TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention refers to a shopping cart that folds into the trunk of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

When shopping in supermarkets, shoppers customarily use shopping carts, which are located near the entrance to the supermarket. Shoppers customarily leave the supermarket with a cart containing grocery bags and after arriving with the cart at his or her vehicle, the shopper empties the cart, transferring the grocery bags into the vehicle. The shopper then returns the cart to its place near the entrance to the supermarket and returns once again to his or her vehicle. Upon arriving home, the shopper carries the grocery bags from the vehicle into the house. These actions are cumbersome, tiring, and time consuming. The present invention offers a solution to these problems and to other problems, as specified in the present application.

THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a shopping cart that folds into the trunk of a vehicle. The objective of the invention, subject of the present application, is to enable the shopper to: (a) Keep a folding cart at home or in his or her vehicle (possibly, of course, in the trunk of the vehicle) that can be opened and used for shopping (without having to use the standard carts located at the entrance to the supermarket), (b) Load the cart, along with the groceries, into the trunk of the vehicle without having to empty the cart, (c) Remove the cart from the vehicle upon arriving home, without having to empty the groceries from it, and push it into the shopper's, where he or she then can remove the groceries from the cart.

The present invention refers to a folding cart (1) that includes a basket (2), a collapsible frame (3) and a set of wheels (4).

The basket (2) can be made in a variety of shapes. Thus, for instance, the basket (2) can be shaped like a square box [with a bottom (21) and four sides (22)] with a open top, similar to the standard basket of the standard shopping cart used in supermarkets today. Nevertheless, the basket (2) can be made in a variety of other shapes and designs. The basket (2) can be manufactured from a variety of materials, such as plastic or metal. The basket (2) can be manufactured, for instance, from metal wire mesh similar to that used in the standard basket of the supermarket cart used today.

The frame (3) of the cart (1) is designed, first and foremost, to hold the basket (2). In other words, the basket (2) is positioned on and attached to the upper part of the frame (3), so that it is at an appropriate height when used for shopping. The frame (3) and its parts are collapsible in such a way that the frame can be folded and, at the same time, the basket (2) can be maintained in such a position that its open top remains facing up, so that the groceries need not be removed from the basket when the cart (1) is folded into the vehicle.

As mentioned, the cart (1) is equipped with a set of wheels (4), _. which are attached to the bottom of the frame (3). The role of the wheels (4) is to enable the shopper to push the cart (1) easily and efficiently. The invention, subject of the present application, can be implemented in several ways, all of which share the following components: a basket (2), a collapsible frame (3), and a set of wheels (4), As an example only, and without restricting the scope of protection requested for the invention, the inventor hereby presents a detailed description of one embodiment of the invention.

The embodiment of the invention is the cart (1) depicted in the drawings attached to the application. Nevertheless, it is hereby emphasized that the invention also refers to and covers other versions of the implementation of the invention, and not only the embodiment described in the drawings. The embodiment of the invention includes the following components: a basket (2), a collapsible frame (3), and a set of wheels (4).

The basket (2) is depicted in the drawings and particularly in Drawings Nos. 1 and ό.The basket (2), which is shaped like a box, has with a bottom (21) and four closed sides (22) and is open at the top. The box is equipped with a handle (23), which is attached to its rear side (22). The basket (2) is also equipped with sliding devices (24), shaped like discs or wheels, that enable the user to slide the basket (2) over the surface of the vehicle's trunk. The wheels (24) are attached to the front part of the bottom of the basket. The basket (2) is also equipped with two pin-shaped stoppers (25). The stoppers (25) are attached on either side, toward the front bottom part of the basket. The role of the stoppers (25) will be explained in the section describing the frame (3) of the basket (1) and the use of the cart.

The frame (3) is depicted in the drawings and particularly in Drawings No. 1-6. The frame (3) comprises three main parts: the front part (31), the rear part (32) and the upper part (33).

The front part (31) of the frame (3) is depicted in Drawing No. 3 and it comprises three horizontal rods: a central horizontal rod (311), a lower horizontal rod (312), and an upper horizontal rod (313). The lower rod (312) is attached to the central rod (311) by means of two identical or similar lower vertical rods (314) (314'). The lower vertical rods (314) (314') are attached to the ends of both the lower horizontal rod (312) and the central horizontal rod (311). The upper rod (313) is attached to the central rod (311) by means of two identical or similar tipper vertical rods (315) (315'). The upper vertical rods (315) (315') are attached to the ends of both the upper horizontal rod (313) and the central horizontal rod (311). The upper vertical rods (315) (315') each have a hinge (3151) (3151') at their middle point, which enables each of the two rods to fold at the said hinge point. The attachment points (316) (316') of the rods serve as pivots enabling relative rotational motion of the rods. Two very short arms (317) (317') are located at the ends of the upper horizontal rod (313), and their role will be explained later on in the application.

The rear part (32) of the frame (3) is depicted in Drawing No. 4 and comprises a horizontal rod (321) with two identical or similar vertical rods (322) (322') at either end. The upper parts of the two vertical rods (322) (322') serve as axes and are each attached to a hinge (316) (316'). The upper part (33) of the frame (3) is depicted in Drawing No. 5 and comprises a horizontal rod (331) with two identical or similar vertical rods (332) (332') at either end. The bottom parts of the two vertical rods (332) (332') serve as axes and are each attached to a hinge (316) (316').

The set of wheels (4) is depicted in the drawings and particularly in Drawings Nos. 1-4. The set of wheels (4) comprises two front wheels (41) (41') and two rear wheels (42) (42'). The front wheels (41) (41') are attached to either end of the bottom horizontal rod (312) of the front part (31) of the frame (3). The rear wheels (42) (42') are attached to either end of the horizontal rod (321) of the rear part (32) of the frame (3).

Assembly of the cart components: The wheels (4) are attached to the frame (3) as described above and as depicted in the drawings. It is recommended that the front wheels (41) (41') be attached to the frame (3) using horizontal hinges (411) (411') so as to enable the cart (1) to move in a smoother and more efficient manner, particularly when turning corners. The frame parts (31) (32) (33) are attached to one another as depicted in the drawings and particularly in Drawing No. 2. The hinge points (316) (316') of the three frame parts are connected. The central rod (311) of the front part (31) serves as a kind of central axis for the entire frame (3). Each of the frame's three parts (31) (32) (33) can rotate relative to the other frame parts around the main hinge (316). Drawing No. 1 depicts the frame (3) in normal position, in other words, with the basket (2) positioned on it and attached to it, and the cart (1) ready to be pushed and used for shopping. The basket (2) is permanently attached to the frame (3), although it is attached by means of a hinge that enables the basket (2) to move relative to the frame (3). Drawing No. 6 depicts the way the basket (2) is attached to the upper part (33) of the frame. The horizontal rod (331) of the upper part (31) of the frame passes through the body of the basket (2) in a way that prevents the basket (2) from being disconnected from the frame. Nevertheless, since the horizontal rod (331) is attached to the body of the basket (2) like an elongated axis, the basket can rotate in relation to the frame, around the axis of the said horizontal rod (331).

Cart in normal position: Drawings Nos. 1 and 7-9 depict the cart (1) in normal position, in other words with the basket (2) positioned on and attached to the frame (3), and the cart (1) ready to be pushed and used for shopping. In normal position, as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 1, the arm (317) is resting on the stopper (25) and thus stabilizing the cart (1) and enabling it to be pushed and used for shopping.

Folding of the cart and its use: After shopping is completed, the shopper pushes the cart up to his or her car, as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 7.The shopper opens the trunk of the car, as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 8. The shopper positions the cart (1) close to the trunk, as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 9. At this point, the shopper folds the cart into the trunk of the car, as depicted in Drawings Nos. 10-16. First, the shopper slightly lifts the far end of the cart (2), thus unlocking the basket by releasing the arm (317) from the stopper (25). At the same time, the user gently pushes the basket (2) forward and places the far end of the basket (2) on the surface of the trunk, as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 10.

Next, the shopper pushes the basket (2) forward into the trunk, as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 11. The wheels (24) (24') help the shopper slide the basket (2) over the surface of the car's trunk. After the center of gravity of the basket (2) is on the surface of the trunk, the shopper continues to push the basket (2) in, and as a result, the frame (3) folds, rotating upward around the main axis (316), until the frame parts are folded up and are positioned above the basket (2), as depicted for instance in Drawing No. 16. When the cart (1) is folded into the trunk of the car, the open top of the basket (2) is kept facing up so that the groceries do not fall out. After folding the cart, the shopper can close the trunk. Upon arrival at his or her destination, the shopper opens the trunk and removes the cart (1) along with the groceries inside it, in a reverse sequence of operations to the folding action.

The invention, subject of the present application, offers many advantages. First and foremost, the cart, subject of the invention, constitutes a convenient and effective means for protecting the environment: After the barcodes on the grocery items are scanned at the checkout cashier, the shopper does not have to pack the groceries into plastic or paper bags but rather just place them back in the cart. Using the cart can significantly reduce current overuse of plastic. bags. As is commonly known, extensive use of plastic bags harms the environment, and great efforts are being made to reduce usage of plastic bags in supermarkets. Second, the customer does not have to transfer the groceries from the caijt into the trunk of the car, nor does he or she have to carry them from the trunk of the car into the house (usually manually). Third, the customer no longer has to return the cart to its designated place after loading the groceries into the car. In addition, the cart, subject of the invention, is highly durable and is relatively inexpensive relative to the time and energy savings it offers. Finally, customers will most likely keep their personal carts clean, as opposed to standard, carts found in supermarkets, which are often filthy.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. The drawings attached to the application are not intended to limit the scope of the invention and the possible ways of its application. The drawings are intended only to. illustrate the invention and constitute only one of many possible ways of its application.

The second embodiment of the> present invention refers to a folding shopping cart (500) with one or more baskets (600). The objective of the cart (500) is to enable the user to store the cart (500) at home or in his or her vehicle in folded position and to open it when preparing to going shopping. After shopping is completed, the baskets (600) can be unloaded into the vehicle and the cart (500) may be folded and loaded into the vehicle as well. Upon arriving home, the user can remove the cart from the vehicle, open it, place the baskets (600), which still contain the groceries, on it, and push it into his or her home.

The second embodiment of the invention is described in Drawings Nos. 17-31, which are attached to the application and it refers to a folding shopping: cart (500) that includes one or more baskets (600), a folding frame (700), and a set of wheels (800). The frame (700) of the cart (500) can be folded. The baskets (600) are assembled on the frame (700) when it is in open position. As mentioned, the cart (500) is equipped with a set of wheels (800), which are attached to the bottom of the frame (700). The role of the wheels (800) is to enable the shopper to push the cart (500) easily and efficiently. The frame (700) comprises three main parts: a top part (710), a bottom part (720) and a middle part (730).

The top part (710) of the frame (700) is shown in Drawing No. 18. The top part (710) serves as a base onto which the baskets (600) are assembled and it in fact comprises a rectangular frame (711) with four sides: a rear side (712), which also serves as the push handle of the cart (500), a front side (713), and two lateral sides (714). Note that it is not absolutely necessary for the rectangular frame (711) to have a front side (713).

Drawing No. 18 also depicts the bottom part (720) of the frame (700). The bottom part (720) serves as the base of the cart (500) and is equipped with a set of wheels (800). The bottom part (720) is in fact made up of two lateral sides (721) that are joined by a transverse side or bottom plate (722). Drawing No. 18 also depicts the middle part (730) of the frame (700). On the one hand, the middle part (730) serves to elevate the top frame (711), which holds the baskets (600), so that it [and particularly the baskets (600)] are at, a comfortable height for shopping. On the other hand, the middle part (730) also serves as the folding mechanism of the frame (700) and of the entire cart (500).

The middle part (730) is made up of two vertical arms (731) and (732) whose upper ends are attached to the sides of the top frame (711) and whose bottom ends are attached to the sides of the bottom frame (721), as depicted in the drawings. These attachments are in fact hinge attachments that enable the vertical arms (731) and (732) to move relative to both the top frame (711) and the bottom lateral sides (721).

The vertical arms (731) and (732) are made of two segments of equal (or almost equal) length that are jointed by a middle joint plate (733). The ends of the segments of the vertical arms are attached to the middle joint plate in a way that creates a hinge attachment that enable the vertical arms (731) and (732) to move relative to the middle joint plate (733). Thus, the vertical arms (731) and (732) can fold, as depicted in Drawings.Nos. 19-22.

The vertical arms (731) and (732) are equipped with top and bottom, locking devices (734) and (735), respectively, which are designed to prevent the cart (500) from folding inadvertently.

Drawings Nos. 19-22 depict the top locking device (734) and Drawing No. 23 presents an enlarged view of the said locking device. The top locking device (734) is in fact composed of a slider (7341) and an arm (7342). The slider (7341) is inserted, loosely over the vertical arm (731) so that it can: slide up and down on the vertical arm (731). One end of the arm (7342) is attached to the slider (7341) using a hinge and the other end is attached to the lateral side (714) of the top frame (711). The slider (7341) is equipped with pin that is inserted into a corresponding hole on the vertical arm (731), so that when the pin is in the hole, the frame (700) is in open position and the cart (500) is ready to be pushed along with the baskets (600) and groceries. When the user wishes to fold the cart (500), he or she disengages the top locking device (734), thus enabling the vertical arm (731) and (732) to fold, as depicted in the drawings.

The bottom locking device (735) comprises a lever (7351), a cable (7352) and a locking pin (7353) and it is depicted mainly in Drawings Nos. 24-26. Drawing No. 24 presents the cart (500) as seen from below, showing the lever ^' (7351), the cable (7352) and the locking pin (7353). When the cart (500) is in open position, the locking pin (7353) is inserted into a horizontal hole (7354) that traverses the lateral side (721) and vertical arm (731) in a way that prevents the vertical arms (731) and (732) from folding. When the user wishes to fold the cart (500), he or she pulls the lever (7351) which causes the internal cable within the cable (7352) to horizontally move the locking pin (7353) so that it is released from the horizontal hole (7354), enabling the user to fold the cart (500). Drawing No. 25 depicts the locking pin (7353) in unlocked position and Drawing No. 26 depicts it in locked position. T/IL2009/000659

Drawing No. 27 depicts the cart (500) in open position and without baskets.

Drawings Nos. 28 and 29 depict the middle joint plate (733), which constitutes the joining point of the two segments of the vertical arms (731) and (732), as explained above. Two sprocket wheels (736), whose function is to synchronize the folding of the frame (700), are positioned at the joining point of the two segments of the vertical arm (732).

Drawing No. 30 depicts another option for the top locking device (734) that includes a lever (7343) that unlocks the device.

Drawing No. 31 depicts the top part of the cart (500), which has small semicircle cut-outs (7141) into which the baskets (600) are placed and stabilized on the cart (500).

The baskets (600) can be made in a variety of shapes and from a variety of materials. The baskets (600) can and should be made of fabric and be box shaped so that twp wooden dowels (601) can be inserted into their upper edges, as depicted in Drawings Nos. 17 and 31. Thus, the user may place the baskets (600) on the cart and stabilize them using the cut-outs (7141). It is recommended to use several baskets (600) so as to facilitate their removal from the cart when loaded with groceries.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Drawing No. 1 depicts the cart (1) in its entirety.

Drawing No. 2 depicts the meeting point of the three parts of the cart's frame. Drawing No. 3 depicts the front part (31) of the frame. Drawing No. 4 depicts the rear part (32) of the frame. Drawing No. 5 depicts the upper part (33) of the frame:

Drawing No. 6 depicts the basket (2) and its attachment to the upper part (33) of the frame. Drawing No. 7 depicts the cart (1) in normal position while being pushed towards the car,

Drawing No. 8 depicts the cart (1) in normal position while being pushed towards the car.

Drawing No. 9 depicts the cart (1) in normal position while being pushed towards the car. Drawing No. 10 depicts the cart (I) ₅ whereby its ^' basket is being loaded into the trunk of the car.

Drawing No. 11 depicts the cart (I) ₅ whereby its basket is being loaded into the trunk of the car.

Drawings Nos. 12-16 depict the cart (1) being loaded into the trunk of the car and the folding stages of the frame.

Drawings Nos. 17, 18 and 27 depict the cart (500) in its entirety.

Drawing No. 19 depicts the frame (700) in open position. Drawings Nos. 20 and 21 depict the frame (700) in partially folded position. Drawing No. 22 depicts the frame (700) in folded position. Drawings 23 and 30 depict the top locking device (734). Drawing No. 24 depicts the cart (500) as seen from below. Drawings Nos. 25 and 26 depict the bottom locking device (735). Drawings Nos. 28 and 29 depict the joining points of the two segments of the vertical arms (731) and (732).

Drawing No. 31 depicts the method of assembling the baskets (600) on the cart (500).