TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a shopping cart. More particularly embodiments relates to the multipurpose light weight shopping cart.

BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE

Shopping carts are constructed to use in stores such as supermarkets, drug stores, hardware stores, or the like, for the customer to accumulate and store the goods he desire to purchase in the basket of the shopping cart and carrying the good purchased to the distance places such as billing counters and/or vehicle parking places.

The conventional shopping carts comprises a base frame, supporting wheels and a bottom rack or tray for carrying bags, loose items and the like, an upper basket extending over top of the bottom tray, and a handle bar for pushing the cart about the store.

One problem with conventional carts for transporting shopping items is that the load is supported from below. Most conventional carts incorporate a small basket or similar receptacle into which the shopping items are placed. However, stacking of shopping items one upon another may result in damage to the products or product packaging.

Further, the conventional shopping carts are difficult to manoeuvre in the sharp corners and small places inside the supermarkets, drug stores, hardware stores because it is equipped with four wheels moving the cart and a huge basket for storing the shopping items. In addition, the conventional cart requires more number of components and this increases material requirement, assembling and manufacturing time.

In light of forgoing discussion it necessary to develop a shopping cart which is light weight and can be moved in sharp corners and small places inside the supermarkets, drug stores, and hardware stores to overcome the problems stated above.

STATEMENT OF THE DISCLOSURE:

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a shopping cart comprising, a main frame assembly comprising; two bars spaced apart by a predetermined distance, wherein said
bars consists of straight top portion up to a predetermined extent followed by a curved bottom portion; and a base frame joined at the end of curved bottom portion of each bar, wherein said base frame consists of four bars connected in predetermined format; at least one wheel connected at either ends of first bar of the base frame for mobility of the shopping cart; at least one caster wheel provided at predetermined location of second bar of the base frame for stability of the shopping cart; a handle connecting the two bars at their respective top ends for maneuverability and holding the shopping cart; at least one basket frame connected at predetermined location of the straight top portion of the two bars for holding the basket; and at least one guard member mounted on straight top portion of the two bars at predetermined distance from the basket frame for accommodating one or more hooks for hanging carrying means in the shopping cart, and also provides for a method of assembling a shopping cart, said method comprising acts of: joining a base frame to an end of curved bottom portion of each bar of a main frame; connecting at least one wheel at each end of the first bar of the base frame for mobility of the shopping cart; connecting at least one caster wheel at predetermined location of second bar of the base frame for stability of the shopping cart; pivoting a handle at top ends of the two bars of the main frame for maneuverability and holding the shopping cart; pivoting a basket frame at predetermined location of the straight top portion of the two bars for holding the basket; and joining at least one guard member at straight top portion of the two bars at predetermined distance from the basket frame, wherein said guard members accommodates one or more hooks for hanging the carrying means in the shopping cart.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of system and method as claimed in the present disclosure.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides for a shopping cart. The cart comprising a main frame assembly comprising; two bars spaced apart by a predetermined distance, wherein said bars consists of straight top portion up to a predetermined extent followed by a curved bottom portion; and a base frame joined at the end of curved bottom portion of each bar, wherein said base frame consists of four bars connected in predetermined format. At least one wheel connected at either ends of first bar of the base frame for mobility of the shopping cart. At least one caster wheel provided at predetermined location of second bar of the base frame for stability of the shopping cart.
A handle connecting the two bars at their respective top ends for maneuverability and holding the shopping cart. At least one basket frame connected at predetermined location of the straight top portion of the two bars for holding the basket. And at least one guard member mounted on straight top portion of the two bars at predetermined distance from the basket frame for accommodating one or more hooks for hanging carrying means in the shopping cart.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a base panel is mounted on top of the base frame for placing the carrying means on the shopping cart.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one U-bracket connected to side bars of the base frame and straight top portion of the two bars to prevent reverse swinging of the carrying means hanged in the shopping cart.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hooks for hanging the carrying means are selected from group at least one of spring loaded circular hooks, S-type circular and rectangular hooks, flat hooks, snap hooks, wire hooks and eye-hole snap hooks.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the carrying means is selected from at least one of bags, plastic covers and water bottles.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, top ends of the two bars of the main frame consists of holes for accommodating ends of the handle.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method of assembling a shopping cart. Said method comprising fallowing steps, a base frame is joined to an end of curved bottom portion of each bar of a main frame. At least one wheel is connected at each end of the first bar of the base frame for mobility of the shopping cart. At least one caster wheel connected at predetermined location of second bar of the base frame for stability of the shopping cart. A handle is pivoted at top ends of the two bars of the main frame for maneuverability and holding the shopping cart. Then a basket frame is pivoted at predetermined location of the straight top portion of the two bars for holding the basket. And at least one guard member is joined at straight top portion of the two bars at predetermined distance from the basket frame, wherein said guard members accommodates one or more hooks for hanging the carrying means in the shopping cart.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, mounting a base panel on top of the base frame for placing the carrying means on the shopping cart.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, joining at least one U-bracket on side bars of the base frame and straight top portion of the two bars to prevent reverse swinging of the carrying means hanged in the shopping cart.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of shopping cart of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a split view of shopping cart of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a shopping cart of the present disclosure holding the carrying means.

