MXPA05000249A

MXPA05000249A - Suspended ceiling grid structure with main runners incorporating coded matching indicia for receiving cross runners in desired spaced apart fashion.

Info

Publication number: MXPA05000249A
Application number: MXPA05000249A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Carol Paul
Original assignee: Paul William
Priority date: 2002-07-03
Filing date: 2002-07-03
Publication date: 2005-08-26
Also published as: CN1650325A; WO2004006174A1; CA2491473A1; AU2002329205A1; EP1540579A1

Abstract

A marking system incorporated into a suspended grid structure supporting a plurality of ceiling tiles. A first plurality of main runners (18) are suspending from a ceiling by hanger wires and in parallel, spaced apart and elongated extending fashion. Each of main runners defines, in cross section, a tile support lip (24) and a web (26) extending from the support lip. A plurality of elongated channels (32, 34, 36, 38) are formed through first and second opposite faces of the main runner web at axially spaced apart intervals and between a first end and a second end. A second plurality of cross runners (12, 12' and 14, 14') extend between the main runners and each also defines in cross section a tile support lip and a web extending in substantially perpendicular fashion from a midpoint of the support lip. First and second connector clips (54 and 56) extend from associated first and second ends of each of the cross runners (14) and engage, in laterally inserting fashion, through aligning channels defined in the main runners, opposing ends of first and second of a selected cross runners further engaging through an elongated channel of a selected main runner. A marking indicia is applied to selected channels of the main runners and identify proper location of the cross runners prior to engagement of the connector clips within the main runner channels. The marking indicia may further include coding selected channels according to at least one color indicia.

Description

STRUCTURE SUSPENDED FROM GRID WITH CIELORRASO WITH MAIN SLIDERS, THAT INCORPORATES SIGNALS OF CODI COUPLING FICADAS TO RECEIVE TRANSVERSAL SLIDES IN SPACE WISHED DESIRED BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to ceiling grid suspended structures and, more particularly, to a grid structure with main slides which incorporate spaced receiving openings, indicated by a system of specified encoding. The associated transverse slides are coupled to the specific openings of the main slides and which correspond to a subset code of the coding system. The application of a coding scheme to the main slides ensures the correct footage along the main slides, for the exact alignment of the transversal slides.

DESCRITION OF PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE Suspended structures for the creation of ceiling grilles are well known in the art, the concept behind such structures has been to provide suspended support for ceiling tiles. Tiles are commonly rectangular in shape and soundproof in nature and work to recreate a ceiling that appears uniform and "in decline" in an indoor environment that has an incomplete ceiling, such environments include the interiors of commercial buildings, as well as basement ceilings in residential homes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,802, issued for Vukmanic, discloses a known arrangement of suspended and sliding ceiling system, and characterized in that each of the slides is composed of a first member and a cover member. The first member is bent to form an inverted T-shaped bar configuration with a groove extending internally from the edge of the T, and the cover member has the same configuration and is secured at the edge of the bar configuration T-shaped, to form a channel with edge portions on each side, to support the panels of the ceiling system. U.S. Pat. No. 4, 712, 350, also issued to Vukmanic, discloses a centering arrangement for the T members of a suspended ceiling to support a plurality of panels supported by the slides in a desired position on the edges of the slides. The centering arrangement includes a stop that extends from each side of a transverse web profile of the slide, the stop is formed in the web immediately adjacent to the cut in the slide, so that the drag of the material towards the stop does not will drag material from the edge or adjacent to it. The shape of the stop should preferably be "half moon" or semicircular configuration, so that it provides a smooth cam surface both for the lateral movement of the panel along the edge as well as the vertical movement towards the edge. The U.S. Patent No. 4,525,973 issued again to Vukmanic, shows a suspended ceiling system which also shows main and sliding cross slides which can be coupled together to define a system of rectangular grids. The suitably shaped and elongated openings are formed in the profile of the core of the main slides in an axially spaced manner and receive an appropriately configured connecting end of the selected transverse slides, and in this way the transverse slides are coupled to the slider main so that they are mutually coupled and on their opposite sides. Additional examples of suspended ceiling grid systems are also illustrated in US Pat. No. 4, 470, 239, issued for Sauer, 4, 727, 703, issued for Platt and 5, 839, 246, issued for Ziegler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT I NVENTION The present invention is a marking system incorporated within a suspended grid structure supporting a plurality of ceiling tiles, the marking system ensures the proper alignment of transverse slides with respect to the main slides separate, parallel.

Specifically, the marking system ensures that transverse slides are properly positioned before being coupled between the main slides at specific locations and over long run lengths of the main slides. Up to now, a major flaw in the prior art has been the inability to correctly align the transverse slides with the main slides of the grid structure over long extension lengths. A first plurality of main runners are suspended from the ceiling by suspension cables and in parallel, in spaced form and extending in elongated form. Each of the main slides defines, in cross section, a tile supporting lip and a core extending from the support lip. A plurality of elongate channels is formed through the first and the second of the opposite faces of the core of the main slider at intervals spaced axially and between a first end and a second end. Each of the elongated channels shows a unique configuration, which includes an elongated or diamond-shaped shape, the purpose of which will be described subsequently. A second plurality of transverse slides extended between the main slides in spatial increments, and each also defining in cross section a tile supporting lip and a core extending substantially perpendicular from a midpoint of the support lip. A first and a second connector fastener extend from the first and the second end associated with each of the transverse slides and are coupled, so that they are inserted laterally, through alignment channels defined in the main slides. In a preferred construction, the elongated configuration of the channels allows opposite ends of the first and second selected transverse slides to be coupled with the main slider on their set sides. Each of the connector fasteners may further include an outwardly enlarged tongue portion, which purpose is to butt against an associated lateral edge of the elongated channel and prevent the transverse slides from unexpectedly disengaging from the mutually engaging main slide. A marker signal is applied to the selected channels of the main slides and identifies the appropriate location of the main slides, before the coupling of the connector fasteners into the channels of the main slides. In a preferred variant, the marking signal includes selected coding channels that agree with at least one of the color marker signals, preferably the first, second, third or fourth color signal. In a further application of this variant, color signals can be provided in the form of adhesive secured applications. It is also contemplated that the marking signals are provided on both sides of the main slides in the form of displacement in such a way that the differing linear standards can be used on any of the sides of the main slides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference will now be made to the appended drawings, which should be read in conjunction with the following detailed description, where similar reference numbers refer to like parts throughout all the different views, and where: Fig.1 is a view of the environment illustrating a declining ceiling grid structure and as provided by the marking system according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded sectional view of a main slider and the opposite pairs of transverse slides according to the marking system of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a view of the plane illustrating a first side of a selected main slide and exhibiting a first variation of the marker signals according to the present invention. Fig. 4 is a view of the plane illustrating a second side of the selected main slide shown in Fig. 3 and exhibiting a second variation of the marker signals according to the present invention; and Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a second variation of the marker signals and illustrating the applications secured with adhesives, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, a general illustration of a declining ceiling grid structure is illustrated at 10 and incorporates the marking system according to the present invention. As already explained above, the marking system ensures the proper alignment of a plurality of transverse slides 12, 12 \ 12", and following, 14, 14", 14"and following, 16, 16 \ 16" and following, with respect to the main slides spaced in parallel 18, 20, 22 and following. Specifically, the marking system ensures that the pluralities of transverse slides 12, 14, 16 are properly positioned before being coupled between the main slides 18, 20, 22 at the specific locations and over long run lengths of the main slides. . As also already explained above, until now there had been a great failure in the prior art, which had consisted in the inability to correctly align the transverse slides with main slides of the grid structure, over these long extension lengths. Often, the erector of the grid structure only performed a misalignment of the engageable transverse slides, after which a significant number of transverse slides had been installed based on the failed measurement. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an accurate and error-proof marking or coding system, which ensures the maintenance of an appropriate alignment of the transverse slides, relative to the main slides. Referring now to FIG. 2, a partial view of the selected main slider 18 is illustrated, illustrated in an exploded manner with corresponding and extended transverse slides, 12 and 12'y 14 and 14 \ Although only a portion of the entirety is illustrated. of the grid structure, it should also be understood that each of the main slides spaced apart and extended parallel and mutually engaging with the transverse slides, are constructed substantially identically. According to the above, it is not necessary, for the purpose of this description, a repetitive description of each and every one of the main slides and of the transversal slides. The main slide 1 8 is constructed as an elongate extension member and includes, in cross section, a tile supporting lip 24 and a core 26 extending from a substantial midpoint of the lip 24. The lip 24, as is well understood and can be seen in Fig. 1, it provides a projecting support surface to the extended edges of the ceiling tiles, which are shown illustrated in 28 of Fig. 1. Referring again to Fig. 2, the core 26 of the main slider 18 extends substantially upwardly from the tile supporting lip 24 and terminates at a thickened upper edge 30. Both slides, the main ones and the transverse ones are preferably constructed from a flat piece of aluminum or some similar material, and it is understood that the thickened upper edges (again, shown at 30) may be provided by an extended portion of said piece that has been folded upwardly. It is then desirable to strengthen the main slide 18 from the supporting force and the torsional force in an axial direction, and this is largely provided by the transverse sectional configuration of the core 26 with the elongated upper edge 30. A plurality of elongated channels 32, 34, 36, 38, and the following, are formed from the first and second opposite faces 40 and 42 of the main slide 18 (again, see Fig. 2) and at intervals spaced axially between the first and second ends of the selected slider 18. The particular configuration of the channels 32, 34, 36, 38, et seq., It is in the judgment of the skilled artisan, however, it is contemplated that these channels include a substantially elongated or diamond-shaped configuration, as clearly illustrated. The purpose of the channel configurations is the subsequent ease of insertion and coupling of the transverse slides with the main slider, as will be more fully described. It is also contemplated that the channels will increase in their formation, in increments of 15.24 centimeters along the length that extend axially of the main slide, although other increases in spacing, such as spacing per meter, are also contemplated. , they can be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The main slider 18 is suspended from a ceiling (not shown) of the interior environment with suspension cables, see example at 44, which extend through a select 46, of a plurality of openings formed along the web 26 of the main slide 18 and with a spacing at intervals along its length that extend axially. Referring again to the drawings of the Figures, the openings are typically formed in pairs 46, spaced apart and corresponding to the arrangement of channels 32, 34, 36, 38, and following, along the main slider. It is further contemplated that another structure may be used to suspend the ceiling slides and without departing from the scope of the invention. Referring again to Fig. 2, the selected pluralities 12, 12'and 14, 14 'of the transverse slides, are illustrated in reduced length for easy representation and with a mutual coupling within the selected openings, of the corresponding main slider 18. In order to facilitate the explanation, the transversal slides are constructed identically in the cross section. According to the foregoing, and for reasons of this explanation, the description should be limited to the selected transverse member 14, the length of which is shown in a reduced manner. Referring again to FIG. 2, the transverse member 14 includes a tile supporting lip 48, constructed in a manner similar to its corresponding support lip 24 of the main slide 18, such that, on the interengaging of the transverse slides with the The main runner creates a continuous, rectangular extending edge to support the edges of the ceiling tiles 28. Each of the transverse members, again representatively illustrated by the transverse member 14, includes a core 50 extending upward from a substantial mid point of the tile supporting lip 48 and ending in an elongated or thickened upper edge 52, provided substantially for the same purposes as the thickened upper edge 30, of the already described main slide 18, which for example serves to prevent bending or Tension forces along the length that extend axially of each of the slides tra nsversals. The first and second connector fasteners 54 and 56 extend from the first and second extended ends of each of the transverse slides (e.g., the transverse slider 14). The connector fasteners 54 and 56 are commonly secured to the opposite ends of the slider 14 by conventional means, such as rivets, and further are configured such that a select elongated channel (eg, channels 32 and 36) is engaged. by a single connector fastener on one side, and / or opposing connector fasteners (see again 56 for the transverse slide 14, and 56 for the transverse slide 12). It is also contemplated that additional connector fasteners (not shown) are secured to the extended ends of the main slides 18, 20, 22 and following, such that the grid structure can be secured against wall edge locations of the environment. In a preferred configuration, each of the connector fasteners 54, 56, 58, and the following, includes an outwardly enlarged tongue portion, which is referenced in the flared portions 60, 62, 64 and following and corresponding to the fasteners 52 , 54, 56, 58 and following, respectively. Providing flared tongue portions outwardly causes the connector clamps to be engaged against an associated lateral edge of each elongated channel, which prevents inadvertently disengagement of one or more of the transverse slides from the main interengaging slider. Particular attention is paid to the elongated channels 32 and 36, each of which exhibits an elongated or diamond-shaped configuration, which allows opposing connector fasteners of the pairs of transverse slides 12, 14, and 12M4 * to be coupled together. Referring again to FIG. 2, as well as to FIGS. 3 and 4, a marker signal is illustrated, which is applied to selected channels of the main slides (again in reference to the main slider 18) and identifies the appropriate location of the slides. transverse slides, before the coupling of the connecting fasteners inside said channels of the main slider. Specifically, and with reference to Fig. 3, there is shown an illustration of the first side 40, of the selected main slider 18, and including color-coded channels, according to a plurality of color signals. Specifically, channels 36 and 38 are represented and the other channels 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 and following are shown progressively. Furthermore, the first 80, the second 82, the third 84 and the fourth 86 selected color signals are illustrated, which correspond to the selected and alternate channels 36, 66, 70 and 74. The commonly presented signal scheme is repeated and a succession of first color signals is also shown at 88 for channel 78. The selection of colors is at the discretion of the person skilled in the art, and one of the suggested applications contemplates blue 80, red 82, black 84 and white 86 (repeating again with blue 88 on channel 78). It is further contemplated that each of the color signals be applied by means of a paint application. Reference is also made to a modified main slide 18, an alternative scheme is shown, wherein each color signal is provided in the form of adhesive applications, and is illustrated by the applications 90 and 92, which are secured with adhesives in the openings 94 and 96. Referring again to Fig. 4, the reverse side 42 of the main slider 18 is illustrated, wherein the color signal has moved, or moved, relative to the channels. Specifically, target 98 coincides with channel 38, black 100 with channel .68, red 102 with channel 72 and, finally, blue 104 with channel 76. The purpose of the marker signals provided on both sides of The main slides in the form of displacement, is that different linear standards can, at the user's choice, be used on any side of the main slides and at the user's choice. Whatever the application, the marking signals provide the user with the ability to measure correct linear footage to space the attachable cross members. For example, the transverse members can be installed on the channels with blue, red, black or white marker signals. In the preferred example, the mating signals are spaced in increments of 1.22 meters corresponding to the measurement of the ceiling tiles or with the light panels that are installed inside the grid structure. The user may also choose to employ a different spacing standard on the reverse side of the main slide, which would outperform the pattern of displacement of the marker signals. In accordance with the foregoing, the present invention discloses a new and useful marking system which ensures the proper alignment of the transverse slides with the main slides of a grid structure. Additional preferred applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which they belong and without departing from the scope of the appended claims. I claim:

