STUDY CARRELS
Provided is a multiply configurable modular study carrel. Also provided is a study carrel having at least one locking post; and at least one panel affixed to the locking post. Also provided is a study carrel including a panel having a bottom edge, and a first and second panel brace; the first and second panel brace supporting the panel such that the bottom edge of the panel is perpendicular to the first and second panel braces. Also provided is study carrel having a first panel, and a second panel; the first panel having a slot in the middle of the bottom edge; the second panel having a slot in the middle of the top edge; and the slot of the first panel seated in the slot of the second panel such that the first and second panel are perpendicularly affixed to each other.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/418,599, entitled “STUDY CARREL”, filed on Apr. 18, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe subject matter presented herein generally relates to the field of classroom furniture. In particular, embodiments describe fully configurable modular study carrel dividers for defining work spaces atop tables and desks.
BACKGROUNDStudy carrels are used by students and others seeking to study, write, or type in a private work space within a public area. A conventional study carrel comprises attached panels configured to form a “U” shape. The “U” shape is then placed on a desk or table to create a private work area. When using a study carrel, a person seated next to the carrel cannot see the work being performed within the carrel and the person within the carrel cannot see the work performed outside the carrel. Thus, carrels are ideal for providing private work areas where desk or table space is limited.
However, a conventional study carrel is typically not configurable to allow optimum use of available space by variable numbers of users. Thus, table top space might go wasted because a multiplicity of study carrels when placed on the table top do not fit together side by side or opposite one another. Additionally, conventional study carrels do not allow for multiple configurations of dividing the available work space and this wastes valuable space as well. Finally, conventional study carrels are not easily dismantled and must be stored somehow when not in use. There is therefore a need for a multiply configurable modular study carrel system.
BRIEF SUMMARYIn summary, one aspect provides a study carrel, comprising: at least one locking post having a plurality of slots therein; and at least one panel having at least one tab; the at least one panel affixed to the locking post via insertion of the at least one tab into one of the plurality of slots.
Another aspect provides a study carrel, comprising: a panel having a bottom edge and two slots therein, a first panel brace; and a second panel brace; each of said first and second panel braces being semi-circular in shape and having a width accommodating insertion into said two slots of the panel; the first and second panel braces, after insertion into the two slots, supporting the panel; the first and second panel braces being positioned to intersect with said panel via insertion into the two slots such that a surface of the panel is perpendicular to the first and second panel braces.
A further aspect provides a study carrel, comprising: a first panel, and a second panel; the first panel having a slot in an upper-middle portion thereof; the second panel having a slot in a lower-middle portion thereof; the slot of the first panel seated in the slot of the second panel such that the first and second panel are perpendicularly affixed to each other.
For a better understanding of embodiments, together with other and further features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.
It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations in addition to the described example embodiments. Thus, the following more detailed description of the example embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments, as claimed, but is merely representative of example embodiments.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or the like in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obfuscation.
Embodiments describe that study carrel dividers may be fabricated, assembled and used in various modular configurations to define separate private work areas for persons seated at desks or tables. Embodiments describe that study carrel dividers may be placed atop appropriately sized desks and tables and are readily configurable based upon space and needs. Embodiments describe that components of study carrels may include locking posts, end panels, side panels, and panel braces. These components may be used and fabricated in various desirable dimensions and configured in myriad ways in order to most efficiently utilize available desktop or table space.
First Example EmbodimentThe first embodiment describes study carrel dividers defining two or more private work areas separated by two or more modular panels which can be placed atop one or more desks or tables. The first embodiment is depicted in
This description now turns to the figures.
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In one non-limiting example embodiment,
In another non-limiting example,
In another non-limiting example,
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The second non-limiting sample embodiment describes four separate work spaces defined by and separated by two ends of two modular panels that might be placed atop a table or desk. The second embodiment is depicted in
The third sample embodiment is depicted in
This disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain principles and practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Although illustrative embodiments have been described herein, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.
This disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The example embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain principles and practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Thus, although illustrative example embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying figures, it is to be understood that this description is not limiting and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.
Claims
1. A study carrel, comprising:
- at least one locking post having a plurality of slots therein; and
- at least one panel having at least one tab;
- the at least one panel affixed to the locking post via insertion of the at least one tab into one of the plurality of slots.
2. The study carrel of claim 1, wherein said locking post comprises:
- a cylindrical portion with a flat bottom, and
- a support with a collar;
- said support including an insert for said cylindrical portion and fixing the cylindrical portion in a perpendicular position with respect to the flat bottom.
3. The study carrel of claim 2, wherein the at least one panel comprises:
- a top edge,
- a bottom edge opposite the top edge, and
- two vertical side edges opposite one another;
- at least one of the two vertical side edges having at least one tab for insertion into one of the plurality of slots of the locking post.
4. The study carrel of claim 3, wherein at least one of the two side edges includes a semi-circular curve at the bottom edge for accommodating clearance of said support with a collar.
5. The study carrel of claim 4, wherein the plurality of slots of the locking post further comprise:
- at least two sets of longitudinally aligned keyhole slots disposed within said locking post.
6. The study carrel of claim 5, wherein the at least two sets of longitudinally aligned keyhole slots are located in the locking post such that after inserting and locking tabs of at least two panels into keyhole slots of the at least one locking post, the at least two panels are affixed at a desired angle and distance from one another.
7. The study carrel of claim 6, wherein the desired angle is 180 degrees.
8. The study carrel of claim 5, wherein the at least two sets of longitudinally aligned keyhole slots comprise at least three sets of longitudinally aligned keyhole slots.
9. The study carrel of claim 8, wherein the at least three sets of longitudinally aligned keyhole slots are located in the locking post such that after inserting and locking tabs of at least three panels into keyhole slots of the at least one locking post, the at least three panels are affixed at a desired angle and distance from one another.
10. The study carrel of claim 9, wherein the desired angle is 120 degrees.
11. The study carrel of claim 9, wherein the desired angle is 90 degrees.
12. A study carrel, comprising:
- a panel having a bottom edge and two slots therein,
- a first panel brace; and
- a second panel brace;
- each of said first and second panel braces being semi-circular in shape and having a width accommodating insertion into said two slots of the panel;
- the first and second panel braces, after insertion into the two slots, supporting the panel;
- the first and second panel braces being positioned to intersect with said panel via insertion into the two slots such that a surface of the panel is perpendicular to the first and second panel braces.
13. The study carrel of claim 12, wherein the panel is semi-circular and further wherein the two slots are disposed proximate to terminal edges of the semi-circular panel.
14. The study carrel of claim 13, wherein the panel comprises at least one additional slot disposed in the middle of the panel.
15. The study carrel of claim 14, wherein the at least one additional slot is larger than the two slots for accommodating the first and second panel braces.
16. The study carrel of claim 15, wherein the at least one additional slot is sized to accommodate insertion of a corresponding panel having a complementary slot therein; the panel and the corresponding panel being fixable in a perpendicular relationship to one another.
17. A study carrel, comprising:
- a first panel, and
- a second panel;
- the first panel having a slot in an upper-middle portion thereof;
- the second panel having a slot in a lower-middle portion thereof;
- the slot of the first panel seated in the slot of the second panel such that the first and second panel are perpendicularly affixed to each other.
18. The study carrel of claim 17, wherein the second panel further comprises a hole in a bottom edge thereof and communicating with the slot of the second panel.
19. The study carrel of claim 18, wherein the first panel further comprises a hole therein and not communicating with the slot of the first panel.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 27, 2013
Publication Date: Dec 26, 2013
Inventor: Lonnie Thomas Parker, III (Pittsburgh, PA)
Application Number: 14/011,255