Abstract:
A shopping cart attachment is mounted to the handlebar of a shopping cart to facilitate fast and easy installation and removal of a multi-page booklet, such as may be used to provide advertisements and/or informational material to a customer. In addition, the attachment may include a raised ledge that may be used to retain a customer&#39;s mobile phone, tablet, shopping list, coupons and/or writing utensil while shopping.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/892,655 filed on Oct. 18, 2013 by Bryan E. Crum, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Shopping carts are routinely used by customers of a retail establishment to store items prior to purchase as the customers shop and/or to transport purchased items to customers&#39; vehicles. Various types of devices have been developed over the years for attaching to the handlebars of shopping carts. For example, devices have been developed to provide customers with various shopping tools such as writing surfaces, calculators, notepads, and writing utensils. In addition, some devices have been developed that include clips for holding notes, coupons or shopping lists. 
         [0003]    Such devices are also often used for marketing and/or informational purposes, and may include store logos, store directories, advertisements and/or coupons. One particular design, for example, includes a backplate that is surrounded and partially overlapped on all four sides by a lip, with a laminated sheet adhered to the backplate to provide a store directory and/or advertisements for display to a customer. In addition, the design may utilize a removable multi-page booklet that includes multiple laminated pages bound together along a binding that may be inserted under the lip around and over the top of the backplate. The booklet is typically adhered to the laminated sheet mounted to the backplate using an adhesive strip disposed on a back page of the booklet, and the back page is typically clear to enable the laminated sheet mounted to the backplate to remain visible. 
         [0004]    It has been found, however, that limitations exist in conventional designs. For example, the use of adhesives to secure booklets to such designs can lead to adhesive build-up over time, or to delamination of the underlying laminated sheet, particularly when booklets are replaced on a regular basis to update the advertisements presented to customers. In addition, removing and replacing booklets can be a time-consuming operation considering that a typical retail establishment such as a grocery store may have hundreds of shopping carts in use at any given time. Installation may also be complicated by weather concerns when using adhesives, as shopping carts may need to be wiped off or allowed to dry prior to replacing booklets. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The embodiments disclosed herein provide a device that may be mounted to the handlebar of a shopping cart, and that facilitates a fast and easy installation and removal of a multi-page booklet, such as may be used to provide advertisements and/or informational material to a customer. In addition, the device may include a raised ledge that may be used to retain a customer&#39;s mobile phone, tablet, shopping list, coupons and/or writing utensil while shopping. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, a contiguous slot may be provided along an edge of the device and through which a binding portion of a multi-page booklet may be inserted. In some embodiments, a security tab, which may be implemented in some embodiments as a back page of the multi-page booklet, may extend from the binding only a portion of the way from the other pages in the multi-page booklet, and may deflect away from the other pages of the booklet and extend along an underside of the device when the booklet is withdrawn back from the slot, thereby temporarily retaining the multi-page booklet in the device. By doing so, an informational display mounted to a support surface of the device is not obstructed or occluded by any page of the booklet when the pages overlaying the support surface are lifted. In addition, in some embodiments, no adhesive is required to retain the booklet in the device. 
         [0007]    In other embodiments, various alternate configurations may be used to secure a multi-page booklet to a device, including, for example, a clamp or various fastener configurations. In still other embodiments, no multi-page booklet may be used, with only a single sided informational display presented to a customer. 
         [0008]    Therefore, consistent with one aspect of the invention, a shopping cart attachment includes a body including a support surface, and a frame extending around at least a portion of the support surface and separated from the support surface substantially along a first edge of the support surface by a slot. The slot is configured to receive a multi-page booklet to thereby retain the multi-page booklet with the multi-page booklet overlaying at least a portion of the support surface. 
         [0009]    Consistent with another aspect of the invention, a shopping cart includes a handlebar and a shopping cart attachment mounted to the handlebar, wherein the shopping cart attachment includes a body including a support surface, and a frame extending around at least a portion of the support surface and separated from the support surface substantially along a first edge of the support surface by a slot. The slot is configured to receive a multi-page booklet to thereby retain the multi-page booklet with the multi-page booklet overlaying at least a portion of the support surface. 
         [0010]    Consistent with yet another aspect of the invention, a combination shopping cart attachment and multi-page booklet includes a body including a support surface and configured to mount to a shopping cart handlebar, a frame extending around the support surface and separated from the support surface substantially along a first edge of the support surface by a contiguous slot, and a multi-page booklet received in the slot and overlaying at least a portion of the support surface. The multi-page booklet includes a plurality of pages and a security tab bound together along a binding, where the binding is received in the slot and the security tab is deflected away from the plurality of pages and extends along an underside of the body. 
         [0011]    Consistent with still another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for securing a multi-page booklet onto a shopping cart attachment mounted to a shopping cart handlebar, where the multi-page booklet includes a security tab and at least one page bound together along a binding. The method includes inserting the binding of the multi-page booklet into a contiguous slot defined on a body of the shopping cart attachment, where the slot extends along a first edge of a support surface of the body and separates the support surface from a frame that extends around at least a portion of the support surface, and after the multi-page booklet is inserted into the slot such that a distal edge of the security tab has passed the first edge of the support surface, withdrawing the multi-page booklet from the slot with the security tab extending on an underside of the body and deflected away from the at least one page of the multi-page booklet, and with the at least one page of the multi-page booklet overlaying at least a portion of the support surface. 
         [0012]    These and other advantages and features, which characterize the invention, are set forth in the claims annexed hereto and forming a further part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, and of the advantages and objectives attained through its use, reference should be made to the Drawings, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is described example embodiments of the invention. This summary is merely provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description, and is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of a shopping cart having mounted thereto a shopping cart attachment consistent with the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a left side elevational view of the shopping cart attachment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of the shopping cart attachment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the shopping cart attachment of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the installation of a multi-page booklet therein. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3C-3E  are cross-sectional views of the shopping cart attachment of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a method of installing a multi-page booklet therein. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of the shopping cart attachment of  FIG. 1 , illustrating an alternate configuration utilizing a clamp to retain a multi-page booklet. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the shopping cart attachment of  FIG. 1  and similar to  FIG. 4A , illustrating an alternate configuration utilizing a clamp with pins to retain a multi-page booklet. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of a shopping cart attachment including an alternate configuration for securing a multi-page booklet using a frame insert. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4D  is a perspective view of a shopping cart attachment including an alternate configuration for securing a multi-page booklet using a hinged frame. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the shopping cart attachment of  FIG. 1 , illustrating an alternate single sided informational sheet mounted thereto. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the shopping cart attachment of  FIG. 1 , illustrating fasteners that may be used to secure the shopping cart attachment to a shopping cart. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a non-handled shopping cart attachment consistent with the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an underside of the shopping cart attachment of  FIG. 1  and a bracket that may be used to secure the shopping cart attachment to a shopping cart. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a catch formed on the shopping cart attachment of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numbers denote like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a device  10  mounted to a handlebar  4  of a shopping cart  2 . Device  10  provides a ledge  12  for holding various items, including, for example, mobile phones  14 , tablets, shopping lists  16 , coupons and other items customers may use while in a retail establishment. Device  10  includes a body  11  with a support surface  18  for retaining a single sided informational display  20 , as well as a frame  26  and a slot  22  for retaining a multi-page booklet  24 , desirably such that single sided informational display  20  on support surface  18  is unobstructed and fully viewable when the pages of booklet  24  are lifted off the support surface in the general manner illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Device  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  holding a mobile phone  14  and a shopping list  16  and has both a single sided informational display  20  and a multi-page booklet  24  mounted thereto for displaying sales and other information. Each of informational display  20  and multi-page booklet  24  may include information that is helpful to a shopper, such as a store directory, contact information, a web site address, a bar or QR code to access electronic information, etc., as well as advertising and/or marketing materials, such as advertisements, coupons, etc. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , ledge  12 , which is defined in frame  26 , may be used to retain or hold items shoppers use while in-store such as mobile phones  14 , shopping lists, coupons, writing utensils and more. Ledge  12  assists with keeping these items from sliding off of device  10  when the device is installed with support surface  18  at an inclined angle for easier viewing by shoppers of the printed materials secured to the device. Ledge  12  may be integrally molded on device  10 , or may be a separate component that is installed on device  10  using fasteners, adhesives, locking tabs, or in other manners known in the art. Ledge  12  may also be omitted in some embodiments. 
         [0029]    As best shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , device  10  may include an insertion slot  22  separating frame  26  from support surface  18  proximate a top side of the device, though it will be appreciated that the insertion slot may be disposed on other sides of the device in other embodiments. In this regard, directions relative to device  10 , such as “top”, “bottom”, “underside”, “left” and “right” are considered from the perspective of a customer when the device is installed on a shopping cart and the customer is using the shopping cart in a customary manner. 
         [0030]    Thus, a top portion  32  of frame  26  extends along slot  22  and is separated from support surface  18 . Top portion  32  may optionally include a downwardly turned edge  36 , although it will be appreciated that edge  36  does not form a lip or otherwise overhang any portion of support surface  18 , as a top edge  34  of support surface  18  is both horizontally and vertically separated from edge  36 . Put another way, if support surface  18  is considered to define a plane, edge  34  and edge  36  are separated from one another both in a direction transverse from the plane (i.e., generally vertically in  FIG. 3A ) as well as in a direction along the plane (which is also generally transverse to the slot, i.e., generally horizontally in  FIG. 3A ). Left, right and bottom portions of frame  26 , in contrast, turn downwardly to extend generally transverse to support surface  18  to provide both ledge  12  and to otherwise frame a multi-page booklet  24  when installed in device  10 . The frame  26  and support surface  18  may be integrally molded together on the left, right and bottom sides of device  10 , although the invention is not so limited. In some embodiments, however, the amount of horizontal and/or vertical separation may vary when defining a slot, and in some embodiments, no horizontal separation may be provided, such that edge  36  is generally aligned with edge  34  but separated vertically therefrom. In still other embodiments, frame  26  may not extend completely around support surface  18 , and may only extend around a portion thereof. For example, in some embodiments frame  26  may be omitted from one or more of the left, right and bottom edges of support surface  18 , or even portions of such edges. In one example embodiment, for example, a discontinuity may be provided on one or both of the left and right portions of frame  26  to facilitate lifting pages  40  of multi-page booklet  24 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3A  also illustrates both a single sided informational display  20  and a multi-page booklet  24  retained by device  10 . Display  20  may be a laminated sheet including informational and/or marketing information, and may be adhered to support surface  18  in a permanent or semi-permanent manner, e.g., using an adhesive. As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , display  20  may be sized in a vertical direction similar to support surface  18 , such that the display does not project into slot  22 . Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a display  20 ′ may be sized in a vertical direction to extend beyond top edge  34  of support surface  18 , through slot  22  and under top portion  32  of frame  26 . In this manner, when there is no desire to utilize multi-page booklets with device  10 , display  20 ′ may be used to at least partially cover slot  22  to provide an improved cosmetic appearance. 
         [0032]    Returning to  FIG. 3B , multi-page booklet  24  may be inserted into slot  22  and secured in device  10  independent of the single sided informational display  20  by inserting booklet  24  along a binding  28  through slot  22  and past the length of a back page, or security tab,  30 , and then pulled back again until security tab  30  is separated from the other pages  40  of booklet  24  by support surface  18  and binding  28  is retained under device frame  26 . By virtue of the lateral separation of frame edge  36  from top edge  34  of support surface  18 , booklet  24  may be oriented generally transverse (though not necessary orthogonal or at a 90 degree angle) to support surface  18  when first inserting the booklet into slot  22  to enable the booklet, as well as binding  28  thereof, to be inserted a sufficient distance to enable security tab  30  to be inserted completely through slot  22  and thereafter separated from pages  40 , as illustrated in phantom at  24 ′. Security tab  30  may be formed from a plastic sheet and pages  40  may be laminated sheets containing informational and/or marketing information, and may be bound together with binding  28 , e.g., using one or more staples. With tab  30  separated from pages  40  and extending on the underside of body  11  and/or support surface  18 , binding  28  cannot be removed from slot  22 , thereby retaining booklet  24  in device  10 . In addition, due to the resilient nature of both tab  30  and pages  40 , when tab  30  is separated from pages  40  and deflected on the underside of body  11  and/or support surface  18  (which may be further enhanced in some embodiments through the use of a rib  42 ), a clamping force is applied on opposite sides of support surface  18  to assist in retaining booklet  24  in device  10 . 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, once booklet  24  is inserted a sufficient distance into slot  22  such that a distal edge (e.g., an edge distal from binding  28 ) of security tab  30  has passed top edge  34  of support surface  18 , the booklet may thereafter be withdrawn (e.g., pushed or pulled) a distance back out of the slot until security tab  30  separates from other pages  40 . In some instances, top edge  34  of support surface  18  may be beveled, e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 3B , to facilitate separation of the security tab from the other pages of the booklet. 
         [0034]    Removal of booklet  24  from device  10  may be performed in some embodiments by lifting pages  40  of booklet  24  to orient the booklet in a generally transverse orientation (illustrated in phantom at  24 ′) to support surface  18 , and pushing the booklet further into slot  22  until security tab  30  is allowed to lay substantially flat along pages  40 . Thereafter, the booklet  24  (including security tab  30 ) may be pulled fully out of slot  22 . It may be desirable in some embodiments to provide an open back on device  10  (e.g., such that the underside of body  11  and/or support surface  18  is exposed) so that removal of booklet  24  may be performed by continuing to push booklet  24  further into slot  22  (or pulling booklet  24  further through the slot from the underside of body  11  and/or support surface  18 ) until booklet  24  has completely passed through the slot. 
         [0035]    It will be appreciated that slot  22  extends contiguously for at least the width of security tab  30 , which may or may not be the same as the width of the other pages  40  in booklet  24 . In some embodiments, slot  22  may be contiguous for at least the width of booklet  24 , thereby enabling the booklet to be inserted into slot  22  a sufficient distance to enable security tab  30  to separate from pages  40  and extend along the underside of body  11  and/or support surface  18 . 
         [0036]    In addition, in some embodiments, multiple security tabs  30  may be used, with a separate slot defined for each tab. In such embodiments, it may be desirable to include channels or slots in both the security tab  30  and pages  40  that extend generally orthogonal to binding  28  and are configured to receive any structural components disposed between adjacent slots in device  10 , e.g., any structural components that separate adjacent slots and connect support surface  18  to frame  26 . 
         [0037]    It will also be appreciated that the length of security tab  30  may vary in different embodiments. A shorter length, for example, may enable the tab  30  to be fully retained within the interior volume defined on the underside of the device. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 3C-3E  further illustrate a method of installing a booklet  24  in device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3C , booklet  24  may be inserted through slot  22  from a top side of support surface  18  until a distal edge of security tab  30  is inserted beyond top edge  34  of support surface  18 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 3D , booklet  24  may be withdrawn (e.g., pushed or pulled in an opposite direction) until security tab  30  engages top edge  34  and begins to separate and deflect away from pages  40 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 3E , continued movement of booklet  24  further deflects and separates security tab  30  from pages  40 , and pivoting of pages  40  of booklet  24  toward support surface  18  enables binding  28  to be received on an underside of top portion  32  of frame  26 , and with pages  40  resting on support surface  18 . The resiliency of pages  40  and security tab  30  effectively “pinch” or apply a clamping force across the opposing sides of support surface  18 . Further, in some embodiments, pages  40  may be sized relative to device  10  to permit some sliding of booklet  24  in a direction generally between the top and bottom portions of frame  26 . It should also be noted that at least a portion of binding  28  is effectively hidden under the top portion  32  of frame  26 . 
         [0039]    It will be appreciated that various alternative mounting configurations may be used to retain a booklet  24  in device  10  in other embodiments. As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , for example, it may be desirable to utilize a spring loaded clamp  44  that pivots about rib  42  and is biased to the position illustrated in  FIG. 4A  by one or more springs  46  disposed on one or more posts  48  formed on the underside of body  11  and/or support surface  18  Fasteners  50 ,  52  (e.g., screws) may be respectively received in openings  58 ,  60  in rib  42  and posts  48  (see  FIG. 8 ) and project through apertures in clamp  44  to secure clamp  44  to device  10 . The apertures in clamp  44  corresponding to fasteners  52  are sized to allow posts  48  to project through the apertures, while the apertures in clamp  44  corresponding to fasteners  50  are sized to permit clamp  44  to sufficiently pivot about rib  42  (the heads of fasteners  50  may also be somewhat separated from rib  42  to facilitate pivoting). A clamping edge  54  is pressed against binding  28  to retain booklet  24  in device  10 , and insertion and removal of booklet  24  is performed by depressing clamp  44  proximate an opposite edge  56  from clamping edge  54 . In addition, it may be desirable to orient clamping edge  54  relative to booklet  24  such that the clamping edge  54  engages staples in binding  28  to further restrict booklet  24  from being pulled out of slot  22  while engaged by clamp  44 . 
         [0040]    As another alternative, apertures, catches or other retainers by be provided on opposing sides of the frame to retain the ends of the binding, or other structure mounted to a binding such as a rod or pin extending along the binding. In another embodiment, holes may be formed in the binding such that pins, posts, fasteners or other structures (collectively referred to herein as pins for convenience) may project through the binding to retain the binding in the device. The pins may be formed on the device or may be secured thereto, and in various embodiments may be installed and/or removed from the topside or underside of the device. The pins may generally be configured to project through cooperative holes in the multi-page booklet when the multi-page booklet is received in a slot to restrict removal of the multi-page booklet from the slot. 
         [0041]    For example, as shown in  FIG. 4B , an alternative clamp  44 ′ may include a plurality of pins  45  that project through corresponding holes  29 . The pins  45  may be integrally formed on clamp  44 ′ (e.g., configured as tabs), or may be attached in other manners. As such, the clamp may be movable to selectively withdraw the pins from cooperative holes in a multi-page booklet to permit removal of the multi-page booklet from the slot. 
         [0042]    As another example, pins may be formed on a cover that overlays and hides the binding and that is secured to the device via tabs, fasteners, or other structure. In some embodiments, the cover may be secured from the underside of the device to provide a finished appearance to the device. Alternatively, as shown by device  10 ″ of  FIG. 4C , frame  26  may include a recess  33  with a plurality of apertures  33   a  and into which may be received a cover  35  including a plurality of pins  35   a  that may be received in apertures  33   a  to project through corresponding holes in the binding of a multi-page booklet when cover  35  is fit into recess  33 . In some embodiments, cover  35  may be formed of a similar material to frame  36 , and detents, tabs or a pressure-fit arrangement may be used to secure cover  35  to frame  26  in an aesthetically pleasing manner, and such that cover  35  may be removed relatively easily when it is desirable to remove a booklet, e.g., by prying cover  35  out of recess  33 . In other embodiments, cover  35  may be secured via fasteners, or pins  35   a  may be secured on the underside of device  10 ″ to prevent cover  35  from being pulled out of recess  33 . In still other embodiments, no recess  33  may be provided, whereby cover  35  may extend above a surface of frame  26 . Therefore, in some embodiments, a cover may overlay at least a portion of a frame with the pins thereof projecting into cooperative apertures in the frame and through cooperative holes in a multi-page booklet when the multi-page booklet is received in the slot. 
         [0043]    Also, in some embodiments, a top portion of the frame may be removable or moveable to facilitate installation and/or removal of a booklet. For example, as illustrated by device  10 ″′ of  FIG. 4D , a top portion  32 ′ of frame  26  may be pivotably mounted to enable the top portion to pivot away from support surface  18  (e.g., about axis  37 ) to permit a booklet to be installed or removed from the device. Pins  39  may be formed or otherwise coupled to an underside of top portion  32 ′ such that the pins  39  may engage with corresponding holes  29  in booklet  24  when top portion  32 ′ is pivoted to a closed position. It will be appreciated that detents, tabs, a pressure-fit arrangement, or a spring bias may be used to retain top portion  32 ′ in a closed position. In still other embodiments, pins  39  may not be coupled to the underside of top portion  32 ′, but may extend upwardly from the underside of device  10 ″′, such that top portion  32 ′ merely abuts the ends of the pins or posts or otherwise retains the booklet with the holes  29  retained by the pins or posts. In some embodiments, therefore, a frame may include first and second portions, with pins coupled to the first portion and with the first portion movable between first and second positions relative to the second portion, and such that the first portion may be configured to orient the plurality of pins to project through the plurality of cooperative holes in the multi-page booklet when the first portion is in the first position and the multi-page booklet is received in the slot. 
         [0044]    As yet another alternative, a clamp such as clamp  44  of  FIG. 4A  may not be pivotably mounted, and may instead include slots engaging posts  48  and/or rib  42  that permit the clamp to slide in a direction between the top and bottom sides of the frame on the underside of the device to permit a clamping edge to move from a first position overlaying the underside of a body and/or support surface and a second position overlaying the binding of a booklet when in an operative position. The clamp may be sized and configured to apply a clamping force to retain the booklet in the operative position, and in some embodiments, tabs or detents in the slots may restrict movement of the clamp between the first and second positions. Other variations will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , to secure device  10  to a shopping cart, fasteners (e.g., screws or bolts)  80  may be received in apertures  62  and engage with a shopping cart handlebar. Alternatively, as further illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a bracket  64  may be used to clamp device  10  onto a shopping cart handlebar without having to drill holes or otherwise modify the handlebar. In this embodiment, hooks  70  on bracket  64  may engage with corresponding catches  72  molded into device  10  (see also  FIG. 9 ) when the device is placed on a shopping cart handlebar, and the device may be secured to the handlebar using fasteners (e.g., screws or bolts/nuts  69 , as shown in  FIG. 9 ) projecting through tabs  66  on bracket  64  and apertures  68  in device  10 . As yet another alternative, adhesives, such as an adhesive strip, may be used to mount device  10  on a shopping cart handlebar. Other variations will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure. 
         [0046]    It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, it may be desirable to remove any existing handles or structures mounted on the handlebar of the shopping cart prior to installation of device  10 , while in other embodiments, the device may be configured to install directly over an existing structure on a handlebar. 
         [0047]    In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 6  as well as in  FIG. 1 , it may be desirable to include left and right handles  74  in device  10  to serve as at least a portion of the handle for the shopping cart. In other embodiments, e.g., as illustrated by device  10 ′ in  FIG. 7 , the handles may be omitted. In some embodiments, for example, the same mold may be used to produce both handled and non-handled versions, and in some instances, the handles may be cut off or otherwise removed after molding. In such instances, recesses  78  may be defined in the sides of the device to receive a portion of any existing handle structure on the shopping cart. 
         [0048]    Embodiments consistent with the invention provide multiple benefits to a retailer and a customer using a shopping cart. For example, customers may place shopping lists, coupons, writing utensils and their mobile phone down so they have their hands free to shop. Customers may have at their convenience a variety of store information available to them at all times throughout the shopping trip. In some embodiments, a single device allows the option to have both a single sided informational sheet mounted to a support surface and a multi-page booklet retained within a slot without obscuring or damaging the single sided informational sheet underneath. A benefit of retaining a multi-page booklet in a slot separate from a single sided informational sheet secured to a support surface is that the information in the booklet and the information in the single sided informational sheet may have different valid dates, so there is no requirement to install or replace both at the same time. 
         [0049]    Furthermore, from the perspective of managing multiple shopping carts in a store, the manner in which multi-page booklets may be removed and replaced, e.g., by simply sliding the booklets in and out of slots, enables booklets to be swapped out with reduced time and effort, and generally with more aesthetically-pleasing results. 
         [0050]    While particular embodiments have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made without deviating from its spirit and scope as claimed.