US4413457A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Checkered wall or ceiling system
Assignee: Donn Inc
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Filing: 1981-02-05
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Granted: 1983-11-08
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Expires: 2001-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A suspension ceiling or wall system is disclosed providing a plurality of spaced, rectangular pans or projections positioned in spaced relationship in a pattern to provide a ceiling or wall surface with the appearance of a plurality of such pans suspended in space. The pans are formed from sheet metal into elongated members having a plurality of pans supported by integral, longitudinally extending rails. The rails are provided with a dark color contrasting with a relatively light color on the exposed portion of the pans so as to obscure the presence of the connecting rails.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert H. Lahm
- 👤 Paul D. LaLonde
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:30
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/04; E04B9/0478; B; B44; B44F; B44F7/00; E04B9/34; E04B9/36; E04B9/363
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A wall, ceiling, and the like comprising a plurality of elongated members each formed from a single piece of sheet material, each member providing a pair of parallel support rails extending the length thereof and a plurality of spaced substantially rectangular pans, each pan including a rectangular planar base portion and sidewalls extending back from the plane of said base portion, one pair of opposed sidewalls connecting with said rails at a location spaced back from said base portion whereby said rails support said pans of a member in a predetermined spaced relationship in which said pans are aligned in one direction, and said members being positioned in substantially parallel spaced relationship, whereby said pans are aligned in another direction with associated pans of adjacent members, said support rails having a color substantially different from said pans which is selected to obscure the presence of said rails and to provide a system appearance of a pattern of separate rectangular pans having a depth at least equal to the length of said one pair of opposed sidewalls suspended in space.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A wall, ceiling, and the like comprising a plurality of elongated members each formed from a single piece of sheet material, each member providing a pair of parallel support rails extending the length thereof and a plurality of spaced substantially rectangular pans, each pan including a rectangular planar base portion and sidewalls extending back from the plane of said base portion, one pair of opposed sidewalls connecting with said rails at a location spaced back from said base portion whereby said rails support said pans of a member in a predetermined spaced relationship in which said pans are aligned in one direction, and said members being positioned in substantially parallel spaced relationship, whereby said pans are aligned in another direction with associated pans of adjacent members, said support rails having a color substantially different from said pans which is selected to obscure the presence of said rails and to provide a system appearance of a pattern of separate rectangular pans having a depth at least equal to the length of said one pair of opposed sidewalls suspended in space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A wall, ceiling, and the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein said members are formed of sheet material having a dark color on one side and a substantially lighter contrasting color on the other side, the exposed surface of said pans having said lighter color and the exposed surfaces of said support rails having said dark color.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A wall, ceiling, and the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein connecting means connect a plurality of said elongated members to form panels, and a support grid is provided, a plurality of said panels being mounted on said support grid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A wall, ceiling, and the like as set forth in claim 1, wherein said substantially all of the spaces between adjacent pans are open in a direction back from said base portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A wall, ceiling, and the like as set forth in claim 4, wherein acoustical insulating material is positioned over said spaces and is exposed through said spaces to provide substantial sound absorption.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A wall, ceiling, and the like as set forth in claim 5, wherein said acoustical insulating material and said rails are a color substantially darker than the color of said pans, whereby said rails and said insulating material are not apparent through said spaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
169 words
A wall, ceiling, and the like comprising a plurality of elongated members each providing a pair of parallel support rails extending the length thereof and a plurality of spaced substantially rectangular pans, each pan including a rectangular planar base portion and sidewalls extending back from the plane of said base portion, a pair of opposed sidewalls connecting with said rails whereby said rails support said pans of a member in a predetermined spaced relationship in which said pans are aligned in one direction, and said members being positioned in substantially parallel spaced relationship, whereby said pans are aligned in another direction with associated pans of adjacent members, said support rails having a color substantially different from said pans which is selected to obscure the presence of said rails and to provide a system appearance of a pattern of separate pans suspended in space, said rails being formed by reversely bending a portion of said sheet material so that said lighter color on the material forming said rails is concealed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
169 words
A wall, ceiling, and the like comprising a plurality of elongated members each providing a pair of parallel support rails extending the length thereof and a plurality of spaced substantially rectangular pans, each pan including a rectangular planar base portion and sidewalls extending back from the plane of said base portion, a pair of opposed sidewalls connecting with said rails whereby said rails support said pans of a member in a predetermined spaced relationship in which said pans are aligned in one direction, and said members being positioned in substantially parallel spaced relationship, whereby said pans are aligned in another direction with associated pans of adjacent members, said support rails having a color substantially different from said pans which is selected to obscure the presence of said rails and to provide a system appearance of a pattern of separate pans suspended in space, said rails being formed by reversely bending a portion of said sheet material so that said lighter color on the material forming said rails is concealed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A wall, ceiling, and the like as set forth in claim 7, wherein said rails extend along planes inclined at a substantial angle back from the plane of said base portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A wall, ceiling, and the like as set forth in claim 7, wherein said rails are substantially wider than they are thick, and said rails extend in the direction of their width substantially perpendicular to the plane of said base portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
An elongated member for walls, ceilings, and the like comprising a pair of rails extending the length thereof, and a plurality of rectangular pans spaced along said rails and supported thereby, said pans providing a rectangular, substantially planar base portion and four side portions extending back from the edges of said base portion, said rails being connected to a pair of opposite side portions along the edges of said pair of opposed side portions opposite said base portion, said rails being spaced back from said base portion by a distance at least equal to the width of said opposite side portions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
101 words
An elongated member for walls, ceilings, and the like comprising a pair of rails extending the length thereof, and a plurality of rectangular pans spaced along said rails and supported thereby, said pans providing a rectangular, substantially planar base portion and four side portions extending back from the edges of said base portion, said rails being connected to a pair of opposite side portions along the edges of said pair of opposed side portions opposite said base portion, said rails being spaced back from said base portion by a distance at least equal to the width of said opposite side portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An elongated member as set forth in claim 10, wherein said members are integrally formed from a single piece of sheet metal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
107 words
An elongated member as set forth in claim 11, wherein said piece of sheet metal is formed into a generally U-shaped channel having a pair of legs and a substantially planar connecting portion between said legs, said connecting portion being cut at intervals along said channel and having portions adjacent to said cut bent back to provide a pair of said side portions, said connecting portion between associated bent portions forming said base portion of said pans, the other pair of said side portions being provided by a first part of said legs adjacent to said connecting portion, a second part of said legs providing said rails.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
An elongated member as set forth in claim 12, wherein one side of said piece of sheet metal is provided with a dark color and the other side is provided with a contrasting lighter color, said other side providing the exterior of said pans, and said one side providing the exterior of said rails.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
An elongated member as set forth in claim 13, wherein said second part of said legs is formed by reversely bending said sheet metal to expose said one side thereof on both sides of said rails.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
119 words
A panel for walls, ceilings, and the like comprising a plurality of elongated members, means connecting said members in spaced parallel relationship, each member including a pair of rails extending the length thereof and a plurality of rectangular pans spaced along said rails and supported thereby, said pans providing a rectangular, substantially planar base portion and four side portions extending back from the edges of said base portion, said rails being connected with an opposed pair of said side portions along an edge of said opposed pair of said portions opposite said base portions, said rails being spaced back from said base portions by a distance at least equal to the width of said opposed pairs of side portions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
119 words
A panel for walls, ceilings, and the like comprising a plurality of elongated members, means connecting said members in spaced parallel relationship, each member including a pair of rails extending the length thereof and a plurality of rectangular pans spaced along said rails and supported thereby, said pans providing a rectangular, substantially planar base portion and four side portions extending back from the edges of said base portion, said rails being connected with an opposed pair of said side portions along an edge of said opposed pair of said portions opposite said base portions, said rails being spaced back from said base portions by a distance at least equal to the width of said opposed pairs of side portions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-11-07 | 1987-05-09 | 1987-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-07 | 1991-05-09 | 1991-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-07 | 1995-05-09 | 1995-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |