Zoning System

Abstract

To provide a zoning system that achieves an increased degree of freedom in changing the form of an area, without causing complication of a structure and a panel moving operation.SOLUTION: A zoning system Z comprises multiple guide rails 1-4 and multiple partition panels 5 movable by guide of the guide rails 1-4. By moving the partition panels 5 along the guide rails 1-4, the forms of the area partitioned by the partition panels 5 can be changed. Only second linear regions 3b and 4b being parts of the specific guide rails 3, 4 are closely arranged in parallel to parts of the other guide rails 1, 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a zoning system suitably used when gently partitioning a space.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of zoning system, one has been developed that gently partitions a space with relatively sparsely arranged sliding panels. Such a system is configured to be able to move the panels along guide rails arranged on the floor, and by changing the positions of the panels according to the work mode, it is possible to change the form of the area partitioned by the panels (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, the conventional one specifies the area to be partitioned by combining a plurality of straight guide rails, and supports the required number of partition panels on each guide rail. Thus, although such partition panels can move freely along the corresponding guide rails, they cannot be transferred to other guide rails. Therefore, when there is a demand to further increase the degree of freedom in area change, it is necessary to take some measures.

[0004] As a measure to increase the degree of freedom in area change, it is conceivable to provide a junction point having a switching point or the like on the floor rail so that the panel can be transferred to a different floor rail as necessary. However, when a plurality of floor rails are interconnected via a junction point, the structure of the connection portion becomes complicated, and point switching operations at the junction point become essential when the panel moves, making the panel movement operation complicated.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to increase the degree of freedom in changing the form of an area without causing complication of the structure or complication of the panel movement operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] Claim 1 The zoning system according to the invention described in the claim comprises a plurality of guide rails and a plurality of partition panels movable along these guide rails. By moving the partition panels along the guide rails, the form of the area partitioned by these partition panels can be changed. Only a part of a specific guide rail is arranged parallel and close to a part of another guide rail. The guide rail is mainly composed of a floor rail that guides while receiving and supporting the partition panel.

[0008] Claim 2 The invention described in the claim is the zoning system according to claim 1, wherein the specific guide rail comprises a plurality of linear regions with different extending directions and a curved region that smoothly connects these linear regions, and at least one of the linear regions is arranged parallel and close to a part of the other guide rail.

[0010] Claim 3 The invention described in the claim is the zoning system according to the claim, wherein the partition panel is provided at the bottom of the panel body with a plurality of wheels that can swing their necks and roll along the floor rail. 1 or 2 described.

[0011] Claim4 The invention described is the zoning system according to claims 1 and 2, in which a plurality of partition panels are respectively supported on each of the guide rails. or as described in 3.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, the degree of freedom in changing the form of the area can be increased without causing complication of the structure or complication of the panel movement operation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] <First Embodiment (Figs. 2 to 9)> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the zoning system Z1 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of guide rails 1, 2, 3, 4 and a plurality of partition panels 5 that are guided by and movable along these guide rails 1, 2, 3, 4. By moving the partition panels 5 along the guide rails 1, 2, 3, 4, the form of the areas (A1 to A4) partitioned by these partition panels 5 can be changed. That is, this embodiment includes four outer edge guide rails 1, 2 arranged in a rectangular shape in plan view, one front-rear partitioning guide rail 3 that divides the space S surrounded by these outer edge guide rails 1, 2 into two in the front-rear direction (up and down in plan view), and three left-right partitioning guide rails 4 that divide the space S surrounded by the outer edge guide rails 1, 2 into four in the left-right direction. Then, for example, eight partition panels 5 are movably supported on each of the two long horizontal outer edge guide rails 1, and for example, four partition panels 5 are movably supported on each of the two vertical outer edge guide rails 2. Also, for example, four partition panels 5 are movably supported on the front-rear partitioning guide rail 3, and for example, two partition panels 5 are movably supported on each of the left-right partitioning guide rails 4.

[0016] Then, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, only a part of the specific guide rails 3 and 4 is arranged so as to approach a part of the other guide rails 1 and 2 in parallel. In this embodiment, the single front-rear partition guide rail 3 and the three left-right partition guide rails 4 described above respectively correspond to specific guide rails, and the outer edge guide rails 1 and 2 correspond to the other guide rails. These front-rear partition guide rails 3 and left-right partition guide rails 4 each include a plurality of straight regions 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b with different extending directions and curved regions 3c, 4c that smoothly connect these straight regions 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, and at least one of the straight regions 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b is arranged to approach a part of the other guide rails 1 and 2 in parallel.

[0017] Specifically described, as shown in FIG. 2, the front-rear partition guide rail 3 includes a first straight region 3a parallel to the long horizontal outer edge guide rail 1 and a second straight region 3b continuously connected to both ends of the first straight portion 3a via curved regions 3c, respectively. The second straight region 3b extends in a direction orthogonal to the first straight region 3a. And these second straight regions 3b are arranged to approach parallel to the inside of the corresponding vertical outer edge guide rail 2. The degree of approach between the second straight region 3b and the corresponding outer edge guide rail 2 is set such that the mutual separation distance is as small as possible on the condition that the partition panels 5 supported by the respective guide rails 2 and 3 do not interfere with each other.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the left-right partition guide rail 4 includes a first straight region 4a parallel to the vertical outer edge guide rail 2 and a second straight region 4b continuously connected to both ends of the first straight region 4a via curved regions 4c, respectively. The second straight region 4b extends in a direction orthogonal to the first straight region 4a. And these second straight regions 4b are arranged to approach parallel to the inside of the corresponding horizontal outer edge guide rail 1. The degree of approach between the second straight region 4a and the corresponding outer edge guide rail 1 is set such that the mutual separation distance between the guide rails 1 and 4 is as small as possible on the premise that the partition panels 5 supported by the respective guide rails 1 and 4 do not interfere with each other.

[0019] In this embodiment, the length of the horizontally extending guide rail 1 for the horizontal outer edge is set to 4 modules (for example, 1 module is 3600 mm), and the length of the vertically extending guide rail 2 for the vertical outer edge is set to 2 modules. The width dimension of the partition panel 5 supported by each of the guide rails 1, 2, 3, and 4 is set to about 900 mm each. And, the left-right dimension of the front-rear partition guide rail 3 is set to slightly less than 4 modules, and the front-rear dimension of the left-right partition guide rail 4 is set to slightly less than 2 modules. And, the radius of curvature of the curved regions 3c and 4c of each of the partition guide rails 3 and 4 is set to about the same as the width dimension of the partition panel 5, that is, around 900 mm. These specific dimensions are just an example, and can be appropriately set according to the lengths of the guide rails 1, 2, 3, and 4, the size of the partition panel 5, etc. In this embodiment, as described above, the width dimension of the partition panel 5 is set to about 900 mm each, but the width dimension of the partition panel 5 may be arbitrarily set, for example, in the range of 700 to 1200 mm.

[0020] The guide rails 1 and 2 for the outer edge and the guide rails 3 and 4 for the partition are only different in the length dimensions and arrangement patterns in plan view, and are basically composed of the floor rail FR and the ceiling rail CR having the same cross-sectional shape.

[0021] Specifically described, each of the above-described guide rails 1, 2, 3, and 4 is mainly composed of a floor rail FR that guides while receiving and supporting the partition panel 5. That is, the guide rails 1, 2, 3, and 4 in this embodiment are mainly composed of a floor rail FR that guides while supporting the load of the partition panel 5, and above the floor rail FR, a ceiling rail CR having the same guide pattern as the floor rail FR and preventing the inclination and rolling of the partition panel 5 in the thickness direction is provided.

