Patent ID: 6843033

Claim:
A connecting mechanism for connecting first and second ceiling panel supporting stringers in a T configuration, each of said ceiling panel supporting stringers comprising a main plate portion having a lower end and engaging edges extending from said lower end of said plate portion for supporting edges of ceiling panels, said connecting mechanism comprising: an insertion hole formed through said main plate portion of said first ceiling panel supporting stringer; a base plate portion extending from an end of said second ceiling panel supporting stringer and having a forward end; a connecting projection extending in the same direction as the extending direction of said base plate portion from said forward end of said base plate portion and having a vertical length which is generally the same as that of said insertion hole; and a backward projection extending at an angle of about 180 degrees from said connecting projection and having an end edge, said backward projection being shaped such that the distance from said end edge to said forward end of said base plate portion is generally the same as the thickness of said main plate portion of said ceiling panel supporting stringer, wherein said backward projection of said connecting projection comprises a U-shaped raised portion raised in the thickness direction of said connecting projection and having a forward edge continuous with said connecting projection and the free backward edge, said U-shaped raised portion being shaped such that the distance from said free backward edge to said forward end of said base plate portion is generally the same as the thickness of said main plate portion of said ceiling panel supporting stringer, whereby, when said connecting projection of said second ceiling panel supporting stringer is pressingly inserted through said insertion hole of said first ceiling panel supporting stringer, said forward end of said connecting projection of said second ceiling panel supporting stringer abuts against one side of said main plate portion of first ceiling panel supporting stringer and said free end edge of said U-shaped raised portion of said second ceiling panel abuts against the other side of said main plate portion of said first ceiling panel supporting stringer beside said insertion hole to prevent said connecting projection of second ceiling panel supporting stringer from being withdrawn from said insertion hole of said first ceiling panel supporting stringer.