Coffered ceiling system
OwnerGerard E. Mulveyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A suspended ceiling comprises a plurality of prefabricated coffer-type modules which are independently and adjustably suspended from the overhead building structure by hanger wires connected to eye-bolts mounted at the corners of the individual modules. Panels are provided between the modules to effect interconnection thereof and to complete the ceiling structure. Air handling openings are provided in the module frames and lighting fixtures may be mounted within the modules.
Claims29
A suspended ceiling structure closing a ceiling void in a building which comprises a plurality of coffered ceiling modules wherein each ceiling module is adapted to be selectively removably fitted with a lighting fixture whereby the lighting arrangement in said ceiling structure may be varied to provide lighting in some such modules, and no lighting in other such modules, each said module comprising;
- upwardly directed side walls, and a horizontal top wall, formed of sound attenuating material, and forming a hollow box-like structure having a downwardly directed open side;
- suspension means on each of said modules whereby each said module is independently suspended from above;
- ceiling panel support means extending outwardly along the lower edges of said box-like structure whereby ceiling panels are supported between adjacent modules;
- unobstructed opening means in said top wall of predetermined length and width communicating with said ceiling void for removably receiving a said lighting fixture therein from below,
- and said ceiling structure further comprising lighting fixtures of predetermined length and width, dimensioned to fit within said opening means and be removably installed in at least some said opening means from below, any other of said opening means being closed by removable panel means whereby those modules without lighting fixtures will present a finished appearance.
A coffered ceiling module for the construction of a composite ceiling structure, without the erection of an integral supporting frame work, said module comprising;
- a rectangular open sided box-like structure having side walls and a top wall formed of sound attenuating material;
- a rectangular frame around the lower edges of said side walls;
- panel support means extending outwardly from said frame for supporting ceiling panels between adjacent modules;
- corner posts attached to and extending upwardly from said frame at the intersection of adjacent side walls;
- adjustable suspension means on said corner posts whereby a said module can be suspended and levelled independently of other said modules, with said frames of two adjacent modules supporting a ceiling panel therebetween, and,
- unobstructed opening means in said top wall of predetermined length and width communicating with said ceiling void for removably receiving lighting fixture means therein from below, said lighting fixture means being of predetermined length and width and being removably insertable into said opening means from below.
A coffered ceiling module for the construction of a composite ceiling structure having ceiling panels in a lower plane, and rectangular coffered recesses formed therein terminating in a higher plane, said module comprising;
- a rectangular open sided box-like structure having side walls and a top wall, all said walls being directly visible from beneath the ceiling structure, and being finished to provide a decorative aesthetic appearance;
- ceiling panel supporting means around the lower edges of said side walls for supporting said panels in said lower plane;
- suspension means attached to each said box-like structure for independently suspending same in position from above;
- unobstructed opening means in said top wall of predetermined length and width communicating with said ceiling void for removably receiving lighting fixture means therein from below;
- lighting fixture means of predetermined length and width removably insertable into said opening means from below;
- lighting element means depending from said lighting fixture means extending below the plane of said top wall, but above the plane of said ceiling panel supporting means, whereby light from said element means will directly illuminate said top wall and said side walls and render the same visible thereby providing pools of light beneath said modules, and,
- lens means releasably attachable to said lighting fixture means enclosing said lighting element means on three sides without extending over said top wall, whereby said top wall remains visible around said lens means and is directly illuminated by light passing through said lens means.
A coffered ceiling module for the construction of a composite ceiling structure having ceiling panels in a lower plane, and rectangular coffered recesses formed therein terminating in a higher plane, said module comprising;
- a rectangular open sided box-like structure having four side walls meeting at corners and a top wall, all said walls being directly visible from beneath the ceiling structure and being finished to provide a decorative aesthetic appearance;
- outer support means on the lower edges of said side walls for supporting ceiling panels in said lower plane between said modules;
- inner support means on the lower edges of said walls, in the same plane as said outer support means;
- corner posts attached to said side walls at said corners;
- adjustable suspension means attached to said corner posts for independently suspending said module in position from above;
- unobstructed opening means in said top wall of predetermined length and width communicating with said ceiling void for removably receiving lighting fixture means therein from below, said lighting fixture means being of predetermined length and width and being removably insertable into said opening means from below;
- panel means of predetermined length and width dimensioned to be removably installed in said opening means, and,
- closure means dimensioned to fit within said inner support means and at least partially close off said box-like structure from below.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.