U.S. patent application number 11/335327 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-02 for anti-scuff grid.
Invention is credited to E. Donald Steffy.
Application Number | 20070175142 11/335327 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38320616 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070175142 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steffy; E. Donald |
August 2, 2007 |
Anti-scuff grid
Abstract
A surface covering having panels supported by a grid framework.
The grid framework is formed by a plurality of grid members, each
having a main body. The main body of one or more grid member
includes scuffing material. An anti-scuffing material is adhered to
the portion of the main body containing the scuffing material. The
anti-scuffing material prevents the transfer of material from the
main body of the grid member to a panel during installation of the
panel into the grid framework.
Inventors: |
Steffy; E. Donald;
(Lancaster, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.;LEGAL DEPARTMENT
P. O. BOX 3001
LANCASTER
PA
17604-3001
US
|
Family ID: |
38320616 |
Appl. No.: |
11/335327 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/384 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 9/06 20130101; E04F
19/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/384 |
International
Class: |
E04F 13/08 20060101
E04F013/08 |
Claims
1. A surface covering system comprising: a grid framework formed by
a plurality of grid members, at least one of the plurality of grid
members having a surface comprising a scuffing material; a
plurality of panels installed in the grid framework; and an
anti-scuffing material, the anti-scuffing material being adhered to
a grid member surface having the scuffing material.
2. The surface covering system of claim 1, wherein the
anti-scuffing material is adhered to a top portion of the at least
one of the plurality of grid members having a surface comprising
the scuffing material.
3. The surface covering system of claim 1, wherein the
anti-scuffing material prevents scuffing of the plurality of panels
during installation.
4. The surface covering system of claim 1, wherein the
anti-scuffing material is a film which includes a polymer which
imparts anti-scuffing properties.
5. The surface covering system of claim 1, wherein the film is a
pliable, durable strip of tape.
6. The surface covering system of claim 5, wherein the polymer is
selected from the group consisting of vinyl polymers, acrylics,
epoxies, urethanes, melamines, polyesters, polyamides, natural
polymers, modified natural polymers and combinations thereof.
7. The surface covering system of claim 6, wherein the polymer
includes at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of
vinyl acetate, vinyl propinoate, vinyl butyrate, vinylidene
fluoride, vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, ethyl acrylate, methyl
acrylate, propyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate,
methyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, acrylonitrile,
isocyanate, urethane, epoxy, ethylene, methylene, propylene,
styrene, butadiene, melamine, urea, phenol, esters, ethers,
carbonates, amides, silicones, alkyds, and maleic acid or
anhydride.
8. The surface covering system of claim 6, wherein the natural
polymers are selected from the group consisting of protein and
carbohydrate polymer.
9. The surface covering of claim 8, wherein the protein is selected
from the group consisting of milk and soy protein.
10. The surface covering of claim 8, wherein the carbohydrate
polymer is starch.
11. A grid framework for a surface covering system comprising: a
plurality a grid members comprising a scuffing material, an
anti-scuffing material, the anti-scuffing material being adhered to
at least one of the plurality of grid members.
12. The grid framework of claim 11, wherein the scuffing material
is selected from the group consisting of raw aluminum and
galvanized steel.
13. The grid framework of claim 11, wherein the anti-scuffing
material is adhered to a top portion of the at least one of the
plurality of grid members.
14. The grid framework of claim 11, wherein the anti-scuffing
material is a film which includes a polymer.
15. The grid framework of claim 14, wherein the film is a pliable,
durable strip of tape.
16. A grid member comprising: a main body having a surface
comprising a scuffing material, an anti-scuffing material adhered
to at least a portion of the surface comprising the scuffing
material.
17. The grid member of claim 16, wherein the scuffing material is
selected from the group consisting of raw aluminum and galvanized
steel.
18. The grid member of claim 16, wherein the anti-scuffing member
is a film which includes a polymer.
19. The grid member of claim 18, wherein the film is a pliable,
durable strip of material.
20. The grid member of claim 18, wherein the polymer is selected
from the group consisting of vinyl polymers, acrylics, epoxies,
urethanes, melamines, polyesters, polyamides, natural polymers,
modified natural polymers and combinations thereof.
