NZ622801B2 - Cross runner connector and main runner receiving hole - Google Patents
Cross runner connector and main runner receiving hole Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ622801B2 NZ622801B2 NZ622801A NZ62280112A NZ622801B2 NZ 622801 B2 NZ622801 B2 NZ 622801B2 NZ 622801 A NZ622801 A NZ 622801A NZ 62280112 A NZ62280112 A NZ 62280112A NZ 622801 B2 NZ622801 B2 NZ 622801B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- connector
- hole
- tab
- runner
- main
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims abstract 3
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000001808 coupling Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000037250 Clearance Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000035512 clearance Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000023298 conjugation with cellular fusion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001066 destructive Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003014 reinforcing Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000021037 unidirectional conjugation Effects 0.000 description 1
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
- E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
- E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
- E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
- E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
- E04F13/0801—Separate fastening elements
- E04F13/0803—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements
Abstract
spring sheet metal cross runner connector 10 includes formations 26, 27, 31, 32, 34, that interlock with corresponding formations of an identical connector when the respective connectors are assembled from opposite sides through a hole of a main runner and are in lateral abutment. The connector has a laterally extending resilient tab 41 bent at a line 42 out of the plane of the main part of the connector to extend outwardly and rearwardly from the bend line to the free edge 43, 44. When the front of the connector is pushed as far as it can go into the hole the portion 43 of the rear edge snaps in behind the side of the main runner adjacent the edge of the hole to connect the connector and cross runner to the main runner, whilst the portion of the tab adjacent the portion 44 of the free edge remains within the hole when the connector is fully assembled into the hole. The capture of the portion of the tab within the hole when the connection is fully assembled improves the tensile strength of the connection by preventing the tab from being bent outwards when wrenching and tensile forces are applied to the connection. Other features of the connector and the shape of the hole permit the connectors to be released from the hole without the use of tools and without damaging the connector or hole so that the connectors and runners can be reused. s a laterally extending resilient tab 41 bent at a line 42 out of the plane of the main part of the connector to extend outwardly and rearwardly from the bend line to the free edge 43, 44. When the front of the connector is pushed as far as it can go into the hole the portion 43 of the rear edge snaps in behind the side of the main runner adjacent the edge of the hole to connect the connector and cross runner to the main runner, whilst the portion of the tab adjacent the portion 44 of the free edge remains within the hole when the connector is fully assembled into the hole. The capture of the portion of the tab within the hole when the connection is fully assembled improves the tensile strength of the connection by preventing the tab from being bent outwards when wrenching and tensile forces are applied to the connection. Other features of the connector and the shape of the hole permit the connectors to be released from the hole without the use of tools and without damaging the connector or hole so that the connectors and runners can be reused.
Description
CROSS RUNNER CONNECTOR AND MAIN RUNNER RECEIVING HOLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/532,755, filed September 9, 2011.
The invention relates to suspended ceiling grid and, more
particularly, to cross runner connections.
PRIOR ART
Suspended ceiling grid is typically constructed with main
runners that are relatively long and cross runners that
intersect the main runners and are relatively short. The main
runners are formed with holes along their length strategically
spaced to receive connectors on the ends of the cross runners.
Typically, the grid runners are referred to as tees because of
their most common cross-sectional shape. U.S. Patents
,517,796 and 5,761,868 illustrate examples of cross runner
end connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an improved cross runner connector
or clip and main tee connector receiving hole. The connector
and receiving hole achieve a single runner joint that has a
much higher pull out or tensile resistance than prior art
systems and can be easily disassembled from either a single or
double runner connection.
The invention utilizes a unique locking tab that greatly
improves single runner connection performance. The geometry
of the inventive tab resists buckling or folding of the tab
when the associated runner is subjected to high tensile loads.
Additionally, the inventive tab, by virtue of its geometry and
spring characteristics reduces free play in a joint. The
single connection joint made by the inventive connector is
less prone to accidental release in a cantilever condition
where only one end of a cross runner is supported.
The geometry of the connector and receiving hole permits
the connector to be easily released from either a single
connector joint or a connector-to-connector joint. The
release can be effected without damage or physical alteration
to either the main runner or the cross runner. This non-
destructive, non-altering release allows a cross runner to be
disassembled and reconnected multiple times without loss of
function.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
is a perspective side view of the connector of the
invention;
is a fragmentary side view of a main or through
runner having a connector receiving hole of the invention;
is a side view of the connector and an end portion
of a cross runner;
is a perspective fragmentary view of a pair of
opposed connectors assembled in a common hole in a main
runner;
is a side view of a pair of joined connectors;
is a top view of the pair of joined connectors;
is an end view of a connector assembled in a main
runner hole with an opposed connector.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A connector or clip 10 of the invention is permanently
assembled on an end of a cross runner or tee 11 and is
effective to join the cross tee to a main runner or tee 12 at
a hole 13 of the invention in the main tee. The connector 10
is also capable of joining with an identical connector of an
opposed cross runner or tee 11 inserted in a hole 13 from an
opposite side of the main runner 12. As is customary, main
runners 12 are arranged on parallel lines spaced apart by a
plurality of cross runners 11 spaced along the main runners on
centers determined by the location of the holes 13 on the main
runners. Typically, the runners 11, 12 are manufactured by
roll forming sheet metal into the desired cross section. A
cross runner 11 has an identical connector 10 fixed on each of
its ends. The connectors or clips 10 are mounted to a web 15
of the cross runner 11 that extends between a lower flange 16
and an upper hollow reinforcing bulb 17. The main runner 12
has holes 13 located along its length spaced at, for example,
6 inches, or the industry metric equivalent thereof, and are
used to establish a corresponding grid module of 2 foot or 4
foot. In 2 foot by 2 foot modules, a 4 foot cross runner, as
is customary, can serve as a main or through runner for a 2
foot cross runner; a hole 13 is located at the mid-length of
the 4 foot through (cross) runner.
The connector 10 is stamped from high strength, hard
sheet metal and exhibits spring characteristics. The side
profile of the connection 10 is roughly rectangular, having a
length greater than its height. Upper and lower margins 21,
22 of the connector 10 are offset from a major central plane
of the connector to impart stiffness. Two holes 23 through
the body of the connector 10 receive material of a cross
runner that is folded or crimped over edges of the holes to
fix the connector onto an end of a cross runner 11.
The connector 10 has a pair of opposed projections 26, 27
spaced by an opening that forms edges 28, 29. The projections
26 are arranged to receive a strip or band 31 of material at
the leading edge of an identical clip. A D-shaped hole 32 is
proportioned to receive a forward projection 26 of a mating
connector. Additionally, where the connector 10 is joined to
an identical connector, the edge 29 of the rearward projection
27 engages a lead end 34 of the identical clip to resist
compressive longitudinal forces in the associated runners 11.
An embossment 36 in the lead or forward end of a
connector 10 facilitates coupling of a pair of clips being
forced together in a common hole 13, as discussed below, by
riding over the forward projection 26 of the opposed connector
A locking tab 41 is stamped and permanently bent out of a
main plane of the clip body to a side opposite that on which
the projections 26, 27 exist. The tab 41, which in the
illustrated arrangement is planar, is attached to the main
clip body at a bend line 42 which is inclined forwardly from
bottom to top. A generally rearwardly facing free edge of the
tab is stepped or offset so that an upper part of the edge 43
lies forward of a lower part 44. The upper part or zone 43 of
the edge is inclined forwardly from bottom to top. The
connector 10 has a generally vertical notch 46 on its forward
upper edge, each side of the notch diverging, for example, at
about 5 degrees from the vertical. The lower part 44 of the
free edge of the locking tab 41 is rearward of an imaginary
vertical plane, transverse to the plane of the main body of
the connector 10, that is tangent to a forward edge 47 of the
notch 46. A rearward edge 48 of the notch 46 lies generally
in a vertical plane transverse to the connector body common
with a vertical lower abutment edge 49 of the connector
profile.
