System ceiling, profiles and ceiling panels for such a system ceiling

The invention relates to a system ceiling comprising suspension elements, profiles and ceiling panels. System ceilings of this type are known. They are frequently applied in for instance offices, where they conceal conduits and the like from view and realize a smoothly finished ceiling with good acoustic properties.

It is however precisely this smooth finish which is sometimes less than optimal. In for instance public places such as cinemas, concert halls and the like a somewhat more imaginatively finished ceiling could make the atmosphere more pleasant. A possibility for doing this is provided by a system ceiling as described in US-A-6,374,564. The main profiles are herein provided with an undulation, whereby the ceiling acquires a wave-like character with a fixed amplitude and a fixed wavelength.

The system ceiling according to the invention provides the option of realizing a wave-like or sloping ceiling without there having to be a fixed amplitude or a fixed wavelength. It has the feature for this purpose that profiles are embodied such that they can be provided in a length direction with a selected curvature, and that the profiles are provided with arresting means for retaining the profiles to conform to the selected curvature. The main profiles can then for instance first be provided with a suitable curvature and suspended from the suspension elements, after which intermediate profiles are provided with a suitable curvature and mounted between the main profiles, after which the ceiling panels can be placed.

A favourable embodiment of the invention has the feature that the profile has an at least substantially T-shaped cross-section with a carrier strip for supporting ceiling panels and a suspension strip for mounting on the suspension elements, wherein the carrier strip is provided with notches. For the production of the inventive profiles use can then be made of per se known profiles, in which notches are made in a manner further self-evident to the skilled person, whereby they can be curved in simple manner. A free outer end of the suspension strip is here preferably provided with a cavity and the arresting means preferably comprise at least one tensioning element received in the cavity. The tensioning element can for instance consist of a steel cable, the outer ends of which are for instance secured in the cavity using a wedge after the profile has been curved into a desired position.

A very favourable embodiment of the invention has the feature that two tensioning elements are received in the cavity, wherein a first tensioning element is connected to a first outer end of the suspension strip, a second tensioning element is connected to a second outer end of the suspension strip, and wherein the arresting means comprise at least one coupling element for connecting the first tensioning element to the second tensioning element.

A further, highly favourable embodiment of the invention has the feature that the ceiling panels comprise a relatively thick main panel provided with a relatively thin decorative layer, and that a side of the main panel remote from the decorative layer is provided with grooves. A certain degree of flexibility is imparted to the ceiling panels using the grooves, whereby they can better follow the curvature of a profile.

A further favourable embodiment has the feature that the ceiling panels take a rectangular form with a longitudinal side and a transverse side, and that the side remote from the decorative layer is provided with a first group of equidistantly arranged grooves extending mutually parallel and parallel to the longitudinal side, and a second group of equidistantly arranged grooves extending mutually parallel and parallel to the transverse side, whereby a certain degree of flexibility is imparted to the ceiling panels in two directions.

A further favourable embodiment has the feature that the ceiling panels take a square form, for instance with sides of 60 centimetres. Such a ceiling fits well into known system ceilings so that a transition between an existing ceiling and a ceiling according to the invention can be made in practically invisible manner.

A favourable alternative embodiment has the feature that the ceiling panels take a triangular form with a first side, a second side and a third side, and that the side remote from the decorative layer is provided with a first group of equidistantly arranged grooves extending mutually parallel and parallel to the first side, a second group of equidistantly arranged grooves extending mutually parallel and parallel to the second side, and a third group of equidistantly arranged grooves extending mutually parallel and parallel to the third side, whereby a certain degree of flexibility is imparted to the ceiling panels in three directions.

A further favourable embodiment has the feature that the ceiling panels take a triangular form with three equal sides, for instance with sides of 90 centimetres. In

this manner a dome-shaped system ceiling can for instance be realized by providing the profiles with a suitable curvature on the one hand and giving the suspension elements an adjustable form on the other.

The invention also relates to profiles and ceiling panels for use in a system ceiling as specified in the foregoing paragraphs.

The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the following figures, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic bottom view of a possible embodiment of a system ceiling;

Fig. 2Ashows a schematic cross-section of a possible embodiment of a profile; Fig. 2B shows a schematic side view of a possible embodiment of a profile according to the invention;

Fig. 2Cshows a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of a profile according to the invention; Fig. 3Ashows a schematic top view of a possible embodiment of a ceiling panel according to the invention; Fig. 3Bshows a schematic side view of this embodiment of a ceiling panel;

Fig. 4 shows a schematic bottom view of an alternative embodiment of a system ceiling according to the invention; Fig. 5Ashows a schematic top view of an alternative embodiment of a ceiling panel according to the invention; Fig. 5B shows a schematic side view of a possible embodiment of an adjustable suspension element.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic bottom view of a possible embodiment of a system ceiling consisting of main profiles 1 , intermediate profiles 2 and ceiling panels 3. Main profiles 1 are mounted on for instance an underside of a floor or a roof using per se known suspension elements, after which intermediate profiles 2 are mounted between main profiles 1 , after which ceiling panels 3 can be placed such that the edges thereof rest on main profiles 1 and intermediate profiles 2. According to the prior art main profiles 1 and intermediate profiles 2 are straight, which results in a flat ceiling.

Fig. 2A shows a schematic cross-section of a possible embodiment of a profile 1 , consisting of a strip of metal folded such that a box beam 4 is formed, in addition to two outer ends 5a,5b on which ceiling panels can rest. In the embodiment shown here, outer ends 5a ,5b are enclosed by a decorative strip 6 of fer instance plastic.

Fig. 2B shows a schematic side view of a possible embodiment of a profile 1 according to the invention. Profile 1 is particularly provided here with a number of notches 7a,7b,.., whereby profile 1 can be curved in simple manner such that the system ceiling will display a convex or concave form at this position. A solid steel cable 8, shown with a broken line, is received in box beam 4, and can be secured using two wedges 9a,9b once profile 1 has been bent into the desired form, after which the protruding outer ends can be cut off. Profile 1 hereby retains the form into which it has been bent. Further shown in profile 1 are several holes 10 from which profile 1 can be suspended, and several slotted holes 11 into which transverse profiles can be inserted, in addition to a protrusion 12 which can be inserted into a slotted opening of another profile.

Fig. 2C shows a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of a profile according to the invention. Profile 1 is particularly provided here with a number of notches 73,7b,.., whereby profile 1 can be curved in simple manner such that the system ceiling will display a convex or concave form at this position. Solid steel cables 8a,8b, shown with broken lines, are received in box beam 4, one end of which cables can be fixed to box beam 4 with respective spot welds 13a, 13b. Once profile 1 has been bent into the desired form, steel cables 8a,8b can be mutually secured using one or more coupling elements 14. Profile 1 hereby retains the form into which it has been bent. Further shown in profile 1 are several holes 10 from which profile 1 can be suspended, and several slotted holes 11 into which transverse profiles can be inserted, in addition to a protrusion 12 which can be inserted into a slotted opening of another profile.

Fig. 3A shows a schematic top view of a possible embodiment of a ceiling panel 3 according to the invention. Grooves 15 are arranged in longitudinal direction and in transverse direction in the upper side, whereby ceiling panel 3 can be readily curved such that it can follow a curvature of the adjacent profiles. Fig. 3B shows a schematic side view of this embodiment of a ceiling panel 3 with grooves 15, the depth of which is chosen such that a decorative layer 16 remains intact. Decorative

layer 16 consists for instance of fabric, while ceiling panel 3 is manufactured for instance from pressed rockwool or other fire-resistant material.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic bottom view of an alternative embodiment of a system ceiling according to the invention, consisting of main profiles 1 , intermediate profiles 2 and ceiling panels 3. Main profiles 1 are mounted on for instance an underside of a floor or a roof using per se known suspension elements, after which intermediate profiles 2 are mounted between main profiles 1 , after which ceiling panels 3 can be placed such that the edges thereof rest on main profiles 1 and intermediate profiles 2. In combination with the bendable profiles and triangular ceiling panels 3 in bendableform, a somewhat dome-shaped ceiling can now be realized in simple manner.

Fig. 5A shows a schematic top view of an alternative embodiment of a ceiling panel according to the invention. Grooves 15 are arranged in three directions in the upper side, whereby ceiling panel 3 can be readily curved in three directions such that it can follow a curvature of the adjacent profiles.

Fig. 5B shows a schematic side view of a possible embodiment of an adjustable suspension element 17 consisting of a first hook 18, which can be attached to an underside of a floor or a roof in further self-evident manner, and a second hook 19 which can be hooked into a hole 10 of a profile, and a spring 20 which can be squeezed, after which a distance between first hook 18 and second hook 19 can be adjusted. Such an adjustable suspension element 17 is for instance essential if a dome-like ceiling must be realized, wherein the height difference between different parts of the ceiling is relatively great.