Torsion spring mount for suspended ceiling panels

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved frame clip arranged and constructed to be easily field-mounted and/or reconfigured on a panel frame such as those used to form suspended ceilings. By allowing the installation of the frame clips to be deferred until the panels are being installed, the frame clip permits the panels to be shipped without frame clips and/or attachment hardware, such as torsion springs, installed, thereby reducing the likelihood of shipping damage.

1 . A frame clip comprising: 
 a main body, the main body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first length and a first width, wherein the main body generally defines a first plane that is substantially parallel to the top surface;    an insert having a upper surface, a lower surface, a second length and a second width, wherein the insert defines a second plane parallel to the upper surface, the second plane also being parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane;    a neck, the neck connecting a forward portion of the main body to a rear portion of the insert, the neck having a third length and a third width, the neck generally defining a third plane that is inclined with respect to the first plane; and    a hook having a forward portion and a rear portion, the rear portion of the hook being attached to the main body and the forward portion terminating in the vicinity of the first plane, wherein the hook extends above and in a generally perpendicular orientation relative to the first plane.    
   
   
       2 . A frame clip according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an opening provided in the main body, the opening being located in a rearward portion of the main body.    
   
   
       3 . A frame clip according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the opening is generally centered along a longitudinal axis of the main body.    
   
   
       4 . A frame clip according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the opening is centered about a midpoint of the width of the main body.    
   
   
       5 . A frame clip according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a recess, the recess located along one edge of the main body adjacent the forward portion of the hook, the recess providing a minimum separation distance between the forward portion of the hook and the main body.    
   
   
       6 . A frame clip according to  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the recess has a generally arcuate profile.    
   
   
       7 . A frame clip according to  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the recess has a depth that is less than one half the width of the main body.    
   
   
       8 . A frame clip according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the recess has a depth that is less than one third the width of the main body.    
   
   
       9 . A panel assembly comprising: 
 a frame clip including 
 a main body, the main body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first length and a first width, wherein the main body generally defines a first plane that is substantially parallel to the top surface;  
 an insert having a upper surface, a lower surface, a second length and a second width, wherein the insert defines a second plane parallel to the upper surface, the second plane also being parallel to and spaced apart from the first plane;  
 a neck, the neck connecting a forward portion of the main body to a rear portion of the insert, the neck having a third length and a third width, the third width being less than the first and second widths, the neck generally defining a third plane that is inclined with respect to the first plane; and  
 a hook having a forward portion and a rear portion with the rear portion of the hook being attached to the main body and the forward portion terminating in the vicinity of the first plane, wherein the hook extends above and in a generally perpendicular orientation relative to the first plane;  
   a frame including 
 a channel, the channel having an inner periphery, inner shoulder surfaces, outer shoulder surfaces, a rear wall, a longitudinal opening and a longitudinal channel axis, the open channel being arranged and configured to receive the frame clip insert, an outer periphery of the frame clip insert generally corresponding to the inner periphery of the open channel when the second plane is generally perpendicular to a channel axis.  
   
   
   
       10 . A panel assembly according to  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a groove, the groove being provided on the rear wall of the channel and generally centered below the longitudinal opening.    
   
   
       11 . A panel assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 the insert is positioned within the channel and the frame clip is rotated about an axis to a degree sufficient bring a portion of the upper surface of the insert in contact with the inner shoulder surfaces of the channel and bring a portion of the lower surface of the main body in contact with the outer shoulder surfaces of the channel.    
   
   
       12 . A panel assembly according to  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a fastener extending through the main body of the frame clip to fix the position of the frame clip relative to the channel.    
   
   
       13 . A panel assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein: 
 a forward portion of the fastener extends into the rear wall of the channel.    
   
   
       14 . A panel assembly according to  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a torsion spring having a wound body and extended legs, wherein the hook passes through the wound body.    
   
   
       15 . A panel assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the forward portion of the hook is positioned closely adjacent to or in contact with one of the outer shoulder surfaces.    
   
   
       16 . A method of manufacturing a panel assembly according to  claim 14  comprising: 
 placing the insert through the longitudinal opening and into the channel;    rotating the frame clip generally about the longitudinal axis of the main body so that the insert is retained within the channel by the inner shoulder surfaces;    placing the wound body of the torsion spring on the hook;    rotating the frame clip to align the longitudinal axis of the main body with the longitudinal channel axis in a generally parallel orientation;    fastening the frame clip to the frame, whereby the forward end of the hook cooperates with one of the outer shoulder surfaces to define a substantially enclosed space.    
   
   
       17 . A method of manufacturing a panel assembly according to  claim 14  wherein: 
 fastening the frame clip to the frame includes passing a fastener through a fastener opening provided in the main body of the frame clip and into the channel.    
   
   
       18 . A method of manufacturing a panel assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the fastener extends though the back wall of the channel.    
   
   
       19 . A method of manufacturing a panel assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein: 
 the fastener is a self-drilling screw.    
   
   
       20 . A method of manufacturing a panel assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the fastener extends into and cooperates with a nut provided in the channel to fasten the frame clip to the frame.    
   
   
       21 . A method of manufacturing a panel assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein: 
 the nut is arranged and configured to be inserted through the longitudinal opening in a first position and retained within the channel in a second position, wherein rotation of the nut within the channel is limited to no more than about 180°.    
   
   
       22 . A suspended panel frame system comprising: 
 a plurality of panel assemblies according to  claim 14;     a grid arranged and configured to receive the plurality of panel assemblies, the grid including grid clips arranged and configured to receive the extended legs of a plurality of torsion spring, the grid clips and the extended legs cooperating to provide a removable friction fit sufficient to maintain the panel assemblies in contact with corresponding grid surfaces.