Abstract:
A foldable cart ( 100 ) comprising a foldable framework with foldable wheel units ( 140 ) and flexible containers ( 130 ) attachable thereto. The cart may be folded to fit a vehicle&#39;s luggage room, and the containers may be used to store products when attached to the framework, and carry them on when the framework is folded. The framework and the wheels may be folded inwardly such as to minimize the volume and the dimensions of the folded cart.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to the field of carts, and more particularly, to a foldable shopping cart. 
     2. Discussion of Related Art 
     Shopping cart are in common use, yet they either have a small volume (when foldable) or must be rented and used only on the shopping grounds. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a foldable cart comprising: a foldable framework comprising an upper frame connected via a plurality of jointed connectors to a lower frame, each jointed connector having a joint arranged to allow folding the jointing connector in such a way that the upper frame overlaps the lower frame in a folded state of the cart; at least one flexible container removably attached to the foldable framework in an unfolded state thereof; and a plurality of foldable wheel units comprising wheels and connected to the lower frame opposite to the connectors, the wheel units arranged to be folded in the folded state such as to minimize a volume of the cart in the folded state creating flat connections, wherein in the unfolded state the cart functions as a shopping cart and in the folded state the cart fits into small space such as a vehicle&#39;s luggage room. 
     These, additional, and/or other aspects and/or advantages of the present invention are: set forth in the detailed description which follows; possibly inferable from the detailed description; and/or learnable by practice of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be more readily understood from the detailed description of embodiments thereof made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a foldable cart in an unfolded state according to some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a foldable cart in an unfolded state with flexible containers, according to some embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of the foldable cart in a folded state according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic an illustration of a foldable cart  100  in an unfolded state according to some embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 2  is an illustration of the foldable cart  100  in an unfolded state with flexible containers  130 , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of foldable cart  100  in a folded state according to some embodiments of the invention. In the unfolded state cart  100  functions as a shopping cart and in the folded state cart  100  has flat structure to fits into a small storage space such as vehicle&#39;s luggage room. 
     Foldable cart  100  comprises a foldable framework  110  comprising an upper frame  112  connected via a plurality of jointed connectors  120  to a lower frame  116 . Foldable cart  100  may further comprise a handle  111  attached to upper frame  112 , handle  111  is arranged to allow pulling or pushing cart  100 . 
     Each jointed connector  120  has a joint  125  arranged to allow folding jointing connector  120  in such a way that upper frame  112  is substantially congruent to, or at least overlaps lower frame  116  in the folded state of cart  100 . In cases upper frame  112  and lower frame  116  have different forms, in the folded state they are arranged to have a maximal overlap. 
     Foldable framework may further comprise re-enforcing elements  122  connected horizontally between the joined connectors  120 . Jointed connectors  120  may have two parts  123 ,  124  connected by joint  125 . Connectors  120  may be arranged to fold from a convex state in the unfolded state of cart  100  inwards through a convex state to the folded state, in which two parts  123 ,  124  are parallel to each other. 
     According to some embodiment of the present invention the foldable framework may further comprise re-enforcing straps  130  connected to joint  125 . 
     Foldable cart  100  comprises at least one flexible container  130  removably attached to foldable framework  110  in the unfolded state thereof. Flexible container  130  of various sizes may be connected to framework  110 , and may be sold as a kit comprising containers  130  of different sizes, meant for use in different situations, like buying large or small products. After detaching containers  130  from framework  110 , they may be used for carrying products, e.g., as a shopping bag for groceries. Flexible container  130  may be made, e.g., from plastic or cloth, may be washable, printed, etc. 
     Foldable cart  100  comprises a plurality of wheel units  140  comprising wheels  145  and connected to lower frame  116  on an opposite side in respect to connectors  120 , and arranged to allow pushing and dragging cart  100  easily. Wheel units  140  may also be foldable in the folded state such as to minimize the volume of the folded cart  100 . 
     At last one of wheel units  140  may comprise a direction stopper  147  arranged to fixate the orientation of the corresponding wheel  145 . Direction stopper  147  may be released to allow free movement of corresponding wheel  145 . 
     In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions. The various appearances of “one embodiment”, “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. 
     Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment. 
     Reference in the specification to “some embodiments”, “an embodiment”, “one embodiment” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions. 
     It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only. 
     The principles and uses of the teachings of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description, figures and examples. 
     It is to be understood that the details set forth herein do not construe a limitation to an application of the invention. 
     Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above. 
     It is to be understood that the terms “including”, “comprising”, “consisting” and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers. 
     If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element. 
     It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not to be construed that there is only one of that element. 
     It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. 
     Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described. 
     Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks. 
     The term “method” may refer to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs. 
     The descriptions, examples, methods and materials presented in the claims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting but rather as illustrative only. 
     Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. 
     The present invention may be implemented in the testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein. 
     Any publications, including patents, patent applications and articles, referenced or mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in the description of some embodiments of the invention shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Other possible variations, modifications, and applications are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.