Ceiling tile and edge suspension system

Abstract

A rectangular ceiling tile is provided including a core containing fiber material with two opposite first and second edges, the tile forming a projecting, circumferential rim on the lower face thereof. The ceiling tile also includes two oppositely disposed, generally C-shaped edge support clips, each having one or more limbs and inserted into the core in a transverse edge surface thereof, and each having a web forming a protruding edge having a stepped groove. The stepped groove has a deeper section and a shallower section. The protruding edge of each of the clips extends transversely of a transverse edge of the tile. Clips and methods of installing such ceiling tiles are also provided.

1 . A rectangular ceiling tile to be supported in an exposed type suspended grid system of perpendicularly crossed girders of inverted T-profile, said tile comprising:
 a) a core containing fiber material with two opposite first edges, forming each a stepped recess, and two opposite second edges forming each a stepped recess, the tile forming a projecting, circumferential rim on the lower face thereof, alongside said first and second edges; and   b) at least two oppositely disposed generally C-shaped edge support clips, each having one or more limbs that are inserted into the core in a transverse edge surface thereof, and each having a web forming a protruding edge having a stepped groove, said stepped groove having a deeper section and a shallower section, said protruding edge of each of said clips extending transversely of the transverse edge of said core.   
   
   
       2 . The ceiling tile of  claim 1  wherein said shallower section of said stepped groove permits the clip to rest on a flange of a girder of inverted T-profile. 
   
   
       3 . The ceiling tile of  claim 2  wherein said deeper section of stepped groove permits a downward access clearance for mounting and de-mounting said tile within said grid system. 
   
   
       4 . The ceiling tile of  claim 1  wherein said generally C-shaped metal or plastic edge supporting clips comprise a width of about 0.5-4 inches and a length of about 1-3 inches. 
   
   
       5 . The ceiling tile of  claim 1  wherein said core comprises fibers bonded by a resinous adhesive at a density of less than 5 pounds per cubic foot. 
   
   
       6 . A generally C-shaped edge support clip for ceiling tiles supported in an exposed type suspended grid system of perpendicularly crossed girders of inverted T-profile, said clip comprising:
 a) a metallic or plastic material;   b) one or more limbs that can be inserted into a transverse edge of said ceiling tile;   c) a web forming a protruding edge having a deeper stepped groove that permits downward access for mounting and de-mounting said tile and a shallow section for allowing said clip to rest on a flange of a ceiling suspension grid.   
   
   
       7 . The generally C-shaped clip of  claim 6  wherein said clip has at least two limbs separated by a slot. 
   
   
       8 . The generally C-shaped clip of  claim 7  wherein said clip is manufactured from a single piece of sheet metal. 
   
   
       9 . The generally C-shaped clip of  claim 6  wherein said at least one limb comprises a bayonet-shaped prong. 
   
   
       10 . The generally C-shaped clip of  claim 7  wherein said clip has a tab flush with the bottom of the clip and extending toward the panel outside edge for a distance of from about 0.125 inches to about 0.500 inches to act as a reinforcement for the panel. 
   
   
       11 . A method of installing a rectangular ceiling tile in an exposed type suspended grid system of perpendicularly crossed girders of inverted T-profile, said method comprising:
 a) providing a ceiling tile including a core containing fiber material with two opposite first edges forming each a stepped recess, and two opposite second edges forming each a stepped recess, the tile forming a projecting, circumferential rim on the lower face thereof, along said first and second edges;   b) inserting at least two generally C-shaped metal or plastic edge support clips on each of said two opposite first edges, said at least two generally C-shaped clips each having one or more limbs that are inserted into the core along a transverse edge surface of said core, and each having a web forming a protruding edge having a stepped groove having a deeper section and a shallower section, said protruding edge of each of said clips extending transversely of the transverse edge of the core;   c) supporting a first of said two opposite first edges comprising one of at least two generally C-shaped metal or plastic edge support clips onto a first girder flange of said girders so as to insert said girder flange into said deeper section of said stepped groove;   d) lifting said rectangular ceiling tile so that a second of said two opposite first edges comprising a second of at least two generally C-shaped metal or plastic edge support clips is disposed above a second girder flange; and   e) transversely sliding said rectangular ceiling tile whereby said first and second girder flanges come in contact with the shallower sections of each of said first and second generally C-shaped metal or plastic edge support clips to support said rectangular ceiling tile within said grid system.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said insertion step (b) comprises inserting at least four generally C-shaped metal or plastic edge support clips, whereby at least two generally C-shaped clips are inserted into the core of fiber material along each of two opposite first edges. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said core of fiber material comprises a fiberglass board and said generally C-shaped metal or plastic edge support clips are inserted into a transverse cut edge of said fiberglass board. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein at least said stepped recesses of said two opposite first edges are painted. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein each of said generally C-shaped metal or plastic edge support clips is inserted so that its deeper section of its stepped groove is disposed below its shallower section. 
   
   
       16 . A rectangular ceiling tile to be supported in an exposed type suspended grid system of perpendicularly crossed girders of inverted T-profile, said tile comprising a core containing fiber material with two opposing first edges and two opposing second edges, each of said first and second edges forming a stepped recess having a substantially vertical transverse edge surface and a top edge surface, said vertical transverse edge and said top edge surfaces forming an inside, generally L-shaped, corner of said stepped recess, said inside corner being substantially completely covered in paint. 
   
   
       17 . The rectangular ceiling tile of  claim 16  wherein said core of fiber material comprises textile fiber, rotary glass fibers or both bonded by a resinous adhesive. 
   
   
       18 . The rectangular ceiling tile of  claim 17  wherein said core of fiber material is bonded to a non-woven fiber glass mat on a first major surface of said ceiling tile. 
   
   
       19 . The rectangular ceiling tile of  claim 17  wherein said core of fiber material is bonded to a vinyl or other decorative laminate on a first major surface of said ceiling tile. 
   
   
       20 . The rectangular ceiling tile of  claim 18  wherein said core of fiber material also comprises a second fiberglass mat disposed on a second major surface of said ceiling tile. 
   
   
       21 . The rectangular ceiling tile of  claim 16  wherein said top edge surfaces of said two opposing first edges have a lateral dimension greater than the lateral dimension of the top edge surfaces of said two opposing second edges.