Ceiling system

Abstract

Described herein is a method for mounting a grid hanger assembly of a ceiling system. The ceiling system, in one embodiment, includes a grid support member, ceiling panel, and grid hanger configured to support the grid support member in a suspended manner from an overhead structural support. The grid hanger includes a mounting bracket configured for attachment to the structural support and a hanger member. The hanger member is adjustable in a plurality of selectable mounting positions relative to the mounting bracket, thereby allowing the mounted height of the grid support member to be adjusted in the field. In some embodiments, the hanger member is further angularly adjustable relative to the mounting bracket to avoid installation obstacles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for mounting a grid hanger assembly of a ceiling system comprising:
 a) providing a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket comprising:
 a bottom flange and adjoining vertical side flanges extending upwardly from the bottom flange, the bottom and side flanges configured to engage an overhead support structure when mounted thereto; 
 an elastically deformable spring clip; and 
 an elongated hanger member slideably coupled to the spring clip; 
   b) abutting the bottom flange of the mounting bracket with a bottom surface of an overhead support structure;   c) fixedly attaching a side flange of the mounting bracket to a side surface of the overhead support structure;   d) sliding the hanger member to one of a plurality of selectable mounting positions relative to the mounting bracket, the spring clip frictionally securing the hanger member in position; and   e) attaching a grid support member of the ceiling system to the mounting bracket with the hanger member,   wherein the mounting bracket defines a vertical mounting centerline,   wherein the elongated hanger member comprises a coupling end configured to engage a grid support member of the ceiling system and a top end having a travel stop that limits the height of the hanger member relative to the mounting bracket, and   wherein the spring clip is configured to frictionally secure the hanger member in one of a plurality of mounting positions relative to the mounting bracket and is deformable between an unlocked position allowing adjustment of the hanger member relative to the mounting bracket and a locked position frictionally locking the hanger member.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring clip of the mounting bracket comprises a plurality of spring arms each having a guide hole defined by an edge. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the spring arms extend outwardly at an oblique angle in relation to each other forming a generally V-shaped structure. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the shape of the guide hole is a diamond, polygonal, or non-polygonal. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the spring arms extend outwards from a front side of the side flange of the mounting bracket in a direction opposite to the bottom flange which extends perpendicularly from a rear side of the side flange. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the spring arms are located midway between vertical peripheral side edges of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein a top one of the spring arms projects vertically above a top edge of the side flange and a bottom one of the plurality of spring arms projects vertically below a bottom edge of the side flange. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein each spring arm comprises an intermediate portion joined to the side flange and a horizontal terminal end obliquely angled to the intermediate portion, the intermediate portion of each spring arm oriented obliquely to the side flange. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated hanger member further comprises a plurality of index notches positioned in a vertically spaced apart manner along a length of the elongated hanger member. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the elongated hanger member comprises an intermediate portion that extends from a bottom end to a top end and comprises a front surface and a rear surface, the coupling end comprising a hook that extends from the front surface of the intermediate portion, and wherein the plurality of index notches are formed into the front surface of the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         11 . A method for mounting a grid hanger assembly of a ceiling system comprising:
 a) providing a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket comprising:
 a side flange; 
 a bottom flange; 
 an elastically deformable spring clip, the spring clip comprising a plurality of spring arms each having a guide hole defined by an edge; and 
 an elongated hanger member slideably coupled to the spring clip; 
   b) abutting the bottom flange of the mounting bracket with a bottom surface of an overhead support structure;   c) fixedly attaching the side flange of the mounting bracket to a side surface of the overhead support structure;   d) sliding the hanger member to one of a plurality of selectable mounting positions relative to the mounting bracket, the spring clip frictionally securing the hanger member in position; and   e) attaching a grid support member of the ceiling system to the mounting bracket with the hanger member,   wherein the elongated hanger member comprises a coupling end configured to engage the grid support member and a plurality of index notches positioned in a vertically spaced apart manner along a length of the elongated hanger member,   wherein the spring clip is deformable between an unlocked position allowing adjustment of the elongated hanger member relative to the mounting bracket and a locked position whereby the edges that define the guide holes of the plurality of spring arms engage one or more of the plurality of index notches to prevent adjustment of the elongated hanger member relative to the mounting bracket; and   wherein the mounting bracket further comprises at least one flexible cantilevered securement tab comprising a bottom end formed integrally with the side flange and a pointed free end.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the spring arms extend outwardly at an oblique angled in relation to each other forming a generally V-shaped structure. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the hanger member comprises a J-shaped hook that extends through an opening in one of the grid support members. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the bottom flange is oriented perpendicularly to the side flange and engaged with a bottom surface of the overhead support structure. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of index notches are uniformly spaced apart along a length of the elongated hanger member. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of index notches comprises a recess in an outer surface of the elongated hanger member, and wherein in the locked position a portion of the edge of each of the plurality of spring arms nests within one of the recesses formed by one of the plurality of index notches. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the spring arms extend outwards from a front side of the side flange of the mounting bracket in a direction opposite to the bottom flange which extends perpendicularly from a rear side of the side flange. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the bottom and side flanges and the spring arms are formed as integral unitary structural parts of the mounting bracket body which are bent to form the flanges and spring arms. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the spring arms are located midway between vertical peripheral side edges of the bracket. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the bottom and side flanges and the spring arms are formed as integral unitary structural parts of the mounting bracket body which are bent to form the flanges and spring arms