MODULAR OFFICE FURNITURE FOR OPEN, HIGH LIGHT ENVIRONMENT
An articulated light shade including a stand having a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion is stiffer than the second portion, and the first portion defines a longitudinal axis. The second portion is flexible such that the second portion is movable relative to the first portion. A screen is coupled to the second portion of the stand, wherein the screen is rotatable about the longitudinal axis and tiltable relative to the longitudinal axis.
The present invention relates to a furniture system for use in an open office environment which has plentiful natural light. The furniture system includes components which help to reduce or eliminate glare arising from plentiful natural light present in modern open office environments. The furniture system also includes components designed to provide a measure of privacy for office workers to improve concentration while working in an open environment.
SUMMARYVarious embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
In one embodiment an articulated light shade is provided herein including a stand having a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion is stiffer than the second portion, and the first portion defines a longitudinal axis. The second portion is flexible such that the second portion is movable relative to the first portion. A screen is coupled to the second portion of the stand, wherein the screen is rotatable about the longitudinal axis and tiltable relative to the longitudinal axis.
In another embodiment an articulated light shade assembly is provided herein including a base for supporting the articulated light shade assembly, a first flexible stand extending from the base, a first screen coupled to the first flexible stand, where the first screen is movable relative to a first axis. An articulated light shade assembly further includes a second flexible stand extending from the base, and a second screen coupled to the second flexible stand, where the second screen is movable relative to a second axis. The second axis is spaced apart from the first axis, and the first axis extends parallel to the second axis.
In yet another embodiment an articulated light shade is provided herein including a stand having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end, where at least a portion of the stand between the first end and the second end is flexible. A screen is coupled to the first end of the stand, where the screen is a planar panel. An attachment member is coupled to the second end of the stand, where the attachment member is configured to removably couple the stand to a piece of furniture.
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.
Modern work spaces are often designed to create naturally lit spaces by allowing sunlight to travel throughout a work environment. Rather than creating workspaces that are separated by either closed offices or a tall partition walls, many workspaces are designed with an open concept. These workspace designs may include free standing desks with minimal office walls, or low partition walls. While the open concept workspaces have certain benefits, such as allowing natural light to flow through the work environment, there are also certain drawbacks. For example, the lack of individual office spaces and tall partition walls enables light to shine on work screens (i.e., computers, laptops, smart screens, etc.) from many angles, creating a glare that can be bothersome to the eyes. This light may include natural sunlight, as well as light illuminated from overhead lights or desk lamps. Accordingly, light shades may be useful to help block at least a portion of the light that may create a glare on a work screen.
The screen 12 is a light-weight screen 12 that can be easily supported by the stand 14. The screen 12 may be composed of a foam board, plastic panel, fabric panel, or any other light-weight material capable of being supported above a user's workspace and casting shade on a user's workspace. Referring to
The illustrated screen 12 is coupled to the stand 14 at a location offset from the center of the screen 12. More particularly, the stand 14 is coupled to the screen 12 at a location midway between the long edges of the screen 12, but closer to one of the short edges of the screen 12. Such an arrangement allows a majority of the screen 12 to be positioned over a user, but still somewhat balanced over the stand 14. In some embodiments, the screen 12 may be coupled to the stand 14 at the center of the screen 12. In other embodiments, the screen 12 may be coupled to the stand 14 at or near an edge of the screen 12.
In the illustrated embodiment, the stand 14 is an elongated cylindrical tube. However, in other embodiments, the stand 14 and the screen 12 may have other shapes and sizes. For example, the stand 14 can be a height that is appropriate for use on top of a work surface, as shown in
The stand 14 includes a first portion 18 that is stiff and supportive and a second portion 20 that is flexible and movable relative to the first portion 18. The first portion 18 and the second portion 20 may have various ratios relative to one another. For example, in some embodiments, the first portion 18 and the second portion 20 may be approximately equal lengths (e.g., the second portion 20 is ½ the height of the stand 14). In other embodiments, the second portion 20 may be greater than or less than the length of the first portion 18. For example, the second portion 20 may be ⅓ the height of the stand 14. In some embodiments, the second, flexible portion 20 may be the entire stand 14 such that the stand does not include a first, stiff portion. In further embodiments, the second, flexible portion 20 may be a middle portion of the stand 14 positioned between two stiff portions of the stand 14.
The first portion 18 is composed of a stiff material that maintains a generally straight (i.e., non-curvy) shape. Accordingly, the first portion 18 defines a longitudinal axis A extending along its length. For example, the first portion 18 may be composed of steel, aluminum, wood, hard plastic, or other material that can be used to support the second portion 20 and the screen 12 in an upright position. In other embodiments, the first portion 18 may have other shapes that retain their shape (i.e., non-flexible shape) in order to provide support for the second portion 20. For example, in some embodiments, the first portion 18 may have a curvy shape that is fixed and non-flexible. In this embodiment, the axis A of the first portion 18 is defined by a line extending between a first end and a second end of the first portion 18.
The second portion 20 of the stand 14 is flexible relative to the first portion 18 of the stand 14 and can be used to adjust the position and the orientation of the screen 12. For example, the second portion 20 can extend upwards in a generally straight direction along the axis A defined by the first portion 18, as shown in
Additionally, the second portion 20 of the stand 14 can be twisted in order to rotate the screen 12 to different positions about the axis A. For example, twisting the second portion 20 may rotate the screen 12 from a forward facing position, as shown in
Furthermore, the second portion 20 of the stand 14 may be bent in order to tilt the screen 12 to different angles. For example, as shown in
Similarly, the second portion 20 of the stand 14 may be used to shift the screen 12 on or off-axis. For example, as shown in
The positions and the orientations described can also be used in conjunction with one another in order to adjust the screen 12 to the user's desired shade position. For example, the second portion 20 of the stand 14 may shift the screen 12 off-axis while also tilting the screen 12 to an angle that is not parallel to the plane P1 defined by the axis A of the first portion 18 of the stand 14. The ability of the screen 12 to be positions and oriented in a variety of angles allows a user to adjust the screen 12 to block more or less light from reaching a work screen 12 or work area. In addition, this flexibility allows the screen 12 to be repositioned to track movement of the sun throughout the day.
The light shade 10 may also include an attachment member 22 that enables the light shade 10 to be removably coupled to a desk 16 or a tabletop. The attachment member 22 is coupled to an end of the stand 14 opposite from the screen 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment member 22 is an edge clamp that grips the edge of a worksurface. In other embodiments, the attachment member may include threaded connections, weights, or other connections capable of removably coupling the light shade 10 to a desk 16. In some embodiments, the light shade 10 may be coupled to the desk 16 by magnets or an adhesive. In further embodiments, the light shade 10 may be coupled to the desk 16 by a dedicated or universal receptacle (e.g., a threaded hole, an accessory track, etc.) of the desk 16. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the light shade 10 may be permanently fixed to a desk 16.
In the illustrated embodiment, the screen 12 is directly connected to the second portion 20 of the stand 14 without any joints, hinges, or the like therebetween. In some embodiments, the stand 14 may be rotatably connected to the clamp assembly 22 through a ball joint, hinge, or other pivotable connection. Similarly, in some embodiments, the stand 14 may be rotatably connected to the screen 12 through a ball joint, hinge, or other pivotable connection.
Furthermore, in some embodiments, the stand 14 may include an accessory hook 24 for hanging accessories such as headphones, keys, a water bottle, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the accessory hook 24 is a single post extending in an upward direction from the first portion 18 of the stand 14. In other embodiments, the accessory hook 24 may include a plurality of posts for hanging multiple accessories.
In the illustrated embodiment, the base 126 supports a first light shade 110A and a second light shade 110B spaced apart from one another. In other embodiments, the light shade assembly 100 includes a greater number of light shades 110. With continued reference to
The light shades 110 illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the light shade assembly 200 include three screens 212, which each have the same size and shape. Specifically, each of the screens 212 has a triangular shape of the same size. The illustrated screens 212 are generally spaced circumferentially apart in equal amounts. However, in other embodiments, the screens 212 may have other sizes and shapes. For example, the screens 212 may be rectangular, circular, organic, etc. Likewise, the screens 212 may each have a different size and shape relative to one another. Moreover, in some embodiments, the light shade assembly 200 may include a greater or fewer number of screens 212.
Similar to the light shade assembly 200 illustrated in
Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. An articulated light shade comprising:
- a stand having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being stiffer than the second portion, the first portion defining a longitudinal axis, the second portion being flexible such that the second portion is movable relative to the first portion; and
- a screen coupled to the second portion of the stand, wherein the screen is rotatable about the longitudinal axis and tiltable relative to the longitudinal axis.
2. The articulated light shade of claim 1, wherein the screen is adjustable between a first height and a second height.
3. The articulated light shade of claim 1, wherein the screen is a rectangular shape.
4. The articulated light shade of claim 3, wherein the screen is between 30 and 40 inches in length.
5. The articulated light shade of claim 4, wherein the screen is between 20 and 30 inches in width.
6. The articulated light shade of claim 1, wherein the stand is between 30 and 40 inches in height.
7. The articulated light shade of claim 6, wherein the second portion of the stand is ½ or less than an overall height of the stand.
8. The articulated light shade of claim 6, wherein the second portion of the stand is ⅓ or less than an overall height of the stand.
9. The articulated light shade of claim 1, wherein the screen is coupled to the second portion of the stand at an off center location on the screen.
10. The articulated light shade of claim 1, further including an accessory hook disposed on the first portion of the stand.
11. The articulated light shade of claim 1, further including an attachment member disposed on the first portion of the stand, the attachment member configured to removably couple the stand to a piece of furniture.
12. The articulated light shade of claim 1, wherein the light shade is configured to be free-standing from a ground surface.
13. An articulated light shade assembly comprising:
- a base for supporting the articulated light shade assembly;
- a first flexible stand extending from the base;
- a first screen coupled to the first flexible stand, wherein the first screen is movable relative to a first axis;
- a second flexible stand extending from the base; and
- a second screen coupled to the second flexible stand, wherein the second screen is movable relative to a second axis,
- wherein the second axis is spaced apart from the first axis, and wherein the first axis extends parallel to the second axis.
14. The articulated light shade assembly of claim 13, wherein the first flexible stand includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being stiffer than the second portion, the first portion defining the first axis, the second portion being flexible such that the second portion is movable relative to the first portion.
15. The articulated light shade assembly of claim 13, wherein the first flexible stand and the second flexible stand have similar heights.
16. The articulated light shade assembly of claim 13, wherein the first screen is rotatable and tiltable relative to the first axis, and wherein the second screen is rotatable and tiltable relative to the second axis.
17. The articulated light shade assembly of claim 13, wherein the first flexible stand is fixedly attached to the base.
18. The articulated light shade assembly of claim 13, wherein the first screen and the second screen have triangular shapes.
19. An articulated light shade comprising:
- a stand having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end, wherein at least a portion of the stand between the first end and the second end is flexible;
- a screen coupled to the first end of the stand, the screen being a planar panel; and
- an attachment member coupled to the second end of the stand, the attachment member configured to removably couple the stand to a piece of furniture.
20. The articulated light shade of claim 19, wherein the screen is a rectangular shape.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 26, 2020
Publication Date: Jun 23, 2022
Inventors: Jesse Hill (Baltimore, MD), Sathishkumar Sampath (Holland, MI)
Application Number: 17/428,547