Abstract: A cup holder for a shopping cart includes a container ring and a securing mechanism. The container ring is configured to removably hold a beverage container while the securing mechanism is configured for removably securing the container ring relative to a shopping cart. The securing mechanism includes a first portion configured for slidable mounting in a first direction onto a top edge of a wall of a basket of the shopping cart. A second portion of the securing mechanism is configured for slidable insertion, in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction, into a hole in the basket of the shopping cart.

Abstract: A shopping cart includes a base, a pair of masts, and a basket. The base extends generally horizontally between a front portion and a rear portion of the cart and including a plurality of wheels. The pair of masts extends generally vertically upward from the base in a generally singular plane extending laterally across the rear portion of the cart. Each mast includes a rear portion facing the rear portion of the cart and defining a generally straight surface, and a front portion facing in a direction generally opposite the rear portion of the respective mast and defining a generally concave curved portion. The basket includes a front portion and a rear portion with the rear portion of the basket connected to the base via the pair of masts to support the front portion of the basket in a vertically spaced relationship over the base adjacent the front portion of the cart.

Abstract: A handle for a shopping cart includes a frame defining a unitary member in a substantially continuous loop. At least one connection portion extends from the frame for securing the frame to a basket of a shopping cart and is configured to position the loop of the frame to be generally parallel to and spaced from an upper portion of a basket of the shopping cart.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a shopping cart includes a gate pivotally mounted to a rear portion of the shopping cart and a seat member made from a plastic material. The seat member is mounted to the gate of the shopping cart via a pivot mechanism to extend in a position to support a child within the shopping cart. The seat member includes a generally curved concave portion having an apex adjacent the gate and a generally straight portion on a side of the seat member opposite the apex of the generally curved concave portion.

Abstract: A basket for a shopping cart comprising a single unitary member molded from a plastic material. The basket includes a frame including a plurality of generally vertical upright frame members spaced apart from each other, with each frame member including a generally smooth outer surface without holes. A front panel extends generally vertically and laterally across the front portion of the single unitary member between two of the generally vertical upright frame members. A pair of side panels extends generally vertically, being generally parallel to each other and spaced from each other. Each side panel extends from a front portion to a rear portion of the basket between two of the generally vertical upright frame members. The front panel and each side panel comprise a generally flat portion defining a plurality of holes and have a substantially uniform thickness at least about two times less than a thickness of the generally vertical upright frame members.

Abstract: A method of molding a shopping cart component includes providing a first subcomponent and then overmolding the shopping cart component as a second subcomponent about the first subcomponent. The first subcomponent acts as an obstacle to a plastic injection stream and to a gas injection stream during the overmolding of the second component to assist in defining a first hollow section of the shopping cart component adjacent the first subcomponent.

Abstract: A cupholder for a shopping cart includes a gate pivotally mounted to a rear portion of a shopping cart and a seat member made from a plastic material. The seat member is mounted to the gate of the shopping cart via a pivot mechanism to extend in a generally horizontal position to support a child within the shopping cart. The seat member defines a child seat portion and a cupholder positioned laterally of the child seat portion.

Abstract: A gate-and-seat assembly for a shopping cart includes a gate, a backrest, and a seat. The gate has a first end pivotally mountable to a rear portion of a shopping cart. The backrest includes a back support and a pair of legs with the back support defining a slot. The pair of legs extends from the back support and is pivotally mounted to a lower portion of the gate to enable pivotal movement of the backrest relative to the gate. The seat is pivotally mounted to the gate via at least one pivot mechanism and slidably extends through the slot of the back support. The seat includes a pair of ears extending laterally outward from the seat in opposite directions with each respective ear being releasably engageable relative to a rear surface of the back support of the backrest. The entire gate-and-seat assembly is made entirely from a plastic material.