Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title: LEVELLING CLIP FOR SUSPENDED CEILING SYSTEMS
BACRGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to an improved method and
apparatus for levelling suspended ceiling grid systems.
Description of the Prior Art
Suspended ceiling systems are well known and are the most
common ceiling system used in office complexes and residential
basement renovations. The suspended ceiling grid system comprises
wall angle mouldings, main grid members (main tees) running in one
direction of the ceiling with cross members (cross tees) connected
to adjacent main grid members to form the grid pattern. The most
common grid patterns are rectilinear or square grids although a
non-rectilinear pattern can be used if desired.
In installing a suspended ceiling system the first step
after doing a layout is the installation of the wall angle
moulding. Typically a mark is made at the height desired for the
new ceiling. The height of the wall angle moulding is added and by
using a carpenter's level a level line is marked around three
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walls. A chalk line can be used to mark the fourth wall. The wall
angle moulding is then fastened to the wall with the top edge of
the moulding placed on the level line. Making sure the wall angle
moulding is at the same height and level around the room is an
important first step in installing the ceiling properly.
The main grid members or tees are suspended from the
floor above by wire or plastic fasteners. With reference to the
layout, the distance from one wall for the border panels is
measured. Using that distance and a chalk line the location of the
first main tee is marked on the floor joists. Chalk lines are then
made parallel to the first chalk line the length of a panel
(typically four feet). Wire or plastic fasteners are then nailed or
screwed into the floor joists (or floor) approximately every four
feet along the chalk lines. Hanger wires are then securely attached
to the fasteners.
Very seldom is a room perfectly square. So from any
corner of the room, two reference strings are stretched along both
walls at the distance calculated for the border panels. The strings
are attached to the bottom of the wall angle moulding by nails,
pins or tape and aligned so they intersect at a 90 angle. This
will insure that the grid pattern is square. One string will be the
guide for the first main tee and the other string for the first row
of cross tees.
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The first main tee is trimmed so that a cross tee slot
lines up with the cross tee guide string when the trimmed end is
set on the end wall moulding. The trimmed main tee may then be
placed on the side wall moulding with the trimmed end against the
end wall. A mark is made on the side wall through the wire support
hole in the main tee that is farthest from the end wall but closest
to a hanger wire. The process is repeated on the opposite wall. A
tight string line is stretched across the room from mark to mark.
The hanger wires are bent at 90 where they touch the string.
Additional strings are utilized at eight to ten foot intervals and
hanger wires bent so that the ceiling will be level across the
room.
The first main tee is installed at the guide string with
the trimmed end on the end wall moulding and the other end
supported by one of the pre-bent hanger wires. To span the length
of the room main tees are connected until the last main tee needs
trimming to fit on the opposite end wall moulding. The main tees
are supported every eight to ten feet using the pre-bent hanger
wires. The remaining hanging wires are inserted into the support
holes in the main tee. Using a level the wires are adjusted to
ensure the main tee is level. The process is repeated for each row
of main tees.
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Starting at the guide string the cross tees are installed
between main tees and for some grid systems (2' x 2') between cross
tees. The middle ceiling panels are inserted into place to square
up the grid. The main tee is then realigned with the guide string
as the grid structure with panels inserted will slide along the
wall angle moulding. The cross tees between the main tees and wall
angle moulding are then measured, trimmed and installed starting at
the guide string, doing first a cross tee on one side then the
opposite side of the room alternately until all cross tees are in
place.
The ceiling panels are then installed starting first with
the middle panels and then the panels around the border of the room
that must be measured and cut to fit the openings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a simple
means of levelling the grid of a suspended ceiling system.
An other object of the present invention is to provide a
simple means of squaring the pattern of main grid members and cross
members of a suspended ceiling system.
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An other object of the present invention is to provide
faster and easier means of installing a suspended ceiling system
including levelling and squaring the pattern of main grid members
and cross members of a suspended ceiling system.
Accordingly the present invention comprises a levelling
clip for use during the installation of suspended ceiling systems.
The levelling clip includes a base portion, rear retention means
and front retention means for attaching in sliding engagement the
clip to the wall angle moulding.
Further features of the invention will be described or
will become apparent in the course of the following detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more clearly
understood, the preferred embodiment thereof will now be described
in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a top view of a levelling clip according to
the present invention.
Figure 2 is a top view of the clip of Figure 1 with the
rear tab bent for retention between the wall and the wall angle moulding.
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Figure 3 shows the clip of Figure 1 attached to the wall
angle moulding.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to Figures 1 - 3, the levelling clip according
to the present invention is generally indicated at 1. The levelling
clip 1 consists of a base portion 2 generally having a rectangular
shape and a rear retention means consisting in the preferred
embodiment of tab 3. In order to connect the clip to the wall angle
moulding, the clip also includes front retention means which in the
preferred embodiment consist of a pair of parallel longitudinal
slots 4,5 located in the front of the base portion 2 forming side
tabs 7,8 in the front section 6 of base portion 2. The side tabs
7,8 can be bent over the front edge of the wall angle moulding. An
aperture 9 is provided in front section 6.
As shown in Figure 2, rear tab 3 is intended to be bent
at right angles to base portion 2 when the clip is in use. The clip
is preferably made from a flat piece of thin gauge metal sheeting
that provides sufficient rigidity and strength to operate as
intended and yet permit the rear tab to be easily bent without the
need for any special tools. To make it easier to bend the tab 3, a
small hole lO is provide with its center along the point of
connection between the rear tab and the base portion.
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The gauge of the material from which the clip is made
must be thin enough to permit the rear tab to fit between the
vertical flange 12 of wall angle moulding 11 and the wall (not
shown) without damaging the moulding or wall.
The side tabs 7,8 and slots 4,5 are sized so that when
the rear tab 3 is bent and placed between the vertical flange 12 of
wall angle moulding 11 and the wall, the side tabs can be folded
over the edge 14 of horizontal flange 13 of the wall angle moulding
to attach the clip to the moulding. The side tabs will secure the
clip to the moulding so that it doesn't fall off but will permit
the clip to slide along the moulding. So that the clip will slide
without hitting any obstructions, such as the nails securing the
moulding to the wall, the rear tab is shorter than the height on
the wall moulding were it is fastened to the wall.
As shown in Figure 3, string 15 is connected to the clip
through aperture 9. The initial attachment of the clip to the wall
angle moulding requires the rear tab to first be bent at 90 to the
base of the clip. The tab is then, from below the moulding,
inserted between the vertical flange of the moulding and the wall.
Side tabs are then bent over the front edge of the moulding to hold
the clip in place. The size of the rear tab and side tabs is such
that the clip can be easily removed from the wall angle moulding by
pulling down on the rear of the clip. The clip can also be re-
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attached to the wall moulding by putting the side tabs over the
front edge of the moulding and pushing the rear tab up between the
wall and moulding.
The levelling clip 1 can be used to both square the grid
system and level the main tees. The clips are attached to the wall
angle mouldings to run string lines across the room perpendicular
to the direction of the main tees. With the cut end of the main tee
on the end wall moulding the other end of the main tee is lowered
until it barely touches the string line. Using the hanger wire or
T-bar hanger straps the main tee is secured at this height to
insure a level ceiling. The strings can be moved down the room by
sliding the clips along the wall angle mouldings eliminating the
need to measure mark and set up separate strings down the room.
To square up the main tees and the first row of cross
tees the clips of the present invention can be used to run guide
strings by sliding the clips along the wall mouldings to the
desired location without the need to run separate strings.
The clips of the present invention make it easier and
faster to ensure that the suspended ceiling is level and square.
It will be appreciated that the above description related
to the preferred embodiment by way of example only. Many
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variations on the invention will be obvious to those knowledgeable
in the field, and such obvious variations are within the scope of
the invention as described and claimed, whether or not expressly
described.
