Abstract:
An arrangement for temporarily dividing a room or space, and in particular a hospital room, into two medically private spaces includes a structured divider panel that extends between the floor and the ceiling and extends/retracts between opposite walls of the hospital room. The divider panel is multilayered and includes an inner layer that is sandwiched between and intersecured to a pair of outer layers, the inner layer being of sound-deadening material and the securement being such as to inhibit sound from passing between the separated spaces. In an aspect, a pair of wipers impregnated with an antibacterial or antimicrobial substance is positioned to automatically wipe and sanitize the exterior surfaces of the outer layers during extension and retraction of the panel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/961,613, filed Jul. 23, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention pertains to structured panels for dividing a room or space. More particularly, the present invention relates to a room divider panel that extends between the floor and the ceiling and extends/retracts between opposite walls of a hospital room or medical private area to temporarily divide the room/area into separated and private spaces. Even more particularly, this invention relates to a space divider panel structured to include an inner layer of sound-deadening material to inhibit sound from passing between the separated spaces. Even more particularly this invention relates to a space divider assembly that includes an extender/retractor arrangement and wipers impregnated with an antibacterial and/or antimicrobial substance that engage and sanitize opposite faces of the divider panel upon extension/retraction thereof. 
         [0004]    2. Prior Art 
         [0005]    The use of a panel or divider to separate and divide a room or area into two or more areas is known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Typically the divider forms a continuous wall or barrier. The divider may be much like a shower curtain wherein a sheet of polymeric material is suspended from a rod and the curtain moves from a stored position, wherein the curtain is bunched up and the shower area is open, and an extended position wherein the shower area is closed. In other arrangements, the divider may be in the form of a series of articulated panels, which are suspended from an elongated track, and move from a stored position, wherein the panels are folded and/or collapsed upon one another and the area is open, and an extended position, wherein the panels unfold and form a continuous wall closure. 
         [0006]    Arrangements using partitions, curtains, dividers and the like are used in patient areas of hospitals. Generally, these dividers are temporary, and much in the nature of the shower curtain arrangement hereinabove described. That is, rings and the like atop a top edge of a sheet of cloth-like material hang the curtain for horizontal sliding movement relative to a support rod. 
         [0007]    However, while suitable for providing some minimal degree of privacy, large vertical gaps are formed between the top and bottom edges of the curtain and the floor and the ceiling. These gaps permit light to pass between the divided patient spaces. Additionally, noises from one side arising from the voices of medical staff, a patient and visitors of the patient as well as noises arising from medical procedures pass relatively unimpeded to the other side of the divided room. Conversations between the medical staff and the patient are not private. Loud and boisterous visitors can irritate or impede the recovery of some patients. 
         [0008]    Additionally, while room dividers are capable of being cleaned, the divider is typically cleaned only when there is a need, such as when something that is spilled thereon is visible to the eye. In a hospital, and in particular in patient areas, the regular cleaning of a room divider is important to inhibit the growth of mold or the exposure of a patient to bacteria and germs arising from ongoing checking in and out of patients or exposure to visitors. 
         [0009]    An object of this invention is the provision of a room dividing arrangement, particularly for use in a patient area subject to germs and the spread of bacteria, which arrangement includes a structured room divider panel and support system therefore that is easy to use in a manner that the divider panel easily extends/retracts relative to the support system and forms a closure between spaced walls and the floor and the ceiling when extended from one wall, the support system enabling the divider panel to be self cleaning upon use to aid in protecting a patient in one part of the room from exposure to germs, bacteria and the like from another patient or visitors entering the other part of the room and the panel having acoustic sound deadening properties to provide privacy and a quieter recovery environment to patients in different parts of the room. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is directed to an improved room divider arrangement for dividing a room having a floor and ceiling and spaced walls into at least two separate areas, the divider arrangement employing
       a housing connected to one said wall, said housing extending between the floor and the ceiling and including an interior chamber and an inlet communicating with the chamber,   a winding mechanism in said chamber, said mechanism including a roller disposed for rotation in first and second directions relative to a vertical axis between the floor and the ceiling, means for locking and unlocking the roller for rotation, and means for pulling the roller in said second direction,   an extensible/retractable panel of flexible material, said panel having laterally spaced first and second ends and vertically spaced upper end lower edges and sized to extend between the walls and between the floor and ceiling and form a closure therewith, the panel being wound relative to said roller with the first end thereof fixed to said roller, wherein when the roller rotates relative to said chamber and in said first and second directions, respectively, the second end thereof unwinds from the roller and extends outwardly in said second direction to an unwound position and retracts inwardly towards and into a wound position about the roller, and   means for mounting and constraining the upper and lower edges of the panel for movement between the wound and unwound positions.       
 
         [0015]    Preferably, the divider arrangement provides cleaning structure for automatically cleaning the opposite sides of the panel upon extension and retraction, the cleaning structure including a pair of elongated antibacterial applicators of resilient material disposed in the inlet to the interior chamber and in close juxtaposed relation with one another, the applicators being provided with an antibacterial and/or antimicrobial substance and adapted to wipingly engage the opposite sides of the panel to sanitize the panel sides as the panel is either extended or retracted. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the divider panel is structured to include an inner layer of sound deadening or muffling material sandwiched between two outer layers, the layers being thin, flat, coextensive with one another, and sufficiently flexible to wind or coil about the roller. The outer layers are squeezed and wiped clean by the antibacterial applicators during extending/retracting movement of the panel relative to the chamber. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the outer layers are comprised of a suitable vinyl, in part because vinyl doesn&#39;t give off offensive odors, which are especially noticeable as the temperature increases, are light in weight yet offers equal or superior damping ability, and bends and stretches without cracking or recoiling, and applies without a heat-gun. Formulations may include a flame retardant. 
         [0018]    The inner layer of sound deadening material may be comprised of other materials, such as bitumen or asphalt, a fibrous material or loosely woven fiberglass, natural or synthetic rubber, PVC, chlorinated polyethylene or ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, and fillers. 
         [0019]    A sound deadening material according to the present invention is preferably adapted to provide an acoustic barrier to sound transmission between 125 and 4,000 Hz. 
         [0020]    The outer layers each comprise a strong sheet of vinyl, resistant to attack and degradation by antibacterial and/or antimicrobial cleaning solution. The inner layer is sandwiched between and intersecured to the outer layers, such as by gluing, and in a manner wherein the layers are generally in parallel relation with one another when intersecured. The intersecured panel layers provide an airtight seal about their conjoined outer peripheries, aiding in the deadening or muffling of sound transmission. 
         [0021]    The means for mounting and constraining a first means for joining the upper edge of the panel for movement between the wound and unwound positions, and comprises an elongated guide track, the track extending across the ceiling and from the housing connected to the one wall and to the other wall. The upper edge of the divider panel is supported by, suspended from, and constrained for movement in the upper guide track. 
         [0022]    The means for mounting and constraining also includes a second means for joining the lower edge of the panel for movement between the wound and unwound positions, and comprises an upwardly open lower guide track that is affixed atop the floor and a guide pin. The guide pin includes an enlarged rubber grommet that extends downwardly from the lower panel edge and into opening of the guide track, wherein to constrain the panel movement and ensures that the panel is vertically disposed between the floor and the ceiling. 
         [0023]    In an aspect, a longitudinally extending sealing skirt operates between respective of the upper panel edge and the guide track to form a “dynamic” acoustic barrier or seal-like closure to seal between any possible vertical air gap that may exist along the top longitudinal edge of the panel. 
         [0024]    Similarly, the lower panel edge is disposed within the opening of the lower guide track and the interfitment therebetween forms, at least in part, an acoustic barrier therebetween. 
         [0025]    The means for locking and preventing/permitting rotation of the roller may comprise a spring biased ratchet mechanism. 
         [0026]    Depending on the application, an electrical motor may be operably connected to the roller to rotate the roller, and thereby retract and wind the divider panel into coiled extensible relation about the roller. 
         [0027]    The room divider arrangement includes a vertically disposed pull housing at the extensible end of the divider panel or partition, a lock mechanism in the pull housing, and a first and second lock housing. 
         [0028]    The lock mechanism includes an upper and lower lock pin, an actuatable lock handle operable to move the locks pins from a first (extended) position to a second (retracted) position, and means for biasing the lock pins into the first position. In a preferred embodiment, the upper lock pin is captivated in a recess of the upper lock housing, the lower lock pin is in the recess proximate to the floor, and the pins move when the handle is actuated. 
         [0029]    The first lock housing is fixedly disposed in the upper guide track and the second lock housing is proximate to the lower edge and comprises a rubber stop adapted to engage the floor and provide flexibility in maintaining the position of the panel when less than complete extension/retraction of the panel is desired. 
         [0030]    The handle/spring normally biases the stopper into engagement with the floor to resist unwanted extending/retracting movement of the panel when the handle is in the first position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0031]    Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  is a plan view looking down at a patient area in a hospital having a room divider arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  of the patient area and room divider arrangement, 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  showing detail of a mounting arrangement for suspending a room divider panel from a guide track affixed to the ceiling and for rolling movement relative to the guide track; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  showing detail of a guide arrangement, wherein a guide channel affixed to the floor receives a guide pin from the lower end of the divider panel to constrain the movement of the lower end of the panel and maintain the panel in a vertical plane when extended; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-section view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2  showing the front of an encasement having an inlet through which the panel is wound/unwound, a pair of antibacterial applicators in the inlet, and the structure of the divider panel, the opposite sides of the panel being engaged by the applicators during extension and retraction of the panel from the encasement, and 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view showing details of a pull housing, an actuatable handle and lock pins, and lock housings in the upper and lower guide tracks for receiving the lock pins and locking the divider panel in an extended position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0038]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is provided a room divider arrangement, generally indicated by the reference number  10 , for dividing a room  12  into two separate areas  12 A and  12 B. The room  12  includes a floor  14  and ceiling  16 , a first pair of vertical walls  18  and  20 , and a second pair of vertical walls  22  and  24 . 
         [0039]    The room  12  is representative of that found in a patient area of a hospital and includes two patient beds  26  and associated facilities (not shown) to provide medical services to patients in the beds. 
         [0040]    According to this invention, the room divider arrangement  10  includes a pair of elongated guide tracks  28  and  30 , a storage housing or enclosure  32 , and a closure or room divider panel  34 . The guide tracks  28  and  32  extend between the walls  18  and  20  and operate, in part, to mount and constrain the panel  34  for horizontal extending movement away from and retracting movement towards and into the storage housing  32 . While shown as being straight, the tracks may form a curve. Importantly, the tracks are positioned in a manner to maintain the panel  32  in a vertical plane “V” (i.e., in perpendicular relation with the floor  14  and ceiling  16 ). 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the lower guide track  28  is formed by a pair of strips or bands  15  of elastomeric material, each affixed to the floor  14  in side-by-side relation to define an upwardly open groove  17  that is adapted to connectingly receive the lower edge  34   a  of the divider panel  34 . Advantageously, these strips may be easily affixed and removed from the floor, when desired. 
         [0042]    While shown as being generally flat and of rectangular cross-section, the upper surfaces of the strips  15  may be angled upwardly to limit the likelihood of tripping. 
         [0043]    Further, the guide track may be an upwardly open channel having a squared-C cross-section, mounted atop the floor or disposed in flush-mounted relation with the floor surface. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the upper guide track  30  is affixed to the ceiling  16 , of squared-C cross-section, and downwardly open. The guide track  30  is adapted to receive roller wheels connectingly mounted to the upper edge  34   b  of the divider panel  34 . 
         [0045]    The housing or enclosure  32  is connected to the wall  18  and extends vertically between the floor  14  and the ceiling  16  and terminates proximate to respective ends of the lower and upper guide tracks  28  and  30 . The housing  32  forms an encasement and includes an interior chamber  31  for mounting the panel, at least in part, and a vertically disposed inlet or passage  36  that communicates with the chamber  31 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a pair of elongated antibacterial applicators  38  are juxtaposed with the inlet  36 . Preferably, the applicators  38  are mounted in the inlet  36  and disposed in closing relation to the chamber into and from which the panel  34  is extended/retracted. 
         [0047]    The applicators  38  are of a resiliently compressible, such as comprised of a sponge-like material, and impregnated with an antibacterial and/or antimicrobial substance to kill germs and fungi such as mildew. The applicators  38  have respective end faces  38   a  positioned for wiping and sanitizing engagement with and against the opposite sides of the panel  34  as the panel is either extended or retracted through the inlet  36 . 
         [0048]    A winding mechanism for supporting the room divider panel  34 , at least in part, is disposed in the chamber. While not shown as understood by one skilled in the art, the winding mechanism is much like that found in a conventional window shade and includes a winding roller disposed for winding/unwinding rotation in first and second directions relative to a vertical axis between the floor and the ceiling, ratchet structure for locking and unlocking the winding roller for winding/unwinding rotation, and a spring for driving (i.e., biasing) the winding roller for rotation in the second direction wherein to retract (i.e., rewind the panel about the winding roller). 
         [0049]    Depending on the application, an electrical drive motor may be employed to drive (i.e., rotate) the winding roller in the retracting/rewinding second direction and into coiled extensible relation about the winding roller. 
         [0050]    The room divider panel  34  is generally rectangular and sized to extend between the walls  18  and  20  and between the floor  28  and ceiling  30  whereby to form a closure therewith, when extended. The panel  34  comprises a single continuous thin one-piece extensible/retractable structured sheet of flexible material having horizontally spaced first and second end portions  34   c  and  34   d , proximate the walls  18  and  20 , when the panel is extended, and vertically spaced lower and upper edges  34   a  and  34   b , proximate to the guide tracks  28  and  30 , when the panel is extended. 
         [0051]    The first end portion  34   c  of the divider panel  34  is fixedly connected to the roller and the divider panel is wound (i.e., coiled) about or unwound from the winding roller, depending on the direction of rotation of the roller. When the roller rotates relative to the chamber and in the first and second directions, the second end portion  34   d  of the panel  34  unwinds (i.e., is uncoiled) from the roller and extends horizontally away from the roller, or retracts horizontally towards and is wound (i.e., coiled) about the roller. 
         [0052]    The divider panel  34  is structured to include an inner layer  40  of sound deadening or muffling material sandwiched between two outer layers  42 , the layers  40  and  42  being thin, flat, coextensive with one another, and sufficiently flexible to wind or coil about the roller. 
         [0053]    Preferably, the layers  40  and  42  are comprised of a suitable vinyl, in part because vinyl doesn&#39;t give off offensive odors, which are especially noticeable as the temperature increases, are light in weight yet offers damping ability, and bends and stretches without cracking or recoiling, and applies without a heat-gun. Formulations may include a flame retardant. 
         [0054]    Preferably, each outer layer or sheet  42  is comprised of a strong sheet of vinyl, such as a vinyl lining material or a vinyl coated fabric, which is resistant to attack and degradation by antibacterial and/or antimicrobial cleaning solution arising from application of antibacterial cleaning materials commonly found in hospitals to eliminate mold, kill germs, and otherwise prevent the spread of germs as well as be resistant to attack from moisture. The outer layers  42  must be of a suitable thickness to be strong yet withstand the constant squeezing engagement and exposure to the wiping edges  38   a  of the antibacterial applicators  38  during extending/retracting movement of the panel  34  relative to the inlet  36  leading into the housing chamber. 
         [0055]    The outer layers  42  may also be comprised of a strong durable sheet of a flexible polyethylene, polystyrene, or acrylic or other suitable synthetic flexible sheet material. 
         [0056]    Preferably, the inner layer  40  is comprised of a sound deadening vinyl. 
         [0057]    In addition, depending on the application, the sound deadening material of the inner layer  40  may be comprised of bitumen or asphalt, a fibrous material or loosely woven fiberglass, natural or synthetic rubber, PVC, chlorinated polyethylene or ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, and fillers. 
         [0058]    Preferably, a sound deadening material according to the present invention is adapted to provide an acoustic barrier to sound transmission between 125 and 4,000 Hz. 
         [0059]    The inner layer  40  is intersecured or laminated to the outer layers  42 , such as by a process that employs adhesive gluing and/or fusion bonding and is resistant to delamination, and the layers are generally parallel relation with one another when intersecured. The intersecured panel layers  40  and  42  provide an airtight seal therebetween and about their conjoined outer peripheries, aiding in the deadening or muffling of sound transmission as well as vibration damping. 
         [0060]    A plurality of laterally spaced roller assemblies  44  connect and mount the upper edge  34   b  of the room panel  34  to the guide track  30  and suspend the panel from the ceiling  16 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the roller assembly  44  includes a pair of rollers  46  which are journalled for rotation on a common shaft  48 , and a bracket  50  extends through a central opening  31  of the guide track  30  for mounting the shaft  48  and the rollers  46  to the edge portion  34   b  of the divider panel  34  and for rolling movement within the confines of the track  30 . 
         [0061]    In some applications, a longitudinally extending sealing skirt  52 , preferably of sound deadening or muffling material, operates between each respective side of the panel edge  34   a  and  34   b  and the guide track  30  to form an acoustic seal between any vertical gap that may exist between the upper edge  34   a  of the panel  34  and the track  30 . 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIG. 4  and as discussed hereinabove, the lower guide track  28  is formed by a pair of side-by-side strips or bands  15  of elastomeric material and an upwardly open groove  17 . The lower edge  34   a  of the divider panel  34  is interfitted within the groove  17  in a manner that little or no gap is formed, thereby completing, at least in part, an acoustic seal. 
         [0063]    Preferably, at least one guide pin or grommet  35  extends from the lower edge  34   a  and into the groove  17  to constrain the panel  34  to move along a path complementary to the upper guide track and maintain the suspended panel in a vertical plane “V”. 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the room divider arrangement  10  further includes a vertically disposed pull housing  54  at the extensible end  34   d  of the divider panel or partition  34 , and a lock arrangement for securing the panel  34  in room separating relation. The lock arrangement includes an upper and lower lock housing  56  and  58  and a lock mechanism  60 . The lock mechanism  60  is operably associated with the pull housing  54  and includes upper and lower lock pins  62  and  64 , an actuatable lock handle  66  for retracting the pins from a first position to a second position, and a torsion spring (not shown) acting to bias the handle and the lock pins into the first position. 
         [0065]    The upper lock housing  56  is fixedly secured interiorly of the upper guide track  30  and includes a recess  56   a  adapted to captivate the lock pin  62 . 
         [0066]    The pull housing  54  is used to pull the forward end  34   d  of the panel  34  away from the wall  18  and towards the wall  20  and register the lock pin  62  with the lock housing  56 . 
         [0067]    The lower lock housing  58  is in the form of a sphere, comprised of rubber or like elastomer, and is fitted to the end of the lower lock pin  64 , is positionable in the recess  17  formed between the strips  15 , and is normally biased into contact with the floor  14 . The sphere or lock housing  58  forms a stopper that normally engages the floor  14  to inhibit unwanted retraction of the panel and position the panel in a less than complete room separating relation. 
         [0068]    In operation, substantially simultaneously, the handle  62  is rotated, whereupon the lock pin  62  and  64  are retracted from the first position and associated relation with the lock housings  28  and  30 , and the pull handle  60  pulls the panel edge  34   d  to the wall  20  and the locking pins into the second position. The panel and locking pins may be moved to a position between the walls  18  and  20 , the handle released, whereupon the locking pin  64  will drive the stopper downwardly and into frictional engagement with the floor. The panel may be moved proximate to the wall  20  whereupon the lock pin  60  is registered with the lock housing  56 , registered with a captivating recess  56   a  of the lock housing  56 , the handle released, and the pin  62  biased into locked (i.e., nested relation) with the recess  56   a , and preventing the panel from being drawn backwards towards the wall  18 . While suitable arrangement are known by those skilled in the art, a torsion spring (not shown) is preferably used to bias the pins towards their respective guide tracks  28  and  30 . 
         [0069]    Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in the art and consequently, it is intended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.