Mobile partition device

Abstract

The present invention provides a movable partition device that prevents damage to rollers, rod members, and the panel body. [Solution] Panel 3 comprises a panel body 11 and rod members 12. Multiple rod members 12 are arranged in the direction of movement of panel 3. The lower parts of the multiple rod members 12 are fixed to connecting members 13, and the connecting members 13 are connected to the upper part of panel body 11 at multiple locations in the direction of movement of panel 3 so as to be able to tilt up and down.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a movable partition device that partitions an indoor space into a predetermined size by moving a plurality of panels along rails.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] When partitioning a large space such as a convention hall into a predetermined size, as described in Patent Document 1 for example, a movable partition device (movable wall) including rails installed on beam members supporting the ceiling of a roof, and a plurality of panels movable along the rails is used.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0003]

PATENT DOCUMENT 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] Since large-scale facilities such as convention halls are constructed outdoors, it is conceivable that the beam members supporting the roof ceiling and the long rails supported by the beam members bend downward toward the center when, for example, snow accumulates on the roof. In the movable partition device described in Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to the bending of the rails, so when moving a plurality of panels along the downwardly bent rails, the panels tilt in the left-right direction, and an unbalanced load (weight) is applied, which may damage the rollers, rod members, and panel bodies. In addition, a gap may be generated when a plurality of panels are connected to each other.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a movable partition device capable of preventing damage to rollers, rod members, and panel bodies.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0006] To solve the above problems, the movable partition device of the present invention is A movable partition device that divides an interior space using multiple panels suspended from rails installed on the ceiling via multiple rollers on the left and right sides, The panel comprises a panel body and a rod member connecting the upper part of the panel body and the roller. Multiple rod members are arranged in the direction of movement of the panel, and the lower parts of each of the rod members are fixed to a connecting member. The connecting member is characterized in that it is connected to the upper part of the panel body at multiple points in the direction of movement of the panel so as to be able to tilt up and down. This feature ensures that even if the rails installed on the ceiling sag downwards due to snow accumulation on the roof, only the connecting members tilt up and down relative to the rails according to the degree of sagging, thus maintaining the panel body in a vertical position at all times. As a result, damage to the rollers, rod members, and panel body is prevented, and gaps are not created when connecting panels together. Furthermore, since the panel body always maintains a vertical position, its movement is also facilitated.

[0007] The connecting member and the upper part of the panel body are connected by a pair of left and right link members, and the left-right connection distance between the left and right link members of the connecting member is different from the left-right connection distance between the upper part of the panel body. According to this feature, the non-parallel link mechanism formed by a pair of left and right link members, a connecting member, and the upper part of the panel body ensures that the connecting member reliably tilts up and down in response to the degree of rail deflection.

[0008] The pair of left and right link members are characterized in that they are connected in a V-shape or inverted V-shape when viewed from the front. This feature allows the panel body to be stably supported via the left and right link members.

[0009] The pair of left and right link members are characterized in that they are connected closer to the center than both ends of the connecting member and both ends of the upper part of the panel body. This feature allows the connecting member and the upper ends of the panel body to come into contact more easily, acting as a stopper when the connecting member tilts, thus enabling the panel body to move stably along the downward-bending rail.

[0010] The panel body comprises a substantially rectangular frame having a pair of left and right vertical frame sections and a pair of upper and lower horizontal frame sections that connect the upper ends and lower ends of the left and right vertical frame sections, respectively, and plate materials attached to both the front and rear surfaces of the frame. A connecting horizontal rod member is installed above the left and right pair of vertical frame sections, below the upper horizontal frame section, to which the lower ends of the left and right pair of link members are pivotally attached. The rod member is characterized by being inserted through an elongated hole formed in the upper horizontal frame portion. According to this feature, the connecting horizontal rod members are installed below the upper horizontal frame section and are not exposed to the outside due to the plates attached to both the front and rear sides of the frame, resulting in a superior aesthetic appearance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a movable partition device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a magnified front view of a cutout in the panel before the rail flexed. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the left half of the rail, showing the partitioned state created by multiple panels when the rail is bent. [Figure 4] This is a magnified front view of a cutout in the panel when the rail is bent. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged perspective view of the mounting section for the rod member and link member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments for implementing the movable partition device of the present invention will be described below based on examples. [Examples]

[0013] A movable partition device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The movable partition device 1 is for partitioning a large space, such as a large convention hall constructed outdoors, into predetermined sizes. It comprises a long, hollow rail 2, a plurality of panels 3 whose upper ends are suspended by the rail 2 so as to be movable in the left-right direction, and storage compartments 4, 4 for the panels 3 arranged on both ends of the rail 2. The plurality of panels 3 can be moved from both the left and right sides of the rail 2 to the center. The rail 2 is erected on a long beam member 5 that supports the ceiling of the roof via a plurality of support rods 6.

[0014] The left and right storage compartments 4 are equipped with two parallel storage rails (not shown) that are continuous with the ends of the rail 2 and oriented perpendicular to the rail 2, allowing multiple panels 3 that have moved to both ends of the rail 2 to be sequentially rotated 90 degrees and stored. By rotating each of the multiple panels 3 stored in the left and right storage compartments 4 by 90 degrees and pulling them out onto the rail 2, and moving the leading panel 3 to the center of the rail 2, a large space such as a convention hall can be partitioned into a predetermined size. Although not shown in the diagram, a stopper is fixed to the upper surface of the central part of the bottom wall 2a of the rail 2, and the roller 16 of the leading panel 3, which will be described later, comes into contact with this stopper, preventing the leading panel 3 from moving beyond the center of the rail 2 to the opposite side.

[0015] As shown in the enlarged view in Figure 2, each panel 3 includes a frame 7 that is frame-shaped in front view, and decorative panels (plate members) 8 attached to both front and rear surfaces of this frame 7. The frame 7 is composed of a pair of left and right vertical frame portions 7a, 7a, a pair of upper and lower horizontal frame portions 7b, 7b made of square tubes that connect the upper ends and lower ends of both vertical frame portions 7a, and a connecting horizontal rod member 9 that connects the opposing surfaces of the left and right vertical frame portions 7a at a position spaced a predetermined dimension downward from the upper horizontal frame portion 7b. The corners where the connecting horizontal rod member 9 intersects with the left and right vertical frame portions 7a are reinforced by triangular reinforcing plates 10, 10. Note that the frame 7, the decorative panels 8 and the like constitute a panel main body 11.

[0016] In the space between the upper horizontal frame portion 7b and the connecting horizontal rod member 9, a connecting member 13, which is connected to the lower ends of a pair of left and right upward-facing rod members 12, 12 and has a left-right dimension shorter than that of the connecting horizontal rod member 9 by a required dimension, is accommodated so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction.

[0017] As shown in Figure 5, the connecting member 13 is formed by a square tube in which the top plates at both side end portions are notched, and the lower end portion of the rod member 12 inserted into the interior through this notch is fixed by a plurality of (four) bolts 14. The lower end portion of the right rod member 12 is also fixed to the connecting member 13 in the same manner.

[0018] The left and right rod members 12 are inserted through long holes 15, 15 formed in the top plates and bottom plates at both side end portions of the upper horizontal frame portion 7b so as to be movable in the left-right direction, and a pair of front and rear rollers 16 (see Figures 2 and 4: the rear-side roller is not shown) are attached to the upper end portions. Further, the upper end portion of the rod member 12 is loosely fitted into an opening (not shown) continuous in the length direction formed in the central portion of the bottom wall 2a of the rail 2, and the pair of front and rear rollers 16 are configured to travel in the length direction along the upper surfaces of the front and rear bottom walls 2a provided on the front and rear sides across the opening.

[0019] The left and right pair of link members 17, 17 are rotatably attached by connecting pins 18, 18 to both the front and rear surfaces of the connecting horizontal rod member 9 and the connecting member 13, in an inverted V-shape when viewed from the front, on the inner side close to the left and right rod members 12 and closer to the center than both ends of the connecting horizontal rod member 9 and the connecting member 13 (the rear link member 17 is not shown). The connection distance between the left and right connecting pins 18, 18 connected to the connecting member 13 is longer than the connection distance between the left and right connecting pins 18, 18 connected to the connecting horizontal rod member 9. The load of the panel body 11 is supported by the left and right link members 17, the connecting horizontal rod member 9 and the left and right rod members 12.

[0020] When the connecting horizontal rod member 9 and the connecting member 13 are connected by a pair of left and right link members 17 that are inverted V-shapes when viewed from the front, a non-parallel link mechanism is formed by the connecting horizontal rod member 9, the connecting member 13 and the left and right link members 17. When both link members 17 rotate clockwise when viewed from the front, the connecting member 13 tilts relative to the connecting horizontal rod member 9. With the connecting horizontal rod member 9 as the horizontal reference, the connecting member 13 tilts downward to the right, and when it rotates counterclockwise, it tilts downward to the left.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, when the rail 2 is level and not deflected, the left and right link members 17 do not rotate, and the connecting member 13 is kept in a horizontal position.

[0022] Figure 3 shows the rail 2 bending downward due to snow accumulation on the roof, etc. For illustrative purposes, the rail 2 is shown to bend more dramatically than it actually is. As shown in Figure 4, the left and right link members 17 rotate clockwise, causing the connecting member 13 to tilt downward to the right. In this case, only the connecting member 13 tilts, so the panel body 11 moves while maintaining a vertical position.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the left and right link members 17 are positioned closer to the center than the longitudinal ends of the connecting member 13 and the longitudinal ends of the connecting horizontal rod member 9. Therefore, the longitudinal ends of the connecting member 13 and the longitudinal ends of the connecting horizontal rod member 9 come into contact, defining the relative tilt angle limit between the connecting member 13 and the connecting horizontal rod member 9. This minimizes the swaying of the panel body 11 when the panel 3 is moved, resulting in excellent operability. In addition, it prevents excessive pendulum motion and large impacts when adjacent panel bodies 11 collide.

[0024] As described above, in the movable partition device 1 according to the embodiment, even if the rail 2 bends downward, only the connecting member 13 tilts up and down, and the panel body 11 always moves while maintaining a vertical position. Therefore, an unbalanced load is not applied to the left and right rollers 16, and damage to the rollers 16, rod members 12, and panel body 11 is prevented.

[0025] Furthermore, since the adjacent panel bodies 11 on the left and right always maintain a vertical position, the adjacent panels 3 do not come into contact at an off-center position in the vertical direction. This prevents localized deformation and damage to the rod members 12 and panel bodies 11, and also prevents gaps from forming when connecting the panels 3 together. In addition, since the panel bodies 11 move while always maintaining a vertical position, the movement of the panels 3 is also made easier.

[0026] Furthermore, by shaping the left and right link members 17 in an inverted V-shape when viewed from the front, their upper ends are connected to the connecting member 13 at a position as close as possible to the left and right rod members 12, resulting in excellent stability and preventing the concentration of bending loads in the center of the connecting member 13, thus providing excellent durability. Moreover, the starting point of the left-right swing of the panel body 11 relative to the connecting member 13 is on the side of the connecting horizontal rod member 9, where the distance between the ends of the left and right link members 17 is closer. In other words, the starting point of tilting, or swinging, is lower than the connecting member 13, thus reducing the amplitude of the swing compared to the case where the link members are shaped in an inverted V-shape when viewed from the front. In short, since the left and right link members 17 are connected to the connecting horizontal rod member 9 and the connecting member 13 in an inverted V-shape when viewed from the front, the panel body 11 can be stably supported via the left and right link members 17.

[0027] Furthermore, the connecting horizontal rod member 9 is installed below the upper horizontal frame portion 7b, and the rod member 12 is inserted through the elongated hole 15 formed in the upper horizontal frame portion 7b. As a result, it is concealed by the decorative panels 8 attached to both the front and rear surfaces of the frame 7, so the connecting horizontal rod member 9 is not exposed to the outside, resulting in a superior aesthetic appearance.

[0028] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and any additions or modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included.

[0029] For example, in the above embodiment, the left and right link members 17 are connected to the connecting horizontal rod member 9 and the connecting member 13 so as to form an inverted V shape when viewed from the front. However, they may also be connected so as to form an V shape when viewed from the front. In this case as well, the connecting member 13 can tilt up and down according to the degree of deflection of the rail 2, and the panel body 11 can be supported stably.

[0030] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, for example, a connecting horizontal rod member 9 is provided below the upper horizontal frame portion 7b that constitutes the frame 7 of the panel body 11 to which the lower ends of the left and right link members 17 are attached. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the connecting horizontal rod member 9 may be omitted, and the lower ends of the left and right link members 17 may be attached to the upper horizontal frame portion 7b. Moreover, the structure of the panel body 11 is not limited to being composed of a frame 7 and a decorative panel 8, but may be, for example, a hollow box shape, in which case the lower ends of the left and right link members 17 may be attached to the upper surface of the box shape.

[0031] In the above embodiment, the movable partition device of the present invention was applied to partitioning a large space such as a large convention hall into predetermined sizes, and the case in which the rail 2 bends downward due to snow accumulation on the roof was described. However, the present invention can also be applied when the rail 2 bends downward due to the weight of the panel 3. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0032] 1. Movable partition device 2 rails 3 Panels 4 Hangar 5 Beam material 6 Support rod 7 frames 7a Vertical frame member 7b Horizontal frame member 8 Decorative panels 9 Connecting horizontal rod member 10 Reinforcement plate 11 Panel body 12 Rod members 13 Connecting member 15 long hole 16 Laura 17 Link members 18 connecting pins

Claims

1. A movable partition device that divides an interior space using multiple panels suspended from rails installed on the ceiling via multiple rollers on the left and right sides, The panel comprises a panel body and a rod member connecting the upper part of the panel body and the roller. Multiple rod members are arranged in the direction of movement of the panel, and the lower parts of each of the rod members are fixed to a connecting member. The movable partition device is characterized in that the connecting members are connected to the upper part of the panel body so as to be able to tilt up and down at multiple locations in the direction of movement of the panel.

2. The movable partition device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member and the upper part of the panel body are connected by a pair of left and right link members, and the distance between the left and right link members in the left and right direction of the connecting member is different from the distance between the left and right links members in the left and right direction of the upper part of the panel body.

3. The movable partition device according to claim 2, characterized in that the pair of left and right link members are connected in a V-shape or inverted V-shape when viewed from the front.

4. The movable partition device according to claim 3, characterized in that the pair of left and right link members are connected closer to the center than both ends of the connecting member and both ends of the upper part of the panel body.

5. The panel body comprises a substantially rectangular frame having a pair of left and right vertical frame sections and a pair of upper and lower horizontal frame sections that connect the upper ends and lower ends of the left and right vertical frame sections, respectively, and plate materials attached to both the front and rear surfaces of the frame. A connecting horizontal rod member is installed above the left and right pair of vertical frame sections, below the upper horizontal frame section, to which the lower ends of the left and right pair of link members are pivotally attached. The movable partition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rod member is inserted through an elongated hole formed in the upper horizontal frame portion.

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