Decorative ceiling panel and fastening system

Abstract

A ceiling system is disclosed which has the desirable aesthetic features of a decorative ceiling without the disadvantages of custom fabrication or other types of pre-manufactured ceiling systems. The ceiling system utilizes a plurality of pre-manufactured, modular decorative panels and a fastening system with a snap in mechanism that permits the panels to be installed vertically from below and which minimizes the visibility of the supporting fastening system.

1 . A ceiling panel system comprising: 
 a plurality of ceiling panels; and    a fastening system having a first and second member, said first member attachable to a substructure, said second member attaching to said ceiling panel, said second member further engaging said first member by applying an upward force from below to achieve a connection between said first and second members.    
   
   
       2 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the ceiling panels are coffered ceiling panels.  
   
   
       3 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 1 , wherein the ceiling panels are made from at least one of wood, foam, plastic, metal, glass reinforced plastic, and fiberglass reinforced gypsum.  
   
   
       4 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 1 , wherein said first member of said fastening system configured to be suspended from said substructure.  
   
   
       5 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 1 , wherein a facing strip covers a seam between adjacent ceiling panels.  
   
   
       6 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one deformable retaining tab secures said second member to said first member.  
   
   
       7 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a compressible member included with said fastening system which is compressed when said first and said second members are engaged, the compressible member providing a restoring force to keep said first and second members engaged.    
   
   
       8 . The ceiling panel system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 height adjustment mechanisms coupled with said case boxes and configured to allow adjustment in the height of said case boxes after installation.    
   
   
       9 . A ceiling panel system comprising: 
 a fastening system configured to be coupled with a ceiling substructure; and    a plurality of ceiling panels,    said panels attachable to the substructure using said fastening system with a snap fit applied with an upwardly directed force from below to secure each of said ceiling panels to said substructure.    
   
   
       10 . The ceiling panel system of claim  16 , wherein the ceiling panels are coffered ceiling panels.  
   
   
       11 . The system of claim  16 , wherein said adjustment member further comprises a threaded fastener.  
   
   
       12 . The method of claim  18 , further comprising: 
 adjusting the distance between the ceiling panel and the first coupling member after achieving the snap fit connection.    
   
   
       13 . The method of claim  19 , wherein the adjusting step comprises turning a threaded fastener.