Ceiling System Suspension Clip

Abstract

A U-shaped clip is fastened directly to the ceiling joists. Into the clip member is inserted a simple conventional runner member to which is fastened the ceiling tile. A spring finger structure is utilized to hold the runner member relative to the clip member.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is directed to an improvement in the clip structure set forth in commonly owned co-pending patent application Ser. No. 243,270, filed Apr. 12, 1972, in the name of James E. Hazeley, and entitled "Ceiling System Suspension Clip and Runner".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is directed to a suspended ceiling system and, more particularly, to a clip and runner structure for a suspended ceiling system.

2. Description of the Prior Art

U. S. Pat. Nos. 3,046,620 and 3,225,394 are both examples of clips which are fastened to a ceiling joist for the purpose of assisting in the suspension of a ceiling system. The clips are also fastened to furring strip members into which the ceiling tile are nailed.

U. S. Pat. No. 3,263,388 is directed to a ceiling tile hanger structure wherein a clip element is nailed to the underside of a joist member. The clip member contains a serrated jaw structure and the vertical web of a runner member contains a serrated edge. The serrated jaw structure of the clip engages the vertical web of the runner to hold the two elements in position relative to each other. The ceiling runner then carries the ceiling tiles.

The above-mentioned co-pending application discloses a spring-clip structure which is fastened to the joists of an overlying ceiling system. A conventional runner structure is used to engage the spring clip member and hold the two members together relative to each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The suspended ceiling system herein is composed of two main components. The first component is a U-shaped clip which is used to fasten the ceiling system to the ceiling joists. The U-shaped clip has small hooks on the legs of the U, and these hooks face inwardly and grasp the sides of the ceiling joist when the clip is slid on the bottom of the ceiling joist. A slot arrangement is provided in the base of the U-shaped clip. Spring fingers project into this slot arrangement. The vertical web of a conventional runner structure is inserted into the slot portion of the spring clip by pushing the vertical web of the runner past the spring fingers. The spring fingers then hold the vertical web of the runner structure in position in the slot of the U-shaped clip. By use of the above simple two-part structure, it is very easy for the ordinary individual to place a suspended ceiling tile system in a home utilizing a conventional runner structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. I is a front view of the clip invention herein;

FIG. II is a bottom view of the clip invention herein; and

FIG. III is a side view of the clip invention herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The suspended ceiling system invention herein is basically composed of two major components. The first component is a U-shaped clip 2 which has a bottom section 4 and two sides 6. The width of the bottom 4 is approximately equal to that of the ceiling joist; that is, approximately 1 1/2inches. The clip 2 is made of spring steel or a resilient-type material such that the sides 6 on the upper part of the clip are closer together than are the portions of the sides adjacent the bottom 4. Therefore, when the clip is slipped over a ceiling joist, the sides 6 will resiliently press against the sides of the joist. A series of tangs or hooks 8 are stamped in the sides of the clip and are pointed so that they tend to dig into the sides of the ceiling joist. The tangs are pointed in the direction of the bottom of the U so that a downward pull on the clip, when it is placed on the joist, will tend to dig the tangs into the sides of the joist and provide a better gripping action of the clip on the joist. The bottom 4 of the clip is actually in two levels. The first level of the bottom 4 includes the portions 10 of the clip structure. Positioned below the portions 10, in a lower plane, is portion 11. These portions 10 and 11 are connected by connecting walls 12. As best shown in FIG. III, a slot 13 passes through the connecting walls 12. From the portion 11 extends spring fingers 14 which project partly into the slot structure 13. The purpose of this structure will be set forth later on.

The second major part of the ceiling system is the runner structure 16. The runner structure is a conventional runner structure which is composed of a vertical web 18 and two side flanges 20 and 22 which extend outwardly perpendicularly from the vertical web. On the side flanges 20 and 22 will be supported the ceiling tiles or ceiling panels.

The clip and runner assembly are assembled by inserting the vertical web 18 of the runner into the slot 13 of the clip. The vertical web 18 is pushed past the spring fingers 14 which are spaced apart less than the thickness of the vertical web. The spring fingers are inclined slightly in an upward direction, that is, in the direction in which the vertical web is pushed as it is inserted into slot 13. An attempt now to pull the vertical web 18 out of the slot 13 will be against the inclined spring fingers 14. The more pressure that is applied downwardly on the runner structure, the more tendency there is to bind the spring fingers 14 tighter into the vertical web 18. There is thus provided a very unique way of holding a conventional runner structure in position relative to the ceiling joist.

By providing a plurality of clip members on a series of adjacent joists and by sliding the vertical web of a runner structure into the slots 13 of the clips 2, there is provided a mounted runner which has flanges 20 and 22 which are capable of receiving and supporting ceiling tiles or panels. By spacing a plurality of the runner structures in parallel rows adjacent to each other, separated by the width of a ceiling panel or tile, it is possible to install a complete ceiling system fastened directly to the ceiling joists of a room. There is thus provided a very simple two-part structure for suspending ceiling tiles from the ceiling joists of a home. This structure is very simple to install and may be readily installed by the average person.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A ceiling suspension system comprising a generally U-shaped clip with resilient sides which are normally spaced apart a distance less than that of the width of a ceiling joist so that the clip may be slid on the bottom of a ceiling joist and will resiliently engage the sides of the ceiling joist, the bottom of the clip is provided with a fixed size nonyielding slot structure and resilient spring fingers extend into the slot structure, a runner member of conventional design with a generally straight-sided vertical web is slid into the slot of the clip past the spring finger edges, whereby the spring fingers then prevent removal of the vertical web of the runner from the slot structure if force is applied to remove the runner from the slot in a direction opposite from that in which the runner was placed in the slot.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the spring fingers are inclined into the slot in a direction relative to that which the vertical web of the runner is pushed to place the vertical web of the runner in the slot.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the legs of the clip structure are provided with tangs which dig into the sides of the ceiling joist due to the resilient sides of the clip and the resiliency of the clip and the tangs enable the clip to grasp and resiliently engage the sides of the ceiling joist.

4. A ceiling suspension system comprising a generally U-shaped clip with two resilient side legs which are normally spaced apart a distance less than that of the width of a ceiling joist so that the clip may be slid on the bottom of a ceiling joist and will resiliently engage the sides of the ceiling joist, said U-shaped clip also having a bottom section joining together the two leg structures, said bottom section of the clip and the lower portion of the legs of the clip being provided with a fixed size-nonyielding slot structure, which extends through the bottom of the clip and the bottom of the legs of the clip in the same place which contains the legs and bottom section of the clip, resilient spring fingers extending into the plane of the slot structure and extending from the bottom section of the U-shaped clip, and a runner member of conventional design with a generally straight-sided vertical web adapted to be slid into the slot of the clip past the spring finger ends, whereby the spring fingers then prevent removal of the vertical web of the runner from the slot structure if force is applied to remove the runner from the slot in a direction opposite from that in which the runner was placed in the slot.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the spring fingers are inclined into the slot in a direction relative to that which the vertical web of the runner is pushed to place the vertical web of the runner in the slot.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the legs of the clip structure are provided with tangs which dig into the sides of the ceiling joist due to the resilient sides of the clip and the resiliency of the clip and the tangs enable the clip to grasp and resiliently engage the sides of the ceiling joist.