GB2053102A - Foldable shopping trolley - Google Patents

Abstract

The trolley has two forwardly extending carrying frames 18, 26, each for holding a shopping bag. The frames are pivotally mounted and the mounting means provides for the frames to be releasably held in either in-use or non-use position. Straps 36, each with one part 38 of a touch-and-close fastener, can be provided on the main frame 12; the other parts of the fastener are on the box 34 or bag to be carried. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to stowable loadcarrying devices such as shopping trolleys This invention relates to stowable load-carrying devices, such as shopping trolleys for transportation of packages of goods between, for example, supermarkets and motor vehicles.

It is common practise nowadays, for housewives to purchase from a supermarket groceries and provisions sufficient to last one week or more, and therefore during an appropriate visit to a supermarket, a housewife will make a substantial number of purchases, and she will frequently require to have several cardboard boxes or large shopping bags to transport the provisions from the supermarket check-out point to the family motor vehicle.

As the tendency is to buy more bulk supply of produce, frequently housewives will leave the boxes of goods at the supermarket for their husbands to collect and transport home.

Apart from the fact that this may generally be inconvenient, there is also the difficulty that supermarkets must keep a large number of empty cardboard boxes, which consume an enormous amount of space and create an extremely unsightly vision in the supermarket.

The problem seems to be occasioned by the fact that because housewives are buying bigger quantities of goods, the cardboard boxes or shopping bags containing these goods seem simply to be too heavy for the effect of transportation of the goods from the check-out point to the car park. Supermarkets do of course provide wheel trolleys to enable the shopper to transport the purchased goods to the check-out point, and furthermore many supermarkets allow the shoppers to wheel the trolleys to the car park so that the goods can be loaded into the shoppers cars, but the disadvantage of this procedure is that on the one hand the shopper must either return the trolley to the supermarket, or the trolley is left in the car park.In such case, there is a danger that it will be stolen or could cause an accident, and in any event the supermarket has the inconvenience of returning the trolley to the main building.

I have invented what I believe to be an extremely effective trolley, which is suitable for use as a shopping trolley, and which maximizes the transportation capacity of a wheeled trolley, and yet is collapsible so that it can be stored away easily in a vehicle. The trolley in a preferred arrangement is provided with specially designed shopping bags for the further simplification of transportation and handling of goods.

In accordance with the invention in one aspect the device comprises a main frame having a handle portion, or handles at the top end, and a pair of wheels at the bottom end, and hinged to the main frame are two decking frames, respectively for supporting shopping bags or cardboard boxes containing goods, one decking, the lower, being pivoted to the main frame at the lower end of the main frame, and the other decking frame, the upper, being pivoted to the main frame intermediate the top and bottom thereof at a suitable location, so that the space between the upper and lower frames can be occupied by a cardboard box or shopping bag of a size which is similar to that adapted to be accommodated on the upper frame, the upper and lower decking frames being pivotable between a stored position in which they lie adjacent the main frame, and a support position in which they are pivoted away from the main frame to support boxes or shopping bags.

The main frame may have a means whereby specially designed shopping bags can be releasably attached thereto, and in one preferred example, the said means comprises a pair of straps having first portion of touch and close fastening devices, the second portions of these devices being provided on specially designed shopping bags, adapted to fit the trolley.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention the device comprises means for mounting a load supporting arm for pivoting movement between first and second positions substantially at right angles to one another and for releasably holding said arm in said positions, the means comprising a pivot, a first clip positioned for entry by the arm in moving to said first from said second position about the pivot, a second clip positioned for entry by the arm in moving to said second from said first position about the pivot, each clip being of substantially C-configuration respectively in planes parallel to the pivot and perpendicular to one another, and being of resilient material so that an arm which fits the inner dimensions of the clip is released therefrom by a widening of the mouth by elastic deformation.

Preferably a second clip is so positioned relative to the first clip that when used with an arm of pre-determined width the arm on entering the first clip from the second position engages an edge of the second clip at the opposite side of the pivot the first clip.

Whilst such a mounting means may well be used in the construction of a trolley, and particularly a shopping trolley, it may also have other uses such as for the support of folding furniture.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the trolley according to the embodiment of the invention, the upper and lower decking frames being shown in the support position; Figure 2 shows the trolley of Fig. 1 in side elevation; Figure 3 shows the trolley of Figs. 1 and 2, in side elevation and with the decking frames pivoted to the stored position; Figure 4 shows one of the shopping bags suitable for use with the trolley shown in the previous figures; Figure 5 shows one side of the upper decking frame supported by alternative mounting means; and Figure 6 shows part of the lower decking frame with alternative mounting and bracing means Referring to the drawings, the trolley shown in Fig. 1 comprises a main frame 10 which is of tubular metal and is of everted U-shape so that the limb 1 2 of the frame defines a handle portion. The ends of the limbs of the U-frame 10, at the lower end of the frame, carry a pair of wheels 1 4 via an axle 16, so that the trolley can be wheeled from place to place as desired.

The trolley has a lower decking frame 18, which is also of U-shape, and the free ends of the limbs of the lower frame are connected to the lower end of the frame 10 at pivot connections at 20 as shown. Pairs of pivotally inter-connected links 22 and 24, respectively pivotally connected to the frames 10 and 1 8 limit the extent to which frame 1 8 can pivot on frame 10 so that in the support position shown in Fig. 1 frame 18 in fact lies in a plane at right angles to the plane containing frame 10.

Similarly, the trolley is provided with an upper decking frame 26 which is connected to the frame 10 in a similar manner to frame 1 8 but at a position intermediate the top and bottom of the frame 1 0. Links 28 and 30 similar to links 20 and 22 limit the movement of the frame 26 relative to the frame 1 0.

Extending between the limbs of each of frames 1 8 and 26, are decking support rods 32, for supporting shopping bags or boxes 34, when full of groceries and other provisions.

The main frame 1 2 is provided with a pair of attachment straps 36 of a stout flexible material, such as canvas, and each of the straps 36 is provided with one part 38 of a touch and close fastener, at upper and lower locations as shown in Fig. 1. These portions of the touch and close fastener, are for connection with the other portions of the touch and close fasteners on the box or shopping bag 34. Fig. 4 shows a suitable form of shopping bag provided with other portions 40 of the touch and close fastener in suitable arrangement for connection with the portions 38 shown in Fig. 1. The shopping bag shown in Fig. 4 is designed to the trolley so that the decking frames 1 8 and 26 each can- carry a similar shopping bag when full of goods, and occupying maximum volume as shown in Fig.

2.

The shopping bags shown in Fig. 4 are of stout flexible material such as canvas, and the use of such shopping bags provides an additional advantage in that when, as shown in Fig. 3, the frames 18 and 26 are pivoted to the stored position, the bags 34 can remain in position and will also fold away.

The use of the trolley illustrated is very simple, and wilt readily be understood. The shopper takes the trolley in the collapsed condition shown in Fig. 3 to the supermarket in the car boot. The shopper uses the trolley in the supermarket firstly by moving the frame 1 8 to the support position, so that the bag 34 supported on that frame opens out ready for the receipt of groceries and other provisions.

When that bag is full, the frame 26 is pivoted to the support position so that it opens out ready to receive groceries and provisions. After leaving the check-out, the shopper wheels the trolley to the motor vehicle, and then removes the shopping bags 34 individually as shown at A in Fig. 2, and places same in the car boot. The trolley is collapsed without bags 34, and placed in the car boot. After emptying the bags, they may again be connected to the trolley by the touch and close fasteners.

The trolley described in being provided with two decking frames 18 and 26 makes extremely effective utilisation of the available space, yet the trolley is capable of being collapsed to a relatively small size for simple transportation. It can be made sufficiently light in weight to be easily handable by a housewife.

As regards the arrangement described, it is of course desirable that the pairs of links 22, 24, 28 and 30 should lock when the platform frames 1 8 and 26 are in the in-use position shown in Fig. 1. This is especially true of the link pairs 22 and 24 to ensure that the trolley will not collapse when in use. The locking of the link pairs may be achieved in any suitable convention by means of catches, stops or the like.

In a modification of the arrangement described, the strips 36 are omitted, and the links of the frame 10 are provided with hooks for engagement by rings providing on the top peripheral edges of the bags 34. These linking arrangements may be provided in addition to or as an alternative to the touch and close fastening arrangement described.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the upper platform frame 26 is shown mounted to the main frame 10 by mounting means 32 which is a body moulded in a resilient plastics material such as polyuremide. The body comprises a generally flat base 44, slightly curved at the underside 46 to fit the cylindrical surface of the frame 10 against which it is secured by bolts 48 (one only shown).

A wing 50 projects from the base 44 in the direction of the platform frame 26 in its in-use position, and perpendicularly mounted in the wing 50 is a pivot 52 about which the frame 26 turns. Below the pivot 52 the wing 50 is formed with a clip 54 of which the C-sec- tioned inner surface has an axis in line with the pivot 52 so that when the frame 26 is raised to its stowed position, the end 56 of the frame 26 locates in the C-sectioned clip by the momentary distortion of the mouth of the clip. It will be understood that the internal diameter of the clip corresponds approximately to the external diameter of the tubular frame member 26 and the mouth of the clip is somewhat smaller.

A further clip 58 is formed at the upper end of the main plate 44. This further clip is of similar C-section shape and of similar internal diameter but it is open downwardly, so that if the frame arm 26 is lowered to the low supporting position at which it is at right angles to the main frame 10, the end 56 enters into the clip 58 in similar manner to that described with respect to clip 54.

In the load supporting position, the frame 26 is thus supported by the pivot 52 and the engagement of the end 56 of the frame in the clip 58. Further support is given to the frame 26 by so locating clip 54 that the upper edge 60 thereof engages the underside of the frame arm 26 at the opposite side of the pivot 52 from the end 56.

To move the frame 26 from one position to the other it is eased out of one clip by elastic distortion of its C-configuration to effectively a U-configuration and is turned about the pivot until the end 56 approaches the mouth of the other clip which is then similarly opened at its mouth to allow the end 56 to enter.

A similar mounting 42 is provided at the lower end of the frame 10, just below the hole 60 provided for the wheel supporting axle (not shown). The lower platform frame 1 8 is, in use of the trolley, subject to a force tending to move it in a clockwise direction as shown in the figure about the pivot 52 because the end of the frame remote from the pivot rests on the ground in use. The upper clip 58 does not provide sufficient security against such force and it is necessary to provide bracing.

The brace in this embodiment is provided a lower brace arm 62 pivoted at 64 to the platform frame 1 8 and an upper bracing arm 66 pivoted at 68 to a bracket 70 mounted on the main frame 10. Bracing arm 66 is articulated to bracing arm 62 at pivot 72 in bracket 74 mounted on arm 62, and the two arms are held parallel by the engagement of arm 66 by the C-sectioned clip 76 of which the mouth opens upwardly and which is secured to the end of the arm 62. The clip 76 is, like the clip 58 made of resilient plastics material.

Whilst the mounting means 42 have been described in this embodiment in connection with a shopping trolley, it is clear that they may have applications if other forms of wheeled vehicles or alternatively with stationary structures such as, for example, folding shelves and tables, frames for tents and the like and stowable load carrying structures in general.

Claims (5)

1. A stowable load-carrying device comprising a trolley comprising a main frame having a handle portion, or handles, at the top end and a pair of wheels at the bottom end and, hinged to the main frame, two decking frames, respectively for supporting shopping bags or cardboard boxes containing goods, one decking, the lower, being pivoted to the main frame at the lower end of the main frame, and the other decking frame, the upper, being pivoted to the main frame intermediate the top and bottom thereof at a suitable location, so that the space between the upper and lower frames can be occupied by a cardboard box or shopping bag of a size which is similar to that adapted to be accommodated on the upper frame, the upper and lower decking frames being pivotable between a stored position in which they lie adjacent the main frame, and a support position in which they are pivoted away from the main frame to support boxes or shopping bags.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the main frame has means for the releasable attachment of shopping bags thereto.

3. A stowable load-carrying device comprising means for mounting a load-supporting arm for pivoting movement between first and second positions substantially at right angles to one another and for releasably holding said arm in said positions, the means comprising a pivot, a first clip positioned for entry by the arm in moving to said first from said second position about the pivot, a second clip positioned for entry by the arm in moving to said second from said first position about the pivot, each clip being of substantially C-configuration respectively in planes parallel to the pivot and perpendicular to one another, and being of resilient material so that an arm which fits the inner dimensions of the clip is released therefrom by a widening of the mouth by elastic deformation.

4. A device according to Claim 3 wherein the second clip is so positioned relative to the first clip that when used with an arm of predetermined width the arm on entering the first clip from the second position engages an edge of the second clip at the opposite side of the pivot to the first clip.

5. A stowable load-carrying device substantially as described with reference to Figs.

1-4 or Figs. 5-6 of the drawings.