Mobile banking devices and materials for construction of same

• US 5,726,430 A
• Filed: 11/03/1995
• Issued: 03/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wilson ATM Services
• Original Assignee: Wilson ATM Services
• Inventors: Ruggirello, Alfred J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FRECH, KARL D
• Application Number:
  US08/552,728
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/380, 902/8, 902/10, 902/14, 280/440, 280/414.2
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/03 for transporting money or other valuables
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 Accessories of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/205 Housing aspects of ATMs

Abstract

A mobile device suitable for permitting banking transactions and a material for constructing such units. The mobile banking device includes a housing mounted on a platform extending upward therefrom. The outer housing defines an interior area sufficient to accommodate ingress and egress of appropriate service personnel. The device includes at least one customer transaction interface unit such as an ATM device mounted in one of the walls and accessible from the exterior of the outer housing. The mobile device also includes at least one set of wheels attached to the platform and extending downward therefrom and a suitable device for emitting discernable evidence of unauthorized breaches in the outer security of the housing such as an audible or inaudible alarm. The outer housing can be constructed from a material first and second planar layers composed of a polymeric resin positioned a spaced parallel distance from one another and an intermediate polymeric sheet interposed between the two planar layers. The intermediate polymeric sheet has a plurality of convolutions extending laterally therethrough and defines a plurality of enclosed voids therebetween. A plurality of rods are located in various interior spaces to reinforce the wall construction.

Claims

1. A mobile banking device comprising:

a platform having an upper face and a lower face;

an outer housing mounted on and extending upward from the upper face of the platform, the outer housing having a pair of opposed side walls, a front wall positioned between and essentially perpendicular between the opposed side walls, a rear wall opposed to the front wall extending perpendicular between the side walls, the front, rear and side walls mounted to the platform and extending upward therefrom, the outer housing further including a roof extending between the front wall, side walls and rear wall opposed and essentially parallel to the upper face of the platform the outer housing defining an interior area of sufficient size to accommodate ingress and egress of service personnel;

at least one customer transaction interface unit mounted in one of the walls, the customer transaction interface unit including means accessible from outside the outer housing for maintaining interactive communication between a customer and a computational data storage and retrieval device located at a distance remote to said mobile banking device, and means for dispensing currency in specified quantities from a reserve supply of currency contained within the outer housing;

at least one set of wheels attached to the platform and extending downward therefrom; and

means for emitting discernable evidence of unauthorized breaches in security of the housing, the means contained in the housing and in contact with the outer housing, the platform and the customer transaction unit.

2. The mobile banking device of claim 1 wherein the outer housing comprises:

an access portal element of sufficient size to permit entry and exit of service personnel from the interior of the outer housing, the access portal including a door panel and means for locking the panel securely into a closed position; and

wherein the security detection means senses and reports unauthorized access through the entry portal.

3. The mobile banking device of claim 1 wherein the platform comprises:

a tow bar attached to and extending laterally from the platform, the tow bar configured to releasably engage a suitable towing vehicle;

a plurality of support stands connected to the lower platform, the support stands movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position, the second extended position providing sufficient extension whereby a distal end of each respective support stand contacts ground underlying the platform.

4. The mobile banking device of claim 3 wherein the platform further comprises:

means for temporarily preventing movement of the mobile device from a remote location; and

means for disengaging the tow bar from attachment to the platform.

5. The mobile banking device of claim 4 wherein the wheel movement prevention means includes a device for facilitating temporary removal of the wheels from attachment to the platform.

6. The mobile banking device of claim 1 wherein the means for emitting discernable evidence of unauthorized breaches in security of the housing comprises:

a device for monitoring and transmitting indication of seismic disturbances relative to the mobile device;

a device for monitoring and transmitting indication of damage to wall and roof integrity of the outer housing; and

means for converting said transmitted indications into remotely monitored signals and alarms.

7. The mobile banking device of claim 1 wherein the walls of the housing comprise:

an outwardly oriented reinforced polymeric sheet having an inner face and an outer face;

an outwardly oriented reinforced polymeric sheet having an inner face and an outer face, the inwardly oriented polymeric sheet positioned a spaced distance from and parallel to the outwardly oriented sheet;

an intermediate reinforced polymeric sheet having a plurality of periodic longitudinal convolutions located therein, the intermediate reinforced polymeric sheet positioned within the spaced distance defined by the inwardly oriented sheet and the outwardly oriented sheet and bonded thereto; and

a plurality of rods located in the spaced distance defined between the inwardly oriented sheet and the outwardly oriented sheet, wherein each respective rod is positioned proximate to one of the periodic longitudinal convolutions defined by the intermediate reinforced polymeric sheet.

8. The mobile banking device of claim 7 wherein the polymeric material employed in the outer, inner and intermediate sheets is fiberglass resin and the rods are metal members which, when said walls are in position relative to such housing, are located in spaced relationship relative to one another and extend perpendicularly upward from the platform, the walls further comprising means for anchoring the rods in fixed relationship relative to one another and to the platform.

9. The mobile banking device of claim 8 wherein the means for anchoring the rods relative to one another and to the platform comprises at least one crossmember contained in the fiberglass resin and located proximate to the roof of the housing.

10. The mobile banking device of claim 1 further comprising:

means for insulating the interior area of the outer housing from external electrical discharge;

means for establishing and maintaining the outer housing and user transaction unit in contact with an external power supply;

means for establishing and maintaining the outer housing and user transaction unit with at least one remote communication relay; and

a climate control unit for maintaining temperature and humidity levels in the interior area defined in the outer housing.

11. A platform having an upper face and a lower face;

an outer housing mounted on and extending upward from the upper face of the platform, the outer housing having a pair of opposed side walls, a front wall positioned between and essentially perpendicular between the opposed side walls, a rear wall opposed to the front wall extending perpendicular between the side walls, the front, rear and side walls mounted to the platform and extending upward therefrom, the outer housing further including a roof extending between the front wall, side walls and rear wall opposed and essentially parallel to the upper face of the platform the outer housing defining an interior area of sufficient size to accommodate ingress and egress of service personnel;

at least one transaction interface unit mounted in one of the walls, the transaction interface unit including means accessible from outside the outer housing for maintaining interactive communication between a computational data storage and retrieval device located at a distance remote to said mobile banking device, and means for dispensing currency in specified quantities from a reserve supply of currency contained within the outer housing;

at least one set of wheels attached to the platform and extending downward therefrom; and

means for emitting discernable evidence of unauthorized breaches in security of the housing, the means contained in the housing and in contact with the outer housing, the platform and the monitoring means readable from the interior area defined in the outer housing;

sensor devices positioned in the interior area defined by the outer housing, the sensor devices capable of detecting unauthorized seismic disturbance and movement of the housing;

alarm devices mounted to the outer housing and responding to output obtained from the sensor devices; and

relays for transmitting information from the sensor devices to appropriate alarm devices.

12. A mobile banking device comprising:

a platform having an upper face and a lower face;

an outer housing mounted on and extending upward from the upper face of the platform, the outer housing having a pair of opposed side walls, a front wall positioned between and essentially perpendicular between the opposed side walls, a rear wall opposed to the front wall extending perpendicular between the side walls, the front, rear and side walls mounted to the platform and extending upward therefrom, the outer housing further including a roof extending between the front wall, side walls and rear wall opposed and essentially parallel to the upper face of the platform the outer housing defining an interior area of sufficient size to accommodate ingress and egress of service personnel, an access portal defined in one of the walls to permit entry and exit of service personnel from the interior of the outer housing, the access portal including a door panel and means for locking the panel securely into a closed position;

at least one customer transaction interface unit mounted in one of the walls;

at least one set of wheels attached to the platform and extending downward therefrom; and

means for emitting discernable evidence of unauthorized breaches in security of the housing, the security means including sensors and associated alarms for detecting and indicating unauthorized access through the portal defined in the wall member.

13. The mobile automated teller device of claim 12 wherein the platform comprises:

a tow bar releasably attached to and extending laterally from the platform, the tow bar configured to releasably engage a suitable towing vehicle;

a plurality of support stands connected to the lower platform, the support stands movable within a first retracted position and a second extended position, the second extended position providing sufficient extension whereby a distal end of each respective support stand contacts ground underlying the platform; and

means for facilitating temporary removal of the wheels from attachment to the platform when the support stands are in the second fully extended position.

14. The mobile banking device of claim 12 wherein the means for emitting discernable evidence of unauthorized breaches in security of the housing comprises:

a device for monitoring and transmitting indication of seismic disturbances relative to the mobile banking device;

a device for monitoring and transmitting indication of damage to wall and roof integrity of the outer housing; and

means for converting said transmitted indications into remotely monitored signals and alarms.

15. The mobile banking device of claim 12 wherein the walls define a first cross-sectional area proximate to the platform, a second cross-sectional area midway between the platform and the roof, and a third cross-sectional area proximate to the roof, wherein the first and second cross-sectional areas are essentially equal and the third cross-sectional area is at least 5% less than the first and third cross-sectional areas.

16. The mobile banking device of claim 15 wherein the walls of the housing comprise:

an outwardly oriented reinforced polymeric sheet having an inner face and an outer face;

an inwardly oriented reinforced polymeric sheet having an inner face and an outer face, the inwardly oriented polymeric sheet positioned a spaced distance from and parallel to the outwardly oriented sheet;

an intermediate reinforced polymeric sheet having a plurality of periodic convolutions located therein oriented perpendicularly to the platform, the intermediate reinforced polymeric sheet positioned within the spaced distance defined by the inwardly oriented sheet and the outwardly oriented sheet and bonded thereto and having periodic integral contact with the respective inwardly oriented sheet and outwardly oriented sheet; and

a plurality of rods located in the spaced distance defined between the inwardly oriented sheet and the outwardly oriented sheet, wherein each respective rod is positioned proximate to one of the periodic longitudinal convolutions defined by the intermediate reinforced polymeric sheet.

17. The mobile banking device of claim 16 wherein the polymeric material employed in the outer, inner and intermediate sheets is fiberglass resin and the rods are metallic members which, when said walls are in position relative to such housing, are located in spaced relationship relative to one another and extend perpendicularly upward from the platform, the walls further comprising means for anchoring the rods in fixed relationship relative to one another and to the platform.

18. A mobile banking device comprising:

a platform having an upper face and a lower face;

an outer housing mounted on and extending upward from the upper face of the platform, the outer housing having a pair of opposed side walls, a front wall positioned between and essentially perpendicular between the opposed side walls, a rear wall opposed to the front wall extending perpendicular between the side walls, the front, rear and side walls mounted to the platform and extending upward therefrom, the outer housing further including a roof extending between the front wall, side walls and rear wall opposed and essentially parallel to the upper face of the platform the outer housing defining an interior area of sufficient size to accommodate ingress and egress of service personnel, an access portal defined in one of the walls to permit entry and exit of service personnel from the interior of the outer housing, the access portal including a door panel and means for locking the panel securely into a closed position;

at least one transaction interface unit mounted in one of the walls;

at least one set of wheels attached to the platform and extending downward therefrom;

means for emitting discernable evidence of unauthorized breaches in security of the housing, the security means including sensors and associated alarms for detecting and indicating unauthorized access through the portal defined in the wall member, wherein tThe means for emitting discernable evidence of unauthorized breaches in the security of the housing comprising;

a) a device for monitoring and transmitting indication of seismic disturbances relative to the mobile banking device;

b) a device for monitoring and transmitting indication of damage to wall and roof integrity of the outer housing; and

c) means for converting said transmitted indications into remotely monitored signals and alarms;

means for monitoring an area exterior and proximate to the outer housing for movement and traffic, the monitoring means readable from the interior area defined in the outer housing;

sensor devices positioned in the interior area defined by the outer housing, the sensor devices capable of detecting unauthorized seismic disturbance and movement of the housing;

alarm devices; and

relays for transmitting information from the sensor devices to appropriate alarm devices.