Suspension assembly for partition panel

In combination:

• a gypsum board panel;
• and
• a plurality of suspension assemblies attached to the panel at its rear face for suspending the panel from a channel member of a support structure, each said suspension assembly comprising;
• a plate having upper and lower portions, means defining a transverse line of weakness between the upper and lower portions so that the plate preferentially bends along the line, and a plurality of panel-piercing members projecting outwardly from one face of the upper and lower portions of the plate and extending into the panel, without protruding through the front face thereof, to secure the plate to the panel, and
• a suspension clip, said clip having an upper portion attached to the plate above the line of weakness and said clip having a lower portion which overlies the lower portion of the plate, said lower clip portion defining a cam surface arranged to engage over a side leg of the channel member, whereby when the panel is suspended from the channel member, the load applied between the plate and the clip causes the plate to bend about the line of weakness in a sense to incline the panel piercing members of the lower plate portion in an upwards direction.

A building partition wall comprising:

• first and second runner members mounted horizontally on a ceiling and floor respectively in confronting relationship;
• a plurality of spaced, vertical stud members extending longitudinally between the runner members and co-operating therewith to form a rigid framework, each stud member having at least one cut-out extending therethrough, said cut-out in one stud member being aligned with a cut-out in each other stud member;
• at least one horizontal channel member extending through a series of aligned cut-outs and having an upwardly extending side leg;
• a plurality of gypsum board panels, each suspended in sid-by-side relationship from the horizontal channel member;
• and
• a plurality of suspension assemblies affixed to the rear of each panel in spaced relationship, said suspension assemblies suspending the panel from said channel members,
• each said suspension assembly comprising,
• a gang nail plate, and
• a separate suspension clip,
• the plate comprising upper and lower portions, means defining a transverse line of weakness between the upper and lower portions so that the plate preferentially bends along the line, and a plurality of panel-piercing members projecting outwardly from one face of the upper and lower portions of the plate and extending into the panel, without protruding through the front face thereof, to secure the plate to the panel, and
• the suspension clip having an upper portion attached to the plate above the line of weakness, and said clip having a lower portion, which overlies the lower portion of the plate, the lower portion of the clip defining a cam surface which co-operates with a side leg of the channel member from which it is suspended to draw the panel firmly against the vertical stud members, said line of weakness enabling the plate to bend about said line under the applied loads in a sense to incline the panel-piercing members of the lower plate portion in an upwards direction.