U.S. patent application number 09/783238 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-05 for cladding system and panel for use in such system.
Invention is credited to Cole, Lee A., Colson, Wendell B., Throne, Jason T..
Application Number | 20010005964 09/783238 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21726565 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010005964 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Colson, Wendell B. ; et
al. |
July 5, 2001 |
Cladding system and panel for use in such system
Abstract
A cladding system for walls or ceilings of a building structure
consisting of a panel or panels that are sectioned so as to provide
a variety of aesthetics. The sections in the panel may be joined
along articulated lines of joinder so that an entire panel
comprised of a plurality of sections can be expanded or retracted
to either cover or selectively expose the wall or ceiling across
which the system is mounted. The sections in a panel may be
cellular and may thereby form a honeycomb-type panel, and the
materials from which the panels are made may vary between being
rigid, flexible, hard, soft, flat, reflective, and the like. Panels
can be supported with side rails extending along each side of the
panel while not requiring cross rails so that, for example, when a
panel is used in a ceiling system and retracted from its expanded
condition beneath a ceiling structure, generous access is provided
to the ceiling structure for repair or other work on utilities such
as plumbing, electrical, and the like that are found embedded in
the ceiling. Intermediate rails, parallel to the side rails, can
also be provided, if necessary, to support a panel along
intermediate portions thereof or between adjacent panels. The
supporting rails for the panels can take on numerous configurations
so as to support the panels in varied ways depending to some degree
upon the particular panel construction being utilized.
Inventors: |
Colson, Wendell B.;
(Boulder, CO) ; Cole, Lee A.; (Evergreen, CO)
; Throne, Jason T.; (Steamboat Springs, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORSEY & WHITNEY, LLP
SUITE 4700
370 SEVENTEENTH STREET
DENVER
CO
80202-5647
US
|
Family ID: |
21726565 |
Appl. No.: |
09/783238 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09783238 |
Feb 14, 2001 |
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09546479 |
Apr 10, 2000 |
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6192642 |
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09546479 |
Apr 10, 2000 |
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08752957 |
Nov 20, 1996 |
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6199337 |
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60007501 |
Nov 22, 1995 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/506.06 ;
160/327; 160/330; 52/145; 52/508; 52/511 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 9/36 20130101; E04B
9/003 20130101; E04B 9/28 20130101; E04B 9/00 20130101; E04B 9/001
20130101; E04B 9/30 20130101; E06B 2009/2627 20130101; E06B 9/262
20130101; E04B 9/0414 20130101; E04B 9/303 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/506.06 ;
52/508; 52/511; 52/145; 160/327; 160/330 |
International
Class: |
E04B 009/00; E04F
013/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A cladding system for building structures comprising in
combination a panel and a support structure for retaining the panel
in substantially planar orientation covering a wall or ceiling of
said building structure, said panel including a plurality of
side-by-side elongated cells interconnected along longitudinal
lines of articulation.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said cells are of hollow
construction.
3. The system of claim 2 further including a core of a sound
absorptive material in said cells.
4. The system of claim 1 or 2 wherein said cells define walls
having perforations.
5. The system of claim 2 wherein said cells have walls made of a
semi rigid material.
6. The system of claim 2 wherein said cells are of hexagonal
cross-sectional configuration.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein said cells have opposite ends and
said support structure supports said cells at said opposite
ends.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein said support structure includes
rails of generally L-shaped transverse cross-section and said ends
of said cells have a slot formed therein adapted to be slidably
received on a rail.
9. The system of claim 7 wherein said support structure includes
rails of generally J-shaped transverse cross-section and said ends
of said cells have a slot formed therein of substantially L-shaped
transverse cross-section adapted to be slidably received on a
rail.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein said rails further include an
auxiliary leg adapted to externally support said cells.
11. The system of claim 7 wherein said cells have an auxiliary slot
formed therein between said ends and said support structure further
includes a rail adapted to be slidably received in said auxiliary
slot.
12. The system of claim 7 wherein there are at least two of said
panels arranged in co-planar relationship with the cells of each
panel being extending longitudinally in the same direction.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein said support structure includes
an intermediate rail adapted to support one end of the cells of two
adjacent panels.
14. A cladding system for building structures comprising in
combination a panel and a support structure for retaining the panel
in a substantially planar orientation covering a wall or ceiling of
said building structure, said panel including at least one flexible
sheet and substantially parallel lines of delineation establishing
indentations at spaced intervals in said panel.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein said lines of delineation are
defined by pleats formed in said sheet.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein said pleats have opposite ends,
said support structure includes rails, and said opposite ends of
said pleats are adapted to cooperate with said rails for supporting
said panel.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein said pleats include rigid
support members at opposite ends adapted to operatively cooperate
with said rails in supporting said panel.
18. The system of claim 14 wherein said support structure includes
support clamps secured to said pleats for suspending said
panel.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein said clamps are adapted to
pierce said pleats.
20. The system of claim 14 further including a backing sheet
secured to said first mentioned sheet so as to extend substantially
parallel thereto.
21. The system of claim 20 wherein said backing sheet and said
first mentioned sheet define cells between said lines of
delineation.
22. The system of claim 21 wherein said cells confine a core of
sound absorbing material.
23. The system of claim 14 wherein said sheet is formed from a
plurality of adjacent strips of flexible material.
24. The system of claim 23 wherein said strips have side edges and
further including clips for securing the adjacent side edges of
adjacent strips together.
25. The system of claim 23 further including a backing strip
associated with each of said first mentioned strips.
26. The system of claim 25 wherein said first mentioned strips are
wider than said backing strips so as to droop relative to said
backing strips.
27. The system of claim 25 wherein said backing strips and said
first mentioned strips are of substantially the same width but said
backing strips are gathered adjacent at least one side edge thereof
to make the effective width narrower than said first mentioned
strips whereby said first mentioned strips droop relative to said
backing strips.
28. The system of claim 15 further including a plurality of backing
strips extending perpendicularly to and being secured to said
pleats.
29. The system of claim 15 further including a plurality of backing
cords extending perpendicularly to and being secured to said
pleats.
30. A cladding system for building structures comprising in
combination a panel and a support structure for retaining the panel
in a substantially planar orientation covering a wall or ceiling of
said building structure, said panel comprising a plurality of
adjacent elongated backing strips having side edges, a plurality of
adjacent elongated facing strips having side edges confronting
associated backing strips, elongated clips securing associated side
edges of said backing strips and facing strips, anchoring strips
for securing together adjacent clips, and fasteners for securing
said anchoring strips to the support structure.
31. The system of claim 30 wherein cells are defined between said
backing strips and facing strips and further including cores of
sound absorptive material in said cells.
32. A cladding system for building structures comprising in
combination a panel and a support structure for retaining the panel
in a substantially planar orientation covering a wall or ceiling of
said building structure or for dividing space within said building
structures, said panel including a backing sheet and a plurality of
substantially incompressible, pivotally interconnected slats having
first and second edges with said first edge of each slat being
pivotally connected to said backing sheet and said second edge
being pivotally connected to a corresponding edge of an adjacent
slat whereby said backing sheet in combination with a pair of slats
defines a cell of generally triangular cross-section.
33. The system of claim 32 wherein said backing sheet is made of a
flexible but substantially non-elastic material.
34. The system of claim 32 wherein said slats are flat.
35. The system of claim 32 wherein said slats are arcuate in
transverse cross-section.
36. The system of claim 32 wherein said slats are generally
S-shaped in transverse cross-section.
37. The system of claim 32 wherein said slats are integrally
connected to adjacent slats.
38. The system of claim 32 wherein said slats are laminates of two
different materials.
39. The system of claim 32 wherein said backing sheet includes
pleats formed therein in alignment with a pair of interconnected
slats.
40. The system of claim 39 wherein said pleats are directed
outwardly.
41. The system of claim 39 wherein said pleats are directed
inwardly.
42. The system of claim 32 wherein said panel has side edges and
said support structure includes rails adapted to support said side
edges.
43. The system of claim 42 wherein said rails are of generally
C-shaped cross-section so as to define a channel in which said side
edges are confined.
44. The system of claim 43 wherein said rails include adjustments
for varying the width of said channel.
45. The system of claim 44 wherein narrowing of said channel
compresses the side edges of said panel causing said backing sheet
to be drawn taut.
46. A cladding system for building structures comprising in
combination a panel and a support structure for retaining the panel
in a substantially planar orientation covering a wall or ceiling of
said building structure, said panel including a backing sheet and
at least one flexible facing sheet interconnected to said backing
sheet at preselected intervals along lines of attachment so as to
define a plurality of cells between said backing and facing sheets,
and a substantially incompressible truss in each cell retaining a
separated relationship of said backing and facing sheets except
along said lines of attachment.
47. The system of claim 46 wherein said facing sheets comprises a
plurality of strips having side edges secured to said backing
sheet.
48. The system of claim 47 wherein said side edges of said strips
are secured to said backing sheet in overlapping relationship with
an adjacent strip.
49. The system of claim 47 wherein said side edges of said strips
are secured to said backing sheet in spaced relationship from the
side edges of adjacent strips.
50. The system of claim 46 wherein said backing sheet is made of a
sound absorptive material.
51. The system of claim 46 wherein said facing sheet is made of a
laminate of two different materials.
52. The system of claim 46 wherein said panel h as side edges and
said support structure includes generally C-shaped rails for
supporting said side edges.
53. The system of claim 46 wherein said trusses are of I-shaped
transverse cross-section.
54. The system of claim 46 wherein said trusses are of generally
C-shaped transverse cross-section.
55. The system of claim 46 wherein said trusses are corrugated.
56. The system of claim 53 wherein each of said trusses defines a
main body portion extending substantially perpendicularly to said
facing sheet and backing sheet and a pair of transverse legs
secured respectively to said facing sheet and backing sheets, said
transverse legs conforming to the contours of said facing sheet and
backing sheet at the locations of securement.
57. A cladding system for building structures comprising in
combination a panel and a support structure for retaining the panel
in a substantially planar orientation covering a wall or ceiling of
said building structure, said panel including at least one
substantially rigid sheet having formed therein a plurality of
side-by-side elongated sections and parallel lines with indentation
between said sections.
58. The system of claim 57 wherein said sections have a front face
and a back face with a pocket formed in said back face.
59. The system of claim 58 further including a core of sound
absorbing material in said pockets.
60. The system of claim 59 wherein said panel is perforated.
61. The system of claim 57 wherein said panel includes side edges
and said support structure includes means for supporting said side
edges.
62. A cladding system for building structures comprising in
combination a panel and a support structure for retaining the panel
in a substantially planar orientation covering a wall or ceiling of
said building structure, said panel comprising a sheet having a
plurality of parallel folds which alternate in direction.
63. The system of claim 62 wherein said sheet is made of
substantially semi rigid material.
64. The system of claim 62 further including at least one
substantially non-elastic strip extending transversely to said
folds and being secured to said folds.
65. The system of claim 62 wherein said panel has side edges and
said support structure includes rails adapted to support said side
edges.
66. The system of claim 65 wherein said side edges include slots
adapted to cooperate with said rails in supporting said panel.
67. The system of claim 62 wherein said sheet is folded upon itself
at every other fold so as to define a plurality of pleats at every
other fold.
68. The system of claim 67 further including a backing sheet
secured to said first mentioned sheet at said pleats.
69. The system of claim 67 wherein said pleats include slots
aligned with the slots in the other pleats and said support
structure includes a rail adapted to cooperate with said aligned
slots in supporting the panel.
70. The system of claim 68 wherein said backing sheet includes
folds between the locations of securement to said first mentioned
sheet.
71. A panel for use in a cladding system, said panel comprising a
sheet of flexible material, said sheet having oppositely directed
alternating parallel folds defining walls of said panel between
said folds, said material being affixed to itself along at least
one of said folds to define a tab and wherein said walls are
arcuate.
72. The system of claim 71 further including passages through said
tabs and an elongated member extending through said passages.
73. The system of claim 72 wherein said material is affixed to
itself along both of said folds.
74. A panel for use in a cladding system, said panel comprising a
first sheet having a first set of pleats and a second set of
oppositely directed pleats alternated with said first set of pleats
and a second sheet having a first set of pleats and a second set of
oppositely directed pleats alternated with said first set of pleats
of said second sheet, said first set of pleats on said first sheet
oriented in the same direction as said first set of pleats on said
second sheet, said sheets being joined by connecting the first set
of pleats on said one sheet with said second set of pleats on said
second sheet.
75. The system of claim 74 wherein said sheets define a plurality
of adjacent cells therebetween.
76. The system of claim 74 wherein said second set of pleats on
said second sheet define channels and said first set of pleats on
said first sheet are joined to said second sheet in said
channels.
77. The system of claim 74 wherein said second sheet is comprised
of a plurality of adjacent strips having side edges, the side edges
of the adjacent strip being overlapped and secured together to form
said second sheet.
78. The system of claim 76 wherein said first sheet is comprised of
a plurality of adjacent strips having side edges, the side edges of
adjacent strips meeting within said channels in the second sheet
and being secured to said second sheet in said channels.
79. The system of claim 78 wherein a side edge of one strip is
folded within said channel of a side edge of an adjacent strip is
received with said folded side edge.
80. A panel for sue in a cladding system, said panel comprising in
combination a first substantially flat sheet and a second sheet
secured to said first sheet along spaced parallel lines of
attachment so as to define cells between said lines of
attachment.
81. The system of claim 80 wherein said second sheet has pleats
between said lines of attachment so as to define walls of said
cells, said walls being arcuate in configuration.
82. The system of claim 81 wherein said second sheet is secured to
itself along said pleats.
83. The system of claim 80 wherein said second sheet has pleats
between said lines of attachment so as to define walls of said
cells, said walls being flat in configuration.
84. The system of claim 83 wherein said second sheet has flat
surfaces along said lines of attachment.
85. The system of claim 80 wherein said second sheet has at least
two folds between said lines of attachment to define a plurality of
flat walls.
86. The system of claim 85 wherein said cells are quadrilateral in
configuration.
87. The system of claim 80 wherein said second sheet is scalloped
to define substantially semi-circular configured cells.
88. The system of claim 74 wherein said second set of pleats on
said second sheet overlap and are offset from while being
contiguous with said first set of pleats on said first sheet.
89. A panel for use in a cladding system, said panel comprising a
sheet of flexible material, said sheet having oppositely directed
alternating sets of parallel folds defining walls of said panel
between said folds, said material being affixed to itself adjacent
to one set of said folds so as to define a passage within said
fold, and an elongated support member in said passage.
90. The system of claim 89 wherein said passage is formed by
folding said fold upon itself and affixing the fold to itself.
91. A panel for use in a cladding system, said panel having a first
relatively flat sheet and a second sheet, said second sheet having
oppositely directed and alternating sets of folds, said second
sheet along one set of folds being secured to itself to define
walls of double thickness and said one set of folds being secured
to said first sheet along lines of attachment to define cells
between said lines of attachment.
92. The system of claim 91 wherein said lines of attachment are
variably spaced.
93. The system of claim 92 wherein the other of said sets of folds
are creases.
94. A panel for use in a cladding system, said panel comprising in
combination a plurality of interconnected cells being formed from
strips of material having side edges secured to each other to
define a projecting tab, said cells further having opposed flat
walls with a flat wall of one cell being secured to a flat wall of
an adjacent cell.
95. The system of claim 94 wherein said tabs on said cells extend
in parallel relationship to each other.
96. The system of claim 94 wherein said cells further include a
pleat formed therein on the opposite side of said cell from said
tab.
97. A panel for use in a cladding system, said panel comprising a
first substantially flat sheet having a plurality of parallel
creases formed therein and a second sheet having a plurality of
parallel creases formed therein, said second sheet further being
folded upon and secured to itself between the creases therein, said
folds being secured to said first sheet along lines of attachment
between said creases in the first sheet to thereby form a plurality
of cells between said first and second sheets.
98. The system of claim 97 wherein said creases in said first and
second sheets are directed in the same direction.
99. The system of claim 97 wherein said second sheet contains
approximately three times as much material as said first sheet
between lines of attachment.
100. The system of claim 80, 91 or 97 wherein said first sheet is
flexible.
101. A panel for a cladding system, said panel including a flexible
folded material that becomes substantially rigid upon
expansion.
102. A panel for a cladding system, said panel including a flexible
folded material that becomes substantially rigid upon exposure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/546,749, filed Apr. 10, 2000. This application also
corresponds to and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No.
08/752,957 filed Nov. 20, 1996, now a continued prosecution
application filed Apr. 7, 2000, and claims the benefit of
provisional application Ser. No. 60/007,501 filed Nov. 22, 1995.
These applications are hereby incorporated by reference as though
fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to cladding systems
and more particularly to ceiling systems and wall coverings for
building structures. The system may be a sectional or in some
instances cellular system and can in some embodiments be expanded
and retracted across a wall or an overlying ceiling structure.
[0004] 2. Description of the Known Art
[0005] Ceilings or walls for building structures take many
different forms that can be as basic as wood panels or drywall to,
in the case of ceilings, more elaborate designer-type ceilings.
Designer-type ceilings may consist of metal or plastic tubes,
strips, panels, sheets of fabric or the like, which are
interconnected in various forms and configurations to obtain a
desired aesthetic effect. Such designer systems are typically
reserved for commercial establishments. Between the two above-noted
extremes are ceiling systems commonly referred to as drop ceilings
which incorporate a grid work of interconnected metal support
strips defining shelves on which insulating panels are removably
seated. Such systems are commonly found in both commercial and
residential establishments and are desirable for many reasons which
include aesthetics, sound absorption, heat insulation and the fact
that the panels are removable to access the ceiling structure above
the ceiling system and any utilities such as plumbing, ventilation
or electrical that may be found above the ceiling system.
[0006] Drywall ceilings, while being one of the most common
ceilings found in building structures, have the drawback of being
very inflexible and also very plain from an aesthetic standpoint.
In order to access the space above a drywall ceiling, holes must be
cut in the drywall or the drywall itself removed which can be an
expensive process considering replacement. The designer-type
systems are also more permanent in nature even though providing a
greater variety of aesthetics but have the drawback of being
difficult and accordingly expensive to remove and replace in order
to repair plumbing, electrical or other such utilities that might
be found in the ceiling structure.
[0007] Drop ceilings have the advantage of providing accessibility
to the space thereabove but are very limited from an aesthetic
standpoint and further, access to the space above the drop ceiling
is only available through relatively small openings provided in the
supporting grid work of the system.
[0008] It is to overcome the shortcomings in prior art ceiling
systems that the present invention has been developed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The cladding system of the present invention consists of a
panel or panels that are sectional so as to provide a variety of
aesthetics. The sections in the panels may be joined along
articulated lines of joinder so that an entire panel comprised of a
plurality of sections can be expanded or retracted to either cover
or selectively expose a wall or an overlying ceiling structure. The
sections in a panel may be cellular and may thereby form a
honeycomb-type panel and the materials from which the panels are
made may vary between being rigid, flexible, hard, soft, flat,
reflective and the like. It will, therefore, be appreciated that
various aesthetics can be obtained by varying the structure of the
sections or through the materials from which the panels are
made.
[0010] The panels can be supported with side rails extending along
each side of the panel while not requiring crossrails so that when
a panel is used in a ceiling system and retracted from its expanded
condition beneath a ceiling structure, generous access is provided
to the ceiling structure for repair or other work on utilities such
as plumbing, electrical and the like that are found embedded in
ceiling structures. Intermediate rails, parallel to the side rails,
can also be provided, if necessary, to support a panel along
intermediate portions thereof or between adjacent panels. The
supporting rails for the panels can take on numerous configurations
so as to support the panels in varied ways depending to some degree
upon the particular panel construction being utilized.
[0011] Other aspects, features and details of the present invention
can be more completely understood by reference to the following
detailed description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction
with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building structure having
a first embodiment of the present invention installed as a ceiling
panel therein.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse section through one cell
used in the ceiling panel of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken through a plurality of
interconnected cells of the type shown in FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a section taken adjacent to one side edge of a
ceiling panel made out of interconnected cells as shown in FIG. 3
with the panel being supported by an undulating side rail.
[0016] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the ceiling panel of FIG.
4.
[0017] FIG. 6 is an isometric view from the underside of the panel
shown in FIG. 5.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a transverse section taken through a cell used in
a second arrangement of a cellular ceiling panel in accordance with
the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a transverse section taken through a plurality of
interconnected panels of the type shown in FIG. 7.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary isometric of the end of a cellular
ceiling panel wherein the cells have been perforated and slotted at
the end to receive a support rail.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a transverse section taken through a plurality of
interconnected cells of a cellular ceiling panel in accordance with
the present invention wherein the cells have an insulating or sound
absorptive material therein.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a transverse section similar to FIG. 10 wherein
the cells have been collapsed, thereby compressing the insulative
or sound absorptive material therein.
[0023] FIG. 12 is an isometric of a ceiling panel of the type shown
in FIG. 1, showing the side edges of the panel supported on side
rails.
[0024] FIG. 13A is a longitudinal section taken adjacent to a side
rail showing a magnetic system for securing the ceiling panel to an
end rail.
[0025] FIG. 13B is a longitudinal section similar to FIG. 13A
showing a mechanical system for interconnecting the ceiling panel
to an end rail.
[0026] FIG. 14 is an isometric showing a ceiling panel of the type
illustrated in FIG. 1, with side rails supporting side edges of the
panel and a center support bar wherein the panel is in a collapsed
position.
[0027] FIG. 15 is an isometric of the ceiling panel of FIG. 1, as
viewed from beneath the panel.
[0028] FIG. 16 is an isometric similar to FIG. 15 viewed from above
the panel.
[0029] FIG. 17 is a longitudinal section taken through a ceiling
panel utilizing an alternative arrangement for a side support
rail.
[0030] FIG. 18 is a section taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17.
[0031] FIG. 19 is a longitudinal section through a panel of the
type shown in FIG. 1, showing another alternative arrangement of a
side support rail.
[0032] FIG. 20 is a section taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 19.
[0033] FIG. 21 is a longitudinal section through a panel of the
type shown in FIG. 1 showing still another alternative arrangement
of a side support rail.
[0034] FIG. 22 is a section taken along line 22-22 of FIG. 21.
[0035] FIG. 23 is a transverse section taken through a first
arrangement of an intermediate support rail for supporting adjacent
sides of two adjacent ceiling panels of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 24 is a transverse section similar to FIG. 23, showing
another alternative arrangement of an intermediate support.
[0037] FIG. 25 is a transverse section similar to FIG. 23, showing
still another intermediate support rail.
[0038] FIG. 26 is a transverse section similar to FIG. 23, showing
still another intermediate support rail.
[0039] FIG. 27 is an isometric view of one end of a cellular panel
of the type shown in FIG. 1, wherein the sides of the panel have
been notched to receive a side rail of the type shown in FIG.
17.
[0040] FIG. 28 is a fragmentary isometric of a panel of the type
shown in FIG. 1, wherein the sides of the panel have been slotted
to receive a side rail of the type shown in FIG. 17 and a center
rail of inverted T-shaped configuration.
[0041] FIG. 28A is a fragmentary isometric showing one end of a
cellular panel of the type shown in FIG. 1, with the side of the
panel having been slotted to receive a side rail of the type shown
in FIG. 14.
[0042] FIG. 29 is an isometric of a second embodiment of the
present invention, referred to as a soft cell embodiment, as viewed
from beneath the panel mounted on a ceiling structure.
[0043] FIG. 30 is a fragmentary transverse section taken through
the ceiling panel shown in FIG. 29.
[0044] FIG. 31 is an isometric showing the ceiling panel of FIG. 29
from the convex side thereof.
[0045] FIG. 32 is an isometric similar to FIG. 31 showing the
ceiling panel of FIG. 29 from the concave side thereof.
[0046] FIG. 33 is a fragmentary transverse section similar to FIG.
30 wherein the panel has been drawn taut.
[0047] FIG. 34 is an enlarged fragmentary section, showing a pleat
in the ceiling panel of FIG. 29.
[0048] FIG. 35 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric showing the
side of a pleat of the panel of FIG. 29, having been slotted to
receive a side rail positioned adjacent thereto.
[0049] FIG. 36 is a fragmentary isometric of a pleat of the panel
shown in FIG. 29 wherein a support bar is positioned within the
pleat as an alternative arrangement.
[0050] FIG. 37 is a fragmentary transverse section illustrating an
alternative system for supporting a pleat in a ceiling panel of the
type shown in FIG. 29.
[0051] FIG. 38 is a view similar to FIG. 37 showing another
arrangement for supporting a pleat of a panel of the type shown in
FIG. 29.
[0052] FIG. 39 is a view similar to FIG. 37 showing still another
system for supporting a pleat in a panel.
[0053] FIG. 40 is a view similar to FIG. 37 showing still another
system for supporting a pleat in a panel.
[0054] FIG. 41A is a fragmentary transverse section showing a
support in still another system for supporting a pleat in a panel,
with the pleat having only been partially inserted into the
support.
[0055] FIG. 41B is a section similar to FIG. 41A wherein the pleat
is fully inserted into the support.
[0056] FIG. 42A is an isometric showing still another system for
supporting a pleat in a panel.
[0057] FIG. 42B is a view similar to FIG. 42A showing a pleated
portion of material connected to the support shown in FIG. 42A.
[0058] FIG. 43 is an isometric of a pleated facing sheet of
material used in an alternative arrangement of the soft cell
embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] FIG. 44 is a fragmentary isometric similar to FIG. 43
showing a pleated backing sheet of material used in combination
with the facing sheet illustrated in FIG. 43 to form an alternative
arrangement of the soft cell embodiment of the present
invention.
[0060] FIG. 45 is a fragmentary isometric showing the sheets of
material illustrated in FIGS. 43 and 44 interconnected into the
alternative arrangement of the soft cell embodiment.
[0061] FIG. 46 is a fragmentary exploded section illustrating a
system for joining two strips of material to form a soft cell
arrangement of the present invention.
[0062] FIG. 47 is a view similar to FIG. 46 with the components
interconnected to form the associated soft cell arrangement.
[0063] FIG. 48 is a section similar to FIG. 47 showing an
alternative system for joining two adjacent strips of material into
a soft cell arrangement of the invention.
[0064] FIG. 49 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing still
another system for supporting a pleat in a soft cell arrangement of
the present invention.
[0065] FIG. 50 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric of the system
shown in FIG. 49.
[0066] FIG. 51 is a fragmentary transverse section of another soft
cell arrangement of the present invention.
[0067] FIG. 52 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 51 showing
the lower sheet of the panel in varied sagging conditions.
[0068] FIG. 53 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric showing a pleat
of the arrangement shown in FIG. 51.
[0069] FIG. 54 is a section taken along line 54-54 of FIG. 53.
[0070] FIG. 55A is a transverse section taken through a pair of
interconnected strips of material which can be used to form a cell
of a soft celled ceiling panel.
[0071] FIG. 55B is a transverse section of an alternative system
for forming a cell for a soft celled ceiling panel wherein the cell
is made from a single strip of material folded upon itself.
[0072] FIG. 56 is a transverse section of still another arrangement
for forming a cell wherein a strip of material as illustrated in
FIG. 55 has rigid auxiliary strips bonded to a surface thereof.
[0073] FIG. 57 is a transverse section similar to FIG. 56 wherein
the ends of the strip have been preliminarily folded in a process
to form a cell.
[0074] FIG. 58 is a transverse section similar to FIG. 57 wherein
the strip has been additionally folded so as to define a
double-walled cell with one sagging side.
[0075] FIG. 59 is a fragmentary section of a soft-celled ceiling
panel of the type illustrated in FIG. 51 wherein the cell has been
filled with an insulating or sound-absorbing material.
[0076] FIG. 60 is a view similar to FIG. 59 but wherein a sprinkler
head for a fire extinguishing system has been positioned within the
cell where the lower material has an open cell structure.
[0077] FIG. 61 is an isometric looking down on a double-walled soft
celled panel arrangement wherein a flat backing sheet is bonded to
upstanding pleats of a lower facing sheet.
[0078] FIG. 62 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 61 wherein the
top-backing sheet has been placed with elongated strips of backing
material.
[0079] FIG. 63 is an isometric similar to FIG. 62 wherein the
strips of backing material have been replaced with elongated
cords.
[0080] FIG. 64 is a section taken along line 64-64 of FIG. 63.
[0081] FIG. 65 is a section taken through a cell in a further
embodiment of the present invention referred to as a strip soft
cell embodiment.
[0082] FIG. 66 is a cross-section taken through a rigid piece of
material utilized to anchor adjacent side edges of cells of the
type shown in FIG. 65 to an existing hard surface.
[0083] FIG. 67 is a fragmentary isometric of the strip shown in
FIG. 66.
[0084] FIG. 68 is a longitudinal section taken through a panel made
with the components illustrated in FIGS. 65-67 connected to a
supporting structure, wherein the panel is made from a plurality of
cells of the type shown in FIG. 65.
[0085] FIG. 69 is a perspective view of the ceiling of a room
having a compressive triangle panel embodiment of the present
invention.
[0086] FIG. 70 is a fragmentary section taken along line 70-70 of
FIG. 69.
[0087] FIG. 71 is a fragmentary section showing the interconnection
of the lower side edges of rigid strips used in the panel of FIG.
70.
[0088] FIG. 72 is a fragmentary section showing the interconnection
of the upper edges of the rigid strips used in the panel of FIG.
70.
[0089] FIG. 73 is a view similar to FIG. 71 showing an alternative
system for interconnecting the lower edges of the rigid strips.
[0090] FIG. 73A is a view similar to FIG. 71 showing another
alternative system for interconnecting the lower edges of the rigid
strips.
[0091] FIG. 73B is a view similar to FIG. 71 showing still another
system of connecting the lower edges of the rigid strips.
[0092] FIG. 74 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the
panel of FIG. 70 showing compression and tension arrows in the
various components of a cell of the panel.
[0093] FIG. 75 is a fragmentary side view of a portion of the panel
of FIG. 70 in a collapsed condition with the top backing sheet
having been collapsed into the space between two rigid strips.
[0094] FIG. 76 is a view similar to FIG. 75 wherein the top backing
sheet has been pleated so that upon folding as illustrated the top
backing sheet folds upwardly away from the rigid strips.
[0095] FIG. 77 is a fragmentary isometric showing a portion of the
panel of FIG. 70 from above the panel.
[0096] FIG. 78 is a view similar to FIG. 77 showing a portion of
the panel from beneath the panel.
[0097] FIG. 79 is a fragmentary isometric showing a side rail for
supporting the panel of FIG. 70 with portions of the panel being
shown in dashed lines.
[0098] FIG. 80 is a fragmentary transverse section showing the side
support rails at opposite sides of a panel of the type illustrated
in FIG. 70.
[0099] FIG. 81 is a side elevation showing the side rail of FIG. 79
in a vertically expanded condition.
[0100] FIG. 82 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 81 again showing
a side rail in a vertically expanded condition.
[0101] FIG. 83 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 80 with the side
rail in a retracted condition.
[0102] FIG. 84 is a view similar to FIG. 81 wherein the side rail
is in a retracted condition.
[0103] FIG. 85 is a view similar to FIG. 82 wherein the side rail
is in a retracted position.
[0104] FIG. 86 is a view similar to FIG. 74 showing an alternative
arrangement of the compressive triangle embodiment wherein the
rigid strips are flat and planar in configuration.
[0105] FIG. 87 is a view similar to FIG. 86 wherein the rigid
strips are arcuate in transverse cross-section and downwardly
convex.
[0106] FIG. 88 is a view similar to FIG. 87 wherein the strips are
arcuate in cross-section and downwardly concave.
[0107] FIG. 89 is a view similar to FIG. 86 wherein the rigid
strips are substantially S-shaped configuration and downwardly
concave.
[0108] FIG. 90 is a view similar to FIG. 89 wherein the rigid
strips are generally S-shaped configuration and downwardly
convex.
[0109] FIG. 91 is a view similar to FIG. 89 wherein the flat planar
rigid strips have been positioned at a different angular
orientation relative to each other than as shown in FIG. 86.
[0110] FIG. 92 is a view similar to FIG. 86 wherein the rigid flat
planar strips are positioned at a still different angular
position.
[0111] FIG. 93 is a fragmentary isometric looking down on a
compressive triangle embodiment of the panel wherein the rigid
strips are laminated.
[0112] FIG. 94 is a fragmentary isometric similar to FIG. 93
looking at the panel from the underside.
[0113] FIG. 95 is a fragmentary isometric showing a tension
triangle embodiment of the present invention.
[0114] FIG. 96 is a longitudinal section taken through the panel of
FIG. 95 illustrating the two sheet-like layers of material and the
struts in each cell separating the layers.
[0115] FIG. 97 is a fragmentary section showing the interconnection
of the sheets of material shown in FIG. 96.
[0116] FIG. 98 is a fragmentary isometric showing a different
arrangement of the tension triangle panel of the present
invention.
[0117] FIG. 99 is a side elevation of the panel shown in FIG.
98.
[0118] FIG. 100 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation showing
the interconnection of the sheets used to form the panel of FIG.
98.
[0119] FIG. 101 is a side elevation of a still further arrangement
of the tension triangle embodiment of the present invention.
[0120] FIG. 102 is a side elevation of a still further arrangement
of the tension triangle embodiment of the present invention.
[0121] FIG. 103 is a side elevation of another arrangement of the
tension triangle embodiment of the present invention.
[0122] FIG. 104 is a fragmentary isometric of another arrangement
of the tension triangle embodiment of the present invention.
[0123] FIG. 105 is a side elevation of the arrangement shown in
FIG. 104.
[0124] FIG. 106 is a section taken along line 106-106 of FIG.
105.
[0125] FIG. 107 is an isometric of the strut used in the
arrangement shown in FIG. 104.
[0126] FIG. 108 is a fragmentary isometric of another arrangement
of the tension triangle embodiment having an insulative or
sound-absorbing layer.
[0127] FIG. 109 is a side elevation of the arrangement shown in
FIG. 108.
[0128] FIG. 110 is a transverse section taken through a compressive
mold and a rigid panel formed thereby in a rigid panel embodiment
of the present invention.
[0129] FIG. 111 is a transverse section showing the rigid panel of
FIG. 110 having been joined with insulating or sound-absorbing
material in cells defined thereby.
[0130] FIG. 112 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken through
a pleated panel embodiment of the present invention.
[0131] FIG. 113 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing a side
edge of the pleated panel shown in FIG. 112 being supported on a
side support rail.
[0132] FIG. 114 is a fragmentary isometric showing the panel
illustrated in FIG. 113 supported on the side rail with the panel
in a folded or collapsed position.
[0133] FIG. 115 is a fragmentary isometric similar to FIG. 114 with
the panel in an expanded position.
[0134] FIG. 116 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 113
showing a different arrangement of a supporting side rail with a
pleated ceiling panel.
[0135] FIG. 117 is a fragmentary isometric showing the panel of
FIG. 116 in a folded or collapsed position.
[0136] FIG. 118 is a fragmentary isometric similar to FIG. 117 with
the panel in an expanded position.
[0137] FIG. 119A is an isometric of an alternative arrangement of
the pleated panel embodiment wherein the panel is supported by
flexible longitudinal cords.
[0138] FIG. 119B is an enlarged section showing the interconnection
of an elongated cord to a sheet of a pleated panel.
[0139] FIG. 120 is an isometric of another alternative arrangement
of the pleated panel embodiment of the present invention.
[0140] FIG. 121A is a side elevation of still a further arrangement
of the pleated panel embodiment of the present invention.
[0141] FIG. 121B is an isometric of the panel shown in FIG.
121A.
[0142] FIG. 122 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing the
interconnection between upper and lower sheets of the panel of FIG.
121A.
[0143] FIG. 123 is an exploded fragmentary isometric showing the
panel of FIG. 121A with an inverted T-shaped support therefor.
[0144] FIG. 124 is a fragmentary isometric illustrating a sharp
edged and curved wall pleated panel.
[0145] FIG. 125 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along line
125-125 of FIG. 124.
[0146] FIG. 126 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken through a
single upwardly directed pleat of the panel shown in FIG. 124
showing a support cord extending therethrough.
[0147] FIG. 127 is a fragmentary isometric of a flat cell-lap
jointed cellular panel.
[0148] FIG. 128 is an enlarged vertical section taken along line
128-128 of FIG. 127.
[0149] FIG. 129 is an enlargement of the area shown in dashed lines
in FIG. 128.
[0150] FIG. 130 is a fragmentary isometric of a first embodiment of
a flat back cellular panel.
[0151] FIG. 131 is an enlarged section taken along line 131-131 of
FIG. 130.
[0152] FIG. 132 is a fragmentary isometric of a second embodiment
of a flat back panel.
[0153] FIG. 133 is an enlarged vertical section taken along line
133-133 of FIG. 132.
[0154] FIG. 134 is a fragmentary isometric of a third embodiment of
a flat back cellular panel.
[0155] FIG. 135 is a vertical section taken along line 135-135 of
FIG. 134.
[0156] FIG. 136 is a fragmentary isometric of a fourth embodiment
of a flat back cellular panel.
[0157] FIG. 137 is an enlarged vertical section taken along line
137-137 of FIG. 136.
[0158] FIG. 138 is a fragmentary isometric of a first embodiment of
a supported single sheet panel.
[0159] FIG. 139 is a fragmentary section taken along line 139-139
of FIG. 138.
[0160] FIG. 140 is a further enlarged fragmentary section
illustrating the area shown in dashed lines in FIG. 139.
[0161] FIG. 141 is a fragmentary isometric of a second embodiment
of a supported single sheet panel.
[0162] FIG. 142 is an enlarged section taken along line 142-142 of
FIG. 141.
[0163] FIG. 143 is an enlarged section illustrating the area shown
in dashed lines in FIG. 142.
[0164] FIG. 144 is a fragmentary isometric of a double sheet-double
pleat cellular panel.
[0165] FIG. 145 is an enlarged section taken along line 145-145 of
FIG. 144.
[0166] FIG. 146 is a fragmentary isometric of a variable cell size
panel.
[0167] FIG. 147 is an enlarged vertical section taken along line
147-147 of FIG. 146.
[0168] FIG. 148 is a fragmentary isometric of a tabbed cellular
panel.
[0169] FIG. 149 is an enlarged vertical section taken along line
149-149 of FIG. 148.
[0170] FIG. 150 is a fragmentary isometric of a double
sheeted-double pleated cellular panel.
[0171] FIG. 151 is an enlarged vertical section taken along line
151-151 of FIG. 150.
[0172] FIG. 152 is a vertical section taken through a folded
pleated panel made of a laminated material having a curable
surface.
[0173] FIG. 153 is a section similar to FIG. 152 with the panel
having been expanded and being shown exposed to a curing agent.
[0174] FIG. 154 is a vertical section taken through a folded
pleated panel formed from a material that cures upon expansion.
[0175] FIG. 155 is a vertical section similar to FIG. 154 with the
panel shown in an expanded condition and having been cured.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0176] A ceiling system embodiment of the cladding system of the
present invention includes an elongated panel of articulated and/or
otherwise interconnected sections which may be cells that can be
expanded to cover an overlying ceiling structure and in certain
embodiments can be retracted with the sections horizontally stacked
adjacent a side or sides of the room in which the panel is mounted.
When retracted or collapsed adjacent a side or sides of the room,
the overlying ceiling structure is exposed so that electrical,
plumbing or other such utilities can be accessed without
interference from the ceiling panel. As will be appreciated with
the detailed description that follows, the ceiling panel may be
slidably supported on support rails in the system for easy movement
of the panel between the expanded position wherein it covers the
ceiling structure and the retracted position adjacent a side or
sides of the room in which the system is mounted.
[0177] Honeycomb Panel
[0178] In a first embodiment 20 of the expandable and collapsible
ceiling panel 22 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 28, the panel 22 is
made from at least one sheet of material that is semi rigid at
least in a cross direction and comprised of a plurality of
interconnected tubular cells 24 which in combination form a
collapsible honeycomb type panel 22. The cells 24 in the disclosed
form are of hexagonal cross-sectional configuration and may, by way
of example, be eight feet in length so as to define a panel of that
width. Wider or narrower panels are also possible depending
partially upon the equipment available for fabricating the panels,
applicable building codes and desired aesthetics.
[0179] The panels 22 can be fabricated in accordance with the
process described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,027 issued to Colson on
May 22, 1984, which is of common ownership with the subject
application. The panels can be made of various suitable materials
such as paper, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), aluminum foil, textiles or
various laminated combinations of those materials. The selected
material or combinations of material is to some degree dependent
upon fire codes, which dictate burn and smoke rate acceptability
for construction materials. While PVC satisfies most building
codes, it does in fact form a molten mass when burning which could
drop from a ceiling in globules causing injury or other harm to
those in the building structure in which the panel is installed. As
will be mentioned later, the PVC can be laminated to a supporting
material such as aluminum foil, to which it will cling when in a
hot molten state thereby preventing its deposit into the area
beneath the ceiling panel during a fire.
[0180] FIG. 1 illustrates a room 26 in a building structure,
looking upwardly at the ceiling 28 from within the room 26, which
has a corrugated honeycomb panel 22 in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an
individual cell 24 and a plurality of interconnected cells
respectively, in accordance with the invention wherein the cells
are made of a single ply or layer of material. In the assembled
panel, the cells 24 are bonded or otherwise interconnected along a
sidewall 30 to adjacent cells thereby forming an articulated joint
between each cell 24 so that the entire panel 22 can be flexed as
illustrated in FIGS. 4-6.
[0181] The cells may be offset as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.
4,677,013, which is of common ownership with the present
application, to provide uniform spacing of the cells when the panel
is expanded.
[0182] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an individual cell 32 and a
plurality of interconnected articulated cells 32 respectively
wherein the cells 32 are made of a laminated material. The
lamination might be done for purposes of fire safety or possibly
even aesthetics when, for example, it is desired to obtain a
certain look with a material that would not be structurally
suitable in and of itself for forming a cell. By way of example,
when considering aesthetics, a soft cotton fabric material 35 might
give the desired appearance for the ceiling but might not have the
desired structural rigidity for the honeycomb panel and
accordingly, the soft cotton fabric 35 might be laminated to the
outer face of a paper or PVC sheet 37. For safety reasons, however,
as mentioned previously, when using PVC, it is preferably bonded,
either on the interior or exterior, to a support material, such as
aluminum foil, due to the fact that the aluminum foil will retain
its integrity in fires and the melting and molten PVC will cling or
bond to the support material so that it does not drop into the
space beneath the ceiling.
[0183] In an alternative arrangement of the ceiling panel 36 as
shown in FIG. 9, the cells 38 could be perforated which would
increase the sound absorptive qualities of the panel. In addition,
as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the cells 38 could include with or
without the perforated walls, a core of insulating material 40 such
as textiles, foam, cotton or the like to improve sound deadening
and/or insulating qualities of the panel 36. As can be appreciated
in FIGS. 10 and 11, the cells, whether or not perforated or
including a core of insulating material, are shorter in the
expanded position than in the retracted position.
[0184] Since the panel 36 is flexible due to the articulated
connection of the individual cells 38, it must be supported along
its length along the lateral sides 42 of the panel and possibly at
locations along its width depending upon the overall width of the
panel and the structural rigidity of the material used to make it.
Numerous systems have been devised for supporting the panel, some
of which will be described hereafter. The importance of the support
system resides in providing support that will retain the panel
during installation, operation and inadvertent contact. In some
instances it is also desirable that the support system be hidden
from view for aesthetic reasons.
[0185] One system for supporting the panel 22 along its lateral
sides 42 is illustrated in FIG. 12 wherein elongated side support
bars 44 or rails of L-shaped cross-section are secured along their
length to the side walls of the room in which the ceiling panel 22
is to be installed. The side support bars 44 define a horizontal
shoulder 48, which protrudes horizontally and towards the opposite
side, wall at a spaced location beneath the ceiling structure 28 of
the room 26. Slots 50 substantially corresponding in size to the
shoulder 48 are provided in each side edge 42 of the ceiling panel
22 (FIG. 29) with the slots 42 slidably receiving the shoulder 48
of each side support rail 44. As can be appreciated by reference to
FIGS. 4-6, a support rail 51 can be made to undulate along its
length to support the panel 22 in a conforming wavy pattern.
[0186] The ends 52 of the ceiling panel can be releasably attached
to end rails 54 which are secured to an end wall 56 of the room 26
as illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B. It is preferable that the ends
52 of the panel 22 be connected to the end rails 54 with a
releasable connector. By way of example, a magnet 58, as seen in
FIG. 13A, can be carried inside the endmost cell 60 of the panel 22
which is attracted to an end bar 54, which would in this instance
be metal, in a releasable way so that the end of the panel could be
magnetically released from the end bar 54 and then slid along the
side rails 44 when retracting the ceiling panel from its extended
position.
[0187] Alternately, the last cell could be provided with one or
more Z-hooks 59 so as to be releasably attachable to an end rail 55
with complementary J-hooks 61 on the end rail as shown in FIG.
13B.
[0188] If the ceiling panel 22 is so wide that it sags along its
width, a center support bar 62 or rail such as illustrated in FIG.
14 can be utilized. In the illustrated embodiment of the center
support bar 62, the bar is L-shaped in cross-section having a
horizontal shoulder 64 and when using such a center support 62, an
L-shaped slot 66 is cut in an aligned upper edge of the ceiling
panel 22, for example, along its longitudinal center 68. The center
support bar 62 can be suspended from the ceiling in any suitable
manner such as with well-known hanger-type fasteners. While not
being illustrated, the center support could have an inverted
T-shaped cross-section so as to have horizontal shoulders extending
in opposite directions and in the use of such a support, an
inverted T-shaped slot 70 as shown in FIG. 28 would be cut in an
upper edge 72 of the ceiling panel, for example, along its
longitudinal center 68.
[0189] FIG. 15 illustrates a ceiling panel in accordance with the
first embodiment in an expanded condition when supported by
L-shaped side rails while viewing the panel from the underside. The
appearance would be identical if the panel was also supported with
a center rail as illustrated in FIG. 14 as the center rail or
support would not be visible from the interior of the room. The
same ceiling panel is shown in FIG. 16 from above the panel wherein
the attachment of the side rails to the sidewalls of the room in
which the panel is mounted as well as the attachment of the end
rail to an end wall can be seen.
[0190] FIGS. 17 through 22 illustrate other configurations of side
rails for supporting the side edges 42 of a ceiling panel 22 and
with reference first to FIGS. 17 and 18, the side support rail 74
therein illustrated can be seen to be substantially J-shaped in
cross-section so as to not only define a horizontal shoulder 76 but
an upturned edge 78 on the shoulder 76 which better secures the
ceiling panel 22 to the side support rail 74. As will be
appreciated, depending to some degree upon the length of the panel,
should it become skewed, it would be possible for it to be released
from an L-shaped support 48 as shown, for example, in FIG. 12 but
the provision of the upturned edge 78 as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18
prevents such skewing and inadvertent release of the ceiling panel
22 from the side support rails 74. Of course, to accommodate the
J-shaped support rail, the notch 80 formed in the lateral sides 42
of the ceiling panel 22 resembles an L laid on its side as shown in
FIG. 27.
[0191] FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a side support rail 82 similar to
FIG. 17 except wherein the J-shaped rail has been extended so as to
include an L-shaped underlying segment 84 adapted to support the
lower surface of a ceiling panel 22. This of course would give the
ceiling a different aesthetic appearance from within the building
structure and would give added support along the side edges 42 of
the ceiling panel 22.
[0192] FIGS. 21 and 22 show a channel-shaped support 86 in the form
of a U turned on its side so that the ceiling panel 22 is confined
along both its top 88 and bottom 90 surfaces. This arrangement
would have the same aesthetic appearance from beneath the panel as
that shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 but no notches would need to be
formed in the ceiling panel itself.
[0193] In the event of a room being wider than the ceiling panel, a
plurality of panels 22 can be mounted in side-by-side relationship
by using intermediate supports such as of the type illustrated in
FIGS. 23 through 26. While the outermost side edge (not seen) of a
panel 22 in such a system might be supported in accordance with one
of the previously described side rail supports, the juncture
between two side-by-side panels 22 could be supported by an
intermediate support that might take any one of numerous
configurations, four of which are illustrated in FIGS. 23 through
26.
[0194] FIG. 23 illustrates an intermediate support 92 that would be
suspended from a ceiling structure and has a cross-sectional
configuration resembling back-to-back Js so that the intermediate
support would support the adjacent side edges 42 of ceiling panels
22 in the same manner as the side rail support 74 illustrated in
FIG. 17. Of course, the supported side edge 42 of the ceiling panel
22 would be provided with a generally L-shaped slot 80 as
illustrated in FIG. 17 so that the two adjacent ceiling panels 22
are supported at the same elevation and in side-by-side
relationship thereby defining a small gap 94 between panels 22 when
viewed from interiorly of the room in which the ceiling panel is is
mounted. A better illustration of the L-shaped notch 80 formed in
the sides 42 of the ceiling panel 22 is shown in FIG. 27.
[0195] FIG. 24 illustrates a modified intermediate support 96 where
again the support 96 includes a back-to-back J-shaped segment 98
but in addition a depending inverted T-shaped segment 100 having a
lower horizontal leg 102 which bridges the gap between the adjacent
ceiling panels 22 being supported. When this system is used, the
gap 94 between ceiling panels 22 is not seen from interiorly of the
room 26 but rather a preselected strip defined by the lower
horizontal leg 102 of the intermediate support 96 is seen. Of
course, the adjacent side edges 42 of the ceiling panels 22 would
again be slotted as shown in FIG. 27 for this arrangement of the
intermediate support 96.
[0196] FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment of an intermediate support
108 very similar to that shown in FIG. 24 but wherein the lower
horizontal leg 102 of the inverted T segment 100 has been removed
so that a vertical segment 110 of the support 108 fills the gap 94
between adjacent panels 22 and would of course give a slightly
different visual or aesthetic appearance than that of FIG. 23 or
24. The adjacent side edges 42 of the ceiling panels 22 would again
be notched as illustrated in FIG. 27.
[0197] It should be appreciated that should the ceiling panels 22
be of a great enough width so that they needed additional support
along their width, a center support 62 of the type described
previously and illustrated in FIG. 14 could be used, or instead of
being of L-shaped configuration as illustrated in FIG. 14, it could
be of inverted T-shaped configuration in which case the ceiling
panels 22 would be notched as shown in FIG. 28.
[0198] It will be apparent that an intermediate support would not
have to be of back-to-back J-shaped configuration but could be of
back-to-back L-shaped configuration which is not illustrated but in
which case the adjacent sides of the ceiling panel 22 would be
notched with a straight notch 50 as illustrated in FIG. 28A.
[0199] The intermediate support could also be of back-to-back
channel configuration as shown in FIG. 26 and identified with
reference numeral 112 wherein the intermediate support has
back-to-back U-shaped channels 114 laid on their side which are
adapted to receive the adjacent side edges 42 of ceiling panels 22
which have not been notched. This again would give a different
aesthetic appearance from the interior of the room 26 in which the
ceiling panel 22 is mounted.
[0200] As will be appreciated from the above description, as many
ceiling panels 22 as are necessary to cover a given space can be
mounted in side-by-side relationship. The panels 22 can be cut into
various desired widths and supported with selected side,
intermediate or center supports for utilitarian or aesthetic
purposes. Further, openings can be cut in the panels for lights,
fans or other such fixtures as necessary.
[0201] Soft Cell
[0202] While the first described embodiment 20 is made with at
least one material which is semi rigid, a second embodiment, which
might be referred to as a soft cell embodiment 118 and shown
mounted in a building structure in FIG. 29 and shown in more detail
in FIGS. 30-64, is formed from a flexible material such as a soft
fabric which may be cotton cloth, wool, felt or any other such
material. It could also be metal foils or materials which are not
naturally occurring but which will drape and otherwise form a
somewhat soft appearance.
[0203] The soft cell ceiling panel 118 is made in a first
arrangement, as seen best in FIGS. 30-32 with a single layer of
flexible material 120 which is gathered along laterally extending
longitudinally spaced lines to form pleats 122. At the pleats 122,
the gathered segments of material are secured together such as with
an adhesive 123 as illustrated in FIG. 34 or with a suitable clamp
as will be described later. The panel 120 could be allowed to drape
as seen in FIG. 30 or could be tensioned so as to present a
substantially flat appearance as seen in FIG. 33.
[0204] A completed ceiling system 116 made in accordance with the
first arrangement of the soft cell embodiment is shown in FIG. 29.
The lateral or side edges 124 of a panel 118 are supported on the
side walls 46 of the building structure in the same manner as
described in accordance with the first embodiment 20 of the
invention and that is, with side rails 126 having appropriate
horizontal inwardly directed shoulders 128 which either support the
ceiling panel 118 along a lower edge or cooperate with a notch 130
(FIG. 35) cut in the side edge of the ceiling panel 118. FIG. 35
shows a side rail 132 of J-shaped configuration, which cooperates
with an L-shaped notch 134 formed in the side edge 124 of the soft
cell panel and wherein the panel has pleats 122 maintained by
adhesive 123.
[0205] An alternative system for supporting the panel 118 is shown
in FIG. 36 wherein an elongated rigid bar 136 of PVC, cold rolled
steel, extruded aluminum or the like is secured, as by bonding or
otherwise, within a pleat 122 and adapted to extend laterally from
each side of the panel 118. The rigid bar extension 136 could
merely rest on a side rail 48 of the type shown for example in FIG.
12 or could be notched as at 140, as illustrated in FIG. 36, along
a bottom edge so as to ride along a vertical leg of a side rail
(not illustrated).
[0206] FIG. 37 illustrates a different system for forming a pleat
142 while defining means for suspending the panel and it will there
be seen that the material 144 from which the panel is to be made is
gathered as previously described and a rod 146 which might be rigid
or flexible is inserted into the gathered material before a clamp
148 having two legs with lock jaws 150 at the bottom thereof is
positioned with the jaws 150 on either side of the gathered fabric
144 so as to confine the rod 146 therebetween. The clamp 148 can be
spot welded or otherwise bonded at an intermediate location 151 so
as to retain the jaws in clamping relationship with the
material.
[0207] In order to suspend the panel from side rails with clamps of
the type described, an upper closed loop portion 153 of the clamp
can be extended beyond the side edges of the panel so as to ride in
side support rails having U-shaped channels laid on their side of
the type shown for example in FIG. 21.
[0208] Similar clamping systems are shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 where
again a top portion of the clamp could be extended to ride on a
suitable side rail while a lower clamping portion secures and
retains a pleat of the flexible material. In FIG. 38, the lower
clamping portion 154 of the clamp 152 is generally triangular in
configuration having a slot 156 therein which receives a looped
portion 158 of the fabric along a pleat 160 and wherein a bar 162
has been inserted in the loop portion 158 which enlarges the pleat
160 beyond the dimension of the slot 156 in the clamping portion to
prevent release of the pleat 160 from the clamp. Similarly, in FIG.
39, the lower clamping portion 166 of the support 168 is
substantially circular in cross-sectional configuration again
defining a slot 170 through which the fabric material is inserted
into the clamping portion with a rod or cord 172 inserted in the
gathered fabric 174 to retain it within the clamping portion
166.
[0209] FIG. 40 illustrates a clamp 176 which again has a
substantially triangularly-shaped lower clamping portion 178
defining a gap 180 with clamping teeth 182 which prevent the looped
end of the fabric 174 which has a rod or cord 172 inserted therein
from being removed. The upper portion of the clamp has a horizontal
leg 184 which again can be extended relative to the lower portion
of the clamp to ride on and be supported by side rails having a
horizontal shoulder such as the type shown in FIG. 12.
[0210] A further arrangement of a clamp for supporting a gathered
or pleated portion of the panel is illustrated in FIGS. 42A and 42B
and can be seen to have a T-shaped upper portion 185 and a J-shaped
lower portion 187 with the J-shaped portion having serrations or
sharpened teeth 189 for gripping the material from which the panel
is made. As illustrated in FIG. 42B, the teeth 189 are adapted to
be inserted through the sheet material adjacent a gathered or
looped segment 191 of the material so as to positively retain the
material in the looped condition. The upper T-shaped portion of the
clamp has a horizontal leg 193 which, as with the embodiment of
FIG. 40, can be extended relative to the lower portion 187 of the
clamp to ride on and be supported by side rails having a horizontal
shoulder such as of the type shown in FIG. 12.
[0211] Further arrangements for supporting a pleated segment 186 of
the flexible material are illustrated in FIGS. 41A and 41B wherein
a hollow tubular cylinder 188 has a slot 190 formed along a lower
portion 189 thereof with radially inwardly directed arms 191 that
define a small 192 and large pocket 194. The cylinder 188 is
preferably made of a somewhat flexible material and the gathered or
pleated segment 186 of material, whether it is a single or double
layer as illustrated, can be forcibly inserted through the slot 190
in the lower portion of the cylinder 188 with a rod or cord 196
therein to temporarily confine the gathered material 186 within the
smaller pocket 192 of the cylinder while wrinkles are removed. The
rod 196 and gathered material 186 can then be further inserted
beyond the radially inwardly directed arms 191 so as to confine the
rod 196 and gathered material within the larger pocket of the
cylinder wherein the arms 191 form teeth which prevent a release of
the rod 196 and the gathered material 186. An upper segment of the
cylinder 188 can be extended at either side of the panel so as to
be supported on appropriate side rails if desired or the rod 196
can be made of a rigid material and extended beyond the lateral
sides of the flexible material 186 so as to be supported on
appropriate side rails in either event allowing the pleated
locations of the material to be moved along the supporting side
rails.
[0212] FIGS. 43 through 45 illustrate a soft cell panel 198 made of
two different materials with the facing sheet 200 being a course
woven material having relatively large openings and adapted to be
configured by gravity as it sags and droops between adjacent
support members. A backing sheet 202 is made of a solid material.
Pleats 204 can be formed in the facing sheet 200 with a bonding
adhesive or the like and inserted into corresponding pleats 206 in
the backing sheet 202 which can then be bonded to the pleats in the
facing sheet 200. The pleats in the facing sheet can receive
elongated support bars, rods or the like in accordance with prior
described embodiments so that the bars or rods can support the
panel on side rails. In the alternative, if the pleated facing
material 200 is adhered to the backing sheet with no support bars
or the like, the side edges 208 of the pleated panel can be
appropriately notched for support as described for example in FIG.
35.
[0213] While typically the ceiling panel would be formed from a
continuous sheet of flexible material, it could be formed from
interconnected strips as shown in FIGS. 46-58. With initial
reference to FIGS. 46 and 47, contiguous side edges 212 of strips
210 could be interconnected, for example, with a C-clamp 214. When
interconnecting two adjacent strips 210 of flexible material with a
clamp 214 as seen in FIGS. 46 and 47, the edge of a first strip 216
could be looped around a small rigid rod 218 preferably of circular
cross-section and the adjacent side edge of the next adjacent strip
of material could then be drooped over the looped edge 216 of the
first strip of material. The C-shaped spring clamp 214 can then be
placed over the entire assemblage of materials to securely connect
the adjacent side edges 212 of the strips 210 of material
together.
[0214] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 48, the side edge 216 of
each strip 210 could be looped around its own rigid rod 218 and
both rigid rods with the looped edges of adjacent strips encaptured
within a C-clamp 214.
[0215] These procedures could be used to form the entire ceiling
panel or could be used to replace a soiled, stained or otherwise
undesirable portion of an enlarged strip of fabric material by
removing the damaged area along a transverse strip and then
replacing that strip with a new piece of material that is joined to
the old material along opposite side edges in the manner
described.
[0216] When utilizing the clip system shown in FIGS. 46 and 47, the
rod 218 inserted in the innermost loop of fabric can extend beyond
the lateral side edges of the flexible material so that the
opposite ends of the rod can be supported in side rails, for
example, of U-shaped configuration laid on their side of the type
illustrated in FIG. 21 of the first described embodiment. In this
manner, the rods 218 can be slid along the length of the side
support rails to extend and retract the ceiling panel as desired.
The opposite ends of the panel could again be releasably connected
to end rails with magnets or other well-known means for releasably
connecting articles.
[0217] An alternative clip 222 is illustrated in FIGS. 49 and 50
for supporting the pleat 122 in the panel of material 120. It will
there be appreciated that the clip 222 has a pair of generally
J-shaped clamping jaws 224 which are integrally connected with an
upper open channel 226. The open channel 226 would extend laterally
beyond the side edges of the fabric material and the clamping jaws
224 and in turn be supported in a channel-shaped side rail for
sliding movement therealong. The side rail, for example, could be
of U-shaped configuration laid on its side such as of the type
illustrated in connection with the first embodiment in FIG. 21. In
this manner, each clip 222 could be slid along the rail when
retracting or expanding the ceiling panel within a building
structure.
[0218] A soft celled ceiling panel 228 can be made with two strips
of flexible fabric wherein one strip 230, FIGS. 51 and 52,
functions as a backing sheet and the other as a face sheet 232. The
backing sheet can be manipulated by tensioning or drawing it taut
to provide control over the spacing of the cells and to provide
control over the amount of droop or sag in the face sheet.
[0219] Preferably, the face sheet 232 would have a greater length
between adjacent pleats than the backing sheet 230 so that it would
droop into the room in which the ceiling panel 228 is mounted. Such
an arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 51 through 54. In this
arrangement, the clip system shown in FIGS. 46 and 47 is utilized
to connect the backing sheet 230 to the face sheet 232 and, as will
be appreciated, the face sheet is looped over the insert rod 234
and the backing sheet 230 looped over the face sheet 232 prior to
the C-shaped clip 214 being secured thereto.
[0220] FIG. 52 illustrates the various aesthetics that can be
obtained by varying the length of the face sheet 232 relative to
the backing sheet 230. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 46 and 47,
the insert rod 234 could extend beyond the side edges of the
flexible sheets 230 and 232 of material so as to be slidably
supported in U-shaped side support channels laid on their side to
facilitate movement of the ceiling panel 228 between extended and
retracted positions.
[0221] It will be appreciated that the double layer soft cell panel
228 shown in FIGS. 51 through 54 can be made from continuous sheets
of backing material 230 and facing material 232 or can be made from
interconnected strips of such material which have been
interconnected in accordance with the method illustrated in FIGS.
46 and 47. When interconnecting a plurality of strips of material,
the individual strips can be two-ply as designated with reference
numeral 233 and illustrated in FIG. 55A or can be formed into a
two-ply strip 234 by folding an extra wide strip upon itself as
illustrated in FIG. 55B. The side edges 236 of the strip or strips
as the case may be would preferably be bonded together with
adhesive 238 in a well-known manner. The resulting strip, which is
of a pre-selected and desired width, is two-ply and, if desired,
the facing sheet can be formed wider than the backing sheet.
[0222] As an alternative to forming the facing sheet wider than the
backing sheet as illustrated in FIGS. 56-58, a backing sheet 244
can be narrowed by gathering the backing sheet 244 along
longitudinal lines thereby making its effective width less than
that of a facing sheet 246. This can be accomplished in a practical
manner by bonding, for example, three rigid or semi rigid strips
248 of material such as PVC or aluminum to the top surface 250 of
the backing sheet 244 along opposite edges and then folding the
outermost one 252 of the three strips upwardly as illustrated in
FIG. 57 prior to lifting the backing sheet 244 between the
remaining innermost two strips 254 of the rigid strips 248. The
strips 248 can then be compressed together in a vertical
orientation as shown in FIG. 58 thereby effectively narrowing the
backing sheet 244 relative to the facing sheet 246 to form a
desired droop 256 for the facing sheet of the ceiling panel. The
rigid strips 248 and fabric therebetween can either be clamped or
bonded together to retain the desired relationship.
[0223] The two layer soft cell embodiment 228 illustrated in FIGS.
51 through 54 can be further modified by inserting into the space
between the backing sheet 230 and facing sheet 232 a layer of sound
absorbing or insulating material 258 such as foam rubber, soft
cotton, or polyester quilt batting as shown in FIG. 59. Further,
the facing sheet 232 can be perforated or constructed with or
without the sound deadening or insulating material 258 to render
the sound absorbing characteristics of the panel 260 more
effective. A further advantage of the system shown in FIG. 60
resides in the fact that sprinkler heads 262 in a fire
extinguishing system can be confined and concealed in cells 264 of
the ceiling panel 228 by providing holes 266 through the backing
sheet 230 to receive water lines 268. When the panel is used in
this manner, the facing sheet 232 would need to be a course woven
or densely perforated sheet to allow water to spray
therethrough.
[0224] Alternative arrangements of the soft cell ceiling panel are
shown in FIGS. 61 through 64 wherein it will be seen that the
facing sheet 270 is formed as illustrated in FIG. 30 so that
upwardly extending adhesively bonded pleats 272 define adjacent
cells and the pleats 272 are then bonded at spaced intervals to a
continuous backing sheet 274 as shown in FIG. 61, a plurality of
backing strips 276 of a flexible material as shown in FIG. 62 or
simply two flexible cords 278 as shown in FIG. 63. FIG. 64
illustrates the connection of an adhesively-formed pleat to a cord
278 as by bonding with a suitable adhesive 280.
[0225] Strip Soft Cell
[0226] A variation of a two-ply soft cell ceiling panel 282 is
illustrated in FIGS. 65 through 68 wherein a backing sheet 284 and
a facing sheet 286 are secured together along adjacent edges 288
with C-shaped clips 290 to form cells with the facing sheet 286
being of greater width between clamps so as to drape from the
backing sheet 284. The space between the backing sheet and face
sheet can be filled with an insulating or sound absorbing material
292 and, again, the facing sheet 286 can be perforated as desired
to render sound deadening qualities of the panel 282 more
effective. An elongated generally C-shaped anchor strip 294 with
lock channels 296 along each side, as shown in FIGS. 66 and 67, is
utilized to secure adjacent double-ply cells 282 to the ceiling 28
by inserting the C-shaped clips 290 along opposite edges of the
cells into the lock channels 290 on either side of the anchor strip
294 as illustrated in FIG. 68 and securing the anchor strip 294 to
the ceiling 28 with suitable fasteners 297.
[0227] As a variation (not shown), the facing sheet can be made
shorter than the backing sheet so that again a cell is formed but
the appearance from the interior of the room is quite different in
that the facing sheet is seen as somewhat of a continuous
substantially flat sheet interrupted at preselected intervals by
the anchor strips but the same insulating or sound absorbing
qualities can be obtained.
[0228] As a further variation, the backing sheet 284 and facing
sheet 286 can be joined to adjacent backing and facing sheets
substantially as shown in FIGS. 46 and 47 or 48 thereby rendering
the resultant panel collapsible by providing suitable side rails
such as of the type shown in FIG. 21.
[0229] Compressive Triangle
[0230] In a third embodiment of the expandable and retractable
ceiling panel of the present invention which might be referred to
as the compressive triangle embodiment 302 illustrated in FIGS.
69-92, a panel 300, best seen in FIGS. 70, 77 and 78, is formed
from a continuous backing sheet 304 that is interconnected along
laterally extending longitudinally spaced lines 306 to a pair of
depending rigid or semi rigid slats 308. The backing sheet 304 is
made of a flexible but substantially non-elastic material while the
slats 308 may be formed of PVC, aluminum or other such material
that will somewhat retain a preselected cross-sectional
configuration when under lateral compression.
[0231] As best seen in FIG. 71, the lower edges 310 of the rigid
slats 308 are interconnected as with strips of adhesive tape 312
extended interiorally and exteriorally of the triangle 302 defined
between two adjacent rigid strips 308 and the backing sheet 304.
The opposite or uppermost edges 314 of the rigid slats are secured
to the backing sheet 304, along with a similar edge 314 of an
adjacent slat 308, with adhesive or double-faced adhesive tape 316
which, as possibly best seen in FIG. 72, secures the slats 308 to
the backing sheet 304 along a slightly raised line 306 extending
laterally of the backing sheet 304. The interconnection of the side
edges 310 of the slats 309 to each other and to the backing sheet
304 form articulated or hinged joints 318 to facilitate folding or
retraction of the ceiling panel 300. FIG. 73 in an alternate system
of interconnection shows the lower edges 310 of the slats 308 being
interconnected with an elongated rubber channel 320 which has
notches 322 formed in opposite sides for receiving the edges 310 of
the slats 308 and secures the edges together in an articulated
relationship.
[0232] In another alternative system for interconnecting slats 321
and 333 at the lower point of a triangular cell as shown in FIG.
73A, one slat 321 is folded or bent along an articulated line 319
and then bonded with adhesive 317 or the like to the other slat.
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 73B in still another embodiment, the
lower edges of each slat 325 and 326 are folded or bent and then
subsequently bonded together with adhesive 315 to form the
articulated lower point of a triangular cell.
[0233] As will be appreciated, as the backing sheet 304 is expanded
and placed in tension, as best illustrated in FIG. 74, the rigid
slats 308 are placed in compression along their joint at the
lowermost point 318 of the triangularly-shaped cells 302. However,
when relieving the tension in the backing sheet 304 and due to the
articulated interconnections 318 and 306 (FIG. 74) of the rigid
slats 308, the backing sheet 304 can be folded between its
connection with the rigid slats 304 thereby allowing the slats 308
to fold toward each other. The backing sheet 304 can be urged to
fold between slats 308, if desired, by providing an inwardly
directed pleat 324 in the backing sheet 304 in association with
each cell as shown in FIG. 75, or urged to fold upwardly from the
cell 302 by providing inwardly directed pleats 326 in the backing
sheet 304 adjacent each edge of a cell and an outwardly directed
pleat 328 in the center of each cell 302 as shown in FIG. 76. The
folding, of course, would take place when retracting the panel 300
adjacent to the side of a ceiling structure. When expanding the
panel 300, however, the backing sheet 304 is tensioned to form the
compressive relationship between adjacent rigid slats 308 and the
desired aesthetic appearance for the ceiling panel, which is
probably best, illustrated in FIGS. 70, 77 and 78.
[0234] While the compressive triangle panel could be supported as
described in connection with the honeycomb panel of FIGS. 1-28, the
ceiling panel 300 would desirably be supported along opposite side
edges 332 by a split rail clamp 330 probably best seen in FIG. 79.
The split rail clamp 330 defines a vertically adjustable somewhat
C-shaped channel 334 to support a longitudinal side edge 332 of the
ceiling panel 300. The clamp 330 itself has an upper inverted
L-shaped component 336 and a lower generally L-shaped component
338. The lower component 338 has an upwardly opening channel 340
between two side leg segments 342. The upwardly opening channel 340
slidably receives a vertical leg 344 of the inverted L-shaped
component 338 so that the inverted L-shaped component 336 is
vertically moveable within the channel 340.
[0235] At selected intervals along the length of the side supports
334, the upwardly opening channel 340 is interrupted and a
pivotally supported claw hook 342 is connected to the base of the
L-shaped component 338. A peg 345 is similarly provided on the
inverted L-shaped segment 338 and cooperates with the hook 342 such
that pivotal movement of the hook 342 in a counterclockwise
direction as viewed in FIG. 79 will draw the inverted L-shaped
component 336 downwardly thereby compressing the rigid slats 308
and tensioning the backing sheet 304. Reverse pivotal movement of
the claw-shaped hook 342 will allow the inverted L-shaped 336
component to move upwardly to release the compression and allow the
ceiling panel 300 to be folded or collapsed as illustrated in FIGS.
80 through 82. The compressed position of the claw-shaped hook is
shown in FIGS. 79 and 83 through 85.
[0236] As will be appreciated, the compressive triangle embodiment
302 of the present invention allows the panel 300 to be moved from
the expanded position wherein the rigid slats 308 are compressed
against each other along their lower edges 310 and the backing
sheet 304 is held in tension to a collapsed or folded position
wherein the rigid slats 308 move toward each other and the backing
sheet 44 is non-tensioned and actually collapses into or above the
space between adjacent rigid slats 308.
[0237] FIGS. 86 through 92 illustrate various slat configurations
for use in the compressive triangle embodiment 302 and as will be
appreciated each functions in substantially the same way by
providing tension in the backing sheet 304 and compression in the
rigid slats 308 to obtain the desired structural characteristics
while enabling various aesthetics.
[0238] FIG. 86 illustrates slats 348 which are flat and planar in
cross-section with FIGS. 87 and 88 showing arcuate slats 350 that
are downwardly convex and downwardly concave respectively. FIGS. 89
and 90 show S-shaped panels 352 that are downwardly convex and
downwardly concave, respectively. FIGS. 91 and 92 illustrate the
use of flat planar slats 348 that are spaced closer than and
greater than respectively, for example, the flat planar slat 348 of
FIG. 86 which as can be appreciated still gives desired structural
rigidity but with different aesthetics.
[0239] FIGS. 93 and 94 show an additional arrangement of the
compression triangle embodiment wherein the backing sheet 354 is
similar to the backing sheet used in prior embodiments but wherein
the rigid slats 308 have a cloth or fabric laminate 356 on their
exposed face to provide a different aesthetic than the rigid panel
itself. Obviously, the laminated cloth could provide a soft
appearance or other materials such as aluminum foil or the like
could provide a more stark or even reflective appearance.
