U.S. patent application number 16/143658 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-24 for high strength grid member for suspended ceilings.
The applicant listed for this patent is Rockwool International A/S. Invention is credited to Michael Corpolongo.
Application Number | 20190024372 16/143658 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63254743 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-24 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190024372 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Corpolongo; Michael |
January 24, 2019 |
HIGH STRENGTH GRID MEMBER FOR SUSPENDED CEILINGS
Abstract
A high-strength grid member is provided that comprises two
standard Tee-shaped grid members that are vertically aligned to
form an I-beam configuration with the strengthening bulbs of each
being spaced apart. A plurality of clips is secured to the
spaced-apart bulbs by means of fasteners to secure the two grid
members together.
Inventors: |
Corpolongo; Michael;
(Chicago, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rockwool International A/S |
Hedehusene |
|
DK |
|
|
Family ID: |
63254743 |
Appl. No.: |
16/143658 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15457350 |
Mar 13, 2017 |
10106982 |
|
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16143658 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 7/0433 20130101;
E04B 9/14 20130101; E04C 2003/0417 20130101; E04C 2003/0456
20130101; F16B 5/0088 20130101; E04B 9/16 20130101; F16B 2/10
20130101; F16B 7/18 20130101; E04B 9/068 20130101; E04C 2003/046
20130101; E04B 9/067 20130101; E04C 2003/0439 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04B 9/06 20060101
E04B009/06; F16B 7/18 20060101 F16B007/18; F16B 7/04 20060101
F16B007/04; F16B 2/10 20060101 F16B002/10 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. The clip of claim 10 wherein the clip further comprises the
first and second planar portions each having a free edge extending
between the upper and lower edges, each of the free edges
comprising a pair of opposed tabs configured to be bendable so as
to engage the reinforcing bulb of the associated grid runner.
8. The clip of claim 10 wherein the clip comprises: i) an
intermediate portion defining the space between the reinforcing
bulbs of the first and second grid runners, ii) upper and lower
portions configured to engage the reinforcing bulbs of the first
and second grid runners, iii) the clip being configured to be
bendable about a central portion to bring the upper and lower
portions into engagement with the reinforcing bulbs, and iv) a
plurality of apertures configured to receive fasteners for securing
the clip to the first and second grid runners.
9. The clip of claim 10 wherein each clip further comprises each of
the upper and lower portions having an extension configured to lie
along the intermediate web of the respective first and second grid
runners, the extensions including interlocking tabs configured to
cooperate with slots formed in the intermediate webs of the first
and second grid runners to secure the clip thereto.
10. A clip for securing first and second suspended ceiling grid
runners in spaced-apart vertical relationship, each grid runner
having a reinforcing bulb having a height and a width, the
reinforcing bulb being connected by an intermediate web to
laterally-extending flanges, the first and second grid runners
being positioned such that the reinforcing bulb of the first grid
runner is adjacent the reinforcing bulb of the second grid runner,
the clip comprising: a) first and second planar portions lying in
spaced-apart parallel planes; b) a third planar portion having a
width connecting the first and second planar portions to each
other; c) the first and second planar portions each having a width
equal to twice the height of the reinforcing bulb of the grid
runners plus the width of the third planar portion; and d) the
first and second planar portions having raised upper and lower
edges configured to engage and locate the reinforcing bulbs of the
grid runners relative to the clip e).
11. The clip of claim 10 wherein the first and second planar
portions are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the width of
the reinforcing bulb.
12. The clip of claim 10 wherein the third planar portion has a
width corresponding to the space between the reinforcing bulbs of
the grid runners.
13. The clip of claim 10 wherein the third planar portion is
aligned along a central axis defined by the first and second planar
portions.
14. The clip of claim 10 wherein the third planar portion is formed
at an oblique angle with respect to both the first and second
planar portions.
15. A method for making a high strength beam for use in a suspended
ceiling grid comprising a plurality of grid runners, each grid
runner having a reinforcing bulb having a height and a width, the
reinforcing bulb being connected by an intermediate web to
laterally-extending flanges, the method comprising: a) placing a
first grid runner and a second grid runner in an aligned, vertical
relationship, such that the reinforcing bulb of the first grid
runner is adjacent to the reinforcing bulb of the second grid
runner and the intermediate webs of the first and second grid
members are substantially co-planar; b) securing one or more clips
to one or both of the reinforcing bulb and intermediate web of each
of the first grid runner and the second grid runner to maintain the
first and second grid runners in the aligned, vertical
relationship.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the reinforcing bulb of the
first grid runner is spaced from the reinforcing bulb of the second
grid runner.
17. (canceled)
18. The clip of claim 10 further comprising apertures located in
each of the first and second planar portions configured to receive
fasteners for securing each of the first and second planar portions
to the reinforcing bulbs of the grid runners.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present application relates to suspended ceiling grid
systems and, more particularly, to a high strength beam that may be
incorporated into a grid system of standard grid components.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In a typical suspended ceiling, a grid of metal beams for
supporting ceiling panels and lighting fixtures is assembled and
supported by hanger wires tied into an upper structural ceiling.
However, there are situations where the plenum between the grid and
the structural ceiling is occupied by structures such as air ducts
for HVAC, electrical conduits, water lines and the like, where
hanger wires cannot be easily used to support the grid.
[0003] In such situations, standard Tee-shaped grid members may not
have a sufficient moment of inertia to resist bending under load in
the absence of hanger wires or other means of support being secured
to the grid member intermediate its ends.
[0004] By way of the invention described herein, a high-strength
beam for a suspended ceiling grid system is provided that is
constructed of standard Tee-shaped grid members and which exhibits
a sufficient resistance to bending that it may be used in grid
systems without needing to be supported intermediate its ends.
SUMMARY
[0005] A beam for a suspended ceiling grid system is provided that
comprises first and second suspended ceiling grid runners in
spaced-apart vertical relationship. Each grid runner has a
reinforcing bulb, with the reinforcing bulb being connected by an
intermediate web to laterally-extending flanges configured to
support the edges of ceiling panels associated with the grid
system.
[0006] In one aspect of the invention, the first and second grid
runners are positioned in generally vertical, spaced-apart
alignment, with the reinforcing bulb of the first grid runner
adjacent the reinforcing bulb of the second grid runner, thus
approximating in appearance an I-beam. The reinforcing bulbs define
an open space between the first and second grid runners, and at
least one clip (and preferably at least two clips) is provided for
connecting the first grid runner to the second grid runner in
spaced apart relationship.
[0007] In keeping with another aspect of the invention, the clip
comprises first and second planar portions that lie in parallel
planes that are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the width
of the bulb of the grid runner. The clip includes a third planar
portion that has a width corresponding to the open space between
the reinforcing bulbs of the grid runners. The third planar portion
connects the first and second planar portions to each other. The
third planar portion is aligned along a central axis defined by the
first and second planar portions, and is formed at an oblique angle
with respect to both the first and second planar portions.
[0008] The first and second planar portions of the clip each have a
width equal to twice the height of the reinforcing bulb of the grid
runners plus the width of the third planar portion. The first and
second planar portions further have raised upper and lower edges
configured to engage and locate the reinforcing bulbs of the grid
runners relative to the clip.
[0009] Each of the first and second planar portions includes
apertures configured to receive fasteners for securing each of the
first and second planar portions to the first and second grid
runners.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an I-beam for a suspended
ceiling grid system assembled from two standard grid runners in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the I-beam of FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an end view of the I-beam of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a clip for use in assembling
the I-beam of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an end view of the clip taken from the right side
of FIG. 4.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top view of the clip of FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
clip for securing first and second grid runners together in an
I-beam configuration.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an I-beam configuration
using the clip of FIG. 7.
[0018] FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views of a third embodiment
of a clip for securing first and second grid runners together in an
I-beam configuration.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of
an I-beam configuration using the clip of FIGS. 9A and 9B.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an I-beam configuration
using the clip of FIGS. 9A and 9B.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a
clip for securing first and second grid runners together in an
I-beam configuration.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of
an I-beam configuration using the clip of FIG. 12.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an I-beam configuration
using the clip of FIG. 12.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a grid system using I-beam
grid members as shown in FIG. 1 in combination with standard cross
tee members.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a grid system using I-beam
grid members as shown in FIG. 1 in combination with standard main
runners and cross tees.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 16 also
showing the plenum above the grid occupied by structures such as
air ducts for HVAC, electrical conduits, water lines and the
like.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] A more detailed description of a high-strength I-beam grid
member in accordance with the present disclosure is set forth
below. It should be understood that the description 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.
[0028] Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is seen a high-strength grid
member, generally designated 10, comprised of two standard
Tee-shaped grid members 12, 14. As is well known, each Tee-shaped
grid member comprises opposed flanges 16 joined by an intermediate
web 18 to a strengthening bulb 20. The webs 18 are formed with
regularly-spaced slots 22 and apertures 24 for receiving, e.g.,
connectors of cross tees that are used in combination with a
plurality of grid members 10 to form a grid system (such as shown
in FIGS. 7-9).
[0029] The grid members 12, 14 are vertically aligned to form an
I-beam configuration (best appreciated with reference to FIG. 3),
with the strengthening bulbs 18 of each being spaced apart. A
plurality of clips 26, described in greater detail below, are
secured to the spaced-apart bulbs 18 by means of fasteners 28, such
as self-tapping sheet metal screws, to secure the first grid member
12 to the second grid member 14.
[0030] More specifically, and with reference to FIGS. 4-6, each
clip 26 comprises first and second planar portions 30, 32 that lie
in parallel planes that are spaced apart a distance "d"
corresponding generally to the width of the strengthening bulbs 18
of the grid members 12, 14, which is typically on the order of
approximately 0.25 inches. The clip 26 includes a third planar
portion 34 that has a width "w.sub.1" that defines the open space
between the reinforcing bulbs 18 of the grid runners 12, 14 when
they are combined to form the I-beam. The third planar portion 34
connects the first and second planar portions 30, 32 to each other,
is aligned along a central axis "X" defined by the first and second
planar portions 30, 32, and is formed at an oblique angle "a" with
respect to both the first and second planar portions. By way of
example, a may be approximately 21.degree..
[0031] The first and second planar portions 30, 32 of the clip each
have a width "w.sub.2" equal to twice the height of the reinforcing
bulb 18 of the grid runners plus the width "w.sub.1" of the third
planar portion 34. By way of example, w.sub.2 may be approximately
1.5 inches. The first and second planar portions of the clip
further have raised upper and lower edges 36 configured to engage
edge of the reinforcing bulb 18 where it joins with the web 20 of
its respective grid runner 12 or 14. By way of example, the edges
may extend approximately 0.1 inch perpendicularly to the face of
their respective planar portions.
[0032] Each of the first and second planar portions 30, 32 also
includes apertures 38 configured to receive the fasteners 28 for
securing each of the first and second planar portions 30, 32 to the
reinforcing bulbs 18 of both grid runners 12, 14.
[0033] Alternate embodiments of the clip 26 may be provided.
Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8, a first alternate embodiment of a clip 60
is shown. The clip 60 is similar to clip 26, described above.
However, the first and second planar portions 30, 32 of the clip
further include a pair of opposed tabs 62, 64 on the free edge
extending between the upper and lower edges 36. The tabs 62, 64 are
configured to be bendable, so as to engage the reinforcing bulb 20
of the associated grid runner 12 or 14, as best seen in FIG. 8. The
tabs 62, 64 are formed with relieved areas, such as cut-outs 66, to
facilitate their bending at the desired location.
[0034] With reference to FIGS. 9-11, a second alternate embodiment
of a clip 70 is shown. In this embodiment, clip 70 comprises an
intermediate portion 72 that is sized in width to define the space
between the reinforcing bulbs 20 of the first and second grid
runners 12, 14. Upper and lower portions 74, 76 extend from the
intermediate portion 72 that include raised edges 78 configured to
engage the reinforcing bulbs 20 of the first and second grid
runners 12, 14. The clip 70 is further configured to be bendable
about a central portion 80 to bring the upper and lower portions
76, 74 into engagement with the reinforcing bulbs 20, as shown in
FIGS. 10 and 11. A plurality of apertures 82 configured to receive
fasteners 28 is provided for securing the clip 70 to the first and
second grid runners 12, 14.
[0035] FIGS. 12-14 depict a third alternate embodiment of a clip 84
similar to the bendable clip 70 shown in FIGS. 9-11. Each of the
lower and upper portions 74, 76 of the clip 84 further includes an
extension 86, 88 configured to lie along the intermediate web 18 of
the respective first and second grid runners 12, 14. The extensions
86, 88 include interlocking tabs 90, 92 configured to cooperate
with slots 22 formed in the intermediate webs 18 of the first and
second grid runners 12, 14 to secure the clip 84 thereto.
[0036] In light of the above, a high strength beam for use in a
suspended ceiling grid system may be assembled by placing a first
grid runner and a second grid runner in an aligned, vertical
relationship in which the reinforcing bulb of the first grid runner
is adjacent to the reinforcing bulb of the second grid runner and
the intermediate webs of the grid runners are substantially
co-planar. Preferably, the reinforcing bulbs of the two grid
runners are spaced apart. Then, one or more clips are secured to
one or both of the intermediate web and reinforcing bulbs of the
two grid runners to maintain the two grid runners in the aligned,
vertical relationship, so that the assembled grid members have an
I-beam cross section. Preferably, the clips are secured to the grid
runners by fasteners, such as screws.
[0037] A high strength grid member as described above provides many
advantages over standard Tee-shaped grid members. The high-strength
runner can be run over longer spans with fewer hanger wires. Such a
high strength runner is particularly advantageous for use in
corridors, where the width can be spanned with a single
high-strength runner that is supported on its ends with no hanger
wires, thus providing for faster installation and fewer
obstructions in the plenum above the grid.
[0038] Further, because the high strength grid described herein is
made of standard Tee-shaped grid members, it can easily and quickly
be assembled on-site, from readily available grid components that
are already on-hand, without any special tools required for
assembly. Because the clips do not block the slotting features of
the grid runners in the assembled high strength runner, it can be
easily integrated into standard grid systems to form hybrid
suspension grids, thus permitting an installer to customize the
suspension on-site grid to provide the higher strength only where
required (so as to, e.g., accommodate specific areas where hanger
wires cannot be conveniently used due to obstructions in the
plenum).
[0039] With reference to FIGS. 15-17, several suspension grid
systems utilizing high strength grid runners 10 as described above
are shown. With reference to FIG. 15, a grid system 40 that could
be used in, e.g., a corridor, is shown. The system 40 employs four
high-strength grid runners 10 (typically 12 feet in length) that
span the width of the corridor, with cross tees 42 running between
adjacent high strength runners, the connectors on the ends of the
cross tees 42 being received in the slots 22 of the lower
Tee-shaped grid member 12 of the high strength runner. Each high
strength runner is supported with a single hanger wire 44 located
mid-span, where three hanger wires would typically be required with
standard grid members. The ends of the high strength runners 10 are
supported by or secured to the walls of the corridor by perimeter
trim members (not shown) that are well known in the art.
[0040] FIG. 16 shows a portion of a suspension grid system 46
utilizing a plurality of standard Tee-shaped main runners 48, with
cross tees 50 that span between adjacent main runners 48, in which
a central portion of the grid system 46 is reinforced by securing a
second standard Tee-shaped main runner 52 to the grid with three
clips 26 to reinforce the grid in an area where two cross tees
intersect and connect to a main runner. Thus, the grid system 46
can be suspended from a series of hanger wires 54, but not require
a hanger wire in the area where the second main runner 52 is
secured to the grid system. FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 16, but
shows a series of main runners 52 that are secured to the grid to
reinforce the grid in an area where ductwork 54 and conduit 56 are
located in the plenum so that hanger wires cannot be attached to
the grid in the reinforced area.
[0041] Thus, a high-strength beam for a suspended ceiling grid
system is provided that is constructed of standard Tee-shaped grid
members and a plurality of specially-designed clips. The resultant
beam exhibits a sufficient resistance to bending that it may be
used in grid systems without needing to be supported intermediate
its ends. While certain specific embodiments have been shown and
described, there Is no intent to limit the invention to the same,
but is instead intended to be defined by the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *