Patent US3863404A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3863404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Building Construction
Assignee: BUILDING COMPONENTS RESEARCH I
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Filing: 1973-08-09
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1993-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A building construction and method for transforming a large open space into a plurality of smaller spaces. Foldable wall panels are initially supported upon retractable wheels to facilitate unfolding and movement of the wall panel to a predetermined position forming an enclosure. Insulating material having an improved cross-sectional configuration is situated at panel joints and at the top and bottom of the panels. An acoustical and hermetic insulation is formed when an elevated ceiling unit is lowered so as to rest upon the wall panels. The weight of the ceiling unit simultaneously (a) displaces the wall panel vertically downward over the retractable wheels to secure the position of the wall panels and (b) compresses the insulating material at both the top and bottom of the wall panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl D Wahlquist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:21
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/343; E04B1/344
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A building structure comprising in combination: a generally vertically oriented folding wall panel mounted upon a rigid support wall so as to provide limited movement of the wall panel in the vertical plane; a ceiling unit suspended above the wall panel, the ceiling unit comprising means for selectively lowering at least part of the weight of the ceiling unit upon the unfolded wall panel; and means interposed above and below the wall panel for forming a seal when the weight of the ceiling unit is brought to rest upon the wall panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A building structure comprising in combination: a generally vertically oriented folding wall panel mounted upon a rigid support wall so as to provide limited movement of the wall panel in the vertical plane; a ceiling unit suspended above the wall panel, the ceiling unit comprising means for selectively lowering at least part of the weight of the ceiling unit upon the unfolded wall panel; and means interposed above and below the wall panel for forming a seal when the weight of the ceiling unit is brought to rest upon the wall panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A building structure as defined in claim 1 further comprising downwardly biased castors providing facile movement of the wall panel across a floor surface, the castors being selectively telescoped into the interior of the wall panel when the wall panel is downwarldy displaced in response to the weight of the ceiling unit upon the wall panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A building structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said folding wall panel comprises at least two sections foldable into parallel relationship one with respect to the other and both with respect to a third wall and means interposed between each of the wall sections for forming a seal when the wall sections are fully unfolded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A building structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said ceiling unit comprises a hinged mounting facilitating arcuate displacement between a generally horizontal position and an acute angle with respect to the horizontal, the ceiling unit further comprising rigid means for engaging the vertical wall panel and for displacing the vertical wall panel downwardly as the ceiling unit is lowered to the horizontal position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A building structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said ceiling unit comprises an air delivery opening and a light source which, when the ceiling unit is in the general horizontal orientation, deliver air and light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A building structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said seal forming means comprises a generally flexible tube having an axially aligned inwardly directed projection which prevents total collapse of the tube when the tube is compressed under pressure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |