# US 2008/0184644 A1 · Suspended ceiling system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0184644 A1 - Document ID: US20080184644A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/098,676 - Filed: 2008-04-07 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2006-12-28 - Assignees: USG Interiors, Inc. - Inventors: John D. Bankston; Gregory M. Ahren; John Harcula - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080184644A1 ## CPC - E04B 9/006: {with means for hanging lighting fixtures or other appliances to the framework of the ceiling} - E04B 9/068: {with double web} - E04C 2003/026: {Braces} - 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}) - E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S) ## Abstract A suspended ceiling comprising a pair of parallel main grid tees, the tees being of the type having its panel supporting flange forming a hollow with a downwardly open slot, a plurality of identical stabilizer bars spacing said main grid tees a predetermined distance, trim strips assembled on said main grid tees, the trim strips each having a first portion hooked into the hollow flange of a respective tee and a second portion abutting a web of the respective tee, the stabilizer bars being arranged to engage opposite sides of reinforcing bulbs of the main grid tees to hold the same against relative lateral horizontal movement from their desired positions, the stabilizer bars engaging the trim strips in a manner that holds their second portions in abutment with the webs of their respective tees. The stabilizer bars are formed of sheet metal and have bendable tabs that can be bent to hold said trim strip second portions in contact with the webs of their respective tees. The trim strips have a G-shaped profile that is adapted to receive portions of cross tee connectors assembled through slots in the webs of the main grid tees. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-3. (canceled) ### Claim 4 A sheet metal stabilizer bar for maintaining a pre-determined horizontal spacing between a pair of parallel grid tees, the stabilizer bar being a thin walled elongated body with longitudinally extending portions lying in imaginary planes that are parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bar and that intersect one another, each end of the bar having a cutout area for receiving the reinforcing bulb of a grid tee, the cutout area at each end being configured to lock onto the bulb of a grid tee by pivotal movement of the stabilizer bar relative to the grid tee about the longitudinal axis of the grid tee in a manner that restricts relative movement of the stabilizer bar and grid tee vertically and horizontally relative to the grid tee. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A stabilizer bar as set forth in claim 4, wherein the cutout area is arranged to pass in or out of locking relation with the grid tee bulb when the grid tee is pivoted about an axis parallel to its longitudinal direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A stabilizer bar as set forth in claim 4, wherein said longitudinally extending portions are each formed by generally flat sheet metal elements. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A stabilizer bar as set forth in claim 6, wherein said flat portions intersect at an acute angle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) A stabilizer bar as set forth in claim 4, wherein said cutout area exists in two planes at both ends of said stabilizer bar. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) A stabilizer bar as set forth in claim 4, wherein said cutout area is arranged to engage opposite vertical sides of said reinforcing bulb. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A stabilizer bar as set forth in claim 9, wherein said cutout area is arranged to engage a lower side of the reinforcing bulb on a side of the bulb facing an opposite end of the stabilizer bar. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) A stabilizer bar as set forth in claim 4, wherein said stabilizer bar includes a tab adjacent a cutout at each end of the stabilizer bar that can be bent from the plane of an adjacent body portion for locking parts assembled on said grid tee in position. ### Claim 12 An elongated straight trim strip for covering the side of a web of a grid tee of the type having a downwardly open C-shaped channel formed by its ceiling panel supporting flange portions, and grid tee connectors assembled into the web from a side opposite the side being covered, the trim strip having a generally constant cross-section along its length, the cross-section including a hook adapted to engage a portion of an upper surface of a lower horizontal in-turned flange portion of the grid tee, a horizontal wall adapted to extend under the flange portion being engaged by said hook, a generally vertical wall extending upwardly from said horizontal wall and a generally horizontal flange extending from the vertical wall adapted to engage the web of the grid tee, a combined height of the vertical wall and the width of the horizontal flange being sufficient to receive the projecting end of a connector of a cross tee extending through the web of the tee to which the trim strip is attached. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A trim strip as set forth in claim 12, wherein the height of the vertical wall is limited to that which will fit under the reinforcing bulb of a conventional grid tee. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A trim strip as set forth in claim 12, including a depending portion that extends vertically downwardly from said grid tee engaging portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) A trim strip as set forth in claim 12, wherein said depending wall portion has a hollow cross-section. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A trim strip as set forth in claim 13, wherein said hollow cross-section is rectangular in form. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) A trim strip as set forth in claim 12, wherein said vertical wall and said horizontal flange are proportioned to rest on or nearly rest on the upper edges of projecting ends of connectors assembled into the web of the tee on which said trim strip is attached.