GB2031986A - Clips for holding a panel to a support rail, and framework or lattice structures for supporting panels - Google Patents

Abstract

The clip 4 has a part 5, 6 which can attach to and slide along the rail 2 and another part 8 with a projection 9 to engage or penetrate the panel in the direction of sliding. A suspended ceiling may comprise a lattice framework of inverted L- or T-section rails 2, from which panels 20 are supported by means comprising clips 4 so as to conceal the framework from below. In addition to clips 4, clips 30 are employed. Each clip 30 has an inclined blade 31 which penetrates the panel from above, and also has a bent part 32 to engage over a flange on a rail. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Frameworks or lattice structures for supporting panels This invention relates to a lattice structure or framework designed to support panels, such as acoustic or thermal insulating panels as used in suspended ceilings.

Frameworks made up of a cross-lattice of interconnected metal frame elements or members for supporting ceilings, wall or roof tiles or panels are well known. In the case of a suspended ceiling, for example, the metal framework is usually suspended by wires or brackets from structural support beams in a building and insulation ceiling tiles are located on the framework. One disadvantage of conventional suspended ceiling designs is that the ceiling tiles are placed on top of projecting flanges of the framework, and the frame elements are consequently visible from beneath.

One of the aims of the present invention is to provide means for supporting a panel from a lattice framework so that little, if any, of the framework is visible from belowthe ceiling.

Broadly stated, the invention consists in a panel retaining member for holding a panel onto a support rail or frame member, having a partwhich can attach to but slide along the rail or frame member, and another part with a projection to engage or penetrate the panel in the direction of sliding movement.

The invention also consists in apparatus for supporting a wall, roof, or ceiling panel from a framework comprising a panel retaining member, slidably mounted on a rail forming part of the framework, and arranged to co-operate with and support an edge of the panel when the panel is positioned adjacent the rail.

Preferably the panel retaining member includes a projecting part which can penetrate into the body of the panel, or into a recess formed in the panel. The projecting part may be in the form of a sharp pointed prong or blade which can pierce the panel.

In order to co-pperate with an edge of the panel which, when in position, is perpendicular to the rail, the projecting part preferably extends in a direction parallel to the rail, and is spaced away from the plane of the contacting face of the panel.

The rail may have two parallel flanges, extending in opposite directions, with free edges which slidably carry the panel retaining member. In a particular preferred embodiment of the invention, the retaining member has a pair of spaced arms for slidably engaging the two free edges of the rail. At least one of the arms may be resiliently sprung or have a resilient detent to permit the retaining member to snap onto the rail. Alternatively the arms or detents may be deformable, so that they can be bent into an anchoring position after being positioned. Each arm may include a pair of inwardly folded tags which can clip over an edge of the rail. Preferably, the rail has a T or L-shaped cross-section, the panel retaining member being slidably mounted on the cross member of the T or on the free edges of the L.The L-shaped cross-section rail will usually form the edge of a framework made up of a plurality of the frame elements.

Aframework according to the invention may also include further panel retaining members, for attachment to the rail and each having an inclined projecting portion which is designed to pierce the concealed face of the panel at an acute angle to the face. Thus, each frame member can be arranged to support a panel at its edges and on its concealed face.

Each panel is preferably formed with a stepped edge or rebate which is designed to support a complementary shaped stepped edge of an adjacent panel. By this arrangement, a panel may be supported along one edge by panel retaining members as defined above and be supported along an opposite edge by engaging with the abutting stepped edge of an adjacent panel.

From another aspect, the invention consists in a framework for supporting wall, roof or ceiling panels, comprising a plurality of the frame element, which are interconnected and arranged in a lattice.

The invention also consists in a panelled wall, roof or ceiling, comprising a framework made up of a plurality of frame members arranged in a lattice, and a plurality of panels supported on the framework by means of retaining members as defined above, so as to conceal the framework.

The invention may be performed in various ways and one specific embodiment will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa perspective view of a panel retaining member according to the invention, fitted onto a supporting rail of a framework, Figures 2A, 2B and 2C are front elevation, side elevation, and plan views respectively of the panel retaining member, Figure 3 is a side elevation showing parts of two adjacent ceiling panels supported from the framework, Figure 4 is a plan view of the arrangement of Figure 3, Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line A-A in Figure 3, and Figure 6 is a diagrammatic 'plan' view of a lattice framework showing ceiling panels in position.

In this illustrated embodiment the invention is applied to a suspended insulated ceiling, including a lattice framework as illustrated generally in Figure 6, constructed from a number of longitudinal and transverse rails of inverted T cross-section, from which are supported insulating ceiling panels. As illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, each rail or frame member 2 is of inverted T cross-section, with a vertical web and oppositely extending lateral flanges. The rail 2 may be formed from a flat sheet or strip of galvanised steel which is bent into the required shape. The bottom flange 3 of the rail 2 is arranged to carry a number of sliding panel retaining members in the form of metal clips 4.

As can be seen more clearly in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C, each clip 4 includes a web 5 which has a pair of perpendicular gripping arms or tabs 6 to engage around the two opposite free edges of the rail flange 3. Each arm 6 has a pair of inwardly bent tags 7, each with an inclined up surface 7a, and a horizontal lower edge 7b. The clip 4 can be snapped onto the rail flange 3 by first positioning one of the arms 6 over one edge of the flange and then pushing the other arm 6 over the other edge of the flange. The tags 7 are forced out slightly and can spring back to their normal position when the arm is pushed fully over the edge of the flange.

The arrangement of the arms 6 and tags 7 also permits the metal clip to slide onto the flange 3 from the open end of the rail 2.

The web 5 is also formed with a projection 8 which includes a pair of triangular shaped sharp prongs or blades 9, designed to penetrate into thhe edge of one of the ceiling panels as illustrated in Figure 3.

The prongs 9 are arranged with their outer edges parallel to each other and this helps to prevent any twisting motion of the metal clip 4 when prongs 9 are embedded in a ceiling panel.

Any desired number of support rails and clips can be suspended from structural support beams in a building to form a complete lattice supporting system to receive the ceiling panels. A typical array or framework of frame elements is shown in Figure 6.

The elements may be joined to each other by means of cross connecting brackets which form no part of the present invention.

The steps of attaching a ceiling panel to the frame element 1 can now be described with reference to Figure 3. Having first erected the lattice framework consisting of the rails or frame members in the required positions in a building, an insulating ceiling panel 20 is placed underneath the flange of one of the rails 3 and a metal clip 4 is pressed upwards over the flange and slid along the rail 2 towards a free edge 21 of the panel. The edge 21 is cut away to form a ledge or step 22 and the prongs 9 of the clip 4 can be pushed into the edge face 23 above the ledge 22 and thus securely anchor the panel 20. The ceiling panel 20 is made of a relatively soft foamed plastics material which is easily pierced by the prongs 9.The space between the prongs 9 and the flange 3 is designed in relation to the thickness of the panel 20 so that the prongs penetrate the panel in a plane spaced appreciably from the flat faces of the panel so as to provide good support.

In order to anchor the panel 20 at intermediate points along the length of the rail 2, further panel retaining members in the form of intermediate panel clips 30 are provided. As is shown in Figure 5, each panel clip 30 includes a triangular shaped prong or blade 31 which penetrates the panel 20 at an acute angle to the upper surface of the panel. The clip 30 is bent over at 32 so as to engage an edge of the flange 3. The free end of the clip 30 is formed with a curved extension 33 which can be manually gripped so as to push the prong 31 into the panel 20. The clips 30 are preferably arranged along the length of the rail 2 so that each successive clip engages an opposite edge of the flange 3, as best seen in Figure 4. This arrangement provides uniform support of the panel 20 along the length of the rail 2.

Having placed one panel 20 into position, a further panel 40 (see Figure 3) can be brought up to the first panel 20, and the stepped edge of panel 40 can be mated with the stepped edge 21 of the panel 20. By this means, the panel 40 requires no support from metal clips 4 along its edge abutting panel 20.

Further frame elements 1 and ceiling panels can be assembled as shown in Figure 6, to create the finished suspended ceiling and it will be appreciated that when the panels are in position they will completely conceal the supporting framework.

At the edge of the finished framework, the support rail may have an L-shaped cross-section since it will only require to support a panel on one side. The metal clip 4 can then be forced in with an Lcross-section web in order to engage the free edges of the L-section support rail. It will be appreciated that other shapes of support rails and panel retaining members can be used with equal success. For example, the panel retaining members could be formed with projections which engage recesses or grooves in the panels. In this case, the projections need not be pointed. It would also be possible to have panels with interlocking tongues and grooves, the panel retaining members engaging a groove in the panel.

In another arrangement according to the invention, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the panel retaining clip may have oppositely facing projections so as to penetrate and support two abutting panels.

As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 the clip may be essentially similar to that described above, but formed with projections or tabs 9a, 9b, extending horizontally in opposite directions from the cranked part 8 of the clip. As with the previous example, the projections can either pierce and penetrate the edges of the panels or co-operate with grooves or recesses formed in the panel edges.

Claims (11)

1. A panel retaining member for holding a panel onto a support rail, having a part which can attach to but slide along the rail and another part with a projection to engage or penetrate the panel in the direction of sliding movement.

2. A retaining member according to claim 1, in which the projection is in the form of a sharp pointed prong or blade which can pierce the panel.

3. A retaining member according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the projection extends in a direction parallel to the rail along which the member slides, and is spaced away from the plane of the contacting face of a panel supported by the rail.

4. A retaining member according to any of claims 1 to 3, having a pair of spaced arms for slidably engaging two free edges of the rail.

5. A retaining member according to claim 4, in which at least one of the arms is resiliently sprung or has a resilient detent to permit the retaining member to snap onto the rail.

6. A retaining member according to claim 4, in which at least one of the arms is deformable and can be bent into an anchoring position after being positioned on the rail.

7. A retaining member according to claim 4, in which each arm includes a pair of inwardly folded tags which can clip over an edge of the rail.

8. A panel retaining member substantially as described with reference to Figures 1, 2A, 2B and 2C, or Figures 7 and 8, of the accompanying drawings.

9. A panelled wall, roof or ceiling, comprising a framework made up of a plurality of rails arranged in a lattice, and a plurality of panels supported on the framework by means of retaining members according to any of the preceding claims, so as to conceal the framework.

10. A panelled construction according to claim 9, including further panel retaining members, for attachment to a rail of the framework and each having an inclined projecting portion which is designed to pierce the concealed face of the panel at an acute angle to the face.

11. A panelled construction according to claim 9 or claim 10, in which each panel is formed with a stepped edge or rebate which is designed to support a complementary shaped edge of an adjacent panel.