Portable personal privacy screen

Abstract

A system and method for simply and efficiently improving on personal privacy, particularly in a portable or temporary format. A system may include a flexible oblong perimeter frame closed with a covering configured to be bowed into an arch, and an arch-retaining system coupled to ends of the frame maintaining the frame.

Claims

1. A portable screen for cooperation with a sleep support disposed on a foundation with the sleep support having a width, comprising: an elongate flexible closed loop perimeter frame including a planar mode and a three dimensional mode with said frame configured for repeatable transitions between said modes, said frame defining a first end, a second end spaced apart from said first end by a first distance, and a body portion disposed between said ends wherein said ends define a plane for said modes, wherein said ends and said body portion are disposed within said plane in said planar mode and separated by said first distance, and wherein said ends are disposed within said plane while said body portion is disposed out of said plane in said three dimensional mode with said ends spaced apart a second distance in said three dimensional mode wherein said second distance is less than said first distance and wherein said frame includes a biasing arrangement to apply a biasing force to automatically bias a transition from said three dimensional mode to said planar mode whenever said frame is transitioned to said three dimensional mode from said planar mode; a flexible material covering said frame; and a retainer system selectively engageable with said ends to maintain said frame in said three dimensional mode against said biasing force as long as said ends are engaged; wherein said frame is configured to automatically transition to said planar mode from said three dimensional mode whenever said retainer system disengages from at least one of said ends; wherein said first distance is greater than the width of the sleep support; and wherein said retainer system includes a pair of retainer clips laterally disposed between the sleep support and the foundation with each said retainer clip configured to secure one of said ends when said frame has been transitioned to said three dimensional mode.

2. A portable screen for cooperation with a sleep support disposed on a foundation with the sleep support having a width, comprising: an elongate flexible closed loop perimeter frame including a planar mode and a three dimensional mode with said frame configured for repeatable transitions between said modes, said frame defining a first end, a second end spaced apart from said first end by a first distance, and a body portion disposed between said ends wherein said ends define a plane for said modes, wherein said ends and said body portion are disposed within said plane in said planar mode and separated by said first distance, and wherein said ends are disposed within said plane while said body portion is disposed out of said plane in said three dimensional mode with said ends spaced apart a second distance in said three dimensional mode wherein said second distance is less than said first distance and wherein said frame includes a biasing arrangement to apply a biasing force to automatically bias a transition from said three dimensional mode to said planar mode whenever said frame is transitioned to said three dimensional mode from said planar mode; a flexible material covering said frame; and a retainer system selectively engageable with said ends to maintain said frame in said three dimensional mode against said biasing force as long as said ends are engaged; wherein said frame is configured to automatically transition to said planar mode from said three dimensional mode whenever said retainer system disengages from at least one of said ends; wherein said three dimensional mode includes an arch in said body portion; wherein said first distance is greater than the width of the sleep support; and wherein said retainer system includes a pair of retainer clips laterally disposed between the sleep support and the foundation with each said retainer clip configured to secure one of said ends when said frame has been transitioned to said three dimensional mode.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates an oblong flexible panel in an un-arched or flat mode;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates components of an embodiment of a portable personal privacy system with the oblong flexible panel of FIG. 1 in an intermediate mode, which may be transitioning to or from the un-arched mode;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates configuration of the embodiment the portable personal privacy system illustrated in FIG. 2 into a freestanding portable personal privacy screen with the oblong flexible panel in an arched or folded (taco) mode and retained by a strap coupled to opposing ends of the arched panel;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment for the portable personal privacy screen cooperatively configured using a sleeping system;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up of a retainer engaging an end of the flexible panel illustrated in FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates installation of the retainers with the sleeping system;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the retainer;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the retainer;

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates an end view of the retainer;

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates an enhanced portable personal privacy screen including one or more environment-influencing devices for use with a constructed portable personal privacy screen; and

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates a portable lighting system as an example of a type of environment-influencing devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(13) Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for simply and efficiently improving on personal privacy, particularly in a portable or temporary format. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements.

(14) Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.

