Merchandising – Customer service – Banking
Patent
1989-08-07
1991-10-01
Spar, Robert J.
Merchandising
Customer service
Banking
186 53, E04H 112
Patent
active
050525190
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention is concerned with dispensing and/or depositing modules, for use, for example as "drive-in banks".
It is known to provide banking services wherein a customer may drive up in an automobile to some type of banking service means to conduct banking services. Examples of such banking service means are disclosed in PCT specification 86/06856 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,352.
The latter U.S. patent is concerned with banking apparatus including a plurality of islands each having a driveway adjacent thereto over which a customer may drive a vehicle, each island being provided with an automatic teller machine. The problem with such apparatus is that it can only be installed in an essentially permanent location; there are, however, many occasions where the provision of banking services at a temporary or semi-permanent location would be desirable. For example, at large exhibitions, agricultural shows and the like, it is often desirable to provide banking services; conventionally, such services are provided by means of portable buildings which are not suitable for drive-up operation.
A modular dispensing unit has now been devised which can be transported to a wide range of locations, so that banking services can be provided at a semi-permanent or temporary location. A modification of such a unit has also been devised which can be used for depositing goods, such as packages, into a secure receiving location.
According to the invention, therefore, there is provided a modular dispensing and/or depositing unit, which comprises a prefabricated structure comprising a floor of reinforced concrete and, secured to said floor, a unitary body of reinforced concrete comprising a roof and side walls integral with said roof, said structure being free standing and self-supporting on said floor; and a substantially unimpeded approach to said structure such that an automobile can be parked alongside at least one said wall, said structure including an enclosed secure repository and means for obtaining access to said repository through said at least one wall, such that a driver seated in the driver's seat of an automobile parked alongside said wall can either deposit articles into said repository via said means for obtaining access, or conduct a secure transaction such that a selected article or articles stored in said repository can be dispensed to said driver.
The floor is generally of area at least as great as the area of the base of said walls, such that it can be satisfactorily secured thereto. The structure itself, by virtue of being primarily of reinforced concrete, provides a high degree of security for the contents of the repository. In addition, the structure is very heavy (generally weighing at least 20 tonnes, such that the unit according to the invention is transportable on the back of the lorry and, in practical terms, is raisable on to the back of the lorry only by means of mechanical lifting apparatus. The unit according to the invention typically weighs at least about 26 tonnes.
It is preferred that the roof and walls of the prefabricated structure according to the invention should be a unitary precast body of reinforced concrete, and the floor is generally a substantially planar precast body of reinforced concrete.
The means for obtaining access to the repository preferably comprises means for dispensing cash, such an automated teller machine (or ATM).
It is particularly preferred that one wall of the unit according to the invention should be provided with a bulk transfer hatch for secure loading of the repository with cash through that wall, and a personnel door in that wall for personnel access to the interior of the unit. A transparent vision window is preferably provided in the wall above the bulk transfer hatch.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the prefabricated structure is further provided with a canopy extending from the wall alongside which the automobile can be parked, so as to provide a weather shelter. The canopy may be integral with the latter wall.
It is further preferred in some
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patent: 4157071 (1979-06-01), King
patent: 4557352 (1985-12-01), Tschappat, Jr.
patent: 4712650 (1987-12-01), Campbell
Hienz William M.
Spar Robert J.
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