US20010009346A1

US20010009346A1 - Informative cardboard kiosk structure

Info

Publication number: US20010009346A1
Application number: US09/793,074
Authority: US
Inventors: Olivier Waubant
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-03-25
Filing date: 2001-02-26
Publication date: 2001-07-26

Abstract

The informative kiosk structure is used to house information distribution means and, for example, a screen (4) connected to a central unit (3). This structure comprises a main element made up of three panels, namely a central panel and two side panels (10), the central panel being made up of two portions, namely a lower portion (9) and an upper portion (11) with a central recess (11 a) forming a display window. The side panels (10) form, at least with the lower portion (9) of the central portion, a single foldable element, the side panels (10) being joined with respect to the lower portion (9) of the central panel or consisting of separate panels designed to be nested transversally, at least on the lower portion (9) of the central panel so that, once the structure has been assembled, the two side panels (10) approximately form a U with the central panel. The structure preferably also includes a closing cap (8).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a new informative kiosk structure for housing information distribution means. In particular but not exclusively, the invention can be applied to embodying a disposable multimedia interactive cardboard kiosk. The informative kiosks of the invention can be advantageously used on a temporary basis to inform the public on stands of commercial exhibition rooms or in any place housing events open to a large number of people.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Up until now concerning interactive information kiosks, finished factory-assembled kiosk structures made of a rigid metal have been used. By virtue of their structure, these kiosks are costly to produce, and once mounted because of their spatial requirement, are difficult to transport from one site to another. For this reason, up until now, interactive information kiosks have always been preferably installed permanently in a given location.

On the other hand, the invention is able to provide an informative kiosk structure generally intended for housing information distribution means, such as an interactive computer system comprising a central unit connected to a display screen and possibly to various communication peripherals, such as a keyboard, a card reader, etc., but which can easily be transported and installed on any site, which can be advantageously embodied at reduced cost and which can be easily assembled without resorting to using special tools.

According to the invention, the informative kiosk structure includes a main element made up of three panels, namely a central panel and two side panels. The central panel is made up of two portions, namely a lower portion whose height is smaller than that of the side panels, and an upper portion with a central recess forming a display window. The side panels form at least with the lower portion of the central panel a single foldable element, the side panels being articulated with respect to the lower portion of the central portion, or consist of separate panels designed to be nested transversally, at least on the lower portion of the central panel, so that, once the structure has been assembled, the two side panels approximately form a U with the central panel.

According to the invention, the lower and upper portions of the central panel could be constituted by two separate elements or the central panel could be made of a single piece.

In one preferred embodiment variant, once the main element has been configured into a U, the two side panels respectively have two upper edges extending from the lower portion of the central panel forming a facade and which define a rising slanted plane orientated towards the rear of the structure. This disposition advantageously makes it possible to embody a kiosk having at the facade a slanted display window, the upper portion of the central panel and/or an additional screen mask advantageously being able to be mounted in support against the upper edges of the side panels, which facilitates display of information by a user which could be displayed on a screen housed inside the structure.

More particularly, according to said preferred embodiment variant, the upper portion of the central panel forming the window is articulated with respect to the lower portion of the central panel.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the informative kiosk structure further includes a closing cap separated from the panels of the main element and which is designed to be fixed so as to be able to move in support on the rear edges of the side panels once the main elements has been configured into a U.

At least the panels of the main element and if applicable the closing cap are preferably but not exclusively made of a disposable material, such as cardboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention shall appear more clearly from a reading of the following description of two preferred embodiment examples of an interactive kiosk with a cardboard structure according to the invention, said description being given by way of nonrestrictive example and with reference to the accompanying drawing on which: [0010]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interactive kiosk according to a first embodiment variant whose cardboard structure after assembling is laid on a base, [0011]
FIG. 2 is a horizontal view of the main elements constituting the cardboard structure of the kiosk of FIG. 1, [0012]
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the movable catching principle of an external table panel on the cardboard structure of the kiosk of FIG. 1, [0013]
FIG. 4 is a partial cross section view of the upper portion of the kiosk of FIG. 1, [0014]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cardboard informative kiosk structure according to a second embodiment variant, [0015]
FIG. 6 is a side view of the kiosk of FIG. 5 on which a screen mask and a support table panel forming a single element are mounted, [0016]
FIG. 7 diagrammatically represents a cap and its associated locking axis used to the lock the screen mask of FIG. 6 in position, [0017]
FIG. 8 is a horizontal view of a foldable main element with three panels according to another embodiment variant of the invention, [0018]
and FIG. 9 is a horizontal view of an internal cheek for the side panels of the main element of FIG. 8. [0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the particular example shown on FIG. 1, the interactive information kiosk includes a [0020] structure 1 which is laid on a base 2 and which is used to house means for distributing information. In the particular example shown, these distribution means are constituted by a central unit 3 connected to a computer screen 4. Fixed to the structure 1 and able to move is an external table panel 5 used as a support for a keyboard 6 connected to the central unit 3.
With reference to FIG. 2, the [0021] structure 1 of the kiosk of FIG. 1 consists of a set of elements ready to be mounted and basically includes a foldable main element 7 and a rear closing cap 8. In the example of FIG. 2, the main element 7 is made up of three articulated panels, an approximately rectangular central panel 7 a and two side panels 10. The central panel 7 a is made up of two portions, namely a rectangular lower portion 9 with a height h smaller than the height H of the side panels 10, and an upper portion 11 which extends the lower portion 9 and which comprises a central recess 11 a intended to form a window for displaying information written on the screen 4. In the example shown, the upper portion 11 is articulated with respect to the lower portion 9 along a folding line 9 b corresponding to the upper edge of the lower portion 9. The side panels 10 are connected to the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7 a by two folding lines 9 a corresponding to the two longitudinal edges of the lower portion 9.
More particularly, in the example of FIG. 2, the [0022] side panels 10 comprise an upper edge 10 a forming, along with the upper edge 9 b of the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7 a, an obtuse angle A strictly greater than 90° and strictly less than 180°. Thus, the two upper edges 10 a of the two side panels 10 form along with the upper edge 9 b a V-shaped profile whose base is constituted by the upper edge 9 b.
Each [0023] upper edge 10 a of the two side panels 10 is extended by a rear edge 10 b having a first arc of a circle-shaped portion 10 c and a second rectilinear portion 10 d extending as far as the lower edge 10 e of the side panel 10. A plurality of snugs 12 with a catch function are provided over the entire length of this rear edge 10 b.
Secured to the internal face of the [0024] side panels 10, that is on the hidden face of the main element 7 of FIG. 2, are respectively two internal cheeks 13. Each cheek basically comprises two notches 14 and an upper edge 15 having approximately an L-shaped profile with a first longer portion 15 a forming with the upper edge 9 b of the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7 a an angle B approximately equal to the angle A, and a second portion 15 b of shorter length and extending the first portion 15 a upwards and opposite the central panel 7 a. In another variant, each cheek 13 could be made up of three separate elements.
Advantageously, the [0025] main element 7 shall be embodied at low cost in a cardboard blank which shall have been previously cut so as to give it the particular shape shown on FIG. 2 and in which the two folding lines 9 a and the folding line 9 b shall have been embodied. A cut with the hollow-punch shall be made in the upper portion 11 so as to form the recess 11 a. The dimension of the recess 11 a could be smaller than the size of the screen 4 in which case the screen shall be situated behind the panel 11 once the kiosk structure has been assembled. If necessary, the shape of the recess 11 a could be designed so as to marry the profile of the screen 4, in which case the screen 4 is to be inserted in the recess 11 a once the kiosk has been assembled. Four cuts 16 with the hollow-punch shall be made in the side panels 10 and in the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7 a, and a central cut 17 shall be made with the hollow-punch in the lower portion 9 of the central panel 9. The function of the cuts 16, as shall appear more clearly from the description of FIG. 2, is to allow the mounting of squares of the external table panel 5. The function of the cut 17 is to allow passage of the cable connecting the keyboard 6 to the central unit 3. A plurality of micro-perforations 18 shall also be made in the two side panels 10 so as to provide ventilation between the inside and outside of the kiosk structure.
The two [0026] internal cheeks 13 shall also preferably be embodied by the precutting of cardboard blanks and pasted onto the internal face of the two side panels 10. Prior to pasting of each internal cheek 13 onto the corresponding side panel 10, a precut shall be made with the hollow punch and shall be opposite the precut 16 of the side panel 10 and micro-perforations opposite the micro-perforations 18 of the side panel 10.
In the preferred embodiment example shown on FIG. 2, the [0027] main element 7 is further equipped with two straps 19 fixed on the righthand side panel 10 on FIG. 2, and two straps 20 symmetrically fixed on the lefthand side panel 10 on FIG. 2. The straps 19 and 20 are respectively provided at their free extremity with a fastening element 19 a and 20 a. The fastening element 19 a of a strap 19 is designed to cooperate with the fastening element 20 a of a strap 20 to ensure the strap 19 is secured to the opposite strap 20. In a specific embodiment example, the fastening elements 19 a and 20 a were constituted by additional mechanical hook and buckle type fastening elements more commonly known as VELCRO fasteners. Of course, these fastening elements 19 a and 20 a could be constituted by any element known to an the expert in this particular field and which could fulfill the same function.
The [0028] straps 19 and 20 shall preferably be fixed to the corresponding site panel 10 by being sandwitched via their extremity opposite that of their fastening element between the internal face of the side panel 10 and the internal cheek 13.
The [0029] closing cap 8 of the external structure of the kiosk of FIG. 1 is also advantageously embodied in a rectangular cardboard blank having five cuts 21 made with the hollow punch along its two longitudinal edges, said cuts being intended to cooperate with the tenons 12 of the side panels 10 of the main portion 7, and a cut 22 at the level of its lower edge 8 b intended to allow passage of electric power cables of information distribution means and in particular the power cable of the central unit and various peripherals able to be connected to this central unit and housed inside the structure of the kiosk.
[0030] Grooves 23, commonly known as “slits” in the cardboard industry, are also embodied by compressing in the cardboard blank constituting the closing cap and extend over the entire width of the closing cap 8. These slits are embodied in the upper portion of the cap 8 so as to give it a curved shape adapted to the arc of a circle-shaped portion 10 c of the rear side edges 10 b.
As a supplement to the external structure described above and the [0031] external table panel 5, the information kiosk also includes four other accessories shown on FIG. 2 and constituted by two table panels 24, an upper plate 25 and a screen mask 26. The two table panels 24 have a rectangular shape with a length L approximately equal to the length of the central panel 7 and a width I approximately equal to the length of the notches 14 of the internal cheeks 13. The plate 25 is made up of two portions, namely a first main portion 25 a and a shoulder 25 b having an articulated stop function with respect to the main portion 25 a. The screen mask 26 has approximately the same shape as the upper portion 11 with a window function of the central portion 9 whilst, however, being slightly oversized with respect to this panel 11. This mask 26 also comprises a central recess 26 a opposite the recess 11 a of the upper portion 11. The table panels 24, the plate 25 and the screen mask 26 could advantageously be embodied at a low cost in cardboard blanks.
Where the plate is [0032] 25 concerned, the articulation of the two portions 25 a and 25 b shall be embodied by a seam groove 26 making it possible to configure the plate 25 by giving it an L-shaped profile complementary to the L profile of the upper edge 15 of the internal cheeks 13.
The kiosk structure, whose various elements are shown on FIG. 2 have just been described, has the advantage of being able to be produced inexpensively, is light and has a reduced spatial requirement for its transport. So as to transport this structure to its assembly site, it is preferably possible to fold the two [0033] side panels 10 against the central panel 9 and stack the closing cap, the table panels 24, the plate 25 and the screen mask 26 on this unit.
So as to constitute the kiosk of FIG. 1, the assembling of the structure into a kit shown on FIG. 2 is effected on site as follows without using any special tools, as described hereafter. Firstly, the [0034] main element 7 is folded so that the two side panels 10 and the internal portion 9 of the central panel 7 a approximately form a U, the two side panels 10 being joined opposite each other transversally to the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7 a with the two internal cheeks 13 being opposite the inside of the U. Then the U formed by the internal portion 9 of the central panel 7 a and the two side panels 10 is consolidated and stiffened by sliding the table panels 24 inside the U in the notches 14 provided to this effect. Once the table panels 24 have been placed, the unit is consolidated by fastening each strap 19 with the opposite belt 20 which has the effect of exerting tension on the two side panels 10 making it possible to place them in support on the table panels 24.
Then the [0035] upper plate 25 is positioned on the upper edge 15 of the internal cheeks 15 after having given it a L-shaped configuration, as shown more clearly on FIG. 4. Having regard to the angle B formed by the portion 15 a of each upper edge 15 with horizontal, once the upper plate has been placed its main portion 25 a forms a support slanting backwards and downwards from approximately the upper edge 9 b of the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7 a, and the shoulder 25 b of the plate comes to rest against the portion 15 b of the upper edge 15 of the internal cheeks 13. The main portion 25 b is used to support the screen 4 and advantageously makes it possible to give this screen an inclination with respect to vertical for facilitating the displaying of information by the user of the kiosk.
Once these operations have been completed, the [0036] external table panel 5 is secured to the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7 a and on the side panels 10. As shown on FIG. 3, the external table panel 5 is formed of a plate 5 a whose lower face is equipped with squares 5 b. Each square 5 b comprises a hook 5 c intended to be inserted in a notch 16. The plate 5 a and the square 5 b could advantageously be formed of two cardboard elements pasted together.
The [0037] hook 5 c of each square 5 b shall preferably have an opening 5 d (FIG. 3) for placing a fixing axis 5 e avoiding any risk of the square 5 b being accidentally disengaged by the notch 16.
The next stage consists of placing in the assembled structure the equipment for distributing information, that is in the example shown the [0038] central unit 3 to be placed on the upper table panel 24 (FIG. 1), the screen 4 to be placed on the upper plate 25, and the keyboard 6 to be placed on the external table panel 5. This keyboard 6 is connected to the central unit 3 by a cable (not shown) passing through the cut 17 of the central panel 7 a. The lower table panel 24 can also be used to support one or several other peripherals, such as a printer, connected to the central unit 3.
Once the information distribution equipment and in particular the screen [0039] 4 have been placed, the upper portion 11 with a window function is folded with respect to the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7 a by positioning it approximately between the two slanted upper edges 10 a of the two side panels 10. The upper portion 11 could be secured by any suitable means, such as double face adhesive, to the two side panels 10.
In one embodiment variant, [0040] additional flaps 10 f and represented by the dots on FIG. 2 can be provided at the level of the upper edge 10 a of each side panel 10. Once the main element 7 has been configured into a U, the flaps 10 f are folded at a right angle with respect to the side panels 10. The upper portion 11 of the central panel 7 a can advantageously be secured to the flap 10 f by means of glueing.
In a preferred variant, the [0041] upper portion 11 shall be directly secured to the screen 4. To this effect and with reference to FIG. 4, it is possible to provide mechanical VELCRO type fastening means 27 a on the internal face 1 b of the upper portion 11 and on the periphery of the recess 11 a, said means cooperating with the additional mechanical fastening means 27 b secured to the periphery of the screen 4. The VELCRO type mechanical fastening means could of course be embodied by any known device fulfilling the same function, that is by any device permitting fixing of the upper portion 11 with a window function to the screen 4. For example, it is possible to equip the upper portion 11 with fixing straps (not shown) similar to those 19, 20 of the side panels 10 and which are designed to circle the screen 4 and enabling the upper portion 11 to be applied against the screen 4.
Once the [0042] upper portion 11 of the central panel 7 a has been fixed, the screen mask 26 is fixed on this portion 11, as shown on FIG. 4. This screen mask 26 comes to rest against the slanted upper edges 10 a of the side panels 10. The fixing of the screen mask 26 on the portion 11 shall be effected by any suitable element known by an expert in this particular field, such as a double-faced adhesive 28 or VELCRO type mechanical fastening means positioned on the periphery of the recesses 11 a and 26 a respectively of the portion 11 and the screen mask 26. A function of the screen mask 26 is to improve the aesthetics of the kiosk. Another function is, when it proves necessary, to place a transparent plastic film between the screen mask 26 and the portion 11 for protecting the screen 4. The mask 26 is not necessarily separated from the portion 11, but could advantageously in another variant be integral with one of the edges of the portion 11 and folding down against this portion 11. For aesthetic reasons, it is also possible to add a fixing joint over the entire periphery of the recesses 11 a and 26 a and resting against the screen 4.
Once said stages have been completed, assembling of the kiosk is ended by placing the [0043] closing cap 8 resting on the rear edge 10 b of the two side panels 10, the tenons 12 of each side panel 10 being nested inside the cuts 22 of the cap 8. Keeping in place the closing cap 8 with respect to the two side panels 10 is mainly effected by the tenons 12. In one embodiment variant, these tenons 12 could be pierced and a decorative ring (not shown) could be passed into each pair of tenons 12 opposite so as to improve the keeping in position of the closing cap with respect to the side panels 10.
A finishing [0044] flange 27, possibly made of a foam material, is preferably mounted on the free front edge of the cap 8 and is longitudinally split at its center so as to be mounted on the cap 8.
As shown on FIG. 1, the [0045] closing cap 8 is oversized with respect to the length of the rear edges 10 b of the side panels 10 so that once placed, it is extended at the upper portion beyond the junction point between the upper edge 10 a and the rear edge 10 b of the side panels 10, that is beyond the upper edge of the portion 11 used as a window and the screen mask 26. The cap 8 is thus advantageously able to form a shield avoiding the risks of backlighting on the screen 4.
In a specific embodiment given by way of non-restrictive example, the various elements of the structure of the kiosk were embodied in honeycombed cardboard blanks having a thickness of about 150 mm. However, the invention is not limited to providing a cardboard kiosk structure, but could be embodied with any light rigid or semi-rigid material, such as plastic, for producing a [0046] main element 7 made of a single piece. The advantage of cardboard resides mainly in its low cost price making it possible to embody kiosk structures which can be changed or discarded after being used. Thus, for a given event, it is advantageously possible to customize the covering of the kiosk by glueing a poster on the external face of the main element 7 and then changing the kiosk covering by replacing the cardboard main element 7 by a new element on which a new poster shall have been glued where a different text shall possibly have been printed.
FIG. 5 shows another embodiment variant of an information kiosk structure according to the invention which basically differs from that of FIG. 1 in that the [0047] central panel 7 a and the two panels 10 of the main element are constituted by three separate panels, the side panels 10 being nested transversally inside the central panel 7 a. On FIG. 5, the kiosk structure does not comprise any screen mask or external table panel. On the other hand, FIG. 6 shows the kiosk structure of FIG. 5 equipped with a screen mask 26 and an external table panel 5 which in a preferred embodiment example forms a single piece. By way of simplification, the elements common to the variant of FIGS. 5 and 6 and the variant of FIGS. 1 to 4 bear the same references.
In the variant of FIG. 5, so as to enable them to be nested with respect to the [0048] central panel 7 a, the side panels 10 each comprise at the level of their upper edge 10 a two snugs 12′ used as tenons and at the level of their front longitudinal edge 10 g two snugs 12″ used as tenons. The nesting of a side panel 10 with respect to the central panel 7 a is effected by transversally positioning the side panel 10 with respect to the central panel 7 a and by making the snugs 12″ of the longitudinal edge 10 g pass through cuts 9 c provided in the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7 a and by folding the upper portion 11 of the central panel 7 a so as to bring it to stop against the upper edges 10 a of the side panels 10, the snugs 12′ being nested inside the cuts 11 c provided in the upper portion 11 of the central panel 7 a. Contrary to the variant of FIG. 1, the upper portion 11 of the central panel 7 a is preferably not fixed to the screen 4, but is fixed to rest against the upper edges 10 a of the side panels 10.
On FIG. 6, according to an additional characteristic, the kiosk structure of FIG. 5 is equipped with a [0049] screen mask 26 and an external table panel 5′ which form a single element. The table panel 5′ comprises a first portion 5′a which at the lower portion extends the screen mask 26 and which, once the structure is assembled, is approximately horizontal, and a second portion 5′b designed to be fixed on the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7 a and which, once the structure is assembled, makes it possible to support the first portion 5 a by making it rest against the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7 a.
More particularly, in the example of FIG. 6, the [0050] first portion 5′a is articulated with respect to the screen mask 26 with the aid of a folding line 5′d and the second portion 5′b of the table panel 5′ is articulated with respect to the first portion 5′a with the aid of a second folding line 5′e. Opposite the folding line 5′e, the portion 5′b is extended by two snugs 5′c, only one being visible on FIG. 6, which are respectively nested through the cuts 16′ provided in the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7 a. The screen mask 26 further includes four cuts 26 b enabling the screen mask to be nested on the portions of the tenons 12″ which project with respect to the upper portion 11 of the central panel 7 a.
Preferably, at least the [0051] snugs 12′ of the upper edges 10 a of the side panels 10 are pierced with an opening 12′a. Once the screen mask 26 is nested on the snugs 12′, the portion of these snugs comprising the opening 12′a projects outside the structure with respect to the screen mask 26. Thus, it is advantageously possible, by making a locking pin pass into the openings 12′a of the snugs 12′, to lock in position and fully apply the mask 26 resting against the upper portion 11 of the central panel 7 a. This placing in support further advantageously makes it possible to consolidate the table panel 5′ by firstly having the junction point rest between the portion 5′a of the table panel 5′ and the screen mask 26 against the junction point of the upper 11 and lower portions 9 of the central panel 7 a, and secondly the lower portion 5′b of the table panel 5′ at the level of its snugs 5′c resting against the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7 a.
With reference to FIG. 7, for aesthetic reasons, a [0052] cap 30 is used whose main two faces 30 a are respectively pierced with two opposing openings 30 b for the passage of a locking pin 29. The cap 30 and the pin 29 shall be made of plastic, for example. The locking of the screen mask 26 in position with respect to the upper portion 11 of the central panel 7 a is effected by fitting a cap 30 on each projecting portion of the snugs 12′, the openings 30 b of a cap 30 being aligned with the opening 12′a of the corresponding snug 12′. Then a locking pin 29 is mounted through the openings 30 b of each cap 30 and the opening 12′a of the corresponding snug 12′. This locking pin 29 shall preferably be dimensioned with respect to the diameter of the openings 30 b of the cap 30 so that it can be firmly inserted.
Of course, it is advantageously possible to lock each [0053] side panel 10 in position with respect to firstly the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7 a and secondly to the closing cap 8 with the aid of caps 30 and locking pins 29 being respectively mounted on the projecting portions of the snugs 12″ and the snugs 12. In this case, each snug 12 and 12″ shall also be pierced with an opening for the passage of a locking pin 29.
Similarly for the kiosk of FIG. 1, the kiosk structure of FIGS. 5 and 6 has the advantage of being able to be assembled on'site by merely nesting these elements without using any special tools. Moreover, once the structure has been dismantled, these various elements can be easily stacked flat which facilitates storage and transport of the structure to its installation site. [0054]
FIG. 8 shows another embodiment variant of the foldable [0055] main element 7 of a kiosk structure according to the invention and which mainly differs from the foldable element 7 of the variant of FIG. 2 in that each side panel 10 is made up of two separate portions, namely an articulated portion 10′ with respect to the lower portion 9 of the central panel 7 a and a portion 10″ intended to be definitively secured to the portion 10′ so that the edges 10′a of the portion 10′ and 10 a″ of the portion 10″ are located approximately with one extending into the other. So as to reconstitute each side panel 10, the portions 10′ and 10″ shall be definitively fixed in relation to each other by being placed edge to edge respectively along their edges 10′h and 10″h. The final assembling of the portions 10′ and 10″ shall be preferably effected with the aid of an internal cheek 13 shown on FIG. 9 and fixed by any suitable means, especially by pasting on the internal face of the portions 10′ and 10″. Thus, a side panel 10 is made up of three finally assembled portions, namely the portions 10′ and 10″ and an internal cheek 13 enabling the portions 10′ and 10″ to be assembled.
More particularly, the rear snugs [0056] 12 shall be provided on the internal cheek 13 so as to nest a closing cap 8 of the type of FIG. 2 and the front snugs 12″ allowing nesting of the upper portion 11 used as a window for displaying the central panel 7 a.
Advantageously, each [0057] internal cheek 13 of FIG. 9 comprises two cuts 14′ having the same function as the notches 14 of the internal cheek 13 of the variant of FIG. 2. In addition, each internal cheek 13 in the variant of FIG. 9 further comprises an approximately L-shaped cut 31 having the same function as the upper L-shaped edge 15 of the internal cheek 13 of the variant of FIG. 2. In the variant of FIG. 9, the L cuts 31 of the two internal cheeks 13 make it possible to nest an upper plate 25 of the type of the one already described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4.
The invention is not merely limited to a kiosk structure comprising a [0058] central panel 7 a whose two lower 9 and upper 11 portions form a single element. In another variant, the lower 9 and upper 11 portions of the central panel can also be two separate elements. In addition, in a simplified variant of the invention, the central panel 7 a could be formed of a single piece and with an upper portion 11 not articulated with respect to the lower portion 9. In this case, as this concerns a kiosk structure with a foldable main element 7, such as that of FIG. 1, the side panels 10 shall be articulated, not only with respect to the lower portion 9, but also with respect to the upper portion 11. When it concerns a kiosk structure with a main element 7 formed of three separate panels, the side panels 10 shall be designed to be nested transversally, not only with respect to the lower portion 9, but also with respect to the upper portion 11 of the central panel 7 a.
The invention is no longer limited to the particular application described with reference to the figures, that is with a kiosk whose structure is used to house a central unit connected to a computer screen, but can be applied to any device for distributing information able to be housed inside the structure of the kiosk and which is able to distribute information through the recessed portion of the [0059] panel 11 used as a window. In another embodiment variant of the invention, the computer screen 4 could be replaced by a luminescent poster illuminated by one or several light sources housed inside the structure of the kiosk. In another application, the computer screen 4 and central unit 3 could also be replaced by a television set.
Finally, it is also possible to perfect the kiosk structure described by providing in the elements of the structure, especially in the [0060] portion 11 used as a window and the screen mask 26, additional openings for accessing peripherals housed inside the structure. This could be a slit-shaped opening allowing access to a smart card reader housed inside the structure of the kiosk.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Informative kiosk structure for housing means for distributing information, wherein it includes a main element made up of three panels, namely a central panel and two side panels, wherein the central panel is made up of two portions, namely a lower portion whose height is smaller than the height of the side panels and an upper portion with a central recess forming a display window, and wherein the side panels form, at least with the lower portion of the central panel, a single foldable element, the side panels being articulated with respect to the lower portion of the central panel, or consisting of separate panels of the central panel designed to be nested transversally, at least on the lower portion of the central panel, so that, once the structure has been assembled, the two side panels approximately form a U with the central panel.

2. Informative kiosk structure according to

claim 1

, wherein, once the main element has been configured into a U, the two side panels respectively have two upper edges extending from the lower portion of the central panel forming a facade and which define a rising slanted plane oriented towards the rear of the structure.

3. Informative kiosk structure according to

claim 2

, wherein the upper portion forming a window of the central panel is articulated with respect to the lower portion of the central panel.

4. Informative kiosk structure according to one of

claims 1

to

3

, wherein the two upper edges of the side panels, which once the structure has been assembled, extend from the lower portion of the central panel, are provided with one or several snugs, and wherein one or several cuts are provided in the upper portion making it possible to nest the upper portion on the snugs of the upper edges of the side panels.

5. Informative kiosk structure according to one of

claims 1

to

4

, wherein it includes a screen mask having a central recess and which is suitable for being fixed and able to move against the upper portion of the central panel.

6. Informative kiosk structure according to claims 4 and 5, wherein the screen mask includes one or several cuts for nesting the screen mask on the snugs of the side panels.

7. Informative kiosk structure according to

claim 5

or

6

, wherein each snug is pierced with an opening for the passage of a locking pin.

8. Informative kiosk structure according to one of

claims 1

to

7

, wherein it includes a closing cap separated from the main element and designed to be fixed and movable via nesting in support on the rear edges of the side panels once the main element has been configured into a U.

9. Informative kiosk structure according to

claim 8

, wherein once the cap has been fixed on the main U-shaped element, it forms a slot by extending beyond the upper edge of the upper portion forming the window of the central panel.

10. Informative kiosk structure according to

claim 1

, wherein it includes one or several table panels designed to be fixed and able to move between the two side panels of the U-configured main element and which are able to stiffen the U-shaped main element whilst acting as a support for the information distribution means.

11. Informative kiosk structure according to

claim 10

, wherein two internal cheeks are secured to the internal face of the two side panels and have at least two notches or cuts opposite in which a table panel is able to slide.

12. Informative kiosk structure according to claims 2 and 11, wherein it further includes a plate having an L-shaped profile made up of a main element which is extended by a shoulder forming a stop, and wherein this plate is placed able to move on the upper edges or be nested in cuts of the two internal cheeks, said upper edges or cut having approximately an L profile complementary to that of the plate so that, once the plate is laid or nested, its main portion forms a support slanted towards the rear and bottom of the structure, especially for a computer screen, and its shoulder is disposed opposite the central panel.

13. Informative kiosk structure according to one of

claims 10

to

12

, wherein it includes one or several straps whose function is to connect the two side panels by exerting on the side panels a tension able to place them in support against the consolidation table panel(s).

14. Informative kiosk structure according to

claim 1

, wherein it comprises at least one table panel designed to be fixed so as to move on the external face of the central panel and/or of the side panel(s).

15. Informative kiosk structure according to

claim 14

and one of

claims 5

to

7

, wherein it includes a screen mask and a table panel forming a single element, the table panel comprising a first portion extending at the lower portion the screen mask and which, once the structure is assembled, is approximately horizontal, and a second portion designed to be fixed on the lower portion of the central panel and which, once the structure is assembled, is able to support the first portion by making it rest against the lower portion of the central panel.

16. Informative kiosk structure according to

claim 15

, wherein the first portion is articulated with respect to the screen mask, and wherein the second portion of the table panel is joined with respect to the first portion.

17. Informative kiosk structure according to

claim 15

or

16

, wherein the lower portion of the central panel comprises at least one cut and the second portion of the table panel comprises at least one snug designed to be nested in the cut of the lower portion.

18. Informative kiosk structure according to one of

claims 1

to

17

, wherein at least the panels of the main element and, if appropriate, the closing cap are made of cardboard.

19. Informative kiosk, wherein it is made up of a structure according to one of

claims 1

to

18

, which is assembled and is used to house an information distribution screen disposed at the level of the upper portion forming a window of the central panel.

20. Informative kiosk according to

claim 19

, wherein it is used to house a central unit connected to at least a computer screen and possibly to one or several other peripherals.

21. Informative kiosk according to

claim 19

or

20

, wherein the upper portion used as window function of the central panel is secured to the screen.