U.S. patent application number 14/867713 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-28 for fire and smoke protection system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jochen Stobich. Invention is credited to Robert Knein-Linz, Frank Kruger, Stefan Siller, Jochen Stobich.
Application Number | 20160024785 14/867713 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48778863 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160024785 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stobich; Jochen ; et
al. |
January 28, 2016 |
FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION SYSTEM
Abstract
The present disclosure describes a fire and smoke protection
system for limiting the spread of fire and smoke through an
opening, including those in building structures. The system
includes a flexible protection member configurable in a storage
configuration for subsequent deployment into a protection
configuration when fire occurs. The flexible protection member is
configurable in single and/or multi-layer arrangements with one or
more materials, alone or in combination, and using a variety of
construction methods. Generally, the flexible protection member is
manufacturable using fire resistant woven and knitted fabric
elements, metal foil elements, intumescent elements, and/or wire
mesh elements arranged to increase the resistance to forces
encountered during a fire. The various elements may be seamed using
different stitching patterns and gathered using non-fire resistant
thread in order to increase flexibility and resistance to forces.
The flexible protection member may also be formed in segments
coupled together by clamping members.
Inventors: |
Stobich; Jochen;
(Langelsheim, DE) ; Siller; Stefan; (Lutter am
Barenberge, DE) ; Kruger; Frank; (Bad Harzburg,
DE) ; Knein-Linz; Robert; (Herzogenrath, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Stobich; Jochen |
Langelsheim |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
48778863 |
Appl. No.: |
14/867713 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13738431 |
Jan 10, 2013 |
|
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14867713 |
|
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|
61584883 |
Jan 10, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
442/234 ;
428/221; 428/332; 442/316 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 5/026 20130101;
B32B 5/24 20130101; B32B 2571/00 20130101; E04B 1/946 20130101;
E06B 9/581 20130101; E04B 1/942 20130101; E06B 9/58 20130101; B32B
2262/103 20130101; B32B 15/14 20130101; B32B 5/024 20130101; A62C
2/10 20130101; E06B 9/40 20130101; B32B 2262/101 20130101; E04B
1/948 20130101; E04B 1/947 20130101; B32B 2307/3065 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/94 20060101
E04B001/94; A62C 2/10 20060101 A62C002/10; B32B 15/14 20060101
B32B015/14; B32B 5/24 20060101 B32B005/24; B32B 5/02 20060101
B32B005/02 |
Claims
1-2. (canceled)
3. A fire and smoke protection system for limiting the spread of
fire and smoke through an opening, comprising: a flexible
protection member comprising one or more self-supporting metal foil
elements sandwiched by fabric elements so as to form a multi-layer
structure, wherein the flexible protection member extends
substantially between lateral and longitudinal edges of the opening
in a fully-deployed configuration.
4. The fire and smoke protection system of claim 3, wherein the
fabric elements each comprise glass threads and at least one
stainless steel wire.
5. The fire and smoke protection system of claim 3, further
comprising a plurality of elongate clamping members, wherein the
flexible protection member includes a plurality of elongate
segments, and wherein the plurality of elongate clamping members
couple adjacent ones of the plurality of elongate segments.
6. The fire and smoke protection system of claim 3, wherein the one
or more metal foil elements are manufactured from stainless
steel.
7. The fire and smoke protection system of claim 6, wherein the one
or more metal foil elements each have a thickness between twenty
micrometers and two hundred micrometers.
8. The fire and smoke protection system of claim 7, wherein the
thickness is greater than one hundred micrometers.
9. The fire and smoke protection system of claim 3, wherein the one
or more metal foil elements have a thickness between twenty
micrometers and two hundred micrometers.
10. The fire and smoke protection system of claim 9, wherein the
thickness is greater than one hundred micrometers.
11. The fire and smoke protection system of claim 3, wherein the
one or more metal foil elements extend substantially between a
first lateral edge and a second lateral edge of the opening in the
fully-deployed configuration.
12. The fire and smoke protection system of claim 3, wherein the
fabric elements are woven fabrics.
13. The fire and smoke protection system of claim 3, wherein the
fabric elements are knitted fabrics.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to and
incorporates herein by this reference in its entirety, U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/584,883, which is
entitled "Smoke and Fire Protection Device" and filed on Jan. 10,
2012.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates, generally, to the field of
systems, including apparatuses and methods, for limiting the spread
of fire and smoke in a building structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Fires within building structures often start in a single
room or location and spread from room-to-room traveling through
interior doorways and other openings. As fires progress through
building structures burning various combustible materials, a
substantial amount of smoke is generally produced with such smoke
potentially including toxic gases that are generated when certain
materials and chemical compounds are oxidized. While the fires can
cause significant property damage and destroy or weaken building
structures, the smoke and toxic gases can cause substantial
physical injury or death to persons who inhale them. Thus, by
limiting the spread of fires and smoke within building structures,
damage to property and building structures may be minimized and
physical injury to, and the potential death of, persons within
building structures may be prevented.
[0004] Many attempts have been made to develop devices that limit
the spread of fire and smoke through doorways and other openings in
building structures. Unfortunately, many of the devices have been
found to become mechanically unstable after a fire. Therefore, a
number of jurisdictions have begun requiring such devices to pass a
test known as the "Hose Stream Test" in order to be approved for
use in their jurisdiction. The Hose Stream Test is generally run on
a device for limiting the spread of fire and smoke after it has
been exposed to high temperatures over a long period of time during
a separate fire test. In the Hose Stream Test, a jet of water such
as that produced by a fire hose is directed at the device,
generally, from a direction that is normal to the device. To pass
the Hose Stream Test, the device must withstand the forces exerted
on the device by the water jet and not become mechanically
unstable.
[0005] Typically, the devices that have been developed to limit the
spread of fire and smoke fall into two categories. A first type of
devices has attempted to limit the spread of fire and smoke by
sealing openings with flexible protection members including a
plurality of slats. Examples of such devices include fire
protection roller shutters, fire doors, and curtains made of metal
components that slide over and relative to one another.
Advantageously, these devices limit the spread of fire and smoke
while being capable of withstanding mechanical loads particularly
well, including after exposure to fire. As a consequence, many such
devices have passed the Hose Stream Test. Unfortunately, these
devices are typically heavy and require a large amount of
space.
[0006] A second type of devices has attempted to limit the spread
of fire and smoke by sealing openings with a flexible protection
member manufactured from a fire resistant material that can be
wound around a reel or winding shaft. The fire resistant materials
used in such devices typically include woven textile fabrics having
warp and weft threads. Beneficially, these devices reduce the
spread of fire and smoke, are relatively light in weight, and save
space. However, these devices are generally less resistant to
mechanical influences and loads than devices of the first type
described above. Consequentially, many of these devices cannot pass
the Hose Stream Test.
[0007] There is, therefore, a need in the industry for a fire and
smoke protection system that limits the spread of fire and smoke
through openings in building structures, is lightweight, requires
minimal space, is capable of withstanding mechanical loads during
and after exposure to fire, is capable of passing the Hose Stream
Test, and that solves the difficulties, problems, and shortcomings
of existing systems.
SUMMARY
[0008] Broadly described, the present invention comprises a fire
and smoke protection system, including apparatuses and methods, for
limiting the spread of fire and smoke through an opening. In a
plurality of example embodiments described herein, the fire and
smoke protection system comprises multiple components that may be
selectively included, constructed and configured to meet the
requirements of particular applications and of the Hose Stream
Test. For example, the various components of the fire and smoke
protection system include a flexible protection member that is
configurable in a storage configuration for subsequent deployment
into a protection configuration in the event of a fire. As
described herein with respect to example embodiments, the flexible
protection member may be configured in a variety of arrangements
using a variety of materials, alone or in combination, and using a
variety of construction methods. Generally and without limitation,
the flexible protection member may be manufactured using fire
resistant woven and knitted fabric elements, metal foil elements,
intumescent elements, and/or wire mesh elements in many different
arrangements, including multi-layer structures, with each material,
element and arrangement having certain advantages in limiting the
spread of fire and smoke while resisting external forces and
retaining mechanical strength and stability sufficient to pass the
Hose Stream Test.
[0009] Thus, in an example embodiment, a flexible protection member
may comprise a multi-layer structure including a metal foil element
sandwiched between two woven fabric elements with the multi-layer
structure being surrounded in the lateral and longitudinal
directions by a single layer, knitted fabric element.
Advantageously, when deployed, the multi-layer structure provides
resistance to the spread of fire and smoke, while the knitted
fabric elements stretch to enable the flexible protection member to
withstand forces acting on it during a fire, including those forces
nearest the edges of the flexible protection member which may have
the greatest magnitude.
[0010] In another example embodiment, a flexible protection member
may be similar to the above-described flexible protection member,
but include a segment of the knitted fabric element above the
multi-layer structure formed with a gathering or overlap of
material held in position with seams having non-fire resistant
thread. Upon exposure to fire, the seams are destroyed or come
undone, thereby permitting the gathered and overlapping knitted
fabric segment to become non-gathered, providing more knitted
fabric material available to stretch upon the application of forces
thereto, and producing more surface area normal to the forces and
distributing the forces over the greater surface area.
[0011] In yet another example embodiment, a flexible protection
member may be constructed using seams between fabric and metal foil
members that are formed with stitching patterns and/or stitching
arrangements that are more flexible and stretchable than other
types of stitching patterns and stitching arrangements. Through the
use of such flexible stitching patterns and/or stitching
arrangements, the flexible protection member includes seams with
improved flexibility and stretchability that contribute to the
overall ability of the flexible protection member to flex, deform,
and stretch in response to forces being applied to the flexible
protection member.
[0012] In still another example embodiment, a flexible protection
member may be manufactured with a metal foil element imprinted or
embossed with a pattern. Subsequently, when exposed to a force at
particular location, the imprinted or embossed material in the
vicinity of the force location deforms in order to resist the force
and oppose tearing of the flexible protection member.
[0013] In yet another example embodiment, a flexible protection
member is formed from a plurality of segments such that adjacent
segments are coupled together by a clamping member. Each segment
is, generally, made from one or more materials and/or one or more
layers of materials that are configured in a desired arrangement
similar to the manner in which a flexible protection member having
a single segment might be configured and constructed. Generally,
each segment is identical to the other segments of the flexible
protection device, but may include one or more different materials,
layers or structures such that segments near the mid-section of the
flexible protection member, for example, may have different
mechanical and fire resistant properties than segments nearer the
other sections of the flexible protection member. Each clamping
member is selected from a plurality of different types of clamping
members, some of which are described herein. Typically, the
clamping members are of the same type and extend beyond the
appropriate extent of the flexible protection member into the
system's guides to improve deployment and retraction of the
flexible protection member, but may comprise individually different
types of clamps and may not all similarly extend into the system's
guides. Advantageously, the clamping members add mechanical
strength and stability to the flexible protection member, reduce
sagging of the flexible protection member during exposure to fire
or high temperatures, improve deployment and retraction of the
flexible protection member by virtue of one or more of the clamping
members extending into the system's guides, and aid the flexible
protection member in passing the Hose Stream Test.
[0014] As may be gleaned from the foregoing description and from
the remaining description below, the fire and smoke protection
system is configurable and operable to substantially limit the
spread of fire and smoke through an opening. The system has many
advantages and benefits over other systems that may become apparent
upon reading and understanding the present specification when taken
in conjunction with the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 displays a schematic, front elevational view of a
fire and smoke protection system, in accordance with a first
example embodiment, for substantially sealing an opening in a
building structure and limiting the spread of fire and smoke
through the opening during a fire.
[0016] FIG. 2A displays a schematic, front elevational view of a
flexible protection member of the fire and smoke protection system
of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 2B displays a schematic, bottom plan view of a flexible
protection member of the fire and smoke protection system of FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 2C displays a schematic, partial back elevational view
of a flexible protection member of the fire and smoke protection
system of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 3A displays a schematic, bottom plan view of a flexible
protection member of a fire and smoke protection system in
accordance with a second example embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 3B displays a schematic, partial back elevational view
of a flexible protection member of a fire and smoke protection
system in accordance with a second example embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 4A displays a schematic, bottom plan view of a flexible
protection member of a fire and smoke protection system in
accordance with a third example embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 4B displays a schematic, partial back elevational view
of a flexible protection member of a fire and smoke protection
system in accordance with a third example embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 5A displays a schematic, front elevational view of a
flexible protection member of a fire and smoke protection system in
accordance with a fourth example embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 5B displays a schematic, bottom plan view of a flexible
protection member of a fire and smoke protection system in
accordance with a fourth example embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 5C displays a schematic, partial back elevational view
of a flexible protection member of a fire and smoke protection
system in accordance with a fourth example embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 6A displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of a seam
of a multi-layer flexible protection member of a fire and smoke
protection system, in accordance with a fifth example embodiment,
before exposure to fire.
[0027] FIG. 6B displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of a seam
of a multi-layer flexible protection member of a fire and smoke
protection system, in accordance with a fifth example embodiment,
after exposure to fire.
[0028] FIG. 7A displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of a seam
of a multi-layer flexible protection member of a fire and smoke
protection system, in accordance with a sixth example embodiment,
before exposure to fire.
[0029] FIG. 7B displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of a seam
of a multi-layer flexible protection member of a fire and smoke
protection system, in accordance with a sixth example embodiment,
after exposure to fire.
[0030] FIG. 8 displays a schematic, front elevational view of a
fire and smoke protection system, in accordance with a seventh
example embodiment, for substantially sealing an opening in a
building structure and limiting the spread of fire and smoke
through the opening during a fire.
