Field of the Invention
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a booth for personal use, such as for reading,
telephoning etc., and/or as a group meeting booth that is acoustically quiet and private
from its surrounding. More specifically, it relates to a quiet booth comprising a
slatted structure.
Background to the invention
[0002] A vast majority of office based work environments employ an open-plan office layout
or a cubical partitioned work desk layout. These work environments have high levels
of background noise, which in many cases may still permit a person to perform their
duties. However, these high noise levels may be distracting or in some cases even
prohibit people to perform a required task, for example when concentration is required.
[0003] High noise levels in the background may also affect a telephone conversation in two
ways; one, the other party may not be heard properly; and two, the microphone of the
telephone handset may transmit the background noise to the other party and make the
conversing unpleasant and undistinguishable.
[0004] Another important issue arising from open office environments is that there is no
conversation privacy. This may be a problem for personal one to one or over the telephone
conversations, as well as when for example dealing with privacy issues concerning
a client.
[0005] Similar acoustic pollution and privacy related deficiency may be identified in factories,
industrial plants, construction sites, and work sites with heavy machinery.
[0006] Evasion from acoustic pollution and need for private conversation has also been identified
e.g. in expos, trade shows, job fairs, conferences, etc.
[0007] Public places, coffee houses, etc. may be great places to meet and convers. However,
noise levels and privacy issues may prohibit a full meaningful discussion or e.g.
a business meeting or an interview to take part.
[0008] The inventors have identified as a solution a booth for personal use, such as for
reading, telephoning and, depending on its size, also for use as a group meeting booth
that is acoustically quiet and private from its location's surrounding. The booth
comprises a slatted structure. In some of its embodiments the booth may be a temporary
structure, which is assembled on site and then disassembled and taken away.
Statement of the Invention
[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a booth structure
comprising:
a roof;
a floor; and
a plurality of slat elements that when stacked together form at least one wall of
an enclosure;
wherein the slat elements are pre-shaped and stackable in a predefined order to form
a door frame for the enclosure;
wherein each slat element comprises at least one aperture which when aligned with
an aperture of a slat above and/or below form a duct within the wall or walls of the
structure.
[0010] Preferably the slat elements may comprise widened corner sections forming stackable
surfaces.
[0011] Preferably the corner sections of each slat provide structural columns for the enclosure.
[0012] Preferably the apertures are provided in the corner sections to provide a duct within
at least one of the columns.
[0013] Preferably the booth has an air inlet aperture which provides a passage of outside
air into the duct.
[0014] Preferably the booth has an air outlet aperture inside the enclosure which provides
a passage of air from the duct into the enclosure.
[0015] Preferably the booth further comprises pre-shaped slat elements that when stacked
form a table with the enclosure.
[0016] 8 Preferably the booth further comprises pre-shaped slat elements that when stacked
form a seat with the enclosure.
[0017] Preferably the booth further comprises pre-shaped slat elements that when stacked
form a window frame for the enclosure.
[0018] Preferably the booth may be disassembleable into at least two parts.
[0019] In a further embodiment there is provided a kit of parts comprising a plurality of
pre-shaped slat elements which when assembled form the said booth.
[0020] Preferably the booth is disassembleable into the kit of parts.
[0021] Preferably the enclosure once assembled is generally rectangular, oval, pentagonal,
triangular, hexagonal, or clover shaped.
[0022] Preferably the enclosure may have staged seating arrangements.
[0023] In a further embodiment there is provided a plurality of booths which are arrangeable
to attach to adjacently attach to each other to form multiple booth formations.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0024] The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the
accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of a booth in accordance
with the invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the booth, showing a door and entrance into the
booth;
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the booth;
Figure 4 illustrates various construction slat elements of the booth, specifically
(a) a general wall slat, (b) a combined table and wall slat, and (c) a combined seat
and wall slat.
Figure 5 illustrates (a) a partially disassembled booth, showing (b) the top cover
elements and the top ventilation system, and (c)side column extract showing a ventilation
channel and air outlet holes.
Figure 6a illustrates a top view of the booth; and Figure 6b illustrates a bottom
view of the booth;
Figure 7 illustrates alternative top view design embodiments of the booth, specifically:
a)rectangular, b)oval, c)pentagonal, d)triangular, e)hexagonal, and f)clover shaped;
Figure 8 illustrates a top view of the triangular embodiment of the booth, showing
an enhanced top ventilation system;
Figure 9 illustrates a perspective front view of the triangular booth, showing a door,
a window, and the interior of the booth, wherein table and seating areas are visible;
Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of the back of the triangular booth;
Figure 11 illustrates a bird's-eye view of the triangular embodiment of the booth,
wherein for illustration purposes, the roof has been removed and four people can be
seen having a meeting in the booth;
Figure 12a and Figure 12b illustrate sketches of two of the various possible cluster
arrangements of triangular booths, wherein doors and tables of the booths are also
depicted.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0025] A booth 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure
1. The booth 1 comprises an enclosure 2. The enclosure 2 has an opening 3 formed as
a door frame in at least one side of the enclosure 2, leading to the inside of the
enclosure 2.
[0026] As can be also seen in Figure 2, a door 4 is arranged to be in an opened position
allowing access to the enclosure 2 through the opening 3, and in a closed position,
which fully closes the opening and acoustically separates the enclosure from the surrounding
environment. The door 4 has a door handle 5, or may have any other grab and/or access
locking means. In some embodiments the access means may be mechanical, such as keys,
locks etc.
[0027] Alternatively or additionally the access means may be electronic based, such as magnetic
cards, locks with alpha numerical keys and pins, radio frequency activated, fingerprint,
smartphone, or connected to and controlled by software installed in a controller of
the booth and/or connected and controlled via wireless protocols, and/or connected
and controlled via the internet.
[0028] The door 4 has a peripheral frame made 6 of rigid material. The peripheral frame
6 may be made of real wood or reconstructed wood-based material, such as plywood,
compressed cardboard etc.; it may be plastic, or polymer based; or metal based, e.g.
aluminium or light weight alloy. The peripheral frame may be acoustically insulated,
with further side panelling to it or with internal insulating methods, such as foam
etc.
[0029] The peripheral frame 6 supports a door panel 7. The door panel may be transparent
or translucent to allow natural light into the booth's enclosure. In other embodiments
the door may be a combination of both, e.g. in sections and/or in patterns. A transparent
door panel allows more light in, and allows people inside and outside to see each
other. A translucent door panel would provide more visual privacy.
[0030] In this embodiment, the door panel 7 is transparent and in Figures 1 and 2 the interior
of the booth 1 can be seen. Also, in this embodiment a first side of the booth opposite
the door has an incorporated window 8 with a transparent window panel. The window
8 has similar dimensions and design as the door. This allows for more natural light
to enter the interior of the booth.
[0031] Both the door 4 and window 8 may have high acoustic insulating properties.
[0032] In this embodiment, the door is made of a single peripheral frame and panel. In other
embodiments, the door may comprise two or more frame sections supporting two or more
window panel sections respectively. As such the door may come e.g. in two parts for
ease of transportations, and the two parts may be assembled together on site. The
window 8 may have similar assembly features and parts as the door 4.
[0033] Figure 3 shows a side view of the booth showing a second side of the booth 1. As
can be seen in Figure 3, the booth is a structure comprising a number of slat elements
10 or referred to as horizontal slats stacked vertically on top of each other. In
this embodiment a decorative panel 13 is attached to the second side of the booth.
[0034] The slats 10 may be made of real wood or reconstructed wood-based material, such
as plywood, compressed cardboard etc.; they may be plastic, or polymer based; or metal
based, e.g. aluminium or light weight alloy.
[0035] Additional acoustic insulation panelling may be attached the slats 10. However, slats
with integrated acoustic insulation properties in their structure may also be used
and may create a better acoustically insulated booth. The insulation of each slat
element may be internal, such as injected with acoustic foam, or encompassing acoustic
foam; may be structural, e.g. compressed paper or wood-based composite with high acoustic
dampening properties; or may be a slat that comprises a layered sandwich of materials
with acoustics dampening properties.
[0036] Referring to Figure 4, three types of slats can be seen. The top one is a general
wall slat 10,15, the middle one is a combined wall-table forming slat 16 and the bottom
one is a combined seat-wall forming slat 17.
[0037] Referring now to Figure 5, it can be seen that the booth may be constructed entirely
by stacking the slats 10 on top of each other. This method may be used to create a
booth with a uniformly empty enclosure.
[0038] Inserting one or more seat-wall slats 16 on one side of the booth at approximately
seating height, creates a seat 21 , which is structurally integrated to the booth.
[0039] Similarly, inserting one or more table-wall slats 17 on the side of the booth other
than the seat side, at a height higher that the seating height, creates a table 22,
which is structurally integrated to the booth. As the slats are modular, the height
of the table may be at a table height suitable when sat down in a chair stool or the
booth integrated seat, or the table height may be suitable for a standing up table.
[0040] Referring to Figure 6a, the booth has a roof 25, which may be a singular unit or
composite top panelling.
[0041] Referring to Figure 7b the booth has a base or floor 26, which may be a singular
unit or composite top panelling.
[0042] In this embodiment the shape of the roof 25 and the floor 26, which also define the
overall shape of the booth, are square shaped with rounded corners.
[0043] In other embodiments, the roof and the floor of the booth may be other shapes, e.g.
rectangular, pentagonal, triangular, hexagonal, oval, clover shaped, etc. as illustrated
in Figure 7.
[0044] The roof 25 and the floor 26 may also be different shapes to each other, as long
as the enclosure has suitable internal space and the door is arranged to be functional.
[0045] The size of the interior of the booth may be suitable to accommodate one person or
alternatively bigger booths may be suitable for accommodating two or more people.
[0046] Referring back to Figures 1, 2 and 4, in this embodiment can be seen that the seat
and the table are integrated on two opposite side panels of the booth. In an embodiment
wherein the roof and the floor are rectangular as seen in Figure 7a, two seats may
be integrated on two opposite sides of the booth and the table may be integrated on
the back side of the booth, i.e. opposite the booth side comprising the door.
[0047] Alternative combinations and arrangements of seats and table may be made depending
on the shape of the booth.
[0048] In further embodiments, the table may be integrated to the floor, and all side walls,
apart from door sides, may incorporate seats.
[0049] Referring now to Figures 6a and 6b, which show the roof panelling and the underside
of the floor panel, respectively, and to Figure 6, which shows the wall slats in the
assembly of the booth, the invention will be described in more detail.
[0050] In this embodiment, the floor panel has one or more air and/or cable holes at the
corners, one or more dowel holes close to the corner limits and one or more rod holes
along the middle of the floor frame. One of the air-cable holes is opened through
the floor to allow external cabling such as power and internet to be wired through
the booth, or allow a socket for a socket connection.
[0051] The air-cable holes, the dowel holes and the rod holes correspond to similar holes
of the wall slats, seat-wall slats and the table-wall slats.
[0052] In this embodiment in the slats, the rod holes may be used only in a limited number
of slats. As such rods, e.g. the length of four slat height may be used to bolt together
to halves of a booth. Reverting back to the floor panel, dowels are used to join the
floor panel to the first wall slats. A second wall slat is positioned on top of the
first walls slat. The two wall slats attach to each other via dowels inserted into
respective and corresponding dowel holes of the two slat panels. A third wall slat
is positioned and attached on top of the second slat with dowels in a similar manner.
The rest of the wall slats are also attached in a similar manner on top of each other.
[0053] Referring to Figure 8, can be seen that the first two wall slats have rod holes,
whereas the wall slats attached further up have channel grooves at the location of
the rod holes.
[0054] In this embodiment the rod is threaded, and nuts with corresponding mating thread
are used to fasten the two wall slats to the floor panels.
[0055] Similarly, the roof panel is fastened with rods and nuts to the top two wall slats.
[0056] Referring to Figure 4, grooved wall slats continue to be stacked up to approximately
the middle of the booth. In this embodiment, the four wall slats corresponding approximately
to the middle of the booth have again holes and not grooves. These four wall slats
are fastened together with rods and nuts, and thus increasing the structural integrity
of the booth.
[0057] In other embodiments, alternative combinations and locations of rod and nut fastening
may be used.
[0058] Furthermore, the booth may be assembled in e.g. in two parts at the manufacturer's
shop, then transported to the installation location, where the two booth parts can
be assembled together in a very short amount of time by fastening the rod and bolts
in the middle section. Then the door, window and any decorative panels may be attached
without much time required.
[0059] Referring further to Figure 4, a disassembled roof panelling is shown. In addition
to providing structural support and enclosing the booth, the roof panelling also incorporated
a ventilation system 40.
[0060] The roof panelling comprises a top panel, which in turn comprises one or more electric
fans. The top panel comprises side ventilation channel openings 43.
[0061] The top roof panel mates with a middle roof panel 44. The middle panel also has corresponding
side ventilation channel openings 43. The ventilation channels in the top and middle
roof panels form ventilation openings when the two panels are mated together.
[0062] The middle panel comprises through holes 45 that correspond with the size and location
of the air-cable holes of the wall slats. Furthermore, the middle roof panel comprises
large channels running across the panel and creating air passages that join the fan,
i.e. fresh air inlet with the through holes that correspond with the air-cable holes
of the wall slats. Air from the fan is pushed through the large channels into the
air-cable holes all the way down to air exit holes located at the lower part of the
wall slats. This can be seen e.g. in Figure 6, that the lowest stacked wall slats
have openings into the air-cable holes, which allow the air into the booth.
[0063] This arrangement ensures that the booth is ventilated and adequate air temperature
levels, while at the same time minimising the acoustic exchange between the outside
and the inside of the booth.
[0064] The complete ventilation system is an integral part of the structure of the layered
slats structure i.e. of the booth. The openings, holes, channels and duct forming
extrusions that are aligned and arranged to create the ventilation system are formed
and machined into the slats design during the machining process.
[0065] Furthermore, the ventilation system of the booth draws fresh air from the top, i.e.
the roof's air entry points, ducts it down through the structure and pushes this fresh
air into the enclosure of the booth at a low level air inject outlets. Whereas air
exhaust outlets are located at the top of the booth in the roof but at different location
from the fresh air inlets to avoid fresh air contamination and recirculation of 'used
air'. The thus system uses convection air circulation by injecting fresh cold air
in the lower part of the enclosure and allows the natural process of warm air to rise
and exit at the top part of the enclosure.
[0066] A booth in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures
8 to 12. The base, i.e. the floor, and roof of the booth are triangular in shape and
the booth comprises three side walls. The booth comprises an enclosure. The enclosure
has an opening in at least one side of the enclosure, leading to the inside of the
enclosure.
[0067] Figure 8 illustrates a top view of the triangular embodiment of the booth, showing
an enhanced top ventilation system. The ventilation system may be enhanced for meeting
booths that may accommodate two or more people. The enhanced ventilation provides
greater quantities of air circulation, with minimal amount of fan noise.
[0068] As can be also seen e.g. in Figure 9, a door is arranged to be in an opened position
allowing access to the enclosure through the opening, and in a closed position, which
fully closes the opening and acoustically separates the enclosure from the surrounding
environment. Furthermore, Figure 9 illustrates a perspective front view of the triangular
booth, showing the door, a window, and the interior of the booth, wherein table and
seating areas are visible.
[0069] Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of the back of the triangular booth, showing
two back walls. In some embodiments, none, or one, or both of the back walls may be
glazed to allow light in, or to increase privacy, depending on the purpose of the
booth.
[0070] Figure 11 illustrates a bird eye view of the triangular embodiment of the booth,
wherein for illustration purposes, the roof has been removed and four people can be
seen having a meeting in the booth. Seating areas and a table can also be seen in
Figure 11. In some embodiments, the seating area may be at multiple levels, i.e. staged
or in steps, thus allowing a greater number of people to be comfortable in the same
surface area. Staged seating can be seen in the top corner of Figure 11, which can
comfortably accommodate up to six people.
[0071] Due to their geometry, triangular booths may be arranged in various clusters and
formations. This may be to maximise the use of space where these booths are located,
i.e. increased number of booths, or to adapt to the geometry of the room, or for purely
aesthetic purposes, or combination of all of the above.
[0072] Figure 12a and Figure 12b for example illustrate sketches of two of the many possible
cluster arrangements the triangular booths may have. Doors and tables of the booths
are also depicted to demonstrate the workings of the booths.
[0073] The booths may have connection means to connect to each other in the cluster in order
to increase the structural integrity of the booths and of the cluster.
[0074] In this embodiment, the triangles are equilateral. This allows the booths to be arranged
in different arrangements. For example, Figure 12a shows that a chain of booths may
be created in a continuous line. The doors of the booths are all accessible. Further
booths may be added to the right of the cluster, or in this arrangement, downwards
as seen in Figure 12a. it will be appreciated that linear or angular cluster geometries
are possible.
[0075] Figure 12b on the other hand shows a central cluster arrangement, which maximises
the use of space where these booths are located. In addition to the functions aspect,
a central cluster arrangement also provides aesthetic qualities, especially in a fair
or open office environment. The doors of the booths are all accessible.
[0076] In some embodiments a booth may have more than one opening and doors, i.e. a main
door and a secondary door. In some cluster arrangements, i.e., when two booths are
abut, respective secondary doors or a main door and a secondary door may align and
when in the opened position, provide a double booth space.
[0077] In some cluster embodiments, where for example the main door is not accessible directly,
a through route may be used from an adjacent booth.
[0078] Thus the invention discloses a booth structure comprising a roof, a floor, and a
plurality of slat elements that when stacked together form at least one wall of an
enclosure, wherein the slat elements are pre-shaped and stackable in a predefined
order to form a door frame for the enclosure, wherein each slat element comprises
at least one aperture which when aligned with an aperture of a slat above and/or below
form a duct within the wall or walls of the structure.
[0079] The slat elements comprise widened corner sections forming stackable surfaces. The
corner sections of each slat provide structural columns for the enclosure. The apertures
are provided in the corner sections to provide a duct within at least one of the columns.
The booth has an air inlet aperture 42 which provides a passage of outside air into
the duct 45.
[0080] The booth has an air outlet aperture 11 inside the enclosure which provides a passage
of air from the duct 12, 45 into the enclosure.
[0081] Pre-shaped slat elements when stacked form a table with the enclosure. Pre-shaped
slat elements that when stacked form a seat with the enclosure. Pre-shaped slat elements
that when stacked form a window frame for the enclosure.
[0082] Other variations and modifications such as e.g. stacking the slats horizontally will
be apparent to the skilled person. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent
and other features which are already known and which may be used instead of, or in
addition to, features described herein.
[0083] Features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may be provided
in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, features which are described in
the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable
sub-combination.
[0084] It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements, the
term "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality, a single feature may fulfil the functions
of several features recited in the claims and reference signs in the claims shall
not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. It should also be noted that
the Figures are not necessarily to scale; emphasis instead generally being placed
upon illustrating the principles of the present disclosure.
1. A booth structure comprising:
a roof;
a floor; and
a plurality of slat elements that when stacked together form at least one wall of
an enclosure;
wherein the slat elements are pre-shaped and stackable in a predefined order to form
a door frame for the enclosure;
wherein each slat element comprises at least one aperture which when aligned with
an aperture of a slat above and/or below form a duct within the wall or walls of the
structure.
2. A booth in accordance with claim 1, wherein the slat elements comprise widened corner
sections forming stackable surfaces.
3. A booth in accordance with claim 2, wherein the corner sections of each slat provide
structural columns for the enclosure.
4. A booth in accordance with claim 3, wherein the apertures are provided in the corner
sections to provide a duct within at least one of the columns.
5. A booth in accordance with claim 4, wherein the booth has an air inlet aperture which
provides a passage of outside air into the duct.
6. A booth in accordance with claim 5, wherein the booth has an air outlet aperture inside
the enclosure which provides a passage of air from the duct into the enclosure.
7. A booth in accordance with any one of the previous claims, further comprising pre-shaped
slat elements that when stacked form a table with the enclosure.
8. A booth in accordance with any one of the previous claims, further comprising pre-shaped
slat elements that when stacked form a seat with the enclosure.
9. A booth in accordance with any one of the previous claims, further comprising pre-shaped
slat elements that when stacked form a window frame for the enclosure.
10. A booth in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein the booth is disassembleable
into at least two parts.
11. A kit of parts comprising a plurality of pre-shaped slat elements which when assembled
form the booth of any one of claims 1 to 9.
12. A booth in accordance with claim 11 wherein the assembled booth is disassembleable
into the kit of parts.
13. A booth in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein the enclosure once
assembled is generally rectangular, oval, pentagonal, triangular, hexagonal, or clover
shaped.
14. A booth in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein the enclosure has
staged seating arrangements.
15. A plurality of booths in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein the
booths are arrangeable to attach to adjacently attach to each other to form multiple
booth formations.