# US 2023/0407671 A1 · Selectively Deployable Screening Assembly And Method Of Use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0407671 A1 - Document ID: US20230407671A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/752,993 - Filed: 2022-05-25 - Published: 2023-12-21 - Earliest claimed: 2022-05-25 - Inventors: Leslee Smith - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230407671A1 ## CPC - E04H 17/18: Corrals, i.e. easily transportable or demountable enclosures - E04H 17/1602: {Using wooden, plastic or composite-material panel-like elements} - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) ## Abstract A selectively deployable screening assembly for screening an event from being viewed by passersby includes a set of shielding devices, the shielding devices of which are selectively mutually couplable. Each shielding device comprises a frame, a panel, and a base. The frame comprises a lower element and a pair of side elements, each of which is hinged and foldable. The side elements also are foldable into substantial abutment with the lower element. The panel, which is substantially opaque, is attached to and extends between the lower element and the side elements. The base is attached to the lower element and stabilizes the frame on a surface. The set of shielding devices is deployable proximate to a perimeter of a site of an event, such as an accident, a crime scene, and the like, to screen the event from being viewed by passersby. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A selectively deployable screening assembly comprising a set of shielding devices, the shield devices being selectively mutually couplable, each shielding device comprising: a frame comprising: a lower element comprising a pair of segments, the segments being mutually hingedly attached, such that said lower element is foldable, and a pair of side elements, each side element being hingedly attached to a respective opposed end of the lower element, such that the side element is foldable into substantial abutment with the lower element, the side element comprising a pair of sections, the sections being mutually hingedly attached, such that the side element is foldable; a panel attached to and extending between the lower element and the pair of side elements, the panel being substantially opaque; a base attached to the lower element and being configured for stabilizing the frame on a surface, such that the frame is substantially perpendicular to the surface; and wherein the set of shielding devices is configured for deployment proximate to a perimeter of a site of an event for screening the event from being viewed by passersby. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The selectively deployable screening assembly of claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a plurality of meshed sections and a plurality of reflective sections. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The selectively deployable screening assembly of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a pair of arms, each arm being rotationally coupled, proximate to a midpoint of the arm, to the lower element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The selectively deployable screening assembly of claim 1, further including: a plurality of first fasteners, each first fastener being attached to a respective shielding device proximate to a first side element of the respective shielding device; and a plurality of second fasteners, each second fastener being attached to a respective shielding device proximate to a second side element of the respective shielding device, the second fasteners being complementary to the first fasteners, such that each second fastener is positioned for selectively fastening to a respective first fastener for removably attaching the shielding devices together. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The selectively deployable screening assembly of claim 4, wherein: the respective first fastener comprises: a strap, a first end of the strap being attached to the respective shielding device, and a first element of a hook and loop connector attached to the strap proximate to a second end of the strap; and the second fastener comprises a second element of the hook and loop connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The selectively deployable screening assembly of claim 1, further including a plurality of slits positioned in the panel, wherein the slits are configured for passing of air through the panel for reducing a risk of wind tipping the shielding device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The selectively deployable screening assembly of claim 1, further including a carrying case sized to contain at least one shielding device. ### Claim 8 A method of screening an event from being viewed by passersby, the method comprising the steps of: providing a selectively deployable screening assembly comprising a set of shielding devices, the shield devices being selectively mutually couplable, each shielding device comprising: a frame comprising: a lower element comprising a pair of segments, the segments being mutually hingedly attached, such that said lower element is foldable, and a pair of side elements, each side element being hingedly attached to a respective opposed end of the lower element, such that the side element is foldable into substantial abutment with the lower element, the side element comprising a pair of sections, the sections being mutually hingedly attached, such that the side element is foldable, a panel attached to and extending between the lower element and the pair of side elements, the panel being substantially opaque, a base attached to the lower element and being configured for stabilizing the frame on a surface, such that the frame is substantially perpendicular to the surface, and wherein the set of shielding devices is configured for deployment proximate to a perimeter of a site of an event for screening the event from being viewed by passersby; unfolding the lower element and the side elements of each shielding device; positioning the shielding devices substantially vertically upon their bases proximate to a perimeter of a site of an event; and mutually coupling the shielding devices of the set of shielding devices. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the panel comprises a plurality of meshed sections and a plurality of reflective sections. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the base comprises a pair of arms, each arm being rotationally coupled, proximate to a midpoint of the arm, to the lower element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further including: a plurality of first fasteners, each first fastener being attached to a respective shielding device proximate to a first side element of the respective shielding device; and a plurality of second fasteners, each second fastener being attached to a respective shielding device proximate to a second side element of the respective shielding device, the second fasteners being complementary to the first fasteners, such that each second fastener is positioned for selectively fastening to a respective first fastener for removably attaching the shielding devices together. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method claim 11, wherein: the respective first fastener comprises: a strap, a first end of the strap being attached to the respective shielding device, and a first element of a hook and loop connector attached to the strap proximate to a second end of the strap; and the second fastener comprises a second element of the hook and loop connector. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further including a plurality of slits positioned in the panel, wherein the slits are configured for passing of air through the panel for reducing a risk of wind tipping the shielding device. ### Claim 14 A selectively deployable screening assembly comprising a set of shielding devices, the shield devices being selectively mutually couplable, each shielding device comprising: a frame comprising: a lower element comprising a pair of segments, the segments being mutually hingedly attached, such that said lower element is foldable, and a pair of side elements, each side element being hingedly attached to a respective opposed end of the lower element, such that the side element is foldable into substantial abutment with the lower element, the side element comprising a pair of sections, the sections being mutually hingedly attached, such that the side element is foldable; a panel attached to and extending between the lower element and the pair of side elements, the panel being substantially opaque, the panel comprising a plurality of meshed sections and a plurality of reflective sections; a base attached to the lower element and being configured for stabilizing the frame on a surface, such that the frame is substantially perpendicular to the surface, wherein the set of shielding devices is configured for deployment proximate to a perimeter of a site of an event, for screening the event from being viewed by passersby, the base comprising a pair of arms, each arm being rotationally coupled, proximate to a midpoint of the arm, to the lower element; a plurality of first fasteners, each first fastener being attached to a respective shielding device proximate to a first side element of the respective shielding device; a plurality of second fasteners, each second fastener being attached to a respective shielding device proximate to a second side element of the respective shielding device, the second fasteners being complementary to the first fasteners, such that each second fastener is positioned for selectively fastening to a respective first fastener for removably attaching the shielding devices together, the respective first fastener comprising: a strap, a first end of the strap being attached to the respective shielding device, and a first element of a hook and loop connector being attached to the strap proximate to a second end of the strap, the second fastener comprising a second element of the hook and loop connector; and a plurality of slits positioned in the panel, wherein the slits are configured for passing of air through the panel for reducing a risk of wind tipping the shielding device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The selectively deployable screening assembly of claim 14 further including a carrying case sized to contain at least one shielding device.