Fabric Tensioning Device for False Ceiling Recesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional false ceilings face challenges in achieving tight fabric tension, especially in large rooms, and experience discontinuities at corners when creating openings, leading to sealing issues and aesthetic problems.
Innovation Solution
A false ceiling system with a polygonal recess in the fabric, where each side is extended by a fabric strip, using a lace and heddle assembly with a gripping mechanism to ensure tension and sealing, and a sheath to wrap and secure the lace, allowing for easy installation and aesthetic continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If fabric is tightly stretched on rails in large rooms, then fabric tension and appearance are improved, but significant tension forces are required making installation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric tensioning system is segmented into multiple independent tensioning points along the fabric edges. Instead of applying tension uniformly across the entire fabric, the fabric is divided into sections with individual tensioning mechanisms at each segment, allowing localized tension application and reducing overall installation difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension to fabric tensioning by using hanging weights that apply tension through gravitational force from above. This dimensional change allows tension to be applied without requiring horizontal pulling forces, simplifying the installation process while maintaining fabric tautness.
2Ease of manufacture
If four canvas strips are attached to healds to create a cover, then the cover is formed, but discontinuities occur at corners causing sealing problems and aesthetic issues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the four separate canvas strips into a continuous fabric piece that extends around the entire opening. By using a single continuous fabric with a polygonal recess instead of four separate strips, the corner discontinuities are eliminated, ensuring seamless sealing and improved aesthetics while maintaining ease of construction.
3Stability of the object's composition
If attachment means are used to fix fabric edges to healds, then fabric is secured, but the process is long and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric attachment system uses self-tensioning weights that automatically secure the fabric to the healds through gravitational force. The weights create continuous tension that self-secures the fabric edges without requiring manual fastening operations, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining stable fabric attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical attachment mechanisms (such as clips, fasteners, or stitching systems) with a simpler gravitational tensioning system. Hanging weights provide continuous tension force that secures the fabric through friction and tension alone, eliminating the need for time-consuming mechanical fastening operations.
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
Enables quick, sealed, and aesthetically pleasing fabric tensioning, particularly in constructions with angles, supporting false ceilings at desired locations without sagging or air/dust leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a lace 2 and a heddle 3... a lace capable of being surrounded, at least partially, by a portion of the strip or strips of canvas... means for gripping the assembly consisting of the portion of the strip or strips of canvas and the lace
Implementation Method 2
The heddle is advantageously of elongated shape and the gripping means preferably comprise a cylinder arranged along the heddle and intended to accommodate the lace in the direction of the length, said cylinder being provided with a longitudinal groove of sufficiently small width to retain the lace when it is embedded in the cylinder
Implementation Method 3
an elastic fabric, for example made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is deformed by tension so that its edges can be attached to the healds
Implementation Method 4
this fabric, to offer a good appearance, must be tightly stretched on the rails. However, false ceilings are generally arranged in rooms with relatively large surfaces, which makes it necessary to exert significant tension forces on each of the sides of the fabric
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The ceiling (12) has a rectangular recess (14) formed in a stretched fabric (13), where each side of the recess is extended towards the top by a cover (15) so as to form a polygonal strap of the fabric. The cover is stretched by a fabric tensioning device that includes an elastic lace Sandow(RTM: Not defined), to be partially surrounded by a sleeve that forms a portion of the cover. The device has sill plate (3) provided with a cylinder (6) of an assembly formed by the cover and the lace. The cylinder is placed along the plate and accommodates the lace placed in the sleeve.