U.S. patent application number 12/220252 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-29 for apparatus for temporarily dividing a hospital room into medically private patient areas.
Invention is credited to Jack B. Cherney, Lenny J. Hutton.
Application Number | 20090025321 12/220252 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40294018 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090025321 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cherney; Jack B. ; et
al. |
January 29, 2009 |
Apparatus for temporarily dividing a hospital room into medically
private patient areas
Abstract
An arrangement for temporarily dividing a room or space, and in
particular a hospital room, into two medically private spaces
includes a structured divider panel that extends between the floor
and the ceiling and extends/retracts between opposite walls of the
hospital room. The divider panel is multilayered and includes an
inner layer that is sandwiched between and intersecured to a pair
of outer layers, the inner layer being of sound-deadening material
and the securement being such as to inhibit sound from passing
between the separated spaces. In an aspect, a pair of wipers
impregnated with an antibacterial or antimicrobial substance is
positioned to automatically wipe and sanitize the exterior surfaces
of the outer layers during extension and retraction of the
panel.
Inventors: |
Cherney; Jack B.; (West
Bloomfield, MI) ; Hutton; Lenny J.; (West Bloomfield,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE WEINTRAUB GROUP, P.L.C.
Suite 240, 32000 Northwestern Highway
Farmington Hills
MI
48334
US
|
Family ID: |
40294018 |
Appl. No.: |
12/220252 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60961613 |
Jul 23, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/238.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2/827 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/238.1 |
International
Class: |
E04H 5/00 20060101
E04H005/00 |
Claims
1. In a hospital room having a floor and ceiling, a pair of spaced
walls, and a room divider for separating the room into at least two
separate medically private areas, said room divider comprising a
thin substantially rectangular shaped panel of flexible material
and dimensioned to extend between the floor and between the spaced
walls, the improvement comprising: a mounting arrangement for
mounting one end of the room divider to one said wall and the other
and extendable end of the divider for extension away from and
retraction towards said one wall and extension towards and away
from the other wall, and said divider panel being a laminated
structure and including an inner layer sandwiched between a pair of
outer layers, the inner layer being comprised of a sound deadening
material to inhibit sound from passing between the separated spaces
when the divider is extended.
2. The improvement of claim 1, further wherein the outer layers are
comprised of a polymeric material resistant to moisture and sound
penetration, and further comprising a pair of elongated wiper
elements of compressible material, said elements being impregnated
with a material to kill bacterial and microbial substances and
mounted proximate to said one wall and for wiping engagement with
respective of the outer layers during extension and retraction of
the divider panel.
3. The improvement of claim 1, further wherein the sound deadening
provides an acoustic barrier to sound transmission between 125 and
4,000 Hz.
4. The improvement of claim 1, wherein the outer layers and inner
layer are conjoined to one another in a manner to form a
substantially air tight seal about their outer peripheries, the
conjoined peripheries aiding in the deadening or muffling of
acoustic sound transmission through the panel.
5. The improvement of claim 1, further wherein said mounting
arrangement comprises: a roller shaft, said shaft extending
vertically between the floor and the ceiling and mounted for
rotation in first and second directions, means for biasing the
roller in said first direction, said divider panel being wound and
unwound on said roller, depending on the direction of rotation with
said first direction causing the divider panel to be retracted and
wound about the roller, a ceiling channel vertically spaced above a
floor channel, the channels extending between the walls and
secured, respectively, to the ceiling and floor, first means for
connecting the upper edge of the divider panel to the ceiling
channel, and second means for connecting the lower edge of the
divider panel to the floor channel, the connecting enabling the
divider panel and the edges thereof to translate between the
walls.
6. The improvement of claim 5, wherein said first means comprises a
plurality of spaced apart roller assemblies, said roller assemblies
supported in said ceiling channel for rolling movement therewithin
and connected to the upper edge of the divider panel, and said
second means comprises at least one guide pin, the guide pin being
disposed in said floor channel for gliding movement therewithin and
connected to the lower edge of the divider panel.
7. The improvement of claim 6, further comprising lock means for
locking the divider panel in first and second positions,
respectively, when said extendable end is extended from the roller
shaft and away from said one wall, said first position being
defined by said other wall and said divider panel being extended to
completely divide the room into two separated areas, and said
second position being defined between the walls and the divider
panel is positioned in a manner to incompletely divide the room
into two areas.
8. The improvement of claim 7, wherein said lock means comprises:
an upper and a lower lock pin, a body of elastomeric material
connected to said lower lock pin, said ball being disposed in said
floor channel and in juxtaposed relation with the floor, a lock
housing in said ceiling channel and proximate to the junction
between said ceiling and said other wall, and an actuatable lock
handle connected to the extendable end of said divider panel, said
lock handle being operably connected to said lock pins to move the
upper lock pin into and from locked engagement with the lock
housing and the elastomeric body into and from frictional
engagement with the floor, the frictional engagement inhibiting
movement of the divider panel from said second position.
9. The improvement of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of
sealing skirts, the sealing skirts extending between the opposite
walls with a respective of said skirts extending along each side of
the ceiling channel and the floor channel to cover the junctions
formed between the upper and lower edges of the divider panel and
the respective channels to form acoustic barriers that seal against
sound transmission between opposite sides of the divider panel.
10. An arrangement for temporarily dividing a hospital room into
medically private patient areas, the room having first and second
opposed walls that extend vertically between a floor and a ceiling,
the arrangement comprising: a multilayered divider panel, said
panel having fixed and extendable ends and adapted to extend
substantially between the floor and the ceiling and the opposite
walls, said divider panel including an inner layer of sound
deadening material sandwiched between outer first and second layers
of a material resistant to attach and degradation by antibacterial
and antimicrobial cleaning solutions, means for mounting and
constraining the divider panel for extending and retracting
movement between the walls, the means for mounting including a
roller shaft upon which the divider panel is wound and unwound,
said roller shaft being disposed at said first wall and said panel
having one end fixed to the roller shaft, means for locking the
divider panel, when extended, in a first and second positions and
the extendable end, respectively, at the second wall and between
the walls, and means for sanitizing the opposite sides of the
divider panel during extension and retraction.
11. The temporary room dividing arrangement of claim 10, wherein
said means for mounting and constraining including a ceiling
channel, a floor channel, the channels being vertically juxtaposed
with one another, connected to the ceiling and floor, and extending
between the opposite walls, and means for retracting the extended
divider panel towards the first wall and into wound relation with
the roller shaft, and said means for sanitizing includes a first
and second cleaning applicator each impregnated with an
antibacterial agent, the applicators being juxtaposed with one
another and in compressible wiping engagement with one and the
other of the outer layers of said divider panel during extension
and retraction of the divider panel.
12. The temporary room divider of claim 10, further wherein said
inner layer is conjoined in sealing relation with the outer layers
to form an air tight peripheral sealing barrier therearound and
therebetween to inhibit sound transmission and damp vibrations.
13. The temporary room divider of claim 10, further wherein said
inner layer barrier is comprised of a sound deadening vinyl.
14. The temporary room divider of claim 10, further wherein said
outer layers are formulated to include a flame retardant and damp
vibrations.
15. The temporary room divider of claim 11, further wherein said
divider panel includes upper and lower edges, and said means for
mounting and constraining includes first and second connectors for
connecting the upper edge to said ceiling channel for movement
therein and the lower edge to said floor channel for movement
therein, and further comprising means for acoustically sealing any
acoustic gap that may exist between the connections formed between
the channels and the edges of the divider panel to prevent sound
from passing between the opposite sides of a divided room.
