When halls of various sizes, especially sport halls, are divided into smaller units by means of partitions, it has proved to be a need for altering this dividing in order to satisfy the requirements of courts of other sizes. This may be illustrated, for example with squash courts and the need for the size of such courts for playing single as opposed to double. In order to satisfy these needs, the walls should be easily movable, and with no need for guides or other devices in the floor, which must be freely useable in all situations.

The movable wall according to the present invention provides a possibility for quick and accurate relocation of walls with great accuracy and safety. This is achieved with the movable walls according to the present invention as defined with the features set forth in the claims.

The attached drawing shows in figure 1 a sideview of a typical displaceable wall according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the wall in figure 1, figure 3 shows a front view of a wall suspension, figure 4 shows a sideview of a wall suspension, figure 5 shows a cross section of the build up of a wall, and figure 6 shows some of the safety devices in connection with a typical entrance door in a fixed wall.

With wide spacing, for example 10 or 15 meters, the carrying longitudinal walls 1 and 2 are erected so that the space between the walls corresponds with the greatest length of the courts to be established. On top of the walls 1 and 2 are fastened tracks 4. For each movable wall are used two pairs of wheels 6 over each of the walls 1 and 2. The walls 3 are fastened to the axles of the wheels 6 in such a way that the walls can be raised and lowered with respect to the axles and thereby with respect to the floor, such that the walls can be placed stabile on the floor or be lifted up for moving.

The movable walls 3 are built on and rest on a sole 12 with a flange profile 10 which transfers the weight of the wall to the sole. The sole is reinforced with a square pipe 8. On each side of the square pipe 8 are provided wall plates 7 of a suitable

type. A new square pipe 8 is provided in the upper edge of each horizontal wall plate section, where an angle profile 9 rest on the lower plate element 7 and is fastened with screws, and is also fastened with screws to the square pipe 8. The next wall plate section 7 rests on the next lower section and on the angle profile 9. An upper square pipe 8 is connected to the wall plate 7 with suitable profiles 11. As the wall 3 is built up, sectionally, it forms a compact and strong unit which can be easily lifted and with its weight rests safely on the floor and the foundation plate 12.

The lifting of the wall is remote controlled with an electric motor 5 which rises a toothed bar 13. The toothed bar 13 works on an arm system which raises or lowers the wall section 3 with respect to the axles of the wheel 6.

The electric motors 5 at each end of a wall 3 are remotely controlled simultaneously for each wall. The movement of the walls 3 are preferably preprogrammed in such a way that predetermined positions can be established with corresponding commands in order to ensure the arrangement of for example squash courts for single play at a time were this is required.

By remote control of a wall three, happens after actuation of the command, lifting of the wall 3 with the electric motor 5 and the toothed bar 13, actuation of the drive for the wheels 5 and maintenance of this until the wall has the decide position.

Thereupon the electric motor 5 is actuated again so that the wall 3 settles with its full weight on the floor.

Normally one section in a hall concludes three courts which are divided with two movable partition walls. Each partition wall is displaced after lifting with the toothed bar 3 by means of a chain drive 14 in each end of each movable wall. The chain drive 14 may include a closed chain running around a sprocket wheel in one wall's outer position with a drive motor in one end, and where the chain is fastened to the wall 3. The chain is preferably fastened to the wheel 6 with a carrier (not shown). Alternatively the drive motor may be fastened to the wall 3 and run on a chain track which is fastened near the wall's two outermost positions.

Over each fixed sidewall are the drive axles for chain drive 14 positioned such that the two sides of the movable walls 3 are driven simultaneously, such that the walls move parallel

to the fixed side walls. The two drive chains 14 are connected with a drive axle which substantially follow the sidewall's upper contour by means of a cross link and a counter shaft. The chain in the movable wall are thus driven by the same motor via the axles. In principal the moving of the wall itself could also be carried out by letting the wheels 6 be driven simultaneously electrically with control functions for the speed. Each chain drive has preferably a chain tightener.

With emotion rate of 3 m/min, a position accuracy of + 5 mm can be achieved. It is also possible to use frequency converters for the drive motor in order to be able to use a low speed at start and stop and a greater speed during the moving.

Figure 6 shows schematically that the hall with three or more courts has a door 16 into each court. Each door 16 has a magnetic lock 17 and an operative panel 18. The magnetic lock 17 ensures that all doors are held lock when the walls 3 are being moved. The magnetic lock 17 further ensures that the door must be opened with a code or a card which gives access to this specific court by operating the panel 15.

With the magnet lock 17, opening and locking can also be controlled from a control room, and likewise moving of the various walls 3. With an appropriate computer system, placement of the various walls 3 can also be controlled on the basis of coded orders of a court, for example single or double.

The movable wall according to the present invention provides a possibility for quick relocation of the individual walls to new, prearranged positions or to any other desired position.

There will be no damages to the floor when the walls are moved, since the foundation plates 12 rest directly on the floor surface and the wall's weight ensures the stability. The build up of the wall gives a very stable and solid wall surface for ball play.