Patent Publication Number: US-6340046-B1

Title: Compact folding screen assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a foldable screen assembly of the type comprising a series of hingedly connected panels shiftable between an extended condition to provide a room divider and a collapsed side by side stored condition and an infinite variety of intermediate positions between extended and stacked. 
     PRIOR ART 
     Conventional screens, used as room dividers or the like, comprise a series of panels. Hinges span the margins of adjacent panels enabling the panels to be extended into coplanar or near coplanar alignment to divide a space. The screens can be folded into side by side stacked condition for storage. In the stacked condition, the thickness of the stack is the sum of the thickness of the individual panels 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a screen assembly which is shiftable between an extended, space dividing condition and a stacked storing condition. The screen, in the storage condition, is of a thickness which is less than the sum of the thicknesses of the panels forming the screen. The screen provides a unique highly attractive appearance and has achieved substantial commercial success. 
     The screen is comprised of a plurality of panels. The panels are formed of vertically stacked interconnected beams, H-shaped in vertical section, including a central web, from the ends of which project vertically directed flanges extending above and below the plane of the web. 
     The flanges at one side of the beams of a first panel, i.e. the left-most flanges are coupled in spaced relation such that the said flanges are in coplanar alignment. The uncoupled flanges of the first panel (the right flanges) define spaces there between. 
     The beams of a second panel are coupled to the first panel by the left-most flanges of the second panel being pivotally connected to the webs of the first panel. The webs of the second panel are free to move through the spaced defined between the right hand flanges of the first panel. 
     The webs of the beams of adjacent panels are offset vertically. A third panel includes beams pivotally connected to the second panel, the left flanges of the third panel being pivotally connected to the webs of the beams of the second panel, the flanges of the second panel beams being spaced from, interposed between and shiftable through the webs of the third panel. 
     As a result of this structure, the first and third panels may be folded together with the second panel encompassed between the said first and third panels. The combined thickness of the three panels consists essentially of the thickness of the first and third panels only. 
     It will be appreciated that the screen structure will typically comprise seven or more panels as depicted in a drawing herein, the three panel figure provided herewith being included to simplify an understanding of the device. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the screen in the partially extended condition in which it typically will be employed. 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the seven panel structure of FIG. 1 in the fully unfolded condition. 
     FIGS. 3 a ,  3   b , and  3   c  are top plan views of a seven panel structure in accordance with the invention, respectively in the fully unfolded, partially folded and fully folded conditions thereof. 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a prior art seven panel screen, in the fully folded condition. 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged front elevational view of a simplified structure comprised of three panels. 
     FIG. 6 is a magnified sectional view taken on line  6 − 6  of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a magnified sectional view taken on line  7 — 7  of FIG.  5 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring now to the drawings there is shown in FIG. 1 a screen assembly  10  comprised of seven panels  11  each said panel being comprised of a plurality of beam components  12 . 
     As best seen in FIG. 5, the beam components are H-shaped in transverse section including a central web  13 , a left flange  14  and a right flange  15 . The flanges  14 ,  15  are disposed perpendicular to the webs and extend equal distances above and below the webs. 
     In the three panel structure of FIG. 5, panels  16  and  18  will be referred to as end panels, the end panels being pivotally connected to central panel  17 . As is apparent, the left-most flanges  1  of the beams comprising panel  16  are non-rotatably connected by coupling assemblies  20  as depicted in FIG.  6 . The connection is effected by roll pin  33  seated in opposed upper and lower aligned blind bores  21 ,  22 , the length of the roll pin or spring pin being such as to maintain the lower end of upper flange  19   a  spaced from the upper end of lower flange  19   b . Preferrably a spacer  23  is interposed between the flange ends. 
     As a result of the described connector linkage, the ends  24 ,  25  of the right hand flanges  26 ,  27  are spaced apart, defining a horizontal slot or opening  28  therebetween. 
     The left flanges  29  of the central panel  17  are interposed between the webs  13  of vertically adjacent beams of end panel  16 . As best seen in FIG. 7, the upper and lower ends of the left flanges  29  are pivotally connected to spaced webs  13  as by connector assemblies  30 . Connector  30  is comprised of a blind bore  31  in the lower end of upper flange  29   a , an aligned blind bore  32  in the upper end of lower flange  29 b and a roll or spring pin  33  having its upper and lower ends seated in the bases of bores  31 ,  32  respectively. 
     The roll pin  33  passes through aperture  34 , teflon washers  35 ,  36  preferrably being disposed between the ends of flanges  29   a ,  29   b  and the web  13 . 
     Connection between central panel  17  and end panel  18  is effected by pivotal couplings  30  (FIG. 7) linking web portions  13  of the beams of panel  17  to the left flanges  29   c ,  29   d  of the beams of panel  18 . The beams of adjacent panels are vertically offset by a distance approximately of ½ the flanges. 
     The right hand flanges  40  of panel  18  are connected in coplanar alignment as by coupling assemblies  20 . 
     As best appreciated from FIG. 5, the webs  13  of the beams of center panel  17  are free to swing through the spaces  28  defined between the right flanges of the panel  16 . In similar manner, the right hand flanges  15  of the central panel  17  are free to pass between the webs  13  of the right hand most panel  18 . 
     It will be appreciated that screen assemblies will normally be comprised of more than three panels, i.e. a seven panel unit being depicted in FIG.  1 . In FIG. 3 a  a seven panel unit is depicted in which the panels are aligned to define a planar structure. In FIG. 3 b  the panels arc shown in partially folded condition and in  3   c  fully folded. 
     FIG. 4 depicts the folded condition of prior art screens which are hingedly connected at their ends. In contrast, it will be perceived from a comparison of FIGS. 3 c  and  4  that the screen of the instant device provides a more compact folded arrangement as a result of central panels, such as panel  17 , nesting within adjacent panels such as  16  and  18 . The nesting ability is the result portions of “central” panels passing through elements of “end” panels. 
     The screen of the present invention provides a uniquely attractive appearance and in addition a practical assembly which may be readily stored in a compact condition. 
     As will be apparent to those skilled in the art and familiarized with the instant disclosure, numerous details of structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed within the scope of the appended claims.