Foldable partition

Abstract

 It comprises sheets (9) articulated with hinges (18) and which are secured and guided on upper guides (1) and other lower ones (2), which include an elongation (3 and 4) with weather strips (5 and 6) for the sealed closure of the sheets when unfolded; it is characterised in that the upper (1) and lower (2) guides respectively comprise a vertical element (11, 13) which is integral with an arm (10) that is in turn integral with an attachment piece (12) to the upper or lower part of the sheets (9). One of the vertical elements (11) includes at least one axial roller (16) which rests on and is retained by an extension (17) provided inside the guide (1 or 2). The length of the arm (10) is such as to prevent the sheets (9) from clashing with the elongations (3 and 4) and thereby permit abrupt changes in direction.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a novel foldable partition for metallic carpentry, the main aim of which is to permit partitions to be obtained in which it is required to make broken trajectories with abrupt changes of direction of up to 90°, in such a way that the inventive partition can be adapted in zones with sharp bends or breaks.

[0002] In general, the invention is applicable in metallic carpentry and more specifically in aluminium carpentry.

PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the state of the art, the use of foldable partitions is known which, like that described in Spanish patent application 8802525, comprises a plurality of sheets articulated together by means of hinges in order to permit them to be folded/unfolded and thereby be able to use them in those circumstances in which it is required to obtain both a foldable means for separation between two zones of a single room and to obtain an exterior wall or barrier which can be folded up when so required.

[0004] To achieve this, the upper and lower part of the sheets respectively include means of securing and guiding on an upper guide and another lower one on which the folding of the sheets is permitted to be carried out in order to obtain a wall or barrier, and on which they can be folded in a zigzag so as to remove the wall or barrier.

[0005] The system described in the stated document presents the drawback that the partition cannot be used in places where a change in direction of the guides is required, which means that foldable partitions cannot be located where the incorporation of broken walls or barriers is required.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In order to achieve the objectives and solve the drawbacks mentioned above, the invention has developed a novel system of foldable partition, which, as with conventional ones, comprises a plurality of sheets articulated together by means of hinges and which in their upper and lower part include means of securing and guiding on an upper guide and another lower guide in order to unfold the sheets and to fold them up in a zigzag. Moreover, both the upper guide and the lower one are provided with an elongation for retention of a weather strip on which the sheets press when they are unfolded, in such a way as to provide a sealed closure of the sheets.

[0007] The main novelty of the invention lies in the fact that the means of securing and guiding of the sheets in the upper and lower guides respectively comprise a vertical element which is housed in said upper and lower guides and which is integral with an arm. The arm is in turn integral with a respective piece for attachment to the upper and lower part of the sheets. Moreover, at least one of the vertical elements includes at least one roller which forms a certain angle with respect to the vertical element, and whose lower lateral face constitutes the rolling track which rests on and is retained by an extension provided in the interior of the corresponding guide, in order to permit the folding/unfolding of the sheets on the upper and lower guides with abrupt changes of direction, for which, moreover, the length of the arm integral with the vertical element is such as to prevent the sheets from clashing with the elongations and thereby permit abrupt changes in direction.

[0008] In an embodiment of the invention, provision is made so that at least one roller is arranged axially to the vertical element, in which case it is provided for the lower face of the roller to be include a perimetric bevel constituting the rolling track. In this case also, the extension on which the rolling track rests and is retained also presents an inclination complementary to the bevel.

[0009] In the embodiment of the invention, provision is made for at least one of the vertical elements to include a plurality of rollers, each of whose lower lateral faces forms the rolling track which rests and is retained on the extensions provided in the interior of the corresponding guide. In this case, the rollers also incorporate a bevel which forms a rolling track on the extensions on which it rests and is retained, said extensions presenting an inclination complementary to the bevel. The extensions are arranged alternately on opposite sides of the corresponding guide (upper or lower).

[0010] The invention provides for the vertical element to include a rod which contains a bushing in the section entering into the corresponding guide, which facilitates sliding on that guide.

[0011] The invention also provides for the vertical element to include a screw which threads into a shoe and into the arm integral with the vertical element, which also facilitates sliding along the corresponding route.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for the arm to be located horizontally and the attachment piece of the arm to consist of a bracket which is fixed to the sheets.

[0013] Another characteristic of the invention lies in the fact that two articulated flat-bars are included, each of which is fixed to two different sections of the upper guide and to two different sections of the lower guide in order to make abrupt changes of direction according to the required angle. In order to be able to make the abrupt change of direction, the ends of the guides to be joined include complementary cuts which depend on the angle which has to be made by the guides which are joined by means of the articulated flat-bars.

[0014] To achieve this, the flat-bars fit into and are secured in complementary housings provided in the guides.

[0015] Moreover, the sides of two contiguous sheets, which when displaced are located on abrupt changes of direction of the guides, include separate closing pieces consisting of an exterior section arranged at 45° with respect to an end section; the length of the exterior section being a function of the angle of the change of direction that is required, so that the end sections remain parallel when the sheets are unfolded.

[0016] In order to permit sealed closure between the closing pieces, provision is made so that at least one of the end sections of said closing pieces includes an elongation for housing a weather strip which presses on the other closing piece of the contiguous sheet, thus producing a sealed closure.

[0017] In another embodiment of the invention, provision is made for the two end sections of the closing pieces to be fitted with an elongation, each of which houses a weather strip so that, when the sheets are unfolded, said weather strips press together, which provides a sealed closure in the union of the sheets when they are unfolded.

[0018] Below, in order to facilitate a better understanding of this descriptive specification and forming an integral part thereof, some figures are attached in which, on an illustrative rather than limiting basis, the object of the invention has been represented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0019] 

Figure 1.- Shows a sectioned view of the arrangement of a sheet on the upper and lower guides according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2.- Shows a perspective view of the horizontal arm which is joined to the vertical element and to a piece for attachment to the upper and lower part of the sheets.

Figure 3.- Shows a view of an example in which a change of direction of 90° is required to be made in the guides. It has been represented with a possible embodiment of the piece of the upper and lower guide having been projected, on which projections the closure of the sheets has been represented at the point in which the change of direction is made in order to show the hermetic closure made by them at said point.

Figure 4.- Shows a view equivalent to the above figure in which the sheets have started to be folded.

Figure 5.- Shows a view equivalent to the above figure in which, after the sheets have been folded, their displacement is permitted to be carried out in order to complete the folding of the consecutive sheets constituting the closure.

Figure 6.- Shows an exploded view of the arrangement of the articulated flat-bars which are fixed to different sections of the upper and lower guides in order to define abrupt changes of direction.

Figures 7 and 8.- Show two possible embodiments of the closing piece for the case in which the change of direction of the guides is greater than 90°. Figures 3 to 5 show the closing piece for a change of direction of 90°.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MANNER OF EMBODIMENT

[0020] Given below is a description of the invention based on the figures mentioned above.

[0021] The inventive partition includes an upper guide 1 and a lower guide 2 which are respectively provided with elongations 3 and 4 in which moreover are respectively fixed some weather strips 5 and 6 on which the sealed closure of the upper 7a and lower pieces 7b of the sheets 9 is carried out when they are unfolded, as shown in figure 3. Figure 1 shows the arrangement of a sheet 9 in the folded position.

[0022] In order to permit the securing of the sheet 9 in the upper guide 1 and lower guide 2, provision has been made for an arm 10, preferably horizontal, which is joined to a vertical element, which in the case of being fixed to the upper guide 1 consists of a rod 11 which is introduced inside the upper guide 1, and in the case of union to the lower guide 2 consists of a shoe 13 threaded and fixed to the arm 10 by means of a screw 14. The arm 10 is integral with an attachment piece 12 which is fixed to the pieces 7a, 7c and 7b of the sheets 9. Said attachment piece 12 consists of a bracket which, in the case of the upper guide 1, is attached to the upper piece 7a and to the lateral piece 7c of the sheet 9; while in the case of the lower guide 2, it is attached to the lower piece 7b and to the lateral piece 7c of the sheet 9. For this, the pieces 7a, 7b and 7c include housings adapted for the introduction of the bracket which is fixed by means of screws (not represented).

[0023] The shoe 13 presents a diameter less than or equal to the entrance width of the lower guide 2 in order to permit it to slide along it.

[0024] With respect to the upper guide 1, it can be stated that the rod 11 is fitted with a bushing 15 which is provided at the entrance of the upper guide 1. Likewise, the bushing 15 is of diameter less than or equal to the entrance width of the upper guide 1.

[0025] Axially fixed to the rod 11 are three bearings or rollers 16 whose lower faces rest on and are retained by approximately horizontal extensions 17, in order to permit sliding and retention of the sheets 9.

[0026] Also, in order to facilitate displacement of the sheets 9, provision is made for the rolling track of the rollers 17, provided in the lower face thereof, to consist of a bevel, which is complementary to the extensions 17, for which these latter present a slight inclination adapted to the bevel of the rollers 16.

[0027] The structure described provides a perfect securing of the sheets 9 and facilitates the sliding of them on the upper and lower guides 1 and 2.

[0028] Figure 3 shows a practical example of a partition with a 90° change of direction in which the sheets 9 are unfolded. In addition, with the aid of figures 4 and 5, it can be seen how the collapsing of the sheets 9 is performed in order to carry out the folding of the partition on the abrupt change of direction through 90°.

[0029] In these cases, the sheets 9 are articulated by means of conventional hinges 18 which permit the collapsing and folding/unfolding of the sheets 9 to be performed.

[0030] At the points at which the upper and lower guides 1 and 2 perform a change of trajectory, provision is made so that contiguous sheets 9 are provided with some closing pieces 8 in their lateral pieces 7c, consisting of an exterior section 20 and an end section 19 which form an angle of 45°, the union edge 24 of which presents an elongation 21 for housing of a weather strip 22 in order to achieve a sealed closure of the lateral pieces 7c of the contiguous sheets 9 arranged on each side of the change of direction of the upper and lower guides 1 and 2.

[0031] At this point it can be stated that figures 7 and 8 show two examples of embodiment for the case in which the change of direction of the upper and lower guides 1 and 2 is less than 90°, for which it varies the length of the exterior sections 20 of the closing piece 8. Figure 7 represents an exterior section 20 of lesser length which is provided for changes of direction of somewhat less than 90° while figure 8 shows an exterior section 20 of greater length than in the case of figure 7 for changes of direction of the upper and lower guides 1 and 2 with angles less than in the case of figure 7.

[0032] In order to provide the changes of direction of the upper and lower guides 1 and 2, provision has been made, as can be seen in figure 6, for the arrangement of some articulated flat-bars 25 which are fixed at the ends of sections of the upper guide 1 and of two sections of the lower guide 2 in order to carry out abrupt changes of direction, for which the same ends of the upper and lower guides 1 and 2 present complementary cuts made with an angle depending on the angle of change of direction it is wished to obtain, in such a way that if the change of direction that is required is 90°, the cuts in the two ends of the sections of the upper and lower guides 1 and 2 are made at 45°.

[0033] On the basis of the description made, it can be easily understood with the aid of figures 3 to 5 that, in order to carry out the unfolding of the sheets 9 which are arranged in a 90° change of direction, one of the said sheets 9 is proceeded to be collapsed in such a way that the edge 24 of the closing piece 8 of the sheet 9 is displaced towards the exterior. At this point it is important to state that the length of the arm 10 is sufficient so that the edge 24 does not reach as far as making contact with the elongations 3 and 4 of the upper and lower guide 1 and 2 when the sheet 9 is collapsed, thus allowing the sheets 9 to be arranged in a manner that is approximately parallel, so that they can then be displaced on the upper guide 1 via the rollers 16 arranged axially on the rod 11, this movement also being carried out on the shoe 13, with the former and the latter being easily able to pass through different points of change of direction by means of a slight turning of the rod 11 and shoe 13.

[0034] So, in order to allow the collapsing to be carried out, it is very important to make a proper choice of the length of the arm 10, since if it has a dimension less than that required, a situation will occur in which the edges 24 of the closing pieces 8 will clash against the elongations 3 and 4 of the upper and lower guide 1 and 2, with which it will not be possible to fold the sheets 9.

[0035] Therefore, by means of the structure that has been described, it is possible to produce a partition with different abrupt changes of direction in which, moreover, the hermetic sealing is performed by means of the weather strips 22 of the closing pieces 9 joined to the lateral pieces 7c of the sheets 9.

Claims

1. FOLDABLE PARTITION which comprises a plurality of sheets (9) articulated to each other by means of hinges (18) and in which the upper and lower part respectively comprise means of securing and guiding on an upper guide (1) and another lower one (2), in order to unfold them and fold them up in a zigzag; the upper (1) and lower (2) guides comprising an elongation (3, 4) for retention of a weather strip (5, 6) on which the sheets (9) press in order to perform a sealed closure when said sheets (9) are unfolded; characterised in that the means of securing and guiding of the sheets (9) in the upper (1) and lower (2) guides respectively comprise a vertical element (11, 13) which is housed and retained in said upper (1) and lower (2) guides and which is integral with an arm (10) that is in turn integral with an attachment piece (12) to the upper or lower part of the sheets (9); including at least one roller (15) arranged to form an angle, and whose lower lateral face constitutes the rolling track which supports and is retained in an extension (17) provided inside the upper (1) or lower (2) guide; the length of the arm (10) being such as to prevent the sheets (9) from clashing with the elongations (3, 4) of the upper (1) and lower (2) guides and permit abrupt changes in direction in the folding/unfolding of the sheets (9) on the upper (1) and lower (2) guides.

2. FOLDABLE PARTITION, according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one roller (16) is arranged axially to the vertical element (11).

3. FOLDABLE PARTITION, according to claim 2, characterised in that the lower lateral face of at least one roller (16) includes a perimetric bevel which constitutes the rolling track; provision having been made so that the extensions on which said rolling track of at least one roller (16) rests and is retained present an inclination complementary to the bevel constituting the rolling track of the roller (16).

4. FOLDABLE PARTITION, according to claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least one of the vertical elements (11) consists of a plurality of rollers (16) each of whose lower lateral faces constitutes the rolling track on which it rests and is retained on extensions (17) provided inside the upper guide (1) or the lower guide (2).

5. FOLDABLE PARTITION, according to claim 4, characterised in that the extensions (17) are arranged alternately on opposite sides of the inside of the upper guide (1) or the inside of the lower guide (2).

6. FOLDABLE PARTITION, according to the above claims, characterised in that the vertical element comprises a rod (11) which comprises a bushing (15) at the entrance section to upper guide (1) or to the lower guide (2).

7. FOLDABLE PARTITION, according to claim 1, characterised in that the vertical element comprises a screw (14) which threads into a shoe (13) and into the arm (10).

8. FOLDABLE PARTITION, according to claim 1, characterised in that the arm (10) is arranged horizontally.

9. FOLDABLE PARTITION, according to claim 1, characterised in that the securing piece for the sheets (9) consists of a bracket (12) which is fixed to said sheets (9).

10. FOLDABLE PARTITION, according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises two articulated flat-bars (25) each of which is fixed to the ends of two different sections of the upper guide (1) and of the lower guide (2) in order to make abrupt changes of direction; comprising the ends of the sections of the upper (1) and lower (2) guides which are provided for making abrupt changes of direction with complementary cuts for achieving abrupt changes of direction according to a required angle.

11. FOLDABLE PARTITION, according to claim 10, characterised in that the articulated flat-bars (25) fit into and are fixed in a complementary housing provided in the upper (1) or lower (2) guides.

12. FOLDABLE PARTITION, according to claim 1, characterised in that the sides of contiguous sheets (9) which when unfolded are located on abrupt changes of direction of the upper (1) or lower (2) guides include separate closing pieces (8) consisting of an exterior section (20) arranged at 45° with respect to an end section (19); the length of the exterior section (20) depending on the angle corresponding to the required change of direction, so that the end sections (19) remain parallel when performing the unfolding of the sheets (9).

13. FOLDABLE PARTITION, according to claim 12, characterised in that at least one of the end sections (19) of the closing pieces (8) includes an elongation (21) for housing a weather strip (22) for the sealed closure on the closing piece (8) which it faces when the sheets (9) are unfolded.

14. FOLDABLE PARTITION, according to claim 12, characterised in that the two end sections (19) of the closing pieces (8) for contiguous sheets (9) comprise an elongation (21) for housing a weather strip (22) in order to press the weather strips (22) together when the sheets (9) are unfolded and provide a sealed closure.

Drawing