US4432182A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ceiling tile suspension system
Assignee: Armstrong World Industries Inc
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Filing: 1981-09-17
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Granted: 1984-02-21
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Expires: 2001-09-17
Abstract
Abstract The ceiling tile suspension system is composed of a runner structure and a clip structure. The runner structure is generally trapezoidal in cross section with two flanges spaced away from a ceiling structure. The clip structure includes a flat base portion with flanges that grasp the flanges of the runner. The clip structure has a serrated edge connected to the flat base portion and the serrated edge either digs into the edge of the ceiling tile or slips into a kerf in the edge of the ceiling tile to hold the ceiling tile in position against the clip flat base portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee W. Addie
- 👤 James C. Ollinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:22
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/22; E04B9/24; E04B9/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
368 words
A ceiling suspension system comprising (a) a runner structure having: (1) a generally trapezoidal cross section with a flat base having a plurality of holes of a certain diameter therein and two parallel edges forming flanges; (2) inwardly of the flanges and fastened to the flat base there are two leg members resiliently mounted and inclined slightly toward each other and each having a lip structure; (3) the lips of the two legs being spaced apart a distance ranging from slightly less than to the same as the diameter of the holes through the flat base of the runner; (b) a clip structure comprising: (1) a flat body having on two opposite sides thereof flange means projecting from the flat base generally perpendicular therefrom and being of an S-shaped configuration, the spacing between said flange means being such that said flange means will spring away from the edge of the flanges of the runner structure and then spring around the edge of the flange of the runner structure to hold the flat body of the clip adjacent the flat base of the runner; (2) a C-shaped projection fastened to a third side of the clip flat body, said C-shaped projection having two parallel sides and one perpendicular connecting side with one parallel side being positioned in the plane of the flat body, said perpendicular side extending from the plane of the flat body in a direction opposite from the direction that the flange means extend from the flat body, and the second parallel side of the C-shaped projection being in a plane parallel to the flat body and spaced therefrom; (c) a ceiling tile positioned adjacent the flat body of the clip and the edge of said ceiling tile being engaged by the side of the C-shaped projection in the plane spaced from, and parallel to, the flat body of the clip; and (d) a fastening means passing through a hole of the flat base of the runner and between the lips of the legs of the runner into an overlying ceiling structure to mount the runner adjacent a ceiling structure with the clip being mounted on the runner and a ceiling tile being retained by said clip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
368 words
A ceiling suspension system comprising (a) a runner structure having: (1) a generally trapezoidal cross section with a flat base having a plurality of holes of a certain diameter therein and two parallel edges forming flanges; (2) inwardly of the flanges and fastened to the flat base there are two leg members resiliently mounted and inclined slightly toward each other and each having a lip structure; (3) the lips of the two legs being spaced apart a distance ranging from slightly less than to the same as the diameter of the holes through the flat base of the runner; (b) a clip structure comprising: (1) a flat body having on two opposite sides thereof flange means projecting from the flat base generally perpendicular therefrom and being of an S-shaped configuration, the spacing between said flange means being such that said flange means will spring away from the edge of the flanges of the runner structure and then spring around the edge of the flange of the runner structure to hold the flat body of the clip adjacent the flat base of the runner; (2) a C-shaped projection fastened to a third side of the clip flat body, said C-shaped projection having two parallel sides and one perpendicular connecting side with one parallel side being positioned in the plane of the flat body, said perpendicular side extending from the plane of the flat body in a direction opposite from the direction that the flange means extend from the flat body, and the second parallel side of the C-shaped projection being in a plane parallel to the flat body and spaced therefrom; (c) a ceiling tile positioned adjacent the flat body of the clip and the edge of said ceiling tile being engaged by the side of the C-shaped projection in the plane spaced from, and parallel to, the flat body of the clip; and (d) a fastening means passing through a hole of the flat base of the runner and between the lips of the legs of the runner into an overlying ceiling structure to mount the runner adjacent a ceiling structure with the clip being mounted on the runner and a ceiling tile being retained by said clip.
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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) | 1987-02-20 | 1987-08-22 | 1988-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-02-20 | 1991-08-22 | 1992-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-02-20 | 1995-08-22 | 1996-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |