# US 2017/0284092 A1 · Horizontal Room Partitioning Device

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- Number: US 2017/0284092 A1
- Document ID: US20170284092A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/087,372
- Filed: 2016-03-31
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-31
- Inventors: Praveen Jana
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170284092A1

## CPC

- E04B 9/003: {with movable parts, e.g. pivoting panels, access doors}
- E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001})

## Abstract

A horizontal room partitioning device for dividing a room horizontally includes a plurality of sectioning modules. Each sectioning module comprises a housing, configured to couple to a first wall, that has an open front. A panel is coupled at a first end to a back wall of the housing. The panel is extendable from and retractable into the housing through the open front. A first fastener is coupled to a second end of the panel. A second fastener that is complementary to the first fastener is configured to couple to a second wall opposite the housing. Each of a pair of guides extends between a respective opposing end of the housing and a respective opposing terminus of the second fastener. The sectioning modules are configured for planer installation within a room, such that an upper part of the room is reversibly separable from a lower part of the room.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A horizontal room partitioning device comprising:
a plurality of sectioning modules, each said sectioning module comprising:
a housing, said housing having an open front, said housing being configured to couple to a first wall,
a panel, said panel having a first end positioned adjacent to a back wall of said housing, said panel being extendable from and retractable into said housing through said open front,
a first fastener, said first fastener being coupled to a second end of said panel,
a second fastener, said second fastener being complementary to said first fastener, said second fastener being configured for coupling to a second wall opposite said housing,
a pair of guides, each said guide extending and being continuous between a respective opposing end of said housing and a respective opposing terminus of said second fastener, said guides being configured to couple to a vertical surface, said panel being extendable within said guides such that said panel is supported in a planar horizontal position; and
wherein said plurality of sectioning modules is configured for planer installation within a room, such that an upper part of the room is reversibly separable from a lower part of the room, wherein said housing, said second fastener and said pair of guides of each said sectioning module are configured for coupling to vertical surfaces, such that said panels are positioned for extension along said guides and said first fasteners are positioned to reversibly couple to said second fasteners to retain said panels, and wherein said panels are positioned for retraction into said housings.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further including said housing being rectangularly box shaped.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further including said panel comprising:
a plurality of vertical connectors, each said vertical connector being coupled to and extending between a top layer and a bottom layer defining a plurality of sections;
said plurality of sections being deformable, such that each said section is substantially rectangularly box shaped when viewed longitudinally with said panel in an extended position; and
wherein each said section is deformable such that said vertical connectors are adjacently positioned with said panel in a retracted position.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further including said panel comprising:
a plurality of boxes, said boxes being substantially rigid;
a plurality of hinges, said hinges being coupled to respective adjacent boxes alternately at respective upper joints and respective lower joints; and
wherein said hinges allow said boxes to be repositioned from an upright configuration to an extended configuration.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further including said panel comprising a plurality of planks, such that said panel is rollable, said first end of said panel being coupled to a rotatable shaft positioned in said housing.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further including a door, said door being complementary to said open front, said door being hingedly coupled proximate to a top edge of said housing, wherein said door is positioned to close over said open front.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The device of claim 6, further including a connector, said connector being coupled to an inside face of said door, said connector being complementary to said first fastener, wherein said connector is positioned to couple to said first fastener when said panel is retracted into said housing, such that said door is retained in a closed position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising:
a plate, said plate being coupled to said second end of said panel; and
said first fastener being coupled to said plate.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising:
a slat, said slat being configured for coupling to a second wall opposite said housing; and
said second fastener being coupled to said slat.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The device of claim 8, further comprising:
said guides being elongated rectangularly box shaped when viewed longitudinally;
each said guide having an open face; and
wherein a respective opposite end of said plate is positionable in a respective said open face of said guide and slidably movable along said guide as said panel is extended from or retracted into said housing.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further including a plurality of couplers, each said coupler being coupled to a respective said guide, wherein respective said couplers are configured to couple said respective said guide to a vertical surface and wherein respective said couplers are configured to mutually couple adjacently placed respective said guides.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The device of claim 11, further including said couplers comprising penetrations.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The device of claim 7, further including said connector, said first fastener and said second fastener being selected from the group of fasteners consisting of hook and loop fasteners.

### Claim 14

A horizontal room partitioning device comprising:
a plurality of sectioning modules, each said sectioning module comprising:
a housing, said housing having an open front, said housing being configured to couple to a first wall, said housing being rectangularly box shaped,
a panel, said panel having a first end positioned adjacent to a back wall of said housing, said panel being extendable from and retractable into said housing through said open front,
said panel comprising a plurality of vertical connectors, each said vertical connector being coupled to and extending between a top layer and a bottom layer defining a plurality of sections, said plurality of sections being deformable, such that each said section is substantially rectangularly box shaped when viewed longitudinally with said panel in an extended position, and wherein each said section is deformable such that said vertical connectors are adjacently positioned with said panel in a retracted position,
a first fastener, said first fastener being coupled to a second end of said panel,
a door, said door being complementary to said open front, said door being hingedly coupled proximate to a top edge of said housing, wherein said door is positioned to close over said open front,
a connector, said connector being coupled to an inside face of said door, said connector being complementary to said first fastener, wherein said connector is positioned to couple to said first fastener when said panel is retracted into said housing, such that said door is retained in a closed position,
a plate, said plate being coupled to said second end of said panel, said first fastener being coupled to said plate,
a second fastener, said second fastener being complementary to said first fastener, said second fastener being configured for coupling to a second wall opposite said housing,
a slat, said slat being configured for coupling to a second wall opposite said housing, said second fastener being coupled to said slat,
a pair of guides, each said guide extending and being continuous between a respective opposing end of said housing and a respective opposing terminus of said second fastener, said guides being configured to couple to a vertical surface, said panel being extendable within said guides such that said panel is supported in a planar horizontal position, said guides being elongated rectangularly box shaped when viewed longitudinally, each said guide having an open face, such that a respective opposite end of said plate is positionable in a respective said open face of said guide and slidably movable along said guide as said panel is extended from or retracted into said housing;
a plurality of couplers, each said coupler being coupled to a respective said guide, wherein respective said couplers are configured to couple said respective said guide to a vertical surface and wherein respective said couplers are configured to mutually couple adjacently placed respective said guides, said couplers comprising penetrations;
said connector, said first fastener and said second fastener being selected from the group of fasteners consisting of hook and loop fasteners; and
wherein said plurality of sectioning modules is configured for planer installation within a room, such that an upper part of the room is reversibly separable from a lower part of the room, wherein said housing, said second fastener and said pair of guides of each said sectioning module are configured for coupling to vertical surfaces, such that said panels are positioned for extension along said guides and said first fasteners are positioned to reversibly couple to said second fasteners to retain said panels, and wherein said panels are positioned for retraction into said housings.

### Claim 15

(canceled)

### Claim 16

(canceled)