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EP-3589795-B1 - MODULAR CEILING SYSTEM

EP3589795B1EP 3589795 B1EP3589795 B1EP 3589795B1EP-3589795-B1

Inventors

  • RIMMER, Julian Douglas Tyldesley
  • BORJA, Christian
  • HOLLAND, MIKE
  • WHITE, JAMES
  • SORRELL, Ryan
  • ORTIZ, Mario
  • BARROGA, Sherwin
  • TESSIER, SYLVIO
  • RABBANI, Arun
  • MORGAN, ASHLEY
  • NICHOLSON, MIKE
  • HIEBERT, Jordan
  • COMBERBACH, Craig
  • MARVIN, Luke

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20180301

Claims (14)

  1. A modular ceiling system (10) for a room with a ceiling support structure (12) for supporting a ceiling having a room side, said modular ceiling system comprising: a. at least one channel (24) supported by the ceiling support structure; b. a plurality of uniformly sized and shaped openings (30) in the channel; c. a plurality of uniformly sized and shaped devices (36) fitted in the openings, the devices having a common communication protocol, wherein each of the devices includes a housing (38) that is uniformly sized and shaped to fit into the uniformly sized and shaped openings in the channel, and the housings of the devices are mounted in the openings of the channel so that the housings are either flush with surrounding ceiling panels or are recessed within the channel from the surrounding ceiling panels, wherein the housing (38) of each device is fitted in and attached to the opening and each device comprises a case (40) fitted within the housing and wherein the case contains an operative unit for each device; d. a central control system having the same communication protocol as the devices; and e. a network (78) connecting the central control system and all of the devices together, wherein the communications among the central control system and the devices uses the common communication protocol, wherein wires for the network are housed in a conduit (64) accommodated in the channel.
  2. The modular ceiling system of claim 1, wherein the devices share a common power supply.
  3. The modular ceiling system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the channel is supported by the ceiling support structure so that the channel is recessed above the ceiling room side of the ceiling.
  4. The modular ceiling system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the channel is supported by the ceiling support structure so that the channel protrudes below the ceiling room side of the ceiling.
  5. The modular ceiling system of claim 1, wherein each case is interchangeable with each other case so that the cases with the contained operative unit can be swapped between and among housings.
  6. The modular ceiling system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the devices include an emergency light (102).
  7. The modular ceiling system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the devices include a strobe (104).
  8. The modular ceiling system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the devices include an environmental sensor (106).
  9. The modular ceiling system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the devices include a smoke detector (108).
  10. The modular ceiling system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the devices include a broadcast sprinkler (110).
  11. The modular ceiling system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the devices include a concealed sprinkler (112).
  12. The modular ceiling system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the devices include a speaker (114).
  13. The modular ceiling system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the devices include a camera (116, 118).
  14. The modular ceiling system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the devices include a drop-down access tray (44).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a modular ceiling system, and more particularly to a modular ceiling system that accommodates a plurality of uniformly appearing devices that are integrated into a single control network. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A typical prior art ceiling in a commercial building offers a platform for the installation of numerous devices including for example, room lights, emergency lights, cameras, speakers, sensors, Wifi access points (WAP), cell phone repeaters, sprinkler heads, drop-down signage, and HVAC grills. The sensors may include for example, light sensors, temperature sensors, smoke sensors, and occupancy/motion sensors. The devices are often supplied from multiple sources and attached to multiple control systems. Consequently, the devices often are incompatible with each other and with other device control systems. Particularly, the devices may have different communication protocols and may not communicate with each other or with other control systems. The resulting prior art ceiling may include a redundancy of devices and infrastructure. Further, the prior art ceiling has poor flexibility thereby making upgrades difficult. Such a prior art ceiling with multiple incompatible devices require careful coordination between trades during design and installation resulting in additional time and cost. As a result, the aesthetic appearance of the prior art ceiling represents a hodgepodge of incompatible, non-uniform devices and a hodgepodge of multiple control systems. Particularly, a typical prior art ceiling presents two distinct problems. First, the prior art ceiling is aesthetically unappealing because the devices are not uniform in appearance, and the installation of openings in the ceiling are not uniform in shape, size, and trim. While architects spend time addressing the aesthetic appearance of a building interior, the appearance of the ceiling is compromised when the contracting teams and consultants install numerous ceiling devices, none of which match in look or color. Second, the prior art ceiling lacks interoperation integration between and among devices and control systems. DE202006002567U1 discloses a suspended interior ceiling. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is defined in claim 1. Further aspects and preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. Any aspects, embodiments and examples of the present disclosure which do not fall under the scope of the appended claims do not form part of the invention and are merely provided for illustrative purposes. The present invention addresses the problem associated with the prior art ceiling. The modular ceiling system of the present invention includes a range of devices similar in appearance. The devices are installed in channels that may be designed to work with ceilings constructed of sheetrock, wood, metal, and others, materials. Devices are installed in a channel, and the system includes ceiling support structure that supports the channel which in turn may support an array of ceiling panels and the various devices, including without limitation, room lights, emergency lights, cameras, speakers, sensors, Wifi access points, cell phone repeaters, sprinkler heads, access tray, and HVAC grills. The access tray may accommodate overhead signage, a video screen, a Wi-Fi access point, or other electronic equipment. The channel is recessed in the ceiling so that the bottom edges of the channel are flush with the surrounding ceiling panels. Alternatively, the channel may be surface mounted and extending below the plane of the ceiling panels. The channel has uniformly sized and shaped openings that are arranged in an aesthetically pleasing pattern in coordination with the individual ceiling patterns or in an array of ceiling panels. Each of the openings in the channel is sized and shaped to accommodate one of the devices. Each of the devices includes a housing that is uniformly sized and shaped to fit into the uniformly sized and shaped openings in the channel. The housings of the devices are mounted in the openings of the channel so that the housings are either flush with the surrounding ceiling panels or are recessed within the channel from the surrounding ceiling panels. All of the housings for the devices are designed to have essentially the same shape, size, and color. Each individual device is contained within a separate case. Each case is sized and shaped to fit within the housings. Because the cases and housings are of the same size and shape, casings can be swapped between and among the housings thus allowing for easy reconfiguration of the devices in the ceiling. In addition, trim around each of uniformly sized and shaped openings also has a uniform shape, size, and color. Further, the channel of the modular ceiling system of the present invention accommodates conduits and the associated wiring for the distribution of power and data, piping for sprinkler heads, and ducts for HVAC grills. Al