CA1058370A - Locking connection for suspension ceiling systems - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A suspension ceiling system having a novel and improved connector system is disclosed. Such connector system includes a pair of similar end connectors which are installed in a single slot opening by straight-in movement with the connectors in side-by-side engaging relationship. Each connector provides two pairs of opposed surfaces extending perpendicular to the length thereof, which interengage with mating surfaces on the other connector to positively lock the connectors together in a predetermined position and to prevent relative axial movement toward or away from each other from such predetermined position. Each connector also provides a laterally extending tab which operates to secure a single connector within the slot opening prior to the insertion of the second connector and during such insertion.
Such lateral tab also prevents insertion of the second connector on the wrong side of the first connector. In a second embodiment the connectors are formed with a tongue and socket structure which interfit when unusual conditions occur such as earth-quakes or the like. This interfitting structure enables the connection to withstand much higher separating forces. With the illustrated connectors, ease of assembly is achieved and the position of the connected parts is not adversely affected by variations in the thickness of the web containing the opening through which the connectors are assembled.

Description

- 105837C~

BACh(il~OUND OF ~ A INVI~:N'l'IOI:I

2 l'his invention relates generally to suspension ceiling

3 systems and more parti~ularly to a novel and imi~roved grid

4 connection system.

7 PRIOR AR~

8 Suspension ceilings formed of grids axe well known.
g ~xamples o~ such systems are disclosed in the following United States Letters Patent No. 3,189,139, No. 3,221,466, 11 No. 3,304,684, No. 3,385,021, No. 3,501,185, No. 3,584,~04, 12 and No. 3,746,379. Such systems usually include a grid of 13 inverted T-shaped men~ers in which main parallel runs are 14 suspended from the building structure and cross runs consist of separate cross memDers extending between and supported 16 at their ends i~y the associated main run members.

17 In some systems such as for example, the systems 18 disclosed in the United States Letters Patent No. 3,321,879, 19 No. 3,350,1Z5, No. 3,378,976 and No. 3,511,012, the cross members are provided with end connectors which extend into 21 openings or slots in the web of the main run members and 22 lock onto such web. In other systems as for exam~le the -2- ~

~1 1 type illustrated in the United States Letters Patent 2 No~ 3,084,401, the connectors of the cross member extend 3 through the opening or slot and lock with each other and 4 not Witil the web of the main run members.
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In some other instances, as for example in the United 6 States Letters Patent Nos. 3,501,185 and 3,565,474, the systeMs 7 provide connectors wherein the connectors lock with each other 8 and also lock with the web of the main run member.

9 In many instances, the assembly of the connector requires the assembler to insert the end connector into the 11 slot in some special position and to roll, turn, or laterally 12 move the connector and web relative to each other into their 13 final assembled position. In other instances, it is possible 14 to commence insertion of a connector mellwer improperly so that difficulty is encountered unless the installer is 16 skilled. Although installers often become adept in assembling 17 such systems, it requires the assembler to be trained and 18 requires considerable practice before the assembler is able 19 to consistently and quickly accomplish the assembly.

SUM~RY OF Tll~ INV~NTION

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21 There are a number of aspects to the present in-22 vention. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a - : , , : . .

` 10583~70 connector system is provided in which the grid connectors for the suspension ceiling or the like is provided with identical end connectors which are assembled through a slot opening in the main member web by straight-in insertion to the assembled position, and wherein the connectors provide a positive mechanical connection between the two connectors themselves. This connection positively positions and locks the adjacent cross members in a predetermined position and against axial movement in either direction from such position.
With such structure, variations in the web thickness of the main members do not produce a problem, since the posi~ioning of the cross members with respect to each other is independent of the thickness of the main member web.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, two similar interengaging locking systems are provided - between each pair of end connectors with one on each side of the web. They cooperate to provide a very strong locking action which provides positive, stable and precise positioning of the cross members relative to each other.

In accordance with certain of the foregoing aspects of the present invention, a locking connection is provided for a planar grid system or the like which includes a plurality of parallel first support members and a plurality of second support members which extend perpendicular to and between said first members. A web provided by the first members is formed with a slot opening therethrough, and an end connector is provided on each of the second members. Each of the end connectors is proportioned so that two of them are insertable through the slot openings from opposite directions in abutting side-by-side relationship to lock a pair of the second members together on opposite sides of an jk/.~c;, .: . . . ~ , ' : , associated first member. The end connectors each provide an opposed pair of surfaces which extend substantially perpen-dicular to the associated second members for interlocking with opposed surfaces on the other connector when two end connectors are inserted in opposite directions through the slot. The interlocking surfaces operate to positively position the end connectors and their associated second mem-bers in a predetermined axial position and prevent relative axial movement therebetween toward and away from each other.
The slot in the web of the first members prevents lateral separation of the end connectors and disengagement of the interlocking surfaces.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each end connector also includes a lateral extending portion which engages the web on the side thereof remote from the associated . . .
second member to prevent withdrawal of each end connector from the slot independent of the other connector whereby a single connector may be installed and locked in the slot.
The lateral extending portion operates after one connector is installed in the slot to prevent the insertion of a second connector on the incorrect side of the one connector.

According to a specific embodiment of the invention, each end connector provides cam means to laterally displace the pair of opposed surfaces of the other end connector as they move to the predetermined position, the end connectors being formed of a material having sufficient resiliency to permit the connectors to be inserted with straight-in insertion into the slot, to allow the lateral displacement of the opposed surfaces and to cause the opposed surfaces to snap into interengaging relationship when the cross members reach the predetermined position.

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According to one aspect of the invention, the end connectors include a first lateral surface and a mating protrusion providing a second lateral surface and an axially extending socket, the mating end connectors b,eing assembled by axial movement causing lateral deflection allowing the first lateral surface to pass the protrusion and the second lateral surface and subsequent return to an undeflected state in which the first and second lateral surfaces are in abutting t axial alignment. The first lateral surface is provided with an axial axtending tongue which axially interfits into the socket when the end connections are subjected to tension forces, interlocking between the first and second surfaces preventing separation of the connected members when subjected to tension forces and the interfitting of the tongue and socket preventing lateral separation of the first and second , surfaces.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, each end connector may be provided with a lateral tab which is engageable with the side of the web remote from the -' associated cross member to independently lock each connector to the web of the main member. This additional locking tab permits locking assembly of a single end connector within the web,slot. This is an advantage in normal assembly, since one connector can be assembled in the slot and will remain in position until and while a second connector is inserted ~
from the opposite side of the main member web. It is also ,' an advantage when the grid system is interrupted, for example, by a lighting ixture or the like and only one connector is inserted within a given slot. The lateral tab is also arranged so that it prevents insertion of a second connector on the wrong side of a previously installed first connector.

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The illustrated embodiments of this invention pro~ide precise positioning of the connected parts, ease of : installation without requiring a high installer skill and high strength in the connected joint.

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1~58370 l ~RIEE' D~SCRIPTIO;i OE' T~ I~WINGS

2 Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of the 3 main run member and the ends of associated cross members 4 before the end connectors are inserted into the web slot in the main member;

6 Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure l

7 illustrating a point in the assembly in which the first

8 connector is moved into its installed position, but the second g connector remains uninstalled;
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Figure 3 is a perspective view similar to Figures 1 11 and 2, illustrating both end connectors in the fully installed 12 position;

13 Figure 4 i9 an enlarged side elevation of the end 14 connector illustrated in Figure l through 3;

Figure 5 is a plan view taken along 5-5 of Figure 4 16 with a mating connector illustrated in phantom in the installed 17 position;
, 18 Pigure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing 19 the shape of the slot opening into which the connectors are 20 assembled;

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18-7~7 1 Figure 7 is a side elevation of a second embodiment 2 connector pro~iding a tongue and socket structure with the 3 connector illustrated in its normal position; and, !
4 Figure 8 is a side elevation similar to Figure 7 8 illustrating the connector when the connector parts are t~rned 6 from direct alignment and the tongue interfits into the socket.
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7 DETAIL~ DESCRIPTION OF Tl~ INGS

8 Figures 1 through 3 illustrate the steps in the

9 assembly of a preferred suspension ceiling grid structure in accordance with the present invention. ~nly a single junction li or connection is illustrated in the drawings for purposes of 12 clarity. However, it should be understood that a completed 13 grid system includes a plurality of parallel main runs which 14 consist of end connected main members suspended from the building structure in the manner illustrated generally in 16 the patent to Findlay, No. 3,084,401. rrhe disclosure of such 17 patent is incorporated by reference herein. A plurality of 18 cross members extend laterally between and are supported at 19 their ends by the adjacent main run members. After installa- ;
tion, lateral runs perpendicular to the main runs are pro-21 vided by aligned cross members.

