Ceiling panel and support system

Abstract

A method and apparatus for creating and installing a curved ceiling support system and associated panels. The invention includes a ceiling support system, a ceiling panel, and a clip or fastener that holds the ceiling panel to the ceiling support system. The ceiling panel may include an upstand taking one of two basic shapes: a C-shaped upstand or a Z-shaped upstand. The C-shaped upstand has an inwardly directed flange while the Z-shaped upstand has an outwardly directed flange. Further, the edges perpendicular to the upstand may be extruded or shaped in three dimensions. Panel locks couple the ceiling panel to a curved support member suspended from the ceiling. Once inserted, the ceiling panel conforms to the curve of the support member. An installation tool aids in fitting the ceiling panel to a support beam.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A ceiling system for a building comprising: 
 at least two support members that can be curved and that are suspended from a rough ceiling with suspension members;    a ceiling panel with upstands along the longitudinal edge of said panel; and a plurality of panel locks;    wherein said panel locks couple said ceiling panel to said support member and said ceiling panel follows the shape of said support member.    
     
     
         2 . The ceiling system of  claim 1  wherein said support member is made from a single extrusion of metal.  
     
     
         3 . The ceiling system of  claim 2  wherein said metal is aluminum.  
     
     
         4 . The ceiling system of  claim 2  wherein said support member can be curved to a radius of at least one foot.  
     
     
         5 . The ceiling system of  claim 1  wherein said ceiling panel is flat and can be flexed to a radius of at least three feet.  
     
     
         6 . The ceiling system of  claim 1  wherein said ceiling panel is made of metal.  
     
     
         7 . The ceiling system of  claim 6  wherein said metal is aluminum.  
     
     
         8 . The ceiling system of  claim 6  wherein said ceiling panel has a thickness of about 0.020 to 0.050 inches, and said upstand has a height of about . 100  to . 600  inches.  
     
     
         9 . The ceiling system of  claim 1  wherein said support member has a panel lock channel that captures said panel lock.  
     
     
         10 . The ceiling system of  claim 9  wherein said panel locks comprise a continuous strip.  
     
     
         11 . The ceiling system of  claim 1  further including an installation tool that couples to said support member.  
     
     
         12 . The installation tool of  claim 11  that supports said ceiling panel prior to coupling to said support member.  
     
     
         13 . The ceiling system of  claim 1  further including a wall treatment comprising: 
 a wall treatment support and a wall edge trim, wherein said wall edge trim couples to a support member fixedly attached to a wall, and said wall treatment support couples to said wall edge trim and supports a ceiling panel, said wall treatment support can be adjusted relative to said wall edge trim to mask irregularities on the surface of said wall.  
 
     
     
         14 . The ceiling system of  claim 1  further including a cross brace positioned between said support members.  
     
     
         15 . An installation tool for use in assembling a ceiling panel to a support beam comprising; 
 a support bar having a first end portion and a second end portion;    a first support bracket assembly connected with the first end portion, the first support bracket assembly including a first brace and a first blade; and    a second support bracket assembly connected with the second end portion, the second support bracket assembly including a second brace and a second blade.    
     
     
         16 . The installation tool of  claim 15  wherein the first brace defines at least one strike plate and the second brace defines at least one second strike plate, and further comprising: 
 a first separator rotatably connected with the first end portion of the support bar, the first separator defining a finger portion adapted to engage the at least one strike plate of the first brace to bias the first brace away from the first blade; and  
 a second separator rotatably connected with the second end portion of the support bar, the second separator defining a second finger portion adapted to engage the at least one strike second strike plate of the second brace to bias the second brace away from the second blade.