Table with privacy screen

Abstract

A table has a support structure and a work surface that may pivot between a substantially horizontal use position and a substantially vertical storage position. A privacy screen is pivotally attached to the work surface such that the privacy screen is pivotally movable relative to the work surface between a first, storage position in which the screen is substantially parallel to the work surface and a second, deployed or use position in which the screen is substantially perpendicular to the work surface. The screen may be pivotally attached to the work surface via a resistance hinge such that movement of the screen between the first and second positions requires overcoming a resistance force. A stop element may be attached to either the work surface or the screen to prevent movement of the screen beyond the second, deployed position.

1 . A table, comprising:
 a support structure;   a work surface pivotally mounted to said support structure, said work surface pivotable between a first, use position and a second, storage position;   a screen pivotally connected to said work surface, said screen pivotable between a first position in which said screen is disposed substantially parallel to, and is spaced from, said work surface and a second position in which said screen is disposed substantially perpendicular to said work surface; and   at least one stop element affixed to at least one of said work surface and said screen, said at least one stop element operable to prevent pivotal movement of said screen beyond said second position from said first position.   
     
     
         2 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one stop element is affixed to said screen. 
     
     
         3 . The table of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one stop element abuts an edge of said work surface when said screen is in said second position. 
     
     
         4 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one stop element is affixed to said work surface. 
     
     
         5 . The table of  claim 4 , wherein said at least one stop element abuts said screen when said screen is in said second position. 
     
     
         6 . The table of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge which provides a resistance to movement of said screen between said first and second positions. 
     
     
         7 . The table of  claim 1 , wherein said work surface comprises a rear edge and a front edge, said rear edge disposed below said front edge when said work surface is in said storage position, said screen attached to said work surface along said rear edge. 
     
     
         8 . The table of  claim 1 , further comprising a freely pivotable modesty panel pivotally connected to said work surface. 
     
     
         9 . A table, comprising:
 a support structure;   a work surface pivotally connected to said support structure, said work surface pivotable between a first, use position and a second, storage position;   a screen pivotally connected to said work surface via at least one resistance hinge, said screen pivotable between a first position in which said screen is disposed substantially parallel to said work surface and a second position in which said screen is disposed substantially perpendicular to said work surface, said resistance hinge providing a resistance to movement of said screen between said first and second positions; and   wherein said work surface comprises a rear edge and a front edge, said rear edge disposed below said front edge when said work surface is in a storage position, said screen attached to said work surface along said rear edge.   
     
     
         10 . The table of  claim 9 , wherein said resistance hinge includes at least a pair of components in frictional engagement with one another. 
     
     
         11 . The table of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one stop element affixed to at least one of said work surface and said screen, said at least one stop element operable to prevent pivotal movement of said screen beyond said second position from said first position. 
     
     
         12 . The table of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one stop element is affixed to said work surface. 
     
     
         13 . The table of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one stop element is affixed to said screen. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The table of  claim 9 , wherein said screen in said first position forms substantially a right angle with said work surface and said screen in said second position is disposed substantially parallel to said work surface. 
     
     
         16 . The table of  claim 9 , further comprising a freely pivotable modesty panel pivotally connected to said work surface. 
     
     
         17 . A table, comprising
 a support structure;   a work surface pivotally connected to said support structure, said work surface pivotable between a first, use position and a second, storage position;   a screen pivotally connected to said work surface via at least one resistance hinge including at least a pair of components in frictional engagement with one another, said screen pivotable between a first position in which said screen is disposed substantially parallel to said work surface and a second position in which said screen is disposed substantially perpendicular to said work surface, said resistance hinge providing a resistance to movement of said screen between said first and second positions; and   at least one stop element affixed to at least one of said work surface and said screen, said at least one stop element operable to prevent pivotal movement of said screen beyond said second position from said first position.   
     
     
         18 . The table of  claim 9 , wherein in said first position, said screen is spaced from said work surface. 
     
     
         19 . The table of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one stop element is affixed to said work surface. 
     
     
         20 . The table of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one stop element is affixed to said screen. 
     
     
         21 . The table of  claim 17 , wherein said work surface comprises a rear edge and a front edge, said rear edge disposed below said front edge when said work surface is in said storage position, said screen attached to said work surface along said rear edge. 
     
     
         22 . The table of  claim 17 , wherein in said first position, said screen is spaced from said work surface.