Channel-beam Clamp

Abstract

In a suspended ceiling grid system, a channel-beam clamp comprising a C-shaped body member having a channel-receiving notch, a top tab extending downwardly and adapted to hook over a channel, a locking tab adapted to be bent to a vertical position to lock the clamp around the channel, attachment prongs having jaws adapted to clamp a bulb of a ceiling grid member, an inverted U-shaped locking skirt adapted to be slid downwardly over the attachment prongs so that said legs lock the jaws in position on the bulb, and a lance formed in one of the prongs for preventing upward movement of the locking skirt.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to suspended ceiling systems, and more particularly relates to a channel-beam clamp for suspending the interlocking members of a suspended ceiling grid system from a series of channels.

Suspended ceiling grid systems must be supported or suspended from the other elements in a building structure. Conventionally, the grid system members are suspended by wires. However, the building codes of some jurisdictions prohibit the use of wires and require the use of black channels which are positioned about 4 feet apart.

The ceiling grid members must be supported from these channels by a means which is safe, strong, easily and quickly attached to the channel and to the ceiling grid member, and which locks securely in place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide such means for suspending ceiling grid members from channels. It is another object to provide such means which is simple and relatively inexpensive.

The objects of this invention are accomplished by providing a channel-beam clamp which hooks over the channel and is locked thereto by a locking tab, and which clamps onto the bulb of the ceiling grid member and is locked thereto by a locking skirt that is prevented from upward movement by a locking lance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will further become apparent hereinafter and in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the top of a ceiling grid structure showing channels and channel-beam clamps attaching the channels to ceiling grid members;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of a channel-beam clamp constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the channel-beam clamp shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the locking skirt which forms an element of the channel-beam clamp.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although specific terms are used in the following description for clarity, these terms are used to refer only to the structure shown in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Turning now to the specific embodiment of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a partial view in perspective of a suspended ceiling grid system 11 including a plurality of interlocking main beams or members 13 and cross tees or members 15. Each of the main and cross members 13, 15 have a vertical fin 17, outwardly projecting horizontal flanges 19 at the bottom of the fin, and a bulb 21 at the top of fin 17. Bulb 21 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as being round, but it may be square, rectangular, or any other suitable configuration.

The horizontal flanges 19 of grid members 13, 15 support ceiling tiles 23, and the grid members are supported from a series of channels 25 by a plurality of channel beam clamps 27.

Channel-beam clamps 27 comprise a C-shaped body member having an upright portion 29 with a top portion 31 and a bottom portion 33 extending therefrom to define a channel-receiving notch 35. A top tab 37 extends downwardly from the end of top portion 31 and is adapted to hook over channel 25. A locking tab 39 extends horizontally from bottom portion 33 and is adapted to be bent to a vertical position to lock the clamp 27 around channel 11.

Three attachment prongs 41--43 extend downwardly from bottom portion 33 and are provided with curved jaws 45 that are adapted to clamp around the bulb 21 of a ceiling grid member with prong 42 on one side of the bulb and prongs 41 and 43 on the other.

An inverted U-shaped locking skirt 47 having a pair of legs 49 depending from a horizontal base 51 is provided with a slot 53 that receives prongs 41--43. Skirt 47 is adapted to be slid downwardly over the attachment prongs 41--43 so that legs 49 contact and lock the jaws 45 in position on the bulb 21.

To insure that locking skirt 47 remains in place and does not ride or move upwardly, a locking lance 55 is formed or punched in prong 42, and the bottom of lance 55 is adapted to contact the top of locking skirt base 51 to prevent upward movement of locking skirt 47. Slot 53 includes an enlarged central portion 57 which is adapted to slide downwardly more easily over lance 55.

In operation, the channel-beam clamps 27 are attached to channels 25 by hooking top tab 37 over the channels and bending locking tab 39 upwardly to lock the clamp 27 in place on the channel. The clamps 27 are attached to ceiling grid members 13, 15 by placing the prong jaws 45 around bulb 21, and sliding locking skirt 47 downwardly so that legs 49 clamp the jaws in place around the bulb. During the downward movement of skirt 47, locking lance 55 moves inwardly to allow the skirt to pass, and then springs outwardly to prevent the skirt 47 from moving upwardly.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a presently preferred embodiment. Various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of parts. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts may be reversed, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the subjoined claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. In a suspended ceiling grid system, a channel-beam clamp comprising first means for attaching to a channel, second means for attaching to a ceiling grid member, said second means including attachment prongs of sheet material formed by slits and having jaws adapted to clamp between them a bulb of a ceiling grid member, a first locking means mounted on the prongs for locking the clamping jaws in place, and second locking means on the prongs for locking the first locking means in place, said first locking means comprising an inverted U-shaped locking skirt having a pair of legs depending from a slotted horizontal base which receives the prongs, said locking skirt being adapted to be slid downwardly over the attachment prongs so that said legs lock the jaws in position on the bulb, said first attaching means comprising a C-shaped body member having an upright portion with top and bottom horizontal portions extending therefrom to define a channel-receiving notch, a top tab extending downwardly from the end of the top horizontal portion and adapted to hook over a channel, and a locking tab extending from the bottom portion and adapted to be bent to a vertical position to lock the clamp around the channel.

2. The clamp of claim 1 wherein said second locking means comprises a lance formed in one of the prongs for preventing upward movement of said first locking means.