U.S. patent application number 11/696393 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-15 for workspace dividing wall systems.
Invention is credited to John Hamilton, James Ludwig, Daniel Van Alphen.
Application Number | 20070261315 11/696393 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38683767 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070261315 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ludwig; James ; et
al. |
November 15, 2007 |
WORKSPACE DIVIDING WALL SYSTEMS
Abstract
A system for dividing a workspace includes a wall designed to
divide the workspace into a workspace and an area outside of the
workspace. The wall includes a variety of features and may be at
least partially formed from a construction element including a
sheet of metal configured to be self supporting and a layer of
cushioning material configured to encase the sheet of metal to form
a composite construction element that is free of sharp edges. The
composite construction element is configured to be mounted to a
wall having a top, bottom, and two sides configured to divide an
area into a workspace and an area outside of the workspace.
Furthermore, the wall may be formed a meltable material that can be
melted and smoothed to at least reduce an appearance of unsmooth
portions within the wall and, when positioned proximate to another
wall, can be melted and smoothed to at least reduce the appearance
of seams between the wall and the another wall.
Inventors: |
Ludwig; James; (Grand
Rapids, MI) ; Hamilton; John; (Grand Rapids, MI)
; Van Alphen; Daniel; (Berlin, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
QUARLES & BRADY LLP
411 E. WISCONSIN AVENUE
SUITE 2040
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202-4497
US
|
Family ID: |
38683767 |
Appl. No.: |
11/696393 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60744320 |
Apr 5, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/28 ; 52/234;
52/236.1; 52/36.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2002/7418 20130101;
E04B 2/7422 20130101; E04B 2002/7483 20130101; E04B 2/7416
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/028 ;
052/234; 052/236.1; 052/036.4 |
International
Class: |
E04F 19/00 20060101
E04F019/00; E04H 14/00 20060101 E04H014/00 |
Claims
1. A construction element comprising: a sheet of metal configured
to be self supporting; a layer of cushioning material configured to
encase the sheet of metal to form a composite construction element
that is free of sharp edges; and wherein the composite construction
element is configured to be mounted to a wall having a top, bottom,
and two sides configured to divide an area into a workspace and an
area outside of the workspace.
2. The construction element of claim 1 wherein the layer of
cushioning material includes felt.
3. The construction element of claim 1 wherein the wall is at least
partially formed of a meltable material that can be melted and
smoothed to at least reduce an appearance of unsmooth portions
within the wall and, when positioned proximate to another wall, can
be melted and smoothed to at least reduce the appearance of seams
between the wall and the another wall.
4. The construction element of claim 1 wherein the composite
construction element is configured to line the wall along the
workspace.
5. The construction element of claim 1 wherein the composite
construction element is configured to be mounted to at least one of
the top and the bottom of the wall and extend into the workspace to
form a visual shield to restrict views into the workspace from the
area outside of the workspace.
6. The construction element of claim 1 further comprising a
plurality of walls arranged into one of a circle, a trapezoid, a
pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, and an octagon and wherein the
composite construction element is configured to be mounted to the
plurality of walls along the workspace.
7. The construction element of claim 1 further comprising a seat
back located in the workspace and positioned proximate to and
spaced from the wall to form a space between the seat back and the
wall configured to accommodate at least one of lights and display
elements.
8. The construction element of claim 7 wherein the composite
construction element forms a shield extending vertically from the
top of the wall and horizontally into the workspace and wherein the
display elements are configured to project a display onto the
composite construction element.
9. The construction element of claim 8 wherein the display elements
include projectors configured to project a display on the composite
construction element.
10. The construction element of claim 7 wherein the composite
construction element forms a visual shield extending from the top
of the wall and wherein a relative juxtaposition of the wall and
seat back allows a height of the wall to be less than an average
standing height of an individual without the composite construction
element interfering with individuals of average height standing
under the composite construction element.
11. The construction element of claim 10 wherein the composite
construction element is further configured to form a return shield
extending below the seat back to mirror the composite construction
element extending from the top of the wall.
12. The construction element of claim 11 wherein the return shield
is configured to extend under a bench extending from the seat back
into the workspace.
