The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 19, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 03, 2000
N. Douglas Owens, Lynn, IN (US);
Modernfold, Inc., New Castle, IN (US);
Abstract
An automatic track switching stem is provided for a movable wall system having multiple wall panels ( ) supported by and movable along multiple paths defined by multiple track sections ( ) to predetermined configurations. The track switching system is operable by manually pushing each of the wall panels ( ) along the track sections. Multiple switch assemblies ( ) automatically direct each wall panel to an appropriate position based upon diverter means ( et al.) associated with the trolley assemblies ( et al.) for each wall panel. The switch assemblies include an array of vertically oriented plates (e.g., ) that are each offset at different lateral distances from the track path. The diverter means for each trolley assembly includes a vertical pin (e.g., ) that is situated at a predetermined lateral distance to engage a selected one of the switching plates. In one embodiment, each panel includes a lead trolley and a trailing trolley, with the vertical pin for each associated diverter means having different heights. The switching plates for different switch assemblies have heights calibrated to be engaged by only one of lead or trailing trolley.