GB2061347A

GB2061347A - False ceiling with pivoting panels

Info

Publication number: GB2061347A
Application number: GB7936843A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-10-24
Filing date: 1979-10-24
Publication date: 1981-05-13

Abstract

Individual ceiling panels 1, secured to and supported by elongate support members mounted on the actual ceiling, may be pivotally displaced out of the false ceiling structure by pivoting about an axis 3. Access into the cavity between actual and false ceilings is thus provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A false ceiling assembly In the completion of interior rooms, dismountable false ceilings have developed into a standard method of construction, since all installations supply pipes and wiring for the individual floors may be accommodated in the cavity formed between the actual ceiling and the false ceiling.

An important property of the false ceiling is that it may be opened at any point by removal of individual panel members so that there is easy access to the installations accommodated in the cavity of the ceiling for repair purposes.

According to hitherto known ceiling constructions, in practice individual panels were secured to elongate support members mounted in predetermined spacings, on the actual ceiling. The side walls of the support members are preferably angled at their ends and in such case the panels are either laid on the flanges of the support members or are screwed to the underside of the support member.

To gain access to the cavity between the actual ceiling and the false ceiling, these panels are either lifted out upwardly into the cavity or are removed downwardly after removal from the securing elements for the ceiling panels.

This method of opening is difficult because the panels are generally of considerable weight, and therefore such method generally requires two workmen utilising scaffolding.

The present invention simplifies the construction of a ceiling assembly having a false ceiling and facilitates the opening of the individual ceiling panels, either to gain access to the cavity between the actual ceiling and the false ceiling or to replace a faulty panel. In the method of the invention each ceiling panel is mounted so as to pivot.

According to the present invention there is provided a false ceiling assembly comprising a plurality of individual ceiling panels secured to and being supported by elongate support members mounted on the actual ceiling, in which the ceiling panels are adapted individually to be pivotally displaced out of the false ceiling structure.

Since the panels are not detached from the ceiling assembly and also in the suspended state remain securely connected to the ceiling structure, the opening and closing of the panels may be carried out readily from step ladders even by unskilled labour.

These pivotally mounted ceiling panels may also be detachably secured to the ceiling panel assembly and completely removed therefrom, if there are structural reasons therefor.

The pivotal axle required for executing the pivotal movement of each ceiling panel may be designed in different ways and also be mounted at different points of the panel and securely connected thereto. The pivot bearing or pivotal axis is located in the region of the flanges of the support members, either above the upper edge of the flange or in a groove in the lateral edge of the flange.

Since these pivot bearings are not fixed to the flanges, the ceiling panels opened by being pivoted downwardly and suspended on the pivot bearings may be displaced forwardly and rearwardly of the flanges, The butt joints which are formed between juxtaposed panels and between panels and flanges of the supporting structure may be sealed off by a covering overlapping the panel edges and placed from above on the panel.

The inside edge of the covering abutting at the top against the panel may also take over the function of the pivot bearing or pivotal axis. It is therefore unnecessary to install a separate pivotal axis, which substantially reduces assembly costs.

The present invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a ceiling assembly in which ceiling panels (1) are inserted between elongate support members (2). The pivotal axis (3) is placed centrally on the panel above the panel and securely connected thereto. Its protruding ends abut against the flanges of the support members (2).

Fig. 1 A is a cross-section of the ceiling assembly shown in Fig. 1. The ceiling panels (1) and the support members (2) are butt-connected to provide a flush ceiling assembly; Fig. 1 B is an identical cross-section to that shown in Fig. 1 A but with the ceiling open. The ceiling panel (1) is pivoted downwardly by 900 and abuts with the free ends of the pivotal axis (3) on the support members (2).

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a ceiling assembly identical to that shown in Fig. 1 but wherein the axis of rotation or pivotal axis (3) passes through the panel and the protruding ends of the pivotal axis (3) are inserted in grooves (2') provided in tne support members (2).

Fig. 2A is a cross-section of the ceiling assembly shown in Fig. 2. The ceiling panels (1) and the support members (2) are butt-connected to provide a flush ceiling assembly.

Fig. 2B is an identical cross-section of that shown in Fig. 2A but with the ceiling open. The ceiling panel (1) is pivoted out through 900 about the pivot of the pivotal axis (3) located in the panel centre and with the protruding ends is suspended in the groove (2') of the support members (2).

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a ceiling assembly identical to that shown but the pivotal axis (3) mounted on the panel is secured by the front region of the ceiling panel (1).

Fig. 3A is a cross-section of the ceiling assembly shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3B is an identical cross-section to that shown in Fig. 3A but with the ceiling open. The ceiling panel (1) is pivoted downwardly about the pivot (3) and suspended with the protruding ends of the pivotal axes on the upper edge of the flanges of the support member (2).

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a ceiling assembly identical to that shown in Fig. 3 but the pivotal axis (3) in the front region of the panel (1) is passed through the panel core and inserted in the grooves (2') of the flanges of the support members (2).

Fig. 4A is a cross-section of the ceiling assembly shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4B is an identical cross-section to that shown in Fig. 4A but with the ceiling open. The ceiling panel (1) is pivoted downwardly about the pivot (3). The free ends of the pivotal axis are located in the grooves (2') of the support members (2).

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a ceiling assembly identical to that shown in Fig. 1, but the pivotal axis (3) is identical with the edge (4') of a panel support (4). The panel support (4) is so connected to the ceiling panel (1) and so dimensioned that it overlaps the joints with the support member (2) and the joint with the juxtaposed ceiling panel (1).

Supports (5) are so secured to the flanges of the support member 2 that they overlap the joints between the support member (2) and the ceiling panels (1).

Fig. 5A is a cross-section of the ceiling assembly shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5B is an identical cross-section to that shown in Fig. 5A but with the ceiling open. The ceiling panel (1) is pivoted about the pivotal axis (3) at the edge (4') of the support (4) and is mounted vertically thereon and securely in the ceiling area.

Claims

1. A false ceiling assembly comprising a plurality of individual ceiling panels secured to and being supported by elongate support members mounted on the actual ceiling, in which the ceiling panels are adapted individually to be pivotally displaced out of the false ceiling structure.

2. A false ceiling assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which pivotal axes are mounted on the surface of the ceiling panels, the ends of which overlap the two opposite sides of the ceiling panels and are supported on the surface of the flanges of the support members, the side walls of which are angled at their ends.

3. A false ceiling assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the pivotal axes of the ceiling panels are so installed through the panel body that their ends protrude beyond the panel edges and project into grooves provided in the abutting support members.

4. A false ceiling assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the pivotal axis of the ceiling panels are formed by the inside edge of the panel support secured to the upper surface of the ceiling panel, the overlapping edges of which support abut against the flanges of the angled support members.

5. A false ceiling assembly as claimed in claim 4, in which the underside of the ceiling panel is provided with an identical covering which overlaps the joints to the abutting flanges of the support members and the abutting ceiling panels.

6. A false ceiling assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the joints between the abutting ceiling panels and the joints between the flanges of the angled support members and the ceiling panels are overlapped by coverings which are mounted on the surface of the ceiling panels or the flanges of the support members.

7. A false ceiling assembly, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1, 1 A and 1 B, 2, 2A and 2B, 3, 3A and 3B, 4, 4A and 4B or 5, 5A and 5B of the accompanying drawings.