Patent US3988871A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3988871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suspended ceiling construction
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-02-03
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Granted: 1976-11-02
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Expires: 1995-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A suspended ceiling construction comprises a plurality of individual ceiling tiles suspended in rows between evenly spaced support beams. Each tile has a kerfed back edge that fits over a flange on a back support beam and an L-shaped front portion having a lower lip that fits under a flange on a front support beam. The side edges of each ceiling tile include longitudinal kerfs therein extending rearwardly from the front portion of the tile, with the kerfs being positioned above the lip on the front portion of the tile by a distance at least equal to the thickness of the flange on the front support beam. Tile supporting splines fit into the kerfs in the sides of abutting ceiling tiles and engage the front support beams. At least one of the ceiling tiles is an access tile and comprises cut away portions above the kerfs on each side of the tile. The splines include a movable member slidable from a locking position, engaging the kerfs at the side edges of the tiles, to a release position at the cut away section. The movable member has a flange sized to pass through the opening at the cut away portion such that the splines in that tile may fit through these open sections when the splines are in their release positions. These open sections permit the removal of the tiles from the ceiling for access to the space above the suspended ceiling.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Moomey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:03
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/22; E04B9/24; E04B9/247
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A suspended ceiling construction for buildings comprising: first and second parallel support beams suspended from a structural ceiling within said building; a plurality of ceiling tiles suspended between said parallel support beams; means for releasably supporting one end of said ceiling tiles on said first support beam; said tiles having kerfs along opposite edges thereof extending between said first and second support beams; spline means in said kerfs and extending between adjacent tiles, said spline means having means for supporting said spline means on said second support beam so that said tiles are supported at an end opposite said one end through the spline means; at least one of said tiles being cut away above said kerf along a portion of each side of said one tile and forming an opening above said kerf; and said spline means including a movable member slidable between a locking position engaging the kerf at the side of one tile and a release position at said cut-away portion of said one tile, said movable member having a flange which engages said kerf of said one tile and sized to pass through said opening when said movable member is in said release position to permit said one tile to be removed from said ceiling when the movable members are moved to the release position at each side of one tile.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A suspended ceiling construction for buildings comprising: first and second parallel support beams suspended from a structural ceiling within said building; a plurality of ceiling tiles suspended between said parallel support beams; means for releasably supporting one end of said ceiling tiles on said first support beam; said tiles having kerfs along opposite edges thereof extending between said first and second support beams; spline means in said kerfs and extending between adjacent tiles, said spline means having means for supporting said spline means on said second support beam so that said tiles are supported at an end opposite said one end through the spline means; at least one of said tiles being cut away above said kerf along a portion of each side of said one tile and forming an opening above said kerf; and said spline means including a movable member slidable between a locking position engaging the kerf at the side of one tile and a release position at said cut-away portion of said one tile, said movable member having a flange which engages said kerf of said one tile and sized to pass through said opening when said movable member is in said release position to permit said one tile to be removed from said ceiling when the movable members are moved to the release position at each side of one tile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A removable ceiling construction according to claim 1 wherein said cut-away portion of said kerf is adjacent said one end of said one tile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A suspended ceiling construction according to claim 1 wherein said tiles have a lip at said opposite end which abuts and conceals said second support means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A suspended ceiling construction according to claim 2 wherein said spline means comprises an L-shaped flange which is positioned on said second support means and projects into the kerf of the tile adjacent said one tile; and said movable member is slidably mounted on said L-shaped spline.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A suspended ceiling construction according to claim 2 wherein said spline includes a bar supported by said first and second support beams, and said movable member is slidably supported by said bar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A suspended ceiling construction according to claim 5 wherein said movable member has laterally projecting flanges extending into a kerf of said one tile and a kerf of a tile adjacent thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A suspended ceiling construction according to claim 1 wherein said spline means comprises an L-shaped flange which is positioned on said second support means and projects into the kerf at the tile adjacent said one tile; and said movable member is slidably mounted on said L-shaped spline.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A suspended ceiling construction according to claim 7 wherein the L-shaped flange also is positioned at least partially on said first support means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A suspended ceiling construction according to claim 7 and further comprising means to prevent upward movement of said movable member with respect to said L-shaped spline.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A suspended ceiling construction according to claim 1 wherein said spline means includes a bar supported by said first and second support means and said movable member is slidably supported by said bar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A suspended ceiling construction according to claim 10 wherein said movable member has laterally projecting flanges extending into a kerf of said one tile and a kerf of a tile adjacent thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A suspended ceiling construction according to claim 1 wherein the spline means is supported on said first support beam as well as the second support beam, such that the tiles are supported at both ends by the spline means.
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) | 1979-11-02 | 1980-05-03 | 1980-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-02 | 1984-05-03 | 1984-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-02 | 1988-05-03 | 1988-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |