Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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SUSPENDED CEILING ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to the field of suspended ceilings and more
s particularly relates to a versatile assembly and a method for mounting a
suspended inner ceiling under the framework of a roof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Suspended ceilings are well known in the art. They usually consist of a flat
to grid suspended horizontally under the framework of a roof having square or
rectangular shaped holes for receiving tiles of the same shape. The tiles are
supported from every side by the grid posts, and may usually be removed or
displaced by simply pushing on tiles from underneath.
Traditional suspended ceilings lack versatility in that they cannot easily be
is adapted to define a profile of a different shape than the flat surface
described
above. In addition, since the tiles are supported from underneath, the grid is
visible
and breaks the continuity of the design. Also, no means is provided to prevent
access to the space above the suspended ceiling to unauthorized individuals.
Improvements in this field are disclosed for example U.S, patents nos.
20 4.428.454; 4.566.233; 4.586.841; 4.fi63.911; 4.833.854; 5.564.250; and
6.029.413. However, none of the devices disclosed in those patents provide
solutions to the above mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
2s It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a suspended
ceiling assembly that allows an inner ceiling of various profiles to be
mounted
underneath the framework of a roof.
Another object of the invention is to provide a suspended ceiling assembly
for which the beams supporting the ceiling tiles may be partially or totally
hidden.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of mounting such
a ceiling to the framework of a roof.
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More particularly, the present invention provides a suspended ceiling
assembly for mounting an inner ceiling under a framework of a roof. The
assembly
includes a plurality of suspension beams, which are suspendable underneath the
framework in a parallel relationship to each other. A plurality of cables are
also
s provided for connecting the suspension beams to the framework. Each cable
has a
length adapted to suspend a corresponding suspension beam at a predetermined
distance from the framework. A plurality of mounting rails are also provided.
Each
mounting rail is transversally mountable underneath at least two of the
suspension
beams, and has a top flange and a bottom mounting portion. The assembly
io includes a plurality of connecting members each devised for connecting the
fop
flange of one of the mounting rails to one of the suspension beams. Each
connecting member has a sleeve-shaped body for enclosing a cross-section of a
corresponding suspension beam therein, fasteners for fastening the sleeve-
shaped body to this corresponding suspension beam, and a hook-shaped bottom
is portion engageable with the top flange of a corresponding mounting rail for
supporting this mounting rail.
The assembly finally includes a plurality of ceiling tiles each mountable
between the mounting portions of adjacent mounting rails, for forming the
inner
ceiling.
2o The invention also provides a method for mounting an inner ceiling under a
framework of a roof. The method includes the steps of:
a) suspending a plurality of suspension beams underneath the framework in
a parallel relationship to each other. A plurality of cables are provided for
connecting the suspension beams to the framework, and each of the cables has a
Zs length adapted to suspend a corresponding suspension beam at a
predetermined
distance from the framework;
b) mounting a plurality of mounting rails transversally underneath at least
two of the suspension beams, each of said mounting rails having a top flange
and
a bottom mounting portion. A plurality of connecting members are provided for
connecting the top flange of each one of the mounting rails to a corresponding
suspension beams. Each connecting member has a sleeve-shaped body for
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enclosing a cross-section of a corresponding suspension beam therein,
fasteners
for fastening the sleeve-shaped body to this corresponding suspension beam,
and
a hook-shaped bottom portion engageable with the top flange of a corresponding
mounting rail for supporting this mounting rail; and
s c) mounting a plurality of ceiling tiles between the mounting portions of
adjacent mounting rails, thereby forming the inner ceiling.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better
understood upon reading the following description of preferred embodiments
thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suspended ceiling assembly mounted
underneath the frame work of a roof according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention.
is FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of an inner ceiling made from
an assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the mounting of two adjacent ceiling
tiles on a mounting rail in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3.
2o FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a suspended ceiling assembly
according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a portion of an inner ceiling made from the
assembly of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7A is a side elevation showing the adjacent extremities of two tiles
2s when one of said tiles is being mounted next to the other; FIG. 7B is a
side
elevation showing the tile of FIG. 7B when mounted; and FIG. 7C is a side
elevation showing how to remove the tiles of the preceding figures.
FIG. 8A is a bottom view of an inner ceiling mounted in accordance with the
embodiment of FIG. 3; and FIG. 8B is a bottom view of an inner ceiling mounted
in
~o accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1.
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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, there is generally shown an inner ceiling 20
made from a suspended ceiling assembly according to the present invention. The
features of the invention explained hereinbelow are common to both the first
and
s the second preferred embodiments of the invention.
The ceiling 20 includes a plurality of suspension beams 22 suspended
underneath the framework 24 of a roof. The suspension beams 22 all extend in a
parallel relationship to each other, but, as is exemplified in the illustrated
embodiment, may be disposed at different distances from the framework 24. The
io advantages of such a set-up will be explained hereinafter. The suspension
beams
preferably each have squared C-shaped cross-sections. A plurality of cables 26
are provided for connecting the suspension beams 22 to the framework 24.
Preferably, the suspension beams 22 each have a number of hooks 28 projecting
therefrom, which may of course be replaced by any other appropriate fastening
is means. In the illustrated embodiments (see for example FIG. 5), the hooks
are
embodied by a C-shaped clamp 27 fastened to the suspension beam 22 at any
appropriate location and a loop 29 projecting integrally from the top. and a
lower
end 30 of each cable 26 is attached to one of the hooks 28. The upper end 32
of
the cables 26 is attached to wooden beams 34, or any other structural element
of
2o the framework solid enough to support the weight of the inner ceiling 20.
The
length of each cable 26 between the lower and the upper ends 30 and 32 is
chosen so that the corresponding suspension beam 22 extends at the desired
distance from the framework 24. Advantageously, the use of cables of a given
length can also easily allow to adapt a given assembly to a framework of
uneven
2s height, as best seen in FIG. 2.
The inner ceiling 20 further includes a plurality of mounting rails 36. Each
mounting rail 36 has a fop flange 40 and a bottom mounting portion 42, and is
mounted transversally under two or more suspension beams 22. A plurality of
connecting members 38 are also provided, to connect the mounting rails 36 from
~o its top flange 40 to the corresponding suspension beams 22. At least one
connecting member 38 is preferably provided at each crossing point between the
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s
mounting rails 36 and suspension beams 22. Advantageously, the mounting rails
36 may be given a variety of profiles other than a straight one, as was
previously
known in the art. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGs. 1 and 2,
the
mounting rails 36 each define an arch section, and the height of each
suspension
s beam 22 is adjusted accordingly. The inner ceiling finally includes a
plurality of
ceiling tiles 44, each mountable between the mounting portions 42 of adjacent
mounting rails 36.
Referring to FIG. 5, the connecting members 38 are shown as preferably
having a sleeve-shaped body 46 which completely encloses a cross-section of a
1o suspension beam 22. The sleeve-shaped body 46 is preferably fitted over the
desired section of a suspension beam 22 and fastened thereto with nut 48 and
bolt
49 affixed on top of the connecting member 38, which is provided with an
opening
therein for that purpose. Of course, any other appropriate type of fasteners
may be
used. The sleeve-shaped body 46 has a hook-shaped bottom portion 50 which is
is engageable with the top flange 40 of the mounting rails 36. Advantageously,
the
connecting members may be affixed at any point of the suspension rails 22,
making the assembly of the mounting rails very adaptable to the dimensions and
physical properties of a particular ceiling.
2o Description of the first preferred embodiment of the invention
With reference to FIGs. 3, 4 and 8A, there is shown a first preferred
embodiment of a suspended ceiling assembly according to the present invention.
In this embodiment, each mounting rail 36 has an S-shaped cross-section
forming a top and a bottom hook. The top hook defines the top flange 40 of the
2s mounting rail, and is therefore engageable with the hook-shaped bottom
portion 50
of the connecting members 38 as best seen in FIG. 3. The bottom hook defines
the bottom mounting portion 42 or the mounting rail 36, and serves to support
the
ceiling tiles 44 as explained below.
In this embodiment, the ceiling tile 44 includes a panel 52 having a back
~o surface 54 and a first 56 and second 58 set of two opposed parallel edges.
In the
illustrated embodiment, the panel 52 is rectangular shaped, but tiles having
other
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shapes such as squares or trapezoids may conceivably be used. A hooking
member 60 preferably projects from the back surface 54 of the panel 52, along
one of the edges of the first set 56. The hooking member 60 opens towards the
panel 52 as is better seen in FIG. 4. The hooking member 60 is engageable with
s the bottom hook defining the mounting portion 42 of an adjacent mounting
rail 36.
On the other side of the panel 52, along the other edge of the first set 56, a
first L-
shaped member 62 projects from the back surface 54 of the panel 52. Contrary
to
the hooking member 60, the first L-shaped member 62 is oriented away from the
panel 52. The side of the panel 52 provided with the first L-shaped member 62
is
io mounted on the mounting portion 42 of the mounting rail 36 by engaging the
first
L-shaped member 62 with the hooking member 60 of an adjacent ceiling tile 44
when it is itself engaged with the bottom mounting portion 42 of one of the
mounting rails 36. For this purpose, each hooking member 60 is provided with
at
least one pin 64 rigidly projecting from its top surface, and each first L-
shaped
is member 62 is provided with at least one opening 66 therein engageable with
the
pin 64 of the hooking member 60 of an adjacent ceiling tile 44. An advantage
of
this pin and opening engagement is that it provides a means for aligning the
ceiling
tiles together along their length (positive alignment).
Advantageously, as may be seen in FIG. 8A, the inner ceiling mounted
2o according to the first embodiment, has a continuous appearance from
underneath,
since all of the suspension beams or mounting beams are hidden under the
ceiling
tiles.
Description of the second preferred embodiment of the invention
2s With reference to FIGs. 5, 6 and 8B, there is shown a second preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
In accordance with this new embodiment, a number of the mounting rails 36
each have an I-shaped cross-section, including a middle, a top and a base
portion
68, 70 and 72. The top portion 70 defines the top flange 40 of the mounting
rail 36,
~o and forms two top hooks 74 extending on either side of the middle portion
68.
Each of the top hooks 74 is engageable with one of the connecting members 38,
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as best seen in FIG. 6. With this type of mounting rail, two connecting
members
38 are preferably provided at each crossing point between the mounting rails
36
and the suspension beams 22, one engaged with each top hook 74. Similarly, the
base portion 72 defines the bottom mounting portion 42 and forms two bottom
s hooks 76 extending on either side of the middle portion 68.
The I-shaped mounting rails are well adapted for supporting the ceiling tiles
across most of a given ceiling, but may be unsightly and interfere with proper
placement of the rails at the edges of the ceiling. There are therefore
provided
within the present embodiment a number of mounting rails having a C-shaped
Io cross-section, adapted to support the ceiling tiles along the edges of the
ceiling.
Similarly, the C-shaped rails each have a middle portion 78, a top portion 80
and a
base portion 82. The top portion defines the top flange 40 and forms a top
hook 84
extending on one side of the middle portion 78, the top hook 84 being
engageable
with one of the connecting members 38, and the base portion 82 defines the
is bottom mounting portion 42 and forms a bottom hook 86 extending on said one
side of the middle portion for mounting one of the ceiling tiles thereto.
As with the ceiling tile described before, the tiles 44 appropriate for this
embodiment also have a panel 52 with a back surtace 54 and a first and a
second
set of two opposed parallel edges 56 and 58. In this case two hooking members
zo 88 and 90 are provided along each of the edges of the first set 56. Each
hooking
member projects from the back surface 54 away from the panel 52, and is
engageable with one of the hooks formed by the mounting portion 36 of an
adjacent mounting rail 36. .
In this embodiment, as may be seen in FIGs. 1 and 8B, the ceiling tiles 44
2s are mounted in rows and the underside of the mounting rails is visible from
the
room provided with such a ceiling.
With reference fio FIG. 5, there are shown a few additional features that
although applied here to the second embodiment of the invention, could equally
be
included in the first or any further embodiments of the present invention.
Preferably, rubber pieces 102 are installed at various positions over the
hooks of the bottom mounting portion 42. The rubber pieces 102 advantageously
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damper the engagement of the ceiling tiles with the suspension rails 36 and
provide the inner ceiling with more stability since they prevent the tiles
from
rocking.
Additionally, C-shaped end beams 104 may be transversally installed at the
s extremities of the mounting rails 36 to give a finished look to the
transversal edges
of the ceiling.
For manufacturing and transport convenience, each suspension beam 36
may be made of sections assembled on site, end to end. Connecting pieces 106
of
an appropriate shape are then provided with nuts and bolts 108 to attach them
to
to the mounting rail sections.
Referring to FIGs. 4 and 7A to 7C, there is shown an additional feature of
the invention which may be included in either one of the embodiments described
above. Each ceiling tile 44 preferably includes a first and a second side
member
92 and 94, each being L-shaped and projecting from the back surface 54 of the
is panel 52 along one of the edges of the second set 58. Both the first and
second
side members 92 and 94 are oriented towards the panel 52, similarly to the
hooking member 60. The first side member 92 has a tab 96 resiliently
projecting
therefrom, outwardly from the ceiling tile 44 (FIG. 7A). The second side
member
94 is provided with a slit 98 adapted to receive the tab 96 of an adjacent
ceiling tile
2o therein (FIG. 7B). This feature has several advantages. It allows the
ceiling tiles to
be aligned with each other and to be suspended all at the same height. In
addition,
once two tiles are locked together in this manner, it is impossible to remove
one of
them without using a proper tool 100 to push the tab 96 out of the slit 98 as
shown
in FIG. 7C.
Description of a method according to the invention
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is also
provided a method for mounting an inner ceiling under a framework of a roof as
shown in FIG. 1. This method includes the following steps of:
~o a) suspending a plurality of suspension beams 22 underneath the
framework 24 in a parallel relationship to each other. A plurality of cables
26 are
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provided for connecting the suspension beams 22 to the framework 24. Each of
the cables 26 has a length adapted to suspend a corresponding suspension beam
22 at a predetermined distance from the framework 24;
b) mounting a plurality of mounting rails 36 transversally underneath at least
s two of the suspension beams 22. Each mounting rail 36 has a top flange and a
bottom mounting portion and may have an S-shaped, I-shaped or C-shaped cross
section as described above. A plurality of connecting members 38 are provided
for
connecting the top flange of each one of the mounting rails 36 to a
corresponding
suspension beam 22. Preferably, each connecting member 38 includes a sleeve
io shaped body for enclosing a cross-section of a corresponding suspension
beam
22 therein, fasteners for fastening them together and a hook-shaped bottom
portion engageable with the top flarige of a corresponding mounting rail 36;
and
c) mounting a plurality of ceiling tiles 44 between the mounting portions of
adjacent mounting rails 36, thereby forming the inner ceiling 20.
~s Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the embodiments
described above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined
in
the appended claims.
