Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Tensioned or flexed sheet facing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-19
2001-01-16
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Tensioned or flexed sheet facing
C052S223100, C052S506080, C052S718050, C052S749100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173544
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a ceiling system comprising at least two laths to be fixed some distance apart and a cloth to be stretched between said laths.
The invention furthermore relates to a lath suitable for such a ceiling system.
A ceiling system of this kind is used for finishing a ceiling in whole or in part. Of course it is also possible to use the ceiling system for finishing walls.
With a ceiling system which is known per se, laths are fixed to the ceiling. Then a cloth is fixed to the laths by means of staples. Thus a ceiling can be finished in a simple manner, whereby the ceiling is hidden from view by the cloth. The colour and the structure of the cloth thus provide a possibility to change the appearance of the ceiling in a simple manner.
The use of staples makes the provision of the cloth a relatively time-consuming operation, whilst the permanent fastening by means of the staples makes the original ceiling inaccessible.
With another ceiling system which is known per se, laths are provided with slots, in which the cloth is clamped down, after which finishing moulds are fixed to the laths by means of screws or nails. Also with this known ceiling system the original ceiling is no longer accessible.
The object of the invention is to provide a ceiling system wherein the above drawbacks are avoided.
This objective is accomplished with the ceiling system according to the invention in that each lath is provided with at least two parallel slots, whereby the cloth can be detachably fixed in the first slot by means of a strip which can be clamped down in said slot, whilst a rib extending transversely to a cover mould can be detachably clamped down in said second slot, said cover mould extending beyond the strip positioned in said first slot.
The cloth can be fixed to the lath relatively quickly by means of said strip, whereby access to the original ceiling can be readily gained by removing said cover mould and said strip. This is of importance, for example when suspending a lamp from the original ceiling. The lath can be beautifully finished in a simple manner by means of said cover mould, whereby the strip, by means of which the cloth is fitted, is hidden from view by said cover mould. Preferably said cover mould extends over the entire lath. It is noted that French patent document No. 2,597,906 discloses a ceiling system whereby each edge of the cloth is provided with attachment means which can be connected to an upwardly and inwardly extending flange of a lath. A cover mould provided with a rib can be clamped between two adjacent attachment means. A disadvantage of this system is that the stretching of the cloth depends on the position of the attachment means with respect to the edge of the cloth. Furthermore the positioning of the rib between the two attachment means might be cumbersome as in case that the distance between the two attachment means is too wide the rib will not be held and in case that the distance is too small the insertion of the rib between the attachment means might cause the attachment means to come loose from the lath and the cloth will be detached therefrom. It is noted that ceiling systems are known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,806, and Netherlands patent document No. 7,302,059. Said ceiling systems are not provided with a cover mould, however.
One embodiment of the ceiling system according to the invention is characterized in that said lath is furthermore provided with a third slot extending between said first and said second slot.
When in the case of a relatively large ceiling two cloths are used, which extend on either side of the lath, said cloths are clamped down in said first slot and said second slot by means of strips. Then the cover mould is fixed in said third slot extending between said cloths by clamping the rib extending transversely to said cover mould down in said slot.
Another embodiment of the ceiling system according to the invention is characterized in that said lath comprises a hook-shaped guide section, which extends parallel to said slots, whereby an attachment block is slidably accommodated in said guide section.
When the laths are fixed to a ceiling or to walls, the guide sections face towards the wall. Pictures or the like can be suspended from said attachment blocks by means of wires. In this manner a ceiling system is obtained whereby the number of parts to be fixed to the ceiling or to the walls is minimal.
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Friedman Carl D.
Skjerven Morrill & MacPherson LLP
Wilkens Kevin D.
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