Abstract: A ceiling access panel for a suspended ceiling has a friction brake to retard the pivotal movement of the panel from a raised condition flush with the ceiling to a lowered condition exposing a ceiling access opening. The friction brake comprises a flexible band having a first end anchored to the access panel, a second end fast to a bracket upstanding from the access panel, and an intermediate portion passing around and between a pair of rollers mounted on an access frame portion of the ceiling structure so that when the weight of the access panel is applied to the first end of the band, the band is drawn onto itself, frictionally to resist further lowering of the access panel.

Abstract: A kit of parts for constructing a loft hatch frame comprises four extruded `T`-section mouldings 12 and four corner plates 14. Each moulding 12 comprises an elongate face plate 12a and an upstanding longitudinal web 12b upstanding generally centrally from the face plate. In use the mouldings 12 are cut slightly shorter than the sides of the loft access opening, and nailed to the ceiling purlins through the upstanding webs 12b. The face plates 12a closely abut the ceiling and together provide an internal shoulder on which an access panel rests. Each of the four corner plates 14 has a pair of recesses 16 formed therein, shaped to receive the ends of the face plates 12a of a pair of the extruded mouldings 12. Thus the corner plates 14 mask the junction between adjacent mouldings 12, and provide a neat finish even though the mouldings have not been cut to exact length.

Abstract: An access panel assembly for a suspended ceiling comprises one or more access panels pivotally mounted on an outer frame. The panel or panels can be raised to lie flush with the frame and with a suspended ceiling, or lowered to an access position. The pivotal mounting is provided by one or more pivot pins on the outer frame engaging guide slots in brackets on the one or more access panels. Each guide slot preferably comprises a generally horizontal portion for receiving its pivot pin when the panel is in its raised position and a portion extending downwardly and to one side of the access panel.