US5535566A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Concealed grid ceiling panel system
Assignee: Certainteed Canada Inc
•
Filing: 1995-05-11
•
Granted: 1996-07-16
•
Expires: 2015-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A concealed suspension ceiling system advantageously uses a `T` bar grid network used for lay-in ceiling panels. Saddle clips are secured to upper beads of the `T` bar grid network allowing torsioning springs to releasably maintain the panels suspended beneath the grid. The system can be used for entirely new installations or used in a retrofit application.
Inventors
- 👤 Wm. S. Wilson
- 👤 Heikki Kolga
- 👤 Ronald G. White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:31
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
339 words
In combination, a `T` bar grid system, securing clips and ceiling panels, said `T` bar grid system comprising main T's and cross T's forming the grid system, each securing clip being secured to said grid system at a junction of the grid system and positioning a first segment of said clip on a main T and to one side of a cross T and positioning a second segment of the securing clip on the main T to the opposite side of said cross T, said ceiling panels including torsion springs for suspending thereof from said securing clips, said torsion springs being received in slots of said securing clips, said ceiling panels being sized to generally align corners of the ceiling panels beneath a junction of a main T and cross T, with a securing clip positioned to receive and engage a torsion spring of a ceiling panel, said ceiling panels abutting and collectively covering the grid system from below, said main T's and cross T's having a plurality of alignment clips secured to a lower surface of said main and cross T's, said alignment clips cooperating with said panels to align the panels beneath the `T` bar grid system with adjacent panels spaced by at least one alignment clip; each alignment clip comprising a first channel engaging a flange edge of a grid, a second channel opposite said first channel engaging an opposing flange edge of the respective grid, and an alignment flange centrally disposed between said first and second channels engaging and centering adjacent ceiling panels, each alignment clip including curved segments which accommodate separation of said first and second channels while maintaining said alignment flange centered between said channels; wherein each of said channels is separated from said alignment flange by curved segments which project downwardly relative to said channels and provide a ceiling panel stop surface separated from the lower surface of a grid by a tool gap into which a hooked tool can pass and engage an upper surface of a ceiling panel secured therebelow.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
339 words
In combination, a `T` bar grid system, securing clips and ceiling panels, said `T` bar grid system comprising main T's and cross T's forming the grid system, each securing clip being secured to said grid system at a junction of the grid system and positioning a first segment of said clip on a main T and to one side of a cross T and positioning a second segment of the securing clip on the main T to the opposite side of said cross T, said ceiling panels including torsion springs for suspending thereof from said securing clips, said torsion springs being received in slots of said securing clips, said ceiling panels being sized to generally align corners of the ceiling panels beneath a junction of a main T and cross T, with a securing clip positioned to receive and engage a torsion spring of a ceiling panel, said ceiling panels abutting and collectively covering the grid system from below, said main T's and cross T's having a plurality of alignment clips secured to a lower surface of said main and cross T's, said alignment clips cooperating with said panels to align the panels beneath the `T` bar grid system with adjacent panels spaced by at least one alignment clip; each alignment clip comprising a first channel engaging a flange edge of a grid, a second channel opposite said first channel engaging an opposing flange edge of the respective grid, and an alignment flange centrally disposed between said first and second channels engaging and centering adjacent ceiling panels, each alignment clip including curved segments which accommodate separation of said first and second channels while maintaining said alignment flange centered between said channels; wherein each of said channels is separated from said alignment flange by curved segments which project downwardly relative to said channels and provide a ceiling panel stop surface separated from the lower surface of a grid by a tool gap into which a hooked tool can pass and engage an upper surface of a ceiling panel secured therebelow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
In combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second segments are interconnected by a frangible bridge segment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
In combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said securing clips are each mechanically fastened to a main T of the grid system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
In combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said grid system has a cell size and said ceiling panels are sized to correspond to the cell size.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
In combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said grid system defines a rectangular grid having a host of common sized cells and said ceiling panels are rectangular and of a size to cover one of the common sized cells of the rectangular grid and a portion of the main T's and cross T's defining the cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
In combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein said first and second segments are interconnected by a bridge segment with said bridge segment overlying a junction of a main T and cross T of the grid system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
In combination as claimed in claim 6 wherein each ceiling panel has four torsion springs with each torsion spring hingedly secured at a corner of the ceiling panel and with each torsion spring releasably engaging a securing clip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
147 words
An alignment clip for a suspended ceiling system comprising a first channel adapted for engaging a flange edge of a grid member, a second channel opposite said first channel adapted for engaging an opposing flange edge of the respective grid member, and an alignment flange centrally disposed between said first and second channels adapted for engaging and centering adjacent ceiling panels, each alignment chip including curved segments which accommodate separation of said first and second channels while maintaining said alignment flange centered between said channels; wherein each of said channels is separated from said alignment flange by curved segments which project downwardly relative to said channels and are adapted to provide a ceiling panel stop surface separated from the lower surface of a grid member by a tool gap into which a hooked tool can pass and engage an upper surface of a ceiling panel secured therebelow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
147 words
An alignment clip for a suspended ceiling system comprising a first channel adapted for engaging a flange edge of a grid member, a second channel opposite said first channel adapted for engaging an opposing flange edge of the respective grid member, and an alignment flange centrally disposed between said first and second channels adapted for engaging and centering adjacent ceiling panels, each alignment chip including curved segments which accommodate separation of said first and second channels while maintaining said alignment flange centered between said channels; wherein each of said channels is separated from said alignment flange by curved segments which project downwardly relative to said channels and are adapted to provide a ceiling panel stop surface separated from the lower surface of a grid member by a tool gap into which a hooked tool can pass and engage an upper surface of a ceiling panel secured therebelow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An alignment clip as claimed in claim 8 wherein said second channel includes a cam member upwardly and outwardly disposed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
An alignment clip as claimed in claim 8 wherein said alignment flange is of a double thickness and can spread adjacent a base portion to increase the separation of said channels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
An alignment clip as claimed in claim 10 wherein said curved segments as adapted to distort to accommodate increases in the width of lower flanges of grid members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An alignment clip as claimed in claim 11 wherein said clip is made of spring steel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1997580A
Cited
US3612461A
Cited
US3864789A
Cited
US4041668A
Cited
US5265393A
Cited
US5428930A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-16 | 2000-01-15 | 2000-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-16 | 2004-01-15 | 2004-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-16 | 2008-01-15 | 2008-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |