Portable interactive kiosk

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to display processes and devices generally, and more particularly, to portable kiosks generating a variable visible display while accepting and responding to inquiries from viewers.

[0004] 2. Background Art

[0005] The convention and trade-show industry has grown substantially over the past three decades, with municipalities each constructing large exhibition halls and competing to host several conventions and shows every year. Generally, contemporary designs for convention and trade-show booths seek to present visual displays endowed with sufficient aesthetic quality to appear as exhibits able to attract substantial customer traffic during the course of the show. The architectural components of the booths and their visual displays require substantial time for unpacking, erection and electrical wiring prior to the scheduled opening of the show, with a similar requirement of time and labor for a knockdown of the visual display by disassembly, packing and crating at the end of the show, in preparation for an expedited shipment to the site of the next show. Concomitantly, contractual requirements with municipally owned and urban located exhibition halls and centers invariably require the use of various trade crafts, including locally hired carpenters, electricians, riggers and laborers, often at union wage scale, frequently with overtime and week-end wage differentials, to complete the erection of the display. With the knock-down at the end of each show, the shock sensitive electrical equipment, including audio-visual units, computers, monitors and keyboards, must be removed from the architectural components of the display and separately packed in specialized shipping containers.

[0006] Not infrequently, exhibitions and trade shows are scheduled on a circuit, with the closing of an exhibition in one city followed in one or two days, by the opening of a trade show in a different city that is not infrequently, located in a different area of the country. Traditionally, transportation of trade show exhibits is arranged either by contract or specialized haulers, typically using trailer trucks, a source of additional cost as well as delay in re-erection of the exhibit at the next trade show.

[0007] It is therefore, one object to the present invention to provide an improved interactive kiosk.

[0008] It is another object to provide a process and portable structure capable of generating a variable visual display during interaction with pedestrian traffic within the vicinity of the structure.

[0009] It is still another object to provide a portable kiosk able to serve as a shipping container for delicate electronic equipment.

[0010] It is yet another object to provide a transportable kiosk suitable to house electronic equipment during exhibitions in a manner enabling persons attending the exhibitions to interact with the kiosk, while protecting that electronic equipment from damage during transport between exhibitions.

[0011] It is still yet another object to provide a portable kiosk amenable to on-site erection, and subsequent knock-down, by a single individual, with a minimum of effort.

[0012] It is further object to provide a self-contained portable kiosk demonstrating a substantially greater volume when in its erected state, than while in its folded state.

[0013] It is a still further object to provide a portable kiosk that, when collapsed, will be accepted as ordinary overnight freight by international cargo carriers and couriers, for overnight and next-day delivery.

[0014] It is a yet further object to provide a portable and foldable electronically interactive kiosk that when in its knocked-down, collapsed state, is able to contain all component parts used by the kiosk during its erected, unfolded state.

[0015] It is still a yet further object to provide a portable electronically interactive kiosk able to securely mount a wide range of different sizes of electronic equipment using corner brackets with each of the brackets able to provide three-fasterner attachment to a rotatable shelf for over ninety percent of the different sizes.

[0016] It is also an object to provide a portable, electronically interactive kiosk sheathed with exterior, double-sided panels.

[0017] These and other objects may be achieved with an electronically interactive kiosk having an upright main body mounted upon casters, and a plurality of pivotally mounted internal, shock absorbing shelves configured to securely mount sensitive electronic and audio-visual equipment. A pair of oppositely mounted side frames are supported by the main body, and may be rotatably deployed during set-up to support the shelves and a mount for a variable visual display and a tray for other peripheral equipment such as a keyboard and mouse. During knock-down, the shelves are rotatable into the interior of the main frame while bearing their respective items of electronic and audio-visual equipment when the mount is rotatably dropped across the front of the main frame. Other members are removable without tools and stored in the interior of the main frame, while the side frames are then folded across the front of the main frame, and the entire assembly is wheeled into a shipping container substantially smaller in volume than the erected kiosk and acceptable by competing international courier carriers for overnight delivery at the site of the next trade show.

[0018] A more complete appreciation of this invention, and many of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment constructed according to the principles of the present invention, in an installed configuration;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the embodiment of FIG. 1, in a folded configuration;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shipping container suitable for transporting the embodiment of FIG. 1, while in the folded configuration shown in FIG. 2;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a left elevational view of the structural frame for the super structure;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the structural frame of the super structure;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a right elevational view showing the location of a plurality of shelves within the assembled super structure;

[0025] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view showing the structural orientation of visual display screen;

[0026] FIG. 8 is a front view showing structural details of the mount for the display screen;

[0027] FIG. 9 is a profile view of the mount showing in FIG. 8;

[0028] FIG. 10 is a profile view of a front panel;

[0029] FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the front panel;

[0030] FIG. 12 is a top view of the front panel;

[0031] FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of an access door;

[0032] FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of an access door;

[0033] FIG. 15A is a left elevational view showing structural details of the superstructure of one embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 15B is a left elevational view of an alternative embodiment showing partial deployment of front panels and a display panel;

[0035] FIG. 15C is a left elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 15B, showing deployment of front panels, an upper shelf and a display panel;

[0036] FIG. 15D is a left elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 15B, showing deployment of front panels, a lower shelf and a display panel;

[0037] FIG. 16 is a side elevational view showing structural details of the superstructure;

[0038] FIG. 17 is a rear elevational view of the front panel;

[0039] FIG. 18 is a side view of the base plates;

[0040] FIG. 19 is a side, cross-sectional view of the back panel and base plate;

[0041] FIG. 20 is an elevational view of the back panel;

[0042] FIG. 21 is a side of view of an upper shelf;

[0043] FIG. 22 is a top view of the upper shelf of FIG. 21;

[0044] FIG. 23 is a detailed view of a latch used in FIG. 22;

[0045] FIG. 24 is a side view of a lower shelf;

[0046] FIG. 25 is a rear view of the lower shelf;

[0047] FIG. 26 is a top view of the lower shelf;

[0048] FIG. 27 is an under-side view of a keyboard shelf;

[0049] FIG. 28 is an end view of a keyboard shelf;

[0050] FIG. 29 is a front view of a keyboard shelf;

[0051] FIG. 30 is a top view of a keyboard shelf;

[0052] FIG. 31 is a front view of a bezel covering a visual display;

[0053] FIG. 32 is a partial side view showing orientations of a top shelf and the bezel cover;

[0054] FIG. 33 is a detailed view of the bezel cover;

[0055] FIG. 34 is a detailed view of a structural fastener;

[0056] FIG. 35 is a detailed view of a structural fastener;

[0057] FIGS. 36 and 37 are detailed views showing key holes in the super structure;

[0058] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of a corner bracket;

[0059] FIG. 39 is a top view of the corner bracket showing in FIG. 38;

[0060] FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of another corner bracket;

[0061] FIG. 41 is a top view of the corner bracket shown in FIG. 40;

[0062] FIG. 42 is a side elevational view showing one set of operational positions during set-up;

[0063] FIG. 43 is a side elevational view showing a second set of operational positions;

[0064] FIG. 44 is a side elevational view showing a third set of operational positions;

[0065] FIGS. 45 and 46 are cross-sectional views showing details of the material used for the super structure;

[0066] FIG. 47 is a top view of a footman's loop;

[0067] FIG. 48 is a side view of the device showing in FIG. 47.

[0068] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an upright kiosk 10 in its deployed state, with a keyboard shelf 30 supported by a front panel 60, to extend substantially horizontally outwardly and support a keyboard, mouse and other peripheral equipment that may be mounted upon shelf 30. An obliquely oriented screen mount 50 positions a visual screen 40 such as a thin film touch screen, able to provide customer traffic with a varying visual display.

[0069] FIG. 2 shows kiosk 10 in a folded, or knocked-down state, with upper and lower shelves 80, 90 (not visible in FIG. 1), together with the electronic and audio-visual equipment (e.g., a computer and an image projector) securely mounted upon these shelves, rotated vertically upwardly into the interior of main frame 12. Visual screen 40 and its mount after removal and storage of the side panels sheathing within the interior of main frame 12, and after having been rotated downwardly across the front of main frame 12 to place keyboard shelf 30 in substantial vertical alignment with mount 50 across the front of main frame 12. Left and right side frames 100, 110 are rotated to lie vertically across the front of main frame 12 and screen mount 50. When folded in the manner shown, the entire kiosk 10, together with all of the electronic equipment (e.g., a microprocessor based computer equipped with a hard disk, and a visual image projector) mounted upon shelves 80, 90, as well as visual screen 40 (which may be a touch sensitive screen in particular applications) together with a computer keyboard mounted within shelf 30, may be placed with the interior of a standard, rigid body shipping container 20. This size of package is then immediately acceptable by both FedEx Corporation and UPS Corporation, for overnight delivery anywhere within the contiguous United States, and alternatively, readily acceptable for shipment by commercial airlines as excess baggage.

[0070] FIG. 4 shows left side frame 100 pivotally mounted upon the left side of main frame 12, while 9 in a deployed position planarly aligned with the left side 14 of main frame 12. FIG. 5 shows the left and right side frames folded across the front of main frame 12, either prior to deployment during set up, or after knock-down and before insertion into shipping container 20. FIG. 6 shows upper and lower shelves 80, 90 pivoted into their respective vertical knock-down positions within main frame 12. Arcs A, B of shelves 80, 90 are shown relative to side frame 110 while side frame 110 is in its unfolded position after being rotatably deployed outwardly from main frame 12. Upper equipment shelf 80 is pivotally connected to a side cross member 84 of main frame 12 with a pinion 82; as shown in greater detail by FIG. 43, the distal end of shelve 80 follows arc A during deployment. Lower equipment shelf 90 is rotatably connected to a rear cross member 94 of main frame 12 as by a continuous, or panio hinge 92 in order to evenly distribute its load across the width of cross member 94. Referring briefly to FIG. 44 in conjunction with FIG. 6, the distal end of lower shelf 90 traces arc B during deployment from its vertical to its horizontal position during set-up. Leveling feet 18 mounted in the lowermost structural members of main frame 12 and side frames 14, 16, may be adjusted to obtain perpendicular vertical alignment between the upright kiosk 10 and the floor.

[0071] FIG. 7 shows keyboard shelf 30 in each of three positions: its vertical position while stored within main frame 12, its raised position while substantially planarly aligned with the surface of mount 50 while both mount 50 and shelf 30 are raised to accommodate deployment of upper shelf 80, as is shown in greater detail in FIG. 43, and in its normally deployed position while horizontally braced and thereby supported by the front vertical member of side frame 100. In the last position, shelf 30 is able to position a keyboard for comfortable use by passing visitors to the kiosk. Shelf 30 is rotatably attached to the lowermost horizontal distal edge of mount 50 as with a continuous hinge 32. The uppermost horizontal surface of mount 50 is rotatably attached with an offset continuous hinge 52 to a horizontal cross member 54, as is shown in greater detail in FIG. 32. In FIG. 7, both upper and lower shelves 80, 90 are shown in their stored, vertical positions within the interior of main frame 12. Referring again to FIGS. 42 and 43, a gas cylinder shock absorber 86 connects upper shelf 80 to the rear vertical upright member 24 to cushion movement during storage, as well as its downward rotation deployment; a gas cylinder shock absorber 96 connects lower shelf 90 to member 24. Shock absorbers 86, 96 slow, and thereby ease the descent of shelves 80, 90 from their stowed vertical (n. b., while in their respective stowed positions, shelves 80, 90 are vertical when kiosk 10 is in an upright position) positions to their horizontal deployed positions.

[0072] FIGS. 8 and 9 show mount 50 holding a thin film touch capacitive touch screen 40. As presented to the passing visitor traffic, mount 50 orients screen 40 upwardly, at an angle easily seen by an adult human being. Digital manipulation of either touch screen 40, or a keyboard mounted upon shelf 30, enables a visitor to readily electronically interact with, for example, a personal computer and its stored audio-visual program, mounted upon either upper or lower shelves 80, 90.

[0073] FIGS. 10 and 11 show details of a front frame 70 joining left and right side frames 100, 110 of main frame 12, while accommodating rotational deployment of the distal ends of the upper and lower shelves 80, 90. FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate the details of an access door 60 in the front frame 70 of main frame 12 that accommodates storage of bezel 120 covering the periphery of touch screen 40 during shipment after knock-down of the kiosk.

[0074] FIG. 15A shows a left side elevational view with left side frame 100 in its open position forming a single planar surface with left side 14, while both upper and lower shelves 80, 90 remain in their vertical stowed positions.

[0075] FIG. 15B shows a left side elevational view of an alternative embodiment constructed with a pair of recessed casters 19 at the lower, rear corners of the junctions between the left and right side frames 14, 16 and the rear panel 130 (shown in greater detail in FIG. 20). This embodiment is fitted with upper and lower shelves 80, 90 of similar configuration, having substantially equal lengths and widths, rotatably mounted upon shock absorbing pivots 82′, 92′ attached to structural members 84, 94 respectively, of side frames 14, 16, to pivot between stowed and deployed positions. Shelves 80, 90 are shown as pivoted vertically upwardly while left side frame 100 is in an open position to form a single planar surface with left side 14. Screen mount 50 is shown as rotated from its vertical stored position at one extreme to an upward, temporally intermediate position at a second extreme, and then to a spatial intermediate deployed position where the opposite side edges of screen mount 50 are supported by the oblique transverse members 102 forming the upper extremities of left and right side frames 100, 110.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 15C, upper shelf 80 is shown in both of its operational extremes, vertically in its stowed (or knocked-down) position used during shipment of the kiosk, and horizontally in its deployed position, while FIG. 15D shows lower shelf 90 in both of its operational extremes, vertically in its stowed position, and horizontally in its deployed position. Shelves 80, 90 remain in their respective deployed positions during the use and display of the kiosk. As shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, gas cylinder shock absorber 86 connects upper shelf 80 to the rear vertical upright member 24 to cushion movement during storage, as well as its downward rotation deployment; gas cylinder shock absorber 96 connects lower shelf 90 to member 94. Shock absorbers 86, 96 slow, and thereby ease the descent of shelves 80, 90 from their stowed vertical (n.b., while in their respective stowed positions, shelves 80, 90 are vertical when kiosk 10 is in an upright position) positions to their horizontal deployed positions.

[0077] Front frame 70, show in detail in FIGS. 10 through 12, 16 and 17, and panel 170, shown in detail in FIGS. 19 and 20, are configured with screw patterns to be attached to the structural members forming main frame 12. An upper door 132, depending upon its location relative to upper and lower shelves 80, 90, will when opened, enable a visual projector, such as a movie or carousel projector attached to one of shelves 80, 90 to project a series of varying visual images upon to a wall, or movie screen. Preferably, the projector is automatically controlled by a microprocessor based computer secured to the other shelf, ideally in response to interaction between visitors manipulating the touch screen 40 or the keyboard mounted within shelf 30.

[0078] Both upper shelf 80, shown in detail in FIGS. 21 and 22, and the lower shelf 90, shown in detail in FIGS. 24, 25 and 26, have floor pans that are perforated by a plurality of uniformly spaced apart holes 140 arranged in an ordered array of alternating offset rows E, F of offset holes. In one embodiment, each hole was approximately 0.1875 inches in diameter. Holes 140 along each row were positioned 0.375 inches apart, center-to-center, with a 0.375 inch center-to-center spacing between holes 140 in neighboring E and F rows. In this manner, with a particular embodiment, the center of any hole 140 was equally distantly spaced apart (e.g., by 0.375 inches) from six surrounding neighboring holes 140, regardless of whether the neighboring holes was in the same row or along a diagonal in the next adjacent row. A pattern of vent strips 142 is centrally positioned within the floor 8 pans surrounded by interlaced rows E, F. A plurality of spaced-apart vent strips 142 perforate the floor pans of shelves 80, 90, to enable thermal convection via vent strips 142 to cool electronic equipment mounted on the shelves. Shelves 80, 90 were constructed with 0.125 inch thick flanges.

[0079] Small and large triangularly shaped corner brackets 150, 160, shown respectively in FIGS. 38 and 39, and in FIGS. 40 and 41, have flanges 156, 166 along their two orthogonal sides bordering webs 152, 162 perforated by a cooperating plurality of holes 154, 164 spaced apart so that when placed at each of four corners of the housing of an item of electronic equipment, three bolts will pass through holes 86, 96 in the floor pans as well as holes 154, 164 in all four corner brackets used in over 98.7% of the different sizes of electronic equipment housings. In one embodiment, ten holes 154 each of approximately equal 0.1875 inch diameter, are equidistantly stepped apart by 0.188 inches in six parallel columns M1 through M6, and by 0.188 inches in six parallel rows N1 through N6 arranged orthogonally to the six columns. Columns M1, M2, and M4, and rows N1, N2 and N4 contain only one hole 140 each; while columns M3 and M5, and rows N3 and N5 have two holes 140 each. Column M6 and row N6 each contain three holes 140. The same embodiment may have large corner brackets 160 configured with eight parallel columns M1 through M8 arranged orthogonally to eight parallel rows N1 through N8, with columns M1-M4, M6-M8 and row N1-N3 and N6-N8 equally distantly spaced apart by 0.188 inches each as measured along their respective columns or rows, and with columns M4-M5, and rows N3-N6 each spaced apart by 0.375 inches. Columns M5-M6 are spaced apart by 0.563 inches each. Consequently, four of either the small corner brackets 150, or four of the large corner brackets 160 may each be fastened to a floor pan of shelves 80, 90 by fasteners passing through three holes per corner bracket for any size of rectangular electronic 8 housing to be secured to the floor pan.

[0080] Various vertical structural members of the main and side frames may be constructed of the extruded aluminum shapes 130, 132 shown in FIGS. 45, 46, with exterior kerfs 134 oppositely oriented inwardly in pairs to hold a removable panel to sheath the several exposed sides of kiosk 10 during an exhibition. The right and left side frames, 100, 110, the left side 14 and the right side 16 of the main frame, and the front panel are each trimmed along their vertical and lower horizontal edges with kerfs; consequently one kiosk may hold five panels. The two pairs of side frames 14, 100 and 16, 110 may either hold individual panels decorated as one continuous scene, or alternatively, configured to each hold one larger decorated panel. These panels may be double sided, and be reversed for different shows or, alternatively, removed and replaced entirely, as desired. Typically, these panels are printed, embossed, painted or otherwise decorated with advertising material. Kerfs 134 enable these panels to be quickly, manually either removed, reversed and re-installed, or alternatively, removed and replaced with other panels.

[0081] Pairs of footman loops 160 shown in FIGS. 47, 48, may be attached with, for example, threaded fasteners, to the horizontal floor pans of the perforated upper and lower equipment shelves 80, 90, to accommodate straps that further secure the housing of electronic equipment tightly to those shelves. Latches 200, each having a reciprocating bolt 202 biased by a spring 206, may be bolted to the undersides of shelves 80, 90 via fasteners extending through holes 210 perforating flanges 208, in order to hold shelves 80, 90 in their stowed and in their deployed positions. A thumb button 204 may be manually depressed to release bolt 202 to engage corresponding brackets mounted on structural members 86, 96 during knock-down, or erection of the kiosk.