Patent Publication Number: US-2003221798-A1

Title: Movable screen assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to a movable screen assembly and more particularly to a easily movable and reconfigurable workplace screen assembly.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] Lightweight screens for dividing rooms are well known devices. However, such screens are not terribly versatile and are usually present for aesthetics rather than functional purposes.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] What is described here is a movable screen assembly comprising at least two panels each panel having a top, a bottom and side edge portions, a horizontal frame member connected to each of the panel top and bottom edge portions, a vertical frame member connected to each of the panel side edge portions, at least two corner connectors, each corner connector being connected to a respective one of the two panels, each corner connector including two spaced apart posts with each post being surrounded by a congruent geometric region, and a joining element connected to the two connector corners, the joining element having two end portions each of which includes an opening to receive a respective one of the two posts, one end portion having a first geometric edge shape and the other of the end portions having a second but different geometric edge shape so that one corner connector of the two corner connectors is in a fixed position relative to the joining element and the other of the two corner connectors is pivotal about an axis coincident with a longitudinal axis of one of the two posts thereby allowing movement relative to the fixed position corner connector.  
       [0006] There are a number of advantages, features and objects achieved with the present invention which are believed not to be available in earlier related devices. For example, one advantage is that the present invention provides a screen that is easily movable. Another feature of the present invention is that the screen assembly is versatile allowing three panels, for example, to be configured in various ways.  
       [0007] A more complete understanding of the present invention and other objects, advantages and features thereof will be gained from a consideration of the following description of a preferred embodiment read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures provided herein. The preferred embodiment represents an example of the invention which is described here in compliance with Title 35 U.S.C. section 112 (first paragraph), but the invention itself is defined by the attached claims. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
     [0008]FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a movable screen.  
     [0009]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the movable screen in a star configuration.  
     [0010]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of the movable screen in a channel-shaped configuration.  
     [0011]FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the movable screen in a “Z” configuration.  
     [0012]FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic elevation view of the movable screen in the configuration shown in FIG. 4.  
     [0013]FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of the movable screen in a folded configuration.  
     [0014]FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a vertical frame member taken along line  7 - 7  of FIG. 1.  
     [0015]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the vertical frame member shown in FIG. 7 with a mounting liner.  
     [0016]FIG. 9 is a partial isometric view of the mounting liner shown in FIG. 8.  
     [0017]FIG. 10 is a sectional view ofthe vertical frame member shown in FIG. 7 with a mounting liner for a thinner screen.  
     [0018]FIG. 11 is a partial isometric view of the mounting liner shown in FIG. 10.  
     [0019]FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the vertical frame member shown in FIG. 7 with a mounting liner for an even thinner screen.  
     [0020]FIG. 13 is a partial isometric view of the mounting liner shown in FIG. 12.  
     [0021]FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a horizontal frame member taken along line  14 - 14  of FIG. 1.  
     [0022]FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a horizontal frame member like that shown in FIG. 14 but for a thinner screen.  
     [0023]FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the horizontal frame member shown in FIG. 14 with a mounting liner for a still thinner screen.  
     [0024]FIG. 17 is a partial isometric view of the mounting liner shown in FIG. 16.  
     [0025]FIG. 18 is an exploded isometric view of two corner connectors and a joining element.  
     [0026]FIG. 19 is a side view of a corner connector cover.  
     [0027]FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the corner connector cover shown in FIG. 19.  
     [0028]FIG. 21 is an end view of the corner connector cover shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.  
     [0029]FIG. 22 is a side view of a corner connector cover used when a caster is connected.  
     [0030]FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the corner connector cover shown in FIG. 22.  
     [0031]FIG. 24 is a rear view of the corner connector cover shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.  
     [0032]FIG. 25 is a corner connector cover used when the corner connector is not linked to another corner connector.  
     [0033]FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the corner connector cover shown in FIG. 25.  
     [0034]FIG. 27 is a rear view of the corner connector cover shown in FIGS. 25 and 26.  
     [0035]FIG. 28 is a plan sectional view of the two corner connectors and the joining element shown in FIG. 18 attached together and including portions of two panels and a caster.  
     [0036]FIG. 29 is a bottom view of a corner connector base.  
     [0037]FIG. 30 is a plan view of the joining element.  
     [0038]FIG. 31 is a front view of the joining element.  
     [0039]FIG. 32 is a plan view of the two corner connectors and the joining element shown in FIGS. 18 and 28 illustrating a parallel alignment used in FIG. 6.  
     [0040]FIG. 33 is a plan view of the two corner connectors and the joining element illustrating a separation of the corner connectors by 135 degrees as used in FIGS. 3 and 4.  
     [0041]FIG. 34 is an isometric view of a caster. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
     [0042] While the present invention is open to various modifications and alternative constructions, the preferred embodiments shown in the various figures of the drawing will be described herein in detail. It is understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the particular embodiments, forms or examples disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalent structures and methods, and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims, pursuant to Title 35 U.S.C. section 112 (second paragraph).  
     [0043] A movable screen assembly  10  is shown in FIG. 1. The movable screen assembly includes three panels  11 ,  12 ,  13 , each panel having a top portion  14 , a bottom portion  15  and side portions  16 ,  17 . Each of the panels is bordered by frame members, a horizontal top frame member  20  and a horizontal bottom frame member  22  and side frame members  24 ,  26  at the lateral ends of each panel. Each panel may be of any suitable material and finished, and as will be explained below, panels may vary in thickness. Attached at each of the four corners of each panel is a corner connector  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 . As shown, several corner connectors  34 ,  36 ,  50 ,  52  at the bottom of the panels are connected to casters  47 ,  49 ,  51 ,  53 .  
     [0044] As will also be explained below, most corner connectors are removably and pivotally joined with another corner connector. This flexible arrangement allows the three panel screen shown in FIG. 1 to assume different configurations, such as a three-pointed star configuration  54  shown in FIG. 2, a channel configuration  55  shown in FIG. 3 and a Z-shaped configuration  56  illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Illustrated in FIG. 6 is a folded configuration  57  which may be used for screen storage. It can be appreciated that the screen is quite versatile because each panel is easily movable relative to an adjacent panel and the panels may be separated and rejoined to provide, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 2. With the help of the casters, the screen may be easily reconfigured and relocated as desired.  
     [0045] Referring now to FIG. 7, each of the vertical frame members  24 ,  26  has a somewhat flattened elliptical shape which may include a decorative outer surface  60 . The vertical frame member supports a panel in a channel portion  62  and connects to a corner connector at each of the frame member&#39;s extremities. The vertical frame member may be made of any suitable material, such as aluminum. To accommodate thinner panels, mounting liners of different sectional shapes may be connected in the channel portion. For example, a mounting liner  64 , FIGS. 8 and 9, may be used when the panel is thinner than the width of the vertical frame member channel portion  62 . Another mounting liner  66 , FIGS. 10 and 11, is used when the panel is thinner than can be handled by the liner  64 . Further, if the panel is thinner still, another liner  68 , FIGS. 12 and 13, may be used. Each liner is made of a PVC extrusion. Of course, other sectional configurations for the vertical frame member may be used as a function of the thickness of the panel to be mounted and aesthetics. Each mounting liner is elongated and extends for most of the vertical height of the attached panel.  
     [0046] Referring to FIGS. 14, 15,  16  and  17 , there is illustrated a horizontal frame member  20 , also of aluminum having a more squared off channel shape. To accommodate thinner panels, the sectional shape may be altered to the shape of a horizontal frame member  80  or by using an elongated PVC mounting liner  82  to fit between the horizontal frame member and a top or bottom edge of a panel.  
     [0047] A pair of corner connectors  90 ,  92  and ajoining element  94  are illustrated in FIG. 18. Each corner connector includes a base  96 ,  98  and a cover  100 ,  102 . The cover and base are easily separated to allow the joining element  94  to be connected, removed and reconnected. Each corner connector has a generally triangular elevation view with a curved bottom surface  103 , a rounded rear end portion  104  and a rounded front end portion  106 .  
     [0048] Referring to FIGS.  19 - 27 , in addition to FIG. 18, three cover variations  107 ,  108 ,  109  are illustrated. Each cover includes a flat upper wall  110 ,  112 ,  114 , a downward depending skirt wall  116 ,  118 ,  120  and two spaced apart posts  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 . A spring connector  134 ,  136 ,  138  is attached to each cover to create a friction fit between each of the covers and a respective base. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 19 and 22, illustrate short skirt walls  116 ,  118  to create, when connected to a base, slots  150 ,  152 , FIG. 18, through which the joining element  94  may extend. The embodiments of FIGS. 19 and 22 are essentially the same except that an added end portion extension  154  is provided for the cover  108  so that the cover blends more readily when it and a respective base receive the stem of a caster. For example, the cover  108  includes a stem receiving opening  156 , FIG. 23, between the two posts  126 ,  128 . Each base also includes an aligned stem receiving opening  158 ,  160 , FIG. 18.  
     [0049] A third embodiment, shown in FIGS.  25 - 27 , illustrates the cover  109  with a longer skirt wall  120 . This cover is used when a joining element is not intended to be connected. The longer wall abuts the base so that slots are not formed. Corner connectors  30 ,  48 , FIG. 1, exemplify such a configuration. The corner connectors  34 ,  36 ,  50  and  52  exemplify the use of the cover  108  because casters  47 ,  49 ,  51 ,  53  are connected.  
     [0050] Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 28, the base is described in more detail. As can be seen, an outer top surface  170  of the base generally conforms to the shape of the cover  100 . The front end portion  106  of the base  96  is rounded as is a front end portion  172  of the cover  100 . The upper portion of the bases shown in FIG. 18 includes near the front end portion, two spaced apart openings  180 ,  182  for receiving the depending posts  184 ,  186  from the covers or any one of the cover embodiments shown in FIGS.  19 - 27 . Between the post openings are the larger openings  158 ,  160  for receiving the stem  190 , FIGS. 28 and 34 of a caster  192 . Toward a center portion of the base are two fastener openings  194 ,  196  for receiving screw fasteners  198 ,  200  that attach the base to the top or bottom horizontal frame members  20 ,  22  of a panel. Between the two fastener openings is another opening  202  for a connector stem  204 , FIG. 20, used to fasten the spring connector  134 . To either side of the fastener openings of the base are deep recesses  210 ,  212  which form vertical walls  214 ,  216 . These vertical walls receive the spring fasteners  134 ,  136 ,  138  attached to the covers.  
     [0051] Around each of the post openings  180 ,  182  is a horizontal flange  220 ,  222 . The flanges abut a peripheral shoulder  224 , FIGS. 20, 21, formed around each post  122 ,  124 . Between the flanges  220 ,  222  and a ledge  230 , FIG. 18, is the slot  150  for receiving the joining element  94 . The slot is bordered by a back wall  232 , FIGS. 18 and 28, which has a curved portion  234  and two linear portions  236 ,  238 . This geometry is replicated to two regions of each base around the post receiving openings such that the resulting geometric regions are congruent. The combination linear-curved wall presents a geometry which is matched in two different ways by the joining element as will be explained below.  
     [0052] The under or opposite side of the base  96 , FIG. 29, includes a panel receiving channel passage  240  which allows a horizontal frame  20 ,  22  of a panel to be inserted and to be captured by the screw fasteners  198 ,  200  inserted through the fastener openings  194 ,  196 , all as illustrated in FIG. 28. Toward the end portion of the base is a curved narrow passage  242 , FIG. 29, which receives the end or extremity of a vertical frame member, such as the vertical frame member  26 , FIG. 7. A lateral fastener opening  244  for receiving a set screw fastener (not shown) may be used to push the outer surface  60  of the vertical frame member against a mating surface  246  of the base to create a strong friction fit. The base and cover are formed of a zinc alloy.  
     [0053] Referring now to FIGS. 18, 28,  30  and  31 , the joining element  94  is shown in detail. The joining element has two end portions  250 ,  252  both of which have a post opening  254 ,  256 . The joining element is formed of a strip of steel having a thickness of about 0.104 inches for allowing it to be received by the slots  150  formed in the base, and then captured when a cover mates with the base and the two cover posts are received by the post openings in both the end portion of the joining element and the post openings in the base. End portion edges  260 ,  262  of the joining element are specifically formed to different geometric patterns but which allow the end portions to engage with the linear-curved wall  232  of the base in two different manners. The rounded shape end portion edge  260  of the joining element engages primarily the curved portion  234  of the linear-curved wall so as to allow pivoting of a connected base about an axis coincident with the axis of the cover post until one or the other lateral edges  270 ,  272  of the joining element abuts one of the two linear portions  236 ,  238  of the linear-curved wall. For example, the lateral edge  270  abuts the linear portion  238  of the wall  232   a.    
     [0054] The opposite end portion edge  262  of the joining element includes a curved 90 degree shape with a curved portion  280  and two linear portions  282 ,  284 . These are essentially identical to the shape of the linear-curved wall  232  of the base. When this second end portion of the joining element is inserted into the slots  150  of the base and then captured by the posts of the cover, the edge  262  of the joining element will essentially abut the entire length of the linear-curved wall  232  so that no relative rotation between the corner connector and the joining element takes place around an axis coincident with the post of the cover. This is shown in FIG. 28 where the joining element edge  262  is engaged with the linear-curved wall  232   b  of the base  92 .  
     [0055] Because of the different geometries of the joining element edges, but the identical geometry of the linear-curved wall of the base of the corner connectors, two corner connectors may be joined by a single joining element so that there is relative rotation by one of the corner connectors but not by the other. This allows adjoining corner connectors  300 ,  302  to move from an aligned position as shown in FIG. 32 where attached panels may be aligned parallel to each other as shown in FIG. 6 to a position shown in FIG. 33 where the adjoining corner connectors  300 ,  302  have been separated by an obtuse angle of approximately one hundred thirty five degrees. In this configuration, the three panels may be configured as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. By removing and reinserting the joining element the configurations shown in FIG. 2 may be achieved. The result is an aesthetically pleasing, relatively simple and very flexible moving screen that allows the screen to be easily transported from storage to usable condition and where the shape of the screen can be adjusted to a user&#39;s desire by simply rotating one panel relative to another or adjusting the relative positions of the corner connectors.  
     [0056] The above specification describes in detail several preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other examples, embodiments, modifications and variations will, under both the literal claim language and the doctrine of equivalents, come within the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. For example, making changes to the outer surfaces of the corner connectors or changing the particular geometries of the mating corner connector bases and joining elements are considered equivalent structures and will also come within the literal language of the claims. Also adding or subtracting panels is considered equivalent and will also come within the literal language of the claims. Still other alternatives will also be equivalent, such as the outer shape of the corner connectors, as will many new technologies. There is no desire or intention here to limit in any way the application of the doctrine of equivalents nor to limit or restrict the scope of the invention.