Canopy system and group suspension system therefore

Abstract

A ceiling system for use in an interior building environment, In one aspect, the invention may be a ceiling system comprising: a frame comprising a plurality of struts; a plurality of modules, each of the modules comprising a panel and a plurality of hook members coupled to and extending from a top surface of the panel; each of the hook members comprising: an upstanding section; a hook portion at a top end of the upstanding section, the hook portion defining a downwardly-facing open slot; and an attachment flange at a bottom end of the upstanding section that couples the hook member to the top surface of the panel; and the modules mounted to the frame, and wherein for each of the modules, the hook portions of the hook members fit over and rest upon the struts, the struts located in the downwardly-facing open slots of the hook portions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ceiling system comprising:
 a frame comprising a plurality of struts;   a plurality of modules, each module comprising a panel and a plurality of hook members coupled to and extending from a top surface of the panel;   each of the hook members comprising:
 an upstanding section extending substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the panel; 
 a hook portion at a top end of the upstanding section, the hook portion extending from the upstanding section in a first direction, the hook portion defining a downwardly-facing open slot; and 
 an attachment flange at a bottom end of the upstanding section, the attachment flange comprising as front section extending from the upstanding section in the first direction, the front section vertically aligned with and located beneath the downwardly-facing open slot of the hook portion; 
   the modules mounted to the frame, and wherein for each of the modules, the hook portions of the hook members fit over and rest upon the struts, the struts located in the downwardly-facing open slots of the hook portions.   
     
     
         2 . The ceiling system according to  claim 1  wherein for each of the modules, the panel comprises a wood panel. 
     
     
         3 . The ceiling system according to  claim 1  wherein each of the hook members is a single monolithic component. 
     
     
         4 . The ceiling system according to  claim 1  wherein each of the upstanding section and the front section is a plate member. 
     
     
         5 . The ceiling system according to  claim 4  wherein the struts comprise a plurality of first struts and a plurality of second struts, the second struts intersecting the first struts. 
     
     
         6 . The ceiling system according to  claim 5  further comprising a hanging device connecting the frame to an overhead building structure. 
     
     
         7 . The ceiling system according to  claim 6  wherein the hanging device comprises suspension cables. 
     
     
         8 . The ceiling system according to  claim 6  wherein the frame and the modules collectively form a suspended ceiling island. 
     
     
         9 . The ceiling system according to  claim 1  wherein the struts comprise a plurality of first struts and a plurality of second struts, the second. struts intersecting the first struts; and
 wherein for each of the modules, the hook members engage only a single one of the first struts and only a single one of the second struts. 
 
     
     
         10 . The ceiling system according to  claim 9  wherein for each of the modules, the hook members are coupled to the panel so that all of the hook portions face in the same rotational direction. 
     
     
         11 . The ceiling system according to  claim 1  wherein for each of the modules, the hook members are located inboard of an edge of the panel. 
     
     
         11 . The ceiling system according to  claim 1  wherein for each of the hook members of each of the modules, a reference axis that is perpendicular to the top surface of the panel intersects both the front section of the attachment flange and the hook portion. 
     
     
         13 . A ceiling system comprising:
 a frame comprising a plurality of struts;   a plurality of modules, each of the modules comprising a panel and a plurality of hook members coupled to and extending from a top surface of the panel;   each of the hook members comprising:
 an upstanding section; 
 a hook portion at a top end of the upstanding section, the hook portion extending from the upstanding section in a first direction, the hook portion defining a downwardly-facing open slot; and 
 an attachment flange at a bottom end of the upstanding, the attachment flange comprising a rear section extending from the upstanding section in a second direction that is opposite the first direction; and 
   the modules mounted to the frame, and wherein for each of the modules, the hook portions of the hook members fit over and rest upon the struts, the struts located in the downwardly-facing, open slots of the hook portions.   
     
     
         14 . The ceiling system according to  claim 13  wherein for each of the modules, the panel is located beneath the frame and at least partially conceals the struts. 
     
     
         15 . The ceiling system according to  claim 14  wherein for each of the modules, the panel is spaced a vertical distance below the frame. 
     
     
         16 . The ceiling system according to  claim 15  wherein for each of the modules, the hook members are coupled to the panel so that all of the hook portions face in the same rotational direction. 
     
     
         17 . The ceiling system according to  claim 13  wherein the struts comprise a plurality of first struts and a plurality of second struts, the second struts intersecting the first struts; and
 wherein for each of the modules, the hook members engage only a single one of the first struts and only a single one of the second struts. 
 
     
     
         18 . A ceiling system comprising:
 a frame comprising a first strut and a second strut that intersects the first strut;   at least one panel;   the at least one panel mounted to the flame by a plurality of hook members; and   wherein the hook members engage only the first strut and only the second strut.   
     
     
         19 . The ceiling system according to  claim 18  wherein the at least panel is located beneath the frame and at least partially conceals the struts. 
     
     
         20 . The ceiling system according to  claim 19  wherein the at least panel is spaced a vertical distance below the frame.