US3178834A - Chalkboard - Google Patents

Description

April 20, 1955 R c. DYER ETAL 3,178,834

CHALKBOARD Filed July 17', 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 r Lg) BY awrzas 55222 5,

APril 20, 1965 R. c. DYER ETAL 3,178,834

GHALKBOARD Filed July 17, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 INVENTORS- wwmwwwm United States Patent 3,178,834 CHALKBOARD Richard C. Dyer and (Zharles B. States, New Castle, Ind, assignors to New Castle Products, Inc., New Castle, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed July 17, 1963, Ser. No. 295,736 8 Claims. (Cl. 35-63) This invention relates to panel assemblies and is more particularly concerned with improvements in assemblies for supporting chalkboards and similar panels.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a panel assembly for chalkboards or the like wherein the panels are mounted in a supporting frame so as to be movable and extensible, thereby permitting the assembly to be moved to different positions and the panels to be extended for increasing the exposed surface thereof available for use.

It is another object of the invention to provide a movabio and extensible chalkboard assembly which is supported by an overhead track and which is provided with releasable fastener devices for co-action with the fioor of a room.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a chalkboard or like panel assembly which includes a horizontally extending overhead track adapted for at tachment to the ceiling or other overhead structure of a room, a frame comprising two vertically extending rails and two horizontally extending rails, the vertically extending rails being spaced apart horizontally and provided at their upper ends with means for sliding co-axially in the overhead track, the horizontally extending rails being attached in vertically spaced relation to the vertically extending rails and two panels of generally rectangular form slidably connected at their upper and lower edges with the horizontally extending rails one behind the other, each of the panels being of substantially the same width as the spacing of the vertically extending rails and each of the panels being slidable horizontally in opposite directions along the horizontally extending rails a distance approximately half the width of the same whereby to expose both panels along side each other while the same are supported by the horizontally extending rails.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide in a panel assembly for chalkboards or the like a horizon tally extending overhead track, a frame which includes pairs of vertically and horizontally extending rails with the vertically extending rails spaced apart horizontally and provided at their upper ends with means for sliding co-action with the overhead track and at their lower ends with releasable fasteners adapted for co-action with the floor of a room, the horizontally extending rails being of generally channel-shaped cross section and attached in vertically spaced relation to the front faces of the vertically extending rails intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof with the channeled faces of the horizontally extending rails in confronting relation to each other, and two chalkboard panels of generally rectangular form slidably connected at their upper and lower edges with the horizontally extending rails, one behind the other, each of the panels being of approximately the same dimen sion in the transverse direction of the frame as the horizontally extending rails and each of the panels being slidable horizontally in opposite directions along the horizontally extending rails a distance of approximately half the width thereof whereby to expose both panels alongside each other with the exposed surface having a horizontal dimension approximately twice the maximum horizontal dimension of the frame.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the chalkboard assembly which is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation, with portions broken away, of a chalkboard assembly and a supporting frame structure which incorporates therein the principal features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective of the chalkboard to a smaller scale indicating in dotted line the position of the chalkboard panels when in extended relation;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective of the chalkboard assembly with portions broken away or omitted;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section, taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1, to an enlarged scale and with portions broken away;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary elevation with portions broken away at one end of the upper horizontal rail; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross section taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5.

The chalkboard assembly which is illustrated in the drawings is adapted for installation in a room so that the entire assembly as a unit may be positioned, when desired, at one side of the room with the chalkboard panels rctracted so as to occupy a minimum of space. The assembly is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a foldable wall forming partition of Well known construction, the assembly being mounted so that when the partition is folded into retracted condition, the chalkboard assembly may be moved also along with the partition to one side of the room while when the foldable partition is extended into wall forming relation the chalkboard assembly may be moved to any desirable location parallel with the same and with the chalkboard panels extended, if desired. The chalkboard assembly may, of course, be used in a room without a partition and located anywhere in the room.

The illustrated assembly 10 comprises a pair of vertically disposed rails or posts 11 and 12 which are horizontally spaced a predetermined distance and which support a pair of horizontally disposed rails or angle bars 13 and 14 between which a pair of rectangular chalkboard panels 15 and 16 are slida-bly mounted. The horizontally dis posed cross rails 13 and 14 are secured by suitable connecting members to the outer faces of the vertically disposed frame members 11 and 12 in predetermined vertical spaced relation and with the lowermost rail 14 spaced a suitable distance above the lower ends of the vertical rails 11 and 12 for convenient use of the chalkboards. The vertical rails or posts 11 and 12 are of identical construction, except for the connections for a top cross brace w, and only one thereof will be described.

The vertically disposed rail 11 (FIGURES l, 3 and 4) is preferably of hollow metal with a rectangular cross section and carries at its upper end a pair of trolley wheels 17 which ride in a track forming channel 18. The track forming channel 18 is of generally rectangular cross section and is attached to the ceiling, indicated at 21), with a longitudinally extending slot 21 in the bottom face for accommodating the mounting yoke 22 on the upper ends of which the wheels 17 are supported by means of an axle forming pin 23. The yoke 22 is supported on the top flange 24 of an angle bracket 25 which is bolted or otherwise secured to the top end of the vertical rail 11. The yoke 22 is pivotally mounted in a suitable bearing forming bore 26 in the angle bracket 24 and held in position by a collar 27 secured on the lower end thereof.

The upper horizontal rail or cross angle 13 carries on the lower face of its topmost horizontal flange a pair of track forming channels 30 and 31 which are of rectangular cross section with longitudinal slots in the bottom faces for accommodating in sliding relation the members connecting the upper edges of the chalkboards 15 and 16 therewith.

V 3 The lower horizontalrail or cross angle 14 carries on its horizontally disposed flange a pair of track forming channels 32 and 33 which are of the same cross section as the upper channels 30' and 31 and which have longitudinal slots in their uppermost faces for accommodating in slidable relation the connecting members for the lower edges of the chalkboard panels 15 and 16. An angle member forming a trim strip 34 extends along .the front edge of the upper cross rail 13 and supports on its downwardly extending front face forming flange a map-rail 35. The lower cross rail 14 carries on its lower front edge a chalk tray 36 which is supported along the front edge of the lower rail 14 by a trim strip forming angle bar 37, the latter being secured to the lower face of the rail 14.

The two chalkboards 15 and 16 are of identical construction, except for being rights and lefts, and of the same size and each board has mounted on its upper and lower edges a pair of horizontally spaced top saddle assemblies 40 and 40' (FIGURE 3) and a pair of horizontally spaced bottom saddle assemblies 41 and 41. The saddle assemblies 40 and 41 are mounted adjacent the vertical edge of the board 'which is innermost when the boards are mounted on the supporting frame. The other pair of saddle members 40- and 41' are vertically aligned and positioned near the center of the top and bottom edges of the board. The two top saddle assemblies 40 and 40' each comprise a U-shaped bracket 42 secured in straddling relation over the top edge of'the board and an upstanding guide pin 43 having an enlarged head forming portion 44 which is adapted to ride in the top guide channel. The lower or bottom saddle assemblies 41 and 41' each comprise a U-shaped bracket 45 which straddles the lower edge of the board and which carries on its lower face a hearing or supporting member 46 having'slots 47 in the front and back edges for receiving the track forming flanges on the track channels 32 and 33.

The top and bottom horizontal rails 13 and 14 are provided at each end with combination guide and stop assemblies which permit the panels 15 and 16 to be extended on opposite sides of the frame a distance which is determined by the location of the centermost top and bottom saddle assemblies 40' and 41 on the respective boards 15 and 16. The saddle assemblies 40' and 41 are located r so that when the boards are fully extended later-ally of the frame the front faces of the boards are accessible in sideby-side relation for use as illustrated in dotted line in FIGURE 2. The stop assemblies 50 (FIGURES 3, 4 and 5) at each end of the rails 13 and 14 each comprise an end plate 51 which is slotted at 52 and which is secured to angle bracket 53 and on which a stop block 54 is mounted. The stop block 54 is slotted at 55 and 56 to permit movement of the chalkboards. The entire assembly 50 is attached to the rail by the angle bracket 53.

To anchor the frame against further movement when it is positioned in the desired location along the track 18, the vertical posts or rails 11 and 12 are each provided with a foot bolt assembly 60 (FIGURES 1 and 4). The foot bolt assembly 60 is of well known construction comprising a housing 61 secured to the front or side face of the post, a foot bolt 62 which is urged in the retracted direction by a compression spring 63 in the housing 61 and an apertured lock plate 64 which grips the bolt 62 when the latter is extended and which is adapted to be swung to release the bolt. 7

The operation of the chalkboard will be obvious from the description thereof. When it is desired to use the board the entire assembly may be moved to any desired location along the track 18 and latched in position by the operation of the foot bolts 62. The two boards 15 and 16 may then be extended in opposite directions so that approximately half of each board projects on each side of the frame assembly. The end stop assemblies 50 prevent the boards from leaving the horizontal tracks.

and limits their extended position as shown in FIGURE 2. While in the illustrated form of the apparatus the top .4 track forming channel 18 is attached to the ceiling of the room, it may be attached to any other convenient overhead structure or special supporting structure may be provided. The track 18 maybe straight as shown, or it may be curvedif desired. Also, the location of the cross rails 13 and 14 relative to the floor may be varied, or if desired, the rails 13 and 14 may be adjustably mounted on the frame so as to enable the chalkboards to be positioned at the height desired.

While particular materials and specific details of construction have been referred to in describing the illustrated form of the chalkboard assembly, itwill be understood that other materials and equivalent structural details may be resorted to within the spirit of the invention.

We claim: I

1. In a chalkboard panel assembly, a horizontally extending overhead track adapted for attachment to the ceilingof aroom, a frame which, includes two vertically extending rails and two horizontally extending rails, said vertically extending rails being spaced apart horizontally, and being provided at their upper ends with means for sliding co-action with the overhead track and at their lower ends with releasable fasteners adapted for co-action with the floor of the room, said horizontally extending rails being of generally channel-shapedcross section and attached in vertically spaced relation to the front faces of the vertically extending rails' intermediate the upper and lower ends of the latter with the channeled faces of the horizontally extending rails in confronting relation to each other, and two chalkboard panels of generally rec tangular form disposed one behind the other and slidably mounted at their upper and lower edges in the channeled faces of said horizontally extending rails, each of said panels being of substantially the same width as the spacing in the lateral direction of the vertically extending rails, and ,co-operating stop means on said horizontally extending rails and on the upper and'lower edges of said panels, each of said panels being slidable horizontally in opposite directions along the horizontally extending rails a distance of approximately half the width of the same whereby to expose both panels alongside each other while they are supported by said horizontally extending ra1 s.

2. In a panel assembly, a horizontally extending overhead track adapted for attachment to the ceiling of a room, a frame which includes two vertically extending rails and two horizontally extending rails, said vertically extending rails being spaced apart in a horizontal direction, and being provided at theirrupper ends with means for sliding co-action with the overhead track, said horizontally extending rails being attached in vertically spaced relation tothe vertically extending rails, two panels of generally rectangular form slidably connected at their upper and lower edges with the horizontally extending rails, one behind the other, each of said panels being of substantially the same width as the horizontal spacing of the vertically extending rails, each of said panels being slidable horizontally in opposite directions along the horizontally extending rails, and means to limit the sliding movement of each panel to a distance of approximately half the width of the same whereby to expose both panels alongside each other while the panels are supported by said horizontally extending rails.

3. A chalkboard assembly comprising a supporting frame having spaced pairs of horizontally and vertically extending rails, the horizontally extending rails being of generally channel-shaped cross section and being attached to the vertically extending rails intermediate the upper and lower ends of said vertically extending rails so as to provide confronting channels forming oppositely disposed guideways, two chalkboard panels of generally rectangular form slidably connected at their upper and lower edges with said horizontally extending rails for horizontal sliding movement inopposite directions along ing rails for limiting the movement of the panels so as to permit the outer faces of both panels to be exposed in side-by-side relation while the panels are supported by said horizontally extending rails, an overhead track, means on the upper ends of said vertically extending rails for sliding co-action with said overhead track and releasable fasteners on the lower ends of said vertically extending rails for co-action with the floor of a room so as to lock the assembly in adjusted position.

4. A chalkboard assembly comprising a supporting frame having spaced pairs of horizontally and vertically extending rails, the horizontally extending rails being of generally channel-shaped cross section and being attached to the vertically extending rails intermediate the upper and lower ends of said vertically extending rails so as to provide parallel confronting channels forming oppositely disposed guideways, two chalkboard panels of generally rectangular form, means slidably connecting said panels at their upper and lower edges with said horizontally extending rails for horizontal sliding movement in opposite directions in said guideways, means for limiting the movement of the panels along the horizontal extending rails so as to permit the outer faces of both panels to be exposed in side-by-side relation while the panels are supported by said horizontally extending rails, an overhead track, means on the upper ends of said vertically extending rails for sliding co-action with said overhead track and releasable fasteners on the lower ends of said vertically extending rails for co-action with the floor of a room to lock said assembly in predetermined position.

5. In a panel assembly, a horizontally extending overhead track adapted for attachment to the ceiling of a room, a frame which includes two vertically extending rails and two horizontally extending rails, said vertically extending rails being spaced apart horizontally, and being provided at their upper ends with means for sliding co-action with the overhead track, said horizontally extending rails being attached in vertically spaced, parallel relation to the vertically extending rails, two panels of generally rectangular form, means slidably connecting their upper and lower edges with the horizontally extending rails, one behind the other, said panels each being of substantially the same width as the spacing in the horizontal direction of the vertically extending rails, means adjacent the ends of said horizontally extending rails for limiting the sliding movement of said panels, and said panels being slidable horizontally in opposite directions along the horizontally extending rails a distance sufficient to expose both panels alongside each other While said panels are supported by said horizontally extending rails.

6. In a chalkboard panel assembly, a horizontally extending overhead track adapted for attachment to the ceiling of a room, a frame which includes two vertically extending rails and two horizontally extending rails, said vertically extending rails being spaced apart horizontally, and being provided at their upper ends with means for sliding co-action with the overhead track and at their lower ends with releasable fasteners adapted for co-action with the floor of the room, said horizontally extending rails being of generally channel-shaped cross section and attached in vertically spaced relation to the front faces of the vertically extending rails intermediate the upper and lower ends of the latter with the channeled faces of the horizontally extending rails in confronting relation to each other and providing pairs of cooperating upper and lower guide tracks, and two chalkboard panels of generally rectangular form slidably connected at their upper and lower edges with the horizontally extending rails, one behind the other, each of said panels being of substantially the same width as the spacing of the vertically extending rails, and each of the panels having at its upper and lower edges horizontally spaced saddle assemblies slidably connected with said guide tracks, stop means at the ends of said guide tracks for cooperation with said saddle assemblies to limit the movement of said panels,

and said saddle assemblies being spaced to enable said panels to slide horizontally in opposite directions along the horizontally extending rails with the sliding movement of each of said panels being limited by said stop means to a distance of approximately half the width of the same whereby to expose both panels alongside each other while supported by said horizontally extending rails.

7. In a chalkboard panel assembly, a horizontally extending overhead track adapted for attachment to the ceiling of a room, a frame which includes vertically extending rails and horizontally extending rails, said vertically extending rails being provided at their upper ends with means for sliding co-action with the overhead track and at their lower ends with releasable fasteners adapted for co-action with the floor of the room to lock said assembly in predetermined position, said horizontally extending rails being of generally channel-shaped cross section and being connected in vertically spaced relation to the vertically extending rails intermediate the upper and lower ends of the latter, and two chalkboard panels of generally rectangular form disposed one behind the other and slidably connected at their upper and lower edges with the horizontally extending rails, each of said panels being of substantially the same width as the frame, stop means on said panels intermediate the ends of the top and bottom edges thereof and co-operating stop means at the ends of each of said horizontally extending rails whereby said panels are slidable horizontally in opposite directions along the horizontally extending rails, the movement of each panel being limited by said stop means to a distance of approximately half the width of the frame whereby to position the panels in side-by-side relation while they are supported by said horizontally extending rails.

8. In a chalkboard panel assembly, a horizontally extending overhead track adapted for attachment to the ceiling of a room, a frame which includes vertically extending rails and horizontally extending rails, said vertically extending rails being spaced apart horizontally, and being provided at their upper ends with means for sliding co-action with the overhead track and at their lower ends with releasable fasteners adapted for co-action with the floor of the room to hold said assembly in adjusted position, said horizontally extending rails being of generally channel-shaped cross section and attached in vertically spaced, parallel relation to the vertically extending rails intermediate the upper and lower ends of the latter with the channeled faces of the horizontally extending rails in confronting relation to each other, and two chalkboard panels of generally rectangular form, pairs of saddle members spaced along the upper and lower edges of said panels and having portions thereof seated in sliding relation in the channeled faces of the horizontally extending rails, each of said panels being of substantially the same width as the frame, one of the saddle members of each pair thereof being disposed approximately in the middle of the panel and stop members at the ends of said horizontally extending rails for engagement by said saddle members so that each of said panels is slidable horizontally along the horizontally extending rails a distance of approximately half the width of the frame whereby to expose both panels in side-by-side relation so as to provide twice the work surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 133,583 12/72 Johnson 35-63 357,677 2/87 Lykens et al. 35-63 627,396 6/99 Daly 35-63 1,099,748 6/14 Hopkins 35-63 1,490,471 4/24 Law 272-22 2,528,311 10/50 Hurley 35-63 3,072,975 1/63 Burmeister 20-19 JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 2. IN A PANEL ASSEMBLY, A HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING OVERHEAD TRACK ADAPTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE CEILING OF A ROOM, A FRAME WHICH INCLUDES TWO VERTICALLY EXTENDING RAILS AND TWO HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING RAILS, SAID VERTICALLY EXTENDING RAILS BEING SPACED APART IN A HORIZONTAL DIRECTION, AND BEING PROVIDED AT THEIR UPPER ENDS WITH MEANS FOR SLIDING CO-ACTION WITH THE OVERHEAD TRACK, SAID HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING RAILS BEING ATTACHED IN VERTICALLY SPACED RELATION TO THE VERTICALLY EXTENDING RAILS, TWO PANELS OF GENERALLY RECTANGULR FORM SLIDABLY CONNECTED AT THEIR UPPER AND LOWER EDGES WITH THE HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING RAILS, ONE BEHIND THE OTHER, EACH OF SAID PANELS BEING OF SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME WIDTH AS THE HORIZONTAL SPACING OF THE VERTICALLY EXTENDING RAILS, EACH OF SAID PANELS BEING SLIDABLE HORIZONTALLY IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS ALONG THE HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING RAILS, AND MEANS TO LIMIT THE SLIDING MOVEMENT OF EACH PANEL TO A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY HALF THE WIDTH OF THE SAME WHEREBY TO EXPOSE BOTH PANELS ALONGSIDE EACH OTHER WHILE THE PANELS ARE SUPPORTED BY SAID HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING RAILS.

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