Background Art There are a large number of reasons for arranging a suspended ceiling in a building. For example, various types of installations may have to be concealed, such as ventilation ducts and electric wires. Moreover, it may be necessary to improve the acoustic environment in the building. In other cases, the existing ceiling in the building may be in such a state that it has to be con- cealed. The reason may also be purely aesthetic, i. e. to create an improved overall appearance of the building.

Conventional suspended ceiling systems usually com- prise a carrier structure which carries panel elements to form a suspended ceiling. As a rule, the carrier struc- ture comprises a framework supporting the panel elements.

This framework can form compartments for individual panel elements or rows thereof and have shoulders on which the panel elements are mounted. The panel elements may also have edge grooves that cooperate with flanges of the framework to allow concealed attachment of the panel ele- ments.

Normally a suspended ceiling extends from wall to wall or other types of building elements. In some cases, however, it is desirable to let the suspended ceiling end a distance from one or more walls/building elements. The suspended ceiling then forms a freely or partly freely

hanging suspended ceiling with one or more outer edges hanging freely. Such suspended ceilings can be used, for instance, to conceal a change in level in the existing ceiling or to conceal a ventilation duct and the asso- ciated inlet and outlet or some other overhead structure.

It is also possible to use this type of suspended ceiling to provide indirect illumination from a light fitting which is arranged above the suspended ceiling.

A problem that arises in connection with suspended ceilings hanging freely or partly freely relates to the design of the carrier structure.

The carrier structure can be formed as a circumfe- rentially closed framework which defines compartments for individual panel elements or rows thereof. This certainly results in reliable mounting of the suspended ceiling since the panel elements that are arranged along a freely hanging outer edge of the suspended ceiling will obtain the necessary support. However, the framework will be visible along these freely hanging outer edges, which is aesthetically unsatisfactory.

The carrier structure can also be formed as a cir- cumferentially open framework where the outer compart- ments are open towards the outer edges. This ensures that the framework will not be visible along the freely hang- ing outer edges of the suspended ceiling. However, there is a risk that the mounting of the suspended ceiling will not be reliable since the outer panel elements-in par- ticular the panel elements forming the corners of the suspended ceiling-will not obtain the necessary support along the freely hanging outer edges.

DE 3205706 discloses a suspended ceiling comprising an open framework which supports panel elements. Along the long sides of the suspended ceiling, terminal ele- ments are arranged, which are fixed with the aid of fix- ing means which engage the insides and outsides of the terminal elements. No aesthetically pleasing suspended roof is provided in this case either.

Thus, there is a need for a suspended ceiling system for freely or partly freely hanging suspended ceilings, in which system it is possible to conceal the framework along the outer edges of the suspended ceiling and which at the same time allows reliable mounting of the suspend- ed ceiling.

Summary of the Invention In view of that stated above, a first object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sus- pended ceiling system for freely or partly freely hanging suspended ceilings. In particular, the inventive suspend- ed ceiling system should be such that the carrier struc- ture is concealed along the freely hanging outer edges of the suspended ceiling while at the same time reliable mounting of the suspended ceiling is allowed.

A second object is to provide an improved suspended ceiling, which has at least one freely hanging outer edge and which conceals the carrier structure along this outer edge while at the same time the suspended ceiling can be mounted in a reliable manner.

A third object is to provide a terminal element for a freely or partly freely hanging suspended ceiling.

These and other objects will appear from the follow- ing description as well as the accompanying claims.

To achieve the first object, a suspended ceiling system having the features stated in claim 1 is provid- ed. Preferred embodiments of the suspended ceiling system will be evident from claims 2-13 which are dependent on claim 1.

To achieve the second object, a suspended ceiling having the features stated in claim 14 is provided. Pre- ferred embodiments of the suspended ceiling are evident from claim 15 which is dependent on claim 14.

To achieve the third object, a terminal element hav- ing the features stated in claim 16 is provided. Prefer-

red embodiments of the terminal element are evident from claims 17-22 which are dependent on claim 16.

More specifically, according to the present inven- tion, a suspended ceiling system is provided, comprising a carrier structure, panel elements, a terminal element with an outside and an opposed inside, and a fixing means for connecting the terminal element to the carrier struc- ture, the carrier structure being adapted to carry the panel elements so as to form a freely or partly freely hanging suspended ceiling, said system being character- ised in that the fixing means is arranged for such con- nection of the terminal element that its outside in the state of the terminal element connected to the carrier structure protrudes from the carrier structure, said outside forming a freely hanging outer edge, unaffected by the fixing means, of the suspended ceiling.

Thus, a suspended ceiling system is provided, which allows reliable and aesthetically pleasing mounting of a freely or partly freely hanging suspended ceiling. This is achieved by means of terminal elements, which are con- nectible along one or more sides of the suspended ceiling with the aid of fixing means. Each terminal element fur- ther has an outside. These outsides of the terminal ele- ments will in the state connected to the carrier struc- ture form a freely hanging outer edge of the suspended ceiling, said outer edge being unaffected by the fixing means and thus aesthetically pleasing. This means that the carrier structure will be arranged at a distance from said freely hanging outer edge and not be visible along the same. Nevertheless the fixing means allows a reliable connection of the terminal element to the carrier struc- ture and, consequently, reliable mounting of the suspend- ed ceiling is allowed.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said outside and a rim portion, connected thereto, of the terminal element protrude from the car- rier structure in the state of the terminal element con-

nected to the carrier structure. Owing to the fact that also said rim portion is unaffected by the fixing means, a still more aesthetically pleasing mounting of the sus- pended ceiling is ensured.

The fixing means preferably acts to engage in the inside of the terminal element and, specifically, to engage in said inside in a penetrating manner.

It is also preferred for the fixing means to act to engage merely in the inside of the terminal element. This allows extremely simple connection of the terminal ele- ment to the carrier structure.

Moreover the fixing means advantageously has a pro- jecting portion which is insertable into the terminal element via said inside. By adaptation of the extent of the projecting portion, it is possible to ensure safe connection of the terminal element to the carrier struc- ture.

The fixing means can have a hook portion, which allows suspension of the fixing means from the carrier structure.

The inventive system preferably comprises a plura- lity of terminal elements of said type, in which case at least one fixing means is arranged for each terminal element.

According to a preferred embodiment of the inventive system, this further comprises a levelling means, which has engaging means for engaging in short sides, facing each other, of two adjoining terminal elements. This makes it possible to mutually level adjoining terminal elements. Preferably the short sides of the terminal element have indications for the levelling means. This ensures exact levelling.

The levelling means can further advantageously com- prise a spacing element. This makes it possible to sepa- rate adjoining terminal elements in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

According to one more embodiment of the inventive system, the carrier structure comprises sectional ele- ments and both the panel elements and the terminal ele- ments have edge grooves adapted to engage said sectional elements. This allows concealed mounting of the panel elements. The panel elements as well as the terminal ele- ment advantageously have along their edge grooves means for allowing overlapping between two adjoining panel ele- ments or between one panel element and the adjoining ter- minal element. As a result, it will be possible in case of concealed mounting to ensure dismounting of an indivi- dual panel element without necessitating dismounting of the entire suspended ceiling.

Moreover according to the present invention, a sus- pended ceiling is provided, comprising a carrier struc- ture which forms a framework with a circumferentially closed lateral edge, and panel elements supported by the framework, said suspended ceiling being characterised by terminal elements arranged outside the closed lateral edge of the framework and connected thereto so as to form an unaffected and freely hanging outer edge of the sus- pended ceiling.

This results in a suspended ceiling which has one or more freely hanging outer edges. The terminal ele- ments arranged outside the framework and connected there- to ensure that the carrier structure and the framework formed thereof are arranged at a distance from these outer edges of the suspended ceiling and thus will not be visible along said outer edges.

The terminal elements are preferably connected to said closed lateral edge with the aid of fixing means, which act to engage in an inside, facing the framework, of each terminal element and which leave the outsides of the terminal elements unaffected. The fixing means thus ensure reliable mounting of the terminal elements while maintaining the unaffected and freely hanging outsides of the terminal elements.

Finally, according to the present invention, a ter- minal element in connection with a suspended ceiling is provided, which terminal element is characterised by an outside and an opposed inside, the terminal element being connectible to a carrier structure of the suspended ceil- ing with said inside facing the carrier structure, and the outside of the terminal element in a state connect- ed to said carrier structure being adapted to form an unaffected and freely hanging outer edge of the suspended ceiling.

The inside, facing the carrier structure, of the terminal element is preferably connectible to the carrier structure with the aid of a fixing means, which acts to engage in said inside.

According to a preferred embodiment of the terminal element, it is made of a sound-absorbing material.

According to another preferred embodiment of the terminal element, it is made of a compressed fibre mate- rial, such as glass wool or rockwool.

According to yet another embodiment of the termi- nal element, it has an edge groove extending along its inside.

According to one more embodiment of the terminal element, it has short sides with indications for a level- ling means.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a suspended ceiling according to a preferred embodiment of the present inven- tion.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a terminal element with a means to allow overlapping with a panel element having a corresponding means in the form of a recess.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a terminal element with a means to allow overlapping with a panel element having a corresponding means in the form of a projection.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a terminal element with a means to allow overlapping in correspondence with that shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a terminal element with a means to allow overlapping in correspondence with that shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodi- ment of a fixing means of the inventive suspended ceil- ing.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a preferred embo- diment of a levelling means of the inventive suspended ceiling.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embo- diment of a levelling means of the inventive suspended ceiling.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a suspended ceiling according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an inventive terminal element which is connected to a carrier struc- ture with the aid of a fixing means in the form of a screw.

Description of Embodiments Fig. 1, to which reference is now made, illustrates a preferred embodiment of a suspended ceiling 1 according to the present invention.

By freely hanging suspended ceiling is meant a sus- pended ceiling having outer edges that do not connect to the walls or other building elements in a building. If one-but not all-of the outer edges of the suspended ceiling connects to a wall/building element, the ceiling is said to be partly freely hanging.

The outer edges of the freely or partly freely hang- ing suspended ceiling that do not connect to a wall/

building element thus form freely hanging outer edges of the suspended ceiling.

The suspended ceiling 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a freely hanging suspended ceiling.

The suspended ceiling 1 comprises panel elements 2 and a carrier structure 3 forming a framework 4. In the shown embodiment, the framework 4 consists of elongate sectional elements 5, three sectional elements Sa being arranged in parallel and one sectional element 5b being arranged so that the three parallel sectional elements 5a by means of a respective end connect perpendicularly to the same. This results in a framework 4 which in the cir- cumferential direction is closed along three lateral edges 6. The carrier structure 3 further comprises two cross-bars 7 which extend perpendicular to the three parallel sectional elements 5a. The sectional elements 5 have an inverted T shape and the crossbars 7 are U shaped. Transverse grooves 8 which are regularly spaced from each other are formed along the crossbars 7. The three sectional elements 5a engage some of these grooves 8, thereby causing lateral alignment of the sectional elements 5a. The carrier structure 3 is further suspend- able from an overhead structure (not shown), such as a ceiling, by means of suspension devices 9.

The sectional elements 5 of the framework 4 thus define compartments, in which rows of the panel elements 2 are mountable to form a suspended ceiling 1. More spe- cifically, the panel elements 2 have along their lateral edges edge grooves 10, which fit to flanges 11 formed of the base of the sectional elements 5 of an inverted T shape. Moreover the panel elements 2 can along said lateral edges have means 12 in the form of alternating projections 13 and recesses 14 to provide overlapping between adjoining panel elements 2, which is clearly to be seen from one of the enlargements of details in Fig. 1. This makes it possible to provide concealed mounting of the panel elements, i. e. the sectional ele-

ments 5 of the carrier structure 3 are not visible in the joint between two panel elements 2 when looking at the suspended ceiling 1 from below while nevertheless the panel elements 2 are separately dismountable.

The panel elements 2 can be made of some suitable material, such as a fibre, plastic, wood or sheet metal material. However, a preferred material has been found to be a compressed fibre material, such as glass wool or rockwool. In addition to such a fibre material having a low weight, it also has an advantageous sound-absorbing property.

Moreover the suspended ceiling 1 comprises a number of elongate terminal elements 15 which can be made of one of the above-mentioned materials-advantageously of said compressed fibre material. Different embodiments of said terminal element 15 are shown more clearly in Figs 2-5.

Each terminal element 15 has an upper side 16 and an underside 17 as well as an outside 18 and an opposed inside 19, in which a fixing means 20 of the carrier structure 3 engages for connecting the terminal element 15 to said carrier structure 3. The terminal element 15 also has two opposed short sides 21,22 extended between the inside 19 and the outside 18.

Each fixing means 20 comprises in the shown embodi- ment a projecting portion 23 and a hook portion 24 and is illustrated in detail in Fig. 6, to which reference is now made.

To connect a terminal element 15 to the carrier structure 3, the projecting portion 23 of the fixing means 20 is inserted into the terminal element 15 for causing a penetrating engagement in the same via said inside 19. This advantageous penetrating engagement is allowed by the fact that the terminal element according to the invention is made of a compressed fibre material.

Subsequently the terminal element 15 is connected by the hook portion 24 of the fixing means 20 being arranged over a corresponding portion of one of the sectional ele-

ments 5 arranged along the three closed lateral edges 6 of the framework 4.

The fixing means 20 may also comprise a locking screw 25 for fixing the same in the sectional element 5.

Thus each terminal element 15 is connected to the carrier structure 3 with the aid of fixing means 20 which engage merely in said inside 19 of the terminal element 15. In the shown embodiment, three fixing means 20 are arranged for each terminal element 15. The sectional ele- ments 5 of the carrier structure 3 which are arranged along said lateral edges 6 will thus be arranged at a distance from the outside 18 of the terminal element 15 and will thus also not be visible along the same. The outsides 18 of the terminal elements 15 thus jointly form a freely hanging outer edge 26, unaffected by the fixing means, of the suspended ceiling 1, along which outer edge 26 the carrier structure 3 is not visible.

The connection of the terminal elements 15 to the carrier structure 3 will still be reliable. This is achieved with the aid of the fixing means 20 of the car- rier structure 3 which engage in the insides 19, facing the carrier structure 3, of the terminal elements 15.

Thus, reliable mounting of the suspended ceiling 1 is allowed, i. e. the panel elements 2 will obtain the neces- sary support while the terminal elements 15 can be con- nected in a reliable manner.

It will be appreciated that the inside 19 of each terminal element 15 can be designed so that, like the conventional panel elements 2, it conceals the sectional element 5 to which it is connected. In the example illu- strated in Fig. 1, the terminal element 15 has along its inside 19 a projection 27, which is evident from the other enlargement of a detail. In this projection 27, a longitudinal groove 28 is formed. When connecting the terminal element 15, the projecting flange 11 of the sec- tional element 5 is inserted into the longitudinal groove 28, thereby concealing the sectional element 5. Further-

more the terminal element 15 has along said projection means 29 to provide overlapping with the adjoining panel element 2. The longitudinal groove 28 is formed in such manner that the underside 17 of the terminal element 15 is levelled with the undersides of the panel elements 2.

By giving the projecting portion 23 of the fixing means 20 a sufficient extent in the longitudinal direc- tion, such an engagement in the terminal element 15 via said inside 19 is ensured as to provide a reliable con- nection.

It will be appreciated that the fixing means can also engage the upper side of the terminal element to provide said connection to the carrier structure. How- ever, it is essential for the fixing means to leave the outside of the terminal element unaffected so as to ensure an aesthetically pleasing appearance of the sus- pended ceiling. It is also advantageous if the fixing means leaves a rim portion connecting to said outside unaffected. As a result, it is ensured that the fixing means can be arranged at such a distance from the freely hanging outer edge of the terminal element that it cannot be noticed when looking at the mounted suspended ceiling from the ground level.

It is also desirable that two adjoining terminal elements 15 be exactly levelled with each other. For this reason, the inventive suspended ceiling 1 can also comprise levelling means 30. Such a levelling means 30 can, as shown in Fig. 7, consist of a flat body 31 which on its respective opposite sides supports a projecting engaging means 32. By inserting the engaging means 32 of the levelling means 30 in the associated opposite short sides 21, 22 of two adjoining terminal elements 15, it is possible to ensure that these are retained exactly levelled with each other. The short sides 21,22 of the terminal elements 15 can further have indications 33. By inserting the engaging means 32 of the levelling means 30 in these indications 33, accurate and exact mutual

levelling of the two adjoining terminal elements 15 is ensured in a simple way.

The body 31 of the levelling means further forms a spacing element 31 that separates the terminal elements 15 from each other, which may be aesthetically desirable.

The body 31 of the levelling means can then have a geometric shape which essentially corresponds to the cross-section of the terminal element 15.

However, it will be appreciated that the levelling means 13 can be formed as a flat piece, which is illu- strated in Fig. 8. Then the piece is inserted into the respective short sides 21,22 of the terminal elements 15. The terminal elements 15 will be levelled with each other without any separation.

The present invention thus relates to a suspended ceiling 1, which comprises panel elements 2 as well as terminal elements 15. Each terminal element 15 is con- nectible with the aid of a fixing means to the carrier structure 3 and has an outside 18, the outsides 18 of the terminal elements 15 jointly forming, in the state connected to the carrier structure 3, a freely hanging outer edge 26, unaffected by the fixing means, of the suspended ceiling 1. The fixing means advantageously acts to engage in a penetrating manner in only an inside 19, opposite to the outside 18 and facing the carrier struc- ture 3, of the terminal element 15. Moreover the fixing means 20 is advantageously releasably suspended from the carrier structure 3.

As shown in Fig. 1, the terminal elements 15 are arranged along the closed lateral edges 6 of the frame- work 4 of the carrier structure 3. Some of the terminal elements 15 are bevelled so as to provide corner joints 34, which is shown at the short side 21 in Figs 4 and 5.

The lateral edge 35 of the framework 4, which late- ral edge 35 is open and along which lateral edge 35 no terminal elements 15 are arranged, can, for instance, connect directly to the wall or some other type of build-

ing element. If this lateral edge 35 is to be arranged at a distance from, for instance, a wall, it is possible to arrange a rib 36 as shown in Fig. 1 by, for example, glu- ing along this lateral edge 35 to conceal the carrier structure 3 and the lateral edges of the panel elements 2.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the shown embodiment.

For example, it is possible to arrange terminal ele- ments 5 along all lateral edges 6,35 of the suspended ceiling or along only one or two of the lateral edges 6, 35 of the framework 4. The only requirement is that the lateral edge, along which the terminal elements 15 are to be arranged, be closed, for example by arranging a sec- tional element 5 along the same.

It is also possible to provide a suspended ceiling 1 which only comprises terminal elements 15, as shown in Fig. 9. In this case, the carrier structure 3 comprises only one sectional element 5, to which the terminal ele- ments 15 are connected with the aid of fixing means (not shown) of, for instance, the above-described type.

However, it will be appreciated that said fixing means 20 can be designed in various ways. For example, it is conceivable to design a fixing means 20 as a screw, which is illustrated in Fig. 10.

The inventive suspended ceiling may also comprise a device (not shown) to permit dust-proof mounting. Such a device may comprise, for example, vertically arranged panel elements which extend along the lateral edges of the framework and extend perpendicular away from the plane along which the suspended ceiling extends. The vertically arranged panel elements thus form a frame which encloses the upper sides of the panel elements.

This ensures that dust accumulating on the upper sides of the panel elements does not fall down from the suspended ceiling.

Several variations and modifications are thus feas- ible, and the present invention is consequently defined exclusively by the appended claims.