The cross runner connector receiving hole 13 is stamped
in the web 15 of the through or main runner 12. The hole 13
has a shape similar to the capital letter A, being symmetrical
about a vertical axis. A narrow top 51 of the hole 13 has a
width adequate to receive the thickness of two connectors 10
with moderate clearance. A notch or shallow slot 52 at the
bottom of the hole 13, between a pair of abutments 53 is
similarly proportioned to receive a double thickness of a
connector body with moderate clearance. The distance between
the top 51 of the hole 13 and the top of the abutments 53 is
greater than the distance between the bottom of a connector
notch 46 and a lower edge 54 of a forward end of the connector
10. Opposite sides or edges 56 of the hole 13 are arcuate and
convex.
A cross runner or tee 11 is assembled to a main runner or
tee 12 by inserting its end connector 10 in an appropriate
hole 13. The body of the connector 10 is inserted in the
center of the hole 13 so that its lower edge 54 is in the
central notch 52. The cross runner 11 is pushed towards the
main runner 12 until the connector profile edges 48 and 49
abut the surface of the web 15 surrounding the hole 13. This
insertion motion causes the tab 41 to be forced towards the
main body of the connector 10 by a camming action developed by
interference between the tab and a side 56 of the hole 13.
Before the connector edges 48 and 49 contact the web 15, the
forwardmost part of the first tab edge 43 will reach the far
side of the web 15 and the tab 41 will spring towards its free
state. This spring action drives the forward part of the edge
47 outward of the boundary of the adjacent side 56 of the hole
13 thereby locking the connector 10 in the hole. The tab 41
is proportioned so that its trailing part behind the forward
edge 43 and including the rearward edge 44 cannot pass through
the hole 13 before motion of the connection is stopped by
abutment of the edges 48 and 49 with the main runner web 15.
The resilient spring action of the tab 41 causes the slightly
inclined forward edge 43 at the free edge of the tab 41
working against the convex hole side 56 to draw the connector
10 tight against the main runner 12.
The distal trailing part of the tab 41, since it cannot
pass through the hole 13 and is laterally confined by the hole
prevents the tab from buckling or folding outward, i.e.
overbending from the main body of the connector 10 when even a
high tensile load is applied to the associated cross runner
11. The connector 10 has demonstrated a resistance to such
tensile loads of 5 or more times than that of currently
available prior art products.
Circumstances occur where the opposite end of a cross
runner 11 is unsupported so that the cross runner is in a
cantilever condition. This condition can occur, for example,
where an opposite end was improperly or not fully installed on
a parallel main tee and then falls off the parallel main tee.
Another circumstance occurs where an installer inserts a
connector 10 in a main runner hole 13 and allows the cross
runner to hang with its opposite end temporarily unsupported
during erection of a grid. In these circumstances, the notch
46 serves to cooperate with the locking tab 41 to maintain the
joint or coupling of the cross runner with a more reliable
coupling than is experienced with prior art connectors.
A second connector 10 of an opposing cross runner 11 can
be assembled in a hole 13 from the side opposite the first
connector. A second connector 10 is placed laterally against
the lead end of the first connector and pushed into the center
hole slot 52 until its abutment edges 48 and 49 contact the
web 15 of the main runner 12. In this position, the
connectors 10 establish a strong connector-to-connector lock
with the forward band 31 of each connector captured in the
pocket between opposing projections 26, 27 of the other
connector. The locking tab 41 of the second connector 11
works as previously described. The lateral compression on
both locking tabs 41, developed by their confinement in the
hole 13, serves to maintain the connectors in mutual inter-
engagement.
The connector 10 can be easily released from a hole 13
without tools whether or not coupled to an opposing connector.
This release is accomplished by holding the main runner 12 in
one hand, raising the cross runner to be released so that the
top edge of the hole 13 is fully received in the cantilever
notch 46 on the top of the associated connector 10 and then
twisting the cross runner 11 so that the connector pivots in
the hole 13 away from any opposed connector. This pivoting
motion moves the connector 10 towards the hole side 56
compressing the associated tab 41. The convex character of
the hole side 56 focuses the reaction force developed by the
hole side on the trailing portion of the tab 41. The tab 41
is forced towards the plane of the main body of the connector
10 until the locking edge 43 is free of the main runner web
area at the edge of the hole 13. In this orientation of the
connector 10, the locking strips or bands 31 of any opposed
connectors 10 are released from the restriction of opposing
projections 26, 27. The twisted connector 10 can now be
withdrawn from the hole 13 to release its cross runner 11. No
damage or permanent deformation is incurred either by the
connector 10 or the main runner 12. The connector 10 can,
therefore, be reassembled and disassembled repeatedly.
It should be evident that this disclosure is by way of
example and that various changes may be made by adding,
modifying or eliminating details without departing from the
fair scope of the teaching contained in this disclosure. The
invention is therefore not limited to particular details of
this disclosure except to the extent that the following claims
are necessarily so limited.
Throughout this specification and the claims which
follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word
“comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and
“comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a
stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not
the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of
integers or steps.
The reference in this specification to any prior
publication (or information derived from it) or to any matter
which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an
acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that
that prior publication (or information derived from it) or
known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the
field of endeavor to which this specification relates.
Claims (8)
1. A sheet metal connector for a suspended ceiling cross runner, the connector having elements to interlock with an identical connector when both the connector and an identical connector are assembled from opposite sides of a main runner in 5 a common hole and are in lateral abutment, the connector having a laterally extending resilient tab bent at a line out of a plane of a main part of the connector, the tab extending outwardly and rearwardly from said bend line, the tab having a free edge away from the bend line, the tab being configured to 10 grip a side of a main runner opposite the side from which the connector is inserted in the hole to effectuate a connection to the main runner and having a portion adapted to remain within the hole when the connector is fully assembled in the hole whereby the connection between the connector and main runner 15 formed by the tab has improved tensile strength as a result of the tab portion preventing the tab from over-bending.
2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the tab is arranged to be resiliently bent back towards the plane of the main body of the connector by an edge of the hole when the cross runner associated with the connector is twisted along its 5 longitudinal axis so as to release the connection formed by the tab with the main runner.
3. A connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bend line of the tab is tilted forwardly from the vertical.
4. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a free edge of the tab has a step whereby a part of the tab on one side of the step is proportioned to pass through the hole of the main runner and a part of the tab on another side of 5 the step remains in or it cannot enter the hole.
5. A connector according to claim 4, wherein the part of the tab free edge that passes through the hole is tilted forwardly whereby spring back of the tab causes the free edge to draw the connector tight against the main runner.
6. In combination in a suspended ceiling grid, a main runner having a generally A-shaped hole for receiving end connectors of cross runners from opposite sides of the main runner, identical cross runner end connectors according to any 5 one of claims 1 to 5, having a formation to be deflected by an edge of the hole when the associated cross runner and end connector are twisted about a longitudinal axis to release the lock of the tab with the main runner.
7. The combination according to claim 6, wherein a lower part of the hole has a central notch bounded by a pair of abutments, the connector having a notch in an upper edge thereof, said connectors being adapted to be initially assembled 5 in the hole by placement of a lower edge thereof in the hole central notch, the connectors being obstructed by the abutments from being twisted in the hole unless a connector is lifted to a position where an upper edge of the hole is in the upper edge notch of the connector.
8. The combination according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the sides of the generally A-shaped holes are convex such that the sides bear against the tabs of the connectors when the connectors are twisted for their release from the hole.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201161532755P | 2011-09-09 | 2011-09-09 | |
US61/532,755 | 2011-09-09 | ||
US13/598,984 US8584418B2 (en) | 2011-09-09 | 2012-08-30 | Cross runner connector and main runner receiving hole |
US13/598,984 | 2012-08-30 | ||
PCT/US2012/053262 WO2013036438A2 (en) | 2011-09-09 | 2012-08-31 | Cross runner connector and main runner receiving hole |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ622801A NZ622801A (en) | 2015-08-28 |
NZ622801B2 true NZ622801B2 (en) | 2015-12-01 |
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