Acoustical panel ceiling system

Abstract

A concealed suspension ceiling assembly with simplified support structure for closely spaced ceiling tiles is described. The ceiling tiles are kerfed and mounted on framing members suspended from a supporting grid. V shaped torsion springs engage hooks on the framing members and extend upwardly through slots in main tees in an intersecting grid of main tees and cross tees. A tool is inserted in the reveal between adjacent tiles to raise and lower a selected tile. Tiles are lowered in predetermined sections to permit access to the space above the suspended ceiling and also to permit repair or replacement of individual tiles.

1 . An acoustic panel ceiling system comprising: 
 a plurality of ceiling panel framing members interconnected end to end to form a four sided enclosure, each member having a flange at the bottom thereof extending into the interior of the enclosure;    a plurality of notches formed along the top edge of each framing member comprising a hook shaped element;    a plurality of V shaped torsion springs having a wound end engaged with a respective one of the elements on the framing members and a pair of arms extending upwardly and outwardly from the wound end, each arm having a hook formed in the free end thereof;    a grid for suspension from a structure comprising main tees and intersecting cross tees;    a plurality of pairs of slots located at spaced intervals along the main tees, the slots being adapted to receive the free ends of the torsion spring arms; and    a ceiling tile having a kerf formed around the periphery thereof, the kerf being engaged with the flanges on the framing members and adapted to abut adjacent ceiling tiles with a minimal space between adjacent tiles.    
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the ends of the framing members are connected by corner angles secured by pop rivets.  
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the ends of the framing members are connected by bayonet clips.  
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein each framing member has at least two notches formed into the top edge of the member.  
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein an alignment guide is provided at a predetermined location on the outer face of each framing member.  
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 4  wherein the alignment guides on each facing framing member engage the guide on the adjacent framing member.  
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein a shelf is provided on the outer face of each framing member.  
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 6  wherein the shelf is adapted to be engaged by a mating shelf on a hand tool for raising and lowering a selected ceiling tile.  
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the framing members are fabricated of extruded aluminum.  
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein the ceiling tiles are acoustic tiles.  
   
   
       11 . An acoustic panel ceiling system comprising: 
 a plurality of ceiling panel framing members interconnected end to end to form a four sided enclosure, each member having a flange at the bottom thereof extending into the interior of the enclosure;    a plurality of notches formed along the top edge of each framing member comprising a hook shaped element;    a plurality of V shaped torsion springs having a wound end engaged with a respective one of the elements on the framing members and a pair of arms extending upwardly and outwardly from the wound end, each arm having a hook formed in the free end thereof;    a grid for suspension from a structure comprising main tees and intersecting cross tees;    a plurality of pairs of slots located at spaced intervals along the main tees, the slots being adapted to receive the free ends of the torsion spring arms; and    a ceiling tile secured to the framing members and adapted to abut adjacent ceiling tiles with a minimal space between adjacent tiles.    
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 11  wherein the ceiling tile is a flat panel adhesively secured to the bottom edges of the framing members.  
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 12  wherein the panel has a wood veneer on the exterior face.