Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to a portable modesty guard apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable modesty guard for creating a private space in a public, or other, area. The portable modesty guard provides a unique construction which allows the user to collapse, store and carry the device in a way that allows it to be set-up quickly and packed away in a lightweight, portable unit.

Description:
[0001]    RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
         [0002]    This continuation-in-part patent application claims priority to U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/420,605 filed Mar. 14, 2012 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/452,162 filed Mar. 14, 2011, and titled “Portable Modesty Guard.” The full text of this application is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention generally relates to a portable modesty guard apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable modesty guard for creating a private space in a public, or other, area. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The use of public spaces for private matters, such as for example, changing clothes in a locker room or nursing an infant, is often done with apprehension or reluctance. As a result, use of public facilities is either avoided completely or some alternative approach is used to obtain privacy and personal dignity. Although some public spaces by design have some elements of privacy built in via public restroom stalls, changing rooms, and shower stalls, these elements are often lacking in quantity, transferability, and accessibility. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In one embodiment, the portable modesty guard comprises a casing, an end panel, a top extendable support member, a bottom extendable support member, and a shield positioned between the top and bottom extendable support members and secured thereto. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment a portable modesty guard comprises a casing, an end panel, a first extendable support member and a second extendable support member attached to the casing and to the end panel, wherein the first and second extendable support members are extendable away from the casing. The portable modesty guard further includes a shield that extends between the first and second extendable support members. The casing comprises an inner casing portion and an outer casing portion which are movable relative to one another between a nested position and an extended position. 
         [0007]    The portable modesty guard creates privacy and dignity during the use of public spaces. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The various embodiments of the present invention can be understood by the following drawings and figures. The components are not necessarily to scale. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable modesty guard in a closed position, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the portable modesty guard of  FIG. 1  in an open position, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the portable modesty guard in an open position and wherein the first extendable support member and second extendable support member are extended along a single plane, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the portable modesty guard in an open position and the first extendable support member and second extendable support member are extended and disposed in two planes, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the casing of the portable modesty guard mounted to a surface, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is schematic view of the casing of the portable modesty guard mounted to a surface, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative portable modesty guard in a closed position, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the portable modesty guard of  FIG. 7  in an extended position, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a portable modesty guard that is skeletal and without a shield, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the portable modesty guard of  FIG. 9 , according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a portable modesty guard in an extended and open position, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 12 and 13  are perspective views of a portable modesty guard in an extended position, according to alternative embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the portable modesty guard of  FIG. 13  and shown in a nested position, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the portable modesty guard of  FIG. 11  and shown in an open position and wherein the first extendable support member and second extendable support member are extended and disposed in two planes, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a front view of a portable modesty view comprising at least one brace according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a break-out view of the portable modesty guard of  FIG. 16  showing an alternative brace, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a break-out view of portable modesty guard of  FIG. 17  showing an alternative brace, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    The present invention provides various embodiments of a portable modesty guard which allows the user to be shielded from open exposure while in public settings. The modesty guard is designed to be compact, easy to use, and to provide privacy to individuals who are uncomfortable being exposed in public settings. 
         [0027]    Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the portable modesty guard of the present invention in a closed position. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the portable modesty guard  10  comprises a casing  14  with a base  12  (shown in phantom), an end panel  16 , a top extendable support member  23 , a bottom extendable support member  25 , and a screen or shield  27 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , top extendable support member  23  and bottom extendable support member  25  are attached to end panel  16  via any suitable attachment device  18 . Such suitable attachment devices include, but are not limited to, rivets, bolts, screws, nails, pins, clips, adhesive bonds, metal welds, ultrasonic welds, etc. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the top and bottom extendable support members  23  and  25  each can independently further comprise at least one joint, hinge or other suitable type of bending or flexing unit or mechanism  29  and  31 , respectively, to permit the portable modesty guard to extend in at least two different directions or planes. Therefore, in an example embodiment the top extendable support member  23  is divided into a first portion  24  and a second portion  26  separated by flexing unit  29 , and the bottom extendable support member  25  is divided into a first portion  33  and a second portion  35  and separated by flexing unit  31 . 
         [0029]    In still another embodiment, the top and bottom extendable support members  23  and  25  are formed from a plurality of telescoping units that slide inward or outward in overlapping sections. Regarding the plurality telescoping units, single member  28  and  32  are illustrated in  FIG. 2 , with  28  being a top single unit and  32  being a bottom single unit. The plurality of telescoping units that in this embodiment form the top and bottom extendable support members can be any suitable shape. Such suitable shapes include, but are not limited to, round, oval elliptical, square, rectangular, polygonal, etc. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, screen or shield  27  can be attached, secured or otherwise connected to top and bottom extendable support members  23  via any suitable connection device  37 . Such suitable connection devices include, but are not limited to, at least one retention clip, at least one hanger designed to either hang the screen or shield  27  from the top extendable support member  23  or fit into a slot formed in the bottom surface of the top extendable support member  23 . In another embodiment, screen or shield  27  is attached, secured or otherwise connected to top extendable support member  23  by a loop formed in the material from which screen or shield  27  is itself made of (see shield or screen  27  of  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0031]    In any of the embodiments described above, portable modesty guard  10  can further include at least one handle  22  on the exterior surface of end panel  16 . Handle  22  can be used to carry the portable modesty guard  10  and can also be used to aid user in opening the unit by pulling the handle  22  to separate end panel  16  from casing  14 . Portable modesty guard  10  can further include a closure device, for example a latch comprising lever  20  and catch  21 , to ensure positive closure when the portable unit is not in use. 
         [0032]    Turning to  FIGS. 3 and 4 ,  FIG. 3  is a top illustration of portable modesty guard  10  illustrating portable modesty guard  10  in an extended position where the guard extends in a single plane. On the other hand  FIG. 4  illustrates portable modesty guard  10  in an extended position where the portable modesty guard extends in two different planes. As would be apparent, the present invention is not limited to either of these embodiments. Rather, portable modesty guard  10  could be designed and/or configured to permit screen or shield  10  to be extended in two or more different planes, for example with the use of two or more flexing units. 
         [0033]    Regarding the individual components of portable modesty guard  10  described above, for example casing  14 , end panel  16 , top and bottom extendable support members  23 ,  25 , shield  27 , etc., can independently be made from any suitable material. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, metal, metal alloys, plastic or polymeric materials, paper, etc. Regarding screen or shield  27 , screen or shield  27  can be formed from any suitable material. Such suitable materials include, but are not limited to, paper, plastic sheeting, polymeric materials, fabric, cloth, polymer coated cloth or fabric, or any combination thereof. In another example embodiment, screen or shield  27  can be corrugated, pleated, or pre-folded as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 . Alternatively, screen or shield  27  may drape as smooth or drape naturally to permit for easy storage. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 5  illustrates portable modesty guard  10  attached or mounted to a surface  42  via at least one mounting member  44 , for example suction device  40 . Surface  42  can be any desired surface to which portable modesty guard  10  is to be affixed, adhered, attached, etc. Such surfaces include, but are not limited to, wood, Formica, metal, plastic, tile, wallboard, etc. As would be apparent, more than one suction device  40  can be utilized to affix or “hand” portable modesty guard  10  to surface  42 . Suction device  40  can be selected from any suitable device that permits one object to be attached to another object via a low grade vacuum. Suitable suction devices include, but are not limited to, suction cups, or other suction devices. 
         [0035]    With regard to  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 6  illustrates portable modesty guard  10  attached or mounted to a surface  42  via at least one mounting member  44 . In this embodiment, each mounting member  44  is independently selected from a magnetic strip, a pressure sensitive adhesive, double sided tape, mounting putty, etc. As can be seen in  FIG. 6  with respect to top extendable support member  23 , the internal end of top and bottom extendable support members  23  and  25  can be secured to casing  14  via an attachment device  45 . Suitable attachment devices  45  include, but are not limited to, rivets, bolts, screws, nails, pins, clips, adhesive bonds, metal welds, ultrasonic welds, etc. In addition, the screen or shield  27  can be fixed into position by folding a portion of shield material into support members  23 ,  25  and anchoring the shield with an attachment device such that a portion of the shield  27  is lodged between the extendable support members  23 ,  25  and the attachment device. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative portable modesty guard  50 , according to another embodiment of the present invention. Portable modesty guard  50  is shown in a closed position in  FIG. 7  and has a casing  52  that is extendable and can be enlarged for greater privacy.  FIG. 8  shows the casing in an extended position and has an inner casing portion  54  of casing  52  and outer casing portion  56  of casing  52 . The inner casing portion  54  nests inside outer casing portion  56  and they can slide relative to one another such that the casing  52  can extend to provide additional privacy. Inner casing portion  54  of casing  52  and outer casing portion  56  of casing  52  have an inner end panel  55  and outer end panel  57 , respectively. In another embodiment, inner end panel  55  includes a slot  58 . Notch  59  ( FIG. 15 ) extends inward from inner surface of outer end panel  55  and is sized to fit through slot  58  and hold inner end panel  55  in an extended position. For example, the end portion of slot  58  can be sized to compression fit around notch  59  so that inner end panel  55  remains in the extended position until an external force, for example a force greater than the force of gravity, is applied to the inner end panel to move it back into the nested position shown in  FIG. 7 . Alternatively, fastening mechanisms other than slot  58  and notch  59  can be used to retain inner casing portion  54  of casing  52  in an extended position. For example, fastening mechanisms can include. but are not limited to, latches, hooks, screws, bolts, etc. 
         [0037]    In any of the embodiments described above, portable modesty guard  10 ,  50  can optionally include a carrying strap  60  that attaches to the casing  52 . For example, carrying strap  60  is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  attached to top  71  of inner casing portion  54  at one end and bottom  73  of outer portion  56  at a second end. Carrying strap  60  is attached to casing  52  via any suitable attachment device  65  and  66 . Such suitable attachment devices include, but are not limited to, rivets, bolts, screws, nails, pins, clips, adhesive bonds, metal welds, ultrasonic welds, etc. Carrying strap  60  is shown attached along the heavier portion of casing  52  and opposite the inner end panel  55  and outer end panel  57 , although carrying strap  60  can be attached anywhere on the casing or the end panels. 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing of a portable modesty guard  50  in an open and extended position and open position and as a “skeletal” view without a shield. Portable modesty guard  50  comprises a top extendable support member  68  secured between inner casing portion  54  of casing  52  and inner end panel  55 . A bottom extendable support member  69  is secured between outer casing portion  56  of casing  52  and outer end panel  57 . Top extendable support member  68  and bottom extendable support member  69  are attached to end panels  70  and  72  of inner casing portion  54  and outer casing portion  56 , respectively, in the same variety of methods and devices as described above with respect to top and bottom extendable support members  23  and  25  of  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 6 , for example, attachment device  45 . Such suitable attachment devices for the support members  68  and  69  include, but are not limited to, rivets, bolts, screws, nails, pins, clips, adhesive bonds, metal welds, ultrasonic welds, etc. 
         [0039]    In any of the embodiments described above, the top and bottom extendable support members  68  and  69  can be formed from a plurality of telescoping units  74 ,  76  that slide inward or outward in overlapping sections. The plurality of telescoping units  74 ,  76  that form the top and bottom extendable support members  68 ,  69  can be any suitable shape. As shown, the telescoping units  74 ,  76  of  FIG. 9  are round and telescoping units  28 ,  32  of  FIG. 2  are square, although other suitable shapes include, but are not limited to, oval elliptical, rectangular, polygonal shapes, etc. Also, telescoping units of top extendable support members  23  and  68  may have a different shape than the telescoping units of bottom extendable support member  25  and  69 . The top and bottom extendable support members  68  and  69  each can further include at least one bending or flexing unit or mechanism  77  and  78 , for example a joint, hinge or other suitable type of flexing unit, to permit the portable modesty guard to extend in at least two different directions or planes. 
         [0040]    In any of the embodiments of portable modesty guard  50 , inner casing  54  and outer casing  56  may be reversed. For example,  FIG. 9  shows top extendable support member  68  attached to inner casing  54  nests inside the bottom extendable support member  69  which is attached to outer casing  56 , however, alternatively in any of the embodiments described herein, the bottom casing  56  can nest inside top casing  54 .  FIG. 9  shows that casing portion  54  has four sides, a first sidewall  61 , a second sidewall  62  which is substantially parallel to sidewall  61 , an inner casing base  70 , and a top  71 . Casing portion  56  also has four sides and includes first sidewall  63 , second sidewall  64 , outer casing base  72  and bottom  73 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the portable modesty guard  50  of  FIG. 9  shown extending in a single plane. The top view shows the inner end panel  55  and outer end panel  57  are adjacent to one another, and may be in contact or spaced apart. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13  is a perspective view of alternative embodiments of portable modesty guard  50  in an open position and further including various types of shields, as shown smooth or draping naturally, although the shield in any of the embodiments herein can be also be corrugated or have an alternative pre-formed or folded pattern.  FIG. 11  shows shield  27  disposed between top and bottom extendable support members  68 ,  69  and attached by connection device  37 . For example, connection device  37  is shown as a retention clip or hanger designed to either hang the screen or shield  27  from the top and bottom extendable support members  68 ,  69 . The use of the clip or a hanger allows the shield  27  to move freely along the top and bottom extendable support members.  FIG. 12  illustrates an example embodiment where the shield  27  is bound to the top and bottom extendable support members  68 ,  69 . As illustrated, the shield can be bound to a fastener  77  or fit into a slot formed in the bottom surface of the top extendable support member  68  and at various telescoping units along the top and bottom extendable support members, including those inside casing  52 . Thus, when portable modesty shield is opened and extended, the bound shield will not pull away from the casing and will hang substantially evenly along the support members  68 ,  69 .  FIG. 13  illustrates another embodiment in which screen or shield  27  is attached, secured or otherwise connected to top and bottom extendable support members  68 ,  69  by a connection device that is a loop  78  formed in the shield material of shield  27  or an alternative material. The material of the shield can include seams  79  that can be loose fitting or form a tighter loop to substantially bind the shield in place along the support members  68 ,  69 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the portable modesty guard  50  of  FIG. 13  and shown in an open and nested position when the user can be in the process of opening the portable modesty guard for use or in the process of stowing it away. When casing  52  is nested, the shield  27  can fold, bunch or become oriented in a layered fashion. As described above, a myriad of types of material can be used for the shield, for example a lightweight nylon, and the shield  27  can slide easily over itself to create a fold  86 . Notch  59  engages with top edge  87  of slot  58  which provides a positive stop for inner end panel  55  to remain in the nested position. 
         [0044]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the portable modesty guard  50  of  FIG. 11  and shown in an open position and wherein the first extendable support member and second extendable support member are extended and disposed in two planes, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The top and bottom extendable support members  68  and  69  each can independently further comprise at least one bending or flexing unit or mechanism  29  and  31 , respectively. The closer break-out view shows a flexing unit, for example a ball-type joint  89 , between telescoping units  74 ,  76  and that permits the portable modesty guard to extend in at least two different planes. This allows the user to create additional privacy or to utilize the portable modesty guard in a confined space. In any of the embodiments described above, portable modesty guard  10 ,  50  can be attached or mounted to surface with one or more mounting members  44  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0045]    In any of the embodiments described herein, portable modesty guard  10 ,  50  may further include one or more braces for support to achieve a free-standing unit or to provide additional support when the portable modesty guard is affixed to another surface, for example a wall.  FIG. 16  is a front view of portable modesty guard  50  comprising end panel brace  90  according to another embodiment of the present invention. End panel brace  90  is shown attached to the bottom extendable support member  69  or the outer end panel  57  or both. End panel brace  90  include a flexing members  91  such as a joint, hinge, or elastic cord, for example, that allows it to folds onto itself (shown in phantom) and also lie against bottom extendable support member  69  so that it may be tucked inside casing  52 , for example outer casing portion  56 , when the portable modesty guard  50  is closed. Casing brace  92  is shown as a telescoping brace and comprising telescoping units  93  that can slide into the outer casing portion  56  adjacent to the bottom extendable support member  69 . Braces  90 ,  92  optionally include a foot or base, such as base  94  which is substantially orthogonal to brace  92 , for additional stability. Casing brace  94  can flex and can be pushed inside casing  52  or positioned along the external surface of casing  52 . Alternative embodiments include one or more of the braces described above and in any combination of brace construction described in the example embodiments/ 
         [0046]      FIG. 17  is a break-out view of a brace  95  according to an alternative embodiment. Brace  95  also includes telescoping units  96 ,  97  and  98  and units  97  and  98  can nest into telescoping unit  96  which resides inside casing  52  or between end panel  53 , for example outer end panel  57 , and shield  27 . Once nested, foot or base  94  can lie parallel to bottom extendable support member  69  and is tucked into casing  52  when portable modesty unit is closed.  FIG. 18  is a break-out view showing an alternative brace  100 . In one embodiment brace  100  is a single unit  102  that is detachable from the casing, or alternatively, remains attached to portable modesty guard  50  and include a flexing member  91  so that it may be swung upward and parallel to casing  52  when not in use. Portable modesty unit may further include a cradle  104  that receives and retains brace  98  via an interference fit, e.g. a pressure fit, snap fit, etc. 
         [0047]    In any of the embodiments of portable modesty guard  50  described above may include several of the same features described with respect to portable modesty guard  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . For example, a closure device such as a latch which includes a lever  20  and catch  21  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) can be used. Top and bottom extendable support members  68  and  69  can be secured to casing  14  via an attachment device  45  ( FIG. 6 ). Suitable attachment devices  45  include, but are not limited to, rivets, bolts, screws, nails, pins, clips, adhesive bonds, metal welds, ultrasonic welds, etc. Also, portable modesty guard  50  can be mounted or affixed to a surface using a mounting member  44  ( FIG. 6 ), including but not limited to, suction device  40 , or a magnetic strip, a pressure sensitive adhesive, double sided tape, mounting putty, etc. 
         [0048]    A method for using a portable modesty guard  10 ,  50  includes extending a first extendable support member  28 ,  68  and a second extendable support member  32 ,  69  outward from a casing  14 ,  52  and along an axis to expand the visible surface area of a shield  27 . The method also includes supporting the portable modesty guard by mounting the casing to a surface, for example a wall surface, or bracing the portable modesty guard to a surface, for example a floor surface. In one example embodiment, the method includes separating the end panel from the casing to open the portable modesty guard, and expanding the visible surface area of the shield as the first and second extendable support members are extended. 
         [0049]    While in accordance with the patent statutes the best mode and certain embodiments of the invention have been set forth, the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, but rather by the scope of the attached. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. As such, other variants within the spirit and scope of this invention are possible and will present themselves to those skilled in the art.