Patent Publication Number: US-11047130-B2

Title: Systems and methods for a wall partition apparatus

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a portable telescoping partition apparatus having various elements that accommodate adjustment in both height and width without requiring mounting or attachment to a structure or surface. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Partition walls are known for dividing or separating spaces within a room or area as needed for privacy. Usually these partition walls are attached to a fixed structure or some other fixed supporting means. These walls are assembled in various ways. Some require the partition wall to be mounted to the ceiling of a room. These require intensive labor and a large space for storage. Other types include a partition wall that can be unfolded, similar to an accordion style fold that remains standing when not completely folded. However, this version is not very stable, as there isn&#39;t any support to the partition wall and the apparatus can fall over easily. Partition walls currently available either require installation into a structure, a large space to store the partition wall, or, in the case of the foldable partition wall version, gentle usage. 
     It is with these observations in mind, among others, that various aspects of the present disclosure were conceived and developed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a front view of an embodiment of a telescoping partition apparatus in a fully collapsed configuration; 
         FIG. 1B  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  in a partially collapsed configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the telescoping partition apparatus of  FIG. 1A  with the partition wall curtain extended in a first deployed configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the telescoping partition apparatus of  FIG. 1A  with the inner arms fully extended and the partition wall curtain fully extended in a second deployed configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of another embodiment of the telescoping partition apparatus oriented in a partially deployed configuration wherein the hinged inner arms are bent to form a 90 degree L-shape configuration and the partition wall curtain is partially extended; and 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the embodiment of the telescoping partition apparatus of  FIG. 4  in a fully deployed configuration wherein the hinged inner arms are extended in a straight line and the partition wall curtain is fully extended. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the view of the drawings. The headings used in the figures do not limit the scope of the claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Conventional technology related to telescoping partitions does not sufficiently address the issues of the labor required for installation of the telescoping partition to a fixed structure or surface, the excessive storage requirements for walls of the telescoping partition, fixed installation requirements, or lack of portability, and occasional lack of stability. In view of the above considerations, the present inventive concept solves, singly or in combination, these issues in a number of novel ways. 
     Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a portable partition apparatus. The partition apparatus generally includes a body defining a plurality of polls in telescoping arrangement relative to one another. The body is mounted along a base which may include a plurality of legs capable of folding relative to the base. In addition, a plurality of arms is defined along lateral sides of the body that extend or retract to deploy one or more curtains. The portability of the partition apparatus accommodates use in a wide variety of locations. The partition apparatus can be condensed through telescoping means in order to be stored in a small location, and can be carried and placed where needed. The present invention does not require intensive labor for installation, nor does it require attachment or installation to a structure or surface. The partition apparatus simply needs to be placed where the user desires to use the apparatus and expand it or otherwise deploy it as needed. Because of the ability of the partition apparatus to expand and contract through telescoping means, it can be transported easily. While the partition apparatus does not require attachment to a fixed structure, the apparatus comprises a flat base with an additional adjustable means for added stability and support of the apparatus. Further, the partition apparatus does not require intensive labor for installation. It does not require attachment to a structure or installation to a surface. The partition apparatus can simply be placed where the user desires and expanded as needed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , a first embodiment of a partition apparatus  100  is illustrated. As indicated, the partition apparatus  100  generally includes a body  102  defining a first pole  104 , a second pole  106 , and third pole  108  in telescoping arrangement with one another, and further defining a plurality of openings  109  along the body  102 . More specifically, the first pole  104  may define an opening  109 A extending vertically through the first pole  104 , configured to slidably receive the second pole  106 ; and the second pole  106  may define an opening  109 B extending vertically through the second pole  106 , configured to slidably receive the third pole  108 . In this manner, the overall height of the body  102  may be adjusted telescopically by sliding the second pole  106  through the opening of the first pole  104  to adjust the position of the second pole  106  relative to the first pole  104  as desired, and by sliding the third pole  108  through the opening of the second pole  106  to adjust the position of the third pole  108  relative to the second pole  106  as desired. In  FIG. 1 , the body  102  is shown in at least a partially collapsed configuration, such that the second pole  106  is at least partially disposed within the opening  109 A and surrounded by the first pole  104 , and the third pole  108  is at least partially disposed within the opening  109 B and surrounded by the second pole  106 . The poles  104 ,  106 , and  108  of the body  102  may be maintained in fixed positions relative to one another using any number or type of fasteners, friction, and the like. 
     As further shown, the first pole  104  of the body  102  is in communication with and generally maintains a fixed position relative to a base  110  which is generally planar and configured to rest along a floor or other surface. The body  102  may be extended telescopically in a vertical direction D 1  ( FIG. 1B ) relative to the base  110  or collapsed as described herein. In some embodiments as shown, a plurality of legs  112  may be coupled to a top surface  110 A of the base  110  proximate to the first pole  104 . Each of the legs  112  may be aligned along respective corners of the base  110  as shown, and may be configured via respective hinges  114  to rotate or swivel relative to the base  110 . In  FIG. 1A , for example, the legs  112  are positioned in a vertical orientation parallel to the body  102 . However, manipulating the legs  112  using the hinges  114  may accommodate repositioning of the legs  112  relative to the base  110  such that the legs  112  are oriented in a direction at least partially opposite the body  102  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ); e.g., adjacent a bottom surface  1108  of the base  110  opposite the top surface  110 A. In this manner, the legs  112  may engage a floor or other surface where the apparatus  100  is deployed. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 1A , the partition apparatus  100  may include a plurality of arms  120 . The arms  120  may be arranged along opposing lateral sides of the body  102  and extend horizontally relative to the body  102  as shown in  FIG. 1B , along a single side, or along more than one side of the body  102 . In the embodiment shown, a first set  122  of the arms  120  is arranged a long a first side of the body  102  as shown, and a second set  124  of the arms  120  is arranged along a second side of the body  102  and generally oriented in a direction opposite the first set  122  of the arms  120 . 
     The first set  122  of the arms  120  may include a plurality of outer extension arms  126 , labeled outer extension arm  126 A, outer extension arm  126 B, and outer extension  126 C, which may be arranged along the body  102  as desired. In some embodiments, the outer extension arm  126 A may be coupled to the first pole  104  of the body  102  and may be configured to extend in a perpendicular or orthogonal direction relative to the body  102 , the outer extension arm  126 B may be coupled to the second pole  106  and may be configured to extend in a perpendicular direction relative to the body  102 , and the outer extension arm  126 C may be coupled to the third pole  108  and may be configured to extend in a perpendicular direction relative to the body  102 . Each of the extension arms  126 A- 126 C may define a proximal end  127 A coupled to or at least positioned along the body  102  and a distal end  127 B opposite the first end  127 A, as demonstrated by and notated with respect to the extension arm  126 A. 
     Further, each of the outer extension arms  126 A- 126 C may telescopically or slidably receive at least one of a plurality of inner extension arms  128  (labeled individually as inner extension arms  128 A- 128 C); i.e., the outer extension arm  128 A may receive and be engaged to an inner extension arm  128 A, the outer extension arm  126 B may receive and be engaged to an inner extension arm  128 B, and the outer extension arm  126 C may receive and be engaged to an inner extension arm  128 C. In this embodiment, the inner extension arms  128  are configured to telescopically slide in and out of the respective outer extension arms  126  to adjust the position of the components relative to one another as desired. In an extended or deployed configuration, each of the inner extension arm  128 A, inner extension arm  128 B, and inner extension arm  128 C is at least partially extended outside the outer extension arm  126 A, outer extension arm  126 B, and outer extension arm  126 C respectively, so as to increase an overall length of the first set  122  of the arms  120 ; i.e., increase the total width of the apparatus  100 . In other words, for example, the inner extension arms  128 A- 128 C may generally extend from the distal ends of the respective outer extension arms  126 A- 126 C such that the inner extension arms  128 A- 128 C and the outer extension arms  126 A- 126 C generally extend orthogonally relative to the body  102 . 
     In a similar manner, the second set  124  of the arms  120  may include a plurality of outer extension arms  130 , labeled outer extension arm  130 A, outer extension arm  130 B, and outer extension arm  130 C, which may be arranged along the body  102  as desired. In some embodiments, the second set  124  of the arms  120  may be arranged opposite the first set  122  of arms  120  such that outer extension arm  130 A is directly opposite outer extension arm  126 A, outer extension arm  130 B is directly opposite outer extension arm  126 B, and outer extension arm  130 C is directly opposite outer extension arm  126 C. In some embodiments, the outer extension arm  130 A may be coupled to the first pole  104  of the body  102  and may be configured to extend in a perpendicular direction relative to the body  102 , the outer extension arm  130 B may be coupled to the second pole  106  and may be configured to extend in a perpendicular direction relative to the body  102 , and the outer extension arm  130 C may be coupled to the third pole  108  and may be configured to extend in a perpendicular direction relative to the body  102 . Further, the outer extension arms  130 A- 130 C may telescopically receive, respectively, at least one of a plurality of inner extension arms  132 ; i.e., the outer extension arm  130 A may receive labeled inner extension arm  132 A, inner extension arm  132 B, and inner extension arm  132 C. In this embodiment, the inner extension arms  132 A- 132 B are configured to telescopically slide in and out of the respective outer extension arms  130 A- 130 C to adjust the position of the components relative to one another as desired. In an extended configuration, each of the inner extension arm  132 A, inner extension arm  132 B, and inner extension arm  132 C is at least partially (or fully) extending outside the outer extension arm  130 A, outer extension arm  130 B, and outer extension arm  130 C respectively, so as to increase an overall length of the second set  124  of the arms  120 ; i.e., increase the total width of the apparatus  100 . 
     In some embodiments as indicated, each of the plurality of arms  120  may be configured to change orientation relative to the body  102  via joints  134 . Specifically, the joints  134  may be defined along the arms  120  and may accommodate changes in orientation of the first set  122  of the arms  120  or the second set  124  of the arms  120  relative to the body  102 . For example, the joints  134 , labeled joints  134 A- 134 F, may include ball-and-socket joints or hinge joints, so that the first set  122  and/or the second set  124  of the arms  120  may be oriented in a direction opposite D 1 , towards the base  110  as shown in  FIG. 1 , to decrease the horizontal profile of the apparatus  100  for storage, transport or other applications. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  a set of wall curtains  136 A- 136 L may be included and deployed with the partition apparatus  100 . In other words, the first set  122  of arms  120  and the second set  124  of arms  120  are configured to suspend and release the set of wall curtains  136 A- 136 L. In this embodiment, wall curtain  136 A is attached to the outer extension arm  126 A, wall curtain  136 B is attached to the outer extension arm  126 B, wall curtain  136 C is attached to the outer extension arm  126 C, wall curtain  136 D is attached to the outer extension arm  130 C, wall curtain  136 E is attached to the outer extension arm  130 B, and wall curtain  136 F is attached to the outer extension arm  130 A. Likewise, wall curtain  136 G is attached to inner extension arm  128 A, wall curtain  136 H is attached to inner extension arm  128 B, wall curtain  136 I is attached to inner extension arm  128 C, wall curtain  136 J is attached to inner extension arm  132 C, wall curtain  136 K is attached to inner extension arm  132 B, and wall curtain  136 L is attached to inner extension arm  132 A. The set of wall curtains  136 A- 136 L may be made of a fabric or tarp material which may be opaque or partially opaque, any other material capable of obstructing a view. 
     In some embodiments, the wall curtains  136  are arranged along the apparatus  100  such that wall curtains  136 A- 136 F are attached to the outer extension arms  126 A- 126 C and  130 A- 130 C, and wall curtains  136 G- 136 L are attached to the inner extension arms  128 A- 128 C and  132 A- 132 C in the manner shown ( FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 ). The wall curtains  136 A- 136 L may be held in a suspended, compressed state using one or more springs and/or clips, hooks, or a hook and loop material. When deployed and completely unfurled, the wall curtains  136  may be of the same lengths or different lengths, and may be of the same widths or different widths. For example, in some embodiments, wall curtains  136 G- 136 L may be of a shorter width or length than wall curtains  136 A- 136 F. In other embodiments, the length of each of the set of wall curtains  136 A- 136 L is progressively shorter the higher in elevation relative to the base  110 . For example, in some embodiments curtain  136 A may be longer than curtain  136 B which may be longer than curtain  136 C. In some embodiments the wall curtains  136  may be configured to layer when unfurled such that, for example, curtain  136 A is layered in front of curtain  136 B which is layered in front of curtain  136 C. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the partition apparatus  100  is shown in a partially deployed configuration in which the set of wall curtains  136 A- 136 F are completely unfurled (fully deployed) and the inner extension arms  128 A- 128 C and  132 A- 132 C are partially deployed from the outer extension arms  126 A- 126 C and  130 A- 130 C such that some but not all of each inner extension arm is recessed within its respective outer extension arm. Further, the wall curtains  136 G- 136 L, which are represented in phantom, are furled about the inner extension arms  128 A- 128 C and  132 A- 132 C or are otherwise not yet deployed. In the embodiment shown, the outer extension arms  126 A- 126 C and  130 A- 130 C, and inner extension arms  128 A- 128 C and  132 A- 132 C are oriented in perpendicular relation relative to the body  102 . In some embodiments, the set of wall curtains  136 A- 136 L may be attached to the first set  122  and second set  124  of arms  120  by hooks, clips, or a hook and loop material and configured to fully detach from the first set  122  and second set  124  of the arms  120 . In other embodiments, the set of wall curtains  136 A- 136 L may be coupled to the first set  122  and second set  124  of arms  120  by an adhesive material or be molded to the first set  122  and second set  124  of arms  120 . In other embodiments each of the set of wall curtains  136 A- 136 L may be configured to be compressed (using springs or other similar means) when the partition apparatus  100  is partially deployed such that each of the set of wall curtains  136 A- 136 L does not unfurl to its full length. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the partition apparatus  100  is shown in a fully deployed configuration in which the set of wall curtains  136 A- 136 L are all unfurled and the inner extension arms  128 A- 128 C and  132 A- 132 C are fully deployed from the outer extension arms  126 A- 126 C and  130 A- 130 C such that most or all of the entire length of each inner extension arm extends outward from its respective outer extension arm. In addition, the outer extension arms  126 A- 126 C and  130 A- 130 C, and inner extension arms  128 A- 128 C and  132 A- 132 C are oriented perpendicular to the body  102  as shown. In this manner, the first set  122  of arms  120  and the second set  124  of arms  120  are configured to suspend and release the set of wall curtains  136 A- 136 L to form the configuration shown. When the partition apparatus  100  is in this fully deployed configuration, wall curtains  136 A- 136 L may be extended to their full length and width. Further,  FIG. 3  depicts the first pole  104 , the second pole  106 , and the third pole  108  fully deployed such that the second pole  106  extends fully from the opening  109 A and is at least partially surrounded by the first pole  104 , and the third pole  108  extends fully from the opening  109 B and is at least partially surrounded by the second pole  106 . When the partition apparatus  100  is oriented in such a fully deployed state, the legs  112  may be adjusted to provide stability to the partition apparatus  100  by being oriented away from the body  102  at least partially deployed beneath the base  110 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , another embodiment of the partition apparatus  100  is shown in which the telescoping body  102  includes adjustable partition top frames  140 A- 140 C and  142 A- 142 C rather than outer extension arms  126 A- 126 C and  130 A- 130 C. The adjustable partition top frames  140 A- 140 C and  142 A- 142 C may be attached to the telescoping body  102  by hinges  144 A- 144 F such that, for example, top frame  140 A is attached to the telescoping body  102  by hinge  144 A. In this embodiment, the adjustable partition top frames  140 A- 140 C and  142 A- 142 C are depicted in a perpendicular orientation to the telescoping body  102  but may be rotated from the hinges  144 A- 144 F up to a 180 degree angle.  FIG. 4  further shows a set of adjustable partition side frames  146 A- 146 C and  148 A- 148 C rather than inner extension arms  128 A- 128 C and  132 A- 132 C. The adjustable partition side frames  146 A- 146 C and  148 A- 148 C may be attached to the adjustable partition top frames  140 A- 140 C and  142 A- 142 C by a second set of hinges  150 A- 150 F such that, for example, side frame  146 A is attached to top frame  140 A by hinge  150 A. In this embodiment, the adjustable partition side frames  146 A- 146 C and  148 A- 148 C may be configured to rotate about the second set of hinges  150 A- 150 F up to 360 degrees in relation to the adjustable partition top frames  140 A- 140 C and  142 A- 142 C, such that, for example, side frame  146 A may be rotated 360 degrees about hinge  150 A relative to the top frame  140 A. 
       FIG. 4  further illustrates the partition apparatus  100  in a partially deployed configuration in which a first set of wall curtains  152 A- 152 F are shown suspended or otherwise partially deployed from the adjustable partition top frames  140 A- 140 C and  142 A- 142 C, and a second set of wall curtains  154 A- 154 F, represented in phantom, are shown furled around the adjustable partition side frames  146 A- 146 C and  148 A- 148 C or otherwise not fully deployed. In this embodiment, the first set of wall curtains are arranged such that wall curtain  152 A is suspended from top frame  140 A, wall curtain  152 B is suspended from top frame  140 C, wall curtain  152 C is suspended from top frame  140 C, wall curtain  152 D is suspended from top frame  142 A, wall curtain  152 E is suspended from top frame  142 B, and wall curtain  152 F is suspended from top frame  142 C. Further, wall curtain  154 A is furled around side frame  146 A, wall curtain  154 B is furled around side frame  146 B, wall curtain  154 C is furled around side frame  146 C, wall curtain  154 D is furled around side frame  148 A, wall curtain  154 E is furled around side frame  148 B, and wall curtain  154 F is furled around side frame  148 C. 
       FIG. 4  further depicts the first pole  104 , the second pole  106 , and the third pole  108  partially deployed such that the second pole  106  extends partially but not fully from the opening  109 A and is at least partially surrounded by the first pole  104 , and the third pole  108  extends partially but not fully from the opening  109 B and is at least partially surrounded by the second pole  106 . When the partition apparatus  100  is in the partially deployed state, the legs  112  may be adjusted to provide stability to the partition apparatus  100  by being oriented away from the telescoping body  102  at least partially deployed beneath the base  110 . As an example,  FIG. 4  depicts the legs  112  oriented in a parallel position relative to the body  102  and perpendicular to the base  110 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the partition apparatus  100  of  FIG. 4  is illustrated in a fully deployed configuration. In this configuration the adjustable partition top frames  140 A- 140 C and  142 A- 142 C may remain at a perpendicular orientation relative to the telescoping body  102  or be rotated to that position by hinges  144 A- 144 F, while the adjustable partition side frames  146 A- 146 C and  148 A- 148 C may be placed in a fully deployed configuration by rotating them 90 degrees about the second set of hinges  150 A- 150 F such that they are oriented in a perpendicular orientation relative to the telescoping body  102  and the angle between the adjustable partition side frames  146 A- 146 C and  148 A- 148 C with their respective adjustable partition top frame  140 A- 140 C and  142 A- 142 C may be around 180 degrees. For example, both adjustable partition top frame  140 A and adjustable partition side frame  146 A are depicted in a perpendicular orientation relative to the telescoping body  102  while the angle between them is 180 degrees. 
     In the fully deployed configuration of  FIG. 5 , the first set of wall curtains  152 A- 152 F may be fully unfurled or otherwise fully deployed from the adjustable partition top frames  140 A- 140 C and  142 A- 142 C, and the second set of wall curtains  154 A- 154 F may also be fully unfurled or otherwise fully deployed from the adjustable partition side frames  146 A- 146 C and  148 A- 148 C. The first set of wall curtains  152 A- 152 F and the second set of wall curtains  154 A- 154 F may be oriented with respect to each other such that they hang unfurled in the same plane such that one curtain does not overlap over the other. For example, wall curtain  152 A is shown in the same plane as wall curtain  154 A and hangs neither behind nor in front of wall curtain  154 A. Further, there may exist a gap between each of the first set of wall curtains  152 A- 152 F and the second set of wall curtains  154 A- 154 F. For example, a gap is depicted between wall curtain  152 A and wall curtain  154 A. 
       FIG. 5  further depicts the first pole  104 , the second pole  106 , and the third pole  108  fully deployed such that the second pole  106  extends fully from the opening  109 A and is at least partially surrounded by the first pole  104 , and the third pole  108  extends fully from the opening  109 B and is at least partially surrounded by the second pole  106 . When the partition apparatus  100  is in the fully deployed state, the legs  112  may be adjusted to provide stability to the partition apparatus  100  by being oriented away from the body  102  at least partially deployed beneath the base  110 . 
     In some embodiments, when deployed and completely unfurled, the first set of wall curtains  152 A- 152 F and the second set of wall curtains  154 A- 154 F may each be of the same lengths or different lengths, and may be of the same widths or different widths. For example, in some embodiments, the second set of wall curtains  154 A- 154 F may be of a shorter width or length than the first set of wall curtains  152 A- 152 F. In other embodiments, the length of each of the first set of wall curtains  152 A- 152 F and the second set of wall curtains  154 A- 154 F is progressively shorter the higher in elevation relative to the base  110 . For example, in some embodiments curtain  152 A may be longer than curtain  152 B which may be longer than curtain  152 C. In some embodiments the first set of wall curtains  152 A- 152 F and the second set of wall curtains  154 A- 154 F may each be configured to layer when unfurled such that, for example, curtain  152 A is layered in front of curtain  152 B which is layered in front of curtain  152 C. 
     The partition apparatus described herein may take the form of different embodiments. These embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes and intended to be an exemplification of the principles of the novel disclosure, and as such are not intended to limit the aspects of the specific embodiments illustrated herein. The features, structures, or characteristics disclosed in any one embodiment, for example, may be rearranged or combined with the features, structures or characteristics in any other embodiment. One skilled in the relevant art will also recognize that the embodiments may be implemented without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth.