US3334465A - Furring clip and flush runner assembly - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 8, 1967 G. A. HOFFMANN, JR 3,334,455

FURRING CLIP AND FLUSH RUNNER ASSEMBLY Original Filed May 16, 1962 4 sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 660/ 2 r4. fiafimaw; Jr:

Aug. 8, 1967 c. A. HOFFMANN, JR 3,334,455

FURRING CLIP AND FLUSH RUNNER ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 16, 1962 INVENTOR. George 4. //0fi 7?a/m, Jr.

hgwv 4 rro RNE Y5.

g 1967 c. A. HOFFMANN, JR 3,334,455

FURRING CLIP AND FLUSH RUNNER ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed May 16, 1962 k7 INVENTOR.

Geo/ye A f/affmmqJ: BY 1 W W 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 G. A. HOFFMANN, JR

FURRING CLIP AND FLUSH RUNNER ASSEMBLY INVENTOR. George A; flafif wa/r/y/n BY K MJJMZow ATTORNEYS.

Original, Filed May 16, 1962 Aug. 8, 1967 United States Patent 1 Claim. c1. 52-718) This is a continuation of Ser. No. 195,679, filed May 16, 1962 and now abandoned, entitled, Adjustable Panel Board Suspension System.

This invention relates to ceiling panel suspension systems and refers more particularly to the frame support member thereof.

An object of the invention is to provide an adjustable panel board suspension system which will permit the installation of a panel type ceiling flush or below obstructions such as pipe, ducts, electrical conduits, etc.

Another object of the invention is to provide furring clip-runner construction combinations which cooperate to furr below mechanical obstructions or can be used in conjunction with standard wood furring strips to drop the ceiling supported thereby below ducts, beams, etc.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable furring clip and runner track combination wherein the said furring clip may be inserted in the track for installation with its body either parallel or perpendicular to the framing member, thus permitting connection of a clip to a joist or the like with the track either parallel to or normal to the joist.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable furring clip having means integral therewith for temporarily securing the clip to the framing members before final alignment of the system and nailingv Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable furring clip having stop means integral therewith, which means provide a positive stop for installing the ceiling flush to the framing members, the stop means also providing a guide for securing the clip at a 45 angle to wood furring strips whereby to accurately install exterior runner tracks.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable furring clip which may be employed to engage and cooperate with a variety of runner track constructions in a ceiling panel suspension system.

Another object of the invention is to provfde a wide variety of useful runner track constructions, each of which will cooperate with a single type of furring cl p.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable panel board suspension system utilizing adjustable furring clips, a variety of runner track constructions engageable therewith, corner track engagement means and means to secure a cross T between two runner tracks.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable panel board suspension system which is adaptable for both a rigid and semi-rigid panel, the latter type panel being more suitable and desirable because it can be snapped into place between in-place suspension members.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable panel board suspension which may be used in basements where ceiling obstructions such as pipes, beams and ducts can be boxed in using internal and external corner supports.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a suspension system which may be used by the home owner, who is not a skilled mechanic, and who has no special tools.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following description thereof.

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In the drawings, which form a part of the instant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, embodiments of the invention are shown and, in the various views, like numerals are employed to indicate like parts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a furring clip engaged in a flush runner member adapted to support insulation tiles or panels, the engagement such that the runner would be oriented perpendicular to the joist surface carrying the clip.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view showing the same type furring clip as in FIG. 1 engaged with a flush runner of like type in such manner that the latter would run parallel to the joist surface carrying the furring clip.

FIG. 3 shows the engagement, in a perspective view from above, of the subject furring clip with an interior runner member in such manner that the latter would run perpendicular to the joist surface supporting the furring clip.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 showing a perspective view from above, the subject furring clip engaged with an interior runner member in such manner that the latter would run parallel to the joist surface supporting the furring clip.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from above showing the subject furring clip engaged with an exterior runner memher in such manner that the latter runs perpendicular to the joist surface supporting the furring clip.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from above of an intersection between two flush runner members with a connecting member engaging the two runners.

FIG. 7 is a view taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 6 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view from above of a typical ceiling construction showing a panel suspension system arranged with respect to the ceiling joists, I-beams and other ceiling structures with a plurality of the subject furring clips engaging the several types of runner members illustrated in the previous views in such manner as to suspend ceiling boards, panels or tiles whereby to provide a flush or furred roof or ceiling.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view from above of a somewhat modified form of a furring clip engaged in a modified form of flush furring channel member adapted to support insulation tiles or panels, the engagement: such that the channel would be oriented or extend perpendicular to the joist surface carrying the clip, analogous to the FIG. 2 engagement.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view from above of the furring clip of FIG. 9 engaged in a modified form of interior furring channel member in such manner that the latter would run parallel to the joist surface supporting the furring clip, analogous to the engagement in FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view from above showing the modified furring clip of FIGS. 9 and 10 engaged with an exterior runner member or furring channel like that shown in FIG. 5 in such manner that the latter runs.

parallel to the joist or other surface supporting the said furring clip, the full line showing of the clip before bend ing of the body of the same to engage the joist or other support surface, the dotted line showing after bending thereof and in said engagement.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view from above of an interior and exterior corner member, shown centrally of the view, exploded from its end engagement with an exterior furring channel (see FIG. 11) and an interior furring channel (on the left in the view, see FIG. 10).

FIG. 13 is an end view of a typical ceiling construction.

showing a panel suspension system arranged with respect to the ceiling joists, I-beams and other ceiling structures with a plurality of the furring clips of the types shown in FIGS. 9-12, inclusive, engaging the several types of runner or channel members in the same figures in such manner as to suspend ceiling boards, panels or tiles therefrom whereby to provide a furred roof or ceiling.

Turning to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, at 20 is generally designated a furring clip. Clip 2t) has an elongate flat metallic strip upper body portion 20a with parallel longitudinal edges, an intermediate body portion 20b of lesser width than the upper body portion and connected to the lower end thereof, and a lower body portion made up of a pair of opposed, primary ears 20c and 20d which extend in substantially the same place, one on each side of the intermediate body portion 20b and substantially normal thereto. Ears 20c and 20d are of a combined width greater than the width of the intermediate body portion 20b and preferably have a combined length equal to their combined width. The combined width of the ears is also preferably substantially equal to the width of the upper body portion. Ears 20c and 20d are preferably rectangular in form. Upper body portion 20a has a vertical row of perforations 21 centrally thereof and ex tending substantially from the top to the bottom thereof spaced equi-distant from one another.

A pair of secondary ears 22 are connected to or integral with the lower edge of body portion 20 and extend substantially normal thereto on one side of the said upper body portion 20a. Bars 22, as shown, are preferably the lower rectangular edges of body portion 20a bent on a 45 bias from the longitudinal axis of the clip whereby to provide pointed tips thereon. A pair of tertiary ears 23 may be formed integral with upper body portion 20a, or attached thereto, and extend normal to the same face or upper body portion 20a that ears 22 extend from. Ears 23a, in the modification of the clip shown in FIGS. 1-8, inclusive, preferably are positioned centrally of the upper edge of body portion 20a, the upper edge portions 24 outboard thereof preferably bevelled at an approximate 45 angle. Ears 23 are preferably pointed.

Reference is now made to the flush runner or furring channel 25 engaged by primary clip ears 20c and 200. in FIGS. 1 and 2. It should be noted that FIGS. 1 and 2 are identical with respect to the runner or channel structure, the only difference being in that the body portion of the clip is turned 90 between the two views. Thus, in FIG. 1, the flush runner, generally designated 25, will extend normal to the joist or other surface carrying body portion 20a, while in FIG. 2, the flush runner 2 will extend parallel to said surface.

At any rate, flush runner or channel 25 comprises an elongate flat strip of metal 25a of uniform width having crimped or formed over side edges 25b and 250. Edges 25b and 250 are of equal width and positioned over the same side of strip 25a whereby to provide two channels thereunder operative to receive clips c and 20d. The width of strip a to its upturned edges, under the same, is preferably only very slightly greater than the combined width or length of clip ears 20c and 20d whereby to provide a sliding but rigid fit therewith. Ears 20c and 20d are inserted in the channels created by overturned edges 25b and 25c by rotating into position. (The ears disengage at 45 and engage at 0 or 90.) The height of the channels between strip 25a and the opposed surfaces of edges 25b and 250 is preferably only very slightly greater than the thickness of ears 20c and 20d whereby to provide a sliding yet friction fit therewith.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show engagement of furring clip 20, in the two alternate positions, with an interior runner or furring channel generally designated 26. Thus, in FIG. 3, clip 20 is engaged so that the interior runner or channel extends normal to the surface mounting body portion 20a of the clip, while the reverse is true in FIG. 4.

Runner or channel 26 comprises an L-shaped member in transverse cross section having one leg of the L, 26a, connected at one edge thereof to the elongate side edge of the other leg 26b. A pair of overturned edges 26c and 26d are provided at the side edges of strip 26b on the ex- 4 terior surface of the L. The width of strip 26b is as described relative to the width of strip 25. The width of the overlying portions of edges 26c and 26d, as is the case in the overlying portions of edges 25b and 250, must not be greater than the lateral extension of clip ears 20c and 20d from the side edges of intermediate body portion 20b of clip 20. It may be seen that edge 26d is most easily provided by having leg 2611 a folded or double sheet with the free edge of the longer side of the folded sheet providing edge 26d. The entire runner may be made of a single elongate strip of metal or extrusion by forming as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 or it may be extended in a single piece. The latter applies to all furring channels in FIGS. 1-8, inclusive.

In FIGS. 91 1, inclusive, and 13 are shown a modification of the furring clip of the earlier figures which is generally designated 20. Like parts to the parts of furring clip 20 are numbered the same, but primed. Differences will now be described. Thus, upper body portion 20a has secondary and tertiary ears 22' and 23 formed from the lower and upper edges therefrom or connected thereto. Ears 22' are not pointed and are preferably formed along or bent over on an edge normal to the longitudinal axis of upper body portion 20a. They are preferably the width that the intermediate body portion 20b is reduced on each side from upper body portion 20a. Upper tertiary ears 23 are positioned adjacent the outer edges of the upper edge of the upper body portion 20a and are preferably pointed as shown. Raised ridge 27 on the side opposite the secondary and tertiary ear extension carries perforations or openings 21. Ridge 27 extends substantially the length of upper body portion 20a and into intermediate body portion 20b to improve strength and rigidity of the clip, A length scale 28, preferably an inch scale, is provided along one longitudinal edge of the side of upper body portion 28' opposite from the direction of extension of the secondary and tertiary ears. The rest of the characteristics of clip 20', particularly primary ears 20c and 20:! are identical to the characteristics of clip 20.

FIGS. 5 and 11 show clips 20 and 20 engaged with an exterior runner or furring channel generally designated 29. Exterior runner 29 comprises an elongate metallic strip L-shaped in transverse cross section, the legs 29a and 29b of the L preferably of equal length. The free longitudinal edges of legs 29a and 2% are crimped over or extruded to provide channels or L-shaped flanges 290 of the same character as channels 25b and 250 and 260 and 26d whereby to receive thereunder the respective outer edges of clips 20 or 20, bent as seen. The clearance of edges 29c and 29d from strips 29a and 29b is the same as previously mentioned. However, the width thereof may be less than the width of the corresponding edges in the runners shown in FIGS. 14, inclusive. The length of legs 29a and 29]; must be such that, when ears 20c and 20d or 20c and 20d are rotated and fitted into the channel guides as illustrated, the outer edges thereof substantially abut the limiting edges of strips 29a and 2%. It should be noted that clips 20 and 20 may be engaged with the exterior runner in either manner as seen in FIGS. 5 and 11, whereby to position the exterior runner member 29 either perpendicular or parallel to the surface against which the clip is attached.

