JP7847026B2 - Suspended ceiling structure - Google Patents

Description

Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies (1) Date of shipment April 12, 2021 (2) Destination of shipment (Address) 1-7 Shodai Tajika, Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture (Name) Itochu Logistics Co., Ltd., Hirakata Logistics Center (3) Disclosing party Galilei Panel Create Co., Ltd. (4) Content of the disclosed invention Galilei Panel Create Co., Ltd. shipped parts related to the implementation of the "suspended ceiling structure" invented by Hirotaka Kimata and Katsuma Ohashi to Itochu Logistics Co., Ltd., Hirakata Logistics Center.

This invention relates to a suspended ceiling structure applicable, for example, in prefabricated refrigerators and freezers, logistics centers, food processing rooms, clean rooms, and the like.

For example, a conventional suspended ceiling structure applicable to prefabricated refrigerators and freezers is known, as described in Patent Document 1.
Figures 10 to 12 show the conventional suspended ceiling structure described above. In the following description of the suspended ceiling structure, "up and down" and "left and right" refer to the up and down and left and right sides of Figures 11 and 12, respectively, and "front and back" refer to both sides in the depth direction (the longitudinal direction of the first support beam (2A) and the second support beam (2B)) of Figures 11 and 12.

The first embodiment of the above-described suspended ceiling structure, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, comprises a plurality of ceiling panels (1) arranged in multiple rows in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions to constitute the ceiling, and a first support beam (2A) made of a lip channel shape material such as lip channel steel that extends in the front-to-back direction and opens to the right, which is suspended from the building structure (not shown) by suspension means (5) and is attached across the upper surfaces of the side edges of adjacent ceiling panels (1) on the left and right.
The first support beam (2A) is attached to the upper left edge of the ceiling panel (1) located on the same side as the opening of the first support beam (2A), i.e., the right side, of the two adjacent ceiling panels (1) on the left and right sides, by a first mounting bracket (3). The first mounting bracket (3) consists of a mounting bracket body (30a) having a horizontal wall portion (31) screw-connected to the upper left edge of the ceiling panel (1) and a downward opening groove-shaped portion (32) formed to overlap the lower opening edge portion (21) of the first support beam (2A) connected to the left edge of the horizontal wall portion (31), and a pair of wedge members (30b) that are inserted from both the front and rear sides into the gap between the downward opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) and the lower opening edge portion (21) of the first support beam (2A) to fasten them together.
Furthermore, the first support beam (2A) is attached to the upper right edge of the ceiling panel (1) located on the left side, opposite to the opening of the first support beam (2A), by a second mounting bracket (4). The second mounting bracket (4) consists of a lower horizontal wall portion (41) screw-connected to the upper right edge of the ceiling panel (1), a rising wall portion (42) extending upward from the right edge of the lower horizontal wall portion (41) and screw-connected to the outer surface of the vertical wall portion (22) of the first support beam (2A), an upper horizontal wall portion (43) extending to the right, connected to the upper end edge of the rising wall portion (42) and overlapping the outer surface of the upper horizontal wall portion (23) of the first support beam (2A), and a hanging wall portion (44) extending downward, connected to the tip edge of the upper horizontal wall portion (43) and along the outer surface of the opening upper edge portion (24) of the first support beam (2A).

Next, as shown in Figure 12, the second embodiment of the conventional suspended ceiling structure comprises a plurality of ceiling panels (1) arranged in multiple rows in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions to constitute the ceiling, and a second support beam (2B) made of a lip H-shaped material such as a lip H-shaped steel that extends in the front-to-back direction and opens on both the left and right sides, which is suspended from the building structure by suspension means (5) and is attached across the upper surfaces of the side edges of adjacent ceiling panels (1) on the left and right.
The second support beam (2B) is attached to the upper right edge of the ceiling panel (1) located to the left of the second support beam (2B) among two adjacent ceiling panels (1) on the left and right sides by the left first mounting bracket (3). The left first mounting bracket (3) consists of a mounting bracket body (30a) having a horizontal wall portion (31) screw-connected to the upper right edge of the ceiling panel (1) and a downward opening groove-shaped portion (32) formed to overlap the left opening lower edge portion (21) of the second support beam (2B) connected to the right edge of the horizontal wall portion (31), and a pair of wedge members (30b) that are inserted from both the front and rear sides into the gap between the downward opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) and the left opening lower edge portion (21) of the second support beam (2B) to fasten them together.
Furthermore, the second support beam (2B) is attached to the upper surface of the left edge of the ceiling panel (1) located to the right of the second support beam (2B) among the adjacent ceiling panels (1) on the left and right by the right-side first mounting bracket (3). The right-side first mounting bracket (3) consists of a mounting bracket body (30a) having a horizontal wall portion (31) screw-connected to the upper surface of the left edge of the ceiling panel (1) and a downward opening groove-shaped portion (32) formed to overlap the right-side opening lower edge portion (21) of the second support beam (2B) connected to the left edge of the horizontal wall portion (31), and a pair of wedge members (30b) that are inserted from both the front and rear sides into the gap between the downward opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) and the right-side opening lower edge portion (21) of the second support beam (2B) to fasten them together.

Furthermore, although not shown in the illustrations, in the suspended ceiling structures of the first and second embodiments described above, the edges of the ceiling panels located in the outer perimeter area of the ceiling are supported by the upper edges of the wall panels, etc.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-204711

In the conventional suspended ceiling structure described above, the first support beam (2A) or the second support beam (2B) is attached to the ceiling panel (1) located on the opening side thereof by a first mounting bracket (3) consisting of a mounting bracket body (30a) and a pair of wedge members (30b). While this structure is excellent in terms of ease of installation, it has the following problems.
In other words, when an earthquake occurs, the horizontal seismic force applied to the structure is transmitted to the ceiling panel (1) sequentially via the suspension means (5), the first support beam (2A) or the second support beam (2B), the first mounting bracket (3) and the second mounting bracket (4) (first embodiment) or the first mounting brackets (3) on both the left and right sides (second embodiment). However, the ceiling panel (1) attached to the first support beam (2A) or the second support beam (2B) by the first mounting bracket (3) slides laterally in the shear direction, causing adjacent ceiling panels (1) to behave independently. As a result, ceiling panels (1) located in the outer perimeter area may collide with structural members of the building, etc., and there was a risk that the ceiling panels (1) would detach from the first support beam (2A) or the second support beam (2B) and fall.
To avoid such a situation, one could consider setting a large clearance between ceiling panels located in the outer perimeter area of the ceiling and adjacent structural materials of the building, taking into account the lateral sliding of ceiling panels during an earthquake. However, this would lead to the problem of reducing the interior (room) dimensions.

This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a suspended ceiling structure applicable to prefabricated refrigerators and freezers that can prevent the ceiling panel from falling off during an earthquake without reducing the internal dimensions.

This invention, in order to achieve the above objective, comprises the following embodiments.

(1) Multiple ceiling panels arranged in multiple rows in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions to constitute the ceiling,
It comprises a lip groove profile member that extends in the front-to-back direction and has an opening on either the left or right side, which is suspended from the building structure and is attached across the upper surface of the side edges of adjacent ceiling panels on the left and right sides, and a first support beam.
The first support beam is attached to the upper surface of the side edge of the ceiling panel located on the same side as the opening of the first support beam among two adjacent ceiling panels on the left and right by a first mounting bracket. The first mounting bracket consists of a mounting bracket body having a horizontal wall portion screw-connected to the upper surface of the side edge of the ceiling panel and a downward opening groove-shaped portion formed to overlap the lower edge of the opening of the first support beam, which is connected to one side edge of the horizontal wall portion, and a pair of wedge members that are inserted from both the front and rear sides into the gap between the downward opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body and the lower edge of the opening of the first support beam to fasten the two together.
Furthermore, the first support beam is attached to the upper surface of the side edge of the ceiling panel located on the opposite side of the opening of the first support beam by a second mounting bracket. The second mounting bracket consists of a lower horizontal wall portion screw-connected to the upper surface of the side edge of the ceiling panel, a rising wall portion extending upward from one side edge of the lower horizontal wall portion and screw-connected to the outer surface of the vertical wall portion of the first support beam, an upper horizontal wall portion extending laterally from the upper end edge of the rising wall portion and overlapping the outer surface of the upper horizontal wall portion of the first support beam, and a hanging wall portion extending downward from the tip edge of the upper horizontal wall portion and along the outer surface of the upper edge of the opening of the first support beam.
Furthermore, the suspended ceiling structure is characterized in that the lower opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body of the first mounting bracket and the lower opening edge portion of the first support beam are fixed by a fixing means capable of preventing relative movement between the two in the front-to-back direction.

(2) The suspended ceiling structure of (1), wherein the fixing means consists of a fixing screw member that is screwed into the lower opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body of the first mounting bracket and the lower edge of the opening of the first support beam, while avoiding a pair of wedge members, and passing through both in the left-right direction.

(3) The suspended ceiling structure of (1), wherein the fixing means comprises a fixing engagement member having a first engagement portion that engages with a portion of a connecting screw member for screw-connecting the rising wall portion of the second mounting bracket to the outer surface of the vertical wall portion of the first support beam, which protrudes from the inner surface of the vertical wall portion of the first support beam toward the opening side, and a second engagement portion that engages with the lower opening groove portion of the mounting bracket body of the first mounting bracket.

(4) Multiple ceiling panels arranged in multiple rows in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions to constitute the ceiling,
It consists of a lip H-shaped member that extends in the front-to-back direction and has openings on both the left and right sides, and is suspended from the building structure, and is also equipped with a second support beam that spans the upper surface of the side edges of adjacent ceiling panels on the left and right.
Of the two adjacent ceiling panels, the second support beam is attached to the upper right edge of the ceiling panel located to the left of the second support beam by the left first mounting bracket. The left first mounting bracket consists of a mounting bracket body having a horizontal wall portion screw-connected to the upper right edge of the ceiling panel and a downward opening groove-shaped portion formed to overlap the lower left opening of the second support beam, which is connected to the right edge of the horizontal wall portion, and a pair of wedge members inserted from both the front and rear sides into the gap between the downward opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body and the lower left opening of the second support beam to fasten the two together.
Furthermore, the second support beam is attached to the upper surface of the left edge of the ceiling panel located to the right of the second support beam among the adjacent ceiling panels on the left and right by the right-side first mounting bracket. The right-side first mounting bracket consists of a mounting bracket body having a horizontal wall portion screw-connected to the upper surface of the left edge of the ceiling panel and a downward opening groove-shaped portion formed to overlap the right-side opening lower edge of the second support beam, which is connected to the left edge of the horizontal wall portion, and a pair of wedge members that are inserted from both the front and rear sides into the gap between the downward opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body and the right-side opening lower edge of the second support beam to fasten the two together.
Furthermore, the suspended ceiling structure is characterized in that the lower opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body of the first mounting bracket on each side and the lower opening edge portions on each side of the second support beam are fixed by fixing means that can prevent relative movement between them in the front and back directions.

(5) The suspended ceiling structure according to (4), wherein the fixing means consists of fixing screw members that are screwed into the lower opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body of the first mounting bracket on each side and the lower edge of the opening on each side of the second support beam, while avoiding a pair of wedge members, so as to penetrate both in the left-right direction.

According to the suspended ceiling structure described in (1) above, the relative forward and backward movement between the lower opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body of the first mounting bracket and the lower opening edge portion of the first support beam is prevented by the fixing means. Therefore, when an earthquake occurs, lateral sliding in the shear direction of the ceiling panel attached to the first support beam by the first mounting bracket is suppressed.
Therefore, according to the suspended ceiling structure described in (1) above, it is possible to avoid the ceiling panels falling off during an earthquake, and the clearance between the ceiling panels located in the outer perimeter area of the ceiling and the building's structural materials adjacent to them can be minimized, thereby securing a larger interior space.

According to the suspended ceiling structure described in (2) above, fixing screws are used as fixing means, which are screwed into the lower opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body of the first mounting bracket and the lower edge of the opening of the first support beam. Since self-drilling screws, for example, can be used as these screws, there is no need to prepare special components, costs are reduced, and installation is relatively easy.

According to the suspended ceiling structure described in (3) above, the fixing means consists of a fixing engagement member. By engaging its first engagement portion with the portion of the connecting screw member that protrudes towards the opening of the first support beam, and engaging its second engagement portion with the lower opening groove of the mounting bracket body of the first mounting bracket, the installation is completed, thus facilitating construction.

According to the suspended ceiling structure described in (4) above, the relative forward and backward movement between the lower opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body on each side of the first mounting bracket and the lower opening edge portion on each side of the second support beam is prevented by the fixing means. Therefore, when an earthquake occurs, lateral sliding in the shear direction of the ceiling panels attached to the second support beam by the first mounting brackets on each side is suppressed.
Therefore, according to the suspended ceiling structure described in (4) above, it is possible to avoid the ceiling panels falling off during an earthquake, and the clearance between the ceiling panels located in the outer perimeter area of the ceiling and the building's structural materials adjacent to them can be minimized, thereby securing a larger interior space.

According to the suspended ceiling structure described in (5) above, fixing screws are used as fixing means, which are screwed into the lower opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body of the first mounting bracket on each side and into the lower edge of the opening on each side of the second support beam. Since self-drilling screws, for example, can be used as these screw screws, there is no need to prepare special components, costs are reduced, and installation is relatively easy.

This is a vertical cross-sectional view taken when the ceiling is cut in the left-right direction, showing a suspended ceiling structure according to the first embodiment of this invention. This shows the suspended ceiling structure, specifically a vertical cross-section taken when the ceiling is cut in the front-to-back direction. This shows the first mounting bracket used in the suspended ceiling structure, where (a) is a plan view and (b) is a front view. (a) is a plan view showing the lateral sliding state of the ceiling panels during an earthquake in a conventional suspended ceiling structure (Patent Document 1), and (b) is a plan view showing the lateral sliding state of the ceiling panels during an earthquake in a suspended ceiling structure of the first embodiment. This shows a suspended ceiling structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a vertical cross-sectional view taken when the ceiling is cut in the left-right direction. This is a horizontal cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI in Figure 5. This shows the first mounting bracket used in the suspended ceiling structure, where (a) is a side view, (b) is a top view, and (c) is a front view. This shows the fixing engagement members used in the suspended ceiling structure, with (a) being a side view, (b) being a top view, and (c) being a front view. This shows a suspended ceiling structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a vertical cross-sectional view taken when the ceiling is cut in the left-right direction. This shows a first embodiment of a conventional suspended ceiling structure (Patent Document 1), and is an exploded perspective view taken from above. This shows a first embodiment of the suspended ceiling structure, and is a vertical cross-sectional view taken when the ceiling is cut in the left-right direction. This shows a second embodiment of a conventional suspended ceiling structure (Patent Document 1), and is a vertical cross-sectional view taken when cut in the left-right direction.

Embodiments of this invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 9.
In the following explanation, "up and down" and "left and right" refer to the top and bottom and left and right sides of Figures 1, 5, and 9 respectively, and "front and back" refer to both sides in the depth direction of Figures 1, 5, and 9 (both sides in the left and right direction of Figure 2).
Note that the same reference numerals are used for members and parts that are the same as those in the conventional suspended ceiling structure (Patent Document 1) described earlier with reference to Figures 10 to 12, and redundant explanations may be omitted. On the other hand, in the following description of embodiments of this invention, the same reference numerals are used in Figures 10 to 12 for members and parts of the suspended ceiling structure that are the same as those in the suspended ceiling structure of Figures 10 to 12, in order to facilitate comparison.

[First Embodiment]

Figures 1 to 3 show a suspended ceiling structure according to the first embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment of the conventional suspended ceiling structure shown in Figures 10 and 11, a first support beam (2A) made of a lip-groove profile is used as the support beam, and a first mounting bracket (3) and a second mounting bracket (4) are used as means for attaching the ceiling panel (1) to the first support beam (2A).

Here, the ceiling panel (1) is composed of, for example, an insulating panel. More specifically, the ceiling panel (1) comprises two upper and lower surface panels (11), a frame member (12) interposed and fixed between the opposing front, rear, left, and right side edges of both surface panels (11), and insulating material (13) filled in the internal space defined by both surface panels (11) and the frame member (12). Each surface panel (11) is made of, for example, color-coated steel sheet (PCM). The frame member (12) is made of, for example, a synthetic resin profile such as polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC). Note that the frame member may be omitted. The insulating material (13) is made of, for example, a synthetic resin foam such as urethane foam or isocyanurate foam, or rock wool.

The "lip channel profile" used as the first support beam (2A) may be formed from, for example, lip channel steel, or from an aluminum extruded profile having the same cross-sectional shape.

The suspension means (5) for holding the first support beam (2A) suspended from the building structure is composed of, for example, a vertical turnbuckle (51), a support bolt (52) screwed into the upper end of the turnbuckle (51), an eye bolt (53) screwed into the lower end of the turnbuckle (51), a first support fitting (54) having a lower hook portion (541) that hooks onto the upper edge (24) of the opening of the first support beam (2A) and an upper mounting portion (542) that is attached to the ring-shaped lower end of the eye bolt (53) with a bolt (56) and nut (57), and a second support fitting (55) having a lower mounting portion (551) that is screw-connected to the outer surface of the vertical wall portion (22) of the first support beam (2A) and an upper mounting portion (552) that is attached to the ring-shaped lower end of the eye bolt (53) with a bolt (56) and nut (57).
The lower mounting portion (551) of the second support bracket (55) is joined to the outer surface of the vertical wall portion (22) of the first support beam (2A) by a connecting screw member, such as a self-drilling screw (58).
Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the upper end of the support bolt (52) is fixed to the building's structure, such as a beam, via an appropriate support member.
The first support beam (2A) is usually suspended and held by a suspension means (5) so as to be perpendicular to the structural elements of the building, such as beams.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first support beam (2A) is suspended by the suspension means (5) at a position offset in the longitudinal direction from the first mounting bracket (3) and the second mounting bracket (4). In addition, although not shown in the figures, it may also be suspended by the suspension means (5) at a position overlapping with the first mounting bracket (3) and the second mounting bracket (4). In the latter case, the second mounting bracket (4) is attached to the first support beam (2A) first, and then the first support bracket (54) and the second support bracket (55) of the suspension means (5) are attached to the outside of it.

The horizontal wall portion (31) of the first mounting bracket (3) is joined and fixed to the ceiling panel (1) by, for example, as shown in the figure, by inserting bolts (15) through bolt insertion holes (311) in the horizontal wall portion (31) and bolt insertion holes in the receiving bracket (14) embedded in the ceiling panel (1), and screwing them into nuts (16) fixed to the lower surface of the receiving bracket (14).
Each of the front and rear wedge members (30b) has a roughly U-shaped cross-section that is elongated in the front-to-back direction, and a tapered planar shape that gradually narrows towards the tip. These pair of wedge members (10b) are inserted from both the front and rear sides into the gap between the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) (more specifically, the outer wall portion (left side wall portion in the figure) (322) of the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32) (322)) and the lower left opening edge portion (21) of the second support beam (2B), thereby fastening and securing the two together.

The lower horizontal wall portion (41) of the second mounting bracket (4) is also joined and fixed to the ceiling panel (1) by, for example, as shown in the figure, by inserting bolts (15) through bolt insertion holes (411) in the lower horizontal wall portion (41) and bolt insertion holes in the mounting bracket (14) embedded in the ceiling panel (1), and screwing them into nuts (16) fixed to the lower surface of the mounting bracket (14).
The rising wall portion (42) of the second mounting bracket (4) is screw-connected to the outer surface of the vertical wall portion (22) of the first support beam (2A) by a connecting screw member consisting of, for example, a hexagonal self-drilling screw (6). Alternatively, tapping screws or bolts and nuts may be used instead of self-drilling screws. The self-drilling screws (6) shown in Figures 1 and 2 are larger in diameter and length than the self-drilling screws (6) used in the conventional suspended ceiling structure shown in Figure 11. This increases the joint strength between the first support beam (2A) and the left ceiling panel (1), further suppressing the occurrence of lateral slippage of the ceiling panel (1) due to horizontal seismic forces. Although not shown in the figures, the rising wall portion (42) of the second mounting bracket (4) may also be joined to the outer surface of the vertical wall portion (22) of the first support beam (2A) using two or more connecting screw members such as self-drilling screws (6), which also effectively suppresses the occurrence of lateral slippage of the ceiling panel (1).

In the suspended ceiling structure of the first embodiment, the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) of the first mounting bracket (3) and the lower opening edge portion (21) of the first support beam (2A) are fixed by a fixing means that prevents relative movement between the two in the front-rear direction, and this is a major feature of the structure.
The above-described fixing means consists of a fixing screw member (7) that is screwed into the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) of the first mounting bracket (3) and the lower opening edge portion (21) of the first support beam (2A), while avoiding a pair of wedge members (30b), so as to penetrate both in the left-right direction.
Examples of fixing screw members (7) include self-drilling screws such as hexagonal self-drilling screws, but self-tapping screws or bolts and nuts can also be used. However, self-drilling screws are preferable as fixing screw members (7) because they do not require alignment, offer excellent workability, and have relatively high holding power. In the case of self-drilling screws, they are sequentially screwed into the inner wall portion (321) (right side in the figure) of the lower opening groove portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) that is closer to the horizontal wall portion (31), the lower opening edge portion (21) of the first support beam (2A), and the outer wall portion (322) (left side in the figure) of the lower opening groove portion (32), thereby connecting and fixing the lower opening groove portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) and the lower opening edge portion (21) of the first support beam (2A) so that they cannot move relative to each other in the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figure 3, pilot holes (321a) and (322a) are formed in the inner wall portion (321) and outer wall portion (322) of the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a), thereby facilitating positioning when screwing in the self-drilling screw (7). However, pilot holes (321a) and (322a) may not be formed in some cases.
Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, a single self-drilling screw is used as the fixing screw member (7) so as to penetrate the central part of the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32), but two or more fixing screw members such as self-drilling screws may be used as long as they do not interfere with the pair of wedge members (30b).

Figure 4 schematically shows the lateral sliding state of the ceiling panel (1) during an earthquake in the suspended ceiling structure of the first embodiment described above, in comparison with a conventional suspended ceiling structure (Patent Document 1).
In the case of the conventional suspended ceiling structure shown in Figure 4(a), the ceiling panel (1) located to the right of the central first support beam (2A) is fixed to the first support beam (2A) by a mounting bracket body (30a) and a pair of wedge members (30b) (see Figures 10 and 11). Therefore, when a horizontal seismic force (F) acts during an earthquake, the right ceiling panel (1) and the left ceiling panel (1) will slide laterally in opposite directions, resulting in a large deformation (D1).
In contrast, in the suspended ceiling structure of the first embodiment shown in Figure 4(b), the ceiling panel (1) located to the right of the central first support beam (2A) is fixed to the first support beam (2A) not only by the mounting bracket body (30a) and a pair of wedge members (30b), but also by fixing screw members (7) (see Figures 1 and 2). Therefore, when a horizontal seismic force (F) acts during an earthquake, the right ceiling panel (1) and the left ceiling panel (1) will slide laterally in the same direction, and the amount of deformation (D2) will be suppressed.
Therefore, according to the suspended ceiling structure of the first embodiment, the detachment of the ceiling panel (1) during an earthquake can be effectively avoided, and the clearance between the ceiling panel (1) located in the outer perimeter area of the ceiling and the building's structural materials adjacent to it can be minimized, thereby securing a wider interior space.
Furthermore, according to the suspended ceiling structure of the first embodiment, fixing screw members (7) are used as fixing means, which are screwed into the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) of the first mounting bracket (3) and the lower opening edge portion (21) of the first support beam (2A). Since self-drilling screws, for example, can be used as the fixing screw members (7), there is no need to prepare special materials, costs can be reduced, and construction can be carried out relatively easily. Moreover, since fixing screw members (7) are used as fixing means, it can also be installed as an earthquake countermeasure on existing suspended ceiling structures.

[Second Embodiment]

Figures 5 to 8 show a suspended ceiling structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This suspended ceiling structure has substantially the same configuration as the suspended ceiling structure of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, except for the following points.
In other words, in the second embodiment, a fixing engagement member (8) is used as a fixing means that can prevent the relative front-to-back movement between the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) of the first mounting bracket (3) and the lower opening edge portion (21) of the first support beam (2A).

The fixing engagement member (8) has a first engagement portion (821) that engages with a portion (61) of the connecting screw member (6) that protrudes on the opening side (right side in the figure) of the first support beam (2A) for screw-connecting the rising wall portion (42) of the second mounting bracket (4) to the outer surface of the vertical wall portion (22) of the first support beam (2A), and a second engagement portion (83) that engages with the downward opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) of the first mounting bracket (3).
More specifically, the illustrated fixing engagement member (8) comprises a rectangular bottom wall portion (81) in plan view, positioned on the upper surface of the lower horizontal wall portion (25) of the first support beam (2A); a rising wall portion (82) extending upward from one side edge (the left edge in the figure) of the bottom wall portion (81) along the inner surface of the vertical wall portion (22) of the first support beam (2A); and two front and rear engagement wall portions (83) extending upward from the front and rear side edges of the bottom wall portion (81).
A vertical first slit (821) is formed in the rising wall portion (82) of the fixing engagement member (8), extending upward from the lower edge in the central part of its front-to-back width. The upper end of the first slit (821) is semi-circular. A second slit (811) is formed in the bottom wall portion (81) of the fixing engagement member (8), extending in the left-right direction so as to be connected to the lower end of the first slit (821). The protruding portion (61) of the joining screw member (6) (the tip side of the self-drilling screw in the figure) is engaged with the first slit (821). In other words, in this embodiment, the first slit (821) (more precisely, the edge of the first slit (821)) constitutes the first engagement portion.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer wall portion (322) (left wall portion in the figure) of the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) of the first mounting bracket (3) has two vertical third slits (322b) extending upward from the lower edge, spaced apart. The central portion located between the two third slits (322b) at the lower edge of the outer wall portion (322) has a smaller downward protrusion height compared to other portions, so that a gap of a predetermined dimension is formed between it and the upper surface of the lower horizontal wall portion (25) of the first support beam (2A). The tip portion (right portion in the figure) of the bottom wall portion (81) of the fixing engagement member (8) is inserted into this gap, and the front and rear engagement wall portions (83) of the fixing engagement member (8) are inserted into the front and rear third slits (322b) of the outer wall portion (322) of the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32). In other words, in this embodiment, the two engagement walls (83) at the front and rear of the fixing engagement member (8) constitute the second engagement portion.
The fixing engagement member is not limited to the illustrated configuration, as long as it has a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion that perform the above-mentioned functions.
The installation of the fixing engagement member (8) is performed, for example, as follows, when the ceiling panel (1) is attached to the first support beam (2A) by the first mounting bracket (3) and the second mounting bracket (4). That is, with the fixing engagement member (8) tilted at a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction in Figure 5, the protruding portion (61) of the joining screw member (6) is passed through the second slit (811) and inserted between the vertical wall portion (22) of the first support beam (2A) and the outer wall portion (322) of the downward opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) of the first mounting bracket (3). Next, while rotating the fixing engagement member (8) in the counterclockwise direction shown in Figure 5, the tip portion of the bottom wall portion (81) of the fixing engagement member (8) is inserted into the gap between the center of the lower edge of the outer wall portion (322) of the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32) and the upper surface of the lower horizontal wall portion (25) of the first support beam (2A). As a result, the first slit (821) (first engagement portion) of the fixing engagement member (8) engages with the protruding portion (61) of the joining screw member (6), and the front and rear engagement wall portions (83) (second engagement portions) of the fixing engagement member (8) are inserted into and engage with the front and rear third slits (322b) of the outer wall portion (322) of the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32).
In the suspended ceiling structure shown in the figure, a self-drilling screw is used as the connecting screw member (6), and the first engaging portion (821) of the fixing engaging member (8) is engaged with the tip portion (61) of the self-drilling screw. However, the screwing direction of the self-drilling screw may be reversed so that the first engaging portion (821) is engaged with the head of the self-drilling screw. Also, if a screw member other than a self-drilling screw (for example, a tapping screw or a bolt and nut) is used as the connecting screw member, the first engaging portion (821) may be engaged with the portion of the screw member that protrudes towards the opening side of the first support beam (2A) (the tip and head of a tapping screw, the head of a bolt, a nut, etc.).

The suspended ceiling structure of the second embodiment described above provides substantially the same effects as the suspended ceiling structure of the first embodiment.
Furthermore, in this suspended ceiling structure, the fixing engagement member (8) is used as a means of fixing the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) of the first mounting bracket (3) to the lower opening edge portion (21) of the first support beam (2A), thus further improving ease of installation.

[Third Embodiment]

Figure 9 shows a suspended ceiling structure according to a third embodiment of this invention.
In this embodiment of the suspended ceiling structure, similar to the second embodiment of the conventional suspended ceiling structure shown in Figure 12, a second support beam (2B) made of a lip H-shaped material is used as a support beam, and a left-side first mounting bracket (3) and a right-side first mounting bracket (3) are used as means for attaching the ceiling panel (1) to the second support beam (2B).

Here, the "lip H-shaped member" used as the second support beam (2B) may be formed from a lip H-shaped steel, as shown in Figure 12, or it may be formed from an aluminum extruded member or the like having the same cross-sectional shape. Also, as shown in Figure 9, the second support beam (2B) may be formed by joining and integrating two lip channel members, such as lip channel steel, with their vertical wall outer surfaces overlapping using bolts (26) and nuts (27).
The suspension means (5) for holding the second support beam (2B) suspended from the building structure is composed of, for example, a vertical turnbuckle (51), a support bolt (52) screwed into the upper end of the turnbuckle (51), an eye bolt (53) screwed into the lower end of the turnbuckle (51), and two left and right first support fittings (54) having a lower hook portion (541) that hooks onto the upper edge portions (24) of the openings on each side of the second support beam (2B) and an upper mounting portion (542) that is attached to the ring-shaped lower end of the eye bolt (53) with a bolt (56) and a nut (57).

In the suspended ceiling structure of the third embodiment, the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) of the first mounting bracket (3) on each side and the lower opening edge portions (21) on each side of the second support beam (2B) are fixed by fixing means that can prevent relative movement between them in the front and back directions, and this is a distinguishing feature.
The above-described fixing means consists of fixing screw members (7) that are screwed into the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) of the first mounting bracket (3) on each side and the lower opening edge portion (21) on each side of the second support beam (2B), while avoiding a pair of wedge members (30b), so as to penetrate both in the left-right direction. The fixing screw members (7) are substantially the same as the fixing screw members (7) of the first embodiment, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

In the suspended ceiling structure of the third embodiment described above, the ceiling panels (1) located on both the left and right sides of the second support beam (2B) are fixed to the second support beam (2B) not only by the mounting bracket body (30a) and a pair of wedge members (30b), but also by fixing screw members (7). Therefore, when a horizontal seismic force acts during an earthquake, the ceiling panels (1) located on both the left and right sides of the second support beam (2B) will slide laterally in the same direction, thus suppressing the amount of deformation.
Therefore, according to the suspended ceiling structure of the third embodiment, the detachment of the ceiling panel (1) during an earthquake can be effectively avoided, and the clearance between the ceiling panel (1) located in the outer perimeter area of the ceiling and the building's structural materials adjacent to it can be minimized, thereby securing a larger interior space.
Furthermore, according to the suspended ceiling structure of the third embodiment, fixing screw members (7) are used as fixing means, which are screwed into the lower opening groove-shaped portion (32) of the mounting bracket body (30a) of the first mounting bracket (3) on each side and into the lower opening edge portions (21) on each side of the second support beam (2B). Since self-drilling screws, for example, can be used as the screw members (7), there is no need to prepare special materials, costs can be reduced, and construction can be carried out relatively easily. Moreover, since fixing screw members (7) are used as fixing means, it can also be installed as an earthquake countermeasure on existing suspended ceiling structures.

Furthermore, this invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments described above, and it is certainly possible to implement it with appropriate modifications without departing from the gist of the invention as described in the claims.

This invention is suitably usable as a suspended ceiling structure in prefabricated refrigerators and freezers, logistics centers, food processing rooms, clean rooms, and the like.

(1): Ceiling panel
(2A): First support beam
(2B): Second support beam
(21): Lower edge of the opening
(22)：Vertical wall part
(23): Upper horizontal wall
(24): Upper edge of the opening
(3): First mounting bracket
(30a): Mounting bracket body
(31)：Horizontal wall part
(32)：Downward opening groove part
(30b): Wedge member
(4): Second mounting bracket
(41)：Lower horizontal wall part
(42): Rising wall section
(43): Upper horizontal wall
(44): Hanging wall part
(6): Self-drilling screws (screw components for joining)
(61): The portion of the first support beam that protrudes towards the opening.
(7): Fixing screw member (fixing means)
(8): Fixing engagement member
(821): First slit (first engagement portion)
(83): Engagement wall part (second engagement part)

Claims (3)

Multiple ceiling panels are arranged in multiple rows in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions to form the ceiling,
It comprises a lip groove profile member that extends in the front-to-back direction and has an opening on either the left or right side, which is suspended from the building structure and is attached across the upper surface of the side edges of adjacent ceiling panels on the left and right sides, and a first support beam.
The first support beam is attached to the upper surface of the side edge of the ceiling panel located on the same side as the opening of the first support beam among two adjacent ceiling panels on the left and right by a first mounting bracket. The first mounting bracket consists of a mounting bracket body having a horizontal wall portion screw-connected to the upper surface of the side edge of the ceiling panel and a downward opening groove-shaped portion formed to overlap the lower edge of the opening of the first support beam, which is connected to one side edge of the horizontal wall portion, and a pair of wedge members that are inserted from both the front and rear sides into the gap between the downward opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body and the lower edge of the opening of the first support beam to fasten the two together.
Furthermore, the first support beam is attached to the upper surface of the side edge of the ceiling panel located on the opposite side of the opening of the first support beam by a second mounting bracket. The second mounting bracket consists of a lower horizontal wall portion screw-connected to the upper surface of the side edge of the ceiling panel, a rising wall portion extending upward from one side edge of the lower horizontal wall portion and screw-connected to the outer surface of the vertical wall portion of the first support beam, an upper horizontal wall portion extending laterally from the upper end edge of the rising wall portion and overlapping the outer surface of the upper horizontal wall portion of the first support beam, and a hanging wall portion extending downward from the tip edge of the upper horizontal wall portion and along the outer surface of the upper edge of the opening of the first support beam.
Furthermore, the lower opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body of the first mounting bracket and the lower opening edge portion of the first support beam are fixed together by a fixing means capable of preventing relative movement between them in the front-to-back direction.
The above-mentioned fixing means consists of a fixing screw member that is screwed into the lower opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body of the first mounting bracket and the lower edge of the opening of the first support beam, while avoiding a pair of wedge members, and passing through both in the left-right direction.
In this suspended ceiling structure, the fixing screw members are arranged so as to be vertically aligned with the connecting screw members used to screw-connect the rising wall portion of the second mounting bracket to the outer surface of the vertical wall portion of the first support beam, when viewed from the left or right direction . Multiple ceiling panels are arranged in multiple rows in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions to form the ceiling,
It comprises a lip groove profile member that extends in the front-to-back direction and has an opening on either the left or right side, which is suspended from the building structure and is attached across the upper surface of the side edges of adjacent ceiling panels on the left and right sides, and a first support beam.
The first support beam is attached to the upper surface of the side edge of the ceiling panel located on the same side as the opening of the first support beam among two adjacent ceiling panels on the left and right by a first mounting bracket. The first mounting bracket consists of a mounting bracket body having a horizontal wall portion screw-connected to the upper surface of the side edge of the ceiling panel and a downward opening groove-shaped portion formed to overlap the lower edge of the opening of the first support beam, which is connected to one side edge of the horizontal wall portion, and a pair of wedge members that are inserted from both the front and rear sides into the gap between the downward opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body and the lower edge of the opening of the first support beam to fasten the two together.
Furthermore, the first support beam is attached to the upper surface of the side edge of the ceiling panel located on the opposite side of the opening of the first support beam by a second mounting bracket. The second mounting bracket consists of a lower horizontal wall portion screw-connected to the upper surface of the side edge of the ceiling panel, a rising wall portion extending upward from one side edge of the lower horizontal wall portion and screw-connected to the outer surface of the vertical wall portion of the first support beam, an upper horizontal wall portion extending laterally from the upper end edge of the rising wall portion and overlapping the outer surface of the upper horizontal wall portion of the first support beam, and a hanging wall portion extending downward from the tip edge of the upper horizontal wall portion and along the outer surface of the upper edge of the opening of the first support beam.
Furthermore, the lower opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body of the first mounting bracket and the lower opening edge portion of the first support beam are fixed together by a fixing means capable of preventing relative movement between them in the front-to-back direction.
A suspended ceiling structure comprising a fixing engagement member having a first engagement portion which is immovably engaged in the front-to-back direction with a portion of a connecting screw member for screw-connecting the rising wall portion of the second mounting bracket to the outer surface of the vertical wall portion of the first support beam that protrudes from the inner surface of the vertical wall portion of the first support beam toward the opening , and a second engagement portion which is immovably engaged in the front-to-back direction with the lower opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body of the first mounting bracket. The fixing engagement member comprises a bottom wall portion positioned on the upper surface of the lower horizontal wall portion of the first support beam, a rising wall portion extending upward from one side edge of the bottom wall portion along the inner surface of the vertical wall portion of the first support beam, and two engagement wall portions extending upward from the front and rear side edges of the bottom wall portion.
A vertical first slit is formed in the rising wall portion, and the edge of the first slit constitutes a first engaging portion that is immovably engaged with the protruding portion of the joining screw member in the front-to-back direction.
The suspended ceiling structure according to claim 2, wherein two vertical third slits extending upward from the lower edge are formed at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction on the outer wall of the lower opening groove-shaped portion of the mounting bracket body of the first mounting bracket, and the two front and rear engaging wall portions of the fixing engaging member constitute a second engaging portion that is engaged with the edges of the two front and rear third slits in a manner that prevents movement in the front-rear direction.