Acoustical panel ceiling system
A concealed suspension ceiling assembly with simplified support structure for closely spaced ceiling tiles is described. The ceiling tiles are kerfed and mounted on framing members suspended from a supporting grid. V shaped torsion springs engage hooks on the framing members and extend upwardly through slots in main tees in an intersecting grid of main tees and cross tees. A tool is inserted in the reveal between adjacent tiles to raise and lower a selected tile. Tiles are lowered in predetermined sections to permit access to the space above the suspended ceiling and also to permit repair or replacement of individual tiles.
This invention generally relates to a suspended acoustic ceiling assembly with removable tile sections and more particularly to a suspended acoustic ceiling structure wherein sections of the acoustic tiles are selectively removable for enlarged access to a plenum area above the ceiling. The supporting structure for the acoustic tile sections is hidden from view of the persons in the room below.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSuspended ceilings have been utilized in building installations for many years. They are typically provided as a grid work of main-runners and cross-runners suspended from the building structure and supporting suitable infill material such as ceiling tiles, light fixtures, air handling devices, etc. In most suspended ceilings the runners have a form of an inverted “T”, and thus, are sometimes called main tees and cross tees. The grid tees are usually formed from a strip of material which has been bent to form a bulb or bead along the top edge of a central web with opposed outwardly extending flanges located at the bottom edge of the web.
Suspended ceilings are generally formed by hanging main tees along one dimension of a room, the main tees being spaced apart a distance equal to the length of a cross tee which is typically four feet. The main tees are provided with apertures at a regular spacing along the length of the main tee, the apertures receive a strap extending between adjacent cross tees for connecting the cross tees to each other and to the main tee. Typically opposed cross tees are interconnected within the opening, the opposed cross tees extending to either side of the web of the main tee. The connection between the cross tee and the main tee and between interconnected cross tees must, according to many present building code standards, be able to support the ceiling in an emergency situation, such as fire and seismic conditions. Thus the suspended ceiling must provide sufficient integrity such that the connectors will not disengage when exposed to a fire, and also should have sufficient integrity so that in a seismic occurrence, such as an earthquake, the connections will be maintained to enable the infill material of the ceiling to be supported.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention includes a main tee and cross tee suspended from wires attached to a structural ceiling. The main tees have slots for receiving the free end of arms on the upper end of torsion springs. The wound bottom end of the torsion springs engage hooks located at spaced intervals along acoustical panel framing members. These panel framing members are joined at the corners by various means such as pop rivets and bayonet fittings. The framing members are structured with an inwardly extending lip or flange along the length of the member at the bottom thereof. The lip engages a kerf in the acoustic ceiling panels. The kerf extends around the periphery of the panel and provides a mechanism for engaging the lip and holding the panels in place.
Among the advantages of this invention are those resulting from the fact that it facilitates the ceiling sections that may conveniently be removed from a suspended ceiling structure utilizing the aforementioned structure to provide large clearance access into the plenum space above the ceiling for maintenance personnel and for enabling infill materials such as ceiling tiles and light fixtures to be supported directly from the structural ceiling. The resultant appearance is an aesthetically pleasing ceiling appearance with extremely small reveals between adjacent ceiling tiles.
It is a further advantage of the invention to provide a hidden supporting structure for a suspended ceiling wherein large ceiling sections are removably supported without sagging.
Further advantages of the present invention result from the fact that it enables the selectively shaped horizontal panel framing members to be held rigidly parallel in predetermined spaced relationship so that these assemblies can be suspended on wires directly from the building structure above. The main tees, cross tees and panel framing members provide a rigid grid without the necessity of applying heavy structural channels which are conventionally installed in prior art ceiling structures.
The ceiling produced by this invention is durable, rigid and good looking while hiding the acoustic tile support elements from the viewers located below the ceiling.
In practicing the invention, the ceiling supporting main tees and cross tees are horizontally aligned and supported on wires directly from the building structure. The tees in turn support framing panels by means of v-shaped torsion springs which engage hooks on the panels and extend upwardly to engage slots in the main tees. Each of the panel frames has at its lower end, an acoustic tile (panel) supporting flange extending transversely, i.e., horizontally inwardly from one side of the framing member. The flanges on the framing members on opposite sides of a ceiling panel are inserted into the kerf (slot) extending along the edge of the tile. Panel framing members on the remaining two sides of the enclosure then engage kerfs on the corresponding sides of the tile and the four framing members are connected to each other at the corners to complete the assembly.
The invention provides an acoustic panel ceiling system comprising a plurality of ceiling panel framing members with ends interconnected to form a four-sided enclosure, with each panel member having a flange at the bottom thereof extending into the interior of the enclosure. A plurality of notches are formed at spaced intervals along the top edges of each framing member comprising a hook-shaped element.
A plurality of v-shaped torsion springs having a wound end at the bottom engage the hooks on the framing members and have a pair of arms extending upwardly and outwardly from the wound end, each arm having a hook formed in the free end thereof. A grid suspended from the structure in which the ceiling system is to be mounted is provided comprising main tees and intersecting cross tees. A plurality of pairs of slots are located at spaced intervals along the main tees, the slots being adapted to receive the free ends of the torsion spring arms. A ceiling tile have a kerf formed around the periphery thereof, is engaged with the flanges on the framing members and adapted to abut adjacent tiles with a minimal space between adjacent tiles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe various features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from a consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The invention 10 is shown in perspective view in
As shown in
The illustration in
Referring now to
The ceiling panel assembly 35 of
A sectional view in
A sectional view similar to the view shown in
Hook or clip 54 is oversize and provides ample space for engagement with hinge 42. In assembly hinge 42 is engaged by tab 51 at the notch configuration at the factory as the tab is folded down into its closed position to form the hook or clip. The oversize dimensions of hook 54 provide space for torsion springs 18 to be rotated 90° forward to lie flat with the panel framing assemblies for shipping to a job site. Assembly of the torsion springs and hooks at the place of fabrication eliminates a number of assembly steps at the job site thereby speeding the process of installation and reducing the labor cost at installation.
Claims
1. An acoustic panel ceiling system comprising:
- a plurality of ceiling panel framing members interconnected end to end to form a four sided enclosure, each member having a flange at the bottom thereof extending into the interior of the enclosure;
- a plurality of notches formed along the top edge of each framing member comprising a hook shaped element;
- a plurality of V shaped torsion springs having a wound end engaged with a respective one of the elements on the framing members and a pair of arms extending upwardly and outwardly from the wound end, each arm having a hook formed in the free end thereof;
- a grid for suspension from a structure comprising main tees and intersecting cross tees;
- a plurality of pairs of slots located at spaced intervals along the main tees, the slots being adapted to receive the free ends of the torsion spring arms; and
- a ceiling tile having a kerf formed around the periphery thereof, the kerf being engaged with the flanges on the framing members and adapted to abut adjacent ceiling tiles with a minimal space between adjacent tiles.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the ends of the framing members are connected by corner angles secured by pop rivets.
3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the ends of the framing members are connected by bayonet clips.
4. A system according to claim 1 wherein each framing member has at least two notches formed into the top edge of the member.
5. A system according to claim 1 wherein an alignment guide is provided at a predetermined location on the outer face of each framing member.
6. A system according to claim 4 wherein the alignment guides on each facing framing member engage the guide on the adjacent framing member.
7. A system according to claim 1 wherein a shelf is provided on the outer face of each framing member.
8. A system according to claim 6 wherein the shelf is adapted to be engaged by a mating shelf on a hand tool for raising and lowering a selected ceiling tile.
9. A system according to claim 1 wherein the framing members are fabricated of extruded aluminum.
10. A system according to claim 1 wherein the ceiling tiles are acoustic tiles.
11. An acoustic panel ceiling system comprising:
- a plurality of ceiling panel framing members interconnected end to end to form a four sided enclosure, each member having a flange at the bottom thereof extending into the interior of the enclosure;
- a plurality of notches formed along the top edge of each framing member comprising a hook shaped element;
- a plurality of V shaped torsion springs having a wound end engaged with a respective one of the elements on the framing members and a pair of arms extending upwardly and outwardly from the wound end, each arm having a hook formed in the free end thereof;
- a grid for suspension from a structure comprising main tees and intersecting cross tees;
- a plurality of pairs of slots located at spaced intervals along the main tees, the slots being adapted to receive the free ends of the torsion spring arms; and
- a ceiling tile secured to the framing members and adapted to abut adjacent ceiling tiles with a minimal space between adjacent tiles.
12. A system according to claim 11 wherein the ceiling tile is a flat panel adhesively secured to the bottom edges of the framing members.
13. A system according to claim 12 wherein the panel has a wood veneer on the exterior face.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 21, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 23, 2007
Inventor: Francisco Ortiz (Lakewood, CA)
Application Number: 11/359,316
International Classification: E04B 1/82 (20060101);