Patent Publication Number: US-11643813-B2

Title: Telescoping wall

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     The present application claims priority on U.S. Patent Application No. 62/960,354 filed Jan. 13, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to wall partitions and more particularly to vertically collapsible wall partitions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Prior art vertically collapsible wall partitions exist, and are generally suitable for their intended purposes. For example, prior art vertically collapsible wall partitions typically employ a number of telescoping elements that slide relative to one another to provide for the wall functionality. However, such prior art walls have drawbacks. For example, some have relatively complex constructions. As another example, some are relatively difficult to service. Yet other drawbacks also exist. 
     Therefore, improvements to prior art collapsible walls are sought. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one aspect, there is accordingly provided a collapsible wall, comprising: a plurality of frame sections engaged with each other to form a telescoping frame movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the frame sections forming at least a portion of a face of the collapsible wall and defining an aperture through the face; and a panel removably engaged to the frame sections, the panel covering the aperture when the panel is disposed in a closed position. 
     The collapsible as described herein wall may also comprise, in whole or in part, and in any combination, one or more of the following further features. 
     The panel is displaceable between the closed position and an open position at least when the frame sections are in an extended position, the panel in the open position providing access into at least one of the frame sections via the aperture. 
     At least a part of the panel is one of transparent and translucent, and the aperture occupies a majority of an area of the face. 
     The face is two opposed faces of the collapsible wall, and the panel is two panels, one of the two panels covering the aperture at one of the two opposed faces and the other of the two panels covering the aperture at other of the two opposed faces. 
     The panel includes a panel frame removably engaged to the frame sections and a transparent or translucent portion engaged to the panel frame. 
     The panel is made at least substantially entirely of a transparent or translucent material. 
     The panel is removably engaged to the frame sections via a hinge so as to be pivotable between the closed position and the open position. 
     The hinge is a plurality of hinges including a first hinge at one of top lateral edges of the panel and a second hinge at the other one of top lateral edges of the panel. 
     Each of the hinges includes a male hinge member extending from one of the panel and at least one of the frame sections and a female hinge member defined in the other one of the panel and the at least one of the frame sections, the female hinge member being disengageable from the male hinge member at least when the panel is in the open position. 
     The panel is one of a plurality of panels of the collapsible wall, and each given panel of the plurality of panels is removably engaged to a given frame section of the plurality of frame sections. 
     A structure defining an opening therein and comprising the above-defined collapsible wall, the collapsible wall sized to cover at least a majority of the opening when the telescoping frame is in the extended position. 
     A recess defined in a top of the opening and being open downward into the opening, and wherein a top frame section of the plurality of frame sections is movable between a retracted position in which the top frame section is received at least in part within the recess, and an extended position in which the top frame section extends downward out of the recess into the opening. 
     A sheave system connecting the collapsible wall to the structure, the sheave system operable to move the telescoping frame between its extended position in which the collapsible wall covers at least the majority of the opening, and the retracted position in which the collapsible wall exposes at least another majority of the opening. 
     Each frame section of the plurality of frame sections includes side seals slidably engaging respective lateral sides of the opening. 
     The side seals are biased toward the respective lateral sides of the opening. 
     At least one of the side seals includes arcuate portions slidably contacting a respective one of the lateral sides of the opening. 
     At least one of the side seals includes a movable member engaged to a respective side of a respective one of the frame sections via a biasing mechanism. 
     A recess defined in a bottom of the opening and being open upward into the opening, and wherein a bottom frame section of the plurality of frame sections is movable between a retracted position in which the bottom frame section is received at least in part within the recess, and an extended position in which the bottom frame section extends upward out of the recess into the opening. 
     In the extended position the plurality of frame sections is extended upward and covers at least a major part of the opening. 
     In the extended position the plurality of frame sections is extended upward and covers at least a substantial part of the opening. 
     The plurality of frame sections forms a plurality of telescoping vertical assemblies. 
     The plurality of telescoping vertical assemblies is a plurality of independent telescoping vertical assemblies. 
     The independent telescoping vertical assemblies are interconnected by the panels. 
     Many further features and combinations thereof concerning the present improvements will appear to those skilled in the art following a reading of the instant disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  show a perspective view and a side elevation view of an embodiment of a telescoping wall of the present disclosure, the telescoping wall being in an extended position; 
         FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  show a perspective view and a side elevation view of the telescoping wall of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , the telescoping wall being in a retracted position; 
         FIG.  3    shows multiple schematic views of the telescoping wall attached to a structure to selectively cover an opening in the structure, the telescoping wall being in a retracted position; 
         FIG.  4 A  shows multiple schematic views of the telescoping wall, the telescoping wall being in an intermediate position; 
         FIG.  4 B  shows multiple schematic views of the telescoping wall, the telescoping wall being in another intermediate position; 
         FIG.  4 C  shows schematic multiple views of the telescoping wall, the telescoping wall being in another intermediate position; 
         FIG.  5    shows schematic multiple views of the telescoping wall of  FIG.  1   , the telescoping wall being in the extended position, as per  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B ; 
         FIG.  6    shows multiple schematic views of frame sections of the telescoping wall, with panels of the telescoping wall removed therefrom; 
         FIG.  7    shows multiple views of another embodiment of the frame sections of the telescoping wall, with panels of the telescoping wall removed therefrom; 
         FIG.  8 A  shows a schematic side elevation view of the telescoping wall, the telescoping wall being in the extended position with the panels shown in respective closed positions in solid lines, and with the panels shown in respective open positions in dashed lines; 
         FIG.  8 B  shows a partial perspective view of the telescoping wall, in its extended position, with one of the panels shown in an open position; 
         FIG.  8 C  is a more detailed perspective view of the open panel of the telescoping wall, shown in its extended position; 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic perspective view of an upper left edge and a bottom left edge of one of the panels, and respective portions of a respective frame section of the telescoping wall; 
         FIG.  10    is a schematic perspective view of an upper right edge and a bottom right edge of the one of the panels of  FIG.  9   , and respective portions of the respective frame section of the telescoping wall; 
         FIG.  11 A  is a schematic top section view of lateral sides of two of the panels and frame sections of the telescoping wall; 
         FIG.  11 B  is a schematic perspective view of the lateral sides of two of the panels and fame sections of the telescoping wall; 
         FIG.  11 C  is another schematic top section view of lateral sides of two of the panels and frame sections of the telescoping wall, showing the lateral seals in both an extended position and a retracted position; 
         FIG.  12    shows a schematic side elevation view of a telescoping wall of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  13    shows a schematic side elevation view of a telescoping wall of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  14    shows a schematic side elevation view of a telescoping wall of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the description that follows, various features have been described and labeled in the figures. Where more than one of a given feature is present, one or more of but not necessarily all of these features are labeled, to reduce repetition of reference numerals and hence to maintain clarity of the figures. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 A to  6   , a telescoping wall  100  in accordance with an embodiment the present disclosure is operable displace between an extended position  100 B (as shown in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B ) and a retracted position  100 A (as shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B ). As seen in  FIG.  3   , the telescoping wall  100  selectively exposes at least a majority of an opening (O) in a structure (S) when in the retracted position  100 A, and covers at least a majority, and in this embodiment at least a substantial part, of the opening (O) when in the extended position  100 B. 
       FIGS.  4 A to  4 C  show examples of possible intermediate positions of the telescoping wall  100 , in its transition between the retracted position  100 A ( FIGS.  2 A- 2 B ) and its extended position  100 B ( FIGS.  1 A- 1 B ). 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3 - 7   , the telescoping wall  100  in this embodiment is vertical and attached to a structure (S) to selectively cover or expose an opening (O) in the structure (S). As a non-limiting example, the structure (S) in this embodiment is a wall that may be a part of a building for example, and the opening (O) may be for example an entrance into the building or a passage between adjacent spaces in the building. The relevant portion of the structure (S), and in this embodiment the portion above the opening (O), may be built or retrofitted (if pre-existing) to define a downwardly-open recess (R) therein above the opening (O). In this example, the recess (R) spans at least the portion of the opening (O) to be selectively covered by the telescoping wall  100 , although any suitable size of the recess (R) may be used to suit each particular embodiment and size of the telescoping wall  100 . In some embodiments, the recess (R) may be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3  through  6   , the telescoping wall  100  includes four frame sections  102 , labeled  1021 ,  1022 ,  1023 ,  1024  in  FIGS.  5  and  6    where all are clearly visible, that are slidingly received one into the other (as shown, each frame section  102  is narrower than a preceding frame section  102  into which it slides in when retracted) to form a telescoping frame  104  of the telescoping wall  100 . Any other number of frame sections  102  may be used depending on each particular embodiment and application of the telescoping wall  100 . 
     As shown, in this embodiment, a top one of the frame sections  1021  is slidingly removably received in the recess (R), with a subsequent one of the frame sections  102  being slidingly removably received in the top one of the frame sections  1021 , and so on until the last one of the frame sections  102 . In some embodiments, at least a part of the top frame section  102  may protrude downward out of the recess (R) when retracted. In the present embodiment, the recess (R) and each of the frame sections  102  except for the frame section  102  at the bottom of the telescoping wall  100 , includes a stopper  106  attached to a bottom end thereof. In this embodiment, each of the stoppers  106  is a pair of opposed metal brackets extending inward from each respective bottom end, but any other suitable construction may likewise be used so long as the functionality described in this document is provided. 
     As shown in  FIG.  4 B  for example, when the top one of the frame sections  1021  extends downward out of the recess (R), the stopper  106  of the recess (R) engages a top portion of the top one of the frame sections  1021  to define an extended position  102 E of the top one of the frame sections  1021 . In its extended position  102 E, the top one of the frame sections  1021  hangs from and is supported by the stopper  106  of the recess (R). Similarly, each subsequent one of the frame sections  102  that slidingly fits into a preceding one of the frame sections  102  engages the stopper  106  of the preceding one of the frame sections  102  when extended and hangs from and is supported by the stopper  106  of the preceding one of the frame sections  102 . 
     Referring still to  FIGS.  3  to  6   , the frame sections  102  are connected, for example via steel or other suitable cable(s) (not labeled), to a sheave system  108 , which may be any sheave system suitable for each particular embodiment and size of the telescoping wall  100 . In some embodiments, the sheave system  108  may be manually operable for example by a lever. In some embodiments, the sheave system  108  may be automatically operable, and would thus include one or more suitable motor(s), transmission(s), switch(es) and controller(s). In some embodiments, the sheave system  108  may be both automatically or manually operable. The sheave system  108  in this non-limiting embodiment is disposed inside the recess (R) so as to be hidden from view in all positions of the telescoping wall  100 . The sheave system  108  is selected to be operable to retain the telescoping wall  100  in the retracted position  100 A ( FIGS.  2 A- 2 B,  3   ) in which the telescoping wall  100  exposes the opening (O) in the structure (S), and to lower the telescoping wall  100  into the extended position  100 B ( FIG.  5   ) in which the telescoping wall  100  covers at least a majority of the opening (O). In some embodiments, the sheave system  108  may be configured to also position the telescoping wall  100  in one or more interim positions, such as those shown in  FIGS.  4 A to  4 C  for example. 
     As best shown in the elevation view of  FIGS.  5  and  6    in which the telescoping wall  100  is in its extended position  100 B, in this embodiment each of the frame sections  102  defines through its opposed faces  102 F (i.e. through the major faces which act to selectively close the opening (O)), two adjacent apertures  102 A ( FIG.  6   ). As shown, the apertures  102 A occupy a majority of an area of the corresponding opposed faces  102 F in which the apertures  102 A are defined. In some such embodiments, one or more of the apertures  102 A occupy more than 50% and up to 99% of the area of each of the respective opposed faces  102 F through which the one or more of the apertures  102 A is/are defined. In some embodiments, one or more of the apertures  102 A occupy between 60% and 99% of the respective face area. In some embodiments, one or more of the apertures  102 A occupy between 70% and 99% of the respective face area. In some embodiments, one or more of the apertures  102 A occupy between 80% and 99% of the respective face area. In some embodiments, one or more of the apertures  102 A occupy between 90% and 99% of the respective face area. In some embodiments, one or more of the apertures  102 A occupy between 90% and 95% of the respective face area. 
     In some embodiments, one or more of the frame sections  102  may define a different number of apertures  102 A therethrough, the number being for example a single aperture  102 A or more than two apertures  102 A. The apertures  102 A may each have any size and shape suitable for each intended application of the telescoping wall  100 . As shown in  FIG.  5   , when the telescoping wall  100  is assembled, each of the apertures  102 A is covered with a panel  110  that is removably attached to the one of the frame sections  102  defining that aperture  102 A. 
     In yet other embodiments, such as an alternative embodiment of the frame sections  702  shown in  FIG.  7   , each of the frame sections  702  may be independent from the other frame sections  702  and may thus form an independent telescoping vertical assembly  704 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , the frame sections  702  may form three independent telescoping assemblies  704 , which may be interconnected by the panels  110  when the panels are removably engaged/removably attached thereto, such as for example in a similar way as described in this document with respect to the frame assemblies  102 . For clarity, only one of the frame sections  702  is labeled in each independent telescoping assembly  704 . In this embodiment, each adjacent pair of the independent telescoping assemblies  704  may define an aperture  708  through the face (F) of the telescoping wall  100 . Multiple ones of the panels  110  may cover each of the apertures  708  at one or both of the telescoping wall&#39;s  100  faces (F). 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the apertures  708  may thus span at least a majority, and in this embodiment a substantial part, of the height of the opening (O) when the telescoping wall  100  is in its extended position  100 B. As shown in  FIG.  7    in dashed lines, the telescoping assemblies  704  may be interconnected with one or more cross-members  706 , and thus may not be independent from each other in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the telescoping wall  100 ,  100 ′ may have a combination of one or more frame sections  102  and one or more frame sections  702 . The panels  110  may be removably attached to the respective frame sections  702  in the same way as described with respect to the frame sections  102 . 
     Thus, referring to  FIGS.  8 A to  10   , irrespective of the particular embodiment and combination of the frame sections  102 ,  702 , the panels  110  may be hinged, via respective hinges  112 , to respective ones of the frame sections  102 ,  702 . Hence, each given panel  110  may be manually movable between a closed position  110 A and an open position  110 B (as shown in  FIGS.  8 B and  8 C , for example) at least when the respective frame section  102 ,  702  to which it is removably hinged is extended relative to a preceding one of the frame sections  102 ,  702 , or relative to the structure (S) in case of the top frame section  1021 / 7021  that is adjacent the structure (S). 
     Referring more specifically to  FIGS.  8 B and  8 C , one of the panels  110  of the telescoping wall  100 , when the wall is disposed in its extended position  100 B as shown in  FIG.  8 A , can be manually opened by pivoting the panel  110  about its upper hinge  112 . Accordingly, the panel  110  can be pivoted into an open position  110 B thereof, as shown. In one particular embodiment, a retention element or latch  220  may be used to retain the panel  110  in a fully open position  110 B and/or to act as a travel-limited to restrict the angular degree to which the panel  110  can be pivoted about hinge  112 . In other words, the retention element  220  can provide a maximum extended position for the pivoting panel  110  when it is opened and/or the retention element  220  can retain the panel  110  in an open position  110 B (either the fully open position or a select intermediate position thereof) such that it does not close unwantedly. In the embodiment where the retention element  220  is manually positioned by the user, for example, the retention element  220  may be pivotably attached to the frame section  102 ,  702  at one end (e.g. an inner end) thereof, and may be releasably engaged to a pin or other engagement fixture  222  on pre-determined points on the frame of the panel  110 . Accordingly, the user may position the opened panel  110  at one of several possible angular open positions, as may be required for cleaning or for other purposes. 
     It is to be understood that in  FIGS.  8 B and  8 C , one of the panels on the side closest to the viewer has been removed from these drawings for the purposes of explanation only, so as to be better able to see the pivoted open panel  110  and the retention element  220  as described above. 
     It is also contemplated that in some embodiments, one or more actuators, such as conventional actuators for example, may be included within the telescoping wall  100  to automatically move one or more of the panel  110  between the respective closed position(s)  110 A and open position(s)  110 B. Accordingly, in one possible embodiment, the retention elements  220  as described above may be actuators which can be remote actuated and can permit positioning an open panel at any number of possible angular positions relative to the closed position thereof. 
     As best shown in  FIG.  9   , in the embodiment of frame sections  102  (and hence the same may be the case for frame sections  702 ), each frame section  102  has two panels  110  hinged thereto on each of its two opposed faces  102 F, and each of the two panels  110  is hinged to that frame section  102  at its opposed top edges via respective left-handed and right-handed hinges  112 . One of the hinges  112 , and more particularly a center double-sided hinge  112 , is shown in detail in  FIG.  9   . The hinge  112  includes two opposed male hinge members  114  attached to a respective portion of the respective one of the frame sections  102 . In this non-limiting embodiment, the hinge members  114  are defined by a metal pin inserted through a corresponding aperture in the frame section  102 , although other suitable constructions may be used. The hinge  112  further includes a female hinge member  116  defined in a respective portion of the respective one of the panels  110 . 
     The female hinge member  116  is sized and shaped to removably receive a respective one of the male hinge members  114  therein, for removably and pivotably attaching the panel  110  to the frame section  102 . In this non-limiting embodiment, the female hinge member  116  is defined by a slot open toward the respective male hinge member  114  and angled at 45 degrees relative to the panel  110 . While the present construction may provide some advantages in some applications, such as for example relative ease of installation and/or removal, other suitable constructions and/or angles of the female hinge member  116  may be used, for example to suit each particular embodiment of the respective male hinge member  114 , so long as the functionality described herein is provided. In this embodiment, a similar hinge  112  is defined at the other top edge of the panel  110 . As shown in  FIG.  10   , the other hinge  112  may be a mirror image of the hinge  112  of  FIG.  9   . As shown in  FIG.  10   , the part of the frame section  102  corresponding to the other hinge  112  may not have a second male hinge member  114  due to being at a lateral side of the telescoping wall  100  as opposed to being in the center thereof. 
     Accordingly, in this non-limiting embodiment, to be installed, the panel  110  may be manually positioned at, for example, 45 degrees to the respective frame section  102  as shown in  FIG.  8 A , so as to align the corresponding male and female hinge members  114 ,  116  with each other. The panel  110  may then be hung into place by moving it so as to insert the male hinge members  114  into the female hinge members  116 . The panel  110  may then be pivoted to its closed position  110 A. In this embodiment, and although this need not be the case with other embodiments, the panel  110  is secured in its closed position  110 A. As shown in  FIG.  9   , in the present embodiment the securement may be done with one or more screws  118  received through a bottom edge of the panel  110  (in this case, a frame portion of the panel  110 ) and into the respective frame section  102 , and tightened. 
     The screw  118  is an example of a fastener. Any other fastener and/or other securement may be used. In some embodiments, one or more of the panels  110  may not be secured in their respective closed position(s)  110 A and may simply remain therein due to gravity. The other panels  110  may have a similar construction and therefore the other hinges are not shown in detail. To remove the panel  110 , the one or more screws  118  may be removed, the panel  110  may then be pivoted back to an open position  110 B, such as the 45 degree position described above, and may then be taken off the respective male hinge members  114 . Understandably, where no securement of the panel  110  is provided in its closed position  110 A, the step of removing/disengaging the securement may be skipped. 
     As shown with dashed lines in  FIG.  5    and with reflection lines in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the panels  110  in this embodiment are transparent. More particularly, in this embodiment a majority of each of the panels  110  may be made from a glass section  110 G or any suitable plastic-based glass such as Plexiglas™, with the remainder of each of the panels  110  being a panel frame  110 P which in this non-limiting embodiment is made of metal components. Since a majority of these panels  110  is transparent, the panels  110  are simply referred to as being transparent. In some embodiments, one or more of the panels  110  may be made at least substantially entirely, in some embodiments including at least parts of the structural portions (hinges  112 , etc.) of the panels  110 , of one or more suitable polymers, such as conventional transparent and/or translucent polymers (collectively, polymeric materials). 
     While transparent and/or translucent panels  110  may provide some advantages such as providing for passage of ambient light through the opening (O), in other embodiments, the panels  110  may be opaque for example, and/or may have any other construction that may be desired for a particular application of the telescoping wall  100 . In embodiments in which one or more entirely or substantially entirely polymeric panels  110  are used, weight of the telescoping wall  100  may be reduced. In some such embodiments and/or applications, certain components may be reduced in size as may be allowed by reduced overall weight of the telescoping wall  100 . 
     Irrespective of the particular construction of the panels  110 , moving one or more of the panels  110  into the respective open position(s)  110 B while the telescoping wall  100  is in use and in its extended position may provide access into the telescoping wall  100 . In transparent panel  110  embodiments, such access may allow to clean the panel(s)  110  from the inside without having to remove the panel(s)  110  from the telescoping frame  104 , or at least without having to disassemble the telescoping frame  104  if the panel(s)  110  are removed therefrom for the cleaning. For non-transparent panel(s)  110 , such access may allow servicing the telescoping wall  100  from the inside without removing at least some of, and in some embodiments any of, the panels  110  from the telescoping frame  104 . In some embodiments, such access may allow servicing the telescoping wall  100  from the inside by removing one or more of the panels  110  from the telescoping frame  104 , but without having to disassemble the frame sections  102 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS.  11 A- 11 C , embodiments of a lateral side of two of the frame sections  102  of the telescoping wall  100  are shown. In at least one embodiment, each of the frame sections  102  has a lateral seal  120  that slidably engages the part of the structure (S) that defines a corresponding lateral side of the opening (O). Each of the lateral seals  120  includes a movable member  122 . In one embodiment, the movable members  122  are biased toward and slides against the part of the structure (S) that defines a corresponding lateral side of the opening (O), when the telescoping wall  100  is extended or retracted. In one embodiment, the movable member  122  is biased using a suitable biasing mechanism, such as a spring  124 . In the embodiment of  FIG.  11 A , the movable member  122  includes two contacting portions that are arcuate and extend away from each other, which helps improve the sealing action. In other embodiments however, a different shape of one or more of the movable members  122  may be used. For example, in the embodiment of  FIG.  11 C , each of the end seals of the movable members  122  may include bulb type or other end seals.  FIG.  11 C  also depicts one of the two movable members  122  of the lateral seal  120  (namely the upper one in  FIG.  11 C ) shown in a retracted position, whereas the other moveable member  122  of the lateral seal  120  (namely, the lower one in the  FIG.  11 C ) is shown in an extended position whereby it is in contact with the lateral surface of the structure (S). It is to be understood that these two seals are shown in different positions for the purposes of explanation. Typically, however, the two lateral seals  120  will operate together, i.e. either both retracted when the telescoping wall  100  is being extended or retracted or both extended, once the telescoping wall  100  is in its extended position, to form the lateral seal with the structure (S). 
     The telescoping wall  100  and its various parts, as well as the structure (S) and opening (O) may be made using conventional materials and manufacturing and assembly methods suitable for each particular embodiment and application of the telescoping wall  100 , so long as the functionality described herein is provided. As can be seen therefore, the embodiments and examples described herein and illustrated are intended to be non-limiting. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that many modifications thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, while each of the panels  110  in the above embodiment has two hinges, one at (i.e. proximate) each top lateral edge of each of the panels  110 , a different number of hinges may be used, such as for example a single central hinge on one or more of the panels, or more than two hinges. As another example, the hinge(s) of one or more of the panels  110  may be of a sliding type instead of a pivoting type. As another example, while the hinge(s)  112  may provide advantages in some embodiments and applications, the hinge(s)  112  of one or more of the panels  110  may instead be a different mechanism selected to provide for the functionality of the one or more of the panels  110  as described herein. As another example, the hinge(s)  112  of one or more of the panels  110  may be omitted and instead one or more fasteners, such as screw(s), bolt(s), clip-in member(s) receivable in corresponding aperture(s) in the corresponding frame section(s)  102 , and the like may be used to secure the one or more of the panels  110  in the closed position  110 A and may be disengageable and/or removable to allow the one or more of the panels  110  to be displaced into an open position which may simply mean the panel(s)  110  is/are taken off the corresponding frame section(s)  102 . 
     As another example, and now referring to  FIG.  12   , while in the embodiment of  FIGS.  3  to  9   , the telescoping wall  100  is a “hanging wall” that extends downward toward a floor for example, in other embodiments such as the embodiment of the telescoping wall  200  shown in  FIG.  12   , may be disposed instead in a floor, road, or other structure (S) and may be operable to extend (i.e. telescope) upward (i.e. against gravity) from its retracted position  200 A. To this end, the frame sections  202  of the telescoping wall  200  may be connected to a suitable jack system  204 , such as any conventional suitable jack system, instead of a sheave system  108  for example. 
     As an example, the jack system  204  may include a telescoping actuation assembly  206  operatively connected to an actuator  208 , such as an electric motor and/or hydraulic motor and/or hydraulic pumps, etc., depending on each particular embodiment and application of the telescoping wall  200 . The actuator  208  may thus be configured to drive the jack system  204  to move the telescoping wall  200  between its retracted position  200 A and its extended position  200 B. In some such embodiments, the telescoping wall  200  may have an outdoor application, in which case it may not necessarily be used to selectively cover an opening, but may instead be used for example as a retractable roadblock. In some such applications, the panels  110  may be armored. 
     As yet another example, depending on the particular application of the telescoping wall  100 ,  200 , the panels  110  may be hinged at their bottom edges and/or wall/portion instead of at the top, as shown in  FIG.  13   . The telescoping wall  300  shown in  FIG.  13   , may be similar to the telescoping wall except insofar as the placement of the hinges  112  at the bottom of the panels  110  (shown with reference numeral  302 ), and is therefore labeled with similar reference numerals and is not again described herein in detail. 
     As yet another example, and as shown in  FIG.  14   , in yet other embodiments, the telescoping wall  400  may be attached directly to a ceiling (C) or other non-concealed part of a structure (S), such as via any suitable connecting assembly  402  or directly via the top frame section  1021  for example. In some embodiments thus, the telescoping wall  100 - 400  need not be retractable into a recess. Further as shown in  FIG.  14   , in some overhead-attachment embodiments, the telescoping wall  400  may be structured such that its frame sections ( 102  and/or  702 , etc.) sequentially increase in width from the top frame section to the bottom frame section instead of decreasing in width as in the telescoping wall  100  described above, for example. As shown in  FIG.  14   , in its extended position, the thickest frame section (i.e. the bottom frame section) may be proximate to and/or contact a floor (F) of the structure (S) when the telescoping wall  400  is in its extended position  400 B. 
     As yet another example, in some embodiments, the panels  110  of the telescoping wall  100 ,  200  may be omitted from one face of the telescoping wall  100 ,  200 . As yet another example, in some embodiments, one or more of the frame sections  102 ,  202  etc., of a given telescoping wall  100 ,  200  need not have an aperture  102 A and/or panel(s)  110 . As yet another example, a given embodiment of the telescoping wall may have a combination of features of one or more of the telescoping wall embodiments described in this document. Yet further modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present technology.