Abstract:
A method of moving panels from a stowed position to a deployed position includes supporting a first panel on a cam, rotating the cam in a first direction and lowering the first panel which separates the first panel from the cam and supports the first panel on a flexible lift member. Supporting a second panel on a support rack, biasing the second panel into engagement with the cam, rotating the cam in the first direction to transfer the second panel from the support rack to the cam. Further rotating the cam in the first direction, lowering the second panel to transfer the second panel from the cam to the first panel, so that the flexible lift member bears the weight of the first and second panels through the connection between the first panel and the flexible lift member. Fixing the first and second panels through a tongue and groove engagement.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to walls that are moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of moving panels from a stowed position, in which the panels are substantially positioned above a ceiling, to a deployed position, in which the panels are substantially vertically aligned to form a wall. The method includes supporting a first panel having a first weight on a cam, rotating the cam in a first direction and lowering the first panel in response to rotation of the cam. Lowering the first panel separates the first panel from the cam. Supporting the first panel on a flexible lift member in response to lowering the first panel, so that the flexible lift member bears the first weight. Supporting a second panel having a second weight on a support rack, and biasing the second panel into engagement with the cam. The method further includes rotating the cam in the first direction and transferring the second panel from the support rack to the cam in response to rotating the cam, so that the cam bears the second weight. The method further includes further rotating the cam in the first direction, lowering the second panel in response to further rotation of the cam and transferring the second panel from the cam to the first panel, so that the first panel bears the second weight, and the flexible lift member bears the first weight and the second weight through the connection between the first panel and the flexible lift member. The method further includes fixing the second panel to the first panel through a mating tongue and groove engagement. 
         [0003]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of moving panels from a deployed position, in which the panels are substantially vertically aligned to form a wall, to a stowed position, in which the panels are substantially positioned above a ceiling. The method includes supporting a first panel having a first weight on a flexible lift member, so that the flexible lift member bears the first weight, supporting a second panel having a second weight on the first panel, so that the flexible lift member bears the first weight and the second weight through the connection between the first panel and the flexible lift member. The method further includes moving the first and second panels substantially vertically and lifting the second panel off of the first panel with a cam, so that the cam bears the second weight, disengaging the second panel from the first panel by vertically displacing the second panel from the first panel. The method further includes transferring the second panel from the cam to a support rack, so that the support rack bears the second weight and displacing the second panel horizontally from the first panel by transferring the second panel onto the support rack. The method further includes further moving the first panel substantially vertically, lifting the first panel with the cam, and rotating the cam so that the cam bears the first weight. 
         [0004]    In still another embodiment, the invention provides a wall panel assembly moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The wall panel assembly includes a first wall panel having a first weight and including a first carrier, a flexible lift member coupled to the first wall panel and a second wall panel having a second weight and including a second carrier. A prime mover moves the first and second wall panels between the stowed position and the deployed position. A support rack supports the second carrier and bears the second weight when the second wall panel is in the stowed position, and the flexible lift member bears the second weight when the second wall panel is in the deployed position through the connection between the first wall panel and the flexible lift member. A cam has an exterior perimeter that defines a recess sized to receive at least one of the first and second carriers. The cam rotates in response to the prime mover. Rotation of the cam in a first direction moves the first and second wall panels into the deployed position, and rotation of the cam in a second direction, opposite the first direction, moves the first and second wall panels into the stowed position. 
         [0005]    Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wall panel assembly according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of one of the panels of the wall panel assembly. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a carrier and a carrier mounting bracket. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of another one of the panels of the wall panel assembly. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  exploded view of an object presence sensor of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the wall panel assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a drive box assembly according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is side view of the drive box assembly with parts removed for clarity. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the drive box assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a top view of a jamb assembly. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  perspective view of the panels in a stowed position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a side view illustrating the rotation of the cam to release the bottom panel from the cam. 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a side view illustrating the inclined support rack biasing the carrier of the first stowable panel against the cam. 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a side view illustrating the cam engaging the carrier of first stowable panel. 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a side view illustrating the cam lifting the first stowable panel off of the inclined support rack. 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a side view illustrating the cam positioning the first stowable panel vertically above the bottom panel. 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is a side view illustrating the jamb vertically orienting the first stowable panel and the bottom panel, so that the dovetails of the panels mate when the cam releases first stowable panel. 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  is a side view of the panels in a deployed position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 19  is a side view illustrating the cam engaging the carrier of the top panel. 
           [0025]      FIG. 20  is a side view illustrating the cam vertically displacing the top panel off of the remaining panels. 
           [0026]      FIG. 21  is a side view illustrating the cam horizontally displacing the top panel with respect to the remaining panels as the cam transfers top panel onto the inclined support rack. 
           [0027]      FIG. 22  is a side view illustrating the chain further lifting the remaining panels as the cam slot approaches the carrier of the next panel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates a wall panel assembly  10  including a plurality of wall panels  15 , a drive assembly  20 , first and second jamb assemblies  25   a ,  25   b , and a cable device  30 . The illustrated wall panel assembly  10  includes seven separate wall panels  15 , but other quantities of wall panels  15  can be utilized. The illustrated plurality of wall panels  15  include a plurality of stowable panels  15   s  and a bottom panel  15   b . The illustrated embodiment includes six stowable panels  15   s  and one bottom panel  15   b.    
         [0030]    A ceiling  35  having an opening  40  is illustrated in phantom in  FIG. 1 . The wall panel assembly  10  is positioned above the ceiling  35  to substantially hide the wall panel assembly  10  from view when stowed. The wall panels  15  move through the opening  40  to deploy and the illustrated first and second jamb assemblies  25   a ,  25   b  extend through the opening  40 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates one of the stowable panels  15   s  in detail. The stowable panels  15   s  are substantially identical, so the discussion of the stowable panel of  FIG. 2  applies to all six of the illustrated stowable panels  15   s . The illustrated stowable panel  15   s  includes a frame  45 , front and rear panel faces  50   f ,  50   r , top and bottom dovetail pieces  55   t ,  55   b , carrier mounting brackets  60  and carriers  65 . The frame  45  defines top and bottom support brackets  70   t ,  70   b  and left and right support brackets  75   l ,  75   r . The top and bottom and left and right support brackets  70   t ,  70   b ,  75   l ,  75   r  connect to form the frame  45 . The front and rear panel faces  50   f ,  50   r  are coupled to the frame  45  to provide first and second oppositely-facing wall surfaces. The illustrated stowable panel  15   s  is substantially cuboid in shape. The top and bottom dovetail pieces  55   t ,  55   b  are mounted on the top and bottom support brackets  70   t ,  70   b , respectively. 
         [0032]    The carrier mounting brackets  60  are coupled to the left and right support brackets  75   l ,  75   r , respectively.  FIG. 3  illustrates one carrier mounting bracket  60  and one carrier  65  in greater detail. The illustrated carrier mounting bracket  60  includes a hollow tube  80 , a first plate  85 , a second plate  90 , a plurality of fasteners  95  and a carrier retaining sleeve  100 . The illustrated hollow tube  80  has a substantially square cross section. The hollow tube  80  and the first plate  85  are positioned on an outside surface of the left support bracket  75   l  and the second plate  90  is positioned on a inside surface of the right support bracket  75   r . The plurality of fasteners  95  extend through respective apertures in the hollow tube  80 , the first plate  85 , the right support bracket  75   r  and the second plate  90  to connect the carrier mounting bracket  60  to the frame  45 . In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier retaining sleeve  100  is permanently affixed to the hollow tube  85 , extends through an aperture in the first plate  85 , and abuts the left support bracket  75   l . The carrier retaining sleeve  100  is hollow and is internally threaded. In the illustrated embodiment, one of the fasteners  95  is positioned above and three of the fasteners  95  are positioned below the carrier retaining sleeve  100 . Other quantities, locations and configurations of apertures are possible. 
         [0033]    The carrier  65  includes a fastener  115 , a first bearing  120 , a snap ring  125 , a second bearing  130 , a bearing retaining sleeve  135 , and a nut  140 . The fastener  115  may be a shoulder bolt and includes a head  145  and a shaft  150 . The head  145  has a larger diameter than the shaft  150 . The illustrated head  145  is round and includes a slot to receive a tool to tighten and loosen the fastener  115 . The illustrated shaft  150  includes a threaded portion that is threaded into the carrier retaining sleeve  100 . A distance between the head  145  and the carrier retaining sleeve  100  is adjustable by threading or unthreading the fastener  115  from the carrier retaining sleeve  100 . The first bearing  120  is positioned on the fastener  115  in abutment with the head  145 . The illustrated first bearing  120  is a needle bearing, but another suitable bearing or bushing can be utilized. The snap ring  125  is positioned adjacent the first bearing  120 . In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft  150  defines a groove to receive the snap ring  125  therein. The snap ring  125  is operable to retain the first bearing  120  in abutment with the head  145 . In another embodiment, a detent or other structural protuberance is utilized the retain the first bearing  120  in abutment with the head  145 . 
         [0034]    The second bearing  130  is positioned adjacent the snap ring  125 . The illustrated second bearing  130  is a roller bearing, but another suitable bearing or bushing can be utilized. The bearing retaining sleeve  135  is positioned adjacent the second bearing  130 . In some embodiments, the bearing retaining sleeve  135  is threaded onto the fastener  115  to retain the second bearing  130  in position on the fastener  115 . In the illustrated embodiment, a nut  140  or other structural element is utilized to retain the second bearing  130  in abutment with the snap ring  125 . The nut  140  is threaded onto the fastener  115  and is spaced from the bearing retaining sleeve  135  in the illustrated embodiment. The illustrated nut  140  abuts the carrier retaining sleeve  100 . The nut  140  permits adjustment of a distance between the head  145  and the carrier retaining sleeve  100 . The nut  140  performs the function of a lock nut  230  against the carrier retaining sleeve  100 . Other distance adjustment configurations are possible and the illustrated nut  140  and carrier retaining sleeve  100  are given by way of example only. 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , the bottom panel  15   b  includes many of the same features as the stowable panels  15   s ; only the features specific to the bottom panel  15   b  are discussed herein. The bottom panel  15   b  includes a bottom seal  155 , an object present sensor assembly  160  and a chain mount  165 . The seal  155  is coupled directly to the bottom support bracket  70   b ; the bottom panel  15   b  has no bottom dovetail piece  55   b . The seal  155  is flexible and extends downwardly in a substantially arcuate configuration. 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , the object presence sensor assembly  160  includes a main body  170 , an arm  175 , a spring  180  and a circuit element  185 . The main body  170  is mounted to the bottom support bracket  70   b  and extends through an aperture  190  in the bottom support bracket  70   b . The arm  175  is coupled to the main body  170  and extends substantially vertically and downward through the aperture  190  in the bottom support bracket  70   b . The illustrated arm  175  includes a recess  195  and a pin  200 . The illustrated main body  170  abuts the pin  200 , and the arm  175  substantially abuts the seal. The spring  180  is coupled to the main body  170  and the arm  175  and retains the arm  175  in a first, un-actuated position. The illustrated circuit element  185  is a switch including a first moveable portion and a second portion. The switch second portion is mounted to the main body  170  and the first moveable portion is free to move with respect to the main body  170 . When in the first, un-actuated position, the first moveable portion is spaced from the recess  195 . In the second, actuated position, the first moveable portion contacts the recess  195 . When actuated, the object presence sensor assembly  160  opens a circuit to stop operation of the drive assembly  20 . When the seal  155  abuts an object, such as an obstruction or the floor, the arm  175  is biased upward to actuate the object presence sensor assembly  160  and therefore, stop operation of the drive assembly  20 . 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , the chain mount  165  includes an elongate bracket  205  having an arm, a second bracket  210  and an adjustable connector assembly  215 . The elongate bracket  205  is connected to the right support bracket  75   r  by a plurality of fasteners  220 . In another embodiment, the elongate bracket  205  includes an extension that is connected to the bottom support bracket  70   b  in addition to or in lieu of the elongate bracket  205  being connected to the right support bracket  75   r . The arm projects substantially normal to the right support bracket  75   r . The arm includes an aperture extending vertically therethrough. The adjustable connector assembly  215  includes an anchor  225 , a stud  230 , a nut  235  and a lock nut  240 . The anchor  225  includes a first aperture oriented along a substantially horizontal axis and a second aperture oriented along a substantially vertical axis. The second aperture  240  is threaded in the illustrated embodiment. The stud  220  is threaded and extends through the arm aperture and into the vertical anchor aperture. The nut  235  and lock nut  240  thread onto the stud  220  below the arm. The nut  235  and lock nut  240  are operable to couple the stud  230  to the arm. A distance between the arm and the anchor  225  is adjustable by adjusting the position of the nut  235  and the lock nut  240  on the stud  230 . 
         [0038]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , the drive assembly  20  includes a prime mover  245 , a gear reducer  250 , first and second output shafts  255   a ,  255   b  and first and second drive box assemblies  260   a ,  260   b . The illustrated prime mover  245  is an electric motor, but in other embodiments, other suitable prime movers can be utilized. The illustrated gear reducer  250  includes one input coupled to the electric motor and first and second outputs  265   a ,  265   b . The first and second outputs  265   a ,  265   b  are substantially co-linear and extend outwardly from the gear reducer  250 . The first and second output shafts  255   a ,  255   b  are coupled to the respective first and second outputs  265   a ,  265   b  for rotation therewith. The first and second output shafts  255   a ,  255   b  extend toward and engage the respective first and second drive box assemblies  260   a ,  260   b . The illustrated gear reducer  250  also includes a third output  270  (see  FIG. 1 ) extending downward from the gear reducer  250 . The third output  270  is engageable by a user for optional manual operation of the gear reducer  250 . Although not specifically illustrated, the gear reducer  250  is mounted to the building structure. 
         [0039]    The first and second drive box assemblies  260   a ,  260   b  are substantially mirror images, so only the first drive box assembly  260   a  will be discussed in detail. As shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 7-9 , the first second drive box assembly  260   a  includes a first drive shaft  275 , a first sprocket  280 , a second drive shaft  285 , a second sprocket  290 , a cam  295 , a third sprocket  300 , a first chain  305 , an idler sprocket  310 , a flexible lift member  315 , a support rack  320  and a bar  322 . The first drive shaft  275  is coupled to the first output shaft  255   a  for rotation therewith. The first sprocket  280  is coupled to the first drive shaft  275  for rotation therewith. The illustrated first sprocket  280  has ten teeth. The second drive shaft  285  is spaced from and substantially parallel to the first drive shaft  275 . The second sprocket  290  is coupled to the second drive shaft  285  for rotation therewith. The illustrated second sprocket  290  has sixty teeth. The cam  295  is coupled to the second drive shaft  285  for rotation therewith. The illustrated cam  295  includes a substantially circular outer perimeter defining a first radius and a slot  325  which defines a second radius, smaller than the first radius. The slot  325  is sized to receive one of the carriers  65 . The illustrated slot  325  is substantially symmetrical and includes a first substantially planar portion  325   a , a second substantially planar portion  325   b  and a first recess portion  325   c  between the first and second substantially planar portions. The substantially planar portions  325   a ,  325   b  guide the carrier  65  into the recess portion  325   c  when the cam  295  rotates. The third sprocket  300  is coupled to the second drive shaft  285  for rotation therewith. The illustrated third sprocket  300  is positioned between the second sprocket  290  and the cam  295 . The illustrated third sprocket  300  includes thirty teeth and has a one inch pitch. 
         [0040]    The first chain  305  encircles the first sprocket  280  and the second sprocket  290  to couple the first sprocket  280  to the second sprocket  290 . The first chain  305  connects the first drive shaft  275  and the second drive shaft  285 , such that rotation of the first drive shaft  275  causes rotation of the second drive shaft  285 . The idler sprocket  310  is also coupled to the first chain  305  and is utilized to adjust tension in the first chain  305 . The first and second sprockets  280 ,  290  having different quantities of teeth to permit further reduction of rotation of the second drive shaft  285 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first sprocket  280  completes six full rotations while the second sprocket  290  completes only one full rotation. Other quantities of teeth and varieties of gear reduction are possible, and the illustrated is given by way of example only. 
         [0041]    The illustrated flexible lift member  315  is a length of chain (herein referred to as a second chain) but other flexible lift members, such as cables, ropes, cords, strings, and the like can be utilized in place of the illustrated second chain  315 . The second chain  315  engages the third sprocket  300  and thereby moves in response to rotation of the second drive shaft  285 . The second chain  315  is coupled to the bottom panel  15   b  via the adjustable connector assembly  215 . Specifically, a cross link member of the second chain  315  extends through the first aperture  235  of the anchor  215 . 
         [0042]    The illustrated support rack  320  is a vertically extending plate with an inclined upper edge. The inclined upper edge is sized to support the carriers  65 . In the illustrated embodiment, the carrier second bearing  130  moves along the inclined upper edge. The inclined edge of the support rack  320  is angled downwardly toward the cam  295 . Gravity is utilized to move the carriers  65  into engagement with the cam  295 . In another embodiment, a separate motive force (in addition to gravity) is utilized to move the carriers  65  into engagement with the cam  295 . In the illustrated embodiment, the incline is about 5 degrees, but other incline angles can be utilized. The bar  322  illustrated in  FIG. 8  is positioned above the inclined support rack  320  and inhibits the carriers  65  from detaching from the inclined support rack  320 . The bar  322  can assist in aligning the stowable panels  15   s  on the inclined support rack  320 . The bar  322  is only illustrated in  FIG. 8 , but is omitted from the remaining figures for clarity. 
         [0043]    With reference to  FIG. 10 , the first jamb assembly  25   a  includes an external housing assembly  330  and an internal guidance system  335 . The first jamb assembly  25   a  and the second jamb assembly  25   b  are substantial mirror images, so only the first jamb assembly  25   a  is described in detail. The external housing assembly  330  is mounted to a floor and the first drive box assembly  260   a  and includes first and second L-shaped brackets  340   a ,  340   b , first and second mounting brackets  345   a ,  345   b , first and second gaskets  350   a ,  350   b  and first and second alignment brackets  352 ,  353 . The first and second L-shaped brackets  340   a ,  340   b  define a structure substantially enclosed on three sides, thereby leaving one side substantially open. The illustrated first and second L-shaped brackets  340   a ,  340   b  are jamb receivers made from extruded aluminum. The illustrated first and second mounting brackets  345   a ,  345   b  are guide rails that extend across a portion of the open side. The first and second mounting brackets  345   a ,  345   b  extend inward into an interior of the structure. The first and second gaskets  350   a ,  350   b  extend inward from the first and second mounting brackets  345   a ,  345   b  across a portion of the open side. The first and second alignment brackets  352 ,  353  (see  FIG. 8 ) engage and vertically align the panels  15  during stowage and deployment. The illustrated alignment brackets  352 ,  353  are shown by way of example only. Other configurations, shapes and quantities of alignment brackets can be utilized. In some embodiments, the alignment brackets are omitted. The external housing assembly  330  receives the second chain  315  extending therethrough. In some embodiments, the first jamb assembly  25   a  is mounted to a building wall and the external housing assembly  330  extends into a room in the building. In other embodiments, the first jamb assembly  25   a  is mounted to a building wall and the external housing assembly  330  is contained within the wall. 
         [0044]    The internal guidance system  335  includes first and second guide brackets  355   a ,  355   b  coupled to respective first and second mounting brackets  345   a ,  345   b . The first and second guide brackets  355   a ,  355   b  define a substantially vertical opening  40  sized to received the carriers  65  therein. The first and second guide brackets  355   a ,  355   b  substantially surround a portion of the carriers  65  to retain the panels in a substantially aligned orientation. 
         [0045]    The cable device  30  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is a centrifugal cam  295  including a housing  360  and a cable  365 . Although not specifically shown, one cable device  30  can be provided per drive box assembly  260   a ,  260   b . The cable  365  is free to move with respect to the housing  360  at low speed, but the cable device  30  brakes at high speed. The housing  360  is coupled to the building or other structure and the cable  365  is coupled to the bottom panel  15   b . In the event that the any component in the wall panel assembly  10  fails, the cable device(s)  30  support the bottom panel  15   b , and thus, the remaining panels resting on the bottom panel  15   b.    
         [0046]    In operation, the panels  15   b ,  15   s  are moved between a stowed position (shown in  FIG. 11 ) to a deployed position (shown in  FIG. 18 ).  FIGS. 12-17  illustrate some of the steps of deploying the panels  15   b ,  15   s  and  FIGS. 19-22  illustrate some of the steps of stowing the panels  15   b ,  15   s.    
         [0047]    In a stowed position, the stowable panels  15   s  are supported on the support racks  320  via the carriers  65 . The support racks  320  bear the weight of the stowable panels  15   s  in the illustrated stowed position. The support racks  320  are inclined to bias the stowable panels  15   s  into engagement with the cams  295 . In the illustrated stowed position, the bottom panel  15   b  is supported on the cams  295  via the carriers  65  in the slots  325 . In the illustrated stowed position, the cams  295  bear the weight of the bottom panel  15   b  and the chains  315  bear little or none of the weight of the bottom panel  15   b . In another embodiment, the bottom panel  15   b  is supported by the chains  315  in the stowed position. In still another embodiment, the bottom panel  15   b  is supported by the support racks  320  in the stowed position. In the stowed position, the bottom panel  15   b  is recessed above the ceiling  35  so that the seal  155  is recessed above the ceiling  35 . In another embodiment, the seal  155  is level with the ceiling  35  when the wall panels  15  are stowed. 
         [0048]    Operation of the motor  245  rotates the first and second outputs  265   a ,  265   b  of the gear reducer  250 . The first and second outputs  265   a ,  265   b  of the gear reducer  250  cause rotation of the respective first and second output shafts  255   a ,  255   b . The first and second output shafts  255   a ,  255   b  rotate respective first drive shafts  275 , which thereby rotate the respective first sprockets  280 . Rotation of the first sprockets  280  causes movement of the respective first chains  305 , which causes rotation of the respective second sprockets  290  and thereby, rotation of the respective second drive shafts  285 . The cams  295  and the third sprockets  300  are coupled for rotation with the respective second drive shafts  285 . Therefore, the cams  295  rotate about the respective second drive shafts  285  in response to operation of the motor  245 . 
         [0049]    To deploy the wall panels  15 , the motor  245  causes the cams  295  to rotate to release the carriers  65  of the bottom panel  15   b  from the cam slots  325 , to thereby lower the bottom panel  15   b  (see  FIG. 12 ). When released from the cam slots  325 , the chains  315  bear the weight of the bottom panel  15   b  through the chain mounts  165 . As the second drive shafts  285  continue to rotate, the chains  315  continue to lower the bottom panel  15   b . The first and second alignment brackets  352 ,  353  guide the bottom panel  15   b  to maintain the bottom panel  15   b  in a substantially vertical orientation. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , the inclined support racks  320  bias the carriers  65  of the first stowable panel  15   s  against the respective cams  295 . The carriers  65  abut the cams  295  as the cams  295  rotate in response to rotation of the second drive shafts  285 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second bearings  125  ride along the outside surface of the cams  295 . When the cam  295  slots are oriented to receive the carriers  65  of the first stowable panel  15   s , the inclined support racks  320  bias the carriers  65  of the first stowable panel  15   s  into the cam slots  325  (see  FIG. 14 ). The carriers  65  ride along the inclined support racks  320  into the recess portions  325   c.    
         [0051]    With reference to  FIG. 15 , the cams  295  lift the first stowable panel  15   s  off of the inclined support racks  320 , thereby transferring the weight of the first stowable panel  15   s  from the support racks  320  to the cams  295 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cams  295  engage the first bearings  120  of the carriers  65 . The recess portions  325   c  retain the carriers  65  until the cams  295  have rotated to a position in which the slots  325  are facing substantially horizontal, such as the position illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0052]    In the illustrated embodiment, the recess portions  325   c  are sized to receive the carriers  65 . In other embodiments, the recess portions  325   c  are larger than the carriers  65  and permit the carriers  65  to slide along the recess portions  325   c . In these embodiments, the carriers  65  roll along the slots  325  when the slots are facing substantially vertically upward. The recess portions  325   c  define a length which is adjustable to accommodate tolerance requirements and to minimize noise when the carriers  65  move along and abut ends of the recess portions  325   c.    
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 16 , the cams  295  continue to rotate in response to operation of the motor  245  to position the first stowable panel  15   s  substantially vertically above the bottom panel  15   b . The first and second alignment brackets  352 ,  353  guide the first stowable panel  15   s  into vertically alignment with the bottom panel  15   b . The cams  295  continue to lower the first stowable panel  15   s  onto the bottom panel  15   b , such that the mating dovetail pieces  55   t ,  55   b  on a top of the bottom panel  15   b  and on a bottom of the first stowable panel  15   s  engage. As shown in  FIG. 17 , the cams  295  release the first stowable panel  15   s  and the chains  315  support the first stowable panel  15   s  in response to the connection between the first bottom panel  15   b  and the chains  315 . The first stowable panel  15   s  is not connected to the chains  315 , except for the indirect connection through the first bottom panel  15   b.    
         [0054]    With continued reference to  FIG. 17 , the first and second jamb assemblies  25   a ,  25   b , specifically the first and second alignment brackets  352 ,  353 , orient the first stowable panel  15   s  above the bottom panel  15   b  to guide the dovetails  55   t ,  55   b  into mating engagement when the cams  295  release the first stowable panel  15   s . The first and second jamb assemblies  25   a ,  25   b  are fixed to the respective first and second drive box assemblies  260   a ,  260   b  and to the floor. The first and second alignment brackets  352 ,  353  guide and vertically align the panels  15   b ,  15   s  during deployment and stowage. The carriers  65  move within the internal guidance system  335  of the first and second jamb assemblies  25   a ,  25   b.    
         [0055]    The remaining stowable panels  15   s  are deployed in the same manor as the first stowable panel  15   s  is deployed. The stowable panels  15   s  rest on top of other stowable panels  15   s  and the bottom panel  15   b  when deployed. The top dovetail piece  55   t  of one panel mates with the bottom dovetail piece  55   b  of the panel above it, when the wall panel assembly  10  is deployed. The chains  315  bear the weight of all of the deployed panels  15  via the connection between the chains  315  and the bottom panel  15   b .  FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the panels  15   b ,  15   s  in a deployed position in which all of the stowable panels  15   s  are positioned on the bottom panel  15   b . In the illustrated embodiment, the top panel  15   s  extends through the opening  40  above the ceiling  35 . In another embodiment, a top of the top panel  15   s  is substantially level with the opening  40 . The mating dovetail pieces  55   t ,  55   b  of the stowable panels  15   s  engage to substantially fix the adjacent deployed panels  15   b ,  15   s  together. The weight of the stowable panels  15   s , the mating dovetail pieces  55   t ,  55   b  and the first and second jamb assemblies  25   a ,  25   b , in combination, retain the wall panels  15  in a substantially vertical position when deployed. The front and rear panel faces  50   f ,  50   r  of the wall panels  15  together provide a substantially continuous wall surface when the wall panel assembly  10  is deployed. 
         [0056]    To stow the panels  15 , the motor  245  operates in an opposite direction of that of deployment. Operation of the motor  245  rotates the cams  295  in the opposite direction. With reference to  FIG. 19 , the cams  295  engage the carriers  65  of the top panel  15   s . In response to rotation of the cams  295 , the cams  295  lift the top panel  15   s  off of the other panels  15   s ,  15   b , as shown in  FIG. 20 . The top panel  15   s  is first vertically displaced from the remaining panels  15   s ,  15   b  in response to rotation of the cams  295 . The top panel  15   s  is then horizontally displaces from the remaining panels  15   s ,  15   b  in response to further rotation of the cams  295 , as shown in  FIG. 21 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 21  also illustrates that the chains  315  continue to lift the remaining panels  15   s ,  15   b  as the cams  295  transfer the top panel  15   s  onto the inclined support rack  320 . The top panel  15   s  is urged up the inclined support rack  320  by the second substantially planar portion  325   a . As shown in  FIG. 22 , the chains  315  further lift the remaining panels  15   s ,  15   b  as the cam  295  slots approach the carriers  65  of the next panel. In the illustrated embodiment, one full rotation of the cam  295  occurs per stowing or deploying of one panel  15 . The illustrated third sprocket  300  has an outside perimeter that equals the height of the panels  15 . The illustrated cams  295  have a larger diameter than the third sprockets  300  so that the cams  295  lift the panel  15   s  off of the remaining panels  15   s ,  15   b  while stowing and lowers the panel  15   s  vertically onto the remaining panels  15   s ,  15   b  while deploying. This lifting and lowering permits vertical alignment of the mating dovetail protrusions  55   t ,  55   b  prior to mating engagement of the mating dovetail protrusions  55   t ,  55   b.    
         [0058]    Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.