T-grid clip

Abstract

T-grid clip connector and method for attaching ceiling tiles to a T-grid, having a body and a mounting head. The mounting head is flexibly connected to the body. The mounting head includes a front portion, a rear portion, and an engagement portion. The rear portion is connected to the body. The mounting head has a normal position with respect to the body and a flexed position with respect to the body. The body is adapted to be mounted to a ceiling tile and the mounting head is adapted to engage a T-grid when in the normal position, temporarily flex to the flexed position as the mounting head passes the T-grid, and return to the normal position and rest upon the T-grid after passing the T-grid to retain the ceiling tile with respect to the T-grid.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A T-grid clip connector for attaching ceiling tiles to a T-grid comprising:
 a body;   a mounting head;   said mounting head is flexibly connected to said body, said mounting head including a front portion, a rear portion, and an engagement portion, said rear portion being connected to said body;   said mounting head having a normal position with respect to said body and a flexed position with respect to said body;   whereby said body is adapted to be mounted to a ceiling tile and said mounting head is adapted to engage a T-grid when in said normal position, temporarily flex to said flexed position as said mounting head passes the T-grid, and return to said normal position and rest upon the T-grid after passing the T-grid to retain the ceiling tile with respect to said T-grid.   
     
     
         2 . The T-grid clip of  claim 1 , wherein said front portion is angled. 
     
     
         3 . The T-grid clip of  claim 1 , further including at least one mounting hole in said body to mount the T-grid connector to a ceiling tile. 
     
     
         4 . The T-grid clip of  claim 1 , further includes bracing member on said body. 
     
     
         5 . The T-grid clip of  claim 1 , wherein said head portion includes a front edge between said front portion and said engagement portion. 
     
     
         6 . The T-grid clip of  claim 3 , wherein said front edge is curved. 
     
     
         7 . The T-grid clip of  claim 1 , wherein said head portion includes a rear edge between said rear portion and said engagement portion. 
     
     
         8 . The T-grid clip of  claim 6 , wherein said rear edge is curved. 
     
     
         9 . The T-grid of  claim 1 , wherein said front portion and said rear portion are joined by an edge. 
     
     
         10 . The T-grid of  claim 8 , wherein said edge is curved. 
     
     
         11 . The T-grid of  claim 1 , wherein said engagement portion has a front edge that is curved. 
     
     
         12 . The T-grid of  claim 1 , wherein said engagement portion has a rear edge that is curved. 
     
     
         13 . The T-grid clip of  claim 1 , further including a locating prong having a leg extending from said body and a foot extending from said leg, said foot being adapted to engage the edge of a tile to locate said T-grid clip on said tile. 
     
     
         14 . The T-grid clip of  claim 1 , further including a locking finger having an arm extending from said body and a finger extending from said arm, said finger being adapted to engage the T-grid. 
     
     
         15 . A method for attaching a ceiling tile to a T-grid;
 providing a ceiling tile;   providing a T-grid;   providing a clip connector for attaching said ceiling tile to said T-grid, said clip connector having   a body;   a mounting head;   said mounting head is flexibly connected to said body, said mounting head including a front portion, a rear portion, and an engagement portion, said rear portion being connected to said body;   said mounting head having a normal position with respect to said body and a flexed position with respect to said body;   mounting at least one T-grid clip to said ceiling tile by mounting said body to said ceiling tile;   engaging said mounting head against said T-grid when said mounting head is in said normal position;   pressing said mounting head against said T-grid and flexing said mounting head to said flexed position as said mounting head passes the T-grid;   said mounting head snapping back to said normal position after passing the T-grid with said engagement portion resting on said T-grid to retain the ceiling tile upon said T-grid.   
     
     
         16 . The T-grid clip of  claim 15 , wherein said front portion is angled, camming said angled portion against said T-grid. 
     
     
         17 . The T-grid clip of  claim 15 , wherein said head portion includes a curved front edge between said front portion and said engagement portion, said front edge camming against said T-grid when pressed against said T-grid. 
     
     
         18 . The T-grid clip of  claim 15 , wherein said head portion includes a curved rear edge on said engagement portion, said curved rear edge camming against said T-grid when said ceiling tile is removed. 
     
     
         19 . The T-grid clip of  claim 15 , further including a locating prong having a leg extending from said body and a foot extending from said leg, engaging said foot against the edge of said tile to locate said T-grid clip on said tile. 
     
     
         20 . The T-grid clip of  claim 15 , further including a locking finger having an arm extending from said body and a finger extending from said arm, engaging said finger with said T-grid to lock said T-grid clip to said T-grid.