Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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POWERED RIDING VEHICLE FOR PUSH CARTS
Field of Invention
The present invention is for a rideable add-on powered drive source for
pushing
standard hand-pushed carrying carts. The invention is particularly suited to
work with carts that
have rigid mounted rear wheels and swivel front wheels such as; shopping
carts, dollies, airport
baggage carts or any similar carrying platform that utilizes a pushing handle,
a set of rigid
mounted rear wheels and swivel mounted front wheels. The potential fields of
use for this
to invention are wide and varied and the preferred embodiment described herein
is in no way
meant to limit the use of the invention to a particular field chosen for
exposition of the details of
the invention. Some of the more obvious applications are mentioned herein in
the interest of
identifying unique properties of this general purpose article of manufacture.
It is to be
understood from the outset that the scope of this invention is not limited to
these fields or to the
i5 specific example of potential uses presented hereinafter.
Background of the Invention
Devices for pulling non-powered vehicles are old and well known in the art.
Less
common is the art pertaining to the pushing of self-sustaining, independently
operable vehicles
2o with a detachable pusher.
Retail stores having shopping carts for carrying the merchandise purchased
require that
the purchaser push the shopping cart around the shopping environment through
aisles to the
check-out counter. Recently, some powered means have been developed to move
shopping
25 carts, including nested shopping carts from the parking lot back into the
store. However, all the
known prior art suffers from disadvantages and problems. The following patents
relate to
vehicles and components similar in nature. As it will be seen, the simplicity
and effectiveness of
the present invention is not revealed in the prior art.
3o U.S. Patent 5,439,069 issued to Beeler, Mar. 18, 1994 provides a nested
shopping cart
pusher that requires the user to walk behind the shopping cart and to control
direction and
power by means of hand controls mounted on the vehicle. The patent is
specifically for pushing
nested shopping carts and not to be used for individual shopping carts inside
the store. No
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provision has been made to ride on the vehicle or use the shopping cart as the
steering
mechanism.
U.S. Patent 4,771,840 issued to Keller on Sep. 20, 1988 provides a shopping
cart
pusher with a single driven wheel that requires the user to control the
vehicle from the back of
the vehicle. The shopping cart has to be modified by the attachment of a
special articulated
joint. By contrast, no modification is required to the shopping cart by the
present invention. In
further contrast, the present invention allows the user to ride above the
drive system and use
the shopping cart as the steering mechanism.
io
U.S. Patent 2,749,996 Issued to Parker et al June 12, 1956 shows a sweeper
drive
wheel raising means. The patent is not directed to a device for pushing other
vehicles and does
not show any inter-vehicle connection. By contrast, the present invention is
directed to a
pushing/pulling vehicle for shopping carts and similar hand pushed carts, thus
requiring an inter
vehicle connection.
German Patent DT 24 50 692, Issued to Welter, April 29, 1976 shows a modified
fork lift
truck with a remote control for pushing shopping carts. The inter-vehicle
connection appears to
be a "dummy" shopping basket which attaches to the fork lift rails which in
tum is inserted into
other shopping carts. By contrast, the present invention utilizes individual
shopping carts that
can be used for in-store shopping.
German Patent 23 50 308, Issued to Wiedman, April 17, 1975 provides a three
wheel
transporter for moving nested shopping carts by means of a nose cone that
inserts into the
2s shopping carts. By contrast, the present invention attaches to the base of
the cart and utilizes
the cart as the steering mechanism while the user rides on a seat over the
power train.
It will be noted that none of the prior art devices provides the simplicity of
operation for a
single shopping cart within the shopping store. None of the above inventions
and patents, taken
3o either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention.
Summary of the Invention
Briefly, the invention comprises of a powered pusher/puller that the user
rides on and
3s utilizes a shopping cart as the steering mechanism. A strategically located
drive wheel or
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wheels, powered by an electric motor or motors, mounted as one unit, swivels
in a vertical
position. Control of the drive wheel or wheels is achieved by a linkage
directly from the
shopping cart connection. Castor wheels are located in front of the drive
wheel or wheels to
enhance stability. A main body covers and protects the drive and linkage
systems. A speed
and direction control slips over and fastens to the handle of the push cart
allowing the user total
control of the forward, reverse, and direction of the vehicle and shopping
cart.
Accordingly, it is the principal object of the invention to provide a new and
improved
ridable method of moving a shopping cart or any platform that has rigid rear
wheels and swivel
to front wheels.
A major object of the invention is to eliminate physical pushing and provide a
seated
position for the user of the shopping cart, dolly, or other type of cart.
i5 It is another object of the invention to provide for controllable speed and
braking of the
push cart.
It is another object of the invention to provide a pushing device that is
pollution free,
using an electric motor and battery combination.
It is another object of the invention to provide a pushing device that
requires no
modification to the cart in use.
It is another object of the invention to provide a stable seated position that
allows the
legs and feet to be protected.
It is another object of the invention to provide a pushing device for the
shopping cart that
has a low center of gravity so as to enhance stability.
3o Finally, it is the general goal of the invention to provide an improved
method of moving
any platform that has rigid rear wheels and swivel front wheels while
providing the user with a
seated position.
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The present invention meets or exceeds all the above objects and goals. Upon
further
study of the specification hereinafter, further objects and advantages of this
invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the invention will
become
more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered
in conjunction
to with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters
designate the same or
similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
Fig.1. is a side view of the invention showing the seating arrangement and
attachment
location to a shopping cart.
Fig. 2. is a side view of the invention with the body removed to expose the
workings of
the invention.
Fig. 3. is a top view of the invention showing the layout and placement of
components.
Fig. 4. is the side view of the location of the motor and drive wheel relative
to the vertical
swivel.
Fig. 5. is the layout of a steering mechanism that translates the cart's
movements to the
2s motor movement.
Fig. 6. is the layout for the speed and direction control that slips over the
existing cart
handle.
3o Advantages of the Invention
The steering system linkage connected from the powered driving system under
the seat
to any hand-pushed wheeled vehicle will incorporate the carrying vehicle as an
integral part of
the steering system. This allows the user to be seated , to drive, and to
steer the canying
vehicle rather than having to push.
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The linkage system and drive system provides the user with a method of
eliminating
manual pushing of a carrying vehicle while providing a seated unit with a
turning radius
equivalent to walking and pushing the same carrying vehicle.
The rear wheels of the carrying vehicle become the front steering wheels when
connected to the powered unit.
Maneuverability of the carrying vehicle is achieved by utilizing the carrying
vehicle's
handle in the same manner as when one steers the carrying vehicle when pushing
it.
Movement of the handle transfers direction changes through a linkage system to
vertically rotate the drive wheel or wheels in the opposite direction of the
front wheels being
steered, thereby decreasing the required turning radius.
is The linkage system transmits the turning motion of the cart being pushed to
a vertically
rotatable drive wheel or wheels, located in the powered ridable unit under the
seat area of the
unit. This can be achieved by means of a direct flexible chain or belt system,
electrical stepping
motors, or direct mechanical linkages such as the one described in fig. 5.
Attaching a cross
member that extends across the rear of the carrying vehicle to be pushed,
close to the rear
2o wheels as possible facilitates assembly. A swivel mechanism is centrally
located on that cross
member; the top part of the swivel is connected to the front section of the
frame of the powered
vehicle; and the underneath of the swivel is connected to the cross member.
Off-centered from
the swivel attached to the cross member, at a right angle, is a directional
beam that extends
under the frame towards the powered drive source. Lateral travel stops are
located on the
2s frame to eliminate the possibility of over turning the drive wheels. A
linkage, consisting of a
connecting rod or bar, connects this rigid beam at its termination point from
the cross member to
a connecting arm. Extending from the powered drive, this arm is on the
opposite side of the
centerline of the frame and opposite the front swivel, being parallel to the
cross member
directional beam.
The powered drive wheel or wheels are rotated vertically in the opposite
direction of the
steering wheels (rear wheels of the carrying vehicle) by the lateral movement
of the beam from
the cross member caused by pushing the handle of the carrying cart left or
right. This transfers
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direction changes to the connecting rod against the drive wheel arm, causing
the drive wheel or
wheels to rotate about a vertical axis in the opposite direction.
The primary advantage of this invention is the elimination of physical walking
behind and
pushing a loaded canying vehicle and at the same time, providing a seat for
the operator. The
driven cart with the linkage described can travel wherever a hand-pushed cart
can go.
The drive source is strategically mounted under the seat and consists of a
power source
and drive wheel or wheels. The drive wheels) are not in a fixed position, they
are mounted for
1o rotation about a vertically extending axis. Directional changes of the
drive wheels) are
controlled by a linkage hookup to the carrying vehicle.
A forward and reverse speed control is mounted on the existing carrying cart
handle.
Power is achieved by depressing a paddle below the handle using either thumb
to activate the
power source. This allows the user to steer and power the carrying cart in the
same manner as
he or she would normally when pushing the carrying cart by hand The advantage
of rotating the
drive wheels in concert with the front wheels is the tighter turning radius
the total unit achieves.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
2o The ridable cart of the present invention is seen from the side attached to
the rear of a
shopping cart in Fig. 1. The drawing illustrates the following items:
#1 a seat for the user, mounted on to the frame;
#2 a body shell that allows the feet to be protected;
2s #3 a shopping cart shown in dashed lines which is used to represent any
rigid rear wheel
and swivel front wheel cart or dolly as an example;
#4 the speed and direction control fitted over the existing cart handle,
operated by
depressing a control lever after selecting the desired direction of travel
(forward/reverse);
#5 the supporting castors that stabilize the unit ahead of the drive wheel;
30 #6 the drive wheel located under the seat area;
In the case of shopping carts, the rear wheels are anchored to a tubular
frame. The
connection consists of simple U-bolts mounted over the tubular frame and onto
the cross
member, Item # 13.
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Fig. 2. shows the pushing vehicle with the body shell removed and shows the
invention from the
side.
#1 is the seat;
#11 is the vertically mounted drive system located under the seat area;
#12 is the motor drive system located under the swivel and above the wheel
(#6);
#10 is the electrical power source (batteries);
#5 are the stabilizing castors;
#8 is the frame supporting the drive and seat assemblies;
#9 is a mechanical linkage located below the frame from the front cross
1o member #13 (more clearly shown in Fig. 3.);
#7 is the cart connection.
Fig. 3 is a top view of the invention showing placement of the various
components.
#3 is the front cart;
Is #4 is the speed and direction control mounted over the cart handle;
#13 is the cross member anchored by U-bolts to the frame of the cart;
#8 is the frame layout showing front to back configuration and drive location;
#19 is the connection from the directional beam to the drive system extension
#18
(as shown in Fig. 4.);
20 #14 is the electrical connection from the speed control to the drive
system.
Fig. 4. is a side view of the drive system.
#11 is a vertical shaft that passes through bearings mounted on the frame
drive support,
allowing the drive system to swivel in a vertical position;
25 #12 is the motor located under the swivel shaft;
#22 is the drive system housing that supports the motor, drive transmission
system, and
drive wheel or wheels;
#18 is the extension from the drive system housing that when connected to
linkage #19
and directional beam #9 causes the drive system to rotate about a vertical
axis as shown
3o in Fig. 5.
Fig. 5. is an example of using a mechanical means for transferring left/right
turning motion of
the cart to right/left turning motion of the drive system.
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#8 represents the cart frame in dotted lines.
When the cross member bar #13 is fastened to the rear of the cart, and the
cart is
rotated to the right at the centrally located swivel #20, the end of the
directional beam #9 swings
to the left, in the opposite direction thereby making the turning radius less
than if the drive
system were in a fixed position.
Fig. 6. is a top view of the control panel #4 that fits over the existing cart
handle.
#23 is a forward/reverse switch;
#25 is a hinge that is fastened to and runs the length of the panel #4;
to #24 is a plate fastened to the other side of the hinge.
A lower, cutaway view in Fig. 6 shows a spring #26 that is positioned against
the inside
of the bottom plate #24.
#27 is an electrical on/off switch that makes contact with the underside of
the plate #24.
By depressing the plate #24 with a thumb, switch #27 will go to the "on"
position and allow
I5 power to flow to the drive system. By releasing the plate #24, the spring
will push the plate
away from the switch #27 disabling the power to the drive system.
It is to be understood that the provided illustrative examples are by no means
exhaustive
of the many possible uses for the present invention. It is to be understood
that the instant
2o invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above.
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