WO2014207145A1

WO2014207145A1 - Suspension unit for attaching a construction element

Info

Publication number: WO2014207145A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/063596
Authority: WO
Inventors: Petrus Jacobus Wilhelmus VAN DE GOOR; Henricus VAN DE GOOR
Original assignee: Uniqem Bvba
Priority date: 2013-06-27
Filing date: 2014-06-26
Publication date: 2014-12-31
Also published as: EP3014031A1; EP3014031B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a suspension element and method for attaching a construction element, especially a lowered ceiling and/or a utility line to an architectural construction, including: -an elongated support element with a first and second end; -an attachment part fitted on the first end of the elongated support element in which the attachment part mainly extends perpendicularly, in the longitudinal direction, to the elongated support element; where a number of recesses, especially openings, have been provided in the attachment surface, to absorb to adhesive in. This invention also concerns a method including: -placing the attachment surface of each of the attachment parts against the architectural construction in such a way that the adhesive is applied between the attachment surface and the architectural construction and another part of the adhesive has at least been partially applied to the recesses; -allowing the adhesive to set; -attaching the architectural facility to the attachment units, especially the lowered ceiling and/or the utility line.

Description

SUSPENSION UNIT FOR ATTACHING A CONSTRUCTION ELEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a suspension unit and method for attaching a construction element, especially a lowered ceiling and/or a utility line, to an architectural construction.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A suspended ceiling is a ceiling that is constructed from a number of ceiling profiles attached to the architectural construction to which ceiling plates can be attached. The suspended ceiling is suspended at any distance below the architectural construction and therefore offers a freely accessible space between the overlying architectural construction, for example, a floor or a roof, and the ceiling. This space, also referred to as the plenum, is used for clearing away different system utility lines, such as electricity, heating, ventilation and sewage lines.

The ceiling plates are generally attached to the ceiling profiles in the form of girders arranged at a certain distance in respect of the floor and in respect of each other. These ceiling profiles, for example, contain a number of stringers and cross members. Moreover, the stringers and cross members form a number of rectangular openings in which the individual ceiling plates can be suspended. The ceiling profiles can also (optionally) be attached to the walls.

The suspension of the celing, in many cases, takes place via the suspension units that are attached to the underside of the architectural construction (for example, the floor). The suspension units are, for example, formed by a number of ceiling hangers, also referred to as quick hangers. On the one hand, these hangers are attached to the architectural construction and, on the other hand, to the ceiling profiles. To enable even suspension of the ceiling, the ceiling hangers are essentially divided over the entire surface of the architectural construction.

There are numerous types of ceiling hangers available on the market. An exemplary type of ceiling hanger comprises a combination of a first bar with a hook-shaped end for attachment to a profile and a second bar fitted with a similar hook-shaped end for attaching the ceiling hanger to a means of attachment in the architectural construction. The means of attachment, mentioned earlier, is attached to the architectural construction (hereinafter: the floor) in the following manner. First of all and as preparation, a number of rows of holes is made in the underside of the floor, for example, by drilling various holes in the material of the floor (concrete, wood, etc.). Means of attachment, for example, wedge bolts with eyelets are fitted in the holes manually.

After the preparation has taken place, each of the ceiling hangers can be attached to the means of attachment so that a number of rows of ceiling hangers, behind and besides each other, can be realized. Stringers and cross members of the suspended ceiling can subsequently be attached to these ceiling hangers, for example, by hooking these onto them. Once the stringers and cross members have been attached in their desired position and are suspended below the floor, the ceiling plates can be placed between the girders one by one.

Utility lines are frequently cleared away in the plenum between the floor and the lowered ceiling. Moreover, in the conventional method, it is also necessary to drill holes in the floor to attach a suspension element or an entire profile for the utility line. A drawback of this method is that it requires a lot of time, as holes have to be drilled, manually and one by one, and have to be fitted, manually, with the required means of attachment. Depending on, among others, the speed and expertise of the installer and the specific architectural construction below which the ceiling has to be fitted, drilling an opening in the construction and fitting means of attachment in it, can take five to ten minutes per suspension unit. This surely means that in case of larger surfaces and therefore larger amounts of suspension elements, the fitment of the suspended ceiling accordingly becomes a time-consuming exercise. The known manner of fitting the ceiling and/or the utility lines also means that the installer has to perform many actions beyond his powers.

In US2385296 a suspension unit comprising an elongated support element and an attachment part for attaching said suspension unit to an architectural construction, is provided. Said suspension unit is designed for cementitious application to an architectural construction, and comprises a collar which may serve as a finger grip for facilitating placement of the suspension unit. A significant draw-back of this system is that each suspension unit needs to be placed manually to the construction unit. In particular, when applying to a (high) ceiling it requires the use of platforms or steeplejacks to reach the ceiling, which will significantly increase the cost and time required for attaching the suspension units. Hence, there is a need for fast and cost-efficient placement of suspension units to an architectural construction, in particular a (high) ceiling. Although numerous placing devices such as telescopic grippers are known in the art, these are often not suitable for holding a suspension unit in exactly the correct position for placing it to an architectural construction. Hence, it was an object of the present invention to provide a suspension unit capable to be placed in a cost-and time-efficient manner to an architectural construction, and adapted such as to be placed in the correct position by means of a correspondingly adapted placing device. It was also an objective of the invention, to provide a suspension unit and method for attaching a ceiling plate, with which a suspended ceiling can be fitted quickly and efficiently without further tools, such a drills and such. A further objective of the invention is to provide a method for installing a suspension unit without steps, a ladder, scaffolding or something similar being required.

NUMBERED STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION Statement 1 . Suspension unit for attaching a construction element, especially a lowered ceiling and/or a utility line, to an architectural construction; said suspension unit including:

-an elongated support element with a first and second end;

-an attachment part having an attachment surface for attaching said suspension unit to said architectural construction; said attachment part being fitted mainly perpendicular on the first end of the elongated support element in the longitudinal direction of said elongated support element;

characterized in that said elongated support element comprises an opening at the second end; said opening being adapted to fit onto a placing device used in attaching said suspension unit to said architectural construction.

Statement 2. Suspension unit according to statement 1 , wherein a number of recesses, especially openings, are provided in said attachment surface of said attachment part, and in which an adhesive can be absorbed.

Statement 3. Suspension unit according to any one of statements 1 or 2, wherein the recesses are formed by passages in the attachment part.

Statement 4. Suspension unit according to any one of statements 1 to 3, wherein the attachment part comprises a perforated plate. Statement 5. Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned statements, wherein the recesses extend in a number of adjacent rows and/or are mainly uniformly distributed across the attachment surface. Statement 6. Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned statements, wherein the number of recesses in the attachment surface is between 20 and 50, preferable between 30 and 40.

Statement 7. Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned statements, wherein each of the recesses has a diameter of a maximum of 0,5 cm, in particular, about 0,3 cm and/or wherein the total opening area of the recesses amounts to between 40% and 50% of the total surface of the attachment part.

Statement 8. Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned statements, wherein the elongated support element is designed such as to attach one or more profiles of a lowered ceiling.

Statement 9. Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned statements, wherein the elongated support element is designed such as to attach one or more utility line hangers.

Statement 10. Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned statements, wherein the elongated support element includes:

- a first part that is attached to or moulded around the attachment part; - a second part designed such as to attach a construction element, especially a profile of a lowered ceiling and/or utility line; and

- means for attaching said second part to said first part; wherein said means allow adjustable positioning of said first part with respect to said second part. Statement 1 1 . Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned statements, wherein the first end of the support element is attached to the attachment part via a screw connection. Statement 12. Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned statements, wherein the suspension unit is manufactured from metal or plastic.

Statement 13. A placing device for attaching to the second end of the suspension unit according to any one of the preceding claims; wherein at least part of the placing device is designed to fit into the opening at the second end of the suspension unit in a disconnectable manner.

Statement 14. A placing device according to statement 13; wherein said placing device comprises a cylindrical coupling element for disconnectably attaching to the second end of the suspension unit; said coupling element comprising a recess which extends over the entire diameter of the coupling element and is adapted such as to hold the second end of the suspension unit; said coupling element further comprising an axial protrusion which is adapted to fit into the opening at the second end of the suspension unit.

Statement 15. A kit comprising a suspension unit according to any one of statements 1 -12, and an adhesive that is suitable for attaching the suspension unit to an architectural construction. Statement 16. A kit comprising a suspension unit according to any one of statements 1 -12, and a placing device according to any one of statements 13 and 14.

Statement 17. Method for attaching a construction element, especially a lowered ceiling and/or utility line, to an architectural construction, the method including; (a) applying an adhesive to the architectural construction and/or to the attachment surface of one or more suspension units according to any one of the aforementioned claims;

(b) placing the attachment surface of said one or more suspension units against the architectural construction in such a way that the adhesive is positioned between the attachment surface of said one or more suspension unites and said architectural construction, and wherein the adhesive is allowed to at least partially absorb into the recesses of the attachment surface of the suspension unit;

(c) allowing the adhesive to set;

(d) attaching said construction element to said one or more suspension units.

Statement 18. Method according to statement 17, wherein step (b) includes:

-connecting a placing device according to any one of claims 13 or 14, to a suspension unit according to anyone of statements 1 -12;

-placing the suspension unit against the architectural construction, by means of said placing device, wherein the attachment surface of said suspension unit is placed against said architectural construction;

-disconnecting the placing device from the suspension unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 : A perspective view of the floor onto which the suspension unit has been applied in accordance with the first design form of the invention.

Figure 2: a view of the same floor as figure 1 , in which the suspension unit has been applied in accordance with the second design form.

Figures 3A and 3B respectively: perspective views of an adjustable hanger in accordance with the invention's design form. Figures 4A and 4B respectively: perspective views of the second design form of the suspension unit according to the invention.

Figure 5: a cross section of a floor to which a suspension unit has been attached.

Figure 6: a top view of a suspended ceiling that has been suspended from a number of suspension units in accordance with a design form of the invention. Figure 7: a view of the attachment part and the attachment surface in accordance with a design form of the invention.

Figure 8: a side view of the gripping part of the attachment part of the suspension unit according to a design form of the invention.

Figure 9: a perspective view of the design form of the invention, including the utility lines that can be suspended thanks to the design form.

Figure 10: is a snap view of the design form with an attachment arm attachable to the suspension unit.

Figure 11 : shows the design form from figure 10, in which the arm has been attached to the arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Hence in one aspect, the present invention provides a suspension unit for attaching a construction element, especially a lowered ceiling and/or a utility line, to an architectural construction; said suspension unit including:

-an elongated support element with a first and second end;

-an attachment part having an attachment surface for attaching said suspension unit to said architectural construction; said attachment part being fitted mainly perpendicular on the first end of the elongated support element in the longitudinal direction of said elongated support element.

In particular, said suspension unit is characterized in that said elongated support element comprises an opening at the second end; said opening being adapted to fit onto a placing device used in attaching said suspension unit to said architectural construction.

In the context of the present invention the terms 'suspension element' and 'suspension unit' are interchangeable and have the same meaning. Also the terms 'construction element' and 'architectural facility' are interchangeable and have the same meaning.

The attachment surface is, in essence, flat and designed such that when an adhesive layer is applied and the attachment part is attached to the architectural construction, the attachment is sufficiently large enough that the construction element can be safely attached to the support elements within a short setting time (typically 1 hour or less). In a design form of the invention, a number of recesses have been provided in the attachment surface, especially openings, to place the adhesive in. It has become apparent that these recesses could ensure better and/or quicker adhesion of the suspension unit to the architectural construction. The adhesive, glue, sealant or a similar substance, for example, is located (in the state of use) between the attachment surface and the floor and ensures that the support element can be attached, once-off and without pre-processing such as drilling and such, to the architectural construction. The adhesive also disperses throughout the recesses and this can lead to better attachment to the surface of the architectural construction.

The recesses may (or not) extend over the full-thickness of the attachment part. When the recesses extend over the full-thickness (that means to say, when the recesses extend from the attachment surface to the opposite surface of the attachment part) and therefore form passages, it becomes apparent that good attachment can be realized. Further, in certain situations, the time required to let the adhesive do its job (for example, the setting time) in the design, is less when the openings do not extend over the full-thickness. A shorter setting time means that the suspension unit is ready earlier to suspend the construction element from it.

In a certain design, the attachment part consists of a perforated flat plate. Such a plate (for example rectangular, dimensions 50 mm x 50 mm) can, for example, be manufactured from steel, is lightweight and can be flat in design so that a firm attachment can be established.

The recesses are preferably arranged in a number of rows adjacent to each other and/or are mainly uniformly distributed across the attachment surface such that the attachment will be even over the entire attachment surface, which will enhance the reliability of the attachment.

It further became apparent that when the number of recesses amounts to between the 20 and 50, preferably between 30 and 40, the diameter of each of the recesses amounts preferably 0,5 cm at most, 0,3 cm for example, and or the total surface of the recesses amounts to between 40% and 50% of the total attachment surface, a very good attachment could be established.

In certain designs, the elongated support element has prepared to attach one or more profiles of the lowered ceiling to it. In this regard, the suspension element may include:

- a first part that is attached to or moulded around the attachment part;

- a second part designed to attach a profile of a lowered ceiling and/or utility line to; as well as

- means of attachment for attaching the second part to the first part, in which the means of attachment has preferably been designed with an adjustable position for attaching the first part to the second part. According to another aspect a compilation of one or more suspension units and an attachment arm are provided, where the attachment arm is designed to be connected in a disconnectable manner to the suspension unit. This attachment arm simplifies attaching the suspension units to the ceiling even further, surely in case of a suspension unit having to be attached to relatively high position, for example, to a high ceiling.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for attaching a construction element to a floor, the method including:

-applying a layer of adhesive to the floor and/or the attachment surface of a number of suspension elements of the present invention;

-placing the attachment surface of each of the suspension elements against the floor in such a way that at least a part of the adhesive has been applied between the attachment surface and the floor and the other part of the adhesive has, at least in part, been applied in the openings;

- letting the adhesive set;

- attaching the construction element to the suspension elements.

According to another aspect the present invention provides a placing device for attaching to the second end of the suspension unit according to any one of the preceding claims; wherein at least part of the placing device is designed to fit into the opening at the second end of the suspension unit in a disconnectable manner. More in particular, said placing device comprises a cylindrical coupling element for disconnectably attaching to the second end of the suspension unit; said coupling element comprising a recess which extends over the entire diameter of the coupling element and is adapted such as to hold the second end of the suspension unit; said coupling element further comprising an axial protrusion which is adapted to fit into the opening at the second end of the suspension unit.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided, including: -connecting a placing device according to this invention to the suspension element of the invention;

-placing the suspension element against the architectural construction, preferably by means of said placing device;

-disconnecting said placing device from the suspension unit.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided, including:

-connecting the end of an arm, especially an extendable arm of the placing device, to the suspension element;

-placing the suspension element against the architectural construction, preferably be extending the arm, by means of which the attachment surface is brought up against the architectural construction;

-disconnecting the arm from the suspension element. By applying this method, the attachment of the suspension elements can be speeded up even more, because it can happen without steps, a ladder or scaffolding and the like being required.

Further benefits, features and details of this invention will be explained by using the following description of some design forms thereof. In the description, reference is made to figures.

Figure 1 shows a space in which a suspended ceiling has to be attached below an architectural construction, especially a first floor. Profiles 5 have been attached next to the upright walls, for example, by screwing these onto the walls. At the bottom of the first floor, three rows 7 of suspension units 8, placed behind each other, have been rendered. These suspension units are used to suspend the profiles of the suspended ceiling (stringers and cross members) from, as rendered in the top view in figure 6. The mutual distance between suspension units 8 in a row and/or mutual distance between neighbouring suspension units or rows located next to each other are/is preferably constant to establish an equal distribution of suspension units over the surface of the floor. The mutual distances, for example, may vary between half a meter to a meter, but these mutual distances may deviate in other design forms.

A suspension unit 8, showed in the first design form in figures 1 and 3, is constructed of an elongated support element 6. A hook has been provided at the lower end of the support element, by means of which the support element can be directly attached to the ceiling's stringer. An attachment part has been provided at the upper end of the elongated support element 6. This attachment part is in the flat plate 14 design form that has a large number of recesses 16. These recesses 15 can be formed by non-passable openings at the top of the plate 14. However, in the design form indicated, the recesses are passable openings with perforation over the full-thickness of the attachment plate 14.

More specifically, the aforementioned elongated support element is constructed from a first part that is directly attached to the plate 14. The elongated support element further includes a second part 10, which is fitted with the hook 1 1 that was mentioned earlier. Steel pins of equal diameter form both parts 9 and 10, in the design form shown. The pins are mutually attached to each other by means of a clamp 12. The clamp 12 is manufactured from resilient material (for example sheet steel), which can affix the pins 9 and 10 (in fixation position), but it also enables mutual displacement in upward and downward direction (13) (in a release position). These clamps 12 are recognizable on sight and their operation is clear to the artisan. It is also clear to the artisan that there are also other ways in which to affix pins 9 and 10 in respect of each other. Other than the known suspension units, the suspension units 8, according to the design form of the invention, are attached at the bottom of the first floor by applying an adhesive layer, for example a layer of glue, between the attachment plate and the floor.

In this regard, an adhesive layer (1 ) is applied to the entire attachment surface 16 (figure 5) of the plate (14) and the entirety of the attachment plate 14 and the first part 9 of the suspension unit 8 are pressed against the underside of the first floor. The attachment force, in this instance, should be such that adhesive wells up in the recesses 15 (as rendered in figure 5), and an adhesive layer (1 ) with an essentially uniform thickness develops. The adhesive has been selected as such that the suspension unit 8 is immediately suspended from the floor. The adhesive is then allowed to set, for example, for a few hours, after which the extent of the attachment between the plate 14 and the suspension unit 8 and the first floor have become so strong that a suspended ceiling can be suspended from it.

The effective performance of the adhesive between the suspension unit and the floor, in the opinion of the inventors, is increased be the presence of recesses 15 in the plate 14. Moreover, the recesses 15 have a positive influence on the speed at which the suspension unit attaches itself to the floor, so that the attachment relatively quickly becomes so thorough that a suspended ceiling can be suspended from the suspension unit. An example of a suspended ceiling has been rendered in figure 6. This suspended ceiling has been suspended from six suspension units, but it should be clear that this could vary according to needs. A cross member 23 has been attached to each of the suspension units, for example, by clamping the hook 1 1 of each of the suspension units around the profile. As soon as the cross members 23 have been attached, the stringers 24 can be attached to the cross members. The stringers and the cross members, together with the profile 5, form the framework on which the individual suspended ceilings 25 can be attached.

In the design form rendered, the elongated support element is constructed of two pins 9 and l O.This pins, for example, can be made from steel with a diameter of 3 mm. The attachment plate attached to the pin 9 can be a steel plate, for example, with a dimension of 50 mm by 50 mm. The attachment surface 16 of the attachment plate 14 is mainly flat and provided with a number of perforations at even mutual distances. The dimensions and distribution of the perforations over the surface of the attachment plate are important. The perforations should not be too large and not too many perforations should be made, because otherwise the attachment could be harmed by this. However, there should also not be too few perforations, otherwise the attachment is going to take too long and/or could be reduced in certain cases. In a preferential design form of the invention, the perforations have a diameter of between 0,2 and 0,5, preferably 0,3 cm. Moreover, the mutual distance between neighbouring perforations amounts to 0,4 - 0,8 cm, for example around 0,6 cm. It further became apparent that a perforation degree of between 10 and 45% realizes an optimal result in terms of attachment and attachment time.

