Patent ID: 8483871

Claim:
A method of leasing carpet cleaning machines, the method comprising: providing a kiosk, the kiosk comprising a control system, a communication system, at least one storage stall, at least one carpet cleaning machine, and at least one retaining mechanism, the control system comprising at least one user input device that is configured and adapted to receive rental data from a customer, the retaining mechanism being configured and adapted to selectively prevent and allow the removal of the carpet cleaning machine from the storage stall; permitting a customer to enter rental data into the kiosk using the input device; using the control system to activate the retaining mechanism in a manner such that the retaining mechanism allows the removal of the carpet cleaning machine from the storage stall of the kiosk in response to the entered rental data; permitting the customer to enter return data into the kiosk using the input device; using the control system to activate the retaining mechanism in a manner such that the retaining mechanism initially allows the customer to return the carpet cleaning machine to the stall and thereafter prevents the removal of the carpet cleaning machine from the stall in response to the return data; and transmitting data that is dependent upon the rental data to a remote processing system via the communication system.