US3418766A - Suspended ceiling system - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 31, 1968 w. R. JACKSON 3,418,766

SUSPENDED CEILING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 5. 1965 Sheet of 2 '7 W7 X 1W ies INVENTOR. WILLIAM R. dAcKsoN A TTORNE Y Dec. 31, 1968 w. R. JACKSON 3,418,766

SUSPENDED CEILING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 3, 1965 Sheet I 2 of 2 INVENTOR. WILLIAM R. JACKSON ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,418,766 SUSPENDED CEILING SYSTEM William R. Jackson, Greenville, S.C., assigner to McCall Bros. & Co., a corporation of South Carolina Filed Feb. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 430,057 Claims. (Cl. 52-83) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A suspended ceiling for a structure having walls and a ceiling thereabove including, spaced thin parallel flexible wires extending across the ceiling in a criss-cross manner for supporting thin panels therebetween which have flexible marginal downturned flap portions for securing such to the wires. A spring is secured to one end of each of the wires for maintaining such taut as the dimensions of the buildings vary due to settlement and the like.

This invention relates to suspended ceilings and more particularly to a system wherein ceiling blocks or tiles are suspended from a wire suspension arrangement.

Several systems for suspending ceiling blocks or tiles from wires have been proposed. Such prior art systems have made no satisfactory provision for maintaining the wires in taut condition. As a result, such ceilings have been subject to a certain amount of sag due to gradual lengthening of the Wire arrangements and changes in the position of the building walls and ceiling resulting from settlement of the structure in which the ceilings were installed. Because the wire offers a limited area for attaching the ceiling tiles thereto, it is difficult in practice to readily attach the blocks and labor costs have been excessive and the resulting ceilings were often unsightly due to the visibility of the wire therebeneath. Prior art systems have not been readily amenable to additions such as insulation, lighting equipment, acoustical material, and fire extinguishing devices.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide a suspended ceiling system wherein wires are maintained in a proper state of tension through long periods of time, and wherein compensation may automatically be made for building settlement and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a suspended ceiling system which may be erected at low cost from the standpoint of material and labor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ceiling system which is light in weight and which may be easily washed and which produces an extraordinarily attractive effect.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a ceiling system wherein a variety of fire extinguishing systems may be easily installed.

Another object of the invention is to produce a lightweight ceiling wherein the illuminating means may be positioned above or below the ceiling.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a suspended ceiling system wherein blocks having high acoustical value may be used with suitable acoustical backing.

Still another important object of the invention is the provision of a novel fire extinguishing system incorporated in the ceiling system.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide tiles or blocks which may be stacked for easy compact shipment.

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The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and where- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating a suspended ceiling system constructed in accordance with the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1 wherein the ceiling tile or blocks have been installed and wherein the light fixture extends below the ceiling rather than being positioned above as in FIGURE 1, and illustrating the method of installing the tiles,

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional elevation illustrating a modified form of the invention incorporating fire extinguishing means,

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view at a still further enlarged scale illustrating a further modification of the invention wherein increased acoustical values are achieved,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view illustrating a further modified form of the invention incorporating modified insulating and lighting features, and

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional elevation at a somewhat enlarged scale illustrating a modified form of the invention incorporating a modified fire extinguishing system.

The drawings illustrate a suspended ceiling including suitable framing means A spaced below and about the walls adjacent the ceiling. First spaced parallel wires B extend across the ceiling in one direction and second spaced parallel wires C extend across the ceiling normal to the first spaced parallel wires. A spring D is secured adjacent the ends of the first and second wires joining them to the walls adjacent the ceiling. A plurality of thin panels E, each having a width such as to fit between adjacent wires, are provided. The panels E carry flexible marginal downturned flap portions F for securing the panels to adjacent wires. Certain of the flaps F extend directly over the wires while flaps of adjacent panels extend over such flaps. Sodium bicarbonate G may be placed in or above the panels to serve as a first extinguishing agent.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a ceiling structure below which the ceiling of the present invention is adapted to be suspended. The side walls of the room are illustrated at 11. Suitable framing means which may include 2 x 4s or other suitable framing members are designated at A. The 2 x 4 designated at 12 may be suitably secured by means of nails 13 to the side walls 11. FIGURE 1 illustrates the positioning of a suitable duct, such as a heat or air conditioning duct 14, adjacent the ceiling 10 above the suspended ceiling arrangement of the present invention. A suitable illuminating means, such as the light 15, has suitable electrical connections through the conduits 16, and illuminates from behind the panels of the present invention. It will be noted that a plurality of longitudinal rather closely spaced wires B are strung between suitable connecting hooks 17 which are carried within the lower face of the framing members A. The wires B may then be stretched or tensioned and a fastening means, such as a nail 18, applied to position same. Intermittently throughout the course of the wires a resilient means, such as a coil spring 19, may be hooked on one end intermediate wires B as at 20. The other end of the spring may be fastened as by a nail 21 to the framing A.

As to the transverse members C, such may be similarly provided with springs D in the form of coil springs 22, which are fastened on one end as at 23 between courses of wire C and fastened as by a nail 24 on the other end to the adjacent wall 11. It will be noted from the drawings that the wire means C need not be so closely spaced as are the wires B. The wires B and C are preferably arranged normal to each other.

Preferably a number of depending portions of relatively stiff wire 25 are provided. Such wire portions have a laterally bent lower portion to support the wires B and C intermediate their ends as at 26. The other end of the wire 25 is fastened to the ceiling or floor above as by a suitable hook 27. A number of panels are illustrated in FIGURE 2 as at E. Such panels are preferably constructed from a suitable vinyl chloride or the like, and are in the form of sheet material from about 8 to thousandths of an inch in thickness. Such tiles or blocks may be constructed by a vacuum forming process. Pigments may be added, if desired, for light reflection or for transmitting light therethrongh should the light be positioned behind the ceiling as illustrated in FIGURE 5. It is important that the blocks E be constructed so as to be capable of being stacked for shipping. Due to the minimal thickness of the blocks such a system is suited for easy shipping in a minimum of space and for quick installation.

FIGURE 4 illustrates tiles or blocks having indentations as at 30, each indentation carrying an opening 31 so as to impove the acoustical qualities of the ceiling and to provide openings for heated or cooled air to pass directly ther'ethrough. Referring again to FIGURE 3, it will be noted that the tiles E are relatively flat, but are somewhat concave in overall shape. A marginal tile is illustrated at 32 in the left-hand portion thereof, and it will be noted, as best shown in FIGURE 3, that the tile 32 has marginal flaps or flanges F formed by an integral side portion 33, see FIGURE 2, substantially normal to the body of the tile, and an outer flap or section 34 which is curved back thereon and projects toward the front of the panel to define a channel 35 therebetween. The remaining tiles illustrated at 36 form the body of the ceiling and are more concave forming the shape of a pillow block. Such, also, have indentations 30 therein. The flap F of the tile is shown being cut in FIGURE 2 to be placed on a marginal portion of the wire as illustrated at 37 to accommodate a fastening such as a hook 17 shown in FIGURE 3. Since the flaps may be installed over the wires and over adjacent flaps by finger pressure the installation of such a ceiling is quickly and easily accomplished without auxiliary tools. In FIGURE 2 a light fixture 38 is arranged to project below the ceiling tile.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the use of sodium bicarbonate G within the pillow blocks and marginal tiles. The indentations 30 have no openings therein. Should a fire occur the pillow blocks or tiles will char permitting the sodium bicarbonate powder to fall into the flames producing the carbon dioxide to smother the fire. Acoustical material may be substituted for the sodium bicarbonate if desired. Rather than the wires, as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 at 25 for providing intermediate support for the wires B and C, a wire 38 is illustrated wherein the lower ends are wrapped as at 39 about the transverse Wires C, and wherein a clip 40 is provided for attaching such wires to the ceiling. It will be noted that the spring D and its connecting means, in the form of a nail 21, are carried by the 2 x 4 framing member 12.

FIGURE 4 shows the use of indentations 30 which are supplied with holes 31 to improve the acoustical properties of the ceiling. FIGURE 4 also illustrates flap portions F of the adjacent tiles and illustrates the openings 35 for accommodating the wire C. The opening 35 is illustrated as being formed by an arcuate portion 35a bridging the sides of the blocks and the downturned flap portion forming interlocking means connecting adjacent flaps of adjacent blocks. Adjacent flaps may be snapped into position by finger pressure.

FIGURE 5 shows the use of a rock wool sheet 41 adjacent the ceiling, and shows a fluorescent type light fixture 42 positioned behind the blocks. The translucent blocks are provided with suitable pigments to create a desired color effect for the ceiling.

If desired, a standard type sprinkle fire extinguisher system (not shown) may be employed. Another fire extinguisher system is illustrated in FIGURE 6 wherein tiles of the type described above, as best seen in FIGURE 2, are positioned upon wires C. Each of the tiles has a substantially rigid backing member 43 positioned between the sides below the arcuate portions 35a. The pillow blocks are filled with sodium bicarbonate G beneath the backing members 43 and an explosive charge, such as may be considered to be an enlarged firecracker 44, is carried beneath the backing member 43 and secured thereto as by glue (not shown). A fuse 45 may extend through the tile and is illustrated as extending through the button-like portion 46 thereof, as best illustrated in FIGURE 2. Each of the pillow blocks include a number of puffed portions defined by lines of weakness 47 adjacent their edges. When a proper explosive charge 44 is used the pillow blocks peel away along the lines of weakness 47 due to the confining effects of the backing 43 resulting in the wide scattering of the sodium bicarbonate G into the flames. If desired, the blocks containing the sodium bicarbonate and the combustible may be spaced over the ceiling rather than each block including the explosive and fire extinguishing material. The noise of such an explosive would serve as a fire alarm as well as a means of scattering the fire extinguishing medium. If desired any other suitable explosive-like propelling means may be used in lieu of the particular explosive means 44.

Present tile ceilings are fiat, however, the construction of the present system permits the use of tile having curves and designs of infinite variety which gives the designer full range as to shape, texture and color without increased costs. Multiple tile units may be used if desired.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A suspended ceiling for a structure having walls and a ceiling, said suspended ceiling including first spaced parallel thin flexible wires extending across the ceiling in one direction and spaced therefrom, second spaced parallel thin flexible wires extending across the ceiling normal to said first spaced parallel wires in substantially the same plane therewith, springs secured on one end thereof adjacent the ends of said first and second wires for maintaining such taut, said springs having connection adjacent the other end thereof to the walls adjacent the ceiling, a plurality of thin substantially rectangular shaped panels having a width corresponding substantially to the space between said wires, said panels having a front surface and a peripheral flange integral with the edges of said panel and extending rearwardly thereof, said flanges terminating in outwardly turned sections projecting toward the front of said panels, said sections overlying said wires and maintaining said panels in coplanar relation, and certain of said flanges extending directly over said wires while flanges of adjacent panels extend over adjacent flanges.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 including, a fire extinguishing medium filling a substantial portion of said panels.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said fire extinglishing material is sodium bicarbonate.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said panels each have spaced indentations therein, and wherein said 5 6 panels have complementary concave portions facilitating FOREIGN PATENTS easy stacking 60 248 1 4 5. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein each 1 126628 3 gf fgz indentation has an aperture therein. 2/1959 Belgiurh.

5 1,275,442 1961 France.

Refe'ences Cited 860,426 1961 Great Britain.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 35,397 1935 Netherlands. 2,750,313 6/1956 Schwartz et al. 52-406 38,318 1936 Netherlands- 2,710,l75 6/1955 J0rn 52-484 X 2,710,335 6/1955 Wong 52-144 X 1 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner. 2,706,315 4/1955 Price 52144 2,900,929 8/1959 A de S. D. BURKE, Asszstant Exammer. 2,954,838 10/1960 Nuorivaara 52-444 2,967,583 1/1961 Jack 5-2 144 CL 2,999,340 9/1961 Macucan 5283 15 52-144, 311, 485, 494

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