MX2011003603A

MX2011003603A - Faceted metal suspended ceiling.

Info

Publication number: MX2011003603A
Application number: MX2011003603A
Authority: MX
Inventors: John D Bankston
Original assignee: Usg Interiors Inc
Priority date: 2008-10-16
Filing date: 2009-09-24
Publication date: 2011-04-27
Also published as: KR20110069137A; UY32161A; ZA201103207B; WO2010044996A2; RU2507351C2; JP2012505986A; RU2011117018A; US20100095606A1; CA2740870A1; WO2010044996A3; EP2342393A2; CN102171403A

Abstract

A non-planar suspended panel system comprising a metal grid formed of curved main runners and straight cross runners extending between the main runners, a plurality of panels supported on the grid, the panels each having flat major faces with quadrilateral profiles, the edges of a panel being aligned with a pair of main runners and a pair of cross runners, each panel having flanges at its edges extending between its flat face and the runners in a manner that disposes the plane of its flat face generally parallel to chordal lines in the planes of the main runners between the intersections of the associated cross runners and main runners, whereby the panel system extends over a three dimensional surface and the surface is formed of a multitude of facets each formed by one of said panels.

Description

SUSPENDED FACETED METAL ROOF FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the construction of walls and ceilings and, in particular, to a unique set of faceted flat panels suspended from a curved support grid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Architects, owners of buildings and real estate strive to create unique structures that deviate from the traditional simple structures of walls and flat roofs. A designer seeks to achieve an original, unmistakable or spectacular appearance on a roof or a large surface wall or in a combination of these static structures. These efforts are hampered, usually, by the increased cost of the material and / or its manufacture and installation. T-profiles for grids are commonly used to suspend the plates on ceilings. A known adaptation of such technology of T-profiles for grids consists in curving the main T-profile in a convex or concave manner to obtain a ceiling that is not flat. Typically, in these roof constructions, the curved main T-sections are combined with non-flat panels or flexible sheets that conform to the radius of curvature of the main T-profiles. As it is already Ref. : 218959 known, the use of this type of construction has been limited to the curvature in a single plane corresponding to parallel planes of the curved main T-sections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a construction for roofs and walls as well as a combination of these structural elements to form vaults, domes, raised cavities, non-flat walls and similar extensions that offer a differentiated faceted and singular aspect. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to single-plane curvatures or symmetrical extensions.

The invention uses curved main T-sections and straight transverse T-profiles to form an open network with a three-dimensional configuration corresponding to the extension of the combined, faceted, finished roof, wall or structure. The faceted face of the extension is constituted by flat quadrilateral panels that save the individual spaces between the main and transverse T-sections. Inwardly turned tabs along the edges of the panels serve to stiffen the panels and act as spacers to stably separate their respective panels from the grid or grid. Optionally, the tabs can be formed at their free edges to adapt to the curvature of the main T-sections. The panels are detachably mounted on the T-sections by torsion springs so that in a finished installation, the grid is hidden and the panels face free of fasteners, while the rear part of the panels is easily accessible. panels The invention provides a unique appearance for ceilings, walls and integrations of. they are obtained with relatively low manufacturing and installation costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a convex roof area, as viewed from below, constructed in accordance with the invention; figs. 2 and 2A is a fragmentary perspective view of the roof of fig. 1 as seen from above; fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the roof of fig. 1;' fig. 4 is an elevation view of a typical torsion spring associated with a panel; fig. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a concave roof area, as seen from below; fig. 6 is a schematic view from the rear of a combined ceiling, wall or ceiling and wall, concave or convex in two planes; fig. 7 is a fragmentary side view of a constructive variant of a concave structure; fig. 8 is a side elevational view, fragmentary, of a variant of a convex structure; Y fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of a transverse T-profile having grooves for receiving torsion springs associated with the flat panels of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the figures, fig. 1 illustrates an application of the invention to a roof structure that is convex with reference to an observer staying below. Structure 10 includes main rails 11, transverse rails 12 and panels 13. In this and other described embodiments, rails 11, 12 have an inverted T-shaped cross-section and, consequently, are referred to as T-sections, as It is custom in the art. However, it should be understood that the rails may have other cross-sectional shapes, such as U, I or C. In the various embodiments described herein, the main T-rails or profiles may be relatively long, for example 3 m (10 ft) long, but can be shorter, such as 1.2 m (4 ft) long. The transverse T-profiles can be considerably shorter than the main T-sections, for example, 0.6m (2 feet) or 1.2m (4 feet) long. However, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these three dimensions.

The T-profiles 11, 12 are provided with respective end connectors, known in the art, which can be snapped together with identical end connectors, to allow the T-sections to be joined end to end. U.S. Patent Nos. 6,729,100 and 5,761,868 are examples of connectors that can be used for main and transverse T-profiles, respectively. The connectors 16 for transverse T-sections are joined together, typically, in grooves 17 formed in the vertical element webs of the main T-profiles 11, in the desired places of the transverse T-profiles 12. Although the various embodiments exposed in this document show the transverse T-profiles 12 in alignment, end to end, it is contemplated that the invention is applicable to arrangements in which the transverse T-profiles between adjacent pairs of main T-profiles, are staggered in such a way that they are not aligned end to end. Slots 17 suitable for receiving the connectors 16 of such transverse T-profiles can be provided.

The main T profiles 11 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 are identical, curving in a respective vertical plane, and parallel to each other. The transverse T-profiles 12 have the same length, are straight and have their ends attached to transverse T-profiles aligned, adjacent (ie, when not staggered) by connectors coupled together through the grooves 17 of the webs of the main T-profiles 11. The slots 17 of the main T-sections are arranged so that the transverse T-profiles are parallel. Preferably, each of the main and transverse T-profiles, 11, 12, has a flange 18 extending to opposite sides of a central core 19. The flanges 18 are located at the edge of the core 19 closest to the space for that the structure 10 forms a boundary or decorated. The wings 18 of the main and transverse T-profiles 11, 12 can be, typically, substantially flush with one another where they are cut.

A panel 13 is preferably formed of sheet metal, such as aluminum, and has a suitable gauge for the application, a typical gauge can be 0.812 mm (0.032 inches). The panel 13 has a flat or smooth face 21 and peripheral flanges 22, 23 that extend along the edges of the face. In the embodiment of fig. 1, face 21 is a quadrilateral in the shape of a rectangle. An opposite pair of flanges 22 are aligned with the main T-sections 11 and have an arched edge 24 which substantially coincides with the arc of the flange 18 of the main T-sections such that this edge can rest against the flange of the flange. main T-profile along substantially the entire length of the flange 22 of the panel. The other pair of opposite flanges 23 are provided to rest against the wings 18 of the transverse T-profiles when the arcuate edges 27 are seated in contact with the main T-sections.

The panels 13 are detachably retained in the grid formed by the main and transverse rails 11 and 12, by means of torsion springs 26. In the illustrated example, four torsion springs 26 are arranged in each panel. The torsion springs 26 they are mounted in pairs, spaced apart from one another, in the flanges 23 associated with the transverse T-profiles 12. Each spring 26 is retained in a flange 23 by a metal bracket 27 fixed on the side of the flange facing inward from the periphery of the panel. The wings 18 of the transverse T-sections, at a location corresponding to each torsion spring 26, are formed with a pair of elongated slots 28. The slots 28 are staggered or displaced longitudinally and laterally with respect to the transverse T-profile to accommodate the geometry of divergent elastic tails 29 extending from propeller turns of the torsion spring 26. In the free state of a torsion spring 26, the tails 29 diverge at an angle greater than that allowed by the slots 28 when the panel is in position with respect to its associated transverse T profile, so that the springs hold the panel tightly against the transverse T-sections.

The shape of the flat face 21 coincides, in general, with a projection of the geometry of the T profiles, 11, 12, of the grid with which it is associated. The face 21 extends in a direction at a distance approaching the distance between the webs of a pair of adjacent main T-profiles and in the other direction at a distance such as that between the webs of adjacent transverse T-profiles. . The brackets 27 and the springs 26 provide limited universal movement of the spring to allow the panel to be displaced and positioned out of alignment with its installed position while the springs remain in their respective slots. Each flange 23 associated with a transverse T-profile 12 forms an acute angle with the plane of the face 21 so as to avoid interference with a flange 23 of an adjacent panel 13 of the same set of main T-sections. The flanges 22 associated with the main T-profiles 11 are formed substantially at right angles, although a slightly acute angle with the plane of the face is preferred in order to avoid interference with an adjacent panel 13.

The torsion springs 26 maintain a panel 13 in position releasably in the grid. The tails 29 are long enough and the connection of the springs to the panel is universal enough to allow an edge of the panel to be initially attached to the grid by inserting the spring tails into a first edge of the panel in the slots 28 of the panels. T profiles of the grid. The tails 29 of each spring are manually crushed to bring them closer to each other in order to mount them in the grooves. With these first springs in their respective slots 28, whether or not the tails are allowed to open and bring the edge of the associated panel towards the grid, the springs on the opposite side of the panel are inserted in the grooves of the corresponding T-profile. 12. When the springs are released and / or the panel is left free, the springs tend to open their tails while they are confined in the slots, with the result that the panel 13 is forced against the T-sections of the grid. In the installed position, the flanges of the panels rest against the adjacent flanges of the T-profiles 11 and 12 of the grid and rest against them. The springs 26 are distributed around the geometric center of the panel and away from it, to ensure that it is brought against the grid and is resting steadily against it. In the embodiment of fig. 1 and in certain embodiments to be described, the panels are tangent to an imaginary surface that curves in a single plane. The effect of the flat panels 13 provides a differentiated multifaceted appearance, very different from that offered by a continuous, smooth surface, which would correspond to this imaginary surface.

Fig. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention in which panels 31 with flat faces are arranged in a convex design when viewed from one side of the panels opposite the side from which their flanges protrude. In a manner similar to the embodiment described above in relation to fig. 1, the panels 31 are supported on a grid 33 of rails or T-sections. The grid 33 comprises a plurality of relatively long main T-sections 34 and a plurality of relatively short transverse T-sections 12. The main T-profiles 34 are identical, curving in a single plane and in concave shape with respect to a reference point from which the obverse of the panels 31 is to be observed. The transverse T-profiles 12 and their connectors can be identical to those described in connection with the embodiment of fig. 1. The main T-sections 34 can be produced, in known manner, by bending conventional T profiles of suspended ceiling grids and by stretching their reinforcing heads 37 relative to their wings 38. As previously described, the transverse T-sections 12 are joined end to end by suitable connectors, known in the art, which extend through longitudinally spaced grooves, strategically located in - Il ¬ the webs 40 of the main T-profiles 34. The transverse T-profiles 12 serve to keep the main T-profiles 34 aligned in parallel.

The main T-sections 34 are joined end to end by conventional connectors, known in the art. Connection receiving slots of the main T-profiles 34 are located at predetermined locations corresponding to the geometry of the panels. The panels 31, as in the embodiment of fig. 1, have flat or smooth faces 41 with a quadrilateral or rectangular profile and peripheral flanges 42, 43 that extend backward from the plane of the face. A pair of the flanges 42 aligned with the main T-profiles 34 have free edges 44 configured to wedge and contact the arc of the flanges 38 of the concave main T-sections. The other flanges 43 of the panels have straight edges of sufficient width to seat against the flanges of the transverse T-profiles 12. The panels 31 are releasably held in position by torsion springs 26 received in the slots 28 of the profiles in Transversal T, as described above in connection with FIG. 1. The angle included between the plane of the flanges 43 of the panel and the plane of the face 41 of the panel, may be slightly less than 90 degrees, when the arc of the profile in the main T has a large radius, or may be greater 90 degrees to allow the torsion springs to align with the slots 28. The arrangement, in a structure, of the panels 31 shown in FIG. 5 provides a differentiated faceted appearance, be it a ceiling, a wall or a combined ceiling and wall or a segment thereof.

