Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing battery-backed power to movable partitions are disclosed. A power converter generates a DC output from an AC input. The DC output may be selectively decoupled from an enabled DC output such that the DC output can be monitored for acceptable operation in-situ. The enabled DC output may be selectively coupled to a battery output terminal. A charge current may be sensed between the enabled DC output and the battery output to control charging of the battery with a pulse-width modulation operation by controlling the selective coupling of the enabled DC output to the battery output. The enabled DC output and the battery output are coupled in a logical-OR configuration to generate a supply output providing current from the enabled DC output and the battery. The supply output may drive a movable partition controller and a motor configured for opening and closing a movable partition.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include movable partitions and devices, methods and systems that help to limit or prevent lateral displacement of movable partitions. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a movable partition includes two structures, each structure having a first plurality of panels, and each panel being hingedly coupled to an adjacent panel. The two panels are each supported from an overhead track at laterally spaced locations. One or more lateral restraint devices are supported from the overhead track at a location between the two laterally spaced structures. The lateral restraint device may include a trolley disposed in a channel of the overhead track and an elongated member coupled with the trolley and extending away from the trolley to a location proximate a lower edge of the first structure and a lower edge of the second structure.

Abstract: Movable partitions and partition systems include a sheet of interconnected panels configured to fold in an accordion fashion. At least two of the interconnected panels have first and second lateral ends extending between a top edge and a bottom edge of the panels. The lateral ends may comprise generally cylindrical structures having openings comprising gaps between lateral edges of the respective panel and a first major surface of the respective panel. The first lateral end of one panel may be engaged with the second lateral end of another panel of the at least two panels. The lateral edges may be enlarged. The at least two panels can extend to a fully extended state in which they are coplanar. Methods of foaming movable partitions and partition systems include forming and interconnecting such panels. Methods of repairing movable partitions and partition systems include disengaging such panels by applying lateral forces therebetween.

Abstract: Header assemblies for movable partitions comprise an overhead track. A header pan is configured to abut against and be secured to the overhead track and comprises at least two header pan members defining opposing lateral portions of the header pan. The header pan is configured to form at least a portion of a fire-resistant barrier. Methods of forming fire-resistant header assemblies comprise forming a first header pan member to define a first lateral portion of a header pan. A second header pan member is formed to define a second, opposing lateral portion of the header pan. The header pan is configured to extend laterally across a header space between a wall of an adjoining structure and an opposing wall of the adjoining structure and to at least substantially longitudinally occlude the header space when the first and second header pan members jointly form the header pan.

Abstract: Wire supports for use with a movable partition system comprise a cantilever member configured for connection to a panel of a movable partition. A wire-supporting member through which wire may be inserted is rotatably connected to the cantilever member. Movable partition systems comprise a movable partition comprising at least two sheets of panels extending at least substantially parallel to one another and laterally distanced from one another to define an interior space between the at least two sheets of panels. At least one wire support disposed in the interior space between a proximal end and a distal end of the at least two movable partitions comprises a cantilever member secured to at least one panel of one of the movable partitions and a wire-supporting member rotatably connected to the cantilever member at least partially supporting at least one wire inserted through the wire-supporting member.

Abstract: Various apparatuses, methods and systems for directionally controlling a movable partition are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus may include at least one roller assembly coupled to a portion of a movable partition. A roller element of the roller assembly may be configured to maintain contact with an adjacent surface (e.g., a floor) while the partition is displaced along a desired path even though the adjacent surface may exhibit unevenness, undulations or other substantially nonplanar surface features. In one embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to maintain a substantially constant force between the roller element and the adjacent surface. In another embodiment, the apparatus may be configured to maintain a force between the roller element and the adjacent surface substantially within a specified range. A steering actuator may also be used to select, or change, the orientation of the roller assembly with respect to the partition.

Abstract: Movable partition systems include a movable partition coupled to and movable along a track. The movable partition may comprise at least two accordion folding sheets of panels, a motor carried by the movable partition, and at least one electronic component unit configured to control the motor. The electronic component unit may be carried by the movable partition and disposed between the sheets of folding panels. Methods of installing a movable partition system include coupling an electronic component box to a floating door jamb within a movable partition.

Abstract: Movable partition systems include a vertical alignment structure including at least one roller element coupled to a portion of a movable partition and a ramp configured to abut against the at least one roller element to vertically align the portion of the movable partition to engage with a strike plate. Methods of vertically aligning the movable partition include coupling at least one vertical alignment structure to the movable partition including coupling at least one structural frame member to the movable partition and coupling the at least one roller element to the at least one structural frame member and installing at least one ramp to an overhead structure configured to abut the at least one roller element and vertically align a leading end of the movable partition.

Abstract: Chain tensioner devices for use with movable partition systems include endplates configured to be mounted on opposing sides or ends of a movable partition. At least one of the endplates includes a bracket configured for attachment to an end of a chain. The bracket is movable relative to the endplate. The endplate having the bracket also includes an adjustment mechanism located on a common side of the endplate with the bracket, and is operably coupled with the bracket. The adjustment mechanism is configured for adjusting a distance separating the bracket from the endplate. Movable partition systems include such chain tensioner devices. Methods of adjusting a tension in a chain of a movable partition system involve the use of such a chain tensioner device. Methods of installing movable partition systems within structures include the installation of such chain tensioner devices.

Abstract: Movable partition systems comprise a movable partition comprising at least one sheet of hingedly interconnected panels connectable to a lead post at an end of the movable partition. A striker configured to be disposed in a recess having a width formed in a wall toward which the movable partition is extendable comprises two sidewalls and a rear wall directly connected to the sidewalls defining a cavity having another, smaller width configured to receive the lead post at least partially therein. Such a striker may also include two flanges, each flange connected one of the two sidewalls and extending away from the cavity for a length greater than a difference in distance between the width of the cavity at its widest point and the width of the recess.

Abstract: Leading end assemblies for movable partitions may include a movable trolley, a leading structure coupled to the movable trolley, a diagonal member comprising at least one movable feature enabling the leading structure to translate from an initial position to a displaced position, and at least one sensor for sensing movement of the leading structure. Movable partition systems may include a leading structure suspended from a trolley and a sensor configured to sense rotation of the leading structure relative to the trolley. Methods of operating a movable partition may include moving at least a portion of a movable partition along a path from a retracted position to an extended position, rotating a leading structure of the movable partition about a coupling, using a sensor to sense rotation of the leading structure, and ceasing movement of the movable partition in response to a signal generated by the sensor.

Abstract: A header assembly for a movable partition includes an overhead track and a header pan. The header pan is configured to extend from the overhead track to an adjoining structure. The header pan, the overhead track, or a combination of both may form a fire-resistant barrier extending from a wall of the adjoining structure to an opposing wall of the adjoining structure. Movable partition systems may include header assemblies. Methods of forming header assemblies include positioning a header pan proximate to an overhead track and extending the header pan between a first wall and a second wall to at least substantially occlude a section of space therebetween. Methods of installing a movable partition include securing an overhead track to an overhead support structure, securing a retainer clip to an adjoining structure, extending a header pan from the overhead track to the retainer clip, and suspending a partition from the track.

Abstract: Movable partitions and partition systems include a sheet of interconnected panels configured to fold in an accordion fashion. At least two of the interconnected panels have first and second lateral ends extending between a top edge and a bottom edge of the panels. The lateral ends may comprise generally cylindrical structures having openings comprising gaps between lateral edges of the respective panel and a first major surface of the respective panel. The first lateral end of one panel may be engaged with the second lateral end of another panel of the at least two panels. The lateral edges may be enlarged. The at least two panels can extend to a fully extended state in which they are coplanar. Methods of forming movable partitions and partition systems include forming and interconnecting such panels. Methods of repairing movable partitions and partition systems include disengaging such panels by applying lateral forces therebetween.

