U.S. patent application number 13/152527 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-06 for privacy screen.
Invention is credited to Luciano Lorenzatti, Lorie Marangoni, Steve Verbeek.
Application Number | 20120305203 13/152527 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47260767 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120305203 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Verbeek; Steve ; et
al. |
December 6, 2012 |
PRIVACY SCREEN
Abstract
A privacy screen for a work station includes a first panel and a
second panel. A rail is connected to the first panel. The rail runs
along at least a portion of a length of the first panel. A carriage
slides along the rail. A hinge connects the carriage and the
proximate end of the second panel, thereby permitting the second
panel to pivot in relation to the first panel.
Inventors: |
Verbeek; Steve;
(Stouffville, CA) ; Lorenzatti; Luciano; (Markham,
CA) ; Marangoni; Lorie; (Weston, CA) |
Family ID: |
47260767 |
Appl. No.: |
13/152527 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/220 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2002/7483 20130101;
E04B 2/7427 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/220 |
International
Class: |
E04B 2/74 20060101
E04B002/74 |
Claims
1. A privacy screen for a workstation, the privacy screen
comprising: a. a first panel; and b. a second panel pivotably and
slidably connected to the first panel.
2. The privacy screen of claim 1, wherein the second panel is
slidable along a length of the first panel.
3. The privacy screen of claim 2, wherein the first panel further
comprises: a. a rail running longitudinally along an interior face
of the first panel; and b. a carriage slidably connected to the
rail; wherein a proximate end of the second panel is pivotably
connected to the carriage.
4. The privacy screen of claim 3 further comprising a hinge
connecting the carriage and the proximate end of the second
panel.
5. The privacy screen of claim 4, wherein the hinge further
comprises a barrel connected to the carriage and a pin operatively
connected to a proximate edge of the second panel, wherein the pin
is received in the barrel, thereby permitting the second panel to
pivot about the carriage.
6. The privacy screen of claim 4 further comprising a pair of the
rails, a pair of the carriages, and a pair of the hinges, wherein a
first of the pair of rails runs along a top edge of the first
panel, and a second of the pair of rails runs along a bottom edge
of the first panel.
7. The privacy screen of claim 5, wherein the second panel
comprises a castor connected to a bottom distal corner of the
second panel.
8. The privacy screen of claim 7, wherein the first panel comprises
at least two spaced-apart feet connected to a bottom edge of the
first panel, wherein the feet rest on a building floor.
9. The privacy screen of claim 6, wherein the second panel
comprises a rectangular outer frame, wherein the outer frame
defines a first gap at a proximal upper corner and a second gap at
a proximal lower corner of the outer frame.
10. The privacy screen of claim 9 wherein one of the pair of pins
is located in the first gap and an other of the pair of pins is
located in the second gap.
11. The privacy screen of claim 10, wherein the outer frame
comprises a pair of vertical members and a pair of horizontal
members, wherein the first gap is located between a proximal end of
an upper horizontal member and a proximal vertical member, and the
second gap is located between a proximal end of a lower horizontal
member and the proximal vertical member.
12. The privacy screen of claim 11, wherein the pin is part of a
pin assembly connected to a proximate edge of the second panel,
wherein the pin assembly further comprises a leg connected to a
C-shaped bracket
13. The privacy screen of claim 13, wherein the leg is secured
within a slot in the proximal vertical member.
14. The privacy screen of claim 5, wherein the carriage further
comprises: (i) at least one slider adapted to slideably engage the
rail; and (ii) a carriage bracket connected to the slider, wherein
the barrel is connected to the carriage bracket.
15. The privacy screen of claim 14, wherein a channel is defined in
the slider, wherein the channel engages the rail.
16. The privacy screen of claim 15, wherein the carriage comprises
a spaced apart pair of the sliders.
17. The privacy screen of claim 8, wherein the first panel is
securable to a work surface of the work station.
18. The privacy screen of claim 17, wherein a generally horizontal
notch is defined in a proximate end of the first panel, the notch
being adapted to receive a distal portion of the work surface.
19. The privacy screen of claim 18, further comprising a first
bracket secured to an interior face of the first panel, and a
second bracket secured to an exterior face of the first panel,
wherein each bracket comprises a flange extending generally
horizontally away the first panel, wherein the flange is located
below the notch, wherein the flange of each of the first and second
bracket is secured to the bottom of the work surface by
fasteners.
20. A privacy screen for a workstation, the privacy screen
comprising: a. a first panel; b. a rail connected to the first
panel, the rail running along at least a portion of a length of the
first panel; c. a carriage slidably connected to the rail; d. a
second panel; and e. a hinge operatively connected to the carriage
and the proximate end of the second panel, thereby permitting the
second panel to pivot in relation to the first panel.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This specification relates to a privacy screen for a work
station or the like.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] Adjustable and modular office systems are often installed in
office environments. Such office systems often utilize open-concept
work stations. Although open-concept work stations facilitate
collaboration, workers in such work stations also desire privacy,
at least on occasion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The following summary is provided to introduce the reader to
the more detailed discussion to follow. The summary is not intended
to limit or define the claims.
[0004] According to one aspect, a privacy screen for a work station
is provided. The privacy screen comprises a first panel and a
second panel. The second panel is connected to the first panel such
that the second panel is capable of sliding and pivoting in
relation to the first panel.
[0005] According to another aspect, a privacy screen for a work
station is provided. The privacy screen comprises a first panel and
a second panel. A rail is connected to the first panel. The rail
runs along at least a portion of a length of the first panel. A
carriage is slidably connected to the rail. A hinge is operatively
connected to the carriage and the proximate end of the second
panel, thereby permitting the second panel to pivot in relation to
the first panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various
examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present
specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is
taught in any way. In the drawings:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a privacy
screen, where the privacy screen is shown installed between work
stations.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the privacy screen of FIG. 1
in isolation.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a front view of the privacy screen of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top view of the privacy screen of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side view of the privacy screen of FIG. 1
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example carriage and
hinge assembly of the privacy screen of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the carriage shown
in FIG. 6.
[0014] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing an example
outer frame and pin assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to
provide an example of each claimed invention. No example described
below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may
cover processes or apparatuses that are not described below. The
claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes
having all of the features of any one apparatus or process
described below or to features common to multiple or all of the
apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or
process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed
invention. Applicant reserves the right to claim such apparatuses
or processes in other applications.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a group of three works stations 10a-c, where a
privacy screen 20 according to an embodiment of the present
invention separates two of the work stations 10a, 10b. Each work
station has a work surface 12. Although, for clarity, only one
privacy screen 20 and three work stations are illustrated in FIG.
1, those skilled in the art will understand that any suitable
number of work stations can be provided and any suitable number of
privacy screens may be utilized with the work stations.
[0017] The privacy screen includes a first panel 22, which is
preferably stationary and may be connected to the work surface 12,
as described in more detail below. A second panel 24 is connected
to the first panel 22, as described below.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 2, the first panel is preferably
supported to two feet 26a,b which rest on the floor. The feet 26a,b
are connected to the bottom of the first panel 22 in any suitable
manner, such as by fasteners (not shown). The second panel 24
preferably includes an outer frame which is constructed from two
horizontal members 27a,b and two vertical members 27c,d, which are
secured to the second panel by an interference fit. A bottom distal
corner 28 of the second panel 24 is preferably supported by a
castor 30. The castor is connected to the bottom distal corner in
any suitable manner, such as by fasteners (not shown).
[0019] According to one embodiment, the first panel 22 may be
securable to the work surface 12 of one of the work station 10b
(shown in FIG. 1). In such an embodiment, a horizontal notch 32 is
provided in a proximate end of the first panel 22. As used herein,
"proximate" means the end of the first or second panel (as the case
may be) which is closest to the work station 10b. The location of
the notch generally corresponds to the height of the work surface
12. Two L-shaped brackets 34a,b are secured in any suitable fashion
(such as by fasteners) to an interior face 36 and exterior face
(not shown) of the first panel 22, respectively. Each L-shaped
bracket 34a,b includes a flange 38 having holes 40. In order to
secure the first panel 22 to the work surface 12, the edge of the
work surface is received within the notch such that the flange 38
of each bracket 34a,b rests under the work surface. Fasteners (not
shown) are then screwed into the work surface through the holes
40.
[0020] In other embodiments, the first panel 22 may not be secured
to the work surface but may simply rest on the floor. In yet other
embodiments the first panel may be secured to other parts of the
workstation in any suitable fashion.
[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, preferably, a pair or rails
40a,b are connected to the inner face 36 of first panel 22.
Preferably, the rails are located near the top edge 42 and the
bottom edge 44 of the first panel 22, respectively. The rails 40a,b
extend along a length dimension L of the first panel 22 and are
secured to the first panel in any suitable fashion, such as using
fasteners. End caps 46a,b are secured to the ends of each rail
40a,b (end cap 46a is shown in FIG. 6).
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 6, a pair of carriages 50a,b
slide on rails 40a,b, respectively, where each carriage slides on
the corresponding rail. A hinge assembly 52a,b connects each
corresponding carriage 50a,b to the second panel 24. Carriage 50a
will be described below. Carriage 50b will not be further
described, as it is preferably identical to carriage 50a.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 7, carriage 50a preferably includes a
pair of sliders 60a,b. Each slider includes a channel 61 which
engages the rail 40a. The sliders 60a,b are secured to a carriage
bracket 62 by pairs of fasteners 64 and 66, respectively. A
carriage cover 68 conceals the sliders and bracket.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the hinge assembly 52a includes
a barrel 70 which is received within an opening 72 in the carriage
cover 68, and is secured to the carriage bracket 62 a pair of
fasteners 74. The hinge assembly 52a also includes a pin assembly
80 secured to the second panel 24 (shown in FIG. 6). The pin
assembly is located in a corner gap between horizontal frame member
27a and vertical frame member 27d. The pin assembly includes a leg
82 projecting downwardly from a C-shaped bracket 84. The pin
assembly 80 is secured to the vertical frame member 27d by the leg
82 being received in a corresponding slot 86 in the vertical frame
member. A top cover 88 covers the C-shaped bracket 84 to give it an
esthetically pleasing appearance. The barrel 70 is received within
the C-shaped bracket 84. A pin 90 passes through the barrel 70 and
holes in the top and bottom portions of the C-shaped bracket 84 to
permit the second panel 24 to pivot about the carriage 50a
connected to the first panel 22.
[0025] Preferably, the hinge assembly 52b is as mirror image of the
hinge assembly 52a and will not be further described or
illustrated.
[0026] In operation, the position and orientation of the second
panel 24 in relation to the first panel 22 can be controlled by the
user. The first panel is preferably fixed by securing it to the
work surface 12, as discussed above. The user simply pulls or
pushes the second panel 24 to change its position or orientation.
The castor 30 permits the second panel 24 to roll to the desired
position. The second panel 24 may be positioned so that it is
parallel to the first panel and does not extend beyond the first
panel 22. The second panel may be positioned parallel to the first
panel and extended beyond the first panel to provide a longer
privacy screen. The second panel 24 may be extended beyond and
pivoted to position the second panel at any suitable angle to the
first panel 22. One exemplary angled position is shown in FIG. 1.
The ability to slide and pivot the second panel in relation to the
first panel provides the user with increased flexibility in
controlling his or her privacy space.
[0027] Accordingly, the privacy screen according to the embodiments
of the present invention provides an advantage by permitting the
user of a work station to control the private space available for
such user's work station by easily adjusting the position of the
panels.
[0028] While the above description provides examples of the
embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or
functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to
modification without departing from the spirit and principles of
operation of the described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been
described above has been intended to be illustrative of the
invention and non-limiting and it will be understood by persons
skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be
made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined
in the claims appended hereto.
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