CA2310742A1 - Construction of an office divider - Google Patents

Abstract

An office divider structure provides a simple and portable structure for dividing office space into smaller units. It also features panels that may be used for various presentations, team meeting discussions and training activities within any activity driven environment.

Description

' 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.

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 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 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:

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 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 _7_ 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 _8_ 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 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 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 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 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.

Claims (25)

1. An office divider comprising:
(a) 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;
(b) opposed spaced apart vertically extending members, each vertically extending member adapted to receive one of the vertical edges of each panel; and, (c) 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.

2. The office divider as claimed in claim 1 further comprising 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.

3. The office divider as claimed in claim 1 further comprising 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.

4. The office divider as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one of the vertically extending members has a space in which the electric cord is positioned.

5. The office divider as claimed in claim 4 wherein the 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.

6. The office divider as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a cap removably engagable with the at least one vertically extending member whereby, when the cap is engaged with the vertically extending member, the recess is covered.

7. The office divider as claimed in claim 1 wherein 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.

8. The office divider as claimed in claim 1 wherein the vertically extending members define a vertical plane extending through the office divider and the recesses are angled outwardly from the vertical plane.

9. The office divider as claimed in claim 1 wherein 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.

10. The office divider as claimed in claim 9 wherein the at least one bowing member comprises an upper bowing member provided an the top edge of the panels and a lower bowing member provided an the lower edge of the panels.

11. The office divider as claimed in claim 10 further comprising 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, the light emitting member is housed in a member which is attached to one of the bowing members.

12. The office divider as claimed in claim 1 wherein the panels are self supporting.

13. The office divider as claimed in claim 1 wherein the panels are bendable so as to be bowed outwardly by the bowing member without folding.

14. The office divider as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one of the panels is constructed from white board material.

15. The office divider as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a light emitting member positioned in the open area and an electric cord whereby the electric cord provides current to the light emitting member whereby the at least one panel constructed from white board material is back lit when the light emitting member is on.

16. The office divider as claimed in claim 1 wherein 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.

17. An office divider comprising:
(a) 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;
(b) support members engaging the opposed panels and maintaining them in a spaced apart relationship to define an open area between the opposed panels;
(c) 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, (d) a light emitting member positioned in the open area and an electric cord connected to the light emitting member and 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.

18. The office divider as claimed in claim 17 wherein the 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.

19. The office divider as claimed in claim 17 wherein the legs are positioned to dimensionally stabilize the office divider in an upright position whereby the office divider is free standing.

20. The office divider as claimed in claim 17 further comprising at least one bowing member extending between the opposed panels and engaging the panels whereby the panels are bowed outwardly.

21. The office divider as claimed in claim 20 wherein the panels are bendable so as to be bowed outwardly by the bowing member without folding.

22. The office divider as claimed in claim 21 further comprising vertically extending members which have recesses to receive a portion of the vertical edges of the panels, the vertically extending members define a vertical plane extending through the office divider and the recesses are angled outwardly from the vertical plane.

23. The office divider as claimed in claim 17 further comprising vertically extending members which are adapted to receive a portion of the vertical edges of the panels, at least one of the vertically extending members has an exterior surface and a space in which the electric cord is positioned.

24. The office divider as claimed in claim 23 wherein the space comprises a recess in the exterior surface.

25. The office divider as claimed in claim 24 further comprising a cap removably engagable with the at least one vertically extending member whereby, when the cap is engaged with the vertically extending member, the recess is covered.