Concealed grid ceiling panel system
AssigneeDecoustics Limited
InventorsClaude E. Bagley, Dwight D. Robbins, Wm. Steve Wilson, Charles B. Stormer, Gary H. Peddle, Heikki Kolga, Ronald G. White, John Balog, Conrad Marini
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A concealed suspension ceiling system advantageously uses a `T` bar grid network used for lay-in ceiling panels. Butterfly clips are secured to upper beads of the `T` bar grid network allowing torsioning springs to releasably maintain the panels suspended beneath the grid. The system can be used for entirely new installations or used in a retrofit application.
Claims17
In combination, a `T` bar grid system, securing clips and ceiling panels, said `T` bar grid system comprising main T's and cross T's forming the grid system, each securing clip being secured to said grid system at a junction of the grid system and positioning a first segment of said clip on a main T and to one side of a cross T and positioning a second segment of the securing clip on the main T to the opposite side of said cross T, said ceiling panels including torsion springs for suspending thereof from said securing clips, said torsion springs being received in slots of said securing clips, said ceiling panels being sized to generally align corners of the ceiling panels beneath a junction of a main T and cross T, with a securing clip positioned to receive and engage a torsion spring of the ceiling panel, said ceiling panels abutting and collectively covering the grid system from below.
A securing clip for use in a suspended concealed grid ceiling system comprising:
- a first segment and a second segment with said first and second segments interconnected by a rigid frangible bridge segment of substantially reduced size and strength relative to said first and second segments,
- each of said first and second segments comprising a downwardly opening `U` shaped channel sized to closely straddle an upper bead of a `T` bar grid member, extension flanges either side of said channel with each extension flange having a slot therein formed to engage and retain opposed legs of a torsion spring.
A method of replacing a ceiling system comprising a `T` bar grid and lay in panels with a concealed grid ceiling system having suspension ceiling panels supported from said `T` bar grid, comprising:
- removing the lay in panels of the `T` bar ceiling system to fully expose the `T` bar grid,
- securing clips at an upper edge of the `T` bar grid system and positioning of the clips for edge support of the suspension ceiling panels, said clips having slots either side of the `T` bar grid for engaging torsion springs,
- hingedly securing torsion springs to the suspension ceiling panels to accommodate horizontal suspension of the suspension ceiling panels beneath the `T` bar grid,
- initially suspending the suspension ceiling panels in a generally horizontal position beneath the `T` bar grid by securing the torsion springs in the clips, with the spacing of the clips on the `T` bar grid corresponding to the spacing of the torsion springs when secured on a suspension ceiling panel,
- urging said suspension ceiling panels upwardly to contact the lower surface of the `T` bar grid system, with said torsion springs also moving upwardly through slots of the clips and maintaining the suspension ceiling panels immediately below the `T` bar grid,
- said suspension ceiling panels, when secured beneath the `T` bar grid, abutting and concealing the `T` bar grid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.