The manner of attachment of the furring clips to wood furring strips in supporting the exterior channel or runner is seen in the lower left center and lower right center of FIG. 8 in the connection of FIG. 5, while the connection of FIG. 11 is substantially shown in the lower left center and lower right center of FIG. 13. The dotted line showing of FIG. 11 comprises the bending of the upper body portion of the clip so as to attach it to a wood furring strip or joist of limited width.

Referring to FIG. 8, therein is shown the manner of mounting and using furring strip 20, together with the furring channels or runners of FIGS. 1 and 2, 3 and 4,

Sand 11. Numeral designates a joist in the ceiling of a room to which are attached on one side thereof wooden furring strips 31 and 32 by nails 33. The joist and other joist members like it and parallel thereto are supported by an I-beam 34. Pipes 35 and 36 run under joist 30 normal thereto as does heating or ventilation duct 37.

The goal of the panel suspension system is to furr the ceiling panels neatly below, around and enclosing the ceiling structure member and other system structures of the house or building to provide an attractive panel system, covering up and enclosing I-beams, heating ducts and pipes and other miscellaneous like members. To accomplish this, furring clips 38 and 39 are nailed by nails 40 to the vertical side of the joist whereby to extend vertically downwardly therebelow with the lower engaging ear portions thereof. Transversely attached to one side face of each wood furring strip 31 and 32 (connected to joist 30 by nails 33) are two furring clips 41 and 42 by nails 43. Secondary ears 22 of clips 41 and 42 engage the lower side edges of wood furring strips 31 and 32 to achieve the desired mounting angle. The upper edges of clips 41 and 42 analogous toportions 20a may be trimmed as seen to match the edges of the wood furring strips or other furring clip supporting members. One other furring clip 44 is attached by nails 45 to the side face of wood furring strip 31 (above clip 41) extending in a horizontal direction. A flat runner or furring channel 46 (per FIG. 1) is engaged by the lower primary ears of furring clip 38 whereby to extend in a horizontal direaction, normal to the side of joist 30 to which clip 38 is attached. An interior runner or furring channel 47 is engaged by the ears of furring clip 44 in the manner shown in FIG. 3. Insulation panels 48 and 49 each are carried on one edge thereof by cross runner 46 and panel 49 by the other edge thereof on interior runner 47.It should be noted that the edges of panels 48 and 49 abut the intermediate body portion 38a of clip 38, while resting on the overturned clip ear engaging edges 46a and 46b of flush channel 46.

Clips 41 and 42 engage exterior furring runners or channels in the precise manner as shown in FIG. 5, that is, with the channels extending normal to the face of the furring strip which'carries the furring clip upper body portions. The lower edges of insulation panel strips 52 and 53 are carried between the upwardly extending flanges of channels 50 and 51 and intermediate body portions 41a and 42a of clips 41 and 42. The upper edge of panel 52 is received against intermediate body portion 44a of clip 44. The upper edge of panel 53 is received between the side face of furring strip 32 and one leg of interior furring channel or runner 54 which is engaged by furring clip 39 in the manner shown in FIG. 3. Insulation panel 55 of relatively great width is carried on one L leg of furring channels or strips 50 and 51 with the side edges thereof abutting intermediate body portions 41a and 42a of clips 41 and 42.

Insulation panel 56 is carried on one edge thereof by the end of one L leg of runner 54 abutting against intermediate body portion 39a of clip 39 and at the other side edge thereof by exterior furring channel or runner 57 which is nailed or otherwise fixedly attached to the outer wall 58 of the room. The opposite ends of the insulation panels 48, 49, 52, 55, 53 and 56 are mounted on the opposite ends of the various furring channels and strips previously described with like furring clips supporting the same spaced from their opposite numbers above described.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 wherein is shown connecting means for an intersection of the end one flush runner or furring channel 25 with the side edge another like flush runner or channel in a T-connection. It should be noted that two flush runners, one flush runner and one interior furring channel as in FIG. 3 or two interior furring channels as in FIG. 3 may be connected by this means and in this manner. Likewise connections may be made with the furring strips and channels of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 between themselves or other of the members immediately before mentioned. For distinction of the two FIG. 1 type flush runners shown in FIG. 6, the numerals identifying the parts of one will be primed. The connecting means comprises an elongated flat strip of metal 59 of a width and thickness to frictionally slide and engage in the channels on a flush runner 25, here 25. Hook strip 60 is provided having a rise flange 60a thereon of a height such that top connector plate 60b thereof will overlie channel edge 250 with hook-in portion 600 engaged under overturned edge 25c. Plate 60b is of greater length than the width of channel edge 250.

A punch-out flange 59a may be provided to aid movement of plate 50 sliding in channel 25'. To engage channel 25' with channel 25, plate 59 is slid. therealong until close to channel 25. The free end 25d of channel 25' is then elevated slightly to permit the hook end 600 of engaging member 60 to slide over edge 250. End 25d is then dropped and plate 59 slid to the left in FIG. 6 to engage the hook with the edge 25c. Disengagement is carried out in the opposite manner.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9 wherein is shown a modified type of flush runner or furring channel which may be compared with the construction shown in FIGS 1 and 2. Furring clip 20' has already been described. Flush channel 61 comprises an elongate flat upper strip 61a having overlying edges 61b and 610 analogous to the channel construction of FIG. 1, but with, in addition, a vertical flange fixed centrally to the opposite face thereof as at 61d which has itself an elongate strip 61e fixed normal thereto like strip 61a, of the same substantial width. A furring clip 20 or 20' may engage therewith in the manner shown in either FIG. 1, FIG. 2 or FIG. 9, the latter essentialy the same as FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 shows a variation on the interior runner or furring channel 26 shown in FIG. 3. This member is generally designated 62 and comprises two L legs 62:: and 62b in transverse cross section which have L flanges or inturned edge analogues 620 62 inclusive, on the outside faces of the L legs. The distinction between the structures of FIGS. 3 and 10 lies in the provision of an extra pair of flanges 62c and 62f, say on the outer other L leg face. It should be observed that the furring runners in any of the constructions shown in any of the figures can be either multiply configured or bent elongate strips as in FIG. 3 or aluminum or other like metal extrusions as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10.

Referring to FIG. 12, therein is shown a corner engagement member generally designated 63 exploded from its engagement with, an interior runner, on the left (per FIG. 10) and an exterior runner on the right per FIG. 11. Member 63 has three square or rectangular panel members 63a-c, inclusive, joined at right angles to one another at the side edges thereof to form a cubic corner, the outwardly extending adjacent free edges thereof having engagement plates 63d-g, inclusive, thereon adapted to frictionally engage space and connect members such as those described. It should be noted that plates 63d-g, inclusive, should be of such size and so placed On the edges mounting them that there will be such described fit. Thus, the opposed most distant edges of plates 63g and 63 must substantially seat against the channel interior edges of the exterior runner 29 and likewise with the opposed, furthest away edges of plates 63d and relative to the other furring member.

Referring to FIG. 13, as previously mentioned, a ceiling installation of the channel members of FIGS. 9-11 with the subject furring clips is therein shown. Thus a plurality of vertically disposed furring clips 64-68, inclusive, are connected by the upper body portion thereof to joist 69 which extends between walls 70 and 71. An I-beam 72 supports the ceiling joists, while duct or pipe 73 runs parallel thereto. It .is desired to provide a furred panel suspension system relative to these latter members.

