Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Sheetlike element assembled parallel to existing wall,... – Element spaced from wall – ceiling – or floor and held by...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-09
2001-10-09
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Sheetlike element assembled parallel to existing wall,...
Element spaced from wall, ceiling, or floor and held by...
C052S039000, C052S665000, C248S343000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298623
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention may be described as a stand-alone adjustable trim strip system used for architectural design that can be suspended from the structure of a building by wires or rods or affixed to walls or ceilings which allows for the optional attachment of electric lighting and signs while concealing electrical wiring hardware and provides for an aesthetically pleasing structure.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
The present invention relates to a stand-alone adjustable trim strip system for decorative purposes which can be adapted to conceal electrical hardware and allow for the mounting of lighting systems and signs. The invention can further be suspended from the structure of a room by using wires or rods or fastened to walls or ceilings to create the appearance of suspended trim.
When designing the layout of lighting and signs for rooms in buildings with elevated ceilings such as those found in office buildings and retail spaces, it is desirable to provide a system which allows for the optimum placement of lighting systems and signs without the need for custom lighting or expensive suspension ceiling systems. It is further desired, when decorating a building, to provide ornamental trim that can be incorporated into an architectural layout to add bold accents to a room without the need for custom fabrication. In buildings with high ceilings or buildings in which the support structure is exposed, problems have arisen in the past when attempting to place signs, lighting and decorative trim at a level that would be most beneficial to the occupants. Typically when architectural designs call for ornamental trim in order to create a desired look, skilled craftsmen need to be retained so custom trim can be fabricated in accordance with the plans. Custom fabricated trim is very costly to create and requires vast amounts of time and labor to reach the desired end product.
Present lighting systems that can be suspended from these high ceilings require the use of special hardware so lighting systems can be lowered from their power supply to provide the required lighting conditions. Custom lighting hardware is expensive and is time consuming to install. Another alternative to provide illumination is to install high intensity lighting near the ceiling that is powerful enough to enlighten the floor below. High intensity lighting is expensive to purchase, consumes a considerable amount of electricity and generates high amounts of heat. An alternative system that can be used to alleviate the need for custom or high intensity lighting is to use suspended ceilings constructed out of a suspension grid and drywall or lay-in acoustical panels. Once the grid work for the suspended ceiling is installed, lighting fixtures such as recessed lighting or track lighting can be installed by attaching the fixtures to the grid work. After the lighting is installed, drywall sections or acoustical panels are attached to complete the ceiling. The electrical hardware that supplies power to the lighting fixtures, such as wiring, conduit and electrical boxes are hidden above the false ceiling out of view from the occupants below. When finishing suspended drywall ceilings, it has been found that a conventional face trim stripping such as COMPASSO™ trim sold by USG Interiors, Inc. can be used to conceal the ends of the ceiling, eliminating the need to trim and finish the edges with drywall, corner bead, “J” bead and finishing compound. To attach the face trim to the edge of the suspended ceiling, clips need to be attached to the grid beams in the suspended ceiling that support the drywall as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,937,605 and 5,201,787. While suspended ceiling systems provide a good structure for the attachment of lighting and signs, it inhibits the open air feeling that an architect or designer may be trying to create.
It is desirable to design a system that allows for the positioning of standard electrical lighting and signs at elevations that are useful to the buildings occupants while leaving high ceilings or building structure exposed. It is also desirable to design a system that uses existing COMPASSO™ trim strips that can be adapted to allow multiple design configurations to create an aesthetically pleasing trim structure while having the capability of concealing electrical hardware if electrical lighting is used. Prior art trim systems have been used to attach face trim to ceiling edges by connecting clips to the grid system of a suspended ceiling. The prior art however, does not provide for an adjustable trim strip system that can be suspended to provide a stand-alone trim strip structure that can conceal electrical wiring hardware and allow for the attachment of electrical lighting and signs. The present invention incorporates trim strips such as COMPASSO™ trim and adjustable brackets to provide an aesthetically pleasing stand-alone trim structure that can be hung from wires or rods or attached to walls or ceilings in a building structure in numerous configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a self supporting adjustable trim strip system that can be suspended from the structure of a building to create the appearance of a floating decorative trim in which lighting or signs can be attached thereto. The trim strip system allows for the placement of a continuous suspended decorative channel configuration that does not need to be connected to a suspended ceiling grid or other structure, but can be suspended from the structure of the building by using existing fastener technology such as hanger wires and rods. The benefit of the present invention is that it allows for the placement of lighting and signs in desired locations and heights without the need to enclose the structure with a false ceiling to hide electrical wiring hardware or mounting brackets. This allows the room to maintain high ceilings while providing usable lighting. The trim strip system also reduces the costs associated with installing a suspended ceiling. Another benefit of the present invention is that since the electrical power supply can be concealed within the trim strip system, it is unnecessary to use costly custom lighting systems that would otherwise be needed to illuminate the room.
The adjustable trim strip system consists of a bracket that can be suspended from a building structure at various points where paired face trim stripping is to be attached or can be directly mounted to walls or ceilings. The bracket allows two outwardly directed face trim pieces, such as COMPASSO™ trim, to be clipped in place along the exterior surface of the suspended brackets creating a continuous channel for concealing electrical hardware. The bracket comprises two trim attaching components which are elongated substantially flat members of a predetermined width that have attachment flanges formed at both ends. The attachment flanges are bent at an angle greater than 90 degrees so that they flare out and provide a biasing force used to hold against flanges of the face trim. The trim attachment brackets are bi-planar and are interconnected by a flat bridge. The entire clip can be formed from a single piece of metal or plastic which is formed into the desired configuration.
The bridge that interconnects the trim attachment clips creates an overall U-shape and provides the rigidity needed to keep the face trim strips parallel to each other. The bridge contains holes positioned in a horizontal arrangement that allow for the attachment of hangers or hanging wire. The holes are arranged to allow for the off center placement of the wire which causes the bracket to lean, altering the overall appearance of the trim strip system. Vertical holes on the bridge are used for the mounting of angle brackets which allow the clip to be attached to a suspension rod or allows two trim strip systems to be fastened together. The angle brackets can also be attached to the lower half of the bridge in order to provide a mounting surface so track lighting and signs can be installed. The top and bottom portions of the bridge can include no
Friedman Carl D.
Janci David
Lee, Mann, Smith, McWilliams, Sweener and Ohlson
Lorenzen John M.
Slack N.
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