CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/044,381, filed Aug. 30, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND The present Invention relates to building construction and interior design, in particular a finishing system of components, with shared properties and variable placement and modification capabilities, that when placed in a new or existing suspended ceiling grid, can be arranged in a variety of combinations to create set-out style ceiling designs. And, wherein, a unique lighting or ‘luminescent channel’ is purposely created in the cavity between the systems components for the installation of LED lighting systems.
The common understood practice of suspended ceiling design offers flat, three dimensional and textured drop in ceiling panels or tiles that are arranged primarily in whole ceiling single style co-planer arrangements across a grid frame surface and, generally, do not address traditional ‘drop ceiling’ or ceiling perimeter ‘soffit’ style enhancements. The creation of these types of set-out designs, available in typical suspended ceiling construction practice exists, but only with elaborate, costly and time consuming grid attachment systems offered by a few major manufacturers.
In Related Art; Edward D. Krent in U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,631 A teaches a system of set-out style ceiling tiles for the diffusion of sound in a room. While having a set-out style shape installed in a suspended ceiling grid, this system does not address a tradition set-out style design arrangement. And although there are three-dimensional ceiling tiles available, none address the minor surface face continuity that is observed in ‘soffit’ style constructions or the creation of lighting channels between components.
There, accordingly, remains a need for traditional set-out constructive designs that can be installed in standard suspended ceilings grids.
SUMMARY The present disclosure describes a unique system of suspended ceiling grid placed components whose co-planer major and minor surfaces drop down from the suspended grid frame co-planer surface accomplishing the design effect of traditional set-out construction. In addition, and by virtue of this Inventions set-out design, a lighting channel is purposely created in the cavity between the systems panels adjacent minor straight surfaces for the installation of LED lighting systems.
In one aspect, a system is disclosed comprising a plurality of components configured for installation into the ‘cells’ of a ceiling grid framework. A component of the plurality of components comprise a floor element and a plurality of structural side elements extending from an interior surface of the floor element. The floor element has a decorative major surface disposed opposite the interior surface and comprises a plurality of edges that form a closed shape. At least some of the plurality of structural side elements are positioned proximate the plurality of edges, each having a decorative minor surface disposed opposite an interior surface. A component perimeter installation flange of the component is positioned on the decorative minor surface opposite the said interior panel surface, and extends outward from the component's structural side elements. The installation flange is configured to install and position the component by resting on the grid tee flanges that surround the grid ‘cell’ opening. From this position the components design surfaces extend downward from the grid frame structure. At least two components are configured for adjacent installation into the ‘cells’ of a ceiling grid framework so that their decorative major surfaces are co-planer to one another and at least one of their straight decorative minor surfaces is adjacent to the other.
In another aspect, a method for the installation and positioning of a unique lighting system is disclosed. By purposely dropping the sides of the systems components down past the grid structure surface, a cavity or Luminescent Channel is created between each adjacent components decorative minor surface. At the top of this cavity, a down facing linier LED multi-component lighting system can be mounted on the face of the centrally located grid framework to create a special lighting effect. This Luminescent Channel serves to diffuse and direct light from the disclosed lighting system in addition to diffusing and softening room acoustics.
This summary is provided to introduce concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosed or claimed subject matter and is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosed or claimed subject matter. Specifically, features disclosed herein with respect to one embodiment may be equally applicable to another. Further, this summary is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Many other novel advantages, features, and relationships will become apparent as this description proceeds. The figures and the description that follow more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The disclosed subject matter will be further explained with reference to the attached figures, wherein like structure or system elements are referred to by like reference numerals throughout the several views.
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a Main Component of said Sculpted Grid System.
FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the Main Component in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a Transitional Component with a convex element of said Sculpted Grid System.
FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the Transitional Component in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a Transitional Component with a concave element of said Sculpted Grid System.
FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the Transitional Component in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a Transitional Component with a diagonal element of said Sculpted Grid System.
FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the Transitional Component in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a top elevation view of the placement of said Sculpted Grid System Components in an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid.
FIG. 10 is a bottom elevation view of the placement and relationship of Main and Transitional Components of said Sculpted Grid System in an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid.
FIG. 11 is a bottom elevation view of the placement and relationship of Main and Transitional Components of said Sculpted Grid System in an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid.
FIG. 12 is a bottom elevation view of the placement and relationship of Main and Transitional Components of said Sculpted Grid System in an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid.
FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid arrangement of Main and Transitional Components of said Sculpted Grid System.
FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid arrangement of Main and Specific Shape Components of said Sculpted Grid System.
FIG. 15 is a room perspective view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid arrangement of Main and Transitional Components of said Sculpted Grid System.
FIG. 16 is a room perspective view of the placement of LED Channel Lighting System components attached to an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid in relation to Main Components of said Sculpted Grid System.
FIG. 17 is a room perspective view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid arrangement of Main Components, of said Sculpted Grid System, whose wall periphery is interrupted by an architectural column.
FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the plenum facing surfaces of a Main Component shown in FIG. 17 that is being modified.
FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the plenum facing surfaces of the Main Component shown in FIG. 18 after modification.
FIG. 20 is a side perspective view detailing the properties of the Finishing Material used for the modification of the Main Component in FIGS. 18 and 19.
FIG. 21 is an end view cut away section of suspended ceiling grid placed Main Components exhibiting the relative placement of a linear LED lighting system component in the Luminescent Channel created between them.
While the above-identified figures set forth one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the disclosure. In all cases, this disclosure presents the disclosed subject matter by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this disclosure.
The figures may not be drawn to scale. In particular, some features may be enlarged relative to other features for clarity. Moreover, where terms such as above, below, over, under, top, bottom, side, right, left, etc., are used, it is to be understood that they are used only for ease of understanding the description.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present disclosure is directed to a system of components configured for installation into a Suspended Ceiling Grid 33 framework with shared properties and variable placement and modification capabilities, for the design of set-out style ceiling arrangements whose installation creates a Luminescent Channel 16 in the cavity between said components for the installation of LED lighting systems 17. This system is made up of three basic fabricated component types that are dimensional pressed, assembled or molded from light weight, code compliant materials. In exemplary embodiments, the components are made from a mold pressed fabric containing cellulose, cellulose-cotton composites, and polypropylene and polypropylene composites. In addition, molded expanded polystyrene (EPS) cores or pressed fabrics partially or entirely covered with a Magnesium Oxide or Phosphate fire resistant coating also have possibilities.
The Sculpted Grid System consists of three basic component types with co-planer Decorative Major Surfaces 13; a Main or ‘square’ Component 1, a Transitional or ‘corner’ Component 2 and a Shape Specific Component 3. The Main Component 1 is the ‘body’ of the system, accomplishing the majority of design area coverage. The exemplary Transitional Components 2 shown consist of but are not limited to; a Convex Transitional Component 23, a Concave Transitional Component 22 and a Diagonal Transitional Component 24. These components are placed at the inside or outside corners of Main Component 1 arrangements to add transitional continuity to the Minor Decorative Surfaces 14 of a Sculpted Grid System installation. Shape Specific Components 3 are custom made for Suspended Ceiling Grid arrangements involving special radius and curved designs. All of the systems Decorative Major Surfaces 13 extend downward one and one half to eight inches from and are co-planer to the Suspended Ceiling Grid 33 room facing surface.
As such, these components can be arranged in the Suspended Ceiling Grid 33 to create any number of set-out style designs. For example, one might place two rows of the Main Components 1 side by side along the perimeter of a room and two rows of said components extending side by side from the center of the said perimeter placed components to the center of the room. If the design required a curved esthetic, a Concave Transitional Component 22 could be placed at the inside corner of the arrangement and for an outside corner in an arrangement one could place a Convex Transitional Component 23. Including this Transitional Component 2 insures a smooth line flow of the design with the transitional continuity of the Decorative Minor Surfaces 14. The systems design ability is determined by the relationship of the dropped Co-planer Decorative Major surfaces 13 and the transitional continuity of the Decorative Minor surfaces 14.
In addition to the set-out aspect of this system there lies a novel but important feature created by the placement of these components. As mentioned previously; dropping the Co-planer Major surfaces down past the suspended grid structures co-planer surface creates a cavity or Luminescent Channel 16 between the adjacent straight Minor Decorative Surfaces 14 of accordingly placed components of this system as illustrated in FIG. 21. At the top of this cavity, a linear LED Lighting System 17 can be mounted on the Grid Room Exposed Surface 18 to create a special lighting effect. This Luminescent Channel 16, partially hiding the lighting source, serves to soften and diffuse projected light as well as contributing to the further diffusion of room acoustics. Employing this type of lighting system throughout an entire arrangement of these components would provide additional low cost main or accent room lighting. These components decorative surfaces may also be finished with, but not limited to, applied color systems, different edge and profile shaping styles and applied laminates.
FIGS. 1 and 2 detail, in perspective, the two drawing's relative top and bottom views, a Main Component 1. The structure of this component is comprised of a Decorative Major Surface 13 disposed opposite an Interior Surface 25 forming a square Structural Floor Element 4. The Structural Side Elements 5, forming the Components set-out decorative shape, extend upward perpendicular from the interior surface of said Structural Floor Element 4, defining a Component Cavity 6 on the Interior Surface 25. The decorative set-out shape of the component is dimensionally designed to fit thru the type and size of Grid Cell Opening 12 being used. The said Structural Side Elements 5 extends up from the Floor Element 4, three to five inches, at the top of which a Component Perimeter Installation Flange 7 extends outward perpendicular around the components perimeter. This Component Perimeter Installation Flange 7 positions the component in the Grid Cell Opening 12 by resting on the bordering Grid Tee Flanges 11, as exhibited in FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12. The exterior of the Structural Side Element 5 functions as the Decorative Minor Surface 14 of the component and is visible beneath the Grid structure when in position. The Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 make possible the said Sculpted Grid Systems set-out style as well as its Esthetic Transitional Continuity between components.
FIGS. 3 and 4 detail, in perspective, the two drawing's relative top and bottom views, a Transitional Component 2. In this exemplary illustration a Convex Transitional Component 23 is shown. The structure of this component is comprised of a Decorative Major Surface 13 disposed opposite an Interior Surface 25 forming a three sided Floor Element 4. From this Structural Floor Element 4, Structural Side Elements 5 forming its perimeter shape extends upward perpendicular from its interior surface defining a Component Cavity 6 on the Interior Surface 25. The perimeter shape of the component is formed of two Structural Side Elements 5 joined at right angles, and a third Structural Side Element 5, a tangent convex arc, connecting their open perimeter ends. The said Structural Side Elements 5 then extend up from the Floor Element 4, three to five inches, at the top of which a square Component Perimeter Installation Flange 7 extends outward perpendicular around the components shape filling the Grid Cell Opening 12. As shown in the exemplary illustrations, the co-planer area, between the right angle corner comprised of the convex Structural Side Element's 5 two adjacent outward reaching Component Perimeter Installation Flanges 7 and top edge of its Decorative Minor Surface 5, are filled with a Component Grid Cell Filler Element 15 that is the same thickness as the Component Perimeter Installation Flange 7. This element is co-planer with bordering Flat Ceiling Panels 19 as illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 17. This Component Perimeter Installation Flange 7 holds the component in position while resting on the bordering Grid Tee Flanges 11 positioning the component in the Grid Cell Opening 12, as exhibited in FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 16. The Structural Side Element 5 is also the Decorative Minor Surface 14 of the component and is visible beneath the Suspended Ceiling Grid 36 when in position as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 make possible the said Sculpted Grid Systems set-out style as well as its Esthetic Transitional Continuity between components as shown in the exemplary illustration in FIG. 10.
FIGS. 5 and 6 detail, in perspective, the two drawing's relative top and bottom views, a Transitional Component 2. In this exemplary illustration a Concave Transitional Component 22 is shown. The structure of this component is comprised of a Decorative Major Surface 13 disposed opposite an Interior Surface 25 forming a three sided Floor Element 4. From this Floor Element 4, Structural Side Elements 5 forming its perimeter shape extends upward perpendicular from its interior surface defining a Component Cavity 6 on the Interior Surface 25. The perimeter shape of the component is formed of two Structural Side Elements 5 joined at right angles, and a third Structural Side Element 5, a tangent concave arc, connecting their open perimeter ends. The said Structural Side Elements 5 then extend up from the Floor Element 4, three to five inches, at the top of which a square Component Perimeter Installation Flange 7 extends outward perpendicular around the components shape. As shown in the exemplary illustrations, the co-planer area, between the right angle corner comprised of the concave Structural Side Element's 5 two adjacent outward reaching Component Perimeter Installation Flanges 7 and top edge of its Decorative Minor Surface 5, are filled with a Component Grid Cell Filler Element 15 that is the same thickness as the Component Perimeter Installation Flange 7. This element is co-planer with bordering Flat Ceiling Panels 19 as illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 17. This Component Perimeter Installation Flange 7 holds the component in position while resting on the bordering Grid Tee Flanges 11 positioning the component in the Grid Cell Opening 12, as exhibited in FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 16. The Structural Side Element 5 is also the Decorative Minor Surface 14 of the component and is visible beneath the Grid structure when in position. The Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 make possible the said Sculpted Grid Systems set-out style as well as its Esthetic Transitional Continuity between components as shown in FIG. 11.
FIGS. 7 and 8 detail, in perspective, the two drawing's relative top and bottom views, a Transitional Component 2. In this exemplary illustration a Diagonal Transitional Component 24 is shown. The structure of this component is comprised of a Decorative Major Surface 13 disposed opposite an Interior Surface 25 forming a three sided Structural Floor Element 4. From this Floor Element 4, Structural Side Elements 5 forming its perimeter shape extends upward perpendicular from its interior surface defining a Component Cavity 6 on the Interior Surface 25. The perimeter shape of the component is formed of two Structural Side Elements 5 joined at right angles, and a third Structural Side Element 5, diagonally connecting their open perimeter ends. The said Structural Side Elements 5 then extend up from the Floor Element 4, three to five inches, at the top of which a square Component Perimeter Installation Flange 7 extends outward perpendicular around the components shape. As shown in the exemplary illustrations, the co-planer area, between the right angle corner comprised of the diagonal Structural Side Element's 5 two adjacent outward reaching Component Perimeter Installation Flanges 7 and top edge of its Decorative Minor Surface 5, are filled with a Component Grid Cell Filler Element 15 that is the same thickness as the Component Perimeter Installation Flange 7. This element is co-planer with bordering Flat Ceiling Panels 19 as illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 17. This Component Perimeter Installation Flange 7 holds the component in position while resting on the bordering Grid Tee Flanges 11 positioning the component in the Grid Cell Opening 12, as exhibited in FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 16. The Structural Side Element 5 is also the Decorative Minor Surface 14 of the component and is visible beneath the Grid structure when in position. The Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 make possible the said Sculpted Grid Systems set-out style as well as its esthetic transitional continuity between components as shown in FIG. 12.
FIG. 9 is a top elevation view of an exemplary component arrangement of the Sculpted Grid System installed in a section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 33. The drawing illustrates the installation and positioning of Main Components 1 and a Convex Transitional Component 23. The function of the Component Grid Cell Filler Element 15, (as described in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8), is exhibited showing the Convex Transitional Component 23 filling the Grid Cell Opening 12. In this illustration the positioning of the components on the Grid Tee Flange 11 is also exemplified.
FIG. 10 is a bottom elevation view of the placement of a Convex Transitional Component 23 in an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 33 with an arrangement of Main Components 1. The transitional design continuity provided by his component's room exposed convex Decorative Minor Surface 14 and the room exposed Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 of the Main Components 1 is shown. In addition, it is illustrated how dropping the sides of two adjacent components down past the grid structure surface creates a cavity or Luminescent Channel 16 between them as illustrated in FIG. 16. The function of the Grid Cell Filler Element 15 is also exhibited.
In the exemplary drawing in FIG. 11 a bottom elevation view of the placement of a Concave Transitional Component's 22 in a section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 33 with an arrangement of Main Components 1. The transitional design continuity provided by this component's room exposed concave Decorative Minor Surface 14 and the room exposed Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 of the Main Components 1 is shown. In addition, it is again illustrated how dropping the sides of the components down past the grid structure surface creates a cavity or Luminescent Channel 16 between. The function of the Grid Cell Filler Element 15, of the Concave Transitional Component 22, is again exhibited, filling the Grid Cell Opening 12.
FIG. 12 is a bottom elevation view of the placement of a Diagonal Transitional Component's 24 in a section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 33 with an arrangement of Main Components 1. The transitional design continuity provided by this component's room exposed diagonal Decorative Minor Surface 14 and the room exposed Decorative Minor Surfaces 14 of the Main Components 1 is shown. In addition, it is again illustrated how dropping the sides of the components down past the grid structure surface creates a cavity or Luminescent Channel 16 between. The function of the Grid Cell Filler Element 15, of the Diagonal Transitional Component 24, is exhibited filling the Grid Cell Opening 12.
FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 33 arrangement of Main Components 1, Flat Ceiling Panels 19 and Transitional Components 2. This exemplary configuration emphasizes the esthetic set-out edge softening that can be created by the placement of Convex Transitional Components 23 and Concave Transitional Components 22. In addition, it is illustrated how dropping the sides of the components down past the grid structure surface creates a cavity or Luminescent Channel 16 between.
FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 33 arrangement of Main Components 1, Flat Ceiling Panels 19 and Specific Shape Components 3. Specific Shape Components 3 have the same structural and esthetic properties as the other components of the Sculpted Grid System but are custom made for specific arrangements. In this exemplary illustration, a majority arrangement of system Main Components 1, accented with interior perimeter Specific Shape Components 3, surrounds a grid surface level area of Flat Ceiling Panels 19, emphasizing a raised ceiling esthetic. In addition, it is illustrated how dropping the sides of the components down past the grid structure surface also creates a Luminescent Channel 16 between for the installation of linear lighting systems.
FIG. 15 is a room perspective view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 33 arrangement of Main Components 1, Flat Ceiling Panels 19 and Transitional Components 2. Both Concave Transitional Components 22 and Convex Transitional Components 23 are shown positioned in this arrangement. This exemplary configuration emphasizes the esthetic transitional continuity ability of the Minor Decorative Surfaces 14, created by the placement of Convex Transitional Components 23 and Concave Transitional Components 22 with Main Components 1. It is further illustrated how dropping the sides of the components down past the grid structure surface creates a cavity or Luminescent Channel 16 between.
The illustration in FIG. 16 exhibits a room perspective view of the placement of a series of linear LED Lighting System 17 components in an example section of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 33. In this drawing, Main Components 1 are omitted for clarity to show the positioning of the Lighting fixtures against one side of the Luminescent Channel 16. These exemplary linear LED light fixtures are attached to the Grid Room Exposed Surface 18 and are positioned in the Luminescent Channel 16 formed by the adjacent Structural Side Elements 5 of two Main Components 1 as well as Main Components 1 and a Transitional Components 2 as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12. The grid attached LED Lighting Systems 17 position in the Luminescent Channel 16, as further illustrated in FIG. 21, allows diffused light to be transmitted down into the room while being only partially seen except from directly below.
FIG. 17 is a room perspective view of a Suspended Ceiling Grid 33 arrangement of Main Components 1 and Flat Ceiling Panels 19 whose wall periphery is interrupted by an Existing Architectural Column 30. The illustrated Modified Component 26 has been trimmed to fit.
FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the Main Component 1, shown in FIG. 17 as the Modified Component 26, being modified. The component has been trimmed along the Cut Line 27 and the Removed Material 31 taken away.
FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the Modified Component 26 shown in FIG. 18. Finishing Material 29 has been cut and attached to the components Trimmed Surfaces 28 shown in FIG. 18.
FIG. 20 is a side perspective view detailing the properties of the Finishing Material 29 used for the reshaping of the Modified Component 26 in FIGS. 18 and 19. This modification part is of the same code compliant material as the Components and its cross section includes a Structural Side Element 5 of the same component height with a Perimeter Grid Placement Flange 7 to replace lost component elements from modification.
FIG. 21 is an end view cut away section of Suspended Ceiling Grid 33 placed Main Components 1 exhibiting the exemplary placement of a linear LED lighting System 17 component attached to the Grid Room Exposed Surface 18 in the Luminescent Channel 16 created between them. In a further exemplary detail, two Main Components 1 are illustrated having a radius on the intersecting edges of their Decorative Major 13 and Decorative Minor 14 surfaces.
Although the Sculpted Grid System disclosed herein has been described with respect to several embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. In addition, any feature disclosed with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in another embodiment, and vice-versa.
Sculpted Grid System
LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS
USED IN THE DRAWINGS
1. Main Component
2. Transitional Component
3. Specific Shape Component
4. Floor Element
5. Structural Side Element
6. Component Cavity
7. Component Perimeter Installation Flange
8. Grid Main Beam
9. Grid Perimeter Molding
10. Grid Cross Tee
11. Grid Tee Flange
12. Grid Cell Opening
13. Decorative Major Surface
14. Decorative Minor Surface
15. Component Grid Cell Filler Element
16. Luminescent Channel
17. LED Lighting System
18. Grid Room Exposed Surface
19. Flat Ceiling Panel
20. Existing Wall
21. Installed Component
22. Concave Transitional Component
23. Convex Transitional Component
24. Diagonal Transitional Component
25. Interior Surface
26. Modified Component
27. Cut Line
28. Trimmed Surface
29. Finishing Material
30. Existing Architectural Column
31. Removed Material
32. Existing Ceiling
33. Suspended Ceiling Grid
