Abstract
A wheeled, pushable cart for transporting cargo that when not in use can be stacked or nested in telescoping fashion, and which can be used with carts having a base frame to which the wheels are attached, and various components, which can include one or more baskets, that are attached to the base frame. The manner in which the wheels are attached and arranged, and the orientation of the base frame, provide for increased storage and ease of access to the base frame and bottom shelf from the rear of the cart, and easy nesting (also referred to as stacking) of multiple carts in telescoping fashion when the carts are not in use.
Claims
1. A cart for transporting cargo, comprising: a) a frame having at least a front portion and a rear portion; b) a substantially flat platform attached to said frame, which together with said frame comprise a base frame structure having a front portion, a rear portion and side portions; said front portion and said rear portion each having a top and a bottom; c) at least 4 wheels attached to said base structure and extending downwardly for contact with the ground or other surface over which the cart travels when the cart is in use, said wheels each having a lateral inside edge and a lateral outside edge defined by the lateral width of said wheels and not their respective circumferences; d) two of said wheels being front wheels attached in proximity to the frontward portion of said base frame structure, wherein said two front wheels are in substantial lateral side-by-side alignment when viewed from the side, said front wheels having a lateral distance between their respective inside edges; e) two of said wheels being rear wheels attached in proximity to said rear portion of said base frame structure, wherein said two rear wheels are in substantial lateral side-by-side alignment when viewed from the side, said rear wheels having a lateral distance between their respective outside edges; e) the arrangement, placement, size and shape of said front wheels and said rear wheels being such that said lateral distance between said inside edges of said front wheels is greater than said lateral distance between said outside edges of said rear wheels; and f) said front portion of said base frame structure is higher relative to said rear portion of said base frame structure such that when the cart is in use the base frame structure is slanted downwardly (relative to said surface) a sufficient amount such that said bottom portion of said front portion is higher (relative to said surface) than is the top portion of said rear portion.
2. The cart according to claim 1 wherein said front portion of said base frame structure of one such cart can slide over said rear portion of said base frame structure of a second such cart at least one-third the longitudinal length of said base frame structure to allow for nesting of multiple such carts in telescoping fashion.
3. The cart according to claim 1 including at least one support strut attached in proximity to said front portion of said base frame structure and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom; and a basket-like structure having a front portion and a rear portion to which said support strut is attached in proximity to said rear portion to hold said basket-like structure in substantially rigid alignment relative to said base from structure.
4. The cart according to claim 1 in which there are two support struts, one on either side of the cart.
5. The cart according to claim 2 in which there are two support struts, one on either side of the cart.
6. The cart according to claim 2 in which said basket-like structure has a size and shape such that the front portion is sufficiently smaller that the rear portion such that the exterior dimensions of said front portion are less than the exterior dimensions of said rear portion, thereby allowing said front portion of one such cart to fit into the rear portion of a second such cart in telescoping fashion.
7. The cart according to claim 1 including a handle structure attached to said base frame structure and extending in a rearward direction to be used by the user of the cart to push and control the direction of travel of the cart.
8. The cart according to claim 3 including a handle structure attached to said basket and extending in a rearward direction to be used by the user of the cart to push and control the direction of travel of the cart.
9. The cart according to claim 7 in which a basket-like structure is attached to said handle structure.
10. The cart according to claim 7 in which said handle structure has a rotatable section which can be rotated to difference positions by the user of the cart.
11. The cart according to claim 1 in which an upwardly extending structure on which garment bags, purses, brief cases, and the like can be hung is attached to said rear portion of said base frame structure.
12. The cart according to claim 11 in which said upwardly extending structure is sized and shaped such that said structure on one such cart can fit in close proximity to the similar structure on a second such cart when the carts are nested in a telescoping fashion.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0024] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a stackable cart in one preferred embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a stackable cart showing the bottom shelf.
[0026] FIG. 3 is right side view of a stackable cart in one preferred embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a left side view of a stackable cart in one preferred embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a rear view of a stackable cart in one preferred embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a front view of a stackable cart in one preferred embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a top view of a stackable cart in one preferred embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a stackable cart in one preferred embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a stackable cart in one preferred embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a stackable cart in a second preferred embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 11 is a right side view of a stackable cart in a second preferred embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 12 is a left side view of a stackable cart in a second preferred embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 13 is a rear view of a stackable cart in a second preferred embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 14 is a front view of a stackable cart in a second preferred embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 15 is a top view of a stackable cart in a second preferred embodiment.
[0039] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of a stackable cart in a second preferred embodiment.
[0040] FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the lower portion only of a stackable cart in a second preferred embodiment.
[0041] FIG. 18 is a top view of the lower portion only of a stackable cart in a second preferred embodiment.
[0042] FIGS. 19 and 20 are isometric views of a preferred embodiment of a holder unit that is attachable to or near the handle portion of a shopping cart.
[0043] FIG. 21 is an isometric view of a stackable cart in a third preferred embodiment.
[0044] FIG. 22 is an isometric view of a stackable cart in a fourth preferred embodiment.
[0045] FIG. 23 is an isometric view of a stackable cart in a fifth preferred embodiment.
[0046] FIG. 24 is an isometric view of a stackable cart in a sixth preferred embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 25 is a right side view a stackable cart in a sixth preferred embodiment.
[0048] FIG. 26 is an isometric view of a stackable cart in a seventh preferred embodiment.
[0049] FIG. 27 is a right side view of a stackable cart in a seventh preferred embodiment.
[0050] FIG. 28 is an isometric view of a stackable cart in an eighth preferred embodiment.
[0051] FIG. 29 is a right side view of a stackable cart in an eighth preferred embodiment.
[0052] FIG. 30 is an isometric view showing the holder unit in position near the handle of a shopping cart, and the pivoting handle unit.
[0053] FIG. 31 is a side view showing the holder unit in position near the handle of a shopping cart, and the pivoting handle unit.
[0054] FIG. 32 is an isometric view is a side view showing the holder unit in position near the handle of a shopping cart, and the pivoting handle unit in a partially elevated position.
[0055] FIG. 33 is a side showing the holder unit in position near the handle of a shopping cart, and the pivoting handle unit in a partially elevated position.
[0056] FIG. 34 is an isometric view of a similar to that in FIG. 32, but showing the adjustable handle rotated to a vertical position.
[0057] FIG. 35 is a side view of the component shown in FIG. 34.
[0058] FIG. 36 is an isometric view of the lower portion of a stackable cart showing the base and attachment plate to which the upper basket is attached that will allow for stacking.
[0059] FIG. 37 is similar to FIG. 36, and shows another embodiment of the attachment plate.
[0060] FIG. 38 is similar to FIGS. 37 and 38, and shows another embodiment of the attachment plate.
[0061] FIG. 39 is an isometric view showing another type of stackable cart (or trolley), this cart having a bottom shelf but no attached large basket as in the “grocery store” type carts show in preceding figures, more intended for use at “big box” stores and the like. This cart has a small basket attached to the handle portion of the cart.
[0062] FIG. 40 is a side view of the cart shown in FIG. 39.
[0063] FIG. 41 is a rear isometric view of the cart shown in FIG. 39.
[0064] FIG. 42 is a side view of the cart shown in FIG. 39, this view showing how multiple carts stack together in telescoping fashion.
[0065] FIG. 43 is an isometric view showing the cart similar to that shown in FIG. 39, but with a different type of basket attached to the handle, and different rear frame configuration. There are a myriad of ways in which the frame and basket arrangement can be configured without departing from the inventive concepts here in described, depicted and claimed.
[0066] FIG. 44 is a side view of the cart shown in FIG. 43.
[0067] FIG. 45 is an isometric rear view of the cart shown in FIGS. 43 and 44.
