GB2428005A

GB2428005A - Shielding unit

Info

Publication number: GB2428005A
Application number: GB0513976A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tony Picketts
Original assignee: Northamptonshire Police Authority
Current assignee: Northamptonshire Police Authority
Priority date: 2005-07-08
Filing date: 2005-07-08
Publication date: 2007-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-08
Also published as: GB0513976D0; GB2428005B

Abstract

A shielding unit 10 for protecting equipment 20, 22, 50, 54, such as a computer monitor or screen used for displaying information. The shielding unit 10 accommodates the equipment such that the equipment is tangibly accessible for operation by a first user to exchange information with a second user. The equipment 20, 22, 50, 54 is accessible but intangible to the second user. The shielding unit 10 shields the equipment 20, 22, 50, 54 but allows the first and second users to communicate directly with each other. The shielding unit 10 may have a frame 26 with transparent walls 12, 16, (14, fig.2) and one opaque side wall 18, preferably made of steel. One side wall 12 may be at an obtuse angle to the front wall (14, fig.2) and the second side wall 18 may be perpendicular to the front wall (14, fig.2). Attachment means (28, 38, fig.2) may be provided to attach the walls 12, (14, fig.2), 16 to the frame 26 and the shielding unit 10 to a surface 36, such as a desk or work bench. A secondary unit 30, such as a signature capture unit (32, fig.3) and pen(33, fig.3), may be provided for operation by the second user.

Description

1 2428005

SHIELDING APPARATUS

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to a shielding apparatus and more specifically to a shielding apparatus that can provide protection for articles such as computer processing units, monitors and other such equipment.

Due to developments in technology and growing environmental concerns, along with the need to operate more effective and efficient working environments, the implementation of paperless office environments is growing. In moving towards paperless office environments and electronic filing systems, many offices are employing greater numbers of computer processing units (CPU's), thin film transistor (TFT) monitors and other data communications equipment which needs to be readily accessible. Such equipment is expensive and fragile and in most applications, protection of such equipment from theft and/or damage is of great importance.

One particular environment where the risk to theft and/or damage is high is within the custody departments of police constabularies. It is desirable to employ CPU's, TFT monitors and other such equipment for the efficient and effective processing of data relating to criminals and crimes. The data processed in for example a police custody department must be read and acknowledged as being correct by a detainee. The data, such as contact details, incident details and confiscated possessions, must be read by the detainee. The detainee must also acknowledge that the details he or she has provided and those that have been recorded by a custody sergeant are correct. Known data processing methods are based upon completing forms on paper, which, after reviewing and accepting the details as correct are signed by the detainee.

To improve known data processing methods, as discussed above, such systems are commonly replaced by computer terminals, on-line forms and signatures being given on signature capture units which can then be stored electronically. In such PUK 1605_f environments, it is necessary that the equipment is available for use in close proximity to criminals and it is therefore desirable to provide protective shielding around the equipment. Such shielding needs to be robust and highly protective of the equipment, yet it needs to permit the equipment to be readily accessible to both a police officer and a detainee. It is also desirable that the shielding apparatus does not act as an obstruction between for example, a detainee and the custody sergeant responsible for him or her.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a shielding unit for protecting equipment, the shielding unit being structured and arranged to accommodate the equipment such that the equipment is tangibly accessible for operation by a first user to exchange information with a second user, the equipment being accessible but intangible to the second user, and being structured and arranged such that when in use, it shields the equipment but allows the first and second users to communicate directly with each other.

Preferably the shielding unit comprises a front wall, first and second side walls and means for fixedly attaching the shielding unit to a surface.

Preferably the first side wall is disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the front wall thereby shielding the equipment from being physically accessible by the second user.

Preferably the first side wall and front wall are transparent, and the second wall is opaque.

Alternatively or additionally the shielding unit further comprises a secondary unit for housing a second piece of equipment, the secondary unit comprising means for attaching the secondary unit to a surface and being disposed such that the second piece of equipment can be operated by the second user, the shielding unit being PUK 1605_f 3 - : : * disposed such that the first user can monitor the second user's operation of the second piece of equipment.

Preferably the shielding unit comprises a frame member by which the front, first and second side walls are held.

Preferably the second side wall extends away from and substantially perpendicular to the front wall.

Additionally the second side wall may be longer than the first side wall.

Additionally the shielding unit comprise a top wall adjoining each of the front, first and second side walls, and the top wall may be trapezoidal Even more preferably, the front and first side wall are contiguous, and the front and first side walls are formed of polycarbonate.

Preferably the equipment includes a first monitor which is contained inside the shielding unit adjacent to the front wall and is disposed such that the second user can easily view information displayed on the monitor.

Additionally the second piece of equipment accommodated includes a second monitor and a computer keyboard, which are disposed such that the first user can operate the keyboard and view the information displayed on the second monitor.

Preferably the second piece of equipment is a signature capture unit.

Additionally the attachment means comprises of a tube extending beneath the secondary unit and wherein a pen associated with the signature capture unit is in part housed within the tube.

Alternatively, the shielding unit may comprise a front wall, a side wall, and means for fixedly attaching the shielding unit to the first and second surfaces.

Alternatively the secondary unit may be attached to the shielding unit.

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I: . * * * * *4* S I I * * * . I I S * S *.. I,. * S Preferably the first and second side walls may each be adjoined to the same side edge of the front wall and the first side wall may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the front wall and the second side wall may be disposed at an obtuse angle from the front wall.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from the rear side of a shielding apparatus according to one example of the invention; Figure 2 shows a second perspective view of a shielding apparatus from one side of is the shielding apparatus; Figure 3 shows a second part of the shielding apparatus housing an electronic signature pad and Figure 4 is a perspective side view of both parts of the shielding apparatus, shown in use protecting data communications equipment.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention provides a shielding unit 10 which can protect equipment 54, 20, 22, 50 accommodated within the unit, whilst allowing the equipment to be operated by a first user and allowing the equipment to be accessible but intangible to a second user. It is a further feature of the invention that the shielding unit is so structured and arranged that it does not present a physical barrier to communication between the first and second users.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a shielding unit 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The shielding unit 10 comprises a frame member PUKI 605_f 5. a sit * : * . : : :.

* 5 *5* 5 * I * . * I I S SI. ISI C 5 26 which houses a front wall 14, first side wall 12, second side wall 18, and a top wall 16. Attachment means 28 is provided for securing each of the front wall 14, first side walls 12 and top wall 16 to the frame member 26.

The second side wall 18 is integral with frame member 26. The attachment means 28 for fixedly attaching the front wall 14 and second side wall 12 to the frame member 26, takes the form of a "U" - shaped flange which is secured by domed shaped nuts onto captive bolts. The attachment means 28 for fixedly attaching the top wall to the framework 26 takes the form of a four-sided flange which is shaped similarly to the top wall 16.

The first side wall 12, front wall 14 and top wall 16 are each transparent and formed from polycarbonate. The framework 26 and integral second side wall 18 is formed of stove-enamelled mild steel.

A second attachment means 38 is provided for fixedly attaching the shielding unit 10 to a first surface 36. The first surface is a desk or work bench.

The perspective view of the shielding unit 10 shown in Figure 1 is illustrated from the rear-side of the shielding unit 10. A second perspective view of the shielding unit 10 of this exemplary embodiment is shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, the shielding unit 10 is viewed from the first side waIl 12. From this Figure the shape of the shielding unit can be most easily observed. It can be seen that the first side waIl 12 extends away from a first edge of the front waIl 14 at an obtuse angle relative to the front wall 14. The second side wall 18 adjoins the other side of the front waIl 14 and is disposed at an angle substantially perpendicular relative to the front wall 14. The first side wall 12 is shorter than the second side wall 18 and therefore the top waIl 16 which extends between the front, first and second side walls 14, 12, 18 is an irregular quadrilateral or trapezoidal shape. The second side wall 18 is also irregularly shaped. A bottom edge of the second side wall 18 being longer than a top edge of the second side waIl 18.

The shielding unit 10 is used for shielding and protecting equipment 20, 22 which in this embodiment comprises first and second TFT flat screen monitors which are PUKI 605f 6 *,, a* , I I I * I I * * I S * S III I S I * * I S S $ I S * I.. SI* S I S suitable for displaying information and images. The shielding unit and the first and second monitors 20, 22 are arranged such that the first screen faces outward of the front wall 14 yet is contained within the shielding unit 10. The second screen 22 is also contained within the shielding unit 10, and is disposed back-to-back with the first screen 20. The second screen 22 faces outwardly of the rear of the shielding unit so that it can be readily viewed and accessed by a first user of the equipment 20, 22, 54, and 50. The arrangement of the equipment 20, 22, 50, 54 housed within the shielding apparatus is illustrated in Figure 4.

In Figure 4 it can be seen how a first user disposed on the rear side of the shielding apparatus can access the equipment 20, 22, 54, 50 so that the first user can operate the equipment 20, 22, 54, 50. A second user disposed in front of the shielding unit will be able to view information displayed on the first screen 20 but that is all. The equipment 20, 22, 54, 50 housed within the shielding unit 10 remains out of reach and intangible to the second user. In this way the shielding unit 10 protects the equipment from theft and/or damage yet it allows it to be easily operated by the first user. Additionally, the structure of the shielding unit and the angled first side wall 12 facilitates the direct communication between the first and second users and does not present a barrier or obstruction to that communication.

An additional aspect of the invention is shown in Figure 3. A secondary shielding unit 30, houses a signature capture unit 32 and pen 33. The pen 33 is accommodated within an aperture 40 formed within the secondary shielding unit 30.

The secondary shielding unit 30 is provided with attachment means for fixedly attaching the secondary unit 30 to a surface such as a desk 36 as shown in Figure 3.

Not shown in Figure 3 is a tube extending beneath the secondary unit 30 which is provided to accommodate the pen 33 and electrical wiring attached to the signature capture unit 32. The secondary unit 30 allows the signature capture unit 32 to be operated by the second user. The arrangement of both the shielding unit 10 and secondary shielding unit 30 being such that the first user can monitor and closely observe the second users operation of the equipment 32 to ensure that the equipment is not damaged by the second user.

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* S **SS I S * I * S * *.* III It will be apparent that changes may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention herein described. For example, the frame member 26 may be constructed from an array of separate sections and may not necessarily be formed from a single unit. The material used to construct both the frame member 26 and walls of the shielding unit 10 might be something other than stove enamelled mild steel and polycarbonate. These materials are merely the preferred choice since they provide the rigidity and robustness required, but other suitable materials could be used. Additionally the attaching means for securing the first and second side walls to the frame work could take any mechanical or adhesive form, the flanges and bolts described are with reference to an exemplary embodiment any other suitable attaching means could easily be used, although from two safety and aesthetic points of view it is preferable to use the arrangement shown, which cannot be seen from the front of the shielding unit 10 and also allows the side and front walls to be easily and quickly replaced if necessary.

The specific shape of the shielding unit may also differ from that described and shown in the drawings, for example, if the shielding unit is to be used adjacent a wall; the second side wall may be omitted from the unit, without departing from the scope of the invention. The shielding unit could be secured directly to an adjacent wall hence alleviating the need for the second side wall. Similarly, the top wall may not be coextensive with the side walls, but preferably should be sized to provide sufficient protection of the equipment.

Furthermore, the first and second side walls may be contiguous and formed from the same piece of material, or they may be spaced apart or adjoined by a hinge connection or other connecting means. Additionally the securing means provided to fixedly attach the shielding unit to a surface may take the form of bolts as described or the shielding unit may be fixed to a surface such as a work bench by other suitable means which may be a direct or indirect attachment. It is preferable that the shielding unit is secured to the surface upon which the equipment is housed or indeed a bottom wall of the shielding unit may also be provided and the equipment could be secured to that bottom wall which itself may be secured to a work surface 36.

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It * * * I * I IS * I II* S I S * S I I I S S III III * S Additionally, it is envisaged that a second side wall could be provided adjacent to the first wall, but disposed at a different angle to the front wall such that the two side walls provide an angled shielding unit which protects the equipment yet allows both users to communicate directly.

It is envisaged that in use, the shielding unit will be positioned in an off set manner and to the right of the first user and that the second user will be positioned directly in front of the first user so that they can freely communicate. The angled arrangement of the first side and front walls 12, 14 shown in the figures may accommodate a right handed first user more easily and it is therefore envisaged that the shielding unit could be formed with the angled transparent first side wall extending from the right- hand side of the front wall 14 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Additionally or alternatively it is envisaged that the secondary shielding unit may be formed integrally with the primary shielding unit 20 or may be fixedly attached thereto. Furthermore, the secondary shielding unit may be provided to shield the equipment 32 contained within it until such time as the equipment 32 is needed. A slidable cover could therefore be provided to protect the equipment 32, the slidable cover being moved away only when access to the equipment 32 by the secondary user is needed.

It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "front", "side" and "top" do not limit these panels to the orientation shown in the Figures and described herein but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another.

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Claims

* *** . :.

I * I I II : ** : : : * : II. III I * * Claims 1. A shielding unit for protecting equipment, the shielding unit being structured and arranged to accommodate the equipment such that the equipment is tangibly accessible for operation by a first user to exchange information with a second user, the equipment being accessible but intangible to the second user, and being structured and arranged such that when in use, it shields the equipment but allows the first and second users to communicate directly with each other.
2. A shielding unit according to claim I comprising a front wall, first and second side walls and means for fixedly attaching the shielding unit to a surface.
3. A shielding unit according to claim 2 wherein the first side wall is disposed at an obtuse angle relative to the front wall thereby shielding the equipment from being physically accessible by the second user.
4. A shielding unit according to either claims 2 or 3 wherein the first side wall and front wall are transparent, and wherein the second wall is opaque.
5. A shielding unit according to any preceding claim, further comprising a secondary unit for housing a second piece of equipment, the secondary unit comprising means for attaching the secondary unit to a surface and being disposed such that the second piece of equipment can be operated by the second user, the shielding unit being disposed such that the first user can monitor the second user's operation of the second piece of equipment.
6. A shielding unit according to any of claims 1 to 5 comprising a frame member by which the front, first and second side walls are held.
7. A shielding unit according to any preceding claim wherein the second side wall extends away from and substantially perpendicular to the front wall.
8. A shielding unit according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the second side wall is longer than the first side wall.

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9. A shielding unit according to any of claims 2 to 8 further comprising a top wall, the top wall adjoining each of the front, first and second side walls.
10. A shielding unit according to claim 9 wherein the top wall is trapezoidal.
11. A shielding unit according to any of claims 2 to 10 wherein the front and first side wall are contiguous.
12. A shielding unit according to any of claims 2 to 11 wherein the front and first side walls are formed of polycarbonate.
13. A shielding unit according to any preceding claim wherein the equipment includes a first monitor which is contained inside the shielding unit adjacent to the front wall and is disposed such that the second user can easily view information displayed on the monitor.
14. A shielding unit according to claim 13 wherein the equipment accommodated includes a second monitor and a computer keyboard, which are disposed such that the first user can operate the keyboard and view the information displayed on the monitor.
15. A shielding unit according to claim 5 wherein the second piece of equipment is a signature capture unit.
16. A shielding unit according to claim 15 wherein the attachment means comprises a tube extending beneath the secondary unit and wherein a pen associated with the signature capture unit is in part housed within the tube.
17. A shielding unit according to claim 1 comprising a front wall, a side wall, and means for fixedly attaching the shielding unit to the first and second surfaces.
18. A shielding unit according to claim 5 wherein the secondary unit is attached to the shielding unit.
19. A shielding unit according to claim 2 wherein the first and second side walls are each adjoined to the same side edge of the front wall and wherein the first PUKI 605_f 11 S SI. I IS.

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* S S I S S IS * S *SS I I I S * S S S S *S*S SI. uS I * side wall Is disposed substantially perpendilcular to the front wall and the second side wall Is disposed at an obtuse angle from the front wall.
20. A shielding unit substantially and herein before descdbed with reference to, and as Illustrated In FIgures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

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