Suspended ceiling system

Abstract

A suspended ceiling system including a plurality of hangers coupled to a support structure. The plurality of hangers each has a first end, a second end and an elongated body portion. The first and second ends each include female attachment portions. A plurality of main rails are supported to the support structure by the hangers and a plurality of cross rails extend between the main rails and are supported by rail clips forming a grid capable of supporting ceiling panels.

1 . A suspended ceiling system comprising: 
 a plurality of hangers fixedly connected to a support structure, said plurality of hangers each having a first end, a second end and an elongated body portion, said first and second ends each including a female attachment portion;    a plurality of main rails supported to the support structure by said hangers; and    a plurality of cross rails extending between said main rails and supported thereby.    
   
   
       2 . The suspended ceiling system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said hangers includes at least one aperture for selectively mounting said hanger to said support structure.  
   
   
       3 . The suspended ceiling system of  claim 2 , wherein said body portion includes at least one elongated adjustment slot operable to receive a fastener therein.  
   
   
       4 . The suspended ceiling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a hanger extension coupler having a first end and a second end, said first and second ends each having a male attachment portion adapted to be coupled to said female attachment portion of said hanger.  
   
   
       5 . The suspended ceiling system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of main rails each has a T-shaped cross-section, including a vertical rail portion having a first end and a second end and a horizontal rail portion extending on opposite sides of said second end of said vertical rail portion, said vertical rail portion including a male attachment portion on said first end.  
   
   
       6 . The suspended ceiling system of  claim 1 , wherein said main rails and said cross rails are formed from plastic.  
   
   
       7 . A main rail for a suspended ceiling comprising: 
 a single vertical rail portion having an upper end and a lower end and a horizontal rail portion extending on opposite sides of said lower end of said vertical rail portion, said vertical rail portion including an attachment portion on said upper end, said attachment portion includes a male attachment portion.    
   
   
       8 . The main rail of  claim 7 , wherein said horizontal rail portion of said main rail including an interlock notch feature.  
   
   
       9 . The main rail of  claim 8 , wherein said male attachment portion has a generally semi-cylindrical cross-section.  
   
   
       10 . The main rail of  claim 7 , wherein said vertical rail portion includes a pair of tile alignment arms extending at an angle from said vertical rail portion below said attachment portion.  
   
   
       11 . The main rail of  claim 10 , wherein said angle is between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.  
   
   
       12 . The main rail of  claim 7 , wherein said horizontal rail portions include a pair of tile alignment guide ribs extending along an upper surface of said horizontal rail portions.  
   
   
       13 . The main rail of  claim 7 , wherein said main rail is formed from plastic.  
   
   
       14 . A soffit rail for a suspended ceiling comprising: 
 a vertical panel support portion and a horizontal panel support portion fixedly attached to one another and an attachment portion extending from at least one of said vertical panel support portion and said horizontal panel support portion.    
   
   
       15 . The soffit rail of  claim 14 , wherein said soffit rail is a lower soffit rail, said vertical panel support portion generally extending in an upward direction, said attachment portion extending from at least one of an upper portion of said vertical panel support portion and said horizontal panel support portion.  
   
   
       16 . The soffit rail of  claim 14 , wherein said soffit rail is an upper soffit rail, said vertical panel support portion generally extending in a downward direction, said attachment portion extending from at least one of an upper portion of said vertical panel support portion and said horizontal panel support portion.  
   
   
       17 . The soffit rail of  claim 14 , wherein said attachment portion of said soffit rail includes a male attachment portion.  
   
   
       18 . The soffit rail of  claim 14 , wherein said horizontal panel support portion of said soffit rail includes an interlock notch feature.  
   
   
       19 . The soffit rail of  claim 14 , wherein said horizontal panel support portion includes a self-alignment arm extending at an angle from an upper portion of said horizontal panel support.  
   
   
       20 . The soffit rail of  claim 19 , wherein said angle is between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.  
   
   
       21 . The soffit rail of  claim 14 , wherein said soffit rail is formed from plastic.  
   
   
       22 . A hanger for a suspended ceiling system comprising: 
 a first end;    a second end; and    an elongated body portion, said first and second ends each including a female attachment portion.    
   
   
       23 . The hanger of  claim 22 , wherein said hanger includes at least one aperture for selectively mounting said hanger to a ceiling joist.  
   
   
       24 . The hanger of  claim 22 , wherein said body portion includes at least one elongated adjustment slot adapted to receive a fastener therein.  
   
   
       25 . The hanger of  claim 22 , wherein at least one of said female attachment portions has a semi-circular opening.