Patent Publication Number: US-2011069944-A1

Title: Portable photo booth

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to co-pending provisional application No. 61/244,382, filed on Sep. 21, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Photo booths in shopping malls are well-known. The typical mall photo booth is shipped in, placed by forklift, and fastened to the floor. On problem with is that the booth is inherently in a fixed location and is not necessarily located “where the action is,” namely at live events. 
     Live events, such as weddings, corporate events, proms, reunions, bar/bat-mitzvahs, birthdays, parties and the like are rife with photo opportunities. The guests or participants are usually desirous of memorializing the event. Some events may have a professional photographer roaming the event, or disposable cameras may be provided. The professional photographer is often expensive, and guests are not always adept at taking their own pictures. There is a need for providing access to inexpensive, easy-to-use professional grade photography at these live events. The need may also translate to other locations where people congregate, such as at bars, restaurants, parks, museums, and other locations. 
     SUMMARY 
     In order to address these needs, a portable photo booth is provided which can be temporarily located at live events and popular places. To facilitate portability the photo booth will be moveable by one person without the need for a forklift or dolly. Thus, the photo booth is relatively lightweight and includes wheels. In one embodiment, the frame of the photo booth may be made of 11 gage square steel tube weighing less than a total of 700 pounds. In another embodiment, the photo booth may include swivel caster wheels to improve maneuverability and control. In another embodiment, the corners of the photo booth are mitered to allow for a three inch radius outside the corners for increased clearance during navigation and transportation of the photo booth, especially in tight spaces. 
     A lift system is provided that can lift the frame of the photo booth, leaving the wheels in engagement with the ground, so that the photo booth can be rolled. The lift system can then lower the frame so that it rests on bumper feet, once the booth has been transported to it temporary location. 
     The portable photo booth incorporates a computer to control the photography and payment. The computer communicates through a wireless network to effective credit or debit card payment. Moreover, the wireless communication allows the customer to upload the photos to a web page for later access. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a photo booth described herein; 
         FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  are perspective views of a collapsible photo booth before and after being collapsed; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a photo booth showing electrical and mechanical components; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a lift system for the photo booth; 
         FIG. 5   a  is a side view of a lift system for the photo booth in its stationary position; 
         FIG. 5   b  is a side view of a lift system for the photo booth in its moveable position; and 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a lift system for the photo booth. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described in the following written specification. It is understood that no limitation to the scope of the invention is thereby intended. It is further understood that the present invention includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the invention as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. 
     The present invention contemplates a portable photo booth which can be temporarily located at live events and popular places. To facilitate portability the photo booth will be moveable by one person without the need for a forklift or dolly. Thus, the photo booth is relatively lightweight and includes wheels. In one embodiment, the frame of the photo booth may be made of 11 gage square steel tube weighing less than a total of 700 pounds. In another embodiment, the photo booth may include swivel caster wheels to improve maneuverability and control. In another embodiment, the corners of the photo booth are mitered to allow for a three inch radius outside the corners for increased clearance during navigation and transportation of the photo booth, especially in tight spaces. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a portable photo booth  10  is depicted. As illustrated, the frame of the portable photo booth  10  includes an inside floor  2 , a top  4 , a seating side wall  6 , and a camera side wall  8 . The opening between the seating side wall  6  and the camera side wall  8  is handicap accessible. A top sign  12  may be affixed to the top  4  of the photo booth  10  to provide an aesthetically pleasing and inviting appearance. A folding bench type seat  14  is attached to the seating side wall  6  of the photo booth  10  to provide seating for customers while they are being photographed. This seat  14  is configured to fold toward the seating side wall  6  to allow for more space within the photo booth  10  when necessary, such as when the customers wish to stand for their photo. This seat  14  may be sized so that a minimum of two people can sit side by side while being photographed. The photo booth  10  includes a draw curtain  16  which is attached to the top  4  and hangs down between the seating side wall  6  and the camera side wall  8 . This draw curtain  16  can be pushed open while customers are entering and exiting the photo booth  10  or it can be pulled across to cover the opening between seating side wall  6  and camera side wall  8  to provide privacy and better photograph conditions. In one embodiment, draw curtains  16  may be attached on opposite sides of the photo booth  10  so that customers may enter or exit from both sides. The photo booth  10  may further include an outside mirror  18  attached to the exterior of the photo booth  10  which customers can use in preparation for their photographs. The photo booth  10  further includes a photo dispensing shelf  20  from which customers can retrieve printed photographs. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , a modified photo booth  10 ′ in one embodiment may be collapsed for transportation. The top  4  of the photo booth  10 ′ can be removed, as shown in  FIG. 2   a , and stored within the photo booth  10 ′. The seating side wall  6  and the camera side wall  8  of the photo booth  10 ′ can then be pushed toward one another to compress the photo booth into a smaller unit as shown in  FIG. 2   b.    
       FIG. 3  depicts the including the mechanical and electrical features of the portable photo booth  10  which capture the photo images, process information about the photo images, produce photo prints and receive payment for photos. These mechanical and electrical features are located within the camera side wall  8  and are accessible through a lockable door  22  which preferably opens to the exterior of the photo booth  10 . These features include a camera  24  for capturing the photo images. The camera  24  is attached within the camera side wall  8  and can be accessed through the lockable door  22 . The lens of the camera  24  points toward the seating side wall  6  of the photo booth  10  through a lens opening (not shown) in the camera side wall  8 . A flash array  26  or other illumination feature is also attached within the camera side wall  8  and accessible through lockable door  22 . The bulbs of the flash array  26  may shine through bulb openings (not shown) directed toward the seating side wall  6  of the photo booth  10  to provide lighting while the photo image is being captured by the camera  24 . 
     A display monitor  28  is also attached within the camera side wall  8  and accessible through lockable door  22 . The screen of the display monitor  28  is visible inside the photo booth through a screen opening (not shown) and may be used by customers while they are seated within the photo booth  10 . The monitor  28  may incorporate a touch screen feature that allows the customer to enter information directly through the monitor, without the need for a data entry keypad. A printer  30  is attached within the camera side wall  8  for transferring the photo image onto photo paper for customers and dispensing the finished printed photos into the dispensing shelf  20 . A credit card reader (not shown) is also attached within the camera side wall  8  and is accessible by customers while they are seated within the photo booth  10  so that they may pay for photos. A communications box  32  which receives payment information is attached within the camera side wall  8  and is linked to an antenna  34  attached to the top  4  of the photo booth  10  for wireless transmission of information from the communications box  32 . 
     A computer  36  is configured to send and receive information to control the camera  24 , flash array  26 , display monitor  28 , credit card reader (not shown), printer  30 , communications box  32  and antenna  34 . The computer  36  is attached within the computer side wall  8  and is accessible through lockable door  22  and is not accessible to customers. When customers enter the photo booth  10  to take a photograph, they use the display monitor  28  to make selections from options menus displayed on the screen under control by the computer. Options can include, for example, the number of photos printed, the size of photos printed, the customization of logos, colors, backgrounds or borders, whether photos are color or black and white, whether video feed will be recorded and whether the photos are to be uploaded to a web page or the Internet. The computer  36  will receive and process photo information from the display monitor  28  and control the camera  24  and flash array  26  accordingly. When a customer pays for the photos using the credit card reader (not shown), the computer  36  will receive and process this information and control the communications box  32  and antenna  34  accordingly. After a customer has been photographed and paid for printed photographs, the computer  36  will control the printer  30  accordingly. 
     The computer  36  may also be equipped with software programmed such that it will record, for example, the location of the photo booth  10 , the number of photos taken, the method of payment, the options selected by each customer, the amount of photo paper remaining, the amount of vending sales, any errors that have occurred or maintenance that needs to be performed. This information can be later retrieved by the operator or owner of the photo booth  10  so that he or she may make appropriate adjustments. In one embodiment, the computer  36  is configured to transmit information to the World Wide Web so that photo images may be accessed through a webpage on the internet. Thus, the photo booth  10 , through its computer, may constantly transmit information to the proprietor or manager of the booth indicative of the status and health of the booth. The booth proprietor may then receive advance notice when maintenance issues arise. 
     Also accessible through the lockable door  22  are a power supply  40  and an air control switch  42 . These features are used to operate a lift system  50  attached to the bottom of the photo booth  10 , as described below. The compressor battery  40  operates an air compressor (not shown) which either fills or empties an air lift bag  80 , shown in  FIG. 4 , to raise or lower the photo booth  10 . The control switch  42  may incorporate a safety interlock that prevents activation of the lift system  50  when the photo booth  10  is occupied or in use. In an alternative embodiment, a foot pump (not shown) may be used instead of an electrical air compressor to fill or empty the air lift bags  80 . As explained in detail below, raising the photo booth  10  allows the wheels  75 ,  77  under the bottom of the photo booth, shown in  FIG. 4 , to move freely which thus renders the photo booth  10  movable. 
     The power supply  40  is a remote power supply, such as a battery. The remote power supply thus complements the portability of the photo booth  10  since no electrical connection to a separate power source is required. The power supply may be rechargeable or may incorporate the capability to tap into a separate power source. 
       FIG. 4  depicts the lift system  50  which allows the photo booth  10  to be easily transported to and from event venues and popular places. The lift system  50  is attached to the bottom of the photo booth  10  and alternatively acts as either a stationary or moveable base. The lift system  50  includes a bottom frame  52  which is affixed to the bottom of the photo booth  10 , such as by attaching the seating side wall  6  and the camera side wall  8  to bottom frame  52  in a suitable manner. The inside floor  2 , the seating side wall  6  and the camera side wall  8 , including the mechanical and electrical components within camera side wall  8 , may be supported on and mounted to the top surface  58  of the bottom frame  52 . The bottom frame  52  may also include a cross bar member  51  for added support for the photo booth  10  and improved structural stability. 
     The bottom frame  52  may be rectangular in shape with two longer sides  53  and two shorter sides  54 . The shorter sides  54  are sized to fit through standard door openings and the entire photo booth  10  is sized to fit inside an average elevator. The shorter sides  54  may support the seating side wall  6  and the camera side wall  8 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the corners of the frame may be mitered or angled to avoid sharp corners that may impede passage of the photo booth through a doorway, for instance. The longer sides  53  may then provide a handicap accessible space for customers to enter and exit the photo booth  10 . Bumper feet  56  protrude from the bottom surface  55  of the bottom frame  52  and provide sturdy, non-slip contact points between the lift system  50  and the ground to stably support the photo booth  10 . To further facilitate handicap accessibility, the bottom frame  52  may be beveled along the longer sides  53  to minimize the height of the edge between the ground and the inside floor  2 , or incorporate a ramp that is deployable from the bottom frame. 
     The lift system  50  includes wheels  75 ,  77  for transporting the photo booth  10 . The wheels  75 ,  77  will have a width and radius such that they will not become easily stuck on cracks, bumps, uneven surfaces or doorways when the photo booth  10  is being rolled from one location to another. In one embodiment, the wheels are Colson caster wheels with a six inch diameter. 
     The lift system  50  includes wheel mount brackets  65  affixed near each end of the two longer sides  53  of the bottom frame  52 . The lift system  50  also includes two wheel supports  64  which hold the wheels  75 ,  77  in place. A set of two fixed wheels  75  may be attached to the bottom of one of the wheel support  64 . A set of two caster wheels  77  may be attached to the bottom of the other wheel support  64 . The wheel mount brackets  65  and the wheel supports  64  are configured to work cooperatively, as described below, such that the wheels  75 ,  77  are vertically slideable relative to the bottom frame  52 . 
     Each wheel support  64  includes slots  63  for receiving sliding posts  70  that are mounted in holes  67  of the wheel mount bracket  65 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the sliding posts  70  slideably connect the wheel supports  64  to the wheel mount brackets  65 . In one embodiment, the sliding posts  70  are guided and captured through the sliding slots  63  with Oilite® guide bushings and washers. The wheel supports  64  are able to slide vertically in relation to the wheel mount brackets  65 , thus the wheels  75 ,  77  are able to slide vertically in relation to the bottom frame  52 . In one embodiment, the surface areas of wheel mount bracket  65  which may come in contact with wheel support  64  while the photo booth  10  is being transported are covered by a Delrin® or nylon guide block to prevent wear and sticking. 
     When the photo booth  10  is stationary or in use, the bumper feet  56  are resting on the ground. As shown in  FIG. 5   a , the bumper feet extend further than the wheels  75 ,  77  relative to the bottom surface  55  of the bottom frame  52 . Alternatively, in order to transport the photo booth  10 , the wheels  75 ,  77  are extended below the photo booth  10  so that they may freely roll when the photo booth  10  is pushed or pulled. To allow the photo booth  10  to roll, the wheels  75 ,  77  must extend further than the bumper feet  56  relative to the bottom surface  55  of the bottom frame  52 . This position is depicted in  FIG. 5   b . In a specific embodiment, the lift system elevates the frame so that the bumper feet are at least one inch off the ground. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , a top mount bracket  59  is affixed to top surface  58  of the bottom frame  52  at the center of each of the shorter sides  54  of the bottom frame  52 . These top mount brackets  59  remain in a fixed position relative to the bottom frame  52 . Two air lift bags  80  are filled or emptied by an air compressor (not shown) when the air control switch  42  is activated. The air compressor may be mounted in a suitable position on the frame  53  or within the housing of the photo booth  10 . The bag top  82  of each air lift bag  80  is attached to a top mount bracket  59  while the bag bottom  84  is attached to a wheel support  64 . Thus the air lift bag  80  connects the top mount bracket  59  to the wheel support  64 . As described below in more detail, to transform the lift system  50  from a stationary base, as shown in  FIG. 5   a , to a moveable base, as shown in  FIG. 5   b , the air compressor forces air through a connecting air tube (not shown) to fill the air lift bag  80  which in effect raises the bottom frame  52  relative to the wheels  75 ,  77  (although initially the wheels may be lowered until the contact the floor). Conversely, to return the lift system  50  to a stationary base, the air compressor releases air through the air tube to empty the air lift bags  80  which in effect lowers the frame relative to the wheels until the bumper feet contact the ground. Once the bumper feet fully support the photo booth, further deflation of the air lift bags may raise the wheels  75 ,  77  relative to the bottom frame  52 . 
     When the air lift bags  80  are inflated, they expand, and as a result, the distance between the top mount brackets  59  and the wheel supports  64  increases. Thus the inflated bags may initially push the wheels  75 ,  77  down until they contact the ground. Once the wheels contact the floor or ground, further inflation of the air lift bags  80  will push the top mount brackets  59  up, which carries the bottom frame  52  with them. Because the wheel mount brackets  65  are fixedly attached to the bottom frame  52 , the wheel mount brackets  65  thus slide upward relative to the wheel supports  64  as the sliding posts  70  slide within the sliding slots  63 . Once the air lift bag  80  is fully inflated, the bottom frame  52  will be effectively lifted relative to the wheel support  64  and the wheels  75 ,  77 , allowing for the photo booth  10  to be transported by rolling as shown in  FIG. 5   b.    
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes, modifications and further applications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.