The invention relates to suspended ceiling systems and, more particularly, to a trim system for island ceilings.
Architects and interior designers have applications where suspended island ceilings are desirable or mandated. A variety of edge trim systems have been developed to serve this need, but due to their specialized nature they can be expensive and may not be readily available from stock inventory at a local, regional or even national distribution center. Accordingly, there exists a need for an edge trim system that is readily available and that, preferably, is relatively economical to supply and easy and quick to install.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,744,188, 5,195,289, 5,937,605, and 6,298,623 show examples of trim systems for island ceilings.
The invention provides a clip capable of joining standard grid tees and readily available wall molding components to form a finished edge for a suspended island ceiling. The clip, while preferably being a simple, single piece, sheet metal stamping, affords a high degree of versatility. The clip is capable of mounting the molding on the free edge of a ceiling at right angles to the grid pattern, or at substantially any other desired angle.
The disclosed clip is easy and quick to install because, when the trim is to be mounted on parallel grid tees, it can be simply snapped onto the grid tees and, in all cases, the molding can be snapped onto the clip for an installation. The assembly of a molding on the clips is accomplished without the use of separate fasteners so that the smooth appearance of the molding is retained. Because of its simplicity, the clip can be economically produced with limited tooling investment and negligible waste.
The clip, while small in size, is large in contribution. The clip is the key to the combined practical use of standard grid tees and standard wall molding components. The clip, being relatively inexpensive, small in size, and light in weight, can be stocked for sale at local, regional, or national distribution centers dealing in conventional ceiling products, since the cost of warehousing and/or shipping it is comparatively low. The ready availability of the clip product gives architects, designers and contractors an easy and fast solution to island ceiling design requirements.
Referring now to the figures, a clip or bracket 10 is preferably formed of sheet metal, for example, 0.020-0.024″ thickness sheet steel. The various structural elements of the clip 10 preferably comprise single ply segments of a common piece of sheet metal.
The lower extension 12 is generally perpendicular to the center section 11. At its center, the extension 12 is formed with a thumbnail shaped grip or catch 22 projecting downwardly from the plane of the remainder of the extension. The lower extension 12 projects from the center section 11 a distance less than the spacing between the plane of the center section and the plane of the feet 17.
The upper extension 13 is generally perpendicular to the center section 11 and projects from the center section a distance somewhat greater than the distance between the plane of the center section and the plane of the feet 17. Lateral extremities of the upper extension 13 have downturned flanges 26. Distal from the center section, these flanges 26 include a rearwardly facing hook or catch edge surface 27 spaced from the plane of the feet 17 a predetermined distance. Outward of the hook edge surface 27, with reference to the center section 11, the flanges 26 are formed with upwardly angled cam edge surfaces 28.
The clip 10 is constructed and arranged so that in its simplest mode of use, it is assembled on a grid tee 31 with a snap-on action and is coupled with an edge molding 32 by a snap-in action. More particularly, where an island ceiling has main or cross grid tees 31 running along at its borders or margins such as at the sides, designated 36-37, of the partial island ceiling 35 illustrated in
A U-molding 32 usable with the low profile clip 10 is illustrated in cross-section in
The configuration of the clip 10 causes it to be vertically squeezed by the molding 32; this has the advantage that its retention on the tee 31 increases because any force tending to spread or raise the upper extension 13 to release the catch surface 27 has to overcome the resistance of the molding to deform as well as the resistance of the upper flange to deflect. A similar function occurs at the lower extension 12 where friction forces and the tab 20 function to lock this part on the tee. Where desired, screws 19 assembled through the holes 18, can be driven into the web of the tee 31 to lock the clip 10 in place.
As shown in
The clip 10 is fastened to the tee 31 with a screw 19 driven through the hole 18 in the foot 17 that is bent into alignment with the leg 16. The clip is located vertically by placing the gripping tab 20 on the inner or upper side of the grid tee flange 41 as shown in
While the clip has been disclosed in the form of a sheet metal stamping, the clip may take other forms including that of an injection molded plastic part. The molding has been disclosed as a roll formed sheet metal piece having an asymmetrical U-shape, but other constructions are contemplated. For example, the molding can be extruded of aluminum or plastic with or without formations equivalent to the hems on the distal edges of the molding flanges.
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.
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