Folding partitions having adjoining panels and related methods

#Embodiments of the invention are directed to the field of partitions used for partitioning space, as sound barriers, as fire barriers, security barriers, and for various other applications.

#Movable partitions are used in numerous situations and environments for a variety of purposes. Such partitions may include, for example, foldable or collapsible doors configured to enclose or subdivide a room or other area. Such partitions may be used to temporarily divide a single large room into two or more smaller rooms. In other applications, such partitions may be used for noise control depending, for example, on the activities taking place in a given room or portion thereof.

#Movable partitions may also be used to provide a security barrier, a fire barrier, or both a security barrier and a fire barrier. In such a case, the partition barrier may be configured to automatically close upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, such as the actuation of an associated alarm. For example, one or more accordion or similar folding-type partitions may be used as a security barrier, a fire barrier, or both a security barrier and a fire barrier wherein each partition is formed with a plurality of panels connected to one another with hinges. The hinged connection of the panels allows the partition to fold and collapse into a compact unit for purposes of storage when not deployed. The partition may be stored in a pocket formed in the wall of a building when in a retracted or folded state. When the partition is deployed to subdivide a single large room into multiple smaller rooms, secure an area during a fire, or for any other reason, the partition may be extended along an overhead track, which may be located above the movable partition in a header assembly, until the partition extends a desired distance across the room.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a movable partition system of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a simplified perspective view of a first side of a series of assembled panels of the movable partition system of FIG. 1 shown in a fully extended state.

#FIG. 3 is a simplified perspective view of an opposite second side of the series of assembled panels shown in FIG. 2.

#Illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular movable partition system, or component of a movable partition system, but are merely idealized representations which are employed to describe embodiments of the present invention. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a movable partition system 100 of the present invention. The movable partition system 100 is an automatic movable partition system, in that the system 100 includes a movable partition 102 that may be automatically extended, automatically retracted, or both automatically extended and automatically retracted. The movable partition system 100 may comprise a motor, for example, to drive movement of the movable partition 102 between the extended and retracted states. In additional embodiments, the movable partition 102 may simply be a manually operated system, or a system that may be operated automatically or manually. The movable partition 102 may be used for partitioning space, as a sound barrier, as a fire barrier, as a security barrier, for combinations of such purposes, or for other purposes.

#The movable partition 102 comprises an accordion-type door, as shown in FIG. 1. The movable partition 102 shown in FIG. 1 comprises two side-by-side sheets of panels 104, although in other embodiments, the movable partition 102 may comprises a single sheet of panels 104. A lead post 115 may be attached to a leading end of the one or more sheets of panels 104. The lead post 115 may be sized and configured to complementarily engage with a jamb or door post that may be provided in another wall 110B of a building (when the movable partition 102 is in an extended (i.e., closed) state).