# US 5,701,941 A · Adjustable hanging support mechanism for folding panel assembly enclosure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,701,941 A - Document ID: US5701941A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/657,663 - Filed: 1996-05-30 - Granted: 1997-12-30 - Earliest claimed: 1996-05-30 - Assignees: Dynaflair Corporation Ltd. - Inventors: Gerald S. Pasternak - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5701941A ## CPC - E05D 15/26: for folding wings - E05D 5/128: {the pin having a recess or through-hole engaged by a securing member} - E05Y 2900/132: Doors - E05D: HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS (pivotal connections in general F16C11/00) - E05Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF ## Abstract An adjustable hanging support mechanism for a folding panel assembly enclosure which comprises a plurality of folding panels and end posts secured thereto and which fold in an accordion fashion while being suspended by the support mechanism along a top end thereof. The hanging support mechanism has a support rod which is connected at a top end to a displaceable carriage which is engaged in a support rail. The support rod has a plurality of spaced fastener engaging apertures extending along a connecting section thereof. The apertures are configured to receive a fastener element in engagement therewith. At least some of the panels are provided with connecting cylinders to receive at least a connecting section of an associated one of the support rods in axial rotation therein. Fastener elements are associated with the connecting cylinders to permit interconnection with a selected one of the fastener engaging apertures of an associated support post to provide vertical height adjustment of the enclosure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 In an enclosure comprising a folding panel assembly having a plurality of interconnected folding panels and end posts and a plurality of hanging support mechanisms for slidingly supporting said assembly suspended from a rail at spaced intervals along a top end of said panel assembly and permitting said panels to fold in an accordion fashion, the improvement comprising said hanging support mechanism having a support element connected at a top end to displaceable track engagement means, said support element having a plurality of spaced fastener engaging apertures extending along a connecting section thereof, said apertures being configured to receive a fastener element in engagement therewith, channel means in at least some of said panels to receive at least said connecting section of an associated one of said support element in axial rotation therein, fastener arresting means associated with said channel means of said panels for receiving a fastener means therein to permit interlocking connection with a selected one of said fastener engaging apertures of an associated support element to provide vertical height adjustment of said enclosure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A hanging support mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hanging support mechanisms also comprise end post support mechanisms connected at a top end to displaceable track engagement means, said end post support mechanisms having a support rod with a connecting section connectable to an associated one of said end posts through a selected one of connecting apertures, said connecting section being positionable in a channel top end section of said end posts, and fastener means to interconnect said connecting section to said associated end post, said connecting apertures being equidistantly spaced apertures. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A hanging support mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said channel means in at least some of said panels is comprised by a connecting cylinder disposed substantially centrally in at least a top end position of said panels and extending longitudinally along a vertical axis thereof, said connecting cylinder being of circular cross-section, said connecting section of said support element being dimensioned for close fit in said cylinder and capable of axial rotation therein, said support element being a support rod. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A hanging support mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein said fastener arresting means is a detachable connecting element disposable in slot means provided across said connecting cylinder, said connecting element being detachably engageable with a selected one of said plurality of equidistantly spaced fastener engaging apertures. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A hanging support mechanism as claimed in claim 4 wherein said connecting element is a connecting clip having an attachment arm to secure said clip to said connecting cylinder and a detachably engageable arm extending into said slot means for detachable connection with said selected one of said plurality of equidistantly spaced fastener engaging apertures. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A hanging support mechanism as claimed in claim 5 wherein said fastener engaging apertures are circumferential slots provided along said connecting section of said support rod. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A hanging support mechanism as claimed in claim 6 wherein said connecting clip is a flexible U-shaped clip, said attachment arm having a circular through bore for the passage of said connecting section of said support rod therethrough, said attachment arm extending through an attachment slot provided across said connecting cylinder, said clip having an angled intermediate wall section interconnecting said connecting arm to said detachably engageable arm in opposed spaced relationship and for applying a biasing pressure of an edge of said bore against said rod, said connecting arm extending into a further slot spaced from said attachment slot, said connecting arm having a rod engaging bore defined by a bore section having a circular circumferential edge to permit the passage of said support rod therethrough, and a rod engaging cavity disposed in an edge of said bore for engagement in said selected one of said circumferential slots. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A hanging support mechanism as claimed in claim 7 wherein said intermediate wall section is disposed spaced from said connecting cylinder and constitutes a finger engaging means to detach said attachment arm from said selected one of said circumferential slots. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) A hanging support mechanism as claimed in claim 6 wherein said connecting clip is a flat flexible E-clip having a flat circumferential wall with a side opening, said clip being engaged with said selected one of said circumferential slots through said slot means, said flat circumferential wall extending in part between opposed panel surfaces of said slot means to secure said connecting section of said support rod in said connecting cylinder. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A hanging support mechanism as claimed in claim 9 wherein there is further provided a backing washer dimensioned for close fit in said slot means and disposed above said E-shape clip to secure said connecting section of said rod in said connecting cylinder. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) A hanging support mechanism as claimed in claim 4 wherein said connecting element is a disc-shaped collar having a circular central through bore for the passage of said connecting section of said support rod in said connecting cylinder, said collar being disposed in said slot means, and a locking screw disposed in a side wall of said collar and extending out of a side wall of said bore for engagement in a selected one of said fastener engaging apertures of said connecting section of said support rod extending in said connecting cylinder. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A hanging support mechanism as claimed in claim 11 wherein said fastener engaging apertures are circumferential slots provided along said connecting section of said support rod. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A hanging support mechanism as claimed in claim 11 wherein said fastener engaging apertures are constituted by a plurality of spaced-apart detents formed along said connecting section of said rod and disposed in a straight row, there being at least one of said rows of detents about said connecting section of said support rod. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) A hanging support mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein said connecting section of said support rod is a hanger plate having one or more of said connecting apertures therein for attachment with one or more connecting apertures provided in a side wall of said channel of an associated one of said top end section of said end posts, said fastener means being a screw fastener disposed through aligned ones of said apertures in said hanger plate and side wall of said channel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A hanging support mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said displaceable track engagement means is a wheel carriage secured to a top end of said support rod and displaceably retained within a ceiling track.