US3690243A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suspended ceiling framework supported troffer air distribution system
Assignee: Venturedyne Ltd
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Filing: 1971-04-12
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1991-04-12
Abstract
Abstract The suspended ceiling framework supported troffer air distribution system has effectively continuous arrays or rows of resilient inverted channel members, each having the lower feet thereof separated in a natural state, and contracted for insertion on and between the runners of a suspended ceiling framework and over air control means extending between the runners; and has ceiling tile inserted between the runners and the air control means to close the channel members for conducting air therealong. The inverted channel members may be integral; assembled from separate sides, and a web; or folded from duct board which is longitudinally notched and which is with or without lower foot channels. The duct board may also be longitudinally notched to provide marginal side portions which extend from the runners to the air control means when the duct board is mounted on the suspended ceiling framework. As additional support and to relieve the weight on the suspended ceiling framework, anchors and clamped longitudinal members may secure the channel members and transverse members to with and between the soffit wires hanging the framework. Each array or row may have channel members of uniform side heights or may have channel members of descending side heights from a cross duct. The cross ducts may be located in staggered relationship between the troffer rows.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R Lambert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:11
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F13/00; F24F13/02; F24F13/0254; F24F13/06; F24F13/072; E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/02; E04B2009/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A suspended ceiling framework supported troffer air distribution system for use with a suspended ceiling framework of main and cross inverted T-bar runners, having air control means mounted between a first pair of runners and extending parallel to, but spaced from, an adjacent second pair of runners, comprising: an inverted channel member mounted to and between the adjacent second pair of runners over the air control means and blocking means extending between the runners and the air control means for closing the space therebetween to provide a conduit for conducting conditioned air to the air control means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A suspended ceiling framework supported troffer air distribution system for use with a suspended ceiling framework of main and cross inverted T-bar runners, having air control means mounted between a first pair of runners and extending parallel to, but spaced from, an adjacent second pair of runners, comprising: an inverted channel member mounted to and between the adjacent second pair of runners over the air control means and blocking means extending between the runners and the air control means for closing the space therebetween to provide a conduit for conducting conditioned air to the air control means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The invention as in claim 1 wherein the channel member is made of a resilient material, and is provided with lower feet which are separated in a natural state, by a distance greater than spacing between the second pair of runners, said lower feet being contracted for insertion between the second pair of runners whereby the resilience of the member maintains the channel member mounted between the second pair of runners.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as in claim 2 wherein the channel member includes upturned edges extending outwardly and upwardly from the lower feet, said edges gripping the T-bar runner to mount the channel member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as in claim 1 wherein the channel member is formed of separable sides and a web, said web having formed edges opening downwardly which mate with the upper edges of the sides to form the channel member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention as in claim 4 wherein the sides are provided with lower feet, wherein the web edges open slightly outwardly to separate the lower feet of the sides a distance greater than the spacing between the second pair of runners, and thereby bias the feet into the runners and hold the web to the sides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as in claim 1 wherein the blocking means includes ceiling tile located between the runners and the air control means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention as in claim 6 wherein said ceiling tiles are ceiling tile removed from a space enclosed by the main and cross runners to mount the air control means, said removed ceiling tile being cut into a suitable shape for reinsertion between the runners and the air control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as in claim 1 wherein the channel member includes a section of ductboard formed in an inverted U-shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as in claim 8 wherein the ductboard has lower edges and wherein foot channels are provided for receiving the lower edges of the ductboard and for mounting to and between the adjacent second pair of runners.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
The invention as in claim 9 wherein the foot channels each include an upwardly opening U-shaped cross section portion for receiving and holding the lower edge of the ductboard, and an offset foot portion extending downwardly from the U-shaped cross section portion to seat on the flange of the second runner, said foot portion having an upper edge extending under the head ridge of the second runner to hold the foot channels to the second pair of runners.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as in claim 8 wherein the section of ductboard is initially flat, said ductboard section being longitudinally notched for folding into a channel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention as in claim 11 wherein the ductboard section has additional longitudinal notches located parallel to the side edges to provide marginal side portions, said marginal side portions being folded inwardly between the runners and the air control means when the ductboard is mounted on the second pair of runners.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as in claim 12 wherein the ductboard section has an inner ductboard layer which is longitudinally notched, and an outer covering layer, said covering layer being visible from below the framework when the marginal side portions extend between the runners and the air control means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as in claim 1 additionally comprising additional support means for additionally supporting the inverted channel member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as in claim 14 wherein the framework includes soffit wires hanging from the ceiling and wherein the additional support means holds the channel member to a soffit wire to be additionally supported thereby.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as in claim 15 wherein the additional support means includes clampIng means around the soffit wire and secured to the channel member to provide the additional support.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention as in claim 16 wherein the clamping means includes the provision of a hole in the side wall of the channel member adjacent the soffit wire and wherein the anchor includes a hook extending around the soffit wire and into the hole to be secured therein to secure the channel member to the wire.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention as in claim 16 wherein the additional support means includes a transverse member extending between adjacent soffit wires and located on the inverted channel member, said wire anchors pulling the soffit wires together against the member to provide lateral support.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention as in claim 15 wherein the additional support means includes longitudinal members extending between adjacent soffit wires along the channel member, at least one end of said longitudinal member being suitably shaped to receive a soffit wire therein, and includes clamping means on said one end for clamping the soffit wire so received to the longitudinal member to provide longitudinal member provide longitudinal support.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
80 words
The invention as in claim 19 wherein the longitudinal member is U-shaped and opening outwardly with the one end thereof having aligned notches for receiving the soffit wire, and wherein the clamping means includes a clamping member sized to fit within the longitudinal member over the soffit wire and includes a fastener between the longitudinal member and the clamping member to draw the two together to bend the soffit wire inwardly, and mount the longitudinal member to the soffit wire.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention as in claim 1 wherein a plurality of air control means are provided to form a linear, effectively continuous, air control means; and wherein a plurality of channel members and plurality of blocking means are provided to form a linear, effectively continuous, troffer array to conduct conditioned air along the continuous air control means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as in claim 21 additionally comprising a transverse wall across the end of the troffer array to close that end.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as in claim 21 wherein the channel members of a troffer array have sides of uniform height.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as in claim 21 wherein the channel members of troffer array have a cross-section which is reduced as the channel members extend in opposite directions from a given channel member to compensate for the upstream flow of air through the air control means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as in claim 24 wherein the channel members of a troffer array have sides of descending heights, extending in opposite directions from the given channel member to provide a progressively reduced cross-sectional area.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention as in claim 21 wherein a parallel pair of troffer arrays are provided, and wherein a cross duct extends between the troffer arrays to provide conditioned air, and a vane unit is provided at the juncture of the duct with each array to direct the conditioned air supplied by the cross duct down the arrays.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as in claim 21 wherein at least five parallel troffer arrays are provided, wherein a transverse wall is centrally located in each array to provide array halves, and wherein a cross duct is provided between adjacent array halves to supply conditioned air thereto.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as in claim 27 wherein the cross ducts are in staggered relationship between arrays except for the end arrays.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of installing a troffer air distribution system in a suspended ceiling framework of main and cross inverted T-bar runners having an air control means mounted between one pair of runners and extending parallel to, but spaced from, an adjacent other pair of runners, comprising the steps of: providing a channel member with side flanges between which a web extends, inverting the channel member mounting the inverted channel member on and between a pair of spaced runners over the air control means, and INSERTING a blocking means between said runners and the air control means therebetween to provide an air conduit.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of installing a troffer air distribution system in a suspended ceiling framework of main and cross inverted T-bar runners having an air control means mounted between one pair of runners and extending parallel to, but spaced from, an adjacent other pair of runners, comprising the steps of: providing a channel member with side flanges between which a web extends, inverting the channel member mounting the inverted channel member on and between a pair of spaced runners over the air control means, and INSERTING a blocking means between said runners and the air control means therebetween to provide an air conduit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the step of providing a channel member with side flanges includes providing said member with side flanges having the lower feet thereof spread apart, in a natural state a distance greater than the spacing between the pair of runners, and wherein the step of mounting the inverted channel member includes the steps of contracting the feet of the channel member, inserting the feet between the pair of runners, and releasing the feet to mount the channel member to the runners.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method as in claim 29 wherein the step of providing a channel member includes the steps of providing sides and a web, and wherein the step of mounting the channel member includes the steps of mounting the sides on the runners, and mounting the web to the sides so mounted to the runners.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as in claim 29 wherein the step of providing a channel member additionally includes the step of inserting each lower edge of the folded ductboard section into a lower foot channel to complete the channel member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method as in claim 29 wherein the step of providing blocking means includes the step of providing ceiling tile of a suitable size, and wherein the step of inserting a blocking means includes the step of inserting the ceiling tile in the space between the sides of the air control means and the adjacent runners.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as in claim 29 wherein the step of providing a channel member includes the steps of providing a flat duct board section, longitudinally notching the duct board section, to facilitate folding into a channel member, and folding the ductboard section into a channel member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
104 words
The method as in claim 33 wherein the step of providing a channel member includes the steps of providing a flat duct board section having a covering layer along one surface thereof, longitudinally notching the board section on the opposite surface suitably for folding into a C-shaped cross-section with marginal side portions, folding the section into a C-shaped cross-section, and wherein the step of mounting the channel member and the step of inserting the blocking means includes the step of inserting the folded duct board between the runners with the marginal side portions extending to the air control means to close the space therebetween.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as in claim 29 additionally including the step of additionally supporting the channel member between the steps of mounting the member and inserting a blocking means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as in claim 36 wherein the step of additionally supporting the channel member includes the step of clamping the channel member to a soffit wire.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method as in claim 37 wherein the step of supporting the channel member includes the step of inserting a transverse member between the soffit wires before the step of anchoring the channel member to a soffit wire and wherein the step of clamping the channel member to a soffit wire includes the step of pulling the soffit wires against the ends of the transverse member to provide lateral support.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method as in claim 36 wherein the step of additionally supporting the channel member includes the steps of providing a longitudinal member along the channel member, said longitudinal member having one end suitably shaped to receive a soffit wire therein, inserting the soffit wire into the one end of the longitudinal member and clamping the soffit wire to the longitudinal member to support the channel member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3010378A
Cited
US3353472A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |