Suspended Ceiling Clip With Flexible Inserts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suspended ceiling systems lack an effective mechanism to securely maintain adjoined ceiling members in position against separation, which can occur due to movement or humidity changes, compromising the structural integrity and aesthetic appearance.

Innovation Solution

A clip system comprising a main longitudinal body with downwardly extending inserts that fit into slots on adjacent ceiling members, providing a secure mounting mechanism that maintains the ceiling members in an adjoined position through a combination of angular configuration and flexible, resilient material, preventing separation while allowing for modular construction and varying lengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If ceiling members are adjoined without a securing mechanism, then assembly is simple, but the members separate due to movement or humidity changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clip is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion that interfaces with the ceiling member, insert portions that engage with slots, and corner portions that provide flexibility. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity of assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clip acts as an intermediary component between adjacent ceiling members, providing the securing mechanism without requiring direct modification of the ceiling members themselves. The insert portions engage with slots in the ceiling members while the body portion bridges between them, maintaining structural integrity without complicating the ceiling member design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a rigid clip structure is used to maintain ceiling members against separation, then structural integrity is improved, but the clip cannot accommodate movement or humidity changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidaccommodation of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The corner portions of the clip are constructed from flexible material, allowing the rigid body and insert portions to maintain structural integrity while the flexible corners accommodate movement and humidity-induced dimensional changes in the ceiling members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The clip transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamic structure where the corner portions can flex and deform elastically. This allows the clip to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining its primary function of preventing separation between ceiling members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the clip uses flexible and resilient material to accommodate movement, then adaptability is improved, but the gripping force on slot walls may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of movementVSAvoidgripping force

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the clip have different mechanical properties: the body and insert portions are rigid to provide structural support and gripping force, while the corner portions are flexible to accommodate movement. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both force application and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The clip employs a composite construction combining rigid and flexible materials in specific regions. This allows the structure to simultaneously provide strong gripping force where needed (at the insert portions engaging the slots) and flexibility where needed (at the corner portions accommodating movement).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 system effectively maintains ceiling members in position against separation, ensuring structural integrity and aesthetic consistency by applying stress to the walls of the slots, even when subjected to movement or humidity changes, while allowing for easy assembly and modular design.

Implementation Method 1

the clip is made of a flexible and resilient material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10557265B2Clip for suspended ceiling members

Publication Date: 2020.02.11 LES PLAFONDS EMBASSY

AI summary

A clip for a suspended ceiling being suspended from an overhead structure has at least first and second adjoined ceiling members defining a top surface interfacing with the overhead structure and an opposite undersurface. The top surface of each of the first and second adjoined ceiling members defines at least one slot. The clip comprises a main longitudinal body and a pair of inserts. The main longitudinal body defines opposite ends. Each of the inserts downwardly extend from respective one of the ends of the longitudinal body. Each of the inserts configured to be inserted into a respective one of the slots. The clip is mountable to the first and second adjoined ceiling members with one insert being inserted in the slot of the first ceiling member and the other insert being inserted in the slot of the second ceiling member thereby maintaining the first and second ceiling members in the adjoined position against separation.