Multi-program trolleys and switches

A multi-program track and trolley apparatus for a movable wall system having multiple wall panels supported by and movable along multiple paths defined by multiple track sections to predetermined configurations, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one switch assembly at a junction between track sections defining a first path along one track section and at least second and third paths along at least two other track sections branching from said first path said at least one switch assembly including an upper plate portion;
• a plurality of guide members mounted on said at least one switch assembly along said first path, said guide members being laterally offset relative to said first path at different lateral distances relative to each other;
• and
• a plurality of paired trolley assemblies, each pair of said plurality of paired trolley assemblies attached to and supporting different wall panels of the movable wall system, each of said trolley assemblies including a U-shaped channel having a transverse base portion and a pair of opposite upstanding sidewall portions, said sidewall portions defining a pair of axle bores therethrough for receiving a pair of axles, each said axle including a pair of wheel assemblies rotatably mounted thereon for rolling engagement with said track sections, a connecting element downwardly extending from said base portion, said connecting element being configured to connect said trolley to one of the wall panels, and at least one side diverter element selectively engaging said at least one guide member as each of said trolleys travels along said first path to route the supported wall panel along either said second or said third paths, said side diverter element disposed on said trolley assembly at a position offset from a center axis of said trolley assembly, said center axis extending in the direction of the movement of said trolley assembly, at least one of said paired trolley assemblies having a center diverter selectively engaging one of said plurality of guide members disposed on said trolley assembly at a position on said center axis;
• wherein said center diverter extends upwardly from said U-shaped channel.

An automatic track switching apparatus for a movable wall system having multiple wall panels movable along a track having multiple paths defined by multiple track sections between a predetermined stored arrangement and a predetermined wall forming arrangement, said apparatus comprising:

• a switch assembly at a junction between track sections defining a first path along one track section and at least second and third paths along at least two other track sections branching from said first path, said switch assembly including an upper plate portion;
• at least one guide member mounted on said upper plate portion of said switch assembly;
• a lead trolley and a trailing trolley attached to each wall panel, each said trolley including a U-shaped channel having a transverse base portion and a pair of opposite upstanding sidewall portions, said sidewall portions defining a pair of axle bores therethrough for receiving a pair of axles, each said axle including a pair of wheel assemblies rotatably mounted thereon for rolling engagement with said track sections, a connecting element downwardly extending from said base portion, said connecting element being configured to connect said trolley to one of the wall panels;
• a first diverter element attached to each of said lead and trailing trolley laterally displaced from a centerline of said trolley in the direction of movement along said track for selective engagement with said at least one guide member to route the wall panel through said switch assembly in a predetermined manner to and from said wall forming arrangement;
• and
• a second diverter element attached to at least one of said lead trolley and said trailing trolley, said second diverter element having an engagement member substantially coincident with said trolley centerline of said at least one of said trailing trolley and said lead trolley, said engagement member of said second diverter element selectively engaging said at least one guide member to control the movement of the wall panel when the wall panel is moved to said predetermined stored arrangement;
• wherein said center diverter extends upwardly from said at least one lead trolley and said trailing trolley.

A multi-program track and trolley apparatus for a movable wall system having multiple wall panels supported by and movable along multiple paths defined by multiple track sections to predetermined configurations, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of track sections;
• a switch assembly at a junction between track sections defining a first path along one track section and at least second and third paths along at least two other track sections branching from said first path, said switch assembly including an upper plate portion;
• a storage track connected to one of said track sections, said storage track including a first stacking section, a second stacking section, and a storage switch assembly, said first and second stacking sections each including at least a pair of parallel ones of said track sections;
• and
• at least two trolleys attached to and supporting each wall panel of the movable wall system, each of said trolleys including a trolley body rotatably supporting a pair of wheel assemblies for rolling engagement with said track sections, a connecting element extending from said trolley body, said connecting element being configured to connect said trolley to one of the wall panels, and a side diverter element disposed on said trolley at a position laterally offset from a centerline of said trolley, said side diverter selectively engaging said storage switch assembly so as to direct said trolley to one of said first and second stacking sections, and one of said at least two trolley having a center diverter disposed on said trolley at a position on said centerline and selectively engaging said storage switch assembly, said center diverter extending upwardly from said one of said at least two trolleys.