SUSPENDED CEILING SYSTEM

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a suspended ceiling system including at least one profile for supporting a ceiling tile, at least one suspension element, and at least one hanger for suspending the at least one profile.

Claims

1. A suspended ceiling system, the suspended ceiling system comprising: at least one profile for supporting a ceiling tile, the at least one profile comprising a longitudinally extending upright web, and a longitudinal bulb extending along a top end of the upright web, wherein the longitudinal bulb comprises a bottom surface having an undercut surface portion, at least one suspension element for suspending the profile the suspension element comprising a clamping section and a suspension section, the clamping section being configured to clamp the suspension element on the bulb of the profile wherein the clamping section comprises an engagement element and a clamping element, wherein the engagement element is configured for engagement with the undercut surface portion of the bottom surface of the bulb, and wherein the clamping element is configured to clamp a top portion of the bulb in response to being pushed over the top portion of the bulb while the engagement element engages the undercut surface portion of the bottom surface of the bulb, and at least one hanger for suspending the at least one profile, wherein each hanger is configured to engage the suspension section of an associated suspension element, wherein the engagement element is arranged on a single side of the upright web of the profile when the clamping section of the suspension element clamps the suspension element on the bulb of the profile.

2. The suspended ceiling system, according to claim 1, wherein the top portion of the bulb is formed by a ridge extending in a longitudinal direction of the profile.

3. The suspended ceiling system, according to claim 1, wherein the clamping section has a shape which is essentially complementary to a shape of a clamped segment of the bulb of the profile.

4. The suspended ceiling system, according to claim 1 wherein the bottom surface of the bulb comprises a surface on each side of the upright web.

5. The suspended ceiling system, according to claim 1 wherein the suspension element is formed in a single piece.

6. The suspended ceiling system, according to claim 1 wherein the suspension element is formed form a metal sheet.

7. The suspended ceiling system, according to claim 1 wherein the suspension element is formed by an extrusion process.

8. The suspended ceiling system, according to claim 1 wherein the suspension element is displaceable along a longitudinal direction of the profile when the clamping section of the suspension element clamps the suspension element on the bulb of the profile.

9. The suspended ceiling system, according to claim 1 wherein the clamping element comprises a crest extending in a longitudinal direction of the profile and coinciding with a vertical plane defined by the upright web when the clamping section of the suspension element clamps the suspension element on the bulb of the profile.

10. The suspended ceiling system, according to claim 1 wherein the suspension section of the at least one suspension element is configured to engage a hook member of the at least one hanger.

11. The suspended ceiling system, according to claim 1 wherein the profile further comprises a lateral support flange configured to support the ceiling tile and extending along a bottom end of the upright web.

12. The suspended ceiling system, according to claim 11 wherein the lateral support flange comprises a surface on each side of the upright web.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred variants of the present inventive concept, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

[0047] FIG. 1 conceptually illustrates a suspended ceiling system including a grid of profiles and a plurality of suspension elements and associated hangers.

[0048] FIG. 2a conceptually illustrates a cross sectional view of a profile which is supported by a hanger via a suspension element.

[0049] FIG. 2b conceptually illustrates the profile which is supported by the hanger via the suspension element of FIG. 2a.

[0050] FIG. 3 conceptually illustrates a cross sectional view of a differently shaped profile which is supported by a hanger via a differently shaped suspension element.

[0051] FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates a cross sectional view of a yet differently shaped profile which is supported by a hanger via a yet differently shaped suspension element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The present inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred variants of the inventive concept are shown. This inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the variants set forth herein; rather, these variants are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to the skilled person. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0053] Initially a suspended ceiling system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view conceptually depicting a suspended ceiling system 100. The ceiling system 100 comprises a grid of profiles 102. The grid of profiles 102 comprises a plurality of profiles 103, some in form of main runners 104a-c extending side by side. For reasons of simplicity there are three main runners 104a-c illustrated in FIG. 1. The ceiling system 100 may include any number of profiles in form of main runners 104a-c extending side by side. The ceiling system 100 may thus be used to form a suspended ceiling of an arbitrary size.

[0054] In the depicted ceiling system 100, the grid of profiles 102 further includes profiles 103 in form of cross runners 105. The cross runners 105 are optional and may or may not be present in the grid of profiles 102. The depicted cross runners 105 are interconnecting the plurality of main runners 104a-c extending side by side, i.e. the cross runners 105 are attached to the respective main runners 104a-c. The length of the cross runners 105 is typically about the distance between two adjacent main runners. However, the cross runners may be arranged an oblique angle with respect to the main runners 104a-c. In this case the length of the cross runners 105 are typically adapted so as to interconnect adjacent main runners irrespective of the oblique angle.

[0055] The depicted ceiling system 100 also includes a plurality of ceiling tiles 120 arranged in the grid of profiles 102. Eight ceiling tiles 120 are depicted for reasons of simplicity although any number of ceiling tiles 120 may be used with the ceiling system 100.

[0056] Further, the depicted ceiling system 100 also includes twelve hangers 106. The hangers 106 are connected to the main runners 104a-c of the profiles 103 of the grid of profiles 102 via a respective suspension element 108. Hence, each hanger is connected to one of the main runners 104a-c. More specifically, each hanger is connected to a suspension element 108 which in turn is connected to one of the main runners 104a-c. It is to be noted that suspension elements 108 may be connected to the cross runners 105 of the profiles 103.

[0057] Each hanger 106 is connected to a structural ceiling 110 shown in phantom in FIG. 1.

[0058] The design of the profiles 103, the suspension elements 108 and the hangers 106 will be elaborated upon below with reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b.

[0059] FIGS. 2a and 2b are detail views of a profile 204 with a hanger 206 attached thereto via a suspension element 208. The profile 204 corresponds to a profile of FIG. 1 such as e.g. the profile 104a. Correspondingly, the hanger 206 corresponds to a hanger 106 of FIG. 1 and the suspension element 208 corresponds to a suspension element 108 of FIG. 1. The profile supports a ceiling tile 220, such as ceiling tile 120 of FIG. 1. The ceiling tile 220 of FIG. 2a is shown in phantom to not obscure details of the profile 204.

[0060] The profile 204 comprises a longitudinally extending upright web 230. The profile 204 further comprises a longitudinal bulb 232 extending along a top end of the upright web 230. The longitudinal bulb 232 comprises a bottom surface 234 having an undercut surface portion 236. The depicted profile 204 of FIGS. 2a and 2b comprises a lateral support flange 237 configured to support the ceiling tile 220. The lateral support flange 237 extends along a bottom end of the upright web 230. In the depicted profile 204 of FIGS. 2a and 2b the lateral support flange 237 comprises a surface 237a, 237b on each side of the upright web 230. In FIGS. 2a and 2b a ceiling tile 220 is supported by surface 237a of the support flange 237.

[0061] The depicted profile 204 of FIGS. 2a and 2b is folded from a metal sheet as best seen in FIG. 2a. However, the profile may be formed using any suitable technique and material to advantage.

[0062] As can be seen in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the undercut surface portion 236 has normal direction N which points downwards and inwards towards the upright web 230 of the profile 204. That is, the lower portion of the bulb 232 forms what commonly is referred to as an overhang. The depicted undercut surface portion 236 is hence located on the overhang on an underside thereof. The depicted undercut surface portion 236 is thus facing downwards and slanters downwards away from the upright web 230. In FIGS. 2a and 2b, the undercut surface portion 236 extends along the longitudinal extension of the bulb 232. However, the undercut surface portion 236 may be incremental and extend along a portion of the bulb 232. A plurality of undercut surface portions 236 may be present along the bulb 232. Undercut surface portions 236 may be located on either side of the bulb 232. That is, the bottom surface 234 of the bulb 232 may comprise a surface on each side of the upright web 230, as depicted in FIGS. 2a and 2b.

[0063] The depicted suspension element 208 of FIGS. 2a and 2b is used for suspending the profile 204. The suspension element 208 comprises a clamping section 210 and a suspension section 212. The clamping section 210 is configured to clamp the suspension element 208 on the bulb 232 of the profile 208. The clamping section 210 may be said to include two principal features, namely an engagement element 214 and a clamping element 216.

[0064] The depicted engagement element 214 is formed as what may be regarded a hook. The engagement element 214 is configured for engagement with the undercut surface 236 of the bottom surface 234 of the bulb 232. For that reason, the depicted engagement element 214 is formed such that it follows the undercut surface 236 of the bottom surface 234 of the bulb 232 when the suspension element 208 is attached to the profile 208.

[0065] As can be seen in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the clamping section 210 of the suspension element 208 is mainly extending down on one side of a central axis CA of the profile 204. This means that a lower portion of the clamping section 210 of the suspension element 208 which is provided with the engagement element 214 is located on one side of the central axis CA. In other words, the engagement element 214 is arranged on a single side of the upright web 230 of the profile 204 when the clamping section 210 of the suspension element 208 clamps the suspension element 208 on the bulb 232 of the profile 204.

[0066] The depicted clamping element 216 is formed as a biased lock feature which is configured to engage the bulb 232. The clamping element 216 comprises a crest 216a which extends in a longitudinal direction of the profile 204. The crest 216a coincides with a vertical plane defined by the upright web 230 when the clamping section 210 of the suspension element 208 clamps the suspension element 208 on the bulb 232 of the profile 204. In other words, the crest 216a coincides with the central axis CA of the profile 204.

[0067] The depicted clamping element 216 is integrally formed by a portion of the suspension element 208. The clamping element 216 is configured to clamp a top portion 238 of the bulb 232 in response to being pushed over the top portion 238 of the bulb 232 while the engagement element 214 engages the undercut surface portion 236 of the bottom surface 234 of the bulb 232. In other words, the clamping element 216 is configured to be bent back and to snap over the top portion 238 of the bulb 232 in response to being pushed over the top portion 238 of the bulb 232 while the engagement element 214 engages the undercut surface portion 236 of the bottom surface 234 of the bulb 232. In FIGS. 2a and 2b, the top portion 238 of the bulb 232 is formed by a ridge 238a extending in a longitudinal direction of the profile 204.

[0068] The suspension element 208 is generally configured to be attached to the profile 204, by first engaging the engagement element 214 with the undercut surface portion 236 and thereafter pushing the clamping element 216 past the top portion 238 of the bulb 232 such that it is bent back and thereafter snaps over the top portion 238 of the bulb 232. Other strategies of attaching the suspension element 208 to the profile 204 may however be used to advantage.

[0069] As can be seen in FIGS. 2a and 2b the clamping section 210 of the suspension element 208 has a shape which is essentially complementary to a shape of a clamped segment of the bulb 232 of the profile 204. However, it should be noted that different designs where the clamping section 210 of the suspension element 208 has a shape which is not complementary to a shape of a clamped segment of the bulb 232 of the profile 204 may be used to advantage. The suspension element 208 may for instance engage with the profile 204 at certain discrete points and thus not follow a general contour thereof.

[0070] As discussed above, in the depicted suspension element 208 of FIGS. 2a and 2b the clamping section 210 of the suspension element 208 has a shape which is essentially complementary to a shape of a clamped segment of the bulb 232 of the profile 204. This brings about that the suspension element 208 is displaceable along a longitudinal direction of the profile 204 when the clamping section 210 of the suspension element 208 clamps the suspension element 208 on the bulb 232 of the profile 204. The fact that the suspension element 208 is displaceable along a longitudinal direction of the profile 204 is indicated by two arrows pointing in opposite directions in FIG. 2b. Further, the fact that the suspension element 208 is displaceable along a longitudinal direction of the profile 204 brings about that a location of the profile 204 in relation to the hanger 206 may be adjusted by simply sliding the suspension element 208 along the profile 204.

[0071] The depicted suspension element 208 of FIGS. 2a and 2b is formed in a single piece. The suspension element 208 may however be assembled form a plurality of parts to advantage. The suspension element 208 may be assembled form two parts to advantage.

[0072] The depicted suspension element 208 of FIGS. 2a and 2b is formed form a metal sheet. The depicted suspension element 208 is consequently formed by cutting and folding a metal sheet so as to form the suspension element 208.

[0073] As an alternative, the suspension element 208 may be formed by a plastic material. The suspension element 208 may be formed by a fiber reinforced plastic material. The suspension element 208 may include metal and plastic.

[0074] As an alternative, the suspension element 208 may be formed by an extrusion process. Such suspension element 208 formed by an extrusion process may be formed by metal. Such suspension element 208 formed by an extrusion process may be formed by a plastic material. Such suspension element 208 formed by an extrusion process may be formed by a fiber reinforced plastic material.

[0075] The depicted hanger 206 of FIGS. 2a and 2b is used for suspending the profile 204. The hanger 206 is configured to engage the suspension section 212 of the suspension element 208. The depicted hanger 206 is formed by a pair of rods 206a and 206b which are connected to each other via an adjustment element 206c. The lower rod 206a includes a hook member 206d or hook 206d at its lower end. The hook 206d is formed by bending the rod 206a. The hook 206d is configured to engage the suspension section 212 of the suspension element 208. The hook 206d is integrally formed with the rod 206a. The hook 206d may however be formed separately from the rod 206a.

[0076] A length of the depicted hanger 206 may be shortened by sliding the rods 206a and 206b in relation to each other in the adjustment element 206c. Correspondingly, a length of the depicted hanger 206 may be longed by compressing the generally resilient adjustment element 206c and sliding the rods 206a and 206b in relation to each other in the adjustment element 206c.

[0077] The hanger 206 may be of any suitable kind. The hanger 206 may be made in one piece. The hanger 206 may be of a fixed length. The hanger 206 may include a wire and a hook. The hanger 206 may be made of a wire. The hanger 206 may include a loop instead of a hook. The hanger 206 may include a loop and a hook.

[0078] As described above, the depicted suspension element 208 comprises a clamping section 210 and a suspension section 212. The suspension section 212 of the depicted suspension element 208 includes a horizontally arranged flange 2b:1. The flange 2b:1 is formed with two opposite recesses configured to receive the hook 206d of the hanger 206. When the hook 206d engages the two recesses of flange 2b:1 of the suspension section 212, the hook 206d is prevented or counteracted from sliding off the suspension section 212.

[0079] Further, when the hook 206d of the hanger 206 engages the two recesses of flange 2b:1 of the suspension section 212, a longitudinal extension of the lower rod 206a of the hanger 206 coincides with the central axis CA of the profile 204.

[0080] The suspension section 212 of the suspension element 208 may be formed using different designs to advantage. In FIG. 2b four additional different designs of the suspension section 212 of the suspension element 208 are shown. More specifically, four additional different designs of the horizontally arranged flange 2b:1 of the suspension section 212 are show. The additional different designs of the horizontally arranged flange 2b:1 are shown to the left in FIG. 2b. The flanges formed according to the additional different designs are denoted 2b:2, 2b:3, 2b:4 and 2b:5 respectively. Flanges 2b:2, 2b:3, 2b:4 and 2b:5 are similar to flange 2b:1. However, the way the respective flanges 2b:2, 2b:3, 2b:4 and 2b:5 interact with the hook 206d of the hanger 206 are different as compared to the flange 2b:1. The flange 2b:2 is provided with a hole configured to receive the hook 206d of the hanger 206. The flange 2b:3 is provided with a single recess configured to receive the hook 206d of the hanger 206. The flange 2b:4 is provided with a loop configured to receive the hook 206d of the hanger 206. The flange 2b:5 is provided with a hook configured to receive the hook 206d of the hanger 206. Like the flange 2b:1, the flanges 2b:2, 2b:3, 2b:4 and 2b:5 are all designed such that, when the hook 206d engages the features of a flange 2b:2, 2b:3, 2b:4, 2b:5 the hook 206d is prevented or counteracted from sliding off the suspension section 212. Moreover, when the hook 206d of the hanger 206 engages any one of the flanges 2b:2, 2b:3, 2b:4, 2b:5 of the suspension section 212, the longitudinal extension of the lower rod 206a of the hanger 206 coincides with the central axis CA of the profile 204.

[0081] Now referring to FIG. 3. Here is conceptually depicted a cross sectional view of a differently shaped profile 304 which is supported by a hanger 206 via a differently shaped suspension element 308.

[0082] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the differently shaped profile 304 is similar to the profile 204 of FIGS. 2a and 2b. Correspondingly, the differently shaped suspension element 308 is similar to the suspension element 208 of FIGS. 2a and 2b. The hanger 206 is of the type described above in conjunction with of FIGS. 2a and 2b. In the following, when describing the profile 304 and the suspension element 308 differences in relation to the profile 204 and the suspension element 208 of FIGS. 2a and 2b will mainly be described in order to avoid undue repetition.

[0083] The profile 304 is folded from a metal sheet like the profile 204 of FIGS. 2a and 2b. However, in the profile 304 the bulb 332 of the profile 304 has a flat top portion 338. That is, the bulb 332 of the profile 304 has a flat top surface 338a which is arranged horizontally and extends along a longitudinal extension of the profile 304.

[0084] The bulb 332 comprises a bottom surface 334 having an undercut surface portion 336. The undercut surface portion 336 has normal direction N which points downwards and inwards towards the upright web 330 of the profile 304. An undercut surface portion 336 is provided on each side of the central axis CA of the profile 304.

[0085] The depicted profile 304 of FIG. 3 comprises a lateral support flange 337 configured to support a ceiling tile.

[0086] The depicted suspension element 308 of FIG. 3 is used for suspending the profile 304.

[0087] The suspension element 308 comprises a clamping section 310 and a suspension section 312. The clamping section 310 is configured to clamp the suspension element 308 on the bulb 332 of the profile 308. The clamping section 310 may be said to include two principal features like the clamping section 210 of suspension element 208. Those principal features are an engagement element 314 and a clamping element 316. The depicted engagement element 314 is of the type described above in conjunction with FIGS. 2a and 2b.

[0088] The depicted clamping element 316 is formed as a biased lock feature which is configured to engage a corner or end of the top surface 338a of the bulb 332. The depicted clamping element 316 is integrally formed by a portion of the suspension element 308. The clamping element 316 is configured to clamp the top portion 338 of the bulb 332 in response to being pushed over the top portion 338 of the bulb 332 while the engagement element 314 engages the undercut surface portion 336 of the bottom surface 334 of the bulb 332. In other words, the clamping element 316 is configured to be bent back and to snap over the end or corner of the top surface 338a of the top portion 238 of the bulb 232 in response to being pushed over the top portion 338 of the bulb 332 while the engagement element 314 engages the undercut surface portion 336 of the bottom surface 334 of the bulb 332.

[0089] The suspension section 312 of the depicted suspension element 308 includes a hook member 312a which is configured to engage the hook 206d of the hanger 206. Further, when the hook 206d of the hanger 206 engages the hook member 312a the suspension section 312, a longitudinal extension of the hanger 206 coincides with the central axis CA of the profile 304.

[0090] Now referring to FIG. 4. Here is conceptually depicted a cross sectional view of a differently shaped profile 404 which is supported by a hanger 206 via a differently shaped suspension element 408.

[0091] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the differently shaped profile 404 is somewhat similar to the profile 204 of FIGS. 2a and 2b. Correspondingly, the differently shaped suspension element 408 is somewhat similar to the suspension element 208 of FIGS. 2a and 2b. The hanger 206 is of the type described above in conjunction with of FIGS. 2a and 2b. In the following, when describing the profile 404 and the suspension element 408 differences in relation to the profile 204 and the suspension element 208 of FIGS. 2a and 2b will mainly be described in order to avoid undue repetition.

[0092] The profile 404 is formed by an extrusion process. The profile 404 is formed by aluminum. In the profile 404 the bulb 432 of the profile 404 has a generally speaking flat top portion 438. That is, the bulb 432 of the profile 404 has a flat top surface 438a which is arranged horizontally and extends along a longitudinal extension of the profile 404. The flat top surface 438a of the top portion 438 of the bulb 432 is provided with a protrusion 438b which extends along a longitudinal extension of the profile 404.

[0093] The bulb 432 comprises a bottom surface 434 having an undercut surface portion 436. The bottom surface 434 of the profile 404 is formed as a stepped surface, i.e a set of surfaces which together forms the stepped surface. The bottom surface 434 of the profile 404 has an undercut surface portion in the sense that a plane P placed on the bottom surface 434 has normal direction N which points downwards and inwards towards the upright web 430 of the profile 404. The undercut surface portion 436 is provided on a single side of the central axis CA of the profile 404.

[0094] The depicted profile 404 of FIG. 4 comprises a lateral support flange 437 configured to support a ceiling tile.

[0095] The depicted suspension element 408 of FIG. 4 is used for suspending the profile 404. The suspension element 408 is formed from a fiber reinforced plastic material by an extrusion process.

[0096] The suspension element 408 comprises a clamping section 410 and a suspension section 412. The clamping section 410 is configured to clamp the suspension element 408 on the bulb 432 of the profile 408. The clamping section 410 may be said to include two principal features like the clamping section 210 of suspension element 208. Those principal features are an engagement element 414 and a clamping element 416. The depicted engagement element 414 is generally speaking formed as a hook which is configured to engage with the stepped bottom surface 434 of the bulb 432. The engagement element 414 has a flat inside and will thus contact the stepped bottom surface 434 of the bulb 432 at certain discrete locations along the plane P.

[0097] The depicted clamping element 416 is formed as a snap lock feature which is configured to engage the protrusion 438a of the top surface 438a of the bulb 432. The depicted clamping element 416 is integrally formed by a portion of the suspension element 408. The clamping element 416 is configured to clamp the protrusion 438a of the top portion 438 of the bulb 432 in response to being pushed over the top portion 438 of the bulb 432 while the engagement element 414 engages the undercut surface portion 436 of the bottom surface 434 of the bulb 432. In other words, the clamping element 416 is configured to be bent up and to snap back over the protrusion 438a of the top surface 438a of the top portion 438 of the bulb 432 in response to being pushed over the top portion 438 of the bulb 432 while the engagement element 414 engages the undercut surface portion 436 of the bottom surface 434 of the bulb 432.

[0098] The suspension section 412 of the depicted suspension element 408 includes a horizontal flange member 412a. The flange member 412a includes a recess 412b which is configured to engage the hook 206d of the hanger 206. Further, when the hook 206d of the hanger 206 engages the recess 412b of the suspension section 412, a longitudinal extension of the hanger 206 coincides with the central axis CA of the profile 404.

[0099] It will be appreciated that the present inventive concept is not limited to the variants shown. Several modifications and variations are thus conceivable within the scope of the invention which thus is exclusively defined by the appended claims.