Patent Grant
9920520
The present innovation relates to furniture such as privacy screen devices.
Privacy screens can be utilized to provide a visible barrier in a workplace setting or other setting. Examples of privacy screens can be appreciated from U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,365,798, 7,789,025, 6,896,028, 5,966,879, 5,675,946, 5,680,893, and 5,287,909, U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D653,862, D458,040, D457,359, and D427,783 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0304441.
A privacy screen apparatus is provided. In some embodiments, the privacy screen apparatus may be configured to be free standing on a desktop or floor while also being configured to be moveable into different configurations (e.g. positions or orientations) by a user who may adjust how the privacy screen apparatus is shaped or otherwise positioned. In other embodiments, a privacy screen apparatus can be configured to be attached to a desktop or tabletop for providing a visible barrier along at least a portion of a perimeter of such a work surface.
A privacy screen apparatus is provided that can include a first body that is configured to be attached to an article of furniture adjacent to a work surface or to be free standing on a floor or work surface. The first body can have a plurality of spaced apart pillow regions and a plurality of spaced apart recess regions. Each recess region spaces apart immediately adjacent pillow regions. The pillow regions can be configured to have a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the recess regions.
The privacy apparatus can include a plurality of stand elements connected to a lower portion of the first body so that the first body is free standing on the floor or the work surface. Each stand element can have at least one slot sized to receive a portion of the lower portion of the first body. For instance, the at least one slot of each stand element can include a first slot that is transverse to a second slot. The second slot can be in communication with the first slot and having a width that is greater than the width of the first slot such that the second slot is configured to retain a portion of the first body and a portion of a second body. The second body can have a plurality of spaced apart pillow regions and a plurality of spaced apart recess regions such that each recess region spaces apart immediately adjacent pillow regions. The pillow regions can each have a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the recess regions.
The first body and/or the second body can be comprised of an elastomeric material and can be formed to have a non-woven appearance. For instance, the first body and/or the second body can be formed by a plurality of elongated elastomeric fibers being bonded together to provide the non-woven appearance. In some embodiments, the first body and/or the second body can be formed by a plurality of elongated elastomeric fibers being bonded together such that the first body has a density of material of between 0.055 grams/cm3 and 0.090 g/cm3. Diameters of the elongated elastomeric fibers can be between 0.40 mm and 0.70 mm (or between 0.40 mm and 0.50 mm) in such embodiments. In some embodiments, the first body and/or the second body can be covered by a fabric. Each fabric covering may cover the entirety of the body to which it is attached or may cover a substantial portion of that body (e.g. front and rear faces of the body and parts of the sides of the body, etc.).
Embodiments of the privacy screen apparatus can include a plurality of connectors attached to a lower portion of the first body to attach the first body adjacent to a work surface. For example, each of the connectors can have a bracket, at least one first member extending from a first side of the bracket, and at least one second member extending from a second side of the bracket that is opposite the first side of the bracket. A vertically extending portion of each first member can extend vertically parallel to a vertically extending portion of a corresponding second member to define an opening for receiving a portion of the lower portion of the first body. The vertically extending portion of the first member can be configured to move away from the vertically extending portion of the corresponding second member to receive the first body and can be configured to be resilient for being biased to move toward the vertically extending portion of the corresponding second member to grasp the portion of the lower portion of the body received in the opening. As another example, each connector can have a clamping member that is moveable relative to a connecting member to receive and retain the lower portion of the first body. At least one threaded member can extend from the clamping member to the connecting member. A portion of the threaded member can pass through the first body positioned between the clamping member and the connecting member. A rotating connecting element that can be rotatably connected to the threaded member to be rotated to adjust a distance between the clamping member and the connecting member.
In other embodiments, each of the connectors can include a J-shaped member having a first upper end that is positionable adjacent an outer face of the first body and a second end opposite the first upper end that is positionable within a lower opening of a bracket assembly for attachment to the work surface. In yet other embodiments, each of the connectors can include an elongated member that is configured to extend linearly from adjacent the edge of the work surface to adjacent a top edge of the first body. An upper end of the elongated member having an opening that is in communication with a slit to receive and retain the top edge of the first body within the opening such that a portion of the first body extends downwardly from the opening and through the slit.
The first body and/or the second body can be configurable to multiple different orientations via bending or flexing of the body along at least some of the recess regions. The pillow regions can be stiffer than the recess regions. The orientations of the body comprise at least two of (or all of): a linearly extending orientation, a generally “U” shaped orientation, a generally “V” shaped orientation, a generally “C” shaped orientation, a generally “S” shaped orientation, a generally “O” shaped orientation, and a generally “L” shaped orientation.
A method of making a privacy screen apparatus is also provided. The method can include the steps of forming elongated fibers from an elastomeric material such that diameters of the elongated elastomeric fibers can be between 0.40 mm and 0.50 mm, 0.40 mm to 0.70 mm, or 0.35 mm and 0.75 mm. The method can also include the steps of randomly laying the formed elongated fibers on top of each other, bonding the elongated fibers that are randomly laid on top of each other, forming a first body from the bonded elongated fibers such that the first body has a density of material of between 0.055 grams/cm3 and 0.090 g/cm3 or 0.55 grams/cm3 and 0.075 grams/cm3. The first body may be formed such that the first body is formed to have a plurality of spaced apart pillow regions and a plurality of spaced apart recess regions, each recess region spacing apart immediately adjacent pillow regions where the pillow regions have a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the recess regions, and providing stand elements or connectors that are sized and configured to be attached to lower portions of the first body. Embodiments of the method can also include other steps. For instance, the method can also include the step of attaching the first body to an article of furniture adjacent to a work surface via the connectors or can include the step of positioning the first body in the stand elements to support the first body on a floor or work surface.
Other details, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of certain exemplary embodiments thereof and certain exemplary methods of practicing the same proceeds.
Exemplary embodiments of privacy screen apparatuses are shown in the accompanying drawings and certain exemplary methods of making and practicing the same are also illustrated therein. It should be appreciated that like reference numbers used in the drawings may identify like components.
Referring to
The body 2 can be composed of an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyethylene (PE) foam (e.g. an EVA+PE foam). In some embodiments, the foam body may have a covering 2a that is on the entire exterior of the foam or that is on a substantial portion of the exterior surface of the polyethylene foam body (e.g. covers 70% or more of the exterior surface, 80% or more of the exterior surface, 90% or more of the exterior surface, etc.). For instance, the covering 2a may be a fabric covering 2a that is positioned over the entirety of the external surface of the foam or over a substantial portion of the exterior surface of the foam. In yet other embodiments, the body may not have any covering and/or may be composed of another type of material (e.g. a film). For instance, in some embodiments the body 2 can be composed of an elastomeric material such as, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) such as a thermoplastic polyester elastomer, a thermoplastic copolyester elastomer (TPC-ET), a polyether-ester block copolymer, styrenic block copolymers (TPE-s), a polyolefin blend (TPE-o), elastomeric alloy (TPE-v or TPV), a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a thermoplastic copolyester, or a thermoplastic polyamide or may be composed of another type of elastomeric material. For instance, a body 2 can be composed of a thermoplastic copolyester elastomer that is sold under the Hytrel brand name by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and/or its affiliates.
In some embodiments, the body 2 can be composed of an elastomeric material and have a non-woven appearance. For instance, as can be appreciated from
The non-woven appearance of the body 2 can be provided by the body 2 being formed by long fibers 55 of elastomeric material being laid on top of each other and being bonded together by chemical, mechanical, heat and/or solvent treatment. For instance, in some embodiments the fibers may be bonded together via vibration welding or other type of bonding process. The elongated fibers may be made via extrusion or other process and subsequently laid on top of each other in a relatively random arrangement 53 having a plurality of apertures defined by the randomly arranged fibers 55 prior to being bonded together to form the body. An enlarged view of segment 52 of the body 2 is illustrated in
The body 2 formed to have a non-woven appearance may then be placed into a press mold that applies pressure and heat to the body 2 to define the recess regions 7 and the pillow regions 5 via an application of compression and heat at the recess regions 7 to define those regions. First, second, third, and fourth edges 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d of the body 2 can also be of a thickness that is thinner than the pillow regions 5 to define a border 50 along the outer periphery of the body 2 that is thinner than at least the pillow regions 5 (e.g. border 50 has the same thickness of the recess regions or of a different thickness that is less than the thickness of the pillow regions 5). In some embodiments, the border 50 can be formed by a press mold applying pressure and heat (e.g. application of compression and heat) along the edges of the body 2.
In some embodiments, the pillow regions 5 may also undergo some heating or pressure via a mold. But, the pillow regions may not undergo as much compression and/or heat such that those pillow regions 5 are thicker than the border 50 and the recess regions 7 and have a non-woven appearance with filaments being spaced apart to a greater degree than the filament portions that form the recess regions 7 and border 50. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the use of the mold to form the border 50 and/or recess regions 7 may be conducted such that the pillow regions 5 do not undergo any heating or any compression.
In some embodiments, the diameter of the elastomeric filaments or elastomeric fibers may be between 0.40-0.50 mm or between 0.40-0.70 mm or between 0.35-0.75 mm in some embodiment (e.g the width may be 0.40-0.50 mm, 0.4-0.7 mm, or 0.35-0.75 mm). In other embodiments, the filament diameter (or fiber diameter) may be between 0.42-0.46 mm. Of course, in other embodiments, the filaments (or fibers) may have other diameters and the length of the filaments (or fibers) may be any suitable length. The size and shape of the filaments (or fibers) may be configured to provide a pre-selected density of material for the body 2. For instance, the diameter or width of the filaments can affect the density. A decrease in the diameter of the filaments may result in an increase in material density and the increase of the filament diameter may result in a decrease of the material density. For instance, the density of the body 2 for providing the non-woven appearance of the body 2 may be at a pre-selected value or range such as, for example, 0.065 grams/cm3 or within 15% of this density value or such that the body has a material density of between 0.055 grams/cm3 and 0.075 grams/cm3. For some embodiments, the filaments may be sized and configures so that the body formed of the filaments has a material density of more than 0.055 grams/cm3 or is within a different range, such as a material density of between 0.055 grams/cm3 and 0.090 g/cm3, a material density of between 0.060 grams/cm3 and 0.095 grams/cm3, or a material density of between 0.060 grams/cm3 and 0.088 grams/cm3. Other embodiments may utilize other densities.
In some embodiments of the body 2, the border 50 may include more than four edges or less than four edges. For instance, if the body is circular in shape it may just have a border defined by one continuous outer edge of the body. As another example, if the body has more than four sides (e.g. is hexagonal in shape) or less than four sides (e.g. is triangular in shape), the border may be defined by more than four or less than four edges to provide a peripheral border for the body. The interior shape of the body may have the same profile (e.g. use of pillows and recessed regions) or have another type of configuration for such embodiments.
The body 2 can be structured so that the body has a length L, a width W, and a thickness T. In some embodiments, the length L can be considered a height and the thickness T can be considered a depth of the body 2.
The thickness T of the body 2 may vary throughout the length L and width W of the body 2. The variable thickness may change along discreet sections of the body as the body extends along its length L and width W. For instance, pillow regions 5 of the body 2 may be thicker than recess regions 7 of the body 2 and may also be stiffer than the recess regions 7 of the body 2. The thickness of each pillow region 5 may be a uniform thickness and the thickness of each recess region may be a uniform thickness. In some embodiments, a lip can be defined at the first side 7a of each recess region by a side of a first pillow region 5 that defines that first side 7a and a lip can be defined at the second side 7b of each recess region by a second pillow region 5 that is immediately adjacent to the first pillow region 5 that is located at that second side 7b of the recess. The lips can define the interface region between the recess region 7 and the pillow regions 5 that define that recess region 7. In some embodiments, the lips may extend linearly or may be configured to extend about a curve.
The pillow regions 5 and recess regions 7 may be defined on a first face 2b and an opposite second face 2c of the body 2. The first face 2b and second face 2c may extend between a first bottom edge 2d and a second top edge 2e of the body 2 and may also extend between a third side edge 2f and a fourth side edge 2g of the body 2. The first face 2b may face a direction that is opposite the direction of the second face 2c. For instance, in some embodiments, the first face 2b may face forwardly (e.g. be a front face) and the second face 2c may face rearwardly (e.g. be a rear face). In other embodiments, the faces may be curved or angled so that each face has different corresponding regions that face outwardly at opposite directions.
The body 2 can be structure so that there are a plurality of spaced apart recess regions 7 that each have an elongated recess such as, for example, a trench, a groove, a furrow, a channel, or other type of recess defined between immediately adjacent pillow regions 5. Immediately adjacent pillow regions 5 may be spaced apart from each other by a respective one of the recess regions 7.
The pillow regions 5 may be regions of the body 2 that are thicker than the recess regions 7 having the recesses defined therein. The pillow regions may have a length that is equal to the length L of the body 2 or is substantially equal to the length L of the body (e.g. within 90% of the length L of the body 2, within 95% of the length L of the body 2, etc.). The width W5 of each pillow region 5 may be greater than the width W7 of each recess region 7, while the lengths of the pillow regions 5 may be equal to or substantially equal to the length L of the recesses 7 (e.g. within 10% of the lengths of the pillow regions, within 5% of the lengths of the pillow regions, equal to the lengths of the pillow regions etc.) The thicknesses of the pillow regions 5 may be greater than the thicknesses of the recess regions of the body 2.
The recess regions 7 can be defined to provide flexibility in the body 2. For instance, the defined recess regions 7, which are thinner than the pillow regions 5, can allow the body 2 to be curved or otherwise configured by a user so that the body bends about the length of the recess regions. The stiffer pillow regions may not bend, or may bend substantially less than the recess regions 7 such that the bending or multiple configurability of the body 2 is primarily provided by the recess regions 7 defined in the body 2. The bendability of the body 2 can allow the body 2 to be moved into multiple different configurations. For instance, the body can be positioned in a linear or planar position and subsequently moved into a bowed or curved position by a user providing a force on the body 2. Stand elements 14 (e.g. stand elements 3 or 41) can be attached to the bottom edge 2d of the body 2 to help maintain the body 2 in such a configuration when the body 2 is placed on a work surface such as a floor, a tabletop, or a desktop.
In some embodiments, the stand elements 14 may also be configured to be moveable along the bottom edge 2d of the body to adjust the location of the stand elements 14 for changing the configuration of the body 2. For instance, stand elements 3 can be configured so that they may be slid along the bottom edge 2d of the body 2 to different positions so that the body 2 may be moved from a first position in which it is linearly extending to a second position in which it is curved and may be further slid to adjust the position of the body to a third position in which the body is then further curved or less curved as compared to the second position. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the body 2 may be flexible via the recess regions 7 such that the body 2 is configurable from a linearly extending position (e.g. a straight or planar position) to curved position in which the body 2 has a generally “U” shaped orientation (e.g. the body has the shape of a “U” in such a configuration), “V” shaped orientation (e.g. the body 2 is shaped like a “V” in such a configuration), or “C” shaped orientation (e.g. the body 2 is shaped like a “C” in such a configuration), to a third configuration in which the body has a generally “S” shaped orientation (e.g. the body is shaped like an “S” in such a configuration) to a fourth configuration in which the body has a generally “O” shape (e.g. the body is shaped like an “O” in such a configuration), to a fifth configuration in which the body 2 has a generally “L” shaped orientation (e.g. the body is shaped like an “L” in such a configuration).
In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in
The top side 3e can be configured to have a body receiving slot 3b that is defined between a first upper portion 3a and a second upper portion 3f. The slot 3b can be defined between the first and second upper portions. The first and second upper portions 3a and 3f may each have a projection 3c. The projections 3c can be positioned to correspond with each other and to extend towards each other at the top of each upper portion so that the projections 3c extend toward each other to make the width of the slot 3b smaller adjacent the location of the projections 3c. The slot 3b can be sized to receive a bottom portion of the body and the projections 3c can be configured such that they are moveable away from each other to allow the bottom portion of the body to be positioned in the slot. The projections 3c can also be configured so that their movement away from each other for receiving the body also results in the projections 3c being resiliently biased to move toward each other to help facilitate grabbing or holding of the bottom portion of the body within the slot 3b to help retain the body 2 in the slot 3b.
In other embodiments of the privacy screen apparatus, the stand elements 3 may be configured to not have any projections for grabbing or otherwise helping to retain a portion of the body 2. For example, as shown in
As another example, embodiments of the privacy screen apparatus can include stand elements 41 as shown in
Stand elements 41 can be configured to include an upper portion 41e and a bottom portion 41d. Such stand elements 41 can have any desired shape, such as a rectangular shape, cylindrical type shape, or other type of shape and may be composed of any suitable material. The stand elements may have a height H (which could also be considered a length) and a width, which can also be considered a diameter D for circular cross-section shaped embodiments such as cylindrically shaped embodiments.
The bottom portion 41d of the stand element 41 may have a flat bottom surface and include a weighted element to help provide weight to allow the stand to provide a sufficient amount of support to a body portion attached or otherwise received and held by that stand element 41. The weighted element may be, for example, a metal disc or other type of metal weight element (e.g. a steel disc, a lead disc, a lead body, a zinc body, a zinc disc, a steel body, etc.) or other type of weight element (e.g. a vessel holding sand or water that is included in the bottom portion 41d of the stand element 41). The bottom surface of the bottom portion 41d may have a skid resistant surface or an anti-skid profile for contacting a floor.
The top portion 41e may have a first slot 41b that extends along the entire width or diameter D of the upper portion and a second slot 41a that extends from the first slot to a peripheral side of the top portion (e.g. along a radius of the top portion, along a portion of the diameter D of the top portion, or along a portion of the width of the top portion). The first slot 41b and the second slot 41a may be positioned transverse to each other. For instance, the second slot 41a may extend away from the first slot 41b such that the second slot 41a is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first slot 41b (e.g. within 10° of being perpendicular, within 5° of being perpendicular, within 2° of being perpendicular, etc.).
The top portion 41e can include a first element 41c that defines a side of the first slot 41b, a second element 41f that defines a portion of the second side of the first slot 41b and a first side of the second slot 41a, and a third element 41g that defines a portion of the second side of the first slot 41b and the second side of the second slot 41a that is opposite its first side defined by the second element 41f. The second side of the first slot 41b may be split via the second slot 41a such that the second slot 41a is in communication with the first slot 41b at the gap 41h between the second and third elements 41f and 41g that is defined by the second slot 41a. The gap 41h can separate the first slot 41b into a first portion 41k of the first slot 41b and a second portion 41j of the first slot 41b. The first and second portions 41k and 41j of the first slot 41b can also be considered separate apertures that are spaced apart by the second slot 41a and/or gap 41h. The thickness of the first slot 41b may be less than the thickness of the second slot 41a. For instance, the second slot 41a may be sufficiently thick to receive a side portion of multiple different bodies 2, while the first slot may be only sufficiently thick to receive a portion of a single body 2.
As can be seen from
Each body 2 can be positioned to be received in a stand element 41 so that the portion of the body is within the first slot 41b, within second slot 41a, or within both the first and second slots 41b and 41a. For instance, a bottom of the third side 2f of a first body 2 may be positioned so that it is located within a portion of the first slot 41b and in the entirety of the second slot 41a such that a portion the body that includes the third side 2f is positioned in these slots. This portion of the first body may be bent at a right angle or at almost a right angle (e.g. 90° relative to an adjacent unbent part of the body 2, 80°-90° relative to an adjacent unbent part of the body 2, 80°-100° relative to an adjacent unbent part of the body 2, etc.) The fourth side 2g of the first body 2 may be positioned in the first and second slots 41a and 41b of a second stand element 41. The third side 2f of a second body 2 can also be positioned in the first and second slots 41a and 41b of the second stand element 41. The third side 2f of the second body and the fourth side 2g of the first body can both be in contact with each other when positioned in the second slot 41a of the stand element and may each be in a respective portion of the first slot 41b so that only that body portion is in their respective portion of the first slot 41b. For instance, the third side 2f of the second body can be within the second portion 41j of the first slot 41b and also in the second slot 41a and the fourth side 2g of the first body can be within the first portion 41k of the first slot 41b and in the second slot 41a. The portions of the third side 2f of the second body and the fourth side 2g of the first body that are in the second slot 41a can be in contact with each other and side by side each other.
An upper clamping connector 51 such as a bobby pin or clothes-pin or other type of connector can also be positioned over the upper edge of the third side 2f of the second body and the upper edge of the fourth side 2g of the first body as well to provide for an attachment of the upper edges of the first and second bodies opposite the location of the stand element 41. Use of the clamping connectors can help keep the bodies straight and in alignment with each other through the length of the bodies.
It is also contemplated that foot elements may be connected to the bottom of the bodies 2 between stand elements 41. The foot elements may be positioned to help provide additional support to the body as it extends along its width between sand elements 41 to which that body 2 is connected. The foot elements may include a slot for receiving a portion of a bottom edge of the body and have a flat bottom for providing such support.
Different stand elements 41 can be positioned for connecting opposite sides of different bodies together to form larger and differently shaped privacy screen apparatuses. Further, after being connected to the bodies 2 via the bodies 2 being retained within the first and second slots 41b and 41a or only one of these slots (e.g. first slot 41b), the stand elements 41 can be moved to adjust the positioning of the bodies 2 on a floor to change the orientation or shape of the privacy screen apparatus 31. For instance, movement of the stand elements 41 after they are connected to bodies 2 via having those bodies received in the first and/or second slots 41b and 41a can also cause the bodies to flex about the length of a recess region 7 that is closest to the stand element and is also outside of the stand element 41 as well as other recess regions to change in configuration for orienting the privacy screen apparatus 31 between any of (i) a linear extending orientation, (ii) a generally “U” shaped orientation, (iii) a generally “V” shaped orientation, (iv) a generally “C” shaped orientation, (v) a generally “S” shaped orientation, (vi) a generally “0” shaped orientation, (vii) a generally “L” shaped orientation and (viii) a curved orientation in which the bodies are arranged to extend along one or more curves in such a configuration.
In some other embodiments, a body 2 can be connected to a work surface 15 such as a tabletop, countertop, or desktop, via a plurality of connectors 12 to form a privacy screen apparatus 11, as may be appreciated from
In some embodiment, the connector 12 can be configured as a body grasping connector 13 as shown in
Referring to
Each opening 13b can include an upper mouth 13h that is open for receiving a portion of a body 2. The opening 13b can be sized to resiliently receive a lower portion of the body 2 so that a body 2 portion positioned in the opening 13b is grasped by the distal end portion 13e against the corresponding vertically extending section 13 that defines that opening 13b. The distal end portions 13e can be configured to move away from the vertically extending sections 13f of the second members 13d when a body 2 is positioned in the opening 13b and can be configured to be biased to try and return to their initial position in response to being moved away from the vertically extending sections 13f to receive the lower portion of the body 2 for grasping the body between the distal end portions 13e and the vertically extending sections 13f of the second members 13d. The shape, material composition, and structure of the first members 13c can contribute to the resiliency of the distal end portions that are biased o be moved toward the vertically extending sections 13f in response to the body 2 being positioned in the openings 13b for grasping the lower portion of a body 2 received in the openings 13b.
In some embodiments, the second members may be generally L shaped members and the first members may be generally “V” shaped members in which one side of the “V” is a vertical member (e.g. the distal end portion 13e) and the other side of the “V” shaped member extends at an angle upwardly from a lower end of the vertical member to a position adjacent to the first side of the bracket 13a. A lower portion of the distal end portion and a lower portion of this upwardly extending upward section can define a corner on which a lower part of the body 2 may rest.
After being inserted into openings 13b, the body 2 can be removed by a user pulling the body 2 out of the mouth 13h of the opening 13b. A force may be required that is sufficient to overcome the grasping force provided by the distal end portions 13e to cause the body 2 to be moved out of the opening 13b to separate the body 2 from the grasping connector 13.
In other embodiments, the connector 12 can be configured as a clamping connector 23, as shown in
In some embodiments, threaded members 23d may extend from the clamping body 23a and into openings 23f formed in the connecting body 23b. Nuts or other type of connecting elements 23e may be rotated on the threaded members to be moved on a distal end portion of the threaded members 23d for adjusting the space between the clamping member 23a and the connecting body 23b (e.g. the distance between these elements). Rotation of the connecting elements 23e in a first direction (e.g. clockwise or counter-clockwise) can cause the elements to move along the threaded members to be closer to the clamping body 23a to bring the clamping body 23a closer to the connecting body 23b and rotation of the connecting elements 23e in a second direction that is opposite the first direction can cause the connecting elements 23e to move along the threaded members 23d in a direction that is away from the clamping body 23b to permit the clamping body 23a to be moved farther away from the connecting body 23a.
The threaded members 23d may be passed through the entirety of the thickness T of the body 2 for being received through openings 23f for the attachment and spacing of the clamping body 23a to the connecting body 23b and attachment or retention of the body 2 to the clamping connector 23. In some embodiments in which the body 2 is formed of an elastomeric material having a non-woven structure, the threaded members may pass through holes defined in the body 2 as they pass through the thickness T of the body.
The connecting elements 23e can be positioned for holding the position of the clamping body 23a and/or adjusting the position of the clamping body 23a relative to the connecting body 23b. The connecting body 23b can be fastened to an underside of the work surface of another part of an article of furniture via screws, nails, or other type of fastener 23c that may pass through connecting body 23b for attachment of the connecting body 23b to that article or work surface. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the connecting body 23b may have a profile that is configured to matingly interlock with a profile of the article or work surface for such a connection.
In some embodiments, a single body 2 may be positioned to be wrapped about multiple sides of a work surface 15. For instance, connectors 12 can be positioned on first and second sides of a work surface and the rear side of the work surface that is between the first and second sides. The body may then be positioned for retention by the connectors so that a first side portion of the connector extends along the first side of the work surface, a second side portion of the body 2 extends along the second side of the work surface, and an intermediate portion of the body 2 that is between the first and second side portions of the body extends along the rear side of the work surface. The body 2 can be structured from foam or an elastomeric material that facilitates the bending or flexing of the body 2 that is necessary for the body to be so wrapped about multiple sides of a work surface. The bending or flexing of the body 2 can occur at the recess regions 7 adjacent the locations at which the body is to be bent to wrap about the work surface 15 via the connectors 12.
As can be seen from
The mouth of the slot 63 of the upper rail 61a may face downwardly opposite an upper side 65 of the rail that may have the holes 67. The upper side 65 may be an elongated member that extends between sidewalls 64 that project from the elongated member vertically and downwardly to define the slot 63 and downward facing mouth of the slot 63 in the upper rail 61a. The upper side of the upper rail 61a may be flat, or substantially flat and may have one or more holes 67 defined therein.
The lower rail 61b may have a slot 63 that has its open mouth face upwardly opposite a bottom side 66. The bottom side 66 may be horizontal, flat, or substantially flat (e.g. within 2° of being horizontal or flat along the length of the rail, within 5° of being horizontal or flat, etc.) elongated member. The slot 63 may be defined by spaced apart sidewalls 64 that extend vertically and upwardly from the bottom elongated member that defines the bottom side 66. The bottom side may have holes 67 similarly to the upper rail 61a or may not include such holes. The upper and lower rails 61a and 61b may be composed of metal or may be composed of a polymeric material or other type of material. Each of the rails may be more rigid than the body and may extend in a particular shape along its length, such as a curved shape resembling a C, U, or V or J or a linearly angled shape resembling a Z, V, M, N, or L. The rigidity of the rails can help define the shape of the body of the privacy apparatus 1 and cane help ensure that the body 2 is able to freely stand on a work surface (e.g. a floor, a desktop, a countertop, etc.).
In some embodiments, the slot 63 of each rail 61 can be sized to receive a plurality of bushing members 68 or also include spaced apart elements positioned within the slot that also have a mouth for receiving an edge of the body 2 and a channel in communication with the slot. The bushing members may be provided to help improve the tightness of fit between the edge of the body 2 and the rail 61 attached to that edge is sufficient for attachment of the rail 61 to the edge of the body 2. In some embodiments, the bushing members may be comprised of a resilient material such as an elastomeric material and have a body that has a “U” shape or a “C” shape that is sized to have an interference fit within the slot 63. Each bushing member 68 may be sized so that a plurality of such members may be positioned in the slot 63 at spaced apart locations. These spaced apart bushing members 68 may be positioned in the slot 63 of the rail 61 to help ensure a sufficient tightness of fit between an edge of the body 2 to which that rail is attached and the rail for facilitating attachment of the rail to the edge of the body. The bushing members may be separate members positionable within the slot 63 or may be integrally formed components defined within the slot 63 of the rail 61.
As may be appreciated from
As can be seen from
Multiple spaced apart connectors 12 may have their upper ends 71a grasp the upper rail 61a at different locations to hold, or suspend, the body 2 adjacent an edge of the work surface or above the work surface to provide a visual barrier for that edge of the work surface that extends along the height of the body 2 for the length of the body that extends along the edge of the work surface. Each connector 12 may hold a different portion of the upper rail 61a and/or body 2 similarly to other connectors 12 having the upper end 71a with the hook configuration discussed herein for such embodiments to support the body to which it is attached adjacent the work surface.
As can be seen from
For instance, each of the connectors 12 can include a J shaped member 81 that has a first upper end 81a, a second linearly extending portion 81b that extends from the first upper end 81a to a third intermediate portion 81c that defines a bend between the second linearly extending portion 81b and a fourth linearly extending portion 81d. The fourth linearly extending portion extends in a direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the second linearly extending portion 81b (e.g. is within 5°-10° of being perpendicular or is perpendicular). A fifth portion 81e extends linearly away from the fourth linearly extending portion 81d in a direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the fourth linearly extending portion 81d and may be parallel or substantially parallel to the second linearly extending portion 81b (e.g. within 5°-10° of being parallel or is parallel). The fifth portion 81e may define another end of the J-shaped member that is the end of the J-shaped member 81 that is opposite the first upper end 81a. The fifth portion 81e, fourth linearly extending portion 81d and the second linearly extending portion 81b can be configured to define a space 81g between the fifth portion 81e and the second linearly extending portion 81b. A sixth portion 81f defining a bend between the fifth portion 81e and the fourth linearly extending portion 81d can also be included within the J-shaped member 81.
The J shaped member 81 can be connected to a bracket or other type of fastening mechanism to couple the fifth portion 81e to the work surface 17. For instance, a bracket assembly 83 can include a body that is configured to be coupled to an edge of a work surface and has a lower opening that is configured to receive or hold the end of the fifth portion 81e therein. One or more fasteners, an interlockable profile, or a lock mechanism that is adjustable between locked and unlocked positions may be included in the bracket assembly 83 for receiving and holding the fifth portion 81e. As yet another example, the body of the bracket assembly defining the opening for receiving the fifth portion 81e may be configured to resiliently hold the fifth portion 81e after a user manually inserts that fifth portion into the lower opening of the body of the bracket assembly without the use of a mechanical tool.
The bracket assembly 83 can be configured to hold the first portion 81e such that the J-shaped member extends out of the lower opening of the body of the bracket assembly that receives the fifth portion 81e to a location that is under the bottom edge 2d of the body 2 (e.g. via fourth linearly extending portion 81d), and extends along an outer face of the body 2 to the first upper end 81a (e.g. via at least first upper end portion 81a and second linearly extending portion 81b). The first upper end 81a may be located adjacent a middle portion of the body on its outer face that faces away from the edge of the work surface or may be adjacent a top portion of the body on its outer face. The first upper end 81a and the second linearly extending portion 81b may extend along the outer face of the body 2 and may be in contact with the outer face of the body 2 while the fourth linearly extending portion is in contact with the bottom edge 2d or a rail 61 attached to the bottom edge 2d to help retain the body 2 within the pace 81g so that the body is held in a location adjacent an edge of the work surface to which the bracket assembly 83 is attached.
Multiple spaced apart connectors 12 having J-shaped members 81 can be positioned along one or more edges of a work surface via bracket assemblies 83 or other fastening mechanisms to hold one or more bodies adjacent one or more edges of a work surface 15. Each J-shaped member can be configured to hold the one or more bodies at different locations to hold, or suspend, the body 2 to which it is holding adjacent an edge of the work surface to provide a visual barrier for that edge of the work surface that extends along the height of the body 2 for the length of the body that extends along the edge of the work surface. Each connector 12 may hold a different portion of a body 2 similarly to other connectors 12 having a J-shaped member 81 discussed herein for such embodiments to support the body to which it is attached adjacent the work surface.
It should be understood that modification to the privacy screen apparatuses can be made to meet a particular set of design criteria. For instance, the size, shape and weight of the body 2 can be any size or shape to meet a particular set of design criteria. As another example, the size and shape of the pillow regions 5 and recess regions 7 may be any suitable size and shape for meeting a particular set of design criteria and/or to provide a desired aesthetic effect. As another example, the type of covering 2a, the use of a covering 2a, and/or the extent to which a covering 2a may cover an exterior surface of a body can be adjusted as needed to meet particular design criteria and/or to provide a desired aesthetic effect. As yet another example, the type of connector 12 or stand element 14 that is utilized in an embodiment of the privacy screen apparatus may be any type of stand or connector design that is required to meet a particular set of design criteria.
Therefore, while certain exemplary embodiments of privacy screen apparatuses, connection mechanisms for privacy screen apparatuses and methods of making and using the same have been discussed and illustrated herein, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/169,184, which was filed on Jun. 1, 2015.
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