Suspension ceiling clips and installation method

A system for suspending an article from a ceiling rail, the system comprising

• a resilient clip comprising an upper clasp adapted to be snap-fitted to a selected ceiling rail, a lower hook for supporting the article to be suspended, and an integral, intermediate midportion connecting the clasp and the hook, the midportion comprising a planar portion having a width that gradually decreases towards the hook;
• an installation tool adapted to be manipulated by a user for press-fitting the clip onto the desired rail, the tool comprising sides and receptacle means for temporarily captivating said clip by slidably receiving said clip midportion to enable the handling, mounting and discharge of a clip;
• an elongated pole adapted to be removably coupled to said installation tool for remotely manipulating the system;
• and,
• wherein each clasp comprises a pair of opposed, deflectable jaws comprising opposed, gripping flanges for grasping the rails to secure the clips when they are press fitted to the ceiling rails.

A method for suspending chosen articles from a conventional suspended ceiling of the type comprising ceiling rails, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a resilient clip comprising opposed, deflectable jaws adapted to snap fit to a ceiling rail, a lower hook, and a midportion between the jaws and the hook;
• providing an installation tool comprising receptacle means for temporarily captivating said midportion to handle the clip during mounting;
• providing the installation tool with a recess for receiving a fastener for manipulating a subsequent article to be suspended from a clip;
• providing said receptacle means with retaining arms spaced from an edge to define an elongated captivation slot into which the clip midportion slidably fits;
• removably coupling said clip to said installation tool;
• threadably coupling an elongated pole to the installation tool;
• manipulating the installation tool and the clip temporarily held thereby with said elongated pole from the floor or ground to position the clip proximate the rail;
• pushing the clip towards the rail to snap fit the clip thereto;
• and,
• attaching the article to be suspended from said ceiling to the clip's lower hook.