Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Openwork; e.g. – truss – trellis – grille – screen – frame – or... – Three-dimensional space-defining
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-26
2002-08-27
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Openwork; e.g., truss, trellis, grille, screen, frame, or...
Three-dimensional space-defining
C052S506070, C052S506080, C052S665000, C052S714000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06438921
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to suspended ceiling and lighting fixtures and, more particularly, to a combination clip which when rotated into a first orientation functions to secure a first ceiling fixture to a second ceiling fixture and, when rotated into a second orientation, functions to secure the second ceiling fixture to a third ceiling fixture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Suspended ceilings are known in the art of commercial and residential construction, as are a variety of apparatuses for securing the fixtures of the suspended ceilings to structural members of the ceiling and walls of an interior room.
One type of known apparatus and hardware for securing suspended ceilings and fixtures is depicted by prior art FIG.
1
. The prior art
FIG. 1
hardware employs a first T-grid frame
2
which is suspended by a plurality of wires
4
from the structure of the ceiling of a room (not shown). The first T-grid frame
2
functions, in part, to support a first plurality of ceiling panels (not shown). A second T-grid frame
6
is suspended by a plurality of wires
8
from the first T-grid frame
2
. A common configuration of the second T-grid
6
is a rectangular shape lying within a plane parallel to, but lower than, the plane of the first T-grid frame
2
, having a length and width smaller than that of the overall ceiling of the room and of the first T-grid frame. Prior art
FIG. 1
also depicts, in cross-sectional view, one perimeter of its second T-grid frame
6
in relation to its first T-grid frame
2
. This is only an example configuration of the first and second T-grid frames
2
and
6
, as others are known in the art.
Referring to the example Prior Art
FIG. 1
, a first perimeter trim
10
extends along the upper surface of the second T-grid frame
6
, inward from and along the perimeter
12
of the frame, and up to a connection point
14
on the lower surface of the first T-grid frame. One or more light fixtures
16
are generally mounted on the upper plane of the second T-grid frame. The light fixture
16
and the first perimeter trim
10
are secured to a one more connection points
18
of the second T-grid frame
6
by a first hanging clip
20
. The first hanging clip
20
has tongue surfaces
20
a
and
20
b
which engage into grooves
10
a
and
10
b
of the first perimeter trim
10
. Prior art
FIG. 2
depicts the first hanging clip
20
in greater detail. Referring back to Prior Art
FIG. 1
, at the extreme perimeter
12
of the second T-grid frame is a second perimeter trim
22
, secured to the frame by a second hanging clip
24
. Prior Art
FIG. 3
depicts the second hanging clip
24
in greater detail.
A complete suspended ceiling of the type depicted by the prior art
FIG. 1
typically uses a large quantity of the first hanging clips
20
and an approximately equal quantity of the second hanging clips
24
. The contractor must therefore stock both types of hanging clips. In addition, a contractor typically over-orders because the relative number of one type versus the other is not always known until the time of installation. Further, an order for the hanging clips
20
and
24
must separately specify the two types and respective numbers of each. This in turn doubles the error rate arising from mistakes, both in part numbers and quantities ordered. Having to carry two part numbers also increases the stocking costs for the wholesalers. For these and other reasons the requirement to stock two different kinds of hanging clips is inefficient and carries unnecessary expense.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An objective of the present invention is to provide a solution to the prior art problems of stocking, purchasing, and installing two different types of hanging clips to install a hanging ceiling arrangement such as that depicted at prior art FIG.
1
.
One embodiment of the present invention comprises a first and a second T-grid frame, a first and a second perimeter trim, such as used, for example, in the prior art, and two or more identical combination clips. In accordance with this embodiment, all of the combination clips are identical. Therefore, instead of different clip types for different functions, as are used within the hardware of hanging s of the prior art, there is one clip type, termed herein as the “combination clip.” As described herein, the structure and form of the combination clip of this embodiment is such that in one orientation the clip serves the function of the prior art first clip type, while in another orientation the clip performs the function of the prior art second clip type.
In a typical arrangement of this embodiment, a first perimeter trim is connected to the first T-grid frame and the second T-grid frame, such as that described in reference to Prior Art FIG.
1
. The first perimeter trim comprises an extended planar member having a face surface, an upper and lower groove and extending along one surface of the face surface, and an upper and a lower edge tang. The upper edge tang of the first perimeter trim is connected to the first T-grid frame. One or more of the combination clips, oriented in a first manner, serves the function of item
20
of Prior Art
FIG. 1
, which is to connect the first perimeter trim to the second T-grid frame. Another one or more of the combination clips, oriented in a second manner, serve the function of the second type of clip, shown as item
22
in Prior Art
FIG. 1
, which is to connect an end portion of the second T-grid frame to a portion of the second perimeter trim.
The combination clip of this embodiment comprises a first tang extending in a first plane, and a second tang extending in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. The first and second tang join at a corner line formed by the intersection of the first and second plane. The first tang has a major length in the direction of the corner line, the major length corresponding to the distance between the upper and lower grooves of the perimeter trim. The first tang has a width, which is perpendicular to the corner line, and is less than the major length. One of the corners of the first tang that is distal from the corner line is beveled or rounded. The beveled or rounded corner, together with the major length and the width of the first tang, are dimensioned and formed such that first tang can be placed in a first orientation wherein the first tang width extends between the upper and lower grooves of the perimeter trim. Then, after placing the first tang in the first orientation, it is rotated such that the major length extends between the upper and lower grooves. This locks the first tang between the upper and lower grooves.
The first tang of the first embodiment may also include a first threaded through hole, extending normal to the first plane. A first screw may then be threaded through the first threaded hole to contact the perimeter trim, thereby further securing the first tang in its locked position between the upper and lower grooves of the perimeter trim.
The combination clip of the first embodiment further comprises a second tang extending from the corner line in the second plane, which is perpendicular to the first plane. The first and second tang thereby form a substantially L-shaped structure. The second tang of this embodiment has at least one through hole for attaching the second tang to a “T” grid
The second tang of the first embodiment further includes an extension projecting in a direction substantially parallel to the corner line, the extension having a distal end, with a through-hole formed at the distal end. As will be described, a second screw may pass through the through-hole of the second tang and engage with a threaded hole formed in the second T-grid frame.
The combination clips of this embodiment, as a result of their novel structure, serve both to connect the first perimeter trim to the second T-grid frame, and to connect an end portion of the second T-grid frame to a portion of the second perimeter trim. More particularly, one or more of the combination clips is in a first orientati
Patton & Boggs LLP
Pittcon Industries
Thissell Jennifer I.
LandOfFree
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