Groin vault ceiling kit

Abstract

A groin vault ceiling kit comprises a set of four arch-shaped ceiling segments each having a pair of converging diagonal edges oriented at a 45 degree angle relative to a back edge of each of the ceiling segments. Each of the ceiling segments may be comprised of an arch-shaped triangular tip portion which is axially alignable and abuttingly disposed against an arch-shaped semi-circular main portion. A connecting member may be disposed along concave outer surfaces of the tip and main portions for interconection thereof. Each of the tip and main portions may be fabricated of a plurality of laminated members in a pre-formed arch-shape. The groin vault ceiling kit is adapted for installation into a building structure such as via wall studs and ceiling joists where each of the ceiling segments is configured to be secured thereto.

1 . A groin vault ceiling kit, comprising:
 a set of four wedge-shaped ceiling segments each having a pair of converging diagonal edges oriented at a  45  degree angle relative to a back edge, the ceiling segments each having an arch-shaped cross section.   
   
   
       2 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  wherein each of the ceiling segments is comprised of a tip portion and a main portion. 
   
   
       3 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  wherein the ceiling segments are configured to intersect in orthogonal relation to one another such that the diagonal edges of adjacent ones of the ceiling segments are disposed in abutting contact with one another. 
   
   
       4 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  further including:
 a connecting member   wherein:
 each of the arch-shaped ceiling segments has opposing convex and concave surfaces; 
 the connecting member being disposed along the convex surfaces of the tip and main portions. 
   
   
   
       5 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  wherein the connecting member is fabricated of wood and is mechanically securable to the concave surface. 
   
   
       6 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  wherein the main portion of the arch segments has a semi-circular cross-sectional shape. 
   
   
       7 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  wherein each of the tip and main portions is fabricated from a plurality of laminated members. 
   
   
       8 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  adapted for installation in a building structure having wall studs and ceiling joists wherein the ceiling segment is configured to be secured thereto. 
   
   
       9 . A method of fabricating a ceiling segment for a groin vault ceiling kit, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an arch segment having forward and back edges;   (b) trimming the arch segment to form a pair of intersecting diagonal edges diverging at a 90 degree angle relative to one another toward a back edge such that the arch segment assumes a wedge shape.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the method further comprises the step of forming the arch segment from a plurality of laminated members. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the arch segment has a semi-circular cross-sectional shape. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein step (a) comprises disposing a pair of arch segments in axial alignment with one another such that the back edge of one of the arch segments is disposed in abutting contact with a front edge of the remaining one of the arch segments. 
   
   
       13 . A method of fabricating a groin vault ceiling kit, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an arch segment having a semi-circular cross-sectional shape;   (b) trimming the arch segment to form two diagonal edges diverging at a  90  degree angle relative to one another toward a back edge such that arch segment assumes a wedge shape; and   repeating steps (a) and (b) to form four of the wedge-shaped arch segments.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the method further comprises the step of forming the arch segment from a plurality of laminated members.