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
• • 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
• • 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
• • 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
  • E04B9/22—Connection of slabs, panels, sheets or the like to the supporting construction
  • E04B9/24—Connection of slabs, panels, sheets or the like to the supporting construction with the slabs, panels, sheets or the like positioned on the upperside of, or held against the underside of the horizontal flanges of the supporting construction or accessory means connected thereto
  • E04B9/241—Connection of slabs, panels, sheets or the like to the supporting construction with the slabs, panels, sheets or the like positioned on the upperside of, or held against the underside of the horizontal flanges of the supporting construction or accessory means connected thereto with the slabs, panels, sheets or the like positioned on the upperside of the horizontal flanges of the supporting construction

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to the field of building construction and, more particularly, to a method for renovating ceiling tiles.
• Suspended ceilings or "drop" ceilings are well known in the art. Typically a ceiling grid or lattice framework is hung by wires fixed to the building's overhead framing or mechanical components. Decorative ceiling tiles are then inserted into the grid. Suspended ceilings have a number of advantages over drywall ceilings. These include but are not limited to lower cost and the creation of less mess during installation. In addition, in the event of a water leak or other damage, the individual damaged tiles may be simply replaced without having to repair and/or repaint the entire ceiling as could be necessary with a drywall ceiling.
• the ceiling tiles may become dirty and worn. Some may be damaged if they are frequently lifted to access lighting fixtures, speakers or mechanical components above the supporting grid. Further, decorating tastes change over time and an individual may simply want to change the look of the ceiling tiles.
• the present invention relates to a quick, convenient and inexpensive method for renovating ceiling tiles and providing a "new" suspended ceiling.
• an improved method for renovating a ceiling tile and grid system. That method comprises the steps of lifting an old ceiling tile from the grid, placing a new ceiling tile in the grid where the old ceiling tile was positioned and placing the old ceiling tile on top of the new ceiling tile.
• the method further includes the step of shaping the new ceiling tile prior to placing the new ceiling tile in the grid.
• the shaping step includes cutting the new ceiling tile to a proper size to fit the grid.
• the shaping also includes the step of cutting an opening in the new ceiling tile in order to accommodate an obstruction such as a light fixture, speaker, smoke detector, pipe, sprinkler head or the like.
• the method includes the optional step of applying adhesive tape to the new ceiling tile prior to placing the new ceiling tile in the grid.
• Figure 1 is a bottom perspective view of a ceiling tile of the type utilized in the renovation method of the present invention
• Figures 2a-2d are schematical side elevational views illustrating the renovation method of the present invention including the lifting of an old ceiling tile from the grid in Figure 2b, the placing of a new ceiling tile in the grid in Figure 2c and the placing of the old ceiling tile on top of the new ceiling tile in Figure 2d.
• FIG. 1 illustrating a ceiling tile 10 such as utilized in the present method of renovating a ceiling tile and grid system.
• the ceiling tile 10 is preferably a stiff structure that will not bow or sag during its lifetime.
• the ceiling tile 10 may be built from a single glass veil or by a combination of layers.
• the ceiling tile 10 will include glass fibers and additional chemicals added by single side coating or full impregnation.
• ADVANTEX glass fibers manufactured and sold by Owens Corning may be utilized for this purpose.
• the thickness of the fibers may vary from about 6 microns to about 21 microns.
• the length of the glass fibers may vary from about 4 mm to about 38 mm.
• other fibers like synthetic polymer (for example, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, aramid, nylon, rayon) or natural fibers (for example, cotton, hemp, kenaf, jute) may be utilized.
• Typical chemicals used for coating and impregnating the ceiling tile include polyvinyl alcohol, synthetic polymer binders like polyacrylates, polyacetates, vinyl polymers, fillers like aluminum trihydrate, magnesium hydrate, calcium carbonate, synthetic microspheres, glass spheres, and flame retarding nitrogen and phosphor containing compounds.
• a ceiling board edge coating such as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,559,377 to Gleeson et al. may also be utilized.
• the ceiling tile 10 will typically comprise a glass veil of composition as described above for aesthetic properties in combination with one or more additional glass veils, reinforcement scrims, thin panels of synthetic polymer material, metal, cardboard, paper, mineral wool, glass wool, wood pulp, gypsum or other hard minerals which form reinforcement layers. Layers may be combined or laminated together by means of gluing, heat welding or other means.
• the renovation method of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 2a-2d.
• the existing suspended ceiling system S is illustrated in Figure 2a.
• the suspended ceiling system S includes a grid or latticework G suspended from the building's overhead framing F by means of wires W in a manner well known in the art.
• the existing ceiling tiles T (only one illustrated in the drawing figure) fill the opening between adjacent grid members in order to provide an aesthetically pleasing ceiling surface.
• the existing ceiling tile T of the suspended ceiling system S may be quickly and easily replaced by first lifting the old ceiling tile T from the grid G (see Figure 2b). Next the new ceiling tile 10 is positioned in the grid G where the old ceiling tile T was previously positioned (see Figure 2c).
• the old ceiling tile T On top of the new ceiling tile 10.
• the old ceiling tile T effectively holds the new ceiling tile 10 in the grid G.
• the new ceiling tile 10 includes margins 12, those margins rest on and engage the grid G when the ceiling tile is properly positioned in the grid.
• the method also includes the shaping of the new ceiling tile prior to the positioning of the new ceiling tile in the grid G when shaping is necessary.
• shaping includes cutting the new ceiling tile 10 to a proper size to fit in the grid. This is often necessary adjacent a wall where a standard grid size will not fit the available space.
• shaping includes cutting an opening in the new ceiling tile 10 in order to accommodate an obstruction such as a light fixture, speaker, smoke detector, sprinkler head, pipe or the like.
• the method also includes the optional step of applying adhesive tape to the ceiling tile 10 prior to placing the ceiling tile in the grid G.
• the ceiling tile 10 includes margins 12 as illustrated, the two sided adhesive tape is positioned in the margin.
• the ceiling tile 10 is then positioned in the grid G and pressed down so that the adhesive tape adheres the ceiling tile 10 to the grid G.
• the weight of the old ceiling tile T on the new ceiling tile 10 helps to insure the integrity of the connection.
• the present method provides a simple and convenient approach for renovating suspended ceiling systems and, more particularly, replacing ceiling tiles. Since the old ceiling tiles are maintained in the space above the new ceiling tiles 10, there is no mess created during renovation and the time and effort otherwise required to remove the old ceiling tiles and discard them is eliminated. Accordingly, installation costs are greatly reduced. Further, the new ceiling tiles 10 allow one to aesthetically upgrade any existing suspended ceiling independent of the ceiling type and design. Since the old ceiling tiles T remain in place on the grid G behind the new ceiling tiles 10, the original technical properties of the ceiling relating, for example, to fire rating and acoustical characteristics are at least maintained if not improved by the new ceiling tiles 10. Further, since the ceiling tiles T may be replaced without creating any substantial mess and without necessitating their removal, renovation and replacement can be done in a normal work environment with minimal disruption to the work area.
• the ceiling tile 10 could include a trim margin of reduced thickness which would engage the grid and allow the face of the panel to extend through the grid.
• an appropriate adhesive may be applied directly to the ceiling tile and the ceiling tile then positioned in the grid.
• the ceiling tile itself may be made self adhesive along the margins that engage the grid.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Finishing Walls (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

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• 2006
  • 2006-08-02 CN CNA200680028476XA patent/CN101283150A/zh active Pending
  • 2006-08-02 US US11/497,938 patent/US20070028545A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2006-08-02 WO PCT/EP2006/008025 patent/WO2007014786A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2006-08-02 JP JP2008524454A patent/JP2009503303A/ja active Pending
  • 2006-08-02 EP EP06776835A patent/EP1915486A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2006-08-02 KR KR1020087002601A patent/KR20080038146A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2006-08-02 CA CA002616270A patent/CA2616270A1/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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