NZ500862A - Ceiling panel support system including parallel main runners supporting tiles and interconnected by transverse struts obscured by the tiles - Google Patents

Abstract

Tiles 13 are located between main runners 11 (having ledges 21) and between transverse struts 12 which may be composite as shown. Grooves in adjacent tiles accommodate feet of struts 12 so that struts 12 are obscured from view after installation.

Description

t No: Date: NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION CEILING PANEL SUPPORT SYSTEM WE, UNISTRUT AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED an Australian company of 89 Kurrajong Avenue, Mount Druitt, New South Wales 2770, Australia do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- CEILING PANEL SUPPORT SYSTEM Field of the Invention The following invention relates to a ceiling panel support system. More particularly, though not exclusively, the invention relates to a ceiling support grid including longitudinally extending and laterally extending members and wherein only the longitudinally extending members are visible from the room space below the ceiling when ceiling tiles are installed.

Known suspended ceiling systems include exposed runners which extend both longitudinally and laterally. That is, both longitudinal and lateral supporting members are visible from the room space below the ceiling once the ceiling tile panels are affixed to oi" supported by the members.

An aesthetic improvement to such known suspended ceiling systems would be achieved by making the lateral support members invisible from below.

Another problem associated with known suspended ceiling systems is in the complexity of the supporting structure installation procedure. Moreover, in known systems, it is necessarv to use a tool to install both the longitudinal and transverse tile J ' * o support members. The tool might be a screwdriver, riveting implement or other device.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome of substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages and/or more generally to provide an improved ceiling panel support system.

Disclosure of the Invention There is disclosed herein a ceiling panel support system for supporting a plurality of ceiling tiles, said system including: a support grid having parallel spaced apart longitudinal main runners interconnected by transversely extending struts, said main runners including elongate vertical ledges extending laterally at either side of said main runners for supporting said tiles, ceiling tiles including a groove nearby an end thereof which end is adjacent an end of another tile when installed, said groove being adapted to receive a foot of an elongate member, which elongate member includes an abutting surface to abut against said strut and secure said tile to said strut and define the longitudinal position of saidfifa^SjjA^PlSopi^y1 OF N.Z. 3 1 MAY 2000 RECEIVED ;>fc (f f, ' • •: / -n ^ 3 -J U <-H3 Q'£ such that the tiles and struts are so configured that said struts are visibly obscured from the underside of the ceiling by the tiles when installed.

Preferably, the main runners include an elongate vertical web having a ledge extending laterally at either side from a bottom edge of said web.

Preferably, said main runners include a plurality of slots extending through the web and adapted to receive a connector extending laterally from either side of the web, the connector being adapted to receive an end portion of each said strut or some of said struts.

Preferably, the struts include a downwardly facing slot recess sized to fit over 10 a portion of a said connector.

Preferably, each strut includes an aperture and each connector includes a pair of tabs, one at either side of the web and each adapted to be received within a said aperture.

Preferably, each strut includes a pair of wings extending outwardly from said 15 slot recess.

Alternatively, each strut includes only a single wing extending from one side of said slot recess.

Preferably, said elongate members are "L" shaped splines including a foot to be received by said groove, a leg extending upwardly from the foot and an arm upon 20 which said abutting surface is provided.

Preferably, said connector includes a central aperture having a pair of opposed tabs extending thereinto, the tabs being adapted to bear against either side of the web of the main runner.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 3 1 MAY 2000 RECEIVED I In an alternative configuration, each tile or some of said tiles can include two different types of elongate member, one type at either end thereof, one of said elongate members including a foot to be received by said groove in one tile and a hook to engage over said connector, the other elongate member at the other end of the tile including a foot to be received by a groove in the tile and an arm extending upwardly therefrom, the arm including an abutting surface to abut with a portion of the hook of a longitudinal member of a tile adjacent thereto.

As will be appreciated, the present ceiling panel support system includes a oneway exposed grid which has the supporting structure revealed in one linear direction only. That is, only the main runners are visible from below the suspended ceiling when tiles are installed. That is, there is no visible frame between the tiles in rows bounded by the exposed main runners.

An advantage of the above disclosed system is that each tile can be removed without disturbing the adjacent tiles. The transversely extending struts or "blind struts" prevent tiles from moving laterally while positively locating them, typically in bays of three. That is, said connectors need only be provided at every third strut. That is, two intervening struts between those provided with connectors need not be associated with a connector at all. Of course, it might be the case that two, three or more tiles are provided between the transverse struts associated with connectors.

A further advantage of the above disclosed invention is that the "blind struts" prevent the main runners from spreading.

The "blind struts" can be removed and replaced, if damaged, by removing one tile only.

Another advantage is that after the main runners are in place, the system can be erected without the use of a tool.

In a further embodiment of the invention to be described, every third tile uses the "blind strut" for support, replacing the "L" blind or elongate member. In this further embodiment to be disclosed, two out of three tiles can be removed without disturbing adjacent tiles.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a ceiling panel support system, Fig. 2 is a schematic end elevational partial view of abutting tiles in the ceiling system at a position where a connector is not provided, Fig. 3 is a schematic end elevational partial view of abutting tiles in the ceiling system at a position where a connector is provided, Fig. 4 is a schematic end elevational view of a tile being lifted and removed or lowered and inserted into position, Fig. 5 is a schematic parts exploded perspective view of a "blind strut" and its association with a connector, Fig. 6 is a schematic parts exploded perspective view of a "blind strut" connected to a connector, the connector being shown as it is about to be inserted into a slot in a main runner, Fig. 7 is a schematic parts-exploded perspective view of the components of Fig. 3 with the connector inserted into the slot and another "blind strut" about to be connected to the connector, Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a ceiling panel support system of a further embodiment of the invention, Fig. 9 is a schematic end elevational partial view of abutting tiles in the ceiling system at a position where a connector is not provided, Fig. 10 is a schematic end elevational partial view of abutting tiles in the ceiling system at a position where a connector is provided, Fig. 11 is a schematic end elevational view of a tile being lifted and removed or lowered and inserted into position, Fig. 12 is a schematic parts exploded perspective view of a "blind strut" and its association with a connector, Fig. 13 is a schematic parts exploded perspective view of a "blind strut" connected to a connector, the connector being shown as it is about to be inserted into a slot in a main runner, Fig. 14 is a schematic parts-exploded perspective view of the components of Fig. 10 with the connector inserted into the slot and another "blind strut" about to be connected to the connector.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments In Figs. 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a support grid 10 including a number of parallel spaced apart main runners 11 which are typically fabricated from extruded aluminium or other material. The material may be painted, powder coated or provided with other finishes.

A number of "blind runners" are affixed to the main runners as shown. Each main runner includes a pair of laterally extending ledges 21 and a vertically extending web 22. The ledges 21 provide support for a number of tiles 13. That is, laterally opposed edges of the tiles 13 are supported by respective ledges 21. Each tile 13 includes a groove 16 as shown in Fig. 3 into each groove there is received an elongate member or "L" spline 14. The "L" splines 14 act as a beam member to provide structural lateral rigidity to each tile 13. Each spline 14 includes a foot 19 received by the groove 16, an upwardly extending leg 18 which folds back over an edge of the tile and then extends upwardly to an arm 17. Transversely extending edges 20 of each tile abut one another. As best seen in Figures 2 to 4, each groove 16 includes an end aperture 30 from which a horizontal slot 31 extends into the tile 13. The aperture 30 accommodates the leg 18 so that the tiles 13 hide the struts 12.

Each "blind strut" 12 includes a slot recess 24 into which a portion of a connector 15 is received. An end portion of each "blind strut" 12 includes an aperture 25 which may be rectangular. This aperture is adapted to receive a deformed tab 26 which extends outwardly from the connector 15 to enable a snap engagement therebetween. That is, the connectors 15 are pre-assembled onto one end of each "blind strut" 12.

The main runners 11 are fitted to the underside of a structural slab in a conventional manner with wire hangers and clips. Loose connectors 15 are then clipped into punched slots 28 in the first main runner 11. The "blind struts" 12 are then fitted by spearing the end with the connector 15 through the slot 28 in the web 22 of the next main runner and clipping the free end down onto the loose connector 15. The process is then repeated for as many main runners as are provided. The "blind struts" 12 are typically spaced every three tiles, equalling one bay. This number can be varied. The tiles 13 are then placed in position upon the ledges 21 of the main runners, the first tile sliding under the "blind strut", the second tile placed adjacent to the first tile and the third tile of the bay being pushed above the ceiling level then hooked under the next "blind strut" 12 and rotated into position as shown in Fig. 4. It should be appreciated that the system described above provides for a "one way" ceiling system with all tiles supported by the main runners and for any tile to be removed without disturbing the adjacent tiles.

As shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the blind struts 12 each include a pair of opposed wings 23. The wings 23 are adapted to abut against an abutting surface 29 provided on the arm 17 of each "L" spline. This defines the position of the tiles longitudinally of the main runners. It should be appreciated however that typically only every third "blind strut" 12 is associated with a clip 15.

The embodiment depicted in Figs. 8 to 14 is similar to that of Figs. 1 to 7 however, rather than providing a separate "blind strut", the "blind strut" 120 is formed integrally with one of the "L" splines. With reference to Fig. 10, a combined blind strut/"L" spline 120/140 is provided. This components includes a foot 190 to be received within the groove 160 of a tile 130 and an upper hooked-over portions 120 to fit over a portion of a connector 150. Most of the remaining "L" splines 140 are simple L shaped members having an upwardly extending arm adapted to abut against 7 in rS 8 one another, or abut against the hooked over portion 120 which serves the purpose of a "blind strut".

In the embodiment of Figs. 8 to 14, the "L" splines 140 are pre-assembled onto the tiles 130. Connectors 150 are pre-assembled into one end of the "blind struts". The main runners 110 are fitted to the underside of the structural slab in the conventional manner, with wire hangers and clips.

Loose connectors 150 are then clipped into the punched slots 280 in the web 220 of the first main runner 110. The "blind struts" are fitted by spearing the end with the connector 150 through the slot 280 in the next main runner web 220 and clipping the free end down onto the loose connector.

The "blind struts" 140 are spaced every three tiles equalling one bay. The tiles 130 are then placed in position, the first tile sliding onto the exposed blade or foot of the blind strut and the second tile placed adjacent to the first tile, the third tile placed adjacent to the second tile.

This embodiment provides for a "one way" ceiling system where two out of three tiles are free to move.

It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention^ Furthermore, the "blind struts" and connectors can be fabricated as a single item. That is, a "connector" can extend from one end of the "blind strut" for insertion through the slots 28, 280.

Claims (11)

V/HAT WE CLAIM IS: 9 50 0d62
1. ]. A ceiling panel support system for supporting a plurality of ceiling tiles, said system including: a support grid having parallel spaced apart longitudinal main runners interconnected by transversely extending struts, said main runners including elongate vertical ledges extending laterally at either side of said main runners for supporting said tiles, ceiling liles including a groove nearby an end thereof which end is adjacent an end of another tile when installed, said groove being adapted to receive a foot of an elongate member, which elongate member includes an abutting surface to abut against said strut and secure said tile to said strut and define the longitudinal position of said tile within said grid, such that the tiles and struts are so configured that said struts are visibly obscured from the underside of the ceiling by the tiles when installed.
2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the main runners include an elongate vertical web having said ledges extending laterally from a bottom edge thereof.
3. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said main runners include a plurality of slots extending through the web and adapted to receive a connector extending laterally from either side of the web, the connector being adapted to receive an end portion of each said strut or some of said struts.
4. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the struts include a downwardly facing slot recess sized to fit over a portion of a said connector.
5. 5. The system of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein each strut includes an aperture and each connector includes a pair of tabs, one at either side of the web and each adapted to be received within a said aperture.
6. 6. The system of claim 4, wherein each strut includes a pair of wings extending outwardly from said slot recess.
7. 7. The system of claim 4, wherein each strut includes only a single wing extending from one side of said slot recess.
8. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said elongate members are "L" shaped splines and include a leg extending upwardly from the foot and an arm upon which said INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE'S OF N.Z. 3 1 MAY 2000 RECEIVED abutting surface is provided. 10 50 08(i2
9. 9. The system of claim 3, wherein said connector includes a central aperture having a pair of opposed tabs extending thereinto, the tabs being adapted to bear against either side of the web of the main runner.
10. 10. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of said tiles includes two 5 different types of elongate member, one type at either end thereof, one of said elongate members including a foot to be received by said groove in one tile and a hook to engage over said connector, the other elongate member at the other end of the tile including a foot to be received by a groove in the tile and an arm extending upwardly therefrom, the arm including an abutting surface to abut with a portion of the hook of a 10 longitudinal member of a tile adjacent thereto. with reference to Figures 1 to 7 or Figures 8 to 14 of the accompanying drawings. UNISTRUT AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED
11. 11. A ceiling panel support system, substantially as hereinbefore described By its Attorney DON HOPKINS & ASSOCIATES P< rr