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
• • 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 to a cross runner for a grid of profiles of a suspended ceiling system, and more specifically to such a cross runner which is provided with a connector which is insertable into an opening of another runner included in the grid of profiles for connection of the cross runner to the another runner.
• the present invention also relates to a suspended ceiling system comprising such a cross runner.
• Suspended ceiling systems are commonly used products in many different types of buildings in order to provide an aesthetically pleasing interior ceiling and/or for providing a desired functionality such as sound dampening and/or for supporting building equipment such as ventilation ducts or electrical wiring.
• a suspended ceiling system usually comprises a grid of profiles that supports a number of ceiling tiles, the grid of profiles being attached to a structural ceiling in the building.
• the ceiling tiles are typically made of a mineral fibre material, such as glass wool but other types of ceiling tiles are also produced.
• the grid of profiles typically comprises main runners and cross runners connected thereto at right angles.
• the cross runner may be provided with connectors for connecting the cross runners to the main runners included in a grid of profiles.
• the connector of the cross runner is inserted into an opening provided in the main runner.
• the connector usually comprises a plurality of lips or tongues which engage a side edge portion of the opening during the connection operation in order to provide a reliable connection.
• the connector must provide a reliable locking of the cross runner connected to the main runner. Further, the connector should ensure correct positioning of the cross runner in relation to the main runner and also enable disconnection of the cross runner. Also, it should be possible to provide the connector at a reasonable cost. However, it has proven difficult to provide a connector which ensures reliable and correct locking while also providing a strong connection.
• the cross runner typically has the form of an inverted T-profile with a central web provided with an upper bulb and two flanges at a lower portion thereof extending laterally in opposite directions.
• the cross runner may be produced in a roll forming operation in which sheet metal is folded into the shape of the cross runner.
• the central web of the cross runner may comprise two layers of material, and when the connector of the cross runner is formed integral with the cross runner, problem often arise with separation, also referred to as spread, of the two layers of material in the connector. Such a spread may complicate connection of the cross runner to the main runner.
• a further object is to provide a cross runner which improves correct positioning of the cross runner in relation to another runner when connected thereto.
• Another object is to provide a cross runner with a connector which improves the strength of the connection to the another runner.
• Yet another object is to provide a cross runner which mitigates problems associated with spread of the connector.
• a cross runner for a grid of profiles of a suspended ceiling system, the cross runner being provided with a connector which is insertable into an opening of another runner included in the grid of profiles for connection of the cross runner to the another runner, wherein the cross runner comprises a central web provided with a top bulb and two flanges at a bottom portion thereof extending laterally in opposite directions, the central web comprising two layers of material, wherein the connector is arranged at a first end of the cross runner, wherein the connector comprises a first tongue and at least one additional tongue, the first tongue and the at least one additional tongue extending along a longitudinal axis of the cross runner, wherein the first tongue is resiliently displaceable in a first lateral direction of the cross runner and provided with a wing shaped locking tab protruding in a second lateral direction of the cross runner, the second lateral direction being opposite to the first lateral direction, wherein the wing shaped locking tab is
• the straight locking section of the trailing edge of the wing shaped locking tab provides a linear abutment surface for engagement with the web of the another runner.
• the wing shaped locking tab may be formed with small tolerances, and thus the configuration may ensure a correct positioning of the cross runner in relation to the another runner when connected thereto.
• the another runner may be a main runner or another cross runner.
• the wing shaped locking tab having a leading edge and a trailing edge forms a force absorbing structure which the improves tensile strength of the connector along the longitudinal axis of the cross runner.
• the provision of the wing shaped locking tab on the first tongue of the connector may, in case the connector is integrally formed with the central web of the cross runner, counteract separation of the two layers of material of the first tongue, thereby mitigating problems associated with spread of the connector.
• the connector may be integrally formed with the central web.
• the straight engagement section of the leading edge of the wing shaped locking tab may extend, when seen perpendicular to a plane defined by the height axis of the cross runner and the lateral axis of the cross runner, at an acute angle to the height axis of the cross runner.
• the wing shaped locking tab may be defined by the leading edge; the trailing edge; and a base at which the wing shaped locking tab is connected to the first tongue.
• the base may extend in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cross runner and the wing shaped locking tab may be angled about an axis extending along the base such that the wing shaped locking tab is arranged at an acute angle to the height axis of the cross runner as seen perpendicular to a plane defined by the height axis of the cross runner and a lateral axis of the cross runner.
• the top bulb of the cross runner may comprise a collapsed portion at said first end of the cross runner, in which collapsed portion the top bulb is collapsed.
• the provision of a collapsed portion of the top bulb the first end of the cross runner may induce tension in the cross runner forcing the two layers of material in the central web in the area of the first end towards each other and may thereby further mitigate problems associated with spread of the connector, i.e. counteracting separation of the two layers of material in the central web at the first end of the cross runner.
• the collapsed portion may have a length of at least 10 mm. The collapsed portion of the top bulb may be fully collapsed.
• the cross runner may be provided with an additional connector arranged at a second end of the cross runner, the second end being opposite to the first end.
• the cross runner may be made of steel or aluminium.
• the wing shaped locking tab may be punched out in the first tongue.
• the trailing edge may be provided with at least one notch.
• the provision of a notch in the trailing edge of the wing shaped locking tab may, in response to a pulling force applied to the cross runner, promote a hooking engagement of the wing shaped locking tab with the central web of the main runner, thereby further improving the strength of the connection of the cross runner to the another runner.
• a suspended ceiling system comprising a grid of profiles formed by cross runners of the type described above and another runners.
• the another runners may be main runners or another cross runners.
• Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a suspended ceiling system 1 comprising a plurality of ceiling tiles 2 and a grid of profiles, as seen obliquely from above.
• the suspended ceiling system 1 is adapted to be mounted underneath a main ceiling or structural ceiling of a room or another accommodation, thereby forming a two-dimensional visible ceiling surface as seen from below.
• the grid of profiles comprised in the suspended ceiling system 1 may be at least partly concealed.
• the grid of profiles comprises cross runners 30 connected to another runners, which may be main runners and/or another cross runners.
• the grid of profiles is a supporting structure for the ceiling tiles and comprises another runners 10 in the form of main runners as well as cross runners 30 connected thereto. Some of the main runners 10 may be suspended in the main ceiling, thereby supporting the grid of profiles, while others of the main runners 10 may be non-supported in the same.
• the cross runners 30 are provided at right angles to the main runners 10 and are connected to the same at a discrete set of locations by means of connectors which will be described in detail below. Thereby, the main runners 10 and the cross runners 30 form a grid-like structure which is adapted to support ceiling tiles 2 of a rectangular shape.
• the grid of profiles may also comprise wall runners as is well-known to a person skilled in the art. It is also understood that the overall geometry of the profiles may vary.
• the profiles may be curved, horizontally and/or vertically, and may consequently be adapted to support ceiling tiles of other shapes.
• a ceiling tile may be in the shape of a polygon, such as a triangle, a quadrilateral or a pentagon, etc.
• the grid of profiles forms frames in the shape of inner rectangular frames and outer rectangular frame portions into which the ceiling tiles and are to be inserted, respectively.
• each ceiling tile is at least partly enclosed by profiles.
• each hanger 3 comprises a first and a second hanger element 4, 5 which are arranged in parallel.
• An end portion of each of the first hanger elements 4 is provided with a hook and is inserted into a corresponding hole in a hanger clip which is provided in a main runner 10.
• the length of each hanger 3 is adjustable by means of an arrangement which allows for a relative lengthwise displacement of the first and second hanger element 4, 5.
• the second hanger elements 5 are fastened to a permanent structure of the room, such as the main ceiling of the room (not shown), thereby upholding the suspended ceiling system 1.
• each of the profiles is an inverted T-profile, or a tee, thereby having a cross-section in the form of an inverted T.
• each of the profiles has a central web and two flanges which protrude to an equal extent from a lower part of the web in two opposite horizontal directions.
• the flanges are adapted to support the ceiling tiles 2.
• the central web may comprise a bulb, e.g. for reinforcing the T-profile.
• the profiles are comprised of a light-weight material.
• the material may be a metal such as steel or a sheet metal.
• the material may be a rigid plastic, a light metal, such as aluminum, or similarly.
• the profiles according to the present embodiment are rigid. However, it is equally conceivable to utilize resilient profiles which may simplify the installation of the ceiling tiles.
• the grid of profiles comprise cross runners 30 having an inverted T-profile with a top bulb 31 and two flanges 32 at a bottom portion thereof extending laterally in opposite directions, wherein the central web 33 comprises two layers of material.
• the general inverted T-shape of the cross runner 30 is shown in Fig. 2 , to which reference now also is made.
• the main runners 10 and the cross runners 30 of the grid of profiles may be produced in a roll forming operation in which sheet metal is folded into the shape of the profile in question.
• the ceiling tiles 2 are rectangular comprising four sides, wherein each side is adapted to engage with a profile.
• the ceiling tiles may have other shapes.
• the ceiling tile may for example be in the shape of a polygon, such as a triangle, a quadrilateral or a pentagon, etc.
• each of the ceiling tiles 2 may comprise a material which is sufficiently acoustically absorbing and/or acoustically insulating for the room under consideration.
• the materials are preferably chosen to be relatively lightweight, thereby giving rise to a lightweight ceiling.
• the ceiling tiles may be made of a compressed fibre material comprising mineral wool such as stone wool, or especially glass wool.
• each ceiling tile substantially correspond to the lateral dimensions of the inner or outer frame into which it is to be inserted. More specifically, the lateral dimensions of each ceiling tile substantially correspond to the dimensions a frame formed by the upwardly directed web portions of the T-profiles surrounding the ceiling tile under consideration. Furthermore, the thickness of each ceiling tile is preferably smaller than a height of the upwardly directed web portions of the surrounding T-profiles, although a different thickness is equally conceivable.
• each cross runner 30 is connected to a main runner 10 by means of a connector 40 arranged at each end of the cross runner.
• a cross runner 30 is illustrated.
• the cross runner 30 is shown in a side view in Fig. 3 and in a perspective view in Fig. 4 .
• the cross runner 30 is provided with a connector 40 at a first end 34 thereof.
• the cross runner 30 may be provided with a corresponding connector at a second end thereof, i.e. at the opposing end.
• the connector 40 is formed integrally with the web 33 of the cross runner 30, but it is envisioned that the connector 40 may be formed separately from the cross runner 30 and connected thereto, for instance by means of riveting or welding.
• the connector 40 comprises a first tongue 41 and at least one additional tongue 42.
• the connector 40 comprises two additional tongues 42.
• the tongues have approximately the same length and are separated by two slits and arranged next to each other along a height axis H of the cross runner 30 with the first tongue 41 arranged between the two additional tongues 42.
• the first tongue 41 is resiliently displaceable in a first lateral direction D1 of the cross runner 30.
• the resiliency of the first tongue 41 may be an inherent feature of the material and/or configuration the first tongue 41.
• a first tongue 41 having sufficient resiliency may be achieved for a connector 40 formed integrally with the web 33 of the cross runner 30, wherein the two layers of material in the web 33 is made of steel, each layer having a thickness in the range of 0,2 - 0,6 mm.
• the first tongue 41 is further provided with a wing shaped locking tab 50 protruding in a second lateral direction D2 of the cross runner 30, the second lateral direction D2 being opposite to the first lateral direction D1.
• the wing shaped locking tab 50 is configured to engage with a side edge portion 11 of the opening 12 of the main runner 10 in response to insertion of the connector 40 into the opening 12.
• a section of a main runner 10 including such an opening 12 provided in the web of the main runner 10 is disclosed in Fig 5 , to which reference now also is made.
• the wing shaped locking tab 50 By engaging the side edge portion 11 of the opening 12 of the main runner 10 during insertion of the connector 40 into the opening 12, the wing shaped locking tab 50 causes the first tongue 41 to be resiliently displaced in the first lateral direction D1 in order to allow the wing shaped locking tab 50 to be passed through the opening 12.
• the first tongue 41 may flex back, i.e. move in the second lateral direction D2, such that the wing shaped locking tab 50 may secure or lock the connection of the cross runner 30 to the main runner 10.
• the flexing back of the first tongue 41 may generate a click sound providing feedback that connection has been achieved.
• the cross runner 30 may be disconnected from the main runner 10 by pushing the first tongue 41 in the first lateral direction D1 such that the wing shaped locking tab 50 goes free of the side edge portion 11 of the opening 12 of the main runner 10, and subsequent retraction of the cross runner 30 such that the connector 40 is pulled out of the opening 12.
• the wing shaped locking tab 50 may be formed by a punching operation. By punching out the wing shaped locking tab 50, problems associated with spread of the connector 40 in cases where the connector 40 is formed integrally with the web 33 of the cross runner 30 may be mitigated since the punching operation may cause a stitching effect counteracting separation of the two layers of material forming the first tongue 41.
• Figs. 6a-c schematically illustrates different plan views of an embodiment of the connector 40.
• the connector 40 may be formed integral with or separate from the cross runner 30 which is indicated by dotted lines in the figures.
• the connector 40 comprises a first tongue 41 provided with a wing shaped locking tab 50, and an additional tongue 42.
• the first tongue 41 and the additional tongue 42 are separated by a slit.
• the wing shaped locking tab 50 has a leading edge 51 with straight engagement section which as seen perpendicular to a plane defined by a longitudinal axis L of the cross runner 30 and a lateral axis T of the cross runner 30 extends at an acute angle C to the longitudinal axis L of the cross runner 30.
• the acute angle C which is clearly depicted in Fig. 6c may be in the range of 25-50°.
• a wing shaped locking tab 50 having a leading edge with a straight engagement section extending at an acute angle C to the longitudinal axis L as seen perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal axis L and the lateral axis T makes it possible to ensure that the wing shaped locking tab 50 protrudes in the second lateral direction D2 such that the wing shaped locking tab 50 may engage with the side edge portion 11 during insertion of the connector 40 into the opening 12 of the main runner (depicted in Fig. 5 ) thereby causing the first tongue 41 to be resiliently displaced in the first lateral direction D1. More specifically, it is the straight engagement section of the leading edge 51 that may engage the side edge portion 11 of the opening 12.
• the straight engagement section of the leading edge 51 of the wing shaped locking tab 50 may extend, when seen perpendicular to a plane defined by the height axis H of the cross runner 30 and the lateral axis T of the cross runner 30, at an acute angle D to the height axis H of the cross runner 30.
• the acute angle D which is clearly depicted in Fig. 6b may be in the range of 25-50°.
• a small acute angle D preferably below 50°, the protrusion of the wing shaped locking tab 50 in the second lateral direction D2 may be reduced, thereby reducing the required resilient displacement of the first tongue 41 in the first lateral direction D1 during insertion of the connector 40 into the opening 12 for connection of the cross runner 30 to the main runner 10.
• the straight engagement section of the leading edge 51 of the wing shaped locking tab 50 may extend, when seen perpendicular to a plane defined by the height axis H of the cross runner 30 and the longitudinal axis L of the cross runner 30, at an acute angle A to the longitudinal axis L of the cross runner 30.
• the acute angle A which is clearly depicted in Fig. 6a , may be in the range of 25-50°.
• the wing shaped locking tab 50 has a trailing edge 52 comprising a straight locking section which as seen perpendicular (indicated by angle B in Fig. 6a ) to a plane defined by the longitudinal axis L of the cross runner 30 and the height axis H of the cross runner 30 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.
• the straight locking section of the trailing edge 52 of the wing shaped locking tab 50 is configured to form a lock preventing unintentional extraction of the connector 40 out of the opening 12 of the main runner 10 once the cross runner 30 has been connected thereto, i.e. once the connector 40 of the cross runner 30 has been inserted into the opening 12 such that the wing shaped locking tab 50 has been passed through the opening 12.
• the wing shaped locking tab 50 is defined by the leading edge 51; the trailing edge 52; and a base 53 at which the wing shaped locking tab 50 is connected to the first tongue 41. Such a configuration has been found to provide a connection of excellent strength.
• the base 53 may extend in parallel with the longitudinal axis L of the cross runner 30 and the wing shaped locking tab 50 is angled about an axis extending along the base 53 such that the wing shaped locking tab 50 is arranged at an acute angle D, preferably in the range of 25-50°, to the height axis H of the cross runner 30 as seen perpendicular to a plane defined by the height axis H of the cross runner 30 and the lateral axis T of the cross runner 30.
• FIGs. 7 and 8 another embodiment of the cross runner 30 is depicted.
• the cross runner 30 is shown in a side view in Fig. 7 and in a perspective view in Fig. 8 .
• the cross runner 30 is provided with a connector 40 at a first end 34 thereof.
• the cross runner 30 may be provided with a corresponding connector at a second end thereof, i.e. at the opposing end.
• the connector 40 is of the same type as the one shown in Figs. 3 and 4 , and is formed integrally with the web 33 of the cross runner 30.
• the top bulb 31 comprises a collapsed portion 35 at the first end 34 of the cross runner 30.
• the collapsed portion 35 may be partly collapsed or preferably fully collapsed.
• the collapsed portion 35 may have length X of at least 10 mm.
• the top bulb 31 may also be provided with a collapsed portion at said second end.
• top bulb 31 By providing the top bulb 31 with a collapsed portion 35 at an end of the cross runner 30, problems associated with spread of the connector 40 at the associated end may be mitigated.
• a collapsed portion 35 induces a tension in the cross 30 runner which counteracts separation of the two layers of material in the web 33 at the associated end, and thus mitigates spread in the connector 40 in case this is formed integral with the web 33 of the cross runner 30.
• the trailing edge 52 of the wing shaped locking tab 50 may be provided with a notch 54, which is illustrated in Fig. 9 .
• the provision of a notch 54 in the trailing edge 52 may have the effect of causing a hooked engagement between the wing shaped locking tab 50 and the web of the main runner 10 in response to application of a pulling force to the cross runner 10 acting to pull the cross runner 10 out of the opening 12 in the web of the main runner 10.
• Such a hooked engagement may increase the strength of the connection and thereby prevent or at least reduce the risk of unintentional disconnection of the cross runner 30 from the main runner 10.
• top bulb of the cross runner shown in Fig. 9 is not provided with a collapsed portion of the type described above with reference to Figs. 7 and 8 , it is understood that this embodiment may very well be provided with such a collapsed portion.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Mutual Connection Of Rods And Tubes (AREA)

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Citations (4)

• 2024
  • 2024-04-12 EP EP24170039.2A patent/EP4632166A1/de active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-04-11 WO PCT/EP2025/060001 patent/WO2025215205A1/en active Pending

Patent Citations (4)

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