Ceiling hanger

Abstract

AH25(26448566_1):AWB

Description

CEILING HANGER FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a ceiling hanger to suspend drywall ceilings and exposed ceilings from a supporting structure, BACKGROUND

[0002] Drywall board and ceiling tiles are typically suspended from a support structure using various components. A supporting structure, such as a batten or the like, is usually secured to a ceiling and a T-shaped extrusion is suspended from the supporting structure. The drywall ceiling tiles are placed on the T-shaped extrusion. Ultimately, securing the T-shaped extrusion to the supporting structure safely is a problem. Additionally, it is a problem to prevent unwanted movement in the ceiling tiles.

[0003] Suspended ceiling systems have various components that support a ceiling from a structure. The suspended ceiling system has one or more suspending points. Various members are supported from the suspending points which include, but not limited to, T-shaped extrusions and U-shaped Top Cross Rails (primary members} from which other members (secondary members) are supported to either provide a surface to which boards can be fixed to or an area for a tile to rest on. There are currently many different methods of suspending the primary members, including directly fixing to the side of the member by a bracket that is attached to the structure above.

[0004] Current methods of direct fixing require multiple brackets and bracing, and do not account for or work well in wind (which produces uplift of the tiles) or during seismic activity.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least one of the above disadvantages. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] An aspect of the present invention provides a ceiling hanger including: a base to be secured to a supporting structure so that the hanger can depend therefrom; a first and a second flange, the flanges extending from the base so as to diverge from the base with the base being located between the flanges; a first leg extending from the first flange; a second leg extending from the second flange; and wherein the flanges are resiliently deformable to enable the legs to abut thereby enabling a fastener engaged with the first and second legs to secure the legs together.

[0007] In the preferred embodiment, the base, and the first and second flanges are generally planar,

[0008] Preferably, the first flange extends away from the base at an acute angle.

[0009] Preferably, the second flange extends away from the base at an acute angle.

[0010] In the preferred embodiment, the first leg extends from the first flange at an obtuse angle,

[0011] Preferably, the second leg extends away from a portion of the second flange at an obtuse angle.

[0012] Preferably, each leg has an aperture to receive the fastener therethrough, to secure the legs to each other.

[0013] Preferably, the base and first and second flanges define a “triangle-shape” when resiliently deformed to abut.

[0014] Preferably, the first leg is longer than the second leg.

[0015] Preferably, the first leg has stiffeners to increase compression strength and minimize buckling.

[0016] Preferably, the ceiling hanger is formed of a strip of steel.

[0017] In the preferred embodiment, the strip is pressed or roll formed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling hanger according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 is a side view of the ceiling hanger shown in Figure 1.

[0021] Figure 3 is a section view of a portion of the ceiling hanger shown in Figure 1.

[0022] Figure 4 is a front view of the ceiling hanger shown in Figure 1.

[0023] Figures 5A to SE show the steps of installing the ceiling hanger of Figure 1 to a batten.

[0024] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a ceiling hanger according to an alternative embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Figures 1 to SE show a ceiling hanger 10 according to a preferred embodiment. The ceiling hanger 10 has a base 11, a first flange 12 and a second flange 13, extending and diverging from the base 11. A first leg 14 extends away from the first flange 12 and a second leg 15 extends away from the second flange 13. The ceiling hanger 10 is formed of a strip of thin gauge steel, preferably 0.75BMT, to allow the flanges 12, 13 to be resiliently deformable and for the flanges 12, 13 to flex relative to the base 11, so that the legs 14, 15 can abut each other. The strip can be pressed or roll formed. It is envisaged that the ceiling hanger 10 can be made from thin gauge steel of other thicknesses, depending on the structural requirements of the application.

[0026] Figures 1, 2 and 5 show apertures 16, 17 and 18 located on the base 11, which function to receive an anchor 22 or the like, per aperture, to secure the ceiling hanger 10 to a supporting structure 30 such as a batten, for example. The supporting structure 30 may be made from any type of concrete, steel or timber member. The purpose of having apertures 17 and 18 and not only aperture 16, is to allow the hanger 10 to be secured to alternative substrates using different anchors of different lengths. Securing the ceiling hanger 10 to the supporting structure 30 using anchor 22 is best shown in Figures 5A to 5E, which illustrates installation of the ceiling hanger 10 and will be described later. In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 6, the hanger 10” is identical to the hanger 10, however the base 11” only has a single aperture 16’ to receive an anchor 22. Apertures 17 and 18 are optional.

[0027] Turning back to Figures 1 to 4, the base 11 and the first and second flange 12, 13 define a generally “C-shaped” channel when the ceiling hanger 10 is not in use, or in a non-use position,

[0028] Figures 1 and 3 show apertures 19 and 20 located on the legs 14 and 15 respectively. The apertures 19 and 20 allow a fastener 21, as shown in Figure 5 to secure the flanges 12, 13 and legs 14 and 15 together so that the legs 14, 15 abut. The fastener 21 may be a nut and bolt, or even a self-tapping screw. When the fastener 21 secures the legs 14, 15 to each other, the ceiling hanger 10 resiliently deforms and a triangular shaped section is formed between the base 11, and the flanges 12, 13 to define an acute angle.

[0029] The base 11 and the first and second flanges 12, 13 are planar. Additionally, the first and second flanges 12, 13 extend away from the base 11 at an acute angle a, as shown in Figure 4. Additionally, the first and second legs 14, 15 extend away from a lower portion of each of the flanges 12, 13 at an obtuse angle B, as shown in Figure 3.

[0030] As shown in the Figures, the first leg 14 is longer than the second leg 15. The first leg 14 also has stiffeners 23 and 24 to reduce buckling of the leg 14 under load. A knurling 25 is also provided on leg 14 to ease installation of a screw by providing a dimple for the screw tip to catch into.

[0031] Use of the preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 5A to SE.

[0032] Figure SA shows step 1 of the installation procedure. The ceiling hanger location 26 is marked so that the ceiling hanger 10 is installed in the correct position,

[0033] Figure 5B shows step 2 of the installation procedure. The ceiling hanger 10 is secured to the supporting structure 30, such as, a batten, for example, using an anchor 22 so as to depend therefrom.

[0034] Figure 5C shows step 3 of the installation procedure. The shorter leg 15 is attached to the longer leg 14 using by engaging the fastener 21 with the apertures 19 and 20. This step brings and secures the legs 14 and 15 together.

[0035] Figure 5D shows step 4 of the installation procedure. The longer leg 14 can be cut to a desired length using a tool (not shown) such as tin-snips, for example.

[0036] Figure SE shows step 5 of the installation procedure, A T-bar 40 is connected to the leg 14 using a fastener 41, Once multiple T-bars 40 are suspended from the supporting structure 30, drywall ceiling tiles can be installed on the T-bars.

[0037] Advantages of the preferred form of the present invention will now be described,

[0038] The ceiling hanger 10 can resist tensile, compressive and bending moment forces due to the overall design. Features such as the stiffeners resist buckling due to the compressive force. The triangular shaped head between the base 11 and the flanges 12, 13 resist bending moment forces without the need for any additional components. The resistance to tensile, compressive and bending moment forces allow the ceiling hanger 10 to resist uplift from wind and multidirectional forces due to seismic activity, without the need for further reinforcing brackets. Only one ceiling hanger is required to resist each of those forces, while supporting a suspended ceiling.

[0039] As the triangular shaped head is formed in situ, that is during installation on the supporting structure, various types and sizes of fasteners can be installed. Additionally, the size of the ceiling hanger 10 can be easily adjusted on a construction site using a convention tool such as a tin snip.

[0040] Moreover, the knurling 25 allows for ease installation of a screw by providing a dimple for the screw tip to catch into.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A ceiling hanger including: a base to be secured to a supporting structure so that the hanger can depend therefrom; a first and a second flange, the flanges extending from the base so as to diverge from the base, with the base being located between the flanges; a first leg extending from the first flange; a second leg extending from the second flange; and wherein the flanges are resiliently deformable to enable the legs to abut thereby enabling a fastener engaged with the first and second legs to secure the legs together.

2. The ceiling hanger of claim 1, wherein the base, and the first and second flanges are generally planar, 3. The ceiling hanger of claim 2, wherein the first flange extends away from the base at an acute angle.

4. The ceiling hanger of claim 3, wherein the second flange extends away from the base at an acute angle, 5. The ceiling hanger of claim 4, wherein the first leg extends from the first flange at an obtuse angle, 6. The ceiling hanger of claim 5, wherein the second leg extends away from a portion of the second flange at an obtuse angle.

7. The ceiling hanger of claim 6, wherein each leg has an aperture to receive the fastener therethrough, to secure the legs to each other.

8. The ceiling hanger of claim 7, wherein the base and first and second flanges define a “triangle-shape” when resiliently deformed to abut, 9. The ceiling hanger of claim 8, wherein the first leg is longer than the second leg.

10. The ceiling hanger of claim 9, wherein the first leg has stiffeners to increase compression strength and minimize buckling.

11. The ceiling hanger of claim 10, wherein the ceiling hanger is formed of a strip of steel.

12. The ceiling hanger of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the strip is pressed or roll formed. Rondo Building Services Pty Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant / Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON

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