Abstract: A short cross member for a narrow utility channel formed of malleable sheet metal and having a vertical double ply web and a horizontal flange symmetrically disposed on both sides of a lower edge of the web, integral end connectors formed on each end of the cross member from sheet material contiguous with the web, the integral end connectors being arranged to support the flange in coplanar relation with flanges of the channel, the end connectors and the web being weakened at a predetermined vertical line whereby the cross member can be assembled in a narrow channel by bending at the associated line of weakness to shorten the effective overall length of the cross member.

Abstract: An elongated stabilizer bar for maintaining a pair of grid runners in parallel upright positions to support a panel on respective grid runner support surfaces, the stabilizer bar having a horizontal leg and a vertical leg, the horizontal leg having self-penetrating tabs arranged to pierce and thereby grip a core of the panel to fix the stabilizer bar to the panel, a vertical leg having a vertical slot at each end, the slot having an open bottom, the slot having a horizontal width adapted to receive and confine an upper reinforcing bulb of a respective one of the pair of grid runners to thereby restrain the respective grid runner against excessive bowing and twisting deflection.

Abstract: A runner hanger comprising a metal strip having a plurality of spaced upper holes, a lower portion including a lower edge interrupted by a series of regularly spaced notches, the notches being configured to receive a hollow reinforcing bulb of a grid runner extending transversely to the hanger, the notch having a pair of longitudinally spaced ledges configured to support the bottom sides of a reinforcing bulb, the notches having a bendable tab carrying one of the ledges, the tabs being precision machine bent at an angle relative to a plane of the lower portion that allows a grid runner reinforcing bulb to be inserted when tilted in the associated notch and prevents the bulb from falling out of the notch when the runner is upright.

Abstract: A suspended ceiling grid assembly including parallel spaced main runners and pairs of cross runners on opposite sides of a main runner, the main runners having vertical slots spaced along their lengths, the cross runners having end connectors mutually inter-engaged in a common main runner slot, a brace stabilizing the pair of cross runners against relative hinge action in a vertical plane, the brace being a thin metal body having a cross section complimentary to a cross section of the cross runners, the brace abutting sides of the cross runners and being rigidly attached thereto.

Abstract: A sheet metal fastener and method of use with a low density porous ceiling panel, the fastener comprising a plurality of blades adapted to be manually driven into a backside of a low density fibrous ceiling panel core, each blade being arranged to be pivoted about a horizontal axis in a direction opposite another one of the blades while embedded in the core to fix the fastener to the panel and an upstanding structure attached to said blades adapted to project upwardly from a rear side of the panel and having an aperture for receiving a suspension wire.

Abstract: A curvable grid tee for suspending drywall capable of being configured vertically into convex or concave shapes comprising a series of identical web segments joined end-to-end, the segments being formed of sheet metal into a tee shaped cross section, the sheet metal of a segment being folded such that each segment has a vertical double layer stem with the stem layers joined at a common fold at upper edges thereof, the sheet metal at lower edges of each layer of the stem being bent outwardly to form a flange, a junction between adjacent segments permitting such adjacent segments to be angularly displaced relative to one another in a vertical plane such that the flanges are capable of supporting a drywall panel in a curved plane.

Abstract: A sheet metal fastener and method of use with a low density porous ceiling panel, the fastener comprising a plurality of blades adapted to be manually driven into a backside of a low density fibrous ceiling panel core, each blade being arranged to be pivoted about a horizontal axis in a direction opposite another one of the blades while embedded in the core to fix the fastener to the panel and an upstanding structure attached to said blades adapted to project upwardly from a rear side of the panel and having an aperture for receiving a suspension wire.

Abstract: A single piece sheet metal clip including a trim engaging part and a mounting part extending or extendable from the trim engaging part at a right angle, the trim engaging part having a limited height when the clip is tilted from a vertical portion and a height greater than the limited height when upright whereby the trim engaging part may be inserted between opposed channels on a rear side of a trim strip and upper and lower edges are trapped in a respective channel when rotated from the tilted position to an upright position, the trim engaging part having an integral element resiliently deflected in a channel when the clip is turned upright, said resilient element releasably locking the clip against a reversal of said movement and thereby maintaining the trim engaging part trapped in said channels.

Abstract: A clip for mounting an elongated trim strip on ends of ceiling grid runners, having a right angle configuration with two intersecting legs, one leg adapted to laterally abut an end of a grid runner and the other being adapted to engage the trim strip, said other leg having oppositely extending upper and lower grips for reception into upper and lower opposing channels of the trim strip, the grips being relatively moveable, and a toggle arrangement for moving said grips away from one another, when retracted, the grips being capable of passing between the opposed channels, the toggle arrangement selectively maintaining said grips in an extended position to frictionally lock onto the opposed channels of the trim strip.

Abstract: A single piece sheet metal clip including a trim engaging part and a mounting part extending or extendable from the trim engaging part at a right angle, the trim engaging part having a limited height when the clip is tilted from a vertical portion and a height greater than the limited height when upright whereby the trim engaging part may be inserted between opposed channels on a rear side of a trim strip and upper and lower edges are trapped in a respective channel when rotated from the tilted position to an upright position, the trim engaging part having an integral element resiliently deflected in a channel when the clip is turned upright, said resilient element releasably locking the clip against a reversal of said movement and thereby maintaining the trim engaging part trapped in said channels.

Abstract: A curvable grid tee for suspending drywall capable of being configured vertically into convex or concave shapes comprising a series of identical web segments joined end-to-end, the segments being formed of sheet metal into a tee shaped cross section, the sheet metal of a segment being folded such that each segment has a vertical double layer stem with the stem layers joined at a common fold at upper edges thereof, the sheet metal at lower edges of each layer of the stem being bent outwardly to form a flange, a junction between adjacent segments permitting such adjacent segments to be angularly displaced relative to one another in a vertical plane such that the flanges are capable of supporting a drywall panel in a curved plane.

Abstract: A roll-formed grid runner comprising a sheet metal strip folded into an upper hollow single wall reinforcing bulb, a double wall web below the bulb, a channel extending laterally from both sides of a lower end of the web to a bend and upwardly from the bend to a panel supporting elevation, the bend on each side of the web existing at a longitudinally extending score line where a thickness of the strip is locally reduced.

Abstract: A sheet metal clip for connecting the ends of three or four grid runners with their longitudinal axii intersecting at a common center and at obtuse or acute angles relative to each other, the clip having a leg for each one of the grid runners, each leg, in use, extending in a vertical plane from the center and being permanently bendable at the center to allow the leg to be adjusted to a desired angle of a respective grid runner.

Abstract: A clip for mounting an elongated trim strip on ends of ceiling grid runners, having a right angle configuration with two intersecting legs, one leg adapted to laterally abut an end of a grid runner and the other being adapted to engage the trim strip, said other leg having oppositely extending upper and lower grips for reception into upper and lower opposing channels of the trim strip, the grips being relatively moveable, and a toggle arrangement for moving said grips away from one another, when retracted, the grips being capable of passing between the opposed channels, the toggle arrangement selectively maintaining said grips in an extended position to frictionally lock onto the opposed channels of the trim strip.

Abstract: A seismic bracket for supporting ends of suspended ceiling grid runners from a wall comprising a stamped sheet metal body, the body having a horizontally extending portion and a vertically extending portion, the vertically extending portion, in its installed position, rising above the top of a standard grid runner a distance at least 1½ times the height of such standard grid runner, the vertically extending portion having two sections generally coextensive in the vertical direction, a first section being integral with the horizontally extending portion and a second section arranged to be in a vertical plane that intersects a vertical plane occupied by the horizontally extending portion, the horizontally extending portion being arranged to support a grid runner to move longitudinally a limited distance, the second section of the vertically extending portion having an aperture for securing the bracket to the wall at a location substantially above the grid tee.

Abstract: A sheet metal yoke for supporting a pair of main runners of a suspended ceiling grid in parallel alignment with a relatively narrow spacing, the yoke having an inverted U-shape with a horizontal span and a depending leg adjacent each end of the span, a lower end of each leg having a tab extending towards the other leg, the tab being proportioned to fit in a cross runner slot of a main runner and being capable of vertically supporting the main runner at a desired elevation.

Abstract: A sheet metal yoke for supporting a pair of main runners of a suspended ceiling grid in parallel alignment with a relatively narrow spacing, the yoke having an inverted U-shape with a horizontal span and a depending leg adjacent each end of the span, a lower end of each leg having a tab extending towards the other leg, the tab being proportioned to fit in a cross runner slot of a main runner and being capable of vertically supporting the main runner at a desired elevation.

Abstract: A cross runner connector receivable in a through runner hole that locks with an identical opposed connector and locks with the through runner hole with increased tensile strength, both locks being releasable without tools by manipulation of the associated cross runner.

Abstract: A wall brace support for an acoustical ceiling tee having a bulb includes an elongated main portion having two ends; a wall attachment tab at one of the ends, the tab being operable to abut the wall and receive at least one fastener therethrough to fasten the tab to the wall; and an acoustical ceiling tee attachment structure at the other end, the structure being operable to receive at least one fastener therethrough to fasten the structure to the bulb at a location spaced away from the wall.