DK2735662T3 - Support structure and suspended ceiling system comprising such a support structure - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention [0001] The present invention relates to a supporting structure and more specifically to a supporting structure for supporting equipment in a suspended ceiling. The invention also relates to a suspended ceiling system comprising such a supporting structure.

Background art [0002] A suspended ceiling typically comprises a plurality of ceiling tiles which are supported by grid of profiles. Usually, the profiles are profiles with an inverted T-shape. The grid of profiles, in turn, is preferably mounted in a main ceiling of a room or an accommodation in which the suspended ceiling is to be installed.

[0003] The suspended ceiling often supports equipment of different kinds. The equipment may be constituted by lighting arrangements, ventilation means, fire detectors, signs etc. A substantial share of the ceiling tiles in a suspended ceiling may comprise some type of equipment, in some cases as much as 50% or even more.

[0004] Some suspended ceilings have ceiling tiles made of rigid materials, such as wood, gypsum or metal, which are rigid enough to support the equipment. Other suspended ceilings, however, comprises ceiling tiles made of materials such as mineral wool not having the same load carrying capacity.

[0005] Different techniques are used in order to support the equipment in suspended ceilings with ceiling tiles having a low load carrying capacity.

[0006] According to one method, a load distributing plate is placed on top of the ceiling tile, and the equipment is mounted on or suspended in the load distributing plate. This arrangement ensure that the ceiling tile may support equipment of moderate weight, but there is a substantial risk that the ceiling tile is pressed down in relation to surrounding ceiling tiles, which will disturb the esthetical appearance of the suspended ceiling, especially if the suspended ceiling is of the type in which the profiles of the supporting structure is concealed.

[0007] According to another method, a mounting member may be provided extending between two adjacent profiles of the supporting structure, above the ceiling tile.

[0008] A mounting member of this type is known from SE428597 or US8091721, both disclosing a suspended ceiling having ceiling tiles supported by a support structure comprising profiles with an inverted T-shape and thus having an upstanding web and horizontal flanges.

Each reference discloses an elongated mounting member extending between two adjacent profiles above a ceiling tile. The mounting member has a pair of support legs arranged at each end. The pairs of legs straddle the web of the respective profile and at least one leg of each pair rests upon the horizontal flanges. The weight of an object supported by or suspended in such a mounting member, as well as the weight of the mounting member itself, will be transferred to the support structure via the pairs of support legs, and the weight will consequently not be applied directly onto the ceiling tile.

[0009] Furthermore, the prior art document EP0387964 A1 disclosed a supporting structure having the technical features of the preamble of claim 1.

Summary of the invention [0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved supporting structure for supporting equipment in a suspended ceiling as well as a suspended ceiling system comprising such a supporting structure.

[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a supporting structure capable of supporting equipment in a suspended ceiling system with a minimum of application of load onto the ceiling tiles.

[0012] These objects, and also other objects which will be evident from the following description of the invention, are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a supporting structure having the features defined in claim 1 and a suspended ceiling system having the features defined claim 8. Embodiments emerge from the sub-claims dependent on the respective main claims.

[0013] More precisely, according to the present invention, a supporting structure is provided for supporting equipment in a suspended ceiling with ceiling tiles supported by profiles having an upstanding web and a horizontal flange, said supporting structure comprising, an elongated member having a support flange extending between a first end and a second end, at least one of said first and second end being provided with a connecting member having a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion. Said first engagement portion is arranged at a first distance from said support flange on a first side thereof and the second engagement portion is arranged at a second distance from said support flange on a second side thereof. Said first and second engagement portions are arranged for engagement with said profiles such that vertical displacement of said supporting structure is restricted.

[0014] Hereby an improved supporting structure for supporting equipment in a suspended ceiling is provided. The connecting member provided at one or both ends of the elongated member is arranged for engagement with one of the profiles supporting the ceiling tiles. Hereby, a load applied to the supporting structure may be transferred directly to said profile without burden the ceiling tile, and thus the risk of displacement of said ceiling tile is eliminated or at least substantially reduced. Further, due to the fact that the engagement is arranged such that vertical displacement of the supporting structure is restricted, installation of the equipment is facilitated since pressure may be applied to the supporting structure during the installation by a tool, such as a screw driver. The elongated member may be arranged such that it extends across the ceiling tile just above the top surface thereof. Hereby the elongated member will act as stop preventing the ceiling tile to be lifted in connection with installation of the equipment. The first engagement portion of said at least connecting member is adapted for engagement with said upstanding web; and the second engagement portion of said at least one connecting member is adapted for engagement with said horizontal flange. The engagement portion engaging the web will hereby act to restrict vertical displacement in upward direction, and the engagement portion engaging the horizontal flange will act to transfer the load from the equipment to the profile.

[0015] According to another embodiment, both of said first and second end of the elongated member is provided with a connecting member. Herby it will be possible to fixedly secure the supporting structure to the profiles of the suspended ceiling system.

[0016] According to yet another embodiment, each connecting member may be removably attached to said elongated member. Hereby it will be possible to adapt the level at which the elongated member of the supporting structure is arranged to a specific type of ceiling tile for the suspended ceiling system.

[0017] The elongated member may be a profile having an inverted T-shape. When the profiles supporting the ceiling tiles are T-profiles, it is particularly useful to use a profile of the same type for said elongated member. The support flange of said elongated member is provided with a capping forming a slot between said capping and said support flange. Each connecting member is in this case provided with a protrusion being insertable in said slot for attaching said connecting member to said elongated member. In this way, the connection member may be removalby attached to the elongated member.

[0018] The protrusion may be arranged at said first distance from said first engagement portion and arranged at said second distance from said second engagement portion. If the first distance is different from said second distance, it will be possible to adapt the supporting structure for two different types of ceiling tiles simply by orienting the first engagement portion either up or down. A suspended ceiling system is also provided, comprising ceiling tiles supported by profiles having an upstanding web and at least one horizontal flange, and at least one supporting structure of the type described above, wherein said at least one supporting structure extends between and engages two of said profiles arranged in parallel adjacent to each other such that vertical displacement of said supporting structure is restricted, wherein the elongated member of said supporting structure is arranged above a ceiling tile of said ceiling system. The advantages which have been specified above with reference to the inventive supporting structure are in relevant parts also applicable to the inventive suspended ceiling system.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the inventive suspended ceiling system, the at least one horizontal flange of each profile may form an elongated corner section with said upstanding web and each connecting member may engage the associated profile such that said second engagement portion engages said at least one horizontal flange by means of engagement with said corner section. By letting the second engagement portion adapted for engagement with the horizontal flange engage with said corner section, it is ensured that the load is transferred to the profile in an optimized manner such that the risk of twisting or tilting of the profile is reduced.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the upstanding web of each profile may comprise a projection and each connecting member may engage the associated profile such that said first engagement portion engages said upstanding web by means of engagement with said projection. The projection may be in the form of a bulb. Hereby, it will be possible to ensure that the engagement with the web prevents vertical displacement in an upward direction.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the upstanding web of each profile may comprise a recess and each connecting member may engage the associated profile such that said first engagement portion engages said recess. Also in this case, it will be possible to ensure that the engagement with the web prevents vertical displacement in an upward direction.

[0022] According to a yet another embodiment, the suspended ceiling system may comprise at least one pair of supporting structures arranged in parallel adjacent to one another. By arranging two supporting structures next to each other, a solid base for the installation of equipment may be achieved. The two supporting structures may support a board or a plate, which in turn supports the equipment.

[0023] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0024] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a supporting structure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Fig.2a is a schematic perspective view of a connecting member for the supporting structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 2b is a schematic side view of the connecting member shown in Fig. 2a.

Fig. 3a-c is a schematic and partly sectioned side view of a supporting structure according to the invention used in a suspended ceiling system in which the profiles supporting the ceiling tiles are concealed.

Fig. 4a-c is a schematic and partly sectioned side view of a supporting structure according to the invention used in a suspended ceiling system in which the profiles supporting the ceiling tiles are visible.

Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a suspended ceiling system in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross section view taken along line A-A in Fig. 5.

Description of Embodiments [0025] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a supporting structure 1 in accordance with the present invention.

[0026] The supporting structure 1 is intended to be used for supporting equipment in a suspended ceiling of the type having ceiling tiles supported by a grid of profiles, which may have the shape of an inverted T.

[0027] The equipment may be in the form of lighting arrangements, ventilation arrangements, signs, fire detectors, etc.

[0028] The supporting structure 1 is arranged for engagement with two parallel and adjacent profiles in said grid of profiles and in the shown embodiment, the supporting structure 1 comprises an elongated member 2 with at least one support flange 3 extending between a first end 4 and a second end 5 and a connecting member 6 provided at each end 4, 5.

[0029] The elongated member 2 is in the shown embodiment in the form of a profile with an inverted T-shape, but it is understood that profiles of other shapes also are possible. The horizontal flanges 7 of the T-shaped profile forms said at least one support flange 3 which is provided with a capping 8, which may be made of a sheet of aluminium or steel. A slot 9 is defined between the capping 8 and the support flange 3.

[0030] Each connecting member 6 has a first engagement portion 10 in the form of a first leg 11 extending obliquely upwards and a second engagement 12 portion in the form of a second leg 13 extending obliquely downwards.

[0031] Each connecting member 6 further comprises a protrusion 14, which is more clearly shown in Fig. 2a-b, whereto now also is referred.

[0032] As seen in Fig.2b, the support flange 3 is arranged at a first distance D1 from the first leg 11 as measured from the outer tip thereof, and at a second distance D2 from the second leg 13 as measured from the outer tip thereof.

[0033] The support flange 3 is essential in level with said slot 9 into which said protrusion 14 is insertable, and thus, the protrusion 14 is arranged at said first distance D1 from the first leg 11 and at said second distance D2 from the second leg 13. As shown in the embodiment, the first distance D1 may be different from the second distance D2.

[0034] In the shown embodiment, each connecting member 6 is made from a sheet of metal. The engagement portions 10, 12 formed by said legs 11, 13 is constituted by obliquely bent side edge portions of the sheet of metal, and the protrusion 14 is in the form of a cut out and outwardly bent lug 15.

[0035] Each connecting member 6 is thus attached to the associated end 4, 5 of the elongated member 2 by insertion of the protrusion 14 in form of said lug 15 into the slot 8 defined between the capping 8 and the horizontal flanges 7. The connecting member 6 will hereby be attached to the elongated member 2 by means of a frictional joint.

[0036] It is understood that other methods are conceivable in order to provide the connecting member at one or both ends of the elongated member. As shown above, the connecting member 6 may be removably attached to the associated end 4 or 5, respectively, of the elongated member 2.

[0037] The connecting member may alternatively be permanently attached to the elongated member.

[0038] Depending on whether the connecting member is removably or permanently attached to the elongated, some of the following attachment methods may be used: welding, gluing, riveting, a screw joint, a frictional joint or the like.

[0039] It also possible to form the connection member integrated with the associated end of the elongated member.

[0040] The connecting member 6 according to the shown embodiment, may be removably attached to the elongated member 2 with the first leg 11 oriented either up or down. In Fig. 1, the connecting member 6 is attached to the elongated member 2 wit the first leg 11 pointing up, and consequently, the support flange 3 will be arranged at said second distance D2 from the lower one of the engagement portions, i.e. the second engagement portion 12 which in this case is formed by the second leg 13.

[0041] By attaching the connecting member 6 with said first leg 11 pointing down, the second engagement portion 12 would be formed by said first leg and consequently, the support flange 3 would in this case be arranged at said first distance D1 from said lower, second engagement portion 10 (not shown).

[0042] In Fig 3a-c, installation of an inventive supporting structure 1 in a suspended ceiling system 20 will be described with the first leg 11 oriented in an upward direction.

[0043] In Fig. 3a, the connecting member 6 is attached to a first end 4 of the elongated member 2 by inserting the protrusion 14 into the slot 9 of the elongated member 2. The connecting member 6 is oriented such that the first leg 11 is pointed upwards.

[0044] The supporting structure 1 is subsequently attached to one profile 21' of a grid of profiles of a suspended ceiling system. The profile 21' is a T-profile with an upstanding web 22 and horizontal flanges 23.

[0045] More precisely, the supporting structure 1 is attached such that the upwardly pointed engagement portion, i.e. the first engagement portion 10, engages the web 22 of the profile 21' and that the downwardly pointed engagement portion, i.e. the second engagement portion 12, engages one of the horizontal flanges 23 of the profile 21'.

[0046] The web 22 of said profile 21' comprises a projection 24 in the form of an upper bulb 25, and the first engagement portion 10 engages said bulb 25 from below. As evident from the detached part-enlargement in Fig. 3b, the bulb 25 has an undercut portion, i.e. forms a sharp angle A with the upstanding part of the web 22, resulting in a locking engagement between the first engagement portion 10, in this case constituted by the first leg 11, and the bulb 25.

[0047] It is understood that the engagement between the first engagement portion and the web may be provided in another manner in order to achieve the locking engagement. For instance, the web may be provided with a recess such a depression or a hole into which the first engagement portion extends for engagement with the web.

[0048] The second engagement portion 12 constituted by the second leg 13, engages the horizontal flange 23 along an elongated corner section 26 defined by the horizontal flange 23 and the web 22. Flereby the engagement with the horizontal flange 23 will occur as close to the web 22 as possible, whereby the risk of twisting or tilting of the profile 21' is reduced.

[0049] In Fig. 3c, the supporting structure 1 is shown attached to the profile 21'. Since the second leg 13 is oriented downwardly, the support flange 3 of the elongated member 2 will be arranged at a distance D2 from the second engagement portion 12, and the space defined between said support flange 3 and the horizontal flange 23 upon which the support structure rests is occupied by a ceiling tile 27 arranged for concealed mounting, that is, the grid of profiles is not visible from below.

[0050] A load applied to the supporting structure 1 will be transferred from the elongated member 2 to the profile 21' via the connecting member 6, and thus the ceiling tile 27 will not be subjected to any load at all. Displacement of the ceiling tile 27 by means of depression in a downward direction due to application of load may thus be avoided.

[0051] The engagement between the engagement portions 10, 12 and the profile 21' is arranged such that vertical displacement of the supporting structure 1 in an upward direction is prevented. Hereby installation of equipment is facilitated since pressure may be applied to the supporting structure during the installation by a tool, such as a screw driver.

[0052] The elongated member 2 is arranged such that it extends across the ceiling tile 27 just above the concealed surface or top surface 28 thereof. By minimizing the distance between the support flange 3 of the elongated member 2 and said top surface 28, the elongated member 2 may be arranged to act as a stop preventing the ceiling tile to be lifted and displaced in an upward direction during installation of the equipment. The inventive supporting structure thus makes it possible to ensure that a ceiling tile provided with some sort of equipment maintains its alignment with the rest of the ceiling tiles of a suspended ceiling both during and after the installation of said equipment.

[0053] In Fig 4a-c, installation of an inventive supporting structure 1 in a suspended ceiling system 20 with the second leg 13 of the connecting member 6 oriented in an upward direction is described.

[0054] In Fig. 4a, the connecting member 6 is attached to a first end 4 of the elongated member 2 by inserting the protrusion 14 into the slot 9 of the elongated member 2. As evident, the second leg 13 is pointed upwards.

[0055] The supporting structure 1 is subsequently attached to one profile 21' of the grid of profiles of a suspended ceiling system 20 as shown in Fig. 4b.

[0056] More precisely, the supporting structure 1 is attached such that the first engagement portion 10, i.e. the upwardly pointed second leg 13, engages the bulb 25 of web 22 from below and that the second engagement portion 12, i.e. the downwardly pointed first leg 11, engages the elongated corner section 26 defined by the horizontal flange 23 and the web 22.

[0057] In Fig. 4c, the supporting structure 1 is attached to the profile 2T. Since the first leg 11 is oriented downwardly, the support flange 3 of the elongated member 2 will be arranged at a distance D1 from the second engagement portion 12, and the space defined between said support flange 3 and the horizontal flange 23 upon which the supporting structure 1 rests is occupied by a ceiling tile 27 arranged for visible mounting, that is, the grid of profiles is visible from below.

[0058] A load applied to the supporting structure 1 will be transferred from the elongated member 2 to the profile 21' via the connecting member 6, and thus the ceiling tile 27 will not be subjected to any load at all.

[0059] Also this embodiment makes it possible to avoid displacement of the ceiling tile 27 both upwards and downwards both during and after installation of equipment in a ceiling tile of a suspended ceiling.

[0060] Fig. 5 and 6 discloses a suspended ceiling system 20 according to the invention, comprising a grid of profiles 21, which have the shape of an inverted T, supporting ceiling tiles 27 arranged for concealed mounting. The shown system only comprises profiles 21 arranged in parallel, but it is understood that the grid may also comprise additional profiles arranged perpendicular to the shown set of profiles, thereby defining a plurality of frames each arranged to support a ceiling tile.

[0061] Two supporting structures 1 of the type described above are arranged in parallel and extending between two adjacent and parallel profiles 21. The supporting structures 1 are attached to the profiles 21 in the manner described above with reference to Figs. 3a-c, which is evident from the detached part-enlargement in Fig. 6.

[0062] An equipment 30 in the form of a lighting arrangement 31 is arranged in one of the ceiling tiles 27' of the suspended ceiling system 20. The lighting arrangement 31 comprises a housing 32 with a part extending trough an opening 33 provided in said ceiling tile 27'. The lighting arrangement 31 further comprises two legs 34, each of which being connected to the support flange 3 of a respective supporting structure 1.

[0063] The lighting arrangement 31 is supported by said supporting structures 1 and the weight of the lighting arrangement 31 is transferred to the supporting structures 1 and from them to the profiles 21 of the grid.

[0064] The supporting structure in accordance with the present invention thus makes it possible to install equipment in ceiling tile of a suspended ceiling such that the ceiling tile maintains its alignment with the rest of the ceiling tiles of the suspended ceiling both during and after the installation of said equipment. The inventive supporting structure further makes it possible to transfer the load or weight of the equipment to profiles with an inverted T-shape and especially to transfer the load in close proximity to the web of the T-profile, whereby the risk of twisting or tilting of the profile is reduced. Hereby it is ensured that the profiles bear the load of the equipment while at the same time support the ceiling tiles in a reliable and aesthetical pleasing manner.

[0065] The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the claims. It is thus understood for instance that the connecting member of the supporting structure may be designed in another manner. The function of the connecting member is to transfer a load form the supporting structure to the grid of profiles and at the same time engage said grid of profiles such that vertical displacement of the supporting structure is restricted, and preferably such that vertical displacement in an upward direction is prevented or at least substantially restricted. Hereby downward displacement of the ceiling tile is avoided while installation of equipment from below is facilitated. The connecting member may also be adapted such that the elongated member of the supporting structure extends just above the top surface of the ceiling tile, thereby elimination the risk of lifting the ceiling tile during installation.

[0066] Further, the equipment need not be attached directly to the support flanges of the supporting structures. It is thus feasible to arrange a plate, board or the like on said support flanges and to mount the equipment in said plate, board or the like.

[0067] The inventive supporting structure may be arranged such that it is laterally displaceable when attached to the profiles of the grid of the suspended ceiling, that is in the longitudinal direction of said profiles. By displacing the supporting structures, it is thus possible to modify the position of the equipment to be installed.

[0068] Further, it is possible to arrange additional profiles perpendicular to the supporting structures and supported by the support flanges, thereby defining a frame in which the equipment may be mounted, optionally on a plate, board or the like arranged in said frame. It is thus possible to arrange a pair of supporting structures side by side and extending between two profiles of a grid supporting the ceiling tiles of a suspended ceiling, such as depicted in Fig. 5. Two profiles, for instance T-profiles may then be placed in parallel, extending between the supporting structures and resting on the support surfaces thereof. Hereby a frame is provided in which the equipment may be mounted, either directly or on a board or the like placed in said frame. These T-profiles may be laterally displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the supporting structures. Consequently, by appropriate displacement of the supporting structures and/or the T-profiles, the frame may be arranged in any desired position within the compartment or rectangle defined by the grid of profiles.

[0069] If the grid of profiles supporting the ceiling tiles of the suspended ceiling comprises profiles arranged perpendicular to each other, the inventive supporting structure may be used in accordance with the following. A first supporting structure may be attached to a pair of profiles extending in parallel. A second supporting structure is then arranged perpendicular to the first supporting structure, wherein a first end of the second supporting structure is attached to the first supporting structure and a second end thereof is attached to a profile extending perpendicular to said pair of profiles.

[0070] Several modifications and variations are thus feasible, which means that the scope of protection of the present invention is exclusively defined by the appended claims.

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description • SE428597 100681 • υ88091721Β|00081 • EP0387964A1 [00091

Claims (14)

A supporting structure for supporting equipment (30) in a suspended ceiling with ceiling panels (27) supported by profiles (21) having an upright tab (22) and a horizontal flange (23), the supporting structure comprising an elongated element (2) having a first support flange (3) extending between a first end (4) and a second end (5), wherein at least one of the first and second ends (4, 5) has a connecting element ( 6) attached thereto, wherein the connecting member (6) has a first engaging portion (10) and a second engaging portion (12), wherein the first engaging portion (10) is disposed at a first distance (D1) from the support flange (3) on a first side thereof, and wherein the second engagement part (12) is disposed at a different distance (D2) from the support flange (3) on another side thereof, wherein the first engagement part (10) is arranged to engage the tab (22) of the profiles (21). ), and wherein the second engagement part (12) is arranged to engage the horizontal flange (23) of the profiles (21) so that cold displacement of the supporting structure is limited where the support flange (3) of the elongate element (2) is provided with a cover (8) which forms a slot (9) between the cover (8) and the support flange (3), and k the end character of each connecting member (6) being provided with a projection (14) which can be inserted into the slot (9) to attach the connecting member (6) to the elongated member (2). The supporting structure of claim 1, wherein the first engaging portion (10) of the at least one connecting member (6) is adapted to engage the upright tab (22); and wherein the second engaging portion (12) of the at least one connecting member (6) is arranged to engage the horizontal flange (23). A support structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein both of the first end (4) and the second end (5) of the elongate member (2) are provided with a connecting member (6). A support structure according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein each connecting member (6) is removably attached to the elongated member (2). A support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate member (2) is a profile with an inverted T-shape. A support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the projection (14) is disposed at the first distance (D1) from the first engagement part (10) and is located at the second distance (D2) from the second engagement part (12). A support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first distance (D1) is different from the second distance (D2). A suspended ceiling system comprising ceiling panels (27) supported by profiles (21) having an upright tab (22) and at least one horizontal flange (23) and at least one supporting structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one supporting structure (1) extends between and engages two of the profiles (21) arranged parallel to one another, the first engaging portion (10) engaging the tablecloth (22) of the profiles (21), and second engaging portion (12) engages the horizontal flange (23) of the profiles (21) so that vertical displacement of the supporting structure is limited and wherein the elongate element (2) of the supporting structure (1) is disposed above a ceiling plate (27) of the ceiling system. A suspended ceiling system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one horizontal flange (23) of each profile (21) forms an elongated corner section (26) with the upright tab (22), and each connecting element (6) thus engages the associated profile (21) that the second engaging portion (12) engages the at least one horizontal flange (23) by engaging the corner portion (26). The suspended ceiling system of claim 8 or 9, wherein the upright tab (22) of each profile (21) comprises a projection (24), each connecting member (6) engaging the associated profile (21) so that the first engaging portion (10) engages the upright tab (22) by engagement with the projection (24). A suspended ceiling system according to claim 10, wherein the upright tab (22) is provided with a bead (25) forming the projection (24). The suspended ceiling system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the upright tab (22) of each profile (21) comprises a recess and each connecting element (6) engages the associated profile (21) so that the first engaging element (21) 10) intervenes in the recess. A suspended ceiling system according to any one of claims 8-12, comprising at least one pair of supporting structures (1) arranged parallel to one another. Use of a supporting structure (1) according to any of claims 1-7 in a suspended ceiling system comprising ceiling plates (27) supported by profiles (21) having an upright tab (22) and at least one horizontal flange (23) for carrying equipment above one of the ceiling panels (27).