Having Abutting Edges To Conceal Retaining Means Patents (Class 52/506.09)
  • Patent number: 11608636
    Abstract: An elongate sheet metal body for attachment to the web of a grid tee, the body having a substantially right angle cross-section formed by legs that in use are vertical and horizontal, respectively, the vertical leg having a width adapted to fit against the web between a reinforcing bulb and lower flange of the tee, the horizontal leg having a width at least that of the width of a portion of the flange portion extending from the web to a free edge of the flange, the horizontal leg having at a free edge a plurality of depending lugs spaced uniformly from one another with a common center to center distance, the lugs having a horizontal width sized to fit into U-shaped baffles such that said baffles carried on said lugs have the same center to center distance as the lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: USG INTERIORS, LLC
    Inventors: Abraham M. Underkofler, Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Eric H. Kremer, Faris Alnakkar
  • Patent number: 11473294
    Abstract: A building structure and a kit comprising: a hollow shell; a plurality of exterior panel assemblies attached to an exterior surface of the shell, each panel assembly including: a mounting member extending outwardly from the shell, the mounting member having a first end secured to the shell and a second end located away from the shell; an exterior wall panel secured to the second end of the mounting member so as to be spaced from the shell. According to another aspect, there is also provided a building structure and a kit comprising: a hollow shell defining an interior enclosure sized and shaped to house at least one individual; a plurality of modular wall sections secured to the hollow shell inside the interior enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: Patricia Dawn Russell
  • Patent number: 11168477
    Abstract: A wall and ceiling panel system which utilizes a concealed resilient beam for securing a panel to a wall or ceiling structure is disclosed. A wall and ceiling panel system having features of the present invention can comprise a panel configured for releasable attachment to a latching assembly. The latching assembly can comprise a resilient beam dynamically secured to a base bracket so as to allow the resilient beam to deflect relative to the base bracket during the panel installation and removal process. The panel can comprise a keyed flange having at least one locking slot configured to mate with the resilient beam, with the panel becoming secured to the latching assembly once the panel's key flange is mated with the resilient beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Gordon Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Imack Laydera-Collins
  • Patent number: 11098481
    Abstract: A ceiling system for use in an interior building environment. In one aspect, the invention may be a ceiling system comprising: a frame comprising a plurality of struts; a plurality of modules, each of the modules comprising a panel and a plurality of hook members coupled to and extending from a top surface of the panel; each of the hook members comprising: an upstanding section; a hook portion at a top end of the upstanding section, the hook portion defining a downwardly-facing open slot; and an attachment flange at a bottom end of the upstanding section that couples the hook member to the top surface of the panel; and the modules mounted to the frame, and wherein for each of the modules, the hook portions of the hook members fit over and rest upon the struts, the struts located in the downwardly-facing open slots of the hook portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: AWI Licensing LLC
    Inventors: James R. Waters, James P. Rineer, Brian L. Springer, William H. Frantz
  • Patent number: 10881202
    Abstract: A support for a moveable office wall is disclosed, the support including but not limited to a plurality of support sections, wherein the plurality of support sections are connectable to form the support, wherein each of the plurality of support sections comprises an inner connecting surface for joining with another inner connecting surface of another support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventor: Hugh Payne
  • Patent number: 10557265
    Abstract: A clip for a suspended ceiling being suspended from an overhead structure has at least first and second adjoined ceiling members defining a top surface interfacing with the overhead structure and an opposite undersurface. The top surface of each of the first and second adjoined ceiling members defines at least one slot. The clip comprises a main longitudinal body and a pair of inserts. The main longitudinal body defines opposite ends. Each of the inserts downwardly extend from respective one of the ends of the longitudinal body. Each of the inserts configured to be inserted into a respective one of the slots. The clip is mountable to the first and second adjoined ceiling members with one insert being inserted in the slot of the first ceiling member and the other insert being inserted in the slot of the second ceiling member thereby maintaining the first and second ceiling members in the adjoined position against separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: EMBASSY CEILING INC.
    Inventors: André St-Laurent, Vincent Gendreau
  • Patent number: 9702145
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a tile and support structure may include a plurality of tiles, which may be generally rectangular in shape, engaged with one or more support structures. The tile may be formed with four edges, wherein two opposing edges may be formed with grooves therein and the other two opposing edges may be formed with protrusions thereon. The support structure may be formed with a generally vertical spine having two rails extending outward from a distal end thereof. The support structure may also include two generally horizontally extending flanges, which may be formed with a trough therein. The trough may include a plurality of apertures formed therein. One side of the trough may be defined by a lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: MBRICO, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. McManus
  • Patent number: 9562354
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system which is used to provide a planar structure, such as a wall or a ceiling, comprising a profiled frame (1) which is assembled from a plurality of profiled elements (2, 7), and a flexible or rigid, flat planar element (3) extending at least partially over said profiled frame (1). The planar element (3) is detachably connected to a connecting element (4, 8) by means of a form fit and/or a force closure. The connecting element (4, 8) is detachably connected to the profiled frame (1) by means of a form fit and/or a force closure, so that the planar element (3) is indirectly connected to the profiled frame (1) by means of the connecting element (4, 8), and wherein the connecting element (4, 8) is separate from the profiled frame (1) and the planar element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: SYMA INTERCONTINENTAL AG
    Inventors: Marcel Strassle, Kurt Zullig
  • Patent number: 9534383
    Abstract: A panel assembly for a suspended ceiling comprising a sheet metal body and support brackets attached to the body, the sheet metal body having a rectangular generally planar face portion, a side portion along each of four edges of the face portion, the side portions extending upwardly from the face portion edges to side portion edges, and flanges extending inwardly from the side portion edges such that the flanges overlie and are spaced from the face portion, the side portions intersecting at corners of the panel assembly and the flanges being adjacent the corners, a hanger bracket associated with each corner abutting and fixed to the flanges adjacent each corner, the hanger bracket having at least one hole for attaching a suspension wire at a location spaced from said each corner a distance substantially greater than a width of the flanges adjacent said each corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: USG INTERIORS, LLC
    Inventors: Abraham M. Underkofler, Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Mark R. Paulsen
  • Patent number: 9528266
    Abstract: Panel unit assemblies with first and second engagement members having panel-attachment members for retaining portions of the panels and pairs of opposed transparent or translucent panels with retaining portions attached to the panel-attachment members of the first and second engagement members to form adjacent interlocked panel units. The first engagement member has a first wall disposed between the first pair of panels and a male member projecting from the first wall with at least one catch rail and the second engagement member has a second wall disposed between the panels with a pair of sidewalls defining an interlock cavity for receiving the male member. The catch rail of the male member is disposed adjacent to an inner surface of the sidewalls to engage an interlock cavity sidewall inner surface and limit pivoting movement of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: KONVIN ASSOCIATES, L.P.
    Inventor: Moshe Konstantin
  • Patent number: 9353522
    Abstract: A ceiling system in one embodiment includes an overhead support grid comprised of a plurality of intersecting grid support members and a ceiling tile mountable to the grid. Retaining clips support the ceiling tile from the grid which may be concealed from view. The retaining clips each include a cavity that receives a grid support member and a pair of resilient mounting elements configured to locking! y engage a support member. The mounting elements are laterally movable in response to inserting the support member into the cavity of the retaining clip. In one embodiment, the movable elements include locking tabs which create a snap-fit interlock with the grid support, member for securing the ceiling tile to the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: AWI Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Todd M. Bergman, Frances Testa, James R. Waters
  • Patent number: 9340976
    Abstract: A modular ceiling comprising first and second main runners defining an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface defining a longitudinal retaining cavity along the first main runner and two grooves disposed parallel to and, respectively, on each side from the longitudinal retaining cavity; a cross member installable at an angle from the main runners and adapted to connect the first main runner with the second main runner, the cross member being secured to the main runners by a cross member fastener having a cross runner anchor adapted to engage the groove defined in main runners; and a panel adapted to be disposed between main runners and being supported, at least in part, by main runners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignees: LES PLAFONDS EMBASSY INC., EMBASSY CEILING INC.
    Inventor: Patrick Labonté
  • Patent number: 9335033
    Abstract: A ceiling support system includes a bracket mechanism that can be attached to ceiling joists. An upwardly extending flange arrangement provides support for a ceiling fixture while allowing adjustment of its position before being secured to the support system. The flange arrangement may be flexible and secured to the ceiling structure via resilient hangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: BRAINWAVE RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jean-Guy Gagne, James W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 9328518
    Abstract: A method of assembling wall panels includes mounting a plurality of PVC fastening extrusions to a wall in a predetermined parallel, spaced apart relationship, each having a length much greater than a length of a wall panel and having two spaced apart resilient bent end securing walls extending from a base, each securing wall having a projection, each wall panel having a main wall panel and four bent end sections with recesses and corner openings, pressing a bent end section into the spacing between the securing walls to cause deformation and snapping back thereof a projection engages in a respective recess, sliding said wall panel along the parallel, spaced apart fastening extrusions to a desired position with the corner openings permitting said sliding action, and repeating the steps of pressing and sliding for additional wall panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Henry H. Bilge
  • Patent number: 9194123
    Abstract: A ceiling system in one embodiment includes a grid support member, a ceiling panel, a torsion spring mounted on the ceiling panel, and a spring clip slideably mounted on the grid support member and configured to retain the spring. The spring clip includes a pair of resilient locking tabs engaging the grid support member to lock the clip to the member, thereby preventing withdrawing the clip from the support member. In one embodiment, the locking tabs form a snap-fit to the grid support member. The spring clip is positionable in a plurality of axial mounting positions on the grid support member to facilitate mounting the ceiling panel. In one embodiment, the grid support member may have a T-shaped cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventor: Daniel M. Holdridge
  • Patent number: 9051741
    Abstract: A method of assembling wall panels includes mounting a plurality of PVC fastening extrusions to a wall in a predetermined parallel, spaced apart relationship, each having a length much greater than a length of a wall panel and having two spaced apart resilient bent end securing walls extending from a base, each securing wall having a projection, each wall panel having a main wall panel and four bent end sections with recesses and corner openings, pressing a bent end section into the spacing between the securing walls to cause deformation and snapping back thereof a projection engages in a respective recess, sliding said wall panel along the parallel, spaced apart fastening extrusions to a desired position with the corner openings permitting said sliding action, and repeating the steps of pressing and sliding for additional wall panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Henry H. Bilge
  • Patent number: 8950146
    Abstract: A canopy system for use in the interior building environment. The canopy system of the invention meets seismic code requirements and includes a group suspension system for mechanically aligning and registering canopy modules relative one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventors: James R. Waters, James P. Rineer, Brian L. Springer, William H. Frantz
  • Patent number: 8882065
    Abstract: A two-piece track assembly may be used in an office environment for mounting accessory components, such as work surfaces, cabinets, shelves, filing units, etc., to either a permanent building wall or to the framework of a movable office wall or office partition system. The track assembly includes a base mountable to the wall or framework via a plurality of fasteners. A track mounts to the base to cover the fasteners used to mount the base. The track also includes a relatively thinly-profiled slot into which a corresponding, relatively thinly-profiled mounting flange of an accessory component is received to mount and support the accessory component upon the track assembly. Optionally, a decorative or functional tile may be mounted to a wall or partition between a pair of track assemblies spaced vertically from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay M. Henriott, Keith E. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 8844232
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a ceiling mount system for installing a ceiling panel on a grid support body. The ceiling mount system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes clip main bodies coupled to upper surfaces of ceiling panels and configured to accommodate end portions of the grid support body, a pressing block facing an end portion of the grid support body, which is accommodated inside the clip main body, and installed to be able to linearly reciprocate, and one or more clips including an elastic member which provides elastic force to the pressing block inside the clip main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Soon Kie Jung
  • Patent number: 8833017
    Abstract: A rapid hanging curtain wall unit for a wall assembling structure includes a wall structure, at least one curtain wall plate, and multiple connecting units. The wall structure has a base and a supporting apparatus mounted in the base. The at least one curtain wall plate has a back surface and multiple positioning holes which are formed in the back surface and separately and horizontally arranged in positions adjacent to an upper edge and a lower edge of the back surface. The multiple connecting units are respectively mounted in the multiple positioning holes. Each one of the at least one curtain wall plate can be hung in the supporting apparatus of the wall structure by the multiple connecting units easily and rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Rong-Jun Huang
  • Patent number: 8782985
    Abstract: A splice plate for joining and aligning extruded trim strips used in suspended ceiling islands and fascias of the type having a pair of opposed flanged channels on its rear face, the splice plate having upper and lower flanges proportioned to slide into the pair of channels and a pair of clamping elements, each of the clamping elements being disposed in a rearwardly horizontally spaced relation to a respective one of said splice plate flanges, a machine screw associated with each clamping element and arranged when turned to draw the respective clamping element forcibly towards an associated plate flange to thereby clamp an intervening portion of a trim channel flange, said plate being sufficiently long to span between a pair of end abutted trim strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Peder Gulbrandsen, Mark Miklosz, Stephen Oshgan, Joe Wascow, Nicholas Jackson
  • Patent number: 8745947
    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. At least one of the first tabs is relatively longer than at least one of the second tabs, and has a length sufficient so that it 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: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Chicago Metallic Company LLC
    Inventors: Peter G. Jahn, Mark A. Fladeland
  • Patent number: 8739488
    Abstract: A ceiling panel assembly for being secured to, and for concealing, a suspended inverted T-shaped, longitudinally extending main runner having a vertically disposed web, a horizontally disposed flange divided by the web to equal flange portions, and a protuberance at a terminal end of each of the flange portions, which comprises: a main section with a first and second lateral edge and visible panel sections and two support sections laterally extending in opposite directions, which are disposed above the main section. The two support sections releasably contact two adjacent and laterally spaced main runners, respectively, and one of the sections is adapted to multi-directionally stiffen a corresponding main runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Yaakov Vakhnin
  • Patent number: 8596008
    Abstract: A canopy system for use in the interior building environment. The canopy system of the invention meets seismic code requirements and includes a group suspension system for mechanically aligning and registering canopy modules relative one another. The system requires a minimum number of attachment points to the overhead building structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventors: James R. Waters, James P. Rineer, Brian L. Springer, William H. Frantz
  • Patent number: 8590248
    Abstract: A roll formed sheet metal grid runner, and method of its manufacture, for a suspended ceiling grid having indexing tabs stamped from a central web of the runner profile, the tabs being effective to reliably locate ceiling panels and, when the grid runner is nested with other identical runners in a package, avoid marring of visible surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: James J. Lehane, Jr., Donald J. Leahy, Steven E. Farley, Thomas G. Rowland, Peder J. Gulbrandsen
  • Patent number: 8590160
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: James J. Lehane, Jr., Steven E. Farley, Donald J. Leahy, Ronald J. Koval, Paul A. Pomeroy
  • Publication number: 20130167465
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a splice plate suitable for use in joining beams for use in a grid that supports panels and ceiling fixtures in a suspended ceiling. In particular, the present invention provides a splice plate suitable for use in joining main beams together for use in a grid that supports panels and ceiling fixtures in a suspended ceiling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: John Santeramo
  • Patent number: 8397462
    Abstract: A suspended ceiling grid runner comprising separate parallel upper and lower chords, a plurality of identical web plates fixed between the chords and the plates having a height less than the height of the grid runner and a width, the chords being made of roll-formed sheet metal strips and symmetrical about a vertical plane, the chordal strips each having marginal sections folded parallel to one another and on opposite sides of the vertical plane, the web plates including vertical slots for receiving connectors of cross runners, the web plates being spaced at regular centers along the grid runner with a distance that is a small fraction of the nominal length of the grid runner, the gaps between adjacent web plates being longer than the height of the grid runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: Peder J. Gulbrandsen, James J. Lehane, Jr., Abraham M. Underkofler
  • Patent number: 8359803
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: USG Interiors, LLC
    Inventors: James J. Lehane, Jr., Steven E. Farley, Donald J. Leahy, Ronald J. Koval, Paul A. Pomeroy
  • Patent number: 8336271
    Abstract: The fan filter mounting frame is useful in installation of equipment in a cell of suspension grid systems when the equipment is passed through and is placed in a corner of the cell. The equipment is supported partially directly by the grid and partially indirectly by the grid through an adapting frame insert. The frame insert is connected between the equipment and the suspension grid system and may have two legs that meet at an apex, a first leg extending along a first grid rail and a second leg extending along an adjacent second grid rail. Each of the two legs also extends between its respective rail and the equipment, supporting the equipment on the respective suspension grid rails. Thus, the grid system may be in its design position or condition prior to and during placement and replacement of the equipment without disruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Mod-Tec, LLC
    Inventor: Martin Helmus
  • Publication number: 20120317915
    Abstract: A ceiling tile with two pairs of outer straight opposing edges for a suspended ceiling having a grid with an opening with two pairs of near-horizontal opposing flanges on which the outer edges of the tile are supported. Two opposing notches on one of the pair of edges receive and rest upon one of the pairs of opposing flanges to vertically hang the ceiling tile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: CHICAGO METALLIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Weston S. Koennecke, Mark A. Fladeland
  • Patent number: 8316607
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ceilings Plus
    Inventors: Lester Eisner, Tom Peterson, Albert Kiechle, James Langan
  • 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: 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.
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8056294
    Abstract: A suspended ceiling system comprising metal grid members and rectangular composite acoustical panels, the panels having edges at their peripheries, the grid members having a cross section generally like an inverted T such that they provide oppositely extending flanges adapted to support the panels at their edges, a resilient element at a juncture between a support on the grid member flanges and at least one edge of each panel, the resilient element being arranged to temporarily deflect to permit a panel to be raised from below the grid member into an installed position and to extend itself to hold such panel in position on the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. LaLonde
  • Patent number: 8042310
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a fastening member excellent in strength of fastening a decorative external panel and capable of constructing an external wall surface excellent in design appearance, and an external wall structure. The fastening member 1 is used for fastening the decorative external panel 6 to a plurality of the underlying panels 5 disposed in front of the construction frame 3 of a building. This fastening member 1 has a base plate portion 11, a supporting portion 13, an upper panel engaging portion 131, and a lower panel engaging portion 132. The base plate portion 10 has, at its portion above the supporting portion 13, a first screw hole 110 and a second screw hole 120 differing in the distance from the supporting portion 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Nichiha Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Satoshi Hikai
  • Patent number: 7937903
    Abstract: A panel for use in constructing a ceiling of an enclosure, particularly a cleanroom without using a grid support. The panel includes a thin shell or skin which is placed around an internal bracing member in such as fashion that the resulting panel can be hung from an overhead support in a fashion to have a single join or seam between adjacent panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Portafab
    Inventors: Wayne McGee, Trace Woodrum, Bob Weible
  • 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: 20110067337
    Abstract: A flexible ceiling panel is preferably formed from sheet metal, such as aluminum sheet. Each ceiling panel has a generally rectangular shape (corresponding in width to the spacing between the main runners) and is formed with a hem on all four edges. A series of bendable tabs are formed integrally with the hem of the panel. To secure the panel to the associated grid system, the tabs are folded upwardly and outwardly from the panel along two axes to secure the panel to the grid system. Alternatively, a plurality of separate spring clips is used to secure the panel to the grid system. Each clip includes a first leg adapted to have at least a portion thereof received in the hem of the ceiling panel. A second leg extends generally perpendicularly from the first leg and includes a detent extending toward the first leg, the detent being adapted to secure the clip to the flange of the runner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Peter G. Jahn, Scott G. Jankovec, Thomas E. Smith
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110005147
    Abstract: A ceiling tile and a method of manufacture, wherein the ceiling tile has contrasting colors of texturized woven yarn and a coating, respectively, wherein individual colors of the yarn and coating are at different depths of surface texture, wherein color contrasts accentuate the surface texture depths to be viewed, and provide a desirable, unpredictable randomness of pattern of the color contrasts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: MITUL D. ZAVERI, James Matthew Benti
  • Publication number: 20100293878
    Abstract: A floor assembly comprising at least one plate, at least one girder connected to said plate, which girder is provided with at least one passage extending transversely to the girder and which supports at least one removable panel. The floor assembly further comprises at least one section supported by at least one girder, which section extends in a direction transversely to the girder. Said section comprises a separating segment and first and second supports located on either side of said separating segment, wherein said first and said second support are located at different heights relative to an upper side of the separating segment. The first support supports the panel, whilst the second support supports a stonelike floor. The second support is located near a bottom side of the separating segment remote from the upper side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: INFRA+ B.V.
    Inventor: Hendrik Diederik Willem van Groen
  • Publication number: 20100269444
    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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: USG INTERIORS, INC.
    Inventors: Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Alan C. Wendt
  • Publication number: 20100269443
    Abstract: Interlocking tongue and groove floor and wall panels use multiple bonded sheet construction, preferably three sheets, of material, such as plywood, bonded together Other rigid durable sheet materials may be used. The shape is preferably either square or rectangular. By offsetting the middle sheet layer so that two adjacent sides extend beyond the top and bottom layers which are in registration, a tongue is developed on two adjacent sides while the opposite sides will have grooves. Thus such panels can be used to cover a large floor or wall area using normal tongue-in-groove techniques by fitting the protruding tongues into the grooves of adjacent panels In an alternate embodiment, the middle sheet is smaller in size than the top and bottom sheets which are in registration. The middle sheet is centered within the top and bottom sheets thus forming grooves on all four edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: Ziming Shen
  • Publication number: 20100242396
    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: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Scott G. Jankovec, Peter G. Jahn, Thomas E. Smith
  • Patent number: 7765762
    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: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: Peder J. Gulbrandsen, Alan C. Wendt
  • Publication number: 20100077688
    Abstract: A frame is provided for holding a sheet of fabric. The frame features a rail including a first flange and a second flange spaced from the first flange. The rail defines a connector extending an entire length of the rail between the first flange and the second flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: DOCKSIDE CANVAS CO.
    Inventor: John Bowen
  • Patent number: 7681370
    Abstract: An easily installed, aesthetically pleasing island ceiling system is provided. The system includes a soft fiber panel having a top surface, a bottom surface and an edge extending therebetween. The top surface includes a routed channel which does not extend to the edge of the panel. The system also includes suspension hardware which supports the panel in both the longitudinal and cross axes when suspended from an overhead ceiling or wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventors: James R. Waters, Eric Krantz-Lilienthal, Joseph R. Woelfling