Abstract:
This invention is a cross having many decorated shapes. The cross itself could also have other kinds of decorations hanging from it. Any of the four arms of the cross can be placed in different arrays of figurations and designs. The center most magnetic portion of the cross is the center block and the four arms make up the design changing appearances of said cross. Magnetic tape, round magnets, adhesive and clips which are placed on the side facing upward in a manner to support the cross center block or arms to the grids. The cross would be specifically designed to hide cracks, accent lighting fixtures, vents and placed in different figurations along the vertical wall and corners of the grid.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE  
       [0001]    This patent claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/345,778 filed Jan. 3, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    A common method for enhancing the appearance of ceiling in a room and/or lowering those ceilings is referred as a hung ceiling. In the standard configuration, a planar grid is formed, at the new ceiling level, of elongated inverted-T-cross sectioned ribs. The ribs are interconnected to form generally uniform rectangular opening between the ribs, and the ribs are supported from the normal ceiling of the room by wires or chains. The inverted-T-cross sectioned ribs provide a series of flanges surrounding each rectangular opening and those flanges are adapted to support decorative panels in each opening thereby forming a complete planar ceiling.  
           [0003]    Although the rectangular panels are sometimes decorated, the ribs which form the hung ceiling are generally fairly plain. Furthermore, the ribs intersect one another and their lower surface generally shows the cracks where the ribs are adjacent to one another. These exposed cracks reduce even further the appearance of the otherwise plain exposed surface of the ribs.  
           [0004]    Thus, the hung ceiling with the standard modular ribs is plain and, therefore, not particularly attractive and the exposed cracks where the ribs intersect and abut makes the ceiling quite unattractive.  
           [0005]    These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.  
           [0006]    It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the present invention to provide a decorative element which covers up the exposed surface of the hung ceiling rib intersections to hide the cracks between the abutting ribs and provide a decorative effect.  
           [0007]    It is another object of this invention to provide a hung ceiling adornment which is easy to install and easy to uninstall.  
           [0008]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a hung ceiling adornment which can be arranged in various pleasing patterns upon the intersections of the hung ceiling ribs in a order to provide a further decorative effect.  
           [0009]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a hung ceiling adornment which is capable of being manufactured of high quality and at low cost, and which is capable of providing a long and useful life with a minimum of maintenance.  
           [0010]    With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    This invention is a cross having many decorated shapes. The cross itself could also have other kinds of decorations hanging from it. Any of the four arms of the cross can be placed in different arrays of figurations and designs. The center most magnetic portion of the cross is the center block and the four arms make up the design changing appearances of said cross. Magnetic tape, round magnets, adhesive and clips which are placed on the side facing upward in a manner to support the cross center block or arms to the grids. The cross would be specifically designed to hide cracks, accent lighting fixtures, vents and placed in different figurations along the vertical wall and comers of the grid. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by reference to one of its structural forms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view from below, showing the hung ceiling adornment embodying the principals of the present invention and attached to the intersection between hung ceiling grids;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a side view looking along one of the arms of the cross and showing the manner in which the adornment is attached to the hung ceiling ribs; and  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a plan view looking down on the magnetic surface of the hung ceiling adornment so that the magnetized surface is shown.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view, from below, showing a second version of the hung ceiling enhancement embodying the principles of the present and attached to the intersection of the hung ceiling grids;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view, from below, showing a second version of the hung ceiling enhancement embodying the principles of the present and attached to the intersection of the hung ceiling grids at a wall edge;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a perspective view, from below, showing a second version of the hung ceiling enhancement embodying the principles of the present invention and attached to the intersection of the hung ceiling grids at the wall comer;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, looking along one of the arms of the cross and showing the manner in which the adornment is attached to the hung ceiling grids;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, looking down on the upper surface of the hung ceiling adornment so that the magnets and the clip groove are shown; and  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a cross sectional side view showing the magnets and their relative polarity as they are imbedded in the elements of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a perspective view, from below, showing a second version of the hung ceiling enhancement embodying the principles of the present and attached to the intersection of the hung ceiling grids, and including a round decorative end plate;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a perspective view, from below, showing a second version of the hung ceiling enhancement embodying the principles of the present and attached to the intersection of the hung ceiling grids at a wall edge, and including a flattened decorative end plate;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is a perspective view, from below, showing a second version of the hung ceiling enhancement embodying the principles of the present invention and attached to the intersection of the hung ceiling grids at the wall comer, and including a dually-flattened decorative end plate;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 is a plan view of an embodiment of the placement device element of this invention; and  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 14 is a cross sectional side view of an embodiment of the placement device element of this invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]    As can best be shown in FIG. 1, the hung ceiling adornment, generally indicated by the reference numeral  10 , shown in FIG. 1 attached to the intersection of the hung ceiling grid elements  21 ,  22 ,  23 , and  24 . These steel grid elements are part of a hung ceiling system which also includes decorative panels  31 ,  32 ,  33 , and  34 . The enhancement itself is formed of a cross having four arms  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44  at 90 degrees from one another and in a common plane. Each of the arms has a width and horizontal plane which is equal to the width of the hung ceiling grids so that the arms and the grids match up. The upper planar surface  40  of the adornment is covered with magnetic tape  45  which is adhesively fastened to the upper surface  40  of the enhancement. This magnetic tape is attracted to the steel grid elements and holds the enhancement firmly to the grid. However, the magnetic tape is attracted to the steel grid elements and holds the enhancement firmly to the grid. However, the magnetic force can be overcome with effort so that the enhancement can be removed from the grid and moved to another location.  
         [0028]    In a side view in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the grid elements and the lower flanges of the grid elements  21 ,  22 ,  23 , and  24  (not shown) form a plane. They are held in position by a wire  51 . The enhancement  10  includes the magnetic layer  45  which can be seen between the enhancement and the lower flange of the grid.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the upper surface of the enhancement  10  and shows the tape  45  which covers the upper surface.  
         [0030]    Although the figure of the enhancement shows a relatively simple ornamental figure, it is understood that the enhancement could have other decorative shapes and could have other decorative elements attached to and hanging from it in order to enhance the visual affect. It could also be of the same color as the grid work and/or the decorative panels or could be of a different aesthetically pleasing color.  
         [0031]    Another variation of this invention is shown in FIGS. 4 through 9.  
         [0032]    In this variation, shown in FIG. 4, there is a central block  55  that attaches to the intersection of the grids  21 ,  22 ,  23  and  24 . The block  55  preferably attaches to the intersection by a magnet  56  that is positioned within the block  55 . Inner ends  57 ,  58 ,  59 , and  60  of separate arms  61 ,  62 ,  63 , and  64 , respectively, are positioned adjacent the central block  55  and magnetically connected to the block  55  by metal plates  66 ,  67 ,  68 , and  69 , attached to the inner ends of each separate arm. Each arm  61 ,  62 ,  63 , and  64 , is also attached magnetically to the grids  21 ,  22 ,  23 , and  24 , by magnets in the arms  61 ,  62 ,  63 , and  64 . This structure allows the block and the four arms to the installed on the grids separately. It has the additional advantage that the five parts can be arranged in a very compact arrangement for storage, shipping or packaging.  
         [0033]    One of the significant benefits of the separate element design is that it allows more flexibility in installing the product. For example, in FIG. 5, the product is shown installed where the hung ceiling structure meets the vertical wall  70 . The grid elements  71 ,  72 , and  73 , still carry arms  61 ,  62 , and  63 , and the block  55  (not shown). Arm  64 , however, is positioned along the vertical wall  70 , with the inner end of arm  64  connected to the bottom surface of the block  55 . This provides an appropriate and attractive treatment for the ceiling and wall interface, but constructed from the modular parts of the design.  
         [0034]    Another significant benefits of the separate element design is that it allows more flexibility in installing the product in comers. For example in FIG. 6, the product is shown installed where the hung ceiling structure meets the comer of a vertical wall  70 . The grid elements  81  and  82 , still carry arms  62 , and  63 , and the block  55  (not shown). Arm  64 , however, is positioned along the vertical comer of the wall  70 , with the inner end of arm  64  connected to the bottom surface of the block  55 . This provides an appropriate and attractive treatment for the ceiling and wall comer interface, but constructed from the modular parts of the design.  
         [0035]    In a side view shown in FIG. 7, if can be seen that the grid elements and the lower flanges of the grid elements  21 ,  22 ,  23 , and  24  (not shown) form a plane. They are held in position by a wire  51 . The enhancement in this second embodiment includes a series of magnets embedded in each arm  61 ,  62 ,  63 , and  64  (not shown) and the block  55  (not shown), and adjacent the upper surface of each arm  61 ,  62 ,  63 , and  64  (not shown) and the block  55  (not shown). The metal plates  66 ,  67  (not shown),  68 , and  67  (not shown) on the inner end of each arm  61 ,  62 ,  63 , and  64  (not shown) to the block  55  (not shown).  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 8 shows up a plan view of the upper surface of the second embodiment of the enhancement. Longitudinally grooves  91 ,  92 ,  93 , and  94  are provided along the center of the upper surface of each arm  61 ,  62 ,  63 , and  64 , respectively. The grooves may be engaged by clips  54  which can be used to mechanically attach the arms to the grid elements in addition to or in place of the magnets. Imbedded in the block  55  and adjacent the upper surface  52  of the block  55  is one or more magnets which can hold the block magnetically to the metal grid element. Imbedded in each arm and adjacent the upper surface of each arm are one or more (preferably three) magnets which can hold the arm magnetically to the metal grid element. Arm  61  carries magnets  96 ,  97 , and  98 . Arm  62  carries magnets  105 ,  106 , and  107 . Arm  64  carries magnets  99 ,  100 , and  101 . Arm  63  carries magnets  102 ,  103 , and  104 .  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 9 shows a cross sectional view of the block  55  and arm  61 . Arm  61  is representative of the other arms  62 ,  63 , and  64 . Block  55  preferably includes two magnets held with like poles together, like poles at the upper and lower surfaces, and encased in plastic.  
         [0038]    Arm  61  has imbedded in it and with like poles adjacent the upper surface, magnets  96 ,  97 , and  98 . The upper ends of each magnet are positioned in groove  91 . Metal plate  66  is attached to be inner end of arm  61 . The magnets  96 ,  97 , and  98  are encased in plastic.  
         [0039]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision of end plates  120  which can be magnetically attached to the lower surface  121  of the central block  55  to cover that surface to enhance the attractiveness of the invention. In the preferred embodiment of this end plate  120 , the lower surface of the end plate would bear decorative embossments or other types of decorations to enhance its aesthetic effect on the invention. In the preferred embodiment of this end plate  120 , the outer edges  122  of the end plate would extend over the outer edges  123  of the lower surface  121  of the block  55  and would extend sufficiently to cover and hide from view the inner ends of the arms and the metal plates  66 ,  67 ,  68 , and  69 .  
         [0040]    The end plate  120  would preferably be available in three geometries. A symmetric shape  124  (for example, round), as shown in FIG. 10, would be appropriate for the inner locations of the hung ceiling. An edge shape  125 , with one side flattened, as shown in FIG. 11, would be appropriate for along the wall. A comer shape  126 , with two flattened edges, as shown in FIG. 12, would be appropriate for the wall comers.  
         [0041]    Another preferable element in this invention is a placement device  130  which is shown in plan view in FIG. 13 and in front elevation view in FIG. 14 and which makes it easier for a person to install the decorative parts of the invention on the hung ceiling grids. The placement device  130  basically involves an elongated element  131 , a pair of grasping jaws  132  at one end  133  of the elongated element, and a jaws control mechanism  134 , preferably at the other end  135  of the elongated element  131 , and adapted to control (open and close) the grasping jaws  132 . The control mechanism would be used to cause the jaws  132  to grasp one of the decorative elements of the invention and then the elongated element  131  would be lifted to place the grasped element into position on the hung ceiling grid. The placement element  130  could also be used to move, remove, or adjust the position of the decorative elements.  
         [0042]    In the preferred embodiment of the placement device, as shown n FIGS. 13 and 14, the elongated element  131  would actually be a telescoping element  136  that could be extended using extension controls  137  to position the decorative invention piece to the desired position on the hung ceiling.  
         [0043]    In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the invention would be provided in a kit that would preferably include at lease one block and four arms. Preferably the kit would also include at least one end plate and preferably two or more of end plate geometries. Preferably the kit would also include clips to hold the arms to the grid elements. Preferably the kit would include the placement device.  
         [0044]    It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof.  
         [0045]    It is not, however, desired confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described but it is desired to include all such as properly claimed in the scope claimed.  
         [0046]    The invention having been thus described, was is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is: