Patent Description:
Fixed partition rooms require project planning, coordination with building trades, building regulation approval, and permanent connections to the infrastructure of the building in which the fixed partition rooms are installed, all of which incur cost, over the initial build cost, along with disruption and landfill waste when there is a need to reconfigure.

Pod rooms on the other hand can simply be unpacked, assembled and plugged in, and may offer a guaranteed acoustic performance. Assembly may require just one tool with a large proportion of the system able to be assembled by hand.

In <CIT>, there is described a roof for a structure in the interior of a building, as well as a roof system.

The invention is defined by appended claim <NUM>, which defines a pod room. <NUM>- Further embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

The ceiling panel of the pod room comprises one or more cover components movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and whereby the one or more cover components are adapted to acoustically insulate the pod in the closed configuration. The cover components preferably provide a fractional sound absorption coefficient of at least <NUM>, more preferably at least <NUM> and most preferably at least <NUM>.

The ceiling panel of the pod room comprises one or more cover components movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and whereby the one or more cover components in the open configuration produce at least a specified percentage open area.

The specified percentage open area is at least a <NUM>% open area and most preferably a <NUM>% open area.

There is provided a ceiling panel for a pod room, the ceiling panel comprising one or more cover components movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and whereby the one or more cover components are adapted to acoustically insulate the pod in the closed configuration and whereby the one or more cover components in the open configuration produce at least a specified percentage open area.

There is provided a ceiling panel for a pod room, the ceiling panel comprising one or more cover components movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration; and an actuation mechanism configured to move the one or more cover components from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a trigger.

The actuation mechanism may be configured to bias one or more of the cover components towards the open configuration, and further configured in a first state to hold the one or more cover components in the closed configuration against the bias, and in a second state to allow the one or more cover components to move towards the open configuration under the bias, the actuation mechanism being configured to move from the first state to the second state in response to the trigger.

The first state may be a powered state and the second state may be an unpowered state.

The trigger comprises a power cut to the actuation mechanism.

The "ceiling panel" comprises a unit or section which is to define part or all of a ceiling or roof of a pod room. In one example, the ceiling panel comprises an opening or openable ceiling panel. The ceiling panel may constitute one of a number of ceiling panels which together form a ceiling or ceiling system, with at least one of the ceiling panels being openable. It may be the case that all of the ceiling panels have to be openable.

By "pod room" is meant an assemblable structure, building, partition or installation, which may be temporary, for use within a larger structure or building, to serve as a self-contained room, such as a meeting room.

The one or more cover components may include any element serving to cover or enclose the pod room substantially to prevent air and/or light from passing through and also create a level of acoustic insulation. The one or more cover components may comprise a plurality of movable segments.

The one or more cover components comprise a plurality of pivotable louvres. By "louvres" are meant slats which are fixed at intervals relative to one another. The louvres being pivotable between contacting positions in which the louvres contact one another to define the closed configuration, and non-contacting positions which define the open configuration.

The louvres may have an overlapping portion such as a flange in which a louvre overlaps with at least one neighbouring louvre to define the closed configuration in order to improve the seal. This overlap may be between <NUM> and <NUM> and will preferably be between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> and most preferably about <NUM>. The overlapping portion or flange may further comprise a nib to improve the seal. The nib may directly abut the overlapping portion or flange of a neighbouring louvre. The nib may increase the contact area between adjacent louvres or help to define a sound insulation cavity to improve the acoustic seal.

In one further example, the cover components or louvres comprise a composite of a higher density material and a lower density material. The higher density material may form a 'core' and the lower density material may form a 'cladding' which surrounds at least a portion of the higher density material. The core may have a substantially planar shape. The cladding may extend around the substantially planar core. The cladding may further comprise a flange. The flange may at least partially overlap with at least one flange on a neighbouring louvre in order to improve the seal and reduce acoustic leakage at the join. The flange may further include a nib which protrudes in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flange. The flanges and the nibs of two adjacent louvres may define an insulating cavity which further improves the seal in the closed configuration. In further examples, the higher density material may have a density of at least <NUM>/m<NUM> and preferably at least <NUM>/m<NUM>. At least one of the higher density material and the lower density material ideally comprises a sound insulating material. At least one of the higher density material and the lower density material ideally comprises a sound absorbent material. The absorbent material may have a fractional absorption coefficient of at least <NUM>, preferably at least <NUM> and more preferably at least <NUM>. The absorbent material may be between <NUM> and <NUM> in thickness, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> in thickness and more preferably about <NUM> in thickness.

By the term "fractional absorption coefficient" (also known as the "fractional attenuation coefficient") is meant the extent to which the intensity of an energy beam (such as an acoustic wave) is reduced as it passes through one or more materials. The fractional absorption coefficient is a number between <NUM> and <NUM> inclusive. A fractional absorption coefficient of <NUM> represents no absorption or attenuation of an energy beam; a fractional absorption coefficient of <NUM> represents total absorption or attenuation of an energy beam.

In a further example, the louvres may have a louvre width of between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> and, in a specific embodiment, about <NUM>.

In a further example, the louvres may have a louvre pitch of between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> and, in a specific embodiment, about <NUM>.

By the term "louvre pitch" is meant the fixed interval between the centres of two adjacent louvres.

In a further example, the louvres may have a louvre thickness of between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> and, in a specific embodiment, about <NUM>.

The ceiling panel may further comprise a connection element pivotably connected to each louvre to effect synchronous movement of the louvres.

A further example comprises connected louvres, counterweighted or spring loaded at one side to create an open bias (urging the louvres towards a vertical orientation) but held closed by means of a mechanical fusible link holding the louvres in their closed position until the fusible link breaks once the temperature has reached a predetermined threshold.

The open configuration may comprise any arrangement of the one or more cover components which substantially permits light and/or air to pass through the ceiling panel, which in the closed configuration may be any arrangement which substantially prevents the same. The open configuration creates at least <NUM>% open area in the ceiling panel. In the closed configuration, the cover components may be designed to overlap the edges of the ceiling panel to generate an acoustic seal and/or minimise any gaps.

The ceiling panel may comprise any mechanism which is arranged to bias the one or more cover components without a requirement for electricity or any other power source. In one example, the ceiling panel may comprise a spring release configured to bias the one or more cover components towards the open configuration. By "spring release" is meant any arrangement which uses stored elastic energy to provide the biasing effect, and in which a resilient element may be releasably elastically deformed so as to store such energy. In another example, the actuation mechanism may comprise at least one counterweight configured to bias the one or more cover components towards the open configuration.

Furthermore, the actuation mechanism may comprise a mechanism which is operable to hold the cover components in the closed configuration against the bias. The actuation mechanism may be powered or powerable by, for example an electromechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic actuator, which may operate in a linear or rotary fashion. In one example, the actuation mechanism comprises an electromechanical actuator configured in a powered state to hold the one or more cover components in the closed configuration against the bias, and in an unpowered state to allow the one or more cover components to move towards the open configuration under the bias. The terms "powered state" and "unpowered state" may relate to the actuation mechanism being provided with or deprived of a source of energy or power, such as an electrical power source, or in other examples a pneumatic or hydraulic power source. Alternatively, the actuation mechanism may operate without the need for power. In one example, the actuation mechanism may comprise a fusible link configured in an intact state to hold the one or more cover components in the closed configuration against the bias, and in a fused state to allow the one or more cover components to move towards the open configuration under the bias, wherein the fusible link is configured to fuse upon reaching a predetermined threshold temperature.

In another aspect of the present invention, there may be provided a ceiling panel comprising one or more cover components as described herein whereby the one or more cover components are adapted to acoustically insulate the pod in the closed configuration and the ceiling panel further comprises an actuation mechanism configured to move the one or more cover components from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a trigger.

The ceiling panel of the pod room comprises one or more cover components as described herein whereby the one or more cover components provide a specified percentage open area in the open configuration and the ceiling panel further comprises an actuation mechanism configured to move the one or more cover components from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a trigger.

The ceiling panel of the pod room comprises one or more cover components as described herein whereby the one or more cover components provide a specified percentage open area in the open configuration, whereby the one or more cover components are adapted to acoustically insulate the pod in the closed configuration and the ceiling panel further comprises an actuation mechanism configured to move the one or more cover components from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a trigger.

There may be provided a pod room comprising a ceiling system comprising one or more ceiling panels as described or claimed herein.

The ceiling system comprises a detection unit configured to provide the trigger to the actuation mechanism in response to the detection of a predetermined condition.

The detection unit comprises a smoke detector configured to respond to the detection of smoke. Additionally, the detection unit may comprise a movement detector configured to respond to the detection of an absence of movement in the pod room. The movement detector may comprise a PIR (passive infrared sensor). Additionally, the detection unit may comprise a heat detector configured to respond to the detection of a temperature within the pod room reaching a predetermined threshold. The heat detector may comprise a fusible link configured to fuse when responding to the detection of a temperature within the pod room reaching a predetermined threshold. All the above cut power to the said actuation mechanism when the temperature within the pod room reaches the predetermined threshold.

There is also provided a pod room comprising a ceiling panel or ceiling system as described or claimed herein.

The above summary is intended to be merely exemplary and non-limiting.

A description is now given, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-.

<FIG> show a pod room <NUM> having a ceiling system <NUM> in a closed configuration, and <FIG> show the pod room <NUM> with the ceiling system <NUM> in an open configuration. As shown in these figures, the pod room <NUM> is a round pod. The ceiling system <NUM> comprises a plurality of ceiling panels <NUM>, each of which comprises one or more cover components <NUM> movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

The ceiling system <NUM> provides an opening roof system for fire suppression of standalone pod rooms <NUM>. The ceiling system <NUM> may be activated in the event of a fire within the pod room <NUM>, which may not be physically connected or extended to the ceiling of the environment or building in which the pod room <NUM> is installed.

The cover components <NUM> comprise a plurality of pivotable louvres <NUM>, the louvres being pivotable between contacting positions in which the louvres overlay one another to define the closed configuration, as shown in <FIG>, and non-contacting positions which define the open configuration, as shown in <FIG>. In one implementation, the louvres <NUM> open through about <NUM> degrees until they reach a substantially vertical orientation in order to create at least <NUM>% open area in the ceiling system.

The ceiling panel <NUM> comprises an actuation mechanism <NUM>, which includes a spring release (not shown) configured to bias the cover components <NUM> towards the open configuration. The actuation mechanism <NUM> further comprises an electromechanical actuator (not shown) configured in a powered state to hold the cover components <NUM> in the closed configuration against the bias of the spring release, and in an unpowered state to allow the spring release to move the cover components <NUM> towards the open configuration.

<FIG> shows a single ceiling panel <NUM> in a closed configuration, and <FIG> shows the ceiling panel <NUM> in an open configuration. As can be seen, the ceiling panel <NUM> comprises a connection element <NUM> pivotably connected to each louvre <NUM> to effect synchronous movement of the louvres <NUM>.

<FIG> are side elevations of the ceiling panel <NUM> of <FIG> respectively in closed and open configurations, showing the connection element <NUM> in more detail.

Each louvre <NUM> is connected by a single connection element <NUM> or bar <NUM>. Each louvre <NUM> has a fixedly attached (e.g. cast or moulded) lever arm <NUM>, one end of which is pivotably attached to the bar <NUM> and a second end of which is pivotably attached to a frame <NUM> of the ceiling panel <NUM>. The spring release <NUM> and electromechanical actuator <NUM> are connected to one of the louvres <NUM> (in one example a first louvre <NUM>) by means of a lever arm <NUM> and thereby to all of the other louvres <NUM> by means of the connection bar <NUM> interconnected to all the louvres <NUM>.

<FIG> show side elevations of differing sized louvres <NUM>, <NUM> for a ceiling panel <NUM>, <NUM> in the open configuration. In the embodiment in <FIG>, louvres <NUM> with louvre width <NUM>, thickness <NUM> and louvre pitch <NUM> are disposed along the ceiling panel <NUM>. When in the open configuration, these louvres achieve a <NUM>% open area. <FIG> shows a different embodiment with louvres <NUM> having a louvre width <NUM>, thickness <NUM> and louvre pitch <NUM> disposed along the ceiling panel <NUM>. When in the open configuration, these louvres achieve a <NUM>% open area. The larger louvres achieve a greater specified percentage open area, but they extend into the space of the pod room and reduce the useable space inside.

<FIG> shows a preferred embodiment with louvres <NUM> having a louvre width <NUM>, thickness <NUM> and louvre pitch <NUM>, disposed along the ceiling panel <NUM>. When in the open configuration, these louvres <NUM> achieve a <NUM>% open area.

<FIG> shows a partial side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a ceiling panel <NUM> in the closed configuration. Ceiling panel <NUM> contains composite louvres <NUM> comprising planar higher density material cores <NUM> and lower density material cladding <NUM> disposed around the planar cores <NUM>. Either of the higher density or the lower density materials may comprise sound absorbent material having a fractional absorption coefficient of <NUM> or more. Furthermore, either one of the higher density or the lower density materials may comprise a sound insulating material. The overlapping portions or flanges <NUM> of two adjacent louvres comprise the lower density material and are configured to improve the acoustic seal in the closed configuration. A nib <NUM> may protrude substantially perpendicularly to the flange <NUM> of louvre <NUM> and defines, alongside the overlapping portion or flange <NUM> of a neighbouring louvre <NUM>, an acoustically insulating cavity <NUM> between the louvres <NUM>. As is shown more clearly in the inset <FIG>, the nib 412a positioned on overlapping portion or flange 410a may directly abut the overlapping portion or flange 410b of the neighbouring louvre. Corresponding nib 412b positioned on overlapping portion or flange 410b may directly abut the overlapping portion or flange 410a.

Together the overlapping portions and nibs define acoustic insulating cavity <NUM>. The acoustically insulating cavity <NUM> increases the number of reflections of an energy wave (such as sound wave), reducing the intensity of the energy wave which passes through the ceiling panel <NUM>.

<FIG> show the actuation mechanism <NUM> connecting to the bar <NUM> by means of a rotating actuator arm <NUM> fixed to the actuation mechanism <NUM> locating into a slot <NUM> of the lever arm <NUM> and thereby to all the louvres <NUM> by means of the bar <NUM>.

The ceiling system <NUM> further comprises a detection unit configured to respond to the detection of a predetermined condition by cutting power to an actuation mechanism of one or more of the ceiling panels <NUM>, causing the actuation mechanism to enter the unpowered state, and allowing the spring release to move the louvres <NUM> to the open configuration.

Referring to <FIG>, according to the invention, the detection unit comprises at least a smoke detector <NUM> configured to respond to the detection of smoke. In another example, the detection unit comprises a movement detector <NUM> configured to respond to the detection of an absence of movement in the pod room <NUM>. In a further example, the detection unit comprises a heat detector configured to respond to the detection of a temperature within the pod room <NUM> reaching a predetermined threshold. One example of a heat detector comprises a fusible link <NUM> configured to fuse and thereby cut power to the said actuation mechanism when the temperature within the pod room reaches the predetermined threshold. It should be understood that, although <FIG> for illustration purposes shows three different detection units, the ceiling system <NUM> according to the invention comprises at least a smoke detector and may comprise no or any number of additional detection units.

In use, the louvres <NUM> may be opened, for example in the event of a fire, in a number of different ways:-.

All the above work by cutting power to the actuation mechanism <NUM> allowing the louvres <NUM> to open by means of the spring release.

<FIG> shows circuitry which is designed and programmed to link all the electrical equipment and sensors together within the pod room <NUM> to enable automatic opening through cutting the power of the roof in the event of a fire or closing of the roof when the PIR <NUM> senses movement of people entering the pod for a meeting or for work.

In the open configuration, the ceiling system <NUM> enables the heat from a fire inside the pod room <NUM> to be released as quickly as possible, which may allow a sprinkler head to be activated. Once the sprinkler head has activated, the open configuration of the louvres <NUM> allows enough water to ingress into the pod room <NUM> to control the fire.

The louvres <NUM> may be designed with fire rated board, foam and fabric and the combination may be designed to have an acoustic performance level of absorption, insulation and diffusion by means of a specific density of integral board, outer acoustic performance foam and the pattern on each louvre <NUM>.

Although not shown, the louvres <NUM> may be designed to overlap the edges of the frame <NUM> to generate an acoustic seal and minimise any gaps.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> show a pod room <NUM> which differs from that described above in that the pod room <NUM> is a square pod rather than a round pod.

Variants include a ceiling system <NUM> as shown in <FIG> having flexible concertina type retracting roof material driven by an actuator to draw the roof open to one side, and a ceiling system <NUM> as shown in <FIG> having a retracting tambour door type construction driven by an actuator and rolling across and down the sides of the pod room. These variants may generate a <NUM>% open area.

Claim 1:
A pod room (<NUM>) comprising:
a ceiling system comprising:
a smoke detector; and
a ceiling panel (<NUM>), wherein the ceiling panel comprises:
one or more cover components movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and wherein the one or more cover components are adapted to acoustically insulate the pod room in the closed configuration,
wherein the one or more cover components in the open configuration produce at least a <NUM>% open area,
wherein the one or more cover components comprise a plurality of pivotable louvres (<NUM>) which are fixed at intervals relative to one another, the louvres being pivotable between contacting positions in which the louvres contact one another to define the closed configuration, and non-contacting positions which define the open configuration;
and characterised in that the ceiling panel further comprises an actuation mechanism (<NUM>) configured to move the one or more cover components from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a power cut;
wherein the smoke detector is wired in such a way as to cut power to the actuation mechanism in response to the detection of smoke; and
wherein the pod room is configured to cut power to the actuation mechanism if the smoke detector fails or is removed.