Photo booth with modular construction

• US 5,784,651 A
• Filed: 11/15/1996
• Issued: 07/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Polaroid Corporation (PLR IP Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Polaroid Corporation (PLR IP Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Mauchan, Donald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): BLANKENSHIP, HOWARD BENNETT
• Application Number:
  US08/749,497
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 396/1, 396/2, 396/3, 396/4
• US Class Current: 396/2
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/53 for automatically delivering a finished picture after a signal causing exposure has been given, e.g. by pushing a button, by inserting a coin

Abstract

A photo booth for capturing an image of a subject and providing reproductions of the image is constructed from self-contained modules--an apparatus module and a background module--linked via a roof module and a floor member. The modules can be easily bundled for handling and storing and occupy, when bundled together, a substantially smaller floor space than when the modules are secured to each other for operation as a photo booth. The apparatus module includes an image capturing device, such as a photographic camera using self-developing film, an electronic camera or a combination thereof, and an image reproduction device and may further include means for illuminating the subject, for image processing and display and for receiving payment. Means for controlling the temperature and humidity inside the apparatus module may also be provided. The apparatus module may also be used as a stand-alone unit. Translucent panels adapted to be illuminated for displaying messages may be secured to the outside walls of the modules.

Claims

1. A photo booth for capturing an image of a subject, the booth comprising:

an apparatus module comprising a plurality of wall members cooperatively connected to define an enclosed space, said space including means for receiving an image capturing device and an image reproduction device;

a background module comprising a plurality of wall members cooperatively connected to define a subject receiving space including means for providing a background for the image;

a floor member having two ends, the first end comprising a hinge secured to one of either the background module or the apparatus module for pivoting the floor member about a horizontal pivot axis of the hinge and the second end opposite to the first end comprising means for detachably securing the floor member to the other of the background module or the apparatus module to maintain the background module and the apparatus module in fixed spaced apart relation to each other;

a roof module having means for detachably securing the apparatus module and the background module in the same fixed spaced apart relation as secured by the floor member.

2. The photo booth according to claim 1 covering a floor space, wherein the apparatus, background and roof modules when detached from each other are adapted for bundling in a manner where the bundled apparatus, background and roof modules occupy a substantially smaller floor space than when the apparatus, background and roof modules are secured to each other for operation as a photo booth.

3. The photo booth according to claim 1, further comprising translucent panels secured to the outside of the wall members and adapted to be illuminated.

4. The photo booth according to claim 1, the roof module further comprising keyed releasable fastening means adapted to engage with the apparatus module and the background module upon assembly of the booth.

5. A photo booth for capturing an image of a subject, the booth comprising:

an apparatus module comprising a plurality of wall members and a bottom cooperatively connected to define an enclosed space, said space including means for receiving an image capturing device and an image reproduction device;

a background module comprising a plurality of wall members and a bottom cooperatively connected to define a subject receiving space including means for providing a background for the image;

a floor member having two ends, the first end comprising means for detachably securing the floor member along the first end to the bottom of the apparatus module and the second end opposite to the first end comprising means for detachably securing the floor member along the second end to the bottom of the background module to maintain the background module and the apparatus module in fixed spaced apart relation to each other;

a roof module having means for detachably securing the apparatus module and the background module in the same fixed spaced apart relation as secured by the floor member.

6. The photo booth according to claim 5, further comprising translucent panels secured to the outside of the wall members and adapted to be illuminated.

7. The photo booth according to claim 5, the roof module further comprising keyed fastening means adapted to engage with the apparatus module and the background module upon assembly of the booth.