US3708381A

US3708381A - Interconnecting means for modular closed louver panel system

Info

Publication number: US3708381A
Application number: US00052656A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Schwartz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-07-06
Filing date: 1970-07-06
Publication date: 1973-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-02

Abstract

A translucent or transparent lighting panel incorporating adjacent cell members and a planar backing sheet covering one end of each of the cells. The backing sheet extends laterally beyond the cells along at least one edge of the panel, and preferably along two adjacent edges, and is provided with a plurality of short circular flanges extending from the sheet in the same direction as the cells and in the same pattern. The outer diameter of such flanges is substantially equal to the inner diameters of the cells. At the opposite edge or edges of the panel the sheet is omitted, leaving a row of open cells. A plurality of panels may then be interconnected by positioning a row of open cells on one panel over the sheet flanges on an adjacent panel.

Description

United States Patent 1 1 t [111 3,708,381

Schwartz 7 14 1 Jan. 2, 1973 [54] INTERCONNECTING MEANS FOR 470,377 3/1892 Graham ..52 292 x MODULAR CLOSED LOUVER PANEL SYSTEM Primary Examiner-William .1 Van Balen [76] inventor: Robert A. n. Schwartz, s13 lnde- Ammekflamszimmerma pendent St., Oakland, Calif. 94621 [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: July 6, 1970 A translucent or transparent lighting panel incorporat- PP NOJ 52,656 ing adjacent cell members and a planar backing sheet covering one end of each of the cells. The backing 52 US. Cl. ..l61/44, 52/588, 52/592, Sheet efiends laterally beyond the cells along at least 161/69, 161/139, 240/9 R, 240/78 one edge of the panel, and preferably along two ad- [51] Int. Cl .'...E04c 1/54 j c g and is provided with a plurality of short [58] Field of Search ..52/592, 588; 240/9, 160, 78, circular flanges extending from the sheet in the same 240/9 R; 161/139, 407,44, 69 direction as the cells and in the same pattern. The outer diameter of such flanges is substantially equal to [56] References Cited the inner diameters of the cells. At the opposite edge or edges of the panel the sheet is omitted, leaving a UNITED STATES PATENTS row of open cells. A plurality of panels may then be 3,531,902 10/1970 Da Costa "52/588 interconnected by positioning a row of open cells on 3,411,261 11/1968 Soddy 2,860,237 11/1958 Bakeretal.

.... ..52/588 one panel over the sheet flanges on an adjacent panel. ....240/9 X 1,223,266 4/1917 Dyer ..52/592 X 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Ill 11 l l k 1 1M I 22 I 20 26 a2 5, l 1 20 H 18 \J 16 Y l6 PATENTEIJJAH I975 3.708.381

1 llil I111 F|G 6 IO T) VENT ROBERT .SCHWA 2 TTORN EY INTERCONNECTING MEANS FOR MODULAR CLOSED LOUVER PANEL SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION have been successfully marketed, but after further study and analysis, it has been found that the joint between adjacent panels presented certain problems.

First, the open cells along one or two edges of the backing sheet were provided with an inwardly directed flange along the upper edge, i.e., the edge adjacent the backing sheet. When the projecting backing sheet portion is placed in overlying relation to such flanges, a relatively large interface surface is created which results in an interface inefficiency. Such inefficiency is demonstrated by a loss of light transmission at the interface surface and the creation of shadows on the interior cell walls. Since it is desirable that a substantially uniform light transmission be effected, such construction presents a problem.

Also, in this prior art device, when two adjacent panels were placed in interfitting relationship, relative displacement in the plane of the panels was prevented only in one direction, namely along the length of the adjacent panel edges. However, the joint did not prevent displacement in a normally related direction and load-bearing clips were required to prevent such movement.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the joint created provides for a lesser interface surface between adjacent panels, thus increasing light transmission and efficiency, and eliminating darkened areas at the interface and on the interior walls of the cells at the joint. At the same time, the means for interconnecting adjacent panels not only prevents relative displacement along the juncture line of such panels, as in the prior device, but also locks the panels against displacement in a direction normal thereto. Thus, if clips are used, a substantial redirection of the clip load is effected.

THE DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The panel of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 12 and includes a planar backing sheet 14 and a plurality of adjacent and adjoining cells 16 extending from the lower surface 18 of the sheet. Sheet 14 and cells 16 are preferably integrally molded from a transparent or translucent plastic material and is normally positioned in a room beneath a lighting fixture of fixtures with the cells 16 extending downwardly. The cells are illustrated as cylindrical in shape, but it will be apparent that other symmetrical shapes could be used without departing from the scope of this invention.

More specifically, each of the cells 16 comprise cylindrical walls 20 which extend downwardly from sheet surface 18, and the cells are positioned in tangential relationship to provide normally extending rows across substantially the entire surface 18. At the point of tangential juncture of adjacent cells, a uniform wall thickness is maintained. It may also be noted that where each cell 16 joins sheet 14, a reinforcing flange 22 is provided which extends radially inwardly.

Two or more panels are adapted to be joined together to provide a complete ceiling system. Accordingly, the backing sheet 14, along two adjacent edges, has planar extensions 24 protruding beyond the last row or columns of cells, such extensions generally conforming in plan to the cylindrical cell pattern. As shown, each extension 24 has a downwardly directed flange or ring 26 which forms one portion of the interfit with an adjacent panel, as will be presently described. These rings 26 are of the same size and shape as the reinforcing flanges 22. The outermost edges of the extensions have a convex semi-circular shape 28. Other sides of the panel, which are intended to mate with such extensions 24 are indicated in the right hand panel of FIG. 1 along the left hand and bottom edges thereof. As there shown, a row of unbacked cells 16a project laterally beyond the end of the sheet 14, such cells 16a being completely open and extending to the plane of the lower surface 18 of the sheet. This results in an arcuate slot 30 extending around each open cell 16a in the sheet 14.

From the foregoing description which is directed primarily to the apparatus as disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, it will be appreciated how the panels are joined together, as shown in FIG. 3. The extensions 24 are placed in overlying relation to the open cells 16a and the rings 26 telescopically inserted into such cells. The arcuate portion 32 of the sheet extension which projects beyond the ring will engage the slot 30 of the adjacent panel. In this manner, the sheets 14 of the adjacent panels will form a continuous and usually uninterrupted member, and the insertion of the rings 26 into the open cells will securely lock the panels against relative displacement in the plane of the panels. Also, since the interface surfaces of adjacent panels is no greater than in the main portion of the panel, no excessive darkening is created at the" juncture and no shadows on the inner walls of the now closed open cells 16a result.

Such arrangement can be readily compared to the prior art device illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. As there shown, the outer row of open cells are each provided with an inwardly directed flange 36 at the upper edge thereof. The extensions 24 of the other panel have a flat under surface which overlies the open cells. The curved edges 28 of the extensions still seat in a slot 30 which prevents relative displacement in a direction along the joint, but there is no means for preventing displacement of straight separation, i.e., in a direction at right angles to the joint line. Also, as seen in FIG. 6,

the area of interface of the two panels is greater than with the arrangement of FIG. 3 of the present invention, resulting in the above described darkened areas and shadows.

Since the previously mentioned patent discloses other details of the panels and their use, it is not believed necessary to give any further explanatory information herein.

lclaim:

l. A construction planar panel interlockable with a plurality of substantially identical panels to form a planar panel system, comprising: a continuous planar backing sheet having at least two edges in a first plane; a plurality of first cells in a fixed pattern having peripheral closed walls and opposed ends, said first cells extending generally perpendicularly from said backing sheet intermediate said edges and in a second plane, with said backing sheet completely closing one end of each of said first cells; a plurality of second cells having opposed open ends, substantially identical in shape to, in the same pattern as and parallel to said first cells being along one of said backing sheet edges, and said second cells extending laterally beyond said backing sheet one edge in said second plane; said backing sheet having a plurality of planar extensions forming the other of said backing sheet edges and extending beyond said first cells generally as far as said second cells extend beyond said first edge in the direction of said plane, and said planar extensions conforming to the pattern to completely overlie and close the corresponding one end of the second cells of a second substantially identical panel; all of said first and second cells and said backing sheet being integrally connected together; a plurality of flange means generally perpendicularly extending from said backing sheet planar extensions in the same plane as said cells and being shaped to engage the peripheral walls of the second cells of a second panel for positively preventing relative movement between said planar extensions and the second cells of the second panel in the plane of their backing sheets when the panels are assembled with their backing sheets coextensive and one edge of one backing sheet being immediately adjacent the other edge of the other backing sheet.

2. The panel of claim 1, including a plurality of reinforcing flanges within said second plane, substantially identical to said flange means, being integrally connected with said backing sheet to extend generally perpendicularly from said backing sheet in the direction of said cells and respectively being integral with said peripheral walls of said first cells.

3. The panel of claim 2, wherein each of said first and second cells are substantially cylindrical; and said flange means are telescopically receivable within respective second cells of the second panel, when assembled.

4. The panel of claim 1, wherein said first and second cells are substantially cylindrical; and said flange means are of substantially identical cylindrical shape telescopically receivable within respective second cells of the second panel, when assembled.

Claims

1. A construction planar panel interlockable with a plurality of substantially identical panels to form a planar panel system, comprising: a continuous planar backing sheet having at least two edges in a first plane; a plurality of first cells in a fixed pattern having peripheral closed walls and opposed ends, said first cells extending generally perpendicularly from said backing sheet intermediate said edges and in a second plane, with said backing sheet completely closing one end of each of said first cells; a plurality of second cells having opposed open ends, substantially identical in shape to, in the same pattern as and parallel to said first cells being along one of said backing sheet edges, and said second cells extending laterally beyond said backing sheet one edge in said second plane; said backing sheet having a plurality of planar extensions forming the other of said backing sheet edges and extending beyond said first cells generally as far as said second cells extend beyond said first edge in the direction of said plane, and said planar extensions conforming to the pattern to completely overlie and close the corresponding one end of the second cells of a second substantially identical panel; all of said first and second cells and said backing sheet being integrally connected together; a plurality of flange means generally perpendicularly extending from said backing sheet planar extensions in the same plane as said cells and being shaped to engage the peripheral walls of the second cells of a second panel for positively preventing relative movement between said planar extensions and the second cells of the second panel in the plane of their backing sheets when the panels are assembled with their backing sheets coextensive and one edge of one backing sheet being immediately adjacent the other edge of the other backing sheet.