Abstract: An improved plastic dolly is disclosed. The plastic dolly includes a pair of longitudinal side members and a pair of transverse end members coupled by lap joints to form a preferably rectangular frame. Plastic riser pads are disposed on each of the members and have protective caps disposed thereon to protect items being transported by the dolly. The riser pad has a series of slots disposed around its lower edge for receiving complimentary tabs disposed on the lower inner edge of the protective pad. Protrusions on the tabs engage shoulder portions of the slots to secure the protective cap on the riser pad.

Abstract: An improved plastic dolly is disclosed. The plastic dolly includes a pair of longitudinal side members and a pair of transverse end members coupled by lap joints to form a preferably rectangular frame. The various members are formed of high density polyethylene and are strengthened by ribs. The lap joints are rabbeted to form stronger lap joints. The longitudinal side members are strengthened by disposing a metal bar in a groove at the outside edge of the longitudinal side members, and the transverse end members are strengthened by forming its ribs in a pyramidal or triangular shape toward the center of the transverse end members.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic wheeled cart chassis for use with a bottom-supported plastic basket having a downwardly facing basket mounting portion. The chassis includes a molded longitudinally extending base, with front and rear wheels. A basket support is connected to the base which has coupling means for quickly and releasably coupling a basket to the chassis. Each of the major structural elements of the chassis is provided with reinforcing rails and plates to increase the strength and rigidity of the chassis.

Abstract: A signalling device for detecting and signalling the presence of articles on the bottom package tray (20) of a shopping cart as the shopping cart is moved through an aisle adjacent a checkout station (72) comprises a pair of springs (40, 42) positioned at the forward end of tray (20) and operative to bias tray (20) in an upper position relative the frame of the cart. A photoelectric assembly (70) is positioned at a checkout station (72) and directs a beam of light (74) across the path of the shopping cart as the cart is moved alongside checkout station (72). A reflector (60) is mounted on bottom tray (20) proximate the rear end thereof and is oriented to reflect light directed toward one side of the cart. Reflector (60) is normally biased in an upper postion and is movable to a lowered position in the path of light beam (74) when an article is placed on tray (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plastic dolly having a pair of longitudinal side members and a pair of transverse end members coupled together by lap joints to form a frame, preferably a rectangle. The various members are molded in a honeycomb/cellular configuration to conserve product weight and materials. Each of the four corner joints includes a caster fastening hole for receiving a caster fastening bolt which securely fastens the joints together and carries a dolly caster wheel. Additional strength and rigidity is provided to the dolly by two long, preferably metal, reinforcement elements disposed in grooves running longitudinally in the side members and extending into the end members.

Abstract: A bottom-supported plastic basket for use with a wheeled cart frame having an upwardly facing frame mounting portion. The two sides, the front and the bottom of the basket are integrally molded. The bottom portion of the basket includes a plurality of quick release locking features which permit the basket to be readily coupled and decoupled from a cart chassis having corresponding mounting features. The basket may also be coupled to a conventional cart chassis.

Abstract: A cart having a basket and wheeled frame with a pair of flared protective flanges. The protective flanges attach to the lower section of the wheeled frame and extend rearwardly, downwardly and laterally outwardly to prevent the rear wheel castors of the cart from inadvertently causing damage to adjacent objects during routine use and to shield the rear wheel castors of the cart from lateral and upwardly directed impacts.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a basket for use as the rear basket in an over-the-counter cart having a horizontal frame to which a front and a rear basket are attached. The basket comprises two opposed side panels, a rear panel and a bottom panel attached together along their contiguous edges. A seat back panel is pivotally attached to the side panels and a child's seat is pivotally attached to the bottom panel. The rear panel of the basket includes a pair of leg holes for receiving the legs of a small child sitting in the basket. A lifting bar is adapted to move the child seat to a first position in juxtaposition to the bottom panel when the seat back panel is moved to a seat back position substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel and to move the child seat to a second position covering the leg openings when the seat back panel is moved to a seat back position in juxtaposition to the bottom panel.

Abstract: An integrally-formed plastic basket, moldable in a two-piece injection mold, combines light weight, strength, and large carrying capacity. Thin side walls with a draft no greater than 3.degree. are formed with overlapping cross-members. Between a pair of unslotted, substantially planar cross-members is a slotted, corrugated cross-member. Interior slots are formed by the core die of the injection mold, while exterior slots are formed by the cavity die.

Abstract: A cart having a basket, including front, bottom, rear and opposed rectangular side panels which is attached to a wheeled cart frame. The rear panel is pivotally attached to the upper rear portion of the basket for nesting. The lower portion of the basket is pivotally attached to the frame and is maintained in a horizontal use position by two opposed latching protrusions attached to the basket and having notches which engage the edges of openings positioned on each side of the frame. During nesting, the basket is automatically rotated to a predetermined upper position whereby the front portion of the basket is tilted upwardly so that it can enter inside the rear portion of the next forward cart. When the latching notches are disengaged from the openings, the basket is automatically rotated upward by the force of latching springs coupling the basket to the frame.

Abstract: An over-the-counter cart utilizing separate rear and front baskets and having a wheeled metal frame. The front basket is made of plastic wherein the side panels, the bottom panel and the front panel, having an opening, are integrally molded of open lattice work construction. A metal unitary bar extends along the open perimeter of the plastic basket and along a portion of the underside of its bottom panel adjacent its rear edge. Separate metal hinge bars, on each side of the plastic basket, are attached to the unitary bar and extend along a portion of the underside of the plastic basket; the free ends of these bars are received within a hinge tube, mounted on the cart frame, to allow the basket's rotation from a horizontal position to a vertical position to allow nesting of the carts. A hingedly attached child seat and seat back panel are incorporated into the rear basket.

Abstract: A child's seat comprising a plastic seat panel and a plastic leg opening cover both of which are pivotally mounted at their rear edges on a transverse support wire, that itself is slidably mounted upon the cart rear frame. The forward edge of the seat panel has a plurality of curved flanges that engage a support wire mounted on the seat back frame. Interaction between the flanges, the wire, and the edges of a recess in the seat back frame adjacent to the wire holds the components interlocked, while allowing the pivot movement of the seat panel with respect to the seat back frame. A reinforced plastic seat back frame has two leg portions each terminating at its bottom in an S-shaped portion that fits into an opening in the cart rear panel to support the seat back frame and allow pivotal movement thereof. The plastic seat back frame is reinforced by a pattern of integrally molded ribs. Additional reinforcement is obtained by utilizing metal inserts placed in channels between adjacent ribs.

Abstract: This child seat comprises a plastic seat panel and a plastic leg opening cover, both of which are pivotally mounted on a transverse support wire, that itself is slidably mounted upon the rear panel of the cart. The forward edge of the seat panel interlocks with the pivotable metal seat support frame. The rear edge of the seat panel is locked onto the support wire by the leg opening cover, which snaps onto the wire. The leg opening cover has recesses for accommodating the support wire that have a restricted entrance portion through which the support wire must be forced.

Abstract: A molded plastic crate for eggs packaged in cartons and adapted to receive a plurality of layers of multiple cartons in a manner to releasably retain and to protect the individual cartons against damage during handling. The configuration of the crate permits stacking when filled or nesting when empty, resists lateral deflection of the side walls, and facilitates removal of the individual cartons for merchandising the eggs directly from the crate.

Abstract: A cart having a wheeled metal frame and a plastic basket. The two sides, the front, and the bottom of the plastic basket are integrally molded, and are of open lattice construction. An endless metal ring encircles the upper edge of the basket, and also wraps around the corner posts of the metal cart frame to anchor the basket to the cart frame. The bottom portion of the basket is also anchored to the frame. The back panel of the basket is of latticed plastic, and is pivotally attached to the endless metal ring by support wires, which also function as bumpers to protect the plastic back panel during nesting of the carts. The rear edges of each side of the basket conform with the rear posts of the frame. A child's seat is incorporated into the back panel of the basket.

Abstract: A quadratic box formed of six panels, one of which is hinged to function as a lid. A removable plastic bag for containing liquid is encased within the box. A large portion of each of the panels is of open lattice construction with strengthening ribs. Sections of solid construction are provided at some points to enable the box to withstand the pressure of the liquid contained in the encased bag. The hinges attaching the lid each comprise a shaft carried by one panel seated in a recess formed in another panel, the shaft being held in place in the groove by a removable metal spring clip that closes the top of the recess. One of the end panels contains an opening through which a liquid dispensing tube can be extended, and this end panel is sloped toward the opening to allow complete drainage of liquid.