Abstract: A covering for an underlying structure comprises a bottom layer of U-shaped sections with gaps between covered by an upper layer of inverted U-shaped sections, the sections having clearance holes and/or flexible edges to permit transverse thermal flexing. The bottom sections are attachable to the structure by clip elements previously attached to the structure.

Abstract: A firestop conduit element is formed of an inner conduit of fusible material surrounded by intumescent material which is contained within an exterior moisture impenetrable barrier. A preferred barrier is an external sleeve, bonded at its ends to the conduit. The ends of the conduit element are coupleable to exterior conduit systems.

Abstract: A decorative molding utilizes a tongue and groove system which produces a stable bond between a frame and covering. The frame possesses a projection which corresponds to a groove on the shell, and the two units are slidably engaged to form a connection. This tongue and groove design prevents the shell and frame from being pulled apart except in the direction of the groove. A slot is also provided in the frame to reduce friction between the frame and shell and to alleviate the problem of lateral thermal expansion. A gap is provided in the frame to allow the molding to compensate for linear thermal expansion. This invention not only maximizes stability, flexibility and attractiveness, but also prevents the bowing effect of both linear and lateral thermal expansion on the molding.

Abstract: A suspended grid system to support screw applied drywall ceilings. The system includes parallel rows of main runners suspended from the structural ceiling. Cross channel members are attached in parallel rows at right angles to the main runners. Drywall is screw attached to the lower surface of the cross channel members. Connectors are formed on the ends of the cross channel members which engage and lock to the main runners. Each such connector uses two upper latches and two lower tongue shaped stop shoulders. The lower stop shoulders will collapse in a controlled manner to relieve excessive compression as would be created from thermal expansion. The main runner will also provide a means for relieving thermal expansion.

Abstract: The grid member is formed of sheet metal and has an inverted T-shape with a bulb at the top, a double thickness central web and oppositely disposed flanges at the bottom. To achieve controlled expansion, an extended angular lance is cut at the top of the bulb. Further, staggered cutouts are placed in the two thicknesses which make up the web. By staggering the cutout areas of adjacent web layers, the overall web strength is maintained. These web cutouts and the lance at the top of the bulb cooperate upon thermal expansion, causing the bottom flanges to buckle down, and the web and bulb to separate laterally and fold. The folded web configuration directed by the staggered cutout pattern will maintain longitudinal rigidity.

Abstract: The grid member is formed of sheet metal and has an inverted T-shape with a bulb at the top, a double thickness central web and oppositely disposed flanges at the bottom. To achieve controlled expansion, two parallel lances are cut along opposite sides of the bulb near the top of the bulb. No metal is removed at this area of maximum bending stress. Further, staggered cutouts are placed in the two thicknesses which make up the web. By staggering the cutout areas of adjacent web layers, the overall web strength is maintained. These web cutouts and the lance at the top of the bulb cooperate upon thermal expansion, causing the bottom flanges to buckle down, and the web and sides of the bulb to separate laterally and fold, and the top of the bulb to buckle up. The folded web configuration directed by the staggered cutout pattern will maintain longitudinal rigidity.

Abstract: The grid member is formed of sheet metal and has an inverted T-shape with a bulb at the top, a double thickness central web and oppositely disposed flanges at the bottom. To achieve controlled expansion, an extended angular lance is cut at the top of the bulb. No metal is removed at this area of maximum bending stress. Further, staggered cutouts are placed in the two thicknesses which make up the web. By staggering the cutout areas of adjacent web layers, the overall web strength is maintained. These web cutouts and the lance at the top of the bulb cooperate upon thermal expansion, causing the bottom flanges to buckle down, and the web and bulb to separate laterally and fold. The folded web configuration directed by the staggered cutout pattern will maintain longitudinal rigidity.

Abstract: A fire strip for a suspended grid ceiling has an inner spring steel web having a slightly arcuate cross section, and an outer web of soft steel wrapped around the inner web. A finished strip is formed by bending the strip normal to the strip body at both ends. When the ends are bent, a spring-like, yieldable, upwardly curved arch is formed which fits snugly against a panel when in place in a ceiling.

Abstract: The expansion joint for the runner is formed with two cut-out areas and cuts in the vertical web to permit the horizontal web, enlarged bulb and remaining web by the cut-out areas to bend outward to absorb expansion of the runner when subjected to fire.

Abstract: A grid system for suspending a ceiling formed of drywall includes main runners which are interconnected by splice connections having an arrangement for controlling bending to relieve thermal expansion and has cross members formed of channels which are connected to the main runner by a connection having an arrangement for relieving thermal expansion. The splice connection includes a portion of the bead of the main runner being removed to provide bending lines spaced inward from the edge of the web so that bending will occur at two spaced positions at the splice connection to relieve thermal expansion caused by a fire.

Abstract: A fire strip for use in a suspended metallic grid ceiling structure. The strip extends between grid members in the ceiling. During a fire, the strip helps keep the grid intact, and keeps the ceiling tile in place, whereby the ceiling continues to act as a fire barrier.

Abstract: A movable wall or partition assembly having panels magnetically secured to studs by novel magnetic clips on the studs engaging magnetic means on the panels, whereby one or more panels may be quickly and easily removed and replaced without disturbing the remaining panels or the entire wall or partition assembly may be disassembled, even by office personel, for movement or storage. A novel magnetic clip for the wall or partition assembly which does not require any special stud configuration for the assembly.

Abstract: An expansion joint or fire break for a main runner which has a web portion interconnecting a bead having a rectangular cross section with a pair of outwardly extending flanges characterized by an aperture in the web portion, a portion of the bead above the web portion being deformed to provide a modified bead having a flattened portion of reduced width connected to an upper sub-bead portion of a greater width, three notches extending transversely through the upper sub-bead and the aperture having an arrangement including shear lines and cuts to define bending lines or regions for the web that extend through the notches of the sub-bead and to define three bending lines or areas for the flanges, which are aligned with the bending lines in the web.

Abstract: A method of making an inverted T shaped ceiling grid member comprises the steps of folding a sheet of metal to form a vertical central web with a bulb at the top and having two web sidewalls with a pair of oppositely disposed horizontal flanges extending outwardly from the bottom of the web for supporting ceiling tiles, and laser welding the two web sidewalls together by applying a laser beam thereto to form a laser weld to increase the strength and rigidity of the ceiling grid member. A cap may be attached to the flanges to cover the bottom of the flanges. A metal inverted T shaped ceiling grid member comprises a vertical web having a bulb at the top and having two web sidewalls, a pair of oppositely disposed horizontal flanges extending outwardly from the bottom of the web, and a laser weld joining the two web sidewalls together. A cap may be attached to the flanges to cover the bottom of the flanges.

Abstract: A main beam for a ceiling grid suspension system with an improved connector and compression section. The connector is of the tongue and strap type, compact with improved resistance to bending. The compression section includes an interrupted and compressed bead, a creased web strap and a downward deflecting flange.

Abstract: A suspension ceiling grid system is disclosed which provides intersections including through-runners and oppositely extending runner ends. The through-runner is provided with a connector opening and the runner ends are provided with identical end connectors. The end connectors are engaged and disengaged by lateral movement and provide spring means which resiliently urge the end connectors toward the locked position. The end connectors provide two locking systems, one of which provides a connection with the through-runner when only one connector is installed in the connector opening, and subsequently provides an improved strength functionally direct connection between the two end connectors when two end connectors are installed within the connector opening from opposite sides. The end connectors provide a second separate locking system which directly connects between the two end connectors. In one embodiment, a connector system is disclosed which allows easy removal of a runner within an assembled grid.

Abstract: A beam for a fire-rated suspended ceiling structure wherien the beam has an inverted-T construction and includes a central web having a bulb at the top and a pair of oppositely disposed flanges at the bottom for supporting ceiling tiles, and an improved expansion relief section of the beam comprising a section of the web having a pair of spaced vertical cuts in the web and an horizontal cut extending between the upper ends of the vertical cuts to form a tab extending upwardly from the pair of flanges, the tab having an inverted triangular cut-out portion the apex thereof adjacent the pair of flanges and dividing the tab into two portions, a pair of protuberances formed in the upper edge of the tab portion contacting the upper portion of the web, and a section of the bulb having a crushed portion opposite the apex of the triangular cut-out portion, the crushed portion of the bulb having a substantially Z-shaped configuration whereby when the beam is subjected to expansion forces accompanying fire conditions th

Abstract: A suspended ceiling system having a main runners or members extending parallel with cross-members spaced therealong to form rectangular sections, the cross-members being provided with tongues extending from the end and received in apertures or slots in the main member with the tongues being provided with a catch surface coacting with a shoulder on the tongue to hold the tongue as it is inserted into the aperture of the main runner. Each of the tongues are provided in coacting engagement and abutment surfaces which lock the two tongues together in an end-to-end connection when inserted from opposite sides of the main runner.

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

Abstract: A channel structure for assembly into a suspended ceiling or the like and which is arranged to maintain the structural integrity of the ceiling during exposure to the heat of a fire. The channel structure includes an end splice arrangement having elements which develop a telescoping relationship between joined channels and thereby avoid buckling during thermally induced axial expansion of the channels.

Abstract: A passive system for protecting a structure against high temperatures which consists of a thin protective foil of heat-resistant material such as stainless steel fastened to the face of the structure to be protected. When subjected to high heating rates, the local thermal expansion of the foil forms a blister bulging away from the structure to thereby create an air space which thermally insulates the structure.

Abstract: A fire rated dry wall ceiling support system having fixed, aligned main beam members spliced together in a manner so as to absorb longitudinal compression, as for example resulting from thermal expansion during a fire. Each main beam includes a web surmounted by a bead with flange portions extending laterally outwardly from the web. Each web end includes a tongue extending axially outwardly for locking engagement with the adjacent beam member web and is so configured that the tongues fold in a longitudinal manner and become laterally displaced out of the normal plane of the tongues when the beam members are longitudinally compressed towards one another. Accordingly, the bead means become laterally displaced while moving towards one another in a longitudinal direction and may in fact overlap one another in a longitudinal sense. The system further includes support channels disposed transversely to the main beam members and engaged therewith.

Abstract: A controlled expansion suspended ceiling grid member for suspended panel or tile ceilings comprises a web having a panel supporting flange provided along one of its marginal edges and a bead integral with the other marginal edge. The bead side walls are unconnected at the bead's base. An expansion accommodating portion is provided for accommodating thermal expansion in the beam and comprises three evenly spaced apart notches cut in the web in a manner which adapts the flange to fold downwardly away from the bead during beam expansion. The bead's top wall has slot means cut therein to essentially free the bead's side walls from transverse connection to adapt the side walls to buckle laterally out of their respective planes as the flange is folded so that the bead remains substantially horizontal and distortion along the beam's length is minimized.

Abstract: A girder-like runner for use with fire-rated suspended ceiling structure is disclosed. The runner is provided with a bottom flange, an interrupted top bead, and a web including a diamond-shaped expansion member. A lower web portion adjacent the flange is formed with two opposed lipped ledges. Buckling forces caused by first-induced thermal expansion force the web expansion member to deform outwardly into a foreshortened diamond shape. The forces also cause the ledge web portion and the flange downwardly in a controlled, predetermined manner which retains runner strength.

Abstract: A fire rated grid-member having fixed end points and the web thereof absorbing thermally induced longitudinally compression which results from fixed end point reaction forces. The grid member further includes a bead surmounting the web which is deformed to create a plurality of weakened portions which deform further upon grid member compression to thereby absorb longitudinal compression in the bead. Each deformed portion of the bead comprises opposing portions of the bead sides being crimped together to form a plane of abutment which is obliquely disposed to a limited extent with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bead. Such a disposition of the plane of abutment minimizes the reduction in compressive strength of the bead while assuring that deformation of the bead will occur in a desired manner during thermally induced compression of the grid member so as to maintain a supported grid network in position.

Abstract: A beam for a fire-rated suspended ceiling structure wherein the beam has an inverted-T construction and includes a central web having a bulb at the top and a pair of oppositely disposed flanges at the bottom for supporting ceiling tiles, and an improved expansion relief section of the beam comprising a section of the web having a pair of spaced vertical cuts in the web and an horizontal cut extending between the upper ends of the vertical cuts to form a tab extending upwardly from the pair of flanges, the tab having an inverted triangular cut-out portion the apex thereof adjacent the pair of flanges and dividing the tab into two portions, a pair of protuberances formed in the upper edge of the tab portion contacting the upper portion of the web, and a section of the bulb having a crushed portion opposite the apex of the triangular cut-out portion, the crushed portion of the bulb having a substantially Z-shaped configuration whereby when the beam is subjected to expansion forces accompanying fire conditions th