Patent Publication Number: US-2012031002-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for preassembling, shipping, and installing a movable partition system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to movable partitions and, more particularly, to the preassembling, packaging and shipping of such partitions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Movable partitions are utilized in numerous situations and environments for a variety of purposes. Such movable partitions may include, for example, a partition barrier (e.g., foldable door, collapsible door, etc.) configured to at least partially enclose an area (e.g., a room). Although a “door,” a “partition,” and a “barrier” may each be examples of movable partitions, these terms may, at times, be used interchangeably with a movable partition. Often such movable partitions are utilized simply to subdivide a single large room within a building into multiple smaller rooms. The subdivision of a larger space may be desired, for example, to accommodate multiple groups or meetings simultaneously. Such movable partitions may be utilized for noise control depending, for example, on the activities taking place in a given room or portion thereof. 
     Movable partitions may also be used to provide a security barrier, a fire barrier, or a combination thereof. In such circumstances, the movable partition may be configured to automatically close upon the occurrence of a predetermined event such as the actuation of an associated alarm. For example, one or more movable partitions may be used as a security barrier, a fire barrier, or a combination thereof. Each movable partition may be formed with a plurality of panels connected to one another with hinges or some other connecting device. For example, the hinged connection of the panels allows the movable partition to fold and collapse into a compact unit for purposes of storage when not deployed. The movable partition may be stored, for example, in a pocket formed in the wall of a building when in a retracted state. If deployment of the movable partition is desired (e.g., to secure an area during a fire, subdivide an area, etc.), the movable partition may be extended along a track until the door is extended a desired distance across the room to form an appropriate barrier. The track may be an overhead track located above the movable partition on or in a header assembly. 
     When deployed, a leading end of the movable partition may complementarily engage with another structure, such as a wall, a post, or in a mating receptacle of another movable partition. The leading end of the movable partition may include or be defined by a component known as a “lead post.” The lead post may engage a door post (i.e., jamb) of a fixed structure, or a mating leading end of another door. 
     In operation, the movable partition may be retracted to a fully open, or partially open state. As used herein, “extension” or “extending” refers to movement of a movable partition toward a closed state, while “retraction” or “retracting” refers to movement of a movable partition toward an open state. Automatic extension and retraction of the movable partition may be accomplished through the use of a motor located in a pocket formed in the wall of a building in which the movable partition is stored when in a retracted or folded state. The motor, which remains fixed in place within the pocket, may be used to drive extension and retraction of the movable partition. A motor for automatically extending and retracting a movable partition may also be mounted within the movable partition itself, such that the motor travels with the movable partition as the movable partition is extended and retracted. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention include an at least partially preassembled and packaged movable partition system comprising a shipping box comprising a plurality of pocket walls defining a pocket therein, at least a portion of a track located within the pocket, the at least a portion of the track coupled to at least one pocket wall of the plurality of pocket walls, and a door coupled with the at least a portion of the track. 
     In additional embodiments of the present invention, a method of packaging at least a portion of a movable partition system is provided. The method comprises coupling together a plurality of pocket walls to define a box comprising a pocket therein, coupling at least a portion of a track to at least one pocket wall of the plurality of pocket walls, coupling at least a portion of a movable partition to the at least a portion of the track and disposing the movable partition within the box, and closing the box by coupling a wall to the plurality of pocket walls defining the box. 
     Yet further embodiments of the present invention includes a method of installing at least a portion of a movable partition system in a building. The method comprises mounting at least a portion of a track to a wall of a box, coupling at least a portion of a movable partion to the at least a portion of the track within the box, shipping the box with the at least a portion of the movable partion and the at least a portion of the track therein to a building, and securing at least a portion of the box to a wall of the building. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming what are regarded as embodiments of the invention, the advantages of embodiments of the invention may be more readily ascertained from the description of embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a movable partition system that may be preassembled, packaged, and shipped in accordance with embodiments of methods of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a track assembly of the movable partition system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a simplified overhead view of the movable partition system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a portion of the automatic drive mechanism of the movable partition system of  FIG. 1  that is configured for driving a movable partition of the system; 
         FIG. 4B  is a top view of a portion of the automatic drive mechanism of  FIG. 4A  showing the automatic drive mechanism coupled to a chain; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a preassembled portion of a movable partition system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a shipping box which includes a preassembled, packaged portion of the movable partition system of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a shipping box including a preassembled, packaged portion of the movable partition system of  FIGS. 5 and 6  with one panel removed from the package; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a shipping box including the preassembled, packaged portion of the movable partition system of  FIGS. 5 through 7  in a completely packaged state; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a shipping box including the preassembled, packaged portion of the movable partition system of  FIGS. 5 through 8  and an additional shipping box separate from the shipping box according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a cart configured for manipulating a shipping box including a preassembled, packaged portion of a movable partition system like that of  FIGS. 5 through 9  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular movable partition system, or component of a movable partition system, but are merely idealized representations which are employed to describe embodiments of the present invention. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same or similar numerical designation. 
     It should be understood that any reference to an element herein using a designation such as “first,” “second,” and so forth does not limit the quantity or order of those elements, unless such limitation is explicitly stated. Rather, these designations may be used herein as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, a reference to first and second elements does not mean that only two elements may be employed there or that the first element must precede the second element in some manner. Also, unless stated otherwise, a set of elements may comprise one or more elements. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a movable partition system  100 , at least a portion of which may be preassembled, packaged, shipped, and installed in accordance with embodiments of methods of the present invention, as discussed in further detail below.  FIG. 1  illustrates the movable partition system  100  fully installed for use within a building. The movable partition system  100  may be an automatic movable partition system, in that the movable partition system  100  includes a movable partition  102  that may be automatically extended, automatically retracted, or configured for a combination thereof. The movable partition  102  may also be manually extended, manually retracted, or configured for a combination thereof. In other words, the movable partition  102  may be moved both automatically and manually movable, as desired. The movable partition  102  may be used for partitioning space, as a sound barrier, as a fire barrier, as a security barrier, for combinations thereof, or for other purposes. 
     The movable partition  102  may comprise, for example, an accordion-type door, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The movable partition  102  may be formed with a plurality of panels  104  that are connected to one another with connectors  106  (e.g., hinges). The connection of the panels  104  allows the panels  104  to fold as the movable partition  102  is retracted. With the panels  104  folded, the movable partition may collapse and become more compact. Thus, when the movable partition  102  is in a compact (i.e., retracted) state, the movable partition  102  may be in an open state and stored off to the side of the area. In some embodiments, a movable partition  102  may be compactly stored (e.g., stacked) at least partially within a pocket  108  formed in a wall  110 A of a building. 
     If it is desired to deploy the movable partition  102  to an extended position, the movable partition  102  may be extended along a track assembly  114  to provide an appropriate barrier. A leading end  116  of the movable partition  102  may be configured to complementarily (e.g., matingly) engage with another object when the movable partition  102  is in an extended state. For example, movable partition  102  may complementarily engage with a door post (see, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ). Such a door post may also be commonly referred to as a “jamb.” Such a door post may be formed in another wall  110 B of a building as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The movable partition  102  may further include an actuator  126  (e.g., switch), which is commonly referred to as “panic hardware.” Such an actuator  126  may be desirable, for example, when the movable partition  102  is used as a fire door. The actuator  126  allows a person located on one side of the movable partition  102  to cause the door to be opened if it is closed, or to stop while it is closing, allowing egress through the barrier formed by the door as needed. 
     It is noted that the embodiment shown and described in  FIG. 1  includes a single movable partition  102 , wherein one end of the movable partition  102  is connected to or located proximate one wall  110 A and extends entirely across an area within a building to another wall  110 B for engagement thereto. However, other types of movable partitions may be used. For example, a two-door system may be utilized wherein two similarly configured doors extend across a space and join together to form an appropriate barrier. For example, the leading end  116  of the movable partition  102  may be configured to complementarily engage with an end of another movable partition, or some other structure. Complementarily engaging may include one end (e.g., leading end  116 ) being a male end and another end (e.g., door jamb or leading end of another movable partition) being a female end, or vice versa. Additionally, although movable partition  102  is shown as an accordion-type door in  FIG. 1 , the movable partition  102  is not so limited. The movable partition  102  may comprise another type of movable partition in additional embodiments of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a track assembly  114  of the movable partition system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The track assembly  114  may include an elongated central guide member  213 , and a plurality of lateral guide members  215  disposed on opposite lateral sides of the elongated central guide member  213 . The track assembly  114  may also be referred to herein simply as a “track.” In some embodiments, the elongated central guide member  213  and the plurality of lateral guide members  215  may comprise separate bodies or structures that are attached to one another, or simply installed proximate one another. In additional embodiments, the elongated central guide member  213  and the plurality of lateral guide members  215  may comprise different regions of a single, unitary body or structure. 
     The elongated central guide member  213  may comprise a hollow body having internal surfaces defining a drive channel  258  that extends longitudinally through the elongated central guide member  213 . The drive channel  258  may be used to at least partially house drive mechanism components, alignment devices including rollers (e.g., wheels), etc., of the movable partition system  100 , as described in further detail below. 
     Each of the plurality of lateral guide members  215  also may comprise a hollow body having internal surfaces defining roller channels  255  that extend longitudinally through the plurality of lateral guide members  215 , respectively. The movable partition  102  may be suspended from (i.e., hang from) partition support members  250  and move along the track assembly  114  by the rolling of partition support rollers  252  (e.g., wheels) within and along the roller channels  255  that extend longitudinally through the plurality of lateral guide members  215  of the track assembly  114 . The partition support rollers  252  may be coupled to partition support members  250  and, the movable partition  102  may be attached to and suspended from the partition support members  250 . 
     The movable partition  102  may also be connected to an alignment device configured for ensuring that the movable partition  102  stays aligned with the track assembly  114  as the movable partition  102  is extended or retracted. For example, the alignment device may comprise an alignment frame structure  254  coupled to the movable partition  102 . A portion of the alignment frame structure  254  may be disposed outside the drive channel  258 , and another portion of the alignment frame structure  254  may be disposed within the drive channel  258 , such that the alignment frame structure  254  extends through an opening in the elongated central guide member  213  leading to the drive channel  258 . 
     The alignment device may further include alignment rollers  256  configured to roll along the elongated central guide member  213  within the drive channel  258 . One or more alignment rollers  256  may be configured to roll along a vertical interior lateral wall of the elongated central guide member  213  within the drive channel  256 . One or more alignment rollers  256  may also be configured to roll along an opposite vertical interior lateral wall of the elongated central guide member  213  within the drive channel  258 . In other words, when the movable partition  102  is moved along the track assembly  114 , the alignment device may roll or push against an internal surface of the elongated central guide member  213  keeping the movable partition  102  substantially aligned with the center of the track assembly  114 . While a specific configuration of a track assembly  114  and alignment devices may be shown in  FIG. 2 , other configurations of track assemblies and alignment devices may be contemplated within embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  schematically illustrates an overhead plan view of the movable partition system  100  of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , one end of the movable partition  102  may be connected with or extend to proximate a wall  110 A of a building, such as to a location within a pocket  108  formed within the wall  110 A. A leading end  116  of the movable partition  102  may be configured to complementarily engage with a door post  118  formed in an opposing wall  110 B of the building when the movable partition  102  is in a deployed or an extended state. As previously mentioned, in additional embodiments, the leading end  116  of the movable partition  102  may complementarily engage with an end of another movable partition. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the movable partition  102  be configured as an accordion-type door, which may include a plurality of panels  104 . For example, one side of movable partition  102  may include a first sheet  120  of panels  104 , and an opposite side of the movable partion  102  may include a second sheet  122  of panels  104 . Such a configuration may be used as a fire door wherein one sheet (e.g., first sheet  120 ) acts as a initial fire and smoke barrier, the space  121  between the first sheet  120  and the second sheet  122  acts as a buffer zone (e.g., insulator), and the other sheet (e.g., second sheet  122 ) acts as a secondary fire and smoke barrier. Such a configuration may also be useful in providing an acoustical barrier or simply a physical barrier when the movable partition  102  is used to subdivide a larger area into a plurality of smaller areas. 
     The movable partition system  100  may further include an automatic drive mechanism  400  configured to automatically open, automatically close, or configured for both upon actuation thereof. The automatic drive mechanism  400  may be located within the movable partition  102  (e.g., between the first sheet  120  and the second sheet  122 ) near the leading end  116  of the movable partition  102 . The automatic drive mechanism  400  may include a rotatable drive member  430  connected to the drive shaft of a motor (not shown, see  FIG. 4A ), such that the motor may be configured to drive rotation of the rotatable drive member  430 . The rotatable drive member  430  may be positioned within or adjacent a track assembly (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2 , within the drive channel  258  of the track assembly  114 ), and may be configured to interact with an elongated drive member  432  (see  FIG. 4B ). The elongated drive member  432  may be configured as, or include, for example, a chain that may also be positioned within or adjacent the track assembly  142 . The automatic drive mechanism  400  may be supported by support trolley  440 . 
       FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a portion of the automatic drive mechanism  400  of the movable partition system  100  of  FIG. 1  that is configured for driving a movable partition of the system. The automatic drive mechanism  400  may be configured to automatically open or close a movable partition upon actuation thereof. In other words, in operation, the automatic drive mechanism  400  may drive movement of the movable partition  102  along the track assembly  114  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     The automatic drive mechanism  400  may include a motor  410 , a clutch  420 , a first drive shaft  415 , a second drive shaft  425 , and a rotatable drive member  430 . The automatic drive mechanism  400  may be coupled with one or more support trolleys  440 . Support trolleys  440  include trolley wheels  445  attached thereto. The trolley wheels  445  are configured to move the automatic drive mechanism  400  along the track assembly  114  of the movable partition system  100 . The support trolley  440  and the trolley wheels  445  may be disposed fully or partially within the drive channel  258  in the track assembly  114  ( FIG. 2 ). The support trolleys  440  may be located proximate the leading end  116  of the movable partition  102 . As a result, such an automatic drive mechanism  400  may be called a lead post drive mechanism. 
     The motor  410  and the clutch  420  may be operatively connected with one another, such that the first drive shaft  415  of the motor  410  drives the rotation of the second drive shaft  425  of the clutch  420  when the clutch  420  is in an engaged state. The rotatable drive member  430  is connected to the second drive shaft  425  of the clutch  420 , such that the motor  410  may be used to drive rotation of the rotatable drive member  430  when the clutch  420  is engaged. The rotatable drive member  430  may also be disposed within the drive channel  258  of the track assembly  114 . An elongated drive member  432  ( FIG. 4B ), such as a chain, may be disposed within the track assembly so as to be engaged with the rotatable drive member  430 . 
     The clutch  420  may be moved between an engaged state and a disengaged state. By way of example and not limitation, the first drive shaft  415  of the motor  410  may serve as the input to the clutch  420 . The first drive shaft  415  of the motor  410  may be attached to a hub of the clutch  420 . The second drive shaft  425  is output from the clutch  420  and may be driven by the motor  410  when the clutch  420  is in an engaged state. The second drive shaft  425  of the clutch  420  may not be driven by the motor  410  when the clutch  420  is in the disengaged state. In such a disengaged state, the second drive shaft  425  and the rotatable drive member  430  may rotate freely, without resistance from the motor  410 . In other words, when the movable partition system  100  is in a disengaged state, the movable partition  102  may be moved along the track assembly manually, without resistance from the motor  410 . Furthermore, in some embodiments, the clutch  420  may be in a partially engaged state, in which some of the rotation of the first drive shaft  415  of the motor  410  is transferred into rotation of the second drive shaft  425  of the clutch  420 , but not all of the rotation is transferred. This engagement, disengagement, and partial engagement is accomplished by the normal operation of the clutch  420 , as is well known in the art. 
     In operation, the motor  410  controls and drives rotation of the rotatable drive member  430 . If the motor  410  is actuated and the clutch  420  is engaged, the first and second drive shafts  415 ,  425  cause the rotatable drive member  430  to rotate along the elongated drive member, the ends of which may be fixed in place. Thus, rotation of the rotatable drive member  430  causes the movable partition  102  to be extended or retracted along the track assembly  114 , as the case may be depending on the desired direction of movement. The automatic drive mechanism  400  further includes a rotatable idler  435 , which will be described with respect to  FIG. 4B . 
     By way of example and not limitation, the motor  410  may include a 12-volt DC motor, such as those commercially available from Bodine Electric Company of Chicago, Ill. By way of example and not limitation, the clutch  420  may include a 12-volt DC electromagnetic clutch, such as the KEB CombiNorm Clutch commercially available from KEB America, Inc. of Shakopee, Minn. Of course, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that other components may be used for either the motor  410  or the clutch  420  in practicing the described embodiment. Furthermore, other mechanisms may be used for driving the movable partition along the track assembly, or for engaging and disengaging the drive shafts  415 ,  425  as related to the rotatable drive member  430 , in place of or in addition to the motor  410  and clutch  420 . 
     The automatic drive mechanism  400  may include various support mechanisms to support the weight of the different components of the automatic drive mechanism  400 . Additionally, the automatic drive mechanism  400  may further include various sensors, switches, and controls to assist in the control of the movable partition  102  through appropriate connection with the automatic drive mechanism  400 . For example, a position tracking device (not shown) may be used in conjunction with automatic drive mechanism  400  for identifying and/or tracking the position of at least a portion of a movable partition  102  along the track assembly  114 . Examples of such different configurations of support mechanisms, sensors, switches, controls, and other related components that may be included with the automatic drive mechanism  400  or a movable partition system are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/542,448, which was filed Aug. 17, 2009 and entitled “Methods, Apparatuses, and Systems for Driving a Movable Partition,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/758,584, which was filed Apr. 12, 2010 and entitled “Methods, Apparatuses, and Systems for Movable Partitions,” the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. Other configurations of drive mechanisms may be contemplated for embodiments of the present invention, including those that move with the movable partition and those that are stationary within the pocket during movement of the movable partition. 
       FIG. 4B  is a top view of a portion of the automatic drive mechanism  400  of  FIG. 4A  showing the automatic drive mechanism  400  coupled to an elongated drive member  432  configured as a chain. Automatic drive mechanism  400  may further include a rotatable idler  435 , also coupled to the elongated drive member  432  (shown in  FIG. 4B  only). The elongated drive member  432  may extend at least partially around the rotatable drive member  430  and the rotatable idler  435 . The rotatable idler  435  may rotate freely as the movable partition is moved along the track assembly either automatically or manually. The rotatable idler  435  may be positioned and configured to provide the proper tension and position of elongated drive member  432  so that rotatable drive member  430  may properly drive movement of movable partition along the track assembly. The automatic drive mechanism  400  may further include one or more additional rotatable idlers in addition to the rotatable idler  435 . Other embodiments may not include a rotatable idler  435 . 
     The elongated drive member  432  is illustrated in  FIG. 4B  as a chain and the rotatable drive member  430  as a sprocket. However, in other embodiments, the elongated drive member  432  may include a belt, cable, or rope and the rotatable drive member  430  may comprise a pulley, wheel, cog or other drive mechanisms for driving a movable partition along a track assembly (not shown, see  FIG. 1 ). The elongated drive member  432  may be fixed at each end to respective ends of the effective length of track assembly. The elongated drive member  432  may be coupled to the rotatable drive member  430 , such that rotation of the rotatable drive member  430  drives movement of the movable partition along the elongated drive member  432  and along the track assembly. 
     In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, movable partition systems, such as the movable partition system  100  of  FIGS. 1 through 3 ,  4 A and  4 B, may be at least partially preassembled, packaged, and shipped in such a manner that facilities installation of the movable partition system for use within a building. 
     For example,  FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a preassembled portion of a movable partition system  500  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The movable partition system  500  may be at least substantially similar to the movable partition system  100  previously described herein. The movable partition system  500  includes pocket walls  502 A,  502 ,B . . .  502 E that define a pocket  505  in which a movable partition may be stored. The pocket walls  502 A,  502 ,B . . .  502 E may ultimately be installed within a wall of a building in which the movable partition system  500  is to be installed, such that the pocket  505  is formed in the wall of the building and defined by the pocket walls  502 A,  502 ,B . . .  502 E. In  FIG. 5 , the movable partition system  500  may include a first sheet  520  and a second sheet  522  of panels. Other components, such as a lead post, rollers, trolleys, alignment features, automatic drive mechanisms, an elongate drive member (e.g., chain), etc. are not shown in  FIG. 5  for simplicity. 
     The pocket walls  502 A,  502 B, . . .  502 E may include lateral side walls  502 A and  502 B, a top wall  502 C, a bottom wall  502 D, and a back wall  502 E. The pocket walls  502 A,  502 B, . . .  502 E may be attached to wall support frame structures  514 ,  516 , which may comprise a metal frame structure. For example, the lateral side wall  502 B is attached to a wall support frame structure  514 , and the lateral side wall  502 A is attached to another wall support frame structure  516 . Due to the perspective of the view of  FIG. 5 , another wall support frame structure to which the back wall  502 E is attached is not visible. Pocket walls  502 A,  502 B, . . .  502 E may be configured to couple with one or more walls or other structural members within a building in which the system  500  is to ultimately be installed for use, and may comprise a material such as plywood, for example. 
     The movable partition system  500  further includes a striker wall  512 . The striker wall  512  may be coupled to a striker wall support frame structure  518 , which may be at least substantially similar to the wall support frame structures  514 ,  516 . The striker wall  512  may include a mating end (e.g., jamb), with which the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels may complementarily engage (e.g., through an end of a lead post). When the movable partition system  500  is ultimately installed in a building for use, the striker wall  512  may be located at an opposing end of the space that the movable partition system  500  is intended to subdivide, provide barriers, etc. 
     The movable partition system  500  includes a track  540  that extends between the pocket  505  and the striker wall  512 . The track  540  may be configured to guide the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels when the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels are extended or retracted. The track  540  may be supported by support beams  530  and cross support structures  532 , which may be configured to support the weight of the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels and other components (e.g., motor drive mechanisms, support trolleys, electronic components, etc.) when a movable partition is suspended from the track  540 . 
     When in a retracted state, the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels may be collapsed and stored within the pocket  505 . If the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels are extended, the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels may extend up to the striker wall  512  for complementarily engaging the mating ends in the lead post and the striker wall  512 . 
     The height and length of a movable partition system  500  may vary depending on the dimensions of the room in which the movable partition system  500  is to be installed. As a result, the height and depth of the pocket  505  may also vary. For example, the depth of the pocket  505  may be approximately the distance needed in order for the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels to be disposed within the pocket  505  when the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels are collapsed. For rooms that are relatively long and require long sheets  520 ,  522  of panels, it may be desirable to have a portion of the collapsed sheets  520 ,  522  of panels be located out of the pocket  550  as opposed to forming an extremely deep pocket  505 . During shipping, a portion of the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels (e.g., those located out of the pocket  550 ) may be shipped in shipping box separate from the shipping box including a pre-hung operational door as will be described below. 
     As previously discussed, a movable partition system  500  may conventionally be shipped to an installation location in an unassembled state, with each component or subsystem of the movable partition system  500  being shipped in separate boxes for assembly and installation at the site at which the movable partition system  500  is to be installed. For example, sheets  520 ,  522  of panels for a movable partition may be included and shipped in a box. The support beams  530  may be shipped in a different box. The motor drive system may be shipped in a different box. The track  540  may be shipped in a different box, and so on. The contents of each box may include groups of similar components that individually have manageable weights that one or two people may lift and transport around the installation location. While each component or subsystem may be independently tested for quality control purposes, the operation of the integration of the components as part of an operational door may not be tested until assembly and installation at the installation location. Additionally, because the conventional assembly and installation of a movable partition system  500  may include a kit of discrete parts in a knock down format, the assembly and installation at the installation location may need to be performed by technicians with specialized training (e.g., employees of the manufacturer rather than employees of the contractor). Such assembly and installation by technicians with specialized training may need to be performed at the installation location, which may require significant travel and expenses. 
     However, according to embodiments of the present invention, in preparation for shipping, one or more portions of the movable partition system  500  may be preassembled, and may be in an at least partially operational state in a separate facility (e.g., a manufacturing facility) prior to shipping to an installation location, rather than being first assembled at the installation location. As a result, installation of the movable partition system  500  at the installation location may be relatively simplified, may require fewer hours of labor, and may be performed by persons that do not have specialized training. Any final installation procedures that may remain to be completed at the installation location may be simplified to the point that instructions (e.g., written instructions, video instructions, etc.) may accompany the shipped movable partition system  500 , such that a contractor with less specialized knowledge may be able to install the movable partition system  500  with little help from the manufacturer. 
     The pocket walls  502 A,  502 B, . . .  502 E of the movable partition system  500  may be used to form a box or container  600 , which is shown in an exploded view in  FIG. 6 , in which at least a portion of the movable partition system  500  may be preassembled and shipped to a location at which the movable partition system  500  is to be installed for use. 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a preassembled, packaged portion of the movable partition system of  FIG. 5  including a shipping box  600 . The shipping box  600  includes a pocket  505  defined by the pocket walls  502 A,  502 B, . . .  502 E, and a door housed within the pocket  505 . The door may include the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels, which may be coupled with and hang from at least a portion of the track  540 . In other words, the door may be pre-hung from preinstalled support structures (not shown). The door may further be operational in that the door may be coupled with an automatic drive mechanism (not shown) or at a sufficient stage in the assembly such that the door may be considered operational. As a result, the door, when preassembled within the shipping box  600 , may also be referred to herein as a pre-hung operational door. It should be noted that a door may be operated automatically or manually. As a result, the term “pre-hung operational door” does not imply being coupled with an automatic drive mechanism unless otherwise specified herein. 
     The automatic drive mechanism may include components similar to those described with reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 A and  4 B. For example, the automatic drive mechanism may be configured such that a motor moves along with the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels. Examples of such an automatic drive mechanism are shown with reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 A and  4 B, which automatic drive mechanism may be referred to as a lead post drive. A lead post drive may be positioned between sheets  520 ,  522  of panels, and may further be positioned proximate the front of the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels where the lead post may be located. Alternatively, the automatic drive mechanism may be pre-installed to include a motor located within the pocket  505  and attached to the back wall  502 E behind the ends of the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels. Such an automatic drive mechanism may include a motor that is stationary relative to the movement of the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels. The pre-hung operational door may further include other preassembled components such as internal stabilizers, electronic control devices, as well as the lead post coupled with the leading ends of sheets  520 ,  522  of panels. 
     Some of the empty space surrounding the pre-hung operational door may be used to store other components of the movable partition system within the shipping box  600 . For example, empty space may be located between the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels and the respective lateral side walls  502 A,  502 B. Empty space may also be located between the sheet  520  of panels and the sheet  522  of panels. Such other components may not be preassembled, and may be assembled at the installation location. As an example, a first support beam  530  may be located within the shipping box  600  between the sheet  520  of panels and the lateral side wall  502 B. A second support beam  530  may be located within the shipping box  600  between the sheet  522  of panels and the lateral side wall  502 A. 
     The track  540  may comprise a plurality of sections of track that are ultimately installed in an end-to-end configuration. A first track portion  542  may be attached to the top wall  502 C and support the pre-hung operational door in its retracted state. At least a second track portion  544  may be detached from the first track portion  542  and located in an open area of space within the shipping box  600 , such as between the sheet  522  of panels and the lateral side wall  502 A. Of course, the specific locations illustrated in  FIG. 6  for storing components for shipping is not intended to be limiting. In other words, the locations for any of the support beams  530 , the second track portion  544 , or other components of the movable partition system  500  may be any location where enough empty space exists to accommodate such a component. For example, the second portion of the track  544  may be located within the shipping box  600  between the back wall  502 E and the ends of the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels. 
     In some situations, the length of the second track portion  544  and the length of the support beams  530  may exceed the height of the shipping box  600 . In such a situation, or for other reasons, the second track portion  544  may separate into a plurality of sub-portions that may be disposed within the shipping box  600 . One or more track portions or beam portions may also be shipped in an additional shipping box that is separate from the previously described shipping box. Embodiments that include more than one shipping box will be described in further detail below. 
     Other components such as the lead post, cross support structures  532 , elongated drive member (e.g., chain), tensioners for the elongated drive member, battery, or other associated hardware for connecting the components of the movable partition system may also be located within empty space within the shipping box  600 , or within another box separate from the shipping box  600 . 
     When the shipping box  600  is opened at the installation location, the final installation may include connecting the second track portion  544  with the first track portion  542  (and any other additional portions of the track). The completed track  540  may extend between the pocket  505  and the opposing side of the room where the striker wall  512  is installed. The support beams  530  may similarly be installed. The other components that were not preassembled may also be installed in the appropriate manner. 
     As a result, the pre-hung operational door may be pre-assembled prior to shipping. The pre-hung operational door may also permit the automatic drive system, the controller, and the appropriate wiring to be preassembled in a controlled environment rather than at the installation location. As a result, the pre-hung operational door may be preassembled and tested prior to shipping by skilled personnel to ensure that the components and subsystems operate together in a satisfactory manner prior to shipping. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a shipping box  600  including the preassembled, packaged portion of the movable partition system of  FIGS. 5 and 6  with one panel removed from the package. In other words,  FIG. 7  illustrates the shipping box  600  of  FIG. 6  in a partially dosed state, but for the striker wall  512  and the striker wall support frame structure  518 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the pocket walls  502 A,  502 B, . . .  502 E and the striker wall  512  of the movable partition system combine to form the outer walls of the shipping box  600 . Once the contents of the shipping box  600  are all in place, the striker wall  512  may be secured to the pocket walls  502 A,  502 B, . . .  502 E in order to close the pocket  505  and form the completed shipping box  600 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a shipping box  600  including the preassembled, packaged portion of the movable partition system of  FIGS. 5 through 7  in a completely packaged state. As described above, in some embodiments, the present invention includes a pre-hung operational door contained within a shipping box  600 . The shipping box  600  may include other components for a movable partition system  500  within the spaces around the pre-hung operational door within the shipping box  600 . In one embodiment, the entire movable partition system  500  may be self contained within a single shipping box  600 . That is, each and every component of a movable partition system needed for assembly and installation at the installation location may be part of the single shipping box  600 . 
     In additional embodiments, such as is shown in  FIG. 9 , not all components of the movable partition system may be included within a single shipping box, and some components may be shipped in an additional shipping box.  FIG. 9  illustrates a shipping box  600  including the preassembled, packaged portion of the movable partition system  500  of  FIGS. 5 through 8  and an additional shipping box  650  separate from the shipping box  600  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments, the shipping box  600  includes a pre-hung operational door within a pocket defined by pocket walls  502 A,  502 B . . .  502 E, which pocket is closed off by striker wall  512  to form shipping box  600  as previously described herein. The first shipping box  600  may include further include some additional components of the system therein. Additionally, an additional shipping box  650 , separate from the shipping box  600 , may be included for packaging and shipping some other components of the movable partition system  500 . Although the shipping box  600  and the additional shipping box  650  are shown as having similar dimensions, the shipping box  600  and the additional shipping box  650  may have substantially different dimensions, including height and width. The materials used for the shipping box  600  and the additional shipping  650  may also be the same, or different, as the case may be. Although one additional shipping box  650  is shown in  FIG. 9 , one or more additional shipping boxes may be included in embodiments of the present invention. 
     As previously described, an additional shipping box  650  may be employed, for example, if the length of the movable partition system  500  is overly great such that the length of the track  540  and the support beams  530  may be longer than the height of the pocket  505  of shipping box  600 . In that situation, the track  540  and support beams  530  may be shipped in an additional shipping box  650  separate from the shipping box  600  with the pre-hung operational door, wherein the additional shipping box  650  has a length sufficient to contain the longer track  540  and support beams  530 . Alternatively, the track  540  and support beams  530  may be separated into sufficiently small sub-portions to be disposed in the shipping box  600  and other components shipped in the another shipping box  650 . Of course, the track  540  and support beams  530  may be separated into one or more portions that are sufficiently small for the shipping box  600  and nevertheless be packaged in an additional shipping box  650  separate from the shipping box  600 . 
     Likewise, as previously discussed, in some embodiments, the depth of the pocket  505  may be approximately proportional to the length of the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels in the collapsed state. As a result, the collapsed sheets  520 ,  522  of panels may be completely housed within the pocket  505 . In some embodiments, the length of the collapsed sheets  520 ,  522  of panels may be greater that the desired depth of the pocket  505 . As a result, a portion of the collapsed sheets  520 ,  522  of panels may not be contained entirely within the pocket  505 , and, therefore, also within the shipping box  600 . Thus, a portion of the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels may be detachable, and may be removed from the remainder of the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels that remain as part of the pre-hung operational door. The portion of the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels that are detached may be disposed within empty space within the shipping box  600 , if sufficient empty space exists, or within an additional shipping box  650  separate from the shipping box  600 . A portion of the sheets  520 ,  522  of panels may be included in the additional shipping box  650  for other reasons as well. 
     For embodiments that include a multi-door movable partition system rather than a single door connecting with the striker wall, a plurality of shipping boxes may be employed that each include pre-hung operational doors within a pocket defined by pocket walls for the respective pre-hung door. For example, both the shipping box  600  and the another shipping box  650  may include pre-hung operational doors, with pocket walls  502 A,  502 B . . .  502 E defining the pocket housing the first pre-hung operational door and forming the walls for shipping box  600 , and walls  652 A . . .  652 E defining the pocket housing the second pre-hung operational door and forming the walls for the another shipping box  650 . In such an embodiment in which two doors may mate rather than one door mating with an opposing wall, a striker wall may not be necessary. As a result, the final wall (e.g., wall  512  for shipping box  600  and wall  662  for shipping box  662 ) for each shipping box may simply be formed by a piece of wall material, such as a piece of plywood that may be discarded after shipment to the installation location. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a cart  900  configured for manipulating a shipping box  600  including a preassembled, packaged portion of a movable partition system like that of  FIGS. 5 through 9  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In conventional shipping methods for a movable partition system  500 , the plurality of boxes may be limited by weight, by size, or both, in order to be manageable for one or two people to manipulate and transport around the installation location. Embodiments of the present invention may include a shipping box including a preassembled pre-hung operational door that is relatively heavy and/or large, such that it might be relatively difficult for a single person or two persons to manipulate at an installation location, and, particularly, for transporting to upper floors of a building. For example, a shipping box including a pre-hung operational door may have a weight between about 600 pounds and about 900 pounds. The cart  900 , therefore, is a tool configured for manipulating a shipping box  600  containing an at least partially assembled movable partition system  500  therein. The cart  900  may be configured to assist in moving the shipping box  600  around, standing up the shipping box  600 , and otherwise positioning the shipping box  600  for installation by a reduced number of people without the assistance of a crane or forklift. 
     The cart  900  may include a first portion  910  and a second portion  920 . The first portion  910  may include a motor  912  coupled with a cable  914  and a connector  916 . The cable  914  may be threaded over an elongate member  918  of the first portion  910  for creating leverage for lifting at least a portion of the shipping box  600  in a vertical direction. The second portion  920  of the cart  900  may include a lift tray  922  and a jack  924  for lifting at least a portion of the shipping box  600  in a vertical direction. The first portion  910  may generate a lifting force on the shipping box  600  from above the shipping box  600 , while the second portion  920  may generate a lifting force on the shipping box  600  from below the shipping box  600 . Of course, the first portion  910  and second portion  920  may each include a combination of a motor  912 , elongate member  918 , cable  914 , connector  916 , lift tray  922 , and jack  924 . Each of the first portion  910  and second portion  920  of the cart  900  includes wheels  905 . 
     In operation, the first portion  910  and the second portion  920  may be positioned on opposing ends of the shipping box  600 . With the shipping box  600  lifted from the ground, the wheels  905  for each of the first portion  910  and the second portion  920  of the cart  900  may allow the shipping box  600  to be manipulated along the ground with a reduced friction. This relatively horizontal movement may allow the shipping box  600  to be more easily positioned at different locations in a room. 
     While the shipping box  600  is in a relatively horizontal position, the connector  916  may be placed within a mating feature of the shipping box  600 , such as a hole formed through one of the pocket walls  502 A,  502 ,B . . .  502 E. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the connector  916  comprises a hook, although the hook could include another type of connector. When the motor  912  is actuated, the cable  914  attached to the connector  916  retracts causing the shipping box  600  to be lifted upward, such as to tip the box  600  upward in the vertical direction. As a result, the motor  912  may cause the cable  914  and connector  916  to pull an end of the shipping box  600  up to a height at or near a tipping point sufficient for a person to push the shipping box past the tipping point and into a vertical position. 
     The cart  900 , therefore, may be used to assist in the installation of the movable partition system  500  at the installation location so that installation of the movable partition system  500  may be performed relatively late in the overall building construction process, when options such as a crane or a forklift are no longer practical or available for transporting the shipping box  600  to an upper level of the building. The cart  900  may be formed from materials with a sufficient strength to support the weight of the shipping box. For example, the cart  900  may comprise a metal or a metal alloy such as steel or aluminum. 
     With the shipping box  600  in the vertical orientation and at a desired location (e.g., approximate location for the pocket of the movable partition system to be installed), the striker wall  512  may be removed from the shipping box  600  in order to expose the internal pocket  505  and contents of the shipping box  600 . The pocket walls  502 A,  502 ,B . . .  502 E and striker wall  512  may then be installed in the appropriate location of the building. Any loose components (e.g., track, lead post, support beams, elongate drive member, etc.) within the pocket  505  may also be removed and installed in an appropriate manner. As a result, a movable partition system  500  like that previously described herein may be installed within a building. 
     While the present invention has been described herein with respect to certain preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that it is not so limited. Rather, many additions, deletions, and modifications to the preferred embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. In addition, features from one embodiment may be combined with features of another embodiment while still being encompassed within the scope of the invention as contemplated by the inventors.