Importance

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Abstract

A portable folding room partition has typically five articulated panels with wheels including two panels located at the ends of the partition which comprise carrier panels that serve as stabilizing elements for imparting movement to several intermediate panels as the partition is folded or unfolded. Each of the carrier panels includes a vertical end frame member having a horizontal spread end foot with wheels rigidly connected to its lower end. A pull handle is connected to each carrier panel in a position aligned over each spread end foot. The intermediate panels also have wheels and are hingedly connected to one another between the carrier panels to define the partition. Movement of the carrier panels by persons gripping the pull handles acts to spread or collapse the inactive intermediate panels while providing them with stabilizing support at each end. In a preferred form, each of the carrier panels has a pair of spaced apart spreaders. Both spreaders have a wheel at each end on opposite sides of the panel. Vertical frame elements on the side edges of each panel include a pair of longitudinal slots. Flexible polymeric hinges that are held in the slots along their edges bend to permit articulation of the panels relative to each other. Provision is also made for locking the panels in alignment with one another to provide a wall-effect.

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First Claim