Patent Application
20070018425
1. Field of the Inventions
The disclosed inventions relate generally to a system and apparatus for restraining a cart from unwanted motion.
2. Description of the Related Art
Rolling carts commonly roll away from the user in an inconvenient and undesirable way. For example, if the surface of a parking lot is uneven or sloped, it can be difficult to find a way to stabilize a shopping cart when the shopper is attempting to unlock the car door or unload the groceries. Frequently, both hands are needed to unload heavy items from a shopping cart and place them into a shopper's vehicle. At the same time, however, at least one hand is needed to retain the shopping cart from rolling away and causing damage to other vehicles or to the contents of the cart.
If a child is riding in a shopping cart, the situation can be further complicated because it often takes both hands for an adult to lift the child from the cart. Alternatively, if an adult's attention is momentarily diverted to unlocking or loading a vehicle, the cart may roll away with the child, endangering the child.
Thus, there is a need for a device or system for preventing carts from inconveniently rolling away.
The inventions will be better understood from the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments and from the appended drawings, which are meant to illustrate and not to limit the inventions, and wherein:
A device or system for preventing carts from rolling away would be useful for shoppers individually, as well as for retail establishments. For example, a system can be designed for use by an individual shopper who carries the device in the shopper's vehicle. Alternatively, a system can be designed for use by a retail establishment that adds a device to each shopping cart, for example. Such an addition may give a retail establishment a competitive edge in providing convenience for customers. The device may also allow a retail establishment with a particularly steep parking arrangement to effectively level the playing field.
The fastener 20 can create a temporary or a permanent connection to the cart. In some embodiments, the fastener can insure that the system cannot be easily removed from the cart. This can be accomplished by mechanically coupling the fastener 20 to the cart with metal rivets or welding, for example. In some embodiments, the connection can be made using a locking zip tie. Preferably, the locking zip tie can be employed in conjunction with a sheath (not shown) that limits how tight the zip tie can be sinched down, thus allowing the zip tie to form a ring-like shape. The sheath can also add rigidity and strength to the connection. A locking zip tie can be installed quickly and easily, but can also be difficult to remove, once the zip tie is locked. In some embodiments, the connection can be accomplished using a D-shaped or C-shaped metal ring. In other embodiments, the connection can be accomplished using a flexible cord that has its two ends fastened together (using a locking zip tie, for example) after being threaded through a portion of the cart. Other materials can also be used as the fastener 20. A chain, cable, cord, or strap can also be used, as well as other similar materials. Indeed, any material may be used that provides enough strength to prevent the connection from breaking under the load it is designed to bear. In a preferred embodiment, a rope or a bungee cord is used to connect the device 10 to a cart. The more permanent approach can be useful if the system 10 is provided by the owner of the cart and is intended to remain with the cart permanently as a convenience for all who use the cart.
Other embodiments of a fastener 20 can provide a more temporary connection to the cart, using mechanical or magnetic coupling, for example. In some embodiments, such a temporary connection can be made using velcro, a magnet, a removable hook or hooks, a cord, a snap, a button, a clasp, or other securement means, etc. In some embodiments, the fastener 20 can be a carabiner of the type commonly employed by rock climbers. The less permanent approach can be useful if the cart does not have its own restraint system and the user of the cart wishes to fasten a system 10 to the cart for temporary use.
The fastener 40 at the other end of the system 10 connects the system 10 to a stationary object. The fastener 40 can create a temporary or a permanent connection to the stationary object, but in a preferred embodiment the fastener 40 creates a temporary connection. Various fasteners can be used to create this connection, including those discussed above in relation to the fastener 20. If one of the fasteners 20 or 40 is permanently attached to the cart or a stationary object, preferably the other fastener is not also permanently attached, so that the cart can be mobile when desired by the user. If the system 10 is permanently fastened to a stationary object, the system can be used to keep a group of carts from rolling away from a cart collection area, for example. In some embodiments, the fastener 40 is temporary so it can be connected to a shopper's vehicle, for example. In another embodiment, either of the fasteners 20 or 40 can connect to another cart, thereby coupling two or more carts together.
The two fasteners 20 and 40 can each comprise a plurality of fasteners. For example, the fastener 140 (
In between the fastener 20 and the fastener 40 is an extender 30 that provides a length between the stationary object and the cart. While various lengths are contemplated, the length of the extender 30 can be selected to provide maximum convenience for the intended use of the system 10. For example, if the system is designed for permanent connection to a shopping cart, the extender 30 can be designed to hang down from the handle of the cart without dragging on the ground. In some embodiments, the extender is prevented from swinging by an additional clip or other connector (not shown) on the cart. Such a clip can be designed to allow the device to be easily and repeatedly detached for use, and secured again when the device is not in use. In some embodiments, the length is determined by the arm length of an average user. In some embodiments, the length is determined by how much storage room is available in or along a portion of a cart or a vehicle. The extender 30 can be a telescoping or collapsible rod with an adjustable length. The extender 30 can also be nonrigid, and can comprise a bungee cord or a retractable length of cord wrapped around a spring-biased spindle. In some embodiments, the extender can be a chain, wire, cable, cord, rope, strap, bar, or other similar material. In some embodiments, the extender can be contained within a vehicle and retract into a housing therein, or snap into a groove therein. In some embodiments, the extender is partially rigid and partially nonrigid. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the extender is between approximately 18 inches and approximately 24 inches, but the length can be greater or smaller than this in some advantageous embodiments.
The device 10 can provide safety to all as well as convenience to the user. For example, a retail establishment can improve safety in the parking lot by preventing shopping carts from rolling unchecked. Not only will the device reduce the likelihood of runaway carts inflicting damage on parked vehicles and store patrons, but vehicles will also be less likely to collide with carts. Moreover, the disclosed inventions can prevent a shopping cart from damaging the user's own car. Furthermore, people will be less likely to chase rolling carts into the path of oncoming traffic, and children seated in carts will be less likely to crash if the disclosed inventions are employed to prevent carts from rolling unrestrained.
The illustrated D-shaped fastener 120 can be formed from metal or another sturdy material such as plastic. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener 120 is a rod that has been bent into a D-shape, with the two ends of the rod almost touching at a gap 122. The gap 122 can allow the fastener 120 to surround or fasten to various objects. For example, in some embodiments, the D-shaped fastener 120 can be temporarily bent to fit around a handle or other portion of a shopping cart. Then, the D shape can be restored, making it difficult to remove the fastener 120 from its position encircling the handle without bending the fastener 120 out of shape again. As noted above, in some embodiments, the fastener 120 can be replaced with a carabiner of the type commonly employed by rock climbers. The carabiner has the advantage of a spring-hinged side that can provide for a fast and secure connection. Furthermore, as noted above, the fastener 120 can be replaced with a variety of other fasteners as described above.
The illustrated extender rod 130 can be formed from metal or another sturdy material such as plastic. In the illustrated embodiment, the rod 130 has two integral rings, 132 and 134, formed at each end of the rod 130. The rings 132 and 134 are convenient structures to which the fasteners 120 and 140 can be mechanically coupled. In a preferred embodiment, the rod 130 is approximately 19 inches long, but not longer than approximately 24 inches.
The illustrated hook fastener 140 can be formed from metal or another sturdy material such as plastic. Advantageously, the rod is configured not to scratch or otherwise deface the surface to which it attaches. In a preferred embodiment, the hook 140 is metal, but is coated with a plastic or rubber coating to prevent scratches. Preferably, the hook is approximately 3 inches long. In a preferred embodiment the hook 140 also has a swivel 144 that allows the hook 140 to achieve various orientations with respect to the object to which the hook 140 attaches. The swivel 144 allows the hook to rotate about an axis, allowing it at least one degree of freedom.
In the illustrated embodiment, the hook 140 has a ring 142 that provides a mechanical connection to the ring 134 of the rod 130. The connection between the ring 134 and the ring 142 provides another degree of freedom, allowing the angle between the hook 140 and the rod 130 to change as the ring 142 slides around the ring 134. This connection allows the hook 140 to achieve various orientations with respect to the object to which the hook 140 attaches.
In the embodiment of
The foregoing description sets forth various preferred embodiments and other exemplary but non-limiting embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein. The description gives some details regarding combinations and modes of the disclosed inventions. Other variations, combinations, modifications, modes, and/or applications of the disclosed features and aspects of the embodiments are also within the scope of this disclosure, including those that become apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this specification. Thus, the scope of the inventions claimed herein should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/662,753, filed Mar. 17, 2005, the entirety which is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made part of this specification.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60662753 | Mar 2005 | US |