Fig. 6 illustrates schematically the application of the invention back to a wide surface, such as a wall, a roof or a combination of these structures, when the surface forms a composite curve, with curvature in two perpendicular planes. Fig. 6 can be interpreted as a plan view of a convex or concave grid 50 for supporting flat panels in the form of quadrilaterals. The main T-rails or profiles 51 are curved, either concavely or convexly, in one or two planes but, in any case, each of them is located in a plane different from the plane of an adjacent main lane. In one arrangement, suggested in fig. 6, all the main profiles in T 51 or part of them can be supported on the surface of an imaginary sphere such that the main T-profiles are located in selected lengths and the transverse T-profiles are located in selected latitudes. In such a provision, the transverse T-profiles of a given latitude would have the same length, but would be different from the length of the transverse T-profiles of adjacent latitudes. The panels to be mounted on the grid 50 have a profile which, in general, corresponds to straight lines drawn between the adjacent intersections of the main and transverse T-profiles 51, 52. The panels used with the grid 50 are similar to the panels before described, having a flat, smooth face, of quadrilateral shaped profile with flanges extending rearward arranged to come into contact with main and transverse T-sections superimposed.

The torsion springs may be used as described to releasably retain the panels with respect to the grid 50 as previously described.

It is important that a panel sits steadily against the T-profiles of the grid in at least 3 distributed points. This can be deduced from the fact that three points determine a plane and, therefore, represent the minimum contact between a panel and the grid to achieve stability.

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate arrangements in which the edges of the panels associated with curved main T-sections have straight edges and are free of substantial contact with the wings of the main T-sections. In these arrangements, the flanges associated with the transverse T-profiles are suitable for stably supporting their respective panel on the grid, the holding forces being applied by a plurality of torsion springs mounted on these flanges and coupled with the profiles on Transverse T. In the various embodiments described, each of the panels has a larger flat face with a quadrilateral shaped profile. The peripheral flanges of each panel are preferably arranged to support the panel on associated transverse and / or main rails, so as to be parallel or substantially parallel to lines of rope drawn between the intersections of transverse rails associated with associated main rails.

In certain applications, it may be desirable or necessary to retain the panels on a grid by joining the torsion springs of the flanges of the panels superimposed on the main T-sections and providing these main T-sections with slots for receiving the tails of the springs. .

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it has been for illustrative purposes and not as a limitation, and other variants and modifications of the specific embodiments shown and described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. , all within the scope and spirit sought for the invention. Consequently, the patent should not be considered limited, in terms of scope and effect, to the specific modalities shown and described in this document or in any other way that is not consistent with the extent to which progress in the technique has been anticipated. for the invention.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property:

1. A non-planar system of suspended panels, characterized in that it comprises a metal grid formed by curved main rails and straight transverse rails extending between the main rails, a plurality of panels supported on the grid, all the panels have larger flat faces with profiles in Quadrilateral shape, the edges of a panel are aligned with a pair of main rails and a pair of secondary rails, each panel has tabs on its edges that extend between its flat face and the rails so that the plane of its flat face It is generally arranged parallel to lines of rope in the planes of the main lanes drawn between the intersections of the main rails and the associated transverse rails, whereby the panel system is extended by a three-dimensional surface and the surface is formed by a multitude of facets, each of them formed by one of the aforementioned panels.

2. A system of suspended panels according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the panels includes a flange that extends generally perpendicular to the plane of the flat face.

3. A system of suspended panels according to claim 2, characterized in that the panels include flanges having edges, distal to the flat face, having a shape that adapts to the curvature of an associated main T profile.

4. A system of suspended panels according to claim 1, characterized in that the panels are joined to the grid by means of elastic springs which load the panels to bring them towards the grid.

5. A system of suspended panels according to claim 1, characterized in that the panels are formed of sheet metal.

6. A system of suspended panels according to claim 5, characterized in that the metal sheet is made of aluminum.