Kits, assemblies and methods for suspending objects from ceilings
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorJohn M. Noonan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Arrangements for suspending one or more items from a ceiling. Such arrangements may use a base plate along with prong-bearing insert plates that are attached to the ceiling. At least one item may be connected to a load-bearing connector of the base plate, so that a load that is applied to the base plate as a result of the mass of the item produces a force vector that is at least generally aligned with a normal axis of the base plate.
Claims20
A method of suspending an item from a ceiling using a base plate and first and second prong-bearing insert plates, the method comprising:
- positioning the base plate at a desired location underneath the ceiling and holding the base plate against the ceiling so that an upward major surface of the base plate closely abuts the ceiling and so that a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis of the base plate are oriented at least substantially parallel to the ceiling and a normal axis of the base plate is oriented at least substantially perpendicular to the ceiling;
- then,
- urging a prong-bearing longitudinal end of the first insert plate upward so that curved prongs of the first insert plate penetrate upward into the ceiling along arcuate penetration paths so that the first insert plate is attached to the ceiling by way of the prongs;
- and, urging a prong-bearing longitudinal end of the second insert plate upward so that curved prongs of the second insert plate penetrate upward into the ceiling along arcuate penetration paths, so that the second insert plate is attached to the ceiling by way of the prongs, with the first and second insert plates, as attached to the ceiling, collectively pinning the base plate against the ceiling;
- then,
- connecting the item to at least one load-bearing connector that extends at least generally downward from the base plate so that a load that is applied to the base plate as a result of the mass of the item produces a force vector that is at least generally aligned with the normal axis of the base plate.
The method of 1 wherein the item to be suspended from the ceiling is connected to an accessory that is connected to the at least one load-bearing connector of the base plate.
A method of suspending an item from a ceiling using an anchor comprising first and second prong-bearing insert members, the method comprising:
- positioning the anchor at a desired location underneath the ceiling so that a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis of the base plate are oriented at least substantially parallel to the ceiling and a normal axis of the anchor is oriented at least substantially perpendicular to the ceiling;
- then,
- urging a prong-bearing longitudinal end of the first insert member upward so that curved prongs of the first insert member penetrate upward into the ceiling along arcuate penetration paths so that the first insert member is attached to the ceiling by way of the prongs;
- and, urging a prong-bearing longitudinal end of the second insert member upward so that curved prongs of the second insert member penetrate upward into the ceiling along arcuate penetration paths, so that the second insert member is attached to the ceiling by way of the prongs, so that the anchor is mounted to the ceiling by way of the curved prongs;
- then,
- connecting the item to at least one load-bearing connector of the anchor so that a load that is applied to the anchor as a result of the mass of the item produces a force vector that is at least generally aligned with the normal axis of the anchor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.