[0240] The compressive triangle embodiment 302, while having been
described as a ceiling panel 300, might also work as a collapsible
wall, such as of the type used to divide conference rooms, inasmuch
as the panel 300 has a great deal of structural rigidity and yet
can be expanded and collapsed in a simple manner. Rails or tracks
for retracting the panel when used as a collapsible wall would be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0241] Tension Triangle
[0242] A fourth embodiment 360 of the ceiling panel of the present
invention, which might be referred to as the tension triangle
embodiment 360, is shown in FIGS. 95 through 108. One arrangement
shown in FIGS. 95 through 97 shows that generally
triangularly-shaped cells 364 are defined by a backing sheet 366 of
flexible material and a facing sheet 368 of flexible material
interconnected with the backing sheet at longitudinally-spaced
laterally extending locations 370, and a rigid support or truss 372
separating the backing sheet 366 from the facing sheet 368 at
locations intermediate and parallel to the interconnection 370
between the two sheets 366 and 368.
[0243] Looking first at FIG. 95, a panel 362 formed in accordance
with this embodiment can be seen supported along opposite side
edges by U-shaped channels 374 laid on their side. As mentioned
previously, both the backing sheet 366 and the facing sheet 368 are
made of flexible material even though the weight and stiffness of
that material might vary for different aesthetics. The
interconnection 370 of the facing sheet to the backing sheet is
preferably accomplished with a suitable adhesive so as to define
substantially triangularly shaped cells between lines of
attachment. The facing sheet 368 has a greater length of material
between lines of attachment so that it droops downwardly from the
backing sheet 366. A predetermined spacing between the facing sheet
and the backing sheet is maintained with the rigid support or truss
372. The truss 372 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 95 and 96 can
be seen to be of I-shaped configuration with the lower horizontal
leg 376 of the truss 372 either being preformed in an arcuate
configuration to encourage a smooth contour 378 in the underlying
facing sheet 368 or can be flexible enough to naturally flex with
the facing sheet 368 material which extends therearound. The truss
372 can be made of a rigid or a somewhat semi rigid material with
it only being important that it retain the desired spacing between
the backing sheet 366 and the facing sheet 368 within each cell. A
PVC material or even a somewhat rigid paper or cardboard would be
suitable for use as the truss material.
[0244] It will be appreciated that depending upon the flexibility
of the material used for the backing sheet 366 and the facing sheet
368, the ceiling panel 362 can be collapsed or folded by sliding
along the side support rails 374 but if one or the other of the
backing sheet 366 or facing sheet 368 were made of a material that
was not easily flexed, the degree of folding or collapsing of the
panel would be diminished.
[0245] FIGS. 98 through 100 illustrate a second arrangement 380 of
the tension triangle embodiment wherein the facing sheet 382 is
shown as a laminate that might be used either for structural or
aesthetic purposes. For example, the inner layer 384 of the
laminate may be a relatively heavy material that is not as easily
flexed but which possibly does not give a soft aesthetic appearance
to the interior of the room in which the ceiling panel 380 is
mounted as might be desired. Accordingly, a softer material 386
would be laminated to the outer face of the facing sheet to obtain
the desired aesthetics. The opposite could also be true, if a
softer and more readily foldable panel was desired, the inner layer
388 of the facing sheet might be a softer or more readily flexed
material while the outer sheet 386 might be an aluminum foil or the
like which gave a colder or harsher appearance to the interior of
the room. Obviously many variations of laminates are available to
obtain desired structural and aesthetic goals. The truss 390 or
rigid support utilized in the arrangement shown in FIGS. 98 through
100 is also slightly different in that it is substantially C-shaped
in cross section rather than I-shaped as in the first described
arrangement of FIGS. 95 through 97.
[0246] FIG. 101 illustrates an arrangement of the tension triangle
embodiment wherein the backing sheet 366 is a continuous sheet but
the facing sheet 392 consists of a plurality of individual strips
bonded to the backing sheet at predetermined intervals 394 so that
the facing sheet 392 is interrupted between adjacent cells 394. The
trusses 372 are illustrated as being identical to those shown in
the first arrangement 360 of FIGS. 95 through 97 but other
variations of the truss 372 could also be utilized.
[0247] FIG. 102 shows still another arrangement of the tension
triangle embodiment 362 wherein individual strips 396 of facing
sheet material are utilized to form the facing sheet but they are
bonded to the backing sheet 366 in overlapped relationship as at
400 so that there are no gaps between cells 394 as in the
arrangement of FIG. 101. Again, the truss 372 or rigid support
might be substantially I-shaped in cross section as with the
arrangement shown in FIG. 101.
[0248] Still another arrangement of the tension triangle embodiment
362 is shown in FIG. 103 wherein individual strips 402 of facing
sheet material are bonded to the backing sheet at spaced intervals
404 to define gaps 406 between cells 394 but the strips 402 are
bonded on in-turned or folded edges 408 so as to give a different
appearance than would be obtained with the arrangement of FIG. 101.
Again, the rigid support or truss 372 is illustrated in an I-shaped
cross section but alternative arrangements of the truss would again
be available.
[0249] FIGS. 104 through 107 illustrate a further arrangement of
the tension triangle embodiment wherein the facing sheet 410 is
again illustrated as a continuous laminate that is connected at
spaced intervals 370 to the backing sheet 366 similarly to the
arrangement shown in FIGS. 98 through 100. The facing sheet 410
would not have to be a laminate, however, nor would it have to be a
continuous sheet, but rather the distinguishing feature between the
arrangement shown in FIGS. 104 through 107 and the prior disclosed
arrangements resides in the fact that the truss 412 is a corrugated
plate that is formed by reverse bends 414 at predetermined spacings
so as to form vertical fold lines 416 in a corrugated truss. Such a
structural arrangement of the truss 412 gives more rigidity than a
straight plate-like truss as disclosed in the aforedescribed
arrangements of the tension triangle embodiment.
[0250] It should be appreciated that with each of the aforenoted
arrangements of the tension triangle embodiment, the truss 372 is
desirably adhesively or otherwise bonded to the backing sheet and
the face sheet so as to retain its position within an associated
cell 364 of the ceiling panel.
[0251] A final arrangement of the tension triangle embodiment is
shown in FIGS. 108 and 109 wherein the facing sheet 420 is again
shown as a laminated sheet but could be a single layer and the
trusses 390 are generally of C-shaped cross-section but the backing
sheet 420 is in fact a layer of sound deadening or insulating
material such as foam rubber, cotton batting or the like. The
insulating material 420 would desirably have outer layers 422 of a
material, which would be more suitable than the insulation or sound
deadening material itself for bonding of the facing sheet 424 and
the trusses 390 thereto.
[0252] Rigid Panel
[0253] A ceiling panel that is somewhat structurally different from
the prior described embodiments but has a similar appearance might
be referred to as a rigid panel embodiment 426 and is shown in
FIGS. 110 and 111. FIG. 110 illustrates a pressure mold 428 having
male 430 and female 432 components having formed therebetween a
plastic panel 434 defining a plurality of elongated cells 436. The
panel 434 could be formed of any suitable material and while it
might be metallic, it might also be a polyethylene plastic or the
like. The advantage in such a panel resides in the fact that the
pleats 438 are preformed and do not need to be adhesively formed or
clipped. Further, the cells 434 so defined can be filled with a
sound absorbing or insulating material 440 as shown in FIG. 111 and
the sheet 434 of preformed material can be perforated as desired to
improve the sound absorptive characteristics of the ceiling panel
426. The panel 426 would have preformed therein laterally extending
lips 442 that could be supported in side rails 444 for easy
installation of the panel 426.
[0254] Pleated Panel
[0255] A pleated panel embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 112-123 with a first arrangement of the panel
452 of the pleated embodiment being seen in FIGS. 112-115. It will
be appreciated that the panel 452 is fabricated from a continuous
sheet of material having pleats or sharp folds 456 formed across
its width, which are parallel with each other and alternating in
direction. In other words, one pleat 458 will be directed upwardly
while the next adjacent pleat 459 will be directed downwardly so as
to define a plurality of planar sections 460 of the panel which are
articulated along the pleats. The panel is, therefore,
accordion-like in appearance so as to be expandable and collapsible
by articulating adjacent segments along the pleats.
[0256] The panel 452 could be supported along its side edges in
numerous ways but as illustrated in FIG. 114, a side rail 74 of the
type shown in FIG. 17 could be used and the lateral side edges of
the panel would in accordance therewith be provided with an
L-shaped slot 461. The panel in a collapsed or folded condition is
shown in FIG. 114 and in an expanded condition in FIG. 115.
[0257] An alternative side rail 462 could be utilized as
illustrated in FIGS. 116 and 118 wherein the side rail has a
vertical leg 464 and a horizontal leg 466 with the horizontal leg
being T-shaped in cross-section so as to cooperate with a T-shaped
slot 470 cut in the associated side edge of the panel 468.
[0258] In a different arrangement of the pleated panel embodiment
of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 119A and 119B, a
pleated panel 471 substantially as described previously in
connection with FIGS. 112-115, has a plurality of upwardly and
downwardly directed pleats 473 and 475, respectively, defining
planar sections 477 therebetween which are articulated along the
pleats but wherein the upwardly directed pleats 473 are
interconnected at equally spaced intervals to a pair or plurality
of longitudinally extending flexible cords 472. The cords are
bonded to the upwardly directed pleats with adhesive 474 as best
seen in FIG. 119B. The cords serve a dual function in maintaining
the spacing of the pleats so that the sections 477 of the ceiling
panel are uniformly presented and also provide a primary or
secondary system for supporting the panel. The cords can be drawn
taut and anchored at opposite ends for a sole means of support, or
side rails (not shown) as described previously could be utilized
with the cords 472 merely serving as intermediate support between
the side rails.
[0259] In an alternative arrangement of the pleated panel,
illustrated in FIGS. 121A, 121B and 122, it can be seen that a
panel 473 consists of a lower pleated sheet 474 and an upper sheet
476. At each peak 478 of the lower pleated sheet, the sheet
material is gathered in transverse regions and folded upon itself.
It is thereafter bonded to itself with adhesive 484 (FIG. 122) in
each region to form an upstanding tab 486 (FIG. 121A) at each
upwardly directed pleat 478. The upper sheet 476 is also pleated at
488 but utilizes less material between adjacent upwardly directed
pleats so that the downwardly directed pleat 490 is shallower than
the downwardly directed pleats 492 in the lower sheet 474. The
upper sheet 476 is also gathered in transverse regions that are
draped over and bonded to the tabs 486 formed on the lower sheet as
best seen in FIG. 122.
[0260] In this manner, along each upwardly directed pleat for both
the upper and lower sheets of the panel 472, an upstanding tab 486
is provided which can be utilized to suspend the panel, such as
with an intermediate support 498 of inverted T-shaped configuration
as shown in FIG. 123, which would cooperate with aligned inverted
T-shaped slots 500 provided in the tabs. The lateral sides of the
panel could be supported in any one of numerous ways such as on an
L-shaped side rail of the type shown in FIG. 12.
[0261] In an alternative arrangement of the pleated panel
embodiment shown in FIG. 120, a panel 504 has a single sheet of
pleated material 506. The panel 504 has upstanding tabs 508 formed
along pleat lines 510 by gathering the sheet of material and
folding it upon itself and bonding. The tabs 508 could be provided
with aligned inverted T-shaped slots (not shown) to again receive
an inverted T-shaped support rail (not shown) along an intermediate
location of the panel and could be supported along side edges with
any one of numerous systems but by way of example, an L-shaped side
rail as seen in FIG. 12.
[0262] Curved, Pleated Panel
[0263] A pleated panel 512 formed from a single sheet of material
is shown in FIGS. 124 and 125 wherein the walls 514 of the panel
are arched or curved so that the panel, from the interior of a room
where it is mounted, resembles a cellular panel rather than a
conventional flat walled pleated panel.
[0264] The material, from which the panel is formed, is alternately
folded in opposite directions so as to form upwardly directed
pleats 516 and downwardly directed pleats 518. Where the pleats are
formed and the material is folded upon itself, adhesive beads 520
are provided to secure the material to itself to add integrity to
the pleats and particularly the downwardly directed pleats that are
visible from the interior of the room in which the panel is
installed. The upwardly directed pleats 516 are slightly larger
than the downwardly directed pleats 518 and may be provided with
transverse openings 522 to receive a support cord 524 to suspend
the panel or to maintain a desired alignment of the pleats. The
placement of the adhesive beads causes the walls of the panel to be
arched so as to distinguish it from conventional flat walled
pleated panels.
[0265] In addition to possibly being supported by the cord 524, the
upwardly directed pleats 516 could also be provided with horizontal
notches (not shown) in opposite ends so that the panel could be
supported with side rails as shown in FIG. 12.
[0266] Lap Joint-Flat Cell Panel
[0267] FIGS. 127 through 129 illustrate an embodiment of the
invention wherein a front or lower pleated sheet 526 and a back or
upper pleated sheet 526 are joined to form a cellular panel 530 and
wherein the front and back sheets can be made from a plurality of
strips 532 and 534 respectively that are interconnected in a manner
such that the lines of connection between strips are not visible
from the interior of the room in which the panel is mounted. The
front sheet 526 can be a single sheet of material that has
alternate upwardly and downwardly directed folds that have been
creased to form pleats 536 and 538 respectively defining straight
walls 540 therebetween. The upper sheet 528 is similarly configured
in having upwardly directed pleats 542 but between upwardly
directed pleats, the sheet has generally W-shaped lower pleats 544
formed from two downwardly projecting folds 546 and an upwardly
directed fold 548 so as to define a downwardly opening channel 530
adapted to receive an upwardly directed pleat 536 of the lower
sheet 526. The upper sheet and lower sheet are affixed together at
the location where the upper sheet receives the lower sheet as with
adhesive 552 or ultrasonic bonding so as to form diamond-shaped
cells 554 between the sheets.
[0268] The upper sheet 528 can be formed from a plurality of the
strips 534 with adjacent edges of the strips overlapped as at 556
and secured together at the overlap. The location of the overlap or
joinder between adjacent strips is not important aesthetically as
the upper sheet is hidden from view from the interior of the room
in which the panel is mounted.
[0269] The lower sheet 526 can also be made from a plurality of the
strips 532, however, the location of the joinder of the strips and
the manner in which the strips are joined is important so as not to
detrimentally affect the aesthetics of the panel. As is best seen
in FIG. 129, if adjacent strips 532 are used to form the lower
sheet, a side edge 558 of one strip can be inserted into the
downwardly opening channel 550 of the upper sheet and folded back
upon itself to define a truncated or frustoconical fold edge 560
when viewed in cross section. The adjacent side edge 562 of an
adjacent strip 532 can be received in the downwardly opening
truncated channel so that the joinder of the two strips is not
visible from the interior of the room in which the panel is
mounted. In other words, by folding an edge of one adjacent strip
upon itself and inserting the fold into the downwardly opening
channel of the upper sheet and thereafter securing a free edge of
the next adjacent strip within the downwardly opening fold, the
joinder of the two strips is virtually invisible to the naked
eye.
[0270] Flat back-Curved Wall Cellular Panel
[0271] FIGS. 130 and 131 illustrate a cellular panel 564 wherein
the back or upper sheet 566 is substantially flat even though
preferably flexible, and it supports from its lower side a pleated
sheet 568 having alternating upwardly and downwardly directed
pleats 570 and 572 respectively. The lower sheet, where it is
folded upon itself to form a pleat, is secured together with
adhesive 574 or the like so as to form curved or arcuate side walls
576 of cells 578 defined between the sheets. The upwardly directed
pleat 570 on the lower sheet is flattened and bonded or otherwise
secured to the underside of the upper sheet along spaced parallel
lines to form a soft cellular appearance from the interior of the
room in which the panel is mounted.
[0272] FIGS. 132 and 133 illustrate a variation of the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 130 and 131 where again a panel 580 has an upper or
back sheet 582 that is flat yet preferably made of a flexible
material and a lower sheet 584 having downwardly directed pointed
pleats 586 and upwardly directed flat pleats 588. The flat pleats
are secured with adhesive 590, ultrasonically or the like to the
upper flat sheet along spaced parallel lines of attachment. The
resulting panel has the advantages of a cellular panel but with
rather sharp lines as along the downwardly directed pointed pleats
586 and the edges of the upwardly directed flat pleats 588.
[0273] In still a further embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 134 and
135, a panel 592 has a flat but preferably flexible top or back
sheet 594 secured to a bottom sheet 596 which is desirably folded
to define flat lower walls 598 and alternating flat and parallel
upper walls 600 with the upper walls being relatively narrow in
comparison to the lower walls. The flat lower walls are thereby
spaced by the width of an upper wall to define downwardly opening
channels 602 therebetween. The flat upper walls are secured to the
top sheet 594 as with adhesive, thermal bonding, or the like so
that in combination the top sheet and the bottom sheet define
quadrilateral cells 604 which are separated by the downwardly
opening channels 602 of inverted U-shaped configuration. Of course,
the cells and downwardly opening channels can be made of any
desired size to vary the aesthetics of the resulting panel.
[0274] FIGS. 136 and 137 show still another variation or embodiment
of the flat back-cellular panel wherein a panel 606 has a flat top
or back sheet 608, which is preferably flexible, supporting a
scalloped lower sheet 610 which passes through reverse curves so as
to define downwardly directed arches 612 and alternating upwardly
directed arches 614. The upwardly directed arches are secured to
the top sheet 608 along spaced parallel lines of attachment with
adhesive 615, thermal bonding or the like.
[0275] Single Sheet Supported Panel
[0276] FIGS. 138 through 140 show a pleated panel 616 formed from a
continuous sheet of material wherein the panel has sharp downwardly
directed pleats 617 alternating with upwardly directed folds 618
wherein the upwardly directed folds are again folded upon
themselves to define a channel 619 in which a support rod 620, cord
or the like can be received. The material that is folded upon
itself is then secured to itself with adhesive 622 or the like to
form closure to the channel so that the support rod, cord or the
like is retained within the channel. The downwardly directed pleats
617 could be provided with adhesive 624 to further define the pleat
and establish integrity so that all pleats in the panel retain a
uniform and desired configuration and the walls 626 of the panel
are curved or arched.
[0277] In another embodiment of the single sheet supported panel as
seen in FIGS. 141 through 143, the panel 628 has a sheet 630 that
is pleated along spaced parallel line with the pleats 632 directed
downwardly and between the pleats, the material is folded upon
itself and secured to itself with adhesive 634 or with another
suitable bonding process to define closed channels 636 in which
support rods 638, cords or the like can be inserted. The support
rods can in turn be suspended from a ceiling structure or the like
with systems of the type disclosed in FIGS. 38 through 40. Again,
the downwardly directed pleats 640 for integrity purposes could
include an internal adhesive bead 640 to set the pleat for
uniformity of appearance from within the room in which the panel is
mounted and to establish curved or arched walls 642.
[0278] Double Sheet-Double Pleat Panel
[0279] A panel 644 formed from two pleated and confronting sheets
is shown in FIGS. 144 and 145 where the upper sheet 646 and the
lower sheet 648 are identical in construction in having alternating
upwardly and downwardly directed sharp pleats 650 and 652
respectively. The downwardly directed pleats 652 of the upper sheet
are overlapped and offset slightly from the upwardly directed
pleats 650 of the lower sheet and the sheets are bonded with a
suitable adhesive 654, thermal bonding process or the like along
the overlap between the two sheets. The resulting panel is, of
course, cellular so as to provide desired insulating properties.
The panel also has the flexibility of utilizing different materials
for the top and bottom sheets (a) with the materials having
different sound absorbent qualities, (b) fire retardant qualities
or (c) the lower sheet can be a see-through material with the upper
sheet in a desired color, etc. There are many variations available
with a panel of this type.
[0280] Varying Cell Size Panel
[0281] A panel 656 illustrated in FIGS. 146 and 147 is comprised of
an upper flat, but preferably flexible, sheet 658 of material to
which is bonded on its underside a continuous sheet 660 of folded
and pleated material so as to define cells 662 of different sizes.
The lower sheet has downwardly directed sharp pleats 664 and
upwardly directed folds 666 wherein the material is folded upon
itself along a substantial area and bonded together along the
overlap so as to define vertical walls 668 of double thickness. The
top edge of each fold is bonded with adhesive 670 or through
another suitable bonding process to the underside of the top sheet
so that the two sheets cooperate in defining a plurality of cells
662 having sharp pleats 664 facing into the room in which the panel
is mounted. The spacing between downwardly directed pleats 664 and
upwardly directed folds 666, in combination with the spacing of the
attachment of the folds to the top sheet, defines cells of any
desired size.
[0282] Tabbed Cellular Back Panel
[0283] A panel 672 illustrated in FIGS. 148 and 149 consists of a
plurality of individual cells 674 formed from individual strips of
material with the cells having been bonded along adjacent sides to
form a continuous cellular panel having tabs 676 projecting off a
back or top surface thereof. In the disclosed embodiment, the cells
674 are hexagonal in configuration having a downwardly directed
pleat 678 defining two flat sides 680 on either side thereof, a
pair of vertical sidewalls 682 continuous with the flat sided, and
a pair of upwardly convergent top walls 684 that are continuous
with the side walls 682. The upwardly convergent top walls have
vertically extending flaps 686 which are secured together with
adhesive 688 or the like to form the vertical tabs 676. The outer
surface of the side walls 682 are bonded with adhesive 690 or in
any suitable manner to the adjacent side wall of an adjacent cell
so as to form a continuous row of cells which in combination define
the panel 672. The tabs could be provided with slots (not shown)
along opposite ends to cooperate with supporting rails as shown in
FIG. 12 for supporting the panel in the ceiling of a room.
[0284] Double Sheet Curved Cellular Panel
[0285] FIGS. 150 and 151 illustrate a cellular panel 692 formed
from a lower sheet 694 having spaced upwardly directed parallel
pleats 696 therein which is adapted to be extended substantially
flat and an upper sheet 698 that is made from a sheet of material
that is longer than the lower sheet (e.g. three times as long),
again having upwardly directed pleats 700 that are vertically
aligned with the pleats 696 in the lower sheet. At equally spaced
intervals between the upwardly directed pleats in the upper sheet,
the upper sheet is folded downwardly at 702 upon itself and secured
together by a bead of adhesive 704 or the like with the folds being
further secured to the bottom sheet along their lower edge with
adhesive 706 or the like along spaced lines of attachment 708 which
are equally spaced from the upwardly directed pleats 696 in the
lower sheet. Due to the fact that the upper sheet has more material
between lines of attachment, it is spaced from the lower sheet so
as to define a plurality of adjacent cells 710. As will be
appreciated, the cellular panel is collapsible by moving the lines
of attachment 708 toward each other and each sheet of the panel
will thereupon fold upwardly due to the aligned creases formed
therein. This panel as with some previously described panels has an
advantage of being able to utilize a relatively expensive fabric as
the lower sheet 694 which is visible to the room in which the panel
is mounted and a less expensive fabric or sheet material as the
upper sheet 698 as it is not exposed to the interior of the room.
In other words, the advantages of a cellular panel are obtained
through the use of two materials of different values with the more
expensive material occupying a minimum portion of the panel for
cost saving purposes.
[0286] Curable Fabric Panels
[0287] Certain fabrics will automatically cure or become more rigid
upon expansion with examples of such fabrics being polyester
preimpregnated fiberglass cloth. Other fabrics will cure or become
more rigid upon exposure to UV radiation or the like with examples
being epoxy preimpregnated fiberglass cloth. FIGS. 152 and 153
illustrate a pleated panel 712 having alternating upwardly and
downwardly directed sharp pleats 714 with the panel being laminated
so as to have, for example, on the upper and lower surface, a
material which can be cured by exposure to UV radiation or the
like. In forming this panel, the laminated structure is first
formed and pleated in a folded condition, then expanded for
installation purposes and thereafter the upper and lower sheet, as
the case may be, is to the curing environment so as to set the
pleats in the expanded condition shown in FIG. 153. The panel thus
formed is not retractable but rather retains the desired
configuration within the room in which it is mounted.
[0288] FIGS. 154 and 155 illustrate a similar but alternate system
wherein a panel 716 is first formed in a folded condition as shown
in FIG. 154 from a material that becomes more rigid on expansion.
This panel is subsequently expanded so as to automatically cure or
become relatively rigid due to expansion. The panel can be made
from a material that does not cure on expansion and possibly coated
after expansion with a rigidifying material such as resin that
holds the panel in the expanded position.
[0289] Any of the panels disclosed in FIGS. 152 through 155 can be
supported, for example, by providing a slot (not shown) in opposite
ends thereof and inserting into the slot a support rail such as
shown in FIG. 12.
[0290] As might be appreciated, while the various panels described
have been described as being useful as a ceiling panel and in the
case of the compressive triangle embodiment also as a retractable
wall, the panels could also be used as wall coverings. The
conversion from their use in ceilings as described herein to a wall
installation is felt to be within the skill of those in the
art.
* * * * *