# US 8,336,271 B2 · Fan filter mounting frame > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,336,271 B2 - Document ID: US8336271B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/419,786 - Filed: 2009-04-07 - Published: 2009-10-08 - Granted: 2012-12-25 - Earliest claimed: 2006-03-17 - Assignees: Mod-Tec, LLC - Inventors: Martin Helmus - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8336271B2 ## CPC - E04B 9/006: {with means for hanging lighting fixtures or other appliances to the framework of the ceiling} - E04B 9/02: having means for ventilation or vapour discharge - E04B 9/064: {comprising extruded supporting beams} - E04B 9/241: {with the slabs, panels, sheets or the like positioned on the upperside of the horizontal flanges of the supporting construction} - F24F 13/28: Arrangement or mounting of filters - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) ## Abstract The fan filter mounting frame is useful in installation of equipment in a cell of suspension grid systems when the equipment is passed through and is placed in a corner of the cell. The equipment is supported partially directly by the grid and partially indirectly by the grid through an adapting frame insert. The frame insert is connected between the equipment and the suspension grid system and may have two legs that meet at an apex, a first leg extending along a first grid rail and a second leg extending along an adjacent second grid rail. Each of the two legs also extends between its respective rail and the equipment, supporting the equipment on the respective suspension grid rails. Thus, the grid system may be in its design position or condition prior to and during placement and replacement of the equipment without disruption. ## Claims ### Claim 1 In a suspended ceiling system wherein a rectangular equipment unit is mounted in a rectangular equipment opening in a suspension grid system positioned at an elevated position in a room, the suspension grid system comprising a number of rails and cross rails that define a plurality of generally rectangular cells having open interiors, at least one open interior comprising an equipment opening, the rails and cross rails surrounding the equipment opening having generally vertical stems suspended from a ceiling and generally horizontal support flanges extending outwardly from the stems toward an interior of the equipment opening, the equipment opening being sufficiently large that the rectangular equipment unit fits through the equipment opening while horizontally oriented, the improvement wherein: one corner of the equipment unit is positioned over adjacent flanges of an intersecting rail and cross rail at one corner of the equipment opening, such that the equipment unit rests directly on the respective adjacent flanges of the rail and cross rail adjacent one corner of the equipment opening when oriented for support by the grid system; a diagonally opposite corner of the equipment unit is spaced laterally away from supporting engagement with adjacent grid support flanges at a second corner of the equipment opening opposite to said one corner, such that without further support said opposite corner of the equipment unit would fall through the equipment opening; a removable frame insert being positioned over each of the two perpendicular support flanges adjacent the second corner of the equipment opening, each frame insert being positioned such that an outer side thereof engages an upwardly facing surface on the adjacent support flange and an inner side thereof engages a downwardly facing surface on the equipment unit, the frame inserts being formed and attached in the system such that the frame inserts cause the equipment unit to be supported by the support flanges adjacent said second corner, whereby the equipment unit may be installed in the equipment opening by passing the equipment unit upwardly through the equipment opening, moving the equipment unit laterally so that one corner thereof is positioned over the flanges at one corner of the equipment opening, inserting one or more frame inserts into supporting engagement between the support flanges and the equipment unit adjacent the second corner of the equipment opening, and lowering the equipment unit for supporting engagement with the support flanges on the sides adjacent said one corner and with the frame inserts at the sides adjacent said second corner. ### Claim 2 In a suspended ceiling system wherein a rectangular equipment unit is mounted in a rectangular equipment opening in a suspension grid system positioned at an elevated position in a room, the suspension grid system comprising a number of rails and cross rails that define a plurality of generally rectangular cells having open interiors, at least one open interior comprising an equipment opening, the rails and cross rails surrounding the equipment opening having generally vertical stems suspended from a ceiling and generally horizontal support flanges extending outwardly from the stems toward an interior of the equipment opening, the equipment opening being sufficiently large that the rectangular equipment unit fits through the equipment opening while horizontally oriented, the improvement wherein: one corner of the equipment unit is positioned over adjacent flanges of an intersecting rail and cross rail at one corner of the equipment opening, such that the equipment unit rests directly on the respective adjacent flanges of the rail and cross rail adjacent said one corner of the equipment opening when oriented for support by the grid system; a diagonally opposite corner of the equipment unit is spaced laterally away from supporting engagement with adjacent grid support flanges at a second corner of the equipment opening opposite to said one corner of the equipment opening, such that without further support said opposite corner of the equipment unit would fall through the equipment opening, wherein the equipment unit includes downwardly facing recesses at the sides adjacent the opposite corner; a removable frame insert being positioned over each of the two perpendicular support flanges adjacent said second corner of the equipment opening, the inserts upwardly extending projections at inner sides thereof that fit in supporting engagement with the recesses in the equipment units and having outwardly extending portions that rest on the horizontal flanges on the rails, the frame inserts being formed and attached in the system such that the frame inserts cause the equipment unit to be supported by the support flanges adjacent said second corner, whereby the equipment unit may be installed in the equipment opening by passing the equipment unit upwardly through the equipment opening, moving the equipment unit laterally so that one corner thereof is positioned over the flanges at one corner of the equipment opening, inserting one or more frame inserts into supporting engagement between the support flanges and the equipment unit adjacent the second corner of the equipment opening, and lowering the equipment unit for supporting engagement with the support flanges on the sides adjacent said one corner and with the frame inserts at the sides adjacent said second corner. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A suspension ceiling system as in claim 2 wherein the equipment units include downwardly extending support flanges on outer sides thereof, with the support flanges defining downwardly opening grooves along a lower edge thereof, the downwardly opening grooves serving as the downwardly facing recesses. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A suspension ceiling as in claim 3 wherein the insert comprises a channel member having a bottom flange that engages the support flange on the suspension grid rail and an upwardly extending leg that fits in the downwardly extending groove in the support flange. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A suspension ceiling system as in claim 1 wherein the equipment unit is a fan filter module. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A suspension ceiling system as in claim 1 wherein the inserts include movement limiting ribs on an upper surface thereof that prevent the equipment unit from sliding outwardly from said one corner over the insert a sufficient distance that the sides of the equipment unit that rest directly on the rail support flanges at said one corner move out of supporting contact with the support flanges on which they rest. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A suspension ceiling system as in claim 1 wherein the removable frame insert comprises a generally horizontal equipment support flange that rests on the rail support flange, with an inner edge fitting under the equipment unit, the insert further having a vertical leg that extends upwardly from the horizontal equipment support flange along a side of the rail stem, the system further including a removable clamp that fits on the rail and holds the vertical leg of the insert to the side of the stem. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A suspension ceiling as in claim 7 wherein the clamp includes a downwardly extending leg that abuts the vertical leg of the insert on a side opposite the stem, the clamp further including a releasable fastener that holds the vertical leg of the clamp on the stem so as to hold the insert in position on the rail. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A suspension ceiling as in claim 8 wherein the clamp includes a top portion that extends from a top of the vertical leg of the clamp over the top of the rail stem, the releasable fastener including a threaded fastener that extends downwardly through an opening in the top portion and into a thread receiving receptacle in a top of the stem. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A suspension ceiling system as in claim 7 wherein the equipment unit is a fan filter module. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A suspension ceiling system as in claim 1 wherein the frame inserts comprise a pair of inserts that meet at the second corner of the equipment opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A suspension ceiling system as in claim 11 wherein the inserts have support flanges that meet in one of a mitered corner joint and a butt corner joint. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A suspension ceiling system as in claim 12 wherein the inserts are separable members.