US20080083677A1 - Shopping cart organizer - Google Patents

Shopping cart organizer Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20080083677A1
US20080083677A1 US11/905,731 US90573107A US2008083677A1 US 20080083677 A1 US20080083677 A1 US 20080083677A1 US 90573107 A US90573107 A US 90573107A US 2008083677 A1 US2008083677 A1 US 2008083677A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
passageway
cart
shopping cart
side rails
organizer according
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
Application number
US11/905,731
Inventor
Benjamin Kaliko
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US11/905,731 priority Critical patent/US20080083677A1/en
Publication of US20080083677A1 publication Critical patent/US20080083677A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F10/00—Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for
    • A47F10/02—Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets
    • A47F10/04—Furniture or installations specially adapted to particular types of service systems, not otherwise provided for for self-service type systems, e.g. supermarkets for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for organizing and gathering shopping carts on parking lots.
  • Stray shopping carts can often cause problems in the parking lots of supermarket stores and discount stores that use many shopping carts.
  • One of the problems with these stray shopping carts include persons driving into the shopping carts, which can cause damage to the shopping cart and the vehicle that runs into the shopping cart.
  • Various systems are reflected in the related art that attempt to address this problem. However, there is no known system that has all of the features described in the present invention.
  • the shopping cart organizer is a return system for shopping carts located in a parking lot having a plurality of parking spots.
  • the shopping cart organizer includes at least one cart passageway having opposing ends. Lateral sides of the passageway are defined by a plurality of side rails and barrier strips disposed end to end in an alternating manner. Parking spots may be disposed adjacent to at least one of the lateral sides of the passageway. Those parking spots that are disposed adjacent to the same lateral side, and also adjacent to each other, form a passageway entry space between them that can be used for placement of the cart into the passageway.
  • Each barrier strip extends across a respective passageway entry space to prevent a cart placed in the passageway from escaping back to the entry space.
  • a pivotal cart stop is provided in at least one of the opposing ends of the passageway to prevent movement of the carts out of that end until the pivotal cart stop is pivoted upward to an open position.
  • FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a shopping cart organizer, according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of the shopping cart organizer, according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a top view of an alternate configuration of the shopping cart organizer, according to the present invention.
  • the present invention is a shopping cart organizer that provides a return system for shopping carts located in a parking lot having a plurality of parking spots.
  • the shopping cart organizer 105 includes at least one cart passageway 107 having opposing ends. Lateral sides of the passageway 107 are defined by a first plurality of side rails 110 a and barrier strips 115 a disposed end to end in an alternating manner separated laterally from a second plurality of side rails 110 b and barrier strips 115 b similarly disposed, i.e., end to end in an alternating manner.
  • the passageway 107 has a width W of approximately three feet.
  • the side rails 110 a, 110 b have a height H of approximately thirty-two inches.
  • parking spots 116 may be disposed adjacent to at least one of the lateral sides of the passageway 107 .
  • Wheel bumpers 120 may be disposed towards the front of each parking spot 116 in order to prevent a vehicle such as car C from running into railing element of the system 105 .
  • Those parking spots 116 which are disposed adjacent to the same lateral side of passageway 107 , and also adjacent to each other, form a passageway entry space 117 between them that can be used for placement of the cart SC into the passageway 107 .
  • the carts SC can be lined up in the passageway 107 so that they face a STORE FRONT.
  • At least one cart return sign 125 can be disposed in a conspicuous location proximate the passageway entry spaces 117 , and at eye level, e.g., approximately 6 feet high, to encourage shoppers to return the cart in the proper direction.
  • a pivotal cart stop 130 having a pivotal attachment 132 to one of the side rails 110 a or 110 b is disposed to extend across the passageway 107 at an end that faces or is closer to the STORE FRONT.
  • the pivotal cart stop 130 when in a closed position is disposed at a height near the wheel height of the shopping cart SC. When the pivotal cart stop 130 is pivoted to an open position, the shopping carts SC can flow freely out the end of passageway 107 .
  • Each barrier strip 115 a, 115 b extends across a respective passageway entry space 117 to prevent a cart placed in the passageway 107 from escaping the passageway 107 .
  • an alternative embodiment of the present invention 105 utilizes a single plurality of side rails and barrier strips, such as side rails 110 a and barrier strips 115 a. disposed parallel to a fence F in order to form the passageway 107 .
  • the front of passageway 107 in this alternative embodiment also faces the STORE FRONT.
  • FIGS. 1-3 show parking spots 116 that are slanted or angled, it is also contemplated by the present invention to configure the parking spots 116 so that they are perpendicular to the passageway 107 as well.
  • the present invention 105 can also accommodate handicapped parking spaces (not shown).

Landscapes

  • Handcart (AREA)

Abstract

The shopping cart organizer is a return system for shopping carts in a parking lot. The shopping cart organizer includes at least one cart passageway having opposing ends. Lateral sides of the passageway are defined by a first and second plurality of side rails and barrier strips disposed end to end in an alternating manner, the first and second plurality being laterally displaced from each other. Parking spots are disposed adjacent to at least one of the lateral sides of the passageway. Parking spots that are disposed adjacent to the same lateral side, and also adjacent to each other, form a passageway entry space between them that can be used for placement of the cart into the passageway. Each barrier strip extends across a respective passageway entry space to prevent a cart placed in the passageway from escaping. A pivotal cart stop is provided at one end of the passageway.

Description

    CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
  • This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/850,287, filed Oct. 10, 2006.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention
  • The present invention relates to a system for organizing and gathering shopping carts on parking lots.
  • 2. Description of the Related Art
  • Stray shopping carts can often cause problems in the parking lots of supermarket stores and discount stores that use many shopping carts. One of the problems with these stray shopping carts include persons driving into the shopping carts, which can cause damage to the shopping cart and the vehicle that runs into the shopping cart. Various systems are reflected in the related art that attempt to address this problem. However, there is no known system that has all of the features described in the present invention.
  • Thus a shopping cart organizer solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The shopping cart organizer is a return system for shopping carts located in a parking lot having a plurality of parking spots. The shopping cart organizer includes at least one cart passageway having opposing ends. Lateral sides of the passageway are defined by a plurality of side rails and barrier strips disposed end to end in an alternating manner. Parking spots may be disposed adjacent to at least one of the lateral sides of the passageway. Those parking spots that are disposed adjacent to the same lateral side, and also adjacent to each other, form a passageway entry space between them that can be used for placement of the cart into the passageway. Each barrier strip extends across a respective passageway entry space to prevent a cart placed in the passageway from escaping back to the entry space. A pivotal cart stop is provided in at least one of the opposing ends of the passageway to prevent movement of the carts out of that end until the pivotal cart stop is pivoted upward to an open position.
  • These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a shopping cart organizer, according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of the shopping cart organizer, according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a top view of an alternate configuration of the shopping cart organizer, according to the present invention.
    •
  • Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • The present invention is a shopping cart organizer that provides a return system for shopping carts located in a parking lot having a plurality of parking spots. As shown in FIG. 1, the shopping cart organizer 105 includes at least one cart passageway 107 having opposing ends. Lateral sides of the passageway 107 are defined by a first plurality of side rails 110 a and barrier strips 115 a disposed end to end in an alternating manner separated laterally from a second plurality of side rails 110 b and barrier strips 115 b similarly disposed, i.e., end to end in an alternating manner. Preferably, the passageway 107 has a width W of approximately three feet. Preferably, the side rails 110 a, 110 b have a height H of approximately thirty-two inches.
  • As shown in FIG. 2, parking spots 116 may be disposed adjacent to at least one of the lateral sides of the passageway 107. Wheel bumpers 120 may be disposed towards the front of each parking spot 116 in order to prevent a vehicle such as car C from running into railing element of the system 105. Those parking spots 116 which are disposed adjacent to the same lateral side of passageway 107, and also adjacent to each other, form a passageway entry space 117 between them that can be used for placement of the cart SC into the passageway 107. Preferably, the carts SC can be lined up in the passageway 107 so that they face a STORE FRONT. At least one cart return sign 125 can be disposed in a conspicuous location proximate the passageway entry spaces 117, and at eye level, e.g., approximately 6 feet high, to encourage shoppers to return the cart in the proper direction. Preferably, to prevent movement of the carts out of the passageway until desired, a pivotal cart stop 130 having a pivotal attachment 132 to one of the side rails 110 a or 110 b is disposed to extend across the passageway 107 at an end that faces or is closer to the STORE FRONT. Preferably, the pivotal cart stop 130 when in a closed position is disposed at a height near the wheel height of the shopping cart SC. When the pivotal cart stop 130 is pivoted to an open position, the shopping carts SC can flow freely out the end of passageway 107.
  • Each barrier strip 115 a, 115 b extends across a respective passageway entry space 117 to prevent a cart placed in the passageway 107 from escaping the passageway 107.
  • As shown in FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the present invention 105, utilizes a single plurality of side rails and barrier strips, such as side rails 110 a and barrier strips 115 a. disposed parallel to a fence F in order to form the passageway 107. Preferably the front of passageway 107 in this alternative embodiment also faces the STORE FRONT.
  • Although FIGS. 1-3 show parking spots 116 that are slanted or angled, it is also contemplated by the present invention to configure the parking spots 116 so that they are perpendicular to the passageway 107 as well. The present invention 105 can also accommodate handicapped parking spaces (not shown).
  • It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. A shopping cart organizer, comprising:
a first plurality of side rails and barrier strips disposed end to end in an alternating manner;
a second plurality of side rails and barrier strips disposed end to end in an alternating manner the second plurality of side rails and barrier strips being laterally displaced from the first plurality of side rails and barrier strips to form a cart passageway having lateral sides and opposing ends;
parking spots disposed adjacent to at least one of the lateral sides of the passageway, the parking spots disposed adjacent to a same one of the lateral sides and also adjacent to each other forming a passageway entry space between them, the passageway entry space being adapted for placement of carts into the passageway, each of the barrier strips extending across a respective passageway entry space to prevent one of the carts placed in the passageway from escaping; and
a pivotal cart stop disposed in at least one of the opposing ends to prevent movement of the carts out of the at least one of the opposing ends of the passageway until the pivotal cart stop is pivoted to an open position.
2. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 1, wherein the cart passageway is about three feet wide.
3. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 1, wherein the side rails have a height of about thirty-two inches.
4. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 1, further comprising: wheel bumpers disposed towards a front portion of each parking spot in order to prevent a vehicle from running into the side rails.
5. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one cart return sign disposed in a conspicuous location proximate the passageway entry spaces, and at eye level of about six feet high to encourage shoppers to return the cart in a proper direction.
6. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 1, wherein the pivotal cart stop when in a closed position is disposed at a height proximate a wheel height of a shopping cart.
7. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 1, wherein a front of the shopping cart passageway faces a storefront.
8. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 1, wherein the parking spots are slanted with respect to the side rails.
9. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 1, wherein the parking spots are perpendicular to the side rails.
10. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 1, the parking spots further comprise handicapped accessible parking spaces.
11. A shopping cart organizer, comprising:
a plurality of side rails and barrier strips disposed end to end in an alternating manner laterally displaced from an elongate barrier to form a cart passageway having lateral sides and opposing ends;
parking spots disposed adjacent to the lateral side of the passageway formed by the plurality of side rails and barrier strips, the parking spots disposed adjacent to the lateral side and also adjacent to each other forming a passageway entry space between them, the passageway entry space being available for placement of carts into the passageway, each of the barrier strips extending across a respective one of the passageway entry spaces to prevent a cart placed in the corresponding passageway from escaping; and
a pivotal cart stop disposed in at least one of the opposing ends of the passageways to prevent movement of the carts out of the at least one of the opposing ends of the passageway until the pivotal cart stop is pivoted to an open position.
12. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 11, wherein the cart passageway is about three feet wide.
13. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 11, wherein the side rails have a height of about thirty-two inches.
14. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 11, further comprising: wheel bumpers disposed towards a front portion of each of the parking spots in order to prevent a vehicle from running into the side rails.
15. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 11, further comprising: at least one cart return sign disposed in a conspicuous location proximate the passageway entry spaces, and at eye level of about six feet high to encourage shoppers to return the cart in a proper direction.
16. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 11, wherein the pivotal cart stop when in a closed position is disposed at a height proximate a wheel height of a shopping cart.
17. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 11, wherein a front portion of the shopping cart passageway faces a storefront.
18. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 11, wherein the parking spots are slanted with respect to the side rails.
19. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 11, wherein the parking spots are perpendicular to the side rails.
20. The shopping cart organizer according to claim 11, wherein the parking spots further comprise handicapped accessible parking spaces.
US11/905,731 2006-10-10 2007-10-03 Shopping cart organizer Abandoned US20080083677A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/905,731 US20080083677A1 (en) 2006-10-10 2007-10-03 Shopping cart organizer

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US85028706P 2006-10-10 2006-10-10
US11/905,731 US20080083677A1 (en) 2006-10-10 2007-10-03 Shopping cart organizer

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20080083677A1 true US20080083677A1 (en) 2008-04-10

Family

ID=39274213

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/905,731 Abandoned US20080083677A1 (en) 2006-10-10 2007-10-03 Shopping cart organizer

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US20080083677A1 (en)

Citations (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US423697A (en) * 1890-03-18 pinolet
US2200639A (en) * 1937-05-08 1940-05-14 Charles T Rice Traffic controlling means for parking lots and one-way drives
US3837455A (en) * 1972-10-10 1974-09-24 A Hurt System and method for customer return of merchandise carts
US4236697A (en) * 1978-10-06 1980-12-02 Savino Alfred T Cart storage device
US4519164A (en) * 1984-01-09 1985-05-28 Porter Richard A Gate with multiple pivot axes for rail members
US4576274A (en) * 1983-05-26 1986-03-18 Cart-O-Matic Aktiebolag Means for the storing of carts such as shopping carts
US4609183A (en) * 1984-09-07 1986-09-02 Whittar Industries, Ltd. Shopping cart corral kit and method of assembling a corral from the component parts of the kit
US5082087A (en) * 1991-02-11 1992-01-21 Jackie Hubbell Shopping cart placement structure with stairway
US5201426A (en) * 1991-07-15 1993-04-13 Cruwell Jr Ernest A Shopping cart corral
US5402106A (en) * 1993-05-06 1995-03-28 Anthony M. DiPaolo Shopping cart theft prevention system
US5473991A (en) * 1993-07-22 1995-12-12 Crum; Martin D. Apparatus for conveying work objects
US5529163A (en) * 1995-02-07 1996-06-25 Mel Decker Collection, storage and dispensing system and vertical lift for shopping carts
US6206165B1 (en) * 1997-05-13 2001-03-27 Catena-Systems Aps System for promoting the returning of service carts, e.g. shopping carts, intended for transporting commodities in an activity center, e.g. shopping centers
US6298997B1 (en) * 1998-04-30 2001-10-09 Mccue Corporation Storage station
US6816085B1 (en) * 2000-01-14 2004-11-09 Michael N. Haynes Method for managing a parking lot
US20050077110A1 (en) * 2003-10-10 2005-04-14 Betty Herman Shopping cart return system for parking lots
US6910828B1 (en) * 2004-02-03 2005-06-28 Metra Hughes Shopping cart collection, storage, and retrieval system
US7123166B1 (en) * 2000-11-17 2006-10-17 Haynes Michael N Method for managing a parking lot
US7490701B2 (en) * 1999-09-15 2009-02-17 Ronald Scheffer Method and apparatus for securing a shopping cart

Patent Citations (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US423697A (en) * 1890-03-18 pinolet
US2200639A (en) * 1937-05-08 1940-05-14 Charles T Rice Traffic controlling means for parking lots and one-way drives
US3837455A (en) * 1972-10-10 1974-09-24 A Hurt System and method for customer return of merchandise carts
US4236697A (en) * 1978-10-06 1980-12-02 Savino Alfred T Cart storage device
US4576274A (en) * 1983-05-26 1986-03-18 Cart-O-Matic Aktiebolag Means for the storing of carts such as shopping carts
US4519164A (en) * 1984-01-09 1985-05-28 Porter Richard A Gate with multiple pivot axes for rail members
US4609183A (en) * 1984-09-07 1986-09-02 Whittar Industries, Ltd. Shopping cart corral kit and method of assembling a corral from the component parts of the kit
US5082087A (en) * 1991-02-11 1992-01-21 Jackie Hubbell Shopping cart placement structure with stairway
US5201426A (en) * 1991-07-15 1993-04-13 Cruwell Jr Ernest A Shopping cart corral
US5402106A (en) * 1993-05-06 1995-03-28 Anthony M. DiPaolo Shopping cart theft prevention system
US5473991A (en) * 1993-07-22 1995-12-12 Crum; Martin D. Apparatus for conveying work objects
US5529163A (en) * 1995-02-07 1996-06-25 Mel Decker Collection, storage and dispensing system and vertical lift for shopping carts
US6206165B1 (en) * 1997-05-13 2001-03-27 Catena-Systems Aps System for promoting the returning of service carts, e.g. shopping carts, intended for transporting commodities in an activity center, e.g. shopping centers
US6298997B1 (en) * 1998-04-30 2001-10-09 Mccue Corporation Storage station
US7490701B2 (en) * 1999-09-15 2009-02-17 Ronald Scheffer Method and apparatus for securing a shopping cart
US6816085B1 (en) * 2000-01-14 2004-11-09 Michael N. Haynes Method for managing a parking lot
US7123166B1 (en) * 2000-11-17 2006-10-17 Haynes Michael N Method for managing a parking lot
US20050077110A1 (en) * 2003-10-10 2005-04-14 Betty Herman Shopping cart return system for parking lots
US6910828B1 (en) * 2004-02-03 2005-06-28 Metra Hughes Shopping cart collection, storage, and retrieval system
US20050214073A1 (en) * 2004-02-03 2005-09-29 Metra Hughes Shopping cart collection, storage, and retrieval system

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8360253B2 (en) Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
US8312999B2 (en) Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
US5494308A (en) Storage and display device in combination with a shopping cart
US20080035748A1 (en) Toy vehicle track
US5279085A (en) Covered walkway system for a parking lot
Drennen Economic effects of traffic calming on urban small businesses
JP2011510704A5 (en)
CN101472509A (en) Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
CN105682514A (en) Merchandising system and method of use
US4901482A (en) Multi-building drive through mall
US20140208654A1 (en) Sliding panel assembly
JPH0736523Y2 (en) Product dispenser
WO1999036900A8 (en) A display means, a method of manufacturing same, a display system, and a method of displaying
US20090230642A1 (en) Hitch mounted shopping cart carrier device and methods of use therein
US9109396B2 (en) Ladder having narrow base
US20080083677A1 (en) Shopping cart organizer
US6910828B1 (en) Shopping cart collection, storage, and retrieval system
NL9320050A (en) Sales shelving for bottles.
RU2343260C1 (en) Car parking by hanging
US20140252932A1 (en) Slide panel clip
JP4021971B2 (en) Checkout counter and checkout equipment with this
US20050077110A1 (en) Shopping cart return system for parking lots
US5158311A (en) Shopping cart with security indicia
JP3025868B2 (en) Drive-through vending service store
JP3083195U (en) Product Display Shelf Shelf

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION