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. In another embodiment, the downwardly depending flanges form a three-sided seat for receiving a magnet. 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 or seat, 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 and such that there is no structure between the head and the ceiling except the curtain. 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, wherein when the partition curtain is secured to the head, said curtain extends over the pad so that the curtain is directly between the pad and the surface with no other structures between the pad and the ceiling surface, and said curtain is further captured between the magnet and the metallic portion of the head to prevent relative movement between the curtain and the head.   
     
     
         2 . The partition rod according to  claim 1  wherein the metallic portion of the head is on the opposite side of said head from said pad. 
     
     
         3 . 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 and the magnet attaches to both the first and second metallic surfaces and wherein the curtain is captured between the magnet and both metallic surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The partition rod according to  claim 3  wherein the second surface is defined by a flange disposed at approximately a right angle relative to the first metallic surface. 
     
     
         5 . The partition rod according to  claim 4  wherein the magnet is cooperatively shaped with the first and second surfaces so that the magnet can attach to both the first and second surfaces to capture the curtain between one surface of the magnet and the first metallic surface and a second surface of the magnet and the second metallic surface. 
     
     
         6 . The partition rod according to  claim 1  wherein the metallic portion further comprises a first metallic surface, a second metallic surface and a third metallic surface, the second metallic surface angularly disposed relative to the first metallic surface and the third metallic surface angularly disposed relative to the second metallic surface, and wherein the magnet attaches to the first, second and third metallic surfaces and wherein the curtain is captured between the magnet and each of the first, second and third metallic surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The partition rod according to  claim 6  wherein the second metallic surface is defined by a flange disposed at approximately a right angle relative to the first metallic surface and the third metallic surface is disposed at approximately a right angle relative to the second metallic surface. 
     
     
         8 . The partition rod according to  claim 7  wherein the first, second and third metallic surfaces define a seat for receiving the magnet, wherein when the magnet is received in the seat the magnet attaches to each of the first, second and third metallic surfaces to capture the curtain between one surface of the magnet and the first metallic surface, a second surface of the magnet and the second metallic surface and a third surface of the magnet and the third metallic surface. 
     
     
         9 . The partition rod according to  claim 1  including plural magnets, each attachable to the metallic portion to secure the partition curtain to the head and prevent relative movement between the curtain and the head. 
     
     
         10 . A partition rod for retaining a partition curtain in a desired position relative to a ceiling 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 to prevent relative movement therebetween, said metallic plate defining a first surface, a second surface angularly disposed relative to the first surface, and a third surface angularly disposed relative to the second metallic surface, said first, second and third surfaces defining a magnet receiving seat wherein when the magnet is in the seat, the magnet attaches to each of the first, second and third surfaces.   
     
     
         11 . The partition rod according to  claim 10  wherein when the curtain is disposed between the pad and the ceiling surface there are no other structures between the pad and the ceiling surface. 
     
     
         12 . The partition rod according to  claim 11  wherein the first and third surfaces are parallel and define a distance L 1  therebetween and the magnet has a corresponding width less than L 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The partition rod according to  claim 12  wherein the third surface has a length L 2  and the magnet has a corresponding length greater than L 2 . 
     
     
         14 . The partition rod according to  claim 10  wherein the magnet is attached to the partition rod with a lanyard. 
     
     
         15 . A partition rod for retaining a partition curtain in a desired position relative to a ceiling, 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 at least three surfaces of the metallic member with the curtain between the magnet and the three surfaces of the metallic member so that said curtain is secured between said magnet and said metallic member, and said curtain retaining means further comprising a pad attachable to the metallic member such that the curtain is between the pad and the ceiling with no other structures between the pad and the surface.   
     
     
         16 . The partition rod according to  claim 16  wherein the curtain retaining means further comprises the metallic member defining a metallic plate coupled to the first end of the rod, the metallic plate having first and second sides and wherein a deformable pad is attached to the first side of the metallic plate and the magnet is attachable to the second side of the metallic plate. 
     
     
         17 . The partition rod according to  claim 15  wherein the metallic member defines a first surface, a second surface angularly disposed relative to the first surface, and a third surface angularly disposed relative to the second metallic surface, said first, second and third surfaces defining a seat for receiving said magnet. 
     
     
         18 . The partition rod according to  claim 17  wherein when the magnet is in the seat, the magnet attaches to each of the first, second and third surfaces. 
     
     
         19 . The partition rod according to  claim 17  wherein when the magnet is in the seat, the magnet attaches to each of the first, second and third surfaces and the curtain is captured between the magnet and each of the first, second and third surfaces. 
     
     
         20 . The partition rod according to  claim 17  wherein the magnet is attached to the partition rod with a lanyard.