U.S. patent application number 10/160693 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-04 for movable screen assembly.
Invention is credited to Hunt, Douglas M., Reddick, Brandon R..
Application Number | 20030221798 10/160693 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29583239 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030221798 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hunt, Douglas M. ; et
al. |
December 4, 2003 |
Movable screen assembly
Abstract
A movable screen assembly is disclosed, the screen assembly
having three panels with top, bottom and side frame members. At
each corner of each panel is a corner connector and adjacent corner
connectors are attached by a joining element. Each corner connector
includes a post, a slot and a geometric region around each post.
The joining element includes two end portions, each with a
different geometry. One end portion is received by the slot and
allows rotation around a post. The other end portion is received by
another slot and does not allow rotation around a post. Each corner
connector includes a base and a cover. All bases are identical but
covers vary as a function of whether a caster is attached to the
corner connector or whether a joining element is connected.
Inventors: |
Hunt, Douglas M.;
(Muscatine, IA) ; Reddick, Brandon R.;
(Indianapolis, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRANDON R. REDDICK
915 N. GRAHAM AVE.
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46219
US
|
Family ID: |
29583239 |
Appl. No.: |
10/160693 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/135 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2/7431 20130101;
A47G 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/135 |
International
Class: |
A47G 005/00 |
Claims
1. A movable screen assembly comprising: at least two panels, each
of said panels having a top, a bottom and two side portions; a
horizontal frame member connected to each of said panel top and
bottom portions; a vertical frame member connected to each of said
panel side portions; at least two corner connectors, each corner
connector being connected to a respective one of said two panels,
and each connector corner including two spaced apart posts with
each post being surrounded by a congruent geometric region; and a
joining element connected to said two connector corners, said
joining element having two end portions, each of said end portions
including an opening to receive a respective one of said two posts
of a corner connector, one end portion having a first geometric
edge shape and the other of said end portions having a second and
different geometric edge shape wherein one corner connector of said
two corner connectors is in a fixed position relative to said
joining element and the other of said two corner connectors is
pivotal about an axis coincident with a longitudinal axis of one of
said two posts thereby allowing movement relative to the fixed
position corner connector.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: each of said corner
connectors includes a wall spaced partially around each of said two
posts; one end portion of said two end portions of said joining
element includes an edge to abut said wall around one of said two
posts and the other end portion of said two end portions of said
joining element is movable along said wall around the other of said
two posts.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein: said other of said
two corner connectors is pivotal along an arc of about 135
degrees.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein: said other of said
two corner connectors is movable from a parallel alignment with
said one of said two corner connectors to a position being
separated by an obtuse angle.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein: each of said two
corner connectors has a curved outer surface.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: each of said two
corner connectors includes a base and a cover.
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein: said two spaced
apart posts of each of said corner connectors extend from said
cover and are received within openings within said base.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein: each of said bases
include a slot bordered by a back wall.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein: each slot and back
wall are disposed around post receiving openings in said base; and
one end portion of said two end portions of said joining element
includes an edge to abut said back wall and be constrained thereby
and the other end portion of said two end portions is movable along
said back wall.
10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein: said other of said
two corner connectors is pivotal through an arc of about 135
degrees.
11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: each of said corner
connectors include passages for receiving horizontal and vertical
frame members.
12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein: each of said
corner connectors includes fastener receiving openings for allowing
said horizontal and vertical frame members to be restrained.
13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein: at least one of
said at least two corner connectors includes an opening for
receiving a stem of a caster.
14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein: each of said
corner connectors includes a wall spaced partially around each of
said two posts; and one end portion of said two end portions of
said joining element includes an edge to abut said wall around one
of said two posts and the other end portion of said two end
portions is movable along said wall around the other of said two
posts.
15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein: said other of said
two corner connectors is pivotal along an arc of about 135
degrees.
16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein: said other of said
two corner connectors is movable from a parallel alignment with
said one of said two corner connectors to a position being
separated by an obtuse angle.
17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein: each of said two
corner connectors includes a base and a cover.
18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein: said two spaced
apart posts of each of said corner connectors extend from said
cover and are received within openings within said base.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a movable screen assembly
and more particularly to a easily movable and reconfigurable
workplace screen assembly.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Lightweight screens for dividing rooms are well known
devices. However, such screens are not terribly versatile and are
usually present for aesthetics rather than functional purposes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] What is described here is a movable screen assembly
comprising at least two panels each panel having a top, a bottom
and side edge portions, a horizontal frame member connected to each
of the panel top and bottom edge portions, a vertical frame member
connected to each of the panel side edge portions, at least two
corner connectors, each corner connector being connected to a
respective one of the two panels, each corner connector including
two spaced apart posts with each post being surrounded by a
congruent geometric region, and a joining element connected to the
two connector corners, the joining element having two end portions
each of which includes an opening to receive a respective one of
the two posts, one end portion having a first geometric edge shape
and the other of the end portions having a second but different
geometric edge shape so that one corner connector of the two corner
connectors is in a fixed position relative to the joining element
and the other of the two corner connectors is pivotal about an axis
coincident with a longitudinal axis of one of the two posts thereby
allowing movement relative to the fixed position corner
connector.
[0006] There are a number of advantages, features and objects
achieved with the present invention which are believed not to be
available in earlier related devices. For example, one advantage is
that the present invention provides a screen that is easily
movable. Another feature of the present invention is that the
screen assembly is versatile allowing three panels, for example, to
be configured in various ways.
[0007] A more complete understanding of the present invention and
other objects, advantages and features thereof will be gained from
a consideration of the following description of a preferred
embodiment read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing
figures provided herein. The preferred embodiment represents an
example of the invention which is described here in compliance with
Title 35 U.S.C. section 112 (first paragraph), but the invention
itself is defined by the attached claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a movable screen.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the movable screen in
a star configuration.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the movable screen in
a channel-shaped configuration.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the movable screen in
a "Z" configuration.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic elevation view of the movable
screen in the configuration shown in FIG. 4.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of the movable screen in
a folded configuration.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a vertical frame member taken
along line 7-7 of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the vertical frame member
shown in FIG. 7 with a mounting liner.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a partial isometric view of the mounting liner
shown in FIG. 8.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a sectional view ofthe vertical frame member
shown in FIG. 7 with a mounting liner for a thinner screen.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a partial isometric view of the mounting liner
shown in FIG. 10.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the vertical frame member
shown in FIG. 7 with a mounting liner for an even thinner
screen.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a partial isometric view of the mounting liner
shown in FIG. 12.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a horizontal frame member
taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a horizontal frame member
like that shown in FIG. 14 but for a thinner screen.
[0023] FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the horizontal frame member
shown in FIG. 14 with a mounting liner for a still thinner
screen.
[0024] FIG. 17 is a partial isometric view of the mounting liner
shown in FIG. 16.
[0025] FIG. 18 is an exploded isometric view of two corner
connectors and a joining element.
[0026] FIG. 19 is a side view of a corner connector cover.
[0027] FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the corner connector cover shown
in FIG. 19.
[0028] FIG. 21 is an end view of the corner connector cover shown
in FIGS. 19 and 20.
[0029] FIG. 22 is a side view of a corner connector cover used when
a caster is connected.
[0030] FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the corner connector cover shown
in FIG. 22.
[0031] FIG. 24 is a rear view of the corner connector cover shown
in FIGS. 23 and 24.
[0032] FIG. 25 is a corner connector cover used when the corner
connector is not linked to another corner connector.
[0033] FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the corner connector cover shown
in FIG. 25.
[0034] FIG. 27 is a rear view of the corner connector cover shown
in FIGS. 25 and 26.
[0035] FIG. 28 is a plan sectional view of the two corner
connectors and the joining element shown in FIG. 18 attached
together and including portions of two panels and a caster.
[0036] FIG. 29 is a bottom view of a corner connector base.
[0037] FIG. 30 is a plan view of the joining element.
[0038] FIG. 31 is a front view of the joining element.
[0039] FIG. 32 is a plan view of the two corner connectors and the
joining element shown in FIGS. 18 and 28 illustrating a parallel
alignment used in FIG. 6.
[0040] FIG. 33 is a plan view of the two corner connectors and the
joining element illustrating a separation of the corner connectors
by 135 degrees as used in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0041] FIG. 34 is an isometric view of a caster.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0042] While the present invention is open to various modifications
and alternative constructions, the preferred embodiments shown in
the various figures of the drawing will be described herein in
detail. It is understood, however, that there is no intention to
limit the invention to the particular embodiments, forms or
examples disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, equivalent structures and methods, and alternative
constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
as expressed in the appended claims, pursuant to Title 35 U.S.C.
section 112 (second paragraph).
[0043] A movable screen assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The movable
screen assembly includes three panels 11, 12, 13, each panel having
a top portion 14, a bottom portion 15 and side portions 16, 17.
Each of the panels is bordered by frame members, a horizontal top
frame member 20 and a horizontal bottom frame member 22 and side
frame members 24, 26 at the lateral ends of each panel. Each panel
may be of any suitable material and finished, and as will be
explained below, panels may vary in thickness. Attached at each of
the four corners of each panel is a corner connector 30, 32, 34,
36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52. As shown, several corner
connectors 34, 36, 50, 52 at the bottom of the panels are connected
to casters 47, 49, 51, 53.
[0044] As will also be explained below, most corner connectors are
removably and pivotally joined with another corner connector. This
flexible arrangement allows the three panel screen shown in FIG. 1
to assume different configurations, such as a three-pointed star
configuration 54 shown in FIG. 2, a channel configuration 55 shown
in FIG. 3 and a Z-shaped configuration 56 illustrated in FIGS. 4
and 5. Illustrated in FIG. 6 is a folded configuration 57 which may
be used for screen storage. It can be appreciated that the screen
is quite versatile because each panel is easily movable relative to
an adjacent panel and the panels may be separated and rejoined to
provide, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 2. With the
help of the casters, the screen may be easily reconfigured and
relocated as desired.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 7, each of the vertical frame members
24, 26 has a somewhat flattened elliptical shape which may include
a decorative outer surface 60. The vertical frame member supports a
panel in a channel portion 62 and connects to a corner connector at
each of the frame member's extremities. The vertical frame member
may be made of any suitable material, such as aluminum. To
accommodate thinner panels, mounting liners of different sectional
shapes may be connected in the channel portion. For example, a
mounting liner 64, FIGS. 8 and 9, may be used when the panel is
thinner than the width of the vertical frame member channel portion
62. Another mounting liner 66, FIGS. 10 and 11, is used when the
panel is thinner than can be handled by the liner 64. Further, if
the panel is thinner still, another liner 68, FIGS. 12 and 13, may
be used. Each liner is made of a PVC extrusion. Of course, other
sectional configurations for the vertical frame member may be used
as a function of the thickness of the panel to be mounted and
aesthetics. Each mounting liner is elongated and extends for most
of the vertical height of the attached panel.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17, there is illustrated a
horizontal frame member 20, also of aluminum having a more squared
off channel shape. To accommodate thinner panels, the sectional
shape may be altered to the shape of a horizontal frame member 80
or by using an elongated PVC mounting liner 82 to fit between the
horizontal frame member and a top or bottom edge of a panel.
[0047] A pair of corner connectors 90, 92 and ajoining element 94
are illustrated in FIG. 18. Each corner connector includes a base
96, 98 and a cover 100, 102. The cover and base are easily
separated to allow the joining element 94 to be connected, removed
and reconnected. Each corner connector has a generally triangular
elevation view with a curved bottom surface 103, a rounded rear end
portion 104 and a rounded front end portion 106.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 19-27, in addition to FIG. 18, three
cover variations 107, 108, 109 are illustrated. Each cover includes
a flat upper wall 110, 112, 114, a downward depending skirt wall
116, 118, 120 and two spaced apart posts 122, 124, 126, 128, 130,
132. A spring connector 134, 136, 138 is attached to each cover to
create a friction fit between each of the covers and a respective
base. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 19 and 22, illustrate short
skirt walls 116, 118 to create, when connected to a base, slots
150, 152, FIG. 18, through which the joining element 94 may extend.
The embodiments of FIGS. 19 and 22 are essentially the same except
that an added end portion extension 154 is provided for the cover
108 so that the cover blends more readily when it and a respective
base receive the stem of a caster. For example, the cover 108
includes a stem receiving opening 156, FIG. 23, between the two
posts 126, 128. Each base also includes an aligned stem receiving
opening 158, 160, FIG. 18.
[0049] A third embodiment, shown in FIGS. 25-27, illustrates the
cover 109 with a longer skirt wall 120. This cover is used when a
joining element is not intended to be connected. The longer wall
abuts the base so that slots are not formed. Corner connectors 30,
48, FIG. 1, exemplify such a configuration. The corner connectors
34, 36, 50 and 52 exemplify the use of the cover 108 because
casters 47, 49, 51, 53 are connected.
[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 28, the base is described in
more detail. As can be seen, an outer top surface 170 of the base
generally conforms to the shape of the cover 100. The front end
portion 106 of the base 96 is rounded as is a front end portion 172
of the cover 100. The upper portion of the bases shown in FIG. 18
includes near the front end portion, two spaced apart openings 180,
182 for receiving the depending posts 184, 186 from the covers or
any one of the cover embodiments shown in FIGS. 19-27. Between the
post openings are the larger openings 158, 160 for receiving the
stem 190, FIGS. 28 and 34 of a caster 192. Toward a center portion
of the base are two fastener openings 194, 196 for receiving screw
fasteners 198, 200 that attach the base to the top or bottom
horizontal frame members 20, 22 of a panel. Between the two
fastener openings is another opening 202 for a connector stem 204,
FIG. 20, used to fasten the spring connector 134. To either side of
the fastener openings of the base are deep recesses 210, 212 which
form vertical walls 214, 216. These vertical walls receive the
spring fasteners 134, 136, 138 attached to the covers.
[0051] Around each of the post openings 180, 182 is a horizontal
flange 220, 222. The flanges abut a peripheral shoulder 224, FIGS.
20, 21, formed around each post 122, 124. Between the flanges 220,
222 and a ledge 230, FIG. 18, is the slot 150 for receiving the
joining element 94. The slot is bordered by a back wall 232, FIGS.
18 and 28, which has a curved portion 234 and two linear portions
236, 238. This geometry is replicated to two regions of each base
around the post receiving openings such that the resulting
geometric regions are congruent. The combination linear-curved wall
presents a geometry which is matched in two different ways by the
joining element as will be explained below.
[0052] The under or opposite side of the base 96, FIG. 29, includes
a panel receiving channel passage 240 which allows a horizontal
frame 20, 22 of a panel to be inserted and to be captured by the
screw fasteners 198, 200 inserted through the fastener openings
194, 196, all as illustrated in FIG. 28. Toward the end portion of
the base is a curved narrow passage 242, FIG. 29, which receives
the end or extremity of a vertical frame member, such as the
vertical frame member 26, FIG. 7. A lateral fastener opening 244
for receiving a set screw fastener (not shown) may be used to push
the outer surface 60 of the vertical frame member against a mating
surface 246 of the base to create a strong friction fit. The base
and cover are formed of a zinc alloy.
[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 18, 28, 30 and 31, the joining
element 94 is shown in detail. The joining element has two end
portions 250, 252 both of which have a post opening 254, 256. The
joining element is formed of a strip of steel having a thickness of
about 0.104 inches for allowing it to be received by the slots 150
formed in the base, and then captured when a cover mates with the
base and the two cover posts are received by the post openings in
both the end portion of the joining element and the post openings
in the base. End portion edges 260, 262 of the joining element are
specifically formed to different geometric patterns but which allow
the end portions to engage with the linear-curved wall 232 of the
base in two different manners. The rounded shape end portion edge
260 of the joining element engages primarily the curved portion 234
of the linear-curved wall so as to allow pivoting of a connected
base about an axis coincident with the axis of the cover post until
one or the other lateral edges 270, 272 of the joining element
abuts one of the two linear portions 236, 238 of the linear-curved
wall. For example, the lateral edge 270 abuts the linear portion
238 of the wall 232a.
[0054] The opposite end portion edge 262 of the joining element
includes a curved 90 degree shape with a curved portion 280 and two
linear portions 282, 284. These are essentially identical to the
shape of the linear-curved wall 232 of the base. When this second
end portion of the joining element is inserted into the slots 150
of the base and then captured by the posts of the cover, the edge
262 of the joining element will essentially abut the entire length
of the linear-curved wall 232 so that no relative rotation between
the corner connector and the joining element takes place around an
axis coincident with the post of the cover. This is shown in FIG.
28 where the joining element edge 262 is engaged with the
linear-curved wall 232b of the base 92.
[0055] Because of the different geometries of the joining element
edges, but the identical geometry of the linear-curved wall of the
base of the corner connectors, two corner connectors may be joined
by a single joining element so that there is relative rotation by
one of the corner connectors but not by the other. This allows
adjoining corner connectors 300, 302 to move from an aligned
position as shown in FIG. 32 where attached panels may be aligned
parallel to each other as shown in FIG. 6 to a position shown in
FIG. 33 where the adjoining corner connectors 300, 302 have been
separated by an obtuse angle of approximately one hundred thirty
five degrees. In this configuration, the three panels may be
configured as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. By removing and reinserting
the joining element the configurations shown in FIG. 2 may be
achieved. The result is an aesthetically pleasing, relatively
simple and very flexible moving screen that allows the screen to be
easily transported from storage to usable condition and where the
shape of the screen can be adjusted to a user's desire by simply
rotating one panel relative to another or adjusting the relative
positions of the corner connectors.
[0056] The above specification describes in detail several
preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other examples,
embodiments, modifications and variations will, under both the
literal claim language and the doctrine of equivalents, come within
the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. For
example, making changes to the outer surfaces of the corner
connectors or changing the particular geometries of the mating
corner connector bases and joining elements are considered
equivalent structures and will also come within the literal
language of the claims. Also adding or subtracting panels is
considered equivalent and will also come within the literal
language of the claims. Still other alternatives will also be
equivalent, such as the outer shape of the corner connectors, as
will many new technologies. There is no desire or intention here to
limit in any way the application of the doctrine of equivalents nor
to limit or restrict the scope of the invention.
* * * * *