Patent Abstract:
A ceiling panel clip with improved characteristics includes a torsion spring retaining loop that has a free end captured beneath a frame member of the ceiling panel. The retaining loop at one end thereof is integral with a base portion of the clip and the free end extends downwardly to the base portion. The base portion and retaining loop preferably cooperate to capture a coiled portion of a torsion spring used to suspend the ceiling panel. Preferably, securing legs of the torsion spring are biased inwardly to allow the coiled portion to be inserted on the retaining loop. Release of the securing legs captures the coiled portion on the clip.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a clip for use in association with a ceiling panel for suspending of the panel below a support structure. The invention also relates to a ceiling panel in combination with a clip. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are a number of well known arrangements for securing ceiling panels to form a finished ceiling surface. Such systems include the conventional “T”-bar systems where ceiling panels are placed above the “T”-bar and supported by outwardly extending flanges of the “T”-bar grid system. It is also known to suspend ceiling panels beneath a support structure such that the panels themselves form the ceiling surface. These suspension ceiling panel systems can include torsion spring arrangements for releasably suspending the ceiling panels beneath a support grid. Examples of suspended ceiling panel systems that include torsion springs for securing thereof are shown in our U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,535,566, 5,428,930 and 4,548,010. 
         [0003]    Suspended ceiling panels preferably include a perimeter frame secured about the periphery of an acoustical body member. Finished surfaces are normally applied to the lower surface of the acoustical body member and can extend along the side surfaces of the perimeter frame. 
         [0004]    An earlier suspended ceiling panel system has a push-on clip for securing of a torsion spring adjacent a top surface of a ceiling panel. These push-on clips include an open hook extending above a base portion of the clip with a gap above the base portion to allow a torsion spring to be inserted and retained on the hook. The hook is secured at one end thereof to the base portion and the opposite end is free of contact with and spaced above the base portion. With this open hook design, the torsion spring can be secured to the clip prior to or after securement of the clip to the panel. The base portion of this clip tightly engages an inwardly extending flange of a perimeter frame of the panel. Various retention-type locks or projections can be provided on the base portion for engagement with the flange of the perimeter frame. 
         [0005]    The present invention provides a clip for a ceiling panel with improved characteristics with respect to retention of a torsion spring or other securing structure on the clip. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A ceiling panel according to the present invention includes an acoustical body member having a peripheral frame secured about the body member. The peripheral frame includes an inwardly extending top flange partially overlying a top surface of the body member. A series of torsion spring retaining clips engage the ceiling panel with each clip retaining a coil of a torsion spring having two elongate securing arms. Each torsion spring retaining clip includes a base portion overlying the top flange with a securing tab connected to an edge of the base portion underlying the top flange. The base portion and the securing tab engage the top flange either side thereof to secure the clip to the top flange. Each torsion spring retaining clip includes an integral retaining finger connected to and extending upwardly from the base portion and passing through the coil of the torsion spring. The retaining finger has a free end with a hooked portion underlying and in load transfer relationship with the top flange capturing the torsion spring on the ceiling panel. 
         [0007]    In a preferred aspect of the invention, the hooked portion of the retaining finger is planar and extends inwardly at the level of the securing tab. 
         [0008]    In a preferred aspect of the invention the ceiling panel includes four clips and torsion springs with each clip and torsion spring being located adjacent a corner of a rectangular ceiling panel. 
         [0009]    In a further aspect of the invention each hooked portion extends inwardly into a cutaway portion of the securing tab. 
         [0010]    According to an aspect of the invention, the base portion of the retaining clip includes a cutaway portion aligned with the cutaway portion of the securing tab. 
         [0011]    In a different aspect of the invention, the retaining finger is of an inverted U shape centered on and extending above the base portion. 
         [0012]    In a further preferred aspect of the invention, the cutaway portions in the base portion and the securing tab have a curvature of a size to allow the coil portion of the torsion spring to be inserted on the retaining finger by passing through the cutaway portions with the hooked portion passing through the coil portion. Preferably, the two elongate securing arms of each coil spring are movable towards each other reducing an angle defined between the securing arms to allow the coil portion to be inserted on the retaining finger. 
         [0013]    In a further aspect of the invention, the securing arms of each torsion spring are movable from a neutral position inwardly towards each other against a bias force created by the torsion spring, the securing arms in the neutral position locking the torsion spring on the retaining finger by an interference relationship with the base portion. 
         [0014]    The invention is also directed to a ceiling panel securing clip. The securing clip includes a base portion overlying a securing tab connected to an edge of the base portion to collectively define a shallow U shape with a securing gap therebetween. An integral retaining finger extends upwardly from a position on a side of the base portion in opposed relationship with the edge of the base portion connected to the securing tab, the retaining finger extending across the base portion at a raised position and then extending downwardly towards the base portion with a free end of the retaining finger having a hooked portion extending inwardly into a cutaway portion of the securing tab. The hooked portion is generally in the plane of the shallow U shape. 
         [0015]    In a preferred aspect of the invention, the securing tab includes a cutaway portion aligned with the cutaway portion of the base portion. 
         [0016]    In a further aspect of the invention, the cutaway portion in the base portion is semi circular. 
         [0017]    In a different aspect of the invention, the securing tab is divided into two securing tabs spaced either side of the cutaway portion of the base portion. 
         [0018]    In a further aspect of the invention, the hooked portion extends less than halfway into the cutaway portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional view of the ceiling panel with the clip and torsion spring mounted to a top flange of the ceiling panel; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of a securement clip engaging a top flange of a perimeter frame where the acoustical body member of the panel has been removed for illustration purposes; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a securing clip about to be applied to the top flange of the ceiling panel adjacent a corner of the ceiling panel; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  shows a torsion spring and securing clip in engagement with a top flange of a perimeter frame adjacent a corner of the ceiling panel; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the securing clip; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the securing clip; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view showing a torsion spring about to be secured to the securing clip; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  shows a torsion spring being partially deformed by inner movement of the securing arms allowing the torsion spring to pass through a receiving port and engage a retaining loop of the securing clip; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 8  with the torsion spring arms in a release position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a bottom perspective view of the torsion spring mounted on the securing clip; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of the torsion spring mounted and retained on the securing clip. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    The ceiling panel  2  shown in  FIG. 1  includes a body of acoustical dampening material  4  having a perimeter frame  6  secured about the edges of the ceiling panel  2 . The perimeter frame is defined by a series of frame members  8  and in the example shown the frame members include mitered corners  10 . Each frame member  8  includes a top flange  12 , a side flange  14  and an intermediate flange  15 . The ceiling panel includes a bottom surface  16  which is the visible surface of the ceiling panel. This surface can have various substrates attached thereto to effectively define the finished surface of the ceiling panel. Such additional substrates have not been shown. 
         [0032]    In a suspended ceiling panel system it is preferred to provide securement adjacent the corners of the panels. This assists in alignment of the panels and also assists in drawing the panel up to abutt against a supporting structure. In this way the level of the ceiling panels beneath a support structure is more consistent. 
         [0033]    The ceiling panel  2  includes a push-on securing clip  20  that receives and retains the torsion spring  40 . Typically a rectangular ceiling panel will include four push-on securing clips with each securing clip having an associated torsion spring and being positioned adjacent a corner of the panel. Each securing clip includes a mounting structure  21  defined by the combination of the base portion  22  and the securing tabs  24 . Each securing tab  24  is integrally connected to the base portion  22  along one side thereof with the securing tab extending beneath the base portion  22 . The base portion and the securing tab define a “U”-shaped mounting structure that receives the top flange  12  of a frame member  8  and provides a secure attachment of the clip to the frame member. 
