Abstract:
A portable screen or door for a cubicle system. The screen is collapsible and extendible and includes a temporary mounting system. The temporary mounting system permits easy installation and removal of the screen and permits installation and removal without noticeable harm to the cubicle. The screen can be used either alone or in combination with a mounting bracket that also includes a temporary mounting system.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a screen or to a door, more particularly, to a screen or to a door for use with a cubicle. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Many modern offices have resorted to the use of cubicles. Cubicles provide a modular furniture system that is relatively easy and inexpensive to install, configure and re-configure. Cubicles also provide efficient use of floor space. However, cubicle systems also have certain drawbacks. One of the drawbacks is the lack of privacy. 
     Installing conventional doors to cubicle openings are generally not feasible. First, conventional doors would require a large swing area in order to operate. In other words, the sweep required to allow the door to open would require the door to swing either inwards or outwards a distance equal to the width of the door. The movement of a door in an arc equal to its width is often not possible because of interference with other items, such as a desk, a filing cabinet, or hallway traffic. 
     Doors are also impractical to install because cubicles must retain their modular configuration. If a certain cubicle element includes a door, then that element is no longer modular, but becomes a specialized door unit. To keep track of specialized units and to modify the construction and installation of a cubicle system due to specialized elements eliminates an important benefit of modular cubicle systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a screen or a door adapted to be associated to a cubicle. The screen is intended to be collapsible and extendible and also includes a temporary mounting system disposed on its outer portions. The temporary mounting system permits easy installation and removal of the screen without causing noticeable damage to the cubicle system. In some embodiments, the screen is self-supporting and can retain its vertical position without the use of a curtain rod or other horizontal support. 
     Some embodiments of the present invention include a mounting bracket adapted to associate the screen with a portion of the cubicle. The mounting bracket includes a mounting portion that is adapted to engage the screen and help support the screen. The mounting bracket can include an array of optional accessories. The mounting bracket is also designed to be associated with the cubicle system by the use of a temporary mounting system. 
    
    
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure and steps particularly pointed out in the written description, the claims and the drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a cubicle system. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of an end of a cubicle wall. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged isometric view of an end of a cubicle wall. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a screen in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a screen in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a screen in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a screen in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a generalized embodiment of a screen in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a screen engaging a mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a screen engaging a mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 11A is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 11B is an enlarged isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention 
     FIG. 11C is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention 
     FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG.  16 . is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a mounting bracket in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a strike plate in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a screen in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 19 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a screen in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a screen in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows a cubicle system  100 . A first cubicle  102  is joined to a second cubicle  104 . First cubicle  102  includes an opening  106 . Opening  106  is formed by a gap between a first wall  108  and a second wall  110  of first cubicle  102 . Cubicles are generally made of modular sections and those modular sections are generally constructed similarly. 
     FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a first end  112  of opening  106 . Generally, most cubicle systems, including the cubicle shown in FIG. 2, include a wall structure with a panel  202  and end  204 . Generally, end  204  is made of metal and panel  202  is made of a laminate or cloth. A slot  206  disposed between panel  202  and end  204  includes a series of slots (not shown) that are used to support shelving, cabinets, writing surfaces, and other items designed to be mounted to the cubicle wall. 
     FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of a second end  114  of opening  106 . Similar to first end  112 , second end  114  also has a wall structure with a panel  302  and end  304 . Generally, end  304  is made of metal and panel  302  is made of a laminate or cloth. A slot  306  disposed between panel  302  and end  304  includes a series of slots (not shown) that are used to support shelving, cabinets, writing surfaces, and other items designed to be mounted to the cubicle wall. 
     In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, first wall  108  is defined by end  204  and second wall  110  is defined by panel  302 . In other words, end  204  faces panel  302 . It is of course possible that opening  106  is defined by two ends or two panels or one end and one panel, as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, a door or screen is disposed across opening  106 . FIGS. 4-7 show schematic diagrams of various embodiments of the present invention. As shown in those Figures, various different types of screen configurations can be disposed within various different types of openings defined by different ends. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, a first wall  402  having a first end  404  and a second wall  406  having a second end  408  define an opening  410 . A screen  412  is disposed in opening  410  between first end  404  and second end  408 . Preferably, screen  412  is attached to both first end  404  and second end  408  in a manner that permits easy installation and removal of the screen  412 . In the embodiment shown, a first temporary attachment system  414  is used to associate screen  412  with first end  404  and a second temporary attachment system  416  is used to associate screen  412  with second end  408 . Preferably, this temporary attachment system facilitates easy removal and installation of screen  412  without causing significant damage to either first wall  402  or second wall  406  and without the need to significantly alter or modify either first wall  402  or second wall  406 . In exemplary embodiments, temporary attachment systems permit the installation and removal of screen  412  without the use of tools. Screen  412  is preferably an accordion type screen as depicted in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 5 shows an embodiment where two screens, first screen  502  and second screen  504  are disposed between first end  506  and second end  508 . In this embodiment, screen  502  is associated with first end  506  by a first temporary attachment system  510  and second screen  504  is associated with second end  508  by a second temporary attachment system  512 . 
     First screen  502  and second screen  504  are designed to meet at a point between first end  506  and second end  508 . Preferably, first and second screens  502  and  504 , respectively, are of equal size and the two screens meet at a center point between first end  506  and second end  508 , but this is not necessary and first screen  502  could be larger or smaller than second screen  504  and the two screens could meet at a point other than the center point. 
     First screen  502  preferably includes a third temporary attachment system  514  and second screen  504  preferably includes a fourth temporary attachment system  516 . Third and fourth temporary attachment systems,  514  and  516 , respectively, are used to associate first screen  502  with second screen  504  at a point between first end  506  and second end  508 . Using two screens  502  and  504  and four temporary attachment systems  510 ,  512 ,  514  and  516 , this embodiment provides a screen with a double screen and a central opening. 
     For convenience, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 will be referred to as a single screen embodiment and the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 will be referred to as a double screen embodiment. The embodiments shown in FIG.  4  and FIG. 5 are embodiments where the screen is disposed between two ends of a cubicle wall. Recall that an end  204  (see FIG. 2) of a cubicle wall is the metal end and recall that end  204  is different from panel  202  (see FIG.  2 ). As shown in the embodiments that follow, both single or double screen devices can be disposed within openings defined by either ends or panels or both. 
     FIG. 6 shows schematically, a configuration in which an opening  602  is defined by an end  604  and a panel  606 . A single screen embodiment  608  with suitable temporary attachment systems can be disposed within opening  602 . Alternatively, if desired, a double screen embodiment  610  with suitable attachment systems could also be disposed within opening  602 . 
     FIG. 7 shows schematically, a configuration in which an opening  702  is defined by a first panel  704  and a second panel  706 . A single screen embodiment  708  with suitable temporary attachment systems can be disposed within opening  702 . Alternatively, if desired, a double screen embodiment  710  including suitable attachment systems could also be disposed within opening  702 . 
     FIGS. 4-7 show examples of various optional mounting arrangements. Preferred embodiments of screens according to the present invention can be mounted and used in many other configurations between many other types of openings defined by different many different structures. 
     Some examples of suitable temporary attachment systems include magnets, A hook and loop fasteners like Velcro®, releasable adhesives, pins, brackets, other mechanical fasteners, and deformable fasteners like clips. Various examples of preferred temporary attachment systems are discussed in greater detail below. 
     FIG. 8 shows a generalized case where a screen  802  is associated with one side  804  of an opening  806 . In this case, side  804  could be either an end  204  (see FIG. 2) or a panel  202  (see FIG.  2 ). There are two options for mounting screen  802  to side  804 . 
     The first option would be to associate screen  802  with side  804  using a temporary mounting system  808  that is permanently attached to screen  802 . Temporary mounting system  808  would then be used to associate screen  802  with side  804 . 
     A second option would be to use a mounting bracket  810 . In this case, mounting bracket  810  would be associated with side  804  using a temporary mounting system  812 . Screen  802  would be associated with mounting bracket  810  using either a temporary mounting system  808  or a permanent mounting system where screen  802  is permanently attached to mounting bracket  810 . As embodiments of the invention are discussed, it should be kept in mind that screen  802  can be associated with mounting bracket  810  either temporarily or permanently. 
     FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which screen  902  is directly associated with side  904 . In this case, side  904  is a cloth panel, and a plurality of pins  906  mounted to screen  902  are used to associate screen  902  to side  904 . Pins  906  would not cause permanent damage to side  904  and pins  906  permit the easy installation and removal of screen  902 . 
     FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the present invention where screen  1002  is directly associated with side  1004 . In this case, side  1004  is a metal end, similar to end  204  (see FIG.  2 ), and a plurality of magnets  1006  mounted to screen  1002  are used to associate screen  1002  to side  1004 . Magnets  1006  would not cause permanent damage to side  1004  and magnets  1006  permit the easy installation and removal of screen  1002 . 
     FIGS. 11A-11C show an embodiment where screen  1102  is associated with a mounting bracket  1104 . Screen  1102  can be permanently attached to mounting bracket  1104  or screen  1102  can be associated with mounting bracket  1104  by the use of a temporary mounting system. Mounting bracket  1104  includes provisions that assist in associating mounting bracket  1104  with a cubicle end  204 . Mounting bracket  1104  includes a mounting portion  1108  that is designed to retain and hold screen  1102  on a first side. 
     Mounting bracket  1104  includes an end wall  1110  that wraps around a corner of cubicle end  204  (see FIG. 2) and provides a location where at least one tab  1106  can extend in a direction generally parallel to mounting portion  1108  and towards a cubicle wall. This arrangement permits tab  1106  to engage slots  1120  disposed in a slot  206 . As an option, magnets  1112  could also be provided on a second side of mounting portion  1108 . Magnets  1112  would engage the cubicle end  204  and would provide additional support. 
     Another embodiment that uses a mounting bracket is shown in FIG. 12. A screen  1202  is associated with a mounting bracket  1204 . Screen  1202  can be permanently attached to mounting bracket  1204  or screen  1202  can be associated with mounting bracket  1204  by the use of a temporary mounting system. In this embodiment, at least one side wall  1206 , and preferably a pair of side walls  1206  and  1208 , are used to attach mounting bracket  1204  to a cubicle. At least one pin  1210  disposed on either or both side walls  1206  and  1208  is used to assist in attaching mounting bracket  1204  to the cubicle. Preferably, mounting bracket  1204  is attached to an end of a cubicle wall and pins  1210  engage the cloth panels of the cubicle wall. 
     In addition to providing a mounting surface for screens, mounting brackets can include other features as well. FIG. 13 shows an embodiment where mounting bracket  1302  includes a mounting portion  1304  that is adapted to receive a screen. Mounting bracket  1302  also includes an interior portion  1306  that is designed to face the interior of a cubicle. Interior portion  1306  can include a hook  1308  that can be used to hold coats, clothes, and other hanging items. Hook  1308  could also be shaped like a hat peg, as shown in FIG.  13 . Optionally, mounting bracket  1302  can include an upper support  1310  and an outer support  1312 . Upper support  1310  and outer support  1312  can be used to provide additional vertical and horizontal support to mounting bracket  1302 . 
     As an option, all of the surfaces that face a metallic portion of the cubicle can include magnets  1316 . Magnets  1316  would engage the cubicle at various locations and would provide additional support. 
     FIG. 14 is another embodiment of a mounting bracket  1402  that includes additional features. Mounting bracket  1402  includes a mounting portion  1404  that is adapted to receive a screen. Mounting bracket  1402  also includes an interior portion  1406  that is designed to face the interior of a cubicle. Interior portion  1406  can include a hook  1408  that can be used to hold coats, clothes, and other hanging items. Hook  1408  could also be shaped like a hat peg, as shown in FIG.  14 . Mounting bracket  1402  includes an upper support  1410  and an outer support  1412 . Upper support  1410  and outer support  1412  can be used to provide additional vertical and horizontal support to mounting bracket  1402 . Optionally, a paper tray  1414  may be attached to either upper support  1410  or outer support  1412 . While any kind of paper tray may be used, preferably, paper tray  1414  is a vertical paper tray as shown in FIG.  14 . Paper tray  1414  could be used as an “In Box.” 
     As an option, all of the surfaces that face a metallic portion of the cubicle can include magnets  1416 . Magnets  1416  would engage the cubicle at various locations and would provide additional support. 
     FIG. 15 is an embodiment of a mounting bracket  1502  that would be used to provide a screen  1504  across a cubicle panel as opposed to an end. Mounting bracket  1502  includes a mounting portion  1506  that is adapted to receive a screen. Mounting bracket  1502  also includes an upper portion  1508  that is designed to face the top of a cubicle. Mounting bracket  1502  can optionally include an outer portion  1510  that is designed to engage the opposite side of cubicle wall as mounting portion  1506 . 
     As an option, all of the surfaces that face a metallic portion of the cubicle can include magnets  1512 . Magnets  1512  would engage the cubicle at various locations and would provide additional support. 
     FIG. 16 is another embodiment of a mounting bracket  1602 . A mounting portion  1606  is adapted to receive a screen  1604 . Mounting bracket  1602  also includes an upper portion  1608  that is designed to engage the top of a cubicle. Mounting bracket  1602  can optionally include an outer portion  1610  that is designed to engage a side of cubicle wall that is perpendicular to both the top of the cubicle and the end of the cubicle. This embodiment can be used where the top of a cubicle is available, but other portions of the cubicle do not provide a convenient location to receive a mounting device. 
     As an option, all of the surfaces that face a metallic portion of the cubicle can include magnets  1612 . Magnets  1612  would engage the cubicle at various locations and would provide additional support. 
     FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a strike plate  1702 . Strike plate  1702  is designed to be associated with a cubicle wall and to act as an engaging member for a screen. Preferably, the screen includes provisions that permit one end of the screen to engage strike plate  1702 . 
     In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, strike plate  1702  includes an end portion  1704  and an inner portion  1706 . Strike plate  1702  can optionally include an upper portion  1708  and an outer portion  1710 . The interior surface of end portion  1704  can optionally include a magnet  1712  that assists in securing strike plate  1702  to an end of the cubicle wall. Strike plate  1702  is preferably made of a metallic material that is capable of attracting a magnet and inner portion  1706  is designed to engage a magnet attached to a screen. In this way, strike plate  1702  can assist in retaining the screen in the closed or extended position. 
     Any of the mounting brackets could be used as strike plates. A strike plate would be disposed opposite the mounting location of the screen and would provide a surface that would be used by provisions associated with the screen to retain the screen in the closed position. 
     The screens shown in the various embodiments are designed to be self-supporting. Self-supporting means that the screen has enough internal structure and rigidity so that the screen can support its own weight as well as the weight of other items attached to the screen without the use of a curtain rod or any other supporting member disposed above the screen. In other words, a self-supporting screen can be cantilever mounted so that when first side is attached to a generally rigid structure, the screen can be extended horizontally to its designed extension limit and the second end of the screen would remain in roughly the same vertical position as the first end. Preferably, the screens contemplated for use with the present invention are collapsible. 
     FIG. 18 has been greatly enlarged and distorted to show hinge details. Screen  1802  is made of a composite material that includes three layers, a first resilient layer  1804 , a second substrate layer  1806 , and a third resilient layer  1808 . In order to make a first bend  1810 , the first resilient layer  1804  and the substrate layer  1806  are cut leaving the third resilient layer  1808  intact. This arrangement permits the first resilient layer  1804  and the substrate layer  1806  to bend about third resilient layer  1808 . In first bend  1810 , third resilient layer  1808  acts as a live hinge throughout the vertical length of screen  1802 . A “live hinge” is a mechanism that behaves like a hinge without actually requiring a hinge. 
     The second bend  1812  is produced in a similar manner except the third resilient layer  1808  and substrate layer  1806  are cut leaving first resilient layer  1804  intact. With this arrangement, third resilient layer  1808  and substrate layer  1806  can rotate about first resilient layer  1804  and first resilient layer  1804  acts as a live hinge. In one embodiment, screen  1802  is made of a foam core material. 
     In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 19, screen  1902  is made of a series of rigid members  1904  joined by one or more hinges  1906 . Hinges  1906  permit the screen to extend and collapse to a non-use position. For clarity, FIG. 19 shows only a single joint between two rigid members. Clearly, one or more of these types of joints could be used to construct screen  1902 . In other words, screen  1902  could include two, three or more rigid members  1904  attached in series to form screen  1902 . 
     FIG. 20 shows another embodiment where a screen is made of a series of rigid members  2004  and a single piano hinge  2006  is used to join adjacent rigid members  2004 . For clarity, FIG. 20 shows only a single joint between two rigid members. Clearly, one or more of these types of joints could be used to construct screen  2002 . In other words, screen  2002  could include two, three or more rigid members  2004  attached in series to form screen  2002 . 
     The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents. 
     Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.