GB2250525A

GB2250525A - Ceiling access panel

Info

Publication number: GB2250525A
Application number: GB9126142A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Marvin
Original assignee: EXITILE Ltd
Current assignee: EXITILE Ltd
Priority date: 1990-12-08
Filing date: 1991-12-09
Publication date: 1992-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-09
Also published as: GB2250525B; GB9126142D0

Abstract

A ceiling access panel assembly comprises a frame 10 for mounting horizontally in a ceiling to define a rectangular opening in the horizontal plane. A panel 12 is rotatable between the closed position shown in full lines and the opened position shown in dotted lines about a pin 15 located in slots 19. An abutment 18 intercepts one edge of the panel 12 when first opened to the position A. The pin 15 may then be moved to the opposite ends of slots 19 permitting the panel to be fully opened to the position B, after which the panel may be moved to position C to provide maximum clearance within the frame opening. <IMAGE>

Description

"CEILING ACCESS PANEL" This invention relates to a ceiling access panel or hatch of the kind in which a panel or hatch swings downwardly about a horizontal axis near to one edge to provide access through the opening normally obturated by the panel or hatch, and is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with such panels which incorporate one or more tiles which match the tiles of a false ceiling surrounding the panel so that the access panel is practically invisible when closed.

Tiled false ceilings are popular in modern buildings, but access panels have to be provided at intervals to permit servicing of pipework or electrical facilities concealed by the false ceiling. A major problem in the use of such access panels is that even if of small dimensions they are relatively heavy and in dropping open when unlatched they can cause damage or even injury. A number of proposals have been made in the past for overcoming this problem, such as friction mechanisms which will inhibit the dropping movement of the panel, but all are relatively complex and therefore expensive.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a sThpler, cheaper and yet effective solution to the problem.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a ceiling access panel assembly comprising a frame defining a generally rectangular opening in a horizontal plane when the frame is installed in a ceiling, a panel shaped generally to fit and obturate said opening when in a closed position and pivot means between the frame and panel whereby the panel may be rotated about a first axis nearer to and parallel with one side of The frame between the closed and a partially open position of the panel, wherein said first axis is at one end of slot means extending therefram away from said one side of the frame, the pivot means being moveable in said slot means so that the panel is rotatable about a second axis further from said one side of the frame and there being provided, in the mounted position of the frame, an abutment which extends over only a part of the frame opening near to said one side of the frame in a position and of dimensions such that it will intercept a first edge of the panel nearest to said one side of the frame when the panel is rotated about said first axis but not when rotated about said second axis, the arrangement being such that when rotated about said first axis to a partially opened position in which the abutment is engaged by said first edge of the panel the opposite edge of the panel is clear of the frame so that the panel may be moved until it may be rotated about said second axis to a fully opened position substantially perpendicular to the frame opening, after which the panel may be moved toward said one side of the frame, the pivot means passing back toward said one end of the slot means, to increase the clearance of the opening.

Preferably the slot means is straight and parallel with the plane of the frame opening.

The pivot means may be constituted by pin means mounted on brackets above the panel near to said first edge of the panel to extend laterally of the panel and said slot means is preferably constituted by a pair of slots in the opposite sides of the frame at right-angles to said one side thereof.

A preferred-embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side sectional elevation of a ceiling access panel in accordance with the invention.

A rectangular frame 10 incorporated in a false ceiling 11 of the kind made up of ornamental ceramic tiles normally surrounds and contains a panel 12 which, as known per se, is in the form of a metal tray in which one or more tiles matching those of the rest of the ceiling are seated. The panel 12 is arranged to swing downward about a first horizontal axis x near to its edge 13 when its opposite edge 14 is released from the frame, e.g. by unlocking a latch (not shown) extending between the frame and panel. The pivot is provided by a pin 15 extending across the top of the panel parallel with edge 13 and supported by adjustable brackets 16 on opposite sides of the panel so that opposite ends of the pin extend from opposite sides of the panel.As so far described the assembly is conventional so that further details are considered unnecessary.

In accordance with the invention the opposite ends of pin 15 are engaged in similar slots, one of which is shown at 19, similarly positioned on opposite sides of frame 10. The slots 19 are straight and horizontal and they are arranged so that when the panel 12 is in the closed, horizontal position shown in full lines the pin 15 occupies their ends nearer the edge 13 of the panel. When the panel is unlocked and commences to fall it rotates about axis x with the pin at these ends of the slots to the first dotted line position indicated "A", where its upper corner 17 at edge 13 strikes an abutment 18 integral with frame 10.The panel 12 is thus prevented from falling further toward the vertical position until the user moves it to the right, as viewed, the pin 15 travelling to the opposite ends of slots 19 until corner 17 is clear of abutment 18 so that the panel can drop to the position indicated "B" in Figure 1, rotating about a second axis x.

If a workman, perhaps standing on a ladder, has to use one hand to operate the lock or latch holding the panel closed there is a danger that the panel, in swinging fully open before he can control it, will damage either him or itself. limited opening movement to position "A" will prevent these dangers. Once he has unlocked it the workman can control the panel in its further opening movement.

To achieve this he moves it to the right, as viewed, until it can drop to position "B", after which, to expose the maximum opening through frame 10, he slides the panel 12 bodily to the left as viewed to position "C", the pin 15 travelling back in slots 19 to its original position until the panel 12 is adjacent the abutment 18.

To close the panel it is first moved from position "C" to position "B" and rotated upward about axis x' until corner 17 is below abutment 18, approximately in position "A". The panel is then slid to the left as viewed until pin 15 reaches the ends of slots 19 nearer edge 13, whereupon it can be swung upward about axis x to the full line, fully closed position and locked.

Claims

CU\lMS:

1. A ceiling access panel assembly comprising a frame defining a generally rectangular opening in a horizontal plane when the frame is installed in a ceiling, a panel shaped generally to fit and obturate said opening when in a closed position and pivot means between the frame and panel whereby the panel may be rotated about a first axis nearer to and parallel with one side of the frame between the closed and a partially open position of the panel, wherein said first axis is at one end of slot means extending therefrom away fran said one side of the frame, the pivot means being moveable in said slot means so that the panel is rotatable about a second axis further from said one side of the frame and there being provided, in the mounted position of the frame, an abutment which extends over only a part of the frame opening near to said one side of the frame in a position and of dimensions such that it will intercept a first edge of the panel nearest to said one side of the frame when the panel is rotated about said first axis but not when rotated about said second axis, the arrangement being such that when rotated about said first axis to a partially opened position in which the abutment is engaged by said first edge of the panel the opposite edge of the panel is clear of the frame so that the panel may be moved until it may be rotated about said second axis to a fully opened position substantially perpendicular to the frame opening, after which the panel may be moved toward said one side of the frame, the pivot means passing back toward said one end of the slot means, to increase the clearance of the opening.

2. A ceiling access panel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slot means is straight and parallel with the plane of the frame opening.

3. A ceiling access panel assembly as claimed in either preceding cLaim, wherein the pivot means is constituted by pin means mounted on brackets above the panel near to said first edge of the panel to extend laterally of the panel and said slot means is constituted by a pair of slots in the opposite sides of the frame at right-angles to said one side thereof.

4. A ceiling access panel assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying diagrammatic drawing.