Privacy screen and method for systems furniture and the like

• US 6,354,043 B1
• Filed: 12/28/1999
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation (Steelcase Incorporated)
• Inventors: Simon, David E., Domina, Chris L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VARNER, STEVE M
• Application Number:
  US09/473,642
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 160/179, 160/237, 160/327, 160/371, 160/352, 522/73, 522/22
• US Class Current: 52/64
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7433 with panels and support posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7809 of single or multiple tubular form
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7466 using hooks
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7479 Details of connection of flexible sheets to frame or posts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7483 Details of furniture, e.g. tables or shelves, associated with the partitions
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7487 Partitions with slotted profiles

Abstract

A privacy screen is configured for use with systems furniture and the like, such as post and beam arrangements that spatially partition an open office space into multiple workstations each having an interior with an opening into an adjacent space. The privacy screen is shaped to enclose a substantial portion of the opening of an associated workstation, and includes a generally flat lower portion, and a bowed upper portion that extends outwardly from the interior of the workstation to provide within the interior of the workstation a sense of spatial openness, as well as enhanced air and light influx, without detracting substantially from useable space on the opposite side of the privacy screen. The privacy screen may be constructed from a woven fabric with a single layer at the upper portion for greater visual porosity, and two layers at the lower portion for visual privacy.

Claims

1. In a post and beam furniture system of the type having a plurality of vertical posts with beams connected to upper ends of said posts to spatially partition an open office plan into multiple workstations each having an interior with an opening into an adjacent space, the improvement comprising:

at least one privacy screen shaped to enclose a substantial portion of the opening of an associated one of said workstations, and having a front surface thereof with a generally flat lower portion and a bowed upper portion extending outwardly from the interior of said one workstation to provide within the interior of said one workstation a sense of spatial openness as well as enhanced air and light influx, without detracting substantially from useable space on the opposite side of said privacy screen.

2. A furniture system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said upper portion of said privacy screen has a generally arcuate scoop shape which tapers to the generally flat lower portion of said privacy screen.

3. A furniture system as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said privacy screen is constructed from a fabric sheet.

4. A furniture system as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

said privacy screen includes a perimeter frame on which said fabric sheet is mounted.

5. A furniture system as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said fabric sheet has a light reflective interior surface such that said upper portion of said privacy screen funnels overhead ambient light into the interior of said one workstation.

6. A furniture system as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said privacy screen has a bottom thereof spaced apart from the floor surface of the open office plan for enhanced air circulation.

7. A furniture system as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

said perimeter frame includes a generally straight lower member extending horizontally across said opening adjacent a lower portion thereof, a pair of generally straight side members extending vertically along opposite sides of said opening, and a bowed upper member extending horizontally across said opening adjacent an upper portion thereof.

8. A furniture system as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said fabric sheet comprises a woven stretch fabric having a perimeter thereof attached to said perimeter frame in a tensed condition to conform to the shape of said perimeter frame, and form said generally arcuate scoop shape which tapers to said generally flat lower portion of said privacy screen.

9. A furniture system as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

said bowed upper member of said perimeter frame comprises a flexibly resilient member having a normally straight shape that is elastically deformed into an outwardly bowed shape during assembly.

10. A furniture system as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said upper portion of said privacy screen is constructed from a single layer of said woven stretch fabric, and has a density which renders the same generally translucent for enhanced light, air and visual porosity.

11. A furniture system as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

said lower portion of said privacy screen is constructed from at least two layers of said woven stretch fabric, and has a density which renders the same generally opaque for enhanced visual privacy.

12. A furniture system as set forth in claim 11, wherein:

said posts include mounting slots extending vertically along at least one side thereof; and

including

hang-on brackets detachably mounted in said slots, and connected with said perimeter frame to removably mount said privacy screen over said opening.

13. A furniture system as set forth in claim 12, wherein:

said fabric sheet includes an upper pocket in which said upper member of said perimeter frame is received.

14. A furniture system as set forth in claim 13, wherein:

said fabric sheet is constructed from a single sheet that is folded over said lower member of said perimeter frame to define said at least two layers at the lower portion of said privacy screen.

15. A furniture system as set forth in claim 14, wherein:

said fabric sheet includes sewn-in connectors extending along the opposite sides thereof; and

said side members of said perimeter frame include a pair of channels on opposite sides thereof in which said sewn-in connectors are inserted and captured.

16. A furniture system as set forth in claim 15, wherein:

said upper member of said perimeter frame is bowed both outwardly and downwardly such that said privacy screen has a top with a concave front elevational shape.

17. A furniture system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said privacy screen includes a perimeter frame having a generally straight lower member extending horizontally across said opening adjacent a lower portion thereof, a pair of generally straight side members extending vertically along opposite sides of said opening, and a bowed upper member extending horizontally across said opening adjacent an upper portion thereof.

18. A furniture system as set forth in claim 17, wherein:

said upper member of said perimeter frame is bowed both outwardly and downwardly such that said privacy screen has a top with a concave front elevational shape.

19. A furniture system as set forth in claim 18, wherein:

said bowed upper member of said perimeter frame comprises a flexibly resilient member having a normally straight shape that is elastically deformed into an outwardly bowed shape during assembly.

20. A furniture system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said privacy screen is constructed from a fabric sheet.

21. A furniture system as set forth in claim 20, wherein:

said upper portion of said privacy screen is constructed from a single layer of woven stretch fabric, and has a density which renders the same generally translucent for enhanced light, air and visual porosity; and

said lower portion of said privacy screen is constructed from at least two layers of woven stretch fabric, and has a density which renders the same generally opaque for enhanced visual privacy.

22. A furniture system as set forth in claim 20, wherein:

said fabric sheet has a light reflective interior surface such that said upper portion of said privacy screen funnels overhead ambient light into the interior of said one workstation.

23. A furniture system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said posts include mounting slots extending vertically along at least one side thereof; and

including

hang-on brackets detachably mounted in said slots, and connected with said privacy screen to removably mount said privacy screen over said opening.

24. A furniture system as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said privacy screen has a bottom thereof spaced apart from the floor surface of the open office plan for enhanced air circulation.

25. A method for spatially partitioning open office space into discrete workstations, comprising:

positioning a plurality of vertical posts in a predetermined pattern on the floor of the open office space;

connecting beams to upper ends of the posts to define a three dimensional open gridwork which spatially partitions the open office space into a plurality of discrete workstations with open sides, and an access aisle extending along at least one of the open sides;

mounting at least one privacy screen an exterior surface on the open gridwork to enclose a selected one of the open sides of an associated one of the workstations, wherein the privacy screen has a generally flat lower portion and a bowed upper portion; and

positioning the privacy screen on the open gridwork so that the bowed upper portion of the screen extends outwardly from the interior of the one workstation and into the access aisle to provide within the interior of the one workstation a sense of spatial openness as well as enhanced air and light influx, without detracting substantially from useable space on the opposite side of the privacy screen at the access aisle.

26. A method as set forth in claim 25, including:

forming the upper portion of the privacy screen into a generally arcuate scoop shape which bows both outwardly and downwardly at the top, and tapers to the generally flat lower portion of the privacy screen.

27. A method as set forth in claim 26, including:

forming the privacy screen from a perimeter frame and mounting a fabric sheet on the perimeter frame.

28. A method as set forth in claim 27, wherein:

said privacy screen forming step includes providing a woven stretch fabric and attaching the perimeter of the fabric to the perimeter frame in a tensed condition to conform to the shape of the perimeter frame, and form the generally arcuate scoop shape which tapers to the generally flat lower portion of the privacy screen.

29. A method as set forth in claim 28, wherein:

said privacy screen forming step includes constructing the upper portion of the privacy screen from a single layer of the woven stretch fabric, and providing the same with a density which renders the upper portion generally translucent for enhanced light, air and visual porosity.

30. A method as set forth in claim 29, wherein:

said privacy screen forming step includes constructing the lower portion of the privacy screen from at least two layers of the woven stretch fabric, and providing the same with a density which renders the lower portion generally opaque for enhanced visual privacy.

31. A method as set forth in claim 30, including:

providing the fabric sheet with a light reflective interior surface such that the upper portion of the privacy screen funnels overhead ambient light into the interior of the one workstation;

positioning a bottom of the privacy screen a spaced apart distance from the floor surface of the open office plan for enhanced air circulation; and

constructing the bowed upper member of the perimeter frame from a flexibly resilient member having a normally straight shape that is elastically deformed into an outwardly bowed shape during assembly.

32. In a furniture system for partitioning open plan space into workstations of the type having an interior with an opening to an adjacent space, the improvement comprising:

a privacy screen shaped to enclose a substantial portion of the opening of an associated one of said workstations, and having a front surface thereof with a generally flat lower portion and a bowed upper portion extending outwardly from the interior of said one workstation to provide within the interior of said one workstation a sense of spatial openness as well as enhanced air and light influx, without detracting substantially from useable space on the opposite side of said privacy screen.

33. A furniture system as set forth in claim 32, wherein:

said upper portion of said privacy screen has a generally arcuate scoop shape which tapers to the generally flat lower portion of said privacy screen.

34. A furniture system as set forth in claim 33, wherein:

said privacy screen is constructed from a fabric sheet.

35. A furniture system as set forth in claim 34, wherein:

said privacy screen includes a perimeter frame on which said fabric sheet is mounted.

36. A furniture system as set forth in claim 35, wherein:

said fabric sheet has a light reflective interior surface such that said upper portion of said privacy screen funnels overhead ambient light into the interior of said one workstation.

37. A furniture system as set forth in claim 36, wherein:

said privacy screen has a bottom thereof spaced apart from the floor surface of the open office plan for enhanced air circulation.

38. A furniture system as set forth in claim 37, wherein:

said fabric sheet comprises a woven stretch fabric having a perimeter thereof attached to said perimeter frame in a tensed condition to conform to the shape of said perimeter frame, and form said generally arcuate scoop shape which tapers to said generally flat lower portion of said privacy screen.

39. A furniture system as set forth in claim 38, wherein:

said bowed upper member of said perimeter frame comprises a flexibly resilient member having a normally straight shape that is elastically deformed into an outwardly bowed shape during assembly.

40. A furniture system as set forth in claim 39, wherein:

said upper portion of said privacy screen is constructed from a single layer of said woven stretch fabric, and has a density which renders the same generally translucent for enhanced light, air and visual porosity.

41. A furniture system as set forth in claim 40, wherein:

said lower portion of said privacy screen is constructed from at least two layers of said woven stretch fabric, and has a density which renders the same generally opaque for enhanced visual privacy.

42. A furniture system as set forth in claim 41, wherein:

said upper member of said perimeter frame is bowed both outwardly and downwardly such that said privacy screen has a top with a concave front elevational shape.

43. A privacy screen for furniture systems of the type which partition open plan space into individual workstations having an interior with an opening to an adjacent space, comprising:

a screen panel shaped to visually enclose a substantial portion of the opening of an associated one of the workstations, and having a front surface thereof with a generally flat lower portion and a bowed upper portion extending outwardly from the interior of the one workstation to provide within the interior of the workstation a sense of spatial openness as well as enhanced air and light influx, without detracting substantially from useable space on the opposite side of said screen panel.

44. A privacy screen as set forth in claim 43, wherein:

said upper portion of said privacy screen has a generally arcuate scoop shape which tapers to the generally flat lower portion of said privacy screen.

45. A privacy screen as set forth in claim 44, wherein:

said privacy screen is constructed from a fabric sheet.

46. A privacy screen as set forth in claim 45, wherein:

said privacy screen includes a perimeter frame on which said fabric sheet is mounted.

47. A privacy screen as set forth in claim 46, wherein:

said fabric sheet has a light reflective interior surface such that said upper portion of said privacy screen funnels overhead ambient light into the interior of said one workstation.

48. A privacy screen as set forth in claim 47, wherein:

said privacy screen has a bottom thereof spaced apart from the floor surface of the open office plan for enhanced air circulation.

49. A privacy screen as set forth in claim 48, wherein:

said perimeter frame includes a generally straight lower member extending horizontally across the opening adjacent a lower portion thereof, a pair of generally straight side members extending vertically along opposite sides of the opening, and a bowed upper member extending horizontally across the opening adjacent an upper portion thereof.

50. A privacy screen as set forth in claim 49, wherein:

said fabric sheet comprises a woven stretch fabric having a perimeter thereof attached to said perimeter frame in a tensed condition to conform to the shape of said perimeter frame, and form said generally arcuate scoop shape which tapers to said generally flat lower portion of said privacy screen.

51. A privacy screen as set forth in claim 50, wherein:

said bowed upper member of said perimeter frame comprises a flexibly resilient member having a normally straight shape that is elastically deformed into an outwardly bowed shape during assembly.

52. A privacy screen as set forth in claim 51, wherein:

said upper portion of said privacy screen is constructed from a single layer of said woven stretch fabric, and has a density which renders the same generally translucent for enhanced light, air and visual porosity.

53. A privacy screen as set forth in claim 52, wherein:

said lower portion of said privacy screen is constructed from at least two layers of said woven stretch fabric, and has a density which renders the same generally opaque for enhanced visual privacy.

54. A privacy screen as set forth in claim 53, wherein:

said fabric sheet includes an upper perimeter pocket in which said upper member of said perimeter frame is received.

55. A privacy screen as set forth in claim 54, wherein:

said fabric sheet is constructed from a single sheet that is folded over said lower member of said perimeter frame to define said at least two layers at the lower portion of said privacy screen.

56. A privacy screen as set forth in claim 55, wherein:

said fabric sheet includes sewn-in rods extending along the opposite sides thereof; and

said side members of said perimeter frame include a pair of channels on opposite sides thereof in which said sewn-in rods are inserted and captured.

57. A furniture system as set forth in claim 56, wherein:

said upper member of said perimeter frame is bowed both outwardly and downwardly such that said privacy screen has a top with a concave front elevational shape.

58. In a post and beam furniture system of the type having a plurality of vertical posts with beams connected to upper ends of said posts to spatially partition an open office plan into multiple workstations each having an interior with an opening into an adjacent space, the improvement comprising:

at least one privacy screen shaped to enclose a substantial portion of the opening of an associated one of said workstations, and including a perimeter frame having a panel of woven fabric material mounted thereon;

said panel having a front surface with a lower portion thereof extending from adjacent the floor to adjacent worksurface height, and being constructed from at least two layers of said woven fabric material, and having a density which renders the same generally opaque for enhanced visual privacy, and an upper portion thereof extending upwardly from adjacent worksurface height, and being constructed from a single layer of the woven fabric material, with a density which renders the same generally translucent for enhanced light, air and visual porosity.

59. A furniture system as set forth in claim 58, wherein:

said posts include mounting slots extending vertically along at least one side thereof; and

including

hang-on brackets detachably mounted in said slots, and connected with said perimeter frame to removably mount said privacy screen over said opening.

60. A furniture system as set forth in claim 59, wherein:

said perimeter frame includes a lower member extending horizontally across said opening adjacent a lower portion thereof, a pair of side members extending vertically along opposite sides of said opening, and an upper member extending horizontally across said opening adjacent an upper portion thereof.

61. A furniture system as set forth in claim 60, wherein:

said fabric panel includes a pocket in which said upper member of said perimeter frame is received.

62. A furniture system as set forth in claim 61, wherein:

said fabric panel includes sewn-in rods extending along the opposite sides thereof; and

said side members of said perimeter frame include a pair of channels on opposite sides thereof in which said sewn-in rods are inserted and captured.

63. A furniture system as set forth in claim 62, wherein:

said panel of woven fabric material comprises a stretch fabric having a perimeter thereof attached to said perimeter frame in a tensed condition to conform to the shape of said perimeter frame.

64. A furniture system as set forth in claim 63, wherein:

said upper member of said perimeter frame is bowed both outwardly and downwardly such that said privacy screen has a top with a concave front elevational shape.