US3710520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Utility frame for suspended ceiling construction
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-02-17
•
Granted: 1973-01-16
•
Expires: 1991-02-17
Abstract
Abstract A one-piece utility frame for access tiles and the like is provided for use in a suspended ceiling tile construction of the flush mounted type. The frame consists of a generally rectangular frame body portion substantially equal in size to a ceiling tile and having a flat exposed bottom surface, an integral lip projecting inwardly from the body portion and defining a central access opening bounded by the frame, said lip forming a continuation of said exposed bottom surface and forming a ledge for supporting an access tile in said opening, and a framemounting flange secured to said body portion in spaced overlying relationship therewith and forming an outwardly facing notch mountable on a Z-bar flange for supporting the frame and positioning the exposed bottom surface in flush-mounted relationship with adjacent tiles of the ceiling construction.
Inventors
- 👤 S Federowicz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:59
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/003; E04B9/006; E04B9/22; E04B9/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A one-piece utility frame for access tiles and the like in a ceiling constRuction comprised of concealed suspended Z-bars and a plurality of flush mounted bar-concealing ceiling tile, the frame comprising a generally rectangular band-like frame body portion having a flat exposed bottom surface, an integral lip projecting inwardly from the band-like body portion and defining a central access opening bounded by the one-piece frame, said lip forming a planar continuation of said exposed bottom surface and forming a ledge for supporting an access tile and the like in said opening, and a frame-mounting flange integral with said body portion and fixedly positioned in spaced overlying relationship therewith, said fixed flange and said body portion forming an outwardly facing notch, said one-piece frame having sufficient flexure to permit snap-on mounting of said notch on the Z-bars for supporting said one-piece frame thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A one-piece utility frame for access tiles and the like in a ceiling constRuction comprised of concealed suspended Z-bars and a plurality of flush mounted bar-concealing ceiling tile, the frame comprising a generally rectangular band-like frame body portion having a flat exposed bottom surface, an integral lip projecting inwardly from the band-like body portion and defining a central access opening bounded by the one-piece frame, said lip forming a planar continuation of said exposed bottom surface and forming a ledge for supporting an access tile and the like in said opening, and a frame-mounting flange integral with said body portion and fixedly positioned in spaced overlying relationship therewith, said fixed flange and said body portion forming an outwardly facing notch, said one-piece frame having sufficient flexure to permit snap-on mounting of said notch on the Z-bars for supporting said one-piece frame thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The utility frame of claim 1 wherein the fixed mounting flange is substantially parallel to the exposed bottom surface of the body portion and is of shorter cross-sectional length to facilitate mounting on the Z-bar while preserving the flush configuration of the ceiling construction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The utility frame of claim 1 wherein the frame is constructed of sturdy, slightly flexible plastic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The utility frame of claim 1 wherein the body portion has a height sufficient for positioning said flat exposed bottom surface in a common horizontal plane with the exposed surface of the ceiling tile.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3155324A
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US3383811A
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US3506822A
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US3545145A
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US3546842A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |