Abstract:
Protectors for user interfaces having a perimeter and having a substantially-planar display board disposed about their perimeter, the protector comprising a framework dimensioned sufficiently to protect the user interface from sustaining damage from moving objects, the protector having a plurality of attachment fixtures, and wherein the framework comprises vertical beams having end portions that are permanently affixed to the attachment fixtures. The instant protectors are useful, inter alia, for user interfaces disposed at locations at which they are susceptible to sustaining damage from moving objects, including motorized vehicles, which includes trucks and automobiles.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to interfaces, including data terminals, at which persons can enter data. More particularly, it relates to protecting interfaces which are accessible by a driver of an motor vehicle from potential damage from inadvertent operation of the motor vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The combined advents of motorcars and computerized electronic user interfaces for data transfer and financial transactions have given rise to the existence of display boards that include user interfaces at which an operator of a motorized vehicle may access a user interface while remaining seated in the driver&#39;s seat of the motorized vehicle. In order to attain sufficient proximity to a user interface, it is often the case that a person must maneuver a motorized vehicle into a suitable position. As persons are sometimes capable of making errors, it has been found to be the case that many user interfaces are subject to being damaged by errant operators of motorized vehicles, causing expensive damage to the user interfaces. Use of an article as provided herein substantially eliminates such damage from occurring, saving substantial monies for owners of such interfaces in repair and downtime. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A protector for a user interface having a perimeter and having a substantially-planar display board disposed about its perimeter, said protector comprising a framework dimensioned sufficiently to protect said user interface from sustaining damage from moving objects, said protector having a plurality of attachment fixtures, said framework comprising vertical beams having end portions that are permanently affixed to said attachment fixtures, said attachment fixtures being configured to be removably attached to said substantially-planar surface. In one embodiment, an interface protector comprises: a substantially-linear first horizontal beam having a first end portion and a second end portion; a substantially-linear first horizontal beam having a first end portion and a second end portion; a substantially-linear first vertical beam having a first end portion and a second end portion; a substantially-linear second vertical beam having a first end portion and a second end portion; a substantially-linear third vertical beam having a first end portion and a second end portion; and a substantially-linear fourth vertical beam having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the first vertical beam is attached to the first horizontal beam at the first end portion of the first horizontal beam. The first end portion of the second vertical beam is attached to the first horizontal beam at the second end portion of the first horizontal beam. The first vertical beam and second vertical beam each form an angle of about 90 degrees with the first horizontal beam at their points of attachment to the first horizontal beam. The first end portion of the third vertical beam is attached to the second horizontal beam at the first end portion of the second horizontal beam. The first end portion of the fourth vertical beam is attached to the second horizontal beam at the second end portion of the second horizontal beam. The third vertical beam and fourth vertical beam each form an angle of about 90 degrees with the second horizontal beam at their points of attachment to the second horizontal beam. There is a first substantially-linear support beam having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the first support beam is attached to the first horizontal beam substantially at the location where the first horizontal beam is attached to the first vertical beam. The first support beam forms an angle of about 90 degrees with both of the first horizontal beam and the first vertical beam. The second end portion of the first support beam is attached to the second horizontal beam substantially at the location where the second horizontal beam is attached to the third vertical beam. The first support beam forms an angle of about 90 degrees with both the second horizontal beam and the third vertical beam. There is a second substantially-linear support beam having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the second support beam is attached to the first horizontal beam substantially at the location where the first horizontal beam is attached to the second vertical beam. The first support beam forms an angle of about 90 degrees with both the first horizontal beam and the second vertical beam. The second end portion of the second support beam is attached to the second horizontal beam substantially at the location where the second horizontal beam is attached to the fourth vertical beam. The second support beam forms an angle of about 90 degrees with both of the second horizontal beam and the fourth vertical beam. There is a first attachment fixture having a floor portion comprising a plurality of holes disposed therethrough, and a wall portion. The first attachment fixture is attached to the second end portion of the first vertical beam and the second end portion of the third vertical beam. There is a second attachment fixture having a floor portion comprising a plurality of holes disposed therethrough, and a wall portion. The second attachment fixture is attached to the second end portion of the second vertical beam and the second end portion of the fourth vertical beam. In one embodiment the support beams are disposed to be oriented so that their longest length dimensions are substantially parallel to the longest length dimension of the attachment fixtures. 
         [0004]    Also provided is a terminal at which information transfer may be caused to transpire. The terminal comprises: a display board comprising at least one menu of information; a user interface disposed on the display board; and an interface protector removably attached to the display board and disposed within sufficient proximity to the user interface so as to effectively shield the user interface from sustaining damage from a moving object present in the proximity of the user interface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Embodiments of invention may take physical form in certain elements and arrangement of elements, the preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an interface protector according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of an interface protector according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows an end view of an interface protector according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an attachment fixture according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  shows a frontal view of a display board having a user interface disposed thereon and also provided with an interface protector according to one embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  shows a close-up frontal perspective view of a user interface disposed on a display board which is provided with an interface protector according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an interface protector  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment is shown first attachment fixture  9   a  and second attachment fixture  9   b . In one embodiment each of the first attachment fixture  9   a  and second attachment fixture  9   b  comprise angled metal stock (“angled stock”), which may comprise as angled iron, steel, aluminum and any other metal or metallic alloy, such angled stock sometimes referred to in the art as “angle iron”. In one embodiment there is a first horizontal beam  5   a  having a first end portion and a second end portion, in which the first horizontal beam  5   a  is sufficiently bent at its end portions to define a first vertical beam portion  3   a  and a second vertical beam portion  3   b . In another embodiment, the first horizontal beam  5   a  is a separate and distinct piece from first vertical beam portion  3   a  and a second vertical beam portion  3   b , and the first vertical beam portion  3   a  and a second vertical beam portion  3   b  are each attached to the ends of the first horizontal beam  5   a  by conventional means, including welds and welding. 
         [0013]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  there is a second horizontal beam  5   b  having a first end portion and a second end portion, in which the second horizontal beam  5   b  is sufficiently bent at its end portions to define a third vertical beam portion  3   c  and a fourth vertical beam portion  3   d . In another embodiment, the second horizontal beam  5   b  is a separate and distinct piece from third vertical beam portion  3   c  and fourth vertical beam portion  3   d , and the third vertical beam portion  3   c  and fourth vertical beam portion  3   d  are each attached to the ends of the second horizontal beam  5   b  by conventional means, including welds and welding. 
         [0014]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  there is a first support beam  7   a  and a second support beam  7   b , each having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the first support beam  7   a  is attached to each of the first horizontal beam  5   a  and the second horizontal beam  5   b  substantially at the points where the vertical beams  3   a ,  3   c  intersect the horizontal beams  5   a ,  5   b , substantially at the first end portions of the horizontal beams  5   a ,  5   b , as shown. The first end portion of the second support beam  7   b  is attached to each of the first horizontal beam  5   a  and the second horizontal beam  5   b  substantially at the points where the vertical beams  3   b ,  3   d  intersect the horizontal beams  5   a ,  5   b , substantially at the second end portions of the horizontal beams  5   a ,  5   b , as shown. In one embodiment, the first support beam  7   a  and the second support beam  7   b  are each attached to the first and second horizontal beams  5   a  and  5   b  by conventional means, such as by welding. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, the first support beam  7   a  comprises a single piece, such as rod stock, which is bent so that its end portions comprise the first vertical beam  3   a  and a third vertical beam  3   c , and the second support beam  7   b  comprises a single piece, such as rod stock, which is bent so that its end portions comprise the second vertical beam  3   b  and a fourth vertical beam  3   d . In this embodiment, the first horizontal beam  5   a  and second horizontal beam  5   b  are each substantially linear, each having a first end portion and a second end portion. In this embodiment, the first end portion of the first horizontal beam  5   a  is attached substantially at the location at which the first vertical beam  3   a  intersects the first support beam  7   a , and the second end portion of the first horizontal beam  5   a  is attached substantially at the location at which the second vertical beam  3   b  intersects the second support beam  7   b . The first end portion of the second horizontal beam  5   b  is attached substantially at the location at which the third vertical beam  3   c  intersects the first support beam  7   a , and the second end portion of the second horizontal beam  5   b  is attached substantially at the location at which the fourth vertical beam  3   d  intersects the second support beam  7   b . Conventional means of attachment, such as welds are useful again in connection of the various elements as described. 
         [0016]    In the embodiment shown and described in reference to  FIG. 1 , the end portions of the first vertical beam  3   a  and third vertical beam  3   c  are shown attached to the first attachment fixture  9   a , and the end portions of the second vertical beam  3   b  and fourth vertical beam  3   d  are shown attached to the second attachment fixture  9   b . The exact location on the vertical beams at which the end portions of the first, second, third and fourth vertical beams  3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c , and  3   d  are attached to the attachment fixtures  9   a ,  9   b  is not necessarily critical, as one embodiment provides for attachment, by welding, to be made at the very ends of the vertical beams where they intersect the attachment fixtures floor portions ( 91 ,  FIG. 4 ). In another embodiment, attachment of the vertical beams to the attachment fixtures, by welding, are made along the shank of the vertical beams, the weld being made between the shank of the vertical beams and the vertical wall portion ( 33 ,  FIG. 4 ) of the attachment fixtures. Also shown in the embodiment provided in  FIG. 1  are holes  11  disposed through the floor portion ( 91 ,  FIG. 4 ) of the first attachment fixture  9   a , which serve to enable the interface protector  10  to be affixed to a flat surface, by insertion of conventional fasteners including without limitation nuts and bolts, and rivets therethrough. Second attachment fixture  9   b  is identically equipped with such holes. In a preferred embodiments, all elements of the interface protector  10  shown and described in reference to  FIG. 1  are comprised of a metal or a metallic alloy, including without limitation aluminum, and stainless steel. In a preferred embodiment, the cross section of the vertical beams, horizontal beams and support beams are circular; however, stock having cross-sections other than circular may be employed, including without limitation stock that is oval in cross section and rectangular in cross section. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of an interface protector  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 2  are shown the respective locations of first horizontal beam  5   a , first vertical beam  3   a , second vertical beam  3   b , first attachment fixture  9   a , and second attachment fixture  9   b.    
         [0018]      FIG. 3  shows an end view of an interface protector  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 3  are shown the respective locations of second support beam  7   b , second vertical beam  3   b , fourth vertical beam  3   d , second attachment fixture  9   b  having a vertical wall  33 , and holes  11  disposed through the floor ( 91 ,  FIG. 4 ) of the second attachment fixture  9   b . The exemplary location of weld  69  is shown to illustrate one embodiment in which vertical beam  3   b  is attached to the attachment fixture  9   b  at its vertical wall  33 . The exemplary location of weld  70  is shown to illustrate another embodiment in which vertical beam  3   d  is attached to attachment fixture  9   b  substantially at the end of the vertical beam  3   d.    
         [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an attachment fixture  9  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the attachment fixture  9  comprises an angled piece of metal generally in the form of an L-shape as viewed from a side perspective. Such angled metal stock is well known in the art and may be comprised of various metals and metallic alloys. Attachment fixture  9  includes a vertical wall  33 , a floor portion  91 , and holes  11  disposed through the floor portion  91  for fastening, as previously described. 
         [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a frontal view of a display board  13  having a user interface  21  disposed thereon and also provided with an interface protector  10  according to one embodiment of the invention. A display board  13  such as that shown in  FIG. 5  occurs in many locations, including banking machines, drive-thru windows at restaurants, and other locations where a person may interface with an external database while residing within the driver&#39;s seat of a motorized vehicle, pushing a shopping cart, etc. Often such a display board contains a first information menu  23 , sometimes a second information menu  25 , and sometimes more information menus. These menus may contain instructions for the user, advertisements, offers, including food items. Often, such a display board  13  is mounted on a firmament  19  such as the earth or a man-made surface such as concrete, by means of a first vertical support  15  and a second vertical support  17 . Typically, there is a user interface  21  disposed on the display board  13 , useful for enabling a person to enter data, which may include menu selections or other commands as are known in the art. Such a user interface  21  typically includes a keypad and a data screen which may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. It is also not uncommon for such user interface  21  to include a credit-card reading device, to enable a user to swipe their card to make a payment on a financial transaction, which may include ordering a bag of French fries, or obtaining cash from an automated teller machine. Also shown in  FIG. 5  is interface protector  10  disposed about the user interface  21 , by the interface protector  10  being attached to the display board by means of bolts disposed through the holes  11  in the attachment fixtures. Such affixment of the interface protector  10  protects the user interface  21  from potential damage arising from a collision between a wheeled or other device such as shopping cart or an automobile and the user interface, for cases where the person in charge of the wheeled or other device behaves carelessly. 
         [0021]      FIG. 6  shows a close-up frontal perspective view of a user interface  21  disposed on a display board  13  which is provided with an interface protector  10  according to one embodiment of the invention. User interfaces such as  21  can sometimes be flush with the surface of the display board  13  and can other times protrude outwardly from the surface of the display board, i.e., they “stick out”. Often these user interfaces exist substantially in the form of a rectangular solid. In a preferred embodiment, the lengths of the vertical beams of an interface protector as provided herein are dimensioned sufficiently so that the horizontal beams  5   a ,  5   b  are disposed farther from the surface of the display board  13  than is the topmost surface of the user interface  21 , sufficiently so that if the interface protector  10  is struck by an object or device moving towards the user interface  21 , the interface protector  10  is struck before the user interface  21  itself is struck, thus absorbing or deflecting the force of the blow of the object or device. By such provision, the user interface  21  can be prevented from sustaining damage from a moving object or device. In  FIG. 6  user interface  21  is seen to include a card reader  27 , a keypad (not labeled) and a display  31 . The respective locations of the first horizontal beam  5   a , second horizontal beam  5   b , first support beam (not labeled), second support beam  7   b , first attachment fixture  9   a , second attachment fixture  9   b  of the interface protector  10  are shown. In this embodiment, the interface protector is maintained in position above the user interface  21  by its being attached to the display board surface by fasteners  29 , disposed through holes  11  ( FIG. 1 ), and corresponding fasteners through like holes on second attachment fixture  9   b . The attachment fixtures are attached to the display board at a location that is adjacent to the user interface  21 , making the removal of the interface protector  10  a simple operation for cases where the user interface may need to be serviced. 
         [0022]    While the invention has been described by reference to certain embodiments, it should be understood that changes can be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but that it have the full scope permitted by the language of the following claims.