US3606417A - Ceiling suspension - Google Patents
Ceiling suspension Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3606417A US3606417A US22810A US3606417DA US3606417A US 3606417 A US3606417 A US 3606417A US 22810 A US22810 A US 22810A US 3606417D A US3606417D A US 3606417DA US 3606417 A US3606417 A US 3606417A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- frame member
- tongues
- slot means
- members
- frame members
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
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
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
- Y10T403/44—Three or more members connected at single locus
- Y10T403/447—Mutually contacting
Definitions
- a ceiling suspension system for supporting ceiling tiles including a longitudinal frame member having an upstanding web and laterally extending tile supporting flanges, and transverse frame members having pairs of tongues at opposite ends thereof, the tongues of each pair being oppositely offset and being adapted to extend through slot means in the vertical web of the longitudinal frame member, the tongues having oppositely projecting elements thereon engageable behind opposite edges of the slot means for retaining the transverse frame member with respect to the longitudinal frame member.
- the present invention relates to a novel ceiling suspension system adapted to support a plurality of ceiling tiles and more specifically to novel frame members incorporated in such a system.
- Another important object of the present invention is to provide a novel frame structure for a ceiling suspension of the above described type wherein frame members are securely interconnected with each other in a manner providing relatively great resistance to disconnection in the event the frame members become warped or bent during a fire or for any other reason.
- a still more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel ceiling suspension system having first or longitudinal frame members and second or transverse frame members of economical and rugged construction wherein the second or transverse frame members have pairs of oppositely offset tongues with oppositely outwardly projecting barbs or hook elements adapted to be inserted through slot means in the first frame member for engaging the hook elements behind opposite edges of the slot means for preventing subsequent disengagement regardless of relative twisting between the frame members, the tongues being further offset so that two transverse frame members may be positioned at opposite sides of the longitudinal member with the tongues thereof projecting in overlapping relationship through the same slot means.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view showing frame members incorporating features of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the frame members of FIG. 1 in assembled relationship
- FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the transverse frame member incorporating features of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a transverse Patented Sept. 20, 1971 frame member incorporating features of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 in FIG. 2.
- longitudinal frame members 10 are adapted to'be suspended by any suitable means such as wire hangers, not shown, and the transverse frame members are interconnected to .and supported by the longitudinal members in the manner described more in detail below.
- the frame members are arranged to provide a grid frame structure which is adapted to support any desired ceiling tile or panel.
- the first or longitudinal frame member 10 has an upstanding or substantially vertical longitudinally extending web portion 16 and oppositely extending lower marginal flanges 1-8 and 20.
- the flanges project laterally outwardly for presenting shelves on which edges of ceiling tiles, not shown, and the like are adapted to rest.
- An upper margin of the web portion 16 merges with an enlargement or head 22 which strengthens and rigidifies the frame member.
- the frame member 10 is formed by rolling a piece of sheet metal so that the web portion 16 has a double thickness provided by web sections 24 and 26 respectively merging with the flanges 18 and 20.
- a decorative strip 30' underlies the flanges and has margins 32 and 34 thereof bent up and over the flanges 18 and 20 for securing the parts in assembled relationship.
- Each of the second or transverse frame members 12 1s also constructed so as to include an upstanding or vertical longitudinally extending web portion 36 and oppositely extending lower marginal flanges 38 and 40.
- the transverse frame members are preferably formed from sheet metal so that the web portion 36 has a double thickness provided by web sections 42 and 44 respectively integrally joined to the flanges 38 and 40.
- Another decorative strip 46 covers the bottom surfaces of the flanges 38 and 40.
- novel means are provided for interconnecting the transverse frame members 12 with the longitudinal frame member 10. More specifically, the first pair of tongue members 48 and 50 is provided at one end of each frame member 12 and a second pair of essentially identical but oppositely disposed tongue members 52 and 54 is provided at the opposite end of each frame member 12.
- the tongues comprise a double thickness of the material from which the frame members are formed and are respectively joined to ends of the web portion 36 by connecting sections 56, 58, 60 and 62.
