US3633952A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suspended ceiling grid joint structure
Assignee: Armstrong World Industries Inc
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Filing: 1970-07-17
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1990-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A ceiling board suspension system has a flexible crossmember with bent-out tabs on opposite ends of its supporting flanges. The tabs, when the crossmember is compressed, will slide into a cutout slot in the center of the flanges of the main runner and, when the crossmember is released, the tabs of the crossmember will lock into place into the openings formed on the opposite edges of the cutout slot of the main runner. The edges of the cutout slot of the main runner are diagonally cut toward the center of the slot opening so that a level joint surface may be formed if the tabs of the crossmember have a lowered portion or ridge which abuts with the cutout slot edges.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold W Nikolaus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:02
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/06; E04B9/12; E04B9/127; F; F16; F16B; F16B7/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/46; Y10T403/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
In a suspended ceiling structure, an elongated main runner with a web and a two-part runner flange capable of supporting ceiling boards and extending from the web of the main runner, said two-part runner flange comprising a lower Flange extending outwardly from the web with a cutout slot of a predetermined width in the center portion thereof, and an inwardly turned, overlying flange which is an upwardly and inwardly folded extension of the lower flange having a cutout slot equal in size to that of the lower flange, and which is spaced a short distance above the lower flange to form an opening between the two parts of the runner flange, and an elongated cross member with a flexible U-shaped web and two-part cross member flanges capable of supporting ceiling boards and positioned on two opposite sides thereof, said two-part cross member flanges each comprising a lower flange extending from the web the length of the cross member, and an inwardly turned, overlying flange, which is an upwardly and inwardly folded extension of the lower flange, said two-part cross member flange further having a tab on two opposite ends which is part of the lower flange that has not been folded inwardly, the cross member being flexible so that when it is compressed far enough the flanges of the cross member will fit into the cutout slot of the main runner and the tabs formed on the cross member flanges will fit into the opening between the lower and overlying flanges of the main runner and thereby lock the two structures of the ceiling system together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
In a suspended ceiling structure, an elongated main runner with a web and a two-part runner flange capable of supporting ceiling boards and extending from the web of the main runner, said two-part runner flange comprising a lower Flange extending outwardly from the web with a cutout slot of a predetermined width in the center portion thereof, and an inwardly turned, overlying flange which is an upwardly and inwardly folded extension of the lower flange having a cutout slot equal in size to that of the lower flange, and which is spaced a short distance above the lower flange to form an opening between the two parts of the runner flange, and an elongated cross member with a flexible U-shaped web and two-part cross member flanges capable of supporting ceiling boards and positioned on two opposite sides thereof, said two-part cross member flanges each comprising a lower flange extending from the web the length of the cross member, and an inwardly turned, overlying flange, which is an upwardly and inwardly folded extension of the lower flange, said two-part cross member flange further having a tab on two opposite ends which is part of the lower flange that has not been folded inwardly, the cross member being flexible so that when it is compressed far enough the flanges of the cross member will fit into the cutout slot of the main runner and the tabs formed on the cross member flanges will fit into the opening between the lower and overlying flanges of the main runner and thereby lock the two structures of the ceiling system together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The ceiling suspension system of claim 1 wherein the cutout slot edges of the main runner are diagonally cut toward the center of the slot opening, and wherein the tabs on the cross member flanges have a ridge so that when the main runner and cross member are interlocked the slot edges and ridged portions of the tabs abut to form a level plane where the runner flanges interlock.
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) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |