Ceiling louver structure and installation method

Abstract

To provide a ceiling louver structure that has excellent design and allows the louver material to be reused. [Solution] The ceiling louver 1 comprises a guide rail 2, a louver material 3, and a front-end cap 4F. The guide rail 2 has a base plate 21 extending in the front-to-rear direction and a rail portion 22 protruding downward from the base plate 21. The guide rail 2 is fixed to the ceiling. The louver material 3 is open at the top and both ends in the front-to-rear direction. The louver material 3 has grappling claws 34, 35 on its inner surface. The louver material 3 is slidable in the extension direction relative to the guide rail 2. The rail portion 22 of the guide rail 2 has a recessed groove extending in the front-to-rear direction into which the grappling claws 34, 35 can enter. The front-end cap 4F is attached to the opening at the front end of the louver material 3.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a ceiling louver structure and an installation method. [Background technology]

[0002] The architectural louver material disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises a louver main body member and a louver tip member. The louver main body member has openings at the tips of both side surfaces. The louver tip member has a cover surface portion that covers the tip opening of the louver main body member. The cover surface portion has flat portions arranged on the back surface of each of the two end portions.

[0003] When the louver tip member is attached to the tip of the louver main member, the flat portion of the cover surface fits inside the louver main member. When a decorative sheet is attached to the cover surface, the flat portion serves as the attachment margin for the decorative sheet, and the decorative sheet is adhered to the cover surface. The flat portion, with the decorative sheet attached, is housed inside the louver main member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7492792 specification Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Multiple louver materials are attached to ceilings, etc., at specified intervals. If the spacing between the louver materials is too small, it becomes difficult or impossible to use power tools during installation. On the other hand, if the spacing between the louver materials is too large, the design is not good. Furthermore, it is desirable for the louver materials to be easily removed during repair work, etc. It is also desirable that the removed louver materials can be reused.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a ceiling louver structure that has excellent design and allows the louver material to be reused. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The ceiling louver structure according to the present invention comprises a guide rail fixed to a ceiling and a louver material slidable in an extension direction relative to the guide rail. The guide rail has a base plate extending in the extension direction and a rail portion protruding downward from the base plate. The louver material is open at the top and both ends in the extension direction.

[0008] The above configuration improves the design of the ceiling louver structure and makes it easier to reuse the louver material.

[0009] (2) The ceiling louver structure of (1) above further comprises a cap attached to the opening at the end of the louver material in the extending direction.

[0010] (3) The ceiling louver structure of (1) or (2) further comprises an end guide rail fixed to the ceiling, an end louver material, and an end lower end cap. The end guide rail has an end base plate extending in the extension direction and a support portion protruding downward from the end base plate. The end louver material is open at the top and both ends in the extension direction and is fixed to the support portion. The end lower end cap is magnetically attached to the lower end surface of the end louver material.

[0011] (4) In the ceiling louver structure of (1) to (3), the louver material has a convex portion on an inner surface, and the rail portion has a concave groove extending in the extension direction and into which the convex portion can enter.

[0012] (5) In the ceiling louver structure according to any one of (1) to (4), the louver material has a fitting portion protruding from one end in the extension direction. The fitting portion can be fitted into an opening at the other end in the extension direction.

[0013] (6) A method for constructing a ceiling louver structure according to the present invention includes steps 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. In step 1, a base plate of a guide rail having a base plate extending in an extension direction and a rail portion protruding downward from the base plate is fixed to a ceiling. In step 2, a louver material having openings at the top and both ends in the extension direction is attached by sliding it in the extension direction relative to the guide rail. The end guide rail has an end base plate extending in the extension direction and a support portion protruding downward from the end base plate. In step 3, the end base plate is fixed to the ceiling adjacent to the base plate in the extension direction.

[0014] In a fourth step, end louvers that are open at the top and at both ends in the extension direction are fixed to the support parts, and in a fifth step, end lower caps are magnetically attached to the lower end surfaces of the end louvers. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, the design of the ceiling louver structure is improved, and the louver material can be easily reused. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a ceiling louver 1 attached to a ceiling surface 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 2] Fig. 2(A) is an external perspective view showing the guide rail 2 of the ceiling louver 1. Fig. 2(B) is an external perspective view showing the louver material 3. Fig. 2(C) is an external perspective view showing the front end cap 4F. [Figure 3] Fig. 3(A) is an external perspective view showing the front-end cap 4F, Fig. 3(B) is an external perspective view showing the rear-end cap 4R, and Fig. 3(C) is a plan view of the louver material 3 seen from above. [Figure 4] Fig. 4(A) is an external perspective view of the end louver material 7 as seen from the upper front left. Fig. 4(B) is an external perspective view of the end louver material 7 as seen from the lower front left. [Figure 5] Fig. 5(A) is an external perspective view of the end portion guide rail 6 as seen from the upper front left. Fig. 5(B) is an external perspective view of the end portion guide rail 6 as seen from the lower front left. [Figure 6] Fig. 6(A) is an external perspective view of the end cap 8 as seen from the upper left front. Fig. 6(B) is an external perspective view of the end cap 8 as seen from the lower left front. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the construction method for attaching the guide rail 2 to the ceiling surface 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8] Fig. 8(A) is an external perspective view illustrating a construction method for attaching the louver material 3 to the guide rail 2. Fig. 8(B) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the guide rail 2 and the louver material 3 after attachment, taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction and including the axis of the screw 84. [Figure 9] Fig. 9(A) is an external perspective view showing the guide rail 2, louver material 3, and front-end cap 4F before installation. Fig. 9(B) is an external perspective view showing the guide rail 2, louver material 3, and front-end cap 4F after installation. [Figure 10] Fig. 10(A) is an external perspective view showing a construction method for extending ceiling louvers 1. Fig. 10(B) is a plan view illustrating the shape of louver material 3 for extending ceiling louvers 1. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating an example of a room in which an indirect lighting device 14 and a ceiling louver 1 are combined. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an external perspective view showing a construction method for attaching an end guide rail 6 to a ceiling surface 10 by extending the end guide rail 6 onto an existing ceiling louver 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 13] Fig. 13(A) is an external perspective view illustrating a construction method for attaching an end lower end cap 8 to an end louver material 7. Fig. 13(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the AA cross section in Fig. 13(A) of an end unit attached to a ceiling surface 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Below, an embodiment of the ceiling louver structure and its installation method according to the present invention will be described in detail using the ceiling louver 1 as an example. Note that the following embodiment is merely an example of the present disclosure, and it goes without saying that the embodiment can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0018] The ceiling louvers 1 are single-slope louvers fixed to the ceiling surface 10. Multiple ceiling louvers 1 are fixed to the ceiling surface 10 parallel to each other with a gap between them. Hereinafter, the direction perpendicular to the ceiling surface 10 will be referred to as the up-down direction. The direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and parallel to the multiple ceiling louvers 1 will be referred to as the front-to-back direction. The front-to-back direction is sometimes referred to as the extension direction. The direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction will be referred to as the left-to-right direction. The left-to-right direction is defined as right and left when viewed from the front.

[0019] [Configuration of ceiling louver 1] As shown in Figure 1, the ceiling louver structure has a plurality of ceiling louvers 1. As shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(B), the ceiling louver 1 has guide rails 2 and louver materials 3. The guide rails 2 are attached to a ceiling surface 10. The louver materials 3 are attached to the guide rails 2. The guide rails 2 and the louver materials 3 extend in the front-to-rear direction.

[0020] Multiple louver materials 3 are joined in a row along the front-to-rear direction. When the space between the row of louver materials 3 and the wall 11 is too narrow in the front-to-rear direction to install the louver materials 3, end units 5 are installed. The ceiling louver structure has multiple rows of louver materials 3 extending in the front-to-rear direction. The multiple rows of louver materials 3 are lined up parallel to each other in the left-to-right direction.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2(B), the louver material 3 has a U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction that opens upward. The louver material 3 is also open at both ends in the front-to-rear direction. The louver material 3 has a left wall 31, a right wall 32, and a bottom wall 33. The left wall 31, the right wall 32, and the bottom wall 33 extend in the front-to-rear direction. The material of the louver material 3 is not limited, but examples include steel plate and rigid resin.

[0022] As shown in Figures 2(B), 3(C), 8(A), and 8(B), the left wall 31 has a plurality of grappling claws 34. The grappling claws 34 extend in the front-to-rear direction. In a cross section perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, the grappling claws 34 have a horizontal portion 34H and a vertical portion 34V. The horizontal portion 34H protrudes rightward from the right side surface 31R of the left wall 31. The horizontal portion 34H is rectangular when viewed from above.

[0023] The vertical portion 34V extends downward from the right end of the horizontal portion 34H. The vertical portion 34V is rectangular when viewed from the right. The grappling claws 34 are hook-shaped when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. The multiple grappling claws 34 are located at the same position in the up-down direction. The multiple grappling claws 34 are located at intervals in the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, four grappling claws 34 are located on one louver material 3.

[0024] The right wall 32 has multiple grappling claws 35. The grappling claws 35 extend in the front-to-rear direction. In a cross section perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, the grappling claws 35 have a horizontal portion 35H and a vertical portion 35V. They protrude leftward from the left side surface 32L of the right wall 32. The horizontal portion 35H is rectangular when viewed from above.

[0025] The vertical portion 35V extends downward from the left end of the horizontal portion 35H. The grappling claws 35 are hook-shaped when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. The multiple grappling claws 35 and the multiple grappling claws 34 face each other in the left-to-right direction. The multiple grappling claws 35 are in the same position in the up-down direction. The multiple grappling claws 35 are positioned at intervals in the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, four grappling claws 35 are positioned on one louver material 3. The grappling claws 34 and 35 are examples of protrusions.

[0026] The left end of the lower wall 33 is connected to the lower end of the left wall 31. The right end of the lower wall 33 is connected to the lower end of the right wall 32.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3(C), the thicknesses of the front end 3F and rear end 3R of the left wall 31, right wall 32, and bottom wall 33 are thinner than the thickness of the central portion 3C. In the left wall 31, there is a step between the left side surface 3FL of the front end 3F and the left side surface 31L of the central portion 3C. The right side surface 31R of the left wall 31 is flush with the front end 3F and the central portion 3C. In the right wall 32, there is a step between the right side surface 3FR of the front end 3F and the right side surface 32R of the central portion 3C. The left side surface 32L of the right wall 32 is flush with the front end 3F and the central portion 3C.

[0028] In the lower wall 33, there is a step between the lower surface 3FB of the front end portion 3F and the lower surface 33B of the central portion 3C. The upper surface 33T of the lower wall 33 is flush with the front end portion 3F and the central portion 3C. In the left wall 31, there is a step between the right side surface 3RR of the rear end portion 3R and the right side surface 31R of the central portion 3C. The left side surface 31L of the left wall 31 is flush with the rear end portion 3R and the central portion 3C. In the right wall 32, there is a step between the left side surface 3RL of the rear end portion 3R and the left side surface 32L of the central portion 3C.

[0029] The right side surface 32R of the right wall 32 is flush with the rear end portion 3R and the central portion 3C. In the lower wall 33, there is a step between the upper surface 3RT of the rear end portion 3R and the upper surface 33T of the central portion 3C. The lower surface 33B of the lower wall 33 is flush with the rear end portion 3R and the central portion 3C. The front end portion 3F is an example of an insertion portion. The front end portion 3F can be inserted into the rear end portion 3R.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2A, the guide rail 2 has a base plate 21 and multiple rail portions 22. The base plate 21 has multiple screw holes 23. The multiple screw holes 23 and the multiple rail portions 22 are positioned so that they do not overlap each other in the front-to-rear direction. The width of the base plate 21 in the left-to-right direction is narrower than the distance between the right side surface 31R of the left wall 31 and the left side surface 32L of the right wall 32 of the louver material 3. The rail portions 22 have a U-shape that opens upward in a cross section perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, four rail portions 22 are positioned at intervals in the front-to-rear direction on one base plate 21. The positions of the four rail portions 22 correspond to the positions of the four grappling claws 34, 35. The length from the front end to the rear end of the base plate 21 is equal to the length from the front end of the center portion 3C of the louver material 3 to the rear end of the rear end portion 3R.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2(A), 8(A), and 8(B), the rail portion 22 has a left wall 24, a right wall 25, and a bottom wall 26. The upper ends of the left wall 24 and the right wall 25 are fixed to the base plate 21. The left wall 24 has a hook groove 28 on its left side surface 27. The hook groove 28 is located in the center of the left side surface 27 in the up-down direction. The hook groove 28 opens upward.

[0032] The hooking groove 28 extends across the entire width of the left wall 24 in the front-to-rear direction. In the left-to-right direction, the width of the hooking groove 28 is greater than the width of the vertical portion 34V of the hooking claw 34 on the left wall 31 of the louver material 3. Therefore, the hooking groove 28 is capable of receiving and engaging the hooking claw 34.

[0033] The right wall 25 has a hooking groove 30 on its right side surface 29. The hooking groove 30 is located in the center of the right side surface 29 in the up-down direction. The hooking groove 30 opens upward. The hooking groove 30 extends across the entire width of the right wall 25 in the front-to-rear direction. In the left-to-right direction, the width of the hooking groove 30 is greater than the width of the vertical portion 35V of the hooking claw 35 on the right wall 32 of the louver material 3.

[0034] Therefore, the hooking groove 30 allows the hooking claw 35 to enter and engage with it.

[0035] The front end cap 4F is attached to the opening at the front end of the louver material 3 in the front-to-rear direction. The rear end cap 4R is attached to the opening at the rear end of the louver material 3 in the front-to-rear direction. The front end cap 4F and the rear end cap 4R are examples of caps.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3(A), the front end cap 4F has a plate-shaped portion 41F and a fitting portion 4F1. The plate-shaped portion 41F has a notch 42F. The notch 42F is large enough to receive the tip of a flat-head screwdriver 91. The fitting portion 4F1 extends along the outer periphery of the plate-shaped portion 41F on the rear surface 41FR of the plate-shaped portion 41F. The fitting portion 4F1 protrudes rearward from the rear surface 41FR of the plate-shaped portion 41F. The fitting portion 4F1 is fitted onto the front end portion 3F of the louver material 3 shown in FIG. 3(C).

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3(B), the rear end cap 4R has a plate-shaped portion 41R and a fitting portion 4R1. The plate-shaped portion 41R has a notch 42R. The notch 42R is large enough to receive the tip of a flat-head screwdriver 91. The fitting portion 4R1 extends along the outer periphery of the plate-shaped portion 41R, inside the outer periphery of the front surface 41RF of the plate-shaped portion 41R. The fitting portion 4R1 protrudes forward from the front surface 41RF of the plate-shaped portion 41R. The fitting portion 4R1 is fitted into the rear end portion 3R of the louver material 3 shown in FIG. 3(C).

[0038] [End unit] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the end unit 5 has an end guide rail 6, an end louver material 7, and an end lower end cap 8.

[0039] As shown in Figures 4(A) and 4(B), the end louver material 7 has an H-shaped cross section perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, opening upward and downward. The end louver material 7 is also open at both ends in the front-to-rear direction. The end louver material 7 has a left wall 71, a right wall 72, and a middle wall 73. The left wall 71, the right wall 72, and the middle wall 73 are made of a resin material and extend in the front-to-rear direction. The middle wall 73 has two screw holes 74 lined up in the front-to-rear direction. Iron powder is mixed into the middle wall 73, and a magnet can be magnetically attracted to the underside. The lower surface of the middle wall 73 is an example of the lower end surface of the end louver material 7.

[0040] As shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B), the end guide rail 6 has an end base plate 61 and a support portion 62. The end base plate 61 has two screw holes 63. The two screw holes 63 are located at positions sandwiching the support portion 62 in the front-to-rear direction. The support portion 62 has a cross section perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction that is U-shaped and opens upward. The support portion 62 has a left wall 64, a right wall 65, and a bottom wall 66. The left wall 64 and the right wall 65 have their upper ends fixed to the end base plate 61.

[0041] The lower wall 66 has two screw holes 67 aligned in the front-to-rear direction. The screw holes 67 in the lower wall 66 of the end guide rail 6 and the screw holes 74 in the middle wall 73 of the end louver material 7 are in corresponding positions when viewed from the top-to-bottom direction. The width of the end guide rail 6 in the left-to-right direction is narrower than the distance from the right side of the left wall 71 of the end louver material 7 to the left side of the right wall 72.

[0042] As shown in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), the end cap 8 has a plate-shaped portion 81 and two magnets 82. The plate-shaped portion 81 has a notch 83 at one end in the front-rear direction. The notch 83 is large enough to accommodate the tip of a flat-head screwdriver 91. The two magnets 82 are flat, strip-shaped. The two magnets 82 are fixed by adhesive to the left and right sides of the top surface of the plate-shaped portion 81. The two magnets 82 extend parallel to each other in the front-rear direction.

[0043] [Installation method for ceiling louver 1] The installation method for ceiling louver 1 includes a first step and a second step. In the first step, base plate 21 is fixed to ceiling surface 10. In the second step, louver material 3 is slid back and forth and attached to guide rail 2.

[0044] In the first step, first, as shown in Fig. 7, the upper surface of the base plate 21 of the guide rail 2 is brought into contact with the ceiling surface 10. With the upper surface of the base plate 21 in contact with the ceiling surface 10, the screws 84 are passed through the screw holes 23 of the base plate 21 and fastened with the screws. In this way, the base plate 21 is fixed to the ceiling surface 10. The position where the base plate 21 is fixed to the ceiling surface 10 is determined in advance by marking or the like.

[0045] In the second step, as shown in Figure 8(A), the louver material 3 is attached to the guide rail 2 from below. When attaching the louver material 3, first, the louver material 3 is positioned in the front-to-rear direction so that the grappling claws 34, 35 do not overlap the rail portion 22. Next, the louver material 3 is lifted up and placed over the guide rail 2.

[0046] With the louver material 3 placed over the guide rail 2, the louver material 3 and the guide rail 2 are misaligned in the front-to-rear direction. However, when viewed from the front-to-rear direction, as shown in FIG. 8(B), the louver material 3 is positioned at a position where the hooking claws 34 of the louver material 3 can engage with the hooking grooves 28 of the guide rail 2. This is also a position where the hooking claws 35 of the louver material 3 can engage with the hooking grooves 30 of the guide rail 2. From this position, the louver material 3 is slid in the front-to-rear direction in a direction that eliminates the misalignment between the louver material 3 and the guide rail 2 in the front-to-rear direction. This sliding movement causes the hooking claws 34 of the louver material 3 to engage with the hooking grooves 28 of the guide rail 2.

[0047] Furthermore, the hooking claws 35 of the louver material 3 engage with the hooking grooves 30 of the guide rail 2, so that the louver material 3 is supported by the guide rail 2. The louver material 3 is installed so that the rear end of the rear end 3R of the louver material 3 coincides with the rear end of the base plate 21 of the guide rail 2 in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the front end of the base plate 21 of the guide rail 2 coincides with the front end of the center portion 3C of the louver material 3 in the front-to-rear direction. When the louver material 3 is not extended, a front end cap 4F is fitted to the front end 3F of the louver material 3, as shown in FIG. 9(A). Because the front end of the base plate 21 of the guide rail 2 coincides with the front end of the center portion 3C of the louver material 3, the base plate 21 does not prevent the front end cap 4F from being fitted. Furthermore, a rear end cap 4R is fitted to the rear end 3R of the louver material 3. The fitting portion 4R1 of the rear end cap 4R is pressed against the rear end portion 3R of the louver material 3 from above and from the left and right, and is also pressed against the base plate 21 of the guide rail 2 from below to fit therewith.

[0048] When extending the ceiling louver 1 in the front-to-rear direction, the front end cap 4F and the rear end cap 4R are not fitted to the ends of the louver material 3 to which the new louver material 3 is connected. As shown in FIG. 10(A), the rear end of the second guide rail 2 is adjacent to the front end of the first guide rail 2 fixed to the ceiling surface 10, and the second guide rail 2 is fixed to the ceiling surface 10. A first louver material 3 is fixed to the first guide rail 2. As shown in FIG. 10(B), the rear end 3R of the second louver material 3 fixed to the second guide rail 2 is fitted to the front end 3F of the first louver material 3. Alternatively, the front end 3F of another louver material 3 may be fitted to the rear end 3R of the already fixed louver material 3. Alternatively, after the required number of guide rails 2 are fixed to the ceiling surface 10, multiple louver materials 3 may be engaged with the corresponding guide rails 2.

[0049] [How to install end unit 5] The process of attaching the end unit 5 includes a third step, a fourth step, and a fifth step. In the third step, the end base plate 61 is fixed to the ceiling surface 10 adjacent to the base plate 21 in the front-to-rear direction. In the fourth step, the end louver material 7 is fixed to the support portion 62. In the fifth step, the end lower end cap 8 is magnetically attached to the lower end surface of the end louver material 7.

[0050] In the third step, the end unit 5 is additionally attached to the ceiling surface 10 while the ceiling louver 1 is attached to the ceiling surface 10. As shown in FIG. 12, the ceiling louver 1 is attached to the ceiling surface 10. The louver material 3 of the ceiling louver 1 does not have a front end cap 4F fitted to it. First, the end guide rail 6 is supported in a position where one end in the front-to-rear direction is adjacent to one end in the front-to-rear direction of the guide rail 2. In this supported state, the end guide rail 6 is screwed to the ceiling surface 10 by inserting the screw 85 into the screw hole 63. Note that the end guide rail 6 may be fixed to the ceiling surface 10 at the same time that multiple guide rails 2 are fixed to the ceiling surface 10.

[0051] 13(A) and 13(B), in the fourth step, first, the end louver material 7 is placed over the end guide rail 6. With the end louver material 7 covering the end guide rail 6, the end louver material 7 is fixed to the support part 62 of the end guide rail 6 by inserting a screw 86 into the screw hole 74 of the middle wall 73.

[0052] In the fifth step, once the end louver material 7 is fixed to the end guide rail 6, the end lower end cap 8 is magnetically attached to the underside of the middle wall 73. If design considerations are taken into account, the end lower end cap 8 is magnetically attached with the notch 83 facing away from the ceiling louver 1 in the front-to-back direction. If ease of removal is prioritized, the end lower end cap 8 may be magnetically attached with the notch 83 facing away from the ceiling louver 1 in the front-to-back direction.

[0053] [Effects of the embodiment] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 8(A) and 10(A), the louver material 3 is moved along the guide rail 2 to the attachment position. That is, the louver material 3 is moved in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction along the arrow 90, but not in the left-right direction. Furthermore, no power tools or the like are required when attaching the louver material 3 to the guide rail 2. Therefore, the louver material 3 can be attached to the guide rail 2 even if the distance between adjacent guide rails 2 in the left-right direction is narrow.

[0054] The front end cap 4F is fitted onto the front end 3F of the louver material 3. Therefore, the front end cap 4F can be removed from the louver material 3 by inserting the tip of a flathead screwdriver 91 into the notch 42F of the front end cap 4F and prying it out. The same is true for the rear end cap 4R. The guide rail 2 and the louver material 3 are engaged. Therefore, by sliding the louver material 3 in the front-to-rear direction relative to the guide rail 2 by performing the reverse operation of Figure 8(A), the engagement between the guide rail 2 and the louver material 3 can be released. In this way, the guide rail 2, the louver material 3, the front end cap 4F, and the rear end cap 4R can be removed without being soiled and are therefore reusable.

[0055] For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , an indirect lighting device 14 may be installed in the corner between a ceiling surface 10 and a wall 11, with a shading portion 12 and a light source 13. In the indirect lighting device 14, the end of the ceiling louver 1 may be extended above the shading portion 12 for design reasons. In this case, the ceiling louver 1 gets in the way, making maintenance such as replacing the light source 13 difficult. Therefore, it becomes necessary to remove the ceiling louver 1 when performing maintenance on the light source 13. However, every time the ceiling louver 1 is removed for maintenance of the light source 13, the parts of the ceiling louver 1 become soiled, and replacing them with new ones increases maintenance costs.

[0056] To address this issue, ceiling louver 1 according to this embodiment can be removed without damaging or soiling the components. Therefore, as shown in Figure 11, even if components of ceiling louver 1 are removed for maintenance of light source 13, the removed components can be reused, reducing maintenance costs.

[0057] When attaching the louver material 3 to the guide rail 2, the position of the louver material 3 needs to be shifted in the front-to-rear direction relative to the guide rail 2. However, in locations close to the partition wall 11 at the end of the ceiling surface 10, there may not be enough space to slide the louver material 3 in the front-to-rear direction. With the end unit 5, the end louver material 7 can be fixed to the end guide rail 6 without having to shift the end louver material 7 in the front-to-rear direction relative to the end guide rail 6. Therefore, the end louver material 7 can be attached even in locations on the ceiling surface 10 close to the partition wall.

[0058] [Variations] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the end unit 5 is attached between the louver material 3 and the wall 11, but a front end cap 4F or a rear end cap 4R may be attached instead of the end unit 5. In a design in which there is a gap between the louver material 3 and the wall 11 and there is ample space in which the louver material 3 can be installed, it is not necessary to use the end unit 5.

[0059] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the guide rail 2 has the hooking grooves 28, 30, and the louver material 3 has the hooking claws 34, 35. In contrast to this example, the louver material 3 may have hooking grooves instead of the hooking claws 34, 35, and the guide rail may have hooking claws instead of the hooking grooves 28, 30. Even with this configuration, the same effects as those obtained in the above embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, the shapes of the hooking grooves 28, 30 and the hooking claws 34, 35 may be changed as appropriate.

[0060] 1 shows an example in which the end unit 5 is disposed at the front end of the ceiling louver 1, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The end unit 5 may also be disposed at the rear end of the ceiling louver 1. Furthermore, the end unit 5 may also be disposed at both the front and rear ends of the ceiling louver 1.

[0061] In the above embodiment, an example in which the ceiling louver 1 is attached to the ceiling surface 10 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The guide rail 2 and the end guide rail 6 may be attached to a joist support. The joist support is suspended from a suspension bolt. The suspension bolt is attached to a beam of the building using a mounting member.

[0062] [Appendix 1] The ceiling louver structure according to the present invention includes a guide rail fixed to a ceiling and a louver material slidable in an extension direction relative to the guide rail. The guide rail has a base plate extending in the extension direction and a rail portion protruding downward from the base plate. The louver material is open at the top and both ends in the extension direction.

[0063] [Appendix 2] The ceiling louver structure described in Supplementary Note 1 further includes a cap attached to the opening at the end of the louver material in the extension direction.

[0064] [Appendix 3] The ceiling louver structure described in Supplementary Note 1 or 2 further comprises an end guide rail fixed to the ceiling, an end louver material, and an end lower end cap. The end guide rail has an end base plate extending in the extension direction and a support portion protruding downward from the end base plate. The end louver material is open at the top and both ends in the extension direction and is fixed to the support portion, and the end lower end cap is magnetically attached to the lower end surface of the end louver material.

[0065] [Appendix 4] In the ceiling louver structure described in Supplementary Note 1 or 2, the louver material has a convex portion on its inner surface, and the rail portion has a concave groove that extends in the extension direction and into which the convex portion can enter.

[0066] [Appendix 5] In the ceiling louver structure according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, the louver material has a fitting portion that protrudes from one end in the extension direction. The fitting portion can be fitted into an opening at the other end in the extension direction.

[0067] [Appendix 6] The method for installing a ceiling louver structure according to the present invention includes steps 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. In step 1, a base plate of a guide rail having a base plate extending in an extension direction and a rail portion protruding downward from the base plate is fixed to a ceiling. In step 2, a louver material having openings at the top and both ends in the extension direction is attached by sliding it in the extension direction relative to the guide rail. The end guide rail has an end base plate extending in the extension direction and a support portion protruding downward from the end base plate. In step 3, the end base plate is fixed to the ceiling adjacent to the base plate in the extension direction.

[0068] In a fourth step, end louvers that are open at the top and at both ends in the extension direction are fixed to the support parts, and in a fifth step, end lower caps are magnetically attached to the lower end surfaces of the end louvers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1...Ceiling louvers 2...Guide rail 3...Louver material 3C…Central part 3F…Front end 3FL, 3RL, 27, 31L, 32L, 72L...Left side 3FR, 3RR, 29, 31R, 32R, 71R...Right side 3R…Rear end 4F...Front end cap 4F1, 4R1…Mating part 4R...Rear end cap 5...End unit 6...End guide rail 7...End louver material 8...Bottom end cap for end 10...Ceiling surface 11...Wall 12...Light blocking section 13...Light source 14…Indirect lighting device 21...Base plate 22...Rail section 23, 63, 67, 74...Screw holes 24, 31, 64, 71...Left wall 25, 32, 65, 72...Right wall 26, 33, 66...Lower wall 33B, 3FB…bottom surface 33T, 3RT, 81T…Top surface 34, 35...Gripping claws 28, 30...Hook groove 34H, 35H…Horizontal part 34V, 35V…Vertical section 41F, 41R, 81...Plate-shaped part 42F, 42R, 83...notch 61...End base plate 62...Support part 73…Middle wall 82...Magnet 84, 85, 86...bis

Claims

1. A guide rail fixed to the ceiling, a louver member that is slidable in an extension direction relative to the guide rail; The above guide rails are a base plate extending in the extension direction; a rail portion protruding downward from the base plate, The louver material is open at the top and at both ends in the extension direction, The louver material has a plurality of protrusions arranged at intervals in the extension direction on an inner surface thereof, the rail portion has a plurality of recessed grooves that extend in the extension direction and that are spaced apart in the extension direction and into which the protrusions can enter; The louver material, when placed over the guide rail, changes between a first state in which the convex portion and the concave groove are misaligned in the extension direction and are in a position where they can engage when viewed from the extension direction, and a second state in which the convex portion and the concave groove are engaged by sliding in the extension direction relative to the guide rail.

2. A guide rail fixed to the ceiling; a louver material that is slidable in an extension direction relative to the guide rail; An end guide rail fixed to the ceiling; An end louver material; a bottom end cap for the end; The above guide rails are a base plate extending in the extension direction; a rail portion protruding downward from the base plate, The louver material is open at the top and at both ends in the extension direction, The end guide rail is an end base plate extending in the extension direction; a support portion protruding downward from the end portion base plate, The end louver material is open at an upper portion and at both ends in the extension direction, and is fixed to the support portion, The end lower end cap is a ceiling louver structure that is magnetically attached to the lower end surface of the end louver material.

3. The ceiling louver structure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a cap attached to an opening at an end of the louver material in the extension direction.

4. The louver material has a convex portion on an inner surface, 3. The ceiling louver structure according to claim 2, wherein the rail portion has a recessed groove extending in the extending direction and into which the protrusion can enter.

5. 3. The ceiling louver structure according to claim 1, wherein the louver material has a fitting portion protruding from one end in the extension direction, and an opening at the other end in the extension direction into which the fitting portion can fit.

6. a first step of fixing the base plate of a guide rail to a ceiling, the base plate having a base plate extending in an extension direction and a rail portion protruding downward from the base plate; a second step of attaching a louver member, the louver member having openings at the top and at both ends in the extension direction, by sliding the louver member in the extension direction relative to the guide rail; a third step of fixing the end portion base plate of an end portion guide rail, which has an end portion base plate extending in the extension direction and a support portion protruding downward from the end portion base plate, to a ceiling adjacent to the base plate in the extension direction; a fourth step of fixing end louver materials, which are open upward and at both ends in the extension direction, to the support portions; A fifth step of magnetically attaching an end lower end cap to the lower end surface of the end louver material.

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