Partition device

Abstract

To provide a partition device allowing an easy construction for opening and closing a plurality of panels supported on rails by interlocking them.SOLUTION: A partition device comprises a plurality of panels, a guiding section and a connecting member. The plurality of panels are arranged in parallel in a front-back direction, supported on an upper rail so that they can move relatively to each other in a left-right direction, and can open or close an opening in the lower part of the upper rail. The guiding section is a rail-like portion provided on an opposing surface of each of the panels that are adjacent to each other and facing each other along the left-right direction. The connecting member is attached to one guiding section of the opposing guiding sections from the front-back direction so that it can slide between its ends, and is attached to the other guiding section from the front-back direction so that it cannot slide or can slide at least partially between its ends, thereby connecting the guiding sections to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a partitioning device for partitioning an indoor space or an outdoor space.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a partitioning device that partitions a space with panels supported so as to be movable along a rail has been known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a partitioning device (sliding door device) having at least two front and rear sliding doors (panels) suspended and supported by a rail, and a fixed panel located on the left or right side behind these sliding doors. In this partitioning device, the sliding doors are configured to be movable left and right between a closed position and a position substantially overlapping the fixed panel. Further, a guide groove that is long in the left-right direction and open downward is formed at the lower part of one of the adjacent sliding doors. Furthermore, a pin that fits into the guide groove is provided at the lower part of the other via a horizontal overhanging piece. According to this partitioning device, the front and rear sliding doors can be interlocked and opened and closed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the configuration of the above partitioning device is such that the front and rear sliding doors are interlocked by fitting a pin provided on the other sliding door via a horizontal overhanging piece into a guide groove formed at the lower part of one sliding door. Therefore, it cannot be applied when there is no construction space below the sliding door or when a lower rail is provided, and there are problems with workability.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an easy-to-install partition device that allows multiple panels supported by rails to be opened and closed in conjunction with each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, a partition device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of panels, guide sections, and a connecting member. The plurality of panels are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction and supported by an upper rail so as to be able to move relative to each other in the left-right direction, and the opening at the bottom of the upper rail can be opened or closed. The guide sections are rail-shaped and are provided on the opposing surfaces of each adjacent panel so as to face each other along the left-right direction, and guide the connecting member. The connecting member connects the guide sections by being attached from the front-rear direction to one of the opposing guide sections so as to be able to slide between its ends, and by being attached from the front-rear direction to the other guide section so as to be unable to slide or to be able to slide in at least a portion of the area between its ends.

[0008] This configuration allows for easy attachment and detachment of connecting members for linking adjacent panels by providing guide sections on the panels. Furthermore, the connecting members can be attached even if there is no installation space below the panel or if a lower rail is provided.

[0009] The connecting member may be attached while the panel is supported by the upper rail.

[0010] This allows for easy attachment of connecting members to link adjacent panels, even after the panels have been mounted to the upper rail.

[0011] The panel may have vertical and horizontal frames to support the panel material, in which case the guide portion may be a rail-shaped groove formed on the side surface of the horizontal frame.

[0012] This allows connecting members to be attached using the horizontal frame that supports the panel material.

[0013] The horizontal frames are provided in multiple locations to support the panel materials which are provided in multiple locations in the vertical direction, and the connecting members may be detachably attached to the grooves of the horizontal frames provided between the panel materials among the multiple horizontal frames.

[0014] This allows connecting members to be attached to the horizontal frames that act as intermediate frames between each panel material, thus preventing adjacent panels from interfering with each other.

[0015] The connecting members may be attached to the grooves of the multiple horizontal frames provided between the panel materials.

[0016] This allows connecting members to be provided on multiple horizontal frames, enabling adjacent panels to be stably linked together.

[0017] The above-described partition device may further include a restricting portion provided on the other guide portion which contacts a part of the connecting member and restricts the sliding of the connecting member on the other guide portion so that when an adjacent panel is moved to open the opening, the vertical frames of the adjacent panels are in substantially the same position in the left-right direction.

[0018] This allows the two panels to be linked so that the vertical frames of adjacent panels are aligned and the opening is closed, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance.

[0019] The connecting member may have a protruding portion that extends to one side in the front-rear direction, and the sliding of the connecting member on the other guide portion may be restricted by the contact of the restricting portion with the protruding portion.

[0020] As a result, the protruding portion of the connecting member comes into contact with the restricting portion, preventing deformation and damage to the part of the connecting member attached to the guide portion due to repeated contact with the restricting portion, and maintaining stable opening and closing operation of the panel.

[0021] The connecting member has a base portion that can be disposed between adjacent panels, an elastically deformable first engaging portion that protrudes from the base portion to one side in the front-rear direction, and an elastically deformable second engaging portion that protrudes from the base portion to the other side in the front-rear direction. The first and second engaging portions may be detachably attached to the guide portions by being pressed and inserted from the front-rear direction so as to engage with the one and the other guide portions.

[0022] Thereby, the connecting member can be more easily attached to and detached from the guide portion.

[0023] The first and second engaging portions are respectively formed near one end portion and the other end portion in the left-right direction of the base portion. When the adjacent panels are moved so as to close the opening portion, the first and second engaging portions may be respectively engaged with the one and the other guide portions such that one end portion of one panel and the other end portion of the other panel partially overlap in the front-rear direction.

[0024] Thereby, the two panels can be interlocked so as to close the opening portion in a state where one end portion of one adjacent panel and the other end portion of the other panel partially overlap.

[0025] The panel may have vertical frames and horizontal frames that support the panel material. In this case, when the adjacent panels are moved so as to close the opening portion, the first and second engaging portions may be respectively engaged with the one and the other guide portions such that the vertical frame provided at one end portion of one panel and the vertical frame provided at the other end portion of the other panel are substantially in the same position in the left-right direction.

[0026] Thereby, the opening portion can be closed in a state where the vertical frames of one adjacent panel and the other panel are aligned. 1]

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a partition device that is easy to construct for making a plurality of panels supported by rails openable and closable in an interlocked manner. However, the effects are not intended to limit the present invention. [[ID=K28]] [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0028] [Figure 1] This is a front view of the panel closed state of a partition device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a front view of a partition device according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the panel in the process of being opened. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the partition device described above, taken from the side. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the horizontal frame and connecting member of the partition device shown above. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of the panel of the above-mentioned partition device in the planar direction. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view AA in Figure 5. [Figure 7] This is a side view of the area near the lower rail of the panel of the partition device described above. [Figure 8] This is a plan cross-sectional view showing the interlocking opening operation of the panels of the partition device described above. [Figure 9] This is an enlarged plan cross-sectional view showing the opening operation of the panel of the partition device described above. [Figure 10] This is a plan cross-sectional view showing the interlocking closing operation of the panels of the partition device described above. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view in the planar direction of a panel showing a modified example of the partition device described above. [Figure 12] This is a magnified section of Figure 11. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0030] [Overview of partitioning devices] Figure 1 is a front view of the partition device in this embodiment with the panel closed, Figure 2 is a front view of the partition device with the panel partially opened, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the partition device from the left side.

[0031] As shown in these figures, the partition device 100 according to this embodiment divides one space (room, etc.) into multiple spaces (rooms, etc.) in a house, shop, office, etc., and is installed, for example, between two parallel wall surfaces W, perpendicular to the wall surfaces W.

[0032] The partition device 100 comprises a plurality of upper rails 6 supported on the ceiling surface (not shown), a plurality of panels 1 (1a, 1b, 1c) suspended and supported from the upper runner 7, and a plurality of lower rails 8 laid on the floor surface F.

[0033] Multiple panels 1 are arranged in parallel in the front-to-back direction (Z direction) and supported by an upper rail 6 and a lower rail 8 so as to be able to move relative to each other in the left-to-right direction (X direction), and the opening O at the bottom of the upper rail 6 can be opened or closed.

[0034] More specifically, each panel 1 is supported so as to be movable in the left-right direction (X direction) by a plurality of upper runners 7 that move along the inner wall of the upper rail 6 and a plurality of lower runners 12 that move along the inner wall of the lower rail 8.

[0035] In the figure, three panels 1 are shown to constitute the partition device 100, but there may be two or four or more depending on the partition space. In this embodiment, of the panels 1, panel 1a is placed at the furthest back, panel 1b is in the center, and panel 1c is placed at the furthest front when viewed from the front (Z direction).

[0036] Each panel 1 is composed of, for example, three slightly elongated rectangular panel materials 2 arranged vertically. Multiple horizontal frames 3 are provided at the top and bottom ends of the panel materials 2 to support the multiple panel materials 2 arranged in the vertical direction, and multiple vertical frames 4 are provided at the left and right ends of the panel materials 2 to support the multiple panel materials 2 arranged in the horizontal direction.

[0037] Panel material 2 is formed from, for example, transparent or translucent synthetic resin or wood, and horizontal frame 3 and vertical frame 4 are formed from metal such as aluminum, but the materials are not limited to these. In the example shown in the figure, the upper and lower panel materials 2 of each panel 1 are made of transparent material, and the central panel material 2 is made of opaque material.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the upper runner 7 and a sealing rubber 9 for concealment are provided at the upper end of the horizontal frame 3 on the upper end side of panel 1, and the lower runner 12 and a sealing rubber 9 for concealment are provided at the lower end of the horizontal frame 3 on the lower end side of panel 1. In addition, side rubbers 10 for concealment are provided at the left and right ends of the vertical frame 4.

[0039] The lower runner 12 is detachably connected to a connecting shaft 13 provided on the horizontal frame 3. The lower end of the connecting shaft 13 engages with a concave engaging portion of the lower runner 12, connecting the lower end of the panel 1 to the lower runner 12. The connection between the lower end of the panel 1 and the lower runner 12 is released when the engagement between the lower end of the connecting shaft 13 and the engaging portion is released. This allows the lower runner 12 to be easily replaced without removing the panel 1 from the lower rail 8.

[0040] As shown in the circular enlargement in Figure 3, the partition device 100 has a guide section 15 and a connecting member 20 that is guided by the guide section 15 and connects adjacent panels 1 in the front-to-back direction (Z direction) so that they can move in conjunction in the left-to-right direction (X direction). Also, a bead 11 is interposed between each panel material 2 and the horizontal frame 3. Although not shown, a similar bead 11 is also interposed between each panel material 2 and the vertical frame 4.

[0041] The guide portion 15 described above is a rail-shaped groove formed on the side surface of the multiple horizontal frames 3. The connecting member 20 is detachably attached to the grooves of the multiple horizontal frames (intermediate frames) provided between the panel materials 2, among the multiple horizontal frames 3.

[0042] The connecting member 20 connects the two guide sections 15 by being attached to one of a pair of guide sections 15 facing each other in the front-rear direction (Z direction) so as to be slidable between its ends, and to the other guide section 15 from the front-rear direction (Z direction) so as to be slidable over a portion of the area between its ends.

[0043] The connecting member 20 can be attached from the front-to-back direction (Z direction) while the panel is supported by the upper rail.

[0044] Connecting members 20 are attached to horizontal frames 3, which serve as intermediate frames provided between each panel material 2. Since each panel 1 is connected while maintaining a predetermined distance in the front-to-back direction, interference between adjacent panels 1 can be prevented. Furthermore, by providing connecting members 20 on multiple horizontal frames 3, adjacent panels 1 can be stably linked together.

[0045] [Details of connecting members] Next, the details of the connecting member 20 of the partition device 100 will be described. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the horizontal frame 3 and connecting member 20 of the partition device 100. Figure 5 is a planar cross-sectional view of the panel 1 of the partition device 100, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 5. Figure 4(A) is an exploded view of the horizontal frame 3 and connecting member 20, and Figure 4(B) shows the state in which the connecting member 20 is attached to the horizontal frame 3.

[0046] As shown in these figures, the connecting member 20 has a base portion 21, a first engaging portion 22, and a second engaging portion 23. The base portion 21 can be positioned between adjacent panels 1 in the front-rear direction (Z direction). The first engaging portion 22 is formed to protrude from near one end of the base portion 21 in the left-right direction to one side in the front-rear direction (Z direction), and the second engaging portion 23 is formed to protrude from near the other end of the base portion 21 in the left-right direction to the other side in the front-rear direction (Z direction). Both are elastically deformable.

[0047] The first engaging portion 22 and the second engaging portion 23 are formed, for example, as two parallel plate-shaped members having engaging claws at their tips. The connecting member 20 is detachably attached to each guide portion 15 by being pressed and inserted from the front-rear direction (Z direction) so as to engage with one and the other opposing guide portions 15 of adjacent panels 1, respectively.

[0048] As will be described in more detail later, the first engaging portion 22 and the second engaging portion 23 are engaged with the first and second guide portions 15 respectively, so that when an adjacent panel 1 is moved to close the opening O, one end of one panel 1 and the other end of the other panel 1 move in conjunction with each other in a state of partial overlap in the front-rear direction (Z direction).

[0049] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, a projection 24 is provided on the left-right end of the base 21, beyond the second engaging portion 23, projecting from the base 21 in one direction in the front-rear direction (Z direction) (in the same direction as the projection direction of the second engaging portion 23). Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a block-shaped or plate-shaped restricting portion 18 is provided on the guide portion 15 of the horizontal frame 3, which engages with the second engaging portion 23, so as to block the groove of the guide portion 15 in the left-right direction (X direction). The restricting portion 18 may be composed of the head of a screw that is screwed into the groove of the guide portion 15 from the front-rear direction (Z direction). When the projection 24 contacts the restricting portion 18, the sliding of the second engaging portion 23 of the connecting member 20 on the guide portion 15 is restricted during the opening operation of the panel 1.

[0050] The protruding portion 24 comes into contact with the restricting portion 18, which prevents the second engaging portion 23 of the connecting member 20 from deforming or being damaged by repeated contact with the restricting portion 18, thereby maintaining stable opening and closing operation of the panel 1.

[0051] [Panel fixing mechanism] Figure 7 is a left side view of the panel 1 of the partition device 100 near the lower rail 8. As shown in the figure, a locking member (round drop) 17 is provided in the groove 4a of one end (for example, the left side) of the vertical frame 4 at both ends of the panel 1 in the left-right direction (X direction), which fixes the panel 1 to the lower rail 8 so that it cannot move.

[0052] The locking member 17 is slidable vertically (Y direction) along the groove 4a. Through holes 8a are provided at positions on the center of the surface of the lower rail 8, corresponding to the left and right (X direction) ends of each panel 1 when the partition device 100 is closed. A cylindrical protrusion 17a, smaller in diameter than the through hole 8a, is formed at the lower end of the locking member 17.

[0053] The locking member 17 is positioned over the insertion hole 8a and slid downward in the Y direction, causing the protrusion 17a to be inserted into the insertion hole 8a, thereby fixing the panel 1 to the lower rail 8 in an immovable state. From this fixed state, the locking member 17 is slid upward in the Y direction, causing the protrusion 17a to be withdrawn from the insertion hole 8a, releasing the lock and making the panel 1 movable.

[0054] In this embodiment, only the panel 1c at the far right of the figure (the panel closest to the viewer in the front-to-back direction) is fixed immovably by the locking member 17, while the remaining panels 1a and 1b are slidable along the upper rail 6 and lower rail 8.

[0055] [Operation of partition device] Next, the operation of the partition device 100 configured as described above will be explained.

[0056] (Panel opening operation) Figure 8 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the interlocking opening operation of panel 1 of the partition device 100. Figure 9 is a magnified cross-sectional plan view showing the opening operation of two adjacent panels 1 (panel 1a and panel 1b) in Figure 8.

[0057] As shown in Figures 8(A) and 9(A) (dashed lines), the first engaging portion 22 and the second engaging portion 23 protrude in the front-to-back direction (Z direction) at offset positions in the direction of movement of panel 1 (X direction) (spanning the vertical frame 4). Therefore, when panel 1 (opening O) is completely closed, the vertical frame 4 on one end of one of the adjacent panels 1 in the front-to-back direction (Z direction) and the vertical frame on the other end of the other panel 1 are at the same position in the left-to-right direction (X direction) (overlapping in the front-to-back direction).

[0058] This is because the distance between the end of the base 21 of the first engaging portion 22 and the end of the base 21 of the second engaging portion 23 in the left-right direction (X direction) is approximately equal to the width (length in the left-right direction) of the vertical frame 4. As a result, the opening O can be closed with the vertical frame 4 of one adjacent panel 1 and the vertical frame 4 of the other panel 1 aligned.

[0059] From that state, as shown in Figure 9(B), when the user moves the leftmost panel 1a in the opening direction, the vertical frame 4 at the left end of panel 1a begins to push the connecting member 20 that connects panel 1a and panel 1b in the opening direction, as shown in Figures 8(B) and 9(C).

[0060] Furthermore, when panel 1a moves in the opening direction and pushes the connecting member 20 that connects panel 1a and panel 1b, as shown in Figure 8(C), the protruding portion 24 of the connecting member 20 comes into contact with the restricting portion 18 provided on the lateral frame 3 of panel 1b, thereby restricting the sliding of the connecting member 20 on the guide portion 15 of panel 1b.

[0061] If the user moves panel 1a further in the opening direction from that state, panel 1a and panel 1b will move in conjunction with each other, with their left and right edges aligned in the front-to-back direction (Z direction).

[0062] Next, when the user moves panel 1a in conjunction with panel 1b to move further in the opening direction, as shown in Figure (D), the vertical frame 4 at the left end of panel 1b begins to push the connecting member 20 that connects panel 1b and panel 1c in the opening direction.

[0063] Then, when the user moves panels 1a and 1b further in the opening direction, and the vertical frame 4 pushes the connecting member 20 that connects panels 1b and 1c, as shown in Figure (E), the protruding portion 24 of the connecting member 20 comes into contact with the restricting portion 18 provided on the horizontal frame 3 of panel 1c, thereby restricting the sliding of the connecting member 20 on the guide portion 15 of panel 1c. As a result, panels 1a, 1b, and 1c are in a state where the opening O is completely open.

[0064] At this time, the vertical frames 4 of each panel 1 are in approximately the same position in the left-right direction (X direction). This is because the restricting portion 18 is provided in such a position, that is, at a distance from the end of the vertical frame 4 that pushes the first engaging portion 22, by the distance from the end of the connecting member 20 that is pushed by the vertical frame 4 to the end of the protruding portion 24 in the opening direction. This improves the aesthetic appearance when the opening O is in the open state.

[0065] (Panel closing action) Figure 10 is a plan cross-sectional view showing the interlocking closing operation of panel 1 of the partition device 100.

[0066] As shown in Figure (A), when the opening O is fully open, the vertical frames 4 of each panel 1 are aligned to approximately the same position in the left-right direction (X direction) by the restricting portion 18.

[0067] From this state, when the user moves the innermost panel 1a in the closing direction, the vertical frame 4 at the right end of panel 1a begins to push the connecting member 20 that connects panel 1a and panel 1b in the closing direction, as shown in Figure (B).

[0068] As a result, as shown in Figure (C), when the user moves panel 1a further in the closing direction, panels 1a and 1b, which are connected by the connecting member 20, move in conjunction.

[0069] Next, when the user moves panel 1a in conjunction with panel 1b in the closing direction, as shown in Figure (D), the vertical frame 4 at the right end of panel 1b begins to push the connecting member 20 that connects panel 1b and panel 1c in the closing direction.

[0070] As the user moves panel 1a further in the closing direction, as shown in Figure (E), the left end of panel 1a (side rubber 10) comes into contact with the wall surface W and stops, and the second engaging portion 23 of the connecting member 20 that connects panel 1b and panel 1c comes into contact with the left vertical frame 4 of the fixed panel 1c and stops, so that panels 1a, 1b, and 1c completely close the opening O.

[0071] In this case, as described above, the vertical frame 4 on one end of one of the adjacent panels 1 (panel 1a / panel 1b) in the front-to-back direction (Z) and the vertical frame on the other end of the other panel 1 (panel 1b / panel 1c) are in the same position in the left-to-right direction (X direction) (they overlap in the front-to-back direction).

[0072] This allows the two panels 1 to be linked so that the vertical frames 4 of adjacent panels 1 are aligned in the user's front-view direction (Z direction) and the opening O is closed, thereby improving the design aesthetics.

[0073] As described above, according to this embodiment, by providing a guide portion 15 on the horizontal frame (intermediate frame) 3 of panel 1, the connecting member 20 for interlocking adjacent panels 1 can be easily attached and detached. Furthermore, the connecting member 20 can be attached even if there is no installation space below panel 1 or if a lower rail 8 is provided. Moreover, the connecting member 20 can be easily attached even after panel 1 has been attached to the upper rail 6.

[0074] [Differentiation] The partition device of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0075] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view in the planar direction of panel 1, showing a modified example of the partition device 100. Figure 12 is a partially enlarged view of Figure 11.

[0076] As shown in both figures, in this modified example, the side rubber 10 provided on the vertical frame 4 at the right end (front view) of each panel 1, excluding the frontmost panel 1, in the above embodiment is changed to one with a smaller width in the left-right direction (X direction).

[0077] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the bead 11 interposed between the vertical frame 4 and the panel material 2 has been changed to one with a smaller width in the left-right direction (X direction), as shown in the figure.

[0078] This reduces the amount that the side rubber 10 and bead 11 protrude from the vertical frame 4 in the left-right direction, improving the aesthetic appearance.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the panel 1c closest to the front in the front-to-back direction is fixed immovably by a locking member 17, while the remaining panels 1a and 1b are configured to slide along the upper rail 6 and lower rail 8. However, in installation environments where there is a door pocket next to the opening where the panels can be stored, the locking member 17 can be released to fix panel 1c, allowing all panels 1 to slide.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the guide portion 15 is formed as a rail-shaped groove formed on the side surface of the horizontal frame 3. However, the guide portion is not limited to this configuration, and any rail-shaped structure provided on the opposing surfaces of adjacent panels 1 so as to face each other along the left-right direction (X direction) is acceptable. For example, if the panel 1 does not have a horizontal frame 3, a rail member having the guide portion 15 may be attached to the panel 1 separately, or the guide portion 15 may be formed on the panel material 2 itself.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the connecting member 20 was attached to a plurality of horizontal frames 3, which serve as intermediate frames provided between each panel material 2. However, it may be attached to the upper and / or lower horizontal frames 3 instead of, or in addition to, the connecting member 20. Furthermore, the connecting member 20 may be attached to only a single horizontal frame instead of a plurality of horizontal frames 3.

[0082] In the embodiments described above, the first engaging portion 22 and the second engaging portion 23 were shown as plate-shaped engaging claws, but their shapes and structures are not limited thereto. For example, the width of the groove in the guide portion 15 may be made smaller and formed in a slit shape, and the first engaging portion 22 and the second engaging portion 23 may be formed as elastically deformable rod-shaped members having an engaging portion at the tip, for example, so that they can be inserted into the slit-shaped groove.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the panel 1 is shown to be supported by both the upper rail 6 and the lower rail 8. However, the partition device 100 may not have a lower rail 8, and the panel 1 may be suspended and supported by the upper rail 6.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, the connecting member 20 is provided with a protrusion 24 that contacts the restricting portion 18. However, even without the protrusion 24, the sliding of the connecting member 20 may be restricted by contact between a part of the connecting member 20 (for example, the left-right end) and the restricting portion 18.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, the connecting member 20 is attached to one guide portion 15 so as to be slidable between its ends, and to the other guide portion 15 (by the restricting portion 18) a portion of the range between its ends is made slidable. However, the connecting member 20 may similarly be slidable between one guide portion 15 but not slidable at all between the other guide portion 15, or conversely, it may be slidable over the entire range between its ends (by not providing the restricting portion 18).

[0086] The shapes and numbers of each component in the above-described embodiment (for example, the panel material 2, the connecting member 20 and its parts, the horizontal frame 3 and the vertical frame 4, and the guide part 15) are not limited to those shown in the figures. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1... Panel 2…Panel material 3…Horizontal frame 4…Vertical frame 6… Upper rail 7…Upper runner 8…Lower rail 9...Seal rubber 10... Side rubber 11…Beat 12...Lower Runner 13...Connection shaft 15…Information Department 17… Locking component 18…Regulatory Department 20…Connecting member 21...Base 22...First engaging part 23...Second engaging part 24...Protrusion 100... Partitioning device Wall surface...W Floor…F Opening…O

Claims

1. Multiple panels are arranged in parallel in the front-to-back direction, supported by an upper rail so as to be able to move relative to each other in the left-to-right direction, and the opening at the bottom of the upper rail can be opened or closed. Rail-shaped guide sections are provided on the opposing surfaces of each of the adjacent panels so as to face each other along the left-right direction, A connecting member is attached to one of the opposing guide portions so as to allow sliding between its ends from the front-rear direction, and to the other guide portion so as to be non-slidable or allow sliding over at least a portion of the area between its ends, thereby connecting the guide portions together. It is equipped with, The connecting member has a base portion that can be positioned between adjacent panels, a first engaging portion that protrudes from the base portion to one side in the front-rear direction, and a second engaging portion that protrudes from the base portion to the other side in the front-rear direction. The connecting member is detachably attached to the guide portion by being pressed and inserted from the front-rear direction so that the first and second engaging portions engage with the one and the other guide portion. Partitioning device.

2. A partition device according to claim 1, The connecting member can be attached while the panel is supported by the upper rail. Partitioning device.

3. A partition device according to claim 1, The panel has vertical and horizontal frames that support the panel material. The guide portion is a rail-shaped groove formed on the side surface of the horizontal frame. Partitioning device.

4. A partition device according to claim 3, The aforementioned horizontal frame is provided in multiple locations to support the panel materials which are provided in multiple locations in the vertical direction. The connecting member is detachably attached to the groove of the horizontal frame provided between the panel materials, among the plurality of horizontal frames. Partitioning device.

5. A partition device according to claim 4, The connecting members are each attached to the grooves of the multiple horizontal frames provided between the panel materials. Partitioning device.

6. A partition device according to claim 3, A restricting portion is provided on the other guide portion, and when an adjacent panel is moved to open the opening, it contacts a part of the connecting member to restrict the sliding of the connecting member on the other guide portion, so that the vertical frames of the adjacent panels are in substantially the same position in the left-right direction. A partition device further comprising the above.

7. A partition device according to claim 6, The connecting member has a protruding portion that extends to one side in the front-rear direction, and the sliding of the connecting member on the other guide portion is restricted when the protruding portion comes into contact with the restricting portion. Partitioning device.

8. A partition device according to claim 1, The first and second engaging portions are formed near one end and the other end of the base in the left-right direction, respectively, and when adjacent panels are moved to close the opening, they engage with the first and second guide portions, respectively, so that one end of one panel and the other end of the other panel partially overlap in the front-rear direction. Partitioning device.

9. A partition device according to claim 8, The panel has vertical and horizontal frames that support the panel material. The first and second engaging portions engage with the guide portions of the first and second panels, respectively, such that when adjacent panels are moved to close the opening, the vertical frame provided at one end of one panel and the vertical frame provided at the other end of the other panel are in substantially the same position in the left-right direction. Partitioning device.

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