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Title:
WALL ANGLE AND MAIN TEE FOR USE IN SUSPENDED CEILING GRID STRUCTURE AND INCLUDING MULTI-PURPOSE MEASUREMENT INDICIA
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2004/090248
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
A wall angle (10) and main runner for use in installing a suspended ceiling grid structure within a walled enclosure (12), the grid structure including a plurality of main grid runners and hanger wires suspending he main runners from an overhead support of the room enclosure. The wall angle (10) includes an elongated body defining, in cross section, an angled profile with a first side (16) and a second interconnecting and extending side (18). A measurement indicia scheme is placed in an incrementing manner (24-30) along the first side and in a correspondingly decrementing manner (32-40) along the second side, such that the elongated body is reversible to illustrate a selected incrementing/decrementing indicia scheme along either extending side. The main runner (286) exhibits an elongated body with a first end (288, 290, 292) and a second end (294, 296) and an indicia scheme is placed along the main body at 1' intervals between the first and second ends.

Inventors:
PAUL WILLIAM (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2004/009752
Publication Date:
October 21, 2004
Filing Date:
March 31, 2004
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
PAUL WILLIAM (US)
PAUL CAROL (US)
International Classes:
E04B9/06; E04B9/10; E04B9/30; E04F19/02; (IPC1-7): E04B/
Foreign References:
US6516581B22003-02-11
US6684522B22004-02-03
US6526716B22003-03-04
US4131008A1978-12-26
US4475290A1984-10-09
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Mcevoy, Douglas J. (Krass Groh, Sprinkle, Anderson & Citkowski, P.C., 280 N. Old Woodward Ave., Suite 40, Birmingham MI, US)
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Claims:
CLAIMS
1. A wall angle for use in installing a suspended ceiling grid structure within a walled enclosure, comprising: an elongated body having, in cross section, a profile with a first side and a second side extending from an interconnecting edge with said first side; and a measurement indicia scheme placed in an incrementing manner along said first side and in a correspondingly decrementing manner along said second side, said elongated body being reversible to illustrate a selected incrementing/decrementing indicia scheme along either extending side.
2. The wall angle as described in claim 1, said first side further comprising incrementing numerical indicia points, said second side further comprising opposing, corresponding and decrementing numerical indicia points.
3. The wall angle as described in claim 2, said incrementing and decrementing indicia points each being presented in upside and downside fashion along each of said first and second sides.
4. The wall angle as described in claim 1, further comprising marking indicia placed at selected length intervals along said body and for marking iterative locations for engagement of the main runners and hanger wires.
5. The wall angle as described in claim 1, further comprising marking indicia placed at selected length intervals along said body and for marking iterative locations for engagement of said wall angle to mounting studs associated with the walled enclosure.
6. The wall angle as described in claim 4, said indicia scheme further comprising markings designating increments of at least every four feet along said body.
7. The wall angle as described in claim 5, further comprising markings designating increments along at least one of 16"and 24"intervals of said body.
8. The wall angle as described in claim 1, said first and second sides of said body defining, in cross sectional profile, a substantially right angle, and said elongated body being established at individual twelve foot lengths.
9. The wall angle as described in claim 1, said body having a durable and resilient material and being manufactured as a substantially flattened blank wherein said first and second sides are arranged in substantially planar fashion.
10. The wall angle as described in claim 1, said indicia scheme further comprising a half oval shape zero at each of first and second opposite ends of each of said first and second sides.
11. The wall angle as described in claim 11, said indicial scheme further comprising a full oval shape at four foot incrementing and decrementing locations along each of said first and second sides.
12. The wall angle as described in claim 1, said indicia scheme further comprising a diamond shape at three inch incrementing and decrementing locations along each of said first and second sides.
13. The wall angle as described in claim 12, further comprising a larger shaped diamond symbol at \/2'markings intermediate individual 1' incrementing and decrementing marks, a smaller sized diamond symbol existing at 3"markings intermediate each pair of 1/2'markings.
14. The wall angle as described in claim 1, said indicia scheme further comprising selected !/2"inch markings provided in incrementing and decrementing fashion along each of said first and second sides.
15. A kit for use in installing a suspended ceiling grid structure within a walled enclosure, comprising: a wall angle having an elongated body having, in cross section, a profile with a first side and a second side extending from an interconnecting edge with said first side; a measurement indicia scheme placed in an incrementing manner along said first side and in a correspondingly decrementing manner along said second side, said elongated body being reversible to illustrate a selected incrementing/ decrementing indicia scheme along either extending side; a main runner exhibiting an elongated body with a first end and a second end; and an indicia scheme being placed along said main body at l/2'7 intervals between said first and second ends.
16. The kit as described in claim 15, further comprising an imprinting process for applying said indicia schemes to said wall angle and main runner.
17. The kit as described in claim 15, further comprising a punch process for applying said indicia scheme to said main runner.
18. A main grid runner for use in installing a suspended ceiling grid structure within a walled enclosure, comprising: an elongated body having a first end and a second end said body further exhibiting a substantially"T"shaped configuration in a cross section; and an indicia scheme placed along said body at selected intervals between said first and second ends.
19. The main grid runner as described in claim 18, further comprising a punch for applying said indicia scheme.
20. The main grid runner as described in claim 19, further comprising said punch overlapping opposite side surfaces associated with said elongated body to strengthen said body.
Description:
WALL ANGLE AND MAIN TEE FOR USE IN SUSPENDED CEILING GRID STRUCTURE AND INCLUDING MULTI-PURPOSE MEASUREMENT INDICIA BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to suspended ceiling grid structures and, more particularly, to a kit containing a wall angle and main tee employed in suspended ceiling grid structures and which incorporates various measurement indicia schemes. In particular, the measurement indicia schemes incorporated into the wall angle according to the instant invention provide the feature of quickly determining a remaining length of wall angle after sectioning at a desired location. This also enables a user the option of sectioning equal end sections of a given wall angle and in combination with the alignment of main runners at given intervals along the wall angle. Additional combined features of the wall angle include the provision of additional series of indicia markings, built into the overall indicia scheme, and for such as determining wall stud location and main/cross suspended runner and hanger wire location.

Yet additional features associated with the main runner indicia scheme include the provision of marking indicia at half inch intervals, from end to end and at given alternating locations along the main runner. It is also contemplated that a punch or other suitable scribing process can be employed for applying the indicia scheme along the main runner, the same further assisting in mechanically strengthening the main runner integrity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Suspended structures for creating ceiling grids are fairly well known in the art, the concept behind such structures being to provide suspended support for ceiling tiles. The tiles are typically rectangular shaped and acoustically insulating in nature and function to recreate a uniform and"dropped"ceiling appearance to an interior enclosure with an unfinished ceiling, such enclosures

including commercial building interiors, as well as basement ceilings in residential dwellings.

U. S. Patent No. 6,516, 581, issued to Paul et al. , teaches a wall angle for use in suspended ceiling grid structures and which includes a multi-purpose measurement indicia. In particular, Paul teaches an elongated body with an angled profile and which exhibits first, second and third series of indicia markings. The first series of markings are placed at first selected one foot length intervals along the body and for marking first iterative locations for engagement of the main runners and hanger wires. The second series of markings are placed at further selected length intervals, such as at sixteen or twenty-four inch intervals, along the body and for marking locations for the engagement of the wall angle to vertically extending wall studs of the walled enclosure. A third series of markings are further selected at third selected length intervals along the body and for establishing a selected overall height and length of the grid structure.

U. S. Patent No. 4,677, 802, issued to Vukmanic, discloses one known arrangement of suspended ceiling system and runner and which is characterized by each of the runners being composed of a first member and a cap member. The first member is bent to form an inverted T-bar configuration with a groove extending inwardly from the flange of the T and the cap member having the same configuration and being secured on the flange of the T-bar configuration to form a channel with flange portions on each side for supporting panels of the ceiling system.

U. S. Patent No. 4,712, 350, also issued to Vukmanic, discloses a centering arrangement for T members of a suspended ceiling for holding a plurality of panels supported by the runners in a desired position on the flanges of the runners. The centering arrangement includes a bump extending from each side of a cross sectional web profile of the runner, the bump being formed in the web immediately adjacent a cut in the runner so that the drawing of the material into the bump will not draw material from the flange or adjacent thereto. The bump shape is preferably"half-moon"or semi-circular in

configuration and so that it provides a smooth camming surface for both lateral movement of the panel along the flange as well as vertical movement towards the flange.

U. S. Patent No. 4,525, 973, again issued to Vukmanic, teaches a suspended ceiling system again teaching main runners and cross runners which are inter-engageable to define a rectangular grid system. Suitably configured and elongated apertures are formed in the webbed profile of the main runners in axially spaced apart fashion and which receive an appropriately configured connecting end of selected cross runners and so that the cross runners are engaged to the main runner in mutually engaging fashion and on opposite sides thereof.

Finally, U. S. Patent No. 4,406, 104, issued to Beck et al. , teaches a suspended ceiling wall angle including a conventional inverted"T"ceiling runner structure used as a wall angle molding for a suspended ceiling system.

Appropriate spacing means are utilized adjacent the vertical web of the inverted T runner to space the vertical web from a vertical wall so that the runner may be mounted in position with its horizontal flanges in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the wall.

Additional examples of suspended ceiling grid systems are illustrated by the likes of U. S. Patent No. 4,470, 239, issued to Sauer ; 4,727, 703, issued to Platt ; and 5,839, 246, issued to Ziegler.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention is a wall angle and main runner, or main"T", construction kit for use in installing a suspended ceiling grid structure within an interior enclosure which is an improvement over the prior art in that the wall angle can be employed in any one of a number of different measuring and marking applications to dramatically decrease the length of time necessary to install the suspended ceiling structure. In particular, the measurement indicia schemes incorporated into the wall angle according to the instant invention provide the feature of quickly determining a remaining length of wall angle

after sectioning at a desired location. This also enables a user the option of sectioning equal end sections of a given wall angle and in combination with the alignment of main runners at given intervals along the wall angle.

Additionally, the wall angle of the present invention may be utilized in lieu of the standard measuring tape in order to quickly and effectively establish highly accurate measurements for such as the location of main grid runners and hanger wire, the marking of stud locations along each of the walls defining the interior enclosure and the establishing of a desired and overall height and/or length of the grid structure (including positioning of 4'tees).

The wall angle defines an elongated body having, in cross section, an angled profile with a first side and a second side extending from an interconnecting edge with the first side. The wall angle is further preferably constructed of a durable and resilient material, such as a lightweight steel, and is typically provided in twelve foot lengths.

A sequential and reciprocal measurement indicia scheme is provided along each side of the wall angle and from a first end to a second end. The progressive measurement indicia scale read along the first side of the wall angle corresponds to an associated decreasing indicia scale read along the second side and which corresponds further to a remaining length of the given wall angle at any given point.

Of particular note is that the wall angle is reversible and so that a length indicia reading taken from either side corresponds to a remaining length reading from the other side. This is of particular advantage when one wishes to quickly determine both a length of wall angle to be cut for a given application, as well as determining a length of the remaining piece of wall angle for a subsequent application. Additionally, the ability to quickly determine a given length along each of opposite first and second ends of the wall angle enables a user to section equal end lengths prior to mounting of the wall angle bracket upon a given wall surface, and in particular when it is desirable to achieve a uniform indicia scale along the wall angle, relative to a given width location of

the associated room enclosure, and for the equal and aligning placement of main runners and/or cross runners.

Other and additional features of the wall angle include a series of markings, incorporated into the overall measurement indicia scheme, and placed at selected one foot length intervals along the body for marking first iterative locations for engagement of the main runners and hanger wires (4' tees). The markings are preferably inscribed along both the first and second sides of the body and exhibit a selected and enlarged triangular pattern to better assist the installer in visualizing and identifying the correct location of the main ceiling grid runners.

A further series of markings are likewise incorporated into the overall indicia scheme and placed at further selected intervals, typically at either sixteen or twenty-four inches, to define locations for engaging the wall angle to the vertically extending studs forming a part of the wall structure. It is further contemplated that such indicia markings, and which do not corresponding to one foot markings, in particular such as those at 16", 32"et seq. , are provided by a suitable symbol, such as a"+"symbol, inscribed along each of the first and second sides of the wall angle.

A further series of markings include 1/2''indications incorporated into the overall indicia scheme, and provided such as at 12", 4*/2", 7'/2", et seq., intervals. Further, the wall angle may be provided as a substantially flattened blank and prior to a bending operation in which it acquires its angular configuration.

Yet additional features associated with the main runner indicia scheme include the provision of marking indicia at half inch intervals, from end to end along the main runner. It is also contemplated that a punch, imprint or other suitable scribing process can be employed for applying the indicia scheme along the main runner, in either a surface imprint/application manner or, alternatively, the same further again being provided with the assistance of punch imprint or mechanical scribing process in order to mechanically strengthen the main runner integrity along with applying the desired scheme.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: Fig. 1 is perspective view of the wall angle, shown in reduced length for each of presentation, and according to the present invention; Fig. 2a is a front plan view of a first one foot section of the wall angle and illustrating the incrementing/decrementing measurement indicia scheme, along with portions of the first, second and third marking indicia according to the present invention; Fig. 2b is a front plan view of a second succeeding one foot section of the wall angle reciprocating indicia scheme and again illustrating portions of the first, second, and third marking indicia according to the present invention; Fig. 2c is a front plan view of a third succeeding one foot section of the wall angle and illustrating additional portions of the first, second and third marking indicia according to the present invention; Fig. 2d is a front plan view of a fourth and final one foot section of a 12'wall angle and illustrating yet additional portions of the first, second and third marking indicia according to the present invention; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a section of an interlocking grid runner, such as a main runner, and incorporating the provision of marking indicia at half inch intervals, from end to end along the main runner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to Fig. 1, a wall angle construction is illustrated at 10 for use in installing a suspended ceiling grid structure (not illustrated) within an interior enclosure (walled enclosure 12 and overhead ceiling or support 14).

As previously stated, the wall angle 10 is an improvement over the prior art in that it can be employed in any one of a number of different measuring and marking applications and in order to dramatically decrease the time and effort necessary to install the suspended ceiling structure. In particular, the

measurement indicia schemes incorporated into the wall angle according to the instant invention provides the feature of enabling a user to quickly determine a remaining length of wall angle after sectioning at a desired location and/or to section equal and opposite end lengths from the wall angle.

As is known in the art, the items comprising the drop ceiling grid structure, including the main runners, cross runners, and hanger wire, do not require repeating herein. The wall angle of the present invention is also equally applicable for use with any conventional types of suspended ceiling grid assemblies. As further previously described, the wall angle of the present invention takes the place of the standard measuring tape and in order to quickly and effectively establish highly accurate measurements for the desired sectioning of the wall angle 10, and such as for the location of main grid runners, cross runners and hanger wire.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the wall angle 10 defines an elongated body having, in cross section, an angled profile with a first side 16 and a second side 18 extending from an interconnecting edge 20 with the first side 16. The wall angle 10 is further preferably constructed of a durable and resilient material, such as a lightweight steel, and is typically provided in twelve foot running lengths.

Referring again to Fig. 1, as well as to Figs. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d in succession, a plurality of individual and incremental marking indicia will now be described and with which the wall angle of the present invention is employed in its various functions. It is further important to note that, as to Figs. 2a-2d, these illustrations are each shown flattened (as opposed to the perspective and three dimensional angled configuration of Fig. 1) and in order that incrementing/decrementing indicia scales are evident in opposing fashion along the first 16 and second 18 sides.

Specifically, and for purposes of the drawing illustrations provided herein, a first increasing (or incrementing) measurement indicia scale is provided in extending fashion along the first side 16 of the wall angle, whereas a second and reciprocally decreasing (or decrementing) scale is provided in

likewise extending and corresponding fashion along the second side 18. It is also again understood that each incrementing/decrementing indicia scale is reversible and by virtue of the placement of indicia markings in opposing and upside/downside fashion upon each selected side 16 and 18.

Referencing in particular Figs 1 and 2a, a first one foot length of a typical twelve foot wall angle is illustrated and includes, along first side 16, combined three inch numerical and diamond shaped markings at 22 (3"), 24 (6"), 26 (9"), et seq. As is further shown, the size of the diamond shaped markings vary from location to location, and such that the markings for the three inch 22 and nine inch 26 locations are provided at a first size, whereas the six inch 24 marking is at a second slightly enlarged size.

Still referencing Figs. 1 and 2a, additional markings at zero inches 28 and at twelve inches 30 are indicated. The zero 28 marker indicates a half oval shape, the purpose for which as will be subsequently described permits an opposing end of a succeeding 12'length of wall angle to be secured in end-to- end fashion. The twelve inch marker 30 is further provided as a largest sized diamond.

Referencing now the corresponding second side 18 of Figs. 1 and 2a, combined three inch numerical and diamond shaped markings are provided at 32 (11'9"), 34 (11'6"), 36 (11'3") et seq. and which correspond in opposing fashion to previously defined markings at 22 (3"), 24 (6"), 26 (9"), et seq. along the first side 16. As previously described, the size of the diamond shaped markings again vary from location to location, and such that the markings for the three inch 22 and 32 and nine inch 26 and 36 locations match in size, whereas the six inch 24 and 34 markings match at a second slightly enlarged size. A zero inch 38 half oval and larger sized eleven foot diamond 40, associated with the second side 18, again match and correspond with the identical markings 28 and 30, respectively, located along the first side 16.

Consistent with the previous explanation given in the summary of the invention, the initial foot scale of Figs. 1 and 2a illustrates that the measurement indicia markings 24-30 along the first side 16 correspond to

associated and decrementing markings 32-40 at selected opposing and aligning locations along the second side 18. As further explained previously, numerical measurements, called out for each location 20-30 and 32-40, are provided in opposing fashion along each selected side 16 and 18, and so that the wall angle 10 is reversible in use.

Referring again to Figs. 1 and 2a, additional one inch markers are indicated and referenced by smallest sized diamonds, extending along first side 16 at 42 (1"), 44 (2"), 46 (4"), 48 (5"), 50 (7"), 52 (8"), 54 (10"), 56 (11"), 58 (13"), et seq. Corresponding one inch markers placed along the second side 18, and again in opposing and decrementing fashion, include those at 60 62 (11'10"), 64 (11'8"), 66 (11'7"), 68 (11'5"), 70 (11'4"), 72 (11'2"), 74 (11'l"), 76 (10'I 1"), et seq.

An additional series of markings include 1/2"indications incorporated into the overall indicia scheme, at selected locations, and provided such as at incrementing intervals ll/2'' (78), 41/2" (80), 71/2" (82), 10l/2'' (84), 131/2" (86) et seq. , along the first side 16. Corresponding decrementing intervals provided along the second side 18 include, respectively, 11'10l/2" (88), 11'7l/2" (90), 11'4l/2"(92), 11'1l/2"(94), 10'10t/2"(96), etseq.

As previously explained, the indicia scales extending along a wall angle 10 which, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, is twelve feet (12') in overall length. These scales further largely repeat over individual four foot (4') intervals between 0 and 12'. The illustrations of Figs. I and 2a largely represent those markings along the first extending foot (actually up to 131/2"of the incrementing length, side 16, and 11'10'/2"of decrementing length, side 18).

Fig. 2b represents 14"to 25l/2''of incrementing length (side 16), and corresponding decrementing scale length of 10'10"to 9'101/2" (side 18). The indicia scales provided herein along both the first 16 and second 18 sides largely repeat those previously described in reference to Fig. 2a and include, along first side 16, three inch diamond markings at 98 (15"), 100 (18"), 102 (21"), 104 (24"), et seq. In reference again to Fig. 2a, the 15" (98) and 21"

(102) markings of Fig. 2b repeat in size those illustrated at 22 (3") and 26 (9"), whereas the 24"marking (104) repeats the larger diamond sized of 12" (30) and which is typical for every running foot of length. Corresponding markings along the second side 18 of the wall angle portion illustrated in Fig. 2b include 10'9" (106), 10'6" (108), 10'3" (110), 10' (112), et seq.

Individual and opposing one inch (smaller diamond sized markings) are provided, both progressively and regressively along both the sides 16 and 18, first described along side 16 at 14" (114), at 16" (116), 17" (118), 19" (120), 20" (122), 22" (124), 23" (126), 25" (128), et seq. , and correspondingly and opposingly along side 18 at 10'10" (130), 10'8" (132), 10'7" (134), 10'5" (136), 10'4" (138), 10'2" (140), 10'1" (142), 9'11" (144), et seq. Selected half inch markings include such as those along first side 16 at 161/2" (146), 201/2" (148), 22'/2" (150), 251/2" (152), et seq. , and corresponding and opposing second side 18 markings at 10'7V2" (154), 10'41/2" (156), IO'll/2" (158), 9'10'/2" (160), et seq.

A further series of markings are incorporated into the overall indicia scheme and placed at selected intervals to define locations for engaging the wall angle to the vertically extending studs forming a part of the wall structure, these further existing at 16"or 24"on center locations. It is further contemplated that such indicia markings be provided by a suitable symbol, such as a"+"symbol, inscribed along each of the first and second sides of the wall angle. These are shown in the illustration of Fig. 2b by 16"designation 162 (side 16) and opposing and corresponding 10'8"designation 164 (side 18), it further being understood that these designations also correspond to those at 116 and 164 for sides 16 and 18. Accordingly, stud markings are made possible using the one foot indicia markers along the wall angle 10 for a 24" on-center configuration, as well as at 16", 32", 48", 64", et seq. incrementing (or alternatingly decrementing) scale for a 16"on-center configuration.

Fig. 2c represents 38"to 4'in2" (side 16), and corresponding decrementing scale length of 8'10"to 7'101/2" (side 18). At the expense of repeating ad nauseam each repeating indicia marking, reference is made

generally to incrementing side 16 and include three inch markings 39" (166), 42" (168), 45" (170), 48", or 4' (full oval at 172), inch markings 38" (174), 40" (176), 41" (178), 43" (180), 44" (182), 46" (184), 47" (186), 49" (188), and selected 1/2"markings at 40'/2" (190), 431/2" (192), 46/2" (194), and 491/2" (196).

Identical and opposing/decrementing indicia markings extending along side 18 include three inch markings 8'9" (198), 8'6" (200), 8'3" (202) and 8' (again full oval at 204), inch markings 8'10" (206), 8'8" (208), 8'7" (210), 8'5" (212), 8'4" (214), 8'2" (216), 8'1" (218), 7'11" (220), as well as again selected l/2" markings at 8'7'/2" (222), 8'41/2" (224), 8'1'/z" (226) and 7'101/2" (228).

Fig. 2d skips over much of the repeating intervals extending between the 4'to 11'increment scale and corresponding 8'to 1'decrementing scale and substantially represents the final extending foot length of the wall angle 10, and in particular 11'2"to 12' (side 16) and corresponding 10"to zero inches (side 18). These again include, first along side 16, three inch markings at 11'3" (230), 11'6" (232), 11'9" (234) and 12' (half oval at 236 and which mates with hall oval 28 at zero inches in Fig. 2a to secure end-to-end), smaller one inch markings at 11'2" (238), 11'4" (240), 11'5" (242), 11'7" (244), 11'8" (246), 11'10" (248), l 1'1 1" (250), and selected 1/2"markings at 11'41/2" (252) 11'7 ! 4" (254), and 11'10'/2" (256). Corresponding/opposing and decrementing second side 18 markings include three inch markings at 9" (258), 6" (260), 3" (262) and zero inch (half oval 264), smaller one inch markings at 10" (266), 8" (268), 7" (270), 5" (272), 4" (274), 2" (276) and 1" (278), and selected 1/2"markings at 71/2" (280), 41/2" (282) and l l/2" (284).

Although not shown, it is understood that a further series of markings may be incorporated at yet further selected intervals along the body and assist in such as the establishing of an overall height or length of the suspended grid structure. In this application, the wall angle is employed in a"story pole" application. The third marking indicia markings are typically provided at increments beginning at an initial established length of seven foot, six inches along the elongated body, and repeating at six inch increments thereafter, i. e., also at corresponding eight foot designations.

As previously explained, the wall angle may be provided as a substantially flattened blank, with the first 16 and second 18 sides arranged in substantially planar fashion (as presently illustrated in Figs. 2a-2d) and prior to a bending operation in which it acquires its substantially right angle configuration. Any conventional bending operation can be employed to provide the wall angle with its desired configuration and, further, it is envisioned that the user can mark the appropriate or desired indicia locations prior to the bending operation.

Referring finally to Fig. 3, an end portion of a selected grid runner, such as a main runner, is illustrated generally at 286. It is understood that the main runner can function separately or as a kit along with the wall angle 10 previously described.

Of note, the main runner 286 incorporates an indicia scheme include the provision of marking indicia at half inch intervals, from end to end along the main runner. In particular, and referencing again Fig. 3, successive 1/2" markings are designated, proximate a first end, at 288,290, 292, et seq. and terminating at 294 and 296 at an opposing second end of the main runner.

The advantage of the 1/2''indicia scheme, applied along the entire length of the main runner 286, is to enable the main to be more quickly measured and sectioned than was previously possible. Although not shown, it is also contemplated that a punch, imprint or other suitable scribing process can be employed for applying the indicia scheme along the main runner, in either a surface imprint/application manner or, alternatively, the same further again being provided with the assistance of punch imprint or mechanical scribing process, this further having been found to mechanically strengthening the main runner integrity along with applying the desired scheme.

In particular, the punching process can be employed to mimic the */2", 1", 1'/z"et seq. markings extending along the runner, combined with strengthening the lateral and torsional characteristics of the grid runner by overlapping the opposite facing sides of the runner at these locations.

Furthermore, cutting to a center split location of such a punchmark, followed by the folding of the cross sectional"T"configuration of the runner has been found to cause a split at the base of the cut, and thereby provide a more accurate measured cut. It is also contemplated that a likewise suitable punch process, or other indicia marking process, can be incorporated into cross grid runners within the scope of the invention.

Accordingly, the present invention discloses a novel and useful wall angle and/or main runner for use in installing a suspended ceiling grid structure within a walled enclosure and which greatly reduces the time and effort necessary in establishing the necessary measurements for marking the main runner and hanger wire locations, the locations of the wall studs, and the correct height for the location of additional lengths of wall angle and the correct drop height of the main grid runners. Additional preferred applications will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: