US3059735A - Ceiling grid runner connection means - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 23, 1962 G. T. sowlNsKl 3,059,735

CEILING GRID RUNNER coNNEcIIoN MEANS g l V-Zal 3,ii59,735 CEILING GRID RUNNER CUNNECTION MEANS Gerard T. Sowinski, Cheektowaga, N.Y., assignor to National Gypsum Company, Buffalo, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed ian. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 786,822 Claims. (Cl. 189-36) Ihis invention relates to improvements in means for connecting the main and cross runners of a ceiling grid.

In the construction of suspended or false ceilings for aco-ustical or other purposes, it is `common practice to first form a grid by hanging a plurality of main inverted T runners at spaced intervals and to interconnect the main runners -by similar but shorter cross runners. Following this, the grip spaces are filled by installing acoustical or other type panels, blocks or tiles, each panel, etc. being precut to size so that it rests on the horizontal legs or flanges of the adjacent runners.

However, considerable difficulty has been encountered in providing grid spaces of uniform size and shape because of the means presently employed in 4connecting the main and cross runners. lFor example, several existing systems rely on the use of slots in the vertical leg of the main runner and extensions on the cross runners `for connecting the same. As will be apparent, the adjustability of the cross runners along the main runners is severely limited by this type of connection, even where a plurality of slots are made in the main runners. Likewise, Where it is desired to have two oppositely disposed cross runners, special left and right offset extensions must be used, as the slots are normally designed to receive only one extension.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide an improved means for connecting the main and cross runners iu a ceiling grid which overcomes the disadvantages of the aforementioned existing systems.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an improved connection means which permits the cross runners to be readily and easily attached to the main runners and in such a manner that cross runners on opposite sides of a given main runner are in perfect alignment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a main and cross runner connection which can lbe adjusted after the acoustical panels are positioned on the horizontal iianges or legs of the runners so that the exposed portions of such anges or legs in a row of cross runners can be eas-ily placed in perfect longitudinal alignment. Y

Another object of this invention is to provide a clip adapted to be readily and adjustably mounted on the vertical leg of the main runner for connect-ion with the cross runner, thereby eliminating the need for slots in the main runner and permitting any desired adjustment of the cross runner along the main runner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clip adapted to connect two oppositely disposed cross runners to the main runner, thereby eliminating the need for special left and right offset extensions on the cross runners.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clip adapted to facilitate and maintain a stable connection between the main and cross runners.

Another object of the 4inv'ention is to provide a clip -that is simple in construction yet most effective in operation.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. v1 is a partial perspective view of a portion of an unassembled ceiling grid illustrating the structural elements associated with the `runners and constituting a 3,059,735 Patented oet. 2s, 1962 preferred embodiment of the invention for connecting thc cross runners to the main runners;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 2 of FIG. 1 r

series of main runners 10 are arranged in parallel relation t-o one another and the cross runners 15 are interposed between adjacent pairs' of main runners 16 and are intended to be perpendicular thereto. Each main runner 10 is provided with a vertical leg 11 and a horizontal leg or `flange 12, the vertical leg being provided with a plurality of holes 13 at longitudinally spaced intervals therealong for receiving hooked suspension rods 14. The rods 14 may be connected to any suitable support (not shown) for suspending the main runners 10 in spaced parallel relation. Each cross runner 15, which is to be connected between adjacent main runners 10, is provided with a vertical leg 16 and a horizontal leg or iiange 17. As also seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, vertical leg 16 at each end is preferably rounded off at its lower corner 18 to facilitate assembly with main runners 10,

and each end lof horizontal leg y17 is cut back at 19 in order to facilitate such assembly and to produce a substantially flush tit with the horizontal legs 12 of main runners 10.

The present invention relates to the means for connecting the cross runners 15 to the main runners 10. In accordance rwith the invention7 the vertical leg 16 of each cross runner 15 is provided at each end with a lateral ear 20, which is preferably made of sheet metal and bent into a T-shape to provide spaced legs 21. The resilient legs 21 are sprung over the ends o-f vertical leg 16 and secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by weld-ing (not shown). This locates ear 20 so that it projects latterally from and across the end of vertical leg 16, thereby forming part of the means for connecting cross runner 15' to main runners 10. It is also preferred that ear 20 be spaced slightly from the end of vertical leg 16 by legs 21 to facilitate connection to main runner 10.

` While the above is the preferred construction of ear 20 and its attachment to vertical cross runner leg 16, it will be evident that ear 20 could be constructed so as to eliminate legs 21 and be suitably attached directly to or made integral with leg 16, as well as to extend laterally to only one side thereof.

The remainder of the means for connecting the main and cross runners is provided by U-shaped clip 22. Like ear 20, clip 22 is preferably made from sheet metal which is shown as being bent into a substantially U-shape to provide spaced, flat side walls 23. As seen in FIG. 2, side walls 23 are resiliently biased toward each other, but are readily spread apart to spring over vertical leg 11 of main runner 10. This facilitates mounting clip 22 on the main runner and permits `any desired adjustment of the clip longitudinally along the main runner. At each of their free ends 24, side walls 23 are bent outwardly to form a tapered entrance to fur-ther facilitate mounting of the clip 22 over vertical leg 11 of main runner 10. At least one side wall 23 is preferably struck or stamped out to form an opening and at least one tab inclined outwardly toward the closed end of clip 22 from an end of the opening near the open end of the clip for guiding an ear such as 2d into the opening. In the preferred construction however, each side wall 23 d is provided with a T-shaped opening or slot 26 and a pair of tabs 25 spaced horizontally by the vertical portion 27 of slot 26 and inclined upwardly and outwardly from the lower end of the horizontal portion 28 of slot 26, the tabs functioning to guide ear 20 into opening 26.

In assembling a cross runner 15 with main runners 10, the cross runner is positioned above the main runners as illustrated in FIG. 1, after which each end of the cross runner is lowered to insert ears 20 over guide tabs 25. As each ear 20 is forced down over tabs 25 it spreads side wall 23 of clip 22 away from vertical leg 11 of main runner until ear 20 extends through opening 26 into rm engagement between side wall 23 and vertical leg 11, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. To facilitate this assembly operation, the lower corner of each end of the vertical leg 16 of cross runner 15 is rounded oif at 18, thereby preventing the lower corner of leg 16 from catching on the lower edge of vertical slot portion 27 and providing clearance between this corner of leg 16 and tapered end 24 of clip side wall 23V. In addition, the horizontal leg or flange 17 of cross runner 15 is cut back at 19 to permit full engagement between ear 20, clip side wall 23 and vertical main runner `leg 11, as well as to provide a substantially ush `and conterminous iit with horizontal main runner flange 12.

Referring once again to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be noted that two oppositely disposed cross runners are illustrated therein as being connected to main runner 10 by the single clip 22. This provides a simple yet most effective connection and avoidsV the use of any slots in main runner 10, or any special left or right ofrset extensions on the cross runners 15. In addition, the adjustability of clip 22 along main runners 10 permits cross runners 15 to be connected at any desired position ialong the main runners for adjusting and aligning the grid openings to facilitate installation of the ceiling panels (not shown). Thus, a firm and stable yet adjustable clamping connection is provided between the cross and main runners.

Accordingly, it will now be apparent how the invention accomplishes each of its aforesaid objects. While a single, preferred embodiment of the invention has been described herein, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a ceiling grid having a main inverted T runner and a cross inverted T runner, the combination therewith of means for connecting said runners comprising an ear extending laterally from the end of the vertical leg of said cross runner adjacent said main runner, and a clip adjustably mounted over the vertical leg of said main runner and including a side wall having an opening therein, said ear extending through said opening into engagement between said side wall and said vertical leg l of said main runner, said side wall also having a tab inclined upwardly and outwardly from a lower end of said opening for guiding said ear into said opening.

2. In ya. ceiling grid having a main inverted T runner and a cross inverted T runner, the combination therewith of means for connecting said runners comprising an car extend-ing laterally from and across the end of the vertical leg of said cross runner adjacent said main runner, and a clip adjustably mounted over the vertical leg of said main runner and including a side wall having an opening therein, said ear extending through said opening into engagement between Said side wall and said vertical leg of said main runner, said side wall also having a pair of horizontally spaced tabs inclined upwardly and outwardly from a lower end of said opening for guiding said ear into said opening.

3. In a ceiling grid having a main inverted T runner and a cross inverted T runner, the combination therewith of means for connecting said runners comprising an ear extending laterally from and across the end of the vertical leg of said cross runner adjacent said main runner, and a clip adjustably mounted over the vertical leg of said main runner and including a side wall having a T-shaped opening therein, said ear extending through said opening into engagement between said side wall and said vertical leg of said main runner, said side wall also having a pair of tabs spaced horizontally 4by the vertical portion of said opening and inclined upwardly and outwardly from the lower end of the horizontal portion of said opening for guiding said ear into said opening.

4. A clip adapted to be adjustably mounted over the vertical leg of an inverted T runner in a ceiling grid and including a side wall, said side -wall having an opening therein and a pair of laterally spaced tabs inclined outwardly toward the closed end of said clip from an end of said opening near the open end of said clip.

5. A clip adapted to be adjustably mounted over the vertical leg of an inverted T runner in a ceiling grid and including a side wall, said side wall having a T-shaped opening therein and a pair of tabs spaced laterally by the longitudinal portion of said opening and inclined outwardly toward the closed end of said clip from the end of the lateral portion of said opening near the open end of said clip.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 195,623 Lyon Sept. 25, 1877 409,893 Wray Aug. 27, 1889 706,347 Simpson Aug. 5, 1902 1,235,636 Bagnall Aug. 7, 1917 2,220,469 Wouters Nov. 5, 1940 2,676,679 Price Apr. 27, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 527,121 Canada July 3, 1956

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