False ceiling termination clip

Description

This invention relates to a novel ceiling clip adapted to terminate a suspended ceiling main runner at an adjoining wall which provides appropriate movement and movement resistance of the main runner; and adapted to provide appropriate main runner end gap; and adapted to provide an indicator for perimeter hanger wire tie placement and inspection thereof; and adapted to provide a height indicator in reference to a predetermined height; and adapted to bundle compactly to into a pouch; and adapted to be compatible with existing construction systems and methods; and adapted to be lightweight, easily carried and easily installed;.

In building construction and renovation, main runners are commonly used as a structural frame component for the installation of false ceilings. Such false ceilings are often suspended below the successive floor structures in modem multiple story commercial buildings to cover exposed utility and heating conduits. False ceilings may also be relied upon to lower high ceilings for aesthetic purposes or to meet building fire code in older buildings. Metal lath for plastering operations, plasterboard or drywall may be secured to the frame to form the completed installation.

The frame used for hanging such false ceilings normally consists of a series of main runners commonly in the form of elongated channel beams having a 1½ inch web and ½ inch flanges. The channel beam shaped main runners are installed on their flanged sides with webs vertically directed. Furring secures to the main runners to which metal lath for plastering operations, plasterboard or drywall is secured. The end of the main runners terminate at adjoining walls. For installation that meets or exceeds current seismic and expansion building codes, the end of the main runner must terminate at an adjoining wall without touching the adjoining wall and must be positioned at the proper height and at the proper location.

There have long been problems in terminating the main runners at adjoining walls as it is most difficult for the workman to terminate the main runner in the correct location with the appropriate end gap and with the appropriate movement and movement resistance of the main runner, since the main runner must terminate close to, but cannot touch the adjoining wall.

Terminating the main runner has heretofore been done by a craftsman screwing a main runner on top of an inverted hat channel placed on top of angle-metal attached to an adjoining wall. This method is unsatisfactory because it does not allow sufficient main runner movement and movement resistance of the main runner, and does not meet building code seismic and expansion specification requirements.

Terminating the main runner has also heretofore been done by a craftsman cutting and bending a piece of main runner, screwing said piece of main runner to an adjoining wall, placing the main runner the appropriate distance from the wall, then tying the main runner to said piece of main runner previously attached to the wall. This method is unsatisfactory because it does not allow proper main runner movement and movement resistance of the main runner, and does not properly meet building code seismic and expansion specification requirements. If the main runner does not terminate properly, the main runner will not have the appropriate end gap, and will not have appropriate movement and movement resistance of the main runner, which may lead to severe cracking or delamination of the collateral finish, which may then fall from the ceiling onto people and objects below. P No devices are known for terminating a main runner at an adjoining wall that appear suitable to correctly perform the above desired functions.

The present invention has for its objects: to provide a ceiling clip to terminate a suspended ceiling main runner at an adjoining wall which provides appropriate movement and movement resistance of the main runner; to provide a ceiling clip to provide an indicator for perimeter hanger wire tie placement and inspection thereof; to provide a ceiling clip to provide an indicator for clip height relative to a predetermined height; to provide a ceiling clip compatible with existing construction systems and methods; to provide a ceiling clip able to be bundled compactly to fit into a pouch; to provide a ceiling clip which is lightweight making it easily carried and installed by a work person; and to provide a ceiling clip which is amenable to automation and economical to manufacture, comfortable to handle and use, safe to install, sturdy in use, durable in construction, positive in operation and particularly well adapted for its proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, a certain form of this invention.

DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of the specification and include an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features of the ceiling clip.

FIG. 1 is a broken perspective view from above a suspended ceiling showing a main runner terminating into a ceiling clip abutted to angle-metal attached to an adjoining wall;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a ceiling clip, oriented as installed;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a ceiling clip;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a ceiling clip;

FIG. 5 is an end view of a ceiling clip from the end that adjoins a wall;

FIG. 6 is an end view of a ceiling clip from the end that terminates a main runner;

FIG. 7 is an end view of a ceiling clip terminating a main runner;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a ceiling clip terminating a main runner with a hanger wire securely tied to the main runner at the wire mark;

FIG. 9 is a side view of ceiling clips stacked into a bundle and secured with a bundle wrap, oriented as carried in a pouch;

As indicated herein a ceiling clip of the type disclosed herein is useful in terminating a main runner at an adjoining wall. Main Runners 3 of this type are illustrated in FIG. 1 in association with the “true” ceiling 1 in which the “true” ceiling may have a large number of hanger wires 2 secured thereto. The wires 2 are secured to the “true” ceiling 1 and project downwardly for a distance below the “true” ceiling 1, attaching to and levelly supporting the false ceiling frame, which is comprised of a plurality of main runners 3 and furring strips 4 which attache to the main runners 3. A collateral finish 5 attaches to the furring 4. The main runners 3 terminate into ceiling clips 7 abutted to angle-metal 6 attached to the adjoining walls.

Channel beam shaped main runners 3 are illustrated, although it is to be understood that other structural shapes such as angles, T-beams, and I-beams and the like may be used as desired. The common type utilized in false ceiling construction having a channel beam shape with a 1½ inch vertically directed web and ½ inch horizontal flanges is illustrated. However, it is to be noted that the practice of this invention is not limited to the use of any particular size or shape main runner, as main runners may vary in shape and size according to the load to be supported. Various sizes and shapes may be selected as conditions dictate, all of which are referred to generically herein as “main runner” .

The ceiling clip illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 9 is generally designated 7 and is constructed of metal or other materials suitable for false ceiling construction purposes.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 9 the ceiling clip 7 is punched and folded out of sheet metal, although it is to be understood that other materials and methods of manufacture may be used as desired.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the ceiling clip 7 includes a receiver box 9 with a vertical flange 8.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 & 4, the ceiling clip 7 includes stop bumps 10 protruding into the receiver box 9.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 & 7, the ceiling clip 7 includes a fastener hole 11 in the vertical flange 8 to temporarily fasten the ceiling clip 7 to an adjoining wall.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 & 7, the ceiling clip 7 includes flange perforations 12 in the vertical flange 8 allowing the vertical flange 8 to be easily broken or cut at the flange perforations 12 when desired, such as for installation with angled metal or wall track.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 & 7, determining appropriate ceiling clip height is accomplished by aligning the appropriate height mark 13 to a predetermined height.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, terminating a main runner 3 with the ceiling clip 7 is accomplished by inserting the main runner 3 into the receiver box 9 until the main runner 3 is resisted by the stop bumps 10 which provides appropriate end gap, movement and resistance when the ceiling clip 7 is abutted against an adjoining wall.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, determining appropriate hanger wire 2 location is accomplished by aligning the hanger wire to the wire mark 14 on the receiver box 9.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, ceiling clips 7 stack compactly into a bundle that is held together with a bundle wrapper 15 to be easily carried by a work person.

The foregoing has described various principles, features, embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention. However, the invention should not be construed as limited to the described principles, features, embodiments and modes of operation, rather, the description is illustrative, and it should be appreciated that variations, modifications and equivalents may be made without departing from the intended scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.

OBJECTS REFERENCED BY NUMBER

The following is a list of Objects referenced by number herein:

OBJECT #1: “True” Ceiling;

OBJECT #2: Hanger Wire

OBJECT #3: Main Runner;

OBJECT #4: Furring Strips;

OBJECT #5: Collateral Finish, such as metal lath and plaster, plasterboard or drywall;

OBJECT #6: Angle Metal, attached to an adjoining wall;

OBJECT #7: CEILING CLIP;

OBJECT #8: Vertical Flange;

OBJECT #9: Receiver Box;

OBJECT #10: Stop Bump;

OBJECT #11: Fastener Hole;

OBJECT #12: Flange Perforation;

OBJECT #13: Height Marks;

OBJECT #14: Wire Mark

OBJECT #15: Bundle Wrapper;