[0031] FIG. 9 displays a schematic, top plan view of a flexible
protection member of a fire and smoke protection system in
accordance with an eighth example embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 10 displays a schematic, top plan view of a flexible
protection member of a fire and smoke protection system in
accordance with a ninth example embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 11 displays a schematic, top plan view of a flexible
protection member of a fire and smoke protection system in
accordance with an tenth example embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 12 displays a schematic, top plan view of a flexible
protection member of a fire and smoke protection system in
accordance with an eleventh example embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 13 displays a schematic, top plan view of a flexible
protection member of a fire and smoke protection system in
accordance with a twelfth example embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 14 displays a schematic, top plan view of a flexible
protection member of a fire and smoke protection system in
accordance with a thirteenth example embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 15 displays a schematic, front perspective view of a
flexible protection element of a fire and smoke protection system,
in accordance with a fourteenth example embodiment, in an opening
through which the spread of fire and smoke is to be limited.
[0038] FIG. 16 displays a schematic, front perspective view of a
flexible protection element of a fire and smoke protection system,
in accordance with a fifteenth example embodiment, in an opening
through which the spread of fire and smoke is to be limited.
[0039] FIG. 17 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a flexible protection member of a fire and smoke protection
system having elongate clamping members in accordance with a
sixteenth example embodiment.
[0040] FIG. 18 displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of an
elongate clamping member of the flexible protection member of FIG.
17 taken along lines 18-18 and showing portions of the adjacent
elongate segments.
[0041] FIG. 19 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a flexible protection member of a fire and smoke protection
system having elongate clamping members in accordance with a
seventeenth example embodiment.
[0042] FIG. 20 displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of an
elongate clamping member of the flexible protection member of FIG.
19 taken along lines 20-20 and showing portions of the adjacent
elongate segments.
[0043] FIG. 21 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a flexible protection member of a fire and smoke protection
system having elongate clamping members in accordance with an
eighteenth example embodiment.
[0044] FIG. 22 displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of an
elongate clamping member of the flexible protection member of FIG.
21 taken along lines 22-22 and showing portions of the adjacent
elongate segments.
[0045] FIG. 23 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a flexible protection member of a fire and smoke protection
system having elongate clamping members in accordance with a
nineteenth example embodiment.
[0046] FIG. 24 displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of an
elongate clamping member of the flexible protection member of FIG.
23 taken along lines 24-24 and showing portions of the adjacent
elongate segments.
[0047] FIG. 25 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a flexible protection member of a fire and smoke protection
system having elongate clamping members 232 in accordance with a
twentieth example embodiment.
[0048] FIG. 26 displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of an
elongate clamping member of the flexible protection member of FIG.
25 taken along lines 26-26 and showing portions of the adjacent
elongate segments.
[0049] FIG. 27 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a flexible protection member of a fire and smoke protection
system having elongate clamping members in accordance with a
twenty-first example embodiment.
[0050] FIG. 28 displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of an
elongate clamping member of the flexible protection member of FIG.
27 taken along lines 28-28 and showing the elongate clamping member
in a closed configuration.
[0051] FIG. 29 displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of the
elongate clamping member of FIG. 28 in an open configuration.
[0052] FIG. 30 displays a schematic, front elevational view of a
flexible protection member of a fire and smoke protection system in
accordance with a twenty-second example embodiment, having a front
surface imprinted or embossed with a pattern.
[0053] FIG. 31 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a fire and smoke protection system, in accordance with a
twenty-third example embodiment, in which the flexible protection
member is formed from a multi-layer structure including a metal
foil element and multiple wire mesh elements.
[0054] FIG. 32 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a fire and smoke protection system, in accordance with a
twenty-fourth example embodiment, in which the flexible protection
member is formed from a multi-layer structure including multiple
metal foil elements and multiple wire mesh elements.
[0055] FIG. 33 displays a schematic, partial diagram of a device,
in accordance with a twenty-fifth example embodiment, for
manufacturing a multi-layer composite material for use in making a
flexible protection member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0056] Referring now to the drawings in which like elements and
steps have similar numbers throughout the several views, FIG. 1
displays a schematic, front elevational view of a fire and smoke
protection system 100, in accordance with a first example
embodiment, for substantially sealing an opening 102 in a building
structure and limiting the spread of fire and smoke through the
opening 102 during a fire. The fire and smoke protection system 100
(also sometimes referred to herein as the "system 100") is adapted
for secure connection to a wall 104 relative to the opening 102 and
is configurable in a first configuration (also sometimes referred
to herein as a "storage configuration") that permits ingress and
egress through the opening 102 when no fire or smoke exists. The
system 100 is also configurable in a second configuration (also
sometimes referred to herein as a "fully-deployed configuration" or
a "protection configuration") in which the system 100 significantly
limits or prevents the spread of fire and smoke through the opening
102 during a fire.
[0057] The fire and smoke protection system 100 comprises a
flexible protection member 106 and a winding shaft 108 (or reel
108) about and onto which the flexible protection member 106 is
fully-wound (and, hence, fully-retracted) when the system 100 is
configured in the storage configuration so as not to occlude the
opening 102. Conversely, the flexible element 106 is fully-unwound
from the winding shaft 108 when the system 100 is configured in the
fully-deployed configuration so that the flexible protection member
106 fully occludes the opening 102. Thus, the flexible protection
member 106 is selectively configurable to occlude or not occlude
the opening 102. While the flexible protection member 106 may have
multiple layers and multiple types of materials that are configured
and manufactured in different arrangements in the various example
embodiments described herein, the flexible protection member 106
generally includes a sheet-like member that is relatively thin in
thickness as compared the lateral and longitudinal dimensions
thereof. For reference, the term "longitudinal" is used herein to
refer to the direction in which the flexible protection member 106
is deployed or retracted, and frequently has its longest dimension.
The term "lateral" is used herein to refer to the direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and in which the
flexible protection member 106 often has its shortest dimension
other than thickness.
[0058] The fire and smoke protection system 100 may be additionally
configured in a plurality of intermediate configurations as
illustrated in FIG. 1. As seen in the intermediate configuration of
FIG. 1, the flexible protection member 106 is substantially unwound
from the winding shaft 108 and extended to significantly, although
not entirely, occlude the opening 102. In other intermediate
configurations, the flexible protection member 106 is partially
unwound from the winding shaft 108 and occludes the opening 102 to
a lesser or greater extent. It should be understood and appreciated
that although the flexible protection member 106 of the fire and
smoke protection system 100 is oriented to deploy and retract in
the vertical direction according to the first example embodiment
and other example embodiments described herein, the flexible
protection member 106 may be oriented to deploy and retract in the
horizontal direction (or, for that matter, in other directions) in
other example embodiments. For this reason, the terms "horizontal"
and "vertical" are sparingly used herein.
[0059] The system 100 also comprises a winding shaft motor 109
mounted within the winding shaft 108 that is operable to rotate the
winding shaft 108 in order to retract and wind the flexible
protection member 106 onto the winding shaft 108 or to extend and
unwind the flexible protection member 106 from the winding shaft
108. A first guide 110A and an opposed second guide 110B of the
system 100 are secured to the wall 104 at respectively opposed
locations relative to the opening 102 and define recesses therein
for at least partially and respectively receiving opposed first and
second lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible protection member
106. During winding or unwinding of the flexible protection member
106 onto/from the winding shaft 108 as the system 100 is
reconfigured between the storage configuration and fully-deployed
configuration, the first and second lateral edges 112A, 112B of the
flexible protection member 106 ride and move respectively within
and relative to the recesses of the first and second guides 110A,
110B. The guides 110, according to the first example embodiment,
may comprise channel, angle, plate, and/or other similar members
appropriately sized and mounted relative to the wall 104 and
opening 102 for receiving the lateral edges 112 of the flexible
protection member 106. The guides 110 are generally manufactured
from an appropriately selected material capable of withstanding the
high temperatures produced by fires absent yielding, deflection, or
deformation.
[0060] Additionally, the flexible protection member 106 has a first
longitudinal edge 114A (see FIG. 2) and an opposed second
longitudinal edge 114B that extend between the element's first and
second lateral edges 112A, 112B. The first longitudinal edge 114A
is generally secured to the winding shaft 108 to facilitate winding
and unwinding of the flexible protection member 106 to or from the
winding shaft 108. The fire and smoke protection system 100 further
comprises a rail 116 that is mounted to a foot 118 of the flexible
protection member 106. The foot 118 is connected to and extends
along the second longitudinal edge 114B of the flexible protection
member 106 and at least between the lateral edges 112 thereof. When
the system 100 is configured in the storage configuration, the rail
116 resides in a position flush with a first longitudinal edge of
the opening 102 to permit ingress and egress through the opening
102. When the system 100 is configured in the protection
configuration, the rail 116 resides in position in contact with and
substantially parallel to an opposed, second longitudinal edge 120
of the opening 102.
[0061] The flexible protection member 106 comprises a woven fabric
element 122 manufactured from a woven fabric made from a
non-flammable, fire resistant material having appropriate or
desired fire resistance. The woven fabric has high structural
stability and provides stability to the flexible protection member
106. A fire resistant material, acceptable according to the example
embodiments described herein, may be obtained from KTex of
Herzogenrath, Germany. The flexible protection member 106 further
comprises a knitted fabric element 124 that laterally and
longitudinally surrounds the woven fabric element 122 as the
flexible protection member 106 is seen in FIG. 1. In accordance
with the first example embodiment and other example embodiments
described herein, the knitted fabric element 124 is manufactured
from a non-flammable, fire resistant knitted fabric having at least
one thread type comprising glass threads and at least one stainless
steel wire (and/or a wire made from stainless steel). The knitted
fabric has a course density in the range of one (1) to ten (10)
courses per centimeter and/or a density in the range of one (1) to
ten (10) weft threads or warp thread per centimeter.
[0062] Generally, the woven fabric element 122 and knitted fabric
element 124 are each light in weight and contribute to the flexible
protection member 106 also being relatively light in weight. Since
knitted fabric has a relatively low resistance to deformation
(especially when compared to woven fabric), the knitted fabric
element 124 yields in response to external forces being applied to
the flexible protection member 106. Thus, advantageously, the
flexible protection members 106 of the first and other example
embodiments herein including knitted fabric element(s) 124 also
have improved tolerance to external forces that may be applied to
the flexible protection members 106 during a fire such as, for
example, the force exerted by a jet or stream of water from a fire
hose. Additionally, when a flexible protection member 106 includes
a woven fabric element 122 and a knitted fabric element 124, the
flexible protection member 106 may be manufactured using known
manufacturing processes. For example, known knitting machines may
be used in the manufacture of the flexible protection member 106
including, for example and not limitation, circular or flat
knitting machines. Acceptable knitting machines for the manufacture
of the flexible protection member 106 according to the first and
other example embodiments include known knitting machines made by
the H. Stoll GmbH & Co. KG of Reutlingen, Germany and Mayer
& Cie. GmbH & Co. KG of Tailfingen, Germany.
[0063] As used herein, the term "fire resistant material" refers to
a material used to construct a component or object comprising a
woven, non-woven or knitted fabric that is either non-flammable or
has substantial resistance to burning. Fire resistant materials may
include glass fibers, metal fibers, and/or wires. Typically, the
woven and knitted fabrics of the example embodiments are selected
to prevent a fire from spreading or delay the flow of smoke through
an opening 102 for a desired, pre-determined amount of time such
as, for example thirty (30), ninety (90) or one hundred and twenty
(120) minutes and may, or may not, be selected in accordance with
various fire codes issued by governmental agencies or standards
bodies.
[0064] The term "knitted fabric" is used herein to refer a flat,
material object made from a plurality of threads or thread systems
that are connected with themselves or each other by stitches. A
single type of thread or different types of threads may be used in
the object. And, the object may be warp-knitted (warp knit) or
weft-knitted (weft knit) with the weft-knitted object being more
favored due to its ease of manufacture. If the object is woven, the
object may comprise a weft-knitted fabric having only one thread
that is simultaneously stitched by multiple needles. However, the
object may also comprise a fabric made from several threads that
are intertwined with each other.
[0065] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C respectively display schematic, front
elevational, bottom plan, and partial back elevational views of the
system's flexible protection member 106 in accordance with the
first example embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2A and as
described above with reference to FIG. 1, the flexible protection
member 106 comprises a woven fabric element 122 and a knitted
fabric element 124, and has a generally rectangular shape with an
overall width, "A", and an overall height, "B". The woven fabric
element 122 also has a generally rectangular shape with a width,
"C", (see FIG. 2B) and height, "D", that are respectively smaller
than the overall width, A, and overall height, B, of the flexible
protection member 106 such that the knitted fabric element 124
appears to "frame" the woven fabric element 122 when viewed in FIG.
2A. In actuality, the knitted fabric element 124 comprises four
portions 126A, 126B, 126C and 126D, each having a substantially
rectangular shape as seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B and each having a
dimension, "E", that is less than the width and height of the woven
fabric element 122. Each knitted fabric element portion 126A, 126B,
126C, 126D is arranged relative to the woven fabric element 122 so
that it overlaps part of the woven fabric element 122 as
illustrated in FIG. 2B. It should be understood and appreciated
that while each portion 126A, 126B, 126C and 126D of the knitted
fabric element 124 has an equal dimension, E, according to the
first example embodiment, each portion 126A, 126B, 126C and 124D of
the knitted fabric element 124 may have a dimension, E, in other
example embodiments that is the same as or different from one or
more of the other portions 126A, 126B, 126C and 126D of the knitted
fabric element 124.
[0066] Each portion 126A, 126B, 126C and 126D of the knitted fabric
element 124 is generally secured to the woven fabric element 122 in
a similar manner via a seam 128 formed therebetween in the
respective regions where each portion 126A, 126B, 126C and 126D of
the knitted fabric element 124 respectively overlaps the woven
fabric element 122. Seams 128A and 128B are illustrated in FIGS. 2B
and 2C, and secure portions 126A and 126B of the knitted fabric
element 124 to the woven fabric element 122. Seams 128C and 128D
similarly secure portions 126C and 126D of the knitted fabric
element 124 to the woven fabric element 122, but are not visible in
FIGS. 2B and 2C and, hence, are not described herein.
[0067] According to the first example embodiment, each seam 128 is
formed at least in part by a first row of stitches 130 and a second
row of stitches 132 using thread 134 to couple a respective portion
126A, 126B, 126C and 126D of the knitted fabric element 124 to the
woven fabric element 122 (see FIGS. 2B and 2C). The first row of
stitches 130 of each seam 128 is substantially parallel to the
second row of stitches 132 of the same seam 128. Each row of
stitches 130, 132 includes a plurality of individual stitches 136
(illustrated as squares in FIG. 2C) arranged in a stitching pattern
138 in which the stitches 136 are positioned relatively close
together in groups of stitches 140 separated or offset from
preceding and succeeding groups of stitches 140 by gaps 142 and
thread 134 extending across the gaps 142. Additionally, the first
and second rows of stitches 130, 132 are arranged in a stitching
arrangement 144 in which the first row of stitches 130 is offset
relative to the second row of stitches 132 such that groups of
stitches 140 of the first row of stitches 130 reside substantially
adjacent to gaps 142 in the second row of stitches 132 and groups
of stitches 140 of the second row of stitches 132 reside
substantially adjacent to gaps 142 in the first row of stitches
130. By configuring the rows of stitches 130, 132 according to
stitching arrangement 144, each seam 128 is able to expand so that
an unequal stretch between the knitted fabric element 124 and woven
fabric element 122 does not lead to an excessively great strain on
the fire resistant material in the area around the stitches 136. In
other example embodiments and to provide additional coupling
strength, the knitted fabric element 124 and the woven fabric
element 122 may be held together not only by seams 128, but also by
an adhesive film arranged between the knitted fabric element 124
and the woven fabric element 122.
[0068] The thread 134 used to couple the knitted fabric element 124
to the woven fabric element 122 comprises, in accordance with the
first example embodiment, a fire resistant thread 134, thereby
making each seam 128 more fire resistant and increasing the
likelihood of the knitted fabric element 124 remaining coupled to
the woven fabric element 122 when exposed to fire. The fire
resistant thread 134 generally includes multiple metal threads or
at least one metal wire including, for example and not limitation,
a wire made from steel or, more preferably, from stainless steel.
By using such wires, the thread 134 has high resistance to fire,
but yet is sufficiently flexible to enable the flexible protection
member 106 to be wound around and unwound from winding shaft 108.
As an alternative, the thread 134 may comprise cotton, glass, or
aramid fibers, and/or a combination thereof.
[0069] FIGS. 3A and 3B respectively display bottom plan and partial
back elevational schematic views of a flexible protection member
106 in accordance with a second example embodiment. The flexible
protection member 106 of the second example embodiment comprises a
first woven fabric element 122A coupled to a first knitted fabric
element 124A via seams 128A formed in substantially the same manner
as in the first example embodiment. However, the flexible
protection member 106 also comprises a second woven fabric element
122B coupled to a second knitted fabric element 124B via seams 128B
also formed in substantially the same manner as in the first
example embodiment. Additionally, the flexible protection member
106 comprises an intumescent material member 146 positioned between
the first and second woven fabric elements 122A, 122B. Together,
the first and second woven fabric elements 122A, 122B, the first
and second knitted fabric elements 124A, 124B, and the intumescent
material member 146 form a sandwich structure or arrangement.
[0070] As used herein, the term "intumescent" refers to a material
having a heat consuming, or endothermic, physical reaction or an
endothermal chemical reaction when exposed to heat. An intumescent
material, acceptable for use in the intumescent material member 146
in accordance with the second and other example embodiments herein,
includes expandable graphite. In other example embodiments, the
intumescent material member 146 comprises a base layer of the
flexible protection member 106 and is manufactured from a fire
resistant material into the loops of which an intumescent material
is incorporated. The fire resistant material may be manufactured
from woven or knitted fabric, but it is advantageous if the fire
resistant material comprises a knitted fabric as the knitted fabric
yields if the intumescent material expands. Also, if the loops of
the fire resistant material are made with both fire resistant
threads and non-fire resistant threads, the loops made with
non-fire resistant thread come undone upon exposure to fire,
thereby causing the knitted fabric to have a larger surface area
and giving the intumescent material more space to expand.
Alternatively, in other example embodiments, the flexible
protection member 106 includes a fire resistant material that is
coated with an intumescent material. In still other embodiments,
the flexible protection member 106 may incorporate an intumescent
material in a variety of other arrangements and manners, including
those described in International Patent Application No.
PCT/DE2008/000999 entitled "Fire-Resistant Closure" and filed on
Jun. 19, 2008 (published as International Patent Application
Publication No. WO 2008/154906 A1 on Dec. 24, 2008), the teachings
of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by this
reference.
[0071] FIGS. 4A and 4B respectively display bottom plan and partial
back elevational schematic views of a flexible protection member
106 in accordance with a third example embodiment. The flexible
protection member 106 of the third example embodiment is
substantially similar to the flexible protection member 106 of the
second example embodiment described above. However, in the flexible
protection member 106 of the third example embodiment, the first
woven fabric element 122A is coupled to a first knitted fabric
element 124A via seams 128A and the second woven fabric element
122B is coupled to a second knitted fabric element 124B via seams
128B, where seams 128A, 128B are formed in different manner than
the seams 128 of the first and second example embodiments. More
particularly, each row of stitches 130, 132 includes a plurality of
individual stitches 136 (illustrated as squares in FIG. 4C)
arranged in a stitching pattern 138 in which the stitches 136 are
not positioned together in groups of stitches 140 as in the first
and second example embodiments. Instead, the stitches 136 of each
row of stitches 130, 132 are arranged in a stitching pattern 138 in
which each stitch 136 is separated, or offset, from preceding and
succeeding stitches 136 by a gap 142 and thread 134 extending
across each gap 142. In addition, the first and second rows of
stitches 130, 132 are arranged in a stitching arrangement 144 in
which the first row of stitches 130 is offset relative to the
second row of stitches 132 such that stitches 136 of the first row
of stitches 130 reside substantially adjacent to gaps 142 in the
second row of stitches 132 and stitches 136 of the second row of
stitches 132 reside substantially adjacent to gaps 142 in the first
row of stitches 130. Advantageously, the use of stitching pattern
138 and stitching arrangement 144 to form seams 128 is not damaging
to the fire resistant material of the woven fabric element 122 and
knitted fabric element 124. Further, the use of stitching pattern
138 and stitching arrangement 144 also renders the seams 128 more
flexible when stretched along their length than if other stitching
patterns or stitching arrangements were used. Due to such increased
flexibility, the seams 128 tend to minimize the force transmitted
to the fire resistant fabrics when a force is exerted on the
flexible protection member 106.
[0072] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C respectively display front elevational,
bottom plan, and partial back elevational schematic views of the
system's flexible protection member 106 in accordance with a fourth
example embodiment. The flexible protection member 106 of the
fourth example embodiment is substantially similar to the flexible
protection member 106 of the first example embodiment described
above with the exception that the woven fabric element 122 is
coupled near its lateral edges to a first knitted fabric element
124A and a second knitted fabric element 124B via seams 128. Also,
the seams 128 are formed in a different manner than the seams 128
of the first example embodiment. More specifically, each seam 128
is formed by a first row of stitches 130 including a plurality of
individual stitches 136 (illustrated as squares in FIG. 5C)
arranged in a stitching pattern 138 comprising a zigzag pattern in
which each stitch 136 is laterally and longitudinally separated, or
offset, from preceding and succeeding stitches 136 by a gap 142 and
thread 134 extending across each gap 142. Each seam 128 may also be
formed by a second row of stitches 132 arranged in a stitching
pattern (not shown in FIG. 5C) comprising a zigzag pattern similar
to the first row of stitches 130 or a stitching pattern similar to
those stitching patterns of the first and third example
embodiments. Advantageously, stitches 136 arranged in a zigzag
pattern 138 produce a relatively flexible seam 128. Because the
knitted fabric elements 124A, 124B stretch easily, the presence of
flexible seams 128 tends to prevent the woven fabric element 122
from becoming uncoupled and separated from the knitted fabric
elements 124A, 124B.
[0073] The flexible protection members 106 of the second, third and
fourth example embodiments described above highlight the benefits
obtained through the use of seams 128 having particular stitching
patterns 138 and stitching arrangements 144 in minimizing the
adverse effects of forces applied to the flexible protection
members 106. Similarly, the flexible protection members 106 of the
fifth and sixth example embodiments described below with respect to
FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B highlight similar benefits obtained through
the use of seams 128 formed between woven fabric elements 122 and
knitted fabric elements 124 with fire resistant 134 and non-fire
resistant thread 154.
[0074] FIG. 6A displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of a seam
128 of a multi-layer flexible protection member 106 having a single
knitted fabric element 124, in accordance with a fifth example
embodiment, prior to exposure to fire. As seen in FIG. 6A, the
flexible protection member 106 comprises a first woven fabric
element 122A, a second woven fabric element 122B, and a knitted
fabric element 124 that are substantially similar to those of the
second and third embodiments. In the fifth example embodiment, the
first woven fabric element 122A, second woven fabric element 122B,
and knitted fabric element 124 form a multi-layer structure. As
seen in FIG. 6A, a portion of the second woven fabric element 122B
is positioned immediately adjacent to and between a portion of the
first woven fabric element 122A and the knitted fabric element 124.
The first woven fabric element 122A overlaps the second woven
fabric element 122B to form two or more layers in an overlap zone
148. Outside of the overlap zone 148, the woven fabric elements
122A, 122B form only a single layer.
[0075] The seam 128 is formed between the woven fabric elements
122A, 122B and the knitted fabric element 124 by a first row of
stitches 130 between woven fabric element 122A and the knitted
fabric element 124 and by a second row of stitches 132 between
woven fabric element 122B and the knitted fabric element 124. The
first and second rows of stitches 130, 132 are made using fire
resistant thread 134. The seam 128 is also formed between the woven
fabric elements 122A, 122B and the knitted fabric element 124 third
and fourth rows of stitches 150, 152 that extend between and
through woven fabric elements 122A, 122B and the knitted fabric
element 124. The third and fourth rows of stitches 150, 152 are
made using non-fire resistant thread 154.
[0076] During exposure of the multi-layer structure and seam 128 to
fire, the third and fourth rows of stitches 150, 152 are undone or
destroyed, and the knitted fabric element 124 expands and
stretches. With the third and fourth rows of stitches 150, 152
undone or destroyed as seen in FIG. 6B after exposure to fire, the
woven fabric elements 122A, 122B are connected to the knitted
fabric element 124 only by the first and second rows of stitches
130, 132 and the overlap zone 148 has substantially come undone
with minimal overlap remaining and a sizable gap 156 being created
between the first woven fabric element 122A and the knitted fabric
element 124. However, by virtue of the third and fourth rows of
stitches 150, 152 coming undone without the first and second rows
of stitches 130, 132 coming undone, the knitted fabric element 124
is permitted to stretch and absorb the forces acting on the
flexible protection member 106 during a fire. As a consequence, any
distortion is focused in the knitted fabric element 124 and not in
the woven fabric elements 122A, 122B. By together enabling the
absorption of the forces, the undoing of the third and fourth rows
of stitches 150, 152 and the elasticity of the knitted fabric
element 124 aid the flexible protection member 106 in avoiding the
adverse effects of an external force.
[0077] FIG. 7A displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of a seam
128 of a multi-layer flexible protection member 106, in accordance
with a sixth example embodiment, prior to exposure to fire. The
flexible protection member 106 comprises a first woven fabric
element 122A, a second woven fabric element 122B, a first knitted
fabric element 124A, and a second knitted fabric element 124B that
are substantially similar to those of the second and third
embodiments. In the sixth example embodiment, the first and second
woven fabric elements 122A, 122B, and first and second knitted
fabric elements 124B form a multi-layer structure. As seen in FIG.
7A, the first and second woven fabric elements 122A, 122B are
positioned immediately adjacent one another such that a portion of
the first woven fabric element 122A overlaps a portion of the
second woven fabric element 122B to define an overlap zone 148. The
first knitted fabric element is located immediately adjacent a
portion of the first woven fabric element 122A and the second
knitted fabric element is located immediately adjacent a portion of
the second woven fabric element 122A.
[0078] The seam 128 is formed between the woven fabric elements
122A, 122B and the knitted fabric elements 124A, 124B by a first
row of stitches 130 extending between knitted fabric element 124A,
woven fabric element 122A, and knitted fabric element 124B and by a
second row of stitches 132 extending between knitted fabric element
124A, woven fabric element 122B, and knitted fabric element 124B.
The first and second rows of stitches 130, 132 are made using fire
resistant thread 134. The seam 128 is also formed between the woven
fabric elements 122A, 122B and the knitted fabric elements 124A,
124B by third and fourth rows of stitches 150, 152 that extend
between and through woven fabric elements 122A, 122B and knitted
fabric elements 124A, 124B. The third and fourth rows of stitches
150, 152 are made using non-fire resistant thread 154.
