US3743826A

US3743826A - Ceiling modules

Info

Publication number: US3743826A
Application number: US00088952A
Authority: US
Inventors: T Halfaker
Original assignee: Emerson Electric Co
Current assignee: Thomas Industries Inc
Priority date: 1970-11-12
Filing date: 1970-11-12
Publication date: 1973-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-03
Also published as: NL7115619A; AU3555271A; DE2156600A1; ZA717151B

Abstract

A ceiling module and a ceiling composed of a plurality of the ceiling modules. The modules have a planar ceiling-defining area comprising four rectangular panels arranged about an open seat and supported by a frame above the planar area. The frame consists of an H-shaped structure including a pair of end beams and a bridging member which may also act as an enclosure and reflector for a light source mounted above the open seat. The light source may be a U-shaped or linear fluorescent tube having a novel ballast support. The ceiling system composed of modules of this invention may have a novel air flow system having outlets entirely between edges of modules in one direction and returns entirely between the edges of modules orthogonal to the outlets. The ceiling also may provide fixture mounting tracks between modules.

Description

United States Patent [191 Haliaker [451 July 3,1973

[ 4] CEILING MODULES [75] Inventor: Thomas C. Halfaker, St. Louis. Mo.

[73] Assignee: Emerson Electric C0.,St. Louis. Mo. 22 Filed: Nov. 12,1970

211 App1.No.: 88,952

[52] US. Cl. 240/9 A, 98/40 DL, 240/5l.ll [51] Int. Cl. F215 [58] Field of Search 240/9 R, 47, 51.11, 240/70, 78, 9 A; 98/40, 40 DL; 52/126, 470, 508

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,845,854 8/1958 Kurek 98/40 DL 3,103,157 9/1963 Quin 240/9 A 3,108,529 10/1963 Sweetser 240/9 A 3,181,450 5/1965 Kruger 98/40 DL 3,193,001 7/1965 Meckler 240/9 A X 3,308,288 3/1967 Ades 240/9 3,312,160 4/1967 Rackley 98/40 DL 3,372,270 3/1968 Quin et a1. 240/9 R 3,402,517 9/1968 Halfaker 52/126 3,514,593 5/1970 Halfaker ..240/78R Primary ExaminerLouis J. Capozi Attorney-Polster and Polster 5 7 ABSTRACT A ceiling module and a ceiling composed of a plurality of the ceiling modules. The modules have a planar ceiling-defining area comprising four rectangular panels arranged about an open seat and supported by a frame above the planar area. The frame consists of an H- shaped structure including a pair of end beams and a bridging member which may also act as an enclosure and reflector for a light source mounted above the open seat. The light source may be a U-shaped or linear fluorescent tube having a novel ballast support. The ceiling system composed of modules of this invention may have a novel air flow system having outlets entirely between edges of modules in one direction and returns entirely between the edges of modules orthogonal to the outlets. The ceiling also may provide fixture mounting tracks between modules,

11 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures Patented July 3, 1973 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 am momma C. HALFAKEIZ Patented July 3, 1973 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m El 3mm Tuowme C. HALF-AME? @1 W414i M0 412 3: mm: mm; mm.

v Patented Jfily 3, 1973 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fla. 6

THoMAs C. HALF-AMER ,7 p; Mp ml Patented July 3, 1973 3,743,826

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

THOMA6 C. HALFAKEEZ FIG-L. \4 9;; mpg A CEILING MODULES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to ceiling modules and ceilings composed of a plurality of modules placed in edge to edge relationship. The use of ceiling modules, as disclosed and described more fully in Quin et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,372,270, to provide fully engineered environmental control through a highly flexible ceiling system has revolutionized attitudes toward the function and nature of ceiling components. The use of modules, that is ceiling components of substantial size in the range of about 16 square feet to about 36 square feet, as repeating ceiling components to provide not only a ceilingdefining area but also lighting and other environmental control elements such as air distribution, sound attenuation and spatial division elements has allowed an unparalleled freedom in providing truly effective and attractive environmental control, while simplifying the effectuation of each type of control in an easily installed package.

Although the ceiling modules and system described in Quin et al. No. 3,372,270 have in practice provided all of the advantages foreseen for them, they nonetheless have had certain drawbacks. Both the strength and the beauty of the modules depend largely on their pyramidal form. Therefore, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 of Quin et al. has not proven commercially successful, and the commercial embodiment of the modules have had an effective depth which is somewhat greater than is required by an ordinary suspended ceiling. The effective ceiling height is therefore somewhat lower for a given height of its support structure than with an ordinary suspended ceiling. Further, the pyramidal form, to draw attention to itself and is therefore sometimes felt unsuitable when the eye of the beholder should be drawn elsewhere. Another disadvantage is that in order to utilize a lighted module as a heat transfer device to dissipate or transfer the heat of the lamps to an area below the ceiling or elsewhere, special provision such as special framing of the lighting panel or special construction of the seat on which the lighting panel rests must be provided. Also, the only practical mountings for partitions and the like have been at the corners of the modules. Also, the cost of these modules has been higher than the cost of a conventional ceiling, although this cost is generally completely offset by savings in the installation cost. 7

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a ceiling module and ceiling system which have all of the functional advantages of those described in Quin et al., No. 3,372,270, but which provide flat ceiling-defining areas and are shallower than those known heretofore.

- Another object is to provide such modules which are extremely rigid and attractive. t

Another object is to provide such modules and ceilings which do not require any special seat or framing for the lens to provide air flow through the lamp hous- Another object is to provide such modules and ceilings which are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and which are easy to install and maintain.

Other objects will become obvious to those skilled in the art in the light of the following description and accompanying drawing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of this invention, generally stated, a ceiling module is provided having a planar ceiling-defining area comprising four rectangular panels arranged about an openseat and supported by a frame above the planar area. The module has an area of from about 16 square feet to about 36 square feet. The frame preferably consists of an I-I-shaped structure comprising a pair of end beams connected to each other by a bridging member, and the bridging member is an enclosure and reflector for a light source mounted above the open seat. Also in the preferred embodiment mounting brackets are slidably secured to the end portions of the end beam to permit the modules to be supported from their corners. Also in the preferred embodiment the light source is a U-shaped fluorescent tube mechanically and electrically connected to a ballast box mounted in the lamp housing adjacent one edge of the open seat. In another embodiment, straight fluorescent tubes are mounted between ballast boxes adjacent opposite edges of the open seat. The ballast boxes extend generally perpendicuar to long axes of the tubes, and a novel wireway is provided between the ends of the tubes. Also in the preferred embodiment, the panels are turned at their inboard edges to form a riser, a shelf and a sloped part which centers a light diffuser on the shelf. Trim rails around the periphery of the module give the module dimensional stability and may form mounting channels both above and below the module. Louvered openings in vetical walls of the end trim rails form completely hidden air inlets into the lamp housing, and an exhaust vent is provided in the top wall of the lamp housing.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a ceiling is provided which is made up of a plurality of rectangular modules arranged in edge-spaced relation to define orthogonal channels between them, an air dis tribution system is arranged above one set of parallel channels and an air return system is provided including an inlet through a set of parallel channels orthogonal to the first set. Preferably, the air return system is through a lamp housing on each module extending across the module from one of the second set of parallel channels to an adjacent one of the second set, so that the air return is through the lamp housing. Also preferably a ballast is mounted on the lower face of an upper wall of the housing between the air inlet and an exhaust vent in the upper wall of the housing. Also preferably the modules are suspended by their corners by brackets above the lower margins of the modules. The modules are preferably between about 16 square feet and about 36 square feet in area and include a flat planar ceilingdefining area surrounding a rectangular seat, and the area defined by the margin of the module is atleast twice the area of the rectangular seat. Also preferably, a light-transmitting panel is supported by the seat of at least some modules and other modules are provided with a closure piece in the seat, and partition mountings arecarried in the channel between modules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective from below of a ceiling system of this invention made up of modules of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of one embodiment of ceiling module of this invention, showing the hidden side of one of the modules shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2; v

FIG. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic bottom plan view of one lighting configuration of the module of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional detail of the configuration of FIG. 5, taken along the line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a somewhat diagrammatic bottom plan view of another lighting configuration of the module of FIGS. 14;

FIG. 8 is a sectional detail of the configuration of FIG. 7, corresponding to FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional detail taken along the line 99 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a sectional detail taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a sectional detail taken along the line 1111 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a detail of the surface of the module of FIGS. 1-11;

FIG. 13 is a detail corresponding to FIG. 11 of another embodiment of ceiling of this invention; and

FIG. 14 is a sectional detail corresponding to FIGS. 6 and 8 of still another lighting configuration of the module of FIGS. 1-4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, reference numeral 1 indicates a ceiling made up of a multiplicity of modules 2. The modules are arranged in edge-spaced relation to form orthogonal channels 3 between them and to define a ceiling plane 4 (see FIG. 10). In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the modules are suspended from above the ceiling plane 4 and the channels 3 are completely open below the ceiling plane 4. Above one set of parallel channels 3a is mounted an air distribution system (see FIG. 10) 5. The orthogonal set of parallel channels 3b forms the inlet of an air return system (see FIG. 11) 6. The ceiling 1 will be described more fully hereinafter in terms. of the preferred embodiments of modules which make up the ceiling l.

The preferred embodiments of modules for use in the improved ceiling of this invention comprise a planar rectangular ceiling-defining border 7 surrounding a rectangular open seat 9, the area of the module being at least twice the area of the open seat. A lighting panel or-diffuser 9 1 is usually carried by the seat 9.

In the preferred embodiment of module shown in FIGS. 1-4, each module includes, a planar ceilingdefining border 7 made up of the broad faces 71 of two long rectangular side panels 70 and the broad faces 81 of two short rectangular end" panels 80. The short panels 80 are arranged with one end 82 of each short panel 80 contiguous an inboard side 72 of one of the long panels 70 and the other end 82 of each short panel 80 contiguous an inboard side 72 of the other long panel 70, and with outboard sides 83 of the short panels 80 aligned with ends 73 of the long panels 70 to form a square module having a square, open, central seat 9 defined by the inboard sides 72 of the long panels 70 and inboard sides 84 of the short panels 80. Thus in the illustrative squaremodule with a square seat 9, the width of each of the broad faces 71 and 81 is equal to the width of the border 7, the length of each broad face 81 is equal to the side of the seat 9, and the length of each broad face 71 is equal to the sum of the length of the face 81 and twice the width of the

face

71 or 81.

It has been found that this arrangement of panels produces a far more attractive planar ceiling than do trapezoidal panels forming a flat ceiling as in FIG. 7 of the aforesaid Quin et al. patent No. 3,372,270. In particular, a flat module made of trapezoidal panels gives the illusion that it sags toward its center whereas the present arrangement does not.

Around the periphery of the module 2 trim rails 10 are secured to the panels and 80. The trim rails 10 include side trim rails 101 and end trim rails 102. The trim rails serve not only the aesthetic function of setting off the modules, but give the module additional rigidity and dimensional stability and also perform numerous functions when the modules are assembled into a ceil- The panels 70 and are supported from above by a framework 12 consisting of a pair of end beams 121 connected or bridged by a lamp housing 122 to form an I-I-shaped structure. The end beams 12] extend along the aligned ends 73 of the side panels 70 and outboard sides 83 of the end panels 80, and are secured to the end trim rails 102. The lamp housing 122, in crosssection, is formed as an inverted U, with the ends of the lamp housing attached to the end beams 121 and the sides of the lamp housing attached to the inboard sides of the side panels 70. The lamp housing 122 serves not only as a structural element of the framework 12 but also as a reflector and an air duct.

The

panels

70 and 80 are made of sheet steel in the form of pans having upwardly turned flaps or flanges on all four sides. The end flaps 74 and at the ends 73 and82 of the side panels 70 and end panels 80 respectively are flat vertical parts used only for connection to other parts as will be described hereinafter. The flap 75 at the outboard side 76 of each long panel 70 is likewise merely a vertical attachment part. The flap 86 on the outboard side 83 of each end panel 80 is scalloped as.

77c and a vertical attachment part 77d. The flap 87 at the inboard side 84 of each end panel 80 includes a vertical riser part 87a, horizontal shelf 87b and a vertical attachment part 87c.

The broad faces 71 and 81 of the

panels

70 and 80 are perforated in a small square pattern running at 45 to the formed edges of the panels. It has been found that if the holes have a diameter of about 0.050 inch and are spaced on 0.100 inch diagonal centers (resulting in about 9.5 percent'open area), not only are the individual panels attractive, but the lines of abutment between the panels are attractive and give the illusion that the holes are aligned across the line of abutment. When the panels are backed with acoustic insulation such as mineral wool batts 171, this pattern of perforations 170 provides excellent acoustic absorption. The further provision of sound attenuation panels 172 over the wool batts 171 on the panels 70 provides excellent sound attenuation. The lamp housing 122 has been found to provide satisfactory sound attenuation across the end panels 80.

It has also been found that by forming the panels with the burr side upward, the stretching action of perforating is taken advantage of and the panels resist deflection and sagging substantially better than unperforated panels.

Only the broad faces 71 and 81 of the

panels

70 and 80 are perforated. The unperforated riser parts 77a and 87a around the seat 9 provide a more attractive appearance than would perforated surfaces, and also prevent light leaks around the seat 9.

The trim rails 10 include a lower outboardly turned horizontal lip 103, a lower vertical attachment part 104, a downwardly inboardly sloping shoulder 105 and an upper vertical attachment part 106. The upper attachment part 106 of each

end rail

101 and 102 is provided with hinge slots 107. The central reaches of the end rails 102 are provided with inwardly struck louvers 108 in their lower vertical parts 104. The louvers 108 provide an air inlet into the lamp housing 122.

The lower, visible, portions of the module 2 may be assembled by placing the panels and and the

trim rails

101 and 102 in their proper positions on a flat surface and riveting the parts together. Thus, the end flaps of the end panels 80 are riveted to the vertical riser parts 77a on the inboard sides of the long panels 70, as at 88. The side trim rails 101 are riveted to the outboard flaps 75 of the long panels 70. The end trim rails 102 are riveted to the end flaps 74 of the side panels 70 and the outbaord side flaps 86 of the end panels 80 with the trim rail louvers 108 aligned with the end panel scallops 86a.

The end beams 121 are formed of sheet steel and have an outboardly turned shelf 123 at their lower end and an inboardly turned flange 124 at their upper end. Hinge slots 125 in the end beam 121 are aligned with the hinge slots 107 in the end trim rail 102. Mounting brackets 126 are loose riveted through horizontal slots 127 to the end beams 121. Free ends 128 of the mounting brackets 126 are bent outwardly at an angle of 45 and include mounting hooks 129 on their lower edges. The end beams 121 are riveted to the upper vertical attachment parts 106 of the end trim rails 122, with the trim rail shoulder 105 seated on the shelf 123 of the end rail 121.

The lamp housing 122 is also made of sheet metal and includes a flat upper face 130 and flat side faces 131. Mounting flaps 132 on the ends of the lamp housing 122 are riveted to the end beams 121. The side faces 131 of the lamp housing are riveted to the attachment part 77d of the inboardflap 77 of the long panel 70.

A peripheral flange 133 defines a central opening in the upper face 1300f the lamp housing 122. A louvered access pan 134 is mounted in the opening and is secured by thumb latches 135. The louvers 134' provide an exhaust duct from the lamp housing 122.

Mounted across the upper face 130 of the lamp housing 122, parallel with and adjacent the inboard side 84 of one of the end panels 80, is a ballast box 136 for a fluorescent ballast 137. The ballast box 136 includes a sheet metal fixed part 138 riveted at its upper turned face to the upper wall 130 of the lamp housing 122. An inboardly upwardly turned flap 139 on the rear wall of the part 138 forms a hinge with a downwardly turned flap 140 on a sheet metal socket and ballast mounting saddle 141. An inboardly turned flange 142 on the upper edge of a vertical face 143 of the saddle 141 is held by another thumb latch 144. Fluorescent lamp sockets 145 are mounted on the vertical face 143, so that long axes of fluorescent lamps 146 are perpendicular to the long axis of the ballast box 136. The ballast box 136 is so proportioned that fastening the thumb latch 144 clamps the ballast 137 to the ballast box walls. This provides good heat dissipation from the ballast to the enclosing sheet metal and thence to the moving air within the lamp housing and to the air in the plenum ofa completed ceiling. As is well known in the art, good heat dissipation is important to ballast life and lamp performance.

In the illustrative lamp configuration shown in FIGS. 3-6, identical ballast boxes 136 and two-lamp ballasts 137 are provided at each end of the seat 9, and four standard linear fluorescent lamps 146 are mounted between sockets 145. Necessary wiring between opposite ends of the lamps 146 is provided through sheet metal wireways 147. Mounting tabs 148 at the ends of the wireways 147 are trapped by the vertical faces 143 of the saddles 141 and the wireways 147 are held against the sides 131 of the lamp housing 122 by the saddle 141. Therefore, removal of the ballasts 137 by releasing the saddle 141 as shown in broken lines in FIG. 4 will also release the wireway 147.

An alternative lamp configuration is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this configuration, U-shaped fluorescent lamps 146 are all plugged into a single ballast 137 at one end of the seat 9 and are stabilized by clips 149. In this configuration, no wireway 147 is needed.

The open seat 9 is defined by the riser parts 77a and 87a and the horizontal shelves 77b and 87b of the side and end panels '70 and 80 respectively. Air baffles 150 at opposite ends of the seat 9 are secured by sheet metal screws to the vertical attachment parts 870 on the end panels 80. Below the ballast box 136 the upper edges of the baffles 150 are aligned with and spaced from the hinge parts 139. At the open end of the housing in the configuration shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the air baffle 150 is provided with an inboardly sloping part 151 spaced from the upper wall 130 of the lamp housing 122. It will be seen that the air baffles 150 also act as light baffles. The sloping surfaces 77c of the side panels 70 and sloping inboard faces 152 on the air baffles 150 make the diffuser 91 self aligning. The diffuser may be simply an unframed prismatic panel of glass or plastic and may be inserted skewed into the seat 9 and allowed to center itself.

, The diffuser 91 may be virtually any known type. For example, it may be a plastic or metal egg-crate louver or it may be a framed panel designed to hinge downwardly from the seat. Likewise, the seat may be provided with an air and light baffling arrangement which may form an air passage into or out of the lamp hous- The recessed seat serves to define the apparent thickness of the border 7, thereby giving the modules a monolithic appearance when they are assembled into a ceiling. The recessed seat also provides excellent high angle light cut off and thus reduces direct glare. However, the seat or diffuser may be modified to provide a sloped riser part on the seat or to provide a dependent diffuser which is flush with the ceiling plane 4 defined by the border 7.

Baffles 173 are mounted across the end panels 80 adjacent the air return inlet louvers 108. These baffles direct air into the lamp housing 122 and prevent the batts 171 from blocking the louvers 108. The batts 171, sound attenuation panels 172 and baffles 173 are parts of the illustrative preferred embodiment of module 2, but are omitted from some of the drawings to provide clearer views of the construction of the modules.

By way of example, the module 2 may be 58-7/8 inches square including a /16 inch lip 103. The open seat may be 28 inches square. The risers may be 1-1/4 inches high, and the top wall of the lamp housing may be 5 A inches above the ceiling-defining plane 4.

The

panels

70 and 80, the end beams 121 and the lamp housing 122 may all be made of 22 gauge sheet steel, the trim rails may be made of 18 gauge sheet steel, and the mounting brackets 126 may be made of 14 gauge sheet steel.

The

panels

70 and 80, the lamp housing 122 and the ballast box 136 may be finished with baked white enamel and the trim rails 10 may be finished with baked black enamel.

The ceiling 1 may be formed of the modules 2 in a manner similar to that described in the aforesaid Quin et al. patent No. 3,372,270 and in my patent 3,402,517. Hangers 180, which may be identical with those described in my aforesaid patent 3,402,5 l7,are mounted on the ceiling support structure on 60 inch square centers and are adjusted to the proper height. Each hanger includes a stem 181, a cruciform hook-receiving rest 182, a closure plate 183 and a polygonal head 184. The modules are mounted on the hangers, with the hooks 129 on the mounting brackets 126 resting in slots in the cruciform rests 182. The hangers and mounting brackets may be so proportioned that the channels 3 between modules 2 are 1 96. inches wide, with a clearance between lips 103 of l 14; inches. The channels 3 are bridged adjacent the meeting corners of the modules by closure strips 185, including a central web 186 and side walls 187. One side wall of each closure strip is lanced out at one or more places to form a hinge finger 188, which fits into the aligned hinge slots 107 nd 125 in the end trim rails and end beams respectively. Strips of foam rubber gasketing 189 extend along the outer edges of the lower face of the closure strips 185. The gasketing 189 rests on the shoulders 105 of the trim rails 10 and is compressed against the shoulders when the closure plate 183 is tightened.

The closure strip 185a bridging the channel 3a between modules is struck out upwardly in its web part 186 to form an open seat for an air connector 51. The air connector 51 extends about 48 inches along the channel 311 and distributes air from an air distribution duct 52 through the channel 3a. The lips 103 on the trim rails 10 act as kickers for air control, and are especially effective when used in conjunction with an air controller device within the channel 3a. The volume of air passing through the air distribution system 5 may be controlled by dampers either within the channel 3a or within the air distribution system above the air diffuser 51.

The closure strip 185b bridging the channel 3b orthogonal to the channels 3a closes the entire length of the channel 3b. Return air flow, caused by lower pressure in the plenum above the modules than in the room below the modules, is therefore through an air re turn system 6 including the inlet louvers 108, the lamp housing 122, and the exhaust louvers 134' in the access pan 134. The inlet louvers 108 are positioned and baffled to be virtually hidden when the ceiling is installed. Return air may be regulated by the use of a damper plate, not shown, slidably secured to the access pan 134. Ducted return of the exhaust air for use at other locations may be provided by replacing the illustrative access pan with an access pan having a circular punching for attachment of a flexible duct.

The ceiling of this invention also provides far more spatial flexibility than known ceilings because the channels 3 form lipped mounting channels or partition tracks for a variety of partition systems utilizing channel nuts as fastening means. Thus, partitions, clocks, signs, smoke and fire detectors or other accessories and building elements may be attached not only at the module corners and removed without damage to the ceiling, but by use of channel nuts such as shown at 190 in FIG. 10, they may be attached and removed anywhere along the channel 3. Partitions may thus be secured across the module anywhere desired. When partitions are moved, the air distribution system is easily adjusted, since even removal or addition of air diffusers 51 is eas ily accomplished through the access pans 134.

The ceiling 1 may also be constructed in other ways and still retain many of the advantages of the embodiment just described. As shown in FIG. 13, rather than supporting the modules from above the ceiling plane at the corners of the modules, the modules may be supported by a grid system which carries the entire periphery of the modules. The supporting grid 201 may be provided with air inlet and outlet passages through the channels 3 between modules and may be provided with lips 203 which form partition tracks.

It is frequently desirable not to provide completely lighted areas within the open seat 9, particularly when a partition is to be placed across a module 2. Therefore, the light diffuser 91 may be replaced by a sheet metal pan 291. The pan 291 may be plain or perforated and may contain one or more circular or polygonal punchings 293. As shown in FIG. 14, a circular punching 293 may be placed adjacent one edge of the pan 291 to allow'the punching and an incandescent lamp 295 to be spaced from a partition or from a wall adjacent the module 2.

Numerous variations in the modules and ceiling of this invention, within the scope of the appendd claims, will occur to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing description. For example, although the module and the seat have been described as square, either or both may be made rectangular, by the simple expedient of changing the dimensions of the side panels or the end panels 80. Thus, the open seat may be made to match the length of three or four foot lamps simply by reducing the width of the end panels 80. Moving the ballast boxes-and using longer wireways are the only other adjustments needed other than using narrower sound absorbing batts and sound attenuation panels over the panels 80. Covers may be secured below some or all of the channels 3 to make them into wireways, and mountings may be provided through the covers for partitions or accessories. Entirely different modules or suspension systems may be utilized to realize some of the advantages of the ceiling. These variations are merely illustrative.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A rectangular ceiling module comprising a. panel means for defining a rectangular, planar ceiling area including a flat border around an open seat, the ceiling area defined by said panel means (including the area defined by said open seat) being from about 16 square feet to about 36 square feet and the area defined by said open seat being no more than about half the ceiling area defined by said panel means; and

an H-shaped framework means above said planar ceiling area for supporting said panel means, said frame-work means comprising a pair of parallel end beams extending along opposed sides of said rectangular ceiling area and a bridging member extending between said end beams perpendicular to said end beams, said bridging member being secured at its ends to said end beams intermediate the ends of said end beams, at least a part of said bridging member being generally an inverted U in cross-section to form a lamp housing, an inner face of said lamp housing forming a reflector, and mounting means for positioning an electric light source in said lamp housing above said open seat in said panel means.

2. The module of claim 1 wherein the bridging member is an inverted U in cross-section throughout its length, said module including an air inlet in at least one end of said module above said ceiling-defining area, said air inlet communicating with said bridging member, and an air outlet in an upper surfuce of said bridging member, said bridging member forming an air passage from said air inlet to said air outlet.

3. The module of claim 2 including a ballast mounted in said bridging member between said air inlet and said air outlet.

4. The module of claim 1 including mounting brackets slidably secured to ends of said end beams.

5. In a ceiling comprising a plurality of rectangular modules and support means for supporting said modules in edge-spaced relation to define orthogonal channels between them, the improvement comprising means for distributing air through a first of said channels into a space below said ceiling, said means for distributing air comprising a duct positioned above said first channel, said duct having an opening into said first channel, and

means for returning air through a second of said channels, orthogonal to said first channel, into a space above said ceiling, said means for returning air comprising closure means above said second channel for restricting air flow through the upper margin of said second channel and a return passage through a first module adjacent said second channel, said first module comprising a lamp housing and an electric light source mounted in the lamp housing, said return passage comprising means in said first module adjacent said second channel for defining an inlet opening from said second channel into said first module, means in said lamp housing for defining an outlet opening from said lamp housing into said space above said ceiling, and means for defining an air return duct between said inlet opening and said outlet opening.

6. The improvement of claim 5 wherein each module comprises a ceiling-defining border surrounding an open seat, the area of said modules being at least twice the area defined by said open seat.

7. In a ceiling comprising a plurality of rectangular modules, each of said modules comprising panel means for defining a rectangular ceiling area of from about 16 square feet to about 36 square feet, at least some of said modules comprising an electric light source, and support means for supporting said modules in edgespaced relation to define orthogonal channels between them, the improvement comprising accessory mounting means in at least some of said channels for mounting a structure below said ceiling defining area at a point intermediate the corners of said modules, said accessory mounting means comprising a pair of spaced apart lips extending into said channel on opposite sides of said channel, said lips lying in a common horizontal plane, and at least one piece of mounting hardware supported by said lips.

8. The improvement of claim 7 wherein the modules each comprise a planar border surrounding an open seat, at least some of said modules comprising a light diffuser in sald open seat at least some others of said modules comprising a closure piece in said open'seat, said closure piece having a broad surface lying substantially in the same plane as said planar border.

9. The improvement of claim 7 wherein said support means comprise hanger means for supporting corners of said modules and said pair of lips comprises an outwardly extending lip on the edge of each of two adjacent edge-spaced modules.

10. The improvement of claim 9 including a peripheral trim rail on each of said modules, said outwardly extending lip being provided on said trim rail.

11. The improvement of claim 7 wherein the piece of mounting hardware is a channel nut.

is a :k k

Claims

1. A rectangular ceiling module comprising a. panel means for defining a rectangular, planar ceiling area including a flat border around an open seat, the ceiling area defined by said panel means (including the area defined by said open seat) being from about 16 square feet to about 36 square feet and the area defined by said open seat being no more than about half the ceiling area defined by said panel means; and b. an H-shaped framework means above said planar ceiling area for supporting said panel means, said frame-work means comprising a pair of parallel end beams extending along opposed sides of said rectangular ceiling area and a bridging member extending between said end beams perpendicular to said end beams, said bridging member being secured at its ends to said end beams intermediate the ends of said end beams, at least a part of said bridging member being generally an inverted U in cross-section to form a lamp housing, an inner face of said lamp housing forming a reflector, and mounting means for positioning an electric light source in said lamp housing above said open seat in said panel means.

5. In a ceiling comprising a plurality of rectangular modules and support means for supporting said modules in edge-spaced relation to define orthogonal channels between them, the improvement comprising means for distributing air through a first of said channels into a space below said ceiling, said means for distributing air comprising a duct positioned above said first channel, said duct having an opening into said first channel, and means for returning air through a second of said channels, orthogonal to said first channel, into a space above said ceiling, said means for returning air comprising closure means above said second channel for restricting air flow through the upper margin of said second channel and a return passage through a first module adjacent said second channel, said first module comprising a lamp housing and an electric light source mounted in the lamp housing, said return passage comprising means in said first module adjacent said second channel for defining an inlet opening from said second channel into said first module, means in said lamp housing for defining an outlet opening from said lamp housing into said space above said ceIling, and means for defining an air return duct between said inlet opening and said outlet opening.

7. In a ceiling comprising a plurality of rectangular modules, each of said modules comprising panel means for defining a rectangular ceiling area of from about 16 square feet to about 36 square feet, at least some of said modules comprising an electric light source, and support means for supporting said modules in edge-spaced relation to define orthogonal channels between them, the improvement comprising accessory mounting means in at least some of said channels for mounting a structure below said ceiling defining area at a point intermediate the corners of said modules, said accessory mounting means comprising a pair of spaced apart lips extending into said channel on opposite sides of said channel, said lips lying in a common horizontal plane, and at least one piece of mounting hardware supported by said lips.

8. The improvement of claim 7 wherein the modules each comprise a planar border surrounding an open seat, at least some of said modules comprising a light diffuser in saId open seat at least some others of said modules comprising a closure piece in said open seat, said closure piece having a broad surface lying substantially in the same plane as said planar border.