US3459399A

US3459399A - Beam mounted attaching device

Info

Publication number: US3459399A
Application number: US609596A
Authority: US
Inventors: William R Everson
Original assignee: Armstrong Cork Co
Current assignee: Armstrong World Industries Inc
Priority date: 1967-01-16
Filing date: 1967-01-16
Publication date: 1969-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 1986-08-05

Description

1969 w. R. EVERSON 3,459,399.

BEAM MOUNTED ATTACHING DEVICE 3 sheetsrsheet 1 Filed Jan. 16. 1967 mvsmon I William R. Everson ATTORNEY) Aug. 5, 1969 w. R. EVERSON BEAM MOUNTED ATTACHING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 16, 1967 a i nHJOU Aq 9 a lmmli HHOU FIG. 6.

INVENTOR William R. Everson ATTORNEYS United States Patent US. Cl. 248-343 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE I disclose support means for securing an item to a flanged bar, comprising a panel member having a lanced tab and a lanced loop integrally formed therewith in spaced juxtaposition to lie generally on opposite sides of said bar, said lanced loop and said lanced loop and said lanced tab being spaced from adjacent surfaces of said panel member, a slide member inserted between said loop and said panel member and positioned for movement toward and away from said lanced tab, said slide member being movable to a position of overlapping engagement with an adjacent bar flange, said tab being engageable with a bar flange on the opposite side of said bar relative to said slide member, and fastening means for securing said slide member to said lanced loop when so engaged to prevent disengagement of said slide memher from said adjacent bar flange.

The present invention relates to a quick-attach support means for securance to a T-bar or similar component of a supporting grid structure for securing articles to a suspended ceiling, and more particularly to an elongated light fixture and the like having such quick-attach means formed integrally therewith.

There are presently available a variety of clamps, brackets, etc. for installing elongated items such as pipes, drapery rods, electrical busways and lighting fixtures to the T-bars or other supporting elements of the grid utilized for a suspended or false ceiling structure. In all of such securing or supporting hardware, however, the clamps or bracket elements are unduly complicated and are therefore difficult to install and unsightly in appearance when installed. In the case of elongated light fixtures such as four and eight feet fiourescent type fixtures the nature of the available supporting and suspending hardware have required at least two workmen to make the installation. In most cases the available supporting hardware for the light fixtures can only be used for mounting the light fixtures in the plenum chamber between the suspending ceiling and the actual ceiling, Although this arrangement is satisfactory for many applications, specifically constructed, translucent or prismatic panels must be mounted in the suspended ceiling beneath the light fixtures.

Insofar as is known there is no available hardware for quickly and easily attaching light fixtures or other elongated items to the exposed surface of the ceiling, and more importantly there is no such bracket, support or the like available which would permit such installation by a single workman. By the same token there is no light fix- 3,459,399 Patented Aug. 5, 1969 ture available having means formed integrally with the reflector or ballast trough structure thereof for attaching the light fixture directly to the T-bars or the like of the ceiling grid without the use of external hardware. Moreover, insofar as is known there is no presently available external hardware such as mounting clamps or brackets which can secure any elongated item such as light fixtures, pipes, electrical busways or drapery rods substantially flushly against the exposed surface of the suspended ceiling. Rather, presently available external hardware leaves unsightly spaces between these items and the ceiling surface, which spaces particularly in the case of light fixtures considerably diminishes the otherwise pleasing appearance thereof.

As pointed out previously such external hardware as is available not only undesirably spaces the light fixture or other item from the ceiling surface but also requires two or more workmen to install the fixtures, owing to the relatively large numbers of component parts of the external hardware and the impossibility of manipulating the same with one hand while holding the fixture with the other. The use of separate or external hardware doubles the installation time, in the case of light fixtures, as external brackets must first be secured to the ceiling grid, and then the fixture to the supporting bracket. Moreover, the nature of such hardware frequently makes it difficult to tighten the installation securely against potential loosening by the vibration or the like imparted to the ceiling structure or the like.

I overcome these problems of the prior art by providing a light fixture, electrical busway, or the like with means formed substantially integrally with the light fixture for )securing the fixture to the T-bars or the like of the suspended ceiling arrangement. Part of such supporting means are formed for temporarily but securely engaging the T-bar until the remainder of the securing means can be manipulated to secure the fixture permanently to the T-bar. This arrangement is highly advantageous in that a single workman can initially suspend the light fixture from the T-bar and then securely clamp the light fixture to the T-bar without the aid of a fellow workman.

This arrangement also is highly advantageous, when assemblying a number of light fixtures in a row or ribbon of such fixtures, in that successive fixtures can be initially and temporarily suspended from the T-bar and then pushed longitudinally against the preceding fixture in the row of fixtures in order to secure the desired close fit between individual fixtures of the row. In addition the disposition of the integral means on the light fixture provides inherent alignment of the individual fixture with the T-bar or the like, when the securing means are tightened so that the row of fixtures can be aligned perfectly with the T-bar and with the usual exposed supporting grid arrangement of the suspended ceiling.

Installation time and labor is further reduced bythe eliminating of necessary securing of the external brackets or hardware to the ceiling grid followed by securing the fixtures to the brackets.

It will be evident as this description proceeds that the securing and suspended means, which are described here in primarily in connection with light fixtures, can be formed integrally with other elongated items such as electrical busways for securance thereof to the supporting grid in a similar manner. Alternatively, I contemplate the provision of my novel suspending means on a separate brackat on which conventional supporting hooks can be additionally provided for supporting pipes, drapery rods and the like. When so provided, the quick-attach feature, which eliminates the use of tools, considerably reduces installation time as compared to known forms of support brackets for this purpose. Moreover, by support means, whether provided on a separate bracket or as a substantially integral part of a fixture permits the bracket fixture to be mounted fiushly against the ceiling and eliminates unsightly gaps therebetween.

I attain these desirable objects and features of my invention by providing support means for securing an item to a flanged bar and the like, said support means comprising a panel member having at least one lanced tab integrally formed therewith and displaced from the adjacent surface of said panel member for engagement with said bar flange, said panel member in addition having a lanced loop integrally formed therewith and juxtaposed to said lanced tab but spaced therefrom as to lie generally on the other side of said bar, said lanced loop being spaced from the adjacent surface of said panel member, a slide member inserted between said loop and said panel member, said slide member being positioned for movement thereof toward and away from said lanced tab, said slide member being movable to a position of engagement with said bar flange on the opposite side of said bar relative to said tab to secure said panel member to said bar, and fastening means for securing said slide member to said lanced loop when so engaged to prevent disengagement of said slide member from said bar flange.

During the foregoing discussion, various objects, features and advantages of the invention have been alluded to. These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, together with structural details thereof will be elaborated upon during the forthcoming description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and presently preferred methods of practicing the same.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain presently preferred methods of practicing the same, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a partial top isometric view of a light fixture having the support means of my invention integrally formed therewith;

FIGURE 2 is a similar view showing a modified support means of the invention and its engaged relationship with a T-bar or the like forming part of a suspended ceiling;

FIGURE 3 is a portial bottom isometric view of the light fixture shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of another form of my novel support means formed on a panel of elongated light fixtures;

FIGURE 5 is a partial isometric view of the central portion of the support means of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of still other forms of my novel support means.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and initially to FIGURES l-3 thereof the exemplary form of my invention shown therein is constructed largely integrally with a light fixture 10 or the like. Although a light fixture 10 is shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be readily apparent as this description proceeds that my novel support means can be formed integrally with other items such as electrical busways for suspending from the grid work of a suspension type ceiling or with an independent mounting plate or panel, the other side of which is provided with hooks or other fastening means for securing items to the ceiling.

In this arrangement of the invention the upper surface 12 of the light fixture 10 (which upper surface usually is planar) is provided with a pair of spaced

lanced tabs

14 and 16. In this example the

tabs

14, 16 are formed respectively adjacent the end portions of the elongated light fixture and displaced on either side of the longitudinal axis of the top panel or surface 12 of the fixture 10. The

tabs

14, 16 thus are positioned to engage and overlie the respective adjacent portions of strengthening

flanges

18 and 20 of a T-bar 22 or the like forming part of the grid work usually provided for a suspension type ceiling.

Thus, in the installation of the light fixture 10 the latter is first generally aligned with the T-bar 22 and then is slightly rotatably or angularly displaced therefrom preferably about a point adjacent the central region of the elongated fixture 10 so that the free edges 24 of the

lanced tabs

14, 16 will first clear the outermost or free edges 26 of the strengthening

flanges

18, 20. Then, the upper panel 12 of the light fixture 10 is pressed against the undersurface 28 of the T-bar 22 as better shown in FIGURE 3 and the light fixture is again angularly displaced but in the opposite direction to realign the light fixture 10 with the longitudinal axis of the T-bar 22. This latter movement causes the

lanced tabs

14, 16 to slip over the adjacent

upper surfaces

30, 32 of the

flanges

18, 20 until the inwardly facing free or leading edges 24 of the

lanced tabs

14, 16 desirably abut the adjacent sides respectively of vertical web plate 34 forming part of the T-bar 22. Such abutment assures perfect alignment of the light fixture 10 with the T-bar 22 and is of especial importance when installing a row or ribbon of such light fixtures.

The light fixture 10 or the like is now temporarily secured to the T-bar 22, and the hands of the single workman employed for the installation are free to permanently secure the light fixture 10 to the T-bar 22 without assistance. However, before making such permanent securance and until the remaining members of my novel support means are tightened, the light fixture 10 desirably is pushed or urged in the longitudinal direction of the T-bar 22 and against the preceding light fixture (not shown), if the light fixtures are being installed in a ribbon formation, in order to attain a closely fitting or abutting engagement between the individual fixtures of the ribbon.

Cooperating with the

lanced tabs

14, 16 are a pair of

slide members

36, 28 mounted on the upper surface of the fixture panel 12 in juxtaposed relation respectively to the

lanced tabs

14, 16. The

slide plates

36, 38 desirably are fitted under

lanced loop members

40, 42 which are thus formed integrally with the panel 12. The lanced loop members are likewise juxtaposed respectively to the

lanced tabs

14, 16 and desirably are of suflicient width between their lanced edges 44 and 46 respectively as better shown in FIGURE 1 to guide the

slide plates

36, 38 in their movements toward and away from the

lanced tabs

14, 16 respectively.

Suitable fastening means such as a round headed bolt 48 are inserted through a central aperture 49 of each of the

lanced loops

40, 42 and also through an elongated slot 50 of the associated

slide plates

36 or 38. Desirably as shown in FIGURE 2 the bolts 48 are provided with a square, keyed configuration 52 which keyingly fits within the slots 50 or in the aforementioned loop aperture 49 or both as desired to prevent turning of the bolts 48 when the wing nuts 54 thereof (FIGURE 3) are tightened.

When the light fixture 10 has been positioned in alignment with the T-bar 22 and desirably in abutting engagement of its vertical web 34 with the leading edges 24 of the lanced tabs, the slide plates 36, 38 (with the wing nuts 54 loosened) are slid through the associated

loops

40, 42 toward the juxtaposed

lanced tabs

14, 16 and over the

upper surfaces

30, 32 of the T-

bar flanges

18, 20, desirably until the leading edges 56 of the slide plates also engage the T-bar web member 34. With the lanced tab edges 24 and the slide plate edges 56 thus supportingly overlying the adjacent portions of the T-bar

upper surfaces

18, 20 and desirably but not necessarily in engagement with the T-bar web 34, the wing nuts 54 are tightened to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the

slide plates

36, 38 and to secure the light fixture 10 to the T-bar 22. Desirably to facilitate slipping the end edges 56 of the slide plates over the associated edge portions 26 of the T-

bar flanges

18, 20 the end edges 56 of the

slide plates

36, 38 desirably are up-turned as denoted by reference characters 58.

As better shown in FIGURE 3 the aforedescribed installation of the light fixture can be made from the underside of the light fixture, inasmuch as visual access at all times to the T-bar 22 is not essential. Moreover, such installation can be made in most cases after the suspension ceiling is completely installed without removal of the fibrous or plastic panels which are usually suspended between the T-bars such as T-bars 22 and which are laid upon the

upper surfaces

30, 32 of the T-bar flanges. Therefore when engaging the

lanced tabs

14, 16 of the light fixture 10 or the like, manual pressure of the light fixture against the T-bar 22 causes the lanced tabs to raise the associated ceiling panels sufficiently to permit the lanced tabs to be slipped over the T-

bar flanges

18, 20. To prevent scratching of the suspension ceiling panels the leading edges 24 of the lanced tabs can be rounded. On the other hand the presence of the

lanced retaining loops

40, 42 of the

slide plates

36, 38 displaces the associated ceiling panels sufiicienly to provide freedom of movement of the

slide plates

36, 38 when installing the light fixture 10. Obviously, the ceiling panels can first be removed, when desired.

As better shown in FIGURE 3 the use of the

lanced guide loops

40, 42 for the

slide plates

36, 38 also provides sufficient access for the Workmans fingers to move the

slide plates

36, 38 from their chain-outline, open positions 59 (FIGURE 1) to their solid outline position (FIG- URES l and 2) whereupon the wing nuts 54 are tightened. Moreover, the aforementioned finger access and the further visual access to adjacent edge portions 26 of the T-bar 22 as they are inserted under the lanced

tabs

14, 16 described above, permit the workman to precisely ascertain the position of the light fixture It} with relation to the T-bar 22 as an aid in making the installation. Furthermore, index marks as denoted by arrows 60 and 62 can be embossed in the lighting fixture panel 12 at positions respectively adjacent the lanced

tabs

14, 16 to denote the alignment position of the light fixture 10 with respect to a given width of T-bar 22. In the event that different widths of T-bars will be encountered, a series of index marks (not shown) can be so provided. The use of index marks such as the indices 60, 62 are additionally useful in those applications of the invention wherein the lanced

tabs

14, 16 are not of suflicient length to engage the Web member 34 of the T-bar 22.

The lanced

loops

40, 42 can be variously positioned between the adjacent edges 26 respectively of the T-bar 22 and the lateral edges 64 respectively of th light fixture panel 12. For example in the arrangement of my suspending means as shown in FIGURES 13 the lanced

loops

49, 42 are positioned with their inward edges 44a, 46a (FIGURE 1) disposed so as to abut the outer edges 26 of the T-

bar flanges

18, 20. This arrangement of the lanced

loops

40, 42 can also serve as alignment means for positioning the light fixture 10 as aforesaid with respect to the T-bar 22. In this arrangement of the lanced

loops

40, 42 the lanced

tabs

14, 16 are displaced somewhat farther above the adjacent surface of the light fixture panel 12 so that the light fixture can be slightly misaligned or angularly displaced to engage initially the leading edges 24 of the lanced tabs with the upper surfaces of the T-bar flanges 18, while the upper surfaces'of the lanced

loops

40, 42 temporarily engage the undersurface 28 of the T-bar 22.

If desired, the base 66 (FIGURE 1) or line of securance of each lanced can be extended outwardly and laterally of the T-bar 22 shown in chain outline in FIG- URE 1 to impart a spring action to the lanced tabs 14a, 16a so that the panel 12 snaps in against the inner surface of the T-bar 22 when the inward edges 44a, 46a of the lanced

loops

40, 42 thereof clear the outward edges 26 of the T-bar 22. The leading edges thereof can be upturned (not shown) similar to the up-turned edges 58 of the

slide plates

36, 38, to facilitate clearing the lateral edges 26 of the T-bar 22. With the disposition of the lanced loop edges 44a, 46a as shown in FIGURES 1-3 it is not necessary that the leading edges 24 of the lanced tabs abut the web plate 34 of the T-bar to serve as an index for proper alignment of the light fixture 10.

As better shown in FIGURE 1 the lanced tabs 14a, 16a can be elongated to accommodate a T-bar having Wider flanges (not shown) or to impart a spring action to the tabs 14a, 16a to aid in gripping the T-

bar flanges

18, 20 until the

slide plates

36, 38 can be secured. In the latter case it is contemplated that the leading edges 24a be upturned (not shown).

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 5 of the drawings a modified arrangement of my suspending means is illustrated which is particularly useful for suspending an extremely long fixture such as the fixture 10' or electrical busway (not shown) or the like. In the latter arrangement of my invention the fixture panel 12 is provided with lanced tabs 14', 16 and with slide plates 36, 38' in the manner described previously. In this arrangement the lanced loops 4%, 42 are spaced laterally outwardly from the adjacent edges 26 of the T-bar flanges. Such spacing is sutficient, as evident from FIGURE 4 to allow for the initial misalignment of the light fixture 10' relative to the T-bar 22' so that the lanced tabs 14, 16' can be engaged over the

upper surfaces

30, 32 of T-

bar flanges

18, 20. Thus, the lanced tabs 14, 16' need not be displaced from the upper surface of the light fixture 12' farther than required from the thickness of the T-bar flanges 18', 20. It will be understood of course that the spatial arrangement of the lanced loops set forth thus far with reference to FIGURE 4 can be incorporated in place of the spatial arrangement of the lanced loops of FIGURES 1-3.

In order to support the intermediate or middle portion of the elongated fixture 10 additional supporting members are incorporated with my support means for engaging the T-bar 22 intermediately of the

tabs

14, 16 and their associated

slide plates

36, 38. The last-mentioned supporting members likewise can be operated by a single workman from the under or exposed side of the fixture 10'.

In this arrangement of my invention the aforementioned supporting members include a pair of juxtaposed

slide plates

72, 74 each of which is inserted under an associated lanced guiding

loop

76 or 78. Thus, the intermediate and juxtaposed

slide plates

72, 74 can be initially withdrawn to their chain outline positions until the lanced tabs 14, 16' are engaged as aforesaid and the light fixture 10 is again realigned with the T-bar 22. The lanced tabs 14', 16 are suflicient to support even the long fixture 10 until the

slide plates

36, 38 and the

intermediate slide plates

72, 74 can be moved into engagement with the T-bar 22' and secured by their associated fastening means. Partial engagement of the

intermediate slide plates

72, 74 and their relationship with the T-bar 22 are shown more clearly in FIGURE 5 of the drawings. The

slide plates

72, 74 and the guiding

loops

76, 78 and the fastening means 48' associated therewith are all generally similar to the slide plates 36', 38' and their associated components respectively, as shown in FIGURE 4. The operation of the

slide plates

36, 38' and 72, 74 is similar to that described heretofor in connection with FIGURES 1-3 of the drawings.

- Another arrangement of my novel suspending means is illustrated in FIGURE 6 of the drawings. In the latter arrangement the fixture 10' is provided with lanced

tabs

80 and 82 which are disposed in this example at the same side of the T-bar web 34'. In consequence lanced

loops

84 and 86 for

slide plates

88 and 90 are both disposed on the other side of the T-bar 22'. In the latter arrangement of the invention the fixture 10' is not angularly displaced relative to the T-bar 22' but is laterally displaced to a position parallel therewith to engage the lanced

tabs

80, 82. It is contemplated that the panel 12' can be fabricated with such structural rigidity that the

tabs

80, 82 lanced therefrom will not bend under the weight of the fixture until the

slide plates

88, 90 can be engaged with the other flange 18 of the T-bar 22'. On the other hand where the panel 12 is not of sufficient thickness it will be readily apparent that the fixture 10 can be initially stabilized after engaging the

tabs

80, 82 with one hand and the

slide plate

88 or 90 engaged with the other hand, whereupon the fixture will be temporarily supported until the

other slide plate

88 or 90 is likewise engaged.

Each of the tab and

slide arrangements

80, 88 or 82, 90 can be fabricated, assembled, and otherwise operated as set forth above in connection with the lanced

tabs

14, 16 and their associated

slide plates

36, 38.

In the event that a much longer fixture 10' is to be installed and requires additional support adjacent the midpoint thereof an additional lanced tab and slide plate arrangement can be provided adjacent such midpoint of the fixture as denoted by chain outlines 92 and 94 respectively of the additional lanced tab and slide plate together with associated components, as illustrated in FIG- URE 6.

As noted previously, it is also contemplated that the aforedescribed lanced tabs, slide plates and other components of my support means can be formed substantantially integrally with fixtures other than a light fixture, for example on the upper flat surfaces of certain types of electrical busways or race ways. It is also contemplated that one or more of my lanced tab and slide plate combinations can be formed on the upper surface of a suitably shaped supporting plate, or independent panel member, such as the plate indicated by chain outline 96 of FIGURE 6, and one or more conventional books, supporting brackets, or the like (not shown) can be mounted on the underside of the supporting plate. Thus, it will be seen that the novel features of my invention can be applied directly to a panel or plate normally provided with a light fixture or the like or can be formed on a separate supporting or mounting plate for suspending those items such as pipes and drapery rods which are not normally provided with a plate portion.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that novel and eflicient forms of suspending means have been disclosed herein. While I have shown and described certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated presently preferred methods of practicing the same it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. Support means securable to a flanged bar and the like, said support means comprising a panel member having at least one lanced tab integrally formed therewith and displaced from the adjacent surface of said panel member for engagement with said bar flange upon securance of said support means to said bar, said panel member in addition having a lanced loop integrally formed therewith and juxtaposed to said lanced tab but spaced therefrom as to lie generally on the other side of said bar when said support means are so secured, said lanced loop being spaced from the adjacent surface of said panel member, said slide member being positioned for movement thereof toward and away from said lanced tab, said slide member being movable to a position of engagement with said bar flange on the opposite side of said bar relative to said tab to secure said panel member to said bar, and fastening means for securing said slide member to said lanced loop and against further movement when so engaged to prevent disengagement of said slide member from said bar flange.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the panel member is elongated and a pair of said lanced tabs are formed respectively adjacent the ends of said panel member, and a lanced loop and inserted slide member are juxtaposed to each of said lanced tabs.

3. The combination according to claim 2 where the lanced tabs are disposed respectively on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said panel member so that said tabs can engage opposite sides of said bar to temporarily secure said panel member to said bar, and the lanced loop and slide member associated with each of said lanced tabs are disposed at the opposite sides of said bar member when so positioned.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said panel member is formed integrally with a fixture.

5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said lanced loop is positioned so that its inward edge engages the adjacent edge of said bar member flange at the secured position of said panel member.

6. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the leading edges of said lanced tabs engage a web member of said flanged bar and inward edges of said lanced loops engage an outer edge of said flange at the secured position of said panel member to said panel member therewith.

7. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the inward edges of said lanced loops engage the adjacent outer edges of said bar flanges to aid in aligning said panel member therewith.

'8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the leading edges of the lanced tabs additionally engage said bar member to positively align said panel member with said bar member.

9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said tabs are lanced laterally outwardly of said bar member when said panel member is aligned therewith to lend a spring action to said tabs and to cause said panel member to snap in against said bar when said bar clears said lanced loops.

10. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said panel member is an integral part of an elongated fixture.

11. The combination according to claim 10 wherein said tabs and said slide members are respectively positioned adjacent the ends of said fixture, a pair of juxtaposed lanced loops are formed in said panel member adjacent the midpoint thereof and adjacent the sides respectively of said bar when aligned with said panel member, and a pair of additional slide members are inserted under said lanced loops respectively and are movable toward said bar to engage flanges at opposite sides thereof, and additional fastening means are provided for securing said slides to said additional lanced loops when said slide members are so engaged.

12. The combination according to claim 10 wherein an additional lanced tab and an additional lanced loop and inserted slide member are provided on said panel adjacent the midpoint thereof to support the midportion of said fixture, all of said lanced tabs including said additional lanced tab being disposed adjacent the same side of said bar member.

13. The combination according to claim 2 wherein index marks are embossed on the underside of said panel member adjacent the openings from which said tabs have been lanced to facilitate alignment of said panel member with portions of said bar visible through said lanced openmgs.

14. Support means securable to a flanged bar and the like, said means comprising a panel member having a lanced tab and a lanced loop integrally formed therewith in spaced juxtaposition at opposite sides of said bar, upon securance of said support means, said lanced loop and said lanced tab being spaced from adjacent surfaces of said panel member, a slide member inserted between said loop and said panel member and positioned for movement toward and away from said lanced tab, said slide member being movable to a position of overlapping 9 engagement with an adjacent bar flange, said tab being engageable with a bar flange on the opposite side of said bar relative to said slide member, and fastening means for securing said slide member to said lanced loop when so engaged to prevent disengagement of said slide member from said adjacent bar flange.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Kindorf et a1. 287189.35 X=R Price 248-228 Stoll 248228 Karth 248343 XR Schneller 2'87189.35

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner J. FRANKLIN FOSS, Assistant Examiner 1/1866 Childs 292-145 52-39; 248--228 U.S. Cl. X.R.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3 ,4S9,399 August 5 1969 William R. Everson It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1 line 18 cancel "and said lanced loop". Column line 41 "28" should read 38 Column 6 line 2 after "2 insert When using the lanced tabs 14a, 16a same line 2 "The", second occurrence should read the line 35 afte "loops" insert as Signed and sealed this 19th day of May 1970 (SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, IR

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents