U.S. patent application number 17/516608 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-03 for infant carrier holder.
The applicant listed for this patent is SAFE-STRAP COMPANY, LLC. Invention is credited to Paul Giampavolo, Christopher M. Johnson.
Application Number | 20220063694 17/516608 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220063694 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Giampavolo; Paul ; et
al. |
March 3, 2022 |
Infant Carrier Holder
Abstract
An infant carrier holder has a floor with a ramp and sidewalls
and is mounted to a shopping cart. The ramp and sidewalls can
contribute to stably supporting an infant carrier. The holder
serves as a mechanical interface between an infant carrier, which
can be received in the holder, and the shopping cart. The holder
can be concavely shaped to assist in shopping cart nesting in
addition to supporting a received infant carrier at a desired
angle. The holder can be adjustably mounted to a gate or a basket
of the shopping cart and may/may not interfere with nesting
operations. The holder permits an infant carrier to be supported on
a shopping cart without using a significant amount of shopping cart
space or interfering with nesting operations.
Inventors: |
Giampavolo; Paul; (Naples,
FL) ; Johnson; Christopher M.; (Glen Allen,
VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAFE-STRAP COMPANY, LLC |
FORT MYERS |
FL |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/516608 |
Filed: |
November 1, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15635142 |
Jun 27, 2017 |
11161537 |
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17516608 |
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14041925 |
Sep 30, 2013 |
9688299 |
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15635142 |
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PCT/US2013/038818 |
Apr 30, 2013 |
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14041925 |
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13385608 |
May 1, 2012 |
9540026 |
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PCT/US2013/038818 |
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International
Class: |
B62B 3/14 20060101
B62B003/14; B62B 5/08 20060101 B62B005/08 |
Claims
1. An infant carrier holder for supporting a handheld infant
carrier, comprising: a lower support element with a top surface
that extends from a first end to a second end opposite the first
end; a plurality of restraining members coupled to the lower
support element and extending above the top surface for limiting
lateral movement of the infant carrier; and a first restraining
member of the plurality of restraining members coupled to the first
end of the lower support element for supporting the infant carrier
in a secure position.
2. The infant carrier holder according to claim 1, wherein the
lower support element being at an angle to the horizontal.
3. The infant carrier holder according to claim 1, wherein the
lower support element is constructed with tubular members.
4. The infant carrier holder according to claim 1, wherein the one
or a plurality of restraining members are constructed with tubular
members.
5. The infant carrier holder according to claim 1, further
comprising at least two of the plurality of restraining members
being opposed to each other and separated by a dimension sufficient
to permit the infant carrier to contact the lower support element
when the infant carrier is placed atop the infant carrier
holder.
6. The infant carrier holder according to claim 5, further
comprising a lip on each of the top edges of the two of the
plurality of restraining members that extends outward.
7. The infant carrier holder according to claim 1, further
comprising at least one ramp protruding from the lower support
element for contributing to supporting an infant carrier in a
stable position.
8. The infant carrier holder according to claim 1, further
comprising a securing device attached to at least one of the
plurality of restraining members and operative to secure the infant
carrier in the infant carrier holder.
9. The infant carrier holder according to claim 1, wherein the
first restraining member of the plurality of restraining members is
configured and arranged to permit mounting to a gate of a shopping
cart.
10. The infant carrier holder according to claim 1, further
comprising a mounting component configured to rigidly mount the
infant carrier holder to an object.
11. The infant carrier holder according to claim 10, wherein the
mounting component is disposed on one restraining member of the
plurality of restraining members.
12. The infant carrier holder according to claim 10, wherein the
mounting component is disposed on the lower support element.
13. The infant carrier holder according to claim 1, wherein the
first end of the lower support element includes a barrier member
for supporting an infant's feet.
14. The infant carrier holder according to claim 13, wherein the
barrier member further comprises an upright portion for providing
leverage to stabilize the infant carrier in a secure position.
15. An infant carrier holder for supporting an infant carrier on a
shopping cart, comprising: a lower support element for supporting
the infant carrier; and a plurality of restraining members integral
with the lower support element and the shopping cart for limiting
lateral movement of the infant carrier.
16. The infant carrier holder according to claim 15, wherein a
first restraining member of the plurality of restraining members is
integral with a gate of the shopping cart.
17. The infant carrier holder according to claim 15, wherein the
infant carrier holder acts as a mechanical interface between the
infant carrier and the shopping cart.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 15/635,142 filed on Jun. 27, 2017, which is a continuation of
U.S. application Ser. No. 14/041,925, filed Sep. 30, 2013, which is
a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2013/038818,
filed Apr. 30, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. application
Ser. No. 13/385,608, filed May 1, 2012, all of the above-mentioned
disclosures being hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] (Not Applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to a support for an
infant carrier, and relates more particularly to an infant carrier
holder for use with a shopping cart.
[0004] Infant carriers are well known and widely used for
transporting infants in a variety of circumstances. In the case of
transporting an infant in a motor vehicle, infant carrier
manufacturers sometimes provide a base that can be securely
installed in a rear seating area of the motor vehicle and can
accept an infant carrier in a secure engagement. The combination of
infant carrier and base can provide a stable and fixed transport
platform so that an infant in such a carrier can be securely and
safely transported in the motor vehicle. Some infant carriers are
configured to be secured in a rear seating area of a motor vehicle
without a mating base. Typically, the infant carrier is designed to
be easily releasable from the motor vehicle securement to permit
ease of manual transport. Some types of infant carriers are also
configured to be releaseably secured to a stroller, to permit the
infant carrier to be transported without necessarily manually
carrying the infant carrier.
[0005] In each of the configurations where an infant carrier mates
to a base or stroller for transport, the mating configuration is
typically proprietary to the infant carrier manufacturer.
Accordingly, an infant carrier made in accordance with one
manufacturer's design does not typically engage with or mate with a
transport base or cart that is provided in accordance with another
manufacturer's design. As a result, infant carriers tend to be
usable with transport mechanisms that are specifically designed for
that type of infant carrier, and no others.
[0006] A shopper with an infant in an infant carrier is often
challenged with regard to transporting the infant, infant carrier
and a shopping cart that is intended for transporting goods
selected by the shopper in a shopping environment. The infant
carrier is not ideally placed in a basket of the shopping cart,
since little room is left for selected goods, and the carrier may
not be stably secured. If the infant carrier is mated to an
associated stroller that is specific to the infant carrier design,
the shopping customer is challenged to transport the infant
carrier-stroller combination and the shopping cart in a shopping
environment.
[0007] Alternately, the shopper may opt to manually transport the
infant in the infant carrier while pushing the shopping cart, which
raises another set of challenges. For example, it may be physically
difficult for the shopper to carry the infant carrier throughout
the shopping experience. The shopper may set the infant carrier on
a floor of the shopping environment while selecting goods, for
example, which represents a challenge for protection of the infant
from potential dangers such as may be presented from dropped
objects, being a tripping hazard, or being hit by shopping carts.
In addition, the infant is located near to the potentially
unsanitary surface of the shopping environment floor.
[0008] Recognizing some of these challenges, some infant carrier
manufacturers have produced designs intended to be used with
popular shopping cart models that permit the infant carrier to be
located on a shopping cart in a somewhat stable arrangement. For
example, the infant carrier may be configured to cooperate with the
handle, gate or foldout seatback of a shopping cart to obtain a
somewhat stable perch for the infant carrier. This approach to
meeting the above-noted challenges of handling an infant carrier in
a shopping environment has several drawbacks. For example, the
infant carrier tends to be mounted on the shopping cart at a fairly
high location relative to the shopping cart center of gravity,
potentially increasing the tip-over risk of the infant carrier or
the shopping cart in combination with the infant carrier. In
addition, the infant carrier configuration tends to be fairly
specific to the manufacturer, as noted above, so that the infant
carrier is not usable with all varieties of shopping carts, which
tend to vary significantly among retail establishments.
Accordingly, the customer with an infant in an infant carrier faces
a number of challenges in shopping environments in general.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided
an infant carrier holder for use with a shopping cart. The infant
carrier holder accommodates a wide variety of infant carriers in a
stable arrangement on a wide variety of shopping carts. The infant
carrier holder can be mounted to a variety of shopping carts that
may have significantly different configurations.
[0010] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the infant
carrier holder acts as a mechanical interface between an infant
carrier and a shopping cart. The infant carrier holder can be
stably secured to a majority of various shopping cart designs, and
can accommodate and stably support a majority of infant carrier
designs.
[0011] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the infant
carrier holder is configured to be nestable, in that the infant
carrier holder can receive at least a portion of another infant
carrier holder, especially when the infant carrier holder is
mounted on a nestable shopping cart. In addition, the infant
carrier holder is stackable, e.g., for storage and shipping, so
that a number of infant carrier holders can be maintained in a
smaller amount of space.
[0012] According to another aspect, the infant carrier holder
includes one or more projections that protrude from an upwardly
facing surface. The projection(s) is (are) configured and arranged
to provide support for an infant carrier placed atop the infant
carrier holder such that the infant carrier is generally stabilized
when placed atop the infant carrier holder in cooperation with the
projection(s).
[0013] According to another aspect, the infant carrier includes one
or more upright walls located at a lateral edge of the infant
carrier holder. Each wall can contribute to stabilizing the infant
carrier in the infant carrier holder, such as by preventing
translational lateral movement of the infant carrier. The one or
more upright walls can also contribute to locating the infant
carrier in relation to the projection(s) discussed above, so that
the stabilizing relationship obtained between the infant carrier
and the projection(s) can be established and maintained.
[0014] According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides
a mechanism for contributing to securing the infant carrier to the
infant carrier holder. For example, a strap affixed to the infant
carrier holder can be secured around the infant carrier to maintain
the infant carrier in the infant carrier holder. The strap may be
configured to have a buckle that can be readily clasped and
unclasped to secure and free the infant carrier, respectively. The
strap may be adjustable to permit a custom fit to the size and
shape of the infant carrier. Any other types of securing mechanisms
may readily be used with the infant carrier holder, including such
mechanisms as harnesses, releasable clamps, elastic cords or other
components, retractable stay-bars, and any other mechanisms that
can contribute to securing the infant carrier to the infant carrier
holder.
[0015] According to another aspect, the mounting mechanism for the
infant carrier holder is adjustable, to permit a secure attachment
to a variety of shopping carts. According to one aspect, the infant
carrier holder can be attached to a shopping cart gate, to permit
the infant carrier holder to swing with the shopping cart gate,
such as upon the shopping cart being nested with another shopping
cart, causing the gate to be rotated upward. According to another
aspect, the infant carrier holder can be attached to the frame and
handle of the shopping cart, to permit free movement of a gate and
foldout seat, so that the infant carrier holder does not obstruct
the nesting action of the shopping cart.
