Patent · US Expired

Beam splice for supporting grid systems

US4531340A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
21References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 24, 1982
Grant dateJul 30, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 24, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T403/7152
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A beam member for use in a suspended ceiling system for retaining removable panel sections includes at each longitudinal end an integral tongue and a tongue-receiving recess for joining the beam member in end-to-end relationship with another beam member having an end of corresponding configuration. The tongue is characterized by inwardly diverging sidewalls, and an outwardly offset and a rearwardly extending detent. The detent has an edge defining a circular arc, and the recess includes an arcuate central portion for abutting the edge of the arcuate detent of another beam member when the beam members are joined and outwardly diverging sidewalls. Interlocked tongues of such configuration are capable of withstanding large tensile separating forces.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.