Suspended ceiling system

Abstract

A ceiling panel system includes a panel, a strut, a support, a fastener assembly configured to secure the strut and the support in spaced relation with at least a portion of the panel sandwiched therebetween, and means for securing the fastener assembly, with the portion of the panel sandwiched between the strut and the support, to a mounting surface. The panel is adjacent to the strut and the panel is positioned over a portion of the support. The fastener assembly includes a bolt having a head and a shaft, and a button for threadingly engaging the shaft. The securing means includes a mount, wherein the head is secured within a channel of the mount and the mount is secured to the mounting surface. The ceiling panel system may also include an edge cover and an edge molding. A method for installing the ceiling panel system is also disclosed.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . A ceiling panel system comprising: 
 a first panel;    a first strut;    a support;    a first fastener assembly configured to secure the first strut and the first support in spaced relation with at least a portion of the first panel sandwiched therebetween; and    means for securing the first fastener assembly, with the portion of the first panel sandwiched between the first strut and the first support, to a mounting surface.    
     
     
         2 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel comprises a pair of spaced surfaces, wherein one surface of the first panel is positioned adjacent the first strut and the other surface of the first panel is positioned adjacent the support.  
     
     
         3 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 2 , further comprising an edge cover positioned between the first panel and the support.  
     
     
         4 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting surface is one of a joist, truss, and a ceiling.  
     
     
         5 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener assembled includes a shaft, wherein: 
 the first strut receives the shaft therethrough; and    the support receives the shaft.    
     
     
         6 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 5 , wherein the first fastener assembly further includes a button secured to an end of the shaft adjacent the support.  
     
     
         7 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the first fastener assembly further includes a mount defining a channel;    the shaft includes a head; and    the head is positioned within the channel of the mount.    
     
     
         8 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 7 , wherein the means for securing includes one of a screw and a clamp for securing the mount to the mounting surface.  
     
     
         9 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 2 , further comprising a second panel, wherein the second panel comprises a pair of spaced surfaces, wherein one surface of the second panel is positioned adjacent the first strut and the other surface of the second panel is positioned adjacent the support, further wherein the first panel and the second panel are coplanar.  
     
     
         10 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 9 , wherein the first strut includes at least one spacer extending perpendicular therefrom.  
     
     
         11 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 9 , further including a second fastener assembly for interconnecting the first strut and a second strut.  
     
     
         12 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one edge molding attached to an edge of the second panel.  
     
     
         13 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 12 , wherein the second panel is adjacent to a wall.  
     
     
         14 . A method of installing a ceiling panel system, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of struts;    providing a plurality of supports;    providing a plurality of fastener assemblies;    forming a geometric frame utilizing the plurality of struts, wherein each fastener assembly interconnects one support and at least two struts;    providing a panel having a shape corresponding to the shape of the geometric frame;    securing the geometric frame to a mounting surface; and    sandwiching at least a portion of the panel between the Supports and one of the struts.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of attaching a fastener to a bolt of the fastener assembly.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of securing the fastener to a mount, wherein the mount is secured to one of a joist and a ceiling.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the mount is one of screwed and clamped to the joist.  
     
     
         18 . A ceiling panel system comprising: 
 a strut;    a support;    a fastener assembly configured to secure the strut and the support in spaced relation to accommodate a panel therebetween; and    means for securing the fastener assembly to a mounting surface.    
     
     
         19 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 18 , further comprising an edge cover for covering a gap between the panel and an adjacent panel.  
     
     
         20 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 19 , further comprising an edge molding for attaching to an edge of the panel.