GB2240124A

GB2240124A - Support structure for ceiling members

Info

Publication number: GB2240124A
Application number: GB9027151A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Helmut Steinbacker
Original assignee: RUETGERS PAGID AG
Current assignee: RUETGERS PAGID AG
Priority date: 1990-01-20
Filing date: 1990-12-14
Publication date: 1991-07-24
Also published as: DE9000592U1; ITRM910007U1; FR2657378A3; BE1004086A6; IT221524Z2; FR2657378B3; GB9027151D0

Abstract

A support structure for ceiling members comprises a plurality of joint members 1, at least one of which is provided with a support yoke 9, the structure further comprising a plurality of connexion members 4 hooked into at least two of four lateral end faces thereof and secured with a tongue 5 which can be bent. <IMAGE>

Description

Support structure for ceiling members The present invention relates to a support structure for open grid-pattern ceiling members and closed plate-like ceiling members.

Ceiling members for suspended ceilings are known in numerous variants. They are generally of small dimensions and are secured, for example, to a concealed suspended tube or support-rail substructure. In addition, self-supporting members are usually also provided and are secured to the wall only to function as supporting edge rails. Lighting fixtures, ventilation devices and sometimes also fire-extinguishing devices are often integrated in such ceiling members. The supply lines of such devices are then situated above the members and must easily be accessible. For ceiling members of small dimensions this is not generally a problem. In the case of members of large dimensions, however, access is frequently more difficult. Thus for example, lighting fixtures are often secured either directly to the ceiling or to the support structure.

The ceiling members must then be provided with openings at appropriate points and be adapted for the particular lighting fixtures. In addition, ducts must be installed for the supply lines.

A support structure for ceiling members is disclosed in DE-GM 89 10 938, which structure comprises different joint members and box-like connexion sections, which are detachably connected thereto and which, where appropriate, are provided with recesses for receiving lighting fixtures and the like as well as the supply lines thereof.

However, this structure has the disadvantage that different joint members for constructing the cross joints, T-joints and L-joints are required for producing the support structure.

The present invention provides a simplified system in which only a universal joint member is required, suitable for use in any position in the structure.

Thus the present invention provides a support structure for ceiling members, comprising a plurality of joint members at least one of which is provided with a support yoke, the structure further comprising a plurality of connexion members, and wherein at least one joint element has a substantially rectangular base and the connexion members are hooked into at least two of four lateral faces thereof and are secured with a tongue which can be bent.

According to the present invention, in a box-like joint element 1 has a rectangular base and connexion members are hooked into at least two of its four lateral faces and are secured with a tongue which can be bent.

In most embodiments the connexion members have the same width. The base of the joint member is then square.

In individual cases, however, it can also be advantageous if connexion members of different width are used. The lateral lengths of the rectangular basic then correspond to the widths of these connexion members.

The connexion members have a box-like section open at the top and are provided with end walls. Since the support structure should generally extend up to and against the building walls, the end walls of the connexion members are preferably each provided with at least two hooks which engage in corresponding openings in the lateral faces of the joint members, which are each provided with at least one tongue which is bent over the edge or into recesses in the corresponding end wall. This prevents individual members from being inadvertently removed, without the complicated screw fastening.

Although the tongues and hooks can also be positioned on the walls, they are preferably however formed from the metal sheet of these walls, for example by stamping.

The invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to an example of a cross joint, as shown in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the said joint; Fig. 2 is a plan view, and Fig. 3 is the section A-A of Fig. 2.

A joint member 1 has a square base area 2 and four lateral faces 3 each with two recesses 8 and a tongue 5.

It is produced from a metal sheet by folding/bending. A support yoke 9, produced from a folded metal sheet, is welded onto two opposite lateral faces 3 on the inside, the support yoke 9 being provided at the sides with openings 10 for supply lines and at the top with a slot 11 and a bore 12 for fastening to the ceiling, preferably by way of an attachment member, for example a Vernier attachment.

The connexion members 4 are sheet metal parts which are open at the top and folded in the form of a box and the end faces 6 of which, each have a recess 13 on the upper edge and into which the hooks 7 are stamped.

During assembly, the joint element 1 is secured to the ceiling by way of the support yoke 9, and the connexion members 4 are hung in the recesses 8 of the joint member 1 by the hooks 7. Then the connexion members 4 are prevented from being removed inadvertently by the tongues 5 which are bent over into the recesses 13.

Claims

1. A support structure for ceiling members, comprising a plurality of joint members at least one of which is provided with a support yoke, the structure further comprising a plurality of connexion members, and wherein at least one joint element has a substantially rectangular base and the connexion members are hooked into at least two of four lateral faces thereof and are secured with a tongue which can be bent.

2. A support structure according to Claim 1, wherein the base area (2) is square.

3. A support structure according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the lateral faces are each provided with at least one tongue.

4. A support structure according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein end walls of the connexion members are each provided with at least two hooks.

5. A support structure according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the tongues or/and hooks are formed from the metal sheet of the respective walls.

6. A support structure according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the connexion members is provided with a recess for receiving a fixture and an associated supply line.

7. A kit of parts for a support structure, the kit comprising a collection of the unassembled integers of any preceding claim.

8. A support structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.