VOTING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The present invention finds utility as a voting assembly providing a temporary voting booth for use as a private area within the polling station for voters to cast their vote when otherwise-used facilities act as a polling station, and which can be easily assembled and/or disassembled for ease of transport and storage during times when the facility does not act as a polling station. The invention provides a voting assembly comprising a panel and at least one shelf mountable to the panel, wherein the shelf comprises at least one support, and wherein the panel comprises means for mounting the shelf to the panel (mounting means) and means for securing the support to the panel (securing means).

Claims

1. A voting assembly comprising a panel and at least one shelf mountable to the panel, wherein the shelf comprises at least one support, and wherein the panel comprises means for mounting the shelf to the panel and means for securing the support to the panel.

2. A voting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a generally hollow body.

3. A voting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the panel further comprises a frame.

4. A voting assembly according to claim 3, wherein the frame comprises at least two upright members.

5. A voting assembly according to claim 3, wherein the frame comprises at least two cross members.

6. A voting assembly according to claim 4, wherein the panel comprises at least one channel to receive each upright member of the frame, each channel is located at or adjacent an opposing terminal edge of the panel.

7. A voting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the panel further comprises supporting means, the supporting means comprising four generally rigid elements, each generally rigid element hingedly mountable to the panel.

8. A voting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the shelf comprises means coupling means, which can reversibly pivotably engage the mounting means of the panel to form a reversible pivotable coupling.

9. A voting assembly according to claim 8, wherein the coupling means comprise a generally cylindrical channel having open ends and a longitudinal aperture opening at the open ends of the generally cylindrical channel to receive the mounting means of the panel.

10. A voting assembly according to claim 8, wherein the mounting means comprise at least one generally cylindrical bar that can engage the coupling means to form a coupling.

11. A voting assembly according to claim 8, wherein the mounting means comprise the at least one cross member of the frame.

12. A voting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprise a series of pairs of mounting means distributed along the longitudinal length of the panel.

13. A voting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one support is hingedly reversibly mountable to the shelf.

14. A voting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one support comprises means attaching means, which can reversibly engage securing means of the panel to form a reversible coupling.

15. A voting assembly according to claim 14, wherein the attaching means comprise at least one tab that can engage the securing means of the panel to form an interference fit coupling.

16. A voting assembly according to claim 14, wherein the securing means are provided at either or both opposing faces of the panel.

17. A voting assembly according to claim 14, wherein the securing means comprise the at least one cross member of the frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0074] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a voting assembly according to the present invention;

[0075] FIG. 2A and 2B are perspective views of the voting assembly of FIG. 1;

[0076] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the supporting means of the voting assembly of FIG. 1;

[0077] FIG. 4A and 4B is a perspective view of the shelf and at least one support of the voting assembly of FIG. 1;

[0078] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the opposing face of the panel of the voting assembly of FIG. 1; and

[0079] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the voting assembly of FIG. 1 in a collapsed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0080] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a voting assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The voting assembly 10 comprises a panel 12 and at least one shelf 14 mountable to the panel 12. The shelf 14 comprises at least one support 16. The panel 12 comprises means for mounting the shelf to the panel (mounting means) 18 and means for securing the support to the panel (securing means) 20.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment of the voting assembly 10, the panel 12 comprises a generally planar body. For structural stability, the panel 12 can also comprise a generally rigid body. Structural stability can also be achieved by selecting the material forming the panel 12. The skilled person is capable of selecting any material that is known to provide the required structural stability. In a preferred embodiment, the panel 12 is formed from a plastic or thermoplastic material. The panel 12 can be formed from a polyethylene thermoplastic material, which in certain embodiments can be a high-density polyethylene (HDPE; polyethylene high-density; PEHD). To decrease weight and for ease of manufacture, the panel 12 can comprises a generally hollow body. A generally hollow planar body can be achieved through any process known to the skilled person, for example, moulding processes such as blow moulding (BrE moulding).

[0082] The panel 12 can also comprise a frame 22. The frame 22 is a generally rigid frame, which can be achieved by selecting a material that can impart the required structural stability to the frame 22. In certain embodiments, the frame 22 is formed from a metal material or a metal alloy material, such as aluminium or an aluminium alloy. However, the skilled person is capable of selecting any material that is known to provide the required structural stability. The frame 22 can comprises at least one member, as required to impart the required structural stability and in some embodiments the frame 22 comprises at least two members. In a preferred embodiment, the frame 22 comprises at least one upright member 24 but in preferred embodiments the frame 22 comprises two upright members 24.

[0083] The at least two upright members 24 are oriented in generally relative parallel spaced apart relationship and in certain embodiments the at least two upright members 24 form the frame 22.

[0084] The frame 22 can also comprise at least one cross member (not shown) and in preferred embodiments the frame 22 comprises two cross members. The at least two cross members are oriented in generally relative parallel spaced apart relationship. In embodiments comprising cross members, the at least two upright members 24 are oriented in generally perpendicular relationship relative to the two cross members, such that the at least two upright members 24 and the at least two cross members form the frame 22. The at least two upright members 24 and the at least two cross members form a generally planar quadrilateral frame 22, which in certain embodiments can be a square or rectangular frame 22. The frame 22 can comprise any number of upright members 24 in combination with any number of cross members and the number of upright members 24 and cross members can be selected based on the required structural stability of the frame 22 and the panel 12. In preferred embodiments, the at least two upright members 24 and the at least two cross members 15 form a generally rigid frame 22, optionally a generally rigid planar quadrilateral frame.

[0085] The panel 12 is generally adapted to receive the frame 22 or any part thereof. In some embodiments, the panel 12 can comprise means for attaching the frame 22 at or to the panel 12 but in preferred embodiments, the panel 12 is adapted to receive the frame 22 or any part thereof therewithin, for example, within the hollow body of the panel 12. In a specific embodiment, the panel 12 further comprises at least one recess 26 to receive the at least one upright member 24 of the frame. In an embodiment, the panel 12 comprises at least one channel 26 to receive the at least one upright member 24 of the frame 22. Each channel 26 can receive each upright member 24. Each channel 26 can be located at or adjacent a terminal edge of the panel 12 and in preferred embodiments each channel 26 is located at or adjacent opposing terminal edges of the panel 12. The upright member 24 can in some embodiments be coaxially received in the channel 26 and rotate within the channel 26, whereas in other embodiments the upright member 24 can be extendable, for example telescopically extendable, to permit extension of the upright member 24.

[0086] In certain embodiments, the panel 12 further comprises means for supporting the panel (supporting means) 28. The supporting means 28 can comprise at least one generally rigid element, which can act as a foot to support the panel 12 on a surface. The supporting means 28 can be adjustable relative to the panel 12 to facilitate supporting the panel 12 on an uneven surface. In preferred embodiments, the supporting means 28 can comprise at least one generally rigid element pivotably mountable to the panel 12 or hingedly mountable to the panel 12, for example by a hinge joint or live hinge. The supporting means 28 can comprise at least two generally rigid elements, each mountable to the panel and in a preferred embodiment the supporting means 28 comprise four generally rigid elements, each mountable to the panel. In such an embodiment, each generally rigid element can be pivotably mountable to the panel 12 or hingedly mountable to the panel 12 to facilitate displacement of the supporting means 28 between a retracted and an extended position. Retraction of the supporting means 28 facilitates storage of this embodiment of voting assembly 10. The supporting means 28 can be formed from any material selected by the skilled person to impart the required structural stability and in some embodiments the supporting means 28 are formed from a metal material, for example a metal alloy material, such as aluminium or an aluminium alloy.

[0087] The shelf 14 can comprise a generally rigid planar body to facilitate a user placing a weight or force on or to the shelf 14 without deformation. In some embodiments, the shelf 14 comprises a generally hollow planar rigid body to decrease the weight of the shelf 14. In a preferred embodiment, the shelf 14 can also be formed from a plastic or thermoplastic material, for example a polyethylene thermoplastic material, such as a high-density polyethylene (HDPE; polyethylene high-density; PEHD); but the skilled person can select the material to impart the required structural stability.

[0088] The shelf 14 comprises means for coupling the shelf to the panel (coupling means) 30. The coupling means 30 can engage the mounting means 18 of the panel 12 to form a coupling. In most embodiments, to facilitate manufacture of a certain embodiment of the voting assembly 10, the coupling means 30 are separately formed and can reversibly engage the mounting means 18 of the panel 12, thereby forming a reversible coupling. To facilitate ease of forming the reversible coupling, the coupling means 30 can pivotably engage the mounting means 18 of the panel 12 to form a reversible pivotable coupling. To this end, the coupling means 30 can reversibly receive the mounting means 18 of the panel 12. In certain embodiments, the coupling means 30 comprise a channel 32 having open ends and an aperture 32 to receive the mounting means 18 of the panel 12. The coupling means 30 can comprise a generally cylindrical channel 32 having open ends and an aperture 32 to receive the mounting means 18 of the panel 12. The aperture 32 can be a longitudinal aperture opening at the open ends of the coupling means (for example, generally cylindrical channel) 30, such that, in use, the coupling means 30 at least partially circumscribe the mounting means 18 of the panel 12. In such an embodiment, the mounting means 18 can comprise at least one bar, such as at least one generally cylindrical bar. The mounting means 18, for example the at least one generally cylindrical bar, can engage the coupling means 30 to form a coupling, such that, in use, the coupling means 30 are movable or pivotable about the mounting means 18.

[0089] In a certain embodiment, the mounting means 18 comprise the at least one cross member of the frame 22. For example, the at least one cross member of the frame 22 can comprises a bar such as a generally cylindrical bar. The at least one cross member of the frame 22 can comprises a generally cylindrical bar about which the coupling means 30 are movable or pivotable. In such an embodiment, the structural stability of the shelf 14 and the load or force that the shelf 14 can withstand without deformation of any part of the voting assembly 10 is increased.

[0090] The at least one support 16 comprises a generally rigid planar body and in some embodiments the at least one support 16 comprises a generally hollow planar rigid body. Although the skilled person can readily select the material from which the at least one support 16 is formed, in preferred embodiments, the at least one support 16 is formed from a plastic or a thermoplastic material, for example a polyethylene thermoplastic material, such as a high-density polyethylene (HDPE; polyethylene high-density; PEHD). The at least one support 16 is mountable to the shelf 14. In a particular embodiment, the at least one support 16 is reversibly mountable to the shelf 14. The at least one support 16 is pivotably mountable, for example hingedly mountable, to the shelf 14.

[0091] To this end, the at least one support 16 comprises means for attaching the at least one support to the panel (attaching means) 34. The attaching means 34 can engage the securing means 20 of the panel 12 to form a coupling and in some embodiments the attaching means 34 can reversibly engage the securing means 20 of the panel 12 to form a reversible coupling. For example, the securing means 20 of the panel 12 can reversibly receive the attaching means 34. In such an embodiment, the securing means 20 of the panel 12 can comprise a recess to receive the attaching means 34. The attaching means 34 can thus comprise at least one tab that can engage the securing means, for example recess, 20 of the panel 12 to form an interference fit coupling. In a specific embodiment, the securing means 20 can comprise the at least one cross member of the frame 22, whereby the at least one cross member of the frame 22 is located at or adjacent the securing means 20. For example, the at least one cross member of the frame 22 can be located at or adjacent the recess 20 or along the recess 20. In such an embodiment, the cross member of the frame 22 provides the necessary structural stability to the at least one support 16, which in turn provides the necessary structural stability to the shelf 14, which in turn must bear the weight and force of a user.

[0092] By providing a voting assembly 10 comprising a panel 12 and at least one shelf 14 mountable to the panel 12, wherein the shelf 14 comprises at least one support 16, and wherein the panel 12 comprises means for mounting the shelf to the panel (mounting means) 18 and means for securing the support to the panel (securing means) 20, the present invention provides a collapsible voting assembly 10 that can be displaced between a collapsed (generally planar) configuration for storage and transport and a deployed configuration for use.

[0093] The mounting means 18 can comprise a plurality of generally cylindrical bars. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting means 18 can comprise a series of generally cylindrical bars, or a series of pairs of generally cylindrical bars, each of which can be distributed along the longitudinal length of the panel 12. By also providing securing means 20 at both opposing faces of the panel 12, the present invention provides a voting assembly 10, wherein a shelf 14 and at least one support 16 can be provided on one or both faces of the same panel 12, thereby allowing to users to simultaneously use the voting assembly 10. By providing the mounting means 18 as a series of generally cylindrical bars, or a series of pairs of generally cylindrical bars, each of which is distributed along the longitudinal length of the panel 12; the present invention also allows for the shelf 14 and at least one support 16 to be adjustably mounted to one or both faces of the same panel 12.