A free standing mobile partition set is configured to either temporarily or permanently partition open floor areas to create an enclosed or semi-enclosed area that is more suitable for smaller assemblies of people for meetings, instruction, etc. The partition set comprises two panels pivotally connected to each other, a mechanical constraint between the panels to limit the minimum and maximum dihedral angles of pivotal rotation between the panels, a plurality of swivel casters on the bottom edges of said panels, jackscrews on the bottom of said panels for anchoring the partition set in a desired location and preferably one or more doors and windows in each partition set. One or more partition sets can be combined or use separately to provide practical and flexible use of a larger open floor space as short term and long term needs arise.

PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    The subject application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/149,903 filed Feb. 4, 2009. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The subject disclosure is related to free standing partitions, and more specifically to movable, free standing partition sets that can be arranged in multiple configurations. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Often is the case that large, open floor areas exist in a building and the need to section-off this same space becomes required. The options are to subdivide this open area with permanent walls, usually presenting a prohibitive renovation expense, or with the standard office partitions commonly referred to as cubicles, offering only slight isolation to attempt similar utility. These solutions reflect permanent and temporary solutions, respectively, but both result in a fixed use of available space. Due to the inflexibility of either of these solutions, it is not uncommon to end up with inefficient utility of space. For example, the resulting number of permanently constructed “offices” or cubicles proves to be too many, or that some amount of desired open areas that previously existed are no longer available, but are still needed. And in the end, the utility of the floor plan is limited. 
         [0004]    Schools, community centers, religious organizations and other groups, as well as businesses, often require flexible space. Frequently the overall floor space in a given setting needs to be shared between different activities at different moments throughout the day, week, or month. And these different activities may call for open spaces one time, and for enclosed spaces at another. The above described predicament of coping with limited floor space is a particular dilemma for organizations with limited funding. There is a need for a way to partition open floor spaces that affords the utility of permanent walls, while permitting easy movability for greatest and most flexible use of the floor space. This is of greatest importance for economy and flexibility of operation as well as in efforts to minimize new construction costs or renovation costs. By not having to commit to the unplanned, unforeseen, and indeterminate utility of the space, the resultant inflexible use of the given space can be avoided. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the invention to subdivide any open floor space into enclosed spaces with a free standing partition set, or multiples thereof, creating an enclosed area or areas anywhere on the open floor space that is/are more suitable for meetings, classes, and office use. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the invention to subdivide an open floor space with a free standing partition set having doors or other means to afford privacy and yet allow entry to and exit out of the enclosed area. 
         [0007]    It is an object of the invention to create free standing partitioned enclosed areas by joining multiple free standing partition sets together in various configurations depending upon need, anywhere on the open floor area. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the invention that the preferred embodiment of the free standing partition set feature windows as shown in the accompanying drawings, such that one can view into and view out of the enclosed area for convenience, safety and to foster a pleasing, non-claustrophobic atmosphere in which to occupy the enclosed space. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the invention that the preferred embodiment of the free standing partition set be constructed to address acoustics by specifying the physical height of the free standing partition set's wall panels and the incorporation of materials chosen to abate unwanted sound transmission. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the invention to be able to easily move and position the preferred embodiment of the free standing partition set by a multitude of stated methods to the location where desired; offering greatest flexibility and utility of the resulting spaces both within and without the enclosed area. 
         [0011]    It is yet another object of the invention to sturdily fix the free standing partition set in the deployed position for the desired time as the case may be, by a means that is part and parcel to the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In fulfillment of one or more of the objects of the invention, a flexible free standing partition set is provided. The partition set comprises a first panel and a second panel pivotally connected to one another at respective ends of the panels. A mechanical constraint, such as a strut and chain are provided between the first and second panels to limit the minimum and maximum dihedral angles of pivotal rotation between the panels. A plurality of swivel casters on the bottom edges of said panels so that the partition set can be easily moved from one location or configuration to another. Preferably jackscrews or other means are provided on the bottom of the panels for anchoring the partition set in a desired location. The panels can include optional doors and/or windows. The free standing partition set also preferably includes a removable tie rod connecting the first panel to the second panel at a dihedral angle less than 90 degrees. The tie rod facilitates easy and safe movement of the partition set from one location to another by a single person. 
         [0013]    The invention further provides a flexible partition system comprising a plurality of partition sets. The plural partition sets are configurable with each other or separable from each other in multiple arrangements. The configuration of the partitions can be quickly and easily changed to meet changing space needs. This provides great flexibility for businesses, religious organizations, schools, community centers, etc. 
         [0014]    The foregoing and other aspects and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, as considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a 3-D schematic view of a large floor space with three free standing partition sets of the invention deployed therein. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a 3-D schematic view of a large floor space showing multiple free standing partition sets combined to form two enclosed rooms. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  are schematic views of partition sets showing the angular orientation range there of. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a partition set. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a free standing partition set stowed away in a corner of an open room. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment partition set positioned to enclose the corner floor space of a larger open room, as viewed from within the interior of the space. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the free standing partition set in a “closed” configuration. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Turning now to the drawings, the preferred embodiments of the invention will be described.  FIG. 1  shows a 3-D schematic of several free standing partition sets  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  deployed for use in a larger open area and represents several applications of the partition set of the invention. Partition set  10   a  is deployed adjacent a permanent wall structure to form a triangular shaped room  11   a . Partition set  10   b  is deployed in an open area to form a semi-private space  11   b . Partition set  11   c  is deployed in a corner of the larger space to form a square room  11   c.    
         [0024]    In  FIG. 2  three partition sets  10   d ,  10   e  and  10   f  are combined to form a hexagonal room  11   d . Free standing partition sets  10   g  and  10   h  are combined to form enclosed area or room  11   e . The combined partitions sets in can be abutted one to another and held in place with floor jackscrews. Alternatively, combined sets can be connected together with fasteners, such as hook and eye bolts, or mating eye bolts connected with a removable pin. Other mechanical fasteners known in the art can be used. The partition sets can adjoin walls or can be arranged free standing anywhere on the open floor area. The configurations illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are merely exemplary to show the flexibility of the partition sets. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that additional arrangements and configurations are possible with the partition sets of the invention. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-7 , the preferred embodiment of the free-standing partition set  10  comprises two wall panels  12 ,  14  hinged along a common vertical edge  13 , and whose angle between them is purposely limited via appropriate mechanical constraints. The range of the included dihedral angles formed by the panels with the hinge as their common intersection, as shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  as α 1  and α 2 . The purpose of the mechanical constraints becomes obvious as means to prevent the hinged panels' dihedral angle α 1  and α 2  becoming zero degrees and 180 degrees respectively. At these extreme angles, the partition becomes an unsupported wall panel and will fall down. In the acute angular orientation, the dihedral angle α 1  is less than 90° but not too small of an angle so as to prevent the possibility of inadvertent tip over during repositioning of the partition set. In the obtuse angular orientation, the dihedral angle α 2  is no greater than 120°, also to avoid the possibility of inadvertent tip over during repositioning of the partition set. In both views  3   a  and  3   b , a strut  16  and chain  18  arrangement is provided as a means of limiting the range of α 1  and α 2 . It is part of this disclosure that alternate means such as linkages, separate strut and chain scheme and the like are anticipated. 
         [0026]    The partition set  10  preferably includes plural swivel casters  20   a ,  20   b  mounted to the bottom edges of panels  12 ,  14  to allow the partition set to be easily and readily moved from one position on the open floor area to another, as shown in  FIG. 4 . Preferably, one caster  20   a  is located close to the hinged end of each panel, and the other caster  20   b  is located toward the door end. Similar wheeled devices, or other low friction, weight supporting apparatus such as air bearing fixtures can be used in lieu of swivel casters. The panels also preferably include jackscrews  22   a ,  22   b  or equivalent locking means to immobilize the partition set once in position at their desired location on the open floor. If a greater degree of immobilization if desired once in position, additional locking means can be employed at location  22   c.    
         [0027]      FIG. 5  schematically shows a free standing partition  10  set stowed away in a corner of the open room, out of the way when not deployed for use to create enclosed areas or to segregate areas. 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  shows the preferred embodiment partition  10  positioned so as to enclose the corner floor space of a larger open room, as viewed from within the interior of the space that it encloses. Partition set  10  preferably comprises one or more doors  28  to provide a heightened degree of privacy and isolation while permitting easy entrance in to and exit out from the enclosed area. The door can be constructed to either swing inward into the enclosed area or outward from the enclosed area depending upon the application and local codes. Doors that are designed and made to swing in both directions are yet another variation of the preferred embodiment. It should be noted that the partition set can be constructed without the doors and will still yield similar intended utility by having the panel edges kept a distance away from the mating wall in order to provide entry to and egress from the enclosed area. 
         [0029]    Additional features to the preferred embodiment to enhance the utility of the partition set is the incorporation of sidelight windows  30  along side the doors and windows  32  at the hinged end of each wall panel as shown. The windows allow people to identify who's occupying the enclosed area and provide a more pleasing, less claustrophobic atmosphere for those within the enclosed area. 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  shows the preferred embodiment of the free standing partition set in the “closed” configuration with wall panels  12 ,  14  connected by a tie rod  24 . Tie rod  24  facilitates safe and easy transportation of the partition set from one location to another, and provides means for accurately positioning the partition set in a desired position. Cross tie  24  is removably installed between the wall panels  12 ,  14  with brackets  26 . It holds the wall panels in the α 1  orientation as shown in  FIG. 7 . In this “folded” configuration, the cross tie is used as the primary handling means. The cross tie in combination with the aforementioned high load capacity swivel casters  20  or other low friction bearing means, enables one person to easily, quickly and controllably maneuver the free standing partition set to a desire location. 
         [0031]    Once the partition set is moved to the desired location, jackscrews  22  located along the bottom edge of each wall panel at  22   a  and  22   b  are screwed downward to lift each wall panel of the partition set to bear most of the weight of the wall panel, thereby immobilizing the partition set. If greater resistance to movement is desired, an additional jackscrew  22   c  can be installed at the hinge end, as shown in  FIG. 4 , as necessary. The jackscrews preferably include swivel pads that conform to the local slope of the floor to minimize the punch load on the floor. An alternate employment of the jackscrews would be to have the swivel pad engage a small diameter, shallow collar receptacle embedded into the floor at predetermined locations to positively lock the partition set in a predetermined, frequently used position. A further alternative on carpeted flooring, the bottom side of the swivel pads can have barbs that resist side forces when supporting the panel weight. Depending upon the floor conditions such as carpeting, tiled, hardwood, concrete, etc., all methods of employing the jackscrews might be used for a particular installation. In normal operation, the jackscrews would be retracted to move the partition set, and lowered to spot the partition set where desired. 
         [0032]    Further features part and parcel to the invention are sound transmission abatement and absorbing means employed to further enhance the effectiveness of the invention. The first measure used to address this is the high, intended design height of the wall panel, to be just below ceiling height and close floor clearance to minimize sound transmission from over and from under the wall panel itself. A second measure employs facing the panel with commercially available, non-structural acoustic material  34 . A third measure for enhanced sound transmission reduction in applications involving uneven flooring is a floating seal  36  held captive within the bottom edge of the wall panel. Alternatively, a seal made of highly compliant material, or equivalent scheme will minimize sound passing beneath the wall panel. Additionally, an acoustic seal  38  at the top of each panel made out of a highly compliant material further improves sound transmission abatement. In other words, the free-standing partition set can be constructed to extend from the floor to the ceiling where warranted and when recessed lighting fixtures are present. 
         [0033]    One preferred construction of the panels  12 ,  14  of the partition set is shown in  FIG. 8 . A substantially rigid frame  39  is constructed of framing elements  40 ,  42 ,  44 . The frame elements are most preferably fabricated from aluminum, but other suitable materials can be used to accommodate the specific physical application. The frame desirably should be of a height approaching the ceiling height of the space in which the partition set will be deployed, but leaving sufficient clearance to allow the partition set to be moved within the space without interference. In the preferred embodiment acoustic material facing  34  is secured to the frame. Acoustic seals  36  are secured to the bottom edges of the panel, and acoustic seals  38  are secured to the top edge of each panel to further enhance the acoustic properties of the deployed partition set. The preferred bottom seal  36  is a floating version for irregular flooring, as shown. The floating seal is held captive within the bottom edge of the wall panel 
         [0034]    While preferred embodiments of the invention have been herein illustrated and described, it is to be appreciated that certain changes, rearrangements and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.