Fig. 4 illustrates a spring loaded hooks used in the shopping cart.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

To overcome the drawbacks mentioned in the background the present disclosure provides a shopping cart which is compact and light in weight.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are exemplary embodiments illustrating a perspective view and a split view of shopping cart (100) of the present disclosure. The cart (100) comprises a main frame (101) having two bars (lOlan and 101b) spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The bars (101a and 101b) consist of straight top portion (A) up to predetermined extent and a curved bottom portion (B) till its end. A rectangular base frame (102) joined at end of curved bottom portion (B) of each bars (101a and 101b) for forming the base of the shopping cart (100). The base frame (102) is made of four bars (102a, 102b, 102c and 102d) arranged in rectangular or square pattern. At least one wheel (103) is connected at either ends of the first bar (102a) for mobility of the shopping cart (100) and at least one caster wheel (104) is provided at predetermined location of the second bar (102b) of the base frame for stability of the shopping cart (100). The two wheels (103) and the caster
(104) create 3-piont contact of the cart (100) with the ground and making it more stable. The two bars (101a and 101b) are connected by a handle (105) from their respective top ends. The bars (101a and 101b) has a holes to lose fit the handle (105) for maneuverability and holding of the cart (100). A basket frame (106) having four bars connected in the rectangular pattern is pivoted to bars (101a and 101b) below the handle
(105) for holding the basket (106a) which accommodates loose items during shopping. The basket frame (106) pivoted to the bars (101a and 101b) pivoted by a means selected from at least one of pins, rivets, nuts and bolts or any other fastener which serve the purpose. The pivot mechanism of the basket frame (106) helps the basket (106a) to stay perpendicular with respect to ground even when the cart is inclined at acute angle. A pair of curve shaped guard members (107) are joined to the bars (101a and 101b) of the mainframe (101) at predetermined distance from the basket frame (106) for accommodating one or more hooks (108) for holding the carrying means (109). In one embodiment, at least one U-bracket (111) connected to side bars (102c and 102d) of the base frame (102) and straight top portion (A) of the two bars (101a and 101b) to prevent reverse swinging of the carrying means (109) hanged in the shopping cart (100).

The base frame (102) is fitted with a base panel (110) matching the shape of the base panel (102) for placing the objects and carrying means on the shopping cart (100). The
carrying means is selected from group comprising but not limited to bags, plastic covers and water bottles etc.

The shopping cart (100) is made mobile using two wheels (103) supported by a front-center caster (104) for stability, creating a 3-point contact with the ground when stationery. The cart (100) includes a freely pivoted handle (105) for ease of holding at various angles. The cart (100) when held at an angle to push or pull causes contact on the ground only with the two large wheels (103), making it freely maneuverable. When the cart (100) is stationery, it is made to stand stable with a front- center caster (104). The loaded cart (100) when released from an angle naturally reverts to its stable position where both the large wheels (103) and caster (104) are in contact with the ground. A top pivoted basket (106a) is mounted on the basket frame (106) always remains perpendicular to the ground, allowing for placement of loose items without them falling out due to change of holding position and angle of the cart (100). There are plurality of hooks (108) mounted on a guard members (107) to facilitating the hanging of carrying means (109). The hooks (108) are selected from group comprising but not limited to spring loaded circular hooks, S-type circular and rectangular hooks, flat hooks, snap hooks, wire hooks and eye-hole snap hooks.

The shopping cart (100) further equipped with U-shaped clamps at the base of the hooks to prevent bags from reverse swinging when the cart (100) is in motion. The cart (100) can be maneuvered with the use of a single hand and can be taken on to an escalator/stair case or lift with ease.

The cart (100) can be easily maneuvered into a pull or push system. The handle (105) when released, automatically pushes the cart (100) back to a stable position where both the large wheels (103) and caster (104) are in contact with the ground. There is a basket (106a) that is mounted on the frame (106) remains perpendicular to the ground even when the cart is maneuvered or held at any angle.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment which illustrates a shopping cart (100) of the present disclosure holding the carrying means (109). The load carrying means (109) are hooked
to the hook (108) of the shopping cart (100) for carrying the said load carrying means (109) to the distant places. The said load carrying means is selected from at least one of bags, plastic covers and water bottle etc. The lose items can be placed in the basket (106) of the shopping cart (100).

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, spring loaded hooks (107) are provided which opens inwards for ease of hooking the bags and needs to be manually pressed to unhook the carrying means (109) as shown in FIG.4. This mechanism of the hook minimizes pilferage of the carrying means (109) hung on the hooks (108). Because of the direction in which the hook (108) opens and it being spring loaded it is easy to secure the carrying means (109) while hanging. To unhook the carrying means (109) it requires the spring loaded hook (108) to be pressed while trying to take the carrying means (109) out. The spring loaded hooks (108) comprises a small ring (108a), torsion spring (108b), bigger ring (108c) and pivot pin (108d). The smaller ring (108a) is pivoted to the bigger ring (108c) at the pivot point via a small pin (108d). A small torsional spring (108b) helps to retain the closed condition.

The shape of the bars (101a and 101b) of the main frame (101) and the angle between the bars (101a and 101b) and the horizontal base frame (102) naturally reverts the cart (100) to its stable position when released from an angle where both the large wheels (103) and caster (104) are in contact with the ground. As a result, the center axis of the wheel (104) that is mounted on the main frame (101) and the center axis of the handle (105) fall in the same vertical plane. This results in the center of gravity of cart (100) being distributed along this plane. This in turn enables the cart (100) to pull itself back when released. As a result of the minimal wire frame can stacked in a neat horizontal position. This is achieved by successive carts sliding into each other.

The shopping cart of the present disclosure has fallowing advantages:

The present disclosure provides a shopping cart which is light weight and can be moved in sharp corners and small locations inside the supermarkets, drug stores, and hardware stores.

The present disclosure provides a shopping cart which can be pushed or pulled by the customer based on the requirement.

The present disclosure provides a shopping cart which is economical, requires less material, and easy to manufacture assemble.

Equivalents

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals;

We claim

1. A shopping cart (100) comprising:

a main frame assembly (101) comprising;

two bars (101a and 101b) spaced apart by a predetermined

distance, wherein said bars (101a and 101b) consists of straight top portion

(A) up to a predetermined extent followed by a curved bottom portion (B);
and

a base frame (102) joined at the end of curved bottom portion (B)

of each bar (101a and 101b), wherein said base frame (102) consists of

four bars (102a, 102b, 102c and 102d) connected in predetermined format;

at least one wheel (103) connected at either ends of first bar (102a) of the base frame (102) for mobility of the shopping cart (100);

at least one caster (104) wheel provided at predetermined location of second bar (102b) of the base frame (102) for stability of the shopping cart (100);

a handle (105) connecting the two bars (101a and 101b) at their respective top ends for maneuverability and holding the shopping cart (100);

at least one basket frame (106) connected at predetermined location of the straight top portion (A) of the two bars (101a and 101b) for holding the basket (105a); and
at least one guard member (107) mounted on straight top portion (A) of the two bars (101a and 101b) at predetermined distance from the basket frame (106) for accommodating one or more hooks (108) for hanging carrying means (109) in the shopping cart (100).

2. The shopping cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein a base panel (110) is mounted on top of the base frame (102) for placing the carrying means (109) on the shopping cart (100).

3. The shopping cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one U-bracket (111) connected to side bars (102c and 102d) of the base frame (102) and straight top portion (A) of the two bars (101a and 101b) to prevent reverse swinging of the carrying means (109) hanged in the shopping cart (100).

4. The shopping cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hooks (108) for hanging the carrying means (109) are selected from group at least one of spring loaded circular hooks, S-type circular and rectangular hooks, flat hooks, snap hooks, wire hooks and eye-hole snap hooks.

5. The shopping cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrying means (109) is selected from at least one of bags, plastic covers and water bottles.

6. The shopping cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein top ends of the two bars (101a and 101b) of the main frame (101) consists of holes for accommodating ends of the handle (105).

7. A method of assembling a shopping cart (100), said method comprising acts of:

joining a base frame (102) to an end of curved bottom portion (B) of each bar (101a and
101b) of a main frame (101);

connecting at least one wheel (103) at each end of the first bar (102a) of the base frame (102) for mobility of the shopping cart (100);

connecting at least one caster wheel (104) at predetermined location of second bar (102b) of the base frame (102) for stability of the shopping cart (100);

pivoting a handle (105) at top ends of the two bars (101a and 101b) of the main frame (101) for maneuverability and holding the shopping cart (100);

pivoting a basket frame (106) at predetermined location of the straight top portion (A) of the two bars (101a and 101b) for holding the basket (106a); and

joining at least one guard member (107) at straight top portion of the two bars (101a and 101b) at predetermined distance from the basket frame (106), wherein said guard members (107) accommodates one or more hooks (108) for hanging the carrying means (109) in the shopping cart (100).

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein mounting a base panel (110) on top of the base frame (102) for placing the carrying means (109) on the shopping cart (100).

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein joining at least one U-bracket (111) on side bars (102c and 102d) of the base frame (102) and straight top portion (A) of the two bars (101a and 101b) to prevent reverse swinging of the carrying means (109) hanged in the shopping cart (100).

10. A shopping cart and a method of assembling a shopping cart are substantially as herein above described and as illustrated in accompanying drawings. I