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US 11,885,131 B2Granted
Ceiling tile control and grid support clip
AssigneeAmerican Retention Components, Inc.
InventorNicholas M. Nelson
Life of this patent
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AssigneeAmerican Retention Components, Inc.
InventorNicholas M. Nelson
Estimating the term…
A clip for use with a runner of a drop ceiling including a first half with a first support section comprising a first fastener aperture and a first support aperture, a first control section configured to contact the adjacent first ceiling tile, and a first retaining section below the first section comprising a first retaining tab configured to impede the travel of a first side of a bulb. The clip further includes a second half with a second support section comprising a second fastener aperture and a second support aperture, a second control section configured to contact the adjacent second ceiling tile, a second retaining section comprising a second retaining tab configured to grip a second side of the bulb, the second side opposite the first side, a fastener to couple the first half to the second half, a support element to couple the clip to an external support.
A clip for use with a runner of a drop ceiling comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
With the slabs, panels, sheets or the like positioned on the upperside of the horizontal flanges of the supporting construction: with separate…
Comprising supporting beams having a folded cross-section: with inverted T-shaped cross-section
Connections between non-parallel members of the supporting construction: one member being discontinuous and abutting against the other member
Means for suspending the supporting construction: having a lower side adapted to be connected to a channel of the supporting construction
About 15 years 8 months of term left · ends 8 Jul 2042 (estimated)
The present disclosure relates to drop ceilings and the “T-Bar” support structure often used as part of a drop ceiling system. More specifically the disclosure relates to one or more clips that may be used in combination with an external support to provide additional support to the “T-Bar” support structure of the drop ceiling system and to prevent inadvertent or unintended movement of the ceiling tiles from the desired position or location within the drop ceiling system.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drop ceiling system, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main runner of the drop ceiling of FIG. 1, according to an example embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a ceiling tile control and grid support clip, according to an example embodiment.
Referring generally to the figures, a clip is integrated for use in conjunction with a runner as part of a drop ceiling system. The clip is intended to provide the dual benefit of providing a spring for holding the ceiling tiles in the desired position, while also providing a suitable adjustable means for providing additional support to the T-shaped grid. With such adjustable support, the T-shaped grid is better adapted to support items hung from or otherwise supported by the T-shaped grid such as signs, banners, promotional materials or even decorative items such as plants.
While the many components shown and described herein are made with reference to a drop ceiling system, it should be understood that the clip may be used in combination with other ceiling types and structural components. For example, the clip may be used in combination with a coffered ceiling, a conventional ceiling, a shed ceiling, a tray ceiling, etc.
Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain example embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.