Patent ID: 8096341

Claim:
A folding panel assembly including an actuating system, with the folding panel assembly including at least first and second, substantially rectangular panels, the first panel having first and second vertical ends, and the second panel having third and fourth vertical ends, the second and third vertical ends being hinged to one another about a hinge axis parallel thereto, the actuating system including: a substantially horizontal track, having a substantially fixed first pivot support connected to the first panel; a carriage traversable along the track, having a second pivot support connected to the second panel; and a flexible drive element arranged parallel to the track and in engagement with the carriage for traversing the carriage along the track, wherein an elongated connecting rod having a first longitudinal end pivotally connected to the carriage by a third pivot support and a second, opposite longitudinal end pivotally connected to the first panel at a location adjacent to the second vertical end thereof whereby said connecting rod moves said first panel when said carriage moves, and wherein a line through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongated connecting rod is excluded from becoming aligned with respect to the first panel in any position of the carriage along the track, and the second pivot support and the third pivot support maintain a same relative position to each other along a length of the horizontal track.