GB2389376A

GB2389376A - Ceiling grid system

Info

Publication number: GB2389376A
Application number: GB0212604A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Allen Edward Fry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-31
Filing date: 2002-05-31
Publication date: 2003-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 2022-05-31
Also published as: GB2389376B; GB0212604D0

Abstract

A ceiling grid system comprises inverted Tee - bar 1 to 4 and aluminium profiles 5, which are connected at nodes by device 30 with tangs 31, 34 which fit into slots 6 in profiles 5; the tapering design of ribs 33 on pedestal 32 contacting the underside of Tee bar flanges 3 and 4 to ensure that any tolerance in Tee bar thickness or slot 14, 15 width is taken up to ensure a level under surface where sleeves 5 intersect.

Description

i. 2389376 IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO A CEILING GRID

This invention relates to improvements to a suspended ceiling grid system for supporting metal, aluminium, mineral fibre, and g.r.g. etc; lay-in ceiling tile units, where the underside face of the units and grid finish flush.

5 There is disclosed In GB 2152091, GB2262948 'A' and GB 2286836 'A' methods for the construction of a ceiling grid whose supporting member profiles incorporate a channel to give a continuous throughway/recess at grid intersections.

This invention relies on the design, shape and features of an aluminium 10 'sleeve' profile (5) and a levelling and alignment block at the 'node' intersection point to form the novelty basis of the ceiling support system.

The aluminium 'sleeve' profile (5) is designed for use with a standard proprietary interlocking 'stitched' stalk (2) cold rolled steel Tee bar section (1) where the Tee bar section (1) is used inverted and at intersections a 15 similar interlocking transverse Tee bar section (1) abuts to form a module.

The Tee bars 'stitched' stalk technique provides stability and dimensional control to the system's framework, whilst adding strength.

The tight fitting slide-on aluminium 'sleeve' profile (5) when combined with

2. the Tee bar section (1) forms a composite beam profile making it stronger and thereby increasing its spanning ability.

The aluminium 'sleeve' (5) is cut to length to suit the required module of the ceiling. The ends of the 'sleeve' (5) can be fully mitred (Fig.1A), cut to 5 a blunt end mitre (FIG. 1 B&C), or square cut (Fig.1 D,E,F&G).

The 'node' alignment and levelling block (Fig. 3a) is designed to be used concealed, with the fully mitred 'sleeves' (5) (Fig.1A).

The 'node' intersection alignment and levelling infill block (Fig. 3b) plays a dual role. Apart from infilling the cross-over space, it fulfils to align and 10 level utilising a combination of the block's projecting 'tangs' (31&34) and 'pedestal' (32) 'ribs' (33). See Fig.3b.

Alignment and level of the aluminium 'sleeves' (5) are achieved by the tangs' (31&34) being inserted into the aperture slot (6) incorporated in the aluminium 'sleeve'(5).

15 The tapering design of the 'ribs'(33) on the underside of the 'pedestal' (32) contact with the underside of the main Tee bar section (1) support flanges (3&4), and ensure that any tolerances in the thickness/gauge of the Tee bar's support flanges (3&4), or in the 'sleeve' aperture slots (14&15), are taken

3. up to give a level under surface of the bisecting 'sleeves' (5).

The smaller size 'tangs' (34) locate into the aperture slot (6) in the transverse Tee bar's 'sleeve' (5) in a similar way, giving a close fitting intersection detail.

The 'Node' infill block (30) can be made to a variety of face patterns 5 (Fig. 1 B,C,D,E,F&G), and can be formed from either moulded plastic, die cast zinc alloy or other suitable mouldable material.

Plasticised materials being more flexible lend themselves better to the task, and can be produced with an in-built pigment to enable them to colour co-ordinate with the colour finish of the aluminium 'sleeve'(5).

10 The die cast zinc alloy would need to be post painted to colour match the 'sleeves' (5) colour and therefore be more expensive to produce.

The side walls of the 'dovetail' recess can either be threadformed (11&12) to accept a metric screw fixing, which is the method incorporated into the other identified patent specifications, or have straight vertical faces.

15 The threadform has the disadvantage in that when metric screws are fixed into it, and then subsequently removed, they can leave the threadform's paint finish damaged and visibly marked, making the grid support members looking unsightly.

4. Cosmetic treatment to repair, replace or make the paintwork good, is often required. To achieve this, always assuming that practicalities allow, can be a very costly exercise.

Although the threadform detail is incorporated within the invention's 'sleeve' 5 design, fixing to the 'sleeve' (5) relies on a 'dovetail' recess (3) to enable serrated roundhead countersunk head machine screws to be fitted either by sliding the screw along the 'dovetail' recess from the 'node' point or in the case of the butt joint multi-variable version of the grid system, inserting anywhere along the length of the 'dovetail' recess channel using a flat 10 sided version of the said machine screw.

The sloping sides of the countersunk face of the machine screw are serrated and when a lock nut is fitted it pulls the serrations of the machine screw down to engage with the sloping portion of the 'dovetail' (13).

This method of fixing has the effect of a clamping devise and is therefore 15 capable of taking heavier point loadings, whereas the machine screw has a pull-out factor due to its engagement in the depth of the threadform.

Another advantage of this form of attachment is that should any marking of the 'sleeve' (5) take place within the 'dovetail' recess, it is not seen.

The design of the aluminium 'sleeve'(5) enables it, in the case of the butt

5. jointed multi-variable module size grid system, to be suspended independent of using the cold rolled steel Tee bar 'chassis' grid profiles, with the connection/support being taken from the upper 'dovetail' recess (10).

Another feature of the 'sleeves' (5) design is that it is capable of being 5 reversed 'head to tail' whilst retaining all of the benefits of the profiles embodiments. its stepped effect would have visual appeal to Architects, Designers and Specifiers alike.

The multi-variable transverse Tee bar (1) and 'sleeve' (5) is connected to the 10 main Tee bar section (1) by way of a specially designed selflevelling spring steel clip which fits into the aperture slot (6).

The aluminium 'sleeve' (5) has inbuilt chamber embodiments (7&8) to enable sealing gaskets or attachments to be fitted. One of these could be an aluminium drylining plastering profile which would easily slide into said 15 chambers (7&8) to facilitate as a fixing devise to incorporate a plaster infill surround to the main 'field area' of a suspended ceiling.

The other disclosed inventions do not have this facility due to their

6. respective enclosed outer side wall design.

In the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 shows a sample selection of possible infill block face designs for use at the 'Node' intersection bisecting point.

5 FIG.2. shows a sectional view of a typical cold rolled steel Tee bar (1) profile combined with an extruded aluminium 'sleeve'(5) forming a beam profile, as embodied in the invention.

FIG. 3 a. shows a 'Node' alignment and levelling block.

FIG. 3 b shows a 'Node' intersection alignment and levelling infill block.

10 Some of the advantages and benefits of the invention are as follows: * Composite beam profile of steel Tee bar 'chassis' carrier and tight fitting aluminium 'sleeve' giving greater spanning capability.

* 'Dovetail' recess provides concealed fixing facility for connection of attachments to underside face of 'sleeve'.

15 * 'Dovetail' facility ensures that no visible damage or marking of paintwork takes place.

* Intersection alignment and levelling block ensures greater dimensional control.

Claims

1. The 'node' alignment and levelling devise ensures greater dimensional control and jointing accuracy of the aluminium sleeve' profile at intersection points as the devise interfaces only with the 'sleeve' profile and is not interconnected with the steel tee bar chassis carrier grid.

2. The aluminium 'sleeve' as claimed in Claim 1 incorporates

a continuous 'dovetail' recess to provide a concealed fixing facility for attachments to be made to the underside face of the aluminium 'sleeve', e. g. partition headers, by mechanical fixing without causing visible damage or marking of the 'sleeve's paintwork finish.

3. The aluminium 'sleeve' as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 has inbuilt chamber embodiments to facilitate sealing gaskets and/or other attachments to be fitted or connected in/to it.

4. The 'node' intersection alignment and levelling devise as claimed in Claim 1 can be made to a variety of forms and face patterns.