GB2199349A

GB2199349A - A ceiling support means for a suspended ceiling

Info

Publication number: GB2199349A
Application number: GB08729573A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bryan Harry Thompson
Original assignee: ENVIRONMENT PANELLING SYST
Current assignee: ENVIRONMENT PANELLING SYST
Priority date: 1986-12-30
Filing date: 1987-12-18
Publication date: 1988-07-06
Also published as: GB8729573D0

Abstract

Ceiling support means for supporting a suspended ceiling structure comprises a lattice of inverted elongate T-sections 20 disposed to support ceiling panels within square or rectangular spaces defined between them. The support means includes engagement elements 10 that can engage the inverted sections 20 by rotation and ceiling support members 26 that can engage the engagement elements 10 and support the complete T-section structure by bearing on members of a framework structure for panelling to be constructed beneath the ceiling. <IMAGE>

Description

A CEILING SUPPORT MEANS FOR A SUSPENDED CEILING THIS INVENTION relates to ceiling support means for supporting a suspended ceiling in a compartment divided by panelling. The invention relates also to support components forming parts of the support means.

A common ceiling support structure, used in conjunction with suspended ceilings, comprises a lattice of inverted, elongate T-sections, suspended at a spaced location beneath a roof surface. The elongate sections define square or rectangular spaces between them within which ceiling panels are received, the panels being supported on the horizontally projecting crossbars of the T-sections. The above ceiling construction is well known- and as it does not form an essential part of the present invention, it is not described in any further detail herein.

It is also well known that a certain degree of ceiling sagging often occurs with the use of the construction as above described and it is accordingly an object of this invention to at least reduce such sagging.

The invention therefore relates specifically to ceiling support means for providing additional support to a ceiling structure of the above type.

According to the invention there is provided ceiling support means for supporting a suspended ceiling structure of a type that comprises a lattice of inverted elongate T-sections, disposed to support ceiling panels within square or rectangular spaces defined between them, which includes a plurality of engagement elements engageable with the elongate T-sections of a ceiling support structure of the above type, each element having a projecting formation projecting operatively downwardly therefrom in its operative configuration; and one or more elongate ceiling support members engageable with the projecting formations of two or more aligned engagement elements in their operative configuration, the engagement elements and support members being positionable directly above panelling to be constructed within a compartment having a ceiling structure of the above type therein, so that the support members can be supported by members of framework structures for such panelling.

Each engagement element may include a planar element defining two spaced apart engagement formations that can engage, from opposite sides, the crossbar of a T-section through rotation thereof with respect to the T-section. The planar element may define a rectangular configuration having tongue formations projecting in opposite directions therefrom near diagonally opposite corners, the tongue formations being folded over towards one another to define the engagement formations.

The spacing between the engagement formations may be such that the crossbar of the elongate T-sections can fit between the engagement formations, permitting rotation of the engagement element whereby the engagement formations can engage the said crossbar.

The projecting formation-projecting from each engagement element may be a stud formation. The stud formation may be a self clenching stud fitted at the forming stage of the engagement element.

The elongate ceiling support members may be elongate channel sections having apertures formed within the base wall thereof at spaced apart locations, which apertures are engageable by the stud formations, permitting engagement through suitable deformation of the stud formations. The elongate channel sections1 in their operative configuration, will be disposed immediately above the support frameworks of panelling to be erected, the channel sections being particularly adapted to be supported by the said support frameworks.

The support means of theinvention may be particularly adapted for use in conjunction with panelling framework structures that are height adjustable, so that the channel sections are supportable at desired heights where required support to ceiling structures can be provided.

The invention extends also to an engagement element for ceiling support means for supporting a suspended ceiling structure of a type that comprises a lattice of inverted elongate T-sections disposed to support ceiling panels within square or rectangular spaces defined between them, which is formed to engage the elongate T-sections of a ceiling support structure of the above type and which has a projecting formation projecting operatively downwardly therefrom, in its operative configuration.

The engagement element may be a planar element defining two spaced apart engagement formations that can engage, from opposite sides, the crossbar of a T-section through rotation thereof with respect to the T-section. The planar element may define a rectangular configuration having tongue formations projecting in opposite directions therefrom near diagonally opposite corners, the tongue formations being folded over towards one another to define the engagement formations.

The projecting formation of the engagement element may be a stud formation which stud formation may be a self clenching stud fitted at the forming stage of the engagement element.

The stud formation may further be adapted to engage an elongate channel section forming an elongate ceiling support member passing through an aperture in a wall of the channel section and by being suitably deformed.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of supporting a ceiling structure of a type that comprises a lattice of inverted elongate T-sections disposed to support ceiling panels within square or rectangular spaces defined between them, which includes engaging elongate support members with the elongate T-sections of the ceiling structure immediately above the frameworks of panelling to be constructed; and supporting the support members via members forming a part of these frameworks.

The above method may include adjusting the height of the frameworks to thereby support the elongate support members at a desired height above floor level.

Clearly, the above method of the invention may include the use of ceiling support means in accordance with the present invention. Also, the-method of the invention may include the use of an engagement element, in accordance with the present invention, for engaging the elongate support members with the T-sections of the ceiling support structure.

The invention is now described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of an engagement element, in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows an end view of the engagement element of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the engagement element of Figure 1 in a first inoperative configuration with respect to an elongate T-section, forming part of a ceiling support structure; Figure 4 shows the engagement element of Figure 3 in its operative configuration with respect to the elongate T-section; and Figure 5 shows an end view of the engagement element as illustrated in Figure 4.

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, an engagement element adapted for use as a part of ceiling support means, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10. The engagement element 10 is made up of a planar sheet element 12 having two engagement formations 14 formed at diametrically opposite corners of the element 12, the formations 14 being formed by bent over tongues 16 extending from the planar element 12.

A stud formation 18 projects from the planar element 12 as shown, the stud formation 18 being a self clenching stud fitted to the sheet element 12 during the forming stage of the engagement element 10.

The engagement element 10 may be of any suitable material and, in particular, may be of a metal material, such as of aluminium, or a synthetic plastics material, or the like.

Referring also to Figures 3 to 5, the engagement element 10 is adapted for use in conjunction with a ceiling support structure made up of elongate T-sections 20 that form a lattice defining square or rectangular spaces within which ceiling panels can be received and supported by the projecting crossbars 22 of the T-sections. The construction of such suspended ceiling structures is well known and is not described in any further detail herein.

The engagement element 10 can particularly be engaged with a T-section at a desired location by positioning it in the configuration shown in Figure 3, the spacing between the engagement formations 14 being sufficient to accommodate the crossbar 22 of the T-section between the formations. The complete element 10 can then be rotated in the direction of arrow 24, thereby providing for the engagement of the formations 14 with the crossbar 22 of the T-section 20. When so engaged an elongate support member 26 can be engaged with the stud formation 18, as is clearly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. The secure location of the ceiling support member 26, which may define a channel-shaped cross-sectional profile, may be provided by the suitable deformation of the stud formation 18, or in any other suitable manner.

In practise, a plurality of engagement elements 10 will be engaged with adjacent T-sections so that a ceiling support member 26 can be securely engaged along the length or width of a compartment within which a ceiling structure is constructed.

In particular, two or more ceiling support members 26 may be so secured with respect to a ceiling support structure in positions where they are located immediately above partitioning to be erected.

By the erection of partitioning via suitable frameworks, the members 26 can be supported on the frameworks, in which manner the support of a complete ceiling structure can be enhanced.

An-y sagging of a ceiling support structure can thereby be greatly eliminated or at least significantly reduced.

It is anticipated that the ceiling support means as above described will be used in conjunction with panelling frameworks that are height adjustable, in which way accurate support can be provided for ceiling structures.

It is further anticipated that the specific configuration of the engagement elements 10 and support members 26 can be greatly varied while still fulfilling the same function as described above and the invention extends also to such alternative configurations of engagement elements and ceiling support members, that may be designed for specific applications.

Simil-ar engagement elements and ceiling support members may also be designed for use in- conj.unction with alternative ceiling support structures that do not necessarily utilise the use of elongate T-sections, as described above.

Claims

1. Ceiling support means for supporting a suspended ceiling structure of a type that comprises a lattice of inverted elongate T-sections, disposed to support ceiling panels within square or rectangular spaces defined between them, which includes a plurality of engagement elements engageable with the elongate T-sections of a ceiling support structure of the above type, each element having a projecting formation projecting operatively downwardly therefrom in its operative configuration; and one or more elongate ceiling support members engageable with the projecting formations of two or more aligned engagement elements in their operative configuration, the engagement elements and support members being positionable directly above panelling to be constructed within a compartment having a ceiling structure of the above type therein, so that the support members can be supported by members of framework structures for such panelling.

2. Support means as claimed in Claim 1, in which each engagement element includes a planar element defining two spaced apart engagement formations that can engage, from opposite sides, the crossbar of a T-section through rotation thereof with respect to the T-section.

3. Support means as claimed in Claim 2, in which the planar element defines a rectangular configuration having tongue formations projecting in opposite directions therefrom near diagonally opposite corners, the tongue formations being folded over towards one another to define the engagement formations.

4. Support means as claimed in Claim 3, in which the spacing between the engagement formations is such that the crossbar of the elongate T-sections can fit between the engagement formations, permitting rotation of the engagement element whereby the engagement formations can engage the said crossbar.

5. Support means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the projecting formation projecting from each engagement element is a stud formation.

6. Support means as claimed in Claim 5, in which the stud formation is a self clenching stud fitted at the forming stage of the engagement element.

7. Support means as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, in which the elongate ceiling support members are elongate channel sections having apertures formed within the base wall thereof at spaced apart locations, which apertures are engageable by the stud formations permitting engagement through suitable deformation of the stud formations.

8. Support means as claimed in Claim 7, in which the elongate channel sections, in their operative configuration, will be-disposed immediately above the support frameworks of panelling to be erected, the channel sections being particularly adapted to be supported by the said support frameworks.

9. Support means as claimed in Claim 8, which can be used in conjunction with panelling framework structures that are height ajustable, so that the channel sections are supportable at desired heights where required support to ceiling structures can be provided.

10. An engagement element for ceiling support means for supporting a suspended ceiling structure of a type that comprises a lattice of inverted elongate T-sections disposed to support ceiling panels within square or rectangular spaces defined between them, which is formed to engage the elongate T-sections of a ceiling support structure of the above type and which has a projecting formation projecting operatively downwardly therefrom, in its operative configuration.

11. An engagement element as claimed in Claim 10, which includes a planar element defining two spaced apart engagement formations that can engage, from opposite sides, the crossbar of the T-sections through rotation thereof with respect to the T-sections.

12. An engagement element as claimed in Claim 11, in which the planar element defines a rectangular configuration having tongue formations projecting in opposite directions therefrom near diagonally opposite corners, the tongue formations being folded over towards one another to define the engagement formations.

13. An engagement element as claimed in Claim 12, in which the spacing between the engagement formations is such that the crossbar of the elongate T-sections can fit between the engagement formations, permitting rotation of the engagement element whereby the engagement formations can engage the said crossbar.

14. An engagement element as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 13, in which the projecting formation is a stud formation.

15. An engagement element as claimed in Claim 14, in which the stud formation is a self clenching stud fitted at the forming stage of the engagement element.

16. An engagement element as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15, in which the stud formation can engage an elongate channel section forming an elongate ceiling support member by passing through an aperture in a wall of the channel section and by being suitably deformed.

17. A method of supporting a ceiling structure of a type that comprises a lattice of inverted elongate T-sections disposed to support ceiling -panels within square or rectangular spaces defined between them, which includes engaging elongate support members with the elongate T-sections of the support structure immediately above the frameworks of panelling to be constructed; and supporting these support members via members forming a part of-these frameworks.

18. A method as claimed in Claim 17, which includes adjusting the height of the frameworks to thereby support the elongate support members at a desired height above floor level.

19. A method as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 18, which includes the use of ceiling support means as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9.

20. A method as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 18, which includes the use of an engagement element as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 16, for engaging the elongate support members with the T-sections of the ceiling support structure.

21. Ceiling support means substantially as described in the specification with reference to and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

22. An engagement element substantially described in the specification with reference to and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

23. A method of supporting a ceiling structure substantially as described in the specification with reference to and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.