Abstract:
The trolley or shopping cart can be used to transport goods. This trolley includes a support on which two baskets can be stacked on top of one another, a first lower basket and a second upper basket. The support has at least two lateral posts or stanchions which can be engaged directly or indirectly to the baskets on two opposing sides to create a clearance providing direct access to the opening in the lower and upper baskets from the side used to drive the trolley. The position of the lower basket is offset substantially in relation to the upper basket, such that the lower basket extends out further on the side used to drive the trolley.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The present invention relates to a trolley or shopping cart, in particular, for the transport of goods, exhibiting supporting means for superimposing two baskets. 
         [0007]    The baskets may be of the type of those known conventionally and made available in self-service stores, being formed of a bottom and of four sides to define an outward opening, and including, generally, moreover, at least one gripping handle. 
         [0008]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0009]    Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98. 
         [0010]    In self-service areas in superstores, it is known to use large-sized trolleys. The later, traditionally made of metal, are particularly suited to large quantities of products. However, they remain relatively cumbersome and are inappropriate for the transport of products in smaller trolleys. 
         [0011]    Document EP-1.403.164 divulges a trolley formed of a structure capable of superimposing two baskets. The latter is, in particular, formed of a base mounted on castors and fitted with a recess for receiving a first lower basket. It exhibits, moreover, a rear stanchion, extending upwards from said base, and it is capable of receiving a second upper basket, above the lower basket. The stanchion exhibits, at its upper end, an operating handle of the trolley. 
         [0012]    However, when a user controls and directs the trolley, it has direct access to the lower basket by reason of said rear stanchion. Hence, each time he wishes to add an item he must by-pass the latter. 
         [0013]    The aim of the present invention is to provide a trolley for supporting two baskets which remedies the shortcomings aforementioned and enables loading of both baskets of the trolley easily. 
         [0014]    Another aim of the present invention is to provide a less cumbersome trolley, in particular, during storage. 
         [0015]    Another aim of the invention is to provide a trolley at a low production cost. 
         [0016]    Another aim of the invention is to provide a trolley for supporting baskets, the baskets as well as their contents being protected against collisions with other trolleys and against collisions with furnishings in a store. 
         [0017]    Another aim of the invention is to provide a trolley enabling not only easy access to the baskets but also a trolley enabling lifting and placing the baskets on the latter, on the same side, and without having to by-pass each other. 
         [0018]    Other aims and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, which is given only by way of example and without being limited thereto. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The invention relates to first of all a trolley or shopping cart, in particular, for the transport of goods exhibiting supporting means capable of superimposing two baskets, a first lower basket and a second upper basket, one above the other. The baskets are formed of a bottom and of four sides to define an outward opening. The trolley moreover exhibits gripping means for the operation thereof arranged on one of its sides, a so-called operating side. The trolley is fitted with castors, characterized in that the supporting means consist of at least two lateral stanchions capable of meshing, directly or indirectly, into said baskets, at least at two of their opposite sides, so as to create clearance, providing direct access to the opening of said lower and upper basket from the operating side. The lower basket is situated in a position substantially offset relative to the upper basket, said lower basket moving forward in the direction of said operating side. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The invention will be understood better when reading the following description, accompanied by the appended drawings. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a trolley according to the invention according to a first embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a variation of a trolley as illustrated on  FIG. 1 , without any basket. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a trolley according to the invention according to a second embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the trolley as illustrated on  FIG. 3 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a trolley according to the invention according to a third embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the trolley as illustrated on  FIG. 5 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a trolley according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the trolley as illustrated on  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    The invention relates to a trolley  1 , in particular for the transport of goods, exhibiting supporting means  2 ,  6 , capable of superimposing two baskets, a first lower basket  51  and a second upper basket  52 , one above the other. 
         [0030]    Said baskets consist traditionally of a bottom and of four sides to define an outward opening, and may exhibit, as illustrated on  FIG. 1 , a handle. 
         [0031]    Said trolley exhibits moreover gripping means  4  for the operation thereof arranged on one of its sides  3 , a so-called operating side, as well as of the castors  7 . 
         [0032]    According to the invention, the supporting means  2 ,  6  consist of at least two lateral stanchions  2 , capable of meshing, directly or indirectly, into said baskets  51 ,  52 , at least at two of their opposite sides, so as to create clearance providing direct access to the opening of said lower  51  and upper  52  baskets, from the operating side  3 . 
         [0033]    Thus, as illustrated in the figures, the structure of the trolley of this invention, and in particular said supporting means, do not limit access, in particular, to the opening of the lower basket  51 . 
         [0034]    Moreover, the removable lower  51  and upper  52  baskets may be lifted and situated on the trolley  1  from the operating side  3 . 
         [0035]    The supporting means  2 ,  6  arrange the lower and upper baskets, substantially horizontally. 
         [0036]    According to an embodiment of the invention, the supporting means  2 ,  6  are capable of locating said lower basket  51  in a position substantially offset relative to said upper basket  52 , said lower basket moving forward in the direction of said operating side  3 . 
         [0037]    As illustrated on  FIGS. 4 ,  6  and  8 , the lower basket is arranged parallel to said upper basket slightly offset by approximately half the width thereof in the direction of the operating side  3 . Such arrangement advantageously enables better access to the opening of said lower basket  51 , the lower portion of the upper basket  52  not forming an obstacle for the arm of the user when loading the lower basket  51 . 
         [0038]    Such an arrangement also enables the buyer to have good visibility of the products contained in both baskets, without needing to bend his or her knees. 
         [0039]    Advantageously, the baskets are held at two opposite sides forming the smaller sides of the basket. 
         [0040]    Moreover, the center of gravity of the baskets is situated vertical to a spot situated between the castors of the trolley. Advantageously, the supporting means are capable of locating the center of gravity of said upper basket  52  vertical to a spot substantially equidistant to the castors of the trolley. Indeed, with the upper basket being arranged at great height, its center of gravity will be situated in the middle of the trolley in order to prevent any undesirable tipping of said trolley. 
         [0041]    According to a selected embodiment, the stanchions are arranged parallel and consist of two bent legs  2 , in particular being generally C-shaped. Each leg exhibiting a first lower portion  21  tilted towards the side opposite to said operating side  3 , and a second upper portion  22  tilted in the direction of the operating side  3 . 
         [0042]    As illustrated on  FIGS. 1 to 4  and  7  to  8 , the first lower portion  21  is substantially longer than the second upper part  22 , said first portion  21  being in particular in length twice greater than the length of said second part  22 . Still on the same Figures, the elbow  23  joining both parts  21 ,  22  is situated at a height representing approximately half the height of the legs  2 . 
         [0043]    Said bent legs will advantageously enable locating the lower basket  51  in an offset manner relative to said upper basket  52 . 
         [0044]    The elbow  23  joining the lower portion  21  and the upper portion  22  enables, in case of front collision of the trolley, protection of the upper basket  52 . 
         [0045]    The trolley exhibits two feet  6  extending ahead of said legs. Advantageously, the feet extend ahead of said legs  6  from said first lower portion  21 . 
         [0046]    The feet  6  will also enable protection of the lower basket  5  against collisions. 
         [0047]    The lower free end of said feet  6  and/or bent legs  2 , is fitted with castors  7 . 
         [0048]    According to an embodiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the feet  6  exhibit means  9  for hinging to said legs and are capable of moving from a spaced apart working position to a closer position for storing trolleys. 
         [0049]    Thus, as illustrated on  FIG. 6 , the feet  6  are hinged by means of a connecting pin  9  to said bent legs  2 . Both feet forming the trolley are slaved in rotation by means of a spacer  14  (as shown in dotted lines) situated behind a shaped plate  10 . 
         [0050]    Advantageously, the feet  6  and said lower portion  21  of said legs exhibit a similar shape and in particular a same curve. Thus, when the feet  6  are curved, the trolley can be stored while occupying minimum space requirements. 
         [0051]    Moreover, the trolley exhibits a gripping bar  4  arranged between both free upper ends of said bent legs  2 . Advantageously, and as illustrated on Figures, the latter will be arranged close to the upper basket  52  and more particularly close to the upper edge of the basket. 
         [0052]    According to a selected embodiment, the structure of the trolley and in particular the side stanchions, are held by means of spacers  4 ,  11 ,  14  arranged between said bent legs  2  and/or the feet  6 . 
         [0053]    The spacers may be assembled to the legs  2  and/or to the feet  3  via fastening means. 
         [0054]    The trolley can be suited to different sizes of baskets by using spacers of different lengths. 
         [0055]    Thus, to provide a good grip between both side stanchions, the trolley requires at least two spacers. It should be noted that a first spacer can be advantageously formed of said gripping bar  4 . The back-up feet  6  may be slaved by means of another spacer  14  situated behind the spacer plate  10 , in particular shaped whose purpose is to serve as an advertising medium. 
         [0056]    As illustrated on  FIG. 3 , at least one transparent plastic profile  10 ,  11 , in particular formed by the spacers, enables display of advertisements. 
         [0057]    As illustrated on  FIG. 1 , the trolley may also exhibit an additional spacer, in particular formed of a bar  11 , arranged at the elbows  23  in order to stiffen the structure of the trolley, the latter also enabling protection of the upper basket during a front collision. 
         [0058]    It should be noted that the trolley requires two or more (2) spacers for joining the stanchions, and in particular the legs  2  and/or the feet  6 . Such spacers are placed advantageously at the necessary spots and may adopt different shapes and fulfill an additional function such as, in particular, the protection of the baskets. 
