Patent Publication Number: US-9416535-B1

Title: Supporting accessories for ceiling structures

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to ceiling mounted accessories, such as light fixtures, and to methods and devices for supporting them in designed openings in ceiling structures. 
     BACKGROUND 
     T-bar ceiling configurations were introduced in the 1950&#39;s and have become, since then, a standard approach to provide a versatile decorative finish while also providing ready access to, and concealing, utility infrastructure. Corresponding developments have been seen in the deployment of light fixtures in t-bar ceiling configurations. 
     While satisfactory for their intended purposes, conventional t-bar ceiling configurations and accessories for installation in such configurations in some cases lack a degree of flexibility demanded by customers in response to emerging trends in interior design. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, there is provided a support assembly for supporting one or more ceiling accessories in a designated opening in a t-bar ceiling structure, comprising a plurality of support braces, each support brace configured to bridge a first ceiling accessory locating region alongside a corresponding boundary of the designated opening. Each support brace may be configured to provide support for at least one second ceiling accessory alongside the first ceiling accessory locating region in the designated opening, for the second and first ceiling accessories to complement a finished ceiling presentation provided by the t-bar ceiling structure. 
     In some embodiments, the first ceiling accessory includes a light fixture and the second accessory includes at least one t-bar ceiling structural unit to support at least one ceiling panel. 
     Some exemplary embodiments further comprise the light fixture, wherein the light fixture provides one or more first support surfaces to align with one or second support surfaces on the t-bar ceiling structural unit to support the ceiling panel. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the light fixture may be configured to extend along one or more edge regions of the designated opening. For instance, in one example, the designated opening may have four edge regions and the light fixture may be configured to extend along the four edge regions. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the t-bar ceiling structure may define a first elevation and each support brace may be configured to bridge the first ceiling accessory locating region at a second elevation spaced from the first elevation. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, each support brace may be configured to cantilever from a boundary of the designated opening. Each brace may include a first coupler to couple with the designated t-bar ceiling structure, and a second coupler to couple with the t-bar ceiling structural unit. The first and/or second couplers may be adjustable relative to the brace. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, each of the first and second couplers may include a leg section and a clip formation integrally formed therewith, each clip formation including a clip element biased toward the corresponding leg section, with one or more first surface regions to engage corresponding surface regions on an upright sector of the t-bar structure. 
     Some exemplary embodiments may further comprise a third coupler for mounting the light fixture to the brace. 
     Some exemplary embodiments may further comprise the ceiling panel which is configured to provide a reflective surface for reflecting light, at least in part, from the light fixture. 
     Some exemplary embodiments may further comprise the t-bar structural unit. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a method of supporting one or more ceiling accessories in a designated opening in a t-bar ceiling structure, comprising;
         a. locating a ceiling accessory to be supported in the designated opening, so that the ceiling accessory is positioned adjacent a boundary of the designated opening;   b. locating a plurality of support braces at spaced locations along the designated opening by anchoring a first coupler on each support device at a respective one of the spaced locations to extend the support braces into the designated opening;   c. providing at least one t-bar ceiling structural unit between at least two of the support braces; and   d. locating at least one ceiling panel on the at least one t-bar ceiling structural unit in the designated opening and adjacent the ceiling accessory, thereby to form an esthetic transition across the ceiling panel, the accessory and a finished appearance provided by the t-bar ceiling structure.       

     In some exemplary embodiments, each support brace may include a second coupler spaced from the first coupler, further comprising:
         e. anchoring the t-bar ceiling structural unit to the second couplers of two said opposed support braces.       

     In some exemplary embodiments the support braces may be located before locating the ceiling accessory. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a support device for supporting one or more ceiling accessories in a designated opening in a t-bar ceiling structure, comprising a span portion configured to bridge a first accessory locating region alongside a corresponding boundary of the designated opening. A first coupler is provided to couple with a designated sector of the t-bar ceiling structure near the designated opening. Each support brace is configured to provide support for at least one second accessory alongside the first accessory locating region in the designated opening, so that the a first accessory, and the second accessory are complementary with a finished ceiling presentation provided by the t-bar ceiling structure. 
     In some embodiments, the first accessory includes a light fixture and the second accessory includes a t-bar structural unit, further comprising a second coupler to couple with the t-bar ceiling structural unit, to extend through the designated opening to support one or more ceiling panels. 
     In some embodiments, one or both of the first and second couplers are adjustable relative to the span portion. 
     In some embodiments, one or both of the first and second couplers includes a leg and a clip biased toward the leg to engage a designated section of the t-bar ceiling structure, the t-bar structural unit, respectively. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a light fixture for mounting in a t-bar ceiling structure. The light fixture comprises a housing with an open end region to receive optics therein, and a pair of opposed mounting flanges extending laterally outwardly from the housing near the open end region on opposite sides thereof, wherein one of said mounting flanges is offset relative to another of said mounting flanges. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a light fixture for mounting in a t-bar ceiling structure. The light fixture comprises a housing configured to support a ring-shaped lens to at least partially surround an inner reflective surface. The inner reflective surface is configured to at least partially reflect light incident thereon from the lens, to present a mirage effect in a transition zone near the lens. 
     Some exemplary embodiments may further comprise a mounting configuration for installing the light fixture with the housing adjacent an outer presentation surface of the t-bar ceiling structure. 
     Some exemplary embodiments may further comprise a lens interface for installing the lens, wherein the mounting configuration is configured to align the lens interface to be aligned with the outer presentation surface. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the housing may be ring-shaped to define a corresponding ring-shaped opening to receive the ring-shaped lens therein. 
     Some exemplary embodiments may further comprise at least one support flange to support a reflective planar member providing the inner reflective surface. The support flange may be configured to locate the inner reflective surface to be substantially coplanar with a corresponding plane of the t-bar ceiling structure. 
     Some exemplary embodiments may further comprise the planar member. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the lens may be configured to extending along an entire periphery of the inner reflective surface. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the lens may have light-transmissive sections separated by nonlight-transmissive sections. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the lens may be elongate in cross section, including configurations with a rectangular cross sectioned outer region. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the housing may rectangular ring-shaped. 
     In yet another aspect, there is provided the ornamental design for a light fixture accessory, as shown and described. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Several embodiments of the present disclosure will be provided, by way of examples only, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a fragmentary assembly perspective view of a t-bar ceiling structure installation; 
         FIG. 2  is another fragmentary assembly perspective view of the installation of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are fragmentary perspective views of portions of the installation of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken on line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken on line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken on line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are top and bottom plan views, respectively, of the t-bar ceiling structure installation of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the installation of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a lens for a light fixture; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the lens in an installed configuration; 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  are side views of the lens along arrows  13  and  14  in  FIGS. 11 and 12  respectively; 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  are bottom plan views of the lens according to  FIGS. 10 and 11  respectively. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a lens for a light fixture, together with a central reflective surface; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the lens in an installed configuration; 
         FIG. 19, 22  and  FIG. 20  are bottom plan views according to  FIGS. 17 and 18  respectively; 
         FIG. 21  is a side view taken on arrow  21  of  FIG. 17 ; and 
         FIG. 23  is another perspective view of the lens according to  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical, mechanical or electrical connections or couplings. The terms upper, lower, and vertical are intended for operative context only and are not necessarily intended to limit the invention only to those configurations or orientations. Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific mechanical and/or other configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention. However, other alternative mechanical and/or electrical or other configurations are possible which are considered to be within the teachings of the instant disclosure. 
     The term “ring-shaped” describes an object that has an annular shape that may be circular, rectangular or other configuration, in both plan and in lateral cross section, to form an inner region bordered by the object. Examples include square and circular annuli or toroids. The shape may be substantially continuous or alternatively have one or more discontinuities while still being ring shaped. A ring-shaped object may have a repeating pattern of partial yet complementary ring-shaped components in a ring-shaped configuration. 
     The term “light-transmissive” means having the ability to transmit light, as applied in this case to a lens which may be transparent or translucent. The term nonlight-transmissive means having substantially no ability to transmit light, as would apply to a structure in front of a light source, where substantially no light may be transmitted therethrough, such as an opaque section on a lens. 
     Referring to the figures, exemplary embodiments provide a support assembly  10  for supporting ceiling accessories in a designated opening  11  in a t-bar ceiling structure  12 . The figures illustrate an exemplary first accessory in the form of an LED light fixture  14  (with LED&#39;s  14   a  shown in  FIG. 9 ), though other fixtures and accessories may also be utilized, such as for air circulation, or other illumination or decorative configurations and the like, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the t-bar ceiling structure  12 , in this case, forms a first elevation  16 . A plurality of support braces, are provided, with one of which shown at  20 . Each support brace  20  is configured to bridge (at a second elevation  18  which is upwardly spaced from the first elevation  16 ) an accessory locating region  22  alongside a corresponding boundary of the designated opening, and defined by the inner exposed surfaces  62 , as well as the lower support flanges  64 , on the neighboring t-bar ceiling structure  12 . Alternatively, the support braces  20  may be configured to bridge the accessory region at a substantially common elevation with the t-bar ceiling structure, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Each support brace  20  is further configured to provide support for at least one second accessory, in this example in the form of a ceiling panel  26  (shown in chain dotted lines at  26  in  FIG. 5 ) beside the accessory locating region  22 , which itself is in the designated opening  11 , so that the light fixture  14  and the ceiling panel  26  cooperate to complement a finished ceiling presentation provided by the t-bar ceiling structure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the support braces  20  are each configured to cantilever from an anchored position on the t-bar ceiling structure  12  and extend inwardly from opposite boundaries of the designated opening  11 . To achieve this, each support brace  20  is provided with a first coupler  30  (on the right hand side of the support brace  20  as seen in  FIG. 3 ), for coupling with the designated t-bar ceiling structure  12 . 
     At its opposite end, each brace includes a second coupler  32  for coupling with a t-bar ceiling structural unit  36 , for the latter to extend at least partially through the designated opening  11  to support the ceiling panel  26 . The t-bar ceiling structural unit  36 , thus, is not part of the structure making up the t-bar ceiling structure  12 . It is an auxiliary element which is located inside the designated opening  11  and extends through an opening in the light fixture  14 , which itself is located in the designated opening  11 . Thus, the ends of the t-bar ceiling structural unit  36  are not joined integrally with the t-bar ceiling structure, but rather indirectly through the respective bridging of the support braces  20 , with the bridging defining the accessory locating region  22 . 
     In the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the first and second couplers  30 ,  32  are integrally formed with the support brace  20 , though other configurations may be provided in which the support brace and one or more of the first and second couplers  30 ,  32  are separate from the support brace  20  and releasably coupled thereto, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, as separate articles, the first and second couplers  30 ,  32 , if desired, may be adjustable for vertical adjustment as shown by the representation at arrow  34  in  FIG. 5 , in an operative position, to allow for differences in elevation to accommodate variations in ceiling structure configurations. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , each of the first and second couplers  30 ,  32  includes clip formations  40  integrally formed with a corresponding leg section  43 . Each clip formation  40  includes a clip element  42  biased toward the corresponding leg section  43 , with one or more clip surface regions  44  to engage corresponding surface regions on an upright sector of the t-bar structure, which in the configuration shown includes an upper rectangular section  72 , a pair of opposed flanges  64  and an upright web  74  between them. Furthermore, each clip element  42  has a locking end tab  45  which, when installed, is located in a corner region  72   a  below the upper rectangular section  72 . 
