Patent Abstract:
Disclosed is a device for supporting acoustical ceilings and other suspended objects. The device includes a clamp that is removably inserted into an outer sleeve. The exterior wall of the clamp includes threaded elements that can mate with threaded elements disposed on the interior wall of the outer sleeve so that the clamp can twist in and out of the outer sleeve in a screw-like manner. The clamp includes a cavity for securing a ceiling wire therein, wherein the ceiling wire can be attached to an overhead ceiling structure. The outer sleeve is removably secured to a ceiling grid. In use, the clamp can be repositioned within the outer sleeve to adjust the height of the ceiling grid. In this way, the present invention can be used in construction and commercial applications in a convenient manner, thereby simplifying the process of providing support for acoustic ceilings.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/264,961, filed on Dec. 9, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to suspended and/or acoustical ceilings. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a device that is used to a support system for suspended and/or acoustical ceilings and other similar fixtures. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Various types of ceiling systems are used in commercial and residential building construction to provide a desired acoustical performance and appearance. One type of common ceiling system is a suspended acoustical tile ceiling, which typically comprises some sort of a panel or grid structure suspended from the overhead structural ceiling of the room. 
         [0004]    Traditionally, suspended ceilings grids are held by hanger wires attached to an overhead support structure. The hanger wires are threaded through an exposed tee grid on the acoustical lay-in ceiling panel and then each of the wires is tied to itself. These hanger wire systems as disclosed in the prior art have several known drawbacks, however. While existing hanger wires can support ceiling grids and ceiling panels, these wires are inconvenient to connect and tie, thus making it laborious to install acoustic ceilings. Additionally, untying and re-tying wires can damage the wires over time. Damaged wires are unlawful in many jurisdictions as they could lead to unsafe conditions. In this regard, the invention described herein addresses this problem. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In view of the disadvantages inherent in the known types of devices for supporting acoustic ceiling tiles now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved acoustical ceiling support device for grid systems, lighting fixtures, mechanical registers, electrical boxes, fire alarm devices, and the like. 
         [0006]    The following discloses a simplified summary of the specification in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the specification. This summary is not an extensive overview of the specification. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the specification nor delineate the scope of the specification. Its sole purpose is to disclose some concepts of the specification in a simplified form as to prelude to the more detailed description that is disclosed later. 
         [0007]    The present invention comprises a support device for acoustical ceilings and other suspended items or objects. The device comprises a clamp having a first section that is hingedly attached to a second section. Each of the first section and the second section of the clamp comprises an elongated member having a first end and a second end, wherein the distance between the first end and the second end is the length of the elongated member. Each elongated member is curved so that it is substantially half of a cylinder. In this way, the first section and the second section form a complete cylinder with a hollow cavity when attached together. 
         [0008]    The interior wall of the clamp comprises a plurality of spikes that is composed of a high-friction material. The clamp is configured to secure a ceiling wire therein. The exterior wall of the clamp comprises threaded elements such that the clamp can be removably inserted in an outer sleeve via a screw connection. In this regard, the interior wall of the outer sleeve comprises mating threaded elements for receiving the clamp therein. The outer sleeve further comprises a pair of extended portions that can hold a tee grid therebetween, wherein the tee grid is secured in place via a stopper. The tee grid is attached to a ceiling grid, thereby allowing the outer sleeve to support the ceiling grid when attached to the tee grid. It is noted that while the exemplary embodiment of the invention is used with acoustical ceilings, the present invention can be used to support lighting fixtures, mechanical registers, electrical boxes, fire alarm devices, and the like. 
         [0009]    It is, therefore, an objective of the present invention to provide a device that clips onto a ceiling wire for easily installing acoustic ceiling tiles without the need for tying the wire around itself. 
         [0010]    It is another objective of the present invention to provide a device for readily adjusting a height of acoustic ceiling tiles and leveling acoustic ceiling tiles in a convenient manner. 
         [0011]    It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a device for installing new and existing acoustic ceiling tiles. 
         [0012]    It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a device for installing new and existing lighting fixtures, mechanical registers, electrical boxes, fire alarm devices, and other devices that can be hung by a ceiling wire. 
         [0013]    A final objective of the present invention to provide a device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and commensurate with durability. 
         [0014]    In the light of the foregoing, these and other objects are accomplished in accordance with the principles of the present invention, wherein the novelty of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a first section of the clamp of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a second section of the clamp of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows an outer sleeve of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a view of a ceiling wire as disposed within the clamp of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the present invention as assembled. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of the present invention as assembled. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  shows a view of the present invention in use and as compared to prior art. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The present invention is directed towards a device for supporting acoustical or dropped ceilings and other suspended fixtures. For purposes of clarity, and not by way of limitation, illustrative views of the present invention are described with references made to the above-identified figures. Various modifications obvious to one skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In this regard, while the exemplary embodiment of the invention is used with acoustical ceilings, the present invention can be used to support lighting fixtures, mechanical registers, electrical boxes, fire alarm devices, and the like. 
         [0024]    As used herein, the word “exemplary” means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to disclose concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” Additionally, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” or “at least one” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. It is to be appreciated that determinations or inferences referenced throughout the subject specification can be practiced through the use of artificial intelligence techniques. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are shown views of a first section and a second section of a clamp of the present invention. Each of the first section  101  and the second section  110  comprises an elongated body comprising an exterior wall  106  and an interior wall  105 , wherein the exterior wall  106  comprises a ridged surface  103  or a threaded element and the interior wall  105  comprises a plurality of spikes  102  separated at regular intervals. 
         [0026]    The spikes  102  comprise a substantially conical shape and extend inward such that the tips of the spikes  102  are biased away from the interior wall  105 . The spikes  102  are shaped and dimensioned so that they do not overlap one another. Additionally, the spikes  102  are disposed so as to leave room for a ceiling wire to extend through the interior of the clamp when the first section  101  and the second section  110  are joined together. Additionally, the spikes  102  are composed of a high-friction material such that the ceiling wire would not easily slide through the clamp and the ceiling wire can be secured via high-friction means. 
         [0027]    The first section  101  and the second section  110  has a first side edge opposite a second side edge, the two side edges separated by a space. Thus, each of the first section  101  and the second section  110  is a half of a cylinder such that a cross section of both of the sections  101 ,  110  is substantially C-shaped. In this way, when the first section  101  and the second section  110  of the clamp are joined together, a cross section of the clamp is substantially circular. In the illustrated embodiment, the first section  101  and the second section  110  can be joined together via a pin so as to resemble a cylinder or a tube structure with a hollow interior portion. 
         [0028]    More particularly, the first side edge of the first section  101  comprises a first set of joining sections  107 , wherein each of the joining sections  107  is separated by a first set of spaces  109 . Each of the joining sections  107  includes an opening  104  that spans the width of the joining section  107  on which it is disposed such that each end of the opening  104  leads to the spaces  109  between the joining sections  107 . Similarly, the first side edge of the second section  110  comprises a second set of joining sections  112 , wherein each of the joining sections  112  is separated by a second set of spaces  113 . Each of the joining sections  112  includes an opening  104  that spans the width of the joining section  112  on which it is disposed such that each end of the opening  104  leads to the spaces  113  between the joining sections  112 . The second side edge of the first section  101  includes an elongated space  108 . The elongated space  108  is centrally located along the second side edge of the first section  101 . The elongated space  108  is shaped and dimensioned to receive an elongated joining section  111  on the second side edge of the second section  110 . The elongated joining section  111  is centrally located along the second side edge of the second section  110 . 
         [0029]    The first set of the joining sections  107  is configured to mate with the second set of spaces  113 , and the second set of the joining sections  112  is configured to mate with the first set of spaces  109  such that the openings  104  on the first and second sections  101 ,  110  are coaxially aligned to receive a pin  143  ( FIG. 4 ) therethrough. In this way, the first section  101  can be hingedly attached to the second section  110  of the clamp, and the clamp can be moved from an open position to a closed position. 
         [0030]    The distance between the first end  114  and the second end  115  of the elongated body define a length of the first section  101 , and the distance between the first end  116  and the second end  117  of the elongated body define a length of the second section  110 . The length of the first section  101  and the length of the second section  110  are substantially equal so that the two sections  101 ,  110  can be joined together to form a unitary tubular structure. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a perspective view of an outer sleeve of the present invention. The outer sleeve  124  includes a substantially cylindrical body with a first end  125  and a second end  132 . The interior surface  128  of the cylindrical body includes threaded elements  129  thereon, wherein the threaded elements  129  can mate with the threaded elements  103  ( FIGS. 1, 2 ) on the exterior wall  106  ( FIGS. 1, 2 ) of the first  101  ( FIG. 1 ) and second sections  110  ( FIG. 2 ) of the clamp. The second end  132  of the cylindrical body includes a pair of extended portions comprising a first extended portion  127  and a second extended portion  131  extending downward, the two portions  127 ,  131  separated by space and positioned opposite to each other. Each of the first extended portion  127  and the second extended portion  131  comprises a circular opening  126 ,  130  thereon. The openings  126 ,  130  on the first and second extended portions  127 ,  131  are aligned. In this way, the openings  126 ,  130  are configured to receive a stopper or a pin therethrough for securing the device onto a ceiling grid. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a view of the clamp as attached to a ceiling wire. The first section  101  and the second section  110  of the clamp are joined together via a pin  143  that is disposed through the opening on the first and second section  101 ,  110 . The clamp is configured to hold a portion of a ceiling wire  133  therein. The ceiling wire  133  can be placed between the first section  101  and the second section  110  when the clamp is in an open position and then secured when the clamp is in a closed position, as shown. The spikes  102  ( FIGS. 1, 2 ) prevent the ceiling wire  133  from sliding within the clamp. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there are shown views of the present invention as assembled. The clamp is inserted into the outer sleeve  124  in a screw-like manner (i.e., in a twisting or rotating motion) via threaded elements on the exterior wall of the first section  101  and second section  110  of the clamp and mating threaded elements on the interior surface of the outer sleeve  124 . Preferably, the ceiling wire  133  is inserted into the clamp before the clamp is inserted into the outer sleeve  124 . It is contemplated that the upper end of the ceiling wire  133  is attached to an overhead structure or ceiling structure. 
         [0034]    The device  134  can be connected to a ceiling grid by placing an exposed tee grid of the ceiling grid between the two extended portions and aligning the openings  130  on the extended portion  131  of the outer sleeve  124  to an aperture on the exposed tee grid of the ceiling grid. Thereafter, the ceiling grid can be secured in place by placing a stopper  144  through the opening on the first extended portion of the outer sleeve  124 , the aperture on the exposed tee grid, and the opening  130  on the second extended portion of the outer sleeve  124 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a view of the present invention in use. In operation, the desired location and/or position for the suspended ceiling are determined (i.e., by considering the lighting location, room scale, etc.) and the wall angles are attached. Thereafter, suspension or ceiling wires are attached. It is contemplated that various types of ceiling wires  133  can be used, including 12 gauge ceiling wires. 
         [0036]    The ceiling wire  133  can be inserted into the clamp of the device  134 , and then the clamp can be inserted into the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve secures the tee grid between its first and second extended portions on a lower end thereof so as to align an aperture  138  with the openings on the extended portions and insert the stopper  144  therethrough. The stopper  144  can be secured via press-fit or similar means. The existing method of securing the ceiling wire  133  to the ceiling grid  137  would entail looping a standalone ceiling wire  141  directly through an aperture  138  on a tee grid of a ceiling grid, then tie the wire  141  around itself. Thus, if the wire  141  is not tied correctly, the ceiling grid  137  cannot be supported in a proper manner. 
         [0037]    The tee grid is attached to a ceiling grid  137 . Once a desired height or position of the suspended ceiling grid  137  is located, a laser level  139  can be mounted to a wall  136  to project a laser beam  140  to level or adjust the ceiling grids  137 . In this regard, the clamp can be twisted further into the outer sleeve to shorten the length of the ceiling wire  133 , thereby increasing or raising the height of the ceiling grid  137 . Conversely, the clamp can be twisted further out of the outer sleeve to increase the length of the ceiling wire  133 , thereby decreasing or lowering the height of the ceiling grid  137 . The existing method of adjusting the height of the ceiling grid  137  would entail untying the wire  141 , and either tightening or loosening the wire and then retying the wire  141 . The existing method is more time consuming and inconvenient as it can be difficult to untie the ceiling wire  141  and re-tie it in place. 
         [0038]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0039]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4