Abstract:
A child carriers accessory attachable to a shopping or luggage cart which does not significantly reduce the functionality of the cart.

Description:
This is a continuation of application of prior application Ser. No. 09/268,007, filed Mar. 15, 1999 (allowed) now U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,031, which is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 09/084,683, filed on May 26, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,021, which is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 08/732,963, filed on Oct. 30, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,548, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/250,550 filed May 27, 1994 (abandoned). 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to child carriers attachable to a cart, and in particular, to a child carrier accessory attachable to an ordinary shopping or luggage cart which does not significantly reduce the functionality of the cart. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Shopping carts found in retail establishments generally include a child seat that is part of the rear panel of the shopping cart basket. A back support panel is attached to the rear panel, usually on the inside of the basket, thereby reducing the carrying capacity of the shopping cart. A fold down seat portion traverses the back support panel and the rear panel to form the child set proximate the upper portion of the rear panel. Generally, the child seat is arranged so that the child&#39;s legs extend through openings in the back panel. Airport luggage carts have a similar child seat arrangement. However, luggage carts weigh less than a shopping cart and are therefore more prone to tip over. 
     The child seats on shopping or luggage carts only have room for one child. Also, once a child reaches approximately 35 pounds, or is more than approximately 54″ tall, the child seat on these carts starts to be too small and uncomfortable for the child. Additionally, children older than approximately 3 years find these seats confining and often attempt to climb out. Consequently, it is very common to see children riding in the basket portion of the shopping cart or standing on the front edge of the lower frame while gripping onto the basket portion, or standing on the luggage portion of a luggage cart. 
     Allowing a child to ride in the basket portion of the shopping cart has proven to be extremely dangerous. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 12,000 hospital emergency room head injuries in 1988 along, to children under 5 years of age primarily due to children falling from shopping carts. Approximately one third of these head injuries were concussions, fractures or internal injuries. (See Consumer Product Safety Alert from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, March 1990, which is hereby incorporated by reference.) In 1992, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 22,920 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries related to shopping carts. 
     While old style shopping carts were constructed of metal, newer carts are utilizing more plastic parts, including plastic basket portions. Consequently, the center of gravity of newer shopping carts is much lower than the old style metal carts. Since the child seat is generally on the upper portion of the rear panel of the basket portion, a larger child will significantly alter the center of gravity of the cart, especially when the cart is empty. The reported accidents also include injuries resulting from children tipping over the cart by rocking back and forth. 
     There are presently millions of conventional shopping and luggage carts in use. A shopping cart costs anywhere from $70.00 to $120.00. An economically viable solution to child injuries needs to utilize the existing inventory of carts, without significantly reducing the overall functionality of the carts. For example, the solution can not dramatically change the dimensions of the cart. One approach is to provide a safety strap to retain the child in the cart seat. However, this approach does not address larger children who do not fit properly into the cart seat or parents that have more than one small child. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,575,250 issued to Dykes and U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,840 issued to Keller disclose motorized attachments for shopping carts. However, the motorized units are intended for disabled individuals, not children. Additionally, the motorized units would be cost prohibitive for a broad base solution to the wide spread problem of child injuries relating to shopping carts. Additionally, both of the above patents disclose an articulated or pivotal joint between the carrier and the shopping cart which requires the passenger to steer the cart, a design totally impractical for a child passenger. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,044,801 issued to Vicany discloses an occupant propelled shopping cart. However, the occupant portion is integrally formed with the cart and does not present a viable option for use with the millions of shopping carts in existence. 
     Therefore, a child carrier accessory is needed for use with existing shopping and airport luggage carts that will allow more than one child, or larger children, to be carried safely without reducing the overall functionality of the cart. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a child carrier accessory attachable to a conventional shopping or luggage cart which does not significantly reduce the overall functionality of the cart. 
     The child carrier includes a platform supported by at least one swivel caster wheel, a seat area and a restraining device for holding the child to the seat. The carrier is rigidly attached to the rear portion of a cart so that the combined structure of the cart and the child carrier pivot as a single structure on the rear wheels of the cart. The preferred child carrier is constructed using a rotational molding process. 
     Attaching the child carrier accessory to a cart shifts the center of gravity of the cart downward and toward the rear of the cart. Additionally, the seat area on the child carrier is preferably closer the ground than the child seat provided on these carts. Consequently, when a child is riding on the child carrier, the combined unit has a lower center of gravity than when a child is riding in the seat on a cart. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the child carrier accessory may be attached to the rear of a cart in a cantilever fashion without the use of a swivel caster wheel to support the platform. This embodiment requires sufficient counterweight to insure stability of the cart. 
     Conventional shopping or luggage carts generally include only a single child seat near the handle. This seat is only suitable for smaller children under approximately 30 pounds or 54 inches in heights. Consequently, parents with more than one child are tempted to allow the older child to ride in the basket portion of the cart or on the luggage rack. 
     The present invention provides for carrying three children safely in the combined cart and child carrier accessory, while providing enhanced performance of the cart itself. The claimed child carrier accessory has the additional advantage of separating the child from the merchandise or luggage in the cart and providing additional carrying capacity. 
     The child carrier includes a handle for maneuvering the combination shopping or luggage cart and child carrier. Since the handle on the child carrier extends behind the cart, the operator has additional leverage for maneuvering the combination cart and child carrier. When the cart is weighed down with merchandise or luggage, it is more easily maneuvered from the child carrier handle then from the handle on the cart. 
     A center divider may be included in the seat area to provide separate seats for two children. Side supports are preferably located on either side of the seat area to provide additional lateral support for restraining the child in the carrier. 
     A universal mounting bracket is provided with a variety of slotted mounted holes which allow the child carrier to be attached to any standard shopping or airport luggage cart. The mounting bracket preferably includes a reversible connector member bracket for connecting the child carrier to the cart. The reversible connector member bracket may be turned upside down to compensate for variation in the height of the cart frame relative the ground. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is perspective view of the preferred child carrier accessory attached to an exemplary shopping cart as viewed from the front of the child carrier; 
     FIG. 2 is as perspective view of the preferred child carrier accessory attached to an exemplary shopping cart as viewed from the rear of the child carrier; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred mounting bracket for connecting the child carrier accessory to a shopping cart; 
     FIG. 4 is bottom plan view of the child carrier accessory; 
     FIG. 5 is an end view of the preferred mounting bracket for connecting the child carrier accessory to a cart; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the child carrier accessory; 
     FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the child carrier accessory; and 
     FIG. 8 is perspective view of the preferred child carrier accessory attached to an exemplary luggage cart as viewed from the front of the child carrier. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 are a perspective view of the preferred child carrier accessory  10  attached to an exemplary shopping cart  12 . The child carrier accessory  10  has a platform  14  preferably supported by a pair of preferably swivel caster wheels  16 ,  18  (See FIG.  2 ), although it will be understood that other wheel structures are possible. A carrier body  20  located on the platform  14  contains a seat portion  22  with a center divider  24  to form left and right seat areas  26 , 28 , respectively. (See also FIGS.  6  and  7 ). Curved back supports  30 , 32  having side support portions  34 , 36  are preferably integrally formed in the carrier body  20 . A carrier handle  38  is provided on a back side  40  of the carrier body  20  for pushing the combination child carrier accessory  10  and shopping cart  12 . The carrier handle  38  is preferably located at a comfortable height for pushing (i.e., approximately 38 inches above the ground). 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the preferred child carrier accessory  10  attached to an exemplary luggage cart  110  as viewed from the front of the child carrier  10 . The cart  110  has a carrying location  112  for carrying luggage (not shown). The cart  110  has a child seat  60 ′ near a cart handle  68 ′ sufficient to carry one child. However, the luggage cart  110  tends to be lightweight so that it is extremely top-heavy if a child is placed in the seat  60 ′ and the cart  110  is not loaded down with luggage. 
     The carrier  10  is attached to the cart  110  using connector bars  70  and universal mounting bracket  72 . The platform  14 , mounting system  70 ,  72 , and swivel caster wheels  16  ( 18  not shown) are all located below the child seat  60 ′. Since these components constitute a fair portion of the weight of the carrier  10 , the combined carrier  10  and cart  110  has a lower center of gravity than the cart  110  alone. 
     The center divider  24  and curved back supports  30  allow for two additional children to be carried in the child care accessory  10  using restraining mechanism  74 . It will be understood that the remainder of the discussion is equally applicable to either a shopping cart or a luggage cart and that the present invention is not limited by the specific design of the shopping or luggage carts  12 ,  110 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the child care accessory  10  may be attached to a cart in a cantilever fashion, without being supported by wheels. However, it will be understood that this embodiment requires a cart that can adequately counterbalance the weight of the carrier  10  and a child. Alternatively, a counter weight may be attached to the front portion of the cart. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the child carrier accessory  10  is constructed using a rotational molding process. It will be understood that the child carrier may also be constructed by blow molding, thermal forming, vacuum forming or injection molding. The one-piece plastic child carrier of the preferred embodiment has been tested to hold dynamic weight to 650 lbs. Additionally, the preferred plastic construction is light weight (less than 40 lbs.) and cost effective to manufacture. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of manufacturing techniques are available for achieving the same result. In particular, the child carrier accessory may comprise a number of discrete parts which are assembled. Additionally, the child carrier accessory  10  may be made from a variety of materials including metal, wood, composites, and plastics. 
     The shopping cart  12  generally comprises a base frame  50  supported by a pair of front swivel caster wheels  52  and a pair of rear caster wheels  54 . A carrying location defined by a basket portion  56  generally sits on top of the base frame  50 . The basket portion  56  may be either metal or plastic. 
     The basket portion  56  generally has a rear panel  58  which includes a child seat  60 . In conventional shopping carts, the rear panel  58  includes a folding back support  62  hinged to the rear panel  58  and a fold down seat portion  64 . The rear panel  58  also includes a pair of leg openings  66  which allow the child to sit facing the rear of the cart  12  proximate a cart handle  68 . 
     The seat portion  22  of the child carrier accessory  10  preferably has a restraining mechanism  74  for securing each child to the child carrier accessory  10 . The preferred restraining mechanism  74  includes a waist strap  76  and a shoulder strap  78 . Although not recommended by the manufacturer, the child can alternatively stand on the platform  14  while riding in the child carrier  10 . A child standing on the platform can grip the cart handle  68  in front and is supported by the carrier body  20  from the rear. Because the platform  14  is relatively low to the ground, the child can get off and on the child carrier accessory  10  with minimal risk of injury. While not the ideal arrangement, experienced parents will recognize the advantage of this arrangement over attempting to restrain a child against his or her will. 
     When the carts  12 ,  110  are empty, placing a child in the child seat  60 ,  60 ′ significantly raises the center of gravity of the carts  12 ,  110 . Since it is not uncommon for parents to place a child weighing 30 pounds or more in the child seat  60 ,  60 ′, the risk of tipping over the cart  12 ,  100  is substantial. The seat portion  22  of the child carrier accessory  10  is preferably closer to the ground than the child seat  60 ,  60 ′ in the carts  12 ,  110 . Consequently, the combination child carrier accessory  10  and cart  12 ,  110  has a lower center of gravity than the carts along. 
     When the carts  12 ,  100  is full of merchandise or luggage, they are difficult to maneuver because of the limited leverage provided by the cart handle  68 ,  68 ′. In particular, a loaded down cart has a high moment of inertia which is difficult to overcome from the cart handles  68 ,  68 ′. 
     The combination child carrier accessory  10  and cart  12 ,  110  has a center of gravity close to the rear wheels of the carts  12 ,  110 . The combined unit tends to pivot on the rear wheels, making it easy to maneuver even in close quarters. Also, since the carrier handle  38  on the child carrier accessory  10  is located behind the cart handle  68 ,  68 ′ by a distance “d”, the user has greater leverage for maneuvering the combination cart  12 ,  110  and child carrier accessory  10 . The distance “d” is approximately 20 inches in the preferred embodiment. 
     The child carrier accessory  10  is preferably attached to the rear of the base frame  50  by a pair of connector bars  70 . Utilizing two connector bars  70  provides lateral support for maneuvering the combined unit. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of connector members are suitable for this purpose. For example, the connection may be made by a single bar or a plate member. A universal mounting bracket  72 , as will be discussed below, allows the child carrier accessory  10  to be attached to any size shopping or luggage cart. 
     FIGS. 3-7 illustrate the universal mounting bracket  72  engaged with the connector bars  70  of the child carrier accessory  10 . A pair of upper mounting plates  80  are attached to the base frame  50  of the shopping cart  12  by a U-shaped clamp  82  (See FIG. 5) through slotted mounting plate holes  84  (See FIG. 4) using nuts  86 . Washer plates  78  may optionally be included between the nuts  86  and the upper mounting plates  80 . The slotted mounting plate holes  84  permit the U-shaped clamp  82  to be adjusted lateral to compensate for differences in the various base frames  50  in use. While the preferred embodiment illustrates a pair of upper mounting plates  80 , it will be understood that an equivalent result may be accomplished with a single plate and a variety of other means. 
     A U-shaped connector bar bracket  88  is attached to the upper mounting plates  80  at a plurality of connector bar bracket slots  90  (See also FIGS.  5  and  6 ). The connector bar bracket slots  90  similarly permit lateral adjustment of the location of the connector bar bracket  88  relative to the base frame  50 . The connector bar bracket  88  is preferably symmetrical so that it can be turned upside down and attached to the tops of the upper mounting plates  80 . In doing so, the universal mounting bracket  72  can accommodate shopping carts with a base frame that is low to the ground, while maintaining the connector bars  70  in a horizontal configuration. 
     The connector bars  70  are attached to height adjustment slot  92  on side portions  94  of the connector bar bracket  88  by bolts  96  and nuts  98 . (See FIG.  5 ). The height adjustment slots  92  also contribute to allowing the connector bars  70  to be maintained in a horizontal position when connected to a variety of shopping carts with base frames of different heights. Alternatively, the connector bar bracket  88  may be inverted 180 degrees and attached to the tops of the upper mounting plates  80  so that the height adjustment slots  92  are above the upper mounting plates  80 . This alternate configuration allows for attaching the connector bars  70  horizontally to the base frame  50  of a shopping cart that rides low to the ground. The connector bars  70  preferably have a plurality of positioning holes  100  which permit adjustment of the distance between the platform  14  of the child carrier accessory  10  and the rear of the shopping cart  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the child carrier accessory  10  adds only 20 inches to the overall length of the shopping cart  12 . 
     The various mounting slots  84 ,  90 ,  92  on the universal mounting bracket  72  and positioning holes  100  on the connector bars  70  allow for significant variations in the height and other dimensions of the base frame  50  while attaching the child carrier accessory  10  in the optimum configuration. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of mounting brackets are possible for attaching the child carrier accessory to a shopping cart. The configuration illustrated in FIGS. 3-7 is set forth by way of example only and in no way limits the scope of the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is bottom plan view of the child carrier accessory  10  illustrating the location of the swivel caster wheels  16 ,  18  relative to the connector bars  70 . In the preferred embodiment, the distance “w” between the wheels  16 ,  18  is slightly less than the distance between the rear wheels  54  of the shopping cart  12 . This spacing enhances the pivoting of the combined unit  10 ,  12  on the rear wheels  54 . However, it will be understood that in some circumstances, the distance “w” between the wheels  16 ,  18  may be greater than the distance between the wheels  54  on the shopping cart  12 . 
     FIG. 5 is an end view of the universal mounting bracket  72  for connecting the child carrier accessory  10  to a shopping cart  12 . While the clamp  82  for engaging the base frame  50  is generally U-shaped, it will be understood that it can be any shape necessary to engage with the base frame  50  of the shopping cart  12 . Likewise, while the connector bars  70  are square, it will be understood that they can be for example, round, rectangular or any other suitable shape. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a top and front plan view, respectively, of the child carrier accessory  10 . While FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrates the carrier body  20  having a center divider  24 , it will be understood that the center divider  24  may be removed without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     It will be understood that these exemplary embodiments in no way limit the scope of the invention. Other modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. These descriptions are intended to provide specific examples of embodiments which clearly disclose the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments or to the use of specific elements, dimensions, materials or configurations contained therein. All alternative modifications and variations of the present invention which fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims are covered.