U.S. patent application number 17/232340 was filed with the patent office on 2021-11-18 for selectively removable partition.
The applicant listed for this patent is Raka Corporation. Invention is credited to Mark Baumgartner, John Hemminger, Michael Siler, Eric Steffes, Richard Ward.
Application Number | 20210353075 17/232340 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005585500 |
Filed Date | 2021-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210353075 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ward; Richard ; et
al. |
November 18, 2021 |
SELECTIVELY REMOVABLE PARTITION
Abstract
A partition designed to be located on a surface, such as a bar
or countertop, to provide a physical barrier between individuals
and small groups. The partition may have a panel with at least one
forward support member attached to a lower portion of the panel. At
least one rear support member may also be attached to the lower
portion of the panel. The rear support member may have at least one
suction cup selectively engageable with the surface.
Inventors: |
Ward; Richard; (Rudolph,
OH) ; Siler; Michael; (Ottawa Lake, MI) ;
Hemminger; John; (Oak Harbor, OH) ; Baumgartner;
Mark; (Perrysburg, OH) ; Steffes; Eric;
(Perrysburg, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Raka Corporation |
Toledo |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005585500 |
Appl. No.: |
17/232340 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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63025233 |
May 15, 2020 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 9/04 20130101; A47F
2009/041 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47F 9/04 20060101
A47F009/04 |
Claims
1. A partition, comprising: a panel; at least one forward support
member attached to a lower portion of the panel; and at least one
rear support member attached to the lower portion of the panel,
wherein at least one suction cup may be attached to said rear
support member.
2. The partition of claim 1, wherein the panel has a first planar
side and an opposite second planar side, said sides defining a
substantially constant thickness between them for a single
layer.
3. The partition of claim 1, wherein said panel is not symmetrical
about a radial or lateral axis.
4. The partition of claim 3, wherein a front portion of said panel
has a substantially curved perimeter edge while a rear portion of
said panel has a first substantially straight rear perimeter edge
and a second substantially straight rear perimeter edge, wherein
said first and second straight perimeter edges are laterally offset
from one another.
5. The partition of claim 4, wherein an upper portion of said panel
has a substantially straight upper perimeter edge and said lower
portion of said panel has a substantially straight lower perimeter
edge wherein said upper and said lower perimeter edges are parallel
one another, but not coplanar.
6. The partition of claim 5, wherein a recessed portion is formed
adjacent said rear portion and said lower portion, said recessed
portion formed in part by the lateral offset of said second
substantially straight rear perimeter edge from said first
substantially straight rear perimeter edge.
7. The partition of claim 5, wherein an aperture is located in said
rear portion, said aperture formed in part by a forward wall and a
curved rear wall, wherein said forward wall extends parallel said
first substantially straight rear perimeter edge.
8. The partition of claim 2, wherein said at least one forward
support member comprises first and second forward support members,
wherein each of said forward support members have an L-shape
defined by an upper leg and a lower leg extending transverse said
lower leg.
9. The partition of claim 8, wherein said upper legs of said
forward support members extend parallel to and are adapted to
sandwich said first and second planar sides of said panel
therebetween.
10. The partition of claim 5, wherein said lower portion of said
panel has two parallel slots extending from said first planar side
to said second planar side, said slots extending parallel said
lower perimeter edge.
11. The partition of claim 10, wherein an upper leg of a forward
support member has at least one aperture extending therethrough,
said at least one aperture adapted to be aligned with at least one
of said slots, wherein said at least one aperture and said at least
one slot are adapted to receive a fastener therethrough to connect
said forward support member to said panel.
12. The partition of claim 2, wherein said at least one rear
support member comprises first and second rear support members,
wherein each of said rear support members has an L-shape defined by
an upper leg and a lower leg extending transverse said lower
leg.
13. The partition of claim 12, wherein said upper legs of said rear
support members extend parallel to and are adapted to sandwich said
first and second planar sides of said panel therebetween.
14. The partition of claim 13, wherein a lower portion of said
panel has at least one fastener aperture extending from said first
planar side to said second planar side.
15. The partition of claim 14, wherein an upper leg of said rear
support member has at least one aperture extending therethrough,
said at least one aperture adapted to be aligned with said at least
one aperture in said lower portion of said panel, wherein said
apertures are adapted to receive a fastener therethrough to connect
said rear support member to said panel.
16. The partition of claim 15, wherein said upper leg of said rear
support member extends parallel an upper leg of said forward
support member.
