WO1999003381A1

WO1999003381A1 - Anti-exit means for shopping trolleys

Info

Publication number: WO1999003381A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1998/000089
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruce Mclaren
Original assignee: Price Mclaren Limited
Priority date: 1997-07-14
Filing date: 1998-06-23
Publication date: 1999-01-28
Also published as: AU8247398A; AU721509B2

Abstract

The anti-exit barrier means are provided for preventing the removal of shopping trolleys through certain doorways in stores, while still allowing passage for staff and customers in an emergency evacuation. The anti-exit means include at least two substantially parallel, spaced-apart barriers (1) defining a passageway through which a shopping trolley may pass. At least one of the barriers (1) of each passageway has at least one arm (4) pivotally mounted thereon, and the said arm (4), and any other similar arms, extends into the passageway and is moveable in one direction only. The distance between the barriers (1), and the length of the arms (4) is such that when a shopping trolley is pushed into the passageway it is contacted by the arms (4) which move with it to allow it to pass through in one direction, but if the trolley is pushed into the passageway in the reverse direction, or if its direction is reversed in the passageway, the arms (4) engage with the trolley and prevent movement in that direction.

Description

ANTI-EXIT MEANS FOR SHOPPING TROLLEYS

Field of the Invention This invention relates to anti-exit means. In particular it relates to trolley anti- exit means to be placed at the entrance doors of merchandise outlets or stores, in order to prevent shopping trolleys from being removed from the outlet or store through said entrance doors.

Background to the Invention

It is a common practise for the proprietors of certain types of merchandise outlets to provide shopping trolleys for the assistance of their customers. Generally the type of outlet or store that provides trolleys is one of the self- service style, such as a supermarket, where customers remove the goods they wish to purchase from the shelves, and pay before they exit the store. Payment is usually made at a check-out section prior to the exit doors, and customer traffic is directed so that customers cannot leave the premises without exiting through this check-out section

In such stores, however, it may be possible for a customer to leave the premises with the trolley of goods, without making payment for the goods, if they are able to remove the trolley through the entry doors, or by way of any other such door able to be accessed without passing through the check-out section. While these doors are usually able to be activated from the outside only, it is possible for customers to arrange for this to be done by another person, and then leave through those doors without making payment for the goods in their trolley. Alternatively customers may wait until someone enters the store and make their exit at the same time. It is important that the owners and/or operators of stores or outlets of this type are able to ensure that customers cannot leave the premises with the trolley containing goods until they have paid for the goods. However, it is impractical to erect barriers which prevent the passage of people through doorways, particularly as all doorways need to be available in the case of any emergwency evacuation. There is therefore a need for a means of preventing shopping trolleys from being removed through certain doorways of stores while at the same time keeping those doorways available as a means of exit for customers and staff in the case of an emergency requiring evacuation of the store.

Object

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved anti-exit means, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided anti-exit means for shopping trolleys comprising at least two substantially parallel spaced apart barriers defining a passage way through which a shopping trolley may pass, at least one of the said barriers having at least one arm pivotally mounted thereon, said arm extending into the said passage way and being moveable in one direction only, the said spaced apart distance between the said barriers and the length of the said arm being such that when a shopping trolley moves into the said passage way said arm contacts it and moves with it to allow it to pass in one direction through said passage way but said arm engages with the said shopping trolley to prevent movement in the reverse direction.

Preferably each of the said barriers has at least three arms mounted thereon.

Preferably the or each said arm, in its rest position, is substantially horizontal, and angled inwardly of the passage way in the direction in which it moves. Optionally the anti-exit means comprises three or more barriers defining two or more passage ways.

Preferably the anti-exit means comprises two barriers defining one passage way, and each said barrier has at least three arms attached to it.

Preferably the said barriers comprise a pair of substantially horizontal rails, located one above the other, and between which a pivoted end portion of the, or each said arm is mounted, said pair of rails being secured at a pre-set height from the ground by means of an extension of each end of the upper horizontal rail directed downwardly to provide a substantially vertical support post and ending with securing means for securing said post to the ground.

Preferably the barriers are secured in position by attachment at ground level, for example the member may be bolted to the ground or the floor. However, it is envisaged as within the scope of the invention that one or more of the barriers may be a wall or similar upright support to which any pivotally mounted arms may be attached.

Preferably each arm is attached to the barriers by means of a mechanism which allows the arm to move one way when activated by the movement of a shopping trolley passing through the anti-exit means in that direction, to return to its original rest position after the said trolley has moved through, and which substantially prevents movement of the arm in the reverse direction.

In a preferred aspect the said mechanism is spring-loaded, and each arm is mounted between a pair of substantially horizontal, substantially parallel rails spaced apart and positioned one vertically above the other. Preferably the preset height of the barriers, the distance between them, and the length of each arm, combines such that each arm contacts the shopping trolley and moves with it to allow it to proceed through the anti-exit means in the permitted direction, but interlocks with the trolley and, because of the inability of the arm to move in the reverse direction, prevents movement of the trolley should the direction of it be reversed. Alternatively should the trolley try to enter the anti-exit means in the reverse direction, each arm remains fixed in its rest position and cannot move, thus preventing passage of the trolley, in this direction, between the barriers.

Preferably each arm consists of an elongate cylindrical tube and is optionally capped at the end which contacts the trolley with a material suitable for reducing or eliminating scratching of the trolley. The cap may further reduce noise as the arm contacts the moving trolley.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention each arm consists of an elongate cylindrical tube which has been tapered or rounded at the end which contacts the trolley, to a finger-shaped point. Optionally the end is provided with a cap for reducing both scratching of the trolley and noise.

In yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of preventing the removal of shopping trolleys through particular doors of merchandise outlets or stores comprising positioning at said doors anti-exit means comprising at least two substantially parallel spaced apart barriers defining a passage way through which a shopping trolley may pass, at least one of the said barriers having at least one arm pivotally mounted thereon, said arm extending into the said passage way and being moveable in one direction only, the said spaced apart distance between the said barriers and the length of the said arm being such that when a shopping trolley moves into the said passage way said arm contacts it and moves with it to allow it to pass in one direction through said passage way but said arm engages with the said shopping trolley to prevent movement in the reverse direction.

It is envisaged that the anti-exit means may be made from a number of different suitable materials. Particularly suitable materials include metals such as stainless steel, iron or chrome, although it is within the scope of the invention to use durable plastics, or any other suitable material.

These and other aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following descriptions which are given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of an anti-exit means with two barriers.

Figure 2 is a top view of the anti-exit means of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top view of an anti-exit means with three barriers.

Figures 4(a), (b) and (c) are a top views of a selection of anti-exit means designed to fit either side of a sliding door.

Figure 5 is a side view of an anti-exit means where one barrier is a wall.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of a preferred spring-loaded mechanism for use in conjunction with the arms.

Example 1.

In this embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, there is provided anti-exit means which allows shopping trolleys to pass through in one direction only. The two barriers of the anti-exit means (1) are secured by attachment to the ground at the preset height and distance apart. Each barrier includes two substantially horizontal rails, (2) and (3), between which are attached three substantially horizontal arms. The arms are angled forward in the direction for which movement of the trolley is permitted. The length of the arms, and the height of, and distance between, the barriers are such that when a shopping trolley moves between the barriers the arms make contact with each side of it. At the point where the arms (4), are attached to the barriers there is a vertical connector (5) with its ends attached to the top and bottom rails of the barrier. The arms are activated in a forward movement by the front of the trolley when it is pushed through the anti-exit means in the forward direction, and return to their original or rest position by means of a spring-loaded mechanism when they are no longer in contact with the trolley after it has passed between them. The vertical connector is positioned in relation to the outside end of the arm such that if the arm is moved in the reverse direction its outside end will strike the vertical connector and the arm will be prevented from moving further in that reverse direction.

Example 2. In this embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 3, there is provided anti-exit means designed to allow shopping trolleys to pass through in one direction only, which has provision for more than one passage way through which the trolleys may pass. In this instance three barriers (11) are provided, creating "two passage ways through which the trolleys may pass. The structure of the barriers is similar to those of example 1, and the barriers are attached to the floor or ground by means of bolts, (12), and have substantially horizontal arms (13) attached to them. The central barrier has two sets of three horizontal arms attached, each set directed towards the next, adjacent barrier, while each exterior barrier has one set of three arms attached, and directed toward the central barrier. It is envisaged as within the scope of the invention that any number of barriers may be provided, giving rise to any number of passage ways.

Example 3.

In this embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 4(a), (b) and (c), there is shown a smaller anti-exit means provided in two parts, each part designed to fit either side of a sliding door (23). The anti-exit means may comprise two barriers (21), each with two arms (22) attached, as shown in Figures 4(a) and (b), or three support members, as shown in Figure 4(c).

Example 4.

In this embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 5, one of the barriers of the anti-exit means is a wall (31), and the second barrier (32) is similar in structure to barriers as exemplified in in any of the preceding examples. While the barrier is shown in Figure 5 as having one horizontal arm only, it is envisaged that any of the barriers, as shown in any of the preceding examples or any of the drawings, would also be suitable.

In Figure 5 the wall is not provided with arms, however it is envisaged as within the scope of the invention that arms may be attached to a wall, or other suitable form of barrier, to operate in the same way as the arms attached to the barriers as previously described. It is also within the scope of this invention that both of the barriers be walls or any other suitable form of barrier.

Example 5.

In this embodiment of the invention, the anti-exit means as described in any of the preceding examples is fitted with a spring-loaded mechanism as illustrated in Figure 6. The spring, (7) is fitted to the arm, (4) and the lower rail, (3) by insertion in the apertures (8) provided. The tension of the spring can be regulated by fitting it to any one of the apertures, (8) in the lower rail, (3). As the arm is moved forward, by the forward movement of the trolley, the tension in the spring is increased, and once the arm is no longer in contact with the trolley the said arm returns to its rest position as the tension in the spring is released. A bolt, (9) holds the component parts of the mechanism together.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of the word, such as "comprising" and ^'"comprises", is not intended to exclude other additives, or integers.

Finally various other alterations or modifications may be made to the foregoing without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

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Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Anti-exit means for shopping trolleys comprising at least two substantially parallel spaced apart barriers defining a passage way through which a shopping trolley may pass, at least one of the said barriers having at least one arm pivotally mounted thereon, said arm extending into the said passage way and being moveable in one direction only, the said spaced apart distance between the said barriers and the length of the said arm being such that when a shopping trolley moves into the said passage way said arm contacts it and moves with it to allow it to pass in one direction through said passage way but said arm engages with the said shopping trolley to prevent movement in the reverse direction.

2. Anti-exit means for shopping trolleys as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the barriers has at least three similar arms mounted thereon.

3. Anti-exit means for shopping trolleys as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the/or each said arm, in its rest position, is substantially horizontal, and is angled inwardly of the passage way in the direction in which it moves.

4. Anti-exit means as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which at least one of the barriers comprises a pair of substantially horizontal rails, located one above the other, and between which a pivoted end portion of the /or each said arm is mounted, said pair of rails being secured at a preset height from the ground by means of an extension of each end of the upper horizontal rail directed downwardly to provide a substantially vertical support post and ending with securing means for securing said post to the ground.

5. Anti-exit means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the/or each said arm is attached to its respective barrier by means including a spring loaded mechanism which allows the arm to move in the permitted direction when activated by the movement of a shopping trolley passing in that direction through the anti-exit means, to return to its rest position after the said trolley has passed through, and to prevent movement of the arms in the reverse direction.

6. Anti-exit means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the/or each said arm consists of an elongate cylindrical tube which may optionally be capped at the end which contacts the shopping trolley.

7. Anti-exit means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which one of the barriers is a wall.

8. Anti-exit means for shopping trolleys comprising three or more substantially parallel spaced apart barriers defining at least two passage ways through which a shopping trolley may pass, in which at least one of the said barriers defining each passage way has at least one arm pivotally mounted thereon, said arm being moveable in one direction only, the said spaced apart distance between the said barriers and the length of the said arms being such that when a shopping trolley moves into any of the said passage ways said arm contacts it and moves with it to allow it to pass in one direction through said passage way but said arm engages with the said shopping trolley to prevent movement in the reverse direction.

9. A method of preventing the removal of shopping trolleys through particular doors of merchandise outlets or stores comprising positioning at said doors anti-exit means for shopping trolleys as defined in any of the preceding claims.

10. Anti-exit means substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of preventing the removal of shopping trolleys through particular doors of merchandise outlets or stores substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.