Abstract:
A device for supporting a suspended ceiling includes a section that is able to support the suspended ceiling and spacers disposed between the section and the walls of the building. A removable panel is mounted on a section, the panel being able to reduce a space provided between the wall and the section at least at the location of the section bearing the aforementioned panel. At least one of the spacers may simultaneously include means for fixing the spacer to the section and means for fixing the spacer directly to a wall or to a ceiling of the building, in such a way that the spacer may be secured to the wall or the ceiling and the section may not be secured to the wall or the ceiling without a spacer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/FR2005/050308, International Filing Date, 10 May 2005, which designated the United States of America, and which International Application was published under PCT Article 21 (s) as WO Publication No. WO2005/113910 A2 and which claims priority from, and the benefit of, French Application No. 200450907, filed 11 May 2004. 
     The aspects of the disclosed embodiments relate to a device for supporting a suspended ceiling on a ceiling or walls of a building. More precisely, the aspects of the disclosed embodiments relate to such a device for supporting a suspended ceiling allowing a space between the walls of a building and the fixation device to be provided, in such a way as to allow passage of air between a volume of the building and a volume provided between the ceiling and the suspended ceiling. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments relate to, more precisely, means allowing a constant space or gap to be maintained between the walls and the device for supporting a suspended ceiling in such a way as to have the necessary spread for the desired flow of air along the walls. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments relate to such a device for supporting a suspended ceiling equipped with means allowing a variable closing of the space provided between the wall and the fixation device. 
     The aspects of the disclosed embodiments particularly find applications in the field of air conditioning or ventilation of buildings. In fact, air ventilation, conditioning and filtration devices are generally disposed in the volume created between the ceiling and the suspended ceiling, the air has to flow along the walls. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Currently, to allow passage of air from the volume created between the ceiling and the suspended ceiling of a building, and conversely, utilizing a separator disposed between the walls of the building and the device for supporting the suspended ceiling is known. The separators are regularly disposed, in order to ensure that a constant distance is maintained between the wall and the support device. Therefore, these separators reserve a space allowing the distribution of air over the entire periphery of the building, for example treated and/or tempered air, after its passage in the volume provided between the suspended ceiling and the ceiling. The separators are, for example, fixed through screws on the walls or on the suspended ceiling support device. 
     While installing a suspended ceiling in a building, by means of a support device from the prior art such as described previously, it is necessary to proceed in several successive steps. First, the separators are fixed spaced apart on the walls of the building at a specific height with relation to the ceiling in order to create the desired volume between the suspended ceiling and the ceiling. So that the separators are all at the same level, it is necessary to affix a visual mark on the walls over the entire periphery of the building, indicating the level at which the separators should be fixed. Once the separators are fixed, the device for supporting the suspended ceiling is brought to abut against these separators, then the suspended ceiling support device is fixed to the wall or the ceiling. Once the suspended ceiling support device is fixed to the wall, or to the ceiling, the suspended ceiling is connected to the suspended ceiling support device. 
     In the case where the separators are not fixed to the wall but to the suspended ceiling support device, one must, prior to fixing the suspended ceiling support device to the walls or the ceiling, proceed with a fixation of the separators on the support device in such a way that the separators are regularly spaced apart. The support device is then fixed on the walls or the ceiling of the building. 
     In both cases, it is necessary to proceed in several steps to mount the suspended ceiling in a building. A significant loss of time and risks of misaligning the separators from each other follows, creating a distance between the walls and the suspended ceiling support device that may vary from one point to another in the building. In fact, fixation of the support device on the walls or ceiling is independent from the separator and from its position. 
     Allowing modulation in the passage of air by modifying the space created between the suspended ceiling support device and the walls is known, even though the distance between the support device and the walls is fixed. In fact, being able to vary the passage of air turns out to be useful, not only in the entire building, according to an outside temperature for example, but also to be able to vary the passage of air from one point to another in the same building. For example, when the sun is reflected against the windows of the building, it may be useful to have a stronger airflow at the location of the building where the windows are situated than at a location of the building that lacks windows, so that a stronger flow of fresh air arrives at the location of the windows. Conversely, when the outside temperature is low, the presence of the window allowing cold air to be filtered from the outside necessitates a stronger passage of hot air at the location of the building where the windows are situated than at another location of said building. 
     Actually, means allowing a variable closing of the space provided between the walls and the suspended ceiling support device often have complex constructions. In addition, these pieces are generally integral with the suspended ceiling support device on a face of the support device directed towards the ceiling. Such means allowing a variable closing of the space provided between the walls and the suspended ceiling support device are therefore no longer accessible once the suspended ceiling is installed. To access said means, it is necessary to at least partially disassemble the suspended ceiling prior to access. 
     SUMMARY 
     In the disclosed embodiments, we aim to resolve the problems stated above by proposing a device for supporting a suspended ceiling such that a constant desired distance between the walls and the support device is obtained thanks to the support device itself. To achieve this, the means for fixing the device for supporting the suspended ceiling on a wall or ceiling are equipped with means allowing the desired constant space to be maintained between the wall and the support device. Therefore, a step during the installation of a suspended ceiling in the building to be equipped with said suspended ceiling is eliminated. In fact, during the step of attaching the fixation means to the walls or ceiling, fixation of the support device to the walls or ceiling and the creation and conservation of the desired distance between the wall and the support device are obtained at the same time. Fixation of the suspended ceiling support device is directly linked to the positioning of means allowing a constant spacing between the walls and the support device. 
     The fixation means and the means for supporting the desired spacing between the wall and the suspended ceiling support device form a single piece, said piece advantageously being obtained by molding a monobloc piece. Therefore, it is possible to very quickly make such molded monobloc pieces, all identical, in large numbers. When the pieces utilized for installing a suspended ceiling in a building come from the same mold, one is assured that the space created between the walls and the support device is the same over the entire periphery of the building. 
     In the disclosed embodiments, a device for supporting a suspended ceiling such that a constant spacing over the entire periphery of the building between the walls and the suspended ceiling support device may be closed in a modifiable manner is also proposed. To do this, the support device according to the disclosed embodiments may be equipped with a plurality of panels disposed, as needed, along a contour of the support device directed towards the walls in such a way as to seal all or part of the space provided between the walls and the support device, and to modulate the airflow. Such panels may for example be latched in a non-irreversible manner on the support device, so that it is possible to remove all or part of said panels as needed, without having to touch the structure itself of the suspended ceiling. 
     In addition, it is possible to provide that these panels be mounted sliding on the suspended ceiling support device, in order to be displaced along the support device. 
     Therefore, the object of the disclosed embodiments is a device for supporting a suspended ceiling in a building, comprising 
     a section that is able to support the suspended ceiling, 
     spacers disposed between the section and the walls of the building, providing a space to allow air to circulate, 
     wherein the device comprises at least one removable panel mounted on the section, the panel being able to reduce or obstruct the space provided between the wall and the section. 
     In the particular examples of embodiment of the suspended ceiling support device of the disclosed embodiments, said device may comprise all or part of the following characteristics: 
     the panel comprises a strip extending in projection from the section, in the direction of the wall; 
     the device comprises a set of removable panels having different lengths of strips; 
     the panel is able to be elastically engaged over an edge of the section; 
     the panel is able to slide along said edge; 
     the panel may be displaced on the section, in a direction perpendicular to the wall, in such a way as to modulate the space provided between the wall and the section. 
     a first extremity of the panel is equipped with a hook, the panel may be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the wall by means of said hook. 
     a second extremity of the panel, mounted on a flange of the section, is equipped with an oblong fixation opening, a screw traversing the oblong fixation opening and the flange of the section. 
