Connections for suspended ceiling system

Abstract

A longitudinal connection for abutting ends of main grid members of a suspended ceiling system is provided where each, of the main grid members have a vertical web portion and a horizontal flange extending across a bottom of the web portion. The longitudinal connection comprising retaining means on the web portion of each of the main grid members adjacent the abutting ends providing an upper and a lower channel. A plate member having opposite first and second sides is slidable within the upper and lower channels on the ends of each of said main grid members. Moveable pin members are provided on the plate member where the pin members are biased to the web portion of the main grid members. Holes on the retaining means on the web portion of each of the main grid members adjacent the abutting ends providing an upper and a lower channel are positioned to receive the pin members when the abutting ends of main grid members are aligned. This results in the plate member pulling the main grid members together at the abutting ends.

1 . A longitudinal connection for abutting ends of main grid members of a suspended ceiling system, wherein the main grid members have a vertical web portion and a horizontal flange extending across a bottom of said web portion, the longitudinal connection comprising (a) retaining means on the web portion of each of the main grid members adjacent the abutting ends providing an upper and a lower channel (b) a connecting plate member having opposite first and second sides slidable within the upper and lower channels on the retaining means on the ends of each of said main grid members (c) moveable pin members on said connecting plate member said pin members biased to said web portion of the main grid members (d) holes on the retaining means on the web portion of each of the main grid members positioned to receive said pin members when the abutting ends of main grid members are aligned whereby said connecting plate member pulls the main grid members together at said abutting ends. 
   
   
       2 . A longitudinal connection for abutting ends of main grid members of a suspended ceiling system according to  claim 1  wherein the retaining means on the web portion of each of the main grid members adjacent the abutting ends providing an upper and a lower channel comprises a connecting block attached to a face of the web portion of each of the main grid members adjacent the abutting ends. 
   
   
       3 . A longitudinal connection according to  claim 2  wherein each connecting block has a generally flat rectangular base portion with opposite sides, each of said opposite sides of the base portion has a series of right angle flanges that together form the upper and lower channels. 
   
   
       4 . A longitudinal connection according to  claim 3  wherein the holes to receive said pin members are located on said connecting blocks. 
   
   
       5 . A longitudinal connection according to  claim 4  wherein the connecting plate member is a connecting plate shaped and sized to slide within the upper and lower channels on each of connecting blocks when the abutting ends of the main grid members are aligned longitudinally. 
   
   
       6 . A longitudinal connection according to  claim 5  wherein the pin members are biased to the web portion by a pair of spring arms. 
   
   
       7 . A method of forming a longitudinal connection for abutting ends of main grid members of a suspended ceiling system, wherein the main grid members have a vertical web portion and a horizontal flange extending across a bottom of said web portion, the method comprising (a) providing retaining means on the web portion of each of the main grid members adjacent the abutting ends to form an upper and a lower channel (b) providing a connecting plate member having opposite first and second sides slidable within the upper and lower channels on the retaining means on the ends of each of said main grid members (c) aligning the abutting ends of main grid members (d) sliding the connecting plate member in the upper and lower channels of each grid member until moveable pin members on said plate member, biased to said web portion of the main grid members, align with and are received in holes on the retaining means on each of the main grid members whereby said connecting plate member pulls the main grid members together at said abutting ends. 
   
   
       8 . A linear connection for detachably connecting cross members to the main grid members of a suspended ceiling system, each of said main grid members and the cross members having a web portion, the linear connection comprising: (a) block means on the web portion of each of the cross members adjacent their ends providing an upper and a lower channel (b) a clip having a head provided with a resilient tab adapted to pass through and lock the head of the clip in a slot on the web of the main grid member, a second end remote from said head and opposite first and second sides slidable within the upper and lower channels of said block means on the ends of each of said cross members to permit a linear connection of the cross members to the main grid members by sliding the clip within the upper and lower channels of said block means until the resilient tab is locked in said slot, stop means on the second end to prevent the clip from being pulled towards the main grid member and out of the block means, whereby said linear connection is detachable by depression of said resilient tab to unlock said resilient tab within said slot and sliding the clip back from said main grid member within the upper and lower channels of said block means to retract the head of the clip from said slot in the main grid member. 
   
   
       9 . (canceled)