US3426188A

US3426188A - Fixture for use in a suspended grid ceiling system

Info

Publication number: US3426188A
Application number: US591837A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eugene Baranowski
Original assignee: Integrated Systems Inc
Current assignee: Integrated Systems Inc
Priority date: 1966-11-03
Filing date: 1966-11-03
Publication date: 1969-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 1986-02-04

Description

Feb. 4, 1969 E. BARANOWSKI I 3,423, 88

I FIXTURE FOR USE IN A SUSPENDED GRID CEILING SYSTEM Filed NOV. 5, 1966 Sheet. of 5 INVENTOR EUGENE BARANOWSKI BY 1%, ATTORNEY Feb. 4, 1969 E. BARANOWSKI FIXTURE FOR USE IN A SUSPENDED GRID CEILING SYSTEM Filed Nov. '3, 1966 Sheet 2 of? INVENTOR EUGENE BARANOWSKI a ATTORNEY Feb. 4, 969 I E. BARANOWSKI 3,426,188

FIXTURE FOR USE IN A SUSPENDED GRID CEILING SYSTEM Filed. Nov. 5. 1966 Sheet 3 of 3 FIG. 4

INVENTOR EUGENE BARANOWSK! BY MMZW ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofice 3,426,188 FIXTURE FOR USE IN A SUSPENDED GRID CEILING SYSTEM Eugene Baranowski, Forestville, Conn., assignor to Integrated Systems, Inc., Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Nov. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 591,837 US. Cl. 240-9 Claims Int. Cl. F215 1/02, 3/02 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention pertains generally to ceiling lighting systems of the type wherein lighting fixtures are coved or spaced upwardly in cathedraled areas above the general flatwise extent of the ceiling per se. The subject matter of the present disclosure is related to and covers improvements in that of prior United States applications Ser. No. 411,297, filed Nov. 16, 1964 now Patent No. 3,343,310, and Ser. No. 462,381, filed June 8, 1965 now Patent No. 3,343,309.

This invention :briefly relates to a suspended ceiling li hting or electrical fixture mount assembly with existing or conventional T-bar support means and including, without limitation, a frame engageable in any selected one of the T-bar grid openings in place of the normally seated ceiling panel thereof.

A basic objective of the present invention resides in the provision of improved means for mounting of coved fixtures in a ceiling system to reduce the time required for original installation and replacement, and to reduce measurably the skill and experience level demanded of the installer. Otherwise stated, it is the purpose of the present invention to provide a covered fixture mount which is adapted for installation in much the same manner as a conventional ceiling tile.

A further objective resides in the supply of units interchangeable at random or in preselected pattern forms with the ceiling tiles, whereby lighting engineers are given maximized versatility of design in the disposition of the units in a particular ceiling, and One wherein original design does not become a fixed commitment inasmuch as the units are easily moved or interchanged following initial placement.

Further objectives include the provision of modular units composed of housing and light fixture assemblies of standard dimension for use interchangeably with ceiling units; one wherein the materials of fabrication are readily available and of low cost; and one requiring no special tools for installation.

Still another objective concerns the formation of a coved fixture mount wherein the side walls of the coved portion are of ceiling board which serves as a sound reflector thereby increasing the acoustical value of the ceiling. Optionally, heating, air transfer, or reflective metal panels may be employed for said side walls to good advantage.

Yet another object is to provide a fixture housing usable either with or without a light diffuser.

3,426,188 Patented Feb. 4, 1969 Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following specification, when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, partially exploded, showing a first form of ceiling assembly constructed and assembled in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the section line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken substantially on the section line 33 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing a modification; and

FIGURE 5 is a detail, transverse sectional view, on line 55 of FIGURE 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, and initially to the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 through 3, a ceiling assembly of the type herein under consideration is shown and generally designated by reference numeral 18. The assembly 10 is characterized by a grid support system 12 mounted in overhead relation in a conventional manner. The grid system 12 is composed of a plurality of laterally spaced, longitudinal inverted T-bars 14 and intersecting, transverse inverted T-bars 16. These T-bars include base portions 18 which provide ledges on the opposing side thereof, and have upstanding leg members 20 which serve to separate the ledge members and to divide the grid into segments. Slip means 22 are employed at each of the intersections of the transverse and longitudinal T-bars whereby the bars are connected at their intersections. A plurality of panels 24 of tile material fill the spaces of the grid, resting on the opposing ledge members of the system. These panels are preferably precut in standard dimensions and are merely dropped in place following installation of the grid system, The foregoing is conventional in the art and is herein described for reference in setting forth the environment of the invention.

For the mounting of a lighting fixture (described below) in coved, upwardly spaced relation to the general flatwise extent of the grid system 12 and its panels 24, the present invention provides a fixture housing 26. The housing 26 has, as its basic component, a frame 28 of metallic construction including longitudinal side pieces 30 each having an angular, inwardly directed foot member 32 and a substantially vertical leg member 34. At each of the ends of the side pieces 30, an angular or slanted end element 36 is integrally or otherwise fixedly secured thereto in the manner best shown in FIGURE 1. The end elements each include an inward arm 38 and a vertical portion 40. The distal end portions 42 of the end elements are rebent to extend inwardly, and the respective pairs of end elements are covered by end plates or covers 44 of substantially triangular form which are fixed thereto in such manner as to connect the frame assembly in a unitary structure, and to enclose its ends. It will be observed in the drawing that the end plates 44 have cut-out sections 46 at their apex portions for a purpose described below. It is also to be noted in the drawing that both the end plates 44 and the angular end elements 36 are inwardly offset as at 48 adjacent their lower ends to provide for the proper mounting thereof between the transverse T-bars 16 in the grid system. I

The frame 28 further comprises a pair of top braces 50 forming top longitudinal fixture box supports comprising two spaced rails each having a substantially vertical post 52 with a top head 54 thereon. The braces further include longitudinal inner and outer flanges 56, 58, and

3 as best seen in FIGURE 2, the brace may be formed by bending of a unitary blank of material.

At least two transverse cover straps 60 interconnect the top braces and have main sections 62 which span the distance between the vertical posts 52 and are connected to the inward flanges 56. The straps further have end cars 64 connected to the posts 52, and each has a depending, threaded post 66. A fluorescent fixture or similar electrical apparatus 68 is provided and includes a substantially rectangular fixture box 70 containing electrical wiring and/or other apparatus and having a top 72, sides 74 and ends 76. Bulb mounts 78 depend from the ends of the box at each end thereof and as shown in FIGURE 2, the box is adapted to rest upon the straps 60. The box is initially mounted without the bulbs 80 of the fixture in place, whereby the bulb mounts 78 extend below the straps. An

elongated, generally rectangular fixture cover 82 having upturned end portions 83 is provided, and the cover 82 has openings formed therein to receive the posts 66. Fasteners 84 are then employed to connect the fixture cover in place, and thereafter, the bulbs 80 are installed in the usual manner. If desired, a light diffusing apparatus may be hinged or otherwise connected beneath the bulbs.

An important feature of the invention which permits the non-complex and rapid installation of the housing is a plurality of grid clip elements 86 of substantially U-shape having a bight portion 88, a short leg 90 connected to the vertical leg member of the side piece, and a long leg 92 adapted for engagement about the opposing pairs of longitudinal T-bars supplies the means whereby the housing is readily mounted. As best seen in FIGURE 1, the clips permit the uncomplicated installation of the housing in any selected one of the grids. The housings may be mounted in side by side order, in saw tooth configuration or in any other selected pattern.

The housing assembly is finally completed by the location of ceiling panels 94 in the space defined by the side pieces, end elements and top braces. These panels are merely dropped in place, and maintained by gravity, there being no additional connection means required for their satisfactory mounting.

It is to be observed that all of the components of this assembly with respect to the frame per se are of conventional type, and that this unit may be easily installed in existing grid systems without any modification whatsoever of the grid system or its mounting means.

In FIGURES 4 and 5, a modified form of the invention is shown which is similar to that heretofore described. This form of the invention essentially differs in that no top braces are provided. Instead, an integral fixture box and top connection means 100 of rectangular form is provided and has its ends 102 fixedly secured to the end elements 36a of the frame 28a. The box includes side flanges 104 for mounting of panels 94a and includes internal cover straps 60a with posts 66a for association of the fixture cover 82a therewith.

The operation and advantages of this form of the invention remain as heretofore described.

Having described and illustrated two forms of the invention in some detail, it will be understood that these descriptions and illustrations have been offered only by way of example, and that the invention is to be limited in scope only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination, with an overhead ceiling grid structure which includes a plurality of laterally spaced, longitudinal inverted T-bars and intersecting transverse inverted T-bars, each T-bar having a ledge on each of its opposing sides, of a lighting fixture and a housing therefor adapted for the spacing of the lighting fixture upwardly from the general flatwise extent of the grid system, the lighting fixture and housing comprising:

a frame including longitudinal side pieces;

the frame further including angular end elements;

end plates secured to the end elements;

a pair of top braces secured to the end elements;

ceiling panel means engaged between the side pieces,

ends elements and top braces;

clip means connecting the side pieces to the T-bars;

cover straps interconnecting the top braces at spaced locations;

a fixture box dimensioned for disposition between the top braces and having bulb mounts depending therefrom;

bulbs mounted in the bulb mounts;

a fixture cover mounted between the bulbs and the straps; and

changeable fastening means connecting the cover and the straps.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the end plates and end elements are offset for engagement about the transverse T-bars.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the changeable fastening means comprise a post depending from the straps;

the fixture covers having openings therein through which the posts are extended; and

means engaging the posts to lock the cover in place.

4. The combination, with a ceiling grid structure which includes a plurality of laterally spaced, longitudinal bars and transverse bars, each bar having ledge means thereon and the grid structure having a general flatwise extent, of a fixture and housing therefor adapted for the spacing of the fixture upwardly from the general flatwise extent of the grid structure, the fixture and housing comprising:

a substantially rectangular frame including side pieces;

the frame further including slanted end elements extending above the side pieces;

top longitudinal fixture box supports comprising two spaced rails secured to the end elements;

end covers secured to the slanted end elements enclosing the ends of the frame;

ceiling panel means engaged between the side pieces,

end covers, and rails;

clip means connecting the side pieces to the adjacent bars of the grid structure;

strap means interconnecting the spaced rails at spaced locations;

a fixture box dimensioned for disposition between the rails; and

fixture cover means mounted on the fixture box.

5. The invention of claim 4, wherein:

the clip means comprise U-shaped elements engaged about the bar means and about the side pieces.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,852,663 9/1958 Stulfer 240-9 XR 3,051,430 8/1962 Halfaker 24078 XR 3,081,398 3/1963 Karth 240-9 3,155,324 11/1964 Chen 2409 3,343,310 9/1967 Netz et al 52484 XR 3,352,071 11/1967 Sutter 2409 XR NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD M. SHEER, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 52-28, 484