[go: up one dir, main page]
More Web Proxy on the site http://driver.im/

CA1294640C - Shopping cart - Google Patents

Shopping cart

Info

Publication number
CA1294640C
CA1294640C CA000547323A CA547323A CA1294640C CA 1294640 C CA1294640 C CA 1294640C CA 000547323 A CA000547323 A CA 000547323A CA 547323 A CA547323 A CA 547323A CA 1294640 C CA1294640 C CA 1294640C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
coin
handle
lock
shopping cart
cart
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
CA000547323A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Rudolf Wanzl
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Wanzl GmbH and Co Holding KG
Original Assignee
Wanzl Metallwarenfabrik GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Wanzl Metallwarenfabrik GmbH filed Critical Wanzl Metallwarenfabrik GmbH
Priority to CA000547323A priority Critical patent/CA1294640C/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1294640C publication Critical patent/CA1294640C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Landscapes

  • Handcart (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT

In order to prevent unused shopping carts from standing around in parking lots, they may be fitted with coin locks which make it possible for the said shopping carts to be loaned out against a deposit. Known coin-locks may be fitted either centrally of the handle area or to the lateral walls of the basket, but this type of arrangement is not without its disadvantages. For instance, it has been found that the position of the coin-locks fitted to the handle of the cart may be wantonly altered and, furthermore, locks so fitted interfere with the seating area of a child to be carried in the cart. Coin-locks fitted laterally to the basket of the cart increase the width of the cart unnecessarily.

Description

SPECIFICATION

The invention relates to a shopping cart which is adapted to be pushed into another shopping cart of the same kind and which is equipped with a means or accommodating purchases, a coin-lock, provided with a coupling device, being arranged in the handle area thereof and permitting free-standing shopping carts to be coupled to and uncoupled from each other on a deposit basis, or to be coupled and uncoupled from a stationary collecting station, or to a shopping cart directly or indirectly connected to such a collecting station.
Shopping carts or transportation carts equipped with coin-locks are known, for example, from German Offenlegungsschriften 25 54 916, 20 000 376, 33 23 962 and from German Gebrauchsmuster 81 21 677. Carts of this kind are loaned out on a deposit basis. They may be either coupled to and uncoupled from each other, and/or may be collected at different locations, in conjunction with stationary collecting stations and may then be loaned out again. In the past, cart-collecting and loan-out systems of this kind have also been introduced into supermarkets, in order to prevent empty carts from being left unused and standing around in parking lots. In the case of conventional shopping carts, however, it is not easy to fit coin-locks to shopping carts in such a manner that they can still be pushed into each other and can still be handled conveniently. For instance, if a coin-lock oE the design according to German OS 25 54 916 were to be fitted to a shopping cart, one would very soon run into difficulties since this coin-lock, because of its size, would project partly into the basket, so that if the ~oods purchased were loaded into the basket at the handle end of the cart, they would always have to be maneuvered around the lock.
The coin-locks described in Gerrnan OS 20 000 367 and in German Utility ~odel 81 21 677 are smaller than the above-mentioned lock and may be secured to the handle located in the rear of the shopping cart. In this case, however, there is a danger of the coin-lock being deliberately rotated about the axis of the handle, or of having its position changed in the course o time as a result of loosening of its attachment elements and thus being rendered unfit for the purpose for which is was intended.
Coin-locks of the type according to German Utility Model ~1 21 677 are itted centrally of the handle, ; so that, if the cart is equipped with a seat for a child, the lock projects into this area.
The disadvantage of the coin-locks shown in German OS 33 23 962 is that they must be fitted to the outside of the lateral walls of the basket. In the case of carts which are already large and wide, coin-locks fittad laterally may make it difficult or impossible to push the said carts through the passages to the cash desks.

~.

~;2~

In the case of a shopping cart of the type mentioned at the beginning hereof, it is therefoxe the purpose of the invention to arrange the coin-lock in such a manner that it does not reduce the space provided for a small child seated in the cart, that it does not interfere with the loading and unloading of the basket, that its position cannot be wantonly changed, and that its position cannot be altered in the course of time by wear and tear.
According to the invention, this purpose is accomplished in that a substantial part of the coin-lock is arranged immediately above one of the two handle-support-arms.
The advantage of the invention is that the coin-lock is arranged on the shopping cart in an area which is not already used in some other way for operating or moving a shopping cart. If the coin-lock is designed in such a manner that it is supported by both the handle-support-arm and the handle itself, it is impossible for it to rotate about a horizontal axis because the two ; 20 attachment sections are arranged at an angle one to the other. Another advantage ma~ be perceived in that the coin-lock does not project, or does not project significantly, in the lateral direction. The width of the cart thus remains practicall~ unchanged. Moreover, a coin-lock arranged according to the invention does not project into the seating area in the cart provided for a child. The space for the child is retained in full.

A further advantage is that by using the space located laterally above the handle for the accommodation of the coin-lock, the area under the handle remains free for the carts to be pushed into each other, and the loading and unloading of the basket is not affectedO
The invention is e~plained hereinafter in greater detail, in conjunction with the three preferred examples of embodiment illustrated in the drawing, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a preferred arrangement of the coin-lock upon the shopping cart;
Figures 2 and 3 show respectively a side elevation and a plan view of one way of securing the coin-lock;
Figure 4 shows another design of coin-lock housing; and Figure 5 shows a way of securing the coin-lock with the aid of a screw-counter-plate.
The invention applies to all usual shopping carts at present in use, for instance shopping carts as in ; Figure 1 which are designed to taper in thP direction of travel so that they can be pushed into each other in order :;
to sa~e space. Shopping carts of this kind usually ha~e a chassis with four wheels, the upper part of the chassis :~ carrying a basket 2, the rear wall of which is in the form of a flap 4 adapted to swing about a horizontal a~is located in the upper part and thus to pivot into the interior of the said basket. The said flap may also be equipped with a known seat for a child. A
:

6 ~

handle-support-arm 6 is located on each side of rear end 3 of basket 2. The said arms are connected together by a handle 7 which is preferabl~ of tubular cross-section and is screwed to the said support-arms. A coin-lock 10, equipped with a coupling device 12, is preferably arranged on the left hand side of the cart, with a substantial part of its volume above support-arm 6. The said coin-lock allows free-standing carts 1, 1' to be coupled to and uncoupled from each other on a deposit basis. Such carts can also be coupled to and uncoupled f rom a stationary collecting station, or a shopping cart 1 directly or indirectly connected to such a collecting station.
Collecting stations are described in German OS 33 03 076 for example.
Figures 2 and 3 are a side elevation and a plan view respectively showing one way of securing the coin-lock to a handle-support arm. There is no need to describe the configuration and method of operation of coin-lock 10.
Since the said coin-lock always has a housing, the shape thereof may be such as to allow the loc~ to be secured in the vicinity of the joint between handle-support-arm 6 and adjoining end 8 of the handle, as shown in the example.
The coin-lock usually comprises a coupling device 12. In the e~ample of embodiment, this coupling device is in the form of a stirrup which extends from the coin-lock 10 and which, when two shopping carts are coupled together, is inserted into an opening 14 in the coin-lock of another shopping cart where it is locked by suitable catch and locking-means. The coin-lock comprises a slot 15 for inserting and removing coins. In the example, the coin-lock consists o~ a cubic housing 11 comprising a shaft 16 running obliquely upwardly, the contour of the said housing bein~ adapted to the upper part of a handle-support-arm 6. In the example, this contour matches the looped ~orm of handle-support-arm 6, an opening 18, preferably cylindrical in shape, being provided in housing 11, centrally of the curvature of the loop, on a horizontal axis running at right angles to shaft 16. Towards the outside, opening 18 has a cylindrical section 19 for the accommodation of a washer 20 through which there passes a screw 21 which is screwed into an expanding element 22 located at end 8 of handle 7. This prevents the coin-slot from rotating on the shopping cart. Both shaft 16 and opening 18 constitute attachment sections, the said sections being arranged at an angle to each other so that they do not lie upon a common axis. By means of these attachment sections, the coin-lock rests upon one of the two handle-support-arms and also upon handle 7.
Instead of sha~t 16, it is conceivable to provide a depression, arranged on the same level as the shaft, in the outer wall of housing 11, the said depression being designed to match the contour of handle-support-arm 6. In this case the said arm would ~e almost completely visible from the outside. Only washer 20 would conceal a small section of arm 6 in the vicinity of the loop thereof.
In the case of the coin-lock shown in Figure 4, attachment section 23 is in the form of a so-called handle-cap. Such caps are known to be used to secure tubular shopping-cart handles 7 to handle-support arms 6, each cap consisting of a bush-like extension, the longitudinal axis of which is horizontal when the cart is in use and being provided for the accommodation of a part of the handle. Formed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the bush-like extension is a pocket provided for the accommodation of the upper-end section of a handle-support-arm. Centrally of the longitudinal axis a common opening connects the said pocket and the bush-like extension, so that a screw may be introduced from the outside of the pocket, into the opening, for the purpose of attaching the handle.
Bush-like extension 24, in which a part of handle 7 is located, may be seen in the drawing. Pocket 26 is arranged at right angles to extension 24 and is directed downwardly in the direction of tra~el. It accommodates the upper end-section of a handle-support-arm 6. Coin-lock 10 is secured to arm 6 by means of a single screw 21 which runs along longitudinal axis 25 from the outside to handle 7 where it is screwed to an expanding element 22 located in handle 7. The main part of coin-lock 10, with coupling :~2~

device 12 and slot 15 for inserting and removing coins, is located above attachment section 23. Screw 21 and expanding element 22 are not shown physically.
As seen in a cross-sectional representation in the direction of travel, Figure 5 shows how to secure a coin-lock 10 the handle-support-arm 6 of a shopping cart 1 already in use. In this design, right and left-hand handle caps remain on the shopping cart. Housing 11 of the coin-lock consists of a housing section 28 locat~d directly above handle-support-arm 6, the said housing taking up a substantial part of the volume of the lock. A downwardly directed web in the form of a plate comes to rest from the outside laterally upon handle-support-arm 6. Located on the inside of the latter is a counter-plate 30 carrying at least two threaded holes. Web 9 carries holes for the accommodation of screws 21 which are inserted into the holes from the outside. The said screws pass through the free central part of arm 6 and are screwed into the threaded holes in counter-plate 30. Depending upon the design and dimensions of handle-caps 27, it ma~ be hecessary, during assembly, to drill at least one hole through cap 27, in order to be able to pass corresponding screw 21 from web 29 to counter-plate 30. As an advantage of this design, it may be mentioned that there is no need to make any changes in the arrangement of handle-caps 27, handle 7, and their means of attachment, since these components do not play a major part in the attachment of the coin-lock.
In conclusion, it remains to be pointed out that the arrangement of coin-lock 10 on a shopping cart 1 in the area shown in the examples is extremely favourable. If the lock is only 45mm thick, which has been shown to be quite possible in practice, it will easily be seen that, with a normal width of about 500mm, enough space remains to hold handle 7 and that the space required for a cen-trally arranged seat for a child, namely a width of 260mm, will not be affected by the laterally arranged coin-lock. In practice~ the coin-lock projects laterally from the cart by only 6 to lOmm and this is negligible in the case of a normal shopping cart which is 600mm in width.
The invention is not concerned only with shopping carts 1, 1'~ It also covers all other usual carts which are moved by hand, telescope into each other, are provided for transporting goods, and have a handle 7 mounted in handle-support-arms 6. In this connection it is possible for the said arms and handle to be made in one piece. The invention has been described in connection with a shopping cart 1 mereIy because at the present time coin-locks are preferably used for shopping carts 1, 1'.

:~

Claims (6)

1. A shopping cart having a handle and handle support arms adapted to be pushed into another shopping cart of the same kind and equipped with a means for accommodating purchases, a coin-lock, provided with a coupling device, being arranged in the handle area thereof and permitting free-standing shopping carts to be coupled to and uncoupled from each other on a deposit basis, or to be coupled to and uncoupled from a stationary collecting station, or to a shopping cart directly or indirectly connected to such a collecting station, in which the coin-lock is arranged in the vicinity of one of the two handle support arms and rests upon said handle support arm and also upon the handle.
2. A shopping cart according to claim 1, in which the coin-lock (10) comprises a housing (11) which is equipped with a shaft (10), or with a pocket (26), or with an externally arranged depression for the accommodation of a part of the handle support arm (6), and has an opening (18) which is provided for the accommodation of a part of the handle (7).
3. A shopping cart according to claim 1 or 2, in which the coin-lock (10) is secured to the handle support arm (6) by means of a single screw (21).
4. A shopping cart according to claim 1, in which the coin-lock (10) is provided with a downwardly directed web (29) for securing the said coin-lock (10) to a handle support arm (6).
5. A shopping cart according to claim 4, in which the coin-lock (10) rests, in conjunction with a counter-plate (30), upon one of the two handle support arms (6).
6. A shopping cart according to one of claims 1, 4 and 5, in which the handle-cap (27) is arranged between the web (29) and the counter-plate (30).
CA000547323A 1987-09-18 1987-09-18 Shopping cart Expired - Lifetime CA1294640C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000547323A CA1294640C (en) 1987-09-18 1987-09-18 Shopping cart

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000547323A CA1294640C (en) 1987-09-18 1987-09-18 Shopping cart

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1294640C true CA1294640C (en) 1992-01-21

Family

ID=4136485

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000547323A Expired - Lifetime CA1294640C (en) 1987-09-18 1987-09-18 Shopping cart

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1294640C (en)

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5377795A (en) Two-way towable luggage
US4511155A (en) One wheel trailer for a two-wheeled vehicle
AU651993B2 (en) Combination carrier cart/table device
US4632409A (en) Combination automobile infant seat and baby stroller assembly
US6390343B1 (en) Cargo carrier mechanism
US4618157A (en) Beach hand cart
US4062564A (en) Collapsible golf cart
US4315632A (en) Folding two-wheeled hand truck
US20040163208A1 (en) Mechanism for limiting casters to move forwardly while towing luggage obliquely
US5785472A (en) Convertible support for a header transport wagon
US6991249B2 (en) Fold flat child and cargo carrier trailers and strollers, including pivoting wheel axles
US4871291A (en) Retainer blade arm locking means for wheel lift apparatus
US4969656A (en) Multi-place stroller
US5154440A (en) Coupler lock
US5951029A (en) Transport cart with deposit lock
CA1294640C (en) Shopping cart
JPH05182075A (en) Carrying cart
JPH05504800A (en) Universal personal property locking device
US4896910A (en) Combination bumper and tire storage compartment
US20020195299A1 (en) Stroller brake with supporting function
US4758009A (en) Transport hand-cart
CN109523702A (en) A kind of automatic selling machine
GB2276148A (en) Wheel assembly for luggage articles
US7503574B1 (en) Bicycle caddie
US6161861A (en) Appliance-moving dolly kit

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MKLA Lapsed