Abstract:
Movable partitions and various components for use with movable partitions are disclosed along with related systems and methods. In one embodiment, a track and trolley system for use with a movable partition is described. In one embodiment, the track and trolley system may include a track having three channels wherein a first partition is suspended from the first channel, a second partition is suspended from the second channel, and a trolley is partially disposed in the third channel and between the first and second channels. Seal components may be used to substantially provide a fluid seal between the partitions and a surface from which the partitions are suspended. The trolley is configured to be longitudinally displaceable along the third channel while maintaining its components within an envelope defined by the seal components. In other words, such seal components are not penetrated or otherwise breached by the displaced trolley.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/856,676, filed Nov. 3, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to movable partitions and, more particularly, to systems, apparatuses and methods for reducing or eliminating fluid flow across such movable partitions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Movable partitions are utilized in numerous situations and environments for a variety of purposes. Such partitions may include for example, foldable or collapsible doors configured to close-off an opening in order to enclose a room or to subdivide a single large room into one or more smaller rooms. The subdivision of a larger area may be desired, for example, to accommodate the simultaneous meeting of multiple groups. In such applications movable partitions are useful, among other things, for providing privacy and noise reduction. 
     Movable partitions may also be used to act as a security barrier, a fire barrier or as both. In such a case, the movable partition may be configured to automatically close upon the occurrence of a predetermined event such as the actuation of an associated alarm. For example, one or more movable partitions may be configured as a fire door or barrier wherein each door is formed with a plurality of panels connected to each other by way of hinge mechanisms. The hinged connection of the panels allows the door to fold-up in a compact unit on one side of the opening or it may be stored in a pocket formed within a wall, the pocket being designed to conceal the door and preserve the aesthetics of the room in which the door is installed. When deployment of the door is necessary, the door is driven by a motor along a track (the track often being incorporated into the header above the door), until the leading edge of the door, often defined by a component called the lead post, complementarily engages a mating receptacle. Such a mating receptacle may be referred to as a jamb or a door post when formed in a fixed structure (such as a wall), or as mating lead post when formed in another door or movable partition. The lead post, when properly engaged with the door jamb (or the mating lead post), allows corresponding latching mechanisms to engage if desired, and helps to provide a desired seal (e.g., a seal with respect to airflow, sound waves or both). 
     However, even when a movable partition is properly closed, due to the various and numerous moving components associated with a movable partition, the movable partition may not always provide the desired level of “seal” from one side of the deployed movable partition to the other. In other words, fluid flow through one or more locations may reduce the effectiveness of the door to act, for example, as a smoke barrier or a sound barrier. 
     Some efforts have been made to prevent the lateral displacement of the lower edge of such a movable partition to prevent fluid flow beneath the movable partition. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/097,101 entitled METHOD, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR DIRECTIONALLY CONTROLLING A MOVABLE PARTITION, 11/796,325 entitled METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A MOVABLE PARTITION, and Provisional Application No. 60/856,957 entitled MOVABLE PARTITIONS WITH LATERAL RESTRAINT DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS (the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties) discuss various means of reducing or preventing the lateral displacement of the lower edge of a movable partition. 
     However, even if the lower edge of a movable partition is restrained, “leaks” across the partition may still occur at various locations. In certain circumstances, such “leaks” may individually represent a relatively small flow of air or other fluid across the partition, but the cumulative effect of such leaks can be deleterious to the performance of the partition regardless of whether the partition is being used, for example, as a smoke barrier or a sound barrier. 
     Reduction in fluid flow across a partition, such as a movable partition used as, for example, a fire, smoke, security or sound barrier in order to make such apparatuses and systems more effective and more efficient is a continued pursuit of the industry. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to movable partitions, components for movable partitions, systems including movable partitions and related methods. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a track and trolley system for a movable partition is provided. The system may include a track having a central channel extending longitudinally therethrough, a first outer channel located on a first lateral side of the central channel and a second outer channel located on a second lateral side of the central channel. One or more rollers may be coupled to a frame member. The frame member and the roller or rollers may each be disposed in the central channel and longitudinally displaceable relative to the track. 
     Additionally, the track and trolley system may be configured such that the central channel defines a pathway for a drive chain and such that the frame member and the roller or rollers are located and configured to avoid interference with the pathway. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a track for a movable partition is provided. The track may include a structure having at least one elongated channel formed therein and defining a longitudinally extending opening in a surface of the structure. A first seal component may have a seal lip that extends at least partially across the opening in a first lateral direction. A second seal component may further have a seal lip extending at least partially across the opening in a second lateral direction. The seal components may be configured such that their respective seal lips are contiguous with one another or such that they laterally overlap. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a movable partition is provided. The movable partition may include a track having at least one elongated channel formed therein and defining a longitudinally extending opening in a surface of the channel. A first seal component may include a seal lip that extends at least partially across the opening in a first lateral direction and a second seal component may have a seal lip that extends at least partially across the opening in a second lateral direction. A plurality of panels is hingedly coupled to one another to form a plicated structure and at least one pin is coupled to at least one panel of the plurality of panels. The pin may extend from the at least one panel, through the opening and into the at least one elongated channel. At least one roller may be coupled to the at least one pin and disposed in the at least one elongated channel. 
     In another embodiment of the movable partition, at least one channel may include a first channel and a second channel with a central channel being located between the first channel and the second channel. The movable partition may further include a trolley including a frame member having a web member, a first leg on a first side of the web member and a second leg member on a second side of the web member. A first roller may be coupled to the first leg and a second roller may be coupled to the second leg. The frame member, the first roller and the second roller may each be disposed in the central channel and longitudinally displaceable relative to the track. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, another movable partition is provided. The partition includes a first plicated structure having a plurality of hingedly coupled panels and a second plicated structure having a plurality of hingedly coupled panels. A track includes a central channel extending longitudinally therethrough, a first outer channel located on a first lateral side of the central channel and a second outer channel located on a second lateral side of the central channel. The first plicated structure is associated with the first outer channel and the second plicated structure is associated with the second outer channel. A trolley comprising a frame member and at least one roller coupled to the frame member are disposed in the central channel and longitudinally displaceable relative to the track. 
     In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, another movable partition is provided. The movable partition includes a plurality of panels hingedly coupled to one another to form a plicated structure. A layer of insulation is disposed on a surface of the plicated structure and at least one fastening apparatus is coupled to at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the at least one fastening apparatus being located and configured to substantially fix the layer of insulation relative to the plicated structure. A layer of sealant is configured and located to substantially fluidly seal the layer of insulation and the plurality of panels. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a movable partition is provided. The method includes suspending a first plicated structure having a plurality of panels from a first channel of a track and suspending a second plicated structure having a plurality of panels from a second channel of the track. A trolley is at least partially disposed in a third channel of the track, wherein the third channel of the track is disposed between the first and second channels. A first fluid seal is substantially formed between the first plicated structure and a surface above the first plicated structure and a fluid seal is substantially formed between the second plicated structure and a surface above the second plicated structure. The trolley is longitudinally displaced along the track while the trolley is maintained within an envelope defined by the first fluid seal and the second seal. 
     Various other embodiments of the invention are described herein and will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading of the detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a system and movable partition in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the partition shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  a perspective view of a movable partition shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  with various components and sections stripped away to show certain details in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of an overhead track used in certain embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of a prior art device; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a trolley in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-section view of an overhead track and a trolley in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an end view of a seal component in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the inside surface of a set of panels used to form a movable partition in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , a system  100  is shown which includes a movable partition, for example, in the form of an accordion-type door  102 . The door  102  may be used, for example, as a security and/or fire door. In other embodiments, the door  102  need not be utilized as a fire or security door, but may be used, for example, for the subdividing of a larger space into smaller rooms or areas or it may be used as a sound barrier. The door  102  may be formed with a plurality of panels  104  that are connected to one another with hinges  106  or other hinge-like members. The hinged connection of the individual panels  104  enables the panels  104  to fold relative to each other in an accordion or a plicated manner such that the door  102  may be compactly stored in a pocket  108  formed in a wall  110 A of a building when in a retracted or folded state. 
     When it is desired to deploy the door  102  to an extended position, for example, to secure an area such as an elevator lobby  112  during a fire, the door  102  is displaced along a track  114  and across the space to provide an appropriate barrier. When in a deployed or an extended state, a leading edge of the door  102 , shown as a male lead post  116 , complementarily or matingly engages with a jamb or door post  118  ( FIG. 2 ) that may be formed in a wall  110 B of a building. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , an accordion-type door  102  may include a first accordion-style partition  102 A and a second accordion-style partition  102 B which is laterally spaced from the first partition  102 A (it is noted that only one panel is shown in  FIG. 3  for purposes of convenience and clarity in describing embodiments of the invention). Such a configuration may be utilized, for example, as a fire door wherein one partition  102 A may act as a primary fire and smoke barrier, the space  122  between the two partitions  102 A and  102 B may act as an insulator or a buffer zone, and the second partition  102 B may act as a secondary fire and smoke barrier. Such a configuration may also be useful in providing an acoustical barrier when the door  102  is used to subdivide a larger space into multiple, smaller rooms. 
     A drive, which may include, for example, a motor  124  and a transmission member such as a drive belt or chain  125  ( FIG. 2 ), may be configured to open and close the door  102  upon actuation thereof. A trolley  128  is coupled to a portion of the chain  125  and configured to ride or slide along the track  114 . The trolley  128  may be coupled to, for example, the lead post  116  such that displacement of the trolley  128  results in corresponding displacement of the lead post  116  and the various panels  104  attached thereto. Referring briefly to  FIG. 4 , an end view of a track  114  is shown which may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A first channel  130  may be configured for receipt of slide mechanisms or rollers  132  ( FIGS. 3 and 7 ) that may be attached to individual panels  104  associated with a first partition (e.g., partition  102 A) while a second channel  134  may be configured for receipt of similar slide mechanisms or rollers associated with a second partition (e.g., partition  102 B). A central channel  136  may be disposed between the two partition channels  130  and  134  and may be configured for receipt of the trolley  128  as well as provide a raceway for the belt or chain  125 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the door system  100  may further include various sensors and switches to assist in the control of the door  102  through appropriate connection with the motor  124  (such as by way of an appropriate controller as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art). For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , when used as a fire door, the door  102  may include a switch or actuator  126 , commonly referred to as “panic hardware.” Actuation of the panic hardware  126  enables a person located on one side of the door  102  to cause the door to open if it is closed, or to stop the door  102  while it is closing, allowing access through the barrier formed by the door  102  for a predetermined amount of time. 
     It is noted that, while the presently described embodiment is more specifically directed to a single accordion-type door  102 , other movable partitions may be utilized. For example, a two-door, or bi-part door, system may be utilized wherein two similarly configured doors extend across a space and join together to form an appropriate barrier. Also, the present invention is applicable to movable partitions or barriers other than the accordion-type doors that are specifically shown and described herein. 
     Referring briefly now to  FIG. 5 , a partial cross-sectional view is shown of portions of a prior art device including a track  200  and a trolley  202  for a lead post.  FIG. 5  also includes portions that are not part of the prior art device, which are shown in dashed lines. The trolley  202  includes a frame member  204  having rollers  206  coupled to laterally spaced ends thereof. The track  200  includes a central channel  214  in which a portion of the trolley  202  is disposed, and which acts as a raceway for a drive chain (chain not shown in  FIG. 5 ). A first channel  210  is located on a first side of the track  200  and receives a first set of rollers  206  of the trolley  202 . A second channel  212  is located on an opposing side of the track  200  and receives a second set of rollers  206  of the trolley  202 . The central channel  214  is disposed between the first and second channels  210  and  212  and provides a raceway for a drive belt or drive chain as well as receives a portion of the trolley  202  such as a structure that may be coupled to the drive chain or a structure that may act as a chain (or belt) tensioner or idler. 
     As also shown  FIG. 5 , as parts that are not part of the prior art device, but are used to illustrate possible hinged panels  216  (superimposed in dashed lines for purposes of clarity) as they may be used with the prior art device of  FIG. 5 . In this possible implementation, a flexible seal component  218  is located at the upper portion of the panels and is intended to be in contact with the track  200  and ceiling or other supporting structure to which the track  200  is affixed. However, because the frame member  204  of the trolley extends across the centerline of each the first and second channels  210  and  212 , and therefore across the centerline  220  of each pathway of the suspended panels  216 , the frame member  204  of the trolley  202  penetrates through the region in which the flexible seal component  218  is disposed and causes the flexible seal to be displaced away from the track  200  (as indicated by dashed lines  222 ) and creates a significant gap  224  through which fluid flow may occur. The gap  224  allows a certain amount of air, smoke or noise to pass across the partitions  216 . In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the gaps  224  created by the prior device are substantially reduced or eliminated to improve the ability to seal a door and prevent, or at least minimize, fluid flow from one side of the door to the other. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7  (with general reference to  FIGS. 1 through 4 ), an embodiment of the present invention is shown regarding a track  114  and trolley  128  arrangement. The trolley  128  may include a frame member  140  having a web portion  140 A and two downwardly extending leg portions  140 B and  140 C. One or more rollers  142 A may be coupled to the first leg portion  140 B and one or more rollers  142 B may be coupled to the second leg portion  140 C. It is noted that, in the embodiment depicted by  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the frame member  140  is oriented and configured substantially opposite to that of the prior art device described with respect to  FIG. 5 . In other words, the legs of the frame member used in the prior art device extended substantially upward from the web member of the frame in contrast with the embodiment described with respect to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . While the orientation described with respect to  FIGS. 6 and 7  may provide certain advantages, the prior art orientation may also be utilized in conjunction with the present invention. 
     When installed in the track  114 , the rollers  142 A and  142 B are disposed in the central channel  136  of the track  114 . This is in contrast with the prior art device which was configured such that the rollers associated with the frame member were disposed in the laterally outward partition channels and not in the central channel. By configuring the frame member  140  and the associated rollers  142 A and  142 B such that the rollers  142 A and  142 B are located within the central channel  136 , there is no structural member or other component of the trolley  128  that extends beyond the centerline  144  of either of the first or second channel  130  and  134  (and, thus, of the corresponding centerline path of each partition  102 A and  102 B or individual panels  102  thereof). 
     Because there are no components extending through the centerline  144 , the flexible seal components  146  located at the top of the panels  102  remain in substantial contact with the track  128  and the ceiling  148  or other structure in which the track  128  may be installed, eliminating the gaps created by the prior art device previously described with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
     It is further noted that the embodiment shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 6 and 7  still maintains the ability for the chain  125  (or drive belt) to pass through the channel  136  without interference with the trolley  128 . Additionally, the reduced width of the frame member  140  and corresponding positioning of the rollers  142 A and  142 B (or sliding structures or other mechanisms) provides increased stability to the lead post  116  which is attached to the trolley  128  (e.g., by way of frame components  143 ) due to the reduced bending of the frame member  140  and corresponding lateral displacement of the lead post  116 . Indeed, the configuration of the trolley  128  in conjunction with its cooperative positioning within the central channel  136  of the track  114  enables the trolley to support a greater load as compared to the previously described prior art device. 
     Referring briefly back to  FIG. 4  in conjunction with  FIG. 7 , another embodiment of the present invention is shown and described. As already described, a number of the panels  102  of the partitions  102 A and  102 B (in some embodiments, all of them) have rollers  132  or slide mechanisms attached to them to support them from the first and second channels  130  and  134  of the track  114 . The rollers  132  may be coupled to the panels  104  by way of a pin  150  or other similar structure fastened to the panel  102 . The pins  150 , since they extend between the panels  102  and the channels  130  and  134  in which the associated rollers  132  are disposed, provide another point of potential leakage or fluid flow across the partitions  102 A and  102 B of the door  102 . Because each panel  102  straddles the centerline  144  of an associated channel  130  and  134  from which they are supported, fluid flow may occur from a location exterior to the partition (e.g., partition  102 A), into the associated channel (e.g.,  130 ) and into the space  122  ( FIG. 2 ) between the two partitions  102 A and  102 B. Fluid flow may then occur across the other partition (e.g., partition  102 B) in a similar manner. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, seal components  152  are installed in association with the channels  130  and  134  of the track  114  to further reduce fluid flow across the door  102 . Referring briefly to  FIG. 8 , an example of a seal component  152  is shown. The seal component  152  may include an L-shaped component, such as shown, or may exhibit various other cross-sectional configurations. Example dimensions of a seal component  152  according to one embodiment include the following: dimension A may be approximately 0.335 inch (approximately 8.5 millimeters (mm)); dimension B may be approximately 0.375 inch (approximately 9.5 mm); dimension C may be approximately 0.04 inch (approximately 1 mm); dimension D may be approximately 0.4 inch (approximately 10 mm); dimension E may be approximately 0.963 inch (approximately 24 mm); dimension F may be approximately 0.015 inch (approximately 0.04 mm) and R may be approximately 0.04 inch (approximately 1 mm). However, such dimensions are merely examples and it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other configurations may be utilized. The seal component  152  includes a seal lip  154  which is substantially flexible and is substantially elastically deformable. In one embodiment, such a seal component may be formed of a material such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), although other materials may be utilized. 
     As seen in  FIG. 4 , two such seal components may be utilized in conjunction with a channel (e.g., channel  130 ) with the seal lips  154  of each seal component being substantially contiguous with each other or even overlapping each other by a desired dimension. The seal components  152  may be installed, for example, using an adhesive material  156  ( FIG. 8 ) disposed between the seal component  152  and the track  114 . 
     The pins  150  associated with the panels  104  protrude through the seal formed by the seal components  152  causing the seal lips  154  to deflect as indicated in  FIG. 7 . The seal components  152  substantially wrap around the pins  150  and, when the pins  150  are displaced along the track (such as when the door  102  is deployed or retracted), the seal lips  154  return to their normal position such as shown in  FIG. 4  in the absence of such pins  150 . Thus, the seal components  152  serve to minimize fluid flow that may otherwise occur across a partition (e.g.,  102 A) by way of the associated channel (e.g., channel  130 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , another embodiment of the present invention is shown and described. One or more layers of insulation  160  may be disposed on or adjacent an inner surface  162  of the partition  102 A (i.e., the surface of the partition located within the space  122  of the door  102 ). For example, a layer of fiberglass insulation  160  having a foil backing may be installed near the upper edge of the partition  102 A. Clips  164  or other fasteners may be used to fix the insulation  160  in place relative to the panels  104 . However, even with the clips  164  or other fasteners holding the insulation  160  in place, fluid flow may occur along a path traveling between the insulation  160  and the individual panels  104 . To prevent or minimize such fluid flow, a sealant, such as a foil tape  166  may be placed over an edge of the insulation  160  and also adhered to the inner surface  162  of the partition  102 A. Other means of sealing may likewise be used to form a seal between the insulation  160  and the inner surface of the partition  102 A. 
     While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.