PRIVACY SCREEN
A screen assembly configured to be coupled to a partition panel such that a screen of the screen assembly is movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the partition panel. The screen assembly includes a bracket having a mounting portion directly securing the bracket to the partition panel and a guide portion coupled to the mounting portion and forming a generally U-shaped channel. A screen is movably received in the channel for guided movement between the retracted and extended positions.
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This applications claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/829,591 filed Oct. 16, 2006, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates to office workstations, and more particularly to privacy screens for office workstations.
Often, individual workstations are created by using panels to partition open office space. Such workstations are sometimes referred to as cubicles. Typically, the partition panels define the walls of the cubicle and are assembled such that an opening remains between two of the panels to permit access to the cubicle. A screen or door that moves across the opening can be utilized to provide additional privacy to the user of the workstation.
SUMMARYIn one embodiment, the invention provides a screen assembly configured to be coupled to a partition panel such that a screen of the screen assembly is movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the partition panel. The screen assembly includes a bracket having a mounting portion directly securing the bracket to the partition panel and a guide portion coupled to the mounting portion and forming a generally U-shaped channel. A screen is movably received in the channel for guided movement between the retracted and extended positions.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a bracket configured to be mounted to a partition panel and configured to guide a screen between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the partition panel. The bracket includes a guide portion defining a channel in which the screen is movably received and a mounting portion directly coupled to the partition panel and supporting the guide portion.
In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a screen assembly configured to be coupled to a partition panel such that a screen of the screen assembly is movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the partition panel. The screen assembly includes a first bracket and a second bracket. Each of the first and second brackets has a mounting portion directly securing the respective bracket to the partition panel and a guide portion coupled to the mounting portion and forming a generally U-shaped channel. A screen has a top edge movably received in the channel of the first bracket for guided movement of the screen between the retracted and extended positions, and having a bottom edge movably received in the channel of the second bracket for guided movement of the screen between the retracted and extended positions.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe screen assembly 24 includes a privacy screen 28 and a bracket 30. The partition panel 26 includes a first or right vertical edge 32 and a second or left vertical edge 34. A horizontal edge 36 of the partition panel 26 connects the right and left vertical edges 32 and 34. The partition panel 26 further defines a first or front side 38a and a second or rear side 38b (
Referring to
The second mounting portion member 46 includes a first flange 54 and a second flange 56. The second flange 56 includes a projection 58 that is a threaded fastener in the illustrated construction.
The illustrated guide portion 42 is a generally U-shaped member that defines a channel 59. As best seen in
Referring to
A fastener 68 is threaded onto the projection 58 to secure the first and second mounting portion members 44, 46 relative to one another and relative to the partition panel 26 such that the bracket 30 is substantially fixed with respect to the partition panel 26. As best seen in
Referring to
Referring to
In one construction, the bracket 30, or at least the guide portion 42, is formed from aluminum, such as by extrusion. In other constructions, the bracket can be formed from any suitable material, such as steel, plastic, composites, and the like using any suitable manufacturing process.
Referring to
With continued reference to
Referring to
Referring to
In one construction, the wheel frame 102 and the wheel 100 are molded plastic, but in other constructions the frame 102 and the wheel 100 can be formed of any suitable material using any suitable process.
Referring to
The removable leg inserts 108 are coupled to the respective leg portions 92 of the frame 80 and the wheel assemblies 94 using projection and recess inter-engagement similar to that with the projections 104a and 104b of the wheel assembly 94 (
The screen portion 82 is supported by the frame 80. In one construction the screen portion 82 is formed from double wall polycarbonate, with each wall having a thickness of about 6 mils (i.e., 0.006 inches). In other constructions, the polycarbonate walls may have any suitable thickness. In yet other constructions, any suitable material can be used to form the screen portion 82, with either a single wall or double wall construction. The screen portion 82 of the privacy screen 28 can be opaque or translucent such that a person's view into the workspace from the exterior side of the partition panels 26 is restricted when at least a portion of the screen portion 82 of the privacy screen 28 closes the opening.
In one construction, the screen portion 82 includes a dry erase surface or other similar surface that allows users to write on the screen portion 82 and then erase the writing. The dry erase surface can be applied to the screen portion 82 using a laminate, a coating, and the like. The dry erase surface can also be magnetic, as is known. In yet other constructions, a dry erase board may form the screen portion 82.
Referring to
Referring to
When the screen 28 is in the position illustrated in
Referring to
When the user moves the privacy screen 28 to the position illustrated in
Of course other types of stop arrangements, such as those described above, can also be utilized. Those skilled in the art will further understand that the magnets 76a, 76b, 78a, and 78b can be replaced with magnetically attractive material that is attracted to magnets 110 and 114. In other words, while the illustrated embodiment utilizes magnets on both the screen 28 and the bracket 30, magnets could be positioned on only one of the screen 28 and the bracket 30, with magnetically attractive material on the other of the screen 38 and the bracket 30. Furthermore, the magnets and/or magnetically attractive material can be positioned at different or additional locations on the screen 28 to provide any desired number and placement of magnetic stops. In yet another embodiment, the magnetic stop arrangement can be provided by a magnet on one of the screen 28 and the panel 26, and a magnet or a magnetically attractive material on the other of the screen 28 and the panel 26.
In the application illustrated in
The privacy screen assembly 224 of
Each of the first and second L-shaped members 240, 244 includes a third flange 266, 268 extending from the respective first flanges 248, 258. In the illustrated construction, the third flanges 266, 268 extend substantially perpendicularly from the respective first flanges 248, 258 in a direction substantially opposite the direction that the second flanges 250, 260 extend from the respective first flanges 248, 258. The third flanges 266, 268 include respective holes 272, 274 formed therein and configured to receive a fastener 278 for coupling the first and second L-shaped members 240, 244 onto the partition panel. In the illustrated construction, the hole 274 in the third flange 268 of the second L-shaped member 244 is a through hole and the hole 272 in the third flange 266 of the first L-shaped member 240 is threaded to engage the fastener 278, which is threaded in the illustrated construction. Other types of fasteners configured to couple the first and second L-shaped members 240, 244 and clamp the mounting portion 234 onto the partition panel are optional.
As shown in
The guide portion 236 of the upper bracket 230 is a generally U-shaped member that defines a channel 288. In the illustrated construction, the channel 288 is defined by a first or outer wall 290, a second or inner wall 292, and a third or top wall 294. The channel 288 is configured to receive an upper edge 298 of the privacy screen 228, the upper edge 298 including at least an upper horizontal surface and a pair of vertical surfaces adjacent the upper horizontal surface in the illustrated embodiment. The channel 288 guides the movement of the privacy screen 228 relative to the partition panel as described in further detail below. As shown in
The guide portion 236 is formed with a first pair of opposing tabs 302 that combine with the inner wall 292 to form a slot configured to receive the second flange 260 of the second L-shaped member 244. The mounting portion 234 is coupled with the guide portion 236 when the second flange 260 is inserted into the slot formed by the tabs 302 and the L-shaped members 240, 244 are clamped to a partition panel. When the L-shaped members 240, 244 are clamped to a partition panel, the inner wall 292 of the guide portion 236 is sandwiched between the partition panel and the second flange 260 of the second L-shaped member 244.
As shown in
The guide portion 236 is further provided with a second pair of opposing tabs 316 defining a slot along the outside of the outer wall 290. The slot is configured to receive an insert such as a name plate and/or lens including indicia identifying the workstation, the occupant of the workstation, etc. At a bottom portion of the outer wall 290, the guide portion 236 is provided with a third pair of opposing tabs 320 defining a slot therebetween. The tabs 320 are configured to receive a message board 324, such as a whiteboard or “dry erase” board for displaying indicia. The message board 324 can be a bulletin board or “cork board” in some constructions. In other constructions, the message board 324 may be a placard having permanently printed or interchangeable/reconfigurable indicia thereon. The message board 324 includes an upper edge 326 configured to slide and/or snap into the slot defined by the third pair of opposing tabs 320. The tabs 320 retain the message board 324 in a mounted configuration relative to the upper bracket 230. As explained below, the message board 324 (along with the entire upper bracket 230) remains fixed with the stationary partition panel and is not movable with the privacy screen 228. As shown in
The upper bracket 230 includes an end cap 330. In the illustrated construction, the end cap 330 is provided with a plurality of snap fingers or tabs 332 (
As best shown in
The non-slip pad 354 can be formed of a high friction material such as EVA and coupled to the first L-shaped member 340 by an adhesive in some constructions. In other constructions, the non-slip pad 354 includes one or more alternate high friction materials. Other coupling methods besides adhesive are optional, and it is also contemplated that the second flange 350 itself may provide a high friction gripping surface to engage the lower edge of the partition panel.
Each of the first and second L-shaped members 340, 344 includes a third flange 366, 368 extending from the respective first flanges 348, 358. In the illustrated construction, the third flanges 366, 368 extend substantially perpendicularly from the respective first flanges 348, 358 in a direction substantially opposite the direction that the second flanges 350, 360 extend from the respective first flanges 348, 358. The third flanges 366, 368 include respective holes 372, 374 formed therein and configured to receive a fastener 378 for coupling the first and second L-shaped members 340, 344 onto the partition panel. In the illustrated construction, the hole 374 in the third flange 368 of the second L-shaped member 344 is a through hole and the hole 372 in the third flange 366 of the first L-shaped member 340 is threaded to engage the fastener 378, which is threaded in the illustrated construction. Other types of fasteners configured to couple the first and second L-shaped members 340, 344 and clamp the mounting portion 334 onto the partition panel are optional.
As shown in
The guide portion 336 of the lower bracket 231 is a generally U-shaped member that defines a channel 388. In the illustrated construction, the channel 388 is defined by a first or outer wall 390, a second or inner wall 392, and a third or bottom wall 394. The channel 388 is configured to receive a lower edge 398 of the privacy screen 228, the lower edge 398 including at least a lower horizontal surface and a pair of vertical surfaces adjacent the lower horizontal surface in the illustrated embodiment. The channel 388 guides the movement of the privacy screen 228 relative to the partition panel as described in further detail below. As shown in
A non-slip pad 412 may be provided on a surface 414 of the flange 400 and a surface 415 of the second flange 360 of the second L-shaped member 344 as best illustrated by
The inner wall 392 and the flange 400 of the guide portion 336 form a slot configured to receive the second flange 360 of the second L-shaped member 344. The mounting portion 334 is coupled with the guide portion 336 when the second flange 360 is inserted into the slot formed by the inner wall 392 and the flange 400 and the fasteners 408 are threaded into the holes 362. The fasteners 408 are engageable with a pair of the holes 362 that are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the distance between the pair of openings 404 in the inner wall 392 and substantially equal to the distance between the pair of openings 406 in the flange 400. This provides an adjustable coupling between the mounting portion 334 and the guide portion 336 for reasons addressed in further detail below. In the illustrated construction, the fasteners 408 can be engaged with three distinct sets of holes 362 to provide three different orientations between the mounting portion 334 and the guide portion 336. Specifically, the guide portion 336 can be moved relative to the mounting portion 334 in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the privacy screen 228 between retracted and extended positions or vice versa (i.e., parallel to the channel 388).
Similar to the non-stick pads 306, 308 shown in
The lower bracket 231 includes an end cap 416. In the illustrated construction, the end cap 416 is provided with a plurality of snap fingers or tabs 420 (
As shown in FIGS. 23 and 25-27, the privacy screen 228 includes two leg portions 424, each of the leg portions 424 having a wheel assembly 428 coupled to its lower end. The wheel assemblies 428 include wheels 430 configured to support the privacy screen 228 for rolling movement on a floor surface. Reference is made to the above descriptions of various arrangements and the general movement of the privacy screen 228 relative to the partition panel(s), the majority of which is equally applicable to the privacy screen assembly 224 illustrated in
The privacy screen 228 is assembled with the upper and lower brackets 230, 231 such that the upper and lower edges 298, 398 of the privacy screen 228 are received in the channels 288, 388 of the respective guide portions 236, 336. The upper and lower edges 298, 398 have a low friction sliding engagement with the respective guide portions 236, 336 and no fasteners or coupling devices of any kind are used to couple the privacy screen 228 to the partition panel and/or the upper and lower brackets 230, 231. Therefore, the brackets 230, 231 can be used to mount the privacy screen for extending to the left of a left edge of a partition panel or for extending to the right of a right edge of a partition panel.
A mechanical stop arrangement is provided as a feature of the lower bracket 231, which is positioned between the two leg portions 424 of the privacy screen 228. In the position shown in FIGS. 23 and 25-27, the privacy screen 228 is in a fully retracted position and the guide portion 336 prevents the privacy screen 228 from moving any further in the opening direction (left in
Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A screen assembly configured to be coupled to a partition panel such that a screen of the screen assembly is movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the partition panel, the screen assembly comprising:
- a bracket having a mounting portion directly securing the bracket to the partition panel and a guide portion coupled to the mounting portion and forming a generally U-shaped channel; and
- a screen movably received in the channel for guided movement between the retracted and extended positions.
2. The screen assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion of the bracket includes a first member and a second member, the first and second members being slidably engageable and coupled together with a fastener to clamp onto the partition panel.
3. The screen assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel receives a top edge of the screen.
4. The screen assembly of claim 3, further comprising a second bracket having a mounting portion directly securing the bracket to the partition panel and a guide portion coupled to the mounting portion and forming a generally U-shaped channel, the channel of the second bracket receiving a bottom edge of the screen.
5. The screen assembly of claim 4, wherein the second bracket is substantially vertically aligned with the first bracket.
6. The screen assembly of claim 4, wherein the screen includes a pair of legs extending generally downward from the bottom edge of the screen, the guide portion of the second bracket being positioned substantially between the pair of legs such that movement of the screen is limited in the retracted position by contact between the guide portion of the second bracket and a first one of the pair of legs, and movement of the screen is limited in the extended position by contact between the guide portion of the second bracket and a second one of the pair of legs.
7. The screen assembly of claim 6, wherein the guide portion of the second bracket is adjustable relative to the mounting portion of the second bracket such that the retracted and extended positions of the screen are adjustable.
8. The screen assembly of claim 1, further comprising a dry erase writing surface coupled to the guide portion of the bracket and positioned adjacent an outer surface of the screen.
9. The screen assembly of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic stop arrangement to limit movement of the screen relative to the bracket.
10. The screen assembly of claim 1, wherein the screen includes a leg portion configured to at least partially support the screen on a floor and a removable insert coupled to the leg portion and extending the length of the leg portion.
11. The screen assembly of claim 1, wherein the screen includes a leg portion configured to at least partially support the screen on a floor and wherein the leg portion further includes a wheel configured to roll along the floor.
12. The screen assembly of claim 11, wherein the leg portion defines a thickness and wherein the wheel defines a thickness that is less than the thickness of the leg portion.
13. The screen assembly of claim 10, wherein the leg portion is a first leg portion, the screen further comprising,
- a second leg portion; and
- a generally horizontal support extending between the first and second leg portions.
14. A bracket configured to be mounted to a partition panel and configured to guide a screen between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the partition panel, the bracket comprising:
- a guide portion defining a channel in which the screen is movably received; and
- a mounting portion directly coupled to the partition panel and supporting the guide portion.
15. The bracket of claim 14, wherein the mounting portion is adjustable to accommodate partition panels of varying widths.
16. The bracket of claim 15, wherein the mounting portion includes a first member, a second member, and a fastener, wherein the first and second members include mating flanges, the fastener being engaged with the mating flanges of the first and second members to secure the first and second members together to clamp the mounting portion onto the partition panel.
17. The bracket of claim 14, wherein the channel is substantially U-shaped, opening substantially downward to receive a top edge of the screen.
18. The bracket of claim 14, wherein the channel is substantially U-shaped, opening substantially upward to receive a bottom edge of the screen.
19. The bracket of claim 18, wherein the guide portion is positioned along the bottom edge between a first leg portion and a second leg portion of the screen, the guide portion contacting the first leg portion when the screen is in the retracted position and contacting the second leg portion when the screen is in the extended position.
20. The bracket of claim 19, wherein the guide portion is adjustable relative to the mounting portion such that the retracted and extended positions of the screen are adjustable.
21. The bracket of claim 14, wherein the guide portion is configured to receive indicia.
22. A screen assembly configured to be coupled to a partition panel such that a screen of the screen assembly is movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the partition panel, the screen assembly comprising:
- a first bracket and a second bracket, each of the first and second brackets having a mounting portion directly securing the respective bracket to the partition panel and a guide portion coupled to the mounting portion and forming a generally U-shaped channel; and
- a screen having a top edge movably received in the channel of the first bracket for guided movement of the screen between the retracted and extended positions, and having a bottom edge movably received in the channel of the second bracket for guided movement of the screen between the retracted and extended positions.
23. The screen assembly of claim 21, wherein the screen includes a first leg portion and a second leg portion extending from the bottom edge to support the screen on a floor, the guide portion of the second bracket being positioned between the first and second leg portions, the guide portion of the second bracket selectively contacting the first and second leg portions to define the retracted and extended positions of the screen.
24. The screen assembly of claim 23, wherein the guide portion of the second bracket is adjustable relative to the mounting portion of the second bracket in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the screen between the retracted and extended positions such that the retracted and extended positions of the screen are adjustable.
25. The screen assembly of claim 22, wherein the mounting portion of each of the first and second brackets includes a first member and a second member slidably engageable and coupled together with a fastener to clamp onto the partition panel.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 16, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 24, 2008
Applicant: ACCO BRANDS USA LLC (Lincolnshire, IL)
Inventors: Steven J. Beno (Gurnee, IL), Mikael Backstrom (Chicago, IL), Martijn Loerakker (Mundelein, IL), Jonathen Shearer (Skokie, IL)
Application Number: 11/872,790
International Classification: A47G 5/00 (20060101); A47F 5/00 (20060101);