Stenklyft, Kjell (Jarpvagen 10 Solleftea, S-881 35, SE)
Norlen, Patrik (Gokvagen 2B Solleftea, S-881 35, SE)
Stenklyft, Kjell (Jarpvagen 10 Solleftea, S-881 35, SE)
Norlen, Patrik (Gokvagen 2B Solleftea, S-881 35, SE)
| 1. | A holder for a shopping cart, comprising; a flat elongate member (12) having a front surface (14) and an opposite back surface (16); a resilient clip (20) attached to an upper portion (18) of the member (12), the clip (20) extending along the front surface (14) towards a lower portion (19); and a holder mechanism (28) having a neck portion (30) attached to the back surface (16), the mechanism (28) comprising flexible curved arms (32,34) that together form a rounded shape, the arm (32) having an outer end (36) and the arm (34) having an outer end (38), the outer ends (36, 38) having a gap (40) defined therein, the arms (32,34) firmly holding a handle portion (42) placed between the arms (32,34) and inside the gap (40). |
| 2. | The holder according to claim 1 wherein the clip (20) has an outer end (26) that is extending away from the front surface (14). |
| 3. | The holder according to claim 1 wherein the clip (20) has a contact point (24) that is biasing against the front surface (14). |
| 4. | The holder according to claim 1 wherein the lower portion (19) has a length that is shorter than a length of the upper portion (18). |
| 5. | The holder according to claim 1 wherein the arms (32,34) are biased against the handle portion (42) to rotatably hold the holder (10) on the handle portion (42). |
| 6. | The holder according to claim 4 wherein the neck portion (30) is attached to the back surface (16) between the lower portion (19) and the upper portion (18). |
| 7. | The holder according to claim 1 wherein the clip (20) is made of a transparent material. |
| 8. | The holder according to claim 2 wherein the holder mechanism (28) extends in a first direction and the outer end (26) of the clip (20) extends in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. |
| 9. | The holder according to claim 1 wherein the gap (40) is an opening that faces away from the back surface (16). |
| 10. | The holder according to claim 1 wherein the holder mechanism (28) is removably attached to the handle portion (42). |
Background and Summary of the Invention It is becoming more common for consumers to use coupons when grocery shopping to reduce the food expenditures. However, there is currently no convenient way to carry a large number of coupons. Some consumers also rely on food lists that itemize the food items to be purchased. These food lists are either kept in the hand or in pocket or placed on the shopping cart while grocery shopping. Because there is no convenient way of carrying the coupons and the food list, they sometimes get lost or become crumbled that may make them difficult to read. It is also difficult to read and remember which coupons were brought along when they are stored in a pocket on in the shopping cart. There is a need for a convenient way of carrying coupons and the like when food shopping so that the consumers can clearly see coupons and food items while pushing a shopping cart.
The holder of the present invention provides a reliable and convenient way to hold and read coupons and the like when food shopping because the holder may be snapped onto the holder of the shopping cart. More particularly, the holder has a flat elongate member with a front surface and an opposite back surface. A resilient and transparent clip is attached to an upper portion of the member and extends along the front surface towards a lower portion. A holder mechanism has a neck portion attached to the back surface and comprises flexible curved arms that together form a rounded shape.
The arms each have an outer end so that the outer ends
have a gap defined therein. The arms firmly hold a handle portion placed between the arms and inside the gap.
Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a back view of the holder of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a side view of the holder.
Detailed Description With reference to Figs. 1-2, the present invention is a holder 10 that is attachable to a cart, such as a shopping cart. The holder 10 may be extruded or molded as one integral piece. A suitable material is PVC. Other suitable material may also be used.
The holder 10 has a flat member 12 with a front surface 14 and a back surface 16. The flat member 12 may be provided with a cover that partially or entirely covers the front surface of the flat member 12. An upper portion 18 of the flat member 12 has a resilient clip 20 that is attached to or is integral with the flat member 12. The clip 20 may be removably attached to the flat member. Preferably, the clip 20 is made of a transparent material to that text may be read through the clip 20. The clip 20 has a bend section 22 and extends along the front surface 14. The clip 20 is biased to press against the front surface 14 so that a contact point 24 is in contact with the front surface 14. The clip 20 has an outer end 26 that protrudes away from the front surface 14 and the contact point 24.
The flat member 12 has a lower portion 19 that is shorter than the upper portion 18 so that the lower portion 19 does not interfere with the front end of another cart that may be inserted into the back end of the cart attached to the holder 10. If necessary, the angle of the holder 10 may be adjusted so that it is easy to read the information on sheets that may be attached to
the flat member 12 by the clip 20. It is possible to include a pen holder that is attached to the holder 10.
A holder mechanism 28 is integrally attached to the back surface 16 via a neck portion 30. The neck portion 30 makes it easier to manufacture the holder 10 so it is not necessary to use the neck portion 30. The mechanism 28 has two curved flexible arms 32,34 that together form a round shape. The arms 32,34 have outer ends 36,38, respectively, that do not meet so that there is a gap 40 formed therebetween. The arms 32,34 are made of a resilient material, such as PVC, or any other suitable material, that firmly holds the holder 10 to a handle portion 42 of a grocery cart. The handle portion usually has a diameter of about 24-30 millimeters. Of course, the holder 10 could be adapted to handle other diameters.
The holder 10 may be attached to the handle portion 42 by urging the handle portion 42 through the gap 40 to force the arms 32,34 to sufficiently separate the arms to permit the portion 42 to pass therethrough.
When the portion 42 is properly positioned between the arms 32,34, the resilient arms are biased against the handle portion 42 to firmly hold the holder 10 thereto so that the holder 10 stays in place on the holder portion 42. However, the arms should not hold the holder 10 too tightly. The arms should permit a user to rotate the holder 10 slightly on the holder portion 42 if desired.
In operation, the holder 10 is snapped onto so that the arms 32,34 firmly grab the holder portion 42.
Preferably, this is performed by the grocery store prior to the customer using the cart with the holder 10 already mounted thereon. The customer may then clip on the grocery list and coupons by activating the clip 20 so that there is no need to look for the coupons in bags and pockets, etc. In other words, the clip 20 may not only hold the grocery list but also coupons so that the
coupons are available at the time of payment and at the time the product is found on the shelf in the grocery store. The angle of the holder 10 may be adjusted to the height of the person, and other factors, by rotating the holder 10 about the holder portion 42 until a suitable position of the holder 10 is achieved. The upper surface 14 may have commercial messages and other advertisement printed thereon. An important advantage is that the upper surface 14 is position in a very visible location.
While the present invention has been described in accordance with preferred compositions and embodiments, it is to be understood that certain substitutions and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.