         [0034]    The securing clip includes a torsion spring retaining loop  26  that receives and retains the coiled portion  42  of the torsion spring  40 . The retaining loop  26  also includes a hook member  36  at a free end thereof that engages the underside of the top flange  12  of a frame member  8 . In this way, the retaining loop  26  is supported by the base portion  42  and the loop is also in direct engagement with the lower surface of the top flange  12 . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate the insertion of the securing clip  20  at a corner of the ceiling panel  2  and the engagement of the hook member  36  beneath the top flange  12 . Since the hook member  36  of the clip  20  is in direct engagement with the top flange  12 , the vertical load exerted by the torsion spring, which is supporting the ceiling panel, on the retaining loop  26 , is shared by the hook member  36 , the top flange  12  and the base portion  22  of the clip  20 . Other positions of the clips on the ceiling panels can be used. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show the preferred structure of the securing clip  20 . The mounting structure  21  includes the base portion  22  that will overlay the top flange  12  of the ceiling panel. The mounting structure also includes the pair of securing tabs  24  which are positioned on opposite sides of the retaining loop  26 . The retaining loop  26  includes a first upwardly extending arm  30  connected to the base portion  22 , a curved second arm  32  which passes over the base portion  22 , a downwardly extending arm  34  which extends to the level of the base portion  22  and an inwardly extending hook member  36  for passing beneath the top flange  12  of a frame member  8  of the ceiling panel. The hook member  36  extends inwardly much in the manner of the securing tabs  24 . Any load placed on the retaining loop  26  by a torsion spring is distributed over the securing clip and it is difficult to cause inadvertent release of the retaining loop from the top flange. The securement of both ends of the retaining loop  26  to the top flange improves the load carrying capacity of the clip. As shown, the hook member  36  is at the level of the securing tabs and of a similar thickness and integral with the clip. Preferably the clip is formed by stamping and bending. 
         [0037]    Also shown in  FIG. 5  is the recessed portion generally shown as  35  which, in combination with the retaining loop  26 , allows a torsion spring to be inserted on the securing clip. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the torsion spring  40  is generally horizontal and the securing clip  20  has the securing tabs generally in a horizontal orientation. 
         [0038]    With this arrangement, there is a curved securement gap associated with the base portion  22  and the inwardly extending hook portion  36  that will receive the coiled portion  42  of the torsion spring  40 . This aspect is shown in  FIG. 8 . The arms  44  and  46  of the torsion spring  40  have been distorted inwardly from a neutral position and are thus within the general circumference of the coil portion  42  adjacent the retaining hook. This allows the coil portion  42  to pass through the gap and be positioned below the inwardly extending hook portion  36  and below the base portion. Once the spring arms are released, the torsion spring is effectively captured on the securing clip. The torsion spring is then free to rotate to an orientation generally 90° to the base portion as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . This is the orientation of the torsion spring when suspending a panel. 
         [0039]    The torsion spring is captured on the securing clip above the base portion (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and inadvertently released thereof is unlikely. As shown in  FIG. 2 , once the retaining clip has been exerted on the frame member, the inwardly extending hook member  36  is positioned underneath the top flange  12  of the frame member  8  and the retaining loop is in secure engagement both with the top flange as well as the base portion  22  of the securing clip. 
         [0040]    The base portion  22  of the securing clip includes downwardly extending locking members  52  that engage the top surface of the top flange  12 . The securing tabs  24  also include locking members  54  which extend upwardly and will engage the bottom surface of the top flange  12 . Preferably the top flange includes a camming member (slight rib), and these locking members are retained behind this camming member. Thus the securing clip has the mounting portion partially deformed to pass over these members and it is then allowed to spring inwardly to lock with the top flange. This structure makes it very difficult to remove the securing clip from the top flange by pulling it away from the edge of the top flange. 
         [0041]    The retention of a torsion spring on a retaining clip as described simplifies final installation as the torsion springs can be preassembled on the retaining clips. Shipment of panels without the retaining clips and torsion springs secured is preferred. The final assembly is fast and also allows retaining clips to be located on panels at different positions on the panel to address any specific installation issues. 
         [0042]    Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4