ROOF SYSTEM
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a roof system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an easily reconfigurable roof system that supports various functional elements, for example power supply elements and data in a highly organized manner.
Previous Technique
In the space above an individual's head, hanging ceiling panels have been used to conceal various functional structures. These roof panels have also been implemented for various aesthetic purposes. In general, these roofs include sliding guides and interconnected cross members that support a plurality of roof tiles. The ceiling tiles define a space between the architectural ceiling that can accommodate various functional elements such as energy and data elements. These functional elements can be routed independently and structurally attached to the roof of a building. This independent routing of those elements can lead to a disorganized arrangement of those functional elements. In addition, those item arrangements may vary from one building to another. As a result, easy access to a particular functional element can be hindered. Furthermore, these disorganized arrangements are not easily reconfigurable to respond to the changing needs of the occupants of the building. It continues to be necessary to provide a roof system that can easily respond to the changing needs of the occupants of a building. In addition, a roof system is needed that can minimize infrastructure and create a more economical and "green" environment. Finally, the use of new technologies now requires that the new functional elements, for example, elements of wireless communications, be implemented in the roof environment or that the previous elements be replaced. Even many previous roof systems did not have the ability to easily accommodate new technologies or the replacement of outdated functional elements.
Brief Description of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an improved roof system that supports various functional elements in a highly organized and aesthetic manner. According to a first aspect of the invention, a ceiling system is provided for the provision of public services of a workspace. A plurality of anchors is connected to a ceiling of a workspace. The anchors are placed to form a grid. A plurality of support members extending substantially vertically is attached to the anchors. The support members are adapted to support a plurality of public services and a roof member.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for the provision of public services in an open-plan work environment. The method includes securing a plurality of anchors to a roof of a work environment. The anchors are placed to form a grid. A plurality of support members is connected to at least some of the anchors. The data wiring is connected to at least some of the support members at a substantially uniform data point along the support members. The power wiring is connected to at least some of the support members at a substantially uniform point along the support members. A roof panel is connected to at least some of the support members. As used herein, the term "connected to" is intended to be interpreted broadly and to include direct and indirect connections. The present invention, in conjunction with the objects and advantages, will be understood with reference to the following detailed description in relation to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a roof system according to a first embodiment of the present invention illustrating an energy system in an environment of two roof panels; Figure 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a roof system illustrating an energy system in an individual roof panel environment; Figure 3 is an elongated view of several support members interconnected by the power system; Figure 4 is an enlarged view of several support members interconnected by the power system and a support bar for use with lighting elements; Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the roof system in a building environment with a sloped roof;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a support bar with two different lighting elements shown together;
Figure 7 is a side view of one embodiment of a support member with a data element shown in cross section; Figure 8 is a side view of a mode of a first connector; Figure 9 is a top view of the connector shown in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a side view of one embodiment of a second connector; and Figure 11 is a top view of the connector shown in Figure 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES
The invention is described with reference to the drawings in which like elements are referred by similar numbers. The relationship and operation of various elements of this invention are better understood by means of the following detailed description. However, the embodiments of this invention as described below are only by way of example, and the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It should also be understood that the drawings are not to scale and in certain instances details that are not necessary for the understanding of the present invention, such as conventional fabrication and assembly details, have been omitted. In addition, similar elements have been numbered identically in the different modalities. Referring now to the drawings and initially to Figure 1, a first embodiment of the roof system 10 is illustrated. The roof system 10 provides a highly organized system for the provision of public services, for example power and data elements. , to a workspace. In addition, the roof system 10 can be changed to suit the needs of the occupants of a work space and is adaptable for use with new technologies and those that arise. The roof system 10 includes a light panel member 12 that extends generally horizontally over the head of a worker or fixed occupant. The panel member 12 is connected to the structure 14. Corbels 16 extend outward from the corners of the structure 14 and connect the support members 30. for further description of the panel members 12, the structure 14 and the corbels 16, refer to the Provisional Application for
Patent of the United States of America No., filed on April 4, 2002 in the name of Robert Insalaco, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. With reference to Figures 1 and 7, support members 30 are illustrated. Support members 30 are suspended from a top surface, for example, the architectural roof of a building. The support members 30 include anchors 34, suspension cables 36 and support tube 38. The anchors 34 are connected to the upper surface of a building using conventional fastening techniques. The anchors 34 include a flat base portion 44 and a curved portion 46. In a preferred embodiment, the anchors 34 are formed from a steel material. As illustrated in figure 1, and as will be further described herein, the anchors 34 are placed in a matrix or grid with the other functional elements constructed outside the selected anchors in order to provide the roof system 10 at the desired location. A suspension cable 36 is connected to the curved portion 46 of the anchor 34 and extends downwardly from the anchor. In a preferred embodiment, the suspension cable 36 is a braided steel cable adapted to support a load of at least 500 pounds. The suspension cable 36 passes through a centering cap 50 connected to the support tube 38. In a preferred embodiment, the support tube 38 is formed from a steel material. The support tube 38 includes a plurality of openings 52 aligned along the length of the support tube 38. Preferably, the openings 52 are "cross-drilled" around. of the support tube 38 at ninety degrees angles to each other. The openings 52 extend along the length of the support tube and around the support tube 38 in order to provide a range of positions for connection for a public service or support elements. A set screw 56 secures the support tube 38 at a desired location along the suspension cable 36. In particular, depending on the upper surface or the architectural ceiling and the type of unit that is supported, the support tube 38 it may need to be placed in different locations along the suspension wire 36. Referring generally to Figure 5, one embodiment of the roof system 70 is illustrated in a building having an inclined roof 72. In the illustrated embodiment, a data delivery system 74 is located at the top of the power supply system 76. A public service support bar 78 is positioned below the public service delivery system 76. The panel member 12 and the structure 14 they are connected behind the support bar 78. The roof system 70 illustrates the layered approach for the placement of public service members of the present invention. The layering approach allows workers to install different public service elements in order to be able to independently install each public service member. In addition, the layered approach to public service placement provides a highly organized system that is easily reconfigured or updated as needed for the occupants of a building. With reference to Fig. 7, one embodiment of the data supply element 74 is illustrated. In particular, a slide 84 is shown attached to the suspension cable 36. The fastener 84 includes nails 86 which are adapted to hold the suspension cable 36. A cover portion 88 is flexible so as to provide easy access to the interior of the fastener 84 where the data cables 89 are located. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener 84 is formed from a plastic material. Referring again to Figures 1-5, the power supply system 76 is illustrated. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the power supply system 76 is a generally conventional modular four-circuit power system. In one embodiment, the power supply system 76 can be constructed using portions 90 that are approximately ten feet long. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art, various lengths may be provided. The power supply system 76 includes conventional connectors 92 for connection to functional elements such as lighting elements 100 or 102 (as illustrated in figures 2, 4, 5 and 6) or for the power supply of the surface of base through pole 104 (as illustrated in Figure 5). As best seen in Figures 3 and 4, the connectors 92 include a plurality of contact pins 94 for connection to a mating contact pin 95 extending from the functional element such as a lighting element 100. A conventional flexible connector 110 (preferably formed from a steel conductor. flexible) provides the connection of the portions 90 in the support members 30. This flexible connector 110 is particularly useful when the portions 90 extend at ninety-degree angles to each other. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate one embodiment of a connector 140 useful with the posystem 76. The connector 140 is also useful with other elements such as the support bar 78. The portions 90 of the posystem 76 are connected to the bracket. 142 to the support member 30. The bracket 142 includes a tube portion 144 adapted to slide on the support tube 38. A latch 1 or 146 is spring loaded 148 to cause the pin 150 to engage a selected aperture 52 along of the length of the support tube 38. Referring again to figures 1, 2 and 4-6, the public service support bar 78 is illustrated. The support bar 78 is useful for supporting public services such as lighting elements 100, 102, or other services such as screens or other elements that are fixed above the head of a user. The support bar 78 provides a support surface for supporting the elements required by various construction and electrical codes. The lighting element 100 is a low voltage halogen lighting element in the illustrated embodiment. The lighting element 102 is a fluorescent lighting element in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5-6. Figures 10-11 illustrate another embodiment of a connector 200 useful at intermediate locations along the roof system 10. The connector 200 includes a bracket portion 202 adapted to encircle the support tube 38. A pin 206 is dimensioned for coupling one of the openings 52 in order to secure the assembly in the desired location. During the installation of the roof system 10, a worker would place a matrix of grid anchors 34 on the upper surface or ceiling above the work space. Depending on the desired location and arrangement of the roof system 10, an installer would connect the support members 30 as necessary to provide the roof system 10 at the desired location. By means of the placement of a matrix, the additional support members 30 can be easily provided as needed. In addition, in the event that the occupants of a building desire a different use for the workspace, the matrix allows the installers to easily reconfigure the roof system 10 as necessary. The modalities described above and shown herein are illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims instead of the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings. The invention may be presented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, other adjustment mechanisms may be used with the partitions of the present invention. In addition, the particular forms of the partition members could be varied insofar as the required functionality is still achieved. Accordingly, it is intended that these and other changes that fall within the scope of the claims be comprised herein.