WO2018051267A1

WO2018051267A1 - Folding shopping trolley to help with shopping

Info

Publication number: WO2018051267A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/055564
Authority: WO
Inventors: Albert Gaide
Original assignee: Albert Gaide
Priority date: 2016-09-15
Filing date: 2017-09-14
Publication date: 2018-03-22

Abstract

The invention relates to a shopping trolley that can be folded, comprising movement means that can be retracted such that the trolley can be easily stored in the boot of a car when the movement means are retracted.

Description

FOLDING TROLLEY TO FACILITATE RACES

TECHNICAL AREA

Currently, races, especially in supermarkets, require significant handling. You have to fill the cart (usually called "caddy" or "caddy"), then, arrived at the crate to unload all the purchases on the treadmill of the crate. Then you have to fill bags of food, put them in a cart and then go to your car and transfer your purchases. Arrived at home, it is necessary to come out of the car and bring, or even mount, the bags of provisions, which are often rather heavy, in his home.

The appearance of the scanners usable by the customer facilitates the task because they avoid transfer to the cash register, but the loading in the car and transfer home remain unchanged.

PRINCIPLE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is intended to facilitate purchases by significantly reducing the number of transfers. The person wishing to go shopping takes his folding cart, puts it in the trunk of his car, goes to the supermarket, takes out his cart, fills it by scanning purchases as and when. She then goes to the payment station, pays for her purchases, goes to her car to put on her cart, goes home, takes her cart out of the car, puts it in the elevator (if necessary) and, once she puts away her errands. There is no longer any need to carry heavy shopping bags as the trolley handles them and the user simply has to move the trolley.

In the near future, bulk purchases will become increasingly important, for obvious ecological reasons, the present invention will be all the more useful that it will load at home, containers of rice, sugar, flour, laundry, etc., to go to the supermarket, tare the containers, fill them, scan the displayed code and continue as before with the other products. The handling is thus reduced to the strict minimum and eliminates the need for porters of heavy bags by going and returning from the supermarket. This will make life easier for people with reduced mobility or the elderly who will also be able to avoid the transhipment of their errands from the shopping trolley in their own trolley or "rolling bag".

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a foldable shopping trolley comprising retractable moving means so that it can be easily housed in the trunk of a car when these means are retracted.

In one embodiment, the retractable means comprise articulated arms with an upper part and a lower part carrying at least one wheel.

In one embodiment, the elements of the articulated arms are coupled so that the lower part does not move freely but follows a specific movement, for example by the movement of the upper part. In one embodiment, the elements that constitute the arms can be blocked to ensure the good stability of the carriage.

In one embodiment, the coupling of the elements is performed by gears or notched belts or chains for example to achieve multiplication ratios or ratios of equal or different from 1.

In one embodiment, rollers are mounted under the lower portions to facilitate movement of the carriage after the arms retracted. In one embodiment, a braking device can prevent the folded carriage from moving.

In one embodiment, the bottom and the front and rear walls can fold to reduce the lateral dimensions of the carriage and facilitate storage. In one embodiment, the bottom and the front and rear walls can fold with the arms deployed, partially or fully retracted. In one embodiment, the articulated arms are driven by electric motors.

In one embodiment, the articulated arms are driven by a lever. In one embodiment, the lever arm can be blocked by a safety latch to ensure its position.

In one embodiment, the length of the lower part of the arms can be changed continuously or in stages to adapt the height of the carriage to that of the tailgate and / or the user.

In one embodiment, the wheel (or casters) is (are) movable (s) around a vertical axis.

In one embodiment, the wheel (or casters) can (can) be blocked (s) by a brake actuated from the carriage or by a lever mounted on his (their) support.

In one embodiment, the front and rear walls are formed by a simple lattice or a flexible wall.

In one embodiment, the side walls are provided with folding elements for receiving containers of various shapes and sizes.

In one embodiment the tray may be provided with expandable parts or drawers for locking valuable or valuable items. In one embodiment, the handle or the handles of the carriage can be foldable.

In one embodiment the locking of the arms in the open position, or the closed position, can be provided by a key, a padlock or a lock code or other equivalent means. In one embodiment, the trolley may be equipped with means for measuring the load and, depending on the case, produce a warning sound signal, for example if a predetermined load is exceeded. In one embodiment, the carriage may be provided with tracking means, such as a tracking system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description of embodiments thereof and the figures in which FIG. 1 illustrates two perspective views from the side and from above of an embodiment of the invention. invention; Figure 2 illustrates articulated arms according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 illustrates two views of a portion of the carriage according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a view of another part of a carriage according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 5A and 5B illustrate views of another portion of a carriage according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 illustrates the steps of deployment of an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 illustrates a variant of an embodiment of the invention. The proposed invention consists of a tray 1 similar to those that equip the trolleys found in supermarkets, but it is distinguished by retractable arms 2a, 2b which reduce its size almost to that of the bin 1. It can thus be easily slid into the trunk of a car, preferably flat-bottom boxes offered by vehicles with a tailgate. In order to facilitate this operation, the articulated arms 2a, 2b can be designed in such a way that their movement is not arbitrary but well determined. Proper couplings allow them to be deployed in a coordinated manner so that their final positions ensure the stability of the truck during its use. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, articulated arms 2a and 2b of the tray 1 are actuated by levers 3a and 3b which lock at the end of the stroke and hold the arms 2a and 2b respectively in a rigid manner. deployed position or in a retracted position. The locking of the arms can also be done by a latch located at the hub 12 of the upper elements of the arms 10 or at another appropriate place.

When deployed, two parts of the arms (2a or 2b), the upper part 10 and the lower part 11 illustrated in Figure 2 (which is a representation of the arms 2a, 2b of Figure 1) deploy in a coordinated manner. The hub 12 of the upper part 10 comprises a wheel movable relative to the latter, integral with the tray 1. It is coupled to a wheel concentric with the hub 13 of the lower part 11 and is integral with the latter. A device consisting of toothed wheels or a toothed belt, or equivalent, housed in the upper part 10 acts in such a way that the movement of the lower part 11 follows a predetermined law of motion which is implemented by the deployment of the arms 2a, 2b. This can be summarized as a translation but it can also include, by multiplication or by gearing a different movement ensuring the good initial and final positions of the arms and wheels 20.

In the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the two pairs of arms 2a and 2b are coupled so that their control levers 3a and 3b simultaneously actuate the pair composed of the right arm and the left arm relative to each other. in the bin 1.

A brake device 4 disposed at the front and at the rear of the tray 1 and actuated by the lever 5 makes it possible to block the position of the carriage on the platform of the vehicle illustrated by the plate 6, for example with hooves or other means. equivalent to maintain the carriage in the trunk in a fixed manner.

Small wheels 7, illustrated in Figure 4, fixed under the tray 1 facilitate the rolling of the truck in the trunk of the car. Finally, the lower parts 2a and 2b of the arms are provided with a slider 8 which adjusts the length of the arms and adapt them to the height of the trunk of the car and also to the size of the user (trice). FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a detail of the transmission used for the deployment of the arms, according to one embodiment. Typically, this transmission comprises a control gear 20 connected to the lever 3b, the pinion driving a chain 21 (or equivalent means of belt type), acting on a drive pinion 23 which carries out the deployment of the arms 2a, respectively 2b. There is also a compensation spring 22 which is relaxed when the arms are raised (as in step 1 of FIG. 6) and which is stretched when the arms are deployed (as in step 6 of FIG. 6) . Thus FIG. 5A illustrates, for example, step 1 of FIG. 6 with the lever 3b in the closed position and FIG. 5B the step 6 of FIG. 6 with the lever 3b in the open position. The mechanism preferably uses a cam 24 which makes it possible to reduce or increase the torque of the spring 22 as a function of the position. The illustrated system is used identically for the two arms 2a, 2b.

In the case of this embodiment, the deployment of the carriage is done in several steps as shown in the sketches of FIG. 6. In the first step (1), the locking device 4 is deactivated by actuating the lever 5 in FIG. the unbraked position and then the cart is partially pulled back. As a safety measure, the locking device 4 is preferably returned to the braked position once this position is reached. In step (2), the two rear arms 2a are then deployed by operating their control lever 3a. In step (3), relying on the wheels 20 deployed, and after actuating the safety device 4, the carriage is pulled over almost its entire length (step (4)) and the front arms 2b are deployed by operating their control lever 3b (steps (5) and (6)). The carriage can then be moved freely on its wheels 20.

In another embodiment, the arms may be provided with wheels 20 pivotable about a vertical axis 9 to facilitate the movements of the carriage. Such wheels 20 may be mounted at the front, rear, front and rear and may also be provided with braking devices commonly found on trolley wheels.

In another embodiment, the arms can be actuated electrically, either by motors powered by a small battery, rechargeable or not, housed in the carriage or by motors powered by an electric cable connected to the car battery. In such a case the pairs of arms can be actuated by the same motors or each have an individual motor. Spring-type means may also be used to facilitate deployment and removal of arms or other assistance means.

In an embodiment shown schematically in Figure 7, the box 1 of the carriage can be folded to reduce its size. In such a mode, the bottom plate 21 can be composed of two or more parts interconnected by hinges so that they can be folded back on themselves by pulling them for example upwards or by compressing them as the edges of an accordion. In such an embodiment the front and rear walls are similarly designed to fold on themselves and allow to significantly reduce the lateral dimensions of the carriage and facilitate storage. This operation can be done with the arms 2a and 2b out or back. In such an embodiment, all the members described above are advantageously housed in the lower side edges of the tray or on an independent frame on which the box can be mounted when in the deployed position. The carriage of the present invention can be made of different materials. Advantageously, molded plastic parts can be used for the majority of the components. It is also possible to use carbon fiber shells for the tray and for the elements making up the arms in order to give them better rigidity. Any other suitable material may be used. The embodiments described in the present application are given as illustrative examples and should not be considered as limiting. Variations are possible by using equivalent means. The described embodiments are also combinable with each other.

Alternative embodiments are defined below. Telescopic means (such as axes) can be provided, for example, for the embodiment of the box of FIG. 7. It is also possible to provide means for measuring the weight (such as a scale) to avoid overloading the carriage. Retractable locking or locking means may be used to securely hold the carriage in a given position (eg with the arms deployed). Hooks, or other equivalent means of belaying, can be implemented to dock the carriage once stored in the trunk of a car. Hooks may also be provided on the carriage for hanging or hanging objects such as a bag. In one embodiment, the handle of the carriage is retractable, for example by pivoting.

In another embodiment, a locker can be added to the carriage. Preferably, this locker closes for example with a key, a code or even an application loaded on a mobile device such as a mobile phone (for example of the NFC type) and can only be opened by the user. possession of the appropriate key, code or mobile device. This rack allows for example to transport values.

In another embodiment, the carriage may contain tracking means such as a GPS module or other equivalent means, making it easy to find, for example in case of loss in a store or flight. These means can be linked to an application loaded on a mobile device such as a mobile phone for example.

In another embodiment, there may be locking means of the carriage, so that the arms remain deployed. These locking means may be for example key or other equivalent to prevent manipulation by a third party.

Of course, means providing electrical energy are provided if necessary, for example rechargeable batteries or accumulators, in order to perform the functions described according to the different embodiments. These means are connected for example by cables, in known manner.

Claims

1. trolley (1) foldable races comprising retractable moving means (2a, 2b) so that it can be easily housed in the trunk of a car when these means are retracted.

2. Shopping trolley according to claim 1 wherein said retractable means comprise articulated arms (2a, 2b) with an upper portion (10) and a lower portion (11) carrying at least one wheel (20).

3. shopping trolley according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the elements of the articulated arms are coupled so that the lower part does not move freely but it follows a specific movement, for example by the movement of the upper parts .

4. Shopping trolley according to claim 3, wherein the elements which constitute the arms (10,11) are biocable to ensure the good stability of the carriage.

5. Shopping trolley according to claims 3 or 4, wherein the coupling of the elements is achieved by gears or toothed belts or a chain to achieve multiplication ratios or gear ratios equal or different from 1.

6. foldable shopping trolley according to one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the wheels (7) are mounted under the lower parts to facilitate the movement of the carriage (1) once the arms retracted.

7. foldable shopping cart according to one of claims 1 to 7 wherein a braking device prevents the folded carriage from moving.

8. Foldable shopping trolley according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom and the front and rear walls fold to reduce the lateral size of the carriage and facilitate storage.

The foldable shopping trolley of claim 8 wherein the bottom and the front and rear walls fold with the arms extended, partially or fully retracted.

10. Foldable shopping trolley according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the articulated arms (10,11) are driven by electric motors.

11. Foldable shopping trolley according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the articulated arms are driven by a lever (3a, 3b).

12. foldable shopping trolley according to claim 11 wherein the lever arm is blocked by a safety latch to ensure its position.

13. Shopping trolley according to one of the preceding claims wherein the length of the lower portion (11) of the arms (2a, 2b) is modifiable continuously or in stages.

14. Shopping trolley according to one of the preceding claims wherein the wheel (20) is movable about a vertical axis (9).

15. Shopping trolley according to one of the preceding claims wherein the wheel (20) is biocable by a brake operable from the carriage or by a lever mounted on its support.

16. Foldable shopping trolley according to one of the preceding claims wherein the front and rear walls are formed by a simple lattice or a flexible wall.

17. Foldable shopping trolley according to one of the preceding claims wherein the side walls are provided with folding elements for receiving containers of various shapes and sizes.

18. Foldable shopping trolley according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray (1) is provided with extensible parts or drawers for locking valuable objects.

19. Foldable shopping trolley according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle or handles of the carriage is (are) collapsible (s).

20. Foldable shopping trolley according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking of the arms in the open position, or the closed position, is provided by a key, a padlock or a code lock.

21. Foldable shopping trolley according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carriage is provided with load measuring means and produces a warning sound signal as the case may be.

22. Foldable shopping trolley according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carriage is provided with locating means.