Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to leading end assemblies for movable partitions, movable partition assemblies including leading end assemblies, and methods of forming leading end assemblies for movable partitions.
Movable partitions are utilized in numerous situations and environments for a variety of purposes. Such partitions may include, for example, a movable partition including foldable or collapsible doors configured to enclose or subdivide a room or other area. Often, such partitions may be utilized simply for purposes of versatility in being able to subdivide a single large room into multiple smaller rooms. The subdivision of a larger area may be desired, for example, to accommodate multiple groups or meetings simultaneously. In other applications, such 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 both a security barrier and a fire barrier. In such a case, the partition barrier 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 accordion or similar folding-type partitions may be used as a security barrier, a fire barrier, or both a security barrier and a fire barrier wherein each partition is formed with a plurality of panels connected to one another with hinges. The hinged connection of the panels allows the partition to fold and collapse into a compact unit for purposes of storage when not deployed. The partition may be stored in a pocket formed in the wall of a building when in a retracted or folded state. When the partition is deployed to subdivide a single large room into multiple smaller rooms, secure an area during a fire, or for any other specified reason, the partition may be extended along an overhead track, which is often located above the movable partition in a header assembly, until the partition extends a desired distance across the room.
When deployed, a leading end of the movable partition, often defined by a component known as a lead post, complementarily engages a receptacle in a fixed structure, such as a wall, or in a mating receptacle of another door. Such a receptacle may be referred to as a jamb or a door post when formed in a fixed structure, or as a mating lead post when formed in another movable partition. It is desirable that the lead post be substantially aligned with the mating receptacle such that the movable partition may be completely closed and an appropriate seal formed between the movable partition and the mating receptacle.
In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a leading end assembly for a movable partition may include a frame and an exterior skin coupled to the frame for covering a leading surface and two opposing side surfaces of the frame. The exterior skin may include a leading member forming at least a portion of a leading surface of the leading end assembly, and at least two side members, each side member of the at least two side members being formed separately from the leading member and forming at least a portion of a lateral side portion of the leading end assembly.
In some embodiments, the frame and the exterior skin may form a volume within the leading end assembly, and at least a portion of a trolley assembly may be disposed within the volume. In some embodiments, at least a portion of a drive assembly may also be disposed within the volume.
In some embodiments, each side member of the at least two side members may be coupled to the frame and the leading member. Each side member of the at least two side members may include a first portion configured to couple with at least one of the leading member and the frame, and a second portion configured to couple with a portion of a plurality of panels of a movable partition.
In some embodiments, the at least two side members may further include at least two extension members, and each extension member of the at least two extension members may be coupled to at least one of a side member of the at least two side members and to the frame. The leading member, the at least two side members, and the at least two extension members may cooperatively form a volume within the leading end assembly, and at least a portion of a drive assembly and at least a portion of a trolley assembly may be disposed within the volume. Each extension member of the at least two extension members may include a first portion configured to couple with at least one of the at least two side members and the frame and a second portion configured to couple with a portion of a plurality of panels of a movable partition. The leading end assembly may further include at least one structural support coupled to the frame and to each extension member of the at least two extension members. In some embodiments, the leading end assembly may include at least one of a transparent panel and an emergency actuator coupled to at least one extension member of the at least two extension members.
In some embodiments, each side member of the at least two side members may include a mounting area configured to attach to a side surface the frame, a transition area, and a trailing portion configured to attach to folding panels of a movable partition. At least a portion of the transition area may extend substantially inward from the side surface of the frame toward a center portion of the frame. In some embodiments, at least another portion of the transition area may extend substantially in a direction normal to the trailing surface of the frame.
In accordance with additional embodiments of the present disclosure, a leading end assembly for a movable partition may include a frame and an exterior skin coupled to the frame for covering a leading surface and two opposing side surfaces of the frame. The exterior skin may include a leading member forming at least a portion of a leading surface of the leading end assembly, and may also include at least two side members, each side member of the at least two side members being formed separately from the leading member and forming at least a portion of a lateral side portion of the leading end assembly. Each side member may include a support bracket coupled to the frame, and an extension member coupled to at least one of the support bracket and the frame, the support bracket and the extension member each being configured to couple with an accordion-style structure of panels of a movable partition.
In some embodiments, each side member of the at least two side members may include a portion configured to couple to at least one of the leading member and the frame. Each side member may also include a transition area with a portion that extends substantially inward from the side surface of the frame toward a center portion of the frame. Each side member may also include a transition area with a portion that extends substantially in a direction normal to the trailing surface of the frame. Each extension member may further include a portion at least partially defining a lateral side portion of the leading end assembly.
In yet additional embodiments of the present disclosure, a movable partition may include a plurality of hingedly coupled panels movably coupled to a track, and a leading end assembly attached to a leading end of the hingedly coupled panels. The leading end assembly may include a frame and an exterior skin coupled to the frame for covering a leading surface and two opposing side surfaces of the frame. The exterior skin may include a leading member forming at least a portion of a leading surface of the leading end assembly and at least two side members, each side member being formed separately from the leading member and forming at least a portion of a lateral side portion of the leading end assembly.
In yet additional embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of forming a leading end assembly for a movable partition includes forming a frame member, coupling a leading member to the frame member, coupling two opposing side members to the frame member, forming a portion of each of the two opposing side members for coupling with a leading panel of a sheet of panels of a movable partition, coupling two opposing extension members extending from the two opposing side members to the frame member, and forming a portion of each of the two opposing extension members for coupling with a leading panel of a sheet of panels of a movable partition.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which are regarded as embodiments of the present disclosure, the advantages of embodiments of the disclosure may be more readily ascertained from the description of embodiments of the disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular device or system, but are merely idealized representations that are employed to describe embodiments of the present disclosure. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation.
As described in above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,618, movable partitions may include a substantially flat leading end assembly that is configured to cover at least a portion of a pocket, in which the movable partition is stored, in a retracted state and configured to engage with an adjoining structure when the movable partition is in an expanded state. As described in above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,618, movable partitions may also include a drive motor (i.e., a motor that drives the movable partition between expanded and retracted states) positioned on the movable partition proximate to the leading end assembly, for example, in a lead drive box formed by the leading end assembly. In view of these two patent applications, it can be seen that including a drive motor mounted to the movable partition requires different structure configurations of the leading end assembly. Accordingly, as discussed below in greater detail, a leading end assembly is provided that is adaptable (e.g., modular) that may be configured according to the requirements of a particular movable partition system (e.g., to accommodate systems with or without a drive motor mounted to the movable partition).
Referring to
To deploy the movable partition 102 to an extended position, the movable partition 102 is moved along the overhead track 112 to an adjoining structure positioned at an end portion of the overhead track 112. A leading end structure of the movable partition 102 may include a leading end assembly 110 configured to engage with an adjoining structure such as, for example, an opposing wall 114B, a door jamb, or a leading end assembly of another movable partition (not shown). In some embodiments, the leading end assembly 110 may be similar to the leading end assemblies described in, for example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/497,310, which was filed Jul. 2, 2009 and entitled “Movable Partitions, Leading End Assemblies for Movable Partitions and Related Methods,” which is assigned to the assignee hereof and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. While the embodiment of the movable partition 102 shown and described with reference to
Referring to
When the movable partition 102 is in a retracted state, the movable partition 102 may be stored in the pocket 108 formed by one or more walls. For example, as shown in
The leading end assembly 110 may include an attachment portion configured to attach to the movable partition 102. For example, the movable partition 102 may be coupled to an attachment portion of the leading end assembly 110 such as, for example, the trailing surface 138 of the leading end assembly 110. In some embodiments, the attachment portion of the leading end assembly 110 may include one or more frame members 134 for coupling the movable partition 102 to the leading end assembly 110. The frame members 134 may be formed in any shape suitable to attach the accordion-style structures 120A, 120B such as, for example, a member having rectangular shape as shown in
As further shown in
Referring still to
Referring now to
The frame 301 and exterior skin 302 may be configured to form at least a partial enclosure with a volume 390 within the leading end assembly 300. For example, the leading member 399 and first and second side members 303 and 304 may define three sides of the volume 390.
The leading member 399 and the first and second side members 303 and 304 may be formed from sheet metal such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or other metals or metal alloys, or may be formed from polymers or other suitable materials.
The leading member 399 and side members 303 and 304 may be coupled to the frame 301 by mechanical fasteners such as bolts, rivets, screws, or clips, or may be coupled to the frame by adhesives, welding, or other methods. In some embodiments, the leading member 399 may be coupled to at least one of the frame 301 and the side members 303 and 304, and the side members 303 and 304 may be coupled to at least one of the frame 301 and the leading member 399. The leading member 399 may form an exterior leading surface 136 (shown in
Referring now to
The first and second side members 303 and 304 or portions thereof may be formed as a bracket (e.g., an L-shaped bracket, a Z-shaped bracket). For example, each of the first and second side members 303 and 304 may include a first portion 424, a transition area 426, and a second portion 428. The first portion 424 may be configured to couple to the frame 301 by any suitable attachment method (e.g., as previously listed in relation to
The first portion 424 of the side members 303 and 304 may be configured to couple with the side surfaces 401 and 402 of the frame 301, the trailing surface 438 of the frame 301, or both. In some embodiments, the transition areas 426 of the side members 303 and 304 may be coupled to the side surfaces 401 and 402 or the trailing surface 438 of the frame 301.
Portions of the side members 303 and 304 and portions of the leading member 399 may overlap when assembled (e.g., as shown in
As discussed above, a portion of the leading end assembly 300 may be configured to couple with the accordion-style structures 120A and 120B of the movable partition 102 (
Referring now to
The extension members 503 and 504 may at least partially define a lateral side portion 404 of the leading end assembly 300. Each of the extension members 503 and 504 may also include a second portion 502 configured to couple with the accordion-style structures 120A and 120B of the movable partition 102 (
Each of the extension members 503 and 504 may further include a transition area 505 intermediate the first portion 501 and the second portion 502. The transition areas 505 may include portions that extend at least partially in a direction substantially normal to the trailing surface 438 of the frame 301 (
The frame 301, the leading member 399, the side members 303 and 304, and the extension members 503 and 504 may together form an adaptable (e.g., modular) leading end assembly that may be configured according to the requirements of a particular movable partition system. For example, in the embodiment shown in
The embodiment shown in
Referring now to
The leading end assembly 300 may also include structural supports 332 (e.g., support brackets) coupled with the frame 301. The structural supports 332 may extend from the frame 301 in a direction normal to the trailing surface 438 of the frame 301. The structural supports 332 and the frame 301 may be formed as one piece, or the structural supports 332 may be formed separately from the frame 301 and may be attached by welding, mechanical fasteners, or other methods. The structural supports 332 may be formed from the same material as the frame 301, may be formed from the same material as another portion of the leading end assembly 300 (e.g., the leading member 399, the side members 303 and 304, etc.), or may be formed from different materials. In some embodiments, the structural supports 332 may be coupled to the frame 301 and to the extension members 503 and 504. The structural supports 332 may be coupled to the extension members at one or more of the first portion 501 and second portion 502 as described in
The frame 301 may include attachment points for attaching hardware such as the drive assembly 322, the trolleys 310 and 310A, and the support member 305. The attachment points may include structures fastened to the frame 301 and configured to receive mechanical fasteners, for example, a mounting plate or angle 336 with holes or slots to accept bolts to attach the drive assembly 322. In other embodiments, the attachment points may include holes or slots in the frame 301. In yet other embodiments, the attachment points may include tabs or bosses formed integrally with, welded or bonded to, or otherwise fastened to the frame 301. In yet other embodiments, hardware such as the support member 305 may be attached directly to the frame 301 by methods such as welding, brazing, or adhesive materials.
Leading end assembly 300 may also include vision panels 370 (may also be referred to as light kits) included as a cutout or window on each of the side members 303 and 304 so that a person can see a region on the other side of the movable partition 102 (
The leading end assembly 300 may also include an emergency actuator 364 (e.g., a switch), commonly referred to as “panic hardware,” located on the side members 303 and 304 or extension members 503 and 504. Operation of the emergency actuator 364 allows a person to cause the door to retract, open, or open partially if it is closed, or to stop while it is closing, allowing access through the barrier formed by the movable partition 102 for a predetermined amount of time. Moreover, the movable partition system 100 (
Other user-controlled switches 360 may also be included on the side members 303 and 304 or extension members 503 and 504 such as, for example, a general operation switch and keyed switch. The keyed switch may be used by authorized persons such as facility managers or fire department personnel for controlling operation of the movable partition 102. The general operation switch may be used by any person for controlling operation of the movable partition 102. As non-limiting examples, the user-controlled switches 360 and the emergency actuator 364 may directly, or indirectly through electrical components modules, generate movement signals such as an open-or-close command, a stop-or-go command, or an emergency command.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of forming a leading end assembly for a movable partition includes forming a frame member, coupling a leading member to the frame member, coupling two opposing side members to the frame member, forming a portion of each of the two opposing side members for coupling with a leading panel of a sheet of panels of a movable partition, coupling two opposing extension members extending from the two opposing side members to the frame member, and forming a portion of each of the two opposing extension members for coupling with a leading panel of a sheet of panels of a movable partition.
While the disclosure may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the disclosure includes all modifications, equivalents, legal equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following appended claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/422,209, filed Mar. 16, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,967,225, issued Mar. 3, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. The subject matter of this application is related to the subject matter of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/859,126, filed Aug. 18, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,618, issued Jan. 14, 2014 and entitled “Closure Assemblies Movable Partitions, Movable Partition Systems including Closure Assemblies and Related Methods,” and to the subject matter of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/169,299, filed Jun. 27, 2011 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,763,672, issued Jul. 1, 2014 and entitled “Methods, Apparatuses, and Systems for Driving a Movable Partition with a Lead Drive Box,” the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.
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Child | 14635757 | US |