U.S. patent application number 10/774233 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for clipped decorative structure.
Invention is credited to Bischel, Wesley T. K., Krantz-Lilienthal, Eric, Stackenwalt, Richard D..
Application Number | 20050011150 10/774233 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34063628 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050011150 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stackenwalt, Richard D. ; et
al. |
January 20, 2005 |
Clipped decorative structure
Abstract
A decorative structure is provided that is suspended within a
space and includes a panel fastened to a support structure by a
clip. A portion of the clip extends along a face of the panel
opposite that aligned adjacent the support structure. A decorative
structure is also providing that includes a panel connected to a
support structuring having a first member including a keyed
aperture in which are disposed a first cross member and a second
cross member interconnected to the first cross member. The
decorative structure of the present invention may be curved.
Inventors: |
Stackenwalt, Richard D.;
(Marietta, GA) ; Krantz-Lilienthal, Eric;
(Lancaster, PA) ; Bischel, Wesley T. K.;
(Lancaster, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
P. O. BOX 3001
LANCASTER
PA
17604-3001
US
|
Family ID: |
34063628 |
Appl. No.: |
10/774233 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/311.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 2/248 20130101;
E04B 9/00 20130101; E04B 9/125 20130101; E04B 9/26 20130101; E04B
9/061 20130101; E04B 9/345 20130101; E04B 9/064 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/311.1 |
International
Class: |
E04F 015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 19, 2002 |
WO |
PCT/US02/22945 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A decorative structure comprising: a panel having a first face
and a second face; a support structure aligned adjacent said second
face of said panel; and, a clip fastening said support structure to
said panel and extending along a portion of said first face of said
panel.
2. The decorative structure of claim 1, wherein said clip comprises
a convolute retainer, wherein a portion of said convolute retainer
extends along said portion of said first face of said panel.
3. The decorative structure of claim 1, wherein said panel is
maintained in a flexed configuration.
4. The decorative structure of claim 1, wherein said support
structure includes a first member having a keyed aperture.
5. The decorative structure of claim 4, wherein said first member
is curved.
6. The decorative structure of claim 4, wherein said support
structure further includes a first cross member disposed in said
keyed aperture.
7. The decorative structure of claim 6, wherein said support
structure further includes a second cross member disposed in said
keyed aperture and interconnected to said first cross member.
8. The decorative structure of claim 7, wherein said first cross
member and said second cross member are curved.
9. The decorative structure of claim 7, further comprising an
intersection clip engaging said first member, said first cross
member and said second cross member.
10. The decorative structure of claim 1, wherein said support
structure comprises intersecting members and an intersection clip
maintaining said intersecting members in position within said
decorative structure.
11. The decorative structure of claim 10, wherein said intersection
clip comprises two achiral halves.
12. The decorative structure of claim 10, wherein said intersection
clip comprises a convolute saddle member.
13. The decorative structure of claim 1, wherein said clip
comprises a major leg engaging said support structure.
14. The decorative structure of claim 13, wherein said clip
comprises a minor leg engaging said support structure.
15. A decorative structure comprising: a panel; and, a support
structure connected to said panel, said support structure
comprising a first member having a keyed aperture, a first cross
member disposed in said keyed aperture and an intersection clip
engaging said first member and said first cross member.
16. The decorative structure of claim 15, wherein said support
structure is connected to said panel by a clip.
17. The decorative structure of claim 16, wherein said clip
comprises a convolute retainer extending along a face of said
panel.
18. The decorative structure of claim 16, wherein said clip
comprises a major leg engaging said support structure.
19. The decorative structure of claim 18, wherein said clip further
comprises a minor leg engaging said support structure.
20. The decorative structure of claim 16, wherein said intersection
clip comprises two achiral halves.
21. The decorative structure of claim 16, wherein said intersection
clip comprises a convolute saddle member.
22. The decorative structure of claim 15, wherein said panel is
maintained in a flexed configuration by said support structure.
23. The decorative structure of claim 15, wherein said first member
is curved.
24. The decorative structure of claim 15, wherein said first cross
member is curved.
25. The decorative structure of claim 15, wherein said first cross
member is interconnected to a second cross member disposed in said
keyed aperture.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of international
application serial no. PCT/US02/22945, filed on Jul. 19, 2002,
designating the United States and published in English, which
claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/306,516, filed on Jul. 19, 2001.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates generally to ceiling fixtures
and, more particularly, to ceiling fixtures for suspension from a
hard ceiling in an open plenum space.
[0003] Traditional suspended ceiling structures formed from
suspended grids of acoustically absorbent tiles are commonly found
in commercial workspaces such as professional offices. While such
structures provide a pleasant and acoustically absorbent space,
designers and architects who desire to create the feel of an open
loft space often object to the uniformity and lowered ceiling
height created by conventional drop ceilings. Thus, more and more
businesses are opting for so-called open plenum ceiling designs. In
the open plenum, no suspended ceiling is provided that screens the
entire hard deck or hard ceiling along with the HVAC duct work,
wiring and the like. Rather, these structural elements are exposed.
Open plenum ceilings are more commonly found in retail stores and
similar commercial settings, but also can be found in office
spaces.
[0004] In office spaces where open plenum ceilings are found,
individual offices within the office space often are created using
reconfigurable partitions that may be considerably lower than the
hard ceiling. Whether in an office space or some other in-door
space, the combination of an open plenum design with partitions
that do not rise to the ceiling hard deck tends to leave the space
unstructured and, consequently, less useful and aesthetically
pleasing than it might otherwise be with some decorative structure
that helps to define and differentiate the space.
[0005] To differentiate a space and to create a more interesting
visual in a loft style space or open plenum design, architects
sometimes will specify that an open loft space be provided with
customized decorative structures suspended from the ceiling to
differentiate the space within the room. Such suspended decorative
structures not only can delineate the space but also may dampen
extraneous noise and create an interesting visual. Unfortunately,
such decorative structures must be preformed into the desired
shape, thus making them difficult to ship or mass produce.
Consequently, such decorative structures tend to be made only as
customized pieces. Such customization leads to considerable expense
to fabricate such a suspended decorative structure and its
framing.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a decorative structure that
can be suspended within a space and that is structured such that
its elements can be easily interchanged to provide a variety of
configurations with basic elements some of which, at least, may be
mass produced.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention provides a decorative structure
including a panel connected to a support structure suspended in a
given space. The panel may be fastened to the support structure by
a clip. The decorative structure may be configured in a variety of
conformations to provide the desired visual impact. The panel may
be flexible and maintained in a flexed configuration within the
decorative structure by the support structure. The panel may be
formed from a variety of materials such as fabric, wood, paper,
metal, glass or plastic.
[0008] In one embodiment, the decorative structure comprises a
panel having first and second faces. A support structure is aligned
adjacent the second face of the panel and is fastened to the panel
by a clip that extends along a portion of the first face of the
panel. The clip may include a major leg and a minor leg connected
by a convolute retainer that extends along the first face of the
panel. The support structure may include a first member that has a
keyed aperture in which is disposed a first cross member that
intersects the first member. A second cross member may also be
disposed in the keyed aperture and be interconnected with the first
cross member. An intersection clip may be provided that engages the
intersecting members. The intersection clip may include two achiral
halves and one or more convolute saddle members.
[0009] The present invention also encompasses a decorative
structure having a panel connected to a support structure that
includes a first member with a keyed aperture and a first cross
member disposed in the keyed aperture. The first member and first
cross members may again be fastened together by an intersection
clip that engages both the first member and the first cross member.
The decorative structure may also include a second cross member
interconnected with the first cross member and disposed in the
keyed aperture.
[0010] These and other features of the present invention will
become apparent upon reading the following detailed description,
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that are
briefly described as follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a decorative structure
embodying principles of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative configuration
of the decorative structure of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another decorative structure
embodying principles of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a further decorative
structure embodying principles of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a decorative
structure embodying principles of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a support
structure embodying principles of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a support
structure embodying principles of the present invention during
assembly.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the portion of the support
structure of FIG. 7 at another point in the assembly process.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the portion of the support
structure of FIG. 7 at yet another point in the assembly
process.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a clip embodying principles
of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the clip of FIG.
10.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an intersection clip
embodying principles of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the intersection clip of
FIG. 12 rotated 180 degrees.
[0024] FIG. 14a is a perspective view of a first member of a
support structure embodying principles of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 14b is a perspective view of another first member of a
support structure embodying principles of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a side view of a further first member of a
support structure embodying principles of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a side view of yet another first member of a
support structure embodying principles of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 17a is a perspective view of a cross member of a
support structure of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 17b is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
cross member of a support structure of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 18 is a side view of still a further embodiment of a
cross member of a support structure of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 19 is a side view of yet another embodiment of a cross
member of a support structure of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 20 is a side view of a pair of major end caps of a
support structure embodying principles of the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 21 is a side view of a pair of minor end caps of a
support structure embodying principles of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Referring now in greater detail to the figures, wherein like
numerals refer to like parts throughout the drawings, the present
invention generally includes a decorative structure comprising a
panel connected to a support structure by a clip. The decorative
structure provides a differentiating visual element to a space in
which it is suspended. The decorative structure may be easily
installed and reconfigured to suit the user and the space in which
it is suspended. The elements of the decorative structure may be
interchanged in order to provide different visual and aesthetic
impact. The panel may be provided in a variety of shapes, materials
and finishes. For example, the panel may be formed of wood, paper,
metal, plastic, glass or any other suitable material. The panel may
be a monolithic structure or comprised of interconnected elements
and it may be solid, mesh or include a variety of decorative
designs or openings therein to provide the desired visual
impact.
[0035] The decorative structure 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a
panel 30 having a first face 31 and a second face 32. A support
structure 44 is aligned adjacent to the second face of panel 30.
The panel 30 is fastened to the support structure by one or more
clips 70. Clip 70 engages a portion of support structure 44 and
extends along a portion of the first face 31 of panel 30. The
support structure 44 includes a first member 40 having a keyed
aperture 42 formed therein. First members 40 are intersected by
first cross members 50, which are disposed and/or extend through
keyed apertures 42. A second cross member 52 may also be disposed
within keyed aperture 42 and interconnect with first cross member
50. Alternatively, an end cap 80 may be disposed within the keyed
aperture 42 and interconnect with first cross member 50 or second
cross member 52. The support structure 44 generally includes a grid
of intersecting members that are frictionally interlocked. Each
intersection of members and cross members also includes an
intersection clip 60 disposed on either end of the intersecting
members. More particularly, one intersection clip 60 may be
disposed on the side of intersecting members 50, 52 and 80 adjacent
the second face 32 of panel 30 and a second intersection clip may
be oppositely disposed the first intersection clip on the opposing
side of the intersecting members 50, 52 and 80. The intersecting
clips 60 fasten the cross members together and maintain the
intersecting alignment of the cross members. As shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, first members 40 may be curved so that the final decorative
structure 100 has the panel 30 maintained in a flexed
configuration. Furthermore, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate two of the
various possible configurations of the decorative structure 100 of
the present invention. The support structure 44 may be generally
disposed above the panel 30, as shown in FIG. 1, or the support
structure 44 may be generally disposed below panel 30, as shown in
FIG. 2. The present invention encompasses all possible
configurations of the decorative structures illustrated in the
drawings.
[0036] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate further embodiments of the
decorative structures 300 and 400 encompassed by the present
invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a decorative structure 300 having a
curved section and a generally flat section. Panel 330 may be
flexed by its attachment to support structure 344 and maintained in
such a configuration. FIG. 3 also illustrates that a combination of
curved members 340a and straight members 340b may be combined
within the same decorative structure to provide a variety of
configurations for the overall decorative structure. Likewise, FIG.
4 illustrates a more simplified version of the decorative structure
400 of the present invention in which panel 430 is maintained in a
generally flat configuration via its attachment to support
structure 444 which includes only straight members 440, cross
members 450 and end caps 460. For decorative structures similar to
those shown in FIGS. 1-4, a support structure may be constructed
using simply members having keyed apertures in which are disposed
cross members that interconnect with each other and clips that
secure the intersections and connect the panels to the support
structures.
[0037] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a typical interconnection of
components of a decorative structure of the present invention.
Support structure 44 is aligned adjacent to the second face 32 of
panel 30. Clip 70 engages support structure 44 and fastens panel 30
thereto. More particularly, the major leg 74 of clip 70 engages
first member 40 and extends down to form convoluted retainer 76
which wraps around the edge 35 of panel 30 and extends along a
portion of the first face 31 of panel 30. Convolute retainer 76
extends to form minor leg 72, which engages the opposing face of
first member 40. First cross member 50 is disposed within keyed
aperture 42 formed in first member 40. Second cross member 52 is
also disposed in keyed aperture 42 and interconnects with first
cross member 50, thereby forming an intersection within the support
structure 44. Two intersection clips 60 are disposed on either end
of the intersections. Each intersection clip 60 includes two
convolute saddles that wrap around first cross member 50 and second
cross member 52. The intersection clips also engage first member 40
so as to maintain each of these members in position in the
intersection. In this manner, the separate parts of the structure
are interconnected and maintained in the desired configuration.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 7-9, first cross member 50 is inserted
into keyed aperture 42 at an angle so as to extend through the
major channel 43 of the keyed aperture 42. First member 50 is then
rotated, as shown in FIG. 8, so that it is secured in the minor
channel 45 of keyed aperture 42. Intersecting clips 60 are then
inserted over and under the intersecting members so as to engage
and secure each member in the intersection.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the clip 70 may be formed of a
single convoluted wire, which may be formed of a suitable material,
such as metal or plastic. The clip 70 generally includes a major
leg 74 and a minor leg 72 connected by a convolute retainer 76. As
discussed above, minor and major legs 72 and 74 engage a portion of
the support structure 44 of the decorative structure in order to
fasten a panel 30 to the support structure 44. The engagement of
the support structure 44 by the minor and major legs 72 and 74 may
be simply frictional in nature or may be accomplished by the
insertion of major post 75 and minor post 73 into apertures formed
in first member 40. Convolute retainer 76 is generally formed to
extend over the edge of a panel 30 and along a portion of a face of
the panel opposite that adjacent to the support structure 44.
[0040] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate an embodiment of intersection
clip 60 that generally includes two achiral halves 61a and 61b. One
half may extend over or under first cross member 50 which the
second half may extend over or under second cross member 52
depending upon whether the intersection clip is positioned above or
below the intersecting members. Generally, the intersection clip 60
will be aligned on top of intersecting members as shown in FIG. 12,
while it will be aligned on the bottom of intersecting members as
shown in FIG. 13. Each achiral half 61 a and 61b generally includes
a convolute saddle formed of bent members 62 and 64. The saddle
portions generally wrap around the intersecting members so as to
frictionally engage them and hold them in position. Saddle member
66 may be positioned to engage first member 40. Corresponding
portions of intersection clip 60 may be disposed within
intersecting channels 41, disposed on first members 40, and 51,
disposed on cross members 50 and 52.
[0041] FIGS. 14a-16 illustrate various embodiments of the first
member 40 that includes a keyed aperture 42. First members 40a, b,
c, d each include at least one keyed aperture 42a, b, c d,
respectively. Each keyed aperture 42a, b, c, d includes a major
channel 46a, b, c, d and a secure channel 45a, b, c, d,
respectively. As discussed above, an intersecting member is first
disposed in major channel 46 and then rotated so as to be locked in
place in secure channel 45. As shown in FIGS. 14a-16, first members
40a, b, c, d may be of various lengths and configurations. For
example, first members 40a, b, c are straight, while first member
40d is curved. First member 40a includes a wedge-like key 46a,
while first members 40b, c, d include block-like keys 46b, c, d,
respectively. Key members 46a, b, c, d are configured to
interconnect with key channels 48a, b, c, d, respectively, on
adjacent members. First members 40a, b, c, d also include
intersection channels 41a, b, c, d, respectively, aligned on the
edges of the members adjacent the keyed apertures 42a, b, c, d.
Intersection channels 41a, b, c, d provide seats for the saddle
portions of intersecting clips 60 that are disposed therein when
the support structure is assembled.
[0042] FIGS. 17a-19 illustrate various embodiments of first cross
members 50a, b, c, d. The illustrated embodiments also may be used
as second cross members in a decorative structure of the present
invention. Cross members 50a, b, c, d generally include key member
57a, b, c, d that interconnect with key channels 58a, b, c, d
formed on adjacent members. As shown in FIG. 17b, key member 57a
and key channel 58a may be wedge-like, whereas, illustrated in
FIGS. 17a, 18 and 19, key members 57b, c, d and key channels 58b,
c, d are block-like.
[0043] FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate secure grooves 53c and d. Secure
grooves 53c and d are spaced along the length of cross members 50
at predetermined locations where the cross member is to intersect
with a first member having a keyed aperture. Opposed pairs of
secured grooves 53 may be formed on either side of the cross
members 50 so as to provide an interlocking relationship with the
edges of secure channels 45 included in the keyed apertures 42 of
first members 40 when the two members are interconnected. FIGS. 18
and 19 illustrate embodiments of cross members 50 in which a cross
member may extend through a keyed aperture 42 on a first member 40
so that an intersection is formed simply by the cross member 50 and
the first member 40, in contrast with support structure
intersections that include a first member 40 and a first cross
member 50 interconnected with a second cross member 52. Cross
members 50a, b, c, d also include a key-end secure groove 59a, b,
c, d formed adjacent to key member 57a, b, c, d. Key-end secure
groove 59 generally performs the same function as secure groove 53
of interconnecting with the edges of secure channel 45 formed in
keyed aperture 42.
[0044] FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a pair of major end caps 80 and a
pair of minor end caps 82, respectively. Both major and minor end
caps 80 and 82 may be interconnected to a first member 40, a first
cross member 50 or a second cross member 52 thereby forming the end
portion of support structure 44. End caps 80 and 82 include key
members 83 and 84, respectively and key channels 85 and 86,
respectively. The end caps also include intersection channels 81
and 87 that may act as seats for intersection clips 60.
[0045] As discussed above the decorative structures of the present
invention may include a variety of configurations and materials.
The decorative structures may include single support structures and
panels or pluralities of support structures and panels that are
interconnected and suspended within a space. Furthermore, the
decorative structure the present invention may be used in
conjunction with a light source in order to illuminate the space in
which the structure is suspended. The light may be intricately
formed with the decorative structure, or be positioned adjacent the
structure in order for the panel to act as a reflector, diffuser or
shade for the light source. These and other modifications to the
embodiments illustrated herein may well be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *