GB2507475A - Extendible carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A carrier comprises at least one extendible side connecting a base to at least one handle, wherein the at least one extendible side defines and provides a basket, and the base supports a freely rotating ball. The carrier is particularly useful for the carrying of shopping.

Description

A CARRIER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a carrier, more particularly but not especially a carrier for shopping that may be rolled or carried.

Background

Traditionally bags and trolleys are used when shopping so as to be able to carry items. Often a trolley may only be available in the shop such as super market and then the purchased items must be transferred to bags for transportation home.

Some people have personal trolleys they use to transport their shopping in however they may not be suitable for use over some surfaces such as uneven or muddy ground. Preferably in these situations the trolley would be carried, although typically the trolley may be too heavy or impractical to carry.

Shopping trolleys may also be difficult to steer particularly in small spaces as their movement may be limited due to the position of wheels and/or casters. Therefore sometimes it may be easier to use a basket although this may limit the number of items that can be carried.

The present invention arose to overcome the problems associated with transporting shopping by providing a rollable carrier that may also be adapted to be carried.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: United States patent application US 5 518 322 (HICKS) discloses a wheel assembly including a bearing for reducing the friction between an axle and a turning wheel, said wheel assembly having a central, fixed axle which supports a rotatable wheel through bearing means, and said wheel having a central, vertical plane and a horizontal axis and each of said bearing means comprising: an inner race member having a smooth, outwardly-facing, circular cross-sectioned bearing surface, said inner race member being supported on said axle and said axle having a horizontal central axis and said inner race member also having a horizontal central axis which is coaxial with the central axis of said axle; an outer bearing holding member supported by said wheel, said outer bearing holding member having an outer surface held by said wheel and at east three bearing support openings, each opening having a diameter and a center and the centers of each bearing-support opening lying on an imaginary cylinder having a central axis lying about on the central axis of said axle; and a plurality of bearings, each bearing have an outside diameter significantly less than the diameter of said bearing support opening and each bearing being positioned in each of said bearing support openings whereby as the shopping cart wheel rolls along a floor surface, the bearings nearest the bottom of the wheel contact the outer surface of the inner race member and turn within said bearing support openings.

United States patent application US 3 826 511 (FRANK) discloses a collapsible beach tote cart, the combination of a frame and a beach ball relatively secured thereby, comprising a pair of frame elements supporting a fabric bag pivotally attached by a first cross bar hinged to both of said frame elements intermediate their ends, said first cross bar having a pair of arms pivotally connected to each other and means for locking said arms in an extended position, a second cross bar pivotally connected to at least one of said elements at one end and means for securing said second cross bar to hold said frame in an opened position, said second cross bar forming a handle, the opposite end of said pair of frame elements being spaced sufficiently to accommodate a spherical shaped ball when in the opened position, means at each end extending inwardly of said frame elements to releasably support said spherical ball whereby said spherical ball serves as the wheel for said tote cart.

In contrast the present invention provides a manoeuvrable solution for shopping and generally carrying small disparate items cleaning and safely.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a carrier comprising at least one extendible side connecting a base to at least one handle, wherein the at least one extendible side defines and provides a basket, and the base supports a freely rotating ball.

Preferably therefore the basket is collapsible, and the ball functions as a roller ball for the basket as steered by the user with the handle.

Preferred embodiments may include an extendable handle, and in all preferred embodiments at least one retractable stand for supporting the carrier when not being rolled.

In some preferred embodiments the basket is comprised of a container and concentrically fitted collar comprised of plural sides that serves to increase the container wall height when extended. Said collar may be removable and/or concertinaed.

It is envisaged that in some embodiments the collar may be removed from the 1 5 container so as to be easily cleaned and to be lighter to carry when increased capacity for carrying items is not required.

Preferably the container is ovaloid and some embodiments of the container may have walls that splay so that the containers diameter increases with height thereby allow more to be held in the carrier.

In such embodiments the base may have a major axis of at least 400mm, most preferably 450mm. Ideally the minor axis is at least 200mm and preferably 250mm so as to allow the carrier to be easily carried by the user.

Ideally the base, basket and ball are formed from a resiliently deformable material such as rubber, synthetic plastic or silicone so as to be strong, durable and lightweight.

In a preferred embodiment the collar may include corrugation so as to allow movement but also remain rigid.

Ideally the container is supported within a rigid oval base. Preferably the collar connects to the base when not extended so as to secure the basket in a collapsed orientation. When additional space is required the collar is detached from the base and the collar may be lifted so as to extend beyond the container thereby extending height for the basket.

Preferably both the container and collar may include a cutaway or arcuate portion or lacuna so as to provide a handgrip for the user to lift and carry the carrier. Ideally the any handgrip portion in the collar and container are positioned so that when collapsed both portions are aligned in order that size of the collapsed carrier is maximised. In some embodiments the ball may be spring mounted within the base.

In further embodiments the socket may be flexibly mounted on the base.

Typically the base also houses the ball wherein the ball is mounted on or partially within the base's underside. Preferably the ball is attached to the base on a swivelling cup hinge so as to allow the ball to rotate through 360 degrees thereby enabling the trolley to be moved readily in any direction in use and particulatly when weight bearing, such as provided by a ball and socket arrangement on the base Advantageously the ball is partially or mainly proud of the base so as to enable the container to be tilted when rolled without the base touching the ground and interfering with movement.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the base underside also houses at least one and preferably two stands that can be manually deployed so as to support the carrier when not being carried, pulled or pushed.

Plural stands may be disposed to open or extend in one movement.

Typically each stand is a semi circular band that is mounted to the base on a pivot so that the band may be moved from horizontal orientation when not in use to positions wherein the bands touch the ground when in use preventing the carrier from being rolled and supporting the carrier and its contents.

In preferred embodiments the extendable handle is housed in the base wall.

Preferably the handle is a U-shaped portion wherein both arms of the U-shaped handle are attached to the base. Ideally the arms are also attached to collar so as to provide improved support.

In some embodiments the collar may attached to the handle so that when the handle is extended the collar is lifted so as to expand the size of the container In yet further embodiments the handle may be comprised by a lacuna, addition, projection or disposition of the collar or at least one side. In other embodiments the handle may be extended independently of the collar so as to enable the handle to be extended without increasing the size of the container.

Preferably the handle extends and may be locked in position by a hole and pin mechanism. Typically the handle has a plurality of holes so as to be able to adjust the handle to various heights. Ideally the carrier when fully extended (the collar and the handle) measures at least 700mm and preferably no more than 900mm.

When the handle is at the lowest position it is envisaged that the handle is aligned with the cut away portions in the handle and collar so as to be easy to carry.

In some embodiments the handle may be removed when not required so as to reduce weight and be easier to carry.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of the carrier, with the at least one side and handle extended: Figure 2 shows a rear view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with the side and handle retracted and stand or stands extended; Figure 3 shows a rear view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with the side and handle extended and stand or stands retracted; Figures 4 show side views or the embodiment of Figure 1; Figures 5 show views Irom below of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with side and handle extended and stand or stands retracted; Figure 7 shows a front view of the of the embodiment of Figure 1 with the side and handle retracted and stand or stands extended; And FigureS shows an isometric view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with side and handle retracted and stand or stands extended.