TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a trolley attachment. More particularly, this invention relates to a trolley attachment configured to secure a document. BACKGROUND ART

It is now common practice for a consumer to take a list of desired items (a shopping list) when shopping, particularly when purchasing groceries at a supermarket, to provide a reminder of what goods are required.

This practice creates a problem for consumers - in order to refer continuously to the shopping list, it is usually carried in one hand. This leaves the other hand free for performing other tasks such as pushing a shopping trolley or reaching for goods.

Alternatively, the list can be left in the consumer's pocket or bag. However to serve its function the list must be sporadically brought out to be referred to. This means the consumer must frequently transition between their pockets and shopping trolley in order to refer to the list. Being out of sight, it is not uncommon for the list to be forgotten and not used.

To address these problems, accessories have been developed that facilitate attachment of the shopping list to the shopping trolley itself. The consumer then has both hands free to perform other tasks.

A common configuration for these shopping attachments is a clipboard that is configured to be hung over the side of a trolley. Typically, the clipboard board is suspended from the front side of the trolley, facing the consumer who pushes the trolley from the rear. An example of this is shown in United States Published Patent Application No. 2014/0103086. A problem with this approach is that the clipboard will become obscured as the consumer's goods build up in the shopping trolley, rendering it useful for only a short amount of time at the beginning of the shopping.

Other shopping attachments are available that are positioned on top of the shopping cart, thereby preventing the writing panel from being obscured by the goods in the trolley. However, this positioning is commonly achieved by connecting a writing panel to the folded out child's seat and balancing the list on the front panel of the cart. One such example is United States Published Patent Application No. 2013/0341370.

This is problematic when a parent goes shopping with a child. As the attachment is proximate the child, he or she may interfere with the shopping list. The attachment may also inhibit the child from using the seat, interfere with access to the seat or otherwise cause discomfort. Furthermore, it cannot be easily used with shopping baskets.

Additionally, as with the device described previously, this type of shopping attachment configuration can block a portion of the shopping trolley from use.

It is the object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

Throughout this specification, the word comprise", or variations thereof such as "comprises" or

"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an attachment for a trolley, wherein the attachment includes: a panel, wherein the panel includes a securing means for a document, a first support leg and a second support leg, characterised in that a deep recess is defined between the first and second support leg.

The invention is intended to be temporarily attached to a shopping trolley. It has a panel, to which a shopping list may be secured. The panel is provided with a pair of support legs, which between them defines a recess which is substantially complementary to the sides or walls of the shopping trolley. The invention is preferably positioned on the far side of the child seat such that the list faces the user. The depth of the recess is such that the invention remains relatively stable even when the shopping trolley is in motion. Reference shall now be made throughout the remainder of the specification to the invention being an attachment. Reference will be made throughout the specification to the use of the invention with a shopping trolley or cart. However, this is not intended to be limiting and the invention may be used with a variety of apparatuses such as shopping baskets or prams. In addition, many different forms of trolleys may be used. In use, the invention is attached over a portion of the trolley or apparatus, for example, a frame or side bar of a trolley or basket. From now on this portion will be referred to as a trolley side bar, although this should not be seen as limiting.

The specification will also include reference to the use of the invention to secure a document. A document may include, for example, paper, pads of paper, coupons, wipeable boards (often referred to as white boards), or blackboards. These examples are not intended to be limiting and the attachment may be used with other documents.

Reference shall now be made throughout the remainder of the specification to the document being a shopping list.

The attachment may be made of any suitably rigid material. For example, the attachment may be made of metal, rubber, or a plastics material such as polypropylene. The attachment may be formed as substantially solid material but it may also be manufactured as a frame structure to save on materials. For example, the attachment may be made from a wire frame.

The attachment may be a unitary structure or alternatively made of multiple parts assembled together. If the attachment is made of an assembly of parts, the constituent components may be made of the same material or of different materials. Reference to a panel should be taken to mean a rigid material portion that is substantially planar. In use, the shopping list is secured to the panel which provides support for the list. The planar surface allows the user to easily write on the shopping list that is secured to the attachment, for example, to cross items off the shopping list. In a preferred embodiment, the panel is substantially rectangular in shape. This is beneficial for use of the attachment with sheets of paper or note pads which are commonly rectangular. However, this should not be seen as limiting and the panel may be substantially configured to be any shape, for example, square, or oval. The panel may be defined by a bottom, a top, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side.

The panel should be understood to include a bottom and a top. Reference to a bottom should be understood as referring to the end of the panel that, when in use, is located proximate the trolley. Reference to a top should be understood as referring to the end distal the bottom end. The top and bottom define the length of the panel. The first lateral side and second lateral side may be substantially perpendicular to the top side and the bottom side. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the shape of the panel may dictate the angles of the lateral sides relative to the top and bottom. The first and second lateral sides define the width of the panel.

The panel may also include a front and a back defined by the top, bottom and two lateral sides. The front and back of the panel define the depth of the panel.

In a preferred embodiment, the panel is 145cm in length and 90cm in width. This size means the attachment is easily portable, and allows it to be used with commonly available sizes of pads of paper. This size is also convenient with the attachment is not in use; for example it may be carried in a handbag. However, this is not intended to be limiting and it should be understood that the dimensions of the panel may vary according to the requirements of the user.

In a preferred embodiment, the panel may be substantially vertical when the attachment is in use. This enables the user to easily view the shopping list when it is secured to the panel. However, it should be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting and the panel may be oriented at any angle when the attachment is in use. For example, a portion of the panel may be declined relative to its bottom with the shopping list secured to the declined portion of the panel.

It will be understood that the attachment includes a securing means for the shopping list. Reference to a securing means may be taken to mean any object or substance that in use can hold the document firmly against the panel. For example, the securing means may be a tack, pin, nail, glue or any type of clip, such as those known by those skilled in the art as a belt clip, bulldog clip, binder clip or paper clip.

Preferably, the securing means is located on the panel such that in use, the shopping list faces the user.

Preferably, the front of the panel includes the securing means for the shopping list. However, this is not meant to be limiting and the securing means may be located in any position on the attachment, for example, on one of the lateral sides.

In one embodiment of the invention, the securing means may include more than one part, with a first part located on the front of the panel and a second complementary part located on the document. For example, the securing means could be loop and hook type fasteners, such as fasteners sold under the trade mark VELCRO™, or magnets.

Preferably, the securing means is a resilient clip.

In a preferred embodiment, the securing means may be permanently fixed or otherwise secured to the attachment. However, in an alternative embodiment, the securing means, depending on its type, may be only temporarily fixed to the attachment.

Preferably, the securing means is located proximate the top of the front of the panel.

In an embodiment, the shopping list may be detachably fixed to the panel. In embodiments where the document is a whiteboard or the like, this may be permanently secured to the panel. The attachment should be understood to include at least a first support leg and second support leg. Support leg should be taken to mean any section of the attachment that when in use, together with at least the second support leg, may hold the attachment against a trolley.

Each support leg may be directly attached to the panel. Each support leg may be continuous with the panel.

Each support leg has a main portion which includes a free end. Preferably, the free ends for each support leg may be found on substantially the same horizontal plane. Alternatively, the ends for each support leg may be found on different horizontal planes, but it should be appreciated that this means the attachment may not be free standing. In an embodiment, each support leg may include a first lateral side and a second lateral side which may be substantially perpendicular to the leg end. The first and second lateral sides define the width of each support leg. Preferably, the width of the support legs corresponds with the width of the panel. However, in alternative embodiments, the width of each of the support legs may be greater than or less than the width of the panel. Preferably, each of the support legs and the panel intersect at the same point of the attachment. However this is not meant to be limiting and in some embodiments the support legs may intersect only with the panel, and not with each other.

Preferably, the first and second support legs are located proximate the bottom of the panel.

Preferably, one or more of the support legs may be substantially continuous with the panel. This should be understood to mean that the support leg is effectively an extension of the panel, such that the free end of this support leg is the bottom of the panel.

In that embodiment, a second support leg may either extend from the back of the panel or be substantially continuous with the back of the panel. In some embodiments of the invention, there may be more than two support legs.

In preferred embodiments, the free ends of the support legs are flared outwardly at an angle from the front and back sides of the panel. This may allow the attachment to be freestanding on a planar surface. Additionally, this allows the attachment to be easily guided on to a portion of the trolley in use.

The first support leg and the second support leg define a deep recess therebetween. The recess should be understood to have a closed end, where the support legs intersect and/or meet the panel, and an open end (or mouth) defined by the free ends of the support legs.

The width of the recess is defined by the distance between the first support leg and the second support leg.

Reference to a deep recess should be taken to mean the area between the first support leg and the second support leg, between the closed end and the free ends of the support legs. In use, the recess may be placed over a trolley side bar. The support legs then hold the attachment relative to the trolley. If the attachment includes a support leg that is continuous with the panel then the depth of the recess is defined by the end of the leg that extends from the panel and the intersection of that leg with the panel.

If the attachment includes more than one support leg that extends from the panel, then the depth of the recess is defined by the end of the longest leg and the intersection of that leg with the panel. If the attachment includes support legs that are continuous with the front side and the back side of the panel, then the depth of the recess is defined by the end of the longest leg and the closed end of the channel. It will be appreciated in this embodiment that the panel may need to be relatively thick to ensure adequate distance between the support legs. In a preferred embodiment, the depth of the recess is substantially at least one fifth (20%) of the length of the body of the panel. This depth is preferred as when in use, the recess is placed over a trolley sidebar such that the length of the legs on either side of the recess are able to adequately hold the attachment against the side bar without the use of additional securing mechanisms such as screws or bolts. This means that the attachment can be conveniently and easily placed over the trolley side bar and removed as required.

However, the recited depth is not meant to be limiting and the recess may be shallower or deeper, depending on the requirements of the user. For example, for an extremely secure fit to the shopping trolley, the recess may be 50% of the length of the body of the panel. In a preferred embodiment, the deep recess has a flared mouth created by the flared ends of the support legs. This should be understood to mean that the mouth of the recess is wider than the main portion of the recess. The flared mouth of the recess is beneficial as it provides greater stability when the attachment is freestanding on a planar surface, such as a kitchen bench or table top. It also allows the attachment to be easily guided on to the trolley side bar in use. In an embodiment, the mouth of the recess is the widest point of the recess.

The attachment may also optionally include a holder for a writing implement such as a pen or pencil. From now on this writing implement holder will be referred to as a pen holder, although this should not be seen as limiting. The pen holder may consist of a hollow tube configured to receive the pen. This may be included on the back or the front of the panel. However, this should not be considered to be limiting and the pen holder may be located anywhere on the attachment. The pen holder is beneficial as it allows the user to have a pen easily accessible when shopping, so they can cross items off their shopping list. The attachment may alternatively or additionally include a hollow area configured to receive a cellphone or for receiving coupons. However, this should be seen as not being limiting and there may be any number of optional features that are included on the attachment. When using the preferred embodiment of the invention, the clip is held in an open position and the shopping list inserted between the panel and the clip. The clip is then closed to secure the list.

The recess of the attachment is then guided over the side bar of a trolley. Preferably, this is the far side of the child seat that is often provided on the shopping trolley. This means that in use, the front of the panel, and therefore the attached shopping list, faces the shopper when they are pushing the trolley forward.

The first and second support legs of the attachment sit on either side of the side bar and hold the attachment relative to the side bar.

The user may cross items off the shopping list as they continue with their shopping. After the user has finished shopping, the attachment is removed from the side bar of the trolley. The clip is held in an open position and the shopping list removed from between the panel and the clip. The clip is then released and the attachment may then be stored in the user's handbag or glovebox of their car until they next go shopping.

The invention provides a number of advantages over the prior art. · a means for holding a shopping list so that it is visible to the shopper, but so that the shopper has both hands free when shopping for performing a different task such as pushing a trolley or reaching for items;

• the attachment may be used with a wide variety of apparatuses, such as supermarket trolleys, supermarket baskets or pushchairs for children; · can be easily guided onto a suitable portion of the apparatus, such as the side bar of a shopping trolley; • can be held against a portion of the apparatus without the use of additional securing mechanisms such as screws or bolts, and therefore can be easily placed over and removed from the apparatus portion as required;

• is free standing, and therefore can be conveniently placed on a surface within the home and additional items added to the list as required. This also allows the user to have a record within their home of their shopping requirements;

• is portable and easy to store in a handbag or glove box;

• does not impede the storage area of the trolley, as the attachment is configured so that the panel is held above the trolley;

• does not impede the use of the child seat of a shopping trolley; and

• at the very least, provides the public with a useful choice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of the attachment; and

Figure 2 is a side view of the attachment.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is a front view of the attachment (generally indicated by the arrow 100). The attachment is shown secured to a document (102) which may be a shopping list.

The attachment includes a panel (104) that is substantially rectangular. The panel has a top (106) a bottom (108) a first lateral side (110) and a second lateral side (112). The panel is substantially planar and includes a front side (105) and a back side (not shown).

A securing means (114) is located proximate the top (106) of the panel (104). In this embodiment, the securing means (114) is a resilient clip that is permanently attached proximate the top (106) of the panel (104). The resilient clip holds the document (102) adjacent the panel (104). The document is located within the top (106), the bottom (108), the first lateral side (110), and second lateral side (112) of the panel (104). In this embodiment, the document (102) is a piece of paper.

Figure 2 is a side view of the attachment (generally indicated by the arrow 100).

The attachment includes a panel (104). The panel (104) has a front side (202) and a back side (204). In this embodiment, the panel (104) will be substantially vertical in use. A resilient clip (114) is located on the front (202) of the panel (104) proximate the top (106) of the panel (104). The resilient clip (114) is configured to secure a document (not shown) adjacent to the front (204) of the panel (104).

A pen holder (206) is located on the back (204) of the panel (104). This is a hollow tube that is configured to retain writing implement such as a pen or pencil (not shown). The attachment (100) has a first leg (208) and a second leg (210) located approximate to the bottom of the panel (104). The first leg (208) is substantially continuously planar with the panel (104), while the second leg (210) extends from the back (204) of the panel (104). The two legs (208, 210) and the panel (104) intersect directly at point X.

The first leg (208) and the second leg (210) each include an end (212, 214 respectively). The ends, (212, 214) are located on substantially the same plane and are flared away from the attachment (100). This facilitates placing the attachment over the side bar of a supermarket trolley (not shown) and additionally means that the attachment (100) is freestanding on a planar surface (not shown). The first leg (208) and the second leg (210) each include a first lateral side (216A and 216B) and a second lateral side (not shown). The first and second lateral sides define the width of the support leg.

The first leg (208) and the second leg (210) define a recess (indicated generally by arrow 218). The recess is configured to sit over a side bar of a shopping trolley (not shown). The mouth of the recess (indicated generally by arrow 220) is the widest part of the recess.

The depth of the recess is defined, in this embodiment, by the end (214) of the second leg (210) and the intersection of that leg (210) with the panel (104). The depth is indicated by line Dl.

In this embodiment the recess (218) is approximately one third of the length of the panel (104). This is beneficial as when the recess (218) is placed over the trolley (not shown) the first and second legs (208 and 210) on either side of the recess may be able to hold the attachment against the trolley without the use of additional securing mechanisms.