Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
VERTICALLY MOVABLE PARTITIONS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to mechanical curtains and more
particularly to vertically movable partitions for use within buildings, for
example, to
cordon off areas, as required, to prevent public access, for crowd control.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Security partitions in the form of security gates are well known and
may take the form of horizontally sliding bar systems, for example to close
off open
fronts of shops in shopping centers or to be moved across entrance ways to
shops
on streets. These types of movable security gates usually require storage
space
beside the area being protected, to accommodate the gate components when not
in
use. Conversely, existing "roll-up" security gates are stored in ceiling space
when
not in use. This type of gate is severely limited in width and height as the
roller can
only be supported at its ends and cannot deflect under the load of the gate.
U.S. Patent No. 5,062,464 of Miles Peterson, issued November 5,
1991 describes and illustrates a wall partition, which uses a pantograph type
of
construction to provide a rigid wall section, which is vertically collapsible
and
movable to a storage position. Movable wall partition systems have similar
problems of storage and structural support requirements and the Peterson
vertically
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movable wall partition avoids those problems by providing ceiling storage for
the
wall partitions and a single permanent location for all of the panels so that
the loads
imposed on the building support structure do not vary because of lateral
movement
of the panels. Further, this design of the wall system allows the partition to
be of
any width or height as it is lifted and supported at multiple points across
its width.
This is made possible as the partition is folded up rather than rolled up.
The pantograph structure as suggested by the Peterson construction
is similar to that for instance found in baby gates in which a series of
elongated
members are pivotally linked together in spaced fashion to provide a series of
similar diamonds along the length of the gate. In a single (as opposed to
multiple)
pantograph construction, a pair of members of similar size are pivotally
linked at
their midpoints. One pair of their ends are pivotally linked to the ends of a
further
corresponding pair of members of similar length similarly pivoted at their
midpoint,
and so on. The midpoints of the members are longitudinally aligned and form
opposed longitudinal apexes of diamond shapes; the other opposed corners of
these diamonds are formed by the pivotally secured ends of adjacent pairs of
intersecting members, and are the lateral apexes. The pantograph structure
expands and contracts longitudinally. The pantograph structure in such
applications
is useful because it causes forces applied longitudinally, in the direction of
expansion and contraction of the pantograph, to be transmitted evenly
throughout all
of the members of the pantograph structure. As well, all of the apexes of the
diamonds formed by the points of intersection of the members, as the structure
is
contracted, will arrive at their final, fully contracted position at the same
time,
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meaning that the longitudinal apexes of the diamonds at one end of the
pantograph
structure, which are moving towards the other end during contraction, will
move at a
much greater speed than the apexes of the diamonds at the other end.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a wall or other type of
partition which is movable vertically, and which is based on these pantograph
principles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is
provided a mechanical curtain, upwardly movable into open position and
downwardly movable into closed or down position. The mechanical curtain
comprises a plurality of similarly constructed trains of elongated members,
the
members of each train arranged to form a single pantograph forming
longitudinally
aligned rows of diamonds. The trains are spaced laterally and operable to form
a
curtain plane, when the trains are in elongated position, and are oriented so
that the
pantographs operate in a plane at a 90 angle to that curtain plane. A
plurality of
bars are secured in parallel spaced fashion to corresponding members of
adjacent
trains, perpendicular thereto. Means are provided to raise and lower the
trains at a
similar rate, the pantographs being contracted when the curtain is in open
position
and being elongated when the curtain is in closed position.
In one embodiment of the present invention, particularly applicable for
use as a security gate, the mechanical curtain is further provided with
locking means
to secure the mechanical curtain in closed position against unwanted opening.
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The mechanical curtain according to the present invention has many
advantages. Because its components move vertically rather than horizontally,
storage space is not required to the side of the area within which the wall
operates,
since the wall folds and stores above the area in question. Furthermore,
because
the mechanical curtain does not move horizontally, the loads imposed on the
support structure are constant. Also, the height and width restrictions
present with
conventional roll-up security gates are avoided since the wall of the present
invention may be lifted and supported at multiple points across its width.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent
upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the
drawings in
which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective partial view of a mechanical curtain
adapted to be used as a security gate, in a partially closed position;
FIGURE 2a, 2b and 2c are side elevation views of an end train of the
mechanical curtain of Figure 1, showing that train respectively in expanded
(or
closed) position, partially closed position and fully contracted (or open)
position;
FIGURE 3 is an enlarged size elevation view of a portion of a train of
the mechanical curtain of Figure 1, in partially closed position as shown in
Figure 2b,
showing in more detail certain of the components of the train;
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FIGURE 4 is a plan view from the top of a portion of the mechanical
curtain of Figure 1;
FIGURE 5a, 5b and 5c are side elevation views of an end train of an
alternative embodiment of the mechanical curtain according to the present
invention,
showing that train respectively in expanded, partially closed and fully
contracted
positions;
FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of an alternative train construction for
a mechanical curtain according to the present invention;
FIGURE 7 is an enlarged side elevation view of a portion of the train of
Figure 6 in partially closed position showing in more detail certain of the
components
of the train;
FIGURE 8 is a side elevation view of the train of Figure 7 in fully
expanded (or closed) position;
FIGURE 9 is a plan view from the top of a portion of the mechanical
curtain according to the present invention incorporating the construction of
Figure 7;
FIGURE 10 is a partial front elevation view showing details of an
alternative embodiment of the mechanical curtain of the present invention;
FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of yet a further alternative
embodiment of the mechanical curtain according to the present invention in
partially
closed position;
FIGURE 12 is a schematic side elevation view of the mechanical
curtain of Figure 12 without fabric; and
FIGURE 13 is a schematic side elevation view of a portion of the
mechanical curtain of Figure 12, with fabric.
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While the invention will be described in conjunction with illustrated
embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the
invention to
such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives,
modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope
of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been
given similar reference numerals.
Turning to FIGURE 1 there is illustrated a mechanical curtain 2 in
accordance with the present invention, in partially lowered (closed) position.
The
curtain as illustrated is particularly useful as a security gate. Curtain 2 is
formed
from a plurality of similar pantograph trains 4, longitudinally laterally
spaced to form
a plane of the curtain and supported only from their upper ends 6. Each train
has an
upper end 6 and a lower end 8, and is composed of elongated members 10, which
form, in each train 4, aligned rows of diamonds 12. Other than for the last
diamond
12 in each train 4, (at upper end 6 and lower end 8), similar pairs of
elongated
members 10 intersect and are secured pivotally together centrally between
their
ends as illustrated, to form vertically disposed longitudinal apexes 14 of
diamonds
12. Corresponding ends of these pairs of intersecting members 10 pivotally
connect
to the ends of other pairs of similar intersecting members 10 to form at these
ends
laterally disposed apexes 16. Thus, as can be seen in FIGURE 2a, when trains 4
are elongated in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal apexes 14 of
each
diamond 12 are more separated and
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the laterally disposed apexes 14 are drawn together, while, as can be seen in
FIGURE 2c, when the trains are contracted, the longitudinal apexes 14 of each
diamond 12 are drawn together and the laterally disposed apexes 16 are more
separated.
Cooperating pairs of intersecting elongated members are preferably
laterally offset on opposite sides of the apexes 14 and 16 by central spacers
18
(FIGURE 4) so that they do not obstruct each other during opening and closing
operation of the curtain. A longitudinally oriented aperture 20, of the
longitudinal
apexes 14 the function of which will be described subsequently, may be
provided in
each spacer 18.
Each pantograph train 4 operates with its diamonds 12 being in a
plane, which is at a 90 angle to the curtain plane, as can be seen in FIGURE
1.
Extending between adjacent trains 4 and secured to corresponding
members 10 of adjacent trains are a plurality of spaced bars 22. Notches 24
(FIGURE 3) are provided along interior edges of members 10 in each diamond, to
receive portions of corresponding bars in opposite members 10 of the diamonds,
when the trains are in their most elongated position.
As can be seen in FIGURE 3, as an option, a fabric 25 (chain-line)
may be secured about bars 22 over a portion or all of the intended surface
area of
the curtain, the fabric for example being interwoven through the bars over one
side
of the diamonds 12 of the trains, as illustrated.
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As can be seen in FIGURE 1, to move the curtain 2 longitudinally
between upper, open position and lower, closed position, a drums 30 are
provided
with cables 28, one end of each of which is wrapped around its corresponding
drum.
Each cable passes over a corresponding sheave or pulley 26, and its other end
may
be operatively connected to a lower end 8 of its corresponding train 4, as
illustrated,
or to a bar 22 extending between adjacent trains 4 at their lower end 8. For
proper
balance, the cables may extend vertically downwardly from sheaves 26 through
aperture 20 in spacers of the longitudinal apexes 14 and be secured to the
lower
longitudinal apex 14 of its corresponding train 4.
As can be seen in FIGURE 4, bars 22 may be mounted so as to
extend outwardly towards adjacent trains at longitudinal apexes 14.
Alternatively,
for example, the cables 28 may be looped around a pulley 31 (phantom, FIGURE
3)
with the free end of the cable appropriately connected above the curtain, to
provide
a double purchase arrangement for raising and lowering the curtain. An
appropriate
drive means 33 (FIGURES 2a, 2b, 2c) for drums 30 is provided so that by
unwinding
and winding each cable 28 in a similar manner with respect to drums 30, the
pantographs are respectively elongated to close or contracted to open the
curtain.
When the curtain is designed as a security gate, an appropriate
conventional lock mechanism 32 (FIGURES 2a and 2b) may be provided, for
example secured on or in an appropriate portion of the floor below the
curtain, to
cooperate with lock mechanism 34 secured, to lower end 8 of train 4.
For purpose of weight balance of the curtain, it is desired that similar
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numbers of bars 22 be secured to elongated members 10, preferably in an
alternating fashion, on each side of the center line of the trains (i.e. on
each side of
the longitudinal axis of the trains running through the longitudinal apexes).
FIGURES 5a, 5b and 5c are schematic side elevation views of an
alternative embodiment of mechanical curtain 2 in accordance with the present
invention. In this case, the trains 4 are pivotally secured to a wall or other
support
40 at the upper ends 42 of the upper most elongated members 10 as illustrated.
In
this manner, as drums 30 wind up cables 28 over their corresponding sheaves
26,
from closed position (FIGURE 5a) to open position (FIGURE 5c), the center line
of
trains 4 along the longitudinal apexes 14 progressively moves away from
support 40
until, when the curtain is in open position as illustrated in FIGURE 5c, those
longitudinal apexes 14 have moved their maximum distance away from support 40
and are preferably positioned below sheaves 26.
Turning to FIGURES 6, 7 and 8, there is illustrated an alternative
construction of mechanical curtain 2 in which each elongated member 10 of
train 4
is provided with a jog 46 as illustrated. Opposite ends of 48 and 50 of these
members, on either side of jog 36, are parallel. As can be seen in FIGURES 7
and
9, pairs 10a of such members 10, on which bars 22 outwardly extend in opposite
directions, the members being similarly oriented and positioned, are spaced
beside
each other and make up one opposing pair of sides of diamonds 12, while
similar
elongated single members 10b, to which no bars 22 are secured make up the
other
opposing sides. These members 10b are sandwiched between members 10a at the
apexes where they are connected, and are reversed in their orientation with
respect
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to members 10a. When the mechanical curtain is in elongated, closed
orientation,
(FIGURE 8) this construction permits the bars to be in vertical orientation,
albeit,
again for reasons of balance, staggered on opposite sides of the longitudinal
axis of
the mechanical curtain trains 4 as illustrated. (The embodiment of mechanical
curtain illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 5, prevents the bars from being in
vertical
alignment.) The embodiment of train construction illustrated in FIGURES 6 to 8
requires inner members 10b to have no bars secured to them so that the bars
secured to members 10a of a particular diamond 12 will not bear against
cooperating, opposed members 10b in that diamond during the contraction of the
trains.
In this embodiment, cables 28 are illustrated as passing through
apertures 52 centered in the lowest bars 22 extending between longitudinal
apexes
14 of trains 4.
In FIGURE 10, additional horizontally disposed subsets of bars 56 may
be provided as required, extending between trains 4, for aesthetic or
functional
purposes.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 11, a similar extension 60 is
laterally disposed in the plane of each diamond 12, from each laterally
disposed
apex 16. The end of each extension 60 is secured by appropriate conventional
means to slide up and down within a corresponding track 62. In this
embodiment,
cables 28 lie along one edge of each pantograph train 4, as illustrated, and
are
secured at its free end to their lowest extension 52. Track 62 may be
supported by
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existing structures such as walls or posts, or may be free standing.
As illustrated in FIGURE 11, a fabric 25 may also be fitted over bars
22 as desired, for purposes such as decoration, obscuring or preventing
visibility
through the curtain, or other functions. This fabric may for instance be a
type of
Kevlar (trademark) cloth which is bullet proof or may be solar type cloth
which has
solar heat control or energy creation applications (i.e. which is made of
solar cell
material that can convert light energy into electrical energy).
In FIGURE 12, an arrangement of curtain, similar to that of FIGURE 11
but without any fabric on it, is illustrated in side elevation view, at a
position in mid
travel between its open and closed positions. In FIGURE 13, a more detailed
view,
again from a side elevation perspective, of the curtain of FIGURE 11 is
illustrated,
on which fabric 58 is illustrated.
The mechanical curtain of the present invention, whether used for
security, solar control or otherwise, is relatively simple to construct and
operate, and
may readily be made visually appealing, while having all of the above
mentioned
advantages over prior art security gates and the like.
Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with
the invention a mechanical curtain that fully satisfies the objects, aims and
advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in
conjunction
with illustrated embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives,
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modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in
light of the
foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such
alternatives,
modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the
invention.
