Clip for suspended ceiling members

A clip for a suspended ceiling being suspended from an overhead structure has at least first and second adjoined ceiling members defining a top surface interfacing with the overhead structure and an opposite undersurface. The top surface of each of the first and second adjoined ceiling members defines at least one slot. The clip comprises a main longitudinal body and a pair of inserts. The main longitudinal body defines opposite ends. Each of the inserts downwardly extend from respective one of the ends of the longitudinal body. Each of the inserts configured to be inserted into a respective one of the slots. The clip is mountable to the first and second adjoined ceiling members with one insert being inserted in the slot of the first ceiling member and the other insert being inserted in the slot of the second ceiling member thereby maintaining the first and second ceiling members in the adjoined position against separation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to suspended ceilings. More particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a clip for suspended ceiling members.

BACKGROUND

Suspended ceilings are secondary ceiling that are suspended from an overhead structure. Suspended ceilings include suspended ceiling members such as runners, cross members and panels. These ceiling members have a top side surface that interface with the overhead structure and an opposite underside surface. Usually, suspended ceiling are made of a metal grid consisting of tracks in the form of longitudinal parallel runners spaced apart from one another at a desired distance and separated by cross members in a perpendicular fashion thereby creating a plurality of rectangular openings for receiving rectangular panels. In general, those rectangular openings are of standard sizes allowing the ventilation outlets and the lighting fixtures to be easily inserted among the ceiling panels.

OBJECTS

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a clip for suspended ceiling members.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a suspended ceiling comprising clip for the ceiling members thereof.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a kit for a suspended ceiling comprising ceiling members and a clip therefor.

A method of constructing a suspended ceiling.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a clip for a suspended ceiling being suspended from an overhead structure and having at least first and second adjoined ceiling members defining a top surface interfacing with the overhead structure and an opposite undersurface, the top surface of each of the first and second adjoined ceiling members defining at least one slot, the clip comprising: a main longitudinal body defining opposite ends; and a pair of inserts, each of the inserts downwardly extending from respective one of the ends of the longitudinal body, each of the inserts configured to be inserted into a respective one of the slots, wherein the clip is mountable to the first and second adjoined ceiling members with one insert being inserted in the slot of the first ceiling member and the other insert being inserted in the slot of the second ceiling member thereby maintaining the first and second ceiling members in the adjoined position against separation.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a suspended ceiling for being suspended from an overhead structure, the suspended ceiling comprising: at least first and second adjoined ceiling members defining a top surface interfacing with the overhead structure and an opposite undersurface, the top surface of each of the first and second adjoined ceiling members defining at least one slot; a clip comprising a main longitudinal body defining opposite ends and a pair of inserts, each of the inserts downwardly extending from respective one of the ends of the longitudinal body, each of the inserts configured to be inserted into a respective one of the slots, wherein the clip is mountable to the first and second adjoined ceiling members with one insert being inserted in the slot of the first ceiling member and the other insert being inserted in the slot of the second ceiling member thereby maintaining the first and second ceiling members in the adjoined position against separation.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a kit for a suspended ceiling for being suspended from an overhead structure, the kit comprising: at least first and second adjoined ceiling members defining a top surface interfacing with the overhead structure and an opposite undersurface, the top surface of each of the first and second adjoined ceiling members defining at least one slot; a clip comprising a main longitudinal body defining opposite ends and a pair of inserts, each of the inserts downwardly extending from respective one of the ends of the longitudinal body, each of the inserts configured to be inserted into a respective one of the slots, wherein the clip is mountable to the first and second adjoined ceiling members with one insert being inserted in the slot of the first ceiling member and the other insert being inserted in the slot of the second ceiling member thereby maintaining the first and second ceiling members in the adjoined position against separation.

In an embodiment, each of the inserts forms an acute angle with the main longitudinal body, each slot comprising a corresponding angular configuration.

In an embodiment, the main longitudinal body is a flat member.

In an embodiment, the clip further comprises flexible and resilient material.

In an embodiment, each of the insert defines with the main longitudinal body a respective corner portion therebetween. In an embodiment, each of the corner portions comprises a flexible and resilient material.

In an embodiment, each insert is a separate piece mountable to the main longitudinal body.

In an embodiment, the main longitudinal body is modular. In an embodiment, the modular longitudinal body comprises at least two pieces which are connectable.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of constructing a suspended ceiling for being suspended from an overhead structure, the method comprising: providing at least first and second ceiling members defining a top surface interfacing with the overhead structure and an opposite undersurface, adjoining the first and second ceiling members; providing at least one slot on the top surface of each of the first and second adjoined ceiling members; providing a clip comprising a main longitudinal body defining opposite ends and a pair of inserts, each of the inserts downwardly extending from respective one of the ends of the longitudinal body, each of the inserts configured to be inserted into a respective one of the slots; and mounting the clip to the first and second adjoined ceiling members by inserting one insert in the slot of the first ceiling member and the inserting the other insert in the slot of the second ceiling member thereby maintaining the first and second ceiling members in the adjoined position against separation.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises varying the length of the main longitudinal body.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Generally stated and in accordance with a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment, there is provided a clip for a suspended ceiling being suspended from an overhead structure having at least first and second adjoined ceiling members defining a top surface interfacing with the overhead structure and an opposite undersurface. The top surface of each of the first and second adjoined ceiling members defines at least one slot. The clip comprises a main longitudinal body and a pair of inserts. The main longitudinal body defines opposite ends. Each of the inserts downwardly extend from respective one of the ends of the longitudinal body. Each of the inserts configured to be inserted into a respective one of the slots. The clip is mountable to the first and second adjoined ceiling members with one insert being inserted in the slot of the first ceiling member and the other insert being inserted in the slot of the second ceiling member thereby maintaining the first and second ceiling members in the adjoined position against separation.

With reference to the Figures, non-limiting illustrative embodiments will now be described.

FIGS. 1 and 2show a clip10for ceiling members of a suspended ceiling structure12(shown inFIGS. 3 and 4) or suspended ceiling structure12′ (shown inFIGS. 5 and 6) that is suspended from an overhead structure (not shown).

The clip10includes a main longitudinal body14defining a top side16and an opposite underside18as well as two opposite ends20aand20b. The clip10includes a pair of inserts22aand22b. Each insert22aand22bdownwardly extends from a respective end20aand20b. Respective corner portions C are defined between each insert22a,22band the main longitudinal body14.

The clip10is made of a strong, flexible and resilient material in order to maintain the ceiling members of the suspended ceiling structures12and12′ in position against separation as will be described herein.

Turning toFIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of clips10are shown to be mounted to adjoined first and second ceiling members24aand24b, respectively.

Each of the ceiling members24aand24bdefines a top side surface26that interfaces with the overhead structure (now shown) and an opposite underside surface28. The ceiling members24aand24bare longitudinal structures defining respective and opposite longitudinal ends30as well as opposite lateral sides32, The top side surface26of each of the ceiling members24aand24bincludes at least one slot34. Each slot34is configured to receiving one of the inserts22aor22b. As such, each insert22aor22bis configured to be inserted within a given slot34.

When the ceiling members24aand24bare adjoined end30to end30, the clip10is mounted on the respective top surfaces26of the ceiling members24aand24babout the junction J thereof with the underside18of the main longitudinal body14interfacing with the top surfaces26of the ceiling members and the junction J. The underside18can be spaced apart from the top surfaces26or engage them. The longitudinal body14of the clip10extends from the slot34of the first ceiling member24ato the slot34of the second ceiling member24b. The first insert22ais inserted within the slot34of the first ceiling member24a. The second insert22bis inserted within the slot34of the second ceiling member24b. The slots34are defined by spaced apart walls36(seeFIG. 4), In an embodiment, each insert22aand22bengages the wall36that is proximal to the junction J of the respective slot34they are inserted in. As such, the clip10, clips therebetween a portion of the first and second ceiling member24aand24bmaintaining the ceiling members together against separation about the junction J.

Turning back toFIG. 1, in an embodiment, each insert22aand22bforms a respective acute angle α with the underside18of the longitudinal body14. In this way, the clip10inwardly grips the walls36of the first and second ceiling members24aand24b. When the members24aand24bare slightly moved away from each other during assembly or due to other factors such as humidity, the inserts22aand22bare moved against their angular direction increasing the stress applied on the walls36at each side of the junction J to maintain the adjoined ceiling members24aand24bin position against separation.

Turning now toFIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown a suspended ceiling structure12′ including first and second ceiling members24a′ and24b′ adjoined together in a perpendicular relationship relative to each other. The first ceiling member24a′ is abutted on its lateral side32′ by the longitudinal end30′ of the second ceiling member24b′ and a junction J′. The abutting lateral side32′ of the first ceiling member24a′ and the abutting end30′ of the second ceiling member24bhave a complementary configurations, wherein a protruding upper portion40′ of end30′ sits on a protruding lower portion42′ of later side32′.

Like ceiling members24aand24bdescribed above, the second ceiling member24b′ also include at least one respective slot34′ formed on its top side surface26′. The first ceiling member24a′ also includes a slot35′ on its top side surface26′. In an embodiment, the slot35′ can also receiving a clip assembly (not shown) for mounting the first ceiling member24a′ to the overhead structure (now shown). In an embodiment, the slot35′ has a dovetail configuration. Of course, other suitable configurations can also be contemplated.

The clips10are mounted on the top surfaces of the ceiling members in the overhead area (the area above the suspended ceiling beneath the overhead structure), as such these removable clips10can maintain adjoined ceiling members in position against separation all the while not disturbing the aesthetic appearance of the suspended ceilings.

The clips10may be provided as separate elements or in kits along with the ceiling members.

FIGS. 7 and 8show a modular clip100, where the main longitudinal body102is modular and comprises separate body components, namely end body components104aand104band median body components106aand106b, In an embodiment, the clip100includes a greater or lesser number of median body components106aor106b.

The end body components104aand104bcomprise respective underside surfaces108aand108band respective top surfaces110aand110. Each body component104aand104bdefines respective ends112aand112bconnected to respective inserts114aand114band respective opposite free ends113aand113b.

A given median body component106aor106bdefines top and underside surfaces116and118, respectively, as well as first and second ends120and122, respectively, The terms “first” and “second” are used here for indicative purposes only and thus are interchangeable.

The body components are connected together via teeth or hook elements124of one body component being inserted into the corresponding apertures126of another body component. Of course, other connecting elements for varying the length of the modular longitudinal body102can be contemplated by the skilled artisan within the scope of the description.

Turning now toFIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown a clip200comprising a main longitudinal body202and a pair of separate end body components204aand204bmountable thereto.

The main longitudinal body202defines top and underside surfaces205and206respectively and opposite ends208and210as well as apertures212near each end,208and210.

Each separate body component,204aand204bdefines an end top portions214defining a free end216with an insert218connected thereto as well as top and underside surfaces,220and222respectively. The top portion214includes teeth or hook elements224protruding from the underside surface222near the free end216. The teeth or hooks224are fitted within the apertures212for connecting the end body components204aand204bto the main longitudinal body202.

The present disclosure is also drawn to suspended ceilings including the clips and ceiling members disclosed herein as well as methods of constructing suspended ceilings with the clips and ceiling members disclosed herein.

The clips and ceiling members of the present disclosure may be provided in a variety of suitable shapes and sizes that are convenient to use as described herein and may be made of a variety of suitable materials.

The various features described herein can be combined in a variety of ways within the context of the disclosure so as to provide still other embodiments. It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It Is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence, although the present disclosure has been provided hereinabove by way of non-restrictive illustrative embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the scope, spirit and nature of the disclosure and appended claims