Abstract:
A canopy system for use in the interior building environment. The canopy system of the invention meets seismic code requirements and includes a group suspension system for mechanically aligning and registering canopy modules relative one another.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation application of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/157,248, filed Jun. 9, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,596,008, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/933,803, filed Jun. 8, 2007, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a canopy system, and, more particularly, a canopy system which provides mechanical alignment and registration of the canopy modules when grouped together. 
     Exposed structure types of spaces which utilize suspended ceiling islands or ceiling canopies are in increasing demand. Such systems provide architects and designers with the ability to create unique and dramatic visual effects not available with continuous, wall-to-wall ceiling systems. 
     For aesthetic purposes, it is desirable for the ceiling canopies to have clean, finished edges free of any exposed, unsightly edge detail or fastening means. One solution for providing this desired edge detail is shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0033902, entitled “Suspension Systems” (hereinafter “the 2007/0033902 application publication”). 
     Canopy systems have unique code requirements which dictate the placement of the individual canopies relative one another. For example, in areas which experience seismic activity, each independently hung canopy, when hung in the ceiling space, must be spaced 18 inches apart from one another, as well as 18 inches apart from any other building component. 
     Additionally, irrespective of the level of seismic activity, there are additional installation concerns, including concerns regarding alignment and registration of canopies when grouped together in the ceiling space. Alignment and registration are currently achieved through careful installation which is time consuming, which, in turn, adds cost to the system. Another concern with current canopy systems is that they currently require several attachment points to the overhead building structure. Reduction in the number of hanging points will reduce installation time and cost as well as eliminate points of electrical and mechanical interference. 
     Thus, the present invention is directed to a system that meets the seismic code requirements and provides a means to mechanically align and register the individual canopies with one another. Also provided is a system having a minimum number of attachment points to the overhead building structure. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an improved canopy system. The system includes a grouping frame and at least one canopy module. The grouping frame includes at least two intersecting struts. The canopy module includes a panel and suspension hardware. The suspension hardware includes at least one suspension bar which is attached to the back surface of the panel at an in-board location. Each of the intersecting struts has a hook member attached thereto. Each hook member rests on, and is supported by, a strut. 
     When installed, the canopy module is locked to the grouping frame in both its longitudinal and cross axes. Additionally, the grouping frame and the attachment hardware of the canopy module works in combination to mechanically register and align two or more canopy modules relative one another. 
     The improved canopy system provides: downward accessibility; a rigid suspension system that complies with seismic codes; a mechanism for multiple individual canopies to act as one and be installed in close proximity; ease in installation in terms of panel spacing and alignment; and a reduction in the number of attachment points to the overhead building structure by 25-50%. 
     In one embodiment, the invention can be a canopy system comprising: a grouping frame comprising a plurality of first struts and a plurality of second struts, the second struts intersecting the first struts; a plurality of canopy modules; each of the plurality of canopy modules comprising a panel and a plurality of hook members attached to the panel; and wherein for each of the plurality of canopy modules, the plurality of hook members comprise a first hook member coupled to one of the first struts and a second hook member coupled to one of the second struts. 
     In another embodiment, the invention can be as canopy system comprising: a grouping frame comprising at least two intersecting struts, the grouping frame suspended from an overhead building structure by at least one hanging device; at least two canopy modules, each of the at least two canopy modules comprising a panel, at least one suspension bar attached to the panel at an in-board location of the panel, and a plurality of hook members attached to the suspension bar and extending, therefrom in a direction substantially perpendicular to the suspension bar; and wherein each of the intersecting struts has at least one of the plurality of hook members coupled thereto. 
     In a further embodiment, the invention can be a canopy system comprising: a grouping frame comprising a plurality of first struts and a plurality of second struts, the second struts intersecting the first, struts at a plurality of junction points to form a grid network; and a plurality of panels, each of the panels attached to and suspended below the grouping frame a distance via suspension hardware comprising a first member, a second member, a third member, and a fourth member; wherein for each of the panels, each of the first and third members engages one of the first struts and each of the second and fourth members engages one of the second struts. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an example embodiment of the canopy system of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a canopy module from  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of the hook shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of the suspension bar shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 3   c  is a perspective view of the suspension bar connector shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view showing the first step of the progressive steps for installing a canopy module on the grouping frame. 
         FIG. 4   b  is a perspective view showing the second step of the progressive steps for installing a canopy module on the grouping frame. 
         FIG. 4   c  is a perspective view showing the third step of the progressive steps for installing a canopy module on the grouping frame. 
         FIG. 4   d  is a perspective view showing the fourth step of the progressive steps for installing a canopy module on the grouping frame. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now in greater detail to the figures, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the drawings. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the general structural arrangement of an example embodiment of the canopy system of the invention. The canopy system  10  includes a grouping frame  12  and one or more canopy modules  14 . The grouping frame  12  has at least two intersecting struts  16  which are attached to one another and are supported by the overhead building structure (not shown) by a hanging device, such as the suspension cables  17  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As best seen on  FIG. 2 , the canopy module  14  has a panel  18 , such as a fibrous acoustical panel or wood panel, which has a top surface  20 , a bottom surface  22  and an edge  24  extending therebetween. The panel  18  includes a routed in-board channel  26  which extends from the top surface  20  in a direction toward the bottom surface  22 . For purposes of this description, the term “in-board channel” refers to a channel that does not extend to an edge of the panel. This in-board feature substantially preserves the integrity of the panel and provides freedom of the edges. In other words, the edge configuration is not dictated by the support structure. Also, since the channel  26  does not extend to the edge of the panel  18 , no further edge detail, such as a trim element, is required to finish the edge of the panel  18 . 
     The canopy module  14  also includes suspension hardware, the components of which are best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3   a - 3   c . The suspension hardware includes one or more longitudinally extending suspension bars  32  (See  FIG. 3   b ). In the preferred configuration shown throughout the drawings, more than one suspension bar  32  is utilized. Here, the individual suspension bars  32  are mechanically attached to one another in the channel  26  to form an inter-locking continuous suspension bar. For example, the suspension bars can be attached via corner splices  40  (See  FIG. 3   c ). When assembled to the panel, the suspension bars  32  provide rigid support for the panel in both the longitudinal and cross directional axes of the panel. Various types of suspension bars  32  can be utilized, including the extruded H-bar shown throughout the Figures and the conventional inverted-T grid members illustrated in the 2007/0033902 application publication. 
     The suspension hardware also includes a plurality of hook members  42  which are fixedly attached to the longitudinally extending suspension bars  32  and extend therefrom in a direction generally perpendicular thereto. As best shown in  FIG. 3   a , the hook members  42  include a hook portion  43  at one end and an attachment flange  45  at the opposite end. The example hook members shown in the drawings are of general J shape and are preferably attached to the suspension bars  32  via the attachment flange  45  at an interior position of a respective suspension bar  32 . Preferably, for a more fixed attachment, the hook portion  43  includes detailing which conforms to the shape of the intersecting struts  16  so that the hook member  42  will fit over and around, and ultimately rest upon, the intersecting struts  16 . For example, the hook members are shown to be attached at the center of the suspension bar so that they will be attachable to the intersecting struts of the grouping frame as described in greater detail below. 
     The panel module  14  is installed on the grouping frame  12  by resting the hook members  42  over the struts  16  of the grouping frame  12 . For ease of installation, the hook portion of the hook members all face the same direction, i.e. they each face in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. For illustration purposes, each hook portion of the hook members shown throughout the drawings face the counterclockwise direction. 
     The progressive steps of attaching the canopy modules  14  onto the grouping frame are now described in greater detail with respect to  FIGS. 4   a - 4   d . As illustrated, the canopy modules  14  are downward accessible, i.e. the modules  14  are inserted up onto the grouping frame from a position below the grouping frame (as shown in  FIG. 4   a ). As shown in  FIG. 4   b , the module is lifted upwardly until the hook portions  43  of all the hook members  42  are positioned above the intersecting struts  16 . As shown in  FIG. 4   c , the module  14  is then rotated in a counterclockwise direction, i.e. the same direction in which the hook members are facing, until the hook portion of the hook members are positioned over the struts of the grouping frame. The struts  16  essentially act as a stop for movement of the canopy module in the counterclockwise direction. As shown in  FIG. 4   d , the module  14  is then allowed to drop down until the hook portion of the hook members engage, and rest upon, the intersecting struts  16 . 
     The grouping frame  12 , therefore, works in combination with the hook members  42  of the canopy module  14  to permit the modules to be easily locked onto the grouping frame in both the longitudinal and cross axes. Additionally, due to the installation procedure afforded by the components of the canopy modules, the modules can be installed on the grouping frame in close proximity to one another. Also, by attaching the modules to a grouping frame, the modules are indirectly attached to one another and are easily aligned and registered relative one another. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is ended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.