Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SHOPPING CART APPARATUS
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
[001] All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright
protection under the
copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner
has no objection to the
facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent
disclosure, as it appears in
official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights
whatsoever are reserved.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] The present invention generally relates to carts and, more particularly,
to shopping carts.
[003] It is believed that few, if any, improvements have been made to the
shopping cart in recent
decades. Consequently, it is believed that the time has come for new
improvements to carts in general,
and such shopping carts in specific. One or more aspects and features of the
present invention are
believed to represent such an improvement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[004] The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover,
while many aspects and
features relate to, and are described in, the context of shopping, the present
invention is not limited to
use only in shopping, as will become apparent from the following summaries and
detailed
descriptions of aspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[005] Accordingly, in an aspect of the invention, a cart includes a chassis;
wheels attached to the
chassis; an upper basket attached to the chassis and defining an upper cargo
area for receiving articles
for transport on the cart; and a lower basket attached to the chassis and
defining a lower cargo area for
receiving articles for transport on the cart.
[006] In a feature of this aspect, the cart comprises a shopping cart.
[007] In a feature of this aspect, one or both of the baskets each comprises a
compartment divider for
forming a plurality of compartments in the cargo area of the basket for
separating articles placed in
the basket. In a further related feature, the one or more dividers each is
selectively transitionable
between an upright position, in which the divider compartmentalizes the cargo
receiving area, and a
stowed position, in which the divider does not compartmentalize the cargo
receiving area.
[008] In a feature of this aspect, one or both of the baskets each comprises a
wire basket.
[009] In a feature of this aspect, one or both of the baskets each comprises a
wire grid defining a
bottom of the basket. In additional related features, both baskets each
comprises a wire grid defining a
bottom of the basket, with the grid of the upper basket defining smaller
openings between wires than
that defined by the grid of the lower basket. In another additional related
feature, the wire grid bends
to extend upwardly at the front of the basket to further define a front wall
of the basket.
[010] In a feature of this aspect, one or both of the baskets each comprises
lengthwise wires at least
some of which extend in generally parallel, spaced relation to define a side
wall of the basket.
[011] In a feature of this aspect, the upper basket is cantilevered over the
lower basket. In an
additional related feature, the chassis comprises a widthwise support member
on which the upper
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basket is cantilevered over the lower basket. In some embodiments, such
widthwise support member
is the only part of the chassis that extends the width of the cart underneath
and in engagement with the
upper basket and that is directly connected to and directly supports the upper
basket in its cantilevered
position over the lower basket.
[012] In a feature of this aspect, the cart further comprises a rack located
under the lower basket.
The rack preferably comprises a wire framework that is bounded at the front
and sides by the chassis,
including a portion of the chassis that defines a U-shaped bottom bumper of
the cart that extends
around the front and part of the sides of the bottom of the cart. In an
additional related feature, the
lower basket is cantilevered over the rack, and the chassis comprises a
widthwise support member on
which the lower basket is cantilevered over the rack. In some embodiments,
such widthwise support
member is the only part of the chassis that extends the width of the cart
underneath and in engagement
with the lower basket and that is directly connected to and directly supports
the lower basket in its
cantilevered position over the rack.
[013] In a feature of this aspect, the wheels include a pair of front wheels
and a pair of back wheels.
In an additional related feature, each wheel of the two pair of wheels swivel
360 degrees. In an
alternative additional related feature, each of the pair of front wheels
swivel 360 degrees, and neither
of the pair of back wheels swivels.
[014] In a feature of this aspect, the cart is designed and configured to nest
with other like carts. In
an additional related feature, the nesting is accomplished by pushing the
front of a first one of the
carts into the rear of a second one of the carts such that the upper basket of
the first cart is received
within the upper basket of the second cart, and the lower basket of the first
cart is received within the
lower basket of the second cart. When nesting, a rear wall of the upper basket
of the second cart
preferably collapses in response to the front of the upper basket of the first
cart being pushed there
against, and a rear wall of the lower basket of the second cart preferably
collapses in response to the
front of the lower basket of the first cart being pushed there against.
[015] In a feature of this aspect, the cart comprises one or more cup holders.
In an additional related
feature, each cup holder is attached to the chassis of the cart at the
uppermost part of the cart.
[016] In a feature of this aspect, the cart comprises a latch located on or
attached to a basket on a
side of the cart, whereby a purse or other personal item having a strap or
ring can be latched to the cart
in a secure location and manner.
[017] In a feature of this aspect, the cart includes no widthwise push bar in
a rear of the cart for
pushing of the cart by a person such that access is unobstructed to the upper
basket and to the lower
basket from the rear of the cart by a person.
[018] In a feature of this aspect, the chassis comprises elongate members
connected together, such as
for example by welding or by being integrally connected through molding or
other formation
technique. The elongate members may comprise, for example, tubes having oval,
rectangular,
triangular, or other polygonal cross-sectional profiles, as well as
combinations thereof Still yet, in
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some embodiments the chassis consists of such elongate members connected
together. The elongate
members further may be bent.
[019] In a feature of this aspect, the chassis defines areas on opposite
lateral sides of the cart for
gripping and pushing the cart by a person when standing at the rear of the
cart. These areas of the
chassis preferably are curved. In an additional related feature, the chassis
defines on each of the
opposite lateral sides of the cart a pair of vertically spaced handles,
wherein each handle surrounds
and defines an interior opening area. In this respect, each handles may
comprise a handle bar shaped
in an oval, and the interior opening area can be used for promotional space.
Furthermore, one or more
elongate members of the chassis on each side of the cart extend between and
connect the handles. In
some embodiments including such features, the handles and an elongate member
connecting the
handles on a lateral side of the cart define the shape of armless spectacles.
In some embodiments
including such features, such elongate member is curved and in the shape of an
arc in extending
between the handles, with such elongate member extending beyond the rear of
the upper basket and
the rear of the lower basket so as to define the rearmost part of the cart.
Furthermore, in some
embodiments including such features, the handles on each side are vertically
located over a wheel of
the cart.
[020] In a feature of this aspect, the rear area of the upper basket
preferably defines a seat for an
infant.
[021] In a feature of this aspect, the lower basket defines a seat at a rear
area thereof for a toddler. In
an additional related feature, a rear wall of the lower basket moves away so
that the rear area
including a resulting rear edge of the lower basket is used as a ledge for
sitting of the toddler.
Additionally, the rear of the upper basket is horizontally offset toward the
front of the cart relative to
the rear of the lower basket so as to provide clearance by which a toddler
sits up when seated on the
rear ledge of the lower basket.
[022] Yet another aspect comprises making a cart in accordance with one or
more of the foregoing
aspects and features.
[023] Another aspect comprises using a cart in accordance with one or more of
the foregoing aspects
and features.
[024] In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the present
invention, it should be
noted that the present invention further encompasses the various possible
combinations and
subcombinations of such aspects and features. Thus, for example, any aspect
may be combined with
an aforementioned feature in accordance with the present invention without
requiring any other aspect
or feature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[025] One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be
described in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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[026] FIG. 1 is a perspective front left view of a cart in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present invention.
[027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front of the cart of FIG. 1.
[028] FIG. 3 is a perspective front right view of the cart of FIG. 1.
[029] FIG. 4 is a perspective right side view of the cart of FIG. 1.
[030] FIG. 5 is a perspective back right view of the cart of FIG. 1.
[031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the back of the cart of FIG. 1.
[032] FIG. 7 is a perspective back left view of the cart of FIG. 1.
[033] FIG. 8 is a perspective left side view of the cart of FIG. 1.
[034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the top of the cart of FIG. 1.
[035] FIG. 10 is a perspective top left front view of a cart in accordance
with another embodiment of
the present invention.
[036] FIG. 11 is a perspective top left side view of the cart of FIG. 10.
[037] FIG. 12 is a perspective top left back view of the cart of FIG. 10.
[038] FIG. 13 is a perspective top right back view of the cart of FIG. 10.
[039] FIG. 14 is a perspective top right side view of the cart of FIG. 10.
[040] FIG. 15 is a perspective top right front view of the cart of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[041] As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having
ordinary skill in the
relevant art ("Ordinary Artisan") that the present invention has broad utility
and application. As
should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality
of the above-disclosed
aspects of the invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality
of the above-disclosed
features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being
"preferred" is considered to
be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention.
Other embodiments also
may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and
enabling disclosure of the
present invention. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate
only one or a plurality
of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporate
only one or a plurality of
the above-disclosed features. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations,
variations,
modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by
the embodiments
described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.
[042] Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail
in relation to one or
more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative
and exemplary of the
present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and
enabling disclosure of
the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more
embodiments is not intended, nor
is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the
present invention in any claim
of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and
the equivalents thereof
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It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present
invention be defined by
reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly
appear in the claim itself.
[043] Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of
various processes or
methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive.
Accordingly, it should be
understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown
and described as being
in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods
are not limited to being
carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication
otherwise. Indeed, the steps in
such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different
sequences and orders
while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it
is intended that the scope
of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the
issued claim(s) rather than
the description set forth herein.
[044] Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers
to that which the
Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual
use of such term
herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein¨as understood by
the Ordinary Artisan
based on the contextual use of such term¨differs in any way from any
particular dictionary definition
of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the
Ordinary Artisan should
prevail.
[045] Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. 112, subsection (f), no claim
element is intended to be
read in accordance with this statutory provision unless the explicit phrase
"means for" or "step for" is
actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is
intended to apply in the
interpretation of such claim element.
[046] Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, "a" and "an"
each generally denotes
"at least one," but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use
dictates otherwise. Thus,
reference to "a picnic basket having an apple" describes "a picnic basket
having at least one apple" as
well as "a picnic basket having apples." In contrast, reference to "a picnic
basket having a single
apple" describes "a picnic basket having only one apple."
[047] When used herein to join a list of items, "or" denotes "at least one of
the items," but does not
exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to "a picnic basket
having cheese or crackers"
describes "a picnic basket having cheese without crackers", "a picnic basket
having crackers without
cheese", and "a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers." Finally, when
used herein to join a
list of items, "and" denotes "all of the items of the list." Thus, reference
to "a picnic basket having
cheese and crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the
picnic basket further has
crackers," as well as describes "a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the
picnic basket further has
cheese."
[048] Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the
present invention
are next described. The following description of one or more preferred
embodiments is merely
exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its
implementations, or uses.
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[049] Turning now to FIGS. 1-9, FIG. 1 is a perspective front left view of a
cart 100 in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of
the front of the cart 100;
FIG. 3 is a perspective front right view of the cart 100; FIG. 4 is a
perspective right side view of the
cart 100; FIG. 5 is a perspective back right view of the cart 100; FIG. 6 is a
perspective view of the
back of the cart 100; FIG. 7 is a perspective back left view of the cart 100;
FIG. 8 is a perspective left
side view of the cart 100; and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the top of the
cart 100.
[050] With particular reference to FIG. 1, the cart 100 preferably is a
shopping cart that comprises a
chassis 102; wheels 104 attached to the chassis 102; an upper basket 106
attached to the chassis 102
that defines an upper cargo area 108 for receiving articles for transport on
the cart 100; and a lower
basket 110 attached to the chassis 102 that defines a lower cargo area 112 for
receiving articles for
transport on the cart 100.
[051] The chassis 102 as shown consists of elongate members in the form of
pipes or tubes
connected together by welding and by being integrally molding together or made
through other
formation techniques, including bending. The elongate members as shown include
generally oval
cross-sectional profiles. The elongate members form different parts of the
chassis, as now described in
detail.
[052] In greater detail, the chassis 102 defines areas on opposite lateral
sides of the cart 100 for
gripping and pushing the cart by a person when standing at the rear of the
cart 100. With particular
reference to FIG. 4 showing the right hand side of the cart 100 and FIG. 8
showing the left hand side
of the cart 100, such areas of the chassis 102 include a pair of vertically
spaced handles on the right
hand side of the cart 100, including an upper handle 114 and a lower handle
116; and a pair of
vertically spaced handles on the left hand side of the cart 100, including an
upper handle 118 and a
lower handle 120. The handle pair on the right hand side is vertically located
over a rear wheel 104,
and the handle pair on the left hand side is vertically located over the other
rear wheel 104.
[053] As further best seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, elongate members 122,124 of the
chassis 102 extend
between and connect the handles 114,116 on the right side of the cart 100; and
elongate members
126,128 of the chassis 102 extend between and connect the handles 118,120 on
the right side of the
cart 100. Of these elongate members, elongate members 124,128 each is linear
in extending between
handles, and elongate members 122,126 each is curved in an arc in extending
between handles and
extends beyond the rear of the upper basket 106 and the rear of the lower
basket 110 so as to define
the rearmost part of the cart 100.
[054] Furthermore, handles 114,116 and connecting elongate member 122 on the
right hand lateral
side of the cart 100 define the shape of armless spectacles, and handles
118,120 and connecting
elongate member 126 on the left hand lateral side of the cart 100 define a
similar shape of armless
spectacles. A different shape of armless spectacles is defined by handles
114,116 and connecting
elongate member 124, and is defined by handles 118,120 and connecting elongate
member 128.
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[055] It is recognized that, in practice, the upper handles of the pairs and
the connecting elongate
members 122,126 would be utilized in gripping, pushing, and steering the cart
100 by a person located
at the rear of the cart 100, and that the lower "handle of each pair rarely,
if ever, would be utilized in
gripping, pushing, or steering the cart 100. The portions of the chassis 102
forming the lower handles
116,120 nonetheless are referred to as "handles" insofar as they are similar
in construction and
appearance to handles 114,118.
[056] It further is contemplated that, while each handle is shown to comprise
a handle bar that has
been shaped into an oval configuration to surround and define an interior
opening area, the
configuration may be polygonal in shape and that the interior opening area may
be partially
surrounded rather than entirely surrounded. It also is contemplated that the
interior opening area of
each handle be used for promotional space, as described in further detail
below with reference to cart
200. It is believed that such areas do not aesthetically appear as secondary
or separate from the cart
design, but rather serve to fill-in and complete the cart design.
[057] Continuing with further detailed description regarding the chassis 102,
and as perhaps best
seen in FIG. 3, the chassis 102 comprises a generally linear, widthwise
support member 130 on which
the upper basket 106 is supported, and the chassis 102 comprises a U-shaped,
widthwise support
member 132 on which the lower basket 110 is supported. Furthermore, widthwise
support member
130 extends between and connects handles 114,118; and widthwise support member
132 extends
between and connects handles 116,120.
[058] As also shown in FIG. 3, the chassis 102 also includes defines a U-
shaped bottom bumper 134
of the cart 100 that extends around the front and partway along the sides of
the bottom of the cart 100.
The cart 100 further comprises a rack 136 that is located under the lower
basket 110 and that is
bounded by the U-shaped bottom bumper 134 and the handles 116,120. The rack
136 comprises a
wire framework Including horizontal wire supports 138 that are bowed to allow
for products to slide
more easily onto the rack 136.
[059] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the upper basket 106 is
cantilevered over the
lower basket 110, and the widthwise support member 130 supports the upper
basket 106 in its
cantilevered position over the lower basket 110. Moreover, as shown, the
widthwise support member
130 is the only part of the chassis 102 that extends the width of the cart 100
and is directly connected
to and directly supports the upper basket 106 in its cantilevered position
over the lower basket 110.
[060] Similarly, it will be appreciated that the lower basket 110 is
cantilevered over the rack 136,
and the widthwise support member 132 supports the lower basket 110 in its
cantilevered position over
the rack 136. Moreover, as shown, the widthwise support member 132 is the only
part of the chassis
102 that extends the width of the cart 100 and is directly connected to and
directly supports the lower
basket 110 in its cantilevered position over the rack 136.
[061] Turning now the wheels 104, the cart 100 comprises four wheels 104
including a pair of front
wheels 104 and a pair of back wheels 104. Each wheel 104 preferably is the
same as the others and
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swivels in all directions, i.e., 360 degrees. It is believed that enabling all
wheels to swivel freely will
prevents extensive wear and tear on wheels inside and out that is seen in
conventional carts, thereby
reducing maintenance. It is further believed that enabling all wheels to
swivel freely will provide for
easier maneuverability of the cart in stores and parking lots when nested in
groups and pushed by
attendants, as well as achieve smooth fluid maneuverability of the cart in a
store by a shopper whether
the cart is empty, partially loaded, or fully loaded. In alternative
embodiment, the pair of front wheels
swivel 360 degrees, but neither of the back wheels swivel thereby providing a
more fixed direction
when pushing the cart forward.
[062] Turning now to the baskets, the upper basket 106 is attached to the
chassis 102 such as by
welding and is located at an elevation of around chest height for the average
shopper, while the lower
basket 110 is likewise attached to the chassis 102 and is located at an
elevation of around thigh height
for the average shopper.
[063] As described above, the upper basket 106 is primarily supported by the
single upper widthwise
support member 130 that extends underneath the upper basket 106 between and is
connected to the
upper handles 114,118, with the upper widthwise support member 130 being
located closer to the rear
of the upper basket 106 than to the front of the upper basket 106 such that
the upper basket 106
cantilevers over the lower basket 110. The upper basket 106 preferably is
welded to the widthwise
support member upper 130 as well as is welded along its sides to portions of
the chassis 102 that are
located at the sides of the cart 100.
[064] The lower basket 110 is primarily supported on the single lower
widthwise support member
132 that extends underneath the lower basket 110 between and is connected to
the lower handles
116,120, with the lower widthwise support member 132 being located closer to
the rear of the upper
basket 110 than to the front of the upper basket 110 such that the lower
basket 110 cantilevers over
the rack 136. The lower basket 110 preferably is welded to the lower widthwise
support member 132
as well as is welded along its sides to portions of the chassis 102 that are
located at the sides of the
cart 100.
[065] As shown upper basket 106 comprises a wire basket having a wire grid 140
that defines a
bottom of the basket upper basket 106. Furthermore, the wire grid 140
preferably bends to extend
upwardly at the front of the upper basket 106 to define a front wall of the
upper basket 106, as perhaps
best seen in FIG. 9. Similarly, as shown lower basket 110 comprises a wire
basket having a wire grid
142 that defines a bottom of the lower basket 110. Furthermore, the wire grid
142 preferably bends to
extend upwardly at the front of the lower basket 110 to define a front wall of
the lower basket 110, as
perhaps best seen in FIG. 6.
[066] In some embodiments, the wire grid of one of the baskets, such as the
upper basket, includes a
tighter cross-hatching of the wire thereby defining smaller openings or
interstices between the wires
thereof than the openings defined by the wires of the grid of the other
basket. In other embodiments
the openings defined by the wires of the grid are approximately the same. In
any event, it is preferred
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that a sufficient opening be defined for rinsing and drying of the cart after
exposure to inclement
weather.
[067] The opposite lateral side walls of each basket as illustrated each
comprises lengthwise wires
that extend in generally parallel, spaced relation from front to back of the
basket. Furthermore, the
upper basket 106 is shorter in length than the lower basket 110, with the
front edges of the baskets
106,110 generally overlying one another but with the back edges of the baskets
106,110 being offset.
[068] The height between the top and bottom of the side walls of the upper
basket 106 reduces in
height near the front of the upper basket 106 in a direction from back to
front of the cart 100, whereby
a low-profile front of the upper basket 106 is defined that accommodates
loading of articles into the
upper basket 106 from the front of the cart 100. In contrast, the height
between the top and bottom of
the side walls of the lower basket 110 is greatest at the rear of the cart 100
and reduces in height
between the rear and the front of the cart 100 in a direction from back to
front of the cart 100 so as to
define a sloped hill along the top of the side wall of the lower basket 110.
Furthermore, the rear height
of the side wall of the lower basket 110 is visibly greater than the rear
height of the side wall of the
upper basket 106. In some embodiments, the height of the side wall of the
lower basket 110 in the rear
is approximately 25% greater than the height of the side wall of the upper
basket 106 in the rear. The
height of the lower basket 110 in the rear provides greater enclosure for
taller articles placed in the
cargo area of the lower basket 110.
[069] The rear area of the upper basket 106 preferably defines a seat for an
infant weighing up to
351bs. Being in the rear of the upper basket 106, the infant is designed to be
located in close proximity
to the person pushing the cart. Snap-and-lock straps (now shown) preferably
are included with the cart
100 for securing the infant. High side walls of the upper basket 106 in the
rear area further secure the
infant, providing enclosure to the infant seating area of the upper basket of
the cart.
[070] With continuing reference to cart 100, two leg openings 146 defined in
the rear wall of the
upper basket 106 are provided through which the legs of the infant may be
extended. A gate 148
serving as a compartment divider is provided for forming two compartments in
the cargo area 108 of
the upper basket 106 for separating articles placed in the upper basket 106
from the infant seating
area. While the gate 148 may be fixed in position to the upper basket 106 and
not movable, preferably
the gate 148 is connected to a bottom of the upper basket 106 for pivoting
movement relative thereto,
and may be attached by one or more hinges to the bottom of the upper basket
106. Alternatively, other
mechanisms can be utilized in place of the one or more hinges so long as the
gate is configurable
between a generally upstanding position, in which the gate 148 divides and
compartmentalizes the
cargo area, and a generally stowed position, in which the gate 148 does not
divide and
compartmentalize the cargo area. A hinged seat covering (not shown) that is
pivotal on the rear wall
of the upper basket 106 further may be provided for compartmentalized use of
the infant seating area
as an area for receiving articles when an infant is not seated there. Such a
hinged seat covering is
disclosed and described below with reference to cart 200.
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[071] Similar to the upper basket, the lower basket 110 also defines a seating
area at a rear area
thereof. The seat of the lower basket 110 preferably is designed for a toddler
weighing over 351bs
rather than an infant weighing under 351bs. In this respect, the rear wall 150
of the lower basket 110
preferably folds down onto the floor of the lower basket 110 into a flattened
position. The rear wall
150 preferably is attached at a bottom edge thereof to the floor of the lower
basket 110 by one or more
hinges. Alternatively, other mechanisms can be utilized in place of the one or
more hinges so long as
the rear wall 150 is able to transition between an upward position and a
folded position. When in the
upstanding position, the rear wall 150 prevents articles from rolling or
otherwise falling out of the
lower basket 110 during shopping. Furthermore, when pushed against during
nesting of carts
(discussed below), the rear wall 150 collapses on impact to fold down. When
the rear wall 150 is
folded to the floor, the resulting edge of the lower basket 110 thereby is
made available for use a
ledge for sitting of a toddler. Furthermore, the horizontal offset of the rear
of the upper basket 106
relative to the rear of the lower basket 110 provides the clearance by which a
toddler can sit up when
seated on the ledge of the lower basket 110 when the rear wall 150 thereof is
folded to the floor. Such
offset of the upper basket 106 to the lower basket 110 is seen in the
drawings.
[072] A toddler seated in the seating area of the lower basket 110 on the
ledge thereof can be
secured with a snap-and-lock strap (not shown). Moreover, the height of the
side wall of the lower
basket 110 at the rear thereof provides significant enclosure for a toddler
sitting in the seating area of
and on the ledge of the lower basket 110. It also will be appreciated that
because the lower basket 110
is located substantially below the upper basket 106, the toddler's proximity
to the ground is greater
than that of a toddler when placed into a large shopping basket of a
traditional cart, thereby providing
greater safety should the toddler fall. Moreover, it is believed that the
design of the carts of the present
invention discourage toddlers from being placed in the upper basket.
[073] The cart 100 is designed and configured to nest front-to-rear with other
like carts. The nesting
is accomplished by pushing the front of a first one of the carts into the rear
of a second one of the
carts such that the upper basket of the first cart is received within the
upper basket of the second cart,
and the lower basket of the first cart is received within the lower basket of
the second cart. When
nesting, a rear wall of the upper basket of the second cart collapses in
response to the front of the
upper basket of the first cart being pushed there against, and a rear wall of
the lower basket of the
second cart collapses in response to the front of the lower basket of the
first cart being pushed there
against. It is believed that when nested, the distance from the rear of cart
to the front of the cart in
which it is nested is shorter than nesting of convention shopping carts,
thereby resulting in a greater
number of carts that can be stored together in a given area compared to
conventional carts.
[074] From the foregoing detailed description of cart 100 and corresponding
drawings, it will be
appreciated that the cart 100 includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the
cart for pushing of the
cart by a person, as conventionally would be expected of a shopping cart. By
omitting the push bar,
unobstructed access by a person is provided to both the upper basket and the
lower basket from the
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rear of the cart. Moreover, omission of the push bar facilitates provision and
use of the two seats as
disclosed herein. These benefits are perhaps best seen in FIG. 6 illustrating
a perspective view of the
rear of the cart 100.
[075] From the foregoing detailed description of cart 100 and corresponding
drawings, it will further
be appreciated that there is no push bar extending laterally across the rear
of the cart by which a
person might grab and push the cart. Such a push bar is believed to interfere
with and otherwise
impede the ease of loading of the baskets in the shelf-like system. It is
believed that removal of the
push bar allows for complete access to the open baskets at the rear of the
cart for loading of articles
into either of the baskets while shopping from the same vantage point of
pushing the cart. This
requires fewer steps by the person in stepping around from the rear of the
cart and enables the person
to better focus on shopping from one item to the next. This also makes
shopping in crowded aisles
easier, as a person does not have to step out from the rear of the cart to a
side of the cart.
[076] It will further be appreciated that the omission of the conventional
push bar allows for an
easier and more natural way of steering the cart. Curved handles on each side
of the cart extend
between and connect respective upper ring handles and lower ring handles and
are configured and
dimensioned such that the curved handles extend toward opposite lateral sides
of a person standing at
the rear of the cart. The curved handles and upper and lower ring handles are
located generally over
the rear wheels of the cart. The side position of the curved handles,
including the upper handle rings,
allow for shoppers of any height to push the cart comfortably by gripping and
pushing the cart. It
further will be appreciated that gripping and steering the cart at the rear
sides thereof make steering
and control of the cart easier. The design also permits for full and open
access to the baskets similar to
shelves in a home pantry. Such an open backside also prevents steering in
horizontal position, which
is believed to be unnatural. People tend to walk with their hands at their
sides, and pushing in such a
relaxed position with their hands vertical to their sides, palms faced toward
each other, is believed to
be more conducive for slower pace shopping experiences.
[077] In use, the cart 100 features convenience in loading. In particular, the
two baskets 106,110
are stacked in spaced, vertical relation, with the rear of the baskets being
offset from one another
at the rear of the cart. A person pushing the cart usually stands at the rear
of the cart, and the two
baskets present a shelf-like system for ease of loading of articles by the
person at the rear of the
cart.
[078] Turning now to FIGS. 10-15, FIG. 10 is a perspective top left front view
of a cart 200 in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a
perspective top left side
view of the cart 200; FIG. 12 is a perspective top left back view of the cart
200; FIG. 13 is a
perspective top right back view of the cart 200; FIG. 14 is a perspective top
right side view of the cart
200; and FIG. 15 is a perspective top right front view of the cart 200.
[079] The structure and functionality of cart 200 is similar to that of cart
100, and therefore just the
primary differences will be described for purposes of brevity.
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[080] As seen in FIGS. 10-15, the cart 200 comprises one or more cup holders
252. Each cup holder
252 is attached to a chassis of the cart 200 at the uppermost part of the cart
200, namely, at upper
handles 214,218. Such positioning of the cup holders provides for easy
placement of a drink of a
shopper without the shopper being obstructive to the mechanics of operating
the cart. Nor do the cup
holders inhibit nesting of the carts 200.
[081] Regarding upper basket 206, the rear area of the upper basket 206
defines a seat for an infant
weighing preferably up to 351bs. Being in the rear of the upper basket 206,
the infant is designed to be
located in close proximity to the person pushing the cart. Snap-and-lock
straps (now shown)
preferably are included with the cart 200 for securing the infant. High side
walls of the upper basket
206 in the rear area further secure the infant. Furthermore, the widthwise
elongate member 230, which
extends between the handles 214,218 in contact with the underneath of the
upper basket 206, is
located closer to the rear of the upper basket than in cart 100 and, in fact,
underlies the infant seating
area.
[082] An opening 246 for accommodating the infant's legs is defined in the
rear wall of the upper
basket 206, and a gate 248 serving as a compartment divider is provided for
forming two
compartments in the cargo area of the upper basket 206 for separating articles
placed in the upper
basket 206 from the infant seating area. While the gate 248 may be fixed in
position to the upper
basket 206 and not movable, preferably the gate 248 is connected to a bottom
of the upper basket 206
for pivoting movement relative thereto, and may be attached by one or more
hinges to the bottom of
the upper basket 206. Alternatively, other mechanisms can be utilized in place
of the one or more
hinges so long as the gate is configurable between a generally upstanding
position, in which the gate
248 divides and compartmentalizes the cargo area, and a generally stowed
position, in which the gate
248 does not divide and compartmentalize the cargo area. A hinged seat
covering 254 also is provided
that is pivotal on the rear wall or floor of the upper basket 206 and further
may be provided for
compartmentalized use of the infant seating area as an area for receiving
articles when an infant is not
seated there; such hinged seat covering 254 prevents articles from falling
through the leg opening 246.
[083] An additional gate 256 is provided that serves to compartmentalize the
cargo area of the upper
basket 206 for separating articles placed in the upper basket 206. The gate
256 preferably lifts and
slides in place to provide adequate compartmentalization of articles,
facilitating for example grocery
grouping. The gate 256 may be connected to a bottom of the upper basket 206
for pivoting movement
relative thereto. In this respect, the gate 256 may be attached by one or more
hinges to the bottom of
the upper basket 206. Alternatively, other mechanisms can be utilized in place
of the one or more
hinges so long as the gate 256 is configurable between a generally upstanding
position, in which the
gate further divides and compartmentalizes the cargo area of the upper basket
256, and a generally
stowed position, in which the gate 256 does not further divide and
compartmentalize the cargo area of
the upper basket 206. In like manner, the lower basket 210 includes a similar
gate 258 that divides and
compartmentalizes the cargo area of the lower basket 210.
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[084] Regarding the toddler seat of the lower basket 210, a seat covering 260
is attached to the floor
of the lower basket 210 in a generally flat orientation against the bottom of
the lower basket 206 so as
to define a seating area of the toddler seat.
[085] Regarding the upper and lower handles, printed media 262 with
promotional advertisements
preferably is positioned within the opening areas as schematically illustrated
in FIGS. 10-15.
[086] Lastly, a wheel base in the rear of the cart 200 may be longer than a
wheel base in the front of
the cart. Alternatively, the wheel bases may be approximately the same.
[087] Carts in accordance with embodiments of the invention are believed to
have a smaller
footprint while providing larger cargo space than conventional carts.
Furthermore, it is contemplated
that one or more embodiments of carts of the present invention can be used in
many different
shopping contexts including, for example, grocery stores, warehouse clubs,
home improvement
retailers, drug chains and specialty retailers. In each context the distance
between the baskets
vertically and horizontally, the size of each basket, and even slight
modifications to the shape of the
baskets can be modified, altered, or changes so as to accommodate the size,
shape, and other attributes
of items intended to be placed into the carts. For example, a home improvement
retailer like The
Home Depot may require a smaller upper basket with a larger lower basket in
order to handle larger
items, while some other retailers might prefer the upper and lower baskets be
similar in size. Such
modifications are within the scope of the invention.
[088] Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by
those persons skilled in
the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and
application. Many embodiments
and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically
described herein, as well as
many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent
from or reasonably
suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof,
without departing from the
substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present
invention has been
described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments,
it is to be understood that
this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention
and is made merely for the
purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The
foregoing disclosure is not
intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude
any such other
embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent
arrangements, the present invention
being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof
Thus, for example,
while the push bar of the prior art is omitted in the illustrated preferred
embodiments, it is
contemplated that in some embodiments of the invention a push bar is included.
Additionally, while
the baskets and rack have been described as preferably being formed from wire,
it is contemplated
within the scope of the invention that any or all of the baskets and rack be
formed from plastic in at
least some embodiments of the invention; and that any or all of the baskets
and rack be made from
formed metal in at least some embodiments of the invention. Moreover, it is
further contemplated that
the chassis be made from plastic or formed metal in at least some embodiments
of the invention.
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