Understructure for a panel lining

An understructure for a panel lining, such as a panelled false ceiling, for securing lining panels to a building surface to be lined, said understructure comprising:

• (a) a first set of parallel elongate rails extending longitudinally;
• (b) a second set of parallel elongate rails extending transversely to the rails of the first set, the rails of the first set overlying the rails of the second set at crossover points and having a cross-section generally similar to that of the first set, said cross-section enabling the panels to be secured to said second set of rails;
• (c) crossover connections to secure the rails of the first set to the rails of the second set;
• (d) an upper connecting part of each crossover connection engageable over the rails of the first set at the associated crossover point to hold the rail of the first set down on the rail of the second set;
• (e) a lower clamping part of each crossover connection engagable over the rail of the second set, at the associated crossover point, to hold the crossover connection to the rail of the second set;
• (f) fixing means secured to the rails of the first set effective to hold said understructure to said building surface;
• (g) an upper fixing part of said fixing means securable to said building surface;
• and
• (h) a lower clamping part of said fixing means, substantially identical to the lower clamping part of said crossover connection, engagable over a rail of the first set, to hold said fixing means to said rail of the first set, said lower clamping part formed separately from, and detachable from, the upper connecting part or upper fixing part, wherein said lower clamping parts are formed as inverted U- or V-shaped members, having a web and two arms, and wherein said upper connecting parts and said upper fixing parts each include at least one slot, whereby at least one arm of the associated lower clamping part may be passed downwardly through said at least one slot, whereby said web can engage said upper connecting part of the upper fixing part adjacent said at least one slot.

An understructure for a panel lining, such as a panelled false ceiling, for securing lining panels to a building surface to be lined, said understructure comprising:

• (a) a first set of parallel elongate rails extending longitudinally;
• (b) a second set of parallel elongate rails extending transversely to the rails of the first set, the rails of the first set overlying the rails of the second set at crossover points and having a cross-section generally similar to that of the first set, said cross-section enabling the panels to be secured to said second set of rails;
• (c) crossover connections to secure the rails of the first set to the rails of the second set;
• (d) an upper connecting part of each crossover connection engageable over the rails of the first set at the associated crossover point to hold the rail of the first set down on the rail of the second set, said upper connecting parts comprising a horizontal leg having at least one slat form therein, an upturned leg connected to said horizontal leg and a part of said upturned leg engagable over a rail of the first set of parallel elongated rails;
• (e) a lower clamping part of each crossover connection engagable over the rail of the second set, at the associated crossover point, to hold the crossover connection to the rail of the second set;
• (f) fixing means secured to the rails of the first set effective to hold said understructure to said building surface;
• (g) an upper fixing part of said fixing means securable to said building surface;
• and
• (h) a lower clamping part of said fixing means, substantially identical to the lower clamping part of said crossover connection, engagable over a rail of the first set, to hold said fixing means to said rail of the first set, said lower clamping part formed separately from, and detachable from, the upper connecting part or upper fixing part.