Partitioning device

Abstract

A partitioning device, including a center panel and at least one side panel, e.g., a left side panel and a right side panel, each side panel optionally folded onto the center panel in an overlaying relationship during use or storage. Each side panel may be folded away from the center panel during use if needed. Each center and side panel may include a stiffening member attached proximate upper and lower edges thereof. Straps may be attached to the center panel to affix the present partitioning device during use and additional straps may be attached to each of the side panels. Connectors may be attached to the straps. The center and at least one side panel may be reversibly configured in a folded, overlaying relationship. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A partitioning device, comprising: 
 a center panel and at least one side panel foldable onto the center panel, each of the center panel and at least one side panel having an upper edge and a lower edge, the center panel and at least one side panel comprising a first foldable material, an upper stiffening member and a lower stiffening member, the upper stiffening member fixed proximate the upper edge, the lower stiffening member fixed proximate the lower edge, the upper and lower stiffening members comprising a substantially non-foldable material.    
     
     
         2 . The partitioning device of  claim 1 , in which a center panel and a plurality of side panels are present.  
     
     
         3 . The partitioning device of  claim 2 , each of said center panel and plurality of side panels comprising an upper enclosure disposed proximate the upper edge and a lower enclosure disposed proximate the lower edge.  
     
     
         4 . The partitioning device of  claim 3 , in which each upper stiffening member is disposed in one of said upper enclosures and in which each lower stiffening member is disposed in one of the lower enclosures.  
     
     
         5 . The partitioning device of  claim 4 , in which at least some of said enclosures comprise a fold in the first foldable material held in place with stitching.  
     
     
         6 . The partitioning device of  claim 4 , in which at least some of said enclosures further comprise a second foldable material, the first foldable material and the second foldable material fixed together to form said enclosures.  
     
     
         7 . The partitioning device of  claim 1 , each said center panel and at least one side panel further comprising a fastener for fastening each of said at least one side panels to said center panel in an overlaying relation.  
     
     
         8 . The partitioning device of  claim 1 , further comprising a strap attached to each of said center and at least one side panels.  
     
     
         9 . The partitioning device of  claim 8 , further comprising a first fastener attachable to each said strap.  
     
     
         10 . The partitioning device of  claim 9 , in which the first fastener is an S-hook.  
     
     
         11 . The partitioning device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second fastener disposed to maintain the center panel and at least one side panel in a folded, overlaying configuration.  
     
     
         12 . The partitioning device of  claim 11 , in which the second fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.  
     
     
         13 . A process of manufacturing a partitioning device, comprising: 
 forming a center panel and at least one side panel from a first foldable material, said at least one side panel foldable with the center panel in an overlaying configuration;    forming an upper enclosure in each said center panel and at least one side panel by folding said first foldable material proximate an upper margin of each of said center panel and at least one a side panel;    forming a lower enclosure in each said center panel and at least one side panel by folding said first foldable material proximate a lower margin of each of said center panel and at least one side panel;    inserting a stiffening member into each said upper and lower enclosure; and    affixing said first foldable material, thereby fixing each said upper and lower enclosure.    
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13 , in which the fixed foldable material includes polypropylene.  
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 13 , in which a center panel and two side panels are formed.  
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 13 , which the first foldable material is affixed by stitching.  
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 13 , further comprising attaching a first strap proximate a first outboard edge of said center panel and a second strap proximate a second outboard edge of said center panel.  
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17 , further comprising attaching a third strap proximate an outboard edge of said at least one side panel.  
     
     
         19 . The process of claim a  17 , further comprising attaching a first fastener to each of said first, second, and third straps.  
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19 , further comprising attaching a second fastener to said center panel and said at least one side panel.  
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 20 , in which said attached second fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.  
     
     
         22 . A process of partitioning off a space, comprising: 
 disposing a first partitioning device proximate said space to be partitioned off, said first partitioning device comprising a center panel and one of a left side panel attached to said center panel and a right side panel attached to said center panel, a plurality of straps, two of said plurality of straps attached to outboard edges of said center panel, and one of said plurality of straps attached to each of said left and right side panels, each of said left and right side panels comprising a plurality of stiffening members, one of said plurality of stiffening members disposed proximate an upper edge, and one of said plurality of stiffening members disposed proximate a lower edge of each said center panel and left and right side panels; and    affixing said plurality of straps such that said partitioning device is suspended across the space to be partitioned off.    
     
     
         23 . The process of claim a  22 , further comprising disposing a second partitioning device proximate to said space to be partitioned off, said second partitioning device substantially identical to the first partitioning device.  
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 22 , in which the left side panel and right side panel are folded into the center panel when the first partitioning device is disposed proximate said space to be partitioned off.  
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 22 , in which the left side panel or the right side panel is folded away from the center panel when the partitioning device is disposed proximate said space to be partitioned off.  
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 22 , in which the left side panel and right side panel are folded away from the center panel when the partitioning device is disposed proximate said space to be partitioned off.  
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 22 , in which said one of a left side panel and a right side panel are attached and held to the center panel in an overlying disposition and in which one of said left side and right side panel are detached from said center panel before said plurality of straps are affixed.  
     
     
         28 . The process of  claim 22 , in which a fastener is present at the proximal end of each of said straps and in which the straps are affixed by attaching each fastener to one of said straps.  
     
     
         29 . The process of  claim 28 , in which each of said fasteners present at the distal end of each of said straps comprises an S-hook and in which at least one of the fasteners is fastened to the strap by extending the strap through the S-hook.  
     
     
         30 . The process of  claim 29 , in which at least one of the fasteners is fastened to an object proximate the space to be partitioned off.