U.S. patent application number 14/136026 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-04 for seismic separation clip for suspended ceiling grid systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to CHICAGO METALLIC COMPANY LLC.. The applicant listed for this patent is CHICAGO METALLIC COMPANY LLC.. Invention is credited to Brett N. Christeon, Anthony D. Ingratta, Scott G. Jankovec.
Application Number | 20140352249 14/136026 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51983558 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140352249 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jankovec; Scott G. ; et
al. |
December 4, 2014 |
Seismic Separation Clip for Suspended Ceiling Grid Systems
Abstract
A clip is provided for connecting either main runners
end-to-end, or for connecting cross tees to a main runner. The clip
comprises a first vertical portion configured to lie along the
vertical web of a T-shaped runner or cross tee that has a central
discontinuity to define first and second segments, the
discontinuity permitting the clip to fit over a two-way
intersection of cross tees with a main runner. Each of the first
and second portions includes an elongated slot configured to
slidably receive a fastener and an aperture configured to receive a
fastener. The clip further comprises a second inverted generally
J-shaped portion extending upwardly from the first vertical portion
configured to receive the strengthening bulb of a T-shaped member,
the second portion including a central discontinuity to permit the
clip to fit over a two-way intersection of cross tees with a main
runner. The J-shaped section also includes a tab extending
outwardly therefrom adjacent the discontinuity, the tab including
an aperture configured to receive a fastener, the J-shaped portion
including reinforcement adjacent the discontinuity.
Inventors: |
Jankovec; Scott G.;
(Elmhurst, IL) ; Ingratta; Anthony D.; (Dyer,
IN) ; Christeon; Brett N.; (Frankfort, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CHICAGO METALLIC COMPANY LLC. |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CHICAGO METALLIC COMPANY
LLC.
Chicago
IL
|
Family ID: |
51983558 |
Appl. No.: |
14/136026 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61827974 |
May 28, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/665 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 9/127 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/665 |
International
Class: |
E04B 9/12 20060101
E04B009/12 |
Claims
1. A clip for connecting either main runners end-to-end, or for
connecting cross tees to a main runner, the main runners and cross
tees comprising inverted T-shaped members with opposed flanges at
the lower end, a vertical web extending upwardly from the flanges,
and a strengthening bulb at the upper end of the web, the clip
comprising: a first vertical segment configured to lie along the
vertical web of a T-shaped member having a first central
discontinuity to define first and second halves, the first vertical
segment of each of the first and second halves being coplanar, the
discontinuity permitting the clip to fit over a two-way
intersection of cross tees with a main runner, each of the first
and second halves including an elongated slot configured to
slidably receive a fastener and an aperture configured to receive a
fastener; and a second inverted generally J-shaped segment
extending upwardly from the first vertical portion configured to
receive the strengthening bulb of a T-shaped member, the second
segment including a second central discontinuity to permit the clip
to fit over a two-way intersection of cross tees with a main
runner, the second inverted J-shaped segment including a tab
extending outwardly therefrom adjacent the second discontinuity,
the tab including an aperture configured to receive a fastener.
2. The clip of claim 1 further comprising a reinforcement of the
second segment adjacent the second central discontinuity.
3. The clip of claim 2 further comprising an embossment for
reinforcement.
4. The clip of claim 1 wherein the second central discontinuity
extends from and is continuous with the first central
discontinuity.
5. The clip of claim 1 wherein the tab extends generally
perpendicularly from the second segment.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure is directed to suspended ceiling grid
systems that include main runners and cross tees, and, more
specifically, to a clip intended for use in seismic zones to permit
limited relative movement between the attached grid members in the
event of an earthquake to reduce the risk of a ceiling
collapse.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In geographical regions subject to earthquakes, buildings
are designed to be stiffer so as to resist horizontal forces, thus
minimizing the amount of relative lateral movement and resultant
damage. Standards applicable to suspended ceiling systems for
buildings in such seismic areas have also been developed. For
example, ASTM E 580-02 provides a standard practice for
"Application of Ceiling Suspension Systems for Acoustical Tile and
Lay-in Panels in Areas Requiring Seismic Restraint." The intent of
this standard practice is to provide an unrestrained ceiling system
designed to accommodate the horizontal movement of the grid network
when loads are applied laterally to a ceiling surface, such as
during a seismic event. Additionally, the 2000 International
Building Code specifies that for ceiling areas exceeding 2,500
square feet, a seismic separation joint or full height partition
shall be provided."
[0003] One way of meeting these requirements is to connect the grid
members of a suspended ceiling system so as to facilitate limited
relative movement between the grid members without the grid members
becoming disconnected. Suspended ceiling grid systems typically
include include "main runners" (typically 12' in length) and "cross
tees" (typically 4' in length), in which both the main runners and
cross tees have an inverted "T" shape, with opposed flanges on the
bottom (on which the edges of the associated ceiling panels rest)
joined to a vertical web with a strengthening bulb at the top. The
main runners/cross tees are typically made in a roll forming
operation from sheet metal.
[0004] Various clips have been developed specifically for use in
seismic zones for securing the grid members to each other. See,
e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,552,567, directed to a perimeter clip, and
U.S. Pat. No. 8,117,793, directed to a separation joint for
connecting grid members end-to-end, both being owned commonly with
the present application. By way of the present disclosure, a
seismic separation clip is provided that may be used either to
secure two main runners in end-to-end relation, or to secure two
cross tees to an associated main runner.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present subject matter has a number of aspects which may
be used in various combinations, and a disclosure of one or more
specific embodiments is for the purpose of disclosure and
description, and not limitation. This summary highlights only a few
of the aspects of this subject matter, and additional aspects are
disclosed in the drawings and the more detailed description that
follows.
[0006] In one aspect, a clip is provided for connecting either main
runners end-to-end, or for connecting cross tees to a main runner,
the main runners and cross tees comprising inverted T-shaped
members with opposed flanges at the lower end, a vertical web
extending upwardly from the flanges, and a strengthening bulb at
the upper end of the web. The clip comprises a first segment having
a vertical portion configured to lie along the vertical web of a
T-shaped member, and having a first central discontinuity to define
first and second halves, the discontinuity permitting the clip to
fit over a two-way intersection of cross tees with a main runner,
each of the first and second halves including an elongated slot
configured to slidably receive a fastener and an aperture
configured to receive a fastener. The clip further comprises a
second inverted generally J-shaped segment extending upwardly from
the first vertical segment configured to receive the strengthening
bulb of a T-shaped member, the second segment including a second
central discontinuity extending from the first central
discontinuity to permit the clip to fit over a two-way intersection
of cross tees with a main runner, the J-shaped segment including a
tab extending outwardly therefrom adjacent the discontinuity, the
tab including an aperture configured to receive a fastener.
[0007] In a further aspect, the J-shaped segment includes a
reinforcement adjacent the discontinuity, preferably an
embossment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] These and other features of the present subject matter are
described in the following detailed description and shown in the
attached figures, of which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clip according to the
present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the clip of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an end view of the clip of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the clip of FIG. 1
being used to secure main runners end-to-end and to secure cross
tees to the main runners.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the clip of FIG. 1
being used to secure cross tees to a main runner in an alternative
arrangement to that shown in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] A more detailed description of a seismic separation clip in
accordance with the present disclosure is set forth below. It
should be understood that the description below of a specific
embodiment is intended to be exemplary, and not exhaustive of all
possible variations or applications. Thus, the scope of the
disclosure is not intended to be limiting, and should be understood
to encompass variations or embodiments that would occur to persons
of ordinary skill.
[0015] With reference to FIGS. 1-3 of the attached drawings, the
clip 10 comprises a first segment 12 with a vertical portion 12a
adapted to lie along the vertical web of an associated grid member
and a horizontal shoulder 12b extending generally perpendicularly
from its upper end. The clip 10 is relieved proximate its
mid-section so that it has a central discontinuity 14 that permits
the clip 10 to accommodate the intersection of a main runner and
cross tees (as will be described in greater detail below). The
discontinuity 14 divides the clip 10 into two halves 16a, 16b. The
halves 16a, 16b each includes an elongated slot 18a, 18b configured
to slidably receive a fastener (e.g., a screw) that secures the
clip 10 to the associated main runner(s) or cross tees to permit
relative movement of the fastener along the length of the slot 18a,
18b (and thus relative movement between the clip and the grid
member). The segments 16a, 16b also each include an aperture 20a,
20b configured to receive a fastener (e.g., a screw) to secure the
clip 10 to the associated main runner(s) or cross tees in the event
that no relative movement between the grid member and the clip 10
is desired.
[0016] The clip 10 further comprises a second segment 22 having a
generally inverted J shape that extends from the vertical segment
12 and is configured to receive/rest on the strengthening bulb of
the associated runners or cross tees. The segment 22 includes a
first vertical portion 22a extending from the horizontal shoulder
12b of the first segment 12, a horizontal portion 22b extending
from the upper end of the first vertical portion 22a, and a second
vertical portion 22c extending downwardly from the horizontal
portion 22b. The central discontinuity 14 extends continuously
upwardly from the first segment into the first vertical portion 22a
of the J-shaped segment 22 adjacent to the horizontal portion 22b,
thus permitting the clip 10 to fit over the reinforcing bulb when
the clip 10 is used to secure cross tees to a main runner. The
J-shaped section 22 also includes a tab 24 extending generally
perpendicularly therefrom, with an aperture 26 that may be used for
receiving a screw to secure the clip to the strengthening bulb of a
main runner when the clip 10 is used in conjunction with the cross
tees. The clip 10 may be strengthened in the area of the central
discontinuity 16 by reinforcing the J-shaped section 22. As shown
in the drawings, the clip may include, e.g., an embossment or
raised rib 28 in horizontal portion 22b overlying the discontinuity
14 for additional rigidity.
[0017] With reference to FIG. 4, the clip 10 is shown in
combination with main runners 30, 32 and 34, and cross tees 36 and
38. As is well known, the main runners and cross tees have a
generally inverted T shape, with opposed flanges 40 at the lower
end on which the edges of associated ceiling panels (not shown)
rest, a vertical web 42, and a strengthening bulb 44.
[0018] In FIG. 4, Clip 10a secures the two main runners 30, 32 in
end-to end relationship, with screws 46 and 48 being received in
the apertures 20a, 20b of the clip so as to secure the clip to main
runner 32 without allowing the clip to move relative to the main
runner 32. The clip 10a is slidably secured to the main runner 30
by a screw 50 received the vertical web of the main runner and
extending through the elongated slot 18a. Under such circumstances,
a gap is created between the ends of the adjacent main runners that
may be closed for aesthetic purposes with a cover plate 52 that is
secured to the flanges of the main runners.
[0019] Clip 10b secures the main runners 32,34 in end-to end
relationship, as described above, and also receives the cross tees
36, 38 in the discontinuity 14 of the clip. With reference to FIG.
5, an alternative is seen in which cross tees 56, 58 are both
secured to a main runner 60 so as to permit relative motion of both
cross tees 56, 58 relative to the main runner 60. In such
circumstances, the clip 10c is aligned with the cross tees 56, 58,
with the cross tees slidably secured to the clip by screws 62a, 62b
received in the vertical webs of the respective cross tees and
extending through the slots 18a, 18b. The clip 10c is also secured
to the bulb 44 of the main runner by a screw 64 received in the
aperture 26 of tab 24.
[0020] It will be understood that the embodiment described above is
illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the
present subject matter. Numerous modifications may be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of
the claimed subject matter, including those combinations of
features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein. For
these reasons, the scope hereof is not limited to the above
description but is as set forth in the following claims, and it is
understood that claims may be directed to the features hereof,
including as combinations of features that are individually
disclosed or claimed herein.
* * * * *