DUAL WALL PARTITION

Abstract: A dual wall partition comprising, in combination, first and second generally planar panels (12, 16), and hinge assemblies (22) supporting the panels in generally parallel, generally op­ posed relationship, the hinge assemblies extending between the panels for permitting a range of movement of the panels relative to each other to vary the spacing therebetween from a maximum determined by the hinge assemblies to selected spacings which are less than the maximum and so that the panels remain substantially parallel throughout the range of movement.

Description: The invention relates to a dual wall partition comprising first and second generally planar panels and, means supporting said panels in generally parallel, generally opposed relationship. Single panel movable or retractable partitions are well known in the art. These partitions typically include individual panels aligned in vertical edge-toedge relationship. The panels are movable along an overhead track spanning the room or hall to be divided and can be stored either at one end of the track or in a remote area when the room is not divided. Dual panel movable partitions are also known for example, from US-A-3 979 861, and US-A-4 027 714. The dual wall partitions disclosed in these specifications are of accordian form and require complicated connecting mechanism between adjacent panels. Also, when the panels are arranged to form a partition, the joints between the panels of one row are directly opposite the joints between the panels of the other row. This can result in unsatisfactory acoustic and fire-resisting performance. The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a dual wall partition in which the spacing between the walls can be varied within limits. The problem is solved by the provision of said supporting means including connecting means extending between said panels for permitting a range of spacing of said panels relative to each other to vary the spacing therebetween from a maximum determined by the dimensions of said connecting means to selected spacings which are less than said maximum and so that said panels remain substantially parallel throughout said spacing range. The partition may also comprise a pair of hinge assemblies extending between each of the pairs of parallel panels to form a parallelogram. Each hinge assembly preferably includes a link having opposed ends and a generally vertical pivot axis intermediate the opposed ends. The hinge assembly may further include a first member fixed to the associated first panel, and a second member fixed to the associated second panel. One end of the link is pivoted to the first member for rotation relative thereto about a generally vertical axis, and the opposite end of the link is pivoted to the second member for rotation relative thereto about a generally vertical axis. Thus, one end of the link is pivoted to the associated first panel, and the other end of the-link is pivoted to the associated second panel. Each assembly may further include a pivot .1linkage having an upper end adapted to be movably connected to track means along which the partition moves, and a lower end pivoted to the link for rotation of the link relative to the track means about the above-mentioned vetical pivot axis. In a first position, the link may extend generally perpendicularly to the panels and the panels are then separated by a distance approximately equal to the length of the link. In a second position, the link is rotated approximately through 900 relative to the first position (or parallel to the panels) and the panels are separated by a distance approximately equal to the width of the link. Thus, the hinge assembly permits a range of movement of the connected panels relative to each other to vary the spacing therebetween from a maximum determined by the length of the link to a minimum determined by the width of the link and so that the panels remain substantially parallel throughout the range of movement. Furthermore, when a plurality of pairs of first and second panels are arranged in respective alignments, the hinge assembly permits this range of movement of the first and second panels to vary the spacing therebetween with the panels remaining in vertical edge-to-edge relationship throughout the range of movement. Preferably, when the panels are aligned to form a partition, the links are in the first position so that the spacing between the first and second panels is at a maximum. When the panels are stacked up for storage, the links are in the second position so that the spacing between the panels is at a minimum. Furthermore, the hinge assemblies are preferably connected to the panels so that when the panels are arranged vertically edge-to-edge to form a partition and when the links are in the first position to maximize the spacing between the panels, the vertical joints between adjacent first panels are horizontally offset in the direction of the panels from the vertical joints between adjacent second panels. This provides improved fire-resistance and acoustic performance. Dual wall partitions embodying the invention will now be described, by way of examplew wlth reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:# Figure 1 is a vertical section of an embodiment of a dual wall partition embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view, partly in section, along line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a reduced scale plan view similar to Figure 2 but showing an entire partition; Figure 4 is a perspective view, to a further reduced scale, of panels of the partition stacked for storage; Figure 5 is a top plan view of a pair of panels collapsed for storage; and Figure 6 is a top plan view of a pair of panels showing an alternative embodiment of the invention. Before one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited on its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or 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. A dual wall partition 10 embodying the invention is illustrated in the drawing. As best shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the partition 10 comprises a plurality of first or left hand panels 12 each having opposed, generally vertical edge surfaces (14) (Fig.2) and a plurality of second or right-hand panels 16 each having opposite, generally vertical edge surfaces 18. In the preferred embodiment, as best shown in Fig.2, the panels 12 and 16 include tongue and groove means 20 which, when the panels 12 or 16 are aligned, interconnect adjacent vertical edge surfaces 14 or 18 of the panels 12 or 16. The tongue and groove means 20 serves both to align adjacent panels and to close the space between adjacent panels when the vertical edge surfaces of the panels are not in exact abutment. Each partition 10 also comprises means for supporting the first panels 12 in aligned, edge-to-edge relationship, and for supporting the second panels 16 in aligned, edge-to-edge relationship and in generally parallel, generally opposed relationship with the first panels 12 irrespective of the spacing selected. This relationship is best shown in Fig.3. The supporting means includes connecting means 22 extending between the panels 12 and 16 for permitting a range of movement of the opposed panels relative to each other to vary the spacing therebetween from a maximum determined by the connecting means 22 to selected spacings which are less than the maximum and so that the panels 12 and 16 remain substantially parallel and in aligned edge-to-edge vertical relationship throughout the range of movement. The supporting means also supports the panels 12 and 16 for movement along a generally horizontal track 24. The track 24 and the means by which each partition 10 is supported on the track 24 is explained in greater detail hereinafter. In the preferred embodiment, as best shown in Fig.3, the supporting means includes a pair of the connecting means 22 extending between each pair of opposed panels 12 and 16 at spaced points on the panels so that the pair of connecting means 22 and the opposed panels 12 and 16 form a parallelogram. In the preferred embodiment, the supporting means also includes an additional pair or pairs of connecting means (not shown) extending between the lower portions of each pair of opposed panels. Preferably, as best shown in Figs.1 and 2, the connecting means 22 includes a hinge assembly 26 comprising an elongate link 28 having opposed first and second or left-hand and right-hand ends, and a generally vertical pivot axis 30 intermediate the opposed ends. The hinge assembly 26 also comprises a first or left-hand member 32 fixed to the associated left-hand panel 12, and a second or right-hand member 34 to the associated second or right-hand panel 16. The left-hand end of the link 28 is pivoted to the left-hand member 32 for pivoting relative to the lefthand member 32 and to the left-hand panel 12 about a first generally vertical pivot axis 36, and the righthand end of the link 28 is pivotally connected to the right-hand member 34 for rotation relative to the right-hand member 34 and to the right-hand panel 16 about a second generally vertical pivot axis 38. Thus, in a first position (illustrated in solid lines in Fig.2), the link 28 extends generally perpendicularly to the panels 12 and 16 and the panels are separated by a distance approximately equal to the length of the link 28. In a second position (illustrated in chain lines in Fig.2), the link 28 is pivoted approximately through 900 relative to the first position, or parallel to the panels 12 and 16, and the panels are separated by a distance approximately equal to the width of the link 28. The hinge assembly 26 also comprises means for mounting the link 28 on the track 24 for horizontal movement along the track 24 and for pivoting relative to the track 24 about the pivot axis 30. The mounting means includes a pivot linkage 40 having an upper end (Fig.1) movably connected to the track 24, and a lower end connected to the link 28 for pivoting of the link 28 relative to the track 24 about a pivot axis 30. Preferably, the track 24 and the pivot linkage 40 are part of a multidirectional suspension system such as disclosed in U8-A-3 879 799. In the preferred embodiment, the hinge assemblies 26 are connected to the panels 12 and 16 as shown in Fig.3, such that when the spacing between the panels is at the maximum (the preferred spacing when the panels are arranged as a partition), the joints between the vertical edge surfaces 14 of the left-hand panels 12 are horizontally offset in the direction of the panels (vertically in Fig.3) from the joints between the vertical edge surfaces 18 of the righthand panels 16. This provides improved acoustical and fire-resistance performance, since sound and fire must follow a staggered path through the joints in the opposed rows of panels. One exception to this is the end panels adjacent a permanent wall. There the vertical edge surfaces are directly opposite one another and each abuts the wall. When the spacing between the panels is at a minimum, and when the panels at each row are arranged in aligned relationship, the joints between the edge surfaces 14 of the left-hand panels 12 are positioned generally directly opposite the joints between the edge surfaces 18 of the right-hand panels 16. This is shown in Fig.2. Stated alternatively, when the spacing between the panels is at a minimum, the edge surfaces 14 of the left-hand panel 12 of any pair of panels are positioned generally directly opposite the edge surfaces 18 of the right-hand panel 16 of that pair. This is shown in Fig.5. it should be noted that, as shown in Fig.3, due to the offset of the joints between the panels of the rows, one of the end panels (the lower panel in Fig.3) of the row of left-hand panels 12 and one of the end panels (the upper panel in Fig.3) of the row of righthand panels 16 is of less horizontal extent than the remaining panels. An alternative embodiment is illustrated in Fig.6, wherein the hinge assemblies 50 are connected within recesses 52 in opposed panels so that the panels can be collapsed with no space in between.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A dual wall partition comprising first (12) and second (16) generally planar panels, and means (22) supporting said panels in generally parallel, generally opposed relationship, characterized in that said supporting means includes connecting means (26) extending between said panels for permitting a range of spacing of said panels relative to each other to vary the spacing therebetween from a maximum determined by the dimensions of said connecting means to selected spacings which are less than said maximum and so that said panels (12,16) remain substantially parallel throughout said spacing range. 2. A partition as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that said supporting means includes a plurality of said connecting means (26) extending between said panels (12,16) at spaced points on said panels so that an adjacent pair of said connecting means and said panels generally form a parallelogram. 3. A partition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that said connecting means (26) includes a hinge assembly comprising an elongate link (28) having opposed first and second ends and a pivot axis (30) intermediate said opposed ends, said first end being pivoted to said first panel (12) for pivoting relative to said first panel about a first axis (36) parallel to said pivot axis, and said second end of the link (28) being pivoted to said second panel (16) for pivoting relative to said second panel about a second axis (38) parallel to said pivot axis. 4. A partition as claimed in claim 3 characterized in that said supporting means includes a pair of said hinge assemblies (22) extending between said panels at spaced points on said panels so that said hinge assemblies and said panels generally form a parallelogram. 5. A partition as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 characterized in that each said hinge assembly also comprises means (40) for mounting said link (26 > on track means (24) for common movement along the track means in a direction transverse to said pivot axis and for rotation relative to the track means about said pivot axis (30). 6. A partition as claimed in claim 5 characterized in that said link mounting means includes a pivot linkage (40) having a first end movably connected to the track means (24), and a second end connected to said link for rotation of said link relative to the track means about said pivot axis. 7. A partition as claimed in claim 3 wherein each said hinge assembly (22) further comprises a first member (32) fixed to said first panel (12), and a second member (34) fixed to said second panel (16), that said first end of said link is pivoted to said first member (32) for pivoting relative to said first member about said first axis (36), and that said second end of said link (26) is pivoted to said second member (34) for rotation relative to said second member about said second axis (38). 8. A partition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in a first position, said link (26) extends generally perpendicularly to said panels (12,76) and said panels are separated by a distance approximately equal to the length of said link and, in a second position, said link is pivoted approximately 900 relative to said first position and said panels are separated by a distance approximately equal to the width of said link. 9. A hinge assembly characterized by an elongate link (26) having opposed first and second ends and a pivot axis (30) intermediate said ends, said first end being adapted to be pivoted to a first panel (12) for rotation relative to the first panel about a first axis (36) parallel to said pivot axis (30), and said second end being adapted to be pivoted to a second panel (16) for rotation relative to the second panel about a second axis (38) parallel to said pivot axis (30), and means for mounting said link (26) on track means (40) for movement along the track means in a direction transverse to said pivot axis (30) and for rotation relative to the track means about said pivot axis. 10. An assembly as claimed in claim 9 characterized in that said link (26) mounting means includes a pivot link (40) having a first end adapted to be movably connected to the track means, and a second end connected to said link for rotation of said link relative to the track means about said pivot axis (30). 11. An assembly as claimed in claim 9 or 10 characterized by a first member (32) adapted to be fixed to the first panel (12), and a second member (34) adapted to be fixed to the second panel (16), said first end of said link (26) being pivoted to said first member (32) for pivoting relative to said first member about said first axis (36), and said second end of said link being pivoted to said second member (34) for pivoting relative to said second member about said second axis (38). 12. A dual wall partition comprising a plurality of first panels (12) each having opposed generally vertical edge surfaces and a plurality of second panels (16) each having opposed generally vertical edge surfaces, characterized by means for supporting said first panels (12) in horizontally aligned relationship, and for supporting said second panels (16) in horizontally aligned, relationship and in generally parallel, generally opposed relationship with said first panels, said supporting means including connecting means (26) extending between said first and second panels (12,16) for permitting a range of movement of said first and second panels relative to each other to vary the spacing therebetween from a maximum determined by said connecting means to selected spacings which are less than said maximum and so that said panels remain substantially parallel and in aligned relationship throughout said range of movement. 13. A partition as claimed in claim 12 characterized in that, when the spacing between said first and second panels (12,16) is at said maximum, the joints (14) between the vertical edge surfaces Of said first panels (12) are offset in the direction of said panels from the joints (18) between the vertical edge surfaces of said second panels (16), and, when the spacing between said first and second panels is at a minimum, the joints (14) between said vertical edge surfaces of said first panels (12) are positioned generally directly opposite the joints (18) between said end surfaces of said second panels (16). 14. A partition as claimed in claim 12 or 13 characterized in that said connecting means (26) extends between opposed pairs of said first and second panels (12,16) for permitting a range of movement of the panels of said pairs relative to each other. 15. A partition as claimed in claim 14 characterized in that when the spacing between the panels of said pairs is at said maximum, the vertical edge surfaces (14) of the first panels of said pairs are offset in the direction of said panels from the vertical edge surfaces (18) of the second panels of said pairs, and, when the spacing between the panels of said pairs is at a minimum, the vertical edge surfaces (14) of the first panels of said pairs are positioned generally directly opposite the vertical edge surfaces (18) of the second panels of said pairs. 16. A partition as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15 characterized in that connecting means includes a plurality of link (26) each having a pivot axis (30) intermediate opposed ends thereof, one end being pivoted to one of said first panels for rotation relative to said one of said first panels about a first axis parallel (36) to said pivot axis (30), and the other end being pivoted to the second panel (16) opposite said one of said first panels (12) for pivoting relative to said opposite second panel (16) about a second axis (38) parallel to said pivot axis, whereby, in a first position, said links extend generally perpendicularly to said panels (12,16) and said panels are separated by a distance approximately equal to the lengths of said links, and the joints between the vertical edge surfaces of said first panels are horizontally offset in the direction of said panels from the joints between the vertical edge surfaces of said second panels, and, in a second position, said links are rotated through approximately 900 relative to said first position and said panels are separated by a distance approximately equal to the widths of said links, and the joints between said vertical edge surfaces of said first panels are positioned generally directly opposite the joints between said end surfaces of said second panels. 17. A partition as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16 characterized in that said first panels (12) include tongue and groove means (20) interconnecting adjacent vertical edge surfaces of said first panels, and that said second panels (16) include tongue and groove means (20) interconnecting adjacent vertical edge surfaces of said second panels.

Inventors: WILLIAMS, CHARLES E.
Applicants: HOUGH MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
Application year: 1986
Main classification: E04B2
IPC codes: E05D15, E04B2, E06B3