Chicago Metallic Corporation

Rockwool International A/s

Rockwool A/s

Scott G Jankovec

Peter G Jahn

Thomas E Smith

Anthony D Ingratta

Brett N Christeon

Matthew D Jacobs

Mark A Fladeland

Loring M Johnson

Michael Corpolongo

William R Wuetig

Richard W Harney

Support member for a suspended ceiling

Grid tee for suspended ceiling

A support member for a suspended drywall ceiling grid system includes a central web formed of two layers of sheet metal having first and second ends, a reinforcement bulb extending from an upper portion of the central web between the first and second ends, opposed flanges extending from a lower portion of the central web between the first and second ends, first and second end connectors integral with the central web and extending from the first and second ends of the central web, respectively, past the flanges, each of the opposed flanges having an upper surface and a knurled lower surface between the central web and a rolled edge portion, and each rolled edge portion having an initial region tilted downward and outward and extending into a curved region, wherein the curved region is rolled upward and inward and terminates in an outer edge toward the initial region.

Suspended drywall ceiling grid system support members

A metal panel configured to be supported in a suspension ceiling grid is provided comprising a metal sheet with a central planar portion and upturned edges defining a plurality of sides of the panel. The upturned edges comprise a first, generally-upwardly extending portion sharing a common edge with the central planar portion, a second, generally horizontally portion extending inwardly from and sharing a common edge with the first portion, and a third, generally downwardly extending portion sharing a common edge with the second portion, the first, second and third portions of the edges defining downwardly-opening channels. At least one cross brace is provided that extends between at least two sides of the panel, the cross brace having ends configured to be received in the channels. The central planar portion of the panel is secured to the cross brace to limit deflection of the central portion.

Ceiling panel for use with concealed grid system

Seismic separation clip for suspended ceiling grid systems

A clip is provided for securing a cross tee to a main runner in a suspended ceiling grid system. The clip comprises a first leg configured to extend through the slot in the web of the main runner so as to lie alongside the web of a cross tee whose connector extends through the slot in a direction opposite to that of the first leg; a second leg extending generally perpendicularly to the first leg so as to lie alongside the web of the main runner; and a third leg extending generally perpendicularly to the second leg and generally parallel to the first leg. The third leg is sized to extend through an aperture in the web of the main runner and then be bent to lie alongside the web of the main runner on a side opposite to that of the second leg.

Suspended ceiling grid clip for securing an unopposed cross tee to a main runner

A seismic separation joint is provided for connecting end-to-end a first grid tee to a second grid tee. Each grid tee includes a central web, with a tongue or tab extending from the web. Preferably, an elongated slot extends from the web into the tongue/tab associated therewith, with the slots being aligned when the first grid tee is connected to the second grid tee. A fastener is received in a portion of the tongue/tab of at least one, and preferably both, of the grid tees distally of the slot in one grid tee and in the slot of the other grid tee.

Suspended ceiling grid assembly with separation joints

A grid system is provided that is particularly suited for the suspended ceiling system that varies in the vertical plane. An elongated carrier tube is provided the spans substantially the width of the grid system that has a slot therein adapted to receive the strengthening bulb of a main runner. A clip is provided that seats on the carrier tube that has opposed faces for capturing the bulb of the runner, so as to secure the runner to the tube carrier.

Suspended ceiling system

A wall channel for a drywall ceiling has a generally U-shaped cross-section with a vertical leg interconnecting two generally-horizontal legs. The lower horizontal leg is adapted to support an inverted tee-runner that has a vertical web and opposed flanges, the opposed flanges being adapted to rest on the horizontal leg of the wall angle. The lower horizontal leg is formed with a plurality of pairs of locating tabs that are spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate the width of the opposed flanges of the tee-runner. The upper horizontal leg is formed with a plurality of pairs of locating tabs that are spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate the width of the reinforcing bulb of the tee-runner.

Drywall channel with pre-punched locating tabs

A flexible ceiling panel is preferably formed from sheet metal, such as aluminum sheet. Each ceiling panel has a generally rectangular shape (corresponding in width to the spacing between the main runners) and is formed with a hem on all four edges. A series of bendable tabs are formed integrally with the hem of the panel. To secure the panel to the associated grid system, the tabs are folded upwardly and outwardly from the panel along two axes to secure the panel to the grid system. Alternatively, a plurality of separate spring clips is used to secure the panel to the grid system. Each clip includes a first leg adapted to have at least a portion thereof received in the hem of the ceiling panel. A second leg extends generally perpendicularly from the first leg and includes a detent extending toward the first leg, the detent being adapted to secure the clip to the flange of the runner.

Concealed ceiling panel system

A wall angle for a suspended ceiling, which may either be a drywall suspended ceiling or a lay-in tile suspended ceiling, has a cross-section forming a substantially right angle of the vertical leg and a horizontal leg. The horizontal leg is adapted to support an inverted tee-runner that has a vertical web and opposed flanges, the opposed flanges being adapted to rest on the horizontal leg of the wall angle. The horizontal leg is formed with a plurality of pairs of locating tabs, at least one tab in each pair being upwardly extending and vertically-oriented. The tabs in each pair are spaced apart a distance sufficient to accommodate the width of the opposed flanges of the tee-runner. At least one of the tabs in each pair has a downwardly extending detent adapted to permit installation of a tee-runner, but to inhibit removal of the tee-runner. The pairs of tabs are spaced, on center, a pre-determined distance that depends upon the intended application of the wall angle.

Wall angle with pre-punched locating tabs

A method for securing two pieces of sheet material is provided using a stitch preferably made by sequentially passing the grid member through two die sets. The first die set lances a strap out of the two sheets of metal such that, at the approximate center or midsection of the strap, the first layer of material is displaced completely out of the plane defined by the web, while the second layer is only partially displaced out of the plane of the web so that a portion of the second layer remains in the space vacated by the first layer of the strap. The lanced strap is then passed through a second die set, in which the first and second layers of the strap are deformed or 'swaged' such that the first layer is flattened and expanded in width beyond the edges of the hole in the web created when the strap was lanced. This provides interference such that the first layer of the strap cannot pass back through the hole. Additionally, the strap in the second web is deformed and displaced into the first web to bond the two together.

Rotary stitch for joining sheet metal stock

A perimeter clip is made of a single piece of sheet metal and includes first and second legs that are bent at approximately 90 degrees with respect to each other. The first leg is for engaging the vertical leg of a wall angle. The second leg is adapted to receive the head or bulb of the runner. The first leg includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the first leg forms a back plate that is displaced from the plane of the lower portion, with a generally horizontal ledge connecting the upper portion to the lower portion. The first leg has a tongue or tab that is displaced from the plane of the remainder of the lower portion so that, when in place, the vertical leg of the wall angle is held between the tongue and the remainder of the lower portion. The upper portion of the second leg comprises an inverted, generally U-shaped member, the open end of which forms a trough that supports the lower surface of the bulb of the runner.

Growing community of inventors

Elmhurst, IL, United States of America

Scott G Jankovec