Modular bi-fold door

[0002] This invention relates to modular work spaces and, in particular, to devices for providing privacy to single work spaces, in a modular work space environment.

[0003] Modular work spaces, or “cubicles,” are well known in the art. In general the modular work space allows the transformation of a wide open area into an office area having multiple work spaces for multiple workers. In general, a modular work area consists of wall panels which can be connected together in various ways to form individual work spaces. Generally, the modular work space includes modules which provide typical office accessories, such as desks and cabinets and typically also includes conduits for the routing of electrical and communication wiring. Entry to and egress from individual modular work spaces generally is provided by means of a gap in the modular work space, wherein the series of modular walls does not comprise a completely enclosed space. Generally the modular work spaces do not have doors, although it is possible to utilize a traditional door in the open entry and egress area of the modular work space.

[0004] While the modular work space provides an open working atmosphere, it is often desirable to have privacy in individual areas during certain activities, such as when conducting meetings in the work spaces or while communicating on the phone, to avoid disturbing others and to provide a certain amount of privacy for the person in the work place. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a door that provides temporary privacy within the modular work space while not destroying the open atmosphere of the overall work plan area.

[0005] The present invention provides a door for a modular work space unit and, in particular, a bi-fold door that can be shared between two adjacent modular work spaces. The door comprises a main panel having casters on the bottom thereof to facilitate its movement across a hard or carpeted floor, and a second panel hingedly attached to the main panel that provides an attachment to the existing modular work space area. The door of the present invention is designed to be adaptable to existing modular work areas that have a wall having a flat end section adjacent to the entry and egress area of the individual work space, or between two adjacent work space areas. Alternatively, the door of the present invention could also be used on any flat surface, such as a wall. The door has an attachment point which can be attached to any flat surface via any number of ordinary connection means, such as with screws.

[0006] The door, when attached to the flat end of a modular wall separating two adjacent work areas, is designed to swing either to the left or to the right to enclose the entry and egress area of either of the two adjacent work areas. When not in use, the door is designed to fold up somewhat perpendicular to the wall between the two adjacent work stations.

[0007] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the door showing the component parts thereof.

[0008] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the door of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3ashows a view of the door attached to the modular wall portion of the modular work space.

[0010] FIG. 3bis a reverse angle view of the door attached to the modular wall of FIG. 3a.

[0011] FIG. 4ais a view of the door in the folded up position against the modular wall.

[0012] FIG. 4bis a reverse angle view of the door in the folded up position of FIG. 4a.

[0013] FIGS. 5aand 5bshow the side frame members of the main door member.

[0014] FIGS. 6aand 6bshow the top and bottom frame members of the main door member.

[0015] FIGS. 7aand 7bshow a top view of the right-hand and left-hand versions of the door.

[0016] FIG. 8 shows the finishing member for a modular wall on which the door could be mounted.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a view of two adjacent modular work spaces showing the door closing the entry and egress area of one of the spaces.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a second view of the two adjacent modular work spaces of FIG. 9 showing the door closing the entry and egress area of the other of the spaces.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a third view of the two adjacent modular work spaces of FIG. 9 showing the door in an open, stowed position, allowing an open entry and egress area for both spaces.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows the entire door of the present invention, which includes the following component parts. Main door portion 10 is composed of upper and lower frame members 22 and left and right side members 24. The framing members 22 and 24 frame insert 20. Casters 18 are attached to the bottom of lower framing members 22. Attached to one side member 24 is continuous hinge 14. Continuous hinge 14 is also attached to secondary panel 12 such that main panel 10 and secondary panel 12 may rotate with respect to each other about hinge 14. Attached to the other side of secondary panel 12 is a second continuous hinge 15 which provides the attachment point for attachment to an existing wall or modular office panel A, as shown in

[0021] FIGS. 3aand 3b. Flat attachment panel 16, shown in FIG. 8, may be used to finish the end of wall A of the modular work space area to allow attachment of the door thereto.

[0022] Main door portion 10 may be of any general shape, such as flat or arcuate, as desired for manufacturing considerations or for cosmetic reasons. The figures used herein show exemplars of a door having arcuately-shaped main panel 10 and arcuately-shaped secondary panel 12, however, the invention is not meant to be limited thereby. To provide main panel 10 with an arcuate shape, upper and lower framing members 22 are arcuately shaped.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows the door in exploded view. Upper frame member 22 is attached to side frame members 24 with attachment members 23. Lower frame member 22 is attached to side frame members 24 using attachment members 25 which also serve to receive caster inserts 18ainto which casters 18 are mounted.

[0024] FIGS. 3aand 3bshow the door as attached to wall A of a modular office space. Main door portion 10, in this example, is arcuate in shape, as is secondary panel 12. In this embodiment, the degree of curvature of secondary panel 12 is less than that of main door portion 10. The arcuate shape of frame member 22 can be seen in FIG. 6a, and is shown in cross-section in FIG. 6b.

[0025] As can be seen in FIG. 6b, frame members 22 include slot 27 for receiving main door panel insert 20 which is held in place by protrusions 28 on the inner surface of slot 27. Likewise, as shown in FIGS. 5aand 5b, side frame members 24 have a similar slot 25 having protrusions 26 for receiving the edge of insert 20. Preferably, frame members 22 and 24 are composed of an extruded aluminum tubing, however, any other rigid material, such as fabricated metal, molded plastic or wood could be used. Frame members 22 and 24 may be of any general shape and are not meant to be limited to the shape shown in the figures.

[0026] Panel insert 20 is held in place by the frame formed by framing members 22 and 24 and is held in slots 25 and 27 respectively. Preferably, panel insert 20 is flexible and may be composed of any one of polycarbonate, perforated steel, wood or rigid or semi-rigid plastic, although any rigid or semi-rigid material which provides a visual and/or acoustic barrier, may be used, depending upon the amount of privacy desired for the interior of the modular office space.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 7aand 7b, the door can be made in both left and right hand versions, for use depending upon the configuration of the work space area, and both configurations are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 8 shows the flat finishing panel 16 which may be used to attach the door to the end portion of an existing modular work space wall A. Finishing panel 16 is preferably substantially U-shaped in cross section, but any material capable of supporting the door may be used. Spacing insert 17 can be used to assist in the fitting of flat finishing panel 16 to the end of modular work space wall A. Both finishing panel 16 and spacing insert 17 are preferably comprised of heavy-gauge steel, but any rigid material capable of supporting the door may be used. In particular, spacing insert 17 may be, for example, composed of plastic. Finishing panel 16 serves to provide a flat area at the end of modular wall A onto which the door can be mounted. To mount the door to finishing panel 16, or any other flat surface, continuous hinge 15 is attached via any commonly known means, such as with screws or by welding, to the flat surface.

[0029] Main door panel 10 is attached to secondary panel 12 via a continuous hinge 14 which is attached, preferably by welding, to one of frame members 24 and panel 12. Preferably, panel 12 is composed of heavy-gauge steel to provide structural integrity to the overall door, however, stainless steel, aluminum, plastic or any other rigid material could also be used. As previously stated, panel 12 is attached to modular work space wall A via a second continuous hinge 15 that is attached to both panel 12 and modular wall A via screws or any other well known attachment means, using finishing panel 16 and spacing insert 17, if necessary.

[0030] FIGS. 9 and 10 show the door in place between two modular work space areas. In FIG. 9, work space area 1 is enclosed, while in FIG. 10, work space area 2 is enclosed. In operation, the door can swing between modular work space areas 1 or 2, or can be folded back as shown in FIGS. 4a, 4band 11 into a position wherein entry and egress is enabled into both adjacent modular work space areas 1 and 2.