Partition apparatus and system

Abstract

An extendable rod has a head that captures a partition curtain and holds the curtain near a surface such as a ceiling or wall. The head has an outer surface (e.g., an upper surface when the head is abutting a ceiling) that has a deformable gripping surface. The lower surface of the head is metallic and relies upon magnetic force to capture the curtain in place on the head. In a first embodiment the lower surface has downwardly depending flanges on opposite ends. The curtain is draped over the upper surface of the head and is wrapped over the lower surface. A magnet or magnets are placed onto the lower surface, inward of the flange, capturing the curtain and holding it in place on the head. The rod is then extended so that the upper surface of the head bears against the ceiling or other surface. The magnets hold the curtain securely in place, which allows for simple installation.

1 . A partition rod for retaining a partition curtain in a desired position relative to a surface, comprising,
 a partition rod having a first end and a second end and a compression mechanism between the first and second ends, said compression mechanism configured for urging the first end away from the second end;   a head at the first end, said head having a pad configured for abutting the surface and a metallic portion opposite the pad, and a magnet attachable to the metallic portion to secure the partition curtain to the head.   
     
     
         2 . The partition rod according to  claim 1  wherein the pad defines a surface-contacting member and the metallic portion of the head is on the opposite side of said head from said pad. 
     
     
         3 . The partition rod according to  claim 2  wherein the curtain is between the surface and the pad. 
     
     
         4 . The partition rod according to  claim 1  wherein the metallic portion further comprises a first metallic surface and a second metallic surface angularly disposed relative to the first surface. 
     
     
         5 . The partition rod according to  claim 4  wherein the second surface is defined by a flange and wherein the magnet attaches to both the first and second surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The partition rod according to  claim 5  wherein the magnet is cooperatively shaped with the first and second surfaces so that the magnet attached to both the first and second surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The partition rod according to  claim 1  including plural magnets, each attachable to the metallic portion to secure the partition curtain to the head. 
     
     
         8 . The partition rod according to  claim 1  in which the pad comprises a deformable material. 
     
     
         9 . The partition rod according to  claim 1  in which the head is attached to a shaft that cooperates with the compression mechanism, and wherein the compression mechanism comprises a handle operable for urging the shaft away from the rod, a first dog for securing the shaft relative to the rod, and a second dog for releasing the shaft relative to the rod so that the shaft may be retracted into the rod. 
     
     
         10 . The partition rod according to  claim 1  wherein the pad is removable from the metallic portion and has an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the magnet is between the pad and the metallic portion and the curtain is between the inner surface and the metallic surface. 
     
     
         11 . The partition rod according to  claim 10  including plural magnets, each between the pad and the metallic portion. 
     
     
         12 . A partition rod for retaining a partition curtain in a desired position relative to a surface, comprising,
 an elongate rod having a foot at one end, a head at the opposite end and a mechanism between the head and foot for selectively controlling the length of the rod;   wherein the head further comprises a metallic plate coupled to the rod, a pad attached to the metallic plate and a magnet attachable to the metallic plate with the curtain disposed between the magnet and the metallic plate.   
     
     
         13 . The partition rod according to  claim 12  wherein the curtain is disposed between the surface and the pad. 
     
     
         14 . The partition rod according to  claim 12  wherein the curtain is disposed between the pad and the metallic plate and the pad directly contacts the surface. 
     
     
         15 . The partition rod according to  claim 12  including more than one magnet, each magnet attachable to the metallic plate to retain the curtain to the head and prevent relative movement therebetween. 
     
     
         16 . A partition rod for retaining a partition curtain in a desired position relative to a surface, comprising,
 a partition rod having a first end and a second end and rod extension and retraction means between the first and second ends for selectively changing the length of the rod between the first and second ends;   curtain retaining means at the first end for retaining the curtain to the first end, said curtain retaining means comprising a magnet attachable to a metallic member with the curtain between the magnet and the metallic member.   
     
     
         17 . The partition rod according to  claim 16  wherein the curtain retaining means further comprises a deformable pad and a metallic plate coupled to the first end of the rod, the magnet attachable to the metallic plate. 
     
     
         18 . The partition rod according to  claim 17  in which the curtain is retained between the deformable pad and the metallic plate. 
     
     
         19 . The partition rod according to  claim 17  in which the curtain is retained between the pad and the surface. 
     
     
         20 . The partition rod according to  claim 19  wherein the metallic plate has a first plate portion for attaching the magnet and a second plate portion angularly disposed relative to the first plate portion and for attaching the magnet.