GB2273511A

GB2273511A - Concealed tee suspended ceilings

Info

Publication number: GB2273511A
Application number: GB9325783A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Wassall
Original assignee: Cape Ceilings Ltd
Current assignee: Cape Ceilings Ltd
Priority date: 1992-12-16
Filing date: 1993-12-16
Publication date: 1994-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2013-12-16
Also published as: GB2273511B; GB9325783D0; GB9226166D0

Abstract

A ceiling tile, for use in a concealed tee sealing system, comprising a substantially rectangular, planar member having upturned edges 70, two oppositely located edges having means provided thereon to enable the tile to be located on to a tee 91, and means whereby, when two adjacent tiles are located in place, the tee section to which they are attached is concealed from view; this is achieved by a hook 83 above a cut-out portion as shown; the cut-out may be stepped rather than curved as shown. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SUSPENDED CEILINGS The present invention concerns improvements in or relating to suspended ceilings. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with suspended ceilings formed from a metal ceiling system.

A known type of suspended ceiling is the socalled "exposed grid" ceiling system. In such system, a plurality of spaced-apart tee sections are provided which extend parallel to one another in rows and which are suspended from the actual ceiling. A grid configuration is built up and then ceiling tiles and/or light fitting elements are fitted between adjacent rows of tee sections. The ceiling tiles and/or light fitting elements sit on such tee sections and produce such "exposed grid" ceiling system.

Such known system suffers firstly from the disadvantage that such exposed grid ceiling systems are not always desired, and instead a concealed "tee" ceiling system may be required, and secondly from the disadvantage that when one or more ceiling tiles and/or light fitting elements are to be removed for access into the space between the suspended ceiling and the actual ceiling of a room, two operators are generally required since the removed tiles need to be handed down from the ceiling.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a ceiling tile which can be utilised in a concealed tee ceiling system, which tile can be manufactured to suit existing grid ceiling systems in various sizes. Moreover, due to the easy and quick installation available utilising such ceiling tile, an exposed grid ceiling can be easily transformed into a concealed tee ceiling system.

By utilisation of a plurality of ceiling tiles in accordance with the present invention, a concealed tee ceiling system is provided; moreover, in a preferred embodiment, it is possible to provide such ceiling tiles with appropriate means to enable a tile to be locatable on an adjacent tile when an operator wishes to gain access to the space between the suspended ceiling and the actual ceiling of a room.

According to the present invention there is provided a ceiling tile, for use in a concealed tee ceiling system, said tile comprising a substantially rectangular, planar member having upturned edges, two oppositely located edges having means provided thereon to enable the tile to be located onto a tee and means whereby, when two adjacent tiles are located in place, the tee section to which they are attached is concealed from view.

In a preferred embodiment, each corner region of each of said oppositely located, preferably vertically extending, edges, are provided with a substantially horizontal base portion, a recessed or stepped intermediate portion and a suspension or hook portion, said suspension or hook portion being located at the top edge of said upturned edge, at least a portion of said intermediate portion being shaped to provide a space extending inwardly of said corner region.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, each corner region of each of said oppositely located, preferably vertically extending, edges are provided with a substantially horizontal base portion, a curved or shaped intermediate portion and a suspension or hook portion, said suspension or hook portion being located at the top edge of said upturned edge, at least a portion of said intermediate portion being shaped to provide a space extending inwardly of said corner region.

Said portion of said intermediate region is preferably in the form of a cut-out or cut-away portion.

In a further preferred embodiment, a horizontal top section of each corner region referred to above, is provided with suitable means, appropriately a cut-away portion, whereby a ceiling tile when removed from the suspended ceiling of which it forms part may be locatable on an adjacent tile by said cut-away portion being locatable on said upstanding portion of said adjacent tile.

In a still further preferred embodiment, a location clip is provided for fixedly locating the ceiling tile in accordance with the invention to the grid ceiling system. Said location clip preferably comprises two elongate planar members joined together at one end so as to have a substantially inverted V-shape, each planar member having a slot or the like extending from the free end substantially longitudinally, and being provided at said joined end with means for attachment to a tee section of said grid ceiling system.

In use, a plurality of ceiling tiles, having the desired dimensions to fit the grid arrangement being utilised, are located on their respective associated tee sections and built up into a concealed tee ceiling system.

The present invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling tile in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the ringed portion A of Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale; Fig. 3 is a section through a ceiling system wherein the tee portions are concealed; Figs. 4A - 4D schematically indicate how a ceiling tile may be removed from said ceiling system to gain access to the ceiling void; Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of the portion B ringed in Fig. 4A on an enlarged scale; Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of a ceiling tile in accordance with the present invention being located on an adjacent tile in order to gain access to the ceiling void; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative ceiling tile in accordance with the present invention;; Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a detail of a corner portion of the tile of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a section through a portion of a ceiling system utilising the tile of Fig. 7, wherein the tee portion is concealed; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a location clip utilised in the ceiling system of the present invention; and Fig. 11 is an isometric view from the reverse side of a ceiling of a grid ceiling system in accordance with the present invention.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, a ceiling tile in accordance with the invention is generally referenced 10. Such tile comprises a main portion 11 having four upstanding edges 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D as illustrated, oppositely located edges 12C and 12D have, in their corner regions, shaped portions 13C and 13D, respectively.

As also illustrated in Fig. 1, the relevant corner portions of each of the edges 12C and 12D are provided with cut-away portions 14C and 14D which are utilised to enable a ceiling tile to be attached to an adjacent tile when removed from its normal position to enable access to the ceiling void between the suspended ceiling and the actual ceiling.

As illustrated on an enlarged scale in Fig. 2, each corner portion of oppositely located edges 12C and 12D comprise a first portion 21 of height corresponding to that of edges 12A and 12B. Thereafter, a recess portion 22 and stepped portions 23 and 24 are provided, terminating in a hook portion 25. When located on a tee grid ceiling, the hook portion 25 rests on the tee and the portion 21 conceals the tee from view.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, a plurality of ceiling tiles 11, 11', 11 " ... according to the invention are utilised in formation of a grid ceiling system. The tiles 11, 11' and 11" extend between tee sections 31, 31', 31" and 31'''. The distance between the grid centres would be selected as required and in accordance with standard techniques. Thus, it can be seen that the tiles of the present invention can be utilised not only with new ceiling constructions, but also to transform currently utilised exposed grid ceiling systems to a concealed "tee" ceiling section.

The tiles in accordance with the present invention can be made to any selected size and dimensions X and Y shown in Fig. 1 can be as illustrated. It is believed that tiles constructed with dimensions as illustrated should be utilisable in most grid systems.

In order to illustrate the attachment of a ceiling tile to a tee section, reference is made to the enlarged portion of Fig. 4A illustrated in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5 reference is made to the utilisation of a standard 24 mm tee section having portions 51 and 52 on which adjacent ceiling tiles in accordance with the present invention are respectively located. In connection with portion 51, it is noted that hook member 25 sits on such portion 51. Moreover, the provision of portion 21 enables the tee section to be concealed when an adjacent tile is located on extension 52 of tee section 31.

As illustrated in Figs. 4 - 4D, the reason for the recessing and stepping portions 22, 23 and 24 can be realised. In Fig. 4, the tile is shown located in the grid system. When it becomes necessary to remove a tile, then firstly, as illustrated in Fig 4B, the tile is lifted and moved sideways. Having moved the tile in the sideways direction illustrated by the arrow in Fig.

4B, it is possible to lower the tile from the opposite side as illustrated in Fig. 4C. Thereafter, as illustrated in Fig. 4D, the tile can be completely removed so as to gain access to the ceiling void.

As illustrated in Fig. 6, it is also possible, utilising the cut-away portion 14C to secure a removed tile to an adjoining tile. Such procedure prevents the need of an operator having to either pass down the removed tile to another operator or for the operator himself to climb down any ladder being utilised to place the removed tile on the ground. As illustrated in Fig.

6, by utilising the hanging arrangement, time can be saved by the operator. Moreover, when the tile is to be replaced, it is simple to remove the tile from its adjacent tile and then to locate same in place between the two relevant tee sections in order to re-establish the concealed tee ceiling system in accordance with the present invention.

As illustrated in Fig. 7, an alternative ceiling tile in accordance with the invention is generally referenced 70. Such tile comprises a main portion 71 having four upstanding edges 72A, 72B, 72C and 72D as illustrated, oppositely located edges 72C and 72D having, in their corner regions, shaped portions 73C and 73D, respectively.

As also illustrated in Fig. 7, the relevant corner portions of each of the edges 72C and 72D are provided with cut-away portions 74C and 74D which are utilised to enable a ceiling tile to be attached to an adjacent tile when removed from its normal position to enable access to the ceiling void between the suspended ceiling and the actual ceiling.

As illustrated on an enlarged scale in Fig. 8, each corner portion of oppositely located edges 72C and 72D comprise a first base portion 81 of height corresponding to that of edges 72A and 72B. Thereafter, a shaped and curved portion 82 is provided, terminating in a hook portion 83. When located on a tee grid ceiling, the hook portion 83 rests on the tee and the portion 81 conceals the tee from view.

As illustrated in Fig. 9, a pair of adjacent tiles 70, 70' according to the invention are utilised in the formation of a grid ceiling system. Adjacent tiles 70, 70' are located, by their respective hook portions 83, 83' on tee section 91, to form a concealed tee connection.

As illustrated in Fig. 10, a location clip which can be utilised in a grid ceiling system of the present invention is generally referenced 100. The clip comprises two elongate planar members 101, 102 joined together at one end so as to have a substantially inverted V-shape. Each planar member 101, 102 has a respective slot 103, 104 extending from the free end substantially longitudinally. Said clip 100 is provided at said joined end with means 105 for attachment to a tee section of the grid'ceiling system of the present invention.

The location clip 100 is an optimal device which is utilised to withstand upward forces which would cause movement of tiles within the grid. The location clip would preferably be utilised in such instance with, say, every fifth tile in the grid system.

Fig. 11 provides an isometric view from the reverse side of a ceiling of a grid ceiling system in accordance with the invention. Tee runners 110, 111 are provided as illustrated. Ceiling tiles 70, 70', 70",..

are provided also as illustrated, and the tiles are connected to the tee runners as shown. Location clips, only one shown, extend on either side of the tee runner 110 and each clip is attached thereto by attachment means 105. The slots 103, 104 extend over the vertical upturned edge of the ceiling tile and retain same in place.

The alternative ceiling tile referred to in Figs. 7 to 11 are preferred to the stepped ceiling tile arrangement of Figs. 1 to 6, in view of ease of production, the change of shape of the relevant corner portion allowing the ceiling tile to "self-centre" itself when installed on to the grid.

Whilst the invention has been described with the ceiling tile as illustrated in the drawing, it is to be understood that appropriate shaping of the relevant corner portions of the oppositely located upstanding edges which are to be utilised for attaching the tile to its associated tee section can be modified to achieve the same results. For example, it is believed that an arcuate portion could be utilised instead of the recessed and stepped portions, or curved or shaped portions, referred to above.

The ceiling tile can be made in any suitable metal and in any desired size.

It will thus be seen that the ceiling tile in accordance with the present invention enables a concealed tee ceiling system to be produced which can be easily installed and in which one or more tiles thereof can be easily removed to enable access to the void between the suspended ceiling and the actual ceiling of a room.

Claims

1. A ceiling tile, for use in a concealed tee ceiling system, said tile comprising a substantially rectangular, planar member having upturned edges, two oppositely located edges having means provided thereon to enable the tile to be located on to a tee, and means whereby, when two adjacent tiles are located in place, the tee section to which they are attached is concealed from view.

2. A ceiling tile as claimed in claim 1 in which each corner region of each of said oppositely located edges, are provided with a substantially horizontal base portion, a recessed or stepped intermediate portion and a suspension or hook portion, said suspension or hook portion being located at the top edge of said upturned edge, at least a portion of said intermediate portion being shaped to provide a space extending inwardly of said corner region.

3. A ceiling tile as claimed in claim 1, in which each corner region of each of said oppositely located edges are provided with a substantially horizontal base portion, a curved or shaped intermediate portion and a suspension or hook portion, said suspension or hook portion being located at the top edge of said upturned edge, at least a portion of said intermediate portion being shaped to provide a space extending inwardly of said corner region.

4. A ceiling tile as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which said portion of said intermediate region is in the form of a cut-out or cut-away portion.

5. A ceiling tile as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, in which said oppositely located edges extend vertically.

6. A ceiling tile as claimed in claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, in which a horizontal top section of each corner region is provided with means whereby a ceiling tile, when removed from the suspended ceiling of which it forms part, may be locatable on an adjacent tile by said means being locatable on said upstanding portion of said adjacent tile.

7. A ceiling tile as claimed in claim 6, in which said means comprises a cut-away portion.

8. A ceiling tile as claimed in any preceding claim, including a location clip for fixedly locating such tile to a grid ceiling system, said location clip comprising two elongate planar members joined together at one end so as to have a substantially inverted Vshape, each planar member having a slot or the like extending from the free end substantially longitudinally, and being provided at said joined end with means for attachment to a tee section of said grid ceiling system.

9. A ceiling tile, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 or Figs. 7 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A concealed tee sealing system comprising a plurality of ceiling tiles as claimed in any preceding claim, said tiles having the desired dimension as to fit the grid arrangement being utilised, said tiles being located on their respective associated tee sections.

11. A concealed tee sealing system as claimed in claim 10, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.