Linear Profile Support Element and Lighting Module For Suspended Ceiling Systems

Abstract

A linear profile support element and ceiling grid lighting module for suspended ceiling systems is provided. The linear profile support element is configured to connect onto a T-bar within a ceiling grid system and has at least two lateral supporting portions to hold an optical device and ceiling panel in position with one or both offset from the ceiling grid plane. In embodiments having the ceiling panel on an upper lateral support portion, a recessed volume is created in the ceiling grid system which functions as an optical cavity for light from an optical device mounted at the lower lateral supporting portion. With a ceiling panel mounted on the lower lateral supporting portion, the panel is dropped with respect to the ceiling grid plane and the optical device can be aligned at an upper lateral supporting portion horizontally, for example to project light onto a surrounding ceiling panel and provide indirect lighting from the ceiling. Ceiling panels mounted on the lateral supporting portions can be either standard ceiling grid panels or panels alternatively configured for specific appearance or reflectance properties. Various embodiments are described that provide a range of useful mounting options for both the optical system and ceiling panel, including configurations with tilted ceiling panels. Multiple linear supporting elements can be used to create an enhanced three-dimensional appearance to the suspended ceiling system as well as interesting features such as fully or partially illuminated panels, cavities, coves or edges. Ceiling grid lighting module embodiments integrate the linear profile support element with an optical device for pre-configured light distribution and form factor that can be easily installed in a ceiling grid system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A linear profile support element having a 3-dimensional shape of a cross-sectional profile area extended linearly into a 3rd axis wherein the linear support element is configured for use in a ceiling grid system comprising an array of T-bar cells having ceiling grid T-bars with vertical and horizontal portions, wherein a plane connecting top surfaces of horizontal portions of the ceiling grid T-bars defines a ceiling grid plane and wherein the linear profile support element comprises;
 a) a vertical structural portion to which other portions are connected;   b) a mounting portion that extends from the top of the vertical structural portion and mounts over a vertical portion of a T-bar;   c) an upper lateral supporting portion that extends horizontally from the vertical structural portion;   d) a lower lateral supporting portion that extends horizontally from the vertical structural portion and is positioned lower than the upper lateral supporting portion;   
       wherein the linear profile support element is used to support;
 i) at least one optical device; 
 ii) a central ceiling panel held above or below the ceiling grid plane. 
 
     
     
         2 . The linear profile support of  claim 1  wherein the cross-sectional profile of the mounting portion is a “U” shape. 
     
     
         3 . The linear profile support of  claim 1  wherein the upper lateral supporting portion and lower lateral supporting portion are in parallel arrangement. 
     
     
         4 . The linear profile support element of  claim 1  wherein the at least one optical device is supported by either the upper or lower lateral supporting portion and the central ceiling panel is supported by the other of the upper or lower lateral supporting portions. 
     
     
         5 . The linear profile support element of  claim 1  wherein the optical device is selected from the group consisting of a light source, a light guide, a diffuser, a reflector or a refractive lens. 
     
     
         6 . The linear profile support element of  claim 5  wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of a LED light, an incandescent light, a monochromatic light, a laser, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The linear profile support element of  claim 1  further comprising a sensor, specifically a sensor selected from the group consisting of a smoke detector, a proximity sensor, a light sensor, a motion sensor, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The linear profile support element of  claim 1  which further supports an electrical power source. 
     
     
         9 . The linear profile support element of  claim 8  wherein the electrical power source is obstructed from view from below the ceiling grid plane. 
     
     
         10 . The linear profile support element of  claim 1  wherein the ceiling grid panel held above the ceiling grid plane creates a recessed volume which functions as an optical cavity within the ceiling grid system. 
     
     
         11 . The linear profile support element of  claim 10  wherein light from the optical device is projected into the optical cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The linear profile support element of  claim 10  wherein the optical device is within the optical cavity. 
     
     
         13 . The linear profile support element of  claim 1  wherein the central ceiling panel is one of; a standard ceiling panel, an acoustic ceiling panel, a decorative tile, a planar reflective panel or a non-planar reflective panel. 
     
