Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Preassembled subenclosure or substructure section of unit or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-01
2001-10-02
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Preassembled subenclosure or substructure section of unit or...
C052S064000, C052S027500, C052S036200, C052S079600, C109S005000, C109S014000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295767
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a security housing or enclosure, and is particularly concerned with a security housing for one or more outdoor vending machines to provide protection from vandalism, theft, and the elements.
Vandalism of outdoor automatic vending machines, and thefts from such machines, are relatively common during time periods when there is not much activity, such as late at night. In order to reduce vandalism and theft, some vending machines are enclosed in cages which have appropriate openings to allow customers to deposit money and select and retrieve products, but which prevent close access to the machine. However, this arrangement does not prevent vandalism, since vandals can reach between the bars with various tools and cause damage or deface the machine surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,615 of Kaizu et al. describes a booth or housing for enclosing an automatic transaction machine such as an automatic teller or ATM. A generally rectangular booth has a customer area and a machine area separated from the customer area by fixed partitions. Two automatic transaction machines are mounted in the machine area with access from the customer area, and two separate doors are provided for access to the respective machines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved security housing or enclosure for securing items such as vending machines outdoors or in other publically accessible areas.
According to the present invention, a portable security housing is provided which comprises a framework defining an interior space for enclosing items such as vending machines, the framework having a rear wall, opposite side walls, a roof, and a front access opening having an upper end and opposite, parallel sides, opaque panels secured over at least the side walls and roof to cover the housing, a roll-up, sectional door rotatably mounted at the upper end of the access opening for movement between a rolled-up, storage position and a downwardly extended, deployed position closing the front access opening, a locking device for releasably locking the door in the deployed position, whereby objects inside the housing are not visible from outside the housing when the door is deployed, and the framework having a base with a plurality of mounting tabs on the base on the inside of the housing for securing the housing to a ground or floor surface.
Preferably, the door comprises a corrugated or sectional metal panel or tambour door, and spindle or mounting axle is rotatably mounted across the upper end of the door opening and secured to an upper end of the door. A motor is linked to the door mounting axle for rotating the axle to raise and lower the door. A key for operating a door motor switch is preferably provided on the outside of the housing, to permit an operator to raise and lower the door, for example by rotating the key in opposite directions. When the door is lowered into the deployed position, it will be closed and locked, and cannot be raised except by authorized personnel with a key. Alternatively, the door may be actuated remotely in a similar manner to remote controlled garage doors.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing is of predetermined dimensions to enclose one or two vending machines facing the front access opening, which has a width equal to or slightly greater than twice the width of a vending machine. The framework is of steel tubing or steel bar construction, and is preferably of generally rectangular cross-section with the longer sides forming the rear wall and front opening, and the shorter sides being rounded and forming generally arcuate or curved side walls to the enclosure.
The rear wall of the housing may be left open if the housing is deployed with the rear wall against the wall of a building or other immovable object. If it is to be used alone as a single, stand-alone unit, a rear wall panel is secured across the rear wall of the framework. In another alternative arrangement, two housings may be attached together back-to-back, to create a free-standing vending island.
The rounded, side wall panels of the housing may be used for advertising or the like, and can be changed or replaced for service, repairs, or to update graphics or advertisements. The housing is modular and is lightweight and of small enough dimensions to be moved through doorways or into confined areas.
The security enclosure or housing of this invention can house up to two vending machines and will protect the machines from the elements if deployed outdoors. The door can be closed and locked during times when the machines are unsupervised or when no-one is normally present in the area, such as late at night. This will considerably reduce or eliminate the risk of theft and vandalism. The machines will not be visible when the door is closed and locked, and thus they will be less likely to attract the attention of a potential vandal or thief. This invention will permit vending machines to be used in areas not normally suited for vending, such as schools that only allow vending to be accessible at certain monitored times of day. The door locking mechanism may be designed to be operated manually with a key at the site, or remotely via modem, or by a timer or other remote control device such as an actuator of the type used on automatic garage door openers.
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Barnhill James T.
Barnhill, Jr. Michael J.
A Phi Dieu Tran
Brown Martin Haller & McClain LLP
Icon Enclosures, Inc.
Stephan Beth A.
LandOfFree
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