Trim of a ceiling system and method of assembling the same
A ceiling trim comprising a plurality of trim elements and a plurality of connector clips for connecting abutting trim elements to form a continuous beam free of imperfections. Each connector clip is formed of a single elongated plate and includes first and second end sections. Each of the first and second end sections include a longitudinally extending web and a means for securing the end sections to the trim elements. The connector clip also has an intermediate section which integrally connects the first and second end sections. The intermediate section has a means for cinching together the edges of adjacent trim elements to provide a ceiling edge having a clean, finished appearance.
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/491,057, filed Jul. 30, 2003.
BACKGROUNDThe invention relates generally to suspended ceiling systems, and more particularly to a connector clip and a method of assembling the trim of a suspended ceiling system using the connector clip of the invention.
Suspended ceiling systems are common in the building industry. Certain suspended ceiling designs require a floating edge ceiling, or island ceiling, where one or more edges of the ceiling system do not extend all the way to the wall of a structure, and, therefore, are exposed. These floating edge ceilings are in increasing demand as such systems provide an architect with substantially unlimited aesthetic variations in a ceiling system.
These floating edge ceiling systems typically include trim elements which provide a finished edge to the suspended ceiling system and support for border panels. Where the length of the ceiling edge is longer than the individual length of a trim element, a number of trim elements may be butt-spliced together to create one continuous trim beam. As at least one of the trim elements is visible in a floating ceiling system, it is desirable for the butt joint between adjacent trim elements to be an inconspicuous as possible so as to provide the clean appearance of a single trim element. Imperfections, including misalignment of the trim elements and gaps between the trim elements, create a nonuniform appearance in the ceiling trim and take away from the aesthetic appeal of the floating ceiling. Connector clips have traditionally been used to interconnect trim elements. However, the problem with conventional connector clips is that when the connector clip is attached to a trim element, the position of the trim element is fixed, and as a result, any gaps appearing between adjacent trim elements, or any misalignment of the trim elements, cannot easily be corrected.
Conventional techniques used to correct such imperfections, including hand realignment and filling and painting, are tedious and time consuming. Thus, it is desirable to provide a connector clip that eliminates these imperfections and creates a trim having a uniform appearance in a quick, easy and cost efficient manner.
SUMMARYThe present invention provides a ceiling trim having a plurality of trim elements and a plurality of connector clips for interconnecting the plurality of trim elements to one another. Each trim element has a longitudinally extending web and a pair of flanges which cooperate with the web to form a connector clip receiving channel. Each connector clip is formed of a single elongated plate and includes a first end section, a second end section, an intermediate section which integrally connects the first and second end sections and a means for securing the end sections to the trim elements. The intermediate section includes a means for cinching together the edges of adjacent trim elements so as to provide a ceiling edge having an appearance free of imperfections.
The method of assembling the trim of a suspended ceiling system includes providing a plurality of trim elements, each trim element having a connector clip receiving channel; providing a plurality of connector clips in accordance with the invention; slidably engaging a first end section of the connector clip in the connector clip receiving channel of a first trim element; aligning the end of the first trim element with the first end section of the connector clip such that when a fastener is inserted into a fastener receiving aperture extending through the first end section, the fastener contacts the first trim element; inserting a fastener into a fastener receiving aperture extending through the first end section and tightening the fastener; slidably engaging a second end section of the connector clip in a connector clip receiving channel of a second trim element; aligning the end of the second trim element with the first end section of the connector clip such that when a fastener is inserted into a fastener receiving aperture extending through the second end section, the fastener contacts the second trim element; and horizontally adjusting the position of the first and second trim elements by inserting a third fastener into mutually aligned fastener receiving apertures in the intermediate section and tightening the third fastener until the trim elements are abutting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known embodiment. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and may even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof, since the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims.
In a second example embodiment, as shown in
In both the first and second example embodiments, each end section 12, 12′, 14 and 14′ further includes a means for fixedly securing the end section to a trim element. As best shown in
The intermediate section 16, which interconnects the first and second end sections has first and second integrally connected leg portions 50, 52. The first and second legs portions 50, 52 or can be interconnected by an intermediate portion 54, as shown in
As shown in
Although the webs 18, 20 of the first and second end sections 12, 14 may be of equal length, it is preferred that one end section be longer that the other end section so that the web of the longer section spans the butt joint 11 between adjacent trim elements 13, 15. As shown in
As shown in
The invention further includes a method of assembling the ceiling trim. The method includes providing a plurality of connector clips 10 of the invention and a plurality of trim elements 13, 15.
The longer end section 12′ of the connector clip 10 is then slid into the connector clip receiving channel 53 of a adjacent trim element 13. The end of trim element 13 is also aligned with the first end section 12′ of the connector clip 10 such that when a fastener 26 is inserted into the fastener receiving aperture 22, shown in
Claims
1. A connector clip for interconnecting adjacent trim elements in a ceiling system, the connector clip comprising:
- a first end section and a second end section, each of the first and second sections including a longitudinally extending web;
- a means for securing each end section to a trim element; and
- an intermediate section integrally connecting the first and second end sections, the intermediate section having a means for cinching together adjacent trim elements.
2. The connector clip of claim 1, wherein the connector clip is formed of a single elongated plate.
3. The connector clip of claim 1, wherein the first and second end sections extend in a common plane.
4. The connector clip of claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extending web of the first end section is longer than the longitudinally extending web of the second end section.
5. The connector clip of claim 1, wherein the means for securing each of the first and second end sections is a fastener receiving aperture extending through the longitudinally extending web and a fastener inserted through the aperture.
6. The connector clip of claim 1, wherein the means for cinching comprises a pair of fastener receiving apertures mutually aligned with one another and a fastener extending through the fastener receiving apertures.
7. The connector clip of claim 1, wherein the intermediate section includes first and second integrally connected leg portions.
8. The connector clip of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second end sections include first and second attachment flanges.
9. A ceiling trim comprising:
- a plurality of trim elements, each trim element having a longitudinally extending web and a pair of flanges which cooperate with the web to form a connector clip receiving channel, the connector clip receiving channels of adjacent trim elements being in register with one another to provide a continuous connector receiving channel; and
- a plurality of connector clips, each connector clip having first and second end sections an intermediate section integrally connecting the first and second end sections and a means for securing the end sections to the trim elements, the intermediate section including first and second integrally connected leg portions.
10. The ceiling trim of claim 9, wherein the first end section spans a portion of the webs of adjacent trim elements.
11. The ceiling trim of claim 9, wherein the means for securing each of the first and second end sections to the trim elements is a fastener receiving aperture extending through the longitudinally extending web.
12. The ceiling trim of claim 9, further comprising a first fastener for attaching the first end section of the connector clip to a first trim element, a second fastener for securing the second end section of the connector clip to the second trim element and a third fastener for cinching the leg portions of the intermediate section together.
13. The ceiling trim of claim 9, wherein the first and second fasteners are screw-type fasteners.
14. The ceiling trim of claim 9, wherein the third fasteners is a mechanical fastener.
15. The ceiling trim of claim 9, wherein the intermediate section is mitered.
16. The ceiling trim of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second end sections further include first and second attachment flanges.
17. A method of assembling the trim of a ceiling, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of connector clips, each of the plurality of connector clips including a first end section and a second end section, each of the first and second sections including a longitudinally extending web, a means for securing each end section to a trim element, and an intermediate section integrally connecting the first and second end sections, the intermediate section having a means for cinching together adjacent trim elements;
- providing a plurality of trim elements, each of the plurality of trim elements having a longitudinally extending web and a pair of flanges which cooperate with the web to form a connector clip receiving channel;
- sliding a first end section of the connector clip in a connector clip receiving channel of a first trim element and aligning the end of the first trim element with the first end section of the connector clip such that when a fastener is inserted into a fastener receiving aperture extending through the first end section, the fastener contacts the surface of the first trim element;
- inserting a fastener into a fastener receiving aperture extending through the first end section and tightening the fastener to prevent further longitudinal sliding of the connector clip in the connector clip receiving channel;
- sliding a second end section of the connector clip in a connector clip receiving channel of a second trim element and aligning the end of the second trim element with the first end section of the connector clip such that when a fastener is inserted into a fastener receiving aperture extending through the second end section, the fastener contacts the surface of the second trim element; and
- adjusting the position of the first and second trim elements by inserting a third fastener into mutually aligned fastener receiving apertures in the intermediate section and tightening the third fastener until the trim elements are abutting.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the longitudinally extending web of the first end section is longer than the longitudinally extending web of the second end section.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the means for securing each of the first and second end sections is a fastener receiving aperture extending through the longitudinally extending web and a fastener inserted through the aperture.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the means for cinching comprises a pair of fastener receiving apertures mutually aligned with one another and a fastener extending through the fastener receiving apertures.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 26, 2004
Publication Date: Feb 17, 2005
Inventor: Richard Stackenwalt (Dallastown, PA)
Application Number: 10/764,872