US5619833A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suspended ceiling system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-01-26
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Granted: 1997-04-15
•
Expires: 2015-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A suspended ceiling system for suspension from an overhead ceiling of a room is disclosed which includes a plurality of wall trim members secured to the room walls, a plurality of main runner members extending from the wall trim members in a horizontal plane for spanning the room and a plurality of cross braces interlocking with the main runner members and forming a grid for receiving ceiling tiles, panels, fixtures, and the like. A plurality of clips are slidably disposed on the wall trim members, main runner members, and the cross braces to suspend those members from the ceiling and to support the main runner members and cross braces at intersection points in the grid. In addition, for an in-place suspended ceiling framework that includes L-shaped metal wall angles secured to the walls of the room and metal main runners and metal cross braces spanning the room to form a grid beneath the ceiling, an improvement is disclosed which includes wall trim cover members for covering the metal wall angles, main runner cover members for covering the metal main runners, and cross brace cover members for covering the metal cross braces. The wall trim members, main runner cover members, and cross brace cover members preferably simulate a wood appearance and are removably attachable to the various suspended ceiling framework structural components.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric S. Neff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:50
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/06; E04B9/064; E04B9/10; E04B9/12; E04B9/127; E04B9/18; E04B9/30; E04B2009/062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
In a suspended ceiling framework including a plurality of L-shaped metal wall angles for securement to the walls that form the perimeter of a room, a plurality of elongated, inverted, T-shaped metal main runners supported by and extending from the metal wall angles, and a plurality of elongated, inverted T-shaped metal cross braces which are secured to the metal main runners for forming a grid beneath a ceiling of the room, the improvement comprising: a plurality of elongated wall trim cover members for resting upon the L-shaped metal wall angles and which include a molded portion for abutting the walls; a plurality of, elongated, generally V-shaped main runner cover members which include a pair of elongated, opposed, inwardly-turned flanges for snapping and sliding onto and covering the inverted T-shaped main runners; a plurality of elongated, generally V-shaped cross brace cover members which include a pair of elongated, opposed, inwardly-turned cover flanges for snapping sliding onto covering the inverted T-shaped cross braces; and a plurality of joint cover members with each joint cover member having four pairs of inwardly-turned cross-T flanges for snapping and sliding onto and covering the end portions of the inverted T-shaped main runners, the inverted T-shaped cross braces, main runner cover members, and cross brace cover members at intersection points in the grid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
In a suspended ceiling framework including a plurality of L-shaped metal wall angles for securement to the walls that form the perimeter of a room, a plurality of elongated, inverted, T-shaped metal main runners supported by and extending from the metal wall angles, and a plurality of elongated, inverted T-shaped metal cross braces which are secured to the metal main runners for forming a grid beneath a ceiling of the room, the improvement comprising: a plurality of elongated wall trim cover members for resting upon the L-shaped metal wall angles and which include a molded portion for abutting the walls; a plurality of, elongated, generally V-shaped main runner cover members which include a pair of elongated, opposed, inwardly-turned flanges for snapping and sliding onto and covering the inverted T-shaped main runners; a plurality of elongated, generally V-shaped cross brace cover members which include a pair of elongated, opposed, inwardly-turned cover flanges for snapping sliding onto covering the inverted T-shaped cross braces; and a plurality of joint cover members with each joint cover member having four pairs of inwardly-turned cross-T flanges for snapping and sliding onto and covering the end portions of the inverted T-shaped main runners, the inverted T-shaped cross braces, main runner cover members, and cross brace cover members at intersection points in the grid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The suspended ceiling framework of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of inside cover members having a main body portion and opposed end portions and which snap and slide onto and cover the ends of the two adjacent L-shaped wall angles that meet at a right angle at an inside corner perimeter of the room.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The suspended ceiling framework of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of outside cover members having a main body portion and opposed end portions and which snap and slide onto and cover the ends of two adjacent L-shaped wall angles that meet at a right angle at an outside corner perimeter of the room.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The suspended ceiling framework of claim 3 wherein the opposed end portions of the outside cover members are in the shape of a rectangular tab.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The suspended ceiling framework of claim 4 wherein the opposed end portions of the inside cover members are in the shape of a rectangular tab.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The suspended ceiling framework of claim 1 wherein each wall trim member includes a pair of opposed end wall trim portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The suspended ceiling framework of claim 6 wherein each wall trim member includes a flat, horizontal surface portion for resting upon the L-shaped metal wall angles and which is coequal in length with the wall trim member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The suspended ceiling framework of claim 7 wherein at least one end wall trim portion includes a flat, rectangular-shaped tab having a width less than that of the flat, horizontal surface portion and which is located in the same plane as the horizontal surface portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The suspended ceiling framework of claim 1 wherein each wall trim member includes a plurality of flat, horizontal, spaced-apart tabs for snapping and sliding onto the L-shaped wall angles so that the tabs rest thereupon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The suspended ceiling framework of claim 1 wherein each main runner cover member includes a plurality of opposed, inwardly-facing, spaced-apart main runner tabs which snap and slide onto the flanges of the inverted T-shaped main runners and rest thereupon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The suspended ceiling framework of claim 1 wherein each cross brace cover member includes a plurality of opposed, inwardly-facing, spaced-apart cross brace tabs which snap and slide onto the flanges of the inverted, T-shaped cross braces and rest thereon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The suspended ceiling framework of claim 1 wherein each main runner cover member includes a pair of oppositely-disposed V-shaped end portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The suspended ceiling framework of claim 1 wherein each cross brace cover member includes a pair of oppositely-disposed V-shaped end portions.
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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) | 2000-04-14 | 2000-10-14 | 2001-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-04-14 | 2004-10-14 | 2005-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-04-14 | 2008-10-14 | 2009-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |