Abstract: An operable wall assembly having a prime mover for deploying and stowing or stacking the wall panels. The operable wall assembly includes a control system for controlling operation of the prime mover and sensors for determining when the panels are fully deployed and fully stacked. The wall panel is installed by applying a three-point camber for spans in the range of 33-40 feet.

Abstract: A moveable wall is connected to a structure and is operable to receive power from a power source. The moveable wall includes a first panel is connected to the structure for movement with respect to the structure. The first panel has a first electrical connection and the first panel receives power from the power source and to direct said power to the first electrical connection. A second panel is connected to the structure for movement with respect to the structure. The second panel has a second electrical connection, and the second electrical connection is configured to electrically connect to the first electrical connection to receive said power from the first electrical connection. One of the first electrical connection and the second electrical connection has a degree of freedom to move relative to the respective panel.

Abstract: A method of moving panels from a stowed position to a deployed position includes supporting a first panel on a cam, rotating the cam in a first direction and lowering the first panel which separates the first panel from the cam and supports the first panel on a flexible lift member. Supporting a second panel on a support rack, biasing the second panel into engagement with the cam, rotating the cam in the first direction to transfer the second panel from the support rack to the cam. Further rotating the cam in the first direction, lowering the second panel to transfer the second panel from the cam to the first panel, so that the flexible lift member bears the weight of the first and second panels through the connection between the first panel and the flexible lift member. Fixing the first and second panels through a tongue and groove engagement.

Abstract: A method of managing a plurality of operable wall panels in a room equipped with an overhead track system from which the panels suspend and in which the panels are movable to selectively partition the room, the track system including a reading portion. The method comprising providing an identification tag on each of the plurality of panels, each identification tag having panel information, and wirelessly communicating between the identification tag of each of the plurality of panels and a controller, wherein the controller being operable to receive and transmit panel control data comprising the panel information.

Abstract: A method of managing a plurality of operable wall panels in a room equipped with an overhead track system from which the panels suspend and in which the panels are movable to selectively partition the room, the track system including a reading portion. The method comprising providing an identification tag on each of the plurality of panels, each identification tag having panel information, and wirelessly communicating between the identification tag of each of the plurality of panels and a controller, wherein the controller being operable to receive and transmit panel control data comprising the panel information.

Abstract: A method of managing a plurality of operable wall panels in a room equipped with an overhead track system from which the panels suspend and in which the panels are movable to selectively partition the room, the track system including a reading portion. The method comprising providing an identification tag on each of the plurality of panels, each identification tag having panel information, and wirelessly communicating between the identification tag of each of the plurality of panels and a controller, wherein the controller being operable to receive and transmit panel control data comprising the panel information.

Abstract: A system and method for training. The invention generally includes a method of training service-people, a facility for conducting exercises to train service-people, and a method of converting a facility into a training center. The facility generally includes a plurality of carriers having rollers supported by a grid-shaped track system and movable therein and a panel suspended from each carrier and movable therewith, the rollers permitting movement of the wall panels to form interconnected halls and rooms. The facility may also generally include surveillance systems for observing and recording training exercises executed in the facility. The surveillance systems may generally include a catwalk, a mezzanine with an at least partially transparent floor, and video and audio recording systems.

Abstract: A hinge assembly and door closure assembly. The assembly generally includes fork members with slots to receive a connector and gears, where one or more pins pivotally couple the gears and connector to the fork members, and where the connector maintains the gears in meshing engagement through substantially 360 degrees of pivotal movement between the fork members. The closure assembly generally includes a rack and pinion, a biasing mechanism, a slider mechanism, and an arm pivotally coupled to the slider mechanism and the pinion, wherein the arm rotates the pinion in response to pivoting of the door, and where rotation of the pinion causes the rack to move against the force of biasing mechanism.

Abstract: A seal setting mechanism is provided that includes a pair of cross-members and a pair of downwardly extending force transfer members. The cross-members are linked with a linking member. When the cross-members are pivoted downwardly, the force is transferred through the force transfer members to a spring associated with each force transfer member. The spring applies a force on a sealing member. The sealing member is thus pressed against the floor, and held in place by the springs.

Abstract: Operable partitions arrangements having operable seal mechanisms such that a seal can be created, when so desired, between the panel and a surface such as a floor, a ceiling, a wall, other panels, or other structures located adjacent the panel. The invention provides a seal mechanism which operates to actuate a seal member against the surface and operates to withdraw the bias of seal member from the surface thereby releasing the seal made with the surface. The invention provides a partition including a panel having an interior, a seal member moveable with respect to the panel, a rotatable cam housed in the interior of the panel, and a connector extending between the seal member and the cam, whereby rotation of the cam in a first direction moves the seal member away from the panel to a first position and rotation of the cam in a second direction moves the seal member toward the panel to a second position.

Abstract: A vertical movement accommodating apparatus for use with a wall panel includes a cap mounted on a ceiling structure of a room, and a support assembly mounted on a top edge of the wall panel and at least partially disposed within the cap for vertical movement with respect to the cap. The cap is a U-shaped member opening down. The support assembly includes an upper rail, a lower rail, and a truss assembly interconnecting the upper and lower rails. A sealing member is disposed between the upper rail and the cap to provide a sound reducing seal therebetween. The lower rail defines a channel in which a roller mounted on the upper edge of the wall panel is allowed to roll in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a latch mechanism which can be easily opened by disabled individuals. On one side of a door or panel is a knob which can be pushed to unlatch the door by urging a plunger from an extended position to a retracted position. Further pushing on the knob moves the door to an open position. On the other side of the door is a knob which can be pulled to unlatch the door. Further pulling on this knob moves the door to an open position. Each knob is substantially flush with the door so that the latch is not opened by accidental bumping, and so that, prior to installation, the door can be stacked with other like doors or panels for storage or transportation.

Abstract: A fire resistant panel includes at least four parallel vertically extending sheets of gypsum. The sheets are fastened together in a spaced apart arrangement with two outer sheets and two inner sheets positioned between the outer sheets to define a member having first and second opposite vertically extending sides. Vertically extending sheets of steel are in contact with and cover both sides of the member. The upper support for the member defines a circuitous path from one side of the member to the other. A bottom seal is supported by the member and includes a weight mechanism attached to the bottom seal. The weight is pivotally movable and biases the bottom seal downwardly for engagement with a floor.

Abstract: A multi-directional carrier includes a track and first and second ledges on the track. The ledges are relatively spaced vertically and horizontally. First and second discs are supported on a bolt in vertical spaced relation. One of the discs engages one of the ledges on one side of the bolt and the other disc engages the other ledge on the other side of the bolt. The underside of each disc has an angled surface and the upper side of each of the ledges has a complementary angled surface which is engaged by one of the disc angled surfaces. The angles of both said disc and ledge surfaces are substantially equal, being in the range of 2.degree. to 8.degree. to the horizontal, specifically 5.degree.. The discs can be made of metal and the underside of each disc can also be provided with rings of suitable bearing material engaging the ledges.

Abstract: A system of movable panels supported from overhead tracks by carriers engaged in the tracks. The panels are movable between a storage area and operable positions by moving the carriers along the tracks. The tracks are provided with an arrangement of bars which are selectively positioned at the junction between angularly related track sections. These bars, in cooperation with a preselected portion or portions of the carriers, permit only certain panels to move from one track section into another and blocking the entry of others. In addition, an arrangement of diverters are selectively positioned in the track sections in the area of the junction between track sections. These diverters, in cooperation with a preselected portion, or portions, of the carriers prevent certain panels from continuing along a given track section and divert those panels into an adjacent, angularly related track section.

Abstract: A multidirectional carrier and track generally comprising a disc, a track, and structure on the track defining a disc supporting surface. The disc is supported for rotation about an axis. The disc is in engagement with the disc supporting surface and has first and second ball bearing assemblies. The ball bearing assemblies have inner and outer races, the inner races mounted adjacent one another along the axis. The disc also has an outer cylindrical rim portion, the rim portion have an inner-facing surface, an outer-facing surface and upper and lower surfaces, the inner-facing surface engaging the outer races and the lower surface contacting the track. Structure on the inner-facing surface defines axially spaced faces projecting radially inward towards the axis in step-wise fashion, forming two axially-facing shoulders projecting from the inner-facing surface.