GB2518582A

GB2518582A - Security plinth

Info

Publication number: GB2518582A
Application number: GB1311328.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Guy Taverner
Original assignee: HANNAH TAVERNER
Current assignee: HANNAH TAVERNER
Priority date: 2013-06-26
Filing date: 2013-06-26
Publication date: 2015-04-01
Also published as: GB201311328D0

Abstract

A plinth (10) for supporting an ATM, comprising four corner members 13, each with a pair of flanks 15 disposed at right angles. Each flank has a lip 17 that extends from it and lies in a plane parallel to it. The corner members all also comprise a foot portion to be attached to the floor. The plinth further comprises four rectangular panels 11, 12, and a rectangular platform 14. The plinth comes in a kit of parts, preferably flat-packed. In assembling the plinth, two opposing edges of the side panel are attached to the lips of a pair of corner members, making a rectangular base. The platform is then attached on top. A rectangular hoop can be used to closely surround the plinth, marking a point at which can be cut to alter the height of the plinth. This can be done before the platform is attached, and the platform can then be attached to the hoop. Two or more plinths can be stacked, to increase the height of the supporting platform.

Description

SECURITY PLINTH

This invention relates to a security plinth suitable for supporting an automated teller machine (ATM) or similar apparatus for use in a retail environment. In particular, the invention relates to a method of assembling a security plinth for an ATM, and to a kit of parts for assembling by the method.

Further, the invention relates to a security plinth whenever assembled from the kit of parts and to the combination of such a plinth and an ATM secured thereto.

AIMs are frequently installed in retail environments such as in banks, shops, public houses and shopping malls. As such, the installation of ATMs in public areas is subject to disabled access regulations that set out strict maximum and minimum heights for the ATM user interface, consisting of the keypad, screen and card slot. Mostly, the AIMs are designed so that if free-standing on a floor, the user interface will be within the regulation height relative to that Iloor but not infrequently, the floor or ground surface on which a user will stand will be at a different level from the floor to which the ATM is secured. In the case of a so-called through-the-wall (11W) ATM, the user interface may be arranged at the required height by the provision of the opening in the wall at an appropriate level but then there may be problems in furnishing the internal mechanism at the appropriate height. With a free-standing ATM, the user interface will be pre-determined by the design of the ATM itself, and so some adjustment in the height of the base of the ATM may be required to bring the user interface to within the regulation height.

With disabled access being a legal requirement, there is a demand for an adjustable plinth in order that the user interface panel of an ATM may lie within the maximum and minimum range to comply with the legislation. The required plinth height may vary from as little as 10mm to perhaps 750mm but more usually within the range of 10mm to 300mm.

The installation of an ATM is usually carried out by specialist contractors who must work to tightly defined timescales since the installation is likely to interrupt the operation of a retail environment. As such, it is paramount that the plinth is easy and quick to install, whereafter the ATM may be secured to the plinth in order to complete the installation with the user interface within the specified height range.

The known plinths have inherent limitations. Some must have the required height calculated and then the plinth manufactured in a factory remote from the installation site, whereby the plinth should have the required height on delivery to the installation site. Such plinths tend to be heavy and over-engineered to avoid damage when in transit and any mistake made in calculating the height is costly and creates delays. Other designs of plinth are adjustable for example by means of a telescopic frame and may require the use of a cosmetic surround to conceal the adjustment mechanism. Moreover, it may be impossible to have a relatively low plinth, in the range of 10mm to 30mm having regard to the adjustment mechanism itself.

It is a principal aim of the present invention to provide a method of assembling a security plinth suitable for supporting an ATM, which method may be performed at the installation site and, in preferred methods, have a required height for the ATM to be installed. A further aim is to provide a kit of parts for assembling such a plinth, which may be used to provide a platform at a required height above the floor or ground and which may be assembled very quickly and easily, for example ri a retail environment.

According to a first aspect of this invention, there is provided a method of assembling a security plinth suitable for supporting, when assembled, an ATM (automated teller machine) or the like from a kit of parts including four elongate corner members each having a pair of flanks disposed substantially at right angles, each flank having a lip extending along the flank edge remote from the other flank with each lip lying parallel to the plane of the respective flank but stepped back therefrom and each corner member having a respective foot portion at one end thereof, the kit of paris further comprising four substantially rectangular side panels and a substantially rectangular platform, said method comprising the steps of: -attaching two opposed edge margins of each substantially rectangular side panel to the lips of a pair of corner posts so that an outwardly-directed face of the panel lies in substantially the same plane as the outer surfaces of the flanks of said pair of corner posts, thereby to make a substantially rectangular base; -securing the foot of each corner post to a floor surface; and -attaching the substantially rectangular platform to the upper edges of the corner posts and the side panels thereby completing the plinth.

The method of this invention is relatively easy to perform on site, where an ATM is to be installed. Having regard to the configuration of the flat-packed kit of paris, the assembly method is also quick to perform, so minimising disruption in, for example, a retail environment. Moreover, it is relatively easy to adjust the height of the plinth in the course of its assembly, by cutting the side panels and the corner posts to an appropriate size. This may be performed separately on each side panel and corner post, but preferably is performed as a part of the overall assembly method. To facilitate this, it is prelerred for there to be a rectangular hoop arranged closely to surround the assembled substantially rectangular base, the method including the further steps of positioning the hoop around the assembled base at a selected height above the floor surface, cutting horizontally around the base above the hoop to shorten the height of the base, and then attaching the platform to the upper edges of the corner posts and the side panels. The hoop may be secured to at least the side panels following the positioning the hoop around the assembled base at the selected height above the floor surface, by means of screws passing through holes in the material of the hoop and threaded into the side panels.

Conveniently, the cutting step is performed with a power tool such as a jig-saw, cutting through the side panels and corner posts immediately above the hoop which is used as a guide for a saw used in the cutting step to shorten of the height of the base.

Preferably, each of the panels is formed from a composite plastics material which advantageously has a decorative or attractive outer face.

The method of this invention may be modified to allow the production of a plinth of a greater height than would be had by perlorming the method as described above. To this end, a second security plinth is assembled from a second kit of parts substantially the same as the first-mentioned kit of parts, and the second security plinth is attached to the first-mentioned security plinth with the panels of the two assembled plinths in substantial planar alignment. If two plinths are secured together in this way, the height of one of those plinths may be reduced as has been described above, in the case of the assembly of only one plinth.

This invention extends to a kit of parts, which preferably is in the form of a substantially flat-pack, for assembling into a security plinth suitable for supporting an ATM (automated teller machine) or the like, comprising: -four substantially identical elongate corner members each having a pair of flanks disposed substantially at right angles, each flank having a lip extending along the flank edge remote from the other flank and each lip lying parallel to the plane of the respective flank but stepped back therefrom, and each corner post having a respective foot portion at one end thereof and adapted for securing the corner member to a floor; -four substantially rectangular side panels each having a pair of opposed edge margins for attaching to the lip of a respective corner post so that an outwardly-directed face of the panel lies in substantially the same plane as an outer surface of the respective corner post, thereby to make a substantially rectangular base; and -a substantially rectangular platform for attachment to the upper edges of the corner posts and the side panels thereby to complete the plinth.

Such a kit of parts may additionally include a rectangular hoop for fitting around the assembled rectangular base at a selected position along the height thereof.

This invention further extends to a security plinth suitable for supporting an ATM or the like whenever assembled from a kit of parts as described above or whenever assembled by a method also as described above. Moreover, the invention includes within its scope the combination of a security plinth as described above and an ATM secured to the platform of the plinth, the plinth being secured to a floor or ground surface.

By way of example only, one specific embodiment of a method of constructing a security plinth in accordance with this invention will now be described in detail, along with such a plinth per se, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is an isometric view from above and two sides of the assembled embodiment of plinth; Figure 2 is a side view of the plinth of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an isometric view of the plinth from below; Figure 4 is an exploded view of the component parts making up the plinth but with some of those parts assembled; Figure 5 is an isometric view of one of the four corner posts used in constructing the plinth; Figure 6 is an isometric view from below of the top platform of the plinth; Figure 7 diagrammatically illustrates the cutting of a partly assembled security plinth to a required height, before completion by the attachment of the platform; and Figure 8 shows the attachment of the platform to the plinth of Figure 7, following the cutting step.

Referring to the drawings, the fully assembled plinth IC shown in Figure 1 is specifically intended for supporting an ATM or some other security product intended for use in a retail environment, where that product is to be secured to the floor. The plinth 10 comprises two pairs of side panels 11,12 (only one panel of each pair is visible in Figure 1), four corner posts 13 (but only three of which are visible in Figure 1) and a top platform 14.

Referring specifically to Figures 1 to 6, it can be seen that each side panel 11,12 is rectangular and in this preferred embodiment is manufactured from a composite material, in order to have relatively high strength whilst being easy to machine or cut to a required size and also able to receive fixings in the form of self-tapping screws. The panels are arranged in opposed pairs in the case of a plinth to be rectangular in plan but for a plinth to be in square plan, all four panels will be substantially identical. The height of each wall may be pre-selected in a factory but typically will be equal to the greatest anticipated plinth height for a specified ATM.

The panels 11,12 are secured to the metal corner posts 13, shown in more detail in Figures 4 and 5. Typically, each corner post is made of aluminium though other metals could be employed. Each corner post has a pair of flanks 15 disposed at 90° to each other, the fLanks having a common Long Ledge. A web 16 is formed along the opposed tong edge margin of each fLank by turning the materiaL of the fLank through 90° to be paraLlel to the other flank, and a lip 17 is provided aLong the Long edge of each web remote from the associated flank by turning that tong edge of the web through 90° to Lie parallel to the adjacent flank. The plane of each lip 17 is thus stepped back from the plane of the associated flank and the width of the web is determined such that when a panel 11 or 12 is secured to the outwardly directed face of the lip, the outer surface of the panel is substantially co-planar with the outer face of the flank, as best seen in Figures 1 and 3. A row of spaced holes is formed in each lip 17 to facilitate the attachment of a panel thereto, and at one end of the corner post 13 there is provided a ground plate 18 provided with three through-holes 19.

When the panels have been attached to the lips, the top platform 14 is secured to the top edges of the panels 11,12 by self-tapping screws driven horizontally into the side edges of the platform, but may also be secured to the posts 13 by means of brackets, not shown in the drawings. The platform 14 also is made of a composite material similar to that of the panels 11,12 though the platform is reinforced by means of aluminium profiles 20 secured to the underside of the platform. These profiles, in this embodiment, are of top hat section, in order to ensure the platform has sufficient strength for the intended load. Moreover, fixings 21 are secured to the underside of the platform, and in this embodiment consist of nuts mounted on plates embedded in the material of the platform 14. The actual disposition of the fixings 21 is pre-determined having regard to the intended use of the plinth, when completed.

Holes are provided in the corners of the platform, to prevent marking of the floor, or even drilling of the floor, once the plinth has been fully assembled and placed at the desired location. Once the four corner holes have been marked, or even drilled, the plinth may be removed, further holes drilled as required, and then fastened down. For this purpose, it may be necessary to remove the platform, and in that case the initial fixing of the platform may, temporarily, be effected with few screws, lightly tightened.

The plinth includes a metal hoop 22 of rectangular shape and sized so as closely to fit against the assembly of the side panels 11,12 and corner posts 13, externally of the plinth. When the plinth has been completed, the hoop lies immediately below the top platform, as will be described in more detail below.

The components used in constructing the plinth may readily be flat-packed in order to facilitate storage and transport prior to the plinth being constructed to support an ATM in a retail environment. Typically, the top platform may form a base for the flat-pack with the other components then being placed on that base before the whole is packaged for example by shrink-wrapping or being stored in a box of suitable dimensions. Also included in the flat-pack may be assorted hardware for assembling the plinth and assembly instructions.

When the plinth is to be assembled, the components are unpacked and then the four side panels 11,12 are secured to the lips 17 of the corner posts 13, as best seen in Figure 4. The marginal region of each panel is secured to a respective lip by means of self-tapping screws (not shown), each screw passing through a hole in the lip and threaded into the material of the panel. The screws should be of a sufficient length to maximise holding to the panel but not so long as to penetrate or cause damage to the outer surface of the panel. The attachment of all four panels to the corner posts produces a relatively stiff self-supporting structure which may be positioned at the required site in a retail environment where the ATM is to be provided. Using the holes 19 in the ground plates 18 at the lower ends of the posts 13, the floor may be marked for drilling, so as to permit the insertion of fixings into the floor by means of which the plates 18 are subsequently secured to that floor.

The required height for the plinth is then determined, taking into account the height of the ATM to be secured to the plinth. It may be that the panels 11,12 and corner posts 13 are of an appropriate height as manufactured, in which case no further action is required; the hoop 22 is attached to the walls of the partly-completed plinth, at the upper edges thereof by means of self-tapping screws passing through holes in the hoop and into the panels. On the other hand, if the plinth is of a greater height than is required for the ATM and the installation site, the hoop should be secured around the partly-completed plinth at an appropriate height from the ground, again by means of fixings passing through holes in the hoop and into the panels (Figure 7). Then, using a jig-saw or similar power tool, a cut is made around the partly-completed plinth in order to sever the panels and posts immediately above the hoop, away from the lower part of the plinth. During this operation, the hoop serves as a guide for the cutting operation.

After the upper part of the partly-completed plinth has been cut away from the lower part, the plinth is completed in the same way as would have been the case had no cutting been required. Thus, the platform 14 is attached to the upper panels and the corner posts, using brackets as required to provide sufficient strength.

In the event that the plinth has insufficient height for the ATM with which the plinth is to be used, two similar plinths may be arranged one above the

-II -

other. with the panels and posts of the two plinths in alignment. The ground plates of the upper plinth may be secured to the platform of the lower plinth. In the alternative, the platform of the lower plinth may be omitted and brackets used to secure the ground plates of the upper plinth to the posts of the lower plinth. Custom brackets may be provided for this purpose, those custom brackets fitting into and secured to the upper part of the posts of the lower plinth, so that the ground plates of the upper plinth may be bolted direct to those brackets. If the height of two plinths arranged in this way is too great, then either the upper plinth or the lower plinth may have its height reduced in the same manner as has been described above, while still giving a plinth of greater height than would be the case using one plinth.

Once the plinth has been completed and secured to the ground at the required location, an ATM may be attached to the top platform using appropriate fixings. A hole may be cut through the top platform to allow the provision of services such as electricity and telephone cables through the plinth into the ATM, or those services may be provided direct to the ATM, outside the plinth and typically into the rear of the ATM.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of assembling a security plinth suitable for supporting, when assembled, an ATM (automated teller machine) or the like from a kit of parts including four elongate corner members each having a pair of flanks disposed substantially at right angles, each flank having a lip extending along the flank edge remote from the other flank with each lip lying parallel to the plane of the respective flank but stepped back therefrom and each corner member having a respective foot portion at one end thereof, the kit of parts further comprising four substantially rectangular side panels and a substantially rectangular platform, said method comprising the steps of: -attaching two opposed edge margins of each substantially rectangular side panel to the lips of a pair of corner members so that an outwardly-directed face of the panel lies in substantially the same plane as the outer surfaces of the flanks of said pair of corner members, thereby to make a substantially rectangular base; -securing the foot of each corner member to a floor surface; and -attaching the substantially rectangular platform to the upper edges of the corner members and the side panels thereby completing the plinth.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 and including the provision of a rectangular hoop closely to surround the assembled substantially rectangular base, the method including the further steps of positioning the hoop around the assembled base at a selected height above the floor surface, cutting horizontally around the base above the hoop to shorten the height of the base, and then attaching the substantially rectangular platlorm to the upper edges of the corner members and the side panels.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, in which the hoop is secured to at least the side panels following the positioning the hoop around the assembled base at the selected height above the floor surface.
4. A method as claimed in claim 2 or in claim 3, in which the cutting step is performed on the side panels and corner members immediately above the hoop and following the cutting step the platform is additionally secured to the hoop.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4 in which the upper edge of the hoop is used as a guide for a saw used in the cutting step to shorten of the height of the base.
6. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the edge margins of the panels are secured to the lips by means of screws passing through holes formed in the lips and threaded into the panels from the inside of the base outwardly.
7. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the panels are formed from composite moulded plastics materials.
8. A method as claimed in claim 1 and in which a second security plinth is assembled from a second kit of parts substantially the same as the first- mentioned kit of parts, and the second security plinth is attached to the first-mentioned security plinth with the panels of the two assembled plinths in substantial planar alignment.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8 and including the provision of a rectangular hoop closely to surround one of the assembled substantially rectangular bases, the method including the further steps of positioning the hoop around said one of the assembled bases at a selected height above the floor surface, cutting horizontally around said one of the assembled bases above the hoop to shorten the height of the base, and then attaching the substantially rectangular platform to the upper edges of the corner members and the side panels of said one of the assembled bases.
10. A method as claimed in claim 9 and including the steps of any one of claims 3 to 7.
11. A method of assembling a security plinth suitable for supporting, when assembled, an ATM (automated teller machine) or the like and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. A kit of parts for assembling into a security plinth suitable for supporting an ATM (automated teller machine) or the like, comprising: -four substantially identical elongate corner members each having a pair of flanks disposed substantially at right angles, each flank having a lip extending along the flank edge remote from the other flank and each lip lying parallel to the plane of the respective flank but stepped back therefrom, and each corner member having a respective foot portion at one end thereof and adapted for securing the corner member to a floor; -four substantially rectangular side panels each having a pair of opposed edge margins for attaching to the lip of a respective corner member so that an outwardly-directed face of the panel lies in substantially the same plane as an outer surface of the respective corner member, thereby to make a substantially rectangular base; and -a substantially rectangular platform for attachment to the upper edges of the corner members and the side panels thereby to complete the plinth.
13. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 12 and which additionally includes a rectangular hoop for fitting around the assembled rectangular base at a selected position along the height thereof.
14. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the kit of parts is pre-packaged before assembly into a substantially flat packed kit of parts.
15. A substantially flat-pack kit of parts for assembling into a security plinth suitable for supporting an ATM (automated teller machine) or the like and substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
16. A security plinth suitable for supporting an ATM (automated teller machine) or the like whenever assembled from a kit of parts as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15, or by a method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11.
17. In combination, a security plinth according to claim 16 and supporting an ATM, the security plinth being secured to a floor or ground surface and the ATM being secured to the platform of the plinth.