Abstract: A grid tee for suspension ceilings is disclosed which includes a metal strip bent to provide a stiffening bulb along one edge, a pair of parallel web portions extending from the bulb in face-to-face adjacency, and a flange portion extending laterally in opposite directions from the side of the web remote from the bulb. A second elongated piece of sheet metal forming a cap is positioned against the side of the flange remote from the bulb and is connected to the flange along the edges thereof by a reverse bend. A band of cross-link cured adhesive is located at the interface between the flange and the cap, bonding the two together. The adhesive effectively closes the section and provides torsional stiffness to the grid tee.

Abstract: A suspension ceiling grid system having grid runners connected at intersections including a through-runner and opposed runner ends connected together and to the through-runner on opposite sides of the through-runner. Each runner end is provided with an end connector which extends through an opening in the web of the through-runner. Each connector is provided with a first-end-in-lock which connects the connector to the through-runner itself and a dual connector-to-connector lock which interconnects the two connectors at the intersection. The first-end-in-lock provides opposed lateral projections which engage the remote side of the web of the through-runner beyond the ends of the opening therein. The connectors may be disassembled from an intersection without the need for tools and without damage to either the connector or the through-runner opening. Further, an intersection can be disassembled and subsequently reassembled in a trapped module condition.

Abstract: A cold-forming method is disclosed for thinning localized, longitudinally extending portions of sheet metal by lateral shear deformation without any substantial longitudinal deformation. With such method, it is possible to produce elongated members which are thinned in zones of low stress and are thicker in zones of higher stress so as to provide high metal use efficiency. The method is performed by an apparatus including a rotating mandrel providing opposed conical surfaces and pressure rolls operable to apply forces substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the mandrel to cause a portion of the sheet metal to yield in shear to reduce the thickness of longitudinally extending portions of the sheet metal. The forces are applied in a plane normal to the length of the strip in order to avoid longitudinal elongation.

Abstract: An elevated floor panel is disclosed in which a lower sheet metal element is formed with a plurality of projections extending from the lower plane of the panel to the upper planar surface. The projections are formed in sequential die drawing operations. In the first die drawing operation, square truncated pyramids of intermediate height are drawn so that the upper surfaces of the intermediate projections provide substantially unworked material. In the second drawing operation, four symmetrically arranged, semispherical projections are drawn from the unworked material at the tops of the preliminary projections. The tops of the semispherical projections are flattened and are welded to an upper sheet member to provide efficient stress transfer between the two sheet metal portions of the panel. By sequentially performing two drawing operations on material which is substantially unworked prior to each drawing operation, it is possible to reliably produce projections of greater depth.

Abstract: A suspended island ceiling system is disclosed in which conventional grid runners are interconnected to produce a rectangular grid. The grid defines openings in which ceiling panels are supported. The grid includes perimeter runners and inner runners which connect at their ends to the perimeter runners at spaced locations along the length of the perimeter runners. Channel-shaped border members are supported on the perimeter runners and provide a finished edge appearance for the island. The border members provide an outer vertically extending base wall and vertically spaced, horizontally extending legs. The upper leg extends over the adjacent perimeter runner and engages the upper surface and one side of the bulb thereof. The lower leg extends along the lower side of the perimeter runners and engages the lower side and at least one side of the flange of the perimeter runners.

Abstract: A snap-up panel for suspension ceiling systems is disclosed. The panel is formed of sheet metal and provides a central planar section and four upwardly extending flanges along the edges of the planar section. Each flange is formed with an inwardly directed rib extending along the length of the flange at a point spaced from the upper and lower edges thereof. Detents are provided in the flanges adjacent to the corners and are positioned in alignment with the ribs and sized to project beyond the inner extremity of the ribs. These detents provide additional support for the panel when the ribs are snapped over supporting lips in a suspension ceiling grid system. Improved alignment and support of the panels are provided by the detents when the panels are installed in a suspension ceiling grid.

Abstract: Honeycomb floor panels for use in elevated floors or the like are disclosed. The honeycomb structure provides similar metal strips providing lateral cuts along one edge providing angulated tabs. The angulation of the tabs provides an angulated throat having a width substantially greater than the thickness of the strips so that the strips can be assembled in an interfitting relationship while the strips of the two arrays are angulated with respect to each other. After assembly, the arrays are moved to a substantially perpendicular position, and in such position a tight fitting relationship is achieved to eliminate looseness. Such honeycomb is provided, in accordance with one embodiment, with upper and lower metal sheets which are welded or otherwise fastened to the honeycomb itself. In such embodiment, an additional upper surface sheet is provided to prevent denting and to distribute concentrated loads to prevent crushing of the honeycomb. Sound deadening is provided between the two upper sheets.

Abstract: A narrow-faced suspension ceiling grid system is disclosed which includes grid tees providing central webs and relatively narrow, oppositely extending flanges in combination with panel centering means. The narrow flanges provide improved aesthetics and reduce the material required to form the grid tees when compared to conventional wide-faced grid tees. The panel supporting flanges are sufficiently narrow that if the grid were used with conventional panels having a conventional amount of clearance, they would not reliably support the panels in the grid. However, when the centering means are provided to center the panels within the panel receiving openings, reliable support is provided for the panels.

Abstract: An access floor panel construction employing peripheral trim channel elements joined together at the panel corners and fixed at their mid-lengths to the edges of a main body. As disclosed, the trim elements are of an organic thermoplastic material and are ultrasonically welded together at their ends and thermoplastically deformed into receiving portions of the main body edges. An assembly fixture holds the trim elements in position for final assembly in a manner which reduces the size of any gaps which might occur as a result of dimensional tolerances in the panel components.

Abstract: A linear panel wall and ceiling system is disclosed which provides a carrier strip which can be coiled in long lengths for storage and shipment. Such carrier strip provides longitudinally aligned and relatively closely spaced, narrow slots extending along the length of the carrier strip to provide a hinge line which divides the carrier strip into a mounting portion and a support portion. The support portion is provided with laterally extending projections at intervals along its length which are proportioned to connect with and support generally U-shaped linear pans which extend perpendicular to the carrier. At the time of installation, pieces of the carrier strip are cut from the coil and installed. In instances in which the mounting portion is mounted along a plane perpendicular to the support portion, the carrier strip may be bent along the hinge line either prior to the actual mounting or after mounting.

Abstract: A suspension ceiling grid system is disclosed which provides intersections including through-runners and oppositely extending runner ends. The through-runner is provided with a connector opening and the runner ends are provided with identical end connectors. The end connectors are engaged and disengaged by lateral movement and provide spring means which resiliently urge the end connectors toward the locked position. The end connectors provide two locking systems, one of which provides a connection with the through-runner when only one connector is installed in the connector opening, and subsequently provides an improved strength functionally direct connection between the two end connectors when two end connectors are installed within the connector opening from opposite sides. The end connectors provide a second separate locking system which directly connects between the two end connectors. In one embodiment, a connector system is disclosed which allows easy removal of a runner within an assembled grid.

Abstract: A linear panel ceiling system is disclosed in which generally U-shaped elongated panels can be mounted in abutting relationship or in a spaced relationship. When the panels are installed in a spaced relationship, an insert is snapped into a groove extending lengthwise the adjacent panels to close the space between adjacent panels. The insert is supported throughout its length and does not tend to lift when pressure differential exists across the insert. The side legs of the panels are inclined inwardly a small amount so that when the panels are installed in an abutting relationship with the panel faces abutting, the legs diverge to allow installation and/or removal of panels from the mounting brackets.

Abstract: A wall-mounted electrical utility module is disclosed which provides an open, rectangular frame mounted in an opening in one side of a wall. The adjacent, opposite panel closes the rearward side of the frame and cooperates therewith to provide a module chamber. Flange means are provided on the frame which include adjustable plates. The side plates abut with adjacent panels and the upper and lower plates overlap the wall panels above and below the opening. The plates are secured to the wall studs to provide a firm mounting for the module. A removable cover provides access to the module interior. The cover provides sound insulation and a resilient seal. The cover is spaced from the wall so that cords can pass under the edge of the cover and be plugged into receptacles provided within the module.

Abstract: A suspension ceiling system is disclosed which combines snap-up pans and lay-in panels. Such system includes runners formed with channels at the lower edges thereof formed by opposed lateral flanges, depending side walls, and inturned lips. The inturned lips terminate at inner edges which are spaced apart to provide a longitudinal opening on the lower side of the channel. Lay-in panels are positioned in some of the grid openings, and provide peripheral edges supported by the flanges. Snap-up panels formed of sheet metal are provided with peripheral flanges having inwardly directed ribs extending lengthwise of the flanges and spaced from the lower pan surface. The flanges are positioned in the openings beween the runner lips with the ribs snapped over the associated lip to secure the snap-up panels in position. The lips provide a delineation between the lay-in panels and the adjacent flanges of adjacent snap-up panels are spaced by substantially the same distance to provide a similar delineation.

Abstract: A demountable wall system is disclosed in which panels are removably connected to H-shaped metal studs. The principal structure of the panel is provided by a wallboard having a width less than the modular spacing between studs. Sheet metal mounting strips are adhesively secured along the opposite edges of the wallboard and are positioned with respect to each other so as to provide the assembled panel with an exact modular width. Each mounting clip includes a connector portion which releasably secures the panels to the studs and a finish portion which extends along but is spaced from the side edges of the wallboard. A facing sheet of flexible sheet material is laminated to the forward face of the wallboard and extends across the gap between the finish portion of the mounting clips and the wallboard to hide such gap. The facing sheet then extends back along the finish portion and is provided with an edge positioned where it is not likely to be loosened during the handling and assembly of the panels.

Abstract: A floor panel for elevated floors and the like is disclosed in which a high-pressure laminate floor covering is laminated to the load surface of the panel base. The laminate is provided with a decorative exposed surface and an inner body portion rearwardly therefrom having a color contrasting with the decorative exposed surface. A border is provided around the edge of the panel by cutting away the decorative surface to expose the contrasting inner body portion.

Abstract: A composite access floor panel is disclosed which provides a sheet metal pan filled with a lightweight concrete material. The bottom wall of the pan is contoured so that the thickness of the concrete varies from one location to another. The illustrated panel provides a border of uniform maximum thickness and a central portion of reduced intermediate thickness. In addition, the panel produces concrete oval corner portions and circular side portions spaced in from the centers of the panel sides, both of which provide a uniform minimum thickness. The contours of the panel create a panel in which a substantially uniform amount of deflection results when the panel is supported at its corners and a given load is applied anywhere along the load surface thereof spaced from the panel corners. Shear ties are provided along the interface between the pan and the concrete to cause the pan and concrete to coact in supporting loads applied to such load surface.

Abstract: A suspension ceiling grid system is disclosed which provides intersections including through-runners and oppositely extending runner ends. The through-runner is provided with a connector opening and the runner ends are provided with identical end connectors. The end connectors are engaged and disengaged by lateral movement and provide spring means which resiliently urge the end connectors toward the locked position. The end connectors provide two locking systems, one of which provides a connection with the through-runner when only one connector is installed in the connector opening, and subsequently provides an improved strength functionally direct connection between the two end connectors when two end connectors are installed within the connector opening from opposite sides. The end connectors provide a second separate locking system which directly connects between the two end connectors. In one embodiment, a connector system is disclosed which allows easy removal of a runner within an assembled grid.

Abstract: A suspension ceiling grid system is disclosed which provides intersections including through-runners and oppositely extending runner ends. The through-runner is provided with a connector opening and the runner ends are provided with identical end connectors. The end connectors are engaged and disengaged by lateral movement and provide spring means which resiliently urge the end connectors toward the locked position. The end connectors provide two locking systems, one of which provides a connection with the through-runner when only one connector is installed in the connector opening, and subsequently provides an improved strength functionally direct connection between the two end connectors when two end connectors are installed within the connector opening from opposite sides. The end connectors provide a second separate locking system which directly connects between the two end connectors. In one embodiment, a connector system is disclosed which allows easy removal of a runner within an assembled grid.

Abstract: An electrical service module for wall installation is disclosed. The module includes upper and lower plate assemblies which extend between adjacent studs and are supported at their ends on such studs. Various types of electrical outlets are mounted on such plate assemblies and are supplied with conductors which extend along the wall cavity. A cover is removably installed to cover the opening of the module, and provides a resilient seal around its periphery to seal the module opening. The cover is spaced from the wall along at least two edges and the seal is locally compressed by conductors or cords extending into the module along such edges.