Patent US3722167A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3722167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Runner for ceiling suspension
Assignee: LESLIE-LOCKE Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-23
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1990-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A main runner for a suspended ceiling construction comprises a member of generally inverted T-shape and having opposed tongues for engagement with a channel-shaped guide structure of adjacent runners. Each tongue has a locking tab at its lower side that snap fits with the guide structure at a region offset from the line of flexing of the guide structure. The lower corner of the tongue adjacent to the locking tab is cut away to provide clearance for the tongue of the endmost runner to permit that runner to be tilted during its assembly with the first mentioned runner.
Inventors
- 👤 D Rousey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:47
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/06; E04B9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
363 words
A runner for a ceiling suspension comprising a web having longitudinal margins and transverse margins, a bead running along one of said longitudinal margins, flange means running along the other longitudinal margin and projecting laterally of the opposite sides of said web, a tongue projecting from each transverse end of said web, each said tongue being narrower than said web and having longitudinal edges respectively spaced from said bead and said flange means, each tongue being joined to the associated transverse margin of the web by a connecting section such that each tongue is laterally offset from the web and with the tongues being offset on opposite sides respectively of the web, guide means struck from said web adjacent to each transverse margin thereof and being of a size for slidably receiving a similar tongue of an adjacent runner, each guide means being at the side of the web that is opposite to the offset of the proximate tongue of the runner and being at the same side of a web as is the tongue of the adjacent runner such that the flange means and web of the adjacent runner coincide with the flange means and web of the first mentioned runner, said guide means including a flexible laterally outwardly projecting projection for embracing that longitudinal edge of the tongue of the adjacent runner which is presented toward the flange, said projection having one end integral with said web and an opposite free edge facing toward said bead, and tab means struck from each tongue and being located substantially closer to the flange means than to said bead and projecting laterally outwardly from each tongue a sufficient distance for slidably engaging the projection of an adjacent runner at a location that is spaced between said free edge and a region of bending of the projection for flexing said projection within its elastic limits under influence of the sliding engagement of the tab means therewith upOn insertion of the tongue of the adjacent runner into said guide means and permitting snap locking interengagement between said projection and the tab means as the tab means passes the projection and the projection returns to normal position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
363 words
A runner for a ceiling suspension comprising a web having longitudinal margins and transverse margins, a bead running along one of said longitudinal margins, flange means running along the other longitudinal margin and projecting laterally of the opposite sides of said web, a tongue projecting from each transverse end of said web, each said tongue being narrower than said web and having longitudinal edges respectively spaced from said bead and said flange means, each tongue being joined to the associated transverse margin of the web by a connecting section such that each tongue is laterally offset from the web and with the tongues being offset on opposite sides respectively of the web, guide means struck from said web adjacent to each transverse margin thereof and being of a size for slidably receiving a similar tongue of an adjacent runner, each guide means being at the side of the web that is opposite to the offset of the proximate tongue of the runner and being at the same side of a web as is the tongue of the adjacent runner such that the flange means and web of the adjacent runner coincide with the flange means and web of the first mentioned runner, said guide means including a flexible laterally outwardly projecting projection for embracing that longitudinal edge of the tongue of the adjacent runner which is presented toward the flange, said projection having one end integral with said web and an opposite free edge facing toward said bead, and tab means struck from each tongue and being located substantially closer to the flange means than to said bead and projecting laterally outwardly from each tongue a sufficient distance for slidably engaging the projection of an adjacent runner at a location that is spaced between said free edge and a region of bending of the projection for flexing said projection within its elastic limits under influence of the sliding engagement of the tab means therewith upOn insertion of the tongue of the adjacent runner into said guide means and permitting snap locking interengagement between said projection and the tab means as the tab means passes the projection and the projection returns to normal position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A runner according to claim 1 in which said guide means includes an additional projection spaced from the first mentioned projection for embracing the other longitudinal edge of the tongue and terminating in a free edge that is spaced from the free edge of the first-mentioned projection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A runner according to claim 2 in which said projections have sides that taper toward their respective free edges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A runner according to claim 1 in which said tab means is at a corner of the tongue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
363 words
A runner for a ceiling suspension comprising a web having longitudinal margins and transverse margins, a bead running along one of said longitudinal margins, flange means running along the other longitudinal margin and projecting laterally of the opposite sides of said web, a tongue projecting from each transverse end of said web, each said tongue being narrower than said web and having longitudinal edges respectively spaced from said bead and said flange means, each tongue being joined to the associated transverse margin of the web by a connecting section such that each tongue is laterally offset from the web and with the tongues being offset on opposite sides respectively of the web, guide means struck from said web adjacent to each transverse margin thereof and being of a size for slidably receiving a similar tongue of an adjacent runner, each guide means being at the side of the web that is opposite to the offset of the proximate tongue of the runner and being at the same side of the web as is the tongue of the adjacent runner such that the flange means and web of the adjacent runner coincide with the flange means and web of the first mentioned runner, said guide means including a flexible projection for embracing that longitudinal edge of the tongue of the adjacent runner which is presented toward the flange, said projection having a free edge presented toward said bead, and tab means struck from each tongue and being located substantially closer to the flange means than to said bead, said tab means slidably engaging the projection of an adjacent runner at a location that is between said free edge and a region of bending of the projection and being spaced from said region of bending, whereby upon insertion of the tongue of the adjacent runner into said guide means said projection flexes within its elastic limits and said tab means snaps into locking position against said projection as the tab means passes thereby, a corner of said tongue being cut away adjacent to said tab to provide a clearance notch that permits the adjacent runner to be tilted for initial insertion into said guide means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
363 words
A runner for a ceiling suspension comprising a web having longitudinal margins and transverse margins, a bead running along one of said longitudinal margins, flange means running along the other longitudinal margin and projecting laterally of the opposite sides of said web, a tongue projecting from each transverse end of said web, each said tongue being narrower than said web and having longitudinal edges respectively spaced from said bead and said flange means, each tongue being joined to the associated transverse margin of the web by a connecting section such that each tongue is laterally offset from the web and with the tongues being offset on opposite sides respectively of the web, guide means struck from said web adjacent to each transverse margin thereof and being of a size for slidably receiving a similar tongue of an adjacent runner, each guide means being at the side of the web that is opposite to the offset of the proximate tongue of the runner and being at the same side of the web as is the tongue of the adjacent runner such that the flange means and web of the adjacent runner coincide with the flange means and web of the first mentioned runner, said guide means including a flexible projection for embracing that longitudinal edge of the tongue of the adjacent runner which is presented toward the flange, said projection having a free edge presented toward said bead, and tab means struck from each tongue and being located substantially closer to the flange means than to said bead, said tab means slidably engaging the projection of an adjacent runner at a location that is between said free edge and a region of bending of the projection and being spaced from said region of bending, whereby upon insertion of the tongue of the adjacent runner into said guide means said projection flexes within its elastic limits and said tab means snaps into locking position against said projection as the tab means passes thereby, a corner of said tongue being cut away adjacent to said tab to provide a clearance notch that permits the adjacent runner to be tilted for initial insertion into said guide means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
157 words
A runner for a ceiling suspension comprising a web, flange means projecting laterally of the opposite sides of said web, a tongue projecting from a transverse end of said web and being joined to said transverse end by a connecting section such that said tongue is laterally offset from the web, tongue-receiving means on said web for slidably receiving a similar tongue of an adjacent runner such that the flange means and web of the adjacent runner coincide with the flange means and web of the first mentioned runner, and tab means on said tongue for slidably engaging the tongue-receiving means of an adjacent runner such that upon insertion of the tongue into said tongue-receiving means and movement relative thereto, said tab means snaps into locking position therewith, said tongue having a corner adjacent to its free end cut away to provide clearance that permits the runner to be tilted for initial insertion into said tongue-receiving means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
157 words
A runner for a ceiling suspension comprising a web, flange means projecting laterally of the opposite sides of said web, a tongue projecting from a transverse end of said web and being joined to said transverse end by a connecting section such that said tongue is laterally offset from the web, tongue-receiving means on said web for slidably receiving a similar tongue of an adjacent runner such that the flange means and web of the adjacent runner coincide with the flange means and web of the first mentioned runner, and tab means on said tongue for slidably engaging the tongue-receiving means of an adjacent runner such that upon insertion of the tongue into said tongue-receiving means and movement relative thereto, said tab means snaps into locking position therewith, said tongue having a corner adjacent to its free end cut away to provide clearance that permits the runner to be tilted for initial insertion into said tongue-receiving means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3374596A
Cited
US3501185A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |