US3649741A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suspended electrified ceiling system
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
•
Filing: 1969-11-19
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Granted: 1972-03-14
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Expires: 1989-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A suspended ceiling system formed of an electrified or power track combined with inverted T-shaped members and other components to support panels which combine to form a suspended ceiling and whereby the electrified track permits the installation and connection thereto of various different types of lighting units at any point on the track surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S Fremont
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:47
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/28; H02G3/281; H01; H01R; H01R25/00; H01R25/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track formed of a pair of spaced vertical sidewalls connected by a transversely extending crossmember, said power track having an upper trackway and a separate lower trackway positioned below said upper trackway, said lower trackway including an inwardly extending lower flange extending inwardly from said spaced sidewalls and an outwardly extending flange extending outwardly from said spaced sidewalls, said flanges extending on each of the two sidewalls longitudinally of the sidewalls, said transversely extending member positioned above the plane of said inwardLy extending flanges, said power track comprising said spaced side walls, said transversely extending crossmember, said upper and lower trackways and said inwardly and outwardly extending flanges being integrally formed, both of said trackways having an open face at the bottom of each and extending the length thereof providing access thereto, said upper trackway supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said lower trackway adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors in said upper trackway, said outwardly extending flanges adapted to support a ceiling panel, a T-shaped member transversely connected to at least one of said sidewalls of said power track, said Tshaped member having means for supporting a ceiling panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track formed of a pair of spaced vertical sidewalls connected by a transversely extending crossmember, said power track having an upper trackway and a separate lower trackway positioned below said upper trackway, said lower trackway including an inwardly extending lower flange extending inwardly from said spaced sidewalls and an outwardly extending flange extending outwardly from said spaced sidewalls, said flanges extending on each of the two sidewalls longitudinally of the sidewalls, said transversely extending member positioned above the plane of said inwardLy extending flanges, said power track comprising said spaced side walls, said transversely extending crossmember, said upper and lower trackways and said inwardly and outwardly extending flanges being integrally formed, both of said trackways having an open face at the bottom of each and extending the length thereof providing access thereto, said upper trackway supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said lower trackway adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors in said upper trackway, said outwardly extending flanges adapted to support a ceiling panel, a T-shaped member transversely connected to at least one of said sidewalls of said power track, said Tshaped member having means for supporting a ceiling panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A structure as set forth in claim 1 having connector means engaging the side wall of said power track and said T-shaped member for connecting said T-shaped member transversely to said power track.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A structure as set forth in claim 2 in which the sidewall of the power track has an opening for receiving one end of the connector means for connecting the T-shaped member transversely to said power track, said T-shaped member also having a channel for receiving the other end of said connector means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A structure as set forth in claim 1 having a filler channel connected to said power track, said filler channel having means adapted to support a ceiling panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A structure as set forth in claim 4 in which a Z-shaped bracket connects the ends of a filler channel to an angle strip which is supported on a wall perimeter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which two T-shaped members are connected in abutting relation end to end, said T-shaped members each having a channel, a locking plate secured in said channels to secure the two T-shaped members together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A structure as set forth in claim 6 in which the locking plate has tongues engaging openings in the vertical wall of the T-shaped members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which angle strips are adapted to be secured to a wall perimeter, said angle strips having means adapted to support a ceiling panel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A structure as set forth in claim 8 in which a generally Z-shaped bracket connects the ends of a power track to the angle strips.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the sidewall of the power track has a slot and in which said T-member has a channel for receiving a connector clip having a hook which engages the slot in the sidewall of power track for connecting same transversely.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the power track has a channel for receiving a connector to connect the power tracks linearly, said connector having means extending from the opposite ends of same insertable in said channels, said connector spacing the adjacent ends of the power tracks from each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the framework also includes a filler channel, said filler channel having means permitting said filler channel to be connected to said power track and also having means for permitting a T-member to be transversely connected to it.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
68 words
A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the framework also includes a filler channel and in which the power track and the filler channel each have a pair of spaced channels for receiving the connector to mechanically connect a power track to said filler channel and in which said power track and filler channel each have means for mechanical connection by a T-member transversely thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the T-member has a pair of spaced channels vertically alined for receiving a connector connecting the T-member transversely to the power track and in which said spaced channels also at the ends thereof receive a connector strip for connecting two T-members linearly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A structure as set forth in claim 14 in which the vertical wall of the T-member has a tongue which limits the inward movement of said connector strip and in which the connector strip has an ear engaging an opening in the vertical wall of the T-member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
137 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said track having means adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors, said power track having means for supporting a ceiling panel, a first T-shaped member transversely connected to said power track, a second T-shaped member connected to said first T-shaped member in abutting relation end to end, said T-shaped members each having a channel, a locking plate secured in said channels and said locking plate having tongues engaging openings in the vertical wall of said T-shaped members to secure said first and second T-shaped members together, said T-shaped members having means for supporting a ceiling panel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
137 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said track having means adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors, said power track having means for supporting a ceiling panel, a first T-shaped member transversely connected to said power track, a second T-shaped member connected to said first T-shaped member in abutting relation end to end, said T-shaped members each having a channel, a locking plate secured in said channels and said locking plate having tongues engaging openings in the vertical wall of said T-shaped members to secure said first and second T-shaped members together, said T-shaped members having means for supporting a ceiling panel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
86 words
A suspended ceiling framework comprising a plurality of power tracks having panel supporting ledges, a pair of electrical conductors supported by said power tracks, said power tracks each having a channel for receiving a connector to connect the power tracks linearly, said connector having means extending from the opposite ends of same insertable in said channels, said connector spacing the adjacent ends of the power tracks from each other, another connector, and an inverted T-shaped member transversely connected to said power track by said other connector.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
86 words
A suspended ceiling framework comprising a plurality of power tracks having panel supporting ledges, a pair of electrical conductors supported by said power tracks, said power tracks each having a channel for receiving a connector to connect the power tracks linearly, said connector having means extending from the opposite ends of same insertable in said channels, said connector spacing the adjacent ends of the power tracks from each other, another connector, and an inverted T-shaped member transversely connected to said power track by said other connector.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
A structure as set forth in claim 17 in which at least one of said plurality of power tracks has means for receiving a generally U-shaped hanger bracket having flanges engaging said means to connect said bracket to said means, and a hanger member engaging said hanger bracket for holding said power track in a suspended position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
118 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said track having means adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors, said power track having means for supporting a ceiling panel, a T-shaped member transversely connected to said power track, said T-shaped member having means for supporting a ceiling panel, angle strips adapted to be secured to a wall perimeter, said angle strips having means adapted to support a ceiling panel, and a generally Z-shaped bracket connecting the ends of a power track to the angle strip.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
118 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said track having means adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors, said power track having means for supporting a ceiling panel, a T-shaped member transversely connected to said power track, said T-shaped member having means for supporting a ceiling panel, angle strips adapted to be secured to a wall perimeter, said angle strips having means adapted to support a ceiling panel, and a generally Z-shaped bracket connecting the ends of a power track to the angle strip.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
123 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said track having means adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors, said power track having means for supporting a ceiling panel, a T-shaped member transversely connected to said power track, said T-shaped member having means for supporting a ceiling panel, a filler channel connected to said power track, said filler channel having means adapted to support a ceiling panel, an angle strip supported on a wall perimeter, and a Z-shaped bracket connecting the end of the filler channel to said angle strip.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
123 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said track having means adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors, said power track having means for supporting a ceiling panel, a T-shaped member transversely connected to said power track, said T-shaped member having means for supporting a ceiling panel, a filler channel connected to said power track, said filler channel having means adapted to support a ceiling panel, an angle strip supported on a wall perimeter, and a Z-shaped bracket connecting the end of the filler channel to said angle strip.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
117 words
A suspended ceiling framework comprising a power track having panel supporting ledges, a pair of electrical conductors supported by said power track, a connector, an inverted T-shaped member transversely connected to said power track by said connector, said T-member having a pair of spaced channels vertically alined for receiving said connector for connecting the T-member transvErsely to the power track and in which said spaced channels also receive at the ends thereof a connector strip for connecting two T-members linearly, the vertical wall of the T-member having a tongue which limits the inward movement of said connector strip and in which the connector strip has an ear engaging an opening in the vertical wall of the T-member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
117 words
A suspended ceiling framework comprising a power track having panel supporting ledges, a pair of electrical conductors supported by said power track, a connector, an inverted T-shaped member transversely connected to said power track by said connector, said T-member having a pair of spaced channels vertically alined for receiving said connector for connecting the T-member transvErsely to the power track and in which said spaced channels also receive at the ends thereof a connector strip for connecting two T-members linearly, the vertical wall of the T-member having a tongue which limits the inward movement of said connector strip and in which the connector strip has an ear engaging an opening in the vertical wall of the T-member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
178 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track provided with an upper trackway and a separate lower trackway positioned below said upper trackway, both of said trackways having an open face at the bottom of each and extending the length thereof providing access thereto, said upper trackway supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said lower trackway adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors in said upper trackway, said power track having means for supporting a ceiling panel, a first T-shaped member transversely connected to said power track and a second T-shaped member connected in abutting relation end to end to said first T-shaped member, said T-shaped members each having a channel, a locking plate secured in said channels to secure said first and second T-members together, said locking plate having tongues engaging openings in the vertical walls of said T-shaped members, said T-shaped members having means for supporting a ceiling panel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
178 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track provided with an upper trackway and a separate lower trackway positioned below said upper trackway, both of said trackways having an open face at the bottom of each and extending the length thereof providing access thereto, said upper trackway supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said lower trackway adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors in said upper trackway, said power track having means for supporting a ceiling panel, a first T-shaped member transversely connected to said power track and a second T-shaped member connected in abutting relation end to end to said first T-shaped member, said T-shaped members each having a channel, a locking plate secured in said channels to secure said first and second T-members together, said locking plate having tongues engaging openings in the vertical walls of said T-shaped members, said T-shaped members having means for supporting a ceiling panel.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
179 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a plurality of power tracks each provided with an upper trackway and a separate lower trackway positioned below said upper trackway, both of said trackways having an open face at the bottom of each and extending the length thereof providing access thereto, said upper trackway supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said lower trackway adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors in said upper trackway, said power tracks having means for supporting a ceiling panel, a T-shaped member transversely connected to at least one of said power tracks, said T-shaped member having means for supporting a ceiling panel, each said power track having a channel, a connector received in said channels to connect a plurality of power tracks linearly, said connector having means extending from the opposite ends of same insertable in said channels, said connector spacing the adjacent ends of the power tracks from each other.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
179 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a plurality of power tracks each provided with an upper trackway and a separate lower trackway positioned below said upper trackway, both of said trackways having an open face at the bottom of each and extending the length thereof providing access thereto, said upper trackway supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said lower trackway adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors in said upper trackway, said power tracks having means for supporting a ceiling panel, a T-shaped member transversely connected to at least one of said power tracks, said T-shaped member having means for supporting a ceiling panel, each said power track having a channel, a connector received in said channels to connect a plurality of power tracks linearly, said connector having means extending from the opposite ends of same insertable in said channels, said connector spacing the adjacent ends of the power tracks from each other.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
A structure as set forth in claim 23 in which the connector has downwardly extending fingers, a cover plate engaged by said fingers to hold said cover plate below said connector.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
43 words
A structure as set forth in claim 23 in which the power track has a channel, a generally U-shaped hanger bracket having flanges engaging said channel, and a hanger member engaging said hanger bracket for holding said power track in a suspended position.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
214 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track provided with an upper trackway and a separate lower trackway positioned below said upper trackway, both of said trackways having an open face at the bottom of each and extending the length thereof providing access thereto, said upper trackway supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said lower trackway adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors in said upper trackway, said power track having means for supporting a ceiling panel, a first T-shaped member, a connector transversely connecting said first T-member to said power track, and a second T-shaped member linearly connected to said first T-shaped member by a connector strip, each said T-member having a pair of spaced cHannels vertically alined, said connector strip linearly connecting said T-members to each other, said connector strip being received in said spaced channels at the ends thereof, the vertical wall of each said T-member having a tongue which limits the inward movement of said connector strip, said connector strip having an ear engaging an opening in the vertical wall of the T-members, said T-shaped members having means for supporting a ceiling panel.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
214 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track provided with an upper trackway and a separate lower trackway positioned below said upper trackway, both of said trackways having an open face at the bottom of each and extending the length thereof providing access thereto, said upper trackway supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said lower trackway adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors in said upper trackway, said power track having means for supporting a ceiling panel, a first T-shaped member, a connector transversely connecting said first T-member to said power track, and a second T-shaped member linearly connected to said first T-shaped member by a connector strip, each said T-member having a pair of spaced cHannels vertically alined, said connector strip linearly connecting said T-members to each other, said connector strip being received in said spaced channels at the ends thereof, the vertical wall of each said T-member having a tongue which limits the inward movement of said connector strip, said connector strip having an ear engaging an opening in the vertical wall of the T-members, said T-shaped members having means for supporting a ceiling panel.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
211 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track provided with an upper trackway and a separate lower trackway positioned below said upper trackway, both of said trackways having an open face at the bottom of each and extending the length thereof providing access thereto, said upper trackway supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said lower trackway adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors in said upper trackway, said power track having means for supporting a ceiling panel, an angle strip adapted to be secured to a wall perimeter, said angle strip having means adapted to support a ceiling panel, a generally Z-shaped bracket connecting the ends of a power track to said angle strip, a first T-shaped member and a second T-shaped member, said T-shaped members having means for supporting a ceiling panel, said T-shaped members each having a pair of spaced channels vertically alined, a connector received in the channels of said first T-member for transversely connecting said first T-member to said power track, a connector strip received in said channels at the ends thereof for connecting the first and second T-members linearly.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
211 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track provided with an upper trackway and a separate lower trackway positioned below said upper trackway, both of said trackways having an open face at the bottom of each and extending the length thereof providing access thereto, said upper trackway supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said lower trackway adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors in said upper trackway, said power track having means for supporting a ceiling panel, an angle strip adapted to be secured to a wall perimeter, said angle strip having means adapted to support a ceiling panel, a generally Z-shaped bracket connecting the ends of a power track to said angle strip, a first T-shaped member and a second T-shaped member, said T-shaped members having means for supporting a ceiling panel, said T-shaped members each having a pair of spaced channels vertically alined, a connector received in the channels of said first T-member for transversely connecting said first T-member to said power track, a connector strip received in said channels at the ends thereof for connecting the first and second T-members linearly.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
164 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track provided with an upper trackway and a separate lower trackway positioned below said upper trackway, both of said trackways having an open face at the bottom of each and extending the length thereof providing access thereto, said upper trackway supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said lower trackway adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors in said upper trackway, said power track having means for supporting a ceiling panel, and angle strip supported on a wall perimeter, a filler channel connected to said power track, said filler channel having means adapted to support a ceiling panel, a Z-shaped bracket connecting the ends of a filler channel to said angle strip, a T-shaped member transversely connected to said power track, said T-shaped member having means for supporting a ceiling panel.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
164 words
An electrified suspended ceiling system having a power track provided with an upper trackway and a separate lower trackway positioned below said upper trackway, both of said trackways having an open face at the bottom of each and extending the length thereof providing access thereto, said upper trackway supporting a pair of conductors in spaced relation, said lower trackway adapted to support an attachment member for a lighting fixture or the like, with said attachment member having contact means for electrically connecting said attachment member to said pair of conductors in said upper trackway, said power track having means for supporting a ceiling panel, and angle strip supported on a wall perimeter, a filler channel connected to said power track, said filler channel having means adapted to support a ceiling panel, a Z-shaped bracket connecting the ends of a filler channel to said angle strip, a T-shaped member transversely connected to said power track, said T-shaped member having means for supporting a ceiling panel.
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) | 1975-03-14 | 1975-09-13 | 1976-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-14 | 1979-09-13 | 1980-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-14 | 1983-09-13 | 1984-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |