FR2738937A1 - Supermarket trolley unlocking device in form of support for calculator, pen and list for shopping. - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a flat rectangular shape (2) at one end of which is a disc (1), the size of a coin, which is inserted into a slot to release the trolley. The rectangular part (2) is designed to hold a calculator (10) which is retained by slides (3), its lower part (4) is designed to hold a shopping list. Parts (3,4) can be folded over each other by means of a hinge (5). Also fitted to the device at one side is a pen or pencil which is attached by a cord to the device. The calculator (10) can only be released from its support when the latter is put into the lock of the trolley.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device which, on the one hand, makes it possible to free the carriages used in large areas by means of a disc acting as a coin or token and, on the other hand, constitutes a support in the form of '' a brochure intended to receive the housewife's shopping list, a calculator and a pen.

 I1 is frequent to see customers of large surfaces having taken the precaution to prepare a list of essential products for the hearth.

Out of this list, for lack of support, must be held in the hand throughout the journey in the store, which mobilizes one hand or both if a sylo is used. In the worst case, the list is even lost before the end of the races.

 In addition, with the disappearance of the prices labeled on the articles, the housewife finds herself in the obligation to constantly seek the prices on the gondolas, and especially to memorize them if she wishes to master approximately the final amount to be paid in cash.

 This implies, moreover, absolute confidence in the laser barcode reading system, that is to say that the prices in gondolas correspond well to the prices recorded at the checkout (for example: in case of promotions. ..), and that no untimely cash error occurs in the final addition.

 In both cases, the best way to control your purchases is to use a calculator which is quickly bulky and inconvenient to handle because it is added to the list and the pen.

 The device according to the invention makes it possible to remedy these multiple disadvantages of handling and groups together on the same support all the necessities required for shopping without forgetting anything, and hands perfectly free.

 I1 has, according to a first characteristic, a circular end the size of a part used for unlocking - or disconnecting - large surface carts.

 Then, this end is extended by a plate intended to receive on a first half the shopping list which is maintained using pliers, the other half of this plate being arranged so that a small calculator format - credit card type - can be swiped there.

 To avoid any risk of theft, the calculator can only be removed from its support when the device is uncoupled from the cart. Indeed, the two slides holding the calculator in place have their opening on the side of the disc. By engaging the device in the carriage lock, this prevents the removal of the calculator.

 To limit the size of the device, the part of the plate receiving the list can be articulated around a hinge, thus serving as a cover for the calculator. A housing intended to receive a pen is provided on the periphery of the wafer.

 A second, more compact model can be marketed. I1 is actually a calculator of special manufacture, which has an appendix taking the shape of a coin. The keys of this calculator are distributed vertically on either side of the space reserved for the shopping list, while the screen finds its place above it.

The whole is less bulky and more aesthetic.

 The two versions of the device allow the housewife to quickly make her purchases, hands available, without the risk of forgetting, and to assess the cost until going to the checkout. The list, the pen and the calculator are its assets and no longer a handicap thanks to the device of the invention.

 Finally, a simplified and therefore more economical model can be proposed. This consists only of a cylindrical end allowing the carriage to be unlocked, extended by a plate receiving the shopping list. The pen remains however always attached to the plate.

 When not in use on the cart, the three models of the device can be stored on a support, which can be installed with an adhesive base in the kitchen or in the car for example.

 In addition, part of the visible surface of these devices can receive screen-printed advertising as part of promotional items that can be offered to customers of large areas.

 Figure 1 shown in perspective, we discover the device according to the invention in its first version.

 One can observe its cylindrical part (1) intended to be introduced into the lock of the carriage to unregister it, then the upper part of the plate (2) equipped with slides (3) holding the calculator (10) in place. The second part - or lower part - of the plate (4) receiving the self-adhesive shopping list or held by a clamp (11), can be folded back to cover the upper parts (2) and (3) of the device thanks to a hinge (5). In addition, a space (6) reserved for a small pen (7) is arranged on the side of the "list-holder" plate. This pen is connected to the plate by a cord (8) to avoid losing it.

 Figure 2 shows the compact type model. I1 is here a special calculator (13) which has an appendix (1) the size of a room deconsigning the carts, a list support (4) installed as an example in the central part of the calculator, the function keys (15), as well as the screen (16) distributed around the list support, and a space (6) reserved for a small pen (7) connected to the calculator by a cord (8).

 FIG. 3 illustrates the invention in a version devoid of a calculator. It always includes the cylindrical shape (1) which disconnects the carriage and thereby makes the invention integral with the shopping cart.

It is extended by a list support plate (4). A location (6) is always present on the side of the plate for storing the pen (7) retained by the cord (8).

 In these three cases, the use of adhesive sheets of the "Post-it" type, registered trademark, can be envisaged to avoid the additional manufacturing cost due to the implantation of a clamp (11).

 In addition, part of the visible surface of these devices can receive screen-printed advertising as part of promotional items that can be offered to customers of large areas.

 FIG. 4 represents the invention ready to be introduced into the lock of the carriage (9). At this time, it is still possible to extract the calculator.

 In Figure 5, the invention is introduced into the lock (9), the carriage is released. At this instant, the device according to the invention is made integral with the carriage and the calculator (10) can no longer leave its housing because the lock obstructs it.

 FIG. 6 represents the support (12) intended to receive the invention when the latter is not used on a trolley. Thus this support provided with an adhesive base (17) can find its place in the kitchen or on the dashboard of a car.

Claims (7)

 1) Device for unlocking or unregistering large surface carts, characterized in that it comprises a disc-shaped end (1) the size of a coin or a token, extended by a shelf intended to receive in its upper part (2) a calculator (10) retained by slides (3) and in its lower part (4) a shopping list, parts which can be folded one over the other thanks to a hinge (5) , tablet also provided on its periphery with a housing (6) provided for a small pen (7), itself connected by a cord <8) (8) (appended in FIGS. 1 and 4).  2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the calculator (10) can not be extracted from its support when the latter is engaged in the lock (9) of the carriage.  3) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the upper part (2) of the invention can group together all the functions "appendix (1), list support (4), function keys (15) , screen (16), location (6) on the periphery for a pen (7), connected by a cord (8) "in the context of the manufacture of a special calculator (13) (appended in FIG. 2).  4) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it is simplified by the elimination of the calculator function (10) (appended in Figure 3).  5) Device according to claims 1, 3 and 4 characterized in that the clamp can be omitted when the use of adhesive paper of the "Post-it" type registered trademark is chosen (annexed in Figure 2).  6) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is hung between two uses on a support (12) provided with an adhesive base (17), which can be placed in a car or in a kitchen ( attached in Figure 6).  7) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a zone (14) intended to receive a screen-printed advertisement.