Patent Publication Number: US-7216381-B1

Title: Portable privacy enclosure

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/536,600 filed Jan. 14, 2004. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a collapsible, portable privacy enclosure and, more particularly, to a product featuring a plurality of releasably interconnected side walls that function as privacy panels and which are foldable into a conveniently transportable unit. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Sunbathers often require some degree of privacy. Currently, a number of screens and privacy panels are available for sunbathing use. These products often utilize a fairly bulky and complex construction, which is difficult to assemble and disassemble. Moreover, most of the known products are not conveniently portable. A need exists for an improved sunbathing privacy screen which is convenient to set up and break down, easily stored and readily transportable. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable enclosure that effectively protects a sunbather&#39;s or other user&#39;s privacy. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide a privacy enclosure employing a lightweight and yet extremely durable construction. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide a privacy enclosure that is extremely convenient to assemble and disassemble. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide a privacy enclosure that is readily collapsible into a compact condition wherein the product may be conveniently stored or transported. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide a portable enclosure that effectively resists unintended collapsing so that improved privacy is provided for a sunbather or other person using the product. 
   This invention features a portable privacy enclosure including a bottom panel for engaging an underlying supportive surface such as the ground, a porch floor or deck, or an indoor floor. There are a first pair of side panels foldably attached to the bottom panel along a first side edge thereof, and a second pair of side panels foldably attached to the bottom panel along an opposite second side edge thereof. Respective fasteners releasably interconnect the first pair of side panels to one another and the second pair of side panels to one another. There is a first end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel along a forward edge of the bottom panel that extends between the respective side edges of the panel. A second end panel is foldably connected to the bottom panel along an opposite rearward end of the bottom panel that extends between the respective sides of the bottom panel. Each of the end panels is releasably fastened to a respective one of the first side panels and a respective one of the second side panels. The enclosure has an open upper end that permits sun to illuminate the inside of the enclosure. Each of the side and end panels includes an opaque material that affords privacy to a person lying within the enclosure with the panels fastened to one another in an assembled condition. Between uses, the adjoining side and end panels are unfastened from one another and collapsed sequentially onto the bottom panel. The entire assembly is then folded into a compact and portable condition. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the panels comprise a fabric or mesh material. Each of the side and end panels may be bounded by a square or otherwise rectangular frame, which may be composed of wire, tubing, plastic, wood or fiberglass. With each of the side and end panels in a collapsed or folded condition, the bottom panel may be folded in half so that the product is placed in its portable condition. A handle may be utilized for carrying the collapsed enclosure. The fasteners for the adjoining panels may comprise leather straps or alternative means for fastening such as Velcro™, snap fasteners, hooks and grommets, etc. 

   
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Other objects, features and advantages will occur from the following description of preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred privacy enclosure according to this invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the enclosure; 
       FIG. 3  is an elevational side view of the enclosure in an assembled condition for guarding the privacy of a person lying within the enclosure; 
       FIG. 4  is a fragmentary view of one corner of the enclosure particularly indicating a hook and loop fastener used to releasably interconnect the adjoining panels; 
       FIG. 4A  is a fragmentary view of one corner of an alternative enclosure according to this invention, which utilizes leather strip fasteners to secure adjoining panels together; 
       FIG. 5  is a simplified perspective view of the enclosure being collapsed into a compact condition; and 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the enclosure after it has been fully collapsed and in a condition suitable to be transported. 
   

   There is shown in  FIGS. 1–3  a portable privacy enclosure  10  designed for use in sunbathing and other activities in which the user desires at least some degree of privacy. Enclosure  10  is designed primarily for outdoor use and is intended to be set up on the ground (e.g. typically on a grass or sand underlying surface) or alternatively on a pool, patio or porch floor or deck. It should be noted, however, that the privacy enclosure may also be used indoors in situations where the user desires improved privacy (e.g. in airport lobbies). The enclosure includes an open top and a bottom or floor panel  12  that is a flexible sheet typically composed of a fabric such as canvas or some other type of durable mesh material. Lightweight wood or plastic may also be used. A first pair of side panels  14  and  16  are foldably connected to bottom panel  12  along one of the longitudinal (e.g. typically head to toe) sides. Likewise, a second pair of side panels  18  and  20  are foldably or collapsibly connected to an opposite longitudinal side of the floor panel. As best shown in  FIG. 1 , each of the side panels includes a square or otherwise rectangular frame  22  having upper and lower horizontal pieces  24  and  26 , as well as vertical side pieces  28  and  30  extending between pieces  24  and  26 . A gusset or bracket  23  comprising a strip of wood or plastic is connected at each corner of frame  22  to strengthen the frame. Canvas, wire mesh or other opaque fabric screening material  32  is mounted to each frame  22 . For example, fabric  32  may be stapled, tacked or otherwise fastened to the frame. In certain embodiments, each frame may include a pair of conforming segments that are pressed together or sandwiched about the fabric piece  32 . Each of the fabric segments  32  may be unitarily connected to bottom panel  12 . Alternatively, the bottom panel may be fastened by stitching or otherwise (see stitching  33  in  FIG. 4 ) to lower horizontal strips  26  of frames  22  in a manner similar to which the side panel fabric segments  32  are attached to the frame  22 . In any event, each of the side panels  14 ,  16 ,  18  and  20  is foldable relative to bottom panel  12 , as indicated by double-headed arrows  34 . 
   A similar pair of opposing end panels  36  and  38  are attached foldably in a like manner to respective forward and rearward ends of lower panel  12 . Each of end panels  36  and  38  includes a square frame  40  comprising a pair of parallel upper and lower horizontal pieces  42  and  44 , as well as a pair of parallel vertical pieces  46  and  48  that interconnect horizontal pieces  42  and  44 . A piece of fabric  50  is mounted within frame  40  in a manner similar to that used to mount fabric  32  within frames  22 , i.e. by stapling, Velcro™, adhesives, tacks, etc. Once again, fabric segments  50  may be connected unitarily or in one piece to bottom panel  12 . Alternatively, pieces  50  used in end panels  36  and  38  may be separate from bottom panel  12  and the bottom panel may be secured at its respective ends to lower pieces  44  of respective end panels  36  and  38 . As with the side panels, end panels  36  and  38  are foldable or collapsible as indicated by double-headed arrows  52  in  FIG. 2 . 
   To erect or assemble enclosure  12 , the collapsible side and end panels  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  36  and  38  are raised into the generally vertical, elevated or upright condition shown in  FIGS. 1–3 . The adjoining panels are fastened together by various means. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1–3  and more particularly in  FIG. 4 , each pair of adjoining side and end panels may be fastened together by means a pair of two-part hook and loop (e.g. Velcro™) fasteners  60 . Typically, a hook component  61  is carried along an edge of the frame in one of the panels; a complementary piece of loop material  63  is similarly carried by a corresponding mating surface of the frame of an adjacent panel. Components  61  and  63  are selectively interengaged to secure together the adjacent panels and hold those panels in an upright condition, which is best depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . A pair of fasteners  60  are typically formed along each of the interengaging surfaces of the adjacent panels. More particularly, the corresponding individual fastening components are formed at equivalent heights along the respective adjoining panels. 
   As best illustrated in  FIG. 1 , bottom panel  12  has a length that is somewhat greater than the total length of the aligned side panels  14  and  16  (or analogously panels  18  and  20 ). By the same token, bottom panel  12  is wider than end panels  36  and  38 . As a result, when the enclosure is initially set-up, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and the side and end panels are raised into an upright condition, a gap G is formed between each adjacent pair of panels. In order to secure the panels together, the panels are manipulated by moving the adjacent panels into interengagement such that the corresponding hook and loop components carried by the respective panels are interengaged. The flexible sheet material comprising bottom panel  12  allows the bottom panel to conveniently collapse so that the adjacent panels may be moved easily into engagement with one another. For example, in  FIG. 1  panels  14  and  16  are slid or otherwise pushed into abutting end-to-end interengagement such that the panels are secured together by hook and loop fasteners  60  in the manner shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . This operation is performed for each adjacent pair of side and end panels. For example, in  FIG. 4 , loop component  63  carried by end panel  36  is pushed into interengagement with hook component  61  carried by side panel  14 . The extra material of bottom panel  12  located between each end panel and its respective side panels once again allows the bottom panel to collapse so that the panels may be moved easily into an interengagement with one another. When all of the panels have been fastened together, the enclosure  10  is fully erected in the upright condition depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
   An alternative means for fastening the adjacent panels together includes one or more straps as depicted in  FIG. 4A . Typically, the strap is mounted through an opening  62  in one corner of each of the panel frames  22  and  40 . In  FIG. 4A , the junction between a representative side panel  16  and a representative end panel  38  is shown. The strap  60  extends through an opening  62  in one corner of frame  22  of panel  16 . With both panels  16  and  38  in a raised condition, strap  60  is interengaged with a complementary hole  64  in the adjoining corner of frame  40  of panel  38 . After strap  60  is inserted through hole  64 , the strap is tied such that the adjoining panels  16  and  38  are fastened together and support each other in an upright condition. This type of connection may be used to interconnect both the adjoining side panels and each adjoining pair of side and end panels in a manner analogous to the hook and loop fasteners depicted in  FIGS. 1–3 . It should also be understood that a wide variety of alternative fastening means may be employed. For example, the adjoining panels may be held in place in an assembled condition by assorted types of clips, brackets, hook and loop fasteners, clamps, etc. The particular means for fastening the adjoining panels in an upright condition is not a limitation of this invention. 
   To employ enclosure  10  for sunbathing or other outdoor applications, the user typically first lays out the enclosure in a flat, collapsed condition upon a selected underlying surface (e.g. the ground, a deck, etc.). Bottom panel  12  lies flat upon the underlying surface and the side and end panels extend outwardly therefrom and likewise lie flat upon the underlying surface. The user may then place a beach towel, lounge chair, etc. upon the underlying surface. The user next raises each of the side and end panels and fastened the adjoining panels together by means of fasteners  60  or otherwise. With enclosure  10  in a fully assembled condition, user U may lie upon a towel or mat placed within the enclosure, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The screening material  32  and  50  within each panel effectively guards the user&#39;s privacy. Privacy is maintained while the user sunbathes. 
   After sunbathing is completed, enclosure  10  may be collapsed for transportation or storage in the manner shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . First, each of the fasteners  60  is disengaged. The side and end panels are then allowed to collapse or fold as indicated by arrows  70  in  FIG. 5 . More particularly, opposing side panels  14  and adjoining end panel  36  are stacked on one side of bottom panel  12 . Opposing end panels  16  and  20  and adjoining end panel are similarly stacked upon the opposite end of the bottom panel. The precise order in which the side and end panels may be folded over may be varied within the scope of this invention. In any case, after the side and end panels are collapsed, the bottom panel is folded longitudinally in half (i.e. across a lateral fold line) so that a collapsed stack of panels is achieved in the manner shown in  FIG. 6 . Enclosure  10  effectively assumes the shape of a single square panel, with each of the individual side and end panels stacked upon one another. The bottom panel is effectively folded into two half sections, each of which has a size generally resembling the size of each side and end panel. The folded or collapsed panels may be secured together by Velcro™ fasteners, snap fasteners, straps or other means. A handle H may be attached to the panels in order to facilitate transportation of the collapsed enclosure. The handle may comprise a pair of U-shaped straps attached respectively to panels at the top and bottom of the stack. The handle may be composed of leather, plastic or other materials. As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the collapsed product assumes a compact shape that is conveniently portable and easy to store between uses. 
   It should be understood that enclosure  10  may have various dimensions within the scope of this invention. Typically, the length of the enclosure (i.e. the length of the adjoining pair of side panels  14 ,  16  and  18 ,  20  should be at least 6 feet so that an adult can lie comfortably head-to-toe between the end panels  36  and  38 . The width may vary, although the enclosure should be at least approximately 3 feet wide so that the end panels  36  and  38  have a size generally comparable to each of the side panels. By utilizing a length that is approximately twice the width, the panels may feature like dimensions so that the panels are folded and stacked in a conforming, compact and convenient fashion. Closure and storage are thereby facilitated. Various alternative dimensions may be utilized within the scope of this invention. 
   The material comprising the frame may be varied. Wood, fiberglass, PVC, wire and alternative materials may be employed. In a like manner, the fabric forming the bottom panel and the obscuring material of the side and end panels may be altered. Canvas and an opaque mesh are preferred, although a wide variety of other materials (i.e. wood, flexible or rigid plastics, etc.) may be employed. 
   As previously stated, the privacy enclosure is not limited to use for sunbathing. It can alternatively be used for various other indoor and outdoor applications where the user requires privacy and wherein the portability of the apparatus is important. 
   Accordingly, the present invention provides for a collapsible, portable privacy enclosure and, more particularly, to a product featuring a plurality of releasably interconnected side walls that function as privacy panels and which are foldable into a conveniently transportable unit. While this detailed description has set forth particularly preferred embodiments of the apparatus of this invention, numerous modifications and variations of the structure of this invention, all within the scope of the invention, will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is understood that this description is illustrative only of the principles of the invention and is not limitative thereof. 
   Although specific features of the invention are shown in some of the drawings and not others, this is for convenience only, as each feature may be combined with any and all of the other features in accordance with this invention. 
   Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following