Lighting fixture and ceiling system with integrated light fixture

A walkable ceiling system comprising:

• a plurality of ceiling panels each having opposed first and second edges and opposed third and fourth edges, wherein the plurality of ceiling panels are arranged in a grid pattern such that the third edge of a ceiling panel abuts the fourth edge of an adjacent ceiling panel and the first edge of a ceiling panel is parallel to the second edge of an adjacent panel, and such that, for at least some of the plurality of panels, and the first edge of a ceiling panel is spaced apart from the second edge of an adjacent ceiling panel to form a gap;
• and
• a plurality of light fixtures positioned in the gaps between the first edge of a ceiling panel and second edge of an adjacent ceiling panel, each light fixture comprising:
• a lens attached to the first edge of a ceiling panel and second edge of an adjacent ceiling panel at a location proximate bottom surfaces of the ceiling panels;
• a top plate secured to upper surfaces of adjacent ceiling panels;
• a plurality of light sources positioned between the top plate and the lens projecting light from between adjacent ceiling panels through the lens;
• and
• an access panel formed in the top plate to allow access to the light sources through the top plate.

A light fixture for a walkable ceiling system having a plurality of ceiling panels each having opposed first and second edges and opposed third and fourth edges, wherein the plurality of ceiling panels are arranged in a grid pattern such that the third edge of a ceiling panel abuts the fourth edge of an adjacent ceiling panel and the first edge of a ceiling panel is parallel to the second edge of an adjacent panel, and such that, for at least some of the plurality of panels, and the first edge of a ceiling panel is spaced apart from the second edge of an adjacent ceiling panel to form a gap, the light fixture comprising:

• a lens configured for positioning within the gap, the lens comprising a horizontal member and a pair of opposing resilient sides extending upward from the horizontal member, the pair of opposing resilient sides including a first resilient side configured for attachment to the first edge of a ceiling panel and a second resilient side configured for attachment to the second edge of an adjacent ceiling panel, the horizontal member extending flush with the bottom surfaces of the ceiling panels;
• a top plate configured to be secured to upper surfaces of adjacent ceiling panels;
• and
• a plurality of light sources positioned between the lens and the top plate for projecting light from between adjacent ceiling panels through the lens.

A method of assembling a walkable ceiling system, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of ceiling panels each having opposed first and second edges and opposed third and fourth edges;
• providing a plurality of turnbuckle assemblies each having a plate and a turnbuckle secured to the plate for attachment to a hanger;
• attaching the plates of some of the turnbuckle assemblies to corners of one of the ceiling panels;
• suspending the ceiling panel by connecting the hangers to the attached turnbuckle assemblies;
• attaching adjacent ceiling panels to the plates of the turnbuckle assemblies and suspending the adjacent ceiling panels;
• continuing to attach and hang the ceiling panels such that the plurality of ceiling panels are suspended and arranged in a grid pattern whereby the third edges of the ceiling panels abut the fourth edges of adjacent ceiling panels and the first edges of the ceiling panels are parallel to the second edges of adjacent panels, and such that, for at least some of the plurality of panels, and the first edge of a ceiling panel is spaced apart from the second edge of an adjacent ceiling panel to form a gap and such that each plate of the turnbuckle assemblies is attached to the corners of four adjacent ceiling panels;
• providing a plurality of light fixtures;
• and
• after the ceiling panels are suspended, attaching the light fixtures within the gaps between the first edges of the ceiling panels and the second edges of the adjacent panels.