16. The temporary room divider of claim 11, further wherein said
lock means comprises: a lock handle at the extendable end of the
divider panel, the lock handle being movable between panel locking
and panel unlocking positions and having upper and lower lock pins
normally biased into said panel locking position, an upper lock
housing at the distal end of the ceiling channel and the junction
between the second wall and ceiling, the upper lock housing
operating to interlock with the upper lock pin when the extendable
end of the divider panel is extended to the second wall, and a
lower lock housing provided at the distal end of the lower lock
pin, the lower lock housing comprising a body formed of an
elastomeric material that is adapted be driven against the floor to
resist movement of the divider panel.
17. An improved room divider arrangement for dividing a room having
a floor and ceiling and opposed first and second walls into at
least two separate areas, the room divider arrangement comprising:
a housing connected to said first wall, said housing extending
vertically between the floor and the ceiling and including an
interior chamber and an inlet communicating with the chamber, a
winding mechanism in said chamber, said mechanism including a
roller mounted for rotation in first and second directions relative
to a vertical axis between the floor and the ceiling, and means for
normally urging the roller to rotate in said second first
direction, a thin continuous multiplayer divider panel of flexible
materials and rectangular shape, the panel being adapted be wound
onto and unwound from the roller when said roller is rotated in
said first and second directions and comprising an inner layer of
sound deadening material sandwiched between and intersecured to two
outer layers of a polymeric material that have sound deadening
properties and are resistant to antibacterial and antimicrobial
cleaning agents, the panel having opposite sides or surfaces, a
first end fixed to the roller and an extendable second end, and
upper and lower edges, and means for mounting and constraining the
upper and lower edges of the panel for horizontal movement relative
to the ceiling and the floor and the panel for extension from and
retraction into the housing chamber, the panel being dimensioned to
extend between the walls and form substantially gapless interfaces
between the mounting arrangement between the floor and the ceiling
when fully extended.
18. The room divider arrangement according to claim 17, further
including cleaning structure juxtaposed with said inlet, said
cleaning structure for automatically cleaning the opposite sides of
the room divider panel upon extension and retraction of the panel
through said inlet.
19. The room divider structure according to claim 18, wherein said
cleaning structure includes a pair of elongated antibacterial
applicators of resilient material juxtaposed in close juxtaposed
relation with one another, the applicators provided with an
antibacterial and/or antimicrobial substance and adapted to
wipingly engage the opposite sides of the room divider panel to
sanitize both sides of the panel as the panel is either extended or
retracted.
20. The room divider arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the
means for mounting comprises: upper and lower guide tracks,
respectively, affixed to the ceiling and the floor and in
juxtaposed relation with one another, means for connecting the
upper and lower edges to the upper and lower guide tracks for
translatory movement in the tracks, and means for releasably
locking the divider panel in a first position defined by the second
wall and a second position between the walls, the means for
releasably locking comprising: upper and lower lock pins movably
connected to a lock handle provided at the extendable end of the
panel, a lock housing in said first position for receiving the
upper pin, and a resilient lock ball connected to the lower lock
pin for engaging the floor and retaining the panel in said second
position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/961,613, filed Jul. 23, 2007, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention pertains to structured panels for
dividing a room or space. More particularly, the present invention
relates to a room divider panel that extends between the floor and
the ceiling and extends/retracts between opposite walls of a
hospital room or medical private area to temporarily divide the
room/area into separated and private spaces. Even more
particularly, this invention relates to a space divider panel
structured to include an inner layer of sound-deadening material to
inhibit sound from passing between the separated spaces. Even more
particularly this invention relates to a space divider assembly
that includes an extender/retractor arrangement and wipers
impregnated with an antibacterial and/or antimicrobial substance
that engage and sanitize opposite faces of the divider panel upon
extension/retraction thereof.
[0004] 2. Prior Art
[0005] The use of a panel or divider to separate and divide a room
or area into two or more areas is known to those skilled in the art
to which the present invention pertains. Typically the divider
forms a continuous wall or barrier. The divider may be much like a
shower curtain wherein a sheet of polymeric material is suspended
from a rod and the curtain moves from a stored position, wherein
the curtain is bunched up and the shower area is open, and an
extended position wherein the shower area is closed. In other
arrangements, the divider may be in the form of a series of
articulated panels, which are suspended from an elongated track,
and move from a stored position, wherein the panels are folded
and/or collapsed upon one another and the area is open, and an
extended position, wherein the panels unfold and form a continuous
wall closure.
[0006] Arrangements using partitions, curtains, dividers and the
like are used in patient areas of hospitals. Generally, these
dividers are temporary, and much in the nature of the shower
curtain arrangement hereinabove described. That is, rings and the
like atop a top edge of a sheet of cloth-like material hang the
curtain for horizontal sliding movement relative to a support
rod.
[0007] However, while suitable for providing some minimal degree of
privacy, large vertical gaps are formed between the top and bottom
edges of the curtain and the floor and the ceiling. These gaps
permit light to pass between the divided patient spaces.
Additionally, noises from one side arising from the voices of
medical staff, a patient and visitors of the patient as well as
noises arising from medical procedures pass relatively unimpeded to
the other side of the divided room. Conversations between the
medical staff and the patient are not private. Loud and boisterous
visitors can irritate or impede the recovery of some patients.
[0008] Additionally, while room dividers are capable of being
cleaned, the divider is typically cleaned only when there is a
need, such as when something that is spilled thereon is visible to
the eye. In a hospital, and in particular in patient areas, the
regular cleaning of a room divider is important to inhibit the
growth of mold or the exposure of a patient to bacteria and germs
arising from ongoing checking in and out of patients or exposure to
visitors.
[0009] An object of this invention is the provision of a room
dividing arrangement, particularly for use in a patient area
subject to germs and the spread of bacteria, which arrangement
includes a structured room divider panel and support system
therefore that is easy to use in a manner that the divider panel
easily extends/retracts relative to the support system and forms a
closure between spaced walls and the floor and the ceiling when
extended from one wall, the support system enabling the divider
panel to be self cleaning upon use to aid in protecting a patient
in one part of the room from exposure to germs, bacteria and the
like from another patient or visitors entering the other part of
the room and the panel having acoustic sound deadening properties
to provide privacy and a quieter recovery environment to patients
in different parts of the room.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is directed to an improved room
divider arrangement for dividing a room having a floor and ceiling
and spaced walls into at least two separate areas, the divider
arrangement employing [0011] a housing connected to one said wall,
said housing extending between the floor and the ceiling and
including an interior chamber and an inlet communicating with the
chamber, [0012] a winding mechanism in said chamber, said mechanism
including a roller disposed for rotation in first and second
directions relative to a vertical axis between the floor and the
ceiling, means for locking and unlocking the roller for rotation,
and means for pulling the roller in said second direction, [0013]
an extensible/retractable panel of flexible material, said panel
having laterally spaced first and second ends and vertically spaced
upper end lower edges and sized to extend between the walls and
between the floor and ceiling and form a closure therewith, the
panel being wound relative to said roller with the first end
thereof fixed to said roller, wherein when the roller rotates
relative to said chamber and in said first and second directions,
respectively, the second end thereof unwinds from the roller and
extends outwardly in said second direction to an unwound position
and retracts inwardly towards and into a wound position about the
roller, and [0014] means for mounting and constraining the upper
and lower edges of the panel for movement between the wound and
unwound positions.
[0015] Preferably, the divider arrangement provides cleaning
structure for automatically cleaning the opposite sides of the
panel upon extension and retraction, the cleaning structure
including a pair of elongated antibacterial applicators of
resilient material disposed in the inlet to the interior chamber
and in close juxtaposed relation with one another, the applicators
being provided with an antibacterial and/or antimicrobial substance
and adapted to wipingly engage the opposite sides of the panel to
sanitize the panel sides as the panel is either extended or
retracted.
[0016] Preferably, the divider panel is structured to include an
inner layer of sound deadening or muffling material sandwiched
between two outer layers, the layers being thin, flat, coextensive
with one another, and sufficiently flexible to wind or coil about
the roller. The outer layers are squeezed and wiped clean by the
antibacterial applicators during extending/retracting movement of
the panel relative to the chamber.
[0017] Preferably, the outer layers are comprised of a suitable
vinyl, in part because vinyl doesn't give off offensive odors,
which are especially noticeable as the temperature increases, are
light in weight yet offers equal or superior damping ability, and
bends and stretches without cracking or recoiling, and applies
without a heat-gun. Formulations may include a flame retardant.
[0018] The inner layer of sound deadening material may be comprised
of other materials, such as bitumen or asphalt, a fibrous material
or loosely woven fiberglass, natural or synthetic rubber, PVC,
chlorinated polyethylene or ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, and
fillers.
[0019] A sound deadening material according to the present
invention is preferably adapted to provide an acoustic barrier to
sound transmission between 125 and 4,000 Hz.
[0020] The outer layers each comprise a strong sheet of vinyl,
resistant to attack and degradation by antibacterial and/or
antimicrobial cleaning solution. The inner layer is sandwiched
between and intersecured to the outer layers, such as by gluing,
and in a manner wherein the layers are generally in parallel
relation with one another when intersecured. The intersecured panel
layers provide an airtight seal about their conjoined outer
peripheries, aiding in the deadening or muffling of sound
transmission.
[0021] The means for mounting and constraining a first means for
joining the upper edge of the panel for movement between the wound
and unwound positions, and comprises an elongated guide track, the
track extending across the ceiling and from the housing connected
to the one wall and to the other wall. The upper edge of the
divider panel is supported by, suspended from, and constrained for
movement in the upper guide track.
[0022] The means for mounting and constraining also includes a
second means for joining the lower edge of the panel for movement
between the wound and unwound positions, and comprises an upwardly
open lower guide track that is affixed atop the floor and a guide
pin. The guide pin includes an enlarged rubber grommet that extends
downwardly from the lower panel edge and into opening of the guide
track, wherein to constrain the panel movement and ensures that the
panel is vertically disposed between the floor and the ceiling.
[0023] In an aspect, a longitudinally extending sealing skirt
operates between respective of the upper panel edge and the guide
track to form a "dynamic" acoustic barrier or seal-like closure to
seal between any possible vertical air gap that may exist along the
top longitudinal edge of the panel.
[0024] Similarly, the lower panel edge is disposed within the
opening of the lower guide track and the interfitment therebetween
forms, at least in part, an acoustic barrier therebetween.
[0025] The means for locking and preventing/permitting rotation of
the roller may comprise a spring biased ratchet mechanism.
[0026] Depending on the application, an electrical motor may be
operably connected to the roller to rotate the roller, and thereby
retract and wind the divider panel into coiled extensible relation
about the roller.
[0027] The room divider arrangement includes a vertically disposed
pull housing at the extensible end of the divider panel or
partition, a lock mechanism in the pull housing, and a first and
second lock housing.
[0028] The lock mechanism includes an upper and lower lock pin, an
actuatable lock handle operable to move the locks pins from a first
(extended) position to a second (retracted) position, and means for
biasing the lock pins into the first position. In a preferred
embodiment, the upper lock pin is captivated in a recess of the
upper lock housing, the lower lock pin is in the recess proximate
to the floor, and the pins move when the handle is actuated.
[0029] The first lock housing is fixedly disposed in the upper
guide track and the second lock housing is proximate to the lower
edge and comprises a rubber stop adapted to engage the floor and
provide flexibility in maintaining the position of the panel when
less than complete extension/retraction of the panel is
desired.
[0030] The handle/spring normally biases the stopper into
engagement with the floor to resist unwanted extending/retracting
movement of the panel when the handle is in the first position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when
read in combination with the following detailed description,
wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
several views, and in which:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a plan view looking down at a patient area in a
hospital having a room divider arrangement according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.
1 of the patient area and room divider arrangement,
[0034] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2
showing detail of a mounting arrangement for suspending a room
divider panel from a guide track affixed to the ceiling and for
rolling movement relative to the guide track;
[0035] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2
showing detail of a guide arrangement, wherein a guide channel
affixed to the floor receives a guide pin from the lower end of the
divider panel to constrain the movement of the lower end of the
panel and maintain the panel in a vertical plane when extended;
[0036] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section view taken along line
5-5 of FIG. 2 showing the front of an encasement having an inlet
through which the panel is wound/unwound, a pair of antibacterial
applicators in the inlet, and the structure of the divider panel,
the opposite sides of the panel being engaged by the applicators
during extension and retraction of the panel from the encasement,
and
[0037] FIG. 6 is an elevation view showing details of a pull
housing, an actuatable handle and lock pins, and lock housings in
the upper and lower guide tracks for receiving the lock pins and
locking the divider panel in an extended position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and
referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is provided a room divider
arrangement, generally indicated by the reference number 10, for
dividing a room 12 into two separate areas 12A and 12B. The room 12
includes a floor 14 and ceiling 16, a first pair of vertical walls
18 and 20, and a second pair of vertical walls 22 and 24.
[0039] The room 12 is representative of that found in a patient
area of a hospital and includes two patient beds 26 and associated
facilities (not shown) to provide medical services to patients in
the beds.
[0040] According to this invention, the room divider arrangement 10
includes a pair of elongated guide tracks 28 and 30, a storage
housing or enclosure 32, and a closure or room divider panel 34.
The guide tracks 28 and 32 extend between the walls 18 and 20 and
operate, in part, to mount and constrain the panel 34 for
horizontal extending movement away from and retracting movement
towards and into the storage housing 32. While shown as being
straight, the tracks may form a curve. Importantly, the tracks are
positioned in a manner to maintain the panel 32 in a vertical plane
"V" (i.e., in perpendicular relation with the floor 14 and ceiling
16).
[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the lower guide track 28 is formed by a
pair of strips or bands 15 of elastomeric material, each affixed to
the floor 14 in side-by-side relation to define an upwardly open
groove 17 that is adapted to connectingly receive the lower edge
34a of the divider panel 34. Advantageously, these strips may be
easily affixed and removed from the floor, when desired.
[0042] While shown as being generally flat and of rectangular
cross-section, the upper surfaces of the strips 15 may be angled
upwardly to limit the likelihood of tripping.
[0043] Further, the guide track may be an upwardly open channel
having a squared-C cross-section, mounted atop the floor or
disposed in flush-mounted relation with the floor surface.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the upper guide track 30 is affixed to
the ceiling 16, of squared-C cross-section, and downwardly open.
The guide track 30 is adapted to receive roller wheels connectingly
mounted to the upper edge 34b of the divider panel 34.
[0045] The housing or enclosure 32 is connected to the wall 18 and
extends vertically between the floor 14 and the ceiling 16 and
terminates proximate to respective ends of the lower and upper
guide tracks 28 and 30. The housing 32 forms an encasement and
includes an interior chamber 31 for mounting the panel, at least in
part, and a vertically disposed inlet or passage 36 that
communicates with the chamber 31.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of elongated antibacterial
applicators 38 are juxtaposed with the inlet 36. Preferably, the
applicators 38 are mounted in the inlet 36 and disposed in closing
relation to the chamber into and from which the panel 34 is
extended/retracted.
[0047] The applicators 38 are of a resiliently compressible, such
as comprised of a sponge-like material, and impregnated with an
antibacterial and/or antimicrobial substance to kill germs and
fungi such as mildew. The applicators 38 have respective end faces
38a positioned for wiping and sanitizing engagement with and
against the opposite sides of the panel 34 as the panel is either
extended or retracted through the inlet 36.
[0048] A winding mechanism for supporting the room divider panel
34, at least in part, is disposed in the chamber. While not shown
as understood by one skilled in the art, the winding mechanism is
much like that found in a conventional window shade and includes a
winding roller disposed for winding/unwinding rotation in first and
second directions relative to a vertical axis between the floor and
the ceiling, ratchet structure for locking and unlocking the
winding roller for winding/unwinding rotation, and a spring for
driving (i.e., biasing) the winding roller for rotation in the
second direction wherein to retract (i.e., rewind the panel about
the winding roller).
[0049] Depending on the application, an electrical drive motor may
be employed to drive (i.e., rotate) the winding roller in the
retracting/rewinding second direction and into coiled extensible
relation about the winding roller.
[0050] The room divider panel 34 is generally rectangular and sized
to extend between the walls 18 and 20 and between the floor 28 and
ceiling 30 whereby to form a closure therewith, when extended. The
panel 34 comprises a single continuous thin one-piece
extensible/retractable structured sheet of flexible material having
horizontally spaced first and second end portions 34c and 34d,
proximate the walls 18 and 20, when the panel is extended, and
vertically spaced lower and upper edges 34a and 34b, proximate to
the guide tracks 28 and 30, when the panel is extended.
[0051] The first end portion 34c of the divider panel 34 is fixedly
connected to the roller and the divider panel is wound (i.e.,
coiled) about or unwound from the winding roller, depending on the
direction of rotation of the roller. When the roller rotates
relative to the chamber and in the first and second directions, the
second end portion 34d of the panel 34 unwinds (i.e., is uncoiled)
from the roller and extends horizontally away from the roller, or
retracts horizontally towards and is wound (i.e., coiled) about the
roller.
[0052] The divider panel 34 is structured to include an inner layer
40 of sound deadening or muffling material sandwiched between two
outer layers 42, the layers 40 and 42 being thin, flat, coextensive
with one another, and sufficiently flexible to wind or coil about
the roller.
[0053] Preferably, the layers 40 and 42 are comprised of a suitable
vinyl, in part because vinyl doesn't give off offensive odors,
which are especially noticeable as the temperature increases, are
light in weight yet offers damping ability, and bends and stretches
without cracking or recoiling, and applies without a heat-gun.
Formulations may include a flame retardant.
[0054] Preferably, each outer layer or sheet 42 is comprised of a
strong sheet of vinyl, such as a vinyl lining material or a vinyl
coated fabric, which is resistant to attack and degradation by
antibacterial and/or antimicrobial cleaning solution arising from
application of antibacterial cleaning materials commonly found in
hospitals to eliminate mold, kill germs, and otherwise prevent the
spread of germs as well as be resistant to attack from moisture.
The outer layers 42 must be of a suitable thickness to be strong
yet withstand the constant squeezing engagement and exposure to the
wiping edges 38a of the antibacterial applicators 38 during
extending/retracting movement of the panel 34 relative to the inlet
36 leading into the housing chamber.
[0055] The outer layers 42 may also be comprised of a strong
durable sheet of a flexible polyethylene, polystyrene, or acrylic
or other suitable synthetic flexible sheet material.
[0056] Preferably, the inner layer 40 is comprised of a sound
deadening vinyl.
[0057] In addition, depending on the application, the sound
deadening material of the inner layer 40 may be comprised of
bitumen or asphalt, a fibrous material or loosely woven fiberglass,
natural or synthetic rubber, PVC, chlorinated polyethylene or
ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, and fillers.
[0058] Preferably, a sound deadening material according to the
present invention is adapted to provide an acoustic barrier to
sound transmission between 125 and 4,000 Hz.
[0059] The inner layer 40 is intersecured or laminated to the outer
layers 42, such as by a process that employs adhesive gluing and/or
fusion bonding and is resistant to delamination, and the layers are
generally parallel relation with one another when intersecured. The
intersecured panel layers 40 and 42 provide an airtight seal
therebetween and about their conjoined outer peripheries, aiding in
the deadening or muffling of sound transmission as well as
vibration damping.
[0060] A plurality of laterally spaced roller assemblies 44 connect
and mount the upper edge 34b of the room panel 34 to the guide
track 30 and suspend the panel from the ceiling 16. As shown in
FIG. 3, the roller assembly 44 includes a pair of rollers 46 which
are journalled for rotation on a common shaft 48, and a bracket 50
extends through a central opening 31 of the guide track 30 for
mounting the shaft 48 and the rollers 46 to the edge portion 34b of
the divider panel 34 and for rolling movement within the confines
of the track 30.
[0061] In some applications, a longitudinally extending sealing
skirt 52, preferably of sound deadening or muffling material,
operates between each respective side of the panel edge 34a and 34b
and the guide track 30 to form an acoustic seal between any
vertical gap that may exist between the upper edge 34a of the panel
34 and the track 30.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 4 and as discussed hereinabove, the lower
guide track 28 is formed by a pair of side-by-side strips or bands
15 of elastomeric material and an upwardly open groove 17. The
lower edge 34a of the divider panel 34 is interfitted within the
groove 17 in a manner that little or no gap is formed, thereby
completing, at least in part, an acoustic seal.
[0063] Preferably, at least one guide pin or grommet 35 extends
from the lower edge 34a and into the groove 17 to constrain the
panel 34 to move along a path complementary to the upper guide
track and maintain the suspended panel in a vertical plane "V".
[0064] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, the room divider arrangement 10
further includes a vertically disposed pull housing 54 at the
extensible end 34d of the divider panel or partition 34, and a lock
arrangement for securing the panel 34 in room separating relation.
The lock arrangement includes an upper and lower lock housing 56
and 58 and a lock mechanism 60. The lock mechanism 60 is operably
associated with the pull housing 54 and includes upper and lower
lock pins 62 and 64, an actuatable lock handle 66 for retracting
the pins from a first position to a second position, and a torsion
spring (not shown) acting to bias the handle and the lock pins into
the first position.
[0065] The upper lock housing 56 is fixedly secured interiorly of
the upper guide track 30 and includes a recess 56a adapted to
captivate the lock pin 62.
[0066] The pull housing 54 is used to pull the forward end 34d of
the panel 34 away from the wall 18 and towards the wall 20 and
register the lock pin 62 with the lock housing 56.
[0067] The lower lock housing 58 is in the form of a sphere,
comprised of rubber or like elastomer, and is fitted to the end of
the lower lock pin 64, is positionable in the recess 17 formed
between the strips 15, and is normally biased into contact with the
floor 14. The sphere or lock housing 58 forms a stopper that
normally engages the floor 14 to inhibit unwanted retraction of the
panel and position the panel in a less than complete room
separating relation.
[0068] In operation, substantially simultaneously, the handle 62 is
rotated, whereupon the lock pin 62 and 64 are retracted from the
first position and associated relation with the lock housings 28
and 30, and the pull handle 60 pulls the panel edge 34d to the wall
20 and the locking pins into the second position. The panel and
locking pins may be moved to a position between the walls 18 and
20, the handle released, whereupon the locking pin 64 will drive
the stopper downwardly and into frictional engagement with the
floor. The panel may be moved proximate to the wall 20 whereupon
the lock pin 60 is registered with the lock housing 56, registered
with a captivating recess 56a of the lock housing 56, the handle
released, and the pin 62 biased into locked (i.e., nested relation)
with the recess 56a, and preventing the panel from being drawn
backwards towards the wall 18. While suitable arrangement are known
by those skilled in the art, a torsion spring (not shown) is
preferably used to bias the pins towards their respective guide
tracks 28 and 30.
[0069] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been
described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that
modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in
the art and consequently, it is intended that the claims be
interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.
* * * * *