IP Library Granted Patent US 11,293,178
Granted Patent B2
US 11,293,178 · App. 16/925,783 · Granted Apr 5, 2022

Ceiling systems

Inventors: Todd M. Bergman (Lititz, PA); Francis Testa (Lancaster, PA); James R. Waters (Lancaster, PA); Christopher D. Gaydos (Lititz, PA); Brian L. Springer (Lancaster, PA); Lori Jo L. Shearer (Millersville, PA); Scott L. Huntzinger (Lancaster, PA)
Assignee: AWI Licensing LLC
E04B9/10E04B9/04E04B9/0435E04B9/0464E04B9/067E04B9/225E04B9/241E04B9/26F16B2/243F16B5/125E04B9/0421E04B9/064E04B9/122E04B9/36
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,293,178
App. No.
16/925,783
Granted
Apr 5, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A ceiling system in one embodiment includes an overhead support grid comprised of a plurality of intersecting grid support members and a ceiling tile mountable to the grid. Retaining clips support the ceiling tile from the grid which may be concealed from view. The retaining clips each include a cavity that receives a grid support member and a pair of resilient mounting elements configured to lockingly engage a support member. The mounting elements are laterally movable in response to inserting the support member into the cavity of the retaining clip. In one embodiment, the movable elements include locking tabs which create a snap-fit interlock with the grid support member for securing the ceiling tile to the grid.

Claims (30)

1. A method for facing a ceiling system, the method comprising:

mounting an orthogonal array of ceiling panels to ceiling support structure, each ceiling panel including a width, a length, top and bottom surfaces, a pair of opposed longitudinal peripheral edges, and a pair of opposed lateral peripheral edges;

forming a plurality of longitudinal joints between laterally adjoining peripheral edges of the ceiling panels; and

bonding a final facing to the bottom surfaces of the ceiling panels, the facing having a continuous length in at least one direction covering and concealing the plurality of the longitudinal joints, wherein the facing has a width larger than at least one of the width and length of the ceiling panels.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising forming a plurality of lateral joints between longitudinally adjoining peripheral edges of the ceiling panels, wherein the facing has a continuous extent that at least partially covers and conceals the plurality of the lateral joints.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the facing has a thickness less than the thickness of the ceiling panels.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the bonding step comprises applying an adhesive layer to the bottom surfaces of the ceiling panels to bond the final facing to the ceiling panels.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the peripheral edges of the ceiling panels having a hybrid edge detail including a tongue-and-groove portion and a shiplap portion.

6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising applying a surface treatment to the bottom surfaces of the ceiling panels before bonding the final facing.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the bonding step comprises applying an adhesive layer to the treated bottom surfaces to bond the final facing to the ceiling panels.

8. A ceiling panel comprising:

a panel body comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a first panel edge extending between the top and bottom surfaces of the panel body, the bottom surface of the panel body having a first length and a first width; and

a facing sheet coupled to the panel body, the facing sheet comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the facing sheet having a second length and a second width;

an adhesive region that bonds a portion of the bottom surface of the panel body to the bottom surface of the facing sheet, the adhesive region having a third length and a third width;

wherein the third length is less than the first length and the third width is less than the first width.

9. The ceiling panel of claim 8 , wherein the second length is greater than the first length.

10. The ceiling panel of claim 8 , wherein the second width is greater than the first width.

11. The ceiling panel of claim 8 , wherein the facing sheet is a scrim.

12. The ceiling panel of claim 8 , wherein the panel body comprises a sound-absorbing material selected from the group consisting of mineral fiber board, fiberglass, jute fiber, wood, and composites.

13. A ceiling panel comprising a first major exposed surface opposite a second major exposed surface, the ceiling panel further comprising:

a panel body comprising a top surface opposite a bottom surface that is planar and has a first center point; and

a facing sheet comprising a top surface opposite a bottom surface, the top surface having a second center point;

an adhesive that bonds a portion of the bottom surface of the panel body to a portion of the top surface of the facing sheet;

wherein the panel body is formed of a fibrous material, and the first major exposed surface of the ceiling panel comprising the top surface of the panel body; and

wherein the first center point and the second center point do not overlap.

14. The ceiling panel of claim 13 , wherein the second major exposed surface of the ceiling panel comprises the bottom surface of the facing sheet.

15. The ceiling panel of claim 13 , wherein the facing sheet is a scrim.

16. The ceiling panel of claim 13 , wherein the fibrous material of the panel body is a sound-absorbing material selected from the group consisting of mineral fiber board, fiberglass, jute fiber, wood, and composites.

17. The ceiling panel of claim 13 , wherein the facing sheet is formed of non-woven fibers.

18. The ceiling panel of claim 17 , wherein the non-woven fibers are glass fibers.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 10, 2020
From: BERGMAN, TODD M; TESTA, FRANCIS; WATERS, JAMES R; GAYDOS, CHRISTOPHER D; SPRINGER, BRIAN L; SHEARER, LORI JO L; HUNTZINGER, SCOTT L
To: ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES INC.
Reel/Frame 053174/0594 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 16390721 · Apr 22, 2019
Related Publication 20200340245A1 · Oct 29, 2020
Cited By (2)
US 12,533,867 US 12,716,234