Patent Application
20240401330
The present disclosure relates to a privacy screen and particularly to a privacy screen for dividing open plan spaces.
Modern interior spaces, such as office and residential interior spaces, often feature open concept floor plans. While aesthetically pleasing, such spaces pose a number of challenges to occupants. In such spaces, it can be difficult to achieve a desired level of privacy. Moreover, open concept spaces often have numerous acoustically reflective surfaces such as floors, walls, ceilings, window walls, large displays, and furnishings, to name a few. Ambient sound within an open concept space can often result in noise and auditory distractions as it is reflected about the space.
Room dividers or privacy screens are known for use in such office and residential environments to provide a visual divide and limit auditory distractions. Typically, such privacy screens may be relatively large, heavy, and cumbersome, thereby making it difficult to set-up, take-down or store the privacy screen. Moreover, such privacy screens may not be flexible or adjustable, and have limits on the extent to which they can be reshaped or resized to suit varying spaces and requirements.
It may be desirable to have a privacy screen which would be able to help divide and reshape the space on a temporary basis to limit visible and auditory distractions with little impact on the ambience of a modern office or residential space.
The present disclosure relates to a privacy screen and particularly to a privacy screen for dividing open plan spaces.
In one aspect, there is provided a privacy screen comprising a first rail extending in a longitudinal direction, the first rail having a first support surface with a first plurality of apertures spaced apart along a length thereof, and a second rail extending in the longitudinal direction, the second rail having a second support surface with a second plurality of apertures spaced apart along a length thereof. The privacy screen further comprises a screen body extending longitudinally between a first edge portion and a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion, the screen body further having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion, each of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion extending between the first and second edge portions, the screen body having a first plurality of spaced apart projections formed integrally therewith along the upper edge portion and a second plurality of spaced apart projections formed integrally therewith along the lower edge portion, wherein the first and second plurality of spaced apart projections extend outwardly of and away from the upper edge portion and lower edge portion, respectively, to define seating portions between the projections in the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion. Each of the first plurality of projections is dimensioned for insertion into an aperture of the first plurality of apertures such that the seating portions between the first plurality of projections are flush with the first support surface of the first rail to affix the upper edge portion of the screen body to the first rail, and each of the second plurality of projections is dimensioned for insertion into an aperture of the second plurality of apertures such that the seating portions between the second plurality of projections are flush with the second support surface of the second rail to affix the lower edge portion of the screen body to the second rail. In one aspect, each of the first plurality of projections is dimensioned for insertion into the respective aperture of the first plurality of apertures in interference fit relation, and each of the second plurality of projections is dimensioned for insertion into the respective aperture of the second plurality of apertures in interference fit relation.
In one aspect, the privacy screen is composed of a semi-rigid material. In a further aspect, the semi-rigid material is one selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, and non-woven acoustic insulation material.
In one aspect, the screen body conforms to a shape of the first rail and the second rail. In a further aspect, the screen body comprises a plurality of grooves each extending between the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion. The plurality of grooves are formed on at least one of a front side and a rear side of the screen body. In a further aspect, the plurality of grooves are parallel to one another and to the first and second edge portions between the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion.
In one aspect, the privacy screen further comprises a cap trim extending in the longitudinal direction and having a plurality of slots spaced apart therealong, wherein each slot of the plurality of slots is dimensioned for insertion of a respective projection of the first plurality of spaced apart projections of the screen body extending through a respective aperture of the first plurality of apertures of the first rail such that the cap trim is removably coupled with the projections and in abutment relationship with the first rail therealong. In a further aspect, each slot of the plurality of slots is dimensioned for insertion of the respective projection of the first plurality of spaced apart projections of the screen body extending through the respective aperture of the first plurality of apertures of the first rail in interference fit relation.
In one aspect, the privacy screen further includes a first edge trim removably couplable to the first edge portion of the screen body, and a second edge trim removably couplable to the second edge portion of the screen body. In a further aspect, the first and second edge portions of the screen body include a plurality of tabs spaced apart therealong, and the first and second edge trims comprise a plurality of edge trim slots spaced apart along a length thereof, wherein each tab of the plurality of tabs is dimensioned for insertion into a respective edge trim slot of the plurality of edge trim slots to couple the first edge trim and the second edge trim to the first edge portion and the second edge portion, respectively. Each tab of the plurality of tabs is dimensioned for insertion into the respective edge trim slot of the plurality of edge trim slots in interference fit relation. In a further aspect, a width of the each of the first rail and the second rail is equal to a width of the first edge trim and the second edge trim.
In a further aspect, the first edge trim includes a first protrusion at a first end portion thereof and a second protrusion at a second end portion thereof, the second edge trim includes a third protrusion at a first end portion thereof and a fourth protrusion at a second end portion thereof, the first rail includes a first recess at a first end portion thereof and a second recess at a second end portion thereof, the second rail includes a third recess at a first end portion thereof and a fourth recess at a second end portion thereof. In a still further aspect, the first protrusion is dimensioned for insertion into the first recess such that the first end portion of the first edge trim is coupled to the first end portion of the first rail, the second protrusion is dimensioned for insertion into the third recess such that the second end portion of the first edge trim is coupled to the first end portion of the second rail, the third protrusion is dimensioned for insertion into the second recess such that the first end portion of the second edge trim is coupled to the second end portion of the first rail, and the fourth protrusion is dimensioned for insertion into the fourth recess such that the second end portion of the second edge trim is coupled to the second end portion of the second rail. In a further aspect, the first protrusion is dimensioned for insertion into the first recess in interference fit relation, the second protrusion is dimensioned for insertion into the third recess in interference fit relation, the third protrusion is dimensioned for insertion into the second recess in interference fit relation, and the fourth protrusion is dimensioned for insertion into the fourth recess in interference fit relation.
In another aspect, there is provided a privacy screen comprising at least one upper rail and at least one lower rail, each extending in a longitudinal direction and having a support surface with a plurality of apertures spaced apart along a length thereof, and at least one screen body extending longitudinally between a first edge portion and a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion, the at least one screen body further having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion, each of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion extending between the first and second edge portions, the at least one screen body having a plurality of spaced apart projections formed integrally therewith along the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion, wherein the plurality of spaced apart projections extend outwardly of and away from the upper edge portion and lower edge portion to define seating portions between the projections in the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion, wherein the plurality of projections on the upper edge portion are dimensioned for insertion into the plurality of apertures on the at least one upper rail such that the seating portions between the projections are flush with the support surface of the at least one upper rail to affix the upper edge portion to the at least one upper rail, and wherein the plurality of projections on the lower edge portion are dimensioned for insertion into the plurality of apertures on the at least one lower rail such that the seating portions between the projections are flush with the support surface of the at least one lower rail to affix the lower edge portion to the at least one lower rail.
In a further aspect, the plurality of projections on the upper edge portion are dimensioned for insertion into the plurality of apertures on the at least one upper rail in interference fit relation, and wherein the plurality of projections on the lower edge portion are dimensioned for insertion into the plurality of apertures on the at least one lower rail in interference fit relation.
In a further aspect, the at least one screen body comprises a first screen body and a second screen body. The privacy screen further comprises at least one joining trim configured to removably couple the first screen body with the second screen body. In a further aspect, the at least one joining trim is secured to the first screen body and the second screen body using at least one of adhesives and two-sided tape.
In a further aspect, the at least one upper rail comprises a first upper end rail, an upper mid rail, and a second upper end rail, wherein the upper mid rail is positionable between the first upper end rail and the second upper end rail along a portion of the upper edge portion of each of the first screen body and the second screen body, and the at least one lower rail comprises a first lower end rail, a lower mid rail, and a second lower end rail, wherein the lower mid rail is positionable between the first lower end rail and the second lower end rail along a portion of the lower edge portion of each of the first screen body and the second screen body.
In the further aspect, the privacy screen includes at least one cap trim extending in the longitudinal direction and having a plurality of slots spaced apart therealong, wherein each slot of the plurality of slots is dimensioned for insertion of a respective projection of the plurality of spaced apart projections of the screen body extending through a respective aperture of the plurality of apertures of the at least one upper rail such that the at least one cap trim is removably coupled with the projections and in abutment relationship with the at least one upper rail therealong. In a still further aspect, each slot of the plurality of slots is dimensioned for insertion of the respective projection of the plurality of spaced apart projections of the screen body extending through the respective aperture of the plurality of apertures of the at least one upper rail in interference fit relation.
In a further aspect, the privacy screen includes a first edge trim removably couplable to the first edge portion of the first screen body, and a second edge trim removably couplable to the second edge portion of second screen body, wherein the first edge trim is removably couplable to a first end portion of the first upper end rail and a first end portion of the first lower end rail, and wherein he second edge trim is removably couplable to a second end portion of the second upper end rail and a second end portion of the second lower end rail.
In another aspect, there is provided a privacy screen kit including at least one upper rail extending in a longitudinal direction, the upper rail having a first support surface with a first plurality of apertures spaced apart along a length thereof, at least one lower rail extending in the longitudinal direction, the lower rail having a second support surface with a second plurality of apertures spaced apart along a length thereof, and at least one screen body extending longitudinally between a first edge portion and a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion, the at least one screen body further having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion, each of the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion extending between the first and second edge portions, the at least one screen body having a plurality of spaced apart projections formed integrally therewith along the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion, wherein the plurality of spaced apart projections extend outwardly of and away from the upper edge portion and lower edge portion to define seating portions between the projections in the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion, wherein the plurality of projections on the upper edge portion are dimensioned for insertion into the first plurality of apertures on the at least one upper rail, and the plurality of projections on the lower edge portion are dimensioned for insertion into the second plurality of apertures on the at least one lower rail to form a privacy screen structure.
In a further aspect, the plurality of projections on the upper edge portion are dimensioned for insertion into the first plurality of apertures on the at least one upper rail in interference fit relation, and the plurality of projections on the lower edge portion are dimensioned for insertion into the second plurality of apertures on the at least one lower rail in interference fit relation to form the privacy screen structure.
Exemplary non-limiting aspects are described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
The present disclosure relates to a privacy screen and particularly to a privacy screen for dividing open plan spaces.
The first rail 106 and second rail 108 are rigid members extending in a longitudinal direction and have the function of defining the shape of the privacy screen 102 as the screen body 104 is configured to conform to the shape of the first rail 106 and the second rail 108. The first rail 106 and second rail 108 may extend in any particular shape along its length, such as a curved C-shape or a S-shape, a linearly elongated shape, or a conventional rectilinearly angled L-shape or Z-shape. Preferably, the first rail 106 and the second rail 108 are composed of a semi-rigid or rigid material. Suitable materials may include, for example, various types of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material, including woven PET fiber material, non-woven PET fiber material, thermo-formed PET material, thermo-bonded PET material, cast PET material. Suitable materials also include other acoustically absorbent materials including polypropylene, polymer foams, other suitable non-woven acoustic insulation materials, or any combinations thereof. The rigidity or resilience of the first rail 106 and the second rail 108 can help define the shape of the privacy screen 102 and can help ensure that the screen body 104 is able to freely stand on a floor or any other work surface. In one aspect, the first rail and the second rail have a rectangular cross-section.
The screen body 104 extends longitudinally between a first edge portion 118 and a second edge portion 120 opposite to the first edge portion 118. The first edge portion 118 and the second edge portion 120 are preferably laterally disposed opposite one another about the screen body 104. The screen body 104 is further defined by an upper edge portion 114 and a lower edge portion 116. The screen body 104 is flexible so as to conform to the shape of the first rail 106 and/or the second rail 108 that may be coupled to the screen body 104. Preferably, the screen body 104 is composed of a semi-rigid material. Suitable materials may include those that are acoustically absorbent and sufficiently flexible to allow the screen body 104 to be molded to take the shape of the first rail 106 and/or the second rail 108 when the screen body 104 is coupled to the first rail 106. Such materials include, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, other suitable non-woven acoustic insulation materials, or any combinations thereof.
The screen body 104 further includes a plurality of grooves 112 extending between the upper edge portion 114 and the lower edge portion 116. The screen body 104 can be configurable in various different orientations by bending or flexing the screen body 104 along at least some of the plurality of grooves 112. The grooves 112 in the screen body 104 allow the screen body 104 to be more flexible to conform to the shape of the first and second rails 106, 108 when the screen body 104 is coupled to the first and second rails 106, 108.
The grooves 112 may be formed, for example, by cutting the material from which the screen body 104 is composed. Preferably, the grooves 112 are parallel to one another. It is further preferred that the grooves 112 are also parallel to the first lateral edge portion 118 and the second lateral edge edge portion 120 of the screen body 104. In one aspect, the grooves 112 are beveled and formed on both a front side 122 and a back or rear side 124 of the screen body 104 to form a double-V groove. It should be understood that other types of grooves may be used to define the grooves 112. The plurality of grooves 112 divide the screen body 104 into a series of spaced apart panel regions 126 extending from the upper edge portion 114 to the lower edge portion 116 of the screen body 104. Immediately adjacent panel regions 126 may be spaced apart by one of the plurality of grooves 112. The panel regions 126 of the screen body 104 may have a width W that is greater than a width w of the grooves 112. The panel regions 126 may also have a thickness T that is greater than the thickness t of the grooves 112.
In one aspect, the first rail 106, the second rail 108, and the cap trim 110 are unitary members extending along a substantial portion of the upper and lower edge portions 114, 116 of the screen body 104. In another aspect, each of the first rail 106, second rail 108, and the cap trim 110 may be composed of multiple members arranged in a linear or sequential configuration.
Privacy screen 102 also includes a first edge trim 128a removably coupled to the first lateral edge portion 118 of the screen body 104 and a second edge trim 128b removably coupled to the second lateral edge portion 120 of the screen body 104. The first edge trim 128a is also removably coupled to the first rail 106 at a first end and the second rail 108 at a second end. Similarly, a first end of the second edge trim 128b is removably coupled to the first rail 106 and a second end of the second edge trim 128b is removably coupled to the second rail 108.
With further reference to
The screen body 104 further includes a series of projections 206 integrally formed with the screen body 104. The series of projections 206 extend outwardly of and away from at least one of the upper edge portion portion 114 and the lower edge portion portion 116 (not shown in
In one aspect, the height H of each of the plurality of projections 206 extending from the screen body 104 is equal to a depth D of each of the plurality of apertures 204 on the first rail 106 and/or the second rail such that the top of the projections 206 is flush with the first rail 106 and/or second rail 108 when the body 104 is coupled to the first rail 106 and/or second rail 108. The number of projections 206 on the screen body 104 is preferably equal to the number of apertures 204 on the first rail and/or second rail 108.
In another aspect, as shown in
As shown in
In a further aspect, the first edge trim 128a (not shown in
In a further aspect, a privacy screen can be formed by coupling together multiple screen bodies, rails, and cap trims to create a larger structure. Reference is made to
Each of the screen bodies 304a-b includes a plurality of grooves 320 extending between the upper edge portion 312 and the lower edge portion 314. The first and second screen bodies 304a, 304b can be configurable in various different orientations by bending or flexing the first and second screen bodies 304a, 304b along at least some of the plurality of grooves 320. The grooves 320 may be formed by cutting the material from which the first and second screen bodies 304a, 304b are composed. Preferably, the grooves 320 are parallel to one another. It is further preferred that the grooves 320 are also parallel to the first lateral edge portion 308 and the second lateral edge edge portion 310 of the screen bodies 304a-b. In one aspect, the grooves 320 are beveled and formed on both a front side 322 and a back or rear side 348 of the first and second screen bodies 304a, 304b to form a double-V groove. It should be understood that other types of grooves may be used to define the grooves 320. The plurality of grooves 320 divide each of the first and second screen bodies 304a, 304b into a series of spaced apart panel regions 324 extending from the upper edge portion 312 to the lower edge portion 314 of the screen body 304. The panel regions 324 of the first and second screen bodies 304a, 304b may have a width W that is greater than a width w of the grooves 320. The panel regions 324 may also have a thickness T that is greater than the thickness t of the grooves 320.
Each of the first and second screen bodies 304a, 304b further includes a series of projections 316 integrally formed therewith. The series of projections 316 extend outwardly of and away from the upper edge portion 312 and the lower edge portion 314 of the screen bodies 304a-b. The plurality of projections 316 are spaced apart along the length of the upper and lower edge portions 312, 314 to define seating portions 318 between the projections in the upper and/or lower edge portions 114, 116. The projections 316 have the same thickness T as the panel regions 324. In one aspect, the projections 316 on the upper edge portion 312 have the same height as the projections 316 on the lower edge portion 314. In another aspect, the height of the projections 316 on the upper edge portion 312 is greater than a height of the projections 316 on the lower edge portion 314.
The privacy screen 302 further includes multiple rails that can be removably coupled to the first and second screen bodies 304a, 304b. As illustrated in
Each of the upper and lower rails 326a-c and 328a-c include a plurality of apertures 330 passing therethrough. The apertures 330 are spaced apart along a length of each of the upper and lower rails 326a-c and 328a-c. Preferably, the apertures 330 have a rectangular cross-section. It should be understood that other suitable shapes may be used to define the apertures 330. Each of the upper mid rail 326b and lower mid rail 328b further include at least one aperture 334 dimensioned for coupling with a protrusion 336 on the joining trim 306. In one aspect, the at least one aperture 334 is dimensioned for coupling with the protrusion 336 on the joining trim 306 in an interference fit, compression fit or friction fit relation.
Each of the projections 316 on the first and second screen bodies 304a, 304b is dimensioned for insertion into an aperture 330 each of the upper and lower rails 326a-c and 328a-c in an interference fit, compression fit or friction fit relation such that the seating portions 318 between the projections 316 are flush with a surface of the each of the upper and lower rails 326a-c and 328a-c to affix the screen body 304 to each of the upper and lower rails 326a-c and 328a-c.
In one aspect, the height H of each of the plurality of projections 316 extending from the first and second screen bodies 304a, 340b is equal to a depth D of each of the plurality of apertures 330 on each of the upper and lower rails 326a-c and 328a-c such that the end of the projections 316 is flush with each of the upper and lower rails 326a-c and 328a-c when the screen bodies 304a-b are coupled to the upper and lower rails 326a-c and 328a-c. In a further aspect, the total number of projections 316 on the screen bodies 304a-b is equal to the total number of apertures 330 on the upper and lower rails 326a-c and 328a-c.
In one aspect, the height of the projections extending from the upper edge portion 312 of the screen bodies 304a-b is greater than the height of the projections extending from the lower edge portion 314 of the screen bodies 304a-b. In this aspect, the height of each of the plurality of projections 316 extending from the upper edge portion 312 of the screen bodies 304a-b is greater than a depth of each of the plurality of apertures 330 on each of the upper rails 326a-c such that the top of the projections 316 extends past each of the upper rails 326a-c when the screen body 304 is coupled to the upper rails 326a-c. In a further aspect, the height of each of the plurality of projections 316 extending from the lower edge portion 314 of the screen bodies 304a-b is equal to a depth of each of the plurality of apertures 330 on each of the lower rails 328a-c such that the end of the projections 316 is flush with each of the lower rails 328a-c when the screen bodies 304a-b are coupled to the lower rails 328a-c.
The privacy screen 302 further includes two cap trims 332 extending in a longitudinal direction. The cap trims 332 can be removably coupled to the upper rails 326a-c and the screen bodies 304a-b. The cap trims 332 include a plurality of slots (not shown in
The privacy screen 302 further includes a first edge trim 338a removably coupled to the first lateral edge portion 308 of the first screen body 304a. A second edge trim 338b is removably coupled to the second lateral edge portion 310 of the second screen body 304b. As shown in
In a further aspect, the first edge trim 338a may be additionally removably coupled to the first upper end rail 326a and the first lower end rail 328a. Similarly, the second edge trim 338b may be additionally removably coupled to the second upper end rail 326c and the second lower end rail 328c. The first edge trim 338a includes a tab 344 extending from each of a first end and a second end thereof. The second edge trim 338b includes a tab 344 extending from each of a first end and a second end thereof. Each of the upper end rails 326a, 326c and each of the lower end rails 328a, 328c includes a recess 346 at one end thereof. The recess 346 on each of the upper and lower end rails 326a, 326c, 328a, 328c is dimensioned for insertion of the tab 344 in an interference fit, compression fit or friction fit relation such that the first edge trim 338a is coupled to the first upper and lower end rails 326a, 328a, and second edge trim 338b is coupled to the second upper and lower end rails 326c, 328c. In one aspect, a width of each of the upper and lower rails 326a-c, 328a-c is equal to a width of the first and second edge trims 338a, 338b.
In the aspect illustrated in
In the aspect illustrated in
The friction fit, interference fit or compression fit coupling between components of the privacy screens discussed above facilitate easier assembly or disassembly without the use of special tools. The components of the privacy screen, including the screen body, the rail, the cap trim, the joining trim, and the edge trims, may be coupled or decoupled from one another by overcoming the friction fit, interference fit or compression fit between components through application of manual force.
Further advantage is provided in that the shape of the privacy screen can be easily modified by attaching the different parts in a different configuration. As indicated above, the configuration of the screen body is in conformity with the configuration of the first rail and the second rail, where present. For instance, the S-shaped privacy screen 402 and C-shaped privacy screen 502 are comprised of the same parts with the difference being the configuration of the first rail, second rail and mid rails. Therefore, the S-shaped privacy screen 402 can be reconfigured into the C-shaped privacy screen 502 depending on the requirements of the user by replacing the first rail, second rail and mid rails of the S-shaped configuration with those of the C-shaped configuration. Other configurations for the privacy screen may be achieved using first rails, second rails and, where desired, mid rails having such other configurations.
The privacy screens discussed above are free-standing or self-supporting structures that can be placed on the floor of a room or any similar work surface. In another aspect, the privacy screens can be suspended from the ceiling of a room using any suitable means. The semi-rigid acoustic insulation material from which the privacy screens are fabricated is sufficiently stiff as to permit the structure to be self-supporting but sufficiently pliable as to permit the structures to be bent or deflected into desired configurations and to provide passage of the projections extending from the screen body into corresponding slots or apertures of the rails and caps with friction fit, interference fit or compression fit therebetween. Moreover, the semi-rigid acoustic insulation material is light weight. Preferably the privacy screen assembly may be relocated by a person simply picking it up and carrying it to a desired location. Further still, the acoustic insulation material absorbs acoustic waves. Thereby, the privacy screen assembly described herein reduces unwanted sound reverberation and controls background noise and interference within a space.
While the invention has been described in terms of specific aspects, it is apparent that other forms could be adopted by one skilled in the art. For example, the methods described herein could be performed in a manner which differs from the aspects described herein. The steps of each method could be performed using similar steps or steps producing the same result, but which are not necessarily equivalent to the steps described herein. Some steps may also be performed in different order to obtain the same result. Similarly, the apparatuses and systems described herein could differ in appearance and construction from the aspects described herein, the functions of each component of the apparatus could be performed by components of different construction but capable of a similar though not necessarily equivalent function, and appropriate materials could be substituted for those noted. Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific aspects described herein. It should also be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed above are for the purpose of disclosing the illustrated aspects, and do not necessarily serve as limitations to the scope of the invention.
