Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B9/00—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation
  • E04B9/006—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation with means for hanging lighting fixtures or other appliances to the framework of the ceiling
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B9/00—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation
  • E04B9/04—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation comprising slabs, panels, sheets or the like
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B9/00—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation
  • E04B9/06—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation characterised by constructional features of the supporting construction, e.g. cross section or material of framework members
  • E04B9/064—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation characterised by constructional features of the supporting construction, e.g. cross section or material of framework members comprising extruded supporting beams
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
  • E04B9/00—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation
  • E04B9/22—Connection of slabs, panels, sheets or the like to the supporting construction
  • E04B9/24—Connection of slabs, panels, sheets or the like to the supporting construction with the slabs, panels, sheets or the like positioned on the upperside of, or held against the underside of the horizontal flanges of the supporting construction or accessory means connected thereto
  • E04B9/241—Connection of slabs, panels, sheets or the like to the supporting construction with the slabs, panels, sheets or the like positioned on the upperside of, or held against the underside of the horizontal flanges of the supporting construction or accessory means connected thereto with the slabs, panels, sheets or the like positioned on the upperside of the horizontal flanges of the supporting construction

Definitions

• a building element for suspended ceilings a lighting appliance for such suspended ceilings and such a suspended ceiling.
• the present invention relates generally to suspended ceilings and, more specifically, to a building element for such a suspended ceiling, comprising a panel element with a first surface and a second surface, in which panel element a hole is formed, which is defined by a hole wall and extended from the first to the second surface.
• Suspended ceilings can be mounted in many different types of buildings for various- reasons, such as for sound absorption, light reflection, for reducing the room height or for concealing installations such as ventilation ducts or wiring.
• Suspended ceilings comprise panel elements and a carrier structure.
• the carrier structure usually comprises sectional elements which are arranged in a framework which defines compartments for individual panel elements or groups of panel elements.
• the panel elements can be made of, for instance, a mineral wool material. Such a material has good sound absorption properties but does not succeed in supporting great weights. Therefore, heavy ceil- ing components, such as light fittings and ventilation devices, are usually attached to the carrier structure or to the frame above the suspended ceiling.
• a light fitting can be attached to the carrier structure and extend through a hole in a panel element or occupy a complete compartment in the framework of the carrier structure to supply light to the room.
• the light fitting is usually provided with a strip that covers the joint between the edges of the hole and the light fitting, said strip improving the aesthetical appearance and reducing the requirements as to the fit between the hole and the light fitting.
• light-weight ceiling components are to be included in the suspended ceiling, they can be supported by a panel element. A hole is then formed in the panel element, the ceiling component extending through the hole and being carried in a suitable manner by the panel element.
• a drawback of the above-mentioned prior-art panel element which carries a ceiling component is that high requirements are imposed as to the fit between the edges of the hole and the ceiling component to be arranged therein.
• Another drawback of the above-mentioned panel element which carries a ceiling component is that the panel element is often damaged by the ceiling component arranged in the hole, i.e. if the ceiling component carried by the panel element is larger or has a shape other than the hole in the panel element, cracks may arise through the panel element owing to tensions in the panel element when arranging the ceiling component in the hole.
• One more drawback is associated with the ceiling component, carried by the panel element, often tending to move upwards out of the hole and thus leaving the intended position.
• An object of the present invention is to provide an improved building element comprising a panel element and a ceiling component which is arranged in a hole in the panel element and which is carried by the same, a suspended ceiling comprising such a building element and a lighting appliance comprising such a building element.
• a building element having the features defined, in claim 1, a light- ing appliance having the features defined in claim 17, and a suspended ceiling having the features defined in claim 18.
• Preferred embodiments of the building element are defined by subclaims 2-16 which are depended from claim 1.
• a building element for suspended ceilings comprising a panel element with a first surface and a second surface, in which panel element a hole is formed, which is defined by a hole wall and extended from the first to the second surface.
• the building element is characterised by a ceiling component arranged in said hole and comprising a supporting means, which is arranged to abut against said first surface, a portion, which is arranged in said hole without making contact with the hole wall, and a guide means, which is arranged to cooperate with said hole wall to put said portion in position in relation to the hole wall to provide a predefined circumferential gap between the portion and the hole wall, the guide means being arranged between the supporting means and the portion. Consequently, a building element is provided, which results in ceiling components being capable of being carried by panel elements in a manner which reduces the requirements as to tolerances between panel element and ceiling component and which eliminates, or in any case essentially reduces, the risk that the ceiling component damages the panel element when inserting the ceiling component in said hole.
• the guide means is arranged to cooperate with the hole wall for such putting in position of the ceiling component in the hole that a predefined gap is formed between the portion of the ceiling component and the hole wall.
• the guide means can be adapted to cooperate with the hole wall under both interference and clearance fit. If the guide means cooperates with the hole wall under interference fit, the present invention allows this to take place without affecting the aesthetical appearance of the building element. The reason for this is that said cooperation under interference fit will only result in a local deformation of the panel element at the upper side thereof, which thus will not be observed at the exposed underside of the panel element.
• the tensions in the panel element, which are caused by said cooperation under interference fit can further be kept at a low level since the guide means can be made to engage the hole wall at a relatively small extent only.
• Another advantage is that the forces arising in the above cases will not be so great that they act to move the ceiling component upwards .
• the portion of the ceiling component is separated from the hole wall by a gap, which reduces the risk of the ceiling component damaging the panel element. This gap also means that the ceiling component can be arranged in the hole in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
• the portion of the ceiling component can be an end portion, which gives the advantage that an aesthetical- ly attractive building element is provided, which makes relatively small demands on tolerances between the ceiling component and panel element.
• the guide means may comprise guide surfaces which are parallel to the hole wall, which gives the advantage of a reduction of the effect of any forces between the hole wall and the guide means. This also gives the advantage that the requirement as to the fit between the hole wall and the guide means decreases further.
• the ratio of a guide surface, extended along the longitudinal axis of the hole, of the guide means to the thickness of the panel element is less than 1:1.2, more preferably less than 1:2, and most preferably less than 1:5.
• the guide means can be arranged to put the ceiling component in position by centring the same in the hole, which gives the advantage that the gap between the portion and the hole wall can be evenly formed in a simple manner.
• the guide means of the ceiling component can be arranged to engage the hole wall of the panel element at certain points, which means that the guide means can be manufactured with a low consumption of material, and that the effect of the guide means on the panel element can be reduced further since the surface of the panel element which is possibly deformed is reduced.
• the guide means of the ceiling component can be arranged for continuous engagement with the hole wall of the panel element. This means that the guide means can be designed in a simple manner, which increases the strength of the ceiling component.
• the supporting means can be a circumferential flange, which gives the advantage that the supporting means is formed with a large abutment surface against the first surface of the panel element.
• the large abutment surface means that the panel element can carry a relatively heavy ceiling component.
• the supporting means, the guide means and the portion of the ceiling component can be circular.
• the supporting means, the guide means and the por- tion of the ceiling component can be integrally formed with each other.
• the ceiling component can be made of a translucent material, which gives the advantage that the ceiling component does not need any additional parts to function, for instance, as a component with a shielding function for a light fitting.
• the portion of the ceiling component can be a grid, which gives the advantage that the ceiling component does not need any additional parts to function, for instance, as a component with a shielding function for a light fitting or as a part of a ventilation device.
• the panel element can be made of an elastically deformable material, a sound-absorbing material or a compressed mineral fibre material.
• the term elastically deformable material refers to materials acting to return to their initial shape after moderate deformation, such as mineral wool and expanded polymer.
• a technique of providing aesthetical lighting in a room without any great tolerance requirements can be to design the ceiling component as a component with a shielding function for a light fitting.
• a lighting appliance for suspended ceilings comprising a light fitting and an inventive building element, the ceiling component of the building element being a component with a shielding function for said light fitting.
• a lighting appliance which gives the advantage that the lighting in a room does not have to be dependent on the design of the framework of a suspended ceiling to the same extent.
• the further advantage is obtained that an aesthetically improved appearance can be provided since, for instance, the joint between the component with a shielding function and the panel element does not have to be concealed by a strip.
• a suspended ceiling comprising a carrier structure and panels supported by the carrier: structure.
• Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a panel and a ventilation component according to prior-art technique.
• Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a building element according to an embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view from below of a first embodiment of a ceiling component according to the invention.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view from below of a second embodiment of a ceiling component according to the invention .
• Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a lighting appliance according to the invention.
• Description of a Preferred Embodiment Fig. 1 illustrates a prior-art building element generally designated 1 and comprising a panel component 2 with a hole and a ventilation component 3.
• the ventilation component has a carrier flange 4 and a plug 5.
• the carrier flange 4 rests on the panel component 2.
• the plug 5 has a shape and extent which are complementary to the shape and extent of the hole. If the plug 5 has a slight- ly greater extent than the extent of the hole, tensions will arise in the panel component 2, which cause the entire panel component 2, or large parts thereof, to be deformed.
• the deformation of the panel component 2 may cause it to break, which in turn makes it necessary to exchange the panel component 2.
• An elastic deformation of the panel component 2 may also generate forces between the plug 5 and the edges of the hole, acting to move the plug 5 upwards and out of the hole. If the extent of the plug 5 is too small, there is nothing to ensure its position in the hole, which makes it difficult to position the plug 5 correctly in the hole, hence causing an aesthetically unfavourable appearance.
• the above-described building element 1 results in high requirements being imposed as to the fit between the hole and the plug 5, which makes manufacture difficult and increases the costs thereof and also makes the mounting of the building element 1 difficult.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a building element according to an embodiment of the invention generally designated 1, comprising a panel element 6 and a ceiling component 7.
• the panel element 6 consists of an elastically deformable material, such as a compressed mineral wool material.
• the extent of the panel element 6 may vary and corresponds to the shape of the framework shown in Fig. 5, which is adapted to support a suspended ceiling.
• a hole 8 is formed in the panel element 6 and defined by a hole wall 9.
• the panel element 6 has a first surface 24 which is directed towards the frame 22 of a room, shown in Fig. 5, and a second surface 25 which is directed so as to be exposed to the room (not shown) .
• the ceiling component 7 is arranged in the hole 8 of the panel element 6 and comprises a supporting means 10 r a guide means 11 and a portion 12.
• the ceiling component 7 rests by the supporting means 10 on the panel element 6 which thus carries the ceiling component 7.
• the guide means 11 cooperates with the hole wall 9 and puts the ceiling component 7 in posi- tion in the hole 8 without the visible parts of the panel element 6 being deformed or such forces being generated that act to move the ceiling component 7 upwards .
• the portion 12 has such a shape that it can be received in the hole 8 without making contact with the hole wall 9 thereof. The putting in position and the shape of the portion 12 cause a predefined gap 13 to be formed between the hole wall 9 and the portion 12.
• the gap 13 gives the advantage that the engagement of the ceiling component 7 with the hole wall 9 can be limited to the cooperation of the guide means 11 with said hole wall 9. It has also been found that a gap 13, with a controlled appearance, between the portion 12 and the hole wall 9 gives an aesthetic advantage since a person looking at a suspended ceiling as shown in Fig. 5 perceives the portion 12 of the ceiling component 7 as an integral part of the suspended ceiling.
• the supporting means 10 is designed as a flange 10 resting on the panel ele- ment 6. It will, however, be appreciated that the supporting means 10 can be designed in various ways causing the ceiling component 7 to be supported by the supporting means 10; for instance the supporting means 10 can consist of a number of projecting parts.
• the guide means 11 can be arranged to cooperate with the hole wall 9 of the hole 8 under both interference and clearance fit . If the guide means 11 cooperates with the hole wall 9 under clearance fit, it will be ensured that the clear- ance allows a gap 13 to be formed between the portion 12 and the hole wall 9 which is allowed to vary within a predetermined range. If the guide means 11 cooperates with the hole wall 9 under interference fit, it will be ensured that the guide means 11 has a guiding surface 14 extended along the longitudinal axis of the hole 8, at a ratio of the thickness of the panel element 6 toelow 1:1.2, more preferably below 1:2 and most preferably below 1:5.
• the guide means 11 may have a shape and extent essentially corresponding to the shape and extent of the hole wall 9, which is illustrated in Figs 2 and 3, which means that the ceiling component 1 can be put in the desired position in the hole 8 wi"thout having a detrimental effect on the panel element 6.
• the guide means 11 is located between the supporting means 10 and the portion 12, which means that the guide means 11 will not contact the underside of the panel elemeni 6.
• the position thus means that also if a local deformation of the panel element 6 arises, the surface of the panel element 6 which is directed towards the area in wttich the suspended ceiling is mounted will not be damagecd.
• the guide means 11 in Figs 2—4 have a guide surface 14 which is parallel to the surface of the hole wall 9. The orientation of the guide surface 14 results in a reduction of the effect of any foirces arising between the guide means 11 and the hole wall 9. If forces should arise between the guide means 11 and the hole wall 9, a local deformation of the panel element 6 will occur.
• An embodiment of the guide means 11 is shown in Figs 2 and 3 and consists of a shoulder 15 extending around the ceiling component 7. Fig.
• the guide means 11 consists of lugs 16.
• the lugs H6 are designed so as to cooperate with the hole wall 9 ancd put the ceiling compo- nent 7 in position in the hole 8. It will be appreciated that the design of the guide means 11 should not be limited to the embodiments illustrated, and it can be designed in various ways, for instance be wave-shaped.
• the portion 12 shown in Fig. 2, to which reference is made once more, has a shape which is complementary to the shape of the hole 8 but an extent which is smaller than the extent of the hole 8, i.e. the portion 12 can be arranged in the hole 8 without making contact with the hole wall 9 thereof.
• the portion 12 is the part of the ceiling component 7 which is most visible from the underside of a suspended ceiling. It will be appreciated that the shape of the portion 12 may be varied freely, but that the extent should not exceed the extent of the hole 8; for example, the portion 12 may consist of an end portion 17 of the ceiling component 7.
• the gap 13 formed between the portion 12 and the hole wall 9 is predefined by the guide means 11 putting the ceiling component 7 in position in the hole of the panel element 6 and, thus, also the portion 12 of the ceiling component 7 in the hole 8.
• the guide means 11 can be arranged to centre the portion 12 in the hole so that an even gap 13 is formed between the portion 12 and the hole wall 9, but can also put the portion 12 in position in other ways so that a predefined desired shape of the gap 13 is obtained.
• FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an inventive suspended ceiling 18 comprising a framework 19 and a lighting appliance 20.
• the lighting appliance 20 comprises a light fitting 21 in a building element 1 according to the invention.
• the ceiling component 7 is a component 23 with a shielding function for the light fitting 21.
• the light fitting 21 is attached to the framework 19 and supplies light to a room (not shown) via the component 23 with the shielding function.
• the advantages of such a lighting appliance 20 is that lighting can be provided in a simple, reliable, aesthetic and flexible manner.
• the positioning of the lighting appliance 20 in the room is not dependent on the framework 19 to the same extent as in the case when a lighting appliance must be attached to a frame 22 or the framework 19.
• the end portion 17 of the component 23 with a shielding function is concave, which means that a person looking at the end portion 17 of the component 23 perceives it as flat.
• the building element need not be included in a suspended ceiling but can also be a building element in an interior wall for instance.
• the invention should not be limited to the shown embodiments but should only be defined by the appended claims.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Building Environments (AREA)
• Finishing Walls (AREA)
• Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
• Roof Covering Using Slabs Or Stiff Sheets (AREA)
• Securing Globes, Refractors, Reflectors Or The Like (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=32067275

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Citations (6)

• 2004
  • 2004-02-27 SE SE0400495A patent/SE526426C2/sv not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2005
  • 2005-02-25 DE DE602005026255T patent/DE602005026255D1/de active Active
  • 2005-02-25 AT AT05711121T patent/ATE498040T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-02-25 EP EP05711121A patent/EP1718815B1/en not_active Not-in-force
  • 2005-02-25 DK DK05711121.3T patent/DK1718815T3/da active
  • 2005-02-25 WO PCT/SE2005/000261 patent/WO2005083192A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (6)

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