GB2241972A

GB2241972A - Securing elements for ceiling grids

Info

Publication number: GB2241972A
Application number: GB9105162A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Helmut Steinbacher
Original assignee: RUETGERS PAGID AG
Current assignee: RUETGERS PAGID AG
Priority date: 1990-03-13
Filing date: 1991-03-12
Publication date: 1991-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2011-03-12
Also published as: DE9003024U1; FR2659680A3; GB9105162D0; IT221527Z2; GB2241972B; FR2659680B3; ITRM910012U1; BE1004677A6

Abstract

Grid-like ceiling panels made from upwardly open U-section rails are connected at their edges to a support frame 12 by a retractable tongue 7. The tongue is retained in a channel sectioned housing 5 inserted in the rails by means of in-turned flanges 3 on the edges of the side walls 1. Operating tabs 8 for the tongue 7 project through cut-outs in the flanges. Tongues 8, 9 latch the rails to a peripheral rail 11 of the panel. <IMAGE>

Description

SECURING ELEMENTS FOR CEILING GRIDS The present invention relates to a fastening element for ceiling grids, and especially open ceiling grids, the elements of which consist of U-profiles open at the top.

A fastening element is known from German Utility Model G 89 li 092.7, which comprises a U-shaped casing with a rocker mounted therein and is inserted into the open U-profiles of the ceiling grid elements. The fastening element, with its stud projecting on a resilient tongue, engages into an opening in the U-profiles and is prevented from being displaced longitudinally. When the element is inserted, the rocker is swung out and rests with one end on the support rail and the other end on the tongue.

A condition for the use of this fastening element is the accessibility of the profile openings after fitting, in order that the lever can be tilted back into the profiles during the removal of individual grid elements for inspection purposes. With adequate ceiling clearance this does not generally present any problems.

However, there is an increasing requirement that ceilings should be provided which are sound absorbing.

For this purpose a sound-absorbing plate can be placed on the ceiling grid. With such plates fastened on the individual element, there is no possibility of manipulating the rocker of the fastening element of the art.

The object is, therefore, to provide a fastening element that can be manipulated even when the U-profiles of the grid elements are not accessible on their open side.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a securing element for a ceiling grid comprising a retractable tongue and generally upwardly directed surfaces, the tongue being adapted, when extended, to engage a support for the grid, the upwardly directed surfaces being provided with inwardly pointing projections adapted to prevent upward movement of the tongue beyond the projections, the tongue further comprising side members projecting through openings in the upwardly directed surfaces, the side members permitting movement of the tongue when manipulated.

The upwardly directed surfaces are preferably substantially continuous walls, and the inwardly pointing projections are preferably substantially horizontally arranged flanges.

Advantageously, the openings are coincident with gaps between the projections or flanges. This may be achieved by simple cut-outs in a sheet which is to form the element, or they may be formed in situ, for example.

Preferably, the opening is such that the side member is so supported that the tongue is substantially flush with the undersides of the projections or flanges.

While it is possible for the side members to be located entirely within the openings, it is preferred that the side members project beyond the openings.

The elements may be formed singly, but the invention also provides a ceiling grid, or element thereof, comprising at least one element as defined above, and wherein the securing element is formed integrally therewith.

The object may also be attained according to the present invention in an alternative aspect by a fastening element of the type described above, in which the side walls 1 are chamfered inwards at their free ends in the front and rear part at the same level, and their edges 2 in the middle part are deeper approximately by the thickness of the slide bar 4 and the casing 5 than the top of the chamfers 3, a slide bar 4 being arranged below the chamfer 3 and in its middle area having extensions 6 which project beyond the casing 5 and which are supported on the edges 2.

The front area of the slide bar is shaped in accordance with the intended use. In addition to the straight design, it can in particular also be chamfered downwards or in a Z-shape.

The invention is illustrated in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the fastening element; Fig. 2 is a section through the connection of a ceiling element with an edge profile with a wall rail; and Fig. 4 is a section through the connection of an edgeless ceiling element with a support rail.

For grid-like ceiling elements with edge profiles the side walls 1 of the casing 5 project with their ends formed as hooks 9 over the tongue 8. During assembly, the casing 5 is pressed into the end of the longitudinal profile 13 of the grid element in such a way that the hooks 9 engage in the slots of the side wall of the edge profile 11 and prevent the fastening element from being displaced longitudinally. At the same time the stud 10 engages in a corresponding opening in the side wall of the edge profile 11 and thus prevents vertical displacement.

In order to assemble the ceiling grid, the grid element provided with at least four fastening elements is pressed from below beyond the end position into the opening provided, in which case the slide bar 4 is located completely inside the grid element. The slide bar 4 is then pressed on its Z-shaped downwardly bent extensions 6 with its chamfered front area 7 beyond the edge of the wall rail 12 and the element is pulled downwards until the slide bars 4 rest on the wall rail 12.

During dismantling the element is first raised and then the slide bar 4 is pushed back. Since the extensions 6 project into the free cross-section of the grid element, they can also be manipulated where the grid elements are covered at the top. They are conveniently so small, however, that they are not visible to the observer.

In grid-like ceiling elements without a frame profile the ends of the longitudinal profiles must be provided with a web 14 which has an opening for the stud 10. The casing 5 is then so long that it strikes against the transverse profile 15. In this way the fastening element is prevented from being displaced longitudinally even without hooks. The insertion between already assembled elements with edge profiles or between support rails 12 is carried out in the same way, as described above.

If the grid elements are to be secured to support rails 12, the height of which is the same as or greater than that of the grid element, a fastening element is used, the front area 7 of which is bent into a Z-shape.

The extensions 6 can be straight or bent downwards, so that they are easier to grasp. They are preferably bent downwards in a Z-shape, in which case the vertical part engages over the sides of the longitudinal profile 13.

Claims

1. A securing element for a ceiling grid comprising a retractable tongue and generally upwardly directed surfaces, the tongue being adapted, when extended, to engage a support for the grid, the upwardly directed surfaces being provided with inwardly pointing projections adapted to prevent upward movement of the tongue beyond the projections, the tongue further comprising side members projecting through openings in the upwardly directed surfaces, the side members permitting movement of the tongue when manipulated.

2. An element according to claim 1, wherein the upwardly directed surfaces are substantially continuous walls, and the inwardly pointing projections are substantially horizontally arranged flanges.

3. An element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the openings are coincident with gaps between projections.or flanges.

4. An element according to any preceding claim wherein the opening is such that the side member is so supported that the tongue is substantially flush with the undersides of the projections or flanges.

5. An element according to any preceding claim, wherein the side members project beyond the openings.

6. A ceiling grid, or element thereof, comprising at least one element as defined in any preceding claim, and wherein the securing element is formed integrally therewith.

7. A fastening element for open ceiling grids, consisting of U-profiles open at the top, comprising a U-shaped casing having a portion chamfered vertically from the base and provided with a stud, characterised in that the side walls are chamfered in towards each other at the top of the U at the same level, the top edges having recesses, approximately the thickness of the slide bar and casing, extending below the top of the chamfers or flanges, a slide bar or tongue being arranged below the chamfers having extensions which project beyond the casing and which are supported on the edges of the recesses.

8. A fastening element according to claim 7, characterised in that the front area of the slide bar is chamfered downwards.

9. A fastening element according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the extensions or side members are bent downwards approximately in a Z-shape.

10. A fastening element according to any of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the side walls have hooks projecting over the chamfered portions.

11. A fastening element according to any of Claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the length of the casing corresponds almost to the length of the end of the longitudinal profile as far as the first transverse profile.

12. A fastening element according to any of claims 1 to 6, being characterised by any further feature or features as defined in any of claims 7 to 11.