Modular ceiling construction

Claim 2

In a modular grid system for providing a support structure for a ceiling of the type including a plurality of individual ceiling tile each of predetermined lateral dimensions, the improvement comprising: an elongated runner member of a length related to the lateral dimensions of said ceiling tile and adapted for interconnection with other runner members to form a rectangular grid structure of repetitive unit dimension, said elongated runner member being of a generally U-shaped cross-section with similar opposed end portions and further having an elongated slot structure in the base of said U-shaped member for defining an access opening of a dimension for passing utility conduits and the like, and with a guide track formed in said channel base for slideably receiving an elongated, flat strip; and an elongated, flat filler strip composed of a non-apertured flexible material for selective insertion into said guide track of said U-shaped member from one end thereof and from the room side of the ceiling for location in a predetermined interlocking and fixed relationship with said runner member for totally concealing said slot structure in said elongated runner member.

Claim 3

In a modular grid system for providing a support structure for a ceiling of the type including a plurality of individual ceiling tile each of predetermined lateral dimensions, the improvement comprising: an elongated runner member of a length related to the lateral dimensions of said ceiling tile and adapted for interconnection with other runner members to form a rectangular grid structure of repetitive unit dimension, said elongated runner member being of a generally U-shaped cross-section with similar opposed end portions and further having an elongated slot structure in the base of said U-shaped member for defining an access opening of a dimension for passing utility conduits and the like, and with a guide track formed in said channel base for slideably receiving an elongated, flat strip; and an elongated, flat filler strip composed of a non-apertured flexible material for selective insertion into said guide track of said U-shaped member from one end thereof and from the room side of the ceiling for location in a predetermined interlocking and fixed relationship with said runner member for totally concealing said slot structure in said elongated runner member.

Claim 4

In a modular grid system for providing a support structure for a ceiling of the type including a plurality of individual ceiling tile each of predetermined lateral dimensions, the improvement comprising: an elongated runner member of a length related to the lateral dimensions of said ceiling tile and adapted for interconnection with other runner members to form a rectangular grid structure of repetitive unit dimension, said elongated runner member being of a generally U-shaped cross-section with similar opposed end portions and further having an elongated slot structure in the base of said U-shaped member for defining an access opening of a dimension for passing utility conduits and the like, and with a guide track formed in said channel base for slideably receiving an elongated, flat strip; and an elongated, flat filler strip composed of a non-apertured flexible material for selective insertion into said guide track of said U-shaped member from one end thereof and from the room side of the ceiling for location in a predetermined interlocking and fixed relationship with said runner member for totally concealing said slot structure in said elongated runner member.

Claim 5

The improvement of claim 1 in which said U-shaped member is formed of an integral sheet of metal and in which said guide track is comprised of a pair of opposed, generally Z-shaped folds in said channel base spaced from one another by a distance corresponding to the width of said filler strip and of a thickness between the top and bottom of said Z corresponding to the thickness of said filler strip.

Claim 6

A modular grid system providing a support structure for a ceiling of the type including a plurality of individual ceiling tile each of predetermined lateral dimensions and for accomodating installation, removal and rearrangement of utility conduits, partition walls and room outlets for air ventilation passages at any desired location in said grid system without defacing said grid system and without the drilling of special holes therein, said grid system comprising: main runner means comprising a plurality of elongated members of similar construction and each member being of a length related to the lateral dimensions of said ceiling tile and each having elongated slot structure formed therein for defining access openings through the ceiling of a dimension for passing utility conduits and the like, for providing bolt receiving apertures and bolt seats for connection of partition walls to said members and for serving as room outlets for air ventilation passages and each of said members further having similar opposed end portions; connector means for interconnecting said main runner members in interlocking relationship to form a rectangular grid structure of a predetermined, repetitive unit dimension; and filler strip means comprising a plurality of elongated, flat generally rectangular strips of a non-apertured flexible material for selective affixation to said elongated members from the room side of said ceiling and in an interlocking and fixed relation therewith for totally concealing unused ones of said slot structures in said elongated members, each of said filler strips being selectively and individually insertable and removable from each of said interconnected main runner members independently of removal of any of said main runner members and connector means for permitting installation, rearrangement and removal of said utility conduits, air ventilation passages and partition walls within said grid system without defacement of said grid system and without the drilling of special holes therein.

Claim 7

A modular grid system providing a support structure for a ceiling of the type including a plurality of individual ceiling tile each of predetermined lateral dimensions and for accomodating installation, removal and rearrangement of utility conduits, partition walls and room outlets for air ventilation passages at any desired location in said grid system without defacing said grid system and without the drilling of special holes therein, said grid system comprising: main runner means comprising a plurality of elongated members of similar construction and each member being of a length related to the lateral dimensions of said ceiling tile and each having elongated slot structure formed therein for defining access openings through the ceiling of a dimension for passing utility conduits and the like, for providing bolt receiving apertures and bolt seats for connection of partition walls to said members and for serving as room outlets for air ventilation passages and each of said members further having similar opposed end portions; connector means for interconnecting said main runner members in interlocking relationship to form a rectangular grid structure of a predetermined, repetitive unit dimension; and filler strip means comprising a plurality of elongated, flat generally rectangular strips of a non-apertured flexible material for selective affixation to said elongated members from the room side of said ceiling and in an interlocking and fixed relation therewith for totally concealing unused ones of said slot structures in said elongated members, each of said filler strips being selectively and individually insertable and removable from each of said interconnected main runner members independently of removal of any of said main runner members and connector means for permitting installation, rearrangement and removal of said utility conduits, air ventilation passages and partition walls within said grid system without defacement of said grid system and without the drilling of special holes therein.

Claim 8

A modular grid system providing a support structure for a ceiling of the type including a plurality of individual ceiling tile each of predetermined lateral dimensions and for accomodating installation, removal and rearrangement of utility conduits, partition walls and room outlets for air ventilation passages at any desired location in said grid system without defacing said grid system and without the drilling of special holes therein, comprising: main runner means comprising a plurality of elongated members of similar construction, each member being of a length related to the lateral dimensions of said ceiling tile and each being an elongated channel of U-shaped cross-section with similar opposed end portions and further having elongated slot structure formed in the base of said channel or defining access openings in said ceiling of a dimension for passing utility conduits and the like, for providing bolt receiving apertures and bolt seats for connection of partition walls to said members and for serving as room outlets for air ventilation passages and with a guide track formed in said channel base for receiving an elongated flat strip; connector means comprisinG a central portion and a plurality of stub channel portions integral therewith and each of said stub portions being of a U-shaped cross-section similar to that of said elongated channel members, said identical end portions of said elongated channel members and said stub channel portions of said connector means being constructed and arranged for fitting together in interlocking relationship to form a repetitive rectangular grid structure; and filler strip means comprising a plurality of elongated, flat generally rectangular strips of a non-apertured, flexible material for selective insertion into said guide tracks of said elongated channel members from the room side of said ceiling for location in a predetermined fixed relationship therewith for totally concealing the unused ones of said slot structures in said elongated channel members, each of said filler strips being selectively and individually insertable and removable from each of said interconnected main runner members independently of removal of any of said main runner members, connector means and ceiling tiles for permitting installation, rearrangement and removal of said utility conduits, air ventilation passages and partition walls within said grid system without defacement of said grid system and without the drilling of special holes therein.

Claim 9

A modular grid system providing a support structure for a ceiling of the type including a plurality of individual ceiling tile each of predetermined lateral dimensions and for accomodating installation, removal and rearrangement of utility conduits, partition walls and room outlets for air ventilation passages at any desired location in said grid system without defacing said grid system and without the drilling of special holes therein, comprising: main runner means comprising a plurality of elongated members of similar construction, each member being of a length related to the lateral dimensions of said ceiling tile and each being an elongated channel of U-shaped cross-section with similar opposed end portions and further having elongated slot structure formed in the base of said channel or defining access openings in said ceiling of a dimension for passing utility conduits and the like, for providing bolt receiving apertures and bolt seats for connection of partition walls to said members and for serving as room outlets for air ventilation passages and with a guide track formed in said channel base for receiving an elongated flat strip; connector means comprisinG a central portion and a plurality of stub channel portions integral therewith and each of said stub portions being of a U-shaped cross-section similar to that of said elongated channel members, said identical end portions of said elongated channel members and said stub channel portions of said connector means being constructed and arranged for fitting together in interlocking relationship to form a repetitive rectangular grid structure; and filler strip means comprising a plurality of elongated, flat generally rectangular strips of a non-apertured, flexible material for selective insertion into said guide tracks of said elongated channel members from the room side of said ceiling for location in a predetermined fixed relationship therewith for totally concealing the unused ones of said slot structures in said elongated channel members, each of said filler strips being selectively and individually insertable and removable from each of said interconnected main runner members independently of removal of any of said main runner members, connector means and ceiling tiles for permitting installation, rearrangement and removal of said utility conduits, air ventilation passages and partition walls within said grid system without defacement of said grid system and without the drilling of special holes therein.

Claim 10

The modular grid system of claim 4 in which said central portions of each of said connector means include hanger members for providng regularly spaced points of attachment from which to suspend said rectangular grid structure.

Claim 11

The modular grid system of claim 5 in which said central portions of each of said connector means are in the form of flat plates and in which said hanger members are formed by striking tabs from said central portions of said connector means.

Claim 12

The modular grid system of claim 6 in which said tabs are of predetermined dimensions such that the apertures formed in said central portions upon striking said tabs are of dimensions to suitably accommodate water sprinkler heads.

Claim 13

The modular grid system of claim 7 and further including cover plates adapted for selective securance over said central portions of said connector means to conceal the apertures therein.

