Improvements in or relating to Movable Partitions, Sliding Doors, and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd June, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Mar., 1898-Accepted, 28th May, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION:-
...
Improvements in or relating to Movable Partitions, Sliding Doors,
and the like.
We, EDWARD ROBINSON WALKER, of 18, St. Ann's Street, Manchester, Solicitor,
and GEORGE HORNER, of 277, City Road, Manchester, Joiner, do hereby declare
the nature of our said invention to be as follows:-
These improvements have reference to the invention for which application for
Letters Patent No. 7820 was made by Charles Strapps on the 14th day of April
1896. Heretofore, and especially with partitions of great height, and made in
sections, there has been a difficulty in causing the runners on the top corners of
the partition to act in sympathy with the wheels at the bottom corners, i.e., to enter
the corresponding tracks or grooves on the ceiling, and the object of these
present improvements is to provide means whereby the said runners cannot fail
to enter the right grooves.
In accordance with our invention we form the runner at one of the top corners
of the partition, or its sections, with a rebate or annular groove, and the runner
at, the other top corner of such partition, or section, we leave solid, and of equal
diameter for its full depth. At each corner, bend or angle leading to the side
tracks on the ceiling, we arrange a swivelling plate, more or less, of tri-angular
formation with one of its sides shaped to the angle or bend of the track. These
plates represent the "points" of said side tracks, and each plate is formed with
its outside edge or two shorter sides slightly less in thickness than the size of the
rebate or groove in the top corner runners aforesaid.
With the partition arranged across the room, the plates or points close the
respective side tracks on one side, and on the other side extend part way into the
next side track nearest the wall. When the partition is to be stowed away
the first top runner to pass the bend is the one with the rebate, which by reason
of the rebate readily passes along the side track without disturbing the plate. The
next top runner, i.e., at the opposite top corner of the same section, is a solid
runner, which by reason of having no rebate cannot pass the plate without pushing
it at one side, and in so doing causing it to move or swivel on its centre, to move
across the main track and so open the next side track, which it previously closed.
ready for the next section of the partition. The first top runner of the next, and
each succeeding section, has a rebate or groove and each section passes in to the
side, tracks made open by the solid runners of the previous section.
When the sections are drawn out again, the solid runners of the sections follow-
ing the first one drawn out, act on the points of the plates lying across the main
groove, and cause them to again close the side tracks and the rebated pulleys
readily repassing the points projecting into the side tracks by reason of the rebate.
In this way we ensure of each section of the partition entering its proper groove
on the ceiling.

page_text: If desired we may provide similar arrangements for the side tracks in the floor,
and otherwise facilitate the proper working of the partition.
Dated this 2nd day of June 1897.
с
Improvements in or relating to Movable Partitions, Sliding Doors,
and the like.
We, EDWARD ROBINSON WALKER, of 18, St. Ann's Street, Manchester, Solicitor,
and GEORGE HORNER, of 277, City Road, Manchester, Joiner, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement: —
These improvements have reference to the invention for which application for
Letters Patent No. 7820 was made by Charles Strapps on the 14th day of April
1896. Heretofore, and especially, with partitions of great height, and made in
sections, there has been a difficulty in causing the runners on the top corners of
the partition to act in sympathy with the wheels at the bottom corners, i.e., to enter
the corresponding tracks or grooves on the ceiling, and the object of these improve-
ments is to provide means whereby the said runners cannot fail to enter the right
grooves.
In accordance with our invention we form the runner at one of the top corners
of the partition, or each section, with a rebate or annular groove, and the runner
at the other top corner of such partition, or section, we leave solid and of equal
diameter for its full depth. At each corner, bend or angle leading to the side
tracks on the ceiling, we arrange a swivelling plate with one of its sides shaped
to the said angle or bend. These plates represent the "points" of said side tracks,
and each plate is formed with its outside edge slightly less in thickness than the
side of the rebate or groove in the top corner runners aforesaid.
When the partition is arranged across the room the plates, or "points," close the
respective side tracks on one side, or at one end, and on the other side, or at
the other end, extend part way into the next side track nearest the wall, or into
the side track occupied by the section of the partition previously stowed away.
When the partition is to be stowed away the first top runner to pass the bend is the
one with the rebate, which, by reason of the rebate, readily passes along the side
track without disturbing the plate. The next top runner, i.e., that at the opposite
top corner of the same section, is a solid runner, which by reason of having no
rebate cannot pass the swivel plate without pushing it at one side, and, in so doing
it causes the plate to move or swivel on its centre and its point to move across the
main track and so open the next side track (which it previously closed) ready for
the next section of the partition. The first top runner of the next, and each
succeeding section, has a rebate or groove, and each section passes into the side
track made open by the solid runners of the previous section.
When the sections are drawn out again, the solid runners of the sections,
following the first one drawn out, push the swivel plates lying across the main
groove back again across the openings to the side tracks and thus close them again,
and the rebated pulleys owing to their rebates readily repass that part of each
swivel plate projecting into the side tracks.
In order that our said invention may be more readily understood and carried

page_text: into effect, we have hereunto annexed 3 sheets of drawings and will now proceed
to describe the same with the various figures and letters of reference marked
thereon.
On Sheet one,
Fig. 1 is a perspective view shewing two sections of a partition being stowed
away or drawn out, and illustrating the swivel "points" upon the floor and ceiling
respectively. Fig. 1 shews one of the ceiling swivel points separately.
"
On Sheet two,
Fig. 2 illustrates a plan of the floor grooves or tracks, and Figs. 3 and 4 illus-
trate the wheels which run in such grooves, or tracks.
Fig. 5 illustrates a "plan
points," and Figs. 6 and 6
grooves.
On Sheet three,
"
of the ceiling grooves or tracks and their swivel
the rebated, and solid runners which take into such
Fig. 7 illustrates a "plan" of an arrangement of ceiling grooves for dividing
a large room into a series of class-rooms, and intended to shew more particularly
the application of the swivel plates to the angles of the transverse grooves into
which the partitions are run for effecting the transverse division. Fig. 8 shews
the top corner of a partition with a solid runner, and the plate, which carries the
runner spindle with an incline or enlargement for engaging with a swivel plate.
Fig. 9 shews a plan of such runner and plate, and Fig. 10 illustrates the swivel
with which such plate engages on closing the passage leading to the tracks for
effecting the transverse division of the room.
In accordance with our invention we provide at the junction of the ceiling side-
tracks (1) and (2).with the ceiling main track (3), a swivel-plate (4). This plate
is of a form and size which enables one of its sides, when in the position shewn
in Fig. 1 to complete the required bend or angle of the side track (2) with the
main track (3), and with its point moved across to the opposite side of the track (3).
to complete the angle or bend of the side track (1).
The said plate is pivoted at (5) and is formed with a rounded part (6) (see
Fig. 1) which is so proportioned that, upon the point of the plate being swivelled
to the opposite side of the groove (3), such rounded part projects into the bend of
the groove (1).
At the junction of the side tracks (7) of the floor with the main track (8) we
employ a swivel-plate (9) which alternately opens and closes one, or other, of the
side tracks.
Upon the top of section (10) of the partition we provide a solid runner (11)
(see Fig. 6) and a rebated or like runner (12) (see Figs. 6).. This latter is fixed
at that corner of the partition section which is the first to enter and last to leave
the side track (1), and the solid runner is fixed at the opposite corner or that which
is the last to enter and the first to leave the said side track.
The swivel-plate (4) on the ceiling is only about 38ths of an inch thick, and is
so placed relatively to the depth of the grooves (1), (2) that, as the rebated
runner (12) passes round the bend, its rebate comes opposite such plate, or the
rounded part (6) of the plate projects into said rebate, hence the plate is unaffected
by such runner and the runner is free to pass into, and out of, the side track.
When, however, the solid runner comes to the plate (4) it is unable to pass such
plate without moving it and consequently as such runner proceeds, and forces its
vay past the plate, it acts against the said rounded and projecting part (6) of the
late, and therefore causes the plate to turn on its pivot, move its point across
he track (3), and in such manner open the way for section (13) of the partition
o enter the side track (2), as well as close the way to the side track (1) as shewn
n Fig. 1.
Upon drawing out the sections from their side tracks the solid runner (11) of
ection (10) in passing the plate (4), pushes it back to its former position with
he rounded part (6) projecting into the groove (1), which said rounded part is
gain readily passed by the rebated runner, and leaves the swivel plate in the

page_text: proper position for the time when the sections of the partition again require to be
.stowed away.
The runners on section (13) of the partition (being the last to enter the side
tracks) may both be solid.
The swivel plates of the floor tracks are operated by the hand, or foot.
In Figs. 2 and 5 we shew an arrangement of side tracks for a partition com-
prising four sections, with a swivel-plate at each bend and representing the side
tracks (1), (2), and (4) closed and the side tracks (3) (floor and ceiling) open. In
Fig. 5 we shew more clearly how the rounded part (6) of a ceiling swivel-plate
projects into the groove when such plate is in the position in which it is acted
upon by the solid roller in closing the main groove and opening the next succeed-
ing side groove.
In Fig. 7 we shew how a large room may be divided longitudinally and trans-
versely, and how the transverse partitions may pass into, and out of, transverse
grooves (14).
The
In the example shewn there are five side tracks at each end of the room.
main longitudinal partition consists of six sections, with swing doors at each end
(see dotted lines) or hinged filling strips. Each transverse partition which con-
sists of two sections is also provided with a swing door, or hinged filling strip
to fit against the longitudinal partition. In order to stow all the sections away
the doors or filling strips of the longitudinal partition are thrown back against
the wall. Sections (15), (16) and (17) are then run into side tracks (18), (19), (20)
and sections (21), (22), (23) are run into side tracks (24), (25) and (26). Sec-
tions (27) (28) are then run into side tracks (29) (30) and sections (31) (32) into
side tracks (33) (34), and thus the whole group of sections are stowed away. In
drawing the sections (27) and (31) out of their grooves (14), the runners on their
top edges leave swivel-plates (35) in the position shewn in Fig. 7, hence when
the transverse sections come to be replaced or run into said grooves again the
plate (36) (see Figs. 8 and 9) with the inclined projection (37) (which is used in
connection with the pulley which last enters the groove and first leaves it) comes
in contact with an upright pin or stud (38) on the swivel-plate, which pin being
eccentric to the pivot or centre of the plate, retires before the impact of the pro-
jection and thereby causes the point of the swivel-plate to move across the main
longitudinal track, and so open the way for the sections of the longitudinal
partition. In Fig. 7 we have shewn the swivel plates in the position they occupy
when the several partitions are stowed away. In this modification the swivel
plates (35) may be of the full depth of the groove and the runners on the trans-
verse sections may all be solid.
The swivels for the floor grooves are the same as those used for the side tracks,
and are operated by hand or foot. These floor swivels may, however, be operated
in a similar manner to the last described arrangement, but the projecting stud
would be an obstruction when the partitions were not in use.
For more equally distributing the pressure of the floor pulleys and to relieve
the points of the weight of the partition, we may employ a pulley of the form
shewn in Fig. (4).
Whilst we have shewn our improvements as applied to what are known as
Strapp's patent partitions, we may adapt them to all classes of partitions which
require to have a selective action in taking a point" or rail. We may also use
the arrangement of swivel shewn in Figs. 7 and 10, in lieu of the rebate pulley (12)
and plate (4), and we may vary the shape to suit the angle of the grooves or the
disposal of partitions in directions other than as shewn.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:-
1: In means for directing movable partitions, or the several sections of a
movable partition, or the like, into two or more tracks, the use of a swivel plate

page_text: or "point" at the junction of said tracks, in combination with one or more rebated
pulleys and one or more solid pulleys, mounted and operating substantially as
herein described and illustrated on the accompanying drawings.
2: The combination of ceiling " tracks" with one or more swivel-plates or
"points," as and for the purposes set forth.
3:-The combination of floor tracks with one or more swivel-plates or
as and for the purposes set forth.
<
points,"
4: The combination with a movable partition (or each of its sections) or the
like, of a rebated runner (12) and solid runner (11), as and for the purposes set
forth.
5:-The combination with swivel-plate (35) of plate (36), as and for the pur-
poses set forth.
6: The combination and arrangement of movable partitions, tracks (floor
and ceiling), wheels, runners and swivel-plates, as set forth.
Dated this 2nd day of March 1898.
EDWARD ROBINSON WALKER,
GEORGE HORNER,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.
55, Market Street, Manchester,