US3425173A - Apparatus for partitioning a room having a stepped floor - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 4, 1969 K.J. CARLO I 3,

APPARATUS FOR PARTITIONING A ROOM HAVING A STEPPED FLOOR Filed Aug. 28, 1967 Sheet 1 of 5 N5 FIG-l rw I 30 II.

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Feb. 4, 1969 K. J. CARLO APPARATUS FOR PARTITIONING A ROOM HAVING A STEPPED FLOOR Filed Aug. 28, 1967 K- J. CARLO Feb. 4, 1969 APPARATUS FOR PARTITIONING A ROOM HAVING A STEPPED FLOOR 5 f 0 3 t e 6 mm i. I Fyhk Q I. :%I v v E J m Gm m aw M d e .U F m I Q l United States Patent 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A coilable partition is supported for extension within a trough formed within a stepped floor defined by alternate tread and riser surfaces, and tread and riser plates are automatically pivotable between positions closing and opening the trough by power driven mechanisms interconnecting the corresponding plates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Coilable partitions, such as shown in Carlo Patent No. 3,090,425 assigned to the assignee of the present invention, are frequently used for separating a room having a stepped floor such an auditorium, grandstand or lecture room, into a plurality of smaller rooms or areas. In some installations, the leading edge portion of the partition is stepped to accommodate the stepped floor as shown in Carlo Patent No. 3,090,424, also assigned to the assignee of the present invention, while in other installations, a slot or trough is formed within the stepped floor to provide for extending the full partition on horizontal tracks extending into the trough.

In the latter installations, usually a sloping flat cover plate is employed as a closure for the trough when the partition is retracted and is commonly hinged to one side of the trough so that it can be manually opened like a trap door for extending the partition and manually closed after the partition is retracted. Not only does the sloping cover plate present the hazard that someone might accidentally slip and slide down the cover plate but there is also the possibility that the operator of the partition may forget to close the cover plate after the partition is retracted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an improved closure for a partition trough formed within a stepped floor of a room which trough particularly includes separate tread and riser plates which cover the trough so that the tread and riser surfaces of the floor extend flush across the trough when the partition is retracted. The tread and riser plates are individually hinged at one side of the trough and are automatically pivoted between open and closed positions by power driven mechanism so that all of the plates can be conveniently and quickly opened immediately before the partition is extended and conveniently and quickly closed after the partition is retracted to avoid the dangerous condition of an open or uncovered trough after the partition is retracted.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stepped floor having a trough adapted to receive a coilable partition and including automatically operated tread and riser plates constructed and operated in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the tread and cover plates in open positions for extending the partition;

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FIG. 3 is an elevational view through the trough showing the general arrangement of the operating mechanism for the tread and riser plates;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the mechanism for operating the tread and riser plates;

FIG. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a section taken on the line 77 of FIG. 6;

dFIG. 8 is a section taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 4; an

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the operating mechanism shown in FIGS. 3-8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a typical illustration of apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention wherein a concrete floor 15 has a portion with a stepped cross-sectional configuration formed by a series of horizontal tread surfaces 16 alternately connected by vertical riser surfaces 18. A trough 20 is formed within the floor 15 normal to the tread surface 18 and is defined by parallel spaced wall surfaces 21 (FIGS. 2 and 5) extending vertically from an eccentrically flat horizontal base surface 22. Embedded angle strips 23 (FIG. 5) and 24 (FIG. 6) define the top edges of the trough 20 and serve to protect the outside corners of the adjacent concrete or other material defining the trough 20. Floor track means may consist of a pair of parallel spaced tracks 25 (FIGS. 1 and 2) mounted on the floor 15 and the base surface 22 of the trough 20 to guide the lower edge portion of a partition 26. The partition 26 may be of the coilable dual wall type constructed in a manner similar to the partition shown in the above Patent No. 3,090,425 with its upper edge portion (not shown) connected to and supported on an overhead track secured to the ceiling.

A tread plate 30 is provided for each of the tread surfaces 16 and each tread plate is connected by a series of hinges 31 (FIG. 4) to an upper channel 32 (FIGS. 4 and 5) of a corresponding generally T-shaped frame 35 rigidly mounted on one of the wall surfaces 21 forming the trough 20. Each frame 35 includes a set of two transverse footlike base channels 36 (FIG. 4) which are connected to the upper channel 32 by corresponding vertical or riser channels 38. The latter channels 38 of each frame 35 have a length which corresponds to the depth of the trough 20 under the corresponding tread surface 16.

A riser plate 40 (FIGS. 1 and 4) is provided for each of the riser surfaces 18 and each riser plate is pivotally connected by a hinge 41 (FIG. 4) to a vertically extending channel 42 (FIG. 6) rigidly connected t the upper channel 32 of the corresponding frame 35 and to a plate 43 (FIG. 6) connected to the corresponding adjacent angle strip 24.

Thus each tread plate 30 is pivotable between a horizontal closed position extending between the corresponding angle strips 23 and with its upper surface substantially flush with the corresponding tread surface 16, and a vertical open position extending parallel to the wall surfaces 21. Similarly, each of the vertical riser plates 40 is pivotable between a closed position extending between the angle strips 24 with its outer surface substantially flush with the riser surface 18 and an open position extending parallel to the adjacent open tread plate 30. The respective hinges 31 and 41 form pivot means supporting the tread and riser plates for movement between closed positions to form continnations of the tread and riser surfaces across the trough and open positions permitting the extension of the partition 26 within the trough.

Means interconnecting the tread plates 30 and operable to pivot them between their open and closed positions includes a drive mechanism 50 (FIG. 9). The mechanism 50 simultaneously opens and closes all of the tread plates 30 and includes a separate transverse shaft 51 (FIG. 5) supported below each of the tread plates 30 on aligned bearings 52, one being mounted on one of the vertical channels 38 and the other mounted on an angle bracket 53 secured to the corresponding base channel 36. A cam 55 (FIG. 9) is rigidly mounted on each of the shafts 51 and includes a curved or arcuate slot 56 which receives a follower 57 mounted on the lower end portion of a vertically extending push rod 60 (FIGS. 5 and 9). The rod 60 is supported by one or more sleeve-type bearing members 62 rigidly connected to the corresponding frame channel 38.

The upper end portion of each push rod 60 is threaded to receive an adjustable coupling 64 (FIG. 5) secured to the lower end portion of a rod 65 having a slot for receiving a flat tab 66 secured to the underside of the corresponding tread plate 30. An arcuate slot 67 (FIG. 5) is formed within each tab 66, and each rod 65 is connected to the corresponding tab by a pin 68 extending through the slot 67.

A pair of sprockets 75 (FIG. 5) are rigidly connected to each shaft 51, and a series of endless chains 76 (FIG. 9) successively connect the sprockets 75 to a drive sprocket (not shown) mounted on the output shaft of an electric motor drive and gear reducing unit 80 (FIG. 3) located at the inner end of the trough 20.

Means interconnecting the riser plates 40 and operable to pivot them between their open and closed positions includes a drive mechanism 85. The mechanism 85 simultaneously opens and closes all of the riser plates 40 and includes a series of transverse shafts 86 (FIGS. 8 and 9) supported adjacent one side wall of the trough below each of riser plates 40 by a series of three aligned bearings 87, one being mounted on the corresponding vertical frame channel 38 and the other two mounted on corresponding angle brackets 88 (FIG. 8) secured to the corresponding base channel 36. A triple sprocket 90 is rigidly secured to each of the shafts 86 between the bearings 87 mounted on the angle brackets 88.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, :a transverse shaft 92 is positioned vertically above each shaft 86 and is supported by a pair of bearings 93, one mounted on the corresponding frame channel 32 and the other one mounted on an angle bracket 94 rigidly secured to the frame channel 32. A cam member 96 is rigidly secured to each shaft 92 between tubular spacers 97 and each cam member 96 includes an arcuate slot 98 in a manner similar to each cam member 55.

A follower 99 is positioned within each slot 98 and is supported by one end portion of a horizontally extending push rod 100 (FIGS. 6 and 9) supported by a sleevetype bearing member 101 secured to the corresponding frame channel 32. A threaded coupling 102 connects the opposite end of each push rod 100 to a rod 103 having its forward end slotted to receive a tab 104 secured to the inner surface of each riser plate 40 above the corresponding hinge 41. Each of the tabs 104 is constructed similar to each tab 66, that is, with an arcuate slot 105 for receiving a corresponding cross pin 106.

A sprocket 110 (FIGS. 6 and 7) is rigidly secured to the outer end portion of each shaft 92 and is connected by an endless chain 111 to the innermost sprocket 90 (FIG. 8) mounted on the corresponding shaft 86. A series of endless chains 114 (FIG. 9) successively connect the other two sprockets 90 on each shaft 86 to a second drive unit 80 (not shown) mounted adjacent the drive unit 80 so that all of the shafts 86 are rotated simultaneously at the same speed.

In operation, when it is desirable to open the trough 20 for extending the coilable partition 26, the drive 80 for the chains '76 is actuated causing cams 55 and push rods 60 to move the tread plates 30 simultaneously from their horizontal closed positions to their vertical open positions. Immediately after the tread plates are opened, the drive for the chains 114 is actuated to cause the earns 96 and push rods 100 to move the riser plates 40 from their corresponding closed positions to open positions adjacent the underneath surfaces of the corresponding open tread plates 30 as shown in FIG. 2. To close the trough 20 after the partition 26 is retracted, the operation is merely reversed. That is, the drive for the chains 114 is reversed to close simultaneously the riser plates 40 after which the drive 80 for the chains 76 is reversed to close simultaneously the tread plates 30.

From the drawings and the above description, it becomes apparent that apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention provides several desirable features and advantages. For example, by providing separate pivotable tread plates 30 and riser plates 40 for the corresponding tread surfaces 116 and riser surfaces 18, the trough 20 can be closed so that the tread surfaces 16 and riser surfaces 18 continue smoothly across the trough 20. Thus if desired, the tread and riser plates may serve as steps and used in conjunction with a pair of parallel spaced hand rails 115 to form an aisle, as shown in FIG. 1.

Another important advantage is provided by the automatic operation of the tread and riser plates between their open and closed position by actuation of the corresponding mechanisms 50 and 85. That is, the tread and riser plates can be conveniently and quickly opened for extending the partition 26 and conveniently and quickly closed after the partition is retracted so that the trough 20 does not remain uncovered when the partition is retracted. The actuating mechanisms 50 and for opening and closing the corresponding tread and riser plates also provide the features of positive and dependable operation and, in addition, the relationship of the cams 55 and 96 to their corresponding push rods 60 and assures that the tread and riser plates are locked in their respective closed positions to prevent the plates from being manually opened from above the floor 15.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. \Apparatus for partitioning a room having a steplike floor defined by a plurality of alternating horizontal tread and vertical riser surfaces, comprising means defining a trough interrupting said tread and riser surfaces, a retractable partition, a corresponding plurality of tread and riser plates, pivot means supporting each said tread and riser plate for movement between a closed position to form continuations of said tread and riser surfaces across said trough and an open position exposing said trough to provide for extending said partition within said trough, means interconnecting said tread plates and operable to move said tread plates between said open and closed positions, and means interconnecting said riser plates and operable to move said riser plates between said open and closed positions.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 including means for mounting said pivot means for each said tread and riser plate on the same side of said trough to effect positioning of said riser plates adjacent the corresponding said tread plates when said tread and riser plates are in said open position.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said interconnecting means includes cam means for moving each said tread and riser plate between said open and closed positions, and power drive means connected to said interconnecting means for said tread and riser plates.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means interconnecting said tread plates and said riser plates include a rotary cam member for each said tread and riser plate, follower means engaging each said cam member and connected to the corresponding said plate, and drive means for rotating each said cam member.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein each said cam member comprises a plate having means defining a curved slot therein, and said follower means engages said cam member at said slot.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 including a shaft supporting each said cam member, sprocket means mounted on each said shaft for rotation with the corresponding said cam member, said drive means comprising endless chain means extending around said sprocket means, and reversible power drive means connected to said chain means.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said shaft and cam member for each said riser plate is positioned horizontally behind said riser plate, said shaft and cam member for each said tread plate is positioned below said tread plate, sprockets for each said riser plate and two sprockets for each said tread plate, and said chain means comprising a series of endless chains successively connecting said sprockets for adjacent said riser plates and a series of endless chains successively connecting said sprockets for said tread plates.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for operating said means interconnecting said tread plates to effect simultaneous movement of said tread plates, and means for operating said means interconnecting said riser plates to effect simultaneous movement of said riser plates.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including first power drive means connected to effect said simultaneous movement of said tread plates, and second power drive means connected to effect said simultaneous movement of said riser plates.

10. In a movable room divider arrangement, the improvement for dividing a room in which the floor includes a series of alternating horizontal tread and vertical said sprocket means comprising four riser surfaces, comprising means in said floor defining a trough extending transversely through said series of surfaces, a corresponding series of tread plates and riser plates, means mounting each said tread plate for movement between a first position in which said tread plates are generally coextensive with the corresponding said tread surfaces and a second position in which said tread plates expose said trough, means mounting each of said riser plates for movement between a first position in which said riser plates are generally coextensive with an associated said riser surface and a second position in which said riser plates expose said trough, and mechanical linkage means for moving said tread plates and said riser plates between their said first and second positions.

.11. The arrangement of claim 10 in which each of said tread and riser plates are pivotally mounted adjacent a common side of said trough and in which each said tread plate in said second position assumes a generally vertical alignment with respect to said trough and in which each said riser plate in said second position is positioned vertically adjacent the corresponding said tread plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 292,071 1/18-84 Thompson 529 X 2,576,556 11/1951- Babson 52183 2,859,488 11/ 1958 Mackintosh 529 3,090,424 5/ 1963 Carlo 23 3,090,425 5/ 1963 Carlo 16025 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

PRICE C. FAW, JR., Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

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