Cubicle wall extender apparatus

A clip for removably attaching a cubicle wall extension element to a top surface of a cubicle wall includes two elongate arms rotatably coupled together at an attachment portion. Each one of the arms has an upper portion and a lower portion, and the attachment portion is disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion. Each one of the arms also has a first angled portion between the lower portion and the attachment portion, and a second angled portion between the attachment portion and the upper portion. A space between the lower portions of the arms is sized and shaped to fit over the top surface of the cubicle wall. A torsion spring is disposed between the two arms so that the two arms are spring biased to have a resting configuration in which the lower portions of the arms are open and the upper portions of the arms are closed.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Art

The present invention relates to an adjustable, temporary cubicle wall extender apparatus that removably attaches to a cubicle wall on one side, and to a variety of extension elements on the other side to extend the height of the cubicle wall.

Discussion of the State of the Art

Currently there are a number of cubicle wall extender devices available on the market to extend the height of a cubicle wall. Some examples of these devices are sneeze guards and extender panels.

Sneeze guards are often pre-made panels with an attachment mechanism to adhere to an existing cubicle wall. These types of sneeze guards cannot be adjusted for size, height, or material preference. If the user wants a more vertical height, he/she does not have a choice to use one. Moreover, the attachment mechanism is designed to work with the sneeze guard only and cannot usually be modified.

Extender panels are also available to extend the vertical height of a cubicle wall. However, extender panels often come with a customized attachment mechanism that cannot be adjusted to accommodate paneling material or size.

Although there are cubicle wall extender devices available in the market, very few, if any, are adjustable to differently sized cubicle walls and few can accommodate extension elements made of different types of materials and sizes. Sneeze guards and extender panels are limited in size, shape and material. Simply put, users who wish to benefit from being able to temporarily attach a variety of extension elements to their existing cubicle walls do not currently have access to such an extension apparatus.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to an adjustable, temporary cubicle wall extender apparatus which can removably attach to a cubicle wall and to a variety of extension elements to extend the height of the cubicle wall. A typical cubicle wall extender is pre-made and little choice for modification is given to the user. The present invention is a uniquely modified and customized cubicle wall extender apparatus. In one embodiment of the inventive apparatus, the adjustable temporary cubicle wall extender apparatus includes cubicle wall attachment arms, cubicle wall extension element attachment arms, and a spring-biased attachment portion.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus temporarily attaches to a cubicle wall by straddling the two exterior surfaces of the cubicle wall, extending upward, and clamping onto an extension material vertically, thereby providing additional height to the cubicle wall. It is designed to attach to a cubicle wall and to varying sized paneling material. It benefits users by providing a method of design for extending existing cubicle walls vertically, with varying extension elements, to provide a temporary, higher barrier for individual cubicle users in instances where users may want to limit aerosol particles, noise, light or other matter from entering a cubicle space.

A feature of the present invention is that it is temporarily attached to a cubicle wall and can be removed at the user's discretion. Another feature of the present invention is that it can accommodate extension elements which include various sizes, shapes and materials.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The apparatus disclosed herein is an adjustable, temporary cubicle wall extender apparatus which can temporarily attach to a cubicle wall and to a variety of extension elements to extend the height of a cubicle wall. In one embodiment of the inventive apparatus, the adjustable temporary cubicle wall extender apparatus includes cubicle wall attachment arms, cubicle wall extension element attachment arms, and an attachment point therebetween.

The invention is described by reference to various elements herein. It should be noted, however, that although the various elements of the inventive apparatus are described separately below, the elements need not necessarily be separate. The various embodiments may be interconnected and may be cut out of a singular block or mold. The variety of different ways of forming an inventive apparatus, in accordance with the disclosure herein, may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Generally, one or more different embodiments may be described in the present application. Further, for one or more of the embodiments described herein, numerous alternative arrangements may be described; it should be appreciated that these are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting of the embodiments contained herein in any way. One or more of the arrangements may be widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as may be readily apparent from the disclosure. In general, arrangements are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of the embodiments, and it should be appreciated that other arrangements may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. Particular features of one or more of the embodiments described herein may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific arrangements of one or more of the aspects. It should be appreciated, however, that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described. The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all arrangements of one or more of the embodiments nor a listing of features of one or more of the embodiments that must be present in all arrangements.

Devices and parts that are connected to each other need not be in continuous connection with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices and parts that are connected with each other may be connected directly or indirectly through one or more connection means or intermediaries.

Techniques and mechanisms described or referenced herein will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be appreciated that particular embodiments may include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise. Alternate implementations are included within the scope of various embodiments in which, for example, functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially, concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.

Overview

The apparatus of the present invention is a temporary cubicle wall extender apparatus which can removably attach to a cubicle wall and to a variety of extension elements to extend the height of the cubicle wall. In one embodiment of the inventive apparatus, the temporary cubicle wall extender apparatus includes cubicle wall attachment arms on one end, cubicle wall extension element attachment arms on the other end, and an attachment point therebetween. The cubicle wall attachment arms may adjust to fit onto the top of a cubicle wall so that the apparatus can be used on various brands and widths of cubicle partitions. For example, the cubicle wall attachment arms may be made of a material that can be bent into place.

Apparatus

FIG.1illustrates the inventive apparatus100in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In particular,FIG.1illustrates a clip100that is configured to removably attach to a cubicle wall on one side and to a cubicle wall extension element on the other side. The clip100includes two elongate arms102that are coupled together at an attachment portion108. Each one of the arms102has a lower portion104configured to engage directly with a cubicle wall, an upper portion106configured to engage with a cubicle wall extension element, and an attachment portion108about which the arms102may rotate. The clip100is made of a rigid, lightweight material. For example, the clip100may be made of a metal such as aluminum or steel, hard plastic, fiberglass, wood, or the like. The clip100may be made of a material that can be bent into a desired position so that the lower portions104can be bent into position to fit snugly around the top of a cubicle wall.

Each one of the arms102includes a first angled portion110between the lower portion104and the attachment portion108. Each one of the arms102further includes a second angled portion112between the attachment portion108and the upper portion106. In this manner, the arms102are angled towards each other between the lower portions104and the upper portions106.

The elongate arms102are coupled to each other with a spring disposed between them. As such, the arms102are spring biased to have the upper portions106substantially touching each other and the lower portions104having a space114between them. That is, the clip100has a resting configuration in which the upper portions106are in contact with each other along substantially their entire length in a closed position, and the lower portions104have a space114between them in an open position.FIG.1depicts the clips100in the resting configuration.

The upper portions106of the arms102are long enough to hold a cubicle wall extension element in a stable position. As such, the length of the upper portions106may depend on the size and weight of the cubicle wall extension elements. In general, the upper portions106of the arms102may be about 12 to 18 inches long.

The lower portions104of the arms102are long enough to hold the clips100and the cubicle wall extension elements in a stable position on top of a cubicle wall. In general, the lower portions104of the arms102may be about 5 to 8 inches long. Further, the arms102may be made of a material, such as aluminum, that can be bent into a desired position. In this manner, the lower portions104can be bent towards the cubicle wall to ensure a snug fit around the top of the cubicle wall. As such, the clip100is adjustable to accommodate various brands and widths of cubicle walls.

The upper portions106and the lower portions104are substantially parallel to each other. That is, the lower portions104each lie in a plane that is substantially parallel to the plane of the upper portions106. The first angled portions110and the second angled portions112are at an angle126relative to the lower portions104and the upper portions106. The angle126may be between about 20 degrees and about 40 degrees.

The space114between the lower portions104is sized and shaped to accommodate the top of the cubicle wall. As such, the size and shape of the space114is dependent on the size and shape of the cubicle wall. In general, the distance114between the lower portions104(i.e., the width of the space114) may be about 1.5 to 3.75 inches. The lower portions104may be bent towards or away from each other to narrow or enlarge the space114to ensure a snug fit around the top of the cubicle wall.

One embodiment of the attachment portion108is shown in more detail inFIGS.2A and2B. The attachment portion108of each arm102includes two protruding tabs116. One tab116is on each side of the arm102. The tabs116include holes and the arms102are attached together by positioning the holes in alignment with each other and positioning a screw, bolt, pin, or shaft118through the aligned holes. The attachment portion108further includes a torsion spring120having a helical portion with a central opening through which the shaft118passes. The shaft118is coupled to the two elongate arms102in a manner that allows the arms102to rotate relative to the shaft118. The torsion spring120further includes spring legs122that engage with the first angled portions110of the arms102in a manner that presses the lower portions104away from each other. In this manner, the clip100is spring biased to be open in the lower portion104of the clip100and closed in the upper portion106of the clip100.

In another embodiment, shown inFIGS.3A-3C, the attachment portion108includes rivets118′ rather than a bolt118. The rivets118′ are coupled to the through holes in the tabs116in a manner that allows the arms102to rotate relative to each other around the attachment portion108, and, more particularly, around the rivets118′. The spring120disposed in the attachment portion108is held in place by a friction fit. Alternatively, the arms102may include an inner protrusion that engages with the legs122of the spring120to hold the spring120in place.

FIGS.4-7depict the clips100in use with the lower portions104of the clips100fitting snugly around the top of a cubicle wall132and the upper portions106of the clips100being in a clamping engagement with cubicle wall extension elements134. The cubicle wall extension elements134may be Plexiglas, acrylic, wood, plastic or other material as would be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In order to install the clips100on the cubicle wall132, pressure is applied to one or both of the lower portions104so that the lower portions104rotate around the attachment portion108towards each other and the space114between them gets narrower. The pressure applied to the lower portions104creates a space between the upper portions106. Next, the cubicle wall extension element134is positioned in the space created between the upper portions106. After the cubicle wall extension element134is positioned between the upper portions106, the pressure on the lower portions104is released and the upper portions106are spring biased back towards a closed position, thereby clamping the cubicle wall extension element134between them. The clips100and the cubicle wall extension element134are then removably coupled to the cubicle wall132by positioning the lower portions104around the top of the cubicle wall132in a straddling position. That is, the top of the cubicle wall132is positioned in the space114between the lower portions104of the clip100. If necessary, the lower portions104of the clip may be bent towards or away from each other to adjust for the width of the cubicle wall132. In this manner, the lower portions104are crimped around the top of the cubicle wall132and the apparatus can be used on a variety of brands, types, and widths of cubicle wall partitions.

FIGS.4-6depict the cubicle wall extension element134removably coupled to the cubicle wall132with a space136therebetween. That is, the attachment portions108of the clips100are positioned between the cubicle wall extension element134and the cubicle wall132.

In another configuration, shown inFIG.7, the cubicle wall extension element134includes notches138therein to accommodate the attachment portions108of the clips100. The configuration minimizes or eliminates the gap between the cubicle wall extension element134and the cubicle wall132. As such, the clips100may be provided in a kit that includes the cubicle wall extension element134having the notches138cut therein. The kit may include a cubicle wall extension element134having a size, shape, and material chosen by the user or customer and two or more clips100that are sized and shaped to hold the cubicle wall extension element134in position on the cubicle wall132. The cubicle wall extension element134included in the kit may have the notches138cut therein to accommodate the clips100.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciate still additional alternative structural and functional designs through the disclosed principles herein. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Various apparent modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope defined herein.