US3720432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Latch mechanism
Assignee: Prudential Lighting Corp
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Filing: 1971-06-14
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1991-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A latch mechanism for use in releasably supporting one side or end of a hingedly mounted frame which may be disposed in a suspended ceiling below a utility device such as a light fixture, air vent, or the like. The suspended ceiling generally comprises a grid of inverted T-shaped beams defining a plurality of generally rectangular openings in which ceiling tiles are disposed and, at selected locations, the utility device may be positioned above the rectangular opening with the frame disposed in the opening and with the frame supporting a panel such as a light fixture lens, grill, or the like. Access to the utility device requires removal of the frame and the panel it supports and the latch mechanism disclosed herein provides a quick and convenient means by which a person standing below the utility device may obtain access thereto by simply elevating the panel relative to the frame so as to actuate the mechanism effecting release and permitting the end of the frame to swing downwardly about its hinged opposite side or end. The latch is biased to the operative supporting position so that the frame and panel may be returned to the latched position by simply swinging the free end of the frame and panel upwardly to automatically effect the latching.
Inventors
- 👤 M Chudler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:43
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/003; F; F21; F21S; F21S8/00; F21S8/02; F21S8/026; F21Y; F21Y2103/00; F21Y2113/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/1043; Y10T292/1051; Y10T292/1052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
275 words
In a suspended ceiling including a grid of inverted T-shaped beams having horizontal flanges and defining generally rectangular openings in the ceiling in which ceiling tiles may be disposed or above which utility devices such as lighting fixtures, ventilating duct openings or the like are disposed, each of the utility devices having a frame supported by the beams and carrying a vertically displaceable panel or grill, each frame being generally rectangular and including side and end members each having a generally inverted T-shape with a vertical web and integral horizontal flanges, one side or end member of the frame being hingedly supported from an adjacent suspended ceiling beam, the combination therewith of a latch mechanism carried by an opposite side or end member of the frame from said hingedly supported side or end member for cooperation with an adjacent ceiling beam, comprising: an inverted generally V-shaped member pivotally carried adjacent its apex by the upper end of said inverted T-shaped frame member and having an inward leg disposed downwardly and terminating above the vertically displaceable panel and an outward leg disposed downwardly adjacent said ceiling beam; and means for biasing said outward leg outwardly from said inverted T-shaped frame member so as to terminate above a horizontal flange of the adjacent ceiling beam, whereby said outward leg normally rests on the horizontal flange of the T-shaped ceiling beam and supports the frame and panel in position and is released by vertically displacing the panel so as to engage the inward leg of the V-shaped member thereby moving the outward leg inwardly away from the ceiling beam horizontal flange allowing the panel to be moved downwardly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
275 words
In a suspended ceiling including a grid of inverted T-shaped beams having horizontal flanges and defining generally rectangular openings in the ceiling in which ceiling tiles may be disposed or above which utility devices such as lighting fixtures, ventilating duct openings or the like are disposed, each of the utility devices having a frame supported by the beams and carrying a vertically displaceable panel or grill, each frame being generally rectangular and including side and end members each having a generally inverted T-shape with a vertical web and integral horizontal flanges, one side or end member of the frame being hingedly supported from an adjacent suspended ceiling beam, the combination therewith of a latch mechanism carried by an opposite side or end member of the frame from said hingedly supported side or end member for cooperation with an adjacent ceiling beam, comprising: an inverted generally V-shaped member pivotally carried adjacent its apex by the upper end of said inverted T-shaped frame member and having an inward leg disposed downwardly and terminating above the vertically displaceable panel and an outward leg disposed downwardly adjacent said ceiling beam; and means for biasing said outward leg outwardly from said inverted T-shaped frame member so as to terminate above a horizontal flange of the adjacent ceiling beam, whereby said outward leg normally rests on the horizontal flange of the T-shaped ceiling beam and supports the frame and panel in position and is released by vertically displacing the panel so as to engage the inward leg of the V-shaped member thereby moving the outward leg inwardly away from the ceiling beam horizontal flange allowing the panel to be moved downwardly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
275 words
In a suspended ceiling including a grid of inverted T-shaped beams having horizontal flanges and defining generally rectangular openings in the ceiling in which ceiling tiles may be disposed or above which utility devices such as lighting fixtures, ventilating duct openings or the like are disposed, each of the utility devices having a frame supported by the beams and carrying a vertically displaceable panel or grill, each frame being generally rectangular and including side and end members each having a generally inverted T-shape with a vertical web and integral horizontal flanges, one side or end member of the frame being hingedly supported from an adjacent suspended ceiling beam, the combination therewith of a latch mechanism carried by an opposite side or end member of the frame from said hingedly supported side or end member for cooperation with an adjacent ceiling beam, comprising: an inverted generally V-shaped member pivotally carried adjacent its apex by the upper end of said inverted T-shaped frame member and having an inward leg disposed downwardly and terminating above the vertically displaceable panel and an outward leg disposed downwardly adjacent said ceiling beam; and means for biasing said outward leg outwardly from said inverted T-shaped frame member so as to terminate above a horizontal flange of the adjacent ceiling beam, whereby said outward leg normally rests on the horizontal flange of the Tshaped ceiling beam and supports the frame and panel in position and is released by vertically displacing the panel so as to engage the inward leg of the V-shaped member thereby moving the outward leg inwardly away from the ceiling beam horizontal flange allowing the panel to be moved downwardly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
275 words
In a suspended ceiling including a grid of inverted T-shaped beams having horizontal flanges and defining generally rectangular openings in the ceiling in which ceiling tiles may be disposed or above which utility devices such as lighting fixtures, ventilating duct openings or the like are disposed, each of the utility devices having a frame supported by the beams and carrying a vertically displaceable panel or grill, each frame being generally rectangular and including side and end members each having a generally inverted T-shape with a vertical web and integral horizontal flanges, one side or end member of the frame being hingedly supported from an adjacent suspended ceiling beam, the combination therewith of a latch mechanism carried by an opposite side or end member of the frame from said hingedly supported side or end member for cooperation with an adjacent ceiling beam, comprising: an inverted generally V-shaped member pivotally carried adjacent its apex by the upper end of said inverted T-shaped frame member and having an inward leg disposed downwardly and terminating above the vertically displaceable panel and an outward leg disposed downwardly adjacent said ceiling beam; and means for biasing said outward leg outwardly from said inverted T-shaped frame member so as to terminate above a horizontal flange of the adjacent ceiling beam, whereby said outward leg normally rests on the horizontal flange of the Tshaped ceiling beam and supports the frame and panel in position and is released by vertically displacing the panel so as to engage the inward leg of the V-shaped member thereby moving the outward leg inwardly away from the ceiling beam horizontal flange allowing the panel to be moved downwardly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
In the suspended ceiling of claim 1 wherein said inverted T-shaped frame members are extruded and include a longitudinally extending cylindrical bead at the upper end of the vertical web, and said latch mechanism being further defined by said V-shaped latch member being extruded with a longitudinally extending C-shaped opening for slidably receiving the frame member cylindrical bead.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
In the suspended ceiling of claim 1, said biasing means of said latch mechanism comprising a spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the suspended ceiling of claim 3, said latch mechanism further comprising means for restricting longitudinal sliding movement of said spring and V-shaped latch member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
In the suspended ceiling of claim 4 wherein the outer edge of the horizontal flange of said frame member includes a longitudinally extending inturned lip, and said latch mechanism means for restricting longitudinal sliding movement comprises a longitudinally extending base member of said spring, a pair of longitudinally spaced vertical stop arms extending upwardly from said base member adjacent the outer surface of said web, a spring arm extending upwardly and outwardly from said base portion between said vertical stop arms, and a foot portion extending laterally outwardly from said base portion and including a pair of spaced apart upturned pointed ears for engaging a wall of said recess to prevent longitudinal sliding of said spring relative to said frame member and said V-shaped latch member positioned between said stop arms to restrict its longitudinal movement relative to said frame member.
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) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |