EP0281170B1 - Coupling element for metal structures and bridge for suspended ceilings equipped therewith - Google Patents

Coupling element for metal structures and bridge for suspended ceilings equipped therewith Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0281170B1
EP0281170B1 EP19880200159 EP88200159A EP0281170B1 EP 0281170 B1 EP0281170 B1 EP 0281170B1 EP 19880200159 EP19880200159 EP 19880200159 EP 88200159 A EP88200159 A EP 88200159A EP 0281170 B1 EP0281170 B1 EP 0281170B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coupling element
bridge
shaped part
legs
coupling
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
Application number
EP19880200159
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0281170A1 (en
Inventor
Gilbert Grard
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rockwool Belgium NV
Original Assignee
Chicago Metallic Continental BVBA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from BE8700115A external-priority patent/BE1000301A3/en
Priority claimed from BE8800090A external-priority patent/BE1003273A3/en
Application filed by Chicago Metallic Continental BVBA filed Critical Chicago Metallic Continental BVBA
Publication of EP0281170A1 publication Critical patent/EP0281170A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0281170B1 publication Critical patent/EP0281170B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • E04B9/18—Means for suspending the supporting construction

Definitions

  • This invention concerns a coupling element for metal structures, in particular for the connection of elements such as those used for suspended ceilings. More particularly the invention concerns a coupling element of the type which is intended to work in concert with an opening in a thin-walled element.
  • Coupling elements of this type are already known of BE-A-900.449, EP-A-0.130.358 and NL-A-8302515. According to BE-A-900.449 and EP-A-0.130.658 a lip on the first element, having a retension portion, is put through an opening in the second element.
  • This construction has the disadvantage that retension portions have to be bent out which requires an extra step of manufacturing and that tools are required when the second element has to be removed of the first element.
  • This inventions also concerns a bridge which uses this kind of coupling element, more particularly a bridge of the type where between its legs cable channels and similar can be fixed, for example as known of US-A-4.086.480, BE-A-900.449, EP-A60.130.658 and NL-A-8302515.
  • the coupling element according to the invention is therefore of the type by which a first element equipped with such a coupling element can work in concert with an opening in a thin-walled second element and has the characteristic that it mainly consists of a flat lip which possesses at least one U-shaped part which toward the extremity of at least one of its legs is connected with the above-mentioned first element, whereas on both outer sides of the respective legs of the U-shaped part opposite of each other recesses are provided for fixing and positioning the second element and where the bulge of the U-shaped part fits through the above mentioned opening of the second element.
  • a first element 2 which can be of any form and which is only partly shown, is coupled by means of the coupling element 1 with a second element 3 which in this case is formed by an inversed T-profile.
  • coupling element 1 mainly consists of a flat lip 4 which in this case is exclusively and solely formed by a U-shaped part which on both outer sides 5 and 6 of the respective legs 7 and 8 of the U-shaped part shows opposite of each other recesses respectively 9 and 10.
  • the U-shaped flat lip 4 is connected with the first element 2 or is executed therewith in one piece.
  • an opening 11, preferably slot-shaped, is provided to attach said coupling element 1.
  • the second element 3 is first attached with the bottom flange 12 of opening 11 in recess 10, whereafter this element 3 is turned in the direction of arrow 13 so that also the upper flange 14 of opening 11 engages in second recess 9.
  • legs 7 and 8 can move elastically toward each other which results in a click effect as soon as flanges 12 and 14 engage in recesses 9 and 10.
  • the width of recess 9 is larger than the thickness of thin-walled element 3.
  • a variant is shown where recess 9 is very local and where the width thereof concords with thickness D of second element 3. Further a deformation 15 is provided through which a better coupling of both elements is obtained.
  • FIG 5 another variant of the coupling element is shown in which recess 9 consist of a small, relatively deep part 16 and a longer, but less deep part 17.
  • a safety element 18 can be placed between the U-shaped lip 4 and second element 3.
  • a first element is formed by a bridge 19.
  • the bridge 19 is of the type which consists of a vertical fixing part 20, a horizontal bridge-shaped part 21 and two legs 22 and 23 directed downward from this bridge-shaped part which at their opposite sides, directed outward, are equiped with a coupling element 1 according to the invention.
  • Such bridge 19 can here be coupled with a fixing part 20 to an upper part, such as a hanger 24, while to both coupling elements 1 reversed T-shaped profiles are hooked, e.g. to support ceiling tiles 25.
  • cable channels 26 etc. can be mounted between legs 22 and 23 and on the bridge-shaped part 21 26.
  • both the coupling element and the bridge will mainly consist of a flat plate, if need be equipped with some reinforcing ribs 27 as in the bridge of figure 6, having the advantage that the element can be constructed in a very simple way.
  • FIG 7 a special execution form of this coupling element 1 according to the invention is shown.
  • This coupling element 1 as stated above consists of a flat lip 4 which shows at least one U-shaped part, for clearness' sake here set out in centre line with reference 28.
  • the particularity of the execution form of figure 7 is however that lip 4 is not exclusively formed by the U-shaped part 28 but also contains at least one part 29 which makes a connection between the extremities of legs 7 and 8 of the above mentioned part 28.
  • connection between legs 7 and 8 offers the advantage that lip 4, and in particular leg 8, have a larger rigidity against bending, whereby the entire coupling element 1 becomes more resistent.
  • Figure 8 shows another rider-shaped coupling element 19 according to the invention having the characteristic that legs 22 and 23 are each equipped with a coupling element 1 of the form as shown in figure 7.
  • coupling element 1 is always intended to be fully fitted through opening 11 in the thin-walled second element 3 with the bulge of its U-shaped part.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Joining Of Building Structures In Genera (AREA)
  • Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)

Description

  • This invention concerns a coupling element for metal structures, in particular for the connection of elements such as those used for suspended ceilings. More particularly the invention concerns a coupling element of the type which is intended to work in concert with an opening in a thin-walled element.
  • Coupling elements of this type are already known of BE-A-900.449, EP-A-0.130.358 and NL-A-8302515. According to BE-A-900.449 and EP-A-0.130.658 a lip on the first element, having a retension portion, is put through an opening in the second element. This construction has the disadvantage that retension portions have to be bent out which requires an extra step of manufacturing and that tools are required when the second element has to be removed of the first element.
  • According to NL-A-8302515 two lip-shaped elements are put through an opening in the second element. Afterwards the both lips are bent side-wards. Obviously tools are required and no exact positioning of the second element can be obtained.
  • This inventions also concerns a bridge which uses this kind of coupling element, more particularly a bridge of the type where between its legs cable channels and similar can be fixed, for example as known of US-A-4.086.480, BE-A-900.449, EP-A60.130.658 and NL-A-8302515.
  • The coupling element according to the invention is therefore of the type by which a first element equipped with such a coupling element can work in concert with an opening in a thin-walled second element and has the characteristic that it mainly consists of a flat lip which possesses at least one U-shaped part which toward the extremity of at least one of its legs is connected with the above-mentioned first element, whereas on both outer sides of the respective legs of the U-shaped part opposite of each other recesses are provided for fixing and positioning the second element and where the bulge of the U-shaped part fits through the above mentioned opening of the second element.
  • In order to better show the characteristics according to the invention, below follows a description of some recommended executions of the coupling element and the bridge, as examples having no restrictive character, with reference to the attached drawing in which:
    • figure 1 shows the coupling element according to the invention;
    • figure 2 shows a view according to the arrow F2 in figure 1;
    • figure 3 shows a variant of the coupling element;
    • figure 4 shows a view according to arrow F4 in figure 3;
    • figure 5 shows another variant of the coupling element;
    • figure 6 shows a bridge for suspended ceilings using the coupling element according to the invention;
    • figure 7 shows a particular application of the coupling element;
    • figure 8 shows a bridge equipped with a coupling element as shown in figure 7.
  • In figure 1 a first element 2, which can be of any form and which is only partly shown, is coupled by means of the coupling element 1 with a second element 3 which in this case is formed by an inversed T-profile.
  • Here coupling element 1 mainly consists of a flat lip 4 which in this case is exclusively and solely formed by a U-shaped part which on both outer sides 5 and 6 of the respective legs 7 and 8 of the U-shaped part shows opposite of each other recesses respectively 9 and 10. At the end of leg 7 the U-shaped flat lip 4 is connected with the first element 2 or is executed therewith in one piece.
  • In the second element 3 an opening 11, preferably slot-shaped, is provided to attach said coupling element 1. Here the second element 3 is first attached with the bottom flange 12 of opening 11 in recess 10, whereafter this element 3 is turned in the direction of arrow 13 so that also the upper flange 14 of opening 11 engages in second recess 9.
  • Because of the U-shape of lip 4 in the execution form described above, legs 7 and 8 can move elastically toward each other which results in a click effect as soon as flanges 12 and 14 engage in recesses 9 and 10.
  • In the execution according to figures 1 and 2 the width of recess 9 is larger than the thickness of thin-walled element 3. However, in figures 3 and 4 a variant is shown where recess 9 is very local and where the width thereof concords with thickness D of second element 3. Further a deformation 15 is provided through which a better coupling of both elements is obtained.
  • In figure 5 another variant of the coupling element is shown in which recess 9 consist of a small, relatively deep part 16 and a longer, but less deep part 17.
  • As shown in figures 1 through 5, if required, a safety element 18 can be placed between the U-shaped lip 4 and second element 3.
  • In figure 6 a first element is formed by a bridge 19. The bridge 19 is of the type which consists of a vertical fixing part 20, a horizontal bridge-shaped part 21 and two legs 22 and 23 directed downward from this bridge-shaped part which at their opposite sides, directed outward, are equiped with a coupling element 1 according to the invention. Such bridge 19 can here be coupled with a fixing part 20 to an upper part, such as a hanger 24, while to both coupling elements 1 reversed T-shaped profiles are hooked, e.g. to support ceiling tiles 25. Further, in the described way, cable channels 26 etc. can be mounted between legs 22 and 23 and on the bridge-shaped part 21 26.
  • It is clear that both the coupling element and the bridge will mainly consist of a flat plate, if need be equipped with some reinforcing ribs 27 as in the bridge of figure 6, having the advantage that the element can be constructed in a very simple way.
  • In figure 7 a special execution form of this coupling element 1 according to the invention is shown. This coupling element 1 as stated above consists of a flat lip 4 which shows at least one U-shaped part, for clearness' sake here set out in centre line with reference 28. The particularity of the execution form of figure 7 is however that lip 4 is not exclusively formed by the U-shaped part 28 but also contains at least one part 29 which makes a connection between the extremities of legs 7 and 8 of the above mentioned part 28.
  • The connection between legs 7 and 8 offers the advantage that lip 4, and in particular leg 8, have a larger rigidity against bending, whereby the entire coupling element 1 becomes more resistent.
  • Figure 8 shows another rider-shaped coupling element 19 according to the invention having the characteristic that legs 22 and 23 are each equipped with a coupling element 1 of the form as shown in figure 7.
  • It is clear that coupling element 1 is always intended to be fully fitted through opening 11 in the thin-walled second element 3 with the bulge of its U-shaped part.
  • This invention is not at all limited to the examples described and shown in the figures, but such coupling elements and bridges equipped therewith can be realised in various forms and measures without falling outside the scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

1. Coupling element for metal structures, of the type whereby the first element (2-19) which is equipped with such a coupling element (1) can work in concert with an opening (11) in the thin-walled second element (3), and has the characteristic that the coupling element (1) mainly consisting of a flat lip (4) which possesses at least one U-shaped part (28) which toward the extremity of at least one of its legs (7-8) is connected with the above mentioned first element (2), whereas on both outer sides (5-6) of the respective legs (7-8) of the U-shaped part (28) opposite of each other recesses (9-10) are provided for fixing and positioning the tin-walled second element (3), and where the bulge of the U-shaped part (28) fits through the above mentioned opening (11) of the second element (3).
2. Coupling element according to claim 1 which is characterized by the flat lip (4) which exclusively and solely consists of the U-shaped part (28).
3. Coupling element according to claim 1 which is characterized by the flat lip (4) having at least one part (29) which makes a connection between the extremities of the legs (7-8) of the U-shaped part (28).
4. Coupling element according to claims 1, 2 or 3 which is characterized by a deformation (15) in the direct proximity of the place where the second element (3) works in concert with the coupling element (1).
5. Bridge for suspended ceilings characterized by at least one coupling element according to one of the claims 1 through 4.
6. Bridge equipped with a coupling element in accordance with one of the claims 1 through 4 of the type mainly consisting of a vertical fixing part (20), a horizontal bridge-shaped part (21), and two legs (22-23) directed downward characterized by each leg (22-23) of the bridge being connected with a coupling element (1).
EP19880200159 1987-02-13 1988-02-01 Coupling element for metal structures and bridge for suspended ceilings equipped therewith Expired EP0281170B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE8700115 1987-02-13
BE8700115A BE1000301A3 (en) 1987-02-13 1987-02-13 Coupling for metal suspended ceiling frame - has flat lip with U=shaped section to connect frame members together
BE8800090A BE1003273A3 (en) 1988-01-26 1988-01-26 Coupling section for metal structures and bridge piece for suspendedceilings equipped with this
BE8800090 1988-01-26

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0281170A1 EP0281170A1 (en) 1988-09-07
EP0281170B1 true EP0281170B1 (en) 1991-04-24

Family

ID=25662257

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19880200159 Expired EP0281170B1 (en) 1987-02-13 1988-02-01 Coupling element for metal structures and bridge for suspended ceilings equipped therewith

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0281170B1 (en)
DE (2) DE281170T1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010123377A1 (en) * 2009-04-24 2010-10-28 Roman Oeystein Method and apparatus for attaching objects on and above a ceiling with unattached ceiling panels and ceiling beams

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8955273B1 (en) * 2013-08-06 2015-02-17 Usg Interiors, Llc Channel cross member

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3292332A (en) * 1960-12-21 1966-12-20 Chicago Metallic Sash Co Suspended ceiling structure
GB1424800A (en) * 1972-06-26 1976-02-11 Electronic Components Ltd Structural members and supportin frameworks
NL8002018A (en) * 1980-04-03 1981-11-02 Nemaco Trading Ltd CEILING.
NL178379C (en) * 1983-07-14 1986-03-03 Maars Holding Bv FASTENING SYSTEM FOR APPLYING AN EXTENDED CHANNEL ELEMENT BETWEEN A FIXED CEILING AND A REDUCED CEILING ATTACHED TO IT.
BE900449A (en) * 1984-08-29 1984-12-17 Chicago Metallic Continent Nv Carrier structure for suspended ceiling - has carrier beams held by coupling members with lips to prevent beam rotation under off-centre load

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010123377A1 (en) * 2009-04-24 2010-10-28 Roman Oeystein Method and apparatus for attaching objects on and above a ceiling with unattached ceiling panels and ceiling beams

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3862489D1 (en) 1991-05-29
DE281170T1 (en) 1989-01-05
EP0281170A1 (en) 1988-09-07

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