Improvements in Metallic Ceilings and in Plates therefor.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Jan., 1893-Accepted, 18th Feb., 1893
COMPLETE DIECITI
Improvements in Metallic Ceilings and in Plates therefor.
I, LONGLEY LEWIS SAGENDORPI, of the corner Hamilton and 23rd Streets in
the City and County of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, United States of
America, Inventor and Sheet-metal Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had
to the accompanying drawing:
:-
The object of my invention and the advantages arising therefrom will be
apparent from the description hereinafter given.
In the accompanying drawing:
:-
Figure 1, is a plan view of a section of ceiling showing one of my improved
plates in position.
Figure 2, is a similar view, on an enlarged scale, taken at the juncture of four
ceiling plates embodying my invention.
Figure 3,
a longitudinal section taken on the dotted line 3, 3, of Fig. 2.
Figure 4, is a transverse section taken on dotted line 4, 4, of Fig. 2, on a still
enlarged scale.
Figure 5 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale taken on line 5, 5 of
Figure 2.
My invention consists of a metallic plate A (embossed or plain) having a
marginal raised moulding a, which preferably extends continuously around said
plate in an unbroken line, said moulding terminating in an interlocking flange b;
that is, the flange on one side of the plate is designed to interlock with a similar
flange on the side of the adjacent plate, when secured in place in the manner
hereinafter set forth.
The primary objects of my invention are: first, to provide a flange for each side
of a plate, such as above described, which will fit into or engage with the flange on
an adjacent plate in such a manner as to render the seam or stile thus formed dust-
proof; second, to so interlock said flanges as that they will engage and mutually
assist to support each other and provide for expansion and contraction; and, third,
to so unite said flanges that all rough edges shall be hidden from view and thus add
to the beautifying effect of the entire ceiling.
With these objects in view, I preferably form the flanges 6 dove-tailed in cross-
section, the outer and projecting portion 62 of the top flange resting along its edge
at the point of juncture between the underlying flange and its moulding a, as more
clearly shown in Fig. 4. This construction accomplishes a two-fold object, viz.: to
securely lock the plates together, and, at the same time hide the terminal edge of
lap 2 from view, as shown in Fig. 2.
•
In the top of each flange b is formed the continuous ribs or beads D, which are
preferably of a serpentine outline, as shown, the one bead intersecting with the
other bead at the points c, when two beads are employed, as shown. These beads
are preferably formed in the top face of said flanges inward from their offset,
leaving the blank shoulders d2 at each side thereof.
With a seam or stile formed in the manner just described, it is impossible for
any dust or dirt to work through between the flanges, as the beads D will effectually
clog and stop the same... These beads also add rigidity to the seam; and, in
connection with the flat shoulders d² on a plane with the base of said beads, will
also assist to prevent warping from place.
In the formation of my improved plate, it is preferred that the downwardly
projecting portion 62 on the flange at one side and end of the plate be not bent
inward until after said flanges are placed over the dove-tailed flanges of the

page_text: adjacent plates, at which time the said portion 2 is bent inward with a suitable
former or tongs, thus securely and firmly locking the plates together,-the
beads D on the top flange engaging over the corresponding beads in the lower
flange.
At the corners of four plates, I employ a metallic rosette E, having radiating
arms e, the latter being provided with beads D' corresponding to the beada D on
that portion of the flanges which said arms overlap. The arms e are preferably
provided with downwardly projecting flanges e², which latter are compressed over
and around the dove-tailed flanges of the underlying plates, as shown in Fig. 5.
By this means the ragged edges of the plates, at the meeting corners thereof, are
completely hidden from view; and, the arms of the rosette, being of the same
outline configuration as the flanges on the plates, are not readily distinguished
therefrom, especially after having been properly painted and decorated.
· The rosettes at the corners of the plates are retained to place by means of a nail
or screw h secured to a block H, the latter being securely fastened to the joist or
ceiling strips.
It will be seen that by reason of the dove-tailed interlocking flanges on the
plates, I am enabled to dispense with the continuous furring strips now commonly
used in putting up metallic ceilings, and need use only the blocks H at the proper
points. I also avoid the necessity of nailing through the flanges. The rosettes
are so embossed as that the heads of the nails, passed centrally through them, are
not perceptible after decoration.
The various advantages arising from my invention have been partially set forth,
and need not be re-enumerated. The various features of my invention are designed
to cheapen the cost of constructing the ceiling by a saving of time and material.
The plates can be readily taken down and used in another room or building without
damage. The construction is such as to completely hide all broken or ragged
edges of the material, thus producing an artistic symmetrical and pleasing effect to
All the fire-proof qualities found in any metallic ceiling are found in my
improved ceiling, with the additional feature of being dust-proof.
the eye.
I am aware that it is not new, broadly, to emboss a metallic plate with a con-
tinuous raised moulding, as that feature is old and well known in the manufacture
of bird-cage bottoms, waiters and various other articles; but,
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
(1) A metallic ceiling plate having a continuous raised moulding terminating
in flanges adapted to interlock with flanges on adjacent plates, substantially as set
forth.
(2) A metallic ceiling plate having side interlocking flanges, the latter having
the raised beads D on their top face, the said beads on one flange being adapted to
overlap corresponding beads on the flange of an adjacent plate, substantially as
specified.
(3) A metallic ceiling plate having a continuous raised moulding terminating in
flanges dove-tailed in cross-section, said flanges being provided with raised beads,
substantially as set forth.
(4) A metallic ceiling consisting of plates having a continuous raised moulding
terminating in interlocking flanges, the flange at one side of the plate interlocking
with the flange on the side of an adjacent plate, the corners of said plates being
covered with rosettes having arms e and interlocking flanges e, substantially as set
forth.
(5) A metallic ceiling plate having flanges 6 with beads D formed thereon, in
combination with a metallic rosette having arms e adapted to engage with said
flanges, said arms having beads D' corresponding in outline with the beads D,
substantially as set forth.
(6) A metallic ceiling plate having a continuous raised moulding a terminating:

page_text: in flanges b, the latter having on their top face the beads D and a continuous flat
portion or shoulder d' at each side of said beads, the flange thus formed being
adapted to overlap a correspondingly formed flange on an adjacent plate, sub-
stantially as set forth.
(7) A metallic ceiling made up of plates A, each plate having a continuous
raised moulding terminating in a flange interlocking with a like flange on the
adjacent plate, with a single block H beneath the corners thereof, and a rosette
over the corners of the plates, said rosette being connected to said block, as set
forth.
Dated this 30th day of November 1892.
LONGLEY LEWIS SAGENDORPH.