[0079] Similar to seam 128 of the fifth example embodiment, the
third and fourth rows of stitches 150, 152 of seam 128 of the sixth
example embodiment are undone or destroyed during exposure of the
multi-layer structure and seam 128 to fire. As seen in FIG. 7B and
with the third and fourth rows of stitches 150, 152 undone or
destroyed, the knitted fabric elements 124A, 124B expand and
stretch, and the overlap zone 148 is substantially reduced in size.
Also, the first woven fabric element 122A remains connected to
knitted fabric elements 124A, 124B only by the first row of
stitches 130, and the second woven fabric element 122B remains
connected to knitted fabric elements 124A, 124B only by the second
row of stitches 132. Advantageously, while the overlap zone 148 has
been significantly reduced in size due to the effects of fire, the
overlap zone 148 remains covered on both sides by the knitted
fabric elements 124A, 124B and the knitted fabric elements 124A,
124B have been permitted to absorb harmful forces acting on the
flexible protection member 106.
[0080] FIG. 8 displays a fire and smoke protection system 100, in
accordance with a seventh example embodiment, for substantially
sealing an opening 102 in a building structure and limiting the
spread of fire and smoke through the opening 102 during a fire. The
system 100 is substantially similar to the system 100 of the first
embodiment, except that the flexible protection member 106 is
configured differently. According to the seventh example embodiment
and as seen in the intermediate configuration of FIG. 8, the
flexible protection member 106 has a first lateral edge 112A and an
opposed second lateral edge 112B. Additionally, the flexible
protection member 106 has a first longitudinal edge 114A and an
opposed second longitudinal edge 114B that extend between the
element's first and second lateral edges 112A, 112B. The first
longitudinal edge 114A is generally secured to the winding shaft
108 to facilitate winding and unwinding of the flexible protection
member 106 to or from the winding shaft 108. The second
longitudinal edge 114B is connected to a foot 118 of the flexible
protection member 106 that contacts an edge of the opening 102 when
the system 100 is configured in the fully-deployed
configuration.
[0081] As seen in FIG. 8, the flexible protection member 106
comprises multiple elongate woven fabric elements 122 and multiple
elongate knitted fabric elements 124 that each extend between the
longitudinal edges 114A, 114B of the flexible protection member
106. However, each of the multiple elongate woven fabric elements
122 and multiple elongate knitted fabric elements 124 extend only
partially between the lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible
protection member 106 such that the multiple elongate woven fabric
elements 122 and multiple elongate knitted fabric elements 124 are
arranged adjacent to one another in the form of fabric strips. In
such arrangement, the elongate woven fabric elements 122 and
elongate knitted fabric elements 124 are configured alternately in
the lateral direction between the lateral edges 112A, 112B of the
flexible protection member 106. Thus, a first elongate knitted
fabric element 124A is positioned at and aligned along the first
lateral edge 112A of the flexible protection member 106. A first
elongate woven fabric element 122A extends adjacent to the first
elongate knitted fabric element 124A nearest lateral edge 112B and
is coupled to the first elongate knitted fabric element 124A by a
first seam 128A. A second elongate knitted fabric element 124B
extends adjacent to the first elongate woven fabric element 122A
nearest lateral edge 112B and is coupled to the first elongate
woven fabric element 122A by a second seam 128B. A second elongate
woven fabric element 122B extends adjacent to the second elongate
knitted fabric element 124B nearest lateral edge 112B and is
coupled to the first elongate knitted fabric element 124B by a
third seam 128C. A third elongate knitted fabric element 124C
extends adjacent to the second elongate woven fabric element 122B
positioned at and aligned with the second lateral edge 112B of the
flexible protection member 106 and is coupled to the second
elongate woven fabric element 122B by a fourth seam 128D.
[0082] Seams 128A, 128B, 128C and 128D are formed substantially
similar to seams 128 of the first example embodiment described
above using fire resistant thread. It should be understood and
appreciated, however, that seams 128A, 128B, 128C and 128D may
alternatively use one or more rows of stitches, one or more
stitching patterns, and one or more stitching arrangements as
described or not described in the other example embodiments. It
should also be understood and appreciated that the woven fabric
elements 122 and knitted fabric elements 124 may be present in
different numbers, different sizes and be arranged in different
arrangements in other example embodiments.
[0083] FIG. 9 displays a schematic, top plan view of a flexible
protection member 106 in accordance with an eighth example
embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the flexible protection
member 106 has a first lateral edge 112A, an opposed second lateral
edge 112B, and a general shape substantially similar to the
flexible protection members 106 of the other example embodiments
described herein. The flexible protection member 106 of the eighth
example embodiment comprises a woven fabric layer 158 and a knitted
fabric layer 160. The woven fabric layer 158 includes a woven
fabric element 122 that extends entirely between the first and
second lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible protection member
106. The knitted fabric layer 160 includes a knitted fabric element
124 that also extends entirely between the first and second lateral
edges 112A, 112B of the flexible protection member 106. Thus, the
woven fabric element 122 and knitted fabric element 124 extend
entirely adjacent and substantially parallel to one another. The
woven fabric element 122 and knitted fabric element 124 are coupled
together by seams 128A, 128B that are formed substantially similar
to the seams 128 of the first example embodiment described above
using fire resistant thread 134. It should be understood and
appreciated, however, that seams 128A, 128B may alternatively use
one or more rows of stitches, one or more stitching patterns, and
one or more stitching arrangements as described or not described in
the other example embodiments. It should also be understood and
appreciated that in other example embodiments, the flexible
protection member 106 may comprise additional woven fabric
elements, knitted fabric elements, and/or layers of woven fabric,
knitted fabric, intumescent, or other materials in the same or
different sizes, shapes and arrangements.
[0084] FIG. 10 displays a schematic, top plan view of a flexible
protection member 106 in accordance with a ninth example
embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the flexible protection
member 106 has a first lateral edge 112A, an opposed second lateral
edge 112B, and a general shape substantially similar to the
flexible protection members 106 of the other example embodiments
described herein. The flexible protection member 106 of the ninth
example embodiment comprises a woven fabric layer 158. The woven
fabric layer 158 includes a woven fabric element 122 that extends
entirely between the first and second lateral edges 112A, 112B of
the flexible protection member 106. The flexible protection member
106 also comprises a knitted fabric element 124 that, unlike the
woven fabric element 122, does not extend entirely between the
first and second lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible
protection member 106. Instead, the knitted fabric element 124
includes a first portion 126A and an opposed second portion 126B,
each having a substantially rectangular shape when seen in top plan
view. The first portion 126A of the knitted fabric element 124 is
positioned adjacent to and aligned with the first lateral edge 112A
of the flexible protection member 106. The second portion 126B of
the knitted fabric element 124 is positioned adjacent to and
aligned with the second lateral edge 112B of the flexible
protection member 106. Each of the first and second portions 126A,
126B extends adjacent to the woven fabric element 122 and is
generally secured to the woven fabric element 122 via seams 128A,
128B formed with the woven fabric element 122. Seams 128 are formed
substantially similar to seams 128 of the first example embodiment
described above using fire resistant thread 134. It should be
understood and appreciated, however, that seams 128A, 128B may
alternatively use one or more rows of stitches, one or more
stitching patterns, and one or more stitching arrangements as
described or not described in the other example embodiments. It
should also be understood and appreciated that in other example
embodiments, the flexible protection member 106 may comprise
additional woven fabric elements, knitted fabric elements, and/or
layers of woven fabric, knitted fabric, intumescent, or other
materials in the same or different sizes, shapes and
arrangements.
[0085] FIG. 11 displays a schematic, top plan view of a flexible
protection member 106 in accordance with a tenth example
embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the flexible protection
member 106 has a first lateral edge 112A, an opposed second lateral
edge 112B, and a general shape substantially similar to the
flexible protection members 106 of the other example embodiments
described herein. The flexible protection member 106 of the tenth
example embodiment comprises a knitted fabric layer 160. The
knitted fabric layer 160 includes a knitted fabric element 124 that
extends entirely between the first and second lateral edges 112A,
112B of the flexible protection member 106. The flexible protection
member 106 also comprises a woven fabric element 122 that, unlike
the knitted fabric element 124, does not extend entirely between
the first and second lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible
protection member 106. Instead, the woven fabric element 122
includes a first portion 162A and an opposed second portion 162B,
each having a substantially rectangular shape when seen in top plan
view. The first portion 162A of the woven fabric element 122 is
positioned adjacent to and aligned with the first lateral edge 112A
of the flexible protection member 106. The second portion 162B of
the woven fabric element 122 is positioned adjacent to and aligned
with the second lateral edge 112B of the flexible protection member
106.
[0086] Each of the first and second portions 162A, 162B of the
woven fabric element 122 extends adjacent to the knitted fabric
element 124 and is generally secured to the knitted fabric element
124 via seams 128A, 128B formed with the knitted fabric element
124. Seams 128 are formed substantially similar to seams 128 of the
first example embodiment described above using fire resistant
thread 134. It should be understood and appreciated, however, that
seams 128A, 128B may alternatively use one or more rows of
stitches, one or more stitching patterns, and one or more stitching
arrangements as described or not described in the other example
embodiments. It should also be understood and appreciated that in
other example embodiments, the flexible protection member 106 may
comprise additional woven fabric elements, knitted fabric elements,
and/or layers of woven fabric, knitted fabric, intumescent, or
other materials in the same or different sizes, shapes and
arrangements.
[0087] FIG. 12 displays a schematic, top plan view of a flexible
protection member 106 in accordance with an eleventh example
embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the flexible protection
member 106 has a first lateral edge 112A, an opposed second lateral
edge 112B, and a general shape substantially similar to the
flexible protection members 106 of the other example embodiments
described herein. The flexible protection member 106 of the
eleventh example embodiment comprises a first woven fabric layer
158A and a second woven fabric layer 158B. The first woven fabric
layer 158A includes a woven fabric element 122A that extends
entirely between the first and second lateral edges 112A, 112B of
the flexible protection member 106. The second woven fabric layer
158B includes a woven fabric element 122B that also extends
entirely between the first and second lateral edges 112A, 112B of
the flexible protection member 106. Thus, the first woven fabric
element 122A and the second woven fabric element 122B extend
substantially parallel to one another.
[0088] The flexible protection member 106 further comprises a metal
foil element 164 that extends between the first and second lateral
edges 112A, 112B of the flexible protection member 106. The metal
foil element 164 is positioned between the first and second woven
fabric elements 122A, 122B and is adjacent and substantially
parallel thereto forming a multi-layer, sandwich structure. As used
herein, the term "metal foil" refers generally to a foil made from
steel, titanium, or copper (since copper does not rust), but may
include other metal materials or alloys in various example
embodiments. However, according to this and other example
embodiments described herein, the metal foil element 164 is
manufactured from high grade, stainless steel such as, for example
and not limitation, V4A steel (also known as 1.4404 steel) or a
stainless steel having eighteen percent (18%) chrome and ten
percent (10%) nickel that demonstrates low strain hardening, as the
flexible protection member 106 may be rolled and unrolled many
times to test operation of the fire and smoke protection system
100. Alternatively, the metal foil element 164 may be manufactured
from a steel whose yield strength increases with heating (such as,
for example, a dual phase steel) in order to provide the flexible
protection member 106 with increased strength during and after a
fire. Generally, the metal foil has a thickness between twenty
micrometers (20 .mu.m) and two hundred micrometers (200 .mu.m) when
the metal foil is not used alone in a flexible protection member
106. When the metal foil is used alone, the metal foil typically
has a thickness of more than one hundred micrometers (100
.mu.m).
[0089] The woven fabric elements 122A, 122B and the metal foil
element 164 are coupled together by seams (not shown) that are
formed substantially similar to the seams 128 of the first example
embodiment described above using fire resistant thread 134. It
should be understood and appreciated, however, that seams 128A,
128B may alternatively use one or more rows of stitches, one or
more stitching patterns, and one or more stitching arrangements as
described or not described in the other example embodiments. It
should also be understood and appreciated that in other example
embodiments, the flexible protection member 106 may comprise
additional woven fabric elements, knitted fabric elements,
intumescent elements, metal foil elements, and/or layers of woven
fabric, knitted fabric, intumescent, metal foil, or other materials
in the same or different sizes, shapes and arrangements.
[0090] It should be understood and appreciated that the metal foil
element 164 of this example embodiment (and, for that matter, the
other example embodiments described herein) is self-supporting,
meaning that it is sufficiently strong and stable enough to carry
its own weight absent support from other elements or components. By
virtue of the metal foil elements 164 being self-supporting, the
flexible protection members 106 described herein having metal foil
elements 164 as a single or central element of a multi-layer
structure are possible, but would not be possible if the metal foil
elements 164 comprised metal foil merely mounted on a fire
resistant material.
[0091] FIG. 13 displays a schematic, top plan view of a flexible
protection member 106 in accordance with a twelfth example
embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the flexible protection
member 106 has a first lateral edge 112A, an opposed second lateral
edge 112B, and a general shape substantially similar to the
flexible protection members 106 of the other example embodiments
described herein. The flexible protection member 106 of the twelfth
example embodiment comprises a first woven fabric layer 158A and a
second woven fabric layer 158B. The first woven fabric layer 158A
includes a woven fabric element 122A that extends partially between
the first and second lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible
protection member 106. The second woven fabric layer 158B includes
a woven fabric element 122B that also extends partially between the
first and second lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible
protection member 106. Thus, the first woven fabric element 122A
and the second woven fabric element 122B extend substantially
parallel to one another.
[0092] The flexible protection member 106 further comprises a metal
foil element 164 that extends partially between the first and
second lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible protection member
106 to the same extent as the woven fabric elements 122. The metal
foil element 164 is positioned between the first and second woven
fabric elements 122A, 122B and is adjacent and substantially
parallel thereto forming a multi-layer, sandwich structure.
According to the twelfth example embodiment, the metal foil element
164 is manufactured from high grade steel such as, for example and
not limitation, V4A steel (also known as 1.440 steel). It should be
understood and appreciated that the metal foil element 164 may be
manufactured from other types of steels or metals in other example
embodiments.
[0093] Additionally, the flexible protection member 106 comprises
first and second knitted fabric elements 124A, 124B that are
positioned partially adjacent to the first woven fabric element
122A and second woven fabric element 122B, respectively. The first
knitted fabric element 124A includes first and second portions
126A1, 126A2 that each extend only partially between the first and
second lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible protection member
106. The first portion 126A1 of the first knitted fabric element
124A overlaps a first end of the woven fabric elements 122A, 122B
and metal foil element 164 and extends to the first lateral edge
112A of the flexible protection member 106. The second portion
126A2 of the first knitted fabric element 124A overlaps a second
end of the woven fabric elements 122A, 122B and metal foil element
164 and extends to the second lateral edge 112B of the flexible
protection member 106. Similarly, the second knitted fabric element
124B includes first and second portions 126B1, 126B2 that each
extend only partially between the first and second lateral edges
112A, 112B of the flexible protection member 106. The first portion
126B1 of the second knitted fabric element 124B overlaps a first
end of the woven fabric elements 122A, 122B and metal foil element
164 and extends to the first lateral edge 112A of the flexible
protection member 106. The second portion 126B2 of the second
knitted fabric element 124B overlaps a second end of the woven
fabric elements 122A, 122B and metal foil element 164 and extends
to the second lateral edge 112B of the flexible protection member
106. The first and second knitted fabric elements 124 are connected
to leads near lateral edges 112A, 112B.
[0094] The woven fabric elements 122, knitted fabric elements 124,
and metal foil element 164 are coupled together by a plurality of
seams 128. More specifically, the first portion 126A1 of the first
knitted fabric element 124A, woven fabric elements 122A, 122B,
metal foil element 164, and the first portion 126B1 of the second
knitted fabric element 124B are coupled together by seam 128A1.
Similarly, the second portion 126A2 of the first knitted fabric
element 124A, woven fabric elements 122A, 122B, metal foil element
164, and the second portion 126B2 of the second knitted fabric
element 124B are coupled together by seam 128A2. The first portion
126A1 of the first knitted fabric element 124A and the first
portion 126B1 of the second knitted fabric element 124B are coupled
together by seam 128B 1. Similarly, the second portion 126A2 of the
first knitted fabric element 124A and the second portion 126B2 of
the second knitted fabric element 124B are coupled together by seam
128B2. The seams 128 are formed in a manner that is substantially
similar to the seams 128 of the first example embodiment described
above using fire resistant thread 134. It should be understood and
appreciated, however, that seams 128 may alternatively use one or
more rows of stitches, one or more stitching patterns, and one or
more stitching arrangements as described or not described in the
other example embodiments. It should also be understood and
appreciated that in other example embodiments, the flexible
protection member 106 may comprise additional woven fabric
elements, knitted fabric elements, intumescent elements, metal foil
elements, and/or layers of woven fabric, knitted fabric,
intumescent, metal foil, or other materials in the same or
different sizes, shapes and arrangements.
[0095] In use, when an external force, "F", is exerted on or acts
upon the first woven fabric element 122A in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first woven fabric
element 122A, the woven fabric elements 122 and metal foil element
164 tend to sag. Concurrently, the knitted fabric elements 124 tend
to stretch as a stretchable element 166. Because the elasticity of
the stretchable element 166 is at least five times larger than the
elasticity of the metal foil element 164, the distortion due to the
force, F, is primarily in the stretchable element 166 when the
force, F, is acting. As used herein, the term "elasticity" refers
to the relative elongation in the direction of an applied force
divided by the applied force and normalized to the width of each
relative element. Essentially, "elasticity" refers to the Hooke's
field, i.e. the interval in which Hooke's approximation applies. If
a Hooke's interval does not exist, the elasticity refers to the
interval between zero (0) and one percent (1%) relative expansion.
In this and other example embodiments herein, it is advantageous if
the stretchable element 166 comprises a knitted fabric.
[0096] FIG. 14 displays a schematic, top plan view of a flexible
protection member 106 in accordance with a thirteenth example
embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the flexible protection
member 106 has a first lateral edge 112A, an opposed second lateral
edge 112B, and a general shape substantially similar to the
flexible protection members 106 of the other example embodiments
described herein. The flexible protection member 106 of the
thirteenth example embodiment comprises a first knitted fabric
layer 160A and a second knitted fabric layer 160B. The first
knitted fabric layer 160A includes a knitted fabric element 124A
that extends entirely between the first and second lateral edges
112A, 112B of the flexible protection member 106. The second
knitted fabric layer 160B includes a knitted fabric element 124B
that also extends entirely between the first and second lateral
edges 112A, 112B of the flexible protection member 106. Thus, the
first knitted fabric element 124A and the second knitted fabric
element 124B extend substantially parallel to one another.
[0097] The flexible protection member 106 further comprises a metal
foil element 164 that extends only partially between the first and
second lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible protection member
106. The metal foil element 164 is positioned between the first and
second knitted fabric elements 124A, 124B and is adjacent and
substantially parallel thereto forming a multi-layer, sandwich
structure. According to the thirteenth example embodiment, the
metal foil element 164 is manufactured from high grade steel such
as, for example and not limitation, V4A steel (also known as 1.440
steel). It should be understood and appreciated that the metal foil
element 164 may be manufactured from other types of steels or
metals in other example embodiments.
[0098] The knitted fabric elements 124A, 122B are coupled together
by seams 128A, 128B formed with rows of stitches 130A, 130B using
fire resistant thread 134 that are similar to the rows of stitches
130 used in seams 128 of the first example embodiment described
above. It should be understood and appreciated, however, that seams
128A, 128B may alternatively use more rows of stitches, one or more
stitching patterns, and one or more stitching arrangements as
described or not described in the other example embodiments. It
should also be understood and appreciated that in other example
embodiments, the flexible protection member 106 may comprise
additional knitted fabric elements and/or metal foil elements,
woven fabric elements, intumescent elements, and/or layers of woven
fabric, knitted fabric, intumescent, metal foil, or other materials
in the same or different sizes, shapes and arrangements.
[0099] When an external force, "F", is exerted on or acts upon the
knitted fabric element 124A in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the plane of the first knitted fabric element
124A, the knitted fabric elements 124 tend to stretch as a
stretchable element 166 in the regions where the metal foil element
164 does not extend and is not present. Because the elasticity of
the stretchable element 166 is considerably larger than the
elasticity of the metal foil element 164, the distortion due to the
force, F, is primarily in the stretchable element 166 when the
force, F, is acting.
[0100] FIG. 15 displays a schematic, front perspective view of a
flexible protection element 108 of a fire and smoke protection
system 100, in accordance with a fourteenth example embodiment, in
an opening 102 through which the spread of fire and smoke is to be
limited. The opening 102 is, for ease and purposes of illustration,
defined by a frame 200. Other elements of the fire and smoke
protection system 100 have been omitted from the view for clarity.
The frame 200, as seen in FIG. 15 and for reference, includes a
pair of opposed side panels 202A, 202B that extend longitudinally
in the vertical direction, a top panel 204 that extends between the
side panels 202A, 202B laterally in the horizontal direction, and
an optional bottom panel 206 that also extends between the side
panels 202A, 202B laterally in the horizontal direction.
[0101] The fire and smoke protection system 100 comprises a
flexible protection member 106 that is gathered within and/or
relative to the opening 102. The flexible protection member 106 has
a first lateral edge 112A and an opposed second lateral edge 112B
that extend in a generally longitudinal direction, and has a first
longitudinal edge 114A and an opposed second longitudinal edge 114B
that extend in a generally lateral direction between lateral edges
112A, 112B. The first longitudinal edge 114A of the flexible
protection member 106 extends adjacent the frame's top panel 204
such that the flexible protection member 106 extends substantially
entirely between the side panels 202A, 202B of the frame 200 with
lateral edges 112A, 112B being substantially adjacent and parallel
to respective inside surfaces of the frame's side panels 202A,
202B.
[0102] According to the fourteenth example embodiment, the flexible
protection member 106 generally comprises a substantially
non-stretchable portion 208 and a stretchable portion 210. The
non-stretchable portion 208 has a generally rectangular shape when
viewed from a direction perpendicular thereto indicated by arrow
212 and extends only partially between lateral edges 112A, 112B and
longitudinal edges 114A, 114B. The non-stretchable portion 208 is
surrounded on three sides by the stretchable portion 210 of the
flexible protection member 106 such that a first section 214A of
the stretchable portion 210 is present between the non-stretchable
portion 208 and first longitudinal edge 114A and such that second
and third sections 214B, 214C of the stretchable portion 210 are
present, respectively, between the non-stretchable portion 208 and
the first and second lateral edges 112A, 112B. The non-stretchable
portion 208 has a multi-layer structure and includes first and
second woven fabric elements 122A, 122B with a metal foil element
164 positioned therebetween. The first and second woven fabric
elements 122A, 122B and metal foil element 164 are coupled together
via seams formed using fire resistant thread 134 in a manner
substantially similar to seams 128 of the other example embodiments
described herein. The stretchable portion 210 of the flexible
protection member 106 generally comprises a knitted fabric element
124 which stretches and is coupled to the non-stretchable portion
208 also by seams formed using fire resistant thread 134 in a
manner substantially similar to seams 128 of the other example
embodiments described herein.
[0103] The first section 214A of the stretchable portion 210 of the
flexible protection member 106 forms a gathered portion 216 (also
sometimes referred to herein as a "folded portion 216" or
"overlapping portion 216") relatively near the inside surface of
the frame's top panel 204 and the member's first longitudinal edge
114A. To form the gathered portion 216, the first section 214A of
the stretchable portion 210 is folded along fold lines 218A, 218B
extending between lateral edges 112A, 112B and overlapped to define
a first part 220A of the gathered portion 216 extending from the
member's first longitudinal edge 114A to the first fold line 218A
in a direction generally toward the member's second longitudinal
edge 114B, a second part 220B of the gathered portion 216 extending
between the first fold line 218A and the second fold line 218B in a
direction generally toward the member's first longitudinal edge
114A, and a third part 220C of the gathered portion 216 extending
in a direction generally toward the member's second longitudinal
edge 114B. Thus, in the gathered portion 216, the second part 220B
of the gathered portion 216 is oriented substantially adjacent to
and overlaps a portion of the first part 220A of the gathered
portion 216. Similarly, a portion of the third part 220C of the
gathered portion 216 is oriented substantially adjacent to and
overlaps the second part 220B of the gathered portion 216.
Collectively, the first, second and third parts 220A, 220B, 220C
form a "Z-shaped" folding pattern when viewed from one of the
lateral edges 112 of the flexible protection member 106.
[0104] In order to maintain the first, second and third parts 220A,
220B, 220C of the gathered portion 216 so arranged and in the
storage configuration, a seam 128 is formed using rows of stitches
150, 152 to releasably couple the parts 220 together. The rows of
stitches 150, 152 are made with non-fire resistant thread 154.
During exposure of the flexible protection member 106 to fire, the
stretchable portion 210 stretches and coupled with the fire causes
the rows of stitches 150, 152 to become undone or destroyed,
thereby permitting the gathered portion 216 to come undone and
allowing the force of gravity to act on parts 220B, 220C to
un-gather the flexible protection member 106.
[0105] Once un-gathered, the stretchable portion 210 and, hence,
the flexible protection member 108 have increased surface area with
which to receive, distribute, and absorb a force exerted on the
flexible protection member 108. Also, the first, second and third
parts 220A, 220B, 220C of the first section 214A of the stretchable
portion 210 may stretch and yield, since they are formed of a
stretchable material, in response to a force exerted on the
flexible protection member 108. Additionally, the second and third
sections 214B, 214C of the stretchable portion 210 present,
respectively, between the non-stretchable portion 208 and the first
and second lateral edges 112A, 112B may also stretch and yield,
since they are formed of a stretchable material, in response to
force applied to the flexible protection member 108. Thus, at least
by virtue of the un-gathering of the first section 214A of the
stretchable portion 210 and the presence of the second and third
sections 214B, 214C of the stretchable portion 210, the flexible
protection member 108 is reconfigurable into a configuration that
is more able to stretch and bulge in a direction normal to the
surface of the flexible protection member 108 and, hence, better
resist forces applied to the flexible protection member 108,
including, but not limited to, forces corresponding to a stream of
water from a fire hose.
[0106] In addition, because the first section 214A of the
stretchable portion 210 is initially gathered, the stretchable
portion 210 and the flexible protection member 106 may be sized to
be much larger and have substantially greater surface area in the
un-gathered configuration. Further, the ability of the flexible
protection member 106 to resist force is not solely dependent upon
the stretchability and elastic properties of the materials employed
therein.
[0107] FIG. 16 displays a schematic, front perspective view of a
flexible protection element of a fire and smoke protection system
100, in accordance with a fifteenth example embodiment, in an
opening through which the spread of fire and smoke is to be
limited. The flexible protection member 106 is substantially
similar to the flexible protection member 106 of the fourteenth
example embodiment, is displayed using a similar frame 200 and
opening 102, and comprises a flexible protection member 106 having
a non-stretchable portion 208 and a coupled non-stretchable portion
210.
[0108] Similar to fourteenth example embodiment, the
non-stretchable portion 208 has a generally rectangular shape when
viewed from a direction perpendicular thereto indicated by arrow
212 and extends only partially between lateral edges 112A, 112B and
longitudinal edges 114A, 114B of the flexible protection member
106. The non-stretchable portion 208 is surrounded on three sides
by the stretchable portion 210 of the flexible protection member
106 such that a first section 214A of the stretchable portion 210
is present between the non-stretchable portion 208 and first
longitudinal edge 114A and such that second and third sections
214B, 214C of the stretchable portion 210 are present,
respectively, between the non-stretchable portion 208 and the first
and second lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible protection
member 106. The non-stretchable portion 208 has a multi-layer
structure and includes first and second woven fabric elements 122A,
122B with a metal foil element 164 positioned therebetween. The
first and second woven fabric elements 122A, 122B and metal foil
element 164 are coupled together via seams formed using fire
resistant thread 134 in a manner substantially similar to seams 128
of the other example embodiments described herein.
[0109] The stretchable portion 210 of the flexible protection
member 106 generally comprises a knitted fabric element 124 and is
coupled to the non-stretchable portion 208 also by seams formed
using fire resistant thread 134 in a manner substantially similar
to seams 128 of the other example embodiments described herein.
However, in contrast to the flexible protection member 106 of the
fourteenth example embodiment, the first section 214A of the
stretchable portion 210 is not formed into a gathered portion.
Therefore, during exposure to fire, there is no gathered portion to
come undone to enhance the surface area or the stretching and
deflection capabilities of the flexible protection member 106.
Hence, stretching and deflection of the flexible protection member
106 responsive to an applied force is substantially due to
stretching and bulging of the knitted fabric element 124 comprising
the stretchable portion 210 thereof.
[0110] In the example embodiments described above, the flexible
protection members 106 generally each comprise a sheet-like member
that extends substantially between the lateral and longitudinal
edges of an opening through which the spread of fire and smoke is
to be limited. However, in certain applications and sometimes due
to manufacturing considerations, it is advantageous for some
flexible protection members 106 to be configured as a plurality of
elongate segments 230 with each elongate segment 230 having a
substantially rectangular shape (when viewed in a direction
perpendicular to a front or back surface thereof) and being
relatively thin in thickness as compared the lateral and
longitudinal dimensions thereof. When a flexible protection member
106 is so configured, elongate clamping members 232 couple adjacent
pairs of elongate segments 230 of the flexible protection member
106 together. Generally, the elongate clamping members 232 extend
primarily in and parallel to the longitudinal edges 114 of a
flexible protection member 106, and may advantageously extend
beyond the lateral edges 112 thereof such that the elongate
clamping members 232 extend into the recesses of the guides 110.
Also, each elongate clamping member 232 is typically located at a
distance of less than two (2) meters relative to each immediately
preceding and succeeding elongate clamping members 232. More
accurately, each elongate clamping member 232 is located at a
distance of between thirty (30) to one hundred (100) centimeters
relative to each immediately preceding and succeeding elongate
clamping members 232, with a preferred distance measuring fifty
(50) centimeters.
[0111] Beneficially, the elongate clamping members 232 permit a
flexible protection member 106 to be wound onto a winding shaft 108
for configuration of a fire and smoke protection system 100 in a
storage configuration or to be unwound from a winding shaft 108 for
reconfiguration of a fire and smoke protection system 100 in a
protection configuration as the elongate clamping members 232 also
typically extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis
of the winding shaft 108. Also, the elongate clamping members 232
are relatively stable against downward deflection and, hence, aid
the flexible protection member 106 in maintaining its shape and in
opposing sagging. Additionally, the elongate clamping members 232
are generally easy to install, which is important since flexible
protection members 106 using elongate clamping members 232 are
assembled at job sites. In the paragraphs that follow, a number of
different elongate clamping members 232 are described in further
detail with respect to FIGS. 17-29.
[0112] FIG. 17 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a flexible protection member 106 having elongate clamping
members 232 in accordance with a sixteenth example embodiment. As
seen in FIG. 17, the flexible protection member 106 has a first
lateral edge 112A, an opposed second lateral edge 112B, a first
longitudinal edge 114A, and an opposed second longitudinal edge
114B. The flexible protection member 106 comprises a plurality of
elongate segments 230 with each elongate segment 230 extending
between lateral edges 112A, 112B. Each elongate segment 230 is
formed from a single layer of fire resistant material including,
for example, but not limitation, the knitted fabric, woven fabric,
metal foil, and other fire resistant materials described, or not
described, herein. The flexible protection member 106 further
comprises a plurality of elongate clamping members 232 with each
elongate clamping member 232 extending between and coupling
adjacent elongate segments 230 and extending between lateral edges
112A, 112B.
[0113] FIG. 18 displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of an
elongate clamping member 232 of the flexible protection member 106
of FIG. 17 taken along lines 18-18 and showing portions of the
adjacent elongate segments 230A, 230B. As illustrated in FIG. 18,
elongate segment 230A is folded along fold line 234A to define
first and second portions 236A, 236B of elongate segment 230A in a
substantially "U-shape" configuration. Similarly, elongate segment
230B is folded along fold line 234B to define first and second
portions 238A, 238B in a substantially "U-shape" configuration.
Elongate segment 230A and elongate segment 230B are arranged such
that the first portion 236A of elongate segment 230A resides
between the first portion 238A of elongate segment 230B and the
second portion 238B of elongate segment 230B. Similarly, the first
portion of 238A of elongate segment 230B resides between the first
portion 236A of elongate segment 230A and the second portion 236B
of elongate segment 230A. Frictional forces between portions 236A,
236B of elongate segment 230A and portions 238A, 238B of elongate
segment 230B aid in holding the elongate segments 230A, 230B
together and resisting forces that tend to cause separation. To
enhance the frictional forces, a strip made of non-flammable
material and having rough surfaces may be positioned between
portions 236A, 236B of elongate segment 230A and portions 238A,
238B of elongate segment 230B.
[0114] The elongate clamping member 232 comprises a first elongate
clamping rod 240A and an opposed second elongate clamping rod 240B.
The first elongate clamping rod 240A resides adjacent the second
portion 236B of elongate segment 230A and defines a plurality of
bores 242A that are laterally offset relative to one another at a
respective plurality of discrete locations between the lateral
edges 112A, 112B of the flexible protection member 106. Similarly,
the second elongate clamping rod 240B resides adjacent the second
portion 238B of elongate segment 230B and defines a plurality of
bores 242B that are laterally offset relative to one another at a
respective plurality of discrete locations between lateral edges
112A, 112B axially-aligned with bores 242A of the first elongate
clamping rod 240A. Elongate segments 230A, 230B similarly define a
plurality of bores 244 extending through portions 236A, 238A and
parts of portions 236B, 238B at a respective plurality of discrete
locations between lateral edges 112A, 112B and that are,
respectively, cooperative and coaxially-aligned with respective
bores 242A, 242B. The elongate clamping member 232 further
comprises a plurality of pre-tensioning members 246 such that a
respective pre-tensioning member 246 is present within
coaxially-aligned bores 242A, 242B, 244. The pre-tensioning members
246 apply a pre-tensioning force, "F", to the first and second
elongate clamping rods 240 pre-tensioning the elongate clamping
rods 240 relative to one another and causing the elongate clamping
rods 240A, 240B to securely hold portions 236A, 238A and parts of
portions 236B, 238B of adjacent elongate segments 230A, 230B
together. Pre-tensioning members 246 acceptable in accordance with
this example embodiment include, for example and not limitation,
fasteners, rivets, tie rods, screws, and tension springs.
Generally, the pre-tensioning force, F, is selected to hold
adjacent elongate segments 230A, 230B together when a load force,
"G", corresponding to twice the weight of the components of the
flexible protection member 106 present below the elongate clamping
member 232 is applied.
[0115] It should be understood and appreciated that clamping of
adjacent elongate members 230A, 230B together constitutes an
improvement over coupling of the elongate members 230A, 230B with
seams. Thus, although adjacent elongate segments 230A, 230B are
punctured in connection with use of the elongate clamping members
232 and, hence, the elongate segments 230A, 230B are weakened, the
mechanical weakening of the flexible protection member 106 due to
seaming is substantially greater.
[0116] FIG. 19 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a flexible protection member 106 having elongate clamping
members 232 in accordance with a seventeenth example embodiment. As
seen in FIG. 19, the flexible protection member 106 has a first
lateral edge 112A, an opposed second lateral edge 112B, a first
longitudinal edge 114A, and an opposed second longitudinal edge
114B. The flexible protection member 106 comprises a plurality of
elongate segments 230 with each elongate segment 230 extending
between lateral edges 112A, 112B. Each elongate segment 230 is
formed from and includes a first knitted fabric element 124A, a
metal foil element 164, and a second knitted fabric element 124B
arranged in a multi-layer sandwich structure. The flexible
protection member 106 further comprises a plurality of elongate
clamping members 232 with each elongate clamping member 232
extending between and coupling adjacent elongate segments 230 and
extending between lateral edges 112A, 112B. It should be understood
and appreciated that each elongate segment 230 may also be formed
using any of the materials and according to any of the structures
for flexible protection members 106 described, or not described,
herein.
[0117] FIG. 20 displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of an
elongate clamping member 232 of the flexible protection member 106
of FIG. 19 taken along lines 20-20 and showing portions of the
adjacent elongate segments 230A, 230B. As illustrated in FIG. 20,
elongate segment 230A is folded along fold line 234A to define
first and second portions 236A, 236B of elongate segment 230A in a
substantially "U-shape" configuration. Similarly, elongate segment
230B is folded along fold line 234B to define first and second
portions 238A, 238B in a substantially "U-shape" configuration.
Elongate segment 230A and elongate segment 230B are arranged such
that the first portion 236A of elongate segment 230A resides
between the first portion 238A of elongate segment 230B and the
second portion 238B of elongate segment 230B. Similarly, the first
portion of 238A of elongate segment 230B resides between the first
portion 236A of elongate segment 230A and the second portion 236B
of elongate segment 230A. Frictional forces between portions 236A,
236B of elongate segment 230A and portions 238A, 238B of elongate
segment 230B aid in holding the elongate segments 230A, 230B
together and resisting forces that tend to cause separation.
[0118] The elongate clamping member 232 comprises a first elongate
clamping rod 240A and an opposed second elongate clamping rod 240B.
The first elongate clamping rod 240A resides adjacent the second
portion 236B of elongate segment 230A and defines a plurality of
bores 242A that are laterally offset relative to one another at a
respective plurality of discrete locations between the lateral
edges 112A, 112B of the flexible protection member 106. Similarly,
the second elongate clamping rod 240B resides adjacent the second
portion 238B of elongate segment 230B and defines a plurality of
bores 242B that are laterally offset relative to one another at a
respective plurality of discrete locations between lateral edges
112A, 112B axially-aligned with bores 242A of the first elongate
clamping rod 240A. Elongate segments 230A, 230B similarly define a
plurality of bores 244 extending through portions 236A, 238A and
parts of portions 236B, 238B at a respective plurality of discrete
locations between lateral edges 112A, 112B and that are,
respectively, cooperative and coaxially-aligned with respective
bores 242A, 242B. The elongate clamping member 232 further
comprises a plurality of pre-tensioning members 246 such that a
respective pre-tensioning member 246 is present within
coaxially-aligned bores 242A, 242B, 244. The pre-tensioning members
246 apply a pre-tensioning force, "F", to the first and second
elongate clamping rods 240 pre-tensioning the elongate clamping
rods 240 relative to one another and causing the elongate clamping
rods 240A, 240B to securely hold portions 236A, 238A and parts of
portions 236B, 238B of adjacent elongate segments 230A, 230B
together. Pre-tensioning members 246 acceptable in accordance with
this example embodiment include, for example and not limitation,
fasteners, rivets, tie rods, screws, and tension springs.
[0119] FIG. 21 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a flexible protection member 106 having elongate clamping
members 232 in accordance with a eighteenth example embodiment. As
seen in FIG. 21, the flexible protection member 106 has a first
lateral edge 112A, an opposed second lateral edge 112B, a first
longitudinal edge 114A, and an opposed second longitudinal edge
114B. The flexible protection member 106 comprises a plurality of
elongate segments 230 with each elongate segment 230 extending
between lateral edges 112A, 112B. Each elongate segment 230 is
formed from a single layer of fire resistant material including,
for example, but not limitation, the knitted fabric, woven fabric,
metal foil, and other fire resistant materials described, or not
described, herein. The flexible protection member 106 further
comprises a plurality of elongate clamping members 232 with each
elongate clamping member 232 extending between and coupling
adjacent elongate segments 230 and extending between lateral edges
112A, 112B.
[0120] FIG. 22 displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of an
elongate clamping member 232 of the flexible protection member 106
of FIG. 21 taken along lines 22-22 and showing portions of the
adjacent elongate segments 230A, 230B. As illustrated in FIG. 22,
elongate clamping member 232 comprises a first elongate piping/welt
member 250A and an opposed second elongate piping/welt member 250B
that each extend between the lateral edges 112A, 112B of the
flexible protection member 106. A portion of elongate segment 230A
wraps around the first elongate piping/welt member 250A to form a
first elongate piping/welt 252A and first elongate loop 253A
extending between the lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible
protection member 106. Similarly, a portion of elongate segment
230B wraps around the second elongate piping/welt member 250B to
form a second elongate piping/welt 252B and second elongate loop
253B extending between the lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible
protection member 106.
[0121] The elongate clamping member 232 further comprises a first
elongate clamping rod 240A and an opposed second elongate clamping
rod 240B. The first and second elongate clamping rods 240A, 240B
define respective elongate recesses 254A, 254B for receiving
respective portions 256A, 256B of an elongate retaining member 258
therein. The elongate retaining member 258 locks the first elongate
clamping rod 240A to the second elongate clamping rod 240B. When
locked together, the first and second elongate clamping rods 240A,
240B define elongate piping/welt cavities 259A, 259B extending
between the lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible protection
member 106 in which the first and second elongate piping/welts
252A, 252B respectively reside, thereby coupling elongate segments
230A, 230B.
[0122] It should be understood and appreciated that while each
elongate segment 230 has been described with reference to FIGS. 21
and 22 as being formed by a single layer of fire resistant
material, each elongate segment 230 may also be formed using any of
the materials and according to any of the structures (including,
without limitation, the multi-layer structures) for flexible
protection members 106 described, or not described, herein. It
should also be understood and appreciated that the elongate
clamping member of FIGS. 21 and 22 may be employed with elongate
segments 230 employing single layers of fire resistant materials or
employing multi-layer structures having one or more fire resistant
materials. Additionally, it should be understood and appreciated
that if the elongate segments 230 are formed of metal foil elements
164, the elongate segments 230A, 230B may be wrapped respectively
around the first and second elongate piping/welt members 250A, 250B
and welded respectively to themselves to form very stable elongate
piping/welts 252A, 252B. Further, if such elongate piping/welts
252A, 252B are formed, a clasp may be employed in lieu of elongate
clamping member 232 resulting in a particularly secure connection
between the elongate segments 230A, 230B.
[0123] FIG. 23 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a flexible protection member 106 having elongate clamping
members 232 in accordance with a nineteenth example embodiment. As
seen in FIG. 23, the flexible protection member 106 has a first
lateral edge 112A, an opposed second lateral edge 112B, a first
longitudinal edge 114A, and an opposed second longitudinal edge
114B. The flexible protection member 106 comprises a plurality of
elongate segments 230 with each elongate segment 230 extending
between lateral edges 112A, 112B. Each elongate segment 230 is
formed from a single layer of fire resistant material including,
for example, but not limitation, the knitted fabric, woven fabric,
metal foil, and other fire resistant materials described, or not
described, herein. The flexible protection member 106 further
comprises a plurality of elongate clamping members 232 with each
elongate clamping member 232 extending between and coupling
adjacent elongate segments 230 and extending between lateral edges
112A, 112B.
[0124] FIG. 24 displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of an
elongate clamping member 232 of the flexible protection member 106
of FIG. 23 taken along lines 24-24 and showing portions of the
adjacent elongate segments 230A, 230B. As illustrated in FIG. 24,
elongate clamping member 232 comprises a first elongate piping/welt
member 250A and an opposed second elongate piping/welt member 250B
that each extend between the lateral edges 112A, 112B of the
flexible protection member 106. A portion of elongate segment 230A
wraps around the first elongate piping/welt member 250A to form a
first elongate piping/welt 252A and first elongate loop 253A
extending between the lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible
protection member 106. Similarly, a portion of elongate segment
230B wraps around the second elongate piping/welt member 250B to
form a second elongate piping/welt 252B and second elongate loop
253B extending between the lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible
protection member 106.
[0125] The elongate clamping member 232 further comprises a first
elongate clamping rod 240A and an opposed second elongate clamping
rod 240B. The first and second elongate clamping rods 240A, 240B
define respective coaxially-aligned bores 260A, 260B for receiving
fasteners 262A, 262B therein. The fasteners 262A, 262B lock the
first elongate clamping rod 240A to the second elongate clamping
rod 240B. When locked together, the first and second elongate
clamping rods 240A, 240B define elongate piping/welt cavities 259A,
259B extending between the lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible
protection member 106 in which the first and second elongate
piping/welts 252A, 252B respectively reside, thereby coupling
elongate segments 230A, 230B.
[0126] It should be understood and appreciated that while each
elongate segment 230 has been described with reference to FIGS. 23
and 24 as being formed by a single layer of fire resistant
material, each elongate segment 230 may also be formed using any of
the materials and according to any of the structures (including,
without limitation, the multi-layer structures) for flexible
protection members 106 described, or not described, herein. It
should also be understood and appreciated that the elongate
clamping member of FIGS. 23 and 24 may be employed with elongate
segments 230 employing single layers of fire resistant materials or
employing multi-layer structures having one or more fire resistant
materials. Additionally, it should be understood and appreciated
that if the elongate segments 230 are formed of metal foil elements
164, the elongate segments 230A, 230B may be wrapped respectively
around the first and second elongate piping/welt members 250A, 250B
and welded respectively to themselves to form very stable elongate
piping/welts 252A, 252B.
[0127] FIG. 25 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a flexible protection member 106 having elongate clamping
members 232 in accordance with a twentieth example embodiment. As
seen in FIG. 25, the flexible protection member 106 has a first
lateral edge 112A, an opposed second lateral edge 112B, a first
longitudinal edge 114A, and an opposed second longitudinal edge
114B. The flexible protection member 106 comprises a plurality of
elongate segments 230 with each elongate segment 230 extending
between lateral edges 112A, 112B. Each elongate segment 230 is
formed from a single layer of fire resistant material including,
for example, but not limitation, the knitted fabric, woven fabric,
metal foil, and other fire resistant materials described, or not
described, herein. The flexible protection member 106 further
comprises a plurality of elongate clamping members 232 with each
elongate clamping member 232 extending between and coupling
adjacent elongate segments 230 and extending between lateral edges
112A, 112B.
[0128] FIG. 26 displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of an
elongate clamping member 232 of the flexible protection member 106
of FIG. 25 taken along lines 26-26 and showing portions of the
adjacent elongate segments 230A, 230B. As illustrated in FIG. 26,
elongate clamping member 232 comprises a first elongate piping/welt
member 250A and an opposed second elongate piping/welt member 250B
that each extend between the lateral edges 112A, 112B of the
flexible protection member 106. A portion of elongate segment 230A
wraps around the first elongate piping/welt member 250A to form a
first elongate piping/welt 252A extending between the lateral edges
112A, 112B of the flexible protection member 106. Similarly, a
portion of elongate segment 230B wraps around the second elongate
piping/welt member 250B to form a second elongate piping/welt 252B
extending between the lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible
protection member 106.
[0129] The elongate clamping member 232 further comprises an
elongate clamping clip 264 extending slightly beyond the lateral
edges 112A, 112B of the flexible protection member 106. The
elongate clamping clip 264 has an elongate central portion 266 and
an elongate first leg 268A that extends away from the elongate
central portion 266 and then loops back toward the elongate central
portion 266 to define a first elongate channel 270A. The elongate
clamping clip 264 also has an elongate second leg 268B that,
similar to the elongate first leg 268A but in the opposite
direction, extends away from the elongate central portion 266 and
then loops back toward the elongate central portion 266 to define a
second elongate channel 270B. Collectively, the elongate central
portion 266, elongate first leg 268A, and elongate second leg 268B
form a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a tilted letter "S".
The first and second elongate channels 270A, 270B respectively
receive the first and second elongate piping/welts 252A, 252B.
[0130] The elongate clamping clip 264 is manufactured, according to
the example embodiment, from a fire resistant, spring steel
material that permits the ends of the elongate first and second
legs 268A, 268B to be respectively spread apart from the elongate
central portion 266 for the insertion of the first and second
elongate piping/welts 252A, 252B into the first and second elongate
channels 270A, 270B. Once the elongated piping/welts 252 are
inserted, the elongate first and second legs 268A, 268B spring back
toward the elongate central portion 266 securing the elongated
piping/welts 252 and trapping respective portions of the elongate
segments 230A, 230B therebetween. Also, the elongate piping/welts
252A, 252B are positioned at respective locations offset forward
and aft from the plane of the elongate segments 230A, 230B.
[0131] It should be understood and appreciated that while each
elongate segment 230 has been described with reference to FIGS. 25
and 26 as being formed by a single layer of fire resistant
material, each elongate segment 230 may also be formed using any of
the materials and according to any of the structures (including,
without limitation, the multi-layer structures) for flexible
protection members 106 described, or not described, herein. It
should also be understood and appreciated that the elongate
clamping member of FIGS. 25 and 26 may be employed with elongate
segments 230 employing single layers of fire resistant materials or
employing multi-layer structures having one or more fire resistant
materials. Additionally, it should be understood and appreciated
that if the elongate segments 230 are formed of metal foil elements
164, the elongate segments 230A, 230B may be wrapped respectively
around the first and second elongate piping/welt members 250A, 250B
and welded respectively to themselves to form very stable elongate
piping/welts 252A, 252B.
[0132] FIG. 27 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a flexible protection member 106 having elongate clamping
members 232 in accordance with a twenty-first example embodiment.
As seen in FIG. 27, the flexible protection member 106 has a first
lateral edge 112A, an opposed second lateral edge 112B, a first
longitudinal edge 114A, and an opposed second longitudinal edge
114B. The flexible protection member 106 comprises a plurality of
elongate segments 230 with each elongate segment 230 extending
between lateral edges 112A, 112B. Each elongate segment 230 is
formed from a single layer of fire resistant material including,
for example, but not limitation, the knitted fabric, woven fabric,
metal foil, and other fire resistant materials described, or not
described, herein. The flexible protection member 106 further
comprises a plurality of elongate clamping members 232 with each
elongate clamping member 232 extending between and coupling
adjacent elongate segments 230 and extending between lateral edges
112A, 112B.
[0133] FIG. 28 displays a schematic, cross-sectional view of an
elongate clamping member 232 of the flexible protection member 106
of FIG. 27 taken along lines 28-28 and showing portions of the
adjacent elongate segments 230A, 230B. The elongate clamping member
232 is configurable in first, closed configuration (see FIG. 28) in
which adjacent elongate segments 230A, 230B are clamped and coupled
together, and a second, open configuration (see FIG. 29) in which
adjacent elongate segments 230A, 230B are not clamped or coupled
together. As illustrated in FIG. 28, elongate clamping member 232
comprises a first elongate piping/welt member 250A and an opposed
second elongate piping/welt member 250B that each extend between
the lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible protection member 106.
A portion of elongate segment 230A wraps around the first elongate
piping/welt member 250A to form a first elongate piping/welt 252A
and elongate loop 253A extending between the lateral edges 112A,
112B of the flexible protection member 106. Similarly, a portion of
elongate segment 230B wraps around the second elongate piping/welt
member 250B to form a second elongate piping/welt 252B and elongate
loop 253B extending between the lateral edges 112A, 112B of the
flexible protection member 106.
[0134] The elongate clamping member 232 also comprises a first
elongate clamping rod 240A and a second elongate clamping rod 240B
pivotally, or hingedly, attached to the first elongate clamping rod
240A in a scissor or criss-cross arrangement via an elongate pivot
pin 272. The first elongate clamping rod 240A has an elongate first
part 274A and an elongate second part 274B. Similarly, the second
elongate clamping rod 240B has an elongate first part 276A and an
elongate second part 276B.
[0135] Additionally, the elongate clamping member 232 defines first
and second elongate piping/welt cavities 259A, 259B extending
between the lateral edges 112A, 112B of the flexible protection
member 106 for respectively receiving first and second elongate
piping/welts 252A, 252B. More specifically, the elongate first part
274A of first elongate clamping rod 240A and the elongate first
part 276A of second elongate clamping rod 240B form the first
elongate piping/welt cavity 259A. Similarly, the elongate second
part 274B of first elongate clamping rod 240A and the elongate
second part 276B of second elongate clamping rod 240B form the
second elongate piping/welt cavity 259B.
[0136] In use, the first elongate clamping rod 240A and second
elongate clamping rod 240B are pivoted relative to one another
about pivot pin 272 to configure the elongate clamping member 232
in the open configuration. The first and second elongate
piping/welts 252A, 252B are then respectively inserted into and
received by the first and second elongate piping/welt cavities
258A, 258B. Subsequently, the first elongate clamping rod 240A and
second elongate clamping rod 240B are again pivoted relative to one
another about pivot pin 272, but to configure the elongate clamping
member 232 in the closed configuration. Once configured and secured
in the closed configuration, for example and not limitation, by a
biasing member or locking mechanism, the first and second elongate
clamping rods 240A, 240B contact, or engage, elongate segments
230A, 230B and hold the first and second elongate piping/welts
252A, 252B within the first and second elongate piping/welt
cavities 258A, 258B to securely couple elongate segments 230A,
230B.
[0137] The elongated clamping member 232 of this example embodiment
is particularly well-suited for use with elongate segments 230
including one or more metal foil element(s) 164 that comprise at
least one layer of metal foil material. If the elongate segments
230 are formed of metal foil elements 164, the elongate segments
230A, 230B may be wrapped respectively around the first and second
elongate piping/welt members 250A, 250B and welded respectively to
themselves to form very stable elongate piping/welts 252A,
252B.
[0138] It should be understood and appreciated that while each
elongate segment 230 has been described with reference to FIGS. 27,
28 and 29 as being formed by a single layer of fire resistant
material, each elongate segment 230 may also be formed using any of
the materials and according to any of the structures (including,
without limitation, the multi-layer structures) for flexible
protection members 106 described, or not described, herein. It
should also be understood and appreciated that the elongate
clamping member of FIGS. 27, 28 and 29 may be employed with
elongate segments 230 employing single layers of fire resistant
materials or employing multi-layer structures having one or more
fire resistant materials.
[0139] In the previously described example embodiments of a fire
and smoke protection system 100 and/or various components thereof,
the flexible protection members 106 have been manufactured with
substantially smooth front and back surfaces. However, if the
flexible protection members 106 are made with front and/or back
surfaces having a pattern imprinted or embossed therein, the
flexible protection members 106 deform and bulge in a malleable way
locally in the areas of the imprinted or embossed pattern elements
so that the imprint or embossed pattern elements yield, thereby
increasing the resistance to forces applied normal to the surfaces.
Therefore, in the example embodiments described below with
reference to FIGS. 30, 31 and 32, the flexible protection members
106 are manufactured with front and/or back surfaces having a
pattern or a texture.
[0140] FIG. 30 displays a schematic, front elevational view of a
flexible protection member 106 of a fire and smoke protection
system 100 in accordance with a twenty-second example embodiment.
The flexible protection member 106, as seen in FIG. 30, has a first
lateral edge 112A and an opposed second lateral edge 112B that each
extend in a substantially longitudinal direction. The flexible
protection member 106 also has a first longitudinal edge 114A and
an opposed second longitudinal edge 114B that each extend in a
substantially lateral direction between lateral edges 112A, 112B.
Generally, the flexible protection member 106 comprises a
sheet-like member that is minimal in thickness (as measured between
front and back surfaces thereof) relative to the element's lateral
and longitudinal dimensions.
[0141] The flexible protection member 106 includes a metal foil
element 164 and has a front surface 290 (or face 290) that is
imprinted or embossed with a pattern 292. As illustrated in FIG.
30, the pattern 292 comprises a honeycomb structure having a
plurality of cells 294 (or pattern elements 294). Each cell 294 has
a depth that corresponds to the thickness of the metal foil element
164 and, hence, the flexible protection member 106. Thus, according
to this example embodiment, an acceptable depth for each cell 294
is 0.2 millimeters for a metal foil element 164 having a thickness
of 0.2 millimeters. Also, the pattern 292 and cells 294 are sized
and arranged to repeat the pattern 292 within a distance referred
to as a mesh width. In accordance with this example embodiment, the
mesh width comprises 10 millimeters, meaning that the pattern 292
and cells 294 repeat themselves every 10 millimeters.
[0142] While this example embodiment has been described with
reference to a flexible protection member 106 having a honeycomb
pattern 292, it should be understood and appreciated that the
flexible protection member 106 may, in other example embodiments,
have other types of patterns 292 that are formed with linear,
non-linear, specifically-shaped, and arbitrarily-shaped elements,
alone or in combination, and be formed with different mesh widths.
For example and not limitation, the flexible protection member 106
of another example embodiment may have patterns 292 including
lines, arcs, ellipses, polygons, or other geometric and
non-geometric elements. It should also be understood and
appreciated that the flexible protection member 106 of other
example embodiments may have patterns 292 made by methods other
than imprinting or embossing such as, for example but not
limitation, molding, stamping, surface printing, or surface
etching. Additionally, it should be understood and appreciated that
the flexible protection member 106 of other example embodiments may
have patterns 292 formed by texturing of the element's front and/or
back surfaces including, absent limitation, by the addition and/or
removal of a material(s) to the front and/or back surfaces of the
flexible protection member 106, or by the addition and/or removal,
partially or entirely, of a coating, film, or other material(s)
applied to the front and/or back surfaces of the flexible
protection member 106. In addition, it should be understood and
appreciated that while the flexible protection member 106 has been
described with reference to FIG. 30 as being formed by a single
layer of fire resistant material, the flexible protection member
106 may also be formed in other example embodiments using any of
the materials and according to any of the structures (including,
without limitation, the multi-layer structures) for flexible
protection members 106 described, or not described, herein.
[0143] FIG. 31 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a fire and smoke protection system 100 in accordance with a
twenty-third example embodiment. The fire and smoke protection
system 100 is substantially similar to the fire and smoke
protection system 100 of the first example embodiment, but includes
a flexible protection member 106 having a multi-layer structure in
which a metal foil element 164 is interposed, or sandwiched,
between a first layer 296 formed of a first wire mesh element 298A
and a second layer 300 formed of a second wire mesh element 298B.
In FIG. 31, the first layer 296 and metal foil element 164 near the
corner of the flexible protection member 106 formed between
longitudinal edge 114A and lateral edge 112B are peeled away to
expose the multi-layer structure and for clarity. While not
required, one or more of the metal foil element 164, first wire
mesh element 298A, or second wire mesh element 298B may be
connected together such as by contact welding. According to this
and other example embodiments herein, the wire mesh elements 298
are manufactured from the same, or a similar, material as that of
the metal foil element 164 including, but not limited to, an
austenitic steel like, or similar to, the steels described above in
the description of FIG. 12.
[0144] The flexible protection member 106 comprises a plurality of
elongate strips 302 that extend in a lateral direction beyond
lateral edges 112A, 112B and into respective first and second
guides 110A, 110B to aid in guiding the flexible protection member
106 during reconfiguring of the system 100 between a storage
configuration and protection configuration. The elongate strips 302
are secured to the flexible protection member 106 by clamping using
elongate clamping members 232 (not shown) and methods similar to
those described above with reference to FIGS. 18 and 20. Each
elongate strip 302 is positioned at a distance, "D", relative to
the immediately preceding and succeeding elongate strips 302 in the
longitudinal direction. A distance, D, acceptable in accordance
with this example embodiment, includes fifty (50) centimeters.
Alternatively, since the multi-layer structure of the flexible
protection member 106 comprises a metal foil element 164 and wire
mesh elements 298A, 298B, the elongate strips 302 may be welded, in
other example embodiments, to the flexible protection member 106 in
lieu of being clamped to the flexible protection member 106 using
elongate clamping members 232. In still other example embodiments,
the flexible protection member 106 comprises elongate strips 302
that are present in addition to elongate clamping members 232.
[0145] Advantageously, the first and second wire mesh elements
298A, 298B generally have a higher tear resistance than the metal
foil element 164. Typically, if the metal foil element 164 is hit
by a water jet at a particular location, the metal foil element 164
will yield, bulge and possibly tear at the location. However, when
reinforced and supported with an adjacent wire mesh element 298 as
in this and other example embodiments, the notch stress at the base
of the tear is small and the tear in the metal foil element 298
does not spread.
[0146] It should be understood and appreciated that while the
flexible protection member 106 has been described with reference to
FIG. 31 as being formed with wire mesh elements 298A, 298B, the
flexible protection member 106 may alternatively be formed by
substituting elements made from fire resistant materials, described
or not described herein, for one or both of the wire mesh elements
298A, 298B. Also, it should be understood and appreciated that
while the flexible protection member 106 has been described as
comprising a particular multi-layer structure, the flexible
protection member 106 may alternatively be formed using any of the
materials and according to any of the structures (including,
without limitation, the single and multi-layer structures) for
flexible protection members 106 described, or not described,
herein.
[0147] FIG. 32 displays a schematic, partial, front elevational
view of a fire and smoke protection system 100 in accordance with a
twenty-fourth example embodiment. The fire and smoke protection
system 100 is substantially similar to the fire and smoke
protection system 100 of the first and twenty-third example
embodiments, but includes a flexible protection member 106 having a
multi-layer structure including a first wire mesh element 298A, a
first metal foil element 164A, a second wire mesh element 298B, and
a second metal foil element 164B. In FIG. 32, the layers are shown
peeled away near the corner of the flexible protection member 106
formed between longitudinal edge 114A and lateral edge 112B to
expose the multi-layer structure and for clarity. As seen in FIG.
32, the first metal foil element 164A is positioned between the
first wire mesh element 298A and the second wire mesh element 298B
such that the second wire mesh element 298B is positioned between
the first metal foil element 164A and the second metal foil element
164B. The first and second metal foil elements 164A, 164B may be
imprinted or embossed with a pattern 292 similar to the metal foil
element 164 described above with respect to FIG. 30 such that the
first and second wire mesh elements 298A, 298B are arranged and
reside in the depressions defined by the pattern 292 in the first
and second metal foil elements 164A, 164B.
[0148] Similar to the flexible protection member 106 of FIG. 31,
the flexible protection member 106 comprises a plurality of
elongate strips 302 that extend in a lateral direction beyond
lateral edges 112A, 112B and into respective first and second
guides 110A, 110B to aid in guiding the flexible protection member
106 during reconfiguation of the system 100 between a storage
configuration and protection configuration. The elongate strips 302
are secured to the flexible protection member 106 by clamping using
elongate clamping members 232 (not shown) and methods similar to
those described above with reference to FIGS. 18 and 20. Each
elongate strip 302 is positioned at a distance, "D", relative to
the immediately preceding and succeeding elongate strips 302 in the
longitudinal direction. A distance, D, acceptable in accordance
with this example embodiment, includes fifty centimeters (50 cm).
Alternatively, since the multi-layer structure of the flexible
protection member 106 comprises metal foil elements 164A, 164B and
wire mesh elements 298A, 298B, the elongate strips 302 may be
welded, in other example embodiments, to the flexible protection
member 106 in lieu of being clamped to the flexible protection
member 106 using elongate clamping members 232. In still other
example embodiments, the flexible protection member 106 comprises
elongate strips 302 that are present in addition to elongate
clamping members 232.
[0149] In an alternative example embodiment, the layers of the
multi-layer structure may be arranged in a different order in which
the first and second metal foil elements 164A, 164B are disposed
immediately adjacent one another back-to-back with the first wire
mesh element 298A adjacent the first metal foil element 164A and
the second wire mesh element 298B adjacent the second metal foil
element 164B. Also, in another alternative example embodiment, the
fire and smoke protection system 100 further comprises a second
winding shaft 108 that enables the first wire mesh element 298A and
first metal foil element 164A to be wound around the first winding
shaft 108A and the second wire mesh element 298B and second metal
foil element 164B to be would around the second winding shaft 108B
when the system 100 is in a storage configuration. By using two
winding shafts 108, the first and second metal foil elements 164A,
164B do not slip or shift relative to one another during winding
about the winding shafts 108 as might occur if the first and second
metal foil elements 164A, 164B were wound on a single winding shaft
108.
[0150] It should be understood and appreciated that while the
flexible protection member 106 has been described with reference to
FIG. 32 as being formed with wire mesh elements 298A, 298B, the
flexible protection member 106 may alternatively be formed by
substituting elements made from fire resistant materials, described
or not described herein, for one or both of the wire mesh elements
298A, 298B. Also, it should be understood and appreciated that
while the flexible protection member 106 has been described as
comprising a particular multi-layer structure, the flexible
protection member 106 may alternatively be formed using any of the
materials and according to any of the structures (including,
without limitation, the single and multi-layer structures) for
flexible protection members 106 described, or not described,
herein.
[0151] FIG. 33 displays a schematic, partial diagram of a device
310 for manufacturing a multi-layer material for use in making a
flexible protection member 106 in accordance with a twenty-fifth
example embodiment. As seen in FIG. 33, the device 310 comprises a
first drum 312 and a second drum 314 offset at a distance relative
to the first drum 312. A metal foil 316 is arranged around the
first drum 312. A woven fabric 318 made from a fire resistant
material is arranged around the second drum 314. The device 310
includes a coating unit 320 having a dispensing device 322 and a
roller 324 for applying an adhesive coating. Additionally, the
device 310 includes a connecting unit 326 having a heated cylinder
328 and a plurality of rollers 330 for applying a fire resistant
material to the metal foil.
[0152] In operation, the metal foil 316 spools off of the first
drum 312 and is directed toward the coating unit 320. While
traveling through the coating unit 320, a paste-like adhesive is
dispensed and applied to the metal foil by the dispensing device
322 and roller 324. The adhesive-covered metal foil 316 exits the
coating unit 320 and is directed into the connecting unit 326.
Concurrently, the woven fabric 318 is spooled off of the second
drum 314 and into the connecting unit 326. Within the connecting
unit 326, the adhesive-coated metal foil 316 and woven fabric 318
travel in contact and side-by-side around the heated cylinder 328
which activates the adhesive, causing the metal foil 316 and fire
resistant woven fabric 318 to become securely connected together.
The coupled metal foil and fire resistant woven fabric 332
comprises a dimensionally-stable, textile structure or composite
material from which a flexible protection member 106 may be
made.
[0153] If, for a particular application, the flexible protection
member 106 requires the inclusion of a fire resistant knitted
fabric element, the device 310 (or a similarly configured second
device) may be used in a second pass similar to the first pass
described above, to apply a knitted fabric layer to the already
produced composite material. In such case, the composite material
322 from the first pass is loaded onto the first drum 312 and a
fire resistant knitted fabric is loaded onto the second drum 314.
Once loaded, the composite material 322 spools off of the first
drum 312 and passes through the coating unit 320 where similar
adhesive is applied and the adhesive coated composite material 322
is directed into the connecting unit 326. Concurrently, the kitted
fabric is spooled off of the second drum 314 and into the
connecting unit 326. Inside the connecting unit 326, the
adhesive-coated composite material 322 and the knitted fabric come
into contact and travel around the heated cylinder 328. The
adhesive is activated by the heated cylinder 328 and the knitted
fabric becomes secured to the composite material 322 to form a new
composite material including a woven fabric, metal foil, and
knitted fabric that may be used to produce a flexible protection
member 106.
[0154] It should be understood and appreciated that the device 310
may be used to produce many different multi-layer materials that
may be used in the manufacture of flexible protection members 106
by loading the device 310 with desired materials and making
multiple passes through the device 310 in an appropriate sequence
to form suitable composite materials having the desired materials
for particular applications.
[0155] Whereas the present invention has been described in detail
above with respect to example embodiments thereof, it should be
appreciated that variations and modifications might be effected
within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *