Nesting Vehicles Patents (Class 280/33.991)
  • Patent number: 6955363
    Abstract: A toy shopping cart has a basket and seat that may be used for different functions and which are easily removed from and reattached to a frame of the shopping cart. The frame of the toy shopping cart has a pair of leg assemblies with four wheels and a number of cross-members with a holding channel formed on one of the cross-members to removably support the basket by a rim and the seat by a holding member in position at the front and the rear of the frame. The basket includes a housing with a base that is supported by a second of the cross-members when held in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth A. Libretti, Frederick Loh Man Wai, Jon Marine
  • Publication number: 20050212233
    Abstract: Nestable cart includes a top, a bottom spaced apart from the top, and left and right sides extending between the top and the bottom. The bottom may be configured for moving upwardly relative to a rear of the cart, so that the bottom is movable between a horizontally extended use or non-nesting position and a somewhat vertically extending non-use or nesting position. When the bottom is in its nesting position, a further cart may be inserted into a front of the cart for being nested substantially within the cart. The cart and the further cart may be configured for nesting together without interfering with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventor: Donald Hall
  • Publication number: 20050189731
    Abstract: An improved plastic basket shopping cart includes a cart base having an upwardly extending rear frame section with a handle and at least three wheels rotatably mounted on the cart base. A generally rectangular box shaped plastic basket is mounted on the cart base, and includes a base wall, left and right side walls and a front wall, the side walls and the front wall having a plurality of generally rectangular wall openings having a height greater than their width, excepting those wall openings adjacent the base wall being generally square in shape for improved structural strength. Rear flange sections extend outwards and rearwards from the side walls to substantially cover the gaps between the side walls and the rear frame section. Finally, a basket rim support wire extends circumferentially around and through upper portions of the side walls and front wall and connects to the rear frame section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Terry Swanson, Larry Swanson
  • Patent number: 6932363
    Abstract: A collapsible and portable cart for universal use in a wide variety of residential and commercial environments, transporting different and various items, while shopping, gardening, laundry, transporting boxes or luggage, etc. The cart has base portion with wheels, which enable to move over the ground and a first foldable basket for heavy loads; and the rapper portion, that has a second foldable basket. Base portion is pivotally connected to the upper portion by link arms and secured by locking mechanisms. Both baskets have locking mechanism to keep the foldable screens in an upright position. The portable universal cart includes a receptacle with compartments, having different devices, to make the use of the cart more pleasing, safe and with more comfort for the user. The portable universal cart has different configurations according the user's need.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Eduardo Felipe D'Angelo
  • Patent number: 6926291
    Abstract: A shopping cart has a wheeled base, a rear frame projecting upwardly from the rear end of the base with a handle at its upper end, and a basket having a rear end secured to the frame and projecting forwardly from the frame at a spacing above the base. The basket is closed by a pivoted rear gate at its rear end. A fixed child seat is secured to the cart adjacent the upper end of the rear frame so as to project forwardly from the rear frame above the basket. Two or more carts can be nested together by pushing the front wall of the basket of a first cart through the rear frame beneath the fixed child seat of a second cart, simultaneously pivoting the rear gate upwardly to allow the basket of the first cart to enter the basket of the second cart. Removable caster lifts may be located on the base such that the rear wheels of a forward cart are lifted when two carts are nested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: V. John Ondrasik
  • Patent number: 6923456
    Abstract: In a shopping cart, which is nestable into a preceding, similarly constructed cart and into which a following, similarly constructed cart is nestable, a chassis has front and rear casters including two rear, transversely spaced casters and has two generally longitudinal members, each extending along one side of the chassis, on which two camming elements are mounted. A transversely extending member is mounted to and bridges the longitudinal members. The transversely extending member is adapted to be upwardly cammed by the camming elements of a following, similarly constructed cart, which is being nested into the shopping cart, so as to elevate the rear casters of the shopping cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Unarco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Ryan, Richard Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 6910697
    Abstract: Apparatus that assist a shopper during his visit to a merchant store. In one embodiment in the form of a shopping cart, the invention enables a shopper to check himself out of the merchant store. The shopping cart includes a bar-code scanner. The shopping cart rejects non-scanned goods and accepts or rejects scanned goods as directed by the shopper. In another embodiment, the shopping cart includes a web-enabled computer with display. The computer displays product-specific information. The shopping cart computer may detach from the cart—with or without its accessories. The shopper can use the same computer at home to browse the web, to prepare for the shopping trip, to do other transactions. The shopper puts goods in a input bin of the shopping cart. One or more scanners attached to the input bin scan the product for identity. The computer retrieves product-specific information and displays this information on its display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Anandakumar Varatharajah, Eric A. Bunn
  • Patent number: 6908087
    Abstract: A mobile load carrier comprises a castor mounting arrangement comprising two or swivellable castors mounted on a first member (7), characterized in that said first member (7) is rotatably attached to a second member or member (5), along a fixed, substantially horizontal axis (6) substantially perpendicular to the primary direction of travel of the mobile load carrier, said second member(s) (7) being attached to, or forming part of, the structure of the mobile load carrier, such that any movement of the castors' swivel axes, relative to the chassis, is synchronous, with movement only being possible via the rotatable attachment of the first member (7) to the second member(s) (5). Preferably the rotation is load dependent with the load dependency optionally being provided by one or more biasing members (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Dynamic Products Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Wintersgill, John Robinson
  • Publication number: 20050121863
    Abstract: A toy shopping cart has a basket and seat that may be used for different functions and which are easily removed from and reattached to a frame of the shopping cart. The frame of the toy shopping cart has a pair of leg assemblies with four wheels and a number of cross-members with a holding channel formed on one of the cross-members to removably support the basket by a rim and the seat by a holding member in position at the front and the rear of the frame. The basket includes a housing with a base that is supported by a second of the cross-members when held in the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Elizabeth Libretti, Frederick Wai, Jon Marine
  • Patent number: 6889998
    Abstract: A foldable utility cart (10) includes a pair of spaced, parallel frame members (22). A collar (50) is disposed about each of the frame members (22) and is slidable therealong. A pair of front legs (40) and a pair of rear legs (46) are pivotally connected to the collars (50). The front and rear legs (40, 46) each support a wheel (44, 48). The collars (50) can be moved from a raised position where the legs (40, 46) and wheels (44, 48) are folded adjacent each other, to a lowered position where the legs (40, 46) and wheels (44, 48) are extended to support the cart (10) for movement on the ground. The cart (10) includes a moveable basket carrier assembly (18). The basket carrier assembly (18) includes toothed racks (110) that are connected to channel members (24) for movement therealong. A ratchet clutch (136) is used to permit up or down movement of the racks (110) and to maintain the racks (110) at any desired vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Creative Action LLC
    Inventors: Ronni S. Sterns, Harvey L. Sterns, Anthony A. Sterns, Charles A. Nelson, James J. Kilcoyne, Wayne D. Porter, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20050087944
    Abstract: A trolley includes a front wheel assemblie (12) and a rear wheel assembly both assemblies mounted on a trolley frame. The front wheel assembly (12) includes a fixed wheel assembly (24) to aid control of the trolley. In one form the front wheel assembly (12) includes a pair of swivel castors (18) and a fixed wheel assembly (24) disposed between the castors (18). The front wheel assembly (12) is designed so that when the castors (18) swivel from their orientation for forward travel, the fixed wheel assembly (24) is caused to be lifted off the ground. The trolley also includes a camming device which is operative to lift the front wheel assembly (12) off the ground when the trolley is moved into a nested configuration with a like trolley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventor: Brian Higgins
  • Patent number: 6880652
    Abstract: A cart pulling vehicle for use in parking lots made up of a hand operated motor-driven base which pulls shopping carts. The device utilizes a cable that is retractably mounted on the base and stretches to surround the line of carts pulled. This cable is retracted by a pair of cable drums at its ends which are driven by torsion springs. These separate dual torsion springs place torque on the cable drums which, in turn, exert tension on each half of the cable. When the cart pulling vehicle is in motion, a lock arrangement prevents additional cable from unreeling which the tension on each side cable pulling the carts in a train-like fashion. When the vehicle is stopped, a lock is released and the cable is able to extend to surround additional carts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Dane Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Holtan, Daniel T. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6874807
    Abstract: A coupling device for a handling trolley comprises a drawbar (22) arranged at the front of the trolley and designed to co-operate with the hook (24) provided at the back of a tractor, in particular a trolley preceding a line of trolleys. The drawbar (22) comprises a longitudinal slot (36) wherein the hook (24) is designed to slide such that the hook can slide in the longitudinal slot between a position spaced apart wherein the trolley (10) is at a maximum distance from the tractor while it is being towed and a closer position wherein the trolley is at a minimum distance from the tractor to reduce the space requirement when it is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Thermique Moteur
    Inventors: Jean Labadie, Jean-Pierre Cribier
  • Publication number: 20050067801
    Abstract: As is conventional, a steerable trolley (10), such as a supermarket trolley, has a pair of front wheels (16, 18), a pair of rear wheels (20, 22) and a handle adjacent its rear by which a user can push the trolley forwards. The rear wheels have a wider track (R) than the track (F) of the front wheels, and each of the wheels is mounted to the body as a trailing castor. In order to improve the ease with which the trolley can be cornered, at least one of the wheels (and preferably each of the wheels) is mounted to the body so that the height at which that wheel supports the body above the ground is dependent on the trailing angle of that wheel such that when the trolley is pushed forwards in a turn the weight supported by the front wheel on the inside of the turn increases. This can be simply achieved by providing the rear wheels with negative camber (<i>r</i>) and the front wheels with positive camber (<i>f</i>).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventor: Alaister Copland
  • Patent number: 6869085
    Abstract: A cart grip sanitary cover is provided having multiple layers each with a top face, a bottom face, and a periphery formed therebetween. The bottom face of each layer has adhesive formed thereon for adhering to a top face of an adjacent layer therebeneath. The layers are stacked with a bottommost layer being attachable to a grip of a cart. In use, a topmost layer of the sanitary cover is removable for exposing another layer therebeneath for providing a sanitary surface to be gripped by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventors: Victoria I. Pettigrew, Stephen H. Pettigrew
  • Patent number: 6860493
    Abstract: A nestable cart has a generally flat base or platform supported on caster wheels and having sides which taper inwardly from the rear end to the front end of the platform. An upwardly extending handle frame extends upwardly from the rear end of the cart. An open area beneath the platform is designed to receive the front end of a platform of a second cart in order to nest two carts together. A nesting guide formation is provided at one end of the platform to guide two platforms into nesting engagement while lifting the rear wheels of a front cart from the ground during nesting of a rear cart into the front cart. The guide formation may be one or more rotating members such as rollers or guide wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Precision Wire Racks & Carts, Inc.
    Inventor: Miguel J. Orozco
  • Publication number: 20050040614
    Abstract: A cart having a frame member with upright and lateral frame portions. A platform is attached to the lateral frame portion and a removable seat assembly is secured to the upright frame portion. The cart includes a coupling mechanism for coupling to an adjacent cart, of a different type, if required. The platform may be pivotally attached to the frame member. The cart may be nestable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Christopher Johnson, Ralph McCann
  • Patent number: 6857642
    Abstract: A dolly and a tray and dolly assembly are provided. The dolly has a floor with upper and lower surfaces and with one or more features such that when the tray floor is received on the dolly floor, the feature interlocks the tray with the dolly. One feature is a plurality of protruding members extending upwardly from the dolly floor upper surface into openings in the tray floor to interlock the tray with the dolly. Another feature is the presence of dolly side wall locking portions configured to abut and mate with corresponding tray side wall bottom locking portions on the tray to interlock the dolly with the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Robert V. Gruber
  • Publication number: 20040262864
    Abstract: A shopping trolley (10) has a basket (11), handle (12) and front and rear wheels (13, 14). The basket (11), tapered in plan view, has side walls (15, 16) interconnected by a front wall (17). The rear wall (19) is hingedly connected to the side walls (15, 16) and engages the rearward end of the floor (22), which is hingedly connected to the side walls (15, 16) or front wall (17). The floor (22) is downwardly inclined from the rearward end to the forward end. When the trolley (10) is nested with a similar trolley, the rear wall (19) is swung inwardly and upwardly, causing the floor (22) to be swung upwardly to be behind the front wall (17). Alternative the floor (22) may be folded e.g. in a concertina-like fashion, to be behind the front wall (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Fraser
  • Patent number: 6832768
    Abstract: In a shopping cart comprising a rear gate, which has two leg openings, and a child seat, which comprises a seat base, a seat back, and a seat panel, the seat base includes a cupholder, which is covered when the seat panel is pivoted to a position wherein the seat panel covers the seat base but not when the seat panel is pivoted to a position wherein the seat panel rests against the rear gate and covers the leg openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Unarco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Val-Jean Duchene, Taft O'Quin
  • Publication number: 20040222603
    Abstract: Auxiliary wheelchair for disposing on a primary wheelchair. The auxiliary wheelchair includes first and second frame sections that are telescopically connected together. The second frame section is actuatable relative to the first frame section from a first support configuration to a second support configuration. The first support configuration is when the first frame section and the second frame section are spaced apart and a primary wheelchair seat supports the first and second frame sections. The second support configuration is when the second frame section is in contact engagement with a support surface and the first frame section is in contact engagement with the primary wheelchair seat so that the auxiliary wheelchair is supported by the primary wheelchair seat and the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Guy Pichette
  • Patent number: 6805365
    Abstract: A shopping cart in which the carriage is made principally of rectangular U-shaped channels and the basket is made of resin which on its sides are reinforced by U-shaped channel members each extending angularly up from the carriage into merged relation in a matching groove provided in the interior surface of each side of the basket. Front wheels of the carriage are swivelably mounted on a vertical shaft having a resilient securing assembly to minimize tendencies toward wobble of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventor: Charles J. Lantz
  • Publication number: 20040201187
    Abstract: A shopping cart has a wheeled base, a rear frame projecting upwardly from the rear end of the base with a handle at its upper end, a basket having a rear end secured to the frame and projecting forwardly from the frame at a spacing above the base, and a fixed child seat secured to the rear frame. The basket is closed by a pivoted rear gate at its rear end. Two or more carts can be nested together by pushing the front wall of the basket of a first cart through the rear frame beneath the fixed child seat of a second cart, simultaneously pivoting the rear gate upwardly to allow the basket of the first cart to enter the basket of the second cart. The side walls are inclined upwardly from the child seat to the front end of the basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: V. John Ondrasik
  • Publication number: 20040145135
    Abstract: A mobile load carrier comprises a castor mounting arrangement comprising two or swivellable castors mounted on a first member (7), characterised in that said first member (7) is rotatably attached to a second member or member (5), along a fixed, substantially horizontal axis (6) substantially perpendicular to the primary direction of travel of the mobile load carrier, said second member(s) (7) being attached to, or forming part of, the structure of the mobile load carrier, such that any movement of the castors' swivel axes, relative to the chassis, is synchronous, with movement only being possible via the rotatable attachment of the first member (7) to the second member(s) (5). Preferably the rotation is load dependent with the load dependency optionally being provided by one or more biasing members (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen Wintersgill, John Robinson
  • Patent number: 6766931
    Abstract: A grocery-store shopping cart having a main container and an insulated inner container detachably secured within the main container and positioned substantially entirely below the plane of the main-container top edge and adjacent to one endwall thereof to leave substantial storage volume in the main container but outside the inner container, to facilitate diverse-condition grocery cartage. Preferred features include: the inner container being flush with or recessed below the plane to avoid interference during nesting; a hinged cover; and equal acute angles between (1) a main-container endwall and the plane and (2) an inner-container wall and the inner-container top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: Margrit Wolf
  • Patent number: 6761364
    Abstract: A plastic shopping cart is disclosed. In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, all of the components of a shopping cart are formed from a moldable material such as, for example, a thermoplastic resin by means of an injection molding process or the like. The shopping cart is configured so that any metallic parts that are used to connect the various plastic components together are shielded from the ambient environment. This virtually eliminates any rusting and corrosion of any metallic parts that are used to connect the various components of the shopping cart together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Patent Holding Company
    Inventors: Jason T. Murar, Jeffrey M. Stribbell, Donald L. Wilson, Jr., William G. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6749204
    Abstract: A cup holder attached to or incorporated into a portion of an open top basket of a standard wire mesh shopping cart. The cup holder used for holding different types and sizes of beverage cups. The cup holder, in one embodiment, including a circular cup ring. The cup ring used for receiving a portion of a beverage cup therethrough. The cup ring attached to a swivel mounted on a top portion of a round vertical telescoping cup ring support. A lower portion of the cup ring support attached to a first side of the open top basket mounted on a cart frame of the shopping cart. Also, one or more cup rings may be incorporated into a bottom portion of a foldable rack attached to a rear of the open top basket. A portion of the various cup holders can include used for advertising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: BEW Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Brent E. Werner
  • Patent number: 6746030
    Abstract: A shopping trolley has a passenger compartment, and an entertainment system such as sound or sound and video providing device. In use a child may be placed inside the passenger compartment and entertained while an adult shops using the trolley to carry goods as well as the child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas James Bartlett
  • Publication number: 20040104549
    Abstract: A supermarket trolley comprising a base with wheels and a basket both made of a moulded plastic material. The basket is connected posteriorly to a pair of uprights of the base by means of respective substantially comb like formations mutually complementary and meshing with each other, whereto are associated mutually engaged tongue and groove elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: PLASTIMARK S.P.A.
    Inventor: Michelangelo Bergia
  • Publication number: 20040084863
    Abstract: In a shopping cart, which is nestable into a preceding, similarly constructed cart and into which a following, similarly constructed cart is nestable, a chassis has front and rear casters including two rear, transversely spaced casters and has two generally longitudinal members, each extending along one side of the chassis, on which two camming elements are mounted. A transversely extending member is mounted to and bridges the longitudinal members. The transversely extending member is adapted to be upwardly cammed by the camming elements of a following, similarly constructed cart, which is being nested into the shopping cart, so as to elevate the rear casters of the shopping cart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Unarco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Ryan, Richard Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 6705623
    Abstract: The modular plastic shopping cart comprises a wheeled base comprising two opposite vertical side sections each having at least one horizontally projecting member providing a support surface; two side uprights removably connectable to the wheeled base, predetermined cooperating shapes of the wheeled base and the side uprights preventing, when assembled, relative pivoting and sliding movement between the side uprights and the wheeled base; a basket removably connectable to the side uprights, predetermined cooperating shapes of the side uprights and the basket preventing, when assembled, relative pivoting and sliding movement between the basket and the side uprights; first securing device for securing the side uprights to the wheeled base; and second securing device for securing the basket to the side uprights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Les Industries Rondi Inc.
    Inventors: Serge Nadeau, Jean-Christophe Doyon
  • Publication number: 20040046341
    Abstract: A shopping cart, which is nestable into a preceding, similarly constructed cart and into which a following, similarly constructed cart is nestable, comprises a chassis having front and rear casters, having a transversely extending bar, and having similarly shaped, transversely spaced, camming elements,
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Unarco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 6698770
    Abstract: In a cart and a carrier for medical equipment, the carrier has a bottom section and a back section and a pair of wheels and is arranged on an axle at the junction between the bottom section and the back section. The axle functions as a pivot axle and the back section as a lever for lifting the entire bottom section off the floor when the carrier is moved. Smooth and convenient interaction between the cart and carrier is achieved because the cart has a receiving part and a first locking part, and the carrier has a coupling arrangement and a second locking part. The coupling arrangement can be inserted into the receiving part and serves as a pivot axle for the carrier. The carrier locks to the cart when the second locking part is moved toward the first locking part when the carrier is lifted around the pivot axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Elema AB
    Inventors: Bernt Eriksson, Ulf Österberg, Daniel Höglund, David Crafoord
  • Publication number: 20040032100
    Abstract: An improved attachment mechanism for attaching an article conveyance device to a personal mobility device. The article conveyance device is attached to the personal mobility device via attachable arms that extend from a beam. One end of the attachable arms is mounted along the beam. In a preferred embodiment, a plate is affixed to each end of the beam. The plate is mounted to the article conveyance device in a manner that allows the plate to rotate, or pivot, around the point at which it is mounted to the conveyance device. Thus, the beam is allowed to move in an arc, relatively vertically, in order to accommodate varying heights of and connection points to personal mobility devices. The attachable arms of the disclosed attachment mechanism are designed to connect to the frame of a personal mobility device. Preferably, the frame of the personal mobility device is secured to the mechanism via clips in the ends of the attachable arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Darren Clay Forshee
    Inventor: Darren Clay Forshee
  • Publication number: 20040017054
    Abstract: The rear of a vehicle (10) and the front of an extension unit (11) are provided with complementary locating formations (12, 13, 14 and 15, 16, 17) and clamping means (18) are provided for clamping the front of the extension unit (11) to the rear of the vehicle (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Valerian John Dare-Bryan
  • Patent number: 6679506
    Abstract: A combined shopping cart stroller having cargo carrying and passenger carrying capabilities is provided. The shopping cart stroller comprises a frame supported on wheels for rolling movement, a seat mounted to the frame and being shiftable between an unfolded position in which the seat is positioned to support the passenger and a folded position in which the folded seat defines a portion of a forward cargo area, a rearward cargo area defined by a rearward portion of the frame, and a lower cargo area defined by a lower portion of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Ohio Steel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dana J. Koppes, Eric J. Fickas, Vincent A. Gioia, Rodger Hays, Joni Hill, Paul P. Kolada, Thomas P. Martini, Jon M. Provencher, Kevin J. Vititoe
  • Patent number: 6676139
    Abstract: An improved shopping cart with a floating basket. The basket is moveable in response to downward and/or lateral forces applied against the basket. The ability of the basket to move in response to such forces reduces the tendency for the shopping cart to tip over. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the shopping cart basket moves downward as the basket is loaded. In another embodiment, the shopping cart basket pivots upon application of a lateral force to the basket. A further embodiment combines both the vertical movement and pivoting movement of the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Richard Lee Saccani
  • Patent number: 6672599
    Abstract: A stackable shopping cart (1) has a rolling frame (2), a basket (8), a pushing device (19), and a wall (10) that can be swiveled into the inside of the basket, through which wall the back (9) of the basket (8) can be closed, whereby two upwardly directed carriers (6) are positioned on the back end of the rolling frame (2), and the basket (8) is provided at its back (9) with support elements (13) that form a push-on connection with the carriers (6). The support elements (13) are formed by hollow receptacles (14) and the carriers (6) extend upwardly beyond the receptacles (14), and that the sections (7) of the carriers (6) located above the receptacles (14) are intended for the attachment of the pushing device (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Wanzl Metallwarenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Thalhofer, Markus Riesenegger, Bernhard Maatz, Carsten Glogger, Gottfried Wanzl
  • Patent number: 6669212
    Abstract: A cart having a frame member including upright and lateral frame portions. A platform is attached to the lateral frame portion and a stationary seat assembly is secured to the upright frame portion. The stationary seat assembly includes a rearwardly facing stationary seat, a handle and a safety bar between the seat and the handle. A pivoting mechanism is mounted to the lateral frame portion remote from the upright frame portion. The pivoting mechanism is moveable between a substantially upright position and a retracted position and is located relative to a back portion of the seat. A flexible receptacle is attached to the pivoting mechanism, and moves between an open and collapsed position when the pivoting mechanism is moved between the substantially upright and the retracted position, respectively. The stationary seat and the platform are accessible when the pivoting mechanism is in the substantially upright position or the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Rehrig International, Inc.
    Inventor: Terril Porter
  • Patent number: 6644674
    Abstract: A shopping cart with dedicated multi-compartments is described. There are five distinct compartments which are shallow and formed of wire mesh to provide visibility of the articles in the compartments whereby a person can quickly examine the articles placed in each of the compartments to ascertain their nature. Also, the size and location of the compartments provides for the placement and separation of different types of articles which either need to be separated from one another and permit lower support for the placement of heavy objects. The provision of such multi-compartments also prevents articles from being damaged or odor contaminated by other articles positioned in the same compartments. Casters are disposed on the outer periphery of the frame of the shopping cart, wherein the load in the multi-compartments remains between the casters to provide stability, and preventing tipping of the shopping cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Cari-All, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilles Simard
  • Publication number: 20030205875
    Abstract: A wheeled cart has a generally flat base platform with a plurality of wheels supporting the platform above the ground. A handle frame extends upwardly from the rear end of the cart. The platform has a plurality of spaced, upwardly facing supports for releasably mounting accessories on the platform to extend upwardly from the platform. Accessories are provided for conversion of the cart between stocking and other purposes, including at least one horizontal support panel for supporting items at a location spaced above the platform and at least one vertical support frame for holding items at predetermined locations on the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: V. John Ondrasik, Miguel J. Orozco
  • Publication number: 20030205873
    Abstract: A nestable cart has a generally flat base or platform supported on caster wheels and having sides which taper inwardly from the rear end to the front end of the platform. An upwardly extending handle frame extends upwardly from the rear end of the cart. An open area beneath the platform is designed to receive the front end of a platform of a second cart in order to nest two carts together. A nesting guide formation is provided at one end of the platform to guide two platforms into nesting engagement while lifting the rear wheels of a front cart from the ground during nesting of a rear cart into the front cart. The guide formation may be one or more rotating members such as rollers or guide wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Miguel J. Orozco
  • Patent number: 6641147
    Abstract: A modified shopping cart for holding large, long and bulky items, such as building materials and the like, that will not fit inside the open top basket of a standard shopping cart or rest on top of the cart. The modified shopping cart includes a cart frame having a top, opposite sides and a bottom. On the bottom of the cart frame are mounted on a plurality of caster wheels. The cart frame also includes a frame platform for resting small items thereon. The shopping cart also includes an open top basket disposed above the frame platform. The basket is made of heavy gauge wire. The open top basket includes a first side, a second side, a front, a rear with handle and a bottom. The bottom of the basket is mounted on the top of the cart frame. In one embodiment of the invention, a large item carrier attached to the front of open top basket. The large item carrier includes a mounting plate with a pair of spaced apart horizontal carrier arms with openings therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Brent E. Werner
  • Publication number: 20030197339
    Abstract: This invention relates to a collapsible and portable cart for universal use in a wide variety of residential and commercial environment, transporting different and various items, while shopping, gardening, laundry, transporting boxes or luggage, etc. This invention comprises a base portion with wheels, which enable to move over the ground and a first foldable basket for heavy loads; and the upper portion, that has a second foldable basket. Base portion is pivotally connected to the upper portion by link arms and secured by locking mechanisms. Both baskets have locking mechanism to keep the foldable screens in an upright position. The portable universal cart includes a receptacle with compartments, having different devices, to make the use of the cart more pleasing, safe and with more comfort for the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Eduardo Felipe D'Angelo
  • Publication number: 20030160407
    Abstract: A shopping cart in which the carriage is made principally of rectangular U-shaped channels and the basket is made of resin which on its sides are reinforced by U-shaped channel members each extending angularly up from the carriage into merged relation in a matching groove provided in the interior surface of each side of the basket. Front wheels of the carriage are swivelably mounted on a vertical shaft having a resilient securing assembly to minimize tendencies toward wobble of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Charles J. Lantz
  • Patent number: 6609317
    Abstract: A two part indexing and signage system for use with shopping carts and store aisles. The first part of the device includes a general indexing system attached to the back panel of the child seat on a shopping cart. The second part is in connection with the shelving typically containing the products in the aisle of the store and contains an alpha numerical key having three characters associated with each item in order to identify particular product positions within that aisle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Roy A. Myers
  • Patent number: 6607199
    Abstract: A dolly and a tray and dolly assembly are provided. The dolly has a floor with upper and lower surfaces and with one or more features such that when the tray floor is received on the dolly floor, the feature interlocks the tray with the dolly. One feature is a plurality of protruding members extending upwardly from the dolly floor upper surface into openings in the tray floor to interlock the tray with the dolly. Another features is the presence of dolly side wall locking portions configured to abut and mate with corresponding tray side wall bottom locking portions on the tray to interlock the dolly with the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Robert V. Gruber
  • Publication number: 20030116933
    Abstract: The modular plastic shopping cart comprises a wheeled base comprising two opposite vertical side sections each having at least one horizontally projecting member providing a support surface; two side uprights removably connectable to the wheeled base, predetermined cooperating shapes of the wheeled base and the side uprights preventing, when assembled, relative pivoting and sliding movement between the side uprights and the wheeled base; a basket removably connectable to the side uprights, predetermined cooperating shapes of the side uprights and the basket preventing, when assembled, relative pivoting and sliding movement between the basket and the side uprights; first securing device for securing the side uprights to the wheeled base; and second securing device for securing the basket to the side uprights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Serge Nadeau, Jean-Christophe Doyon
  • Publication number: 20030098560
    Abstract: A cart having a frame member including upright and lateral frame portions. A platform is attached to the lateral frame portion and a stationary seat assembly is secured to the upright frame portion. The stationary seat assembly includes a rearwardly facing stationary seat, a handle and a safety bar between the seat and the handle. A pivoting mechanism is mounted to the lateral frame portion remote from the upright frame portion. The pivoting mechanism is moveable between a substantially upright position and a retracted position and is located relative to a back portion of the seat. A flexible receptacle is attached to the pivoting mechanism, and moves between an open and collapsed position when the pivoting mechanism is moved between the substantially upright and the retracted position, respectively. The stationary seat and the platform are accessible when the pivoting mechanism is in the substantially upright position or the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Terril Porter
  • Publication number: 20030090073
    Abstract: A wheelchair including a back, a seat pivotally turnably connected to and between two armrests forward extended from two sides of the back, a substantially trapezoidal underframe having a shorter front side and a longer rear side, and a footplate pivotally turnably connected to a front portion of the underframe. The footplate is normally in a horizontally extended position for a user of the wheelchair to stretch and rest two legs on the footplate. Both the seat and the footplate are turnable to an upright position to allow extension of the front portion of the underframe forward into a rear portion of an underframe of another wheelchair positioned in front of the wheelchair, so that two wheelchairs in tandem may be closely nested to occupy a reduced space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Chih Chiang Whang