US3835614A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suspension system
Assignee: DONN PROD Inc
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Filing: 1971-09-16
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1991-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A suspended ceiling system includes flanged runners having exposed surfaces in planes other than those of the flanges, and may have such runners intersected by similar or different members to form a supporting grid. The spaces between runners or grid members are filled with ceiling panels or light fixtures which may be planar or non-planar shapes, such as recessed truncated pyramids. Runners having recessed central planes are connected at intersections by lifting a vertical tongue into the space between folded metal sheets of the intersected runner and bending the tongue to lock the joint. Runners having projecting central planes are connected at intersections by cross-shaped inserts which may be weakened to accommodate excessive thermal expansion in case of fire. Special connecting clips are provided for joining dissimilar grid members and for joining the parts of truncated pyramid frames. Other clips are used to locate partition supporting channels.
Inventors
- 👤 L Downing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:37
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/06; E04B9/12; E04B9/127; E04B9/122; E04B9/14; E04B9/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A suspended ceiling system comprising: a. flanged suspended runners and ceiling elements resting on the flanges of the runner, the runners having exposed surfaces between the visible bottom surfaces of the flanges of the runners, at least one exposed surface being recessed in a plane above that of the flanges; b. runners of identical cross section intersecting at right angles; c. runners comprising of a single sheet of metal folded to provide an upwardly recessed central horizontal portion, an upwardly extending inner web and downwardly extending outer web on each side of the central portion, the inner and outer webs separated by a space equal to the thickness of the sheet metal, the outer webs terminating in horizontal flanges in a plane below the recessed central horizontal position; d. some runners having notches in the flanges to receive end portions of intersecting runners; and, e. intersecting runners having ends shaped to fit notches in intersected runners and having upwardly extending transverse tongues located for reception into the space between inner and outer webs of intersected runners.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A suspended ceiling system comprising: a. flanged suspended runners and ceiling elements resting on the flanges of the runner, the runners having exposed surfaces between the visible bottom surfaces of the flanges of the runners, at least one exposed surface being recessed in a plane above that of the flanges; b. runners of identical cross section intersecting at right angles; c. runners comprising of a single sheet of metal folded to provide an upwardly recessed central horizontal portion, an upwardly extending inner web and downwardly extending outer web on each side of the central portion, the inner and outer webs separated by a space equal to the thickness of the sheet metal, the outer webs terminating in horizontal flanges in a plane below the recessed central horizontal position; d. some runners having notches in the flanges to receive end portions of intersecting runners; and, e. intersecting runners having ends shaped to fit notches in intersected runners and having upwardly extending transverse tongues located for reception into the space between inner and outer webs of intersected runners.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
210 words
A suspended ceiling system comprising: a. flanged suspended runners and ceiling elements resting on the flanges of the runner, the runners having exposed surfaces between the visible bottom surfaces of the flanges of the runners, at least one exposed surface being recessed in a plane above that of the flanges; b. runners of identical cross section intersecting at right angles; c. runners comprising of a single sheet of metal folded to provide an upwardly recessed central horizontal portion, an upwardly extending inner web and downwardly extending outer web on each side of the central portion, the inner and outer webs separated by a space equal to the thickness of the sheet metal, the outer webs terminating in horizontal flanges in a plane below the recessed central horizontal position; d. some runners having notches in the flanges to receive end portions of intersecting runners; e. intersecting runners having ends shaped to fit notches in intersected runners and having upwardly extending transverse tongues located for reception into the space between inner and outer webs of intersected runners; and, f. the tops of webs of intersected runners having openings through which tongues of intersecting runners can protrude and tongues of intersecting runners protruding through the openings are bent to lock together the runners.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
210 words
A suspended ceiling system comprising: a. flanged suspended runners and ceiling elements resting on the flanges of the runner, the runners having exposed surfaces between the visible bottom surfaces of the flanges of the runners, at least one exposed surface being recessed in a plane above that of the flanges; b. runners of identical cross section intersecting at right angles; c. runners comprising of a single sheet of metal folded to provide an upwardly recessed central horizontal portion, an upwardly extending inner web and downwardly extending outer web on each side of the central portion, the inner and outer webs separated by a space equal to the thickness of the sheet metal, the outer webs terminating in horizontal flanges in a plane below the recessed central horizontal position; d. some runners having notches in the flanges to receive end portions of intersecting runners; e. intersecting runners having ends shaped to fit notches in intersected runners and having upwardly extending transverse tongues located for reception into the space between inner and outer webs of intersected runners; and, f. the tops of webs of intersected runners having openings through which tongues of intersecting runners can protrude and tongues of intersecting runners protruding through the openings are bent to lock together the runners.
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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) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |