Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
' CA 02310742 2000-06-06
Title: CONSTRUCTION OF AN OFFICE DIVIDER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a partition structure. In particular,
this invention relates to an office partition structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently, many offices are constructed with permanent
perimeter walls (eg. constructed from dry wall) and have open areas
surrounded by the perimeter walls. The open areas are designed to be
subdivided by non-permanent partition structures. Thus the working are
may be reconfigured as needed. Various types of partition structures exist
for dividing open office spaces into smaller office areas. Such partition
structures typically comprise rectangular panels that are supported by a
frame and base assembly and may optionally have wheels. They may be
constructed to be joined together to form a wall or an office or as
individual stand alone units. As the partition structures are not
permanent (as in the case of walls composed of dry wall) they offer the
flexibility of re-arranging an already partitioned office space. The frame
assemblies often include multiple members which introduce additional
construction steps during assembly and an increased overall cost as result
of added manufacturing complexity.
Divider structures which have the ability to connect multiple
divider structures together for creating parallel booths or rooms may allow
shelves and other structures to be hung thereon. However, the ability of
such divider structures to receive and support a display board have been
limited by the need to ensure that the divider structure will not collapse
under the weight of the display board and that it will not fall over due to a
change in the centre of gravity of the divider and display board assembly.
The display features of these structures may not be sufficient in office
environments where training, team discussion groups and presentation
sessions occur.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a portable office divider
structure for both partitioning an open office area and functioning as a
mufti-purpose presentation board. The office divider may be used in
group presentations, training rooms and meetings, whilst simultaneously
dividing one area or office space from the next. The use of wheels or
casters or glides at the base of the divider provides an easy solution for re-
arranging and re-designing the office space according to particular needs.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
an office divider comprising first and second opposed panels, each of the
panels having a top edge, a bottom edge and vertical edges extending
between the top and bottom edges; opposed spaced apart vertically
extending members, each vertically extending member adapted to receive
one of the vertical edges of each panel; and, at least one bowing member
extending between the opposed panels and engaging the panels whereby
the panels are maintained in an outwardly bowed configuration and
define an open area between the opposed panels.
In one embodiment, the office divider further comprises a
plurality of legs positioned around the bottom of the office divider, the
legs contacting a floor on which the office divider is positioned without
lockingly engaging the floor.
In another embodiment, the office divider further comprises
a light emitting member positioned in the open area and an electric cord
connected to the light emitting member whereby the electric cord provides
current to the light emitting member.
In another embodiment, at least one of the vertically
extending members has a space in which the electric cord is positioned.
Preferably, at least one of the vertically extending members has an exterior
surface and the exterior surface has a recess provided therein in which the
electric cord is received. Preferably, the office divider further comprises a
cap removably engagable with the at least one vertically extending
member whereby, when the cap is engaged with the vertically extending
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member, the recess is covered.
In another embodiment, the vertically extending members
have recesses which are adapted to receive and retain a portion of the
vertical edges of the panels whereby the vertically extending members fix
the panels in position with respect to each other.
In another embodiment, the vertically extending members
define a vertical plane extending through the office divider and the
recesses are angled outwardly from the vertical plane.
In another embodiment, the vertically extending members
and the panels are each self supporting and the vertically extending
members and the panels define an assembly which is structurally stable.
In another embodiment, at least one bowing member
comprises an upper bowing member provided on the top edge of the
panels and a lower bowing member provided on the lower edge of the
panels.
In another embodiment, the panels are bendable so as to be
bowed outwardly by the bowing member without folding.
In another embodiment, at least one of the panels is
constructed from white board material.
In another embodiment, at least one of the opposed panels is
flat prior to assembly in the office divider and is bowed outwardly by the at
least one bowing member.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also
provided an office divider comprising first and second opposed panels,
each of the panels having a top edge, a bottom edge and vertical edges
extending between the top and bottom edges, at least one of the panels is
translucent; support members engaging the opposed panels and
maintaining them in a spaced apart relationship to define an open area
between the opposed panels; a plurality for legs positioned around the
bottom of the office divider, the legs contacting a floor on which the office
divider is positioned; and, a light emitting member positioned in the open
area and an electric cord connected to the light emitting member and
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connectable to a source of current whereby the at least one panel which is
translucent is back lit when the light emitting member is on.
In one embodiment, at least one of the panels which is
translucent is constructed from white board material whereby the office
divider constitutes a combination white board and divider.
In another embodiment, the legs are positioned to
dimensionally stabilize the office divider in an upright position whereby
the office divider is free standing.
Accordingly, the office divider may be used for conducting
presentations, whereby the office divider is either relocated to a designated
presentation room or used in small group presentations or discussions.
The use of white board materials in at least one of the opposed panels
enables the use of dry markers during presentations. Furthermore, the
presentation features of the divider are enhanced by the use of at least one
translucent panel and the light emitting member, wherein the light
emitting member illuminates the translucent panels. This feature can
either be used to view slides requiring back lighting for image
enhancement, or to increase viewing ability of written presentation
material on a translucent white board.
A further advantage of the present invention is its relatively
simple fastening system, whereby the vertically extending members and
vertical edges of the opposing panels are each self supporting. This
reduces the number of component parts comprising the vertical extending
members necessary for supporting the opposing panels. Furthermore,
construction of the office divider is simplified, which enables simple
replacement of one or both opposing panels based on a preferred panel
material type for a particular application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
These and other advantages of the present invention will be
more fully and completely understood in accordance with the following
description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in which:
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Figure 1 is a perspective view from above and to one side of
an office divider according to the present invention;
Figure 2a is a top view of the office divider of Figure 1;
Figure 2b is a bottom view of the office divider of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a cross section of the upper portion of the office
divider of Figure 1 taken along line A-A of Fig. 1;
Figure 4 is an enlargement of area A shown in Figure 3 with
the document holder in the raised position;
Figure 5 is a perspective magnified view from above and to
one side of the front of the area A;
Figure 6 is a top view of the left part of the office divider of
Figure 1; and,
Figure 7 is a perspective view from above and to one side of
the upper left portion of the office divider of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Office divider 10 is a structurally stable office partition
member comprising first and second opposed panels 12 (see Figures 5 and
7) having outer surfaces 90, 92, a first vertically extending member 14, a
second vertically extending member 16, stabilizing legs 34, and at least one
bowing member 24.
Panels 12 may be of any particular shape. Each panel 12 may
be generally rectangular in shape and have a top edge 37, a bottom edge, a
first vertical edge 13 and a second vertical edge spaced from and opposed to
first vertical edge 13. Each vertical edge extends between the top and
bottom edges. First vertical edge is received in first vertically extending
member 14 and second vertical edge is received in second vertically
extending member 16.
In accordance with one aspect of the instant invention, panels
12 are preferably bow shaped when office divider 10 is assembled. Panels 12
may be manufactured as bow shaped structures. Preferably, panels 12 are
planer prior to the assembly of office divider 10 (i.e. each panel 12 extends
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in a single two dimensional plane) and is constructed from any suitable
material with adequate flexibility for permitting the flat panels to be bent
into a convex shape and for maintaining the bow shape. Suitable materials
include plastics such as acrylic, High pressure laminate, fibreglass,
composite laminate, metal.
To produce the bowed shape, office divider 10 is provided
with a frame that causes panels 12 to maintain a bowed shape. To this end,
the frame comprises vertically extending members 14 and 16. Preferably,
the frame also comprises at least one bowing member 24. Bowing member
24 is positioned and configured to prevent panels 12 from moving
inwardly into open area 26 to such an extent as to compromise the physical
integrity of office divider 10. Thus they maintain the bowing of panels 12.
In a more preferred embodiment, panels 12 are constructed as flat panels
and bowing member 24 engages panels 12 to cause them to take on and
maintain a bowed shape when office divider 10 is assembled.
The vertically extending members 14, 16 have recesses which
are adapted to receive and retain a portion of vertical edges of panels 12
therein whereby the vertically extending members fix the panels 12 in
position with respect to each other. For example, as shown in Figures 6
and 7, first vertical edge 13 of both panels 12 are received by first
vertically
extending member 14. Similarly, as shown in Figure 1, the second vertical
edge of both panels 12 are received by the second vertically extending
member 16 such the at least one of the opposing panels are bowed
outwardly. This provides an open area 26 between opposing panels, which
may house an optional light emitting member 20 for illuminating at least
one translucent panel 12.
Figure 6 shows the cross section of one of the vertically
extending members viewed from the top looking down. Vertically
extending member 14 includes a first recess defined by arms 77 and a
second recess defined by arms 79. The recesses extend along the vertical
length of vertically extending member 14, wherein each recess receives the
vertical edge portion 13 of panels 12. The recesses are angled outwardly
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with respect to a vertical plane extending through the cross section defined
by line B-B by an angle a which may be between 5 ° and 10°.
Recesses are
preferably sized to have a width slightly less than the width of panel 12 so
that panel 12 is lockingly received therein. More preferably, panels 12 is
removably lockingly received in the recesses.
If panels 12 are bow shaped, then vertically extending
member 14 will hold the vertical edges 13 of panels 12 in abutting position.
Similarly, vertically extending member 16 will hold the opposed vertical
edges of panels 12 in abutting position. The panels are preferably
constructed to be self supporting so that panels 12 and vertically extending
members 14, 16 define a dynamically stable structure. If the panels are
manufactured as flat panels, then,the combination of angled recesses for
receiving the opposed panels 12 and bowing member 24 provide the office
divider structure with the outwardly bowed shape.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
opposing panels 12 have an outer surface 90, 92 which may be constructed
from white board material suitable for writing on with marker pens,
whereby pressure or force from applying the marker pens to the white
board may cause the panels to move toward each other. Therefore, the
bowing member 24 maintains the separation between the opposing panels
12 by reducing the ability of the panels from moving towards each other if
pressure or force is applied to either or both surfaces 90, 92. It will be
appreciated that bowing member 24 may be positioned adjacent either the
top or the bottom of office divider 10 and preferably is provided at both the
top and the bottom Further, bowing member may be any member (eg. a
rod or a plurality of rods) which is positioned to produce the bowing
shape. Preferably, bowing member 24 extends between opposed panels 12.
Bowing member 24 may be positioned at any one or more location
between vertically extending members 14, 16.
As shown in Figure 2a, bowing member 24 comprises a
substantially planar member that extends between panels 12 from a
position adjacent first vertically extending member 14 to a position
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adjacent second vertically extending member 16. Further, as shown in
Figure 2b, a second bowing member 24 is provided on the bottom of office
divider 10. The use of a continuous panel advantageously encloses open
area 26 to prevent debris, dust and the like from accumulating therein.
Bowing member may be mounted in position by any means
known in the art. Preferably, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, bowing member
24 is received by horizontally extending members 35 and 33, wherein each
horizontally extending member attaches to top edge 37 of one of the
opposed panels 12. In this aspect of the present invention, the bowing
member 24 is bow shaped on both sides to follow the contour of the open
area 26. It will be appreciated that the shape of bowing member 24 may
vary in accordance with different embodiments, where for example only
one of the panels 12 are bow shaped.
Horizontally extending members 33, 35 may be constructed
from a variety of material and are preferably a plastic extrusion. Preferably,
they are mounted to the top and bottom edges of panels 12 and are adapted
to retain bowing member 24 in position. To this end, horizontally
extending members 33 and 35 preferably have vertical recesses defined by
arms 42 and 45 which fit over the top and bottom edge of panel 12 (see
Figures 3, 5 and 7). The recesses are preferably sized to have a width
slightly less than the thickness of panels 12 so that panels 12 are lockingly
received therein. More preferably, panels 12 are removably lockingly
received in horizontally extending members 33, 35. To this end,
horizontally extending members 33 and 35 also have arms 44 and 46 which
define horizontal recess areas wherein each recess lockingly receives, and
preferably removable lockingly receives, an edge portion of the bowing
member 24. As shown, some of arms 42, 44, 45 and 46 may be provided
with deformable members 100 (eg. elastomeric fingers) so as to removably
lockingly receive bowing member 24 is position (see Figure 4).
An advantage of the instant invention is that by using panels
12 that are self supporting, horizontally extending members do not need to
be of such a construction to stabilize panels 12. Instead, horizontally
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extending members 33, 35 may by constructed to only support bowing
member 24 in position.
In accordance with another aspect of the instant invention, at
least one panel 12 functions as a working or writing board which may be
backlit and is therefore constructed from any suitable material which may
be backlit and which may be written on and erased. It will be appreciated
that both panels may be so constructed. Preferably, the panels which are so
constructed are at least translucent so that they may glow when a light
positioned in open area 26 is turned on. The panels may be constructed
from any material known in the white board art. It will be appreciated that
according to this aspect of the invention, panels 12 need not be bowed.
However, preferably panels 12 are bowed and at least one is constructed as
a white board.
In accordance with this aspect of the invention, bowing
member 24 may be used to mount a light emitting source 20 in open area
20. Light emitting source 20 may be of any type suitable for providing
sufficient illumination without damaging the panel surface through heat
dissipation and may be a light bulb and is preferably a fluorescent light
fixture. It will also be appreciated that one or more light emitting sources
may be positioned within the open area 26 between opposing panels 12. By
providing at least one translucent panel 12, the panel can be back lit using
the light emitting source 20.
For example, as shown in Figure 3, an opening 25 in the
bowing member 24 is provided for positioning the light emitting source 20
between panels 12. The light emitting source 20 is secured to bowing
member 24 by means of securing members 48. Securing members 48 may
be any member known in the art to secure plate 102 to bowing member 24
and may be an adhesive or a mechanical coupling member such as a rivet
or a screw.
An electric cord 28 having a plug 19 suitable for insertion to a
electric outlet provides current to the light emitting source 20. Electric
cord 28 extends to the one or more light emitting member 20. If light
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emitting member is mounted in top bowing member 24 as shown in
Figure 1, then, electric cord 28 travel to light emitting member exterior to
or interior to open area 26. Preferably, at least one of vertically extending
members 14 and 16 has a recess for receiving therein electric cord 28.
Preferably, the recess is openable so as to facilitate the insertion of
electric
cord 28 therein. For example, Figures 6 and 7 show a channel 87 provided
by fastening a removably engagable cap 18 between protrusions 94 and 96
of arms 104 of vertically extending member 14. The cap 18 is shown
attached along the length of vertically extending member 14, whereby the
channel 87 provides cable management means for the electrical cord 28
attached to the light emitting source 20.
Referring to Figure 1, cap 18 extends along the entire length of
vertically extending member 14, whereby electrical cord 28 of lieht
emitting member 20 is guided along the length of cap 18 within channel
87. The electrical cord 28 exits from the bottom opening of cap 18 for
connection to an electrical socket via plug 19. Protrusions 94, 96 function as
cam members to guide the insertion and removal of arms 106 of cap 18
into and out of channel 87. The engagement of arms 106 and protrusions
94, 96 removably lockingly retains cap 18 on vertically extending member
14. It will be appreciated that cap 18 may be fastened to both or either
vertically extruding members 14, 16, where it may be utilised for cable
management or design aesthetics.
Preferably, office divider 10 is an individual free standing
unit. Accordingly, a plurality of legs are positioned around the bottom of
office divider 10 (see Figure 1). Preferably, the legs contact the floor on
which the office divider is positioned without lockingly engaging the floor
(eg by means of glides or wheels). Legs 34 may be of any design know in the
art, For example, as shown in Figure 2, stabilizing legs 34 are mounted to
bottom bowing member 24 and the bottom of vertically extending
members 14, 16 and stabilize the office divider 10 in the vertical plane. It
will be appreciated that the bottom bowing member may be transverse
strut 36 so that the legs are used to maintain the separation between the
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bottom portion of the opposing panels 12.
Wheels 32 and 38 provide convenient portability in
relocating the office divider 10 to different locations for either dividing
two areas of an office or as a presentation aid. Wheels 32 are provided to
the bottom ends of both vertically extending members 14, 16, whilst
wheels 38 attach to both ends of the transverse struts 36. Wheels 32 and 38
may be of any particular design known in the furniture art and are
preferably swivel mounted, where one or more of the wheels 32, 38 may be
provided with a locking mechanism to prevent the office divider 10 from
moving when in a desired position. It will be further appreciated that in
an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the office divider
may not require the use of wheel members 32, 38 and may be kept in a
fixed location within an office environment.
Office divider 10 may also be provided with one or more
paper holder members 50. A preferred embodiment of a paper holder is
shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. In Figure 5, paper holder 50 is shown in the
closed position and in Figure 3 it is shown in the open position.
Referring to Figure 4, the paper holder 50 may be used to
attach documents and presentation material to either or both opposing
panels 12 of office divider 10. The paper holder 50 comprises fin members
52 for increasing the grip on a document when in the closed position
(direction of arrow) and further comprises a U-shape portion 54. U-shape
portion 54 is positioned in the mouth 60 of channel 58 such that the
bottom portion 56 of the U lies between rear wall 51 and inwardly
extended flange 53. In this position the paper holder 50 can be relocated
horizontally to any desired position along channel 58, which extends along
the length of the horizontally extending member 33, 35.
Figure 5 illustrates the channel opening 58 extending along
the length of the horizontally extending member 33. In the open position,
paper holder 50 can be relocated to any desired position along the length of
channel 58. The interaction of U-shaped portion 54 and walls 51 and 55 fix
paper holder 50 in the closed position. When paper holder 50 is moved to
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the open position shown in Figure 4, U-shaped member 56 cams down
rear wall 51 and deforms at least one of walls 51, 55 outwardly to permit
paper holder 50 to be moved to the open position. Thus, paper holder 50 is
biased to the closed position and will retain document 65 in position. Once
paper holder member 50 is in the closed position for securing document 65
to panel 12, it is locked into position along the length of horizontally
extending member 33.
An advantage of the present invention is the simple
construction of the office divider 10. The vertically extending members
14, 16 and the panels 12 provide self supporting structures that require no
additional structural elements for fastening them together. Furthermore
the vertical extending members 14, 16 are comprised of a single member as
opposed to many existing panel fastening systems that comprise multiple
members which include additional construction steps and servicing over
time.
It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications
to office divider 10 may be made and each is within the scope of the
invention. For example the size and material of the constructed panels 12
may vary according to the office divider application and office floor plan in
mind. Also, the position, quantity and size of the stabilising legs 34 on the
bottom portion of the office divider 10 may change according to
application and panel size. Furthermore, the location and quantity of
light emitting sources 20 positioned within the open area 26 between
opposing panels 12 may vary on the basis of the office divider 10
application. Further, a plurality of office divider 10 may be linked together
to form a wall.
