Stab-in removable end clip
AssigneeUSG Interiors, Inc.
InventorsGerald L. Koski, James J. Lehane, Douglas B. Hooper, Paul D. LaLonde
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A connector for suspended ceiling grid that provides a first end lock in a main tee slot and a lock with an identical opposed connector. The connector in the first end lock and in the connector-to-connector lock is installed with a simple stab-in motion. The connector works with a non-re-entrant slot profile that avoids the risk of improper assembly. The connector is releasable without tools and is reusable. The connector emits an audible click when fully installed, is resistant to damage from rough handling, and affords high tensile and compressive strength in its connections.
Claims1
An end connector on opposed runners used in a suspension ceiling grid system having elongated grid runners including a through runner and two opposed runners interconnected at intersections, each of the runners including a vertical web with the web of the through runner having an elongated vertically extending slot into which the end connectors of said opposed runners project, the end connector being generally planar and projecting into said slot from one side while another identical connector projects into the slot from an opposite side of the web, the slot having opposed sides that provide a width sufficient to receive both of said connectors in laterally abutting relation, the connectors each being arranged with respect to the slot to provide a first end lock with said slot, the slot having a configuration that avoids the risk of receiving and laterally restricting a connector to an incorrect one of its sides, said slot and connectors having respective configurations that allow the connectors to each be installed in said slot with a stab-in motion and to each be removed from said slot by relative manipulation of said through runner and its associated runner to release said first end lock without tools.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.