Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 "PORTABLE FOLDING SHOPPING CART AND UTILITY CARRIER"
2
3 FIELD OF THE INVENTION
4 The present invention relates to the field of shopping and utility
carts. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable folding
6 shopping cart and utility carrier.
7
8 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
9 In general, there are many types of shopping carts, utility carriers
and the like in today's market. Some devices are used for carrying purchases,
11 such as when shopping, some for transporting small items such as books and
12 others are used for transporting clothing and the like from place to place.
13 Shopping carts are typically used, such as in supermarkets, to
14 transport groceries or other objects around the store and to a vehicle for
transport to a final destination. Conventionally, shoppers carry the articles
from
16 the vehicle to the residence however this requires a certain amount of
strength
17 and can be very time consuming and tiring, particuiarly if the distances
are great
18 or there are a number of articles to be transported.
19 Further, in the absence of a vehicle, carts may be used to transport
articles from one location to another, such as purchases from a shopping trip
to
21 a residence, laundry to a laundromat and from one place to another within
the
22 home or office.
23 When the cart is not in use it must be stored, which can be
24 problematic, particularly if space is limited. It is known to provide
folding carts
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 which can be collapsed when not in use for storage and which can be readily
2 transported in their folded state, such as in a vehicle, for use wherever
desired.
3 There is interest in a multi-purpose portable cart which could be
4 quickly and easily deployed for use and folded for storage, would be
relatively
lightweight, large enough to carry a significant number of articles and would
be
6 sturdy enough to carry a significant amount of weight.
7
8 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
9 A portable folding shopping cart and utility carrier comprises a
frame which can be collapsed to a compact folded position for storage when not
11 in use and an open position for use in carrying a variety of loads in an
top flexible
12 basket and on a bottom shelf. A tensile connector is connected between the
13 basket and the shelf to support the basket and shelf in spaced relationship
when
14 in use, for assisting in folding the shelf and the lower platform portion
of the
frame during folding of the cart and for ensuring the folded basket and shelf
16 remain in a space defined by the frame, when folded.
17 In a broad aspect, a portable folding shopping cart and utility
18 carrier comprising: a foldable substantially rectangular frame having, four
19 substantially vertical members; a substantially rectangular upper
horizontal
platform having end and side members, each of the end and side members
21 comprising two components, the upper platform being hingedly connected to
the
22 vertical members adjacent a top end of the vertical members; a
substantially
23 rectangular lower horizontal platform having end and side members, each of
the
24 end and side members comprising two components, the lower platform being
hingedly connected to the vertical members adjacent a lower end of the
vertical
2
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 members; wherein the two components of each of the end and side members of
2 the upper and lower platforms are foldable between each of the two
components
3 between a substantially aligned open position and a folded position; a
flexible top
4 basket, having a peripheral upper edge, closed ends, sides and a bottom and
an
open top, supported at the upper edge by the upper platform, the top basket
6 being foldable into a space defined by the substantially rectangular frame
in the
7 folded position; a flexible lower shelf having a peripheral edge supported
by the
8 lower platform and being foldable in the space defined by the substantially
9 rectangular frame in the folded position; a plurality of wheels connected to
bottoms of the vertical members; and a tensile connector connected between a
11 bottom of the top basket and the a top of lower shelf for supporting the
top
12 basket and lower shelf in spaced relationship in the open position, for
retaining
13 the top basket and the lower shelf within the space defined by the
rectangular
14 frame in the folded position and for assisting in folding the lower shelf
when the
top basket is in a folded position.
16 In one embodiment, the upper and lower platform are formed
17 having two components on each of the sides and ends connected therebetween
18 by a swivel hinge which permits the two components, forming ends and sides
of
19 the upper platform, to fold downwards and the two components, forming ends
and sides of the lower platform, to fold upwards. Friction hinges connect the
21 ends and side members of each of the upper and lower platforms to the
vertical
22 members and permit folding at the vertical members.
23 The friction hinges and lower swivel hinges have friction means
24 incorporated therein to aid in locking the cart in the open position to
permit
voluntary folding when loaded. The upper swivel hinges have a tensile member
3
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 incorporated therein for maintaining the two components of each of the side
and
2 end members in an aligned horizontal position when the cart is unfolded.
3
4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in
6 an open usable position (unfolded condition), a top basket and bottom shelf
7 shown in dashed lines for clarity of a frame structure;
8 Figures 2A-2E illustrate the embodiment according to Fig. 1 in a
9 variety of views, more particularly
Figure 2A is a side view according to Fig. 1;
11 Figure 2B is a front view according to Fig. 1;
12 Figure 2C is a back view according to Fig. 1, the handles
13 having been removed for clarity;
14 Figure 2D is a plan view according to Fig. 1; and
Figure 2E is a bottom view according to Fig. 1
16 Figures 3A-3D illustrate folding of the embodiment according to
17 Fig. 1, more particularly,
18 Figure 3A is a side view according to Fig. 1, illustrating the
19 cart in a partially folded position;
Figure 3B is a front view according to Fig. 3A;
21 Figure 3C is a side view according to Fig. 1 in the folded
22 position; and
23 Figure 3D is a front view according to Fig. 1 in the folded
24 position;
4
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 Figures 4A-4D are schematic views according to Figs. 3A-3D,
2 dashed lines illustrating a top and bottom platform in a partially folded
position
3 and arrows illustrating the direction of movement of the cart components
during
4 folding, more particularly
Figure 4A is a schematic side view in the partially folded
6 position according to Fig. 3A;
7 Figure 4B is a schematic front view in the partially folded
8 position according to Fig. 3B;
9 Figure 4C is a schematic front view in the folded position
according to Fig. 3D; and
11 Figure 4D is a schematic side view in the folded position
12 according to Fig. 3C;
13 Figures 5A-5C are partial sectionai views of an upper swivel hinge
14 for connecting components of an upper platform so as to permit downwards
folding of the upper platform components, more particularly
16 Figure 5A is a longitudinal partial sectional view illustrating
17 the top platform components and a swivel hinge in a locked, unfolded
18 position;
19 Figure 5B a longitudinal partial sectional view illustrating the
top platform components and the swivel hinge in an unlocked position for
21 folding; and
22 Figure 5C a longitudinal partial sectional view illustrating the
23 top platform components and the swivel hinge in the folded position;
5
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 Figures 6A-6D are partial sectional views of a lower swivel hinge
2 for connecting components of a lower platform so as to permit upward folding
of
3 the lower platform components, more particularly
4 Figure 6A a longitudinal partial sectional view illustrating the
lower platform components and the swivel hinge in a locked, unfolded
6 position;
7 Figure 6B a longitudinal partial sectional view illustrating the
8 lower platform components and the swivel hinge in the folded position;
9 Figure 6C is a partial sectional end view of the lower
platform components and the swivel hinge in the unfolded position; and
11 Figure 6D is a partial sectional end view of the lower
12 platform components and the swivel hinge in the folded position
13 Figures 7A-7E are views of a friction hinge for connecting top and
14 lower platform components to vertical members to permit folding of the
cart,
more particularly,
16 Figure 7A is an isometric view of the friction hinge
17 connected to a vertical member;
18 Figure 7B is a plan view of the friction hinge, platform
19 components and vertical member in the folded position;
Figure 7C is a plan view of the friction hinge, platform
21 components and vertical member in the unfolded position;
22 Figure 7D is a side view of the friction hinge, platform
23 components and vertical member in the folded position; and
24 Figure 7E is a side view of the friction hinge, platform
components and vertical member in the unfolded position;
6
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 Figures 8A and 8B are isometric views of the top basket, the
2 bottom shelf and a tensile member connected therebetween, clips being used
to
3 attach the basket and shelf to the cart frame, more particularly,
4 Figure 8A is an isometric view of the top basket; and
Figure 8B is an isometric view of the bottom shelf;
6 and
7 Figures 9A and 9B are isometric views of the top basket, the
8 bottom shelf and a tensile member connected therebetween, sleeves being used
9 to attach the basket and shelf to the cart frame, more particularly,
Figure 9A is an isometric view of the top basket; and
11 Figure 9B is an isometric view of the bottom shelf.
12
13 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
14 Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such
16 embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a
small
17 number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent
18 applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes
and
19 modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present
invention
pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the
21 present invention as further defined in the appended claims.
22 Referring to Figs. 1-4D, an embodiment of a portable folding utility
23 shopping cart and carrier apparatus 10 for transporting objects is shown.
The
24 cart 10 comprises a substantially three dimensional rectangular (space)
frame
structure 11 formed by four substantially vertical members 12 and upper (top)
13
7
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 and lower 14 platforms hingedly connected thereto. Each of the upper and
lower
2 platforms 13, 14 is further comprised of side members 15 and end members 16
3 the side and end members 15 16 being hinged at about a center 17 of each of
4 the side and end members 15,16, which form the two-dimensional substantialiy
rectangular upper and lower platforms 13,14. The cart 10 is moveable between
6 an open usable unfolded position and a folded position wherein the cart 10
can
7 be readily stowed for storage.
8 Swivel castor wheels 18 are connected to the lower platform 14,
9 preferably directly beneath a bottom 19 of each of the vertical members 12.
A top basket 20 is supported by the side and end members 15,16
11 of the upper platform 13 and a bottom shelf 21 is supported by the side and
end
12 members 15,16 of the lower platform 14. A folding support cord, basket cord
or
13 tensile connector 22, such as a strap, is connected between a bottom 23 of
the
14 upper basket 20 and the bottom shelf 21 for maintaining the top basket 20
and
bottom shelf 21 in spaced relationship in the unfolded position, to maintain
the
16 top basket 20 and the bottom shelf 21 within the frame 11 in the folded
position
17 and to aid in folding the bottom shelf 21 when the cart 10 is folded. In
one
18 embodiment, the tensile member 22 is connected between about a center 24 of
19 the bottom of the basket 23 and about a center 25 of the bottom shelf 21.
As shown in Figs. 3A-3D, 4A-4D, 5A-5C and 6A-6D, the side and
21 end members 15,16 of each of the upper and lower platforms 13,14 comprise
22 two components 26,27 which are hinged together using upper swivel hinges 28
23 and lower swivel hinges 29 which permit the two components 26,27 to be
locked
24 in substantially end to end horizontal arrangement, in the unfolded
position and
further, to permit the two components 26,27 to be folded within the upper and
8
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 lower swivel hinges 28,29 to permit the upper platform 13 to be folded
downward
2 (Figs. 5A-5C) and the lower platform 14 to be folded upwards (Figs. 6A-6D).
3 Upper and lower swivel hinges 28,29 are typically located at about the
center 17
4 of the side and end members 15,16 of each of the upper and lower platforms
13,14.
6 Further, as shown in Figs. 7A-7E, friction hinges 30 act to connect
7 the side and end members 15,16 of both the upper and lower platforms 13,14
to
8 the vertical members 12 of the frame 11 and to permit the side and end
9 members 15,16 to fold at the vertical members 12 to further assist in
folding the
cart 10 to a compact size. As with the upper and lower swivel hinges 28,29,
the
11 friction hinges 30, connecting the upper platform 13 adjacent a top end 31
of the
12 vertical members 12, permit the side and end members 15,16 of the upper
13 platform 13 to fold downwards and the friction hinges 30, connecting the
lower
14 platform 13 adjacent a lower end 32 of the vertical members 12, permit the
side
and end members 15,16 of the lower platform 14 to fold upwards.
16 Having reference to Figs. 5A-5C, in one embodiment, the upper
17 swivel hinges 28 comprise a short sleeve 33 sized to fit substantially
snuggly
18 over abutted inner ends 34,35 of the two components 26,27 which form each
of
19 the side members 15 and end members 16 of the upper platform 13. The sleeve
33 is welded, crimped, or otherwise secured to one of the two components
21 26,27, the other of the two components 26,27 being free from the sleeve 33
and
22 having a free inner end 35. Further, a tension member 36, preferably a
spring, is
23 passed through an inner diameter or bore 37 of both of the two components
24 26,27 and is secured at opposing ends 38,39 to opposing vertical members
12,
typically to at least a portion of the friction hinges 30 connected to the
upper
9
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 platform 13. In one embodiment, the spring 36 is connected at one end 38 to
a
2 friction hinge 30 and at the opposing end 39 to a chain (not shown) which is
3 secured to an opposing friction hinge 30. The chain is pulled through the
aligned
4 bores 37 of the two components 26,27 and stretched until a force is
generated to
pull the inner ends 34,35 of the two components 26,27 together inside the
sleeve
6 33.
7 As shown in Figs. 5B and 5C, and to unfold the cart 10, the two
8 components 26,27 are pulled away from each other against the force applied
by
9 the spring 36 tension, so as to free the two components 26,27 from
connection in
the sleeve 33 (Fig 5B), and are pushed downwards (Fig. 5C).
11 When unfolded, the free inner end 35 of the one of the two
12 components 26,27 is aligned with the sleeve 33 and, under tension from the
13 spring 36, the two components 26,27 assume the end to end horizontal
14 alignment, the inner ends 34,35 being within the bore of the sleeve 33. As
loads
are placed in the top basket 20, the two components 26,27 are locked into
place
16 and cannot voluntarily begin to fold.
17 As shown in Figs 6A-6D, and in one embodiment, the lower swivel
18 hinges 29 comprise a substantially U-shaped saddle 40 having open ends 41
19 into which inner ends 34,35, of the two components 26,27 of each of the
side
members 15 and the end members 16 of the lower platform 14, are fit. The inner
21 ends 34,35 are pivotally connected to the saddle 40 by fasteners 41, such
as by
22 steel pins which pass through holes 42 formed through the saddle 40 and
23 through the inner ends 34,35 of the two components 26,27. An opening 43 is
24 formed in a top 44 of the saddle 40 to permit the inner ends 34,35 to
extend
when pivoted to the folded position. Friction means 45, such as small
protrusions
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 or bumps, are formed on an inside 46 of the saddle to assist in maintaining
the
2 two components 26,27 in the end to end horizontal arrangement in the
unfolded
3 position. Load placed on the bottom shelf 21 also assists in maintaining the
two
4 components 26,27 in end to end horizontal arrangement in the lower swivel
hinge 29. The friction means 45 must be overcome in order to move the two
6 components 26,27 to the pivoted, folded position,
7 In one embodiment as shown in Figs. 6A-6D, the lower swivel
8 hinges 29 are manufactured from a steel plate or the like or from a suitable
9 strong plastic by a process such as injected moulding. In the case of a flat
piece
of steel plate, the plate can be cut to shape and bent to form the U-shaped
11 saddle 40 having two flanges 47. The bending radius is sized to accommodate
12 the outside diameter of the side and members 15,16, which are typically
hollow
13 tubing. Four holes 42 are drilled in the saddle flanges 47 to permit
passage of
14 the steel pins therethrough to pivotally connect the saddle 40 to the two
components 26,27 for movement between the folded and the unfolded position.
16 Four friction means 45 are formed by pressing indents into the saddle
flanges 47
17 from an outside 48 to form the protrusions or bumps 45 on the inside 46 at
such
18 positions to allow the bumps 45 to firmly hold the two components 26,27
locked
19 in the open position when the cart is unfolded. The bumps 45 are also sized
to
allow the two components 26,27 to move past the bumps 45 when force is
21 applied thereto, when the cart is folded.
22 As shown in Figs. 7A-7E, friction hinges 30 used at the upper and
23 lower platforms 13,14 are substantially the same, however the friction
hinges 30
24 are installed on the vertical members 12 in an orientation which permits
the
upper platform 13 to fold downwards and the lower platform 14 to fold upwards.
11
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 Like the lower swivel hinges 29, the friction hinges 30 comprise a
2 substantially U-shaped saddle 50 into which outer ends 51,52 of the two
3 components 26,27 of each of the side and end members 15,16 adjacent the
4 vertical member 12, are fit. Further, the friction hinges 30 are formed
having a
substantially 90 degree angle for forming a corner 53 in which an opening 54
is
6 made to accommodate the vertical member 12 as well as the outer ends 51,52
7 of the side and end members 15,16 when in the folded position.
8 The friction hinges 30 are affixed to the vertical members 12
9 adjacent the top and lower end 31,32 of each of the four vertical members
12.
In one embodiment show in Figs. 7A-7E, like the lower swivel
11 hinges 29, the friction hinges 30 are manufactured from a steel plate or
the like
12 or from a suitable strong plastic such as by an injected moulding process.
In the
13 case of a flat piece of steel plate, the plate can be cut to shape and bent
to form
14 the U-shaped saddle 50. The bending radius accommodates the outside
diameter of the side and end members 15,16. Two flanges 55,56 are formed as
16 well as the substantially 90-degree corner 53 between the flanges 55,56 to
17 enable the friction hinges 30 to fit snugly around the vertical components
12. The
18 opening 54 in the saddle 50 is sized to allow the vertical member 12 to
extend
19 therethrough as well as the outer ends 51,52 of the side and end members
15,16, when folded. Holes 57 are drilled through the corner 53 area between
the
21 flanges 55,56 to permit fasteners such as pop rivets or the like 58 to
permanently
22 fasten the friction hinge 30 about the vertical member 12.
23 Further, four holes 59 are drilled in the flanges 55,56 to
24 accommodate pivoting fasteners 60, such as steel pins, for pivotally
connecting
the side and end members 15,16 to the friction hinges 30, for pivoting of the
side
12
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 and end members 15,16 thereon during the folding and unfolding processes.
2 Four friction means or bumps 61, are formed on an inside 62 of the saddle 50
by
3 pressing indents into the flanges 55,56 from an outside 63 of the saddle 50.
The
4 bumps 61 are formed at such positions and sized to allow the bump 61 to
firmly
hold the side and end members 15,16 in the open position when the cart 10 is
6 unfolded, but will allow the side and end members 15,16 to move past when
7 force is applied thereto when the cart 10 is folded.
8 Further, the flanges 55,56 of the friction hinges 30 protrude
9 sufficiently into a space S defined by the cart frame 11 to create space
sufficient
to accommodate folding of the top basket 20 and bottom shelf 21 therein.
11 Having reference to Figs. 1, 2A, 3A, 8A and 9A, the top basket 20
12 is a rectangular shaped basket having enclosed sides 64, ends 65, the
bottom
13 23 and an open top 66. The basket 20 is typically manufactured from a
flexible
14 material, such as a canvas or the like, which is suitable for supporting
loads
placed therein whilst being flexible enough to fold into the space S within
the
16 frame 11 when the cart 10 is in the folded position. The top basket 20 is
sized
17 and shaped to fit into a space U defined by the side and end members 15,16
of
18 the upper platform 13 and is supported therefrom. As best seen in Figs. 8A
and
19 9A, upper corners 67 of the basket 20 are cut out to facilitate upper
friction
hinges 30. Further, accommodation is made along a peripheral upper edge 68 of
21 the sides 64 and the ends 65, such as about a center 69, for the upper
swivel
22 hinges 28, connecting the components 26,27 of the upper platform 13.
23 In one embodiment, shown in Fig. 8A, one or more elongate flaps
24 70 are formed at the peripheral edge along at least a portion of the upper
edge
68 leaving the corners 67 and about the center 69 of each side 64 and end 65
13
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 open to accommodate the upper swivel and friction hinges 28,30 and are fit
with
2 fasteners 71, such as co-operating male and female snap fasteners, or the
like.
3 When the top basket 20 is lowered into the space U defined by the upper
4 platform 13, the flaps 70 are folded over the side and end members 15,16 of
the
upper platform 13 and the co-operating male and female snap fasteners 71 are
6 engaged for securing the top basket 20 thereto.
7 Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 9A, the top basket 20 can be
8 secured to the upper platform 13 by elongate sleeves 72 which are formed
along
9 at least a portion of the upper edge 68 of basket 20 through which the side
and
end members 15,16 of the upper platform 13 are fit. The sleeves 72 are
11 positioned so as to avoid interference with the upper swivel and friction
hinges
12 28,30. Sleeves 72 are also provided for the vertical members 12.
13 A flexible basket handle 73, typically made from the same material
14 as the basket, is affixed to about the centre 24 of an inner surface 74 of
the
bottom 23 of the top basket 20, typically at a position which corresponds to
the
16 connection of the tensile connector 22 on an opposing surface 75 of the
bottom
17 23 of the top basket 20. During folding of the cart 10, the handle 73
permits the
18 user to grip the bottom 23 of the basket 20 and lift both the basket bottom
23 and
19 the tensile connector 22, causing the bottom shelf 21 to fold upward with
the
lower platform 14 and to ensure the top basket 20 and the bottom shelf 21 are
21 retained within the space S within the frame 11, when folded.
22 As shown in Figs. Figs. 1, 2A, 3A, 8B and 9B, the bottom shelf 21
23 is a flat rectangular-shaped shelf, typically manufactured from a flexible
material
24 such as is used for the top basket 20. The bottom shelf 21 is shaped to fit
a
14
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 space V defined by the lower platform's end and side members 15,16 and is
2 supported thereon.
3 In one embodiment, seen in Fig. 8B, the bottom shelf 21 is further
4 shaped having one or more elongate flaps 76 formed on sides 77 and ends 78
of
the shelf 21, the flaps 76 being fit with fasteners 79, such as co-operating
male
6 and female snap fasteners. In one embodiment, flaps 76 are formed leaving
7 openings at corners 80 and about a center 81 of each side 77 and end 78 to
8 avoid interference with the lower swivel and friction hinges 29, 20 for
folding. The
9 flaps 76 are folded over each of the side and end members 15,16 of the lower
platform 14 and the cooperating male and female snap fasteners 79 are
11 engaged for securely fastening the shelf 21 to the lower platform 14.
12 Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 9B, the bottom shelf 21 can be
13 secured to the lower platform 14 by elongate sleeves 82 which are formed at
a
14 peripheral edge 83 along at least a portion of each side and end 77,78 of
the
lower shelf 21, through which the side and end members 15,16 of the lower
16 platform 14 are fit. The sleeves 82 are positioned so as to avoid
interference with
17 the lower swivel and friction hinges 29,30.
18 Typically, the cart 10 is fitted with handles 90 which, in one
19 embodiment, are upwardly extending outwardly curving extensions of both of
the
vertical members 12 at one end of the cart 10. The handles 90 are typically
21 round or squared in section depending upon the shape of the tubular
material
22 from which the vertical members 12 are formed. Ends of the handles 90 are
23 fitted with non-slip grips 91 such as rubber caps or the like.
24 The swivel castor wheels 18 facilitate the easy motion of the cart
10 in forwards, sideways and backwards directions. In one embodiment, the
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 castor wheels 18 are of industrial strength and are preferably made from
steel or
2 steel alloys or the like having sufficient strength to carry the loads
placed into the
3 cart, particularly when traversing over rough surfaces. The wheels are
connected
4 to the bottoms 19 of the vertical members 12 such as by a pin that is welded
onto a swivel of the wheels 18 and extends upwardly thereform and a spacer
6 bushing that holds the pin securely in position inside the vertical member's
7 tubular bore (not shown). A rubber tread or the like is formed about the
running
8 surface of the wheels 18 to prohibit slipping in wet or smooth surface
conditions.
9 The portable folding shopping cart and utility carrier 10 can be
made from a number of different materials. In one embodiment, the structural
11 components, which include the vertical members 12, the side and end members
12 15,16 and the handles 90, are made of a thin walled metal tubing
manufactured
13 from steel, aluminium or the like. In other embodiments, the structural
14 components may be manufactured from hollow carbon fiber, plastics and the
like.
16 The swivel and friction hinges 28,29,30 are manufactured from a
17 thin steel or aluminium plate, or alternatively may be injected or
thermoform
18 moulded or the like.
19 The top basket 20 and bottom shelf 21 are manufactured from a
fabric materials, such as a light canvas type material or the like, that is
21 sufficiently strong to carry the loads placed therein and are able to fold
easily to
22 accommodate the folding process of the cart. In one embodiment the top
basket
23 20 is capable of carrying about 75 pounds and the bottom shelf 21 is
capable of
24 carrying about 50 pounds.
16
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 Different colors and designs on the fabric components can be
2 incorporated to embody the various types of activities of users of the
portable
3 folding shopping cart and utility carrier 10. Moulding and mass production
4 processes relatively inexpensively production, thereby making embodiments of
the invention available to the consumer at a low cost.
6 Optionally, once folded, a VELCROTM or bungee cord type strap or
7 the like 104 is provided to wrap about the folded cart 10 to hold the cart
10 in the
8 folded position until the strap 104 is released for unfolding the cart 10.
9
In Use
11 Having reference to Figs 3A-3D and 4A-4D, the portable folding
12 shopping cart and utility carrier 10 is capable of being folded into a
small
13 portable unit for storage when not required.
14
Folding the Cart:
16 The first step in the folding process is to release the lower
17 platform's side and end members 15,16 from the locked unfolded position. To
18 initiate the first step, the basket pull handle 73 is grasped and pulled
upwards to
19 create a lifting force which is transferred to the tensile connector 22,
connected
between the top basket 20 and the bottom shelf 21, and thus, to the bottom
shelf
21 21. The upward force on the bottom shelf 21, typically at about the center
25 of
22 the shelf 21 is transferred to the lower swivel hinges 29 connecting the
side and
23 end members 15,16 of the lower platform 14, causing the lower swivel hinges
29
24 to overcome the friction bumps 45 and fold upwards in the direction of the
lifting
force. The user then exerts sufficient force to overcome the friction bumps 61
on
17
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 the lower friction hinges 30, unlocking the side and end members 15,16 from
the
2 lower friction hinges 30 and permitting the side and end members 15,16 to
pivot
3 about the pins 41 towards the folded position. The lower platform's side and
end
4 members 15,16 are substantially only permitted to move in a vertical plane
due
to constraints imposed by the lower swivel and friction hinges' flanges
47,55,56.
6 The upward folding movement of the lower platform's members 15,16 is
partially
7 completed as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B. The basket handle 73 is released at
this
8 stage of folding, the cart 10 being vertically geometrically stable on the
wheels
9 18, permitting the user to initiate the next step of the folding process.
The next step of the folding process is to unlock and fold the side
11 and end members 15,16 of the top p(atform 13. The two components 26,27 of
12 each of the side and end members 15,16 are grasped and pulled apart against
13 the force applied therein by the tension spring 36. Once the free end 35 is
pulled
14 from the sleeve 33, the user applies a force to fold the two components
26,27
downwards. Force is applied to the side and end members 15,16 at the friction
16 hinges 30 to overcome the friction means 61 and permit the side and end
17 members 15,16 to pivot about the pins 58 towards the folded position. The
18 vertical members 12 are moved towards one another until the cart 10 is in
the
19 compact folded position (Figs 3C, 3D, 4C and 4D), the top basket 20 and
bottom
shelf 21 having automatically folded within the space S defined therebetween.
21 If the strap 104 is provided, the final step in the folding process is
22 to pull the strap 104 around the outside of the vertical members 12 to
assist in
23 moving the vertical members 12 closer together in compact folded
arrangement,
24 The strap 104 is then fastened about the folded cart 10 using a fastener
such as
a clip or the like (not shown).
18
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 Unfoldin4 the Cart:
2 When required for use, the cart 10 is unfolded substantially by
3 reversing the process as described for folding of the cart 10.
4 The cart 10 is first placed in a vertical position supported on the
wheels 18 where it is typically capable of standing independently. If
provided, the
6 strap 104 is released from about the folded cart 10.
7 Two of the vertical members 12 are grasped, typically the two
8 vertical members 12 at one end of the cart 10, and pulled away from one
9 another. This is repeated with the remaining two vertical members 12 until
the
cart 10 is partially unfolded as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B. The process is
11 repeated again by pulling apart vertical members 12 at opposing ends of the
cart
12 10 until the upper and lower platforms 13,14 are substantially in
horizontal
13 planes and the cart 10 is completely unfolded.
14 In the final step, the two components 26,27 of each of the side and
end members 15,16 of the upper and lower platforms 13,14 locked in end to end
16 horizontal arrangement at the swivel hinges 28,29 and the friction hinges
30 are
17 similarly locked into place to lock the platforms 13,14 at the vertical
members 12.
18 A downward force is applied to the lower swivel hinges 29 causing the side
and
19 end members 115,16 to overcome and pass by the friction means 45,61 at both
the lower swivel hinges 29 and the lower friction hinges 30 and to lock
therein.
21 Each of the two components 26,27 of the side and end members
22 15,16 of the upper platform 13 are grasped and pulled upwards, aligning the
free
23 end 35 of one member with the sleeve 33 attached to the other and
permitting
24 the tension spring 36 to pull the free end35 into the sleeve 33 for
positioning and
locking the two components 26,27 in end to end substantially horizontal
19
CA 02576548 2007-02-01
1 alignment therein. Further the upward force required to engage and lock the
2 upper swivel hinges 28 also causes the side and end members 15,16 to
3 overcome the friction means 61 in the upper friction hinges 30 at the
vertical
4 members 12, locking the side and end members 15,16 therein.
The cart 10 is now in the unfolded position and is ready for use.
