Ceiling Baffle System With Integral Receiving Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling baffle systems require additional hardware and on-site measurement for installation, increasing costs and labor, and may not provide a desired aesthetic when retro-fitted onto existing suspended ceilings.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling baffle system with a baffle assembly that includes receiving slots and spacer members made of acoustically absorbent materials, allowing for direct coupling with ceiling support members without intermediate hardware, enabling flexible spacing and angular orientation, and facilitating easy retro-fitting onto new or existing structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ceiling baffle systems are used with intermediate transverse supports and additional hardware, then proper installation and positioning can be achieved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ceiling support member and baffle into a single integrated assembly. The baffle is formed with integral receiving slots that directly receive the ceiling support members, eliminating the need for separate intermediate transverse supports, clips, hooks, hangers, and fasteners. This merging of components directly reduces device complexity while maintaining installation reliability through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The ceiling support member serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the suspended ceiling and simultaneously serves as the mounting element for the baffle through the receiving slots. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated intermediate support hardware, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring reliable installation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual measurement and positioning of baffles is performed on-site, then spacing and positioning can be adjusted, but installation time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle is pre-formed with receiving slots at predetermined positions and orientations during manufacturing. The ceiling support members are designed with corresponding geometries that fit into these slots. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for on-site measurement and manual positioning, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining the ability to achieve desired spacing through the predetermined slot arrangement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If baffles are retro-fitted onto existing suspended ceilings, then existing structures can be utilized, but modification to ceiling supports may be required and aesthetic results may not be desired
Solution Approach 1:
The ceiling support member is designed to serve dual purposes: supporting the suspended ceiling and providing mounting for the baffle through integrated receiving slots. This universal design allows the system to be retro-fitted onto existing suspended ceilings without requiring modification to the ceiling supports, as the support members already provide the necessary mounting interface. The standardized receiving slots enable easy installation while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
4Reliability
If additional fixing hardware is used for baffle installation, then secure attachment can be achieved, but material cost and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the attachment function into the baffle itself through integral receiving slots formed as part of the baffle structure. This eliminates the need for separate fixing hardware such as clips, hooks, hangers, and fasteners. The receiving slots provide secure attachment directly to the ceiling support members, maintaining attachment reliability while significantly reducing the quantity of hardware components and associated material and labor costs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces installation complexity and costs by eliminating the need for on-site measurement and additional hardware, while providing effective acoustic insulation and a customizable aesthetic appearance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one longitudinally extending groove in the spacer member body portion for receiving therewithin and engaging by friction fit the horizontal flange portion
Implementation Method 2
At least one baffle retaining slot extends from the spacer member lower edge portion into the spacer member body portion. The baffle retaining slot receives at least the baffle upper edge portion of the at least one baffle to position, angularly orient, and retain each baffle relative to the at least one spacer member.
Implementation Method 3
The at least one baffle or the at least one spacer member or both may comprise at least one acoustically absorbent material
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a ceiling baffle system having at least one ceiling support member and at least one baffle extending transversely relative to the at least one support member. The baffle has a baffle body portion with a baffle upper edge portion. At least one receiving slot extends from the upper edge into the body and receives the ceiling support member therewithin for coupling and suspending the baffle from the ceiling support member. At least one spacer extends parallel relative to the support member and has a spacer member body portion and a spacer member lower edge portion. At least one baffle retaining slot extends from the lower edge portion into the spacer member body portion. The baffle retaining slot receives at least the upper edge portion of the baffle to position, angularly orient and retain the baffle relative to the spacer member.