DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the portable wall-partition;
FIG. 2 shows a swivel wheel mechanism of the embodiment of the portable wall-partition of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the portable wall-partition;
FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the embodiment of the portable wall-partition shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 shows a top view of the embodiment of the portable wall-partition of FIG. 3 in a folded configuration;
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the portable wall-partition;
FIG. 7 shows a belt and gear mechanism in an interior view of the embodiment of the portable wall-partition of FIG. 6; and
FIG. 8 shows a four-bar linkage in an interior view of the embodiment of the portable wall-partition of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
An embodiment of the portable wall-partition 2 is shown in FIG. 1. This embodiment includes at least one wall panel 4 that has a first edge 6 and a second edge 8. The second edge 8 is transversely connected to the first edge 6, which means that the two edges can be relatively perpendicular to each other; however, the edges are not limited to such a configuration. Also included in this embodiment is a swivel wheel mechanism 10 that is connected to a central position 12 of the first edge 6. At least one end panel 14 having an intermediate portion 16 is connected via a hinged connection 18 at its intermediate portion 16 to the second edge 8 of the wall panel 4.
As shown with more particularity in FIG. 2, the swivel wheel mechanism 10 includes an arm 20 supported by at least one caster 22 positioned at a first end of the arm 20, the arm 20 is rotatable about an axis, which is defined by the central position 12 of the first edge 6 of the wall panel 4.
Additionally, with further reference to FIG. 1, this embodiment can include at least one additional wall panel 24 and an additional bracket 26 connecting the first wall panel 4 to the additional wall panel 24. Also, a second end panel 28 can be connected to an end 30 of the portable wall-partition 2 that is opposite that of the first end panel 4, thereby providing greater stability for longer portable wall-partitions, i.e., partitions with more than two wall panels. Lastly, a double hinged connection 32 can be added in place of the bracket between the second end panel and the additional wall panel. Non-limiting examples of usable double hinged connections include a piano hinge or a geared hinge. When using a piano hinge or a geared hinge, the hinge should have two axes of rotation. For example, when using a piano hinge, the hinge should include three brackets. The first bracket of the piano hinge attaches to a wall panel, an intermediate (second) bracket of the piano hinge connects the first bracket of the piano hinge to the third bracket of the piano hinge; and the third bracket of the piano hinge attaches to an adjacent wall panel.
Alternatively, while the embodiment of FIG. 1 shows two wall panels, it is contemplated within the scope of this embodiment that further additional wall panels may be included in the wall partition. A skilled artisan will recognize that each additional wall panel will be interconnected in a likewise manner as discussed above.
A second embodiment 102 of the portable wall-partition is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and includes a plurality of wall panels 104a, 104b, and 104c that can be made of a singular construction to reduce manufacturing costs. Each of the plurality of wall panels has a lower edge 106, which is shaped depending on the needs of the user. Each panel also has a transverse side edge 108 that is shaped depending on the needs of the user. Each of the plurality of panels is attached to a successive panel at the respective transverse edge 108. Each of the plurality of panels includes a wheel assembly 109 that includes a swivelable elongate wheel frame 110 that is connected at its midpoint to a midpoint of the lower edge 106. A first wheel 112 is connected to a first end 116 of the elongate wheel frame 110, and a second wheel 114 is connected to a second end 118 of the elongate wheel frame 110.
The elongate wheel frame 110 is swivelable to a position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of wall panels. When stored, the elongate wheel frame 110 is repositioned to a configuration that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of wall panels.
With further reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, this embodiment of the portable wall-partition 102 also includes a first skewed end panel 120 that is connected at a first planar surface 122 thereof to a first end panel 124 of the plurality of wall panels. The skewed end panel 120 is not necessarily limited to an orientation perpendicular to the wall panel, but is preferably oriented in such a way that it is not parallel with the first end panel 124. In this manner, the first skewed end panel 120 serves to provide added stability for the entire portable wall-partition 102. With similarity to the embodiment of FIG. 1, a second skewed end panel can be connected to a second end panel of the plurality of wall panels.
Also, each of the plurality of panels 104a-104c in this embodiment includes a plurality of sound absorbing ribs. The sound absorbing ribs 126a, 126b, 126c, and 126d are placed either on the surface of the wall panel or within the wall panel and covered by a fabric or other material that lets sound pass through to the sound absorbing ribs. Similarly, the first skewed end panel 120 (and the second skewed end panel) includes a plurality of sound absorbing ribs 126e in its surface. Lastly, a bracket 128 (or hinge) connects each of the wall panels to an adjoining wall panel so that the panels are allowed to collapse into a folded configuration. The bracket 128 is placed at either the top of the wall panel, at the bottom of the wall panel or at both the top and the bottom of the wall panel.
When not in use, the plurality of wall panels can be folded so that one panel 104a lies flat against an adjoining panel 104b. FIG. 5 shows a top view of the plurality of wall panels in a folded configuration.
As shown in FIG. 6, a further embodiment of the portable wall-partition 202 includes a first wall panel 204 and a second wall panel 206. The first and second wall panels 204 and 206 each include a swivel wheel mechanism 208 that is longitudinally connected to a bottom edge 210 of each of the wall panels 204 and 206. A bracket hinge 212 connects the first wall panel 204 to the second wall panel 206.
As can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the interior of the first and the second wall panels 204 and 206 includes a linkage 214 that connects the bracket hinge 212 to the swivel wheel mechanism 208 so that the swivel wheel mechanism 208 of the first and second wall panels 204 and 206 extends toward a position perpendicular to that of the first and the second wall panels.
The linkage 214 can be a chain linkage or a belt linkage. FIG. 7 shows the linkage with a belt 216. Alternatively, however, a chain similar to that used in a bicycle can be used with a gear. The belt 216 wraps around a first gear 218, which is coaxial with an axis of rotation 222 of the bracket hinge 212, and second gear 220, which is coaxial with an axis of rotation 224 of the swivel wheel mechanism 208. When a person unfolds the portable wall-partition 202, the first gear 218 rotates. This rotation causes the belt 216 to rotate, thus causing the second gear 220 to rotate, thereby rotating the swivel wheel mechanism 208. Therefore, the swivel wheel mechanism extends or retracts based on the configuration of the wall panels 204 and 206 with respect to one another. Also, this embodiment is not limited to two wall panels but can also include a lesser or greater number of wall panels all similarly configured or configured differently based on the desires of the user.
A four-bar linkage 226 shown in FIG. 8 can be used in place of a belt or chain linkage. The four-bar linkage 226 has a frame 228 that is shaped like a “T.” The frame has a post 230 that is coaxial with an axis of rotation of the bracket hinge 212. An upper, horizontal section of the frame 228 is connected at a first end to a first rocker arm 230 and at a second end to a second rocker arm 232. A crank 234 is positioned coaxially with an axis of rotation of the swivel wheel mechanism 208. Each rocker arm 230 and 232 extends from the frame 228 and connects to opposing ends of the crank 234. Thus, when the frame is rotated by opening the wall panels 204 and 206, the rocker arms 230 and 232 and will rotate the crank 234 thereby causing the swivel wheel mechanism 208 to rotate to an extended or a concealed configuration, depending on the direction of rotation.
The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, one or more elements can be rearranged and/or combined, or additional elements may be added. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
Patent Application
20080086964
