Abstract:
A novel clamping device for use in conjunction with a temporary partition system is provided. The present invention is a telescoping pole system having a unique clamping end that retains a sheet of plastic or other sheeting material for the establishment of temporary partitions such as the type typically used in connection with dust control. The principal elements of the system include an adjustable, telescoping pole, a clamping end with a mechanism thereon for retaining sheeting material and the sheeting material itself. In conjunction, the elements of the system are installed in the desired location between supporting structure to provide a temporary partition as necessary.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/509,798, filed Oct. 9, 2003, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to device for installing temporary partitions into existing construction. More specifically, the present invention relates to a telescoping pole that is adapted to be installed between existing construction elements to receive and support some form of sheeting material to create a temporary partition. The particular focus of the present invention is further directed to the clamping mechanism provided at the end of the telescoping pole for providing support to the sheeting material.  
         [0003]     There is often a need to separate or subdivide portions of a building or room for temporary periods of time. For example, if an occupied building is going to be remodeled, the portions of the building that will be under construction must be separated from the portions that will remain occupied in order to control the dust created by the remodeling activities as well as to protect the occupants from the physical construction activity. Generally in these cases, while a permanent type construction method could be effectively utilized, such as the construction of a stud framed wall, this type of construction is relatively costly and results in damage to the surrounding, pre-existing construction to which the wall is fastened. Accordingly, a number of temporary partition systems have been developed. These temporary partitions can be used to serve as a barrier to dust, noise, light, odors, and the like. In construction zones, temporary partitions are useful for protecting a clean area from an adjacent work area, for example, protecting an area where finished building materials such as cabinetry and carpet is stored from an area where plastering and painting is being completed. Often as stated above, even this type of temporary protection is installed using rudimentary techniques for installing partitions. Frequently, temporary partitions made from plastic curtains are simply nailed, screwed or stapled to the floor, ceiling and abutting walls, resulting in damage to these surfaces. In other installations, a curtain is taped or otherwise adhered to the walls and ceilings. In these cases, the tape usually fails to stick, but if it does stick, as the tape is removed, chips of paint are usually pulled off with the tape or an adhesive residue from the tape is left behind.  
         [0004]     In an attempt to overcome these drawbacks associated with the rudimentary temporary partitioning techniques, several other systems for constructing partitions have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,974 discloses a curtain wall having spring-loaded extendable support legs that support header members which are installed over the legs and held contact with the ceiling by the legs. A curtain is then mounted to the header members with fasteners periodically installed along the length of each header member. In this design however, the support poles, header members, fasteners and curtain are all fairly delicate in construction and require a number of separate parts, increasing manufacturing costs. One particular drawback is that the curtain must be designed to accommodate the fasteners without them tearing out of the material. In addition, installation of this system is awkward and time consuming due to the large number of fasteners that must be installed up near the ceiling to fasten the curtain to the header members.  
         [0005]     Other systems provide elaborate devices that are mounted onto the top of a telescoping pole. These systems employ caps with retention member that the sheeting is clamped into before the pole is erected in the desired position. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,924,469 and 6,209,615 disclose a system that has a flat interface member on the top of a spring loaded pole. The curtain in these cases is fastened to the top of the pole and then trapped between the top of the pole and the ceiling against which the pole is secured. These devices however are difficult to adjust maintain once installed because the pole must removed before adjustments can be made.  
         [0006]     There is therefore a need for an improved device and system for erecting temporary partitions that enhances the ease of installation and assembly while further allowing adjustments of the system once installed and easy replacement of the curtain material without necessitating the removal of the entire system.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In this regard, the present invention provides a novel device for use in conjunction with a temporary partition system. The present invention is a telescoping pole system having a unique end that retains a sheet of plastic or other sheeting material for the establishment of temporary partitions such as the type typically used in connection with dust control. The principal elements of the system include an adjustable pole, a clamping end with a mechanism thereon for retaining sheeting material and the sheeting material itself. In conjunction, the elements of the system are installed in the desired location between supporting structural elements as will be described in greater detail below to provide a partition as necessary.  
         [0008]     The adjustable pole is simply a tubular system where adjacent sections of tube slide one within the other allowing the overall length of the tube to be adjusted. Some manner of locking device is provided proximate to the area where the two sections of tubing meet to allow the pole to be set to and retained at the desired length. On the bottom end of the pole a foot element is placed having a friction-enhancing element such as a rubber stopper. In addition, a spring element may be included in the adjustable pole to provide pressure that urges the two ends of the pole apart. In this manner, once the pole is placed in a location between a floor and ceiling and is adjusted to the proper length, the pole will exert pressure against the adjacent surfaces to maintain it in the position in which it is installed.  
         [0009]     On the top of the pole, a clamping device is installed. The clamping device is placed onto the end of the pole. One end of the clamping device includes a friction-enhancing element such as a rubber stopper, although it may also be a cup or alternately shaped device that is tailored to the specific application. Further, a clamping element is provided that consists of a pivotable clamping member and a cam-lock with an operable handle. The clamping element has a generally flat clamping surface with two protruding sidewalls that extend past either side of the tube. The sidewalls are fastened in a pivotable manner to the tube. In this manner, the flat portion of the clamping element can be pivoted towards and away from the tube element thereby allowing an edge of the sheeting material to be placed into the clamp retained.  
         [0010]     The clamping action of the present invention is accomplished by the cam-lock element. As will be discussed in detail below, in one embodiment of the present invention, the cam-lock element is also pivotably mounted between the sidewalls of the clamping element on the opposite side of the tube relative to the clamping surface. The cam-lock device is a circular member mounted eccentrically around a pivot point having a small handle installed therein to allow rotation of the locking device by the user. When the handle is in the upward position, the circular element is rotated where its smaller side faces the tube allowing the clamping surface on the other side of the tube to move away from the tube. When the handle is moved downward, the circle rotates so that its larger side is against the tube drawing the clamping surface against the other side of the tube causing a clamping action. In this manner, a piece of plastic sheeting can be placed into the clamp and retained simply to erect a temporary partition.  
         [0011]     In addition, the present invention anticipates that a second clamping device may be installed on the bottom end of the tube to allow the plastic sheeting to be retained both at the top and bottom of the partition system.  
         [0012]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present inventions to provide an enhanced temporary partition system that includes a means for supporting the sheeting material in a manner that allows adjustment of the sheeting without removal of the supporting means. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a support device for a temporary partition system that includes an upper clamping member that allows attachment of the sheeting material after the support device is installed in the desired position. It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a support device for a temporary partition system that includes a clamping means at the top and bottom ends of the support for retaining both the top and bottom edges of the sheeting material. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a clamping device that is received on the end of a support pole for further incorporation into a temporary partition system.  
         [0013]     These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a section of the temporary partition system of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of one of the support members of the temporary partition system of the present invention installed between a top and bottom structure with sheeting material installed thereon;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of one of the support members of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view of one of the support members of the temporary partition system of the present invention with a top and bottom clamping member installed between a top and bottom structure with sheeting material installed thereon;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5   a  is a side view of a first embodiment of a clamping member in an open position;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5   b  is a side view of a first embodiment of a clamping member in a closed position;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a second embodiment of a clamping member in a closed position; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a third embodiment of a clamping member in a closed position.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]     Now referring to the drawings, the various components of the temporary partition system are shown an illustrated throughout the figures in various contexts. As can be seen the system in general includes an extendable support pole  10 , at least one clamping assembly  12  and a sheeting material  14  supported by said clamping assembly  12  in conjunction with said support pole  10 .  
         [0024]     Turning to  FIG. 1 , the various components of the temporary partition system are illustrated in their general relationship to one another. It can be seen that the clamping assembly  12  is received onto one end of support pole  10 . One edge of the sheeting material  14  is received and retained by the clamping assembly  12  such that the sheeting material  14  drapes downwardly from the clamping assembly  12  at the top of the support pole  10  adjacent the length of the support pole  10 . While at least one support pole  10  could be utilized to support the sheeting material  14  in a tent like enclosure, as is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , it can be seen that by using at least two support poles  10 , the sheeting material  14  extends between the support poles  10  creating a barrier. Further, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that the addition of a plurality of additional support poles  10  allows the system to be repeated to create a temporary partition that has any length desired by the user or required by the application. It should also be appreciated that the support poles  10  and sheeting material  14  suspended therefrom may be installed in a linear fashion or in any configuration necessary to create the temporary partition system desired. Further, the temporary partition system of the present invention clearly could be installed in a configuration that closes on itself thereby creating an entirely self contained enclosure.  
         [0025]     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the temporary partition system of the present invention is shown in an installed context relative to an existing structure. A top  16  and bottom  18  supporting structure is shown with the support pole  10  and clamping member  12  extending therebetween. As stated above the clamping member  12  is received and retained on one end of the support pole  10  and the support pole  10  is extendable. Accordingly, when placed into its operable position the length of the support pole  10  can be adjusted as is indicated by the arrows  20  shown in the figure to allow the support pole  10  to be placed in firm contact with the top  16  and bottom  18  supporting structure thereby retaining the support pole  10  in the desired location and preventing accidental displacement of the support pole  10 . Once the support pole  10  is placed in the installed position, the sheeting material  14  can then be installed into the clamping assembly  12  to form the desired partition. It is also possible to clamp the sheeting material  14  into the clamping assembly  12  prior to installation of the support pole  10  in this manner preventing the installer of the partition from needing a ladder to install sheeting material  14  at a later time. The sheeting material  14  can be any type of sheet product that is suitable for the desired application. The sheeting material  14  may be fabric sheeting, any gauge plastic sheeting, canvas or any other appropriate material. As can be seen in this figure, however, one of the desirable aspects of the present invention is that the top edge  22  of the sheeting material  14  is not trapped between the support pole  10  and the adjacent to support structure  16 . As a result, the sheeting material  14  can be retensioned or readjusted relative to the support poles  10  without requiring that the support pole  10  be removed from the adjacent structure  16 ,  18  first.  
         [0026]     The support pole  10  and clamping member  12  are also shown to include rubber stopper ends  24  mounted thereon. The purpose of the stopper ends  24  is to enhance the friction between the surrounding support structure  16 ,  18  and the support pole  10  itself thereby assisting in preventing the accidental dislodging of a support pole  10 . While the ends are depicted as stoppers  24 , the ends  24  could also be provided as cups, pads, points or clips as required and dictated by the structure to which the support poles  10  will be mounted.  
         [0027]     Additionally, as is depicted in  FIG. 3 , the clamping member  12  may be provided as a detachable component relative to the pole member  10 . Providing the clamping member  12  as detachable allows the clamping member  12  or the support pole  10  to be reused should one of them become damaged. Also, allowing these elements to be separated from one another facilitates compact storage of the components of the temporary partition system. A detent  26  may be included at the end of the support pole  10  to engage a mating formation  28  on the clamping member  12 . The detent  26  and mating formation  28  cooperate to retain the clamping member  12  on the end of the support pole  10  thereby preventing it from being accidentally dislodged.  
         [0028]     Further, it can be seen that the extendable pole  10  may be formed to include a top section  30  and a bottom section  32  and include a spring  34  that urges the top  30  and bottom  32  sections apart from one another by spring biasing the top  30  and bottom  32  sections relative to one another. The purpose of spring biasing the top  30  and bottom  32  members is to facilitate the installation of the support pole  10  between the adjacent supporting structure  16 ,  18  and assist in maintaining the support poles  10  in their installed positions. Accordingly, the extendable poles  10  can be adjusted roughly to the dimension between the top  16  and bottom  18  structures while the spring  34  allows for both a tolerance in the length of the support pole  10  and provides a linear force against the adjacent structure  16 ,  18  thereby assisting in the retention of the support pole  10 .  
         [0029]     Turning to  FIG. 4 , a temporary partition configuration is shown where a clamping assembly  12  is installed on both the top and bottom ends of the support pole  10 . By providing a top and bottom clamping assembly  12 , the sheeting material  14  can be retained along both its top  22  and bottom  36  edges. This configuration allows the sheeting material  14  to be stretched taught if desired and prevents the bottom edge  36  of the sheeting material  14  from being displaced relative to the support pole  10 . p Now turning to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , a first embodiment of a clamping assembly  12  is shown. The clamping assembly  12  includes a body portion  38  that is configured to be received on an end of a support pole  10 . A clamping arm  40  is shown that is pivotally mounted to the body portion  38  with a linkage  42  extending from the clamping arm  40  adjacent to and beyond the other side of the body portion  38 . An actuator  44  having a cam portion  46  and a handle  48  is shown pivotally attached to the end of the linkage  42  opposite the clamping arm  40 . In  FIG. 5   a  the clamping arm  10  is shown in an open position with the handle  48  of the actuator  44  rotated in an up position. As can be seen the cam  46  includes an eccentric portion that is pressed against the body  38  of the clamping assembly  12  as the handle of the actuator  44  is displaced downwardly. Rotating the actuator  44  handle  48  downwardly as shown by the arrow  50  causes the cam  46  to press against the body portion  38  thereby pulling the linkage  42  and the clamp arm  40  toward the body  38  of the clamping assembly  12  as illustrated by the arrow  52 . As can be seen in  FIG. 5   b  once the movement if the actuator  44  handle  48  is complete, the cam  46  retains the linkage  42  in the fully drawn position thereby holding the clamping arm  40  firmly against the body  38  of the clamping assembly  12 . When the sheeting material  14  is placed in to the clamping assembly  12  in this manner, the clamping arm  40  firmly retains the edge of the sheeting material  14  in contact with the body  38  of the clamping assembly  12 . A friction enhancing member  54  may be provided on the end of the clamping arm  40  to further assist in retaining the sheeting material  14 .  
         [0030]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate to additional embodiments of the clamping assembly. In  FIG. 6 , the clamping assembly  112  can be seen to include a body portion  38 , a clamping arm  40  and an actuator  44  having a cam portion  46  and a handle  48 . In this configuration however the actuator  44  is placed adjacent an outer surface  114  of the clamping arm  40  thereby acting directly on the clamping arm  40  itself. Accordingly the need for a linkage between the clamping arm  40  and actuator  44  is eliminated. In place of a linkage, a mounting member  116  extends from the body portion  38  out beyond the clamping arm  40  to provide a free end  118  to which the actuator  44  can be pivotally mounted. In this embodiment, as the actuator  44  is rotated downwardly, the eccentric portion of the cam  46  presses directly on the clamping arm  40  urging it into contact with the body portion  38 . In all other respects this embodiment of the clamping assembly  112  functions as described above with regard to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b . Finally, in  FIG. 7  an embodiment of the clamping assembly  212  is shown that is configured identically to the embodiment in  FIG. 6  in all respects except that the mounting member  214  extends from the body portion  38  through a hole in the clamping arm  40  to provide a free end  216  to which the actuator  44  can be pivotally mounted.  
         [0031]     It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides a novel system and assembly for creating a temporary partition system that is convenient and offers an assembly that provides several advantages over the prior art. Further, the present invention provides a support system for a temporary partition that allows enhanced adjustability of the system once installed. For these reasons, the instant invention is believed to represent a significant advancement in the art, which has substantial commercial merit.  
         [0032]     While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.