         [0059]    Thus, according to a variation illustrated on  FIG. 1 , the trolley exhibits a spacer  14  and a tray  18  generally rectangular in shape. 
         [0060]    The latter is hinged, to pivot at the lower edge thereof, to said feet  6  or to said legs  2  to move from a storage position (not illustrated) to a stable usage position. 
         [0061]    In a usage configuration, said tray  18  cooperates with the spacer  14 , and forms a V-shaped receptacle capable of accommodating goods, in particular bottles. For instance, the shaped receptacle will enable, in particular, transport of six bottles of water containing one and a half liters stored horizontally. 
         [0062]    The tray may also enable carrying a third basket. 
         [0063]    In a storage configuration, the tray  18  is pressed against the spacer  14  thus enabling said trolleys to be piled up into one another. 
         [0064]    It should be noted also that the baskets  51 ,  52  partake, when they are fastened to the structure, in particular, to both side stanchions  2 , and to the feet  6 , in stiffening and strengthening the structure of the trolley  1 . 
         [0065]    As illustrated in the figures, the side stanchions and in particular the lugs  6  and/or the bent legs  2  are fitted with clamping means  8  capable of meshing into said baskets. 
         [0066]    According to an embodiment, as illustrated on  FIGS. 5 and 6 , for instance, said baskets will exhibit a protrusion on two opposite flanks, fitted with at least one opening capable of meshing into two fingers  81  of the clamping means  8 . 
         [0067]    According to another embodiment illustrated on  FIG. 1 , the baskets  51  and  52  may exhibit an upper edge curved downwards, forming a step on the periphery of the basket. The clamping means  8  may then be in the form of fingers  81  capable of protruding at the step of the edge thus formed. 
         [0068]    Advantageously, as illustrated in the figures, the clamping means may be arranged at the upper end of the feet  6  as illustrated on  FIG. 2 , the latter being arranged slaved to the bent legs  2  at a side turned toward the inside of the trolley. The clamping means  8  may be arranged at a shim for the upper basket, said shim being slaved to said bent legs  2 . The shim and the leg  2  may also form a single piece. 
         [0069]    According to another embodiment illustrated on  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the side stanchions and in particular, the lugs  2  form a single piece, the latter being slaved to a common base  20 . 
         [0070]    The base  20 , as illustrated on  FIGS. 7 and 8 , extends advantageously ahead at the lower basket  51  to protect the latter against front collisions. 
         [0071]    Still, the trolleys exhibit interlocking means for being piled up during the storage thereof. Thus the stanchions  2 ,  6  exhibit tilted sections enabling them to pile up vertically into one another. Thus, the first lower portion  21  and the second upper portion  22  of the legs  2  are tilted advantageously to enable the latter to be piled up. 
         [0072]    Similarly, the feet  6 , spacers  11 ,  14 , tray  18  and plate  10  are tilted to obtain such results. 
         [0073]    According to an embodiment variation as illustrated on  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the feet  6  are offset relative to said legs  2  in a substantially parallel plane in order to be interlocked between the latter. According to another embodiment variation illustrated on  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the feet  6  are hinged and brought closer to said bent leg  2  during storage. 
         [0074]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the base  20  exhibits a globally V-shaped profile and a rear clearance so as to be piled up into one another. 
         [0075]    The different elements forming the trolley and in particular the bent legs  2 , the spacers, gripping bars  4  and lugs  6  might be advantageously made of plastic materials, and in particular, by known injection molding methods. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 2 , the various elements may exhibit a ribbed structure for saving material and offering better stress resistance. 
         [0076]    Similarly, the members forming the trolley might be advantageously assembled without any screws or add-on parts, using fastening means between the latter. 
         [0077]    Such an arrangement enables delivery of the trolley in kit form, wherein the user may easily assemble the latter. If an element of the trolley is damaged, it can be replaced easily. The cost of delivery and of maintenance are thus reduced. 
         [0078]    Moreover, the trolley  1  can be equipped with various fitments, such as a flower bunch support-type ring  17  or a coin-operating locking device. 
         [0079]    The trolley can be equipped with two hooks protruding laterally from the stanchions enabling in particular hanging clothes by their hangers or a handbag. A clip can be provided for holding a shopping list. 
         [0080]    The invention also relates to a basket formed of a bottom and four sides to define an outward opening, intended for cooperating with a trolley equipped with clamping means capable of meshing with said baskets, being in the form of fingers  81 . 
         [0081]    According to the invention, the basket exhibits openings intended for engaging into the fingers of the clamping means. 
         [0082]    The basket can be made of plastic material. The openings are situated on the higher portion of the basket at a protrusion forming a neck. 
         [0083]    As illustrated, the basket may exhibit two openings on each of both opposite sides of the smaller sides of the basket. 
         [0084]    Naturally, other embodiments, understandable to the man of the art, could have been contemplated without departing from the framework of the invention.