Abstract: In a ceiling grid for a suspended ceiling having 2 ft.×2 ft. openings that support panels, a connection in the grid between a main beam and 4 ft. cross beam is made tighter than a connection in the grid between a 2 ft. cross beam and a 4 ft. cross beam. Both connections use the same connector, but with a different stop position on the connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for building a faux wood ceiling includes wooden beams and interlocking planks or panels. Each of the beams are attachable to a wall or ceiling. Each of the interlocking planks has a lip on one side and another lip on an opposite side. One lip engages with another lip of an adjacent interlocking plank when installed, while the other lip engages with a first lip of a second adjacent interlocking plank when installed. Each of the wooden beams is actually a hollow wooden beam, which can be finished to appear as an older wooden beam. Adjustable height brackets enable the ceiling to be mounted below and existing structures. The wood ceiling can be installed quickly and easily on site from a kit of parts. Once installed, access to wiring and plumbing is available by removing any of the wooden panels by simply pressing upwards. The end result is a finished wooden ceiling that requires no complex brackets or hanging structures, yet provides all of the conveniences of a drop ceiling.

Abstract: A ceiling support system for a suspended ceiling is provided that includes resilient clamps for attachment to the underside surface of a structural ceiling and inter-engaging ceiling runners that are shaped to be fitted into and be grasped by such clamps. The engagement edge of the runner is shaped to allow the runner to maintain multiple stable positions: a normal, ceiling panel supporting orientation, and a canted orientation for installation of ceiling panels. Runners may be joined end to end with an engagement piece. Cross-runners may be joined to runners with an engagement piece interfitted with a connector plate mounted transversely in the web of a runner.

Abstract: A solar collector array is formed of a plurality of solar panels mounted on a frame made of support beams which may be sheet metal channel members. A butyl tape or other glazing material is applied between the back laminate of the solar panel and the beam. Clips are used to clamp the panels to th support beams. The clips have an upper portion that is generally T-shaped in profile, and a retainer in the form of a channel nut or bar, with a threaded hole that receives a bolt or similar threaded fastener. The retainer biases against the inwardly directed flanges of the channel support beam. Electrical wires and mechanical fasteners are concealed within the support beams.

Abstract: A gridless drop ceiling assembly having ledger boards mounted on opposing longitudinal walls of a room and extending the length of the opposing longitudinal walls, the ledger boards being mounted proximate to the height of the desired drop ceiling and in parallel relationship, a plurality of mounting studs positioned on the ledger boards, the mounted studs extending outwardly from the surface of the ledger boards, the mounting studs on opposing ledger boards being in aligned relationship, a plurality of ceiling beams generally rectangular in cross section having parallel upper and lower surfaces and parallel side surfaces and parallel opposing end surfaces, the ceiling beams dimensioned to the distance between the ledger boards, the ceiling beams having formed in the opposing end surfaces thereof an L-shaped slot in communication with one surface of the ceiling beam, the L-shaped slot having a depth at least equal to the height of the mounting stud on the ledger board for the slidable positioning of and locki

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a flat panel sound radiator into a tegular ceiling. The tegular ceiling has openings defined by main beams and crossbeams. The main beams are secured through hanger wires to a hard ceiling. The main beams and the crossbeams have flanges with the crossbeams resting on the flanges of the main beams. The mounting apparatus has a tegular frame with reveal edges formed by multiple horizontal and vertical plates. A flat panel radiator is mounted inside a tegular frame with the lower edge of the tegular frame below the flanges of the main beams. The radiator panel can be fabricated from a honeycomb core. A combination of containment elements and isolation elements are used to isolate the radiator panel from the tegular frame both mechanically and acoustically. An acoustic scrim is attached to the bottom of the tegular frame.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a hinged ceiling panel, which is pivotally attached to a suspended ceiling grid structure to provide for a hinged ceiling panel that pivots to allow access to the area above the grid. The hinged ceiling panel includes a hinge located on a first edge and grid-releasable flanges located on the remaining edges of the panel. The hinged ceiling panel is designed so that a single person can easily release the panel from the grid system and pivot it downwards whereby the hinge supports it. The hinged ceiling panel is also designed so that an individual can also reposition the panel within the grid structure without the aid of others.

Abstract: An end-to-end connection for main beams in a ceiling grid for a suspended ceiling. A connector is formed at the end of a beam by combining a clip, fastened to the beam, with a configuration in the end of the beam. The connections are engaged to form a connection. The connection can be disengaged and reengaged.

Abstract: A ceiling support system for a suspended ceiling is provided that includes resilient clamps for attachment to the undersigned surface of a structural ceiling and interengaging ceiling runners that are shaped to be fitted into and be grasped by such clamps. The engagement edge of the runner is shaped to allow the runner to maintain a bistable positions: a normal, ceiling panel supporting orientation, and a canted orientation for installation of ceiling panels.

Abstract: Relatively thin collectibles such as movie posters and sports jerseys, as well as relatively thin works of art and the like are displayed through transparent bottom wall regions of relatively thin protective enclosures that are sized the same as and substituted for selected ceiling tile in a suspended ceiling. Each of the protective enclosures has a top wall that overlies at least a transparent region of the enclosure's bottom wall. Preferably the protective enclosures are generally square or rectangular to correspond with the size and shape of the ceiling tile they replace, and have top and bottom walls that extend substantially the full widths and lengths of the enclosures for being connected near their perimeters to cooperate directly or with short upstanding side walls to define thin display compartments that are closed to minimize the circulation of ambient air therethrough for protectively housing collectibles that are to be displayed through transparent central regions of the bottom walls.

Abstract: A compression relief section in a beam in a grid for a suspended ceiling that permits controlled collapse of the section during a fire, whereby the ceiling is kept relatively intact. The section has a channel formed from the web portion of the beam, and a crushed bulb with a hump, along with a flange, that fold from compression forces, while resisting such forces. There is no interference between the folding portions and the ceiling panels, or drywall, when the section collapses.

Abstract: A modular element for making up a ceiling, said element being a metal section member whose section on a plane perpendicular to the length of the element has a flat bottom web with two vertical flanges: a front flange and a first rear flange, the front flange being extended by an outwardly-extending front horizontal limb parallel to the web, and the first rear flange being extended by a first frontwardly-extending horizontal rear limb, wherein, beyond a certain margin x from each end of said element, said first rear limb is provided with an extension including at least one second rear vertical flange.

Abstract: A medical workstation is contained in an operating room having one or both of a double ceiling and a double floor. The medical devices forming the medical workstation are disposed in the double ceiling or in the double floor, or are distributed so that some are disposed in the double ceiling and some are disposed in the double floor. The devices are thus arranged so as not to present a hinderance to operating personnel in the operating room. A connection unit for the medical devices projects into the operating room from the double ceiling or from the double floor.