초록 ▼

Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of visual and/or acoustic privacy features. For example, exemplary embodiments are disclosed that include visual and/or acoustic privacy features for furniture (e.g., office chair, desk, table, cubicle, etc.). The visual and/or acoustic privacy features are movabl

Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of visual and/or acoustic privacy features. For example, exemplary embodiments are disclosed that include visual and/or acoustic privacy features for furniture (e.g., office chair, desk, table, cubicle, etc.). The visual and/or acoustic privacy features are movable relative to the user and/or furniture between at least a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the visual and/or acoustic privacy features may be configured such that they do not inhibit the user from interacting with others. In the second configuration, the visual and/or acoustic privacy features may be configured to provide the user with at least some visual and/or acoustic privacy and isolation from others.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus retrofittably attachable to furniture for limiting visual and audible distractions to a user of the furniture within an open indoor environment, the apparatus comprising first and second visual and acoustic privacy features each including: a base;a support arm coupled to the base;a f

1. An apparatus retrofittably attachable to furniture for limiting visual and audible distractions to a user of the furniture within an open indoor environment, the apparatus comprising first and second visual and acoustic privacy features each including: a base;a support arm coupled to the base;a frame coupled to the support arm;an element supported by the frame;one or more speakers coupled to and/or supported by the element of the first and/or second visual and acoustic privacy features;whereby the first and second visual and acoustic privacy features are reconfigurable into a plurality of different configurations, including at least: a first configuration in which the element is spaced apart from a user's head; anda second configuration in which the element is adjacent and alongside the user's head whereby the element may provide at least some visual and acoustic privacy with the element positioned to block the user's peripheral sight and reduce peripheral visual distractions, and with the one or more speakers positioned to provide sound at ear level of the user;whereby the apparatus is controllable by the user to provide sound masking and/or music at ear level of the user or to transmit sound from the user's space to produce white noise; andwhereby the apparatus is controllable by the user for limiting visual and audible distractions to the user from others within the open indoor environment, without completely walling off the user from surroundings;wherein: the element comprises fabric or mesh; and/orthe element is clear, transparent, translucent, and/or configured to allow the user to be at least partially visible through the element. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the first and second visual and acoustic privacy features are mounted to a support surface within an open office environment, the first and second visual and acoustic privacy features are reconfigurable into a third configuration in which the elements are positioned generally upright and above the support surface whereby the elements may be operable for blocking and/or shielding incoming light relative to a computer monitor on the support surface and for providing a visual cue to co-workers within the open office environment. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more speakers are at least partially within the first and/or second visual and acoustic privacy features, the apparatus further comprising one or more wires passing through one or more openings in the base and passing through the support arm and frame of the first and/or second visual and acoustic privacy features, for connecting the one or more speakers to an external device. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the frame is disposed around the perimeter of the element. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the frame is rotatably coupled to the support arm via a first rotatable joint that allows the frame to be rotated 360 degrees relative to the support arm; andthe support arm is rotatably coupled to the base by a second rotatable joint that allows the support arm to be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise 180 degrees relative to the base. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first rotatably joint comprises a 360 degree ball joint. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: each said first and second visual and acoustic privacy features includes a bracket and a clamping mechanism for mounting the base to a support surface;the clamping mechanism configured to be mechanically fastened to the bracket; andthe clamping mechanism comprises a thumb screw portion that is rotatable to create a clamping force between the clamping mechanism and bracket for mounting to the support surface. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the element comprises a winged visual blinder made of one or more of a mesh fabric, metal, plastic, wood, frosted acrylic, marker board, or sound soaking material; andin the second configuration, the winged visual blinder is operable for blocking the user's peripheral sight whereby peripheral visual distractions may be reduced and the one or more speakers are operable for transmitting sound from the user's space to scramble the user's voice and produce white noise, whereby the user and the user's actions are isolated from others within the open indoor environment. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a charging device on either or both of the first and second visual and acoustic privacy features for charging an electronic device. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein either or both the first and second visual and acoustic privacy features are configured to be operable as a docking station for computer equipment. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the apparatus is mounted to or supported by a furniture piece having a front surface: the elements are parallel to the front surface when the elements are in their first configuration;the elements are perpendicular to the front surface when the elements are in their second configuration; andthe elements are reconfigurable into a third configuration in which the elements are generally upright above the furniture piece whereby the elements may be operable for blocking and/or shielding incoming light relative to a computer monitor on the support surface and for providing a visual cue to others in the open indoor environment. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the element comprises a panel or mesh having a perimeter and that is configured to acoustically dampen, absorb, or soak up sound, whereby the element is clear, transparent, translucent, and/or configured to allow the user to be at least partially visible through the element when the visual and acoustic privacy features are closed and in the second configuration;the frame is disposed around the perimeter of the panel or mesh;the frame is rotatably coupled to the support arm via a 360 degree ball joint that allows the frame to be rotated 360 degrees relative to the support arm;the support arm is rotatably coupled to the base by a rotatable joint that allows the support arm to be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise 180 degrees relative to the base;each said first and second visual and acoustic privacy features includes a bracket and a clamping mechanism for mounting the base to a support surface;the clamping mechanism configured to be mechanically fastened to the bracket; andthe clamping mechanism comprises a thumb screw portion that is rotatable to create a clamping force between the clamping mechanism and bracket for mounting to the support surface. 13. An apparatus for providing visual and acoustic privacy in an open indoor environment, the apparatus comprising: first and second screens;one or more speakers coupled to and/or supported by at least one of the first and second screens; andfirst and second devices for movably mounting the first and second screens to a support surface within the open indoor environment, such that the first and second screens are movable relative to the support surface into a plurality of different configurations, including at least: a first configuration in which the first and second screens are spaced apart from a user's head; anda second configuration in which the first and second screens and one or more speakers are adjacent and alongside the user's head whereby the first and second screens may provide at least some visual and acoustic privacy with the first and second screens positioned to block the user's peripheral sight and reduce peripheral visual distractions and with the one or more speakers positioned adjacent the user's ears to provide sound at ear level of the user;whereby the apparatus is controllable by the user to provide sound masking and/or music at ear level of the user or to transmit sound from the user's space to produce white noise;whereby the apparatus is controllable by the user for limiting visual and audible distractions to the user from others within the open indoor environment, without completely walling off the user from surroundings and without the one or more speakers being placed directly on the user's head thereby allowing the user to be aware of the surroundings;wherein: the first and second screens comprise fabric or mesh; and/orthe first and second screens are clear, transparent, translucent, and/or configured to allow the user to be at least partially visible through the first and second screens. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: the first and second screens comprise wings made of one or more of a mesh fabric, metal, plastic, wood, frosted acrylic, or marker board; andin the second configuration, the apparatus is operable for providing sound masking and music at ear level of the user or for transmitting sound from the user's space to produce white noise and the wings are operable for blocking the user's peripheral sight whereby peripheral visual distractions may be reduced and the user and the user's actions are isolated from others within the open indoor environment. 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first and second screens are movable relative to the support surface into a third configuration in which the first and second screens are positioned generally upright and above the support surface whereby the first and second screens may be operable for blocking and/or shielding incoming light relative to a computer monitor on the support surface. 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first and second screens are clear, transparent, translucent, or configured to allow the user to be at least partially visible through the first and second screens when the first and second screens are in the second configuration. 17. An apparatus for providing visual and acoustic privacy in an open indoor environment, the apparatus comprising: first and second privacy means for providing visual and acoustic privacy;first and second sound producing means coupled to and/or supported by the first and second privacy means;first and second mounting means for mounting the first and second privacy means to a support surface such that the first and second privacy means are movable relative to the support surface into a plurality of different configurations by a user while still having freedom of motion, the plurality of configurations including at least: a first configuration in which the first and second privacy means are spaced apart from a user's head; anda second configuration in which the first and second privacy means are adjacent and alongside the user's head whereby the first and second privacy means may provide the user with at least some visual and acoustic privacy with the first and second privacy means positioned to block the user's peripheral sight and reduce peripheral visual distractions, and with the first and second sound producing means positioned generally over and alongside the user's ears to provide sound at ear level of the user;whereby the apparatus is controllable by the user to provide sound masking and/or music at ear level of the user or to transmit sound from the user's space to produce white noise; andwhereby the apparatus is controllable by the user for limiting visual and audible distractions to the user from others within the open indoor environment, without completely walling off the user from surroundings and without the first and second sound producing means being placed directly on the user's head thereby allowing the user to be aware of the surroundings;wherein: the first and second privacy means comprise fabric or mesh; and/orthe first and second privacy means are clear, transparent, translucent, and/or configured to allow the user to be at least partially visible through the first and second privacy means. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein: each said first and second mounting means comprises: a base;a support arm rotatably coupled to the base such that support arm is rotatable relative to the base; anda frame rotatably coupled to the support arm such that the frame is rotatable relative to the support arm;the first and second privacy means comprise first and second wings configured to acoustically dampen, absorb, or soak up sound; andthe first and second wings are each supported by the frame of the respective first and second mounting means. 19. A method of using the apparatus of claim 17 to provide visual and acoustic privacy and isolation from others in an open office environment, the method comprising moving the first and second privacy means from the first configuration to the second configuration to thereby position the first and second privacy means generally over and alongside the user's ears, whereat the first and second privacy means acoustically dampen incoming and/or outgoing sound and the first and second sound producing means provide sound at the ears of the user or transmit sound from the user's space to produce white noise, whereby the user and the user's actions are isolated from others within the open indoor environment. 20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first and second privacy means are movable relative to the support surface into a third configuration in which the first and second privacy means are positioned generally upright and above the mounting surface whereby the first and second privacy means may be operable for blocking and/or shielding incoming light relative to a computer monitor on the support surface. 21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first and second privacy means are clear, transparent, translucent, or configured to allow the user to be at least partially visible through the first and second privacy means when the first and second privacy means are in the second configuration.