Accessible ceiling grid system

A ceiling grid system comprising:

• a plurality of main grid beams oriented in a parallel configuration, each said grid beam being formed with a bulb at a top portion thereof;
• a plurality of spacer bars interconnecting said main grid beams in a generally perpendicular orientation to maintain a regular spacing between selected said main grid beams;
• panel members arranged to fit between said main grid beams, said panel members being connected to said spring members to be selectively movable relative to said main grid beams to permit each of said panel members to be selectively lowered to permit access to said ceiling grid system above said panel members;
• a side load mounting clip formed with a central arch configured to permit a friction fit with said bulb on said main grid beams such that said side load mounting clip can be positioned at a desired location along the length of the corresponding said main grid beam to accommodate obstructions to a regular positioning of said side load mounting clips, said side load mounting clip being devoid of any fasteners connecting said side load mounting clip to said main grid beam;
• spring members supported on said side load mounting clips to be generally vertically movable relative thereto, wherein each said spring member is formed as a torsion spring member engageable with said side load mounting clip to engage with a spring retainer clip detachably connected with one of said panel members such that said panel member is supported by said torsion spring member, wherein said side load mounting clip is formed with a flange extending generally orthogonally on each opposing side of said central arch configured to engage said bulb, each of said flanges being formed with a slot for support of one of said torsion spring members.

A ceiling grid system comprising:

• a plurality of main grid beams oriented in a parallel configuration, each said grid beam being formed with a bulb at a top portion thereof;
• perpendicular spacer bars interconnecting said main grid beams to maintain regular spacing between selected said main grid beams, said spacer bars being formed as a v-shaped member defining a pair of arms meeting at an apex having a shaped slot formed therein, said slot being configured to engage said bulb on said main grid beam, said spacer bar being connectable to said main grid beam through a friction fit between said bulb and said shaped slot;
• a spring mechanism connected to selectively movable panel members that fit between said main grid beams enabling each of said panel members to be selectively lowered via said spring mechanism so as to allow access to said ceiling grid system above said panel members;
• a clip formed from spring steel that is engageable with said bulb on said main grid beams between said arms of said v-shaped spacer bar such that the removal of said spacer bar from said main grid beam requires the disengagement of said clip from said main grid beam wherein said clip is formed with a channel portion configured to engage said bulb and a tooth on each opposing arm of said channel portion to fit beneath said bulb.

A ceiling grid system comprising:

• a plurality of main grid beams oriented in a parallel configuration, each said main grid beam being formed with a bulb at a top portion thereof;
• perpendicular spacer bars interconnecting said main grid beams to maintain a regular spacing between selected said main grid beams;
• a spring mechanism connected to selectively movable panel members arranged to fit between said main grid beams permitting each of said panel members to be selectively lowered to permit access to said ceiling grid system above said panel members;
• and
• a tile stop formed with a central channel portion to engage said bulb on one of said main grid beams and being positionable anywhere along said main grid beams, said tile stop further having a downwardly depending tab located on a downwardly depending flange that is adapted to be positioned between adjacent said panel members to maintain proper positioning of said adjacent panel members when said panel members are in a closed configuration.

A ceiling grid system comprising:

• a plurality of main grid beams oriented in a parallel configuration, each said grid beam being formed with a bulb at a top portion thereof;
• a plurality of spacer bars interconnecting said main grid beams in a general perpendicular orientation to maintain a regular spacing between selected said main grid beams;
• panel members formed with a peripheral edge extending around said panel members, said peripheral edge being shaped to provide an edge surface that abuts a corresponding said edge surface on an adjacent said panel member, said peripheral edges of said adjacent panel members diverging above said abutting edge surfaces;
• wherein gussets are connected to said panel members for added stability;
• and
• a spring mechanism for connection to each of said panel members, said spring mechanism permitting each of said panel members to be selectively lowered relative to said main grid beams to permit access to said ceiling grid system above said panel members, wherein each said spring mechanism further includes a torsion spring member engaging side load mounting clip, said torsion spring member being connected to a spring retainer clip detachably connected to one of said panel members such that said panel member is supported by said torsion spring member, wherein said side load mounting clip is formed with a flange extending generally orthogonally on each opposing side of a central arch configured to engage said bulb, each of said flanges being formed with a slot for support of one of said torsion spring members, wherein said side load mounting clip is devoid of any fasteners connecting said side load mounting clip to said main grid beam.