U.S. patent number RE48,174 [Application Number 15/981,802] was granted by the patent office on 2020-08-25 for non-abrasive secure attachment device for a multi-cart control system.
The grantee listed for this patent is Justin Grimes. Invention is credited to Justin Grimes.
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United States Patent |
RE48,174 |
Grimes |
August 25, 2020 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Non-abrasive secure attachment device for a multi-cart control
system
Abstract
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a cinch for securing
a train of nested shopping carts, the cinch having a non-abrasive
cart-handle coupler for securely attaching the cinch to a
shopping-cart handle of a front and/or rear cart of the train. In
an illustrative example, the non-abrasive cart-handle coupler may
include a soft loop of braid configured to latchedly circumscribe
the shopping-cart handle. In an exemplary embodiment, the
non-abrasive cart-handle coupler may include a latching hook having
a non-abrasive handle-engagement surface. In some embodiments, the
cinch may secure both a front and a rear cart of the train of
nested shopping carts. In some embodiments, a ratcheting member may
be used to tighten the cinch that secures the train of nested
carts. When tightened, the train of carts may bow upwardly,
elevating wheels attached to carts at both the front and rear ends
of the train.
Inventors: |
Grimes; Justin (Minneapolis,
MN) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Grimes; Justin |
Minneapolis |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family
ID: |
1000004214562 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/981,802 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
14640733 |
Mar 6, 2015 |
9340223 |
May 17, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B
3/1404 (20130101); B66D 3/02 (20130101); B66D
3/04 (20130101); B62B 3/1404 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B62B
3/14 (20060101); B66D 3/02 (20060101); B66D
3/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;280/33.992 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Kugel; Timothy J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Thompson; Craige Thompson Patent
Law
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cinch for securing a train of nested shopping carts, the cinch
comprising: a rope .[.having a substantially-zero-stretch core, the
rope.]. having a first end coupled to an operator handle and a
second end coupled to a first shopping-cart attachment member; a
winch module having a free-rotating mode and a ratcheting mode, the
winch module including: a winch housing; a ratcheting pulley
rotatably coupled to the winch housing, wherein the rope is looped
about a semi-annular portion of the ratcheting pulley separating
the rope into a tightening portion, a pulley-contacting portion and
a free portion, the tightening portion being between the first
shopping-cart attachment member and the pulley-contacting portion,
and the free portion being between the operator handle and the
pulley-contacting portion; and a ratchet-control member configured
to select between the free-rotating mode and the ratcheting mode;
.[.and.]. a second shopping-cart attachment member coupled to the
winch housing, each of the first and second shopping-cart
attachment members having a cart-handle coupler configured to
securely couple to a handle of a shopping cart, wherein, when
securely coupled to a shopping-cart handle, the shopping-cart
attachment member substantially circumscribes the shopping-cart
handle, wherein, to remove the shopping-cart attachment member from
the shopping-cart handle, a latching gate is actuated.Iadd.; and, a
retrofittable protective cover removably enclosing at least one of
the first and second shopping-cart attachment members, the
retrofittable protective cover comprising a split opening that
bisects the retrofittable protective cover into identically shaped
right and left sides, wherein the retrofittable protective cover is
form-fitted to the at least one of the first and second
shopping-cart attachment members to make intimate physical contact
between an inner surface of the retrofittable protective cover and
an outer surface of the at least one of the first and second
shopping-cart attachment members, wherein the retrofittable
protective cover at least partially encloses a non-linear portion
of at least one of the first and second shopping-cart attachment
members, such that when at least one of the first and second
shopping-cart attachment members enclosed by the retrofittable
protective cover is securely coupled to an object, the
retrofittable protective cover operates as a barrier between the
object and the at least one of the first and second shopping-cart
attachment members enclosed by the retrofittable protective
cover.Iaddend..
2. The cinch of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second
shopping-cart attachment members comprises a hook having the
latching gate, wherein the hook has a non-abrasive handle
engagement surface that engages the shopping cart handle when the
handle-attachment member is securely attached to a shopping-cart
handle.
3. The cinch of claim 2, wherein the non-abrasive handle engagement
surface comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM)
rubber.
4. The cinch of claim 2, wherein the non-abrasive handle engagement
surface has a hardness durometer between 60 and 80.
5. The cinch of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second
shopping-cart attachment members comprises an adjacent pair of
ropes, each having a substantially circular cross-sectional
profile.
.[.6. The cinch of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second
shopping-cart attachment members comprises rope having a
zero-stretch core..].
7. The cinch of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second
shopping-cart attachment members comprises a carabiner and a hook
with a spring loaded .[.gait.]. .Iadd.gate.Iaddend..
8. The cinch of claim 1, wherein the ratchet-control member has a
spring biasing .[.a pulley-engaging.]. .Iadd.the ratchet-control
.Iaddend.member in the .[.locked.]. .Iadd.ratcheting
.Iaddend.mode.
.[.9. The cinch of claim 1, wherein the rope further comprising a
braiding that covers the substantially-zero-stretch core..].
.[.10. The cinch of claim 1, wherein the substantially-zero-stretch
core comprises polyester..].
11. The cinch of claim 1, wherein the handle is substantially
cylindrical and has an axial lumen through which the rope
passes.
12. The cinch of claim 11, wherein an end of the rope that passes
through the axial lumen of the handle is secured the rope via a
crimped member.
13. A method for reducing the number of ground-contacting wheels in
a train of nested shopping-carts, the method comprising: securely
attaching a first handle-attachment member to a shopping-cart
handle of a first shopping cart of a train of nested shopping
carts, the first handle-attachment member coupled to a first end of
a .[.substantially-zero-stretch.]. rope; securely attaching a
second handle-attachment member to a shopping-cart handle of a last
shopping cart of a train of nested shopping carts, the second
handle-attachment member coupled to a tightening member; pulling a
handle attached to a second end of the
.[.substantially-zero-stretch.]. rope, the
.[.substantially-zero-stretch.]. rope looped about a ratcheting
pulley of the tightening member; rotating the ratcheting pulley of
the tightening member in response to the pulling of the handle;
decreasing a length of a tightening portion of the
.[.substantially-zero-stretch.]. rope, the tightening portion being
between the first handle-attachment member and a pulley-contacting
portion of the .[.substantially-zero-stretch.]. rope; and
decreasing a distance between the handle of the first shopping cart
and the handle of the .Iadd.last .Iaddend.second shopping cart in
response to the decreasing length of the tightening portion,
thereby causing the train of nested shopping carts to bow upwardly
raising wheels of a front and a rear shopping cart in the train of
nested shopping carts, wherein each of the first and second
handle-attachment members has a non-abrasive handle engagement
surface that engages the shopping cart handle when the
handle-attachment member is securely attached to a shopping-cart
handle, wherein the first and second handle-attachment members
remain securely attached to the shopping-cart handle without a user
actuating a latching device.Iadd., wherein a retrofittable
protective cover removably encloses at least one of the first and
second handle-attachment members, the retrofittable protective
cover comprising a split opening that bisects the retrofittable
protective cover into identically shaped right and left sides,
wherein the retrofittable protective cover is form-fitted to the at
least one of the first and second handle-attachment members to make
intimate physical contact between an inner surface of the
retrofittable protective cover and an outer surface of the at least
one of the first and second handle-attachment members, wherein the
retrofittable protective cover at least partially encloses a
non-linear portion of at least one of the first and second
handle-attachment members, such that when at least one of the first
and second handle-attachment members enclosed by the retrofittable
protective cover is securely coupled to an object, the
retrofittable protective cover operates as a barrier between the
object and the at least one of the first and second
handle-attachment members enclosed by the retrofittable protective
cover.Iaddend..
14. The method of claim 13, wherein each of the first and second
.[.shopping-cart attachment.]. .Iadd.handle-attachment
.Iaddend.members comprises a hook having the latching gate, wherein
the hook has a non-abrasive handle engagement surface that engages
the shopping cart handle when the handle-attachment member is
securely attached to a shopping-cart handle.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein each of the first and second
.[.shopping-cart attachment.]. .Iadd.handle-attachment
.Iaddend.members comprises an adjacent pair of ropes, each having a
substantially circular cross-sectional profile.
16. A cinch for securing a train of nested shopping carts, the
cinch comprising: a rope .[.comprising a substantially-zero-stretch
core, the rope.]. having an operator handle coupled to a first end
and a first coupling member coupled to a second end; a winch module
having a locked mode and an unlocked mode, the winch module
including: a winch housing; a second coupling member attached to
the winch housing; a ratcheting pulley rotatably coupled to the
winch housing, wherein the rope is looped about a semi-annular
portion of the ratcheting pulley separating the rope into a
tightening portion, a pulley-contacting portion and a free portion,
the tightening portion being between the first coupling member and
the pulley-contacting portion, and the free portion being between
the operator handle and the pulley-contacting portion; and a
locking-control member configured to select between the locked mode
and the unlocked mode; means for nonabrasively securing a handle of
a first shopping cart of a nested train of shopping carts to the
first coupling member of the cinch; .[.and.]. means for
nonabrasively securing a handle of a last shopping cart of the
nested train of shopping carts to the second coupling member of the
cinch.Iadd.; and, a retrofittable protective cover removably
enclosing at least one of the means for nonabraisively securing a
handle of a shopping cart, the retrofittable protective cover
comprising a split opening that bisects the retrofittable
protective cover into identically shaped right and left sides,
wherein the retrofittable protective cover is form-fitted to the at
least one of the means for nonabraisively securing a handle of a
shopping cart to make intimate physical contact between an inner
surface of the retrofittable protective cover and an outer surface
of the at least one of the means for nonabraisively securing a
handle of a shopping cart, wherein the retrofittable protective
cover at least partially encloses a non-linear portion of at least
one of the means for nonabraisively securing a handle of a shopping
cart, such that when at least one of the means for nonabraisively
securing a handle of a shopping cart enclosed by the retrofittable
protective cover is securely coupled to an object, the
retrofittable protective cover operates as a barrier between the
object and the at least one of the means for nonabraisively
securing a handle of a shopping cart enclosed by the retrofittable
protective cover.Iaddend..
17. The cinch of claim 16, wherein the means for nonabrasively
securing a handle of a shopping cart to a coupling member of the
cinch includes a hook having the latching gate, wherein the hook
has a non-abrasive handle engagement surface that engages the
shopping cart handle when the .[.handle-attachment.].
.Iadd.coupling .Iaddend.member is securely attached to a
shopping-cart handle.
18. The cinch of claim 17, wherein the non-abrasive handle
engagement surface comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer
(EPDM) rubber.
19. The cinch of claim 16, wherein the means for nonabrasively
securing a handle of a shopping cart to a coupling member of the
cinch includes an adjacent pair of ropes, each having a
substantially circular cross-sectional profile.
20. The cinch of claim 16, wherein the means for nonabrasively
securing a handle of a shopping cart to a coupling member of the
cinch include a carabiner.
.[.21. The cinch of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and
second shopping-cart attachment members is removably enclosed in a
retrofittable protective cover having a split opening..].
.[.22. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and
second shopping-cart attachment members is removably enclosed in a
retrofittable protective cover having a split opening..].
.[.23. The cinch of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and
second shopping-cart attachment members is removably enclosed in a
retrofittable protective cover having a split opening..].
.Iadd.24. A cinch comprising: a first rope having a first rope
first end coupled to an operator handle and a first rope second end
coupled to a first attachment member; a winch module having a
free-rotating mode and a ratcheting mode, the winch module
including: a winch housing; a ratcheting pulley rotatably coupled
to the winch housing, wherein the rope is looped about a
semi-annular portion of the ratcheting pulley separating the rope
into a tightening portion, a pulley-contacting portion and a free
portion, the tightening portion being between the first attachment
member and the pulley-contacting portion, and the free portion
being between the operator handle and the pulley-contacting
portion; and, a ratchet-control member configured to select between
the free-rotating mode and the ratcheting mode; and a second
attachment member operatively coupled to the winch module and
configured to securely couple to a first object, wherein the
attachment member comprises: a second rope extending from a second
rope first end to a second rope second end, the second rope first
end having a first loop and the second rope second end having a
second loop; a second attachment member latching hook comprising a
second attachment member latching gate having a closed mode and an
opened mode; and, a carabiner directly coupled to the winch module,
wherein in the closed mode, (A) the second rope first loop is
securely retained by the second attachment member latching gate of
the second attachment member latching hook, such that the second
rope is configured to securely couple to the first object, (B) the
carabiner is directly coupled to the second rope second loop, and
(C) the carabiner is directly coupled to the second attachment
member latching hook, wherein in the open mode, the second rope
first loop is free from the second attachment member latching gate
of the second attachment member latching hook to permit the rope to
releasably capture the first object to which the winch is to be
securely coupled, wherein the first attachment member has a first
attachment member coupler configured to securely couple to a second
object, wherein, when securely coupled to the second object, the
first attachment member substantially circumscribes the second
object, wherein, to remove the first attachment member from the
second object, a first attachment member latching gate is
actuated..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. A cinch comprising: a winch module comprising: a winch
housing; and, a ratcheting pulley rotatably coupled to the winch
housing; and, an attachment member operatively coupled to the winch
module and configured to securely couple to an object, wherein the
attachment member comprises: a rope extending from a first end to a
second end, the first end having a first loop and the second end
having a second loop; a latching hook comprising a latching gate
having a closed mode and an opened mode; and, a carabiner directly
coupled to the winch module, wherein in the closed mode, (A) the
first loop of the rope is securely retained by the latching gate of
the latching hook, such that the rope is configured to securely
couple to the object, (B) the carabiner is directly coupled to the
second loop, and (C) the carabiner is directly coupled to the
latching hook, wherein in the open mode, the first loop of the rope
is free from the latching gate of the latching hook to permit the
rope to releasably capture the object to which the winch is to be
securely coupled..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The cinch of claim 25, further comprising a first crimp
device operatively coupled to the first end of the rope and a
second crimp device operatively coupled to the second end of the
rope..Iaddend.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
Ser. No. 61/949,785, entitled "Multi-Cart Control System," filed by
Justin Grimes on Mar. 7, 2014 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser.
No. 61/949,758, entitled "Lever Dolly for Motorized Shopping Cart,"
filed by Justin Grimes on Mar. 7, 2014, and U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/129,100, entitled "Multi-Cart Control
System," filed by Justin Grimes on Mar. 6, 2015. The entirety of
the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
Various embodiments relate generally to a ratcheting cinch for
securing a train of nested shopping carts.
BACKGROUND
Shopping carts are used at stores and malls throughout the United
States and the world. Shopping carts come in various sizes and
styles. Shopping carts assist shoppers who intend to purchase
either a heavy item or a multitude of items. Shopping carts may
have a basket supported by a wheeled base. A shopper may control
the shopping cart by pushing upon a handle connected to either the
basket or the wheeled base. The shopper may then use the cart to
move any contents within the basket with a minimum of effort.
A shopper may obtain a shopping cart upon entry of a store or
shopping center. The shopper may use the shopping cart for the
duration of the shopping experience. Items which the shopper
intends to purchase may be temporarily placed into the basket.
After purchasing any selected items, the items may be bagged and
then returned to the shopping cart. The user may then wheel the
purchased items to a car parked in a parking lot adjacent to the
store or shopping center. The shopper may then transfer the
purchased items from the shopping cart and into the car. The empty
shopping cart may then be abandoned in the parking lot. Often, an
area is reserved for abandoned shopping carts.
Shopping carts may be designed to nest so as to permit a train of
carts to be joined together. A store employee may return abandoned
shopping carts from the parking lot to the store or shopping
center.
SUMMARY
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a cinch for securing a
train of nested shopping carts, the cinch having a non-abrasive
cart-handle coupler for securely attaching the cinch to a
shopping-cart handle of a front and/or rear cart of the train. In
an illustrative example, the non-abrasive cart-handle coupler may
include a soft loop of braid configured to latchedly circumscribe
the shopping-cart handle. In an exemplary embodiment, the
non-abrasive cart-handle coupler may include a latching hook having
a non-abrasive handle-engagement surface. In some embodiments, the
cinch may secure both a front and a rear cart of the train of
nested shopping carts. In some embodiments, a ratcheting member may
be used to tighten the cinch that secures the train of nested
carts. When tightened, the train of carts may bow upwardly,
elevating wheels attached to carts at both the front and rear ends
of the train.
Some embodiments may relate to a cart control system for
maneuvering a plurality of nested shopping carts, such as for
example a front shopping cart, a rear shopping cart, and one or
more shopping carts loosely nested between. In an illustrative
embodiment, a first connecting end may connect to the front cart, a
second connecting end may connect to the rear cart, and a
tensioning assembly may connect the first and second connecting
ends. For example, the tensioning assembly may be used to apply an
inward force to the connecting ends, thus minimizing a separation
distance between the connecting ends to tightly nest the shopping
carts together. The connecting ends may include a hook and strap
assembly for encircling a corresponding shopping-cart handle. In
some embodiments, the tension assembly may include a handgrip for a
user to apply a cinching force upon the connecting ends.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the tensioning assembly
may include an elongated member strung through a tension mechanism.
In an illustrative embodiment, the tension mechanism may be a
ratchet-type device. The tension mechanism may include a release
mechanism for releasing the inward force applied to the connecting
ends. In an illustrative embodiment, the release mechanism may be a
release lever integrated into the tension mechanism. In some
embodiments, the release mechanism may be a push-button type.
In an illustrative embodiment, the handgrip may be a D-shape. In
some embodiments, the handgrip may include padding. In an exemplary
embodiment, one or more of the connecting ends may be integrated
into the shopping carts. In some embodiments, the elongated member
may be releasably or windably integrated into the shopping carts.
In some exemplary embodiments, the shopping carts may include an
integrated receiver for receiving the corresponding connecting end
such that the cinching force is applied to the receiver rather than
directly to the shopping-cart handle. In some exemplary
embodiments, the connecting ends and/or receiver may be custom to a
particular shopping cart or shopping-cart handle.
Various embodiments may achieve one or more advantages. For
example, some embodiments may permit for a user to maneuver a
plurality of shopping carts while maintaining control of a
direction and speed of each of the shopping carts. In an exemplary
embodiment, a user may direct a plurality of shopping carts (e.g.,
8 or more shopping carts) around one or more corners without losing
control of the shopping carts. For example, each of the shopping
carts may be nested tightly together between the first and second
connecting ends, thus preventing any of the shopping carts from
straying.
In an exemplary embodiment, a non-rigid attachment device may
secure a shopping-cart handle without marring or deforming the
handle when tightened. For example, a first fabric belt may loop
the handle of a rearmost shopping cart and close upon a first end
of the winch. In some embodiments, a second fabric belt, for
example, may loop a handle of a frontmost shopping cart and close
upon a second end of the winch. One of the first or second ends of
the winch may attach to a braid member that threads through a
ratcheting device. The user may simply pull upon a free end of the
braid member to tighten the winch. When tightened, the nested
shipping carts may bow so as to make airborne wheels of the front
and/or rear carts. The reduction of the ground contacting wheels
may facilitate the maneuverability of the nested shopping carts. A
hand operated release mechanism may facilitate the release of the
shopping carts once maneuvered into a desired location.
The details of various embodiments are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and
advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and
from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A-1B depict side-elevation views of a plurality of shopping
carts tightly nested together with an exemplary multi-cart control
system.
FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary multi-cart
control system.
FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary ratcheting member
of a multi-cart control system.
FIGS. 4A-4B depict perspective and side-elevation views of an
exemplary shopping-cart connector.
FIGS. 5A-5C depict side-elevation views of an exemplary
retrofittable protective cover for a shopping-cart connector.
FIGS. 6A-6C depict side-elevation views of an exemplary
shopping-cart connecting member with a cart-protective cover.
FIG. 7A depicts a side-elevation view of a plurality of shopping
carts tightly nested together with an exemplary multi-cart control
system.
FIG. 7B-7D are side-elevation views depicting a sequence of an
exemplary multi-cart control system engaging a shopping cart.
FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary tension mechanism
with an alternate connecting end.
FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary multi-cart
control system.
FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary multi-cart
control system.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
To aid understanding, this document is organized as follows. First,
operation of an exemplary multi-cart control system is introduced,
with reference to FIGS. 1A-1B. The disclosed operation will detail
some of the advantages that accrue using such an exemplary control
system. Second, with reference to FIGS. 2-3, the exemplary
multi-cart control system will be described in more detail. Various
exemplary components of the FIG. 1 depicted embodiment will be
described. Then, with reference to FIGS. 4A-4B, various handle
engagement devices will be disclosed. Next, with reference to FIGS.
5A-6C, exemplary multi-cart low-abrasive handle engagement methods
will be discussed. Then, with reference to FIGS. 7A-7D, an
exemplary multi-cart control system will be described. Finally,
with reference to FIGS. 8-10, details of the FIGS. 7A-7D depicted
system will be described.
FIGS. 1A-1B depict side-elevation views of a plurality of shopping
carts tightly nested together with an exemplary multi-cart control
system. In FIG. 1A, a nested train 100 of shopping carts are being
secured by an exemplary multi-cart control system 105. The nested
train 100 has a lead cart 110 and a caboose cart 115. The exemplary
multi-cart control system 105 has a securing rope 120, a ratcheting
member 125 and a coupling device 130. The securing rope 120 has a
free portion 135 and a tightening portion 140. The tightening
portion 140 extends from a cart-handle securing member 145 to the
ratcheting member 125. The free portion 135 extends from the
ratcheting member 125 to an operator handle 150. In FIG. 1A, the
cart-handle securing member 145 of the securing rope 120 is coupled
to a shopping-cart handle 180 of the lead cart 110. In FIG. 1B, the
coupling device 130 of the ratcheting member 125 has been coupled
to the shopping-cart handle 180 of the caboose cart 115. The
operator handle 150 has been pulled so as to lengthen the free
portion 135 of the securing rope 120. When the free portion 135 is
so lengthened, the tightening portion 140 is reduced, thereby
tightening the nested train 100 of shopping carts. When the nested
train 100 of shopping carts is secured tightly, wheels 175 of both
the lead cart 110 and the rear cart 115 are lifted above a ground
surface, as shown if FIG. 1B. Lifting some of the wheels of the
nested train 100 of shopping carts advantageously facilitates a
mobility of the nested train 100 of shopping carts.
In some embodiments, the ratcheting member 125 has a free-rotating
mode, and a ratcheting mode. When in the free-rotating mode, the
securing rope 120 can move through the ratcheting member 125 in
either direction. For example, when in the free-rotating mode, if
one lengthens the free portion 135 of the securing rope 120, the
tightening portion 140 will be commensurately reduced. And, when in
the free-rotating mode, if one lengthens the tightening portion
140, the free portion 135 will be commensurately reduced. But when
in the ratcheting mode, the ratcheting member 125 will permit the
securing rope 120 to be moved therethrough in only one direction.
For example, when in the ratcheting mode, if one pulls on the free
portion 135, the tightening portion 140 will be commensurately
reduced. But, when in the ratcheting mode, if one pulls on the
tightening portion 140, the ratcheting member will not permit the
tightening portion 140 to lengthen, and thus no reduction of the
free portion 135 will result. Such a ratcheting mode may
advantageously facilitate the secure maintenance of the nested
train 100 of shopping carts in the bowed configuration shown in
FIG. 1B with lead and caboose wheels 175 lifted above a ground
surface.
FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary multi-cart
control system. In FIG. 2, a multi-cart control system 100 includes
a securing rope 120, a ratcheting member 125 and a securing member
130. The securing rope 120 routes from an operator handle 150
through the ratcheting member 125, and to a securing member 145.
The ratcheting member 125 delineates two portions of the securing
rope 120. A free portion 135 of the securing rope 120 is defined
between the operator handle 150 and the ratcheting member 125. A
tightening portion 140 is defined between the ratcheting member 125
and the securing member 145. The securing rope 120 may be sized to
accommodate various numbers of shopping carts in a nested train 100
of shopping carts. For example, in some embodiments, the securing
rope may have a length greater than N times a pitch 185 (see FIG.
1A) between adjacent shopping carts of a nested train 100. For
example, N may be 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 13 shopping carts.
The ratcheting member 125 shown in FIG. 2, is pivotably connected
to the securing member 130 via a pivoting member 190. In some
embodiments, the securing member 130 may be rigidly coupled to the
ratcheting member 125. In some embodiment, a rope may couple the
securing member 130 to the ratcheting member 125. In an exemplary
embodiment, a chain may couple the securing member 130 to the
ratcheting member 125.
FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary ratcheting member
of a multi-cart control system. The exemplary ratcheting member 300
depicted in FIG. 3 includes a body 305 pivotably coupled to a
handle hook 320 via a pivot member 325. A ratcheting pulley 310 is
rotatably coupled to the body 305. The ratcheting pulley 310 has a
rope engagement surface 330 configured to provide a friction
surface to engage a rope. The friction surface 330 may have a
texture that is complementary to a texture of a rope, for example.
The ratcheting pulley 310 may have a series of locking features
circumferentially distributed about the ratcheting pulley 310. The
locking features may engage a spring loaded locking member 315.
When the locking features engage the spring-loaded locking member
315, the ratcheting pulley 310 may be prevented from rotating in a
rotational direction. For example, when the spring-loaded locking
member 315 engages a locking feature, the ratcheting pulley may be
prevented from rotation in the counter-clockwise direction as seen
from the perspective of FIG. 3.
FIGS. 4A-4B depict perspective and side-elevation views of an
exemplary shopping-cart connector. In FIG. 4A, an exemplary
cart-engagement hook 400 includes a pivot aperture 405, a handle
cushion 415 and an open engagement cavity 410. The cart-engagement
hook 400 may be configured to engage a handle of a shopping cart
having a predetermined geometry. For example, a round engagement
cavity 410 may be configured to engage a handle having a
substantially round cross-sectional profile. A square engagement
cavity may be configured to engage a handle having a substantially
square cross-sectional profile.
In FIG. 4B, an exemplary cart-engagement hook 420 includes a pivot
aperture 425, an open engagement cavity 430 and a cushioned
engagement portion 435. Various materials may be used in
manufacturing the exemplary cart-engagement hooks 400, 420. For
example, the hook may be made using a steel or steel alloy. In some
embodiments, aluminum may be used to provide light rigidity to the
cart-engagement hooks 400, 420. Various means for providing a
cushioned handle interface may be used. For example, a hook 400,
420 may be dipped into a liquid bath of cushioning material. In
some embodiments, a rubber or foam may provide a cushioned handle
interface. In an exemplary embodiment a plastic material may
provide a cushioned handle interface. In some embodiments, a woven
material may provide a cushioned handle interface, for example. In
some embodiments a cushioning material may be adhesively affixed to
a cart-engagement hook.
Various exemplary cart-engagement hooks 420 may include various
types of cushioning material. For example, in some embodiments, the
cushion material may be of EPDM rubber, for example. EPDM rubber
may advantageously provide UV resistance. Various cushioning
materials may be chose to provide a soft cart-interfacing surface.
Some cushioning materials may be pliable so as not to damage a
shopping-cart handle. Some shopping-cart handles may include
plastic components that may be broken if damaged (e.g., marred,
dented, deformed, broken, etc.) without a cushioned hook. Various
shopping carts may have various types of handle construction (e.g.,
plastic, tubular steel, plastic covering over steel, etc.). Some
stores, for example, may print a company logo on a plastic
covering. Such a company may desire that the company logo remain
visible after cart use, for example. A cushioned cart-engagement
hook may advantageously prevent damage to shopping cart
handles.
FIGS. 5A-5C depict side-elevation views of an exemplary
retrofittable protective cover for a shopping-cart connector. In
FIGS. 5A-5C, an exemplary retrofittable protective cover 500 is
shown detached from a cart-engagement hook. The depicted protective
cover 500 may be configured to attach to an existing
cart-engagement hook. The depicted retrofittable protective cover
500 may have an interior cavity substantially congruent with a
shape of a cart-engagement hook. The protective cover 500 may have
a split opening 505 to facilitate an insertion of a cart-engagement
hook into the interior cavity of the protective cover 500. The
protective cover 500 may elastically deform during the insertion
process, for example. The protective cover 500 may return to its
natural form when the cart-engagement hook has been fully inserted
into the substantially congruent cavity. The protective cover 500
may have an opening on one end 510 from which an end of the
cart-engagement hook may emerge.
FIGS. 6A-6C depict side-elevation views of an exemplary
shopping-cart connecting member with a cart-protective cover. In
FIGS. 6A-6C, an exemplary cart-engagement hook 600 includes a rigid
hook 605 and a handle cushion 610. The cart-engagement hook 600 has
a handle engagement cavity having a predetermined opening diameter
615. The predetermined opening diameter 615 may be configured to
receive a shopping-cart handle having up to a predetermined
corresponding dimension. The cart-engagement hook 600 has a handle
engagement portion that has an azimuthal curve 620 of a
predetermined angle. In some embodiments, the azimuthal curve may
be approximately 180 degrees. For example, in an exemplary
embodiment, the azimuthal angle may be 160 degrees. In some
embodiments, the azimuthal curve may less than 180 degrees to
facilitate engagement/disengagement of a shopping-cart handle. In
some embodiments, the greater than 180 degrees to prevent
accidental disengagement of a shopping-cart handle. For example, in
an exemplary embodiment, the azimuthal angle may be 200
degrees.
In some embodiments, a shopping-cart connecting member may include
a secure hook with a protective cover. The secure hook may have a
safety latch. In some embodiments, the safety latch may have an
open position and a closed position. In an exemplary embodiment, a
spring bias may provide a force impulse to the safety latch biasing
the safety latch to the closed position. When the secure hook is
affixed to a shopping-cart handle, the safety latch may
advantageously prevent accidental disengagement of the
shopping-cart handle. This in turn may prevent collisions between
renegade shopping carts and other vehicles or persons.
Various embodiments of secure handle coupling devices have been
disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application 62/129,100, entitled
"Multi-Cart Control System," filed by Justin Grimes on Mar. 6,
2015. The entirety of the foregoing applications are hereby
incorporated by reference. In FIGS. 2-9 of this disclosure, various
embodiments of secure handle coupling devices are depicted. For
example, in FIG. 3A an exemplary secure hook 135 with a protective
cover includes a rigid hook 180 and a spring-biased gate 190. The
secure hook 135 has an open mode and a closed mode. In the closed
mode, the spring biased gate has a distal end is biased against the
rigid hook 180. A shopping cart handle 110 may reside within a
closed figure comprising the rigid hook 180 and the spring-biased
gate 190. If the spring-biased gate 190 is forced away from contact
with the rigid hook 180, the secure hook 135 is in the open mode.
When in the open mode, the shopping-cart handle 110 may be inserted
into or removed from the cavity, the cavity now being an open
figure substantially congruent with the rigid hook 180 alone. FIG.
3B of this provisional application depicts an embodiment of a
secure hook 300 having a non-abrasive covering 310.
Various means for securing a shopping cart handle may include, for
example, a hook having a spring biased .[.gait.].
.Iadd.gate.Iaddend.. In some embodiments a hook may have a gate
requiring two user actions for opening, for example. In an
exemplary embodiment, a handle may be securely coupled using a
braid in combination with a secure capture mechanism. In some
embodiments a secure capture mechanism may have a normally closed
mode and a manually openable mode, for example.
FIG. 7A depicts a side-elevation view of a plurality of shopping
carts tightly nested together with an exemplary multi-cart control
system. In the FIG. 7A depiction, a nested train 700 of shopping
carts is being secured by a cart-wheel-lifting apparatus 705. The
nested train has a frontmost cart 710 and a rearmost cart 715. The
cart-wheel-lifting apparatus 705 has a cart-securing lanyard 720
and two shopping-cart coupling members 730, 745. Each of the
shopping-cart coupling members 730, 745 are configured to
releasably couple to a shopping cart, one to the frontmost cart 710
and one to the rearmost cart 715. When the frontmost cart 710 and
rearmost cart 715 are both secured by the shopping-cart coupling
members 730, 745, the cart-wheel lifting apparatus 705 may be used
to reduce the separation distance between locations coupled by the
coupling members 730, 745. The distance between these coupled
locations may be reduced by decreasing a length of a tightening
portion 740 of the cart-securing lanyard 720. This tightening
portion 740 of the cart-securing lanyard 720 may tighten in
response to a user pulling an operator handle 750 attached to a
free portion 735 of the cart-securing lanyard 720.
FIG. 7B-7D are side-elevation views depicting a sequence of an
exemplary multi-cart-securing member a shopping cart. FIGS. 7B-7D
show various still images of a sequence of connecting an exemplary
cart-securing member 730 to a shopping cart 715. The depicted
cart-securing member 730 includes a securing strap 765 coupled to a
ratcheting member 705 via a carabiner 755. The securing strap 765
is threaded under a handle 780 of the shopping cart 715 in FIG. 7B.
The securing strap 765 is then looped around the handle 780 of the
shopping cart 715 in FIG. 7C. The securing strap 765 is then
attaching to a strap coupling member 760 in FIG. 7D. The strap
coupling member 760 is also connected to the carabiner 755, and
thereby coupled to the ratcheting member 705. The shopping-cart
handle 780 has been secured within a closed loop defined by the
securing strap 765, the carabiner 755 and the strap coupling member
760.
FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary tension mechanism
with an alternate connecting end. In the FIG. 8 embodiment, an
exemplary cart-connecting member 730 includes a double rope 765, a
carabiner 755, and a .[.spring-gaited.]. .Iadd.spring-gated
.Iaddend.hook 760. The .[.spring-gaited.]. .Iadd.spring-gated
.Iaddend.hook 760 has an aperture through which the carabiner 755
resides. The .[.spring-gaited.]. .Iadd.spring-gated .Iaddend.hook
760 has a .[.gait.]. .Iadd.gate .Iaddend.that is spring-biased to a
closed position. In the closed position, an engagement aperture
forms a closed geometry. When the .[.gait.]. .Iadd.gate .Iaddend.is
pushed open, for example, the engagement aperture will form an open
geometry to permit the insertion of a loop of rope, for example.
The double rope 765 forms a loop 770, 785 on each of two ends. The
double rope 765 is secured to itself via crimp devices 775,
785.
The crimp devices are located proximate each of the two ends. The
locations of the crimp devices with respect to each of the two ends
determines the size of the loops 770, 785. The crimp device 785 has
a length that permits both crimping of two transversely adjacent
sections of rope, but also two longitudinal sections of rope. For
example, cart-connecting member may be manufactured by cutting a
rope to a predetermined length. The rope may then be looped so that
each of two ends of the rope are longitudinally aligned and butted
together. The loop of rope may be drawn together in a lateral
fashion so that a double rope results. The longitudinally aligned
butted section may be centered within an uncrimped connecting
device. The connecting device may then be crimped so as to secure
both the adjacent longitudinal sections as well as the adjacent
lateral sections of rope. Another crimping device may then
laterally connect the ropes proximate another end of the loop of
rope.
The double rope may have some advantageous properties with regard
to coupling to a shopping cart. The double loop of rope may resists
sliding transversely along a shopping-cart handle. In response to a
transverse force, each transversely adjacent segment of the double
rope may start to rotate about a central axis of each
transversely-adjacent segment of the double rope. Such rotation may
then be inhibited by interference with the adjacent section of
rope. Such rotation may be inhibited by the rotationally secure
crimping device coupling the two sections of double rope. Such
rotation may be inhibited by a round cross section minimizing a
handle engagement area. Such rotation may be inhibited by a round
cross-sectional profile finding a detent feature of a shopping-cart
handle and being retained in such feature. Because the double rope
may provide secure engagement with a shopping-cart handle, the
double rope may provide a low abrasion interface with a
shopping-cart handle.
FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary multi-cart
control system. In FIG. 9, an exemplary multi-cart control system
includes two substantially identical shopping-cart coupling members
730. Each of the two shopping-cart coupling members 730 are shown
in a coupled mode. In the coupled mode, a closed figure is defined
by the double rope 765, the carabiner 755, and the latching hook
760.
FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary multi-cart
control system. In FIG. 9, an exemplary multi-cart control system
includes two substantially identical shopping-cart coupling members
730. Each of the two shopping-cart coupling members 730 are shown
in a coupled mode. In the coupled mode, a closed figure is defined
by the double rope 765, the carabiner 755, and the latching hook
760.
In some embodiments, a secure carabiner may provide a coupling
aperture to both one end of a shopping-cart coupling member and a
quick-link connector. The shopping-cart coupling member may be
secured to the secure carabiner via an eyelet at one end of the
shopping-cart coupling member. The quick-link connector may have a
closed figure aperture for secure connection to the secure
carabiner. Various types of devices may be used to secure a
shopping-cart coupling member to either a rope or a ratcheting
device. In some instances, a carabiner may be used for such secure
connection. In some embodiments, the carabiner may be opened by
unscrewing a threaded .[.gait.]. .Iadd.gate .Iaddend.member, for
example. In some embodiments a two-action gate member may be used
to open and close a coupling member. The secure carabiner may
advantageously permit attachments that are semi-permanent. Such
attachments can be removed using a two-action .[.gait.]. .Iadd.gate
.Iaddend.and/or using tools, for example. But such attachments may
be inhibited against accidental removal by the two-action
.[.gait.]. .Iadd.gate .Iaddend.or the need for tools.
Although various embodiments have been described with reference to
the Figures, other embodiments are possible. For example, a first
connecting end may be looped around a first handle of a front
shopping cart and a second connecting end may be looped around a
second handle of a rear shopping cart, while a plurality of
additional shopping carts are loosely nested between the front and
rear shopping carts. The tension assembly may then be operated by
pulling on the handgrip to increase a tautness of the elongated
member extending between the first and second connecting ends. The
tension mechanism may operate in a ratchet-type manner to
automatically secure the elongated member in the taut position
upline of the tension mechanism. In an exemplary embodiment, the
elongated member is tightened until at least a front set of wheels
of the front cart and a rear set of wheels of the rear car are
raised above a ground surface, thus lessening a resistance of the
shopping carts on the ground surface. When the shopping carts are
moved to a destination, a release may be operated on the tension
mechanism to loosen the taut elongated member such that the
connecting ends may be removed from the corresponding shopping-cart
handles.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the first and/or second
connecting ends may include an adjustable strap for loosening or
tightening the strap around the corresponding shopping-cart handle.
In some embodiments, the strap may be a rope-type. In some
embodiments, the strap may be flexible. A flexible strap may
present a coupling interface to a shopping-cart handle that has a
large surface area. A large engagement surface may present a low
abrasive interface to the shopping-cart handle. In other
embodiments the strap may be rigid, such as a plastic for example.
A rigid strap may be used to connect to a dedicated connection
point on a shopping cart, for example. The dedicated connection
point may be adapted to engage the rigid strap, for example. Such
connecting members may provide secure connection and may minimize
the time for connecting and disconnecting the strap to a shopping
cart. In some embodiments, a ratchet-type device may be employed on
each connecting end for securing the connecting end in a
looped-configuration around a portion of the shopping cart, such as
the shopping-cart handle for example.
In various embodiments, apparatus and methods may involve a
receiver built-in or integrated into the shopping cart. In some
embodiments, an aftermarket receiver may be affixed to the shopping
cart for attaching the respective connecting end. In some
embodiments, the receiver may be a hook-shape. In various
embodiments, the receiver may be a slot or opening formed within an
integral or attached support. A person of skill in the art will
recognize that complementary connecting devices can be transposed
between a shopping cart and a shopping cart securing system. In
some embodiments, the connecting end or portion of the tension
assembly may be integrated or semi-permanently secured to the
shopping cart. For example, the shopping-cart handle may include a
wound elongated member, such that elongated member may be released
and retracted in a winch or ratchet-type manner. In some
embodiments, an actuating device, such as for example a spring, may
assist in retracting the elongated member.
In an exemplary embodiment, the tension mechanism may be a
ratchet-type device, such that may permit one-way operation or
tightening, yet permit loosening through the use of a release. In
some embodiments, the release may be lever or a push-button type.
In some exemplary embodiments, the tension mechanism may be a
manually powered winch or spooling device. In other embodiments,
the tension mechanism may be motor-driven winch. For example, the
winch may include an electric motor. In some embodiments, the
tension mechanism may include a locking member for locking the
elongated member in a given position with respect to the tension
mechanism, such as for example in a taut position. In some
embodiments, the tension mechanism may be a pulley-type. For
example, the elongated member may be wound around the pulley and
secured upon a forward shopping-cart handle to maintain the
elongated member in a taut position upline. In accordance with
another embodiment, tension mechanism may include a tension gauge
for assisting an operator in maintaining a safe operating tension
between connecting ends.
In accordance with another embodiment, an anti-theft device may be
incorporated to prevent removal of the connecting ends from the
corresponding shopping carts. For example, the connecting ends may
include combination or keyed lock which restricts the connecting
ends from being removed from the end shopping carts and thus
prevents removal of the shopping carts between the end carts
because the shopping carts are in the nested position.
In an illustrative embodiment, a cinch for securing a train of
nested shopping carts may include a rope comprising a
substantially-zero-stretch core. The rope may have a handle coupled
to a first end and a shopping-cart attachment member coupled to a
second end. In some embodiments, the cinch may include a tightening
member having a securing member, a ratcheting pulley and a locking
member. The rope may be looped about a semi-annular portion of the
ratcheting pulley separating the rope into a tightening portion and
a free portion. In some embodiments, the tightening portion may be
between the shopping-cart attachment member and a pulley-contacting
portion. The free portion may be between the handle and the
pulley-contacting portion.
In various embodiments, when the locking member is in a locked
mode, the ratcheting pulley may be prevented from rotating in a
first direction of rotation. A user may be able to pull on the
handle to lengthen the free portion of the rope which may rotate
the ratcheting pulley in a second direction of rotation and
simultaneously reduces the tightening portion of the rope. In some
embodiments, when the locking member is in an unlocked mode, the
ratcheting pulley may freely rotate in either of the first or the
second directions in response to forces imparted to the ratcheting
pulley from the rope.
In some embodiments the cinch may include a flat securing strap
having a length greater than a circumference of a shopping-cart
handle so as to permit the flat securing strap to be looped around
the shopping-cart handle and secured to the tightening member via
the securing member.
In an illustrative embodiment, various means for distributing a
force along a portion of a shopping-cart handle may be employed.
For example, in some embodiments, the force may be distributed
along an axial length of the shopping-cart handle. A flat strap
having a width may distribute the force along the width. The
distribution of force along the width may be substantially uniform
along the width. In some embodiments, the force may be distributed
radially about the handle. For example a loop of material may
circumscribe all or a portion of the handle. The force may be
radially distributed along an annular portion of the handle. The
radial distribution may result in a lower force at a specific
annular position than if the strap were connected only at that
annular position, for example.
A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it
will be understood that various modification may be made. For
example, advantageous results may be achieved if the steps of the
disclosed techniques were performed in a different sequence, or if
components of the disclosed systems were combined in a different
manner, or if the components were supplemented with other
components. Accordingly, other implementations are
contemplated.
* * * * *