Abstract:
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the folding storage assembly includes a first panel having first and second end portions, a second panel having first and second end portions, and a third panel having first and second end portions. The first panel is pivotally connected to the second panel. In addition, the third panel is pivotally connected to the first panel. The folding storage assembly is movable between an in-use position and a stowed position. In the in-use position, the first panel extends laterally from the second end portion of the third panel and the second panel projects upward from the second end portion of the first panel. In the stowed position, the first and second panels are positioned substantially flush with the third panel. Moreover, the storage assembly may include at least one fastening member for fastening the assembly to the front wall of a basket. Therefore, the invention provides a folding storage assembly that can easily be fastened to a cart basket and can be secured in an open or stowed position to accommodate the needs of a shopper.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention pertains to a folding storage assembly for protecting fragile items in shopping carts, such as those found in a store.  
           [0003]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Shopping carts are widely known in the art and generally include a frame, a basket, wheels, and a handle for pushing the cart. The average shopper is buying more fresh produce than in years past, yet grocery carts remain the same with one large storage compartment. The large storage compartment typically has a limited size child seat, used in most cases to transport a child or a shopper&#39;s personal belongings. Shoppers without children often place fragile items, such as produce, in the child seat in order to protect them from heavier items. However, because of the limited size of the child seat, the majority of the produce is placed inside the shopping cart, thereby causing the shopper to risk damage or to constantly relocate the produce to prevent damage as heavier items are placed in the grocery cart. Further, most grocery stores are designed so the shopper begins shopping in the produce department. While the layout of grocery stores may make the store more appealing by stimulating the senses of shoppers, the layout also increases the risk of produce being crushed by heavier items placed in the cart as the shopper moves through the remaining aisles of the supermarket. To compound the problem, many stores have invested in large numbers of shopping carts and are reluctant to replace their entire fleet of carts to meet this new need because of the large cost involved.  
           [0005]    Various attempts have been made to provide shoppers with an alternative storage space in a shopping cart. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,292 discloses an enclosure for storing items in a shopping cart positioned along the front wall of the shopping cart&#39;s basket. The enclosure includes at least two elongated panels positioned for mutual contact between the side walls of the basket. In addition, at least one of the panels is hinged to allow pivotal movement of the panel, thereby providing access to the enclosure. While the enclosure of the &#39;292 patent provides an alternative area for storing items during shopping, the enclosure is not capable of folding to a stowed position. The inability to fold the enclosure to a stowed position is a disadvantage because there are times when a shopper wishes to utilize all of the cart space without being restricted by permanent fixtures in the cart.  
           [0006]    In addition, various attempts have been made to provide a folding storage arrangement in a shopping cart. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,662,661 and 2,689,133 disclose a pivoting partition for use in a shopping cart. More specifically, the partition, which is pivotally attached to the floor of the shopping cart and is capable of moving between an upright and an inclined position, forms a storage area in the front of the shopping cart. The partition can also be moved along a guideway in order to increase or decrease the size of the storage area. However, even when the partition is in its upright position and the storage area is at its smallest, a division of the cart space exists. In addition, the partition and the cart basket are manufactured as one unit, therefore the folding storage arrangement is not adapted to fit into preexisting shopping carts.  
           [0007]    Based on the above there still exists a need in the art for a folding storage assembly for storing fragile items in a shopping cart which can easily be folded into a stowed position when not in use. In addition, there exists a need for a folding storage assembly that can be manufactured inexpensively and be able to retrofit existing shopping carts.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention is preferably directed to a folding storage assembly for holding items inside a shopping basket. When in a deployed or in-use position, the assembly provides a storage area for holding fragile items. The assembly is easily stowed in an upright position to accommodate larger items when the assembly is not in use.  
           [0009]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the folding storage assembly includes a first panel having first and second end portions, a second panel having first and second end portions, and a third panel having first and second end portions. The first panel is pivotally connected to the second panel. In addition, the third panel is pivotally connected to the first panel. The folding storage assembly is movable between an in-use position and a stowed position. In the in-use position, the first panel extends laterally from the second end portion of the third panel and the second panel projects upward from the second end portion of the first panel. In the stowed position, the first and second panels are positioned substantially flush with the third panel.  
           [0010]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the folding storage assembly is adapted to be held in the in-use position or in the stowed position. The assembly may include a detent mechanism for holding the first and second panels substantially flush with the third panel. The detent mechanism holds the assembly in a stowed position, thereby allowing a shopper to use the entire cart basket. In addition, the assembly may include at least one connection member having a first end pivotally attached to the second end portion of the second panel and a second end attached to the third panel for pivotal movement relative to the third panel. The connection member prevents the second panel from folding when the assembly is in the in-use position. Moreover, the storage assembly may include at least one fastening member for fastening the assembly to the front wall of a basket. Therefore, the invention provides a folding storage assembly that can easily be fastened to an existing cart basket and can be secured in the in-use position or the stowed position to accommodate the needs of a shopper.  
           [0011]    Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof. When taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in several views.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the folding storage assembly, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, mounted inside a cart basket.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a side view of the folding storage assembly, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, mounted inside a cart basket.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the folding storage assembly of FIG. 1 in an in-use position.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is an expanded view of the folding storage assembly of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the folding storage assembly of FIG. 1 in a stowed position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]    With initial reference to FIG. 1, a shopping cart is generally indicated at  10 . As shown, the cart  10  includes a frame  15 , a pair of front wheel assembly  20  and a pair of rear wheel assemblies  25  supporting the frame  15 , a handle  30  attached to the frame  15 , and a basket  35 , for holding items (not shown), attached to the frame  15 . The basket  35  includes a floor  40 , and spaced apart front  45 , rear  50  and opposing side walls  55  and  56 , which are interconnected and extend upward from the floor  40 . In addition, the cart  10  includes a folding storage assembly  60 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, mounted in the basket  35  for holding items.  
         [0018]    The frame  15  of the cart  10  includes the handle  30 , a pair of upstanding tubular support members  65 , a pair of intermediate tubular support members  70 , a four-sided bottom tubular support member  75 , and a U-shaped base portion  80 . More specifically, the frame  15  is formed of the U-shaped base portion  80 , which is attached to a first end  85  of each member of the pair of intermediate tubular support members  70 . In addition, the U-shaped base portion  80  is attached to each member of the pair of upstanding tubular support members  65 . A second end  87  of each member of the pair of intermediate support members  70  is attached to the four-sided bottom tubular support member  75 , which is substantially parallel to the U-shaped base portion  80 . Each member of the pair of intermediate tubular support members  70  forms an acute angle with the U-shaped base portion  80 . The pair of upstanding tubular support members  65  are each formed of a unified tubular member bent into portions including a first portion  90  and an intermediate portion  92 . The first portion  90  of each member of the pair of upstanding tubular support members  65  is attached to one of the rear wheel assemblies  25  at one end, then each first portion  90  extends at an angle towards the front wall  45  of the cart basket until reaching the four-sided bottom tubular support  75 . Each of the upstanding tubular support members  65  then bends away from the front wall  45  of the cart at an obtuse angle forming an intermediate portion  92 . Finally, each member of the pair of upstanding tubular support members  65  bends in the opposite direction, thereby forming the handle portion  30 .  
         [0019]    As is generally known in the art, the frame  15  is supported by a plurality of wheel assemblies. In general, the cart includes a pair of front wheel assemblies  20  and a pair of rear wheel assemblies  25 . Each wheel of the pair of front wheel assemblies  20  includes a castor  94 , a U-shaped bracket  95 , and a wheel  98 . As is known in the art, each bracket  95  for a respective castor  94  is adapted to pivot about a generally vertical axis, thereby allowing the castor  94  to swivel. In addition, each bracket  95  includes a shaft (not shown) which extends horizontally through the bracket  95  defining an axis about which the wheel  98  rotates. Each wheel in the pair of rear wheel assemblies  25  includes a rear wheel  105 , a first portion  90  of the upstanding tubular support  65 , and a shaft  110 . The shaft  110  extends horizontally through the rear wheel  105  and the upstanding tubular support  65 , thereby providing a connection between the wheel  105  and the support  65  and providing an axis about which the wheel  105  can rotate.  
         [0020]    The cart  10 , as mentioned above, includes basket  35 . The basket  35  can be formed of metal, plastic, or a metal/plastic combination. The entire basket  35  is formed as an open latticework structure or intersecting bar structure. The basket  35  is adapted to be supported by the frame  15  and directly engages upstanding tubular support  65  and the bottom tubular support  75 .  
         [0021]    In addition, the rear wall  50  of the cart basket  35  includes a pair of leg holes  115  associated with a retractable child seat assembly  120 . As known in the art, the retractable child seat assembly  120  is generally formed from a back portion  125  and a seat portion  130 . The back portion  125  is generally formed of metal and is pivotally connected to the basket floor  40  where the floor  40  meets the rear wall  50 . The seat portion  130  is pivotally connected to the back portion  125  and the rear wall  50  of the basket  35 . The pivotal connection allows the seat assembly  120  to be stowed when not in use. The seat assembly  120  is preferably formed of metal or a combination of metal and plastic. In operation, the back portion  125  of the seat assembly  120  can be pushed away from the rear wall  50  of the cart basket  35 , thereby placing the seat assembly  120  in an open position. When in the open position, the seat assembly  120  can hold a child or a shoppers personal items (not shown). When not in use, the back portion  125  of the seat assembly  120  can be pulled towards the rear wall  50  of the cart basket  35 , thereby placing the seat assembly  120  in a stowed position. By placing the seat assembly  120  in a stowed position, a shopper can free up additional space in the cart basket  35 . Since the structure and function of the retractable child seat assembly  120  is widely known in the art, the assembly will not be further discussed.  
         [0022]    Referring now to FIGS.  3 - 5 , the cart basket  35  further includes a folding storage assembly  60  positioned adjacent to the front wall  45  of the cart basket  35 . The folding storage assembly  60  comprises a first panel  135 , a second panel  136 , and a third panel  137 . Each panel is preferably formed of an open latticework structure  140  defined by multiple intersecting web portions. In addition, each panel preferably has a frame  145  surrounding the latticework structure  140 . However, other materials and configurations may be used to form the panels. The first panel  135  has a first end  143 , a second end  144 , a first surface  145 , a second surface  146 , and two sides  147  and  148 .  
         [0023]    The second panel  136  has a first end  150 , a second end  151 , a first surface  152 , a second surface  153 , and two sides  154  and  155 . Similarly, the third panel  137  includes a first end  158 , a second end  159 , a first surface  160 , a second surface  161 , and two sides  162  and  163 . In addition, the second end of the third panel includes a foot  164  which extends perpendicularly to the first surface  160 .  
         [0024]    The first panel  135  and the second panel  136  are preferably each in the shape of a rectangle. The width of each panel is identical to the width of the other panels. However, the length of the third panel  137  is equal to the combined length of the sides  147  and  154  of the first  135  and second  136  panels respectively, as shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0025]    Further, the second panel  136  includes a pair of projections  165  for insertion into a pair of apertures  167 . The projections  165  are located along the second surface  153  of the second panel  136 , near the second end portion  151 . In addition, the second panel  136  includes a pair of opposed openings  170  for receiving connection members  175  and  176 . One opening of the pair of openings  170  is located along each of the sides  154  and  155  of the second panel  136 . The third panel  137  includes the pair of apertures  167  for receiving the pair of projections  165 , wherein the pair of apertures  167  is positioned along the first surface  160  of the third panel  137 , near the first end portion  158 . The third panel  137  also includes a pair of openings  180  for receiving the connection members  175  and  176 , wherein one opening of the pair of openings  180  is positioned on each of the sides  162  and  163  of the third panel  137 , midway between the first  158  and second end portions  159 .  
         [0026]    As shown in FIG. 2, the panels of the folding storable assembly  60  are adapted to be interconnected. The first  143  and second end  144  portions of the first panel  135  each include a plurality of cylinders  185  and  186  alternating with a plurality of gaps  190  and  191 . The first end  150  of the second panel  136  includes a plurality of cylinders  187  and a plurality of gaps  192 . The plurality of cylinders  187  and is positioned to fit into a corresponding plurality of gaps  190  on the second end  144  of the first panel  135 , thereby allowing an interlocking connection between the first  135  and second  136  panels, as further discussed below. Similarly, the horizontal foot  164  of the third panel  137  includes a plurality of cylinders  188  and a plurality of gaps  193  for joining with the plurality of cylinders  186  and gaps  191  on the first end  143  of the first panel  135 , thereby allowing an interlocking connection between the first  135  and third  137  panels, as further discussed below.  
         [0027]    When the panels ( 135 ,  136  and  137 ) are aligned, as shown generally in FIGS.  3 - 5 , the pluralities of cylinders ( 185 - 188 ) form elongated cylinders  200  and  201  with apertures  205  and  206  therein. Elongated members  208  and  209  are inserted into apertures  205  and  206  to further secure the elongated cylinders  200  and  201 . Elongated member  208  includes grooves  212  and  213  for receiving end caps  215  and  216 . Similarly, elongated member  209  includes grooves  218  and  219  for receiving end caps  221  and  222 . The end caps  215 ,  216 ,  221 , and  222  are positioned to hold the elongated members  208  and  209  in the corresponding elongated cylinders  200  and  201 . Specifically, one end cap is snapped into the groove at each end of each elongated member.  
         [0028]    When in an open position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and  4 , the folding storage assembly  60  forms a J-shape. The first panel  135  lies parallel with the basket floor  40  and the first surface  145  of the first panel  135  is in continuous contact with the basket floor  40 . The second panel  136  extends vertically from the second end  144  of the first panel  135 . Similarly, the third panel  137  extends vertically from the first end  143  of the first panel  135 . The third panel  137  generally lies flush with the front wall  45  of the cart basket  35 . As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of fastening members  225  may be used to secure the third panel  137  to the front wall  45 . The plurality of fastening members  225  may be standard clips, snaps, or the like.  
         [0029]    The open position of the folding storage assembly  60  is maintained with connection members  175  and  176 , as best seen in FIG. 4. As previously discussed, the side ends  154  and  162  of the second  136  and third  137  panels include openings  170  and  180  for receiving connection member  175 . Similarly, the side ends  155  and  163  of the second  136  and third  137  panels include openings (not shown) for receiving connection member  176 . Connection members  175  and  176  are preferably rod shaped and are pivotally connected to the second  136  and third  137  panels, thereby allowing movement of the first  135  and second  136  panels relative to the third panel  137 .  
         [0030]    As shown in FIG. 5, the folding storage assembly  60  is capable of folding to a stowed position. When moving from an open position to a stowed position, the first panel  135  pivots relative to the third panel  137  and the second panel  136  is guided by the connection members  175  and  176 . More specifically, the second surface  146  of the first panel  135  pivots towards the first surface  160  of the third panel  137  until the surfaces are in contact with each other. As the first panel  135  pivots, the second panel  136  is guided along an arc by the connection members  175  and  176  until the second panel  136  is stacked above the first panel  135  and the second surface  153  of the second panel  136  is in contact with the first surface  160  of the third panel  137 .  
         [0031]    As shown in FIG. 5, the folding storage assembly  60  is held in a stowed position by a detent mechanism  230 . As previously described, the second panel  136  includes the pair of projections  165  for insertion into the pair of apertures  167  on the third panel  137 . When in the stowed position, the pair of projections  165  on the second panel  136  are received into the pair of apertures  167  on the third panel  137 , thereby securing the folding storage assembly  60  in a stowed position.  
         [0032]    The folding storage assembly  60  is manufactured to easily retrofit existing shopping carts. During assembly, the first panel  135  is connected to the second panel  136  by inserting the plurality of cylinders  187  on the first end  150  of the second panel  136  into the corresponding plurality of gaps  190  on the second end  144  of the first panel  135 , thereby forming the elongated cylinder  200 . Similarly, the third panel  137  is connected to the first panel  135  by inserting the plurality of cylinders  188  on the second end  159  of the third panel  137  into the corresponding plurality of gaps  191  on the first end  143  of the first panel  135 , thereby forming the elongated cylinder  201 . To secure the elongated cylinders  200  and  201 , elongated members  208  and  209  are inserted into apertures  205  and  206  of the elongated cylinders  200  and  201 , respectively. In addition, end caps  215 ,  216 ,  221  and  222  are positioned on elongated members  208  and  209  to hold the elongated members  208  and  209  within the elongated cylinders  200  and  201 . The assembly  60  is then placed in the shopping cart basket  35 . The second surface  161  of the third panel  137  of the folding storage assembly  60  is placed flush against the front wall  45  of the cart basket  35 . Finally, the plurality of fastening members  225  are added to hold the third panel  137  of the folding storage assembly  60  secure along the front wall  45  of the cart basket  35 .  
         [0033]    In operation, the folding storage assembly  60  can be placed in an in-use position in order to hold fragile items, such as produce. The second panel  136  of the assembly  60  can be pulled down by a shopper, thereby causing the first  135  and second  136  panel to be pivoted into an open position. The shopper may then use the storage assembly  60  to hold fragile items and protect them from heavier items in the cart basket  35 . When the shopper needs to make additional room in the cart basket  35  to hold large items, the folding storage assembly  60  can easily be place in a stowed position. When a shopper pulls up on the second panel  136  of the assembly  60 , the first  135  and second  136  panels pivot to an upright position. The pair of projections  165  on the second panel  136  are received into the pair of apertures  167  on the third panel  137 , thereby holding the assembly  60  in a stowed position.  
         [0034]    Although described with reference to preferred embodiments, it should be readily understood that various changes and/or modifications could be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. In any event, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.