An enclosure for an automated teller machine

Abstract

 A free-standing enclosure 1 for an automated teller machine is disclosed. The enclosure 1 has a base plate 3 which is attached to a sturdy base and four pillars 5 are attached to the base plate 3. The top 9 of the pillars 5 is attached to a top plate 11, and panels 17 are mounted on adjacent pillars 5, providing the enclosure 1 with structural rigidity. A lockable door 21 is mounted on one face 15 of the enclosure, the door 21 being opened to access the bank note trays.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an enclosure for an automated teller machine (A.T.M.).

[0002] A.T.M.s are typically mounted in the wall of a building, or are free-standing within a bank or a shop. The number of A.T.M.s has grown over recent years, fuelled by a consumer demand for convenient access to cash. Furthermore, the increased popularity of telephone and internet banking have reduced the importance of high street bank branches and led to the closure of many such branches, this in turn has led to a proliferation of A.T.M.s.

[0003] When planning the location of a new A.T.M., secure sites which are frequently and easily accessed are preferred. However, it is not always possible to locate an A.T.M. at these sites in the traditional positions, i.e. mounted in a wall or free-standing in a building, due to the layout of external walls or the inaccessibility of the inside of the building outside normal trading hours, respectively. Alternatively the A.T.M. can be located in a free-standing enclosure outside. Such free-standing A.T.M.s are not commonly deployed due to increased vulnerability of a free-standing external structure which would make a free-standing external A.T.M. an attractive target for thieves. Therefore, if such a design were to be deployed, it is necessary to take measures to provide a secure free-standing structure which will reasonably withstand an attempted theft. It is an aim of the present invention to provide a secure free-standing A.T.M. which can be located outside.

[0004] One aspect of the present invention provides an enclosure for an automated teller machine, comprising a first plate adapted to be attachable to an anchoring base, a second plate, a plurality of pillars and a plurality of panels, wherein each pillar has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each pillar is attachable to the first plate and the second end of each pillar is attachable to the second plate and each panel is attachable to two adjacent pillars.

[0005] Preferably a tube is provided for each pillar, the tube being mounted on the first plate and the pillar being attachable to the tube. Preferably the tube is insertable into the pillar. The pillars and tubes are formed of steel.

[0006] Preferably webs or flanges are provided, the webs or flanges being attached to the pillars and the panels are attachable to the webs or flanges.

[0007] Preferably a door is provided to provide access to a bank note tray of the automated teller machine.

[0008] Preferably four pillars are provided.

[0009] Preferably the panels are made of a robust material, for example high tensile steel.

[0010] Other aspects and preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the accompanying claims. The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventions.

Figure 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1, partially cut away.

Figure 3 shows a base plate of the embodiment of Figure 1.

[0011] In Figure 1, a free-standing enclosure 1 for an A.T.M. is mounted on a base plate 3. The base plate is mounted on a secure base, such as a concrete base, to firmly anchor the base in position. Four pillars 5 are provided, each pillar 5 being attached at its lower end 7 to one of four tubes 27 (Figure 3 ) which extend 200mm from the upper surface 8 of the base plate 3. Tubes 27 may be welded in place. The pillars 5 are attached to the tubes by bolts, by welding or by other appropriate methods.

[0012] The upper end 9 of each of the four pillars 5 is attached to a top plate 11 which is similar to the base plate 3, and has four downwardly depending tubes which locate inside pillars 5. The top plate 11 may have an access panel formed in it.

[0013] A teller user interface 13 is located on one face 15 of the enclosure 1. The teller mechanism (not shown) is located within the enclosure 1. Panels 17 are fitted to the faces 15, 19 of the enclosure 1, providing limited structural rigidity to the enclosure 1. Panel 17 in face 15 having a cut out for the teller user interface 13. A weatherproof roof 21 is mounted above the top plate 11, to provide protection from the natural elements.

[0014] A lockable door 22 is located below the teller user interface 13, mounted on a hinge 23. When loading bank notes, the door 22 opens outwards to access the bank note trays (not shown). Alternatively, the front panel 17a may open on a side hinge.

[0015] Figure 2 is a partially cut-away side view of the embodiment of Figure 1. Flanges or webs 25 are mounted at the top and the bottom of the pillars 5 on each face 15, 19 of the enclosure 1. Panels 17 are attached to these flanges 25. The panels 17 are made from a robust material, such as high tensile steel, which is capable of withstanding direct attack during an attempted theft and which can provide rigidity to the enclosure 1 if the enclosure 1 as a whole is attacked, say by lassoing.

[0016] To deter attempted thefts from the A.T.M., a dye dispensing mechanism is deployed inside the enclosure 1. In the event of an attempted theft the dye dispensing mechanism dispenses permanent dye into the bank note trays to mark the notes, indicating that the notes are stolen, as is known in the art.

Claims

1. An enclosure for an automated teller machine, comprising a base plate, a second plate, a plurality of pillars and a plurality of panels, wherein each pillar has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each pillar is attached to the first plate and the second end of each pillar is attached to the second plate and each panel is attachable to two adjacent pillars.

2. An enclosure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tube is provided for each pillar, the tube being mounted on the first plate and the pillar being attached to the tube.

3. An enclosure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tube is inserted into the pillar.

4. An enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein flanges are provided, the flanges being attached to the pillars and the panels are attachable to the flanges.

5. An enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a door is provided to provide access to a bank note tray of the automated teller machine.

6. An enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein four pillars are provided.

7. An enclosure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panels are made of a robust material.

8. An enclosure as claimed in claim 7, wherein the panels are made of high tensile steel.

9. A free standing enclosure for an automated teller machine, comprising a base which is attachable to a supporting floor or ground area, a plurality of lower anchoring posts extending up from the base and a plurality of tubular supports mounted to the lower anchoring posts, a top plate, a plurality of upper anchoring posts depending down from the top plate, and the tubular supports being mounted to the upper anchoring posts.

10. An enclosure as claimed in claim 9, wherein side panels are mounted on the tubular supports.

11. In combination, an automated teller machine and an enclosure as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10.

Drawing