Overhead Lateral Restraint for Movable Partition Seal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Movable partitions face challenges in maintaining a seal due to lateral displacement of their lower edges, which can occur due to drafts, imbalanced HVAC systems, or external forces, compromising their effectiveness as fire, security, and noise barriers without the use of a floor track, which poses safety and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a lateral restraint device supported from an overhead track, featuring a trolley with roller elements and an elongated member that extends to the lower edges of the partition structures, preventing lateral displacement by maintaining the structures' position and resisting external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a floor track is used to guide the lower edge of the movable partition, then lateral displacement is prevented, but safety hazards and maintenance issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a floor-level track system to an overhead track system, moving the guidance mechanism from the horizontal plane at floor level to the horizontal plane at ceiling level. This dimensional relocation eliminates safety hazards associated with floor tracks while maintaining lateral restraint functionality through the overhead trolley and elongated member configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an overhead trolley as an intermediary component that travels along the overhead track and connects to the movable partition via an elongated member. This intermediary mechanism indirectly restrains lateral displacement without requiring direct floor contact, thereby eliminating safety hazards while achieving the same functional outcome
2Reliability
If the lower edge of the partition is laterally displaced, then the seal is broken, but using a floor track to prevent this creates safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention relocates the seal protection mechanism from floor level to overhead level, using an overhead track and trolley system to prevent lateral displacement. This maintains seal integrity through indirect restraint while eliminating the safety hazards associated with floor-level tracks that could trip or injure occupants
3Reliability
If a lateral restraint device is implemented using overhead track and trolley, then lateral displacement is prevented without floor track safety issues, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overhead track system serves multiple functions: it guides the movable partition during normal operation, supports the lateral restraint trolley mechanism, and eliminates the need for separate floor track infrastructure. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the sophisticated trolley and elongated member configuration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively limits lateral displacement, maintaining the partition's seal and barrier function without the need for a floor track, enhancing safety and reducing maintenance concerns while allowing for smooth operation and effective deployment as a fire, security, or noise barrier.
Implementation Method 1
A lateral restraint device may include a trolley and an elongated member coupled with and extending from the trolley. The trolley may include a structural member and a first plurality of roller elements coupled with the structural member
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention include movable partitions and devices, methods and systems that help to limit or prevent lateral displacement of movable partitions. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a movable partition includes two structures, each structure having a first plurality of panels, and each panel being hingedly coupled to an adjacent panel. The two panels are each supported from an overhead track at laterally spaced locations. One or more lateral restraint devices are supported from the overhead track at a location between the two laterally spaced structures. The lateral restraint device may include a trolley disposed in a channel of the overhead track and an elongated member coupled with the trolley and extending away from the trolley to a location proximate a lower edge of the first structure and a lower edge of the second structure.