Abstract:
A coin operated public phone kiosk with a base member, a rectangular frame mounted on a base member, the frame comprising planar side standards, lower panels, and transparent upper panels, a phone assembly mounted to the rectangular frame above the lower panels. The phone assembly has a triangular shaped housing mounted to the frame with one side inclined inward into the frame, and a phone and keyboard mounted on the inclined side. A monitor is mounted on the kiosk frame adjacent at least one transparent upper planar panel. A cap assembly is mounted on the top of the rectangular frame and contains a solar battery.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a utility application claiming benefit and priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/071,431, filed Sep. 24, 2014. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    None. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention generally relates to coin-operated public telephones and more particularly to an improved vandal-resistant, compact public phone installation in which a smart phone assembly is enclosed in rigid components of a support structure for maximum security and weather protection. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0007]    The prior art public telephones generally have employed a separate housing enclosing the phone, coin box, and associated equipment, with the phone dial or keypad being operated from the exterior of the housing and with the hand set, or transmitter-receiver, connected to the housing by a cord containing the required conductor elements. In such installations, the cord is conventionally encased within a flexible steel sheath in an effort to protect the instrument against vandalism. The separate housing is attached by mounting bolts to a supporting structure such as a pole, mounting plate secured to the ground or the like. Such housings generally are not weather-proof and do not provide adequate weather protection for either the enclosed equipment or the exposed components such as the hand set, with the result that a separate shield or enclosure is normally provided, either in the form of a roof, or a completely enclosed booth, both of which take up valuable urban space. 
         [0008]    Since the coin box of conventional public phones is located within the housing enclosing the phone equipment, the delicate components of the equipment are highly vulnerable to damage by any attempt at coin theft involving forced entry into the enclosure and the housing is subject to graffiti, keying and vandalizing. 
         [0009]    Other prior art public phone booth housings simply provide a structure for the phone instrument. The phone generates revenues from public usage which depending upon the area of use, may or may not provide a profit for the city or entity installing and/or maintaining the phone booth. Revenues derived from phones are the only revenues received from the phone installation. 
         [0010]    The present invention envisions the use of a free standing rectangular kiosk housing the payphone which also allows advertising to supplement income and provides for public messaging. The structure also takes up reduced space due to the use of a compact housing and its components are difficult to vandalize and steal. 
         [0011]    The following prior art shows the use of various types of kiosks providing various services to the general public. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,752,927 issued Aug. 14, 1973 discloses a telephone mount constructed with a hollow post having front and back walls spaced from one another. The front wall of the post defines an opening that conforms to the configuration of the public telephone. The interior of the post includes support means to which the public telephone is secured and blocking means above and below the support be provided that close off the interior of the post. The juncture between the front cover and the rear housing of the telephone is protected from prying tools of third parties. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,723 issued Dec. 18, 1979 discloses a self-contained kiosk for remote banking and credit card transactions. The kiosk has a self-supporting metal frame with a plurality of walls extending upwardly and forming a housing which includes a computer unit mounted therein. The controls for the computer unit are mounted in a recessed portion of the frame on a control panel while the functional portion of the computer is located within the housing. The base of the recessed portion forms a counter below the controls and the upper portion of the recess is equipped with suitable lighting to illuminate the controls and any advertising which might be contained on the frame itself. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,308 issued Mar. 3, 1981 discloses a coin-operated vandal resistant public telephone apparatus which employs one or more coin operated telephone units. The telephone equipment is enclosed within rigid components of a hollow support structure for maximum security and protection against vandalism and to enable installation and maintenance where conventional coin-operated telephones requiring separate enclosures cannot be utilized due to space limitations. A coin box is spaced away from the telephone unit at the bottom of the support structure to minimize the likelihood of damage by attempted theft. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,582 issued Jul. 5, 1988 is directed toward a telephone booth in which the sidewalls are box-like enclosures each having one or more advertising displays. The displays are illuminated by a light source in the interior of each enclosure which also serves to illuminate the interior of the booth. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The present invention is directed to a coin, monetary or credit card operated public phone kiosk comprising a base member and an elongated rectangular frame mounted on the base member. The frame consists of planar side panels, a center panel located between the side panels and positioned transverse thereto, a lower base planar panel, and upper planar panel are provided on opposite sides of the frame, and a phone assembly mounted to the frame above the lower base panel in a recessed area in the frame. The phone assembly has a phone housing with a front side being inclined inward into the recess of the rectangular frame and triangular shaped sidewalls. The phone housing holds a smart phone and keyboard mounted on the inclined front side. The top of the phone housing has LED lighting to provide illumination for the telephone users. A double sided monitor is mounted on the frame between the upper planar panels which are preferably constructed of transparent glass. This provides public messages and allows for advertising of various products and services. A cap assembly is mounted on the top of the rectangular frame which carries a solar panel to charge a backup battery. A cap assembly on the frame holds a Wi-Fi antenna and a cellular antenna along with other electronic equipment such as a camera. 
         [0017]    One object of the present invention to provide an improved public smart phone mounted within a rigid rectangular kiosk which is highly resistant to damage by vandalism. 
         [0018]    Another object of the invention is to provide a public smart phone which is protected against the weather by the enclosing rectangular kiosk without requiring a separate weather hood or enclosure. 
         [0019]    It is still another object of the present invention is to provide a public smart phone including transmitter and receiver apparatus mounted within the rectangular kiosk which is capable of presenting public information, safety messages and the like, artwork and advertising on the kiosk. 
         [0020]    Another object of the invention is to provide a free-standing public smart phone installation requiring a minimum of space. 
         [0021]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a freestanding public smart phone which provides the public with cellular and Wi-Fi connections. 
         [0022]    These and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent when considered with the teachings contained in the detailed disclosure along with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein. 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a smart phone freestanding kiosk disclosed in the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the smart phone freestanding kiosk shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a side cross section view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross section taken from circle A of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a cross section view of taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged view taken from circle B of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the kiosk shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged side view of the kiosk cabinet shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view taken along lines  12 - 12  in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view taken along lines  13 - 13  of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged bottom planar view of the base housing shown in  FIGS. 1 and 13 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the base housing shown in  FIGS. 14  and  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged plan view of the base plate shown in in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 17  is a side elevational view of the base plate shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 18  is an exploded view showing the relationship of the base plate, base housing and kiosk cabinet; 
           [0042]      FIG. 19  is an enlarged top plan view of the phone housing shown in  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 20  is a front enlarged elevational view of the phone housing; 
           [0044]      FIG. 21  is an enlarged rear perspective view of the phone housing shown in  FIG. 20  and the coin assembly; 
           [0045]      FIG. 22  is an exploded view of the phone housing and coin assembly shown in  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 23  is a reduced rear elevational view of the phone housing shown in  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 24  is a side elevational view of the phone housing shown in  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a public smart payphone kiosk; 
           [0049]      FIG. 26  is a front elevational view of the cabinet housing of the public smart payphone kiosk shown in  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 27  is a cross sectional view taken along lines  27 - 27  of  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 28  is a cross sectional view taken along lines  28 - 28  of  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 29  is a front perspective view of the cabinet housing of  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0053]      FIG. 30  is an exploded view of the public smart payphone kiosk shown in  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 31  is an exploded view of the phone components assembly in the public smart payphone kiosk of  FIG. 25  and the cap assembly; 
           [0055]      FIG. 32  is a wiring schematic for the public smart payphone of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 25 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0056]    The present invention is directed towards a public smart phone free standing kiosk and the preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-24  and  32 . 
         [0057]    The invention comprises a commercial telephone kiosk  50  as shown in  FIGS. 1-24  and  32  with frame  61  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 10 . The kiosk  50  is constructed with a cabinet  60  provided with a rectangular frame  61  as best seen in  FIG. 10 , preferably constructed of stainless steel, the frame  61  having sidewalls or standards  62 , an interior upper cross support member  63  spot welded to the sidewalls  62  and positioned transverse to sidewalls  62 , a lower cross support member  64  also positioned transverse to said sidewalls, and also spot welded to the sidewalls  62  and a lower base cross member  65  transversely positioned between the upright standards (sidewalls  62 ) of the frame  61 . The base of the frame  61  is a planar base cross member  66  having a plurality of throughgoing apertures  77  which fit over threaded pins  84 / 87  respectively held by the base assembly  80  or the support plate  86  shown in  FIG. 18 . A recessed phone housing  100  fits the recess formed in the frame between cross members  63  and  64  as seen in  FIG. 10 . A top plate  67  formed with a plurality of apertures  267  is secured to the top of the side standard  62 . A center planar support member  69  divides the cabinet chamber into halves with the opposite half of the cabinet being constructed identical to the front half shown in  FIG. 10 . A front upper transparent GORILLA® (a trademark of Corning Incorporated) glass panel  68  is mounted to the rectangular frame  61  and is used to hold or present advertising or public information generated from a monitor if such is used within the frame, graphics and artwork if a monitor is not used, and a rear upper panel  70  is mounted on the opposite side of the rectangular frame  61 . In some usages, there would be no monitor and advertising art work or graphics would be shown protected by GORILLA® glass. A front lower panel  72  is mounted to the front of the frame  61  below the phone housing  100  and a rear lower panel  74  is mounted opposite the front lower panel  72  on the frame  61 . Thus, lower panels  72  and  74  can hold advertising, art work or graphics and can be constructed of GORILLA® glass to display same as the upper panels  68  and  70 . Optionally, either or both of the lower panels and/or upper panels can be constructed of steel. 
         [0058]    In  FIG. 10 , the frame  61  sits upon a base assembly  80  which is constructed with a rectangular frame  81  having cross support members  83 , as seen in  FIG. 6 . The base assembly  80  has threaded cylindrical pins  84  extending vertically away from the frame  81 . These are mounted through holes  77  cut in the base plate member  66  and are secured to the base assembly with threaded nuts. If desired, the base assembly can be seated on a support plate  86  as shown in FIGS.  5  and  16 - 18 . As shown in  FIGS. 16-18 , the threaded pins  87  are mounted to a base plate  66 . In this embodiment, base assembly frame  81  has a base plate  82  with a plurality of apertures  85  as shown in  FIG. 14  to receive threaded pins  87 . 
         [0059]    The upper part of the kiosk frame  61  has a cap assembly  90  provided with a mounting frame  92  which is seated on the top plate member  67  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 10  and a cap member  94  which is mounted on the mounting frame  92 . 
         [0060]    A smart phone assembly  100 , as shown in FIGS.  10  and  19 - 24 , is mounted in the inside of the rectangular frame  61  between cross support member  63  and  64 . The phone assembly  100  comprises a housing  102  holding a smart phone  104  and a stainless steel reinforced cord  105 . A keypad  106  is provided for operating the smart phone and panel light housing  108  provides lighting with LED panel  110 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , each side of the panel light housing  108  are provided with side perforated panels  112  which serve to provide cooling for the interior electronics. Alternatively, a fan can be mounted on the top for cooling the LED. The housing  102  has two triangular shaped side panels  114  and a rear panel  116  secured to the rear edges of the side panels  114  to form an isosceles triangle as seen in  FIGS. 21 ,  22  and  24 . Mounting bracket  117  extends away from the rear panel  116  allowing the housing  102  to be mounted on cross member  64 . Perforated panels  112  are mounted to the base of side panels  114  and the end of rear panel  116 . 
         [0061]    A coin handling assembly  120 , as shown in  FIGS. 21-24 , is mounted to the phone assembly housing  102  and is used to activate the same. The coin handling assembly  120  consists of a coin feed box  122  mounted to housing  102 , a coin validation mechanism  124  mounted to the coin feed box  122  which assures that the proper amount of money has been inserted for the call or information requested. The coin feed box  122  is mounted to brackets  118  extending from rear panel  116  and an escrow box  126  which holds the money and a safe box  128  mounted to the coin return mechanism  130  as shown in  FIGS. 21-24  into which the coins are deposited when the call is finished. The coin return mechanism  130  is mounted on brackets  119  extending from rear panel  116  provides for return of money on calls that are not made and for change. If desired, a bill reader can also be used to allow use of paper monies. 
         [0062]    Another commercial telephone kiosk embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 25-32 . This embodiment comprises a commercial phone kiosk  150  which is constructed with a cabinet  160  provided with a rectangular frame  161 . The frame  161  as seen in  FIGS. 26-29  has upright standards or sides  175  with an interior intermediate cross support member  163 , a lower cross support member  164  and a lower base support member  165  horizontally positioned between the upright standards  175  of the frame. The base of the frame  161  has a planar base plate member  176  provided with throughgoing apertures  178  as seen in  FIGS. 29 and 30 . The cross support members  163 ,  164 ,  165  and base support member  176  are secured to the upright standards  175 . A center support member  177  is secured to the support members  164  and  165  and to top support as shown in  FIG. 28  and provides the rear panel for the smart phone assembly housing  167 . The smart phone support housing  167  fits between cross members  163  and  164 . A front upper panel  168 , preferably constructed of glass, is mounted to the rectangular frame  161  and a rear upper panel (not shown) which is equivalent to upper panel  70  is mounted opposite upper panel  168  on the opposite side of the rectangular frame  161 . A front lower panel  172  is mounted to the front of the frame  161  and a rear lower panel  174  is mounted opposite the front lower panel  172  on the frame  161  as shown in  FIG. 30 . These front and rear panels can be static, illuminated or have artwork behind the panels. They are preferably constructed of GORILLA® glass manufactured by Corning Incorporated. The side standards  175  extend vertically providing height of the frame  161  with the base plate  176  forming the base of the frame  161 . The frame  161  sits upon a base assembly  180  which is constructed with a rectangular frame as shown in  FIG. 30 . The base assembly  180  can be seated on plate  186  having cylindrical threaded pins  184  extending away from the plate which are mounted in holes cut in the base assembly  180  and through holes  178  cut in the base  176  as shown in  FIG. 30 . 
         [0063]    The upper part of the kiosk has a cap assembly  190  provided with a housing frame  192  which is seated on the top of an LG5500 double sided monitor  195  (not shown) positioned between upper panel  168  and the rear upper panel to provide back to back digital displays with camera, for advertising and municipal messages. The bottom of monitor holds an inductive charger  209  which is used to provide wireless charging of personal electronic devices of the users. Frame  192  houses an LED beacon, solar panel, cellular antenna and Wi-Fi access antenna. Wi-Fi cap member  194  is mounted on the mounting frame. 
         [0064]    A smart phone assembly  200  shown in exploded view in  FIG. 30  is mounted in the inside of the rectangular frame  161  below the front upper panel  168  and above the front lower panel  172  on the inclined front plate surface  169  of triangular housing  167 . The smart phone assembly  200  comprises the housing  167  holding a smart phone  204 , a keypad  206  with key pad arm  205  provided for operating the smart phone and a LED panel  210  having a 4″×8″ high output which provides illumination of the adjacent sidewalk. An inductive charger  209 , shown in  FIG. 31 , allows for wireless charging of personal devices. Panel light housing  208  provides lighting with LED panel  210 . On each side of the panel light housing  208  are provided side perforated panels  212  which serve to provide cooling for the lighting as shown in  FIG. 30 . 
         [0065]    Tablet  214 , as shown in  FIG. 31 , is a 10″ android type tablet with capacitive GORILLA® glass which acts as an information touch screen. This is located on the opposite side from keypad  206 . A power stream battery  216  serves as a backup power source for the tablet. This backup is a lithium iron phosphate deep cycle 19.8 or larger A4 battery. Box  218  is a Phone PCB. Also located in the frame is box  220  which is a phone network box, e.g., a wire function box and Box  222  is an IDF Box which is a Con Edison Service Junction Box. 
         [0066]    Box  224  is a meter box and Box  226  is a Square D Box with 2×20 amp AC surge suppression. Meter boxes  227 ,  228  and  229  allow each unit is to be individually metered. 
         [0067]      FIG. 32  discloses the wiring schematic  300  and electronics for the public smart payphone. Power in the form of alternating current is delivered through power line  302  with an earth ground  304  to a 110 volt alternating current (VAC) meter box  306 . The meter box  306  delivers power through line  308  having a surge suppressor breaker  310  to a DC charger  312  and a AC/DC 12 V DC converter  314 . The DC charger  312  transmits power to a 12 V DC battery  320  and receives power from solar panel  316  through line  318 . The 12V DC battery  320  stores electricity for transmission of power to top LED  330 , LED  332  and LED  334  when there is a power shortage and smart phone  352 . Switch  315  allows a switch to power from battery  320  when there is a power outage under normal conditions. The AC/DC 12V DC converter  314  transmits power to a top LED  330 , LED Panel A  332  LED Panel B  334 , inductive charger  336  and touch screen  338 . As noted, an inductive charger  336  and an information touchscreen  338  preferably using android software area connected to both power sources. The 110 VAC meter box  306  also transmits power along surge suppressor breaker  340  on line  342  to an LG Dual Display with camera  344  and an optional Light box  346 . The LG Dual Display  344  and optional light box are not connected to the battery  320  power source. Telecom in  349  is transmitted along line  350  to smart phone  352 . Signals from cellular antenna  360  and WIFI antenna  362  are linked via conversion box  364  to smart phone  352 . The housing is shown by dotted line  400  which is physically connected to a chassis ground  410 . Preferably, the solar panel  316 , cellular antenna  360  and Wi-Fi antenna  362  are located on the top of the kiosk housing  400 . 
         [0068]    The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular embodiments which have been described above. Instead, the embodiments described here should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims: