Deposit and collection receptacles – Ballot boxes
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-06
2001-08-28
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3628)
Deposit and collection receptacles
Ballot boxes
C232S044000, C232S043100, C312S211000, C312S257100, C040S611050, C248S469000, C220S315000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279822
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to furniture and displays in general, and to displays which are speedily assembled and knocked down in particular.
For many products and services it is desirable to market selectively to potential customers having either a special interest or sufficient resources to be a possible purchaser. One technique for obtaining sales leads is to collect information in a targeted geographic area. For example, a provider of Caribbean cruises might solicit addresses of potential customers in northern regions in the winter months. The best and most accurate source of customer name, address, and phone number information is the potential customer. Various promotional activities can be employed to obtain this information voluntarily, for example by providing free samples or offering a free chance to win a prize. Usually the information is solicited by positioning collection boxes or kiosks in the targeted geographic region, for example within shopping malls.
Because a particular marketing venture may require the speedy collection of information, and may be of limited duration, the information collection kiosks are usually temporary structures, and are not built into the shopping mall environment. Furthermore, because of the potential value of the collected consumer information, the completed entry blanks may be a target of theft. Therefore, the collection kiosks must have at least a limited level of security. However, because the cost of collecting the information has a significant labor component, it is desirable to minimize as much as possible the time required to assemble, empty, and disassemble the collection kiosks. Moreover, the kiosks are preferably constructed of low-cost yet sturdy materials.
To promote consumer interest in the collection activity, it is desirable to provide transparent walls to the collection box, thereby allowing a potential contest entrant to make a determination of how popular the contest is. Some collection kiosks have required significant disassembly to collect the completed entry blanks.
What is needed is an information collection kiosk which is economically produced, rapidly assembled and disassembled, and, while easily accessed for removal of entry blanks, provides a level of security against theft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The information collection kiosk of this invention has a molded plastic collection bin with transparent front and rear panels for receiving entry blanks introduced through a slot in a covering counter. The collection bin is supported on two side frames which are formed of tubular aluminum with riveted plastic sheets. Front and rear plastic panels extend between the two side frames and are engaged on protruding fasteners. The counter, the side frames, and the collection bin each have aligned holes which receive two connecting carriage bolts. A bungee cord resiliently extends between the carriage bolts within the collection bin, retaining the assembly in a connected orientation. A display assembly has a metal frame with retractable threaded tubes which engage with the counter. Printed elements such as posters are clasped between plastic sheets and engaged with C-channels on the frame. A bent metal door selectively covers an access opening in the rear plastic wall of the collection bin. The door has a tab which protrudes through a slot in the bottom wall of the collection bin which receives the bail of a padlock, permitting the door to be secured in a closed position. With the padlock removed, the door may be pivoted out from the bin.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an information collection kiosk which is assembled in the field without requiring tools.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an information collection kiosk which is rapidly assembled and disassembled.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an information collection kiosk which may be rapidly emptied.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an information collection kiosk which may be transported in a compact knocked down condition.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an information collection kiosk having a prominent information display region that is easily changed.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an information collection kiosk which is rigid and sturdy.
Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Bertram Corporation
Browne Lynne H.
Lathrop & Clark LLP
Miller William L.
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