Abstract:
A temporary support pole assembly including removable head attachment is disclosed. The head attachment includes a pivotally movable retainer selectively positionable relative to the head between an open position and a closed position to retain and secure a flexible partition material thereto.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The field of the invention relates generally to removable head attachments for mounting on ends of temporary support poles at a construction or remodeling job site, and more specifically to a head attachment and pole assembly for securing a flexible partition material to erect temporary walls or partitions on a job site. 
         [0002]    It is known to provide one or more temporary support poles having removable head attachments on construction and remodeling job sites. The poles and head attachments may serve a variety of purposes such as holding drywall in place for installation, holding cabinets in place for installation, and assembling temporary walls or partitions to control and contain dust accumulation, among other things, on a construction site. Such temporary walls may be assembled, for example, to isolate finished areas from work areas within an existing structure so that the finished areas will not be contaminated by construction dust and by-products. The temporary walls are fabricated from a flexible partition material, such as sheet or curtain materials, that is draped and held in place with the temporary support poles. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    An embodiment of a head attachment for a temporary support pole is disclosed. The head attachment includes a body having a generally planar upper surface and a lower surface opposing the upper surface, and a pivotally movable retainer element coupled to the body and selectively positionable relative to the upper surface between an open position and a closed position. The pivotal retainer element has an upper side and a lower side opposing the upper side. The upper side of the retainer element is generally parallel with the upper surface of the body when the retainer is in the closed position. 
         [0004]    Optionally, the upper side of the retainer element may be recessed from the upper surface of the body when in the closed position. The retainer element may be hingedly attached to the body. The upper surface of the body may define a rim extending around the retainer element. The rim may be U-shaped, and at least one recessed surface may extend adjacent the rim. A gasket may also be applied to the rim, and the gasket may be U-shaped. 
         [0005]    The retainer element may also be nested in the upper side of the body when in the closed position, and the retainer element may pivot upwardly and outwardly away from the engagement surface when moved from the closed position to the opened position. The retainer element may also include a latching element. The latching element may include a pointed distal end. The body may include a front side and a rear side opposing the front side, with the front side including a slot, and the distal end of the latching element being received in the slot when the latching element is closed. The retainer element may include an upper surface, and the latching element may be recessed relative to the upper surface of the retainer element. 
         [0006]    The body may also include an external side, and the retainer element may be attached to the body along the external side. At least one aperture may be formed in the body, with the aperture providing access to the retainer element so that the retainer element can be raised from the closed position. The head attachment may also include an attachment portion configured for threaded engagement with the support pole. The head attachment may also include a flange configured for connection to the temporary support pole and at least one rib supporting the flange. The rib may have a bowed curvature imparting a variable thickness along an axial length thereof. 
         [0007]    An embodiment of a support pole assembly for erecting a temporary partition on a job site with at least one support pole section is also disclosed. The assembly includes a head attachment mountable to the support pole section on one end; the head attachment comprising a body and a retainer element hingedly attached to the body. The retainer element is movable upwardly and outwardly away from a first portion of the body to an open position for draping a flexible partition material over a second portion of the body and a closed position capturing the partition material between the retainer element and the first portion of the body. 
         [0008]    Optionally, the head attachment is mountable to the support pole section with threaded engagement. The head attachment may include an upper side formed as a U-shaped rim, the U-shaped rim extending around the retainer element. The head attachment may also include a rear surface that is recessed from the rim. The retainer element may be recessed from the rim when the retainer is in the closed position. 
         [0009]    As another option, the head attachment may include an upper side defining a rim, and a gasket applied to at least a portion of the rim. The gasket may be U-shaped. 
         [0010]    The retainer element may further include a latching element. The latching element may be configured to pierce the partition material. The partition material may be a curtain. A flange may be provided that is configured for connection to the at least one support pole section. At least one rib may be provided to support the flange. The rib may have a bowed curvature imparting a variable thickness along an axial length thereof. 
         [0011]    An embodiment of a support pole assembly for erecting a temporary wall with a curtain on a job site has also been disclosed. The assembly includes: at least one support pole section having a threaded member; a head attachment configured to engage the threaded member, the head attachment defining a recess; and a retainer element hingedly attached to the head surface proximate the recess, the retainer element movable upwardly and outwardly away from the recess to an open position for draping the curtain over a portion of the head attachment and a closed position capturing a portion of the curtain in the recess. 
         [0012]    Optionally, the head attachment may define an upper side for engagement with the curtain, and the retainer may be substantially parallel with the upper side when in the closed position. The retainer may also be recessed from the upper side when in the closed position. The head attachment may include a latching element. The threaded element may be one of a threaded stud and an adaptor configured for coupling with a threaded stud. 
         [0013]    As further options, the head assembly may also include a flange configured to engage the threaded member, and at least one rib supporting the flange. The rib may include a bowed curvature imparting a variable thickness along an axial length thereof. A gasket may extend on an upper surface of the head attachment, and the gasket may be U-shaped. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following Figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a partial top perspective view of a support pole assembly having a head attachment formed in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention and having a curtain retainer in a closed and unlatched position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the head attachment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the head attachment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  with the curtain retainer in an opened position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the retainer shown in  FIGS. 1-3  with the curtain retainer closed and a latching element in an unlatched position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is view similar to  FIG. 4  but showing the latching element in a latched position and, in combination with the curtain retainer, securing a curtain material to the head attachment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a partial rear elevational view of the support pole assembly shown in  FIG. 1  being engaged to a ceiling on a job site. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates in front perspective view a plurality of support pole assemblies supporting a temporary partition on the job site. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of a head attachment for a support pole assembly formed in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the head attachment shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]      FIG. 1  is a partial top perspective view of a support pole assembly  100  for erecting a temporary wall or partition on a job site wherein, for example, construction or remodeling activity is being undertaken. 
         [0025]    The support pole assembly  100  generally includes, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a support pole  102  including a coupler  104 , and a head attachment  106  that is removably attachable from the support pole  102  via the coupler  104 . 
         [0026]    The pole  102  is fabricated from known materials in one or more sections having a generally elongated axial length measured along a longitudinal axis  103  and may be adjustable in length as those in the art will appreciate to accommodate different floor-to-ceiling heights, for example, in use. The pole  102  may be preassembled with multiple sections or may include multiple threaded pole sections that may be assembled on the job site. In a multiple pole section embodiment, the overall length of the combined pole sections may be adjustable, for example, by twisting or sliding one pole section relative to the other to advance the ends of the pole sections toward or away from one another in a telescoping manner, and locking the pole sections in place to maintain a desired axial length of the pole  102 . While fabrication of the pole  102  in sections is beneficial for the reasons stated, it is contemplated that the pole  102  in different embodiments may be a single section elongated pole having a fixed length. 
         [0027]    The coupler  104  is attached to the distal end of the pole  102  and in the example shown includes threads with which the head attachment  106  may be securely mated. In one contemplated embodiment, the coupler  104  is provided as an adapter that is fitted with a threaded stud  105  provided on the end of the pole  102 . In such an embodiment, the coupler  104  includes internal threads having a smaller diameter engaging the smaller diameter stud  105  of the pole  102 , and external threads having a larger diameter for engagement with the head attachment  106 . By providing such an adaptor as the coupler  104 , the pole  102  may be used with other attachments and for other purposes that do not require the coupler  104 . 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, however, the coupler  104  having the appropriate diameter of threads for coupling with the head attachment  106 , may itself be provided on the distal end of the pole in lieu of the stud  105 . In such an embodiment, the head attachment may be directly attached to the larger diameter coupler  104  without using any type of adapter. 
         [0029]    In still another embodiment, the pole coupler  104  and the stud  105  could be configured so that they could each be used interchangeably with the pole  102 . As such, the terminal stud  105  could be removed from the distal end of the pole  102  and replaced with the coupler  104 , or the coupler  104  could be removed from the distal end of the pole  102  and replaced with the stud  105 . Various other adaptations are possible. 
         [0030]    Regardless, in the example shown the threaded engagement of the head attachment  106  and the coupler  104  provides a fixed and rigid structural connection between the pole  102  and the head attachment  106 . Once the head attachment  106  is engaged to the threaded coupler  104 , the orientation of the head attachment  106  relative to the pole  102  is not adjustable. In other words, and because of the threaded engagement, the head attachment cannot pivot or tilt relative to pole axis  103  at the end of the pole  102  to change the working angle of the head attachment  106  as it engages a ceiling. In other embodiments, however, it is understood that non-threaded couplers could be used that may allow for pivotal or tilted adjustment of the working angle if desired, including but not limited to ball and socket-type coupling techniques familiar to those in the art. 
         [0031]    The head attachment  100  generally includes a rectangular body  108  having an upper side or surface  110  and a lower side or surface  112  opposing the upper side  110 . The body  108  is provided with a curtain retainer element  114  on the upper side  108  and with a cylindrical attachment flange  116 , sometimes referred to as a stem, on the lower side  112 . The curtain retainer  114  secures a curtain material (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) to the attachment head  106 , while the flange  116  mates with the coupler  104  on the pole  102  and secures the head attachment  106  to the pole  102 . 
         [0032]    The body  108  in the exemplary configuration shown includes a front side  118 , a rear side  120  opposing the front side  118 , and opposing lateral sides  122 ,  124  interconnecting the front at rear sides  118 ,  120 . The sides  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis  103  of the pole  102 , are about the same length, and generally impart a square shape to the body  108 . The sides  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  also include rounded corners at their ends where the sides meet one another. Other shapes and geometric configurations of the body  108  are, of course, possible in various other embodiments, including but not limited to rectangular shapes having sides of unequal length, other non-rectangular polygonal shapes, and non-polygonal shapes such as circles or ellipses. 
         [0033]    The top side or upper side  110  of the body  108  as shown is generally planar and extends in a generally U-shaped configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 . The upper side  110  extends in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis  103  of the pole  102  and generally perpendicular to the front side  118 , the rear side  120 , and the opposing lateral sides  122 ,  124 . The upper side  110  in the example shown defines an elongated rim surface extending adjacent the entire front side  118 , and most of the lateral sides  122 ,  124 . In the example shown, however, the upper side  110  does not extend along the rear side  120  of the body  108 . 
         [0034]    The rear side  120  of the body  108  is formed with a central opening or cutout  126 , and recessed upper surfaces  128  extend between the opening  126  and to the respective lateral sides  122  and  124 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a second recessed surface  130  is formed on the inner periphery of the upper side  110 . The second recessed surface  130  accommodates the curtain retainer  114  such that a top surface  132  of the retainer  114  is recessed from the upper side  110 , and the upper side  110  generally extends around the retainer  114 . When the retainer  114  is in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper side surface  110  is elevated from the rear side surfaces  128  and also the top surface  132  of the retainer element  114  in the exemplary embodiment shown. Also, the top surface  132  of the retainer element  114  is generally planar, and in the closed position the retainer top surface  132  is oriented generally parallel to, but spaced from, the plane of the upper side  110 . 
         [0035]    The retainer element  114 , as best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , is shaped generally complementary to the upper side  110  of the body  108  but at a reduced dimension such that the retainer element  114  is inset in the upper side  110  when the retainer element is in the closed position shown in  FIG. 1 . Thus, the retainer element in the illustrated example is generally square in shape and includes the upper side  132 , a lower side  134  ( FIG. 33 ) opposing the upper side  132 , a front edge  136 , a rear edge  138  and lateral side edges  140  and  142 . 
         [0036]    The curtain retainer  114  is formed with a pair of hinge arms  144 ,  146  extending from the rear edge  138 . The hinge arms  144 ,  146  extend to the opening  126  in the rear wall  120  of the body  108 , and the hinge arms  144 ,  146  are rotatably attached to the rear side  120  of the body  108  at end walls  145 ,  147  ( FIG. 3 ). In contemplated embodiments, one of the end walls  145 ,  147  and the hinge arms  144 ,  146  are provided with hinge pegs that are received and rotated in apertures formed in the other of the end walls  145 ,  147  and the hinge arms  144 ,  146 . Other hinge arrangements are possible, however, allowing the curtain retainer  114  to be moved between a closed position ( FIG. 1 ) nested within the body upper side  110 , and an opened position ( FIG. 3 ) creating a receptacle for securing a portion of curtain material between the body  108  and the retainer  114 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , apertures  148 ,  150  are provided in the body  108  at a location interior to the upper side  110  for one&#39;s fingers to push the retainer  114  open from the lower side  134  for rotation about the hinges as shown. Because the retainer  114  is nested in the upper side  110  when in the closed position, it is difficult to open the retainer  114  from the top side of the head attachment  104 , so by accessing the retainer  114  from underneath via the apertures  148 ,  150 , the retainer  114  may be relatively easily raised until it can be grasped from the top side and rotated to the opened position. 
         [0038]    The retainer element  114  is further provided with a latch element  150  that is movable in a recessed slot  152  formed in the upper side  132  of the retainer  114 . The slot  152  and/or the latching element  152  may be formed with guiding an alignment features to provide a slidable motion of the latch element  152  along a linear path in a direction toward or way from the body front side  118  as explained below. As also shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the latch element includes a pointed, triangular leading end  154  that may pierce or penetrate a portion of a curtain material  200  ( FIG. 4 ) that is secured to the head attachment  106  with the retainer  114 . The latch element  152  is generally slidably positionable with a person&#39;s thumb, for example, between an unlatched position ( FIG. 4 ) and a latched position ( FIG. 5 ) wherein the leading end  154  of the latch penetrates the curtain material  200 . The combination of the closed retainer element  114  and the latching of the latching element  150  securely holds the curtain material in place. As such, the head attachment  106  does not rely solely upon frictional forces to retain the curtain material. 
         [0039]    In the unlatched position, the leading end  154  of the latching element  152  is spaced from the front side  118  and the upper side  110 , and hence does not interfere with or prevent the retainer  114  from being opened. In the latched position, however, the leading end  154  of the latching element  152  extends partly into a slot  160  formed in the front side  160  ( FIG. 1 ) of the body  108  beneath the upper side  110 . The extension of the end  154  of the latching element  152  into the slot  160  locks the retainer  114  closed and precludes an inadvertent opening of the retainer  114 , as well as prevents the retainer  114  from being opened, without first moving the latch element  152  to the unlatched position. Furthermore, in the latched position, the retainer  114  is prevented from inadvertent opening as the head attachment  106  is handled. Thus, positive latching or unlatching of the retainer  114  both enhances the retention of the curtain material and protects the retainer  114  from being inadvertently damaged. 
         [0040]    While an exemplary latching element  152  is described, it is recognized that other latching elements are known in the art and may be utilized to retain the door  114  in a closed position and/or to provide further securement of the curtain material in another manner. For example only, magnetic latching features could be utilized in other embodiments. 
         [0041]    The lower side  112  of the head attachment  106  includes the generally cylindrical flange  116  as shown in  FIG. 2  approximately centered in the body  108  and extending outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the lower side  112 . The flange  116  includes internal threads for mating engagement with the threaded coupler  104 . The head attachment  106  may therefore be quickly and easily mounted to and removed from the pole  102  by threading the flange  116  to the coupler  104  by hand and without tools. 
         [0042]    As mentioned above, while threaded engagement of the coupler  104  and the head attachment  106  is shown in the exemplary embodiment depicted, other types of engagement are possible and may be utilized. For example, ball and socket-type connections are known in the art and may alternatively be utilized, as well as other known socket and coupler arrangements, or other fastening methods whether or not involving a socket, may alternatively be utilized in other embodiments with similar effect to removably couple the head attachment  106  to the pole section  102 . 
         [0043]    The head attachment  106 , including the body  108 , the retainer  114  and the latching element  152  may be fabricated from durable molded plastic materials according to known techniques in an exemplary embodiment, although other materials may also be utilized if desired. 
         [0044]    By virtue of the hinged connection and the aperture  126  at the rear side  120  of the body  108 , the retainer element  114  may pivot or swing upwardly and outwardly away from the upper side  110  of the body  108  from the closed position ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ) to the open position ( FIG. 3 ) and even beyond. In one embodiment, the front side  144  of the retainer element may travel a substantially 270° arcuate path from a fully closed to a fully opened position as the pivot arms  144 ,  146  are rotated about the hinged connection with the rear side  120  at the end walls  145 ,  147 . That is, the retainer element  114  opens and closes in a door-like manner away from and toward the body  108 . The retainer element  114  is therefore sometimes referred to as a retaining door. 
         [0045]    When fully opened, the retainer door  114  beneficially provides clear and unobstructed access to fit the curtain material  200  ( FIG. 4 ) over the upper side  310  of the body  108 . When the retainer  114  is closed with the curtain material in place, the curtain material is trapped between the lower side  134  of the retainer door  114  and the recessed surface  130  ( FIG. 3 ) of the receptacle. The latching element  152  may then be moved to the latched position as shown in  FIG. 4 . By penetrating the curtain material as the latching element  152  is latched, further mechanical retention of the curtain material is provided. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the curtain material  200  is draped over the upper side  110 , but does not extend over the recessed rear surfaces  128  of the body  108 . In other words, the edge of the curtain material is generally aligned with the inner edge of the surface  128  at the rear side  120  but does not cover the surface  128 . Otherwise, the curtain material  200  would generally interfere with closing of the retainer  114 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the curtain material  200  utilized to erect a temporary wall with the curtain material  200 . Curtain material  200  is shown mounted to a plurality of poles  102  via the head attachments  106 . As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , as the head attachment engages a ceiling  302  of a room  300  the curtain material  200  is draped from the head attachments  106  and generally extends from the floor  304  to the ceiling  302  and between adjacent poles  102 . The curtain material  200  overlies the upper side  110  of the head attachment  106 , and the curtain material makes direct contact with the ceiling as the head attachment  106  approaches the ceiling  302 . 
         [0047]    As can be seen from  FIG. 6 , however, the surfaces  128  of the rear side  120  of the head attachment body  108  are recessed from the upper side  110  of the head attachment  106  and also recessed from the curtain material draped over the top of the upper side  110 . As such, the surfaces  128  of the rear side  120  are spaced from the ceiling when the curtain material  200  is in contact with the ceiling  302 . The upper side  132  of the curtain retainer  114  is also recessed from the upper side  110  and the curtain material  200  that covers the upper side  110 , so the retainer  114  is also spaced from the ceiling when the curtain material  200  is in contact with the ceiling  302 . Only the curtain material  200  is actually in contact with the ceiling  302  as the head attachment  106  is used, and because of the shape of the upper side  110 , a relatively small, but effective, contact area between the curtain material  200  and the ceiling  302  is created. This arrangement tends to protect the ceiling from damage when using the poles, provides some protection to the retainer  114  from being inadvertently damaged as the poles are used, and provides some protection for the hinged connection of the retainer  114  at the rear side  120  of the head attachment  106 . The hinged connection of the retainer  114  is mechanically isolated from compression forces when the head attachment  106  is engaged with the ceiling. 
         [0048]    A temporary partition or wall with the curtain material  200  may be created between opposing walls  306  and  308  of the room  300  to separate one portion of the room from another as shown in  FIG. 7 . As such, a portion of the room  300  on one side of the partition may be isolated from the portion of the room  300  on the other side to contain construction dust, debris, etc. in the portion of the room wherein work is being undertaken. As such, a finished area of the room  300  may be protected or preserved in a clean condition while work is undertaken in another portion of the room  300 . When work is completed, the poles  100  and the partition material  200  are removed from the site. 
         [0049]    Many configurations of such temporary partitions are possible involving different numbers of poles, different lengths of poles, and different partition materials such as plastic sheets, fabrics, cloths, drapes, tarps, and the like familiar to those in the art. Such partitions may be assembled to extend between adjacent walls in a room, opposing walls in a room, or to partition an area in a room that is not bordered by an existing wall of the room. Openings may be provided, if necessary in the partitions to allow workers to enter or leave partitioned areas. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are top and bottom perspective views of a second exemplary embodiment of a head attachment  400  that may be utilized in the support pole assembly described above in lieu of the head attachment  106  described above. 
         [0051]    Like the head attachment  106 , the head attachment  400  similarly includes a body  108  that in the exemplary configuration shown includes a front side  118 , a rear side  120  opposing the front side  118 , and opposing lateral sides  122 ,  124  interconnecting the front at rear sides  118 ,  120 . The sides  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  generally impart a square shape to the body  108 . The sides  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124  also include rounded corners at their ends where the sides meet one another. As noted previously, other shapes and geometric configurations of the body  108  are possible in various other embodiments, including but not limited to rectangular shapes having sides of unequal length, other non-rectangular polygonal shapes, and non-polygonal shapes such as circles or ellipses. 
         [0052]    Also like the head attachment  106 , the top side or upper side  110  of the body  108  of the head attachment  400  as shown is generally planar and extends in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of the pole (such as the axis  103  of the pole  102  shown in  FIG. 1 ) and generally perpendicular to the front side  118 , the rear side  120 , and the opposing lateral sides  122 ,  124 . Unlike the head attachment  106 , the upper side  110  of the head attachment  400  in the example shown defines an elongated rim surface extending adjacent the entire front side  118 , the entirety of each of the lateral sides  122 ,  124  and a portion of the rear side  120 . 
         [0053]    A gasket  402  is applied to the upper side  110  of the head attachment  400 , and in the exemplary embodiment shown, the gasket  402  includes a non-slip upper surface that is elevated from the upper side. The gasket  402  further extends in a U-shaped configuration extending on the upper surface  110  entirely across the front side  118 , most of the lateral sides  122 ,  124 , but not across the rear side  120 . As such, the rear side  120  has an upper surface that is recessed from the upper surface of the gasket  402 . As such, when the upper surface of the gasket  402  is engaged to a ceiling or other object in use, the upper surface of the rear side  120  does not engage the ceiling or other object. 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , the head attachment also includes a plurality of solid support ribs  404  extending about the cylindrical attachment flange  116 , sometimes referred to as a stem, on the lower side  112 . The support ribs  404  connect to the flange  116  at one end, and extend to the rounded corners of the lower side  112  at their opposing ends. As such, and in the example shown, the ribs  404  extend diametrically across the lower side  112  of the head attachment  400 . The ribs  404  as shown further include a bowed or arcuate curvature along their axial lengths, such that the ribs  404  are thicker near the flange  116  than at their ends adjacent the corners of the lower side  112 . The ribs  404  provide additional structural strength and rigidity to the head attachment  400  to better withstand manufacturing processes and rugged use in the field. While four ribs  404  are shown, greater or fewer numbers of ribs having the same or different configuration may alternatively be provided for similar purposes. 
         [0055]    The curtain retainer  114  is constructed, installed, and operable in a similar manner for the head attachment  400  as described above for the head attachment  406 , with similar benefits and advantages. 
         [0056]    The above-described head attachments and pole assemblies are believed to be particularly advantageous and beneficial over existing head attachments and pole assemblies. The retainer elements described are believed to be easier to use than some conventionally provided retainers, and also are believed to be more durable and may be manufactured at lower cost. The described head attachments and retainers are believed to be particularly advantageous for securing partition materials to the temporary support pole sections, but it is contemplated that other materials, items, and articles may likewise be reliably secured to the head attachments for purposes other than erecting temporary partitions. As such, the invention is not believed to be solely limited in application to securing flexible partition materials. The benefits of the invention are believed to be equally applicable to non-partition applications and the present disclosure is not intended to preclude such possibilities. 
         [0057]    While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.