US1865131A - Metallic ceiling construction - Google Patents

Description

June 28, 1932. A. c. oLsEN uETALLIC CEILING CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 6, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwuanlfoc me \r Junez, 1932. A. C. QLSEN 1,865,131

METALLIC CEILING CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 6, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ww. MQW@ M June 28, 1932. A, c. oLsEN METALLIC CEILNG CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 6, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Y wmmtoz l aktas/wg June 28, 1932. A. c. oLsl-:N Y

METALLIC CEILING CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 6, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 abbot twg June 28, 1932. A, c. oLsEN 1,865,131

METALLIC CEILING CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 6, 192B 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 28, 1932. A. c. oLsEN xETALLIc cElLING CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 6, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 www M .MNR uw? aucun Patented June 28, 1932 PATENT oFr-lca ANDERS C. OLSEN, 0F MINEOLA, NEW YORK METALLIC CEILING CONSTRUCTION Application med January 6, 1928. Serial No. 245,008.

The present invention relates to building structures and lnore particularly to metallic ceiling constructions and to methods of installing the same. Y

Many types of metallic ceiling constructions have heretofore been designed or constructed, but practically all ceilings of this type which are now installed are directly secured, as by nailing, to a framework of wood, commonly known as furring, which is accurately made to exact dimensions and carefully fastened to the overhead structure of the room, for instance the floor beams of the floor above. This furring is costly to construct `and install and furthermore constitutes a fire hazard. The present invention provides a metallic ceiling construction which may be quickly and easily positioned without the use of this now almost universally used wooden superstructure or furring.

The metal plates and strips comprising the' visible ceiling are, on the other hand, suspended from the overhead structure of the room by metallic hangers or suspending elements which may be quite easily .fabricated and installed and to which the ceiling plates and other members may be'readily secured.-

The metallic suspending elements are ofnovel construction, and the metalliomembers of the ceiling proper are so designed that they may be readily attached to -such elements without the employment of auxiliary securing devices, such as'nails or bolts, or by welding or soldering.

The: ceiling proper and its suspending means interlock, and the nature of the interlocking means is such that the ceiling may not only be conveniently hung but may also be quickly taken down without damaging the plates or other of its component parts. In general, it may be said that the present invention provides a metallic ceiling construction which is less expensive to fabricate than prior ceilings, requires less time and expert labor to install, which is practically ire proof, and which may be quickly taken down without damage thereto in a manner wholly impossible with metallic ceilings or other types. Other features and advantages of my a further formof supporting strip, which imfproved construction, not here specifically re erred to, will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the following more detailed description, and from the accompanying drawings in which one form of the u invention is set forth by way of example.

Referring to the accompanying drawlngs f Fig. l is a vertical sectional view through a portion of a ceiling constructed in accord- /oo ance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view taken at right angles to the plane of the section shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a view, looking from below, of the overhead structure of a room, showing a metallic ceiling partially installed;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing several of the component parts of the ceihng in positions which they occupy at one stage of the assembling. operation;

Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views through diiii'erent types of the novel supporting strips which are included in the improved ceiling;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view through type is used in connection with a ceiling panel of non-metallic composition; Fig. 8 is a fragmentar sectional view illustrating another type o ceiling construction embodying the present invention;

Fig. 9 lis a sectional view through portion of a ceiling which is of the same type as that vshown in Fig. 2 but in which the parts are assembled in a diferent manner;

Figs. 10 and 11 are detail sectional views of dilerent forms of hangers and supporting manner of suspending the ceiling from a slopin roof;

.igs. 17 and 18 are views at right angles to each other showingmore clearl the construction of the hangers shown in ig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a vertical sectional view through a metal ceiling suspended from a plastered ceiling; and j Fig. 20 is a view showing more clearly the form of hanger illustrated in Fi 19.

