CN218233906U - Multi-panel partition system and apartment unit incorporating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-panel partition system (1) comprising: a partition wall (4) having an opening (5) providing a passage between the first space (2) and the second space (3); a plurality of panels (6a, 6b) for closing said opening (5); -a horizontal guide mechanism (100) to perform a simultaneous translational and rotational movement, respectively, between a closed position, in which said plurality of panels (6 a,6 b) close said opening (5) with said panels (6 a,6 b) aligned along the longitudinal direction of the main guide (110), and an open position, in which said plurality of panels (6 a,6 b) uncover said opening (5) with at least a first sliding means (121) of said plurality of panels (6 a,6 b) engaging a plurality of auxiliary guides (111, 112). Furthermore, the invention relates to an apartment unit incorporating the system.

Description

Multi-panel partition system and apartment unit incorporating the same

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a multi-panel partition wall system. In particular, the present invention relates to a partition wall system for defining a portion of a boundary between two spaces, in which panels are supported by a single main guide, and an apartment unit incorporating the same.

Background

In the construction industry, when dividing a building area into two or more sub-areas, partition walls of space are often required. In the construction of apartment units, partition walls are used to define two or more spaces such as a living room and an adjacent balcony or work platform, while providing an unobstructed passage between the spaces. Typically, the doorway may be closed by a conventional swing door hinged on one side or a slidable door that slides linearly across the doorway opening. In particular, for a channel of considerable width, a double swing door arrangement may be employed. Opening or closing each swing door requires door clearance area that covers most of the space. On the other hand, although a plurality of sliding door arrangements may be used to partition two spaces, each sliding door needs to be operated on its own guide rail, resulting in a complicated construction, and also resulting in poor sealing between the doors because each sliding door is positioned offset from the other to avoid interference during movement.

The present invention seeks to solve the above problems or at least alleviate the above disadvantages by providing a new or otherwise improved multi-panel partition system.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-panel partition system for defining a boundary of a first space and a second space, the multi-panel partition system comprising:

a partition wall having an opening providing a passage between the first space and the second space;

a plurality of panels including a front panel and one or more rear panels, the plurality of panels adapted to close the opening, each panel including first and second slides connected to lateral sides of the panel; and

a horizontal guide mechanism including a primary rail extending across a width of the opening and a plurality of secondary rails arranged orthogonal to the primary rail, the slide being configured to slidingly engage the primary and secondary rails,

wherein the horizontal guide mechanism is adapted to guide the plurality of panels by the respective first and second slides for simultaneous translational and rotational movement, respectively, between a closed position in which the plurality of panels close the opening with the panels aligned along the longitudinal direction of the primary rail and an open position in which the plurality of panels uncover the opening with at least the first slides of the plurality of panels engaging the plurality of secondary rails.

In an embodiment, the primary and secondary rails extend over the opening and support the plurality of panels for the translational and rotational movement.

In an embodiment, the first and second sliding means comprise axial rollers for operating about a rotational axis and are engageable with at least one of the primary and the plurality of secondary rails.

Preferably one or more stops are provided on the main guide for engagement with projections provided on one or more rear panels, each of the one or more stops being adapted to prevent the respective rear panel from moving along the main guide beyond a respective threshold.

More preferably, each of the stoppers comprises a guide portion adapted to guide the first sliding means of the respective rear panel into engagement with the respective auxiliary rail.

In an embodiment, the first sliding means of the rear panel is aligned with the respective auxiliary rail when the rear panel is at the threshold.

Preferably, the protrusion comprises a roller.

In an embodiment, the retainer is adapted to maintain a gap with the front panel.

In an embodiment, the plurality of panels are vertically movable in the respective secondary rails relative to the primary rail.

In an embodiment, the horizontal guide mechanism includes a lower main rail and a plurality of lower auxiliary rails extending transversely to the lower main rail.

In an embodiment, the lower primary rail and the plurality of lower secondary rails are vertically aligned with the first primary rail and the plurality of secondary rails, respectively.

In an embodiment, the horizontal guide mechanism comprises a third slide and a fourth slide for each of the plurality of panels.

In an embodiment, the multi-panel partition system includes a stiffening mechanism disposed on the front panel for maintaining alignment with an adjacent rear panel when in the closed position.

In an embodiment, the stiffening mechanism comprises at least one pair of mutually engageable first engagement members provided on the rear lateral side of the front panel and second engagement members provided on the front lateral side of the adjacent rear panel.

Preferably, the first engagement member comprises a tongue arranged to releasably engage with a second engagement member comprising a socket.

In embodiments, one or more sealing members are provided at each of the lateral sides of the plurality of panels.

In an embodiment, a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion are provided at the interfacing lateral sides of the two panels, respectively, for concealing a gap between the two panels in the closed position.

In an embodiment, each of the first and second sealing portions is provided with a gasket for interfacing with a surface of the panel, respectively.

Preferably, on a side of the front panel facing the first space, the side being opposite to a side to which the front panel is to be open, the first seal portion extends from a rear side of the front panel to a front side of the rear panel.

More preferably, the front panel is to be opened to an opposite side facing the second space in the rear panel, and the second sealing portion extends from a front side of the rear panel to a rear side of the front panel.

In an embodiment, a locking mechanism is provided on the front lateral side of the front panel, and in a locked position, the locking mechanism prevents the front lateral side of the first panel from moving in a direction parallel to the first auxiliary rail.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an apartment unit having a balcony or work platform and incorporating the aforementioned multi-panel partition system, wherein the partition separates the balcony or work platform as the first space from the interior of the apartment unit constituting the second space.

Drawings

The invention will now be described more specifically, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a top plan view of a balcony and adjoining living room having a boundary 7 defined by an embodiment of a multi-panel partition system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a close-up top view of a horizontal guide mechanism of the multi-panel partition system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of two panels in a closed position of the multi-panel partition system of FIG. 1, as viewed from a balcony;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the primary guide rail of the horizontal guide mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the lower primary guide rail of the horizontal guide mechanism;

6 a-6 e are sequential top plan views illustrating the process of moving each panel from the closed position to the open position;

FIG. 7 is a close-up cross-sectional top plan view of the junction of the primary and secondary rails, showing the arrangement of the stops;

FIG. 8 is a close-up cross-sectional top plan view showing the engagement between two interfaced lateral sides of two (adjacent) panels; and

fig. 9 is a close-up cross-sectional top plan view showing the locking mechanism between the front panel of the two panels and the associated lateral side of the opening.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the described embodiments are merely some, and not all, embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments based on the embodiments of the invention and obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without putting any inventive effort are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

Typically, the movement of the swing door between its open and closed positions occupies a certain amount of building area on the side of the door swing, referred to as door clearance area. Especially for openings of considerable width, it is possible to use a double swing door arrangement occupying twice the clearance area. In contrast, the proposed multi-panel partition system is implemented with a clearance area having a concave perimeter and covering an area substantially smaller than the door clearance area occupied by the revolving door. Thus, by using the multi-panel partition wall system according to the present invention, the available area of space on the relevant side is maximized.

According to the utility model discloses, multi-panel partition wall system is including being located the partition wall between first space and the second space, the partition wall has the opening, the opening provides the access way between two spaces. The multi-panel partition system includes two or more panels configured to be movable between a closed position in which the panels are laterally disposed and close the opening and an open position exposing the opening and allowing passage through the two spaces. Specifically, in the open position, the panels are stored on one side of the opening and perpendicular to the width of the opening.

Fig. 1 shows a multi-panel partition system 1 embodying the present invention, indicating a plan view of a first space 2 (e.g. a living room) and an adjoining second space 3 (e.g. a balcony or a work platform of an apartment unit). The partition system 1 comprises a partition 4 which separates a balcony or a work platform, such as said second space 3, from the interior of an apartment unit constituting said first space 2, while providing access between the two spaces through an opening 5 closable by a plurality of panels 6a,6 b. When in the closed position, the plurality of transversely disposed panels 6a,6b constitute a multi-paneled balcony door. In essence, the partition wall system 1 defines a main boundary 7 of the second space 3 or building area of the balcony. Alternatively, the partition wall system 1 may be used in any other case where two spaces having any relative size are divided into two separate spaces in terms of building area. Moving the panels 6a,6b between the open position and said closed position respectively allows and prevents access between the first space 2 and the second space 3.

As shown in fig. 2, the multi-panel partition system 1 includes a horizontal guide mechanism 100 for movably supporting and guiding the surface panels 6a,6b to move in the horizontal direction between the open position and the closed position. The horizontal guide mechanism 100 is configured such that it allows the panels 6a,6b to exhibit translational and rotational movement during movement between the open and closed positions.

As shown in fig. 2, the horizontal guide mechanism 100 includes a main guide rail 110 extending across the width of the opening 5 of the partition wall 4, and a plurality of (e.g., by way of example only, two) auxiliary guide rails 111, 112 extending transversely to the main guide rail 110. Generally, the number of auxiliary guide rails corresponds to the number of panels used in the multi-panel partition arrangement. In embodiments using two or more panels, the horizontal guiding mechanism 100 is adapted to guide the panels by using a sliding device described below for a simultaneous translational and rotational movement between a closed position, in which the panels close the opening 5 with the panels aligned along the longitudinal direction of the main guide rail 110, and an open position, in which the panels expose the opening 5.

In the embodiment of the present invention of the double panel partition system 1 as shown in the figures, the horizontal guiding mechanism 100 comprises a main rail 110 and a first auxiliary rail 111 and a second auxiliary rail 112, all of which are located above the partition wall 4. The main rail 110 and the first and second auxiliary rails 111 and 112 extend above the opening 5 and are located on approximately the same horizontal plane. In particular, the main guide rail 110 extends parallel to the partition wall 4, while the auxiliary guide rails 111, 112 extend transversely to the main guide rail 110. According to the illustrated embodiment, the horizontal guide mechanism 100 assumes an inverted F-shaped configuration in plan view as shown in fig. 2.

The main rail 110 and the auxiliary rails 111, 112 are for slidably supporting the first panel 6a and the second panel 6b for sliding movement between the open position and the closed position. As shown in fig. 3, the horizontal guide mechanism 100 further comprises sliding means 121, 122 pivotally connected to the first and second lateral sides 61, 62 of each of the panels 6a,6b, respectively. The first lateral side 61 refers to the front lateral side of each panel, while the second lateral side refers to the rear lateral side of the panel. The front lateral side is a side on which the panel moves forward in a moving path from the closed position to the open position.

At the first lateral side 61 of each of the panels 6a,6b, a first slide 121 is pivotally mounted on the top side 63 of said panel. The same arrangement of the second sliding means 122 applies to the second lateral side 62 of each of the panels 6a,6 b. Each sliding device 121, 122 defines a vertical rotation axis 118a of the respective panel 6a,6b and is adapted to slidingly engage with the main 110 and auxiliary 111, 112 rails, while providing support for the panels 6a,6b in the open and closed positions.

Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of primary guide rail 110, whose configuration includes a downwardly opening unitary rail mount 150. The auxiliary rails 111, 112 are generally of the same construction, including the same rail brackets 150. In either case, the rail bracket 150 includes at least one flange for slidably supporting the respective slide 121, 122 provided for the support panels 6a,6 b. In a particular configuration, the track support 150 includes a first flange 151 and a second flange 152 that extend horizontally and are integrally formed within the track support 150. It should be noted that the first flange 151 or the second flange 152 may be modularly formed as a separate component to be mounted within the rail bracket 150.

The rail brackets 150 of the main rail 110 and the auxiliary rails 111, 112 are adapted to support the panels 6a,6b for sliding movement between the open and closed positions. There is an elongated sliding channel within each of the rail brackets 150, wherein the respective first or second sliding means 121, 122 is hidden.

A first slide 121 is connected to the first lateral side 61 of each of the panels 6a,6b, and a second slide 122 is connected to the second lateral side 62. In particular, the slides 121, 122 are fixedly mounted on the top side 63 of each of the panels 6a,6b at opposite lateral sides thereof. For example, the first and second sliding means 121, 122 are each equipped with axial rollers 128 for operating around the rotation axis, defining a first vertical rotation axis a and a second vertical rotation axis B, respectively. Each track bracket 150 is adapted to slidingly engage with a respective axial roller 128, thereby supporting and guiding the panels 6a,6b for slidable movement along the horizontal guide mechanism 100.

The horizontal guide mechanism 100 includes a lower main rail 160 extending below the opening 5 and across the width of the opening, and a plurality of lower auxiliary rails, i.e., a third auxiliary rail 161 and a fourth auxiliary rail 162. Third secondary rail 161 and fourth secondary rail 162 each extend transversely to lower primary rail 160. The lower main guide rails 160 extend parallel to the main guide rails 110, are aligned together and are located on both sides of the opening 5, i.e. with the opening in between, below and above. The third 161/fourth 162 and first 111/second 112 auxiliary rails are also arranged parallel and aligned with each other, but they extend at right angles from one lateral side of the opening 5 in the respective vertical plane.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 5, each of the lower main guide rail 160 and the third and fourth subsidiary guide rails 161 and 162 includes a guide groove facing upward. The horizontal guiding mechanism 100 further comprises third and fourth sliding means 123, 124 connected to the respective lateral side 61, 62 of each of the panels 6a,6b on the bottom side of the first and second panels 6a,6 b. Generally, the lower main rail 160 and the third and fourth subsidiary rails 161 and 162 have the same cross-sectional profile. The third and fourth slides 123, 124 of each of the first and second panels 6a,6b are adapted to slidably engage and slide along the lower main rail 160 and the third and fourth subsidiary rails 161, 162. Each of the third and fourth slides 123, 124 comprises a roller 129 arranged to roll about a vertical roll axis, defining a third vertical rotation axis C and a fourth vertical rotation axis D, respectively. The third and fourth vertical rotation axes C, D are aligned with the first and second vertical rotation axes a, B on the respective lateral sides 61, 62 of each of the first and second panels 6a, 6B. The third and fourth slides 123, 124 do not support the weight of the panels 6a,6b, but only provide directional guidance and lateral support to the lower portion of each of the panels 6a,6b during movement.

Fig. 6a to 6e show that each of the first panel 6a and the second panel 6b is slidably moved from the closed position to the open position or vice versa under the guidance of the horizontal guide mechanism 100. In order to open the closure member constituted by the panels 6a,6b, an external force is required to pivot the first panel 6a about the second and fourth slides 122, 124, while the first and third slides 121, 123 slide away from their initial position onto the first and third auxiliary rails 111, 161, respectively. To initiate the opening movement of the first panel 6a from the closed position, an opening force P will be applied to the first panel 6a on its front transverse side 61 in a direction towards the second space or balcony 3, generally at right angles to the main rails 110 and 160, as shown in fig. 6a ₁ 。

Force P ₁ The first sliding means 121 is slid away from its initial position to and along the first auxiliary rail 111, thereby releasing and pulling the following second sliding means 122 to slide along the main rail 110 away from its initial position. During the above-mentioned movement of the first panel 6a, as shown in fig. 6B, both the first and second sliding means 121 and 122 are relative to the first panel 6 about the first and second rotation axes a and B, respectivelya performs a pivoting movement or rotation in order to accommodate the change in orientation of the first panel 6a throughout the movement. Fig. 6c shows the first panel 6a now in the open position, which is positioned along the first auxiliary rail 111 and extends transversely to the opening 5. The first 121 and second 122 slide means of the first panel 6a are now both in their respective final positions within the first auxiliary rail 111. It should be noted that during the entire movement described above from the open position to the closed position or vice versa, the first panel 6a undergoes a simultaneous translational and pivotal movement, with only one side (i.e. the outer side) of the first panel 6a always facing the balcony 3.

The second panel 6b operates based on a movement mechanism very similar to the first panel 6 a. Specifically, as shown in fig. 6d to 6e, in order to move the second panel 6b to its open position, the second panel 6b is slid along the main rail 110 toward the second auxiliary rail 112. Preferably, the sliding movement of the second panel 6b is limited to a threshold position such that further sliding movement of the second panel 6b along the main guide rail 110 is prevented beyond the threshold position. In particular, when the second panel 6b is in the threshold position, the first slide 121 of the second panel 6a is located right at the junction between the primary guide 110 and the second secondary guide 112, with the first slide 121 being aligned with the second secondary guide 112 for subsequent engagement therewith. This particular arrangement serves to facilitate the transition of the first sliding means 121 of the second panel 6b to move onto the second auxiliary rail 112. To this end, a stop 115 may be provided on the main guide to be engaged by a projection 116 provided on the second panel 6b, and adapted to block the projection 116 and thus the second panel 6b from moving beyond a threshold position along the main guide 110.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 7, the stopper 115 may be provided by a flap 115a having a guide surface 117 arranged to be engaged by the protrusion 116 so as to guide the first sliding means 121 of the second panel 6b to move onto the second auxiliary rail 112. The guide surface 117 is preferably an inclined surface or is provided by a wedge-shaped configuration to turn or redirect the projection 116 when the second panel 6b reaches the threshold position.

In a preferred embodiment, the tab 116 comprises a roller 118 for engaging with the guide surface 117, so as to facilitate the subsequent movement of the tab 116 away from the stop 115 by a rotational sliding action when the first sliding means 121 of the second panel 6a is moved from the main rail 110 onto the first auxiliary rail 111.

The stopper 115 is also adapted to avoid any portion of the first panel 6a that is the immediately preceding panel so that it does not obstruct the movement of the first panel 6 a. It is contemplated that more than one such limiter may be used to define respective threshold positions of more than one rear panel (e.g., second and third panels, etc.). In general, each of such retainers is adapted to be engaged by the respective rear panel, but not to all other panels, and in particular, to maintain a gap with the panel in front of the associated rear panel. Any subsequent one or more of the rear panels are not obstructed by the associated rear panel's stops because their threshold positions are located behind or downstream of the associated rear panel's threshold position.

For example, in embodiments using three panels, a first stop is provided to define the threshold position of the second panel and the stop is distal from the first panel, and a second stop is provided to define the downstream threshold position of the third panel and the stop is distal from the second panel and the first panel.

The above-described retainers may be designed to have progressively different sizes or positions, each retainer being engaged only by a matching projection of the respective back panel (except the first panel). Such different dimensions may refer to progressive differences in stopper thickness, where the stoppers together resemble a stepped configuration. In this case, the corresponding projections are made with progressively different heights to engage the aligned steps of the stepped configuration. These different positions may be arranged by placing the stops at different positions laterally across the main guide rail, with each stop being located in a respective channel to be engaged by a corresponding projection arranged to move in the channel.

As shown, each of the first panel 6a and the second panel 6b may move vertically relative to the primary rail 110 to a small extent after they have entered the respective secondary rail 111, 112. In order to close the opening 5, it is necessary to move the panels 6a,6b in the reverse order, starting from the second panel 6b, or generally starting from the last rear panel.

As shown in fig. 6c, parallel to the main guide rail 110 will close the force P ₂ Applied to the second lateral side 62 of the second panel 6 b. Closing force P ₂ The sliding and pivoting movement of the second panel 6b is initiated in a similar manner to the first panel 6a, while opening but in the opposite order. After the second panel 6b has returned to its closed position, the first panel 6a is moved in the same manner until it reaches the closed position, and then the opening 5 is completely closed by the first panel 6a and the second panel 6 a.

Referring now to fig. 8, a stiffening mechanism 210 may be provided at the interfacing lateral sides of the first panel 6a and the second panel 6 b. Interfacing lateral sides refers to the rear lateral side 62 of the front panel (i.e., first panel 6 a) and the front lateral side of the rear panel 6b (i.e., second panel 6 b). The reinforcing mechanism 210 serves to keep the rear transverse side 62 of a first panel 6a aligned with the front transverse side 61 of an adjacent second panel 6b when the first and second panels 6a,6b are in the closed position. The reinforcement means 210 provides additional strength and stability to the panels 6a,6b in case of strong wind blowing on the outside of the panels 6a,6b facing the second space 3, i.e. the balcony.

For example, the reinforcing mechanism 210 is provided with at least one pair of mutually engageable engagement members in the form of a first engagement member 211 provided on the rear transverse side 62 of the first panel 6a and a second engagement member 212 provided on the adjacent front transverse side 61 of the second panel 6 b. These joining members 211 and 212 are elongated members extending along the height of the respective panels 6a and 6b over at least a portion thereof. When the first panel 6a is moved to the closed position along the side of the second panel 6b, the interengaging pair 211, 212 interengages. The first engagement member 211 comprises a tongue (as best seen in cross-section) arranged to be inserted into a corresponding socket (as best seen in cross-section) of the second engagement member 212, thereby engaging the socket. The interengagement between the tongue 211 and the socket 212 maintains the first panel 6a and the second panel 6b in alignment with one another and provides reinforcement and additional strength to the interface between their adjacent lateral sides 62 and 61 to resist high winds or other external forces.

Sealing members 215, such as sealing strips, are provided at the interfacing lateral sides 62 and 61 between the first panel 6a and the second panel 6 b. The sealing strip 215 may form an effective seal against water ingress and air leakage or noise due to compression of the first panel 6a in the closed position. Preferably, first and second sealing portions 221 and 222 are provided to extend along adjacent lateral sides 62 and 61 of the first and second panels 6a and 6b, respectively, to cover or hide the interface or interfacing gap 220 therebetween when in the closed position. Specifically, each of the sealing portions 221, 222 extends beyond the edge of the lateral side of the respective panel to overlap a portion of the lateral side of an adjacent panel, covering the interface or gap 220 therebetween. This particular arrangement is an additional measure as a splash guard to prevent rain and/or wind from directly striking and/or penetrating the gap 220, thereby causing water leakage or noise. Preferably, each of the first and second sealing portions 221 and 222 is provided with a gasket 223 for sealing with a surface of the other panel 6b/6a, respectively.

More preferably, as shown in fig. 8, on a side of the front panel 6a facing the first space 2 (e.g., living room), the side being opposite to a side to which the front panel 6a will open, the first sealing part 221 extends from a rear side 62 of the front panel 6a to a front side 61 of the rear panel 6 b. On the contrary, on the opposite side of the rear panel 6b facing the second space 3 (e.g., balcony), to which the front panel 6a will be open, the second sealing portion 222 extends from the front side 61 of the rear panel 6b to the rear side 62 of the front panel 6 a. A particular arrangement is used to provide the required clearance for the sealing portions 221/222 when the front panel 6a is moved rotationally about the slide 122 in a counter-clockwise direction as shown when separated from the rear panel 6b and turned towards the open position. In a multi-panel configuration involving more than two panels, a similar arrangement may be employed across the interface between any additional pair of adjacent panels.

Referring next to fig. 9, a locking mechanism 240 is provided on the non-interfacing or outer lateral side of the front panel, i.e. on the front lateral side 61 of the first panel 6a, for releasably locking said lateral side with the corresponding lateral side of the opening 5 in the closed position of the panels 6 a. It is clear that the front transverse side 61 of the first panel 6a is the front side during the movement of the first panel 6a from the closed position to the open position. For example, the locking mechanism 240 comprises a retractable pawl 241 configured for engaging with a retainer 244 provided at a respective adjacent side of the opening 5, thereby restricting the front lateral side 61 of the first panel 6a from opening, i.e. moving in the direction of the first auxiliary rail 111. The locking mechanism 240 maintains the first panel 6a and the one or more rear panels 6b in the closed position when in the locked position. The movement of the pawl 241 may be operated by, for example, a pivotable handle 242 connected to the locking mechanism 240. A handle 242 may be provided on the front lateral side 61 of the first panel 6a, facing the first space 2, so that the locking mechanism 240 is only operable from the interior 2 of the apartment and not from the balcony 3. Preferably, one or more grips 245 may be provided on one or both of the lateral sides 61, 62 of the first and second panels 6a,6b facing the second space 3 to facilitate the sliding movement of the panels 6a,6b from the second space 3.

It should be understood that while the specification has been described in terms of embodiments, not every embodiment includes only a single embodiment. This description of the specification is for clarity only. The skilled person will consider the present description as a whole and the solutions in the embodiments can also be combined appropriately to form other embodiments as will be appreciated by the skilled person. The scope of the invention is, however, defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein, and any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the claim concerned.

Claims (21)

1. A multi-panel partition system for defining a boundary of a first space and a second space, the multi-panel partition system comprising:

a partition wall having an opening providing a passage between the first space and the second space;

a plurality of panels comprising a front panel and one or more rear panels, the plurality of panels being adapted to close the opening, each panel comprising first and second slides connected to lateral sides of the panel; and

a horizontal guide mechanism comprising a primary rail extending across a width of the opening and a plurality of secondary rails arranged orthogonal to the primary rail, the slide being configured to slidingly engage the primary and secondary rails;

characterized in that said horizontal guiding mechanism is adapted to guide said plurality of panels by means of respective first and second sliding means for a simultaneous translational and rotational movement, respectively, between a closed position, in which said plurality of panels close said opening with said panels aligned along the longitudinal direction of said main guide rail, and an open position, in which said plurality of panels uncover said opening with at least said first sliding means of said plurality of panels engaging said plurality of auxiliary guide rails; and

one or more detents are provided on the main rail for engaging with a protrusion provided on one or more rear panels, each of the one or more detents being adapted to prevent a respective rear panel from moving along the main rail beyond a respective threshold.

2. The multi-panel partition system of claim 1 wherein the primary rail and the plurality of secondary rails extend over the opening and support the plurality of panels for the translational and rotational movement.

3. The multi-panel partition system of claim 1 wherein the first and second slide assemblies include axial rollers for operating about an axis of rotation and are engageable with at least one of the primary guide rail and the plurality of secondary guide rails.

4. The multi-panel partition system of claim 1, wherein each of the retainers includes a guide portion adapted to guide the first slide of the respective back panel into engagement with the respective auxiliary rail.

5. The multi-panel partition system of claim 1, wherein the first slide of the rear panel is aligned with a corresponding auxiliary rail when the rear panel is at the threshold.

6. The multi-panel partition system of claim 5, wherein the projection comprises a roller.

7. The multi-panel partition system of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said retainer is adapted to maintain a gap relative to said front panel.

8. The multi-panel partition system of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein each of said plurality of panels is vertically movable in said respective secondary rail relative to said primary rail.

9. The multi-panel partition system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the horizontal guide mechanism comprises a lower main rail and a plurality of lower auxiliary rails extending transversely to the lower main rail.

10. The multi-panel partition system of claim 9 wherein the lower primary rail and the plurality of lower secondary rails are vertically aligned with the first primary rail and the plurality of secondary rails, respectively.

11. The multi-panel partition system of claim 10, wherein the horizontal guide mechanism includes a third slide and a fourth slide for each of the plurality of panels.

12. A multi-panel partition system according to any of claims 1 to 6, including a stiffening mechanism provided on the front panel for maintaining alignment with an adjacent rear panel when in the closed position.

13. The multi-panel partition system of claim 12 wherein the stiffening mechanism includes at least one pair of interengageable first engagement members disposed on the rear lateral side of the front panel and a second engagement member disposed on the front lateral side of the adjacent rear panel.

14. The multi-panel partition system of claim 13 wherein the first engagement member includes a tab arranged to releasably engage the second engagement member including a socket.

15. The multi-panel partition system of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein one or more sealing members are provided at each of the lateral sides of the plurality of panels.

16. The multi-panel partition system of claim 15, wherein first and second sealing portions are provided at the interfacing lateral sides of the two panels, respectively, for concealing a gap between the two panels in the closed position.

17. The multi-panel partition system of claim 16 wherein each of the first and second sealing portions is provided with a gasket for respectively interfacing with a surface of the panel.

18. The multi-panel partition system of claim 17 wherein on a side of the front panel facing the first space opposite a side to which the front panel is to be open, the first seal portion extends from a rear side of the front panel to a front side of the rear panel.

19. The multi-panel partition system of claim 18 wherein, on an opposite side of the rear panel facing the second space, the front panel is to open to the opposite side, the second seal portion extending from the front side of the rear panel to the rear side of the front panel.

20. A multi-panel partition system according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein a locking mechanism is provided on a front lateral side of the front panel and in a locked position the locking mechanism prevents the front lateral side of the first panel from moving in a direction parallel to the first auxiliary rail.

21. An apartment unit having a balcony or work deck and incorporating a multi-panel partition system according to any of claims 1-6, characterised in that the partition separates the balcony or work deck as the first space from the interior of the apartment unit constituting the second space.

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