Privacy screen

• US 20020062933A1
• Filed: 10/10/2001
• Published: 05/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David J. Ritch, Gordon J. Stannis, Mark B. Saffell, Robert W. Insalaco
• Original Assignee: David J. Ritch, Gordon J. Stannis, Mark B. Saffell, Robert W. Insalaco
• Inventors: Stannis, Gordon J., Saffell, Mark B., Insalaco, Robert W., Ritch, David J.
• Application Number:
  US09/975,503
• Publication Number:
  US 20020062933A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 160/351
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/12 Vanity or modesty panels
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 5/00 Screens shutters closing an opening E06B9/02; fly-screens E06B9/52; Draught-deflectors
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7405 with free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers

Abstract

A privacy screen comprises a free-standing wall member and a support stand. In one embodiment, the wall member has a thickness and an outer surface visible to the user. The wall member is preferably made of expanded beads that extend across the entirety of the thickness of the panel and define the outer surface thereof, such that they are visible to the user. In another embodiment, the wall member comprises a first and second sheet, each of which has an outer surface defining the outer surface of the wall member. At least a portion of the first sheet is spaced from at least a portion of the second sheet, and at least another portion of the first sheet abuts at least a portion of the second sheet, with the abutting portions being connected. In another aspect, a system of privacy screens comprises a first and second privacy screen comprising a wall member having a curvilinear side edge. The first and second privacy screens are arranged such that the curvilinear edges thereof are disposed adjacent one another.

Claims

1. A privacy screen for a workspace comprising:

a free-standing wall member having a thickness and an outer surface visible to a user, wherein said wall member is made of expanded beads extending across the entirety of said thickness with said expanded beads defining said outer surface such that said expanded beads are visible to the user.

2. The privacy screen of claim 1 wherein said expanded beads comprise a styrene, polypropylene blend.

3. The privacy screen of claim 1 having a plurality of holes extending through the entirety of said thickness of said wall member.

4. The privacy screen of claim 1 wherein said wall member is substantially homogenous and is made entirely of said expanded beads.

5. The privacy screen of claim 1 further comprising a support stand connected to a bottom of said wall member.

6. The privacy screen of claim 5 wherein said support stand comprises a slot, wherein a bottom edge of said wall member is received in said slot.

7. The privacy screen of claim 1 wherein said wall member is further defined by a maximum circumference and a maximum height, and wherein a combination of said maximum circumference and said maximum height is less than or equal to 130 inches.

8. The privacy screen of claim 1 wherein said wall member is substantially vertical and comprises at least one side edge, wherein said side edge is curvilinear.

9. The privacy screen of claim 1 wherein said expandable beads are dyed one or more colors.

10. The privacy screen of claim 5 wherein said support stand does not extend above a lower third of said wall member, and wherein said wall member does not have any internal or external support structure extending above said lower third of said wall member.

11. A system of privacy screens for a workspace comprising:

a first privacy screen comprising a substantially vertical wall member comprising a curvilinear side edge;

a second privacy screen comprising a substantially vertical wall member comprising a curvilinear side edge; and

wherein said second privacy screen is positioned adjacent said first privacy screen with said curvilinear side edge of said second privacy screen disposed adjacent said curvilinear side edge of said first privacy screen.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein at least one of said curvilinear side edges of said first and second privacy screens comprises a substantially convex portion.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein at least one of said curvilinear side edges of said first and second privacy screens comprises a substantially concave portion.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein at least one of said first and second privacy screens is made of expanded beads.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein at least one of said first and second privacy screens is made of a pair of polyethylene sheets.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein at least one of said first and second screens is tackable.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein said curvilinear side edge of each of said first and second screens is a first curvilinear side edge, and wherein each of said first and second screens comprise a second curvilinear side edge opposite said first curvilinear side edge.

19. The privacy screen of claim 18 wherein said first and second sheets are made of polyethylene.

20. The privacy screen of claim 18 wherein said first and second sheets are translucent.

21. The privacy screen of claim 18 further comprising a support stand connected to a bottom of said wall member.

22. The privacy screen of claim 21 wherein said support stand comprises a slot, wherein a bottom edge of said wall member is received in said slot.

23. The privacy screen of claim 18 wherein said wall member is further defined by a maximum circumference and a maximum height, and wherein a combination of said maximum circumference and said maximum height is less than or equal to 130 inches.

24. The privacy screen of claim 21 wherein said support stand does not extend above a lower third of said wall member, and wherein said wall member does not have any internal or external support structure extending above said lower third of said wall member.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein at least one of said curvilinear side edges of said first and second privacy screens comprises a substantially convex portion.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein at least one of said curvilinear side edges of said first and second privacy screens comprises a substantially concave portion.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein at least one of said first and second privacy screens is made of expanded beads.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein at least one of said first and second privacy screens is made of a pair of polyethylene sheets.

30. The method of claim 25 wherein at least one of said first and second screens is tackable.

31. The method of claim 25 wherein said curvilinear side edge of each of said first and second screens is a first curvilinear side edge, and wherein each of said first and second screens comprise a second curvilinear side edge opposite said first curvilinear side edge.

18. A privacy screen for a workspace comprising:

a free-standing wall member comprising a first and second sheet, wherein each of said first and second sheets has an outer surface defining an outer surface of said wall member, and wherein at least a portion of said first sheet is spaced from at least a portion of said second sheet, and wherein at least a portion of said second sheet abuts at least a portion of said second sheet, wherein said abutting portions of said first and second sheets are connected.

25. A method for configuring a workspace comprising:

providing a first privacy screen comprising a substantially vertical wall member comprising a curvilinear side edge;

providing a second privacy screen comprising a substantially vertical wall member comprising a curvilinear side edge; and

positioning said second privacy screen adjacent said first privacy screen with said curvilinear side edge of said second privacy screen disposed adjacent said curvilinear side edge of said first privacy screen.

32. A method for making a privacy screen comprising:

providing a mold defining a shape of a wall member;

introducing a plurality of expandable beads into said mold;

introducing steam into said mold and thereby causing said expandable beads to expand to form said wall member;

removing said expanded bead, wall member from said mold; and

supporting said wall member on a support surface.

33. A kit having components capable of being assembled as a privacy screen, the kit comprising:

a support stand; and

a wall member wall member made of expanded beads and having a maximum circumference and a maximum height, wherein a combination of said maximum circumference and said maximum height is less than or equal to 130 inches, and wherein said wall member is adapted to be supported by said support stand.

35. The kit of claims 33 or 34 wherein said stand is adapted to be slidably engaged with a bottom of said wall member.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein said wall member is made of a substantially homogenous material.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein said wall member is made of expanded beads.

34. A kit having components capable of being assembled as a privacy screen, the kit comprising:

a support stand; and

a wall member wall member made of pair of polyethylene sheets and having a maximum circumference and a maximum height, wherein a combination of said maximum circumference and said maximum height is less than or equal to 130 inches, wherein said wall member is adapted to be supported by said support stand.

36. A kit having components capable of being assembled as a privacy screen, the kit comprising:

a support stand having a slot; and

a wall member wall member having a maximum circumference, a maximum height and a bottom wherein a combination of said maximum circumference and said maximum height is less than or equal to 130 inches, and wherein said wall member is adapted to be supported by said support stand, and wherein said bottom is adapted to be received in said slot.

37. A method for making a privacy screen comprising:

providing a wall member having a bottom edge;

providing a stand having a slot; and

sliding said bottom edge of said wall member into said slot wherein said bottom edge is engaged by said stand, and wherein said slideable engagement is the only connection between said support stand and said wall member.