PRIVACY SCREEN

Abstract

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.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

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.

BACKGROUND

The 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.

SUMMARY

In 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating a bracket utilized to couple a screen to a partition panel.

FIG. 2 is an assembled and mounted view of the bracket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view illustrating an alternative orientation of the bracket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an assembled and mounted view of the bracket as oriented in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a screen assembly including the screen and the bracket embodying the present invention, with the partition panel removed for clarity.

FIG. 5b is an enlarged view of a portion of the screen and bracket of FIG. 5a.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are exploded views of the bracket of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8a is a perspective view of the screen and bracket illustrating the screen in a first position with respect to the bracket.

FIG. 8b is an enlarged view of a portion of the screen and bracket in the first position of FIG. 8a.

FIG. 9a is a perspective view of the screen and bracket illustrating the screen in a second position with respect to the bracket.

FIG. 9b is an enlarged view of a portion of the screen and bracket in the second position of FIG. 9a.

FIGS. 10a-10f are various views of a wheel assembly of the screen.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the screen.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the screen including a leg insert.

FIGS. 13a-13c are plan views of the screen assembly utilized with a right edge of the partition panel and illustrating the screen moved between first, second, and third positions.

FIGS. 13d-13f are end views of the screen assembly of FIGS. 13a-13c, respectively.

FIG. 13g is an enlarged view of a portion of the screen of FIG. 13f.

FIGS. 14a-14c are plan views of the screen assembly utilized with a left edge of the partition panel and illustrating the screen moved between first, second, and third positions.

FIGS. 14d-14f are end views of the screen assembly of FIGS. 14a-14c, respectively.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a front side of the partition panel illustrating the screen in a first position.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a rear side of the partition panel illustrating the screen in the first position of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the front side of the partition panel illustrating the screen in a second position.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the rear side of the partition panel illustrating the screen in the second position of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the front side of the partition panel illustrating the screen in a third position.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the rear side of the partition panel illustrating the screen in the third position of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a side view of one application of the screen assembly that utilizes two screens, illustrating the screens in a first position.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the screens of FIG. 21, illustrating the screens in a second position.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a screen assembly including a screen and upper and lower brackets embodying the present invention, with a partition panel removed for clarity.

FIG. 24 is a detail view of the upper bracket as shown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a front view of the screen assembly of FIG. 23, with the partition panel removed for clarity.

FIG. 26 is an alternate perspective view of the screen assembly of FIG. 23, with the partition panel removed for clarity.

FIG. 27 is a detail view of the lower bracket as shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a first side view of the screen assembly of FIG. 23, with the partition panel removed for clarity.

FIG. 29 is a second side view of the screen assembly of FIG. 23, with the partition panel removed for clarity.

FIG. 30 is an exploded view of the upper bracket of FIG. 23.

FIG. 31 is an alternate exploded view of the upper bracket of FIG. 23.

FIG. 32 is an exploded view of the lower bracket of FIG. 23.

FIG. 33 is an alternate exploded view of the lower bracket of FIG. 23.

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 DESCRIPTION

FIG. 15 illustrates a screen assembly 24 for use with a partition panel 26. The partition panel 26 is known in the art and is typically utilized with additional partition panels to form office workstations that are referred to as cubicles. In some constructions, the partition panel 26 is modular such that the partition panel is movable and re-configurable to construct workstations in an open office space.

The 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 (FIGS. 15 and 16).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bracket 30 includes a mounting portion 40 and a guide portion 42 that is supported by the mounting portion 40. In the illustrated construction, the mounting portion 40 includes a first generally L-shaped member 44 and a second generally L-shaped member 46. The first mounting portion member 44 includes a first flange 48 and a second flange 50 that is longer than the first flange 48, the purpose of which will be discussed in more detail below. Both of the first and second flanges 48 and 50 include longitudinal slots 52a and 52b, respectively.

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 FIGS. 1 and 6, the guide portion 42 includes a first pair of flanges or tabs 60 and a second pair of flanges or tabs 62. The first and second pairs of tabs 60, 62 define an outer slot 64 and an inner slot 66, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, to assemble the bracket 30, the projection 58 of the second mounting portion member 46 is inserted through the slot 52a of the first mounting portion member 44. The projection 58 is moved within the slot 52a such that the flanges 50, 54 of the respective first and second mounting portion members 44, 46 exert a clamping force on the partition panel 26 to directly secure the bracket 30 to the partition panel 26. Alternatively, the bracket 30 can be assembled such that the projection 58 extends through the slot 52b of the second flange 50, which is longer than the first flange 48, to accommodate a partition panel with a larger thickness T1. In the illustrated construction, the slots 52a, 52b, allow the bracket 30 to be used with partition panels having the thickness T1 that ranges from about 1.5 inches to about 4 inches. Of course, the bracket 30 can be modified to accommodate smaller and larger partition thicknesses if desired.

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 FIG. 6, the inner slot 66 of the guide portion 42 receives the flange 54 of the second mounting portion 46 to couple the guide portion 42 to the mounting portion 40.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5b, a lens 70 is received by the outer slot 64 of the guide portion 42. As seen in FIG. 5b, indicia 72, such as the name of a user of the workstation printed on a sheet or label, can be placed underneath the lens 70. Alternatively, indicia can be applied directly to the lens 70, or the indicia can be mounted on an insert positioned in the outer slot 64 without the presence of any lens. In other constructions, the lens 70 can include a dry erase surface (e.g., a coating or a laminated layer) to receive writing.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the bracket 30 oriented for use with the right edge 32 of the partition panel 26. The same bracket 30 can also be oriented for use with the left edge 34 of the partition panel 26, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Therefore, the bracket 30 is universal or reversible, and can be used with either the left or right edges of partition panels.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the illustrated bracket 30 further includes magnets 76a and 76b located on the guide portion 42. Magnets 78a and 78b are also located on the first flange 54 of the second mounting portion member 46. The purpose of the magnets 76a, 76b, 78a, and 78b will be discussed in more detail below. While two magnets are shown on each of the guide portion 42 and the second mounting portion member 46, it is understood that a single magnet, or more than two magnets can also be used.

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 FIG. 11, the privacy screen 28 includes a frame 80 and a screen portion 82. In the illustrated construction the frame 80 is formed from a plurality of extruded aluminum frame members 86 having a thickness T2 of approximately 0.50 inches (see FIG. 13g). In other constructions, the frame members can have any suitable thickness and can be formed from any suitable material, such as steel, plastic, composites, and the like using any suitable manufacturing process.

With continued reference to FIG. 11, the illustrated frame 80 includes leg portions 92. A wheel assembly 94 is coupled to an end of each leg portion 92 to facilitate rolling the screen 28 along a floor 95. In the illustrated construction, a generally horizontal support 96 extends between the wheel assemblies 94 to provide additional support for the leg portions 92. As illustrated in FIGS. 5a, 8a, and 9a, in other constructions the privacy screen 28 may omit the generally horizontal support 96 and, in such constructions, a slightly modified wheel assembly 94′ is utilized. Additionally, the two illustrated leg portions 92 could be replaced by three or more leg portions, or by a single leg portion having a width less than, greater than, or equal to the overall width of the screen 28 (i.e., such that the single leg portion would actually be a base or base portion of the frame 80 or the screen 28).

Referring to FIGS. 10a-10f the wheel assembly 94 includes a wheel 100 and a shroud or wheel frame 102. The wheel frame 102 includes a first projection 104a and a second projection 104b. While not illustrated, the leg portions 92 of the frame 80 and the support 96 (FIG. 11) include corresponding recesses that receive one of the projections 104a or 104b to couple the wheel assembly 94 to the leg portion 92 and the support 96. In one construction, an interference fit is utilized between the projections 104a, 104b and the recesses of the leg portions 92 and the support 96 to removably couple the wheel assemblies 94 to the leg portions 92 and the support 96 without requiring additional mechanical fasteners such as, screws, bolts, rivets, adhesives and the like.

Referring to FIG. 10e, the illustrated wheel 100 is relatively thin and in the one construction has a thickness T3 that is approximately 0.375 inches. Such a thin construction allows the wheel 100 to track in a substantially straight path along the floor 95 (FIG. 11) without wandering. In other constructions, the wheel can have any suitable thickness.

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 FIG. 12, removable leg inserts 108 can be utilized to adjust the height H of the privacy screen 28. In one construction, the insert 108 has a length L1 of approximately 4 inches. In such a construction, the height H of the privacy screen 28 can be approximately 64 inches without the use of the leg inserts 108 (FIG. 11). However, by utilizing the inserts 108, the height H is increased to about 68 inches (FIG. 12). Such adjustment facilitates use of the privacy screen 28 with partition panels having different heights. In another construction, the insert 108 has a length L1 of approximately 1.5 inches. In yet another construction, the insert 108 has a length L1 of approximately 3 inches. In some embodiments, the privacy screen 28 may be provided with multiple interchangeable leg inserts 108 of different lengths to allow for the privacy screen 28 to be adapted to one or more particular applications. Of course, the dimensions of the privacy screen 28 and the inserts 108, discussed above, are just one possible construction and in other constructions the privacy screen and the inserts can have any suitable dimensions.

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 (FIGS. 10a-10f) as described above. Likewise, an interference fit is utilized to removably couple the leg inserts 108 to the leg portions 92. The interference fit allows for a connection without the use of mechanical fasteners such as, screws, bolts, rivets, adhesives and the like. Therefore, the leg inserts 108 can be quickly and easily added or removed.

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 FIGS. 11 and 12, the privacy screen 28 further includes a first magnet 110 adjacent a first edge 112 of the screen 28, and a second magnet 114 adjacent a second edge 116 of the screen 28. The magnets 110, 114 are located near the top portion of the screen 28, opposite from where the wheel assemblies 94 are located. In other constructions the screen 28 may omit the magnets 110 and 114 and instead include magnetically attractive material in the same general vicinity as where the magnets 110, 114 are illustrated. The purpose of the magnets 110, 114 or the magnetically attractive material will be discussed in more detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 15, to assemble the bracket 30 and the privacy screen 28, the top frame member 86 of the screen 28 is inserted into the channel 59 (FIG. 2) of the bracket 30. In the illustrated embodiment, after simply inserting the screen 28 into the channel 59, there is no additional mechanical fastening or connecting required between the channel 59 and the top frame member 86 of the screen 28 to render the screen assembly 24 operable. As best seen in FIG. 15, the wheels 100 support the weight of the privacy screen 28 on the floor 95, while the bracket 30 couples the privacy screen 28 to the partition panel 26 and guides the movement of the screen 28 relative to the partition panel 26.

When the screen 28 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 15, the second magnet 114 (FIG. 11) is generally aligned with the magnets 76b and 78a (FIGS. 1 and 6) of the bracket 30. The magnets 114, 76b, 78a are configured such that the magnets 76b, 78a attract the magnet 114 of the privacy screen 28. Therefore, the magnets 114, 76b, and 78a provide a magnetic stop arrangement that substantially inhibits or limits further movement of the screen 28 from the position illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 (a fully retracted position) with respect to the bracket 30 and the partition panel 26 in the direction of arrow 120 (FIG. 15). The magnetic stop arrangement reduces the possibility that the user will continue to slide the screen 28 in the direction of arrow 120 to uncouple the screen 28 from the bracket 30 and the partition panel 26. In other constructions, other stop arrangements can be utilized. For example, a mechanical stop that includes a flange extending from the second edge 116 of the screen 28 can be utilized such that the flange contacts the bracket 30 to limit movement of the screen 28.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the user can move the screen 28 to an intermediate position that is neither fully extended nor fully retracted, but rather partially extended and partially retracted. If the user applies sufficient force to the screen 28 in the direction of arrow 122 (FIGS. 17 and 18) to overcome the magnetic force of the magnets 114, 76b, and 78a, the screen 28 will move in the direction of arrow 122. Movement of the screen 28 is guided by the channel 59 of the bracket 30 (FIG. 1) and is facilitated by the wheel assemblies 94 having wheels 100 that roll along the floor 95. It should be understood that FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate the privacy screen 28 in just one possible intermediate position.

When the user moves the privacy screen 28 to the position illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, the magnet stop arrangement inhibits or limits further movement of the privacy screen 28 in the direction of arrow 122. In the position illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20 (a fully extended position), the magnet 110 (FIG. 11) that is adjacent the first edge 112 of the privacy screen 28 is aligned with the magnets 76a and 78b (FIGS. 1 and 6). The magnets 76a and 78b are configured to attract the magnet 110 of the privacy screen 28 to restrict or limit further movement of the privacy screen 28 in the direction of arrow 122.

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.

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate one possible application of the screen assembly 24. FIG. 22 illustrates partition panels 26 that are arranged to define an opening 128. While not illustrated, additional partition panels can be utilized to define a workspace and the user utilizes the opening 128 to access the workspace.

In the application illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 two opposed privacy screens 28 are utilized to substantially close the opening 128. If the user desires more privacy than the privacy provided by the partition panels 26 alone, the user can move one of the screens 28 a desired amount, as described above, in the direction of arrow 130 and the other screen 28 a desired amount in the direction of arrow 132 to substantially close or minimize the opening 128. In one construction, the screen portion 82 of the privacy screen 28 is 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 128.

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate one application of the privacy screen assembly 24. In other applications, a single privacy screen assembly 24 can be utilized to partly or wholly close the opening 128. In yet other applications, other suitable arrangements of one or more privacy screen assemblies 24 can be utilized. In some applications, it may be desirable to configure the privacy screen 28 so as not to be able to completely close the opening 128.

FIGS. 23-33 illustrate a privacy screen assembly 224 of another construction, and portions thereof. Similar to the privacy screen assembly 24 of FIGS. 1-22, the privacy screen assembly 224 is configured for use with a partition panel (not shown in FIGS. 23-33) known in the art for constructing cubicles, workstations, etc. Except where specifically noted otherwise below, the features and uses of the privacy screen assembly 24 of FIGS. 1-22 described above are applicable to the privacy screen assembly 224 of FIGS. 23-33 and thus, may not be repeated below or reproduced in the drawings.

The privacy screen assembly 224 of FIGS. 23-33 includes a privacy screen 228, an upper bracket 230, and a lower bracket 231. Similar to the bracket 30 of FIGS. 1-22, the upper bracket 230 (detailed in FIGS. 30 and 31) includes a mounting portion 234 for directly securing the bracket 230 to a partition panel and a guide portion 236 supported by the mounting portion 234. In the illustrated construction, the mounting portion 234 includes a first L-shaped member 240 and a second L-shaped member 244. The first L-shaped member 240 includes a first flange 248 and a second flange 250 that is longer than the first flange 248. As shown in FIG. 30, the inside of the second flange 250 may include a non-slip pad 254 configured to grip an upper edge of a partition panel (e.g., a side surface of the partition panel upper edge) when the first and second L-shaped members 240, 244 of the upper bracket 230 are mounted together. Similar to the first L-shaped member 240, the second L-shaped member 244 includes a first flange 258 and a second flange 260 that is longer than the first flange 258. The second flanges 250, 260 of the respective L-shaped members 240, 244 extend generally parallel to the upper edge of the partition panel and exert a clamping force on the upper edge as described in further detail below. The non-slip pad 254 can be formed of a high friction material such as EVA and coupled to the first L-shaped member 240 by an adhesive in some constructions. In other constructions, the non-slip pad 254 includes one or more alternate high friction materials. Other coupling methods besides adhesive are optional, and it is also contemplated that the second flange 250 itself may provide a high friction gripping surface to engage the upper edge of the partition panel.

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 FIGS. 30 and 31, the first flange 258 of the second L-shaped member 244 includes two opposing tabs 282 forming a slot. The slot extends along an outer face 284 of the first flange 258 and is configured to receive the first flange 248 of the first L-shaped member 240, which generally forms a projection. As the first flange 248 of the first L-shaped member 240 is inserted into the slot formed by the opposing tabs 282 and the outer face 284 of the first flange 258 (of the second L-shaped member 244), the mounting portion 234 of the upper bracket 230 can be adjusted to match the thickness of the partition panel. The mounting portion 234 is adaptable to mount to partition panels of various thicknesses by inserting the first flange 248 into the slot and tightening the fastener 278. In the illustrated construction, the fastener 278 is threaded into the opening 272 so that tightening of the fastener 278 pulls the second flanges 250, 260 of the first and second L-shaped members 240, 244 together to exert a clamping force on the partition panel to mount the upper bracket 230. Thus, the mounting portion 234 is directly secured to the partition panel by clamping, although other means for directly securing the mounting portion 234 are optional. In some constructions, the mounting portion 234 is configured to attach to a partition panel having a thickness between about 1.5 inches and about 4 inches.

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 FIG. 31, the inner wall 292 may include a non-slip pad 300 configured to grip the upper edge of the partition panel (e.g., a side surface of the partition panel upper edge) when the first and second L-shaped members 240, 244 of the upper bracket 230 are mounted together with the fastener 278 and the second flange 260 of the second L-shaped member 244 is engaged with the guide portion 236 as described in further detail below. The non-slip pad 300 may be similar in construction and attachment to the non-slip pad 254 described in the discussion above, which is hereby referenced.

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 FIGS. 30 and 31, a pair of non-stick pads 306, 308 are provided for attachment to the interior surface of the outer wall 290 and the surface of the second flange 260 facing the channel 288 (facing away from the inner wall 292 and seen in FIG. 30), respectively. In one construction, the non-stick pads 306, 308 are constructed of felt and can be fixed to the outer wall 290 and the second flange 260 with an adhesive. However, one or more other low friction materials may be substituted for the felt of the non-stick pads 306, 308. Other coupling methods besides adhesive are optional, and it is also contemplated that the outer wall 290 and the second flange 260 themselves may provide a low friction sliding surface for contact with the upper edge 298 of the privacy screen 228.

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 FIGS. 30 and 31, the top wall 294 is concave to hold one or more objects (e.g., a dry erase marker and/or eraser for a dry erase board, push pins for a bulletin board, etc.) for convenient access adjacent the message board 324.

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 (FIG. 31) on an interior thereof for removably mounting the end cap 330 to the first and/or second L-shaped members 240, 244. In the illustrated construction, a first pair of tabs 332A are configured to engage the third flange 266 of the first L-shaped member 240 and/or the third flange 268 of the second L-shaped member 244. A second pair of tabs 332B are configured to engage the outer edges of the first flange 258 of the second L-shaped member 244 (i.e., the tabs 282). By engaging the mounting portion 234 as described above, the tabs 332 enable the end cap 330 to be mounted in position to substantially cover the first flanges 248, 258 of the first and second L-shaped members 240, 244 from outside view. In some constructions, the end cap 330 is fixed with more or fewer snap-on features and/or by other means altogether.

As best shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the bottom bracket 231 includes a mounting portion 334 for directly securing the bracket 231 to a partition panel and a guide portion 336 supported by the mounting portion 334. In the illustrated construction, the mounting portion 334 includes a first L-shaped member 340 and a second L-shaped member 344. The first L-shaped member 340 includes a first flange 348 and a second flange 350 that is longer than the first flange 348. As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the inside of the second flange 350 may include a non-slip pad 354 configured to grip a lower edge of a partition panel (e.g., a side surface of the partition panel lower edge) when the first and second L-shaped members 340, 344 of the lower bracket 231 are mounted together. Similar to the first L-shaped member 340, the second L-shaped member 344 includes a first flange 358 and a second flange 360 that is longer than the first flange 358. The second flanges 350, 360 of the respective L-shaped members 340, 344 extend generally parallel to the lower edge of the partition panel and exert a clamping force on the lower edge as described in further detail below. The second flange 360 of the second L-shaped member 344 includes a plurality of openings 362 in a row. In the illustrated construction, the second flange 360 includes six openings 362, all of which are circular and similar in size. In the illustrated construction, the openings 362 are threaded and configured to receive fasteners 364 to couple the mounting portion 334 to the guide portion 336 as discussed in further detail below.

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 FIGS. 32 and 33, the first flange 358 of the second L-shaped member 344 includes two opposing tabs 382 forming a slot. The slot extends along an outer face 384 of the first flange 358 and is configured to receive the first flange 348 of the first L-shaped member 340, which generally forms a projection. As the first flange 348 of the first L-shaped member 340 is inserted into the slot formed by the opposing tabs 382 and the outer face 384 of the first flange 358 (of the second L-shaped member 344), the mounting portion 334 of the lower bracket 231 can be adjusted to match the thickness of the partition panel. The mounting portion 334 is adaptable to mount to partition panels of various thicknesses by inserting the first flange 348 into the slot and tightening the fastener 378. In the illustrated construction, the fastener 378 is threaded into the opening 372 so that tightening of the fastener 378 pulls the second flanges 350, 360 of the first and second L-shaped members 340, 344 together to exert a clamping force on the partition panel to mount the lower bracket 231. Thus, the mounting portion 334 is directly secured to the partition panel by clamping, although other means for directly securing the mounting portion 334 are optional. In some constructions, the mounting portion 334 is configured to attach to a partition panel having a thickness between about 1.5 inches and about 4 inches.

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 FIGS. 32 and 33, a right-angle flange 400 depends from the inner wall 392. The inner wall 392 and the flange 400 include respective pairs of openings 404, 406 configured to receive a single pair of fasteners 408 (e.g., screws) to couple the mounting portion 334 to the guide portion 336 as described in further detail below.

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 FIGS. 27 and 33. The non-slip pad 412 is configured to grip the lower edge of the partition panel (e.g., a side surface of the partition panel lower edge) when the first and second L-shaped members 340, 344 of the lower bracket 231 are mounted together with the fastener 378 and the second flange 360 of the second L-shaped member 344 is engaged with the guide portion 336 as described in further detail below. The non-slip pad 412 may be similar in construction and attachment to the non-slip pad 354 described in the discussion above, which is hereby referenced.

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 FIGS. 30 and 31, a pair of non-stick pads (not shown) can be provided for attachment to the interior surface of the outer wall 390 and the interior surface of the inner wall 392, respectively. The non-stick pads may be similar in construction, function, and attachment to the non-stick pads 306, 308 described in the discussion above with respect to the upper bracket 230, which is hereby referenced.

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 (FIG. 33) on an interior thereof for removably mounting the end cap 416 to the first and/or second L-shaped members 340, 344. In the illustrated construction, a first pair of tabs 420A are configured to engage the third flange 366 of the first L-shaped member 340 and/or the third flange 368 of the second L-shaped member 344. A second pair of tabs 420B are configured to engage the outer edges of the first flange 358 of the second L-shaped member 344 (i.e., the tabs 382). By engaging the mounting portion 334 as described above, the tabs 420 enable the end cap 416 to be mounted in position to substantially cover the first flanges 348, 358 of the first and second L-shaped members 340, 344 from outside view. In some constructions, the end cap 416 is fixed with more or fewer snap-on features and/or by other means altogether.

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 FIGS. 23-33.

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 FIGS. 23 and 25 and right in FIGS. 26 and 27). However, the privacy screen 228 can be moved in the closing direction to a partially or fully extended position (right in FIGS. 23 and 25 and left in FIGS. 26 and 27) to partially or fully close off an area or an opening between partition panels. The privacy screen 228 can be moved in the closing direction until the leg portion 424 on the left of FIGS. 23 and 25 contacts the guide portion 336. Thus, the lower bracket 231 is a low friction sliding guide and a mechanical stop arrangement defining both the fully retracted position and the fully extended position without the aid of any latches, magnets, fasteners, etc.

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.