U.S. patent application number 14/529841 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-04 for ceiling system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAUDER WOODWORKING CO.. The applicant listed for this patent is Sauder Woodworking Co.. Invention is credited to Marvin K. Burnett.
Application Number | 20150152645 14/529841 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53264899 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150152645 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burnett; Marvin K. |
June 4, 2015 |
Ceiling System
Abstract
A ceiling system including, among other things, a clip adapted
for attachment to a ceiling or a wall. The clip has at least one
panel engagement surface, at least one molding surface, and at
least one molding attachment member positioned adjacent to the at
least one molding surface. The system further includes a panel
having an interior surface adapted for engagement with a ceiling or
a wall and an exterior surface adapted for engagement with the at
least one panel engagement surface. The system further includes a
molding having a surface adapted for engagement with the at least
one molding surface and a slot adapted for engagement with the at
least one molding attachment member.
Inventors: |
Burnett; Marvin K.;
(Archbold, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sauder Woodworking Co. |
Archbold |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SAUDER WOODWORKING CO.
Archbold
OH
|
Family ID: |
53264899 |
Appl. No.: |
14/529841 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61910448 |
Dec 2, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/506.05 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 13/24 20130101;
E04F 13/26 20130101; E04F 13/07 20130101; E04F 19/0463 20130101;
E04F 13/16 20130101; E04F 13/0841 20130101; E04F 19/02
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04F 13/26 20060101
E04F013/26; E04F 13/24 20060101 E04F013/24; E04F 13/07 20060101
E04F013/07 |
Claims
1. A ceiling system comprising: a clip having a recessed washer
surface including a clip opening, a washer having a washer opening
for positioning on the washer surface, and a fastener for insertion
through the clip and washer openings for attachment of the clip to
a ceiling, the clip having a ceiling portion and an opposed molding
portion, the ceiling portion having at least one panel engagement
surface, the molding portion having at least one molding surface
and at least one molding attachment member positioned adjacent to
the at least one molding surface; a panel having an interior
surface for engagement with a ceiling and an exterior surface for
engagement with the at least one panel engagement surface; and a
molding having a surface for engagement with the at least one
molding surface, and a slot for engagement with the at least one
molding attachment member.
2. The ceiling system of claim 1, wherein the clip includes first,
second, third and fourth panel engagement surfaces being
substantially on the same plane as one another.
3. The ceiling system of claim 1, wherein the clip includes first,
second, third and fourth molding surfaces being substantially on
the same plane as one another.
4. The ceiling system of claim 1, wherein the at least one molding
attachment member includes a leg, a molding engagement surface, a
chamfered surface, and a point.
5. The ceiling system of claim 1, wherein the clip includes first,
second, third and fourth molding attachment members.
6. The ceiling system of claim 5, wherein each of the first,
second, third and fourth molding attachment members includes a leg,
a molding engagement surface, a chamfered surface, and a point.
7. The ceiling system of claim 1, wherein the at least one molding
attachment member is substantially flexible.
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. The ceiling system of claim 1, wherein the clip includes at
least one washer engagement surface adjacent to the washer
surface.
11. The ceiling system of claim 1, wherein the clip includes
opposed first and second washer engagement surfaces adjacent to the
washer surface.
12. The ceiling system of claim 11, wherein each of the first and
second washer engagement surfaces includes a substantially straight
portion and a substantially curved portion.
13. The ceiling system of claim 1, wherein the clip includes at
least one ceiling rail including a panel wall and a ceiling
engagement surface.
14. The ceiling system of claim 1, wherein the clip includes first
and second ceiling rails each including a panel wall and a ceiling
engagement surface.
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. The ceiling system of claim 1, wherein the panel has four edges
defining a substantially square or rectangular shape.
18. The ceiling system of claim 1, wherein the molding includes a
clip recess.
19. The ceiling system of claim 1, wherein the slot includes at
least one attachment wall.
20. The ceiling system of claim 1, wherein the slot includes first
and second attachment walls being substantially on the same plane
as one another.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This relates to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/910,448, filed on Dec. 2, 2013, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates generally to building products. More
specifically, the invention is directed to a ceiling system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There is a need for a ceiling system that is easy and
efficient to assemble. The invention provides such as a system.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention is a ceiling system including, among other
things, a clip adapted for attachment to a ceiling or a wall. The
clip has at least one panel engagement surface, at least one
molding surface, and at least one molding attachment member
positioned adjacent to the at least one molding surface. The system
further includes a panel having an interior surface adapted for
engagement with a ceiling or a wall and an exterior surface adapted
for engagement with the at least one panel engagement surface. The
system further includes a molding having a surface adapted for
engagement with the at least one molding surface and a slot adapted
for engagement with the at least one molding attachment member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a ceiling
system according to the invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a clip
according to the invention;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a clip
according to the invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a clip
according to the invention supporting two panels adjacent to a
ceiling as a molding is being attached to the clip;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 in which
the molding has been attached to the clip; and
[0010] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a clip
according to the invention positioned adjacent to a wall in which a
molding has been attached to the clip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An embodiment of the ceiling system according to the
invention will now be described in detail with reference being made
to the drawings. In the drawings, the ceiling system is indicated
generally by the reference number "10."
[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, the ceiling system 10 includes one or
more clips 12 that are attached to a ceiling 14 or a wall 16 or
both. The clips 12 support one or more panels 18. The clips 12 also
support one or more moldings such as main moldings 20, cross
moldings 22, and wall moldings 24.
[0013] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the clip 12 includes a molding
portion 26 and a ceiling portion 28. As shown in FIG. 2, a first
end 32 of the clip 12 on the molding portion 26 includes a first
molding surface 34 and a second molding surface 36. The surfaces 34
and 36 are flat and on the same plane as one another. The first end
32 further includes a first molding attachment member 38 that is
positioned adjacent to the first molding surface 34 and a second
molding attachment member 40 that is positioned adjacent to the
second molding surface 36. The first and second molding attachment
members 38 and 40 extend outwardly from the first end 32 in spaced
relationship to one another. Further, the first and second molding
attachment members 38 and 40 are flexible so that they can be moved
in relation to one another. The first molding attachment member 38
includes a first leg 42, a first molding engagement surface 44, a
first chamfered surface 46, and a first point 48. The second
molding attachment member 40 includes a second leg 50, a second
molding engagement surface 52, a second chamfered surface 54, and a
second point 56.
[0014] Still referring to FIG. 2, a second end 58 of the clip 12 on
the molding portion 28 includes a third molding surface 60 and a
fourth molding surface 62. The surfaces 60 and 62 are flat and on
the same plane as one another. Further, the surfaces 60 and 62 are
on the same plane as the first and second molding surfaces 34 and
36. The second end 58 further includes a third molding attachment
member 64 that is positioned adjacent to the third molding surface
60 and a fourth molding attachment member 66 that is positioned
adjacent to the fourth molding surface 62. The third and fourth
molding attachment members 64 and 66 extend outwardly from the
second end 58 in spaced relationship to one another. Further, the
third and fourth molding attachment members 64 and 66 are flexible
so that they can be moved in relation to one another. The third
molding attachment member 64 includes a third leg 68, a third
molding engagement surface 70, a third chamfered surface 72, and a
third point 74. The fourth molding attachment member 66 includes a
fourth leg 76, a fourth molding engagement surface 78, a fourth
chamfered surface 80, and a fourth point 82.
[0015] Still referring to FIG. 2, the clip 12 has washer surface 84
that is sized and adapted for positioning a washer such as a round
washer 86. The first end 32 has a first washer engagement surface
88 that includes a straight portion 90 adjacent to the first
molding surface 34 and a curved portion 92 adjacent to the second
molding surface 36. The second end 58 has a second washer
engagement surface 94 that includes a straight portion 96 adjacent
to the third molding surface 60 and a curved portion 98 adjacent to
the fourth molding surface 62. The first and second washer
engagement surfaces 88 and 94 are sized and adapted for engaging
the washer 86 when it is positioned on the washer surface 84. The
first end 32 includes a first washer engagement member 100 that is
positioned adjacent to and in spaced relationship with the washer
surface 84. The first washer engagement member 100 has a first
member surface 102 that is sized and adapted for engaging the
washer 86 when it is positioned on the washer surface 84. The
second end 58 includes a second washer engagement member 104 that
is positioned adjacent to and in spaced relationship with the
washer surface 84. The second washer engagement member 104 has a
second member surface 106 that is sized and adapted for engaging
the washer 86 when it is positioned on the washer surface 84.
[0016] When the clip 12 is to be installed on the ceiling 14 or the
wall 16, the washer 86 is moved in the direction indicated by the
arrows in FIG. 2 so that it is positioned on the washer surface 84.
In this regard, the washer 86 is engaged by the first and second
washer engagement surfaces 88 and 94 and the first and second
member surfaces 102 and 106. A fastener such as a threaded screw
108 extends through a washer opening 110 in the washer 86 and a
clip opening 112 of the clip 12 to fasten the clip 12 to the
ceiling 14 or the wall 16.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 3, the first end 32 of the clip 12 on
the ceiling portion 28 includes a first panel surface 114 and a
second panel surface 116. The surfaces 114 and 116 are flat and on
the same plane as one another. The second end 58 of the clip 12 on
the ceiling portion 28 includes a third panel surface 118 and a
fourth panel surface 120. The surfaces 118 and 120 are flat and on
the same plane as one another. Further, the surfaces 118 and 120
are on the same plane as the first and second panel surfaces 114
and 116.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the clip 12 has a first ceiling rail 122
that extends longitudinally between the first and second ends 32
and 58 adjacent to the first and third panel surfaces 114 and 118.
The first ceiling rail 122 includes a first panel wall 124 and a
first ceiling engagement surface 126. The first panel wall 124 is
flat and has a plane that is perpendicular to the plane of the
first and third panel surfaces 114 and 118. The first ceiling
engagement surface 126 is flat and has a plane that is horizontal
to and spaced from the plane of the first and third panel surfaces
114 and 118. The clip 12 has a second ceiling rail 128 that extends
longitudinally between the first and second ends 32 and 58 adjacent
to the second and fourth panel surfaces 116 and 120. The second
ceiling rail 128 includes a second panel wall 130 and a second
ceiling engagement surface 132. The second panel wall 130 is flat
and has a plane that is perpendicular to the plane of the second
and fourth panel surfaces 116 and 120. The second ceiling
engagement surface 132 is flat and has a plane that is horizontal
to and spaced from the plane of the second and fourth panel
surfaces 116 and 120. The clip 12 includes a third ceiling
engagement surface 134 adjacent to the clip opening 112. The first,
second and third ceiling engagement surfaces 126, 132 and 134 are
on the same plane.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 4, each of the main and cross moldings as
represented by main molding 20 includes an interior portion 136 and
an exterior portion 138. The interior portion 136 includes a first
surface 140 and a second surface 142. A clip recess 144 is
positioned between the first and second surfaces 140 and 142. The
molding 20 has a slot 146 positioned adjacent to the clip recess
144 that is sized and adapted to correspond to the first, second,
third and fourth molding attachment members 38, 40, 64 and 66 of
the clip 12. In an embodiment, the slot 146 has a generally
T-shaped configuration in which there is a narrow portion 148 and
an enlarged portion 150. The narrow portion 148 has first and
second narrow portion walls 152 and 154 that are generally parallel
to one another. The enlarged portion 150 has first and second
enlarged portion walls 156 and 158 that are generally parallel to
one another. The enlarged portion 150 also has first and second
attachment walls 160 and 162 that are parallel to one another and
on the same plane. The first and second attachment walls 160 and
162 are positioned adjacent to and in a generally perpendicular
relationship with the first and second narrow portion walls 152 and
154, respectively.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 6, each of the wall moldings as
represented by wall molding 24 includes the same elements as
described above with respect to the main molding 20. In addition,
the wall molding 24 includes a third surface 164.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, each of the panels 18 may have a
generally square or a generally rectangular shape defined by four
edges 166. Each panel 18 has an interior surface 168 and an
exterior surface 170.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the ceiling system 10 is installed
directly to the ceiling 14 and the walls 16. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4
and 5, the clip 12 is attached to the ceiling 14 by positioning the
washer 86 on the washer surface 84 and inserting the screw 108
through the washer and clip openings 110 and 112 and into the
ceiling 14. When so positioned, the first, second and third ceiling
engagement surfaces 126, 132 and 134 engage the ceiling 14. As
shown, two panels 18 are positioned between the clip 12 and the
ceiling 14 in which the exterior surfaces 170 of the panels 18
engage the first, second, third and fourth panel surfaces 114, 116,
118 and 120. The edges 166 of the panels 18 engage the first and
second panel walls 124 and 130. The interior surfaces 168 of the
panels 18 engage the ceiling 14. The clip 12 firmly supports the
panels 18 to the ceiling 14.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, each of the main and the cross
moldings as represented by the main molding 20 can be snapped onto
the clip 12 by inserting the first, second, third and fourth
molding attachment members 38, 40, 64 and 66 in the slot 146 as
indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4. In this regard, the first,
second, third and fourth points 48, 56, 74 and 82 are positioned in
the narrow portion 148. As the molding 20 is moved toward the clip
12, the first, second, third and fourth chamfered surfaces 46, 54,
72 and 80 engage the molding 20 to allow the first, second, third
and fourth molding attachment members 38, 40, 64 and 66 to flex or
move inwardly to allow for passage through the narrow portion 148.
The first, second, third and fourth molding engagement surfaces 44,
52, 70 and 78 engage the first and second attachment walls 160 and
162, respectively, upon expansion of the first, second, third and
fourth attachment members 38, 40, 64 and 66 in the enlarged portion
150. This allows for the firm attachment of the molding 20 on the
clip 12. As shown, the clip 12 is positioned in the clip recess 144
of the molding 20 and the first and second surfaces 140 and 142 are
positioned adjacent to the panels 18. The molding 20 may also be
slid onto the clip 12.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 6, the wall moldings as represented by wall
molding 24 may be mounted directly to the wall 16 by the clip 12 in
the same manner as described above with respect to the main molding
20. As shown, the first surface 140 is positioned adjacent to the
wall 16 and the third surface 164 is positioned adjacent to the
panel 18.
[0025] Various materials may be used to construct the components of
the ceiling system 10. For example, the clip 12 may be constructed
of a plastic material such as polypropylene; the washer 86 and the
screw 108 may be constructed of metal; and the panels 18 and the
moldings 20, 22 and 24 may constructed of a wooden material such as
a wood composite material having a paper laminate surface. In
addition, the components of the ceiling system 10 may be sold
together as a kit or separately for subsequent assembly and
installation.
[0026] While the invention has been described with reference to
particular embodiments, it should be understood that various
changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements
thereof without departing from the essential 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
embodiments, but that the invention shall include all embodiments
falling within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *