Combination foldable-screen room divider and curio cabinet

A foldable-screen room divider in combination with a curio cabinet, wherein the room divider is defined by at least three screen sections, the central or intermediate screen section having a curio cabinet mounted thereon, so as to allow ornamental objects or articles to be stored and displayed. The curio cabinet can be mounted in two modes. In one arrangement, the cabinet is hinged to the center screen section for access to the section having a transparent panel. In the other arrangement, the curio cabinet is fixed to the screen section which has a hinged door provided with a transparent panel for viewing the interior of the curio cabinet. The side screen sections are hinged to the central section and can be adapted with ornamental panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates generally to a foldable free-standing screen which 
is commonly used as a room divider, and more particularly to a foldable 
free-standing screen having a curio cabinet formed as part of at least one 
screen section. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
There are many known types of room dividers that include some form of 
screening device. Most of these, however, comprise basically a plurality 
of interconnected screen sections that define foldable panels. 
There are generally two types of screening devices or apparatuses. One type 
is specifically designed to be used as a portable display assembly wherein 
the screen construction is applicable for exhibition and display purposes, 
such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,987 to James A. Coulthard. This 
unit comprises a plurality of support members of elongated configuration 
and uniform circular cross section having a plurality of rectangular 
panels, and a plurality of clips used to secure the panels in place on the 
support members. The panels are generally rectangular in shape and can be 
contiguously or randomly positioned to define various screening 
arrangements. Further, the apparatus of this invention is particularly 
desinged for simple assembly or disassembly of its parts for shipping and 
relocating. 
Another screen-type portable display apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. 
No. 3,817,396 to David E. Markson which is also designed to be assembled 
and disassembled. This apparatus is of lightweight construction and 
comprises a plurality of display units joined together in a side-by-side 
relationship. Each display unit is formed by a pair of skeletal frames 
made of metal tubing and hinged together along one common side, so that 
one of the frames can be swung above the other. Each of these skeletal 
frames includes a pair of inwardly facing track means provided on the 
opposite upstanding sides, in order to slidably mount a pair of 
lightweight insert panels. A support unit is fastened to each end of the 
unitary display structure to retain it in an upstanding position. 
Another type of screening device or apparatus is the one used as a room 
divider and generally defining an ornamental folding screen unit having a 
plurality of screen sections, as illustrated and disclosed in U.S. Pat. 
No. 3,224,489 to Vincent G. Haberthier. This form of divider is used 
extensively in interior decoration, particularly where visual separation 
or division of areas is desired. The most commonly used divider of this 
type includes three-panel screen sections, while others have as many as 
six sections. The combination of a larger number of sections is employed 
to a lesser degree because of excessive weight and difficulty in 
setting-up and adjusting them. 
The Haberthier patent comprises a plurality of screens adapted to be folded 
in other arrangements than for use as a divider. Variations in the locking 
arrangement permit the selective shaping of the assembly into various 
configurations, such as a room divider, a server, a desk, or a support for 
articles, wherein consoles may be mounted on fore or aft portions of the 
assembly. It further is adapted to form a closet or storage container. 
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention has for an important object to provide an ornamental 
folding screen which can be employed as a room divider, and which 
additionally includes in its basic construction a curio cabinet where 
articles can be stored and displayed as part of the overall decoration. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a combination 
foldable-screen room divider and a curio cabinet wherein a plurality of 
hinged screen sections (preferably three sections) can be arranged as a 
self-standing assembly, one or all of the screen sections being formed to 
include a curio cabinet for storing and displaying various ornamental 
artifacts therein. 
It is still another object of the invention to provide a combination 
foldable-screen room divider and curio cabinet wherein the curio cabinet 
is formed as part of the central screen section, and the two oppositely 
arranged screen sections are hingedly connected to the center 
screen--thereby establishing a room divider that can be placed within a 
room in a very pleasing ornamental fashion, without the need for 
additional space that would normally be required for a separate piece of 
furniture such as a china cabinet. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide a foldable-screen room 
divider of this character wherein the framework can be constructed from a 
suitable material, preferably an ornamental wood frame having hinged doors 
with glass inserts for access to the shelves within the cabinet area. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a room divider 
of this character wherein the curio cabinet is hinged to a selected screen 
section, a glass viewing panel being fixedly mounted within the frame of 
the screen section. 
It is still another object of the invention to provide a combination 
foldable-screen room divider and curio cabinet of this character wherein 
the cabinet structure is fixedly mounted to the framework of the central 
screen section, the screen section being provided with a door for access 
to the interior cabinet area. 
It is still a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus of 
this type that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. 
The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further 
sufficiently referred to in connection with the accompanying drawings, 
which represent one embodiment. After considering this example, skilled 
persons will understand that variations may be made without departing from 
the principles disclosed; and I contemplate the employment of any 
structures, arrangements or modes of operation that are properly within 
the scope of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, there is illustrated a 
combination foldable-screen room divider and curio cabinet, generally 
indicated at 10, which depicts one of the embodiments herein claimed. The 
present invention comprises a plurality of screen sections, more 
specifically a three-section screen divider having a central or 
intermediate screen section 12, and a pair of oppositely disposed side 
screen sections 14 and 16, respectively. The side sections 14 and 16 are 
hinged along one edge to the central section by means of hinges 18. The 
hinges can be any suitable type that allow the side screens to be folded, 
whereby the room divider as a single unit can be readily folded for moving 
or shipping--above all allowing the side screen sections to be adjustable 
in a suitable angular arrangement to establish a stable upright position 
of the unit as a whole. Thus the unit can be readily positioned to 
accommodate various room sizes and decors. 
Each side screen section includes a structure having a substantially 
rectangular framework 20, which can be formed from any suitable material, 
but preferably from wood. Hence, framework 20, as herein illustrated, 
includes elongated vertical side frame members 22, bottom member 24, and 
an upper cross member 26. Since there are numerous ornamental designs and 
configurations that can be adapted to the basic framework 20, there is 
shown a top frame portion 28 formed having an arcuate shape in which 
several glass panels 30 are installed. 
Various ornamental decorations can be provided within the framework 20 
defined by panel 32. This panel may be constructed from a variety of 
materials or choice of colors to provide a decorative effect in harmony 
with the color and/or decor of the room in which the unit is to be 
located. Again, this panel can also be formed from glass as indicated at 
30. Accordingly, the cross-sectional configuration of the framework 
members would appropriately accommodate whatever type of panel might be 
selected. 
The central or intermediate screen section is also formed having a similar 
framework, generally indicated at 35, which includes elongated vertical 
side members 36, lower cross member 38, and upper cross member 40, the 
side members 36 being extended to form an arcuate portion 42 for 
additional ornamental design, which can be suitably varied to include 
fabrics as well as glass or translucent panels, such as indicated at 44. 
In the embodiment shown herein in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 the framework 35 is 
adapted to receive a full transparent panel, preferably glass 46. This 
panel is affixed or suitably mounted in the framework, thus in effect 
providing a window for viewing the storage area 48 within the 
curio-cabinet portion, indicated generally at 50. 
The curio cabinet comprises a substantially rectangular box-like structure 
having a full back wall 52, side walls 54, and end walls 56. Accordingly, 
hinge means 58 are provided as well as a latching means indicated at 60, 
the hinge and latch means being attached on opposite side walls from each 
other whereby the hinge 58 mounts the curio cabinet to frame member 36 in 
a suitable manner to allow the cabinet to be readily opened, as shown in 
FIG. 4, and to provide access to storage area 48 which is adapted to 
receive a plurality of shelf members 62 supported by suitable adjustable 
support means, such as indicated at 64. 
Reference is made now to the second embodiment which is illustrated in 
FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown herein, this embodiment is similar in its overall 
concept to that shown and described heretofore. That is, a plurality of 
screen sections are employed, preferably three sections--a central or 
intermediate section 12a, and side screen sections 14a and 16a, 
respectively. The side sections can be provided with any suitable 
ornamental design, and the rectangular framework 20a includes at least one 
panel 32a, as previously described. 
The side screens 14a and 16a are preferably hingedly secured at 18a to the 
central screen section 12a. However, central screen section 12a is formed 
to fixedly support curio cabinet 50a by means of suitable fasteners, such 
as indicated by screws 70 which are located along the edge of side walls 
54a, so as to engage the peripheral inner edge of the framework opening 
72. Hence, curio cabinet 50a is mounted to framework 35a in a permanent 
manner, whereby access to storage area 48a, which includes adjustable 
shelves 62a, is through opening 72 of the central screen section. 
In order to establish a sealed or closed-off storage area, there can be 
further provided a cabinet door, indicated at 74, having a framestructure 
to correspond to opening 72. The cabinet door can be formed in any desired 
shape, but is herein shown in the preferable rectangular mode 76 adapted 
to receive a transparent panel or sheet of glass 78 for viewing the 
interior of the cabinet, the door being hinged along one edge such as 
indicated at 80. FIG. 6 shows the door in a closed position and in an open 
position by means of phantom lines. 
It should be noted that the cabinet need not cover the full length of the 
screen section, and it is further contemplated that the side sections or 
any screen sections that might be added to the examples herein shown will 
also be provided with curio cabinets in the same manner as described for 
the central screen section. 
The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from the 
foregoing description; and it will be apparent that various changes may be 
made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts of the 
invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof or 
sacrificing its material advantages, the arrangement hereinbefore 
described being merely by way of example; and I do not wish to be 
restricted to the specific form shown or uses mentioned, except as defined 
in the accompanying claims.