Linear panel ceilings and the like

DETAILED DESCRIPTION There are a number of aspects to the present invention.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a novel and improved linear panel ceiling or the like is provided in which the mounting brackets and the panels are structured so that adjacent panels can be installed in abutting relationship or can be spaced.
Further, a given ceiling can be provided with both types of installations.
When the panels are installed in abutting relationship, they provide a substantially planar, exposed surface without spaces between adjacent panels.
In the illustrated embodiment, panels are provided with a generally U-shaped cross section in which the side walls of the panels are inclined inwardly a small amount.
Such inclination of the side walls spaces the side walls of adjacent panels at the mounting section of the system.
Further, the support brackets are provided with mounting means at intervals along the length of the brackets, which intervals match the width of the exposed planar panel portion.
Because the adjacent side walls of adjacent panels diverge as they extend from the exposed surface, difficulty is not encountered in snapping the panels into an abutting installed position.
Further, with such structure, a simple sheet metal tool can be used to remove any given panels from an installed panel system.
As mentioned above, the same panels can be installed on the same mounting bracket in a spaced relationship.
Such spaces between adjacent panels may be closed by a closure strip.
The adjacent panels are formed with a groove adjacent to the inner edge of the side walls which extends the length of each panel and provides a mounting for the closure strips which supports such strips throughout their length when the strips are installed.
Consequently, differential pressure existing across the system does not tend to displace the inserts.
Still further, because the inserts snap into a fixed location in the system, the inserts are properly positioned in a uniform manner without difficulty at the time of installation