Electrically operated expandable jamb for operable walls

An electrically actuated, expandable wall jamb for an operable wall system. The expandable jamb includes a first wall section having an inward edge for connection to a stationary wall and an outward edge opposite the inward edge. The jamb also includes a second wall section slidably movable with respect to the first wall section. The second wall section includes a sealing edge for sealing engagement with a vertical structure and is movable between a retracted position in which the sealing edge is proximate the outward edge of the first wall section and a sealed position in which the sealing edge extends outward from the outward edge of the first section. The expandable jamb also includes an actuator movable between a first position and a second position connected to both the first and second wall sections and a motor connected to the actuator such that operation of the motor causes the actuator to move between its first and second positions, thereby resulting in movement of the second wall section between its retracted and expanded positions, respectively. Use of the jamb results in an operable wall system which serves as a sound and light barrier between the rooms which the system divides and assists in flattening the wall panels. The jamb may also include a mechanism for sensing the pressure the jamb exerts on the surface in its expandable position, sealingly engages to result in a good seal and to avoid potential damage to the expansion mechanism, the wall panels or the walls.

1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to operable wall panel systems, and, in particular, 
to the provision of an expandable wall jamb therefor. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Operable wall panels are used to divide a large room into two or more 
smaller areas, including the division of gymnasium, a large conference 
room, training facilities and conference centers into smaller rooms. 
Operable wall systems are generally supported by a track located in the 
ceiling and may also include a floor support system. In some 
installations, the wall panels are manually moved into position and, in 
other installations, several wall panels may be hingedly connected to each 
other and traverse the track via the provision of electric power. When 
operable wall panels are extended between two existing walls to form 
another wall therebetween, it is desired that the wall panels form a 
straight line, that there be no gaps between the panels, and that there be 
no gaps between the walls and those panels abutting the walls. This is 
particularly important when the consumer is interested in a room divider, 
an operable wall system, which does not allow sound or light to permeate 
through the operable wall panels. Thus, most operable wall systems also 
include jambs which are rigidly affixed to existing walls. A leading wall 
jamb and a trailing wall jamb are usually provided. The trailing wall jamb 
is connected to the trailing wall, the wall nearest the wall panels when 
the wall panels are in their stored, stacked, or retracted position. The 
leading wall jamb is connected to the leading wall, the wall toward which 
the panels are moved to form a wall dividing the room. When the wall 
panels form this dividing wall, the wall panels are said to be in their 
extended position. 
Though the jambs provide a better seal than can be accomplished should the 
wall panels be made to directly contact the trailing and leading walls, 
gaps between the panels close to the jambs and the jambs still result. The 
presence of these gaps is not only detrimental to the capability of the 
operable wall panel system to be used as a sound and/or light barrier, but 
also does not assist in making certain that the operable wall panels are 
in a straight line. Therefore, it is desired to provide a jamb for use 
with operable wall panels which forms a good seal with the panel which 
engages the jamb such that neither sound nor light may emanate between the 
jamb and the panel. It is also desired to provide a jamb for use with an 
operable wall panel system which results in the formation of a flat wall. 
To compensate for the gaps created between the operable walls and the 
rigidly affixed jambs, it is known in the art to provide an expandable 
wall panel which generally comprises the trailing wall panel. Once the 
operable wall system is in its extended position, the expanding mechanism 
of the expandable wall panel is engaged to increase the width of the 
expandable wall panel thereby closing any gaps between the operable wall 
panels themselves as well as closing the gaps between the jambs and the 
leading and trailing panels. These expandable wall panels incorporate 
manually actuated mechanical mechanisms. Some of the earlier expandable 
wall panels were of a configuration that tended to result in sagging of 
the expanded portion of the expandable wall portion. This sagging meant 
that the exposed edge of the expanded portion was not vertical in all 
instances and therefore could result in gaps between the expandable wall 
panel and the adjacent wall or jamb. Improvements to the mechanical 
actuators were made to reduce or eliminate the problem of sagging 
encountered with earlier systems, such as by the addition of a rack and 
pinion mechanism. 
Though the problem of sagging and the insufficient seal resulting therefrom 
has been addressed, the manually actuated expandable wall panels have 
generally only been provided with manually operated operable wall panel 
systems. Attempts have been made to incorporate such an expandable wall 
panel with an electrically driven operable wall panel system; however, the 
inconvenience of manually adjusting the expandable wall panel for such 
electrically driven systems has not been well received. Therefore, it is 
desired to provide an electrically actuated expandable wall panel or jamb 
which results in a good seal between the adjacent vertical surface and 
which also assists in flattening the panels of the operable wall system 
when the panels are in their extended position. 
A potential problem in the utilization of expandable wall panels or jambs 
is the determination by the user of the sufficient amount of expansion 
necessary to result in a good seal between it and the adjacent surface. It 
is plausible that over extension of the expandable portion of the wall or 
jamb may result in damage to the expanding mechanism or that the 
expandable portion is insufficiently extended to result in a good seal. 
Therefore, it is desired to provide an expandable wall panel or jamb 
having mechanism which ensures that the expandable portion is extended a 
proper distance so as to result in a good seal with its adjacent surfaces 
and to limit the potential damage to the expanding mechanism, to wall 
panels or to walls via over extension of the expandable portion. 
For electrically driven wall panel systems suspended from a ceiling, the 
wall panels of the system are connected to each other via hinges, cables 
and the like. Application of a force against the sides of a wall panel 
when the panels are extended to form a dividing wall may cause a break in 
the flatness of the wall. This is due, in part, to the fact that the 
leading and trailing panels are not rigidly affixed to either the leading 
and trailing jambs or the leading and trailing walls. To compensate for 
this potential breaking of the walls by application of an inadvertent 
force thereto, electrically driven wall panel systems often include a 
floor support system which inhibits inadvertent breaking of the wall. Such 
floor support systems add cost to operable wall systems and detract from 
its aesthetic appearance. If the wall panels of an electrically driven, 
continuously hinged operable wall system were sufficiently sealed against 
each other and against the leading and trailing jambs or walls, the 
requirement for such floor support systems could be minimized or 
eliminated. Therefore, it is desired to provide an expandable jamb or wall 
panel for an electrically driven, continuously hinged operable wall system 
that minimizes or eliminates the requirement for a floor support system in 
addition to the ceiling support system from which the operable wall panels 
are suspended. 
When providing an electrically actuated mechanism, it is generally desired 
to provide a means by which the mechanism may be operated in the event of 
a power loss or a malfunction of any of the electrical and/or mechanical 
components of the mechanism. Thus, it is also desired that an electrically 
actuated expandable jamb include a means by which the expandable jamb may 
be expanded or retracted in the event that power is inadvertently 
disconnected or unavailable and in the event the driving motor is not 
functioning properly. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides an electrically operated, expandable jamb to 
be used in connection with operable wall systems. 
The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a jamb having a first wall 
section for connection to a stationary wall, a second wall section 
slidably movable with respect to the first wall section, an actuator 
connected to the first and second wall sections, and a motor operatively 
connected to the actuator. The first wall section has first and second 
opposing surfaces and an outward edge, the outward edge disposed opposite 
the stationary wall. The second wall section includes a sealing edge and 
first and second opposing surfaces substantially parallel with the first 
and second opposing surfaces of the first wall section. The second wall 
section is movable between a retracted position in which the sealing edge 
is proximate the outward edge of the first wall section and a sealed 
position in which the sealing edge is extended away from the outward edge 
of the first wall section for sealing engagement with a vertical structure 
disposed away from the sealing edge when the second wall section is in its 
retracted position. The actuator, which is responsive to the operation of 
the motor to which it is connected, moves between a first position and a 
second position such that when the actuator is in the first position, the 
second wall section is in the retracted position and such that when the 
actuator is in the second position, the second wall section is in the 
sealed position. 
In another form thereof, the expandable jamb further comprises a means for 
sensing the pressure exerted on the sealing edge of the second wall 
section. The sensing means is connected to the motor such that power to 
the motor may be disconnected when the pressure sensing means reaches a 
predetermined threshold. Coupled with such a pressure sensing means may 
also be a means for setting the predetermined threshold. In one 
embodiment, the pressure sensing means comprises a means for measuring the 
current of the motor. 
In yet another form thereof, the invention comprises an operable wall 
system for disposition in a room having a ceiling and two opposing wall 
surfaces. The operable wall system includes a track operatively connected 
to the ceiling, disposed between the room's opposing wall surfaces and 
defining a track path, a plurality of wall panels operatively connected to 
and movable along the track path, and the expandable jamb according to the 
present invention wherein the jamb is connected to one of the opposing 
wall surfaces. In one embodiment thereof, the wall panels are hingedly 
connected to each other and the operable wall panel system also includes 
an electrically powered drive mechanism operatively connected to one or 
more of the wall panels, the drive system capable of moving the wall 
panels along the track path. 
An advantage of the present invention is the provision of an expandable 
wall portion for an operable wall system which results in a good seal, one 
serving as a good sound and light barrier, with the adjacent surface 
engaged by the expandable wall portion. 
Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of an 
expandable wall portion for an operable wall system which assists in 
flattening the wall panels when in their extended position. 
Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a 
mechanism for determining the proper distance of expansion of an 
expandable wall portion for an operable wall panel system to result in a 
good seal with its adjacent surfaces to limit the potential damage to the 
expansion mechanism, to wall panels or to walls via over extension of the 
expansion portion. 
Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of an 
automatic expandable wall portion which, when used in conjunction with an 
electrically driven, continuously hinged operable wall system, requires 
minimal or no floor support for maintenance of a flat wall when the panels 
are in their extended position in the event an inadvertent force is 
applied against one or more of the wall panels. 
Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of an 
electrically powered expandable wall portion which may be manually 
expanded or retracted in the event power to the jamb is unavailable or in 
the event the driving motor is not functioning.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a diagrammatic top view of one 
embodiment of an operable wall system which utilizes leading and trailing 
jambs which represent prior art. In this embodiment, operable wall system 
20 resides between first, or leading, wall 22 and second, or trailing, 
wall 24. Rigidly affixed to leading wall 22 is leading jamb 26 and rigidly 
affixed to trailing wall 24 is trailing jamb 28. Wall system 20 comprises 
leading wall panel 30, trailing wall panel 32 and intermediate wall panels 
34, all connected to each other via hinges 36. Trailing jamb 28 of this 
embodiment is hingedly coupled to trailing panel 32 via jamb hinge 38. To 
move wall system 20 from its retracted position (not shown), wherein wall 
panels 30, 32 and 34 are stacked near trailing jamb 28, to its extended 
position as shown in FIG. 1, they are moved along track path 40. 
As is well known in the art, wall panels 30, 32 and 34 are suspended from a 
track residing in the ceiling of the room and from which panels 30, 32 and 
34 are suspended by dolleys. Often, such continuously hinged wall systems 
are electrically actuated, i.e., a motor is operatively connected to one 
of more of panels 30, 32 or 34, usually leading panel 30, to cause panels 
30, 32 and 34 to move along track path 40. As shown in FIG. 1, once panels 
30, 32 and 34 are in their fully extended position, panel gaps 42 between 
adjacent wall panels are minimal as is the trailing jamb gap 44 between 
trailing jamb 28 and trailing panel 32. However, to permit panels 30, 32 
and 34 to move into the fully extended position, leading gap 46 is of 
significant width to result in an insufficient seal between leading panel 
30 and leading jamb 26. Thus, the use of trailing jamb 28 hingedly 
connected to trailing panel 32 results in an insufficient sound and light 
barrier between leading panel 30 and leading jamb 26. 
FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic top view of a second embodiment of an operable 
wall system which utilizes leading and trailing jambs which represent 
prior art. In this embodiment, the width of leading gap 46 has been 
reduced by not requiring that trailing panel 32 be connected to trailing 
jamb 28 and by permitting panels 30, 32 and 34 to travel track path 40 
from which trailing jamb 28 is offset. While panel gaps 42 and leading gap 
46 are minimal, trailing gap 44 is insufficient for wall system 20 to 
serve as a good sound and/or light barrier between the areas it divides. 
FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic top view of one embodiment of a manually 
operated operable wall panel system having an expandable wall panel which 
represents prior art. Panels 30, 32 and 34 of this embodiment are not 
hingedly connected to each other and, thus, are of the type to be manually 
moved into position along track path 40. Trailing panel 32 of this 
embodiment includes mechanically actuated expandable wall portion 48 which 
is slidably movable with respect to stationary wall portion 50 of trailing 
panel 32. During operation, once wall panels 30, 32 and 34 have been moved 
to their extended position along track path 40, expandable wall portion 48 
is mechanically actuated by mechanism such as a rack and pinion such that 
expandable wall portion 50 moves toward trailing jamb 28 to minimize panel 
gaps 42, trailing gap 44 and leading gap 46. 
It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that improvements to 
the operable wall systems illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 are desired. With 
regard to electrically actuated wall systems as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the 
utilization of fixed leading and trailing jambs 26 and 28 results in a gap 
between the one or more of the fixed jambs and the leading and/or trailing 
panel. Also, panels 30, 32 and 34 are shown as being in an alignment which 
results in a flat wall; however, in many instances it is actually 
difficult to create such a flat wall with such systems. 
Though the expandable wall panel shown in FIG. 3 results in a better seal 
between the wall panels and the jambs, manually actuated expandable wall 
panels are not practical for use with an electrically driven system in 
which it is expected that the operation of the wall, during both extension 
and retraction of the wall panels, be fully automatic and electrically 
powered. 
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there are shown diagrammatic top views of one 
embodiment of an operable wall system according to the present invention. 
In this embodiment, operable wall system 52 includes leading panel 30, 
trailing panel 32, and intermediate panels 34 connected to each other via 
hinges 36. Operable wall system 52 also includes fixed leading jamb 26 and 
expandable jamb 54. Expandable jamb 54 includes first and second wall 
sections 56 and 58 with first wall section 56 connected to trailing wall 
24 and second wall section 58 slidably movable along track path 40 with 
respect to first wall section 56. Thus, when panels 30, 32 and 34 are 
initially extended as shown in FIG. 4 and expandable second wall section 
58 of expandable jamb 54 is in its retracted position as shown, panel gaps 
42, trailing gap 44 and leading gap 46 may all be present. However, by 
actuating the mechanism within expandable jamb 54 (described in further 
detail herein) to cause second wall portion 58 to move to its extended or 
sealed position as shown in FIG. 5, panel gaps 42, trailing gap 44, and 
leading gap 46 are all minimized such that operable wall system 52 serves 
as a barrier to sound and light, as a good seal is present between each of 
the wall panels 30, 32 and 34, between expandable jamb 54 and trailing 
panel 32, and between leading jamb 26 and leading panel 30. 
The expandable jamb according to the present invention not only results in 
an operable wall system which serves as a barrier to sound and light, but 
also assists in aligning the panels to form a flat wall as shown. It will 
be appreciated that expandable jamb 54 may be placed against leading wall 
22 to accomplish the same intended results although, when placed against 
leading wall 22, additional modifications to the operable wall system will 
likely be necessary. 
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a perspective view of one 
embodiment of the expandable jamb according to the present invention in 
which the expandable jamb has not yet been affixed to a wall. Affixed to 
trailing wall 24 are wall brackets 60 forming channel 62 for the receipt 
of s expandable jamb 54. Specifically, first wall portion 56 of expandable 
jamb 54 is slid over channel 62 formed by wall brackets 60, properly 
aligned, and connected via fasteners or screws 64 to wall brackets 60. In 
this manner, expandable jamb 54 may be placed in the appropriate vertical 
orientation, compensating for any deviation in the verticality of trailing 
wall 24. 
FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the expandable jamb of the 
embodiment of FIG. 6 at line 7--7 in which the expandable jamb is in its 
extended position. Expandable jamb 54 includes first wall section 56 
having first and second opposing surfaces 66 and 68, respectively, inward 
edge 70 for engagement with a stationary wall surface such as described 
above, and outward edge 72 opposite inward edge 70. Expandable jamb 54 
also includes second wall section 58 slidably movable with respect to 
first wall section 56. Second wall section 58 has first and second 
opposing surfaces 74 and 76, respectively, which are substantially 
parallel with first and second opposing surfaces 66 and 68 of first wall 
section 56, inward edge 80 and sealing edge 78 for sealing engagement with 
a vertical structure, such as a wall panel, displaced beyond sealing edge 
78 when expandable jamb 54 is in its retracted position as shown in FIG. 
4. In its retracted position, sealing edge 78 of second wall section 58 is 
as close to outward edge 72 of first wall section 56 as actuator 82 will 
permit. When in its sealed position, as illustrated in FIG. 5, sealing 
edge 78 of second wall section 58 is extended away from outward edge 72 of 
first wall section 56 for sealing engagement s with a substantially 
vertical structure, such as trailing wall panel 32 illustrated in FIG. 5. 
In this embodiment, actuator 82 is connected to inward edge 70 of first 
wall section 56 and is connected via connector 84 to sealing edge 78 of 
second wall section 58. Actuator 82 lies between first and second opposing 
walls 66 and 68 of first wall section 56 and between first and second 
opposing walls 74 and 76 of second wall section 58 to be housed entirely 
within the exterior surfaces of expandable jamb 54. 
For aesthetic reasons, location of actuator 82 within first and second wall 
sections 56 and 58 is desirable. Further, first and second opposing walls 
66 and 68 of first wall section 56 and first and second opposing walls 74 
and 76 of second wall section 58 may be made of or covered with a material 
or covering which matches the exterior surfaces of the wall panels of the 
operable wall system with which expandable jamb 54 is provided. 
Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a side view of one embodiment of the 
expandable jamb according to the present invention in which the expandable 
jamb is in its extended position. In this embodiment, two actuator 
mechanisms, first and second actuators 82 and 86, respectively, are 
installed within expandable jamb 54. First actuator 82 is operatively 
connected to gear motor 88 via threaded rod 90 and second actuator 86 is 
operatively connected to first actuator 82, and hence to motor 88, via 
first, second and third extension tubes 92, 94 and 96, respectively, which 
are rigidly connected to each other. Turning first to the connection of 
first actuator 82 to motor 88, motor 88, such as a 24 VDC reversible gear 
motor available from Howard Industries, Inc. of Milford, Ill, has motor 
shaft 98 to which threaded rod 90 is rigidly connected such that threaded 
rod 90 rotates in response to operation of motor 88. Threadedly attached 
to threaded rod 90 is square nut 100 which is attached to one end of first 
extension tube 92. First, second and third extension tubes 92, 94, and 96 
are not permitted to rotate about their longitudinal axes as described 
herein. Thus, rotation of threaded rod 90 causes nut 100 to traverse the 
longitudinal axis of threaded rod 90 and causes extension tubes 92, 94 and 
is 96 to move in the same direction as nut 100. 
As seen in both FIGS. 7 and 8, attached to first wall section 56 are 
actuator brackets 102, each having vertical slot 104 therethrough. First 
extension arm 106 is pivotally connected at one of its ends to first 
extension tube 92 via pivot fastener 108. Pivot fastener 108, such as a 
semi-tubular rivet, extends through tube bracket 110 connected to first 
tube 92 and through slots 104 of actuator brackets 102. First extension 
arm 106 is connected at its other end to connector 84. Also pivotally 
connected at one of its ends to actuator bracket 102 is second extension 
arm 112. Second extension arm 112 is pivotally connected at its other end 
to a point between the ends of first extension arm 106. The connection of 
first, second and third extension tubes 92, 94 and 96 to pivot fastener 
108 prohibits first, second and third extension tubes 92, 94 and 96 from 
rotating about their longitudinal axes. 
During operation, activation of motor 88 causes threaded rod 90 to rotate 
and nut 100 and first extension tube 92 to move along the longitudinal 
axis of threaded rod 90. Movement of first extension tube 92 in turn 
causes first actuator 82, including nut 100, first extension tube 92, 
first extension arm 106, second extension arm 112 and connector 84, to 
move between its first and second positions as are described in further 
detail herein. In general, movement of first extension tube 92 causes 
pivot fastener 108 to move within slots 104 of actuator brackets 102. 
Because first extension arm 106 is also connected to second extension arm 
112, movement of pivot fastener 108 within slots 104 causes connector 84 
to move horizontally with respect to sealing edge 78 of second wall 
section 58 to thereby cause either the retraction or extension of second 
wall section 58. 
Preferably, second actuator 86 comprises essentially the same components as 
first actuator 82, namely, nut 100 (shared in common with nut 100 of first 
actuator 82), extension tubes 92, 94 and 96, first extension arm 106, 
second extension arm 112 and connector 84. Also, first extension arm 106 
of second actuator 86 is connected to third extension tube 96 in the same 
manner that first extension arm 106 of first actuator 82 is connected to 
first extension tube 92. Therefore, manufacturing costs are minimized by 
providing an expandable jamb wherein all actuators are comprised of many 
identical components. 
In FIG. 8, first and second actuators 82 and 86 are in their second 
position such that sealing edge 78 of second wall section 58 is in its 
sealed position, illustrated above in FIG. 5, for sealing engagement with 
a vertical wall surface. FIG. 9 shows first actuator 82 in its first 
position wherein second wall section 58 is in its retracted position as 
also illustrated in FIG. 4. To move second wall section 58 between its 
retracted position to its sealing position, first and second actuators 82 
and 86 are caused to move from their first to their second position by 
rotation of threaded rod 90 by motor 88 in a counter-clockwise direction 
as viewed from motor 88. When second wall section 58 is in its sealed 
position, clockwise rotation of threaded rod 90 by motor 88 causes 
movement of first and second actuators 82 and 86 from their second 
position to their first position to cause second wall section 58 to move 
from its sealed positions as shown in FIGS. 8 and 5, to its retracted 
position, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 4. 
In this embodiment, connector 84 attached to sealing edge 78 of second wall 
section 58 and actuators 82 and 86 includes adjustment mechanism 114 for 
adjusting the distance second wall section 58 may be extended away from 
first wall section 56. For example, adjustment mechanism 114 may comprise 
a tube having a slot through its longitudinal axis for the acceptance of a 
rivet therethrough. Alternatively, adjusting mechanism 114 may comprise a 
threaded rod such that a nut pivotally connected to first extension arm 
106 may threadedly engage the threaded rod and be positioned at various 
positions along the threaded rods longitudinal axis. 
It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the number of 
actuators required for an expandable jamb according to the present 
invention may vary. For an operable wall system comprising very tall wall 
panels, more than two actuators may be desired to ensure that the 
expandable portion of the expandable jamb, specifically, sealing edge 78 
of second wall section 58, remains vertical during movement between the 
retracted and sealed positions of the expandable jamb and pressure exerted 
is by sealing edge 78 remains constant along sealing edge 78. 
FIGS. 8 and 9 also illustrate socket extension rod 116 extending above 
motor 88. In this embodiment, gear motor 88 is of the type providing the 
attachment of a shaft to motor 88 above and/or below motor 88, such that 
operation of motor 88 causes a shaft connected above and/or below motor 88 
to be rotated. Thus, in addition to connecting threaded rod 90 to motor 88 
below motor 88, socket extension rod 116 is connected to motor 88 above 
motor 88 in this embodiment. The provision of socket extension rod 116 
allows one to expand or retract second wall section 58 manually, such as 
may be desired in the event power to motor 88 is unavailable or 
disconnected or in the event motor 88 is not functioning properly. By 
simply rotating socket extension rod 116, threaded rod 90 is caused to 
rotate, and thereby move first and second actuators 82 and 86 accordingly 
as previously described when electrical power is provided to first and 
second actuators 82 and 86. 
FIG. 10 shows a front view of one embodiment of the electronic control box 
used with the expandable jamb according to the present invention. Control 
box 120 is intended for use with an electrically driven, continuously 
hinged wall system employing the expandable jamb according to the present 
invention as well as an electrically actuated drop seal as is disclosed in 
a copending patent application assigned to the assignee herein. Such a 
drop seal is not, however, essential to the operation of an expandable 
jamb according to the present invention. Control box 120 includes key 
switch 122 movable between three positions designated as OFF, STACK and 
EXTEND. When key switch 122 is in the OFF position, power to motor 88 is 
disconnected. When key switch 122 is placed in the STACK position, the 
driving motor (not shown) of the operable wall system causes the wall 
panels to move toward their stacked, or stored, position. When key switch 
122 is placed in the EXTEND position, the driving motor of the operable 
wall system causes the wall panels to move toward their extended position 
wherein the wall panels form a wall. Such electric control of operable 
wall panels to cause the panels to be stacked or extended is well known in 
the art. 
Control box 120 also includes retract LED (light-emitting diode) 124, 
extend LED 126, seals LED 128, jamb LED 130 and wall LED 132. These are 
status LEDs indicating the current status of the wall panels, drop seals, 
expandable jamb, and wall panels. Specifically, if the wall panels of the 
operable wall system are in their stacked position and are to be extended, 
by placing key switch 122 in the EXTEND position, extend LED 126 is lit 
and power is provided to the wall panel driving motor. As the wall panels 
begin to move, wall LED 132 is lit. Once the wall panels reach the 
extended position, the wall LED 132 is no longer lit, the power to the 
wall panel driving motor is disconnected, and the expandable jamb of the 
present invention may be activated toward its sealed position as described 
herein. Jamb LED 130 is lit during the movement of the expandable jamb 
from its retracted position to its sealed position. Once the expandable 
jamb is in its sealed position, the jamb LED 130 is no longer lit and 
power to motor 88 is disconnected. Then, if electrically actuated drop 
seals are included in the operable wall system, the drop seals may be 
activated to drop to their sealed position. During such activation of the 
drop seals, seals LED 128 is lit. Once the drop seals sealingly engage the 
floor, seal LED 128 is no longer lit and power moving the drop seals is 
disconnected. Finally, extend LED 126 is no longer lit. 
To retract the wall panels from their extended position to their retracted 
or stacked position, placement of key switch 122 in the STACK position 
illuminates retract LED 124. Before moving the wall panels, drop seals 128 
are raised during which time seals LED 128 is lit, and then the expandable 
jamb is moved to its retracted position during which time jamb LED 130 is 
lit. Movement of the wall panels thereafter causes wall LED 132 to be lit 
until the panels are in their fully retracted position at which time power 
driving the walls panels is disconnected. 
Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown a diagrammatic view of the 
electronic circuitry accompanying the control box of FIG. 10 and used to 
activate the expandable jamb of the present invention. The circuitry, 
illustrated in FIG. 11 may reside primarily within electronic control box 
120 illustrated in FIG. 10. As discussed for the embodiment of FIG. 10, 
the electronic circuitry shown in FIG. 11 may be utilized to move the 
expandable jamb according to the present invention between its retracted 
and sealed positions, to raise and lower electrically actuated drop seals, 
and to stack and extend electrically driven wall panels. Because control 
of the wall panels is known in the art and control of electrically 
actuated drop seals is disclosed in the above-mentioned copending 
application, the focus herein is on the operation of the expandable jamb 
according to the present invention. 
In this embodiment, the electronic circuit includes a means for sensing the 
pressure applied by the expandable jamb to the adjacent vertical structure 
when the expandable jamb is in the sealed position, and the circuit 
includes a means for selecting a desired pressure threshold such that when 
s the desired threshold is reached, power to motor 88 is disconnected. 
Specifically, the pressure applied by expandable jamb 54 on the adjacent 
vertical structure is determined by measuring the current of motor 88. The 
functions of the controller circuitry illustrated in FIG. 11 are 
controlled by a microprocessor, such as part no. 68705P3 manufactured by 
Motorola, Inc. programmed in its machine language, as is explained in 
greater detail herein. 
As previously discussed, power to the expandable jamb of the present 
invention is to be invoked when either the wall panels have reached their 
extended position when extending the wall panels, or, when retracting the 
wall panels, after the drop seals have been retracted. To make these 
determinations, microprocessor 142 is connected via input interface 140, 
such as part no. ULN2803 available from Sprague Electronics, to the drop 
seal motor power lines and the wall extend/retract limit switches as shown 
in FIG. 11. Once the appropriate condition of either the wall panels or 
the drop seal has been achieved, microprocessor 142 provides a data signal 
to output interface 144, such as part no. ULN2803, which in turn provides 
a jamb signal to jamb direction and on/off circuit 146. In this 
embodiment, jamb direction and on/off circuit 146 comprises a pair of 
relays. That jamb signal includes an instruction to turn on jamb motor 88 
in the appropriate direction to result in either the expansion or 
retraction of second wall portion 58 as previously discussed. 
It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the controller for 
the expandable jamb of the present invention may not of necessity include 
all of the elements illustrated in FIG. 11, in terms of the activation of 
the expandable jamb. For example, rather than being tied together with the 
operable wall panels or electrically actuated drop seals, a controller may 
simply be directed toward the expandable jamb and a control box therefor 
simply comprise a switch having "Extend", "Off" and "Retract" positions 
for extending the jamb to the sealed position or retracting the jamb from 
its sealed position. In this manner, the expandable jamb may be utilized 
with an operable wall system which does not include an electrically 
actuated drop seal and which is not driven by an electric motor. 
Considering the deactivation of motor 88 once the expandable jamb is in the 
desired position, as shown in FIG. 11, electrically connected to jamb 
force circuit 134, a voltage comparator, are jamb motor current sense 
lines 136 and jamb force adjustment 138. Jamb force adjustment 138 serves 
as a means for selecting the desired threshold voltage representing a 
desired pressure threshold to be applied to motor 88. Generally, a higher 
threshold is desired when the expandable jamb according to the present 
invention is used in conjunction with an operable wall system comprising 
many wall panels. For example, a threshold voltage of one (1) volt may 
correspond to a threshold pressure of 100 psi and may be used in 
conjunction with a five (5) panel operable wall system; two (2) volts may 
correspond to a threshold pressure of 150 psi and used in conjunction with 
a fifteen (15) panel system; and four (4) volts may be used with large 
operable wall systems having a multiplicity of panels. To allow the 
manufacturer or installer to set the threshold voltage (threshold 
pressure), various mechanisms well known in the art, such as a 
potentiometer having an adjustment screw attached thereto, may be 
utilized. 
Jamb force circuit 134 compares the voltage generated by the current sense 
lines 136 of motor 88 to the threshold voltage selected by jamb force 
adjustment means 138. The comparative voltage is provided as input to 
input interface 140 from which the comparative voltage is transmitted as 
bits to microprocessor 142. Microprocessor 142 evaluates the comparative 
voltage provided from input interface 140 to determine whether further 
power is to be provided to motor 88 because the threshold voltage has not 
yet been reached or if power to motor 88 should possibly be disconnected 
because the threshold voltage has been achieved. If the threshold voltage 
has been exceeded, microprocessor 142 does not automatically disconnect 
power to motor 88 due to the fact that a surge in current of motor 88 may 
occur when motor 88 has been initially activated to move second wall 
section 58 toward its retracted or sealed positions. Such a surge is 
generally present as motor 88 must provide sufficient power to overcome 
the inertia of second wall section 58. Thus, microprocessor 142 includes a 
timer which is activated upon receipt of the trigger command to begin to 
move the expandable jamb and to wait a specified period of time, such as 
200 milliseconds, from receipt of the trigger command before disconnecting 
power to motor 88 in the event a voltage exceeding the threshold voltage 
has been detected. 
To complete the circuitry of the controller with regard to the operation of 
the expandable jamb of the present invention, commands from microprocessor 
142 to either continue to activate motor 88 or to disconnect the power 
provided to motor 88 are sent to output interface 144. Jamb command 
signals from output interface 144 are directed to jamb direction & on/off 
circuitry 146 which is electrically connected to motor 88 via the motors 
dual power wires. 
The pressure sensing means employing the monitoring a motor's current may 
be used to determine whether the expandable jamb has reached its retracted 
position in addition to determining whether the expandable jamb is 
exerting an appropriate force on the vertical surface it engages when in 
its sealed position. The same threshold pressure, i.e., threshold voltage, 
may be used for both determinations. 
It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other mechanisms 
serving as a pressure sensing means may be utilized to determine whether 
second wall section 58 has reached the threshold pressure desired for a 
particular operable wall system. For example, limit switches may be placed 
along sealing edge 78 of second wall section 58 and electrically connected 
to a control circuit similar to the one illustrated in FIG. 11. However, 
to vary the threshold pressure when using limit switches requires 
adjustment of the limit switches themselves and may not provide the same 
resolution or control over the threshold pressure as is possible when the 
current of motor 88 is utilized as an indication of the pressure at 
sealing edge 78. Further, implementation of limit switches requires 
electrical connection through movable wall section 58 or, alternately, the 
use of an infrared or ultrasonic transmitter and receiver for the receipt 
by the controller of the limit switch signals. Because the control circuit 
of FIG. 11 is electrically connected to stationary motor 88 attached to 
first wall section 56, no problems of electrical wiring in a movable wall 
section, second wall section 58, are encountered and as may be encountered 
when limit switches are employed. Further, the use of limit switches 
whether directly wired or connected via an infrared or ultrasonic signal, 
introduces additional manufacturing costs and potential repair and 
maintenance problems that are not present in the embodiment of FIG. 11. 
Finally, separate limit switches or sets of limit switches would be 
required for the determination of both the retracted and sealed positions 
of the expandable jamb. 
It will be further appreciated that the provision of a means for selecting 
the voltage threshold allows one to ensure that a good seal results 
between adjacent panels of operable wall system, between the leading panel 
and the leading jamb or leading wall, and between the trailing panel and 
the expandable jamb. In addition, selection of the threshold voltage also 
assists in ensuring that neither the jamb, the adjacent vertical wall 
structure, nor the motor within the jamb are damaged by the exertion of 
excessive forces. 
It will be still further appreciated that the provision of a means for 
determining the pressure exerted by the expandable wall jamb on the 
adjacent vertical surface assists in ensuring that the wall panels form a 
flat, solid wall. If sufficient pressure is exerted by the expandable 
jamb, the use of floor systems in conjunction with some operable wall 
systems may be minimized or eliminated as the need to support the wall 
panels against inadvertent forces applied against a panel's exterior 
surface may no longer be necessary. 
The pressure sensing means of the present invention may find other 
application in the field of operable wall panel systems. For those 
subsystems employing a motor responsible for the movement of a wall like 
structure, the pressure sensing means may be utilized. For example, for an 
electrically driven operable wall system as illustrated in FIG. 2, the 
pressure sensing means of the present invention may be connected to the 
wall panel driving motor to ascertain that the wall panels have either 
reached their fully extended or retracted positions. 
The expandable jamb of the present invention may be utilized with operable 
wall panels which are manually moved into position as well as with 
continuously hinged, electrically powered wall systems. With the 
expandable jamb of the present invention installed on one of the two 
stationary walls in a room between which operable wall panels are 
themselves to form a wall, the wall panels can be forced together with 
sufficient pressure to result in a solid wall surface regardless of the 
means used to place the wall panels in their extended position. 
It will be still further appreciated that the expansion mechanism disclosed 
herein as residing within a wall jamb may also be utilized in an 
expandable wall panel. Though an expandable jamb is most probably less 
expensive to manufacture and to maintain due to the fact that the motor in 
an expandable jamb is in a fixed location, it is conceivable that the 
expansion mechanism may be affixed to or within a movable panel and power 
provided thereto. 
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the 
present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of 
this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any 
variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general 
principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures 
from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in 
the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits 
of the appended claims.