Abstract:
A multi-program trolley and track switch system is provided for a movable wall system having multiple panels supported and movable along multiple paths defined by multiple track sections. Switch assemblies automatically direct each wall panel to a predetermined wall forming location based on the arrangement of guide plates in the each switch assembly and the configuration of a diverter element associated with each trolley. Each switch assembly includes an array of vertically oriented guide plates offset at different lateral distances from the track path. Each trolley includes a side diverter element that is positioned a predetermined lateral distance from the trolley centerline to engage a pre-selected switch guide plate. In one embodiment, lead trolleys have only a side diverter element while trailing trolleys have both a side diverter element and a center diverter element.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a continuation of pending U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/601,490, filed Jun. 23, 2003, entitled “MULTI-PROGRAM TROLLEYS AND SWITCHES” which claimed priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/391,791, filed Jun. 26, 2002, entitled “MULTI-PROGRAM TROLLEYS AND SWITCHES.” 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to operable wall systems used to partition larger rooms into smaller rooms and particularly to a track and trolley system wherein the trolleys can be programmed to automatically switch panels to form a desired room layout.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Operable wall panel systems, also known as movable wall panel systems, are often used to temporarily subdivide large rooms into smaller rooms such as in convention halls, hotels, and the like. These systems typically include an overhead track and trolley suspension system whereby wall panels are moved along the track from a storage area to a wall forming position in the space being subdivided. The track may include a number of switches where turns and/or intersections are provided for moving the wall panels.  
         [0006]     One difficulty in subdividing an area arises when several wall panels must be moved from a storage area through multiple intersecting track segments to a specific location to form a desired room arrangement. In many instances, each individual panel has a pre-designated position in the final room layout. This is particularly important where the subdivided room arrangement has rooms where the walls are of different colors or differing surface textures which may require some of the panels to have differing features on opposite sides. In these situations, improper placement of the panels could result in mismatches in the final room layout. Previously, the process of subdividing a large space was quite time-consuming requiring that panel placement be closely monitored to achieve the desired result.  
         [0007]     In order to facilitate the process of directing panels to a pre-determined position, guide plates have been mounted on the track intersections and used to cooperate with diverter elements mounted on the panel trolleys. In operation, the guide plates on the track intersection engage the diverter elements on the wall panel trolleys to direct the wall panel on to the proper track. One such prior design is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/706,041 filed Nov. 3, 2000 and which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention.  
         [0008]     In some designs, trolleys have been equipped with diverter elements that extend above the trolley wheels to engage a diverter plate mounted on the under side of a top plate of the track switch in combination with additional diverter elements mounted to a plate laterally extending from the trolley below the wheels, that engage diverter plates mounted to the underside of the bottom plate of the track switch.  
         [0009]     One shortcoming in these prior designs is in the number of trolley and track switch combinations required to subdivide a large area.  
         [0010]     In another type of movable wall system, electric switching stations are used to direct or switch wall panels to their appropriate track. The switching station includes a rotatable platter mounted at the intersection of multiple tracks. The platter is electrically operated to rotate between multiple positions connecting different track sections together at each position. One disadvantage of this system is that although it allows numerous track sections to be selectively interconnected to move the wall panels down their proper paths, a person is required to control the movement of the platter. The electric switching systems are also relatively expensive.  
         [0011]     What is needed is a programmable trolley and track system that automatically directs individual wall panels to a pre-determined position in a layout without an excessive number of switch and trolley designs.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention provides a multi programmed track switch and trolley system that automatically routes wall panels between intersecting tracks to a pre-determined or pre-programmed wall-forming position. The track switch section includes selectively positioned guide plates on the upper interior wall of the track switch section. The guide plates engage diverter elements positioned on the trolley to direct wall panels on a particular path through the switch section. Each trolley includes an elongated diverter element or blade laterally displaced from the trolley centerline. The lateral displacement of the diverter blades is variable so as to engage selected guide plates on the track switch sections. The diverter blades are also variable in height to engage or not engage certain guide plates.  
         [0013]     In addition, the trailing trolleys also include one or more centrally mounted diverter pins which are also variable both in height and lateral displacement relative to the trolley centerline. Through the selection of diverter blade and diverter pin arrangements, trolleys can be paired forming multiple combinations from a set of basic trolley designs.  
         [0014]     The present invention accomplishes a primary objective of providing a track switch and trolley system that automatically routes individual wall panels of an operable wall system to a pre-determined wall forming location to compartmentalize a large room into smaller rooms without the need for an excessive number of individual trolley and switch designs.  
         [0015]     The invention accomplishes a further objective of providing a switching system that is automatic, and without the need for human intervention.  
         [0016]     The invention accomplishes a still further objective of providing a switching system wherein a basic set of trolley and track switch designs can be combined to form a variety of room layouts.  
         [0017]     The invention accomplishes still another objective of providing a cost effective switching system not requiring electrical power.  
         [0018]     The invention accomplishes a still further objective of providing a switching system that permits all of the wall panels to be stored in one track storage section without the need for offset switches or flapper panels. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]     The above mentioned and other advantages and objects of this invention, and the manner of obtaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following descriptions of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic top view of an operable wall system using a trolley and track switching system according to the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the operable wall system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a partial diagrammatic top view of the operable wall system of  FIG. 1  wherein the track and track switch sections are shown in additional detail;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a lead trolley equipped with a side diverter element in the outermost lateral position for the track switching system of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a right side view of the trolley of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a trailing trolley equipped with a side diverter element in the outermost lateral position for the track switching system of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a right side view of the trolley of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a lead trolley equipped with a side diverter element in an intermediate lateral position for the track switching system of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is a front view of a trailing trolley equipped with a side diverter element in an intermediate lateral position for the track switching system of the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is a front view of a lead trolley equipped with a side diverter element in the innermost lateral position for the track switching system of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 11  is a front view of a trailing trolley equipped with a side diverter element in the innermost lateral position for the track switching system of the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 12  is a top view of a switch assembly from  FIG. 2 , shown removed from the remainder of the track, which serves to direct trailing trolleys to their proper track sections during wall panel stacking;  
         [0032]      FIG. 13  is a front view, taken along line  13 - 13  in  FIG. 12 , of the switch assembly of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 14  is a top view of a switch assembly from  FIG. 2 , shown removed from the remainder of the track, which serves to direct lead trolleys to their proper track sections during wall panel stacking;  
         [0034]      FIG. 15  is a front view, taken along line  15 - 15  in  FIG. 14 , of the switch assembly of  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0035]      FIGS. 16-21  are front views showing the lead and trailing trolleys of  FIGS. 4-11  entering the switch assembly of  FIG. 15 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 22  is a top view of a first switch assembly from  FIG. 2 , shown removed from the remainder of the track, which serves to direct trolleys to the proper intersecting track sections during movement of the suspended panels in a wall forming direction;  
         [0037]      FIG. 23  is a rear view, taken along line  23 - 23  in  FIG. 22  of the switch assembly of  FIG. 22 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 24  is a top view of another switch assembly from  FIG. 2 , shown removed from the remainder of the track, which serves to direct trolleys to the proper intersecting track sections during movement of the suspended panels in a wall forming direction;  
         [0039]      FIG. 25  is a rear view, taken along line  25 - 25  in  FIG. 24  of the switch assembly of  FIG. 24 . 
     
    
       [0040]     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated or omitted in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0041]     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the invention which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.  
         [0042]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is diagrammatically shown a top view and a perspective view of a movable wall panel system including an automatic track switching system of the present invention. The movable wall panel system serves to selectively compartmentalize a single, large room  20  into smaller rooms or areas. The operable wall includes a multitude of panels that extend from the floor to the ceiling of room  20 , which panels are shown in  FIG. 1  in dashed lines at  22  in a stacked or storage position within a housing abstractly indicated at  24 . In  FIG. 2 , one of the panels  22  is shown being moved to a wall-forming location. Although shown as being within room  20 , housing  24  typically is located directly adjacent to and outward of a side wall of room  20  as a specially designed pocket room. Wall panels  22  may be of any conventional construction. None of the panels  22  are hinged to adjacent panels in the inventive panel system, as the track switching system of the present invention uses panels that are each separately movable along the track between an operational, wall-forming position and a storage position.  
         [0043]     Panels  22  are movable along track segments mounted in the ceiling which form intersecting track sections  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30 ,  31  and  32 . Track sections  26 - 32  are designed such that when panels  22  are all in their wall-forming positions, room  20  is compartmentalized into six smaller rooms or areas  35 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38 ,  39  and  40 . This track configuration is merely illustrative and not intended to be limiting as the inventive track switching system may be employed with more complicated or less complicated tracks, including intersecting tracks that serve to compartmentalize a room into different numbers of smaller room or differently shaped rooms. In addition, the shown track configuration can be used in an even larger room than room  20 , which larger room is equipped with one or more additional operable wall panel systems that are similar to the shown system and which form walls in alignment with the walls formed by the shown wall panel system to provide suitable room compartmentalization.  
         [0044]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , portions of the operable wall of  FIG. 1  are shown in a top view. Track sections  26 - 32  are of a conventional design suitable for use with the type of trolley employed with the panels. As described below, different types of trolleys may be used within the scope of the invention, and the track construction will be changed in a corresponding fashion to provide proper a suitable track and trolley combination. In the illustrated embodiment, track sections  26 - 32  are made of steel beams which are generally square in vertical cross-section. The wheels of the trolley ride along the bottom wall of the track section, and a slot centered in that bottom wall which extends longitudinally along the track section length permits passage of the pendant trolley bolt that attaches to the top of a panel  22 . Track sections  26 - 32  are mounted to the ceiling support structure by means of hanger brackets of conventional design, generally shown at  44 , positioned at spaced intervals along the lengths of the track sections.  
         [0045]     A switch assembly, generally designated  50 , serves as an intersecting track section for track sections  26 - 29  and is operably connected to each of track sections  26 - 29 . Switch assembly  50  is mounted to the ceiling support structure and, as described further below, is designed to cooperate with diverter element mounted on the panel trolleys to direct panels being moved along track section  26  in a wall-forming direction into one of track sections  27 ,  28  and  29 . Another switch assembly, generally designated  60 , serves as the intersection of track sections  29 - 32  to which it is operably connected. Switch assembly  60  also is mounted to the ceiling support structure and is designed to cooperate with diverter elements mounted on the panel trolleys to direct panels being moved along track section  29  in a wall-forming direction into one of track sections  30 ,  31  and  32 .  
         [0046]     The stacking of panels  22  within housing  24  is achieved through the use of switch assemblies  70  and  80  that are interconnected by track segment  72  and which are mounted to the ceiling support structure. Switch assembly  70  is operably connected to track section  26 , as well as to panel stacking track segments  73  and  74  mounted to the ceiling support structure by hanger brackets  44 . Switch assembly  80  is connected to panel stacking track segments  75  and  76  mounted to the ceiling support structure by hanger brackets  44 .  
         [0047]     Panels  22  are stacked along track segments  73 - 76  when stored within housing  24 . The length of track segments  73 - 76  is a function of the number of panels to be stacked, which in turn is a function of the length of the walls formed by the panels when moved to their wall-forming positions. In  FIG. 3 , only six panels are shown to facilitate illustration, and these panels are designated as  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d ,  22   e  and  22   f . Each of these panels represent multiple panels of a similar type, with the types being distinguished herein based solely on the configuration of their trolleys. Specifically, and while the panels may otherwise be similar in most respects, as described below the trolleys of panel type  22   a  differ from the trolleys of panel type  22   b - f , which in turn have trolleys that differ from each other. When the operable wall is fully extended, panels of the type  22   a  are aligned along the entire length of track section  30 , panels of the type  22   b  are aligned along the entire length of track section  31 , panels of the type  22   c  are aligned along the entire length of track section  27 , panels of the type  22   d  are aligned along the entire length of track section  28 , and panels of the type  22   e  and  22   f  are aligned along the entire length of track sections  26 ,  29  and  32 . Naturally, the number of panels each of panels  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   c ,  22   e  and  22   f  represents can differ as it is dependent upon the length of the walls being formed, and it is not material to the present invention.  
         [0048]     Each of panels  22  is suspended from the track system by two trolleys, namely a lead trolley and a trailing trolley, positioned proximate opposite ends of that panel. As used herein, lead and trailing are referenced with respect to the trolley position during movement of the panels from a stacked position to a wall-forming position. The lead or front trolleys of panels  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d ,  22   e  and  22   f , when such panels are stacked, are disposed along track segments  73  and  74 , and the trailing or back trolleys of the panels when stacked are disposed along track segment  75  and  76 . For example, and with reference to stacked panel  22   e , a lead trolley generally represented at  82  suspends the panel from track section  73 , and a trailing trolley generally represented at  83  suspends the panel from track section  75 .  
         [0049]     The automatic track switching system of the present invention employs switch or diverter elements mounted to the trolleys of panel  22 . The overall form of the trolleys to which such diverter elements are attached may be selected from one of the many known designs. As a result, the term trolley is used generally herein, and is intended to encompass devices, including wheeled carriage and carriers, of all types that are operably connected to and movable along various tracks.  
         [0050]     The trolleys used with panel types  22   a  through  22   f  differ only in the configuration of their diverter elements. Each lead and trailing trolley includes a side diverter element. The diverter blades on the side diverter elements are located at one of three different lateral positions relative to and on each side of the trolley center line. In addition to the side diverter elements, each trailing trolley and only the trailing trolleys also includes a center diverter element. Center diverter elements are not used on the lead trolleys.  
         [0051]     In the description that follows only the trolleys for use with panel types  22   a ,  22   c , and  22   e  will be described. Trolleys with these panels will include side diverter elements positioned to the right of the trolley centerline from the perspective of a person in  FIG. 3  standing at switch  50  and looking to the left toward housing  24 . Each trolley described will have a counterpart for use with panel types  22   b ,  22   d  or  22   f  wherein the only difference is that the side diverter element is positioned to the left of the trolley centerline.  
         [0052]     One suitable lead trolley design for use with panel type  22   e  is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and is generally represented at  100 . Trolley  100  includes a U-shaped carrier channel  102  having a base or web portion  103  and a pair of opposite upstanding sidewall portions  104 . A pendent bolt fitting  116  downwardly extends from the lower surface from the base portion  103 . The fitting  116  is internally threaded to receive a pendant trolley bolt  118  which is secured to the top section of a movable wall panel abstractly shown at  101 . Sidewall portions  104  defines bores  108  through which axles  110  are received. Four trolley wheel assemblies  112  are rotatably mounted on the axles  110  extending through sidewall portions  104  and wheel spacers  114 . Wheel assemblies  112  rollingly engage the various tracks for moving wall panel  101 . Guide rollers  120  extend into the track slot and serve to reduce friction between the trolley  100  and the slot. Guide rollers  120  are rotatably mounted on pivot posts  122  which are attached to the channel base portion  103  by any suitable means several of which are known in the art.  
         [0053]     The trolley  100  is equipped with a side diverter element  124  that cooperates with guide plates mounted on the inside of the upper surface of the track switch sections to route the panel through the switch. The diverter element  124  is displaced laterally or perpendicular from the trolley centerline in the direction of the motion of the trolley along the track. The diverter element  124  includes a blade portion  125  that extends above the trolley wheels  112  and a body portion  126  that fixedly attached such as by welding to the carrier sidewall portion  104  between the wheel assemblies  112 .  
         [0054]     With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is shown is a trailing trolley  130  that could be paired with trolley  100  of  FIGS. 4 and 5  for use on panel type  22   e . The trolley  130  includes a center diverter element  134  in the form of a pair of pins  132  projecting vertically upward from a base plate  136  that is fixedly attached to the upper portion of carrier side walls  104 . Rather than the pin shown, a diverter element in the form of a rigid plate or blade may be used on the center diverter  134 . The trailing trolley  130  also includes a side diverter element  138  having a diverter blade  139  at the same lateral displacement from the trolley centerline as diverter blade  125  on trolley  100 . Side diverter element  138  also includes a body portion  140  which is fixedly attached to carrier sidewall portion  104 . Diverter blade  139  of trolley  130  is shorter in length than diverter blade  125  of lead trolley  100 . Based on these differences in diverter blade length along with the presence of a center diverter  132  on trailing trolley  130 , the lead and trailing trolleys  100  and  130  respectively can be routed differently through a given switch section.  
         [0055]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show lead and trailing trolleys that can be used on panel type  22   c . Lead trolley  150  in  FIG. 8  includes a U-shaped carrier channel  152  having a base or web portion  153  and upstanding sidewalls  154 . A side diverter element in the form of a diverter blade  158  extends vertically upward from carrier channels sidewall  154 . The diverter blade  158  may be fixedly attached to sidewall portion  154 , such as by welding. Alternatively, the diverter blade may be integrally formed with channel sidewall  154 . As with the previous trolleys, diverter blade  158  functions to engage complimentary guide plates provided on the track switch section. As a lead trolley, trolley  150  includes no center diverter.  
         [0056]     In  FIG. 9 , trailing trolley  160  for panel type  22   c  is shown. As a trailing trolley, trolley  160  includes a center diverter element  162  which includes a pair of diverter pins  163  extending vertically upward from a base plate  164  that is fixedly attached such as by welding to carrier channel sidewall portions  154 . A side diverter blade  166  extends vertically upward from carrier sidewall portion  154  as shown. As in the previously described lead and trailing trolley pair, side diverter blade  166  of trailing trolley  160  is shorter in height than diverter blade  158  of lead trolley  150 .  
         [0057]     With reference now to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a lead trolley  170  for use with panel type  22   a . Trolley  170  includes a U-shaped carrier channel  172  having a base or web portion  173  and upstanding sidewall portions  174 . Trolley  170  includes a side diverter element  176  positioned inwardly from carrier sidewall portion  174 . Diverter element  176  includes a body portion  178  that is preferably fixedly attached such as by welding to the inside of sidewall  174  between axle pairs  110 . Diverter blade  177  extends vertically upward from the body portion  178 .  
         [0058]     A trailing trolley suitable for use with panel type  22   a  is generally represented at  180  in  FIG. 11 . Similar to lead trolley  170 , trailing trolley  180  includes a side diverter element  186  that includes a body portion  188  fixedly attached to the inside of sidewall  174  and having a vertically extending diverter blade  187  which is shorter in height that diverter blade  177  of the lead trolley  170 . As a trailing trolley, trolley  180  includes a center diverter element  190  that includes a pair of diverter pins  192  that extend vertically upward from a base plate  193 . Base plate  193  is fixedly attached at one side to body portion  188  of side diverter element  186 . The other side of base plate  193  is fixedly attached to the opposite carrier channel side wall  174 . Side diverter blades  177  and  187  of trolleys  170  and  180  respectively represent the most laterally inward of the side diverter blade positions.  
         [0059]     The switch assemblies particularly designed for use in conjunction with the panel suspending trolleys of  FIGS. 4-11  are shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 12-25 . With reference now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the switch assembly  80  that during wall stacking cooperates with the trolley diverter elements to route the trailing trolleys to their proper track sections is shown in top view and front view, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, switch assembly  80  is formed from a single top plate  240  and three bottom plate sections  242 ,  243  and  244 . Top plate  240  is suspended from a support structure with conventional fasteners in order to mount switch assembly  80  in the ceiling of room  20 . Plate sections  242 - 244  are each connected to top plate  240  in a vertical spaced-apart relationship in a well-known manner with a plurality of bolt and nut type fasteners that extend through tubular steel spacers  246  sandwiched between the various switch plates. The portions of these plate-connecting fastener assemblies that lie above the upper surface of top plate  240  are not shown in  FIG. 12  for purposes of illustration.  
         [0060]     Plate sections  243  and  244  are horizontally spaced apart to provide a track path  248  into which enter trolleys being routed into switch assembly  80  in a panel stacking direction. Plate sections  242  and  243 , and plate sections  244  and  242 , are horizontally spaced apart to provide arcuate track paths or slots  249  and  250 , respectively. Track paths  248 ,  249  and  250 , which provide the spaces through which extend the pendant bolts of the trolleys when the trolleys move or roll along the upper surface of plate sections  242 - 244 , are aligned with the track paths of track sections  72 ,  76  and  75 , respectively.  
         [0061]     Diverters or guides used to selectively route trolleys passing along track path  248  into either track path  249  or  250  include a series of elongate plates mounted on either side of track path  248 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , three elongate and arcuate guide plates  255 , 256  and  257  are fixedly attached, such as by welding to: the underside of the top plate  240  proximate and left of track path  248 . Guide plates  255 - 257  are evenly horizontally spaced to provide channels  259  and  260 . Three elongate, arcuate guide plates  262 ,  263  and  264  are similarly attached to the underside of top plate section  240  right of track path  248  to provide channels  266  and  267 . The ends of the guide plates are pointed to aid in routing diverter blades into the appropriate channel or space as described further below.  
         [0062]     Referring to  FIG. 13 , in conjunction with the height of the diverter blades of the side diverters of the trolleys, each of guide plates  255 - 257  and  262 - 264  are made sufficiently tall so as to project down from the top plate to a height at least slightly below the tops of the upstanding blades of the side diverter elements of the trailing trolleys. As so configured, the diverter blades must either enter one of the channels  259 , 260 ,  266  and  267 , or enter the spaces laterally outward of guide plates  255  and  264 , when the trolleys pass along track path  248 . Specifically, when the trailing trolleys shown in  FIGS. 6, 9 , and  11  are separately routed through track path  248  in a wall-stacking direction, diverter blade  139  passes along the outer side of guide plate  264 , diverter blade  166  moves within channel  267 , and diverter blade  187  moves within channel  266 , thereby routing these trolleys into track path  250 .  
         [0063]     Although guide plates  255 - 257  and  262 - 264  are shown as having the same height, guide plates  255 - 257  and  262 - 264  could all be of different heights, so long as each plate is sufficiently tall so as to engage the appropriate trolley diverter blades during use.  
         [0064]     With reference now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the switch assembly  70  that during wall stacking cooperates with the trolley diverter elements to route the lead and trailing trolleys to their proper track sections is shown in top view and front view, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, switch assembly  70  is formed from a single top plate  270 , mounted in the room ceiling, and four bottom plate sections  272 ,  273 ,  274  and  275 . Bottom plate sections  272 - 275  are each. connected to top plate  270  in a vertical spaced-apart relationship via spacing fasteners indicated at  280 .  
         [0065]     Bottom plate sections  274  and  275  are horizontally spaced apart to provide a track path  282  into which enter trolleys being routed in a panel stacking direction. Plate sections  273  and  275 , and plate sections  272  and  274 , are horizontally spaced apart to provide arcuate track paths  283  and  284 , respectively, in communication with track path  282 . Plate sections  272  and  273  are horizontally spaced apart to provide a linear track path  285  in communication and aligned with track path  282 . Track paths  282 ,  283 ,  284  and  285  are aligned with the track paths of track sections  26 ,  73 ,  74  and  72 , respectively.  
         [0066]     In order to maintain the downstream ends of track paths  283  and  284  in alignment with each other while at the same time, having the upstream ends of these track paths be staggered along the track path  282  to avoid relatively large gaps between the bottom plates, arcuate paths  283  and  284  are formed with different radiuses. One suitable radius for the tighter turn for the trolley is about eight inches, while a suitable radius for the more gentle turn can be about twelve inches. Other radiuses of curvature for either turn of the illustrated switch assembly, such as  16 , or  20 , or  24  inches and preferably greater than eight inches, may be employed. Different trolleys may allow use of still different radiuses of curvature, including larger and smaller radii.  
         [0067]     Guides used to selectively route lead trolleys passing along track path  282  into either track path  283  or  284  include a series of plates mounted to the underside of top plate  270  on either side of track path  282 . Arcuate guide plates  290 ,  291 , and straight guide plate  292  are fixedly attached to the underside of top plate section  270  left of track path  282  to form channels  294  and  295 . Two arcuate guide plates  298  and  299  and straight guide plate  297  are similarly attached to the underside of top plate  270  right of track path  282  to provide channels  301  and  302 . Each of guide plates  290 - 291  and  298 - 299  is shorter than guide plates  255 - 257  and  262 - 264  of switch assembly  80 . Specifically, guide plates  290 - 291  and  298 - 299  are made sufficiently tall so as to project down to a height slightly below the tops of the upstanding blades of the side diverter elements of the lead trolleys, but not so tall as to extend below the tops of the shorter blades of the side diverter elements of the trailing trolleys. As a result, during operable wall stacking when the trolleys are passed through track path  282 , while the diverter pins of the trailing trolleys do not engage guide plates  290 - 291  and  298 - 299  so that these guide plates do not interfere with the motion of the trailing trolleys, the diverter blades of the lead trolleys are guided by these plates. Diverter blade  125  passes along the outer side of guide plate  299 , diverter blade  158  moves within channel  302 , and diverter blade  177  moves within channel  301 , thereby routing the trolleys of  FIGS. 4, 8 , and  10  into track path  283 .  
         [0068]     In order to ensure the trailing trolleys, being moved in a stacking direction through track path  282  continue into track path  285  and not track paths  283  and  284 , straight guide plates  292  and  297  define a channel  305  into which the center diverter of each of the trailing trolleys of  FIGS. 6, 9 , and  11  upwardly extends.  
         [0069]     Lead trolleys  100 ,  150 , and  170  are depicted entering switch assembly  70  in  FIGS. 16, 18 , and  20  respectively. The side diverter blades of these trolleys operatively engage guide plates  297 - 299 . Trailing trolleys  130 ,  160 , and  180  are depicted entering switch assembly  70  in  FIGS. 17, 19 , and  21  respectively. With these trolleys, only the center diverter operatively engages guide plates  292  and  297 .  
         [0070]     With reference now to  FIGS. 22 and 23 , the switch assembly  50  that during wall extension cooperates with the upstanding blades of the side diverter elements of the trolleys to route the trolleys to their proper track sections is shown in top view and rear view, respectively. Switch assembly  50  is formed from a single top plate  310 , mounted in the room ceiling, and four bottom plate sections  312 ,  313 ,  314  and  315 . Bottom plate sections  312 - 315  are each connected to top plate  310  in a vertical spaced-apart relationship by spacing fasteners indicated generally at  318 .  
         [0071]     Bottom plate sections  312  and  313  are horizontally spaced apart to provide a track path  320  into which enter trolleys being moved into switch assembly  50  along track section  26  in a forward or wall extending direction. Plate sections  312  and  314 , and plate sections  313  and  315 , are horizontally spaced apart to provide track paths  321  and  322 , respectively, that are in communication with track path  320  and that have different radiuses of curvature similar to the track paths of switch  70 . Plate sections  314  and  315  are horizontally spaced apart to provide a linear track path  323  in communication and aligned with track path  320 . Track paths  321 ,  322  and  323  feed the trolleys moving therealong into the track paths of track sections  27 ,  28  and  29 , respectively.  
         [0072]     Guides used to selectively route trolleys passing along track path  320  into one of track path  321 ,  322  or  323  include an arrangement of guide plates fixedly mounted to the underside of top plate  310 . In order to ensure engagement with the upstanding diverter blades of both. the lead trolleys and the trailing trolleys, each guide plate on switch assembly  50  is sufficiently tall so as to project down from the top plate to which it is attached to a height slightly below the tops of the shorter upstanding blades of the side diverter elements of the trailing trolleys. Plates of this standard height also naturally project below the tops of taller, upstanding blades of the side diverter elements of the lead trolleys.  
         [0073]     Guide plate  325  serves to route trolleys moving along track path  320  into track path  321  in the process of forming a wall along track segment  27 . Arcuate guide plate  325  is structured such that diverter blade  125  of trolley  100 , and diverter blade  139  of trolley  130  slide along the laterally outer face of guide plate  325  to route trolleys  100  and  130  into track path  321 . Straight guide plates  326  and  327  define a channel  328  through which slide diverter. blade  158  of trolley  150  and diverter blade  166  of trolley  160 . Guide plates  326  and  327  are structured to prevent trolleys  150  and  160  from entering track path  321  as the trolleys move forward in a wall extending direction along track path  320 . Guide plate  330 , which is aligned with guide plate  327 , functions to prevent trolleys  150  and  160  from straying into track path  322 , and thereby direct such trolleys into track path  323  by the engagement of diverter blades  158  and  166  against the laterally outward face of guide plate  330 . Straight guide plate  332  and, guide plate  327  together define a channel  333  through which slide diverter blade  177  of trolley  170  and diverter blade  187  of trolley  180 . Guide plates  327  and  332  prevent trolleys  170  and  180  from entering track path  321  as the trolleys move forward in a wall extending direction along track path  320 . Guide plate  335  is aligned with guide plate  332  and functions to prevent trolleys  170  and  180  from straying into track path  322 , and thereby direct such trolleys into track path  323 , by the engagement of diverter blades  177  and  187  against the laterally outward face of guide plate  335 . In a similar fashion, guide plates  340 ,  342 ,  344 , and  347  restrict access to track path  322  and track section  28 .  
         [0074]     With reference now to  FIGS. 24 and 25 , the switch assembly  60  that during wall extension cooperates with the upstanding blades of the side diverter elements of the trolleys to route the trolleys to their proper track sections  30 - 32  is shown in top view and rearview, respectively. Except for its guide plate design, switch assembly  60  is constructed and mounted in a similar fashion to switch assembly  50  and includes top plate  370 , bottom plate sections  372 ,  373 ,  374  and  375 , and spacing fasteners  378 .  
         [0075]     Bottom plate sections  374  and  375  are spaced to provide track path  380 . Plate sections  372  and  374 , and plate sections  373  and  375 , are horizontally spaced apart to provide track paths  381  and  382 , respectively, with radiuses of curvature similar to the track paths of switch  50 . Plate sections  372  and  373  are spaced to provide a linear track path  383  in line with track path  380 . Track paths  380 ,  381 ,  382  and  383  are aligned with the track paths of track sections  29 ,  30 ,  31  and  32 , respectively.  
         [0076]     Guides used to selectively route trolleys passing along track path  380  into one of track path  381 ,  382  or  383  include guide plates fixedly mounted to the underside of top plate  370 . The guide plates, although shown in  FIG. 25  as having uniform heights, may be of different heights as long as each is sufficiently tall to engage the upstanding diverter blades of both the passing lead trolleys and the trailing trolleys. Arcuate guide plate  390  is structured such that diverter blade  158  of trolley  150 , and diverter blade  166  of trolley  160 , slide along the laterally outer face of guide plate  390  to route trolleys  150  and  160  moving along track path  380  into track path  381  in the process of forming a wall along track segment  30 . Straight guide plates  392  and  394 , together with a segment of guide plate  390 , define a channel  396  through which slides diverter blade  177  of trolley  170  and diverter blade  187  of trolley  180 . Guide plates  392  and  394  prevent trolleys  170  and  180  from entering track path  381  as the trolleys move forward in a wall extending direction along track path  380 . Guide plate  398  is aligned with guide plate  392  and functions to prevent trolleys  170  and  180  from straying into track path  382 , and thereby directs such trolleys into track path  383 , by the engagement of diverter blades  192  and  186  against the laterally outward face of guide plate  398 . In a similar fashion, guide plates  400 ,  402 , and  404  restrict access to track path  382  and track section  31 .  
         [0077]     The automatic track switching system of the present invention will be further understood in view of the following description of its operation. When the panels are in the stacked arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 , to compartmentalize room  20  the panels are first removed from housing  24  manually by a user who subsequently pushes or pulls the panel along the various track sections to a wall-forming position. In particular, when a panel of the type  22   a  is moved from its stacked arrangement, the engagement of its trolleys with the switch assemblies  70  and  80  causes panel  22   a  to be routed into track section  26 . Upon reaching switch assembly  50 , the above-described engagement of the guide plates mounted on the switch assembly with the upstanding blades of the side diverter elements of its trolleys cause panel  22   a  to pass through switch assembly  50  into track segment  29 . When panel  22   a  reaches switch assembly  60 , the engagement of the guide plates of the switch assembly with the upstanding blades of the side diverter elements of the trolleys automatically switches panel  22   a  into the track path which leads to track section  30 .  
         [0078]     Panels of the type  22   c  are routed via switch assemblies  70  and  80  into track section  26 , and are automatically routed by switch assembly  50  into track section  27 . Panels of the type  22   e  are routed by switch assemblies  70  and  80  into track section  26 , and, depending on the order in which they are moved from housing  24 , such panels are aligned along track, segments  32 ,  29  and  26 .  
         [0079]     The process of moving the panels back to a stacked arrangement is performed in generally the reverse order of the wall-forming process. As the panels traveling along track section  26  are moved rearward, the trailing trolleys enter the switch assembly  70 . Because the shorter upstanding pins of the side diverter elements of the trailing trolleys do not vertically extend upward to engage the guide plates of assembly  70 , the trailing trolleys are not affected by such guide plates. However, the center diverter disposed at the top of each trailing trolley engages the innermost guides  292  and  297 , thereby routing the trailing trolleys into track segment  72  and then ultimately to switch assembly  80 . As the panels continue to move rearward, the guide plates of switch assembly  80  engage the upstanding pins of the side diverter elements of the trailing trolleys to route the trailing trolleys into the proper track section for stacking, and the guide plates of switch assembly  70  engage the upstanding pins of the side diverter elements of the lead trolleys to route the lead trolleys into the proper track section for stacking.  
         [0080]     By utilizing diverter elements on the trolleys which are provided at different lateral spacings relative to the trolleys; it is possible to provide automatic track switching systems adaptable for use with a great variety of types of wall arrangements. Although trolleys with side diverter elements with three lateral pin positionings are shown, systems with fewer or possibly even greater lateral positionings are within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0081]     While this invention has been shown and described as having multiple designs, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit an scope of this disclosure. For instance, although the lead and trailing trolley pairs have been described as having side diverter elements at the same lateral positioning, the invention contemplates combinations of lead and trailing trolley pairs wherein the side diverters are positioned at different lateral displacements from the trolley centerlines.  
         [0082]     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It should be understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.