Patent Publication Number: US-2015062878-A1

Title: Adjustable Kiosk

Description:
The present invention relates to kiosks and in particular a kiosk that can be adapted to create a usable space for a variety of different uses. 
     Kiosks are a housing structure used for the permanent or temporary provision of a facility such as the sale of goods or refreshments, or as an exhibition stand. They are frequently located at for example sporting and entertainment events. Kiosks are often oblong boxes with a serving hatch and are not especially aesthetically pleasing and are not readily adaptable to blend or meet the requirements of a particular event. For example, a sporting venue may host many different types of event, the home team may choose to decorate a kiosk with their logo and team colours. However, if the venue is used by a different team or the sporting event held has rules which prohibits the use of the owners colours or has a requirement for their own branding, it is not an easy matter to conceal a traditional kiosks appearance. Also over time the use of a kiosk may vary and the traditional box like kiosk cannot be easily modified to adapt its use, often requiring complete replacement. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a kiosk which overcomes or alleviates the aforementioned disadvantages. 
     It is a further object to provide a kiosk whose appearance is readily adaptable to suit a change in requirements for its use. 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an adaptable kiosk which has an inner work or exhibition area contained in a shell, the shell comprising a plurality of panels, each panel having a first surface and a second surface and a lighting array between the first and second surfaces, wherein at least one surface is translucent. 
     A cavity may be provided between the first and second surface, the lighting array being located in the cavity. 
     In a preferred embodiment the translucent surface is on the exterior of the surface of the shell and the other surface may comprise an opaque surface facing into the cavity. The opaque surface may be reflective. 
     Control means may be provided to adjust the lighting array. The adjustment may be at least one of colour, intensity, and pattern. The lighting array may comprise separately adjustable elements and the control means may have means to adjust those elements independently. 
     A surface of a panel may be adjustable. The adjustment may comprise means to provide a screen over a surface of the panel. The screen may comprise at least one of filter, a variable filter, a pattern and an opaque screen. 
     The panel may comprise two separable panels one comprising the first surface, the other the second surface. 
     In a preferred embodiment the kiosk is modular and the panels can be at least one of removed, replaced and adjusted. The shell may have a ball like shape and in a preferred embodiment is spherical. 
     The panels may extend between two support structures comprising a roof and a base. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of changing the appearance of an adaptable kiosk comprising providing a lighting array in the shell of the kiosk, the shell having a translucent surface, the method comprising the step of adjusting the array to alter the appearance of the kiosk. 
     In a preferred embodiment the method comprises the step of changing the outer appearance of the kiosk and the shell has a translucent outer surface, the step of adjusting being to alter the outer appearance of the kiosk. 
     The method may comprise at least one of adjusting the colour, intensity and pattern of light provided by the array. The method may include applying different adjustments to different section of the array. 
     The adjustment may comprise at least partial covering the shell with a screen. The screen may be opaque or include a filter or have a patterned surface. 
     By this means the outer and/or inner appearance of the kiosk can be easily changed to display the colours and logo of a particular sports team or event. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the kiosk has a support frame, a base and a top to the kiosk each with means to selectively mount the support frame there between, wherein the frame has means to mount the panels therein. The means to selectively mount may comprise a ring beam. 
     The frame may comprise an inner and an outer frame structure which can be fastened together to retain the panels. The frame may comprise at least a plurality of separate support struts which extend between the top and base, a panel may be mounted between adjacent struts. 
     The frame may further comprise a tie beam which extends between two adjacent struts. At least a partial ring of such beams may be provided about the periphery of the kiosk. More than one tie-beam may extend between two adjacent struts. Separate panels may be mounted between the struts and be separated and supported by a tie-beam. A support strut may terminate at a tie beam. 
     At least one panel may be omitted to form an opening in the kiosk. A moveable cover may be mounted to the opening to selectively seal the opening. The cover may be hinged to the frame and constitute a hatch cover or door. At least more than one panel is omitted and the frame is constructed to support the kiosk about the opening. 
     The means to support the opening may comprise at least one of a tie bar and support strut. 
     Inner wall panels may be mounted inside the kiosk, the inner wall panels having a curved structure to lie adjacent the interior of the support frame. A cavity may be provided between the inner wall panels and the wall panels, the cavity may comprise a lighting means. At least one or a portion of the wall panels are translucent. 
    
    
     
       By way of example only specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a kiosk constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial schematic view showing an individual wall segment of the kiosk of  FIG. 1  and its attachment to the roof and base section of the kiosk; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the structure of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a detail of the wall segment of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is similar to the view of  FIG. 4  but with the inner wall panel omitted; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the structure of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of the kiosk of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a reverse plan view of the kiosk of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevation of the kiosk of  FIG. 1 , showing the door in a closed condition; 
         FIG. 10  is a transverse sectional view of the kiosk illustrating the counter region from above; 
         FIG. 11  is a longitudinal sectional view of the kiosk to show the mounting and operation of the shutter; and 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the kiosk showing the door in an open condition and optional shelving installed. 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the kiosk with the door in an open condition and optional shelving installed. 
     
    
    
     In a first embodiment of kiosk  2 , as illustrated, the kiosk  2  has a substantially spherical shape and a hollow interior. The kiosk  2  has a modular construction comprising a plurality of convex wall segments  4  which extend between a roof section  6  and a base section  8 . The kiosk  2  also comprises a serving hatch  10  and door  12 . 
     The base section  8  comprises, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a planar base comprising a construction ring beam  14  which provides a stable foundation for the kiosk  2 . The roof section  6  also comprises a ring beam  16 . The various wall segments are mounted between the roof and base ring beams  16 ,  14 . The wall segments comprise individual wall panels  18  mounted in a frame. 
     The frame comprises a plurality of outwardly curved longitudinal outer struts  20  which extend between the roof  6  and base  8  and are bolted at each of their longitudinal ends to a respective ring beam  16 ,  14 . The frame also includes a plurality of outer tie beams  22  which extend in a ring about the outer circumference of the kiosk and interconnect the outer struts  20 . Corresponding inner struts  24  and tie beams  26  are provided which inner struts  24  extend and are fixed between the roof and base panels  6 ,  8  on the interior of the kiosk and align with the outer struts  20 . The inner tie beams  26  similarly extend in a ring about the interior of the kiosk  2  and align with the outer tie beams  22 . The inner and outer tie beams  26 ,  22  and the inner and outer struts  24 ,  20  are respectively fastened together and form a frame for the infill and capture of individual wall panels  18 . An individual wall segment comprises two wall panels  18  mounted between two adjacent struts  20 ,  24  and fixed by a tie beam  22 ,  26 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the inner tie beams  26  has a lip  28  which extends towards the outer tie beam  22 . A wall panel  18  is mounted on the lip  28  and a further wall panel  18  is mounted to the underside of the lip  28 . The outer tie beam  22  is fastened to the inner tie beams  26  using fasteners  30  to connect the outer tie beam  22  to the inner tie beam  24  via its lip  28 , which lip  28  extends between the panels  18 . A gasket  32  is disposed between the outer tie beam  22  and the panels  18  to provide a seal between the inner and outer tie beams  26 ,  22  and hermetically seals the joint between the panels  18 . 
     An outer cover or facia  34  is provided which covers the outer tie beam  22  to cover the frame members. The struts  20 ,  24  are connected in a similar fashion with fasteners  30 , gaskets  22  and facias  34  and thereby capture the wall panels  18  therebetween. 
     The kiosk  2  is adaptable by adjustment of individual panels  18 . In the illustrated embodiment a door  12  and serving hatch  10  are provided. To provide a door  12  as best illustrated in  FIGS. 7 ,  9 ,  12  and  13 , an individual wall segment is provided with a moveable portion. In this embodiment a hinge mechanism  36  is connected between two outer struts  20  and the panels connected below the hinge  36  constitute the door  12  and are moveable out of the body of the kiosk  2  to provide a door or entrance into the kiosk. To this end a pair of sliding mounting brackets  38  are provided to support the door  12  as it is lifted radially outwardly from the kiosk  2  to open the door and to support the door as it is returned to its original position to close the kiosk  2 . 
     The individual wall segment can also be modified to provide a serving hatch  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 7  to  11  and  13 , three individual wall segments have been modified to provide an opening in the wall of the kiosk  2  to form a serving hatch. These struts are each divided into two sections, separated by the hatch opening  10 . The upper most section  20   a  connects to the roof section  6  and extends towards the base section  8  but terminate at the top  10   a  of the hatch opening  10  and are interconnected at this location by a tie beam  22   a.  The lower section of these struts  20   b  extend from the bottom edge  10   b  of the hatch opening  10  to the base section and are inset with respect to the upper section of the struts and are connected at the lower periphery of the opening by a further tie beam  22   b,  which is also inset with respect to the tie beams  22  interconnecting the struts  20  of the outer wall. Wall panels  18  are mounted in the frame openings above and below the hatch opening. A counter  40  is mounted to the further tie beam  10   b  at the lower peripheral edge  10   b  of the opening  10 . A mounting bracket  42  is mounted behind the panels  18  above the opening  10 . A shutter  44  is mounted to the bracket  42 , which can be selectively drawn down to the counter  40  to close and seal the opening  10 . As described previously the various wall panels are captured between inner and outer struts and inner and outer tie beams. 
     Interior wall panels  46  are additionally mounted inside the kiosk  2 , as best illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 . The interior wall panels  46  curve outwardly and conceal the inner struts  24  and tie beams  26  of the frame. The interior wall panels  46  are not flush mounted but are mounted to provide a cavity between the interior wall panels  46  and the outer wall panels  18 . A lighting arrangement  48  is provided in this cavity. An internal floor  50  is provided over the base ring beam  14  and a ceiling panel  52  is also provided to cover and conceal the roof ring beam  16 . 
     The lighting arrangement  48  can be arranged to be multifunctional. The inner and outer wall panels  46 ,  18  can be adapted and changed as required. 
     In a first arrangement the interior wall panels  46  have a reflective surface facing the cavity and the outer wall panels  18  are at least partly translucent, such that light from the lighting arrangement is transmitted to the exterior of the kiosk  2  lighting up the exterior of the kiosk. Control means, not illustrated, can be provided to adjust and alter the light provided. For example, the colour of the light can be changed, the intensity of the light, the lighting arrangement could show a number of colours or shades to provide at least one of a pattern, picture or message and a light show may be provided. The control means may comprise means to input a change to the display to enable a user to select or design an illuminated appearance to the kiosk. Screens (not illustrated) may be provided which can fit to the panels to change the appearance of an individual panel, for example an opaque screen can prevent light shining through a specific panel, or the screen may contain a filter or have a cut out pattern to adjust the light through that panel. 
     Whilst light has been described as being provided to the exterior of the kiosk, the light may also or instead be provided to the interior of the kiosk, the reflective surface of the interior panels  46  may be omitted or be selectively removable to enable light to transmit into the interior of the kiosk. The exterior panels  18  may be provided with an inwardly facing reflective surface, or screens may provide this function by covering at least a portion of the exterior panels. 
     The modular nature of the kiosk enables the panels to be easily changed and as such their function and appearance to be changed. The panels could be touch sensitive such that a pattern can be provided and wiped by direct interaction with the panels. The facias covering struts and tie beams could also be easily changed to provide a different appearance. Whilst the facias  34  have been described as being mounted to the outside, they could also provide a covering to the inside to conceal the interior struts and beams. 
     The modular nature of the kiosk enables individual panels to be removed and changed. Also although interior wall panels have been described, these two could be omitted and the exterior wall panels could be provided as double glazed units with a lighting arrangement inside. 
     A suitable lighting arrangement could be an array of LEDs and/or a digital screen facility enabling a public display of video, graphics, text, and captured images, and which may have a touch screen capability. 
     The door  12  has been described as an upwardly rotating, however, other arrangements could be provided, for example the door could be hinged along one side and open inwards or outwards. The door could have a slidable mounting to enable it to be moved across the exterior or interior of the hatch to cover and open the door opening whilst only a single wall segment has been described as providing an opening for a door, the door could comprise several wall segments, or part of segments and open the kiosk along one side to provide a walk in arrangement to facilities provided in the interior of the kiosk. 
     Whilst the hatch has been described as spanning three wall segments, the hatch could have a different arrangement, in that it could span more or fewer segments or part segments, or it could be omitted. In the described embodiment the wall section below the hatch has been described as being inset, the hatch may instead be fully flush with the exterior, or may stand proud. The hatch may be omitted. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13  shelving  60  may be constructed inside the kiosk, for example below the counter or on the interior walls. 
     Whilst a roll-type shutter has been illustrated, the shutter could comprise other means such as a removable or hinged panel. 
     The roof section may be adaptable, as mentioned previously the roof section comprises at least as ring beam and a ceiling panel may be provided which can be changeable. The ceiling panel  52  may be opaque or transparent, or provided with screens to alter its appearance. A roof panel  54  may also be provided to provide protection to the interior of the kiosk. This too may be adaptable. The roof and ceiling panels  52 ,  54  may be selectively removable or omitted to provide for example a flue, the connection of an extraction or a chiller unit. A ring may be provided (not illustrated), on the roof to enable connection of a lifting mechanism to lift and relocate the kiosk in its fully assembled condition. 
     A shroud (not illustrated) may be provided to selectively cover the exterior of the kiosk. This may be provided in the roof or base section and may be deployed to cover the exterior. 
     Whilst separate frame members and panels held within the frame members have been described it is to be understood that a panel and frame could be moulded together and connected with an adjacent panel when constructing the kiosk, or the panel could have means to connect to an adjacent panel to provide a more homogeneous surface. 
     In the described embodiment the segments comprise two panels. However, each segment could comprise one panel or more than one panel. The various segments forming the kiosk could each comprise different numbers of panels. 
     Whilst a spherical shape has been described other shapes are envisaged, for example other ball shapes such as that of a rugby ball, or other geometrical shapes, for example pyramid, cubes, hexagons, star shapes etc. 
     The modular nature of the designs enables easy manufacture, transport and assembly. Furthermore, the shape and function can be adjusted in situ to provide doors, hatches and appearance as required by altering the panels or adjusting their appearance. Additional features may be fixed to the frame, for example the ear, eyes and nose of a cartoon character, either by changing panels or clipping to the kiosk. 
     One or more of the panels could be replaced by solar panels, to provide a source of renewable energy. The panels could be adapted to filter incoming light to for example provide a light screen to reduce UV radiation. 
     The interior panels could be omitted and the lighting arrangements provided against the exterior panels or within the exterior panels. A projection unit may be provided to transmit the light around and/or through the panels. 
     A variety of materials could be used to construct the kiosk for example aluminium or other suitable weight bearing beams for the various frame members, the gasket could be rubber or elastomeric, the cover or facia could also be aluminium or plastics, the panels could be glass, metal, glass reinforced plastics, plastics etc. 
     It will of course be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which is described by way of example only.