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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to a ceiling system for
preventing water, and the like, from leaking through the ceiling into the
interior of a room or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
A preliminary patentability seach conducted in class 52, subclasses 13, 14
and 484 disclosed the following patents: Beamish, U.S. Pat. No. 1,000,887;
Campbell, U.S. Pat. No. 3,488,905; Muller et al, U.S. Pat, No. 3,611,649;
Yoneya, U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,541; and Gutermuth et al, U.S. Pat. No.
4,401,165. None of the above patents disclose or suggest the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward providing a leak-proof ceiling
structure for being associated with a roof to protect a specific space or
area beneath the roof from any liquid which may leak through the roof. The
protected space may be used to house computer data and equipment or any
other moisture-sensitive material and the like.
The leak-proof ceiling structure of the present invention includes, in
general, a pair of longerons; suspension means for suspending the
longerons beneath the roof structure with the longerons spaced from one
another; and trough means for being suspended between the pair of
longerons and for catching any liquid that may leak from the roof and for
conveying any such liquid away from the protected space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic sectional view of the leak-proof ceiling
structure of the present invention shown associated with a building.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view substantially as taken on line II--II
of FIG. 1 with portions thereof omitted for clarity.
FIG. 3 is a left end elevational view of a longeron of the ceiling
structure of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the longeron of FIG. 3 with portions
thereof broken away for clarity.
FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a first bracket of the ceiling
structure of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the first bracket of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a second bracket of the ceiling
structure of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the second bracket of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a left end elevational view of a trough means of the ceiling
structure of the present invention with portions the broken away for
clarity.
FIG. 10 is a sectional view as taken on line X--X of FIG. 9 with portions
thereof broken away for clarity.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment of the leak-proof ceiling structure 11 of the
present invention is associated with a roof 13 of a building, or the like,
to define a protected space 15 beneath the roof 13 and to prevent any
liquid, such as water, which may leak through the roof 13 from passing to
the protected space 15 (see FIG. 1). It should be noted that the term
"roof" is used herein to mean any existing structure which covers the
protected space 15 and may incude a typical fixed or suspended ceiling, or
the like, as well as the outer roof structure of a building. Thus, the
leak-proof ceiling structure 11 may be located directly below an existing
ceiling in a multi-story building or a single story building having an
attic or crawl space above the existing ceiling or may be located directly
below the roof structure in a single story building without a typical
ceiling and attic or crawl space. The protected space 15 is defined in
part by a first wall 17, a second wall 19, and a floor F. More
specifically, the leak-proof ceiling structure 11 extends between the
first and second walls 17, 19 and the protected space 15 is located
substantially between the first and second walls 17, 19 and beneath the
leak-proof ceiling structure 11. Thus, the protected apace 15 may consist
of a room of a building defined by the roof 13, first wall 17, second wall
19, floor F, a third wall 20, and a fourth wall (not shown) as will now be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
The leak-proof ceiling structure 11 includes at least a pair of
longitudinal beams or longerons 21, 21' (see FIG. 2). The basic longeron
21 is shown in Figs. 2-4 and has a first end 23 and a second end 25. Each
longeron 21 preferably includes an elongated bottom member 27, an
elongated first side member 29 attached to one edge of the bottom member
27 and extending upwardly therefrom, and an elongated second side member
31 attached to the other edge of the bottom member 27 and extending
upwardly therefrom. The bottom member 27 and side members 29, 31 coact to
define a generally open-top square shaped channel or trough extending
between the first and second ends 23, 25 of each longeron 21. Each
longeron 21 preferably incudes an intermediate partition 33 attached to
the bottom member 27 between the first and second side members 29, 31 and
extending upwardly therefrom. The intermediate partition 33 divides the
channel defined by the bottom member 27 and side members 29, 31 into a
first channel 35 between the first side member 29 and the intermediate
partition 33 and a second channel 37 between the second side member 31 and
the intermediate partition 33. The intermediate partition 33 preferably
extends above the upper edges of the first and second side members 29, 31
as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. One or more apertures 39 may be
provided through the upper portion of the intermediate partition 33 (see
FIG. 4) to allow the longerons 21 to be suspended from the roof 13 by
wires, or the like, (not shown) as will now be apparent to those skilled
in the art. Although the first and second channels 35, 37 can carry a
small amount of liquid, each longeron 21 may include shield members 43
attached to either side of the intermediate partition 33 above the first
and second channels 35, 37 for preventing large amounts of liquid from
splashing into the first and second channels 35, 37. The shield members 43
may curve downwardly away from the respective intermediate partition 33
and may extend outward of the upper ends of the first and second side
members 29, 31 as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each longeron 21 may
include a downwardly extending fin 45 attached to the bottom member 27
substantially midway between the first and second side members 29, 31 in
line with the intermediate partition 33 and extending the length thereof.
One or more apertures 47 may be provided through the fin 45 (see FIG. 4)
to allow typical suspended ceiling structure, fire suspression systems, or
the like, (not shown) to be hung therefrom with wires, or the like, as
will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific
construction, size and material of the longerons 21 may vary as will now
be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, for example, each longeron
21 may be extruded out of aluminum, formed from sheet steel, etc.
The longerons 21' are similar to the basic longerons 21 but may be
specifically constructed for placement adjacent a wall or the like (e.g.,
the third wall 20 as shown in FIG. 2). More specifically, the longerons
21' may be constructed with a cross sectional shape of half of the basic
longerons 21 as clearly shown in FIG. 2 with identical components
identified by like numerals. Such a construction allows the longerons 21
to be placed substantially directly against a wall or other structure as
will now be apparent to those skilled in the art.
The leak-proof ceiling structure 11 includes suspension means for
suspending the longerons 21 beneath the roof 13.
The suspension means preferably includes a first bracket 49 (see, in
general, FIGS. 5 and 6) for attaching the first end 23 of each of the
longerons 21 to the first wall 17 with each of the longerons 21 spaced
apart from the other. Each of the brackets 49 preferably includes a plate
member 51 for fitting against and being secured to an upper portion of the
first wall 17. More specifically, each plate member 51 may have one or
more apertures 53 therethrough and screws, or the like, (not shown) may be
used to fixedly secure the brackets 49 to the first wall 17. Each of the
first brackets 49 preferably includes a pair of spaced-apart arms 55
attached to the plate member 51 and extending outwardly therefrom. The
arms 55 are spaced from one another a distance slightly greater than the
thickness of the intermediate partition 33 of the longerons 21 to define a
slot 57 into which the intermediate partition 33 of the longerons 21 can
be inserted. Apertures 59 may be provided through the arms 55 to allow
screws, or the like, (not shown) to pass therethrough into the
intermediate partition 33 of a longeron 21 and to securely attach the
longeron 21 to the bracket 49. A transverse groove 61 is preferably
provided across the lower edge of each arm 55 at a point adjacent the
plate member 51 for reasons which will hereinafter become apparent. The
specific construction, size and material of the brackets 49 may vary as
will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, for example, each
bracket 49 may be formed from sheet steel, etc.
The suspension means also preferably includes a second bracket 63 (see, in
general, FIGS. 7 and 8) for attaching the second end 25 of each of the
longerons 21 to the second wall 19 with each of the longerons 21 spaced
apart from the other. Each of the brackets 63 preferably includes a plate
member 65 for fitting against and being secured to an upper portion of the
second wall 19. More specifically, each plate member 65 may have one or
more apertures 67 therethrough and screws, or the like, (not shown) may be
used to fixedly secure the brackets 63 to the second wall 19. Each of the
brackets 63 preferably includes a pair of arms 69 attached to the plate
member 65 and extending outwardly therefrom. The arms 69 are respectively
shaped for each to receive a portion of the bottom member 27 and one of
the side members 29, 31 of one of the longerons 21. More specifically, the
arms 69 are preferably shaped so as to coact to define a square cavity 71
having an upper slot 73 and a lower slot 75. The square cavity 71 is
slightly larger in size than the open-top square defined by the bottom
member 27 and side members 29, 31 of each longeron 21 for slidably
receiving the longeron 21 with the intermediate partition 33 extending
into the upper slot 73 and with the fin 45 extending into the lower slot
75. The specific construction, size and material of the brackets 63 may
vary as will now he apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, for
example, each bracket 63 may be extruded out of aluminum, formed from
sheet steel, etc.
The leak-proof ceiling structure 11 includes a trough means 77 suspended
from the longerons 21 for catching any liquid that may leak from the roof
13 and for conveying any such liquid away from the protected space 15. The
trough means 77 preferably includes one or more elongated trough members
78 (see, in general, FIGS. 9 and 10) for being suspended from and between
adjacent longerons 21. Each trough member 78 preferably has elongated
first and second sides 79, 80, respectively, for being coupled to adjacent
longerons 21; first and second ends 81, 82, respectively, for being
positioned adjacent the first and second walls 17, 19, respectively; and a
substantially flat bottom member 83 extending between the sides 79, 80.
Each side 79, 80 preferably includes an elongated hook portion 85 for
hooking over the upper end of the respective side member 29, 31 of the
respective longeron 21 as clearly shown in FIG. 2. The specific
construction, size and material of the trough members 78 may vary as will
now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, for example, the trough
members 78 may be bent or otherwise formed from sheet steel, etc. Ridges
87 may be pressed or otherwise provided in the bottom member 83 of the
trough members 78 to give lateral stiffness to the trough members 78 as
will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. The ridges 87 are
preferably formed "up" so as not to collect liquid as will now be apparent
to persons skilled in the art.
The leak-proof ceiling structure 11 preferably includes gutter means 89 for
being positioned directly beneath the first end 23 of the longerons 21,
21' and the first end 81 of the trough members 78 (see FIG. 1). Any liquid
that does leak from the roof 13 will pass from the longerons 21 or trough
members 78 into the gutter means 89 and will be directed to a drain or the
like. The gutter means 89 may be of any typical construction now apparent
to those skilled in the art.
The use and operation of the leak-proof ceiling structure 11 is quite
simple. The width of the protected space 15, longerons 21 and trough
members 78 will determine the number of longerons 21 and trough members 78
needed to provide full protection. The necessary number of longerons 21
are then suspended from the roof 13 with the first end 23 thereof lower
than the second end 25 thereof to cause any liquid that may enter the
channels 35, 37 to run to the first end 23 as will now be apparent to
those skilled in the art. The longerons 21 are preferably suspended from
the roof 13 via the brackets 49, 63. Thus, the necessary number of first
brackets 49 are attached to the first wall 17 at spaced locations
depending on the width of the trough members 78 to be used. For example,
the brackets 49 may be spaced on 24 inch centers. A second bracket 63 is
attached to the second wall 19 opposite each first bracket 49. Longerons
21 are then attached to opposite ones of the brackets 49, 63 by, for
example, slidably inserting the intermediate partition 33 of the first end
23 of each longeron 21 into a slot 57 in a bracket 49 until the second end
25 of the longeron 21 can be positioned in front of the square cavity 71
of the opposite bracket 63. The second end 25 of the longeron 21 is then
slid or inserted into the square cavity 71 until the open-top square
formed by the bottom and side members 27, 29, 31 of the longeron 21 is
supported by the arms 69 of the bracket 63 while the first end 23 thereof
remains within the slot 57. Screws, or the like, (not shown) are then
inserted through the apertures 59 to secure the first end 23 of the
longeron 21 to the bracket 49. After at least an adjacent pair of
longerons 21 are so positioned, at least one trough member 78 is secured
thereto by merely positioning the flanges or hook portions 85 of the
opposite sides 79, 80 thereof over the upper ends of the respective side
members 29, 31 of the adjacent longerons 21. It should be noted that
wires, or the like, may be secured to the upper portion of the
intermediate partition 33 of each longeron 21 via the apertures 39, and
anchored to the roof 13 to suspend or provide added support for the
longerons 21 and associated structure especially in the event of extremely
long spans between the first and second walls 17, 19 as will now be
apparent to those skilled in the art. The second brackets 63 are
preferably secured to the second wall 19 in a position relative to the
first brackets 49 so as to position the second end 25 of each longeron 21
higher vertically than the first ends 23 thereof, and consequently to
position the second end of each trough member 78 higher than the first end
thereof, whereby any liquid that might leak through the roof 13 will fall
onto either a longeron 21 or a trough member 78 and will run toward the
first wall 17. The gutter means 89 is preferably attached to the first
wall 17 directly beneath the first brackets 49 and the first end 81 of the
trough members 78. Flashing 91 (see FIG. 1) may be attached to the wall 19
to direct any liquid leaking from roof 13 into a trough member 78 or
longeron 21 as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Flashing
92 may be attached to the wall 17 with the same fasteners securing
brackets 49 to direct my liquid running down the wall 17 into the gutter
means 89. It should be noted that rather than being separate from the
gutter means 89, the flashing 92 may be integral therewith. That is, the
gutter mean 89 could be constructed with unequal sides and could be
mounted with the longer side mounted against the wall 17 and extending
between the wall 17 and the brackets 49 to serve as the flashing 92 as
will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. The transverse grooves
61 in the arms 55 of the first brackets 49 will cause liquid that may run
down the arm 55 toward the plate member 51 to drop into the gutter means
89 as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with
respect to a preferred embodiment and a preferred use therefor, it is not
to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which
are within the full intended scope of the invention.
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