Patent Publication Number: US-2004056439-A1

Title: Narrow-aisle restocking cart

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention relates to carriers and, more particularly, to a reconfigurable carrier that is adapted to be used in narrow aisles, as well as to a cart having a placard.  
       [0003] 2. Description of Related Art  
       [0004] In an environment where it is necessary to move commercial stock, such as grocery stores, warehouses, and appliance stores, carts are often used to move the stock from one location to another location. For example, in an appliance store, a wheeled cart may be used to move boxed televisions from the loading dock or storage room to the show area.  
       [0005] There are problems with conventional carts. For example, when users restock aisles, the cardboard boxes that are used to package the goods are left over. The boxes are usually collapsed and placed on the floor in the aisle until the user completes the task of stocking the aisles, at which point he or she then gathers the collapsed boxes. By leaving the boxes in the aisle, a hazard is created. Also, the task of restocking the aisles looks unsightly. Alternatively, the boxes are placed on a separate cart brought by the end user solely to collect the empty boxes. This is inefficient.  
       [0006] Also, after restocking an aisle, the user is left with refuse from the product that was stocked, such as plastic wrappings, small cardboard pieces, packing foam, box ties, wires, box staples, etc. He or she is also left with other items of refuse, such as tape and spent razor blades.  
       [0007] Another problem is that the user often desires to carry a number of stocking items, such as magic markers, wire cutters, scissors, utility razors, flash lights, barcode scanners, note pads, walkie-talkies, pagers, safety glasses, safety gloves, etc. It can be difficult to carry those items with conventional carts.  
       [0008] Another problem that arises with conventional carts is that the end users sometimes have difficulty pushing and pulling the carts, especially when the carts are fully loaded.  
       [0009] Another problem with conventional carts is that they are bulky and require a tremendous amount of floor storage space.  
       [0010] Other problems can result from the way in which the carts are used. To efficiently to transport product throughout the store, the product often will be separated according to aisle number or food type. For example, one cart may carry only dog food. A sheet of paper will be taped to metal uprights of the cart and marked with the number of the aisle in which dog food is stocked or simply marked “dog food.” The workers will then take the individually marked carts to the appropriate aisle and commence stocking shelves. Paper or a writing instrument, however, may not be readily available when loading the carts. Also, tape to hold the paper on the cart may not be readily available. Additionally, the text on the sheet of paper may be difficult to read after it is posted on the cart. The paper also may fall off the cart.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011] An aspect of the present invention relates to a cart including a base having a deck for holding items and having at least a portion configured to move such that the deck can be changed from an expanded-length position to a reduced-length position. The base also includes a frame connected to the deck and configured to be disposed at a first length when the deck is in the expanded-length position and a shorter, second length when the deck is in the reduced-length position. Rolling members support the base. A first upright member is connected to and extends upwardly from the base.  
       [0012] Another aspect of the invention relates to a cart including a base for holding items, rolling members supporting the base, a first upright member connected to and extending upwardly from the base, and a holding member that is moveable relative to the first upright member and configured to hold refuse from the items. The holding member is connected to at least one of the base and the first upright member.  
       [0013] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a cart including a base for holding items, rolling members supporting the base, a first upright member connected to and extending upwardly from the base, and a placard attached to the first upright member and having a surface for displaying information. The surface is configured such that the information can be changed.  
       [0014] Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method for moving stock. The method includes the steps of providing a mobile cart having an upright member and a placard disposed on the upright member, identifying an item to be stocked, placing the item on the mobile cart, indicating on the placard a desired stocking location for the item, moving the mobile cart to the desired stocking location, and removing the item from the mobile cart and placing the item in the desired stocking location.  
       [0015] Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a holding member for mounting on an upright member extending from a base of a cart. The holding member includes a first frame configured to extend upwardly when the holding member is mounted on the upright member to provide an area for holding items between the first frame and the upright member. The holding member also includes a mounting mechanism for mounting the first frame to the upright member. The mounting mechanism includes at least two engaging portions configured to engage corresponding portions of the upright member. At least one of the engaging portions is adjustably connected to the first frame to permit the holding member to be mounted to different size upright members. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain principles of the invention.  
     [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a narrow-aisle restocking cart according to the present invention.  
     [0018]FIG. 2 is a side view of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 1.  
     [0019]FIG. 3 is an end view of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 1.  
     [0020]FIG. 4 is an end view of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 1.  
     [0021]FIG. 5 is a top view of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 1.  
     [0022]FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 1.  
     [0023]FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 1, with the cart shortened in length.  
     [0024]FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 1, with the cart shortened in length.  
     [0025]FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 1.  
     [0026]FIG. 10 is a bottom, perspective, exploded view of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 1.  
     [0027]FIG. 11 is a partial, bottom, perspective, exploded view of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 1.  
     [0028]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 1, with a holding member extended.  
     [0029]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a workstation of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 1.  
     [0030]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a placard of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 1.  
     [0031]FIG. 15 is a front view of the placard of FIG. 14.  
     [0032]FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the placard of FIG. 14.  
     [0033]FIG. 17 is a top view of the placard of FIG. 14.  
     [0034]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the placard of FIG. 14 with graphics.  
     [0035]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the placard of FIG. 14 with graphics.  
     [0036]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a portion of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 1 having a refuse bin.  
     [0037]FIG. 21 is a side, partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 1 having a sign.  
     [0038]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a narrow-aisle restocking cart according to the present invention.  
     [0039]FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a portion of a third embodiment of a narrow-aisle restocking cart according to the present invention having a pivoting holding member.  
     [0040]FIG. 24 is a side view of a portion of a fourth embodiment of a narrow-aisle restocking cart according to the present invention having a holding member that can be fixed in different positions.  
     [0041]FIG. 25 is a side view of a portion of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 24, with the holding member in a lowered position.  
     [0042]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a narrow-aisle restocking cart according to the present invention having telescoping and folding upright members.  
     [0043]FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 26.  
     [0044]FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 26.  
     [0045]FIG. 29 is a partial cross sectional view of a portion of the narrow-aisle restocking cart of FIG. 26.  
     [0046]FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a narrow-aisle restocking cart according to the present invention having holding straps.  
     [0047]FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an embodiment of shelves that can be used with a narrow-aisle restocking cart according to the present invention.  
     [0048]FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a rod that can be used with a narrow-aisle restocking cart according to the present invention.  
     [0049]FIG. 33 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the invention, showing a holding member.  
     [0050]FIG. 34 is a rear view of the holding member of FIG. 33.  
     [0051]FIG. 35 is a side view of the holding member of FIG. 33.  
     [0052]FIG. 36 is a front view of the holding member of FIG. 33.  
     [0053]FIG. 37 is a bottom view of the holding member of FIG. 33.  
     [0054]FIG. 38 is a top view of the holding member of FIG. 33.  
     [0055]FIG. 39 is a front perspective view of the holding member of FIG. 33 mounted on an upright member of a cart.  
     [0056]FIG. 40 is a partial front perspective view of the holding member of FIG. 33 mounted on the upright member of the cart.  
     [0057]FIG. 41 is a partial rear perspective view of the holding member of FIG. 33 mounted on the upright member of the cart.  
     [0058]FIG. 42 is a front perspective view of the holding member of FIG. 33 showing adjustable engaging portions.  
     [0059]FIG. 43 is a front perspective view of the holding member of FIG. 33 showing adjustable engaging portions. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0060] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. An effort has been made to use the same reference numbers throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.  
     [0061] FIGS.  1  to  21  show a first preferred embodiment of a cart  10  according to the present invention. The cart  10  is preferably a narrow-aisle restocking cart. In this embodiment, the cart  10  has a base  20 , rolling members  40 ,  41  supporting the base, and upright members  50  and  60 .  
     [0062] The base  20  preferably includes a deck  21  for holding items. The deck  21  preferably can be changed from an expanded-length position to a reduced-length position. This allows a user to reduce the overall footprint of the cart  10 , which is especially useful in tight areas and during storage of the cart  10 .  
     [0063] The deck  21  can include first and second portions  22  and  23 . The first and second portions  22 ,  23  preferably provide a flat support surface. They can be made from plastic by a structural foam process. Each of the first and second portions  22 ,  23  preferably has molded in diamond plating  24  to improve frictional engagement. Each of the first and second portions  22 ,  23  preferably has a moat  25  (see FIG. 5) near its periphery for collecting liquid. The first and second portions  22 ,  23  preferably also are connected to one another by a conventional hinge structure  26  such that the second portion  23  can be pivoted relative to the first portion  22 , as shown by comparing FIGS. 1 and 7.  
     [0064] The base  20  preferably also includes a frame  30  (see FIG. 6) connected to the deck  21  and configured to be disposed at a first length when the deck  21  is in the expanded-length position (FIG. 1) and a shorter, second length when the deck  21  is in the reduced-length position (FIG. 7). The frame  30  can include fingers  31  and receiving members  32 . The fingers  31  can be metal bars. Preferably the outer periphery of each finger  31  is smaller than the inner periphery of the corresponding receiving member  32 . Although two fingers  31  are shown, more or less fingers could be used. The fingers  31  are held together at their ends by attachment portion  33  which can be made of a steel plate connected to the fingers  31  by conventional means. The receiving members  32  are preferably formed by channels  34  molded as part of the first portion  22  and configure to accept fingers  31  and by C-channels  35  that cover the channels  34  to keep the fingers  31  in the channels  34 . The C-channels  35  can be bolted to the first portion  22 .  
     [0065] Pivoting of the second portion  23  relative to the first portion  22  can be caused by grasping the second portion  23  at a gripping hole  28  and pulling the second portion  23  slightly upwards, then pushing the upright member  60  towards the upright member  50 . The length of the cart  10  can then be reduced by sliding the fingers  31  into receiving members  32 .  
     [0066] When the fingers  31  are slid into the receiving members  32 , an arm or connecting bar  36  (FIGS. 8 and 9) causes movement of the second portion  23 . In particular, the connecting bar  36  is pivotally connected to one of the fingers  31  and to the bottom of the second portion  23 . As the fingers  31  move into the receiving members  32 , the connecting bar  36  forces the second portion  23  upward and causes it to rotate about hinge structure  26 . The connecting bar  36  also prevents the fingers  31  from pulling completely out of receiving members  32  when the second portion  23  is fully lowered.  
     [0067] The cart  10  preferably also includes rolling members  40  and  41  supporting the base  20  and which allow it to roll on the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the rolling members  40  and  41  are casters. The rolling members  40  and  41  can be connected to the base  20  by conventional means. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, end rolling members  40  are connected to the first portion  22 , center rolling members  41  are connected to the first portion  22 , and end rolling members  40  are connected to the attachment portion  33 . The rolling members  40  and  41  are not all uniform in size. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the center rolling members  41  have a total height that is larger than the end rolling members  40 , allowing the cart  10  to see-saw; the middle rolling members  41  being the fulcrum. This provides for ease of maneuverability.  
     [0068] The upright members  50  and  60  are connected to and extend upwardly from the base  20 . They preferably are connected to first and second end portions of the base  20 . They preferably are made from bent tubular powder-coated steel components that are welded together, although other suitable materials can be used. The upright members  50  and  60  are preferably bent to form an inverted “U” shape. The upright members  50  and  60  in the preferred embodiment can have a circular cross section, and can be hollow. Additionally, the upright members  50 ,  60  have respective inner frames  51  and  61 , which are also made from metal and joined with the upright members by conventional techniques, such as welding. The ends of upright member  60  can be fit over and attached to pins  62 ,  63  (see FIG. 9), which are fixed to the ends of fingers  31 . The ends of upright member  50  can be fit over and attached to pins  52 ,  53  (see FIG. 9), which are mounted to the first portion  22 . In the preferred embodiment, the upright members  50 ,  60  are maintained on the pins by gravity and friction.  
     [0069] A holding member  70  is moveable relative to the first upright member  50  and configured to hold refuse from the items. The holding  70  member can be connected to the base  20  and/or the first upright member  50 . In this preferred embodiment, the holding member  70  is attached to the deck  21  of the base  20 . The holding member  70  preferably is made from steel and is formed in part to be an inverted “U”. The holding member  70  can be used as a handle for pulling or pushing the cart. The holding member  70  also can be used to collect, for example, cardboard and other packaging byproducts efficiently. The holding member  70  can hold items and keep them from falling off the cart while accommodating various cardboard quantities. Of course, this feature is not limited to storing cardboard, and can be used to hold other items as well, such as a television set.  
     [0070] The holding member  70  telescopes from underneath the deck  21  and can be moved toward and away from the upright member  50 . Compare FIGS. 1 and 12. The holding member  70  preferably comprises a handle portion  71 , vertical portions  72 , and horizontal portions  73 . The holding member  70  can be configured such that the handle portion  71  is at an appropriate height for gripping by a typical human adult.  
     [0071] The horizontal portions  73  interface with the deck  21  and allow the holding member  70  to telescope. As shown in FIG. 11, receiving members  74  are provided in the deck  21  and accept the horizontal portions  73 . The receiving members  74  include channels  75  formed by molding as part of the first portion  22 . C-channels  76  are connected to the first portion  22  to cover the channels  75  and keep the horizontal portions  73  in the channels  75  and to form the receiving member  74 . The horizontal portions  73  can include metal pins  77  that slide in slots or rails  78  molded into the channels  75  of the receiving members  74 . The travel of the metal pins  77  in the rails  78  limits the travel of the horizontal portions  73 .  
     [0072] The horizontal portions  73  can be locked at various telescoping lengths. A socket head cap screw (not shown) is disposed in hole  79  in the C-channel  76 , with the head of the screw protruding toward the horizontal portion  73 . The head of the screw can engage holes  80  in the horizontal portion  73  to fix the horizontal portion in position. Gravity holds the head of the screw in a respective hole  80 . Pulling up on holding member  70  allows the screw head to disengage from the holes  80  so the horizontal portion  73  can be telescoped. This arrangement can be provided for both of the horizontal portions.  
     [0073] A frame  81  can be provided on the upright member  60 . The frame  81  can include a handle portion  82 . The frame  81  can hold a workstation  83  with a recessed area  84  (FIG. 13) to store items such as markers, tape, and box cutters. A cover  85  can be pivotally mounted over the recessed area  84 . The entire frame  81  can be made of, for example, metal. The workstation  83  can be made of, for example, molded plastic. Of course other materials can be used.  
     [0074] In the preferred embodiment, the frame  51  has a cross member  86 . An “L” shaped hanger  87 , preferably made of steel, is welded to the cross member  86 . This permits a refuse bin  88  with an inverted “J” shaped lip  89  to be hung from erect portion of the hanger  87 . A similar hanger can be provided on the frame  61  of upright member  60 .  
     [0075] Hooks  91  can also be provided on the upright members  50 ,  60 , respectively. The hooks  91  can be used to hang, for example, a sign  99 . In the preferred embodiment, the hook, preferably made of steel, is an “L” shaped element welded to the upright member  60 , much in the same way as the hanger  87 . The sign  99  is placed around and rested on the hook  91 . The erect portion of the hook  91  prevents the sign  99  from slipping off the hook.  
     [0076] A placard  90  can also be positioned on the upright members  50 ,  60 . The placard  90  is preferably made of plastic and provides a surface for displaying information. FIGS.  14  to  19  show a preferred embodiment of a placard  90  according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the placard  90  includes a support portion  92 , a display portion  93 , and a writing instrument holder  94 . Preferably the placard  90  is formed as an integral plastic member. It could be formed of polyethylene using a high-pressure injection molding process. Other processes, such as structural web and blow molding processes, and other materials, such as polypropylene, could be used to form the placard  90 .  
     [0077] The support portion  92  holds the placard  90  in position. In a preferred embodiment, the placard  90  is designed to be mounted on a cart  10  (FIG. 1). The support portion  92  preferably includes a frame  95  that may include conventional ribs (not shown) for structural rigidity. The support portion  92  preferably also includes guides  96  that position the placard  90  relative to the metal upright member  50  of the cart  10 . Screws (not shown) can be used to fix the placard  90  to the upright member  50 .  
     [0078] The display portion  93  permits information to be displayed. Preferably at least some of the display portion  93  is a generally flat surface  98  made of a conventional material that allows a user to write on the surface  98  with a dry erase marker. The user can thus write, for example, the aisle number or product type onto the surface  98 . If an appropriate material is selected for the display portion  93 , the writing can be easily wiped off at a later time. In addition, at least some of the display portion  93  can also be used to display other types of information, such as color graphics or advertising or color logos for branding (see FIGS. 18 and 19).  
     [0079] The writing instrument holder  94  holds a writing instrument  100  (see FIG. 18) in place. Preferably the writing instrument holder  94  is a molded area having clip portions  97  into which a writing instrument, such as a dry erase marker, can be snap fit.  
     [0080]FIG. 22 shows a second preferred embodiment of a cart  110  according to the present invention. This second embodiment is similar in many respects to the previously described embodiment. In this second embodiment, however, the base  120  includes a deck  121  that preferably is formed as an integral member. The deck  121  is preferably made from molded plastic. The deck  121  can have molded in diamond plating  24  to enhance frictional engagement. A moat  25  can be provided to capture liquid. In this embodiment, the hook  87  is preferably mounted on the opposite side (relative to the first embodiment) of cross member  86 . Also, the hook  91  is preferably mounted on the opposite side of upright member  50 .  
     [0081]FIG. 23 shows a portion of a third preferred embodiment of a cart  210  according to the present invention. This third embodiment is similar in almost all respects to the previously described first embodiment, except this third embodiment has a different holding member  170 .  
     [0082] In this embodiment, the holding member  170  is attached to the upright member  50 . The holding member  170  can be used as a handle for pulling or pushing the cart. The holding member  170  pivots along hinges  173  located near the base of the upright member  50 , as can be seen in FIG. 23. The holding member  170  preferably is made from steel and is formed to be an inverted “U”, with the horizontal portion  171  of the “U” having the capability of serving as a handle. The portion  171  is bent forward slightly. The holding member  170  can be spring loaded by conventional means such that the top of the holding member  170  is biased towards upright member  50 .  
     [0083] A member  180  is provided to hold, for example, cardboard or other packaging byproducts. The member  180  can be spring loaded by conventional means so that its top is biased towards upright member  50 . Member  180  preferably is independently moveable relative to the holding member  170 . The member  180  can hold items and keep them from falling off the cart while it is being pulled. Of course, this feature is not limited to storing cardboard, and can be used to hold other items as well.  
     [0084] FIGS.  24  to  25  show a portion of a fourth preferred embodiment of a cart  310  according to the present invention. This fourth embodiment is similar in almost all respects to the previously described first embodiment, except this fourth embodiment has a different holding member  270 .  
     [0085] The holding member  270  is attached to the upright member  50 . This holding member  270  essentially pivots relative to the upright member  50  with the aid of a locking device  274 . The locking device  274  allows to holding member  270  to pivot to and lock at a variety of angles, depending on the user&#39;s needs. For example, the holding member  270  can be locked at 90 degrees (upright), as shown in FIG. 24, in the event that the user wants to use it as a push handle or a pull handle. It can be locked at 0 degrees (parallel with the deck  21  of the cart), as shown in FIG. 25 to provide additional storage area.  
     [0086] The locking device  274  comprises plates  276  welded to both of the bottom portions of holding member  270 . The plates  276  each have a cutout  275 , which includes fingers  277 . The fingers  277  are located at various angles, thus allowing the user to vary the angle of the holding member  270 . A steel bar  278  is welded across the bottom of upright member  50 . To change the angle of holding member  270 , the user lifts holding member  270  up so that the respective finger  277  is no longer engaged with the bar  278 . The user then moves the holding member  270  so that the bar  278  engages another finger  277 , thus setting the new angle of the holding member  270 .  
     [0087] The holding member  270  could be spring loaded. The holding member  70  also could use both a spring and a locking device.  
     [0088] FIGS.  26  to  29  show a fifth preferred embodiment of a cart  410  according to the present invention. This fifth embodiment is similar in many respects to the previously described first embodiment. In this fifth embodiment, the upright members  450  and  460  telescope and fold. The upright members  450  and  460  each include an upper portion that telescopes into a lower portion in order to change the overall height of the cart  410 . FIG. 26 shows the upright members  450  and  460  locked into place after they are telescoped to the desired height. Two locks  980  are positioned on each of the upright members  450  and  460 . Each lock  980  comprises a plastic tubular cover  985 , which has internal dimensions sufficient to interface with both the male portions of the upright members and the female portions of the upright members. The cover  985  has a threaded hole  987  in one side of the cover. Hole  987  is positioned to be in the vicinity of the female portion of the upright members. A knob  986  with a threaded portion  988  and a grip portion  989  is positioned in the threaded hole  987 . Once the upright is telescoped to the desired height, the knob is screwed into the cover, allowing the end of the threaded portion  988  to contact the female portion of the upright, locking the upright into place.  
     [0089] Also, conventional hinges  400  can be provided at the bottom of the vertical upright members  450  and  460  to allow the upright members to fold. They can be locked in the upright positions by conventional means. Recessed areas  420  can be provided in the deck  421  to accommodate the folded upright members. FIG. 26 shows that the deck  421  has platform areas  422  and  423  that are separated by such a recessed area  420  at a midpoint of the deck  421 . When in the folded down position, the platforms  422  and  423  extend through the upright members  450  and  460  respectively. Although not shown in FIG. 26, there are also spaces in the deck  421  to accommodate the inner frame  451  and  461  of the upright members. These spaces are molded in the deck in order to keep the surface of the deck consistent when the handles are in the folded down position.  
     [0090]FIG. 30 shows a sixth preferred embodiment of a cart  510  according to the present invention. This sixth embodiment is similar in many respects to the previously described embodiments. In this sixth embodiment, the upright members  550  and  560  have inner frame members  551  and  561 . Attached to the inner frame members are cords  500 . These cords are wide and can be made from elastic or elastic like material. These cords are used to hold various collapsed cardboard boxes  590 .  
     [0091] Accessories can be provided on the cart. For example, as shown in FIG. 31, shelves  991  can be provided to extend between the first and second upright members. These shelves  991  can be used, for example, to separate product or to display product. As shown in FIG. 32, a rod  992  can be provided to extend between the first and second upright members. The rod  992  can be used, for example, as a garment bar to hold clothes. The shelves  991  and rod  992  can be connected to the upright members  50  and  60  by conventional means.  
     [0092] FIGS.  33  to  43  show a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment includes a holding member  670  for mounting on an upright member  50  extending from a base  20  of a cart  10 . The holding member  670  includes a first frame  671  and a mounting mechanism  680 . This holding member  670  can be mounted onto carts to retrofit those carts and provide a space for collecting items. Preferably the holding member  670  is adjustable so that it can be mounted on different size carts.  
     [0093] The holding member  670  preferably is made from steel and is formed in part to be an inverted “U”. The holding member  670  can be used as a handle for pulling or pushing the cart. The holding member  670  also can be used to collect, for example, cardboard and other packaging byproducts efficiently.  
     [0094] The first frame  671  is configured to extend upwardly (i.e., substantially vertically) when the holding member  670  is mounted on the upright member  50  to provide an area for holding items between the first frame  671  and the upright member  50 . The first frame  671  can have a handle portion  672  and substantially vertical portions  673 . The holding member  670  can be configured such that the handle portion  672  is at an appropriate height for gripping by a typical human adult.  
     [0095] The first frame  671  can be movably connected to the mounting mechanism  680 . Preferably, the first frame  671  is pivotally connected to the mounting mechanism  680  such that the first frame  671  can move from a substantially upright position shown in FIG. 33 downward (counterclockwise) in the direction of the arrow. The first frame  671  can preferably rotate about 30° to 40° from the upright position. A lower bar  674  of the first frame  671  rests within receiving portions  684  (see FIGS. 40 and 41) of a horizontal frame  691  of the mounting mechanism  680 . The lower bar  674  is received in a manner that permits it to rotate. Biasing members, such as springs  675  (see FIGS. 40 and 41), bias the first frame  671  toward the substantially upright position. The springs  675  also are preferably connected to the lower bar  674  and the horizontal frame  691  to hold the lower bar  674  within the receiving portions  684 . Connector bars  676  are connected to the ends of the lower bar  674  and to the horizontal frame  691 . When the first frame  671  is rotated downward, the connector bars  676  will move upward until they engage stop mechanisms  692  on the horizontal frame  691 . When the connector bars  676  engage the stop mechanisms  692 , further rotation of the first frame  671  is prevented.  
     [0096] The mounting mechanism  680  mounts the first frame  671  to the upright member  50 . The mounting mechanism  680  preferably extends from a bottom portion of the first frame  671 . The mounting mechanism  680  preferably includes at least two engaging portions  681  (see FIGS. 36, 42, and  43 ) configured to engage corresponding portions of the upright member  50 . The engaging portions  681  can be fixed members, such as substantially L-shaped structures. Clamping members, such as substantially L shaped bolts  682  and nuts  683  (see FIGS. 42 and 43), can be used to fix the engaging portions  681  to the upright member  50 .  
     [0097] As shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, the engaging portions  681  can be adjustably positioned relative to the first frame  671  to permit the holding member  670  to be mounted to different size upright members  50 . Though only one of the engaging portions  681  needs to be adjustable, it is preferable that they are both adjustable. Preferably a slidable connector  685  adjustably connects the engaging portion  681  to the first frame  671  to permit the engaging portion  681  to move in a horizontal direction relative to the first frame  671 . The slidable connector  685  can include a substantially C-shaped member  686  mounted to the engaging portion  681  that fits into a complementary substantially C-shaped member  687 . A bolt  688  extending from the C-shaped member  687  extends into a slot  689  formed in the C-shaped member  686 . A nut  690  can be tightened to fix the C-shaped member  686  relative to the C-shaped member  687 .  
     [0098] Of course, the present invention can be practiced by combining one or more of the features of one of the embodiments with one or more of the features of the other embodiment.  
     [0099] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.