GB2260147A

GB2260147A - Kiosk construction

Info

Publication number: GB2260147A
Application number: GB9119569A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Richard John Hume
Original assignee: WOODHOUSE Co
Current assignee: WOODHOUSE Co
Priority date: 1991-09-13
Filing date: 1991-09-13
Publication date: 1993-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2011-09-13
Also published as: GB2260147B; GB9119569D0

Abstract

A kiosk e.g. a telephone kiosk construction comprises a plurality of uprights (11-14), each of which is adapted at its lower end (11l,14l) to be supported by the ground, a roof structure (50) supported by the uprights (11-14), and a plurality of glazing panels (17-20) which provide kiosk walls, each upright (11-14) being adapted to receive an edge portion of at least one of the glazing panels (17-20), with each of the panels (17-20) extending generally parallel to the uprights (11-14), a support structure (22) for, e.g., a table (38) and a telephone (39) also extending generally parallel to the uprights (11-14) and receiving edge portions of at least two of the glazing panels (19, 20). <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Kiosk Construction Description of Invention This invention relates to a kiosk construction. Kiosks are used for example, for public telephones so that a user of a telephone can have at least some privacy. Known telephone kiosks tend to be made in a standard size and configuration and hence it is not economically viable to provide other than standard kiosks.

According to one aspect of the invention we provide a kiosk construction comprising a plurality of uprights each of which is adapted at its lower end to be supported by the ground, a roof structure supported by the uprights and a plurality of glazing panels which provide kiosk walls, each upright being adapted to receive an edge portion of at least one of the glazing panels with each of the panels extending generally parallel to the uprights, a support structure also extending generally parallel to the uprights and receiving edge portions of at least two glazing panels.

Thus utilising the invention, a kiosk construction may be provided in a multitude of different configurations which each use common components.

By providing glazing panels for the kiosk walls, a user of the kiosk is still visible from the outside, whilst the kiosk still provides a degree of privacy.

The support structure may be made at least in part of a material found in the immediate surroundings of the kiosk so that the kiosk blends in with the surrounding area.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide in situ, a kiosk construction comprising a plurality of uprights, a roof structure and glazing panels which provide kiosk walls, and a support structure which is made at least in part in a material found in the immediate surroundings of the kiosk.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first kiosk in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view on the lines 2-2 of Figure 1, FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a second kiosk in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 4 is an underneath plan view of the kiosk of Figure 3, FIGURE 5 is an illustrative plan view of a third kiosk construction, and, FIGURE 6 is an illustrative plan view of a further kiosk construction.

Referring first to figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a kiosk construction 10 comprises a plurality, in this example four, uprights 11-14, arranged in a rectangular array. The uprights 11-14 are each adapted at their lower ends 111, 121,131, and 141 to be supported by the ground. For example, the lower ends 111141 of the uprights 11-14, may be received in sockets which are fixed relative to the ground, or may be embedded in a settable material such as concrete.

An opening 15 between the front two uprights 11 and 14 of the construction provides access to the interior of the kiosk. The opening 15 may be closed by a door or doors if desired. The door or doors may be manually openable and closeable or be openable and/or closeable by power operated means, either under the command of a user or automatically in accordance with, for example, the sensing of the presence of a user and/or a timer and/or sensing use of and/or termination of use of equipment in the kiosk.

A first kiosk wall 17 comprising a glazing panel is provided between the uprights 11 and 12 and a second kiosk wall 18 also comprising a glazing panel is provided between the uprights 12 and 14, whilst a kiosk wall between uprights 12 and 13 is provided in part by a pair of further glazing panels 19 and 20, and in part by a support structure 22. Each of the uprights 11 and 14 are adapted to receive respective first edge portions 17a 18p of the glazing panels 17 and 18.

The uprights 11 and 14 are generally circular in configuration, and comprise a main part 25, and one or more clamping members 26. The or each of the clamping members 26 is/are secured to the main parts 25 by virtue of fasteners 27, the clamping member or members 26, and the main part 25 of the uprights 11 and 14 having elastomeric seals S which contact the respective glazing panel 17 or 18. Thus the glazing panels 17 and 18 extend upwardly generally parallel to the uprights 11 and 14.

The uprights 12 and 13 similarly comprise a main part 30 and one or more clamping members 31 but each upright 13,14, is adapted to receive respective second edge portions 17q,18q of the glazing panels 17 and 18, and respective first edge portions 19p,20p, of the glazing panels 19 and 20. The or each of the clamping members 31 thus provides a pair of elastomeric seals 32a and 32b, one 32a to engage the respective glazing panel 17 one to engage the respective panel or 18, and 19 or 20. Again, the clamping member or members 31 is/are secured to 32b the respective upright 12 or 13 by fasteners 33, and the uprights 12 and 13 are generally circular in cross section.

