Abstract: A grid tee of the double web type in which the elements of the web are integrally stitched together to prevent their separation. The stitches are created in an inexpensive rolling process that does not require control of the position of the stitches relative to the ends or other parts of the tee. According to the invention, after the stitches are formed and locked, they are flattened back into the plane of the web to a limited degree where they do not substantially increase the thickness of the web so that they do not interfere with subsequent manufacturing steps or with field assembly.

Abstract: An acoustical ceiling tile having an improved sound absorption value and having a dual layer of acoustical materials. The base mat layer has either no mineral wool or a low mineral wool content. The surface layer has a high mineral wool content which provides improved sound absorption values with or without perforating or fissuring the tile. The dual layer acoustical ceiling tile has a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) value of at least about 0.50.

Abstract: An exterior wall assembly water management system that provides the designer and building owner with the popular esthetics of synthetic stucco and the long-term reliability of water management. The water managed exterior system includes flashing, a weather-resistive barrier, a water durable board, a basecoat and an exterior finish. Either the water durable board, or an insulation layer secured to the water durable board, forms the exterior cladding of the building structure, and the basecoat and the exterior stucco finish are applied to the outer surface of the water durable board, or in the alternative to the insulation layer. The disclosed water managed exterior system efficiently directs any penetrating water to weeps, or the like, by providing a water drainage medium between the weather-resistive barrier and the water durable board. The unwanted water drains downwards via the drainage medium, is caught at the base of the wall by the flashing, and is further drained outside of the wall cladding.

Abstract: A suspended three-dimensional ceiling system of improved appearance and performance that includes closely dimensioned main tees and lay-in panels. The main tees have opposed vertical surfaces adapted to abut the edges of the panels to avoid any noticeable non-parallelism between the main tees and/or panels. The vertical surfaces are provided by a protrusion at the juncture between a panel supporting flange and a vertical stem of the main tee. The protrusion allows the panels to be dimensioned to avoid undue interference with a stiffening bulb on the upper part of the stem and provides an attractive reveal on the visible face of the flange.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a stand-alone adjustable trim strip system that can be used for the attachment of lighting and signs. The trim strip system is designed to conceal hardware used for attaching lighting and signs and also provides for a system that can be adapted to accommodate architectural design. The system has the capability of being suspended from the structure of a building by wires or rods or can be affixed to walls or ceilings by using fasteners. The system is comprised of one or more trim strips and brackets that can be shaped into different polymeric shapes or can be arranged in a grid format. The system has the ability to attach electric lighting and signs while providing for an aesthetically pleasing structure.

Abstract: A suspended ceiling system in which the grid runners are largely concealed by the panels to produce a distinctive high quality appearance. In various illustrated embodiments, the visual effect is produced as a result of the panels being separated by a relatively narrow gap in two perpendicular directions or by a narrow gap in one direction and essentially no gap in the perpendicular direction, and the grid being recessed above the main face of the panels. The panels are accurately positioned on the grid by metal clips, normally permanently attached to the panels, which engage upstanding flange portions of the grid runners. The accurate positioning afforded by the clips assures that visually distracting variations in the size of the narrow gaps are avoided. The clips can also serve to avoid accidental dislodging of the panels.

Abstract: A high temperature resistant glass fiber composition consists essentially of glass fibers having a nominal softening point of about 1000° F. (about 538° C.) which is capable of passing the British Standard 476 Part 4 fire test for building materials. The BS476-4 test begins at 750° C., substantially above the nominal softening point of the glass fibers. The increased temperature resistance is provided by coating the glass fibers with a halogenated resin latex binder and a calcium carbonate material. The method of making the glass fiber composition comprises depositing the resin latex and a calcium carbonate material on the glass fibers using a cationic flocculant. The preferred halogenated resin latex binder is selected from polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylidene chloride.

Abstract: A direct mount ceiling grid system comprising a plurality of base grid members, cross grid members, and channel grid members for mounting ceiling panels close to a mounting surface. The base grid members are elongated T-shaped beams having a base flange and a transversely extending web having a thicker bulb portion at its marginal end. The base flange of each base grid member is directly mounted to a mounting surface. The channel grid members are elongated beams having two parallel transversely extending webs forming a channel therebetween. Upon installation of ceiling panels, the channel of the channel grid members removably engage the bulb portion of the transversely extending web of the base grid members. The channels have hook portions of the parallel webs of the channel grid members and deflect to allow capture of the bulb portion. The base flange of the base grid members and the base flange of the channel grid members capture the ceiling panels placed therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention is a clip used in the construction of suspended ceiling grid systems for the hanging of drywall or other panels. The clip provides a versatile means of joining two suspended grid beams at various points of transition between two grid beams, such as a transition in the ceiling surface, thus eliminating the need for a different means of joining in each situation.

Abstract: A drywall suspension grid system comprising a selection of various sized and specified pre-formed and pre-engineered "T" grid beams and components used to construct a grid having a grid face upon which drywall is mounted, thus creating a suspended drywall ceiling. The suspension grid system can be used to create flat ceilings, curved ceilings, soffits, fascia for floating edge ceilings, utility interfaces, or any combination thereof in a suspended grid drywall ceiling.

Abstract: A grid tee of the double web type in which the elements of the web are integrally stitched together to prevent their separation. The stitches are created in an inexpensive rolling process that does not require control of the position of the stitches relative to the ends or other parts of the tee. According to the invention, after the stitches are formed and locked, they are flattened back into the plane of the web to a limited degree where they do not substantially increase the thickness of the web so that they do not interfere with subsequent manufacturing steps or with field assembly.

Abstract: A grid tee of the double-web type in which the elements of the web are tied together by a plurality of clinched openings spaced apart along the length of the grid tee. The clinched openings are sized and shaped for receiving wires which support the grid tee from a superstructure of a building. The clinched openings are created in sequential operations of punching holes through the web elements, extruding edge portions of the web elements about the punched holes, and rolling-over the extruded edge portions to clinch the web elements together.

Abstract: A free-standing ceiling structure including an elongate column member having a bottom end and a top end. A plurality of primary arms are attached to the column member and extend radially therefrom. Each primary arm includes first and second sub-arms extending outwardly therefrom. A pair of peripheral panel members are respectively attached to and supported by a primary arm and by the sub-arms attached to the primary arm. A plurality of central canopy members are attached to and supported by the primary arms. A plurality of secondary arms extend radially from the column member and are located below the primary arms. The outer end of each secondary arm includes a light fixture. The column member includes one or more utility devices for providing environmental control and communication services.

Abstract: The present invention is a clip used in the construction of suspended ceiling grid systems for the hanging of drywall or other panels. The clip provides a versatile means of joining two suspended grid beams at points of transition in the ceiling surface in many different intersecting orientations, thus eliminating the need for a different means of joining in each situation.

Abstract: A composition suitable for making acoustical tiles in a water-felting process comprises expanded perlite, cellulosic fiber, and, optionally, a secondary binder and mineral wool. The perlite has been treated to reduce its water retention.

Abstract: The present invention is a clip used in the construction of suspension grid ceilings that are either island ceilings or ceilings having floating edges. The clip provides a versatile means for attaching face trim, such as COMPASSO.TM. trim, to the ceiling edge created by the suspended grid beams. The clip mounting can be vertically adjusted so that the typical trim problems of gaps or inconsistencies between the face trim and the horizontal ceiling panels may be eliminated without resorting to traditional finishing procedures. The same clip may be used in several different mounting situations involving the grid beam arranged to the trim at angles ranging from parallel to orthogonal.

Abstract: A composition suitable for making acoustical tiles in a water-felting process comprises expanded perlite, clay, a binder component selected from the group consisting of starch, latex, cellulosic fiber and mixtures thereof and optionally mineral wool. The use of an expanded perlite having a relatively high density, preferably between about 9 pounds per cubic foot to about 20 pounds per cubic foot, enables the formation of a suitable slurry with a relatively low amount of water and enables a more complete dewatering of the mat prior to drying.

Abstract: A suspension ceiling grid for supporting rectangular panels. The grid members are elongated runners with a generally inverted T-shaped cross-section. Flanges on the lower side of the runners have inclined exposed portions and vertical portions concealed by rabbeted edges of the panels. The flange portions are configured with respect to the proportions of the rabbeted panels, to appear as beveled edges of the panels whereby the finished ceiling appears to be gridless. The runners are specially notched and trimmed to provide a strong but attractive faux miter joint at their intersections.

Abstract: An end connector for a ceiling grid runner that interlocks with an identical connector when assembled in a common slot of a through runner. Problems associated with interference between a lock lance stamped laterally out of the plane of the connector and the opposing connector when the second connector is being inserted in the slot are reduced by a relief zone in the forward portion of the connector that is in the form of a concave area that clears the opposing lock lance until the second connector is nearly fully received in the slot.