     
         14 . The linear profile support element of  claim 1  further comprising a surrounding ceiling panel onto which light from the light source is projected. 
     
     
         15 . The linear profile support element of  claim 1  further comprising a second vertical structural portion connected to an additional lateral supporting portion. 
     
     
         16 . The linear profile support element of  claim 15  wherein the second vertical structural portion is positioned on the opposite side of the T-bar vertical portion and the mounting portion joins the first and second vertical structural portions. 
     
     
         17 . The linear profile support element of  claim 15  wherein the second vertical structural portion is not joined to the mounting portion and rather extends downward from a lateral supporting portion with a connection position that is horizontally offset from the first vertical supporting portion. 
     
     
         18 . The linear profile support element of  claim 1  which extends the full length of the T-bar. 
     
     
         19 . The linear profile support element of  claim 1  which extends a partial length of the T-bar. 
     
     
         20 . A ceiling grid lighting module comprising an optical device and a linear profile support element having a 3-dimensional shape of a cross-sectional profile area extended linearly into a 3rd axis wherein the linear support element is configured for use in a ceiling grid system comprising an array of T-bar cells having ceiling grid T-bars with vertical and horizontal portions, wherein a plane connecting top surfaces of horizontal portions of the ceiling grid T-bars defines a ceiling grid plane and wherein the linear profile support element comprises;
 a) a vertical structural portion to which other portions are connected;   b) a mounting portion that extends from the top of the vertical structural portion and mounts over a vertical portion of a T-bar;   c) an upper lateral supporting portion that extends horizontally from the vertical structural portion;   d) a lower lateral supporting portion that extends horizontally from the vertical structural portion and is positioned lower than the upper lateral supporting portion;   
       wherein the optical device is mounted at the upper or lower lateral supporting portion of the linear profile support element. 
     
     
         21 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 20  wherein the cross-sectional profile of the mounting portion is a “U” shape. 
     
     
         22 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 20  wherein the upper lateral supporting portion and lower lateral supporting portion are in parallel arrangement. 
     
     
         23 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 20  wherein in use, a ceiling panel is mounted on the upper or lower lateral supporting element not supporting the optical device. 
     
     
         24 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 20  wherein the optical device is comprised of components consisting of one or more of the following; a light source, a light guide, a diffuser, a reflector, a refractive lens. 
     
     
         25 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 20  wherein the lower lateral supporting portion of the linear profile support element covers direct view of an optical device from below the ceiling grid lighting module. 
     
     
         26 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 20  configured for use wherein the upper or lower lateral supporting portion not supporting the optical device supports a central ceiling panel. 
     
     
         27 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 26  wherein the central ceiling panel is one of; a standard ceiling panel, an acoustic ceiling panel, a decorative tile, a planar reflective panel or a non-planar reflective panel. 
     
     
         28 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 26  wherein the central ceiling panel covers direct view of an optical device from below the ceiling grid lighting module. 
     
     
         29 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 26  wherein a central ceiling panel held above the ceiling grid plane creates a recessed volume which functions as optical cavity within the ceiling grid system. 
     
     
         30 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 29  wherein light from the optical device is projected into the optical cavity. 
     
     
         31 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 26  further comprising a surrounding ceiling panel onto which light from the light source is projected. 
     
     
         32 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 20  further comprising a second vertical structural portion connected to an additional lateral supporting portion. 
     
     
         33 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 32  wherein the second vertical structural portion is positioned on the opposite side of the T-bar vertical portion and the mounting portion joins the first and second vertical structural portions. 
     
     
         34 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 32  wherein the second vertical structural portion is not joined to the mounting portion and rather extends downward from a lateral supporting portion with a connection position that is horizontally offset from the first vertical supporting portion. 
     
     
         35 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 20  which extends the full length of the T-bar. 
     
     
         36 . The ceiling grid lighting module of  claim 20  which extends a partial length of the T-bar.