DEFINITIONS

(15) Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this general inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

(16) The following definitions apply to some of the aspects described with respect to some embodiments of the invention. These definitions may likewise be expanded upon herein.

(17) As used herein, the term or includes and/or and the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as at least one of, when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

(18) As used herein, the singular terms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an object can include multiple objects unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

(19) Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of in includes in and on unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being on another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly on another element, there are no intervening elements present.

(20) As used herein, the term set refers to a collection of one or more objects. Thus, for example, a set of objects can include a single object or multiple objects. Objects of a set also can be referred to as members of the set. Objects of a set can be the same or different. In some instances, objects of a set can share one or more common properties.

(21) As used herein, the term adjacent refers to being near or adjoining. Adjacent objects can be spaced apart from one another or can be in actual or direct contact with one another. In some instances, adjacent objects can be coupled to one another or can be formed integrally with one another.

(22) As used herein, the terms connect, connected, and connecting refer to a direct attachment or link. Connected objects have no or no substantial intermediary object or set of objects, as the context indicates.

(23) As used herein, the terms couple, coupled, and coupling refer to an operational connection or linking. Coupled objects can be directly connected to one another or can be indirectly connected to one another, such as via an intermediary set of objects.

(24) The use of the term about applies to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. This term generally refers to a range of numbers that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider as a reasonable amount of deviation to the recited numeric values (i.e., having the equivalent function or result). For example, this term can be construed as including a deviation of 10 percent of the given numeric value provided such a deviation does not alter the end function or result of the value. Therefore, a value of about 1% can be construed to be a range from 0.9% to 1.1%.

(25) As used herein, the terms substantially and substantial refer to a considerable degree or extent. When used in conjunction with an event or circumstance, the terms can refer to instances in which the event or circumstance occurs precisely as well as instances in which the event or circumstance occurs to a close approximation, such as accounting for typical tolerance levels or variability of the embodiments described herein.

(26) As used herein, the terms optional and optionally mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not.

(27) As used herein, the term oblong means a perimeter that is longer than it is wide. A preferred oblong perimeter is sometimes referred to as a racetrack defined by a pair of equal diameter semicircular discs joined to ends of a rectangle having a width equal to the diameter. Other oblong shapes may include a rectangle, oval, elliptical, or other perimeter shape. Preferably, but not required, is that the oblong have at least one axis of symmetry (e.g., a longitudinal axis extending along its length), and more preferred is to have two axes of symmetry (the longitudinal axis and a lateral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis extending across its width).

(28) FIG. 1 illustrates an oblong flexible panel 100 in an un-arched or flat mode, FIG. 2 illustrates components of an embodiment of a portable personal privacy screen system 200 with oblong flexible panel 100 in an intermediate mode, which may be transitioning to or from the un-arched mode, and FIG. 3 illustrates configuration of portable personal privacy screen system 200 into a freestanding portable personal privacy screen with oblong flexible panel 100 in an arched or folded (taco) mode and retained by a strap 205 coupled to opposing ends of arched panel 100.

(29) Panel 100 includes a frame 105 defining a hollow oblong perimeter. A covering 110 engages frame 105 and fills the hollow. The type of material used for frame 105 and covering 110 is variable but share the requirement that they be flexible and allow panel to be transitioned between the flat and arched modes. For example, frame 105 may include spring steel or fiberglass that will not experience plastic deformation when panel 100 is transitioned to the arched mode of FIG. 3. Additionally, frame 105 preferably is stiff enough to quickly transition back to the flat mode from the arched mode when the restraining system is released.

(30) Similarly, covering 110 may include a wide variety of material as long as it has minimal if any influence on panel 100 transitioning between modes. For example, in some implementations, covering 110 may include tear-resistant polyester or other material that may be made transparent, semi-transparent, translucent, and opaque. A film, fabric, netting, or other material may be used. Preferably the material resists tearing and puncture or is easily replaced or repaired.

(31) In some implementations, covering 110 may be capable of supporting one or more patterns one or more of its surfaces (e.g., an obverse and a reverse or a front side and a back side, or the like). In some implementations, that pattern may be visible on one or both sides. For example, covering 110 that is semi-transparent may support a pattern visible when viewing either surface of panel 100. Covering 110 that is opaque may support different patterns on its two surfaces.

(32) Panel 100, as illustrated, may be arched in either of two directions. As shown in FIG. 1, one direction includes moving ends of frame 105 down relative to moving a center portion upthis direction is further illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Panel 100 may in some cases also be arched in an opposite manner by transitioning the ends up relative to a motion of the center portion down. With covering 110 opaque, the user may determine which pattern is visible to which sets of viewers (e.g., a first set of viewers inside a privacy zone defined by the constructed portable personal privacy screen and another set of viewers outside this privacy zone).

(33) Strap 205 cooperates with an attachment system 210 disposed at opposite ends of panel 100. The attachment system may include a buckle, a quick-release buckle, a snap, a tie down, a pin, or the like. Strap 205 includes a complementary coupler at each end that cooperates with attachment system 210 to releasably secure and retain panel 100 in the arched mode. In some implementations, a distance between the complementary couplers may be varied, which influences a degree of arching. That is, the longer this distance, the shallower is the arch. A steepest arch may be obtained when the ends of panel 100 in the arched mode are approximately perpendicular to strap 205.

(34) Another factor influencing the degree of arching is a length of panel 100, which in turn is informed by a set of design goals which may include an age of a person intended for its use. An important dimension is a separation distance between ends of panel 100 in the arched mode. For many implementations, that distance should enable one or two intended users to comfortably lie side-by-side between the spaced-apart and retained ends of arched panel 100.

(35) FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment for a portable personal privacy screen system 400 cooperatively configured using a sleeping system 405. Sleeping system at a minimum includes a sleep support 410 (e.g., a mattress) supported by a foundation 415 (e.g., a box spring). System 400 includes panel 100 and a retention system 420. In this case, use of a strap for retention system 420, while possible, would be unwieldly, therefore retention system includes a pair of retainers disposed between sleep support 410 and foundation 415. Each retainer 420 includes an engagement structure to capture and secure an end of panel 100 in the arched mode. FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up 500 of retainer 420 engaging an end of flexible panel 100. FIG. 6 illustrates installation of a pair of retainers 420 between sleep support 410 and foundation 415.

(36) FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of retainer 420, FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of retainer 420, and FIG. 9 illustrates an end view of retainer 420. Retainer 420 may be configured as a U-shaped body 705 having a pair of free ends 710. At each end 710, a notch 715 and a hook 720 selectively and releasably engage ends of panel 100.

(37) FIG. 10 illustrates an enhanced portable personal privacy screen system 1000 using system 400 as a base and further including one or more optional environment-influencing devices 1005 for use with an arched and retained panel 100. As illustrated, devices 1005 may include one or more curtains at a central lateral edge of arched panel 100 and/or a portable adjustable light that may clip on the central lateral edge. FIG. 11 illustrates a portable lighting system 1105 as an example of a type of environment-influencing devices. Other implementations may include additional or alternative devices, such as a sound or ambient noise device, a charging station for personal portable electronic devices, graphic display space, glow in the dark graphics (e.g., ultraviolet-responsive ink(s) or material(s)), a storage pouch such as for books, and the like. The glow in the dark may be implemented using luminescence, preferably fluorescence, and more preferably phosphorescence, examples of selectively-visible cold body radiation (e.g., provision of visible light without heating). In this context, the structure is selectively visible in that the illumination provided is not visible when a room or environment of the screen is illuminated (naturally or artificially). As the illumination dims, the glow in the dark structure becomes more visible but is not typically visible in fully illuminated environments. Some implementations may include structures having chemiluminescence in addition to or in lieu of the fluorescence or phosphorescence.

(38) The system and methods above has been described in general terms as an aid to understanding details of preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. Some features and benefits of the present invention are realized in such modes and are not required in every case. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention.

(39) Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment, an embodiment, or a specific embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus, respective appearances of the phrases in one embodiment, in an embodiment, or in a specific embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the present invention.

(40) It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application.

(41) Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear.

(42) The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

(43) Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the scope of the invention is to be determined solely by the appended claims.