U.S. patent application number 09/789924 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-22 for suspended ceiling support structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to VIB Inc.. Invention is credited to Zaborowski, Stanislaw.
Application Number | 20020112424 09/789924 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25149126 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020112424 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zaborowski, Stanislaw |
August 22, 2002 |
Suspended ceiling support structure
Abstract
A ceiling support system for a suspended ceiling is provided
that includes resilient clamps for attachment to the undersigned
surface of a structural ceiling and interengaging ceiling runners
that are shaped to be fitted into and be grasped by such clamps.
The engagement edge of the runner is shaped to allow the runner to
maintain a bistable positions: a normal, ceiling panel supporting
orientation, and a canted orientation for installation of ceiling
panels.
Inventors: |
Zaborowski, Stanislaw;
(Ottawa, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
David J. French
Box 2486, Stn. D
Ottawa
ON
K1P 5W6
CA
|
Assignee: |
VIB Inc.
1365 Johnston Road
Ottawa
CA
|
Family ID: |
25149126 |
Appl. No.: |
09/789924 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/220.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 9/064 20130101;
E04B 9/10 20130101; E04B 9/122 20130101; E04B 9/068 20130101; E04B
9/006 20130101; E04B 9/127 20130101; E04B 9/18 20130101; E04B 9/16
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/220.6 |
International
Class: |
E04C 002/52 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A supporting framework for a suspended ceiling comprising: (1) a
plurality of resilient clamps for fastening in place beneath
components of a structural ceiling, said clamps each having a
baseplate and resiliently expandable sides terminating at a pair of
lips that define a nip, said baseplate and sides defining an
internal receiving space, and (2) longitudinal ceiling runners
which are generally of an inverted "T" shaped in cross-section,
having a pair of laterally extending support flanges that provide
ledge surfaces for carrying ceiling panels, and an upwardly
directed clamp-engaging leg with a web portion and an enlarged,
peripheral, clamp-engaging edge that is remote from the lateral
flanges, wherein said clamp-engaging edge is of a shape which
permits the runner to maintain two bistable orientations with
respect to the clamp when the clamp is engaged with the runner
2. A method of installing ceiling panels of a suspended ceiling
comprising the steps of: (1) providing a plurality of resilient
clamps and fastening such clamps in place beneath components of a
structural ceiling, said clamps each having a baseplate and
resiliently expandable sides terminating at a pair of lips that
define a nip, said baseplate and sides defining an internal
receiving space; (2) providing a plurality of longitudinal ceiling
runners which are generally of an inverted "T" shaped in
cross-section, each having a web and a pair of laterally extending
support flanges that provide ledge surfaces for carrying ceiling
panels, and an upwardly directed clamp-engaging leg having a web
portion and an enlarged peripheral clamp-engaging edge that is
remote from the lateral flanges, wherein said clamp-engaging end is
of a shape which permits the runner to maintain two bistable
orientations with respect to the clamp when the clamp is engaged
with the runner (3) placing the clamp-engaging edge of a runner at
the nips of said clamps and pressing such edge through the lips of
said clamps to penetrate into the internal receiving space of the
clamp whereby the runner is held in place by the clamp through the
action of the lips grasping the web portion of the runner and/or
surfaces on the peripheral edge of the clamp-engaging leg; (4)
canting at least one of said runners out of alignment with the
orientation of an adjacent runner to provide space for a ceiling
panel to be placed between said canted runner and said another
runner; (5) inserting a ceiling panel therebetween; and, (6)
realigning said runners to retain the ceiling panel in place.
3. A framework as in claim 1 wherein: (1) the enlarged, peripheral
edge of the clamp-engaging leg of the runner is pointed and tapered
with an entry taper surface that provide an easy entry and passage
of such edge through the lips of the nip, and (2) the flange side
of said peripheral edge is provided with a surface oriented at an
angle to the clamp which permits the tapered surface and flange
side of the peripheral edge to be grasped between the lips of a
clamp, such that said lips will be spread apart when the runner is
rotated in either lateral direction.
4. A framework as in claim 3 wherein the peripheral edge is
arrow-head shaped in cross-section.
5. A framework as in claim 1 wherein the height of the web from the
lateral flanges to the enlarged edge allows the enlarged edge to
pass into the internal receiving space of the clamp, providing a
range of positions at which the lips may grasp the web.
