U.S. patent application number 14/448090 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-20 for suspended ceiling grid adapter.
This patent application is currently assigned to WORTHINGTON ARMSTRONG VENTURE. The applicant listed for this patent is WORTHINGTON ARMSTRONG VENTURE. Invention is credited to Joshua Lee Neal, Brett Wayne Sareyka.
Application Number | 20140341640 14/448090 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47843102 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140341640 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sareyka; Brett Wayne ; et
al. |
November 20, 2014 |
SUSPENDED CEILING GRID ADAPTER
Abstract
An L-shaped adapter that secures a single cross beam to a main
beam, in a suspended ceiling. The adapter is applied to a prior art
connection designed to connect opposing cross beams to each other
and to a main beam.
Inventors: |
Sareyka; Brett Wayne; (Glenn
Mills, PA) ; Neal; Joshua Lee; (Elverson,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WORTHINGTON ARMSTRONG VENTURE |
Malvern |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
WORTHINGTON ARMSTRONG
VENTURE
Malvern
PA
|
Family ID: |
47843102 |
Appl. No.: |
14/448090 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13573280 |
Sep 8, 2012 |
8839583 |
|
|
14448090 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
403/201 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 5/04 20130101; F16B
7/0486 20130101; E04B 9/122 20130101; Y10T 403/3993 20150115; E04B
9/127 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
403/201 |
International
Class: |
E04B 9/12 20060101
E04B009/12 |
Claims
1. In a suspended ceiling, a connection among a main beam, and
first and second cross beams extending from opposite sides of the
main beam, wherein each of the cross beams has a connector attached
thereto extending through a slot in the mean beam; the improvement,
in the connection, comprising an L-shaped adapter capable of: a)
replacing the second cross beam and the connector attached thereto;
b) securing the first cross beam, and the connector attached
thereto, to the mean beam; and c) permitting an end of the
connector, attached to the first cross beam, that extends beyond
the mean beam, to be sheared off to create a smooth surface
extending along the mean beam on the side opposite the first cross
beam.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/573,280, filed Sep. 8, 2012, for SUSPENDED
CEILING GRID ADAPTER.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Suspended ceilings are used extensively in commercial and
industrial buildings. In such ceilings, a metal grid framework of
interconnected main beam and cross beams is hung from a structural
element by wires. The grid supports acoustical panels in
rectangular openings formed in the grid.
[0004] 2. Prior Art
[0005] Suspended ceilings having metal beam interconnected into a
grid that supports panels are well known. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,839,246
and 6,178,712, for instance, incorporated herein by reference, show
such ceilings.
[0006] Such prior art suspended ceilings generally have a grid of
inverted T-beams, rolled from sheet metal, arrayed in rectangular
fashion that is suspended from a structural ceiling by wires. The
grid is created from main beams that extend longitudinally parallel
to each other, and opposing cross beams corrected at right angles
to a main beam, to form repetitive rectangles that receive and
support panels. The repetitive rectangles are generally formed it
even rows, and extend side-by-side. The connections are formed by
creating slots in the main beams that receive identical connectors
on the end of the cross beam. In a connection, the connectors on
each of a first and second opposing cross beams are connected
through a slot in the main beam to each other, and to the main
beam, so that a secure and strong connection results between the
opposing cross beams, and the main beam. If only a first connector
is inserted into the slot, without being connected to an opposing
identical second connector, the connection will not hold. The first
connector is only loosely held in the slot until the second
connector on the second opposing beam is formed into the slot along
the first connector.
[0007] The present invention relates to such connection.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0008] The adapter of the present invention enables a strong
connection between a single cross beam and a main beam, through a
slot in the main beam, in a ceiling grid, using some of the same
prior art connector elements used to make a two cross beam
connection through a slot, as described above. Such a connection
is, in some instances, desired for a decorative effect, wherein an
area, or areas, of the ceiling are clear of a cross beam that
extends in line with an opposing cross beam. This results in a type
of running brick bond design, such as used in a brick wall. In
other instances, the omission of a second opposing cross beam is
necessary to create as open area to accommodate a ceiling fixture,
such as a fluorescent light fixture, or a ventilator.
[0009] It is necessary under building codes that all cross beams be
retained in their connections under stress, for instance, of a 180
pound pull, particularly during seismic events, so the ceiling does
not collapse. The connection of the invention between a single
cross beam and, using the adapter disclosed, a main beam, complies
with such a requirement, based on laboratory tests.
[0010] The present invention comprises an L-shaped adapter. A first
leg of the adapter is inserted from the side opposite the first
cross beam, through the slot in the main beam, alongside a first
connector on the opposing first cross beam, that has already been
inserted into the slot. The adapter provides a means to keep the
connector on the first cross beam engaged with the main beam, since
the adapter occupies the space in the slot that in the prior art is
occupied by the omitted second connector on the end of the omitted
second beam.
[0011] The first leg of the L-shaped adapter extends to and along
the web of the first cross beam already in the slot, and is secured
to the cross beam by, for instance, a rivet.
[0012] The second leg of the L-shaped adapter extends along the web
of the main beam, on the side of the main beam opposite the first
cross beam.
[0013] This arrangement prevents a pull out of the first cross beam
from the slot in the main beam, under stress, such as in a seismic
event.
[0014] The present connection, notwithstanding there is an omitted
second connector and second cross beam from the connection of the
prior art, will retain its resistance to separation of the first
cross beam and first connector, in compliance with governing codes,
from the main beam, based on laboratory tests.
[0015] In summary, with the present invention, a conventional prior
art suspended ceiling designed to have opposing first and second
cross beams connect with each other, and with a main beam can be
readily adapted to a connection having only a single first beam
connected through a slot in the main beam.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view taken from above, of a prior
art suspended ceiling,
[0017] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view taken from above of a
connection between a main beam and opposing cross beams, in the
ceiling shown in FIG. 1, with a portion of the connection broken
away.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a view looking downward of a suspended ceiling
that is using the adapter of the invention to connect a first cross
beam only to a main beam, to create a running bond effect.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adapter of the
invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connection between a main
beam, and a single first cross beam, using the adapter of the
invention.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the connection of FIG.
5.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the connection of the
invention taken on the line 7-7 in FIG. 6.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the connection of the
invention with a first cross beam inserted into the slot of a main
beam, and the adapter about to be inserted into the slot, from the
side opposite the first cross beam.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the connection of the
invention, showing a portion of the connector on the first cross
beam extending beyond the web of the main beam, on the side
opposite the first cross beam, with the adapter of the invention in
place.
[0025] FIG. 10 is the perspective view of FIG. 9, with the portion
of the connector extending beyond the web of the main beam cut
away.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Prior Art
[0026] There is shown in FIG. 1 a prior art suspended ceiling 20
having parallel spaced main beams 21 and first and second identical
opposing cross beams 22 and 23. First cross beam 22 has affixed at
its end connector 26, and second cross beam 23 has affixed at its
end identical connector 27. The connectors 26 and 27 extend through
a slot 28 in the main beam 21, from opposing sides of the main beam
21, and lock with each other (sometimes styled a "handshake" in the
prior art) and with the main beam 21, to form a connection 30.
[0027] As well known in the art, such a connection 30 must having
opposing connectors, (such as 26 and 27) extending in the slot 28
beside each other in close contact with each other. A single
connector in the slot, such as connector 26, simply pulls out since
a single connector in the slot is a loose fit. A first cross beam
connector 26 in the slot, is designed to lock with the opposing
connector 27 in the slot in a configured space. The opposing first
and second connectors 26 and 27 fully occupy the slot. A flexible
tab 31 flexes when a second connector 27 goes through a slot, and
then expands to lock to the slot 28.
[0028] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a typical connector 26 has a body
portion 32 and the tab 33 that engages the side of the slot 28 to
prevent withdrawal when opposing connectors 26 and 27 are in the
slot. A barb 35 on each of the first and second connectors 26 and
27 that engage one another when the second opposing connector 27 on
second opposing cross beam 23 is inserted into the slot 28. Such as
arrangement is shown in detail in U.S. Patents '246 and '712 as
referred to above.
[0029] The present invention is concerned with adapting a prior art
connection 30 as described above, with a first 22 and second 23
opposing cross beam, into a connection 40 between a single first
cross beam 22, and a main beam 21, that results in a grid 41 as
depicted in FIG. 3. One or more of connection 40 can be used in
such grid 41.
[0030] In the connection of the invention 40, the second cross beam
23 and second connector 27 are omitted, and the adapter 42 of the
invention inserted.
[0031] The adapter 42, as seen in FIG. 4, has an angle shape, with
one leg 43 of the adapter 42 intended to lie along the main beam
web 45, through the slot 28 of the main beam 21, alongside the
connector 26 on the first opposing cross beam 22. Adapter 42
replaces the connector 27 on a second opposing cross beam 23, which
is being omitted. First leg 43 of the adapter 42 of the invention
keeps the prior art first connector 26 in place against the edge of
the slot 28 of the main beam 21, to prevent withdrawal, as did the
omitted second connector 27 in the prior art.
[0032] The second leg 44 of the adapter 42, as seen in FIG. 5, lies
along the web 45 of the main beam 21. The leg 46 has a larger
portion 47 intended to extend above and across the slot 28.
[0033] Second leg 44, of adapter 42, extends along web 45 of the
main beam 21, on the side of connector 26 that permits the
connector to extend beyond the web 45, as seen at 48, in FIG.
9.
[0034] In such a position, first leg 43 of adapter 42 extends
through slot 28 in main beam 21 into a position as seen, for
instance, in FIG. 6.
[0035] As seen in FIG. 6, the first leg 43 extends along first
connector 26, in place of the prior art second connector 27 shown
in FIG. 2.
[0036] A rivet 50, or other fastener, as seen particularly in FIGS.
6 and 7, passes through connector 26, through web 53 and through
elongated hole 51 on first leg 43.
[0037] First leg 43 of adapter 42 is a lightly offset at 52 to
permit the web 53 of first cross beam 22 to be sandwiched between
leg 43 of adapter 42 and connector 26, as seen best in FIG. 7.
[0038] In the arrangement as shown in FIG. 9, the connection of the
invention is complete, except for the end 55 of connector 26 which
extends beyond web 45 on main beam 21. End 55 of connector 26 is
manually cut off as seen in FIG. 10, so that there is no
interference with a panel 58 that extends across the connection, as
seen in FIG. 3.
[0039] In the connection of the invention 40 as described, using
the adapter 42 of the invention, the first connector 26 on the
first opposing cross beam 22, is prevented from withdrawing from
slot 28 of main beam 21 by (1) the connection of first connector 26
to the side of the slot 28, and by (2) the adapter 42 which secures
the first leg 43 of the adapter 42 to the first connector 26, with
the second leg 46 of the adapter extending along, and against the
web 45 of the main beam 21 on the side of the main beam 21 opposite
the first cross beam 22, so the first connector 26 cannot pull out
of slot 28.
[0040] Hole 51 is slotted to compensate for any variance in the
position of the first cross beam 22 and connector 26 with respect
to the main beam 21.
[0041] Slot 57 in leg 43 of adapter 42 permits an easier
installation of the clip in its position alongside clip 26, as
seen, for instance, in FIG. 7.
* * * * *