Suspended Ceiling Hanger Clip for Adjustable Mounting Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspended ceiling systems face challenges in providing sufficient clearance for mounting items like lighting, speakers, and air conditioning components due to the limited distance between the top cross rail and the exposed grid metal frame, which can lead to installation difficulties and a cluttered appearance, especially when transitioning between exposed and concealed grid systems.
Innovation Solution
A suspended ceiling hanger clip with a longitudinally extending base and parallel flanges, featuring projections and a suspension rod that can be adjusted to create a void between the top cross rail and the support runner, allowing for flexible mounting of components by varying the length of the suspension rod and attachment means such as hooks or threaded sockets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the distance between the top cross rail and the exposed grid metal frame is reduced to simplify the suspension structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the clearance for mounting components becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension structure is segmented into modular components: the hanger clip attaches to the top cross rail, the suspension rod provides adjustable length, and the attachment means connects to the support runner. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, maintaining structural simplicity while enabling sufficient clearance for component mounting through the adjustable rod length.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension rod length is made variable through adjustable attachment means (hooks, threaded sockets, or clips), allowing the distance between the top cross rail and support runner to be dynamically adjusted. This enables sufficient clearance for mounting components while maintaining a simple suspension structure when shorter distances are adequate.
2Ease of manufacture
If the suspension structure is simplified to reduce device complexity, then manufacturing and installation become easier, but the ability to accommodate various mounting requirements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger clip is designed as a universal component that can be used in both exposed grid and concealed grid suspended ceiling systems. The standardized clip design simplifies manufacturing, while the adjustable suspension rod and multiple attachment means options (hooks, threaded sockets, clips) provide versatility for accommodating various mounting requirements for lighting, speakers, and air conditioning components.
3Ease of operation
If the clearance between the top cross rail and ceiling panels is increased to allow component mounting, then the ease of operation for installing components improves, but the distance between structural elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension rod length is made variable through adjustable attachment means, allowing the clearance distance to be dynamically optimized. When component mounting is required, the rod can be extended to provide sufficient clearance. When structural proximity is preferred, the rod length can be reduced, thus balancing ease of component installation with minimized distance between structural elements on a case-by-case basis.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a suspended ceiling hanger clip and a suspended ceiling formed using the hanger clip. The suspended ceiling hanger clip has a longitudinally extending base having a first end and a second end and a pair of generally parallel co-extensive flanges extending downwardly from the base. At least one projection in each flange is formed with a ramp surface. An aperture is formed in the base for receiving an upper end of the elongate suspension rod therein. The suspension rod has a longitudinal axis extending along a length between spaced apart upper and lower ends, with the lower end having an attachment means. The upper end of the suspension rod extends through and is fixedly retained from removal from the aperture in the base of the hanger clip.