Donn Incorporated

Richard Shirey

David F Mieyal

Gerald L Koski

Robert F Worley

Jonathan P Teli

A suspension ceiling grid system having grid runners connected at intersections including a through-runner and opposed runner ends connected together and to the through-runner on opposite sides of the through-runner. Each runner end is provided with an end connector which extends through an opening in the web of the through-runner. Each connector is provided with a first-end-in-lock which connects the connector to the through-runner itself and a dual connector-to-connector lock which interconnects the two connectors at the intersection. The first-end-in-lock provides opposed lateral projections which engage the remote side of the web of the through-runner beyond the ends of the opening therein. The connectors may be disassembled from an intersection without the need for tools and without damage to either the connector or the through-runner opening. Further, an intersection can be disassembled and subsequently reassembled in a trapped module condition.

Connector for suspension ceiling grid

A narrow-faced suspension ceiling grid system is disclosed which includes grid tees providing central webs and relatively narrow, oppositely extending flanges in combination with panel centering means. The narrow flanges provide improved aesthetics and reduce the material required to form the grid tees when compared to conventional wide-faced grid tees. The panel supporting flanges are sufficiently narrow that if the grid were used with conventional panels having a conventional amount of clearance, they would not reliably support the panels in the grid. However, when the centering means are provided to center the panels within the panel receiving openings, reliable support is provided for the panels.

Suspension ceiling grid system with narrow-faced grid

A suspension ceiling grid system is disclosed which provides intersections including through-runners and oppositely extending runner ends. The through-runner is provided with a connector opening and the runner ends are provided with identical end connectors. The end connectors are engaged and disengaged by lateral movement and provide spring means which resiliently urge the end connectors toward the locked position. The end connectors provide two locking systems, one of which provides a connection with the through-runner when only one connector is installed in the connector opening, and subsequently provides an improved strength functionally direct connection between the two end connectors when two end connectors are installed within the connector opening from opposite sides. The end connectors provide a second separate locking system which directly connects between the two end connectors. In one embodiment, a connector system is disclosed which allows easy removal of a runner within an assembled grid.

Locking connection for suspension ceiling grid systems

A fire-rated type suspension ceiling grid runner is disclosed having expansion means intermediate its ends which collapse when the runner expands due to elevated temperatures occurring during a fire or the like. The runner provides a boxlike panel supporting flange along the lower end of the web thereof in which slots are formed to define a flange segment and connecting legs. When the expansion means collapses, the flange segment is laterally displaced as a unit and remains connected to each adjacent portion of the boxlike flange by at least two longitudinally spaced legs. The displaced flange segment functions as a bridging beam which continues to connect the adjacent portions of the flange and maintain them in alignment so that a grid formed of the runners can continue to maintain proper support for panel even when fire conditions occur.

Suspension ceiling grid runner with expansion means

A novel and improved, expanded metal is disclosed along with novel and improved products incorporating such expanded metal. The expanded metal is formed from a piece of sheet metal which is lanced in nested arrays so that when the metal is expanded, diagonal legs are connected to the remaining portion of the sheet metal by folds. After the expanding operation, the legs are substantially coplanar with the adjacent portions of the piece of sheet metal, and the only material deformation of the metal occurs along the folds. The illustrated legs and adjacent projections, which are connected to the legs by folds, are curved so that the centers of the legs have a maximum width. The expanded metal is illustrated incorporated into various types of framing members used to position interior panels of building structures, such as drywall studs, floor tracks for drywall construction, and intersection tracks. Also disclosed are grid tees for suspension ceilings and wall molding members for suspension ceilings.

Expanded metal products

A screw slot runner system for suspension ceiling grids is disclosed. The system provides runners having a central web, an enclosed bulb at the upper edge of the web, and a downwardly opened channel at the lower edge of the web. Opposing, inturned lips define the channel opening and permit insertion of T-bolts or the like to support accessories from the grid system. The runner connections are structured to provide a mitered type joint appearance even though a full miter joint is not provided. In one embodiment, separate end connector clips are provided to join main run runner modules, and the connector clips are provided with openings through which cross run end connectors project to interconnect the cross runs and main runs.

Screw slot runner system

A method and apparatus is disclosed for connecting a plurality of metal sheets or the like without fasteners or welding. A die set is disclosed which is operable to cut ribbons of material from each sheet and to displace the ribbons to one side of the sheets where they are deformed to increase their lateral width within a dovetail-shaped die cavity. The die cavity has an increasing cross section in one longitudinal direction so that the deformed ribbons can be removed from the die cavity by longitudinal movement and it is not necessary to provide the die with movable parts for the release of the deformed ribbons. The die cavity is preferably formed with an open end so that movement of the sheets in a direction perpendicular thereto is not required. The method and apparatus can be combined with processing systems having a feed mechanism for feeding the sheets of material. In such combination, the feed required for the processing is also utilized for the removal of the deformed ribbons from the die cavity.

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Avon, OH, United States of America

Richard Shirey