Operable wall deployment and storage system

Abstract: A system in which movable panels (15) are supported from overhead tracks (10,12,14) by carriers (32,34) engaged in the tracks so that the panels are movable between a storage area (19) and operable positions by moving the carriers along the tracks. The tracks are provided with an arrangement of bars (18) which are selectively positioned at the junction between angularly related track sections (10,12) and which, in cooperation with a preselected portion or portions (38,68) of the carriers, permit only certain panels to move from one track section into another and block the entry of others. In addition, an arrangement of diverters (16) are selectively positioned in the track sections (10) in the area of the junctions between track sections, these diverters, in cooperation with a preselected portion or portions (66) of the carriers, preventing certain panels from continuing along a given track section (10) and diverting these panels into an adjacent, angularly related track section (12).

Description: This invention relates to multi-directional suspension systems for operable walls or partitions as defined in the pre-characterising part of claim 1 which is known from US-A-3 079 799 and, more particularly, to a suspension track arrangement for automatically orienting such operable walls for storage and/or deployment. Where large spaces are intended to be temporarily subdivded into smaller rooms in, for example, hotels, clubs, convention halls, and the like, usually a partition suspension system is provided which permits movement of subdividing walls or panels between a storage area and the point of intended use, the storage area being removed from the space to be subdivided. These systems for deployment and storage involve an overhead track grid arrangement, commonly made up of straight sections of track and lateral track sections which form, with the straight sections, right angle turns, cross-overs, and T-intersections, these being interspersed along the straight track sections. In some situations, the subdivided areas may require a particular type of panel. For example, a fire-rated panel may be required when forming a corridor or a sound-rated panel may be required in designated areas. Furthermore, it is often desirable to insure that the panels are stored with a particular orientation so that they can be moved directly from storage to their operable positions without first requiring manipulation for proper orientation. In some instances, this can require careful attention to positioning of the panels in storage as well as in use. Among the general objects of this invention is to provide a simple and cost effective track and carrier system which automatically positions the operable walls or partitions for storage in a desired orientation, and which will automatically sort the walls or partitions to insure that only a particular type of wall or partition can be moved into a given operable position. To this end, the invention provides an operable wall system comprising, in combination, an operable wall storage area in which operable walls can be stored and from which said operable walls can be deployed for use, a first track run connected to said operable wall storage area, lateral track runs connected to and extending laterally of said first track run, said lateral track runs opening into said first track run, a plurality of carriers each including at least one disc and means attaching the carrier to an operable wall, and means on said first and lateral track runs defining disc support surfaces, said discs being engaged on and movable relative to said track runs on said support surfaces, means on each one of selected carriers defining a projection which moves with the respective selected carrier, said projection not being present on other carriers, means which defines a cut-away portion on a disc of each of said selected carriers and which is not present on the corresponding discs of said other carriers, a diverter supported in said first track run adjacent selected lateral track runs and positioned in the path of movement of said projections on said selected carriers for engaging a projection to divert the respective carrier into the adjacent lateral track run, said other carriers not having said projections being able to move past said diverter and continue along said first track run, and an obstruction supported in selected lateral track runs adjacent said first track run and positioned in the path of movement of said disc cut-away portions of said selected carriers into said selected lateral track runs whereby said selected carriers are able to move past said obstruction and along said selected lateral track runs, while said other carriers not having said disc cut-away portions are prevented by said obstructions from moving into said selected lateral track runs. Thus, the combination of diverters and obstructions in the main and lateral track runs with preselected carrier configurations insures the proper orientation of the operable walls for storage and/or the acceptance of only a preselected type of wall for operative positioning in a given track section. A number of embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a track grid system illustrating how the operable partitions or walls are stored; Figure 2 is a view, partially in section, illustrating one of the operable wall carriers engaged in one of the track runs; Figure 3 is view, partially in section, of another of the carriers engaged in another of the track runs; Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the track runs at the point where the lateral track run opens into the main track run; Figure 5 is a plan view of an alternative storage arrangement provided by a grid track system; Figure 6 is a view of an alternative track and carrier arrangement used in an alternative embodiment, partially in section; Figure 7 is a view, partially in section, of the alternative embodiment of Figure 6, but illustrating the other panel carrier; Figure 8 is a plan view of the area where the lateral track run opens into the main track run usable with the alternative embodiments of Figures 6 and 7; Figure 9 is a plan view of a portion of a track grid system, illustrating the use of this invention in partition deployment; Figure 10 is a plan view of a portion of a track grid illustrating another embodiment of this invention. With reference to the drawing, particularly Fig. 1, a ceiling grid track pattern or system is shown as being made up of track runs 10, 12 and 14. A number of portable partitions or walls 15 are suspended from the grid track system. The track system is viewed from below with walls 16 superimposed on the tracks and highlighted by shading, but illustrated in various positions which they can occupy. Slots 30 are illustrated and will be described more completely hereinafter. It will be appreciated slots 30 extend the length of the tracks, but have not been shown where the walls are superimposed. It is generally conventional to store the walls 15 in a stacked relation in a remote area 17. The walls are moved out of the storage area along lateral track runs 12 and 14 and then moved to their operative positions along track run 10. The operative positions are locations where room dividers are required. At those positions, the walls are suspended from track run 10 or from additional lateral track runs similar to track runs 12 and 14 but usually at right angles to the track runs 10. This deployment of the walls is illustrated in part in Figure 9 and will be described more completely hereinafter. The walls are returned to storage along the track run 10 and through lateral track runs 12 and 14. The support carriers for the walls are illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Track runs 10, 12 and 14 have the same configuration with the exception of projections 16 and 18. Therefore, corresponding elements in Figs. 2 and 3 will be identified by the same numbers, track run 10 being illustrated in Fig. 2 and track run 12 being illustrated in Fig. 3. The tracks include an upper wall 20 and depending side walls 22 and 24. The lower ends of the side walls carry opposed ledges 26 and 28 which terminate in spaced relationship to define slot 30. The upper wall and side walls define an interior space and carriers 32 and 34 are positioned in that space. The carriers have different constructions and those differences will be explained hereinafter. Looking first at Fig. 2, carrier 32 includes a pendant bolt 36 which extends downwardly through slot 30. The lower end of bolt is threaded for attachment to the actual movable partition or wall (not shown in Fig. 2). A pair of discs 38 and 40 are journaled on the bolt 36 for rotation about the bolt. The underside of each disc has an angled surface 42 and 44 extending completely around the discs 38 and 40. Those angled surfaces 42 and 44 engage upwardly facing, preferably similarly angled surfaces 46 and 48. One angled surface 46 is part of ledge 26. Angled surface 48 is part of ledge 50 projecting from wall 24, but is spaced horizontally and vertically from ledge 26. With this arrangement, there is clearance for bolt 36 and discs 38 and 40 roll on ledges 26 and 50 in moving along the track. Turning now to Fig. 3, carrier 34 also includes a pendant bolt 52 extending through slot 30 for connection to an operable wall. Two discs 54 and 56 are journaled on bolt 52, with the undersides thereof having angled surfaces 58 and 60 engaged with the angle surfaces 46 and 48 in the track in the same manner and for the same reasons as set forth in connection with Fig. 2. To this point, the carrier and track structure is generally along the lines of the arrangement disclosed and claimed in U.S. Patent 3,879,799 which is assigned to the assignee of this application. Continuing with reference to Fig. 2, 3 and 4, the difference in construction between carriers 32 and 34 and the reasons for that difference will now be explained. Fig. 4 illustrates a portion of track run 10 in the area where track run 12 extends laterally from track run 10, but opens into track run 10 so that there is open communication for passage of the carriers between track runs 10 and 12. Track run 14 also opens into track run 10 for transfer of carriers therebetween. One of the objects of this invention is to provide a system which will automatically position the partitions for storage in a desired orientation. This is accomplished by preventing entry of the carriers into the lateral track runs for storage unless the partitions are properly oriented. More specifically, bar 16 is attached to upper wall 20 of track run 10. As can be seen in Fig. 4, this bar is positioned in the area at which lateral track run 12 opens to the track run 10. The forward facing surface 62 is angled and positioned generally in alignment with slot 30 in track run 12. Carrier 32 extends upwardly but the head 64 of bolt 36 will ride under bar 16. In contrast, bolt 52 includes an upper extension, projection 66, which extends above the uppermost disc 56 into the recess 68 provided in wall 20. Projection 66 is preferably in the form of a roller journaled on the end bolt 52. Bar 16 is in the path of movement of projection 66 in track run 10. When projection 66 engages surface 62 of bar 16, carrier 34 is diverted into track run 12. For convenience and clarity of illustration, carrier 34 is shown in track run 12 after it has been diverted and carrier 32 is illustrated in track run 10 as it clears bar 16. It will also be noted that disc 54 of the carrier has a dimensionally reduced portion in the axial direction or thickness of the disc, as compared to disc 56 and, more importantly, disc 38. This attributes a cut-out 68 to the upper side of disc 54 which, when the disc 54 is in track run 12, clears bar 18. Since recess 68 in track run 12 is open and free of bar 16 and with disc 54 clearing bar 18, the carrier 34 is free to enter and move along track run 12 until it reaches a storage position. In contrast, disc 38 of carrier 32, which occupies the same relative position in carrier 32 as disc 54 in carrier 34, does not include a cut-out or relief portion 68. When carrier 32 is at the entrance to lateral run 12, there will be interference between disc 38 and bar 18 which prevents carrier 32 from entering the lateral track run 12. However, carrier 32, as can be seen in Fig. 2, is free to run in track run 10 until it reaches lateral track run 14. Lateral track run 14 is free of any projection such as 18 and carrier 32 can be moved into a storage position. With this construction, a carrier 32 is positioned in the leading direction relative to partition movement along track run 10 toward a storage position. Carrier 34 is positioned in a trailing position. When moving into storage, carrier 32 passes lateral track run 12 and reaches lateral track run 14 at the time carrier 34 reaches lateral track run 12. Carrier 34 is diverted into lateral track run 12 and the partitions are then stored in what is commonly referred to as parallel stacked relationship, i.e., parallel to each other and to track run 10. The partitions are stored in a preselected orientation as determined by the leading and trailing carriers. Fig. 5 illustrates what is commonly referred to as a side stack storage arrangement. Here only one lateral track run 12' is used and track run 10' extends all the way to the storage area 17'. The carriers 32' and 34' are illustrated schematically by the shaded circles as they were in Fig. 1. Carrier 32' passes under bar 16' and bar 18' prevents entry of carrier 32' into the lateral track run in the manner already described. When carrier 32' reaches its storage position, carrier 34' will be at the junction of track run 10' and lateral track run 12'. In the manner already described, bar 16' will divert the carrier into track run 12'. The carrier 34' will continue in track run 12' to its storage position, the partition pivoting about carrier 32' to accommodate this movement. The embodiment of Figs. 6, 7 and 8 is to illustrate that the projection in the carriers which operates to divert the selected carriers into the lateral track runs can be a part of the disc itself. In this embodiment, diverter bar 100 is fixed in track run 102, but at a lower level than was bar 16. Here, bar 100 is attached to the lowermost portion 104 of shaped top wall 106. Carrier 108 is shown in track run 110 after it had been diverted by bar 100. Carrier 108 has an upper disc 112, the outer wall 114 of which extends upwardly in cylindrical fashion to provide an enlarged upper portion as compared to the carrier discs already described and to be described. This enlarged upper portion provides a projection which will engage bar 100 and will be diverted thereby to direct carrier 108 into lateral track 110. Disc 116 retains the cut-out portion 120 to clear bar 118 in lateral track 110. Carrier 122 is illustrated in track run 102. Upper disc 124 has a reduced axial dimension and head 126 of bolt 128 is recessed in disc 124 so that the disc and the bolt clear bar 100 allowing carrier 122 to continue along track run 102. Disc 130 has a full thickness in an axial direction, as did disc 38 so that it will engage bar 118, preventing carrier 122 from entering lateral track run 110. The preferred embodiment has been described in connection with movement into and out of storage. The same system of diverters in main track runs and blocking bars in lateral track runs can also be used in applications where the lateral track runs are operable runs for hanging particular walls in a described location. This system can be used to insure that only desired walls, for example, fire-rated or acoustical, can be moved into certain operative positions. Fig. 9 illustrates such an arrangement. In this figure, carriers 32 and 34 have been shown schematically by shaded circles superimposed on main track runs and lateral track runs. The track runs form two cross-overs 130, 132 and a T-section 134 for illustrative purposes. Carriers 32 and 34 will have the configurations of Figs. 2 and 3 and deflector bar 16 and obstructing bars 18 are placed in various positions for illustrative purposes. The lateral track runs 136, 138, 140, 142, and 144 are at right angles to main track runs 146, 148, 150 and 152. By varying the types of carriers attached to the operable walls, automatic selection of operable walls for positioning is possible. In Fig. 9, only walls with carriers 34 can enter lateral runs 136, 138, bars 18 preventing entry of carrier 32. At cross-over 132, only panels with carriers 34 can enter lateral run 142, again bars 18 preventing entry of carriers 32. Only panels with carriers 32 will be capable of moving into lateral run 140 and continuing past cross-over 132 for entry to lateral run 144 or continued movement through track run 152. Fig. 10 illustrates yet another embodiment. In this embodiment, a pivotal arm 160 extends through the track wall and is supported on ledge 162 by pin 164. The arm is free to pivot about pin 164 between the full line position A and the dotted line positions B and C. In position A, it will engage the uppermost disc or bolt end and, by virtue of angled face 166, divert that carrier into track 168. The arm is moved by the carrier further into the track to position C and divert the carrier into track 168. Diverted carriers, or panels, may have been moved into storage by means of other track sections. When these diverted channels are moving from storage along track section 170, the arm 160 will be engaged by the upper disc and is free to be moved to position B, by the disc or bolt, allowing the carrier to pass. Tension springs 172 and 174 are mounted between arm 160 and supports 176 and 178 and cooperate to bias arm 160 into position A, which is its neutral or normal position. The opening through which the arm extends into track 170 is bounded by edges 184 and 186. Edge 186 functions as a stop for arm 160 to establish position C at which the carrier is diverted. Track sections 168 and 170 are provided with bars 180 and 182 to prevent unwanted carriers from entering track sections 168 and 170, respectively. The possible combinations and operational set-ups are virtually without limit, but can be achieved in a simple and effective manner. Panels may be provided only with carriers 32 or 34, or as in a storage application with one carrier 32 and one carrier 34.

Claims: An operable wall system comprising, in combination, an operable wall storage area (17) in which operable walls (15) can be stored and from which said operable walls can be deployed for use, a first track run (10;102;170) connected to said operable wall storage area (17), lateral track runs (12,14;110;168) connected to and extending laterally of said first track run, said lateral track runs opening into said first track run, a plurality of carriers (32,34;122,108) each including at least one disc (38,40;54,56;124,130;112,116) and means (36;52;128) attaching the carrier to an operable wall (15), and means (26,50) on said first and lateral track runs (10,12,14;102,110) defining disc support surfaces (46,48), said discs (38,40;54,56;124,130;l12,l16) being engaged on and movable relative to said track runs on said support surfaces (46,48), characterised by: means (66;114) on each one of selected carriers (34;108) defining a projection which moves with the respective selected carrier, said projection not being present on other carriers (32;122), means which defines a cut-away portion (68;120) on a disc of each of said selected carriers (34;108) and which is not present on the corresponding discs of said other carriers (32;122), a diverter (16;100;160) supported in said first track run (10;102;170) adjacent selected lateral track runs (12,14;110;168) and positioned in the path of movement of said projections (66;114) on said selected carriers (34;108) for engaging a projection to divert the respective carrier into the adjacent lateral track run, said other carriers not having said projections being able to move past said diverter and continue along said first track run, and an obstruction (18;118;180) supported in selected lateral track runs (12,14;110;168) adjacent said first track run (10;102;170) and positioned in the path of movement of said disc cut-away portions (68;120) of said selected carriers (34;108) into said selected lateral track runs whereby said selected carriers are able to move past said obstruction and along said selected lateral track runs, while said other carriers (32;122) not having said disc cut-away portions are prevented by said obstructions from moving into said selected lateral track runs. An operable wall system according to claim 1, wherein: each of said operable walls (15) is supported by two carriers (32,34;122,108), one (34;108) of said two carriers having said projection (66;114) and said disc cut-away portion (68;120) while the other (32;122) of said carriers does not, each of said carriers (32,34;122,108) includes bolt means (36;52;128) attaching said carrier to said operable wall, and first and second discs (38,40;54,56;124,130; 112,116) spaced vertically on said bolt means and mounted for rotation relative to said bolt means, each of said track runs (10,12,14;102,110;170,168) includes wall means defining an upper wall (20;106), depending side walls (22,24), and lower flange means (26,28) defining a slot (30) through which said bolt means (36;52;128) of said carriers extend, said projection on said one carrier (34;108) is defined by an upwardly extending projection (66;114) on said carrier, said diverter (16;100;160) is positioned in said first track run (10;102;170) adjacent said upper wall (20) and has an angled surface (62) facing the direction of movement of said carriers in said first track run and sloping towards the adjacent lateral track run (12;110;168), said angled surface (62) being positioned to engage said upwardly extending projection (66;114) and divert said one carrier into said lateral track run, said other carrier (32;122) terminating at its upper end below the level of said diverter (16;100;160) to allow said other carrier to move under said diverter along said first track run, said obstruction (18;118;180) is attached to one of said side walls (24) of said lateral track run (12;110;168) and extends inwardly into said lateral track run adjacent the junction between said lateral track run and said first track run in a position for engagement by a portion of one of said discs (38;130) of said other carrier (32;122) to prevent entry of said other carrier into said lateral track run, and the corresponding disc (54;116) of said one carrier having said cut-away portion (68;120) which allows said disc (54;116) and hence said one carrier (34;108) to move past said obstruction (18;118;180) without interference therefrom. An operable wall system according to claim 1, wherein: each of said carriers (32,34;122,108) includes two vertically spaced discs (38,40;54,56;124,130;112,116), said projection on each of said selected carriers (34) is defined by a projection (66) extending above the uppermost disc (56) of said carrier, said diverter (16) is supported in said first track run (10) above the level of the upper discs (40,56) of said carriers (32,34) and is positioned in the path of said projection (66) for diverting said selected carriers (34) into the adjacent lateral track run (12,14), and one of the discs (54) of each of said selected carriers (34) is provided with said cut-away portion (68) which allows said disc (54) and hence said selected carrier (34) to move past said obstruction (18) into said lateral track run when said selected carrier is diverted thereinto by said diverter (16). An operable wall system according to claim 3, wherein each of said carriers (32,34;122,108) comprises bolt means (36;52;128), and said two discs of each of said carriers are supported on said bolt means for rotation about said bolt means as said carrier is moved through said track runs (10,12,14), said projection (66) on each of said selected carriers (34) being formed as an extension of said bolt means (52), and the discs (38,40) of said carriers (32) other than said selected carriers (34) having the same configuration as each other. An operable wall system according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said lateral track runs (12,14) include wall means (22,24) defining the interior of said lateral track runs, said obstruction (18) in said selected lateral track runs extends from said wall means (24) into said lateral track run, and said cut-away disc portion (68) of said selected carriers (34) is formed by a dimensionally reduced portion of said disc, relative to the remainder of said disc, substantially at the level of said obstruction (18). An operable wall system according to claim 5, wherein the other disc (56) of said selected carriers (34) having said upward projection (66) and said cut-away disc (54) has the same configuration as the discs (38,40) of the carriers (32) other than said selected carriers (34). An operable wall system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein said cut-away disc (54;116) of each of said selected carriers (34;108) is the lower disc thereof. An operable wall system according to claim 1, wherein said diverter comprises an arm (160) having a first position extending into the path of movement of said projections (66;114) on said selected carriers (34), and means (162,164) mounting said arm (160) for movement into and out of said position so that in one direction of movement of said selected carriers (34) said carriers (34) are engaged and diverted by said arm (160) from said first track run (10) into the adjacent lateral track run (12,14), and in the opposite direction of movement said carriers (34) engage and move said arm (160) out of the path of movement of said carrier. An operable wall system according to claim 8, including means (172,174) biasing said arm (160) of said diverter into said first position.

Inventors: ARPS KARL F, WILLIAMS CHARLES E, ARPS, KARL F., WILLIAMS, CHARLES E.
Applicants: HUFCOR INC, HUFCOR, INC.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: E05D15
IPC codes: E06B3, E05D15