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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to hinged connections and, more particularly, to moveable partitions including hinged connections.  
         [0003]     2. State of the Art  
         [0004]     Movable partitions are utilized in numerous situations and environments for a variety of purposes. Such partitions may include, for example, foldable or collapsible doors configured to enclose or subdivide a room or other area. Often such partitions may be utilized simply for purposes of versatility in being able to subdivide a single large room into multiple smaller rooms. The subdivision of a larger area may be desired, for example, to accommodate multiple groups or meetings simultaneously. In other applications, such partitions may be utilized for noise control depending, for example, on the activities taking place in a given room or portion thereof.  
         [0005]     Movable partitions may also be used to provide a security and/or fire barrier. In such a case, the door may be configured to automatically close upon the occurrence of a predetermined event such as the actuation of an associated alarm. For example, one or more accordion or similar folding-type door may be used as a security and/or a fire door wherein each door is formed with a plurality of panels hingedly connected to one another. The hinged connection of the panels allows the door to fold up in a compact unit for purposes of storage when not deployed. Thus, the door may be stored, for example, in a pocket formed in the wall of a building when in a retracted or folded state.  
         [0006]     When deployment of the door is desired, the door may be manually deployed or it may be driven by a motor along a track, conventionally located above the door in a header, until the door is extended a desired distance across the room to form an appropriate barrier.  
         [0007]     Considering the example of a movable partition that includes an accordion-style folding door, such a partition is conventionally constructed with multiple panels which are hingedly coupled to one another in a plicated manner. However, such a structure results in numerous connection points between associated panels and hinge structures. Each such connection point provides a location for potential structural failure of the partition.  
         [0008]     For example, when a lateral force or load is applied to such a partition, each connection provides potential location for structural failure to occur within the partition. Such lateral forces or loadings may occur under numerous circumstances including, for example, an individual pushing against a partition while it is in a closed or partially closed position. In another example, where the partition is being used as a fire barrier, a fire often develops winds or drafts that may apply a loading to the partition. Failure of the partition, such as at one of the connection points, in a situation where the partition is intended to be a fire barrier could be disastrous and potentially life threatening.  
         [0009]     While it is desirable to provide structurally sound connections between multiple components of a movable partition (e.g., between panels and hinge structures), it is also often desirable to disassemble the various components of a partition for any of a number of purposes. Thus, it may desirable that connections between components of a partition be easily disassembled without any destructive effects to the components themselves such that the components may be reassembled and reused at a later time.  
         [0010]     For example, it may be desirable to replace a damaged panel without the necessity of replacing associated hinge components. In another example, where the partition is being used as a fire barrier, the partition may include two laterally spaced sets of plicated panels wherein mechanical and or electrical components are disposed between the two sets of panels. In such a case, it becomes desirable to access the mechanical components and electrical components disposed between such panel sets, from time to time, for maintenance purposes.  
         [0011]     It is a continued desire to improve movable partitions so as to increase their reliability. It is also a continued desire to improve movable partitions so as to reduce or simplify maintenance and repair issues that inevitably arise from time to time.  
         [0012]     It would, therefore, be advantageous to provide moveable partitions having hinged connections that provide ample protection against undesired structural failure while also enabling simple, nondestructive disassembly and reassembly of such components. It would also be advantageous to provide methods of assembling, disassembling and reassembling such partitions having hinged connections.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a movable partition is provided. In one embodiment, the movable partition includes at least one structure having at least one panel, at least one hinge structure and at least one retainer device. The at least one panel includes a pocket formed at an end thereof wherein the pocket defines an opening. The at least one hinge structure includes a rod formed at an end thereof, wherein the rod is at least partially disposed within the pocket. The at least one retainer device includes a first member positioned adjacent a portion of the pocket, a second member disposed within an interior space of the rod and a transition member coupling the first member and the second member and spanning a portion of the pocket and a portion of the rod.  
         [0014]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for forming a movable partition. The method includes providing a plurality of panels, with each panel having a first end and a second end and also having a pocket formed at each of the first end and the second. A plurality of hinge structures are provided wherein each hinge structure includes a first end and a second end and wherein each hinge structure further includes a rod formed at each of the first end and the second end of the hinge structure. The plurality of panels and the plurality of hinge structures are coupled such one rod of each hinge structure is disposed within one pocket of an adjacent panel. A retainer is removably coupled with a portion of each rod and its associated pocket such that a first member of the retainer is adjacent the associated pocket, a second member of the retainer is disposed within an interior space of the associated rod, and a third member of the retainer is coupled to the first member and the second member.  
         [0015]     Other structures and methods will be readily apparent upon reading the detailed description. For example, the present invention further provides a method of assembling and disassembling movable partitions in a nondestructive fashion. Similarly, the present method provides methods for repair and maintenance of movable partitions. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:  
         [0017]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are elevation and plan views, respectively, of a movable partition in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2A  is an enlarged detail view of a portion of a movable partition as indicated in  FIG. 1B   
         [0019]      FIG. 2B  is an enlarged detail view of a hinged connection, as indicated in  FIG. 2A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are plan and side elevation views, respectively, of a component used in association with the hinged connection of  FIG. 2B  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is partially exploded perspective view of a moveable partition in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , an elevation view and a plan view of a moveable partition  100  are shown. In the example shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the partition  100  may be in the form of folding door. The partition  100  may be used, for example, as a security door, a fire door or as both. In other embodiments, the partition need not be utilized as a fire or security door, but may be used simply for the subdividing of a larger space into smaller rooms or areas. The partition  100  may be formed with a plurality of panels  102  that are connected to one another with hinges or other hinge-like structures  104  in an alternating pattern of panel  102 /hinge structure  104 . The hinged connection of the individual panels  102  enables the panels to fold relative to each other in an accordion or a plicated manner such that the partition  100  may be compactly stored in a pocket  106  formed in a wall  108 A of a building when in a retracted or folded state.  
         [0023]     When in a deployed state, the partition  100  may extend from one wall  108 A to a second wall  108 B to act as a barrier (e.g., a fire or security barrier) or to divide one area or room into multiple rooms  110 A and  110 B. When it is desired to deploy the partition  100  from a stowed condition to an extended position, for example, to secure an area during a fire, the partition  100  may be motivated along a track  112  across the space to provide an appropriate barrier. When in a deployed or an extended state, a leading edge of the partition  100 , shown as a male lead post  114 , may complementarily or matingly engage with a jamb or door post  116  that may be formed in a wall  108 B of a building. As can be seen in  FIG. 1B , the partition  100  may include a first barrier or structure  118 A and a second barrier or structure  118 B, each including a plurality of panels  102  and coupled with one another by way of hinges or hinge-like structures  104 . The second structure  118 B is laterally spaced from the first structure  118 A. Such a configuration may be utilized as a fire door wherein one structure  118 A acts as a primary fire and smoke barrier, the space  120  between the two structures  118 A and  118 B acts as an insulator or a buffer zone, and the second structures  118 B acts as a secondary fire and smoke barrier. Such a configuration may also be useful in providing an acoustical barrier when the partition is used to subdivide a larger space into multiple, smaller rooms.  
         [0024]     Various means may be used to displace the partition  100  from a stowed condition to a deployed condition and vice versa. For example, depending on the intended use of the partition  100 , it may be displaced manually (i.e., an individual pulling it across the track  112 ). In another embodiment, an appropriate mechanical actuator may be used to displace the partition  100 . For example, a drive, which may include, for example, a motor  122  and a drive belt or chain  124  ( FIG. 1B ), may be configured to open and close the partition upon actuation thereof. Additionally, while not specifically shown, various sensors and switches may be employed in association with such a drive to assist in the control of the partition  100 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1A , when used as a fire door, the partition may include a switch or actuator  126 , commonly referred to as “panic hardware.” Actuation of the panic hardware  126  allows a person located on one side of the partition  100  (e.g., in room  110 A) to cause the partition  100  to open if it is closed, or to stop while it is closing, so as to provide access through the barrier formed by the partition  100  for a predetermined amount of time.  
         [0025]     It is noted that, while the exemplary embodiment shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  is directed to a single partition  100  extending from one wall  110 A to another wall  110 B, other movable partitions may be utilized. For example, a two-door, or bi-part partition configuration may be utilized wherein two similarly configured partitions extend across a space and join together to form an appropriate barrier as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 2A , a detail, as indicated in  FIG. 1B , shows the construction of a partition  100 , including the hinged connection of panels  102 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As previously stated, a plurality of panels  102  are coupled to each other by way of hinge components or structures  104 . The panels  102  may include, for example, a portion formed an end thereof as a pocket  140  for receipt of a corresponding end of the hinge structure  104  formed generally as a cylinder or a rod  142 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 2B  shows a further enlarged portion of the connection of panels  102  with a hinge structure  104 . The pocket  140  is configured to define an opening or a mouth  144  through which the rod  142  of the hinge structure  104  is received during assembly of the two components. It is noted that, in one embodiment, the width W of the opening  144  is smaller than a diameter or cross-sectional width of the rod  142 . Thus, with regard to such an embodiment, the pocket is elastically deformed to force the rod  142  through the opening  144  defined by the pocket  140  during assembly disassembly of a panel  102  and a hinge structure  104 .  
         [0028]     When assembled, the panels  102  are able to rotate relative to the hinge structure  104  such as is indicated by directional arrow  146 . The ends  148  of the pocket  140  that serve to define the opening  144  and may be configured to either limit or permit a desired degree of rotation of the panel  102  with respect to the hinge structure  104 . For example, the degree of relative rotation may be limited when one of the ends  148  abuts a wall or other component of the hinge structure  104 .  
         [0029]     In addition to the rod  142  being retained within the pocket  140  by virtue of the interference between the rod  142  and the opening  144 , a retainer  150  may be coupled to a portion of the pocket  140  and a portion of the rod  142 . The inclusion of a retainer  150  ensures that the connection between a panel  102  and a hinge structure  104  is maintained even in the event of an inadvertent lateral force being applied to the partition  100  (or to a portion thereof) that would otherwise be of such magnitude to elastically deform the pocket  140  and allow the rod  142  to be released therefrom. Such a retainer  150  may be removably installed on the connection between the panel  102  and the hinge structure  104  such that disassembly of the components may be easily achieved for maintenance and repair purposes.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , plan and elevation views are shown, respectively, of one example of a retainer  150  that may be used in an embodiment of the present invention. The retainer may be in the form of a clip having a first member  152  coupled with a second member  154  by way of a transition member  156 . The second member  154  may extend at an angle relative to the first member  152  such that it effectively provides a pinching action against the first member  152 . The second member  154  may also include a lip portion  158  that extends back away from the first member (as shown in  FIG. 3B ) such that, during installation of the retainer  150 , a component or structure may be easily inserted between the first member  152  and the second member  154 . The retainer may be formed, for example, that when installed, the second member  154  becomes displaced laterally from the first member  152  while maintaining a bias or a spring force in the direction of the first member  152 .  
         [0031]     In one specific embodiment, described by way of example only, the retainer may be configured with the following dimensions (with reference to the dimension identifiers shown in FIGS.  3 A and  3 B): “A” (a length of the transition member  156 ) is approximately 0.195 inches; “B” (a width of the retainer  150 ) is approximately 0.15 inches; “C” (a height of the first member  152 ) is approximately 1.65 inches; “D” (a height of the second member) is approximately 1.43 inches; “E” (a distance from the back of the first member  152  to the edge of the lip portion  158 ) is approximately 0.2 inches; “F” (thickness of the material forming the retainer  150 ) is approximately 0.06 inches; “G” (A distance from the back edge of the second member  154  where it is most proximate the first member  152  to the outer edge of the lip portion  158 ) is approximately 0.07 inches; “H” (the angle defined between the main portion of the second member  154  and the lip portion  158 ) is approximately 158°; “J” (the angle defined between the first member  152  and the transition member  156 ) is approximately 90°; and “K” (the angle defined between the second member  154  and the transition member  156 ) is approximately 87°.  
         [0032]     In one embodiment, the retainer  150  may be formed as a unitary structure formed from a common, homogenous material. For example, the retainer may be formed from a rectangular sheet of stock steel which is bent into the desired configuration. In other embodiments, the retainer may be formed from casting, molding or other manufacturing processes and may be formed from various materials including various metals, metal alloys and plastics.  
         [0033]     Referring now to  FIG. 4  in conjunction with  FIG. 2B , the installation of retainers  150  is illustrated. As previously discussed, one or more panels  102  may be coupled with one or more hinge structures  104  such as through an interfering geometrical configuration. The retainer  150  may be slid over the ends  160  of the panel  102 /hinge structure  104  connections such that, for example, the first member  152  of the retainer is adjacent to and contiguous with a portion of the pocket  140 , the second member  154  is disposed within a central opening  162  defined by the rod  142 , and the transition member  156  of the retainer  150  spans across portions of both the pocket  140  and the rod  142 . Of course the retainer could be reversed such that positions of the first and second members  152  and  154  are switched with one another.  
         [0034]     As already noted, the retainer  150  maintains the connection between the pocket  140  of the panel  102  and the rod  142  of the hinge structure  104  such that the two components are not inadvertently pulled apart when the panels  102  are over-rotated or subjected to an undesirable lateral force. However, the retainers  150  are configured to still permit proper rotation between the panels  102  and the hinge structures  104  such that the partition  100  ( FIGS. 1A and 1B ) may be deployed and retracted in accordance with their design and purpose.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 4  in conjunction with  FIG. 1B , if a partition  100  ever required maintenance or repair, or if access was desired to the space  120  between the two structures  118 A and  118 B, the retainers  150  could be easily removed by pulling them from the connection between the panels  102  and the hinge structure  104 . Thus, the removable nature of the retainers  150  provides additional structural integrity of the partition  100  while also enabling simple, nondestructive disassembly and reassembly of panels  102  and hinge structures  104 .  
         [0036]     While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.

Summary:
A movable partition having hinged connections and related methods are disclosed. The partition may include one or more movable structures wherein each movable structure has a plurality of panels and a plurality of hinged structures arranged in an alternating pattern. The panels may include pockets formed along the ends thereof and the hinge structures may include rods formed on the ends thereof. The rods are disposed within the pockets such that a hinged joint is formed. Retainers are removably disposed over a portion of the joint or coupling formed by the rod and associated pocket. The retainer may include a clip having a first member disposed adjacent the pocket, a second member disposed within an interior space of the rod, and a transition member coupling the first and second members and also spanning a portion of the rod and pocket.