21. The grid member of claim 20, wherein the polymer includes at
least one monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl
acetate, vinyl propinoate, vinyl butyrate, vinylidene fluoride,
vinyl chloride, vinyl bromide, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate,
propyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methyl
methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, isocyanate,
urethane, epoxy, ethylene, methylene, propylene, styrene,
butadiene, melamine, urea, phenol, esters, ethers, carbonates,
amides, silicones, alkyds, and maleic acid or anhydride.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to surface covering
systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a surface
covering system in which the panels of the system are scuff
protected from the grid members of the grid framework.
[0002] Surface covering systems include, but are not limited to,
ceiling systems and wall systems. The grid framework for such
surface covering systems is typically formed of interlocking
perpendicularly intersecting framing members, herein referred
interchangeably as grid members. The grid members, which are
conventionally made of metal materials such as raw aluminum or
galvanized steel, form a plurality of openings into which panels,
lighting fixtures and the like can be inserted. One type of panel
used in such surface covering systems is of the type which is
inserted into the grid framework from the side of the grid
framework opposite the living area. This type of panel is commonly
referred to as a "lay-in panel".
[0003] Lay-in panels typically include a paint finish for aesthetic
purposes. During installation, a lay-in panel is likely to come
into contact with the grid members that form the opening into which
the panel is inserted. This contact often results in an undesired
transfer of material from the grid member to the panel. This
transfer of material is commonly referred to as a scuffing mark.
Scuffing marks of this nature are objectionable to the owners of
the installation and cause a significant amount of customer
dissatisfaction. Scuffing marks typically cannot be removed without
altering the paint finish and, thus, must be repainted or replaced.
As a result, scuffing marks which happen during installation cause
considerable expense to the manufacturers and fabricators for
replacement of the defective product. Accordingly, it would be
advantageous to provide a solution which avoids the problem of
scuffing.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention comprises a surface covering having a
grid framework and a plurality of panels supported by the grid
framework. The grid framework is formed by a plurality of grid
members, each having a main body. At least a portion of the surface
of the main body of at least one grid member includes a scuffing
material. The system further includes a anti-scuffing material
which is adhered to at least the portion of the main body which
includes the scuffing material. The anti-scuffing material
effectively prevents the transfer of material from the main body of
the grid member to a panel during installation of the panel into
the openings in the grid framework.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first example
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] For purposes of this disclosure, the terms non-scuffing and
anti-scuffing are used interchangeably.
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a grid member 10 of a conventional grid
framework. The grid member 10 includes a main body 12 and an
anti-scuffing material 20 adhered to the main body 12. In the
example embodiment, at least the surface of the top portion 14 of
the main body 12 contains a scuffing material. In this
configuration, the top portion 14 of the main body 12 has a
bulb-like configuration, which is typical of many conventional grid
members. Regardless of the configuration of the top portion 14, in
order to maintain a clearance sufficient to permit insertion of a
panel into the grid framework, the anti-scuffing material 20
preferably conforms, at least substantially, to the top portion 14
of the main body 12. In the likely event a panel comes in contact,
e.g. rubbing contact, with the grid member 10 while being
installed, the non-scuffing material 20 prevents the transfer of
material from the surface of the top portion 14 of the main body 12
to the panel.
[0008] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the anti-scuffing material 20 can
be in the form of a pliable, durable, self-adhering tape, such as
polyvinyl chloride tape. Alternatively, the non-scuffing material
may be applied as a coating composition. Such a coating composition
can be applied directly by spray, brush, sponge or roll coater and
then, if necessary, cured with heat or permitted to dry at room
temperature.
[0009] Materials which provide anti-scuff properties to the film
include vinyl polymers, acrylics, epoxies, urethanes, melamines,
polyesters, polyamides, natural polymers, and modified natural
polymers. The anti-scuff materials can include, but are not limited
to, one or more of the following monomers: vinyl acetate, vinyl
propinoate, vinyl butyrate, vinylidene fluoride, vinyl chloride,
vinyl bromide, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, propyl acrylate,
butyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate,
hydroxyethyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, isocyanate, urethane, epoxy,
ethylene, methylene, propylene, styrene, butadiene, melamine, urea,
phenol, esters, ethers, carbonates, amides, silicones, alkyds, and
maleic acid or anhydride. The natural polymers include proteins,
such as milk or soy protein, and carbohydrate polymers, such as
starch. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the non-scuffing
film 20 is illustrated as a pliable, durable strip of self-adhering
tape, such as polyvinyl chloride tape.
[0010] While the invention has been described with reference to a
preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
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