GB2321399A

GB2321399A - Modular screen and storage assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2321399A
Application number: GB9701289A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Harding
Original assignee: Huntleigh Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Huntleigh Technology Ltd
Priority date: 1997-01-22
Filing date: 1997-01-22
Publication date: 1998-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 2017-01-22
Also published as: GB2321399B; GB9701289D0

Abstract

A combined screen and storage system which comprises modular screen (20) and storage elements (30) which may be attached to a central tower (15) in any desired configuration. The central tower (15) includes longitudinal hinges for pivotal connection of one or more screen members (20). The central tower (15) also houses one or more storage elements (30) to provide any combination of drawer, table, shelf, display and wardrobe. The whole system is easily dismantled and stored by stacking and is fitted with castors for ease of movement. It is particularly suitable for use in a hospital.

Description

MODULAR FURNITURE This invention relates to modular furniture comprising a screen and storage system and particularly for a screen and storage system for use in a hospital.

Conventionally, hospitals provide screens in the manner of curtains around a patient's bed in order to afford the patient privacy during his stay at the hospital, e.g.

treatment by the doctors or nurses or personal visits or similar, and a bedside locker for the storage of a patient's personal belongings.

However, the curtains currently provided are usually pulled back and do not afford any privacy and are only drawn around a patient when the patient is undergoing invasive treatment, in pain, or terminally ill.

Furthermore, the lockers provide little flexibility in storage and are not easily accesible to someone lying on the bed, especially if attached to drips or other equipment.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved screen and storage system.

According to the invention, there is provided a modular screen and storage system in combination comprising a central tower housing one or more storage modules and including at least one longitudinal hinge at one end thereof whereby one or more members may be pivotally connected thereto to provide a screen.

The storage modules and screen members can be stacked and adjusted to any position along the central tower and can be added to for different degrees of storage and screening, thereby providing a totally flexible hospital environment to enable the hospital to suit its or patients' requirements.

Preferably, the system is provided with castors for ease of movement.

Preferably, the storage modules are adjusted along the tower by power assisted means, for ease of use.

Preferably, the hinge posts comprise a spline along one edge thereof, cooperating with a similar spline provided along the lengths of the screen members. More preferably, the splines are semi-circular and may be provided along both longitudinal edges of the screen members for pivotal connection with adjacent screen members and/or the hinge posts. In this way, a series of screen members can be extended outwardly from the hinge post. The screens are movable to form a straight screen, a zig-zag screen or even folded behind or around the tower for storage.

An embodiment of the present invention is described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a screen and storage system according to the invention; Figs. 2a and 2b are an underneath plan view and a front view of a hinge post according to the invention; Figs. 3a and 3b are an underneath plan view and a front view of a screen member according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a storage module according to the invention; Figs. 5, 6 and 7 show different configurations of the screen and storage system according to the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, a central tower supports two hinge posts 10, 11 comprising three sections 12, 13 and 14 each. Two steel rods (not shown) tie the posts to the tower base. There is also a top cap 15 which braces the posts 10, 11 across their tops. As shown in Figs. 2a and 2b, the posts are triangular in section and sit upon the base at 45O to each other. The footprint of each post overhangs the base slightly, and extends as a rib 16 to the full height of the combined post sections. The rib 16 has a semi-circular spline 17 of semi-rigid foam attached to it. A steel rod 18 passes through this as support.

The screens 20 are also constructed in three screen sections 21, 22 and 23 with a soft spline 24, 25 down each outer edge, with two steel rods 26,27 running through the splines to tie the members together. The splines 17 on the hinge posts 10,11 cooperate with the splines 24,25 on the screen members 21, 22, 23 and are held together by rubber rings placed over the steel tie rods 26,27 beyond the length of the screen members (not shown). The screen members are typically attached to one another in this way, with the last one attached to the hinge post.

The storage modules 30 'can be constructed to provide variations comprising one or more of a drawer, table, shelf, secure storage and display and wardrobe.

All of the above are basically built in the same way. A table and drawer unit is the top 31 and bottom 32 disc of each module. The wall 33 of the module is a curved piece of HIP which is sandwiched in slots between the two discs. Extruded aluminium sections provide robust door posts 34, 35 to the openings of each storage module.

Slots in the module are provided to support sliding doors, when used. The size of the module is determined by the height of the curved HIP that fits between the modules.

The HIP can be translucent, a colour or another plastic with a decorative finish. The storage modules simply stack onto the base of the tower. The storage modules can be clad top and bottom and decorated on the inside. On the base of each storage module are bearing pads (not shown) that allow one to carousel upon the other to open or close. A ball spring catch is fitted may be fitted to prevent all the modules rotating together.

To complete the building of the whole screen and storage system, a decorative panel design can be chosen. The drawers can be translucent, a colour, or patterned such as woodgrain. The screen members are clad with panels on each side to provide a solid screen effect. The panels may be secured with double sided tape to the members, and a long sheet can slide in between the hinge posts to provide a solid back. The panels are easily removable for repair or storage or change.

The screen members and storage modules may be positioned in any desired configuration, some examples are shown in Figs.5, 6 and 7.

The whole system is easily dismantled and stored by stacking and is fitted with castors 40 at the base of the tower and screens to be easily movable. The storage modules may be height adjustable by means of a gas strutmounted in the lowest storage module operated by a pedal on the periphery of the base.

It is envisaged that the modular storage and screen system is equally suitable for other environments than the hospitals above mentioned, for example office accomodation or any area where partitioning and storage is required which is also adjustable with respect to size and configuration.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A modular screen and storage system in combination comprising a central tower housing one or more storage modules and including at least one hinge at one longitudinal end thereof whereby one or more screen members may be pivotally connected thereto to provide a screen.

2. A modular screen and storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is provided with castors for ease of movement.

3. A modular screen and storage system as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the storage modules are adjustable along the tower.

4. A modular screen and storage system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hinge comprises a post having a spline along at least one longitudinal edge thereof, co-operating with similar spline(s) provided along the lengths of the screen members.

5. A modular screen and storage system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the splines are semi-circular and may be provided along both longitudinal edges of the screen members for pivotal connection with adjacent screen members and/or the hinge posts.

6. A modular screen and storage system substantially as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.