JPS6132474B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to support structures, and more particularly to fire-resistant ceiling support structures, which absorb thermal expansion of components at abnormally elevated temperatures and substantially prevent bending or fracture. The present invention relates to a support structure and its constituent members that can maintain the integrity of a ceiling as a barrier without causing damage.

The present invention provides a ceiling comprising a plurality of main beams or grid members arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, and a channel member arranged between the beams so as to intersect therewith and whose ends are connected to the beams. It is particularly advantageously implemented as a wall support grid system. These interconnected grid members are typically suspended from a ceiling or overhead support structure.

One of the critical issues with grid structures such as those described above (hereinafter also referred to as grid systems or simply grids) is maintaining the integrity of this grid and associated ceiling under abnormally high temperatures, such as during a fire. That's true. Under these high temperature conditions, the metal members of the grid, which are typically fixed at both ends, can stretch and bend, causing the supported ceiling panels to shift or break and fall to the floor below. As a result, the supported ceiling becomes less effective as a barrier, and the ceiling above it and associated support structures are exposed to the fire, allowing the fire to easily and rapidly spread throughout the structure.

Accordingly, the main object of the present invention is to provide a main beam system comprising main beams and channel members disposed between and intersecting the main beams, both of which main beams and cross channels cope with expansion due to high temperatures. , the resulting deformation of the main beam and channel members is controlled to occur in a predetermined manner;
The object of the present invention is to provide a ceiling support grid system that maintains the integrity of the ceiling under high temperatures.

Another object of the invention is a grid system as described above, in which the adjacent ends of the main beams have special coupling means, in which predetermined portions of the coupling means are arranged in a controlled manner. The purpose is to provide something with a unique structure that can be deformed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a grid system as described above, wherein the cross-channel members have, at their cross-connections with the main beams, specially shaped connection locking means which It is an object of the present invention to provide a device capable of absorbing thermal expansion of a channel member without significantly affecting the direction of a beam in the lateral direction.

The present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to embodiments of the drawings.

In FIG. 1, a grid system is shown having two T-shaped main beam members (hereinafter simply referred to as beams) 10 connected end-to-end. Each beam includes an upright web portion 12 having a bead portion 14 at its upper edge. A laterally projecting flange 16 is provided along the lower edge of the web 12.

Adjacent ends of each beam 10 are provided with connection means for rigid splicing in butt to other beams. This will be explained in detail later.

The grid system further includes channel-shaped support members (also referred to simply as channel members or cross (support) members) 1 arranged across the beam 10.
Contains 8. Each channel member 18 is connected at its distal end to the web 12 of the beam. The connection of channel member 18 to beam 10 is part of the present invention and will be described in detail below.

Although not shown, the ceiling panel is adapted to be fixed to the bottom wall of the channel member 18 and the flange 16 of the beam 10 using, for example, screws. In this case, the relatively large bottom wall of the channel member becomes the main plane on which the ceiling panel is mounted. However,
The screw can also be threaded into the flange 16 of the beam. It is advantageous to provide a protrusion on the bottom wall of the channel member into which a screw can be inserted to facilitate attachment.

One object of the invention is to provide cascade-connected beams 1
0 and the length direction of the channel member 18 disposed intersecting therewith. If the grid components are not provided with provisions for thermal expansion, then in the event of a fire or overheating, the grid components will buckle and shift their relative positions or orientations. Accordingly, the present invention addresses thermal expansion of grid components and limits their movement to prevent ceiling panel failure.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, at the end of the beam 10 there is a tongue piece 20 that protrudes and extends from the end of the web 12.
is provided, and a tab 22 that projects axially outward is attached to this tongue piece. The tab 22 has a tapered portion 24 so that the tongue 20 can be connected to another beam. This will also be explained in detail later. A line or notch 32 is provided near the boundary between the tapered portion 24 and the tab 22 so that the tapered portion can be easily bent relative to the tab 22.

As clearly shown in FIG.
An opening 26 is provided at the end of 2. This opening 26 is formed by forming a pair of vertical slots at a predetermined interval in the length direction at the end of the web 12.
It is formed by bulging and deforming the portion of the web held in this slot outward from the plane of the web, and a band-like portion or closed loop 28 extending in the vertical direction of the web 12 is formed. It is connected to the web at an upper edge 28a and a lower edge 28b. This closed loop 28 of web 12
In the figure, it bulges out toward the back side of the web (the back side of the page).

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the tongue 20 of the right beam 10 is joined to the side surface of the web 12 of the left beam 10 (the front side of the paper in FIG. 5), and the tongue 20 of the left beam 10 is joined to the right side of the web 12. It extends to the opposite side of the web of the beam (on the back side of the paper in FIG. 5) and is inserted through the opening 26 in the web of the right beam. The closed loop 28 of this right beam is connected to the web 1
It bulges out from the plane of 2 to the rear (back side of the page).

Since the tongue 20 lies in substantially the same plane as the web 12, the axial centerlines of the two beams 10 vary slightly laterally with respect to each other. (Figure 6). In the illustrated embodiment, this lateral displacement is close to the thickness of the web or tongue. Of course, it is also possible to arrange the two beams precisely in a straight line in the axial direction by forming the tongues of each beam to be laterally offset so as to complement each other.

As shown in FIG. 1, a locking or tapered portion 24 extending from the tab 22 is bent outwardly to prevent the tab 22 from disengaging from the aperture defined by the closed loop 28 of the adjacent beam. There is. In this regard, it is advantageous to provide a relief or recess 30 in the vicinity of the opening 26 in each web 12 so as to be longitudinally adjacent to the taper 24 of the other beam to which it is connected.

As shown in FIG. 6, since there is a concave portion 30,
The lock portion 24 can be easily bent outward from either side of the web 12. For example, a screwdriver can be inserted into the back side of the tapered section 24 from either side of the web in FIG. 6 to bend the tapered section outward. In this case, the notch 32 between the tab 22 and the tapered portion 24 facilitates the outward bending of the tapered portion 24.

Closed loop 28, as clearly shown in FIG.
The distal end edge 28c of is expanded outward. As will be described later, when a compressive force is applied to the beam in the longitudinal direction, the tongues 20 are bent toward each other, but since the tip edge 28c is expanded outward, there is a margin. The initial insertion engagement of the tabs 22 is not only easy, but also helps to allow for the intended movement of the tongue 20.

Deformations of connected beams are discussed below, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that a wide variety of beam splicing methods can be used.

Next, the connection between the channel member or cross support member 18 and the beam 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

As shown, each channel portion 18 has a substantially U-shaped cross section and is comprised of a bottom wall 18a, side walls 18b, and side edges 18c extending outward from the upper end of each side wall. Each side wall 18b is elastically biased in a direction away from each other (both outwards).

Both ends of each side edge 18c in the length direction are made into a special tapered or rounded shape, and are fitted into a pair of slots 34 formed at intervals in the length direction of the beam web 12. It is becoming more and more integrated. That is, each side edge 18c is tapered outward from its tip to form a shoulder 18d. A tapered portion 18e is provided further outward from this shoulder portion 18d, and this tapered portion 18e
and the shoulder portion 18d form a recess or notch.

7 and 8 illustrate the method of fitting and locking the channel member 18 to the web 12 of the beam 10. That is, the leading ends of both side edges 18c of the channel member are connected to the corresponding pair of slots 34 of the beam 10.
The slot 34 is formed to receive the ends of the side walls 18b of the channel member 18, and the tapered part of the end of the side edge 18c is inserted through the slot 34, and the shoulder 18d and this shoulder are inserted into the slot 34. Bottom edge of notch (tapered part) 1 following 18d
Lateral direction (lengthwise direction of web 12) engaging with 8e
It has a recess 34a (FIG. 8). Therefore, when the tip of the channel member is inserted into the slot 34 of the web of the beam 10, both side walls 18b of the channel member
are elastically bent in the direction toward each other, and when the shoulders 18d pass through the slots 34 of the web, the side walls 1
8b snaps open and the shoulder 18d engages the back (opposite side) of the web to prevent the channel member from separating from the web.

In the absence of any movement of the channel member, such as due to thermal expansion, the side walls 18b are biased apart from each other and the bottom edge 18e of the notch is tapered outwardly, as shown in FIG. The shoulder 18d abuts the side surface of the web 12, as clearly shown in FIG.

The bottom edge 18e of the notch has a constant length to allow thermal expansion of the channel member. If there is no need to take measures against such thermal expansion, the main body of side edge 18c would be separated from 18d by a width approximately equal to the thickness of web 12, i.e., the length of bottom edge 18e of the notch would be equal to the width of web 12. It should be approximately equal to the thickness.

Channel members 18 are connected to the beam at appropriate intervals along the length of the beam. For example, beam 10 has pairs of slots 34 spaced approximately 8 inches apart. The actual spacing of the channel members is about 40.6 centimeters (16 inches) or about 61 centimeters (24 inches).

As shown in FIG. 8, after the channel member is engaged with the slot 34, the height of the side edges 18c from the bottom wall 18a is approximately the height of the top of the slot recess 34a from the beam flange 16. Correspondingly, the bottom wall 18a of the channel member is supported by the flange 16 of the beam 10.

It is one of the advantages of the present invention that assembly can be easily accomplished by simply inserting the distal end of the channel member into the slot 34 of the beam. This assembly operation does not require any clips or other fastening or fixing members to connect the channel member and the beam.

Once the grid system is assembled, the panels are attached to the flange 16 of the beam and the bottom wall 1 of the channel member.
8a, and screw the screw into the bottom wall 18a, for example.
can be screwed to secure the panel in place.

What happens when a grid system is exposed to excessive heat, such as that associated with a fire, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 9. Second
The figure is a plan view of the state in which two beams 10 are overlapped and spliced, and the tapered portion 24 of the tongue at the end of the beam is bent outward (FIG. 1).

The tapered portion 24 can also be bent completely until it abuts the surface of the closed loop 28 of the web of the other beam.

The tab 22 has upper and lower edges and has a closed loop 2 of the web.
The two beams are tightly fitted to the upper and lower edges 28a and 28b of 8, respectively, to prevent the two beams from shifting vertically relative to each other. Therefore, the second
The beams are tightly spliced together end to end as shown.

When exposed to heat, the beam expands and, since the ends are fixed, is compressed towards each other. When such longitudinal compression occurs, the tongue 20 bends. If the tongues were not bent in this way, the overlap of the edges 20a of the tongues against the upper and lower edges of the closed loop 28 of the web would prevent further longitudinal movement of the beams towards each other. . In this regard, the distal edges 28c of the web loops 28 are expanded outwardly so that the tongues can be folded over each other as shown in FIG.

The beams are moved longitudinally relative to each other as well as laterally displaced relative to each other. If the longitudinal compression of the beams is very large, the aforementioned lateral displacement of the beams with respect to each other allows the corresponding ends of the beads 14 of both beams to overlap, ie to cross over.

If the tongue 20 is bent excessively as shown in FIG. 3, the web 12 of the beam will tear to some extent on the underside of the bead near the tongue 20, causing the shift shown.

Of course, other configurations other than the illustrated example are possible as a connecting tongue mechanism capable of causing lateral displacement of the beam during expansion.

Channel members 18 are also compressed toward each other under the influence of thermal expansion. In addition to this own thermal expansion, the channel member is also moved by displacement of the beam 10.

As shown in FIG. 9, movement of the bottom edge 18e of the notch within the slot 34 allows the channel members to move elastically toward each other.
At this time, both side walls 18b are moved toward each other. The length of the bottom edge 18e of the notch is selected in accordance with the potential degree and magnitude of thermal expansion of the channel member, so that the main portions of both side edges 18c of the channel member contact and press the web of the beam. I've made sure that nothing happens.

As is clear from the above description, the objects of the present invention can be fully achieved by providing a support grid structure that is easy to assemble and disassemble and is robust during use. the important thing is,
For example, when used to support ceiling panels, the grid system has a fire resistance that preserves the integrity of the ceiling structure when heat is applied to it, and is capable of maintaining the fire resistance of the ceiling. That's true. Both longitudinal and lateral compression is accommodated within the grid system by providing splice means between the beams and by providing resilient snap characteristics in the means connecting the channel members to the beams. Although the ceiling panel may deform when there is excessive movement of the grid system components, the integrity of the ceiling as a fire barrier is maintained.

Aspects of the present invention will be summarized and exemplified below, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the following aspects.

(1) consisting of at least two beams arranged end-to-end in a substantially straight line, each having a web and a reinforcing bead provided at the upper edge of the web; A connecting means is provided at the end of the web to overlap the web, and the connecting means includes a tongue piece projecting and extending from the end of the web, and the tongue piece is connected to the beam to prevent relative movement between the two beams. locking means are also provided to ensure that adjacent ends of the beads are normally held at a constant distance from one another, and that when the beams are pushed longitudinally towards each other, the tongues are bent longitudinally; By bending and displacing the tongue laterally from its normal plane, the beads of the beam are moved longitudinally towards each other while being laterally displaced relative to each other, thereby causing the A series splice beam structure configured with adjacent ends longitudinally overlapping each other.

(2) The structure according to item (1), wherein at least one web of the beam is provided with an opening into which a portion of the tongue piece is inserted and supported.

(3) the tongue has a tab that is inserted and supported in the opening of the web, the tab has upper and lower edges, and the opening of the web is defined by the upper and lower edges;
This caused the upper and lower edges of the tabs to be a tight friction fit with the upper and lower edges of the web opening, thereby preventing vertical displacement movement between the at least two beams. ) term structure.

(4) The structure according to item (3), wherein the tongue piece has a shoulder portion that abuts the edge of the web opening, thereby preventing axial movement of the beams toward each other.

(5) The locking means comprises an end of the tab inserted through an opening in the web and bent outward from the surface of the web to prevent axial movement of the beams away from each other. 4) Structures.

(6) A portion of the tip edge of the opening of the web is laterally displaced from the web, thereby facilitating the bending or folding of the tongue in a certain manner. Structure.

(7) The opening of the web consists of a pair of slots provided at a predetermined interval in the length direction of the web, and a part of the tongue piece is inserted and supported in both slots. ) term structure.

(8) The structure according to item (1), wherein at least one of the beams has a flange extending outward on both sides of the web, and the bead extends beyond the flange in the axial direction.

(9) The structure according to item (8), wherein at least one web of the beam has an opening, and a part of the tongue piece is inserted and supported in the opening.

(10) the tongue piece has a tab that is inserted and supported in the opening of the web, the tab has upper and lower edges, and the opening of the web is defined by the upper and lower edges;
10. The structure of claim 9, wherein the upper and lower edges of the tab engage the upper and lower edges of the web opening in a friction fit to prevent relative vertical movement between the beams.

(11) The structure according to item (10), wherein the tongue piece includes a shoulder portion that abuts against the edge of the opening of the web to prevent axial movement of the beams toward each other.

(12) The locking means comprises an end of the tab inserted through an opening in the web and bent outwardly from the plane of the web to prevent axial movement of the beams away from each other. ) term structure.

(13) A portion of the leading edge of the opening of the web is displaced laterally from the plane of the web, thereby facilitating the bending or folding of the tongue in a certain manner. (9) term structure.

(14) Paragraph (9), wherein the opening of the web comprises a pair of slots provided at a predetermined interval in the length direction, and a part of the tongue piece is inserted and supported in the pair of slots. structure.

(15) A web, a reinforcing bead provided in a straight line in the longitudinal direction along the upper edge of the web, and a connecting means provided at the end of the web for overlapping and splicing the ends of the pair of beams. the connecting means comprises a tongue extending beyond the ends of said web and bead, said tongue being engagedly connected to another similar beam to prevent relative movement of said beams with respect to each other; locking means are provided such that adjacent ends of the beams are normally held at a constant distance from one another, and the tongues are bent longitudinally when the pair of beams are pushed toward each other in the longitudinal direction. By bending and shifting the tongue laterally from its normal plane, the beads of the beam are moved longitudinally towards each other while being laterally displaced relative to each other, thereby causing the adjacent beads to A beam member configured such that its ends overlap each other in the length direction.

(16) A first support member (beam) having a web in which a pair of slots are bored at a predetermined interval, and a second support member (channel member) having both side edges projecting laterally. The two side edges are elastically urged or biased in a direction away from each other, each having a notch at the end in the longitudinal direction, and the end is inserted into the slot of the first support member. a lattice-like support structure configured such that the notches engage edges of the slots to maintain cross-coupling of the second support member to the first support member.

(17) Each of the notches has a bottom edge of a certain length that engages with the edge of the slot, and the bottom edges of the notches are tapered in a direction toward each other, and the tapered bottom edges of the notches and Engagement with the edge of the slot causes the second support member to
biased away from the second support member, each notch having a shoulder that engages an edge of the slot such that the opposite edges of the second support member are completely removed from the slot. The second support member can be prevented from coming off, and the second support member can be displaced toward the first support member by displacing both side edges of the second support member in a direction toward each other. The structure described in (16) above.

(18) The structure according to item (17), wherein the first support member has a flange extending laterally, and the second support member is supported by the flange of the first support member. .

(19) The structure according to item (17), wherein a convex portion or a thick portion is provided on the bottom surface of the second support member to facilitate screw insertion.

(20) A third support member (channel member) having the same shape as the second support member is inserted into the slot of the first support member from the side opposite to the second support member. Structures in paragraph (17) arranged and connected in a straight line.

(21) a web, a bead provided on the upper edge of the web for reinforcement, and a tongue projecting and extending from the ends of the web and bead for splicing two beams end-to-end. At least two beams each having a connecting means having a tongue and a locking means for connecting and locking the tongue to the other beam to prevent relative movement between the beams are arranged substantially in a straight line and between the two beams. Adjacent ends of the beads are normally spaced apart and connected, and when the beams are compressed toward each other in the length direction, the tongues bend in the length direction to said tongues being laterally displaced from a plane, said beads being moved longitudinally toward each other while being laterally displaced relative to each other, such that adjacent ends of said beads overlap each other; forming a pair of slots in the web of the beam at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction, elastically biased in a direction away from each other, and having notches at the ends in the longitudinal direction; The ends of said side edges of a support member (channel member) having a rim are inserted into slots in the web of said beam to engage said notches with the edges of said slots, thereby attaching said support member to said beam. A lattice-like support structure designed to maintain cross-connections.

(22) The structure of item (21), wherein at least one of the beams has a flange extending outwardly of the web, and the bead extends beyond the flange in the axial direction.

(23) Each of the notches has a bottom edge of a predetermined length that engages with the edge of the slot, the bottom edges being tapered in a direction toward each other, and the bottom edges being in contact with the tapered bottom edges of the notches. Engagement with the edge of the slot urges the support member away from the beam, and each notch has a shoulder that engages the edge of the slot, and the engagement causes the support member to be biased away from the beam. The support member can be displaced toward the beam by preventing both side edges of the support member from completely separating from the slot and by displacing the side edges of the support member toward each other. The structure of term (21) is as follows.

(24) The structure according to item (23), wherein at least one of the beams has a flange extending laterally, and the support member is supported on the flange of the beam.

(25) The structure of paragraph (24), wherein the bead of the beam having the flange extends axially beyond the flange.

(26) The structure according to item (23), wherein a convex portion or a thick portion is provided on the bottom surface of the support member to facilitate screw insertion.

(27) A second support member (channel member) having the same shape as the support member is arranged and connected in a straight line to the first support member in the slot of the beam from the opposite side to the first support member. did (23)
term structure.

(28) The structure according to item (23), wherein at least one of the webs of the beam is provided with an opening into which the tongue piece is inserted.

(29) The tongue piece has a tab that is inserted and supported in the opening of the web, and the tab has upper and lower edges;
an opening in the web is defined by upper and lower edges such that the upper and lower edges of the tab are tightly friction-fitted to the upper and lower edges of the opening in the web;
The structure according to item (28), wherein displacement movement in the vertical direction between the at least two beams is prevented.

(30) The structure according to item (29), wherein the tongue piece has a shoulder portion that abuts the edge of the opening of the web, thereby preventing the beams from moving toward each other.

(31) The locking means comprises an end portion of the tab inserted through an opening in the web and bent outwardly from the plane of the web to prevent axial movement of the beams away from each other. Structure.

(32) The structure according to item (28), wherein a portion of the leading edge of the opening of the web is displaced laterally from the web, thereby facilitating the bending or folding of the tongue in a certain manner. thing.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention, showing the spliced ends of a pair of beams and the channel members cross-connected on opposite sides of one beam; FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the connecting end of the beam in FIG. 2 bent due to thermal expansion; FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the connecting end of the beam; Fig. 5 is a front view showing the connected state of the connecting ends of two beams, Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is a state in which a pair of channel members are cross-connected to the beam. Partial horizontal cross-sectional plan view showing
The figure is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in Figure 7, Figure 9 is a plan view similar to Figure 7, showing a state in which the channel members are displaced toward the beam due to thermal expansion, and Figure 10 is a plan view similar to Figure 7. The figure is a perspective view of the connecting end of the channel member. 10... Beam, 12... Web, 14... Bead, 16... Flange, 18... Channel member (cross support member), 18a... Bottom wall, 18b... Side wall, 18c... Side edge, 18d... ...the bottom edge of the knot,
18e...shoulder of notsuchi, 20...tongue, 22...
...Tab, 24...Tapered portion, 26...Opening, 2
8...Closed loop, 34...Slot.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. At least two beams each having a web and a reinforcing bead provided on the upper edge of the web and connected so as to butt end to end in a substantially straight line; and the web of the beam. and a cross support member connected in a direction crossing the webs of the beams, connecting means for joining the ends of the beams together at adjacent ends of the webs of the beams, and connecting means for connecting the webs of the beams to each other. consisting of a tongue piece projecting and extending in the length direction from the end of the web, and an opening into which the tongue piece of the other beam formed near the end of each of the webs and to be overlapped and spliced is inserted and fitted. , each of the tongues has an engaging edge that engages with the edge of the opening to hold adjacent ends of the beads of the beams at a predetermined distance and prevents the beams from moving toward each other in the axial direction; A support structure characterized by being provided. 2. Consisting of a beam having a web in which at least one pair of slots are bored at a predetermined interval in the length direction, and a cross support member connected in a direction crossing the web of the beam, the cross support member being It has outwardly projecting side edges, said side edges being elastically biased away from each other, and each having a notch at a lengthwise end, said ends being inserted into a slot in said web of said beam. A support structure configured to hold the cross-support member cross-connected to the beam by inserting the notch into the slot and engaging the edge of the slot. 3 At least two beams each having a web and a reinforcing bead provided at the upper edge of the web and connected so as to be aligned end to end in a substantially straight line, and connected in a direction intersecting the webs of the beams. and connecting means for lap-splicing the ends of each beam at adjacent ends of the web of each beam, the connecting means extending longitudinally from the end of the web of each beam. and an opening into which the tongue piece of the other beam that is formed near the end of each of the webs and is to be overlaid and spliced is inserted and fitted, and at the edge of the opening. Each of the tongues is provided with an engaging edge that, when engaged, holds the adjacent ends of the beads of the beams at a predetermined distance and prevents the beams from moving toward each other in the axial direction; at least a pair of slots are formed in the web at predetermined intervals in the length direction, and the cross support member has outwardly projecting side edges that are elastically biased in a direction away from each other; The cross support member is inserted across the beam by providing a notch in the longitudinal end of the cross support member and inserting the end into a slot in the web of the beam so that the notch engages the edge of the slot. A support structure configured to be connected and held.