Tray ceiling for drop ceilings and method of manufacture and installation therefor

Abstract

A tray ceiling for drop ceilings and method of manufacture and installation therefor, wherein a selected area of foam panels and associated intersecting and supporting T-bars of a drop ceiling are removed to form an open area or clearing bordered by a perimeter of T-bars, thereby enabling a suitably dimensioned tray ceiling of simple and light-weight construction to be received, seated, and supported on the perimeter of T-bars, and wherein the tray ceiling is sufficiently structured to support the weight of conventional light fixtures and / or ceiling fan assemblies recessedly mounted therewithin.

Description

[0001] This application is a Continuation Application of and claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application, Ser. No. 10 / 778,259 filed Feb. 13, 2004, and entitled, “Tray Ceiling for Drop Ceilings and Method of Manufacture and Installation Therefor”, currently co-pending.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates generally to tray ceilings, and more specifically to a tray ceiling for drop ceilings and method of manufacture and installation therefor. The present invention is particularly applicable to, although not strictly limited to, installation within a room having a low-level drop ceiling, thereby facilitating the recessed mounting of light fixtures and / or ceiling fan assemblies therewithin. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Drop ceilings are often installed within office buildings, finished residential basements and / or academic buildings in lieu of conventional sheetrock ceilings for variety of purposes, such as expediency and efficiency in completion of b...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a tray ceiling for drop ceilings without application of additional support structures and / or sheetrock for anchoring the tray ceiling to joists, beams, and / or other ceiling support structures.

[0011] Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to enable a builder and / or homeowner to expeditiously and relatively effortlessly install a light-weight tray ceiling within a drop ceiling.

[0012] Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a tray ceiling for installation within a drop ceiling, wherein the tray ceiling is sufficiently structured to support the weight of conventional light fixtures and / or ceiling fan assemblies recessedly mounted therewithin.

[0013] Still yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its light-weight construction and framework.

[0014] A further feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide the aesthetic qualities commonly associated with traditional sheet rock tray ceilings, but without the weight typically associated therewith.

[0015] Still another further feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to enable the recessed mounting of light fixtures and / or ceiling fan assemblies in rooms comprising relatively low-level drop ceilings.

Problems solved by technology

Even in view of such recognizable benefits, however, drop ceilings noticeably lack the aesthetic appeal commonly associated with painted sheetrock ceilings, smooth ceilings, stucco or plaster ceilings, and / or similar finished fixed ceilings.

Unfortunately however, although the typical heavy wooden frame and sheetrock assembly of many such tray ceilings is ideal for installation within, and anchoring to, the support structures of fixed ceilings, the structurally weaker arrangement or lattice assembly of T-bars and foam panels associated with traditional drop ceilings simply cannot effectively support such an installation.

Accordingly, builders or homeowners seeking to install a tray ceiling within a drop ceiling will often remove the drop ceiling and resort to the application of additional ceiling support structures and sheetrock to build-in or create a tray ceiling—a process that imparts significant materials and labor costs unto the building owner.

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