- the tongue members are adapted to be inserted through vertically extending or elongated slot means 64 in the web portions 16 of the frame member 10, which slot means comprises vertically aligned and spaced apart narrow slots 66 and 68 separated from each other by a divider element 70.
- the slot 66 is defined by opposite side edges 72 and 74 spaced apart a predetermined distance and the slot 68 is similarly defined by opposite side edges 76 and 78.
- the tongue members 48 and 50 are offset oppositely with respect to each other from a vertical plane containing the central axis of the frame member web portion 36.
- This arrangement is accom-- plished by forming the connecting sections 56 and 58 so that they extend diagonally in opposite directions from their respective junctions with the web portions.
- the connecting section 56 extends diagonally outward or laterally of the web section 44 while the connecting section 58 extends diagonally or laterally outwardly of the web section 42.
- each frame member 12 is similarly laterally offset in opposite directions with respect to a vertical central plane of the web portion 36 and this arrangement is accomplished by forming the connecting sections 60 and 62 so that they extend diagonally oppositely from integral junctions with the web portion 36.
- the tongue members 52 and 54 are offset oppositely with respect to the tongue members 48 and 50 at the opposite end of the frame member.
- the upper tongue member 52 is located laterally outwardly from the web section 42 while the opposite upper tongue member 48 is disposed laterally outwardly of the web section 44.
- the lower tongue member 54 is disposed laterally outwardly of the web section 44 while the lower tongue member 50 is disposed laterally outwardly of the web section 42.
- the tongue members are respectively provided with oppositely laterally outwardly extending hook elements or barbs 80, 82, 84 and 86 adaptd to be snapped through the slot means in the frame member web portion for retaining the parts in assembled relationship.
- the opposite side edges of the slot means are spaced apart a distance which is similar to but slightly greater than the combined thickness of a pair of the tongue members.
- the width of the slot means is slightly greater than four times the thickness of the sheet material from which the frame members 12 are formed. At the same time the width of the slot means is less than the distance between a pair of parallel planes containing the outermost tips of the hook elements 80-86.
- the longitudinal frame members 10 When assembling a ceiling suspension system incorporating the frame members of the present invention, the longitudinal frame members 10 are normally initially secured in position by hangers or other suitable devices. Then the transverse frame members are interconnected with the longitudinal frame member by inserting their respective tongues through the slot means 64.
- the lefthand frame member 12 viewed in FIG. 1 may be installed first merely by shifting it longitudinally of its own axis so that the tongue members 48 and 50 are inserted in a straight line through the slots 66 and 68 then the righthand frame member 12 as viewed in FIG. 1 is similarly assembled with the longitudinal frame member 10.
- the longitudinal frame member 10 may be of considerable length and may have a plurality of the slot means 64 formed therein at desired space locations along its length.
- additional pairs of the second or transverse frame members 12, not shown may be provided for connection with the longitudinal frame member 10 at the locations of each of such additional slot means.
- the upper tongues 48 and 52 overlap each other and the lower tongue members 50 and 54 overlap each other as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. While the double thickness of the overlapping tongues substantially fills the width of the slots, the fit is not tight and there is some clearance as shown in FIG. 5 so as to facilitate assembly. However, the hook or barb elements do engage behind opposite side edges of the slot means for preventing withdrawal of the tongue members.
- the barbs are struck from the tongue members and are formed with tapered or cam-like outer or leading ends whereby to promote inward deflection of the barbs during assembly so that the barbs may be snapped behind the web portion of the longitudinal frame member.
- inward movement of the tongue members through the slot means is limited by engagement of shoulder means or end edges 88 and 90 on the transverse members 12 with the longitudinal member.
- the shoulder means or edge 88 is provided by ends of the flanges 38 and 40 which are adapted to engage the edge of the longitudinal frame member flange
- the shoulder or edge means 90 is provided by opposite end edges of the transverse frame member flanges.
- the arrangement is such that the spacing between the web engaging shoulders or edges of the barbs and 82 and a vertical plane containing the abutment or edge 88 is similar to but slightly greater than the distance between the outer surface of the web section 26 and the oppositely facing outer edge of the flange 18 together with the thickness of the decorative strip 30.
- the shoulders or edges of the barbs 80 and 86 are similarly spaced from the edge 90.
- the barbs may be readily snapped through the slot means and axial] movement of the tongue through the slot means is limited so that outer free ends thereof stop short of the oppositely facing diagonally extending connecting sections and reinforcing ribs 92, 94, 96 and 98 which are formed in the web portions and at least partially traverse the diagonal connecting sections.
- the structure is such that inadvertent disassembly is precluded.
- any force which attempts to laterally shift or twist the transverse frame member in a manner which might tend to disengage the barb 80 from the edge of the slot means will at the same time cause the barb 82' to be more aggressively engaged behind the opposite edge of the slot means. It is also contemplated that this same action and benefit will be obtained even in instances where the tongue members of only a single transverse frame member are inserted through the slot means.
- the upper and lower tongue members are vertically spaced from each other a distance which is similar to and slightly greater than the divider element 70 between the upper and lower slots 66 and 68.
- the divider is effective for engaging the tongue members and resisting any forces which may tend to bend the tongue members in a vertical plane as result of stresses imposed during the fire or for any other reason.
- a first frame member including an upstanding web portion and laterally extending flange means projecting from a lower margin of said web portion, said web portion having slot means therein defined by opposite side edges spaced apart a predetermined distance
- a second frame member having an upstanding web section and laterally extending flange means at a lower margin thereof, said second frame member including first and second tongues integral with and extending longitudinally from said .web section for entering into said slot means, said first and second tongues being oppositely offset with respect to a central plane of said Web section whereby the tongues are respectively engageable with opposite side edges of the slot means, and elements projecting laterally outwardly from said first and second tongues for engaging behind the opposite side edges of the slot means and securing the second member with respect to the first member.
- said second and third frame members include pairs of oppositely laterally extending connecting sections respectively connecting said tongues with said web sections, and shoulder means for engaging said first frame member and limiting entry of the tongues through the slot means for preventing engagement of the tongues of each of the second and third frame members with the connecting sections of the other of said second and third frame members.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Finishing Walls (AREA)
Abstract
FRAME MEMBER, THE TONGUES HAVING OPPOSITELY PROJECTING ELEMENTS THEREON ENGAGEABLE BEHIND OPPOSITE EDGES OF THE SLOT MEANS FOR RETAINING THE TRANSVERSE FRAME MEMBER WITH RESPECT TO THE LONGITUDINAL FRAME MEMBER.
Description
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US2281070A | 1970-03-26 | 1970-03-26 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3606417A true US3606417A (en) | 1971-09-20 |
Family
ID=21811554
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US22810A Expired - Lifetime US3606417A (en) | 1970-03-26 | 1970-03-26 | Ceiling suspension |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3606417A (en) |
CA (1) | CA951484A (en) |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3778947A (en) * | 1971-11-03 | 1973-12-18 | Flangeklamp Corp | Fire-rated grid member with controlled expansion means |
US3922829A (en) * | 1973-09-14 | 1975-12-02 | Roblin Hope S Ind Inc | Locking connection for supporting grid systems |
US3928950A (en) * | 1974-05-17 | 1975-12-30 | Preston Metal & Roofing Prod | Structural member with end connector |
US3949533A (en) * | 1972-01-27 | 1976-04-13 | Trend Ceiling Systems, Co. | Modular ceiling system |
US3979874A (en) * | 1972-11-24 | 1976-09-14 | Alabama Metal Industries Corporation | Suspended ceiling system and runner joints therefor |
US4108563A (en) * | 1975-10-24 | 1978-08-22 | Donn Products, Inc. | Locking connection for suspension ceiling systems |
US4128978A (en) * | 1977-04-06 | 1978-12-12 | Ceiling & Drywall Products Limited | Controlled expansion suspended ceiling grid beam |
US4264231A (en) * | 1980-03-04 | 1981-04-28 | Roper Corporation | Joint between main beam and cross beams in suspended ceiling system |
USRE31201E (en) * | 1973-09-14 | 1983-04-12 | Donn Products Incorporated | Locking connection for supporting grid systems |
EP0237651A1 (en) * | 1986-03-19 | 1987-09-23 | Chicago Metallic Continental N.V. | Runner for a suspended ceiling, ceiling grids obtained thereby and connectors used therefor |
US9371649B2 (en) * | 2013-02-14 | 2016-06-21 | Giuseppe Cipriani | Support metal structure of a false ceiling |
US9376811B2 (en) | 2012-07-27 | 2016-06-28 | Giuseppe Cipriani | Bar for a support structure for a false ceiling and production process for producing the bar |
EP3246482A1 (en) * | 2016-05-20 | 2017-11-22 | Saint-Gobain Ecophon AB | Cross runner connector, main runner and cross runner connector arrangement for a suspended ceiling system |
-
1970
- 1970-03-26 US US22810A patent/US3606417A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1971
- 1971-03-08 CA CA107,153,A patent/CA951484A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3778947A (en) * | 1971-11-03 | 1973-12-18 | Flangeklamp Corp | Fire-rated grid member with controlled expansion means |
US3949533A (en) * | 1972-01-27 | 1976-04-13 | Trend Ceiling Systems, Co. | Modular ceiling system |
US3979874A (en) * | 1972-11-24 | 1976-09-14 | Alabama Metal Industries Corporation | Suspended ceiling system and runner joints therefor |
USRE31201E (en) * | 1973-09-14 | 1983-04-12 | Donn Products Incorporated | Locking connection for supporting grid systems |
US3922829A (en) * | 1973-09-14 | 1975-12-02 | Roblin Hope S Ind Inc | Locking connection for supporting grid systems |
US3928950A (en) * | 1974-05-17 | 1975-12-30 | Preston Metal & Roofing Prod | Structural member with end connector |
US4108563A (en) * | 1975-10-24 | 1978-08-22 | Donn Products, Inc. | Locking connection for suspension ceiling systems |
US4128978A (en) * | 1977-04-06 | 1978-12-12 | Ceiling & Drywall Products Limited | Controlled expansion suspended ceiling grid beam |
US4264231A (en) * | 1980-03-04 | 1981-04-28 | Roper Corporation | Joint between main beam and cross beams in suspended ceiling system |
EP0237651A1 (en) * | 1986-03-19 | 1987-09-23 | Chicago Metallic Continental N.V. | Runner for a suspended ceiling, ceiling grids obtained thereby and connectors used therefor |
US9376811B2 (en) | 2012-07-27 | 2016-06-28 | Giuseppe Cipriani | Bar for a support structure for a false ceiling and production process for producing the bar |
US9371649B2 (en) * | 2013-02-14 | 2016-06-21 | Giuseppe Cipriani | Support metal structure of a false ceiling |
EP3246482A1 (en) * | 2016-05-20 | 2017-11-22 | Saint-Gobain Ecophon AB | Cross runner connector, main runner and cross runner connector arrangement for a suspended ceiling system |
WO2017198619A1 (en) * | 2016-05-20 | 2017-11-23 | Saint-Gobain Ecophon Ab | Cross runner connector and cross runner connector arrangement for a suspended ceiling system |
US11261601B2 (en) | 2016-05-20 | 2022-03-01 | Saint-Gobain Ecophon Ab | Cross runner connector and cross runner connector arrangement for a suspended ceiling system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA951484A (en) | 1974-07-23 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LESLIE-LOCKE, INC., Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:QUESTOR CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004202/0209 Effective date: 19831027 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CITICORP INDUSTRIAL CREDIT, INC., 450 MAMARONECK A Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LESLIE-LOCKE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004751/0363 Effective date: 19861229 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CITICORP INDUSTRIAL CREDIT, INC., A DE. CORP.,NEW Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LESLIE-LOCKE, INC.,;REEL/FRAME:004779/0572 Effective date: 19861229 Owner name: CITICORP INDUSTRIAL CREDIT, INC., 450 MAMARONECK A Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LESLIE-LOCKE, INC.,;REEL/FRAME:004779/0572 Effective date: 19861229 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LESLIE-LOCKE, INC., Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC.,;REEL/FRAME:004922/0109 Effective date: 19871215 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LESLIE-LOCKE, INC. Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CITICORP NORTH AMERICAN, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004966/0574 Effective date: 19871215 |