Referring first to the form o the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5. The ceiling comprises essentially a plurality of plates, or panels 30, preferably square, formed of sheet metal and pressed or shaped to present any desired ornamental configuration, together with a plurality of longitudinal and cross strips. The panels are supported by the horizontal sheet metal strips which inturn are supported by hangers secured to and depending from the beams 31. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the hangers 32 comprise flat metal strips having their upper ends nailed or otherwise suitably secured to bea-ms 31 and having their lower ends'pointed and provided with barbs. The barbed ends of the hangers may be formed in various ways to accomplish the desired functions, as will hereinafter become apparent, and for the sake of convenience I will designate them as heads, each hanger having a head or head portion at its lower end. The supporting strips comprise longitudinal l strips 33, which interlock with the hangers,

and cross strips 34 supported by the longitudinal strips. These supporting strips may all have the same form in cross section, as shownin Fig. 4, or they may have different forms if desired, to secure various ornamental effects.

As shown, each strip has a. body portion substantially rectangular inI cross section with the upper side divided along a center line to form a longitudinal slot 35 running from end to end of the strip. From the edges of this slot integral resilient flanges or wings 36 extend upwardly and outwardly in opposite directions respectively, and then curve downwardly and inwardly, terminating slightly above the plane of the horizontal surfaces 37 of the two side portions of the top of the strip, hereinafter .designated shoulders. The strips are fabricated of thinI sheet metal and are resilient, so that when a strip is presented to the pointed head of a hanger. with the point thereof vertically above slot 35, and the strip is pressed upwardly, thel walls of the strip will yield or spring outwardly, permitting the slot to widen until the edges thereof pass over and around the lateral points or barbs of the head of the hanger, whereupon the strip will snap into the position shown in Fig. 5, or into loclng engagement with the head.

The manner of applying the ceiling to the wooden ceiling beams of a room will now be described. (See Figure 3.) The first step consists in securing the various hangers '32 to the beams 31 in correct positions, wbichof course are determined by the particular form of ceiling to be erected. As indicated by the drawings, the hangers are nailed to the beams in parallel longitudinal rows which are equispaced across the room, the outer rows bein spaced from the sides of the room a suffi!-l cient distance to provide for mounting the cornice 38, as indicated in Fig. 2. The distance between adjacent rows will of course be determined by the width of panels 30, and the hangers are positioned so that their lowerrnost points all lie in a horizontal plane.

Whenthe hangers have been thus mounted. two longitudinal strip sections a and b are snapped linto position over or interlocked with the heads of a series of hangers at one side and corner of the room. Each of these sections is sufficiently long to support the edges of four panels although it will be understood that under different conditions they may be made longer or shorter as desired. The first panel c is thon inserted from the right, in the manner indicated in Fig. 4, its edges beine' insert-ed between the curled extremities of Wings36 and shoulders 37 of the two supporting strips and the panel then slid along until it is correctly positioned. As above stated, the flanges or wings 36 are resilient and, being sprung upwardly a slight distance when thel panel is inserted, they bear down on thepanel and hold it firmly, so that the panels will not rattle when the ceilingrqis subjected to vibration.

ext the cross strip 34, marked d in Fig. 3 is positioned. As clearly shown in Fig. 4. the shoulders 37 of the cross strips are eX- tended at the ends to form projections or flanges 39. The cross strip is positioned by sliding these fianges along the shoulders 37 of the longitudinal strips, beneath the curled extremities of the wings 36, and this sliding movement continues until the edge of panel c projects between the wing 36 and surface 37 of the cross strip, so that the panel is held at this edge as well as at the ed es supported by thel longitudinal strips. ext the panel e is inserted from the right in the same way as panel o, its edges being forced under and held by the wings 36 of longitudinal strips a and b and cross strip d. Then the cross strip f is inserted, then the panel g, then the cross strip L and the panel z' and iinally the crossstrip j, all being positioned by sliding their ends or edges along the surfaces 37 of longitudinal strips a and b.

Next the longitudinal strip sections c and Z are snapped over the heads of the hangers to form continuations of the sections a and b respectively, and the process of inserting the panels and cross strips in these sections is cartween the ends of the last two sections of longitudinal strips and the wall of the room is sufficient to erinit the insertion of the last .group of pane at\ this end, this space being subsequently bridged by the cornice. When a row of panels has been completed, the next row is built upin sections in a similar way. However, in inserting the panels in this and subsequent rows the panels have to be first inserted at one edge laterally under the wings 36 of the longitudinal strip already up, in advance of the end of the newly positioned longitudinal strip section, and then slid along horizontally so that its other edge will enter between the wing and shoulder or surface 37 of the longitudinal strip section.

Instead of completing each row of panels before the next succeeding row is put up, it is of course possible to build up all vof the rows together. In following this procedure, lall of the longitudinal strip sections corresponding to the sections a and b will be locked to the hangers, and all of the panels corresponding to the panels o, e, g and 'L' will be inserted together with the cross strips corresponding to d, f, h and j, these panels and cross strlps being inserted into the right hand ends of the longitudinal strip sections. After each of the groups of four panels has thus been placedlat the left hand end of the room, all of the longitudinal strip sections corresponding to the sections 7c and Z are mounted on the hangers, and the panels to be supported by these sections are inserted at the right hand ends of the strips. This process is repeated until the strips and panels have all been mounted. Either method of assembly may be followed, or a combination of the two, as will be found most convenient. VAfter all of the panels have been placed, the cornice 38 may be mounted. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the cornice is an ornamental strip of sheet metal terminating at its upper edge in a horizontal fiange 40 which is seated on the shoulders 37 of the supporting strips, and is resiliently held thereon by the wings 36, and terminating at its lower edge in a vertical flange 41 which is seated in a horizontal channel strip 38 nailedto the wall of the room.

The supporting strips may obviously have various forms. In Fig. 6 is illustrated a strip having wings 36 of y`angular form with upwardly curved edges. In Fig. 7 the supporting strips 332 are not provided with wings, and the panels 30 are supported loosely on the strips. This form of strip is adapted for use where the panels are comparatively heavy and formed of non-metallic material, such as compressed asbestos. Where the panels are of light sheet metal, it is necessary to provide the supporting strips with resilient wings to hold the panels firmly down on the shoulders or surfaces 37 of the strips in order to prevent'" rattling, but where the panels are of vheavy non-metallic Amaterial, they may be depended upon to rest with suiiicient firmness on the .su porting strips by virtue of their own weig Fig. 8 illustrates a form of supporting strip which permits a different method of assembly from that described above The strip 333 shown in this figure is widened at the top, as indicated at 42, and the longitudinal slot, or opening, in the upper side of the strip, is considerably wider than the hanger above the head thereof, so that when the strip is mounted on the hanger, the side walls thereof can flex inwardly. In assembling the ceiling with this form of strip, all of the strips, both longitudinal and cross, are first mounted on the hangers, whereupon the panels 30 may be inserted by simply forcing them vertically upwards through the rectangular spaces defined by the strips, as indicated in Fig. 8. The rectangular spaces between projecting shoulders 42 :of the strips are somewhat smaller than the panels, but, the strips being resilient, the walls thereof will yield as the panel is forced upwardly until the panel passes above the horizontal shoulders of the strips, when the walls will spring back to normal positions, the horizontal shoulders of the strips moving under the panel to provide seats for the edges thereof and the panel being held firmly down. on these Seats by the.

wings 36,' which were sprung upwardly during the nal part of the vertical movement of the panel.

Fig. 9 illustrates still another way in which the ceiling may be assembled. The hangers 32 constituting an outside row are first nailed in place, and a first section of longitudinal strip 33 of convenient length is snapped over the heads thereof. The adjacent row of hangers may be then Secured with one nail,

as at 43, supporting each hanger, so that this row of hangers may be swung to an inclined position, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 9, and the section of longitudinal strip corresponding to the first mentioned strip is snapped over the headed ends of these hangers. After the two sections of supporting strips have been thus mounted, the one on the fixed hangers at the outside of the row and the other on the pivoted hangers at the inside, the number of panels and cross strips which are to be supported by these strips are assembledas a unit with the opposite edges of the panels gripped by the intermediate cross strips. This assembly is then raised into horizontal position and oneedge thereof inserted between the clamping flange and shoulder of the longitudinal strip already mounted on the stationary hangers. For conveniently supporting the block of assembled plates and cross strips adjacent the free edge thereof', a bar such as indicated at 44 may be used. When so supported, the swinging hangers may be moved laterally toward the fixed hangers to cause the swingingly mounted longitudinal strip to clampingly engage vthe free edge of the group of assembled plates and cross strips. The pivoted hangers are then each nailed in fixed position by means ofA a second nail 43', thus completing the mounta ing of this section .of panels and cross strips.

' 10the supporting strip 334 is rectangular in cross section and has riveted or otherwise secured to its top a series of vertical members which terminate in headed ends. These members 45 are spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between adjacent hangers. A hanger adapted to this form of supporting strip is indicated at 32'. The lower end of this hanger is bifurcated,.and the hanger is split longitudinally as indicated at 46 for a suitable distance so that the legs of the hanger will spread under. lateral pressure. Inner opposed barbs 47 are formed near the lower ends of the bifurcated legs, and from the edges of these barbs the members are inclined downwardly and outwardly so as to form a flaring mouth for the reception of the pointed head of member 45. The

I supporting strip 334 is interlocked with these hangers simply by pressing the strip upwardly with the heads of members 45 between the bifurcations of `hangers 32', the bifurcations yielding laterally and then snapping over the heads of members 45, the barbs 47 moving beneath the horizontal shoulders of' the heads and thereby securely supporting f the strip 333.

Fig. 11 discloses a form which is the reverse of the form shown in Fig. 10. Here the supporting strip 335 is formed entirely of sheet metal and consists of a body portion of rectangular shape in cross section having overlapping edge portions at the lower side and formed at the upper side with a longitudinal rib 48 which comprises an interlocking head. The hanger 322 adapted to support this form of strip has a bifurcated lower end with inner horizontal shoulders 47', like the hanger in Fig. 10, but is not upwardly divided like the latter. The strip 335 is mounted on hangers 322 by forcing the head 0r rib 48 up between the bifurcations ofthe hanger, this being permitted by the resiliency of strip 33, the walls of the strip flexing inwardly as the rib 48 is forced up into the bifurcations and then expanding and resuming their normal condition when the head snaps over the shoulders 47'.

In Figs. 12 and 13 is illustrated a ceiling constructed in accordance with the present invention, furnished with an ornamental center piece 49 havin a central aperture 50 for the attachmento a lighting fixture. This center piece is of box-like form, open at the sides, having upper flanges 51 which are adapted to be sprung over the shoulders of the supporting strip 33, and the flanges' 39 of the crossstrips 34 are seated on these flanges '51 after the piece 49 has been placed in position.

Figs. 14 and 15 illustrate an ornamental miter block 52 used at the corners 0r meeting ends of the outside strips. This, like the center piece 49, is a box-like member having upper flanges 53 which are adapted to be sprung over the'shoulders of an outside longitudinal strip 33 at the end thereof, the flanges 39 of cross strip 34 being seated on said flanges 53 after the miter box has been positioned on the end of the longitudinal strip.

It may be here noted that the drawing considerably exaggerates the thickness of the supporting strips and panels. These parts are of thin sheet metal, and on the scale of the drawing they would be represented in section by light lines.

Figs. 16, 17 and 18 illustrate a hanger so constructed that, by the joining of two or more, hangers of different lengths may be produced if desired. The hanger here shown is of the same general form as that shown in the other views, but is provided with a longitudinal slot 55 between the two nail holes 56. With this construction one hanger can be joined to another by inserting the head of one through the slot 55 of the other while holding the hangers at right angles to each other and with their planes also at right angles, then rotating one hanger about its axis through an angle of 90o and finally bringing the hangers into parallel planes, as shown inFig. 18, the head of one being bent as shown during this last operation. Thus the hangers can be. made in standard units of the same length, and by joining two or more of these units a built-up hanger of any desired length can be quickly and easily produced at the place where the ceiling is being installed, making it unnecessary to manufacture the hangers in all the various lengths that may be required. In Fig. 16 for example, are shown a number of such built-up hangers of dierent lengths, the problem here being that of hanging a horizontal ceiling from sloping rafters.

It is sometimes necessary to suspend a metal ceiling below la plastered ceiling, which can be readily accomplished by using the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 19 and 20. The wooden beams 58 having been located, rows of conically headed nails 57 are driven into the beams at proper intervals, and the longitudinal supporting strips are snapped over the conical heads of these nailsin lthe same manneras the strips are iwards' until the top snapped over the headed ends of the han ers in the constructions previously descri ed. The panels and cross stri may be positioned by sliding them lengthwise of the longitudinal strips in the manner set forth 1n the' .description of the form of the inventiony firtltllescribedh f v h d ave, in t e ore oin ara a s escribed a number of strlctuers) emddging the spirit of my invention and .have illustrated these structures in the accompanying drawings, but it will readily lbe understood by one skilled in the art that the invention contemplates ceiling constructions which differ vwidely in the design and arrangement of their componentl elements, and that those embodiments of the invention which have been described and illustrated have been set forth by way of example only. v

Obviously, without departure frornthe invention, still further forms of hangers and supporting strips may be devised and utilized. Furthermore, the hangers may be suspended from overhead structures of any other materials than wood, although the foregoing description mentions only nailing of these hangers to wooden members. Thus, they are well adapted to be suspended from concrete ceilings, and the upper ends of the hangers may be actually embedded in the concrete when the concrete is poured. A metallic ceiling suspended from a concrete overhead structure is of course absolutely free of fire hazard. When suspended from a wooden overhead structure, my improved ceiling presents a barrier-to the passage of flames which is entirely effective pnless, of course, the heat is so great that the light metal plates comprising the ceiling are fused. y

My improved metallic ceiling maybe installed much more readily than metallic ceilings hung from the now commonly used wooden furring frameworks, and may be taken down with facility, and without injury to its component parts. It is cheaper to install than known metallic ceilings andrequires a minimum of skilled labor.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: Q

1. In a ceiling construction, the combination with a series of hangers secured to the overhead structure of the interior of a building, of a metal strip adapted to seat a plurality of panels supported by said hangers, said stri-p being formed of resilient sheet metal and having a box-like form in cross section with an opening in the top wall forming a longitudinal slot extending from end to end of the strip, said hangers having pointed ends with lateral horizontal shoulders, whereby the strip is adapted to be mounted. on the hangers by entering the points of the latter in said slot and then forcing the strip upwalls thereof snap over onto said shoulders. y

2. In a ceiling construction, the combination with aA series of metal hangers secured to the overhead structure of the interior of aV buildmg, of a metal strip supported by said hangers adapted to seat the edges of a plural- 1ty of panels, said strip comprising a hollow body portion with the top wall thereof divided longitudinally to form a slot extending from end to end of the strip and comprising lateral resilient wings extending upwardly and outwardly from the edges of said slot and then downwardly and terminating adiacent the top wall-of said body portion so as to be adapted to press downwardly on the edges of panels seated on said top wall, said hangers having pointed ends with lateral shoulders or ledges, whereby said strip is adapted to be mounted on the hangers by entering the 'points of the latter in said slot and then forcing the strip upward until the top walls thereof snap over onto said ledges.

3. In a ceiling construction, the combination with the overhead structure of the inv terior of a building, of metal hangers depending vfrom said structure arranged in parallel rows and having their lower extremities located substantially in the same horizontal plane, a longitudinal supporting strip mounted on each row -of hangers, the end of each hanger being formed to present a point at the extremity and horizontal lateral shoulders with inclined surfaces between the edges of the shoulders and said point, said supporting strip being formed of resilient sheet metal having a box-like form in cross section with an opening in the top wall forming a longitudinal slot extending from end to end of the strip, whereby a strip can be mounted on a row of hangers b v entering the points of the hangers in said slot and then forcing the strip upwards until the top walls thereof snap over onto said horizontal shoulders,

vcross strips at right angles to said longitudinal strips having end portions seated on the top walls or shoulders of said longitudinal strips, and panels seated at their edges on said strips.

4. A hanger unit for use in supporting a ceiling structure consisting of a fiat metal strip having a head at one end and an aperture in its other end of a size and shape adapti ed to receive the head of a formed mating unit.

5. In a paneled ceiling construction, the combination with an outside supporting strip for the panels thereof, a cornice having a vertically extending lower margin, a chan- ,.125

nel strip, one of the :lianges of which is secured to the wall of the vroom in which said margin is seated, the upper lportion of said cornice terminating in a horizontal flange which/is seated on said supporting strip, the latter being formed with a resilient wing pressing downwardly on said flange adjacent the edge thereof and holding it firmly against the body portion of the strip.

6. The combinationwith an overhead supporting structure of a plurality of metallic -hanger units depending therefrom and a me- .thereon to automatically interlock at any point along its length with the lower ends of the hanger units of each row, a plate or panel bridging the space between the strips and having its opposite edges Aresting on said strips, each strip being provided with means to press downwardly upon the top of the said plate to prevent vertical movement thereof.

8. A metallic hanger for a metallic ceiling construction comprising a plurality of headed hanger units secured togethen end to end, the head of each unit except the lowermost extending through an aperture in the preceding unit and being interlocked by engagement of said head with the sides of the aperture.

9. A panel supporting member for metallic ceilings 'comprising an elongated metallic member having means to automatically interlock, at any point along its length, with a suspended hanger unit and resilient means to clampingly engage the edge of a panel.

10. The combination with a supporting structure, of a plurality of metallic hangers secured thereto, said hangers being arranged in parallel rows and spaced at suitable, but not'necessarily equal, intervals, and a protective and ornamental covering structure of the built-up panel type secured to said hangers so as to be in fixed spaced relationship to the supporting structure, said covering structure comprising a plurality of elongated supporting members and panels carried by said supporting members, each of said members being provided with locking means whereby it may be readily locked to a plu- Y rality of hangersat any point along its length at which hangers may occur, which means is located wholly upon the side thereof which faces the supporting structure.

11. The combination' with a supporting structure, of a plurality of metallic hangers secured thereto, and a protective and erna-- mental coveringstructure of the built-up panel type secured to said hangers so as to be in xed spaced relationshi to the supporting structure, said covermg structure comprising a plurality ofv longitudinal strips, a plurality of cross strips, anda plurality of panels carried by the longitudinal strips, each panel\b\eipg bordered by two longitudinal strips and two cross strips, each of the said longitudinal strips being provided with means whereby it may be locked, at any point along its length, to one of the said hangers, which means is located wholly upon the side thereof which faces the supporting structure.

12. The combination with a supporting structure, of a plurality of metallic hangers secured thereto, and a protective and ornamental covering strncture of the built-up panel type secured to said hangers so as to be in fixed spaced relationship to the supporting structure, said covering structure comprising a plurality of supporting members and panels carried by said supporting members, each of the said members being provided 'with resilient means whereby it may be locked, at any point along its length,

. to one of the said hangers, which means is located wholly upon the side thereof which faces the supporting structure.

13. The combination with a supporting structure, of a plurality of metallic hangers secured thereto, and a protective and ornamental covering structure of lthe built-up panel type secured to said hangers so as to be in fixed spaced relationship to the supporting structure, said covering structure comprising a plurality of supporting members and panels carriedy by said supporting each such hanger having a lateral projection,

or a plurality of lateral projections, adjacent its free end, and a protective and ornamental covering strueture of the built-up panel `type secured to said hangers so as to be in fixed spaced relationship to the supporting structure, said covering strugture comprising a plurality of supporting members and panels carried by said supporting members, each of the said members being provided with resilient means adapted to pass over the lateral projections of the hangers and grip thev hangers yieldably in rear of said lateral projections.

15. A ceiling comprising the combination with anl overhead supporting structure, of hangers secured at theirv upper ends to said structure and arranged with their lower extremities substantially in the same horizon,- talplane, a plurality of parallel elongated metallic members, locking means-coextensive with the length of said members adapted to be interlocked with said'hangers, without the use of additional securing means, at any point throughout the length of said members where hangers occur, and panels and cross strips carried by said members.

16. In a ceiling construction, the combination withv a series of metallic hangers secured to an overhead structure, of an elongated metal strip supported by said hangers, said strip and hangers having interengageable parts adapted to interlock, one of said parts eing resilient whereby said parts may be snapped into locking engagement, and said elongated strip having a panel edge supporting portion on each side and coextensive with the length thereof. 17. A metallic ceiling construction including in combination with the overhead supporting structure, a plurality of hanger units depending therefrom,metallic panel supporting strips suspended from the lower ends of said units, and a plurality of panels adapted to be supported by said strips, said strips being formed with resilient walled grooves for the reception of edges of said panels, whereby the walls of said grooves are permitted to snugly recei-ve panel edges of irregular configuration.

18. The combination with a supporting structure, of a plurality of hangers secure thereto, said hangers being arranged in parallel rows and spaced at suitable, but not necessarily equal, intervals, and a protective andornamental covering structure secured to said hangers so as to be in fixed spaced relationship to thesupporting structure, said covering structure including a plurality of elongated supporting members, each of said mem-l bers being provided with locking means whereby it may be readily locked to a plurality of hangers at any points along its length at which said hangers may occur, which means is located wholly upon the side thereof which facesthe supporting structure.

19. The combination with an overhead supporting structure, of a row of hangers secured at their upper ends to said structure and arranged with their lower extremities substantially in the same horizontal line, an elongated ceiling supporting member, and

locking means co-extensive with the length of said member adapted to be interlocked with said hangers, without the use of additional securing means, at any point throughout the length of said member where said hangers occur.

20. The combination with a, supporting structure, of a plurality of hangers secured thereto, said hangers being arranged in parallel rows and spaced at suitable, but not necessarily equal, intervals, and a protective andA ing structure including a plurality of elongated supporting members, each of said members being provided with means whereby it may be snapped into locking engagement with a plurality of hangers at any points along its length at which said hangers may occur.

21. In a ceiling construction, the combination with a supporting structure, of a plurality of metallic hanger members secured thereto at spaced points, and a protective and ornamental covering structure of the builtup paneltype secured to the hanger members so as to bein fixed spaced relationship to the supporting structure, said `covering structure comprising a plurality of panels, one of said hanger members being disposed above each pair of adjacent edges of successive panels, parallel panel supporting strips disposed along said edges. and interengaging means on said strips and said hanger members, one of said interengaging means being re'silient, whereby said strips and hanger members are adapted to snap into interlocking engagement by movement of said strips toward and into contact with said hanger members.

22. In a ceiling construction, the combination with a supporting structure, of a protective and ornamental covering structure of the built-up panel type secured to said supporting structure so as to be in iixed spaced relationship thereto, said covering structure comprising a plurality of rows of panels, supporting strips disposed along the opposite side edges of said panels and longitudinally of said rows, a hanger memberisecured to said supporting structure above each of said strips, and interengageable parts on said strips and said hanger members, the interengageable parts on one of said elements being resilient and adapted to snap into interlocking engagement with the corresponding parts of the other of said velements upon relative contacting movement of said strips and said hanger members.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atiivx my signature.

ANDERS C. OLSEN.

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