CUSTOMIZABLE SCREEN

FIELD

The disclosure relates to privacy structures, more particularly to customizable screens, customizable screen kits, customizable screen systems, components thereof and methods of assembly thereof.

BACKGROUND

Conventional wooden fence systems while useful for defining property boundaries, are not convenient for installation nor suitable for certain defined and/or confined outdoor areas such as on patios, decks, porches and the like. They are also not suitable or convenient to install simply for certain uses such as concealing unattractive outdoor features such as garbage bins and air conditioning units. Changing or moving a fence is tedious or not possible.

Outdoor privacy panels providing a single design may be more convenient for use for privacy compared to a fence, however, often they are not adequately structurally stable, may lack durability, are difficult to assemble and mount and are characterless. Further, once damaged by weathering or other means, they must simply be discarded.

The discussion of the background herein is included to explain the context of the inventions described herein. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known, or part of the common general knowledge as of the priority date of any of the claims.

SUMMARY

It is desirable to provide a durable customizable screen and screen system that is simple to assemble, disassemble and reassemble again as desired without the need for tools or any special skills to create a variety of different esthetic design looks with varying degrees of privacy. The modular customizable screen and screen system is fully adjustable with respect to esthetic design, degree of privacy and expandable vertically and/or horizontally. Screens may be extended by connecting 2 or more screens creating a screen system forming a personalized residential boundary.

Embodiments of the invention generally are directed to a customizable screen that comprises components that are easy to assemble without hardware and without special skills to provide varying levels of privacy as well as different esthetic configurations using the same components. No field cutting or special tooling is required nor any drilling. The customizable screen is free standing but can also be secured to different types of surfaces. The customizable screen is portable such that it can be moved and positioned to different areas. The customizable screen is height adjustable for different applications.

Further embodiments are directed to a customizable screen system that comprises two or more customizable screens as described herein connected in a desired arrangement that also requires no hardware or special skills. Embodiments are also directed to components of the customizable screen that may form the basis of a customizable screen kit comprising one or more of: slats for slidably engaging within slots of a vertical support member (post); privacy spacers that are reversibly slidably insertable into the slots of the vertical support member; slat locker(s); a reversibly connectable two piece vertical support member(s), each piece comprising a longitudinally extending slot that aligns when the two pieces are connected; a base member; post cap(s), post cap connector(s); and instructions for assembly.

In accordance with the invention is a personalized residential boundary comprising:

two posts separated from each other, each of the posts comprising a two reversibly connected segments and a slot formed transversely in and extending longitudinally along the connected segments;

a plurality of reversible slats slidably and detachably mounted between the posts in the slots of the posts, each of the reversible slats having two opposite ends respectively detachably connected with the slots of the posts; and

means for retaining one or more of the plurality of reversible slats at a desired distance from one or more of the other reversible slats to provide varying sizes of gaps between one or more of the plurality of reversible slats.

In accordance with a further aspect is a personalized residential boundary comprising:

two posts separated from each other, each of the posts comprising a two reversibly connected segments and a slot formed transversely in and extending longitudinally along the connected segments;

wherein the upper slat arrangement is the same or different to the lower slat arrangement,

and wherein the upper slat arrangement can be disconnected from the lower slat arrangement to change one or more of the slats in the lower slat arrangement.

In accordance with an aspect is a customizable screen comprising two spaced apart posts, a plurality of slats retained between the spaced apart posts, and a plurality of privacy spacers for spacing one or more of the plurality of slats to provide a desired degree of privacy.

In accordance with a further aspect is a customizable screen comprising two spaced apart posts, a plurality of slats retained between the spaced apart posts, and means for spacing one or more of the plurality of slats at a desired vertical location on the posts, wherein each of the posts comprises two reversibly connected segments.

In accordance with an example of an embodiment of the invention is a customizable screen comprising:

a plurality of slats extending between a pair of vertical support members, each of said vertical support members comprising a longitudinally extending slot, each slat of said plurality of slats comprising a first end and a second end adapted to reversibly slidingly engage within the slot of the vertical support member, and

means to retain any one or more of the plurality of slats vertically spaced apart from any other of the one or more of the plurality of slats to provide for varying degrees of vertical gaps between the one or more of the plurality of slats.

In accordance with an example of a further embodiment of the invention is a customizable screen comprising:

a plurality of slats extending between a pair of vertical support members, each of said vertical support members comprising a pair of vertical segments each with a longitudinally extending slot, the pair of vertical segments reversibly coupled together to form one extended support member with a continuous longitudinally extending slot;

wherein each slat of said plurality of slats comprises a first end and a second end adapted to reversibly slidingly engage within the slot of the vertical support member, and

means to retain any one or more of the plurality of slats in a horizontally spaced apart orientation to provide for varying degrees of gaps between the one or more of the plurality of slats corresponding to varying degrees of privacy.

In accordance with an example of a further embodiment of the invention is a customizable screen comprising:

two posts separated from each other at a distance, each of the posts comprising reversibly connected upper and lower portions and a slot formed transversely in and extending continuously longitudinally along the upper and lower portions;

a plurality of slats slidably and detachably mounted in the mounting slots of the posts between the posts, each of the detachable slats having two opposite ends with a C shaped recessed profile; and

In accordance with a further example of an embodiment of the invention is a slat, the slat comprising:

an elongated body portion having first and second ends and a center portion, the center portion comprising a front face with a first design and a back face with a second design,

the first and second ends comprising a C-shaped recessed profile that is different to the body portion profile.

In accordance with a further example of an embodiment of the invention is a slat, the slat comprising:

an elongated body portion having first and second ends and a center portion, the center portion comprising a front face with a first design and a back face with a second design,

the first and second ends comprising a substantially C-shaped profile with a recessed body portion that is configured to be removably slidable with a channel of a support.

In accordance with a further aspect is a reversible slat, the reversible slat comprising:

a body portion including a front face defining a first design and a back face defining a second design;

first and second ends each comprising a profile for slidably engaging within a channel.

In accordance with a further aspect is a reversible slat, the reversible slat comprising:

a body portion including a front face defining a first design and a back face defining a second design;

first and second ends each comprising a C-shaped profile with a recessed center portion,

wherein the profile of the first and second ends is larger than the profile of the body portion.

In aspects the slat is injection molded from a plastic. In aspects the plastic is recycled plastic. In further aspects the plastic comprises crumb rubber.

In accordance with an aspect is a post, the post comprising:

a first and a second post segment each comprising a body portion with a transverse slot; and

a connector that reversibly connects an open end of the first post segment to an open end of the second post segment in a manner that aligns the transverse slot of each first and second post segments.

In accordance with a further aspect is a post cap for reversibly securing to an open end of a post, the post cap comprising:

a cap body having a frame;

an integral connection means on an internal surface of the frame in the form of projections for aligning with and threading through an aperture of a connector;

wherein each side of the frame has a narrow opening to accommodate the connector.

In accordance with a further example of an embodiment of the invention is a screen system, comprising two or more connected customizable screens of the invention.

In accordance with a further example of an embodiment of the invention is a kit comprising components for a customizable screen, the kit comprising a combination of one or more of: reversible slats for slidably and detachably engaging within slots of a vertical support member; privacy spacers that are reversibly slidably insertable into slots of the vertical support member; slat locker(s); reversibly connectable two piece vertical support members, each piece comprising a longitudinally extending slot that aligns when the two pieces are connected; a base for each post; post cap(s), post cap connector(s); and instructions for assembly.

In accordance with a further example of an embodiment of the invention are methods for assembling a customizable screen as described herein.

Maintenance of the customizable screen is simple. In order to clean the customizable screen as described herein, one need only occasionally wash with water using a hose and optionally a light detergent. In addition, any damage such as damage by vandalism can be easily rectified by removing and replacing the damaged slats in the normal manner as described herein without the need to disassemble the entire screen.

Advantageously, the customizable screen, screen system/partition comprising one or more of the screens disclosed herein are easy to assemble, disassemble, reassemble, ship, transport, and construct into a variety of suitable configurations and arrangements to provide a desired level of privacy and a desired esthetic look.

Non-Limiting Aspects:

1. A personalized residential boundary comprising:

two posts separated from each other, each of the posts comprising a two reversibly connected segments and a slot formed transversely in and extending longitudinally along the connected segments;

2. A personalized residential boundary comprising:

two posts separated from each other, each of the posts comprising a two reversibly connected segments and a slot formed transversely in and extending longitudinally along the connected segments;

wherein the upper slat arrangement is the same or different to the lower slat arrangement, and wherein the upper slat arrangement can be disconnected from the lower slat arrangement to change one or more of the slats in the lower slat arrangement.

3. A customizable screen comprising two spaced apart posts, a plurality of slats retained between the spaced apart posts, and a plurality of privacy spacers for spacing one or more of the plurality of slats to provide a desired degree of privacy.

4. A customizable screen comprising two spaced apart posts, a plurality of slats retained between the spaced apart posts, and means for spacing one or more of the plurality of slats at a desired vertical location on the posts, wherein each of the posts comprises two reversibly connected segments.

5. A customizable screen comprising:

6. A customizable screen comprising:

wherein each slat of said plurality of slats comprises a first end and a second end adapted to reversibly slidingly engage within the slot of the vertical support member, and

7. A customizable screen comprising:

a plurality of slats slidably and detachably mounted in the mounting slots of the posts between the posts, each of the detachable slats having two opposite ends with a C shaped recessed profile; and

8. A slat, the slat comprising:

an elongated body portion having first and second ends and a center portion, the center portion comprising a front face with a first design and a back face with a second design,

the first and second ends comprising a C-shaped recessed profile that is different to the body portion profile.

9. A slat, the slat comprising:

an elongated body portion having first and second ends and a center portion, the center portion comprising a front face with a first design and a back face with a second design,

the first and second ends comprising a substantially C-shaped profile with a recessed body portion that is configured to be removably slidable with a channel of a support.

10. A reversible slat comprising:

a body portion including a front face defining a first design and a back face defining a second design;

first and second ends each comprising a profile for slidably engaging within a channel.

11. A reversible slat, the reversible slat comprising:

a body portion including a front face defining a first design and a back face defining a second design;

first and second ends each comprising a C-shaped profile with a recessed center portion,

wherein the profile of the first and second ends is larger than the profile of the body portion.

In aspects the slat is injection molded from a plastic. In aspects the plastic is recycled plastic. In further aspects the plastic comprises crumb rubber.

12. A post, the post comprising:

a first and a second post segment each comprising a body portion with a transverse slot; and

13. A post cap for reversibly securing to an open end of a post, the post cap comprising:

a cap body having a frame;

an integral connection means on an internal surface of the frame in the form of projections for aligning with and threading through an aperture of a connector;

wherein each side of the frame has a narrow opening to accommodate the connector.

14. A screen system, comprising two or more connected customizable screens of any one of claims 3 to 7.

15. A customizable screen kit comprising a combination of one or more of: reversible slats for slidably and detachably engaging within slots of a vertical support member; privacy spacers that are reversibly slidably insertable into slots of the vertical support member; slat locker(s); reversibly connectable two piece vertical support members, each piece comprising a longitudinally extending slot that aligns when the two pieces are connected; a base for each post; post cap(s), post cap connector(s); and instructions for assembly.

16. A partition comprising a screen of any one of claims 3 to 7.

17. A screen comprising the slat of any one of claims 8 to 11.

18. A screen comprising the post of claim 12 and/or the post cap of claim 13.

19. A plurality of interconnected partitions of claim 16.

20. A kit comprising components of a screen of any one of claims 3 to 7.

21. The kit of claim 20, wherein the components are selected from the group consisting of one or more two part connected posts with an aligned slot therein, a plurality of reversible slats, a plurality of privacy spacers, a plurality of slat lockers, a plurality of base members and combinations thereof.

Yet in further aspects of the invention is provided:

1. A modular screen, comprising:

a plurality of reversible slats slidably and detachably mounted between two spaced apart posts in parallel arrangement;

means for retaining one or more of the plurality of the reversible slats at a distance from one or more of the other reversible slats to provide gaps of the same or different sizes between the one or more of the plurality of reversible slats, and

means to fix at least one of the plurality of reversible slats between the spaced apart posts.

2. The screen of claim 1, wherein each of the two posts comprise two reversibly connected segments.

3. The screen of claim 2, wherein the two reversibly connected segments are joined with a connector.

4. The screen of claim 3, wherein each of said posts comprises a slot formed transversely in and extending longitudinally along the connected segments.

5. The screen of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of reversible slats has two opposite ends respectively that slide within the slot of the posts.

6. The screen of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said plurality of reversible slats form a lower and an upper slat arrangement.

7. The screen of claim 6, wherein the upper slat arrangement is the same or different to the lower slat arrangement, and wherein the upper slat arrangement can be disconnected from the lower slat arrangement to change one or more of the slats in the lower slat arrangement.

8. A customizable screen comprising two spaced apart posts, a plurality of slats retained in parallel between the spaced apart posts, and a plurality of privacy spacers for spacing one or more of the plurality of slats at a distance from one or more of the other slats to provide a desired degree of privacy.

9. A modular screen comprising:

10. A customizable screen comprising:

spaced apart posts, each of the posts comprising reversibly connected upper and lower portions and a slot formed transversely in and extending continuously longitudinally along the upper and lower portions;

a plurality of slats slidably and detachably mounted in the mounting slots of the posts between the posts, each of the detachable slats having two opposite ends with a C shaped recessed profile; and

means to retain any one or more of the plurality of slats in a horizontally parallel spaced apart orientation to provide for varying degrees of gaps between the one or more of the plurality of slats.

11. A slat, for use in the screen of any one of claims 1 to 10, the slat comprising:

an elongated body portion having first and second ends and a center portion, the center portion comprising a front face with a first design and a back face with a second design,

the first and second ends comprising a C-shaped recessed profile that is different to the body portion profile.

12. A slat, for use in the screen of any one of claims 1 to 10, the slat comprising:

an elongated body portion having first and second ends and a center portion, the center portion comprising a front face with a first design and a back face with a second design,

the first and second ends comprising a substantially C-shaped profile with a recessed body portion that is configured to be removably slidable with a channel of a support.

13. A reversible slat for use in the screen of any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising:

a body portion including a front face defining a first design and a back face defining a second design;

first and second ends each comprising a profile for slidably engaging within a channel.

14. A reversible slat, for use in the screen of any one of claims 1 to 10, the reversible slat comprising:

a body portion including a front face defining a first design and a back face defining a second design;

first and second ends each comprising a C-shaped profile with a recessed center portion,

wherein the profile of the first and second ends is larger than the profile of the body portion.

15. The screen of any one of claims 1 to 10 or the slat of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the slat comprises thermoplastic polymers, resins and/or elastomers.

16. The screen of any one of claims 1 to 10 or the slat of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the slat is injected molded from compositions comprising plastic, recycled plastic, recycled crumb rubber and mixtures thereof.

17. The screen of any one of claims 1 to 10 or the slat of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the slat comprises polyolefin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, polyisoprene, polypentene and mixtures thereof.

18. The screen of any one of claims 1 to 10 or the slat of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the slat comprises a recycled source.

19. A post, for use in the screen of any one of claims 1 to 10, the post comprising: a first and a second post segment each comprising a body portion with a transverse slot; and

20. A post cap for use with the screen of any one of claims 1 to 10, for reversibly securing to an open end of the post, the post cap comprising:

a cap body having a frame;

an integral connection means on an internal surface of the frame in the form of projections for aligning with and threading through an aperture of a connector;

wherein each side of the frame has a narrow opening to accommodate the connector.

21. A screen system, comprising two or more connected customizable screens of any one of claims 1 to 10 or the slat of any one of claims 11 to 14.

22. A customizable screen kit comprising a combination of one or more of: at least one reversible slat; at least one privacy spacer; at least one slat locker; at least one two piece connectable vertical support members; at least one base member; at least one spike; at least one post cap; at least one post cap connector; at least one external post connector support and associated hardware; at least one elongate support with hook; and instructions for assembly.

23. A partition comprising a screen of any one of claims 1 to 10.

24. A screen comprising the slat of any one of claims 11 to 14.

25. A screen comprising the post of claim 19 and/or the post cap of claim 20.

26. A plurality of interconnected partitions of claim 23.

27. A kit comprising components of a screen of any one of claims 1 to 11.

28. The kit of claim 19, wherein the components are selected from the group consisting of one or more two part connected posts with an aligned slot therein, a plurality of reversible slats, a plurality of privacy spacers, a plurality of slat lockers, a plurality of base members and combinations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following description of typical aspects described herein will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings aspects which are presently typical. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities of the aspects shown in the drawings. It is noted that like reference numerals refer to like elements across different embodiments as shown in the drawings and referred to in the description.

The description herein will be more fully understood in view of the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the customizable screen in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the customizable screen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a partial exploded view of the post member, showing two body segments, a post connector and an optional external post connector support;

FIG. 2B shows the assembled post member of FIG. 2A fitted with the external post connector support;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged partial front perspective view of the customizable screen in FIG. 1 showing the slidable connection of the ends of the slats into the slots of the post member and one embodiment of a privacy spacer;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged partial back perspective view of the customizable screen of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of a customizable screen in accordance with the invention showing locations for securement of a slat;

FIG. 4B is a partial enlarged portion of the bottom slats of the screen of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is an enlarged partial transparent back view of a portion of FIG. 4B showing the bottom slat “locked” at a position within the slot of the post member with the use of a slat locker;

FIG. 4D is a front transparent view of FIG. 4C;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged front perspective view of an end portion of a slat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is an enlarged back perspective view of the slat of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a front plan view of a slat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view of the slat of FIG. 5C taken along lines C-C;

FIG. 6A shows one embodiment of slat spacing of a screen;

FIG. 6B shows a spacer used to space the slats in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C shows an assembled customizable screen of the invention incorporating the spacer of FIG. 6B;

FIG. 7A shows a further embodiment of slat spacing of a screen;

FIG. 7B shows a spacer used to space the slats in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C shows an assembled customizable screen of the invention incorporating the spacer of FIG. 7B;

FIG. 7D shows a partial exploded view of stacked slats incorporating the spacer of FIG. 7B, the slats have a weave design;

FIGS. 8A to 8E show examples of a variety of embodiments of the customizable privacy screen with varying degrees of privacy and different designs in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8F shows a partial view of a further embodiment of the weave slat design, incorporating elongate hooks woven therethrough for hanging/suspending the screen;

FIG. 9 shows two connected privacy screens joined at a 90 degree angle forming a screen system for use as a personalized residential boundary;

FIG. 10 is enlarged partial view of 2 adjacent free standing post bases each with a received end of a post member;

FIG. 10A is an enlarged partial view of a further embodiment of a post base for securing at one side to an end of a post member with fasteners;

FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of a spike for use to engage the bottom end of the post member for anchoring the screen into the ground;

FIG. 10C shows that the spike of FIG. 10B can be used together with the post base of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial top perspective view of the screen system of FIG. 9 showing post caps attached to the top of the posts and post connectors;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged and partially transparent view of two connected customizable screens showing the positioning of the post connector; and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged and partially transparent bottom view of two connected customizable screens showing the positioning of the post connector with respect to the post caps.

DESCRIPTION

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. The publications and applications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice for testing of the present invention, the typical materials and methods are described herein.

It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting.

The articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element.

As used herein, the terms “invention” or “present invention” are non-limiting terms and not intended to refer to any single aspect of the particular invention but encompass all possible aspects as described in the specification and the claims.

As used herein the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, ‘having’ and their inflections and conjugates denote ‘including but not limited to’ and are to be understood to be open-ended, e.g., to mean including but not limited to.

As used herein, the term “about” refers to variation in the numerical quantity. In one aspect, the term “about” means within 10% of the reported numerical value. In another aspect, the term “about” means within 5% of the reported numerical value. Yet, in another aspect, the term “about” means within 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1% of the reported numerical value.

Should a range of values be recited, it is merely for convenience or brevity and includes all the possible sub-ranges as well as individual numerical values within and about the boundary of that range. Any numeric value, unless otherwise specified, includes also practical close values and integral values do not exclude fractional values. Sub-range values and practically close values should be considered as specifically disclosed values.

It will be understood that any component defined herein as being included may be explicitly excluded from the claimed invention by way of proviso or negative limitation.

As may be used herein, the terms ‘preferred’, ‘preferably’, ‘typical’, ‘typically’ or ‘optionally’ do not limit the scope of the invention or embodiments thereof.

As may be used herein the term ‘substantially’ (or synonyms thereof) denote with respect to the context a measure or extent or amount or degree that encompass a large part or most of a referenced entity, or an extent at least moderately or much greater or larger or more effective or more important relative to a referenced entity or with respect to the referenced subject matter.

As used herein the term ‘may’ denotes an option or an effect which is either or not included and/or used and/or implemented and/or occurs, yet the option constitutes at least a part of some embodiments of the invention or consequence thereof, without limiting the scope of the invention.

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, e.g., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified unless clearly indicated to the contrary.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, e.g., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (e.g. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.”

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

As used herein “a plurality” is understood to be any number greater than one. “Plurality” means “two or more”.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

The invention in embodiments and in aspects provides a customizable screen, a partition including one or more of the customizable screens and a partition system that may include a plurality of interconnected partitions forming a variety of configurations and arrangements.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a customizable screen 10 in accordance with the present invention has two post members 12, a plurality of slats 14 separated by gaps 16 and a base member 18 supporting the bottom of each post 12. The slats 14 are slidably received within slots of the posts 10 (better shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B). The slats 14 are arranged/vertically stacked in a horizontal configuration creating a panel. It is clear that the plurality of slats are retained within the slots of the two opposing posts and no other connection hardware is required. It is understood that the term “slot” can be interchangeably used with “channel” as both refer to a defined transverse section of the post for securing/receiving/mounting the plurality of slats in a desired defined configuration.

With reference to FIG. 2, each post member 12 is an elongated post body comprised of substantially two identical/similar post body segments 20A and 20B connected with a post connector 22. As better seen in FIG. 2A, each end 22A of the post connector 22 inserts into open ends 24A and 24B of each post segment 20A and 20B to securely form one elongated post 12 that can be securely connected and disconnected as desired. The post segments can be fabricated of any desired length. In aspects, the post segments are about 3 feet long. Furthermore, while two post segments are shown, it is within the scope of the invention to connect a third post segment forming a longer post 12.

The post connector 22 is directly connects together the two post open ends 24a, 24b end to end along one continuous axis. The connection is mechanically secure and substantially resistant to tensile, bending and torsional forces. An optional external post connector support 23 can be secured about the post connection joint 23a as seen in FIG. 2B. the external post connector support 23 is shown to be mountable via screws into pre-drilled holes located at each open end 24a, 24b of the post body segment. Alternatively, the external post connector support 23 can take the form of a clamp such as a pressurized or spring type clamp. The post connector 22 will have a housing with each end 22a sized for entrance/to be received into an end 24a, 24b of the post body segment 20a, 20b by virtue of being dimensioned with a reduced diameter/size configuration compared to the post profile. The post connector 22 can be made from a variety of suitable materials as understood by one of skill in the art (for example metal, plastic and rubber) by a variety of methods and be configured in a variety of manners to connect and securely retain two aligned post body segments 20a, 20b.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B the slidable engagement of the slats 14 into a post is shown. The post member 12 is formed as a elongate body with a slot/channel 28, the slot extending transversely along the post body and dimensioned to receive by sliding engagement an end portion 30 of the slat 14. The slot 28 shown is formed on one side of the post body and is in a T-shape configuration. When the post segments are connected each of their transverse elongated slots align to form one longitudinal continuous slot/channel that functions like a track for engaging each end of a slat allowing for vertical stacking of slats 14. A wall of the slot has apertures 32 located along the length of the post body. Each slat 14 is shown to be separated by a privacy spacer 34 that is configured for insertion into the slot 28 and can slide vertically within the slot 28 of the post body. The privacy spacer functions to support and separate the end portion 30 of the slat 14, that is received within the slot 28, at a distance from another end portion 30 of an adjacent slat 14 thus forming a gap 16 between two vertically adjacent stacked slats. The spacers can be stacked on top of each other to provide wider gaps as desired. The size of the gaps between one or more of the slats, or group of slats, as well as the arrangement of the plurality of slats is done and determined by the end user in accordance with an amount of privacy desired and/or esthetic look.

The post member 12 can be made from a variety of materials as is understood by one of skill in the art. In aspects, the post body 26 can be made of wood, plastic (for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC)), metals, rust proof metals (for example steel or aluminum). In aspects, the post body is made of aluminum. While the slot 28 is shown to be an internal transverse T shape, it is understood by one of skill in the art that this is a non-limiting embodiment. The T shaped slot can further be provided on one or more sides of the post body 26. Further it is within the scope of the invention to include embodiments where the T shaped slot is fabricated external to the profile shape of the post body on one or more sides thereof. In further embodiments the slot can be configured into other shapes such as triangular, oval, rectangular and so forth so long as the end portion 30 of a slat can be inserted and movable therein.

With reference to FIGS. 4A to 4D, securement of a slat 14 in a fixed position within the post members 12 is shown. This can be any of the slats, however, the bottom most slat in both the top and the bottom part of the screen is typically the fixed slat as it provides the non-slip feature of the stacked slats.

FIG. 4A shows a screen 10 with slats fixed/held within the post member 12 in the top or the bottom portions of the screen. In general it is desired to fix/lock the bottom most slat in both the top (T) and bottom (B) half of the screen. In the top half of the screen this is typically just above the post connection joint 23a. FIG. 4B more closely shows the bottom slat 14 of the bottom portion of the screen fixed at a position. The bottom most slat 14 is fixed/held at a certain distance relative to the ground or the base member. The enlarged views FIGS. 4C and 4D show that the slat end portion is supported/held in place by a slat locker 38 which is a boss/stopper or a threaded screw that engages with one of the apertures 32 of the slot 28 of the post member 12. Any similar type means to the boss/stopper is within the scope of the invention such as for example a threaded screw so long as it can be retained within the aperture and sufficiently retain the end of the slat.

The apertures are provided spaced apart along the length of the post member 14. In this manner, the fixed slat is prevented from further movement downward in the slot/channel 28 of the post member. This has advantages when replacing/substituting or re-arranging the slats. Should it only be desired that the slats located on the bottom portion of the screen, below the post connection joint 23a, be changed, or rearranged, the entire screen 10 need not be taken apart. The entire top portion of the screen can be removed as one piece by simultaneously disconnecting the post connector on each opposing post and lifting the top portion of the screen and setting it aside. A boss/stopper or a threaded screw 40 inserted into an aperture 32 of the channel of the post members just below the bottom slat of the top portion holds each end of the slat in place so it doesn't slide out of the channel. The slats on the bottom portion of the screen can then be arranged/removed as desired and the top portion of the screen can then be reassembled. Thus fixing the bottom slat on the top portion of the screen at both ends allows such dismantling of the screen making the customization of the screen more convenient. It is also within the scope of the invention that the bottom slat of the bottom half of the screen is not fixed but simply left to abut the base member or the ground depending on the configuration of the base member.

FIGS. 4C and 4D more clearly show the boss/stopper to “fix” the slat in place from front and rear views, the post partially transparent. The slat locker 38 is firmly retained with the aperture 32 preventing the end of the slat 30 that rests directly thereon from sliding down. As used to support each end portion of a slat on each opposing post, the slat locker can be inserted and retained within any of the apertures 32 in the post member to hold the bottom most slat in a desired location depending on the design and number of slats desired.

With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B the structure of a slat 14 of one embodiment of the invention is shown in greater detail. The slat comprises a body with a front face 42 being substantially smooth and a back face 44 comprising decorative ribs. The slat is typically made with different patterns on each of the front and back faces. Both front 42 and back 44 faces are recessed with flanged surfaces 46 creating a border substantially around the face. The slot receiving structure 48 at the end portion 30 of a slat 14 has a substantially C shaped frame in cross-section (FIGS. 5C and 5D) with flanged inner surfaces 50 terminating at a recessed central portion 52 that is essentially defined by the thickness of the slat body. Any flanged surfaces can be sloped or substantially parallel. The slot receiving structure is thus seen to be dimensioned larger (that is wider and longer) than the body portion of the slat (FIG. 5D). The C-shaped frame is shown with bevelled edges with the top 54 and bottom 56 of the C-shaped frame being substantially flat. In this manner both slot receiving structures at the ends of each slat can rest directly on other slot receiving structures if so desired. This would leave a small gap between the top of the body of the slat and a directly adjacent slat that is much smaller than a gap formed with the use of a privacy spacer of the invention.

The C-shaped frame of the slot receiving body is shaped and dimensioned (see FIG. 3A) to correspondingly fit and slidingly engage within the slot of the post without twisting or rotational movement allowing for sliding movement through the length of the slot of the post. It does not fill the entirety of the slot due to its C-shape frame and recessed center. In other words, not every surface of the slot receiving body is in contact with an inner wall of the slot of the post.

It is understood by one of skill in the art that the slats can be made to have any type of pattern on the front and back face, or the same on both the front and back face.

The slat can be inserted in any orientation into the slots of the opposed posts to show the particular design. Thus the slats are completely reversible. The configuration of the slot receiving body on each of the slat allows for racking of slats in any orientation in either direction, top or bottom and therefore forming any desired pattern.

Slats of the invention can be made in varying lengths, widths, thicknesses and with any pattern on the front and back faces. Slats have some resiliency and can bend to some degree. Typical lengths are up to about 48″. Slats may be made by example by injection molding and may or may not include any integrated parts or components using a wide range of thermoplastic polymers, resins and elastomers. Slats can be injected molded from compositions comprising plastic, recycled plastic, recycled crumb rubber and mixtures thereof. Briefly in one aspect, injection molded slats may be generally made by pouring a raw plastic composition into a hopper, then heating injecting it into a custom mold. Pressure is used accommodate shrinkage and once the plastic molded slat has fully cooled, the mold is opened, and the slat removed. Slats of the invention can be also made incorporating techniques of over-molding and insert molding.

In aspects, the slats of the invention are made from a suitable polyolefin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, polyisoprene, polypentene and mixtures thereof. In aspects the polyolefin is polyethylene or polypropylene. The polyolefin can be from a recycled source.

In other aspects the polyolefin can further comprise admixed particles of crumb rubber to form a mixture for injection molding. In aspects, the crumb rubber can comprise a synthetic rubber selected from styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR— a copolymer of syrene and butadiene), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM— a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and a diene-component), ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), butadiene rubber (BR) and mixtures thereof. Any rubber source can be of a recycled nature. When heated at temperatures of about 140° C. to about 230° C., inclusive of any specific temperature in between, the polyolefin will melt about the crumb rubber. The amount of crumb rubber to polyolefin used in the composition for injection molding a slat is understood by one of skill in the art to range and can be up to about 25% by weight.

Up to about 10% by weight additives can be incorporated into the composition for injection molding as desired to improve and/or alter certain properties of the end product, as would be understood by a skilled person. These are selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, UV stabilizers, calcium carbonate, talc, flame retardants and combinations thereof. It is also understood that in embodiments of the invention, no additives are incorporated. Up to about 10% by weight colorant can be incorporated into the composition for injection molding as desired. It is also understood that in embodiments of the invention, no colorants may be incorporated.

With reference to FIGS. 6A to 6C, one non-limiting embodiment of a customizable screen is shown. In this embodiment a recessed privacy spacer 58 is shown and has a different configuration to the privacy spacer 34 shown in FIG. 3A. The recessed privacy spacer has a top portion 60 shaped to receive the bottom 56 of the slot receiving structure 48 therein for increased support. Similarly, the recessed privacy spacer has a bottom portion 62 shaped to receive the top 54 of the slot receiving structure 48 therein. This recessed privacy spacer is longer to provide a wider gap between each slat or group of slats as desired and further comprises an overall three dimensional shape corresponding to the shape of the slot of the post.

With reference to FIGS. 7A to 7C, a further non-limiting embodiment of a customizable screen is shown where the recessed privacy spacer 58 is still larger dimensioned in length (sized larger) and thus provides an even wider gap between two slats or a group of slats. FIG. 7D is an exploded view of a top portion of the screen showing the assembly of the spacers 58 between the spaced apart slats 14 for assembling the screen. The spacers 58 and end portions 30 of the slats 14 line up and slidingly engage within the slot of the post member. The slats in this embodiment have a weave design.

The privacy spacers can be injected molded from the same or similar compositions to that of the slats. They can be made of varying sizes to make different sized gaps between slats or groups of slats in the screen. Further, two or more can be stacked to provide a specific desired size of gap as would be understood by one of skill in the art.

With reference to FIGS. 8A to 8F different configurations/designs of the customizable screen are shown. The groupings of a number of reversible slats, with a one or the other slat design showing, can be arranged as desired. This provides for a wide range of esthetic looks and varying degrees of privacy, wind containment and or sun shading for any given use. FIG. 8F shows the weave embodiment of FIG. 7D incorporating elongate supports 70 woven vertically through the resilient weave pattern slats. The supports 70 terminate with hooks 72 suitable for hanging/suspending the screen.

It is understood that multiple customizable screens 10 of the present invention can be expanded by the addition of two or more screens to form an assembly or an enclosure acting as a residential boundary. FIG. 9 shows two customizable screens secured together at a 90 degree angle thus forming a customizable screen system/partition 80.

FIG. 10 shows two adjacent base members 18 providing free standing support for each screen and for the system. The base member is shown as a free standing base member comprising a housing 90 fixed to a substantially flat base support 94, the housing 90 for receiving and retaining a terminal end of the post. It is to be understood by one of skill in the art that the base member can be configured in any manner in straight or 90 degrees. It can be free standing or further comprise a means for fixing to a surface (for example, wood, concrete) such as by bolts/nails/screws or with the use of a ground spike engaged with the bottom of the post for driving into the earth. FIG. 10A shows a further embodiment of a stand alone base member 96 attachable to the terminal end of the post using fasteners 98. FIG. 10B shows a ground spike/stake 102 for securing each post into the ground. FIG. 10C shows that the base member 96 can be used in conjunction with the spike/stake 102 to secure each post of the screen both into the ground and to the ground from above.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show how the customizable screens are connected via a post cap 104 and post cap connector 106. The post cap 104 is detachably mounted on the top end of the post body to close the top opening thereof. The post cap is mated within the top end of the post body as seen in FIG. 12. The post cap is designed for flexibility in that it can connect with other post caps in a straight adjacent manner or at 90 degrees. The post cap comprises an integral connection means on an internal surface of its frame in the form of projections 108 designed to align with and thread through an aperture 110 of the post cap connector 106. Each side of the frame of the post cap 104 has a narrow opening 112 to closely accommodate the body of the post cap connector such that adjacent caps of screens can be securely connected at straight or 90 degree angles requiring no additional hardware. When the post cap is mounted to the top of the post, the projections 108 are positioned at locations away from the slot as seen in FIG. 13 but that are aligned with the narrow openings.

The post cap connector 106 is shown with two apertures 110 and can be made of the same material as the slats. It is sized to provide a close connection with an adjacent screen. The post cap connector can be made from plastic or metal (for example, zinc, aluminum and steel). The post cap can be fabricated as a two part assembly. The post cap can be injection molded using any plastic or recycled plastic. It can have any esthetic top shape such as flat topped, hipped, mansard or a more gothic look. It can have a top metal design portion.

It is within the scope of the invention that the post cap can be made and adapted for use to secure the bottom of the posts that are to be adjacently connected where the stand alone base can have openings to accommodate the protrusion of the post cap connector and the base is sized to accommodate the additional size of the flat cap.

In another embodiment of the invention, the elements described above can be packaged as a kit for an assemblable customizable screen. The kit does not require any hardware. The kit may comprise any combination of one or more of: at least one reversible slat; at least one privacy spacer; at least one slat locker; at least one two piece connectable vertical support members; at least one base member; at least one spike; at least one post cap; at least one post cap connector; at least one external post connector support and associated hardware; at least one elongate support with hook; and instructions for assembly. The kit is conveniently packaged within a size that is readily transportable by a purchaser. In aspects the kit comprises components to make one free-standing customizable screen with varying degrees of privacy and further allowing varying amounts of light and air to move therethrough. In further aspects the kit comprises components to make a free-standing customizable screen system/partition that comprises two connected screens.

In use, the screen is easily assembled. The invention includes methods for assembling a screen. The method comprises assembling two posts using the post connectors and each bottom open end of the post body is inserted into a base member or a spike or both as desired. A slat locker is inserted into each post at a desired location to define and secure the position of the lowest slat. The orientation of the slat is selected with respect to design and each end is inserted and slid through the slots of the posts into position. A selected size and number of privacy spacer can then be inserted. The next slat is then selected and the same procedure is followed. Any grouping of slats and design can be configured. The design can be made at a desired height. Once a screen is assembled, a post cap can be fastened to the top of each open post. The screen can be positioned as desired. The screen can readily be disassembled to change the amount of privacy (i.e. adjust the number and sizes of the gaps) as well as change the design by reversing one or more of the slats. Any one slat can be changed/repositioned. Slats positioned in the bottom part of the screen can be readily changed/replaced/repositioned without taking apart the entire screen by virtue of disconnecting the post segments and moving the top portion of the screen away. All of this can be done without the use of any hardware.

The descriptions of the various embodiments and/or examples of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments and/or examples disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

	Number	Date	Country
	62948313	Dec 2019	US
	62948368	Dec 2019	US

CUSTOMIZABLE SCREEN

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