Shopping cart with child seat

A shopping cart includes an expandable cargo compartment having opposite first and second ends, a frame to which the cargo compartment is attached, a handle disposed proximate the first end of the cargo compartment, and a foldable child seat disposed proximate the second end of the cargo compartment, wherein folding the child seat increases a capacity of the cargo compartment and wherein the child seat comprises a seat back pivotally attached to the frame. In another aspect, a shopping cart comprises a frame, a cargo compartment attached to the frame, a handle attached to the frame, and a foldable child seat. The foldable child seat comprises a rod pivotally attached to the frame, a seat back attached to the rod, a sleeve configured to slide upon the rod, and a seat bottom hingedly attached to the sleeve.

BACKGROUND

Shopping carts incorporating child seats are known. However, many common designs have numerous drawbacks. For example, in some designs, the child seat is fixed; therefore, even when no child occupies the seat, the seat takes up valuable space that could be used to carry merchandise. In other designs having a folding child seat, the folding mechanism is often difficult to operate, sometimes resulting in pinched fingers for the user or occupant. In still other designs, the child seat is often formed from welded metal wire panels, resulting in a very uncomfortable seat. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved shopping cart including a comfortable child seat having a smooth and easily operated folding mechanism, whereby folding the child seat results in additional cargo space in the shopping cart.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a shopping cart comprises an expandable cargo compartment having opposite first and second ends, a frame to which the cargo compartment is attached, a handle disposed proximate the first end of the cargo compartment, and a foldable child seat disposed proximate the second end of the cargo compartment, wherein folding the child seat increases a capacity of the cargo compartment and wherein the child seat comprises a seat back pivotally attached to the frame.

In another aspect, a shopping cart comprises a frame, a cargo compartment attached to the frame, a handle attached to the frame, and a foldable child seat. The foldable child seat comprises a rod pivotally attached to the frame, a seat back attached to the rod, a sleeve configured to slide upon the rod, and a seat bottom hingedly attached to the sleeve.

This summary is provided to introduce concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosed or claimed subject matter and is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosed or claimed subject matter. Specifically, features disclosed herein with respect to one embodiment may be equally applicable to another. Further, this summary is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Many other novel advantages, features, and relationships will become apparent as this description proceeds. The figures and the description that follow more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments.

While the above-identified figures set forth one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the disclosure. In all cases, this disclosure presents the disclosed subject matter by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this disclosure.

The figures may not be drawn to scale. In particular, some features may be enlarged relative to other features for clarity. The directions left and right are from the perspective of a user of the cart, standing behind the cart and positioned to push forward on the cart handle. Moreover, the forward direction or front direction refers to the direction in which the cart is pushed in normal use. Additionally, where terms such as above, below, over, under, top, bottom, side, right, left, etc., are used, it is to be understood that they are used only for ease of understanding the description. It is contemplated that structures may be oriented otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows an exemplary shopping cart10having a handle12, cargo bag14and foldable child seat16attached to frame18. Cart10is supported on the ground surface20by front wheels22and rear wheels24. Kick plate26extends across a front of frame18and in an exemplary embodiment is positioned about 3⅝ inches from ground surface20. Protective covers19made of plastic or a similarly durable material are attached to a forward portion of frame18in an exemplary embodiment.

User friendly features include a large wheel base between front wheels22and rear wheels24for stability and ease of maneuvering. In an exemplary embodiment, front wheels22are able to swivel 360 degrees. Another feature is an injection-molded handle bar12having a rounded configuration for comfort and ease of use. In an exemplary configuration, a diameter of grip portion60of handle12is about 1.5 inches for the user's comfort and to facilitate handling of cart10. Integral to handle12is an accessory tray28featuring a cup holder30and a well32for smaller items such as a customer's purse or smaller merchandise items. In an exemplary configuration, cup holder30includes rounded corners and edges and drain holes58(visible inFIG. 4) for ease of cleaning. Accessory tray28also includes a hook34(visible inFIGS. 1 and 8) for holding a customer's purse or one or more apparel hangers.

Gussets36allow the capacity of cargo bag14to increase when child seat16is folded (seeFIGS. 2A-2C). Front bar38, crotch strap40, side buckle straps41, and side panels42cooperate with seat back44and seat bottom46to create an enclosure for a child seated on child seat16. Because the child is facing forward and is seated in a front portion of the cart10, the child has an unobstructed view of where cart10is going. Moreover, handle12with accessory tray28is disposed on an opposite end of cargo bag14relative to child seat16. Accordingly, a child seated on child seat16is remote from accessory tray28, thereby preventing the child from toppling a beverage cup that may be disposed in cup holder30or from accessing small items disposed in smaller compartment66(such as the parent's keys, cell phone or purse). Additionally, the lower center of gravity of child seat16compared with many state-of-the-art shopping cart child seats stability of the cart. The lower child seat16also makes it easier for the parent to assist the child in and out of the child seat16.

Multiple treatments for side panels42are contemplated; for example, each side panel may be formed from a textile, a clear or transparent material such as acrylic, or from a sheet of perforated welded steel or polymer. In an exemplary embodiment, front bar38may be covered with a thermoplastic elastomer or a similarly soft and durable material for the comfort and safety of the child occupying seat16. The curving lines of frame18not only lend aesthetic appeal to cart10, but also mitigate collision damage to store fixtures, merchandise, customers, motor vehicles and other carts associated with the use of cart10.

FIGS. 2A-2Cillustrate that moving seat back44of child seat16forward increases the cargo capacity of cargo bag14. InFIG. 2A, seat back44is in a fully rearward position so that child seat16is in its fully open configuration, as shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 2Bshows seat back44in an intermediate position. InFIG. 2C, seat back44is in a fully forward position so that child seat16is in its folded configuration. As shown inFIG. 2C, gusset36on each side of cargo bag14is unfolded or opened to expand the effective usable size of cargo bag14. In an exemplary embodiment, the capacity of cargo bag14as shown inFIG. 2Awith child seat16in an open position is about 4.2 cubic feet. In such an exemplary embodiment, the capacity of a cargo bag14shown in the configuration ofFIG. 2C, where child seat16is in the folded configuration, is about 5.0 cubic feet.

FIGS. 3A-3Eshow the structure and operation of an exemplary child seat16. In these drawings, the following features have been removed for clarity of illustration: handle12with accessory tray28, cargo bag14, protective covers19, wheels22and24, kick plate26, crotch strap40and side buckle straps41. InFIGS. 3D and 3E, side panels42have also been removed. A front of seat bottom46is pivotally attached to frame18via pin shaft48. A back of seat bottom46is hingedly attached to sleeves50via hinge shaft98. Left and right rods54are attached at first ends51to seat back44and are pivotally attached at second ends53to frame18via pivot pins52. An intermediate section of each of rods54passes through sleeves50and55. While rods54in an exemplary embodiment have a circular cross-sectional shape, it is contemplated that longitudinal elements having other cross-sectional shapes can also be used.

As shown inFIG. 3E, each of sleeves50includes a horizontal bore to accept hinge shaft98, which passes through bore100of seat bottom46. Moreover each of sleeves50includes a vertically disposed bore102to accept a rod54. Sleeves55of seat back44serve as bottom stops for sleeves50and casings57of seat back44serve as top stops for sleeves50. To fold child seat16, a rear portion59of seat bottom48is lifted and/or seat back44is moved forward so that sleeves50slide upward upon rods54. Bushings or other bearings may be provided within sleeves50to assure smooth operation. In an exemplary embodiment, seat bottom46is provided with indentations56that securely rest against front bar38, as shown inFIGS. 3C and 3E.

FIG. 3Fis a cross-sectional view of the sleeve50connecting the back of the seat bottom59to the rods54along the sides of the seat back44and surrounding structures, taken along line3F-3F ofFIG. 3D. A detent mechanism such as spring loaded detent button61is used to hold seat back44in the fully forward position shown inFIGS. 2C,3C and3D, even as cargo bag14is loaded with merchandise, which tends to push bottom surface72of cargo bag14downward. A back side of vertically disposed bore102of sleeve50is configured with top inner ramp surface63and bottom inner ramp surface65. As sleeve50is raised upon rod54(such as when moving seat back44forward from the position shown inFIG. 3Bto the position shown inFIG. 3C), detent button61is pushed into rod54by upper inner ramp surface63and then extends out of rod54along bottom inner ramp surface65. Spring67biases detent button61out of rod54, thereby frictionally retaining sleeve50above detent button61. Moreover, the forward lean of seat back44prevents sleeves50from unintentionally sliding down and causing opening of child seat16. However, deliberate force applied to purposefully open child seat16(such as by pushing back upon seat back44to move from the configuration shown inFIG. 3Cto the configuration shown inFIG. 3B) is sufficient to cause detent button to become depressed by bottom inner ramp surface65. Detent button61automatically extends out of rod54again after passing against upper inner ramp surface63. One detent button61is provided on each rod54. The illustrated structure using sliding sleeves50on rods54allows for smooth and reliable operation, without the risk of pinched fingers common in state-of-the-art wire basket child seats.

FIG. 4shows the nesting of two carts10, one behind the other. Because cargo bag14in an exemplary embodiment is made of a flexible material such as fabric, the front of one cart can be pushed into the rear of another, thereby saving floor space. Moreover, the use of a textile material generally results in a lighter weight cart10that is easy to manuever. The spacing between front wheels22is also narrower than the spacing between rear wheels24in order to facilitate such nesting. Moreover, in an exemplary embodiment, bottom rack62has a slight downward slope to the front so that the bottom rack62of a cart10may fit under the rack62of the cart10in front of it.

FIGS. 5-7show the bottom of cart10and various portions thereof. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the front of cart10is rounded to allow for a larger front kick plate26and bumper126while still allowing ample room for the front wheels22to fully swivel. In one embodiment, a top portion of kick plate26and bumper126are co-injection-molded of plastic as a single, easily replaceable part. A bottom portion of kick plate26is formed of metal, and fasteners are used to attach the top and bottom portions of kick plate26to frame18. In an exemplary embodiment, wheel mounting hardware78is used to mount front wheels22onto a bottom portion of kick plate26with distance between the front wheels22of about 9.5 inches. Front bumper126has, in an exemplary embodiment, a length of about 14 inches and height of about 1⅛ inches. Bottom rack62is provided for heavy or bulky items.

Wide placement of the front wheels22and rear wheels24offers enhanced cart stability, while the swiveling of front wheels22facilitates maneuverability of the cart10. Front kick plate26protects frame18from the impact of children's feet. In an exemplary embodiment, front kick plate26is formed from plastic and front bumper126is formed from a material such as a thermoplastic elastomer and is easily replaceable. In an exemplary embodiment, front bumper126is a snap-fit non-marking bumper. Box stop protrusions80(seeFIGS. 1-2C) are provided on kick plate26to prevent items on rack62from sliding too far forward. In an exemplary embodiment, front wheels22are significantly smaller than rear wheels24. In an exemplary embodiment, each of front wheels22is a 4 inch diameter caster and each of the rear wheels24has a 6, 8, or 9 inch diameter. However, the front wheels and rear wheels24may otherwise have similar features. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the wheels22and24has a triangular motif104at 72 degree intervals. Moreover, each of front and rear wheels22,24has a nylon core and non-marking thermoplastic rubber outer layer. Moreover, in an exemplary embodiment, each of front wheel22and rear wheel24has a steel bushing with zinc plating.

As shown inFIG. 7, in an exemplary embodiment, rear wheels24are mounted on brackets94, which are in turn fixed to lower ends86of frame18. Mounting of rear wheels24on an outside of frame18allows for a wide wheel base that promotes stability of cart10. Moreover, such a mounting position allows for a wide clearance between rear wheels24, thereby facilitating the acceptance of the front portion of a second cart10, as in the nested configuration shown inFIG. 4.

In an exemplary embodiment, cargo bag14is formed of a flexible material such as a textile. It is contemplated that cargo bag14may need to be repaired or replaced at more frequent maintenance intervals than the more durable frame18.FIG. 8shows cart10disassembled to allow for replacement of cargo bag14. Cargo bag14is easily removed from frame18and child seat16for repair or replacement as needed. In an exemplary embodiment, handle12with accessory tray28is removed from frame18by unfastening screws82, which pass through brackets84of cargo bag14, and sliding ends86of frame18out of bores88of handle12. Further, screws90(visible inFIG. 3D) are unfastened to allow for removal of seat back plate92from seat back44. In an exemplary embodiment, screws84and90also secure portions of cargo bag14to accessory tray28and seat back44, respectively. Screws and/or other fasteners may also be used, such as through grommets70, to secure other parts of cargo bag14to frame18. In additional to or as an alternative to the use of grommets70, a wire may be sewn or otherwise attached to cargo bag14and attached by screws or other fasteners to frame18. With these fasteners removed, loops64of cargo bag14are easily slid off frame18to remove cargo bag14from frame18. Cargo bag14can then be replaced with a new or differently configured cargo bag.

Cargo bag14is attachable to frame18of cart10via loops64and a plurality of grommets70, through which fasteners are inserted to secure cargo bag14to frame18and child seat16. As illustrated, cargo bag14has a smaller compartment66for holding small items that might otherwise get lost in the main compartment68. Smaller compartment66is suspended from and accessed through well32of accessory tray28of handle12.

Bottom surface72and seat attachment surface106of cargo bag14may be formed of a different material than the rest of cargo bag14. Because these surfaces72and106are less visible to on-lookers, they may be formed of a more durable albeit less attractive material than other portions of cargo bag14. Additional grommets (not shown) may be provided on a bottom surface72of cargo bag14for drainage. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 7, in an exemplary embodiment, transverse slats74are provided on a bottom surface72for structural reinforcement and rigidity. In an exemplary embodiment, each transverse slat74is formed of fiberglass and held in a pocket sewn into bottom surface72or sandwiched between two layers of material that form bottom surface72. In an exemplary embodiment, each transverse slat74is about ⅛ inch think, about 1¾ inch wide, and extends the width of the cargo bag14.

In an exemplary embodiment, cargo bag14has an average front width of about 13.5 inches at seat attachment surface106, an average rear width of about 16.8 inches, a total length when gussets36are extended of about 28.3 inches, and a total height of about 20.3 inches, not including loops64. An especially suitable material for cargo bag14includes a 600-denier polyester textile, for example. Visible indicia such as a store's name and/or logo (not shown) can be provided on the cargo bag14by methods including sewing and imprinting, for example. In alternative embodiments, cargo bag14or portions thereof (such as the bottom or sides, for example) can be made of a more rigid material such as plastic. Sides or panels of the cargo bag14may be provided with grommets, perforations, a mesh configuration or other openings to allow for easy visibility of the contents of the cargo bag as well as ventilation and drainage properties.

Although the subject of this disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In addition, any feature disclosed with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in another embodiment, and vice-versa.