GB2575647A

GB2575647A - Collapsible voting booth

Info

Publication number: GB2575647A
Application number: GB1811691.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Thompson Geoffrey; Brimmer John
Original assignee: Shaw & Sons Ltd
Current assignee: Shaw & Sons Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-17
Filing date: 2018-07-17
Publication date: 2020-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 2038-07-17
Also published as: GB2575647B; GB201811691D0

Abstract

The collapsible voting booth 10 comprises separable lower and upper frameworks 12, 14, a support surface 16, and a flexible screen 18, the lower framework having two ground engaging elements 20 defining opposing sides 10a, 10b of the booth each element having two legs 22 interengaged at their upper ends by a cross member 24, the upper framework having opposing side support elements 28 engagable with a back element 30, the support surface being releasably interengagable with each cross member, and the flexible screen being releasably engagable with the upper and lower frameworks. The upper and lower frameworks are independently collapsible. Each ground support element may have two spaced apart cross-members for connecting the support surface at different heights to accommodate wheelchair users. The side-support and ground engagement elements may be pivotably attachable to the back element. The legs may be height adjustable. The support surface may be a writing surface. The booth at least partially occludes the writing surface from external view. When collapsed the frameworks may be stored or transported in a tubular tent bag.

Description

Collapsible Voting Booth

The present invention relates to a collapsible voting booth for providing a writing surface which is at least partially occluded from external view.

Temporary booths which provide a surface upon which a user may write whilst being at least partially occluded from view are often required, for example, for voters during elections when casting votes at polling stations. However, such booths may only be required a few times each year, if that, with the remainder of the time being left in storage. Present voting booths can be bulky and therefore require considerable space during storage. Additionally, conventional voting booths which are collapsible, are typically only partially collapsible and therefore still require considerable space to store and/or are not readily transportable.

Furthermore, conventional voting booths which may be collapsible can utilise detachable fasteners. Such fasteners are usually small and therefore are easily lost during the long time when the booth is in storage between election. Such fasteners additionally require tools to enable assembly and then dismantling, and it is therefore necessary to provide tools to those who are assembling or collapsing the booth.

In addition, specific voting booths are required to be provided for wheelchair users with a lower writing surface. This therefore requires at least two different types of voting booths to be supplied to each polling station.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collapsible voting booth for providing a writing surface which is at least partially occluded from external view, the collapsible voting booth comprising: separable lower and upper framework parts; a support-surface member; and a flexible screening element; the lower framework part having two ground engagement elements which each define a lower portion of opposing sides of the voting booth and include two legs in front-to-rear spaced apart relationship interengaged by a cross-member at or adjacent to the upper ends thereof; the upper framework part having opposing side-support elements releasably engagable with a back element; the upper framework part being releasably supportable by the lower framework part and the upper framework part and lower framework part being collapsible independently of each other; the support-surface member being releasably interengagable with said cross-member of each ground engagement element; and the flexible screening element being releasably engagable with both the lower and upper framework parts.

Collapsibility allows for the voting booth to be more compactly stored when not in use, for example, in-between elections. The upper framework part being separable from the lower framework part enables each component of the booth to be smaller and lighter and so more easily transportable. The upper and lower framework parts being collapsible or disassemblable independently of each other ensures that the collapsible voting booth can be formed in smaller component parts, which may be easier to transport and/or store. Alternatively or additionally, this may allow for the lower framework part to be installed without the upper framework part.

Preferably, each ground engagement element has two spaced apart cross-members for enabling connection of the support surface member at different heights. This enables the provision of voting booths, each having a writing surfaces at different heights, whilst only supplying a single type of voting booth. This may more conveniently enable the provision of a writing surface suitable for use by a wheelchair user and a writing surface suitable for use by a person when standing.

Beneficially, each side-support element and each ground engagement element may be pivotably attachable to the back element. During assembly, this arrangement allows for the side-support elements to be folded over the back element with the ground engagement elements remaining attached to the upper framework part. This is therefore a more compact arrangement, allowing the partially constructed voting booth to be more easily manhandled and erected. This is particularly advantageous for elderly persons and/or those with reduced upper body strength when asked to assemble the voting booth. In this latter case, given that retired and thus usually elderly persons are typically those who volunteer to operate polling stations, making the structure as light-weight as possible is clearly beneficial. Furthermore, the side supports being pivotable allows for the upper framework to adopt a generally planar arrangement for more convenient storage without having to be detached.

Advantageously, the back element may be interengagable between and connectable with both the ground engagement elements. Such an arrangement provides structural rigidity to the voting booth to prevent displacement of the grounded engagement elements away from each other, such as through splaying when knocked by users.

In a preferable embodiment, the flexible screening element may be fastenable to the back element with at least one push-fit fastener. Push-fit fasteners enable the flexible screening element to be attached without the use of tools, again making the erection of the booth extremely simple and fast.

Additionally, the flexible screening element includes a two-part push-fit fastener, one part of the push-fit fastener being at or adjacent to an edge of the flexible screening element and one part being spaced apart from the edge of the flexible screening element to enable the flexible screening element to be fastened to itself around at least part of each side support member and/or each ground engagement element. Attachment to itself around each side support member allows for the flexible screening element to be securable around a perimeter of the voting booth.

Preferably, either said push-fit fastener may be at least in part fixed to the collapsible voting booth when in a collapsed condition. The push-fit fasteners being fixed to the voting booth prevents or limits the fasteners from being lost or misplaced when in storage.

Beneficially, the flexible screening element may be securable to the upper or lower framework part at or adjacent to the or each cross-member to prevent or limit the flexible screening element from in use moving. A point of fastening of the flexible screening element would be prevented from moving past the cross-member, for example preventing or limiting the flexible screening element from sliding down the voting booth.

Additionally, the flexible screening element may be securable to the ground engagement element either side of the or each cross-member. This prevents the flexible screening element from moving upwards or downwards.

Optionally, the ground engagement elements may include height-adjustable legs. The legs being height-adjustable, especially if independently height adjustable, enables the booth to be levelled when installed on uneven ground. Additionally or alternatively, the height of the booth may be adjusted, if the screening element is required to be positioned at a higher or lower level.

Preferably, the self-supportable booth may further comprise booth connection means for connecting the self-supportable booth to an adjacent further said collapsible booth. This allows for multiple voting booths to be connected and/or fixed relative to each other to prevent or limit a collection of voting booths from becoming misaligned or disorganised in use.

Advantageously, the booth may be toollessly assemblable and collapsible reducing a requirement for voting booth installers to be provided with tools.

Beneficially, the flexible screening element may extend continuously around three sides of the booth. This obscures the support surface member from exterior view on three sides of the voting booth.

In a preferable embodiment, the side-support elements have a connector, the connector having an aperture through which at least part of the back element is insertable. The connector provides additional rigidity to the voting booth whilst allowing the side-support elements to be pivotable relative to the back element.

Additionally, the back element and each ground engagement element are releasably attachable via male and female connectors. Male and female connectors provide lateral support to the connection.

Preferably the support-surface member, each ground engagement member, each sidesupport element and the back element are each planar or substantially planar. This allows for the upper and lower framework to be stored in a substantially planar container or box.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling a collapsible voting booth, so as to reduce a lifting requirement, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a collapsible voting booth, preferably according to a first aspect of the present invention with side-support elements pivotably attached to a back element; b) positioning the back element on the ground and pivoting the side-support elements so that an upper-framework part is planarly arranged and parallel to the ground; c) attaching ground engagement elements to the upper-framework part; d) pivoting the side support elements and the ground engagement elements so that the side support elements overlie the back element; e) pivoting the upper and lower framework parts together about the ground so that the upper and lower framework parts are upstanding and supported by the legs of the ground engagement elements; f) interengaging the ground engagement elements with a support-surface member; and g) engaging a flexible screening element to the upper and lower framework parts.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a plurality of collapsible voting booths each having a writing surface at a different height to each other, the method comprising the steps: a) providing a plurality of identical collapsible voting booths, preferably according to a first aspect of the present invention, wherein each ground engagement element has two spaced apart cross-members for enabling connection of the support surface member at different heights; b) assembling a first said collapsible voting booth so that an associated support surface member is supported on a first pair of cross-members at a first height above the ground; and c) assembling a second said collapsible voting booth so that the associated support surface member is supported on a second pair of cross-members at a second height above the ground, wherein the first and second heights are different.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of a collapsible voting booth, in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention and in an assembled condition;

Figure 2 shows a further front perspective view of the collapsible voting booth of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an enlarged exploded side view of a first connector of the collapsible voting booth of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows an enlarged exploded side view of a second connector of the collapsible voting booth of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a view of a flexible screening element fastened to upper and lower frameworks adjacent to cross-members of the collapsible voting booth of Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows a view of the flexible screening element fastened to a rear of a back element of the collapsible voting booth of Figure 1;

Figure 7 shows the collapsible voting booth of Figure 1 in a dissembled condition and with the flexible screening element omitted for clarity, in accordance with step b) of the second aspect of the present invention;

Figure 8 shows the collapsible voting booth of Figure 7 with the ground attachment elements connected to the side elements, in accordance with step c) of the second aspect of the present invention;

Figure 9 shows the collapsible voting booth of Figure 8 with a first side overlying the back element;

Figure 10 shows the collapsible voting booth of Figures 8 and 9 with both sides overlying the back element, in accordance with step d) of the second aspect of the present invention;

Figure 11 shows the collapsible voting booth of Figure 10 having been pivoted upwards, the support surface member having been attached, and the flexible screening element also being attached in accordance with step f) of the second aspect of the present invention;

Figure 12 shows the upper framework part of the collapsible voting booth of Figure 1 in a concertinaed arrangement; and

Figure 13 shows a connector for interconnecting multiple collapsible voting booths.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown an embodiment of a collapsible voting booth 10. The collapsible voting booth 10 comprises a lower framework part 12, an upper framework part 14, a support-surface member 16, and a flexible screening element 18. The voting booth 10 preferably has a first side 10a and a second side 10b which oppose each other.

The lower framework part 12 includes two ground engagement elements 20 which each define a lower portion of opposing sides 10a, 10b of the voting booth 10. Each ground engagement element 20 includes two legs 22 in front-to-rear spaced apart relationship. Each leg 22 is preferably tubular having, in this case, a circular cross section. Other shaped cross sections or a combination thereof, solid or hollow, may be considered such as square, oval or polygonal. The spacing between each leg 22 of each ground engagement element 20 is preferably between 0.3 m and 0.9 m and most preferably is or is substantially 0.6 m, although it will be appreciated that other spacings may also be considered.

Whilst two legs 22 for each ground engagement element 20 are described, it will be appreciated that any number of legs may be considered for each ground engagement element. Similarly, the voting booth may have any number of ground engagement elements.

At least one cross-member 24 interengages each leg 22 of each ground engagement element 20. Preferably two cross-members 24 interengage each leg 22 of each ground engagement element 20 and the two cross-members 24 are spaced apart. Each crossmember 24 is also preferably tubular, but in this case has a square shaped cross-section. Again, however, other shapes, such as circular or non-circular cross-section, solid or hollow, may be considered.

The spacing of the cross-members 24 of each ground engagement element 20 is preferably in the range of 0.1 m to 0.25 m, and most preferably is or is substantially 0.18 m. It will be appreciated that other spacings may be considered, as necessity dictates. The crossmembers 24 are preferably positioned at or adjacent to an in use upper end of the ground engagement elements 20.

Whilst two cross-members 24 are described it will be understood that there may only be one cross-member, or there could be more than two cross-members which may have equal or differing spacings.

As shown in Figure 3, each ground engagement elements 20 preferably includes a first connector 26. Here each first connector 26 is positioned at an upper end of each leg 22.

The connector preferably takes the form of the tube of the leg 22 having a smaller diameter at or adjacent to an upper end than the diameter of the remainder, or main body, of the leg 22.

The upper framework part 14 is collapsible independently of the lower framework part

12. This is provided by components of the upper framework part 14 being pivotable relative to each other without first collapsing or disassembling the lower framework part 12. However, it will be appreciated that this may alternatively be achieved by multiple components being assemblable and collapsible together without first collapsing or assembling the lower framework part.

The upper framework part 14 comprises opposing side-support elements 28 and a back element 30. The side-support element 28 and back element 30 are preferably tubular, having circular cross-sections. Again, as above, other cross sections may be considered.

Each side-support element 28 is L-shaped or substantially L-shaped having a first side part 32 which in use extends parallel to a vertical or an in use top-to-bottom extent of the booth 10, and a second side part 34 which in use extends parallel to a front-to-back direction of the booth 10. Therefore, the first and second side parts 32, 34 are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other and the first side part 32 is here longer than the second side part 34. The first and second side parts 32, 34 are preferably continuous, and may conveniently be formed by bending a metal tube.

As shown in Figure 4, preferably each side-support element 28 is releasably engageable or attachable to the back element 30 via a second connector 36. However, the side-support elements 28 may be provided to an end user with the side-support elements 28 attached to the back element 30. Each second connector 36 is at or adjacent to an end of the second side part 34 of the side-support element 28 which is distal to the first side part 32. The second connector 36 is tubular with a through-bore or longitudinal extent parallel to an in-use vertical direction and/or to the first part of the side-support element 28. A diameter of the through bore is preferably greater or substantially identical as a diameter of a lateral extent of the back element 30. In this way at least part of the back element 30 is insertable through the second connector 36.

The back element 30 is preferably U-shaped having two in use vertically aligned first back parts 38 and an in use horizontally aligned second back part 40 extending therebetween at the ends thereof. The first and second back parts 38, 40 are continuous and may be conveniently formed by twice bending a metal tube. A diameter of an opening of the first back parts 38 is preferably greater than or substantially the same as the diameter of the first connector 26. A third back part 42 preferably extends between the two first back parts 38 adjacent or at an opposing end of the first back parts 38 to the second back part 40. The third back part 42 may preferably be removably attachable to the first back parts 38, for example via fasteners.

The support-surface member 16 in this embodiment has a planar or substantially planar upper surface 44 and at least one side surface 46. The upper surface 44 may in use provide a writing surface to support a user writing thereupon, such as when completing their ballot paper. As can best be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the support-surface member 16 preferably includes at least two cross-member connectors 48, each of which is here a cut-out in the side surfaces 46 which has a shape to complementarily correspond to the cross-section of the cross-member 24.

A lateral extent of the support-surface member 16 is preferably less than a spacing of the legs 22 of each ground engagement element 20, and here is between 0.25 m to 0.5 m, but preferably at or around 0.38 m.

Each of the upper framework part 14, lower framework part 12, and the support-surface member 16 may preferably each be formed from metal, such as steel or aluminium. Other materials may be considered, such as plastics or wood and/or the components may be formed from different materials to each other.

The flexible screening element 18 may be considered to be a sheet, and is preferably rectangular or substantially rectangular in shape. The sheet material may conveniently be polyvinyl chloride, and of a thickness between 1 mm and 5 mm. Therefore, whilst flexible, the screening element 18 may be also substantially self-supporting. Alternatively, the flexible screening element 18 may be pliantly flexible.

The flexible screening element 18 preferably has two lateral edges 50 and two longitudinal edges 52. A longitudinal extent of the flexible screening element 18 is preferably equal to a combination of the lateral extent of the two side-support elements 28 and the back element 30. A lateral or in-use vertical extent of the flexible screening element 18 is preferably between 0.5 m and 1.5 m, and more preferably substantially at or around 1 metre.

As shown in Figure 5, the flexible screening element 18 preferably includes at least one first fastener 54 for fastening the flexible screening element 18 to the upper and/or lower framework parts 14, 12. Here, the or each first fastener 54 is a two-part push-fit fastener, one part of each push-fit fastener being fixed at or adjacent to one lateral edge 50 of the flexible screening element 18 and one part being fixed at a point spaced apart from said lateral edge 50 of the flexible screening element 18. The spacing of the parts of the fasteners 54 is at least equal or substantially equal to a circumference or perimeter of a transverse extent or thickness of the side-support member 28 or flexible screening element 18. This allows the screening element 18 to be fastened to itself around at least part of the side-support member 28 and/or the ground engagement element 20.

There are preferably four two-part push-fit fasteners 54 on each lateral edge 50 of the flexible screening element 18, the push-fit fasteners 54 being spaced apart.

As shown in Figure 6, the flexible screening element 18 preferably further includes a second fastener 56 for fastening the flexible screening element 18 to the back element 30. The second fastener 56 is preferably also a push-fit fastener, and may be fixed at or adjacent to one of the longitudinal edges 52 of the flexible screening element 18. Here there are at least two spaced apart second fasteners 56, although it will be appreciated that there may be further second fasteners 56. The back element 30 preferably includes a receiver for each second fastener 56 of the screening element.

Whilst two-part push fit fasteners are described to fasten the flexible screening element to itself or wrap around at least part of the side-support member and/or the ground engagement element, it will be appreciated that the flexible screening element may include fasteners at the lateral edge to attach directly to the upper or lower framework part. These fasteners may be similar to the second fasteners as described previously.

Optionally, the legs on the ground engagement elements may be height adjustable. Each leg may be height adjustable or only the rear legs may be height adjustable, as required. To enable height adjustment, each leg may have an inner and an outer part, the inner part being extendable from and fixable relative to the outer part or vice versa. The outer part may have spaced apart apertures along a longitudinal extent thereof, through which a key may be extendable. Said key preferably also extends through an aperture through the inner part so as to lock the inner and outer parts together. Although described as being height adjustable, the legs may not be height adjustable. Additionally or alternatively, feet at a bottom of each legs may also be height adjustable, to enable levelling when placed on an uneven surface.

In use, the collapsible voting booth 10 may be assembled by first connecting the sidesupport elements 28 to the back element 30. If the third back part 42 is connected between the first back parts 38, the third back part 42 should be removed to enable the first back parts 38 to be extended through respective second connectors 36 of the side-support elements 28. The side-support elements 28 are then slid upwards and the third back part 42 may be connected or reconnected. As previously suggested, the collapsible voting booth 10 may be provided to a user with this step already having taken place.

Referring to Figure 7, the upper framework part 14 is then positioned so that it is planarly arranged and engaging the ground. Therefore, the side-support elements 28 are coplanar with the back element 30. This may require pivoting the side-support elements 28 about the back element 30 with the second connectors 36.

Referring to Figure 8, the ground engagement elements 20 are then connected to the sidesupport elements 28 and the back element 30 via the first connectors 26. In this way the upper and lower framework parts 14, 12 are coplanar, engaging and/or flush with the ground. Each side-support element 28 and associated ground engagement element 20, once connected together, may define a side 10a, 10b of the voting booth 10. Each leg 22 may here be considered to be a male connector and the first side part 32 and the first back part 38 may be considered to be female connectors.

The ground engagement elements 20 are preferably pivotable about the first connectors 26 and in particular the first connectors 26 at the back element 30. The ground engagement elements 20 and the side-support elements 28 are then rotated and/or pivoted inwards so that one side, for example the first side 10a, overlies the back element 30, as shown in Figure 9, and the other side, for example the second side 10b, overlies the back element 30 and the first side 10a, as shown in Figure 10.

The partially assembled voting booth 10 may then be lifted, tilted and/or pivoted upwardly, about distal free ends of the legs 22 engaging with the ground so that it becomes upstanding with the weight of the frame supported by the legs 22 of the ground engagement elements 20. Once upstanding, the sides 10a, 10b may then be pivoted laterally outwardly, so that each side 10a, 10b is parallel or substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the back element 30. The two sides 10a, 10b, which may also be considered wings, and the back element 30 define a space in which a user may stand.

The support-surface member 16 is then interengaged between the ground engagement elements 20. This is achieved by locating each set of cross-member connectors 48, positioned at each end of the support-surface member 16, on one cross-member 24, preferably so that the upper surface 44 is aligned with the horizontal plane and is therefore parallel to the ground.

The interengagement of the two sides 10a, 10b with the support-surface member 16 prevents or limits the relative movement of the two sides 10a, 10b. The height at which the support-surface member 16 is desired to be provided at is decided on, and the pair of cross-members 24 to which the support-surface member 16 is connected is selected based on this decision. For example, the support-surface member 16 may be provided in an upper condition, suitable for users when standing, or a lower condition, suitable for users when seated or wheel-chair users. Preferably, the support-surface member 16 may not be slidable on the cross-members 24. To prevent sliding, each cross-member may have a stop to prevent the support-surface member 16 moving beyond the stop. Said stop may take the form of metal deposited through welding, or a weld tip.. The support-surface member 16 should preferably be positioned at or adjacent to the back of the voting booth 10, or such that a space in front of the support surface 16 is able to accommodate or receive a person.

Referring to Figure 11, the flexible screening element 18 is then connected to the upper and lower framework. This may be achieved by aligning the longitudinal edge 52 of the flexible screening element 18 with the horizontal direction and fastening the two second fasteners 56 to the receivers on the rear of the back element 30. This fastening prevents the screening element from falling. First fasteners 54, which are here two-part push-fit fasteners, at each lateral edge 50 of the screening element 18 are fastened around the first side parts 32 so that the flexible screening element 18 extends along the side-support elements 28 and the back element 30 and thereby extends continuously around three sides of the booth 10. First fasteners 54 are also fastened around the ground engagement element 20. Preferably a first fastener 54 is attached either side of, that is above and below, the cross-members 24. This may additionally prevent the flexible screening element 18 from falling. In this way, the flexible screening element 18 is fastened to the upper and lower framework parts 14, 12 and away from the top of the upper framework

14. The flexible screening element 18 is instead fastened to the front and rear surfaces of the upper and lower framework. Whilst the flexible screening element is described as being attached to the upper and lower frame work parts, it will be appreciated that the flexible screening element may only be attached to the upper or lower framework parts.

The height of the legs 22 may then be adjusted, for example to level the voting booth on the floor and/or to adjust the voting booth to a convenient height.

The height of the support-surface member 16 may be changed from the upper to the lower condition or vice versa after assembly of the collapsible voting booth 10, if a writing surface at a different height is required.

The voting booth 10 may be collapsed or disassembled in the reverse order in which it is constructed. Therefore, the flexible screening element 18 is unfastened, preferably manually, from the upper and lower framework parts 14, 12. The support-surface member 16 is disconnected and the two sides folded or pivoted inwardly towards each other. The partially collapsed voting booth 10 may then be pivoted towards the ground so that the back element 30 engages with the ground.

The two sides 10a, 10b may then be unfolded such that the upper and lower framework parts 14, 12 are planar and the ground engagement elements 20 disconnected from the upper framework part 14. If desired, the third back part 42 may be unfastened from the first back parts 38 and the side-support elements 28 removed. Each of the ground engagement elements 20, the side-support elements 28, the back element 30, the supportsurface member 16 and/or the flexible screening element 18 may be considered to be planar or substantially planar. Therefore, the components may be conveniently stored in a substantially planar storage container.

Additionally, the upper framework 14 may be more conveniently stored in a concertinaed or accordion arrangement, as shown in Figure 12. For example, the side-support element 28 of the first side 10a can be folded across one face of the back element 30, and the sidesupport element 28 of the second side 10b can be folded across the other face of the back element 30. In this way each side-support element 28 is folded so that it is flush or substantially flush with the back element 30 and therefore this provides a more compact arrangement.

Alternatively, the collapsible voting booth 10 may be assembled by first positioning the two ground engagement elements 20, so that a longitudinal extent of each leg 22 of each ground engagement is upstanding. The support-surface member 16 may be connected in the same way as previously described.

Each side-support element 28 is then positioned on the first connector 26 at the front leg 22 of each ground engagement element 20. This is so that first side part 32 is aligned and collinear with the associated front leg 22, and the second side part 34 of the side support element is parallel or substantially parallel with and directly vertically above the associated cross-member 24.

The back element 30 is then connected by extending the first back parts 38 of the back element 30 through respective second connectors 36. The third back part 42 should be disconnected, if already connected, to allow this. The first back parts 38 are then connected to the first connectors 26 at or adjacent to the rear legs 22 so that each rear leg 22 is aligned and collinear with the respective first back part 38. The third back part 42 may then be connected.

In this way, the upper framework part 14 is releasably supportable by the lower framework part 12.

The flexible screening element 18 is then connected to the upper and lower framework parts 14, 12 in the same way as previously described.

As before, the voting booth 10 may be collapsed or disassembled in the reverse order in which it is constructed. Therefore, the flexible screening element 18 is unfastened, preferably manually, from the upper and lower framework parts 14, 12. The third back part 42 is disconnected, the back element 30 removed or unattached from the first connectors 26 of the lower framework part 12 and then retracted through the second connectors 36. The side-support elements 28 are unattached from the first connectors 26 of the lower framework part 12. The support-surface member 16 is removed from the cross-members which releases the ground engagement elements 20.

Whilst described as being assembled and collapsed in this manner, it will be appreciated that the upper framework part 14 may be assembled before being connected, attached or supported by the lower framework part 12. Alternatively, the ground engagement elements 20 may first be erected before connecting the side-support elements 28 thereto, followed by connecting the back element 30 so that it interengages the ground engagement elements 20. After this the support-surface member 16 is attached and the flexible screening element 18 fastened in the same way as previously described.

Whilst the flexible screening element 18 is described as being flexible, it will be appreciated that the screening element may in fact not be flexible and may be at least in part rigid. Additionally, whilst described as being a continuous element, it will be appreciated that the screening element may be formed from multiple parts.

As shown in Figure 13, the voting booth 10 may include booth connection means 58 for connecting the voting booth 10 to adjacent voting booths. Such connection means may include multiple grip elements 60 for gripping the upper or lower frameworks 14, 12 of adjacent voting booths 10. Such grip elements 60 may be a snap-fit or interference fit connector, for example, which interconnects neighbouring legs.

It will be appreciated that the side-support elements may be arrangeable such that they are foldable inwardly so that they are receivable within the back element. This may allow for more convenient storage. Alternatively, the collapsible voting booth may be formed entirely from linear or substantially linear parts, such as tubing, preferably with the exception of the support-surface member and the flexible screening element. Each linear part may be attachable, fastenable or connectable to form the collapsible voting booth. In this way the voting booth framework may be collapsed into only linear components and therefore may be storable or transportable in a tubular bag, such as a tent bag.

It is therefore possible to provide toollessly collapsible and assemblable voting booth which has separable lower and upper framework parts, the upper framework part being collapsible independently of the lower framework part. This thereby enables the voting booth to be collapsed to save space during storage, and assembled without tools and in relatively small parts which reduces a weight required to lift when assembling the booth.

The words ‘comprises/comprising’ and the words ‘having/including’ when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.

Claims

1. A collapsible voting booth for providing a writing surface which is at least partially occluded from external view, the collapsible voting booth comprising:

separable lower and upper framework parts;

a support-surface member; and a flexible screening element;

the lower framework part having two ground engagement elements which each define a lower portion of opposing sides of the voting booth and include two legs in front-to-rear spaced apart relationship interengaged by a cross-member at or adjacent to the upper ends thereof;

the upper framework part having opposing side-support elements engagable with a back element;

the upper framework part being releasably supportable by the lower framework part and the upper framework part and lower framework part being collapsible independently of each other;

the support-surface member being releasably interengagable with said cross-member of each ground engagement element; and the flexible screening element being releasably engagable with both the lower and upper framework parts.

2. A collapsible voting booth as claimed in claim 1, wherein each ground engagement element has two spaced apart cross-members for enabling connection of the support surface member at different heights.

3. A collapsible voting booth as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each sidesupport element and each ground engagement element is pivotably attachable to the back element.

4. A collapsible voting booth as claimed in any one of the preceding claim, wherein the back element is interengageable between and connectable with both the ground engagement elements.

5. A collapsible voting booth as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible screening element is fastenable to the back element with at least one push-fit fastener.

6. A collapsible voting booth as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible screening element includes a two-part push-fit fastener, one part of the push-fit fastener being at or adjacent to an edge of the flexible screening element and one part being spaced apart from the edge of the flexible screening element to enable the flexible screening element to be fastened to itself around at least part of each side support member and/or each ground engagement element.

7. A collapsible voting booth as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein either said push-fit fastener is at least in part fixed to the collapsible voting booth when in a collapsed condition.

8. A collapsible voting booth as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible screening element is securable to the upper or lower framework part at or adjacent to the or each cross-member to prevent or limit the flexible screening element from in use moving.

9. A collapsible voting booth as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flexible screening element is securable to the ground engagement element either side of the or each cross-member.

10. A collapsible voting booth as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ground engagement elements include height-adjustable legs.

11. A collapsible voting booth as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the self-supportable booth further comprises booth connection means for connecting the self-supportable booth to an adjacent further collapsible booth.

12. A collapsible voting booth as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the booth is toollessly assemblable and collapsible.

13. A collapsible voting booth as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible screening element extends continuously around three sides of the booth.

14. A collapsible voting booth as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side-support elements have a connector, the connector having an aperture through which at least part of the back element is insertable.

15. A collapsible voting booth as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the back element and each ground engagement element are releasably attachable via male and female connectors.

16. A collapsible voting booth as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support-surface member, each ground engagement member, each side-support element and the back element are each planar or substantially planar.

17. A method of assembling a collapsible voting booth, so as to reduce a lifting requirement, the method comprising the steps:

a) providing the collapsible voting booth as claimed in claim 3;

b) positioning the back element on the ground and pivoting the sidesupport elements so that the upper-framework part is planarly arranged and parallel to the ground;

c) attaching the ground engagement elements to the upper-framework part;

d) pivoting the side support elements and the ground engagement elements so that the side support elements overlie the back element;

e) pivoting the upper and lower framework parts together about the ground so that the upper and lower frame work parts are upstanding and supported by the legs of the ground engagement elements;

f) interengaging the ground engagement elements with the supportsurface member; and

g) engaging the flexible screening element to the upper and lower framework parts.

18. A method of providing a plurality of collapsible voting booths each having a writing surface at a different height to each other, the method comprising the steps:

5 a) providing a plurality of identical collapsible voting booths as claimed in claim 2;

b) assembling a first said collapsible voting booth so that the associated support surface member is supported on a first pair of cross-members at a first height above the ground; and

10 c) assembling a second said collapsible voting booth so that the associated support surface member is supported on a second pair of cross-members at a second height above the ground, wherein the first and second heights are different.