Inverted T-bar Type Patents (Class 52/506.07)
  • Publication number: 20120291388
    Abstract: An elongated grid runner, and its manufacture, comprising a pair of overlying metal strips roll-formed together into a shape suitable for use in a rectangular grid to support ceiling panels, one of said strips serving as a visible cap for concealing the other strip forming the main body of the grid runner when the grid member is employed in a completed ceiling, the strips being lanced at each end of the grid runner to lock the cap strip on the main body strip whereby when the overlying strips are simultaneously cut to a finish length prior to finish roll-forming, the ends of the strip are maintained in substantially overlying end-to-end registration where the cap is visible in a finished ceiling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: USG INTERIORS, INC.
    Inventors: James J. Lehane, JR., Steven E. Farley, Donald J. Leahy, Ronald J. Koval, Paul A. Pomeroy
  • Patent number: 8314336
    Abstract: A rectangular ceiling tile proportioned for use in a standard rectangular ceiling grid module formed by grid tees, the tile having a pair of conductors arranged to feed low voltage electrical power from the grid elements to an electric or electronic device carried on the tile, the conductors each extending to an edge or edges of the tile and adapted to make physical contact with a conductor carried on a grid element when supported on such grid element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Ying (Lora) Liang, Daniel Boss, Graeme Gee
  • Patent number: 8291667
    Abstract: A suspended ceiling system is provided comprising at least first and second parallel inverted tee-runners. Each tee-runner comprises a horizontal flange and a vertical web, with the vertical web having at least two spaced openings therein. At least one ceiling panel is associated with the parallel tee-runners. The ceiling panel has opposed side walls and opposed end walls, with a pair of first tabs formed at one end of the ceiling panel and a pair of second tabs formed at the opposite end of the panel. The first tabs are relatively longer than the second tabs and have a length sufficient so that each first tab extends through one of the spaced openings in the web of the first inverted tee-runner and rests on the flange of the first tee-runner, with the second tabs being supported by the flange of the second tee-runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Chicago Metallic Corporation
    Inventors: Peter G. Jahn, Mark A. Fladeland
  • Publication number: 20120240504
    Abstract: A fire protective barrier for a residential floor and a method of its construction, the construction involving a floor supported on lightweight joists of a type susceptible to early failure once exposed to a fire existing in the space below the floor, an array of elongated steel main tees suspended below the joists, the tees being parallel and spaced apart by a nominal distance of 2?, the tees having an upper hollow reinforcing bulb, a central vertical web extending downwardly from the bulb and a horizontal flange extending laterally from both sides of the web, drywall panels carried on upper faces of the flanges of adjacent pairs of tees, the drywall panels having a width of slightly less than the center-to-center distance of the tees, a majority of the panels having lengths of 8? or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: UNITED STATES GYPSUM COMPANY
    Inventor: Gary F. Miller
  • Publication number: 20120240495
    Abstract: A data center ceiling system includes a data center ceiling system grid having a grid attachment frame, a plurality of acoustical ceiling panels carried by the grid attachment frame and an elongated hardware suspension slot in the grid attachment frame, the hardware suspension slot bordering at least a portion of each of the plurality of acoustical ceiling panels. At least one hardware suspension rod engages the hardware suspension slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Craig Eychaner, William Nichols
  • Patent number: 8266860
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: James J. Lehane, Jr., Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Martin E. Likozar
  • Publication number: 20120180420
    Abstract: A wall brace support for an acoustical ceiling tee having a bulb includes an elongated main portion having two ends; a wall attachment tab at one of the ends, the tab being operable to abut the wall and receive at least one fastener therethrough to fasten the tab to the wall; and an acoustical ceiling tee attachment structure at the other end, the structure being operable to receive at least one fastener therethrough to fasten the structure to the bulb at a location spaced away from the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: USG INTERIORS, LLC
    Inventors: Peder Gulbrandsen, Abraham M. Underkofler, Mark R. Paulsen, James J. Lehane, JR.
  • Patent number: 8215075
    Abstract: An up-tight surface covering system for attaching a facing of a panel member to a support structure comprises an adjustable hanger bracket for attaching a grid member to the support structure and a clip for attaching the panel member to the grid member. The adjustable hanger bracket comprises an arm rotatably attached to a support. The arm includes a first section extending substantially parallel to the support and a second section extending substantially perpendicular to the support. The second section has at least one slot for receiving a mechanical fixing member. The clip comprises a main body portion having an attachment member extending from a substantial center thereof. The main body portion has engagement members extending from opposing sides of the main body portion and substantially perpendicular thereto. The engaging members have abutment members extending from side surfaces thereof substantially perpendicular to the main body portion and the engaging members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventor: Todd M. Bergman
  • Patent number: 8215074
    Abstract: In one embodiment, Hexagonal tiles encompassing a large are divided into three groups, each containing ? of all hexagonal tiles that are disjoined among one another. Openings for the hexagonal tiles in each group are formed in a template layer, and a set of self-assembling block copolymers is applied and patterned within each opening. This process is repeated three times to encompass all three groups, resulting in a self-aligned pattern extending over a wide area. In another embodiment, the large area is divided into rectangular tiles of two non-overlapping and complementary groups. Each rectangular area has a width less than the range of order of self-assembling block copolymers. Self-assembled self-aligned line and space structures are formed in each group in a sequential manner so that a line and space pattern is formed over a large area extending beyond the range of order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles T. Black, Timothy J. Dalton, Bruce B. Doris, Carl Radens
  • Publication number: 20120167514
    Abstract: A ceiling panel system includes a plurality of grid members that are operable to form a grid suspendable from a ceiling, the grid having grid member intersections; and a plurality of ceiling panels, each ceiling panel including a planar surface and a plurality of upturned edges arranged about the periphery of the planar surface. The upturned edges include a catch operable to attach the panels to the face of the grid intermediately to the intersections to form a ceiling surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: USG INTERIORS, INC.
    Inventor: James J. Lehane, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120167515
    Abstract: A ceiling suspension system has support members that are interconnected to support ceiling panels. The ceiling suspension system is suspended from a building. Each of the support members has a lower surface that is patterned and different in textural appearance than other portions of the support members to define patterned lower surfaces. For example, the patterned lower surfaces may have non-smooth textures that are uniform and symmetrical, or non-uniform and irregular. The patterned lower surfaces may have three-dimensional features such as lines, slots, dimples, protrusions, peaks and valleys and/or cross-hatching, which may be roll-formed on capping on the support members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: CERTAINTEED CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan Lane Boyd
  • Publication number: 20120167513
    Abstract: An elongated metal grid runner for a suspended ceiling, the grid runner having a cross-section with an upper hollow reinforcing bulb, a vertical web extending below the bulb, and lower flange elements extending laterally from opposite sides of the web, the length of the grid runner being less than about 9?, a permanent magnet disposed on each end of the grid runner at its flange elements, the magnet being adapted to overlie and be attracted to a horizontal leg of a steel wall angle to thereby releasably retain the grid runner in position on the wall angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: USG INTERIORS, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory M. Ahren
  • Patent number: 8209931
    Abstract: In a panel suspended ceiling for seismic prone areas, a superstructure extends from and above the ceiling grid. The superstructure is engaged within a lateral support bar that slidably supports the superstructure, and ceiling, during a seismic event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventor: Brett W. Sareyka
  • Publication number: 20120137615
    Abstract: A suspended ceiling comprising a grid formed of intersecting grid runners and snap-up panels supported on the grid runners, the grid runners dividing a ceiling area into standard modules, the pans being formed of sheet material and each having its sides sized to cover the module size while leaving a space at visible faces thereof between adjacent panels when in an installed position on the grid, at least one adjacent pair of panels being displaceable from their installed positions, the gap between a pair of displaceable panels being closed by a removable runner or the displaceable panels so that when the displaceable panels are displaced from their installed position and any removable runner is removed, an access opening of twice the standard module is made available for accessing the area above the ceiling while adjacent panels at longitudinal ends of the gap between the displaceable panels can remain in respective installed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: USG INTERIORS, INC.
    Inventor: Alan C. Wendt
  • Publication number: 20120137614
    Abstract: A wall molding for a suspended ceiling comprising a roll-formed sheet metal body having a generally upright component to be fixed to a wall and a projecting component extending generally transversely to the upright component and adapted to underlie and support the edges of ceiling tiles and ends of grid runners, the projecting component in a free state extending across a plane defined by the upright component to a line adapted to abut the wall when the upright component is drawn towards the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: USG INTERIORS, INC.
    Inventor: Alan C. Wendt
  • Patent number: 8191565
    Abstract: A wire tray and tent frame structural members are provided. The structural members include a utility channel or C-shaped channels to which wire trays can be mounted. More particularly, mounting structures of the wire tray insert into or otherwise engage the utility channel or engage the C-shaped channels and secure the wire tray to the structural members. The utility channel or C-shaped channels can include at least one undercut to prevent removal or disengagement of the mounting structure of the wire tray from the structural member. Similarly, methods of using the wire tray including resiliently biasing mounting structure of the wire tray to attach it to the structural member are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Reyen, Matthew H. Hamilton-Jones, Joseph G. Wiegand
  • Patent number: 8181412
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Miklosz, Daniel Jacobs, Joseph Wascow, Stephen Oshgan
  • Patent number: 8176700
    Abstract: A molding system conceals gridwork in suspended ceilings. A main or cross piece molding comprises two opposed clip assemblies for attaching to inverted T-bars. The clip assemblies comprise a vertical portion. Upper and lower fingers protrude horizontally from the vertical portion and towards the opposed clip assembly. Upward projecting arms extend from upper edges of the vertical portions and have upward edges. Horizontal arms extend from the upward edges and extend away from the clip assemblies. A decorative portion spans between distal ends of the horizontal arms. A perimeter molding for attaching to L-bars comprises a first horizontal arm configured to abut a lower portion of a horizontal surface and a second horizontal arm that is parallel to the first horizontal arm. First and second legs connect to the second horizontal arm. The second leg abuts an upper, distal portion of the horizontal surface near a hem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William V. Butcher, Jr., Steven K. Itnyre, Kevin R. Albright, Richard B. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20120085060
    Abstract: The invention relates to a profiled bar 4 with a “T” section comprising a rib 24 and a plate 28. The profiled bar 4 has, on at least one end 12, 16, an attachment element 20 suitable for engaging with a further profiled bar 4?. The rib comprises at least one coupling aperture 36 shaped to house said attachment element 20, which comprises a base 40 for fixing to the rib, projecting at least partially from the profiled bar 4 with one free end 44, and a tongue 48 flexibly elastic and coupled to the fixing base. The tongue 48 is bent towards the fixing base at the free end 44, so as to form an angle of incidence with the fixing base and is provided with a pair of recesses 51, 52 which define an attachment head 50. The coupling aperture 28 defines a first pair of projections 31, 32 suitable for engaging with the recesses 51, 52 to hold the attachment head 50 to the rib, said projections 31, 32 being positioned in opposite positions to a longitudinal centre line plane L-L of the rib.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: DALLAN S.P.A.
    Inventor: Sergio Dallan
  • Publication number: 20120085061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a profiled bar 4 with a “T” section comprising a rib 24 and a plate 28. The profiled bar 4 has, on at least one end 12, 16, an attachment element 20 suitable for engaging with a further profiled bar 4?. The rib comprises at least one coupling aperture shaped to house said attachment element 20, which comprises a base 40 for fixing to the rib, projecting at least partially from the profiled bar 4 with one free end 44, and a tongue 48 flexibly elastic and coupled to the fixing base. The tongue 48 is obtained through shearing and bending of a portion of the fixing base 40, so as to form an angle of incidence with the fixing base 40 itself and is provided with a pair of recesses 51, 52 which define an attachment head 50. The coupling aperture 28 defines a first pair of projections 31, 32 suitable for engaging with the recesses 51, 52 to hold the attachment head 50 to the rib, said projections 31, 32 being positioned in opposite positions to a longitudinal centre line plane L-L of the rib.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Dallan S.p.A.
    Inventor: Sergio Dallan
  • Patent number: 8146319
    Abstract: A modular flooring assembly including a flooring component adhered to a tray substrate is described. The modular flooring assembly may be interconnected with additional modular flooring assemblies to form a modular floor suitable for most flooring applications. The flooring component may be tile or wood or other materials commonly used in flooring applications. Convention fill-in grout or a snap-in grout may be used with the modular flooring assemblies. One suitable snap-in grout is a right angle grout member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: CoMc LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan McIntosh, Nicole C. Sperling
  • Patent number: 8146316
    Abstract: An elongated grid tee for supplying low voltage power on a suspended ceiling comprising at least two electrically conductive paths electrically insulated from each other, extending lengthwise of the tee, and accessible for receiving or supplying electrical power at numerous locations along the length of the tee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Boss, Ying (Lora) Liang
  • Publication number: 20120042584
    Abstract: In a panel suspended ceiling for seismic prone areas, a superstructure extends from and above the ceiling grid. The superstructure is engaged within a lateral support bar that slidably supports the superstructure, and ceiling, during a seismic event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventor: Brett W. Sareyka
  • Patent number: 8117793
    Abstract: A seismic separation joint is provided for connecting end-to-end a first grid tee to a second grid tee. Each grid tee includes a central web, with a tongue or tab extending from the web. Preferably, an elongated slot extends from the web into the tongue/tab associated therewith, with the slots being aligned when the first grid tee is connected to the second grid tee. A fastener is received in a portion of the tongue/tab of at least one, and preferably both, of the grid tees distally of the slot in one grid tee and in the slot of the other grid tee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Chicago Metallic Corporation
    Inventors: Scott G. Jankovec, Peter G. Jahn
  • Patent number: 8109482
    Abstract: A sprinkler mounting device that support units are joined to T-shaped frames and a support bar through screws, thereby providing a strong and firm mounted state and preventing a separation of the support units from the support bar during work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Kofulso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-il Oh
  • Publication number: 20120023854
    Abstract: A roll-formed grid runner comprising a sheet metal strip folded into an upper hollow single wall reinforcing bulb, a double wall web below the bulb, a channel extending laterally from both sides of a lower end of the web to a bend and upwardly from the bend to a panel supporting elevation, the bend on each side of the web existing at a longitudinally extending score line where a thickness of the strip is locally reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: USG INTERIORS, INC.
    Inventors: James J. Lehane, JR., Peder J. Gulbrandsen, John L. Hammond, Abraham M. Underkofler, Mark R. Paulsen
  • Patent number: 8096089
    Abstract: In a suspended ceiling segment known as a cloud, lengths of flat, flexible sheets form panels that are held on the main beams of the segment by flexible, plastic tracks adhesively fixed on the panels that engage plastic tracks hooked onto flanges of the main beams of the cloud. The flexible sheets bend to conform to the vertical contour of the main beams when the tracks on the sheets engage the tracks on the beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventor: William J. Platt
  • Publication number: 20110314761
    Abstract: A suspended ceiling system is provided comprising at least first and second parallel inverted tee-runners. Each tee-runner comprises a horizontal flange and a vertical web, with the vertical web having at least two spaced openings therein. At least one ceiling panel is associated with the parallel tee-runners. The ceiling panel has opposed side walls and opposed end walls, with a pair of first tabs formed at one end of the ceiling panel and a pair of second tabs formed at the opposite end of the panel. The first tabs are relatively longer than the second tabs and have a length sufficient so that each first tab extends through one of the spaced openings in the web of the first inverted tee-runner and rests on the flange of the first tee-runner, with the second tabs being supported by the flange of the second tee-runner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Chicago Metallic Corporation
    Inventors: Peter G. Jahn, Mark A. Fladeland
  • Patent number: 8079187
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for lining an in particular flat surface with a flexible covering material, particularly textile material, in which the surface is lined with one or more flexible covering material pieces and in which the material piece or pieces are stretched. The method is inventively characterized in that for stretching a material piece at least one stretching rail with a holding side and an assembly side is used, that the stretching rail is brought into pivotable engagement on the holding side with a holding rail provided on the flat side, that a first side of the material piece is brought into tensile loadable engagement with the assembly side of the stretching rail, that second side of the material piece is directly or indirectly connected to the flat surface and that the stretching rail is pivoted for stretching the flexible covering material and fixed in a stretching position. The invention also relates to a lining for an in particular flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Switbert Greiner
  • Patent number: 8079192
    Abstract: A suspended ceiling system uses a grid system having series of intermediate nodes interior to a peripheral edge of the ceiling system and a series of edge nodes at an edge of the grid system. Each intermediate node is defined by a connection plate having a series of guide tracks for receiving and cooperating with an upper edge of the ceiling grid members to align the grid members in a predetermined geometric configuration. Mechanical fasteners secure the connection plate and the ceiling grid members in any of the guide tracks. Each connection plate between adjacent guide tracks includes generally opposed connection slots for receiving support springs suspending ceiling panels beneath the grid system. The connection plate simplifies installation and avoids incorrect placement of the grid members. Preferably the grid system includes at least five grid members equally spaced about a center point of the connection plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Decoustics Limited
    Inventors: Martin Daniel Gerkes, Heikki Kolga, Ronald White
  • Patent number: 8051618
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Ahren, John D. Bankston, James A. Fletterick
  • Publication number: 20110252736
    Abstract: A panel for a drop ceiling is made of a semi-rigid but resilient material such as spring steel and includes corner clips adapted to cooperate with the inverted T-shaped stringers of a drop ceiling support system so that the panel is self-centering between opposing stringers and is spring biased into a clamped relationship with horizontal flanges of the inverted T-shape stringers to prevent the panel from moving up and down. The corner clips are also designed to transfer any horizontal compressive shear force in the mounting system to vertical edges of the panel so as not to undesirably bow the flat base of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: David Bailey, Ko Kuperus, Richard Mayer
  • Publication number: 20110252735
    Abstract: A suspended metal ceiling system having a grid of support members suspended from a structural ceiling and a plurality of ceiling panels positioned on the grid of the support members having a locking mechanism for connecting the ceiling panels to the grid actuatable from a side wall of the ceiling panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Lester Eisner, Tom Peterson, Albert Kiechle, James Langan
  • Publication number: 20110239576
    Abstract: A section with a “T” profile comprising a rib and a plate which extends from a first to a second end. The section having, in proximity of at least one of said ends, a coupling element suitable to engage with a further section, and the rib comprising at least one engagement aperture shaped to house said coupling element. Advantageously, the coupling element comprises an attachment base to the rib which projects at least partially from the section with a free end, and a tongue elastically flexible and connected to the attachment base. The tongue is bent towards the attachment base at said free end so as to form an angle of incidence with the attachment base, and is provided with a coupling hole suitable to engage with at least a first tooth of the engagement aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: DALLAN S.P.A.
    Inventor: Sergio Dallan
  • Publication number: 20110239575
    Abstract: A section with a “T” profile comprising a rib and a plate which extends from a first to a second end. The section having, in proximity of at least one of said ends, a coupling element suitable to engage with a further section, and the rib comprising at least one engagement aperture shaped to house said coupling element. Advantageously, the coupling element comprises an attachment base to the rib which projects at least partially from the section with a free end, and a tongue elastically flexible and connected to the attachment base. The tongue is bent towards the attachment base at said free end so as to form an angle of incidence with the attachment base, and is provided with a coupling hole suitable to engage with at least a first tooth of the engagement aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: DALLAN S.P.A.
    Inventor: Sergio Dallan
  • Patent number: 8006454
    Abstract: A grid system is provided that is particularly suited for the suspended ceiling system that varies in the vertical plane. An elongated carrier tube is provided the spans substantially the width of the grid system that has a slot therein adapted to receive the strengthening bulb of a main runner. A clip is provided that seats on the carrier tube that has opposed faces for capturing the bulb of the runner, so as to secure the runner to the tube carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Chicago Metallic Corporation
    Inventors: Scott G. Jankovec, Peter G. Jahn, Thomas E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110203210
    Abstract: A panel frame for suspended ceiling, at least one side of this frame having, when seen in section, a top wall and a side wall. The top wall is provided with a fitted flat section, this flat section having at least two through-holes for the passage of an assembly mechanism such as screws, one of the through-holes being ovalized or oblong.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: NEWMAT
    Inventor: Etienne Cousin
  • Patent number: 7975448
    Abstract: A wall channel for a drywall ceiling has a generally U-shaped cross-section with a vertical leg interconnecting two generally-horizontal legs. The lower horizontal leg is adapted to support an inverted tee-runner that has a vertical web and opposed flanges, the opposed flanges being adapted to rest on the horizontal leg of the wall angle. The lower horizontal leg is formed with a plurality of pairs of locating tabs that are spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate the width of the opposed flanges of the tee-runner. The upper horizontal leg is formed with a plurality of pairs of locating tabs that are spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate the width of the reinforcing bulb of the tee-runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Chicago Metallic Corporation
    Inventors: Peter G. Jahn, Scott G. Jankovec
  • Patent number: 7971597
    Abstract: A wire tray and tent frame structural members are provided. The structural members include a utility channel or C-shaped channels to which wire trays can be mounted. More particularly, mounting structures of the wire tray insert into or otherwise engage the utility channel or engage the C-shaped channels and secure the wire tray to the structural members. The utility channel or C-shaped channels can include at least one undercut to prevent removal or disengagement of the mounting structure of the wire tray from the structural member. Similarly, methods of using the wire tray including resiliently biasing mounting structure of the wire tray to attach it to the structural member are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Reyen, Matthew H. Hamilton-Jones, Joseph G. Wiegand
  • Publication number: 20110146184
    Abstract: Producing grid tees with a range of service duty, reflected in the use of various gauge sheet stock, that exhibit an effective uniform thickness at their cross tee slots by locally altering a grid tee in the area of its cross tee receiving slot or slots so that the grid tee has a uniform effective thickness at these area(s) that can be standardized across a manufacturer's range of tee load ratings. Preferably, a grid tee is permanently stamped with an indentation or dimple adjacent the cross tee slot and a cross tee connector has a lead edge area arranged to seat against the bottom of the indentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: USG INTERIORS, INC.
    Inventor: James J. Lehane, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7954771
    Abstract: A mount for situating a sprinkler nozzle of a fire extinguishing system in an opening of a suspended ceiling system, the fire extinguishing system having a main line to which a downwardly directed sprinkler nozzle is connected by a flexible hose line, a bridge provided on the top side of the ceiling system extending essentially parallel thereto, the bridge being connected to girders of the ceiling system by a detachable clamp, and the sprinkler nozzle being at least indirectly attached to the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Witzenmann GmbH
    Inventor: Gerd Paulig
  • Patent number: 7946089
    Abstract: Manufacture of roll formed one piece sheet metal grid tees that affords different load ratings with the same gauge and quality of sheet stock and the same overall cross-section dimensions by varying the width of the strip used to make the tees and disposing material added for increased load rating at the area of the hollow reinforcing bulb of the tees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. LaLonde
  • Patent number: 7930864
    Abstract: An L-shaped clip for mounting a trim member along an exposed edge of a suspension ceiling includes a support leg to be longitudinally secured to a grid tee and a perpendicular face leg to be secured to the trim member. The support leg includes offset clip walls for engagement with offset tee walls and clip abutment surfaces for engagement with tee abutment surfaces. The offset walls and abutment surfaces cooperate to assist in the alignment and mounting of the clip to the grid tee at different relative heights. A single clip may be mounted to either a T-shaped grid tee or an open channel grid tee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan C. Wendt
  • Patent number: 7926238
    Abstract: A stab-in connector that locks with an opposing identical connector, through a slot in the main beam of a suspended ceiling grid. The connector has a straight locking latch that is cantilevered from a bend at a base of the connector. The bend is in the form of an arc. The bend forms a pivot for the latch. Contact between the cantilevered straight locking latch and the side of the slot is delayed as the connector is being stabbed into the slot. During the delay, the connectors are positioned within the slot, and relative to each other, so that substantially less force is needed than the force that was necessary to engage prior art stab-in connectors into locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventors: Brett W. Sareyka, Yu Lin, William J. Platt
  • Publication number: 20110078970
    Abstract: A rectangular ceiling tile to be supported in an exposed type suspended grid system of perpendicularly crossed girders of inverted T-profile. The tile includes a core containing fiber material with two opposite first edges, each forming a recess, and two opposite second edges each forming a recess. The tile forms a projecting, peripheral rim on a lower face of the tile. At least two edge support clips are provided. Each clip has one or more limbs that are inserted into or under a transverse edge surface of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: CERTAINTEED CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan L. Boyd
  • Publication number: 20110078968
    Abstract: A runner for a suspended ceiling grid is roll-formed from a single strip of sheet metal so as to have a generally symmetrical appearance about a vertical center line, with a double vertical web and a double-thickness flange for supporting ceiling tiles. The bottom surface of the flange is continuous across its exposed surface, so that there is no visible juncture of the opposed flanges with the double web when viewed from below, thus providing an aesthetically more-pleasing appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: James Ferrell, Richard McClain, Scott G. Jankovec, Peter G. Jahn
  • Patent number: 7908813
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Alan C. Wendt
  • Patent number: 7892631
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a lightweight board with two thin-walled top layers and at least one core layer located between the top layers and connected to these, and a process to manufacture this. The process to manufacture the invented lightweight board is characterised by a first process stage in which a groove is made in at least one longitudinal side of the lightweight board, a profile strip is inserted in a second process stage into the groove in the lightweight board and a further profile strip is attached in a third stage on the previously attached profile strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Rehau AG & Co.
    Inventor: Dieter Bauer
  • Patent number: 7886496
    Abstract: An extruded aluminum bottom-load ceiling used in conjunction with cleanrooms comprises main tees and cross tees with removable flanges. The tees are connected via cam-lock devices or splice bars and may be hung on a 4?×4? or 8?×8? configuration. The tees also include hammerhead-nut slots used to suspend the tees from the building structure above and hang AMHS hangers from the tees. Grid stiffeners are included to increase the carrying capacity of the tees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: DAW Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Spransy
  • Publication number: 20110023400
    Abstract: Grid members, namely a runner (10) and wall angle (400) for suspended ceiling grids, are disclosed. Certain embodiments of the runner and the wall angle have two web portions (28, 30) and at least one distinct indent portion (62) to define a space between the web portions. An adhesive (56) may be disposed within one or more of the indent portions (62) to adhere the two web portions (28, 30) to each other. Certain embodiments of the runner or wall angle have flange portions (32, 34) that may have indent portions as well. One or more of these indent portions may contain adhesive. Some embodiments of the runner or wall angle have overturned cap portions on the flange portions, and an adhesive may be placed between the overturned cap portions and upwardly facing surfaces of the flange portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: USG INTERIORS, INC.
    Inventors: Graham Keith Field, Thomas Andreas Voigt