An alternative design form of the invention has been rendered in figures 2 and 4A/4B. Instead of an elongated support element, in the form of two pins 9 and 10, being attached to the attachment plate, the elongated support element includes a short pin 17 attached to the underside of the plate. An eye 18 has been provided at the end of the short pin. As rendered in figures 4A and 4B, this eye 18 is suitable to attach of hook 22 of a pin 21 . This pin 21 can be attached via a clamp with the second pin in a way similar to that described earlier. This second pin 10 is fitted with a hook 1 1 on the underside. The hook 1 1 forms a means of attachment for attaching the suspended ceiling. A third design form that is suitable for suspending utility lines has been rendered in figures 7,8 and 9. With this, in figure 7, an attachment part 34 for this design form has been rendered, with an attachment surface 35 including perforations 33. These perforations are similar to those in the design forms discussed earlier.

The support element has been attached to the first end on the attachment plate via a screw connection 36, as can also be seen in figure 8. A threaded hole 37 has been provided in the bus 36 attached to the attachment part 34. In figure 8, a screw 38 has been screwed into the threaded hole 37. The screw could be suitable to attach a longer support element, such as a steel wire element or a cable 39 to. The screw can also be the screw end of a longer support element. Another solution to attach a support element to the plate is within the reach of the artisan with knowledge in the technical field concerned.

Figure 9 shows another section of the elongated support element 39 in this design form, including the second end. A utility line hanger 40 has been attached to this. The utility line hanger includes a bracket consisting of two semi-circle bracket parts the can be connected to each other via screws in a manner that they can be disconnected. A utility line 41 can also be placed in this utility line hanger. This utility line hanger is not limited to the type shown and every arbitrary utility line hanger can be attached to the support element to carry the utility lines. This design form can also be used in combination with one of the preceding design forms to clear away the utility lines in the plenum between the floor and the lowered ceiling. In certain of the invention's design forms, the adhesive concerns a viscous and highly elastic sealant. An example of such an adhesive is Aqua Blocker for Bostik, Den Bosch, the Netherlands. This is a sealant based on SMP (Silyl modified polymer), has a low viscosity (viscosity at 23°C at 0,1 l/s is approximately 88 Pa.s and at 5 l/s approximately 9 Pa.s), at 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 1 day and 7 days after applying the adhesive layer. In these tensile tests, it became apparent that the attachment, after a short time, in this case with 1 hour of applying the adhesive, is sufficiently strong to suspend the profiles and plates of the suspended ceiling from the ceiling hangers.

In certain of the invention's design forms, the installation and attachment of the suspension unit are established with a placing device, for example, an arm such as an (extendable) telescope arm. Figures 10 and 1 1 show possible design forms of such a device. In these figures, the parts described and shown earlier have been indicated with the same reference number and a description of these parts has been omitted.

The suspension unit 42 shown is one where an elongated support element includes a short pin 48 with an eye 49 at the end, but this design form is not limited to this type of support element. The attachment unit 43, with the attachment surface 45 and the perforations, is an example of one of the design forms described earlier.

In order to attach the suspension unit easily, for example when it has to be attached at a great height, a placing device such as the telescopic extendable arm 52, indicated in figure 10 and 1 1 , can be used. In the design shown, the arm 52 includes a number of arm parts 53, 53',... that can be extended in an axial direction and can be fixed in an extended position. With this, the total length of the arm can be adjusted according to needs. However, in other designs, an arm of fixed length is applied. A coupling element 55 has been fitted via a screw connection to the top of the arm 52, especially to the head end. The coupling element 55 enables a simple, quick and disconnectable connection between the arm and the suspension unit. The coupling unit can further be connected to the suspension unit and disconnected from it without the user having to be able to get his hands near the coupling element 55. Connecting and disconnecting can happen entirely remotely, for example, by moving the arm, gripped on the underside, back and forth. The coupling element 55, in the design shown, preferably mainly has a cylindrical form and, at the top, has been provided with notch 56. This notch extends over the entire diameter of the head end and is of such width, that the underside of the eye 49 can be housed in it. A recess 56 and an axial protrusion 57 have been provided. The axial protrusion can be extended in an opening 50 in the underside of the eye 49 to, in doing so, connect the arm 52 to the suspension unit.

Referring to the retracted position, rendered in figure 1 1 , in which the protrusion 57 in the opening 50 of the eye 49 has been retracted, the eye cannot move in a radial direction. Due to the form of the notch, the eye (and the rest of the suspension unit) cannot rotate around the rotation axle parallel to the axial direction. In this condition, the suspension unit 42 can simply be attached to a (high) ceiling or arbitrarily to another part of the construction by pressing the plate 43 on the correct place and with the correct orientation against the ceiling or part of the construction respectively and keeping it pressed down. Once the adhesive/glue on the plate 45 has sufficiently set, the arm 52 can be disconnected from the suspension unit, simple be extending the protrusion 57 through the opening 50. It would be clear to the artisan that there are alternatives for a disconnectable coupling of the placing device or arm with the suspension unit. These alternatives fall within the range of the following conclusions. The invention is not limited to its design forms described herein. The rights sought are determined by the following claims inside the scope of which numerous modifications are imaginable.

Claims

1 . Suspension unit for attaching a construction element, especially a lowered ceiling and/or a utility line, to an architectural construction; said suspension unit including:

-an elongated support element with a first and second end;

2. Suspension unit according to claim 1 , wherein a number of recesses, especially openings, are provided in said attachment surface of said attachment part, and in which an adhesive can be absorbed.

3. Suspension unit according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the recesses are formed by passages in the attachment part.

4. Suspension unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the attachment part comprises a perforated plate.

5. Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned claims, wherein the recesses extend in a number of adjacent rows and/or are mainly uniformly distributed across the attachment surface.

6. Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned claims, wherein the number of recesses in the attachment surface is between 20 and 50, preferable between 30 and 40.

7. Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned claims, wherein each of the recesses has a diameter of a maximum of 0,5 cm, in particular, about 0,3 cm and/or wherein the total opening area of the recesses amounts to between 40% and 50% of the total surface of the attachment part.

8. Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned claims, wherein the elongated support element is designed such as to attach one or more profiles of a lowered ceiling.

9. Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned claims, wherein the elongated support element is designed such as to attach one or more utility line hangers.

10. Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned claims, wherein the elongated support element includes:

- a first part that is attached to or moulded around the attachment part;

- a second part designed such as to attach a construction element, especially a profile of a lowered ceiling and/or utility line; and

- means for attaching said second part to said first part; wherein said means allow adjustable positioning of said first part with respect to said second part.

1 1 . Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned claims, wherein the first end of the support element is attached to the attachment part via a screw connection.

12. Suspension unit according to any one of the aforementioned claims, wherein the suspension unit is manufactured from metal or plastic.

13. A placing device for attaching to the second end of the suspension unit according to any one of the preceding claims; wherein at least part of the placing device is designed to fit into the opening at the second end of the suspension unit in a disconnectable manner.

14. A placing device according to claim 13; wherein said placing device comprises a cylindrical coupling element for disconnectably attaching to the second end of the suspension unit; said coupling element comprising a recess which extends over the entire diameter of the coupling element and is adapted such as to hold the second end of the suspension unit; said coupling element further comprising an axial protrusion which is adapted to fit into the opening at the second end of the suspension unit.

15. A kit comprising a suspension unit according to any one of claims 1 -12, and an adhesive that is suitable for attaching the suspension unit to an architectural construction.

16. A kit comprising a suspension unit according to any one of claims 1 -12, and a placing device according to any one of claims 13 and 14.

17. Method for attaching a construction element, especially a lowered ceiling and/or utility line, to an architectural construction, the method including;

(a) applying an adhesive to the architectural construction and/or to the attachment surface of one or more suspension units according to any one of the aforementioned claims;

(b) placing the attachment surface of said one or more suspension units against the architectural construction in such a way that the adhesive is positioned between the attachment surface of said one or more suspension unites and said architectural construction, and wherein the adhesive is allowed to at least partially absorb into the recesses of the attachment surface of the suspension unit; (c) allowing the adhesive to set;

(d) attaching said construction element to said one or more suspension units.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein step (b) includes:

-connecting a placing device according to any one of claims 13 or 14, to a suspension unit according to anyone of claims 1 -12;

-disconnecting the placing device from the suspension unit.