U.S. patent application number 11/287195 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-23 for flexible wall system.
Invention is credited to Stephanie J. Forsythe, Todd P. MacAllen.
Application Number | 20060260231 11/287195 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37054313 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060260231 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MacAllen; Todd P. ; et
al. |
November 23, 2006 |
Flexible wall system
Abstract
A partition having a core formed from a plurality of laminar
panels of a flaccid material and each panel having a pair of
oppositely directed major faces, adjacent faces of said panels
being inter-connected to provide a lattice structure upon movement
of abutting faces away from each other, a pair of supports at
opposite ends of said core and connected to respective ones of said
faces, said supports being self-supporting to provide rigidity to
said core whereby said supports may be moved apart to expand said
lattice and extend the length of said partition.
Inventors: |
MacAllen; Todd P.;
(Vancouver, CA) ; Forsythe; Stephanie J.;
(Vancouver, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP;Box 25
Commerce Court West
199 Bay Street
Toronto
ON
M5L 1A9
CA
|
Family ID: |
37054313 |
Appl. No.: |
11/287195 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60681972 |
May 18, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/220.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 4/04 20130101; A47C
5/005 20130101; E04B 2/7405 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/220.7 |
International
Class: |
E04C 2/52 20060101
E04C002/52 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 25, 2005 |
CA |
2,527,927 |
Claims
1. A partition having a core formed from a plurality of laminar
panels of a flaccid material and each panel having a pair of
oppositely directed major faces, adjacent faces of said panels
being inter-connected to provide a lattice structure upon movement
of abutting faces away from each other, a pair of supports at
opposite ends of said core and connected to respective ones of said
faces, said supports being self-supporting to provide rigidity to
said core whereby said supports may be moved apart to expand said
lattice and extend the length of said partition.
2. A partition according to claim 1 wherein said supports are
flexible and may be folded into a tubular configuration.
3. A partition according to claim 2 including fasteners on said
supports to maintain said tubular structure.
4. A partition according to claim 3 wherein said fasteners are loop
and hook fasteners.
5. A partition according to claim 1 wherein said lattice structure
defines a plurality of parallel voids oriented on the longitudinal
axis of said panels.
6. A partition according to claim 1 wherein said panels are formed
from paper.
7. A partition according to claim 1 wherein said panels are formed
from a non-woven material.
8. A partition according to claim 1 wherein said non-woven material
is a plastic.
9. A partition according to claim 1 wherein said panels are formed
from a composite material.
10. A partition according to claim 9 wherein said composite
material includes a plastic and paper.
11. A partition according to claim 10 wherein said composite
material is a paper laminated to a plastic film.
12. A partition according to claim 1 wherein said supports are
formed from a felt panel.
13. A partition according to claim 1 wherein said supports are
formed from a non-woven material.
14. A partition according to claim 1 wherein said panels have a
major dimension of between 0.5 and 3 metres.
15. A partition according to claim 14 wherein said panels have a
major dimension of between 1 and 2 metres.
16. A partition according to claim 1 wherein said panels have a
width of between 10 and 100 centimetres.
17. A partition according to claim 16 wherein said width is 30 and
45 centimetres.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to partitions.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Partitions are frequently used to subdivide spaces, or
create more intimate spaces. Typically such partitions are rigid,
or have rigid frames, or are formed from rigid interconnected
panels and they are relatively large, heavy, and cumbersome, and
therefore difficult to set-up, take down, store, and transport.
[0003] Moreover, the inherent rigidity of such partitions limits
the extent to which they can be dynamically extended (or
contracted) and reshaped to suit varying spaces and
requirements.
[0004] Additionally, such partitions are typically formed from
opaque panels which inhibit the transmission of light, therefore
necessitating increased use of, or rearrangement of artificial
lighting to restore adequate lighting levels.
[0005] In domestic, working, and public environments it is
frequently desirable to be able to subdivide space on a temporary
basis. For example, visitors may require a temporary sleeping area,
office workers may need to convert an open plan area into temporary
meeting space, trade show participants may need to demarcate a
temporary display area, and designers may need to create a
temporary backdrop for a designed area, such as in a window display
in a retail setting, in a showroom, or in a theatrical setting. For
these types of applications, a partition that is rigid, heavy,
and/or cumbersome may be costly to transport, difficult to set
up/take down, and may require significant storage space. A
partition that is rigid will also place significant constraints on
the ways in which a given space can be partitioned, limiting its
functionality. A partition that is fully opaque will severely
disturb natural lighting.
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a partition in which the above disadvantages are obviated
or mitigated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According therefore to one aspect of the present invention
there is provided a partition having a plurality of laminar panels
formed from a flexible flaccid material. Each panel has a pair of
oppositely-directed major faces with faces of adjacent panels being
inter-connected to provide a lattice structure upon movement of the
faces away from each other. Each one of a pair of supports is
provided at opposite ends of the partition connected to respective
ones of the faces. The supports are self-supporting to provide
rigidity to the partition. In this way, the supports may be moved
apart to expand the lattice and extend the overall length of the
partition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way
of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a partition.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing three panels used in
the partition of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a view on the line III-III of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a series of views showing the sequential
operations required to erect the panel of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the portion shown in circle A
in FIG. 4.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a view showing the sequential steps to join a pair
of panels shown in FIG. 1 end-to-end.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the inter-connection of the
panels shown in FIG. 6.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view showing the arrangement of
a panel within a living area.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view showing an alternative
configuration of panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring therefore to FIG. 1, a partition 10 comprises a
core 12 and a pair of supports 14, 16 at opposite ends of the core
12. As can best be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the core 12 is formed
from a plurality of panels 18. The panels 18 each have a pair of
oppositely-directed major faces 19, 20, and are formed from a
flexible flaccid material. In the preferred embodiment, the
material forming the panels 18 is standard white, flame retardant
tissue paper, having a weight of approximately 13.5 lbs (500
sheets@24''.times.36''=13.5 lbs). Each panel has a major dimension
or height h and a width w which may be adjusted to suit particular
environments. Typically the height will be in the order of 1-2
metres but could range from 0.5-3 metres and the width in the order
of 30 centimetres but could range from 10-100 centimetres. Adjacent
panels 18 are inter-connected to one another at spaced intervals
that alternate across the width of the face of the panel. As
indicated in FIG. 2, the connection between panels 18a and 18b is
through a series of parallel, laterally-spaced strips 24 on the
face 19 of panel 18b. The strips 24 are defined by stripes of
adhesive, which connects the panels 18a, 18b to one another, as
shown in FIG. 3.
[0019] Similarly, the inter-connection between a panel 18b and 18c
is through spaced parallel strips 28 on the face 19 of panel 18c
which are offset from the strips 24. Each of the panels 18 is
therefore alternately connected to the panel 18 on opposite sides
so that, as shown in FIG. 3, upon extension of the panel in a
horizontal direction, a lattice structure having voids 30 is formed
within the core. The voids 30 extend vertically from top to bottom
of the core 12 with the panels 18 providing a continuous transverse
barrier. The lateral outer ends of each of the panels 18 are
connected so as to form vertical pleats on the exterior faces of
the core 12.
[0020] An end panel 18d of the core is connected to respective ones
of the supports 14 and 16 over its entire width. The supports 14
and 16 are made from a self-supporting material, typically a non
woven felt material which has a degree of flexibility but also has
sufficient rigidity to resist collapse of the core 12. In a typical
application, the felt is a 1.95 nominal pounds per square yard felt
having a thickness in the order of 3 millimetres although other
weights and thicknesses may be utilized as appropriate depending
upon the overall dimensions of the partition 10. The supports 14
and 16 extend laterally beyond the core as indicated at 32 and is
adhered to the end panel 18d.
[0021] A pair of loop and hook strips 34, such as that sold under
the trade name "Velcro" are stitched to the felt supports 14 and
16, and extend vertically from one end to the other.
[0022] The core 12 is collapsible so that the major faces of
adjacent panels 18 lay parallel to one another and in abutment. In
this position, as shown in FIG. 4a, the partition 10 may be stored
in a flat, collapsed position. When the partition is required, it
can be oriented vertically (FIG. 4b) and the opposite supports 14
and 16 used to manipulate the partition. The supports 14 and 16 are
moved away from one another as shown in FIG. 4c to expand the core
so that the lattice is opened within the core 12.
[0023] Once partially extended, the supports 14 and 16 may be
folded along a vertical axis to provide enhanced rigidity at each
end of the partition 12. This may be seen in more detail in FIG. 5
where it will be seen that the opposite edges of the supports 14
and 16 may be brought together with the loop and hook strips 34
brought into abutment. The loop and hook strips 34 engage one
another and thus hold the support in a folded tubular
configuration. This movement is accommodated by the flexible nature
of the lattice structure which expands towards the lateral edges to
accommodate the folding of the supports 14 and 16. With the
supports 14 and 16 folded into a tubular support, extension of the
core 12 continues as shown in view (e) of FIG. 4, until the desired
overall length is reached.
[0024] With the partition expanded, it has sufficient width to
remain stable in a vertical position with the rigidity provided by
the end supports 14 and 16. The material forming the panels 18 is
preferably translucent so that a pleasing transmission of light
through the panel may occur, while still providing a degree of
privacy.
[0025] The extended partition as shown in FIG. 4e may be adjusted
to different configurations as illustrated by the curve shown in
FIG. 1 and the wrapped curve shown in FIG. 8. The core 12 has a
surprising degree of flexibility to accommodate different
configurations and allow an appropriate shaped and sized partition
to be installed in an otherwise open space. By varying the overall
dimensions, additional functionality may be obtained. The extended
partition shown in FIG. 4e may also be made with a lower height,
for example 1 metre and a wider base, for example 0.5 metres so
that the top surface of the partition may be used as an area to
display objects. Such an arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 9.
Where appropriate, the terminal portions of the voids 30 may be
used as a pocket to support a container, such as a vase, or similar
object. In this, the height would be between 0.5 and 1.5
metres.
[0026] The provision of the supports 14 and 16 also permits a pair
of partitions 10 to be joined end-to-end as shown in FIG. 6. As may
be seen from FIG. 6a, a pair of partitions 10 is erected and
positioned with opposite ends adjacent one another. The loop and
hook strips 34 in adjacent supports are then brought into contact
with one another as shown in FIG. 7 so that the partitions 10 are
joined in seriatim. The additional thickness provided by the double
support at the intersection enhances rigidity, with the supports 14
at the free ends of the partition being folded upon themselves to
provide stable support.
[0027] After use of the partition, it is simply necessary to
reverse the procedure by moving the ends towards one another,
unfolding the supports 14 and 16, and collapsing the core to its
minimum size. It may then be stored and used when subsequently
required.
[0028] In the above embodiments, the core has been made from a
paper material, although it will be apparent that alternative
materials may be used that fulfil the functional requirements. For
example, it is possible to utilize a non-woven textile material
such as a plastic material known as Tyvek from DuPont which is both
tear and water resistant. Alternatively, a paper laminated with a
plastic film to provide a composite material may be used. With such
a core material, the supports 14 may be made of a felt or may be
made from a material similar to the core material but with
increased thickness. The support would be sufficiently flexible to
allow folding to define the tubular support structure at each end
with fasteners such as the loop and hook strips 34 incorporated on
the support.
[0029] Whilst a translucent material is preferred, it will be
apparent that opaque or different coloured materials may also be
utilized. The dimensions of the void 30 may be adjusted to suit
particular applications. It has been found in practise that a
spacing between stripes 24, 28 in the order of 5-10 centimetres
(when unexpanded) is appropriate and that the width of the stripes
24, 28 is between 1 and 10 millimetres. This arrangement provides a
flexible structure with extensive elongation to provide maximum
functionality.
[0030] Although the invention has been described with reference to
certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be
apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims
appended hereto. The entire disclosures of all references recited
above are incorporated herein by reference.
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