# US 10,309,104 B2 · Ceiling system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,104 B2 - Document ID: US10309104B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/945,515 - Filed: 2015-11-19 - Published: 2016-03-10 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2014-04-29 - Assignees: AWI Licensing LLC - Applicants: Armstrong World Industries, Inc. - Inventors: Daniel M. Holdridge - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309104B2 ## CPC - E04B 9/26: by means of snap action of elastically deformable elements {held against the underside of the supporting construction} - E04B 9/0478: {of the tray type} - E04B 9/06: characterised by constructional features of the supporting construction {, e.g. cross section or material of framework members} - E04B 9/068: {with double web} - E04B 9/10: Connections between parallel members of the supporting construction (E04B9/08 takes precedence) - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) ## Abstract Described herein is a ceiling system that includes a spring clip for mounting ceiling panels equipped with torsion springs to a ceiling support grid, the clip comprising: a body including a mounting portion defining a downwardly open receptacle configured for attachment to a ceiling grid support member; a pair of lateral flanges extending outwards from the mounting portion, at least one of the flanges including a slot configured to engage a torsion spring; a pair locking tabs disposed on the spring clip, the locking tabs configured to engage opposing sides of the grid support member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for mounting a spring clip on a ceiling grid support member, the method comprising: providing a grid support member defining a longitudinal axis; providing a spring clip including a body defining a downwardly open receptacle, a pair of opposing lateral flanges, and a pair of locking tabs; inserting the grid support member into the receptacle; slideably engaging the locking tabs with a top surface of the grid support member; displacing the locking tabs outward in laterally opposing directions from an inward position to an outward position; returning the locking tabs to the inward position; and locking the spring clip to the grid support member with the locking tabs, wherein a snap-fit is created between the spring clip and grid support member, and wherein at least one of the lateral flanges includes a slot configured to engage a torsion spring. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the locking step includes engaging each locking tab with a bottom surface disposed on the grid support member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface on the grid support member is formed on a bulbous top stiffening channel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the top surface comprises two opposing slanted surfaces, each slanted surface being engaged by one of the locking tabs. ### Claim 5 A spring clip for mounting ceiling panels equipped with torsion springs to a ceiling support grid, the clip comprising: a body including a mounting portion defining a downwardly open receptacle configured for attachment to a ceiling grid support member; a pair of lateral flanges extending outwards from the mounting portion, at least one of the flanges including a slot configured to engage a torsion spring; a pair locking tabs disposed on the spring clip, the locking tabs configured to engage opposing sides of the grid support member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The spring clip of claim 5, wherein the spring clip is slidable when locked onto the grid support member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The spring clip according to claim 5, wherein the body of the spring clip is formed of an elastically deformable resilient material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The spring clip according to claim 5, wherein one of the locking tabs are each disposed on one of the lateral flanges. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The spring clip according to claim 5, wherein the locking tabs project inwards into the receptacle from opposite lateral directions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The spring clip according to claim 5, wherein the locking tabs are arranged in opposing relationship to each other. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The spring clip according to claim 5, wherein the receptacle is defined by a pair of laterally spaced apart sidewalls and a top wall extending between the sidewalls. ### Claim 12 A spring clip for mounting ceiling panels equipped with torsion springs to a ceiling support grid, the clip comprising: a body including a mounting portion defining a downwardly open receptacle that is defined by a pair of laterally spaced apart sidewalls and a top wall extending between the sidewalls; a pair of lateral flanges extending outwards from the mounting portion, at least one of the flanges including a slot configured to engage a torsion spring; a pair of locking tabs disposed on the spring clip, wherein each of the locking tabs project inwards into the receptacle from opposite lateral directions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The spring clip according to claim 12, wherein the locking tabs are arranged in opposing relationship to each other. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The spring clip according to claim 12, where a first distance spans between the laterally spaced apart sidewalls and a second distance spans between ends of each of the pair locking tabs, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance.