Mobility platform for a shopping cart

Abstract

A mobility platform is disclosed for a shopping cart. The mobility platform comprises a platform having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge, a rear edge, a primary side and a secondary side. A connector is secured to the platform. The lower surface of the platform abuts the cart handle and the connector engages the cart handle for defining a platform lock and terminating displacement of the platform relative to the shopping cart. A deformable layer is coupled to the upper surface of the platform for cushioning contact between the platform and the individual. The deformable layer engages the individual for defining a cart crutch. The cart crutch assists the individual by transferring weight of the individual to the cart and improving the balance of the individual while in contact with the deformable layer.

Claims

1. A mobility platform for a cart, the cart having a cart basket supported by a plurality of wheels and a cart handle for the individual to propel the cart, the mobility platform, comprising: a platform having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge, a rear edge, a primary side and a secondary side; a connector secured to said platform and engaging the cart handle for abutting said lower surface of said platform with the cart handle; a deformable layer coupled to said upper surface of said platform for cushioning contact between said platform and the individual; said platform improving the balance and support of the individual while in contact with said deformable layer; and a plurality of taper blocks coupled to said lower surface for engaging the cart.

2. A mobility platform for a cart as set forth in claim 1, wherein said connector includes a plurality of hooks extending from said rear edge and below said lower surface for encircling a portion of the cart handle.

3. A mobility platform for a cart as set forth in claim 2, wherein said plurality of hooks displacing said platform forward of the cart handle for defining an aperture relative to said platform, said plurality of hooks and the cart handle; and said aperture permitting the individual to grasp the cart handle when said platform engages the cart handle.

4. A mobility platform for a cart as set forth in claim 1, wherein said platform defines a descending orientation for paralleling a first forearm and a second forearm of the individual while in contact with said deformable layer.

5. A mobility platform for a cart as set forth in claim 1, further including a plurality of straps secured to said platform; and said plurality of straps engaging the cart for defining a second platform lock and terminating displacement of said platform relative to the cart.

6. A mobility platform for a cart as set forth in claim 1, further including a pouch defining a pouch chamber for providing storage; and a pouch coupling device for coupling said pouch to said platform.

7. A mobility platform for a cart as set forth in claim 1, further including an amusement item for providing entertainment; an amusement tether secured to said amusement item; and an amusement coupling device for coupling said amusement tether to said platform.

8. A mobility platform for a cart as set forth in claim 7, further including an anti-choke ball coupled to said amusement tether for preventing choking.

9. A mobility platform for a shopping cart, the shopping cart having a cart basket supported by a plurality of wheels, a cart handle and a rear pivot bar extending between a first side mount and a second side mount, the individual grasping the cart handle to propel the shopping cart, the mobility platform, comprising: a platform having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge, a rear edge, a primary side and a secondary side; a plurality of hooks extending from said rear edge and below said lower surface and engaging the cart handle for abutting said lower surface of said platform with the cart handle; a deformable layer coupled to said upper surface of said platform for cushioning contact between said platform and the individual; said platform improving the balance and support of the individual while in contact with said deformable layer, and a plurality of taper blocks coupled to said lower surface and engaging the rear pivot bar of the shopping cart.

10. A mobility platform for a shopping cart as set forth in claim 9, wherein said plurality of hooks displacing said platform forward of the cart handle for defining an aperture relative to said platform, said plurality of hooks and the cart handle; and said aperture permitting the individual to grasp the cart handle when said platform engages the cart handle.

11. A mobility platform for a shopping cart as set forth in claim 9, further including a plurality of straps secured to said platform; and said plurality of straps engaging the rear pivot bar of the shopping cart for defining a second platform lock and terminating displacement of said platform relative to the shopping cart.

12. A mobility platform for a shopping cart, the shopping cart having a cart basket supported by a plurality of wheels, a cart handle and a rear pivot bar extending between a first side mount and a second side mount, the individual grasping the cart handle to propel the shopping cart, the mobility platform, comprising: a platform having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge, a rear edge, a primary side and a secondary side; a plurality of hooks extending from said rear edge and below said lower surface and encircling a portion of the cart handle and said lower surface of said platform abutting the rear pivot bar; a deformable layer coupled to said upper surface of said platform for cushioning contact between said platform and the individual; said platform improving the balance and support of the individual while in contact with said deformable layer; a plurality of straps secured to said platform; said plurality of straps engaging the rear pivot bar of the cart for defining a second platform lock and terminating displacement of said platform relative to the shopping cart; a plurality of taper blocks coupled to said lower surface; said plurality of taper blocks engaging the rear pivot bar of the shopping cart; said plurality of hooks displacing said platform forward of the cart handle for defining an aperture relative to said platform, said plurality of hooks and the cart handle; and said aperture permitting the individual to grasp the cart handle when said platform engages the cart handle.

13. A mobility platform for a cart, the cart having a cart basket supported by a plurality of wheels and a cart handle for the individual to propel the cart, the mobility platform, comprising: a platform having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge, a rear edge, a primary side and a secondary side; a connector secured to said platform and engaging the cart handle for abutting said lower surface of said platform with the cart handle; a deformable layer coupled to said upper surface of said platform for cushioning contact between said platform and the individual; said platform improving the balance and support of the individual while in contact with said deformable layer; said connector displacing said platform forward of the cart handle for defining an aperture relative to said platform, said plurality of hooks and the cart handle; and said aperture permitting the individual to grasp the cart handle when said platform engages the cart handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is an upper front isometric view of a first embodiment for a mobility platform;

(3) FIG. 2 is a lower front isometric view of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a left side view of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a right side view of FIG, 1;

(7) FIG. 6 is a rear view of FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 7 is a top view of FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 8 is a bottom view of FIG. 1;

(10) FIG. 9 is a view of the mobility platform of FIG. 1 engaging a shopping cart;

(11) FIG. 10 is a sectional view along line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

(12) FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating an individual engaging the mobility platform for defining a cart crutch;

(13) FIG. 12 is an upper front isometric view of a second embodiment for the mobility platform;

(14) FIG. 13 is a lower front isometric view of FIG. 12;

(15) FIG. 14 is a front view of FIG. 12;

(16) FIG. 15 is a left side view of FIG. 12;

(17) FIG. 16 is a right side view of FIG. 12;

(18) FIG. 17 is a rear view of FIG. 12;

(19) FIG. 18 is a top view of FIG. 12;

(20) FIG. 19 is a bottom view of FIG. 12;

(21) FIG. 20 is a view of the mobility platform of FIG. 12 engaging the shopping cart;

(22) FIG. 21 is a sectional view along line 21-21 in FIG. 20;

(23) FIG. 22 is an upper front isometric view of a third embodiment for the mobility platform;

(24) FIG. 23 is a lower front isometric view of FIG. 22;

(25) FIG. 24 is a front view of FIG. 22;

(26) FIG. 25 is a left side view of FIG. 22;

(27) FIG. 26 is a right side view of FIG. 22;

(28) FIG. 27 is a rear view of FIG. 22;

(29) FIG. 28 is a top view of FIG. 22;

(30) FIG. 29 is a bottom view of FIG. 22;

(31) FIG. 30 is a view of the mobility platform of FIG. 22 engaging the shopping cart;

(32) FIG. 31 is a sectional view along line 31-31 in FIG. 30;

(33) FIG. 32 is a front view of a pouch;

(34) FIG. 33 is a top view of FIG. 32;

(35) FIG. 34 is a right side view of FIG. 32;

(36) FIG. 35 is a view of an amusement tether;

(37) FIG. 36 is a view of a first amusement item; and

(38) FIG. 37 is a view of a second amusement item,

(39) Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several Figures of the drawings.

DETAILED DISCUSSION

(40) FIGS. 1-31 illustrate a mobility platform 10 for a cart 20. As shown in FIGS. 9-11, 20 and 21, illustrate the cart 20 may include a shopping cart 21 may include a cart basket 22 supported by a plurality of wheels 24. The cart basket 22 may include a pivoting closure wall 26 that pivots relative to a basket aperture 28 within the cart basket 22. The pivoting closure wall 26 pivots on a rear pivot bar 30. The rear pivot bar 30 extends between a first side mount 32 and a second side mount 34. A cart handle 36 also extends between the first side mount 32 and the second side mount 34.

(41) The individual 40 includes a first arm 42, a second arm 44, a first forearm 46, a second forearm 48, a first-hand 50, a secondhand duty to, a first leg 54, a second leg 56 and have a weight 58. The individual 40 may propel the shopping cart 20 by utilizing the first hand 50 and the second hand 52 grasping the cart handle 36.

(42) As shown in FIGS. 1-21, the mobility platform 10 comprisfes a platform 60 having an upper surface 62, a lower surface 64, a front edge 66, a rear edge 68, a primary side 70 and a secondary side 72. A connector 80 is secured to the platform 60. The connector 80 may include a plurality of hooks 82 extending from the rear edge 68 and below the lower surface 64. The plurality of hooks 82 encircle a portion of the cart handle 36 and the lower surface 64 of the platform 60 abuts the rear pivot bar 30 for defining a platform lock 84 and terminating displacement of the platform 60 relative to the shopping cart 20.

(43) The plurality of hooks 82 displace the platform 60 forward of the cart handle 36 for defining one or more hand apertures 86 relative to the platform 60, the plurality of hooks 82 and the cart handle 36. The hand apertures 86 permitting the individual 40 to grasp the cart handle 36 when the platform 60 engages the cart handle 36. Preferably, the platform 60 and the plurality of hooks 82 are constructed from an integral one piece unit of polymeric material. However, the platform 60 and the plurality of hooks 82 maybe constructed from other suitable rigid materials.

(44) A deformable layer 90 is coupled to the upper surface 62 of the platform 60 for cushioning contact between the platform 60 and the individual 40. More specifically, the deformable layer 90 may include a foam, rubber or other cushion materials. The deformable layer 90 engages the individual 40 for defining a cart crutch 92. The cart crutch 92 assists the individual 40 by transferring weight 58 of the individual 40 to the shopping cart 20. In addition, the cart crutch 92 improves the balance of the individual 40 while in contact with the deformable layer 90.

(45) The mobility platform 10 may further include a plurality of straps 100. The plurality of straps 100 are secured to the platform 60. The plurality of straps 100 engage the rear pivot bar 30 of the shopping cart 21 for defining a second platform lock 102 and terminating displacement of the platform 60 relative to the shopping cart 21. Preferably, the plurality of straps 100 include a first and second hook and loop strap 104. However, the plurality of straps 100 may alternatively include an elastic band, nylon straps with strap locks. The combination between the plurality of hooks 82 and the plurality of straps 100 permits in the expedited installation and removal of the mobility platform 10 from the shopping cart 20. In addition, the combination between the plurality of hooks 82 and the plurality of straps 100 provides a static engagement between the mobility platform 10 and the shopping cart 20.

(46) FIGS. 1-11 illustrate a first embodiment of the mobility platform 10. The platform 60 defines a generally descending orientation 110. The generally descending, orientation 110 provides a parallel orientation 112 between the deformable layer 90 and the individual's 40 first forearm 46 and the second forearm 48 as the individual 70 is in a standing position. The individual 40 may also place any portion of the individual's 40 first arm 42 and/or second arm 44, including the first hand 50 and the second hand 52 on the deformable layer 90.

(47) FIGS. 12-21 illustrate a second embodiment of the mobility platform 10. A plurality of taper blocks 120 are coupled to the lower surface 64. The plurality of taper blocs 120 engage the rear pivot bar 30 of the shopping cart 20 for positioning the platform 60 in a generally horizontal orientation 122. The generally horizontal orientation 122 provides a perpendicular orientation 124 between the deformable layer 90 and the individual's 40 first forearm 46 and the second forearm 48 as the individual 70 is in a standing position. The individual 40 may also place any portion of the individual's 40 first arm 42 and/or second arm 44, including the first hand 50 and the second hand 52 on the deformable layer 90. Preferably, the platform 60, the plurality of hooks 82 and the plurality of taper blocks 120 are constructed from an integral one piece unit of polymeric material. However, the platform 60, the plurality of hooks 82 and plurality of taper blocks 120 maybe constructed from other suitable rigid materials.

(48) FIGS. 22-37 illustrate a third embodiment of the mobility platform 10. A front edge coupling device 130 is coupled to the front edge 66 of the platform 60. Similarly, a rear edge coupling device 132 is coupled to the rear edge 68. Preferably, the front edge coupling device 130 and the rear edge coupling device 132 are constructed of a hook or loop strip.

(49) A pouch 140 defining a pouch chamber 146 provides storage of pouch items 147. The pouch items 147 may include keys, electronic devices, shopping list, coupons, hand towels or other items. A pouch 140 may include a pouch strip 142 having a plurality of pouches 144 for storage of multiple pouch items 147. A pouch coupling device 148 is coupled to the pouch 140. The pouch coupling device 148 may include a hook or loop strip. The pouch coupling device 148 engages with the either the front edge coupling device 130 or the rear edge coupling device 132 for coupling the pouch 140 to the platform 60.

(50) An amusement item 150 or a plurality of amusement items 154 may be provided for entertaining a child sitting in the cart 20. The amusement item 150 may include a pacifier, baby-raddler, or other toys. An amusement tether 152 is secured to the amusement item 150. An amusement coupling device 156 is coupled to the amusement tether 152. The amusement coupling device 156 may include a hook or loop strip. The amusement coupling device 156 engages with the either the front edge coupling device 130 or the rear edge coupling device 132 for coupling the amusement coupling device 156 to the platform 60. An anti-choke device 158 may be coupled to the amusement tether 152 for preventing a child from swallowing the amusement coupling device 156 and choking. The anti-choke device 158 may include a ball, ring or other large object.

(51) The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.