Patent Application
20240035276
The invention relates to improvements in suspended ceiling grid components and, in particular to integral end connectors for main runners or tees.
Main runners of suspended ceiling grid often have integral end connectors. Examples of such connectors are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,729,100; 11,053,682; and 11,220,819. The tensile strength of a connection formed by this type of connector may be limited by connector design, gauge and strength of runner material. It is desirable that integral connectors have sufficient coupling strength that they do not require a metal gauge heavier than that otherwise required for proper performance of the associated runner.
The invention provides an integral main tee connector that is suitable for use with runners of relatively light gauge metal, such as hot dipped galvanized steel. The connector is arranged with five locking zones with each zone preferably having at least two engagement points. The disclosed arrangement thereby distributes coupling tensile forces throughout a joint. The load is reduced at any particular location to a fraction of the total tensile load, thus reducing the risk of a local failure followed by progressive total failure. Preferably, each catch or locking element is lanced from the metal connector body giving the catch or locking element high strength and stability. Associated with the lanced catch locking elements are stiffening beads that minimize connector distortion underload, thereby improving the performance of the locking elements. A spring-like tab of each connector serves to maintain engagement of associated locking elements of an opposed connector.
The connector 11 includes a rectangular body 16 having a generally planar shape in a plane parallel to its web 12 and offset to the left when in plan view a distance about equal to the thickness of the web. An inward edge 17, of the body 16, as discussed below, is part of the connecting function of the connector 11. At an opposite end the body 16 has a tab 15 bent to the right when viewed in plan.
Two parallel stamped stiffening ribs 18 extend across most of the length of the rectangular body 16, projecting to the left when viewed in plan. At forward ends the ribs 18 terminate at lanced projections or lock lances 19 extending from the side of the body 16 opposite the ribs. Edges 21 of the lances 19 lie in a common vertical plane and as discussed below serve in the connecting function. Between the ribs 18 is stamped a lanced catch or lock lance 26, with an edge 30 at a plane at the nominal end of a main tee 10 and at a side opposite the stiffening ribs 18, to serve the connecting function described below. Adjacent and trailing the catch 26 is an opening 25.
The connector 11 has a spring tab 27 stamped from the tee web 12 forming the edge 17 of the body 16 and a pocket 28. The spring tab 27 has a distal end 29 flared away from the plane of the web 12.
The connector 11 couples with another connector to join the ends of two main tees 10 as shown in
Engagement of the edges of the lanced projections 19 with the opposed edges 17 and between the edges of the projections 26 prevent separation of the connectors 11. It will be noted that each of the projections 19, 26 will engage an opposing edge with at least two contact points.
As used herein, the terms lance, lock lance or locking lance is a sheet-like formation that projects from one side of a sheet body and has a free locking edge severed, sheared or otherwise cut, that extends from the body at both ends of the edge and lies generally in a single plane generally perpendicular to the body.
It should be evident that this disclosure is by way of example and that various changes may be made by adding, modifying or eliminating details without departing from the fair scope of the teaching contained in this disclosure. The invention is therefore not limited to particular details of this disclosure except to the extent that the following claims are necessarily so limited.
