US3677589A

US3677589A - Field installation clip for exposed grid systems

Info

Publication number: US3677589A
Application number: US116520A
Authority: US
Inventors: David Jack Roles
Original assignee: EASTERN PROD CORP
Current assignee: RGE Corp A CORP OF; Eastern Products Corp; EASTERN PROD CORP
Priority date: 1971-02-18
Filing date: 1971-02-18
Publication date: 1972-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 1989-07-18

Abstract

In the fabrication of suspended ceiling exposed grid systems, a field installation clip may be used to releasably lock main runners in abutting relationship, serially connect cross-T''s across a main runner, releasably lock cross-T''s in abutting relationship and releasably lock cross-T''s in parallel between two main runners.

Description

United States Patent Roles [451 July 18, 1972 54] FIELD INSTALLATION CLIP FOR [56] References Cited EXPOSED GRID SYSTEMS UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] Invent: David Jack Bammme' 3,015,375 1/1962 Lickliter ..52/665 1 Assigneel Sys Products Corporation, Columbia, 3,279,729 10/1966 Buttriss ..24/73 B 22 Filed: Feb. 18, 1971 Primary Examiner-49hr! Muflash 1 App] o 116 520 Attorney-Charles B. Smith 57 ABSTRACT 52 .u.s. c1. ..287/l89.36A, 52/459; 1248255, In the fabrication ofsuspended 66mins exposedgfid systems, a 51 1111. c1. 1 E046 2742 field installam clip may be used re'easably 5s 1 Field ors rcn ..52/665, 475 6166;287/18935, abuumg relafim'ship' Sammy cmssms acmss 287/i3936 A; 24/73 3 a main runner, releasably lock cross-T's in abutting relationship and releasably lock cross-T's in parallel between two main runners.

6 Claim, 8 Drawing Figures Patented July 18 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.2.

34 18 7s; so

Patented July 18, 1972 3,677,589

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 18, 1972 3,677,589

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIELD INSTALLATION CLIP FOR EXPOSED GRID SYSTEMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device for securing beams at right angles to one another in an exposed grid, suspended ceiling construction, and more particularly to a clip for use in the field installation of suspended ceilings.

It has often been found that in the construction of new buildings or in the renovation of old buildings, it is advisable to employ a suspended ceiling rather than repair or construct a new ceiling of plaster or other material. In constructing such suspended ceilings, a series of flanged beams are suspended from the original ceiling and support acoustical tiles or other types of ceiling panels which may be employed in the suspended ceiling.

Such systems generally form a rectangular grid arrangement with long parallel beams, generally referred to as main runners, extending over the length of the ceiling. A number of beams, parallel to one another and transverse to the main runners, are normally joined to the main runners at suitable intervals. These transverse parallel beams are referred to as cross- Ts." In some constructions, the bottom flange of the suspended beams is exposed to form part of the fabricated ceiling, while in others it may not be desirable to expose the flange.

Typically, the main runners will be suspended from root trusses or other primary members by wires or other means well known in the art. The main runners are usually relatively long, 12 feet being a typical length and, in the past, main runners were spliced together end-to-end to span the ceiling space. The cross-Ts are usually spaced along the main runners at regular intervals, for example 2 to 4 feet, and, typically, are 2 to 4 feet long, providing grid openings of a size to accommodate acoustical tiles or other panels supported on the main runner and cross-T flanges.

In the past it was necessary to provide the main runner web with vertically elongated cross-T attaching apertures or routs" as disclosed in U. 5. Pat. No. 3,283,467 to Henry Znamirowski. This feature necessarily complicates the fabrication of suspended ceiling constructions since the main runners are usually die stamped or otherwise mechanically treated to form cross-T attaching apertures at predetermined axial intervals. In addition it was difficult to adapt suspended ceiling grid systems to particular specification because main runners were generally spliced together end-to-end and cross- Ts were usually spaced along the main runners at regular intervals determined by the frequency of cross-T attaching apertures in the main runner.

Although fastening systems for fabricated ceiling suspensions have been previously introduced, as disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,187,856 to Lydard, those fasteners did not eliminate the necessity for forming cross-T attaching apertures in the main runner nor did they facilitate engagement between main runners. Prior fastening systems increased the stability and rigidity of the ceiling suspension, however, they did not appreciably affect the ease with which the grid system could be conformed to specification.

According to the present invention, the fabrication of suspended ceiling grid systems and their installation can be simplified. The grid system can be more readily adapted to specification in the field, while the suspended construction retains its qualities of stability and rigidity.

A more specific advantage of this invention is that it permits the construction of an integrated suspension grid system that can be linked through interconnecting corridors.

Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a field installation clip for releasably locking grid beams in stable, rigid construction. The field installation clip may be used to releasably lock main runners in abutting relationship, serially connect cross-T's across a main runner, releasably lock cross-T's in abutting relationship and'releasably lock cross-Ts in parallel between two main runners. Grid beams provided for installation may be trimmed from their original length in the field and trimmed grid beam members may be installed. in interlocking relationship with the field installation clip of this invention.

The field installation clip may be formed from a single sheet of metal and comprises an apertured template engaging member terminating in a C-frame fastening portion. The template engaging member includes a plurality of keepers adapted to engage the trimmed edge of a grid beam member. The C- frame fastening portion terminates in a plurality of restraining elbows which are angularly disposed to rigidly contain a grid beam member over which the C-frame is fastened.

The template engaging member is particularly adapted to engage a grid beam member having an axial rout or aperture in spaced relationship to the trimmed edge of the grid beam member.

A keeper formed in the template and complementary in shape to the rout is adapted to fit within the rout to secure the template to the grid beam. Additional keepers or trimmed edge gripping fingers formed in the template secure the template to the trimmed edge of the grid beam. When the keepers formed in the template plurally engage the grid beam, the template is held in rigid juxtaposition to the grid beam.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction drawings, in which:

with the appended BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main runner with two cross- Ts secured to the main runner with field installation clips according to one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a field installation clip adapted to one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the field installation clip of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of two field installation clips constructed according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in interlocking relationship with a main runner and two cross-Ts shown in phantom lines for reference.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a field installation clip constructed according to a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the field installation clip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the field installation clip of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, two cross-T's, each generally labeled 8, are serially connected across main runner 6 by interlocking field installation clips, generally labeled 50. The main runner 6, and the two cross-T's 8 are illustrated as substantially identical to one another. Both the main runner 6 and the cross-T's 8 comprise an upstanding web portion 10 formed by a first vertical portion 12 and a second vertical portion 14. The first and second vertical portions l2, 14 are joined at the top in a rounded securing rib 16. The other end of each of the vertical portions l2, 14 extends into a horizontal ceiling

panel support flange

18, 20. Main runner 6 and cross-Ts 8 are substantially shaped as an inverted T with a rounded portion opposite to the juncture of the vertical portion and the horizontal portion. A decorative flange cover 22 caps flanges l8 and 20 to provide an attractive under-surface which is desirable in installations where the under-surface of main runners and cross- Ts form a visible part of the installed ceiling.

Generally, the cross-T height will be somewhat less than the main runner height, and the cross-T may be made of lighter gauge metal. Main runners may be rolled or otherwise formed from a single sheet of metal. In the 'case of aluminum, the main runner will preferably be extruded and the web 10 will be formed of a single thickness of metal.

At a predetermined axial interval, cross-T web 10 is provided with a vertically elongated field installation clip attaching aperture or rout 24, Rout 24 is formed in cross-T web it in spaced relationship to trimmed end 26 of cross-T 8. The rout is formed to accommodate a complementary retaining surface of installation clip 50.

Axial routes, identically formed, may be provided in main runner 6 at suitable axial intervals to accommodate additional grid structures or to provide an engaging aperture for field installation clip 50. Rout 24 is located generally in the lower two-thirds of web 10 and is defined, in part, by

vertical side walls

28, 30 extending along the web width.

Vertical side walls

28, 30 are substantially parallel and terminate, respectively, in

horizontal side walls

32, 34 and 36, 38.

Horizontal side walls

32, 36 are joined to each other in first concave notch 40 and

horizontal side walls

34, 38 are joined to each other in second concave notch 42.

Apertures 44 may be provided in main runner 6 and cross- T 8 to support suspension wires or other similar conduits, known to those skilled in the art, which may be secured to primary ceiling beams.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, field installation clip 50 comprises template engaging member 52 having a C-frame fastening portion 54 which terminates in angularly disposed retaining

elbows

94, 96. Template engaging member 52 is provided with cross-T mating slot 56 defined by

horizontal side walls

58, 60 and

vertical end walls

62, 64. Vertical end wall 64 is a retaining louver which extends outwardly from the plane of template 52.

A first grid beam engaging keeper 66 formed in template 52 extends outwardly from the plane of the template a distance X which substantially approximates the gauge of a grid beam web to which it will be affixed. Keeper 66 is adapted to slidably engage a grid beam web in the area defining the web rout and to facilitate insertion of the keeper through a web rout for engagement with the grid beam web, edges 63, 70 of keeper 66 are beveled. Canted portion 67 further facilitates insertion of keeper 66 through a web rout and provides a resilient retaining surface which firmly secures template 50 to a grid beam web. Canted portion 67 of keeper 66 is canted at an angle a from the plane of the template. Each of

beveled edges

68, 70 is formed at an angle that may typically be about 30 from the horizontal.

Along its bottom horizontal margin, template 50 includes a flare extension 72 which is canted to an angle 3 from the vertical. Flare extension 72 forms an added support aligning member with a flared margin which contacts a horizontal ceiling panel support flange and thereby minimizes the vertical sliding movement of template 52.

A pair of trimmed edge gripping fingers or grid

beam engaging keepers

74, 76 formed in template engaging member 52 are removed from the plane of template engaging member in much the same fashion as first grid beam engaging keeper 66. The trimmed edge gripping fingers each comprise a

planar portion

74a, 76a respectively and an

upstanding portion

74b, 76b respectively. The

planar portion

74a, 76a of each of the trimmed

edge gripping fingers

74, 76 is substantially parallel to the plane of the template. The

upstanding portion

74b, 76b of each of the trimmed

edge gripping fingers

74, 76 is canted at an angle of approximately A to the plane of the template. Each one of the trimmed

edge gripping fingers

74, 76 is of a horizontal length of approximately L.

The C-frame fastening portion 54, formed as a lateral extension of template 52, comprises a substantially planar stay 80 which is integral along one of its edges with an edge of template 52. Preferably, C-frame fastening portion 54 and template engaging member 52 are formed from a single piece of material, preferably spring steel, which is bent along crease line 82. Planar stay 80 extends downwardly into supporting

legs

84, 86. Supporting

legs

84, 86 contact one of the horizontal ceiling panel support flanges formed in the grid beam member to which the C-frame fastening portion of field installation clip 50 is affixed.

Planar stay extends upwardly into inwardly concave engaging member 88 which is substantially complementary in shape to the rounded securing rib on a grid beam. The inner radius of curvature of concave engaging member 88 is substantially equal to the outer radius of curvature of the securing rib formed along the margin of a grid beam web. Notch 92 is formed in concave engaging member 88 to accommodate a field installation clip interlocking finger formed in the C-frame fastening portion of a contiguously positioned field installation clip which is fastened over a grid beam securing rib that is common to both field installation clips.

A field installation clip interlocking finger 90 is formed in concave engaging member 88 and is canted therefrom at an angle 2 from the horizontal. interlocking finger 90 is of width W and is formed in concave engaging member 88, adjacent notch 92. interlocking finger 90 is positioned to interlock with a mirror image interlocking finger, formed in a contiguously positioned field installation clip, which is aligned in notch 92 over a common grid beam securing rib. The base of interlocking finger 90 is grooved to accommodate securing elbow 97, formed in the concave engaging member 88 of a second interlocked field installation clip, which prevents juxtaposed interlocking fingers from becoming disengaged.

Concave engaging member 88, formed in C-frame fastening portion 54, extends into an angularly disposed securing lip 95 which tenninates in restraining

elbows

94, 96. Restraining

elbows

94, 96 firmly contain a grid beam securing rib within concave engaging member 88 by restraining release therefrom at points along the line joining the securing rib to the grid beam web.

in a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, 7 and 8, flare extension 72 may be replaced with flare supports 72' and 72" formed in template 52. Flare supports 72 and 72" may, typically, be canted at an angle B. from the vertical to provide template support aligning members that contact a horizontal ceiling panel support flange to minimize vertical sliding movement thereover by an engaged template. This modification increases the utility of the field installation clip, since each flare support may be canted to a different angle from the vertical to conform to any irregularities which may occur in a horizontal ceiling panel support flange to which the installation clip is engaged.

In a second preferred modification, securing lip 95 extends from concave engaging member 88 and conforms to the shape thereof. However, restraining

elbows

94, 96 are angularly disposed from the vertical to firmly contain a grid beam securing rib within concave engaging member 88, as previously described.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, the field installation clip of this invention is intended to be installed on the right side of a grid beam web, considering right and left as determined by looking axially along the grid beam from the center toward the end in question. It is not necessary to provide a left-hand or mirror image field installation clip. Each installed clip is provided with an interlocking finger 90 adjacent an interlocking finger accommodating notch 92 which accommodates the interlocking finger of a contiguously positioned field installation clip when the contiguously positioned clip is fastened over an adjacent section of the same securing rib in projected image alignment with the installed clip.

The channel portion 65 formed in template 52 which is defined between louvered edge 64 and keeper 66 is substantially complementary in shape to rout 24 formed in grid beam web 10. When keeper 66 is inserted through rout 24 and firmly fixed against vertical side wall 30 of cross-T web 10 and cross-T web 10 fills the slot formed between keeper 66 and the plane of template 52, louvered edge 64 provides an engaging surface that limits horizontal movement of the installation clip 50 in one direction by engaging vertical side wall 28 if a horizontal stress is exerted to disengage an installed clip.

One embodiment'of a field installation clip constructed according to FIGS. 3 and 4 is found to perform satisfactorily with the dimensions L 0.156 inches, W 0.06 inches, X 0.048 inches i 0.003 inches, or 30, ,8 greater than 45, vertical flare extension Y z 0.10 inches, horizontal flare extension Z 0.15 inches, A 30 and e 30.

Referring to H68. 1, 2 and 5, when an exposed grid, suspended ceiling system is erected, a number of main runners 6 are secured to roof trusses or other primary members of the original ceiling, at the desired height, in side-by-side parallel relationship to one another in spaced relationship to each other, in an area designated as a room space. In the formation of an entrance way or corridor leading to or from a designated room area, main runners 6 are, similarly, suspended from roof trusses in side-by-side parallel relationship to one another in spaced relationship within the corridor area, however, corridor area main runners are usually disposed at right angles to room area main runners. At the line of entrance from the corridor area into the room area, abutting main runners may be secured to each other by mounting field installation clip 50 on one main runner and fastening the concave engaging portion 68, of the mounted clip, over the securing rib of a second main runner.

In the fabrication of an exposed grid, suspended ceiling system, designed to fill a specific area, main runners 6 may be suspended from primary ceiling members in the manner previously described Each cross-T 3 is of a length substantially equal to the distance between the horizontal panel support flanges lid, 20 of two parallel main runners 6. Cross-T 8 is provided with vertically elongated rout 24 a predetermined distance from trimmed end 26. Aperture template engaging member 52 of field installation clip 50 is positioned substantially parallel to upstanding web 10 of cross-T 8 such that deformed, louvered edge 64 substantially coincides with vertical side wall 28. As field installation clip 50 is mounted on web 110, keeper 66 and trimmed

edge gripping fingers

74, 76 simultaneously engage upstanding web 10. Keeper 66 is urged through rout 241 while trimmed edge 26 is inserted within trimmed

edge gripping fingers

74, 76. The field installation clip 50 is urged forwardly until louvered edge 64 positively engages vertical side wall 28 of web 10.

The concave engaging portion 88 of clip fastening member 54 is positioned above rounded securing rib 16 of main runner 6. The clip 50 and engaged cross-T 8 assembly are then urged downwardly. The downward force causes elbowed lip 95 to distend and snap over rounded securing rib 16. The downward force is applied until supporting

legs

84, 86 abutt main runner ceiling

panel support flange

18 or 20 and are aligned thereon.

Angularly disposed retaining

elbows

94, 96 contact the juncture of rounded securing rib 16 with upstanding web 10 and prevent clip 50 from becoming inadvertently dislodged by providing a clamping force against upstanding web 10 and rounded securing rib 16.

if it is desired that two cross-Ts intersect one main runner 6 and present the appearance of a full intersection of two continuous beams, then interlocking finger 90 is inserted into accommodating notch 92 of the adjoining clip. This provides a self-aligning and interlocking arrangement between two cross- Ts across a main runner. The C-frame fastening portion of each field installation clip is off-set from the longitudinal axis of the interlocked cross-Ts, therefore, the clips may be placed in close proximity to each other, to provide an interlocking arrangement, without interference occuring between the proximately positioned clips.

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in connection with a specific embodiment, particularly a main runner and cross-T arrangement in which the main runner and cross-T are substantially the same size, and have a particular configuration, various modifications of the clip will occur to those skilled in the art when employing cross-Ts and main runners of varying sizes and shapes without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

ii. A field installation clip. adapted to secure two grid beam members in normal relationship to each other, comprising a template engaging member, having a grid beam mating slot, defined by at least two substantially parallel edges; a plurality of grid beam engaging keepers disposed along a first planar surface of said template engaging member adapted to slidably engage selected portions of a first grid beam member, at least one of said gn'd beam engaging keepers being formed along a first defining edge of said template engaging member; a C- frame fastening member integrally formed along a second defining edge of said template engaging member and extending laterally of a second planar surface thereof, said C-frame fastening member comprising a planar stay portion, a plurality of supporting legs projecting downwardly from said planar stay portion arranged to align said C-frame fastening member along a second grid beam member, an inwardly concave engaging member projecting outwardly from the upper portion of said planar stay disposed for slidable engagement with said second grid beam member in normal disposition to said first grid beam member and a plurality of restraining elbows projecting inwardly from the lip of said concave engaging member within the grid beam engaging space formed by said concave engaging member to prevent accidental disengagement of said second grid beam member therefrom.

2. A field installation clip adapted to releasably lock two grid beam members in normal relationship to each other, comprising a template engaging member, having a grid beam mating slot, defined by at least two substantially parallel edges; a plurality of grid beam engaging keepers disposed along a first planar surface of said template engaging member adapted to slidably engage selected portions of a first grid beam member, a first grid beam engaging keeper being formed along a first defining edge of said template engaging member, and a pair of grid beam engaging keepers in constant alignment along said first planar surface of said template engaging member and in spaced relationship to a second defining edge of said template engaging member; an angularly disposed flare extension projecting obliquely from a second planar surface of said template engaging member arranged to align said template engaging member along selected portions of said first grid beam engaging member; a C-frame fastening member integrally formed along said second defining edge of said template engaging member and projecting laterally from said second planar surface thereof, said C-frame fastening member comprising a planar stay portion, a plurality of supporting legs projecting downwardly from said planar stay portion arranged to align said C-frame fastening member along a second grid beam member, an inwardly concave engaging member, projecting outwardly from the upper portion of said planar stay, disposed for slidable engagement with said second grid beam member in normal disposition to said first grid beam member and having an interlocking finger accommodating notch in the crest thereof and a pair of restraining elbows projecting inwardly from the lip of said concave engaging member within the grid beam engaging space formed by said concave engaging member to prevent accidental disengagement of said second grid beam member therefrom.

3. A field installation clip adapted to releasably lock two grid beam members in normal relationship to each other, comprising a template engaging member, having a substantially rectangular grid beam mating slot, defined by at least two substantially parallel edges; a plurality of grid beam engaging keepers disposed along a first planar surface of said template engaging member adapted to slidably engage selected portions of a first grid beam member, a first grid beam engaging keeper being formed along a first defining edge of said template engaging member, and a pair of grid beam engaging keepers in constant alignment along said first planar surface of said template engaging member and in spaced relationship to a second defining edge of said template engaging member; a narrow channel member defined along a first edge by said first grid beam engaging keeper and along a second edge by said grid beam mating slot, said second edge being louvered from said ing edge of said template engaging member and projecting laterally from said second planar surface thereof, said C-frame fastening member comprising a planar stay portion, a plurality of supporting legs projecting downwardly from said planar stay portion arranged to align said C-frame fastening member along a second grid beam member, an inwardly concave engaging member, projecting outwardly from the upper portion of said planar stay, disposed for slidable engagement with said second grid beam member in normal disposition to said first grid beam member and having an interlocking finger accommodating notch in the crest thereof to accommodate a field installation clip interlocking finger of a field installation clip in projected image alignment across said second grid beam member, a field installation clip interlocking finger adjacent said interlocking finger accommodating notch projecting obliquely from said concave engaging member, and a pair of restraining elbows projecting inwardly from the lip of said concave engaging member within the grid beam engaging space formed by said concave engaging member to prevent accidental disengagement of said second grid beam member therefrom.

4. The field installation clip of claim 3 wherein said angularly disposed flare extension comprises plural supporting legs in spaced relationship to each other projecting obliquely from said second planar surface of said template engaging member, said plural supporting legs being arranged to align said template engaging member along selected portions of said first grid beam engaging member.

5. In a suspended ceiling grid structure having a main runner and transverse cross-T, said main runner and cross-T each having an axially upstanding web and a pair of axially extending flanges projecting horizontally from the upstanding web, said cross-T web having a vertically elongated field installation clip aperture located at an intermediate height in said cross-T web in spaced relationship to a trimmed end of said cross-T, the improvement comprising a field installation clip engaging said cross-T for releasably locking said cross-T to said main runner in normal relationship comprising a template engaging member, having a cross-T mating slot, defined by at least two substantially parallel edges; a plurality of cross- T engaging keepers disposed along a first planar surface of said template engaging member adapted to slidably engage selected portions of said cross-T, a first cross-T engaging keeper being formed along a first defining edge of said template engaging member engaging said cross-T web along a first along a second edge by said 8 vertical side wall defining, in part, said vertically elongated field installation clip aperture, and a pair of grid beam engaging keepers in constant alignment along said first planar surface of said template engaging member and in spaced relationship to a second defining edge of said template engaging member engaging said cross-T web along selected portions of the trimmed edge thereof; a narrow channel member defined along a first edge by said first cross-T engaging keeper and V cross-T mating slot, said second edge being louvered from said first planar surface of said template engaging member and engaging said cross-T web along a second vertical side wall defining, in part, said vertically elongated field installation clip aperture;-an angularly disposed flare extension projecting obliquely from a second planar surface of said template engaging member arranged to rest along an axially extending flange projecting horizontally from said upstanding web when said cross-T engaging keepers plurally engage said cross-T web; a C-frame fastening member securing said main runner to said cross-T integrally formed along said second defining edge 'of said template engaging member and projecting laterally from said second planar surface thereof, said C-frame fastening member comprising a planar stay portion, a pair of supporting legs pro ecting downwardly from said planar stay portion arranged to align said C-frame fastening member along an axially extending flange projecting horizontally from said rnain runner web, an inwardly concave engaging member, projecting outwardly from the upper portion of said planar stay, releasably locked to said main runner in normal disposition to said cross-T and having an interlocking finger accommodating notch in the crest thereof to accommodate a field installation clip interlocking finger of a field installation clip in projected image alignment fastened across an adjacent portion of the same main runner, a field installation clip interlocking finger adjacent said interlocking finger accommodating notch projecting obliquely from said concave engaging member, and a pair of restraining elbows projecting inwardly from the lip of said concave engaging member within the main runner engaging space formed by said concave engaging member to prevent accidental disengagement of said main runner therefrom.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said angularly disposed flare extension of said field installation clip comprises plural supporting legs in spaced relationship to each other projecting obliquely from said second planar surface of said template engaging member, said plural supporting legs being arranged to align said template engaging member along selected portions of said cross-T and rest along an axially extending flange projecting horizontally from said upstanding web when said cross-T engaging keepers plurally engage said cross-T web.

intnne

Claims

1. A field installation clip adapted to secure two grid beam members in normal relationship to each other, comprising a template engaging member, having a grid beam mating slot, defined by at least two substantially parallel edges; a plurality of grid beam engaging keepers disposed along a first planar surface of said template engaging member adapted to slidably engage selected portions of a first grid beam member, at least one of said grid beam engaging keepers being formed along a first defining edge of said template engaging member; a C-frame fastening member integrally formed along a second defining edge of said template engaging member and extending laterally of a second planar surface thereof, said C-frame fastening member comprising a planar stay portion, a plurality of supporting legs projecting downwardly from said planar stay portion arranged to align said C-frame fastening member along a second grid beam member, an inwardly concave engaging member projecting outwardly from the upper portion of said planar stay disposed for slidable engagement with said second grid beam member in normal disposition to said first grid beam member and a plurality of restraining elbows projecting inwardly from the lip of said concave engaging member within the grid beam engaging space formed by said concave engaging member to prevent accidental disengagement of said second grid beam member therefrom.

3. A field installation clip adapted to releasably lock two grid beam members in normal relationship to each other, comprising a template engaging member, having a substantially rectangular grid beam mating slot, defined by at least two substantially parallel edges; a plurality of grid beam engaging keepers disposed along a first planar surface of said template engaging member adapted to slidably engage selected portions of a first grid beam member, a first grid beam engaging keeper being formed along a first defining edge of said template engaging member, and a pair of grid beam engaging keepers in constant alignment along said first planar surface of said template engaging member and in spaced relationship to a second defining edge of said template engaging member; a narrow channel member defined along a first edge by said first grid beam engaging keeper and along a second edge by said grid beam mating slot, said second edge being louvered from said first planar surface of said template engaging member; an angularly disposed flare extension projecting obliquely from a second planar surface of said template engaging member arranged to align said template engaging member along selected portions of said first grid beam engaging member; a C-frame fastening member integrally formed along said second defining edge of said template engaging member and projecting laterally from said second planar surface thereof, said C-frame fastening member comprising a planar stay portion, a plurality of supporting legs projecting downwardly from said planar stay portion arranged to align said C-frame fastening member along a second grid beam member, an inwardly concave engaging member, projecting outwardly from the upper portion of said planar stay, disposed for slidable engagement with said second grid beam member in normal disposition to said first grid beam member and having an interlocking finger accommodating notch in the crest thereof to accommodate a field installation clip interlocking finger of a field installation clip in projected image alignment across said second grid beam member, a field installation clip interlocking finger adjacent said interlocking finger accommodating notch projecting obliquely from said concave engaging member, and a pair of restraining elbows projecting inwardly from the lip of said concave engaging member within the grid beam engaging space formed by said concave engaging member to prevent accidental disengagement of said second grid beam member therefrom.

5. In a suspended ceiling grid structure having a main runner and transverse cross-T, said main runner and cross-T each having an axially upstanding web and a pair of axially extending flanges projecting horizontally from the upstanding web, said cross-T web having a vertically elongated field installation clip aperture located at an intermediate height in said cross-T web in spaced relationship to a trimmed end of said cross-T, the improvement comprising a field installation clip engaging said cross-T for releasably locking said cross-T to said main runner in normal relationship comprising a template engaging member, having a cross-T mating slot, defined by at least two substantially parallel edges; a plurality of cross-T engaging keepers disposed along a first planar surface of said template engaging member adapted to slidably engage selected portions of said cross-T, a first cross-T engaging keeper being formed along a first defining edge of said template engaging member engaging said cross-T web along a first vertical side wall defining, in part, said vertically elongated field installation clip aperture, and a pair of grid beam engaging keepers in constant alignment along said first planar surface of said template engaging member and in spaced relationship to a second defining edge of said template engaging member engaging said cross-T web along selected portions of the trimmed edge thereof; a narrow channel member defined along a first edge by said first cross-T engaging keeper and along a second edge by said cross-T mating slot, said second edge being louvered from said first planar surface of said template engaging member and engaging said cross-T web along a second vertical side wall defining, in part, said vertically elongated field installation clip aperture; an angularly disposed flare extension projecting obliquely from a second planar surface of said template engaging member arranged to rest along an axially extending flange projecting horizontally from said upstanding web when said cross-T engaging keepers plurally engage said cross-T web; a C-frame fastening member securing said main runner to said cross-T integrally formed along said second defining edge of said template engaging member and projecting laterally from said second planar surface thereof, said C-frame fastening member comprising a planar stay portion, a pair of supporting legs projecting downwardly from said planar stay portion arranged to align said C-frame fastening member along an axially extending flange projecting horizontally from said main runner web, an inwardly concave engaging member, projecting outwardly from the upper portion of said planar stay, releasably locked to said main runner in normal disposition to said cross-T and having an interlocking finger accommodating notch in the crest thereof to accommodate a field installation clip interlocking finger of a field installation clip in projected image alignment fastened across an adjacent portion of the same main runner, a field installation clip interlocking finger adjacent said interlocking finger accommodating notch projecting obliquely from said concave engaging member, and a pair of restraining elbows projecting inwardly from the lip of said concave engaging member within the main runner engaging space formed by said concave engaging member to prevent accidental disengagement of said main runner therefrom.