US3708941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable suspension systems in ceilings
Assignee: Rondo Building Services Pty Ltd
•
Filing: 1971-02-04
•
Granted: 1973-01-09
•
Expires: 1991-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A ceiling suspension system for edge-grooved lining panels or tiles, comprising a plurality of parallel spline assemblies between adjacent pairs of which the panels or tiles are supported by one pair of their opposite sides, means being provided for suspending the spline assemblies at a desired height. Each spline assembly extends substantially the entire length of one dimension of the ceiling and comprises a stationary supporting element of strip material, a ceiling panel-securing spline formed on one longitudinal edge, a longitudinal fold on the opposite edge portion of the element, a plurality of slidable elements, a ceiling panel-securing spline formed on one longitudinal edge portion of each slidable element, and a supporting flange extending along the other longitudinal edge portion of the slidable element slidably engaged within the fold of the stationary element with its spline oppositely directed to the spline of the stationary element.
Inventors
- 👤 E Cuckson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:32
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B9/00; E04B9/22; E04B9/28; E04B9/06; E04B9/065; E04B9/12; E04B9/16; E04B9/18; E04B9/20; E04B9/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
331 words
A ceiling suspension system for edge grooved ceiling lining panels, tiles and the like, comprising a plurality of hanger assemblies attachable to a supporting structure, a plurality of runner bars suspended from the hanger assemblies at a selected height, a plurality of substantially parallel spline assemblies for holding ceiling panels between adjacent spline assemblies said spline assemblies extending beneath, and in lines crossing, the runner bars, a clip device at each of at least some of the positions of intersection of the spline assemblies and runner bars which is carried by one of said runner bars and detachably connected with a respective spline assembly, each of said spline assemblies extending substantially the entire length of one dimension of the ceiling and comprising a stationary supporting element of strip material having a longitudinally extending intermediate web portion which is substantially straight and upright, a ceiling panel securing spline formed on one longitudinal edge portion beneath the web portion, a longitudinal fold on the opposite edge portion above the web portion, and a plurality of strip form slidable elements supported by the stationary supporting element, each of said slidable elements having a longitudinally extending intermediate web portion confronting the web portion of the respective stationary supporting element and deformed outwardly therefrom to hold an adjacent panel spaced from the said stationary supporting element, a ceiling panel securing spline formed on one longitudinal edge portion beneath said deformed web and a supporting flange extending along the other longitudinal edge portion of the slidable element and above said deformed web and slidably engaged within the fold of the stationary element so that the spline of each slidable element is substantially coplanar with and oppositely directed to the spline of the stationary element, each of the ceiling panel securing splines on the stationary supporting elements and the slidable elements having a longitudinal edge portion bent upwardly out of the plane of the spline to form a lip for the support of at least one ceiling panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
331 words
A ceiling suspension system for edge grooved ceiling lining panels, tiles and the like, comprising a plurality of hanger assemblies attachable to a supporting structure, a plurality of runner bars suspended from the hanger assemblies at a selected height, a plurality of substantially parallel spline assemblies for holding ceiling panels between adjacent spline assemblies said spline assemblies extending beneath, and in lines crossing, the runner bars, a clip device at each of at least some of the positions of intersection of the spline assemblies and runner bars which is carried by one of said runner bars and detachably connected with a respective spline assembly, each of said spline assemblies extending substantially the entire length of one dimension of the ceiling and comprising a stationary supporting element of strip material having a longitudinally extending intermediate web portion which is substantially straight and upright, a ceiling panel securing spline formed on one longitudinal edge portion beneath the web portion, a longitudinal fold on the opposite edge portion above the web portion, and a plurality of strip form slidable elements supported by the stationary supporting element, each of said slidable elements having a longitudinally extending intermediate web portion confronting the web portion of the respective stationary supporting element and deformed outwardly therefrom to hold an adjacent panel spaced from the said stationary supporting element, a ceiling panel securing spline formed on one longitudinal edge portion beneath said deformed web and a supporting flange extending along the other longitudinal edge portion of the slidable element and above said deformed web and slidably engaged within the fold of the stationary element so that the spline of each slidable element is substantially coplanar with and oppositely directed to the spline of the stationary element, each of the ceiling panel securing splines on the stationary supporting elements and the slidable elements having a longitudinal edge portion bent upwardly out of the plane of the spline to form a lip for the support of at least one ceiling panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A ceiling suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal fold on said opposite edge portion of the stationary element of each spline assembly is in the form of a hollow enlargement which overhangs the intermediate web portion of the said stationary element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A ceiling suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a T-section covering strip having an enlargement on the end of its dependent leg is provided for covering the marginal edges of the ceiling panels when said enlargement on its leg is forced between the two elements forming any spline assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A ceiling suspension system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each hanger assembly comprises attachment plates having means for anchorage to the supporting structure, said runner bars are channelled on their underside, each said clip device being approximately U-shaped and insertable base first into the channel of the respective runner bar, and having hooks to hold the respective spline assembly at the said intersection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A ceiling suspension system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hooks on said clip device are formed in arms of the U-shaped clip device at spaced longitudinal positions thereof with their hooked portions confronting each other, and wherein the clip device has one or more outwardly directed tabs in each open arm of the body for locking with flanges in the respective runner bar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
328 words
A ceiling suspension system for supporting edge grooved ceiling lining panels or tiles at a desired height, and being assemblable at the construction site to comprise a plurality of attachment plates having means for anchorage to downwardly directed supports, substantially parallel runner bars each extending across one dimension of the ceiling and each having a longitudinal channel, at least one hook element on each attachment plate engaged with a runner bar, a plurality of substantially parallel spline assemblies each extending across another dimension of the ceiling and at right angles to the runner bars, and clip devices at at least some of the points of intersection of the runner bars and spline assemblies, each clip device being of U-shape with at least one outwardly flared lug on each of the arms of the U-shaped device and a pair of longitudinally spaced hooks on the lower ends of respective ones of the arms confronting each other along the lengTh of the clip device, each said clip device having its base forced into the channel of the respective runner bar with its flared lugs locked therein, each said spline assembly having a stationary part of strip material, a spline formed on one longitudinal edge portion engaging within the edge groove of a ceiling panel to support same and a hollow fold extending longitudinally on its other edge portion and engaged by the hooks of respective clip devices, and having a slidable part with a spline formed on one longitudinal edge portion and a supporting flange on the other longitudinal edge portion, said flange being hooked within the hollow fold of the stationary part and slidable therealong, the spline on the slidable part being oppositely directed from the spline of the stationary part to engage part of the edge groove of at least one ceiling panel, whereby by sliding of the slidable part one edge of a ceiling panel may be disengaged from the suspension system for removal of the panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
328 words
A ceiling suspension system for supporting edge grooved ceiling lining panels or tiles at a desired height, and being assemblable at the construction site to comprise a plurality of attachment plates having means for anchorage to downwardly directed supports, substantially parallel runner bars each extending across one dimension of the ceiling and each having a longitudinal channel, at least one hook element on each attachment plate engaged with a runner bar, a plurality of substantially parallel spline assemblies each extending across another dimension of the ceiling and at right angles to the runner bars, and clip devices at at least some of the points of intersection of the runner bars and spline assemblies, each clip device being of U-shape with at least one outwardly flared lug on each of the arms of the U-shaped device and a pair of longitudinally spaced hooks on the lower ends of respective ones of the arms confronting each other along the lengTh of the clip device, each said clip device having its base forced into the channel of the respective runner bar with its flared lugs locked therein, each said spline assembly having a stationary part of strip material, a spline formed on one longitudinal edge portion engaging within the edge groove of a ceiling panel to support same and a hollow fold extending longitudinally on its other edge portion and engaged by the hooks of respective clip devices, and having a slidable part with a spline formed on one longitudinal edge portion and a supporting flange on the other longitudinal edge portion, said flange being hooked within the hollow fold of the stationary part and slidable therealong, the spline on the slidable part being oppositely directed from the spline of the stationary part to engage part of the edge groove of at least one ceiling panel, whereby by sliding of the slidable part one edge of a ceiling panel may be disengaged from the suspension system for removal of the panel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3053359A
Cited
US3381437A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |