Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Sheetlike element assembled parallel to existing wall,... – Element spaced from wall – ceiling – or floor and held by...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-27
2001-03-27
Redman, Jerry (Department: 3634)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Sheetlike element assembled parallel to existing wall,...
Element spaced from wall, ceiling, or floor and held by...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205733
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to ceiling grid systems, which are typically constructed using “T” grid beams, joined to form a supporting grid system upon which drywall or lay-in panels can be mounted. A typical “T” grid beam is an elongated beam with a flange at the bottom of the beam and a thicker “bulb” portion at the top end of the beam. Thus, the cross section of the beam resembles an inverted “T” shaped configuration. The bottom of the flange provides the grid face for the attachment of drywall, ceiling tiles, acoustical panels or other types of panels. Typically, these grid beams are made of extruded aluminum or roll-formed steel, and can be straight or curved.
Ceiling grid systems are typically suspended from a mounting surface, such as an exposed framing member, such as a joist, or an existing ceiling surface. The grid beams are typically suspended by a wire that is connected to the mounting surface and are arranged and attached to each other to form a rectangular patterned grid. Such suspended grid systems provide a means for lowering a ceiling surface to allow for the installation of utility fixtures, duct work, pipes, etc., above the ceiling surface. Access to such features is provided by the removal of one or more ceiling panels of the ceiling surface. The suspended grid system is also advantageous in that it allows easy replacement of a single panel if it becomes damaged, as opposed to replacing a complete section of a drywall or plaster ceiling. However, suspended ceiling grid systems have some disadvantages in certain applications. Many ceiling applications have space constraints, such as in a basement, where ceiling heights are typically less than standard construction ceiling heights. In these instances, suspended ceiling grid systems would suspend too low and minimize the height of the ceiling. Furthermore, many applications do not require an elaborate suspended grid system, which can be expensive due to the material requirements and labor requirements for installation. Therefore, a direct mount system for ceiling panels would minimize costs and maximize ceiling height.
Some prior art direct mount systems typically involve the direct application of panels or tile treatments to a ceiling mounting surface with adhesive, fasteners, screws, or other fastening means. Other prior art direct mount systems that utilize grid beams are not removable once a lower grid beam is assembled to an upper grid beam. These mounting arrangements make it difficult to replace sections of damaged ceiling panels. Furthermore, access to the space above the mounting surface from the inside of a room is often difficult due to the ceiling panels being positioned so close to the mounting surface. A panel must be lifted from the supporting ceiling grid and tilted for removal. The ceiling panel is obstructed from this movement because the mounting surface is too close to the back of the ceiling panel.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a direct mount grid system that allows the installation of ceiling tiles close to the mounting surface thereby maximizing effective ceiling height of a room.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a direct mount grid system having removable lower grid members to allow access to the space above the mounting surface after the ceiling has been installed.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a direct mount grid system having removable lower grid members to allow replacement of damaged ceiling panels.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a direct mount grid system that enables the use of standard lay-in ceiling panels.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a direct mount ceiling grid system that allows standard ceiling panels or tiles to be installed close to a mounting surface, typically ceiling joists. The invention uses base grid members, channel grid members, and cross grid members. The base grid members and the cross grid members are elongated beams having a generally T-shaped cross-section. The T-shape is formed by a base flange and a transversely extending web portion that extends from the base flange. The web portion has a thicker bulb portion along the length of its marginal end. The bulb portion has a generally annular cross-sectional shape providing a curved outer surface. The base flange of each base grid member is directly mounted to a mounting surface, such as a joist, by screws or other connecting means. The cross grid members are arranged in perpendicular fashion to the base grid members. The base flange of the cross grid members are slightly bent at each end of the cross grid member to provide an offset bearing surface wherein the ends of the cross grid members lay upon the base flange of a corresponding perpendicular channel grid member when it is assembled to a base grid member. The cross grid members are positioned such that the transversely extending web portion is directed upwardly from the base flange of the channel grid member. The base grid members and their corresponding channel grid members, and the cross grid members are arranged and mounted to form a generally rectangular grid pattern.
The channel grid members are elongated beams having a base flange and two transversely extending parallel webs extending from the base flange and forming a channel therebetween. The marginal ends of each web are bent inwardly and downwardly into the channel, forming a hook portion having a hook edge at each marginal end. Upon installation of ceiling panels, the channel of the channel grid members snaps over the bulb portion of the transversely extending web of the base grid members. The hooks of the parallel webs of the channel grid members deflect to capture the bulb portion. Once inserted, the hook edges abut against the curved outer surface of the bulb portion. The base flange of the base grid members and the base flange of the channel members capture the ceiling panels placed therebetween. The ceiling panels are also supported by the base flange of the cross grid members. This allows the ceiling panels to be positioned close to the mounting surface and disposes the panels in a common plane to form a ceiling.
The channel grid members are removable from the base grid members, thereby allowing easy replacement of damaged ceiling panels or direct access to the space above the mounting surface. When a downward force is applied to the channel grid member, the hook edges of the parallel webs follow around the outer curved surface of the bulb portion, thereby causing the parallel webs to deflect outwardly and release the bulb portion of the base grid member.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2059483 (1936-11-01), Parsons
patent: 2066205 (1936-12-01), Keating
patent: 3263388 (1966-08-01), Bogert
patent: 3339329 (1967-09-01), Berg
patent: 3857216 (1974-12-01), Sherman
patent: 3875717 (1975-04-01), Moeller
patent: 3969865 (1976-07-01), Andersen
patent: 4067155 (1978-01-01), Ruff et al.
patent: 4294054 (1981-10-01), Kuhr
patent: 4432182 (1984-02-01), Addie et al.
patent: 4720946 (1988-01-01), Pagliarello
patent: 4742662 (1988-05-01), Smith
patent: 4848054 (1989-07-01), Blitzer et al.
patent: 4926606 (1990-05-01), Hanson
patent: 5265393 (1993-11-01), Bischel et al.
patent: 5611185 (1997-03-01), Wilz
patent: 5732521 (1998-03-01), Schmitt-Raiser
patent: 5768843 (1998-06-01), Dziedzic
patent: 5784847 (1998-07-01), Wiklund
ACP Snap Tight Grid Brochure and Specification, Accoustic Ceiling Products, LLC, date unknown.
Janci David F
Lee Mann Smith McWilliams Sweeney & Ohlson
Lorenzen John M.
Redman Jerry
USG Interiors, Inc.
LandOfFree
Direct mount ceiling panel grid system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Direct mount ceiling panel grid system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Direct mount ceiling panel grid system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2471155