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A marking system incorporated in a suspended grid structure supporting a plurality of ceiling tiles, wherein said system comprises: a first plurality of main slides and means for suspending said main slides of a ceiling in a parallel manner, extending in an elongated form and spaced apart, each of said main slides defines, in cross section, a tile supporting lip and a core extending from said supporting lip, a plurality of elongated channels are formed through the first and second opposite faces of said soul, at intervals spaced axially and between a first end and a second end; a second plurality of transverse slides extend between the first and second selected main slides, each of said transverse slides also defines, in cross section, a tile supporting lip and a core extending substantially perpendicularly from a midpoint of said support lip, a first and a second connector fastener extending from a first and a second associated end, of each of said transverse slides and engaging, laterally inserted, through the alignment channels defined in said first and second main slides, and a marker signal applied to selected channels of said main slides and which identifies the appropriate location of said transverse slides, prior to the coupling of said connector fasteners within said channels of the main slides.
2. The system of marks described in the claim 1, said marker signals further include selected coding channels, according to at least one color signal.
3. The marking system described in claim 2, further includes a first, second, third and fourth selected color signals, corresponding to the alternate and selected channels.
4. The system of marks described in the claim 2, further includes that each of the color signals be applied by a paint application.
5. The marking system described in claim 2 further includes that each of the signals be applied by adhesive applications.
6. The marking system described in claim 1, further includes opposite ends of a selected first and second transverse slider, which engage through an elongated channel and against opposite faces of a selected main slider.
7. The marking system described in claim 6, each of said connector fasteners further includes an outwardly enlarged tongue portion, wherein said tongue portions abut against an associated lateral edge of said elongate channel and prevent it from inadvertently disengaging. said main slider of said main intercoupling slide.
8. The system of marks described in the claim 1, said means for suspending said main slides further include openings formed through each of said main slider webs, suspension cables extending from the ceiling and secured through those selected from said openings. A marking system incorporated in a suspended grid structure supporting a plurality of ceiling tiles, wherein said system comprises: a first plurality of main slides and means for suspending said main slides of a ceiling in a parallel manner, extending in an elongated form and spaced apart, wherein each of said main slides defines, in cross section, a tile supporting lip and a core extending from said supporting lip, a plurality of elongated channels are formed through the first and second opposite faces of said core, at intervals spaced axially and between a first end and a second end; a second plurality of transverse slides extend between said main slides, each of said transverse slides also defines, in cross section, a tile supporting lip and a core extending substantially perpendicular from a mid point of said supporting lip, a first and a second connector fastener extending from a first and a second associated end of each of said transverse slides and engaging, in a laterally inserted manner, through the alignment channels defined in said main slides, opposite ends of a first and a second selected transverse slides coupling through an elongated channel and against opposite sides of a selected main slider, and a marking signal applied to selected channels of said main slides and identifying the appropriate location of said transverse slides, before of the coupling of said connector fasteners within said channels of the main slides, said marker signals further comprising coding channels selected according to at least one color signal. SUMMARY A system of marks incorporated in a suspended grid structure that supports a plurality of ceiling tiles. A first plurality of main runners (18) are suspended from a ceiling by means of suspension cables and in parallel, spaced and extending in an elongated manner. Each of the main slides defines, in cross section, a tile supporting lip (24) and a core (26) extending from the support lip. A plurality of elongated channels (32, 34, 36, 38) are formed through first and second opposite faces of the main slider web, at axially spaced intervals and between a first end and a second end. A second plurality of transverse slides (12, 12 'and 14, 14') extends between the main slides, and each also defines, in cross section, a tile supporting lip and a core extending substantially perpendicular from a midpoint of the supporting lip. A first fastener and a second fastener connectors (54 and 56) extend from first and second associated ends of each of the transverse slides (14) and engage, so as to be inserted laterally, through alignment channels defined in FIG. the main slides; further coupling the first and second ends of the selected transverse slides, through an elongated channel of a selected main slider. A marking signal is applied to selected channels of the main slides and identifies the proper location of the transverse slides prior to the engagement of the connector fasteners within the main slider channels. Marker signals may further include encoding selected channels according to at least one color signal.