Patent ID: 7520095

Claim:
In a connection between a main beam and a cross beam for a grid in a suspended ceiling, wherein (1) the cross beam extends perpendicularly to the main beam, (2) both beams have an inverted T cross section with a web extending between a bulb at the top, and flanges at the bottom, (3) the web of the main beam has a vertically extending slot, (4) the cross beam has a connector that extends into the vertically extending slot, and has a hook that connects on the web of the main beam and prevents the connector from being withdrawn from the slot, the improvement comprising the connector having (a) a metal core that forms the hook, and (b) a plastic encasement over the metal core that forms abutments that position the connector within the slot and that bar further entry of the connector into the slot, wherein, during a fire, the plastic encasement is capable of melting away, so that the connector is capable of further entry into the slot to relieve expansion stresses built up in the cross beam from the heat of the fire.