ES1259209U - Portable folding office (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Foldable and portable office, configured by means of a plurality of panels (1) joined together to form an area destined to work, characterized in that: - the panels (1) are joined by hinges, - It comprises a desk (6) fixed to one of the panels (1) by means of hinges, a lamp, and a strip with electrical connections, - at least one panel (1) comprises a support (8) intended to receive the free end of the desk (6), where, when the panels (1) and the desk (6) are unfolded, a fully functional office is configured and, when folded, the office is collected and can be stored in a reduced space. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

PORTABLE FOLDING OFFICE

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a portable folding office configured by means of a series of panels joined by hinges that, when unfolded, configure a semi-closed or completely closed space in which it is possible to work in isolation and, when folded, is collected occupying a space reduced to be stored in a private home or in an office shared by several employees to be used as a private workplace.

It finds special application in the field of industry related to folding furniture.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As a consequence of situations with a high rate of contagion between people due to the existence of pandemics, companies have found it necessary to redesign their work methodology given the regulations implemented by the relevant authorities to protect the health of not only employees, but also customers and even the general public, so that not only sick leave, but even hospital admissions are avoided.

On the other hand, an office with a space destined to house 100% of the workers on the staff is neither functional nor profitable, so teleworking has gained ground as a very effective solution to avoid these inconveniences.

In turn, teleworking has raised various demands to be carried out effectively, productively and to ensure the necessary conditions for the physical, mental and emotional health of both the worker, as well as his family and domestic environment.

However, the vast majority of people have homes that have limited spaces and there is not always the availability of having a free room to be used as an office or work station.

The present invention presents a solution that avoids this problem by implementing a portable office capable of being folded up for storage until it is needed again.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The solution presented by the folding and portable office of the present invention has the ability to provide the user (teleworker) with a controlled, safe, ergonomic space and with the necessary facilities to carry out their work, without this activity interfering with normality, development and the dynamics of domestic life or work space, nor with the other members of the social, work or family nucleus.

The invention consists of an office configured by means of a series of panels joined in a hinged way that, in folded form, occupy a very small space and can be housed as a box or suitcase with wheels that facilitates its movement to be located in a specific place in a home private or area intended for teleworking or remote work without discomfort due to space occupation.

By accessing the box, the office can be assembled by accessing the panels to unfold them in an easy and intuitive way, thus creating an isolated, safe and ergonomic workspace. Once the work is finished, the office can be folded back with the same ease, so that it does not interrupt or interfere, in the hours when it is not being used, with the normal unfolding of the dynamics of the home or work space.

As in a private home, the folding office of the invention can also be used as a workstation in an office shared by several employees so that workspaces are shared without having to share the different components that comprise it. such as furniture or different accessories, this in order to minimize contagion or exposure to viruses, bacteria and other potentially infectious particles or microorganisms. When starting a workday, the folding office just has to be unfolded, which is done in an easy, intuitive and fast way that does not take more than a few minutes. It must be said that the folding office can also be motorized, with manual control, remotely using a remote control or even from its own operating system, without the need for human interaction, through an application for electronic devices that is managed from one telephone mobile, for example, and provide a personalized and adapted work space with an occupation range or functional space between 0.75 m2 and 2.25 m2 depending on the configuration and the version used. Once the working day is over, the folding office folds with the same ease and speed with which it has been unfolded to be collected and deposited in an area that does not disturb, being able to apply a cleaning treatment of the different surfaces or disinfectant / sanitary specific and thus being prepared for storage and next use.

The option of using the folding office as a workstation in an office shared by other workers is commonly known as an office farm and presents a very appropriate solution for companies that need to reduce the density of employees in their offices, following the "6 foot office plan ”or“ office plan with social distancing of 2 meters ”, but preserving the personalized workspace. It can accommodate hundreds of folding offices with a percentage of them in operation based on the schedules of each company and its workers, increasing the effectiveness and performance of the office.

The folding office is capable of incorporating all the necessary furniture and accessories, which are ergonomically integrated into the office structure itself. These accessories include the work desk, storage shelves, container modules such as drawers, power strips, lighting, device ports and work tools such as mobile phones, tablets and laptops, and the necessary wiring. It can also include a type C ultraviolet lamp, focused on providing a bacteriological and viral disinfectant effect. In addition, the office can also optionally include an enclosure system that increases the height of the panels and even a roof for the upper closure, so that greater independence can be provided and, in cases where it is required , defense against microparticles such as microdroplets, saliva, etc. to completely avoid contact with nearby personnel who may be infected.

The conversion of the device from a box to a fully functional office is considered to be carried out without the need for instructions or physical effort, so that anyone can do it intuitively and in a short period of time without the need for help external.

The installation process of the most complete version of the folding and portable office consists of the following steps:

- Unfolding the panels in an accordion shape until the hinges are fully deployed.

- Deployment of the accessories hinged to the panels that make up the furniture. - Unfolding the top cover.

- Deployment of the side closure as a door to close the office perimeter. - Deployment of the upper structure composed of telescopic tubes where the enclosure systems are rolled up to be deployed horizontally and increase the height of the office.

- Deployment of the upper enclosure.

- Making the electrical connection to provide power points to the folding office and thus be able to have lighting, charging points for electronic devices and other electrical devices.

Once this last step has been carried out, an ergonomic workspace is available, with all the necessary characteristics for the normal and good development of the worker and the execution of the work in a safe and productive way.

In this way, as described, the folding and portable office of the invention is configured by means of a plurality of panels that are joined together to form a semi-closed or closed area destined to work. The panels are joined by hinges, so that they can be folded and unfolded as will be described later.

The office, in a basic embodiment, comprises a desk, fixed to one of the panels by means of hinges, LED lighting, a device for USB connections and a power strip with electrical connections. Furthermore, at least one of the panels comprises supports intended to receive the free end of the desk when it is deployed.

In this way, when the panels and the desk are unfolded, a fully functional office is configured and, when folded, the office is collected and can be stored in a small space. Additionally, with the focus on folding the office, the office has the possibility of at least two panels incorporating plates that make up a top cover and that, once the office is folded, close the top side. On the other hand, one of the panels can also incorporate a post where a side closure is rolled up, like a door. In this way, the office is configured as a closed box with a more discreet appearance.

Given that users have different preferences regarding the work area, the desk can be configured by means of a single piece, its length being limited by the panel where it is fixed, or also by two hinged pieces, so that it can be made of one piece. upper length and the limitation of the height of the panel where it is fixed is eliminated.

However, the folding office can have a more extensive configuration. For this, it can also include at least one extension plate designed to join two panels in a hinged manner. In this way, when two adjoining panels are folded, they do not come into contact with each other, but instead allow a free space to house accessories, such as an ergonomic folding office chair, shelves, a container module or a supplement for the desk. , for example, all these accessories being fixed to the panels by known fixings that are normally hinges.

In a more complete configuration, the office can also include posts for the hinged joint of two panels. The posts have the functionality, in addition to serving as articulation and structural elements of the office itself, to house or serve as supports for the enclosure systems that are implemented. This configuration is used to expand the office height and maintain a more private and / or isolated space when the user gets up, or the module is included in a multi-module workspace, known as an office farm, where the sanitary needs of distance and isolation are stricter, for example. On the other hand, the posts also serve as support for the location of support arms for one or more monitors, for which the posts, like the panels, can incorporate hinges, shock absorbers, pistons, springs, springs or parts.

The enclosure system can be configured by means of a sheet, rolled in a tube that is telescopically extracted from the post, with the ability to extend along the panels and be fixed on the post of the adjoining panel.

The enclosure system can also be configured by means of a sheet joined to a panel at the top.

Finally, on the enclosure systems some sheets can be incorporated to create a superior enclosure, so that the office is completely closed and independent. These sheets are preferably rolled up in tubes, as is the perimeter enclosure system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

To complete the description of the invention and in order to help a better understanding of its characteristics, according to a preferred example of its embodiment, a set of drawings is attached in which, with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, they have been represented the following figures:

- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the foldable and portable office of the invention folded and incorporating a top cover and a side closure.

- Figure 2 represents a perspective view of the folding and portable office of figure 1 where the cover is configured by two plates.

- Figure 3 represents the folding and portable office of figure 2 seen from another perspective.

- Figure 4 represents the folding and portable office of figure 2 without the upper cover, in order to appreciate the perimeter closure of the office in the folded state.

- Figure 5 represents the folding and portable office of figure 4 without the side closure, in order to appreciate the folded panels.

- Figure 6 represents the folding and portable office of the invention after a first unfolding step.

- Figure 7 represents the folding and portable office of the invention in a later unfolding step where the desk can be seen fixed to one of the panels.

- Figure 8 represents the fully unfolded folding office with an open area like a door, where it can be seen that, in addition to the desk, it also incorporates shelves fixed to the panels.

- Figure 9 represents the folding office completely unfolded and with the lateral closure extended, with the desk unfolded at half length supported on supports, and in a first step of extraction of one of the enclosure systems offered for the extension in height of the office.

- Figure 10 represents the folding office with the top cover unfolded.

- Figure 11 represents the folding office with the lid unfolded, the textile closing system extended and the lateral closure also extended, configuring the office completely unfolded and closed perimeter.

Below is a list of the references used in the figures:

1. Panel.

2. Post.

3. Extension piece.

4. Tube.

5. Enclosure system.

6. Desk.

7. Shelves.

8. Supports.

9. Side closure.

10. Top cover.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to an office with the ability to be folded, occupying a very small space, and deployed in such a way as to become a workspace that provides privacy and independence. It is intended to be used both in a private home and in an office with employees. In either of the two locations, the user can access a small box with dimensions no greater than a third of a square meter to display a fully enabled and functional workstation.

The office is made up of a series of panels (1) joined by hinges. The panels (1) also contain the accessories necessary for the office to be fully functional, such as a desk (6), drawers, shelves (7), a supplement for the desk (6), a power strip with electrical connections and lighting, a support arm for monitors or additional electronic devices, such as laptops or tablets or elements such as hinges, springs, springs, pistons and shock absorbers, among others, to be able to reach the specific configuration that a particular user requires. As an additional accessory, the office incorporates a type C ultraviolet lamp, intended for disinfection by eliminating bacteria and viruses. The user, after each work session, would only have to turn on the type C ultraviolet lamp for a few minutes to leave the workspace fully disinfected and sanitized to start a new session with all the guarantees of health. All these accessories, although they have not been represented in the figures, like the shelves (7) and the desk (6), are located fixed to the panels (1) in an articulated way so that, once folded, They are housed in the space between panels (1) that create the extension pieces (3).

In addition, the panels (1) incorporate wheels so that, in the folded state, it can be moved easily and, in addition, during the deployment and shaping phase of the office, its final location is easier. In any case, the office has been conceived with the concept of being foldable and portable, for which both the panels (1) and the accessories are made of light and resistant materials that are also preferred to be fire retardant.

In this way, the office becomes an open space at the top that can be closed peripherally by means of a lateral closure (9), or leave an open space, as an access door. The dimensions of the folding office, ergonomically, meet all occupational and workplace safety requirements.

Regarding the dimensions of the panels (1), they are of a length where portability prevails, being preferable to use a greater number of panels (1) than to use fewer panels (1) of larger dimensions. Regarding the height of the panels (1), it is also preferable that it is not very high so as not to unnecessarily increase the total weight of the office, being focused on covering the user when he is sitting working.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, so that the office can be located with absolute discretion when not in use, on the one hand it comprises an upper cover (10) that can be configured by means of a plate or, preferably, by two plates joined to two panels (1) which, while the office is in the folded state, form an upper closure of the assembly and, on the other hand, comprises an extendable side closure (9) which, despite being mainly intended to peripherally close the Once the office has been unfolded, as a door, it also serves to create a complete peripheral enclosure once the office has been folded, without having to extend it completely, but only to close the lateral space that remains to be covered.

Since the folding office is intended to be individual and personal, when used in shared places, the fully folded office is configured as a closed box that can incorporate a padlock or security method to prevent unauthorized access by third parties.

Figure 3 represents the office of figure 2 seen from the opposite area to show that the space is completely closed and that it is an element that can be integrated into any workplace without altering the design or decoration of the place.

Figure 4 shows the folded office incorporating the side closure (9) and without the top cover (10) to be able to appreciate the perimeter closure more clearly.

Figure 5 shows the office folded without the side closure (9), to see the folding of the panels completely.

Figure 6 represents the office once the panels (1) that make up the office are deployed in a first step to the final position of the hinges as an accordion, to move to the position of figure 7, in a second step of deployment, and reach the position shown in figure 8, in which the outer space occupied by the office is already fully implemented, in the absence of extending the side closure (9). In this figure 8 the office has been represented incorporating the desk (6) and some shelves (7) still in a folded state. The panel wheels (1) help the total unfolding of the panels (1) and even the final location of the folding office. Once the folding office has been located, the wheels can be

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be fixed using brakes known in the state of the art and thus prevent the office from moving due to unwanted pushing or support.

The folding and unfolding concepts take on another dimension in the teleworking workplace. Thanks to the capabilities of the folding office of the invention, the workspace can be fully operational in a few minutes, including both the enclosures and the accessories it incorporates, such as the work desk (6), the shelves (7) for devices , electrical connections and accessories such as a supplement to the desk (6) to be able to work at a higher height, or as a support arm to place second monitors or additional electronic devices, such as mobile phones, laptops or tablets. In addition, this folding and unfolding work can be done without any effort, so that anyone, regardless of their physical condition, can carry it out on their own.

Once the panels (1) that configure the walls have been implemented, as shown in figure 8, the accessories are deployed, such as the desk (6), which is fixed to one of the panels (1), together with some shelves (7) that, in this figure 8, are used as a supplement to the desk (6) to occupy the space up to the panels (1) at the bottom. The rest of the furniture, such as the LED lighting lamp, a type C ultraviolet lamp, drawers, an ergonomic folding office chair, a supplement to the desk (6) to be able to work at a higher height, or even a support arm for place second monitors or additional electronic devices, although they have not been represented in the figures, they are fixed to the panels (1) in the same way.

In figure 9 you can see the office with the desk (6) already unfolded and with the free end resting on some supports (8). In this case, the desk (6) is of half length, so that it can be folded without problem in the panel (1) where it is anchored. However, the desk (6) can be formed by two parts that are hinged and folded back on themselves to occupy a double length when unfolded. In this case, in addition to the supports (8) used in the middle of the desk (6), supports (8) are also used on the opposite panel (1) to support the end of the desk (6). The supports (8) in the middle of the desk (6) are preferably of the square type, due to their greater capacity to withstand efforts, while those at the end of the route are enough to be simple supports. This situation is shown in figure 11, where, in addition to some shelves (7) for extension of the desk (6) up to the bottom panels (1), a shelf (7) itself is also deployed, for storing objects.

Taking into account that one of the objectives of the folding office is to occupy as little space as possible, the panels (1) are articulated by hinges that, once folded, remain in contact with each other along the entire surface. This embodiment is the most basic and does not incorporate accessories that require additional elements other than the desk (6), LED lighting and a strip with electrical connections that can incorporate USB connections.

In another embodiment, the connection between two adjoining panels (1) can be through posts (2). These posts (2) are used to house a closing system (5) used to increase the height of the office. Figure 9 shows an embodiment, which consists of a tube (4) housed in the post (2) which, when telescopically extracted, allows the closing system (5) to be unrolled, which can be extended horizontally, fixing to the tube (4) located on the adjacent post (2) by means of known anchors. However, in another embodiment, the closing system (5) consists of sheets that are fixed to the upper part of the panels (1), and can be directly to the panels (1) or to the posts themselves (2) , as shown in figure 11, where the closing system (5) has practically no differences, whether it is located in the tubes (4) in a telescopic way and extending them completely or fixed to the posts (2) in the form of sheets. In this way, the height of the office can be increased from the height of the panels (1), which simply covers the user when seated, to a height that covers the user even when standing, providing more privacy or meet specific user protection and isolation characteristics when the folding office is in a workspace shared by other folding offices or simply by other workstations.

In addition, the office can also incorporate an upper enclosure, like a roof, joined to the enclosure system (5), so that the office can be completely closed. This upper enclosure has not been represented in figures and. Like the closing system (5), it can be configured as a sheet rolled into a tube or as a sheet already extended.

In another embodiment, the office incorporates extension pieces (3) in addition to panels (1), as can be seen in the figures, as it is the most complete embodiment. The extension pieces (3) are used to provide a space between two adjoining panels (1) when they are folded, so that there is space for accessories to be attached to the panels (1) by means of hinges to later be unfolded. In addition, this embodiment is compatible with the previous one, so that the most complete office includes not only the extension pieces (3), but also the posts (2) for enclosure extended in height by means of the enclosure system (5) chosen one.

The folding office has USB sockets for multiple device connections, as well as a power strip to access the power supply, as mentioned.

Once the working day is over, the user can turn on the UV lamp for a few minutes to disinfect the office and leave it in hygienic and sanitary conditions to be used again and proceed to its folding. In this way, the user simply has to reverse the deployment process and, in the same easy and intuitive way, in a few minutes, the workspace, including possible accessories such as the desk (6), the shelves (7), the electrical connections, the LED lighting lamp or the container module, among others, returns to its original structure, shape, position and dimensions. In this way, the folding office provides security for the accommodation of the content and ease of movement and storage.

Finally, it must be taken into account that the present invention should not be limited to the embodiment described here, but that other configurations can be made by those skilled in the art in light of the present description. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

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Claims (12)

1. Folding and portable office, configured by means of a plurality of panels (1) joined together to form an area destined to work, characterized in that: - the panels (1) are joined by hinges, - It comprises a desk (6) fixed to one of the panels (1) by means of hinges, a lamp, and a strip with electrical connections, - at least one panel (1) comprises a support (8) intended to receive the free end of the desk (6), where, when the panels (1) and the desk (6) are unfolded, a fully functional office is configured and, when folded, the office is collected and can be stored in a reduced space. 2. Folding and portable office, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one extension piece (3) designed to join two adjoining panels (1) in a hinged manner, so that when the two adjoining panels (1) are folded enable a free space for the accommodation of accessories that are hingedly attached to one of the two panels (1). 3. Folding and portable office, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises posts (2) for the hinged connection of two adjoining panels (1). 4. Folding and portable office, according to claim 3, characterized in that each post (2) is intended to house a closing system (5), rolled up in a tube (4), with the ability to extend along the panels (1) to be fixed on the tube (4) of the adjacent post (2), so that the closed height of the office is increased. 5. Folding and portable office, according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a closing system (5) configured by sheets fixed in an upper area of the panels (1), so that the closed height of the office increases. 6. Folding and portable office, according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises an upper cover (10) that forms a closure of the office when folded. 7. Folding and portable office, according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper cover (10) is made up of two plates joined to two panels (1) with the ability to increase the height of the office when unfolded. 8. Folding and portable office, according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises an upper enclosure that is fixed to the enclosure system (5) to configure a roof when the office is unfolded. 9. Folding and portable office, according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a lateral closure (9) located on a post (2) that is extendable and comprises a fixing designed to be fixed on a second post (2) in a way that allows the perimeter closure of the office. 10. Folding and portable office, according to claim 1, characterized in that the desk (6) is configured by means of two hinged pieces, so that it can be of a length greater than the height of the panel (1) where it is fixed. 11. Folding and portable office, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a type C ultraviolet lamp designed to provide a bacteriological and viral disinfectant effect. 12. Folding and portable office, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises accessories to be selected from an ergonomic folding office chair, a shelf, a container module, a support arm and a combination of the above, fixed to the panels (1 ) by means of elements to be selected between hinges, springs, pistons, springs and a combination of them. 1