Canopy-like decorative structure

Abstract

A decorative structure is provided that is suspended within a space and includes a flexible panel maintained in a flexed configuration. The decorative structure includes a cable that supports the flexible panel and that is connected to a biasing member. The biasing member cooperates with a portion of the flexible panel to maintain the panel in a flexed configuration. A method of configuring a decorative structure with a flexed panel is also provided.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

channel aperture 156 may be formed at any appropriate angle. Furthermore, the present invention encompasses other interconnections of the biasing member and cable so as to provide an angle along the cable.

FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of a biasing member of the present invention. Biasing member 250 includes a body 252 generally formed as a cam. Cable 30 extends through a channel formed in body 252 and anchor 60. Body 252 includes a major cam or biasing surface 258 that cooperates with a portion of a flexible panel in order to bias the panel and maintain the panel in a flexed configuration.

The present invention also encompasses a decorative structure that includes a biasing member having a jaw. FIG. 6 shows a biasing member 350 that includes a jaw 355 extending from a body 352 thereof. Jaw 355 is connected by a neck 351 354 to a pivot joint 353 that allows for pivoting of the jaw 355. As with the other biasing members described above, jaw 355 includes a major jaw biasing surface 358 that cooperates with a portion of a flexible panel to both bias the panel and maintain it in a flexed configuration. Biasing member 350 is connected to an anchor 60 so that biasing member 350 may be adjustably positioned along the length of cable 30.

In each of the embodiments of the biasing member of the present invention described above, a cable may extend through a portion of the body of the biasing member as shown in FIGS. 3-6 or, alternatively, one or more cables may be connected to the biasing member by other means. For example, an eyelet (not shown) may be fastened to or formed in the biasing member. The cable may be connected to the eyelet. These and other fasteners connecting the biasing member to the cable are contemplated by the present invention.

The present invention also encompasses a method for configuring a decorative structure. As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the method comprises the steps of providing a biasing member 50a connected to an opposed biasing member 50b by a cable 30, as shown in FIG. 7. The method further comprises engaging a portion of a flexible panel 20 with the biasing member 50a and engaging another portion of the flexible panel with the opposed biasing member 50b. For example, a first edge 22a of a flexible panel 20 may be inserted into groove 54a of biasing member 50a and a second edge 22b of flexible panel 20 may be inserted into a groove 54b of opposed biasing member 50b. If the biasing member and/or the opposed biasing member includes a jaw or a cam, then an edge or other portion of the flexible panel of the decorative structure may be inserted in the jaw or aligned adjacent the cam in order to accomplish these step. The alignment of the biasing member relative to the opposed biasing member then may be adjusted to bend the flexible panel into the desired flexed configuration. For instance, as indicated in FIG. 9, biasing member 50a and/or biasing member 50b may be moved along cable 30 thereby altering the extent of flexure of flexible panel 20.

When the desired configuration is achieved, the method may then include securing the biasing member and the opposed biasing member relative to the cable. For example, the anchors 60a and 60b connected to biasing members 50a and 50b respectively may be disengaged from cable 30 as the biasing members are repositioned and then reengaged with the cable when the desired alignment is achieved. The method may also include tensioning the cable in order to provide proper alignment of the biasing member relative to the opposed biasing member.

As shown in FIGS. 10-13, the decorative structures of the present invention may include a variety of configurations and materials. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, two cables 30 may be aligned in parallel and a plurality of flexible panels 20 and biasing members 50 may be arranged thereon. In such a configuration, cables 30 serve both to support flexible panels 20 and provide the necessary tensioned counter force through the biasing members to maintain the flexible panels 20 in their respective flexed configurations. It is contemplated that a plurality of decorative structures may be provided in a given space and/or a decorative structure may include a plurality of configured flexible panels.

The decorative structure of the present invention also may provide hinged access to the space above the structure without completely disassembling the structure. The panel may be hingedly or pivotally rotated by loosening the anchors connected to one or more of the biasing members that engage a given panel. For example, in the case of decorative structure shown in FIG. 13, the anchors connected to biasing members 50b may be loosened so that the biasing members may be moved along the cables 30. Movement of the biasing members 50b will allow the panel 20a to be disengaged therefrom. The panel may then be rotated upward about an axis extending through biasing members 50a so that the space above the decorative structure may be accessed without removing portions of the structure.

As is shown in the figures, the ends of the flexible panel may be positioned at different heights and orientations relative to each other in order to provide a wide variety of visual and acoustical results. While the biasing members shown in the figures are completely supported by one or more cables, the present invention also encompasses decorative structures wherein one or more biasing members are supported by a structure other than a cable. For example, a biasing member may be supported by a rod, beam, pipe, wall, ledge or other suitable structure, while still functioning as intended according to the present invention.

Furthermore, the decorative structures of the present invention may be used in conjunction with a light source in order to illuminate the space in which the structure is suspended. The light may be integrally formed with the decorative structure, such as being supported by one or more of the structures cables, or be positioned adjacent the structure in order for the flexible panel to act as a reflector, diffuser or shade for a light source. These and many other modifications to the embodiments illustrated herein may well be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A suspended decorative structure comprising:

a flexible panel having opposed edges;

first and second biasing members cooperating with the opposed edges of the panel, each of the first and second biasing members include a body having a groove receiving one of the opposed edges of the panel;

a first cable attached to the first biasing member at a first end of the first cable and the second biasing member at a second end of the first cable,

wherein the first cable cooperates with the first and second biasing members, causing the first and second biasing members to exert forces on the opposed edges of the flexible panel, causing the flexible panel to be bowed away from the first cable in either a concave or convex configuration;

a second cable attached to the first biasing member at a first end of the second cable and to a wall or an overhead ceiling at a second end of the second cable;

a third cable attached to the second biasing member at a first end of the third cable and to a wall or an the overhead ceiling at a second end of the third cable; and

wherein the flexible panel is suspended from the overhead ceiling in an interior space of a building.

2. The suspended decorative structure of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second biasing members comprises a cam cooperating with the flexible panel.

3. The suspended decorative structure of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second biasing members comprises a jaw cooperating with a the flexible panel.

4. The suspended decorative structure of claim 3, wherein the jaw is pivotable about a pivot point.

5. The suspended decorative structure of claim 1, wherein the flexible panel is formed of a material selected from metal, wood, fabric and plastic.

6. The suspended decorative structure of claim 1, wherein the first cable is tensioned by the flexible panel.

7. The suspended decorative structure of claim 1 wherein the flexible panel is formed of a plastic.

8. The suspended decorative structure of claim 1 wherein the flexible panel is suspended in an open plenum.

9. The suspended decorative structure of claim 1 further comprising:

the flexible panel suspended below the overhead ceiling; and

wherein the flexible panel is bowed away from the first cable in the concave configuration, the first cable positioned below the flexible panel.

10. The suspended decorative structure of claim 9 wherein the first cable is adjacent a concave bottom surface of the flexible panel.

11. The suspended decorative structure of claim 1 further comprising:

the flexible panel suspended in an open plenum space below the overhead ceiling;

wherein the flexible panel is bowed away from the first cable in the concave configuration, the first cable positioned below a concave bottom surface of the flexible panel; and

the second and third cables extending upward from a convex upper surface of the flexible panel.

12. The suspended decorative structure of claim 1 further comprising a first fastener attaching the first end of the second cable to the first biasing member and a second fastener attaching the first end of the third cable to the second biasing member.

13. The suspended decorative structure of claim 1 wherein the flexible panel is suspended from the overhead ceiling so that the opposed edges of the flexible panel are at different heights.

14. A suspended ceiling fixture comprising:

a flexible panel having opposed edges;

first and second biasing members cooperating with the opposed edges of the panel, each of the first and second biasing members include a body having a groove receiving one of the opposed edges of the panel;

a first cable attached to the first biasing member at a first end of the first cable and the second biasing member at a second end of the first cable,

wherein the first cable cooperates with the first and second biasing members, causing the first and second biasing members to exert forces on the opposed edges of the flexible panel, causing the flexible panel to be bowed away from the first cable in either a concave or convex configuration;

a second cable attached to the first biasing member at a first end of the second cable and to a wall or an overhead ceiling at a second end of the second cable;

a third cable attached to the second biasing member at a first end of the third cable and to a wall or the overhead ceiling at a second end of the third cable;

wherein the flexible panel is suspended in an open plenum in an interior space of a building below the overhead ceiling by the second and third cables.

15. The suspended ceiling fixture of claim 14 wherein the flexible panel is formed of a plastic.

16. The suspended ceiling fixture of claim 14 wherein the second end of the second cable is attached to the overhead ceiling and the second end of the third cable is attached to the overhead ceiling.

17. The suspended ceiling fixture of claim 14 wherein the flexible panel is bowed away from the first cable in the concave configuration, the first cable positioned below the flexible panel; and wherein the first cable is adjacent a concave bottom surface of the flexible panel.

18. The suspended ceiling fixture of claim 17 wherein the second and third cables extend upward from a convex upper surface of the flexible panel and are attached to the overhead ceiling.

19. The suspended ceiling fixture of claim 14 further comprising a first fastener attaching the first end of the second cable to the first biasing member and a second fastener attaching the first end of the third cable to the second biasing member.

20. The suspended ceiling fixture of claim 14 wherein the flexible panel is suspended in the open plenum below the overhead ceiling so that the opposed edges of the flexible panel are at different heights.

21. A suspended ceiling system comprising:

at least first and second suspended decorative structures, each of the first and second suspended decorative structures comprising:

a flexible panel having opposed edges;

first and second biasing members cooperating with the opposed edges of the panel, each of the first and second biasing members include a body having a groove receiving one of the opposed edges of the panel;

a first cable attached to the first biasing member at a first end of the first cable and the second biasing member at a second end of the first cable,

wherein the first cable cooperates with the first and second biasing members, causing the first and second biasing members to exert forces on the opposed edges of the flexible panel, causing the flexible panel to be bowed away from the first cable in either a concave or convex configuration;

a second cable attached to the first biasing member at a first end of the second cable and to a wall or an overhead ceiling at a second end of the second cable;

a third cable attached to the second biasing member at a first end of the third cable and to a wall or the overhead ceiling at a second end of the third cable; and

wherein the first and second suspended decorative structures are suspended in an edge-to-edge alignment in an open plenum within an interior space of a building below the overhead ceiling such that a first one of the opposed edges of the first suspended decorative structure is adjacent a second one of the opposed edges of the second suspended decorative structure.

22. The suspended ceiling system of claim 21 wherein for each of the first and second suspended decorative structures, the flexible panel is formed of a plastic.

23. The suspended ceiling system of claim 21 wherein for each of the first and second suspended decorative structures, the second end of the second cable is attached to the overhead ceiling and the second end of the third cable is attached to the overhead ceiling.

24. The suspended ceiling system of claim 21 wherein for each of the first and second suspended decorative structures, the flexible panel is suspended from the overhead ceiling in the interior space of the building.

25. The suspended ceiling system of claim 21 wherein for at least one of the first and second suspended decorative structures, the flexible panel is bowed away from the first cable in the concave configuration, the first cable positioned below the flexible panel; wherein the first cable is adjacent a concave bottom surface of the flexible panel; and wherein the second and third cables extend upward from a convex upper surface of the flexible panel and are attached to the overhead ceiling.

26. The suspended ceiling system of claim 21 wherein each of the first and second suspended decorative structures comprises a first fastener attaching the first end of the second cable to the first biasing member and a second fastener attaching the first end of the third cable to the second biasing member.

27. The suspended ceiling system of claim 21 wherein for at least one of the first and second suspended decorative structures, the flexible panel is suspended in the open plenum below the overhead ceiling so that the opposed edges of the flexible panel are at different heights.

28. The suspended ceiling system of claim 21 wherein a gap exists between the first one of the opposed edges of the first suspended decorative structure and the second one of the opposed edges of the second suspended decorative structure.

29. A suspended ceiling fixture comprising:

a flexible panel having opposed edges;

first and second biasing members cooperating with the opposed edges of the panel, each of the first and second biasing members include a body having a groove receiving one of the opposed edges of the panel;

a first cable attached to the first biasing member at a first end of the first cable and the second biasing member at a second end of the first cable,

wherein the first cable cooperates with the first and second biasing members, causing the first and second biasing members to exert forces on the opposed edges of the flexible panel, causing the flexible panel to be bowed away from the first cable in a concave configuration;

a second cable attached to the first biasing member at a first end of the second cable and to a wall or an overhead ceiling at a second end of the second cable;

a third cable attached to the second biasing member at a first end of the third cable and to a wall or the overhead ceiling at a second end of the third cable;

the first cable positioned adjacent and below a concave bottom surface of the flexible panel; and

wherein the flexible panel is suspended in an interior space of a building.

30. The suspended decorative structure of claim 1 wherein the flexible panel is bowed away from the first cable in a convex configuration so that a concave upper surface of the flexible panel faces the first cable, the first cable positioned above the concave upper surface of the flexible panel.

31. The suspended decorative structure of claim 30 wherein the second and third cables extend upwardly from the concave upper surface of the flexible panel.

32. The suspended decorative structure of claim 31 wherein the first, second, and third cables are located on the same side of the flexible panel.

33. The suspended decorative structure of claim 1 wherein the first, second, and third cables are located on the same side of the flexible panel.

34. The suspended decorative structure of claim 1 wherein a concave upper surface of the flexible panel faces the overhead ceiling.

35. The suspended ceiling fixture of claim 14 wherein the first cable is tensioned by the flexible panel.

36. The suspended decorative structure of claim 14 wherein the flexible panel is bowed away from the first cable in a convex configuration so that a concave upper surface of the flexible panel faces the first cable, the first cable positioned above the concave upper surface of the flexible panel.

37. The suspended decorative structure of claim 36 wherein the second and third cables extend upwardly from the concave upper surface of the flexible panel.

38. The suspended ceiling system of claim 21 wherein the first cable is tensioned by the flexible panel.

39. The suspended decorative structure of claim 21 wherein the flexible panel is bowed away from the first cable in a convex configuration so that a concave upper surface of the flexible panel faces the first cable, the first cable positioned above the concave upper surface of the flexible panel.

40. The suspended decorative structure of claim 39 wherein the second and third cables extend upwardly from the concave upper surface of the flexible panel.

41. The suspended ceiling fixture of claim 29 wherein the first cable is tensioned by the flexible panel.

42. The suspended decorative structure of claim 29 wherein the second and third cables extend upwardly from a convex upper surface of the flexible panel.