Modular kiosk

• US 20020194793A1
• Filed: 01/28/2002
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Julian Bowron
• Original Assignee: Julian Bowron
• Inventors: Bowron, Julian
• Granted Patent: US 7,374,258 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/36.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/10 Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address

Abstract

An automated kiosk has (a) a cabinet; (b) a face frame releasably securable to the cabinet; (c) a plurality of cross members secured to the face frame; and (d) a plurality of hardware components releasably secured to the cross members. The hardware components may be sized and configured such that they project substantially directly inward into the cabinet when the face frame is secured to the cabinet. A method of modifying a kiosk of the invention, comprises (a) removing a hardware component or a faceplate from the kiosk; (b) repositioning a cross member on the kiosk; and (c) installing a new hardware component on the kiosk. A method of constructing a kiosk of the invention comprises (a) assembling a cabinet to a face frame; (b) receiving an order which designates the hardware components required for the kiosk; (c) securing a plurality of cross members to the face frame in a configuration suitable for receiving the designated hardware components; and (d) securing the designated hardware components to the cross members.

Claims

1. An automated kiosk comprising:

(a) a cabinet;

(b) a face frame releasably securable to said cabinet;

(c) a plurality of cross members secured to said face frame; and

(d) a plurality of hardware components releasably secured to said cross members.

2. A kiosk as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hardware components are sized and configured such that they project substantially directly inward into said cabinet when said face frame is secured to said cabinet.

3. A kiosk as claimed in claim 1, wherein one edge of said face frame is hinged to a corresponding edge of said cabinet.

4. A kiosk as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cross members are releasably secured to said face frame.

5. A kiosk as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said cross members is releasably securable in a plurality of configurations in relation to said face frame.

6. A kiosk as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of cross members is secured to at least one of said plurality of hardware components indirectly, such that said at least one of said plurality of cross members is secured to a faceplate and said faceplate is secured to said at least one of said plurality of hardware components.

7. A kiosk as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of hardware components is a keyboard, and said keyboard is secured to said face frame indirectly by a keyboard housing, and said keyboard housing is secured to said face frame.

8. A kiosk as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of cross members is secured to said face frame indirectly, such that said plurality of cross members is secured to a housing and said housing is secured to said face frame.

9. A kiosk as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a plurality of housings secured to said face frame.

10. A kiosk as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a faceplate on an upper portion of said face frame, said faceplate configured such that a top of said faceplate projects farther out from said face frame than a bottom of said faceplate.

19. A method of modifying a kiosk of claim 1, comprising the steps of:

(a) removing a hardware component or a faceplate from said kiosk;

(b) repositioning a cross member on said kiosk; and

(c) installing a new hardware component on said kiosk.

20. A method of constructing a kiosk of claim 1 comprising the steps of:

(a) assembling a cabinet to a face frame;

(b) receiving an order which designates the hardware components required for said kiosk;

(c) securing a plurality of cross members to said face frame in a configuration suitable for receiving said designated hardware components; and

(d) securing said designated hardware components to said cross members.

11. An automated kiosk comprising a cabinet, a front face frame, and a plurality of hardware components secured to said face frame.

12. A kiosk as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a door in said kiosk, said door configured to allow access to said hardware components.

13. A kiosk as claimed in claim 12 wherein said face frame is said door.

14. A kiosk as claimed in claim 11, wherein said hardware components are secured to said face indirectly, such that said hardware components are secured to a plurality of cross members and said plurality of cross members is secured to said face frame.

15. A kiosk as claimed in claim 11, wherein said hardware components are sized and configured such that they project substantially directly inward into said cabinet when said face frame is secured to said cabinet.

16. A kiosk as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one of said cross members is releasably securable in a plurality of configurations in relation to said face frame.

17. A kiosk as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one of said plurality of cross members is secured to at least one of said plurality of hardware components indirectly, such that at least one of said plurality of cross members is secured to a faceplate and said faceplate is secured to said at least one of said plurality of hardware components.

18. A kiosk as claimed in claim 14, wherein said plurality of cross members is secured to said face frame indirectly, wherein said plurality of cross members is secured to a housing and said housing is secured to said face frame.