Browsing and vending system

• US 20090039101A1
• Filed: 06/09/2006
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nicholas Alcov
• Original Assignee: Nicholas Alcov
• Inventors: Alcov, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US11/449,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20090039101A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 221/155
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/36 in which the magazines are of helical or spiral form
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/54 about vertical axes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/64 in which the articles are individually suspended from stationary supports
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/023 Arrangements for display, data presentation or advertising

Abstract

A portable sign system utilizing lights and sounds to enhance the message or image displayed of signs provided with the system or pre-existing signs and increase their usefulness beyond daylight hours. The sign system provides an adjustable frame capable of accommodating a plurality of sign dimensions. The adjustable frame is capable of housing the lights utilized to illuminate and enhance the sign as well as accommodate the source of auditory enhancement. A means of attachment and a means of providing power which is appropriate to the location in which the sign will be utilized is provided.

In another embodiment the portable sign system affixes the lights, means of power, means of attachment, means of auditory enhancement, directly to the sign without the use of a frame.

Claims

1. A browsing and vending system, comprising:

an enclosure capable of housing a storage assembly, the storage assembly capable of storing a plurality of actual products;

a browsing cabinet engaged to a portion of a front of the enclosure, the browsing cabinet capable of storing and displaying a plurality of sample products, the sample products capable of being examined by a user on accessing the browsing cabinet for obtaining the actual products; and

a dispensing mechanism capable of dispensing actual products.

2. The browsing and vending system of claim 1, wherein a back surface of the browsing cabinet has engagement features that removably engage with complementary engagement features on the front of the enclosure.

3. The browsing and vending system of claim 2, wherein a back surface of the browsing cabinet has a plurality of suction cups to strengthen engagement of the browsing cabinet to the front of the enclosure.

4. The browsing and vending system of claim 1, further comprising a transparent door engaged to a front surface of the browsing cabinet, the transparent door covering the browsing cabinet when not in use.

5. The browsing and vending system of claim 1, wherein a remaining portion of the front of the enclosure has a display screen capable of displaying information related to the actual products.

6. The browsing and vending system of claim 1, wherein the remaining portion further has an input device with a plurality of user interface features for retrieving information related to the actual products.

7. The browsing and vending system of claim 1, wherein the remaining portion further has at least one payment slot capable of receiving payment.

8. The browsing and vending system of claim 1, wherein the remaining portion further has a printing outlet capable of dispensing an invoice for a purchased actual product.

9. The browsing and vending system of claim 1, wherein the remaining portion further has a product dispenser capable of dispensing the actual product.

10. The browsing and vending system of claim 1, wherein the actual products are selected from the group consisting of cell phones, cameras, DVDs, CDs, personal digital assistants, recharging accessories, tools, parts, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing.

11. The browsing and vending system of claim 1, wherein the browsing cabinet further comprises a securing mechanism for holding the sample products on to the browsing cabinet.

12. The browsing and vending system of claim 11, wherein the securing mechanism is an extendable apparatus selected from the group consisting of springs, telescopic tubes, rods, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing.

13. The browsing and vending system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing mechanism is an extendable apparatus selected from the group consisting of springs, telescopic tubes, carousel, rods, and combinations comprising at least one of the forgoing.

14. The browsing and vending system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing mechanism works in conjunction with a securing port to for providing access to the actual products.

15. A browsing and vending system, comprising:

a storage assembly capable of storing a plurality of actual products;

a display section disposed on a front side of the storage assembly, the display section capable of storing and displaying a plurality of display products;

an enclosure capable of housing the storage assembly and the display section; and

an authentication mechanism capable of authenticating a user prior to accessing the display section,

thereby enabling access of the display section for examination of the display products by the user for obtaining the actual products.

16. The browsing and vending system of claim 15, wherein the display products are actual products.

17. The browsing and vending system of claim 15, wherein the display section is divided into a plurality of display compartments, and wherein each display compartment is capable of displaying at least one display product.

18. The browsing and vending system of claim 17, wherein the display compartments are organized in a plurality of rows, wherein each row has similar display products.

19. The browsing and vending system of claim 17, wherein the display compartments are organized in a plurality of columns, wherein each column has similar display products.

20. The browsing and vending system of claim 15, further comprising a sliding door covering the display section, the sliding door capable of being unlocked upon authentication of the user, thereby enabling access of the display section for examination of the display products.

21. The browsing and vending system of claim 15, wherein the actual products are selected from the group consisting of cell phones, cameras, DVDs, CDs, personal digital assistants, tools, parts, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing.

22. The browsing and vending system of claim 15, further comprising a scanner capable of reading bar codes and RFID tags for allowing the user to examine and return display products to the browsing and vending system without being charged.

23. A browsing cabinet, comprising:

a storage for storing a plurality of sample products;

a display for displaying the sample products; and

a coupling mechanism capable of attaching the browsing cabinet to a vending machine, the vending machine storing a plurality of actual products;

wherein the sample products are capable of being examined by a user on accessing the browsing cabinet for obtaining the actual products.

24. A vending machine, comprising:

a storage assembly capable of storing a plurality of actual products;

a rotating carousel concentrically circumscribing the storage assembly, the rotating carousel having a plurality of display compartments capable of storing and displaying a plurality of display products, the rotating carousel capable of being rotated to access the display compartments;

an enclosure capable of housing the storage assembly and the rotating carousel; and

an authentication mechanism capable of authenticating a user prior to accessing the display section,

thereby enabling access of the display compartment for examination of the display products by the user for obtaining the actual products.