Ceiling medallion system and method

Abstract

One embodiment of present invention relates to a ceiling medallion for decorating a ceiling area (e.g., an area surrounding a light fixture). In one example, the ceiling medallion can be installed around an existing ceiling fixture (e.g., a light fixture or a fan), without removing the fixture.

1 . A ceiling medallion, comprising: 
 a medallion structure having an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer perimeter;    an aperture disposed within the medallion structure; and    a slit in the medallion structure;    wherein the aperture runs through the medallion structure from the lower surface to the upper surface; and    wherein the slit runs through the medallion structure from the outer perimeter to the aperture.    
   
   
       2 . The ceiling medallion of  claim 1 , wherein the outer perimeter of the medallion structure is generally circular.  
   
   
       3 . The ceiling medallion of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture in the medallion structure is generally circular.  
   
   
       4 . The ceiling medallion of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is disposed generally in the center of the medallion structure.  
   
   
       5 . The ceiling medallion of  claim 1 , wherein a first edge of the medallion structure is at one side of the slit and a second edge of the medallion structure is at the other side of the slit.  
   
   
       6 . The ceiling medallion of  claim 5 , further comprising a protrusion adjacent the first edge of the medallion structure and a receptacle adjacent the second edge of the medallion structure, wherein the receptacle is configured to receive therein the protrusion to close the slit in the medallion structure.  
   
   
       7 . The ceiling medallion of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one support structure, wherein the support structure runs from the aperture of the medallion structure to the outer perimeter of the medallion structure.  
   
   
       8 . The ceiling medallion of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of support structures, wherein each support structure runs from the aperture of the medallion structure to the outer perimeter of the medallion structure.  
   
   
       9 . A ceiling medallion, comprising: 
 a medallion structure comprising: an outer element with an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer perimeter and an inner element with an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer perimeter;    an aperture disposed within the medallion structure;    a first slit in the outer element; and    a second slit in the inner element;    wherein the aperture runs through the medallion structure from the outer element to the inner element;    wherein the first slit runs through the outer element from the outer perimeter of the outer element to the aperture; and    wherein the second slit runs through the inner element from the outer perimeter of the inner element to the aperture.    
   
   
       10 . The ceiling medallion of  claim 9 , wherein the outer perimeter of the outer element and the outer perimeter of the inner element are generally circular.  
   
   
       11 . The ceiling medallion of  claim 9 , wherein the aperture in the medallion structure is generally circular.  
   
   
       12 . The ceiling medallion of  claim 9 , wherein the aperture is disposed generally in the center of the medallion structure.  
   
   
       13 . The ceiling medallion of  claim 9 , wherein the first slit and the second slit are in line with one another.  
   
   
       14 . The ceiling medallion of  claim 9 , wherein the first slit and the second slit are offset from one another.  
   
   
       15 . The ceiling medallion of  claim 9 , wherein the inner element further comprises at least one support structure, wherein the support structure runs from the aperture of the medallion structure to the outer perimeter of the inner element.  
   
   
       16 . The ceiling medallion of  claim 9 , wherein the inner element further comprises a plurality of support structures, wherein each support structure runs from the aperture of the medallion structure to the outer perimeter of the inner element.  
   
   
       17 . A method of installing a ceiling medallion around a fixture hanger of a fixture, comprising: 
 providing a medallion structure comprising: an outer element with an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer perimeter and an inner element with an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer perimeter; wherein an aperture is disposed within the medallion structure; wherein a first slit is disposed in the outer element; wherein a second slit is disposed in the inner element; wherein the aperture runs through the medallion structure from the outer element to the inner element; wherein the first slit runs through the outer element from the outer perimeter of the outer element to the aperture; and wherein the second slit runs through the inner element from the outer perimeter of the inner element to the aperture;    pulling apart the medallion structure to form an opening adjacent the first and second slits;    passing the fixture hanger of the fixture through the opening;    closing the opening so that the medallion structure surrounds the fixture hanger of the fixture; and    affixing the ceiling medallion to a ceiling.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the fixture hanger is selected from the group consisting of: a chain; and a tube.