Wall-to-ceiling structure including framework and cover panel

Abstract

An apparatus includes a ceiling channel, an elongated transom frame member, and an adapter configured to mateably engage both the ceiling channel and the transom frame member. Specifically, the adapter includes an upper end with horizontal and angled flanges shaped to engage mating wall sections on the ceiling channel, in a manner providing stability to the connection and also providing alternative attachment sites for receiving a screw fastener. A lower end of the adapter telescopingly engages a top end of the frame member, and includes a pair of spaced-apart flanges and a spreader screw that can be adjusted to flex the flanges and frictionally bind the flanges against mating wall sections on the transom frame member in a selected telescoped position on the frame member. The ceiling channel has down flanges defining a longitudinally extending recess for receiving an upper edge of a cover panel. Safety clips attached to the upper edge of the cover panel engage the ceiling channel. The safety clips have a flexible protruding member that moves to a non-interfering depressed position when the upper edge extends into the recess, but that moves to an extended position when the upper edge drops out of the recess. By this arrangement, the cover panel is retained to the ceiling channel, even when a catastrophic event occurs causing the upper edge of the cover panel to drop out of engagement with the ceiling channel.