Ceiling Grid Member Thread Geometry for Multi-Size Fastener Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling grid members lack the ability to easily accommodate different sized structural members and room or building accessories, and there is a need for improved ease of installation, stability, strength, and aesthetic finish.
Innovation Solution
Elongated ceiling grid members with upper and lower portions featuring parallel sidewalls with varying thread distances and a middle portion, allowing for connectors of different diameters to be used, along with optional inserts for additional stability and aesthetic enhancement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ceiling grid members use uniform threaded interior surfaces throughout their length, then manufacturing is simple, but they cannot accommodate different sized structural members and accessories
Solution Approach 1:
The ceiling grid member features different threaded interior surface configurations at different locations along its length. Specifically, the first threaded interior surface has a first distance between opposite sides, while the second threaded interior surface has a second distance that differs from the first. This local variation in thread geometry enables different sized structural members and accessories to be attached at different positions along the grid member, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ceiling grid members have complex varying thread distances for different attachments, then adaptability improves, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The varying threaded interior surfaces are pre-configured during manufacturing with specific distance variations between opposite sides at different locations. This preliminary preparation of different thread configurations eliminates the need for field modifications or complex measurements during installation, allowing installers to simply attach different sized members to the pre-configured surfaces, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If ceiling grid members use standard uniform design, then manufacturing precision is easy to maintain, but aesthetic finish and architectural quality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ceiling grid member incorporates varying threaded interior surface configurations along its length, with different distances between opposite sides at different locations. This local variation creates visual interest and architectural character while maintaining precise manufacturing tolerances for each specific thread configuration, thereby improving aesthetic finish without sacrificing manufacturing precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
An elongated ceiling grid member and a ceiling grid assembly that includes a plurality of the elongated ceiling grid members are disclosed. The elongated ceiling grid member may include an upper portion, a lower portion and a middle portion that connects the upper portion and the lower portion. The upper portion may include a first pair of spaced and substantially parallel sidewalls having ridged interior surfaces that face each other. Similarly, the lower portion may include a second pair of spaced and substantially parallel sidewalls. Each sidewall of the second pair of sidewalls may include upper and lower ridged interior surfaces, with the distance between the upper ridged interior surfaces being different than the distance between the lower ridged interior surfaces. A plurality of the elongated grid members can be connected at their ends to form a grid of the plurality of elongated grid members.