Patent Publication Number: US-2023150415-A1

Title: Secure and mobile retail structure

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a retail structure, more specifically, but not by way of limitation, more particularly to a secure and mobile retail structure for securely storing therein and selling therefrom one or more restricted access products. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. 
     Recreational cannabis sales, since its legalization in several countries and states, are continuously rising. Sales of cannabis at venue and event space is an untapped market that has the potential of growing these sales higher. The sale of recreational cannabis at venue and special events space is currently illegal in most countries and states. Government regulatory department in certain jurisdictions have, however, shown an interest in allowing venue and event sales, provided that they satisfy certain regulations in regard to safety and security requirements. 
     CA Pub. No. 3,039,555 A1 (Neiman et al.) discloses a secured customer access arrangement for a container business. A container is provided which is modified to operate for a secure business (e.g., a retail business for the sale of a restricted access product). A security checkpoint is provided in the security vestibule. Doors are offset from each other such that restricted access space is not visible to a visitor without passing the security checkpoint. A method for permitting access to a restricted access product for sale through a modified container is also provided. Shortcomings include an inability to be actively mobile, such as being integrated into a motorized vehicle. 
     U.S. Pub. No. 2010/0064600 A1 (Napier) discloses a transportable building system including at least partially erecting a building, transporting the at least partially erected building on its side to a building location, locating the at least partially erected building on a support at the building location, and orientating the at least partially erected building so that it is correctly orientated relative to its support. Further disclosed is a transportable building, including a first structural component, a second structural component and a hinge coupling the first and second structural components whereby the second structural component is pivotable between a folded position and an unfolded erected position of the building. The hinge is reconfigurable to allow the second structural component to be relatively displaced away from the first structural component in the unfolded erected position of the second structural component. Shortcomings include an inability to be used as a retail store, a lack of secure area for storing restricted access products. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,182,424 A (Betjemann) discloses a combination of shipping container and showcase adapted to provide a portable mobile trade fair comprising a rectangular shipping box having four vertical corner posts attached to and supporting a rectangular floor and roof at their respective corners, two opposed end walls being connected to and extending between adjacent pairs of said corner posts and a pair of side doors each having a height and length substantially equal, respectively, to the distance between said floor and roof and the distance between said opposed end walls, said pair of side doors being hingedly connected at one longitudinal edge of each thereof to opposed longitudinal side edges of said roof, whereby said doors may be raised to form a canopy and when lowered form the side walls of said box, a central bulkhead extending between said opposed end walls dividing said box into two main sections, removable partitions dividing said main sections into alcoves for display purposes, said floor having skid channels opening to the exterior of said box and said corner posts having fittings on the upper ends thereof whereby said box may be lifted by engaging said skid channels or said fittings, and retractable legs pivotally connected to said side doors adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof opposite the hingedly connected edges thereof to maintain them in their raised position to expose the interior of said ‘box for display purposes. Shortcomings include a lack of a secure area for storing restricted access products and an inability to be actively mobile, such as being integrated into a motorized vehicle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,988 A (Molina) discloses an expandable retractable portable structure. The expandable retractable portable structure having a movable portion hingedly connected to a stationary portion and wherein the movable portion pivotally encloses the stationary portion of the structure in its retracted position and wherein, in its expanded position, the structure provides maximum interior space for use. An actuating mechanism includes one or more hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders connected to a linkage system. The actuator is located inside the structure on the floor of the stationary portion and the linkage system driven by the actuator is connected to the floor of the movable portion so that the movable portion is rotated by the actuator and linkage system between its expanded and retracted positions. The actuator and linkage system are removably mounted inside the structure and may be readily removed from the structure and used to open or close other structures. Alternatively, the actuator may be left inside the structure. Shortcomings include an inability to be used as a retail store, a lack of a secure area for storing restricted access products and an inability to be actively mobile, such as being integrated into a motorized vehicle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,052 B2 (Van Der Touw et al.) discloses transportable recycling center. The transportable recycling center has a container and a partition within the container. The partition separates a work area from a storage area. An attendant may accept recyclable materials from consumers in the work area and store the recyclable material in the storage area. After the container has been filled with recyclable material, doors on the container may be secured and the container may be loaded onto a truck and transported to a recycling facility. Shortcomings include a lack of a secure area for storing and selling restricted access products, and an inability to be actively mobile, such as being integrated into a motorized vehicle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,636,208 B2 (Urban et al.) discloses a mobile retail store structure with inventory system. The mobile retail store structure transportable to a plurality of different locations includes a trailer construction configured both exteriorly and interiorly for housing a plurality of storage bins wherein products and/or parts can be stored. Each trailer is a self-sufficient module which includes doors at one end of the trailer unit for entry and exit thereto, portable stairs for providing access to the entry doors, opposed side doors and associated walkways for allowing coupling to additional similarly constructed trailers, extendable canopies for providing a secure passageway between the respective coupled trailers, and a generator/HVAC system for providing heating, cooling and electrical power to each trailer unit. In one embodiment, a terminal is provided to allow a user to either browse electronically various items for selection and/or sale or access a self-service check-out station to complete a transaction. A plurality of terminals can be coupled to communicate with a master server terminal over a wired/wireless network. Shortcomings include a lack of a secure area for securely storing restricted access products an inability to be actively mobile, such as being integrated into a motorized vehicle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 10,269,273 B1 (Borden) discloses a mobile showroom and advertising system. The mobile truck body has a first panel extending forward from the front of a right side truck body panel and a second panel extending rearward from the rear of the right side truck body panel. The first and second panels extend the display area of the right side truck body panel. An upper panel and/or a lower panel are also provided at the right side truck body panel to provide access to an interior space of the truck body for showcasing products or services, and a lower platform is provided to facilitate customer ingress and egress into and out of the showcase. Shortcomings include a lack of a secure area for securely storing restricted access products. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 10,518,832 B2 (Kamm) discloses a self-contained mobile retail store structure which is transportable from one location to another. The structure is mounted to a frame which is coupled to a plurality of wheels by a hydraulic system capable of raising, lowering, inclining and declining the structure relative to a ground surface. In a stationary position, the walls of the structure contact the ground surface, and in the transportable position, the walls of the structure are spaced from the ground surface. The mobile retail store structure of this disclosure fits in a standard-sized parking space and may be configured with other similar structures to expand the retail area. Shortcomings include a lack of a secure area for securely storing restricted access products and an inability to be actively mobile, such as being integrated into a motorized vehicle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 10,793,998 B2 (Sights et al.) discloses an outdoor retail space structure. The structure has spaces that can accommodate at least two International Organization for Standardization compliant shipping containers. The structure has studs, joists, and rafters connected together above, beside, between, and in front of the spaces for the shipping containers. The structure provides for an attractive outdoor retail space with shading, allowing for signage, decorations, product display, ergonomics, and other retail design features. In an implementation, the structure is for a mobile retail space that is tailored for customizing and manufacture of the customized apparel, especially the laser finishing of products like jeans. The mobile retail space can be relocated to and deployed easily at various events, such as sports events and music festival venues. Shortcomings include a lack of a secure area for storing restricted access products and an inability to be actively mobile, such as being integrated into a motorized vehicle. 
     All documents cited herein are incorporated by reference. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a secure and mobile retail structure. 
     In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a retail structure for securely storing and selling one or more restricted access products, the structure comprising: a rectangular base, a first end wall and a second end wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, and a roof portion, thereby defining an interior volume of said structure; a vault wall located between said first end wall and said second end wall, extending horizontally from the first side wall to the second side wall and vertically from the base to the roof portion, thereby dividing the interior volume, from the vault wall to the first end wall, into a vault area for securely storing therein the restricted access products, and, from the vault wall to the second end wall, into a service area for serving customers; a secure access doorway situated within the vault wall to provide restricted access to the vault area from the service area; wherein at least one of said first side wall and said second side wall, in said service area, comprises a service opening therein. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one of said first side wall and said second side wall comprises, below the service opening, a service counter. 
     In one embodiment, the base compromises one or more passive mobility means operable to be used for moving said structure from one location to another location. 
     In one embodiment, the one or more passive mobility means comprise one or more apertures for moving the structure with a hydraulic lift. 
     In one embodiment, the secure access doorway comprises: a half-door hingedly coupled to a vertical edge of said secure access doorway, and covering a bottom portion of said secure access doorway; and a window panel covering a top portion of said secure access doorway, the window panel comprising therein a transfer aperture for securely transferring a small quantity of the one or more restricted access products therethrough from the vault area into the service area, the window panel having a bottom edge substantially aligned with a top edge of said half-door. 
     In one embodiment, the transfer aperture is substantially rectangular and comprising a bottom edge substantially aligned with the bottom edge of the window panel. 
     In one embodiment, the half-door comprises a counter portion extending towards the service area having an upper surface adjacent to the top edge of the half-door. 
     In one embodiment, the half-door comprises a lock assembly that locks the half-door from inside the vault area. 
     In one embodiment, the retail structure further comprises an awning above the service opening. 
     In one embodiment, the awning comprises: a substantially rigid and rectangular awning panel horizontally pivotally connected to said at least one of said first side wall and said second side wall of said service opening, outside of said structure, at an upper edge of or above said service opening, and configured to be pivotally moved between: an open configuration wherein the awning panel is substantially horizontal; and a closed configuration wherein the awning panel is substantially parallel and adjacent to the at least one of said first side wall and said second side wall of said service opening so as to substantially cover said service opening and prevent access to the service area therefrom. 
     In one embodiment, the awning panel is further configured to be pivotally moved into an advertising configuration, wherein the awning panel is positioned to be substantially vertically oriented above the service opening, the awning panel further comprising a display surface thereon for displaying a message in the advertising configuration. 
     In one embodiment, the retail structure further comprises a stage, the stage comprising: a substantially rigid and rectangular stage platform horizontally pivotally connected to said at least one of said first side wall and said second side wall of said service opening, outside of said structure, substantially near a bottom edge of said at least first side wall and said second side wall of said service opening, and configured to be moved between: an open configuration, wherein the stage platform is substantially horizontal to a client to stand thereon; and a closed configuration, wherein the stage platform is substantially parallel and adjacent to the at least one of said first side wall and said second side wall of said service opening so as to substantially cover said service opening and prevent access to the service area therefrom. 
     In one embodiment, the stage platform further comprises, pivotally coupled at an edge thereof, a ramp, the ramp configured to be pivotally moved between a deployed configuration wherein an edge thereof rests against the ground to allow the customer to walk to and from the stage, and a folded configuration wherein the ramp rests on an upper surface of said stage platform. 
     In one embodiment, the second end wall comprising therein an access door to access said service area from outside of said structure, the access door comprising a lock assembly. 
     In one embodiment, the retail structure further comprises a side awning, the side awning comprising: a rectangular side awning panel horizontally pivotally coupled along an edge thereof to said second end wall near an upper edge thereof, outside of said structure, the side awning panel being substantially rigid and configured to be pivotally moved between: an open configuration wherein the side awning panel is substantially horizontal; and a closed configuration wherein the side awning panel is substantially parallel and adjacent to the second end wall. 
     In one embodiment, the retail structure further comprises a releasably affixable stair assembly, optionally affixed at one end at or near an upper edge of said first end wall, outside of said structure, with an other end of the stair assembly resting on the ground; and a set of railing elements, pivotally connected to or near to edges of said roof portion; wherein the railing elements are movable into an upright configuration, thereby defining and enclosing on top of the roof portion a balcony, or folded down to rest on the roof portion. 
     In one embodiment, the structure is part of a motorized vehicle, the motorized vehicle further comprising a cabin portion. 
     In one embodiment, the first end wall of said structure is shared with the cabin portion of the motorized vehicle, wherein said first end wall further comprises a cabin access door to access the vault area from the cabin portion; and wherein said second end wall of said structure is the rear end of the motorized vehicle. 
     In one embodiment, the second end wall of said structure is shared with the cabin portion of the motorized vehicle, wherein said second end wall further comprises a cabin access door to access the service area from the cabin portion; and wherein said first end wall of said structure is the rear end of the motorized vehicle. 
     In one embodiment, at least a portion of said vault wall is hingedly connected to at least one of said first side wall or said second side wall, and operable to be pivotally moved so as to be parallel and substantially adjacent to said at least one of said first side wall or said second side wall. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced. 
       In the figures, embodiments are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and figures are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding. 
       Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein the figures: 
         FIGS.  1 A to  1 G  are perspective views of a mobile and secure retail structure, in accordance with different embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a secure and mobile retail structure that is integrated into a motorized vehicle, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIGS.  3 A to  3 C  are perspective views of a secure and mobile retail structure that is integrated into a motorized vehicle and wherein the vault area is located at the back of the vehicle, in accordance with different embodiments. 
         FIGS.  3 D and  3 E  are perspective views of the interior volume of the secure and mobile retail structure that is integrated into a motorized vehicle of  FIG.  3 A ,  FIG.  3 B  and  FIG.  3 C , wherein a portion of the vault wall is hingedly coupled to a side wall and is operable to be pivotally moved from a first position ( FIG.  3 D ) to a second position ( FIG.  3 E ). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter of this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. 
     Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     The present invention provides a secure and mobile retail structure that may be used with many embodiments. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a secure and mobile retail structure for securely storing therein and selling therefrom one or more restricted access products, for example cannabis products or derivatives therefrom. 
     It has previously been recognized that there exists a need for a secure and mobile retail structure that allows for selling restricted access products such as cannabis or derivatives thereof, that comprises a vault area for securely storing the restricted access products and that may either passively mobile or actively mobile. 
     The disclosure proposes a secure and mobile retail structure for securely storing therein and selling therefrom one or more restricted access products, that overcomes disadvantages inherent in the existing retail structures, such as, but not limited to, an inability to be used for retail, lack of a secure area for storing restricted access products, and an inability to be actively mobile, such as being integrated into a motorized vehicle. The present invention provides a secure and mobile retail structure that may be used with many different forms. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved secure and mobile retail structure for securely storing therein and selling therefrom one or more restricted access products, which provides the advantages and overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. 
       FIG.  1 A  shows a perspective view of the exterior of an exemplary retail structure  100  comprising a rectangular base  102 , a first end wall  104 , a second end walls  106 , a first side wall  108 , a second side wall  110 , and a roof portion  148 . 
     In some embodiments, the base  102  comprises therein one or more passive mobility means operable to be used for moving, displacing or deploying the structure  100  from one location to another location. In the example of  FIG.  1 A , the passive mobility means are shown as one or more hydraulic lift apertures  150  which may be used to move or displace structure  100  via a hydraulic lift. For example, this may be used to put structure  100  on a trailer to be displaced and deploy it at the new location. In other embodiments, the one or more passive mobility means may take the form of two or more wheels coupled to the base  102  and an attachment means for attaching the structure  100  to a vehicle or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 B , which shows a perspective view of the interior volume of the structure  100 , a vault wall  112  is located between the first end wall  104  and the second end wall  106 , extending horizontally from the first side wall  108  to the second side wall  110 , and vertically from the base  102  to the roof portion, hereby dividing the interior volume of the structure  100  into a vault area  114  on one side and a service area  116  on the other. The vault area  114  is used, in part, for securely storing the one or more restricted access products, while the service area  116  is used for selling small quantities of the restricted access products to a customer located outside of structure  100 . The vault wall  112  comprises therein a secure access doorway  118  for both accessing the vault area  114  and for transferring the small quantities of restricted access products from the vault area  114  to the service area  116 . 
     The restricted access products may be cannabis products or derived cannabis products, for example oil, food (e.g., candies, cookies, brownies, etc.) or the like. In some embodiments, other types of restricted access products may also be stored and sold, for example medicine and/or drugs, including age-restricted products, such as, but not limited to products containing tobacco (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, etc.) or alcohol (such as beer, wine, spirits, etc.). In some embodiments, the vault area  114  may also be used to securely store money and/or other valuable objects. 
     In some embodiments, the secure access doorway  118  comprises on the bottom portion thereof a half-door  120 . The half-door  120  is hingedly connected or coupled to a vertical edge of the secure access doorway  118 , so as to cover the bottom portion thereof when closed. In some embodiments, the half-door  120  may be reinforced with or made of a substantially impact resistant material. The half-door  120  typically comprises a lock assembly therein. In some embodiments, this lock assembly may be configured so that the half-door  120  may be locked (and unlocked) from the inside of the vault area  114  only. Furthermore, the top portion of the secure access doorway  118  comprises a window panel  122  covering the remaining top portion of the secure access doorway  118 , the window panel  122  comprising therein a transfer aperture  124  for securely transferring a small quantity of the restricted access products from the vault area  114  to the service area  116 . For example, in some embodiments, an employee or person having the proper authorization may access the vault area  114  and lock himself/herself within. When a customer wishes to purchase a limited or small quantity of the restricted access products, another service employee in the service area  116  may request the desired product and quantity thereof, upon which, the authorized employee may transfer the small quantity of restricted access products through the transfer aperture  124 . 
     In the example of  FIG.  1 A , the transfer aperture  124  is substantially rectangular and comprising a bottom edge that is substantially aligned with the bottom edge of the window panel  122 . The size of the transfer aperture  124  should be large enough to pas s-through or transfer a small quantity of product, but not large enough to allow an arm to reach inside the vault area  114 , for example to unlock the half-door  120 . Different strong and substantially transparent materials may be used for the window panel  122 , including for example bullet-proof glass or the like. In some embodiments, the half-door  120  may comprise a counter portion  126  adjacent to the bottom edge of the transfer aperture  124 , for depositing the small quantity of restricted access product thereon. In other embodiments, the transfer aperture  124  may instead take the form of an aperture or recess in counter portion  126  instead. 
     Going back to  FIG.  1 A , the first side wall  108 , in the service area  116 , comprises at least one service opening  130  for selling the small quantity of restricted access products to a customer outside of structure  100 . Different types of service openings may be envisioned. For example, the service opening  130  in  FIG.  1 A  takes the form of a pass-through window. In addition, the portion of the first side wall  108  below the service opening  130  may be configured as a service counter  128  or similar, with an increased width extending inside the service area  116  and which may be used to place a cash register or similar, and/or other devices. However, the skilled person in the art will appreciate that the illustrated service opening  130  is an example only and that different numbers of openings, of different sizes and/or shapes may also be used without restriction. For example, in some embodiments, the service openings  130  may comprise a glass or plastic window, for example a slidable glass window or the like. In some embodiments, service counters may be attached or affixed to the exterior side of the first side wall  108 . In some embodiments, these may be pivotally attached to the first side wall  108 . In some embodiments, they may be removably attached. 
     The structure  100  may further comprise at least one access door to access the service area  116  from the outside. For example, in  FIG.  1 A , an access door  132  is shown being located in the second end wall  106 . The access door  132  may comprise a lock assembly to restrict access to the structure  100  for authorized employees only. 
     In some embodiments, structure  100  may further comprise an awning above the service opening  130 . In the example of  FIG.  1 A , the awning comprises a substantially rigid and rectangular awning panel  134  which is horizontally pivotally connected, outside of the structure  100 , to the upper edge of the first side wall  108 . The awning panel  134  may be configured to be pivotally moved between an open configuration (as seen in  FIG.  1 A ), wherein the awning panel  134  is substantially horizontal to protect customers from the weather, and a closed configuration (seen for example in  FIGS.  1 C and  1 D ), wherein the awning panel  134  is substantially parallel and adjacent to the first side wall  108  so as to fully cover the service opening  130  and prevent access to the service area  116  therefrom. 
     The skilled person in the art will appreciate that different shapes and sizes of the awning panel  134  may be used, and that the awning panel  134  may be attached at any point above the service opening  130 , (not only at the upper edge thereof). For example, in the case where the service opening  130  does not extend all the way to the top of the first side wall  108 , the awning panel  134  could be attached at some height between the upper edge of the service opening  130  and the upper edge of the first side wall  108 , as long as the awning panel  134  is correspondingly configured and/or shaped to cover the service opening  130  in the closed configuration. In some embodiments, the awning panel  134  may be configured to substantially cover the service opening  130  only, as long as it prevents an individual from reaching into the service area  116  from outside of the structure  100 . In some embodiments, the awning panel  134  may be made of or reinforced with a metal material or the like. For example, in some embodiments, the awning panel  134  may be made or reinforced with a steel alloy or the like. 
     In some embodiments, structure  100  may further comprise a stage, the stage comprising, as illustrated in  FIG.  1 A , a substantially rigid and rectangular stage platform  136  horizontally pivotally connected, outside of the structure  100 , substantially near the bottom edge of the first side wall  108 , and configured to be pivotally moved between an open configuration wherein the stage platform  136  is substantially horizontal for a client to stand thereon, as illustrated in  FIG.  1 A , and a closed configuration wherein the stage platform  136  is substantially parallel and adjacent to the first side wall  108  so as to completely (or substantially) cover the service opening  130  (as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 C and  1 D ). 
     In some embodiments, the awning panel  134  and/or stage platform  136  may have a smaller width (along the first side wall  108 ) than illustrated. For example, in some embodiments, the width may be substantially close to the width of the service opening  130  only. 
     In some embodiments, a portable electric generator (not shown) may be provided, configured to be optionally coupled to the structure  100  to provide electricity thereto. In some embodiments, electric outlets, light fixtures and/or fans may be installed on any of the walls  104 ,  106 ,  108  and/or  110 , and/or roof portion  148 , and be electrically coupled to the portable electric generator. (Are the awning and the stage electrically actuated?). 
       FIG.  1 C  illustrates the structure  100  of  FIG.  1 A  with both the awning panel  134  and stage platform  136  being in the closed configuration. In some embodiments, the structure  100  may be configured so that the awning panel  134  is folded down first to rest against and cover the service opening  130 , and the stage platform  136  folded up second to rest against the awning panel  134 , while in other embodiments the stage platform  136  is folded first and the awning panel  134  folded second. Thus, in the closed configuration, the awning panel  134  and/or stage platform  136  enclose the structure  100  so as to offer additional protection against forced entry in the structure  100 . 
       FIGS.  1 D and  1 E  illustrate the structure  100  of  FIG.  1 A  further comprising a substantially rigid and rectangular side awning panel  138  pivotally connected to the top edge of the second end wall  106  and configured to be pivotally moved between the open configuration illustrated in  FIG.  1 D , and the closed configuration illustrated in  FIG.  1 E  wherein the side awning panel  138  is substantially parallel and adjacent to the second end wall  106  so to completely cover it. In some embodiments, the side awning panel  138  may have a different shape and/or size than illustrated and be pivotally or hingedly connected at any location on the second end wall  106  between the top edge of the access door  132  and the top edge of the second end wall  106 , as long as it is configured to substantially cover the access door  132  in the closed configuration to prevent access thereto. As discussed above with respect to the awning panel  134 , the side awning panel  138  may be reinforced with or substantially comprise an impact resistant material such as steel or the like. 
     In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG.  1 F , structure  100  may further comprise additional elements or features. For example, in  FIG.  1 F , the second side wall  110  is shown also having a service opening  140 , in addition to the service opening  130  in first side wall  108 . Similarly, an awning panel  152  and a stage platform  154  are shown being pivotally connected to the second side wall  110 . The skilled person in the art will appreciate that all the features described above with regard to the service opening  130 , the counter portion  126 , the awning panel  134  and the stage platform  136  in reference to  FIG.  1 A  apply equally here as well for the corresponding elements part of and/or attached to the second side wall  110  named above. In addition, it will be appreciated that some embodiments may comprise either one of the service openings  130  or  140 , without restriction. 
     In addition,  FIG.  1 F  shows a releasably affixable stair assembly  142  which may be optionally releasably affixed at one end to or near to the upper edge of the first end wall  104 , outside of the structure  100 , with the other end resting on the ground. A set of railing elements  144  are also shown being pivotally connected to or near to the edges of the roof portion  148 . The railing elements  144  are movable into an upright configuration, shown in  FIG.  1 F , thereby defining and enclosing on the upper surface of the roof portion  148  a balcony section  156 , which may optionally be furnished with chairs and/or tables for example, that can be used by customers to use the restricted access product they have purchased below. 
       FIG.  1 F  further shows the stage platform  136  of structure  100  comprising a ramp panel  146  to allow a customer to walk to and from the stage platform  136 . In some embodiments, the ramp panel  146  may be removably attachable along one edge thereof to a corresponding edge of the stage platform  136 . In other embodiments, the ramp panel  146  may be pivotally or hingedly connected to the same edge of the stage platform  136  to be pivotally moved into a deployed position wherein the opposite edge of the ramp panel  146  rests on the ground (as illustrated in  FIG.  1 F ), and a folded position wherein the ramp panel  146  is pivoted or folded back to rest on the top surface of the stage platform  136  (not shown). 
       FIG.  1 G  shows the embodiment of structure  100  of  FIG.  1 F , further comprising the side awning panel  138  first discussed with reference to  FIG.  1 D , in accordance with one embodiment. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which the retail structure  200  integrated into a motorized vehicle. The embodiments where the retail structure is part of a motorized vehicle are, unlike the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A to  1 G , actively displaceable without having to be moved, for example via a hydraulic lift or other vehicle. The retailer or seller of the one or more restricted access products may thus drive the vehicle to a desired and/or suitable location as required. Any type of motorization may be considered, including gas vehicles, electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles, without restriction. In  FIG.  2   , the vehicle is illustrated as a delivery truck as an example only, and the skilled person in the art will appreciate that other vehicular designs may also be considered. 
       FIG.  2    shows an embodiment comprising a structure  200  integrated with a cabin portion  214  of a motorized vehicle. Similarly, to the embodiments discussed above, the structure  200  comprises a base  220  (which may be part of the vehicle’s lower portion), a first side wall  208 , a second side wall  210 , a first end wall  204 , a second end wall  206  and a roof portion  212 . The vault wall  224  comprising the secure access doorway  222  divides the interior volume of the structure  200  into the service area and vault area discussed above. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG.  2   , the first end wall  204  is shared with the back wall of the cabin portion  214 , while the second end wall  206  is at the back of the vehicle. The second end wall  206  has an access door  218 . In  FIG.  2   , the access door  218  is shown to be a roll-up door, but other types of doors may be used as well, for example swing doors or the like. 
       FIG.  2    shows a pull-down barrier  202  located above the service opening  216  that can be rolled down to cover the opening. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  3 A to  3 E , and in accordance with different embodiments, other examples of the retail structure being integrated into a motorized vehicle, generally referred to using the numeral  300 , will now be described. 
     The embodiments of  FIGS.  3 A to  3 E  have similar features as those described in the embodiment of  FIG.  2   . For example, it comprises the base  314 , the first side wall  320 , second side wall  318 , first end wall  306 , second end wall  312 , and roof portion  316 . However, the embodiments of  FIGS.  3 A to  3 E  have the vault area  326  ( FIG.  3 C ) located at the back of the vehicle, and the service areas  328  adjacent to the cabin portion  214 . For example, in  FIG.  3 A , the second end wall  312  is shared with the back wall of the cabin portion  302 , while the first end wall  306  is the back side of the motorized vehicle. The access door  322  is therefore on the first end wall  306  and is again shown here as a roll-up door as an example only. The access door  322  may be used to access the vault area from outside of the structure  300 .  FIG.  3 A  also shows a cabin access door  308  in the second end wall  312  that can be used to access the service area from the cabin portion  302 . 
     The structure  300  further comprises an awning panel  310 , similar to the awning panel  134  (or  152 ) of  FIGS.  1 A to  1 G , meaning that it can be pivotally closed to cover the service opening  304 . Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, the structure  300  could also comprise another service opening on the second side wall  318 . 
       FIG.  3 B  illustrate an example where the awning panel  310  is also operable to be pivotally moved to an advertising configuration wherein the awning panel  310  is positioned to be substantially vertically oriented above the service opening. In this position, the awning panel further comprises a display surface  334  thereon for displaying a message in the advertising configuration. 
       FIGS.  3 C to  3 F  show the interior volume of the structure  300 .  FIG.  3 C  clearly shows the vault wall  330  dividing the interior volume into the vault area  326  and the service area  328 . Also shown are the cabin access door  308  and the secure access doorway  324 . 
       FIGS.  3 D and  3 E  show an inside view of the vault area  326  with the vault wall  330  being configured so as to have at least a portion thereof that is movable and hingedly connected to the second side wall  318 ).  FIG.  3 D  shows the vault wall  330  in a closed configuration wherein the vault wall  330  is perpendicular to the side walls and separates, at discussed above, the interior volume between the vault area  326  and the service area  328 . 
       FIG.  3 E  shows the vault wall  330  (or at least a portion thereof) being pivotally moved so as to be substantially parallel and adjacent to the second side wall  318 . In this configuration, the interior volume is no longer divided and the whole volume may be used for generic storage purposes or the like. 
     In some embodiments, the hingedly connected vault wall  330  (or portion thereof) may be affixed in either positions via a bolt mechanism or similar. For example,  FIG.  3 D  shows a recess or hole  332  in the base  314  which can be used to reversibly affixed the vault wall  330  (or portion thereof) via a bolt  336  as shown in  FIG.  3 E . Although not shown, another hole may be located substantially close to the vault wall  330  in the closed configuration so as to reversibly affix the vault wall  330  (or portion thereof) in that position as well. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. As can be understood, the examples described above are intended to be exemplary only. 
     The embodiments described were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. 
     The term “connected”, “attached”, “affixed” or “coupled to” may include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). 
     As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.