[0016] According to another aspect, the infant carrier holder may
be located on the frame of the shopping cart within or above a
region of the shopping cart basket to avoid interference with the
operation of nesting related components of the shopping cart. The
infant carrier holder is provided with an attachment mechanism to
permit mounting to various locations on a shopping cart, including
locations that interfere or do not interfere with the nesting
operation of the shopping cart. In some instances, some mounting
locations for the infant carrier holder may be preferred for
stability or ease of use, even though mounting the infant carrier
in those locations may cause the shopping cart to be non-nestable
with other like shopping carts.
[0017] According to another aspect, the infant carrier holder is
composed of material that resists influences of harsh environments,
including extremes of heat and cold and precipitation. The infant
carrier holder may be configured to include one or more openings to
permit water drainage to avoid pooling caused by precipitation, for
example. The material of the infant carrier holder may be chosen to
be able to resist impacts, such as may occur from contact with
other carts or infant carrier holders, as well as other objects
typical of a typical shopping environment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in
greater detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the infant carrier holder in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the infant carrier holder as
used with a shopping cart in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the infant carrier holder
as used with a shopping cart in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the infant carrier holder as
used with each of two nested shopping carts in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the infant carrier holder in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the infant carrier holder
in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the infant carrier holder as
used with a shopping cart in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the infant carrier holder
as used with a shopping cart in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the infant carrier holder as
used with each of three nested shopping carts in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0028] FIGS. 10-12 are perspective views of another exemplary
embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] This application is a continuation of International
Application No. PCT/US2013/038818, filed Apr. 30, 2013, which
claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/385,608, filed
May 1, 2012, all of the above-mentioned disclosures being hereby
incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.
[0030] The present disclosure provides an infant carrier holder for
use with a shopping cart that can act as a mechanical interface
between various models of shopping carts and various models of
infant carriers. The infant carrier holder can be adapted for use
with a variety of shopping cart models, and can contribute to
securely accommodating infant carriers of various models and
types.
[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of
an infant carrier holder 100, referred to herein as holder 100, is
illustrated. Holder 100 has a generally concave shape and is sized
to receive any of various infant carriers (not shown). Holder 100
includes opposing sidewalls 102 and a rear wall 104. Sidewalls 102
and rear wall 104 are connected together to form a concave shape in
conjunction with an interior lower surface or floor 106. The
concave shape of holder 100 provides lateral stability and support
for an infant carrier placed atop holder 100 and generally in
contact with and supported by floor 106.
[0032] Holder 100 includes ramps 110 that are situated near side
walls 102 and toward a front edge 108 of holder 100. Ramps 110 are
arranged to have an arcuate upper surface 112 that extends in a
curved shape from a high point 114 to be coextensive with floor
106. The curved shape of surface 112 cooperates with a curved lower
surface of an infant carrier to seat the infant carrier in a stable
position with respect to holder 100. In general, infant carriers
have curved lower surfaces that can generally cooperate with
surface 112 of ramp 110 to contribute to preventing the infant
carrier from sliding or changing position within holder 100. The
curvature of the lower surface of infant carriers is typically an
arc, which may be a circular arc that varies between model types
and manufacturers, but generally has a length within a range of
from about 15.degree. to about 25.degree.. The radius of curvature
of the arc can be calculated according to Equation 1
r = W 2 8 .times. H + H 2 ( Equation .times. .times. 1 )
##EQU00001##
where r is the radius of curvature, W is the width of the arc, and
H is the height of the arc.
[0033] The radius of curvature of surface 112 can be in the range
of from about 50 to about 200 inches, as calculated using Equation
1. The length of the arc described by surface 112 can be determined
from the angular range (in radians) of from about 15.degree. to
about 25.degree. times the radius. The shape and size of ramp 110
generally acts to prevent infant carriers placed within holder 100
from rocking or sliding by cooperating with the lower curved
surface of the infant carrier. In general, ramps 110 and curved
surfaces 112 provide a stabilizing support for infant carriers
placed atop and/or in holder 100 to permit various models of infant
carriers to be uniformly supported and stabilized on holder
100.
[0034] Holder 100 is intended to be usable with a shopping cart 150
(FIG. 2) that nests with other, like shopping carts 150. Two
shopping carts 150, as shown in FIG. 4, can generally be nested by
urging a front of one shopping cart 150 through a gate opening 152
of another shopping cart 150, tending to urge a gate 154 of the
other shopping cart 150 upward in a pivoting motion. The nested
shopping carts 150 tend to take up less space, and permit a number
of nested shopping carts 150 to be handled all together. Holder 100
facilitates use on nestable shopping cart 150 with the provision of
openings, such as opening 120, for example, that are located and
sized to accommodate ramps 110 of another holder 100 when holders
100 are installed on sequential, nested shopping carts. In FIG. 4,
nested shopping carts 150 are shown with nested holders 100 that
include openings 120 that can accommodate ramps 110 when holders
100 are nested due to being mounted on nested shopping carts
150.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, holder 100 is shown in an
exemplary embodiment as having a number of through openings 130
arranged in floor 106. Openings 130 permit fluids that might be
collected by holder 100 to drain off of floor 106 through openings
130. For example, if holder 100 is exposed to rain in an outdoor
environment, holder 100 does not collect the precipitation, instead
permitting the rainwater to drain through openings 130. Similarly,
if holder 100 is exposed to a spill of liquid in a shopping
environment, for example, the liquid can drain through openings 130
to avoid collection of liquid by holder 100. The provision of
openings 130 also reduces the amount of material used to construct
holder 100. It should be understood that openings 130 are not
required, and can be omitted, or provided in any useful pattern to
obtain the above-noted benefits.
[0036] Holder 100 also includes rails 140 located on upper edges of
sidewalls 102. Rails 140 are formed as outwardly curved portions of
the upper edge of sidewalls 102. Rails 140 provide a reinforcing
structure for sidewalls 102, as well as providing a location for
attachment of a strap portion 170, 172 that can be used to secure
the infant carrier to holder 100. For example, rails 140 may
include a through opening 142, which can be used to secure an end
of strap portions 170, 172 to holder 100. Rails 140 also are
designed to permit a certain amount of overlap with rails 140 of
another nested holder 100 when two shopping carts 150 with holders
100 are nested together, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Rails 140 thus
have an upward slant from a rear to a front of shopping cart 150 to
which holder 100 is mounted. The upward slant of rails 140 thus
accommodates rails 140 of another nested holder 100 when holders
100 are mounted to sequentially nested shopping carts 150.
[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure, holder 100 includes straps 170, 172 that are attached
at one end to side rails 140, with another end attached to a
respective buckle segment 174, 176. Straps 170, 172 can be coupled
together around an infant carrier using buckle segments 174, 176 to
secure the infant carrier in holder 100. Strap 172 includes an
adjustment device 178 that can be used to adjust a length of strap
172. Although not shown in the drawings, strap 170 may alternately
or additionally include an adjustment device 178 to permit strap
170 to be adjustable. The overall length of the combination of
straps 170, 172 when coupled together with buckle segments 174, 176
can be adjusted using adjustment device 178 to provide a snug and
secure arrangement for retaining the infant carrier in holder 100.
For example, strap 172 can be adjusted using adjustment device 178
to lengthen a distance between side rail 140 and buckle segment 176
prior to coupling buckle segments 174, 176 around an infant carrier
placed in holder 100. Such an adjustment permits buckle segments
174, 176 to be coupled without significant tension being placed on
straps 170, 172. Strap 172 can then be adjusted to tighten straps
170, 172 around the infant carrier using adjustment device 178 to
secure the infant carrier in holder 100. It should be apparent that
other types of adjustment devices or securing mechanisms may be
used together with, or in place of straps 170, 172, adjustment
device 178 and/or buckle segments 174, 176. Such examples may
include harnesses, releasable clamps, elastic cords or other
elastic components, retractable stay bars, and any other mechanism
that can contribute to securing the infant carrier in holder 100.
For example, buckle segments 174, 176 can incorporate one or more
adjustment devices, such as adjustment device 178, or can
incorporate one or more securing mechanisms to secure straps 170,
172.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, holder 100 is mounted to
shopping cart 150 with brackets 210, 220. Bracket 210 includes
vertical members 212 with openings 214, 216 and 218, which can be
used to secure vertical member 212 to shopping cart 150. The
placement of openings 214, 216 and 218 on vertical member 212 allow
for adjustment in the attachment of bracket 210 to shopping cart
150. Opening 216 is a slotted opening, which permits additional
flexibility in securing vertical member 212 to shopping cart 150.
Shopping carts 150 can have varying tolerances in their
construction among carts of the same model that can be accommodated
by the variable securing location permitted by opening 216 being
slotted in shape. In addition, different model carts may be used in
the same retail establishment, which differences can be
accommodated with the variety of securing locations provided by
openings 214, 216 and 218. For example, either opening 214 or 218
may be located and secured to a particular point on a sidewall of a
cart such as shopping cart 150 or a different model cart. Opening
216 may then be used to secure bracket 210 to the cart at a
variable securing location by being slotted. By providing openings
214, 216 and 218 in this configuration, a number of shopping cart
configurations, including that of shopping cart 150, can be
accommodated for mounting holder 100.
[0039] The locations of openings 214, 216 and 218 permit brackets
210 to be secured in a position on shopping cart 150 to provide a
certain height for holder 100 above an edge of the basket of
shopping cart 150. The height of holder 100 above the basket edge
of shopping cart 150 provides clearance for gate 154 to pivot
upward when another shopping cart 150 is urged into gate opening
152 of shopping cart 150. In addition, the height of holder 100
above the basket edge of shopping cart 150 accommodates nesting of
another holder 100, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Bracket 210 is
located along a length of holder 100 to avoid interference with a
nested holder 100 from another nested shopping cart 150, while
providing suitable support for an infant carrier placed atop and/or
within holder 100. The location at which bracket 210 is connected
to holder 100 can be provided as a pivoting connection to permit
holder 100 to be set as various heights above the basket edge of
shopping cart 150 using various vertical locations for vertical
member 212 being secured to a sidewall of shopping cart 150.
[0040] Bracket 220 secures holder 100 to shopping cart 150 at a
handle 156, using an attachment extension 116 that extends
vertically from an underside of holder 100 in a mounted position.
According to an exemplary embodiment, extension 116 is molded as
part of holder 100. It should be understood that extension 116, or
like attachment structures can be optionally omitted or formed as
part of a bracket and secured to holder 100 using any type of
common securing mechanism, including screws, rivets, bolts and the
like. By providing extension 116 as a molded portion of holder 100,
an attachment of holder 100 to handle 156 avoids interruption in
floor 106 of holder 100, for example. Extension 116 can include
openings (not shown) or receptacles (not shown) for screws, rivets,
bolts and the like to permit bracket 220 to be securely attached to
extension 116. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, bracket
220 is a U-bolt, shaped as a "U" and secured around handle 156 with
a nut 222 and a bolt 224. Extension 116 attached to bracket 220
elevates a base of holder 100 above handle 156 to permit a shopping
cart user to access handle 156 under holder 100 to be able to push
a shopping cart 150.
[0041] By providing brackets 210, 220, holder 100 is elevated above
shopping cart 150 in a location to permit holder 100 to be nested
with other holders 100 when like shopping carts 150 are nested.
Brackets 210, 220 also locate holder 100 to avoid interference with
a nesting operation of shopping carts 150, but providing a
clearance for gate 154 to pivot upward when shopping carts 150 are
nested in addition to avoiding interference with a handle 156 of a
nested shopping cart, as illustrated in FIG. 4. It should be
understood that carrier 100 can be mounted in other locations on
shopping cart 150, using brackets 210, 220 or other attachment
configurations. In some locations, holder 100 may interfere with
shopping cart 150 being urged into a nesting configuration with
another shopping cart 150, or may interfere with another shopping
cart 150 being urged into a nesting configuration with shopping
cart 150 having holder 100. For example, holder 100 may be mounted
within a basket of shopping cart 150 to lower a height of an infant
carrier placed on or within holder 100. Accordingly, a shopping
cart to which holder 100 is mounted need not be nestable with other
like shopping carts, but can be treated separately from other carts
by a manager of a retail establishment as providing the feature of
an infant carrier holder.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary embodiment of an
infant carrier holder 500, referred to herein as holder 500, is
illustrated. Holder 500 has a generally concave shape and is sized
to receive any of various infant carriers (not shown). Component
parts of holder 500 can each be configured to have a generally
concave or scalloped contour, such as opposing sidewalls 502 or a
floor 506, as shown in FIG. 5. Holder 500 includes a rear wall 504
that is relatively smaller in height than a front edge 508.
Sidewalls 502 and rear wall 504 are connected together to form a
concave shape in conjunction with an interior lower surface or
floor 506. The concave shape of holder 500 provides lateral
stability and support for an infant carrier placed atop and/or in
holder 500 and generally in contact with and supported by floor
506.
[0043] Holder 500 has dimensions that are suitable for use with a
majority of shopping carts 150. For example, holder 500 can be
approximately 18 inches long, with front edge 508 having a height
about 7 inches, and a width of approximately 14 inches. An interior
dimension of holder 500 is sufficiently smaller than an overall
dimension of holder 500, which contributes to providing clearances
when several holders 500 are involved in a nesting operation, as
discussed in greater detail below. Holder 500 can be dimensioned to
fit within a basket of a shopping cart of given configuration.
Typically, holder 500 has a smaller width than that of a shopping
cart to which it is mounted.
[0044] Holder 500 includes ramps 510 that are situated near side
walls 502 and toward front edge 508. Ramps 510 are arranged to have
an arcuate upper surface 512 that is raised above floor 506 and
curves from a high point 514 to a low point 516. The curved shape
of surface 512 cooperates with a curved lower surface of an infant
carrier to seat the infant carrier in a stable position with
respect to holder 500. In general, as described above, infant
carriers have curved lower surfaces that can generally cooperate
with surface 512 of ramp 510 to contribute to preventing the infant
carrier from sliding or changing position on and/or within holder
500.
[0045] The radius of curvature of surface 512 can be in the range
of from about 50 to about 200 inches, as calculated using Equation
1. The length of the arc described by surface 512 can be determined
from the angular range (in radians) of from about 15.degree. to
about 25.degree. times the radius. The shape and size of ramps 510
generally acts to prevent infant carriers placed within holder 500
from rocking or sliding by cooperating with the lower curved
surface of the infant carrier. In general, ramps 510 and curved
surfaces 512 provide a stabilizing support for infant carriers
placed atop and/or in holder 500 to permit various models of infant
carriers to be uniformly supported and stabilized on holder
500.
[0046] Ramps 510 are shown as ending in protrusions 518, which form
an abutment for an infant carrier placed in holder 500. Protrusions
518 contribute to spacing the infant carrier from edge 508, as well
as a surface to which holder 500 is mounted, for example a surface
that is flush with edge 508, such as gate 154. Infant carriers
often include a support base that supports the infant carrier bed,
and typically has a curved bottom to permit the infant carrier to
rock when placed on a flat surface. The support base also typically
does not extend as far as the bed of the infant carrier, so that
the bed forms an overhang or lip with regard to the support base.
Protrusions 518, in addition to abutting against the support base
of the infant carrier, provide spacing or an offset for the infant
carrier so that the overhang of the bed can be accommodated in
holder 500, without the bed abutting against holder 500 or shopping
cart 150. Also, by contacting the support base of the infant
carrier, protrusions 518 help to provide a more stable support and
alignment for the infant carrier, then might otherwise be provided
if the bed of the infant carrier were to abut against holder 500 at
front edge 508, or abut against shopping cart 150, such as at gate
154.
[0047] Referring for a moment to FIG. 9, holder 500 is intended to
be usable with shopping cart 150 that nests with other, like
shopping carts 150. Shopping carts 150 can generally be nested by
urging a front of one shopping cart 150 through a gate opening 152
of another shopping cart 150, tending to urge a gate 154 of the
other shopping cart 150 upward in a pivoting motion. The nested
shopping carts 150 tend to take up less space, and permit a number
of nested shopping carts 150 to be handled all together. Holder 500
facilitates use on nestable shopping cart 150 by being mounted to
gate 154, to permit holder 500 to pivot upward with gate 154 in a
nesting action.
[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, holder 500 is shown in an
exemplary embodiment as having a number of through openings 530
arranged in floor 506. Openings 530 permit fluids that might be
collected by holder 500 to drain off of floor 506 through openings
530. For example, if holder 500 is exposed to rain in an outdoor
environment, holder 500 does not collect the precipitation, instead
permitting the rainwater to drain through openings 530. Similarly,
if holder 500 is exposed to a spill of liquid in a shopping
environment, for example, the liquid can drain through openings 530
to avoid collection of liquid by holder 500. The provision of
openings 530 also reduces the amount of material used to construct
holder 500. It should be understood that openings 530 are not
required, and can be omitted, or provided in any useful pattern to
obtain the above-noted benefits.
[0049] Holder 500 also includes rails 540 located on upper edges of
sidewalls 502. Rails 540 are formed as outwardly curved portions of
the upper edge of sidewalls 502. Rails 540 provide a reinforcing
structure for sidewalls 502, as well as providing a location for
openings 520 that can serve as points of attachment for straps (not
shown) that can form parts of a belt (not shown) that can be used
to secure an infant carrier in and/or on holder 500. It should be
apparent that other types of adjustable or non-adjustable securing
mechanisms may be used on holder 500 to secure an infant carrier in
and/or on holder 500. Examples of such mechanisms may include
harnesses, releasable clamps, elastic cords or other elastic
components, retractable stay bars, and any other mechanism that can
contribute to securing the infant carrier in holder 500.
[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, holder 500 is mounted to
shopping cart 150 with brackets 550. Front edge 508 of holder 500
includes through openings 552 that can accept mounting brackets to
secure holder 500 to shopping cart 150. Bracket 550 includes a
U-bolt with threaded ends that are passed through openings 552 and
on which nuts are screwed to abut an opposing side of front edge
508 to securely affix a portion of gate 154 within bracket 550.
Bracket 550 thus securely fastens front edge 508 of holder 500 to
gate 154 of shopping cart 150. Holder 500 may also include plates
554 on either side of holder 500 to provide additional support for
mounting and operating holder 500. Plates 554 may be composed of a
suitable material that provides rigidity and support to at least
certain portions of holder 500. For example, plates 554 may be
composed of a metal such as brass alloys, or brass constituents,
aluminum, or iron and iron derivatives and metal plated structures.
Each of plates 554 can be configured to have a portion that abuts
an opposing side of front edge 508 to reinforce support provided by
front edge 508 being mounted to gate 154. Each of plates 554 can
also have a portion that extends along an exterior portion of
sidewalls 502, where plates 554 can be securely fastened at points
556 with fasteners such as nuts and bolts, screws, rivets, or any
other type of useful fastener. Plates 554 can be arranged under
protrusions 558 to provide additional stability, support and
leverage for holder 500 when in use in regular operation, including
during nesting actions for shopping cart 150.
[0051] Front edge 508 has a generally planar shape, so that a
relatively large area of front edge 508 contacts gate 154. This
relatively large, planar area included in front edge 508
contributes to stabilizing, supporting and providing leverage to
holder 500 when an infant carrier is placed in and/or on holder
500. Likewise, the shape of front edge 508 helps to stabilize,
support, and leverage holder 500 when gate 154 is pivoted upward in
a nesting action, and when holder 500 is in a generally vertical
position as a result of gate 154 being pivoted into a position
suitable for nesting shopping carts 150 (FIG. 9).
[0052] Brackets 550 and openings 552 permit a certain amount of
flexibility in mounting holder 500 to shopping cart 150. For
example, openings 552 can be oval in shape, or slotted, to permit
brackets 550 to be moved in-plane with the plane of front edge 508.
Brackets 550 are configured to mount to horizontal member of gate
154, however other or additional brackets configured to mount to
vertical and/or horizontal members of gate 154 can be provided.
[0053] In general, holder 500 is mounted to gate 154 with brackets
550 at a selectable height. According to an exemplary embodiment,
holder 500 is mounted to gate 154 at a highest extent available for
accommodating brackets 550. Mounting holder 500 at such a location
accommodates nesting of another holder 500, as illustrated in FIG.
9. In addition, holder 500 being mounted to gate 154 avoids
interference with handle 156 to permit a user to easily grasp
handle 156 to push shopping cart 150. It should be understood that
holder 500 can be mounted, for example, using additional brackets
(not shown), to extend and be located above a highest extent of
gate 154 or handle 156. Mounting holder 500 near a top of gate 154
provides the advantages of a reasonable height for placing an
infant carrier in holder 500 for a majority of users, as well as a
low center of gravity for the infant carrier with respect to
shopping cart 150. Such a placement of holder 500 also reserves the
majority of shopping cart 150 for products being selected for
purchase, while preserving the ability of shopping cart 150 to nest
with other like shopping carts 150, even when those other shopping
carts 150 include a holder 500.
[0054] According to an exemplary embodiment, brackets 550 used to
mount holder 500 to shopping cart 150 can include angular
adjustment devices (not shown) that can be used to adjust the
mounting angle of holder 500. Typically, an infant carrier has a
desired angle of approximately 45 degrees for positioning an
infant. The angle of 45 degrees for the infant is typically
obtained when the infant carrier is rested on a flat surface, or in
a mating base used for a motor vehicle seat. The concave or scallop
shape of holder 500 promotes positioning of an infant carrier at a
desired angle to obtain the desired 45 degrees for the infant. By
adjusting the mounting angle of holder 500 mounted on shopping cart
150, the desired angle for supporting an infant carrier can be
adjusted on an individual basis per shopping cart 150. Accordingly,
such a mounting angle adjustment, which can be achieved using
wedges (not shown) located between front edge 508 and shopping cart
150, provides a customized mounting solution for obtaining a
desired mounting angle. Such wedges can be provided in different
angular configurations to permit selection of various mounting
angles. Such wedges can also be combined to obtain a desired angle
for mounting holder 500. Alternately, or in addition, holder 500
can be integral with shopping cart 150, such as by being formed as
part of gate 154. In such an embodiment, front edge 508 may be
omitted, so that gate 154 acts as a front edge for holder 500 that
is integrated with shopping cart 150. In such an integral
embodiment, angular adjustment devices can also be used to obtain a
desired mounting angle.
[0055] Holder 500 is generally concavely curved in shape to obtain
several advantages. The generally concave shape of holder 500
provides additional security for an infant carrier placed within
holder 500, as the infant carrier is generally urged into a stable
location by the curved surfaces, including rear wall 504, floor
506, sidewalls 502, ramps 510 and protrusions 518. In particular,
an infant carrier placed in holder 500 tends to be urged by the
concave shape to slide downward toward gate 154 of shopping cart
150. An end of a carrier support (not shown) or an end of the
carrier (not shown) is thus urged toward edge 508 to abut
protrusions 518. This configuration can thus support the carrier in
a stable position due to the urging provided by the concave shape
of holder 500 and the abutment against protrusions 518.
[0056] The generally concave shape also contributes to permitting
holder 500 to perform a nesting action. Referring to FIG. 9, an
exterior lower edge portion of holder 500 is relatively higher than
handle 156, due at least in part to the generally concave shape of
holder 500. When shopping cart 150 is urged into another cart in a
nesting action, holder 500 can ride over handle 156 to urge gate
154 to pivot upward. Moreover, such positioning permits holder 500
to ride over handle 156 when another cart is nested into shopping
cart 150, so that handle 156 does not block holder 500 from
pivoting upward with gate 154 during such nesting.
[0057] When another cart is nested into shopping cart 150, and gate
154 is pivoted upward, holder 500 moves from riding over handle 156
to an upright position. In moving through these positions in a
pivoting motion, holder 500 avoids contact with another holder 500
mounted to another shopping cart 150 into which shopping cart 150
is being nested, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The concave shape of
rails 540, for example, provides a clearance for a rear edge and
rear wall 504 of holder 500 to pass by during nesting without
interference between holders 500.
[0058] Holder 500 can also be configured to have rails 540 contact
and slide on rails 540 of a second holder 500 on a second shopping
cart 150 in a nesting action. In this exemplary configuration, a
first shopping cart 150 is nested into a second shopping cart 150,
as illustrated in FIG. 9, and rails or top edges, 540 of a first
holder 500 on the first shopping cart 150 contact and ride on rails
540 of a second holder 500 on the second shopping cart 150 during
nesting. Since rails 540 are concave or scallop shaped, rails 540
of the first holder 500 can contact rails 540 of the second holder
500 on a curved contour to reduce impact. Rails 540 of the first
holder 500 can then ride the curved rails 540 of the second holder
500, which urge the first holder 500 into an upright position to
assist in the nesting action. The two sidewalls 502 of the first
infant carrier holder 500 are sized and shaped to permit the second
infant carrier holder 500 mounted to the second shopping cart to
pass by the top edges 540 of the sidewalls 502 when the first
shopping cart is nested into the second shopping cart. If the first
holder 500 is attached to gate 154, gate 154 is also urged to pivot
upward toward a nesting position, which can contribute to
permitting an additional shopping cart 150 to nest with the already
nested cart 150. Rails 540 of holder 500 can be provided with a
hardened plastic or metal surface to permit rails 540 of another
holder 500 to contact and slide on the hardened plastic or metal
surface of the so configured rails 540. It should be understood
that any type of material can be used for the surface of rails 540
to permit contact and sliding or riding action by rails 540 or rear
wall 504 of another holder 500.
[0059] The concave shape of rails 540 also contribute to reducing a
height of sidewalls 502. The reduced height of sidewalls 502
contributes to stabilizing an infant carrier placed in holder 500.
Infant carriers typically have a handle that the user can grasp and
use to transport the infant carrier. The handle is typically
coupled to the infant carrier at a pivot joint on lateral sides of
the infant carrier. Often, the pivot joint is locked to prevent the
infant carrier from pivoting when being carried by the handle. The
pivot joints of the infant carrier typically extend laterally from
the sides of the infant carrier and are often located near the bed
portion of the infant carrier. By providing sidewalls 502 with a
reduced height, the pivot joints of the infant carrier are spaced
from rails 540 of holder 500, to avoid having the pivot joints of
the infant carrier rest on rails 540 of holder 500. With this
configuration, the infant carrier is supported by its base on floor
506 and/or ramps 510, to provide a stable support for the infant
carrier. The clearance from the pivot joints of the infant carrier
provided by the reduced height of sidewalls 502 avoids the infant
carrier being supported by the pivot joints. Such a relationship
avoids a less stable support arrangement for the infant carrier,
where the infant carrier would likely be able to rock or move when
supported by the pivot joints.
[0060] It should be understood that carrier 500 can be mounted in
other locations on shopping cart 150, using brackets 550 or other
attachment configurations. In some locations, holder 500 may
interfere with shopping cart 150 being urged into a nesting
configuration with another shopping cart 150, or may interfere with
another shopping cart 150 being urged into a nesting configuration
with shopping cart 150 having holder 500. For example, holder 500
may be mounted within a basket of shopping cart 150 to lower a
height of an infant carrier placed on or within holder 500. In such
a location, holder 500 may be below handle 156 and be blocked from
pivoting upward in a nesting action. Holder 500 being located lower
in the basket of shopping cart 150 may be free to pivot upward in a
nesting action when shopping cart 150 is not nested into another
cart, but not when another cart is nested into shopping cart 150.
Because shopping cart 150 with holder 500 in a lower position in
the basket may respond differently to different nesting actions, it
may be treated separately from other carts by a manager of a retail
establishment as providing the feature of an infant carrier
holder.
[0061] Referring to FIGS. 10-12, another exemplary embodiment of
the infant carrier holder in accordance with the present disclosure
is illustrated. The illustrated holder is formed out of tubular
material that can be metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel, or
other materials including plastics and composites of fiber and
polymers, or any other material suitable for providing the desired
strength and durability for supporting an infant carrier in harsh
environments, such as is discussed above.
[0062] The illustrated holder is similar in function to holder 500,
as being mounted on a gate of a shopping cart to pivot upward with
the gate in a nesting action. The illustrated holder is also
scoop-shaped, or concave, to permit sequential shopping carts with
the holder mounted thereon to have clearance for a pivoting action
when the gate to which the holder is mounted pivots upward in a
nesting action. In addition, the shape permits the holder to be
urged upward, for example by the handle of a shopping cart into
which the shopping cart/holder combination is being nested. The
concave shape of the holder provides a front edge that is generally
higher than the handle of a shopping cart into which the
holder/shopping cart combination is being nested when the holder is
mounted to the gate of the shopping cart. With this shape, size and
position, the holder is able to pivot with the gate in a nesting
action, as well as urge the gate to pivot when being nested, and
can swing upward with the gate without interference or interfering
with other shopping carts or holders mounted thereto.
[0063] The holder illustrated in FIGS. 10-12 includes support
members that extend from a front to a back of the holder near a
centerline of the holder. These support members provide support for
the infant holder, as illustrated in FIG. 11, near a centerline of
the infant holder. Accordingly, the illustrated holder does not
depend on ramps to stabilize the infant carrier, but rather a
stabilizing centerline support that fits infant carriers in
general. For example, infant carriers often have two curved
supports at a lower portion to support the infant carrier being
placed on a surface, such as a table or floor, while permitting the
infant carrier to be rocked on the curved supports. The curved
supports are typically implemented as runners, such as might be
found on a rocking chair, with a gap in between. The support
members of the illustrated holder support the infant carrier in the
gap between the curved supports to provide a secure and stable
mounting for the infant carrier.
[0064] In addition, the outer frame of the illustrated holder acts
to stabilize the infant carrier while being supported by the
support members. The outer frame tends to retain the infant carrier
in a position on the support members, and thus on the holder, to
enhance the stability and support for the infant carrier. The size
and shape of the outer frame also helps to urge the infant carrier
towards the gate, or rear, of the shopping cart to provide
additional stabilization, as illustrated in FIG. 11. By urging the
infant carrier into contact with the gate or outer frame of the
holder that is adjacent the gate, the holder contributes to the
positioning of the infant carrier in a stable and secure location.
This location is supported by the support members and their
generally concave shape, and the gate of the shopping cart, as well
as by the outer frame of the outer frame of the holder. As with the
other exemplary embodiments discussed above, the illustrated holder
can be provided with straps, buckle segments and/or adjusters to
secure the infant carrier to the holder. Any suitable type of
securing mechanism can be used, including those mentioned above, to
secure the infant carrier to the holder.
[0065] It should be understood that while the present disclosure
describes various exemplary embodiments of an infant carrier
holder, numerous variations and modifications can be applied to the
disclosed embodiments, or other embodiments, that should be
considered within the scope of the present disclosure. For example,
the infant carrier holder can be mountable on or integral with a
shopping cart. The protrusions or ramps, such as protrusions 518 or
ramps 510, can be provided or omitted according to useful
configurations of the infant carrier holder. The infant carrier
holder can be located within a basket of a shopping cart, or
mounted outside of a basket and can be configured to face various
directions, while being nestable or non-nestable with other
shopping carts and/or infant carrier holders. Moreover,
characteristics described for a given embodiment of the infant
carrier holder can be applied to or omitted from other exemplary
embodiments described herein. For example, one or more of the
embodiments described herein can be configured so that the infant
carrier holders are stackable for purposes of compact shipping. As
another example, the infant carrier holder may be provided as a
plastic or metal wire frame that can be attached to or integral
with a shopping cart.
[0066] The foregoing description has been directed to particular
embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent,
however, that other variations and modifications may be made to the
described embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their
advantages. The appended claims are intended to cover all such
variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and
scope of the disclosed invention.
* * * * *