US20240156283A1

US20240156283A1 - Folding room divider

Info

Publication number: US20240156283A1
Application number: US17/985,798
Authority: US
Inventors: Ting-Yu Lai
Original assignee: Kadeya Enterprise Co Ltd
Current assignee: Kadeya Enterprise Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-11-11
Filing date: 2022-11-11
Publication date: 2024-05-16

Abstract

A folding room divider may include at least two divider panels, a plurality of connectors, and at least an anti-pinch plate. Each of the divider panels is connected to a frame at outer edges thereof, and the connectors are positioned on the frame so as to enable the anti-pinch plate to connect to the frame. The two divider panels are pivotally connected through the anti-pinch plate to achieve the anti-pinch effect for the folding room divider.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a folding room divider and more particularly to a folding room divider that prevents fingers from being pinched during expansion or folding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 or U.S. application Ser. No. 17/372,505, the conventional folding room divider comprises at least two divider panels (50), and each of the divider panels (50) has a frame (60), and an anti-pinch plate (70) is cooperated with vertical supporting columns (80) to pivotally connect the two divider panels (50) at two lateral sides, thereby completing the structure of the folding room divider with anti-pinch effect.
The frame (60) has four frame straps (62), and two adjacent frame straps (62) are connected through a cap (61) so as to form two outer vertical surfaces (63) at two lateral sides of the frame (60), and the divider panel (50) is coupled inside the four frame straps (62) of the frame (60). At least one outer vertical surface (63) of the frame (60) has a plurality of protruded bases (64) on the frame strap (62), and the protruded bases (64) are formed on the different frames (62) at different heights of corresponding positions, and each of the protruded bases (64) has a plug hole (641) on top downwardly penetrating through the protruded base (64). The anti-pinch plate (70) is positioned and fills the gap between two adjacent divider panels (50). The anti-pinch plate (70) has two vertical through holes (71) at both lateral sides, and each of two vertical supporting columns (80) is adapted to penetrate downwardly through the plug hole (641), the through hole (71), and into the plug hole (641) of the protruded base (64). The supporting columns (80) are positioned in the plug holes (641), and the adjacent divider panels (50) are pivotally connected without gap therebetween through the anti-pinch plate (70). With the recesses (72) located corresponding to the protruded bases (64), a cover piece (73) is formed between the recesses (72), and the recess (72) is adapted to receive the protruded base (64) so as to enable the anti-pinch plate (70) and the protruded base (64) to be pivotally connected smoothly. Moreover, the cover piece (73) is configured to fill the space at the same height between the two protruded bases (64), so as to achieve the anti-pinch effect between the two divider panels (50).
However, the conventional folding room divider has following disadvantages: the vertical supporting column (80) has to penetrate downwardly for a long distance so as to cause difficulties and inconvenience in assembly, thereby increasing the manufacturing cost. Therefore, there remains a need for a new and improved design for a folding room divider to overcome the problems presented above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a folding room divider comprising at least two divider panels, a plurality of connectors, and at least an anti-pinch plate. Each of the divider panels is connected to a frame at outer edges thereof, and the connectors are positioned on the frame so as to enable the anti-pinch plate to connect to the frame. The two divider panels are pivotally connected through the anti-pinch plate to achieve the anti-pinch effect for the folding room divider. Each of edges of the frame has four parallel connected tube bodies, and the connection of the tube bodies forms two outer vertical surfaces at two lateral sides of the frame, so as to position the divider panel in the frame. Each of the outer vertical surfaces has a sliding groove, and a lateral opening formed at corresponding position of the sliding groove has a smaller diameter than that of the sliding groove. The connector has a first main body and a second main body, and the diameter of the first main body is larger than that of the second main body. The second main body comprises a stepped hole horizontally penetrating through the second main body toward the first main body. At least one end of the connector has a pivot column protruding from the end of the connector. The connector is coupled in the sliding groove through the first main body, and the second main body protrudes out from the lateral opening, so that the connector is adapted to slide along the sliding groove to adjust the position of the connector. After adjustment, the stepped hole is configured to receive a screw so as to secure the position of the connector. The anti-pinch plate is positioned between the two adjacent divider panels, and both of the top and the bottom of the anti-pinch plate have two vertical pivot holes at two sides of the anti-pinch plate, and the pivot hole is adapted to cooperate with and receive the pivot column, so as to enable the anti-pinch plate to be pivotally connected between the two divider panels, thereby fully filling the gap between the two divider panels. The anti-pinch plate comprises four notches at four corners which are adapted to respectively cooperate with the connectors, and two cover pieces are respectively formed at the top and the bottom of the anti-pinch plate, and each of the cover pieces having a smaller diameter than the anti-pinch plate is formed between the two notches. Each of the notches is configured to receive the connector, so as to enable the connectors to smoothly connect to the anti-pinch plate. Also, each of the cover pieces is adapted to fully fill the gap at the height between the two connectors.
Comparing with conventional folding room divider, the present invention is advantageous because: it is simple, rapid and convenient for the assembly process that the connectors are pivotally connected to the anti-pinch plate by inserting the pivot columns into the pivot holes, so as to greatly reduce the manufacturing cost of the folding room divider.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional assembly view of a folding room divider of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the folding room divider of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional enlarged view of a connector of the folding room divider of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the connector is connected to a frame of the folding room divider of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the connector is connected to an anti-pinch plate of the folding room divider through one end thereof in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the connector is connected between the two anti-pinch plate of the folding room divider at two ends thereof in the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the folding room divider is expanded in the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the folding room divider is folded in the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic assembly view illustrating the folding room divider is formed by the connected plurality of divider panels.

