CONFIGURABLE MULTIFUNCTIONAL PRIVACY SCREEN

Abstract

A configurable multifunctional privacy screen comprising panels and one or more pieces of sheet of material. Each panel includes a sheet of material having a perimeter and a resilient frame member affixed along the perimeter. The panels are attached to each other on at least one side through a flexible coupling provided across at least any of the lateral sides of the panels. The panels are adapted to transition among different adjustable configurations on being folded across the flexible coupling at one or more desired angles. The adjustable configurations include a screen configuration in which the panels define a screen adapted to stand in a substantially vertical position on their bottom sides, a semi deployed configuration in which the panels define a partially-open space, and a fully deployed configuration in which the panels define a confined space closed along the lateral sides and open at top side and bottom side.

Claims

1. A configurable multifunctional privacy screen comprising: a plurality of panels, each of said plurality of panels comprising a sheet of material having a perimeter defining a top side, a bottom side, two lateral sides, and a resilient frame member affixed along said perimeter, said each of said plurality of panels is attached to at least one other panel of said plurality of panels through a flexible coupling across at least any of said lateral sides; and one or more pieces of said sheet of material detachably attached to one or more of said plurality of panels; wherein said plurality of panels are adapted to transition among a plurality of adjustable configurations on being folded across said flexible coupling at one or more desired angles, said plurality of adjustable configurations comprising a screen configuration in which said plurality of panels define a screen adapted to stand in a substantially vertical position on said bottom side, a semi deployed configuration in which said plurality of panels define a partially-open space, and a fully deployed configuration in which said plurality of panels define a confined space closed along said two lateral sides and open at said top side and said bottom side.

2. The configurable multifunctional privacy screen of claim 1, wherein each of said one or more pieces of said sheet of material having a length greater than a breadth of said top side or of said bottom side.

3. The configurable multifunctional privacy screen of claim 1, wherein each of said one or more pieces of said sheet of material comprising one or more pouches.

4. The configurable multifunctional privacy screen of claim 1, wherein said one or more desired angles being an obtuse angle when at least one of said plurality of panels forms a side panel and is folded in a same direction across said flexible coupling on either side of at least said one other panel which becomes a middle panel, said side panels are releasably held at said obtuse angle by said one or more pieces of said sheet of material in said semi deployed configuration to define said partially-open space.

5. The configurable multifunctional privacy screen of claim 4, wherein said side panels are releasably held at said obtuse angle by said one or more pieces of said sheet of material at one of or both of said top side and said bottom side of said middle panel.

6. The configurable multifunctional privacy screen of claim 4, wherein said one or more pieces of said sheet of material extend to any desired length of said top side or said bottom side of said side panels.

7. The configurable multifunctional privacy screen of claim 4, wherein said side panels are releasably held at said obtuse angle by said one or more pieces of said sheet of material at a free lateral side of each of said side panels, said free lateral side being a lateral side of said side panels disposed away from said bottom panel.

8. The configurable multifunctional privacy screen of claim 7, wherein said one or more pieces of said sheet of material extend to any desired length of said free lateral side of said side panels.

9. The configurable multifunctional privacy screen of claim 1, wherein said one or more desired angles being a right angle or an obtuse angle when each of said plurality of panels is folded across said flexible coupling in said fully deployed configuration in which said plurality of panels define said confined space closed along said two lateral sides and open at said top side and said bottom side.

10. The configurable multifunctional privacy screen of claim 1, wherein one or more detachable couplings hold two of said plurality of panels detachably together which are otherwise not connected through said flexible coupling with each other to define said confined space.

11. The configurable multifunctional privacy screen of claim 3, wherein said plurality of adjustable configurations further comprises a completely folded configuration in which said plurality of panels lay substantially flat against each other with no space therebetween, said plurality of panels being storable within one of said one or more pouches in a collapsed state of said plurality of panels when in said completely folded configuration.

12. The configurable multifunctional privacy screen of claim 11, wherein in said collapsed state said resilient frame member of said each of said plurality of panels forms a coil as long as said resilient frame member is secured in said collapsed state by a retainer.

13. The configurable multifunctional privacy screen of claim 1, wherein said sheet of material of said each of said plurality of panels is held in a taut condition along said perimeter by said resilient frame member in an extended state of said plurality of panels.

14. The configurable multifunctional privacy screen of claim 13, wherein said sheet of material forms an obround shape in said taut condition.

15. The configurable multifunctional privacy screen of claim 12, wherein said retainer is an elastic band or a clip or a thread.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to describe the manner in which features and other aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented, a more particular description of certain subject matter will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments and are therefore not to be considered to be limiting in scope, nor drawn to scale for all embodiments. Various embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] FIG. 1A illustrates a sheet of material in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 1B illustrates a resilient frame member in expanded form in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 1C illustrates a panel comprising the sheet of material of FIG. 1A and the resilient frame member of FIG. 1B in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 1D illustrates a plurality of panels of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen comprising two or more panels of FIG. 1C in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 2A shows a top perspective view of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in a fully deployed configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 2B shows another top perspective view of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen having the free lateral sides of the panels located at the extreme end of the plurality of panels being connected with each other by a detachable coupling in a fully deployed configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 2C shows a front perspective view of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in use in a fully deployed configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 3A shows a top perspective view of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in use in a semi deployed configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 3B shows another top perspective view of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in a semi deployed configuration with side panels being held on both ends by pieces of sheet of material in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 3C shows a side perspective view of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in a semi deployed configuration with side panels being held at free lateral sides by a piece of sheet of material in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 4A shows a front perspective view of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in a semi deployed configuration with a canopy formed by a piece of sheet of material in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 4B shows a rear perspective view of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in a semi deployed configuration with a canopy formed by a piece of sheet of material in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 4C shows a top perspective view of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in a semi deployed configuration with a canopy formed by a piece of sheet of material in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 5A shows a front perspective view of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in a screen configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 5B shows a top perspective view of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in a semi folded configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 5C shows a top view of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in a completely folded configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 5D shows a top view of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in a completely folded configuration with a piece of sheet of material attached to one of the panels in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate exemplary steps for collapsing the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in a completely folded configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate exemplary steps for forming a loop or coil of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in a completely folded configuration after collapsing it following the steps shown in FIGS. 6A-6C in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate exemplary steps for securing the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in a coiled form of the completely folded configuration after collapsing it following the steps shown in FIGS. 7A-7C in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0042] FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate methods of storing the configurable multifunctional privacy screen in a coiled form in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of particular applications of the invention and their requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0044] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[0045] Reference to FIG. 1D, the configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 of the present invention comprises a plurality of panels and, optionally, a detachable piece of sheet of material. FIG. 1A illustrates a sheet of material 102. The sheet of material 102 can made of material such as natural or synthetic fabric material, leather, polythene sheet or any other similar material which can be folded and unfolded as required and may be stretchable. The perimeter 106 of the sheet of material 102 defines a top side 108, a bottom side 110 spaced apart from the top side 108, and two lateral sides—a first lateral side 112 and a second lateral side 114 spaced apart from each other and disposed between the top side 108 and bottom side 110. The perimeter 106 is adapted to receive a resilient frame member 104 shown in FIG. 1B. A sleeve or pocket 116 (for example, a stitched pocket) may be disposed along the perimeter 106 to receive the resilient frame member 104. In another embodiment, the resilient frame member 104 may be attached along the perimeter 106 by applying adhesive. A sheet of material 102 affixed with a resilient frame member 104 forms a single panel 118 as shown in FIG. 1C.

[0046] The resilient frame member 104 is made of any resilient material that bends under force and regains its original shape upon alleviation of the force. The dimension of the sheet of material 102 and the dimension of the resilient frame member 104 are such that the resilient frame member 104 can expand to its original shape when not under any external force and keep the sheet of material 102 in a taut condition as shown in panel 118 in FIG. 1C.

[0047] A preferred shape of the sheet of material 102 and the resilient frame member 104, as shown in the drawings, can be an obround shape having the form of a flattened cylinder with the lateral sides 112 and 114 parallel and the top end 108 and bottom end 110 hemispherical. It is to be understood any other shape of the sheet of material 102 that allows the resilient frame member 104 to expand to its original shape can be used.

[0048] Two or more panels 118 are coupled to one another on any of their lateral sides to form the configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 as shown in FIG. 1D. Although, FIG. 1D shows the configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 with only three panels 118, there can be any number of panels 118 in a configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120. In this example, first lateral side 112 of each of the panel 118 is coupled to the second lateral side 114 of its adjacent panel 118. In one embodiment, every individual panel 118 is flexibly connected with another panel 118 on either side resulting in to a configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 which is closed across the lateral sides. In another embodiment, any one panel 118 of the plurality of panels is not connected with another panel 118 on any of its lateral sides resulting in to a configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 which can have an open end across the lateral sides as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0049] The coupling between any two panels 118 across the lateral sides is a flexible coupling which enables each of the panel 118 to be folded at any desired angle with respect to its adjoining panel. The flexible coupling can be made by stitching together lateral sides of the panels 118 or by providing detachable attachments such as hook and loop fasteners or snap buttons along the lateral sides. The flexible coupling allows the plurality of panels to be folded and transition among a plurality of adjustable configurations as per requirement of a user.

[0050] FIGS. 2A-2C depict a fully deployed configuration 200 in which the panels 118 define a confined space 202 closed along the first lateral side 112 and the second lateral side 114 and open at both top side 108 and at bottom side 110 of the panels 118. In case of the embodiment in which any one panel 118 of the plurality of panels is not connected with another panel 118 the confined space 202 can be increased or decreased as per requirement. FIG. 2B illustrates such an embodiment with two panels 118, which are not flexibly connected with each other or which are the panels located at the extreme end of the plurality of panels having one free lateral side, being connected with each other by a detachable coupling 206. The detachable coupling 206 can be hook and loop type or snap button type. To decrease the confined space 202, one or more panels 118 are folded and the detachable coupling 206 is attached between the extreme end panels on any of its lateral sides resulting in to a configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 which can have an open end across the lateral sides.

[0051] The confined space 202 can be used for providing privacy. For example, in case of a configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120, the confined space 202 can be used for child care purposes as shown in FIG. 2C by placing the child 208 in the confined space 202. With a bigger configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120, the confined space 202 can be used by adults also.

[0052] In some embodiments, one or more pieces of sheet of material, with or without having a resilient frame member affixed to it, are detachably attached to any of the panels 118. FIGS. 2B and 2C show such a piece of sheet of material 210 attached to a panel 118. Hook and loop fasteners or snap type fasteners can be provided for detachably attaching the piece of sheet of material 210 to a panel 118. In a preferred embodiment, reference to FIG. 5D, the piece of sheet of material 210 has a length 510 greater than a length of the first lateral side 112 or of the second lateral side 114 and a breadth 512 greater than a breadth of the top side 108 or of the bottom side 110 of the panels 118. In another embodiment, the piece of sheet of material 210 comprises one or more pouches such as pouch 410 shown in FIGS. 4A-4C and 5D disposed on the piece of sheet of material 210.

[0053] FIGS. 3A-3C and 4A-4C illustrate a semi deployed configuration 300 of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120. For this semi deployed configuration, at least one panel 118 is folded across the flexible coupling on either side of at least one other panel 118 in the same direction. In FIGS. 3A-3C and 4A-4C these folded panels, also referred to hereinafter as side panels, are indicated by reference numerals 118a. The panel remaining between the side panels 118a is referred to hereinafter as middle panel 118b. The side panels 118a are releasably held preferably at an obtuse angle to the middle panel 118b by the one or more pieces of the sheet of material 210 in the semi deployed configuration to define a partially-open space 302.

[0054] In the semi deployed configuration 300 the pieces of sheet of material 210 can be used in various ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a single piece of sheet of material 210 releasably holds the side panels 118a at the top side 108 of the middle panel 118b. The partially open space 302 can be used for child care purposes such as for change of diapers, for providing rest for the child etc. FIG. 3A illustrates a child 208 sleeping on the bottom panel 118b. For comfort, the bottom panel 118b can be provided with extra padding. In another example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the side panels 118a are held on both top side 108 and bottom side 110 of the bottom panel 118b which results into a partially open space 302 which is open in one direction only. FIG. 3C illustrates use of the piece of sheet of material 210 across the free lateral sides 112a and 114a of the side panels 118a. The side panels 118a are preferably held at an obtuse angle to the bottom panel 118b so that the side panels 118a do not accidently collapse on the bottom panel 118b.

