Patent Publication Number: US-6213191-B1

Title: Screen

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a screen for use in a work environment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is generally known to divide a space provided within a work environment into one or more work spaces. According to such known arrangements, the work spaces may be further divided or otherwise arranged to create one or more work areas for use by individual workers or groups of workers who may be engaged in individual or group activities. It is also generally known to reconfigure such work areas within the work spaces by arrangement of one or more articles of furniture, such as panel walls, screens, worksurfaces (e.g., display surfaces, tables, display boards, etc.), storage units (e.g., closets, cabinets, filing systems, etc.), seating products, etc. in a manner intended to support workers in a wide variety of individual and group activities. 
     The dynamic work environment, characterized by a need for flexibility, reconfigurable work areas and an ability to support a wide variety of activities of both individual workers and project teams of varying sizes, has recently grown in prevalence. The dynamic work environment typically includes mobile articles of furniture. Individual and team spaces in the dynamic work environment are ideally capable of rapid configuration and reconfiguration by the workers themselves or by rearrangement of such mobile articles of furniture to support a variety of individual or group activities. 
     It is known to provide for a partition to provide physical space division or visual privacy in a work environment. For example, partition wall arrangements are well-known for use in a work environment to form work spaces and work areas. However, such known partition wall arrangements effectively “define” the work environment and associated work spaces in a semi-permanent manner after being installed (i.e., it is not readily possible for the workers themselves to reconfigure the work environment using such known partition wall arrangements). As a result, such known partition wall arrangements are not typically well-suited for use in a dynamic work environment. 
     According to other known arrangements, mobile structures (such as hanging panels or freestanding panels) may be used to provide physical space division or visual privacy in a work environment. However, such known structures typically must be stowed or put aside when not in use, which occupies space within the work environment that could possibly be used for more productive worker activity. Moreover, such mobile structures may not provide a suitable level of visual privacy when installed. 
     According to still other known arrangements, screens may be used to provide physical space division or visual privacy in a work environment. Known screens are typically floorstanding and may be characterized by a lightweight construction. Such known screens may have folding panel sections or may be made of one or more rigidly connected panel sections. However, such known screens are typically not designed for convenient storage or association with other articles of furniture within the work environment. 
     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a screen for dividing space and offering visual privacy in a work environment that may be selectively mounted to an article of furniture. It would also be advantageous to provide a screen having a generally flexible frame and supported by a generally horizontal surface, such that the screen can readily be used to form work spaces of a variety of sizes and configurations or provide visual privacy in a work environment. It would further be advantageous to provide a method for selectively configuring a screen for compact storage in a work environment by deforming the shape of the screen. It would still further be advantageous to provide a method for selectively configuring a screen for use in a work environment by deforming the shape of the screen. It would also be advantageous to provide a method for providing selective privacy in a work environment by installing a screen on an article of furniture and positioning the screen. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a screen for use in a work environment including a worksurface. The screen includes a flexible frame providing an outer perimeter defining a first shape. The screen also includes a web at least partially circumscribed by the frame and having a shape corresponding to the shape of the frame. The screen further includes a mounting assembly connected to the frame for attaching the screen to the worksurface. 
     The present invention further relates to a screen for use in a work environment providing a generally horizontal surface. The screen includes a generally flexible frame providing an outer perimeter that tends to a first shape. The screen further includes a web at least partially circumscribed by the frame and having a shape at least partially defined by the shape of the outer perimeter of the frame. The screen also includes a mounting assembly configured to support the frame on the generally horizontal surface. 
     The present invention further relates to a method for selectively configuring a screen for use in a work environment. The screen includes a frame having a top member, a bottom member, a first middle member and a second middle member. The frame provides an outer perimeter tending to a first shape. The screen further includes a web at least partially circumscribed by the frame and having a shape at least partially defined by the shape of the outer perimeter of the frame. The method includes detaching the frame from a mounting assembly. The method further includes deforming the frame into a second shape such that the first middle member and the second middle member are adjacent to each other. The method further includes deforming the frame into a third shape such that the frame includes a first hoop, a second hoop and a third hoop. The method still further includes positioning the second hoop adjacent the first hoop and the third hoop. 
     The present invention further relates to a method for selectively configuring a screen for use in a work environment. The work environment provides a generally horizontal surface. The screen includes a frame providing an outer perimeter tending to a first shape. The screen further includes a cover at least partially circumscribed by the frame and having a shape at least partially defined by the shape of the outer perimeter of the frame. The screen also includes a mounting assembly configured to attach the frame to the generally horizontal surface. The method includes detaching the frame from the mounting assembly. The method further includes deforming the frame into a second shape. 
     The present invention further relates to a method to provide selective privacy in a work environment. The work environment provides a screen. The screen includes a frame providing an outer perimeter tending to a first shape. The screen further includes a cover at least partially circumscribed by the frame and having a shape at least partially defined by the shape of the outer perimeter of the frame. The screen still further includes a first and a second mounting assembly configured to attach the frame to a generally horizontal surface. The method includes installing the screen on an article of furniture. Installing the screen includes mounting the frame to the first mounting assembly, mounting the frame to the second mounting assembly, and mounting the first and the second mounting assemblies to an article of furniture. The method further includes positioning the screen to increase the level of privacy provided by the screen. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a work environment providing screens according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of a freestanding screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2B is a side elevational view of a mounting assembly associated with the freestanding screen of FIG.  2 A. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a worksurface-mounted screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a mounting assembly associated with a worksurface-mounted screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4B is a sectional view of the mounting assembly of FIG. 4A taken along line  4 B— 4 B in FIG.  4 A. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the screen of FIG. 3 taken along line  5 — 5  in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a freestanding screen in a deformed configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7A is a top plan view of a worksurface-mounted screen deformed from a use configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7B is a top plan view of the screen of FIG. 7A in a tri-hoop configuration. 
     FIG. 7C is a side elevational view of the screen of FIG. 7B taken along line  7 C— 7 C in FIG.  7 B. 
     FIG. 7D is a side elevational view of the screen of FIG. 7C taken along line  7 D— 7 D in FIG.  7 C. 
     FIGS. 7E and 7F are side elevational views of the screen of FIG. 7C in a deformed configuration. 
     FIG. 7G is a top plan view of the screen of FIG. 7F taken along line  7 F— 7 F in FIG.  7 F. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a work environment providing screens according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a work environment  10  is shown. Work environment  10  includes a freestanding screen  20  and a worksurface-mounted screen  30 , each providing a frame  40  that surrounds a cover (shown as a web  72 ). Frame  40  of screen  20  is attached to a mounting assembly  50 , which is freestanding on a generally horizontal surface (shown as a floor  168 ). Frame  40  of screen  30  is attached to a mounting assembly  100 , which is attached to an article of furniture (shown as a table  160 ) providing a worksurface  170 . 
     Frame  40  includes a top member  42 , a bottom member  44 , a left middle member  46  and a right middle member  48  (as shown in FIG.  2 A). As shown in FIG. 1, top member  42 , bottom member  44 , and left and right middle members  46  and  48  of frame  40  stretch web  72  such that web  72  spans the space from top member  42  to bottom member  44 . The shape of frame  40  defines the shape of web  72 . According to any alternative or preferred embodiments, the web associated with the frame is constructed of a fabric material (although a wide variety materials such as mesh, cloth, polyester/cotton, nylon, plastic, etc. may be used) or the like that is flexible (such that the web tends to return to original shape after being deformed) and lightweight. According to a preferred embodiment as shown in the FIGURES, web  72  is taut and free from wrinkles. According to a preferred embodiment the frame is constructed of a single piece, although the frame may be constructed of a number of pieces fastened together. 
     According to an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, a binding  74  surrounds frame  40 . Binding  74  restricts frame  40  from losing its shape and from extending beyond the limits of binding  74 . A fastener (shown as a stitch  176 ) secures web  72  to binding  74 . According to other alternative embodiments, a fastener may attach the web directly to the frame. According to other alternative and preferred embodiments, the web and the binding may be constructed of fabric material such as neoprene, polyester or nylon, although other suitable bindings (e.g., hooks, buttons, snaps, VELCRO (TM) fasteners, molded plastic, stitching, enveloping web, etc.) may be used to associate the web with the frame. According to an alternative embodiment, the web may be constructed of a flame retardant material or a substantially rigid material. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the attachment of frame  40  to mounting assembly  50  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Mounting assembly  50  includes a bottom portion (shown as an I-shaped support  52 ) and a top portion (shown as an arc-shaped member  54 ). I-shaped support  52  of mounting assembly  50  includes a base (shown as a foot  56 ), a stand  58  and an arm  60 , each telescopically aligned about a hole  174 . According to alternative embodiments as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the interior of foot  56  is hollow and may include a divider  180  that defines a cavity  182 , within which may be provided with a ballast or a weight  184 , such that mounting assembly  50  may tip slightly (or “wobble”) when screen  20  is repositioned but tends to automatically return to an upright position. According to a preferred embodiment as shown in the FIGURES, foot  56  is oval-shaped (although according to alternative embodiments the base may be provided in a variety of other shapes and forms). I-shaped support  52  of mounting assembly  50  further includes stand  58  providing a rim  62 , which is circumscribed and engaged by the interior of foot  56 , and a step member  64 . I-shaped support  52  of mounting assembly  50  still further includes arm  60  providing a protrusion  76 . Protrusion  76  circumscribes and engages step  64  of stand  58 .  30  Arm further provides a channel  66 , which engages I-shaped support  52  of frame  40 . Arc-shaped member  54  of mounting assembly  50  includes a brace  68  having hole  174 . A tensioning device (shown as a threaded rod  70 ) secured by a fastener (shown as a bolt  177 ) compresses brace  68  to engage I-shaped support  52  of frame  40  in channel  66  of arm  60  so that mounting assembly  50  supports frame  40 . Rod  70  also compresses mounting assembly  50  such that brace  68  engages I-shaped support  52 . According to a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 2B, brace  68  is constructed of metal and has the same cross-section as does frame  40  (i.e., rectangular) such that brace  68  is flush against I-shaped support  52  of frame  40  and surrounded by binding  74 . According to an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 2B, frame  40  is partially inserted in channel  66 . According to a preferred embodiment, the frame is inserted completely within the channel. According to an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 2B, frame  40  of screen  20  includes a gap  78  through which rod  70  is inserted. According to other alternative embodiments as shown in FIG. 2A, frame  40  of screen  20  may be attached to mounting assembly  50  by fasteners (shown as screws  164 ) inserted through holes  166 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, frame  40  of screen  30  is shown attached to mounting assembly  100 , and mounting assembly  100  is attached to worksurface  170  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4A, mounting assembly  100  includes a housing assembly  110  and a bracket assembly  120 . Housing assembly  110  is generally arc-shaped and includes interior flange  112  and exterior flange  114 . Interior flange  112  and exterior flange  114  provide a channel  116 , in which frame  40  may be inserted, such that interior and exterior flanges  112  and  114  engage frame  40 . According to an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 4A, interior and exterior flanges  112  and  114  include an indentation  118  into which frame  40  is inserted so that frame  40  is fixedly engaged in channel  116 . Housing  110  further includes a left recess  122  and a right recess  124 . According to a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 4A, left recess  122  and right recess  124  intersect. Bracket assembly  120  is generally U-shaped and includes a vertical member  126  and a horizontal member (shown as a finger  128 ). Vertical member  126  of bracket assembly  120  is mounted to left recess  122  of housing  110  by a fastener (shown as a screw  178 ) so that mounting assembly  100  is in a left configuration  132 . According to an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, vertical member  126  of bracket assembly  120  may be attached to right recess  124  of housing assembly  110  so that mounting assembly  100  is in a right configuration  134 . Finger  128  engages the top and the bottom of worksurface  170  to attach mounting assembly  100  to worksurface  170 . According to an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 4A, a covering (shown as a glove  130 ) surrounds finger  128  to increase the engagement of finger  128  with worksurface  170  and to protect worksurface  170  from being scratched by finger  128 . According to an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, screen  30  includes two mounting assemblies  100  and  102  that engage opposing left and right middle members  46  and  48  of frame  40  to restrict screen  30  from pivoting about worksurface  170 . According to other alternative embodiments of the present invention, the worksurface-mounted screen may be attached to a vertical surface such as a wall, a door, the backrest of a chair, etc. According to other alternative embodiments, the mounting assembly may be provided with guides to organize, guide, tether, and/or redirect cabling (e.g., wires from a computer may be attached to the mounting assembly and be guided to the floor). According to other alternative embodiments, the cabling may rest inside the mounting assembly or inside flexible inserts of the mounting assembly (e.g., ridges, dimples, teeth, etc.), such that the cabling is not disturbed when the screen is removed from the mounting assembly. 
     Screens  20  and  30  may be arranged to divide space in work environment  10 . Referring to FIG. 1, screen  20  is positioned adjacent a partition  140  having a height adjustment mechanism  142  to define a work space  12 . Screen  30  is positioned adjacent a seating product (shown as a chair  162 ) to define a work space  14 . Both screens  20  and  30  are portable, so that a worker may reposition the screens to provide space division as required. For example, a worker may move screen  20  from work space  12  to any position on floor  168  of work space  14 . Likewise, a worker may detach screen  30  from table  160  and mount screen  30  to another worksurface. Referring to FIG. 8, a screen may be added to reconfigure work environment  10  to create a work space  16 . 
     Screens  20  and  30  may be selectively repositioned to redirect the amount of visual privacy desired in work environment  10 . For example, screen  30  provides visual privacy to a worker (not shown) situated in chair  150  and to an accessory (shown as a computer  172 ) situated on table  160  (see FIG.  1 ). According to alternative embodiments, the worksurface-mounted screen is vertically repositionable within the mounting assembly to increase or decrease the extent to which the screen is positioned above and below the worksurface. To vertically reposition the worksurface-mounted screen, the mounting assembly is positioned offset a vertical distance from the middle members of the frame. Such repositioning may require adjustment of the mounting assembly along the worksurface depending on the shape of the screen and the structure of the mounting assembly. According to an alternative embodiment, the mounting assemblies associated with the worksurface-mounted screen may be positioned adjacent each other to compress the screen to a deformed configuration. According to other alternative embodiments, the screen may be selectively adjusted or repositioned, for example, about the perimeter of the table. 
     According to any preferred embodiment, the frame of the screen is constructed of a flexible, pliable, bendable material such that the frame and the associated web tend to return to original shape after being deformed, bent, pushed, or reshaped. The frame of the screen may be selectively deformed to various shapes and configurations to achieve the degree of visual privacy or space division desired by a worker. Referring to FIG. 6, freestanding screen  20  is shown in a deformed shape (in solid lines depicting a deformed configuration  94 ) and in non-deformed shape (in phantom lines depicting a use configuration  92 ). A tensioning member that which may have elastic characteristics such as a string, a strap, a cinch, etc. and shown as a band  174  may engage frame  40  to deform the shape of screen  20 . According to a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, freestanding screen  20  in use configuration  92  provides for visual privacy over an area comparable to the area of a worker&#39;s body. When screen  20  is deformed to deformed configuration  94  (as shown in FIG.  6 ), screen  20  provides for visual privacy over a reduced or redirected area relative to use configuration  92 . According to alternative embodiments of the present invention, the deformation of the shape of the screen may be configured to redirect the flow of traffic in the work environment or may be configured as a display or information containing device. 
     Deformation of the frame of the screen may make the screen more compact for storage. Referring to FIGS. 7A through 7G, worksurface-mounted screen  30  is shown being selectively configured from a use configuration  96  (as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 7A) to a stowed configuration  98  (as shown in FIG. 7G) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. When it is desired to deform screen  30  for storage, frame  40  is removed from channel  116  of mounting assembly  100 . As shown in FIG. 7A, screen  30  is deformed so that both left and right middle members  46  and  48  of frame  40  are adjacent to each other. Bottom member  44  of frame  40  is positioned under top member  42  of frame  40  (as shown in FIG. 7B) such that frame  40  is configured in a tri-hoop configuration (as shown in FIGS. 7B through 7G) providing a base hoop  86  associated with top member  42  of frame  40 , a left hoop  88  associated with left middle member  46  of frame  40  and a right hoop  90  associated with the right middle member  48  of frame  40 . Base hoop  86  is substantially positioned under right hoop  90  (see FIG.  7 E), and right hoop  90  is substantially positioned under left hoop  88  (see FIGS.  7 E and  7 F), such that base hoop  86  and left hoop  88  “sandwich” right hoop  90  as shown in FIGS. 7E through 7G. According to an alternative embodiment as shown in FIGS. 7A though  7 G, frame  40  may be deformed or drawn into an approximate “figure-8” configuration (not shown) to form base hoop  86 , left hoop  88  and right hoop  90  (as shown in FIGS.  7 B through  7 G), so that base hoop  86  and left hoop  88  may “sandwich” right hoop  90  to form screen  30  in stowed configuration  98  (as shown in FIG.  7 G). When it is desired to expand frame  40  of screen  30  from stowed configuration  98  (as shown in FIG. 7G) to use configuration  96  (as shown in FIGS.  3  and  7 A), base hoop  86  is positioned away from and left hoop  88  so that frame  40  may automatically reform into use configuration  96 . According to a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 7G, base hoop  86 , left hoop  88  and right hoop  90  are of substantially equal sizes. According to an alternative embodiment, the frame of the screen may be selectively removed (or inserted into) from the binding for storage (or replacement) of the web. According to other alternative embodiments, the frame and the web associated with the frame may be removed from or interchanged within the mounting structure. According to other alternative embodiments, the web associated with the frame may be removed from or interchanged within the frame. 
     As is shown in the FIGURES, the screens may be provided in any of a variety of heights, widths, sizes, shapes, structures or configurations. According to an alternative embodiment, the screen may have a generally round canister structure (e.g., hanging rolled projector screen, rolled map, window covering, etc.) that is mounted to a generally planar surface. According to other alternative embodiments, the web associated with the screen extends and retracts from a take-up reel of the canister, and the web may be connected to an adjacent member (e.g., another canister, pole, worksurface, wall, etc.) by a fastener (e.g., clip, VELCRO (TM) fastener, adhesive, snap, button, zipper, pin, etc.). According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the frame of the freestanding screen is generally rectangular-shaped, has an approximate height of 60 inches, an approximate width of 34 inches and has a narrower width at the bottom member of the frame than at the top member of the frame. The frame of the worksurface-mounted screen has a generally rectangular cross-section, has an approximate height of 36 inches, an approximate width of 30 inches and has a narrower width at the bottom member of the frame than at the top member of the frame. (These dimensions are approximate and may vary according to the particular application or installation.) According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the frame of the screen is constructed of spun fiberglass or spring steel having a generally rectangular cross-section and molded into a predetermined shape. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the web of the screen is constructed of an opaque polyester-based “Stretch Mesh” material, Style No. 694816 (or alternatively Style No. 210575) commercially available from Milliken and Company of Grand Rapids, Mich. (although translucent or transparent materials may also be used). According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the binding is constructed of quilt binding polyester/cotton material having three folds. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the base and the stand of the mounting assembly are constructed of metal and the arm of the mounting assembly is constructed of molded plastic. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the base of the mounting assembly of the floorstanding screen is curved, such that the base may glide across a horizontal surface when moved. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the mounting assembly of the freestanding screen is mounted to the frame of the screen by a threaded steel rod inserted through the base, the stand, the arm, the gap in the frame and the brace, and fastened by a threaded nut. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the glove is constructed of rubber, but other materials such as foam or fabric may be used. 
     According to any preferred embodiment, the screen has a “modular” construction, with elements that are capable of assembly and arrangement in any of a variety of shapes, sizes, configurations and combinations, and suitable for use in a wide variety of work environments and in association with any of a wide variety of articles of (such as panel wall systems, storage products, seating products, workstations, worksurfaces, screens, etc.). 
     As will become apparent to those who review this disclosure, FIGS. 1 and 8 are schematic only and the nature or extent of the work space division and visual privacy provided by the screens can be varied depending upon the height, width, shape, handedness or configurations of the screens, the number of screens used in combination (e.g., “hotelling”), as well as their arrangement and position (alone or in association with other articles of furniture of various heights and widths). The screens may be associated with any type of article of furniture according to other exemplary embodiments, and may be provided with an ornamental appearance intended to fit or “match” with the ornamental appearance of one or more associated articles of furniture. As will be understood by those who review this disclosure, any mounting assembly may be used to attach the worksurface-mounted screen to the frame and a worksurface (e.g., hinged clips, spring clips, friction clips, buttons, snaps, repositionable insert rods, VELCRO (TM) fastener, slide rail, cantilever assembly, etc.). 
     Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments (such as variations in sizes, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, or use of materials) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.