Multidirectional suspension system for operable partitions

{
  "publication_number": "US3879799A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Multidirectional suspension system for operable partitions",
  "abstract": "A multidirectional suspension system for operable partitions comprising an overhead track defining a pair of vertically spaced rollerway defining ledges disposed on either side of the track, and carriers for suspending the partition panels from the track, with each carrier being in the form of a pendant bolt operating between the track ledges and having coaxially journaled thereon for rotation thereabout a pair of discs each defining a downwardly facing load support side surface, and with the load support side surfaces of one of the discs riding on one of the ledges free of contact of the other ledge, and the other disc load support side surface riding on the other of the ledges free of contact of the first ledge. The track can have cross-over intersections, T-intersections, and right angle and Y-turns for ready maneuvering of the panels as desired, and without the need for switches, with said ledges and guidance ledges opposing them engaging guidance elements on the carrier, to maintain the individual carriers properly centered when moved about intersections and turns.",
  "claims": [
    "1. In an operable panel type top supported partition arrangement for temporarily subdividing room space including a plurality of discrete panels, an overhead track system from which said panels are suspended for movement between a storage position and selected wall forming positions within the room space, with the respective panels each being suspended from the track system by a pair of carriers supporting the panel adjacent the side edges of same, and with the track system defining one or more right angle turns and intersections over which the carriers of at least some of the respective panels are to move when being moved between said positions, the improvement wherein: said track system comprises a plurality of track sections assembled in end to end relation for transfer of the carriers therebetween for moving the panels between their said positions, with said track sections each defining a trackway including a pair of vertically spaced rollerway defining ledges disposed one on either side of the respective track sections and an operating slot between said ledges along which the carriers supported by the respective track sections move when the panel supported thereby is moved along such track section, said ledges of the respective track sections each defining an upwardly facing load support surface, said carriers each comprising: a vertical support member disposed between said ledges of the track section supporting the respective carriers and defining a vertical axis extending longiTudinally of same, means for anchoring the respective support members to the panel the respective carriers support, each of said support members having coaxially journalled on same, in vertically spaced relatioon, and for rotation about said axis, a pair of horizontally disposed discs, with each of said carrier discs defining a downwardly facing load support surface, and with said surface of the upper of said discs of the respective carriers riding on said surface of the upper of said trackway ledges on one side of said operating slot and said surface of the lower of said discs of the respective carriers riding on said surface of the lower of said trackway ledges on the other side of said operating slot, said surfaces of said discs being of substantially identical frusto-conical configuration at a flat angle relative to the horizontal, and said surfaces of said ledges having downward, oppositely directed angulation transversely of said track sections that complements the angulation of said disc surfaces, whereby said support member of each of said carriers is vertically suspended from the track section supporting same and said angulation of said surfaces effects a centering of said support members within said operating slot under the action of gravity, with said discs making a line type rolling contact with their respective ledge supporting surfaces, with said upper of said carrier discs being free of engagement with the trackway on the other side of said operating slot and the lower of said carrier discs being free of engagement with the trackway on said one side of said slot, whereby said discs roll in opposite directions on the respective ledge surfaces as the panel supported thereby is moved longitudinally of the trackway, said ledges underlying said discs in proportion to their radii for maintaining said carriers supported within the trackway when crossing the turns and intersections by engagement of said discs with said ledges, those of said track sections defining the right angle turns and intersections of the track system further defining on said other side of said operating slot a masking ledge at the level of and opposing said lower trackway ledge thereof but spaced therefrom by said operating slot, said ledges at and across the right angle turns and intersections being disposed in close fitting guiding relation to the support members of the respective carriers up to the intersecting operating slots of the turns and intersections involved for maintaining same centered relative to the operating slots as the turns and intersections, whereby said discs in passing through said intersections tend to drop a perceptable amount when centered at the intersection, but are retained within the trackway, for providing an indication of their position therein, and the configuration of said disc and ledge surfaces and the rolling action of said discs along said ledges and across the turns and intersections permits ready camming of the respective discs out of and away from such intersections and turns.",
    "2. The improvement set forth in claim 1 wherein: said angulation of said disc and ledge surfaces is on the order of 10*.",
    "3. The improvement set forth in claim 1 wherein: said discs define a cylindrical rim portion, said ledges of the respective track sections merging into a vertical trackway wall at their outer margins, said ledges of the respective track sections being spaced apart to permit said roller rim portions to ride on the respective vertical trackway walls on application of forces to the respective panels acting laterally thereof at locations spaced from intersections of said operating slot at the turns and intersections.",
    "4. The improvement set forth in claim 1 wherein: said carrier support members each include a guide element interposed between the masking ledge and said lower trackway ledge adapted to be engaged thereby on passing of the carrier through the turns and intersEctions.",
    "5. The improvement set forth in claim 4 including: a guide ledge on said other side of the operating slot spaced from and opposing said upper trackway ledge by said operating slot, said carrier support members each including a second guide element interposed said guide ledge and said upper trackway ledge adapted to be engaged thereby on passing of the carrier through the turns and intersections, said masking and guide ledges extending the lengths of said track sections.",
    "6. The improvement set forth in claim 1 wherein: in at least some of said track sections, said upper and lower rollerway defining ledges are at opposite sides of the trackway from the location of said upper and lower rollerway defining ledges in others of said track sections.",
    "7. The improvement set forth in claim 1 wherein: said ledges underlie said discs a distance that at least equals one-half the radius of said discs.",
    "8. The improvement set forth in claim 5 wherein: said discs are journaled on the respective support members by thrust bearings, and wherein said support membes each comprise a pendant bolt, and including means for clamping said thrust bearings and guide elements together.",
    "9. The improvement set forth in claim 1 including: seal means interposed between said panels and the undersides of said trackway section lower ledges for sound deadening purposes.",
    "10. The improvement set forth in claim 9 including: seal means carried by said panels at their lower ends for sound deadening purposes."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "E05D 15/0613",
    "E05Y 2900/142"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E05D 15/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Hough Manufacturing Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Charles E Williams"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1974-03-27",
  "publication_date": "1975-04-29",
  "grant_date": "1975-04-29",
  "priority_date": "1973-05-03",
  "application_number": "US-45530774-A",
  "family_id": "26999347",
  "cited_by_count": 65,
  "citations": [
    "US2523935A",
    "US3042960A",
    "US3509934A"
  ]
}