Abstract: Movable partition systems include an elongated drive member with fixed, offset ends extending along a track, a partition that is automatically and manually movable along the track, the partition hanging from a trolley disposed at least partially within the track, a motor carried by the movable partition configured to drive a rotatable drive member engaged with the elongated drive member, and a clutch coupled with the motor configured to engage or disengage the rotatable drive member from the motor. Methods of moving a partition along a track include actuating a motor carried by a movable partition to drive rotation of a drive member while a clutch mechanism is engaged, and manually moving the partition along the track while the clutch mechanism is disengaged. Methods of installing a movable partition system include coupling a trolley to a rotatable drive member and placing the trolley within a channel of a track.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling a motor are disclosed. A method may include determining a rotational direction of a motor from a pair of quadrature signals sent to a microprocessor. The method further includes adjusting an internal count stored in the microprocessor at each edge of each of the pair of quadrature signals. The method further includes adjusting an external count stored in the microprocessor and transmitting an interrupt to a main controller after the first phase signal and the second phase signal have transitioned through each combinational logic state in one of a forward rotational direction and a reverse rotational direction. The method further includes transmitting a signal comprising the rotational direction of the motor and the external count from the microprocessor to a main controller.

Abstract: Wire trolleys for use with a movable partition system comprise a wire-supporting member through which wire may be inserted. At least one roller configured for insertion into a track along which a movable partition extends is connected to the wire-supporting member. Movable partition systems comprise a track. A movable partition comprising at least two sheets of panels extending at least substantially parallel to one another and distanced from one another to define an interior space between the at least two sheets of panels are suspended from and movable along the track. At least one wire trolley located in the interior space between a proximal end and a distal end of the at least two movable partitions comprises at least one roller in rolling engagement with the track and a wire-supporting member at least partially supporting at least one wire inserted through the wire-supporting member.

Abstract: Wire supports for use with a movable partition system comprise a cantilever member configured for connection to a panel of a movable partition. A wire-supporting member through which wire may be inserted is rotatably connected to the cantilever member. Movable partition systems comprise a movable partition comprising at least two sheets of panels extending at least substantially parallel to one another and laterally distanced from one another to define an interior space between the at least two sheets of panels. At least one wire support disposed in the interior space between a proximal end and a distal end of the at least two movable partitions comprises a cantilever member secured to at least one panel of one of the movable partitions and a wire-supporting member rotatably connected to the cantilever member at least partially supporting at least one wire inserted through the wire-supporting member.

Abstract: Movable partition systems may include a chain guide structure extending along a curved path. The chain guide structure may have a specified maximum width, and may include attachment flanges that project laterally from a central beam beyond laterally outward ends of chain guide members of the chain guide structure by a specified minimum distance. Overhead support systems for movable partition systems may include such chain guide structures. Methods of forming overhead support systems and movable partition systems may include stretch forming a bent chain guide structure. Methods of installing overhead support systems and movable partition systems may include inserting fasteners at least substantially perpendicularly through attachment flanges of a chain guide structure to secure the chain guide structure to an overhead structure.

Abstract: Movable partition systems include a movable partition, a soffit positioned along an edge of a track, and a molding member engaged with the soffit opposite the track. The molding member is at least partially abutted against a wall and configured to be adjusted laterally relative to the soffit. Methods of installing a movable partition system include suspending a track from a support member, inserting an end of a soffit between first and second ends of a molding member, and coupling the soffit to an edge of the track or a wall of a header structure. Methods of forming a header structure for a movable partition include disposing a track for a movable partition at least partially in a header recess of a header structure, engaging a molding member with a soffit, and coupling the soffit with the track and between the track and a wall of the header structure.

Abstract: A movable partition system includes a movable partition including coupled panels and a lead post engaged with and movable along a track. A motor control system includes a motor coupled to the movable partition and a switching circuit coupled to the motor and for selectively coupling the motor to a positive power source and a negative power source responsive to one or more PWM signals. An encoder is configured for generating one or more rotation signals indicative of operational direction and operational speed of the motor. A motor controller is coupled to the switching circuit and is configured for improving airflow around the panels of the movable partition when the lead post of the movable partition is between a predefined position and a fully retracted position indicative of a billowing effect for the panels by adjusting pulse widths of the PWM signals to control rotational speed of the motor.