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il ~ 47 ., lOS837~) 1In the drawings, a segment of a main run member 11 2 is illustrated having an inverted T-shaped section with a 3 horizontally extending flange 12, extending from opposite 4 4ides of a central web 13. A box section 14 is formed on the upper edge of the web 13. Also illustrated are a pair of 6 cross members 16 and 17, which are assembled on the main 7 member 11 from opposite sides in a manner described in detail 8 below. Wormally, the cross section of the cross members 9 is similar to or identical with the cross section of the main 10member 11. 'l'he shape of the members 11, 16 and 17 may be 11 produced in any one of a number of ways, such as ~y extrusion, 12 forming sheet stock, or by other suitable means. Since the 13 manner of forming the members themselves forms no part of this 14 invention, they have been illustrated as single wall structures for purposes of simplification.

16A slot-like opening 18 is formed in the web 13 17 of the main member to receive an end connector 19 mounted 18 on the cross member 16 in face-to-faoe relationship with an end 19 connector 21, provided on the end of the cross member 17.
~he two end connectors 19 and 21 are idsntical in structure so 21 the structural detail of only one should be understood to apply 22 to the other, and similar re~erence numerals are used to desig-23 nate similar parts on each end connector.

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1 The end connector 19 is a stamped part form~ of sheet 2 metal stock as a separate stamping and is mounted on the web 22 3 of the cross members 16 by rivet-like projec~ions 23. It should 4 be understood, however, that if desired, the end connector could be formed of the web material of the cross member 16 and not 6 as a separate part. The end connectors 19 and 21 are mounted 7 in offset portions 25 in the web of the cross men~ers 16 and 17 8 so that the engaging faces of the assembled connections are 9 aligned with the central plane of such webs to insure alignment of the connected cross members.

11 Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the end connector 19 is 12 provided with opposed angle flanges 24 along its top and bottom 13 edges to stiffen the end connector. These angle flanges 14 extend to ends 26, which are adjacent to the web 13 of the main member 11 when the end connector is Lnstalled. Also 16 formed in the end connector is a pair of teardrop shaped 17 protrusions 27 and 28, which are laterally dcformed from the 18 connector material and provide spaced and opposed end surfaces 19 31 and 32, respectively. The surfaces 31 and 32 are formed by cuts so that they extend perpendicular to the length of 21 the end connector, but the remaining portions of the pro-22 trusions 27 and 28 blend from the plane of the connector _ .

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~058370 1 and are formcd by latcrally deforming the material of the 2 end connector. The two surfaccs 31 and 32 extend per-3 pendicular to the length of the cross me~oers to producc a 4 positive locking action, as discussed in detail below.

A laterally extendiny tab 33 of generally U-shape, 6 is formed by lancing the end connector. The legs of the 7 tab are ~oined to the main end connector at a bend 34, and 8 the center section is cut out to provide a strap end 9 portion 35 defined by a first surface 36 and a second , surface 37, both of which extend perpendicular to the length 11 of the cross member 16. The spacing between the pairs of 12 surfaces 36 and 37 is arranged so that such surfaces 13 closely fit in between the two opposed surfaces 31 ana 32 of 14 a similar connector to mate with and interengage so as'to precisely position each associated end connector and to 16 prevent movement of the associated cross members toward and 1~ away from the predetermined assembled position.

, 18 A pair of lateral projections 39 and 41 are ,also 19 formed in the end connector at the upper and lower edges thereof, and are located so that they extend into the slot 21 opening 18 when the connector is installed, as illustrated 22 in Figure 5.

23 Each end connector 19 and 21 is formed from ~heet 24 metal stock which is sufficiently resilient to permit de-i :

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~058370 1 flection during thc assembly of the end conncctors in the 2 slot opening of the main member, but Ls sufficiently de-3 formable to pcrmit it to be easily die cut and shapcd to 4 the required configuration.

During the installation of the grid systcrn in accor-6 dance with the present invcntion, the main mcmbers 11 are 7 usually installed and supported by any suitable means rom 8 the building structure. As illustrated in Figures 1 9 through 3, cross members 16 and 17 are connected to opposite sides of the main member 11. Usually during the assembly, 11 one of the end connectors 19 or 21 is inserted in the opening 12 18, prior to the other as illustrated in Figure 2. To 13 accomplish the connection of the end connector 21 and the 14 main member 11, it is merely necessary to push the end member into the openinq 18 with a straight-in movement. q'he 16 insertion is easily accomDlished, since it is not necessary 17 to locate the connector in any particular portion of the 18 slot, or to turn or roll the connector during insertion.
19 Since the vertical height of the opening lB is proportioncd to closely fit the end connector 21 forward of thP angle 21 flanges 24, the ends 26 engage the web 13 when the end 22 connector 19 reaches its installed position to prevent 23 further insertion.

24 ~s best illustrated in Figure 6, the slot opening 18 is ~ormed with upper and lower end portions 46 and a .
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: : ' ~058370 1 wider central section 47 joined to the end portions 4G by 2 an inclined section 48. The width of the cnd portions 46 3 is selected to closely fit the two connectors in the zone of 4 the projections 39 when the two connectors are fully S connected in face-to-face relationship, as best illustrated 6 in Figure S. The enlarged central section 47 provides 7 additional clearance to facilitate the insertion of the 8 laterally extending tab 33. The various elements are pro-9 portioned so that insertion of the connector 21 into the opening, a tab springs laterally so that its extremity is 11 beyond the opening 18 to prevent removal of the connector 21 12 from the opening 18. When a single connector is installeu 13 in the opening 18, a slight clearance exists between the 14 ends 26 of the angle flanges on one side of the web 13 and lS the extremity of the laterally extending tab 33 on the other 16 side of the web 13, as best illustrated in Figure 4. This 17 insures that positioning of the connectors is not ~ffected 18 by variations in web thickness.

19 The tab functions to lock a single cor.nector within the opening, even when a second connector is not 21 installed. This is desirable, since the preferred connector ,i 22 is capable fo~ ~se in installations in which a second con-23 nector is not assembled in the same opening with the first, 24 such as for example, at locations where a cross run is lnter-rupted by a lighting fixture or the like. A second advantage .~

- 1~583'70 1 is derived from pro~i~ing the lateral tab 33 to hold a sinyle 2 connector in an opening, since ther~ is no danger that the 3 first inserted connector will slip back out of the opening 4 prior to the installation, or during the installation of the second connector within a qiven opening.

6 After the first connector end is inserted in the 7 opening, the second connector end is installed or connected 8 by straight-in movement, as illustrated by the comparison of 9 Figures 2 and 3. Because the lateral tab 33 of the connector end 21 projects beyond one side of the openinq 18, the second 11 connecto~ end 19 can be installed only on the proper side 12 of the first connector 21, which in the illustra~ed embodi-13 ment is on the side of the connector 21 opposite the tab 33 14 of the connector 21.

~s the connector end 19 is inserted into the opening, 16 one face o the connector 19 slides along the corresponding 17 face of the connector 21 and the laterally extending tab ~3 18 of thc connector 19 is deflected inwardly as it passes 19 through the opening. Similarly, the end strap portion 35 of the connector end 19 is deflected laterally by the camming 21 action of the protrusion 28 of the connector 21 and the end 22 strap portion 35 of the connector 21 is deflectcd laterally 23 by the camming action of the protrusion 28 of the connector 19.
2~ When the two connectors reach the proper position as illus-trated in Figure 3, the end strap portion 35 of the connector -`-- 1058370 1 19 snaps in betwc~n the two surfaces 31 and 32 of the 2 connector 21 a~d thc end strap portion 35 of the connector 3 21 snaps in between the surfaces 31 and 32 of the connector 4 19. Therefore, the two connectors provide opposed inter-engaging surfaces which extend Perpendicular to the length 6 of each cross member, which surfaces operate to loc~ the 7 two connectors in a predetermined axial position and pre-8 vents movement of either connector in an axial direction 9 toward or away from the other connector. With such structure, each of the connectorq is locked to the other connector by 11 two separate locking systems 40a and 40b at two locations 12 with one locking system located on each side o~ thc web 131 13 and a high mechanical strength is provided by the connection.
14 Lateral separation of,the interengaging surfaces is, of course, prevented by the opening 18.

16 As best illustrated in Flgure 5, the two lateral 17 projections 39 of the two connectors are located within the 18 opening 18 when the two connectors are in their,installed 19 position. Such projections 39 have the affect of thickening the connectors so it is not necessary to form the opening 18 21 with very narrow ends 46. Further, such structure pro-22 vides additional clearance during the initial insertion, even 23 though the clearance is ta~en up and a tight assembly is 24 provided when the installation is complete. Preferably, the width of the end portions 46 is selected to provide a slight 26 interference ~it so that looseness and rattling cannot occur.

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1 In practice it is desirable to select the dimcnsions L
2 of the connectors so that the lateral tab 33 is spaced 3 from the ends 26 in axial direction by a distance slightly r 4 greater than the nominal thickness of the web 13 in which the connectors are to be installed. With such an arrange-6 ment, the connector can be easily installed, even when the ;r 7 web 13 of the main member is slightly thicker than the nominal r 8 dimension. Further, with the illustrated embodiment, the 9 axial positioning of the two connectors is determined by the L
connectors themselves, and not by the thickness of the 11 web 13. This is important in many grid installations, since r 12 the dimensional variations are cumulative in large grid 13 systems. For example, if the web 13 is only ten thousandths 14 of an inch greater 'han nominal and there are twenty cross r l; members in each cross run, the accumulated increase in 16 length resulting from the small excess thic~ness of the 17 web would amount to one quarter of an inch if the axial 18 spacing between the cross members were determined solely by 19 the web thic~ness.

~he precise positioning of the cross members with 21 respect to each other is important in many building in- r 22 stallations. ~or example, it is often necessary to assemble 23 a grid around a buildling core, which houses the elevators 24 and sanitary facilities of the building. If the axial positioning at each joint is not maintained accurately, r 26 difficulty can be encountered when attempting to join grid 27 members around such building cores. With the present in-28 ~ention, the preciqe axial positioning of one cross mcmber t , -, . . , . . . :
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1 with respect to an associated cross member is controllcd by t 2 the end connectors themselves and variations in the web 3 thickness of the main members 11 does not alter such posi-4 tioning.
t with the illustrated structure in which the locking 6 of the end connectors in a oredtermined position is provided , 7 by surfaces which extend perpendicular to the length of the 8 members, forces on the cross member tending to push them 9 either toward or away from each other do not produce any lateral components of force on the interengaging surfaces 11 which would tend to cause them to snap apart. Consequently, 12 the assembled connectors are capable of withstanding high 13 axial forces.

14 Further, the components of each locking system are strong. ~he strap portion 35 has high strength since it 16 is supported at each end. Similarly, the surfaces 31 and 17 32 are very well supported by teardrop shaped protrusions 18 27 and 28. Consequently, each locking system provides 19 high strength and the two locking systems cooperate to provide a very strong and stable connection.

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1~-747 1 As d~scribed above the embodiment of Figure 1 2 through Figure 6 provides high strength in normal instances 3 since the surfaces 31, 32, 36 and 37 all extend normal to the 4 lengthwise direction of the connector members and there is no camming action present between mati~g surfaces 36 and 32 when 6 tension forces are applied to the connection. i~owever, in some 7 instances it is possible for the two connectors to move to an 8 angulated position in which the connected parts are not in g alignment. Such a condition can occur when the system is subjected to seismic shock during an earthquake or the like.

11 When the connectors of the first embodiment 12 are angulated, there is a tendency for the engagement of the first 13 surface 36 with the surface 32 to produce a camming action when 14 a separating force is applied. Such camming action results from the curved shape of the protrusion 28. ~ecause of the tendency 16 of the parts to cam apart when the connected parts are angulated, 17 the connection of this first embodiment car.not withstand as high 18 a separating force under such special conditions even though very 19 high strength is obtained under normal conditions in which the connected parts are aligned.

21 The second embodiment of Figures 7 and 8 is 22 therefore preferred for installation where the possibility of 23 seismic shock exists or the possibility of the parts becoming .

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~058370 1 angulated with respect to each other exists for any other 2 reasons. In this embodiment the tongue and socket structure 3 i5 provided which prevents the parts from camming apart even 4 when they are angulated as illustrated in Figure 8.

The basic structure of the second embodiment is 6 essentially the same as in the first embodiment. 'l'herefore, 7 similar reference n~nerals are used to refer to similar parts 8 but a prime (') is added to indicate that reference is made 9 to the second embodiment. In Figure 7 one of the connector parts of the second embodiment is illustrated in full line and 11 a mating part is illustrated in phantom. The connector 19' is lZ provided with a pair of spaced protrusions 27' and 28' which 13 provide spaced opposed end surfaces 31' and 32'. ~lere, again, 14 a tab 33' is formed adjacent to the end of the connector which functions in the same manner as the corresponding tab of the 16 first embodiment. Also a strap section 35' provides a second 17 surface 37' which is engageable with the surface 31'of a mating 18 part. ~'he first surface 33d'of the strap 35', however, is 19 modified in this second embodiment by providing two cutout aections .3a' and 33b'. These cutouts are essentially semi-21 circular in shape and are spaced from each other by a tongue 33c'.

22 . The end of the tongue 33c' is aligned with the 23 remaining portions of the first surface 33d'and the various .

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l~S~370 1 elements are proportioned so that when two parts are connected 2 and are in direct alignment as illustrated in Figure 7 3 by the phantom illustration, the portions of the first 4 surface 33d'outwardly of the two cutouts 33a' and 33b' engage 5 the mating surface 32' when the parts are subject to a load 6 tending to cause separation. ~ecause the tongue 33c' does 7 not project ~eyond the plane of the outer portions of the 8 first surface '3d', It does not project into the opening of the 9 socket formed by the end of the protrusion 28'. Consequently,

10 under light separating loads on tne connection, the tongue 33c'

11 does not perform any function. However, even when the connected

12 parts are aliyned as illustrated in Figure 7, improved strength

13 to resist separating forces is obtained, since as the~load on

14 the connection is increased there is a tendency for the material

15 forming the connection to deform a limited amount with the

16 rssults that the tongue 33c' projects into the socket formed

17 by the protrusion and prevents lateral displacement of the

18 strap 35'. Consequently, even under straight or aligned

19 conditions, it has been found that the embodiment of Figures 7a

20 and 8 is capable of withstanding materially greater separating -

21 forces than the first embodiment of Figures 1 through 6 and

22 that the connection fails only when sufficient load is applied

23 to actually tear or mutilate tl~e connecting parts.

24 Figure 8 illustrates the connections of the second en~odiment in a condition in which the two cross members 16' : . . , ~ -..

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105837~) and 17' have been moved to an angulated position with respect Z to each other and are not in alignment as illustratecl in the 3 remaining figures. Such a condition normally does not occur 4 unless the building in which the system is installed is subjected to very unuqual forces such as might occur cluriny an eartllquake 6 or other unusual conditions such as fire or explosion. In the 7 angulated condition of Figure 8 the strap 3~' of the cross 8 member 17' is laterally moved with a pivot like action from its 9 normal position with respect to the two protrusions 27' and 28'.
In this position the cutout 33a' is positioned to receive the 11 end of the surface 32' and the tongue 33c' of the cross meml)er 12 17' projects into the opening or socket 28a' of the protrusion 13 28' and mechanically prevents any calruning action from causing 14 the two connectors to disengage when a separation force is applied. In fact, the portion of the surface 33d' helow the 16 cutout 33b' also tends to project into the socket to further 17 resist any camming like action.

18 In this en~l~odiment the strap 35' is prefera~ly 19 shaped so that the second surface 37' engages the opposed surface 31' to cause the tongue 33c' to move into the socket 21 ~ as the two parts move to the angulated position ill'ustrated.
22 It should be understood that the strap 35' of the cross member 23 16' is also positively locked in the similar manner when the - : . ,: . : .

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l~-141 1 two connecteu parts are anyulated as illustrated in Figure 8.

2 It has been found in actual tests that connections 3 as illustrated in the second en~odiment of Fi~ures 7 and 8 4 are capable of withstanding separation forces, when the two S parts are angulated as illustrated in Fiyure 8 which are in the 6 range of two or more times the separation force that can be 7 sustained by the embodiment of Figures 1 tllrough 6 when such 8 first embodiment is subjected to separating forces while in a 9 similar angulated position. In fact, the structure of the second em~odiment can withstand higher separation forces even 11 when angulated than can be normally handled by tlle first 12 embodiment when the two connecting parts are aligned. It should 13 oe understood however, that in normal installations the en~odiment 14 of Figures 1 through 6 provides more than adequate strength and that such embodiment is completely satisfactory in installations 16 in which the two connected parts are not subjected to angulated 17 conditions of the type illustrated in Figure 8. In the embodiment 18 of Figures 7 and 8, the assembly is the same as in the first 19 en~odiment and the tongue 33c' does not interfere in any way with the movement of the strap 33' into its normal position 21 between the two opposed surfaces 31' and 32'.

22 Although preferred embodiments of this invention 23 are illustrated, it should be understood that various modifica-24 tions and rearrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed and 26 cl aimed herein.

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Claims (24)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A locking connection for a planar grid system or the like which includes a plurality of parallel first support members and a plurality of second support members which extend perpendicular to and between said first members comprising a web provided by said first members formed with a slot opening therethrough, an end connector on each of said second members, each end connector being proportioned so that two of them are insertable through said slot openings from opposite directions in abutting side-by-side relationship to lock a pair of said second members together on opposite sides of an associated first member, said end connectors each providing an opposed pair of surfaces which extend substantially perpendicular to the associated second members and interlocking with opposed surfaces on the other connector when two end connectors are inserted in opposite directions through said slot, said interlocking surfaces operating to positively position said end connectors and their associated second members in a predetermined axial position and prevent relative axial movement therebetween toward and away from each other, said slot preventing lateral separation of said end connectors and preventing disengagement of said inter-locking surfaces, each end connector also including a laterally extending portion which engages said web on the side thereof remote from the associated second member to prevent withdrawal of each end connector from said slot independent of the other connector whereby a single connector may be installed and locked in said slot, said laterally extending portion operating after one connector is installed in said slot to prevent the insertion of a second connector on the incorrect side of said one connector.

2. A locking connection as set forth in claim 1 wherein said end connectors are identical and each end connector provides two pairs of opposed surfaces which interengage with mating surfaces on the other connector to provide two locking systems, one locking system being on each side of said slot opening when two connectors are connected within said slot opening.

3. A locking connection as set forth in claim 2 wherein one pair of opposed surfaces on each end connector is provided by a lateral strap portion at the forward end thereof, and the other pair of opposed surfaces is provided by a pair of lateral protrusions, each strap portion being positioned between the protrusions of the other connector when two end connectors are installed within said slot opening.

4. A locking connection as set forth in claim 3 wherein each end connector is provided with a lateral pro-jection positioned within said slot opening when installed therein, said lateral projections cooperating to cause a pair of end connectors to tightly fit in an associated slot opening.

5. A locking connection as set forth in claim 3 wherein each end connector is provided with stiffening flanges terminating in ends which are axially spaced from said laterally extending portion by a distance greater than the nominal thick-ness of said web, said flange ends and laterally extending portion cooperating to locate a single end connector in said slot opening.

6. A locking connection as set forth in claim 5 wherein said laterally extending portion is a tab formed with a U-shape and one side of said strap portion extends between the legs of said laterally extending tab.

7. A locking connection as set forth in claim 6 wherein one of said protrusions on each end connector is shaped to cam the strap portion of the other end connector laterally as said connectors are moved toward each other to said predetermined position.

8. A locking connection as set forth in claim 7 wherein said end connectors are separate elements mounted on said second members so that adjacent second members are aligned when their associated end connectors are connected in said slot opening.

9. A locking connection as set forth in claim 3 wherein said strap is formed with a tongue along one surface of said one pair of opposed surfaces, and the associated of said protrusions provides a socket to receive said tongue.

10. A locking connection as set forth in claim 9 wherein said tongue and socket interfit to prevent movement of said second members in a direction away from each other.

11. A locking connection as set forth in claim 9 wherein movement of said second members to a position of non-alignment causes said tongue to enter said socket.

12. A locking connection for a planar grid system or the like which includes a plurality of parallel first support members and a plurality of second support members which extend perpendicular to and between said first members comprising a web provided by said first members formed with a slot opening therethrough, identical end connectors on each of said second members, each end connector being proportioned so the two of them are insertable through said slot openings from opposite directions in abutting side-by-side relationship to lock a pair of said second members together on opposite sides of an associated first member, said end connectors each pro-viding a lateral strap portion to provide a first pair of opposed surfaces and a pair of opposed protrusions providing a second pair of opposed surfaces, said strap portion of each end connector being located between the protrusions of the other end connector when two end connectors are installed in said slot opening and providing two locking systems with one located on each side of said web, each locking system in-cluding interengaging opposed surfaces which cooperate to positively position said end connectors in a predetermined axial position and preventing relative axial movement there-between toward and away from each other, said slot preventing lateral separation of said end connectors and preventing disengagement between said strap portions and protrusions.

13. A locking connection as set forth in claim 12 wherein said end connectors provide separate locking means-operable to lock a single end connector within said slot opening.

14. A locking connection as set forth in claim 13 wherein said separate locking means includes a laterally extending tab which also operates to prevent insertion of a second end connector into said slot on the incorrect side of a previously installed end connector.

15. A locking connection as set forth in claim 12 wherein one of said pair of surfaces is provided with a tongue and the associated protrusion provides a socket to receive said tongue.

16. A locking connection as set forth in claim 12 wherein one of said protrusions provides a socket, said strap is cut out along one edge in a location to receive a portion of the second surface of said one protrusion, a portion of said strap being movable into said socket to prevent lateral separation of said strap and associated protrusion.

29 7. A suspension ceiling grid comprising a plurality of parallel main grid members cooperating to provide main runs, a plurality of cross members extending between and supported by said main members, said cross members cooperating to provide a plurality of cross runs extending perpendicular to said main runs, each main member providing a slot opening aligned with each cross member, said cross members providing similar end connectors with two of them extending in opposite directions through an associated slot opening in side-by-side relationship, each end connector providing a pair of opposed surfaces extending substantially perpendicularly to the length of its cross member interlocking with mating opposed surfaces on the other end connector to lock adjacent ends of said cross members in a predetermined axial position relative to each other and against relative axial movement toward and away from each other, said slot preventing lateral disengagement between said interlocking opposed surfaces, each end connector providing cam means to laterally displace said pair of opposed surfaces of the other end connector as they move to said predetermined position, said end connectors being formed of a material having sufficient resiliency to permit said connectors to be inserted with straight-in insertion into said slot, to allow said lateral displacement of said opposed surfaces and to cause said opposed surfaces to snap into interengaging relationship when said cross members reach said predetermined position.

18. A suspension ceiling grid as set forth in claim 17 wherein each end connector includes separate locking means operable to lock a single end connector in said slot opening.

19. A suspension ceiling grid as set forth in claim 18 wherein said separate locking means includes a laterally extending tab which prevents insertion of a second end connector into said slot opening on the incorrect side of a first end connector within said slot opening.

20. A suspension ceiling grid as set forth in claim 19 wherein each end connector is provided with two pairs of opposed surfaces each of which mates with and interlocks with a mating pair of opposed surfaces on the other end connector and provides two separate locking systems with one on each side of said slot opening.

21. A suspension ceiling grid as set forth in claim 17 wherein said end connectors provide a tongue and socket structure which interfit at least when said cross members are not aligned to prevent separating forces from disconnecting said end connectors.

22. A locking connection for a planar ceiling grid system which consists of parallel elongated main runs and parallel elongated cross runs extending perpendicular to said main runs comprising a plurality of end connected members providing identical mating end connections, said end connectors including a first lateral surface and a mating protrusion providing a second lateral surface and an axially extending socket, said mating end connectors being assembled by axial movement causing lateral deflection allowing said first lateral surface to pass said protrusion and said second lateral surface and subsequent return to an undeflected state in which said first and second lateral surfaces are in abutting axial alignment, said first lateral surface being provided with an axially extending tongue which axially interfits into said socket when said end connections are subjected to tension forces, interlocking between said first and second surfaces preventing separation of the connected members when subjected to tension forces and said interfitting of said tongue and socket preventing lateral separation of said first and second surfaces.

23. A locking connection as set forth in claim 22 wherein said first surface and the extremity of said tongue are aligned, said tongue being formed by a pair of notches in said first surface, said second surface being curved to provide said socket, movement of said members to a position of nonalignment causing a portion of said second surface to enter one of said notches and movement of said tongue into said socket.

24. A locking connector as set forth in claim 22 wherein means are provided to move said tongue into said socket in response to movement of said members to positions of nonalignment.