Apparatus and methods for providing workspace privacy

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are delineated for providing privacy for an individual at a workspace. The apparatus may include a front panel, a first side panel coupled to a first portion of the front panel and a second side panel coupled to a second portion of the front panel. The panels may have a first configuration wherein the panels may stand on a surface of the workspace to provide the privacy and a second configuration wherein the panels may be folded along the first portion of the front panel and the second portion of the front panel. The panels may be folded into a stack for convenient storage. Also, the apparatus may not require attachment to any other structure to stand on the surface of the workspace.

1 . An apparatus for providing privacy for an individual at a workspace, comprising: 
 a front panel;    a first side panel coupled to a first portion of the front panel; and    a second side panel coupled to a second portion of the front panel, the panels having a first configuration wherein the panels may stand on a surface of the workspace to provide the privacy and a second configuration wherein the panels may be folded along the first portion of the front panel and the second portion of the front panel.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first configuration comprises a concave arrangement of the panels wherein each panel has a bottom portion resting on the surface of the workspace.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second configuration comprises a stack of the panels.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including one or more laminas over one or more of the panels.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the panels do not require attachment to any other structure to stand on the surface of the workspace.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including an indicator coupled to one or more of the panels, the indicator having a plurality of configurations.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein one configuration of the indicator indicates that the individual is working on an assignment and another configuration of the indicator indicates that the individual has completed the assignment.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the indicator comprises a rotatable member.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including means for retaining a writing instrument, the retaining means being coupled to one or more of the panels.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including means for displaying marking, the displaying means being coupled to one or more of the panels.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the marking comprises one or more of a name and goals for the individual.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the panels have a thematic silhouette in at least the first configuration.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the thematic silhouette comprises a castle-like silhouette.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including means for retaining an award earned by the individual, the retaining means being coupled to one or more of the panels.  
   
   
       15 . A method for providing privacy for an individual at a workspace, comprising: 
 providing a front panel;    providing a first side panel coupled to a first portion of the front panel; and    providing a second side panel coupled to a second portion of the front panel, the panels having a first configuration wherein the panels may stand on a surface of the workspace to provide the privacy and a second configuration wherein the panels may be folded along the first portion of the front panel and the second portion of the front panel.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the first configuration comprises a concave arrangement of the panels wherein each panel has a bottom portion resting on the surface of the workspace.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the second configuration comprises a stack of the panels.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  further including providing one or more laminas over one or more of the panels.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the panels do not require attachment to any other structure to stand on the surface of the workspace.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15  further including providing an indicator coupled to one or more of the panels, the indicator having a plurality of configurations.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein one configuration of the indicator indicates that the individual is working on an assignment and another configuration of the indicator indicates that the individual has completed the assignment.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the indicator comprises a rotatable member.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 15  further including proving means for retaining a writing instrument, the retaining means being coupled to one or more of the panels.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 15  further including providing means for displaying marking, the displaying means being coupled to one or more of the panels.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the marking comprises one or more of a name and goals for the individual.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the panels have a thematic silhouette in at least the first configuration.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the thematic silhouette comprises a castle-like silhouette.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 15  further including providing means for retaining an award earned by the individual, the retaining means being coupled to one or more of the panels.  
   
   
       29 . A method for providing privacy for an individual at a workspace, comprising: 
 providing a member having a plurality of configurations, including a first configuration wherein the member may stand on a surface of the workspace to provide the privacy and a second configuration wherein the member may be folded.