GB2167779A

GB2167779A - A suspended ceiling structure

Info

Publication number: GB2167779A
Application number: GB08429809A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Daly
Original assignee: SPECIAL ACOUSTIC SERVICES LIMI
Current assignee: SPECIAL ACOUSTIC SERVICES LIMI
Priority date: 1984-11-26
Filing date: 1984-11-26
Publication date: 1986-06-04
Also published as: GB8429809D0

Abstract

The structure comprises inverted T-shaped grid support members 1 having a hollow or cavity 6 in which the arms 7a of a cruciform connector 7 are inserted to connect together adjacent grid members 1 at a junction. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION lrnproed suspended ceiling support structure and metliod of assembly thereof This inventionrelatesto a method of assernbting a suspended ceiling support structure and to a structure for use with said method.

A suspended ceiling normally comprises a metal frameworkofgrid members suspended from the overstructure on hangers, the framework being formed as a grid system, usually at 1000 or 1200 mm centres, adapted to supportthe ceiling panels thereon.

Numerous methods of assembling the grid system are known but they mostly involve connecting the inverted T-section grid members together at right angles to each other using L-shaped brackets which fit into opposed channels in the T-section grid members.

For additional rigidity ofthe assembled connection, the L-shaped brackets are often rivetted or screwed to theirjuxtaposedT-section grid members.

It is current practice to provide the T-section grid members with means enabling wall partitions to be attached to them which means that the ceiling structure effectively now has to carry additional loads as the partition walls can move due, for instance, to the opening or slamming of a door. It is therefore extremely important that the ceiling structure has great rigidity particularly where the T-section grid members meet and it has been found thatthe known L-shaped brackets can allow movement in some circumstances.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method of assembling a joint between grid members of a suspended ceiling support structure which is an improvement ofthose known to date.

According to the invention there is provided a method of assembling a suspended ceiling support structure made up from a plurality of connected grid members comprising connecting together the free ends of said grid members where they meet at a junction using a connector provided with arms, each of which fits into a hollow provided in the adjacent grid member.

Preferably each connector is cruciform shaped and provided with four arms radiating outwardly from a central core, the arms being at 900 to each other.

Desirably, each arm is provided with a hole in it which can be aligned with a similar hole provided in the grid member so that the cruciform arm and grid member can be connected together using bolts or rivets.

The use of a connector ofthe kind just referred to has considerable advantages in that it provides a much more rigid assembled ceiling support structure which is also easy to assemble., Furthermore, manu facture of the connectors is facilitated because a single extrusion ofthedesIre cross section can be made of ir,lterrrt.ed.ateElien$ln itliKifitaiS MRttRel;b he crossut into piewsithedesired! diimensi,onssebtirattlne connector arms will fit into the hollow in each grid member.

Preferably, each grid member is of an inverted T-section and provided with a longitudinally extending slot in between the arms of the Twhich is adapted to receive a screw fitting for instance such as might be provided at the top of a wall partition. Conveniently, the top of each T-section grid member is also provided with a similarslot running along it also adapted to accept a screw fitting for instance by providing the slot with axially extending spaced ribs along its length adapted to receive the screw fitting to enable service equipment such as electrical fittings, conduit or light control equipment to be attached to the top of the T-section grid member.

In a preferred embodiment, the connector at the junction between several grid members is covered by an infill plate which can be suitably attached to the connector.

A preferred ceiling assemblywill now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure lisa view of a junction between grid members before assembly; Figure 2 is a view ofthe junction of Figure 1 after assembly but also showing a wall partition attached to the bottom of a grid member and service equipment attached to the top; and Figure 3 shows a possible conduit support method.

Referring to Figure 1 ,there is shown four inverted T-shaped ceiling support grid members 1, each suspended on hangers 2 (only one of which is shown).

Each grid member is an extrusion of constant crosssection and includes a bottom slot 3 provided with spaced axial grooves to receive and locate a screw therein. Each grid member 1 also includes a top slot 4, ribbed in the same way as the bottom slot and preferably ofthe greater width. The top slot 4 can however be ofthe same width as the bottom slot 3.

The end of each grid member 1 is also provided with a hole 5 and a hollow 6 is formed throughoutthe length of each grid members Figure 1 also shows a cruciform shaped connector7 with four arms 7a each having a hole 8 therein. The height orthickness of the connector 7 is substantially the same or marginally less than the height of the hollow 6 in the grid members 1 so that the arms 7a of the cruciform are a tightfittherein. For increased rigidity and to avoid the possibility of the grid members 1 becoming separated from the connectors 7, both parts can be connected together by means of a bolt or rivet inserted through the holes Sand 8 as can be seen more clearly in Figure 2.

Figure 2 shows how a partition 11 and service equipment 12 can be attached to a grid member 1 using the bottom and top slots3 and 4 respectively provided thereon.

Figure 3 shows a conduit 14 supported in clips 13 (only one is shown) attached to the top slot 4 on a grid member.

It wiil be appreciated from the drawings that manufacture ofthe cruciform connectors 7 isfacilitated due to them being of a constant cross section as they can be produced as an extrusion and then cross-cut into the required size so that their arms will fit into the hollow 6 in each grid member 1.

It is the provision of the hollow Sin the grid members 1 which allows a cruciform connector7 to be used which provides the novelty ofthis invention and enables a simple method of construction and assemblyto be provided.

Claims

1. Asuspended ceiling structure comprising a plurality connected grid members whose free ends are connected together at a junction with adjacent grid members by means of a connector provided with arms, each ofwhich is adapted to fit into a hollow provided in the adjacent grid member.

2. A suspended ceiling structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein each connectoriscruciform shaped and provided with arms radiating outwardly from a central core.

3. A suspended ceiling structure as claimed in claim 2 whereinfourarms are provided, each arm being at 900 to an adjacent arm.

4. A suspended ceiling structure as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein each arm is provided with a hole in it located so that is can be aligned with a corresponding hole provided in the grid member fitted therto so that the cruciform arm grid member can be connected together using fixing means in sertedthrough the aligned holes.

5. Asuspended ceiling structure as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims wherein each grid member is of an inverted Tsection, with a central web attached to a laterally extending base portion the hollow being a cavity extending along and within the central web.

6. A suspended ceiling structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein a longitudinally slot is provided in the base portion which is adapted to receive a screw fitting therein.

7. A suspended structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein the slot has parallel ribs on its facing side wallsto cooperatewith a screwthread when inserted therein.

8. A suspended ceiling structure as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7 wherein a longitudinally extending slot is also provided along the top of the central web.

9. A suspended ceiling structure as claimed in claim 8 wherein said slot has parallel ribs on its facing side walls to cooperate with a screw thread when inserted therein.

10. A grid memberfor use with the suspended ceiling system of claims 1 to 9 wherein the grid member is ofan inverted T cross section and comprises a central body portion extending at 900 from opposed laterally extending feet, the central web comprising a pair of spaced side walls connected together to provide a cavitytherebetween to receive a connector arm therein.

11. A grid member as claimed in claim 10 wherein the central web side walls are connected together by spaced top and bottom walls extending along the grid member to provide a box shaped hollow within the central body portion.

12. A grid member as claimed in claim 11 wherein the top and bottom walls are disposed inwardly of the top and bottom of the central body portion to provide a U shaped channel or slot extending along the top and bottom ofthe grid member.

13. A grid member as claimed in claim 12 wherein each slot has parallel ribs extending along its facing side walls adapted to receive and cooperate with a screw th read when fitted therein.

14. A method of assembling a suspended ceiling support structure made up from a plurality of connected grid members comprising the steps of connecting togetherthefree ends of said grid members where they meetatajunction using a connector provided with arms, each of which is fitted into a hollow or cavity provided in the adjacent grid member.

15. A method of assembling a suspended ceiling support structure as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A grid memberfor a suspended ceiling substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. Aconnectorfora ceiling support structure substantially as herein described with refernce to the accompanying drawings.