EP2625460A1

EP2625460A1 - Suspension device

Info

Publication number: EP2625460A1
Application number: EP11760772.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bo Karlsson; Niclas Hedell
Original assignee: BO FASTENING AB
Current assignee: BO FASTENING AB
Priority date: 2010-10-07
Filing date: 2011-09-21
Publication date: 2013-08-14
Also published as: WO2012045581A1; SE535604C2; SE1000993A1

Abstract

A suspension device (101) for hanging objects, preferably light fittings, at a distance from a ceiling. The suspension device comprises a suspension profile (104) and at least one flexible suspension line (105), and also at least two magnetic fasteners (106, 107) for magnetic coupling to metal surfaces in the ceiling during the hanging process. The suspension profile (104) has a cross-sectional shape forming one or several sliding channels (108, 109) partially being enclosed by the suspension profile (104), wherein the suspension line (105) at one end thereof is provided with a sliding body (110), and wherein both the magnetic fasteners (106, 107) and the sliding body (110) of the suspension line are adapted to be slidably adjustable along said one or several sliding channels (108, 109).

Description

SUSPENSION DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a suspension device for hanging objects, preferably light fittings, from metal profiles or other metal surfaces in a ceiling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In shops, supermarkets, office premises and industrial halls, there is often a need to be able to hang light fittings over a certain floor position, and at a certain height from the floor, to obtain the desired illumination of the room. Usually, the hanging process is carried out by suspending the fittings by lines or wires from a false ceiling that consists of a framework of metal profiles, with ceiling panels fitted into the framework. A problem with such a suspension is that the ceiling panels, as a rule, have a bending resistance which is far too low to allow the suspension lines to be attached directly to the panels, since this would result in sagging of the false ceiling, for which reason the suspension lines have to be attached to the framework of metal profiles. This is often done by attaching a rail below the metal profiles by means of clamps which are clamped around the ceiling profiles, and in that the suspension lines then are suspended from the rail by means of hook members curving around the outside of the rail between the rail and the false ceiling, so that the hook members with attached suspension lines can be slid along the rail, if this is necessary. A disadvantage of such a suspension device, however, is that dust can accumulate in the gap between the ceiling and the rail, which is, of course, not desirable. Another disadvantage is that it usually becomes necessary to cut holes or recesses into the ceiling panels for passing through the suspension clamps of the rail so that they can be clamped around the metal profiles, something which is time consuming and results in a less neat installation. If it is desired to remove a light fitting with its suspension device, in order to move the fitting to another position in the room, such holes are not desirable since they are difficult to fill up in a tidy fashion, which often means that the damaged ceiling panels will have to be replaced completely.

Light fittings should normally be aligned in a certain fashion in the horizontal plane, and should maintain this alignment also after installation. In order to be able to achieve the desired alignment stability for a mounted light fitting, several suspension points in the metal profiles of the false ceiling and, as a rule, several suspension lines, are required for each light fitting. In order to enable the light fitting to be suspended at an optional distance from the floor and in a desired alignment relative to the floor plane, preferably in parallel thereto, each suspension line (or light fitting) has to be provided with a suitable length adjustment device or be cut to length during the installation.

In rooms without a false ceiling, light fittings can be suspended directly from the ceiling. Also in this case it has to be possible to attach the suspension rail for the suspension lines to sufficiently bending resistant portions of the ceiling, for example to roof beams or beam profiles of a corrugated sheet metal roof by fixing the rail by screwing to the beams or beam profiles by means of screws, which, however, is time consuming since, in addition, suitable spacer members have to be fitted between the suspension rail and the beam/beam profile if the hook members of the suspension lines are to be able to slide along the rail when positionally adjusting and aligning the suspended light fittings.

In office and industrial premises, it is particularly important that light fittings can be mounted in or readjusted to desired positions, to provide the illumination required for a certain work task or by an individual co-worker. When hanging light fittings by means of suspension devices according to prior art, the ceiling height makes it necessary, as a rule, to use a ladder or personnel lift to be able to do this.

