Inspection hatch display structure for system ceiling

Abstract

To provide an inspection opening display structure of a system ceiling allowing a ceiling panel of a specific opening which is to be a desired inspection opening to be easily identified even if mis-arrangement of the ceiling panels occurs.SOLUTION: An inspection opening display structure of a system ceiling comprises: a plurality of main T bars 2 suspended from an upper slab and placed parallel to a flat surface; and a ceiling grid 1 having a plurality of openings 7 formed by a plurality of cross T bars 3 in an intersected arrangement within an arrangement surface of the plurality of main T bar. Ceiling panels 8 are detachably fitted in a plurality of openings formed by crossing the main T bars and the cross T bars. The main T bars and the cross T bars have slits 2a, 3a along a longitudinal direction of a lower surface of a ceiling, respectively. Resin tube pieces 4a, 4b to be marks as specific openings are inserted and retained in one or both of slits of the main T bar and the cross T bar forming the specific opening in which the specific ceiling panel installed on a plan surface of the system ceiling to access facilities is fitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection hatch display structure for a system ceiling in which equipment such as air conditioning equipment and lighting equipment is installed above the ceiling. [Background technology]

[0002] System ceilings used in office buildings and the like are a type of suspended ceiling in which air conditioning equipment (dampers, valves, pull boxes, etc.), various disaster and crime prevention sensors, lighting equipment, broadcasting equipment, and other equipment, as well as the piping and wiring required to operate them, are installed above the ceiling. Among system ceilings, those known as grid ceilings are generally constructed by forming a grid-like framework using ceiling substrate structural materials with an approximately inverted T-shaped vertical cross section, and then fitting ceiling panels (also called ceiling boards) from below into the flanges of the ceiling substrate materials on this framework, with the edges of the ceiling panels resting on top.

[0003] Typically, ceiling panels are rectangular and of the same shape and dimensions, and are sometimes constructed so that they can be fitted from below into openings of the same shape and dimensions formed by the lattice frame described above, taking advantage of the fact that the diagonal of the frame is longer than the long sides of the rectangular ceiling panel. When inspecting or repairing equipment installed on the underside of a ceiling constructed in this way, either periodically or as needed, the ceiling panel located in a position that allows access to the equipment in question is usually removed, and the equipment is inspected or maintained through the opening created by the removal.

[0004] When you look up at the ceiling after the ceiling panels have been installed, none of the ceiling panels have any distinctive features, and the finishing touches to the uniform appearance of the ceiling surface are what give the construction aesthetic an aesthetic look, and are the pride of the engineers involved in the construction. Therefore, unusual shapes or marks on the ceiling panels that serve as inspection hatches are avoided, and in reality, small, inconspicuous stickers are affixed to the ceiling panels of the relevant inspection hatches. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 61-198434 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-204397 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-41705 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The person in charge of equipment when ceiling construction is completed is usually a completely different person from the person in charge of equipment when the equipment and piping wiring inside the ceiling are replaced or inspected thereafter. Also, the equipment inside the ceiling is diverse and includes air conditioning equipment, disaster prevention equipment, security equipment, lighting equipment, etc., and each construction company is different, so it is difficult to know which of the ceiling panels that make up this uniform-looking ceiling is behind a specific piece of equipment that needs to be inspected. In other words, it is extremely difficult to identify the inspection hatch for a specific piece of equipment or facility among the many ceiling panels. Even if the face of the equipment of interest is visible on the ceiling surface, there is often a question of whether there is actually an appropriate inspection hatch next to it. In fact, there are many cases where other equipment or piping and wiring are installed, making it impossible to lift the panel up and open it, or even if it is opened, it is impossible to access the equipment you are looking for. Blindly removing ceiling panels to check the target inspection target not only reduces work efficiency, but could also damage the ceiling panel.

[0007] A common method for identifying the ceiling panel that will serve as the inspection hatch is to mark a portion of the surface of the specific panel, for example, by attaching an inconspicuous sticker to a corner of the panel. However, since ceiling panels are usually the same shape and size, there is a possibility that multiple ceiling panels may be removed for repairs or other work other than equipment inspection work, and then replaced when the ceiling panels are subsequently reinserted. That is, the marked ceiling panel may end up being fitted into a location other than the original opening position.

[0008] As a result, during inspection work, workers end up removing ceiling panels that are not in the location of an inspection hatch, forcing them to carry out unnecessary work until they find the desired inspection hatch. Eliminating this kind of waste is one of the issues that needs to be resolved in this field.

[0009] Prior art that is thought to be related to this problem includes Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3. Patent Document 1 discloses an inspection hatch structure for a system ceiling in which part of the outer frame protecting the ceiling panel that serves as an inspection hatch hangs down from the flange of the lattice frame, making it easy to see from below and indicating the location of the inspection hatch. The ceiling panels of the inspection hatch are fitted into a thin frame and look different from the other ceiling panels, but their dimensions are almost the same. Therefore, if multiple ceiling panels are removed from the ceiling grid, there is a possibility that other ceiling panels will be replaced in the ceiling grid in the inspection hatch area when they are reinserted, just as with conventional technology.

[0010] Patent Document 2 discloses a structure in which the ceiling panel corresponding to the inspection hatch is supported by a support shaft that straddles the upper flanges of two parallel T-bars facing each other on two sides, allowing it to be opened and closed, and because only the ceiling panel for the inspection hatch has a frame, it is possible to identify the ceiling panel where the inspection hatch is located when looking at the ceiling from below.The ceiling panel for the inspection hatch must be specially made. Patent Document 3 describes a ceiling grid having a groove along the center of the lower side of the T-bar. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide an inspection hatch display structure for a system ceiling that makes it easy to identify the specific ceiling panel that will serve as the desired inspection hatch even if the ceiling panels are mixed up.

[0012] A typical configuration of the system ceiling inspection hatch display structure according to the present invention is described below. In order to facilitate understanding of the structure of the present invention, the reference numerals used in the examples described in the following embodiments are also used, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the configurations specified by these reference numerals.

[0013] The inspection hatch display structure for a system ceiling according to the present invention is an inspection hatch display structure for inspecting equipment in a system ceiling in which equipment such as air conditioning equipment and lighting equipment is installed in the space between the ceiling grid and the upper floor slab, (1) This system ceiling has a ceiling grid 1 with multiple openings 7 formed by the intersection of multiple main T-bars 2 suspended from the upper floor slab and arranged parallel to the horizontal plane of the ceiling level, and multiple cross T-bars 3 arranged crosswise within the arrangement plane of the multiple main T-bars 2. A ceiling panel 8 is detachably fitted into a plurality of openings 7 formed by the intersection of the main T-bar 2 and the cross T-bar 3. The main T-bar 2 and the cross T-bar 3 have slits 2a and 3a along the longitudinal direction of the underside of the ceiling. A specific ceiling panel 8 is fitted to the surface of the system ceiling to provide access to the equipment. It is an opening A feature of this invention is that pieces of resin tube 4a, 4b, which serve as markers for identifying the specific opening, are inserted and retained in one or both of the slits 2a, 3a of the main T-bar 2 and cross T-bar 3 that make up the specific opening.

[0014] (2) The resin tube pieces 4a, 4b inserted and retained in the slits 2a, 3a of the main T-bar 2 and the cross T-bar 3 are characterized in that each of them has a marking that can be visually identified as a ceiling panel that accesses a specific opening.

[0015] (3) Alternatively, there are two positions where the resin tube pieces 4a, 4b are inserted and retained in the slits 2a, 3a of the main T-bar 2 and the cross T-bar 3, and these positions are located on different sides of the four sides of a specific ceiling panel 8.

[0016] (4) When there are two positions for inserting and retaining the resin tube pieces 4a, 4b, the positions for inserting and retaining the resin tube pieces 4a, 4b in the slits of the main T-bar 2 and the cross T-bar 3 are characterized in that they are located close to the corner where the slits 2a, 3a intersect, and adjacent to each other, facing the ceiling panel of the specific opening.

[0017] (5) The surfaces of the resin tube pieces 4a, 4b inserted and retained in the slits of the main T-bar 2 and the cross T-bar 3 are characterized by having colors including black and white determined according to the type of equipment to be inspected.

[0018] (6) The outer surfaces of the resin tube pieces 4a, 4b inserted and retained in the slits of the main T-bar 2 and the cross T-bar 3 are provided with one or more rings 9 of colors, including black and white, that can be visually identified according to the type of corresponding equipment.

[0019] (7) The outer surface of the resin tube pieces 4a, 4b inserted and retained in the slits of the main T-bar 2 and the cross T-bar 3 is characterized by having dots of one or more colors, including black and white, that can be visually identified according to the type of corresponding equipment.

[0020] (8) The outer surfaces of the resin tube pieces 4a, 4b inserted and retained in the slits of the main T-bar 2 and the cross T-bar 3 are coated with one or more fluorescent colors, including black and white, that can be visually identified according to the type of corresponding equipment.

[0021] The present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. For example, in the case of a ceiling grid assembled with T-bars without slits, the same effect can be obtained by attaching resin adhesive tape or the like to the predetermined positions of the T-bars instead of the resin tube pieces. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] Even if the ceiling panel for a specific opening corresponding to an inspection hatch is replaced, the marker (a piece of plastic tube) inserted and placed on the T-bar will not move, preventing errors in identifying the inspection hatch. This allows for quick inspections and other work. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] An explanatory diagram of the main part of a ceiling grid to which the inspection hatch display structure of the system ceiling according to the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a resin tube piece inserted and retained in a slit of a T-bar that constitutes the ceiling grid according to the present invention shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partial view illustrating the configuration of the intersection of the main T-bar and the cross T-bar that constitute the ceiling grid according to the present invention shown in FIG. [Figure 4] (a) A diagram illustrating the process of inserting a piece of plastic tube for displaying an inspection hatch in a system ceiling according to the present invention into a slit in a T-bar, and (b) an example of the configuration of the inserted and retained plastic tube piece. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an inspection hatch display structure for a system ceiling according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings of the embodiment.

[0025] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the main parts of a ceiling grid to which the system ceiling inspection hatch display structure of the present invention is applied. The ceiling grid 1 is composed of multiple main T-bars 2 and multiple cross T-bars 3 fixed to and crossing these main T-bars 2. In this embodiment, the two T-bars (main T-bar 2 and cross T-bar 3) are shown as crossing at right angles, but this is not necessarily a right-angle intersection. Also, in the figure, the main T-bar 2 and cross T-bar 3 appear to be the same size and at the same level on their undersides, but they do not necessarily have to be the same size and can be at different levels. Figure 1(a) shows the underside of the ceiling (the surface exposed to the room) as viewed from below.

[0026] A ceiling panel 8 is attached to the opening 7 formed by the intersection of the main T-bar 2 and the cross T-bar 3. This ceiling panel 8 is attached by inserting it from below into the back of the ceiling grid 1, which is suspended and assembled to the slab of the upper floor above the room, and placing its four sides on the "shoulders" of the T-bar (the upper edges of the lower flanges). Normally, this ceiling panel can be removed by pushing it upward from below.

[0027] Figure 1(b) is a partial cross-sectional view of an example structure of the cross T-bar 3 taken along line A-A in Figure 1(a) with the slit facing upward, and a slit 3a is formed longitudinally on the top surface of the part of the cross T-bar 3 that corresponds to the horizontal bar of the "T". Reference numeral 3b denotes a vertical plate portion, and 3c denotes a ceiling slab connection portion. Also, Figure 1(c) is a partial view similar to Figure 1(b) showing an example of the structure of the main T-bar 2 with the slit facing upward, in which a slit 2a is formed in the longitudinal direction on the top surface of the part of the main T-bar 2 that corresponds to the horizontal bar of the "T" shape. Similarly, reference numeral 2b denotes the vertical plate portion, and 2c denotes the ceiling slab connection portion. The shape of the slit 3a of the cross T-bar 3 and the shape of the slit 2a of the main T-bar 2 are slightly different, which indicates that the internal space of both slits may differ.

[0028] Reference numerals 4a and 4b shown near the corners of the opening 7 indicated by the thick arrow B in Fig. 1(a) indicate resin tube pieces. The resin tube pieces are preferably made of flexible tubular material such as vinyl insulating tubing. Furthermore, the material is not limited to a tube, but may be a flexible resin rod without a hollow space. Details will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0029] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a resin tube piece inserted and retained in a slit in a T-bar that constitutes a ceiling grid according to the present invention, where (a) is a cross section and (b) is a partial view of the slit seen from below. The same parts as in Figure 1 are given the same reference numerals. As is clear from Figures 2(a) and 2(b), a piece of resin tube 4a (4b) is inserted and placed in the internal space having a slit 2a (3a) at the lower end of the T-bar (main T-bar 2, cross T-bar 3).

[0030] In this embodiment, the resin tube piece 4a (4b) has a color ring 9 attached around a portion of the surface. This color ring 9 is colored to match the equipment installed in the ceiling above the opening 7. This opening is called a specific opening. The ring can be a variety of colors, including black and white. It may also be possible to distinguish the ring by the number of rings or a combination of color and number, rather than by color. The color ring 9 may be applied by wrapping adhesive tape around it or by drawing it with magic marker. For example, green is used for dampers and red is used for valves.

[0031] When only one resin tube piece 4a (4b) is used, it is preferable to add a direction mark such as an arrow to indicate the desired ceiling panel. Furthermore, instead of the color ring 9, dot marks of different colors or numbers may be attached to the surface of the tube segment. Furthermore, as coloring 9, it is preferable to use several fluorescent colors to represent the internal equipment, etc., in anticipation of nighttime inspections and renewal work.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a partial view illustrating the configuration of the intersection of the main T-bar and the cross T-bar that constitute the ceiling grid according to the present invention shown in FIG. The vertical plate portions 2b, 3b and ceiling slab connection portions 2c, 3c of the main T-bar 2 and cross T-bar 3 are omitted from the illustration. When two pieces of plastic tube are used to indicate a specified inspection hatch, by inserting and retaining each piece of plastic tube in a position close to the corner shown in Figure 3 (storage spaces 5a and 5b), the ceiling panel that the two pieces of plastic tube face in common becomes the ceiling panel for the specific opening where the specified inspection hatch is located. The same effect as above can be achieved by installing two pieces of resin tube on different sides of the four sides that support the ceiling panel of a specific opening, but by installing them close to the corner, it is easier to certify the ceiling panel as compatible with an inspection hatch.

[0033] Figure 4 shows (a) the process of inserting a piece of plastic tube into a slit in a T-bar to indicate a specific opening that serves as an inspection hatch in a system ceiling according to the present invention, and (b) an example of the configuration of the inserted and retained plastic tube piece. When inserting the resin tube pieces 4 into the slits 2a, 3a of the main T-bar 2 and cross T-bar 3, the resin tube pieces 4 are pinched between fingers 6 in the C→ and ←C→ directions, compressed and crushed, and then inserted and retained inside the slits 2a, 3a as shown by arrow D. The state in which the resin tube pieces 4 have been inserted and retained inside the slits 2a, 3a is shown in Figure 2 above.

[0034] In this example, a color ring 9 is drawn with a magic marker or the like around a part of the resin tube piece 4. Instead of drawing the color ring 9, colored adhesive tape or the like may be wrapped around the resin tube piece 4. In addition, this type of resin tube is commercially available in a variety of body colors, including black, white, and transparent, so it can also be used directly to specify the ceiling panel corresponding to the inspection hatch by the color of the resin tube piece 4.

[0035] As mentioned above, a flexible resin rod without a hollow space may be used instead of the resin tube piece 4. A round polyethylene foam rod, a polystyrene foam cylinder (pole), or the like may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1. Ceiling grid 2. Main T-bar 2a...Slit 3. Cross T-bar 3a...slit 4 Resin tube piece (mark) 4a, 4b... Resin tube pieces 5. Storage space 6...hands and fingers 7. Opening 8. Ceiling panel 9. Coloring

Claims

1. An inspection hatch indicator structure for inspecting equipment in a system ceiling in which equipment such as air conditioning equipment and lighting equipment is installed in the space between the ceiling grid and the upper floor slab, The system ceiling includes a plurality of main T-bars suspended from the upper floor slab and arranged parallel to the horizontal plane of the ceiling level; a ceiling grid having a plurality of openings formed by the intersections of a plurality of cross T-bars arranged crosswise within the arrangement plane of the plurality of main T-bars; a ceiling panel removably fitted into the plurality of openings formed by the intersections of the main T-bar and the cross T-bar; The main T-bar and the cross T-bar have slits along the longitudinal direction of the lower surface, An inspection hatch display structure for a system ceiling, characterized in that a piece of resin tube serving as a marker for identifying a specific opening is inserted into one or both of the slits of the main T-bar and the cross T-bar, which constitute a specific opening that is installed on the flat surface of the system ceiling and into which a specific ceiling panel is fitted to access the equipment.

2. The inspection hatch display structure for a system ceiling as described in claim 1, characterized in that there is only one piece of resin tube inserted and placed in the slits of the main T-bar and the cross T-bar, and the resin tube piece has markings that can be visually identified as a ceiling panel that accesses the specific opening.

3. The inspection hatch display structure for a system ceiling as described in claim 1, characterized in that there are two positions for inserting and retaining the resin tube pieces in the slits of the main T-bar and the cross T-bar, and these positions are located on different of the four sides of the ceiling panel of the specific opening.

4. The inspection hatch display structure for a system ceiling as described in claim 2, characterized in that the position at which the resin tube piece is inserted and retained in the slits of the main T-bar and the cross T-bar is close to the corner where the slits intersect, and is adjacent to the ceiling panel of the specific opening, both facing the same.

5. An inspection hatch display structure for a system ceiling as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the surface of the resin tube pieces inserted and retained in the slits of the main T-bar and the cross T-bar have colors including black and white determined for each type of equipment to be inspected.

6. An inspection hatch display structure for a system ceiling as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer surface of the resin tube piece inserted and retained in the slits of the main T-bar and the cross T-bar has one or more rings of colors, including black and white, that can be visually identified according to the type of equipment to be inspected.

7. An inspection hatch display structure for a system ceiling as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer surface of the resin tube piece inserted and retained in the slits of the main T-bar and the cross T-bar has dots of one or more colors, including black and white, that can be visually identified according to the type of corresponding equipment.

8. An inspection hatch display structure for a system ceiling as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer surface of the resin tube pieces inserted and retained in the slits of the main T-bar and the cross T-bar are painted with one or more fluorescent colors, including black and white, that can be visually identified and are determined for each type of corresponding equipment.

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