STARCK, Kristiina (Kvarnbäcksvägen 31, Luleå, S-974 51, SE)
| PATENTKRAV 1. Cart (1) comprising a chassis (2), wheels (3, 4) which are arranged on the chassis (2) for driving on a surface, and a basket for goods arranged on the rear part of the chassis, wherein the wheels (3, 4) comprise rear wheels (4) which are arranged on the chassis, and at least one front wheel (3) which is suspended in the front part (8) of the cart (1), characterized in that the front part (8) of the chassis (2) is arranged to be pushed in between the wheels of a cart, and wherein the cart provides possible transportation of children by at least one of the following arrangements: the cart (1) is arranged to be pushed in below the chassis of a baby carriage so that the baby carriage may be steered simultaneously with the cart (1); the basket (5) for goods is arranged with at least one seat; the cart (1) comprises a standing plate (36) which is arranged on the rear part of the chassis (2), so that a child may stand on the standing plate (36) behind the basket (5) for goods. 2. Cart according to claim 1, wherein the chassis (2) is height adjustable in relation to the front wheels (3), so that, when the front part (8) of the chassis (2) has been pushed in between the wheels below the chassis of the baby carriage, the baby carriage then may be raised from the surface by raising the chassis (2) in relation to the front wheels (3). 3. Cart (1) according to claim 2, wherein the front wheels (3) are suspended in at least one bogie (1 1), in relation to which the chassis (2) is height adjustable. 4. Cart (1) according to claim 3, wherein the boogie (11) is turnably suspended in at least one arm (12, 13) which in turn is turnably suspended in the chassis (2). 5. Cart (1) according to claim 4, wherein raising of the chassis (2) in relation to the front wheels (3) is made by means of a pedal (16) which is connected to at least one of said at least one arm (12, 13), which pedal (16) is arranged to be manoeuvred with the foot, and wherein the chassis (2) is held in the raised position by means of a blocking member. 6. Cart (1) according to claim 5, wherein the pedal (16) is arranged on a manoeuvring arm (18) which is connected to said at least one arm (12). 7. Cart (1) according to claim 6, wherein the manoeuvring arm (18) is connected to said at least one arm (12, 13) by means of a pull rod (17). 8. Cart (1) according to any one of claims 5, 6 or 7, wherein the blocking member is constituted by a blockable spring (15), wherein the blockable spring is manoeuvred by means of an actuation member (23), so that the chassis (2) is arranged to be lowered by manoeuvring of the actuation member (23). 9. Cart (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chassis (2) comprises a frame (25) which defines an essentially plane surface, in which frame the bogie and the rear wheels are suspended. 10. Cart (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising poles (31 , 32) which are arranged attached to attachment points (33, 34) in the chassis (2) and which extends upwards from the chassis (2) when the cart is placed with the wheels (3, 4) on a horizontal surface, a handle (35) for a user, which handle (35) is attached to the upper ends (39, 40) of the poles (31 , 32). 1 1. Cart (1) according to claim 10, comprising a standing plate (36) which is arranged on the rear part (7) of the chassis (2), so that a child may stand on the standing plate (36) behind the basket (5) for goods. 12. Cart (1) according to claim 1 1 , wherein the standing plate (36) and the handle (35) are arranged so that a child may stand between the basket (5) for goods and the handle (35). 13. Cart (1) according to claim 1 1 or 12, wherein the standing plate (36) is attached articulated to the chassis (2) around an axis (37) which is perpendicular to the length axis (38) of the cart, so that the rear end of the standing plate (36) may swing upwards forwards. 14. Cart (1) according to claim 13, wherein the front end of the chassis (2) comprises a member (41) with a surface (42) which inclines downwards forwards towards an end (43) which is arranged at a height below the standing plate (36) when the cart (1) is placed on a surface. 15. Cart (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the cart (1) is a baggage cart with a baggage compartment (29) in front of the basket (5) for goods and comprises a supporting wall (44) attached to the poles (31, 32) between the baggage compartment (29) and the standing plate (36), which supporting wall (44) prevents baggage from sliding backwards. 16. Cart (1) according to claim 15, wherein the supporting wall (44) is essentially plane and wherein each one of the poles (31 , 32) comprises a central portion (45, 47) between the attachment point (33, 34) and the handle (35), which is displaced forwards in relation to the attachment point (33, 34) and in which the supporting wall (44) is attached. 17. Cart (1) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the basket (5) is attached to the poles (31, 32) with its rear end in essentially the same position as the supporting wall (44). 18. Cart ( 1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basket (5) comprises a plate (50) in the bottom which is essentially horizontal when the cart (1) is placed with the wheels (3, 4) on a horizontal surface, so that at least one child may be placed sitting on the plate (50). |
Technical field
The present invention relates to a cart for purchasing goods in a store such as a
supermarket. More precisely the present invention relates to such a cart which is arranged for reception of a baby carriage so that the baby carriage may be steered with the cart.
Description of prior art
There are situations in the every day life when one wants to be able to transport goods as well as children. One example on such a situation is when you are to shop goods. In supermarkets and similar sales facilities it is cumbersome for a lonely person during a shopping round to bring a baby carriage as well as a cart borrowed at the supermarket, on which cart purchased goods are to be transported.
Since previously it is known to either connect the baby carriage after the cart, or to connect the cart after the baby carriage, in both cases by means of a coupling which is turnable around a vertical axis. Both baby carriage and cart roll with the own wheels on the surface/floor.
Another example is when one is to travel by air. It might be very difficult for a lonely person to travel with children and baggage. On airports there are baggage carts for transport of baggage, which lack seats for children. Therefore, the children have to walk by themselves or alternatively sit on the baggage the often long distances which have to be travelled on an airport.
The German publication DE 4202428 describes a cart which comprises a shelf in its rear part, which shelf is adapted for reception of the front wheels of a baby carriage so that only the rear wheels of the baby carriage are on the floor. By the front wheels and the shelf a rigid coupling between the baby carriage and the cart is provided, so that the cart is moved forward and is steered simultaneously with the baby carriage.
The PCT application WO 2008/018824 describes a cart which is provided with fingers that may be raised and lowered and which may be moved in under the chassis of a baby carriage in order to then raise the baby carriage.
Summary of the invention
An object of the present invention is to provide a cart with which simultaneous transport of children and goods is facilitated.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cart which is arranged for reception of a baby carriage so that the baby carriage may be steered through steering of the shopping cart. A further object of the present invention is to provide such a shopping cart which is easy to manoeuvre also for a weak person.
A further object is to provide a baggage cart with which baggage as well as children may be transported.
At least one of these objects is fulfilled with a cart according to claim 1.
Further advantages with the invention are provided with the features in the dependent claims.
A cart according to the invention comprises a chassis, wheels which are arranged on the chassis for driving on the surface, and a basket for goods arranged on the rear part of the chassis, wherein the wheels comprise rear wheels which are arranged on the chassis, and at least one front wheel which is suspended in the front part of the cart. The cart is characterized in that the front part of the chassis is arranged to be pushed in between the wheels on a cart, and wherein the cart provides possible transport of children through at least one of the following arrangements:
the cart is arranged to be pushed in under the chassis of a baby carriage so that the baby carriage may be steered simultaneously with the cart;
the basket for goods is arranged with at least one sitting position;
the cart comprises a standing plate which is arranged on the rear part of the chassis, so that a child may stand on the standing plate behind the basket for goods.
The chassis may be vertically adjustable in relation to the front wheels so that, when the front part of the chassis has been pushed in between the wheels under the chassis of a baby carriage, the baby carriage then may be raised from the surface by raising the chassis in relation to the front wheels.
With a cart according to the invention the possibility is provided to easily transport a baby carriage with an adherent child simultaneously with a cart. By the cart first being arranged to be pushed in between the wheels under the chassis in order to then be raised the arrangement of the baby carriage on the cart is divided into two steps which makes it easier to place the baby carriage on the cart.
The front wheels may be suspended in at least one boogie, in relation to which the chassis is vertically adjustable. By placing the front wheels in a bogie a stable front support is provided for the carriage.
The bogie is preferably turnable around an axis which is perpendicular to the length axis of the cart and parallel to the surface during use of the cart. Thereby travel with the cart over small obstacles such as smaller stones is facilitated.
The bogie may be turnably suspended in at least one arm which in turn is turnably suspended in the chassis. With such a solution vertical adjustability of the bogie is provided in a simple way. The raising of the chassis in relation to the front wheels may be made by means of a pedal which is connected to said at least one arm, which pedal is arranged to be manoeuvred with the foot, and wherein the chassis is held in the raised position by means of a lock member. By arranging the manoeuvring of the raising of the chassis in relation to the front wheels a solution is provided which provides possibilities also for relatively weak persons to raise the chassis.
The pedal may be arranged on a manoeuvring arm which is connected to said at least one arm. Such a manoeuvring arm may be connected to said at least one arm by means of a pull rod. A pull rod provides the possibility to absorb pull forces as well as push forces and is also a relatively cost efficient solution.
The lock member may be constituted of a blockable spring, wherein the blockable spring is manoeuvred by means of an actuation member, so that the chassis is arranged to be lowered by manoeuvring of the lock member. The blockable spring may for example be a gas spring. Such a blockable gas spring may relatively easily be blocked or opened with a valve.
The chassis may comprise a frame which defines an essentially plane surface, in which frame the bogie and the rear wheels are suspended. Preferably a net is arranged tensioned within the frame for creation of a loading surface. Such a frame is relatively easy to manufacture and allows also transport of bulky goods in the case that no baby carriage is placed on the front part of the chassis.
The rear part of the chassis may comprise a foot support adapted for a child to stand on. This allows transportation of two children and a baby carriage on the same cart.
The cart may comprise poles which are arranged fixed in fastening points in the chassis and which extend upwards from the chassis when the cart is placed with the wheels on a horizontal surface, and a handle for a user, which handle is attached to the upper ends of the poles. By means of the handle and the poles a user may steer the cart in a
comfortable working height.
The cart may comprise a standing plate which is arranged on the rear part of the chassis so that a child may stand on the standing plate behind the basket for goods. The standing plate and the handle may be arranged so that a child may stand between the basket for goods and the handle. By such an arrangement of the standing plate and the handle the advantage is provided that a child on the standing plate is situated close to the user of the cart at the same time as the user may steer the cart unhindered.
The standing plate may be attached articulated to the chassis around an axis which is perpendicular to the length axis of the cart, so that the rear end of the standing plate may swing upwards forwards. This may be an advantage when the cart is to be stored between the occasions of use. A second cart may then be brought together with a first cart by the front end of the second cart being driven into the rear part of the first cart.
The front end of the chassis may comprise a member with a surface which inclines downwards forwards towards an end which is arranged at a height below the foot support when the cart is placed on a surface. With such a member the standing plate is
automatically moved to its raised position when carts are to be moved together to a storage position.
The cart may be a baggage cart with a baggage compartment in front of the basket for goods and comprises a supporting wall attached to the poles between the baggage compartment and the standing plate, which supporting wall prevents baggage from sliding backwards.
The supporting wall may be essentially plane and each one of the poles may comprise a central part between the fastening point and the handle, which is displaced forwards in relation to the fastening point and in which the supporting wall is fastened. With such an arrangement of the central part and the poles the supporting wall may be placed sufficiently far forward for the centre of gravity of a child on the standing plate to be positioned in front of or only a short distance behind the centre of the rear wheels, at the same time as the fastening points for the poles may be placed close to the rear wheels. To have the fastening points close to the rear wheels is advantageous from a strength point of view. It is advantageous if the centre of gravity for the child on the standing plate is as far forward as possible to prevent the cart from falling backwards.
The basket may be attached to the poles with its rear end in essentially the same position as the supporting wall. This is advantageous from a strength point of view as the poles have been made strong to stand the forces which are applied from the user for steering the cart.
The basket may comprise a plate in the bottom which is essentially horizontal when the cart is placed with the wheels on a horizontal surface, so that at least one child may be placed sitting on the plate. Preferably the plate and the basket are made sufficiently wide to allow two children to sit next to each other on the plate. The basket may comprise bars which are positioned sufficiently far apart to allow the legs of the children to stick out between the bars. With such a basket two seats are created in a simple way without requiring further space on the cart.
Short description of the drawings
In the following preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the appended drawings on which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a shopping cart according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2a shows a perspective view of the shopping cart in Fig. 1 with the front wheels in a first position.
Figure 2b and 2c show partial enlargements of the shopping cart in Fig. 2a.
Figure 3a shows a perspective view of the shopping cart in Fig. 1 with the front wheels in a second position.
Figure 3b and 3c show partial enlargements of the shopping cart in Fig. 3a.
Figure 4 is a perspective view obliquely from behind of a baggage cart according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view obliquely from behind of two baggage carts according to the embodiment of Fig. 4 when they are connected.
Description of preferred embodiments
In the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention the same reference numerals will be used for the same features in the different figures. The drawings are not drawn to scale.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a shopping cart 1 according to an
embodiment of the present invention. The shopping cart 1 comprises a chassis 2, front wheels 3, and rear wheels 4, which are arranged on the chassis for driving on a surface, and a goods basket 5 arranged on the rear part of the chassis 2. The front wheels 3 as well as the rear wheels 4 are arranged turnable around axes 6 which are essentially vertical when the shopping cart 1 is arranged on a surface. As is evident from Figure 1 the goods basket 5 extends only over the rear part 7 of the chassis 2. The front part 8 of the chassis 2 is more narrow than the rear part 7 of the chassis 2 in order to enable the front part of the chassis to be pushed in below a baby carriage.
Figure 2a is a perspective view of the shopping cart 1 in Fig. 1 with the front wheels 3 in a first position while Fig. 2b is a perspective view of the shopping cart 1 in Fig. 1 with the front wheels 3 in a second position. As is evident from Figure 2b and Figure 2c the front wheels are manoeuvrable between the first position in which the front wheels are closest to the chassis 2 and a second position in which the front wheels are at a distance from the chassis. The front wheels 3 are arranged in pairs on two longitudinal beams 9 which are rigidly connected with a transversal axis 10, which together forms a bogie 1 1. The bogie 11 is turnably suspended in a first arm 12 and a second arm 13, which are turnably suspended in the chassis 2 around an axis of rotation 14 which is parallel to the transversal axis 10. The first arm 12 and the second arm 13 are manoeuvred by means of a foot pedal 16 on a manoeuvring arm 18 which is turnably arranged in the chassis 2 around a second axis of rotation 19. The manoeuvring arm 18 is connected to the first arm 12 by means of a pull rod 17. The pull rod 17 is connected to a first point 20 on the first arm 12 which is at a distance from the turning axis and is connected to a first attachment 21 on the manoeuvring arm 18, which first attachment 21 is at a distance from the second axis of rotation 19. The foot pedal 16 is arranged to be pushed downwards to get the front wheels 3 to the second position at a distance from the chassis 2. A blockable spring 15 is arranged between the chassis 2 and a second attachment 22 on the manoeuvring arm 18. The blockable spring 15 acts with a force on the manoeuvring arm 18 which is counter directed to a downward force on the foot pedal 16. In the shown embodiment the blockable spring 15 is a gas spring. The shopping cart 1 also comprises an actuation member 23 with which actuation member 23 the blocking of the blockable spring 15 is manoeuvred. The shopping cart 1 also comprises a handle 24 for manoeuvring of the shopping cart during travel and a foot support 25 on which a child may stand with his upper body inside the handle 24. In the shown embodiment the chassis 2 comprises a frame 26 which defines a plane surface. Inside the frame 26 a net 27 is arranged on which goods may be placed.
The front part of the chassis may be arranged for reception of a basket (not shown) for sitting children. The basket may for example be conical.
It is possible to arrange the second pull rod (not shown) on the other side of the shopping cart, which second pull rod is connected to the second arm 13 and to a second manoeuvring arm (not shown) which is rigidly connected to the manoeuvring arm 18. With two pull rods a more even force distribution on the bogie 11 is provided during raising and lowering of the bogie 11 in relation to the chassis 2. The second manoeuvring arm (not shown) is then arranged turnable around the second axis of rotation 19.
Figure 3a shows a perspective view of the shopping cart 1 in Fig. 1 with the front wheels 3 in the lowered position. Figures 3b and 3c show partial enlargements of the shopping cart in Fig. 3a.
The function of a shopping cart 1 according to the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. When the front wheels 3 are in the first position closest to the chassis as is shown in Figure 2 the chassis is placed close to the surface on which the shopping cart is driven. The front part 8 of the chassis 2 of the shopping cart 1 may then be driven in between the wheels of a baby carriage (not shown). When the front part 8 of the chassis 2 of the shopping cart 1 has been placed in said position the front part 8 of the chassis 2 of the shopping cart 1 may be raised from the floor by placement of the front wheels 3 in the second position. Placement of the front wheels 3 in the second position is achieved by pressing down the foot pedal 16. When the foot pedal 16 has been pushed down and the front wheels 3 are in the second position at a distance from the chassis 2 the blockable spring 15 may be blocked by manoeuvring of the actuation member 23. When the front wheels 3 have been placed in the second position the wheels of the baby carriage have simultaneously been raised from the surface and so that the entire weight of the baby carriage rests on the shopping cart 1. When the user of the shopping cart handles his purchases the user may thus simultaneously transport his baby carriage with corresponding children in a simple and smooth way. Another preferably larger child may simultaneously stand on the foot support 25.
When the shopping round is finished and the baby carriage again is to be removed from the shopping cart the blocking on the blockable spring 15 is released by manoeuvring of the actuation member 23. The blockable spring 15 will then act on the manoeuvring arm 18 so that the front wheels 3 end in the first position closest to the chassis 2, i.e., that the chassis 2 is placed close to the surface on which the shopping cart 1 is placed. The wheels of the baby carriage will then again come in contact with the surface and the baby carriage may be driven away.
Figure 4 is a perspective view obliquely from behind of a baby carriage 28 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a perspective view obliquely from behind of two baggage carts according to the embodiment in Fig. 4 when they are connected. The baggage cart comprises a baggage compartment in the form of a tubular scaffold 30 on which bags may be placed. The baggage cart comprises a chassis 2, a front wheel 3 and rear wheels 4. Two poles 31 , 32, extend from attachment points 33, 34, close to the rear wheels 4, upwards from the chassis 2. The baggage cart 28 also comprises a handle 35 which is attached to the upper ends 39, 40 of the poles, a basket 5 for goods and a length axis 38.
The baggage cart 28 also comprises a standing plate 36 which is attached articulated to the chassis 2 turnable around an axis of rotation 37 which is perpendicular to the length axis 38 of the cart. By the standing plate 36 being attached articulated in the described way the rear end of the standing plate 36 may swing upwards forward. The baggage cart 28 comprises in the front end of the chassis 2 a member 41 with a surface 42 which inclines downwards forwards towards an end 43 which is arranged at a height below the standing plate 36 when the cart is placed on a surface. As is evident by Fig. 5 the standing plate on a front cart will be pushed upwards forwards by the member 41 on a rear cart when a rear cart is to be pushed together with a front cart. The standing plate 36 is arranged so that it extends only a short distance behind the rear wheels 4. This means that the risk for the baggage cart 28 to turn over is minimized. The standing plate 36, the handle 35 and the basket 5 are arranged so that a child may stand on the standing plate 36 between the handle 35 and the basket 5. To this end the handle 35 is essential U-formed.
The baggage cart also comprises a supporting wall 44 which is attached to the poles between the baggage compartment and the standing plate 36. The standing plate is attached to the central portions 45, 47, of the poles which are displaced forwards in relation to the fastening point. Thanks to the poles 31, 32, being bent and the supporting wall being attached to said central portion the supporting wall 44 may be plane at the same time as space is provided for a standing child behind the supporting wall, so that the centre of gravity of the child is situated in front of or only a short distance behind the rear wheels 4.
The basket 5 is attached to the poles 31 , 32, with its rear end in essentially the same position as the supporting wall 44. The basket 5 comprises a plate 50 in the bottom which is essentially horizontal when the baggage cart 28 is placed with the wheels on a horizontal surface. The basket comprises a number of bars 46 which are separated sufficiently for a child to be able to stick out its legs between two adjacent bars 46. In the shown
embodiment it is possible to place two children next to each other with the legs of each child either forwards or backwards. If a child is standing on the standing plate 36 the child/children in the basket 5 preferably has/have its/their legs directed forwards so that they do not kick the child on the standing plate 36. If there is only one child in the basket 5 it may have its legs directed backwards at the side of a child on the standing plate 36. From the position which is shown in Fig. 5 the carts may be pushed together further so that the basket on the rear cart contacts the basket on the front cart.
The described embodiments may be modified in many ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is limited only by the appended claims.
It is of course possible to let all wheels 3, 4, on the shopping cart be rotatable around vertical axes.
It is possible to have any number of wheels in the bogie.
It is possible to achieve raising and lowering of the front wheels in relation to the chassis in other ways than the one that has been described above.
It is of course possible to use other means than a pull rod to connect the movement of the foot pedal to the movement of the bogie. It is for example possible to connect the movement by means of line wheels/chain wheels and lines/chains.