Trackless suspended ceiling

A suspended ceiling comprises first and second rows of panels being connected to overhead structures and an intermediate row of panels interposed therebetween. Each panel comprises front and rear edges and lateral sides. The first lateral side of a given panel of the intermediate row is configured to be releasably mounted to the complementarily configured lateral side of an adjacent panel of the first row. The second lateral side of the given panel of the intermediate row is configured to be releasably mounted to the complementarily configured lateral side of an adjacent panel of the second row. The given panel of the intermediate row can be removed by being lifted away from the panels of the first and second rows.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to ceilings. More particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to suspended ceilings. Still more particularly but still not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a kit of parts adapted to be assembled to form a ceiling.

BACKGROUND

Suspended ceilings are usually made of a metal grid consisting of tracks in the form of longitudinal parallel runners spaced apart from one another at a desired distance and separated by cross members in a perpendicular fashion thereby creating a plurality of rectangular openings. In general, those rectangular openings are of standard sizes allowing the ventilation outlets and the lighting fixtures to be easily inserted among the ceiling panels.

Suspended ceilings have been mostly utilized in office buildings and in housing basements because of the handiness that such systems allow to repair and/or to modify the partition of the space. However, most development in suspended ceilings has been towards improving the convenience for offices, without any improvement to the visual aspect of the ceiling. Indeed, the typical ceiling panels are made of fibrous material with a flat bottom finish, which are inserted in the rectangular openings made of the metal grid. Such unappealing designs have restricted the installation of suspended ceilings in residential construction to the basement and hinder their distribution whenever an upscale finish is desired.

The use of tracks also increases labor and material costs and interferes with the overall esthetic look of the suspended ceiling.

OBJECTS

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a suspended ceiling.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a trackless suspended ceiling.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a ceiling panel for a trackless suspended ceiling.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a kit for a trackless suspended ceiling.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a suspended ceiling comprising: a first row of panels being connected to overhead structures, each panel of the first row comprising front and rear edges and lateral sides; a second row of panels being connected to overhead structures, each panel of the second row comprising front and rear edges and lateral sides thereof; and an intermediate row of panels interposed between the first and second row, each panel of the intermediate row comprising front and rear edges and lateral sides thereof, the first lateral side of a given panel of the intermediate row being configured to be releasably mounted to the complementarily configured lateral side of an adjacent panel of the first row, the second lateral side of the given panel of the intermediate row being configured to be releasably mounted to the complementarily configured lateral side of an adjacent panel of the second row, wherein the given panel of the intermediate row can be removed by being lifted away from the panels of the first and second rows.

In an embodiment, the first lateral side of each panel of the intermediate row is configured to be releasably mounted to the complementarily configured lateral side of an adjacent panel of the first row, the second lateral side of each panel of the intermediate row being configured to be releasably mounted to the complementarily configured lateral side of an adjacent panel of second row, wherein each panel of the intermediate row can be removed by being lifted away from the panels of the first and second rows. In an embodiment, the first lateral side of each panel of the intermediate row comprises a protruding top portion defining an underside surface for being releasably positioned on a complementarily configured shoulder defined by the lateral side of the adjacent panel of the first row. In an embodiment, the second side of each panel of the intermediate row comprises a protruding top portion defining an underside surface for being releasably positioned on a complementarily configured shoulder defined by the lateral side of the adjacent panel of the second row.

In an embodiment, the first lateral side of the given panel of the intermediate row comprises a protruding top portion defining an underside surface for being releasably positioned on a complementarily configured shoulder defined by the lateral side of the adjacent panel of the first row. In an embodiment, the second side of the given panel of the intermediate row comprises a protruding top portion defining an underside surface for being releasably positioned on a complementarily configured shoulder defined by the lateral side of the adjacent panel of the second row.

In an embodiment, the rear edge of a given panel of the first row and the front edge of a next rearwardly adjacent panel of the first row are complementarily configured to mate with one another. In an embodiment, the rear edge of the given panel of the first row comprises a protruding portion forming an underside surface, the front edge of the next rearwardly adjacent panel comprises a shoulder for receiving thereon the underside surface of the given panel. In an embodiment, rear edge of the given panel of the first row comprises a shoulder, the front edge of the next rearwardly adjacent panel comprises a protruding portion forming an underside surface for being positioned on the shoulder of the given panel. In an embodiment, the rear edge of a given panel of the second row and the front edge of a next rearwardly adjacent panel of the second row are complementarily configured to mate with one another.

In an embodiment, the rear edge of the given panel of the second row comprises a protruding portion forming an underside surface, the front edge of the next rearwardly adjacent panel comprises a shoulder for receiving thereon the underside surface of the given panel. In an embodiment, the rear edge of the given panel of the second row comprises a shoulder, the front edge of the next rearwardly adjacent panel comprises a protruding portion forming an underside surface for being positioned on the shoulder of the given panel.

In an embodiment, the rear edge of a given panel of the intermediate row and the front edge of a next rearwardly adjacent panel of the intermediate row are complementarily configured to mate with one another. In an embodiment, the rear edge of the given panel of the intermediate row comprises a protruding portion forming an underside surface, the front edge of the next rearwardly adjacent panel comprises a shoulder for receiving thereon the underside surface of the given panel. In an embodiment, the rear edge of the given panel of the intermediate row comprises a shoulder, the front edge of the next rearwardly adjacent panel comprises a protruding portion forming an underside surface for being positioned on the shoulder of the given panel.

In an embodiment, a given panel of the first row comprises top face being mounted to the overhead structure. In an embodiment, a given panel of the second row comprises a top face being mounted of the overhead structure. In an embodiment, a given panel of the intermediate row comprises a top face for being mounted to the overhead structure.

In an embodiment, the top face is mounted to the overhead structure via an attachment. In an embodiment, the top face comprises a groove for removably receiving the attachment therein. In an embodiment, the attachment is fastened to the top face. In an embodiment, the attachment is adhered to the top face. In an embodiment, the attachment comprises a clipping assembly. In an embodiment, the clipping assembly comprises a male portion for being clipped within a female portion. In an embodiment, top face comprises a pair of grooves near each lateral side thereof for receiving respective attachments therein which are mounted to the overhead structure In an embodiment, each attachment comprises a clipping assembly. In an embodiment, each clipping assembly comprises a respective male portion for being clipped within a respective female portion.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a kit for providing a suspended ceiling comprising: a plurality of supporting panels for building first and second rows of panels for being connected to overhead structures, each supporting panel comprising front and rear edges and lateral sides; a plurality of removable panels for building an intermediate row of panels interposed between the first and second rows, each removable panel comprising front and rear edges and lateral sides thereof, the first lateral side of each removable panel being configured to be releasably mounted to the complementarily configured lateral side of an adjacent supporting panel of the first row, the second lateral side of each removable panel being configured to be releasably mounted to the complementarily configured lateral side of an adjacent supporting panel of second row, wherein the given removable panel of the intermediate row can be removed by being lifted away from the supporting panels of the first and second rows.

In an embodiment, the first lateral side of each removable panel comprises a protruding top portion defining an underside surface for being releasably positioned on a complementarily configured shoulder defined by the lateral side of the adjacent panel of the first row. In an embodiment, the second side of the removable panel of the intermediate row comprises a protruding top portion defining an underside surface for being releasably positioned on a complementarily configured shoulder defined by the lateral side of the adjacent panel of the second row.

In an embodiment, the rear edge of each supporting panel is complementarily configured to mate with the front edge of another supporting panel. In an embodiment, the rear edge of each supporting panel comprises a protruding portion forming an underside surface and the front edge of each supporting panel comprises a shoulder for receiving thereon the underside surface of another supporting panel. In an embodiment, the rear edge of each supporting panel comprises a shoulder and the front edge of each supporting panel comprises a protruding portion forming an underside surface for being positioned on the shoulder of another supporting panel.

In an embodiment, the rear edge of each removable panel is complementarily configured to mate with the front edge of another removable panel. In an embodiment, the rear edge of each removable panel comprises a protruding portion forming an underside surface and the front edge of each removable panel comprises a shoulder for receiving thereon the underside surface of another removable panel. In an embodiment, the rear edge of each removable panel comprises a shoulder and the front edge of each removable panel comprises a protruding portion forming an underside surface for being positioned on the shoulder of another removable panel.

In an embodiment, each supporting panel comprises a top face being mounted to the overhead structure. In an embodiment, each removable panel comprises a top face being mounted to the overhead structure.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a supporting panel for a suspended ceiling, the suspended ceiling comprising first and second rows of supporting panels being connected to overhead structures, and an intermediate row of removable panels interposed between the first and second rows, the supporting panel comprising: a top surface for being connected to an overhead structure; opposite lateral sides for supporting a respective removable panel; and front and rear edges configured to be mated with interfacing edges of like supporting panels.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a removable panel for a suspended ceiling, the suspended ceiling comprising a first and second row of supporting panels being connected to overhead structures, and an intermediate row of removable panels interposed between the first and second rows, the removable panel comprising: a top surface; opposite lateral sides for being supported by a respective supporting panel; and front and rear edges configured to be mated with interfacing edges of like removable panels.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Generally stated, the disclosure provides a trackless suspended ceiling comprising a plurality of generally rectangular panels. The panels comprise edges which are configured to correspondingly mate when positioning two panels in a side by side manner. The panels are connected to beams via attachment assemblies. The attachment assemblies can be mounted to the panels via grooves formed on the top surface of the panels or by being fastened or otherwise adhered thereto. As such, a suspended ceiling structure is provided with two rows of panels that are connected to the beams and another row of panels interposed therebetween. The edges of the panels of this intermediate row, flanked by the two connected rows, respectively rest on the edges of the panels at each lateral side thereof. The front edge of each panel mates with the rear edge of an upstream panel, whereas the rear edge of each panel mates with the front edge of a downstream panel. This provides a suspended ceiling wherein the space between the ceiling panels is sealed without the use of tracks or runners.

With reference to the Figures, non-limiting illustrative embodiments will now be described.

FIG. 1shows a suspended ceiling structure10comprising a plurality of inter-mating ceiling panels12connected to overhead structures such as beams14via attachments such as clip assemblies16and17.

As shown in the Figures and as will be discussed herein, each panel12includes a top face or inner surface30(seeFIGS. 3-6) and a bottom face or outer surface31(seeFIGS. 1,2and7). When the ceiling panels12are connected to form a ceiling structure the top faces30are unexposed and the bottom faces31are exposed and form the façade of the ceiling. As better shown inFIGS. 3 to 6, each panel includes a pair of lateral sides68and70and a front and rear edges64and66respectively. The structure of the front, rear, and lateral sides will be returned to later. It should be noted that the terms “front” and “rear” are used for indicative purposes only and are thus interchangeable.

With particular reference toFIGS. 2 and 3and7, the clip assembly16(seeFIG. 7for assembled version) includes a top clipping member18mounted to the beam14and a bottom clipping member34mounted to the panel12.

The top clipping member16is fastened directly onto the beam14and includes a female clipping structure20extending from its top plate22.

There is also shown an assembly17(seeFIGS. 1,2and3) which includes a top clipping member24and the bottom clipping member. The top clipping member has a longitudinal plate26which is fastened to the beams14as well as a downwardly extending female member28.

The top clipping member18and the top clipping member24are similar except for the fact that the member18is a short structure that is fastened to a single beam14, whereas member24is an elongated structure that is mounted to a plurality of beams14. Furthermore, as will be explained herein, the clipping member18receives a single male clipping element whereas the clipping member24receives a plurality of clipping elements from a plurality of panels.

As shown inFIG. 4, each panel12includes a top face30comprising a pair of grooves32near each lateral side68and70thereof, respectively. Each groove32provides for receiving the bottom clipping member34. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 7, the bottom clipping member34includes a lower dovetail36configured to be fitted within the groove32as well as side flanges38which engage the top surface30of the panel12. A vertical stem39extends upwardly from the side flanges38and includes a set of fins40providing a male member which is inserted into the female structure20or28of the top clipping member18or26, respectively.

Female structures20and28are similarly constructed with the exception that structure20is a short structure and structure28is a longer structure.

Turning now toFIG. 7, the female member20is shown comprising a pair of angled lower deflectors42and defining shoulders44being provided where the deflectors connect with the channel46defined therebetween. The lower fins40rest on shoulders44.

With reference toFIG. 4, grooves32have a dovetail structure so as to retain the dovetail36of the lower clipping member34for mutual engagement.

Each groove32includes a median wider portion32A between two narrower portions32B. The dovetail36is releasable from the wider portion32A but is compressed within grooves32B thereby creating a mutual interference engagement therewith due to the narrower size of grooves32B and the resiliency of the compressible or deformable dovetail36.

It should be noted that a variety of top and bottom clipping members or elements can be contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure so as to attach a panel12having a pair of grooves for receiving such structures to beams14on which similar or like structures are mounted thereto for mutual engagement therewith.

FIG. 7shows one such example of an attachment between panel12to a beam14via the clipping assembly16.

Alternatively,FIG. 5shows a panel12′ comprising a pair of laterally disposed grooves32′ which are shorter and having a constant width, as such each clip member34is mounted to its respective groove32′.

Alternatively,FIG. 6shows a panel12″ comprising a pair of laterally disposed grooves32″ on the top side30thereof. The grooves32″ have a constant width and span the length of the top side from the front to the rear edges thereof.

Turning now toFIGS. 8 and 9, there is shown a ceiling panel12′″ comprising a top face30′″ for receiving a plurality of bottom clip members50which do not have a dovetail but rather a bottom plate52from which the stem54extends and carries the fins56. Panel12′″ does not include any grooves and as such, the bottom clip members50are fastened onto the top surface30′″ via fasteners such as screws58which are fitted through the longitudinal slits60cut into the platform52at each side of the stem54.

Alternatively inFIGS. 10 and 11, the bottom clip members50can be mounted to the face30′″ an adhesive substance62and hence forego any use of screws or fasteners.

Of course, other ways of connecting a panel12′,12″ with or12′″ without grooves to a beam via connectors can be contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9 and 11show that the fins56are received within the female portion20of the top clipping member18as previously described.

The current system described herein does not include lateral runners or tracks and in this way, and with references toFIGS. 3,4,5,6,8and10, the front and rear edges64and66as well as the lateral sides68and70of the panels12,12′,12″ or12′″ (generally referred to as12herein when describing edges64,66and sides68and70for concision purposes only) comprise jagged structures. More specifically, a lateral side68of one panel12is configured to correspondingly mate with the jagged lateral side70of another adjacent panel. Furthermore, the jagged front edge64of one panel12is configured to correspondingly mate with the rear edge66of an adjacent panel12.

In this way, a plurality of panels12, as shown inFIG. 1, can be positioned side-to-side with one another so as to provide a ceiling structure10with the edges thereof (whether front or rear or lateral) of each side-by-side panel being closely aligned and comprising jagged structures which seal the space there between so as to allow no opening between the bottom area S of the suspended ceiling structure10and the overhead area O. More specifically, there are shown three longitudinal rows A, B and C as well as two lateral rows I and II. As shown, clipping assemblies16and17have been mounted between the panels12of rows A and C whereas the panels of rows B are simply inter-connected via their lateral sides68and70to the corresponding lateral sides68and70of the panels12of rows A and C. Furthermore, the panels12of rows I are inter-connected to the panels of row II via their mutually interfering and inter-mating edges64and66. Hence, the panels of rows B can be removed by being lifted and then slightly slanted and removed through the opening created thereby.

Still more specifically and with reference toFIGS. 12A and 12B, the ceiling structure10provides supporting panels positioned in rows A and C and generally denoted12S which are fastened to the beams14via attachments generally denoted15and supported or removable panels in row B generally denoted12R.

The panels12R rest on the lateral sides of the laterally adjacent panels12S.

Accordingly, the lateral side68S and70S of the supporting panels12S have a recessed top portion72defining an upper lateral wall74and a large shoulder76. The lateral side68R and70R of the removable panel12R comprises a protruding top portion78mirroring the recessed portion72and defining an upper lateral wall80and an underside wall82. Each underside wall82of panel12R rests of the shoulder76of the laterally adjacent panel12S. As such, each wall80of the panel12R interfaces with the upper lateral wall74of the laterally adjacent panel12S. Advantageously, there is a small clearance gap75between walls80and74.

Moreover, the lateral sides68S and70S of the panels12S have a recessed bottom portion84defining an upper protruding wall86, a short underside88and an inner recessed wall90. The lateral sides68R and70R of the panel12R include respective lower walls92, each of which respectively mates with the wall86of the laterally adjacent panel12S and as is slightly spaced apart from the wall90by the distance defined by underside88to form a minute gap93which allows for easier handling of the panel12R.

Therefore, the panels12R can be raised upwardly as shown by arrow U and moved diagonally as shown by arrow D, and the brought down as shown by arrow K in order to be removed. The user may then detach the attachments15in order to remove panels12S.

As shown inFIGS. 12A and 12B, the top surfaces30S and30R of the panels are generally flush with one another and their bottom surfaces31S and31R are also generally flush with one another.

Turning now toFIG. 4, the front edges64of the panels12includes a main wall94, a recessed top wall96and a shoulder98defined therebetween. The rear edges66define an upper lip portion100defining a protruding wall102and an underside surface104. The underside surface104of the rear edge66of a panel12rests on the shoulder96of the front edge of next rearwardly adjacent panel12of that row.

As such, the present disclosure provides a suspended ceiling without any tracks between the lateral in a transverse or translational array, providing the look of side-by-side panels within inter-connected edges which seal the spaces between the panels so that light or air is substantially avoided from passing.

The various features described herein can be combined in a variety of ways within the context of the present description so as to provide still other embodiments. It is to be understood that the present description is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The description is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence, although the present description has been provided hereinabove by way of non-restrictive illustrative embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the scope, spirit and nature of the disclosure and appended claims