Patent ID: 7634881

Claim:
A cross panel for use in a grid-type suspended ceiling, the panel being made of sheet metal and having a main face extending across a rectangular area bounded by first and second pairs of opposite sides, a pair of vertical flanges extending lengthwise along the first pair of opposite sides of said area, each flange having an end adjacent each of said second pair of opposite sides, the length of said flanges between their respective ends being sufficient to substantially span the distance between the second pair of opposite sides of said area, and a connector on each flange end that projects in cantilever fashion horizontally from the flange in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the flange beyond the respective side of said second pair of opposite sides, each connector being generally planar and blade-like in its configuration such that it is free of structure at an upper edge that can overlap an opposing connector and generally vertical in its orientation whereby it is adapted to be inserted into a generally narrow vertically oriented slot in the vertical web of a grid tee, the connector having a rearwardly facing locking surface adapted to grip a side of a grid tee web opposite the side of the web from which it is inserted in the slot, a flange along each of said second pair of opposite sides of said rectangular area that serves to stiffen said panel, said flanges at the first pair of sides being substantially vertical, whereby said cross panel is adapted to form a butt joint with an identical panel at each of said flanges.