CA2247295C - Ceiling grid with bevel configuration - Google Patents
Ceiling grid with bevel configuration Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2247295C CA2247295C CA002247295A CA2247295A CA2247295C CA 2247295 C CA2247295 C CA 2247295C CA 002247295 A CA002247295 A CA 002247295A CA 2247295 A CA2247295 A CA 2247295A CA 2247295 C CA2247295 C CA 2247295C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- runners
- web
- flanges
- suspended ceiling
- set forth
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B9/00—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation
- E04B9/04—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation comprising slabs, panels, sheets or the like
- E04B9/0435—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation comprising slabs, panels, sheets or the like having connection means at the edges
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B9/00—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation
- E04B9/04—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation comprising slabs, panels, sheets or the like
- E04B9/0464—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation comprising slabs, panels, sheets or the like having irregularities on the faces, e.g. holes, grooves
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B9/00—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation
- E04B9/06—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation characterised by constructional features of the supporting construction, e.g. cross section or material of framework members
- E04B9/065—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation characterised by constructional features of the supporting construction, e.g. cross section or material of framework members comprising supporting beams having a folded cross-section
- E04B9/067—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation characterised by constructional features of the supporting construction, e.g. cross section or material of framework members comprising supporting beams having a folded cross-section with inverted T-shaped cross-section
- E04B9/068—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation characterised by constructional features of the supporting construction, e.g. cross section or material of framework members comprising supporting beams having a folded cross-section with inverted T-shaped cross-section with double web
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B9/00—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation
- E04B9/06—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation characterised by constructional features of the supporting construction, e.g. cross section or material of framework members
- E04B9/12—Connections between non-parallel members of the supporting construction
- E04B9/122—Connections between non-parallel members of the supporting construction one member passing through the other member, both members laying at least partly in the same plane
Abstract
A suspension ceiling grid (11) for supporting rectangular panels (12). The grid members are elongated runners (13) with a generally inverted T-shaped cross section. Flanges (21 and 22) on the lower side of the runners (13) have inclined, exposed portions (23 and 24) and vertical portions (26 and 27) concealed by rabbeted edges (58) of the panels (12). The flange portions (21 and 22) are configured with respect to the proportions of the rabbeted panels (12), to appear as beveled edges of the panels whereby the finished ceiling (10) appears to be gridless. The runners (13) are specially notched (41 and 46) and trimmed to provide a strong but attractive faux miter joint at their intersections.
Description
1 CEIL:ENG GRID WITH BEVEL CONFIGURATION
3 Suspensiori grid systems typically provide grid 4 members interconnected to form rectangular or square openings in which panels are positioned and supported.
6 In most prior art grid systems, the grid members or 7 runners are for=med with a cross-section of an inverted 8 "T" and provide: a lower or exposed flat surface formed by 9 the oppositely extending flanges on which the panels are supported. In such systems, the assembled grid and 11 panels of the ceiling are a generally planar system in 12 which the panels appear to provide a surface interrupted 13 by a plurality of flat, relatively wide bands. Such 14 systems are extensively used and a need exists for a suspension ceiling system that is distinctive from this 16 common arrangement.
17 It is known to provide a generally T-shaped grid 18 member with a downwardly open slot shaped to receive T-19 fasteners which can be positioned in the slot and used to support various equipment or fixtures. Such grid systems 21 are often used in hospitals where patient privacy 22 curtains or other equipment can be mounted on the T-23 fasteners. An example of such systems is illustrated in 24 U.S. Patent 4,021,986. U.S. Patent 4,505,083 discloses grid runners having a longitudinal recess such as an 26 inverted V-shaped channel in the lower exposed face of 27 the runners and faux miter joints.
28 BUMMAR$OF THE INVENTION
29 The invention provides a suspended ceiling grid construction that is configured to look like bevelled 31 edges of the pa:nels supported by the grid. The 32 construction thus gives the illusion of a gridless 1 ceiling. The beveled detail can be used to compliment 2 other architectural bevel features in a building to 3 obtain an integrated motif. As disclosed, the grid is 4 configured to lie flush with the plane of the visible face of rabbeted panels. This configuration contributes 6 to the visual effect in which the grid is perceived to be 7 part of the panels they support.
8 In the disclosed embodiment, the grid runners are 9 formed of sheet metal rolled into a beam structure with a shape that is described generally as an inverted tee.
11 The sheet metal is bent or folded in a profile 12 symmetrical about a central vertical plane. At the lower 13 part of the profile, the sheet stock diverges from the 14 center plane into flanges that appear as the bevels of the associated panels. The seam between these diverging 16 flanges gives the appearance of a joint between adjacent 17 panels.
18 In another aspect of the invention, a faux miter 19 joint between intersecting grid runners is formed while maintaining adequate lateral bending strength in a main 21 or through runner. The disclosed flange geometry allows 22 miter notches to be cut into the flanges while sufficient 23 stock remains in these elements at locations that produce 24 a relatively high bending moment of inertia or section modulus. A crease formed in the remaining visible flange 26 material in the through runner transverse to its 27 longitudinal axis improves the appearance of the faux 28 miter joint by visually continuing the center plane seam 29 of the intersecting transverse runners.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention there 31 is provided a suspended ceiling grid system for 32 supporting ceiling panels comprising elongated through 2a 1 runners and cross-runners having a vertical web and panel 2 supporting flanges integrally joined to a lower edge of 3 the vertical web, the flanges extending laterally from 4 opposite sides of the web and being symmetrical with respect to the web, the flanges each having a first 6 portion extending downwardly and laterally outwardly from 7 the plane of the web to a corner and a second portion 8 extending generally vertically upwardly from the corner.
9 In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a suspended ceiling comprising a grid 11 of intersecting runners that form rectangular openings, 12 the grid being suspended from a superstructure, and 13 rigid, generally planar panels assembled in the 14 rectangular openings, the runners being elongated members having a cross-section generally shaped as an inverted 16 tee, the cross-section including a generally vertical web 17 and a pair of symmetrical flanges adjacent a lower edge 18 of the web and being disposed on opposite sides of the 19 plane of the web and extending laterally in opposite directions, the flanges having a first portion extending 21 downwardly and laterally outwardly from the plane of the 22 web to a corner and a second potion extending generally 23 upwardly from the corner to a panel supporting surface, 24 said panels each having a lower visible face surrounded by a rabbeted peripheral edge, the rabbeted edges being 26 recessed vertically above the visible face a distance 27 generally equal to a vertical height of the second flange 28 portion of the runner, the visible faces of the panels 29 being proportioned to fit relatively closely in the space between opposed second flange portions of parallel spaced 31 grid members whereby the second flange portions are 32 concealed by the panels and the first flange portions of 2b 1 the runners appear as beveled edges of the panels.
3 FIG. 1 is a view from below of a suspended ceiling 4 embodying the invention;
1 FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view from below 2 of an intersect:ion of grid runners constructed in 3 accordance with the invention;
4 FIG. 3 is a fragmentary bottom view of an intersection of' grid runners of the invention;
6 FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view from below 7 of a grid through runner;
8 FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the 9 grid through runner;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary bottom view of the through 11 runner;
12 FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end 13 of a cross-runner with an end connector shown in phantom;
14 and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the ceiling 16 taken in the plane indicated at the line 8-8 in FIG. 1.
17 DE.SCRI'PTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
18 Referring now to the figures, there is illustrated a 19 suspended ceiling 10 which comprises a ceiling grid system 11 and ceiling panels 12 supported on the grid.
21 The panels 12, as is conventional, are generally flat and 22 rigid. The grid system 11 includes main or through 23 runners 13 and lateral or transverse runners 14. When 24 installed, each of the runners 13, 14 has a cross-section that can be generally described as an inverted T-shape.
26 At the top of its cross-section, each runner 13, 14, in 27 the illustrated case, has a stiffening bulb or spine 17 28 which extends longitudinally at the top of a web element 29 or portion 18. The web portion 18 is generally vertically dispDsed in the installed condition of the 31 respective runner 13, 14. The main or through runners 13 32 are supported from a structural ceiling by support wires 33 19, for example, each extending through a selected one of 34 apertures 20 provided in the webs 18 of the main runners 1 13. Unitary with the web portion 18 at its lower edge 2 are first and s:econd oppositely extending flanges 21, 22.
3 The flanges 21, 22 extend longitudinally along 4 essentially the! full length of the respective runners 13, 14. Each of the flanges 21, 22 includes an inclined 6 generally planar portion 23, 24 proximal to the web 18 7 and a generally planar vertical portion 26, 27 distal 8 from the web 18. The flanges 21, 22 further include an 9 in-turned reinforcing lip 31, 32. The inclined portions 23, 24, vertical portions 26, 27 and lip portions 31, 32 11 of the first and second flanges 21, 22, respectively, are 12 integral with one another. As shown, the flanges 21, 22 13 are symmetrical with one another about an imaginary 14 central vertical plane passing through the web portion 18.
16 In the illustrated example, the inclined portions 17 23, 24 of the flanges 21, 22 rise from the horizontal at 18 an angle of about 400. The vertical portions 26, 27 rise, 19 from corners 30 with the respective inclined portions 23, 24, substantially higher than an imaginary horizontal 21 plane where the inclined portions 23, 24 intersect the 22 web 18 and, it will be seen, at least the majority of the 23 height of the flange lip portions 31, 32 lie above this 24 imaginary plane. The lips 31, 32 serve to reinforce the vertical flange portions 26, 27.
26 Preferably, the stock for forming the runners 13, 14 27 is sheet steel that is roll-formed into the illustrated 28 generally T-shaped structure. When fabricated in this 29 manner, the main body of the runners is unitary and the web 18 is comprised of two layers 33, 34. The layers 33, 31 34 form a seam :36 between the inclined portions of the 32 flanges 23, 24.
33 Commonly, a ceiling grid structure is constructed by 34 suspending relatively long "main" runners in parallel rows. Typically, the main runners are long pieces, i.e.
'i 1 12 feet in lencrth, that are joined end-to-end to form of 2 a continuous row. Between the main runners, cross-3 runners of a limited length are assembled into slots in 4 the webs of the: main runners. The cross or transverse runners may have a length of, for example, 4 feet. 4 6 foot x 4 foot grid modules formed by the main runners and 7 the transverse runners can be divided into 2 foot x 2 8 foot modules or 1 foot x 1 foot modules or into 9 rectangular modules by adding secondary cross runners.
The main runners and primary and secondary cross runners 11 can have webs of different height so as to provide 12 sufficient vertical beam strength. Another known way of 13 constructing a suspended ceiling is to assemble runners 14 in a basket weave pattern. In either the main runner/cross runner construction or in the basket weave 16 construction, there is a"through" runner that runs 17 through an intersection and opposed cross or transverse 18 runners that abut the through runner at a common 19 intersection from opposite sides of the through runner.
The terms main or through runner are used interchangeably 21 herein to designate the runner which passes through an 22 intersection and the terms cross or transverse runners 23 are used to designate runners which abut a main or 24 through runner :but which do not pass continuously through an intersection.
26 The invention provides a faux miter joint at 27 intersections between the main or through runner 13 and 28 opposed cross-runners 14 as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
29 At the mitered .joint, the through runner is cut or notched through its flanges 21, 22 to receive ends 39 of 31 the cross-runners 14. The notches or holes 41 have a 32 generally triangular configuration both in the plane of 33 the inclined portion 23, 24 of the respective flange and 34 in the vertical portion 26, 27 of the respective flange.
A triangular zozie or area 41 of the hole or notch in the 1 inclined flange portion 23, 24 has its apex truncated at 2 42 to leave material or stock 43 in the inclined flange 3 portion 23 immediately adjacent the seam 36. This 4 material stock 43 leaves the through runner 13 with lateral bending strength in this area. The material 6 stock 43, on both sides of the seam 36, is stamped or 7 otherwise formed with a transverse crease 44. The 8 transverse crease 44, which lies in a horizontal plane on 9 both sides of the seam 36, enhances the illusion of a true miter by continuing the sight line of the seams 36 11 of the cross-runner ends 39.
12 A triangular portion 46 of the hole or notch in the 13 vertical flange portions 26, 27 extends, preferably, 14 vertically above an imaginary horizontal plane through the intersectioii of the inclined flange portions 23 with 16 the web 18. Preferably, however, an apex 47 of this 17 triangular port:Lon 46 lies a substantial vertical 18 distance below an upper edge 48 of the vertical flange 19 portion 26, 27. It will be understood that, ideally, the apex 47 is slight2y below a lower edge 49 of the 21 respective reinforcing lip 31, 32. This assures that the 22 reinforcing lips 31, 32 are not diminished in their 23 strengths by the presence of a part of the notch portion 24 46.
A verticall.y elongated hole 51 is punched through 26 the web 18 at ari imaginary vertical plane transverse to 27 the web 18 and bisecting the triangular notch portions 41 28 and 46. The hole 51 receives end connectors 52 assembled 29 or otherwise formed on ends 39 of the cross-runners 14.
The connectors 52 may be of the type disclosed in U.S.
31 Patent 5,517,796; or of other known types.
32 The ends 39, of each of the cross-runners 14 are 33 trimmed to fit the miter notch area 41, 46 in the through 34 runner 13. As shown in FIG. 7, the inclined flange portions 23, 24 at the cross-runner end 39 extend beyond 1 remaining parts; of the cross-runner except for the 2 connector 52 and a small vertical remainder 53 of the web 3 layers 33, 34 above the plane of intersection of the 4 inclined flange portions 23, 24 and the web 18. This small vertical remainder 53 ensures that the adjacent 6 area of the seam 36 when viewed from below is uniform in 7 appearance along the full length of the cross-runner 14 8 and minimizes the risk that a gap could form or be 9 perceived at the seam area at the cross-runner end 39.
The vertical remainder 53 is accommodated by the height 11 of the apex 47 of the triangular notch portion 46.
12 Assembly of the connectors 52 into the hole 51 is 13 described in aforementioned U.S. Patent 5,517,796.
14 Study of FIG. 8 shows the relationship of rabbeted panels 12 assembled in and supported by the grid 11. The 16 panels 12 have a lower planar visible face 57 surrounded 17 by a rabbeted peripheral edge 58. The edges have a face 18 or shelf 59 that is recessed vertically above the visible 19 face 57 a distance generally equal to the vertical height of the second flange portion 26, 27. The visible faces 21 57 are proportioned to fit relatively closely in the 22 space between opposed second flange portions 26, 27 of 23 parallel spaced grid runners so that the second flange 24 portions 26, 27 are concealed by the panels 12 and the first flange portions.23, 24 of the runners 13, 14 appear 26 as beveled edges of the panels. This illusion is 27 augmented by the fact that a lower extremity of the 28 runners 13, 14 formed at the juncture of the inclined 29 flange portion 23, 24 and vertical flange portion 26, 27 is generally coplanar with the plane of the lower visible 31 face 57 of the panels 12.
32 The vertical height of the web 18 measured from the 33 bulb 17 to its intersection with the inclined flange 34 portion 23, 24 is greater than that ordinarily found in standard grid tees and other known constructions. Such 1 standard and other known constructions can be compared, 2 for example, with the grid of the present invention by 3 reference to, i.e. standardizing, the distance between 4 the bulb and the visible face of the panel supported by the grid. As a result, the grid of the present invention 6 can be made from lighter gage stock while providing the 7 same beam strength.
8 It should be evident that this disclosure is by way 9 of example and that various changes may be made by adding, modifying or eliminating details without 11 departing from the fair scope of the teaching contained 12 in this disclosure. The invention is therefore not 13 limited to particular details of this disclosure except 14 to the extent that the following claims are necessarily so limited.
6 In most prior art grid systems, the grid members or 7 runners are for=med with a cross-section of an inverted 8 "T" and provide: a lower or exposed flat surface formed by 9 the oppositely extending flanges on which the panels are supported. In such systems, the assembled grid and 11 panels of the ceiling are a generally planar system in 12 which the panels appear to provide a surface interrupted 13 by a plurality of flat, relatively wide bands. Such 14 systems are extensively used and a need exists for a suspension ceiling system that is distinctive from this 16 common arrangement.
17 It is known to provide a generally T-shaped grid 18 member with a downwardly open slot shaped to receive T-19 fasteners which can be positioned in the slot and used to support various equipment or fixtures. Such grid systems 21 are often used in hospitals where patient privacy 22 curtains or other equipment can be mounted on the T-23 fasteners. An example of such systems is illustrated in 24 U.S. Patent 4,021,986. U.S. Patent 4,505,083 discloses grid runners having a longitudinal recess such as an 26 inverted V-shaped channel in the lower exposed face of 27 the runners and faux miter joints.
28 BUMMAR$OF THE INVENTION
29 The invention provides a suspended ceiling grid construction that is configured to look like bevelled 31 edges of the pa:nels supported by the grid. The 32 construction thus gives the illusion of a gridless 1 ceiling. The beveled detail can be used to compliment 2 other architectural bevel features in a building to 3 obtain an integrated motif. As disclosed, the grid is 4 configured to lie flush with the plane of the visible face of rabbeted panels. This configuration contributes 6 to the visual effect in which the grid is perceived to be 7 part of the panels they support.
8 In the disclosed embodiment, the grid runners are 9 formed of sheet metal rolled into a beam structure with a shape that is described generally as an inverted tee.
11 The sheet metal is bent or folded in a profile 12 symmetrical about a central vertical plane. At the lower 13 part of the profile, the sheet stock diverges from the 14 center plane into flanges that appear as the bevels of the associated panels. The seam between these diverging 16 flanges gives the appearance of a joint between adjacent 17 panels.
18 In another aspect of the invention, a faux miter 19 joint between intersecting grid runners is formed while maintaining adequate lateral bending strength in a main 21 or through runner. The disclosed flange geometry allows 22 miter notches to be cut into the flanges while sufficient 23 stock remains in these elements at locations that produce 24 a relatively high bending moment of inertia or section modulus. A crease formed in the remaining visible flange 26 material in the through runner transverse to its 27 longitudinal axis improves the appearance of the faux 28 miter joint by visually continuing the center plane seam 29 of the intersecting transverse runners.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention there 31 is provided a suspended ceiling grid system for 32 supporting ceiling panels comprising elongated through 2a 1 runners and cross-runners having a vertical web and panel 2 supporting flanges integrally joined to a lower edge of 3 the vertical web, the flanges extending laterally from 4 opposite sides of the web and being symmetrical with respect to the web, the flanges each having a first 6 portion extending downwardly and laterally outwardly from 7 the plane of the web to a corner and a second portion 8 extending generally vertically upwardly from the corner.
9 In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a suspended ceiling comprising a grid 11 of intersecting runners that form rectangular openings, 12 the grid being suspended from a superstructure, and 13 rigid, generally planar panels assembled in the 14 rectangular openings, the runners being elongated members having a cross-section generally shaped as an inverted 16 tee, the cross-section including a generally vertical web 17 and a pair of symmetrical flanges adjacent a lower edge 18 of the web and being disposed on opposite sides of the 19 plane of the web and extending laterally in opposite directions, the flanges having a first portion extending 21 downwardly and laterally outwardly from the plane of the 22 web to a corner and a second potion extending generally 23 upwardly from the corner to a panel supporting surface, 24 said panels each having a lower visible face surrounded by a rabbeted peripheral edge, the rabbeted edges being 26 recessed vertically above the visible face a distance 27 generally equal to a vertical height of the second flange 28 portion of the runner, the visible faces of the panels 29 being proportioned to fit relatively closely in the space between opposed second flange portions of parallel spaced 31 grid members whereby the second flange portions are 32 concealed by the panels and the first flange portions of 2b 1 the runners appear as beveled edges of the panels.
3 FIG. 1 is a view from below of a suspended ceiling 4 embodying the invention;
1 FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view from below 2 of an intersect:ion of grid runners constructed in 3 accordance with the invention;
4 FIG. 3 is a fragmentary bottom view of an intersection of' grid runners of the invention;
6 FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view from below 7 of a grid through runner;
8 FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the 9 grid through runner;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary bottom view of the through 11 runner;
12 FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end 13 of a cross-runner with an end connector shown in phantom;
14 and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the ceiling 16 taken in the plane indicated at the line 8-8 in FIG. 1.
17 DE.SCRI'PTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
18 Referring now to the figures, there is illustrated a 19 suspended ceiling 10 which comprises a ceiling grid system 11 and ceiling panels 12 supported on the grid.
21 The panels 12, as is conventional, are generally flat and 22 rigid. The grid system 11 includes main or through 23 runners 13 and lateral or transverse runners 14. When 24 installed, each of the runners 13, 14 has a cross-section that can be generally described as an inverted T-shape.
26 At the top of its cross-section, each runner 13, 14, in 27 the illustrated case, has a stiffening bulb or spine 17 28 which extends longitudinally at the top of a web element 29 or portion 18. The web portion 18 is generally vertically dispDsed in the installed condition of the 31 respective runner 13, 14. The main or through runners 13 32 are supported from a structural ceiling by support wires 33 19, for example, each extending through a selected one of 34 apertures 20 provided in the webs 18 of the main runners 1 13. Unitary with the web portion 18 at its lower edge 2 are first and s:econd oppositely extending flanges 21, 22.
3 The flanges 21, 22 extend longitudinally along 4 essentially the! full length of the respective runners 13, 14. Each of the flanges 21, 22 includes an inclined 6 generally planar portion 23, 24 proximal to the web 18 7 and a generally planar vertical portion 26, 27 distal 8 from the web 18. The flanges 21, 22 further include an 9 in-turned reinforcing lip 31, 32. The inclined portions 23, 24, vertical portions 26, 27 and lip portions 31, 32 11 of the first and second flanges 21, 22, respectively, are 12 integral with one another. As shown, the flanges 21, 22 13 are symmetrical with one another about an imaginary 14 central vertical plane passing through the web portion 18.
16 In the illustrated example, the inclined portions 17 23, 24 of the flanges 21, 22 rise from the horizontal at 18 an angle of about 400. The vertical portions 26, 27 rise, 19 from corners 30 with the respective inclined portions 23, 24, substantially higher than an imaginary horizontal 21 plane where the inclined portions 23, 24 intersect the 22 web 18 and, it will be seen, at least the majority of the 23 height of the flange lip portions 31, 32 lie above this 24 imaginary plane. The lips 31, 32 serve to reinforce the vertical flange portions 26, 27.
26 Preferably, the stock for forming the runners 13, 14 27 is sheet steel that is roll-formed into the illustrated 28 generally T-shaped structure. When fabricated in this 29 manner, the main body of the runners is unitary and the web 18 is comprised of two layers 33, 34. The layers 33, 31 34 form a seam :36 between the inclined portions of the 32 flanges 23, 24.
33 Commonly, a ceiling grid structure is constructed by 34 suspending relatively long "main" runners in parallel rows. Typically, the main runners are long pieces, i.e.
'i 1 12 feet in lencrth, that are joined end-to-end to form of 2 a continuous row. Between the main runners, cross-3 runners of a limited length are assembled into slots in 4 the webs of the: main runners. The cross or transverse runners may have a length of, for example, 4 feet. 4 6 foot x 4 foot grid modules formed by the main runners and 7 the transverse runners can be divided into 2 foot x 2 8 foot modules or 1 foot x 1 foot modules or into 9 rectangular modules by adding secondary cross runners.
The main runners and primary and secondary cross runners 11 can have webs of different height so as to provide 12 sufficient vertical beam strength. Another known way of 13 constructing a suspended ceiling is to assemble runners 14 in a basket weave pattern. In either the main runner/cross runner construction or in the basket weave 16 construction, there is a"through" runner that runs 17 through an intersection and opposed cross or transverse 18 runners that abut the through runner at a common 19 intersection from opposite sides of the through runner.
The terms main or through runner are used interchangeably 21 herein to designate the runner which passes through an 22 intersection and the terms cross or transverse runners 23 are used to designate runners which abut a main or 24 through runner :but which do not pass continuously through an intersection.
26 The invention provides a faux miter joint at 27 intersections between the main or through runner 13 and 28 opposed cross-runners 14 as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
29 At the mitered .joint, the through runner is cut or notched through its flanges 21, 22 to receive ends 39 of 31 the cross-runners 14. The notches or holes 41 have a 32 generally triangular configuration both in the plane of 33 the inclined portion 23, 24 of the respective flange and 34 in the vertical portion 26, 27 of the respective flange.
A triangular zozie or area 41 of the hole or notch in the 1 inclined flange portion 23, 24 has its apex truncated at 2 42 to leave material or stock 43 in the inclined flange 3 portion 23 immediately adjacent the seam 36. This 4 material stock 43 leaves the through runner 13 with lateral bending strength in this area. The material 6 stock 43, on both sides of the seam 36, is stamped or 7 otherwise formed with a transverse crease 44. The 8 transverse crease 44, which lies in a horizontal plane on 9 both sides of the seam 36, enhances the illusion of a true miter by continuing the sight line of the seams 36 11 of the cross-runner ends 39.
12 A triangular portion 46 of the hole or notch in the 13 vertical flange portions 26, 27 extends, preferably, 14 vertically above an imaginary horizontal plane through the intersectioii of the inclined flange portions 23 with 16 the web 18. Preferably, however, an apex 47 of this 17 triangular port:Lon 46 lies a substantial vertical 18 distance below an upper edge 48 of the vertical flange 19 portion 26, 27. It will be understood that, ideally, the apex 47 is slight2y below a lower edge 49 of the 21 respective reinforcing lip 31, 32. This assures that the 22 reinforcing lips 31, 32 are not diminished in their 23 strengths by the presence of a part of the notch portion 24 46.
A verticall.y elongated hole 51 is punched through 26 the web 18 at ari imaginary vertical plane transverse to 27 the web 18 and bisecting the triangular notch portions 41 28 and 46. The hole 51 receives end connectors 52 assembled 29 or otherwise formed on ends 39 of the cross-runners 14.
The connectors 52 may be of the type disclosed in U.S.
31 Patent 5,517,796; or of other known types.
32 The ends 39, of each of the cross-runners 14 are 33 trimmed to fit the miter notch area 41, 46 in the through 34 runner 13. As shown in FIG. 7, the inclined flange portions 23, 24 at the cross-runner end 39 extend beyond 1 remaining parts; of the cross-runner except for the 2 connector 52 and a small vertical remainder 53 of the web 3 layers 33, 34 above the plane of intersection of the 4 inclined flange portions 23, 24 and the web 18. This small vertical remainder 53 ensures that the adjacent 6 area of the seam 36 when viewed from below is uniform in 7 appearance along the full length of the cross-runner 14 8 and minimizes the risk that a gap could form or be 9 perceived at the seam area at the cross-runner end 39.
The vertical remainder 53 is accommodated by the height 11 of the apex 47 of the triangular notch portion 46.
12 Assembly of the connectors 52 into the hole 51 is 13 described in aforementioned U.S. Patent 5,517,796.
14 Study of FIG. 8 shows the relationship of rabbeted panels 12 assembled in and supported by the grid 11. The 16 panels 12 have a lower planar visible face 57 surrounded 17 by a rabbeted peripheral edge 58. The edges have a face 18 or shelf 59 that is recessed vertically above the visible 19 face 57 a distance generally equal to the vertical height of the second flange portion 26, 27. The visible faces 21 57 are proportioned to fit relatively closely in the 22 space between opposed second flange portions 26, 27 of 23 parallel spaced grid runners so that the second flange 24 portions 26, 27 are concealed by the panels 12 and the first flange portions.23, 24 of the runners 13, 14 appear 26 as beveled edges of the panels. This illusion is 27 augmented by the fact that a lower extremity of the 28 runners 13, 14 formed at the juncture of the inclined 29 flange portion 23, 24 and vertical flange portion 26, 27 is generally coplanar with the plane of the lower visible 31 face 57 of the panels 12.
32 The vertical height of the web 18 measured from the 33 bulb 17 to its intersection with the inclined flange 34 portion 23, 24 is greater than that ordinarily found in standard grid tees and other known constructions. Such 1 standard and other known constructions can be compared, 2 for example, with the grid of the present invention by 3 reference to, i.e. standardizing, the distance between 4 the bulb and the visible face of the panel supported by the grid. As a result, the grid of the present invention 6 can be made from lighter gage stock while providing the 7 same beam strength.
8 It should be evident that this disclosure is by way 9 of example and that various changes may be made by adding, modifying or eliminating details without 11 departing from the fair scope of the teaching contained 12 in this disclosure. The invention is therefore not 13 limited to particular details of this disclosure except 14 to the extent that the following claims are necessarily so limited.
Claims (14)
1. A suspended ceiling grid system for supporting ceiling panels comprising elongated through runners and cross-runners having a vertical web and panel supporting flanges integrally joined to a lower edge of the vertical web, the flanges extending laterally from opposite sides of the web and being symmetrical with respect to the web, the flanges each having a first portion extending downwardly and laterally outwardly from the plane of the web to a corner and a second portion extending generally vertically upwardly from the corner.
2. A suspended ceiling grid system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second portion of each flange extends vertically upwardly above an imaginary horizontal plane passing through an upward extremity of the first portion of each flange.
3. A suspended ceiling grid system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said grid through runners have holes in their webs to receive connectors of intersecting grid cross-runners, ends of said cross-runners having connectors received in the connector receiving holes of the through runner from opposite sides thereof.
4. A suspended ceiling grid system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first and second flange portions of said through runner are notched symmetrically with an imaginary vertical plane passing through said connector receiving hole, the ends of the flanges of the cross-runners being cut to a shape to fit the notches of the flanges of the through runner.
5. A suspended ceiling grid system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said runners are roll-formed of sheet metal.
6. A suspended ceiling grid system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said second portions of said flanges each have a reinforcing lip formed by a reverse bend on the distal edge of a part of the respective second flange portion.
7. A suspended ceiling grid system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said lip is between the part of said second flange portion and said web.
8. A suspended ceiling grid system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said second portion of said flange has a reinforcing lip formed by a reverse bend on the distal edge of a part of said second flange portion, said notch in said second flange portion being configure to leave said reinforcing lip intact.
9. A suspended ceiling grid system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the notches in said first flange portion are configured to leave a zone of material adjacent said web to maintain lateral bending strength.
10. A suspended ceiling grid system as set forth in claim 9, wherein said zone of material is creased along a line transverse to the longitudinal axis of the through runner to appear as a continuation of a line between the flanges of the intersecting cross-runners.
11. A suspended ceiling grid system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first flange portion is generally planar.
12. A suspended ceiling grid system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the plane of said first portion is at an inclination from horizontal of about 400.
13. A suspended ceiling grid system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the end portions of said cross-runners are trimmed so that their webs are notched in a manner leaving a lower part of the web immediately above the flanges existing and the notches in the through runner are adapted to receive such lower part of the web of an intersecting cross-runner.
14. A suspended ceiling comprising a grid of intersecting runners that form rectangular openings, the grid being suspended from a superstructure, and rigid, generally planar panels assembled in the rectangular openings, the runners being elongated members having a cross-section generally shaped as an inverted tee, the cross-section including a generally vertical web and a pair of symmetrical flanges adjacent a lower edge of the web and being disposed on opposite sides of the plane of the web and extending laterally in opposite directions, the flanges having a first portion extending downwardly and laterally outwardly from the plane of the web to a corner and a second potion extending generally upwardly from the corner to a panel supporting surface, said panels each having a lower visible face surrounded by a rabbeted peripheral edge, the rabbeted edges being recessed vertically above the visible face a distance generally equal to a vertical height of the second flange portion of the runner, the visible faces of the panels being proportioned to fit relatively closely in the space between opposed second flange portions of parallel spaced grid members whereby the second flange portions are concealed by the panels and the first flange portions of the runners appear as beveled edges of the panels.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/773,924 US5761869A (en) | 1996-12-30 | 1996-12-30 | Ceiling grid with bevel configuration |
| US08/773,924 | 1996-12-30 | ||
| PCT/US1997/022644 WO1998029616A1 (en) | 1996-12-30 | 1997-12-11 | Ceiling grid with bevel configuration |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2247295A1 CA2247295A1 (en) | 1998-07-09 |
| CA2247295C true CA2247295C (en) | 2007-08-21 |
Family
ID=38434631
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002247295A Expired - Lifetime CA2247295C (en) | 1996-12-30 | 1997-12-11 | Ceiling grid with bevel configuration |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2247295C (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107460988B (en) * | 2017-08-29 | 2023-07-28 | 深圳市建艺装饰集团股份有限公司 | Active anti-cracking structure of gypsum board suspended ceiling and construction method |
| CN114370120B (en) * | 2021-12-29 | 2022-10-04 | 深圳安星建设集团有限公司 | Assembled smallpox structure and building |
| CN114525880A (en) * | 2022-03-02 | 2022-05-24 | 重庆集凯科技服务有限公司 | Suspended ceiling structure |
-
1997
- 1997-12-11 CA CA002247295A patent/CA2247295C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2247295A1 (en) | 1998-07-09 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20171211 |