[0068] FIG. 46 is a side view of the cart shown in FIGS. 43, 44 and 45, this view showing how multiple carts stack together in telescoping fashion.
[0069] FIG. 47 is an isometric view showing the cart similar to that shown in FIGS. 39 to 46, but without any basket attached.
[0070] FIG. 48 is an isometric view of a type of stackable cart that would be useful as a hotel luggage cart, and provides a cart of similar utility and payload space as the conventional flat-bottom hotel luggage cart, but one that is fully stackable so as to take up much less storage and floor space when not in use.
[0071] FIG. 49 is another isometric of the cart shown in FIGS. 48.
[0072] FIG. 50 is a side view of the cart shown in FIGS. 48 and 49.
[0073] FIG. 51 is a side view of the cart shown in FIGS. 48 and 49.
[0074] FIG. 52 is a isometric view of the cart shown in FIGS. 48 to 51, this view showing how multiple carts stack together in telescoping fashion.
[0075] FIG. 53 is a side view of the cart shown in FIGS. 48 to 51, this view also showing how multiple carts stack or nest together in telescoping fashion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0076] It should be noted that although actual and relative size(s) of the carts and their various components are either shown or discernable from the attached photographs and drawings, the inventive concepts disclosed may include, but are not limited to, any particular size or relative size(s) and types of carts and their components. Also, the word “cart” is used generically to refer to any wheeled vehicle used to transport cargo of any nature. Other terms, such as dolly, trolley, carriage, pushcart, shopping cart, etc., are also sometimes used by those skilled in the art. The consistent use of the word “cart” herein is not limiting in any fashion, and includes all other such and similar terms and terminology. The word “cargo” is also used herein in its generic and broadest connotation. The carts herein described and claimed can be used with any type of cargo, from groceries to hardware, and anything else under the sun that can be transported in or on a cart. Similarly, the phrase “in a/the cart” also means “on a/the cart” and includes every manner in which cargo can be loaded onto, into or attached to a cart for transportation. The word “ground” is also sometimes used herein to refer to the surface on which the cart is intended to move in order to transport cargo. The word “ground” is used in its generic sense and refers to any surface upon which a cart can be moved. As used herein, “front” in relationship to a cart or component generally refers to the portion of the cart that is furthermost forward in the typical forward direction of travel of the cart, and is furthest away from the handle portion of the cart where the person using (or pushing the cart) is located when pushing the cart.
[0077] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 depicts a grocery-store type cart 10 that has an upper basket 12. The upper basket 12 is an open-top box-type structure having lateral side 14a and 14b, a front wall 16, a rear-wall 18, a mid-wall portion 20 and a bottom portion 21. As in traditional carts, the mid-wall 20 is stationary, and the rear wall 18 is rotatably attached at its upper edge so that it can rotate up and out of the way to allow for nesting with other carts in which the front portion of the basket on one cart will slide into the rear portion of another cart and thus “nest” in telescoping fashion. Also, the overall shape of the basket 12 is tapered on all sides from rear to front to facilitate nesting in telescoping fashion in which the front portion of the basked of one cart can be freely and sufficiently deeply inserted in another cart's basket that is ahead of it in the nesting arrangement.
[0078] The cart 10 has a lower section or base section 22 that is comprised of the base frame 24 and a platform piece 26 that is attached to the base frame 24 in such a way as to provide a lower shelf onto which cargo can be loaded.
[0079] In this embodiment, the upper basket 12 is attached to the base frame 24 by a pair of side support struts 28a and 28b. Here, each strut 28 comprises a pair of elongate legs 30a and 30b. Including two separate legs 30 in each strut 28 increase stability, and makes for a more stable and secure attachment to the base frame 24 and the basket 12. In this embodiment, the base frame 24 includes flanges 32a and 32b securely attached on either side of the frame, which provide the attachment platform for the struts 28. The flanges 32 can also include a decorative and protective cover pieces 34a and 34b over the top of the flanges 32 to hide and protect the attachment point.
[0080] The other end of the struts 28 are attached in this embodiment to the underside of the rear portion of the basket 12, and to side support flanges 36a and 36b as best seen in FIG. 2. The support flanges 36 can be separate pieces or a single piece component (as shown in FIG. 5) that also extends across the entire width of the basket 12. It will be noted that the struts 28 are attached to the base 22 near the front of the base 22 of cart 10, and then the struts 28 extend diagonally rearwardly toward the rear of the cart 10. It will be noted that this arrangement leaves the front area of the basket 12 fully exposed and unencumbered with any nearby or protruding structures that would prevent the front portion of the cart 10 from freely nesting into the basket of the cart ahead of it in the nesting position of multiple carts. It will also be noted that this arrangement of the struts 28 also leave the area between the real portion of the basket 12 and the rear portion of the base 22 also unencumbered, such that the access to the base platform (or shelf) 26 is completely open, and not constricted by any attachment structure, whereas in the still-ubiquitous Goldman-type design, the rear access to the bottom shelf is constricted by surrounding attachment and support structure(s).
[0081] In this embodiment, the cart 10 has four wheels, front wheels 38a and 38b, and rear wheels 40a and 40b, which are attached to the base structure 22 near the four respective corners of the base frame 24. In order to allow the cart 10 to be turned easily to navigate through stores, up and down aisles, and avoid other carts, either or both of the sets of wheels should be able to spin about their around their vertical axis.
[0082] As best seen in FIGS. 2, 5, 6 and 8, the front wheels 38a and 38b are attached to the underside of the side flanges 32a and 32b, respectively. As the side flanges 32 extend out laterally from the base frame 24, the front wheels 38a and 38b. As also best seen in those Figures, the rear wheels 40a and 40b, however, are attached to the sides of the base frame 24. Because in this embodiment, the base frame 24 is substantially rectangular in shape with substantially parallel side portions, this results in the desired place of the front wheels 38a and 38b in terms of lateral distance between them relative to the lateral distance between the rear wheels 40a and 40b, as can best be seen in FIG. 5.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 5, the lateral distance between the rear wheels 40a and 40b relative to the lateral distance between the front wheels 38a and 38b is such that the front wheels 38a and 38b and easily slide past the rear wheels 40a and 40b in order to allow adjacent carts 10 to nest in a telescoping fashion. As will be apparent to a person of skill in the art (and to anyone who goes grocery shopping), this is completely different that the usual and ubiquitous shopping cart in which the front wheels are laterally narrower than the rear wheels.
[0084] As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base 22, base frame 24 and the base platform 26 slant toward the back of the cart 10, unlike the typical shopping and other similar carts in which the bottom shelf slants downwardly and becomes narrower toward the front of the cart. And, as best seen in FIG. 8, the base 22 of the cart 10 does the opposite. It slants downward toward the rear of the cart 10, and it becomes wider toward the front of the cart 10. The advantages of this this unique and against-conventional-wisdom arrangement contribute to the benefits of the inventive concepts herein disclosed as described above.
[0085] The cart shown can have large leg holes 42 to accommodate a small child riding in the “seat” portion of the basket 12, and can have a front panel 44 for notices, announcements and advertising. The cart 10 is equipped with handle supports 46a and 46b, to which are attached a rotatable handle 48, and as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, can rotate through pre-determined locations to accommodate various height and comfort preferences for the cart users.
[0086] The cart 10 can also be equipped with a cup and accessory holder 50 (best seen in FIGS. 19 and 20), and hooks 52 that can be used to hang purses and plastic bags.
[0087] FIGS. 9 through 17 show a similar cart 10, but with a different structure for attaching the base frame 24 to the basket 12, which maintaining the preferred nesting and back access to lower shelf benefits described above. In this embodiment, the support member 54 is a single structural element comprising a front yoke 56 the two legs of which are attached to the base frame 24. As seen in FIGS. 17 and 18 has a T-bone shaped support member 58 that extends from the yoke 54 toward the rear of the cart 10, where it is attached to the underside of the basket 12. FIGS. 24 and 25 show a different arrangement in which the basket 12 is attached to the base frame 22 by means of a pair of legs 55a and 55b. Also seen in FIGS. 24 and 25, the front wheels 38a and 38b are not attached directly to the base frame 24. In order to maintain the differential distance between the front wheels compared to the distance between the rear wheels, the base frame 24 can be wider at the front than the back, or the rear wheels can be attached to the base frame 24 or the base platform 26 more toward the center line of the cart 10. There are, of course, other ways to size and shape the base frame 24, the base platform 26 and/or the placement of the front and rear wheels in order to maintain the preferred relative distance differentials. FIG. 26 shows another embodiment in which the basket 12 is attached to the base 22 by means of side arms 57a and 57b.
[0088] FIGS. 29 to 31 and 36 to 38 show different configuration of the support member 58 by which the basket 12 can be attached to the base frame 22 and still achieve the benefits described above. These Figures show that the attachment means can be of many different shapes, sizes, location and of any suitable material of sufficient strength and rigidity that the basket portion of the cart does not sink lower than preferred when the cart basket 12 is fully loaded. On the other hand, some flexibility may be desired so that it provides a shock absorber or cushioning effect if a child is in the cart seat. As carts are not nested or stacked unless empty, however, any flexibility will not adversely affect that operation.
[0089] Depending on customer preference, the base frame (or shelf) 24 can be square or rectangular to provide even greater carrying capability. The relative sizes and relationship of the basket 12 and base frame 24 can adjusted to fit store and/or customer preference for a larger bottom shelf space and more “headroom” in that shelf.
[0090] FIG. 39 shows a different type of cart 100 that does not have a basket. Rather this cart 100 is more adapted for use in “big box” stores. It comprises a base frame 102, a base shelf 104 that is preferably constructed of sturdy cross-hatched wire to reduce weight and cost without sacrificing utility. Side struts 106a and 106b extends from the front portion of the base from 102 diagonally upwardly and rearwardly to form a rear bar 108 and a handle 110. In this embodiment, a small wire basket 112 is attached between the struts 106a and 106b to hold smaller items.
[0091] As best seen in FIGS. 40 and 41, this cart 100 also has front wheels 114a and 114b, and rear wheels 116a and 116b in which the lateral distance between them respectively allows the front wheels to slide over and outside the rear wheels in a nested-cart arrangement, and the front of the base frame 102 is higher in front, and lower in back, to allow the front of the base frame 102 to slide above the back of the base frame 102 in adjacent carts when in a nested arrangement. All this is shown in FIG. 42.
[0092] FIGS. 43 to 45 show a similar cart, but with a different basket 118. As this clearly shows, any suitable size and shape basket that will fit within the struts 106 can be utilized. FIG. 46 shows this embodiment of the cart in a multiple-cart nested arrangement. FIG. 47 shows a similar cart 100, but without any basket.
[0093] In all of the preferred embodiments shown, the front wheels are not only located “outside” the track of the rear wheels and “outside” the width of the rear portion of the bottom shelf frame, the front wheels are also larger in diameter than the rear wheels. This raises the front of the bottom base (shelf) frame to an elevation that is higher than the rear of the bottom base (shelf) frame. In one embodiment, the base frame is 3 inches above ground in the front, and only 1 inch above ground in the rear. This is not the only arrangement possible, and many difference arrangements and dimensions are possible.
[0094] Therefore, in the stacking or nesting operation, the front wheels and the front bottom shelf frame slide easily over and outside of the frame and rear wheels of the cart into which the first cart is being inserted. This provides for much easier stacking, which is not only more convenient for the person doing the stacking, but also helps reduce damage to the carts from the stacking operation. As is often seen, the stacking operation for traditional carts can sometimes require a significant force that can damage the cart.
[0095] The child seat portion of the cart has been designed in some embodiments to be safer and more comfortable than in the traditional cart. The openings in the carts rear panel for the child's legs are larger than typical, and have rounded edges for comfort. A child restraining belt (not shown) can be attached to either side of the cart, and each belt can connect to a buckle that extends upwardly between the child's legs. The potential for a momentarily unattended child standing up in the cart (and maybe falling out) is significantly reduced if not eliminated.
[0096] On the side portions of the basket, see-through sleeves (not shown) can be added into which advertising or other informational messages can be includes.
[0097] FIGS. 48 to 53 show a fully-nesting hotel-type luggage cart 200 in which there is a base 202 that includes a base frame 204 and full, solid-piece floor board 206. In this embodiment, the base frame 204 and the floor board 206 are rectangular. As will we appreciated, other shapes can be used. A pair side flanges 208a and 208b are securely attached to the base frame 204 near the front of the cart 200, and extend laterally outward from the base frame 204 to a position that is wider than the rear portion of the base frame 204. As best seen in FIG. 51, a pair of front wheels 210a and 210b are attached respectively to the bottom of side flanges 208a and 208b, and a pair of rear wheels 212a and 212b are respectively attached to the base frame 204 itself at or near the rear corners of the base frame 204. As also best seen in FIG. 51, this arrangement provides that the distance between the inside rims of the front wheels 210a and 210b is greater than the distance between the outside rims of rear wheels 212a and 212b. This differential distances allows the front wheels 210a and 210b to be able to travel unrestrictedly past the rear wheels 212a and 212b thereby allowing multiple carts 200 to nest together in telescoping fashion as shown in FIG. 52.
[0098] In order for the carts 200 to be able properly nest in telescoping fashion, the front and rear portions of the base 202 must have a height differential. As best seen in FIG. 50, rear wheels 212a and 212b are smaller in diameter than front wheels 210a and 210b. This size differential results in the base 202 being slanted upward toward the front of the cart 200 a sufficient amount such that the bottom portion 214 of the base 202 at the front of the cart 200 is higher than the top portion 216 at the rear of the cart 200. This allows the front portion of base 202 of the cart 200 to slide over the top of the rear portion of base 202 of a similar cart thereby allowing the cart to nest together in telescoping fashion. This height differential can of course be accomplished by other suitable means, and does not need to be done using wheels of different diameters. Also, it is preferred that at least one set of the wheels is rotatable around their vertical axis, and both sets can be made to do so if that is desired.
[0099] As best seen in FIGS. 48 and 49, in this embodiment of the luggage cart, a pair of struts 218a and 218b, each comprising a part of strut legs 220a and 220b, are securely attached to the top of side flanges 208a and 208b which are located at or near the front of the base 202. The struts 218a and 218b do not need to have two legs and can be of any material and component(s) that provide for sufficient structure rigidity. The struts 218a and 218b extend upward diagonally toward the rear of the cart 200, leaving a significant area of the base 202 free of any structure that might preclude proper nesting.
[0100] As best seen in FIGS. 48, 49 and 50, the legs 220a and 220b of struts 218a and 218b also form a structure at the rear of the cart which comprises cross-member 220 and hoop member 222. U-shaped members 224 and 226 extend rearwardly from the hoop member 222. These U-shaped members can act as the handle for the person using the cart 200, and can also be used to store luggage and other personal items. A cross bar 228 having hooks 230 extends between the two vertical portion of hoop member 222 to provide additional storage capability, as does rod 232 that extends inwardly toward the front of the cart 200.
[0101] As will be appreciated from this description, this luggage cart will provide all of the storage and stacking capability of the traditional hotel-type luggage cart, but in a fully-nesting design.
[0102] Other components, combinations of components, features, functions and benefits will be apparent to those of skill in the art from the above descriptions and the attached Figures, and many modifications to the components and their arrangement in the embodiments shown above are possible without departing or deviating from the inventive concepts and inventions set forth in the following claims.