FIG. 10 is a prior art.

FIG. 11 is a prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently exemplary device provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be prepared or utilized. It is to be understood, rather, that the same or equivalent functions and components may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the exemplary methods, devices and materials are now described.
All publications mentioned are incorporated by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the designs and methodologies that are described in the publications that might be used in connection with the presently described invention. The publications listed or discussed above, below and throughout the text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.
In order to further understand the goal, characteristics and effect of the present invention, a number of embodiments along with the drawings are illustrated as following:
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 , the present invention provides a folding room divider comprising at least two divider panels (10), a plurality of connectors (30)(300), and at least an anti-pinch plate (40). Each of the divider panels (10) is connected to a frame (20) at outer edges thereof, and the connectors (30)(300) are positioned on the frame (20) so as to enable the anti-pinch plate (40) to connect to the frame (20). Thus, the two divider panels (10) are pivotally connected through the anti-pinch plate (40) to achieve the anti-pinch effect for the folding room divider. Each of edges of the frame (20) has four parallel connected tube bodies (21), and the connection of the tube bodies (21) forms two outer vertical surfaces (22) at two lateral sides of the frame (20), so as to position the divider panel (10) in the frame (20). Also, each of the outer vertical surfaces (22) has a sliding groove (221), and a lateral opening (222) formed at corresponding position of the sliding groove (221) has a smaller diameter than that of the sliding groove (221). The connector (30)(300) has a first main body (31) and a second main body (32), and the diameter of the first main body (31) is larger than that of the second main body (32). The second main body (32) comprises a stepped hole (321) horizontally penetrating through the second main body (32) toward the first main body (31). Moreover, at least one end of the connector (30)(300) has a pivot column (33) protruding from the end of the connector (30)(300). The connector (30)(300) is coupled in the sliding groove (221) through the first main body (31), and the second main body (32) protrudes out from the lateral opening (222), so that the connector (30)(300) is adapted to slide along the sliding groove (221) to adjust the position of the connector (30)(300). After adjustment, the stepped hole (321) is configured to receive a screw so as to secure the position of the connector (30)(300). The anti-pinch plate (40) is positioned between the two adjacent divider panels (10), and both of the top and the bottom of the anti-pinch plate (40) have two vertical pivot holes (41) at two sides of the anti-pinch plate (40), and the pivot hole (41) is adapted to cooperate with and receive the pivot column (33), so as to enable the anti-pinch plate (40) to be pivotally connected between the two divider panels (10), thereby fully filling the gap between the two divider panels (10). The anti-pinch plate (40) comprises four notches (42) at four corners which are adapted to respectively cooperate with the connectors (30)(300), and two cover pieces (43) are respectively formed at the top and the bottom of the anti-pinch plate (40), and each of the cover pieces (43) having a smaller diameter than the anti-pinch plate (40) is formed between the two notches (42). Each of the notches (42) is configured to receive the connector (30)(300), so as to prevent the mutual interference between the anti-pinch plate (40) and the connectors (30)(300) and to enable the connectors (30)(300) to smoothly connect to the anti-pinch plate (40). Also, each of the cover pieces (43) is adapted to fully fill the gap at the height between the two connectors (30)(300).
In one embodiment, the divider panel (10) has only one side to connect to the connector (30)(300) on the outer vertical surface (22) (as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 ).
In another embodiment, each of two sides of the divider panel (10) is connected to the connector (30)(300) on the outer vertical surface (22), so that both sides of the divider panel (10) are adapted to connect to one divider panel (10) respectively (as shown in FIG. 9 ).
In a further embodiment, the tube body (21) is made of aluminum extrusion.
In still a further embodiment, the open end of the tube body (21) is blocked by an end plug (23).
In an advantageous embodiment, a plurality of sliding wheels are connected at the bottom of the frames (20) so as to facilitate the divider panels (10) to be moved.
In another advantageous embodiment, the anti-pinch plate (40) is pivotally connected between the two divider panels (10) through the connectors (30), and each of the connectors (30) has one pivot column (33) to connect to the anti-pinch plate (40).
In still another advantageous embodiment, more than one anti-pinch plates (40) are vertically and pivotally connected between the two divider panels (10) through the connectors (30)(300), and each of the connectors (300) between the two adjacent anti-pinch plates (40) has two pivot columns (33) at both ends thereof to connect between the anti-pinch plates (40) (as shown in FIG. 5 ).
In a preferred embodiment, the anti-pinch plate (40) is a flat vertical plate.
In actual application, the anti-pinch plate (40) is pivotally connected between the two adjacent divider panels (10), so that the two divider panels (10) can be expanded (as shown in FIG. 6 ) or folded (as shown in FIG. 7 ) horizontally. The anti-pinch plates (40) can be connected vertically in accordance with the actual use of the needs, and the use of the anti-pinch plate (40) can prevent fingers from being pinched during the expanding and folding process, thereby improve the safety of use.
Comparing with conventional folding room divider, the present invention is advantageous because: it is simple, rapid and convenient for the assembly process that the connectors (30)(300) are pivotally connected to the anti-pinch plate (40) by inserting the pivot columns (33) into the pivot holes (41), so as to greatly reduce the manufacturing cost of the folding room divider.
Having described the invention by the description and illustrations above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but includes any equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A folding room divider comprising at least two divider panels, a plurality of connectors, and at least an anti-pinch plate;

wherein each of the divider panels is connected to a frame at outer edges thereof, and the connectors are positioned on the frame so as to enable the anti-pinch plate to connect to the frame; the two divider panels are pivotally connected through the anti-pinch plate to achieve the anti-pinch effect for the folding room divider; each of edges of the frame has four parallel connected tube bodies, and the connection of the tube bodies forms two outer vertical surfaces at two lateral sides of the frame, so as to position the divider panel in the frame; each of the outer vertical surfaces has a sliding groove, and a lateral opening formed at corresponding position of the sliding groove has a smaller diameter than that of the sliding groove;

wherein the connector has a first main body and a second main body, and the diameter of the first main body is larger than that of the second main body; the second main body comprises a stepped hole horizontally penetrating through the second main body toward the first main body; at least one end of the connector has a pivot column protruding from the end of the connector; the connector is coupled in the sliding groove through the first main body, and the second main body protrudes out from the lateral opening, so that the connector is adapted to slide along the sliding groove to adjust the position of the connector; after adjustment, the stepped hole is configured to receive a screw so as to secure the position of the connector; and

wherein the anti-pinch plate is positioned between the two adjacent divider panels, and both of the top and the bottom of the anti-pinch plate have two vertical pivot holes at two sides of the anti-pinch plate, and the pivot hole is adapted to cooperate with and receive the pivot column, so as to enable the anti-pinch plate to be pivotally connected between the two divider panels, thereby fully filling the gap between the two divider panels; the anti-pinch plate comprises four notches at four corners which are adapted to respectively cooperate with the connectors, and two cover pieces are respectively formed at the top and the bottom of the anti-pinch plate, and each of the cover pieces having a smaller diameter than the anti-pinch plate is formed between the two notches; each of the notches is configured to receive the connector, so as to enable the connectors to smoothly connect to the anti-pinch plate without interfering the function of the anti-pinch plate; and each of the cover pieces is adapted to fully fill the gap at the height between the two connectors.

2. The folding room divider of claim 1, wherein the divider panel has only one side to connect to the connector on the outer vertical surface.

3. The folding room divider of claim 1, wherein each of two sides of the divider panel is connected to the connector on the outer vertical surface, so that both sides of the divider panel are adapted to connect to one divider panel respectively.

4. The folding room divider of claim 1, wherein the tube body is made of aluminum extrusion.

5. The folding room divider of claim 1, wherein a plurality of sliding wheels are connected at the bottom of the frames so as to facilitate the divider panels to be moved.

6. The folding room divider of claim 1, wherein the anti-pinch plate is pivotally connected between the two divider panels through the connectors, and each of the connectors has one pivot column to connect to the anti-pinch plate.

7. The folding room divider of claim 1, wherein more than one anti-pinch plates are vertically and pivotally connected between the two divider panels through the connectors, and each of the connectors between the two adjacent anti-pinch plates has two pivot columns at both ends thereof to connect between the anti-pinch plates.

8. The folding room divider of claim 1, wherein the anti-pinch plate is a flat vertical plate.