Hanger and tool for suspended ceilings

Claim 2

A hanger and overhead suspended ceiling comprising in combination: a ceiling having beams and ceiling panels,, the beams having at least one horizontal supporting surface and an upstanding vertical surface, the ceiling panels having perimeter portions adapted to rest upon the horizontal supporting surface, the ceiling panels further having an edge around their perimeters, the hanger comprising: a horizontal member supported by the horizontal supporting surface of the beam, first and second substantially vertical projections connected to the horizontal member and extending therefrom in opposite directions, the first vertical projection being an upstanding rectangular plate, the horizontal member and rectangular plate connected along a common edge and defining a corner which receives the edge of the ceiling panel, the first vertical projection further having two sides, one side adapted to engage the edge of the ceiling panel and the other side engaging the upstanding vertical surface of the beam, the second vertical projection being a downturned second rectangular plate with a receiving hole therein, the horizontal member and second rectangular plate connected along a common edge, the horizontal member and two vertical projections defining a Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration, whereby angular and rotational movement of the hanger is restricted by the hanger being retained between the edge and perimeter portions of the ceiling panel and the upstanding vertical and horizontal supporting surfaces of the beam.

Claim 3

The hanger of claim 1 wherein the first vertical projection defines a positive angle with respect to the edge of the panel whereby permitting the panel to having clearance with respect to the first vertical projection when the panel is dropped into engagement with the hanger.

Claim 4

The hanger of claim 1 in combination with a tool for manipulating the hanger into and out of its retained position with respect to the beam and ceiling panels, the tool comprising a pole having a head at one end, the head having a raised top which is adapted to engage the ceiling panels means in the head for receiving the second rectangular plate, means on the head for supporting the hanger, whereby vertical movement of the raised top lifts the ceiling panel and horizontal movement of the tool causes the horizontal member of the hanger to slide over the horizontal supporting surface of the beam until the hanger is positioned with its first vertical projection engaging the upstanding vertical surface of the beam at which time the tool is lowered causing the ceiling panel to be lowered into its retaining position engaging the hanger between the ceiling and the beam.

Claim 5

The hanger and tool of claim 3 and further comprising a roller on the head which engages and rolls across the ceiling panels.

Claim 6

A ceiling hanger system comprising in combination: an overhead suspended ceiling having ceiling beams and ceiling panels, the ceiling beams having at least one horizontal supporting surface and an upstanding vertical surface, the ceiling panels having perimeter portions adapted to rest upon the horizontal supporting surface, the ceiling panels further having an edge around their perimeters, a hanger comprising: a horizontal member supported by the horizontal supporting surface of the beam, first and second substantially vertical projections connected to the horizontal member nd extending therefrom in opposite directions, the first vertical projection being an upstanding rectangular plate, the horizontal member and rectangular plate connected along a common edge and defining a corner which receives the edge of the ceiling panel, the first vertical projection further having two sides, one side adapted to engage the edge of the ceiling panel and the other side engaging the upstanding vertical surface of the beam, the second vertical projection being a downturned second rectangular plate, and a tool for manipulating the hanger into and out oft the retained position with respect to the beam and ceiling panels, the tool comprising a pole having a head at one end, the head having raised top which is adapted to engage the ceiling panels, means in the head for receiving the second rectangular plate, and means on the head for supporting the hanger, whereby vertical movement of the raised top lifts the ceiling panel and horizontal movement of the tool causes the horizontal member of the hanger to slide over the horizontal supporting surface of the beam until the hanger is positioned with its first vertical projection engaging the upstanding vertical surface of the beam at which time the tool is lower causing the ceiling panel to be lowered into its retaining position engaging the hanger between the ceiling panel and the beam.

Claim 7

A ceiling hanger system comprising in combination: an overhead suspended ceiling having ceiling beams and ceiling panels, the ceiling beams having at least one horizontal supporting surface and an upstanding vertical surface, the ceiling panels having perimeter portions adapted to rest upon the horizontal supporting surface, the ceiling panels further having an edge around their perimeters, a hanger comprising: a horizontal member supported by the horizontal supporting surface of the beam, first and second substantially vertical projections connected to the horizontal member nd extending therefrom in opposite directions, the first vertical projection being an upstanding rectangular plate, the horizontal member and rectangular plate connected along a common edge and defining a corner which receives the edge of the ceiling panel, the first vertical projection further having two sides, one side adapted to engage the edge of the ceiling panel and the other side engaging the upstanding vertical surface of the beam, the second vertical projection being a downturned second rectangular plate, and a tool for manipulating the hanger into and out oft the retained position with respect to the beam and ceiling panels, the tool comprising a pole having a head at one end, the head having raised top which is adapted to engage the ceiling panels, means in the head for receiving the second rectangular plate, and means on the head for supporting the hanger, whereby vertical movement of the raised top lifts the ceiling panel and horizontal movement of the tool causes the horizontal member of the hanger to slide over the horizontal supporting surface of the beam until the hanger is positioned with its first vertical projection engaging the upstanding vertical surface of the beam at which time the tool is lower causing the ceiling panel to be lowered into its retaining position engaging the hanger between the ceiling panel and the beam.

Claim 8

The system of claim 5 and further comprising means on the second vertical projection for connecting an article to be suspended.

Claim 9

The system of claim 6 wherein the means for connecting comprises a receiving hold in the second vertical projection.

Claim 10

The system of claim 5 wherein the second downturned rectangular plate and the horizontal member are connected along a common edge, the horizontal member and two vertical projections defining a Z-shaped cross sectional configuration.

Claim 11

The system of claim 5 wherein the first vertical projection defines a positive angle with respect to the edge of the panel thereby permitting the panel to have clearance with respect to the first vertical projection when the panel is dropped into engagement with the hanger.

Claim 12

A hanger and tool for use in manipulating the hanger into and out of a retained position with respect to an overhead suspended ceiling comprising in combination: a ceiling having beams and ceiling panels, the beams having at lest one horizontal supporting surface and an upstanding vertical surface, the ceiling panels have perimeter portions adapted to rest upon the horizontal supporting surface, the ceiling panels further having an edge around their perimeters, the hanger comprising: a horizontal member supported by the horizontal supporting surface of the beam, first and second substantially vertical projections connected to the horizontal member and extending therefrom in opposite directions, the first vertical projection being an upstanding rectangular plate, the horizontal member and rectangular plate connected along a common edge and defining a corner which receives the edge of the ceiling panel, the first vertical projection further having two sides, one side adapted to engage the edge of the ceiling panel and the other side engaging the upstanding vertical surface of the beam, the second vertical projection being downturned second rectangular plate, and a tool for manipulating the hanger into and out of the retained position with respect to the beam and ceiling panels, the tool comprising a pole having a head at one end, the head having raised top which is adapted to engage the ceiling panels, means in the head for receiving the second rectangular plate, and means on the head for supporting the hanger.

Claim 13

A hanger and tool for use in manipulating the hanger into and out of a retained position with respect to an overhead suspended ceiling comprising in combination: a ceiling having beams and ceiling panels, the beams having at lest one horizontal supporting surface and an upstanding vertical surface, the ceiling panels have perimeter portions adapted to rest upon the horizontal supporting surface, the ceiling panels further having an edge around their perimeters, the hanger comprising: a horizontal member supported by the horizontal supporting surface of the beam, first and second substantially vertical projections connected to the horizontal member and extending therefrom in opposite directions, the first vertical projection being an upstanding rectangular plate, the horizontal member and rectangular plate connected along a common edge and defining a corner which receives the edge of the ceiling panel, the first vertical projection further having two sides, one side adapted to engage the edge of the ceiling panel and the other side engaging the upstanding vertical surface of the beam, the second vertical projection being downturned second rectangular plate, and a tool for manipulating the hanger into and out of the retained position with respect to the beam and ceiling panels, the tool comprising a pole having a head at one end, the head having raised top which is adapted to engage the ceiling panels, means in the head for receiving the second rectangular plate, and means on the head for supporting the hanger.

Claim 14

The hanger of claim 10 and further comprising connecting means on the second vertical projection for connecting an article, there are two.

Claim 15

The hanger of claim 11 wherein the means for connecting comprises a receiving whole.

Claim 16

The hanger of claim 10 wherein the horizontal member and second rectangular plate are connected along a common edge, the horizontal member and two vertical projections defining Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

Claim 17

The hanger of claim 10 wherein the first vertical projection defines a positive angle with respect to the edge of the panel thereby permitting the panel to have clearance with the respect to the first vertical projection is dropped into engagement with the hanger.