US3784144A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ceiling system suspension clip
Assignee: Armstrong World Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1972-08-09
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1992-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A U-shaped clip is fastened directly to the ceiling joists. Into the clip member is inserted a simple conventional runner member to which is fastened the ceiling tile. A spring finger structure is utilized to hold the runner member relative to the clip member.
Inventors
- 👤 J Ollinger
- 👤 J Shenk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:18
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/18; F; F16; F16B; F16B5/00; F16B5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A ceiling suspension system comprising a generally U-shaped clip with resilient sides which are normally spaced apart a distance less than that of the width of a ceiling joist so that the clip may be slid on the bottom of a ceiling joist and will resiliently engage the sides of the ceiling joist, the bottom of the clip is provided with a fixed size nonyielding slot structure and resilient spring fingers extend into the slot structure, a runner member of conventional design with a generally straightsided vertical web is slid into the slot of the clip past the spring finger edges, whereby the spring fingers then prevent removal of the vertical web of the runner from the slot structure if force is appliEd to remove the runner from the slot in a direction opposite from that in which the runner was placed in the slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A ceiling suspension system comprising a generally U-shaped clip with resilient sides which are normally spaced apart a distance less than that of the width of a ceiling joist so that the clip may be slid on the bottom of a ceiling joist and will resiliently engage the sides of the ceiling joist, the bottom of the clip is provided with a fixed size nonyielding slot structure and resilient spring fingers extend into the slot structure, a runner member of conventional design with a generally straightsided vertical web is slid into the slot of the clip past the spring finger edges, whereby the spring fingers then prevent removal of the vertical web of the runner from the slot structure if force is appliEd to remove the runner from the slot in a direction opposite from that in which the runner was placed in the slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the spring fingers are inclined into the slot in a direction relative to that which the vertical web of the runner is pushed to place the vertical web of the runner in the slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the legs of the clip structure are provided with tangs which dig into the sides of the ceiling joist due to the resilient sides of the clip and the resiliency of the clip and the tangs enable the clip to grasp and resiliently engage the sides of the ceiling joist.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
217 words
A ceiling suspension system comprising a generally U-shaped clip with two resilient side legs which are normally spaced apart a distance less than that of the width of a ceiling joist so that the clip may be slid on the bottom of a ceiling joist and will resiliently engage the sides of the ceiling joist, said U-shaped clip also having a bottom section joining together the two leg structures, said bottom section of the clip and the lower portion of the legs of the clip being provided with a fixed size-nonyielding slot structure, which extends through the bottom of the clip and the bottom of the legs of the clip in the same place which contains the legs and bottom section of the clip, resilient spring fingers extending into the plane of the slot structure and extending from the bottom section of the U-shaped clip, and a runner member of conventional design with a generally straight-sided vertical web adapted to be slid into the slot of the clip past the spring finger ends, whereby the spring fingers then prevent removal of the vertical web of the runner from the slot structure if force is applied to remove the runner from the slot in a direction opposite from that in which the runner was placed in the slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
217 words
A ceiling suspension system comprising a generally U-shaped clip with two resilient side legs which are normally spaced apart a distance less than that of the width of a ceiling joist so that the clip may be slid on the bottom of a ceiling joist and will resiliently engage the sides of the ceiling joist, said U-shaped clip also having a bottom section joining together the two leg structures, said bottom section of the clip and the lower portion of the legs of the clip being provided with a fixed size-nonyielding slot structure, which extends through the bottom of the clip and the bottom of the legs of the clip in the same place which contains the legs and bottom section of the clip, resilient spring fingers extending into the plane of the slot structure and extending from the bottom section of the U-shaped clip, and a runner member of conventional design with a generally straight-sided vertical web adapted to be slid into the slot of the clip past the spring finger ends, whereby the spring fingers then prevent removal of the vertical web of the runner from the slot structure if force is applied to remove the runner from the slot in a direction opposite from that in which the runner was placed in the slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the spring fingers are inclined into the slot in a direction relative to that which the vertical web of the runner is pushed to place the vertical web of the runner in the slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the legs of the clip structure are provided with tangs which dig into the sides of the ceiling joist due to the resilient sides of the clip and the resiliency of the clip and the tangs enable the clip to grasp and resiliently engage the sides of the ceiling joist.
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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) | 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 |