 1 also includes a plate portion 3 which in use provides a surface which runs substantially parallel to the surface of the ceiling which the adapter is to be engaged with. The plate portion 3 also includes a raised edge or ridge 4 which provides a raised portion above the main surface area of the plate portion 3.

Figures lb and 2b show the adapter 1 when used to install a ceiling diffuser Initially, the adapter 1 has its neck 2 inserted into a cavity 6 formed within a ceiling 7.

The same method of installation may be used for a plaster based ceiling (as shown "with respect to Figure Ib) as for a panel based ceiling (as shown with respect to Figure 2b). The adapter 1 may be engaged with the ceiling 7 through an attachment means (not fully shown), such as for example a series of bolts driven through both the plate i 10 portion 3 and the ceiling 7. Furthermore, to secure the weight of the diffuser 5 to be mounted, the attachment bolts used may be driven through strengthened elements or components also present in the structure of the ceiling.

At this stage the diffuser 5 may then be connected or attached to the adapter using one or more connection clips 8. These clips may be formed from bands of substantially flexible material bent into the shapes shown with respect to Figures lb and 2b. Each clip may have an upper portion which surrounds the upper portion of the adapter neck 2 and may have a lower flexible portion which engages with the bottom surface of the diffuser 5 to be mounted. The flexible clip or clips 8 used will act to pull the adapter and diffuser together connecting same together securely. Furthermore, a number of clips 8 may also be provided around the perimeter of the adapter neck 2 to ensure a secure and balanced connection of the adapter to the diffuser.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

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Claims

1. A ceiling component mounting system which includes, an adapter configured to engage with a cavity formed in a ceiling, and at least one attachment means configured to connect the adapter to the ceiling, and wherein the adapter includes a plate portion configured to lie in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the ceiling when installed, and wherein the adapter is configured to be connected to a ceiling component to secure the ceiling component with respect to the ceiling.

2. A ceiling component mounting system as claimed in claim 1 which is adapted to mount a ceiling diffuser for an air conditioning system.

3. A ceiling component mounting system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the attachment means is used to connect the plate portion to structural or reinforced elements of the ceiling.

4. A ceiling component mounting system as claimed in any one of claims 2 or 3 .wherein the attachment means includes at least one shaft threaded through an ooo •i aperture formed in the plate portion of the adapter into the ceiling.

5. A ceiling component mounting system as claimed in any one of claims 2 or 3 i: ~wherein the attachment means includes a flexible clip adapted to extend from an a m i aperture formed in the plate portion to engage with the ceiling. .0 11

6. A ceiling component mounting system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the flexible attachment clip is positioned to engage with reinforced or strengthened elements of the ceiling.

7. A ceiling component mounting system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the plate portion includes a raised ridge which in use extends towards the ceiling.

8. A ceiling component mounting system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the raised ridge of the plate portion extends along the perimeter of the plate portion.

9. A ceiling component mounting system as claimed in any previous claim wherein the adapter includes a neck portion configured to sit substantially within the ceiling cavity.

A ceiling component mounting system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the neck portion is adapted to be connected with an air supply duct located within the interior of the ceiling. o 15

11. A ceiling component mounting system as claimed in any one of claims 10 or 11 r: wherein the neck portion is used to connect a ceiling component to the adapter.

12. A ceiling component mounting system as claimed in claim 11 wherein a component to be mounted is connected to the neck portion of the adapter through ii2: frictional engagement between the neck portion of the adapter and the ceiling

13. A ceiling component mounting system as claimed in any one of claims 11 or 12 wherein an airtight connection is provided between the adapter neck portion and c n Sceiling component.

14. A method of installing a ceiling component using a mounting system characterised by the steps of; inserting a neck portion of an adapter into a cavity formed in a ceiling, and (ii) attaching a plate portion of said adapter to the ceiling, said plate portion being adapted to lie substantially parallel to the surface of the ceiling, and (iii) connecting the ceiling component to the neck portion of the adapter.

A method of installing a ceiling component as claimed in claim 14 wherein the plate portion of the adapter is attached to the ceiling through at least one shaft threaded through an aperture formed in the plate portion.

16. A ceiling component mounting system substantially as described above with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

17. A method of installing a ceiling component substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings and/or examples. Dated this 24 th day of August 2005 HOLYOAKE INDUSTRIES (VIC.) PTY LIMITED By its Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK