Cart extender

A cart extender for use with a conventional shopping cart. The cart extender is formed from a six inch diameter base member having an angle sleeve attached to the distal end and an open end along a proximal end defining a chamber therebetween. The base is releasably secured to a conventional shopping cart using a hook member that rests on a lower rail of the shopping cart and a clasp member that secures to an upper rail. A telescopic ring member is secured to the base member in a retracted position and extendable outwardly therefrom to provide support to long items placed in the receptacle. The cart extender allows for the safe movement of long items such as rebar, corner bead, and the like within a shopping store.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to the field of shopping carts and, in particular, to a shopping cart extender to transport long items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shopping carts and wagons are used to carry items while shopping. Shopping carts are simply large baskets on wheels, and are commonly employed at grocery stores, big box building supply stores, and the like. While shopping carts come in various shapes and sizes, for illustration purposes, we will refer to a very large shopping cart capable of holding about 8 cubic feet of material with a basket length of about 45 inches. While a large cart is suitable for carrying items in the basket, the consumer at a building supply store is commonly carrying items larger than 45 inches. Longer items may be placed on a wagon, but the longer items will extend well beyond the wagon support platform. For example, a 2×4×8 piece of lumber will not fit in a shopping cart, but will readily fit on an open wagon.

A problem arises when a customer purchases items that are not properly supported by a shopping cart. For instance, an 8 foot length of drywall corner bead placed on either a shopping cart or a wagon can easily be damaged, as the corner bead is very thin and extends well beyond the length of the shopping cart or wagon. When the consumer attempts to move such items, the consumer must maneuver the wagon or cart through the store taking care to avoid hitting product shelves, as well as other customers. Striking an individual or product shelf with a 2×4 having a flat end is not likely to cause injury. However, striking anything or anyone with corner bead having sharp edges can irreversibly damage the bead, as well as cause a serious injury to another customer. Even if the bead is stationary on the wagon, a customer may accidently walk into the bead and the sharp edge can easily tear clothing or skin. Further, if the bead is damaged while in the store, the consumer will return the item and obtain a replacement, leaving the now damaged item with the store to deal with.

While a corner bead is used as an example, the same problem exists for copper tubing, plastic tubing, electrical conduit, steel rebar, molding, broom handles, and paint brush extension handles to name just a few items that do not fit into a shopping cart or be safely carried on a wagon.

What is needed in the industry is a cart extender that is removably attached to a conventional shopping cart for safely carrying long items in a vertical position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a cart extender for use with a conventional shopping cart. The cart extender is formed from a tubular shaped base member having a length with a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end forms an opening and distal end is capped closed, forming a receptacle. A hook member is secured to an outer surface of the base member along the distal end. The hook member is substantially U-shaped and arranged to rest over a lower rail of the shopping cart. The hook member operates in conjunction with a clasp member which is secured to an outer surface of the base member along the proximal end. The clasp member provides a positive securement to an upper rail of the shopping cart, fixing the base member to the shopping cart. A telescopic ring member is secured to the base member. The ring member is placed in a retracted position adjacent to the proximal end and extendable outwardly therefrom, wherein the ring member provides support to longer items placed in the receptacle. An angle sleeve can be attached to the distal end of the base member to prevent tipping of the shopping cart if the receptacle is overloaded with weight.

An objective of the invention is to teach the use of a receptacle for holding long items in a vertical profile to prevent contacting of product shelves and other customers otherwise occasioned when long items are transported in a horizontal plane.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a cart extender that is easily attached to any shopping cart having two points of contact, and can be removed from the shopping cart without tools.

Still another objective of the invention is to provide a cart extender having a telescopic extension holder to support long items extending from the cart extender receptacle.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide an angle sleeve to prevent tipping of the shopping cart if the cart extender is overloaded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now toFIGS.1A,1B and2, illustrated is the cart extender10of the instant invention for use with a conventional shopping cart100. The conventional shopping cart100is illustrated having a basket102supported by a frame104having a set of wheels106for ease of maneuvering. The cart extender10is formed from a tubular shaped base member12having a length L1with a proximal end14and a distal end16. The proximal end14is open and the distal end16is capped23, forming a receptacle25therebetween. The base member12is preferably constructed from aluminum or PCV pipe. A hook member18is secured to an outer surface20of the base member12along the distal end16. The hook member18is U-shaped and arranged to rest on a lower frame rail108of the shopping cart100, see alsoFIG.6. The hook member18operates in conjunction with a clasp member22which is secured to the outer surface20of the base member12along the proximal end14. The clasp member22is preferably a clamp24having a biasing lever26that allows the clasp member to positively secure to an upper edge110of the shopping cart basket100, see alsoFIG.7. The clasp member22allows ease of positioning of the base member12to the cart100by simply pushing the biasing lever26against the wire frame of the basket102and resting the hook member18over the lower frame rail108. For removal, the biasing lever26is depressed, wherein the base member12can be lifted from the basket102attachment. No tools are needed for attachment or removal of the cart extender10.

The distal end16includes a cap23coupled thereto, forming the receptacle25, which is accessible through the open end along the proximal end14. Long items120, such as corner beads, copper tubing, plastic tubing, electrical conduit, steel rebar, molding, broom handles, paint brush extension handles and the like are placed in the receptacle25. A drainage hole29can be placed in the cap23to allow moisture removal should the cart extender10be left in the rain.

A telescopic ring member30is secured to the base member12by a slidable rod32that fits within a sleeve34. The sleeve34is attached to the base member12along a first end36near the distal end16and along a second end38along the proximate end14. The slidable rod32is retracted, wherein the ring member30is placed in a retracted position adjacent to the proximal end14as illustrated inFIG.1A, and in an extended position as illustrated inFIG.1B.FIG.3illustrates the ring member30in a partially extended position depicted by length L2.FIG.4illustrates the ring member30in a partially extended position depicted by length L3.FIG.4illustrates the ring member30in a partially extended position depicted by length L4. The slidable rod32fits within the sleeve34having a friction tip33that maintains the rod32in a position once the ring member30is extended to a desired position. For example, a full extension of the ring member30would be used for rebar, corner beads and the like. A partial extension of the ring member30would be used for broom handles or like length items.

Referring toFIG.8, illustrated is an embodiment having a handle formed by use of an aperture40positioned beneath the proximal end14. The aperture40allows ease of installation and removal of the cart extender10, wherein an individual's fingers are insertable into the aperture40for ease of holding the cart extender10.

FIGS.9-11illustrate the cart extender10employing an angle sleeve50positioned along the distal end16of the base member12. The angle sleeve50is attached to the base member12with a cap52coupled thereto to form the receptacle25. A drainage hole, similar to the above mentioned embodiment, allows for water drainage should the cart extender10be left outside in the rain. The bottom edge of the angle sleeve50forms a 45 degree angle15to the ground130, wherein the shopping cart100is stopped from tilting more than 10 inches before the angle sleeve50impacts the ground130and prevents the shopping cart100from tipping over. Such a provision is beneficial when a consumer inadvertently places excessive weight into the cart extender10and insufficient items are placed into the basket to provide a counterbalance weight. For instance, placing a bundle of rebar into the receptacle would cause a weight imbalance.

The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more” or “at least one.”

The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.