Patents by Inventor Martin Daniel Gerkes

Martin Daniel Gerkes has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10527261
    Abstract: A cross member of a T bar ceiling system is designed to be part of the ceiling grid system and adapted to releasably receive a strip light beneath the cross T member. The strip light provides support flanges beneath the T member for supporting a ceiling panel edge at the conventional height. With this arrangement the grid system can be installed in the normal manner with these cross T's at positions where strip lights are to be secured. The strip lights can be installed at a later point in time. Preferably a push type releasable connection is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald White, Martin Daniel Gerkes
  • Patent number: 10487503
    Abstract: A lighting system for ceiling grid systems advantageously uses a grid member designed to cooperate with a strip light to secure the strip light generally aligned beneath the grid system. The grid system can be initially installed with the cooperating grid members at specified locations. The strip lights can then be installed to the grid system. This arrangement simplifies installation particularly installations in commercial type spaces and larger scale architectural projects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: CertainTeed Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald White, Martin Daniel Gerkes
  • Publication number: 20190003691
    Abstract: A cross member of a T bar ceiling system is designed to be part of the ceiling grid system and adapted to releasably receive a strip light beneath the cross T member. The strip light provides support flanges beneath the T member for supporting a ceiling panel edge at the conventional height. With this arrangement the grid system can be installed in the normal manner with these cross T's at positions where strip lights are to be secured. The strip lights can be installed at a later point in time. Preferably a push type releasable connection is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Ronald White, Martin Daniel Gerkes
  • Patent number: 10030385
    Abstract: A ceiling panel according to the present invention has opposed translucent membranes secured in a tensioned state across a perimeter frame. The frame includes frame members that are designed to oppose inward bowing of the perimeter frame caused by the tensioned membranes. The frame members have a side profile shaped to conceal a grid support network with the lower translucent member extending across and about a lower edge of the perimeter frame. The invention also includes a modified structure for supporting of translucent panels below a grid network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Certainteed Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Rahnamaye Chitsaz, Martin Daniel Gerkes
  • Publication number: 20170298625
    Abstract: A ceiling panel according to the present invention has opposed translucent membranes secured in a tensioned state across a perimeter frame. The frame includes frame members that are designed to oppose inward bowing of the perimeter frame caused by the tensioned membranes. The frame members have a side profile shaped to conceal a grid support network with the lower translucent member extending across and about a lower edge of the perimeter frame. The invention also includes a modified structure for supporting of translucent panels below a grid network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: Certainteed Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali RAHNAMAYE CHITSAZ, Martin Daniel GERKES
  • Publication number: 20160061395
    Abstract: A cross member of a T bar ceiling system is designed to be part of the ceiling grid system and adapted to releasably receive a strip light beneath the cross T member. The strip light provides support flanges beneath the T member for supporting a. ceiling panel edge at the conventional height. With this arrangement the grid system can be installed in the normal manner with these cross T's at positions where strip lights are to be secured. The strip lights can be installed at a later point in time. Preferably a. push. type releasable connection is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: CERTAINTEED CANADA, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald WHITE, Martin Daniel GERKES
  • Patent number: 8739487
    Abstract: A ceiling panel uses a perimeter frame with a wide outwardly extending bottom flange defining a thin panel edge. Preferably the bottom flange includes a lower surface for securing of a finished substrate about the panel perimeter. The upper surface of the bottom flange receives a gusset clip that includes two arms for securement of the bottom flange and an upwardly extending lift and shift securing tab. The upwardly extending lift and shift securing tab is preferably located within a depth of the ceiling panel generally defined by an acoustical dampening material located within the perimeter frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: CertainTeed Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Daniel Gerkes, Heikki Kolga, Ronald White
  • Patent number: 8683768
    Abstract: A ceiling panel clip with improved characteristics includes a torsion spring retaining loop that has a free end captured beneath a frame member of the ceiling panel. The retaining loop at one end thereof is integral with a base portion of the clip and the free end extends downwardly to the base portion. The base portion and retaining loop preferably cooperate to capture a coiled portion of a torsion spring used to suspend the ceiling panel. Preferably, securing legs of the torsion spring are biased inwardly to allow the coiled portion to be inserted on the retaining loop. Release of the securing legs captures the coiled portion on the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: CertainTeed Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Daniel Gerkes, Heikki Kolga, Ronald White
  • Patent number: 8474200
    Abstract: A suspended ceiling system has a series of nodes interconnected by grid members to define a grid network. Each node includes a connection plate having a central port area that is adapted to form a recessed part of the finished surface of the ceiling system that is visible between adjacent suspended ceiling panels that conceal the grid members. The connection plate preferably includes grid member connecting arms extending outwardly from the connection plate. The central port area includes a cavity adapted for different purposes. This cavity can receive ceiling components, for example various light fixtures, securing devices or a removable access panel that covers the central port area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Decoustics Limited
