CA1213118A - Connection means for use in a suspended ceiling grid - Google Patents
Connection means for use in a suspended ceiling gridInfo
- Publication number
- CA1213118A CA1213118A CA000428140A CA428140A CA1213118A CA 1213118 A CA1213118 A CA 1213118A CA 000428140 A CA000428140 A CA 000428140A CA 428140 A CA428140 A CA 428140A CA 1213118 A CA1213118 A CA 1213118A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bar
- connection means
- web
- connector
- lower edge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B9/00—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation
- E04B9/06—Ceilings; Construction of ceilings, e.g. false ceilings; Ceiling construction with regard to insulation characterised by constructional features of the supporting construction, e.g. cross section or material of framework members
- E04B9/12—Connections between non-parallel members of the supporting construction
- E04B9/122—Connections between non-parallel members of the supporting construction one member passing through the other member, both members laying at least partly in the same plane
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A connector member for application to a suspended ceiling grid member has a plate with a lug providing a re-entrant arm adapted to pass through an aperture in a planar web portion of the grid member and to receive a keeper member to lock the plate to the planar web. One end of the plate is provided with a connector portion having a neck portion for lodging in a secured position in an opening in a side wall of a main grid member to which one end of the first-mentioned grid member is to be connected, and a head portion with a lower edge inclining downwardly and forwardly from the lower edge of the neck portion and having a transverse width no greater than the width of the neck portion. The arrangement facilitates connection of the grid members as the connector portion can be engaged with an opening in a main member without needing to incline or tilt the cross member substantially relative to the main member.
Removal of selected cross members from any desired position in the grid is facilitated as the connector member can be readily detached by withdrawing the keeper member from its locked position.
A connector member for application to a suspended ceiling grid member has a plate with a lug providing a re-entrant arm adapted to pass through an aperture in a planar web portion of the grid member and to receive a keeper member to lock the plate to the planar web. One end of the plate is provided with a connector portion having a neck portion for lodging in a secured position in an opening in a side wall of a main grid member to which one end of the first-mentioned grid member is to be connected, and a head portion with a lower edge inclining downwardly and forwardly from the lower edge of the neck portion and having a transverse width no greater than the width of the neck portion. The arrangement facilitates connection of the grid members as the connector portion can be engaged with an opening in a main member without needing to incline or tilt the cross member substantially relative to the main member.
Removal of selected cross members from any desired position in the grid is facilitated as the connector member can be readily detached by withdrawing the keeper member from its locked position.
Description
lZ13118 The present invention provides connection means for a suspended ceiling grid comprising a T-bar having an elongated planar web, a laterally-extending flange portion on a lower edge of the web and a connector portion extending longitudinally forwardly from one end of the web and comprising a neck portion for lodging in a secured position in an opening in a side wall of a main grid member to which the T-bar is to be connected, and a head portion with a lower edge inclining forwardly and downwardly from the lower edge of the neck portion and having a transverse width no greater than the width of the neck portion.
With this arrangement, the connector portion is well adapted to be introduced into a slot or other opening in the side wall of a main grid member by lowering the cross bar while maintaining it in a generally horizontal plane, and without needing to tilt or pivot the cross bar at any large angle relative to the horizontal. The arrangement therefore facilitates the connection of the cross bars to the main grid members, as it permits the connection to be ma~e without needing to deflect the main grid members to any large extent out of their normal positions. The arrangement is also very well adpated to be modified, as in a preferred form, to provide for a reaction surface which reacts with a side surface of the main grid member when the lower edge of the head portion engages the slot, and to bias the head portion forwardly and permit the upper edge of the neck portion to snap positively into the slot.
, ~.
1213~18 Although this connector portion may be formed integrally with the end of the T-bar, advantageously, the connector portion is formed on one end of a plate constituting a securable and detachable connector member as described in more detail below.
A cross bar having such connector portion applied at each end may readily be installed and secured between adjacent main grid members without needing to unduly disturb or deflect the suspended main grid members ~rom their normal positions, while, when removal of any selected cross bar is desired, this can readily be performed by simply unlocking the connector portion from one or both ends of the cross bar. This arrangement is particularly convenient as it permits the manufacturer to supply the installers of the supsended ceil.ing structures with assembled cross bar units having a connector member locked to each end. Thus, the installer is spared the time-consuming task of having to apply theconnector member separately and the inconvenience of having to keep control of separate end connector clips or other separate connector pieces which are liable to become misplaced or lost.
The invention will now be more fully described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded partial perspective vlew of a main grid member and a cross bar provided with connection means in accordance with the invention;
. ~. ~;,.
12~311~
Figure 2 shows a side view, partally in section, of the connection means applied to the cross bar, in the course of introducing the c~nnector portion through a slot in the main grid member; and Figure 3 shows a view corresponding to Figure 2, with the connection portion fully secured to the main grid member.
Referring to the drawings, an inverted T-section cross bar 10 has an elongated planar web 11 and a laterally-extending flange 12. A main grid member 13, in this example of the same inverted T-section as the member 10, and having an elongated planar web 14 and a laterally-e~tending flange 16, is provided with a vertical slot 17 through it at a point where it is desired to secure the end of the member 10 to the member 13.
~djacent one end, the cross bar 10 is formed with a rectangular through-aperture 18. To connect the bar 10 to the member 13, a connector member 19 is provided comprising a rigid plate 21 from which are struck laterally outwardly two parallel lugs 22 and 23, each provided with an inwardly-directed re-entrant arm portion 24. The lugs 22 and 23 are dimensioned so that the vertically-extending outer sides of the lugs 22 and 23 wedge snugly, without appreciable clearance, between the opposing vertical sides of the aperture 18. Further, each lug 22 and 23 tapers in width laterally outwardly from its root or point of connection to the plate 21 toward its end. Thus, when the lugs 22 and 23 are pressed firmly into the aperture 18, the upper and lower horizontal edges of the lugs 22 and 23 wedge within the aperture 18 without appreciable clearance between the horizontal edges of the lugs and the horizontal opposing edges of the aperture 18. When the lugs are introduced into the aperture 18, the arms 24 define a vertically-opening recess with the side of the web 11 opposite the plate 21. A thin resilient metal plate keeper member 26 is insertable vertically downwardly into this recess from the position shown in Figure 1 lZ13~
to the locked position shown in Fiqures 2 and 3. The upper end of the keeper 26 is formed with a laterally-extending lip 27 which, in the locked position, engages an upper edge 28 of the web 11, and provides a portion which may be grasped with the fingers or engaged with a tool to lever the keeper member 2Ç
upwardly, when it is desired to release the connector member 19 from its locked position relative to the web 11. The edge 28 is desirably recessed below the upper edge of the web 11 so that in the locked position the upper edge of the keeper member 10 26 does not protrude above the upper edge of the cross bar 10.
Further, where, as in the example shown, the cross bar 10 is an extrusion having an upper thickened edge portion 29, it is desirable to remove this upper thickened portion 29 in the region of engagement of the keeper member 26, in order to facilitate engagement and withdrawl of the member 26 with and from the web 11. In the preferred form, as shown, the keeper member has an intermediate section 31 which is permanently set at a slight lateral inclination toward ~he lip 27 and a lower section 32 inclining slightly laterally outwardly away from the 20 lip 27, relative to the plane of the uppermost portion of the keeper member. In the locked position, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lower edge 33 of the intermediate section 31 lies slightly below and the upper edge 34 slightly above the lower and upper edges of the re-entrant arms 24, respectively. As the keeper is pressed downwardly into the recess defined between the arms 24 and the web 11, the intermediate section 31 is deflected resiliently inwardly by the arms 24 and the lower sectis~n 32 is urged outwardly by its contact with the web 11, while the upper or main portion tends to be compressed 30 resiliently against the web 11 above the aperture 18. The plate 26 in the preferred form is located positively relative to the web 11 by forming the web with a small hole or recess 36, in this case circular, and by forming the upper portion of the plate 26 with a correspondingly laterally projecting dimple or projection 37 which snaps into the recess 36 in the locked position.
.
_ ~ _ 1213~8 It will be appreciated that, owing to the wedging action between the lugs 22 and the aperture 18 and the resilient stress applied between the keeper members 26 and the re-entrant arms 24, urging the lugs 22 and 23 laterally inwardly into the aperture 18, the plate 21 is securely retained against movement longitudinally and transversely relative to the web 11.
On one end, the plate 21 carries a forwardly projecting connector portion 38 comprising an integral tab struck from the material of the plate 21. The tab has a longitudinally or horizontally extending upper edge 9 and a notch in its lower surface providing a horizontally extending lower edge 40 defining with the edge 39 a neck of width about the same as that of the slot 17 formed in the web 14. Forwardly of this neck portion, the tab includes a head portion 41. Forwardly of the lower edge 40, the lower edge of the head portion provides a transversely extending edge 42 extending downwardly to a downwardly and forwardly inclining edge 43 terminating at a longitudinally extending lower edge 44. The width of the head portion 41, defined between the lower edge 44 and an upper edge 46, defining a stepped upper surface of the head portion 41, is approximately the same width as that of the neck defined between the edges 39 and 40 i.e. approximately the same as the width of the slot 17. A transversely or vertically extending edge 47 extends bet~een the upper edges 39 and 46, slightly rearwardly of the inclining lower edge 43. The leading edge 48 of the head portion 41 inclines downwardly and forwardly.
In use, the arrangement may be employed to advantaye in the installation of a suspended ceiling grid having a plurality of the relatively long or continuous main runner members 13 suspended from the ceiling by conventional suspension means and arranged parallel to one another at usually r~gular transverse spacings, and with slots 17 formed therethrough at regular intervals, appropriate for the desired grid lay-out. A
plurality of cross bar members 10 will be employed, which in ~2~31~13 the preferred form will each be ~ormed to standard lengths matching the desired transverse spacing between the flanges 16 of the main runner members 13, and which will each have at each end an aperture 18 and a connector member 19 secured thereto.
In installing a cross bar between a pair of adjacent main runner members 13, the cross bar 10 is brought down from above, while maintaining the cross bar in a horizontal attitude, with the web 11 held vertical, until the leading edge or t.ip of the connector portion 38 at each end engages the web 14 of the adjacent main runner member 13 above the slot 17. The pair of main runner members 13 are thereby deflected laterally outwardly, thus exerting a compressive stress on the connector portions 38. At the point where the tips of the connector portions 38 enter the slot 17, the upper edge of the slot 17 reacts with the inclining edge 48 to urge the cross bar 10 downwardly until the position as shown in Figure 2 is momentarily reached, at which the head portions 41 enter the slot 17. Further relief of the compressive tension in the main runners 13 results in the inner side of the planar web 14 moving inwardly relative to the head portion until it reaches the vertical edge 47. At this point, a lower margin of the inclining lower edge 43 has slid over the lower edge of the notch 17, this margin being spaced forwardly from the vertical surface 47 by a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the web 14. Hand pressure exerted downwardly on the cross bar 10 now causes the inclining edge 43 to ride over the lower edge of the notch 17, tending to resiliently bias the metal of the head portion 41 forwardly and slightly upwardly against the reaction of the surface of the vertical edge 47 with the planar web 14 in the region above the notch 17. The notch defined between the edges 40 and 42 now snaps over the lower edge of the notch 17, and at the same time the upper edge 38 of the neck portion snaps into the slot 17, as shown in Figure 3, relieving the tensile stress in the head portion 41. Once the connector portion 38 at each end is fitted to a main member 13 with the neck portion defined beteen the edges 39 and 40 _ ~ _ lZ13~18 received in the slot 17, the cross bar 10 is securely retained in engagement with the main member. The engagement of the upper edge 39 of the neck portion and of the transverse edge 42 on the lower edge of the slot 17 resists any tendency for the connector member to become disengaged from the slot through any disturbance of the cross bar 10 or main member 13 tending to result in an upward tilting motion of the cross bar 10 relative to the main member 13.
In the preferred form, the forward edge of the connector member 21 is provided with an upper tab portion 49 providing an upper transverse edge 51 which engages the side of the web 14 in the engaged position shown in Figure 3, and supports the main member 13 against such tilting motion relative to the cross bar 10. Further, in the preferred form as shown, the end of the cross bar 10 is provided with surfaces for engaging the main member 13 so as to resist relative downward tilting moton of the cross bar 10. These surfaces may comprise surfaces on the plate of the connector member 21, e.g. a transverse edge 52 defining with the lower transverse edge 42 a notch of a width to snugly receive the thickness of the web 14, or may be provided on the cross bar itself, e.g. as noted above and as shown the cross bar 10 is formed to a length to provide an end surface 53 of its lower flange 12 on the cross bar 10 which abuts the side surface of the lower flange 16 on each main member 13 in the engaged position.
Preferably, the connector plate 21 is provided with a lower longitudinally extending surface 54 arranged so that in the installed position shown in Figure 3, it rests on the flange 16 of the main runner member 13, the arrangement being such that the weight of the cross bar 10 is transmitted to the main member 13 through the engagement of this surface 54 on the flange 16, rather than through the engagement of the connector portion 38 on the lower edge of the slot 17.
1213il8 The connector portion 38 is, as shown, preferably offset laterally from the plane of the plate 21, so that when a second cross bar fitted with a similarly offset connector portion 38 is introduced into the same slot 17 from the opposite side, the two cross bar members may be engaged in the slot in at least approximate alignment with one another.
With the arrangement as shown in the drawings, a cross bar locked in position between a pair of main grid members through a locking connection as illustrated in Figure 3, may readily be disconnected by withdrawing the keeper member 26 to permit the connector plate 21 to be detached from one or both ends of the cross bar, without needing to disturb or deflect the adjacent main grid member e.g. the main member 13 with which the connector portion 38 is engaged. After removal of the cross bar, the connector portion 38 can be levered ou~ of the slot 17 applying normal hand pressure to tilt the plate 21 downwardly relative to the main member 13. It will be appreciated that this greatly facilitates removal of cross bars where, for any reason, it is desired to remove a cross bar from a selected location in the grid arrangement.
As noted above, the locking arrangement employing the aperture 18, lugs 22 and 23 with re-entrant arms 24 and the keeper member 26 can advantageously be employed for splicing together the juxtaposed e~ds of T-section bars or like members which provide an elongated planar web portion. In such case, each member to be joined is formed with a through-aperture similar to the aperture 18 adjacent each end. A splice plate is employed comprising a planar, rectangular plate having two sets of the lugs 22 and 23 struck therefrom at a longitudinal spacing corresponding to the desired spacing between the through apertures formed in the longitudinal members when their ends are juxtaposed. As will be readily appreciated, by employing this splice plat~, the juxtaposed ends of the longitudinal members to be spliced can be locked together by _ ,g _ inserting resilient keeper members, such as the keeper member 26 through each set of the lug members when inserted through the lug members in each set. This splicing plate may be particularly useful for joining together the ends of relatively long sections of main grid members such as the members 13 to form relatively long, structurally continuous main grid lengths in a ceiling grid, between which cross bars similar to the cross bars 10 are to be supported.
In the preferred form, the cross bars 10 are provided in standardized lengths and, as manufactured, are pre-punched with the through-apertures 1B adjacent each end and are furnished to the ceiling structure installers as units with the connector members 19 pre-applied and pre-locked in place on each end, thus avoiding the need for the ceiling installer to install the connector members separately and avoiding the use of separate clip elements which may become misplaced or lost.
In use, following the installation of the main members, installation of the cross T-bar units is commenced. Usually, it will be more convenient to install the cross bar units in each row in the grid progressively, commencing from one end of the row. With the usual forms of suspension grid members and grid arrangements, the arrangement can readily accommodate the small lateral deflection of the adjacent pairs of main grid members that is required in order to snap the cross bar unit into the installed position between them. In the installation of the last cross bar in the row, where the peripheral main grid member is not laterally deflectable e.g. is secured to a wall, the installation can be achieved by detaching the connector plate 21 from one end of the cross bar, hooking the portion 38 of the detached plate 21 into the slot 17 of the main grid member, snapping the opposite end of the cross bar having the connector member 19 secured thereto into the slot or other opening in the adjacent main grid member, bringing the lugs 22 and 23 of the detached plate 21 through the aperture 18 121311~
in the free end of the cross bar, and securing the plate member in place with the keeper member 26 passed through the lugs 22 and 23 into the locked positîon.
It may be mentioned that a further advantage of the arrangement shown in the drawings is that the parts of the connector member i.e. the plate 21 including the connector portion 38 and the keeper member 26 may be removed from an installation without needing to permanently distort them. The connector members therefore are re-useable.
While in the accompanying drawings the connection between T-section members has been illustrated, it will be appreciated that the use of the above-described connector members is not thus limited. As will be appreciated, the connector member 19 as illustrated is attachable to other members having a web through which an aperture similar to the aperture 18 may be formed, and the connector portion 38 may likewise be employed to connect to other webs of suitable thickness defining a slot opening similar to the slot openng 17 e.g. to a wall of a ; channel-shaped member or other member providing a side wall.
It will also be appreciated that, less advantageously, the connector member 19 may be formed with connector portions of known configuration different from the connector portion 38 illustrated, for connection to various forms of grid members.
The cross bars and main grid members will frequently be, but are not necessarily, extrusions of metal or plastics. Usually, the connector member 19 and the keeper member 26 will be formed of metal having sufficient strength and, in the case of the keeper member 26, sufficient resiliency e.g. of steel. It will be appreciated, however, that other materials having comparable physical properties, e.g. high strength plastics, may be employed.
With this arrangement, the connector portion is well adapted to be introduced into a slot or other opening in the side wall of a main grid member by lowering the cross bar while maintaining it in a generally horizontal plane, and without needing to tilt or pivot the cross bar at any large angle relative to the horizontal. The arrangement therefore facilitates the connection of the cross bars to the main grid members, as it permits the connection to be ma~e without needing to deflect the main grid members to any large extent out of their normal positions. The arrangement is also very well adpated to be modified, as in a preferred form, to provide for a reaction surface which reacts with a side surface of the main grid member when the lower edge of the head portion engages the slot, and to bias the head portion forwardly and permit the upper edge of the neck portion to snap positively into the slot.
, ~.
1213~18 Although this connector portion may be formed integrally with the end of the T-bar, advantageously, the connector portion is formed on one end of a plate constituting a securable and detachable connector member as described in more detail below.
A cross bar having such connector portion applied at each end may readily be installed and secured between adjacent main grid members without needing to unduly disturb or deflect the suspended main grid members ~rom their normal positions, while, when removal of any selected cross bar is desired, this can readily be performed by simply unlocking the connector portion from one or both ends of the cross bar. This arrangement is particularly convenient as it permits the manufacturer to supply the installers of the supsended ceil.ing structures with assembled cross bar units having a connector member locked to each end. Thus, the installer is spared the time-consuming task of having to apply theconnector member separately and the inconvenience of having to keep control of separate end connector clips or other separate connector pieces which are liable to become misplaced or lost.
The invention will now be more fully described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded partial perspective vlew of a main grid member and a cross bar provided with connection means in accordance with the invention;
. ~. ~;,.
12~311~
Figure 2 shows a side view, partally in section, of the connection means applied to the cross bar, in the course of introducing the c~nnector portion through a slot in the main grid member; and Figure 3 shows a view corresponding to Figure 2, with the connection portion fully secured to the main grid member.
Referring to the drawings, an inverted T-section cross bar 10 has an elongated planar web 11 and a laterally-extending flange 12. A main grid member 13, in this example of the same inverted T-section as the member 10, and having an elongated planar web 14 and a laterally-e~tending flange 16, is provided with a vertical slot 17 through it at a point where it is desired to secure the end of the member 10 to the member 13.
~djacent one end, the cross bar 10 is formed with a rectangular through-aperture 18. To connect the bar 10 to the member 13, a connector member 19 is provided comprising a rigid plate 21 from which are struck laterally outwardly two parallel lugs 22 and 23, each provided with an inwardly-directed re-entrant arm portion 24. The lugs 22 and 23 are dimensioned so that the vertically-extending outer sides of the lugs 22 and 23 wedge snugly, without appreciable clearance, between the opposing vertical sides of the aperture 18. Further, each lug 22 and 23 tapers in width laterally outwardly from its root or point of connection to the plate 21 toward its end. Thus, when the lugs 22 and 23 are pressed firmly into the aperture 18, the upper and lower horizontal edges of the lugs 22 and 23 wedge within the aperture 18 without appreciable clearance between the horizontal edges of the lugs and the horizontal opposing edges of the aperture 18. When the lugs are introduced into the aperture 18, the arms 24 define a vertically-opening recess with the side of the web 11 opposite the plate 21. A thin resilient metal plate keeper member 26 is insertable vertically downwardly into this recess from the position shown in Figure 1 lZ13~
to the locked position shown in Fiqures 2 and 3. The upper end of the keeper 26 is formed with a laterally-extending lip 27 which, in the locked position, engages an upper edge 28 of the web 11, and provides a portion which may be grasped with the fingers or engaged with a tool to lever the keeper member 2Ç
upwardly, when it is desired to release the connector member 19 from its locked position relative to the web 11. The edge 28 is desirably recessed below the upper edge of the web 11 so that in the locked position the upper edge of the keeper member 10 26 does not protrude above the upper edge of the cross bar 10.
Further, where, as in the example shown, the cross bar 10 is an extrusion having an upper thickened edge portion 29, it is desirable to remove this upper thickened portion 29 in the region of engagement of the keeper member 26, in order to facilitate engagement and withdrawl of the member 26 with and from the web 11. In the preferred form, as shown, the keeper member has an intermediate section 31 which is permanently set at a slight lateral inclination toward ~he lip 27 and a lower section 32 inclining slightly laterally outwardly away from the 20 lip 27, relative to the plane of the uppermost portion of the keeper member. In the locked position, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lower edge 33 of the intermediate section 31 lies slightly below and the upper edge 34 slightly above the lower and upper edges of the re-entrant arms 24, respectively. As the keeper is pressed downwardly into the recess defined between the arms 24 and the web 11, the intermediate section 31 is deflected resiliently inwardly by the arms 24 and the lower sectis~n 32 is urged outwardly by its contact with the web 11, while the upper or main portion tends to be compressed 30 resiliently against the web 11 above the aperture 18. The plate 26 in the preferred form is located positively relative to the web 11 by forming the web with a small hole or recess 36, in this case circular, and by forming the upper portion of the plate 26 with a correspondingly laterally projecting dimple or projection 37 which snaps into the recess 36 in the locked position.
.
_ ~ _ 1213~8 It will be appreciated that, owing to the wedging action between the lugs 22 and the aperture 18 and the resilient stress applied between the keeper members 26 and the re-entrant arms 24, urging the lugs 22 and 23 laterally inwardly into the aperture 18, the plate 21 is securely retained against movement longitudinally and transversely relative to the web 11.
On one end, the plate 21 carries a forwardly projecting connector portion 38 comprising an integral tab struck from the material of the plate 21. The tab has a longitudinally or horizontally extending upper edge 9 and a notch in its lower surface providing a horizontally extending lower edge 40 defining with the edge 39 a neck of width about the same as that of the slot 17 formed in the web 14. Forwardly of this neck portion, the tab includes a head portion 41. Forwardly of the lower edge 40, the lower edge of the head portion provides a transversely extending edge 42 extending downwardly to a downwardly and forwardly inclining edge 43 terminating at a longitudinally extending lower edge 44. The width of the head portion 41, defined between the lower edge 44 and an upper edge 46, defining a stepped upper surface of the head portion 41, is approximately the same width as that of the neck defined between the edges 39 and 40 i.e. approximately the same as the width of the slot 17. A transversely or vertically extending edge 47 extends bet~een the upper edges 39 and 46, slightly rearwardly of the inclining lower edge 43. The leading edge 48 of the head portion 41 inclines downwardly and forwardly.
In use, the arrangement may be employed to advantaye in the installation of a suspended ceiling grid having a plurality of the relatively long or continuous main runner members 13 suspended from the ceiling by conventional suspension means and arranged parallel to one another at usually r~gular transverse spacings, and with slots 17 formed therethrough at regular intervals, appropriate for the desired grid lay-out. A
plurality of cross bar members 10 will be employed, which in ~2~31~13 the preferred form will each be ~ormed to standard lengths matching the desired transverse spacing between the flanges 16 of the main runner members 13, and which will each have at each end an aperture 18 and a connector member 19 secured thereto.
In installing a cross bar between a pair of adjacent main runner members 13, the cross bar 10 is brought down from above, while maintaining the cross bar in a horizontal attitude, with the web 11 held vertical, until the leading edge or t.ip of the connector portion 38 at each end engages the web 14 of the adjacent main runner member 13 above the slot 17. The pair of main runner members 13 are thereby deflected laterally outwardly, thus exerting a compressive stress on the connector portions 38. At the point where the tips of the connector portions 38 enter the slot 17, the upper edge of the slot 17 reacts with the inclining edge 48 to urge the cross bar 10 downwardly until the position as shown in Figure 2 is momentarily reached, at which the head portions 41 enter the slot 17. Further relief of the compressive tension in the main runners 13 results in the inner side of the planar web 14 moving inwardly relative to the head portion until it reaches the vertical edge 47. At this point, a lower margin of the inclining lower edge 43 has slid over the lower edge of the notch 17, this margin being spaced forwardly from the vertical surface 47 by a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the web 14. Hand pressure exerted downwardly on the cross bar 10 now causes the inclining edge 43 to ride over the lower edge of the notch 17, tending to resiliently bias the metal of the head portion 41 forwardly and slightly upwardly against the reaction of the surface of the vertical edge 47 with the planar web 14 in the region above the notch 17. The notch defined between the edges 40 and 42 now snaps over the lower edge of the notch 17, and at the same time the upper edge 38 of the neck portion snaps into the slot 17, as shown in Figure 3, relieving the tensile stress in the head portion 41. Once the connector portion 38 at each end is fitted to a main member 13 with the neck portion defined beteen the edges 39 and 40 _ ~ _ lZ13~18 received in the slot 17, the cross bar 10 is securely retained in engagement with the main member. The engagement of the upper edge 39 of the neck portion and of the transverse edge 42 on the lower edge of the slot 17 resists any tendency for the connector member to become disengaged from the slot through any disturbance of the cross bar 10 or main member 13 tending to result in an upward tilting motion of the cross bar 10 relative to the main member 13.
In the preferred form, the forward edge of the connector member 21 is provided with an upper tab portion 49 providing an upper transverse edge 51 which engages the side of the web 14 in the engaged position shown in Figure 3, and supports the main member 13 against such tilting motion relative to the cross bar 10. Further, in the preferred form as shown, the end of the cross bar 10 is provided with surfaces for engaging the main member 13 so as to resist relative downward tilting moton of the cross bar 10. These surfaces may comprise surfaces on the plate of the connector member 21, e.g. a transverse edge 52 defining with the lower transverse edge 42 a notch of a width to snugly receive the thickness of the web 14, or may be provided on the cross bar itself, e.g. as noted above and as shown the cross bar 10 is formed to a length to provide an end surface 53 of its lower flange 12 on the cross bar 10 which abuts the side surface of the lower flange 16 on each main member 13 in the engaged position.
Preferably, the connector plate 21 is provided with a lower longitudinally extending surface 54 arranged so that in the installed position shown in Figure 3, it rests on the flange 16 of the main runner member 13, the arrangement being such that the weight of the cross bar 10 is transmitted to the main member 13 through the engagement of this surface 54 on the flange 16, rather than through the engagement of the connector portion 38 on the lower edge of the slot 17.
1213il8 The connector portion 38 is, as shown, preferably offset laterally from the plane of the plate 21, so that when a second cross bar fitted with a similarly offset connector portion 38 is introduced into the same slot 17 from the opposite side, the two cross bar members may be engaged in the slot in at least approximate alignment with one another.
With the arrangement as shown in the drawings, a cross bar locked in position between a pair of main grid members through a locking connection as illustrated in Figure 3, may readily be disconnected by withdrawing the keeper member 26 to permit the connector plate 21 to be detached from one or both ends of the cross bar, without needing to disturb or deflect the adjacent main grid member e.g. the main member 13 with which the connector portion 38 is engaged. After removal of the cross bar, the connector portion 38 can be levered ou~ of the slot 17 applying normal hand pressure to tilt the plate 21 downwardly relative to the main member 13. It will be appreciated that this greatly facilitates removal of cross bars where, for any reason, it is desired to remove a cross bar from a selected location in the grid arrangement.
As noted above, the locking arrangement employing the aperture 18, lugs 22 and 23 with re-entrant arms 24 and the keeper member 26 can advantageously be employed for splicing together the juxtaposed e~ds of T-section bars or like members which provide an elongated planar web portion. In such case, each member to be joined is formed with a through-aperture similar to the aperture 18 adjacent each end. A splice plate is employed comprising a planar, rectangular plate having two sets of the lugs 22 and 23 struck therefrom at a longitudinal spacing corresponding to the desired spacing between the through apertures formed in the longitudinal members when their ends are juxtaposed. As will be readily appreciated, by employing this splice plat~, the juxtaposed ends of the longitudinal members to be spliced can be locked together by _ ,g _ inserting resilient keeper members, such as the keeper member 26 through each set of the lug members when inserted through the lug members in each set. This splicing plate may be particularly useful for joining together the ends of relatively long sections of main grid members such as the members 13 to form relatively long, structurally continuous main grid lengths in a ceiling grid, between which cross bars similar to the cross bars 10 are to be supported.
In the preferred form, the cross bars 10 are provided in standardized lengths and, as manufactured, are pre-punched with the through-apertures 1B adjacent each end and are furnished to the ceiling structure installers as units with the connector members 19 pre-applied and pre-locked in place on each end, thus avoiding the need for the ceiling installer to install the connector members separately and avoiding the use of separate clip elements which may become misplaced or lost.
In use, following the installation of the main members, installation of the cross T-bar units is commenced. Usually, it will be more convenient to install the cross bar units in each row in the grid progressively, commencing from one end of the row. With the usual forms of suspension grid members and grid arrangements, the arrangement can readily accommodate the small lateral deflection of the adjacent pairs of main grid members that is required in order to snap the cross bar unit into the installed position between them. In the installation of the last cross bar in the row, where the peripheral main grid member is not laterally deflectable e.g. is secured to a wall, the installation can be achieved by detaching the connector plate 21 from one end of the cross bar, hooking the portion 38 of the detached plate 21 into the slot 17 of the main grid member, snapping the opposite end of the cross bar having the connector member 19 secured thereto into the slot or other opening in the adjacent main grid member, bringing the lugs 22 and 23 of the detached plate 21 through the aperture 18 121311~
in the free end of the cross bar, and securing the plate member in place with the keeper member 26 passed through the lugs 22 and 23 into the locked positîon.
It may be mentioned that a further advantage of the arrangement shown in the drawings is that the parts of the connector member i.e. the plate 21 including the connector portion 38 and the keeper member 26 may be removed from an installation without needing to permanently distort them. The connector members therefore are re-useable.
While in the accompanying drawings the connection between T-section members has been illustrated, it will be appreciated that the use of the above-described connector members is not thus limited. As will be appreciated, the connector member 19 as illustrated is attachable to other members having a web through which an aperture similar to the aperture 18 may be formed, and the connector portion 38 may likewise be employed to connect to other webs of suitable thickness defining a slot opening similar to the slot openng 17 e.g. to a wall of a ; channel-shaped member or other member providing a side wall.
It will also be appreciated that, less advantageously, the connector member 19 may be formed with connector portions of known configuration different from the connector portion 38 illustrated, for connection to various forms of grid members.
The cross bars and main grid members will frequently be, but are not necessarily, extrusions of metal or plastics. Usually, the connector member 19 and the keeper member 26 will be formed of metal having sufficient strength and, in the case of the keeper member 26, sufficient resiliency e.g. of steel. It will be appreciated, however, that other materials having comparable physical properties, e.g. high strength plastics, may be employed.
Claims (13)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Connection means for use in a suspended ceiling grid comprising a T-bar having an elongated planar web, a laterally extending flange portion on a lower edge of the web and a connector portion connected to and extending longitudinally forwardly from one end of the web and comprising a neck portion for lodging in a secured position in an opening in a side wall of a main grid member to which the T-bar is to be connected, and a head portion with a lower edge inclining forwardly and downwardly from the lower edge of the neck portion and having a transverse width no greater than the width of the neck portion.
2. Connection means as claimed in claim 1 wherein the T-bar having the connector portion constitutes a cross T-bar, and in combination with a main grid member providing a laterally-extending side wall with an opening therethrough having a transverse width only slightly larger than that of the neck portion, the cross T-bar being provided with a reaction surface spaced rearwardly from the head portion and arranged to react with a side surface of the main member when the inclining lower edge of the head portion engages the opening, and to bias the head portion resiliently forwardly and permit the upper edge of the neck portion to snap positively into the slot.
3. Connection means as claimed in claim 2 wherein the main grid member is of T-section similar to that of the cross T-bar.
4. Connection means as claimed in claim 2 wherein the reaction surface comprises a face extending transversely forwardly and downwardly of the upper edge of the neck.
5. Connection means as claimed in claim 1 wherein the main grid member has a lower laterally extending flange portion and the cross bar is provided with a longitudinally-extending lower edge which rests on the upper side of the flange of the grid member in the secured position.
6. Connection means as claimed in claim 1 in which the T-bar is provided with a transversely extending support face upwardly and rearwardly from the upper edge of the neck for engaging the side wall of the main grid member when the neck is received in the opening therein.
7. Connection means as claimed in claim 1 including a transversely extending edge extending downwardly from the lower edge of the neck portion to a forwardly and downwardly extending edge.
8. Connection means as claimed in claim 1 wherein the head portion has longitudinal upper and lower edges and has a transverse width approximately equal to the width of the neck portion.
9. Connection means as claimed in claim 1 wherein the head portion has a downwardly and forwardly sloping leading edge.
10. Connection means as claimed in claim 1 wherein the T-bar is provided with a similar connector portion at each end.
11. Connection means for use in a suspended ceiling grid comprising a T-bar having an elongated planar web and a laterally-extending flange, the web being formed with an aperture through it adjacent one end, a connector member comprising a plate adapted to be applied to one side of the web and having a lug member providing a re-entrant arm and adapted to extend laterally through the aperture and to fit snugly therein, and a keeper member adapted to be slid parallel to the web from a locking position in which the keeper member engages between the re-entrant arm and the side of the web opposite the plate and retains the lug member from withdrawal from the aperture, the lug member and the plate thereby being retained against movement longitudinally and transversely relative to the web, to an unlocking position in which the keeper member is freed from the arm, thereby permitting the lug member to be withdrawn from the aperture, and a connector portion extending longitudinally forwardly from one end of the plate and comprising a neck portion for lodging in a secured position in an opening in a side wall of a main grid member to which the T-bar is to be connected, and a head portion having a lower edge inclining forwardly and downwardly from the lower edge of the neck portion and having a transverse width no greater than the width of the neck portion.
12. Connection means as claimed in claim 11 wherein the T-bar constitutes a cross T-bar and in combination with a main grid member providing a laterally extending side wall with an opening therethrough having a transverse width only slightly larger than that of the neck portion, the cross T-bar being provided with a reaction surface spaced rearwardly from the head portion and arranged to react with a side surface of the main member when the inclining lower edge of the head portion engages the opening, and to bias the head portion resiliently forwardly and permit the upper edge of the neck portion to snap positively into the slot.
13. Connection means as claimed in claim 11 wherein the connector portion is laterally offset relative to the plate.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000428140A CA1213118A (en) | 1983-05-13 | 1983-05-13 | Connection means for use in a suspended ceiling grid |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000428140A CA1213118A (en) | 1983-05-13 | 1983-05-13 | Connection means for use in a suspended ceiling grid |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000503894A Division CA1215514A (en) | 1986-03-12 | 1986-03-12 | Connection means for use in a suspended ceiling grid |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1213118A true CA1213118A (en) | 1986-10-28 |
Family
ID=4125237
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000428140A Expired CA1213118A (en) | 1983-05-13 | 1983-05-13 | Connection means for use in a suspended ceiling grid |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1213118A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5137390A (en) * | 1992-01-16 | 1992-08-11 | E.H. Price Limited | Connection means for suspended ceiling grid |
-
1983
- 1983-05-13 CA CA000428140A patent/CA1213118A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5137390A (en) * | 1992-01-16 | 1992-08-11 | E.H. Price Limited | Connection means for suspended ceiling grid |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US20020112424A1 (en) | Suspended ceiling support structure | |
| US5653412A (en) | Track mounting clip for a track lighting system | |
| US4926606A (en) | Ornamental ceiling system | |
| US5966887A (en) | Suspended ceiling cross tee end connector | |
| US5077951A (en) | Suspended ceiling system | |
| EP0684351B1 (en) | Stab-in removable end clip | |
| US5359143A (en) | Plastic cableway assembly | |
| US2946414A (en) | Framework for a suspended ceiling | |
| CA2883644C (en) | Concealed grid ceiling system | |
| EP2370649B1 (en) | Concealed suspension ceiling with downward removable panels | |
| US4245448A (en) | Modified suspension assembly for partition panel | |
| US4492066A (en) | Suspension ceiling grid system | |
| US4335973A (en) | Runner splicer bar | |
| US4494350A (en) | Aluminum suspension system | |
| US4106878A (en) | Fire-rated ceiling grid cross joint | |
| US20030200634A1 (en) | Rib clip | |
| US11274441B2 (en) | Ceiling system | |
| CA2116876C (en) | Partition wall framing assembly for suspending gypsum board panels | |
| CA2083787C (en) | Connection means for suspended ceiling grid | |
| US9976727B2 (en) | Strip light arrangement for T bar ceiling grid systems | |
| KR870001413A (en) | Ceiling suspension grid device | |
| KR102093576B1 (en) | A clip bar system | |
| US4470239A (en) | Suspended ceiling grid system | |
| CA1213118A (en) | Connection means for use in a suspended ceiling grid | |
| JPS63277346A (en) | Hanged-ceiling lattice structure |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |