Abstract: A grid system for suspension ceilings is disclosed having an end connector providing an inverted, U-shaped end portion adapted to nest over the upper edge of an associated web of a runner extending through the intersection. An integral tongue is bendable through an aperture formed in such associated web to releasably lock the connector to the through runner. The end connector is mounted between opposed, parallel, vertical webs on the associated runner by tabs which extend through web slots. The separate connectors and the runners can be formed of materials having different thicknesses so that the material forming the web and the material forming the connector can be selected to provide the required strength without excessive use of materials. The connectors can be used both in main run cross-run systems, and in basket weave systems.

Abstract: A fire-rated type suspension ceiling grid runner is disclosed having expansion means intermediate its ends which collapse when the runner expands due to elevated temperatures occurring during a fire or the like. The runner provides a boxlike panel supporting flange along the lower end of the web thereof in which slots are formed to define a flange segment and connecting legs. When the expansion means collapses, the flange segment is laterally displaced as a unit and remains connected to each adjacent portion of the boxlike flange by at least two longitudinally spaced legs. The displaced flange segment functions as a bridging beam which continues to connect the adjacent portions of the flange and maintain them in alignment so that a grid formed of the runners can continue to maintain proper support for panel even when fire conditions occur.

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 fixture support clip is disclosed for use with a suspension ceiling grid system. Such grid system provides transversely interconnecting runners having a central web and opposed ceiling support flanges for supporting ceiling members such as ceiling tiles or lighting fixtures. The clip provides shelf means for supporting a corner portion of a ceiling member. The shelf means is supported at the lower end of two posts. The posts carry hook means at their upper end which are removably attached to the upper extremities of the transversely interconnecting runners near the corners thereof. The lengths of the posts are selected so that the shelf means lies substantially parallel with and vertically adjacent to the support flanges and provides a greater support area to a corner portion of a ceiling member than provided by the flanges.

Abstract: A system for interlocking the edges and corners of adjacent panels of a pedestal supported, elevated floor construction. Edge and corner clamp units are put in place after set-up of the panels. The edge clamp units include a lower elongated element which drops through a similarly shaped gap between adjacent panels and is then rotated 90.degree. out of alignment. A screw turned from the space above the floor draws the lower clamp element towards an upper clamp element to grip and interlock intervening edges of the adjacent panels. Adjacent corners of four panels are interlocked to a supporting pedestal by an overlying clamp plate. This corner clamp plate is releasably secured to the pedestal by an individual screw which is also tightened from the space above the floor.

Abstract: A window system for demountable walls is disclosed which eliminates the necessity of custom-sizing of windows to compensate for variations in floor-to-ceiling spacing. The window system provides jacking means mounted on the lower window frame member which are operable to adjust the height of the window from the floor to compensate for variations in floor-to-ceiling spacing. A floor trim assembly includes cover plates which extend up and over the lower framing member and jacking system to obscure both from view. Such cover plates rest on the floor to provide a uniform height lower window trim that follows the floor line. A baseboard and upper trim system extends uniformly along the window and adjacent wall panels to provide an integrated window and wall system. The side framing members connect to sheet metal wall studs for additional strength and enclose the adjacent stud in instances in which windows are mounted adjacent to each other.

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: 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 panel system for walls, ceilings, and the like is disclosed in which the panels are provided with a flexible surface material which extends into resilient means that operate to press the surface material of adjacent panels into face-to-face contact to provide a closed, neat joint between adjacent panels. Because of the resiliency along the joints, brackets, screws, and the like may be inserted through the joints and secured to the panel supporting frame structure without damage to the panel materials. Subsequently, if the brackets, screws, and the like are removed, the resilient means returns the flexible sheet material into the face-to-face abutting condition, re-establishing the closed joint and concealing the fact that anything had previously been inserted through the joint. In some embodiments, the surface sheet material is provided with a loose flap which is inserted into the resilient means after the panels are installed.

Abstract: A novel and improved, expanded metal is disclosed along with novel and improved products incorporating such expanded metal. The expanded metal is formed from a piece of sheet metal which is lanced in nested arrays so that when the metal is expanded, diagonal legs are connected to the remaining portion of the sheet metal by folds. After the expanding operation, the legs are substantially coplanar with the adjacent portions of the piece of sheet metal, and the only material deformation of the metal occurs along the folds. The illustrated legs and adjacent projections, which are connected to the legs by folds, are curved so that the centers of the legs have a maximum width. The expanded metal is illustrated incorporated into various types of framing members used to position interior panels of building structures, such as drywall studs, floor tracks for drywall construction, and intersection tracks. Also disclosed are grid tees for suspension ceilings and wall molding members for suspension ceilings.

Abstract: A screw slot runner system for suspension ceiling grids is disclosed. The system provides runners having a central web, an enclosed bulb at the upper edge of the web, and a downwardly opened channel at the lower edge of the web. Opposing, inturned lips define the channel opening and permit insertion of T-bolts or the like to support accessories from the grid system. The runner connections are structured to provide a mitered type joint appearance even though a full miter joint is not provided. In one embodiment, separate end connector clips are provided to join main run runner modules, and the connector clips are provided with openings through which cross run end connectors project to interconnect the cross runs and main runs.

Abstract: A beam member for use in a suspended ceiling system for retaining removable panel sections includes at each longitudinal end an integral tongue and a tongue-receiving recess for joining the beam member in end-to-end relationship with another beam member having an end of corresponding configuration. The tongue is characterized by inwardly diverging sidewalls, and an outwardly offset and a rearwardly extending detent. The detent has an edge defining a circular arc, and the recess includes an arcuate central portion for abutting the edge of the arcuate detent of another beam member when the beam members are joined and outwardly diverging sidewalls. Interlocked tongues of such configuration are capable of withstanding large tensile separating forces.

Abstract: Grid tees for suspension ceilings are disclosed in which a cross section is provided concentrating material at the two extremities of the grid tees. Such grid tee sections are also formed to provide a shear center which is centrally located substantially along the web section of the tee. In some embodiments, a single strip is formed to provide three laterally extending layers adjacent to the upper extremity of the bulb, and in another embodiment a single strip of material is formed to concentrate material on one side of the web at the bulb extremity and on the other side of the web at the flange extremity so as to balance the section and locate the shear center along the web plane.

Abstract: A window insulating system including horizontally and vertically arranged channel members positioned in a window wall opening and spaced inwardly of the window surface. Insulating panels are positioned in the channels and can either be opaque fiberglass panels or translucent or transparent panels of glass or plastic. Horizontal channels are secured adjacent the upper edge of the window wall opening and can be secured adjacent the lower edge of the window wall opening or can be above that surface. The vertical channels are frictionally attached to the panel member and the panels plus vertical channels are slipped into the horizontal channels and are thus easily removable for access to the window for maintenance or cleaning purposes. The outer edges of the outermost vertical channels adjacent the vertical window wall opening edges are formed from a resilient material and include an integral, outwardly extending sealing strip which is in sealing engagement with the adjacent window opening edge.

Abstract: A ceiling runner is disclosed for use in a ceiling grid system of a suspended ceiling. Each of the main and lateral runners of this ceiling grid system has a similar shape in the flange at the lower end of a generally T-shaped structure. Such flange has first and second flange portions on each side of the web portion, and these flange portions are joined to the web portion by first and second connector portions which are recessed toward the web portion. This establishes a longitudinal recess in the exposed surface of the flange so that a distinctive appearance of the ceiling runner is provided which has definite longitudinal delineation between the ceiling panels. Preferably, the connector portions are shaped to maintain a panel in its proper centered position or to cam such panel to such centered position.

Abstract: A suspension ceiling grid system is disclosed in which cross members are provided with end connectors inserted from opposite sides through openings in runners extending perpendicularly thereto. The end connectors are provided with resilient lock means which interengage when the connectors are inserted into the opening to interlock the runners. Release means provided by a tab formed in the web adjacent to the opening cooperate to define a portion of the opening when in the normal position and are bendable to a release position to enlarge the opening and allow release of the lock means for removal of one or both of the end connectors.

Abstract: A basketweave-type suspension ceiling grid system is disclosed wherein the grid members are generally U-shaped providing a relatively wide face portion, oppositely extending panel support flanges, and a pair of spaced and parallel webs. The system provides a connector system in which the female part of the connector system is provided by a longitudinally extending slot substantially adjacent to the panel support flanges. Male end connector parts are proportioned to fit through the slots and lock therein to the members of the grid. The male connector part provides a generally T-shaped lanced projection which extends rearwardly and upwardly from a hinge line and is formed with raised wing portions providing stop surfaces for engaging the remote side of an associated web. A dimple formed intermediate the rings and rearwardly therefrom provides a stop surface limiting the insertion movement of the connector.

Abstract: A suspension ceiling grid having removable grid members is disclosed. Such grid is of the basketweave type and includes a plurality of grid assemblies interconnected to form a grid. Each assembly is provided with a similar first or male connection at its ends and second or female connections at its center. In the grid, the assemblies are interconnected so that the male connections of adjacent grids meet with and connect with the female connections at the center of the assemblies to provide a basketweave type system. Each grid assembly includes two similar grid members each having a first connection at one end and one-half of a second connection at its other end. In the assembly, a removable clip provides a semipermanent connection between adjacent ends of the two members and the two halves of the second connections cooperate to provide one full second connection. Individual grid members may be removed from an existing grid and replaced without creating the situation in which the grid is unstable.

Abstract: A support system for landscape screens is disclosed in which the panels of an elevated or computer floor are provided with sockets which receive studs. The studs are mounted on tracks which, in turn, are secured to the lower side of the landscape screen. The tracks permit the studs to be located at various positions along the landscape screen so that the studs can be positioned within the sockets in the floor panels. The floor panel sockets are eccentrically located so that they can be located in a plurality of positions by properly orienting the panel within the floor system. Various height adjusting means are disclosed for adjusting the height of the studs, and in turn the screen above the floor surface. Further, various structures are illustrated for anchoring the tracks to the landscape screens.

Abstract: A clip member is disclosed for underlying the areas of interconnection of main and cross runner members of a grid system for suspended ceilings. The runner members include downwardly opening recesses between their respective tile supporting flanges, and the clip member provides the appearance of an uninterrupted recess in the cross members at the areas of interconnection.