Movable Partition Lateral Restraint Brackets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Movable partitions face issues with lateral displacement, which compromises their seal and effectiveness as fire, security, and privacy barriers, particularly due to the absence of a floor track that can pose safety hazards and collect debris.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a lateral restraint system that rigidly couples the lower edges of hingedly coupled panels, using brackets to prevent sliding displacement, maintaining the partition's seal without the need for a floor track.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a floor track is used to guide the movable partition, then lateral displacement is prevented, but safety hazards and debris accumulation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the floor track from the system entirely. Instead of using a track embedded in or attached to the floor, the invention employs lateral restraint devices that are integrated into the partition structure itself, specifically coupling the lower edges of adjacent panels through brackets. This extraction eliminates the safety hazards and debris accumulation issues associated with floor tracks while maintaining lateral position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the lateral restraint mechanism from the floor plane to the vertical dimension by coupling brackets to the lower edges of panels. The lateral restraint devices extend vertically to connect adjacent panels, transferring the restraint function from a horizontal floor track to a vertical coupling mechanism between panels.
2Reliability
If the lower edge of the door is laterally displaced, then the seal is broken, but using a floor track creates safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lateral restraint function from the floor track system and relocates it to the partition structure itself. By removing the floor track and implementing lateral restraint devices that couple adjacent panels at their lower edges, the system maintains seal integrity through proper lateral positioning while eliminating the safety hazards associated with exposed or recessed floor tracks.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a guide track is embedded in the floor, then lateral displacement is controlled, but the track acts as an obstacle for wheeled conveyances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent completely removes the floor track from the system, eliminating the obstacle for wheeled conveyances. Lateral position control is achieved through lateral restraint devices that couple adjacent panels together, allowing wheeled objects to pass freely over the floor surface without encountering track obstructions.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a floor track is exposed when the door is retracted, then lateral restraint is provided, but the track is prone to damage and collects dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lateral restraint function from the exposed floor track and integrates it into the partition structure. Lateral restraint devices are coupled to the lower edges of panels and remain protected within or along the partition structure, eliminating the exposure to damage and debris accumulation that occurs with exposed floor tracks.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for laterally restraining a movable partition. In one embodiment, a movable partition includes two laterally spaced structures wherein each structure includes a plurality of hingedly coupled panels. A lateral restraint mechanism is located and configured to prevent lateral displacement of one or both of the two laterally spaced structures. In one embodiment, at least one bracket is substantially rigidly coupled to a hinge of the first structure and a laterally adjacent hinge of the second structure. The at least one bracket may include multiple brackets. Some described methods include a laterally restraining lower edge of a movable partition as well as the installation of lateral restraint brackets including the plumbing, spacing and squaring of the structures in conjunction with such installation.