Patent ID: 7770349
Filing Date: 2010-08-10
Classification: E04B

Abstract:
1. A clip for bridging a longitudinal gap between a pair of grid tee lengths, the clip having a cruciform shape in plan view formed by a set of four integral arms, one pair of the arms extending along a first line in opposite directions from a center of the clip, and another pair of arms extending along a line perpendicular to said first line in opposite directions from the center of the clip, said arms when oriented for installation having an inverted U-shape cross-section proportioned to be assembled vertically over a respective one of four intersecting lengths of grid tees having an inverted T-shape with a reinforcing hollow bulb at its upper edge, at least one of said arms having an elongated longitudinally extending fastener receiving slot and other of said arms having locations for receiving respective fasteners, said slot and receiving locations each being arranged to receive and allow a fastener and the respective arm to be anchored to the bulb of an associated tee, the length of the slot being at least as long as a desired gap between the gapped lengths of grid tees, the remaining arms being arranged to be locked relative to associated lengths of the intersecting tee lengths by fasteners positioned in said locations and received in the reinforcing bulbs of respective tee lengths, said slot being arranged to restrict its respective grid tee length to telescope within the associated arm a distance corresponding to the length of the slot in the event of an unusual force being applied longitudinally to said respective grid tee length, the slotted arm and the slot each being sufficiently long to overlie the bulb of a tee that is spaced from the end of an aligned tee that projects beyond the flanges of cross tees received in the clip so as to form a control joint.