Suspended ceiling system including a grid network

Abstract

Abstract A suspended ceiling system which includes a grid network for supporting a plurality of ceiling panels with this network being made up of a plurality of generally like grid modules. Each grid module is an elongated integrator member in the form of an inverted channel of suitable stiff material, such as aluminum. This inverted channel is defined by a cross web and a pair of transversely spaced, depending sidewall flanges that are integral with the web and between which supplemental equipment, such as selected utility units, may be mounted at any chosen location by anchoring means, such as screws, snap-in fasteners, interfitting parts or anchoring elements, e.g., bolts, extending through the web. The bottom edge of at least one of these channel sidewall flanges carries an integral, outwardly extending, panelsupporting flange, and both thereof may be so equipped when demanded. A pair of elongated, transversely spaced, upstanding and opposed flanges are permanently connected, such as by being made integral with the web at the junctions thereof with the depending sidewall flanges. Each of these upstanding flanges is provided on the inner side thereof with two upwardly spaced and laterally extending track flanges with these substantially aligned transversely to form two opposed pairs thereof. The inner opposed edges of each of these pair of track flanges are spaced apart to provide an intervening longitudinal access slot. The space defined by the lower pair of these track flanges and the web constitutes a first longitudinal, equipment-receiving track with both pairs defining therebetween a second upper, longitudinal, equipment-receiving track. The inner faces of the depending channel sidewall flanges are provided with transversely spaced and generally aligned, opposed abutment flanges with a wide intervening access slot defined therebetween. The resulting grid module has the general appearance of an H-shaped channel having the side flanges on opposite sides of the cross web equipped with a plurality of pairs of lateral flanges. A trim strip is provided removably to cover, where desired, the lower space of such inverted channel defined between the cross web, the sidewall flanges and the abutment flanges. A snap-in flow-diverting air supply insert is also provided for this space which is anchored to the cross web and one of these abutment flanges; and tempering air delivery is effected by an inverted, U-shaped, overhead duct section which has flexible bottom lip flanges snapped beneath a pair of the opposed track flanges with openings in the cross web allowing flow downward into this lower space. Such openings may be in the form of a longitudinal series of localized, longitudinally spaced and generally aligned, elongated slots which may also serve selectively to receive therethrough anchor members, such as bolts or screws. A partition post cap structure is also provided for seating against the abutment flanges and anchored through such lower space by a suitable hanger member, such as a screw, depending from the cross web, or other suitable means such as a spring-biased member which pushes up against the post cap structure to hold the post and cap structure assembly in free standing position of the post.

Inventors

• 👤 M Lang

Bibliographic Details