Patent Publication Number: US-11391053-B1

Title: Low-slung booth

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This U.S. Non-Provisional patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/156,365, filed on Mar. 4, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to booths for personal use. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Personal booths are found in a multitude of different environments, from office spaces to airports to homes. These booths usually consist of three or four walls, a floor and ceiling to provide support for the walls, and a set of wheels to permit movement thereof. 
     Structures such as these may be found, for example, in PCT/US2017/027793 entitled “Modular Booth” and PCT/IB2020/050306 entitled “A Mobile Cabin with Ventilation System and A Method for Ventilation Thereof.” 
     A common feature among known art, such as referenced above, is the provision of a small number of wheels for assisting with movement from one position to another. Structures such as these may be heavy, having a weight which may vary from 150-350 kg. Each wheel, and its accompanying support is liable to cause an uneven application of force to the structure, the force being concentrated at a small number of points, namely, at each of the wheel supports. The force to be borne by each of the wheel supports includes not only that arising from the self-weight of the structure but also dynamic forces when the structure is moved. It will thus be appreciated that provision has to be made to redistribute these concentrated forces throughout the structure, as well as local strengthening of the structure in the region of each of the wheel supports. This inherently limits the number of times that the structure can be moved without deleteriously affecting its structural integrity, thus shortening its useful life. 
     PCT/IB2020/050306 entitled “A Mobile Cabin with Ventilation System and A Method for Ventilation Thereof” describes a relatively massive structure. While such a structure potentially solves the above disadvantage by being more robust and therefore able to absorb greater forces, this also increases its self-weight making it more difficult to move. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. 
     In one embodiment, there is provided a low-slung movable personal booth for positioning on a support surface, which includes a first and second opposing sidewalls, each having a rear edge portion, a front edge portion, an upper edge portion, and a lower edge portion which terminates in a lower sidewall edge; a rear wall having a pair of parallel side edge portions, a lower edge portion which terminates in a lower rear wall edge, and an upper edge portion which terminates in an upper rear wall edge; the rear edge portion of each of the first and second opposing sidewalls is rigidly connected to one of the pair of parallel side edge portions of the rear wall, such that the sidewalls and rear wall form a cubicle structure having a usable space therein; one or more structural continuity members connect between the pair of opposing sidewalls so as to provide structural continuity within the cubicle structure; a low friction mobility apparatus, mounted along the lower edge portion of each of the first and second sidewalls and of the rear wall, arranged to support the cubicle structure on the support surface and to facilitate movement thereof along the support surface in response to a lateral force, wherein the mobility apparatus is configured to distribute both static and dynamic loads, respectively caused by self-weight of the cubicle structure and movement thereof along the support surface, in a generally uniform distribution along the sidewalls and the rear wall. 
     Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment, one or more structural continuity members includes a planar support element connecting between the lower edge portions of the cubicle structure, positioned so as to support the cubicle structure on the support surface. 
     Further, in accordance with an embodiment, a planar support element also includes a low friction mobility apparatus so as to assist movement of the personal booth along the support surface. 
     Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment, the planar support element is a floor element which includes an upward facing surface and a downward facing surface, and the low friction mobility apparatus includes a plurality of low friction mobility elements embedded into the downward facing surface of the floor element, wherein the low friction mobility elements protrude from the downward facing surface to support the floor element on the support surface. 
     Further, in accordance with an embodiment, the one or more structural continuity element includes a ceiling element connected between the upper edge portions of the cubicle structure. 
     Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment, the cubicle structure includes a front facing opening, a closure element for providing access to the interior, and a mounting element for mounting the closure element in association with the front facing opening. 
     Further, in accordance with an embodiment, the low friction mobility apparatus is a plurality of ball transfer units aligned linearly and mounted in association with the lower edge portion of the first and second sidewalls and the rear wall, configured to evenly distribute both static and dynamic loads. 
     Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment, the one or more structural continuity member includes a tie member removably fastenable to the front edge portions of the first and second opposing sidewalls, for fastening thereto prior to movement of the low-slung movable personal booth and removal therefrom after movement. 
     Further, in accordance with an embodiment, the low friction mobility apparatus is a planar element formed of a low friction material. 
     Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment, there is provided a low-slung movable personal booth for positioning on a support surface including a first and second opposing sidewalls, each having a rear edge portion, a front edge portion, an upper edge portion, and a lower edge portion which terminates in a lower sidewall edge; a rear wall having a pair of parallel side edge portions, a lower edge portion which terminates in a lower rear wall edge, and an upper edge portion which terminates in an upper rear wall edge, wherein the rear edge portion of each of the first and second opposing sidewalls is rigidly connected to one of the pair of parallel side portions, such that the sidewalls and rear wall form a cubicle structure having a usable space therein; a floor element which includes an upward facing surface and a downward facing surface connecting between the pair of opposing sidewalls in association with the lower edge portions of the cubicle structure so as to provide structural continuity within the cubicle structure the sidewalls and the rear wall; an array of low friction mobility elements embedded into the downward facing surface of the floor element, arranged to support the cubicle structure on the support surface and to facilitate movement thereof along the support surface in response to a lateral force. 
     Further, in accordance with an embodiment, the low friction mobility elements protrude through the upward facing surface of the floor element. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic illustration of a low-slung movable personal booth, in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments; 
         FIGS. 1B-1D  are schematic illustrations of a low-slung movable personal booth with the addition of a floor and/or ceiling; 
         FIGS. 1E-1F  are schematic illustrations of a low-slung movable personal booth seen in  FIG. 1B , with the addition of a door; 
         FIG. 1G  is a schematic illustration of a low-slung movable personal booth seen in  FIG. 1D , with a floor, ceiling, and door; 
         FIG. 1H  is a schematic illustration of a low-slung movable personal booth as seen in  FIG. 1A , with a removable structural tie member; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic side-sectional illustration of a lower edge portion of the low-slung movable personal booth seen in any of  FIGS. 1B, and 1D-1G ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic bottom view of the low-slung movable personal booth as seen in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 3B-3C  are enlarged, detailed cross-sectional views of a portion of the floor element illustrated in  FIG. 3A , according to a certain exemplary embodiments; 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  are schematic illustrations of a low-slung movable personal booth in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of a low-slung personal booth where the downward facing surface of the floor is a low friction surface; 
         FIG. 6A  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment similar to that seen in  FIG. 1F , but also having a ceiling, and wherein at least a portion of a sidewall thereof is formed of connected, interleaving construction blocks; 
         FIG. 6B  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 4A  but without a ceiling; 
         FIG. 6C  depicts an embodiment similar to  FIG. 4A  but without a floor; 
         FIG. 6D  is bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6C ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of low-slung movable personal booth as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6D  from a rear perspective, with the view of a braking mechanism. 
     
    
    
     Identical, duplicate, equivalent or similar structures, elements or parts that appear in one or more drawings are generally labelled with the same reference numeral, optionally with an additional letter or letters to distinguish between similar entities or variants of entities, and may not be otherwise repeatedly labelled and/or described. References to previously presented elements are implied without necessarily further citing the drawing or description in which they appear. 
     Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale or true perspective. For convenience or clarity, some elements or structures are not shown or shown only partially and/or with different perspective or from different viewpoints. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Disclosed herein is a low-slung movable personal booth, denoted generally in the drawings by reference numeral  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1A , booth  100  has a pair of opposing sidewalls, respectively referenced  102  and  104 . Each sidewall has a rear edge portion  110 , a front edge portion  114 , an upper edge portion  112  and a lower edge portion  116 . Disposed between rear edge portions  110  of the sidewalls  102  and  104  is a rear wall  106  which has an upper edge portion  118 , a lower edge portion  124  and two parallel side edge portions  120  and  122 . Rear edge portions  110  of sidewalls  102  and  104  are rigidly connected to the parallel side edge portions  120  and  122  of rear wall  106 , such that booth  100  has a cubicle type structure having a usable space within that is accessible through a front-facing opening  175 . Hereinbelow, the terms booth and cubicle may be used interchangeably. 
     In some embodiments, there may be provided one or more structural continuity member  126 , connecting between opposing sidewalls  102  and  104 , for providing structural continuity among the different constructional elements of cubicle  100 . Structural continuity member  126 , illustrated in the drawings schematically, can be a crossbeam, an L-shaped bracket, or any other structural tie or a constructional element such as a floor or ceiling member that fulfils this function, thereby generally reinforcing and providing structural integrity to booth  100 . 
     Optionally, there may also be provided additional ties, struts, bracing members or other structural elements (not shown) which may be either external or internal to the structural members illustrated. 
     Mounted to respective lower edge portions  116  and  124  is elongate low friction mobility apparatus  108 . Low friction mobility apparatus  108  is operative to support the cubicle structure on a support surface  350  ( FIG. 3B ) and to uniformly distribute both static and dynamic loads caused by the self-weight of the cubicle structure and movement thereof along support surface  350  in a generally uniform distribution along sidewalls  102  and  104  and rear wall  106 . In some embodiments, low friction mobility apparatus  108  is an array of mini ball transfer units arranged along a track member, as described in greater detail in conjunction with  FIG. 3B . The track member is attached to respective lower edge portions  116  and  124  of the cubicle  100 . The mini ball transfer units can be the Flange Fixing Unit 0531, from Alwayse Engineering as can be found at www.alwayse.co.uk, or any other suitable mini ball transfer unit. 
     In some embodiments, low friction mobility apparatus  108  is an elongate track member made from anti-static sliding material configured to be attached to respective lower edge portions  116  and  124  of the cubicle  100 . This anti-static material can be constructed from LubX CV material, as can be found at www.roechling-industrial.com, or any other suitable material. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1B , booth  100  is seen to also include a floor member  130  which has an upward facing surface  132  and a downward facing surface  134 . Floor member  130  is mounted to respective lower edge portions  116  and  124 , parallel to the support surface  350 . Floor member  130  is positioned such that there is a gap between downward facing surface  134  and the support surface  350 . The gap formed between the downward facing surface  134  of floor member  130  and the support surface  350  has a height ‘b’, and the thickness of floor member  130  is shown as ‘a’, such that the total height from the support surface to upward facing surface  132  of floor member  130  is ‘c’. Preferably, dimension c is no higher than the maximum height for a single step up into a new room according to safety regulations and building codes. In some countries, for example, Israel, this height is 1.5 centimeters (cm). In some embodiments, floor member  130  provides structural continuity as denoted by the pair of arrows  127 , for cubicle  100 . 
     This provides the present booth  100  with a significant advantage when compared with known wheel-mounted structures. Such structures to be both movable and to provide privacy. As movability is provided by the provision of a small number of relatively large wheels, the floor of the booth—required so as to provide privacy—is elevated, normally some 10-20 cm above the surface on which the booth stands. The provision of a suspended floor requires an appropriate support structure, constituting an additional weight and cost component. Furthermore, the elevated floor at the height required by the provision of the wheels, as described, requires a user to step up into the booth in order to enter. It has been found, however, that having a single step up into a room does not easily register to the human eye and can thus be a tripping hazard. All of the above issues are solved by the provision of low friction mobility apparatus  108 , facilitating full support of booth  100  at negligible elevation, as described. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1C , booth  100  is seen to also include a ceiling member  135 . Ceiling member  135  is attached to upper edge portions  112  and  118  of cubicle  100 . Ceiling member  135  provides structural continuity as denoted by the pair of arrows  128 . 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 1D , booth  100  is seen to also include both floor element  130  and ceiling element  135 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1E-1F , booth  100  is seen to also include a closure member  170  and a mounting member  142 , to isolate the usable space within the booth  100  from the exterior. In some embodiments, as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1E , closure member  170  is hinged door  145  and mounting element  142  is a hinged door frame  140 . Hinged door  145  is connected by a hinge mechanism  148  to frame  140  Which is itself mounted onto respective front edge portions  114 , thereby enabling hinged door  145  to close front-facing opening  175 . In some embodiments, hinged door  145  has two parallel side portions  146  and  147 . The hinge mechanism  148  can be attached to side edge portion  147 , and a latching mechanism  149  is attached to side edge portion  146  to facilitate maintaining closure member  145  in a closed state. In some embodiments, the hinge mechanism  148  and latching mechanism  149  are attached in reverse, where the hinge mechanism is attached to side edge portion  146  and the latching mechanism is attached to side edge portion  147 . Frame  140  provides structural continuity of booth  100  as denoted by arrows  141 . 
     In some embodiments, as seen in  FIG. 1F , closure member  170  is a sliding door  155 , and mounting member  142  is a track member  150 . Sliding door  155  is mounted onto track member  150 . Track member  150  is mounted onto respective front facing edge portions  114  of sidewalls  102  and  104  and connects therebetween. Additionally, in some embodiments, track member  150  provides structural continuity as denoted by arrows  151 . In some embodiments, the closure member  170  is a bifold door, an accordion door, or any other applicable partition to enclose the usable space within booth  100 . In some embodiments, acoustic and visual distractions of a user within the interior of booth  100  are reduced when closure member  170  is in a closed position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1G , booth  100  is seen to include ceiling member  135 , floor member  130 , closure member  170 , and mounting member  142 , which act as structural continuity members for booth  100 , as indicated by arrows as is illustrated by arrow pairs  128 ,  127  and  141 . These members also combine to provide general structural stability for booth  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1H , booth  100  may require additional structural support to further reinforce booth  100  during repositioning. In some embodiments, such additional structural support may be provided by a structural tie or brace member  160  which may be fastened to front facing edge portions  114 . Once tie member  160  is attached, booth  100  can be moved to a desired location. Once the booth  100  is positioned in the desired location, tie member  160  can be detached from booth  100 . In some embodiments, structural tie member  160  is a cross beam provided with suitable clasping members or mechanisms at each end, removably connectable to each of the opposing sidewalls  102  and  104 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2 , which is a side-sectional illustration of a lower edge portion  204  of a sidewall  202  of the booth  100 . Attached to the lower edge portion  204  is an elongate low friction mobility apparatus  208 . Embedded into low friction mobility apparatus  208  are one or more low friction mobility elements  206 . Low friction mobility elements  206  are arranged typically equidistantly from each other to uniformly distribute both static and dynamic loads. In some embodiments, low friction mobility elements  206  are spherical ball casters, mini ball transfer units, or any other suitable wheel element. In some embodiments, low friction mobility elements  206  may be constituted by an anti-static low friction synthetic material, as described hereinabove. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , which is a bottom view of the booth with a floor member  335 . Low friction mobility elements, collectively referred to as  302 , are arranged in an array formation, distributed across the downward-facing surface  320  of the floor member  335 . The array of low friction mobility elements  302  provides structural support for floor member  335 , directly supporting it on support surface  350 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3B , in the illustrated example, low friction mobility elements  302  are seen to be embedded into floor element  335  so as to protrude from downward-facing surface  320  of the floor member  335 . As illustrated, elements  302  are embedded into floor member  335  to a depth which is almost equal to the thickness a of floor member  335 . This provides for a minimal clearance b of the downward-facing surface  320  above support surface  350 , and a combined height c of the upward-facing surface  315  of the floor member  335  also to be at a minimal clearance, when taking into account the floor thickness a, such that a+b=c. In some embodiments, each low friction mobility element  302  is secured to the downward-facing surface  320  of the floor member  335  by a flange  304 . 
     Referring briefly now to  FIG. 3C , in the illustrated example, as in  FIG. 3B , low friction mobility elements  302  are seen to be embedded into floor element  335 . However, in contrast to the example of  FIG. 3B , in the present example low friction mobility elements  302  are embedded within floor element  335  so as to protrude upwardly through upward facing surface  315  of floor element  335 . This reduces even further the clearance of the upward-facing surface  315  of the floor member  335  above to support surface  350 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A-4B , in some embodiments, there are provided a pair of elongated track members  4002  for mounting a plurality of mobility elements  4008  along or in proximity to the lower edge portions  116  of the opposing side walls  102  and  104 . In some embodiments, there is an additional elongated track element (not shown) attached along or in proximity to the lower edge portion  124  of the rear wall  106 . The row of low friction mobility elements  4008  provides even load distribution of cubicle  100  throughout the elongate track element  4002  against the support surface  4050 . In some embodiments, elongate track element  4002  is mounted onto the outside facing surface of the opposing side walls  102  and  104 , as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 4A . In some embodiments, the elongate track element  4002  is attached to the inside facing surface of the opposing side walls  102  and  104 , as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 4B . 
     In some embodiments, as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 5 , booth  100  includes a floor member  5002 , configured to support the cubicle structure of booth  100  on a support surface  5008 . Floor member  5002  has an upper facing surface  5006  and a downward facing surface  5004 . Respective opposing sidewalls  102  and  104 , and the rear wall  106  are affixed to upward facing surface  5006 . Downward facing surface  5004  is configured to be in full contact with a support surface  5008 . Downward facing surface  5004  is made of a synthetic material with a low coefficient of friction that allows the booth to glide easily on support surface  5008 . In some embodiments, the low coefficient of friction can be within a range of 0.01 to 0.5. The synthetic material can be a composed of a synthetic ice material, as can be found at www.glicerink.com/, or any other suitable material. 
     In some embodiments, as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 6A , movable personal booth  400  is seen to include construction blocks  406  and other construction elements  407 . Construction elements  407  have a window  415  to allow ambient light to enter booth  400 . In some embodiments, opposing sidewalls  420  and  421 , and rear wall  422  are formed entirely of construction blocks  406  or elements  407 . Construction blocks  406  that form the lower edge portion  419  of opposing sidewalls  420  and  421  are configured for embedding low friction mobility elements  401  therein to allow for movement of booth  400 . Elongate locking members  445  are inserted into a shaped opening within the blocks  406  and elements blocks  407  in order to lock them in place. In some embodiments, locking members  445  are hollow to allow for conduction mediums to extend therethrough, such as electrical wire  414 , water supply lines  412 , or an air supply pipe  413  thereby entering neatly into the cubicle structure to provide electricity, water, or ventilation within booth  400 . 
     Floor member  402  is connected to lower edge portion  419 . A ramp member  403  is connected to floor member  402  at the front-facing opening  420  thereby bridging the gap that is formed between floor member  402  and a support surface  450 , allowing users to safely enter booth  400 . Closure member or door  404  is mounted onto mounting member  416 . Ceiling element  411  is connected to upper wall portion  418  of booth  400 . 
     In some embodiments, booth  400  includes a step-shaped feature  405 , positioned along rear wall  422 . Step  405  can be configured as a bench. In some embodiments, step  405  is hollow and houses a braking mechanism  503 , which is further described in greater detail below, in conjunction with  FIG. 7 . 
     In some embodiments, there is provided a water supply line  412 , which enters booth  400  through the ceiling element  411 , to provide water for a fire sprinkler system within the booth  400 . In some embodiments, there is provided an air conditioning or ventilation supply pipe  413  for climate control within the booth  400 . In some embodiments water supply line  412  supplies water to a faucet (not shown) within booth  400 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6B , booth  400  is similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 6A , but includes a floor element  402  only, excluding the ceiling element  411  ( FIG. 6A ). In contrast thereto, the booth  400  as illustrated in  FIG. 6C , includes ceiling element  411  only, without floor element  402 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6D , schematically illustrating a bottom view of booth  400  as seen in  FIG. 6C . Low friction mobility elements  401  are aligned along the bottom edges  430  of sidewalls  420  and  421  and rear wall  422 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , booth  400  includes braking wheel elements  504  housed within step  405  as mentioned above, booth  400  includes a braking mechanism, referenced generally as  503 , operative to prevent unintentional movement of booth  400 . Braking mechanism  503  includes a lever  408 , a spring  502 , a piston  501 , and a braking pad  508 . Braking pad  508  is configured to press against wheel elements  504  thereby preventing the movement of wheel elements  504  when a downward force is applied to lever  408 , as indicated by arrow  510 . Lever  408  applies an equivalent force onto piston  501 , resulting in braking pad  508  being pushed against spherical wheel elements  504  thereby preventing the rotation of spherical wheel elements  504 . When movement of booth  400  is desired, a release button can be actuated thereby releasing spring  502 , which pushes lever  408  upwards and disengaging braking pad  508  from wheel elements  504 . In some embodiments, the braking mechanism  503  can be released by applying an upward force to lever  408 . 
     As used herein the term “configuring” and/or ‘adapting’ for an objective, or a variation thereof, implies using materials and/or components in a manner designed for and/or implemented and/or operable or operative to achieve the objective. 
     Unless otherwise specified, the terms ‘about’ and/or ‘close’ with respect to a magnitude or a numerical value implies within an inclusive range of −10% to +10% of the respective magnitude or value. Unless otherwise specified, the terms ‘about’ and/or ‘close’ with respect to a dimension or extent, such as length, implies within an inclusive range of −10% to +10% of the respective dimension or extent. Unless otherwise specified, the terms ‘about’ or ‘close’ imply at or in a region of, or close to a location or a part of an object relative to other parts or regions of the object. 
     When a range of values is recited, it is merely for convenience or brevity and includes all the possible sub-ranges as well as individual numerical values within and about the boundary of that range. Any numeric value, unless otherwise specified, includes also practical close values enabling an embodiment or a method, and integral values do not exclude fractional values. A sub-range values and practical close values should be considered as specifically disclosed values. As used herein, ellipsis ( . . . ) between two entities or values denotes an inclusive range of entities or values, respectively. For example, A . . . Z implies all the letters from A to Z, inclusively. 
     The terminology used herein should not be understood as limiting, unless otherwise specified, and is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosed subject matter. While certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents are not precluded. 
     Terms in the claims that follow should be interpreted, without limiting, as characterized or described in the specification. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been specifically shown and described in conjunction with the drawings, hereinabove. Rather, the invention is limited solely by the claims, which follow: