Connector bracket for non-rectangular grid

Abstract

The present invention provides a bracket design for connecting a cross T-piece and a main T-piece of a suspended ceiling in a non-rectangular joint to provide a variety of ceiling patterns including rhombic and triangular shapes.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present invention relates to suspended ceiling constructions and, more particularly, to such ceilings having non-rectilinear grid elements and tile elements.

[0002] Prior art

[0003] Suspended ceilings typically have suspended grid elements arranged in a rectangular pattern that define and support rectangular or square tiles or panels. Architects, interior designers, and occupants of a space may desire suspended ceiling arrangements that differ from the ubiquitous rectangular pattern. U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2019 / 0292781 A1 discloses connectors and grid tees that form non-rectangular grid designs, but may require relatively expensive tooling and lack performance in seismic applications. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a bracket design for connecting cross tees and main tees of suspended ceilings in non-rectangular joints to provide a variety of ceiling patterns including diamond shapes and triangular shapes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a full-angle bracket embodying the present invention;

[0006] Figure 2 It is the top plan view of the full-width bracket;

[0007] Figure 3 is a side view of the full-width bracket taken in a plane parallel to one of the legs of the full-width bracket;

[0008] Figure 4 is a front view of the side of the full-angle bracket facing away from the main T-piece;

[0009] Figure 5 is a side view of the end of the cross-T-piece;

[0010] Figure 6 is a view in which the cross-T-piece is mounted on the legs of the bracket;

[0011] Figure 7 is a cross-T-shaped piece mounted on a bracket similar to Figure 2 Floor plan of

[0012] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of the left-hand version of the stand;

[0013] Fig. 9 It is the plan view of the left-hand bracket;

[0014] Fig.10 is a side view of the left-hand bracket;

[0015] Fig.11 is a side view of a section of a main tee; and

[0016] Fig.12 is a diagrammatic representation of a representative grid pattern obtained by the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] With reference generally to the accompanying drawings and in particular to Fig.12 , custom length cross tees 10 are connected at their ends with inventive brackets 12, 13 to main tees 11, which typically extend in lengths of 12 feet. As shown, the cross tees intersect the main tees at selected angles less than 90 degrees (e.g., 53.13 degrees, 28.07 degrees, and 14.25 degrees internal angles). The main tees 11 are parallel and spaced on 2-foot or 4-foot centers. The length of the factory-cut cross tees 10 depends on the main tees spacing and the angle at which the cross tees intersect the main tees 11.

[0018] refer to Figures 1 to 4 , the full-angle bracket 12 has a generally V-shape when viewed from the top or bottom in its mounted orientation. The bracket 12 includes a base 14 having a flat face 16 and bifurcated legs 17 that are mirror images of each other. In the illustrated case, the legs 17 are separated by an angle of 53.13 degrees. Each leg 17 has an asymmetric horizontal flange 18 at a lower edge, which is an offset of the vertical plane of the corresponding leg toward the centerline between the legs. Each leg 17 is provided with a pair of horizontally spaced through holes 19, which are adjacent the upper edge of the leg and distal to the flange 18. One hole 19 is located on the outside of its corresponding flange 18 relative to the base 14. As shown Figure 4 As shown, the base 14 has a central through hole 22. The hole 22 communicates with a recess 23 including a pair of V-shaped shoulders 24.

[0019] Figures 8 to 10 A left-hand version of the bracket 13 is illustrated. The right-hand version is a mirror image of the left-hand version. Portions of the bracket 13 that are identical or equivalent in structure or function to the described full-width bracket 12 are indicated by numbers increased by 100 from those used to describe the full-width bracket.

[0020] Fig.11 The cross-tee slot 27 in the conventional main tee 11 is shown. Either of the brackets 12, 13 is mounted at an appropriate one of the regularly spaced slots 27 by assembling, for example, a No. 8 machine screw through the main runner slot 27 and the bracket hole 22. A hexagonal nut threaded onto the screw is rotationally locked in the pocket 23 by the flat portion or shoulder 24 and the surrounding wall of the bracket 12, 13. The cross-tee ends ( Figure 5 ) to form a lower notch 31 having a height at least equal to the thickness of the bracket flange 18. Self-tapping so-called frame screws 29 are assembled in the bracket holes 19 and driven into the web of the cross tee 10. Each leg 17 is proportioned to fit tightly, i.e., there is no gap or minimal gap in the vertical space between the cross tee flange 32 and the reinforcing ball 33. When the brackets 12, 13 are mounted on the main tee 11, the vertical surface of the bracket leg 17 and the web of the cross tee 10 fastened thereto are in a vertical plane that substantially intersects the base hole 22 and the corresponding main tee slot 27. The screws 29 and the tight fit of the legs 17 produce a rigid assembly or structure that can provide seismic service. With the brackets 12, 13 mounted on the main tee 11 and the leg cross tee 10 mounted on the brackets, the lower faces of the leg flanges 18 are substantially coplanar with the lower faces of the main tee flanges.

[0021] The brackets 12, 13 can be cast from a suitable metal or metal alloy. In addition to casting, the brackets can be molded or 3D printed from a suitable plastic. In addition, the brackets can be made from sheet metal such as aluminum.

[0022] Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to specific embodiments of the present invention, this is for the purpose of illustration rather than limitation, and other changes and modifications of the specific embodiments shown and described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art, all of which are within the intended spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, this patent is not limited to the scope and effect of the specific embodiments shown and described herein, nor is it limited to any other manner inconsistent with the degree of progress of the present invention in the art.

Claims

1. A connector bracket for attaching a cross runner to a main runner in a suspended ceiling grid, the bracket having a base having a flat face engageable with the web of the main runner, a hole through the face adapted to receive a screw passing through a cross tee aperture in the web of the main tee, the bracket having a leg integral with the base and forming an acute or obtuse angle with the main tee when the base face abuts the web of the main tee, the leg having a vertical surface and an asymmetric flange horizontally spaced a distance from the base at a lower edge of the leg, The distance is substantially equal to the distance between the edge of the flange of the main T-shaped member and the web of the main T-shaped member, when the bracket is mounted on the main T-shaped member, the lower edge of the leg is substantially coplanar with the lower face of the flange of the main T-shaped member, the vertical surface is integral with the base and extends beyond the asymmetric flange, the fastener receiving hole in the vertical surface is adapted to receive a fastener extending through the vertical surface and attaching the cross-flow channel web to the bracket, the vertical surface and the web of the cross-flow channel attached to the vertical surface are located in a vertical plane that substantially intersects the hole in the base.

2. A connector bracket according to claim 1, comprising an additional leg which is symmetrical to the initially mentioned leg about a plane perpendicular to the base planar surface.

3. The connector bracket of claim 1 including additional fastener receiving holes in the vertical surface.

4. The connector bracket of claim 3, wherein the fastener receiving apertures of the vertical surface are longitudinally spaced apart. 5 . The connector bracket of claim 3 , wherein the fastener receiving hole is adjacent a top edge of the vertical surface and distal from a lower edge of the vertical surface.

6. The connector bracket of claim 1, wherein the vertical surfaces are proportioned to be a close fit with substantially no gap between the lower flange of the cross-flow channel and the upper reinforcement bulb.

7. The connector bracket of claim 3, wherein one of the fastener receiving holes extends longitudinally beyond the asymmetric flange from the base.

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