Field of Invention

This invention relates a personal shopping cart and system incorporating a collapsible wheeled trolley that is able to be configured into a compact, collapsed form for storage and carrying when not deployed for use.

Background

It is known to provide a shopping bag in which the base of the bag is fitted with a pair of ground-engaging wheels which are able to carry the weight of the bag and its load whilst the bag is carried by a hand of the user in the conventional way. The wheels are moveable from their in-use position to a stowed position lying substantially flat against the base of the bag and in this mode when the bag is not in use it can be folded into a small volume for ease of transportation and storage. Although the wheels are of some assistance in carrying the weight of the bag and its contents, because there is no substantial rigidity within the overall structure of the main body of the bag it is not particularly convenient to use. Moreover, the trolley fittings (e.g. wheels, legs, etc.) are fixedly attached directly to the shopping bag, meaning the bag cannot be easily cleaned, amongst other things. Also, the shopping bag portion of this construction cannot be easily washed, and thus presents a hygiene issue after some use.

Another form of wheeled shopping cart is disclosed, for example, in United States patent 9,233,700, having a rigid but foldable cart to which a shopping bag is removably attached. This provides a useful conveyance when loaded, but the shopping bag has a single, deep primary storage space that can be troublesome for loading and unloading of shopping for some people. Moreover, the cart has a simple folding structure but does not reduce to a particularly small size for shipping, storage and the like.

It would be desirable to provide a wheeled conveyance that may be stored and carried in a compact form but easily deployed by a user to load and carry shopping and the like upon demand. It would also be desirable to provide a shopping cart with a collapsible wheeled trolley that addresses one or more shortcomings of the prior art, or at least provides a useful alternative. Summary

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a trolley comprising: a carriage having a pair of wheels disposed to opposite sides thereof and at least one support leg; and a handle assembly coupled at the front of the carriage; wherein the trolley is collapsible from a deployed configuration into a storage configuration and wherein: in the deployed configuration the at least one leg extends transverse to the handle assembly and the handle assembly is telescopically extended; and in the storage configuration handle assembly is telescopically retracted and the at least one leg extends substantially parallel thereto; and wherein the handle assembly has a plurality of transverse support rails attached to respective sections of the telescopic structure and adapted to mount one or more cargo bags thereon.

A shopping cart according to embodiments of the invention may comprise a trolley as defined above in combination with at least one collapsible cargo bag adapted for removable mounting on a support rail of the trolley.

In embodiments, the at least one cargo bag comprises a flexible material provided with a structural rim around an open mouth, the structural rim being attached to a mounting rail configured to interfit with the trolley support rail.

In embodiments, the at least one cargo bag includes stiffening panels in the sidewalls thereof, the stiffening panels being hingedly attached to the flexible material for selective deployment to provide vertical structure to the cargo bag.

In embodiments the shopping cart may include first and second cargo bags wherein the second cargo bag is adapted to mount in the mouth of the first cargo bag creating a compartmentalised space therein, and wherein the first cargo bag is provided with an opening for selective access to a lower compartment.

In embodiments the at least one cargo bag includes a base plate comprising at least one mounting lug configured to be removably received within a slot in the at least one leg of the trolley. In embodiments, the at least one cargo bag comprises a structural base including a mounting rail configured to interfit with a lower support rail of the trolley.

In one embodiment, the trolley may be fitted with 'stair climbing' wheels wherein, on each side of the trolley, a plurality of wheels (e.g. three) are circumferentially distributed about a parallel axis rotatable spindle.

The present invention also provides a cargo bag adapted for removable mounting on a wheeled trolley, the cargo bag comprising a flexible material provided with a structural rim around an open mouth, the structural rim being attached to a mounting rail configured to interfit with a support rail on the trolley.

The cargo bag may include stiffening panels in the sidewalls thereof, the stiffening panels being hingedly attached to the flexible material for selective deployment to provide vertical structure to the cargo bag.

In embodiments, the cargo bag may include a base plate comprising a mounting lug configured to be removably received within a slot in a support leg of the trolley. The cargo bag may additionally or alternatively comprise a structural base including a mounting rail configured to interfit with a support rail on the trolley.

Further aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the accompanying description and drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

In order that the invention may be more easily understood, the following detailed description is provided including description of embodiments of the invention, presented by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a shopping cart according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the shopping cart of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an overhead view of the shopping cart of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of the shopping cart of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a front perspective view of a collapsible trolley according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a deployed configuration;

Figures 6 and 7 show the trolley of Figure 5 in front and side views, respectively;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the collapsible trolley in fully collapsed configuration;

Figures 9 and 10 are side and top views, respectively, of the collapsible trolley in its fully collapsed configuration;

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the shopping cart according to an embodiment of the invention, seen through a central side section as indicated at A-A in a front view from Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a detail view of a bag support rail arrangement indicated at 'B' in Figure 12;

Figures 14 and 15 are perspective views of a removable bag component according to an embodiment of the invention, illustrating various features thereof;

Figures 16 and 17 are front and side sectional views, respectively, of the removable bag component, illustrating a releasable self-supporting arrangement;

Figures 18 and 19 are diagrammatic front sectional views of the removable bag component illustrating use of the releasable self-supporting arrangement;

Figure 20 is a front perspective view of a shopping cart according to an another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 21 is a front perspective view of the shopping cart according to Figure 15, including a lid;

Figure 23 is a sectional view of the shopping cart according to the embodiment of Figure 20, seen through a central side section as indicated at C-C in a front view from Figure 22;

Figure 24 is a detail view of a double bag support rail arrangement indicated at 'D' in Figure 22;

Figure 25 is an upper perspective view of a cargo bag seen in isolation;

Figure 26 is a side view of a cargo bag seen in isolation;

Figure 27 is an overhead view of a cargo bag seen in isolation;

Figure 29 is a sectional view of the shopping cart according to an embodiment of the invention, seen through a central side section as indicated at G-G in a front view from Figure 28;

Figures 30 and 31 are upper perspective views of a market bag according to an embodiment of the invention, seen with and without a top lid respectively; Figure 32 is a rear view of the market bag of Figure 30;

Figure 33 is a side view of the market bag of Figure 30;

Figure 34 is an overhead view of the market bag of Figure 31 ;

Figure 36 is a sectional view of the market bag according to an embodiment of the invention, seen through a central side section as indicated at H-H in a front view from Figure 35;

Figure 37 is a detail view of an upper bag support rail arrangement indicated at T in Figure 36;

Figures 38 and 39 are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of a mounting rail according to an embodiment of the invention, seen in isolation; Figures 40, 41 and 42 are front, rear and overhead views, respectively, of the mounting rail of Figure 38;

Figures 43 and 44 are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of a mounting rail according to another embodiment of the invention, seen in isolation;

Figure 45 is a rear view of the mounting rail of Figure 43; Figure 46 is an overhead view of the mounting rail of Figure 43;

Figure 47 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting rail of Figure 43;

Figure 48 illustrates a collapsible trolley according to an embodiment of the invention temporarily suspended on the front of a supermarket cart for ease of use;

Figure 49 is a front perspective view of a shopping cart according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 50 is a front view of the shopping cart of Figure 49;

Figure 51 is a side view of the shopping cart of Figure 49;

Figure 52 is a rear view of the shopping cart of Figure 49;

Figure 53 is an overhead view of the shopping cart of Figure 49; Figure 55 is a sectional view of the shopping cart according to the embodiment of

Figure 49, seen through a central side section as indicated at J-J in a front view from Figure 54; Figure 56 is a detail view of a double bag support rail arrangement indicated at 'K' in Figure 55;

Figure 57 is a detail view of a lower bag support rail arrangement indicated at 'L' in Figure 55;

Figure 58 is a front perspective view of the collapsible trolley according to the embodiment of Figure 49, seen without the side panels of the market bag;

Figure 59 is a detail view of a base support arrangement indicated at 'M' in Figure

58; and

Figure 60 is a side view of a shopping cart according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

A shopping cart 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 4, for example, deployed for use. In its configuration deployed for use, the shopping cart 10 is able to stand, self-supported, on the ground resting on a support carriage 50.

The shopping cart 10 comprises generally a wheeled trolley 20 together with at least one cargo bag 80. The trolley and cargo bag are separable from one another, and each constructed to be collapsible for shipping, storage or carrying from one place to another. This also allows the cargo bag(s) 80 to be detached from the trolley 20 to be cleaned or washed, or replaced in the event of excessive wear or damage.

The trolley 20 is seen in isolation in its deployed configuration in Figures 5-7, for example, comprises the support carriage 50 and an upright assembly 30. The support carriage includes two legs 52 that are each pivotally coupled to a base cross member 57. When the trolley is deployed in use, the base cross member 57 extends parallel to the ground, and the legs 52 extend rearwardly therefrom, splayed slightly outward for increased stability. The distal end of each leg 52 has a foot 51 configured to contact the ground in use. The carriage also has two wheels 56 that are supported at the ends of the base cross member 57, the wheels 56 and feet 51 supporting the trolley or shopping cart when deployed and at rest. The upright assembly 30 of the trolley is attached at its base to the cross member 57 and extends vertically therefrom when the support carriage 50 is resting on the ground. The upright assembly 30 has two telescopic action pillars that are coupled to one another by crossbars so that the telescopic action of the two pillars operates in concert. Each of the pillars comprises four telescopic sections 31, 33, 35, 37. The base pillar sections 31 are attached to the base cross member 57, each just inboard of the respective wheels 56. A first crossbar 32 interconnects the tops of the first pillar sections 31, and a second crossbar 34 likewise interconnects the tops of the second sections 33. The top pillar sections 37 are interconnected by an upper crossbar 38, above and adjacent to which is a user handle 40.

A pushbutton 42 is provided on the top of the handle 40 which controls the telescopic action of the upright assembly, in known fashion. When the trolley is to be collapsed for storage or the like, the user presses the pushbutton 42 which releases the telescopic mechanism allowing the respective pillar sections 37, 35 and 33 to slide relative to one another and into the interior of base pillar sections 31.

The carriage 50 has a separate mechanism for transition between deployed and collapsed configurations. Each leg 52 has an angled brace member 53 hingedly attached at the top thereof, and the brace members 53 angle upwards to second hinged connections on respective sliding collars 54. The collars 54 are adapted to slide over the outside of the respective base pillar sections 31, and are interconnected by a sliding crossbar 55 so that the collars move in concert, in use. One or both of the sliding collars may have a latch button to selectively engage with the base pillar section, for example, to hold the sliding collar mechanism in its lower position when deployed. However, to collapse the carriage 50 the user may operate the latch button and slide the collar mechanism upwardly (i.e. away from the wheels. By action of the brace members 53, this has the effect of pivoting the legs toward the upright assembly 30. To enable maximum compactness when collapsed, the legs 52 have an open channel structure that allows the brace members to fit therein.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 show the trolley 20 in its collapsed configuration, wherein the upright assembly 30 is telescopically retracted, and the legs of the carriage 50 are folded to he substantially parallel to the upright assembly. As can be seen in these views, the trolley in its collapsed configuration presents a very small package for easy shipping, storage and the like.

The purpose of the trolley 20 is to convey one or more cargo bags 80 that can be filled with shopping items and such like in use. Several different configurations of cargo bags are catered for in embodiments of the invention, one of which is seen in Figures 1-4. In this case two cargo bags 80 are fitted to the trolley, an upper cargo bag 88 and a lower cargo bag 89.

As seen in Figures 14 and 15, for example, each cargo bag 80 is sewn or otherwise constructed from flexible material such as polyester or the like, in the shape of a generally rectangular prism 81 with an open top. The top edges of the cargo bag are attached using hook-and-loop fastening flaps 82 (Figure 15) around a generally rectangular rim 85 constructed from a lightweight yet strong material such as extruded aluminium. The bottom panel of the cargo bag 80 preferably supports or incorporates a stiff sheet material (not shown) such as plastic sheet to provide stability for shopping items placed in the bag in use. Flexible handles 84 are also preferably provided to allow the cargo bag 80 to be carried when not attached to the trolley.

Since the shopping trolley will commonly be used to transport foodstuffs, hygiene is a consideration. With that in mind, the cargo bags are preferably constructed using a fabric that hinders biological growths such as microbes and fungi. In particular, the cargo bag fabric may be manufactured using yam with a chemical additive. For example, a silver-based compound as is known in the art can be added to the fabric yam in suitable dosage to achieve both antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

The rim 85 serves to give stmcture to the top opening of the cargo bag and to support the cargo bag on the trolley, in use, by means of a mounting system illustrated in Figure 13. More particularly, Figure 13 shows a detail cross-sectional view through the area indicated at 'B' in Figure 12 where the lower cargo bag 89 is mounted on the second crossbar 34. Attached to the front of the cargo bag rim is a mounting rail 90. In order to allow the cargo bag to be mounted to the trolley the crossbar is formed with vertical slot that is adapted to receive a downwardly protmding lip 92 on the mounting rail 90. In turn, the rearward portion of the crossbar defining the slot fits securely into a gap between the lip 92 and the body of the mounting rail 90. This arrangement holds the cargo bag rim generally perpendicular to the upright assembly. In order to provide additional support to the cargo bag, for example when heavy items are carried, the mounting rail is provided with downwardly projecting angled legs 95 on each side thereof, aligned so as to bear against the rear of the pillar section immediately below the crossbar.

Figures 28 and 29 show how the lower cargo bag is supported on the second crossbar 34 by means of the mounting rail 90, with Figure 29 showing an overhead sectional view. It may be appreciated that the upper cargo bag has similar structure to the lower cargo bag and in use mounts to and is supported by the upper crossbar in similar fashion. Details of the cargo bag mounting rail structure can be seen more clearly in Figures 39-42.

While the rim 85 provides structure to the mouth of the cargo bag, in order to provide some vertical structure the cargo bag is fitted with sidewall stiffener panels 86 illustrated in Figures 16-18. Each sidewall of the cargo bag 80 it fitted with a stiff panel 86 made from a plastic material and hingedly attached on the inside of the cargo bag where the sidewall meets the bottom. The top of the panel 86 is secured in use adjacent the rim 85 by tucking the end of the panel under a stitched flap or the like. When so secured, the panels 86 provide a vertical structure to the cargo bag 80.

The panels 86 may also be unsecured at their top so to allow the cargo bag to collapse to a flattened configuration. This is diagrammatically shown in Figures 18 and 19, which illustrates the cargo bag loaded with some grocery items. When the panels 86 are released at the top, the cargo bag fabric material may collapse and the panels 86 pivot downwards about their lower hinged connections. This may be useful for removing shopping items from the cargo bag and also for shipping and storage. More particularly, Figure 18 shows a cargo bag with the sidewall stiffener panels 86 released at the top from the inside of the cargo bag and upstanding. Figure 19 illustrates a cargo bag with the sidewall stiffener panels folded down to lay against the inside base of the cargo bag.

Figures 20 and 21 show a shopping cart 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention that has a different form of cargo bag. In this case rather than separate upper and lower cargo bags, a single relatively deep 'market bag' 100 is provided. The market bag has a generally similar construction to the cargo bag structure although it has a larger mouth, sized to receive the upper cargo bag therein to provide a compartmentalised space. To allow the upper cargo bag to be mounted within the mouth of the market bag, the market bag mounting rail 190 has a receiving slot for the lip of the upper or lower cargo bag mounting rail. This structure is illustrated in cross-section in Figures 23 and 24. Details of the market bag mounting rail structure can be seen more clearly in Figures 44-47.

Mounting a cargo bag in the top of the market bag creates a compartmentalised space for stowing items in the market bag. To allow access to the lower space an opening in the market bag is provided just below the level of the bottom of the inserted cargo bag. This opening is ordinarily covered with a flap 102, which can be secured closed with hook and loop fastening on three sides. When open, this allows for the placement of heavier groceries in the bottom half of the market bag, giving it two separated compartments. The flap 102 can be kept open with a magnet holder.

Figures 49 to 53 show a shopping cart 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention that has a cargo bag in the form of a market bag 100' having additional support/attachment assemblies at the base 210 of the bag. Similarly to the market bag 100 described above, the market bag 100' is configured to optionally receive an upper cargo bag 80 therein. Figures 55 and 56 illustrate a double bag support rail arrangement for mounting the bags onto the trolley 20'. The rail arrangement is functionally similar to the one described above and illustrated in Figures 23 and 24.

The market bag 100' further comprises a base plate 210 onto which the flexible sidewall panels and/or bottom panel of the bag is/are (optionally removably) attached. The base plate 210 comprises lugs 212 sized and configured to be reversibly received in respective slots 214 located in the feet 5 G of the trolley 20'. This arrangement is seen more clearly in Figure

58, which illustrates the base plate 210 (in isolation) attached to the trolley 20' and Figure

59, which illustrates the lug 212 and slot 214 arrangement 'M' in detail. Although the illustrated example shows the lugs 212 on the base plate 210 and the complementary slots 214 on the trolley 20', the arrangement could be reversed such that the lugs are provided on the trolley 20' and the slots in the base plate 210. Figure 58 also illustrates that the trolley 20' may have an additional third crossbar 39, in this case to support a deeper market bag 100'.

The base plate 210 may be additionally or alternatively supported on the trolley 20' via lower bag support rail arrangement, seen more clearly in Figures 55 and 57. At the rear of the base plate 210 is a mounting rail 220 adapted to be mounted onto a crossbar, such as base cross member 57, of the trolley 20'. In this example, the cross member 57 is formed with a vertical slot that is adapted to receive a downwardly protruding lip 222 of the mounting rail 220. In turn, a portion of the cross member 57 fits securely into a gap between the lip 222 and the body of the mounting rail 220. While the illustrated example includes a base plate 210, other means for providing structure to the base of the cargo bag from which the mounting arrangements are supported may be incorporated. For example, a stiffening frame (not shown) may border the base panel of the bag, to which the mounting rail 220 may be attached or integrally formed.

These support assemblies at the base of the market bag 100' provide additional support to the bag, for example to support a heavier load and/or to support a deeper bag. It will be appreciated that these support arrangements of the base plate 210 (ie the lug 212 and slot 214 arrangement and the lower bag support rail arrangement) are reversible such that the market bag 100' is removable from the trolley 100'.

Figures 25-27 show the upper or lower cargo bag 80 in isolation wherein the mounting rail 90 can be seen more clearly. The market bag 100 can be seen from various angles in Figures 30-37.

For additional ease of use when shopping in a supermarket, the trolley 20 may be provided with a forward and downwardly protruding hook or lip formation 110 on or about the upper crossbar or handle, to allow the trolley in its collapsed configuration to be temporarily suspended on the front of a supermarket cart. This arrangement is illustrated in Figure 48 where the trolley 20 is suspended on the front of a supermarket cart 120 by placing the hook formation 110 over the top wire of the cart 120.

Figure 60 illustrates a shopping cart according to another embodiment of the present invention that has 'stair climbing' wheels 250, wherein, on each side of the trolley, a plurality of wheels (e.g. three) 252, 254, 256 are circumferentially distributed about a parallel axis rotatable spindle 260. This allows the trolley to be more easily wheeled up and down stairs, and when traversing even ground the trolley is supported by two wheels on each side thereof.

The invention has been described by way of non-limiting example only and many modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.