     Further, the leg section  43  has a lower offset region  76  which cooperates with the clip element  42  and locking end tab  45  to define a region to receive the upper rectangular section  72 , while providing a surface  76   a  to engage the upright web  74 . Extending through the lower offset region  76  is a passage  77 , while the clip element  42  is provided with a passage  42   a , both to receive a fastener, such as a screw, rivet or the like (not shown), to positively secure the second and third couplers  30  and  32  to their respective locations, as may be required to comply with some local building codes. Other configurations may be provided for the leg section  43  to accommodate different versions of a t-bar section, including those not providing the rectangular section  72  for instance, while supporting its underlying function in the support brace  20  to provide support to the second accessory while bridging the location for the first accessory, in cantilevered or other configurations, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the leg sections  43  are also provided with stiffening webs  43   a , to provide additional stiffness for the leg sections in keeping with their clamping and support functions. Other configurations, without such stiffening webs  43   a  may also be deployed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 , a third coupler is provided at  46 , with an accessory attachment location  48  and a support brace attachment location  50 , for mounting the accessory to the support brace  20 . In this case, the support brace attachment location  50  is provided in the form of a planar surface region with one or more first holes  50   a , which are aligned with a central mounting flange  78  extending outwardly from the a central span  80  of the support brace  20 . In this case, the central mounting flange  78  is punched (or otherwise formed) from the blank forming the central span  80  and has corresponding one or more second holes  78   a , to align with a corresponding first hole  50   a  and be secured thereto with an appropriately sized fastener such as a screw, rivet or the like. Further, the central span  80  provides a pair of locators, which may be provided by way of locating webs  82  extending outwardly therefrom or other location configurations, and which serve a function to locate the fixture in the accessory locating region  22 . The third coupler  46  also includes an anchor web  84  with a passage for wiring to an upper structure to comply with local building codes when required for secondary support purposes. Other configurations may be deployed to locate and/or mount the ceiling accessory in the accessory location region, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, including the use of other housing configurations with integrally formed mounting formations which are complementary with the central mounting flange  78 . Alternatively, the light fixture may be secured to ceiling infrastructure above the t-bar ceiling structure without necessarily being anchored to the support braces. 
     In the exemplary embodiments of the figures, and as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the light fixture  14  is formed with a plurality, in this example four, extruded sections  54 , and thus is configured with undercut grooves  56  extending longitudinally along an upper surface  58 . The third coupler  46  has opposed anchor formations  60  to engage the undercut grooves  56  so that the third coupler  46  can slide along the upper surface  58  to a convenient location for mounting with the support brace  10 . The extruded sections  54  may be joined at their ends to form corner regions, by way of corner connections as shown in  FIG. 8  at  59 , though other connection configurations may be deployed, such as corner inserts for extending into complementary inner spaces defined by the profile of the extruded sections  54 , without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The light fixture  14  can be seen to extend along two or more edge regions of the designated opening  11 , and in this example extends along the four edge regions of the designated opening  11 . The light fixture  14  in this case is, in effect, a closed structure with an outer diameter that is dimensioned to align with the outer periphery of the designated opening  11 , as defined by the inner exposed vertical faces  62  of the t-bar ceiling structure  12 , and is supported on a lower support flange  64 . 
     Similarly, the light fixture  14  has a pair of lower flanges, a first outer flange  66  to engage the lower support flange  64  on the t-bar ceiling structure  12 , and a second opposite inner flange  68  which, when installed, faces inwardly into an inner opening defined by the light fixture  14 . In this example, the first and second flanges  66  and  68  are offset, though they may also be in different relative configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For instance, the first and second flanges  66  and  68  may be parallel in some cases, depending at least in part on the cross section configuration(s) of t-bar elements used for the t-bar structure  12  and the t-bar ceiling structural unit  36 . The second inner flange  68  is also configured to align with a lower support flange  70  of the neighboring t-bar ceiling structural unit  36 , so that the second flange  68  and lower support flange  70  cooperate to support the ceiling panel  26 . Thus, the light fixture  14  and the t-bar ceiling structural unit  36  include respective first and second ceiling panel support surfaces which cooperate to support the ceiling panel along respective edges thereof. While the light fixture shown in the figures is four sided, other configurations may also be implemented, including light fixtures whose housings extending along one, two or three sides, thus providing L- and U-shaped alternatives. T-shaped lighting fixtures may also be provided, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     To assemble a ceiling accessory, in the example of the light fixture  14 , four extruded sections  54  are assembled with corner connectors  59  and with a number of third couplers  46  as needed slid into place in the undercut grooves to couple with a number of braces  20  to be deployed (unless the light fixture is not to be fastened thereto). A t-bar ceiling structure  12  is either assembled to form the designated opening  11  or is presented therewith. The light fixture  14 , may then be installed, as mentioned above, in the accessory locating region  22 , so that the light fixture  14  is then positioned adjacent the boundary of the designed opening  11 , so that it can rest on the lower support flange  64 . A plurality of support braces  20  may then be selected to be installed at spaced locations along a designated opening  11  in the t-bar ceiling structure  12  by anchoring the first coupler  30  on each support device  20  at a respective one of the spaced locations. A t-bar ceiling structural unit  36  may be then accessed, either from a collection of pre-formed units or by forming a unit, to fit inside the region bordered by the light fixture. 
     The light fixture  14  may then be attached to each of the support braces  20  by way of the third coupler  46 , which may slid along the undercut grooves  56  to the desired alignment location with the central mounting flange  78  and fastened thereto, and to the light fixture  14 . The ceiling panels  26  may then be installed on either side of the t-bar ceiling structural unit  36 , and thus supported by the lower support flanges  64  on the t-bar ceiling structural unit  36  and the second inner flanges  68  on the light fixture  14 , thereby to form an esthetic transition across the ceiling panel  26 , the light fixture  14  and a finished appearance provided by the t-bar ceiling structure  12 . 
     If desired, two or more of the support braces may be integrally formed into a one piece structure, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For instance, two or more of the support braces may be attached integrally with one or more t-bar structural units while providing the accessory location region as shown. 
     If desired, the ceiling accessory may be installed after the support braces, provided provision is made to enable the accessory to be placed on support flanges provided by the t-bar structure and/or the mounting configuration in the accessory location region. 
     While the extruded housing section  54  of the light fixture  14  is formed from an extruded construction, and the support brace is formed using metal blank punch/bending techniques, such components may be formed using a range of forming techniques, including those above mentioned, along with wire forming, plastics molding, 3D printing and the like, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in the example of  FIG. 10 , the light fixture  14  thus provides a ring-shaped (annular) housing, formed from at least one housing section  54  (in this example extruded), to define a corresponding ring-shaped opening  80  along one peripheral region  82  thereof to receive a complementary ring-shaped lens (shown schematically in dashed lines at  92  in  FIG. 10 ) therein. The lens itself may also, in this example, be extruded, and (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) provides opposed free end regions shown at  93  with recessed cross-sectioned formations to engage complementary ridge formations  54   a  inside the housing section  54 . Other configurations to couple the lens  92  with the housing section  54  may also be used, such as with complementary flanges, grooves, fasteners and the like, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The housing, in this example, is rectangular ring-shaped to form a rectangular inner region and thus borders an inner region which is configured to support a planar member therein to present an at least partially reflective surface  94 , to at least partially reflect light from the lens. The light fixture  14  thus also provides a mounting configuration for installation in a designated opening in the t-bar ceiling structure. 
     The reflective surface  94  may be configured to be substantially coplanar with a corresponding plane of the t-bar ceiling structure as shown, or be at a spaced elevation relative thereto. The reflective surfaces  94  may be provided in the form of a brushed metal panel, such as stainless steel, or a mirrored surface, among others that may provide appropriate reflective surfaces. 
     As seen in  FIG. 10 , the lens  92  is configured to form a profile beyond the plane with at least a section of the lens bordering the reflective surface. The lens is, in this example, translucent and extends the entire periphery of the reflective surface. As with the housing, the lens  92  is elongate in cross section relative to the plane and provides a rectangular cross-sectional outer region  96 , which may also be of other shapes such as circular, and be relatively more shallow (that is less elongate) thus to present a lower profile off the ceiling surface, as desired, and the housing may be other shapes other than ring-shaped, while still supporting the lens, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The light fixture  14  as shown in  FIG. 10 , may present an improved lighting experience since the light leaving the fixture, from its inner surfaces, may be configured to reflect off the reflective surface  94  to giving a mirage like impression, in a transition zone near the lens  92 , that the lens continues into and beyond the reflective surface. 
       FIGS. 11 to 16  show various features of the lens  92  and reflective surface, while  FIGS. 17 to 23  show the lens  92  together with the reflective surface  94 . In particular,  FIGS. 13, 14 and 21  demonstrate that the lens may be provided with varying thicknesses and/or depths, while  FIGS. 19, 20 and 22  demonstrate that the lens and/or the panel providing the reflective surface may be provided with varying width and/or length. The lens  92  may present a substantially continuous transparent, semitransparent, or translucent surface bordering the reflective panel, as shown, or may present a series of such surfaces, by way of alternating opaque sections as an example, or by interspersing a number of individual lens structures along the housing. The lens  92  may also be provided with varying cross sectional included angles, as shown at  98 , without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     While the present disclosure describes various exemplary embodiments, the disclosure is not so limited. To the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements, as will be readily appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art.