    Inventors: Martin Daniel Gerkes, Heikki Kolga, Ronald White
  • Publication number: 20120186175
    Abstract: A suspended ceiling system has a series of nodes interconnected by grid members to define a grid network. Each node includes a connection plate having a central port area that is adapted to form a recessed part of the finished surface of the ceiling system that is visible between adjacent suspended ceiling panels that conceal the grid members. The connection plate preferably includes grid member connecting arms extending outwardly from the connection plate. The central port area includes a cavity adapted for different purposes. This cavity can receive ceiling components, for example various light fixtures, securing devices or a removable access panel that covers the central port area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Martin Daniel GERKES, Heikki KOLGA, Ronald WHITE
  • Publication number: 20120023853
    Abstract: A ceiling panel clip with improved characteristics includes a torsion spring retaining loop that has a free end captured beneath a frame member of the ceiling panel. The retaining loop at one end thereof is integral with a base portion of the clip and the free end extends downwardly to the base portion. The base portion and retaining loop preferably cooperate to capture a coiled portion of a torsion spring used to suspend the ceiling panel. Preferably, securing legs of the torsion spring are biased inwardly to allow the coiled portion to be inserted on the retaining loop. Release of the securing legs captures the coiled portion on the clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: DECOUSTICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Daniel Gerkes, Heikki Kolga, Ronald White
  • Publication number: 20110308185
    Abstract: A ceiling panel uses a perimeter frame with a wide outwardly extending bottom flange defining a thin panel edge. Preferably the bottom flange includes a lower surface for securing of a finished substrate about the panel perimeter. The upper surface of the bottom flange receives a gusset clip that includes two arms for securement of the bottom flange and an upwardly extending lift and shift securing tab. The upwardly extending lift and shift securing tab is preferably located within a depth of the ceiling panel generally defined by an acoustical dampening material located within the perimeter frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: DECOUSTICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Daniel Gerkes, Heikki Kolga, Ronald White
  • Patent number: 8079192
    Abstract: A suspended ceiling system uses a grid system having series of intermediate nodes interior to a peripheral edge of the ceiling system and a series of edge nodes at an edge of the grid system. Each intermediate node is defined by a connection plate having a series of guide tracks for receiving and cooperating with an upper edge of the ceiling grid members to align the grid members in a predetermined geometric configuration. Mechanical fasteners secure the connection plate and the ceiling grid members in any of the guide tracks. Each connection plate between adjacent guide tracks includes generally opposed connection slots for receiving support springs suspending ceiling panels beneath the grid system. The connection plate simplifies installation and avoids incorrect placement of the grid members. Preferably the grid system includes at least five grid members equally spaced about a center point of the connection plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Decoustics Limited
    Inventors: Martin Daniel Gerkes, Heikki Kolga, Ronald White
  • Publication number: 20110219718
    Abstract: A suspended ceiling system uses a grid system having series of intermediate nodes interior to a peripheral edge of the ceiling system and a series of edge nodes at an edge of the grid system. Each intermediate node is defined by a connection plate having a series of guide tracks for receiving and cooperating with an upper edge of the ceiling grid members to align the grid members in a predetermined geometric configuration. Mechanical fasteners secure the connection plate and the ceiling grid members in any of the guide tracks. Each connection plate between adjacent guide tracks includes generally opposed connection slots for receiving support springs suspending ceiling panels beneath the grid system. The connection plate simplifies installation and avoids incorrect placement of the grid members. Preferably the grid system includes at least five grid members equally spaced about a center point of the connection plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Martin Daniel Gerkes, Heikki Kolga, Ronald White
  • Patent number: 7926237
    Abstract: A wall or ceiling panel secures a grid insert, preferably of an architectural metal mesh, within a frame using a series of spring clips. The spring clips engage the metal mesh and are retained in a securing slot provided at an interior edge of the panel frame. Each spring clip includes at least one engagement member that passes through and engages the grid insert. The spring also includes a securing base that is received and retained within the securing slot of the frame. The panel can also include a securing arrangement for supporting the grid member at a position spaced from the frame to avoid downward bowing of the metal mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Decoustics Limited
    Inventors: Martin Daniel Gerkes, Heikki Kolga, Ronald White
  • Publication number: 20080047214
    Abstract: A wall or ceiling panel secures a grid insert, preferably of an architectural metal mesh, within a frame using a series of spring clips. The spring clips engage the metal mesh and are retained in a securing slot provided at an interior edge of the panel frame. Each spring clip includes at least one engagement member that passes through and engages the grid insert. The spring also includes a securing base that is received and retained within the securing slot of the frame. The panel can also include a securing arrangement for supporting the grid member at a position spaced from the frame to avoid downward bowing of the metal mesh.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: DECOUSTICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Daniel Gerkes, Heikki Kolga, Ronald White