Beam Hanger Construction

Abstract

A beam and hanger assembly is provided for securing wooden, or wood simulating beams to an existing ceiling construction. For this purpose, a generally U-shaped mounting bracket is secured in an inverted position to the lower surface of a ceiling and has downwardly extending side flanges provided with aligned openings therein. The beam of the assembly is in the form of a channel member having upwardly extending sides positioned on the outer sides of the downwardly extending flanges of the mounting bracket and a dowel or similar fastening means extends through aligned openings in the sides of the beam and the openings in the flanges of the bracket to secure the beam in place. The beam may be formed so as to be bowed upwardly between the ends thereof so as to assure firm contact of the beam with the ceiling and positive engagement of the holding member with the bracket.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

In remodelling or redecorating rooms and buildings, it is often desirable to install wooden or wood simulating beams in the ceilings or elsewhere to provide a colonial or "Old English" styling and appeal. However, such beams if formed of solid timbers, are heavy and difficult to install requiring extensive and expensive structural support for the beams. In some instances, relatively box-like, hollow plastic or metal members decorated to simulate wooden beams have been employed and have been snapped onto brackets attached to an existing ceiling. Constructions of this type are seldom very realistic in appearance and it is not generally possible to paint or stain the artificial beams so as to provide the color or appearance necessary for suitable matching with other woodwork or paneling used in the room. Moreover, if the ceiling to which a beam is to be secured sags or is uneven, it is not always possible to secure the beam firmly in place without having an unsightly crack or space between the beam and ceiling.

In accordance with the present invention, these objections to prior beamed ceiling constructions and the like are overcome and relatively lightweight and inexpensive assemblies are provided which can be installed easily and securely while presenting the desired authentic and attractive and neat appearance of a heavy beamed ceiling.

These results are attained by employing relatively lightweight channel-shaped wooden or non-metallic members which may be positively and securely held in place by wooden pins, dowels or other fastening means engaging a simple form of bracket mounted on an existing ceiling or structure. The elements of the assembly may be easily and quickly installed without extensive structural change in the room or building and with a minimum of labor and expense. Moreover the beams may be formed so as to fit closely against the ceiling and be securely held in place.

THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustrating a typical installation embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the various elements of the assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the manner in which the ends of beam sections may be joined; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating an alternative form of the present invention.

In that form of the invention chosen for purposes of illustration in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a bracket 2 is provided in the form of a generally U-shaped member having a base 4 for contact with an existing ceiling and adapted to be held in place by screws 6 or the like extending upward through openings 8 in the base of the bracket and into the ceiling structure. The opening 8 may be elongated transversely of the bracket if desired to facilitate correct positioning of the beam being installed. The bracket has downwardly extending sides or flanges 10 at opposite sides thereof provided with openings 12 therein which are aligned with each other. The openings 12 are preferably elongated in a direction lengthwise of the flanges 10 to allow for longitudinal adjustment of the beams with respect to the brackets.

The beams 14 preferably are formed of wood or other non-metallic material and are in the form of channel shaped units each having a bottom 16 with upwardly extending side walls 18 located on opposite sides of an upwardly facing channel 20. The side walls 18 of the beam are spaced apart a distance somewhat greater than the distance between the outer sides of the flanges 10 of the bracket 2 and may closely engage the flanges to provide a relatively snug fit therewith. The side walls 18 of the beam 14 have circular openings 22 therethrough which are aligned with each other and adapted to be aligned with the openings 12 in the flanges 10 of the bracket 2.

Fastening means for securing the beam in place on the bracket are passed through the aligned openings 22 in the side walls 18 of the beam and through the openings 12 in the flanges 10 of the bracket 2. For this purpose it is preferable to employ a wooden pin, dowel or fastener 24 of cylindrical shape having a diameter closely fitting said aligned openings. In particular, the dowel should fit tightly in the openings 22 in the side walls 18 of the beam 14, and may have a driven or forced fit in the beam with the ends of the dowel substantially flush with the outer surfaces of the beam on opposite sides thereof.

In a preferred form of the invention the beam 14 is made up in relatively short sections which may be 6, 8, or 10 feet in length for easy handling, as for example, when loading into a stationwagon. Such short beam sections can be readily transported and installed by the homeowner without requiring any special skills and using conventional household tools and equipment. As shown in FIG. 3, the beam sections 26 and 28 may be arranged with their adjacent ends in abutment at 30 and secured in place by adjacent brackets 2 through which the fasten means or dowels 24 extend. Furthermore, the beam sections may be formed so as to be bowed upward slightly between their opposite ends, say for one-fourth to one-half inch in an 8 foot length, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3 at 32.

With this construction when securing the beam in place one end of the beam may be secured to a bracket 2 and the other end then may be forced upward against the ceiling and be secured to another bracket. In this way the central portion 32 of the beam between the spaced brackets 2 will be urged forcibly upward against the ceiling to eliminate any unsightly space between the beam and the ceiling and overcome any tendency for the beam to sag between the mounting brackets. Moreover, the ends 30 of the beam adjacent the brackets 2 will be urged downward in a manner to press the fastening means or dowels 24 against the lower sides of the slots or openings 12 in the sides 10 of the brackets assuring firm, rigid contact of the fastening means 24 and rigid mounting of the beams in place.

In practice the beams are preferably fabricated in extended lengths of, say 12, 18, or 20 feet, and are provided with a rough or hand hewn outer surface as indicated at 34. The relatively long beam is then cut into shorter sections and the adjacent ends of the beam marked so that when erected with the marked ends in contact, the roughened surfaces or irregularities 34 in the beam sections will register or match up, as shown in FIG. 3. In this way an assembly of relatively short beam section is given the attractive appearance of a single hand hewn beam of extended length.

The form of bracket and support shown in FIG. 4 is adapted for use in applying beams to a dropped or suspended ceiling. In this construction the upper surface 40 of the bracket 42 is provided with a central depression 44 for receiving the lower web 46 of a mounting strip 48 attached to the joists or other ceiling construction. A conventional "caddy-clip" 50 is then applied to the web 46 of the mounting strip 48 and the bolt 52 of the clip extends downward through the upper surface 40 of the bracket to receive the nut 54 or other connecting means. The beams may then be mounted on the brackets by dowels or fastening means as described above in connection with the construction of FIG. 2.

The beams of the present invention when formed of wood, fibrous material or the like may be stained to provide an antique or smoked appearance or may be stained or painted to conform to the color of wood or other trim in or about the ceiling or room in which the beams are installed. The hollow form of the beam renders it possible to enclose electrical conduits, pipes, or the like, within the beam so that they may be concealed from view but rendered available for inspection or repair when necessary by removal of the dowel or fastening means 24.

The construction thus provided is relatively inexpensive to produce and install and does not require extensive structural changes in the building or room where it is employed.

Claims

I claim:

1. A beamed ceiling construction, comprising in combination: a flat ceiling surface facing downwardly into a room space over which the ceiling extends; at least one pair of support brackets each of which is of inverted U-shape, each of said brackets being supported from the ceiling and including a base portion having a flat upper surface, disposed in face-to-face contact with said ceiling surface each bracket further including a pair of side flanges depending from opposite ends of the base portion and formed with openings aligned along a line parallel to and spaced downwardly from the plane of the ceiling; an elongated, upwardly opening channel formed in the simulation of a wooden beam and disposed in embracing relation to the brackets, said channel including a pair of side walls formed with inner side surfaces in juxtaposition to the outer surfaces of the respective side flanges, and with flat top surfaces disposed generally coplanar with the flat upper surfaces of the base portions of the brackets and in snug engagement with the ceiling surface, said side walls having openings in registration with the openings of the side flanges; and dowel pins extending through the registered openings of the side flanges and side walls to hold the channel against the ceiling in concealing relation to the several brackets.

2. A beamed ceiling construction as in claim 1 wherein said channel is bowed along its length into a yieldably resilient arch having its peak disposed upwardly toward said ceiling surface at a location between the brackets, such that, upon insertion of said dowel pins through the registering openings of the bracket and channel, said channel is deflected by the ceiling surface to a straightened form, thereby biasing the dowel pins downwardly against the lower sides of the openings of the side flanges of the brackets and rigidifying the mounting of the channel against the ceiling surface.