Anti-scuff grid

Abstract

A surface covering having panels supported by a grid framework. The grid framework is formed by a plurality of grid members, each having a main body. The main body of one or more grid member includes scuffing material. An anti-scuffing material is adhered to the portion of the main body containing the scuffing material. The anti-scuffing material prevents the transfer of material from the main body of the grid member to a panel during installation of the panel into the grid framework.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to surface covering systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a surface covering system in which the panels of the system are scuff protected from the grid members of the grid framework.

Surface covering systems include, but are not limited to, ceiling systems and wall systems. The grid framework for such surface covering systems is typically formed of interlocking perpendicularly intersecting framing members, herein referred interchangeably as grid members. The grid members, which are conventionally made of metal materials such as raw aluminum or galvanized steel, form a plurality of openings into which panels, lighting fixtures and the like can be inserted. One type of panel used in such surface covering systems is of the type which is inserted into the grid framework from the side of the grid framework opposite the living area. This type of panel is commonly referred to as a “lay-in panel”.

Lay-in panels typically include a paint finish for aesthetic purposes. During installation, a lay-in panel is likely to come into contact with the grid members that form the opening into which the panel is inserted. This contact often results in an undesired transfer of material from the grid member to the panel. This transfer of material is commonly referred to as a scuffing mark. Scuffing marks of this nature are objectionable to the owners of the installation and cause a significant amount of customer dissatisfaction. Scuffing marks typically cannot be removed without altering the paint finish and, thus, must be repainted or replaced. As a result, scuffing marks which happen during installation cause considerable expense to the manufacturers and fabricators for replacement of the defective product. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a solution which avoids the problem of scuffing.

SUMMARY

The present invention comprises a surface covering having a grid framework and a plurality of panels supported by the grid framework. The grid framework is formed by a plurality of grid members, each having a main body. At least a portion of the surface of the main body of at least one grid member includes a scuffing material. The system further includes a anti-scuffing material which is adhered to at least the portion of the main body which includes the scuffing material. The anti-scuffing material effectively prevents the transfer of material from the main body of the grid member to a panel during installation of the panel into the openings in the grid framework.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first example embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For purposes of this disclosure, the terms non-scuffing and anti-scuffing are used interchangeably.

FIG. 1 illustrates a grid member 10 of a conventional grid framework. The grid member 10 includes a main body 12 and an anti-scuffing material 20 adhered to the main body 12. In the example embodiment, at least the surface of the top portion 14 of the main body 12 contains a scuffing material. In this configuration, the top portion 14 of the main body 12 has a bulb-like configuration, which is typical of many conventional grid members. Regardless of the configuration of the top portion 14, in order to maintain a clearance sufficient to permit insertion of a panel into the grid framework, the anti-scuffing material 20 preferably conforms, at least substantially, to the top portion 14 of the main body 12. In the likely event a panel comes in contact, e.g. rubbing contact, with the grid member 10 while being installed, the non-scuffing material 20 prevents the transfer of material from the surface of the top portion 14 of the main body 12 to the panel.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the anti-scuffing material 20 can be in the form of a pliable, durable, self-adhering tape, such as polyvinyl chloride tape. Alternatively, the non-scuffing material may be applied as a coating composition. Such a coating composition can be applied directly by spray, brush, sponge or roll coater and then, if necessary, cured with heat or permitted to dry at room temperature.

Materials which provide anti-scuff properties to the film include vinyl polymers, acrylics, epoxies, urethanes, melamines, polyesters, polyamides, natural polymers, and modified natural polymers. The anti-scuff materials can include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following monomers: vinyl acetate, vinyl propinoate, vinyl butyrate, vinylidene fluoride, vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, isocyanate, urethane, epoxy, ethylene, methylene, propylene, styrene, butadiene, melamine, urea, phenol, esters, ethers, carbonates, amides, silicones, alkyds, and maleic acid or anhydride. The natural polymers include proteins, such as milk or soy protein, and carbohydrate polymers, such as starch. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the non-scuffing film 20 is illustrated as a pliable, durable strip of self-adhering tape, such as polyvinyl chloride tape.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A surface covering system comprising:

a grid framework formed by a plurality of grid members, at least one of the plurality of grid members having a surface comprising a scuffing material;

a plurality of panels installed in the grid framework; and

an anti-scuffing material, the anti-scuffing material being adhered to a grid member surface having the scuffing material.

2. The surface covering system of claim 1, wherein the anti-scuffing material is adhered to a top portion of the at least one of the plurality of grid members having a surface comprising the scuffing material.

3. The surface covering system of claim 1, wherein the anti-scuffing material prevents scuffing of the plurality of panels during installation.

4. The surface covering system of claim 1, wherein the anti-scuffing material is a film which includes a polymer which imparts anti-scuffing properties.

5. The surface covering system of claim 1, wherein the film is a pliable, durable strip of tape.

6. The surface covering system of claim 5, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of vinyl polymers, acrylics, epoxies, urethanes, melamines, polyesters, polyamides, natural polymers, modified natural polymers and combinations thereof.

7. The surface covering system of claim 6, wherein the polymer includes at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate, vinyl propinoate, vinyl butyrate, vinylidene fluoride, vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, isocyanate, urethane, epoxy, ethylene, methylene, propylene, styrene, butadiene, melamine, urea, phenol, esters, ethers, carbonates, amides, silicones, alkyds, and maleic acid or anhydride.

8. The surface covering system of claim 6, wherein the natural polymers are selected from the group consisting of protein and carbohydrate polymer.

9. The surface covering of claim 8, wherein the protein is selected from the group consisting of milk and soy protein.

10. The surface covering of claim 8, wherein the carbohydrate polymer is starch.

11. A grid framework for a surface covering system comprising:

a plurality a grid members comprising a scuffing material,

an anti-scuffing material, the anti-scuffing material being adhered to at least one of the plurality of grid members.

12. The grid framework of claim 11, wherein the scuffing material is selected from the group consisting of raw aluminum and galvanized steel.

13. The grid framework of claim 11, wherein the anti-scuffing material is adhered to a top portion of the at least one of the plurality of grid members.

14. The grid framework of claim 11, wherein the anti-scuffing material is a film which includes a polymer.

15. The grid framework of claim 14, wherein the film is a pliable, durable strip of tape.

16. A grid member comprising:

a main body having a surface comprising a scuffing material,

an anti-scuffing material adhered to at least a portion of the surface comprising the scuffing material.

17. The grid member of claim 16, wherein the scuffing material is selected from the group consisting of raw aluminum and galvanized steel.

18. The grid member of claim 16, wherein the anti-scuffing member is a film which includes a polymer.

19. The grid member of claim 18, wherein the film is a pliable, durable strip of material.

20. The grid member of claim 18, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of vinyl polymers, acrylics, epoxies, urethanes, melamines, polyesters, polyamides, natural polymers, modified natural polymers and combinations thereof.

21. The grid member of claim 20, wherein the polymer includes at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate, vinyl propinoate, vinyl butyrate, vinylidene fluoride, vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, isocyanate, urethane, epoxy, ethylene, methylene, propylene, styrene, butadiene, melamine, urea, phenol, esters, ethers, carbonates, amides, silicones, alkyds, and maleic acid or anhydride.