US3890760A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Main beam joint for suspended ceilings
Assignee: NATIONAL ROLLING MILLS Co
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Filing: 1974-01-25
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Granted: 1975-06-24
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Expires: 1994-01-25
Abstract
Abstract A main beam for use in a suspended ceiling system having a nondirectional, integral coupling means provided at its ends. The coupling means comprises an extension from the central web of the beam provided with a tongue member projecting laterally from one side of the extension and providing a pair of spaced longitudinally extending edges adapted to ride on the edges of a longitudinally extending slot of a coupled main beam to provide stability and holding power. A fire-rated main beam construction comprising the non-directional, integral coupling means involves only minor modification to the coupling design.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul H Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:20
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B7/00; F16B7/04; F16B7/0406; F16B7/0413
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A main beam for use in a suspended ceiling grid structure comprising an elongated central web, means providing oppositely disposed bottom flanges at the lower edge of said central web, and coupling means integral with the main beam for connecting the end of the main beam to the end of another similarly constructed main beams, said coupling means including an extension on the end of said central web and offset laterally relative thereto, a tongue member projecting laterally from said extension with a pair of spaced guide edges and a pair of engaging lugs extending from the guide edges, a longitudinally extending slot formed in said central web adjacent said extension having an enlarged entrance portion connected to a smaller sliding portion with the enlarged entrance portion receiving the tongue member and its lugs, said smaller sliding portion having a pair of spaced longitudinally extending slot edges which are spaced apart approximately the same amount as the guide edges of the tongue member and which receive said tongue guide edges in a manner such that the tongue guide edges ride between said slot edges and the tongue member lugs reach through the slot and engage the distal side of the slot and the slot gives sliding support to the tongue member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
A main beam for use in a suspended ceiling grid structure comprising an elongated central web, means providing oppositely disposed bottom flanges at the lower edge of said central web, and coupling means integral with the main beam for connecting the end of the main beam to the end of another similarly constructed main beams, said coupling means including an extension on the end of said central web and offset laterally relative thereto, a tongue member projecting laterally from said extension with a pair of spaced guide edges and a pair of engaging lugs extending from the guide edges, a longitudinally extending slot formed in said central web adjacent said extension having an enlarged entrance portion connected to a smaller sliding portion with the enlarged entrance portion receiving the tongue member and its lugs, said smaller sliding portion having a pair of spaced longitudinally extending slot edges which are spaced apart approximately the same amount as the guide edges of the tongue member and which receive said tongue guide edges in a manner such that the tongue guide edges ride between said slot edges and the tongue member lugs reach through the slot and engage the distal side of the slot and the slot gives sliding support to the tongue member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A main beam according to claim 1 wherein both ends of said main beam are provided with a coupling means of the same construction so that said main beam is provided with a non-directional coupling means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A main beam according to claim 1 wherein said toNgue member is provided with engaging lugs extending outwardly from a portion thereof spaced laterally from said extension an amount greater than said lateral offset of said extension for cooperating with a coupled main beam to limit relative lateral movement therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A main beam according to claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes a locking lance formed on said extension, said locking lance being between said tongue member and said slot and projecting laterally from said extension in the direction opposite said lateral offset of said extension an amount greater than the amount of said offset.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
A main beam according to claim 4 wherein said locking lance extends in a direction away from the end of said extension and has a vertical end edge facing away from the end of said extension which is arranged to cooperate with the locking lance of a coupled main beam of the same construction to restrict uncoupling movement therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A main beam according to claim 5 wherein both ends of said main beam are provided with a coupling means of the same construction so that said main beam is non-directional in its coupling operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A coupling according to claim 1 wherein the end of said bottom flanges is set back from the location where said extension joins said central web to accommodate relative movement of the beams toward each other beyond the normally coupled position thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A main beam according to claim 7 wherein said slot is of sufficient length to accommodate said relative movement of said main beam without interfering with said tongue member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
A main beam according to claim 1 including expansion means for causing the end of said flange to bend downwardly away from said central web when a force is applied axially inwardly on the end of said flange, said expansion means including a slit in the central web located near the lower edge thereof and extending inwardly from the end thereof, whereby a pair of coupled main beams are movable axially together beyond the normally coupled position thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A main beam according to claim 1 wherein said slot is of sufficient length to accommodate said relative movement of said main beam without interfering with said tongue member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A main beam according to claim 9 including camming means for camming said flange downwardly, said camming means including a lead-in slit portion slanting downwardly from the main slit portion.
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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) | 1978-06-23 | 1978-12-23 | 1979-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-23 | 1982-12-23 | 1983-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-23 | 1986-12-23 | 1987-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |