Secure video visitation booth
11913221 ยท 2024-02-27
Assignee
Inventors
- Maxwell Edward MCGOUGH (Mansfield, TX, US)
- Jude WIDMANN (Lehi, UT, US)
- Gwen Demosky (Ellicott City, MD, US)
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
A secure video visitation booth configured for individual use. The booth includes a plurality of wall assemblies joined at edges to form the walls of the booth, a mesh ceiling panel supported by the wall assemblies, a bench, an A/V module in one of the wall assemblies, a door in a door opening in another of the wall assemblies and a window in yet another of the wall assemblies. Each of the wall assemblies is of a spaced double wall construction, with an acoustic insulation material between the two walls.
Claims
1. A secure video visitation booth comprising: a plurality of wall assemblies including first, second, third and fourth wall assemblies joined at edges to form walls of the secure video visitation booth; a ceiling panel supported by the plurality of wall assemblies and configured for air to pass through the ceiling panel; a bench; an A/V communication module in one of the plurality of wall assemblies; a doorway that is a closure to the plurality of wall assemblies; a door rotatably attached to the doorway and movable between open and closed positions; and first, second, third and fourth vertical edge members, wherein: each of the plurality of wall assemblies includes a double wall construction with two spaced facing plates; a first plate of the two spaced facing plates includes an exterior surface of the each of the plurality of wall assemblies; a second plate of the two spaced facing plates includes an interior surface of the each of the plurality of wall assemblies; at least one of the plurality of wall assemblies has a sound masking or sound cancellation capability; each of the plurality of wall assemblies includes a set of spaced and parallel vertical tubes and a horizontal member attached to a top end of each of the spaced vertical tubes; the two spaced facing plates are attached to the set of spaced and parallel vertical tubes and the horizontal member; each set of spaced vertical tubes includes a first edge vertical tube and a second edge vertical tube at opposite vertical edges of the each of the plurality of wall assemblies; each of the first wall assembly and the second wall assembly includes a first vertical angle attached to the first edge vertical tube and a second vertical angle attached to the second edge vertical tube; a first flange of the first vertical angle is parallel and affixed to a first face of the first edge vertical tube and a second flange of the first vertical angle extends outwardly opposite the first face; a third flange of the second vertical angle is parallel and affixed to a second face of the second edge vertical tube and a fourth flange of the second vertical angle extends outwardly opposite the second face; the second and fourth flanges are attached to one of the first edge vertical tube and the second edge vertical tube of one of the third wall assembly and the fourth wall assembly; one of the first, second, third and fourth vertical edge members is attached to each junction between the first wall assembly, the second wall assembly, the third wall assembly and the fourth wall assembly and covers the each junction; and the plurality of wall assemblies and the ceiling panel are sized and configured for individual use.
2. A secure video visitation booth according to claim 1, wherein the ceiling panel includes areas of a mesh material.
3. A secure video visitation booth according to claim 1, further comprising a table inside the booth.
4. A secure video visitation booth according to claim 1, further comprising: a foundation and floor assembly configured to be placed on and supported by an existing floor and to include a floor surface of the secure video visitation booth; wherein: the foundation and floor assembly includes a foundation assembly that includes members comprised of first and second foundation angles; a first wall of the first foundation angle abuts and is connected to a first wall of the second foundation angle face-to-face; a second wall of the first foundation angle and a second wall of the second foundation angle are spaced and parallel; and a floor assembly of the foundation and floor assembly is received and retained between the second wall of the first foundation angle and the second wall of the second foundation angle.
5. A second video visitation booth of claim 1, wherein a second of the plurality of wall assemblies includes a window.
6. An area of a correctional facility comprising a plurality of the secure video visitation booth according to claim 1; wherein the plurality of secure video visitation booths are arranged such that persons inside each of the plurality of secure video visitation booths can be viewed from a common observation point.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(37) As stated, a secure video visitation booth of an embodiment of this invention, secure video visitation booth 20, is illustrated in
(38) Secure video visitation booth 20 includes foundation assembly 22, floor assembly 24, bench 26, door 27, ceiling panel 28, front wall assembly 30, first side wall assembly 32, second side wall assembly 34, back wall assembly 36, front corner angles 38A and 38B and back corner closure plates 38C and 38D.
(39) In this embodiment of the invention, foundation assembly 22 includes side members 40 and 42, back member 46, front members 44A and 44B and ramp 47, as shown in
(40) The front of foundation assembly 22 is formed by front members 44A and 44B and ramp 47. One end of front member 44A is connected to an end of side member 40. One end of front member 44B is connected to an end of side member 42. Front members 44A and 44B are longitudinally spaced. Ramp 47 is in that longitudinal gap between front members 44A and 44B and is fixedly attached to those members.
(41) Each of side members 40 and 42, back member 46 and front members 44A and 44B are comprised of angles 48 and 52, as shown in
(42) Second flange 50 includes a series of spaced holes 51 configured to receive anchor fasteners 127, to attach secure video visitation booth 20 to an existing floor, such as floor 129, as shown in
(43) While foundation assembly 22 of this embodiment of the invention includes side members 40 and 42, front members 44A and 44B, back member 46 and ramp 47, the foundation assemblies of the secure video visitation booths of other embodiments of this invention may include other members if such other members provide the necessary integrity and strength to serve as the foundations for the secure video visitation booths of other embodiments of this invention. Further, those other members do not have to define a rectangular frame, such as defined by foundation assembly 22. Rather, those other members can define other symmetrical shapes, or even non-symmetrical shapes. Finally, while, in this embodiment of the invention, the individual members of side members 40 and 42, front members 44A and 44B and back member 46 comprise angles 48 and 52 assembled as shown in
(44) Also, in this embodiment of the invention, the ends of side members 40 and 42, front members 44A and 44B and back member 46 are connected, and ramp 47 is connected to front members 44A and 44B, by welding. In other embodiments of this invention, attachment means/methods other than welding can be utilized to connect those members, as long as the other attachment means/methods sufficiently connect those members.
(45) Ramp 47 is optional and can be designed to be ADA compliant.
(46) Floor assembly 24 includes, in this embodiment of the invention, floor plate 56, four tubes 58 and angles 60A-60D, as shown in
(47) The four tubes 58 are connected on their ends to form a rectangular frame. Floor plate 56 extends across that rectangular frame and is attached to the top surfaces of tubes 58 such that the periphery of floor plate 56 is aligned with the outer periphery of the frame formed by tubes 58, as shown in
(48) Each of angles 60A-60D is connected to one of the four tubes 58, again as shown in
(49) In this embodiment of the invention, angles 60A-D and floor plate 56 are attached to the four tubes 58 by welding. In other embodiments of this invention, attachment means/methods other than welding can be utilized to connect those members, as long as the other attachment means/methods sufficiently connect those members.
(50) Also, while, in this embodiment of the invention, floor assembly 24 includes floor plate 56, four tubes 58 and angles 60A-60D, the floor assemblies of other embodiments of this invention can include other structural members, as long as the other structural members provide sufficient integrity and strength for the floor assembly.
(51) Moreover, other embodiments of this invention do not include a foundation assembly or a floor assembly as explained below.
(52) In this embodiment of the invention, front wall assembly 30 includes vertical tubes 64A-64D, window frame assembly 66, door frame assembly 68, top horizontal tube 72, exterior facing plate 74, interior facing plate 76, vertical edge angles 77A and 77B and interior angle 78, as shown in
(53) Vertical tubes 64A-64D are spaced as shown in
(54) Exterior facing plate 74 is attached to the exterior faces of vertical tubes 64A-64D and top horizontal tube 72. Interior facing plate 76 is attached to the interior faces of vertical tubes 64A-64D and top horizontal tube 72. Interior facing plate 76 may be comprised of one or more sound adsorbing panels, such as the Steel Eckel Correctional Panel Type-2F. Alternatively, interior facing plate 76 may be comprised of perforated steel plate 160 with acoustical blanket 162 on the surface of perforated steel plate 160 facing exterior facing plate 74, as shown in
(55) Vertical edge angles 77A and 77B are on opposite edges of front wall assembly 30.
(56) Vertical edge angle 77A includes flanges 130 and 131 and vertical edge angle 77B includes flanges 132 and 133, as shown in
(57) Flange 130 of vertical edge angle 77A is welded to vertical tube 64A. Flange 132 of vertical edge angle 77B is welded to vertical tube 64D.
(58) As shown in
(59) While, in this embodiment of the invention, front wall assembly 30 includes vertical tubes 64A-64D, window frame assembly 66, door frame assembly 68, top horizontal tube 72, exterior facing plate 74, interior facing plate 76, vertical edge angles 77A and 77B and interior angle 78, the front wall assemblies of the secured video visitation booths of other embodiments of this invention may include other structural members, as long as those other structural members provide the structural integrity and strength necessary for a front wall assembly of the secure video visitation booths of this invention.
(60) In this embodiment of the invention, first side wall assembly 32 includes vertical tubes 84A-84C, window frame assemblies 86A and 86B, top horizontal tube 88, exterior facing plate 90, interior facing plate 92, vertical edge tubes 93A and 93B, and interior angle 94, as shown in
(61) Vertical tubes 84A-84C are spaced as shown in
(62) Exterior facing plate 90 is attached to the exterior faces of vertical tubes 84A-84C and top horizontal tube 88. Interior facing plate 92 is attached to the interior faces of vertical tubes 84A-84C and top horizontal tube 88. Interior facing plate 92 may be comprised of one or more sound adsorbing panels, the same as interior facing plate 76, discussed above. Also, similar to interior facing plate 76, interior facing plate 92 may alternatively be comprised of a perforated steel plate and an acoustical blanket. The inclusion of exterior facing plate 90 and interior facing plate 92 results in first side wall assembly 32 having a spaced double wall construction.
(63) Vertical edge tubes 93A and 93B are on opposite vertical edges of first side wall assembly 32 and have series of spaced holes 136 and 137, respectively. The top ends of vertical edge tubes 93A and 93B are attached to opposite ends of the top horizontal tube 88.
(64) As shown in
(65) While, in this embodiment of the invention, first side wall assembly 32 includes vertical tubes 84A-84C, window frame assemblies 86A and 86B, top horizontal tube 88, exterior facing plate 90, interior facing plate 92, vertical edge tubes 93A and 93B and interior angle 94, the first side wall assemblies of the secure video visitation booths of other embodiments of this invention may include other structural members, as long as those other structural members provide the structural integrity and strength for a side wall assembly of the secure video visitation booths of this invention.
(66) In this embodiment of the invention, second wall assembly 34 includes vertical tubes 98A-98D, top horizontal tube 100, exterior facing plate 101, interior facing plate 102, interior angle 104 and A/V communications module 106, as shown in
(67) Vertical tubes 98A-98D are spaced as shown in
(68) Exterior facing plate 101 is attached to the exterior faces of vertical tubes 98A-98D and top horizontal tube 100. Interior facing plate 102 is attached to the interior faces of vertical tubes 98A-98D and horizontal tube 100. Interior facing plate 102 may be comprised of one or more sound absorbing panels, the same as interior facing plates 76 and 92, discussed above. Also, similar to interior facing plates 76 and 92, interior facing plate 102 may alternatively be comprised of a perforated steel plate and an acoustical blanket. The inclusion of exterior facing plate 101 and interior facing plate 102 results in back wall assembly 36 having a spaced double wall construction.
(69) As shown in
(70) A/V communications module 106 is attached to and supported by one or more of vertical tubes 98B and 98C, exterior facing plate 101 and interior facing plate 102. A/V communications module 106 can be of any of the A/V communications modules that are known in the art. A video monitor, such as video monitor 109 in
(71) In the secure video visitation booths of some embodiments of this invention, a clear, shatterproof barricade may be installed in front of the video monitor to preclude access to the monitor from inside the booths.
(72) While, in this embodiment of the invention, second side wall assembly 34 includes vertical tubes 98A-98D, top horizontal tube 100, exterior facing plate 101, interior facing plate 103 and interior angle 104, the second side wall assemblies of the secure video visitation booths of other embodiments of this invention may include other structural members, as long as those other structural members provide the structural integrity and strength for a side wall assembly of the secure video visitation booths of this invention.
(73) In this embodiment of the invention, back wall assembly 36 includes vertical tubes 108A-108D, top horizontal tube 110, exterior facing plate 112, interior facing plate 114, interior angle 116 and vertical edge angles 140 and 141, as shown in
(74) Vertical tubes 108A-108D are spaced as shown in
(75) Exterior facing plate 112 is attached to the exterior faces of vertical tubes 108A-108D and top horizontal tube 110. Interior facing plate 114 is attached to the interior faces of vertical tubes 108A-108D and top horizontal tube 110. Interior facing plate 114 may be comprised of one or more sound absorbing panels, the same as interior facing plates 76, 92 and 102, discussed above. Also, similar to interior facing plates 76, 92 and 102, interior facing plate 114 may alternatively be comprised of a perforated steel plate and an acoustical blanket. The inclusion of exterior facing plate 112 and interior facing plate 114 results in second side wall assembly 34 having a spaced double wall construction.
(76) As shown in
(77) Vertical edge angle 140 includes flanges 144 and 145. Vertical edge angle 141 includes flanges 146 and 147. Flange 144 is welded to vertical tube 108A and flange 146 is welded to vertical tube 108D. Flange 145 includes a series of spaced holes 148 and flange 147 includes a series of spaced holes 149.
(78) While, in this embodiment of the invention, back wall assembly 36 includes vertical tubes 108A-108D, top horizontal tube 110, exterior facing plate 112, interior facing plate 114, interior angle 116 and vertical edge angles 140 and 141, the back wall assemblies of other embodiments of this invention may include other structural members, as long as those other structural members provide the structural integrity and strength for a back wall assembly of the secure video visitation booths of this invention.
(79) Ceiling panel 28 includes mesh screen 120 for ventilation purposes. Ceiling panel 28 is supported by and attached to (1) second flange 80 of interior angle 78 of front wall assembly 30, (2) second flange 96 of interior angle 94 of first sidewall assembly 32, (3) second flange 107 of interior angle 104 of back wall assembly 36 and (4) second flange 118 of interior angle 116 of second sidewall assembly 34, as described below.
(80) In the secure video visitation booths of some embodiments of this invention, the ceiling panel, such as ceiling panel 28 in
(81) Front corner angles 38A and 38B and back corner closure plates 38C and 38D extend the height of secure video visitation booth 20 and join front wall assembly 30, first side wall assembly 32, second side wall assembly 34 and back wall assembly 36. Specifically, front corner angle 38A is attached to and connects front wall assembly 30 and first side wall 32, front corner angle 38B is attached to and connects front wall assembly 30 and second side wall assembly 34, back corner closure plate 38C is attached to and connects second side wall assembly 34 and back wall assembly 36 and back corner closure plate 38D is attached to and connects back wall assembly 36 and first side wall assembly 32, as described below.
(82) Foundation assembly 22, floor assembly 24, ceiling panel 28, front wall assembly 30, first side wall assembly 32, second side wall assembly 34, back wall assembly 36, front corner angles 38A and 38B and back corner closure plates 38C and 38D are assembled as follows.
(83) Front wall assembly 30 is attached to first side wall assembly 32 and second side wall assembly 34 as follows.
(84) As stated, flanges 131 and 133 of vertical edge angles 77A and 77B (of front wall assembly 30) have series of spaced holes 134 and 135, respectively, as shown in
(85) Vertical edge tube 93B of first sidewall assembly 32 has a series of spaced holes 137 that match holes 134 in flange 131 of vertical edge angle 77A, as shown in
(86) Front corner angle 38A is then affixed to cover the joint of front wall assembly 30 and first side wall assembly 32 and front cover angle 38A is then affixed to cover the joint of front wall assembly 30 and second side wall assembly 34.
(87) Back wall assembly 36 is attached to first side wall assembly 32 and second side wall assembly 34 as follows.
(88) As stated, flange 145 of vertical edge angle 140 of back wall assembly 36 includes a series of spaced holes 148 and flange 146 of vertical edge angle 141 of back wall assembly 36 includes a series of spaced holes 149, as shown in
(89) Vertical edge tube 98A of second side wall assembly 34 has a series of holes 138 that match holes 148 in flange 145 of vertical edge angle 140, as shown in
(90) Back corner closure plate 38C is attached to second side wall assembly 34 and back wall assembly 36 as follows. As shown in
(91) Back cover closure plate 38D is attached to first side wall assembly 32 and back wall assembly 36 in the same manner.
(92) Ceiling panel 28 is attached to second flange 80 of interior angle 78 of front wall assembly 30, second flange 96 of interior angle 94 of first side wall assembly 32, second flange 107 of interior angle 104 of second side wall assembly 34 and second flange 118 of interior angle 116 of back wall assembly 37 by bolts, other types of mechanical fasteners or welding.
(93) Bench 26 provides seating in secure video visitation booth 20. Bench 26 can be attached to first side wall assembly 32 and/or to floor assembly 24.
(94) In this embodiment of the invention, bench 26 is along first side wall assembly 32 and A/V communications module 106 is embedded in second side wall assembly 34, so that a person sitting on bench 26 is facing video monitor 109 attached to A/V communications module 106.
(95) Bench 26, video monitor 109, window frame assembly 66 of front wall assembly 30 and window frame assemblies 86A and 86B of first side wall assembly 32 are positioned relative to each other such that a person or persons on bench 26 are readily observable through window frame assemblies 66, 86A and 86B and video monitor 109 is readily observable through window frame assemblies 86A and 86B.
(96) Alternatively, a movable bench or other seating support can be utilized in secure video visitation booth 20 such that the bench or other seating support can be moved within secure video visitation booth 20 as desired.
(97) Door 27 is rotatably attached to door frame assembly 68 and can be locked in the locked position from outside to secure video visitation booth 20.
(98) The secure video visitation booths of some embodiments of this invention may include a built-in or movable table, in addition to a bench. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in
(99) In the secure video visitation booths of other embodiments of this invention, a ventilation fan can be provided in one of the ceiling panels and front, side and back wall assemblies. In the embodiment of
(100) As stated, a plurality of the secure video visitation booths of this invention can be arranged in a room or other building space of a correctional facility. Adjacent booths can be joined together by a plate, such as plate 125 shown in
(101) In addition, as stated above, some of the embodiments of this invention do not include a foundation assembly or a floor assembly.
(102) For example, as shown in
(103) What is described and illustrated herein are preferred embodiments of the invention and some variations of those embodiments. The description and figures are of examples of this invention, and are not intended as limitations on the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are other embodiments of this invention not specifically described above or illustrated in the figure, as defined by the following claims.