TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to ceiling panel support structures for supporting clean room
air filter panels for providing an air-tight seal at the edge of such filter panels.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
[0002] Filter panel support grids are well known. Existing grids use formed steel sheets
as segments that are welded together to form a unitary grid structure. This requires
large assemblies to be constructed and finished on the site at which they are to be
installed. Consequently, manufacturing costs are high and the lack of control over
the manufacturing environment may result in quality problems. Also, welded structures
lack an aesthetic appearance which is desired in many applications.
[0003] As an alternative to welded structures, some existing ceiling grids employ extruded
aluminum segments which are mechanically attached to provide a unitary structure.
These attachment methods are generally cumbersome, requiring further modification
of the grid segments by precise machining. Such methods employ attachment methods
which result in a grid structure lacking in rigidity.
[0004] In an industrial manufacturing environment in which ceiling filters are typically
employed, there is a need for overhead lighting and for suspension of equipment and
materials. Known ceiling grid structures suspend lights from the ceiling and hang
lightweight objects from screws which engage the lower surfaces of grid rails. Such
threaded connections have limited capacity to carry heavy weights. Therefore, numerous
screw holes are required for carrying heavy loads. In addition, when equipment and
lights are removed, screws are removed from the grid; the resulting empty screw holes
present an unattractive appearance.
[0005] The use of overhead lighting in conjunction with existing filter panel support grids
has several disadvantages because the necessary light fixtures extend below the ceiling
lower surfaces. Such an arrangement is disclosed in DE-U-8507324. First, such light
fixtures prevent any dividers or walls from reaching the ceiling surface when suspended
below a light fixture. This impairs the air flow isolation that may be desired between
zones. Second, clean room ceiling height is generally limited and at a premium due
to the equipment and duct work required above the ceiling and below the floor. The
suspension of light fixtures below the ceiling serves further to reduce this already
limited ceiling height. Third, the suspension of lights below the ceiling surface
creates a safety and contamination risk, as the fixtures are susceptible to accidental
impact which may cause damage or dislodge contaminants.
[0006] The use of suspended light fixtures limits the capacity and flexibility to hang further
items from the ceiling structure. A suspended item is fixed once installed, and the
installation labor must be repeated if the fixture is to be moved, even if only by
a small amount. The installation of hanging walls and dividers is limited to orthogonal
orientations directly aligned with grid structure elements. A suspended light fixture
may not be installed in the same location as a suspended wall, nor may a wall intersect
a suspended light structure without being spaced below the light, leaving a substantial
gap between the wall and ceiling. In addition, structures suspended below lights impair
access to the light, making the removal of light tubes difficult or impossible.
[0007] Light fixtures that are suitable for use on existing filter panel support grids are
generally too bulky for a low profile, retro-fit installation. In addition, these
fixtures are generally designed as needlessly rigid units which are costlier than
required and more cumbersome to install.
[0008] FR-A-2625524 discloses a suspended ceiling structure for an office in which simple
ceiling panels are supported by a grid which includes a rail defining a downwardly
facing channel. In one embodiment, a pre-manufactured lighting unit comprising a casing
and a light tube mounted thereon is supported in the in the downwardly facing channel
by means of a short bracket which clips into the channel. This structure is not, however,
suitable for constructing a ceiling for a clean room using air filter panels and light
fixtures.
[0009] From the foregoing it will be recognised that there is a need for a filter support
structure that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art and provides illumination
without creating safety and contamination problems and without restricting the flexibility
of wall arrangements,
[0010] The present invention satisfies this need by providing a clean room ceiling structure
as defined in Claim 1.
[0011] From the foregoing it will be recognized that there is a need for a filter support
structure that overcomes these drawbacks of the prior art by providing illumination
without creating safety and contamination problems, and without restricting the flexibility
of wall arrangements. The present invention satisfies this need. The foregoing and
additional features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent
from the following detailed description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0013] Fig. 2 is a sectional end view of an interior rail of the apparatus of Fig. 1.
[0014] Fig. 3a and 3b are sectional end views of an alternate embodiment interior rail of
the apparatus of Fig. 1.
[0015] Fig. 4 is a sectional end view of a closure strip which engages the apparatus of
Fig. 3.
[0016] Fig. 5 is a sectional end view of an interior rail of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in
an alternative embodiment to accommodate light fixtures and hanging fixtures.
[0017] Fig. 6 is an isometric sectional view of an interior rail of the apparatus of Fig.
1 having a conduit passing therethrough.
[0018] Fig. 7 is a sectional end view of a perimeter rail of the apparatus of Fig. 1.
[0019] Fig. 8 is a sectional end view of an alternative embodiment perimeter rail of the
apparatus of Fig. 1 having a suspension wall.
[0020] Fig. 9 is a sectional end view of a perimeter rail in an alternative embodiment having
a suspension wall and a side wall having a hook shaped lower portion.
[0021] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the bracket employed in the apparatus of Fig. 1.
[0022] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a junction assembly of the apparatus of Fig. 1.
[0023] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an assembled junction between grid rails of the
apparatus of Fig. 1.
[0024] Fig. 13 is a sectional end view of an interior rail of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in
an alternative embodiment with an enclosed light fixture.
[0025] Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the light fixture assembly of Fig. 13.
[0026] Fig. 15 is a sectional end view of the interior rail of Fig. 13 with an attached
hanger bracket and wall panel suspended therefrom.
[0027] Fig. 16 is an enlarged, sectional end view of the interior rail of Fig. 13 with a
hanger bracket and clamping mechanism attached thereto.
[0028] Fig. 17 is a sectional end view of the interior rail of Fig. 13 with a wall panel
pivotally attached thereto.
[0029] Fig. 18 is a sectional end view of the rail of Fig. 16 with a wall panel directly
received therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] As shown in Fig. 1, a filter support structure 10 holds an array of similarly sized
rectangular air filter panels 12. The support structure forms an orthogonal grid of
rectangular sections sized to fit the filter panels. The perimeter of the grid is
a rectangle formed of a plurality of perimeter rails 14. A plurality of interior rails
16a are provided to interconnect at right angles to each other and to the perimeter
rails. The interconnected rails cooperatively form moat-like vessels surrounding each
rectangular panel section. Each vessel is filled with a gel-like sealant which receives
downwardly depending flanges from the periphery of each panel, thereby preventing
air from passing around the edges of the panels.
[0031] As shown in Fig. 2, each interior rail 16a has a hollow body 18 having an upper wall
20, a lower wall 22, and opposed first and second side walls 24, and 26, with the
body defining an elongated tunnel 28.
[0032] The interior rail 16a has a pair of opposed first and second trough walls 30, 32
which project perpendicularly upward from the upper wall 20 of the body 18. The trough
walls are preferably coplanar with the respective first and second side walls 24,
26.
[0033] The first and second trough walls 30, 32 each have a respective narrowed portion
34, 36 adjacent to the upper wall 20 of the body 18. The narrowed portions are acute
angular notches each defined on a respective trough wall inner side 38, 40, the inner
sides facing each other. The angle of the notch is preferably 60 degrees and the notch
is preferably cut to a depth equal to at least one third of the thickness of the trough
wall. The trough wall thereby may be broken off at the notch without damage to the
rail by manually bending the trough wall outward until it breaks off at the notch.
A segment of the trough wall may be broken off between two vertical cuts made through
the trough wall.
[0034] A hanger wall 42 projects perpendicularly upward from a medial position 44 on the
upper wall 20 of the body 18. The hanger wall is upwardly terminated by a widened
portion 46 having a pair of downwardly depending parallel first and second hook walls
48, 50. The hook walls preferably are parallel to the hanger wall 42 and positioned
on opposite sides thereof. The hanger wall and each respective hook wall define first
and second downwardly open rectangular clip gaps 52, 54. The hook walls are preferably
downwardly terminated by first and second semicircular edges 56, 58. The hook walls
48, 50 may be engaged by hooks suspended from above, or the widened portion 46 may
be engaged by a slotted support block 59 having a narrow slot aperture and a widened
interior cavity for receiving the widened portion 46. Such a support block may include
a threaded bore to engage a threaded rod hanging down from above, as shown in Fig.
3a below.
[0035] A pair of first and second upwardly projecting ridges 60, 62 are formed on the upper
wall 20 of the body 18 adjacent to and on opposite sides of the hanger wall 42. The
ridges are generally parallel to the hanger wall with respective first and second
base gaps 64, 66 defined between each respective ridge and the hanger wall. Each base
gap has a width equal to the width of the clip gaps 52, 54. The ridges have respective
outer wall surfaces 68, 70, which face the respective trough walls 30, 32. The distance
between the outer wall surfaces is preferably equal to the width of the widened portion
of the hanger wall.
[0036] The rail defines a pair of opposed first and second sealant receiving troughs 72,
74. The troughs have respective inner sides 76, 78 defined by a portion of the hanger
wall 42 and have outer sides defined by the inner sides 38, 40 of the trough walls
30, 32. The respective troughs have lower sides 80, 82 defined by the upper wall 20
of the body 18.
[0037] The inner sides 38, 40 of the trough walls and the inner sides 76, 78 of the trough
are provided with a rough textured surface. The textured surface preferably being
a plurality of V-shaped longitudinal ridges 84, whereby a material cast in the troughs
will resist removal. The upper wall 20 and all features projecting upwardly therefrom
comprise an upper portion 91 of the rail.
[0038] The lower wall 22 of the body 18 has a generally flat and downwardly facing lower
surface 86. In a preferred embodiment, the lower surface defines a recessed screw
receiving slot 88 covering a sufficient width so that a hole may be drilled and a
screw inserted and later removed from the center of the slot without impairing the
appearance of the lower wall surface 86. The slot 88 includes a central groove to
aid the centering of screw holes.
[0039] A first alternative embodiment of an interior grid rail is shown in Fig. 3a. The
alternate interior rail 16b is identical to the interior rail 16a in its upper portion
91 which includes all elements projecting upwardly from the upper wall 20 of the hollow
body 18. The lower wall 22 of the Fig. 3a embodiment is downwardly open to form a
narrow aperture 90 centered in the lower side of the body and communicating with a
widened chamber 92 having a width greater than that of the narrow aperture.
[0040] A T-shaped bolt 210 having a large flat rectangular head 212 and a perpendicularly
disposed shank 214 as shown in Fig. 3b may thereby be inserted into the chamber with
the head aligned with the narrow aperture to pass therethrough. The head has two diagonally
opposed beveled corners 216 so that the screw may freely rotate 90 degrees from an
aligned position to a securely retained position. The rectangular head has two diagonally
opposed non-beveled corners which encounter the widened chamber 92 to prevent the
screw from substantially rotating beyond the retained position.
[0041] As shown in Fig. 4, an elongated slot cap or closure strip 94 is provided to be installed
within the narrow aperture of the interior rail 16b of Fig. 3. The closure strip is
a resilient plastic extrusion comprising a planar body 96 having a width that exceeds
that of the narrow aperture 90 as shown in Fig. 3. The body has a flat bottom surface
98 that is exposed when the strip is installed and a strip upper surface 100 which
faces the rail 16b and has first and second upwardly extending legs 102, 104 which
are spaced apart to be received in the narrow aperture 90 of Fig. 3. The legs are
respectively terminated with outwardly extending first and second latches 106, 108
which engage the widened chamber 92 to resist removal therefrom.
[0042] As shown in Fig. 5, a second alternate interior rail embodiment 16c is shown having
an upper portion 91 similar to that of the embodiments of Figs. 2 and 3. In this embodiment,
the side walls 24, 26 are substantially extended downward to a length approximately
equal to the width of the upper wall 20. Each side wall is terminated at its lower
edge by a lower wall segment 110, 112, which extends horizontally inward toward the
other. The lower wall segments are terminated by upwardly projecting vertical segments
114, 116.
[0043] First and second hook receiving gaps 118, 120 are upwardly open V-shaped spaces.
The first hook receiving gap 118 is defined by the side wall 24 and the vertical segment
114. The second hook receiving gap 120 is defined by the side wall 26 and the vertical
segment 116. The lower wall segments define a lower gap 122 therebetween, which is
preferably at least 2 inches wide to receive a fluorescent tube light fixture (not
shown) between the side walls. The side walls 24, 26 extend sufficiently downward
from the upper wall 20 so that a fluorescent tube light fixture (not shown) may be
entirely received within a light fixture tunnel 124 defined therebetween.
[0044] Fig. 6 shows an interior rail 16a in which the upper wall 20 and lower wall 22 as
well as the hanger wall 42 have been drilled to provide a conduit hole 126 which is
configured to closely receive a sprinkler pipe 128 or a grommeted electrical conduit
(not shown). The conduit or pipe 128 is sealed to the conduit hole 126 at the upper
wall 20, such that fluid may not penetrate between the sleeve and the hole. The hardware
of any conduit connectors should be low-profile so that any seams between the hardware
and the conduit reside below the level of the gel sealant. As a result, any air leaks
in the connection will be properly sealed.
[0045] Fig. 7 shows a perimeter rail 130, having a hollow rectangular body 132, having an
upper wall 134, a lower wall 136, a distal side wall 138 facing away from the grid
structure and a proximate side wall 140 opposite the distal side wall. A single perimeter
trough wall 142, projects perpendicularly upward from the upper wall 134, of the perimeter
rail in the plane of the proximate side wall 140. The trough wall includes the narrowed
portion 144 as provided in the rail of Fig. 2. The trough wall also has a similar
plurality of V-shaped ridges 146 on the side of the trough wall facing the distal
side wall 138.
[0046] A vertical plenum wall 146, has a horizontal plenum flange 148 attached to a lower
edge 149 of the plenum wall. The flange is attached to the upper wall 134, by suitable
attachment means such as a screw 150. Sealant 154 is provided between the flange and
the upper wall so that a gel may be contained in a trough 152 defined between the
trough wall and the plenum wall.
[0047] As shown in Fig. 8, a perimeter rail 130b is provided with a vertical suspension
member 156 integrally formed therewith. The suspension member is a planar wall projecting
vertically upward from the upper wall 134 of the perimeter rail in the plane of the
distal side wall 138. The suspension member is upwardly terminated by an enlarged
portion 158, having a bolt head receiving slot 160 defined therein. The slot has an
interior width 162, sized to retain a bolt head (not shown) and has a narrower aperture
width 164, sized to permit passage of a bolt shank. A plenum (not shown) is attached
to an upper surface 166 of the enlarged portion 158 and fixed thereto by means of
bolts retained in the bolt head receiving slot 160.
[0048] As shown in Fig. 9, an alternate perimeter rail 130c shares the vertical suspension
member 156 of the Fig. 8 embodiment, but does not have a lower wall 136 or a distal
side wall 138. In the Fig. 9 embodiment, the proximate side wall 140c is extended
downward and terminated by a hook-shaped portion 168 similar to that which defines
the hook receiving gaps of Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 10, an attachment bracket 170
is stamped and formed from a sheet of steel. The bracket comprises a rectangular planar
sheet 172, having a top edge 174, a bottom edge 176, a first side edge 178 and a second
side edge 180. A blade portion 182 having a pair of beveled corners 184, 186, is configured
to be received by a vertical rectangular space defined between the rectangular clip
gap 52 (or alternatively 54) and the base gap 64 (alternatively 66) in the end of
one of the interior rails 16a, 16b or 16c.
[0049] The bracket 170 includes an attachment tab 188 attached to a bent portion 190 of
the bottom edge 176 of the rectangular sheet 172. The attachment tab is formed by
bending it 90 degrees from the plane of the sheet so that it extends perpendicularly
from the sheet. The attachment tab has a tab width 192, sized to be attached to the
upper wall 20, of an interior rail body 18, and to be closely received between the
inner side 38 of the first trough wall 30 and the first ridge 60 or, alternatively,
between the inner side 40 of the second trough wall 32 and the second ridge 62 of
the rail shown in Fig. 2.
[0050] The second side edge 180 of the bracket sheet 172 is vertical and has an upper contact
point 194 and a lower contact point 196. The upper contact point is adjacent to the
top edge 174 of the sheet and the lower contact point is adjacent to the bottom edge
176 of the sheet at the bent portion 190.
[0051] A generally semicircular cutout 198 is defined by the bottom edge 176 of the sheet
172 adjacent to the attachment tab 188 to provide access to seams 202 (shown in Fig.
12) in the completed assembly for sealing with caulk to prevent leakage, as will be
discussed below.
[0052] It should be noted that the bracket may be formed in a mirror image configuration
with the tab 188 bent in the opposite direction. Thus, there will be right handed
brackets, as shown in Fig. 10, and left handed brackets 170' as shown in Fig. 11.
[0053] Fig. 11 shows a junction assembly 204. The junction assembly is formed by right handed
bracket 170 and left handed bracket 170', with the rectangular sheets 172 thereof
in parallel spaced-apart relation. An L-shaped bracket 206 includes a planar spacer
portion 208 with a planar mounting portion 210 perpendicularly attached thereto. The
L-shaped bracket 206 is preferably formed of bent sheet metal. The spacer portion
208 is received between the brackets 170, 170' and is fixed therebetween by junction
screws or rivets 212 so that the mounting portion 210 is perpendicular to the bracket
sheet 172 and to the attachment tab 188. The mounting portion 210 defines a pair of
mounting holes 214 sized to receive suitable fasteners.
[0054] As shown in Fig. 12, each junction between the end of the interior rail 16a and the
side of another interior rail requires a junction assembly 204. A portion of the trough
wall of the rail whose side forms the junction is vertically cut and broken off as
discussed above with reference to Fig. 2. As discussed above, the blade portions 182
of the brackets 170 are inserted into the end of the interior rail on opposite sides
of the hanger wall 42. The bracket tabs 188 are attached to the upper wall 20 of the
adjacent interior rail by suitable means such as a screw 200. The mounting portions
210 of the L-shaped brackets 206 are positioned against the hanger wall 42 and fixed
thereto by suitable fasteners. The upper contact point 194 of the bracket thereby
contacts the widened portion 46 of the hanger wall 42 to prevent undesired angular
wobble of the rails at the junction, and to prevent the joint from flexing under compressive
forces between the rail members. The junction seam 202 is sealed with suitable means
such as caulk, so that the troughs may be filled with a gel-like sealant which will
sealably receive filter panels 12 having downwardly depending edge flanges (not shown).
[0055] Fig. 13 shows the rail member of Fig. 5 with a light fixture assembly 220 installed
and completely received within the rail channel 124. The filter panel 12 is shown
having a downwardly depending peripheral blade edge 222 received in the first sealant
receiving trough 72 and sealed by a gel sealant 224.
[0056] The light fixture assembly 220 generally comprises an elongated light chassis panel
230 attached to the interior of the rail channel 124, with a standard bulb retainer
or tombstone 232 attached at each end of the chassis panel 230. A fluorescent tube
234 is electrically connected to and received between the bulb retainers 232 so that
the entire light fixture assembly 220 is contained within the channel 124.
[0057] The light chassis panel 230 is preferably formed of extruded aluminum and has a length
somewhat longer than the standard fluorescent light tube 234. In cross-section, the
chassis panel 230 appears as a broad, flat-bottomed trough. A chassis base 236 forms
the bottom of the trough and is generally flat, with a width somewhat less than the
interior width of the rail channel 124. Along each edge of the chassis base 236, a
chassis wall 238 projects generally upwardly and slightly inwardly from the base.
Each chassis wall is terminated at an upper free end 240 by a chassis lip or chassis
hook 242 that projects horizontally outward. The walls and base of the chassis panel
230 are sufficiently thin so that the walls may be slightly inwardly biased as necessary
for installation and removal.
[0058] As shown in Fig. 14, the chassis panel 230 defines at each end a rectangular gap
246 that is preferably formed by removing a central rectangular portion of the chassis
base 236 at each end to form opposed, parallel, inwardly facing gap edges 248. The
gap has a depth generally equal to the thickness of the tombstone 232.
[0059] As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the bulb retainer or tombstone plug 232 is slidably
received in the rectangular gap 246 of the light chassis panel 230 so that the tombstone
is flush with the end of the chassis panel. The tombstone 232 is a standard off-the-shelf
component such as the tombstone manufactured by Kulka Wiring Devices, Part No. 1630-1,2.
The tombstone 232 defines a pair of opposed slots 250 sized and spaced apart to slidably
receive the gap edges 248 of the chassis panel 230. A tombstone is thus inserted at
each end of the chassis panel so that the tombstones are suitably spaced apart to
removably retain and to electrically contact the fluorescent lamp tube 234. To prevent
the tombstones from shifting outwardly from their fully installed positions, a retaining
section 254 having the same cross-section as the light chassis panel 230 is placed
against the chassis base 236 externally of each tombstone 232 so as to cover the remaining
open portion of each rectangular gap 246.
[0060] The retaining section 254 attaches to the rail channel 124 so that the section is
retained in the channel in the same manner as the chassis panel 230. The section 254
has a length generally equal to the distance between the outer face of the tombstone
232 and the end of the chassis panel 230. When the rail member 16c is installed as
shown by rail members 16a in Fig. 1, the rail end will abut the side of the adjacent
rail member, thereby preventing the retaining section 254 and tombstone 232 from sliding
outwardly beyond the end of the rail member 16c.
[0061] As shown in Fig. 13, the upper wall 20 of the rail member 16c includes a pair of
opposed channel ledges 260 widely spaced apart on the lower surface thereof by a sufficient
distance to permit a mating snap fit with the chassis hooks 242 of the chassis panel
230. The ledges, shown differently in Fig. 13 than in the original embodiment of Fig.
5, each have an inwardly facing nose 262 spaced below the surface of the upper wall
to define a gap for receiving the chassis hook 242.
[0062] The upper wall 20 of the rail member and the chassis panel 230 cooperatively define
an elongated wireway 264 to permit passage of a wire 266 extending from the tombstone
232 to a conduit or aperture 126 as shown in Fig. 6.
[0063] As further shown in Fig. 13, a lens or closure strip 270 encloses the channel 124
between the projections 114, 116. The lens is preferably an extruded plastic strip
of transparent or translucent material, such as a resilient plastic. The lens is a
flat, elongated body that rests against the lower surfaces of the rail member lower
wall segments 110, 112 and has a pair of upwardly and outwardly projecting lens legs
272 to engage the rail member projections 114, 116. A pair of lens gaskets 274 each
runs the length of the lens between one of the rail member projections 114, 116 and
one of the lens legs 272. In addition to protecting the light bulb from damage, the
lens and gaskets prevent dust and debris from escaping the channel into the environment
below. The lens may be textured with ridges 275 shown or otherwise optically formed
to provide a controlled illumination pattern. Because divider walls and other objects
need to be suspended from the grid, the lens is nearly flush with the rail to prevent
interference with such hanging objects.
[0064] Fig. 15 shows the rail member 16c with the light fixture 220 installed, and with
a hanger 276 hanging below the rail member. The hanger is a generally U-shaped metal
bracket preferably formed by extrusion, with each hanger being about a two inch length
from source extrusion. Each hanger 276 has a flat lower portion 278 with a lower attachment
hole 280 defined therein. The hanger has opposed parallel first and second sides 282,
284 projecting upward from the lower portion 278 and positioned in vertical planes
perpendicular to the lower portion 278 and defining, respectively, first and second
side attachment holes 286, 288. The first and second sides form the widest portion
of the hanger, providing attachment points for suspending items below without interfering
with other portions of the hanger. Attached respectively above the first and second
hanger sides 282, 284 are first and second upper sidewalls 292, 294.
[0065] The upper sidewalls are spaced apart sufficiently to permit the fluorescent tube
234 to be passed between them to permit its removal. Each upper sidewall is terminated
at its free end by a hanger hook 298, 300 that curves outwardly and downwardly to
engage the projections 114, 116 of the rail member 16c. Normally, the hanger hooks
298, 300 are spaced more widely apart than the lower aperture of the rail member 16c
so that the projections seat in the hook receiving gaps 118, 120 when the hanger is
subject to a downward force. For removal and installation, the hanger sides may be
biased together to inwardly compress the hooks, permitting one hanger hook to pass
in or out of the rail channel 124.
[0066] A hanging panel 304 or similar fixture may be suspended from the hanger at one of
the attachment holes 286, 288. Items suitable for suspending from the hanger include:
monorail material transport systems, smif-type equipment enclosures, and other process
tools and equipment. A standard bolt or other suitable means may be used to secure
the panel 304 to the hanger.
[0067] FIGS. 16a and 16b show a grid hanger clamping mechanism 310 for securing the grid
hanger 276 to the rail member 16c to prevent sliding or removal of the hanger. A pair
of clamping plates 312 are positioned on opposite sides of the hanger 276, adjacent
to the first and second sides 282, 284 respectively. Each plate 312 is a rigid metal
plate that is articulated to conform to the general contours of the sides of the grid
hanger 276. Each plate defines a plate aperture 314 sized to correspond with the first
and second attachment holes 286, 288 and positioned to register with one of such holes
when the plate is positioned in conformity with the contours of the grid hanger 276.
Each plate is terminated by an upper plate edge 316 that is positioned to compressively
contact the corresponding lower wall segment 110, 112 of the rail member 16c when
the plate 312 is compressed against the hanger 276. The upper plate edge preferably
includes a resilient plate gasket 318 to prevent slippage and to avoid cosmetic damage
to the rail member.
[0068] A clamp bolt 324 and a clamp knob 326 are provided to adjustably secure each clamp
plate 312 to the hanger 276. Each bolt 324 is sized to penetrate the first or second
attachment hole 286, 288 and the plate aperture 314, and to extend outwardly from
the hanger 276. Each clamp knob threadably engages the respective bolt to compress
each plate 312 against the corresponding hanger side 282, 284. Additionally, the panel
304, as shown in Fig. 15, may be attached to the hanger 276 along with the plate 312.
[0069] Floor to ceiling walls are often required to subdivide clean room areas, and must
be secured to the ceiling. Fig. 17a shows a wall header for pivotally attaching a
wall panel 330 to the rail member 16c. An upwardly open U-shaped header clip 332 has
a flat base portion 334 with two upwardly extending legs 336, each leg being terminated
at its free end by an outwardly and downwardly extending clip hook 338. The clip hooks
are sufficiently spaced apart and properly configured to securely engage the projections
114, 116 of the rail member 16c when the header clip 332 is subject to a downward
force.
[0070] A U-shaped downwardly open wall header channel 340 is pivotally attached to the header
clip 332 at a header connection 342. The header connection preferably comprises a
nut and bolt passing through similarly sized apertures in the base of the header clip
332 and the corresponding portion of the header 340. The header includes a header
base 342 and header side walls 344 depending downwardly therefrom. The side walls
are spaced apart by a distance greater than the width of the wall panel 330, the upper
edge of which is received therein. A header gasket 346 formed of rubber or other resilient
material is attached to the lower portion of the interior side of each header side
wall 344 along the entire length of the side wall. Each gasket 346 faces the opposite
side wall so that the wall panel 330 forms a seal with the gaskets when installed
in the header channel 340.
[0071] A pair of side plates 350 is attached to the header 340, one each to the outer side
of each header side wall 344. A lower side wall portion 352 of each side plate 350
is generally coextensive with the header side wall 344, and an upper side wall portion
354 extends upwardly, terminating in proximity with the lower wall segments 110, 112
of the rail member 16c.
[0072] As shown in Fig. 17b, this permits the header 340 to be rotated about the header
connection 342 without the side plates 350 interfering with the rail member 16c, yet
does not permit substantial air flow between the rail member 16c and the side plates
350. Thus, the wall may be effectively used to isolate air flow zones.
[0073] Fig. 18 shows a wall panel 330 inserted directly in the rail channel 124 of the rail
member 16c with the space normally occupied by a light fixture used as a wall header.
The lower gap 122 defined by the lower wall segments 110, 112 is sized to closely
receive the wall panel to prevent substantial leakage of air flow from one side of
the panel to the other. Alternatively, a thinner wall panel may be used with spacers
or gaskets to provide an effective seal.
1. Reinraumdeckenstruktur mit Filterplatten (12), wobei die Struktur umfaßt: ein Gitter
zum Tragen der Filterplatten (12) mit wenigstens einer Schiene (16), die einen nach
unten offenen Kanal (124) bildet; eine Beleuchtungsarmatur (220) mit einer Lichtröhre
(234) und einer dazugehörigen Verdrahtung (266) zur Versorgung der Lichtröhre (234)
mit elektrischer Energie, wobei die Beleuchtungsarmatur (220) durch den nach unten
offenen Kanal (124) gehalten wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sich die Lichtröhre
(234) nicht unterhalb der Schiene (16) erstreckt, und daß die Struktur eine Beleuchtungsgrundplatte
(230) aufweist, die an der Schiene innerhalb des nach unten offenen Kanals (124) befestigbar
ist, um eine Kabelwegumschließung (264) in dem nach unten offenen Kanal zu bilden,
wobei die dazugehörige Verdrahtung (266) durch den Kanal (264) verläuft und die Lichtröhre
(234) unter der Beleuchtungsgrundplatte (230) angeordnet ist.
2. Reinraumdeckenstruktur nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Beleuchtungsgrundplatte
(230) nach oben vorstehende Wände (238) hat, um die Schiene (16) lösbar zu halten.
3. Reinraumdeckenstruktur nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, gekennzeichnet durch eine lichtdurchlässige
Platte (270), die den nach unten offenen Kanal (124) umschließt und unter der Lichtröhre
(234) angeordnet ist.
4. Reinraumdeckenstruktur nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die Beleuchtungsarmatur (220) eine erste und zweite Fassung (232) beinhaltet, die
in dem nach unten offenen Kanal (124) angeordnet sind, um die Lichtröhre (234) in
dem nach unten offenen Kanal (124) mechanisch zu befestigen sowie die Lichtröhre (234)
mit der dazugehörigen Verdrahtung (266) elektrisch zu verbinden.
5. Reinraumdeckenstruktur nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die erste und
zweite Fassung (232) die Lichtröhre (234) und die dazugehörige Verdrahtung (266) durch
eine die Beleuchtungsgrundplatte (230) enthaltende Ebene hindurch elektrisch anschließt.
6. Reinraumdeckenstruktur nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die Beleuchtungsgrundplatte (230) einen Spalt (246) definiert, der einen Sockelstecker
(239) aufnimmt, um das Endstück der Lichtröhre (234) zu halten.
7. Reinraumdeckenstruktur nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Schiene (16) eine Öffnung (126) enthält, die in Verbindung mit einem Kanal
(128) außerhalb des nach unten offenen Kanals (124) und oberhalb der Schiene (16)
steht, wobei die dazugehörige Verdrahtung (266) durch die Öffnung (126) in den Kanal
(128) verläuft.
1. Structure de faux plafond pour salle blanche comportant des panneaux (12) de filtration
d'air, laquelle structure comprend : un treillis destiné à supporter lesdits panneaux
(12) de filtration d'air et englobant au moins un rail (16), ledit rail définissant
un canal (124) tourné vers le bas ; une monture d'éclairage (220) incluant un tube
lumineux (234) et un câblage associé (266) fournissant une puissance électrique audit
tube lumineux (234), ladite monture d'éclairage (220) étant maintenue à l'intérieur
dudit canal (124) tourné vers le bas, caractérisée par le fait que ledit tube lumineux
(234) ne s'étend pas au-dessous dudit rail (16) ; et par le fait que la structure
comprend, en outre, une embase d'éclairage (230) pouvant être rattachée audit rail
à l'intérieur dudit canal (124) tourné vers le bas pour former, en partie haute, un
logement de câblage (264) à l'intérieur dudit canal tourné vers le bas, de sorte que
ledit câblage associé (266) passe à travers ledit logement (264), et que ledit tube
lumineux (234) est situé au-dessous de ladite embase d'éclairage (230).
2. Structure de faux plafond pour salle blanche, selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle
ladite embase d'éclairage (230) présente des parois (238) saillant vers le haut, pour
venir amoviblement en prise avec le rail (16).
3. Structure de faux plafond selon la revendication 1 ou 2, comprenant un panneau (270)
de transmission de lumière, emprisonnant ledit canal (124) tourné vers le bas, et
situé au-dessous dudit tube lumineux (234).
4. Structure de faux plafond selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans laquelle
ladite monture d'éclairage (220) comprend des première et seconde douilles (232) logées
à l'intérieur dudit canal (124) tourné vers le bas, pour fixer mécaniquement ledit
tube lumineux (234) à l'intérieur dudit canal (124) tourné vers le bas, et pour connecter
électriquement ledit tube lumineux (234) et ledit câblage associé (266).
5. Structure de faux plafond selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle lesdites première
et seconde douilles (232) connectent électriquement ledit tube lumineux (234), et
ledit câblage associé (266), dans le sens transversal d'un plan incluant ladite embase
d'éclairage (230).
6. Structure de faux plafond selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans laquelle
l'embase d'éclairage (230) définit un interstice (246) configuré pour recevoir une
fiche trapézoïdale (232), afin de retenir l'extrémité du tube lumineux (234).
7. Structure de faux plafond selon une quelconque revendication précédente, dans laquelle
ledit rail (16) présente un orifice (126) communiquant avec un conduit (128) à l'extérieur
dudit canal (124) tourné vers le bas, et au-dessus dudit rail (16), ledit câblage
associé (266) pénétrant dans ledit conduit (128) à travers ledit orifice (126).