13. The construction element of claim I further comprising: a slit
extending horizontally across at least a portion of the wall at a
level designed to provide individuals seated within the workspace
with a constant view of the area outside of the workspace at both
an immediate periphery of the wall as well as areas at a distance
from the wall; wherein the slit includes dimensions configured to
provide individuals located in the area outside of the workspace
with a view into the workspace when at a distance from the wall and
restrict individuals located in the area outside of the workspace
from views into the workspace when in close proximity to the wall;
and wherein the composite construction element is configured to be
mounted to the wall on either side of the slit along the
workspace.
14. A workspace dividing system comprising: a wall having a top,
bottom, and two sides configured to divide an area into a workspace
and an area outside of the workspace; a visual shield extending
from the top of the wall at an angle toward the workspace to
provide visual privacy to individuals located within the workspace;
and wherein an overall height of the wall and visual shield is such
that an individual outside of the workspace is able to see over the
wall and visual shield but cannot see into the workspace.
15. The workspace dividing system of claim 14 at least one slit
extending horizontally across at least a portion of the wall at and
at least partially covered with at least one of glass and plastic
and arranged at a level designed to provide individuals seated
within the workspace with a constant view of the area outside of
the workspace at both an immediate periphery of the wall as well as
areas at a distance from the wall
16. The workspace dividing system of claim 14 wherein the wall is
at least partially formed of a meltable material that can be melted
and smoothed to at least reduce an appearance of unsmooth portions
within the wall and, when positioned proximate to another wall, can
be melted and smoothed to at least reduce the appearance of seams
between the wall and the another wall.
17. The workspace dividing system of claim 14 wherein the wall has
a height of less than 4-1/2 feet and the visual shield includes a
vertical rise of less than 2-1/2 feet.
18. The workspace dividing system of claim 17 wherein a combination
of the height of the wall and vertical rise of the visual shield
extending from the top of the wall provides visual privacy from a
visual sight line extending from the area outside of the workspace
at a height of above 6 feet.
19. The workspace dividing system of claim 14 wherein the visual
shield comprises: a sheet of metal configured to be self
supporting; and a layer of cushioning material configured to encase
the sheet of metal to form a composite construction element that is
free of sharp edges.
20. The workspace of claim 19 wherein the layer of cushioning
material includes felt.
21. The workspace dividing system of claim 14 further comprising a
seating bench extending from the wall into the workspace and
supporting a seat back positioned proximate to and spaced from the
wall to form a space between the seat back and the wall configured
to accommodate at least one of lights and display elements.
22. The workspace dividing system of claim 21 wherein the display
elements are configured to project a display onto the visual
shield.
23. The workspace dividing system of claim 21 wherein a relative
juxtaposition of the wall and seat back allows a height of the wall
to be less than an average standing height of an individual without
the visual shield interfering with individuals of average height
standing under the visual shield.
24. The workspace dividing system of claim 21 further comprising a
plurality of legs extending from the seating bench to support the
seating bench, seat back, wall, and visual shield and further
comprising a return shield extending below the seating bench to
mirror the visual shield extending from the top of the wall.
25. The workspace dividing system of claim 24 wherein the return
shield is configured to extend under the seating bench into the
workspace.
26. The workspace dividing system of claim 14 further comprising a
lining arranged against the wall within the workspace comprising a
sheet of metal configured to be self supporting and a layer of
cushioning material configured to encase the sheet of metal to form
a composite construction element that is rigid, substantially thin,
and soft along edges of the sheet of metal.
27. The workspace dividing system of claim 14 further comprising: a
slit extending horizontally across at least a portion of the wall
at a level designed to provide individuals seated within the
workspace with a constant view of the area outside of the workspace
at both an immediate periphery of the wall as well as areas at a
distance from the wall; and wherein the slit includes dimensions
configured to provide individuals located in the area outside of
the workspace with a view into the workspace when at a distance
from the wall and restricts individuals located in the area outside
of the workspace from views into the workspace when in close
proximity to the wall.
28. The workspace dividing system of claim 14 wherein the wall is
configured to engage another wall to at least partially enclose the
workspace.
29. The workspace dividing system of claim 28 wherein the visual
shields extending from the top of the wall and the another wall are
configured to form a continuous visual shield spanning the wall and
the another wall.
30. The workspace dividing system of claim 14 wherein the wall is
configured to engage a plurality of walls to form at least one of a
trapezoidal, a pentagonal, a hexagonal, a heptagonal, and an
octagonal enclosure about the workspace.