Claim 14

The modular grid system of claim 8 in which the elongated slot in the base of each of said plurality of channel members is of a dimension to suitably pass utility conduits and further in which each slot is sufficiently narrow relative to the transverse dimension of said channel base portion to provide a peripheral support flange about said slot whereby portable partition walls may be secured to said channel base portion by means of bolts seated in guide track along said channel base portion.

Claim 15

The modular grid system of claim 9 in which said grid system is adapted to support air circulation means of a type including a plurality of air diffuser structures each having an elongated, rectangular air exit duct formed by a pair of elongated side walls and in which the width of each of said elongated channel members is substantially equal to that of said diffuser exit duct for receiving said exit duct portion of said air diffuser structure within said elongated channel member in a securely interfitting relationship.

Claim 16

The modular grid system of claim 4 in which each of said plurality of elongated channel members of said main runner means further includes exterior flanges lying in a common plane with that of said channel base portion for providing a support surface for said individual ceiling tiles.

Claim 17

The modular grid system of claim 11 and further comprising secondary runner means including a plurality of elongated T-shaped members of identical construction and of lengths approximately equal to that of said U-shaped channel members of said main runner means for connection across a pair of space opposed channel members at predetermined spaced intervals therealong for subdividing the unit grid dimension defined by said elongated channel member of said main runNer means into a plurality of equal sub-areas each of lateral dimensions equal to that of an individual one of said ceiling tile.

Claim 18

The modular grid system of claim 12 in which each of said plurality of elongated channel members of said main runner means is provided with an indexing structure at predetermined spaced intervals along its length for locating the end portions of each of said T-shaped members of said secondary runner means.

Claim 19

The modular grid system of claim 13 in which said main runner means, secondary runner means, connector means, and filler strip means are retained in assembled relationship exclusively through mutual interfitting with one another.

Claim 20

The modular grid system of claim 14 and further including a light fixture centrally supported within a rectangular grid unit defined by said main runner means, said light fixture further including a peripheral flange for providing a first support surface for said ceiling tiles and said exterior flanges of said channel members providing second support surfaces for said ceiling tiles.

Claim 21

The modular grid system of claim 4 and further including a light fixture of predetermined dimensions and a fixture supporting means comprising a frusto-pyramidal member having exterior dimensions corresponding to those of one unit of said repetitive rectangular grid structure and an interior aperture of dimensions for receiving said light fixture.

Claim 22

A modular grid system providing a support structure for a ceiling of the type including a plurality of individual ceiling tile each of predetermined lateral dimensions, comprising: main runner means comprising a plurality of elongated members of identical construction and each member being of a length related to the lateral dimensions of said ceiling tile and each having identical opposed end portions; connector means comprising stub portions of a geometry complementary to that of said end portions of said elongated members of said main runner means for mating therewith in interlocking relationship to form a rectangular grid structure of a predetermined, repetitive unit dimension and further comprising a central portion having a hanger element struck-out of the surface of said central portion for providing a point of suspension for said grid structure and for providing an aperture of corresponding size for passing utility conduits; secondary runner means comprising a plurality of elongated members of identical construction and having identical opposed end portions and further having a geometry for mating with said elongated members of said main runner means in interlocking relationship to divide said unit dimension grid structure into a plurality of sub-areas equal to the lateral dimensions of said ceiling tile; and cover plate means for selective securance over said centtral portion of each of said connector means to totally conceal the unused ones of said apertures.

Claim 23

A modular grid system providing a support structure for a ceiling of the type including a plurality of individual ceiling tile each of predetermined lateral dimensions, comprising: main runner means comprising a plurality of elongated members of identical construction and each member being of a length related to the lateral dimensions of said ceiling tile and each having identical opposed end portions; connector means comprising stub portions of a geometry complementary to that of said end portions of said elongated members of said main runner means for mating therewith in interlocking relationship to form a rectangular grid structure of a predetermined, repetitive unit dimension and further comprising a central portion having a hanger element struck-out of the surface of said central portion for providing a point of suspension for said grid structure and for providing an aperture of corresponding size for passing utility conduits; secondary runner means comprising a plurality of elongated members of identical construction and having identical opposed end portions and further having a geometry for mating with said elongated members of said main runner means in interlocking relationship to divide said unit dimension grid structure into a plurality of sub-areas equal to the lateral dimensions of said ceiling tile; and cover plate means for selective securance over said centtral portion of each of said connector means to totally conceal the unused ones of said apertures.

Claim 24

The modular grid system of claim 17 in which said members of said main and secondary runner means and said connector means are maintained in assembled relationship exclusively through interfitting with one another.

Claim 25

The modular grid system of claim 18 in which each of said main and secondary runner means include support flanges for providing peripheral support for each of said ceiling tile.

Claim 26

The modular grid system of claim 20 in which said elongated channel members of said main runner means are provided with indexing structure at predetermined space intervals along their length for locating said elongated members of said secondary runner means.