Groin vault ceiling kit

Abstract

A groin vault ceiling kit comprises a set of four ceiling segments which are configured to be oriented perpendicularly relative to one another. Each one of the ceiling segments includes a plurality of arch-shaped rib members which are positionable in axially spaced relation to one another. The rib members are preferably sized and configured such that each one of the ceiling segments defines a wedge shape. The rib members of each one of the ceiling segments is of incrementally increasing arc length. Rib ends of each of the rib members is preferably beveled such that the rib members of adjacent ceiling segments are disposable in abutting contact with one another to form a plurality of mitre joints.

1 . A groin vault ceiling kit, comprising:
 a set of four ceiling segments configured to be oriented perpendicularly relative to one another, each one of the ceiling segments including:   a plurality of arch-shaped rib members positionable in axially-spaced relation to one another and being sized and configured such that the ceiling segment defines a wedge shape.   
   
   
       2 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  wherein each of the rib members of each of the ceiling segments is sized and configured to terminate adjacent a corresponding rib member of an adjacent ceiling segment. 
   
   
       3 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  wherein the axially-spaced rib members of each ceiling segment are interconnectable to one another by at least one connecting member. 
   
   
       4 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  wherein the axially-spaced rib members of each ceiling segment are interconnectable to one another by a plurality of radially-spaced connecting member. 
   
   
       5 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 3  wherein:
 each one of the ceiling segments includes an outermost rib member;   at least one of the connecting members being sized and configured to extend between the outermost rib members of an opposing pair of ceiling segments.   
   
   
       6 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  wherein each one of the ceiling segments is identically configured. 
   
   
       7 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  wherein each one of the ceiling segments is comprised of two pairs of ceiling segments, the radius of curvature of one pair of ceiling segments being different than the radius of curvature of the remaining one of the pairs. 
   
   
       8 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  wherein the rib members of each of the ceiling segments are of incrementally increasing arc length when positioned in axially-spaced relation to one another. 
   
   
       9 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  wherein:
 each one of the rib members defines opposing rib ends;   the rib members of each of the ceiling segments being equi-axially spaced such that the rib ends of adjacent ceiling segments terminate adjacent to one another.   
   
   
       10 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 9  wherein each one of the rib ends is beveled such that the rib members of adjacent ceiling segments are disposable in abutting contact with one another to form a plurality of mitre joints. 
   
   
       11 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  further including:
 at least one connecting member sized and configured to interconnect the axially-spaced rib members to one another;   wherein:
 each of the rib members has opposing convex and concave surfaces; 
 the connecting member being disposable along the convex surfaces. 
   
   
   
       12 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  wherein:
 each of the ceiling segment defines a longitudinal axis;   each one of the connecting members being configured to be aligned with the longitudinal axis.   
   
   
       13 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  wherein each one of the ceiling segment is interconnectable by a plurality of radially-spaced connecting members. 
   
   
       14 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  wherein each one of the rib members is fabricated from a plurality of laminated members. 
   
   
       15 . The groin vault ceiling kit of  claim 1  adapted for installation in a building structure having structural members and wherein the rib members are configured to be secured to the structural members. 
   
   
       16 . A method of fabricating a ceiling segment for a groin vault ceiling kit, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of arch-shaped rib members each having an opposing pair of rib ends and defining an arc length; and   trimming the rib members such that the arc lengths increase incrementally when the rib members are positioned in axially-spaced relationship with one another to form a wedge shaped ceiling segment.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the steps of:
 forming at least four of the wedge-shaped ceiling segments; and   beveling each of the rib ends such that the rib members of adjacent ceiling segments are disposable in abutting contact with one another to form a plurality of mitre joints.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of forming each one of the rib members from a plurality of laminated members. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of forming the rib members in two different radii of curvature such that two pairs of ceiling segments of differing radii of curvature are formed. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein each one of the rib members has opposing convex and concave surfaces, the method further comprising the step of:
 providing a plurality of connecting members sized and configured to interconnect the rib members of at least one of the ceiling segments.