Patent Publication Number: US-2020284022-A1

Title: Display kiosk and method for making and deploying the same

Description:
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
     The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty thereon. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to portable display kiosks and methods for making and using them. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The need for the present invention was motivated by a user&#39;s requirement for professional displays at technology trade fairs and the like on standard 2×8 folding plastic tables which were rented and covered with black table cloths. All of the technology to be displayed and demonstrated was setup on these tables. The tables were typically weak, not stable or sturdy on carpeting, and very expensive. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to an apparatus for and method of making and using portable display kiosks 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for and method of making and using portable display kiosks that are readily and compactly stowed for transport. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for and method of making and using portable display kiosks that are readily deployed for use in a minimum amount of time and without the use of tools or ancillary items. 
     It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for and method of making and using portable display kiosks that are substantially preassembled for use. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for and method of making and using portable display kiosks that require insubstantial disassembly for stowage and transport. 
     In a preferred or primary embodiment of the present invention, a front panel having a front side, a rear side, a first edge and a second edge; a rear panel having a front side, a rear side, a first edge and a second edge; a first bifolding having a front side, a rear side, a first edge, a second edge, and a bifold hinge; a second bifolding side panel having a front side, a rear side, a first edge, a second edge, and a bifold hinge; where the first edge of the front panel is hingedly joined to the first edge of the first bifolding panel; the first edge of the rear panel is hingedly joined to the second edge of the first bifolding panel; the second edge of the front panel is hingedly joined to the first edge of the second bifolding panel; and the second edge of the rear panel is hingedly joined to the second edge of the second bifolding panel. 
     Also in a preferred or primary embodiment of the present invention, a method for constructing, deploying, and stowing a display kiosk, comprises the steps of fabricating a front panel having a front side, a rear side, a first edge and a second edge; fabricating a rear panel having a front side, a rear side, a first edge and a second edge; fabricating a first bifolding side panel having a front side, a rear side, a first edge, a second edge, and disposing a hinge within the first bifolding panel along a line approximately equidistant from the first edge and the second edge of first bifolding panel; fabricating a second bifolding side panel having a front side, a rear side, a first edge, a second edge, and disposing a hinge within the second bifolding panel along a line approximately equidistant from the first edge and the second edge of the second bifolding panel; hingedly joining the first edge of the front panel to the first edge of the first bifolding panel; hingedly joining the first edge of the rear panel to the second edge of the first bifolding panel; hingedly joining the second edge of the front panel to the first edge of the second bifolding panel; and hingedly joining the second edge of the rear panel to the second edge of the second bifolding panel. 
     Briefly stated, the invention provides an apparatus for and method of making and using portable display kiosks. The invention is designed and fabricated to be highly collapsible for transport yet readily deployable for use. The invention is substantially preassembled in transport requiring only unfolding and the attachment of a backplate and counter top, none of which requires tools or any other ancillary items. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a depiction of a primary embodiment of the present invention, a display kiosk. 
         FIG. 2  is a depiction of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a display kiosk. 
         FIG. 3  is a depiction of a primary embodiment of the present invention, a display kiosk in a partially collapsed configuration, further depicting its salient features. 
         FIG. 4  is a depiction of a primary embodiment of the present invention, a display kiosk in a deployed or expanded configuration, further depicting its salient features. 
         FIG. 5  is a depiction of a primary embodiment of the present invention, a display kiosk in a fully collapsed configuration, further depicting its salient features. 
         FIG. 6  is a depiction of a primary embodiment of the present invention, a display kiosk in a fully collapsed configuration, further depicting its salient features. 
         FIG. 7  is a depiction of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a display kiosk in a fully deployed or expanded configuration, further depicting its salient features. 
         FIG. 8  is a    
         FIG. 9  is a photographic depiction of the primary and alternate embodiments of the present invention deployed and in use at a trade show. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The purpose and goal of the present invention was to design a collapsible convention kiosk that is durable, resilient, clean and stylish, and that embodies the image and ingenuity of the user. The secondary goal was to reduce the rental expense at trade conventions where user sets up a trade show booth. 
     In the end, the effort to design and refine the collapsible kiosk concept led to a highly successful end result that was recently deployed at its first convention. The kiosks were met with rave reviews by both staff (who had to assemble them), as well as guests to the booth. 
     The dollars-and-cents perspective is quite telling. Each convention traditionally costs in excess of $4000 in both equipment rentals (tables, table cloths, etc.). The one-time expense to create this first batch of kiosks has already been paid off in the savings from just one convention. This was a huge hit with the user&#39;s organization. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , briefly stated, a first embodiment of the present invention, a kiosk, comprises three primary pieces. A main base  10  folds down to about 2″ thick, and an upright backplate  20  is a single rigid piece that cradles the base when packed for shipping. The backplate secures to the main base through insertion into a novel pressure plate on the rear of the main base. Once the backplate  20  is installed, the whole kiosk can be unfolded. The finished design is powder coated in a medium-grey finish, and may feature a gently arch at the top of the backplate. It is important to note that the invention, a kiosk, was originally fabricated from sheet metal, it is entirely within the scope of this invention to fabricate the kiosk with all of its features from any rigid or semi-rigid materials including but not limited to metals, wood, plastics, composites, glass, and fiberboard or in any combinations thereof. Lastly, a countertop  30 , which may be a laminate or any aforementioned material the color of which may match the user&#39;s theme or logo, is placed atop the main base  10 . The user&#39;s logo, if desired, may be engraved through the powder coat into the shiny metal underneath or applied in alternate means such as silkscreen applied or adhesively applied. Lighting such as from an LED or other source (not shown) may be attached beneath the front of the countertop  30 , illuminating the face of the main base  10 , as well as lighting being mounted to the rear of the countertop  30 , uplighting the backplate  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  is an alternate embodiment of the invention, a collapsible kiosk is simply a tabletop. This embodiment having a main base  10  and a countertop  30  can be used as a desk, as a discussion station, or for various other purposes where a backplate ( 20 , see  FIG. 1 ) isn&#39;t necessary. The mechanics of setup are identical to the tall kiosk model, with the exception of the installation of a backplate ( 20 , see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  depicts features of the present invention, a top view, shown partially collapsed less countertop  30 , in detail. The main base (see  10 ,  FIG. 1 or 2 ) comprises a front panel  40  having a first edge (or corner)  50  and a second edge (or corner)  60 . Likewise, the main base  10  comprises a rear panel  70  having a first edge (or corner)  80  and a second edge (or corner)  90 . A first bifolding panel  100  connects between the front panel  40  the rear panel  70  at the first edge  50  of the front panel and the first edge  80  of the rear panel. Likewise a second bifolding panel  110  connects between the front panel  40  the rear panel  70  at the second edge  60  of the front panel and the second edge  90  of the rear panel  70 . The connections between the first bifolding panel  100  and the front  40  and rear  70  panels is a hinging mechanism (not shown) located at the first  50  and second  80  edges. Likewise the connections between the second bifolding panel  110  and the front  40  and rear  70  panels is a hinging mechanism (not shown) located at the first  60  and second  90  edges. Bifolding panels  100  and  110  have a mechanism to permit their folding substantially about a longitudinal centerline which may typically comprise a hinge (not shown). An access door  120  may be placed into the front panel  40  as needed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4  depicts the invention fully expanded with countertop  30  removed. Expansion or “deployment” of the invention is facilitated by moving the front  40  and rear  70  panels on opposite directions so as to permit the bifolding panels  100 ,  110  to fully open flat. A stop mechanism (not shown) may be incorporated into the bifolding panels  100 ,  110  or elsewhere in the invention to prevent the bifolding panels  100 ,  110  from over rotating about their longitudinal centerline past the point necessary to fully deploy the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5  depicts the invention in a pre-deployed configuration, fully collapsed with backplate  20  detached. This configuration facilitates transport of the invention. Stops  140  prevent first bifolding panel  100  or second bifolding panel  110  from over rotating outward upon deployment of the main base  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  depicts a cleat  130  or other suitable affixation means to facilitate ready attachment and detachment of the backplate  20  from the rear of the rear panel  70 , preferably without the use of tools. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7  depicts the present invention configured for use with the countertop  30  in place but without the backplate  20  being attached. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8  depicts the underside of the countertop  30  showing the stops  150  which, when the countertop  30  is positioned onto the main base  10 , the stops  150  prevent any of the front panel  40 , rear panel  70 , first bifolding panel  100  or second bifolding panel  110  from collapsing inward when the main base  10  is deployed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9  is a photographic depiction of the primary and alternate embodiments of the present invention deployed and in use at a trade show. 
     Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.