6. A framework as in claim 1 wherein the sides of the clamp are
angled less sharply towards each other as such sides approach the
nip to increase the rate of increase of the force required to
remove the runner from the clamp.
7. A framework in claim 1 wherein; (1) the clamps are generally
triangular in cross-section with the baseplate of the clamp dished
inwardly into the interior receiving space of the clamp; and (2) a
fastening hole is formed in the baseplate through which are
fastener may pass to engage with the structural ceiling whereby the
retention force at the nip of the clamp can be varied in accordance
with the tightness with which a fastener engages the structural
ceiling.
8. A framework as in claim 7 wherein the sides of the clamp are
notched along the lips to provide access for a fastener engagement
tool to reach a fastener positioned in the fastening hole.
9. A framework as in claim 1 in combination with an installed drop
ceiling support system having installed runners comprising a
joining plate means coupled to the installed runners on their
underside and coupled to resilient clamps positioned beneath the
joining plate means.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to suspended or drop ceilings. More
particularly it relates to the structural grid of a suspended
ceiling system that holds ceiling panels in place and to methods
for installing and removing such ceiling panels.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Suspended ceilings are employed today in many structures
because they provide an aesthetic presentation while enabling the
routing of hardware such as conduits, electrical wiring, etc, in
the gap between the suspended ceiling panels and the structural
ceiling of the building itself. This gap also provides a convenient
"headspace" whereby ceiling panels may be inserted through openings
in a ceiling support grid system and manipulated into an
orientation whereby the panels may be lowered onto supporting
flanges within the grid system that provide shelves or ledges onto
which the edges of the ceiling panels may rest.
[0003] According to one mode of construction, the support grid for
a suspended ceiling relies on the use of longitudinally extending
strips or "runners" that are generally of an inverted "T"-shape in
cross-section, having outwardly protruding lateral flanges which
provide the ledges upon which the ceiling panels rest. In this type
of existing system wires or other connectors descend from the
ceiling proper, through the headspace, to connect with the ceiling
runners.
[0004] In conventional suspended ceiling systems having substantial
headspace, the procedure for installing or removing a ceiling panel
is to lift the ceiling panel clear of the grid support structure,
turn it somewhat in the headspace, and then maneuver it down
through the opening within the grid structure. The headspace
required for lifting and maneuvering a ceiling panel in order to
install or remove it is at least several inches and may, in some
cases, take-up considerably more space.
[0005] However, in many cases provision of adequate headroom is
impractical due to the relatively low height of the structural
ceiling. Examples include the basements of homes where even the
loss of a few inches in vertical height can give the impression
that the ceiling is oppressively low. A need exists for a low
headroom suspension ceiling support system that will permit tiles
to be installed in place without reliance on the presence of
headroom.
[0006] It is known to provide support for a drop ceiling through
the use of resilient ceiling clips resilient clamps or clamps.
Examples of this type of construction are described in the
following U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,059,483; 2,229,064;
3,228,163; 3,969,865; and 4,549,375. An advantage of using
resilient mounting clamps is that ceiling panels can be placed in
position without the necessity of manipulating them in a headspace
provided above the gridwork system. This is advantageous when it is
desired to keep the drop of the suspended ceiling at a minimum.
Using resilient mounting clamps, ceiling tiles can be installed
very nearly directly adjacent to the structural ceiling itself.
nondestructive disassembly of components by the application of a
sufficient disengagement force. They may also be nonreversible, or
not readily reversible in that they employ engagement mechanisms
that may permit "snap-in" assembly procedures, but disassembly
cannot be readily affected without risking the deformation of the
engagement elements of the grid support system. Examples in this
latter category are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,784,184; and 4,7200,946.
[0007] A specific example of a prior art reference addressing these
requirements through use of resilient means is found in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 3,263,388 to Bogert. This document discloses a system of
interfitting runners and resilient clamps, the clamps being
fastened to the structural ceiling itself. The clamps are provided
with a serrated grasping face which engages a corresponding
serrated face on an upwardly directed flange that forms the stem
portion of the inverted T-shaped cross-section for this member.
Employing the Bogert system, ceiling panels are placed in position
with their peripheral edges resting on the ledges provided by the
lateral flanges of the runners. When the upwardly directed stem
portion is pressed into the reception slot of the resilient clamps,
the ceiling panels are carried along with the runners into their
final position, A disadvantage of this system is that the ceiling
tiles and runners must both be manipulated simultaneously. For a
person standing on ladder or scaffolding, this requirement
complicates the procedure of installing ceiling panel.
[0008] A need exists for a convenient support: system for a
suspended ceiling that can be readily installed and which permits
the easy removal of the ceiling panels for replacement or access to
the headspace behind such panels. It is an object of this invention
to address such requirements.
[0009] The invention in its general form will first be described,
and then its implementation in terms of specific embodiments will
be detailed with reference to the drawings following hereafter.
These embodiments are intended to demonstrate the principle of the
invention, and the manner of its implementation. The invention in
its broadest and more specific forms will then be further
described, and defined, in each of the individual claims which
conclude this Specification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According to the invention in one aspect, a supporting
framework for a suspended ceiling is provided based on a plurality
of resilient clamps which are fastened in place beneath a
structural ceiling. This may include the installation of clamps to
the lower edges of joists or to strapping or other components of
the structural ceiling. These clamps have a baseplate and
resiliently expandable sides terminating at a pair of lips that
define a nip. Within the clamps is an internal receiving space that
is preferably open at both ends. The clamps may be intermittently
disposed with their receiving spaces aligned, or may be in the form
of continuous clamping bars.
[0011] A supporting grid for ceiling panels is provided through the
use of longitudinal ceiling runners which are generally of an
inverted "T" shaped in cross-section, having a pair of laterally
extending support flanges that provide ledge surfaces for carrying
ceiling panels. These ledges may underlie the ceiling panels or fit
into slots on the edges of the ceiling panels in the known manner.
Runners, according to the invention, also have an upwardly directed
leg having a web portion and an enlarged, peripheral,
clamp-engaging edge that is remote from the lateral flanges. In
use, the clamp engaging edge of a runner is pressed through the
lips of a clamp to penetrate into the internal receiving space of
the clamp. A runner is held in place by the clamp through the
action of the lips grasping the web portion of the runner and/or
the sides of the clamp grasping the surfaces on the peripheral edge
of the clamp-engaging leg.
[0012] The runner is installed by passing the clamp-penetrating
peripheral edge through the yielding nip of the clamp to permit the
clamp to grasp the runner and hold it in place. The sidewalls of
the clamp spread resiliently to permit such insertion by the
application of modest manual force. Further, the lips on the clamp
apply a sufficient retention force on the runner to resist the
retraction of the clamp engaging end of the runner under forces of
a magnitude that would normally arise from the supporting of
ceiling panels. For this purpose, the peripheral edge of the clamp
engaging leg may be enlarged and in contact with the sides of the
clamp.
[0013] To improve the retention capacity of the runners with
respect to the clamps, the sides of the clamps may be angled as
they approach the nip so as to tend to intersect at a greater angle
than the sides remote from the nip.
[0014] As a preferred feature of the invention the enlarged,
peripheral edge of the clamp-engaging leg of the runner is
preferably pointed and tapered with an entry taper that provides an
easy entry and passage of such edge through the lips of the nip. On
the flange side of the peripheral edge, the enlargement may or may
not be provided with a peripheral taper. In a preferred variant,
the flange side of the enlarged peripheral edge is formed with a
niche that gives the edge an arrow-head shape in cross-section.
[0015] Preferably, the height of the web from the lateral flanges
to the enlarged edge allows the enlarged edge to pass into the
internal receiving space of the clamp until the enlarged edge does
not tend to spread the sides of the clamp. At this position the
lips grasp the web. The runner may also be engaged by the clamp
along its web with a range of penetrations of the engaging leg into
the clamp by providing a web of extended depth. This "free play",
if present, conveniently permits runner alignment to be adjusted to
accommodate an uneven structural ceiling surface and provide a drop
ceiling surface which is more nearly planar. Alternately, the
clamps may be fastened to the structural ceiling through washers by
which they may be adjusted into alignment.
[0016] It is a preferred feature of the invention that the engaging
edge of the runner is of a shape which permits the runner to
maintain a bistable orientation with respect to the clamp when the
clamp is engaged with the runner. In one orientation the engagement
leg of the runner is aligned for direct entry into the interior
space of the clamp. In this configuration the leg or web is
generally perpendicular to the surface of the structural ceiling
with the lateral flanges in a horizontal plane. Generally, in this
orientation, either the enlarged edge on the runner is grasped by
the sides on the clamp, or the web is grasped by the lips.
[0017] In another orientation, the engagement leg of the runner is
canted laterally, with the leg or web obliquely oriented with
respect to its normal entry into the interior receiving space of
the clamp. In this configuration the lateral flanges of one or a
pair of runners intended for the support of a specific ceiling
panel may be forced to one side or spread apart to receive the
ceiling panel. When two runners are spread apart the parallel,
opposed, runners are canted in opposite directions. Alternately,
only one runner need be canted with an edge of the panel first
being inserted into the slot provided by the uncanted runner.
[0018] The degree of cant, and the length of the engagement leg,
e.g. the depth of its web, is sufficient to provide a gap through
which the ceiling panel may be manipulated without the necessity
for the ceiling panel to penetrate into the headspace that is
normally required to exist between a suspended ceiling and a
structural ceiling. With the ceiling panel in place, the
orientation of the supporting runners may be adjusted to the
vertical, aligned position. In this orientation, the ceiling panel
will be contained laterally and supported by the ledge surfaces of
the lateral flanges on the respective runners.
[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, a bistable action
may be achieved by providing the peripheral end of the engagement
leg of the runner with a shape that creates resistance to the
rotation of the runner from the clamp when the runner is in its
canted orientation. This may be achieved in one variant by
providing the peripheral end with a shape that is approximate to a
rhombic in cross-section. The opposed sides of this rhombic
cross-section may be a so nearly parallel to the sides of the clamp
as to permit the clamp to engage and stably maintain the runner in
the canted orientation.
[0020] By a further preferred variant of the invention, the
peripheral edge of the runner is substantially arrow-head in
cross-section whereby one of the lips of the clamp may engage the
runner in the niche beneath the arrow-head when the runner is at a
canted orientation to provide a stable grasp on the runner. In all
events, a bi-stable state will exist if rotation of the runner in
either direction tends to spread the lips of the clamp apart.
[0021] The clamps may be generally triangular in cross-section and
may be formed of any suitable resilient material e.g. spring steel,
resilient plastic. The baseplate of the clamp may be flat or it may
be dished inwardly into the interior receiving space of the clamp.
In either case a fastening hole is formed in this baseplate through
which a fastener may pass to engage with the structural
ceiling.
[0022] By adoption of a baseplate which is dished inwardly, the
retention force at the nip of the clamp can be increased in
accordance with the tightness with which this fastener engages the
structural ceiling. The farther the dished configuration is
flattened, the greater the increase in the grasping force at the
nip.
[0023] To access a fastener seated in the fastening hole on the
base plate a notch may be present in the lips, the notch having
sufficient width to allow a screwdriver to penetrate into the
internal receiving space of the clamp.
[0024] In this manner a ceiling supporting framework is provided
that extends longitudinally beneath a ceiling.
[0025] In the foregoing description the runners are mounted
longitudinally in a parallel orientation to each other. To
accommodate ceiling panels of limited length, transverse cross bars
or cross runners may be provided.
[0026] Such cross runners may have an inverted "T" cross-section or
the cross-section of an "I" beam. Lower flanges extending outwardly
from one or both sides of the cross runners engage with the edges
of ceiling panels to provide support and/or to conceal a seam.
[0027] The outer ends of the lower flanges on the cross-runners may
be stepped upwardly by the thickness of the flange to provide a
protruding plate that will rest on the lateral flange of a
longitudinal runner. The height of the step aligns the lower
surfaces of both classes of runners.
[0028] As an alternative to providing a bent step in the lower
flange, a separate engagement piece may be fitted to the web at the
end of a length of a cross runner to provide the protruding plate.
In this arrangement, the engagement piece may be fitted to a
standard longitudinal type runner, reducing the number of distinct
components required.
[0029] To stabilize the cross-runners, a central notch is formed in
the protruding plates or engagement piece at each end. This notch
engages an upright connector plate that extends transversely
through a slot in the web of the longitudinal runner. The
transverse connector plate is held in a vertical orientation at a
fixed location along the web of the longitudinal runner by the
sides of the slot into which it is fitted.
[0030] As a preferred variant, to stabilize and centralize the
penetration of the upright plate through the slot in the web, two
locking tabs may be erupted out of the surface of the upright
plate. The edges of these tabs are positioned to bear against
opposite sides of the longitudinal runner's web, adjacent to the
slot. At least one of such tabs is resiliently compressible into
alignment with the surfaces of the upright plate to permit such tab
to penetrate into the slot to its final position.
[0031] A further feature of the invention is that a second drop
ceiling may be installed beneath an existing drop ceiling. Existing
runners of a conventional drop ceiling are used to support clamps
of the invention through joining pieces which attach to the
existing runners. Coupling means, such as threaded fasteners hold
the clamps in place beneath the joining pieces.
[0032] Due to the minimal and near-zero head space requirements of
the invention, an existing drop ceiling that needs painting or
cleaning may be left in place with a new second ceiling installed
directly below and adjacent to the existing drop ceiling through
use of such joining pieces.
[0033] The foregoing summarizes the principal features of the
invention and some of its optional aspects. The invention may be
further understood by the description of the preferred embodiments,
in conjunction with the drawings, which now follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a ceiling fitted with the
suspended ceiling system of the invention.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional end view of a runner positioned
for entry into a clamp fastened to a joist.
[0036] FIG. 3 is an end view of the runner of FIG. 2 engaged with
the clamp.
[0037] FIG. 4 is an end view of the runner of FIG. 3 partially
lowered within the clamp to a canted orientation to receive a
ceiling panel.
[0038] FIG. 5 is an end view of a clamp.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of the clamp of FIG. 5.
[0040] FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of a runner with slots for
transverse plates.
[0041] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional end view of a runner with a
transverse plate in place.
[0042] FIG. 9 are plan, side and bottom views of a transverse
plate.
[0043] FIG. 10 is a pictorial view of a cross-runner with a stepped
and notched end.
[0044] FIG. 11 depicts the cross-runner of FIG. 10 positioned to
rest on the runner of FIG. 8.
[0045] FIG. 12 is a pictorial view of an engagement piece fitted to
the end of a cross-runner.
[0046] FIG. 13 is a pictorial view of the engagement piece of FIG.
12.
[0047] FIG. 14 is a side view of a cross-runner with an engagement
piece as in FIG. 12 fitted to rest on a runner as in FIG. 8.
[0048] FIG. 15 is a pictorial view of two runners joined end-to-end
by a clamp and two dowels.
[0049] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional end view through the clamp,
runner and dowels of FIG. 15.
[0050] FIG. 17 is an end view showing details of a canted runner as
in FIG. 4.
[0051] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional end view of a joining plate for
allowing a drop ceiling of the invention to be fastened to a
conventional runner.
[0052] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional end view of an alternate
joining plate with a clamp and runner as in the invention coupled
to a conventional runner.
[0053] FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 are pictorial views on alternate
variants on the joining plate of FIG. 19.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0054] In FIG. 1 a structural ceiling 1 includes joists 2 to which
are fastened clamps 3 according to the invention. Runners 4 snap
into the clamps 3 to provide support for ceiling panels 5 (not
shown in FIG. 1).
[0055] In FIG. 2 a runner 4 is about to have its peripheral
engagement edge 13, arrow-head shaped in cross section, pressed
through the nip 6 formed by lips 7 to penetrate the interior space
8 within the clamp 3, c.f. FIG. 3. In this process, ceiling panels
5 may be carried-up with the runners 4, resting on lateral flanges
9 that provide ledges 10 for the ceiling panels 5 to rest on.
[0056] While the ceiling panels 5 are shown as resting on the
ledges 10, such ledges 10 may penetrate slots (not shown) in the
edge faces of the panels 5 to support the panels S.
[0057] The clamp 3 has sides 12 as shown in FIG. 3 that are 10
tapered proceeding towards the nip 6. The angle between the side
portions 12A is preferably more obtuse in the side portions 12A
proximate to the nip 6. This provides an increased resistance to
removal of the engagement edge 13 on the runner 4 from the clamps
3.
[0058] In FIGS. 2 and 3 the runners 4 are aligned with the web
portion 14 on the runner 4 being in a vertical orientation. In FIG.
4 the runner 4 is canted sideways to allow for removal or insertion
of a ceiling panel 5.
[0059] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 the clamp 3 has a base is that may
be inwardly bowed and pierced by a fastener opening 16. An access
notch 17 is formed in the lips 7 to provide access for a tool (not
shown) to fastener 18 present in the fastener opening 16. The lips
7 of the clamp 3 may have a slight outward curl 19 to permit ready
spreading of the lips 7 by the engagement edge 13 of the runners
4.
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, a transverse connector plate
20 is fitted into a slot 21 in the web 14 of a longitudinal runner
4, preferably stabilized by the lower side 35 of the enlarged,
engagement edge 13. This plate 20 generally rests on and largely
spans both lateral flanges 9. Tabs 29 erupted from the plate 20
serve as fingers with web-engaging edges 22 which bear against the
runner web 14 to stabilize the plate 20 in place.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 10, transverse cross runners 23 have at
their outer ends a upwardly-stepped, protruding, ledge-engaging
ends or plates 24 that are notched with a notch 25 to engage with a
flange 9 with the notch 25 fitted into a transverse plate 20 - c.f.
FIG. 11.
[0062] As an alternative to integrally-formed engaging end plates
24, separate engagement pieces 26 may be fitted to the end of a
runner 4A as shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14. With engagement pieces
24, longitudinal runners 4 may serve as cross runners. An upward
flange 27 on the engagement piece 26 and central web-embracing
notch 28 serve to stabilize such pieces 26 on the ends of the
runner 4A. When either form of cross runner 23,4A is fitted to a
longitudinal runner 4, the lower faces 25 of both runners will be
approximately coplanar.
[0063] FIGS. 15 and 16 show the abutting connection of the ends of
runners 4 using a pair of dowels 28. The dowel diameter is
preferably selected to fill, together with the peripheral edge 13
and web 14 of a runner 4, the interior space 8 within a clamp 3.
This ensures the true alignment of adjacent runners 4.
[0064] In FIG. 17 an enlarged detail of an arrow-headed peripheral
edge 13 grasped by lips 7 of a clamp 3 is depicted. The runner 4 is
in a bi-stable orientation when canted sideways because the lips 7
must separate, at least slightly, if the runner 4 is rotated in
either lateral direction. A variety of cross-sectional shapes can
be provided for the peripheral edge 13 to meet this criterion. In
FIG. 17, the side portions 12A are conveniently angled to lie
against the underside face of the arrowhead, in near parallel
alignment for maximum stability.
[0065] In FIG. 18 a joining plate 30 is shown held in place by a
thumb screw 31 engaging the flange 10 on a conventional installed
runner 42. A threaded hole 32 is provided in the plate 30 for
attachment of a clamp 3 by a screw (not shown) passing through
clamp fastener hole 16.
[0066] In FIG. 19 an alternate joining plate 33, corresponding to
FIG. 21, is attached to the flanges 10 of a conventional runner 42.
In this case the holes 34 on the two-piece plate 33 are engaged by
the threads 35 on screw 36 so as to force a clamping action to be
applied by curled edges 37 on the flange 10.
[0067] FIGS. 20 and 22 show alternate forms of joining plates 38,
39 with thread couplings 40, 41 to receive screws 36 and fix the
joining plates 38, 39 to a conventional runner flange 10.
[0068] By these features a second drop ceiling may be installed
directly below a first drop ceiling
[0069] On the basis of the foregoing, a cost-effective and
labor-efficient system is provided for installing ceiling panels
for a drop ceiling.
[0070] Conclusion
[0071] The foregoing has constituted a description of specific
embodiments showing how the invention may be applied and put into
use. These embodiments are only exemplary. The invention in its
broadest, and more specific aspects, is further described and
defined in the claims which now follow.
[0072] These claims, and the language used therein, are to be
understood in terms of the variants of the invention which have
been described. They are not to be restricted to such variants, but
are to be read as covering the full scope of the invention as is
implicit within the invention and the disclosure that has been
provided herein.
* * * * *