EP2295664B1 - Reinforced ceiling hanger - Google Patents

Description

The present invention provides a ceiling hanger for suspending false ceilings to a ceiling wall.

The ceiling hanger usually has a rod and a connecting end. The rod is generally flat, and it is intended to be fixed in the ceiling wall, for example nailed to the beams, while the connecting end is connected to a rail, or U-shaped, still called fur. Also, lines of lines are made in the ceiling wall so as to bring their connecting end in the same horizontal plane. As for the U-shaped profile, it has two wings extended facing one another, which wings have a wing edge ending with a free edge folded inwardly of the space between the two wings so to form a rim. In addition, the wing edges are bent toward each other, remaining spaced from one another and defining an opening, so that the flanges extend in opposite directions. the other. Furthermore, the connecting end of the aligned lines has two lateral bearing surfaces in return with respect to the rod. Thus, the support surfaces of the lines are oriented towards the ceiling wall while the U-shaped sections are engaged on the connecting ends, their opening towards the ceiling wall as well, and their wing edges curved respectively in support on the lateral bearing surfaces in return. A plurality of U-shaped sections substantially parallel to each other, is then hooked to the ceiling wall through a plurality of line alignment. The U-shaped profiles are also adjusted in the same plane thanks to the positioning of the connection ends.

The lines to which the U-profiles are hung, have a tensile strength limited to the weight of the false ceiling and assigned a multiplicative safety coefficient. It is rather the connection between the connecting end and the U-shaped section is vulnerable and in certain circumstances, there is a separation of the profile and the hanger, especially when the load of the false ceiling is important. In addition, when the profile U-shaped is poorly fitted on the connecting end, the weight of the false ceiling tends to cause the deformation and then the spacing of curved wing edges which then escape the bearing staves back.

It has already been imagined to limit the relative movement of the U-shaped sections and connecting ends, not to strengthen their connection but to reduce the vibration of the U-shaped section relative to the lines. In particular, we can refer to the document FR 2 863 285 which describes such an arrangement. However, such an attenuation does not make it possible to improve the mechanical connection between the U-shaped section and the connection end of the hanger.

Also, a problem that arises and that aims to solve the present invention is to provide a hanger that allows better attachment of the U-shaped section at its connecting end.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a ceiling hanger for hanging a U-profile to a ceiling wall for suspending a false ceiling. Said U-shaped section has two facing wings and an interior space delimited by said two wings, said wings respectively having a border terminated by a free edge, said free edge being folded towards said interior space to form a rim and said edges are curved l towards each other, while said flanges extend opposite each other. Said hanger, meanwhile, has a rod intended to be fixed in said ceiling wall and a connecting end adapted to engage in said interior space of said U-shaped section, said connecting end having two lateral bearing surfaces in return relative to said rod and opposed to each other, the lateral bearing surfaces being intended to receive respectively bearing said curved edges of said U-shaped section. According to the invention, said lateral bearing surfaces present respectively a lug in return, the lugs in return of said lateral bearing surfaces being intended to respectively engage in said opposite flanges to prohibit the relative movement of said U-shaped section and said connecting end. In addition, still according to the invention, said connecting end has deformable tabs intended to extend respectively opposite said lateral bearing surfaces, said deformable tongues being deformable between a position spaced apart from said lateral bearing surfaces and a position close to said lateral bearing surfaces so as to bear against the curved edges towards each other so as to take said curved edges between said lateral bearing surfaces and the deformable tabs to thereby prohibit the relative movement of said U-shaped section and said connecting end.

Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the implementation of the deformable tongues. When in said spaced apart position of the lateral bearing surfaces, there is no difficulty in engaging connecting ends in the interior space of the U-shaped section and in precisely bringing the lateral bearing surfaces against the curved borders and even more precisely, the lugs behind the edges.

Another advantageous feature of the invention lies in the implementation of lugs which protrude from the bearing surfaces and in the mode of cooperation of these lugs with the edges of the curved edges. Indeed, the edges of the curved edges form opposite bearing shoulders against which the lugs are likely to come into abutment laterally, which blocks in translation the movement of curved edges in a direction parallel to the bearing surfaces. In this way, the lateral spacing of the curved edges, one of the other, is prohibited regardless of the load supported by the U-shaped section. As a result, the U-shaped section is secured.

Then, the deformable tongues are adapted to be deformed by force, and in particular to be pivoted to come in a close position and facing the lateral bearing surfaces so as to come to rest against the curved edges one towards the other, on the side of their face opposite to the interior space. Thus, the curved edges are engaged between the lateral bearing surfaces and the deformable, deformed tongues. Also, the curved edges are then trapped in the connecting end, because their vertical movement is then prohibited, and the rim can not be engaged over the lug, as will be explained in detail below. Therefore, the two edges bent towards each other are trapped lateral support surfaces and the U-profile is then locked on the connecting end.

In addition, and advantageously, said lateral bearing surfaces extend from between a proximal portion and a distal portion, and said lug is advantageously located in the distal portion, so that during assembly and engagement of the connecting end in the inner space of the U-shaped profile, the lugs are respectively fitted behind the edges of curved edges, while precisely, these flanges are extended in the proximal portion of the spans of lateral support. The method of cooperation of the lugs and flanges will be explained in more detail in the detailed description.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, said opposite lateral bearing surfaces define an average line, and said deformable tongues are adapted to be pivotally driven about an axis substantially parallel to said mean line defined by said staves. 'support. In this way, the deformable tongues can be easily folded against the curved edges and come to apply in a substantially perpendicular direction, which allows a better locking. Preferably, and according to the aforementioned alternative embodiment, said tongues respectively have a pivoting zone which extends opposite said lateral bearing surfaces and a free end opposite to said pivoting zone, thus when the tongues are folded against the curved edges, the reaction force of the curved edges against the opposite free ends, has a direction substantially intersecting the pivot area which further improves the security lock.

According to a particularly advantageous characteristic, said tongue free end has an oblique lateral portion located at the right of said lug. In this way, when the deformable tongues are in their position away from the bearing surface, the free space between the lugs and the respective tongues is then large enough to be able to easily engage the curved edges between tongue and bearing surface .

Said connecting end defining a mean plane, said tabs are advantageously inclined, opposite said rod, forming an acute angle with said middle plane, when said tab extends in said spaced position. And so, the deformation of the deformable tongues around their pivoting area is of a small amplitude, less than 90 °, which avoids the local embrittlement of the material, preferably galvanized steel, and thus to maintain its integrity. Preferably, the tongues are inclined at an angle close to 45 ° with said average plane.

Furthermore, said rod has at least one oblong hole extending towards said connecting end, making it easier to preset the vertical position of the hanger.

In addition, in order to reinforce the stiffness of the rod of the hanger, said rod advantageously has two opposite lateral edges curved in opposite directions from each other. In addition, the ceiling hanger is formed of a single piece obtained by cutting stamping, for example in a galvanized steel plate.

• la Figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une suspente de plafond selon un premier mode de mise en oeuvre ;
• la Figure 2 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une suspente de plafond selon un deuxième mode de mise en oeuvre;
• la Figure 3 est une vue schématique de détail d'un élément illustré sur la figure 1 ;
• la Figure 4A est une vue schématique partielle d'une suspente coopérant avec un autre élément et selon une première position ;
• la Figure 4B est une vue schématique partielle de la suspente coopérant avec ledit autre élément, selon une seconde position ; et,
• la Figure 5 est une vue schématique partielle de face selon la flèche V de la suspente coopérant avec ledit autre élément sur la figure 4B.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of indication but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a ceiling hanger according to a first embodiment;
• the Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a ceiling hanger according to a second embodiment;
• the Figure 3 is a schematic detail view of an element shown on the figure 1 ;
• the Figure 4A is a partial schematic view of a hanger cooperating with another element and in a first position;
• the Figure 4B is a partial schematic view of the hanger cooperating with said other element, in a second position; and,
• the Figure 5 is a partial schematic front view along the arrow V of the hanger cooperating with said other element on the Figure 4B .

The Figure 1 illustrates a ceiling hanger 10 having a longitudinal rod 12 terminated by a connecting end 14, also called head. The ceiling hanger 10 is made of a single piece of galvanized steel for example. It is for example obtained by cutting stamping a galvanized steel plate. The hanger 10 is intended for to be secured to elements of a not shown ceiling wall, via the rod 12 adjusted substantially vertically. To do this, the rod 12 has oblong holes 14 and circular holes 16 made alternately in the longitudinal direction of said rod 12, and through which screws can be threaded. The oblong holes 14 allow a first adjustment of the hanger 10 for a vertical adjustment, while the circular holes 16 allow a permanent locking. The connecting end 14 defines an average plane P and has two opposite lateral edges 18, 20. In these opposite lateral edges 18, 20 are made notches for forming two opposite bearing surfaces 22, 24 which extend in return relative to the rod 12 and opposite each other by defining a single average line D substantially perpendicular to the rod 12 and contained in the average plane P. The opposite bearing surfaces 22, 24, are oriented towards the rod 12 and extend substantially horizontally when the rod 12 of the hanger 10 is fixed substantially vertically in the ceiling wall. In addition, and according to an optional embodiment variant, two deformable tongues 23, 25 are formed which respectively extend opposite the support bearing surfaces 22, 24 and which are here in a position separated from their respective bearing surfaces . Their function will be explained in more detail below.

We will now refer to the Figure 3 illustrating in detail one of the side edges 18 and the bearing surface 22 associated with its notch. The description which follows also applies to the other lateral edge 20, because they are symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane cutting longitudinally the rod 12 and the average plane P perpendicularly. This lateral bearing surface 22 has a proximal portion 26 and an opposite distal portion 28, and a return lug 30 located in the distal portion 28. The lug then protrudes from the bearing surface 22.

Moreover, we also find on this Figure 3 , the deformable tongue 23 in its position spaced from the corresponding bearing surface 22, and before the plane of the drawing.

We will now refer to the Figure 5 to describe in more detail the role of the connecting end 14 found here engaged in a profile in U 32 and which will be described in detail. The U-shaped section 32, or rail, has a bottom wall 34 and two facing wings 36, 38, which respectively have an edge 40, 42. The two edges 40, 42 are bent towards each other by defining substantially the same plane. Furthermore, the edges 40, 42 each have a folded free edge 44, 46 in the same direction as the corresponding curved edge forming a rim and so as to form two opposite shoulders 48, 50 whose height corresponds substantially to thickness of the edge of the edges 40, 42. Thus, the U-shaped section 32 delimits an interior space 52 open between the two curved edges 40, 42. Also, we find on this figure 5 the connecting end 14 of the hanger 10 engaged inside the inner space 52, so that the average plane P of the connecting end 14 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the U-shaped section 32.

Also, in this situation, the curved edges 40, 42 are respectively engaged through the notches of the opposite side edges 18, 20 of the connecting end 14 and precisely, bearing against the opposite bearing surfaces 22, 24. Au moreover, the lugs 30 are engaged behind the folded free edges 44, 46, and thus respectively facing, laterally, the two opposite shoulders 48, 50. Thus, the folded free edges 44, 46 extend respectively in the proximal portion. 26 of the lateral bearing surfaces 22, 24. In this way, when a vertical force F is exerted on the U-shaped section 32, in a direction opposite to the connecting end 14, it tends to deform, but the two opposite shoulders 48, 50 of the folded free edges 44, 46 come into lateral abutment against the lugs 30 which prevents the spacing of the two flanges facing each other 36, 38 of the U-shaped section 32. In this way, despite the deformation, the U-shaped profile 32 dem has engaged in the connecting end 14 of the hanger 10.

We will refer again to the figure 3 to describe in more detail the deformable tongue 23. This description also applies to the other deformable tongue 25 shown in FIG. figure 1 . This deformable tongue 23 has a longitudinal pivoting zone 54 which extends along an axis A substantially parallel to the average line D. The deformable tongue 23 extends opposite the corresponding bearing surface 22 and is here inclined at an angle of about 45 ° to the front of the drawing relative to the average plane P from the longitudinal pivoting zone 54. It further has a free end 56, a proximal edge 58 and a distal edge 60 having an oblique cut 62 substantially in line with the lug 30. The free end 56 is then separated from the corresponding bearing surface 22. This is also the case for the other deformable tongue 25 relative to the other bearing surface 24. During the production of the hanger, during the cutting and stamping, the notches are made in the opposite lateral edges 18, 20, and the cutting of the deformable tongues 23, 25, bearing spans opposite 22, 24, the lug 30 and the oblique cut 62 are made simultaneously. In addition, the first forming deformation of the deformable tongues 23, 25, to tilt substantially 45 ° relative to the average plane P, is also performed during this same operation.

We will refer to the Figure 4A , illustrating in perspective the connecting end 14 engaged in the U-shaped section 32. It obviously contains all the elements already described in the law of the figure 5 and some figure 3 . However, it will be observed the deformable tongues 23, inclined here at about 45 ° relative to the average plane P to allow the engagement of the connecting end 14 inside the inner space 52 of the U-section 32. moreover, oblique cutting 62 facilitates this commitment.

When the curved edges 40, 42, bear on the support surfaces 22, 24, masked here precisely by the edges 40, 42, the deformable tongues 23, 25 are then likely to be forced down by means of a forceps for example, against its edges 40, 42, resting on their outer face, as shown in FIG. Figure 4B . The deformation of the tongues 23, 25 in contrast to the first deformation, to carry them in a plane close to the average plane P, or coincides with this mean plane, while their free ends bear against the edges 40, 42, causes a deformation of the metal at the longitudinal pivoting zone 54 which causes a slight necking. However, the metal retains its integrity, and the tongues 23, 25 remain completely integral with the connecting end 14.

So, referring back to the figure 5 , illustrating the mode of cooperation of the connecting end 14 and the U-shaped section 32 such that represented on the Figure 4B it is understood that the curved edges 40, 42 are completely trapped in the connecting end 14, because not only the two facing wings 36, 38 can not deviate, thanks to the cooperation of the pins 30 and folded free edges 44, 46, but moreover, these folded free edges 44, 46 can not escape the range of the pins 30, because the deformable tongues 23, 25 folded pinch the curved edges 40, 42 between them and the opposite bearing surfaces 22, 24. In this way, if an additional downward vertical force were exerted on the U-shaped section 32, it would remain nevertheless integral with the connecting end 14 of the hanger 10.

According to another embodiment of the invention, illustrated on the figure 2 second deformable tongues 23 ', 25' of another type are formed in a second connecting end 14 '. These second deformable tongues 23 ', 25' are no longer cut directly opposite second support bearing surfaces 22 ', 24', but in an upper part of opposite side edges 18 ', 20', and they are capable of being folded at 180 ° to be brought into a position close to the second supporting lands 22 ', 24'.

Claims (9)

1. A ceiling hanging rod (10) intended to hang up a U-shaped section to a ceiling wall in order to hang up a suspending ceiling, said U-shaped section having two opposite wings (36, 38) and an internal space (52) delimited by said two wings, said wings (36, 38) having respectively a border (40, 42) ended by a free edge (44, 46), said free edge being folded up towards said internal space to form a rim (48, 50) and said borders are bent the one towards the other, while said rims extend away the one from the other, said hanging rod (10) having a stem (12) intended to be fixed into said ceiling wall and a connecting end (14) that may engage said internal space (52) of said U-shaped section, said connecting end (14) having two side bearing faces (22, 24) projecting relatively to said stem (12) and opposite the one from the other, the side bearing faces (22, 24) being respectively intended to accommodate said bent borders (40, 42) of said U-shaped section in abutment relation ;
   characterized in that said connecting end (14) is provided with deformable strips (23, 25) intended to extend respectively facing to said side bearing faces (22, 24), while said side bearing faces (22, 24) are respectively provided with a projecting pin (30), the projecting pins (30) of said side bearing faces (22, 24) being intended to respectively engage said opposite rims (48, 50) ;
   in that said deformable strips are deformable between a spaced position of said side bearing faces and a proximate position of said side bearing faces so as to rest against said borders bent the one towards the other in order to engage said bent borders between said side bearing faces and the deformable strips to prohibit the relative movement between said U-shaped section and said connecting end (14).
2. The ceiling hanging rod according to claim 1, characterized in that said side bearing faces (22, 24) extend between a proximal part (26) and a distal part (28), and in that said pin is located on the distal part.
3. The ceiling hanging rod according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said opposite side bearing faces (22, 24) define a middle straight line, and in that said deformable strips (23, 25) may be swivelingly driven about an axis substantially parallel to said middle straight line defined by said side bearing faces.
4. The ceiling hanging rod according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said strips (23, 25) are respectively provided with a swiveling zone (54) that extends facing to said side bearing faces (22, 24) and a free end (56) opposed to said swiveling zone.
5. The ceiling hanging rod according to claim 4, characterized in that said strip free end (56) presents a slanting side portion (62) located straightly to said pin (30).
6. The ceiling hanging rod according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said connecting end (14) defines a middle plan, and in that said strips (23, 25) are sloping, making an acute angle with said middle plan, when said strips extend in said spaced position.
7. The ceiling hanging rod according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said stem (12) is provided with at least an oblong hole extending towards said connecting end (14).
8. The ceiling hanging rod according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said stem (12) is provided with two bent, opposite side ribs, into opposite directions the one to the other.
9. The ceiling hanging rod according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is unitary made and obtained by cutting and stamping.

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