Accordingly, suspension devices according to the prior art described above are difficult to attach to optimal attachment points in the ceiling in a rapid and efficient way, at the same time as the risk of problems with dust accumulation on top of the suspension devices in a finished installation is great. Furthermore, the known suspension devices are often impossible to mount, move, readjust and/or clean without using a ladder or personnel lift, which is not desirable since this is both labour intensive and costly, and may pose a security risk to the staff.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a first object of the invention to provide a suspension device which enables a rapid and efficient hanging of objects, particularly light fittings, at a distance from a ceiling, wherein the hanging process can easily be carried out while adapting to the suitable attachment points in the form of metal surfaces provided by the existing ceiling structure and without using any ladder or personnel lift. This first object is achieved by means of a suspension device according to claim 1, which comprises a suspension profile and at least one flexible suspension line, wherein the suspension profile comprises at least two magnetic fasteners for magnetic coupling to metal surfaces in the ceiling during the hanging process. Thereby, the suspension profile has a cross-sectional shape forming one or several sliding channels partially being enclosed by the suspension profile, wherein the suspension line is at one thereof provided with a sliding body, wherein both the magnetic fasteners and the sliding body of the suspension line are adapted to be slidably adjustable along said one or several sliding channels.

Thanks to the magnetic fasteners, the suspension device according to the present invention requires no use of ladders or personnel lifts when aligning and mounting the suspension profiles in the ceiling, since this can be done from the floor below using a simple tool, such as a telescopic fitting pole provided with a suitable holder or clamp for holding a suspension profile at one end thereof, and a handle at its other end. Such a tool can easily be manufactured by a skilled person in the field, while considering the geometrical design of the suspension profile according to the invention, the ceiling heights for which the tool should be possible to use, and the ergonomic requirements posed on it. Furthermore, thanks to the magnetic fasteners, there is no need for any hole- making for suspending hooks in ceiling panels in false ceilings, nor for any screwing into beams or profiles in ceilings. Since the magnetic fasteners are slidably adjustable along a sliding channel, the adaptation to the existing attachment points in the ceiling determined to be optimal is facilitated. Thanks to the fact that also the sliding body of the suspension line is slidably adjustable along a sliding channel, the suspension device according to the present invention requires no space between the ceiling and suspension device for hook members of the suspension lines, which can reduce the problem of dust accumulation between ceiling and suspension device and eliminates the need for special spacer members when suspending from beams or beam profiles in a ceiling. A second object of the invention is to provide a suspension device which enables a very quick, easily adjustable, readjustable, and angularly stable suspension of light fittings at a distance from a false ceiling of the type comprising a rectangular framework of metal profiles. This second object is achieved by means of a suspension device according to claim 2, where the cross-sectional shape of the suspension profile forms a first and a second sliding channel, both being partially enclosed by the suspension profile and extending substantially in parallel to each other, so that the first sliding channel will extend substantially directly above the second sliding channel after hanging, wherein the magnetic fasteners are adapted to be slidably adjustable along the first sliding channel and wherein the sliding body of the suspension line is adapted to be slidably adjustable along the second sliding channel.

Thanks to this design, an angularly stable suspension of light fittings can be obtained quickly by attaching (e.g. by means of the above-mentioned fitting pole) a suitable number of suspension profiles to respective metal profiles in the ceiling, in order to form at least first and second parallel rows of suspension profiles fixed below the metal profiles, slidably adjusting the suspension lines hanging straight down via their sliding bodies from the first row and from the second row, respectively, to desired positions, and then hanging the desired number of light fittings by a first end from a suspension line hanging down from the first row and by a second end from a suspension line hanging down from the second row, so that the weight of the light fittings fixes the sliding bodies of the suspension lines in their second sliding channels at the desired positions, which can be easily readjusted by relieving the weight of the light fitting which is to be readjusted (e.g. by lifting it straight up or by detaching it from the suspension lines), pushing or pulling each sliding body to the desired position (e.g. by means of the previously mentioned fitting pole or by pulling on the suspension line), and then once again allowing the light fitting to hang freely from its suspension lines, so that the sliding bodies, and thus the suspension lines, are fixed in their readjusted positions.

A third object is to provide a suspension device which substantially eliminates the problems with dust accumulation which can be caused by suspension devices according to prior art. This third object is achieved by means of a suspension device according to claim 3, where the top edges of the walls of the suspension profile, laterally delimiting the first sliding channel, extend substantially continuously in one and the same plane, and where the first sliding channel and the second sliding channel together have an internal volume capable of substantially completely accommodating said at least two magnetic fasteners after hanging.

Thanks to this design, a substantially tight abutment is enabled between a mounted and positionally fixed suspension profile of a suspension device according to the present invention and a planar false ceiling or ceiling, so that substantially no dust can enter between the suspension profile and the ceiling.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, a number of embodiments of the invention will be described more closely, only as examples and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which :

Figure 1 schematically illustrates how a suspension device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is used for hanging light fittings below metal profiles in a false ceiling;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view, partially in cross-section, of the suspension device according to the preferred embodiment, before starting the process of hanging light fittings; and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the suspension device according to the preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 schematically illustrates how a suspension device 101 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is used for hanging light fittings below metal profiles having a T-shaped cross-section M, M' in a false ceiling, whereas Figures 2 and 3 show more detailed views of the actual suspension device.

The suspension device 101 according to the invention is intended for hanging objects 102 at a distance from a ceiling 103. This should be understood as if the suspension device can be suspended directly from a ceiling, from a false ceiling below the ceiling, or from another suitable supporting structure in the room where the suspension device is used. The suspension device 101 is preferably adapted for hanging light fittings 102, such as fluorescent tube fittings. However, the suspension device can be used for hanging any other type of objects, as long as they are not too heavy or bulky. Examples of such objects are different types of information and advertising signs, visual display units and information displays.

The suspension device 101 according to the invention comprises a suspension profile 104 and at least one flexible suspension line 105, 105'. The suspension profile 104 can be made of any suitable material, e.g. bent sheet metal, but is preferably a plastic profile. The flexible suspension line 105 is preferably a steel wire, but can also be a wire, thread, line, or cord of another material.

The suspension profile 104 comprises at least two magnetic fasteners 106, 107 for magnetic coupling to metal surfaces in the ceiling 103 during the hanging process. In the preferred embodiment, each magnetic fastener 106, 107 comprises a plate-shaped permanent magnet 114, for magnetic coupling to a metal surface of the false ceiling or ceiling and a fixing device, such as a fixing screw 113 screwed into a threaded hole in the magnet 114, to enable positional fixing of the magnetic fastener. The fixing screw can be provided with a conventional bolt head 113, as is shown in Fig. 3, but can advantageously be provided with a head having an oblong shape (not shown in the figures) that prevents the head from rotating inside the suspension profile when the magnet is tightened or loosened (indicated by the arrow Z in Fig. 2) by an installer from the top side of the suspension profile.

According to the invention, the suspension profile 104 has a cross-sectional shape (Figs. 2 and 3) forming one or several sliding channels 108, 109 partially being enclosed by the suspension profile 104. The suspension line 105 is at one end thereof provided with a sliding body 110, wherein both the magnetic fasteners 106, 107 and the sliding body 110 of the suspension line are adapted to be slidably adjustable along said one or several sliding channels 108, 109, as is indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2. Such an embodiment enables the hanging process to be easily carried out while adapting to the suitable attachment points in the form of metal surfaces provided by the existing ceiling structure and without using any ladder or personnel lift.

The other, free end of the flexible suspension line 105 is preferably intended to be connected to a light fitting via a wire lock 120 (Fig. 1) or other suitable suspension means allowing length adjustment of the length of the suspension line between suspension profile and light fitting.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the suspension device according to the invention, the cross-sectional shape of the suspension profile 104 forms a first 108 and a second 109 sliding channel, both being partially enclosed by the suspension profile 104 and extending substantially in parallel to each other, so that the first sliding channel 108 will extend substantially directly above the second sliding channel 109 after hanging, wherein the magnetic fasteners 106, 107 are adapted to be slidably adjustable along the first sliding channel 108 and wherein the sliding body 110 of the suspension line is adapted to be slidably adjustable along the second sliding channel 109. Such an embodiment enables a very quick, easily adjustable, readjustable (indicated by the arrow A in Fig. 1) and angularly stable suspension of light fittings at a distance from a false ceiling of the type comprising a rectangular framework of metal profiles.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the top edges 111, 112 of the walls of the suspension profile 104, laterally delimiting the first sliding channel 108, extend substantially continuously in one and the same plane, wherein the first sliding channel 108 and the second sliding channel 109 together have an internal volume VI, V2 capable of accommodating said at least two magnetic fasteners 106, 107 substantially completely after hanging. Such an embodiment substantially eliminates the problems with dust accumulation which can be caused by suspension devices according to prior art.

The second sliding channel 109 advantageously has an internal volume V2 capable of accommodating said sliding body 110 completely, and which furthermore is capable of accommodating at least one head 113 of a screw or other fixing device for a magnetic member 114 of said magnetic fastener 106. Such an embodiment enables a more aesthetically pleasing installation, since the fixing devices of the magnets become invisible after hanging.

The top edges 111, 112 of the walls of the suspension profile 104, laterally delimiting the first sliding channel 108, are advantageously provided with elastic sealing means (not shown in the figures) for sealing against the ceiling after hanging. By means of such an embodiment, the risk of dust penetrating in between the suspension profile and the ceiling can be reduced even further. In the preferred embodiment of the suspension device according to the invention, the bottom edges 115, 116 of the walls of the suspension profile 104, laterally delimiting the second sliding channel 109, form an elongated slit 117 along which the flexible suspension line 105 can move during the slidable adjustment of the sliding body 110 of the suspension line. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the flexible suspension line is further provided with a disc-shaped sealing means (not shown in the figures) for sealing the slit. Such an embodiment reduces the risk of dust penetration into the sealing profile even further, and can make the suspension profile less conspicuous when viewed from the floor below.

The bottom edges 115, 116 of the walls of the suspension profile, laterally delimiting the second sliding channel 109, advantageously can be provided with elastic sealing means (not shown in the figures) for sealing against each other and against the flexible suspension line 105. Such an embodiment can reduce the risk of dust penetration even further and provide a finished installation which is more aesthetically pleasing, and which thus offers a better working environment for the staff members working in the room. In the preferred embodiment, the suspension device 101 according to the invention comprises at least one, and preferably two end plugs 118, 119 for sealing at least one and preferably both ends of said sliding channels 108, 109 in the suspension profile 104. Such end plugs or covers prevent dust from penetrating into the suspension profile from the ends. However, it is conceivable with embodiments where the suspension profile is provided with only one cover, or no cover at all, e.g. when one or both ends of the suspension profile are mounted abutting against walls or other structures projecting downward from the ceiling, so that the ends of the suspension profile are sealed by them.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the suspension device 101 is adapted for leading through an electrical cable (not shown in the figures) along the flexible suspension line 105 into the second sliding channel 109, further into the first sliding channel 108, and out of the suspension profile 104 at the top side thereof. In this embodiment, cabling and electrical installation are facilitated considerably, since the suspension profile and the sliding channel/sliding channels and the slit/slits of the suspension device are given a suitable geometrical design, allowing leading through of an electrical cable from the light fitting via the suspension line in through the bottom side of the suspension profile and out through the top side of the suspension profile into a false ceiling.

In the foregoing, a number of embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the described embodiments and the details in the figures should only be regarded as examples, and that many other embodiments of the invention are possible within the scope of the following claims.

Accordingly, the suspension device according to the invention can also be used in other places than in business, office or industrial premises, such as in airport terminals, train stations, bus terminals, and other public buildings, and also for hanging other objects that light fittings, such as information displays, visual display units or boards, or even for hanging paintings and other art objects in art galleries or museums.

Claims

1. A suspension device (101) for hanging objects (102) at a distance from a ceiling (103), said suspension device comprising a suspension profile (104) and at least one flexible suspension line (105, 105'), wherein the suspension profile

(104) comprises at least two magnetic fasteners (106, 107) for magnetic coupling to metal surfaces in the ceiling (103) during the hanging process, c h a ra cte ri zed i n that the suspension profile (104) has a cross- sectional shape forming one or several sliding channels (108, 109) partially being enclosed by the suspension profile (104), and that the suspension line

(105) at one end thereof is provided with a sliding body (110), wherein both the magnetic fasteners (106, 107) and the sliding body (110) of the suspension line are adapted to be slidably adjustable along said one or several sliding channels (108, 109).

2. The suspension device (101) according to claim 1,

c h a ra cte ri zed i n that the cross-sectional shape of the suspension profile (104) forms a first (108) and a second (109) sliding channel, both being partially enclosed by the suspension profile (104) and extending substantially in parallel to each other so that the first sliding channel (108) will extend substantially directly above the second sliding channel (109) after hanging, wherein the magnetic fasteners (106, 107) are adapted to be slidably adjustable along the first sliding channel (108) and wherein the sliding body (110) of the suspension line is adapted to be slidably adjustable along the second sliding channel (109).

3. The suspension device (101) according to claim 2,

ch a ra cte ri zed i n that the top edges (111, 112) of the walls of the suspension profile (104), laterally delimiting the first sliding channel (108), extend substantially continuously in one and the same plane, and that the first sliding channel (108) and the second sliding channel (109) together have an internal volume (VI, V2) capable of accommodating said at least two magnetic fasteners (106, 107) substantially completely after hanging.

4. The suspension device (101) according to claim 2 or 3,

C h a ra cte ri zed i n that the second sliding channel (109) has an internal volume (V2) capable of accommodating said sliding body (110) completely, and which is furthermore capable of accommodating at least one head (113) of a screw or other fixing device for a magnetic member (114) of said magnetic fastener (106).

5. The suspension device (101) according to any one of the claims 2-4, ch a ra cte ri zed i n that the top edges (111, 112) of the walls of the suspension profile (104), laterally delimiting the first sliding channel (108), are provided with elastic sealing means for sealing against the ceiling after hanging.

6. The suspension device (101) according to any one of the claims 2-5, c h a ra cte ri zed i n that the bottom edges (115, 116) of the walls of the suspension profile (104), laterally delimiting the second sliding channel (109), form an elongated slit (117) along which the flexible suspension line (105) can move during the slidable adjustment of the sliding body (110) of the suspension line.

7. The suspension device (101) according to any one of the claims 2-6, c h a ra cte ri zed i n that the bottom edges (115, 116) of the walls of the suspension profile, laterally delimiting the second sliding channel (109), are provided with elastic sealing means for sealing against each other and against the flexible suspension line (105).

8. The suspension device (101) according to any one of the claims 2-6, c h a ra cte ri zed i n that the bottom edges (115, 116) of the walls of the suspension profile (104), laterally delimiting the second sliding channel (109), form an elongated slit (117) along which the flexible suspension line (105) can move during the slidable adjustment of the sliding body (110) of the suspension line, and that the flexible suspension line is provided with a discshaped sealing means for sealing said slit.

9. The suspension device (101) according to any one of the claims 2-8, c h a ra cte ri zed i n that the suspension device (101) is adapted for leading through an electrical cable along the flexible suspension line (105) into the second sliding channel (109), further into the first sliding channel (108), and out of the suspension profile (104) at the top side thereof.

10. The suspension device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims ch a ra cte ri zed i n that the suspension device (101) comprises at least one end plug (118, 119) for sealing at least one end of said sliding channels (108, 109) in said suspension profile (104).