Freestanding privacy screen - Patent Review 5287909

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.

1. A freestanding privacy screen, comprising:

a plurality of panels configured to be positioned in a side-by-side relationship; each of said panels including:

a frame having hollow side members with opposite ends;

a pair of hinge rods positioned within the hollow side members of said frame for axial rotation therein, and extending continuously between the opposite ends of said side members; said hinge rods being rigid, and including first key members positioned adjacent opposite ends thereof;

a plurality of panel connectors interconnecting said panels and retaining the same in a mutually vertically aligned relationship; each of said panel connectors including:

a split body construction with mating body halves, each of which includes a pair of reception areas shaped to receive portions of adjacent hinge rods therein;

means for detachably interconnecting said mating body halves, whereby adjacent hinge rods are captured therebetween adjacent the opposite ends thereof to thereby securely yet releasably retain adjacent ones of said panels in said side-by-side relationship; and

second key members mating with said first key members on said adjacent hinge rods to rotationally interconnect said adjacent hinge rods, whereby upon relative pivoting of said adjacent panels to adjust said privacy screen, said adjacent hinge rods retain said adjacent panels in said mutually vertically aligned relationship.

2. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said adjacent panels have a substantially identical configuration, whereby additional ones of said panels may be readily connected with said adjacent panels by said panel connectors to vary the width of said privacy screen.

3. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said panel connectors and said hinge rods are configured to permit said adjacent panels to be pivoted between an extended use position wherein said adjacent panels assume a mutually angular relationship, and a retracted storage position wherein said adjacent panels are folded over against one another.

4. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 3, including:

a stop positioned to permit said adjacent panels to assume a maximum included angle in the range of 90-140 degrees when in said extended use position, so as to improve screen stability.

5. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said stop is configured such that said maximum included angle is around 115 degrees.

6. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said frame side members include windows through exterior sides thereof adjacent their opposite ends, shaped to receive said connectors therein and thereby provide lateral access to said hinge rods.

7. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

said frame side members have an ovately shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration, with a thinner portion thereof oriented inwardly, and a thicker portion thereof oriented outwardly to facilitate grasping and manual adjustment of said privacy screen.

8. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

said hinge rods are closely received in said frame side members to create a friction fit therebetween to facilitate retaining said adjacent panels in their set position, yet permit manual angular adjustment therebetween.

9. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

said frame extends about a marginal portion of said panel, and has an open interior defined therebetween;

and including an insert panel mounted within said marginal frame, and enclosing the open interior thereof.

10. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

said frame side members include retainers shaped to receive and mount therein one of a plurality of said panel inserts of different thicknesses.

11. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

said retainers are resilient, and are shaped to capture edge portions of said one panel to securely retain the same therein and alleviate rattling.

12. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 11, wherein:

said hinge rods have a hollow construction with inserts mounted in opposite ends thereof in which said first key members are disposed.

13. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 12, wherein:

said first key members comprise notches in said inserts; and

said second key members comprise teeth on the mating body halves of said connectors, shaped to be closely received in the notches of said inserts.

14. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 13, including:

an alternate height panel having a construction substantially identical to said adjacent panels, except being of a different height; and

a change-of-height bracket detachably connecting said alternate height panel with one of said adjacent panels in a side-by-side, vertically aligned relationship therewith.

15. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 14, wherein:

said connector body interconnecting means comprises a single threaded fastener.

16. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said panel connectors and said hinge rods are configured to permit said adjacent panels to be pivoted between an extended use position wherein said adjacent panels assume a mutually angular relationship, and a retracted storage position wherein said adjacent panels are folded over against one another.

17. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 16, including:

a stop positioned to permit said adjacent panels to assume a maximum included angle in the range of 90-140 degrees when in said extended use position, so as to improve screen stability.

18. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 17, wherein:

said stop is configured such that said maximum included angle is around 115 degrees.

19. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said frame side members include windows through exterior sides thereof adjacent their opposite ends, shaped to receive said connectors therein and thereby provide lateral access to said hinge rods.

20. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said frame side members have an ovately shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration, with a thinner portion thereof oriented inwardly, and a thicker portion thereof oriented outwardly to facilitate grasping and manual adjustment of said privacy screen.

21. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said hinge rods are closely received in said frame side members to create a friction fit therebetween to facilitate retaining said adjacent panels in their set position, yet permit manual angular adjustment therebetween.

22. A freestanding privacy screen as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said frame extends about a marginal portion of said panel, and has an open interior defined therebetween;

and including an insert panel mounted within said marginal frame, and enclosing the