Ceiling hanger clip | Patent Publication Number 20070125028

A clip is formed from sheet stock and has first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion forms a tab for attaching the clip to an overhead. The second end portion forms a U-bend channel for carrying a wire on the clip. The tab extends transversely away from a first upper end of the U-bend channel. The clip has a first prong and a second prong. The first prong partly blocks a first lateral end of the U-bend channel and is spaced apart from the first lateral end of the U-bend channel adequately to permit passage of a wire element between the first prong and the first lateral end of the U-bend channel. The second prong partly blocks a second lateral end of the U-bend channel. The second prong is spaced apart from the second lateral end of the U-bend channel adequately to permit passage of a wire element between the second prong and the second lateral end of the U-bend channel. The first prong and the second prong lean toward a bottom end of the U-bend channel to obstruct removal of a wire element positioned in the channel. The clip may be shipped separately from the wire element to avoid entanglements and assembled on site.

In one aspect, this invention relates to a clip for hanging a ceiling from an overhead. In another aspect, this invention relates to a hanger assembly for hanging a ceiling from an overhead. In another aspect, this invention relates to a hung ceiling assembly.

It is known to suspend ceilings from an overhead with wire. Attachment of the wire to an overhead, however, is problematic. Tying it to the overhead is generally too slow and depends on the availability of an anchor point. One solution is a tab/wire assembly which is fastened to the overhead with a suitable fastener. The wire is passed through a hole in the tab and tied, and the fastener, a nail for example, is power driven through the tab and into the overhead. The assembly however is bulky to ship, and the assemblies also tend to become entangled during shipment.

What is needed is a clip and wire assembly which for which the elements can be separately shipped and which permits easy assembly on site.

It is an object of this invention to provide such an assembly.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a clip and wire assembly in which the wire is securely held and resistant to accidental dislodgement when being manipulated and positioned and which positively holds the wire once fastened to the overhead.

These and further objects and advantages of the invention will be made more apparent from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a clip. The clip is formed from sheet stock and has first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion forms a tab for attaching the clip to an overhead. By an overhead is generally meant an unfinished ceiling, for example, concrete or beams, which may be made of steel. The second end portion of the clip forms a U-bend channel for carrying a wire element on the clip. The tab extends transversely away from a first upper end of the U-bend channel. The clip has a first prong and a second prong. The first prong partly blocks a first lateral end of the U-bend channel and is spaced apart from the first lateral end of the U-bend channel adequately to permit passage of the wire element between the first prong and the first lateral end of the U-bend channel. The second prong partly blocks a second lateral end of the U-bend channel. The second prong is spaced apart from the second lateral end of the U-bend channel adequately to permit passage of the wire element between the second prong and the second lateral end of the U-bend channel. The first prong and the second prong lean toward a bottom end of the U-bend channel to obstruct removal of a wire element positioned in the channel.

The clip is used, in conjunction with a wire element having an end loop, to hang a ceiling frame element from an overhead. The end loop of the wire element is positioned in the channel of the clip. The clip is attached to the overhead. A ceiling frame element is then provided and the wire element is fastened to the ceiling frame element to hang the ceiling frame element from the overhead. A ceiling can then be suspended from an array of the ceiling frame elements.

FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of one embodiment of the invention in use to suspend a ceiling.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial illustration of a clip according to the prior art.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial illustration of a clip embodying certain features of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial illustration of the clip of FIG. 3 from a different perspective, illustrating how to assemble a wire element therewith.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial illustration of the clip of FIG. 4 after attachment of the wire element.

FIG. 6 is a pictorial illustration of a clip as in FIG. 4 but further carrying a nail with propellant head.

FIG. 7 is an end view, at reduced scale, of the clip shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

With reference to FIGS. 3-6, the clip 2 is formed from sheet stock and has first end portion 4 and a second end portion 6. The first end portion forms a tab for attaching the clip to an overhead. The second end portion forms a U-bend channel for carrying a wire on the clip. The tab extends transversely away from a first upper end 7 of the U-bend channel.

The clip has a first prong 8 and a second prong 10. The first prong partly blocks a first lateral end of the U-bend channel and is spaced apart from the first lateral end of the U-bend channel adequately to permit passage of a wire element 12 between the first prong and the first lateral end of the U-bend channel. The second prong partly blocks a second lateral end of the U-bend channel. The second prong is spaced apart from the second lateral end of the U-bend channel adequately to permit passage of a wire element between the second prong and the second lateral end of the U-bend channel. The first prong and the second prong lean toward a bottom end 14 of the U-bend channel to obstruct removal of a wire element positioned in the channel. Preferably, both the first prong and the second prong extend substantially all the way across the channel.

A second upper end 16 of the U-bend channel is generally T-shaped, defining a first arm 18 and a second arm 20, and the first prong extends from the first arm. The second prong extends from near the first upper end of the U-bend channel, at a position generally straight across from the first prong. The first prong terminates at a position spaced apart from an edge of the tab adequately to permit passage of a wire element between the end of the first prong and the edge of the tab. The second prong terminates at a position spaced apart from the second arm of the T adequately to permit passage of a wire element between the end of the second prong and the second arm of the T. In practice, a right-handed person generally finds it easier to pass the wire loop first over the first prong.

With reference to FIG. 6, the tab preferably has an upper surface 22 which forms a depression deep enough to at least substantially contain a fastener point 24, to permit the clip to carry a fastener without interference from the point of the fastener when the clip is positioned adjacent against an overhead surface. As illustrated, the clip further comprises, in combination, a nail 26 carried by the tab, with the point of the nail being at least substantially contained in the depression. Preferably, the nail further comprises a propellant head element 28. The combination reduces the labor required to position the ceiling.

The upper surface 22 of the tab and the upper end 16 of the channel (the T) in one embodiment of the invention are near even with each other so as to resist or prevent accidental dislodgement of a wire element carried by the clip once the clip is attached to the overhead. See FIG. 1. However, the top of the T can be spaced a short distance beneath the overhead and still provide reliable function. For strength, it is also preferred that the channel has a lower surface which forms a ridge 30 extending from the first upper end of the U-bend channel to the second upper end of the U-bend channel. The clip is preferably made of metal, for example, steel, more preferably from sheet stock, and it can be formed by a punching and stamping operation.

The clip is used in combination with a wire element 12. Preferably, the wire element has an end loop 32. The end loop is positioned in the channel. See FIG. 5. The diameter of the loop is preferably slightly smaller than the width of the T.

With reference to FIG. 1, the clip 2 is used in combination with an overhead 34. A nail 26 or other fastener passes through the tab of the clip and attaches the clip to the overhead. The wire element 12 has an end loop. The end loop is positioned in the channel of the clip and the hanging part of the wire element is fastened to a ceiling frame element 36, for example, by tying. The ceiling 38 is conventionally attached to an array of the ceiling frame elements.

In another aspect of the invention, the clip is used in conjunction with a wire element having an end loop to hang a ceiling frame element. The end loop of the wire element is positioned in the channel of the clip. The clip is attached to an overhead. A ceiling frame element is the provided and the wire element is fastened to the ceiling frame element to hang the ceiling frame element from the overhead.

In a preferred embodiment of the method for hanging a ceiling frame element, there is provided a clip which carries a nail, preferably with a propellant head, and a wire element having an end loop. The end loop of the wire element is positioned in the channel of the clip. The nail, or the propellant head of the nail when it is provided with one, is positioned in a nail gun adapted for same. The clip is positioned against an overhead and the nail gun is fired to secure the clip to the overhead with the nail. A ceiling frame element is provided and the wire element is fastened thereto to hang the ceiling frame element to hang the ceiling frame element from the overhead.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the invention is not to be construed as being so limited, except to the extent that such limitations are found in the claims.