Space divider system

1. A space divider system that allows uninterrupted passage of light therethrough, mounted in an opening between rooms through which a person may move, the opening having a ceiling surface, a floor surface and opposed wall surfaces that form a space between the wall surfaces, the divider system comprising:

an elongated track beam having opposed ends and a plurality of parallel tracks along the track beam length, the track beam suspended below the ceiling surface without intermediate support and attached only to the opposed wall surfaces, each end having means for removably mounting the end of the track beam to an opposed wall surface to mount the track beam across the space between the walls and to mount the track beam a spaced distance below the ceiling surface;

a plurality of translucent or transparent rigid panels, each panel having opposed planar surfaces, a top edge, a bottom edge and opposed side edges defining a width of the panel, wherein the side edges and bottom edge of each panel are substantially frameless, the panels permitting the uninterrupted the passage of light between the rooms;

a suspension system mounted to each panel near the top edge of the panel for slidably mounting the panel to one of the tracks of the track beam, whereby each panel slides between the opposed wall surfaces on its own track independently of the other panels, the planar surfaces of the panel being substantially parallel to the track beam, the bottom edge of the panel spaced a distance from the floor surface;

wherein the widths of each panel when added together are at least about equal to the track beam length and the panels can be positioned along the beam length to allow complete closure of the space between the walls while permitting the uninterrupted passage of light;

wherein the track beam supports the translucent or transparent panels across the space opening, and

wherein the widths of each panel are such that they can slide along the beam length and be positioned to overlap each other providing an opening through the space between the walls, through which a person may move between the rooms, the opening located at selective positions between the wall space.

2. The space divider of claim 1 , wherein the suspension system comprises:

a length of channel having a closed top surface and an open end along its length, the open end of the channel mounted to the top edge of the panel;

a suspension rod having one end mounted to the top surface of the channel and a roller mounted at the other end of the suspension rod, the roller slidably mounted to the track of the track beam.

3. The space divider of claim 1 , wherein the suspension system comprises:

a clamp shoe having a top end and an open bottom end frictionally mounted to the top edge of the panel;

a suspension rod having one end mounted to the top end of the clamp shoe and a roller mounted at the other end of the suspension rod, the roller slidably mounted to the track of the track beam.

4. The space divider of claim 1 , wherein the means for removably mounting is an L-shaped bracket having a first leg and a second leg, the first leg of the bracket mounted to the end of the track beam and the second leg of the bracket mounted to the wall surface.

5. The space divider of claim 1 , wherein each track extends substantially the full length of the track beam and the panel mounted on such track can slide the complete length of such track.

6. The space divider of claim 1 , wherein the panels are textured.

7. The space divider of claim 1 , wherein the panels comprise at least about 40% pre-consumer recycled polymers.

8. The space divider of claim 1 , wherein the panels range in thickness from ¼ inch (6.3 mm) to ¾ inch (19.05 mm) and have a weight of 1.7 lb/ft 2 (8.3 kg/m 2 ) to 3.2 lb/ft 2 (15.62 kg/m 2 ).