[0022] The bed rail FR is arranged, for example, on a double floor 6 called an OA floor or the like. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, this double floor 6 is a normal one in which floor panels 62 are laid on a building floor F via a plurality of support legs 61, and a carpet 63 is spread on the floor panels 62. The bed rail FR of this embodiment is fixed on the floor panel 62 of such a double floor 6, and the rail body FR1 is arranged so as to be exposed to the outside through a cut of the carpet 63. That is, the bed rail FR integrally includes a channel-shaped rail body FR1 that opens upward and a thin flange portion FR2 that extends outward from the bottom of the rail body FR1. By fixing the flange FR2 portion to the floor panel 62 with a countersunk head screw or the like, it is attached to the double floor 6. Since the height dimension of the rail body FR1 is set to a value close to the thickness dimension of the carpet 63, combined with the thin flange portion FR2, the open end of the bed rail FR is exposed from the cut of the carpet 63 without being conspicuous to the outside. The bed rail FR is integrally formed by extrusion molding, and a recessed groove FRa is formed at its open end.

[0023] The ceiling rail CR is, for example, made of an aluminum extruded material and has a channel shape that opens downward. The ceiling rail CR is a normal one that is attached to the lower surface of the ceiling material 7 and is suspended and supported by a ceiling structural member (not shown) via a suspension tool CR1.

[0024] The partition panel 5 includes a panel body 51 that is rectangular in a front view. At its bottom, a plurality of wheels 52 that roll along the bed rail FR are provided so as to be swingable, and at its top, a plurality of horizontal rotating rollers 53 that are guided by the ceiling rail CR are provided.

[0025] The panel body 51 includes left and right side frames 54, an upper frame 55 installed between the upper ends of both side frames 54, a lower frame 56 installed between the lower ends of both side frames 54, and upper intermediate frames 57 and lower intermediate frames 58 respectively installed between both side frames 54 and positioned between these upper frame 55 and lower frame 56. Spaces 5s are respectively formed between the upper frame 55 and the upper intermediate frame 57, and between the lower frame 56 and the lower intermediate frame 58, and only the face plate 59 is mounted between the upper intermediate frame 57 and the lower intermediate frame 58. As the face plate 59, a whiteboard, a wood-grain board, or an expanded metal formed by molding a metal plate into a mesh shape can be used, and of course, it may be formed using materials other than those described above. Further, the face plate 59 may be omitted. In that case, one or more horizontal crossbars may be provided between the upper intermediate frame 57 and the lower intermediate frame 58 so that a whiteboard panel or other optional members can be hung on this horizontal crossbar.

[0026] The upper frame 55 is in the shape of a square pipe column, and anti-tipping devices 551 having the above-described horizontal rotating rollers 53 are respectively provided in the vicinity of both ends. The anti-tipping device 551 includes a base body 552 having bearings 555 arranged in the upper frame 44 and forming an upper and lower pair, a vertical shaft 553 slidably supported by the upper and lower bearings 555 of this base body 552, a horizontal rotating roller 53 pivotally attached to the upper end of this vertical shaft 553, and a spring 554 that elastically biases this horizontal rotating roller 53 upward together with the vertical shaft 553. The upper end of the vertical shaft 553 and the horizontal rotating roller 53 are arranged in the ceiling rail CR, and this horizontal rotating roller 53 is selectively in rolling contact with one of the inner surfaces of the ceiling rail CR.

[0027] The lower frame 56 is a downwardly open channel-shaped structure formed by connecting between the upper ends of a pair of front and rear panel plates 560 made of a plate-shaped material with the upper end portion folded back, via a ceiling plate 565. At both ends in the vicinity, a swivel caster 561 having the above-described wheels 52 is provided respectively. The swivel caster 561 includes a base 562 fixed to the ceiling plate 565 of the lower frame 56 via a liner 564 and a male screw 569 for adjusting the mounting height, a swing frame 563 attached to the base 562 via a thrust bearing 566 and rotatable around the axis of the mounting shaft 567, and a wheel 52 pivotally attached to the swing frame 563. The wheel 52 is engaged with the recessed groove FRa of the floor rail FR so as to be rollable. The recessed groove FRa of the floor rail is, for example, a V-shaped cross-section whose opening width gradually expands upward, and the outer peripheral portion of the wheel 52 has a shape engaged with the recessed groove FRa. The swing frame 563 is provided with guide elements 568 that engage with the floor rail FR on both sides in the traveling direction of the wheel 52. By these guide elements 568 tracing the floor rail FR, the wheel 52 is configured to perform a sequential swinging operation in a direction that does not derail from the floor rail FR. Note that the swivel caster 561 is provided with a detent plate 56A that protrudes toward the center side in the longitudinal direction of the lower frame 56. During circulation, a detent screw 56B is passed through the ceiling plate 565 of the lower frame 56 and the notch portion 56C of the detent plate 56A to prevent the swivel caster 561 from rotating. However, this detent screw 56B is removed during use. In FIGS. 6 and 8, this detent screw 56B is shown by an imaginary line. Also, the number of liners 564 for adjusting the mounting height may be arbitrarily set according to unevenness of the ceiling or floor surface, etc., and it may be possible not to provide the liner 564 (the number of liners 564 is 0).

[0028] Here, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the zoning system Z according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the zoning mode by the same zoning system Z. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the partition panel 5 of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 4, and the intermediate portion between the upper frame 55 and the upper intermediate frame 57, the intermediate portion between the upper intermediate frame 57 and the lower intermediate frame 58, and the intermediate portion between the lower intermediate frame 58 and the lower frame 56 are shown omitted. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 4. In FIGS. 4 and 6, the floor rail FR and the ceiling rail CR are shown by imaginary lines. Further, in FIG. 6, in order to clearly show the swivel casters 561, the portion forming the front surface of the lower frame 56 is broken. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of part D in FIG. 5. And FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the guide rail, more specifically, the curved region of the floor rail FR and the partition panel 5. Also, the floor rail FR and the ceiling rail CR constituting each of the guide rails 1, 2, 3, 4 are basically of the same cross-sectional shape, and since the partition panel 5 is supported so as to be movable in the same manner, in the above description and FIGS. 4 to 9, only the symbol FR is attached to the floor rail and the symbol CR is attached to the ceiling rail.

[0029] Next, the operation and effect of this zoning system Z1 will be described.

[0030] In the zoning system Z1 of the first embodiment described above, the partition panel 5 supported by each of the guide rails 1, 2, 3, 4 can be freely moved in the width direction along the corresponding guide rails 1, 2, 3, 4 (floor rail FR and ceiling rail CR), but cannot be transferred to other guide rails 1, 2, 3, 4. This point is the same as the conventional one, but in this zoning system Z1, only a part of the specific guide rails 3, 4 is arranged to be parallel and close to a part of the other guide rails 1, 2. Therefore, the degree of freedom of zoning can be effectively increased compared with the conventional one.

[0031] That is, according to this zoning system Z1, by moving the partition panel 5 supported by the specific guide rails 3 and 4 to a position where it approaches a part of the other guide rails 1 and 2 in parallel, it is possible to arrange the partition panel 5 as if it has moved onto the other guide rails 1 and 2. Therefore, the degree of freedom in panel arrangement similar to that when the guide rails are connected via points is created. Specifically, with reference to the drawings, it is as follows.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a conventional zoning system Z0 corresponding to the first embodiment of the present invention. This conventional system, which is a comparative example, includes four outer-edge guide rails J1 and J2 arranged in a rectangular shape in plan view, one front-back partition guide rail J3 that divides the space S surrounded by these outer-edge guide rails J1 and J2 into two parts in the front-back direction (up and down in plan view), and three left-right partition guide rails J4 that divide the space S0 surrounded by the outer-edge guide rails J1 and J2 into four parts left and right. And, eight partition panels J5 are movably supported on the two long horizontal outer-edge guide rails J1, and four partition panels J5 are movably supported on the two vertical outer-edge guide rails J2, respectively. Also, four partition panels J5 are movably supported on the front-back partition guide rail J3, and two partition panels J5 are movably supported on each of the left-right partition guide rails J4, respectively. All the guide rails J1, J2, J3, and J4 are linear, and each partition panel J5 is locked at the intersection.

[0033] In such a comparative example, the panel J5 supported by each outer-edge guide rail J1, J2 and the partition panel J5 supported by each partition guide rail J3, J4 can only move linearly along the corresponding guide rails J1, J2, J3, J4. Therefore, in this comparative example, as shown in Fig. 1(a), the entire space can be partitioned into eight small areas JA1, or as shown in Fig. 1(b), partitioned into two small areas JA1 and three medium areas JA2, or as shown in Fig. 1(c), partitioned into four small areas JA1 and two medium areas JA2. However, it is impossible to partition the entire space into one or two large areas.

[0034] On the other hand, according to the zoning system Z1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the partition panel 5 supported by the partition guide rails 3, 4 can be installed not only at a position where it can exert a partitioning function, but also retracted to a position along the outer-edge guide rails 1, 2 by changing its direction in the curved regions 3c, 4c of the guide rails 3, 4. Therefore, all the area divisions possible in the conventional example can be realized, and furthermore, the degree of freedom in area change can be dramatically increased, such as dividing the entire space into one or two large areas.

[0035] That is, Fig. 3(a) shows that the entire space S surrounded by the outer-edge guide rails 1, 2 is divided into eight small areas A1 (areas in the shape of a square with one side being one module), which is a mode that was also possible in the past. However, Figs. 3(b), (c), and (d) show area divisions specific to this embodiment and are examples of modes that were impossible with the conventional system. That is, in Fig. 3(b), all the partition panels 5 supported by the front-and-rear partition guide rail 3 are retracted from the first straight region 3a of the guide rail 3 through the curved region 3c to the second straight region 3b. The partition panel 5 retracted to the second straight region 3b is held in a posture as if it has shifted onto the outer-edge guide rail 2, and the entire space S is partitioned into four medium areas A2 (rectangular areas with a short side of one module and a long side of two modules) that are not partitioned front and back.

[0036] Figure 3(c) shows the state where the partition panels 5 on the two left-right partitioning guide rails 4 are further retracted from the first straight region 4a through the curved region 4c to the second straight region 4b from the state of Figure 3(b). In this case, the entire space S is partitioned into two large areas A3 (an area in the shape of a square with one side being 2 modules) with the central left-right partitioning guide rail 4 where the partition panel 5 is left in the first straight region 4a as the boundary.

[0037] Figure 3(d) shows the state where the partition panel 5 on the central left-right partitioning guide rail 4 is also retracted from the first straight region 4a through the curved region 4c to the second straight region 4b from the state of Figure 3(c). In this case, a single extra-large area A4 (an area in the shape of a rectangle with a long side of 4 modules and a short side of 2 modules) without partitions is formed in the entire space S.

[0038] Furthermore, according to this first embodiment, from the state of Figure 3(d), for example, by returning the partition panel 5 to the first straight region 3a of the front-back partitioning guide rail 3, the entire space S can be partitioned into two horizontally long areas (an area with a long side of 4 modules and a short side of 1 module), and instead of the state of Figure 3(c), by leaving the partition panel only on other left-right partitioning guide rails, the entire space S can also be partitioned into an area with a vertical side of 2 modules and a horizontal side of 1 module and an area with a vertical side of 2 modules and a horizontal side of 3 modules.

[0039] Thus, according to the zoning system Z1 according to the present invention, the degree of freedom in area change is significantly increased compared to the conventional system. Moreover, since each of the guide rails 1, 2, 3, 4 of this zoning system Z1 is independent of each other and does not connect the guide rails via points or the like, the complexity of the structure can be suppressed and the complexity of the panel movement operation can also be avoided.

[0040] <Second Embodiment (Figs. 10 to 11)> As shown in Fig. 10, for example, the zoning system Z2 of the second embodiment includes a single continuous outer edge guide rail K1 that surrounds a space S2 with a vertical dimension of two modules and a horizontal dimension of one module, and a single partition guide rail K3 arranged within the space S. A plurality of, for example, six partition panels K5 are movably supported on the outer edge guide rail K1, and a plurality of, for example, two partition panels K5 are movably supported on the partition guide rail K3, respectively.

[0041] The outer edge guide rail K1 includes a pair of first straight regions K1a facing each other left and right via the space S2, a pair of second straight regions K1b facing each other front and back via the space S2, and four curved regions K1c that smoothly connect the ends of these first and second straight regions K1a and K1b, respectively. The partition guide rail K3 includes a first straight region K3a that partitions the space S2 front and back, and a second straight region K3b that is smoothly continuous with the end of the first straight region K3a via a curved region K3c. And only the second straight region K3b of the partition guide rail K3 (only a part of a specific guide rail) is arranged parallel and close to one half of the first straight region K1a of the outer edge guide rail K1 (a part of another guide rail).

[0042] Similar to the first embodiment, the outer edge guide rail K1 and the partition guide rail K3 may be provided with a ceiling rail CR having the same guide pattern above the floor rail FR. The partition panel K5 may also have the same configuration as the partition panel 5 described above.

[0043] With such a configuration, the partition panel K5 supported by the partition guide rail K3 can be installed not only at a position where it can exert its partitioning function, but also retracted to a position along the outer edge guide rail K1 by changing its direction in the curved region K3c of the guide rail K3. Therefore, the degree of freedom in area change can be increased compared to conventional ones that cannot change the direction of the partition panel.

[0044] Figure 11(a) shows that six partition panels K5 are supported on the outer edge guide rail K1 at approximately equal intervals, and two partition panels K5 are arranged in the first straight region K3a of the partition guide rail K3. The space S2 is partitioned into two small areas A11 each forming a square with a side length of one module.

[0045] Figure 11(b) shows that six partition panels K5 are concentrated on one half of the outer edge guide rail K1. And, of the two partition panels K5 supported by the partition guide rail K3, one is left in the first straight region K3a and the other is retracted to the second straight region K3b. Thereby, a small area A11 forming a square with a side length of one module is formed only in one half of the space S2.

[0046] Figure 11(c) shows the state where the partition panel K5 in the first straight region K3a of the partition guide rail K3 is retracted to the second straight region K3b from the state of Figure 11(a), forming a large area A12 corresponding to the space S2.

[0047] Figure 11(d) shows that the partition panels K5 supported by the outer edge guide rail K1 are concentrated on one side of the first straight region K1a, and the two partition panels K5 supported by the partition guide rail K3 are retracted to one second straight region K3b, opening the space S2.

[0048] Also in this zoning system Z2, since the partition panel K5 supported by the partition guide rail K3 can be retracted to a position as if it has been transferred onto the outer edge guide rail K1, various zonings are possible as shown in some examples in Figure 11.

[0049] <Third Embodiment (Figures 12 to 13)> As shown in FIG. 12, the zoning system Z3 of the third embodiment is configured to zone the corner space S3 in cooperation with the orthogonal building walls W1 and W2, and includes an outer edge guide rail L1 and two partition guide rails L3 and L4. A plurality of, for example, four partition panels L5 are movably supported on the outer edge guide rail L1, and a plurality of, for example, three partition panels L5 are movably supported on one of the partition guide rails L3, and a plurality of, for example, two partition panels are movably supported on the other partition guide rail L4.

[0050] The outer edge guide rail L1 includes a first straight region L1a facing one building wall W1 through the space S3, a second straight region L1b facing the other building wall W2 through the space S3, and a curved region L1c that smoothly connects the ends of the first and second straight regions L1a and L1b. One of the partition guide rails L3 includes a first straight region L3a that divides the space S3 back and forth, and a second straight region L3b that is smoothly continuous with the end of the first straight region L3a through a curved region L3c. Only the second straight region L3b of the partition guide rail L3 (only a part of a specific guide rail) is arranged parallel and close to a part of the first straight region L1a of the outer edge guide rail L1 (a part of another guide rail). The other partition guide rail L4 includes a first straight region L4a that divides a part of the space S left and right, and a pair of second straight regions L4b that are smoothly continuous with both ends of the first straight region L4a through curved regions L4c. Only one of the second straight regions L4b of the partition guide rail L4 (only a part of a specific guide rail) is arranged parallel and close to a part of the second straight region L1b of the outer edge guide rail L1 (a part of another guide rail).

[0051] Similar to the first embodiment, the outer edge guide rail L1 and the partition guide rails L3 and L4 have a ceiling rail CR with the same guide pattern above the floor rail FR. The partition panel L5 also has the same configuration as the partition panel 5 described above.

[0052] With such a configuration, the partition panel L5 supported by the partition guide rails L3 and L4 can be installed not only at a position where it can exert its partitioning function, but also retracted to a position along the outer edge guide rail L1 by changing its direction in the curved regions L3c and L4c of the guide rails L3 and L4. Therefore, compared with the conventional ones in which the partition panel cannot be turned, the degree of freedom in changing the area can be increased.

[0053] Fig. 13(a) shows that all the partition panels L5 supported by one of the partition guide rails L3 are retracted to the second straight region L3b approaching parallel to the outer edge guide rail L1, and all the partition panels L5 supported by the other partition guide rail L4 are retracted to the second straight region L4b approaching parallel to the outer edge guide rail L1 of the partition guide rail L4, forming a large area A21 corresponding to the space S. In this case, the partition panel L5 supported by the outer edge guide rail L1 may be moved to an appropriate position in consideration of the traffic flow to the large room area and the sense of enclosure.

[0054] Fig. 13(b) shows that from the state shown in Fig. 13(a), the partition panel retracted to the second straight region L3b of one of the partition guide rails L3 is returned to the first straight region L3a of the partition guide rail L3, partitioning the space S back and forth. The space S will be partitioned into an area A22 that becomes a large middle room and an area A23 that becomes a small middle room.

[0055] Fig. 13(c) shows that from the state shown in Fig. 13(b), the partition panel retracted to the second straight region L4b of the other partition guide rail L4 is returned to the first straight region L4a of the partition guide rail L4, and the space S is partitioned into an area A22 that becomes a large middle room and an area A24 that becomes two small rooms. Also in this case, the partition panel L5 supported by the outer edge guide rail L1 may be moved to an appropriate position in consideration of the traffic flow to the middle room area A22 and the small room area A24.

[0056] <Other Embodiments> Note that the present invention is not limited to the first, second, and third embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit thereof.

[0057] For example, in the present invention, the fact that only a part of a specific guide rail is arranged to approach a part of another guide rail in parallel is an essential invention specifying item. However, the "only a part of a specific guide rail" and the "a part of another guide rail" mentioned here do not necessarily have to be straight lines in plan view, and may be, for example, curves in plan view. The zoning system Z4 shown in FIG. 14 includes an outer edge guide rail M1 having an arc shape in plan view and a partition guide rail M3 that partitions the space surrounded by the outer edge guide rail M1. A plurality of partition panels M5 are movably supported on the outer edge guide rail M1 and the partition guide rail M3, respectively.

[0058] The partition guide rail M3 includes a straight line region M3a that bisects the space S and a large arc region M3b that smoothly continues to the outer edge guide rail M1 via a small arc region M3c at the end of the straight line region M3a and extends along the outer edge guide rail M1.

[0059] In addition, the above embodiments have been described for the case where the "specific guide rail" is the partition guide rail and the "other guide rail" is the outer edge guide rail. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to such a case, and various modifications are possible, such as making both the "specific guide rail" and the "other guide rail" the partition guide rail.

[0060] Furthermore, the guide rail is not limited to those for outer edges or partitions, and may be, for example, as shown in FIG. 15. In the zoning system Z5 shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of loop-shaped guide rails N1 having a straight region N1a and a curved region N1c are provided, and a plurality of partition panels N5 are movably supported on each guide rail N1. Only the straight region N1a of one side (only a part of a specific guide rail) of each loop-shaped guide rail N1 facing another adjacent loop-shaped guide rail N1 is arranged to approach parallel to the straight region N1a of one side of the adjacent loop-shaped guide rail N1 (a part of another guide rail). Even with such a configuration, if a plurality of partition panels are movably supported on each loop-shaped guide rail 401, it becomes possible to partition the space into areas of various forms.

[0061] Also, in the first to third embodiments, the guide rail is mainly composed of a floor rail that guides while receiving and supporting the partition panel. However, other aspects, for example, the guide rail may be mainly composed of a ceiling rail that guides while suspending and supporting the partition panel. The floor rail is laid on the double floor in the first to third embodiments, but it may be laid directly on the building floor surface.

[0062] On the other hand, even in the case where the guide rail is mainly composed of a floor rail that guides while receiving and supporting the partition panel, the mounting mode of the wheels on the partition panel may be various ones other than those according to the first to third embodiments, that is, those in which a plurality of wheels that roll along the floor rail are provided at the bottom of the panel body so as to be swingable. However, if it is the configuration according to the first to third embodiments, the partition panel can travel stably on the guide rail by sequentially performing a swinging operation in a direction in which the wheels do not derail from the floor rail.

[0063] Furthermore, any configuration of the partition panel may be adopted. That is, the shapes, materials, and other specifications of the side frames, upper frames, and lower frames may be arbitrarily set, and whether to provide an intermediate frame provided between the upper frame and the lower frame, and if provided, the number thereof may also be arbitrarily set. In particular, the lower frame of the partition panel may have a configuration as described below with reference to FIG. 16.

[0064] This lower frame X56 is different from the lower frame 56 according to the first to third embodiments described above in the following points, and has the same configuration in other points. The same reference numerals are assigned to the corresponding parts and the description thereof is omitted. That is, this lower frame X56 is formed by rigidly connecting a channel-shaped lower frame body X560 that is open downward and has concave grooves X56a described left and right on the upper surface, and a channel-shaped ceiling plate X565 that is attached below the concave grooves X56a of the lower frame body X560 and is open upward. Swivel casters 561 having the same wheels 52 as those according to the first to third embodiments are provided in the vicinity of both ends. Since this swivel caster 561 also has the same configuration as that according to the first to third embodiments, the same reference numerals are assigned to the corresponding parts and the description thereof is omitted. Here, FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken at a corresponding part of FIG. 8 showing the lower end portion of the partition panel including this lower frame X56.

[0065] And the number of partition panels to be supported by each guide rail may be arbitrarily set. In other words, in the configuration according to the first to third embodiments, a plurality of partition panels are supported by each guide rail, but only one partition panel may be supported by any one or more of the guide rails.

[0066] In addition, the dimensions and shape of the space partitioned by the zoning system of the present invention may be arbitrary, and the number and shape of the areas partitioned by a specific guide rail may also be arbitrary.

[0067] In addition, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0068] Z, Z2 to Z5... Zoning system 3... Specific guiding rail (guiding rail for front and rear partitioning) 4... Specific guiding rail (guiding rail for left and right partitioning) 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b... Straight line areas 3c, 4c... Curved line areas 1, 2... Other guiding rails (guiding rails for outer edges) K3... Specific guiding rail (guiding rail for partitioning) K3a, K3b... Straight line areas K3c... Curved line area K1... Other guiding rails (guiding rails for outer edges) L3, L4... Specific guiding rails (guiding rails for partitioning) L3a, L3b, L4a, L4b... Straight line areas L3c, L4c... Curved line areas L1... Other guiding rails (guiding rails for outer edges) M3... Specific guiding rail M1... Other guiding rails N1... Guiding rail 5, K5, L5, M5, N5... Partition panels 51... Panel body 52... Wheels FR... Floor rail A1 to A4, A11 to A12, A21 to A24... Zoned areas

Claims

1. A zoning system comprising a plurality of guide rails and a plurality of partition panels that are guided by these guide rails and are movable, wherein the form of the area partitioned by these partition panels can be changed by moving the partition panels along the guide rails, wherein only a part of a specific guide rail is arranged to approach a part of another guide rail in parallel, and the guide rail is mainly composed of a floor rail that guides while receiving and supporting the partition panel.

2. The zoning system according to claim 1, wherein the specific guide rail includes a plurality of linear regions with different extending directions and a curved region that smoothly connects these linear regions, and at least one of the linear regions is arranged to approach a part of the other guide rail in parallel.

3. The zoning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the partition panel is provided at the bottom of the panel body with a plurality of wheels that roll along the floor rail and are swingable.

4. The zoning system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a plurality of partition panels are respectively supported on each of the guide rails.

Images