U.S. patent number RE31,201 [Application Number 06/069,774] was granted by the patent office on 1983-04-12 for locking connection for supporting grid systems.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Donn Products Incorporated. Invention is credited to Gale E. Sauer.
United States Patent |
RE31,201 |
Sauer |
April 12, 1983 |
Locking connection for supporting grid systems
Abstract
A first support member having a web with a slot therein and a
second support member having a web provided with an integral
locking connector extending axially therefrom for insertion in the
slot. The connector has a snap locking finger provided with an edge
inclined relative to a true vertical for positive locking
engagement against one side of the first support member web.
Interlocking means are provided on the opposed faces of a pair of
second support member connectors inserted through the slot for
locking the second support members against axial separation.
Inventors: |
Sauer; Gale E. (Williamsville,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Donn Products Incorporated
(Westlake, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
26750410 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/069,774 |
Filed: |
August 27, 1979 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
397432 |
Sep 14, 1973 |
03922829 |
Dec 2, 1975 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/667 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B
9/122 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04B
9/12 (20060101); E04B 9/06 (20060101); E04C
002/42 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/667,484,664 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Friedman; Carl D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Christel, Bean & Linihan
Claims
I claim:
1. A locking connection for supporting grid systems and the like
comprising a first support member having a flange and a web
upstanding therefrom; said web being provided with a slot; a second
support member having a flange and web upstanding therefrom; said
second member web being provided with a locking connector extending
axially therefrom and insertable through said slot; said locking
connector having a first portion engaging one side of said first
support member web and a resiliently yieldable second portion
having a terminal edge inclined at an angle relative to the plane
of said first support member web in the fully assembled relation
therewith; said terminal edge having at least a portion thereof
engaging against the side of said first support member web opposite
said first locking connector portion whereby said first portion and
said edge portion simultaneously engage the opposite sides of said
first support member web in the fully assembled relation
therewith.
2. A locking connection according to claim 1 wherein said
resiliently yieldable second portion comprises a finger struck out
from the body of said connector along a vertical fold line, said
terminal edge being inclined relative to a plane including said
vertical fold line for positive engagement against said opposite
side of first support member web.
3. A locking connector according to claim 1 wherein said
resiliently yieldable second portion is bent about a vertical fold
line having a recessed shoulder formed centrally therealong; a
laterally projecting detent formed in said connector in axially
spaced relation to said recessed shoulder for interlocking
engagement with a corresponding but oppositely facing recessed
shoulder of another second support member connector extending
through said slot.
4. A locking connection according to claim 1 wherein said first
connector portion comprises a stop shoulder engaging said one side
of said first support member web below said slot formed
therein.
5. A locking connection according to claim 1 wherein the distance
between said first portion and said terminal edge portion is no
greater than the thickness of said first support member web. .[.6.
A locking connection for supporting grid systems and the like
comprising: a first support member having a flange and a web
upstanding therefrom; said web being provided with a slot; a pair
of second support members each having a flange and a web upstanding
therefrom; said second member webs being provided with axially
projecting locking connectors insertable from opposite directions
through said slot in a side-by-side relation; each of said locking
connectors having axially spaced portions engagable against the
opposite sides of said first member web for interlocking engagement
therewith, and means interlocking said connectors together in an
assembled relation preventing relative movement of said second
support members away from each other..]. .[.7. A locking connection
according to claim 6 wherein said interlocking means comprises a
recessed shoulder and an axially spaced laterally projecting detent
formed in each connector for interlocking engagement with the
corresponding but oppositely facing detent and
recessed shoulder of the other connector..]. 8. .[.A locking
connection according to claim 6.]. .Iadd.A locking connection for
supporting grid systems and the like comprising: a first support
member having a flange and a web upstanding therefrom; said web
being provided with a slot; a pair of second support members each
having a flange and a web upstanding therefrom; said second member
webs being provided with axially projecting locking connectors
insertable from opposite directions through said slot in a
side-by-side relation; each of said locking connectors having
axially spaced portions engageable against the opposite sides of
said first member web for interlocking engagement therewith; means
interlocking said connectors together in an assembled relation
preventing relative movement of said second support members away
from each other and .Iaddend.wherein one of said web engaging
portions comprises a resiliently yieldable finger struck out from
the body of each connector and having a terminal edge inclined at
an angle relative to the plane of said first support member web in
the fully assembled relation therewith for engagement of at least a
portion thereof with one side of said first support member web in
said
fully assembled relation therewith. 9. A locking connection
according to claim 8 wherein the other of said web engaging
portions comprises a stop shoulder engagable with the other side of
said first support member web. .[.10. A locking connection
according to claim 6 wherein the distance between said web engaging
portions is no greater than the thickness of said first support
member web..].
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to structural connector elements
and, more particularly, to rigid locking connections between
support members used in supporting grid systems.
While not limited thereto, the present invention is particularly
adapted for use in ceiling tile supporting grid systems of the type
comprising a plurality of parallel spaced main grid members and
cross grid members extending transversely between the main grid
members and having end portions insertable through said main grid
members and interlocking therewith. In attempting to provide a
strong, rigid tile supporting grid construction, various types of
locking connectors have been proposed for these cross grid member
end portions. A common expedient is to form resilient locking
fingers struck out laterally from the body of the connector to
provide a vertical abutting edge facing away from the leading end
of the connector and adapted to engage behind the web of the
transversely extending main grid member. Since the resilient
locking finger must pass through the slot of the main grid member
and is then snapped laterally outwardly out of the plane of the
connector body, it is apparent that a slight clearance will exist
between the vertical locking edge of the locking finger and the
main grid member web adjacent the slot thereof. While this
clearance between each intersecting pair of grid members may be
minute, it is cumulative along the entire span of the grid
supporting construction, resulting in a generally loose supporting
grid system.
Also, a problem often is presented with such finger locking
arrangements where building code specifications require a high
pull-apart resistance in disengaging the cross grid members from
the main grid members.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to
obviate the above noted disadvantages by providing an improved
support member locking connector formed with a novel snap locking
arrangement assuring positive engagement with an intersecting
support member for improved rigidity therebetween.
Another object of this invention is to provide the foregoing
connector with opposed portions in bearing engagement against the
opposite sides of an intersecting support member in the final
assembled relation therewith.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved
locking connection interlocking opposed support member connectors
to an intersecting support member and to each other for resisting
axial separation of the support member connectors.
The improved locking connection of the present invention is
characterized by the provision of a main support member having a
slot in its web for receiving a pair of locking connectors
extending from and formed integral with opposed cross support
members, each connector having a stop shoulder for engagement
against one side of the main support member. Each connector also is
provided with a locking finger struck out of the web of the
connector and provided with a locking edge inclined relative to a
true vertical for assuring engagement of at least a portion thereof
with the other side of the main support member to form a tight
connection therewith. Axially spaced locking shoulders on opposed
faces of the side-by-side related connectors are interlockingly
engaged for locking the cross support members against axial
separation.
The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing
features of the present invention will become clearly apparent from
the ensuing detailed description of an illustrative embodiment
thereof, taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein like
reference characters denote like parts throughout the various
views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of intersecting tile
supporting members incorporating the locking connection of this
invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal sectional view of
the assembled members, taken about on line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal sectional view of
one cross support member, showing details of the locking connection
thereof;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of a cross support
member incorporating locking connectors of this invention, being
broken away for ease of illustration;
FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the cross support member of
FIG. 4, looking in the direction of arrows 5--5 in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view, taken about on
line 6--6 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in
vertical section, illustrating the mode of inserting the cross
support member connectors through the main support member slot;
and
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the cross support
members in their final assembled relation with the main support
member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in detail to the illustrative embodiment depicted in
the accompanying drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a ceiling tile
supporting grid system incorporating locking connectors of the
present invention and comprising a main T support member, generally
designated 10, detachably connected to a pair of cross T support
members, generally designated 12. The main T member 10 can be
conveniently fabricated from a single piece of any suitable
material, preferably an inexpensive, lightweight metal such as soft
steel for example, and is formed to provide a generally vertical
double-walled web portion 14 upstanding from laterally projecting,
tile supporting flanges 16 on opposite sides therof and surmounted
by a generally rectangularly box-shaped, longitudinally extending,
reinforcing bead 18. A cap in the form of a decorative strip 20
underlies the opposite flanges 16 and has marginal edges 22 and 24
bent up and over the lateral edges of flanges 16 for securing the
parts in an assembled relation.
Web portion 14 is provided at spaced intervals with rectangular,
normally vertical slots 26 for the reception of the locking
connectors of cross T members 12, only one such slot being
illustrated in the drawings. As shown in FIG. 6, slots 26 are
generally H-shaped, being formed with downwardly and upwardly
projecting tabs 28 and 30, respectively, at the top and bottom of
the slot which serve as partitions or separators between the two
cross T members 12 in the assembled joint.
Each cross T member 12 can be similarly fabricated from a single
piece of any suitable material, such as soft steel by way of
example, and formed to provide a normally vertical, double walled
web portion 32 upstanding from laterally projecting tile supporting
flanges 34 and surmounted by a generally box shaped, longitudinally
extending, reinforcing bead 36. It should be understood that
reinforcing members 18 and 36 can take various shapes in transverse
cross-section, such as a flat horizontal strip, a square box-shaped
configuration, or a curved or rounded bulb shape, as desired.
Flanges 34 are capped by a decorative cover strip 38 having
reversely bent marginal edges 40 and 42 folded over the lateral
edges of flanges 34 for securing strip 38 in the assembled
relation.
The opposite ends of supporting flanges 34 are provided with
upwardly offset lips 44 (FIG. 4) joined to flanges 34 by shoulders
46 normally abutting the lateral edges of the main grid supporting
flanges 16. Lips 44 are adapted to overlie and rest on tile
supporting flanges 16 of main T support member 10 in the assembled
relation.
Cross T members 12 are provided at their opposite ends with locking
connectors, generally designated 48, extending axially outwardly
from the opposite ends of each cross T member 12 and formed
integral therewith. Connectors 48 at the opposite ends of each
cross T member 12 are slightly offset from web portion 32 in
opposite lateral directions, as clearly evident in FIG. 4.
Connectors 48 each include a tongue, generally designated 50,
projecting axially beyond the ends of cross T member 12, and each
tongue 50 is channel shaped in cross section and comprises a
recessed web body 52 and opposed longitudinally extending offset
portions 54 and 56. The channeled configuration of tongues 50
serves to mechanically reinforce them and adds rigidity thereto.
The leading ends of offset portions 54 and 56 are rounded, as shown
at 58 and 60 in FIG. 4, to facilitate insertion of tongue 50 into
slot 26 of main T web 14. Portions 54 and 56 are offset from the
plane of web body 52 and when a pair of oppositely directed tongues
50 are inserted into slot 26 in a side-by-sie relation as shown in
FIG. 6, the opposed web bodies 52 abut and urge the outer opposite
surfaces of offset portions 54 and 56 against the sides of slot 20
to form a tight and substantially rigid connection preventing
rotation or twisting of tongues 50 within slot 26.
Tongues 50 are formed with a stop shoulder 62 projecting downwardly
from the lower edge of offset portion 56 and adapted to abut one
side of web portion 14 of main T support member 10 below slot 26 in
the assembled relation. The portion of offset portion 56 rearwardly
of stop shoulder 62 is increased in depth as shown at 64 and
extends rearwardly into web portion 32, merging into the lower
portion of an elongated embossment 65 which is formed in web
portion 32 adjacent the end thereof and oriented generally parallel
to tongue 50. Also, an upper shoulder 66 projects upwardly from the
upper offset portion 54 and lies in a vertical plane spaced
slightly rearwardly of stop shoulder 62 for limiting the extent to
which connector 48 can be inserted in an inclined orientation into
slot 26 as will hereinafter be more fully explained. The portion of
upper offset portion 54 rearwardly of shoulder 66 is increased in
depth as shown at 68 and extends rearwardly into web portion 32,
merging into the upper portion of an elongated embossment 69 which
is formed in web portion 32 adjacent the end thereof and oriented
generally parallel to tongue 50. Embossments 65 and 69 not only
provide mechanical reinforcements for tongue 50 but also prevent
lateral deflection of such tongue in the assembled joint.
Web body 52 of channeled tongue 50 is provided with a locking
spring finger 70 struck out therefrom and having a web engaging
edge 72 for locking engagement behind web portion 14 of main T
support member 10 on the opposite side thereof from stop shoulder
62. It is a particular feature of this invention that edge 72 is
inclined from the upper portion 74 thereof downwardly and forwardly
toward the leading end of connector 48 at an angle relative to a
plane normal to the longitudinal axis of connector 48. The spacing
between edge upper portion 74 and stop shoulder 62 is no greater
than, and can be slightly less than, the thickness of web portion
14 to insure a tight connection between the intersecting T support
members 10 and 12. The provision of an inclined edge 72 insures
that at least the upper portion 74 of edge 72 will positively
engage against and abut such opposite side of main T member web
portion 14 at all times during the fully assembled interlocked
relation.
In addition to means for interlocking cross T member 12 to main T
member 10, means also are provided for interlocking the cross T
members together in a manner preventing them from being pulled
apart. To this end, an opening 76 is formed in web body 52 upon the
striking out of finger 70, which is bent about a vertical fold line
78. A recessed abutment shoulder 80 (FIG. 3) is formed along fold
line 78 approximately centrally therealong and midway between the
upper and lower edges of spring finger 70 and faces rearwardly
toward web portion 32. Also, an interlocking barb or detent 82 is
formed in web body 52 rearwardly of spring finger 70 and projects
laterally out of the plane of web body 52 in a direction opposite
spring finger 70. Detent 82 is provided with a locking edge in the
form of an abutment shoulder 84 facing rearwardly toward the web
portion 32 and adapted to seat against recessed shoulder 80 of the
other opposed cross T connector 48 in the assembled side-by-side
relation therewith.
When assembling the grid system, connectors 48 are inserted into
slots 26. In the illustrated assembled joint, connectors 48 from
the adjacent ends of aligned cross T support members 12 extend
side-by-side through web portion 14 of main T member 10, as shown
in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8. Stop tabs 28 and 30 are vertically aligned,
and divide each slot 26 into a connected pair of slot portions,
allowing connectors 48 to be inserted into each slot 26 from
opposite sides of main T member web portion 14.
When inserting connector 48 through its side of slot 26, it is
necessary to incline cross T member 12 slightly relative to a
horizontal plane, as shown in FIG. 7 for example, whereby the
leading end of connector 48 is pointed downwardly and the inclined
edge 72 is oriented in a generally vertical plane parallel to main
T member web portion 14. As cross T member 12 is inserted in this
inclined orientation into its side of slot 26, the outer side of
finger 70 bears against the main T member portion 14 defining that
side of slot 20 and finger 70 is cammed out of the way, inwardly
toward web body 52 into opening 76, permitting finger 70 to pass
through slot 20. The resiliency of finger 70 permits deflection by
such camming action without taking a permanent set. The forward end
portion of tongue 50 is confined between tabs 28, 30 and the side
of slot 26. Further insertion of connector 48 through its side of
slot 26 in this inclined orientation causes finger 70 to pass
completely therethrough past web portion 14 so that edge 72 clears
the latter, allowing the resiliently displaced finger 70 to snap
laterally outwardly away from web body 52 behind web portion 14.
Shoulder 66 limits the extent to which connector 48 can be inserted
through slot 26 in this inclined orientation. After finger 70
clears slot 26 and is sprung laterally outwardly, cross T member 12
is pivoted downwardly about a fulcrum defined by the lower edge of
slot 26 from its inclined position to a generally horizontal
position. This brings stop shoulder 62 into engagement against one
side of main T member web portion 14 and causes the upper portion
74 of edge 72 to be reversely swung into locking engagement against
the opposite side of web portion 14 as shown in FIG. 8, preventing
withdrawal of connector 48 from slot 26 and holding the associated
cross T member 12 connected to main T member 10. In this locked
position, shoulder 62 and upper edge portion 74 bear against the
opposite sides of web portion 14, clamping the same therebetween to
insure a tight, self sustaining connection between the intersecting
T support members 10 and 12 and maintains them in a right angular
relation without any clearance or play therebetween. Also, offset
lip 44 of flanges 34 engages against and seats on flange 16 of main
T member 10 with shoulder 46 seating against the flange edge.
Connector 48 of the other cross T member 12 is inserted through the
other side of slot 26 in the same inclined manner from the opposite
side of main T member 10 to form a rigid joint. When such other
cross T member 12 is pivoted into a horizontal position to bring
its respective locking edge portion 74 into engagement with the
main T member web portion 14, detent 82 of each connector 48 is
received in opening 76 of the other connector 48 with its
respective locking edge 84 interlocking with the abutment shoulder
80 formed along the finger fold line 78 of the other connector 48,
preventing withdrawal of cross T members 12 away from each other.
Thus, each cross T member 12 is interlocked with the intersecting
main T member 10 to form a tight joint therewith and is interlocked
with the other opposed cross T member 12 at two axially spaced
points to positively prevent separation of the two away from each
other. Web portion 32 of both cross T members 12 on opposite sides
of main T member 10 lie in a generally common plane in the fully
assembled relation with their respective tongues 50 disposed in a
side-by-side relation to form a rigid locking connection with main
T member 10.
In order to disconnect cross T support member 12, such member 12 is
tilted upwardly to swing upper portion 74 of locking finger edge 72
away from main T member web portion 14 while simultaneously
disengaging shoulders 80 and 84 of one cross T member 12 from
shoulders 84 and 80 of the other cross T member 12, thereby
disconnecting cross T members 12 from each other. The clearance
between shoulder 66 and main T member web portion 14 permits such
upward tilting movement of cross T member 12. Finger 70 is then
resiliently displaced into its associated opening 76 either by hand
or an appropriate tool to move edge 72 from its blocking position
behind web portion 14. With finger 70 depressed, connector 48 is
easily withdrawn from slot 26 thereby disconnecting cross T member
12 from main T member 10.
From the foregoing, it is apparent that the objects of the present
invention have been fully accomplished. An improved locking
connector, formed integral with the web portion of a support
member, is provided for effecting a strong, rigid joint between
transversely extending support members and preventing withdrawal of
axially aligned support members away from each other. The locking
connector is in the form of an offset tongue of channel shaped
configuration and is provided with a locking finger struck out from
the recessed portion of the channeled tongue for locking engagement
behind the web portion of the main T support member. The locking
finger is provided with an inclined locking edge to insure
engagement of at least a portion thereof against the main T member
web portion to provide a tight joint therebetween. The cross T
member is tilted when inserting the connector thereof through the
main T member web portion to orient the locking edge parallel
thereto for passage of the locking edge past such web portion.
After the edge clears the side wall of the main T member slot and
the finger snaps laterally outwardly out of registry with the slot,
the cross T member is swung to a general horizontal position
bringing the stop shoulder 62 into engagement with one side of main
T member web portion 14 and at least a portion, specifically, the
upper portion 74, of the inclined locking edge 72 into bearing
engagement against the opposite side of main T member web portion
14. Moreover, due to the inclination of locking edge 72 and the
assurance that at least a portion thereof will abut against the
main T member web portion, the distance between edge 72 and stop
shoulder 62 needn't be maintained within close tolerances during
fabrication, as otherwise is necessary with known locking finger
interlocks. In addition to the tight interlock between the main T
member and cross T members, the latter are interlocked together by
the recessed shoulder 80 and detent shoulder 84 of one cross T
member engaging with the detent shoulder 84 and recessed shoulder
80 of the other opposed cross T member. This forms a pair of
axially spaced interlocks between the two cross T member connectors
48 and precludes separation of the cross T members away from each
other, adding to the rigidity of the joint.
An illustrative embodiment of this invention having been disclosed
in detail, it is to be understood that this has been done by way of
illustration only.
* * * * *