Abstract:
A ceiling panel suspension system includes a tapered anchor installing head driver for use in a ceiling anchor pole system for installing anchors and associated support wires from a ceiling or other support structure to be used to support a suspended ceiling. The tapered body of the head driver enables an installer to better visually align the anchor with a previously drilled pilot holes.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     I. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates generally to an improved ceiling support system, and more particularly, to a ceiling support installation system having an extension pole, a tapered lag driver head, a wire hanger, and a complimentarily dimensioned ceiling anchor which provides for the efficient installation of anchors and associated support wires for a suspended ceiling. 
     II. Description of the Prior Art 
     It is common for panel ceilings in office buildings, warehouses and the like to be suspended from an overhead support structure. Such panel ceilings typically comprise a frame network which is supported by hanger wires attached to anchors threaded into the support structure, and removable panels which are supported by the frame network. By removing the ceiling panels, access can be gained to electrical wiring, plumbing, and ventilation ducts and the like installed above the ceiling. 
     Installation of the hanger wires used to suspend the frame network is often accomplished by the use of a wire installation head mounted on the end of an extension pole. The hanger wire is typically first threaded through a hole in the head of a ceiling anchor or similar fastener to be attached to the overhead support structure, and twisted back around itself for secure attachment to the anchor. In some installations, the anchor is bolted to the overhead support structure; in most installations, however, the anchor is a screw-type anchor which is screwed into the overhead support structure. 
     As a result of the distance between ground level and the overhead support structure, as well as the number of wires required to suspend a ceiling, it is inconvenient for an installer to carry the necessary equipment up and down a ladder and to move the ladder from location to location. While scissor lifts have been used to decrease the up and down time, they have proven to be bulky, inconvenient and even dangerous. Accordingly, pole tools have been developed which permit the installer to secure an anchor to an overhead support structure and install a wire to the anchor while remaining on the ground. 
     Typically, such pole tools include a lag driver head affixed to the end of the pole. The driver head is adapted to hold anchors or similar fasteners for subsequent attachment to the ceiling. A bore through the pole and an aperture through the lag driver head are provided so that hanger wires or threaded rods can be passed through the pole and driver head for connection to the anchor. A commonly used pole system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,116 (Dockery), which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The system disclosed by Dockery includes a telescoping pole and an anchor driving and wire twisting head. While this system does allow for an installer to secure anchors from the ground, depending on the height of the ceiling, accurate placement is often difficult. Additionally, suspending ceilings from a concrete support structure will necessitate that pilot holes be drilled before anchor placement. With use of a traditional pole system such as disclosed by Dockery, it has proven to be difficult to accurately locate these pilot holes from the ground in order to screw in the anchors. 
     Accordingly, it is a general object of the present disclosure to provide a panel ceiling support system which enables a panel ceiling to be efficiently suspended from an overhead support structure. 
     It is a more specific object of the present disclosure to provide a panel ceiling anchor pole system that allows an installer to visually align an anchor to a pilot hole in an overhead support structure. 
     It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a panel ceiling installation system that allows an installer to efficiently and safely install ceiling anchors and associated support wires. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the disclosure will be clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an anchor driver for use in conjunction with a pole tool for securing anchors in an overhead support structure. The driver includes a beveled body portion that defines a taper from its mounting portion to its head portion. The head portion includes two perpendicular channels for receiving the anchor and its associated support wire, respectively. A retaining ring is disposed about the head of the driver wherein the ring and the taper define a field of view for the installer to visually confirm accurate placement of the anchor. 
     There is also provided a pole tool for securing anchors in an overhead support structure. The tool includes an extendable body having a base adapted to operatively couple with a power drill and a connector adapted to couple with an anchor driver. The driver includes a beveled body portion that defines a taper from a pole mounting portion to a head portion wherein the head portion includes perpendicular first and second channels for receiving an anchor and a support wire, respectively. A retaining ring is disposed about the head of the driver wherein the ring and the taper define a field of view for the installer to visually confirm accurate placement of the anchor. 
     There is further provided a system for securing support anchors and associated support wires from an overhead support structure for supporting a suspended framework. The system includes an anchor and associated support wire and a pole tool. The tool includes an extendable body having a base adapted to operatively couple with a powered drill and a connector adapted to couple with an anchor driver. The driver includes a beveled body portion that defines a taper from a pole mounting portion to a head portion wherein the head portion includes perpendicular first and second channels for receiving an anchor and a support wire respectively. A retaining ring is disposed about the head of the driver wherein the ring and the taper define a field of view for the installer to visually confirm accurate placement of the anchor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the views and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art anchor pole apparatus with body sections extended. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the prior art anchor pole apparatus of  FIG. 1  with body sections collapsed. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of a prior art anchor driver head used with the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4   a  is a side view of the anchor pole apparatus of  FIG. 3  showing the line-of-sight of an installer. 
         FIG. 4   b  is an enlarged view of the anchor driver head portion of  FIG. 4   a  showing the line-of-sight of the installer. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged side view of the driver head constructed in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is an end plan view of the driver head of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7   a  is a side view showing the line of sight of an installer using an anchor pole system incorporating an anchor driving head constructed in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7   b  is an enlarged view of the anchor pole apparatus of  FIG. 7   a  showing the line-of-sight of an installer using the apparatus. 
         FIG. 8   a  is a top perspective view of the anchor driver head of  FIGS. 5-7   b  showing the loading of an anchor into the driver head. 
         FIG. 8   b  is a top perspective view of the anchor driver head of  FIG. 8   a  showing the installation of a support wire. 
         FIG. 8   c  is a perspective view of the installed anchor and support wire of  FIG. 8   b.    
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , there is shown a conventional pole apparatus  10  including a body  12  having, for example, at least a first  14  and a second  16  telescoping body member. The body is typically of tubular shape and cross-section and is made of steel. It will be appreciated that this pole apparatus can be of other shapes (i.e. a square or triangular shaped body) and that other materials (i.e. aluminum or alloys) can be utilized in its construction. 
     Apertures  18 A and  18 B are defined in the side of each body section  14 ,  16  to permit access into the interior  20  ( FIG. 3 ) of the body  12  wherein support wires may be stored. As shown in  FIG. 2 , when the telescoping sections  14 ,  16  of the body  12  are in a non-telescoped or collapsed orientation, the respective apertures  18   a  and  18   b  of the body sections  14  and  16  are in radial alignment with one another. 
     A plurality of opposing bores  22  are disposed at predetermined lengths along the body  12 . The bores  22  are engaged by a pin  24  ( FIG. 3 ) such that the body sections  14 ,  16  are secured in either a telescoped or collapsed position depending on the needs of the installer. A clasp  26  may be disposed on the pin  24  such that the pin  24  is removably retained within the bore  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a conventional anchor driver head  30  is shown in removable engagement with a connector portion  32  on the body  12  of the pole apparatus  10 . The driver head  30  includes a mounting portion  34 , for securing the driver  30  to the body via connector portion  32 , and a head portion  36 , for use in receiving fasteners or anchors. The head portion  36  of the driver  30  has a cylindrical body portion  38  and has a pair of axial channels  40   a ,  40   b  extending substantially the entire length of the cylinder, and further includes retainer ring  42  disposed proximate the head portion  36  of the cylinder. 
     During installation, the telescoping body members are first adjusted to the proper length. An anchor  44  is inserted into the head portion  36  of the driver through one of the channels  40 A,  40 B such that the eye  46  of the anchor can receive a section of a support wire  48  passing therethrough. Once the wire is received by a channel and the eye of the anchor, the pole system is raised against the support structure. The anchor can then be installed by rotating the pole manually or with the aid of a power drill coupled to the arm  50  ( FIG. 1 ) protruding from the base  52  of the pole. Once the anchor is securely fastened, the pole is lowered slightly and rotated again to twist the wire  48  about the eye  46 . 
     In the event that the support structure is made of concrete and therefore requires pilot holes to receive the anchor, the installer often has difficulty aligning the anchor with the hole. In particular,  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show the line of sight  60  between the eyes  62  of an installer  64  and a pilot hole  66  (shown enlarged for clarity purposes) in the concrete support structure  68  being obstructed by the cylindrical shape of the driver head  30 . 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     One or more embodiments constructed in accordance with the disclosure will now be described with the aid of  FIGS. 5-8   c .  FIG. 5  is a side view of the tapered anchor driver or anchor head or driver head  100 . As shown, driver head  100  includes a mounting portion  102  for securing the driver to connector portion  32  (see  FIG. 3 ), and a head portion  104  for receiving fasteners or anchors. Head portion  104  is not cylindrical, but is rather inclined, and accordingly is beveled to form a tapered body portion  106  and has a first channel or an axial channel  108  extending along a portion of the distal end of body  106 . Preferably, and as shown in the Figures, opposing sides of cylindrical head portion are beveled and accordingly tapered on opposing sides, although it will be appreciated that a single bevel may be utilized. As such, the distal upper portion of head  104  resembles a truncated cone having opposing flat sides. Preferably, axial channel  108  extends substantially the entire length of the head, as shown in  FIG. 5 . A retainer ring or retaining ring  110  is disposed over the anchor receiving end of the driver head. Retainer ring is dimensioned to engage the non-tapered portion of the cylindrical head portion  104  and there so engaged to provide a gap or space  124  between the inner diameter of ring  110  and the outer diameter of the tapered portion of head  104 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the face  120  of the driver head is described as it relates to its interaction with the support anchor and hanger wire. In particular, the anchor is placed within a second channel or an anchor receiving channel  122  such that the eye of the anchor is in axial alignment with the main head portion channel  108 . The anchor receiving channel and the wire receiving channel are preferably in a perpendicular arrangement relative to the face of the driver. The support wire is then passed through the channel  108  and the eye of the anchor. As shown in  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , the tapered shape of the driver body  106  enables an installer view the anchor through the space  124  between the tapered surface and the retaining ring  110 . In particular, the space between the truncated portion of the driver body and the retaining ring defines a field of view for the installer to visually confirm accurate anchor placement. 
     Once the anchor and hanger wire are installed within the driver head  100 , the installer can accurately place the anchor in the support structure. In particular, as shown in  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , the aforementioned tapered body of the driver allows for the visual confirmation of correct anchor to pilot hole alignment. Specifically, the line of sight  130  between the eyes  132  of the installer  134  and the pilot hole  136  (shown enlarged for clarity purposes) in the concrete support structure  138  is unobstructed. More specifically, the installer  134  is capable of viewing the anchor entering the pilot hole  136  through the space  124  between the tapered body portion  106  of driver head  100  and retainer ring  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8   a - 8   c , the anchor and wire support installation is more particularly described as it relates to the tapered body of the anchor driver head  100 .  FIG. 8   a  illustrates the anchor  44  being inserted into the head portion of the driver and nesting in the anchor receiving channel  122 . Preferably, the tab-like head portion  47  of the anchor is dimensioned in width and thickness to securely but freely slide into channel  122  without providing excess play which could make installation more difficult. Support wire  48  is the fed into the main head portion channel  108 , thru the eye of the anchor, and down toward the body of the pole. Once both the anchor and hanger wire are installed, the pole system is ready to be used. As previously described, the tapered body portion of the driver head allows the installer to view the anchor and pilot hole through the space  124  between the tapered body  106  and the retaining ring  110 . Once aligned, the anchor  44  is screwed into the ceiling  138  by rotating  140  the pole either manually or through the use of a power drill as previously described. When the anchor is fully seated, the pole is lowered slightly such that the wire  48  is held against the retainer ring  110  (see  FIG. 8   b ). The pole is then rotated again to twist the wire about itself (see  FIG. 8   c ). Following installation of all anchors  44  and wires  48 , the suspended panel ceiling can be completed. 
     The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom. Accordingly, while one or more particular embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the disclosure if its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.