GB2177736A - Suspension device for suspended ceilings - Google Patents

Abstract

A ceiling hanger includes a clip (2) having two divergent arms (21), engaged on a support rod (1), and a resilient wire coupling element (3) with a head (33) which can be inserted in the vertical part of opening (24) in central portion (23) of the clip, and then tilted, to hang vertically. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Suspension device for suspended ceilings The invention described below relates to a suspension device for suspended ceilings, which comprises a spring clip having clip legs extending divergently from a middle part to one side and each provided with an opening for a carrier rod passing therethrough, in such a manner that the clip is secured on the carrier rod through the spring force of the clip legs, and a coupling member joined to the clip for fastening a ceiling element. Various arrangements applying a principle of this kind are known and are widely used in the installation of suspended ceilings because they can be quickly and simply installed and the time required for installation can thus be considerably shortened.

One difficulty with constructions hitherto customary is the large number of different types of suspension devices required in view of the large number of different ceiling systems, their varying dimensions, and the different installation conditions. The range of adjustment of the usual devices is limited on the one hand by the length of the carrier rod and on the other hand by the length of the coupling element.

However, when these coupling elements are an integral part of the clip or are irremovably joined to the latter, this adjustability is sharply limited because the carrier rod makes contact with the ceiling component which is to be suspended. Moreover, the shape of the coupling element is usually dependent on the ceiling component to be suspended. A different ceiling component requires a different coupling element and therefore a different suspension device.

The invention provides an effective solution to both these problems.

To this end the suspension device according to the invention is characterized in that the clip is provided in its middle part with a noncircular insertion opening the height of which is greater than the greatest width of a fastening means which is formed at or near one end of the coupling element, while the width dimension of the insertion opening is smaller than the greatest width of the fastening means, the coupling element consisting of simple wire-like material having a determined inherent elasticity and being provided, at the opposite end to that where the fastening means is disposed, with two hook-shaped ends for carrying a ceiling element.

The insertion opening may be formed in the clip simultaneously with the stamping of the latter. The clip thus becomes capable of universal use and can rapidly, and without the use of tools or fixing means, be joined to a coupling element of wire-like material, and also detached therefrom in a simple manner, by means of an inserting and turning connection action. It is likewise possible for each of a series of coupling elements of different lengths and/or provided with different panel element coupling parts for different types of panel elements to be rapidly coupled to the clip. The panel elements may consist of carrier sections, auxiliary carrier sections or ceiling panels, coffers, and the like.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the fastening means is formed by an eye which by way of a neck-shaped portion merges into two legs, while this eye is at an angle to these legs. A fastening means is thus obtained which is simple to form and which in addition can be used for direct fastening (for example by means of a screw) if adjustable suspension is not used.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment the invention may be characterized in that the insertion opening has, at at least one point along its height, a widening which extends towards both sides and whose maximum width is somewhat smaller than the maximum width of the neck-shaped portion. In this way the clip and the coupling element, for example when they are pre-assembied, cannot easily become separated; this may be an advantage during transport.

According to another characteristic, the bounding edges of the widenings may converge in the direction of the greatest width.

The assembly of the clip and the coupling element can thereby be further facilitated.

The suspension device will now be further explained with the aid of one example of embodiment which is illustrated in the drawing.

The drawing shows the suspension device in an exploded view, that is to say with the component parts separated from one another.

The suspension device according to the invention comprises in the example of embodiment illustrated a carrier rod 1 which can be fastened to the bottom face of a structure. In addition, the device comprises a clip 2, which consists of a middle part 23 merging at both ends into clip legs 21 which are divergent in relation to one another. Each clip leg 21 has a through hole 22, through which the carrier rod 1 can be adjustably secured. The holes 22 and the carrier rod 1 are of such dimensions that the carrier rod 1 can be pushed through the two holes 22 only after the application of a mutual clamping force between the clip legs 21. After partial release of the force on the clip legs 21, the edges of the holes 22 will apply a gripping force to the carrier rod 1 through tiiting pressure.In order to adjust the clip in the longitudinal direction of the carrier rod, this gripping force can be relieved by moving the two clip legs 21 towards one another.

For the purpose of fastening ceiling elements on the suspension device, the latter is provided at the bottom with a coupling ele ment 3 cooperating with an insertion opening 24 provided in the middle part 23 of the clip 2.

The insertion opening 24 has a non-circular section, which may be in the form of a slot, as illustrated, but may equally be crossshaped, in the shape of an inverted T, or possibly lozenge-shaped. In this arrangement the height dimension is greater than the width "B" of a fastening means 33 at the top end of the coupling element 3. The width dimension of the insertion opening 24 is smaller than the width "B" of the fastening means 33 and can even be equal in size to or somewhat smaller than the width of the member 33 at the neck-shaped part 34 which connects the member 33 to the remainder of the coupling element 3. The coupling element 3 is made of wire-like material, such as spring steel wire in the form of spring arms 31, which at the bottom are provided with hooks 32. The fastening means 33 is in the form of an eye and can in certain situations be used for direct fastening to the structure when adjustability is not desired. The insertion opening 24 has a lateral widening 25, in which the neckshaped part 34 of the coupling element can be secured. The side edges of the widening 25 are preferably convergent towards the widest point.

Claims (5)

1. Suspension device for suspended ceilings, which comprises a spring clip having clip legs extending divergently from a middle part to one side and each provided with an opening for a carrier rod passing therethrough, in such a manner that the clip is secured on the carrier rod through the spring force of the clip legs, and a coupling element which is to be joined to the clip in order to fasten a ceiling element, characterized in that the clip (2) is provided in its middle part (23) with a noncircular insertion opening (24) the height dimension of which is greater than the greatest width of a fastening means (33) which is formed at or near one end of the coupling element (3), while the width dimension of the insertion opening is smaller than the greatest width of the fastening means (33), the coupling element consisting of simple wire Dike material having a determined inherent elasticity and being provided, at the opposite end to that where the fastening means is disposed, with two hook-shaped ends (32) for carrying a ceiling element.

2. Suspension device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means (33) is composed of an eye which by way of a neck-shaped part (34) merges into two legs (31) and is at an angle to these legs.

3. Suspension device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the non-circular insertion opening has, at at least one point along its height, a widening which extends towards both sides and whose maximum width is somewhat smaller than the maximum width of the neck-shaped part (34).

4. Suspension device according to claim 3, characterised in that the bounding edges of the widenings converge in the direction of the greatest width.

5. A suspension device for a suspended ceiling, said device being substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.