The support structure 22 comprises in this example, three parts 35,36 and 37 arranged one above the other in stacking relationship, one or more of the parts 35,36 and 37, comprising at least in part, a material such as stone or other masonry, metal, or even wood, or a material resembling stone, metal or wood, in each case to match the immediate surroundings of the area in which the kiosk 10 is to be located.

The support structure 22 is adapted to have attached thereto, a small table surface 38, and a telephone 39, at least the second part 36 of the support structure 22 having a support surface 40 on which the table surface 38 and telephone 39 are mounted.

Each of the parts 35,36,37, of the support structure 22 provides a recess 40, each of its opposite sides, which recesses 40 are each adapted to receive a respective second edge portion 19q,20q, of the glazing panels 19 and 20, with one or more respective clamping members 43, clamping the respective edge portions 19q,20q, in the recesses 40,41, by means of fasteners 44. Thus the glazing panels 19 and 20 extend upwardly generally parallel to both the support structure 22, and the respective uprights 12 and 13.

A roof structure 50 is supported by each of the uprights 11,12,13 and 14, the roof structure 50 comprising preferably a transparent, or at least translucent, plastic moulding, with an integrally moulded lamp housing 51 in which a light fitting may be mounted. Preferably, a top cover 52 and a bottom cover 53 of the lamp housing 51 are made in a translucent material so that light from a light fitting mounted in the housing 51, shines both upwardly from the kiosk 10 and downwardly into the interior of the kiosk 10.

If desired, the roof may be made of other construction and/or material. For example, the roof may be made in metal such as aluminium or an aluminium alloy and may be made for example, as a one piece casting or as a plurality of castings suitably juxtaposed.

It can be seen from figure 1, that the glazing panels 17,18,19 and 20, do not extend right down to the ground, but stop short by a small distance.

However, the support structure 22 extends to, and is supported on the ground.

Referring now to figures 3 and 4, an alternative kiosk configuration is shown. Similar parts to the kiosk of figures 1 and 2 are indicated by the same reference numerals, but with a prime sign added.

The kiosk configuration is indicated at 10' in figures 3 and 4, and comprises four uprights 11',12',11a and 12a. The uprights 11',12',11a and 12 , are each of the type which are able to receive a single edge portion only of a glazing panel, the respective glazing panels being indicated at 1718ss,19a and 20a. The glazing panels 1720a are each arranged to extend generally at 90 to one another, with one side edge portion received by the respective uprights 11',12',11a and 12 , and the opposite side edge portion being received in a respective recess of a support structure 22b. A roof structure 50' of generally circular configuration, is supported by the uprights 11',12',11a,12a, and the lower ends of the uprights 11',12',1112 are supported by the ground, either in sockets, or embedded in a settable material such as concrete.

The support structure 22c has a centre void V which may provide trunking for the necessary electrical connections to the kiosk 10'. The support structure 22b is generally rectangular, and presents four support surfaces S1,S2,S3 and S4 on each of which an article, such as a telephone 39' and/or a table surface 38', is mounted.

Thus in a space which in the kiosk 10 shown in figures 1 and 2, a single telephone 39 and table surface 38 only can be provided, with the kiosk 10' shown in figures 3 and 4, four telephones and corresponding table surfaces 38' can be provided.

The kiosk 10' has a roof structure 50' supported by the uprights 11'.12'.

11a and 12a which may be made from moulded plastic and at least in partly seethrough material. If desired the roof may be made of other construction as mentioned in connection with the embodiments of figures 1 and 2.

It will be appreciated that by using common components to the kiosk 10 shown in figure 1, kiosks of other configurations can be provided. For example, in figure 5, an illustrative plan view of an alternative kiosk configuration 60 is shown, in which one of the uprights 11 or 14 of the kiosk shown in figure 1, is exchanged for an upright of the type shown at 12 or 13, indicated at 12a so that the edge portions of a pair of glazing panels 61 and 62 can be received by the upright 12a so that a kiosk generally of the configuration of the numeral 5, can be provided.

Referring to figure 6, another alternative kiosk construction configuration is shown illustratively in plan view at 63, in which uprights 64,65, of an alternative configuration to the uprights 11-14 shown in figure 1, are used, each of the uprights 64 and 65 being able to receive respective edge portions of three glazing panels 66,67,68; 69,70 and 71, so that a kiosk 63 of an overall H configuration is provided. A support structure 22) may present a pair of support surfaces 73,74, on each of which an article, such as a telephone, may be mounted.

Otherwise, uprights and glazing panels are provided which are components common with the kiosks of figure 1,2 and 4.

It will be appreciated that in each of the kiosk arrangements described by virtue of the clamping members of the uprights, if desired, in addition to glazing panels, signs which span the width of the kiosk walls may be provided, retained relative to the uprights and glazing panels, by the clamping members.

For example, in figure 2, there is shown in dotted lines, the possible position of a sign T extending generally alongside glazing panel 18, although of course the respective clamping members 31,26, would not occupy the exact positions shown in full lines. Such a sign may occupy part only of the height of the respective kiosk wall.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the support structure 22b of the kiosk 10' in figures 3 and 4 may be provided by a plurality of separate sections connected together, and if desired, instead of the support structures 22 22b described comprising a plurality of parts stacked one above the other, a unitary structure may be provided if desired.

Features described in connection with one embodiment may be provided, mutatis mutandis, where appropriate, in any other embodiment.

A kiosk embodying the invention may be made of any desired size by extending or retracting the widths of the glazing panels, and can be made to any desired height by extending or retracting the lengths of the respective uprights, although specific roof structures may need to be provided for kiosks of particular sizes.

Although as described, the kiosks are intended for use as telephone kiosks, a kiosk constructed in accordance with the invention, may be utilised for other purposes.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the following claims or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A kiosk construction comprising a plurality of uprights, each of which is adapted at its lower end, to be supported by the ground, a roof structure supported by the uprights, and a plurality of glazing panels which provide kiosk walls, each upright being adapted to receive an edge portion of at least one of the glazing panels, with each of the panels extending generally parallel to the uprights, a support structure also extending generally parallel to the uprights and receiving edge portions of at least two of the glazing panels.

2. A kiosk construction according to claim I wherein the lower ends of each of the uprights are adapted to be received in sockets fixed relative to the ground or embedded in a settable material such as concrete.

3. A kiosk construction according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each upright comprises a main part and at least one clamping member which cooperates with the main part to entrap the edge portion of at least one of the glazing panels.

4. A kiosk construction according to claim 3 wherein at least one of the uprights is adapted to receive edge portions of at least two glazing panels, the or each clamping member co-operating with the main part of the upright to entrap edge portions of both of the glazing panels.

5. A kiosk construction according to claim 3 wherein at least one of the uprights is adapted to receive edge portions of at least three glazing panels, the or each clamping member co-operating with the respective main part of the upright to entrap all three edge portions of the glazing panels.

6. A kiosk construction according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein two of the glazing panels, the edge portions of which are received by a common upright, are inclined relative to one another at an angle of about 90".

7. A kiosk construction according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the roof structure is generally translucent or transparent.

8. A kiosk construction according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the roof construction is a moulding in a plastic material.

9. A construction according to claim 8 wherein the roof structure comprises at least one integrally moulded lamp housing in which a light fitting is, in use, mounted.

10. A kiosk construction according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the roof construction comprises a metal casting, the metal being constructed from the group comprising aluminium, aluminium alloy and any other suitable metal.

11. A kiosk construction according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the support structure comprises a main part with two generally parallel upright recesses and clamping members which co-operate with the main part to entrap the edge portions of at least two glazing panels in the recesses.

12. A kiosk construction according to claim 11 wherein the main part of the support structure comprises a support surface on which an article is, in use, mounted.

13. A kiosk construction according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the main part of the support structure comprises two or more sections connected together or integrally provided, each section providing a support surface which faces outwardly of the kiosk, with an article in use, mounted on each of the support surfaces.

14. A kiosk construction according to claim 11, claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the main part, or where appropriate each section of the main part, comprises a plurality of parts stacked one above the other.

15. A kiosk construction according to any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein the support structure is made at least in part of a material found in the area immediately surrounding the kiosk.

16. A kiosk construction according to any one of claims 1 to 5 which is a telephone kiosk, the support structure having a telephone mounted thereon within an area of the kiosk located below the roof structure.

17. A kiosk construction according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the kiosk is provided with at least one door having power operated means for closing and/or opening the or each door.

18. A kiosk construction substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figures 1 and 2, or figures 3 and 4, or figure 5 or figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A kiosk in situ, comprising a plurality of uprights, a roof structure, and glazing panels which provide kiosk walls, a support structure which is made at least in part in a material found in the area immediately surrounding the kiosk.

20. A kiosk according to claim 19 having any of the features of the kiosk construction of any one of claims 1 to 18.

21. Any novel feature or novel combination of features herein described and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.