Abstract: A suspended ceiling comprising a pair of parallel main grid tees, the tees being of the type having its panel supporting flange forming a hollow with a downwardly open slot, a plurality of identical stabilizer bars spacing said main grid tees a predetermined distance, trim strips assembled on said main grid tees, the trim strips each having a first portion hooked into the hollow flange of a respective tee and a second portion abutting a web of the respective tee, the stabilizer bars being arranged to engage opposite sides of reinforcing bulbs of the main grid tees to hold the same against relative lateral horizontal movement from their desired positions, the stabilizer bars engaging the trim strips in a manner that holds their second portions in abutment with the webs of their respective tees. The stabilizer bars are formed of sheet metal and have bendable tabs that can be bent to hold said trim strip second portions in contact with the webs of their respective tees.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceiling panel for suspended ceiling systems that is designed to create a moiré effect when viewed from below. The moiré ceiling panels are designed to fit into a standard suspended ceiling grid and include a semi-transparent upper layer, a semi-transparent lower layer, and a light diffusing layer. The lower layer includes a surface with a plurality of light passable apertures or surface areas to allow light from above the suspended ceiling to pass through. The upper layer also includes a surface with a plurality of light passable apertures or surface areas and is connected to the lower layer to form the moiré panel. The light diffusing layer is connected to the upper panel and is design to intensify the moiré pattern while simultaneously concealing the area above the panel.

Abstract: A clip for bridging a longitudinal gap between a pair of grid tee lengths, the clip having a cruciform shape in plan view formed by a set of four integral arms, one pair of the arms extending along a first line in opposite directions from a center of the clip, and another pair of arms extending along a line perpendicular to said first line in opposite directions from the center of the clip, said arms when oriented for installation having an inverted U-shape cross-section proportioned to fit over a respective one of four intersecting lengths of grid tees having an inverted T-shape with a reinforcing hollow bulb at its upper edge, at least one of said arms having a longitudinally extending fastener receiving slot and other of said arms having locations for receiving respective fasteners, said slot and receiving locations each being arranged to receive a fastener and allow the fastener to be anchored into the bulb of an associated tee, said slot being arranged to allow its respective grid tee length to telescope

Abstract: A clip for suspending ceiling panels from a horizontal channel having a C-shape formed by a vertical web and integral opposed horizontal upper and lower flanges, the clip comprising a sheet metal body, the body including a vertical web extending between upper and lower portions, the upper portion being configured to overlie the horizontal upper flange of the channel when installed thereon, the lower portion being configured to lie below the horizontal lower flange of the channel, the lower portion including a generally upstanding hook section adapted to be received in a downwardly open channel on the ceiling panel beneath the C-shaped channel to enable the clip to support the panel by transferring the weight of the panel to the C-shaped channel, the hook section being fixed against horizontal movement relative to the body vertical web.

Abstract: A cross panel for a grid type suspended ceiling comprising a sheet metal body forming a rectangular face adapted to close the space between the flanges of a pair of parallel grid tees. The panel has four connectors each adjacent a respective corner of the panel face and adapted to extend through a slot in the web of the adjacent grid tee for interlocking the panel to the tees in a manner that maintains the parallel spacing and alignment of the tees and affords a simple, aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Abstract: A preassembled suspended ceiling grid module comprising a plurality of parallel main tees and a plurality of cross tees, the main and cross tees each having horizontal flanges extended to both sides of a central plane, the cross tees being joined at their ends to the main tees with end connections that enable the module to be folded in a plane corresponding to an eventual ceiling plane in a zigzag pattern, such that the cross tees lie in directions generally parallel to the main tees with the cross tees connected on a side of a particular main tee being folded in a common direction relative to their end connection, and where connected to an adjacent main tee being folded in an opposite direction relative to their end connections with said adjacent tee.

Abstract: A non-woven material and method of formation thereof is provided to form a substantially flat or planar self supporting core of an inorganic base fiber and an organic binding fiber preferably using an air-laid forming head. In certain preferred embodiments, the organic base fiber has a fiber strength with a break load of about 10 grams or less and an elongation of about 20 percent or less. Preferably, the organic binding fiber has a binding component and a structural component within unitary fiber filaments. In one aspect, the structural component of the organic binding fiber has a composition effective to provide a strength thereof so that the non-woven material can be manually cut with minimal effort. In such form, the non-woven material is suitable to function as an acoustic ceiling tile.

Abstract: A non-woven material and method of formation thereof is provided to form a substantially flat or planar self supporting core of an inorganic base fiber and an organic binding fiber preferably using an air-laid forming head. In certain preferred embodiments, the non-woven material has a basis weight of about 3,000 gsm or greater. Preferably, the organic binding fiber has a binding component and a structural component within unitary fiber filaments. In one aspect, the structural component of the organic binding fiber has a composition effective to provide a strength thereof so that the non-woven material can be manually cut with minimal effort. In such form, the non-woven material is suitable to function as an acoustic ceiling tile.

Abstract: A seismic wall molding for suspended ceiling systems that, although sufficiently wide across its horizontal ceiling supporting leg, is visually unobtrusive by virtue of a stepped, shadow style configuration. The stepped horizontal leg configuration allows the wall molding to resist buckling or bending deformation in the horizontal leg when a vertical leg of the molding is tightly secured against a non-flat wall surface. Factory ends on the wall molding are at parallel 45 degree planes to facilitate making inside and outside corners at the job site. A factory supplied template simplifies corner construction. A splice piece fits tightly on the upper sides of the horizontal legs at a straight-line joint between abutting lengths of the wall molding to maintain these elements in alignment.

Abstract: A ceiling panel is provided for use in a grid-type suspended ceiling, wherein the grid includes a plurality of spaced grid runners. The ceiling panel comprises a tile base with perimeter segments and perimeter profiles along at least a portion of at least two of the perimeter segments. Each profile is supportable by the grid runners during suspension. A facing material is secured across the perimeter segments, and extends beyond the perimeter profiles in order to at least partially conceal two of the grid runners when the tile is suspended from the two grid runners and viewed from below.

Abstract: A composition and process suitable for making acoustic tiles are disclosed. Certain embodiments of the composition comprise: perlite; inorganic material selected from the group consisting of calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, clay and mixtures thereof; a binder selected from the group consisting of starch, a combination of starch and cellulosic fibers, latex, kraft paper gel and mixtures thereof; optionally mineral wool; optionally gypsum; and cellulosic fiber, wherein at least a portion of the cellulosic fiber and at least a portion of the inorganic material are pulp and paper processing waste comprising cellulosic fiber, clay and calcium carbonate. Certain embodiments of the process comprise: forming an aqueous slurry; continuously flowing slurry onto a moving foraminous wire to form a cake; dewatering the cake to form a base mat; and drying the base mat.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a roll-formed sheet metal tee for grid type suspended ceilings with the face of its flange integral with the stem and the layers of the stem fixed together for improved torsional strength. An upper region of the stem can have one or more of its layers folded to increase suspension wire breakout strength. A stiffening bulb is below suspension wire receiving holes so that a loop of the suspension wire through the tee has a narrow profile and thereby avoids interference with ceiling panels during their installation or removal. Other embodiments of a tee share the feature of a narrow, suspension wire receiving upper stem portion.

Abstract: A wide wall angle useful in locations of seismic activity to support ceiling tile and grid tees of a suspended ceiling comprising an assembly of an elongated base angle and an elongated extension strip, the base angle having generally perpendicular legs integral with one another and intersecting at a longitudinally extending corner, one leg being adapted to be fixed against a wall with the corner down, and the other adapted to project horizontally from the wall, the extension strip having a face with greater than the width of the horizontal leg, the extension strip having a multiple layer construction, two layers of the extension strip being held together in close parallel relation by an intermediate web integral with the layers, at least portions of the two layers being arranged to frictionally engage at least a part of the horizontal leg of the base angle spaced from the corner such that the strip can be assembled on and frictionally retained on the horizontal leg of the base angle, the horizontal leg of th

Abstract: A process useful for producing low density high mineral wool based acoustical panels with improved acoustical absorption properties using a water felting process is disclosed. The process includes forming a dilute slurry mixture including water, mineral wool, a thermoplastic binder and/or starch; and distributing the dilute slurry on a porous carrier to have the slurry dewatered to a base mat by gravity drainage to remove water by gravity. A vacuum is adjusted to gradually apply vacuum to the gravity dewatered base mat to further dewater the base mat without subjecting the mat to static pressure that would compress the base mat. The base mat is dried to form an acoustical ceiling product that has a low density and excellent acoustical absorption properties.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a roll formed sheet metal tee for grid type suspended ceilings with the face of its flange integral with the stem and the layers of the stem fixed together for improved torsional strength. An upper region of the stem can have one or more of its layers folded to increase suspension wire breakout strength. A stiffening bulb is below suspension wire receiving holes so that a loop of the suspension wire through the tee has a narrow profile and thereby avoids interference with ceiling panels during their installation or removal. Other embodiments of a tee share the feature of a narrow, suspension wire receiving upper stem portion.

Abstract: An acoustical panel includes an acoustical layer having an interlocking matrix of calcium sulfate dihydrate, polyethylene glycol and at least one of the group fibers, a lightweight aggregate and mixtures thereof. The acoustical layer has voids in the interlocking matrix that are configured to absorb sound. The polyethylene glycol is selected to agglomerate dust at temperatures generated by friction when the panel is cut. A method of making the acoustical panel includes making a slurry comprising calcium sulfate hemihydrate, polyethylene glycol, water and at least one of the group consisting of a lightweight aggregate, fibers and combinations thereof. Foam is added to the slurry, preferably at the mixer discharge. A continuous strip of acoustical layer material is formed from the slurry. The acoustical panels are formed by cutting the strip into individual panels. Finally, the partially hydrated calcium sulfate hemihydrate is allowed to fully set.

Abstract: An adaptor clip, for converting a standard tee grid ceiling to a snap-up panel system, comprising an injection-molded plastic body that includes gripping elements for engaging the tops of the flanges of the tee grid and support elements for mating with the upstanding peripheral flanges of the snap-up panels. The clip is arranged to be quickly and easily installed without tools by simply positioning it against the lower faces of intersecting tee grid members so that its center underlies the center of the intersection and rotating it about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A clip for accurately and quickly suspending pairs of spaced parallel grid main tees from superadjacent structural channels. The clip works with a separate drop clip that hooks over and depends from the structural channel. The paired main tee clip has a central body region configured like a conventional grid tee bulb thereby enabling the paired main tee clip to mate with the drop clip in the same way the drop clip mates with a conventional grid tee bulb thereby achieving a system that is cost-effective in manufacture and installation.