US3589086A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Removable suspended ceiling support
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-08-11
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1989-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A removable support for suspended ceilings, the support generally being in the form of an inverted T, the lateral portions of which fit in slits formed in the confronting edges of the ceiling tile; the support being accessible to a thin blade inserted between the confronting edges of the tile and extended thereby so that the extremities of the support may rest on transversely extending fixed suspension members, or retracted to clear the fixed suspension members for removal of a selected ceiling tile.
Inventors
- 👤 Roland Kurt Schilling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:28
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/22; E04B9/24; E04B9/247
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A removable support structure for ceiling tile having end margins adapted to underlie the side flanges of parallel runners, the ceiling tile having slits in their side margin extending between the end margins, said removable support structure comprising: a. a strut comprising first and second support members; b. and means slidably connecting said support members for relative longitudinal movement between a retracted position wherein the remote extremity of at least one of the support members clears the flange of its corresponding runner and an extended position wherein the remote extremities of said support members rest on their respective runner flanges; c. said support members including flange elements dimensioned to be slidably received in the side margin slits of contiguous ceiling tile and a web perpendicular to said flange elements; d. and engageable means in said web for engagement by a tool inserted upward between adjacent ceiling tile to effect relative extension and retraction of said support members; and e. means defining a tool passageway between said flange elements, accessible from between the edges of said adjacent ceiling tiles, to said engageable means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A removable support structure for ceiling tile having end margins adapted to underlie the side flanges of parallel runners, the ceiling tile having slits in their side margin extending between the end margins, said removable support structure comprising: a. a strut comprising first and second support members; b. and means slidably connecting said support members for relative longitudinal movement between a retracted position wherein the remote extremity of at least one of the support members clears the flange of its corresponding runner and an extended position wherein the remote extremities of said support members rest on their respective runner flanges; c. said support members including flange elements dimensioned to be slidably received in the side margin slits of contiguous ceiling tile and a web perpendicular to said flange elements; d. and engageable means in said web for engagement by a tool inserted upward between adjacent ceiling tile to effect relative extension and retraction of said support members; and e. means defining a tool passageway between said flange elements, accessible from between the edges of said adjacent ceiling tiles, to said engageable means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A support structure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. each of said support members is in the form of an inverted T in cross section; b. and said connecting means secures said support members in longitudinally aligned relation, the connecting means slidably receiving at least one of said support members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A support structure, as defined in claim 2, wherein: a. said connecting means is a strip folded over the webs of said support members; b. and key and slot means formed by said strip and at least one of said support members permits relative longitudinal movement thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A support structure, as defined in claim 2, wherein: a. said connecting mEans is integral with one of said support members and is folded over the web of the other support member; b. and key and slot means formed in the folded portion of the connecting means and said other support member permits relative longitudinal movement of the support members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
A support structure, as defined in claim 2, wherein: a. said connecting means is a bar; b. and the web of at least one of the support members is slit and deformed to form portions extending over opposite sides of the bar to permit limited relative sliding movement of said support members while said bar secures said support members in longitudinal alignment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A support structure, as defined in claim 2, wherein: a. the webs of the support members have tubular extremities; b. and said connecting means includes a bar received in said tubular extremities, and means extending from the web of at least one support member and overlapping the web of the other support member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A support structure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. said support members are L-shaped in cross section and include webs disposed in contiguous relation thereby to define compositely, an inverted T; b. and said connecting means includes at least a pair of headed pins extending through said webs, and slots in said webs to permit longitudinal movement of said support members in opposite directions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
152 words
A removable support structure for ceiling tile having end margins adapted to underlie the side flanges of parallel runners, the ceiling tile having slits in their side margins extending between the end margins, said removable support structure comprising: a. a first and a second support member; b. means connecting said support members for relative longitudinal movement between a retracted position wherein the extremities of the support members clear the flanges of parallel runners and an extended position wherein the extremities of said support members rest on said runner flanges; c. said support members including flange elements dimensioned to be slidably received in the side margin slits of contiguous ceiling tile and a dual web perpendicular to the flange elements and defining a slit aligned with the crack formed between the contiguous ceiling tile; d. and operating means for relatively extending and retracting said support members insertable between contiguous tile into said slit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
152 words
A removable support structure for ceiling tile having end margins adapted to underlie the side flanges of parallel runners, the ceiling tile having slits in their side margins extending between the end margins, said removable support structure comprising: a. a first and a second support member; b. means connecting said support members for relative longitudinal movement between a retracted position wherein the extremities of the support members clear the flanges of parallel runners and an extended position wherein the extremities of said support members rest on said runner flanges; c. said support members including flange elements dimensioned to be slidably received in the side margin slits of contiguous ceiling tile and a dual web perpendicular to the flange elements and defining a slit aligned with the crack formed between the contiguous ceiling tile; d. and operating means for relatively extending and retracting said support members insertable between contiguous tile into said slit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A removable support structure, as defined in claim 8, wherein: a. said operating means includes a flat blade dimensioned for insertion through said ceiling tile crack into said web slit; b. and the walls of the dual web frictionally engage said blade.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A removable support structure, as defined in claim 8, wherein: a. said operating means includes a flat blade dimensioned for insertion through said ceiling tile crack into said web slit; b. and means extends laterally into said dual web slit for engagement by said blade.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
A removable support structure, as defined in claim 8, wherein: a. each of said support members is L-shaped in cross section and includes one of said flange elements and one side of said dual web; b. and said connecting means includes at least a pair of headed pins extending through said dual web, and slots in said dual web to permit said relative extension and retraction of said support members; c. and said operating means includes a pin forcibly insertable into said dual web and having a surface for driving engagement therewith; whereby on rotation of said pin to move said support members in opposite directions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A support structure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. said tool receiving means is a downwardly facing longitudinal slit formed in the web.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |