U.S. patent application number 09/793074 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-26 for informative cardboard kiosk structure.
Invention is credited to Waubant, Olivier.
Application Number | 20010009346 09/793074 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27253304 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010009346 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Waubant, Olivier |
July 26, 2001 |
Informative cardboard kiosk structure
Abstract
The informative kiosk structure is used to house information
distribution means and, for example, a screen (4) connected to a
central unit (3). This structure comprises a main element made up
of three panels, namely a central panel and two side panels (10),
the central panel being made up of two portions, namely a lower
portion (9) and an upper portion (11) with a central recess (11a)
forming a display window. The side panels (10) form, at least with
the lower portion (9) of the central portion, a single foldable
element, the side panels (10) being joined with respect to the
lower portion (9) of the central panel or consisting of separate
panels designed to be nested transversally, at least on the lower
portion (9) of the central panel so that, once the structure has
been assembled, the two side panels (10) approximately form a U
with the central panel. The structure preferably also includes a
closing cap (8).
Inventors: |
Waubant, Olivier;
(Lambersart, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOLF GREENFIELD & SACKS, PC
FEDERAL RESERVE PLAZA
600 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BOSTON
MA
02210-2211
US
|
Family ID: |
27253304 |
Appl. No.: |
09/793074 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09793074 |
Feb 26, 2001 |
|
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09381599 |
Sep 21, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
312/304 ;
312/7.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 81/06 20130101;
A47B 2200/0069 20130101; A47B 21/00 20130101; G09F 27/00 20130101;
A47B 2230/0011 20130101; A47B 21/0073 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/304 ;
312/7.2 |
International
Class: |
A47B 081/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 25, 1997 |
FR |
9703908 |
Jun 23, 1997 |
FR |
9708065 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Informative kiosk structure for housing means for distributing
information, wherein it includes a main element made up of three
panels, namely a central panel and two side panels, wherein the
central panel is made up of two portions, namely a lower portion
whose height is smaller than the height of the side panels and an
upper portion with a central recess forming a display window, and
wherein the side panels form, at least with the lower portion of
the central panel, a single foldable element, the side panels being
articulated with respect to the lower portion of the central panel,
or consisting of separate panels of the central panel designed to
be nested transversally, at least on the lower portion of the
central panel, so that, once the structure has been assembled, the
two side panels approximately form a U with the central panel.
2. Informative kiosk structure according to claim 1, wherein, once
the main element has been configured into a U, the two side panels
respectively have two upper edges extending from the lower portion
of the central panel forming a facade and which define a rising
slanted plane oriented towards the rear of the structure.
3. Informative kiosk structure according to claim 2, wherein the
upper portion forming a window of the central panel is articulated
with respect to the lower portion of the central panel.
4. Informative kiosk structure according to one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein the two upper edges of the side panels, which once the
structure has been assembled, extend from the lower portion of the
central panel, are provided with one or several snugs, and wherein
one or several cuts are provided in the upper portion making it
possible to nest the upper portion on the snugs of the upper edges
of the side panels.
5. Informative kiosk structure according to one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein it includes a screen mask having a central recess and which
is suitable for being fixed and able to move against the upper
portion of the central panel.
6. Informative kiosk structure according to claims 4 and 5, wherein
the screen mask includes one or several cuts for nesting the screen
mask on the snugs of the side panels.
7. Informative kiosk structure according to claim 5 or 6, wherein
each snug is pierced with an opening for the passage of a locking
pin.
8. Informative kiosk structure according to one of claims 1 to 7,
wherein it includes a closing cap separated from the main element
and designed to be fixed and movable via nesting in support on the
rear edges of the side panels once the main element has been
configured into a U.
9. Informative kiosk structure according to claim 8, wherein once
the cap has been fixed on the main U-shaped element, it forms a
slot by extending beyond the upper edge of the upper portion
forming the window of the central panel.
10. Informative kiosk structure according to claim 1, wherein it
includes one or several table panels designed to be fixed and able
to move between the two side panels of the U-configured main
element and which are able to stiffen the U-shaped main element
whilst acting as a support for the information distribution
means.
11. Informative kiosk structure according to claim 10, wherein two
internal cheeks are secured to the internal face of the two side
panels and have at least two notches or cuts opposite in which a
table panel is able to slide.
12. Informative kiosk structure according to claims 2 and 11,
wherein it further includes a plate having an L-shaped profile made
up of a main element which is extended by a shoulder forming a
stop, and wherein this plate is placed able to move on the upper
edges or be nested in cuts of the two internal cheeks, said upper
edges or cut having approximately an L profile complementary to
that of the plate so that, once the plate is laid or nested, its
main portion forms a support slanted towards the rear and bottom of
the structure, especially for a computer screen, and its shoulder
is disposed opposite the central panel.
13. Informative kiosk structure according to one of claims 10 to
12, wherein it includes one or several straps whose function is to
connect the two side panels by exerting on the side panels a
tension able to place them in support against the consolidation
table panel(s).
14. Informative kiosk structure according to claim 1, wherein it
comprises at least one table panel designed to be fixed so as to
move on the external face of the central panel and/or of the side
panel(s).
15. Informative kiosk structure according to claim 14 and one of
claims 5 to 7, wherein it includes a screen mask and a table panel
forming a single element, the table panel comprising a first
portion extending at the lower portion the screen mask and which,
once the structure is assembled, is approximately horizontal, and a
second portion designed to be fixed on the lower portion of the
central panel and which, once the structure is assembled, is able
to support the first portion by making it rest against the lower
portion of the central panel.
16. Informative kiosk structure according to claim 15, wherein the
first portion is articulated with respect to the screen mask, and
wherein the second portion of the table panel is joined with
respect to the first portion.
17. Informative kiosk structure according to claim 15 or 16,
wherein the lower portion of the central panel comprises at least
one cut and the second portion of the table panel comprises at
least one snug designed to be nested in the cut of the lower
portion.
18. Informative kiosk structure according to one of claims 1 to 17,
wherein at least the panels of the main element and, if
appropriate, the closing cap are made of cardboard.
19. Informative kiosk, wherein it is made up of a structure
according to one of claims 1 to 18, which is assembled and is used
to house an information distribution screen disposed at the level
of the upper portion forming a window of the central panel.
20. Informative kiosk according to claim 19, wherein it is used to
house a central unit connected to at least a computer screen and
possibly to one or several other peripherals.
21. Informative kiosk according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the
upper portion used as window function of the central panel is
secured to the screen.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention concerns a new informative kiosk
structure for housing information distribution means. In particular
but not exclusively, the invention can be applied to embodying a
disposable multimedia interactive cardboard kiosk. The informative
kiosks of the invention can be advantageously used on a temporary
basis to inform the public on stands of commercial exhibition rooms
or in any place housing events open to a large number of
people.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Up until now concerning interactive information kiosks,
finished factory-assembled kiosk structures made of a rigid metal
have been used. By virtue of their structure, these kiosks are
costly to produce, and once mounted because of their spatial
requirement, are difficult to transport from one site to another.
For this reason, up until now, interactive information kiosks have
always been preferably installed permanently in a given
location.
[0003] On the other hand, the invention is able to provide an
informative kiosk structure generally intended for housing
information distribution means, such as an interactive computer
system comprising a central unit connected to a display screen and
possibly to various communication peripherals, such as a keyboard,
a card reader, etc., but which can easily be transported and
installed on any site, which can be advantageously embodied at
reduced cost and which can be easily assembled without resorting to
using special tools.
[0004] According to the invention, the informative kiosk structure
includes a main element made up of three panels, namely a central
panel and two side panels. The central panel is made up of two
portions, namely a lower portion whose height is smaller than that
of the side panels, and an upper portion with a central recess
forming a display window. The side panels form at least with the
lower portion of the central panel a single foldable element, the
side panels being articulated with respect to the lower portion of
the central portion, or consist of separate panels designed to be
nested transversally, at least on the lower portion of the central
panel, so that, once the structure has been assembled, the two side
panels approximately form a U with the central panel.
[0005] According to the invention, the lower and upper portions of
the central panel could be constituted by two separate elements or
the central panel could be made of a single piece.
[0006] In one preferred embodiment variant, once the main element
has been configured into a U, the two side panels respectively have
two upper edges extending from the lower portion of the central
panel forming a facade and which define a rising slanted plane
orientated towards the rear of the structure. This disposition
advantageously makes it possible to embody a kiosk having at the
facade a slanted display window, the upper portion of the central
panel and/or an additional screen mask advantageously being able to
be mounted in support against the upper edges of the side panels,
which facilitates display of information by a user which could be
displayed on a screen housed inside the structure.
[0007] More particularly, according to said preferred embodiment
variant, the upper portion of the central panel forming the window
is articulated with respect to the lower portion of the central
panel.
[0008] According to an additional characteristic of the invention,
the informative kiosk structure further includes a closing cap
separated from the panels of the main element and which is designed
to be fixed so as to be able to move in support on the rear edges
of the side panels once the main elements has been configured into
a U.
[0009] At least the panels of the main element and if applicable
the closing cap are preferably but not exclusively made of a
disposable material, such as cardboard.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention shall
appear more clearly from a reading of the following description of
two preferred embodiment examples of an interactive kiosk with a
cardboard structure according to the invention, said description
being given by way of nonrestrictive example and with reference to
the accompanying drawing on which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interactive kiosk
according to a first embodiment variant whose cardboard structure
after assembling is laid on a base,
[0012] FIG. 2 is a horizontal view of the main elements
constituting the cardboard structure of the kiosk of FIG. 1,
[0013] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the movable catching
principle of an external table panel on the cardboard structure of
the kiosk of FIG. 1,
[0014] FIG. 4 is a partial cross section view of the upper portion
of the kiosk of FIG. 1,
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cardboard informative
kiosk structure according to a second embodiment variant,
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side view of the kiosk of FIG. 5 on which a
screen mask and a support table panel forming a single element are
mounted,
[0017] FIG. 7 diagrammatically represents a cap and its associated
locking axis used to the lock the screen mask of FIG. 6 in
position,
[0018] FIG. 8 is a horizontal view of a foldable main element with
three panels according to another embodiment variant of the
invention,
[0019] and FIG. 9 is a horizontal view of an internal cheek for the
side panels of the main element of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] In the particular example shown on FIG. 1, the interactive
information kiosk includes a structure 1 which is laid on a base 2
and which is used to house means for distributing information. In
the particular example shown, these distribution means are
constituted by a central unit 3 connected to a computer screen 4.
Fixed to the structure 1 and able to move is an external table
panel 5 used as a support for a keyboard 6 connected to the central
unit 3.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 2, the structure 1 of the kiosk of
FIG. 1 consists of a set of elements ready to be mounted and
basically includes a foldable main element 7 and a rear closing cap
8. In the example of FIG. 2, the main element 7 is made up of three
articulated panels, an approximately rectangular central panel 7a
and two side panels 10. The central panel 7a is made up of two
portions, namely a rectangular lower portion 9 with a height h
smaller than the height H of the side panels 10, and an upper
portion 11 which extends the lower portion 9 and which comprises a
central recess 11a intended to form a window for displaying
information written on the screen 4. In the example shown, the
upper portion 11 is articulated with respect to the lower portion 9
along a folding line 9b corresponding to the upper edge of the
lower portion 9. The side panels 10 are connected to the lower
portion 9 of the central panel 7a by two folding lines 9a
corresponding to the two longitudinal edges of the lower portion
9.
[0022] More particularly, in the example of FIG. 2, the side panels
10 comprise an upper edge 10a forming, along with the upper edge 9b
of the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7a, an obtuse angle A
strictly greater than 90.degree. and strictly less than
180.degree.. Thus, the two upper edges 10a of the two side panels
10 form along with the upper edge 9b a V-shaped profile whose base
is constituted by the upper edge 9b.
[0023] Each upper edge 10a of the two side panels 10 is extended by
a rear edge 10b having a first arc of a circle-shaped portion 10c
and a second rectilinear portion 10d extending as far as the lower
edge 10e of the side panel 10. A plurality of snugs 12 with a catch
function are provided over the entire length of this rear edge
10b.
[0024] Secured to the internal face of the side panels 10, that is
on the hidden face of the main element 7 of FIG. 2, are
respectively two internal cheeks 13. Each cheek basically comprises
two notches 14 and an upper edge 15 having approximately an
L-shaped profile with a first longer portion 15a forming with the
upper edge 9b of the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7a an
angle B approximately equal to the angle A, and a second portion
15b of shorter length and extending the first portion 15a upwards
and opposite the central panel 7a. In another variant, each cheek
13 could be made up of three separate elements.
[0025] Advantageously, the main element 7 shall be embodied at low
cost in a cardboard blank which shall have been previously cut so
as to give it the particular shape shown on FIG. 2 and in which the
two folding lines 9a and the folding line 9b shall have been
embodied. A cut with the hollow-punch shall be made in the upper
portion 11 so as to form the recess 11a. The dimension of the
recess 11 a could be smaller than the size of the screen 4 in which
case the screen shall be situated behind the panel 11 once the
kiosk structure has been assembled. If necessary, the shape of the
recess 11a could be designed so as to marry the profile of the
screen 4, in which case the screen 4 is to be inserted in the
recess 11 a once the kiosk has been assembled. Four cuts 16 with
the hollow-punch shall be made in the side panels 10 and in the
lower portion 9 of the central panel 7a, and a central cut 17 shall
be made with the hollow-punch in the lower portion 9 of the central
panel 9. The function of the cuts 16, as shall appear more clearly
from the description of FIG. 2, is to allow the mounting of squares
of the external table panel 5. The function of the cut 17 is to
allow passage of the cable connecting the keyboard 6 to the central
unit 3. A plurality of micro-perforations 18 shall also be made in
the two side panels 10 so as to provide ventilation between the
inside and outside of the kiosk structure.
[0026] The two internal cheeks 13 shall also preferably be embodied
by the precutting of cardboard blanks and pasted onto the internal
face of the two side panels 10. Prior to pasting of each internal
cheek 13 onto the corresponding side panel 10, a precut shall be
made with the hollow punch and shall be opposite the precut 16 of
the side panel 10 and micro-perforations opposite the
micro-perforations 18 of the side panel 10.
[0027] In the preferred embodiment example shown on FIG. 2, the
main element 7 is further equipped with two straps 19 fixed on the
righthand side panel 10 on FIG. 2, and two straps 20 symmetrically
fixed on the lefthand side panel 10 on FIG. 2. The straps 19 and 20
are respectively provided at their free extremity with a fastening
element 19a and 20a. The fastening element 19a of a strap 19 is
designed to cooperate with the fastening element 20a of a strap 20
to ensure the strap 19 is secured to the opposite strap 20. In a
specific embodiment example, the fastening elements 19a and 20a
were constituted by additional mechanical hook and buckle type
fastening elements more commonly known as VELCRO fasteners. Of
course, these fastening elements 19a and 20a could be constituted
by any element known to an the expert in this particular field and
which could fulfill the same function.
[0028] The straps 19 and 20 shall preferably be fixed to the
corresponding site panel 10 by being sandwitched via their
extremity opposite that of their fastening element between the
internal face of the side panel 10 and the internal cheek 13.
[0029] The closing cap 8 of the external structure of the kiosk of
FIG. 1 is also advantageously embodied in a rectangular cardboard
blank having five cuts 21 made with the hollow punch along its two
longitudinal edges, said cuts being intended to cooperate with the
tenons 12 of the side panels 10 of the main portion 7, and a cut 22
at the level of its lower edge 8b intended to allow passage of
electric power cables of information distribution means and in
particular the power cable of the central unit and various
peripherals able to be connected to this central unit and housed
inside the structure of the kiosk.
[0030] Grooves 23, commonly known as "slits" in the cardboard
industry, are also embodied by compressing in the cardboard blank
constituting the closing cap and extend over the entire width of
the closing cap 8. These slits are embodied in the upper portion of
the cap 8 so as to give it a curved shape adapted to the arc of a
circle-shaped portion 10c of the rear side edges 10b.
[0031] As a supplement to the external structure described above
and the external table panel 5, the information kiosk also includes
four other accessories shown on FIG. 2 and constituted by two table
panels 24, an upper plate 25 and a screen mask 26. The two table
panels 24 have a rectangular shape with a length L approximately
equal to the length of the central panel 7 and a width I
approximately equal to the length of the notches 14 of the internal
cheeks 13. The plate 25 is made up of two portions, namely a first
main portion 25a and a shoulder 25b having an articulated stop
function with respect to the main portion 25a. The screen mask 26
has approximately the same shape as the upper portion 11 with a
window function of the central portion 9 whilst, however, being
slightly oversized with respect to this panel 11. This mask 26 also
comprises a central recess 26a opposite the recess 11a of the upper
portion 11. The table panels 24, the plate 25 and the screen mask
26 could advantageously be embodied at a low cost in cardboard
blanks.
[0032] Where the plate is 25 concerned, the articulation of the two
portions 25a and 25b shall be embodied by a seam groove 26 making
it possible to configure the plate 25 by giving it an L-shaped
profile complementary to the L profile of the upper edge 15 of the
internal cheeks 13.
[0033] The kiosk structure, whose various elements are shown on
FIG. 2 have just been described, has the advantage of being able to
be produced inexpensively, is light and has a reduced spatial
requirement for its transport. So as to transport this structure to
its assembly site, it is preferably possible to fold the two side
panels 10 against the central panel 9 and stack the closing cap,
the table panels 24, the plate 25 and the screen mask 26 on this
unit.
[0034] So as to constitute the kiosk of FIG. 1, the assembling of
the structure into a kit shown on FIG. 2 is effected on site as
follows without using any special tools, as described hereafter.
Firstly, the main element 7 is folded so that the two side panels
10 and the internal portion 9 of the central panel 7a approximately
form a U, the two side panels 10 being joined opposite each other
transversally to the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7a with
the two internal cheeks 13 being opposite the inside of the U. Then
the U formed by the internal portion 9 of the central panel 7a and
the two side panels 10 is consolidated and stiffened by sliding the
table panels 24 inside the U in the notches 14 provided to this
effect. Once the table panels 24 have been placed, the unit is
consolidated by fastening each strap 19 with the opposite belt 20
which has the effect of exerting tension on the two side panels 10
making it possible to place them in support on the table panels
24.
[0035] Then the upper plate 25 is positioned on the upper edge 15
of the internal cheeks 15 after having given it a L-shaped
configuration, as shown more clearly on FIG. 4. Having regard to
the angle B formed by the portion 15a of each upper edge 15 with
horizontal, once the upper plate has been placed its main portion
25a forms a support slanting backwards and downwards from
approximately the upper edge 9b of the lower portion 9 of the
central panel 7a, and the shoulder 25b of the plate comes to rest
against the portion 15b of the upper edge 15 of the internal cheeks
13. The main portion 25b is used to support the screen 4 and
advantageously makes it possible to give this screen an inclination
with respect to vertical for facilitating the displaying of
information by the user of the kiosk.
[0036] Once these operations have been completed, the external
table panel 5 is secured to the lower portion 9 of the central
panel 7a and on the side panels 10. As shown on FIG. 3, the
external table panel 5 is formed of a plate 5a whose lower face is
equipped with squares 5b. Each square 5b comprises a hook 5c
intended to be inserted in a notch 16. The plate 5a and the square
5b could advantageously be formed of two cardboard elements pasted
together.
[0037] The hook 5c of each square 5b shall preferably have an
opening 5d (FIG. 3) for placing a fixing axis 5e avoiding any risk
of the square 5b being accidentally disengaged by the notch 16.
[0038] The next stage consists of placing in the assembled
structure the equipment for distributing information, that is in
the example shown the central unit 3 to be placed on the upper
table panel 24 (FIG. 1), the screen 4 to be placed on the upper
plate 25, and the keyboard 6 to be placed on the external table
panel 5. This keyboard 6 is connected to the central unit 3 by a
cable (not shown) passing through the cut 17 of the central panel
7a. The lower table panel 24 can also be used to support one or
several other peripherals, such as a printer, connected to the
central unit 3.
[0039] Once the information distribution equipment and in
particular the screen 4 have been placed, the upper portion 11 with
a window function is folded with respect to the lower portion 9 of
the central panel 7a by positioning it approximately between the
two slanted upper edges 10a of the two side panels 10. The upper
portion 11 could be secured by any suitable means, such as double
face adhesive, to the two side panels 10.
[0040] In one embodiment variant, additional flaps 10f and
represented by the dots on FIG. 2 can be provided at the level of
the upper edge 10a of each side panel 10. Once the main element 7
has been configured into a U, the flaps 10f are folded at a right
angle with respect to the side panels 10. The upper portion 11 of
the central panel 7a can advantageously be secured to the flap 10f
by means of glueing.
[0041] In a preferred variant, the upper portion 11 shall be
directly secured to the screen 4. To this effect and with reference
to FIG. 4, it is possible to provide mechanical VELCRO type
fastening means 27a on the internal face 1 b of the upper portion
11 and on the periphery of the recess 11a, said means cooperating
with the additional mechanical fastening means 27b secured to the
periphery of the screen 4. The VELCRO type mechanical fastening
means could of course be embodied by any known device fulfilling
the same function, that is by any device permitting fixing of the
upper portion 11 with a window function to the screen 4. For
example, it is possible to equip the upper portion 11 with fixing
straps (not shown) similar to those 19, 20 of the side panels 10
and which are designed to circle the screen 4 and enabling the
upper portion 11 to be applied against the screen 4.
[0042] Once the upper portion 11 of the central panel 7a has been
fixed, the screen mask 26 is fixed on this portion 11, as shown on
FIG. 4. This screen mask 26 comes to rest against the slanted upper
edges 10a of the side panels 10. The fixing of the screen mask 26
on the portion 11 shall be effected by any suitable element known
by an expert in this particular field, such as a double-faced
adhesive 28 or VELCRO type mechanical fastening means positioned on
the periphery of the recesses 11 a and 26a respectively of the
portion 11 and the screen mask 26. A function of the screen mask 26
is to improve the aesthetics of the kiosk. Another function is,
when it proves necessary, to place a transparent plastic film
between the screen mask 26 and the portion 11 for protecting the
screen 4. The mask 26 is not necessarily separated from the portion
11, but could advantageously in another variant be integral with
one of the edges of the portion 11 and folding down against this
portion 11. For aesthetic reasons, it is also possible to add a
fixing joint over the entire periphery of the recesses 11 a and 26a
and resting against the screen 4.
[0043] Once said stages have been completed, assembling of the
kiosk is ended by placing the closing cap 8 resting on the rear
edge 10b of the two side panels 10, the tenons 12 of each side
panel 10 being nested inside the cuts 22 of the cap 8. Keeping in
place the closing cap 8 with respect to the two side panels 10 is
mainly effected by the tenons 12. In one embodiment variant, these
tenons 12 could be pierced and a decorative ring (not shown) could
be passed into each pair of tenons 12 opposite so as to improve the
keeping in position of the closing cap with respect to the side
panels 10.
[0044] A finishing flange 27, possibly made of a foam material, is
preferably mounted on the free front edge of the cap 8 and is
longitudinally split at its center so as to be mounted on the cap
8.
[0045] As shown on FIG. 1, the closing cap 8 is oversized with
respect to the length of the rear edges 10b of the side panels 10
so that once placed, it is extended at the upper portion beyond the
junction point between the upper edge 10a and the rear edge 10b of
the side panels 10, that is beyond the upper edge of the portion 11
used as a window and the screen mask 26. The cap 8 is thus
advantageously able to form a shield avoiding the risks of
backlighting on the screen 4.
[0046] In a specific embodiment given by way of non-restrictive
example, the various elements of the structure of the kiosk were
embodied in honeycombed cardboard blanks having a thickness of
about 150 mm. However, the invention is not limited to providing a
cardboard kiosk structure, but could be embodied with any light
rigid or semi-rigid material, such as plastic, for producing a main
element 7 made of a single piece. The advantage of cardboard
resides mainly in its low cost price making it possible to embody
kiosk structures which can be changed or discarded after being
used. Thus, for a given event, it is advantageously possible to
customize the covering of the kiosk by glueing a poster on the
external face of the main element 7 and then changing the kiosk
covering by replacing the cardboard main element 7 by a new element
on which a new poster shall have been glued where a different text
shall possibly have been printed.
[0047] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment variant of an information
kiosk structure according to the invention which basically differs
from that of FIG. 1 in that the central panel 7a and the two panels
10 of the main element are constituted by three separate panels,
the side panels 10 being nested transversally inside the central
panel 7a. On FIG. 5, the kiosk structure does not comprise any
screen mask or external table panel. On the other hand, FIG. 6
shows the kiosk structure of FIG. 5 equipped with a screen mask 26
and an external table panel 5 which in a preferred embodiment
example forms a single piece. By way of simplification, the
elements common to the variant of FIGS. 5 and 6 and the variant of
FIGS. 1 to 4 bear the same references.
[0048] In the variant of FIG. 5, so as to enable them to be nested
with respect to the central panel 7a, the side panels 10 each
comprise at the level of their upper edge 10a two snugs 12' used as
tenons and at the level of their front longitudinal edge 10g two
snugs 12" used as tenons. The nesting of a side panel 10 with
respect to the central panel 7a is effected by transversally
positioning the side panel 10 with respect to the central panel 7a
and by making the snugs 12" of the longitudinal edge 10g pass
through cuts 9c provided in the lower portion 9 of the central
panel 7a and by folding the upper portion 11 of the central panel
7a so as to bring it to stop against the upper edges 10a of the
side panels 10, the snugs 12' being nested inside the cuts 11c
provided in the upper portion 11 of the central panel 7a. Contrary
to the variant of FIG. 1, the upper portion 11 of the central panel
7a is preferably not fixed to the screen 4, but is fixed to rest
against the upper edges 10a of the side panels 10.
[0049] On FIG. 6, according to an additional characteristic, the
kiosk structure of FIG. 5 is equipped with a screen mask 26 and an
external table panel 5' which form a single element. The table
panel 5' comprises a first portion 5'a which at the lower portion
extends the screen mask 26 and which, once the structure is
assembled, is approximately horizontal, and a second portion 5'b
designed to be fixed on the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7a
and which, once the structure is assembled, makes it possible to
support the first portion 5a by making it rest against the lower
portion 9 of the central panel 7a.
[0050] More particularly, in the example of FIG. 6, the first
portion 5'a is articulated with respect to the screen mask 26 with
the aid of a folding line 5'd and the second portion 5'b of the
table panel 5' is articulated with respect to the first portion 5'a
with the aid of a second folding line 5'e. Opposite the folding
line 5'e, the portion 5'b is extended by two snugs 5'c, only one
being visible on FIG. 6, which are respectively nested through the
cuts 16' provided in the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7a.
The screen mask 26 further includes four cuts 26b enabling the
screen mask to be nested on the portions of the tenons 12" which
project with respect to the upper portion 11 of the central panel
7a.
[0051] Preferably, at least the snugs 12' of the upper edges 10a of
the side panels 10 are pierced with an opening 12'a. Once the
screen mask 26 is nested on the snugs 12', the portion of these
snugs comprising the opening 12'a projects outside the structure
with respect to the screen mask 26. Thus, it is advantageously
possible, by making a locking pin pass into the openings 12'a of
the snugs 12', to lock in position and fully apply the mask 26
resting against the upper portion 11 of the central panel 7a. This
placing in support further advantageously makes it possible to
consolidate the table panel 5' by firstly having the junction point
rest between the portion 5'a of the table panel 5' and the screen
mask 26 against the junction point of the upper 11 and lower
portions 9 of the central panel 7a, and secondly the lower portion
5'b of the table panel 5' at the level of its snugs 5'c resting
against the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7a.
[0052] With reference to FIG. 7, for aesthetic reasons, a cap 30 is
used whose main two faces 30a are respectively pierced with two
opposing openings 30b for the passage of a locking pin 29. The cap
30 and the pin 29 shall be made of plastic, for example. The
locking of the screen mask 26 in position with respect to the upper
portion 11 of the central panel 7a is effected by fitting a cap 30
on each projecting portion of the snugs 12', the openings 30b of a
cap 30 being aligned with the opening 12'a of the corresponding
snug 12'. Then a locking pin 29 is mounted through the openings 30b
of each cap 30 and the opening 12'a of the corresponding snug 12'.
This locking pin 29 shall preferably be dimensioned with respect to
the diameter of the openings 30b of the cap 30 so that it can be
firmly inserted.
[0053] Of course, it is advantageously possible to lock each side
panel 10 in position with respect to firstly the lower portion 9 of
the central panel 7a and secondly to the closing cap 8 with the aid
of caps 30 and locking pins 29 being respectively mounted on the
projecting portions of the snugs 12" and the snugs 12. In this
case, each snug 12 and 12" shall also be pierced with an opening
for the passage of a locking pin 29.
[0054] Similarly for the kiosk of FIG. 1, the kiosk structure of
FIGS. 5 and 6 has the advantage of being able to be assembled
on'site by merely nesting these elements without using any special
tools. Moreover, once the structure has been dismantled, these
various elements can be easily stacked flat which facilitates
storage and transport of the structure to its installation
site.
[0055] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment variant of the foldable main
element 7 of a kiosk structure according to the invention and which
mainly differs from the foldable element 7 of the variant of FIG. 2
in that each side panel 10 is made up of two separate portions,
namely an articulated portion 10' with respect to the lower portion
9 of the central panel 7a and a portion 10" intended to be
definitively secured to the portion 10' so that the edges 10'a of
the portion 10' and 10a" of the portion 10" are located
approximately with one extending into the other. So as to
reconstitute each side panel 10, the portions 10' and 10" shall be
definitively fixed in relation to each other by being placed edge
to edge respectively along their edges 10'h and 10"h. The final
assembling of the portions 10' and 10" shall be preferably effected
with the aid of an internal cheek 13 shown on FIG. 9 and fixed by
any suitable means, especially by pasting on the internal face of
the portions 10' and 10". Thus, a side panel 10 is made up of three
finally assembled portions, namely the portions 10' and 10" and an
internal cheek 13 enabling the portions 10' and 10" to be
assembled.
[0056] More particularly, the rear snugs 12 shall be provided on
the internal cheek 13 so as to nest a closing cap 8 of the type of
FIG. 2 and the front snugs 12" allowing nesting of the upper
portion 11 used as a window for displaying the central panel
7a.
[0057] Advantageously, each internal cheek 13 of FIG. 9 comprises
two cuts 14' having the same function as the notches 14 of the
internal cheek 13 of the variant of FIG. 2. In addition, each
internal cheek 13 in the variant of FIG. 9 further comprises an
approximately L-shaped cut 31 having the same function as the upper
L-shaped edge 15 of the internal cheek 13 of the variant of FIG. 2.
In the variant of FIG. 9, the L cuts 31 of the two internal cheeks
13 make it possible to nest an upper plate 25 of the type of the
one already described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4.
[0058] The invention is not merely limited to a kiosk structure
comprising a central panel 7a whose two lower 9 and upper 11
portions form a single element. In another variant, the lower 9 and
upper 11 portions of the central panel can also be two separate
elements. In addition, in a simplified variant of the invention,
the central panel 7a could be formed of a single piece and with an
upper portion 11 not articulated with respect to the lower portion
9. In this case, as this concerns a kiosk structure with a foldable
main element 7, such as that of FIG. 1, the side panels 10 shall be
articulated, not only with respect to the lower portion 9, but also
with respect to the upper portion 11. When it concerns a kiosk
structure with a main element 7 formed of three separate panels,
the side panels 10 shall be designed to be nested transversally,
not only with respect to the lower portion 9, but also with respect
to the upper portion 11 of the central panel 7a.
[0059] The invention is no longer limited to the particular
application described with reference to the figures, that is with a
kiosk whose structure is used to house a central unit connected to
a computer screen, but can be applied to any device for
distributing information able to be housed inside the structure of
the kiosk and which is able to distribute information through the
recessed portion of the panel 11 used as a window. In another
embodiment variant of the invention, the computer screen 4 could be
replaced by a luminescent poster illuminated by one or several
light sources housed inside the structure of the kiosk. In another
application, the computer screen 4 and central unit 3 could also be
replaced by a television set.
[0060] Finally, it is also possible to perfect the kiosk structure
described by providing in the elements of the structure, especially
in the portion 11 used as a window and the screen mask 26,
additional openings for accessing peripherals housed inside the
structure. This could be a slit-shaped opening allowing access to a
smart card reader housed inside the structure of the kiosk.
* * * * *