31. A system comprising: a plurality of walls configured to divide
an area into a workspace and an area outside of the workspace; a
bench extending from the plurality of walls into the workspace to
focus individuals seated on the bench toward a common region within
the workspace; a plurality of legs extending from the bench to
support the plurality of walls through the bench; a first shield
extending up from a top of the plurality of walls and inward into
the workspace to provide visual privacy to the workspace; and a
second shield extending down from a bottom of the plurality of
walls and inward under the bench to mirror an appearance of the
first shield.
32. The system of claim 31 further comprising a slit extending
horizontally across each of the plurality of walls to provide
individuals seated within the workspace with a constant view of the
area outside of the workspace at both an immediate periphery of the
plurality of walls as well as areas at a distance from the
plurality of walls.
33. The system of claim 31 wherein a first wall is at least
partially formed of a meltable material that can be melted and
smoothed to at least reduce an appearance of unsmooth portions
within the wall and, when positioned proximate to a second wall,
can be melted and smoothed to at least reduce the appearance of
seams between the first wall and the second wall.
34. The system of claim 32 wherein the slit includes dimensions are
configured to provide individuals located in the area outside of
the workspace with a view into the workspace when at a distance
from the plurality of walls and restrict individuals located in the
area outside of the workspace from views into the workspace when in
close proximity to the plurality of walls.
35. The system of claim 31 wherein the first shield, the second
shield, and a lining extending along the plurality of walls within
the workspace are formed of a sheet of metal configured to be self
supporting and a layer of cushioning material configured to encase
the sheet of metal to form a composite construction element that is
rigid, substantially thin, and soft along edges of the sheet of
metal.
36. The system of claim 31 further comprising a seat back supported
by the bench and separated from the plurality of walls to form a
space configured to receive at least one of lights and display
elements.
37. The system of claim 36 wherein the display elements are
configured to project displays at various display points on the
first shield to be viewable by individuals seated opposite each
display point on the bench.
38. The system of claim 31 wherein the common region is a center
point of the workspace between each of the plurality of walls.
39. A system comprising: a wall having a top, bottom, and two sides
configured to divide an area into a workspace and an area outside
of the workspace; and wherein the wall is at least partially formed
of a meltable material that can be melted and smoothed to at least
reduce an appearance of unsmooth portions within the wall and, when
positioned proximate to another wall, can be melted and smoothed to
at least reduce the appearance of seams between the wall and the
another wall.
40. The system of claim 39 wherein the meltable material includes
methyl methacrylate resin.
41. The system of claim 39 further comprising a shield extending
from the top of the wall to provide at least one of visual privacy
and auditory privacy.
42. The system of claim 39 further comprising a seat extending into
the workspace form the wall and a plurality of legs extending from
the seat to support the seat and wall.
43. The system of claim 39 further comprising a seat back supported
by the seat and extending proximate to the wall to focus
individuals seated on the seat into the workspace.
44. The system of claim 39 further comprising: a slit extending
horizontally across at least a portion of the wall at a level
designed to provide individuals seated within the workspace with a
constant view of the area outside of the workspace at both an
immediate periphery of the wall as well as areas at a distance from
the wall; and wherein the slit includes dimensions configured to
provide individuals located in the area outside of the workspace
with a view into the workspace when at a distance from the wall and
restricts individuals located in the area outside of the workspace
from views into the workspace when in close proximity to the
wall.
45. The system of claim 39 further comprising: a sheet of metal
configured to be self supporting; a layer of cushioning material
configured to encase the sheet of metal to form a composite
construction element that is free of sharp edges; and wherein the
composite construction element is mounted to the wall.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on provisional application
60/744,320 filed Apr. 5, 2006 entitled "Workspace Dividing System"
and claims the benefit thereof.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is related to workspace dividing
systems and, more particularly, to a modular workspace dividing
system for use in constructing open concept office structures.
[0004] In modern work environments it is often desirable to create
"non-traditional" offices, conference rooms, and the like. That is,
it is often economically advantageous and aesthetically appealing
to remodel buildings not originally designed to house traditional
office space. For example, it is increasingly common to remodel
large industrial buildings such as factories or warehouses to
accept "open-concept" office designs. In these cases, open-concept
office designs are often employed in order to make non-traditional
office spaces more amenable to workflows and business
procedures.
[0005] One primary component of open-concept office designs is the
use of divider systems. That is, while it is desirable and
economically efficient to have numerous workstations collocated
within a large open room, it is still necessary to provide barriers
between workspaces and to provide individuals with a sense of
personal space. In this regard, open-concept office designs must
constantly balance the dichotomy created by the advantages to
having large, open work environments shared by many individuals and
the desire for and advantages provided by creating personal space
within a work environment.
[0006] Therefore, it would be desirable to have a system and method
for creating structures within an open-concept office that by
create personal space within a work environment while still
providing the feel, look, and various advantages provided by large,
open work environments that can be shared by many individuals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks
by providing a divider or wall system that is flexible and modular.
Each wall includes numerous features that are readily adaptable to
non-traditional offices and aid in creating structures, such as
meeting or conference rooms, within open concept office spaces.
[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a wall
system for dividing a workspace is disclosed that includes a wall
designed to divide an area into a workspace and an area outside of
the workspace. The wall includes a slit extending horizontally
across at least a portion of the wall at a level designed to
provide individuals seated within the workspace with a constant
view of the area outside of the workspace at both an immediate
periphery of the wall as well as areas at a distance from the wall.
Furthermore, the slit includes dimensions configured to provide
individuals located in the area outside of the workspace with a
view into the workspace when at a distance from the wall and
restrict individuals located in the area outside of the workspace
from views into the workspace when in close proximity to the
wall.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a wall
construction element is disclosed that includes a sheet of metal
configured to be self supporting and a layer of cushioning material
configured to encase the sheet of metal to form a composite
construction element that is free of sharp edges. The composite
construction element is configured to be mounted to a wall having a
top, bottom, and two sides configured to divide an area into a
workspace and an area outside of the workspace.
[0010] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a
system is disclosed that includes a wall having a top, bottom, and
two sides configured to divide an area into a workspace and an area
outside of the workspace. A visual shield is included that extends
from the top of the wall at an angle away from the wall to provide
visual privacy to individuals located within the workspace.
[0011] In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a
divider system is disclosed that includes a wall having a top,
bottom, and two sides configured to divide an area into a workspace
and an area outside of the workspace. A visual shield extends from
the top of the wall at an angle away from the wall to provide
visual privacy to individuals located within the workspace.
[0012] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a
divider system is disclosed that includes a wall having a top,
bottom, and two sides configured to divide an area into a workspace
and an area outside of the workspace. A seat back is located in the
workspace and is positioned proximate to and spaced from the wall.
Accordingly, a space is formed between the seat back and the wall
to accommodate at least one of lights and display elements.
[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
divider system is disclosed that includes a round wall having a
vertically, flat interior wall configured to divide an area into a
workspace and an area outside of the workspace. A seat extends from
the interior wall that supports a seat back positioned proximate to
and extending substantially parallel to the interior wall to focus
individuals toward a common point within the workspace.
[0014] In accordance with an additional aspect of the invention, a
workspace divider system is disclosed that includes a wall
including vertical wall portions and angled shield portions
configured to divide an area into a workspace and an area outside
of the workspace. Furthermore, the vertical wall portions and
angled shield portions are dimensioned so that a person of average
height, located in the area outside of the workspace, cannot see
into the workspace but can see over the wall.
[0015] In accordance with one further aspect of the invention, a
wall is disclosed that includes a top, bottom, and two sides
configured to divide a workspace into a workspace and an area
outside of the workspace. The wall is at least partially formed of
a meltable material that, when positioned proximate to another
wall, can be melted and smoothed to at least reduce an appearance
of seams between the wall and the another wall.
[0016] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, an
open concept meeting room is disclosed that includes a plurality of
walls configured to divide an area into a workspace and an area
outside of the workspace and a bench extending from the plurality
of walls into the workspace to focus individuals seated on the
bench toward a common point within the workspace. A plurality of
legs extends from the bench to support the plurality of walls
through the bench. Furthermore, a first shield extends up from a
top of the plurality of walls and inward into the workspace to
provide visual privacy to the workspace while a second shield
extends down from a bottom of the plurality of walls and inward
under the bench to mirror an appearance of the first shield.
[0017] Various other features of the present invention will be made
apparent from the following detailed description and the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an open concept meeting room
in accordance with the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the open concept meeting room of
FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of a wall assembled of
FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0021] FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view of a wall designed for use
in a variety of workspace areas;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a wall including a
lighting or display device;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the open concept meeting
room of FIG. 3a;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a close-up view of a seam formed between walls
assembled into the open concept meeting room of FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a plurality of walls arranged into
another open concept meeting room;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a plurality of walls arranged into
another open concept meeting room;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a single wall designed
to be incorporated into traditional wall systems; and
[0028] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a composite
construction element designed for use in the wall systems of FIGS.
1-10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, an open-concept office meeting or
conference room 10 includes a plurality of walls 12, 14, 16. The
walls 12, 14, 16 break the general workspace into an workspace 18
and an area 20 outside of the workspace 18. Extending horizontally
from an interior wall of each wall 12,14,16 is a bench or seat 22,
24, 26, beneath which extends a plurality of legs, generally
designated 28. Accordingly, the plurality of legs 28 supports the
walls 12, 14, 16 through the seats 22, 24, 26. Extending from a top
portion of each wall 12, 14, 16 are respective shields 30, 32, 34,
which are mirrored by similar shields 36, 38, 40 that extend from a
bottom of each wall 12, 14, 16 under each seat 22, 24, 26 and into
the workspace 18.
[0030] Formed in each of the walls 12, 14, 16 and extending
horizontally thereacross are a plurality of aligned slits 42, 44,
46. The slits 42, 44, 46 extend from the area 20 outside of the
workspace 18 through the walls 12, 14, 16 and into the workspace
18. The slits 42, 44, 46 are positioned at a vertical height in the
walls 12, 14, 16 (for example, at approximately four feet) designed
to provide individual seats within the workspace 18 with a constant
line of sight through the slits 42, 44, 46 and provide a view of
the area 20 outside of the workspace 18 at both an immediate
periphery 50 about the walls 12, 14, 16 as well as areas at a
distance 52 from the walls 12, 14, 16. According to one embodiment,
the slits 42, 44, 46 have a vertical height of greater than 1 inch
but less than 4 inches. Furthermore, as will be explained, the
slits 42, 44, 46 and walls 12, 14, 16 include dimensions configured
to provide individuals in the area 20 outside of the workspace 18
located at a distance 52 from the walls 12, 14, 16 with a view into
the workspace 18, but restrict individuals located at a close
proximity 50 to the walls 12, 14, 16 from viewing the workspace 18
so as to provide those located in the workspace 18 with visual
privacy.
[0031] Similarly, the shields 30, 32, 34 provide visual privacy to
individuals seated within the workspace 18 by restricting a line of
sight 54 from the area 20 outside of the workspace 18 into the
workspace 18, even when an individual of average height is standing
in close proximity to the walls 12, 14, 16. That is, while it is
contemplated and, in some applications even preferred, that the
walls 12, 14, 16 extend above the legs 28 to a total height of less
than that of an average individual's standing height (for example,
between four and five feet), as will be described with respect to
FIGS. 3 and 6, the dimensions and configuration of the shields 30,
32, 34 restrict the line of sight 54 from an individual of average
height attempting to view the workspace 18. However, at this same
time, the overall height of the legs 28, walls 12, 14, 16, and
shields 30, 32, 34 is such that a line of sight 56 extending over
the conference room 10 is readily available to an individual of
average height. It should be noted that the conference room 10
includes a highly aesthetic appearance created by multiple lines of
symmetry included in the design. For example, the walls 12, 14, 16
include an arc or bow 58 extending vertically along the exterior
surface of the walls 12, 14, 16 where apex 60 of the bow 58 is
located in a proximate midpoint of the vertical rise of the walls
12, 14, 16. Furthermore, the shields 30, 32, 24 extending
vertically from the walls 12, 14, 16 are mirrored by the return
shields 36, 38, 40 extending below each wall 12, 14, 16.
[0032] As previously described, the vertically extending shields
30, 32, 34 provide visual privacy to individuals seated within the
workspace 18 and, as will be described, also provide some auditory
separation between the workspace 18 and the area 20 outside of the
workspace 18. On the other hand, the downwardly extending return
shields 36, 38, 40 not only mirror the vertically extending shields
30, 32, 34 and provide aesthetically appealing symmetry in the
overall design of the conference room 10, but also allow for a
reduced amount of materials to be used in the walls 12, 14, 16
while still providing the feeling of being fully enclosed to
individuals located within the workspace 18. In this regard,
significant manufacturing and materials cost savings can be
realized over traditional wall systems that include walls that
extend completely to the floor. That is, the walls 12, 14, 16 are
suspended above the floor through a combination of the plurality of
legs 18 and the seats 20, 24, 26, which together support the walls
12, 14, 16.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2, a plan view of the meeting room 10
further illustrates the symmetrical appearance formed by the
rounded design of the meeting room 10. As also viewable from above,
in accordance with one embodiment, the seats 22, 24, 26 extend
beyond the shields 30, 32, 34 such that the majority of the
workspace 18 is not enclosed from above. Furthermore, as will be
described, the vertical and horizontal extent of the shields 30,
32, 34 is less than the horizontal extent of the seats 22, 24, 26.
This design allows the walls 12, 14, 16 to have a reduced height
while still presenting individuals located within the workspace 18
with a feeling of privacy from the area 20 outside of the workspace
18.
[0034] By arranging the seats 22, 24, 26 against the walls 12, 14,
16 (as opposed to arranging desks and other work surfaces against a
wall, as in traditional partitioned workspaces), individuals seated
in the workspace 18 are focused toward a common point 62 located at
the center of the workspace 18 (as opposed to being focused toward
one of the walls). As such, the meeting room 10 inherently prepares
individuals entering the workspace 18 for collaborative meetings.
As will be described below, additional display or communication
devices can be integrated into the meeting room 10 in a manner so
as to maintain the collaborative focus of the meeting room 10.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 3a, a cross section of one of the
walls 16 shows that extending up from the seat 26 is a seat back
64. It should be noted that the seat back 64 is displaced from the
wall 16 such that a space 66 is formed between the seat back 64 and
the wall 16. As shown in FIG. 4, this space 66 may be filled with
lighting or display elements 68 designed cast ambient light or
projection displays onto the shield 34 extending above the wall 16.
In this regard, the shield 34 not only serves as a visual shield
but also a projection surface on which to display and review
materials to be discussed within the meeting room 10. Furthermore,
by projecting from various points around the meeting room 10, the
visual shield 34 becomes an active surface that is integrated into
the meeting room 10. In this regard, individuals seated within the
workspace 18 can easily view and review materials displayed on the
shield 34 without being forced to turn substantially from the
common focus point 62 of FIG. 2. Accordingly, the meeting room 10
further facilitates open and continuous meetings and conversations
between individuals within the workspace 18.
[0036] Referring again to FIG. 3a, as discussed above, the slit 46
and wall 16 include dimensions configured to provide individuals in
the area 20 outside of the workspace 18 located at a distance 52
from the wall 16 with a view into the workspace 18, but restrict
individuals located at a close proximity 50 to the wall 16 from
viewing the workspace 18. In this regard, the wall 16 and the
shield 34 work in concert to provide visual privacy to individuals
located in the workspace 18. That is, by including the shields 30,
32, 34, the walls 12, 14, 16 may have a height of less than 4-1/2
feet and, when a visual shield having a vertical rise of less than
2-1/2 feet is arranged to extend therefrom, the privacy provided by
the combined configuration is greater than a structure having a
height of 7 feet because the horizontal run of the shields 30, 32,
34 extending into the workspace 18 blocks visual lines originating
above a height of, for example, 7 feet.
[0037] While these dimensions are exemplary for particular
embodiments, it is contemplated that other arrangements may
facilitate reduced heights while still providing the
above-described privacy features. For example, referring now to
FIG. 3b, the features discussed above can be extended to a more
generalized wall system by removing the seat 26 and seat back 64
described with respect to FIG. 3a. According to this arrangement,
an individual may be seated so as to face the wall 16. In this
regard, the overall height of the wall 16 and shield 34 may be
reduced while still providing the individual seated in the
workspace 18 and proximate to the wall 16 with the privacy from
individuals located in the area outside 20 of the workspace 18 at a
distance from the wall 16. Furthermore, even with reduced
dimensions, sight lines 71 are available to the individual located
in the workspace 18 so that a view of the area outside 20 of the
workspace 18 is provided to the individual located in the workspace
while an individual located in an area 50 near the wall 16 cannot
see into the workspace 18. That is, since the individual can be
seated proximate to and facing the wall 16, a consistent view of
areas proximate to 50 as well as at a distance from 52 the wall 16
is available. On the other hand, even when the heights of the wall
16 and shield 24 are reduced, only individuals located at a
distance 52 from the wall 16 can see through the slit 46.
[0038] Referring again to FIG. 3a, not only does the shield 34 form
a visual barrier to provide privacy and intimacy to individuals
located within the workspace 18, though secondary in nature, the
shield 34 also acts as an acoustic barrier between individuals in
the area 20 outside of the workspace 18 and individuals located in
the workspace 18. In fact, due to the vertical rise and horizontal
run of the shield 34 above the wall 16 and into the workspace 18,
the shield also serves to focus sounds produced within the
workspace 18 toward the central point 62 of FIG. 2 as well as to
deflect sounds produced within the area 20 outside of the workspace
18 from interfering with conversations held within the workspace
18.
[0039] The seat 26 and wall 16 extending therefrom are supported by
the leg 28 positioned inwardly of the return shield 40. It is
contemplated that one wall 16 and associated seat 26 may be
supported by as few as one leg 28. In this regard, one wall 16,
seat 26, and leg 28 will be unable to be self-supporting in the
upright position. However, when combined with one or more
additional walls 12, 14, such as shown in FIG. 2, the walls
12,14,16 are readily capable of remaining upright.
[0040] Alternatively, each wall 12, 14, 16 and respective seats 22,
24, 26 may be supported by additional legs 70 (as shown in
phantom). In this regard, as shown in FIG. 5, the legs 28, 70 may
be staggered so that each individual wall 12, 14, 16 is capable of
self support and, when combined with other wall segments, the
overall meeting room 10 is made further robust.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 6, it is contemplated that the walls
12,14,16 may be joined in a variety of different ways. For example,
adjacent seats 24, 26 may be joined by way of bolts 72 or similar
fasteners. Furthermore, exterior walls 74 of adjacent walls 14, 16
may be joined by heating the walls 14, 16 until the exteriors 74
become malleable and then smoothed to remove the appearance of any
junction 76 between the walls 14, 16. Accordingly, the symmetric
appearance of the meeting room 10 is further increased since, when
viewed from the area 20 outside of the workspace 18, the walls 12,
14, 16 appear as one continuous rounded plane.
[0042] In particular, it is contemplated that the exteriors 74 of
the walls may be formed from methyl methacrylate resin or similar
substances that become malleable when exposed to a given duration
of heating. Accordingly, in a manner similar to techniques used for
creating a continuous countertop using methyl methacrylate resin or
other substances such as Corian, seams between adjoining sections
can be removed. Corian is a registered trademark of Du Pont De
Nemours and Co. Corp. of Delaware.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 7, a composite construction element 77
for use in constructing a wall system includes an interior formed
from a rigid, self-supporting material, for example sheet metal 78,
is surrounded by a soft padding, for example felt 80. The composite
construction element 77 may be utilized to for a variety of
components of traditional wall systems as well as the meeting room
or similar open-concept structures described above. For example,
the composite construction element 77, by including a rigid
interior formed, for example, of sheet metal 78, is
self-supporting. Accordingly, the composite construction element
may be used to create the shields 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 (FIG. 1).
In this regard, the felt linings 80 provide additional sound
insulation. Similarly, the composite construction element 77 may be
used to line an interior of the walls 12, 14, 16.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 9, the composite construction element
77 may be used to form an insert 82 engaged with or skin 84 formed
over a traditional wall 86. Furthermore, the composite construction
element 77 may be used to form various visual shields 88 or the
like that are designed to extend from the traditional wall 86.
[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, it is contemplated that any of
the features or designs described above may be incorporated into
various wall designs including traditional walls (such as described
with respect to FIG. 8) and may be utilized to create a meeting
room having any of a wide variety of shapes and sizes without
deviating from the spirit of the invention. For example, as shown
in FIG. 9, a slit 90, as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-6,
may be incorporated into the traditional wall 86. Similarly, leg
structures, benches, and the like may also be incorporated into the
traditional wall 86.
[0046] In this regard, any of the features described above may be
incorporated into a wall system that is designed to form a meeting
room of virtually any size or shape. For example, as shown in FIG.
9, a meeting room 92 having a hexagonal shape may be formed.
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 10, a meeting room 94 having a
rectangular shape may be formed. In this regard, a meeting room may
be formed in virtually any shape, for example, a trapezoid, a
pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, an octagon, and the like. That is,
the shape of the meeting room does not limit the ability to
incorporate the above-described features such as a slit, visual
privacy shield, display elements, and the like.
[0047] Therefore, the above-described invention provides a wall
system that is capable of taking creating personal space within a
work environment while still providing the feel, look, and various
advantages provided by large, open work environments that can be
shared by many individuals.
[0048] It is specifically intended that the present invention not
be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein,
but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions
of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different
embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *