Abstract:
A shopping tote including a vertical support structure having one or more hooks for suspending bags therefrom enables carrying of shopping bags and/or boxes in an easy and convenient manner. A platform may be provided for placing of boxed items. The tote may be quickly changed between a compact storage condition and an in-use condition. When in the storage condition, the tote is of a size allowing carrying thereof alone or in a backpack, briefcase or purse, for example.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of prior provisional application Ser. No. 60/729,335 filed on Oct. 21, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention generally relates to hand-pulled carts or totes. The present invention more particularly relates to a hand-pulled, wheeled tote capable of easily transporting many bags and boxed items and which is collapsible or foldable to a size that may be stored and carried alone or in a bag, backpack, briefcase or purse, for example, such that the tote is readily available to a shopper when needed.  
         [0003]     When shopping, shoppers typically accumulate many bags and/or boxed items during a single shopping trip. As the number of bags and boxes continue to grow in number during a shopping trip, shoppers struggle under the heavy load and become quickly tired and aggravated with the unmanageability of handling multiple bagged and boxed items. This problem is exacerbated if the shopper has any physical ailments, e.g., back or hand problems. Some shoppers are known to make trips to their car to unload the bags and boxes and then return to the stores for more shopping, or leave the mall altogether in frustration. Shoppers with small children in strollers sometimes use the strollers for carrying the bags and boxes however, this is a dangerous practice since the stroller is not designed to carry heavy, uneven loads and may tip over. Plastic bags placed near the child are also a suffocation hazard.  
         [0004]     Wheeled carts are known for carrying luggage through an airport, for example, yet these carts are typically heavy and bulky even in their collapsed positions. Furthermore, such carts are designed to only hold generally rectangular shaped and rigid sided pieces of luggage on their platform, usually secured to the cart with a bungee cord. These carts are not designed to hold multiple bags by their handles. Attempts to hang bags over the top of the handle usually result in the load becoming unbalanced resulting in the cart tipping over. If the bags are secured under the bungee cord on top of a piece of luggage sitting on the platform, the bag may slip out from beneath the bungee and fall to the floor. As such, these types of wheeled luggage carts are simply not suitable for use in a shopping environment where many purchased items are carried in handled, plastic or paper bags. Furthermore, due to their weight and large size even in the folded position, these types of carts are not readily carried by a person for use when needed during a shopping trip.  
         [0005]     There therefore exists a need for a wheeled tote for shoppers which is foldable to a very compact size and capable of carrying multiple handled bags and boxed items in a safe and secure manner. It would furthermore be desirable to provide a tote that may be wheeled along with a wheelchair or stroller, for example.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention successfully addresses the above needs by providing a light-weight, wheeled tote for shoppers which can carry multiple bags and boxes in a safe and secure manner. The tote is foldable to a compact size capable of being carried alone or in a bag, backpack, briefcase or purse, for example. When needed, the tote is quickly opened and ready for use.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, the tote includes a platform attached to one or more wheels. The platform may comprise two or more sections that may be folded or otherwise positioned in an overlying manner with respect to one another when the tote is in the stored condition or when a smaller platform size is desirable due to space constraints of a shopping aisle, for example.  
         [0008]     The tote includes one or more shafts or vertical support structures which attach to the wheels. A handle is formed or otherwise attached to the end of the vertical support to enable a shopper to pull (or push) the tote with a single hand. The vertical support may telescope, fold or otherwise be adjusted to a smaller size when converting the tote to its storage condition. The vertical support may be adjustable between different heights when changed to the in-use condition to accommodate the desires and needs of the particular shopper.  
         [0009]     The shaft or shafts may further include one or more hooks, clasps or other structures (hereinafter collectively referred to as hooks) operable to suspend a bag therefrom. In one embodiment, the hooks retract into the vertical support when the support is moved to its stored condition. The books may be biased in the extended position by a spring, for example, such that the hooks automatically extend upon opening the vertical supports to their in-use condition. In another embodiment, the hooks are recessed with respect to the outer wall of the vertical support yet easily accessible to position and hang a bag thereon.  
         [0010]     The tote may include one or more stabilizing members if needed to prevent the tote from tipping over when the shopper places the tote to a free-standing, stationary position. The stabilizing member may be manually or automatically retractable or foldable when the tote is being wheeled or moved to its storage condition.  
         [0011]     In another embodiment, the tote may be adapted to attach to another wheeled item such as a stroller or wheelchair, for example. In this embodiment, rather than pulling the tote by its handle, the tote may be pulled along by the wheeled item. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the tote in the in-use condition being wheeled behind a shopper;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a shopper carrying the tote in its stored condition;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the tote in the in-use condition;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front, elevational view thereof;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the tote in a partly folded condition;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view showing the tote in the fully stored condition;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view of the releasable locking mechanism as taken along the line  7 A- 7 A in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the releasable locking mechanism as taken along the line  7 B- 7 B in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is another embodiment of the tote in the in-use condition being wheeled behind a shopper;  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a side, elevational view of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a front elevational view thereof;  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is the view of  FIG. 11  showing the tote in a folded condition;  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is a side elevational view showing the tote of  FIGS. 9-12  attached to a wheelchair; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a releasable attachment mechanism. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]     Referring now to the drawing, there is seen in  FIGS. 1-7B  a first embodiment of the inventive tote designated generally by the reference numeral  10 . As discussed above, tote  10  provides a light-weight, wheeled tote for a shopper  12  to easily transport multiple bags and/or boxes  14  in a safe and secure manner. Tote  10  is foldable to a compact size capable of being carried alone or in a bag, backpack, briefcase or purse, for example (see  FIG. 2 ). When needed, tote  10  is quickly opened and ready for use as described more fully below.  
         [0028]     Tote  10  basically includes a vertical support structure  28  connected to one or more wheels  18  which allow tote  10  to be wheeled by shopper  12 . Wheels  18  may have a common axle  19  or may be of the caster or swivel type to allow tight cornering and turning of tote  10 .  
         [0029]     Tote  10  may further include a platform  20  which is preferably substantially flat and square or rectangular in outline although other shapes are of course possible. Platform  20  includes a top surface  22  for supporting articles such as boxes and bags, for example. Surface  22  may be textured if desired to provide additional friction between the articles and surface, and thereby help prevent the articles from sliding off the platform  20 .  
         [0030]     As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , platform  20  may be provided with one or more platform legs  24  to maintain platform  20  in a generally parallel orientation above the floor when tote  10  is placed in an in-use, standing position. Legs  24  may be foldable against platform  20  when tote  10  is changed to the stored position seen in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . Platform  20  itself is foldable against vertical support  28  when tote  10  is changed to the storage condition seen in  FIGS. 2 and 5 - 7 . Platform  20  may furthermore be foldable or otherwise adjustable to a smaller size as will be further described below with respect to the embodiment of  FIGS. 9-12 .  
         [0031]     As seen in  FIG. 3 , one or more rear stabilizing legs  26  may be provided if the load of bags and/or boxes would otherwise cause rearward tipping (away from platform  20 ) of tote  10  when placed in the stationary, standing position. Legs  26  may be folded or retracted against vertical support  28  when not needed.  
         [0032]     Although not shown, one or more relatively short, vertical walls may be provided in any desired arrangement on platform  20  (e.g., to provide one or more compartments) to further secure articles supported thereon.  
         [0033]     As stated above, vertical support structure  28  directly or indirectly connects to wheels  18 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-8 , vertical support  28  includes a bottom section  28 A, middle section  28 B and a top section  28 C. Bottom section  28 A includes a central opening  28 A′ such that middle section  28 B may slide downwardly into opening  28 A′ when it is desired to shorten the height of vertical support  28 , or when tote  10  is changed to the stored condition seen in  FIGS. 2 , and  5 - 7 . In this regard, the connection between bottom and middle sections  28 A and  28 B is selectively releasable through a suitable releasable attachment component  29  such as a spring-loaded button  30 . As seen in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , button  30  may be provided on a lever  32  which is pivotable about an axle pin  34  located in an opening  36  provided within bottom section  28 A. Lever  32  includes a finger  38  that is formed to removably fit within an opening  40  formed in middle section  28 B. A spring  42  is located within bottom section  28 A opposite finger  38  and biases lever  32  in the engaged position seen in  FIG. 7A . To release locking member  29 , the shopper pushes against button  30  which causes lever  32  to pivot about pin  34  in the clockwise direction as seen in  FIGS. 7A  and B. This movement applies a force against spring  42  and retracts finger  38  from opening  40 . This releases the attachment between bottom section  28 A and middle section  28 B such that the shopper may push middle section  28 B toward bottom section  28 A until middle section  28 B comes to rest within opening  28 A′. Once middle section  28 B has been moved with respect to bottom section  28 A, finger  38  is no longer aligned with opening  40  and cannot re-engage until the middle section is moved back to the extended position and finger  38  is in alignment with opening  40 . When this occurs, finger  38  will automatically extend into opening  40  due to the bias of spring  42 . Thus, when sections  28 A and  28 B are moved to the fully extended position seen in  FIGS. 1, 3  and  4 , button  30  is operable to automatically yet releasably lock these two sections in place.  
         [0034]     Cooperatively formed tongue  28 B′ and groove  28 A″ may be provided on the facing surfaces of bottom and middle sections  28 A,  28 B ( FIG. 3 ) to provide a track which guides the sliding movement of these sections toward and away from each other.  
         [0035]     Top section  28 C is connected to middle section  28 B about a hinge  50  ( FIG. 4 ) whereby top section  28 C may be folded against bottom and middle sections  28 A,  28 B which have previously been closed together as seen best in  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  
         [0036]     A handle  52  is attached to the top end  28 C′ of top section  28 C to allow a shopper  12  to grasp and wheel tote  10  along a floor. Handle  52  may be of any shape or type and may include finger grips for case of gripping if desired.  
         [0037]     One or more hooks  60  are provided on vertical support  28 . As stated above, the term “hooks” is to be construed broadly to include any type of handle suspension element that is capable of allowing a handle of a bag to be suspended thereon (e.g. spring clasps). In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7B , hooks  60  are straight elements which are recessed within respective hook openings formed in top and middle vertical support sections  28 B,  28 C. In this embodiment, two rows of three hooks each are provided on middle section  28 B and three hooks  60  are provided in a single row on top section  28 C. It is understood, however, that hooks  60  may be arranged in any desired number and manner on any part of vertical support  28 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , multiple bags  14  may be suspended from any one of or all hooks  60  provided on vertical support  28 . Since the bags hang close to vertical support  28 , the load is maintained along the vertical support which aids in maintaining stability of the tote when in the standing position. Hooks  60  may be provided on any or all sides (i.e., front, rear, left and right sides) of vertical support  28  which allows the shopper to more evenly distribute the bags and thus the load of the bags about vertical support  28 .  
         [0038]     Another embodiment of the tote is seen in  FIGS. 9-12  and is designated generally by the reference numeral  70 . Tote  70  includes a vertical support comprising a single shaft  72  that may be provided in two or more sections  70 A,  70 B and  70 C that may retract and telescope one within another when changing the tote  70  to the storage condition which results in a reduction in length of the vertical support as seen in  FIG. 11 . Means other than telescoping may be employed to reduce the vertical support to the storage condition such as folding of the sections about hinged connectors or providing an elastic cord running through the sections which may be releasably connected together by frictional connecting collars such as is used in some tent constructions, for example.  
         [0039]     One or more hooks  160  may be provided on one or each section  70 A-C in any arrangement and position therealong. Hooks  160  may be spring loaded and arranged such that they automatically retract within respective hook openings formed in sections  70 A-C upon telescoping section  70 C into section  70 B, and telescoping section  70 B into section  70 A. When the sections are extended into the use condition, they automatically extend to a a position allowing a bag handle to be suspended therefrom.  
         [0040]     Any hooks on bottom section  70 A may have a releasable lock mechanism that allows the shopper to push the hook into section  70 A whereupon it locks in place. When it is desired to extend the hooks, the shopper simply presses again upon the recessed hook which thereby extends the hook, for example in the same manner as a magnetic or spring latch.  
         [0041]     Platform  120  maybe provided in two or more sections  120 A-C which are foldable or otherwise adjustable with respect to each other such that they can be moved between the fully open position seen in  FIGS. 9-11 , and the fully closed position seen in  FIG. 12 . For example, sections  120 A and  120 C may pivot with respect to center section  120 B such that they may fold onto one another in the direction of the arrows in  FIG. 10 . This may be done when changing the tote  70  to the storage condition, or when it is desired to have a smaller size platform due to space constraints (e.g., narrow shopping aisles).  
         [0042]     A rear stabilizing leg  126  may be provided to assist in stabilizing tote  70  in the standing position as seen in  FIG. 9 . Although not shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 9-12 , front stabilizing legs may be provided to stabilize platform such as legs  24  as seen in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7B .  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIG. 13 , tote  70  may be removably attached to wheelchair  80  and be rolled along with a shopper in the wheelchair. The tote handle  152  may be secured to any part of the wheelchair with handle  152  being shown attached to the wheelchair handle  82  in  FIG. 13 , for example. Any suitable attachment component may be used to secure the tote to the wheelchair for example a short, rigid bar  90  having spring-loaded clamps  92 ,  94  at either end thereof to secure the wheelchair handle  82  (or other part thereof) to the tote handle  152  (or other part thereof), respectively, as seen in  FIG. 14 . Although not shown, the tote may be removably attached to any other type of wheeled device such as a baby stroller, for example.  
         [0044]     Although the invention has been shown and described with regard to just two possible embodiments thereof, it is understood that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the full spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow.