Stabilizer strut for suspended ceiling system

Claim 2

In combination with a pair of spaced grid members disposed in a substantially parallel manner with respect to one another, a stabilizer strut for lateral connection between said grid members which form a supporting grid system and the like wherein each grid member includes an upstanding web means surmounted by a bead means extending longitudinally along the upper longitudinal edge of said web means and laterally outwardly of at least one side of said web means, said stabilizer strut comprising: an elongated body extending between a pair of grid members, said body having a pair of angularly related leg portions at each of its ends in locking engagement with a grid member, each of said pair of leg portions including a pair of aligned slot portions extending inwardly from the non-adjacent, lateral edges of said leg portions wherein only one of said aligned slot portions on each end of said body which correspond to one another includes a locking projection extending beneath said bead means to restrain said strut against vertical uplift with respect to said grid members and the other of said aligned slot portions is of a width so as to be received over said bead means in sufficient lateral engagement therewith to provide stabilized lateral support between a pair of grid members and to maintain said locking projection in place beneath said bead means.

Claim 3

The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said pair of aligned slot portions of said strut are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof whereby said strut is assembled in a substantially perpendicular manner to each of said grid members.

Claim 4

The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking projection comprises a tab portion extending into said slot to extend beneath said bead means.

Claim 5

In combination in a supporting grid system and the like wherein a grid member includes an upstanding web means surmounted by a bead means extending longitudinally along the upper longitudinal edge of said web means and laterally outwardly of at least one side of said web means, a stabilizer strut for lateral connection between grid members, said stabilizer strut comprising; an elongated body adapted to extend between a pair of grid members, said body having a pair of angularly related leg portions at each of its ends adapted for locking engagement with a grid member, each of said pair of leg portions including a pair of aligned slot portions extending inwardly from the non-adjacent, lateral edges of said leg portions wherein one of said aligned slot portions includes a locking projection adapted to extend beneath said bead means to restrain said strut against vertical uplift with respect to said grid members and the other of said aligned slot portions is of a width adapted to be received over said bead means so as to be in sufficient lateral engagement with said bead means to provide stabilized lateral support between a pair of grid members and to maintain said locking projection in place beneath said bead means, and a pair of spaced grid members disposed in a substantially parallel manner with respect to one another wherein each said pair of aligned slot portions of said strut are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof whereby said strut is assembled in a substantially perpendicular manner to each of said grid members.

Claim 6

In combination in a supporting grid system and the like wherein a grid member includes an upstanding web means surmounted by a bead means extending longitudinally along the upper longitudinal edge of said web means and laterally outwardly of at least one side of said web means, a stabilizer strut for lateral connection between grid members, said stabilizer strut comprising; an elongated body adapted to extend between a pair of grid members, said body having a pair of angularly related leg portions at each of its ends adapted for locking engagement with a grid member, each of said pair of leg portions including a pair of aligned slot portions extending inwardly from the non-adjacent, lateral edges of said leg portions wherein one of said aligned slot portions includes a locking projection adapted to extend beneath said bead means to restrain said strut against vertical uplift with respect to said grid members and the other of said aligned slot portions is of a width adapted to be received over said bead means so as to be in sufficient lateral engagement with said bead means to provide stabilized lateral support between a pair of grid members and to maintain said locking projection in place beneath said bead means, and a pair of spaced grid members disposed in a substantially parallel manner with respect to one another wherein each said pair of aligned slot portions of said strut are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof whereby said strut is assembled in a substantially perpendicular manner to each of said grid members.

Claim 7

A stabilizer strut as set forth in claim 4 wherein the side of said slot opposite said locking projection includes a shouldered portion so that upon reception of said slot over said bead means said shouldered portion abuts said bead means to align said locking projection with the underside of said bead means.

Claim 8

A stabilizer strut as set forth in claim 5 wherein the end portion of said slot extending between said shouldered portion associated therewith and the other said slot is of a width adapted to be received over said bead means so as to be in sufficient lateral engagement with said bead means to provide stabilized lateral support between a pair of grid members and to maintain said locking projection in place beneath said bead means.

Claim 9

A stabilizer strut as set forth in claim 6 wherein said locking projection is located adjacent to said non-adjacent, lateral edge of said leg portion associated therewith.

Claim 10

A stabilizer strut as set forth in claim 6 wherein the side of said slot opposite said locking projection is sloped toward the side of said slot associated with said locking projection along the length thereof extending to said shouldered portion.

Claim 11

A stabilizer strut as set forth in claim 4 wherein said locking projection comprises a tab portion extending into said slot so as to be adapted to extend beneath said bead means.

Claim 12

A stabilizer strut as set forth in claim 9 wherein the side of said slot opposite said locking projection includes a shouldered portion so that upon reception of said slot over said bead means said shouldered portion abuts said bead means to align said locking projection with the underside of said bead means.

Claim 13

A stabilizer strut as set forth in claim 10 wherein the end portion of said slot extending between said shouldered portion associated therewith and the other said slot is of a width adapted to be received over said bead means so as to be in sufficient lateral engagement with said bead means to provide a stabilized lateral support between a pair of grid members and to maintain said locking projection in place beneath said bead means.

Claim 14

A stabilizer strut as set forth in claim 11 wherein the side of said slot opposite said locking projection is sloped toward the side of said slot associated with said locking projection along the length thereof extending to said shouldered portion.

Claim 15

A stabilizer strut as set forth in claim 11 wherein said slots including said locking projections are disposed on the same said leg portion.

Claim 16

A stabilizer strut as set forth in claim 9 wherein said locking projection is located adjacent to said non-adjacent, lateral edge of said leg portion associated therewith.