Miniature ceiling beam T-bar cover cap

In a subceiling of the type having flat panels supported in a single plane by a suspended framework of main runner members and cross runner members, each runner member being configured as an inverted T-bar rail having a transverse pair of opposed bottom flanges extending to a standardized total width, in combination with said rails and attached thereto as decorative cover caps, a plurality of hollow beams including integral self-sufficient fastening means, each of said beams comprising:

• a flat base portion;
• a pair of generally vertical sidewalls flanking and adjoining said base portion, each of said sidewalls having an upper edge;
• a first return flange disposed along the upper edge of one of said sidewalls, extending inwardly;
• and
• a second return flange disposed along the upper edge of the other of said sidewalls, extending inwardly;
• each of said return flanges having an upward-facing surface, a downward-facing surface and an inward-facing edge;
• wherein said sidewalls are spaced apart from each other, at least in an upper region, by a distance approximately equal to the total width of the rail flanges,
• wherein selected ones of said beams are each provided with a plurality of rectangular notches located in an upper region thereof, each of said notches being located at a potential location of a support framework intersection so as to provide clearance for the support framework intersection,
• and wherein said beam is made to be sufficiently compliant and resilient to enable attachment onto one of said rails by urging said beam upwardly against the rail flanges in a manner causing the return flanges to be temporarily spread apart compliantly from an original spacing so as to allow the return flanges to move upwardly past the rail flanges and to then return resiliently to the original spacing so as to thus captivate the rail flanges in an installed position such that the beam is (a) supported by the downward-facing surfaces of both return flanges resting upon upward-facing surfaces of the rail flanges, and (b) constrained laterally by said sidewalls flanking said rail flanges;
• thus said beam is caused to be securely attached to said rail, the panels being supported peripherally upon the upward-facing surfaces of said return flanges.

In a subceiling of the type having panels supported by a suspended framework of main runner members and cross runner members, each runner member being configured as an inverted T-bar rail having a transverse pair of opposed bottom flanges extending to a standardized total width, in combination with said rails and attachable thereto as decorative cover caps, a plurality of miniature hollow beams manufactured from plastic in an extrusion process including integral self-sufficient fastening means, each of said beams comprising:

• a flat base portion;
• a pair of generally vertical sidewalls flanking and adjoining said base portion, each of said sidewalls having an upper edge;
• a longitudinal bridge web extending transversely between said sidewalls and attached thereto, in an upper region thereof, along said beam's full length, said web having been formed as part of a basic extrusion pattern;
• a first return flange, disposed along the upper edge of one of said sidewalls, extending inwardly;
• and
• a second return flange, disposed along the upper edge of the other of said sidewalls, extending inwardly;
• each of said return flanges having an upward-facing surface, a downward-facing surface and an inward-facing edge;
• wherein said sidewalls are spaced apart from each other, at least in an upper region, by a distance approximately equal to the total width of the rail flanges, and
• wherein said beam is made to be sufficiently compliant and resilient to enable attachment onto one of said rails by urging said beam upwardly against the rail flanges in a manner causing the return flanges to be temporarily spread apart compliantly from an original spacing so as to allow the return flanges to move upwardly past the rail flanges and to then return resiliently to the original spacing so as to thus captivate the rail flanges in an installed position such that the beam is (a) supported by the downward-facing surfaces of both return flanges resting upon upward-facing surfaces of the rail flanges, (b) constrained laterally by said sidewalls flanking said rail flanges, and (c) constrained downwardly by said web in relation to the rail flanges;
• thus said beam is caused to be securely attached to said rail, the panels being supported peripherally upon the upward-facing surfaces of said return flanges.