US3783771A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spacer for a fire-rated air bar
Assignee: Armstrong World Industries Inc
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Filing: 1972-05-01
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1992-05-01
Abstract
Abstract An air bar has supports made of a low temperature melting point material located between the side rails. A high temperature melting point spacer assembly is frictionally fitted between the side rails of the air bar, at periodic points along the air bar, to support the side rails and prevent their collapse in a fire.
Inventors
- 👤 L Hartzell
- 👤 J Ollinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:48
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62C; A62C2/00; A62C2/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In combination, an air bar structure which has two side rails spaced thereapart to define an air passage, heat-meltable support means within the air bar and spaced along the length of the air bar to support said side rails, said side rails having flange means extending outwardly from the air bar to support ceiling tiles of a suspended ceiling system, and spacer retainers within the air bar and positioned between the side rails to support and space said side rails, said spacer retainers being made of a high temperature melting point material and said spacer retainers being positioned in the air bar structure closely adjacent said flange structures to support said side rail structures so that they will not collapse inwardly when the air bar structure is exposed to heat from a fire and the heat-meltable support means being melted partly by the heat from a fire and no longer supporting the side rails.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In combination, an air bar structure which has two side rails spaced thereapart to define an air passage, heat-meltable support means within the air bar and spaced along the length of the air bar to support said side rails, said side rails having flange means extending outwardly from the air bar to support ceiling tiles of a suspended ceiling system, and spacer retainers within the air bar and positioned between the side rails to support and space said side rails, said spacer retainers being made of a high temperature melting point material and said spacer retainers being positioned in the air bar structure closely adjacent said flange structures to support said side rail structures so that they will not collapse inwardly when the air bar structure is exposed to heat from a fire and the heat-meltable support means being melted partly by the heat from a fire and no longer supporting the side rails.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the spacer retainers are not positioned within the normal support structure for the air bars and said spacer retainers are positioned at least in regions where there are no supports between the side rails of the air bar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
155 words
In combination, an air bar structure which has two side rails spaced thereapart to define an air passage, aluminum support means within the air bar and spaced along the length of the air bar to support said side rails, said side rails having flange means extending outwardly from the air bar to support ceiling tiles of a suspended ceiling system, and steel spacer retainers within the air bar and positioned between the side walls to support and space said side rails, said spacer retainers being made of a high temperature melting point steel and said spacer retainers being positioned in the air bar structure closely adjacent said flange structures to support said side rails so that they will not collapse inwardly when the air bar structure is exposed to heat from a fire and the aluminum support means has been melted partly by the heat from the fire and no longer supports the side rails.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
155 words
In combination, an air bar structure which has two side rails spaced thereapart to define an air passage, aluminum support means within the air bar and spaced along the length of the air bar to support said side rails, said side rails having flange means extending outwardly from the air bar to support ceiling tiles of a suspended ceiling system, and steel spacer retainers within the air bar and positioned between the side walls to support and space said side rails, said spacer retainers being made of a high temperature melting point steel and said spacer retainers being positioned in the air bar structure closely adjacent said flange structures to support said side rails so that they will not collapse inwardly when the air bar structure is exposed to heat from a fire and the aluminum support means has been melted partly by the heat from the fire and no longer supports the side rails.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the spacer retainers are not positioned within the normal support structure for the air bars and said spacer retainers are positioned at least in regions where there are no supports between the side rails of the air bar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein the spacer retainer is generally rectangular in shape and such that it has a width capable of being passed within the air outlet of the air bar structure and a length which is equal to the spacing between the side rails of the air bar so that the spacer retainer may be passed within the opening of the air bar structure and then rotated 90* to be frictionally held within the air bar structure by the side rails of the air bar structure.
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) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |