Ceiling Panel Beam Clip With Anti-Sliding Locking Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling panel clip systems experience issues with clips sliding along the length of the ceiling panel beams, necessitating the use of troublesome fasteners for securement.
Innovation Solution
A clip design featuring an elongate web portion with bulb portions and flange extensions, incorporating protrusions and locking tabs to securely attach to ceiling panel beams, restricting movement in multiple directions and allowing easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If clips are used to support ceiling panels from ceiling panel beams, then ceiling panels can be suspended effectively, but clips tend to slide along the length of the ceiling panel beams requiring troublesome fasteners for securement
Solution Approach 1:
The clip is divided into distinct functional segments: the web portion for engagement with the ceiling panel beam, the bulb portion for positioning, the flange portions for lateral support, and the legs with protrusions for longitudinal securing. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, preventing sliding while maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions on the legs are designed to fit into corresponding recesses or engage with the web portion in a nested arrangement, creating a secure interlocked structure. This nesting mechanism prevents the clip from sliding along the ceiling panel beam without requiring additional fasteners, while still allowing for straightforward installation during fitting.
2Reliability
If fasteners are used to secure clips at their respective positions, then clip position stability is improved, but the installation process becomes more troublesome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The clip is designed with self-securing features where the protrusions on the legs automatically engage with the web portion to prevent sliding. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate fasteners or complex securing operations, allowing the clip to secure itself during installation while maintaining position stability throughout service.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing function is merged into the clip structure itself through the integration of protrusions on the legs that engage with the web portion. This combination of the clip body and securing elements into a single integrated component eliminates the need for separate fasteners, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If protrusions are added to the legs to restrict clip movement, then clip position stability is improved, but the clip structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The legs are designed with protrusions that provide dynamic restriction of movement. The protrusions engage with the web portion to prevent sliding in one direction while allowing controlled movement in the perpendicular direction for installation purposes. This dynamic design provides stability when needed while maintaining ease of installation, without requiring overly complex structural elements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The clip provides stable and secure attachment to ceiling panel beams, simplifying installation by resisting sliding and twisting, while maintaining clip position without the need for cumbersome fasteners.
Implementation Method 1
The first protrusion is configured to bite into the respective first side of the web portion facing the first leg
Implementation Method 2
the first locking tab being configured to engage with the wall of the respective hem of the ceiling panel beam and, thereby, to resiliently deflect the first leg towards the elongate web portion of the ceiling panel beam
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A clip for attachment to a ceiling panel beam having an elongate web portion with opposite respective first and second sides and extending longitudinally in a first direction and in an orthogonal second direction from a bulb portion at a first longitudinal edge to oppositely extending flange portions at an opposite second longitudinal edge, each respective flange portion extending in the first direction and in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions and extending in the third direction to a respective hem at the respective distal edge of the respective flange portion, each respective hem including a respective wall facing the web portion. The clip includes: a longitudinally extending shoulder portion to be located adjacent the first longitudinal edge of the elongate web portion of the ceiling panel beam, the longitudinally extending shoulder portion having opposite first and second lateral edges; a first leg extending from the first lateral edge of the shoulder portion and a second leg extending from the second lateral edge of the shoulder portion and extending parallel with the first leg so as to define a space therebetween for receiving the elongate web portion of the ceiling panel beam. The first leg includes, spaced from the first lateral edge of the shoulder, a first protrusion extending towards the second leg for locating at one side of the bulb portion of the web portion towards the second longitudinal edge when the web portion is received between the first and second legs with the first and second legs on the opposite respective first and second sides of the web portion thereby to restrict movement of the web portion away from the clip in the second direction. The first protrusion is configured to bite into the respective first side of the web portion facing the first leg. The first leg includes a first locking tab extending from the first leg away from the second leg, with the first protrusion located between the first locking tab and the shoulder, the first locking tab being configured to engage with the wall of the respective hem of the ceiling panel beam and, thereby, to resiliently deflect the first leg towards the elongate web portion of the ceiling panel beam and press the first protrusion to bite into the respective first side of the web portion and, thereby, resist movement of the clip relative to the web portion in the first direction.