EP3497290B1 - Hook connection clip for false ceiling system - Google Patents
Hook connection clip for false ceiling system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3497290B1 EP3497290B1 EP17758971.0A EP17758971A EP3497290B1 EP 3497290 B1 EP3497290 B1 EP 3497290B1 EP 17758971 A EP17758971 A EP 17758971A EP 3497290 B1 EP3497290 B1 EP 3497290B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- connector clip
- web
- offset
- leading portion
- trailing portion
- 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.)
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Links
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- E04B9/08—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 having the capability of expansion, e.g. in case of fire
-
- 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
- E04B9/127—Connections between non-parallel members of the supporting construction one member being discontinuous and abutting against the other member
-
- 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
- E04B9/065—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 comprising supporting beams having a folded cross-section
- E04B9/067—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 comprising supporting beams having a folded cross-section with inverted T-shaped cross-section
- E04B9/068—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 comprising supporting beams having a folded cross-section with inverted T-shaped cross-section with double web
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to ceiling systems, and more particularly to ceiling beam connectors which aid the performance of the ceiling system in the event of a fire.
- a typical suspended ceiling includes a plurality of main beams which extend parallel to one another and cross beams which span the distance between adjacent main beams.
- the cross beams interlock with the main beams via connectors which are inserted through slots in the main beams.
- the ceiling grid formed by the plurality of main beams and the plurality of cross beams is typically hung from a structural ceiling by hang wires, and ceiling panels are laid in the rectangular openings formed by the main beams and the cross beams.
- the panels are generally highly heat resistant and help protect the structural ceiling from heat damage in the event of a fire.
- Fire can cause damage to the main beams and cross beams which weakens the suspended ceiling.
- the elevated temperatures cause the beams to expand longitudinally to relieve stress. If the beams are not allowed to expand, they will buckle, causing the panels to fall from the openings and exposing the structural ceiling to the heat of the fire.
- the main beams are generally kept relatively intact during a fire by providing cutouts along the beam which permit the beam, in a controlled way, to collapse in-line, longitudinally, from the forces of compression created by the fire.
- cutouts are generally not used, since they unduly weaken the beams relative to the length of the spans, and the relatively large controlled collapse is not required because the degree of expansion is not as large.
- the expansion created by a fire is about 2.54mm per 304.8 mm (0.1 inch per foot) of beam length, so that in a 1524 mm (five foot) cross beam, the maximum expansion may be less about 12.7 mm (0.5 inches).
- US 4,611,453 discloses a connector clip according to the preamble of claim 1.
- embodiments of the present invention include connector clips for attaching cross beams to main beams in a suspended ceiling.
- the connector clips provide for suitable expansion relief in the cross beams in the event of a fire.
- a connector clip 100 is provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- the connector clip includes a trailing portion 110 and a leading portion 120.
- the trailing portion 110 and the leading portion 120 are attached by an offset 106.
- "attached” means either two distinct pieces joined by a suitable fastening element or a single unitary piece.
- the connector clip 100 are made of a single unitary piece of stamped metal, for example aluminum or steel.
- the trailing portion 110 includes a plurality of fastening holes 112 and a stiffening bump 114. As described below, the plurality of fastening holes 112 may be used to secure the connector clip 100 to a ceiling beam.
- the stiffening bump 114 extends laterally from the trailing portion 110 in the opposite direction from the offset 106. The stiffening bump 114 may be stamped from (but still fully connected to) the trailing portion 110 such that the stiffening bump 114 is hollow.
- the stiffening bump 114 may have any suitable shape and size which will allow the trailing portion 110 to resist twisting or bending.
- the trailing portion 110 may further include two rear tabs 116,
- the rear tabs 116 do not impact the functioning of the connector clip 110, but allow multiple connector clips 110 to be manufactured in strips (not shown) with the rear tabs 116 of one connector clip 110 attached to the leading portion 120 of an adjacent connector clip 110.
- One connector clip 110 may be easily removed from the strip by cutting the leading portion 120 from the rear tabs 116.
- the leading portion 120 includes an anti-rotation bump 122 laterally extending in the direction of the offset 106, a top protrusion 124 which is bent toward the offset 106, and a locking tab 126 laterally extending in the direction of the offset 106 punched out from the leading portion 120.
- the leading portion 120 further includes a hook 128 on the bottom edge (i.e., the edge opposite the top protrusion 124 ) of the leading portion 120.
- the anti-rotation bump 122 may have any suitable shape and size which will allow the leading portion 120 to fill up to half of the width of a slot in a main beam, as described in more detail below.
- the hook 128, the top protrusion 124, and the stiffening bump 122 are vertically aligned (i.e., a vertical line will pass through each of the hook 128, the top protrusion 124, and the stiffening bump 122 ).
- the locking tab 126 is slightly offset from the top protrusion 124 away from the offset 106.
- the connector clip 100 further includes a top angled flange 130 and a bottom angled flange 140 which are each bent away from the direction of the offset 106.
- the top bent portion 130 includes a finger 132 which extends above the leading portion 120 and is separated from the leading portion 120 by a notch 134.
- the notch 134 may include a bulb portion 136 which extends into the trailing portion 110.
- the finger 132 is thinnest at the bulb portion 136, and accordingly will bend most readily at the bulb portion 136.
- the connector clip 100 may be connected to a cross beam 200.
- the cross beam 200 includes vertical web 210 extending between a bulb 220 at the top end of the web 210 and flanges 230 at the bottom end of the web 210.
- the trailing portion 110 is attached to the web 210 of the cross beam 200 by any suitable fastening elements 150, for example rivets or clinch joints which extend through the fastening holes 112 and through the web 210.
- the leading portion 120 extends beyond the edge of the web 210 and, because of the offset 106, is aligned with the web 210.
- the top angled flange 130 is adjacent to the bulb 220 and the bottom angled flange 140 is adjacent to the flanges 230.
- the top angled flange 130, the bottom angled flange 140 and the stiffening bump 114 reinforce the trailing portion 110 and prevent undesired bending of the trailing portion 110 when connected to the cross beam 200.
- a main beam 300 is provided for use in conjunction with the connector clip 100 and the cross beam 200 described above.
- the main beam 300 includes a vertical web 310 extending between a bulb 320 at a top end of the web 310 and flanges 330 at the bottom end of the web 310.
- the main beam 300 further includes a keyhole slot 340 with includes a bottom edge 342, a top edge 344, and sides 346 extending between the bottom edge 342 and the top edge 344.
- the width of the keyhole slot 340 (i.e., the distance between the sides 346 ) will vary along the height of the keyhole slot 340 (i.e., measured between the bottom edge 342 and the top edge 344 ), with the narrowest portion of the keyhole slot occurring at a narrowed region 348 nearer to the top edge of the keyhole slot 340 than the bottom edge of the keyhole slot 340.
- the cross beam 200 having the connector clip 100 attached to the web 210 may be connected to the main beam 300 by inserting the leading portion 120 of the connector clip 100 through the keyhole slot 340.
- the lower edge of the connector clip 100 is inserted into the keyhole slot 340 first and the connector clip 100 is rotated to bring the hook 128 into contact with the bottom edge 342 of the keyhole slot 340.
- the top protrusion 124 will contact the top edge 344 of the keyhole slot 340.
- Continued rotation will force the connector clip 100 downward, resulting in the top protrusion 124 pushing through the keyhole slot 340 and the hook 128 contacting the bottom edge 342 of the keyhole slot 340.
- the top protrusion 124 pushing through the keyhole slot 340 produces an audible click which signals that the connector clip 100 is secured in place. Once secured, the locking tab 126 will be aligned with the narrow portion 348 of the keyhole slot 340, prevent the connector clip 100 from backing out of the keyhole slot 340. Accordingly, the cross beam 200 may be cantilevered in the keyhole slot 340 during installation without requiring a connection from the opposing side of the key hole slot 340.
- the top protrusion 124 and the anti-rotation bump 122 are positioned inside the keyhole slot 340 to limit rotation of the connector clip 100 inside the keyhole slot 340 about an axis parallel to the length of the cross beam 200 without substantially increasing the overall thickness of the connector clip 100.
- the top protrusion 124 and the anti-rotation bump 122 should extend laterally from the leading portion 120 at a distance equal to no more than half of the width of the keyhole slot 340 outside the narrowed portion 348.
- the distance between the hook 128 and the top protrusion 124 is approximately equal to the height of the keyhole slot 124. Accordingly, vertical movement of the connector clip 100 in the keyhole slot 340 is constrained and the possibility of the connector clip 100 accidentally being removed from the keyhole slot 340 during installation is reduced. Lateral movement of the connector clip 100 is constrained by the hook 128 and the locking tab 126. Because the movement of the connector clip 100 is constrained within the keyhole slot 340, the cross beam 100 self-aligns with the main beam 300, eliminating the need for careful positioning of the cross beam 100.
- the cross beam 200 is connected to the main beam 300.
- the flanges 230 of the cross beam 200 substantially abut the flanges 330 of the main beam 300, creating a continuous visual appearance when the suspended ceiling is viewed from below.
- a portion 222 is removed from the bulb 220 of the cross beam 200 to create a gap between the bulb 220 of the cross beam 200 and the bulb 320 of the cross beam 300.
- vertical, upward rotation of the cross beam 200 is constrained by the finger 132, which is adjacent to, but separated from, the web 310 of the main beam 300 by a small gap.
- the small gap between the web 310 and the finger 132 allows for a small degree of vertical upward rotation of the cross beam 200, but otherwise provides for a bulb-to-bulb feel under normal conditions (i.e., in the absence of fire-induced expansion of the cross beam 200 ).
- the connector clip 100 will also bend at the offset 106, allowing the cross beam 200 to move laterally with respect to the main beam 300 while still remaining connected to the cross beam 300. Because of the reinforcement of the leading portion 120 and the trailing portion 110 with the anti-rotation bump 122 and the stiffening bump 114, the connector clip 100 will selectively bend at the offset 106 in a controllable manner. Once the fire is extinguished and the cross beam 200 cools down and contracts, the connection between the cross beam 200 and the main beam 300 will be maintained because the locking tab 126 and the hook 128 hold the connector clip 100 in the keyhole slot 340.
Description
- The present invention relates generally to ceiling systems, and more particularly to ceiling beam connectors which aid the performance of the ceiling system in the event of a fire.
- A typical suspended ceiling includes a plurality of main beams which extend parallel to one another and cross beams which span the distance between adjacent main beams. The cross beams interlock with the main beams via connectors which are inserted through slots in the main beams. The ceiling grid formed by the plurality of main beams and the plurality of cross beams is typically hung from a structural ceiling by hang wires, and ceiling panels are laid in the rectangular openings formed by the main beams and the cross beams. The panels are generally highly heat resistant and help protect the structural ceiling from heat damage in the event of a fire.
- Fire, however, can cause damage to the main beams and cross beams which weakens the suspended ceiling. For example, the elevated temperatures cause the beams to expand longitudinally to relieve stress. If the beams are not allowed to expand, they will buckle, causing the panels to fall from the openings and exposing the structural ceiling to the heat of the fire.
- The main beams are generally kept relatively intact during a fire by providing cutouts along the beam which permit the beam, in a controlled way, to collapse in-line, longitudinally, from the forces of compression created by the fire. Such an arrangement is disclosed, for example, in
U.S. Patent No. 4,606,166 . In the cross beams, however, such cutouts are generally not used, since they unduly weaken the beams relative to the length of the spans, and the relatively large controlled collapse is not required because the degree of expansion is not as large. For example, the expansion created by a fire is about 2.54mm per 304.8 mm (0.1 inch per foot) of beam length, so that in a 1524 mm (five foot) cross beam, the maximum expansion may be less about 12.7 mm (0.5 inches).US 4,611,453 discloses a connector clip according to the preamble of claim 1. - Accordingly, there remains a need for providing suitable expansion relief in cross beams.
- The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawing are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawing are the following figures:
-
FIG. 1A is a side view of a connector clip, according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 1B is a profile view of a connector clip, according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2A is a profile view of a connector clip attached to a ceiling cross beam, according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2B is another profile view of a connector clip attached to a ceiling cross beam, according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a profile view of a ceiling main beam including a keyhole slot, according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 4A is a side view of a connector clip attached to a ceiling cross beam and inserted into a keyhole slot in a ceiling main beam, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIG. 4B is an end view of a connector clip attached to a ceiling cross beam and inserted into a keyhole slot in a ceiling main beam, according to an embodiment of the present invention. - Referring now to the drawing, in which like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the various figures that comprise the drawing, embodiments of the present invention include connector clips for attaching cross beams to main beams in a suspended ceiling. The connector clips provide for suitable expansion relief in the cross beams in the event of a fire.
- Referring to
FIGS. 1A-1B , aconnector clip 100 is provided according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connector clip includes atrailing portion 110 and a leadingportion 120. Thetrailing portion 110 and the leadingportion 120 are attached by anoffset 106. As used herein, "attached" means either two distinct pieces joined by a suitable fastening element or a single unitary piece. Typically, theconnector clip 100 are made of a single unitary piece of stamped metal, for example aluminum or steel. - The
trailing portion 110 includes a plurality offastening holes 112 and astiffening bump 114. As described below, the plurality offastening holes 112 may be used to secure theconnector clip 100 to a ceiling beam. Thestiffening bump 114 extends laterally from thetrailing portion 110 in the opposite direction from theoffset 106. Thestiffening bump 114 may be stamped from (but still fully connected to) thetrailing portion 110 such that thestiffening bump 114 is hollow. Thestiffening bump 114 may have any suitable shape and size which will allow the trailingportion 110 to resist twisting or bending. Thetrailing portion 110 may further include tworear tabs 116, Therear tabs 116 do not impact the functioning of theconnector clip 110, but allowmultiple connector clips 110 to be manufactured in strips (not shown) with therear tabs 116 of oneconnector clip 110 attached to the leadingportion 120 of anadjacent connector clip 110. Oneconnector clip 110 may be easily removed from the strip by cutting the leadingportion 120 from therear tabs 116. - The leading
portion 120 includes ananti-rotation bump 122 laterally extending in the direction of theoffset 106, atop protrusion 124 which is bent toward theoffset 106, and alocking tab 126 laterally extending in the direction of theoffset 106 punched out from the leadingportion 120. The leadingportion 120 further includes ahook 128 on the bottom edge (i.e., the edge opposite the top protrusion 124) of the leadingportion 120. Theanti-rotation bump 122 may have any suitable shape and size which will allow the leadingportion 120 to fill up to half of the width of a slot in a main beam, as described in more detail below. Thehook 128, thetop protrusion 124, and thestiffening bump 122 are vertically aligned (i.e., a vertical line will pass through each of thehook 128, thetop protrusion 124, and the stiffening bump 122). Thelocking tab 126 is slightly offset from thetop protrusion 124 away from theoffset 106. - The
connector clip 100 further includes a topangled flange 130 and a bottomangled flange 140 which are each bent away from the direction of theoffset 106. Thetop bent portion 130 includes afinger 132 which extends above the leadingportion 120 and is separated from the leadingportion 120 by anotch 134. Thenotch 134 may include abulb portion 136 which extends into thetrailing portion 110. Thefinger 132 is thinnest at thebulb portion 136, and accordingly will bend most readily at thebulb portion 136. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , theconnector clip 100 may be connected to across beam 200. Thecross beam 200 includesvertical web 210 extending between abulb 220 at the top end of theweb 210 andflanges 230 at the bottom end of theweb 210. Thetrailing portion 110 is attached to theweb 210 of thecross beam 200 by anysuitable fastening elements 150, for example rivets or clinch joints which extend through thefastening holes 112 and through theweb 210. The leadingportion 120 extends beyond the edge of theweb 210 and, because of theoffset 106, is aligned with theweb 210. The topangled flange 130 is adjacent to thebulb 220 and the bottomangled flange 140 is adjacent to theflanges 230. The topangled flange 130, the bottom angledflange 140 and the stiffeningbump 114 reinforce the trailingportion 110 and prevent undesired bending of the trailingportion 110 when connected to thecross beam 200. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , a main beam 300 is provided for use in conjunction with theconnector clip 100 and thecross beam 200 described above. Like thecross beam 200, the main beam 300 includes avertical web 310 extending between abulb 320 at a top end of theweb 310 andflanges 330 at the bottom end of theweb 310. The main beam 300 further includes akeyhole slot 340 with includes abottom edge 342, atop edge 344, andsides 346 extending between thebottom edge 342 and thetop edge 344. The width of the keyhole slot 340 (i.e., the distance between the sides 346) will vary along the height of the keyhole slot 340 (i.e., measured between thebottom edge 342 and the top edge 344), with the narrowest portion of the keyhole slot occurring at anarrowed region 348 nearer to the top edge of thekeyhole slot 340 than the bottom edge of thekeyhole slot 340. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , thecross beam 200 having theconnector clip 100 attached to theweb 210 may be connected to the main beam 300 by inserting the leadingportion 120 of theconnector clip 100 through thekeyhole slot 340. The lower edge of theconnector clip 100 is inserted into thekeyhole slot 340 first and theconnector clip 100 is rotated to bring thehook 128 into contact with thebottom edge 342 of thekeyhole slot 340. As theconnector clip 100 is rotated into position, thetop protrusion 124 will contact thetop edge 344 of thekeyhole slot 340. Continued rotation will force theconnector clip 100 downward, resulting in thetop protrusion 124 pushing through thekeyhole slot 340 and thehook 128 contacting thebottom edge 342 of thekeyhole slot 340. Thetop protrusion 124 pushing through thekeyhole slot 340 produces an audible click which signals that theconnector clip 100 is secured in place. Once secured, thelocking tab 126 will be aligned with thenarrow portion 348 of thekeyhole slot 340, prevent theconnector clip 100 from backing out of thekeyhole slot 340. Accordingly, thecross beam 200 may be cantilevered in thekeyhole slot 340 during installation without requiring a connection from the opposing side of thekey hole slot 340. Thetop protrusion 124 and theanti-rotation bump 122 are positioned inside thekeyhole slot 340 to limit rotation of theconnector clip 100 inside thekeyhole slot 340 about an axis parallel to the length of thecross beam 200 without substantially increasing the overall thickness of theconnector clip 100. To allow a second connector clip 200 (not shown) to be inserted into thekeyhole slot 340 from the opposite side of the main beam 300, thetop protrusion 124 and theanti-rotation bump 122 should extend laterally from the leadingportion 120 at a distance equal to no more than half of the width of thekeyhole slot 340 outside the narrowedportion 348. The distance between thehook 128 and thetop protrusion 124 is approximately equal to the height of thekeyhole slot 124. Accordingly, vertical movement of theconnector clip 100 in thekeyhole slot 340 is constrained and the possibility of theconnector clip 100 accidentally being removed from thekeyhole slot 340 during installation is reduced. Lateral movement of theconnector clip 100 is constrained by thehook 128 and thelocking tab 126. Because the movement of theconnector clip 100 is constrained within thekeyhole slot 340, thecross beam 100 self-aligns with the main beam 300, eliminating the need for careful positioning of thecross beam 100. - Once the
connector clip 100 is secured into thekeyhole slot 340, thecross beam 200 is connected to the main beam 300. Theflanges 230 of thecross beam 200 substantially abut theflanges 330 of the main beam 300, creating a continuous visual appearance when the suspended ceiling is viewed from below. Aportion 222 is removed from thebulb 220 of thecross beam 200 to create a gap between thebulb 220 of thecross beam 200 and thebulb 320 of the cross beam 300. Despite no bulb-to-bulb connection, vertical, upward rotation of thecross beam 200 is constrained by thefinger 132, which is adjacent to, but separated from, theweb 310 of the main beam 300 by a small gap. The small gap between theweb 310 and thefinger 132 allows for a small degree of vertical upward rotation of thecross beam 200, but otherwise provides for a bulb-to-bulb feel under normal conditions (i.e., in the absence of fire-induced expansion of the cross beam 200). - In the event of a fire, heat will cause expansion of the
cross beam 200 which forces theconnector clip 100 toward the main beam 300. As theconnector clip 100 is forced toward the main beam, thefinger 132 will bend laterally, allowing for expansion of thecross beam 200. In other words, thefinger 132 will constrict movement of thecross beam 200 under normal conditions, but will bend out of the way when excessive stress is applied to thecross beam 200 in the event of a fire. - In the event the expansion of the
cross beam 200 is so great that thecross beam 200 still needs to expand even after thefinger 132 is bent out of the way, theconnector clip 100 will also bend at the offset 106, allowing thecross beam 200 to move laterally with respect to the main beam 300 while still remaining connected to the cross beam 300. Because of the reinforcement of the leadingportion 120 and the trailingportion 110 with theanti-rotation bump 122 and the stiffeningbump 114, theconnector clip 100 will selectively bend at the offset 106 in a controllable manner. Once the fire is extinguished and thecross beam 200 cools down and contracts, the connection between thecross beam 200 and the main beam 300 will be maintained because thelocking tab 126 and thehook 128 hold theconnector clip 100 in thekeyhole slot 340. - Certain preferred embodiments of connector clips for attaching cross beams to main beams in a suspended ceiling which provide for suitable expansion relief in the cross beams in the event of a fire have been described herein. It is to be understood that various modifications may be made to these described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. All such modifications and other embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
Claims (11)
- A connector clip (100) comprising:a leading portion (120) attached to a trailing portion (110) by an offset (106);the leading portion (120) including an anti-rotation bump (122) extending in the direction of the offset (106), a locking tab (126) extending in the direction of the offset (106), a top protrusion (124) and a hook (128) on a bottom edge of the leading portion (120) opposite the top protrusion (124); andthe trailing portion (110) including a bottom angled flange (140), and a top angled flange (130), characterized in that the top angles flange (130) has a finger (132) which extends above the leading portion (120) and is separated from the leading portion (120) by a notch (134) and in that the leading portion (120) includes a top protrusion (124) bent toward the offset (106).
- The connector clip (100) according to claim 1, wherein the trailing portion (110) further comprises a plurality of fastening holes (112) and a stiffening bump (114) extending laterally from the trailing portion in the opposite direction of the offset (106).
- The connector clip (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hook (128), the top protrusion (124), and the anti-rotation bump (122) are vertically aligned.
- The connector clip (100) according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the trailing portion (110) includes two rear tabs (116).
- The connector clip (100) according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the top angle flange (130) and the bottom angle flange are each bent away from the direction of the offset (106).
- The connector clip (100) according to claims 1 to 5, wherein the notch (134) further includes a bulb portion (136) that extends laterally into the trailing portion (110).
- The connector clip (100) according to claim 6, wherein the finger (132) is thinnest at the bulb portion (136).
- A connector clip (100) and beam (200) for a suspended ceiling set including:a connector clip (100) according to any of the preceding claims; anda beam (200) for a suspended ceiling comprising a vertical web (210) extending between a bulb (220) at a top end of the vertical web (210) and flanges (230) at a bottom end of the vertical web (210),wherein the connector clip (100) is attached to one end of the beam (200).
- The connector clip (100) and beam (200) for a suspended ceiling set according to claim 8, the connector clip (100) being realized according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the trailing portion (110) is attached to the web (210) of the beam (200) by fastening elements (150) which extend through the fastener holes (112) and through the web (210).
- The connector clip (100) and beam (200) for a suspended ceiling set according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the leading portion (120) extends beyond an edge of the web (210) and is aligned with the web (210).
- A suspended ceiling set comprising a main beam (300) and connector clip (100) and beam (200) according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the finger (132) is adjacent to, but separated from, a web 310 of the main beam (300) by a gap.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL17758971T PL3497290T3 (en) | 2016-08-15 | 2017-08-14 | Hook connection clip for false ceiling system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201662375134P | 2016-08-15 | 2016-08-15 | |
PCT/US2017/046722 WO2018035023A1 (en) | 2016-08-15 | 2017-08-14 | Hook connection clip for false ceiling system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3497290A1 EP3497290A1 (en) | 2019-06-19 |
EP3497290B1 true EP3497290B1 (en) | 2020-10-07 |
Family
ID=59745327
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17758971.0A Active EP3497290B1 (en) | 2016-08-15 | 2017-08-14 | Hook connection clip for false ceiling system |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3497290B1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2834307T3 (en) |
PL (1) | PL3497290T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018035023A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4606166A (en) | 1985-05-13 | 1986-08-19 | National Rolling Mills Inc. | Fire-rated beam with expansion relief section |
US4611453A (en) * | 1985-07-25 | 1986-09-16 | Donn Incorporated | Suspension ceiling grid connectors |
ITVE20050010U1 (en) * | 2005-03-25 | 2006-09-26 | Atena S R L | PROFILE ASTIFORME A T REVERSE PROVIDED WITH REFINED ELEMENT FOR FIXING - |
-
2017
- 2017-08-14 EP EP17758971.0A patent/EP3497290B1/en active Active
- 2017-08-14 PL PL17758971T patent/PL3497290T3/en unknown
- 2017-08-14 ES ES17758971T patent/ES2834307T3/en active Active
- 2017-08-14 WO PCT/US2017/046722 patent/WO2018035023A1/en unknown
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ES2834307T3 (en) | 2021-06-17 |
PL3497290T3 (en) | 2021-05-17 |
WO2018035023A1 (en) | 2018-02-22 |
EP3497290A1 (en) | 2019-06-19 |
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