[0055] In the semi deployed configuration 300, the piece of sheet of material 210 used for holding the side panels 118a can be extended to any desirable length. In embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the one or more pieces of sheet of material 210 extend to any desired length of the top side 108 or the bottom side 110 of the side panels 118a. Similarly, in embodiments shown in FIGS. 3C, 4A-4C the side panels are releasably held at an obtuse angle by one or more pieces of the sheet of material 210 at any desired length of the free lateral sides 112a and 114a of the side panels 118a which are disposed away from the bottom panel 118b.

[0056] The panels 118 of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 can be folded at any desired angle to make a privacy screen which can stand on its own vertically on the bottom side 110 of the panels. Such a screen configuration is illustrated in FIG. 5A in which the total number of panels 118 are folded in to three panels and they are folded with respect to each other in such a way that collectively they do not make a planar surface across the lateral sides i.e. they make either a zig-zag structure or a curved structure. Such a non-planar configuration of the panels enables the screen 500 to find support for itself at their bottom sides on a surface it rests without falling down.

[0057] FIG. 5C illustrates another adjustable configuration 502 which is a completely folded configuration. In this configuration 502 all the panels 118 lay substantially flat against each other with no space therebetween. Completely folded configuration 502 can be achieved by gradually folding the panels 118 one after another as shown in FIG. 5B.

[0058] The resilient frame member 104 is flexibly bendable and twistable from its original shape and size to a new shape and size to make the panels 118, and, thus the configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120, easily storable and portable. For example, the resilient frame member 104 of original obround shape can be collapsed into a coil/loop shape by bending and twisting. Accordingly, the panels 118 can also be individually or collectively (in completely folded configuration 502, for example) twisted to turn the panels 118 from a taut condition to a collapsed condition. As soon as the applied force is withdrawn from the resilient frame member 104 it tends to regain its original shape making the panels 118 regain their taut condition.

[0059] Some exemplary steps which can be followed to collapse the configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 by bending and twisting actions for storage and portability purposes are depicted in FIGS. 6A-6C, 7A-7C, 8A-8C and 9A-9C. Once in a completely folded configuration as shown in FIG. 5D, the bunch of folded panels are bent substantially at the middle of their lateral sides by bringing their top ends close to their bottom ends as shown in FIG. 6A. At such a stage the lateral ends of the panels 118 form loops as shown in FIG. 6B. On being pressed further, as shown in FIGS. 6C and 7A, the resilient frame members of the panels 118 form substantially circular loops or coils 704. However, owing to the resilience of the frame members 104, the panels tend to regain their original shape and size. Therefore, an external force is required to keep the configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 in the collapsed state 702 as shown in FIGS. 8A, 9A and 9B. This external force to secure the panels in collapsed state can be applied by retainers such as elastic bands, clips and threads etc. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7B-7C, a retainer elastic band 706 can be applied to tie down the configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 in collapsed state 702. Optionally, a retainer clip 902 can be applied to keep the configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 in collapsed state 702 as shown in FIG. 9A.

[0060] Further, the configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 in collapsed state can be stored in a pouch provided on the piece of sheet of material 210. FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate as to how the configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 in collapsed state is stored inside the pouch 410 of the piece of sheet of material 210. The configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 can then be tied down with an additional band or rope 806 as shown in FIG. 8C or by a band/thread 904 provided in the pouch 410 as shown in FIG. 9B. In another embodiment, the configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 can be stored inside the pouch 410 even in the completely folded configuration without being collapsed as shown in FIG. 9C. The one or more pouches can also be used for carrying or storing baby care items.

[0061] As discussed above, the configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 of the present invention is an easy to make, inexpensive, easy to use and carry and convenient to store device/apparatus which can be configured in multiple ways without using any tool to make it act like a privacy screen (for changing clothes, for example) or to act like a child care apparatus (diaper changing bed, baby bed etc., for example). One or more panels 118 of the configurable multifunctional privacy screen 120 can be provided with padding for additional comfort.

[0062] It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “said” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.