Wooden furring strips 74 and 75 are attached by nails 76 to the visible face of joist 69 with the lower edges thereof angled 45 as seen. Wooden furring strip 77 is also connected to joist 69 by nails 76 with the lower end thereof squared off. A plurality of flush furring channels of the type seen in FIG. 9 are connected or engaged with the ears of furring clips 64-66, inclusive but in a manner 90 opposed to the connection illustrated in FIG. 9, that is, with the upper body portions of the clips at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the flush furring channel 61. Additional flush furring channels of the type shown in FIG. 9 are connected by nails or other conventional means to the side of wooden furring strip 77 and the side of joist 69 as seen as 8184, inclusive. An interior runner 85 which may be either of the construction shown in FIG. 10 or that in FIGS. 3 and 4 is connected to or engaged by furring strip 67 in the manner of FIG. 3, that is, with the runner extending normal to the surface mounting the furring strip upper face. Likewise, another interior runner 86 is mounted by furring clip 68 in the same manner. It should be particularly noted that the secondary ears of the type shown at 22 in FIG. 9 will locate the desired position of clip 68 relative to joist 69, namely, normal to the lower edge thereof.

A pair of furring clips 87 and 88 engaging exterior furring channels 89 and 90 of the types shown in FIGS. and 11, (in the manner of FIG. 11) are connected to the angled lower faces of the wooden furring strips 74 and 75.

Panel elements 91-100, inclusive, are carried by the various channels. Thus, panel 91 is carried between two flush furring channels of the type shown in FIG. 9, as are panels 92, 99 and 100, although the latter are nailed or otherwise fixedly attached to the under side of the joist, rather than carried by furring clips. Panels 93 and 98 are carried between a flush furring channel of the type shown in FIG. 9 and an interior furring channel of the type shown in FIG. or FIGS. 3 and 4. Panels 94 and 97 are carried between the latter type furring channels and the exterior furring type channels 89 and 90. Panels 95 and 96 are carried between the latter type of furring channels and the flush furring strip or channel shown in FIG. 9.

With the use of resilient snap-in type ceiling panels of the type shown in the patent to J. F. Stephens No. 2,994,112, issued Aug. 1, 1961, Acoustical Insulation Paneling System, it will be seen that all of the furring clips and the suspension channels carried thereby are readily accessible for repair, replacement or removal. Snap in or multidimensionally resilient panels of the type disclosed in said Stephens patent as seen at the left in FIG. 2 between member 7880 involving I-I members as in FIG. 9 is particularly useful and valuable with the panel retained between the H legs and readily snapped in and out of the system for various purposes as in the Stephens patent and its parent case.

From the foregoing it 'will be seen that this invention is one Well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages 8 which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made'of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A furring clip and flush runner strip engaged to provide a furring assembly, comprising,

in the furring clip, an upper elongate flat body portion having integrally attached thereto at the lower end thereof a lower body portion,

the latter comprising a pair of opposed, rectangular ears exetnding outwardly in the same plane and in opposite directions from one another and normal to the fiat sides of said upper body portion,

each one of said ears extending on one flat side of said body portion and extending laterally past the side edge of said upper body portion,

the combined width of said ears, including their said lateral extension, greater than the width of the upper body portion thereabove, the combined length of the ears, including their extension outwardly from the flat sides of the upper body portion equal to the combined width of the ears,

the runner strip comprising an elongate strip having connected to each side edge thereof and overlying on the same single face thereof an elongate flange L- shaped in cross section,

the lower body portion ears of said clip engaged with said flanges in one of the length and width-wise orientations thereof,

and rotatable 90 for re-engagement with said flanges in the other of said orientations,

the distance between adjacent opposed runner strip overlying fiange edges less than the length and widthwise extensions of said lower body portion ears,

the width of the upper body portion above the lower body portion ears less than the distance between adjacent opposed runner strip overlying flange edges.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,152,418 3/1939 Olsen 52484 2,143,980 1/1939 Guastavino 52-484 2,307,653 1/1943 Wright 52-484 X 2,900,677 8/1959 Yetter 52-484 2,971,617 2/1961 Smith 52484 3,039,571 6/1962 Hovind 52-484 FOREIGN PATENTS 769,437 1957 Great Britain.

JOHN E. MURTAGH, Primary Examiner.

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