17. The partition of claim 12, wherein said lower legs of said
first and second rear support members extend parallel to, but are
not coplanar with, a lower leg of at least one forward support.
18. The partition of claim 12, wherein said lower legs of said
first and second rear support members extend perpendicular to a
second substantially straight rear perimeter edge of said
panel.
19. A partition, comprising: a nonsymmetrical, single layer panel
having first and second planar sides; at least one forward support
comprised of an upper leg and a lower leg, wherein said upper leg
is adapted for selective lateral movement with respect to said
panel, and said lower leg is adapted to support said panel on a
surface; at least one rear support member comprised of an upper leg
and a lower leg, wherein said upper leg is adapted for attachment
to said panel and said lower leg extends parallel said lower leg of
said at least one front support but is not coplanar therewith.
20. A partition, comprising: a panel in a sheet form, wherein an
opening is formed in said panel, said opening adapted as a handle,
said panel having a front perimeter edge defined by a radius and a
straight rear perimeter edge; at least one forward support member
and at least one rear support member having first end portions
attached adjacent a lower perimeter edge of the panel and second
end portions that are adapted to support said panel in a transverse
direction with respect to a surface on which said second end
portions are adapted to rest.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The device relates to a selectively removable partition that
may be used with countertops, bars and other related work
surfaces.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The pandemic associated with the COVID-19 virus requires
social distancing in most aspects of everyday life. Many
environments are not readily adaptable to accommodate such
distancing without significant modifications.
[0003] What is needed is a device that can be inexpensively
manufactured of readily available materials that can be easily and
removably installed in a variety of locations without modification
to the location to provide the required distancing but which is not
obtrusive. The device described herein meets these requirements as
well as more.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one embodiment a partition may have a panel. At least one
forward support member may be attached to a lower portion of the
panel. And, at least one rear support member may be attached to the
lower portion of the panel, where the rear support member may have
at least one suction cup.
[0005] In another aspect, the panel may have a first planar side
and an opposite second planar side, where sides may define a
substantially constant thickness between them for a single
layer.
[0006] In another aspect, the panel may not be symmetrical about a
radial or lateral axis.
[0007] In another aspect, a front portion of the panel may have a
substantially curved perimeter edge while a rear portion of the
panel has a first substantially straight rear perimeter edge and a
second substantially straight rear perimeter edge, where the first
and second straight perimeter edges are laterally offset from one
another.
[0008] In another aspect, an upper portion of the panel may have a
substantially straight upper perimeter edge and the lower portion
of the panel may have a substantially straight lower perimeter edge
where the upper and the lower perimeter edges may be parallel to
one another, but not coplanar.
[0009] In another aspect, a recessed portion may be formed adjacent
the rear portion and the lower portion, the recessed portion may be
formed in part by the lateral offset of the second substantially
straight rear perimeter edge from the first substantially straight
rear perimeter edge.
[0010] In another aspect, an aperture may be located in the rear
portion. The aperture may be formed in part by a forward wall and a
curved rear wall. The forward wall may extend parallel the first
substantially straight rear perimeter edge.
[0011] In another aspect, the at least one forward support member
may have first and second forward support members. The forward
support members may have an L-shape defined by an upper leg and a
lower leg extending transverse the lower leg.
[0012] In another aspect, the upper legs of the forward support
members may extend parallel to and be adapted to sandwich the first
and second planar sides of the panel therebetween.
[0013] In another aspect, the lower portion of the panel may have
two parallel slots extending from the first planar side to the
second planar side. The slots may extend parallel the lower
perimeter edge.
[0014] In another aspect, an upper leg of a forward support member
may have at least one aperture extending therethrough. The at least
one aperture may have adapted to be aligned with at least one of
the slots. The at least one aperture and the at least one slot may
have adapted to receive a fastener therethrough to connect the
forward support member to the panel.
[0015] In another aspect, the at least one rear support member may
have first and second rear support members. Each of the rear
support members may have an L-shape defined by an upper leg and a
lower leg extending transverse the lower leg.
[0016] In another aspect, the upper legs of the rear support
members may extend parallel to and are adapted to sandwich the
first and second planar sides of the panel therebetween.
[0017] In another aspect, a lower portion of the panel may have at
least one fastener aperture extending from the first planar side to
the second planar side.
[0018] In another aspect, an upper leg of the rear support member
may have at least one aperture extending therethrough. The at least
one aperture may be adapted to be aligned with the at least one
aperture in the lower portion of the panel. The apertures may be
adapted to receive a fastener therethrough to connect the rear
support member to the panel.
[0019] In another aspect, the upper leg of the rear support member
may extend parallel an upper leg of the forward support member.
[0020] In another aspect, the lower legs of the first and second
rear support members may extend parallel to, but may not be
coplanar with, a lower leg of at least one forward support.
[0021] In another aspect, the lower legs of the first and second
rear support members may extend perpendicular to a second
substantially straight rear perimeter edge of the panel.
[0022] In another aspect, the partition may have a nonsymmetrical,
single layer panel having first and second planar sides. At least
one forward support may have an upper leg and a lower leg. The
upper leg may be adapted for selective lateral movement with
respect to the panel. And, the lower leg may be adapted to support
the panel on a surface. Further, at least one rear support member
may have an upper leg and a lower leg. The upper leg may be adapted
for attachment to the panel and the lower leg may extend parallel
the lower leg of the at least one front support but may not be not
coplanar therewith.
[0023] In another aspect, the partition may have a panel in a sheet
form. An opening may be formed in the panel, where the opening may
be adapted as a handle. The panel may have a front perimeter edge
defined by a radius and a straight rear perimeter edge. Further, at
least one forward support member and at least one rear support
member with first end portions may be attached adjacent a lower
perimeter edge of the panel and second end portions that are
adapted to support the panel in a transverse direction with respect
to a surface on which the second end portions are adapted to rest
may be provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The above, as well as other advantages, will become readily
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed
description when considered in the light of the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective, assembled view of one
embodiment of a partition;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective exploded view of the
partition of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic, perspective assembled view of another
embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic, perspective exploded view of another
embodiment; and
[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic, perspective assembled view of the
embodiment of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] It is to be understood that the device may assume various
alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly
specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the
specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached
drawings, and described in the following specification are simply
exemplary embodiments of the concepts discussed and described
herein. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical
characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be
considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise.
[0031] Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a partition
10 is schematically depicted. The partition 10 may be comprised of
a panel 12. Preferably, the panel 12 is one piece, unitary and
integrally formed but it may be comprised of a plurality of pieces.
In one embodiment, the panel 12 is constructed of a polycarbonate
material, such as Lexan.
[0032] The panel 12 may be opaque in whole or in part and/or
translucent in whole or in part. In some cases, the panel 12 may
have words, symbols and/or designs (together referred to as panel
features) thereon or therein that have been etched, painted,
melted, carved, affixed or otherwise located in/on the panel 12.
The panel features may be located on the entire panel 12, just one
side of the panel 12 or on selected locations.
[0033] The panel 12 may have a first side 14 and an opposite,
second side 16. The two sides 14, 16 may extend entirely parallel
one another and define a substantially constant thickness between
them. The sides 14, 16 of the panel 12 may define a single layer
and a planar structure. In some embodiments, the panel may have a
sheet-like form. In other embodiments, the thickness may vary, in
whole or part, across the panel 12. In those cases, the sides 14,
16 may not be parallel one another in whole, but may be parallel
one another in part.
[0034] In the depicted embodiment, the panel 12 may not symmetrical
about a radial axis 18 (sometimes called a y-axis) or lateral axis
20 (sometimes called an x-axis). Instead, the panel 12 in the
depicted embodiment may be defined by a perimeter 22 that varies in
its direction about the panel 12. While one embodiment of a
non-symmetrical panel 12 is depicted and described herein, it is
with the scope of the design for a panel 12 to be symmetrical about
the radial or lateral axis 18, 20.
[0035] The panel 12 may have a forward portion 24, a rear portion
26, an upper portion 28 and a lower portion 30, all of which are
contained within the perimeter 22. In some embodiments, the forward
portion 24 may have a substantially curved perimeter edge 32. The
substantially curved perimeter edge 32 may be such as a partial
circle, a partial hemisphere or other shapes with a radius of
curvature. The substantially curved perimeter edge 32 may have a
substantially constant radius of curvature from the upper portion
28 to the lower portion 30 of the panel 12.
[0036] The forward portion 24, with the shape described above, may
function to extend, such as in a cantilevered fashion, the reach of
the partition 10. This cantilevered structure may permit the
partition 10 to extend beyond an end 34 of a surface 36 upon which
the partition 10 may rest. This may be advantageous as it permits
the partition 10 to provide a barrier between patrons at a bar,
counter or table top not just along the surfaces 36 of these
structures, but beyond the surfaces 36 as well.
[0037] The upper portion 28 of the panel 12 may have an upper
perimeter edge 38. In some embodiments, the upper perimeter edge 38
may be substantially straight. The lower portion 30 of the panel 12
may have a lower perimeter edge 40. In some embodiments, the lower
perimeter edge 40 may be substantially straight. In some
embodiments, the upper and the lower perimeter edges 38, 40 may be
parallel one another, but they are at different radial heights.
[0038] The rear portion 26 of the panel 12 may have a first rear
perimeter edge 42 and a second rear perimeter edge 44. The first
and second rear perimeter edges 42, 44 may be substantially
straight. In some embodiments, the first and second straight
perimeter edges 42, 44 may be laterally offset from one another.
Also, the first rear perimeter edge 42 may extend parallel the
second rear perimeter edge 44. The first rear perimeter edge 42 and
the second rear perimeter edge 44 may extend in a substantially
transverse direction to the upper and lower perimeter edges 38,
42.
[0039] The panel 12 may define a generally square or rectangular
shape, but accommodating the features described above and below. In
other words, the panel 12 has a generally constant height and
width; of course, the width changes along the curved perimeter edge
32.
[0040] The first rear perimeter edge 42 may be connected to the
upper perimeter edge 32 by a radiused transition 46, which is also
part of the overall perimeter. In some embodiments, a recessed
portion 48 may be formed adjacent the rear portion 26 and the lower
portion 30. The recessed portion 40 may be formed in part by the
lateral offset of the second rear perimeter edge 44 from the first
rear perimeter edge 42. The first and second rear perimeter edges
42, 44 may be connected together by a radiused transition portion
50, but other transitions are permissible. If a radiused transition
portion 50 is used, its radius may be different, such as smaller,
than the radiused transition 46 between the first rear perimeter
edge 42 and the upper perimeter edge 38.
[0041] The recessed portion 48 may provide a clearance area for the
panel 12 to assist with its installation and/or removal, as
described further below. In other embodiments, the recessed portion
48 may have a different size and/or shape, and in some embodiments,
there may be no recessed portion 48 at all.
[0042] The panel 12 may have an aperture, or opening 52, adjacent
or in the rear portion 26. The aperture 52 may define a generally
rectangular shape in the panel 12, but other sizes and shapes of
the aperture 52 are permissible. The aperture 52 is preferably
large enough for a user to insert their hand, or at least one or
more fingers, to move and/or carry the partition 10, as described
in more detail below. In these case, the aperture 52 may function
as a handle for the partition 10. In some embodiments, the aperture
52 may be formed in part by a forward wall 54 and a rear wall 52.
In these cases, the forward wall 54 may extend parallel the first
rear perimeter edge 42. The forward and rear walls 54, 56 may be
separated by side walls 58 that may extend parallel one another. In
some embodiments, the rear wall 56 may be curved to accommodate a
portion of a hand or fingers.
[0043] In some embodiments, the lower portion 30 of the panel 12
may have at least one slot 60 extending from the first side 14 to
the second side 16. The slot 60 may extend parallel the lower
perimeter edge 40. In other embodiments, the slot 60 may instead be
such as a round aperture. In the depicted embodiment, first and
second slots 60, 62 may be provided. The slots 60, 62 may extend
parallel to one another.
[0044] The lower portion 30 of the panel 12 may have at least one
fastener aperture 64 extending from the first side 14 to the second
side 16 in some cases. In these situations, there may be two
fastener apertures 64, 66 located in the lower portion 30 but also
toward the rear portion 26.
[0045] The partition 10 may have one or more support members. In
one embodiment, the partition 10 may have a forward support member
68 and a rear support member 70. The forward support member 68 may
have first and second forward support members 72, 74 and the rear
support member 70 may be first and second rear support members 76,
78.
[0046] The support members 72, 74, 76, 78 may be made of metal,
composite materials, fiberglass, polymer or plastic, glass, and/or
wood. In one embodiment, they are at least partially constructed of
brass.
[0047] In some cases, the first and second forward support members
72, 74 may each have an L-shape defined by an upper leg 72a, 74a
and a lower leg 72b, 74b extending transverse the upper leg 72a,
74a. The upper legs 72a, 74a of the first and second forward
support members 72, 74 may extend parallel to, and may be adapted
to sandwich, the first and second sides 14, 16 of the panel 12
therebetween.
[0048] Each upper leg 72a, 74a of the forward support members 72,
74 may have at least one aperture 72c, 74c extending therethrough.
In some embodiments, two aperture 72c, 74c may be provided in each
upper leg 72a, 74a. The apertures 72c, 74c are adapted to be
aligned with at least one of the slots 60, 62 in the panel 12.
Further, the at least one aperture 72c, 74c and the at least one
slot 60, 62 are adapted to receive a fastener 80 therethrough to
connect the forward support members 72, 74 to the panel 12. The
slots 60, 62 permit selective lateral movement of the upper legs
72a, 74a with respect to the panel 12. In other words, the
fasteners 80 are permitted to selectively laterally move within the
slots 60, 62. In this way, the position of the forward support
members 72, 74 can be laterally adjusted to fit within the confines
of a particular surface width, and/or to provide sufficient support
the partition 10.
[0049] In some cases, the first and second rear support members 76,
78 may have an L-shape defined by an upper leg 76a, 78a and a lower
leg 76b, 78b extending transverse the upper leg. Further, in some
embodiments, the upper legs 76a, 78a of the rear support members
76, 78 may extend parallel to, and are adapted to sandwich, the
first and second sides 14, 16 of the panel 12 therebetween.
[0050] As shown in the embodiment depicted in the figures, the
upper leg 76a of the first rear support member 76 may extend
parallel with the upper leg 72a of the first forward support member
72. Similarly, the upper leg 78a of the second rear support member
78 may extend parallel with the upper leg 74a on the second forward
support member 74.
[0051] In some embodiments, the lower legs 76b, 78b of the first
and second rear support members 76, 78 extend parallel to, but are
not coplanar with, the lower legs 72b, 74b of the forward support
members 72,74. In the depicted embodiment, the lower legs 76b, 78b
of the first and second rear support members 76, 78 extend parallel
to, but are not coplanar with, both the lower legs 73b, 74b of the
first and second forward support 72, 74, respectively. The lower
legs 76b, 78b of the first and second rear support members 76, 78
may extend perpendicularly to the second rear perimeter edge
44.
[0052] The lower legs 72b, 74b, 76b, 78b of the first and second
rear support members 76, 78 and the forward support members 72, 74
are adapted to support the panel 12 on the surface 36, such as a
tabletop, bar or countertop. Preferably, the first and second
forward and rear support members 72, 74, 76, 78 are adapted to
support the panel 12 in a substantially transverse direction or
orientation with respect to the surface 36 on which the partition
10 is located. No other support structures are needed to support
the partition 10 thereon.
[0053] The partition 10 has the advantage of providing a simple
structure with reduced failure modes. Further, no modifications to
the surface 36 are needed to secure the partition 10 thereto or
thereon. Further yet, the partition 10 does not need to clamp or
clinch onto any surface which makes the partition 10 readily
adaptable to almost any surface. Additionally, no modifications or
changes to the surface need to made to accommodate the partition
10, which is important when modification cannot be made, or would
damage and/or devalue the surface. Instead, the forward pair of
support members 72, 74 and the rear pair of support members 76, 78
suspend the panel 12 above the surface 36. The support members 72,
74, 76, 78 also may provide a gap 82 between the surface 36 and the
lower portion 30 of the panel 12. The size of the gap 82 may be
varied by positioning the panel 12 higher or lower within the
support members 72, 74, 76, 78.
[0054] In some embodiments, at least one suction cup 84 may be
located on at least one of the lower legs 76b, 78b of the first or
second rear support member 76, 78. More particularly, the at least
one suction cup 84 may be located on an underside surface 76c, 78c
of one of the lower legs 76b, 78b. The suction cup 84 may be
secured to the lower leg 76b, 78b with mechanical fasteners and/or
adhesive. As shown in the depicted embodiment, one suction cup 84
is located on the underside surface 76c, 78c of each of the lower
legs 76b, 78b.
[0055] The suction cups 84 may selectively provide an adhesive
force to the surface 36 on which the partition 10 is located to
help secure the partition in place. The adhesive force may be
engaged by pressing the suction cups 84, when installed on the
partition 10, onto the surface 36. The adhesive force may be
created by the weight of the partition 10 and/or where the weight
of the partition 10 is coupled with a downward force provided by
the user through the handle 52, through one or more of the support
members 72, 74, 76, 78 and/or through the panel.
[0056] When the partition 10 is to be moved, the users can grasp
the handle 52, the one or more support members 72, 74, 76, 78
and/or the panel 12 and rotate or pivot the partition 10 upwardly,
rearwardly and/or in the lateral direction. The rotational, or
pivotal force, releases the suction cups 84 from the surface 36 and
permits the partition 10 to be relocated as needed. The recessed
portion 48 may provide clearance for the surface 36 to be
selectively received therein during the rotation.
[0057] Turning now to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the partition
10A is provided. In this embodiment, the partition 10A is similar
to that depicted in FIG. 1 except as noted below. Thus, reference
numbers related to those used in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be used but
will now have the letter A; the letter A will be used with new
numbers as well.
[0058] In the embodiment for FIG. 3, the rear portion 26A of the
panel 12A may have a first rear perimeter edge 42A; it may not have
a second rear perimeter edge 44A used to define the recessed
portion 48A in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, the first straight rear
perimeter edge 42A may extend largely uninterrupted from the
radiused transition 46A connecting the first rear perimeter edge
42A to the upper perimeter edge 28A. Further, the first rear
perimeter edge 42A may extend largely uninterrupted to the lower
perimeter edge 40A through a radiused transition 86A.
[0059] FIGS. 4 and 5 depict yet another embodiment of the partition
10B. In this embodiment, the partition 10B is similar to that
depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 except as noted below. Thus, reference
numbers related to those used in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be used but
will now have the letter B; the letter B will be used with new
numbers as well.
[0060] In the embodiment in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rear pair of support
members 76B, 78B may not be the same as the forward pair of support
members 72B, 74B in terms of size and shape. In the depicted
embodiment, the rear pair of support members 76B, 78B may be
located along the lower portion 30B of the panel 12B and be
adjacent the rear portion 26B of the panel 12B. In one embodiment,
the rear pair of support members 76B, 78B may sandwich the panel
12B between them.
[0061] The rear pair of support members 76B, 78B may be identical
to one another in shape and size. In some cases, each rear support
member 76B, 78B may have a radially extending flange 88B1, 88B2 and
a laterally extending flange 90B1, 90B2. The panel 12B may be
located between the two radially extending flanges 88B1, 88B2.
[0062] The laterally extending flanges 90B1, 90B2 may each have
support walls 92B1, 92B2 extending at least partially therealong.
The support walls 92B1, 92B2 may provide increased stiffness and
robustness to the laterally extending flanges 90B1, 90B2, which may
be useful since the rear pair of support members 76B, 78B may be
used as part of a handle.
[0063] The laterally extending flanges 90B1, 90B2 may also have at
least one aperture 94B1, 94B2 extending therethrough. The apertures
94B1, 94B2 are designed to receive a mechanical fastener 96B1, 96B2
therein. The aperture 94B1, 94B2 may be located in the laterally
extending flanges 90B1, 90B2 opposite where the axially extending
flanges 90B1, 90B2 connect with the radially extending flange 88B1,
88B2.
[0064] A suction cup 84B1, 84B2 may be located directly beneath
each aperture 94B1, 94B2. The suction cup 84B1, 84B2 may support
the partition 10B on a surface 36B, as described above.
[0065] A handle portion 98B may be attached to each laterally
extending flange 90B1, 90B2. In one embodiment, the handle portion
98B may be may be connected to each laterally extending flange
90B1, 90B2 by a fastener 100B1, 100B2 extending through the handle
portion 98B, the aperture 94B1, 94B2 in the laterally extending
flange 90B1, 90B2 and the suction cup 84B1, 84B2.
[0066] The handle portion 98B may be comprised of a cross-member
102B that extends parallel with, but below, the handle portion 98B.
The cross-member 102B may extend from one laterally extending
flange 90B1 to the other laterally extending flange 90B2. The
cross-member 102B may add strength and rigidity to the handle
portion 98B.
[0067] Each of the partitions 10, 10A, 10B described above provides
a barrier on the surface 36. In one example, the partition 10, 10A,
10B may be located on a bar or countertop to provide a physical
barrier that separate patrons who are standing, sitting or who are
otherwise located at the bar/countertop. The fact that the panel 12
may be made of a clear material permits light to easily pass there
through, which makes the panel 12 largely invisible. Thus, people
at the bar/countertop can easily still see one another, as well as
around the establishment, in which the partition 10, 10A, 10B is
located. A plurality of partitions 10, 10A, 10B may be
simultaneously spaced along a surface 36 to provide a plurality of
separate areas, each for a patron.
[0068] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes,
the present device has been described in what is considered to
represent its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted
that the device can be practiced otherwise than as specifically
illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or
scope.
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