Ceiling system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10640975-B2
Application number	US-201816137366-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 20, 2018
Priority date	Sep 21, 2017
Publication date	May 5, 2020
Grant date	May 5, 2020

Abstract

Described herein is a ceiling system in one embodiment includes a grid support member, ceiling panel, and grid hanger configured to support the grid support member in a suspended manner from an overhead structural support. The grid hanger includes a mounting bracket configured for attachment to the structural support and a hanger member. The hanger member is adjustable in a plurality of selectable mounting positions relative to the mounting bracket, thereby allowing the mounted height of the grid support member to be adjusted in the field. In some embodiment, the hanger member is further angularly adjustable relative to the mounting bracket to avoid installation obstacles. Locking elements are provided to secure the hanger member in the selected mounting position. In one embodiment, the grid support member may have a T-shaped cross section.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A grid hanger assembly for mounting a ceiling system, the grid hanger assembly comprising:
a mounting bracket comprising an elastically deformable spring clip, the mounting bracket defining a vertical mounting centerline;
the mounting bracket comprising a bottom flange and adjoining vertical side flange extending upwardly from the bottom flange, the bottom and side flanges configured to engage an overhead support structure when mounted thereto;
an elongated hanger member slideably coupled to the spring clip, the hanger member including a coupling end configured to engage a grid support member of the ceiling system and a top end having a travel stop that limits the height of the hanger member relative to the mounting bracket, the spring clip configured to frictionally secure the hanger member in one of a plurality of mounting positions relative to the mounting bracket; and
wherein the spring clip is deformable between an unlocked position allowing adjustment of the hanger member relative to the mounting bracket and a locked position frictionally locking the hanger member.

2. The grid hanger assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the spring clip comprises a pair of outwardly and laterally projecting resilient spring arms obliquely angled in relation to each other forming a generally V-shaped structure.

3. The grid hanger assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the spring arms extend outwards from a front side of the side flange of the mounting bracket in a direction opposite to the bottom flange which extends perpendicularly from a rear side of the side flange.

4. The grid hanger assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the arms are located midway between vertical peripheral side edges of the bracket.

5. The grid hanger assembly according to claim 2 , wherein each spring arm comprises an intermediate portion joined to the side flange and a horizontal terminal end obliquely angled to the intermediate portion, the intermediate portion of each spring arm disposed obliquely angled to the side flange.

6. The grid hanger assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the bottom and side flanges and the spring arms are formed as integral unitary structural parts of the mounting bracket body which are bent to form the flanges and spring arms.

7. The grid hanger assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket is horizontally elongated having a greater width than height.

8. The grid hanger assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the bottom flange is oriented perpendicularly to the side flange and bifurcated such that the bottom flange comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart first and second flange sections arranged to engage a bottom surface of the overhead support structure.

9. The grid hanger assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket includes a pair of resiliently flexible cantilevered securement tabs movable relative to a body of the mounting bracket, each securement tab having a pointed end configured to engage the overhead support structure and wherein the overhead support structure is a joist.

10. The grid hanger assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the hanger member is a J-shaped hook, and wherein the hanger member is slideable through a pair of spaced apart guide holes formed in the spring clip.

11. The grid hanger assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the travel stop is an L-shaped curved end having a portion that projects laterally.

12. The grid hanger assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the spring clip comprises a plurality of guide holes that are configured to slideably couple the elongated hanger member to the spring clip, the guide hole is defined by an edge comprising a first linear edge portion, a second linear edge portion, a third linear edge portion, and a fourth linear edge portion; wherein the first linear edge portion and second linear edge portion converge upwardly towards each other, and wherein the third linear edge portion and fourth linear edge portion converge downwardly towards each other.

13. A ceiling system comprising:
an overhead support structure;
a grid support member defining a longitudinal axis;
a ceiling panel supported by the grid support member;
a mounting bracket defining a vertical mounting centerline and comprising a bottom flange and adjoining side flange extending upwardly from the bottom flange, the flanges abuttingly engaging the overhead support structure;
the mounting bracket comprising an elastically deformably spring clip, the spring clip comprising a plurality of spring arms each having a guide hole;
an elongated hanger member slideably coupled to the spring clip through the guide holes, the spring clip configured and operable to frictionally secure the hanger member in a plurality of mounting positions relative to the mounting bracket, the elongated hanger member comprising a top end having a travel stop that limits the height of the hanger member relative to the mounting bracket;
wherein the guide holes are defined by an edge comprising a first linear edge portion, a second linear edge portion, a third linear edge portion, and a fourth linear edge portion;
wherein the first linear edge portion and second linear edge portion converge upwardly towards each other, and wherein the third linear edge portion and fourth linear edge portion converge downwardly towards each other; and
wherein the spring clip is deformable between an unlocked position allowing adjustment of the hanger member relative to the mounting bracket and a locked position frictionally locking the hanger member in one of the selectable mounting positions.

14. The ceiling system according to claim 13 , wherein the spring arms project outwardly and laterally and the spring arms are obliquely angled in relation to each other forming a generally V-shaped structure.

15. The ceiling system according to claim 14 , wherein the hanger member is a J-shaped hook slideably received through the guide holes in each of the spring arms.

16. The ceiling system according to claim 13 , wherein the bottom flange is oriented perpendicularly to the side flange and engaged with a bottom surface of the overhead support structure and wherein the side flange is fixedly mounted to the overhead support structure.

17. The ceiling system according to claim 13 , wherein the mounting bracket includes a pair of resiliently flexible cantilevered securement tabs movable relative to a body of the mounting bracket, each securement tab having a pointed end engaged with the overhead support structure.

18. The ceiling system according to claim 13 , wherein the guide holes may be diamond shaped, polygonal, or non-polygonal.

19. A grid hanger assembly for mounting a ceiling system, the grid hanger assembly comprising:
a mounting bracket comprising an elastically deformable spring clip, the mounting bracket defining a vertical mounting centerline, the mounting bracket comprising a bottom flange and adjoining vertical side flange extending upwardly from the bottom flange, the bottom and side flanges configured to engage an overhead support structure when mounted thereto;
an elongated hanger member slideably coupled to the spring clip, the hanger member including a coupling end configured to engage a grid support member of the ceiling system and a top end having a travel stop that limits the height of the hanger member relative to the mounting bracket, the spring clip configured to frictionally secure the hanger member in one of a plurality of mounting positions relative to the mounting bracket;
wherein the spring

Assignees

• Armstrong World Ind Inc
• Awi Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Place Kain A
• Harnish Scott D
• Markley Jeffrey T
• White Ian V
• Mcdermott Ian
• Hooper Jr James F
• Bergman Todd M
• Rice David E

Classifications

• E04B9/067

  with inverted T-shaped cross-section · CPC title

• E04B9/068

  with double web · CPC title

• E04B9/205 Primary

  by means of a resilient clip · CPC title

• F16B7/0493 Primary

  forming a crossed-over connection · CPC title

• F16B2/241

  of sheet metal · CPC title