GB2275939A

GB2275939A - Ceiling panelling

Info

Publication number: GB2275939A
Application number: GB9304991A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Johannes Antonius Hen Brugmann; Den Herik Charles B J Van
Original assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries BV
Current assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries BV
Priority date: 1993-03-11
Filing date: 1993-03-11
Publication date: 1994-09-14
Also published as: GB9304991D0

Abstract

Ceiling panelling comprises parallel support members (20) supporting transverse panels (10) comprising first (10A) and second panel members arranged in mirror image relationship, each having a channel section formed by a web (12), two side flanges (14) and inturned rims (16) and mounting members; (30) each having, at one end, holding means (40) for attachment to one of the support members (20) and, at the other end a grooved portion (35) for holding together lower inturned rims (16) the panel members, the members (30) further comprising a pair of grooves (39) to engage the upper inturned rims (16) of the panel members. <IMAGE>

Description

CEILING PANELLING EOUIPMENT The present invention relates to a ceiling panelling equipment of the type which comprises a plurality of elongate and generally parallel spaced apart support members and a plurality of elongate substantially parallel panels extending in spaced apart relation transverse to the support members with a mounting member securing the panels to the support members and also relates to a mounting member for use as part of the equipment.

One type of such system has panels which each comprise a first and second panel member, each having a channel section formed by a web, two side flanges and inturned rims on the free edges of the side flanges. The first and second panel members are mounted in spaced relationship, with the webs generally vertical and the side flanges of the first panel member being directed towards the side flanges of the second panel member so as to leave a gap therebetween. The gap enables the insertion of a mounting member between the spaced part rims and flanges at the top of each panel, the mounting member comprising some form of securing member which engages rims of the panel and also the support member.

US 3987598 discloses a ceiling panel system having panel members substantially as described above. For connecting the pairs of facing panel members, this document discloses connecting members which have a leg section extending within a pair of panel members substantially parallel to the webs of the panel members. At each end of the leg section there are a pair of side portions arranged one either side of the leg section and each being of a shape and size to fit between the rim and web of a panel member.

In both of the above mentioned prior panel systems, the panel members are located slightly apart, to provide a gap in which a mounting member may be located. However, this also leaves rather an unsightly gap at the bottom which may require the provision of a further member to cover the gap.

Such structures are relatively expensive and difficult to assemble and it is an object of the present invention to provide improvements thereon.

According to the present invention there is provided ceiling panelling equipment comprising: a plurality of elongate support members arranged generally parallel in spaced apart relation; a plurality of elongate panels arranged generally parallel in spaced apart relation and transverse to said support members; and a plurality of mounting members, each for securing one of said panels to one of said support members; the panels each comprising first and second panel members, each panel member having a channelled section formed by a web, two side flanges and inturned rims at the free edges of said side flanges, the first and second panel members being mounted in mirror image relationship with the webs generally vertical and the side flanges of the first panel members being directed towards the side flanges of the second panel members, each mounting member comprising an elongate section having, at one end, holding means for attachment to one of said support members and, at the other end, a grooved portion for holding together a lower inturned rim of a first panel member and a facing lower inturned rim of a second panel member, said elongate portion further comprising a pair of grooves located one either side of the elongate section so as to engage the upper inturned rims of said first and second panel members.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mounting member equipment for use with a panelling system having a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart elongate support members arranged transverse with a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart elongate panels comprising first and second panel members arranged in mirror image relationship, each panel member having a channel section formed by a web, two side flanges and inturned rims at the free edges of said side flanges, said mounting member comprising:: an elongate section having, at one end, holding means for attachment to one of said support members and, at the other end, a grooved portion for holding together a lower inturned rim of a first panel member and a facing lower inturned rim of a second panel member, said elongate section further comprising a pair of grooves located one either side of the elongate section so as to engage the remaining upper inturned rims of said first and second panel members.

Thus, the present invention provides a single piece of equipment which may be used to clip a pair of panel members together and attach them to a support member.

A plurality of mounting members are positioned inside each panel at spaced locations longitudinally of the panel, each mounting member securing the inturned rim of the lower flanges of the panel members in abutting relation and yet having a small gap through which the mounting members may extend to attach to the support members. Thus, the unsightly gaps of prior systems are avoided.

Preferably, the elongate section has, at the other end, two oppositely facing feet located either side of the grooved portion and being dimensioned so as in use to contact lower side flanges of respective panel members and, at said one end, each upper groove has an oppositely extending arm dimensioned so as to contact upper side flanges of respective panel members.

Thus, the feet and arms together provide improved vertical support for the panel members.

Preferably, the outer edges of the feet and arms of the mounting member have inwardly facing chamfered edges.

Thus when fitting the mounting members to a panel member, the chamfered edges facilitate moving the inturned rims of the panel members over the feet and arms into the grooved portion and grooves respectively.

Preferably, the support members are of channel crosssection having pairs of facing slots in the side walls of the channel section extending from the free edges of said side walls and said holding means fit in said pair of slots, said holding means having apertures in use facing outwardly of said channel cross-section, and wherein, in use, a clip is located around the channel cross-section of said support member so as to engage in the outwardly facing apertures thereby securing the holding means to the support member.

Preferably, the holding means comprises an elongate channel extending in use between the two facing slots.

Preferably, the support member further comprises outwardly facing side flanges at the free edges of the channel cross-section and said slots extend part way through said flanges such that the holding means may pass therethrough but be restrained from lateral movement.

Thus the holding means may easily be inserted into the slots of a support member and securely fastened against movement.

Preferably the clip means comprises spring steel wire shaped to extend around the channel cross-section of said support member and into the outwardly facing apertures.

Preferably the holding means comprises a pair of outwardly extending arms located immediately beneath said outwardly facing apertures so as in use to engage the lower surface of the flanges of said support member.

Preferably the mounting member is made of a substantially rigid material.

Preferably said elongate panels comprise end members having dimensions to fit in respective ends thereof.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, the following description is given merely by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a system according to the present invention, illustrating schematically the relevant portions of panels at three different stages of assembly; and Figure 2 illustrates part of an embodiment of the system of Figure 1 showing the assembly of a schematically shortened panel and a portion of the panel without a support member.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the panel system comprises a panel indicated by general reference numeral 10, which comprises first and second, preferably resilient, panel members l0A and lOB which are each of a channel section configuration and arranged in mirror image relation. Each channel section comprises a web 12 and two side flanges 14, the side flanges having at their free edges, inturned rims 16.

These panels are used mounted beneath spaced apart support members 20, only one of which is shown in the drawings.

Each support member 20 comprises a main channel section 22, preferably of truncated V shape, with side flanges 24. The side flanges 24 and channel section 22 have formed therein apertures 26 whose function is to be described below.

The two panel members 10A, lOB are secured together by using a plurality of mounting members 30 which comprise a holding portion 40 which is used to support a panel 10 beneath a support member 20.

As illustrated, the holding portion 40 comprises an elongate channel sectioned or tubular portion 42, but it is sufficient that it merely has an aperture 44 at each end thereof. Beneath the tubular portion 42 are two oppositely facing arms 46.

To attach the holding portion 40 to a support member 20, the tubular section 42 is raised up to the support member 20 so that the arms 46 abut the lower faces of flanges 24 and the tubular portion 42 fits into a pair of opposite apertures 26.

Preferably, the outer edges of the pair of apertures 26 are spaced apart such that the tubular portion 42 closely fits the apertures 26 and is restrained from lateral movement.

A clip 50, preferably made of spring steel, is provided to fit around the support member 20 and engage in the apertures 44 as illustrated in Figure 1. The clip 50 is generally C shaped but has bent portions at each end which engage in the apertures 44 as illustrated in Figure 1. A middle part 54 of the clip 50 is shaped so as to engage the top of the support member, thereby securing the mounting member 30 in place.

Furthermore, under large loads, the bent ends 52 of the clip 50 may engage with the upper faces of flanges 24 of the support member 20 so as to prevent the mounting member 30 and an associated panel 10 from dropping out of the support member 20.

The mounting members 30 also comprise a central leg section 32 having outwardly facing feet 34 with a lower groove 35 therebetween and chamfered edges 36. In a similar fashion, arms 38 are provided at the upper end of the leg section 32, but these each have their own associated upper groove 39.

In order to assemble a full panel 10 onto mounting members 30 which have already been attached to support members 20, the rim 16 of the lower flange 14 of the first panel member 10A is engaged with the grooves 35 of mounting members 30 which lie in a line. By flexing the first panel member l0A and causing the upper rim 16 to ride over the chamfered edges 36, one then engages the upper rim 16 in the upper grooves 39, as illustrated in Figure 1.

The mounting members 30 are positioned at spaced locations along the length of the first panel member 10A, for example 0.8m to 2.5m apart, depending on the panel height and relative stiffness.

If the support members 20 are too far apart, it is also possible to use additional mounting members 30 which are not attached to the support member 20 but merely act to hold two panel members together as illustrated in Figure 2.

One can then engage the second member lOB by merely pushing the inturned rims 16 against the chamfered edges 36 of the remaining feet 34 and arms 38 of the mounting members 30.

Preferably, one first inserts the rim 16 associated with the lower flange 14 of the second panel member lOB into the grooves 35 so that it abuts the rim 16 of the first panel member 10A.

Then, one pushes the upper flange 14 towards the mounting members 30. The upper flange 14 and its inturned rim 16 will be urged outwardly by the chamfers 36 of all the mounting members 30 and then spring back so that the rim 16 engages in the second upper grooves 39.

When all of these mounting members have been engaged in this way, the panel will have the lower flanges 16 in abutting relation and the upper flanges 16 spaced apart a short distance so that the upper mounting portions 40 of the mounting members 30 protrude therethrough.

The mounting members 30 are formed of a relatively rigid material such as preferably an extrusion of aluminium or a plastics material. Although it is also possible to use a resilient material, the material should be sufficiently stiff to withstand normal loads such as, for outdoor applications, those associated with wind, etc.

End portions 60 are provided to "plug in" the open ends of the panels 10. These end portions provide an improved aesthetic finish to the assembled panel system and also may employ grooves 62 and 64 to assist in securing the two panel members together at the ends thereof.

It will be appreciated that the structure thus described is very simple to install and does not have the need for the provision of a further cover member to cover any gap between the lower rims 16. Such a gap in the structure does not exist, since the rims are held in abutting relation by the groove 35 of the mounting member 30.

As seen in the figures, the web portions 12 of the panel members 10A, lOB diverge slightly upwardly. This does not detract from the overall appearance of the panel in a multipaneled ceiling and if required could be overcome by providing the panel members with longer lower flanges 14.

The panelling system is also simplified over prior systems in that a single member may be used for securing two panel members together and for mounting them to a support member.

Claims

1. Ceiling panelling equipment comprising: a plurality of elongate support members arranged generally parallel in spaced apart relation; a plurality of elongate panels arranged generally parallel in spaced apart relation and transverse to said support members; and a plurality of mounting members, each for securing one of said panels to one of said support members;; the panels each comprising first and second panel members, each panel member having a channelled section formed by a web, two side flanges and inturned rims at the free edges of said side flanges, the first and second panel members being mounted in mirror image relationship with the webs generally vertical and the side flanges of the first panel members being directed towards the side flanges of the second panel members, each mounting member comprising an elongate section having, at one end, holding means for attachment to one of said support members and, at the other end, a grooved portion for holding together a lower inturned rim of a first panel member and a facing lower inturned rim of a second panel member, said elongate portion further comprising a pair of grooves located one either side of the elongate section so as to engage the upper inturned rims of said first and second panel members.

2. Equipment according to claim 1 wherein sides of the panels formed by said webs diverge upwardly.

3. Equipment according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said elongate panels comprise end members having dimensions to fit in respective ends thereof.

4. A mounting member equipment for use with a panelling system having a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart elongate support members arranged transverse with a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart elongate panels comprising first and second panel members arranged in mirror image relationship, each panel member having a channel section formed by a web, two side flanges and inturned rims at the free edges of said side flanges, said mounting member comprising:: an elongate section having, at one end, holding means for attachment to one of said support members and, at the other end, a grooved portion for holding together a lower inturned rim of a first panel member and a facing lower inturned rim of a second panel member, said elongate section further comprising a pair of grooves located one either side of the elongate section so as to engage the upper inturned rims of said first and second panel members.

5. Equipment according to claim 4 made of a substantially rigid material.

6. Equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the elongate section comprises, at the other end, two oppositely facing feet located either side of the grooved portion and being dimensioned so as in use to contact lower side flanges of respective panel members and, at said one end, each upper groove has an oppositely extending arm dimensioned so as to contact upper side flanges of respective panel members.

7. Equipment according to claim 6 wherein the outer edges of said feet and said arms have inwardly facing chamfered edges.

8. Equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the support members are of channel cross-section having pairs of facing slots in the side walls of the channel section extending from the free edges of said side walls, and said holding means fit in said pair of slots, said holding means having apertures in use facing outwardly of said channel crosssection, and wherein, in use, a clip is located around the channel cross-section of said support member so as to engage in the outwardly facing apertures thereby securing the holding means to the support member.

9. Equipment according to claim 8 wherein the holding means comprises an elongate channel extending in use between the two facing slots.

10. Equipment according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the support member further comprises outwardly facing side flanges at the free edges of the channel cross-section and said slots extend part way through said flanges such that the holding means may pass therethrough but be restrained from lateral movement.

11. Equipment according to claim 8, 9 or 10 wherein the clip means comprises spring steel wire shaped to extend around the channel cross-section of said support member and into the outwardly facing apertures.

12. Equipment according to any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the holding means comprises a pair of outwardly extending arms located immediately beneath said outwardly facing apertures so as in use to engage the lower surface of the flanges of said support member.

13. Ceiling panelling equipment constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

14. A mounting member equipment constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.