     the device comprises a means for fixing the section to a wall of the building, said section fixation means being fixed to a flange of the section, the panel being inserted between the flange of the section and the section fixation means. 
     the panel is maintained on the section, a position of the panel on the section being maintained by a flexible rod, a first extremity of the flexible rod being fixed to the section and a second extremity of said flexible rod in flexible support on the panel. 
     the panel is fixed to the section by a spring loaded screw. 
     the strip is a flexible strip. 
     an inner face of the panel, directed towards the wall of the building, is equipped with a plurality of steps extending perpendicularly to the wall and able to receive a first extremity of the strip of the partially bent panel. 
     the support device comprises an edge molding fixed to the section. 
     Another object of the disclosed embodiments is a device for supporting a suspended ceiling in a building, comprising 
     a section that is able to support the suspended ceiling, 
     spacers disposed between the section and the walls of the building, providing a space to allow air to circulate, 
     wherein a spacer simultaneously comprises a means to fix the spacer to the section and a means to fix the spacer directly to a wall of the building in such a way that the spacer may be secured to the wall and the section may not be secured to the wall without a spacer. 
     In particular examples of embodiment of the disclosed embodiments, the suspended ceiling support device may comprise all or part of the following additional characteristics: 
     a spacer has a general L shape, a strut of the L being fixed to an upper flange of the section and extending parallel to said upper flange, and a base of the L extending substantially parallel to the walls of the building in such a way as to be able to be fixed to a wall of the building, the strut of the L extending in projection from the upper flange of the section in the direction of the wall; 
     a spacer has a general U shape, a first branch of the U being fixed to an upper flange of the fixation section and extending parallel to said flange, a second branch of the U being able to be fixed to the ceiling, a base of the U extending parallel to the wall in the direction of the ceiling, the branches and the base of the U providing a cavity that is open towards the inside of the building, the first branch of the U comprising a tab extending in projection from the upper flange of the section in a direction opposite to the direction of the branches of the U, the tab being designed to abut against the wall; 
     a spacer has a general U shape, a first branch of the U being fixed to an upper flange of the fixation section and extending parallel to said flange, a base of the U extending parallel to the wall in the direction of the ceiling and a second branch of the U extending parallel to the ceiling in the direction of the wall and being able to be fixed to said ceiling, the second branch of the U being designed to abut against the wall. 
     The suspended ceiling support device according to the disclosed embodiments may also comprise, on the one hand, one or more removable panels allowing the space provided between the wall and the section to be adjusted and, on the other hand, the spacer allowing the section to be fixed and a constant spacing between the section and the walls to be maintained. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosed embodiments will be better understood upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. The figures are presented for indication purposes only and in no way limit the disclosed embodiments. The figures show: 
         FIG. 1 : a section in a plane perpendicular to a wall of a suspended ceiling support device according to an example of embodiment of the disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 2 : a section in a vertical plane perpendicular to a wall of a device of the disclosed embodiments according to another example of embodiment of the disclosed embodiments; 
         FIGS. 3   a  to  3   d : examples of embodiment of a spacer of the disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 4 : an example of embodiment of a removable panel of the disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 5 : a second example of embodiment of a panel of the disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG. 6 : a schematic representation of a section equipped with a spacer and a panel of the disclosed embodiments. 
         FIG. 7 : a section in a vertical plane perpendicular to a wall of a device of the disclosed embodiments according to another example of embodiment of the disclosed embodiments; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIG. 1 , one may see an example of embodiment of a device  1  for supporting a suspended ceiling on a ceiling  3  according to a first example of embodiment of the disclosed embodiments. In  FIG. 2  may be seen another example of embodiment of a suspended ceiling support device  1  on a wall  2 . 
     With reference to these drawings, the device  1  according to the disclosed embodiments comprises means  202  for maintaining a constant spacing between a fixation section  100  of the support device  1  and the wall  2  of the building in which the suspended ceiling may be disposed (only one means  202  is visible in  FIG. 1 ). Due to these means  202  for maintaining a constant spacing between section  100  and wall  2 , a space  4  is provided between wall  2  and section  100 . This space  4  allows air to flow from a space  5  provided between the suspended ceiling and the ceiling  3  to the inside of the building over the entire periphery of said building. 
     In the example represented in  FIG. 1 , fixation section  100  has the general shape of a square. The section  100  is equipped with an upper flange  120  and a lower flange  121  parallel to each other and to ceiling  3 . A space  122  is provided between the two flanges  120  and  121  that is able to receive an extremity  12  of a suspended stretch ceiling  11 . The section  100  also comprises two lateral flanges, respectively external flange  123  and internal flange  124 . Internal flange  124  is understood to refer to the lateral flange directed towards space  4 , by opposition to external flange  123  that is directed towards the building. The lateral flanges  123  and  124  are parallel to each other and perpendicular to upper  120  and lower  121  flanges and extend downward, parallel to wall  2 . Extend downward is understood to refer to extension in the direction of the floor of the building. 
     In another example of embodiment, it is possible to provide a section that lacks the lower flange. In this case, it is possible to house the extremity of the suspended ceiling in a space provided between the two lateral flanges of the section. 
     A spacer  200  of the disclosed embodiments comprises means  201  for fixing support device  1  on wall  2  and means for maintaining a constant spacing  202 . In the example represented in  FIG. 1 , the monobloc spacer  200  has a general U shape. Different examples of embodiment of the monobloc piece will be studied subsequently. 
     The panel  700  is integral with a bottom extremity  126  of one of the lateral flanges  124 . Bottom extremity  126  is understood to refer to the extremity of the lateral flange  124  directed towards the floor, in opposition to the top extremity directed towards the ceiling  3 . The panel  700  is latched on extremity  126  through latching means  701 . A strip  702  of panel  700  extends in projection with relation to lateral flange  124  in the direction of wall  2  in such a way as to seal a passage of air at the location of space  4 . 
     In the example represented in  FIG. 1 , a length  706  ( FIG. 4 ) of panel  702  allows space  5  to be completely sealed in such a way that at the location of the section  100  where panels  700  are located, air may not transit from space  5  provided between ceiling  3  and suspended ceiling  11  to the inside of the building. Length  706  of strip  702  is understood to refer to the dimension of the strip  702  that extends perpendicularly to the wall  2 . 
     In other examples of embodiment, it is possible to provide section  100  with panels  700  whose strips  702  have a length  706  such that the length only partially seals passage  4 , so as, for example, to only reduce the airflow to the location of section  100  where these panels  700  are located. Furthermore, one may provide the same section  100  with panels  700  having different lengths  706  of strips  702 . 
     Examples of panels will be described in further detail subsequently. 
     In  FIG. 1 , external lateral flange  123  has a cornice, or molding  13 . A top extremity  14  of cornice  13  comes in contact with the suspended stretch ceiling  11 . Top extremity  13  is understood to refer to the extremity of the cornice  13  directed towards the suspended ceiling  11 . A bottom extremity  15  of cornice  13 , opposite from top extremity  14 , comes in contact with a bottom extremity  127  of external lateral flange  123 . The cornice  13  is fixed by any means to lateral flange  123 . Therefore, an elegant finishing of the installation of the suspended ceiling  11  is obtained, as the cornice conceals the section  100  over the entire perimeter of the building. 
     In  FIG. 2  may be seen another example of embodiment of a suspended ceiling support device  1  according to the disclosed embodiments. The section  100  is provided with an upper flange  110  extending parallel to ceiling  3 , a lateral flange  111  extending parallel to wall  2  and substantially perpendicular to upper flange  110 , and a lower flange  112  extending substantially parallel to ceiling  3  and to upper flange  110 . The flanges  110 ,  111  and  112  provide a cavity  113 , wherein an opening is directed towards the inside of the building. In this space  113  may be housed an external contour of a suspended ceiling (not represented). 
     Here spacer  200  comprises a fixation device  201 ,  203 ,  204  of section  100  of support device  1  wherein one shape is such that it allows, on the one hand, section  100  to be connected to wall  2 , and, on the other hand, the desired constant spacing to be maintained between section  100  and the wall  2 . This example of embodiment will be studied in further detail in the rest of the description. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the example of device  1  is equipped with two different examples of embodiment of panels. Of course, a single panel is sufficient to regulate the airflow to the location of a given segment of the section  100 . 
     The lateral flange  111  is equipped with a slot  114  in which is housed an attachment area  711  for a panel  710  wherein one strip  712 , substantially perpendicular to the engaging area  711 , extends projecting from said engaging area  711  in the direction of wall  2 , in such a way as to reduce a passage  6  by which the air contained in space  5  provided between the suspended ceiling and ceiling  3  may flow in the direction of the building. 
     The fixation device  1  represented in  FIG. 2  comprises another panel  720 . The panel  720  comprises a strip  721  and a hook  722 . The strip  721  comprises an oblong opening for the passage of a screw (not visible in  FIG. 2 ). 
     The panel  720  is represented in detail in  FIG. 5 . The panel  720  may be utilized in different manners to modulate the space provided between the section and the wall. 
     For example, in  FIG. 2 , panel  720  is inserted between upper flange  110  of section  100  and spacer  200 . The oblong opening of panel  720  coincides with the opening of spacer  200  and the opening of section  100 . The same screw  7  allows section  100 , panel  720  and spacer  200  to be fixed. However, the mounting is such that a sufficient clearance exists between section  100  and panel  720  on the one hand and between panel  720  and spacer  200  on the other hand, so that the panel  720  may be displaced on the section  100  in the direction of the wall  2  or in a direction opposite from wall  2 . When one wants to modify the position of panel  720  on section  100 , the panel  720  is pulled or pushed by its hook  722 . A length  724  of the oblong opening  723  ( FIG. 5 ) allows the space between section  100  and wall  2  to be varied. Length  724  of the oblong opening  723  is understood to refer to the dimension of the opening  723  in the direction perpendicular to wall  2 . 
     More generally, panel  720  is mounted sliding on flange  110  of section  100  in such a way as to be able to be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the wall and to therefore modulate the passage of air  6 . 
     In the examples represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , upper flange  120  or  110  of section  100  is integral with fixation means  201  through a screw and a nut. It is also possible to connect flanges  120  or  110  and fixation means  201  by gluing or soldering, or by any other known appropriate means. 
     In the disclosed embodiments, and as represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the means  201  for fixing section  100  to ceiling  3  or to wall  2  of the building as well as means  202  for maintaining a constant spacing between section  100  and wall  2  are formed by a monobloc spacer  200 . 
       FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c  and  3   d  represent four different embodiments of such a spacer. In all cases, the spacer comprises a stop extending in projection with relation to the section, in the direction of the wall, in order to form a means for maintaining a constant spacing, the stop being designed to rest against the wall, and means for fixing the spacer on the one hand to the section and on the other hand to the walls or to the ceiling of the building. 
       FIG. 3   a  represents a first example of embodiment of a spacer  400 . The monobloc spacer  400  has a general U shape. A first branch  401  of the U  400 , or lower branch, is designed to be connected to upper flange  120  or  110  of a section  100 , through, for example, a screw passing through an opening  403 . A second branch  402  of the U  400 , substantially parallel to first branch  401 , is designed to be connected to ceiling  3  through a screw, for example, passing through an opening  404 . A base  405  of the U extends substantially perpendicularly to branches  401  and  402 . A cavity  406 , provided between base  405  and two branches  401  and  402  of the U  400 , is designed to be directed towards the inside of the building. A tab  407  extends in projection from lower branch  401 , in an extension of said branch  401 , in a direction opposite to the direction of branch  401 . The tab  407  is designed to rest against wall  2  in such a way as to form a means for maintaining the spacing between section  100  and wall  2  in order to create space  4 . It is also possible to make a spacer  400  in which the tab extends in projection and in the extension of the upper branch  402 . The spacer  400  therefore allows on the one hand the section, to which it is connected, to be fixed to the ceiling, and on the other hand a constant space between the wall and said section to be maintained. 
       FIG. 3   b  represents a spacer  500  according to another example of embodiment of the disclosed embodiments. The spacer  500  has a general L shape. A strut  501  of the L  500  is designed to extend substantially parallel to ceiling  3 . The strut  501  may be connected to upper flange  120  or  110  of section  100  through a screw passing through an opening  504  provided on said strut  501 . A base  502  of the monobloc spacer in L  500  extends perpendicularly to the strut  501 , and is designed to be connected to wall  2 . A length  503  of the strut  501  is such that when the base  502  is next to wall  2 , a space  4  is provided between section  100  and said wall  2 . To do this, the length  503  of the strut  501  is strictly greater than a width of the section  100  to which it is connected. Width of the section  100  is understood to refer to the dimension of the section  100  perpendicular to the wall  2 . The strut  501  is next to said section  100  over the entire width of said section  100  and extends in projection from said section  100  in the direction of the wall  2 , as represented in  FIG. 2 . The base  502  of the L  500  may be fixed to the wall through, for example, three screws respectively passing through openings  505 ,  506  and  507  provided on the branch  502 . The multiplication of the number of fixation screws allows, for example, a leverage effect undergone by the L-shaped spacer  500  to be interfered with when the suspended ceiling is supported by the support device  1 . 
       FIG. 3   c  represents a third example of a spacer  300  of the disclosed embodiments. Spacer  300  has a general U shape. A first branch  301  of the U  300 , or lower branch, is designed to be connected to an upper flange  120  or  110  of section  100 . To do this, a screw passage opening  302  is provided on branch  301  of the U. A base of the U  303  is designed to extend parallel to wall  2 , and extends substantially perpendicularly to branch  301 . A second branch  304  of the U  300  extends perpendicularly to base  303  and parallel to the first branch  301 . The second branch  304 , or upper branch, is designed to be connected to ceiling  3 . To do this, a screw passage opening  305  is provided on upper branch  304 . A cavity  306  provided between branches  301  and  304  and base  303  of the U  300  is directed towards wall  2 . A length  307  of upper branch  304  of the U  300  is strictly greater than a length  308  of lower branch  301 . Length  307  or  308  of branches  304  or  301  of the U  300  is understood to refer to the dimension of branches  301  or  304  perpendicular to the plane of the wall of the relevant building. An extremity  309  of the upper branch  304 , opposite to extremity  310  integral with base  301 , is designed to abut against the wall of the building. As upper branch  304  is longer than first branch  301 , a space  4  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is therefore provided between the wall and the section  100 , corresponding to the difference between the length  307  of upper branch  304  and the length  308  of first branch  301 . The spacer  300  therefore allows, on the one hand, the section to which it is connected to be fixed to the ceiling, and on the other hand a constant space to be maintained between the wall and said section. An extremity  309  of the upper branch  304 , opposite to extremity  310  that is integral with the base  301 , is designed to abut against the wall of the building. As upper branch  304  is longer than first branch  301 , a space  4  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is therefore provided between the wall and the section  100 , corresponding to the difference between the length  307  of upper branch  304  and the length  308  of first branch  301 . Spacer  300  therefore allows on the one hand the section, to which it is connected, to be fixed to the ceiling, and on the other hand a constant space to be maintained between the wall and said section. 
       FIG. 3   d  represents a fourth example of embodiment of a spacer  600 . The spacer  600  is equipped with three parts  601 ,  603  and  604 . A first part  601 , or bottom part, extends substantially parallel to the upper flange  120  or  110  of the section  100  to which the bottom part  601  is designed to be connected. An extremity  602  of the bottom part  601 , designed to be directed towards the wall  2 , is integral with an intermediate part  603  which extends perpendicularly to the bottom part  601 . A top part  604  extends parallel to the bottom part  601 , but in a direction opposite to the direction of the bottom part  601 . That is, the top part  604  is designed to extend in the direction of the wall  2 . An extremity  605  of the top part  604 , opposite to the extremity  606  that is integral with the intermediate part  603 , is designed to abut against the wall  2 . Therefore the space  4  between the section  100  and the wall  2  is provided through the top part  604  over the entire length  607  of said top part  604 . The spacer  600  therefore allows on the one hand the section, to which it is connected, to be fixed to the ceiling, and on the other hand a constant space to be maintained between the wall and said section. 
     Once the section  100  is disposed and supported at a constant distance from the wall  2 , in such a way as to provide a space  4  between the section  100  and the wall  2 , it may be necessary to modulate a space  6  ( FIG. 2 ), by which the air may flow along the wall. To do this, it is possible to provide the suspended ceiling support device  1  with one or more removable panels  700 ,  710 ,  720  such as represented in particular in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Such removable panels  700 ,  710 ,  720  may be disposed over the entire length of the suspended ceiling support device  1 , inasmuch where a space  4  between the section  100  and the wall  2  exists. 
     In the example represented in  FIG. 4 , in combination with the description from  FIG. 1 , one may see the panel  700  according to a particular example of embodiment. The panel  700  comprises means  701  for latching said panel  700  on section  100 . In the example represented in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the latching means  701  are formed by a slot  705  in which the bottom extremity  126  of the lateral flange  124  may be housed. The slot  705  in which the bottom extremity  126  is housed is such that the panel  700  may slide along the bottom extremity  126  over the entire length of the lateral flange  124  and therefore over the entire length of the section  100 . Length of the section  100  is understood to refer to the dimension of the section  100  parallel to the wall  2  and to the ceiling  3 . Therefore, it is possible, once the panel  700  is latched on the section  100 , to modify a position of the panel  700  along the section  100 . In addition, the latching means  701  of the panel  700  are such that the panel  700  may be easily removed and repositioned on the section  100 . 
     The strip  702  of the panel  700  extends in projection from an inner face  125  of the lateral flange  124  of the section  100  directed towards the wall  2 , in the direction of the wall  2 . Inner face  125  of the lateral flange  124  is understood to refer to the face directed towards the wall  2 . The strip  702  therefore allows the passage by which air may pass from space  5  provided between ceiling  3  and suspended ceiling  11  to the building to be modulated. Strip  702  may be a flexible strip ( FIG. 1 ). 
     The length  706  of the strip  702  may vary. Therefore, according to the length  706  of the strip  702 , it is possible to seal partially or completely the space  4 . In fact, if the length  706  of the strip  702  is substantially equivalent to the length of the means for maintaining the constant spacing  202 , the space  4  is completely sealed. On the other hand, one may utilize a panel  700  wherein the length  706  of the strip  702  is less than the length of the spacing maintenance means  202 . Therefore, one only has to reduce the passage  6  by which air may flow. 
     Depending on the number of panels  700  on section  100  and a distance between each of the panels  700 , the flow of air from one location to another in the same building may be modified. Furthermore, depending on the length  706  of the panels  700 , the space  4  and therefore the passage  6  through which air may flow is more or less obstructed. It is therefore possible to carry out a multitude of combinations allowing the desired airflow to be obtained, and to modify the airflow as desired by simply removing or displacing the panels  700 . 
       FIG. 5  represents another example of embodiment of a panel  720 . Panel  720  comprises a strip  721  and a hook  722 . The strip  721  comprises an oblong screw passage opening  723 . 
     The panel  720  represented in  FIG. 5  may be utilized in different ways to modulate the space provided between the section and the wall. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the panel  720  is disposed on the section  100  between two spacers  200  (only one is visible in  FIG. 7 ). The strip  721  is connected to section  100  through a screw  9 . A rod  730  comprises a first extremity  731  fixed, for example through a screw  10 , to the spacer  200 . A second extremity  732  of the rod  730  rests against the strip  721 . The second extremity  732  of the rod  730  allows the panel  720  to be pinned against the section in such a way that said panel  720  remains in position on the section  100 . When one wishes to modify a distance between the hook  722  and the wall, in such a way as to modify the space between the section  100  and the wall, the hook  722  is pulled or pushed in such a way as to move the strip  721  backward or forward on section  100 , thanks to oblong opening  723 . 
     In another example of embodiment, the rod  730  may be replaced by a spring loaded screw allowing the strip  721  to be fixed to the section  100 . 
     According to another example of embodiment of a suspended ceiling support device of the disclosed embodiments, it is possible to mount panels  700 ,  710  or  720  indirectly on the section  100 . For example, the section  100 , or first section, supports a false ceiling, such as a false suspended ceiling, and a second section (not represented), mounted on the first section or on the suspended ceiling, is equipped with panels  700 ,  710  or  720 . The second section may be disposed over the entire exterior contour of the suspended ceiling, or only on a partial exterior contour of said suspended ceiling. 
     In the example represented in  FIG. 7 , the section  100  is equipped with another example of embodiment of a removable panel  740 . 
     The panel  740  is latched on the bottom extremity  126  of a flange  125  of the section  100 , similarly to panel  700  in the example represented in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . 
     The inner face  741  of panel  740 , directed towards wall  2  and extending parallel to said wall  2  is equipped with a plurality of steps  742 , or ribs, forming protuberances extending perpendicularly to the wall  2 . The steps  742  are disposed with some steps under other steps. The number of steps  742  may vary from one panel  740  to another, as well as the spacing between two consecutive steps  742 , and their lengths. Length of steps  742  is understood to refer to the dimension of said steps in a direction perpendicular to wall  2 . On the same panel  740 , the spacing between steps  742 , and/or the length of steps  742 , may be constant or variable. 
     The strip  743  of panel  740  is flexible and may be partially folded, in such a way that the free extremity  744  of strip  743  may be held by steps  742 . Depending on whether the free extremity  744  of the strip  743  is held by an upper step  742  or a lower strip  742 , the air passage  6  is more or less reduced. Upper step is understood to refer to a step situated above a relevant step, and lower step is understood to refer to a step situated below a relevant step. “Held” is understood to mean that the extremity  744  of the strip  743  is maintained in position at the level of the relevant step  742 . For example, an interstice is provided between two consecutive steps  742 , said interstice being able to receive and maintain the free extremity  744  of strip  743 . It is also possible to provide mechanical coupling means on steps  742  and on the free extremity  744  of strip  743  allowing said extremity  744  to be non-irreversibly fixed to a desired step  742 . 
     The number of steps  742  may vary according to the panels  740 , and particularly according to the length of the panel  743 . The more steps  742  that the panel  740  has, the more the width of the air passage  6  provided between the wall  2  and the suspended ceiling can be adjusted. A panel  740  may therefore allow the passage  6  to be completely obstructed, for example when the free extremity  744  of the strip  743  is not held by the steps  742  and that the strip  743  extends in the direction of the wall  2 . The same panel  740 , when the strip  743  is folded in such a way, for example, that the free extremity  744  is housed in an interstice provided between two consecutive steps  742 , allows the width of the air passage  6  to be reduced. 
     The user may easily vary the air passage  6 , and therefore the airflow, by modifying the position of the free extremity  744  of the strip  743  with relation to steps  742 .