US20070074936A1 - Braking shell for shopping cart security device - Google Patents
Braking shell for shopping cart security device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070074936A1 US20070074936A1 US11/411,976 US41197606A US2007074936A1 US 20070074936 A1 US20070074936 A1 US 20070074936A1 US 41197606 A US41197606 A US 41197606A US 2007074936 A1 US2007074936 A1 US 2007074936A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- shell
- vehicle
- wheel
- skid plate
- recited
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B5/00—Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
- B62B5/04—Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
- B62B5/049—Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement locking against movement by contacting the floor or a wall
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B60B33/00—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors
- B60B33/0002—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors assembling to the object, e.g. furniture
- B60B33/0015—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors assembling to the object, e.g. furniture characterised by adaptations made to castor
- B60B33/0021—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors assembling to the object, e.g. furniture characterised by adaptations made to castor in the form of a mounting pin
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B60B33/00—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors
- B60B33/0036—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by type of wheels
- B60B33/0039—Single wheels
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B60B33/00—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors
- B60B33/0047—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the rolling axle
- B60B33/0049—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the rolling axle the rolling axle being horizontal
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B60B33/00—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors
- B60B33/0047—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the rolling axle
- B60B33/0057—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the rolling axle the rolling axle being offset from swivel axis
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B60B33/00—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors
- B60B33/006—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the swivel mechanism
- B60B33/0065—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the swivel mechanism characterised by details of the swivel axis
- B60B33/0068—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the swivel mechanism characterised by details of the swivel axis the swivel axis being vertical
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B60B33/00—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors
- B60B33/006—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the swivel mechanism
- B60B33/0065—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the swivel mechanism characterised by details of the swivel axis
- B60B33/0073—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the swivel mechanism characterised by details of the swivel axis the swivel axis being symmetrical to wheel or wheels
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B60B33/00—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors
- B60B33/0078—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors characterised by details of the wheel braking mechanism
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60B—VEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B60B33/00—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors
- B60B33/02—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors with disengageable swivel action, i.e. comprising a swivel locking mechanism
- B60B33/021—Castors in general; Anti-clogging castors with disengageable swivel action, i.e. comprising a swivel locking mechanism combined with braking of castor wheel
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B5/00—Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
- B62B5/04—Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
- B62B5/0404—Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement automatic
- B62B5/0423—Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement automatic braking or blocking when leaving a particular area
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49718—Repairing
- Y10T29/49721—Repairing with disassembling
Definitions
- the present invention pertains generally to braking systems for wheeled vehicles. More particularly, the present invention pertains to braking systems that can be selectively activated to deter removal of the vehicle from a predetermined area. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a braking system that provides for the selective removal and replacement of worn or inoperative components.
- the present invention relates generally to security devices for hand-operated wheeled vehicles, such as shopping carts, to deter theft of such vehicles, and is particularly concerned with a braking shell forming part of such a security device which is arranged to be deployed on actuation to rotate down into contact with the ground in order to inhibit wheel rotation.
- a shopping cart security apparatus and system in which a braking member in the form of a shell is rotatably mounted on the wheel axle of one of the wheels, so as to partially surround the wheel.
- the shell is movable between a raised, inoperative position in which it does not contact the ground, and a lowered, operative position contacting the ground between the wheel and the ground, preventing rotation of the wheel.
- One problem with this arrangement is that the portion which contacts the ground, which is generally a skid plate, becomes worn over time and eventually needs to be replaced. This requires the entire caster to be removed from the cart so that the shell can be removed from the wheel axle and replaced or repaired. This makes the cost and time required for maintenance relatively high.
- a braking member for rotatable mounting on a wheel axle of a hand-driven wheeled vehicle, the member comprising a first part having an opening for mounting on a wheel axle, and a second part releasably secured to the first part and having a braking surface adapted to engage the ground when the braking member is in an operative position.
- a special tool is required to release the second part from the first part.
- the braking member may be in the form of a shell for surrounding part of the wheel when mounted on the wheel axle, the shell having an outer arcuate wall for extending around part of the outer periphery or rim of a wheel on which it is mounted, and parallel side walls for extending over part of the front and rear faces of the wheel.
- the shell is divided generally transversely into the first shell part and second shell part.
- a skid plate of metal or other hard-wearing material may be mounted on the outer arcuate wall of the second part of the shell to provide the braking surface.
- the wheel engaging opening in the first part comprises a pair of aligned holes in the opposite side walls of the shell.
- the dividing line between the first and second parts of the shell extends along one side wall at a location spaced to one side of the axle engaging hole, across the outer arcuate wall, and then down the opposite side wall to the lower edge of the shell.
- the mating edges of the two shell parts at the dividing line may be wavy, serrated, or otherwise non-straight along at least part of the length of the dividing line, so as to make it difficult to insert a prying device in an attempt to separate the two pieces.
- a pair of tongues extend from the mating edges of the opposite side walls of the first part of the shell to engage inside the side walls of the second part, and snap engaging formations are provided between the tongues and inner faces of the respective side walls to releasably secure the shell parts together.
- the projecting tongues may be provided with openings while the inside faces of the side walls of the second shell part have projections for releasable snap engagement with the openings in the tongues.
- Each side wall of the first shell part may have a raised boss on its inner face about the wheel axle engaging hole, reducing the gap between the wheel and the inner surface of the shell part and making it even harder to deform the sidewalls inwardly.
- the only way to separate the parts is to spread the side walls of the first part apart, and a special tool may be provided for this purpose, so that only authorized store personnel can remove the second part of the shell for service or replacement.
- a braking system for use on a wheeled land vehicle incorporates a skid plate that can be quickly removed and replaced as required without dismantling the entire system. More specifically, the braking system includes a first part that is mounted on an axel of the vehicle to cover a portion of a wheel. Relative to this first part, the wheel is free for rotation on the axel. The system also includes a second part that can be selectively engaged with the first part. Structurally, the skid plate is mounted on this second part so that the first and second parts, in combination with the skid plate, create a braking shell.
- operational maintenance of the braking system requires a tool that can be used to selectively disengage the second part, with its skid plate, from the first part. Once the second part and its skid plate have been removed, they can then be replaced by another second part and skid plate.
- the tool that is used to accomplish the required disengagement is preferably a pincers having two jaws.
- one of the pincers' jaws has a relatively smooth concave surface, while the other has a flatter, more serrated surface.
- the two jaws of the pincers cooperate with each other to grip a portion of the second part to disengage it. In this task, the gripping of the second part is facilitated and the tool is stabilized by conforming the concave surface of one jaw with a rounded convex surface of the second part.
- both the first part and the second part of the braking shell are formed with a respective recess.
- the braking system includes a locking mechanism that is mounted on the vehicle to control the respective engagement and disengagement of a pawl with these recesses.
- the braking shell can be selectively moved over the wheel between a first position and a second position when the locking mechanism disengages from the braking shell.
- the pawl when the pawl is disengaged from the braking shell, it rotates around the axel under the influence of a biasing spring that urges the braking shell from the first position into the second position.
- the pawl that is controlled by the locking mechanism is positioned in the recess of the first part to hold the braking shell in its first position. In this first position, the wheel is free to contact the ground, and is thereby able to allow for movement of the vehicle.
- the braking shell is locked in a second position. In this second position, the skid plate contacts the ground, to thereby lift the wheel from the ground and inhibit further movement of the vehicle.
- the braking shell is held by the locking mechanism in its first position.
- the land vehicle e.g. a shopping cart
- the locking mechanism is activated to remove the pawl from the recess of the second part, however, the braking shell is automatically moved to its second position.
- This activation causes the wheel that is associated with the locking shell to be lifted from the ground. Consequently, the skid plate on the locking shell makes contact with the ground to significantly inhibit further movement of the vehicle.
- activation of the locking mechanism can be accomplished in a manner disclosed in references previously incorporated herein by reference.
- the second part of the braking shell is gripped with the above-described tool. While this grip is maintained, the tool is then pulled and twisted to disengage the second part from the first part. A new second part, with its associated skid plate, can then be engaged with first part. Preferably, this engagement is accomplished merely by snapping a new second part onto the first part. Also, at this time the pawl of locking mechanism can be positioned in the recess of the first part to hold the braking mechanism in its first position until there is a subsequent activation of the locking mechanism.
- FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a caster unit with a security apparatus including a two part shell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the shell in the deployed, operative position;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a two part shell according to a first embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the shell showing the internal features of the shell
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first part of the shell
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second, removable part of the shell
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the two parts of the shell from a different direction
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a special tool according to another aspect of the invention for use in separating the shell parts
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the tool of FIG. 7 engaging the removable part of the shell
- FIG. 9 is another view of the tool engaging the removable part of the shell.
- FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing the removable part after removal from the first part of the shell and still engaged with the jaws of the removal tool;
- FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tool for use in repairing the system of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a security apparatus 10 including a two part shell 20 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention which is installed on one wheel 110 of a shopping cart or other hand-driven wheeled vehicle.
- the conventional yoke as normally used on a caster is replaced by an enlarged yoke or housing 112 for enclosing the upper part of wheel 110 as well as the security apparatus 10 when in the inoperative, armed position.
- the housing 112 has a conventional stem 114 which is secured to a shopping cart body (not illustrated).
- the caster may be a swiveling or non-swiveling caster.
- the housing 112 has opposite side walls which extend down on opposite sides of wheel 110 .
- the wheel 110 is rotatably mounted on an axle 118 secured between the housing side walls.
- the security apparatus 10 within housing 112 basically comprises a braking member or shell 20 rotatably mounted on axle 118 so as to extend over a portion of the wheel 110 , a locking device (not visible in the drawings) for releasably locking the shell 20 in an inoperative position in which it is raised from the ground or an operative position in which shell 20 is rotated downwardly to engage the ground and lift the wheel 110 from the ground, and a triggering module for moving the locking device so as to release the shell 20 .
- the shell 20 may be of metal, plastic, or composite material, but is of plastic material in the exemplary embodiment.
- the locking device and triggering module of the security apparatus 10 in this embodiment may be the same as described in any of the embodiments of prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,881,846 and 6,125,972, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, and the locking and release mechanisms are therefore not described in any more detail here.
- the main difference between the security apparatus 10 of this invention and that described in the prior patents referenced above is the placement of the one piece braking shell of the prior patents with a two piece shell 20 having a first part 11 which engages the wheel axle 118 and a second part 12 which has a metal skid plate 36 for engaging the ground when the shell 20 is in the deployed or operative position of FIG. 1 .
- the two-part shell 20 is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 2 to 6 .
- the shell 20 is designed to surround part of a wheel 110 with a gap between the inner face of the shell 20 and the wheel 110 , and has an outer arcuate wall 26 (see FIG. 2 ) for extending around part of the outer periphery or rim of the wheel 110 on which it is mounted, and parallel side walls for extending over part of the front and rear faces of the wheel 110 .
- Aligned openings 13 in the opposite side walls of the shell 20 are rotatably engaged over the wheel axle 118 between the wheel 110 and the housing sidewalls when the apparatus 10 is installed as in FIG. 1 .
- a first opening or recess 136 in the outer arcuate wall 26 of the shell 20 is engaged by a locking finger or pawl of the locking device when the apparatus 10 is in an inoperative position in which the shell 20 is raised from the ground and completely enclosed within the outer housing 112 .
- the locking device When a customer attempts to leave a protected area around a store with the cart, the locking device will be actuated to retract the pawl from recess 136 .
- the biasing spring will be mounted around hub 138 and engage in groove 139 of the first shell part ( FIG. 2 ) when the components of the security device are assembled together. The rotation continues until the shell 20 contacts the ground.
- shell 20 is formed in two parts 11 , 12 separable along a transverse dividing line 40 at the mating end faces 42 , 44 of the first part 11 and second part 12 .
- the first part 11 of the shell 20 is larger than the second part and includes the openings 13 in opposite side walls 45 for mounting on the wheel axle 118 .
- the second part 12 includes the braking surface or plate 36 which engages the ground when the shell 20 is in the operative position ( FIG. 1 ).
- the braking surface in this embodiment is a separate metal skid plate 36 which is mounted in a recess provided for that purpose on the outer arcuate surface 26 of the second part 12 of the shell 20 , extending down to the lower edge 48 of the shell 20 .
- the first part 11 of the shell 20 has tongues 15 which project from the end face 42 of each side wall, as best illustrated in FIG. 4 .
- the tongues 15 are designed for engagement inside the side walls of the second part 12 when the two parts are mated together.
- the side walls of the second part 12 have recesses 52 on their inner faces designed to receive the respective tongues 15 .
- Each tongue 15 has a pair of spaced openings 54 , 55 designed for snap engagement over corresponding projections or teeth 56 , 58 on the inner wall of each recess 52 , as best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 , with FIG. 3 illustrating the tongues 15 fully engaged in recesses 52 with the teeth 56 , 58 projecting through the respective openings 54 , 55 .
- the tongues 15 also have a recess or opening 60 between the two openings 54 , 55 ( FIG. 4 ) which will be aligned with an opening 62 in the respective side wall 50 when the tongues 15 are engaged in recesses 52 with the openings engaged over the respective projections 56 , 58 .
- An indent 61 is provided on the inner wall of each recess 52 adjacent each opening 62 , as seen in FIG. 5 .
- a vertical rib 64 is provided on each side wall 45 of the first shell part 11 at the inner end of the respective tongue 15 for engaging the mating end face 44 of the second shell part 12 when the parts 11 , 12 are mated together, as in FIG. 3 .
- the dividing line 40 between the two shell parts 11 , 12 is not straight. It extends first in a generally straight line from the lower edge 48 of the shell 20 up each side wall, but has zigzags or jogs as it extends over the upper portion of each side wall and across the upper surface of the shell 20 , with an overall jigsaw puzzle piece appearance, as best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 .
- the mating end face 44 of the second shell part 12 has a central projecting tab 65 and a projecting ear 66 on each side of the tab 65 .
- the first shell part 11 has a central indent 67 for mating engagement with tab 65 , and indents 68 spaced from opposite ends of indent 67 for receiving the ears 66 .
- the mating end faces of the two shell parts 11 , 12 may also be serrated or corrugated along at least part of the dividing line for added security.
- each end face on the upper part of the shell has corrugated edge portions 70 .
- the joining line between the parts also has a jog or step 72 in the lower edge 48 , as best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 .
- the first part 11 of the shell 20 may also be provided with a raised boss or thickened wall portion 74 on its inner face which faces the wheel 110 when the shell 20 is installed on the wheel 110 . This will reduce the gap between the wheel face and the inner face of shell part 11 , resisting deformation of the shell side walls in an attempt to release the openings 54 , 55 from projections 56 , 58 .
- FIG. 7 A suitable tool 90 for this purpose is illustrated in FIG. 7 , and is shown in use in FIGS. 8 to 10 .
- the tool 90 has opposing jaws 34 with hooked ends 38 which are operated in a scissors-like fashion by handles 35 in order to move the jaws 34 towards or away from one another.
- Openings 60 are of larger dimensions than the openings 62 to leave a clearance or gap behind the ends of the openings to provide clearance for the hooked ends 38 of jaws 34 .
- the hooked ends 38 engage in the openings or recesses 61 adjacent each opening 62 , as illustrated in FIG. 10 .
- the handles 35 are first urged towards one another to spread the jaws 34 apart, and the tool 90 is positioned with the claws on opposite sides of the second shell part 12 and aligned with the respective openings 62 .
- the handles 35 are then closed toward each other so that the jaws 34 extend through the openings 62 , and moved so that the hooked ends 38 engage in the openings 61 , as illustrated in FIG. 10 .
- the handles 35 are then squeezed together, causing the side walls 50 of the second shell part 12 to spread apart so that the projections 56 , 58 are clear of the openings 54 , 55 and the shell part 12 can be removed ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ).
- the two part shell of this invention allows a second part of the shell on which the braking surface is located to be removed from the first part which is mounted on the shopping cart or wheel when service or replacement is required.
- the entire caster had to be removed when the braking surface of the shell became worn.
- the locking arrangement between the two shell parts is designed such that it cannot be readily circumvented by unauthorized users, in view of the wavy mating surfaces between the two shell parts which impede insertion of prying tools, and the rigidity of the side walls of the first shell part which resist inward deformation.
- authorized store personnel with the specialized tool can remove the second shell part quickly and easily as required for service or maintenance.
- a pincers (tool) for use in removing the skid plate 36 from the first part 11 is shown, and is generally designated 140 .
- the pincers 140 includes a jaw 142 that is formed with an elongated, generally smooth surface 144 . Further, as shown, the surface 144 is substantially concave.
- FIG. 11 also shows that the pincers 140 includes a second jaw 146 that is formed with a surface 148 . In this instance, the surface 148 is generally flat and is preferably formed with a plurality of serrations 150 .
- the purpose of the pincers 140 is for use in disengaging the second part 12 of apparatus 10 from the first part 11 of the apparatus 10 .
- the concave surface 144 on jaw 142 of the pincers 140 is positioned against the rounded portion 152 of the second part 12 .
- the flat, serrated surface 148 of jaw 146 is then positioned to locate the portion 152 of second part 12 between the jaws 142 , 146 . With the pincers 140 so positioned, the pincers 140 are used to grip the second part 12 .
- the conformance of surface 144 with portion 152 , and the interaction of the serrations 150 with the second part 12 help to stabilize the pincers (tool) 140 .
- this stabilization facilitates the application of a force on the second part 12 that will disengage it (the second part 12 ) from the first part 11 .
- a new first part 11 with associated skid plate 36 , can then be engaged with the first part 11 for further use in the operation of a vehicle (not shown).
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/675,295, filed on Apr. 26, 2005.
- The present invention pertains generally to braking systems for wheeled vehicles. More particularly, the present invention pertains to braking systems that can be selectively activated to deter removal of the vehicle from a predetermined area. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a braking system that provides for the selective removal and replacement of worn or inoperative components.
- The present invention relates generally to security devices for hand-operated wheeled vehicles, such as shopping carts, to deter theft of such vehicles, and is particularly concerned with a braking shell forming part of such a security device which is arranged to be deployed on actuation to rotate down into contact with the ground in order to inhibit wheel rotation.
- In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,881,846 and 6,125,972 of French et al., a shopping cart security apparatus and system is described in which a braking member in the form of a shell is rotatably mounted on the wheel axle of one of the wheels, so as to partially surround the wheel. The shell is movable between a raised, inoperative position in which it does not contact the ground, and a lowered, operative position contacting the ground between the wheel and the ground, preventing rotation of the wheel. One problem with this arrangement is that the portion which contacts the ground, which is generally a skid plate, becomes worn over time and eventually needs to be replaced. This requires the entire caster to be removed from the cart so that the shell can be removed from the wheel axle and replaced or repaired. This makes the cost and time required for maintenance relatively high.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved braking shell for a shopping cart security apparatus which is easier to service when the braking or ground engaging portion becomes worn.
- According to one aspect of the present invention, a braking member for rotatable mounting on a wheel axle of a hand-driven wheeled vehicle is provided, the member comprising a first part having an opening for mounting on a wheel axle, and a second part releasably secured to the first part and having a braking surface adapted to engage the ground when the braking member is in an operative position. A special tool is required to release the second part from the first part.
- The braking member may be in the form of a shell for surrounding part of the wheel when mounted on the wheel axle, the shell having an outer arcuate wall for extending around part of the outer periphery or rim of a wheel on which it is mounted, and parallel side walls for extending over part of the front and rear faces of the wheel. The shell is divided generally transversely into the first shell part and second shell part. A skid plate of metal or other hard-wearing material may be mounted on the outer arcuate wall of the second part of the shell to provide the braking surface. The wheel engaging opening in the first part comprises a pair of aligned holes in the opposite side walls of the shell.
- In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the dividing line between the first and second parts of the shell extends along one side wall at a location spaced to one side of the axle engaging hole, across the outer arcuate wall, and then down the opposite side wall to the lower edge of the shell. The mating edges of the two shell parts at the dividing line may be wavy, serrated, or otherwise non-straight along at least part of the length of the dividing line, so as to make it difficult to insert a prying device in an attempt to separate the two pieces. In the exemplary embodiment, a pair of tongues extend from the mating edges of the opposite side walls of the first part of the shell to engage inside the side walls of the second part, and snap engaging formations are provided between the tongues and inner faces of the respective side walls to releasably secure the shell parts together. For example, the projecting tongues may be provided with openings while the inside faces of the side walls of the second shell part have projections for releasable snap engagement with the openings in the tongues. Once the parts have been engaged, they cannot be simply pulled apart, but are locked together unless the side walls of the second shell part are deformed outwardly to release the projections from the openings.
- This arrangement makes the two shell parts difficult or impossible to separate by manual maneuvering or using any conventional prying tool. Once the assembled shell is mounted on a wheel or caster, it will be difficult or impossible to deform the side walls of the first part inwardly by a sufficient amount to release the openings from the projections and allow the second part to be removed. Each side wall of the first shell part may have a raised boss on its inner face about the wheel axle engaging hole, reducing the gap between the wheel and the inner surface of the shell part and making it even harder to deform the sidewalls inwardly. The only way to separate the parts is to spread the side walls of the first part apart, and a special tool may be provided for this purpose, so that only authorized store personnel can remove the second part of the shell for service or replacement.
- Use of the two part braking shell in a security apparatus for a shopping cart wheel will significantly reduce the need to remove casters from carts for servicing, and will dramatically reduce service support costs and time. At the same time, the locking arrangement between the two shell parts will make it very difficult, if not impossible, for unauthorized users to separate the second shell part from the first part.
- In another aspect of the present invention, a braking system for use on a wheeled land vehicle incorporates a skid plate that can be quickly removed and replaced as required without dismantling the entire system. More specifically, the braking system includes a first part that is mounted on an axel of the vehicle to cover a portion of a wheel. Relative to this first part, the wheel is free for rotation on the axel. The system also includes a second part that can be selectively engaged with the first part. Structurally, the skid plate is mounted on this second part so that the first and second parts, in combination with the skid plate, create a braking shell.
- As envisioned for the present invention, operational maintenance of the braking system requires a tool that can be used to selectively disengage the second part, with its skid plate, from the first part. Once the second part and its skid plate have been removed, they can then be replaced by another second part and skid plate. The tool that is used to accomplish the required disengagement is preferably a pincers having two jaws. In particular, one of the pincers' jaws has a relatively smooth concave surface, while the other has a flatter, more serrated surface. Functionally, the two jaws of the pincers cooperate with each other to grip a portion of the second part to disengage it. In this task, the gripping of the second part is facilitated and the tool is stabilized by conforming the concave surface of one jaw with a rounded convex surface of the second part.
- For the operation of the braking system, both the first part and the second part of the braking shell are formed with a respective recess. Additionally, the braking system includes a locking mechanism that is mounted on the vehicle to control the respective engagement and disengagement of a pawl with these recesses. In response to this control the braking shell can be selectively moved over the wheel between a first position and a second position when the locking mechanism disengages from the braking shell. Specifically, when the pawl is disengaged from the braking shell, it rotates around the axel under the influence of a biasing spring that urges the braking shell from the first position into the second position.
- In greater detail, the pawl that is controlled by the locking mechanism is positioned in the recess of the first part to hold the braking shell in its first position. In this first position, the wheel is free to contact the ground, and is thereby able to allow for movement of the vehicle. Alternatively, when the pawl is removed from the recess in the first part and is then positioned in the recess of the second part, the braking shell is locked in a second position. In this second position, the skid plate contacts the ground, to thereby lift the wheel from the ground and inhibit further movement of the vehicle.
- With the above in mind, it is to be appreciated that for a normal operation of the present invention, the braking shell is held by the locking mechanism in its first position. The land vehicle (e.g. a shopping cart) can then be freely moved over the ground. When the locking mechanism is activated to remove the pawl from the recess of the second part, however, the braking shell is automatically moved to its second position. This activation causes the wheel that is associated with the locking shell to be lifted from the ground. Consequently, the skid plate on the locking shell makes contact with the ground to significantly inhibit further movement of the vehicle. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, activation of the locking mechanism can be accomplished in a manner disclosed in references previously incorporated herein by reference.
- It happens that after a vehicle has been inhibited from free movement, it may be desirable that the vehicle be repaired and reconditioned for service. To do this, the second part of the braking shell is gripped with the above-described tool. While this grip is maintained, the tool is then pulled and twisted to disengage the second part from the first part. A new second part, with its associated skid plate, can then be engaged with first part. Preferably, this engagement is accomplished merely by snapping a new second part onto the first part. Also, at this time the pawl of locking mechanism can be positioned in the recess of the first part to hold the braking mechanism in its first position until there is a subsequent activation of the locking mechanism.
- The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a caster unit with a security apparatus including a two part shell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the shell in the deployed, operative position; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a two part shell according to a first embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the shell showing the internal features of the shell; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first part of the shell; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second, removable part of the shell; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the two parts of the shell from a different direction; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a special tool according to another aspect of the invention for use in separating the shell parts; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the tool ofFIG. 7 engaging the removable part of the shell; -
FIG. 9 is another view of the tool engaging the removable part of the shell; -
FIG. 10 is a view similar toFIG. 9 showing the removable part after removal from the first part of the shell and still engaged with the jaws of the removal tool; and -
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a tool for use in repairing the system of the present invention. -
FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates asecurity apparatus 10 including a twopart shell 20 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention which is installed on onewheel 110 of a shopping cart or other hand-driven wheeled vehicle. The conventional yoke as normally used on a caster is replaced by an enlarged yoke orhousing 112 for enclosing the upper part ofwheel 110 as well as thesecurity apparatus 10 when in the inoperative, armed position. Thehousing 112 has aconventional stem 114 which is secured to a shopping cart body (not illustrated). The caster may be a swiveling or non-swiveling caster. - The
housing 112 has opposite side walls which extend down on opposite sides ofwheel 110. Thewheel 110 is rotatably mounted on anaxle 118 secured between the housing side walls. Thesecurity apparatus 10 withinhousing 112 basically comprises a braking member orshell 20 rotatably mounted onaxle 118 so as to extend over a portion of thewheel 110, a locking device (not visible in the drawings) for releasably locking theshell 20 in an inoperative position in which it is raised from the ground or an operative position in which shell 20 is rotated downwardly to engage the ground and lift thewheel 110 from the ground, and a triggering module for moving the locking device so as to release theshell 20. Theshell 20 may be of metal, plastic, or composite material, but is of plastic material in the exemplary embodiment. The locking device and triggering module of thesecurity apparatus 10 in this embodiment may be the same as described in any of the embodiments of prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,881,846 and 6,125,972, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, and the locking and release mechanisms are therefore not described in any more detail here. - The main difference between the
security apparatus 10 of this invention and that described in the prior patents referenced above is the placement of the one piece braking shell of the prior patents with a twopiece shell 20 having afirst part 11 which engages thewheel axle 118 and asecond part 12 which has ametal skid plate 36 for engaging the ground when theshell 20 is in the deployed or operative position ofFIG. 1 . - The two-
part shell 20 is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 2 to 6. Theshell 20 is designed to surround part of awheel 110 with a gap between the inner face of theshell 20 and thewheel 110, and has an outer arcuate wall 26 (seeFIG. 2 ) for extending around part of the outer periphery or rim of thewheel 110 on which it is mounted, and parallel side walls for extending over part of the front and rear faces of thewheel 110. Alignedopenings 13 in the opposite side walls of theshell 20 are rotatably engaged over thewheel axle 118 between thewheel 110 and the housing sidewalls when theapparatus 10 is installed as inFIG. 1 . - A first opening or
recess 136 in the outerarcuate wall 26 of theshell 20 is engaged by a locking finger or pawl of the locking device when theapparatus 10 is in an inoperative position in which theshell 20 is raised from the ground and completely enclosed within theouter housing 112. When a customer attempts to leave a protected area around a store with the cart, the locking device will be actuated to retract the pawl fromrecess 136. This allows theshell 20 to rotate downwardly under the action of a biasing spring around the axle 118 (also not visible in the drawings). The biasing spring will be mounted aroundhub 138 and engage ingroove 139 of the first shell part (FIG. 2 ) when the components of the security device are assembled together. The rotation continues until theshell 20 contacts the ground. After theshell 20 contacts the ground, continued forward motion of the cart will move theshell 20 into a braking position ofFIG. 1 between thewheel 110 and the ground, lifting thewheel 110 from the ground and inhibiting further movement of the cart. At this position, the locking pawl will engage in arecess 137 on the outerarcuate surface 26 of theshell 20 so as to prevent a customer from rotating theshell 20 back into an inoperative position. - As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6,
shell 20 is formed in twoparts transverse dividing line 40 at the mating end faces 42, 44 of thefirst part 11 andsecond part 12. Thefirst part 11 of theshell 20 is larger than the second part and includes theopenings 13 inopposite side walls 45 for mounting on thewheel axle 118. Thesecond part 12 includes the braking surface orplate 36 which engages the ground when theshell 20 is in the operative position (FIG. 1 ). The braking surface in this embodiment is a separatemetal skid plate 36 which is mounted in a recess provided for that purpose on the outerarcuate surface 26 of thesecond part 12 of theshell 20, extending down to thelower edge 48 of theshell 20. - The
first part 11 of theshell 20 hastongues 15 which project from theend face 42 of each side wall, as best illustrated inFIG. 4 . Thetongues 15 are designed for engagement inside the side walls of thesecond part 12 when the two parts are mated together. As best illustrated inFIG. 5 , the side walls of thesecond part 12 haverecesses 52 on their inner faces designed to receive therespective tongues 15. Eachtongue 15 has a pair of spacedopenings teeth recess 52, as best illustrated inFIGS. 3, 4 and 5, withFIG. 3 illustrating thetongues 15 fully engaged inrecesses 52 with theteeth respective openings teeth openings teeth - The
tongues 15 also have a recess or opening 60 between the twoopenings 54, 55 (FIG. 4 ) which will be aligned with anopening 62 in therespective side wall 50 when thetongues 15 are engaged inrecesses 52 with the openings engaged over therespective projections indent 61 is provided on the inner wall of eachrecess 52 adjacent eachopening 62, as seen inFIG. 5 . Avertical rib 64 is provided on eachside wall 45 of thefirst shell part 11 at the inner end of therespective tongue 15 for engaging themating end face 44 of thesecond shell part 12 when theparts FIG. 3 . - As can be seen in the drawings, the dividing
line 40 between the twoshell parts lower edge 48 of theshell 20 up each side wall, but has zigzags or jogs as it extends over the upper portion of each side wall and across the upper surface of theshell 20, with an overall jigsaw puzzle piece appearance, as best illustrated inFIGS. 2, 5 and 6. As best illustrated inFIG. 5 , themating end face 44 of thesecond shell part 12 has a central projectingtab 65 and a projectingear 66 on each side of thetab 65. Thefirst shell part 11 has acentral indent 67 for mating engagement withtab 65, and indents 68 spaced from opposite ends ofindent 67 for receiving theears 66. By having a non-straight, more tortuous dividing line between the twoshell parts shell parts edge portions 70. The joining line between the parts also has a jog or step 72 in thelower edge 48, as best illustrated inFIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Since there is no exposed straight seam between the twoshell parts 11, 12 (the seam along the side walls is immediatelyadjacent rib 42 which will restrict prying), it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to insert a prying tool between the mating end faces in order to attempt to separate them. This reduces the risk of a customer attempting to circumvent the braking action by prying off thesecond part 12 of theshell 20 which carries theskid plate 36. - As best illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4 , thefirst part 11 of theshell 20 may also be provided with a raised boss or thickenedwall portion 74 on its inner face which faces thewheel 110 when theshell 20 is installed on thewheel 110. This will reduce the gap between the wheel face and the inner face ofshell part 11, resisting deformation of the shell side walls in an attempt to release theopenings projections - With this arrangement, a special tool is required to remove the
second part 12 of theshell 20 from thefirst part 11. Asuitable tool 90 for this purpose is illustrated inFIG. 7 , and is shown in use in FIGS. 8 to 10. Thetool 90 has opposingjaws 34 with hooked ends 38 which are operated in a scissors-like fashion byhandles 35 in order to move thejaws 34 towards or away from one another. When the twoshell parts FIG. 3 , theopenings 62 in the opposite side walls of thesecond shell part 12 are aligned with recesses oropenings 60 in the projectingtongues 15 of thefirst shell part 11.Openings 60 are of larger dimensions than theopenings 62 to leave a clearance or gap behind the ends of the openings to provide clearance for the hooked ends 38 ofjaws 34. The hooked ends 38 engage in the openings or recesses 61 adjacent eachopening 62, as illustrated inFIG. 10 . - In order to separate the shell parts, the
handles 35 are first urged towards one another to spread thejaws 34 apart, and thetool 90 is positioned with the claws on opposite sides of thesecond shell part 12 and aligned with therespective openings 62. Thehandles 35 are then closed toward each other so that thejaws 34 extend through theopenings 62, and moved so that the hooked ends 38 engage in theopenings 61, as illustrated inFIG. 10 . Thehandles 35 are then squeezed together, causing theside walls 50 of thesecond shell part 12 to spread apart so that theprojections openings shell part 12 can be removed (FIGS. 9 and 10 ). - The two part shell of this invention allows a second part of the shell on which the braking surface is located to be removed from the first part which is mounted on the shopping cart or wheel when service or replacement is required. Previously, on security devices having a one piece shell, the entire caster had to be removed when the braking surface of the shell became worn. The locking arrangement between the two shell parts is designed such that it cannot be readily circumvented by unauthorized users, in view of the wavy mating surfaces between the two shell parts which impede insertion of prying tools, and the rigidity of the side walls of the first shell part which resist inward deformation. At the same time, authorized store personnel with the specialized tool can remove the second shell part quickly and easily as required for service or maintenance.
- Referring now to
FIG. 11 , a pincers (tool) for use in removing theskid plate 36 from thefirst part 11, is shown, and is generally designated 140. As shown, thepincers 140 includes ajaw 142 that is formed with an elongated, generallysmooth surface 144. Further, as shown, thesurface 144 is substantially concave.FIG. 11 also shows that thepincers 140 includes asecond jaw 146 that is formed with asurface 148. In this instance, thesurface 148 is generally flat and is preferably formed with a plurality ofserrations 150. - By cross-referencing
FIG. 11 withFIG. 6 , it is to be appreciated that the purpose of thepincers 140 is for use in disengaging thesecond part 12 ofapparatus 10 from thefirst part 11 of theapparatus 10. To do this, as will be best appreciated with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6 , theconcave surface 144 onjaw 142 of thepincers 140 is positioned against therounded portion 152 of thesecond part 12. The flat,serrated surface 148 ofjaw 146 is then positioned to locate theportion 152 ofsecond part 12 between thejaws pincers 140 so positioned, thepincers 140 are used to grip thesecond part 12. In this action, the conformance ofsurface 144 withportion 152, and the interaction of theserrations 150 with thesecond part 12 help to stabilize the pincers (tool) 140. Specifically, this stabilization facilitates the application of a force on thesecond part 12 that will disengage it (the second part 12) from thefirst part 11. A newfirst part 11, with associatedskid plate 36, can then be engaged with thefirst part 11 for further use in the operation of a vehicle (not shown). - Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been described above by way of example only, it will be understood by those skilled in the field that modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.
- While the particular braking system as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/411,976 US20070074936A1 (en) | 2005-04-26 | 2006-04-26 | Braking shell for shopping cart security device |
US12/362,332 US7740114B2 (en) | 2005-04-26 | 2009-01-29 | Braking shell for shopping cart security device |
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Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US67529505P | 2005-04-26 | 2005-04-26 | |
US11/411,976 US20070074936A1 (en) | 2005-04-26 | 2006-04-26 | Braking shell for shopping cart security device |
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US12/362,332 Continuation US7740114B2 (en) | 2005-04-26 | 2009-01-29 | Braking shell for shopping cart security device |
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US20070074936A1 true US20070074936A1 (en) | 2007-04-05 |
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US11/411,976 Abandoned US20070074936A1 (en) | 2005-04-26 | 2006-04-26 | Braking shell for shopping cart security device |
US12/362,332 Active US7740114B2 (en) | 2005-04-26 | 2009-01-29 | Braking shell for shopping cart security device |
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US12/362,332 Active US7740114B2 (en) | 2005-04-26 | 2009-01-29 | Braking shell for shopping cart security device |
Country Status (5)
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US (2) | US20070074936A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1875097A4 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2006238833A1 (en) |
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090133972A1 (en) * | 2005-04-26 | 2009-05-28 | Carttronics, Llc | Braking Shell for Shopping Cart Security Device |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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GB0722156D0 (en) * | 2007-11-12 | 2007-12-19 | Gray Matter Alpha Ltd | Braking arrangements and methods |
GB2458484B (en) | 2008-03-19 | 2011-12-28 | Ds Smith Plastics Ltd | A dolly |
AU2010295352B2 (en) * | 2009-09-21 | 2014-12-04 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Retail product tracking system, method, and apparatus |
US8508367B2 (en) * | 2009-09-21 | 2013-08-13 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Configurable monitoring device |
US8602176B2 (en) | 2011-02-24 | 2013-12-10 | Carttronics, Llc | Ball bearing braking apparatus |
CN106573633B (en) | 2014-07-25 | 2018-11-16 | 看门人系统公司 | Monitor the service condition or state of cart recover |
CN111546830B (en) * | 2020-04-28 | 2021-10-08 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Caster assembly and mobile air conditioner |
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---|---|---|---|---|
US20090133972A1 (en) * | 2005-04-26 | 2009-05-28 | Carttronics, Llc | Braking Shell for Shopping Cart Security Device |
US7740114B2 (en) * | 2005-04-26 | 2010-06-22 | Carttronics, Llc | Braking shell for shopping cart security device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2006116390A3 (en) | 2009-04-16 |
EP1875097A4 (en) | 2009-11-11 |
WO2006116390A2 (en) | 2006-11-02 |
CA2604212A1 (en) | 2006-11-02 |
AU2006238833A1 (en) | 2006-11-02 |
US20090133972A1 (en) | 2009-05-28 |
US7740114B2 (en) | 2010-06-22 |
EP1875097A2 (en) | 2008-01-09 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CARTTRONICS, LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NEBOLON, JOSEPH F.;REEL/FRAME:018307/0373 Effective date: 20060804 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CARTTRONICS, LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MEANS, JAY S.;REEL/FRAME:018682/0616 Effective date: 20061211 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BFI BUSINESS FINANCE, CALIFORNIA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:CARTTRONICS LLC;REEL/FRAME:022162/0151 Effective date: 20090116 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CARTTRONICS LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: TERMINATION OF INTEREST IN PATENTS;ASSIGNOR:BFI BUSINESS FINANCE;REEL/FRAME:029598/0144 Effective date: 20121219 |