US3342515A - Runner joint for suspended ceiling system - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 19, 1967 D, JAHN 3,342,5E5

RUNNER JOINT FOR SUSPENDED CEILING SYSTEM Filed June 1, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 19, 1967 JAHN 3,342,515

' RUNNER JOINT FOR SUSPENDED CEILING SYSTEM Filed June 1, 1965 I. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 8 b 4 4215, am 7-g United States Patent 3,342,515 RUNNER JOINT FOR SUSPENDED CEILING SYSTEM Martin D. Jahn, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Chicago Metallic Sash Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 1, 1965, Ser. No. 460,010 10 Claims. 01. 287189.36)

The invention is directed generally to suspended ceiling structures, and more particularly to an interlocking joint for suspended ceiling systems employing a plurality of main and cross runners for supporting a plurality of ceiling panels, the ends of the cross runners being connected to the main runners intermediate the ends of the latter, and provided with means on which the ceiling panels are supported.

The invention is directed specifically to a joint for conmeeting the end of one runner with an intermediate portion of a transversely extending runner whereby a plurality of such runners may be assembled to form a grid structure on which a plurality of ceiling panels are disposed.

The invention has among its objects the production of an interlocking joint between the end of one runner and the intermediate portion of a transversely extending runner to provide an interlocking connection which will effectively hold the elements in assembled relation under all normal conditions and at the same time permit simple and easy assembly, as well as a disassembly, if desired, without destruction or damage to the members.

A further object of the invention is the production of such an interlocking joint which is extremely simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture and capable of being produced with relatively simple manufacturing techniques.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a joint which requires no separate or additional elements to complete the interlocking function and which requires no angular twisting or other movement of the runners during the interlocking action other than engaging movements with the runners approximating their normal final assembled relation.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will :be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

. In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main runner to Whichthe ends of two transversely extending cross runners are interlocked; l

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view through a main runner such as illustrated in FIG. 1, and having the end of a single cross runner interlocked therewith;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view similar to F IG. 2 illustrating a modified construction of the interlocking elements; I

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of the main runner illustrated in FIG. '3; i

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view through a main runner and illustrating a portion of a cross runner in elevation, embodying a modified form of construction;

FIG. '6 is a transverse sectional view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 taken approximately on the line 6-6 of FIG. 7, of a further modification of the invention;

FIG, 7 is a sectional view through the cross runner takenapproximately on the line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a transverse section through a main runner similar to FIG. 6, illustrating a further modification in assembled relation; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cross runner such as illustrated in FIG. 8, showing the structure prior totfinal assembly.

- Patented Sept. 19, 1967 The present invention contemplates a runner structure in which the end of the cross runner to be engaged with the intermediate portion of the main runner is suitably formed, or both runners are suitably formed to provide an interlocking arrangement which will prevent disengagement of the two runners, the construction preferably being such that it is also possible to disconnect the runners without material damage to the same if such should be desirable.

As used herein, the term main runner is used merely to identify, as between two runners (which may be of like construction), the runner receiving the end of another runner, which is termed the cross" runner.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the reference numeral 1 indicates generally a main runner to which are connected two cross runners indicated generally by the reference numerals =2 and 3, the latter runners being of like construction and having their ends formed for interlocking engagement with the intermediate portion of the main runner. While it is possible to employ a single type of runner construction in which each runner is correspondingly formed both as to main and cross runners, in the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 the main runner 1 is provided with suitable end tongues 4 whereby two main runners 1 could be disposed with their ends in abutting relation and suitably interlocked by means of the tongues 4, the construction of which is known and forms no part of the invention.

As will be apparent from a reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the runners 1, 2 and 3 are of like general construction, each formed from a single strip of material and provided with an intermediate or web portion 5, along the upper edge of which is formed a fiat head 6, and provided at its lower edge with oppositely directed aligned flange members 7 and 8. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the free end of the cross runner 3 is provided wit-h a tongue 9, extending longitudinally from the intermediate portion 5, and provided at its lower edge with an upwardly extending notch 10 therein, the tongue 9 being of a size to be inserted in a slot 11 in the intermediate portion of the main runner,

the latter being pro-vided with a plurality of such slots at regular intervals to provide for various grid designs.

As will be apparent from a reference to FIG. 2, the tongue 8 is of a size to permit its insertion into the slot 11 by horizontal. disposition of the cross runner in its approximate relationship to the main runner and moving the end of the cross runner at substantially right angles to the plane of the intermediate portion 5 of the main runner to effect insertion of the tongue, following which it may be moved downwardly to dispose the portion of the main runner directly below the slot 11 within the slot 10.

Disposed adjacent the upper bead 6 of the cross runner and formed from the material of the intermediate portion 5 is a projection 12, which is illustrated as being generally triangular in shape having a horizontal upper edge 13 and an inclined front edge 14, the latter extending downwardly and rearwardly with respect to the edge 13. As clearly illustrated in FIG. 2, the projection 12 is so proportioned that when the runners are in their final assembled positions the projection will be disposed directly below the adjacent portion of the bead. 6. Withdrawal of the tongue 9 from the slot 11 is thus prevented by the interlocking engagement of the intermediate portion of the main runner with the tab 15, formed by the slot 10 with respect to the main runner, as above described, the

inclined edge 14 of the projection 12 will engage the adjacent edge of the bead 6, and with continued downward movement of the cross runner the intermediate portion of the main runner will flex sufficiently to let the bead 6 clear the upper edge 13 of the projection 12, following which the main runner will spring into its original configuration to provide the interlocked connection illustrated.

While this construction will provide an effective interlock to prevent undesired disconnection of the runners, if it should be desired to disconnect the cross runner from the main runner, the latter may be flexed slightly to permit disengagement of the bead 6 with the projection 12, following which the cross runner may be moved upwardly to effect withdrawal of the interlocking portion of the main runner with the slot 10.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a modified form of the construction illustrated in FIG. 2, embodying a slightly different tongue construction wherein the slot is considerably larger to form a tab while the upper edge 13 of the projection 12 is elevated somewhat to the construction illustrated in FIG. 2 and is adapted to be disposed in a notch 16 formed in the lower edge of the bead 6, the notches 16 being offset at opposite sides of the bead 6 to provide for engagement of the respective runners with the main runner from opposite sides of the latter, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The general assembly of the construction illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2, the construction of FIGS. 3 and 4, however, providing a lateral interlocking between the projection 12 and the bead 6 of the main runner, and thus preventing any tendency of the cross runner to twist in the slot 11.

The construction illustrated in FIG. 5 is very similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the construction, however, showing the use of a main runner 1 having a higher intermediate portion or web 5, provided with a generally tubular head 6 at the upper edge thereof, cooperable with a cross runner 3 having lesser height than the main runner and formed without a head at its upper edge. In this construction, slot 11 is so proportioned with respect to the tongue 9 and the projection 12 that the latter may be disposed in the slot 11 when in its assembled position. FIG. 5 illustrates, in dotted lines, the disposition of the cross runner with respect to the main runner at an intermediate position of its engagement therewith, the tongue of the crosS runner being initially inserted into the slot 11 as illustrated, the intermediate portion of the main runner being provided with an auxiliary slot 11' therein of a size to receivethe projection 12 and thereby permit the desired longitudinal positioning of the cross runner with respect to the main runner. Following such insertion of the cross runner to the position illustrated in dotted lines, the cross runner may then be moved directly downwardly to its final position as illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 5 with the forward edge 14 of the projection 12 engaging the portion of the intermediate runner directly below the slot 11', functioning to cam the intermediate portion of the main runner which will thereby flex sufficiently to let the projection 12 clear the portion of the main runner below the slot 11' and fall into the slot 11, interlocking the cross runner as illustrated.

FIG. 6 illustrates a construction in which the tongue of the cross runner 2 and the intermediate portion 5 of the main runner 1 are provided with cooperable interlocking means which may be snapped into engagement to retain the runners in the desired position. In this construction the tongue 9 of the runner is provided with a tab 15 adapted to be inserted in a cooperable slot 11 in the intermediate portion of the main runner, the latter having oppositely disposed projections 16a and 161) which are formed from the material of the intermediate portion 5 and extend downwardly and outwardly from their junction therewith as clearly illustrated in FIG. 6. The runner 1 is constructed to receive two cross runners in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1 and the slot 11 is therefore constructed of a width to receive tongues 9 of the two runners, only one of which is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 4 7, and each of the tabs 16a and 16b is adapted to be engaged by a cooperable projection 17 formed on the corresponding cross runner.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the tab or projection 17 extends upwardly and outwardly from the tongue 9 from which it is formed and adapted to underlie the tab 16a when the runners are in operative position, as will be apparent from a reference to FIG. 7. Assuming that a second cross runner is insered in the remaining portion of the slot 11, the tab 17 of such runner would extend in operative position below the projection 16b at the opposite side of the intermediate portion of the main runner. The respective projections 16a and 16b cooperable with their associated projection 17 are operable to restrict upward movement of the cross runner with respect to the main runner and thus prevent disengagement of the tab 15' from the intermediate ortion of the main runner and withdrawal of the tongue 9 from the slot 11.

The cross runner 2 may be readily operatively connected with the main runner by inserting the tongue 9 into the slot 11, the cross runner is thus elevated above its normal position, but it may extend horizontally, in which case the projection 17 would be disposed above the projection 16a so that no interference therebetween will initially take place. When the tongue 9 has been fully inserted in longitudinal direction into the slot 11 the cross runner may then be moved downwardly to the position illustrated in FIGS. 6- and 7. Assuming that the inserted runner is the first of two runners to be so engaged, the width of the slot obviously will permit operative positioning of the first cross runner illustrated without material interfence from the projection 16b, but when the second tongue is inserted from the opposite side of the main runner, upon downward movement of the cross runner to its final position the projection 17 thereof may give or flex sufiiciently to permit the tongue 9 to be forced downwardly into its final position. Assuming that the slot 11 was only of a width to permit entry of a single runner, such flexing action of the projection 17 would similarly take place upon the final downward movement of the sole cross runner with respect to the main runner. While this construction provides a very secure and positive interlocking action, the runners may be disconnected by use of a screw-driver or other tool by means of which the projection 17 is eventually pushed in-ward'ly and worked beyond the projection 16 associated therewith to permit the associated cross runner to be moved upwardly and thus permit the tongue 9 to be withdrawn from the slot 11.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a further modification of the invention in which the end of the cross runner 2 isprovided with deformable means which may be manually moved into interlocking position following the desired insertion of the cross runner to its final position. In this construction, the intermediate portion 5 of the cross runner is provided with a tongue 9 having an interlocking tab 15' at its lower end generally comparable to the tab'15 previously described with respectto other figures, the tongue 9 being adapted'to be disposed within the slot 11 and the tab 15' interlocked with the intermediate portion of the main runner 1. The cross runner 2 is provided adjacent the tongue at the top of the intermediate portion 5 with a generally rectangular-shaped tab 18 formed from the material comprising the intermediate portion 5 by cutting a horizontally extending slit 19 therein, the tab 18 initially being bent out of the plane of the intermediate portion 5 about a vertical axis as illustrated in FIG. 9, so that such tab will not engage the fiat bead 6 during engagement of the tongue 9 in the slot 11,and following disposition of the cross runner in operative position with the main runner, as illustrated in FIG, '8, the tab 18 may be manually bent back int-o the plane of the intermediate portion 5, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 9.

As will be apparent from a reference to FIG. 8, the proportions of the intermediate portion as to height, and the length of the tab 8 is such that the tab will be disposed directly below the flat bead 6 with its free end substantially abutting the intermediate portion 5 of the main runner, and thereby prevent inward movement of the tongue 9 with respect to the slot 11, as well as prevent upward movement of the cross runner with respect to the main runner. Obviously, this construction may be employed in connection with the use of a single cross runner or the use of two cross runners corresponding to the arrangement of FIG. 1 and if it should be desired to disconnect a cross runner the tab 18 thereof may be readily bent out of the plane of the intermediate portion 5 sulficiently to permit clearance with the bead 6 and thus permit withdrawal of the runner.

It will be noted that in all of the forms of the invention illustrated a desired degree of interlocking is effected between the end of the one runner or the ends of two runners, as the case may be, and the main runner with which they are connected, which interlocking opposes movement of the cross runner relative to the main runner in a direction that would permit withdrawal of the cross runner and disengagement thereof from the main runner. However, in all forms of the invention illustrated it is possible to disconnect the runners, if desired, without materially damaging the runners to the extent that they could not be re-engaged and reused.

It will be further noted that all of the constructions illustrated employ simple means on the cross runners and make use of cooperable elements normally found on runners of this type or simple means specifically provided for the purpose on the cooperable main runner, the specific means for achieving the desired results, in any case beingsimply designed and readily capable of fabrication by the usual manufacturing techniques.

As previously mentioned, While the terms main runner and cross runner have been employed for the pur poses of distinguishing between the respective runners involved, it is believed apparent that, in any of the constructions disclosed, both or all of the runners involved may be of like construction and could even be identically constructed so that only one type of runner was em ployed. In such case, in distinguishing between the runners, the term main runner merely generallyindicates' the runner which is provided with the slot ll in which are received the ends of other runners identified ascross runners.

Likewise, while I have illustrated runners in FIGS. 5 through 9, which have been termed the cross runners of the assembly, and which 'have not been provided with longitudinally extending beads on the top edge of their intermediate portion, it is believed obvious that such runners could be constructed with a longitudinally extending top bead in the same manner as the runners designated as main runners. i

It will also be appreciated that if desired suitable deformable portions may be provided in various parts of the respective runners to enable use of the runners in a ffirerated suspended ceiling system.

Changes may be made within the scope and spirit oftheappended claims which define -what is believed to be new and desired to have protected by Letters Patent.

I claim:

1. In an interlocking joint for suspended ceiling systems comprising main and cross runners on which ceiling panels are supported, in which the ends of the cross runners are connected to main runners intermediate the ends of the latter, and in which each of said cross and main runners have a vertical intermediate portion, from the lower edge of which aligned flange members extend outwardly in opposite directions, upon which flange members the ceiling panels are supported, said main runner having a bead portion, each cross runner having a tongue extending from a free end thereof, the vertical intermediate portion of the cooperable main runner having a vertically extending slot therein of a size to receive the are in their assembled positions, for preventing move-1 ment of the cross runner in 'a disengaging direction relative to the main runner, means formed on said cross runner at said tongue disposed for interlocking engagement with said head portion of, saidlmain runner for restricting undesired linear and angular movement in either of the vertical directions of the cross runner relative to the main runner to prevent disengagement of said tab with the intermediate portion of said main runner and, thus prevent withdrawal of said tongue from said slot.

2. An interlocking joint according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion of said main runner terminates at its upper edge in a relatively flat longitudinally GXtCIide ing reinforcing bead, and. said interlocking means for the prevention of vertical movement of said tongue rel-;

ative to said intermediate portioncomprises a projection; disposed on said cross runner for interlocking engagement with the bead on said main runner. l

3. An interlocking joint according to claim 2, wherein said interlocking means for preventing vertical movement of said tongue comprises a rectangularly shaped tab extending forwardly from the cross runner and bendable on a vertically extending axis, said rectangular tab having such horizontal and vertical dimensions that it may be disposed for engagement with the intermediate portion and with said beadto prevent vertical movement of said cross runner relative to said main runner and horizontal movement of said cross runner toward said main runner.

4. An interlocking joint according to claim 1, comprising a projection formed by a portion of said tongue which is disposed out of the plane of the latter, and a projection on said main runner formed by a part of the intermediate portion of the latter and disposed out of the plane of such intermediate portion, said last mentioned projection being cooperable with the projection on said tongue for interlocking engagement therewith.

'5. In an interlocking joint for suspended ceiling systerns comprising main and eross runners on which ceiling panels are supported, in which the ends of the cross runners are connected to main runners intermediate the ends of the latter, and in which each of said cross and main runners have a vertical intermediate portion, from the lower edge of which aligned flange members extend downwardly in opposite directions, upon which flange members the ceiling panels are supported, thefintermediate portion of said main runner terminating atjits upper edge in a relatively flat longitudinally extending reinforcing bead, each cross runner having a tongue extending from a free end thereof, the vertical'inte'rmediate portion of the cooperable main runner having a vertically extending slot therein of a si ze to receive the tongue of the cross runner, said tongue having a downwardly extending locking tab at the free end thereof disposed for interlocking connection with the intermediate portion of the main runner below said slot therein for, preventing movement of the cross runner in a disengaging direction relative to the main runner,a projection disposed on said cross runner at said tongue disposed for interlocking engagement with thebead on said main runner for preventing vertical movement of the cross runner relative to the main runner to prevent disengagement of said tab with the intermediate portion of said main runner and thus prevent withdrawal of said tongue from said slot, said bead-engaging projection being generally triangular in shape and formed with a substantially horizontally extending top edge engageable with said head, the forward edge being inclined downwardly and rearward- 1y with respect to the top edge, and providing camming means for facilitating interlocking of such projection with such bead.

6. An interlocking joint according to claim 5, wherein said locking tab is formed by a vertically extending notch disposed in the lower edge of said tongue.

7. In an interlocking joint for suspended ceiling systerns comprising main and cross runners on which ceiling panels are supported, in which the ends of the cross runners are connected to main runners intermediate the ends of the later, and in which each of said cross and main runners have a vertical intermediate portion, from the lower edge of which aligned flange members extend outwardly in opposite directions, upon which flange members the ceiling panels are supported, the intermediate portion of said main runner terminating at its upper edge in a relatively flat longitudinally extending reinforcing bead, each cross runner having a tongue extending from a free end thereof, the vertical intermediate portion of the cooperable main runner having a vertically extending slot therein of a size to receive the tongue of the cross runner, said tongue having a downwardly extending locking tab at the free end thereof disposed for interlocking connection with the intermediate portion of the main runner below said slot therein, for preventing movement of the cross runner in a disengaging direction relative to the main runner, means formed on said cross runner at said tongue disposed for interlocking engagement with a portion of said main runner for preventing vertical movement of the cross runner relative to the main runner to prevent disengagement of said tab with the intermediate portion of said main runner and thus prevent withdrawal of said tongue from said slot, said interlocking means for the prevention of vertical movement of said tongue relative to said intermediate portion comprising a projection disposed on said cross runner for interlocking engagement with the bead on said main runner, the main runner provided with a transverse not-ch therein disposed to receive said bead-engaging projection when said runners are in operative position, operative to prevent transverse movement of the latter relative to said bead.

8. An interlocking joint according to claim 7, wherein the slot in said main runner is of a size to receive the tongues of two opposed cross runners, said bead having a notch therein at each side of the intermediate portion, said notches each being of a.width slightly larger than the thickness of the metal forming the cross runner, with the notches being offset relative to one another.

9. In interlocking joint for suspended ceiling systems comprising main and cross runners on which ceiling panels are supported, in which the ends of the cross runners are connected to main runners intermediate the ends of the latter, and in which each of said cross and main runners have a vertical intermediate portion, from the lower edge of which aligned flange members extend outwardly in opposite directions, upon which flange members the ceiling panels are supported, each cross runner having a tongue extending from a free end thereof, the vertical intermediate portion of the cooperable main runner having a vertically extending slot therein of a size to receive the tongue of the cross runner, said tongue having a downwardly extending locking tab at the free end thereof disposed for interlocking connection with the intermediate portion of the main runner below said slot therein, for preventing movement of the cross runner in a disengaging direction relative to the main runner, means formed on said cross runner at said tongue disposed for interlocking engagement with a portion of said main runner for preventing vertical movement of the cross runner relative to the main runner to prevent disengagement of said tab with the intermediate portion of said main runner and thus prevent withdrawal of said tongue from said slot, said interlocking means for prevention of vertical movement of said tongue relative to said intermediate portion comprising a projection disposed on said cross runner which is generally triangular in shape and is formed with a substantially horizontally extending top edge, the forward edge being inclined downwardly and rearwardly with respect to said top edge, the slot in said intermediate portion of the main runner being of a size to receive said projection when the runners are in operative position, said intermediate portion having a second slot therein disposed above said first mentioned slot, and of a size to receive said projection during assembly of said runners to facilitate initial insertion of said tongue in the first mentioned slot.

10. In an interlocking joint for suspended ceiling systems comprising main and cross runners on which ceiling panels are supported, in which the ends of the cross runners are connected to main runners intermediate the ends of the latter, and in which each of said cross and main runners have a vertical intermediate portion, from the lower edge of which aligned flange members extend outwardly in opposite directions, upon which flange members the ceiling panels are supported, each cross runner having a tongue extending from a free end thereof, the vertical intermediate portion of the cooperable main runner having a vertically extending slot therein of a size to receive the tongue of the cross runner, said tongue having a downwardly extending locking tab at the free end thereof disposed for interlocking connection with the intermediate portion of the main runner below said slot therein, for preventing movement of the cross runner in a disengaging direction relative to the main runner, means'formed on said cross runner at said tongue disposed for interlocking engagement with a portion of said main runner for preventing vertical movement of the cross runner relative to the main runner to prevent disengagement of said tab with the intermediate portion of said main runner and thus prevent withdrawal of said tongue from said slot, the slot in said runner being of a width to receive the tongues on two oppositely disposed cross runners, each cross runner having a projection formed by a portion of its tongue which is disposed out of the plane of the latter, said main runner having two projections thereon, disposed at opposite sides of said intermediate portion, each such projection on said runner for-med by a part of the intermediate portion of the latter and disposed out of the plane of such intermediate portion, each of said last mentioned projections being cooperable with a projection on the tongue of a respective cross member for interlocking engagement therewith.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,213,417 1/1917 Roper 287189.36 1,213,498 1/1917 Johnson et al. 287--l89.36 2,903,104 9/1959 Brown 287-18936 3,221,846 12/ 1965 Brown et al. 287-189.36

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, PETER M. CAUN,

Examiners.

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