US20230040670A1

US20230040670A1 - Suspended ceiling system

Info

Publication number: US20230040670A1
Application number: US17/759,058
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas Nilsson
Original assignee: Saint Gobain Ecophon AB
Current assignee: Saint Gobain Ecophon AB
Priority date: 2020-01-27
Filing date: 2021-01-19
Publication date: 2023-02-09
Also published as: WO2021151726A1; EP3854957A1; CA3166467A1

Abstract

A suspended ceiling system includes a polygon-shaped ceiling tile and a grid of profiles supporting the ceiling tile, the grid of profiles defining a frame in which the ceiling tile is arranged and supported. The ceiling tile includes a front surface, a rear surface and at least three side edges extending between the front surface and the rear surface. A side edge portion associated with each side edge includes a top tongue, a bottom tongue, and a groove extending along the side edge portion and separating the top tongue and the bottom tongue. The top tongues include engagement surfaces resting on the supporting flanges of the grid of profiles, and a distal end of each top tongue extends beyond a distal end of the bottom tongue such that a bottom section of the ceiling tile is insertable from above into the frame.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a suspended ceiling system, and more particular to such a suspended ceiling system comprising a polygon-shaped ceiling tile and a grid of profiles supporting the ceiling tile.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Ceilings being suspended from a ceiling structure, which henceforward is referred to as suspended ceilings, can be installed in many different types of buildings for various reasons. Examples of reasons are to absorb sound, to reflect light, to lower the ceiling height or to conceal installations such as cable arrangements, ventilation equipment, lighting installations and other devices arranged in the space between the suspended ceiling and the ceiling structure of a building.
A common type of suspension is to use a grid of profiles for suspending a plurality of ceiling tiles. The grid of profiles is suspended from a ceiling structure. The profiles are arranged to support and thus uphold the ceiling tiles. The profiles can for example be formed by T-beams with laterally extending flanges, wherein the ceiling tiles are placed so that the flanges support the edges of the ceiling tiles. The ceiling tiles are thus embedded in the grid of profiles.
As an alternative to suspension of ceiling tiles by means of a grid of profiles, free-hanging units of ceiling tiles forming ceiling islands are one way of creating acceptable acoustic environments. The ceiling tiles may have sound-absorbing properties. An advantage with free-hanging ceiling tiles are that they often are regarded as more esthetically appealing due to their exposed edges and floating impression, when compared to ceiling tiles being embedded in a grid of profiles.
Free-hanging ceiling tiles can be installed in large, noisy environments such as open-plan areas, restaurants, shopping centers etc., close to working areas or other locations where acoustical treatment is needed in order to achieve suitable conditions for communication, concentration or recovery.
Free-hanging units can also be used as a complement to an overall suspended ceiling in order to improve the acoustic environment with a reduction of the sound level and a diminishing of sound as distance increases.
Free-hanging ceiling tiles may be mounted by means of suspension members connecting the ceiling tiles to a ceiling structure. This mounting causes the free-hanging ceiling tiles to be sensitive to air flows which may set the ceiling tiles in motion.
The ceiling tiles may be arranged according to various designs depending on the application. In order to achieve a particular ceiling arrangement by means of free-hanging tiles suspended by suspension members, a precise and accurate mounting process is required. Each ceiling tile, typically being suspended by four suspension members, needs to be aligned with adjacent ceiling tiles in order to achieve the desired design. This is particular important for designs in which it is easy for the human eye to spot deviations, which makes the ceiling appear defective and/or incorrectly mounted. An example of such a sensitive design is ceiling tiles being arrange adjacent to each other and distanced with an even distance. Even a tiny deviation from this distance makes the ceiling tiles appear slanted in relation to each other. An esthetically appealing configuration is to let the distance be equal to the thickness of the ceiling tile. Thus, the distance may be quite small which makes a deviation even more easy to spot. Small distances between the ceiling tiles are also desirable in order to increase the acoustic performance, i.e. the sound absorption capacity, of the ceiling. In this case, a high cover ratio of the ceiling tiles is desired which is achieved by having a small distance between the ceiling tiles.
Consequently, when designing a suspended ceiling system, one has to choose between embedded ceiling tiles providing an easier alignment and a more stable system, and free-hanging ceiling tiles providing a more appealing esthetical appearance and higher design freedom.
EP2902559 discloses a ceiling system comprising a grid of profiles having a plurality of fixing points, ceiling tiles each provided with attachment points on a rear surface thereof and connections member each connected to a fixing point of grid of profiles, wherein the connection members are releasably connectable to the attachment points in response to pushing the ceiling tiles in an upward direction. Hereby a ceiling system is provided with a high degree of design freedom having the controlled and stable mounting enabled by the grid of profiles and at the same time the esthetic value of free-hanging ceiling tiles. However, in some cases the ceiling system may be associated with an increased cost and may be time consuming to install.
DE2457806 discloses a ceiling system in which a joint between two adjacent ceiling panels is provided with a cover strip. Each ceiling panel is provided with groove configurations extending along side edges of the ceiling tile, enabling mounting of the ceiling panels from below by a tilting movement.
Thus, there is a need for an improved way of mounting ceiling tiles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement over the above described techniques and prior art.
A particular object is to provide a suspended ceiling system enabling simple and efficient mounting of the ceiling tiles in an improved manner.
A it also an object to provide such a suspended ceiling system having the aesthetic value of a group or cluster of free-hanging ceiling tiles arranged with small gaps therebetween.
To achieve at least one of the above objects and also other objects that will be evident from the following description, a suspended ceiling system having the features defined in claim 1 is provided according to the present invention. Preferred embodiments will be evident from the dependent claims.
More specifically, there is provided according to the present invention a suspended ceiling system comprising a polygon-shaped ceiling tile and a grid of profiles supporting the ceiling tile. The grid of profiles defines a frame in which the polygon-shaped ceiling tile is arranged and supported by supporting flanges of the grid of profiles. The polygon-shaped ceiling tile comprises at front surface, a rear surface and at least three side edges extending between the front surface and the rear surface, wherein a side edge portion associated with each side edge comprises a top tongue, a bottom tongue, and a groove extending along the side edge portion and separating the top tongue and the bottom tongue. The top tongues comprise engagement surfaces resting on the supporting flanges of the grid of profiles. A distal end of each top tongue extends beyond a distal end of the bottom tongue such that a bottom section of the polygon-shaped ceiling tile comprising the bottom tongue and the groove of each side edge portion is insertable from above into the frame defined by the grid of profiles.
Hereby, a suspended ceiling enabling simple and efficient mounting of the ceiling tiles is provided.
The provision of top tongues having distal ends extending beyond the distal ends of the associated bottom tongues enables insertion from above of the ceiling tile into the frame of the grid of profiles such that that the bottom portion of the ceiling tile is passed through the frame and such that the engagement surfaces of the top tongues are placed on the supporting flanges.
The provision of a groove extending along each side edge portion and separating the top tongue from the bottom tongue enables the formation of a shadowed void extending along the side edges and thus encircling the front surface of the ceiling tile. Hereby, the ceiling tile may have the aesthetic value of a group or cluster of free-hanging ceiling tiles arranged with small gaps therebetween while still being installed in a frame of a grid of profiles.
Each frame of the grid of profiles is configured for reception of one ceiling tile.
The ceiling tile may be made of a porous material.
The ceiling tile may have sound or acoustical absorbing properties.
The ceiling tile may be made of a compressed mineral fibre material, such as glass wool. A ceiling tile made of a porous material such as a compressed mineral fibre material may have acoustical absorbing properties.
According to an embodiment, the the front surface of the polygon-shaped ceiling tile may be provided with a first coating having a light reflectance above 0.8. By the provision of a first coating on the front surface having a light reflectance above 0.8 (for instance a white paint) the contrast between the front surface and the shadowed void may be enhanced, which will increase the impression of the ceiling tile being free-hanging.
By “light reflectance” is in this application meant the proportion of incident visible light being reflected. Thus, a front surface provided with a coating having a light reflectance above 0.8 will reflect above 80% of the incident visible light.
Each side edge portion may comprise a side edge surface adjoining the front surface and being provided with a first coating having a light reflectance above 0.8. By providing the side edges surfaces adjoining the front surface of the ceiling tile with the first coating, the thickness of the perceived free-hanging ceiling tile may correspond to the thickness of the bottom tongue.
According to another embodiment, each side edge portion may comprise a side edge surface provided with a second coating having a light reflectance below 0.2. By providing some or all side edge surfaces with a second coating having a light reflectance below 0.2, such as a black paint, the shadowing effect of the void may be enhanced, thereby increasing the impression of the ceiling tile to be free-hanging.
According to yet another embodiment, the front surface may be provided with a first coating and each side edge portion may comprise a side edge surface provided with a second coating, wherein the difference between the light reflectance of first coating of the front surface and the light reflectance of the second coating of the side edge surface is at least 0.5. Hereby the shadowing effect of the void may be further enhanced.
Each supporting flange of the grid of profiles may comprise a bottom surface provided with a third coating having a light reflectance below 0.2. By providing the bottom surfaces of the supporting flanges with a third coating having a light reflectance below 0.2, such as black paint, the shadowing effect of the void may be further enhanced.
Each groove may have a height H in the range of 5-40 mm.
Each bottom tongue may have a thickness T in the range of 5-20 mm.
The suspended ceiling system may further comprise a plurality of polygon-shaped ceiling tiles, wherein the grid of profiles defines a plurality of frames in which the plurality of polygon-shaped ceiling tiles may be arranged.
The polygon-shaped ceiling tile may be rectangular. Other shapes are conceivable, such as triangular, pentagonal or hexagonal shape.
The grid of profiles may comprise profiles having an inverted T-shape.
According to yet another embodiment, a lighting strip may be arranged in one of the grooves. By arranging a lighting strip in one or more of the grooves, the suspended ceiling may be arranged for indirect lighting of a room.
Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view from above illustrating an embodiment of a ceiling tile.

FIG. 1 b is a perspective view from below illustrating the ceiling tile shown in FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating installation of a suspended ceiling system comprising ceiling tiles and a grid of profiles.

FIGS. 3 a-b are perspective views from above illustrating installation of the ceiling tile of FIG. 1 in a frame of a grid of profiles.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from below illustrating an embodiment of a suspended ceiling system.

FIG. 5 a is a perspective view from above illustrating another embodiment of a ceiling tile.

FIG. 5 b is a perspective view from below illustrating the ceiling tile shown in FIG. 5 a.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from below illustrating another embodiment of a suspended ceiling system.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.
FIGS. 1 a-b illustrate a ceiling tile 1 for a suspended ceiling system in accordance with the present invention.
The ceiling tile may be an acoustical ceiling tile with sound absorbing properties. The ceiling tile may have a porous structure and may be made of a compressed fibre material, such as glass wool or stone wool.
The ceiling tile 10 has a polygonal shape and comprises a front surface 11, a rear surface 12 and at least three side edges 13 extending between the front surface 11 and the rear surface 12. In the shown embodiment, the ceiling tile 10 is rectangular and thus comprises four side edges 13. It is understood that the polygon-shaped ceiling tile may have other shapes, such as a triangular, pentagonal or hexagonal shape.
A side edge portion associated with each side edge 13 of the ceiling tile 10 comprises a top tongue 14, a bottom tongue 15, and a groove extending 16 along the side edge 13 and separating the top tongue 14 and the bottom tongue 15.
The provision of a side edge portion comprising a top tongue 14, a bottom tongue 15 and a groove 16 separating the two tongues 14, 15 results in the formation of a plurality of side edge surfaces 17.
Each side edge portion comprises a side edge surface 17 forming an engagement surface 18 which is associated with the top tongue 14 and which is faced in the same direction as the front surface 11.
The bottom tongue 15 may have a thickness T in the range of 5-20 mm.
The groove 16 may have a height H in the range of 5-40 mm.
The front surface 11 of the ceiling 10 tile is provided with a first coating such as paint.
Each side edge portion may comprise a side edge surface 17 provided with a second coating such as paint.
In the shown embodiment, all side edge surfaces 17 of each side edge portion but the side edge surface 17′ adjoining the front surface 11 are provided with the second coating.
The side edge surfaces 17′ adjoining the front surface 11 are provided with the first coating.
Alternatively, all side edge surfaces 17 of each side edge portion may be provided with the second coating.
The first coating may have a light reflectance above 0.8.
The second coating may have a light reflectance below 0.2.
The difference in light reflectance of the first coating and the second coating may be at least 0.5.
FIG. 2 , to which reference now also is made, illustrates installation of a suspended ceiling system 50 comprising ceiling tiles 10 of the type described above and a grid of profiles 30.
The grid of profiles 30 is configured to be supported by a structural ceiling of a room.
The grid of profiles 30 defines a plurality of frames 31 in which the ceiling tiles 10 are arranged. The ceiling tiles 10 are supported by supporting flanges 32 of the grid of profiles 30.
More specifically, the supporting flanges are configured to support the ceiling tiles 10 via the engagement surfaces 18 of the top tongues 14 of the ceiling tiles 10.
Each supporting flange 32 may comprise a bottom surface 33 provided with a third coating such as paint. The third coating may have a light reflectance below 0.2.
In the shown embodiment, the grid of profiles 30 comprises a plurality of primary profiles extending in parallel and having an inverted T-shape with an upstanding web 34 and two supporting flanges 32 extending laterally in opposite directions. The free end of the web 34 may be provided with a reinforcing bulb (not shown).
The grid of profiles further comprises a plurality of secondary profiles (not shown) extending transversely to the primary profiles such that the frames are defined by the primary profiles and the secondary profiles.
Each frame 31 is configured for reception of a single ceiling tile.
For installation of a ceiling tile 10 in a frame 31 of the grid of profiles 30, the ceiling tile 10 is inserted from above into the frame 31 such that the engagement surface 18 of each top tongue 14 comes to rest against an associated supporting flange 32 of the grid of profiles 30, as evident from the detached enlargement in FIG. 2 .
In the figure, the ceiling tile 10 to the left is being lowered from above into a frame 31 defined between the left primary profile and the middle primary profile, and the ceiling tile 10 to the right is arranged in a frame defined between the middle primary profile and the right primary profile.
A distal end 19 of each top tongue 14 extends beyond a distal end 20 of the associated bottom tongue 15 such that a bottom section 21 of the polygon-shaped ceiling tile 10 comprising the bottom tongue 15 and the groove 16 of each side edge portion is insertable from above into and through the frame 31 defined by the grid of profiles 30. Thus, when the ceiling tile 10 is lowered from above into the frame 31, the bottom section 21 of the ceiling tile 10 will pass through the frame 31 such that the engagement surfaces 18 of the top tongues 14 may be brought into engagement with the supporting flanges 32 of the grid of profiles 30 for support of the ceiling tile 10.
For the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the ceiling tile 10 has a first width W1 as measured between the distal ends 19 of the opposing pair of top tongues 14 and a second width W2 as measured between the distal ends 20 of the opposing pair of bottom tongues 15. Further, distal ends 35 of two supporting flanges 32 facing each other and each associated with a respective primary profile are separated by a distance D. The first width W1 of the ceiling tile 10 is greater than the distance D and the second width W2 of the ceiling tile 10 is smaller than the distance D.
FIG. 3 a-b illustrate the installation of a rectangular ceiling tile 10. A grid of profiles 30 comprises supporting flanges 32 defining a rectangular frame 31. For sake of clarity, the webs associated with the supporting flanges 32 have been left out.
In FIG. 3 a, the ceiling tile 10 is positioned above the frame 31. As evident from the figure, each top tongue 14 has a distal end 19 extending beyond the distal end 20 of the associated bottom tongue 15 whereby the ceiling tile 10 may be lowered into the frame 31 such that the bottom section 21 of the ceiling tile 10 may be inserted and passed through the frame 31 until the engagement surfaces 18 of the top tongues 14 come to rest against the supporting flanges 31, as illustrated in FIG. 3 b.
FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the suspended ceiling system 50 comprising rectangular ceiling tiles 10 installed in frames 31 defined by a grid of profiles 30. For sake of clarity, only the supporting flanges 32 of the grid of profiles 30 are illustrated.
The ceiling tiles have been installed in accordance with what has been described above, i.e. by inserting the ceiling tiles 10 from above into the frames 31 of the grid of profiles 30.
The design of a ceiling tile 10 with side edge portions each comprising a top tongue 14 and a bottom tongue 15 separated by a groove 16 extending along the associated side edge 13, wherein a distal end 19 of each top tongue 14 extends beyond a distal end 20 of the bottom tongue 15, results in a ceiling tile 10 which is easy to install in a frame 31 of a grid of profiles 30. The ceiling tile 10 is simply inserted from above into the frame 31 such that the bottom section 21 of the ceiling tile 10 is passed through the frame 31 and the engagement surfaces 18 of the top tongues 15 come to rest on the supporting flanges 32.
The groove 16 extending along each side edge portion and separating the top tongue 14 from the bottom tongue 15 enables the formation of a shadowed void extending along the side edges and thus encircling the front surface of each ceiling tile. Hereby, an impression is created of the ceiling tiles being arranged in a free-hanging manner while still being installed in frames of a grid of profiles.
The fact that the front surface 11 of the ceiling tile 10 and, in the shown embodiment, also the adjoining side edge surfaces 17′ of the side edge portions, are provided with a first coating and the remaining side edge surfaces 17 are provided with a second coating makes it possible to further enhance the impression of the ceiling tiles 10 to be installed in a free-hanging manner, despite the fact that the ceiling tiles 10 are in fact arranged in a frame 31 of a gird of profiles 30.
The impression is enhanced by ensuring that the difference in light reflectance between the first coating and the second is at least 0.5. The first coating may have a light reflectance above 0.8 and the second coating may have a light reflectance below 0.2. The first coating may be a white paint and the second coating may be a black paint.
In the shown embodiment, tt is thus the part of the ceiling tile provided with the first coating which form the part of the ceiling tile appearing to be installed in a free-hanging manner.
The bottom surface 33 of each supporting flange 32 may be provided with a third coating having a light reflectance below 0.2.
In FIGS. 5 a, b another embodiment of the ceiling tile 10 is disclosed. In this case, the polygon-shaped ceiling tile 10 is triangular. The ceiling tile 10 thus comprise a front surface 11, a rear surface 12 and three side edges 13 extending between the front surface 11 and the rear surface 12. Like before, a side edge portion associated with each side edge 13 comprises a top 14 tongue provided with an engagement surface 18, a bottom tongue 15 and a groove 16 extending along the side edge 13 and separating the top tongue 14 and the bottom tongue 15. Also, the distal end 19 of each top tongue 14 extends beyond the distal end 20 of the bottom tongue 15. Thus, the ceiling tile 10 is insertable from above into a frame 31 of a grid of profiles 30 such that the bottom section 21 of the ceiling tile 10 is passed through the frame 31 and the engagement surfaces 18 of the top tongues 14 come to rest on the supporting flanges 32. A suspended ceiling system 50 comprising triangular ceiling tiles 10 of this type is illustrated in FIG. 6 .
As evident from the figures, in the shown embodiment, it is only the front surface 11 of the ceiling tile 10 that is provided with the first coating and all side edge surfaces 17 of each side edge portion is provided with the second coating. Such a configuration will create an impression of free-hanging sheets.
It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown.
For instance, the groove may be shaped in any desired manner, such as V- or U-shaped. The purpose of the groove is to create a void which enhances the impression of a free-hanging installation.
Also, the groove may be utilized for additional installation. For instance, a lighting strip may be arranged in the groove.
A suspended ceiling system comprising ceiling tiles provided with lighting strips in some or all the grooves may still be perceived as arranged in a free-hanging manner. However, for a ceiling tile provided with a lighting strip in each or all grooves, the void formed by each groove comprising a lighting strip will not be shadowed but illuminated, and as long as the contrast between front surface of each ceiling tile and the void is sufficiently strong, the impression of a free-hanging ceiling tile may be maintained.
Further, in the embodiments described above, the side edge surfaces forming the distal ends of the top and the bottom tongues extend have an extension perpendicular to the front and rear surfaces of the ceiling tile. It is understood that these side edge surfaces may be formed differently.
Several modifications and variations are thus conceivable within the scope of the invention which thus is exclusively defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A suspended ceiling system comprising:

a polygon-shaped ceiling tile and a grid of profiles supporting the ceiling tile,

the grid of profiles defining a frame in which the ceiling tile is arranged and supported by supporting flanges of the grid of profiles,

the ceiling tile comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and at least three side edges extending between the front surface and the rear surface,

wherein a side edge portion associated with each side edge comprises a top tongue, a bottom tongue, and a groove extending along the side edge portion and separating the top tongue and the bottom tongue,

wherein the top tongues comprise engagement surfaces resting on the supporting flanges of the grid of profiles, and

wherein a distal end of each top tongue extends beyond a distal end of the bottom tongue such that a bottom section of the polygon-shaped ceiling tile comprising the bottom tongue and the groove of each side edge portion is insertable from above into the frame defined by the grid of profiles.

16. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 15, wherein the ceiling tile is made of a compressed mineral fiber material.

17. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 15, wherein the ceiling tile is made of glass wool.

18. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 15, wherein the front surface of the ceiling tile is provided with a first coating having a light reflectance above 0.8.

19. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 18, wherein each side edge portion comprises a side edge surface adjoining the front surface and being provided with the first coating having the light reflectance above 0.8.

20. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 15, wherein each side edge portion comprises a side edge surface provided with a second coating having a light reflectance below 0.2.

21. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 15, wherein all side edge surfaces of each side edge portion are provided with a second coating having a light reflectance below 0.2.

22. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 15, wherein the front surface is provided with a first coating and each side edge portion comprises a side edge surface provided with a second coating, wherein the difference between a light reflectance of first coating of the front surface and a light reflectance of the second coating of the side edge surface is at least 0.5.

23. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 15, wherein each supporting flange comprises a bottom surface provided with a third coating having a light reflectance below 0.2.

24. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 15, wherein each groove has a height H in a range of 5-40 mm.

25. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 15, wherein each bottom tongue has a thickness T in a range of 5-20 mm.

26. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 15, further comprising a plurality of the ceiling tiles, wherein the grid of profiles defines a plurality of frames in which the plurality of polygon-shaped ceiling tiles is arranged.

27. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 15, wherein the polygon-shaped ceiling tile is rectangular.

28. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 15, wherein the grid of profiles comprises profiles having an inverted T-shape.

29. The suspended ceiling system according to claim 15, further comprising a lighting strip arranged in the groove.