US 6,145,264 A · Bracket for suspended ceiling tiles

Abstract

A number of ceiling rails are installed under the structural ceiling of a room in a selected array, in a configuration to provide openings between the rails to fit therein ceiling tiles. Brackets are used to support the tiles, the brackets being removably attached to the rails. At least one bracket is used on each side of a tile. The bracket comprises a pair of slots that allow it to be snapped onto the rail, and has a pair of integral laterally projecting load-bearing plates which support a first tile on one side and a pivotable supporting finger which can support a second tile on its opposite side. The pivotable finger pivots between an inoperative position in which is extends along the length of the bracket without laterally projecting therefrom, and an operative position in which it laterally projects beyond the side edge of the bracket. In this operative position, it may support a ceiling tile. A coil spring continuously biases the finger towards its operative position, while a spring blade catch prevents it from being pivoted into its operative position, until a tile to be supported by the finger is pushed by a work person to abut against the catch and releases the finger into pivotal displacement, towards its operative position, in which it will support the tile abutting against the catch.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A bracket for removable attachment to an elongated fixed ceiling rail having opposite longitudinal sides and for supporting the edges of a first and a second adjacent ceiling tiles, said bracket comprising:

a main body having opposite upper and lower surfaces and a first and a second opposite sides;
an attachment device located on said main body upper surface, for removable attachment of said bracket to the rail so that said main body first and second sides be located on opposite longitudinal sides of the rail;
a load-bearing surface integral to said main body and laterally extending beyond said first side thereof, for supporting the first ceiling tile;
a movable load-bearing finger;
and
a mounting device attaching said movable finger to said bracket main body and allowing relative displacement of said finger between an inoperative position, in which said finger laterally extends short of said main body second side, and an operative supporting position, in which said finger laterally extends beyond said second side for supporting the second ceiling tile.

3 more elements

a main body having opposite upper and lower surfaces and defining a first and a second opposite sides;
an attachment device located on said main body upper surface, for removable attachment of said bracket to the rail so that said main body first and second sides be located on opposite longitudinal sides of the rail;
a load-bearing surface integral to said main body and laterally extending beyond said first side thereof, for supporting the first ceiling tile;
a pivotable load-bearing finger coplanar with said load-bearing surface and pivotable on said main body between an inoperative position, in which said finger laterally extends short of said main body second side, and an operative supporting position, in which said finger laterally extends beyond said main body second side for supporting the second ceiling tile;
a first biasing device mounted on said main body and continuously biasing said finger towards its operative position;
a catch mounted on said main body and movable between a first position in which said catch engages and prevents said finger from moving towards its said operative position and a second position in which said catch allows said finger to be moved towards its said operative position under the bias of said biasing device;
and
a second biasing device mounted on said main body and continuously biasing said catch towards its said first position;
whereby said catch can be forcibly moved from its first position to its second position against the bias of said second biasing device, for releasing said finger into a pivotal displacement towards its operative position under the bias of said first biasing device.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bracket for suspended ceiling tiles

Life of this patent

Bracket for suspended ceiling tiles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13