means of transport

Abstract

Transport device (10) for transporting objects by an individual, in particular a shopping trolley, with four wheels (40), a container (20), a handle (30) and a docking element (120) for docking at a collection station (110), wherein the transport means (10) has a first locking device (25) for closing the container (20) and a second locking device (45) for blocking at least one of the wheels (40), wherein the first locking device (25) has a first key and the second locking device (45) has a second key, which are designed electronically, mechanically or electromechanically, and wherein the first key and the second key can only be used when the docking element (120) is released.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a means of transport for transporting objects by an individual person, in particular a shopping trolley, a system with a plurality of such means of transport and a method for operating such a system.

[0002] Well-known are transport devices for carrying objects by a single person, especially shopping trolleys, with four wheels, a container, and a handle. Such transport devices are used to transport purchases from the store to home. They are usually kept at home and used only for the trip to and from the store.

[0003] However, if your home is not within walking distance of the store, and you have to travel part of the way by car, bus, or train, it's inconvenient to carry such a means of transport. Conversely, if you don't carry it, transporting your purchases from the store to your vehicle can be cumbersome.

[0004] The following are cited as prior art: US 3 994 505 A, DE 297 20 558 U1, DE 42 15 792 C1, EP 1 463 659 B1 and DE 32 31 323 A1.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to further develop a means of transport for transporting objects by an individual, in particular shopping trolleys, especially to enable more flexible use.

[0006] The object is solved according to the invention by a transport means for transporting objects by an individual person, in particular a shopping trolley, with four wheels, a container, a handle and a docking element for docking at a collection station, which has a first locking device for closing the container and a second locking device for blocking at least one of the wheels.

[0007] A locking device is understood to be a device which has at least one key which is only available to a limited group of people, in particular only to the user of the means of transport, and thus prevents the use of the means of transport by unauthorized persons.

[0008] The inclusion of a primary locking mechanism allows purchases to be stored in the transport vehicle even if it is left unattended or parked for a short period. The secondary locking mechanism ensures that the vehicle cannot be stolen by unauthorized persons if it is left unattended or parked for a short time.

[0009] In particular, the second locking mechanism allows the means of transport to be made available within walking distance of shops, thus avoiding the additional transport of the vehicle when traveling towards the city or shops by car, train, or bus. This can be done either by a private individual who positions the vehicle at a suitable location within walking distance of shops or the city center and retrieves it as needed after opening the second locking mechanism, or by an operating company that makes the means of transport available at a suitable location within walking distance of shops or the city center and issues it to individual users, for example, for a fee or upon payment of a deposit.

[0010] According to the invention, the first locking device has a first key and the second locking device has a second key, which are designed electronically, mechanically, or electromechanically, wherein the first key and the second key can only be used when the docking element is released. It is possible that the first key and the second key are identical.

[0011] A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the container has a base element, in particular a trough-like one, and a lid element, and that the first closure device is arranged between the base element and the lid element. This enables a compact design.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, when the second locking device is closed, the first locking device is also closed in order to simplify the handling of the means of transport for the user.

[0013] Advantageously, the container is made of a waterproof material to keep the interior of the container dry even in adverse weather conditions.

[0014] Preferably, the container is made of an opaque material to prevent third parties from seeing the items, especially purchases, arranged in the container.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, the container, in particular the base element, can have a rounded shape, especially on the inside and / or on the outside, which can improve cleaning possibilities.

[0016] A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the wheels are designed to be suitable for off-road use, since although the means of transport are essentially intended for transporting objects such as shopping and are therefore mostly used on sidewalks or in shopping centers, they are also used in city centers where, for example, the streets may be paved.

[0017] Preferably, the lid element has a seat to provide additional functionality.

[0018] A system according to the invention comprises a plurality of transport means according to the invention and at least one, preferably several, collection stations, wherein the transport means can be docked at each of the collection stations via a docking element.

[0019] In the inventive method for operating a system with a plurality of transport means according to the invention and at least one, preferably several, collection stations, the transport means can be docked at each of the collection stations via a docking element, wherein when docking at the collection station both the first closing device and the second closing device are closed.

[0020] The system and method according to the invention for operating such a system make it possible to position means of transport, for example, within walking distance of shops or the city center, from where users can take a means of transport as needed to do their shopping and then return the means of transport to the collection point. The collection point is preferably located at a parking lot, a train station, or a bus station, so that people who do not live within walking distance of shops or the city center can arrive by car or public transport and pick up the means of transport at the corresponding collection point and use it solely for shopping.

[0021] Preferably, the docking element is only released after a deposit has been paid or after a payment transaction. This ensures that the transport vehicles are returned after use.

[0022] Preferably, the first locking device has a first key and the second locking device has a second key, which can only be used when the docking element is released and which are preferably arranged on the transport means. This ensures that only an authorized user can move the transport means and place objects into its container.

[0023] A system according to the invention comprises a plurality of transport means according to the invention and at least one, preferably several, collection stations, wherein the transport means can be docked at each of the collection stations via a docking element, wherein when docking at the collection station both the first closing device and the second closing device are closed.

[0024] The invention is explained in detail with reference to the following figures. They show: Fig. 1 in schematic representation a side view of an embodiment of a means of transport according to the invention, Fig. 2 a front view of the means of transport according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a system according to the invention with a plurality of means of transport according to Fig. 1 and a collection station.

[0025] Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows schematic views of an embodiment of a transport device 10 according to the invention for transporting objects by a single person, which is designed in particular as a shopping trolley. The transport device 10 has a container 20, a handle 30, and four wheels 40. The handle 30 and the wheels 40 can be arranged on the container 20. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide a frame on which the container 20, the handle 30, and the wheels 40 are arranged. The container 20 has a base element 21 and a lid element 22, which together enclose an interior space. The lid element 22 is, for example, pivotally attached to the base element 21 by means of hinges and can be opened to place objects into the interior of the container 20. The lid element 22 can have a seat 23.

[0026] The container 20 can be made of a waterproof and / or opaque material. The wheels 40 can be designed for off-road use, for example by having a suitable diameter and / or tires.

[0027] The base element 21 may have a small slot at its lowest point, so that the interior can be cleaned with water or cleaning fluid, the fluid can then drain away through the slot, which simplifies cleaning.

[0028] The container 20, in particular the base element 21, may have a rounded shape, especially on the inside and / or on the outside, which may improve cleaning possibilities.

[0029] The transport device 10 has a first locking device 25 for locking the container 20, which is arranged, in particular, between the base element 21 and the lid element 22. Any locking device for locking the container 20 that can block unauthorized access to the interior of the container 20 can be used as the first locking device 25. The first locking device 25 has, in particular, a first key that is accessible only to a limited group of people, in particular only to the user of the transport device 10. The key can be mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic.

[0030] The first locking device 25 can, for example, be designed as a conventional padlock with a key in a mechanical manner, can be designed as a mechanical combination lock, or can be designed as an electromechanical lock which can be opened by means of a code that is manually entered on a keypad. The first locking device 25 can also be opened by means of a transponder or an RFID card.

[0031] The transport device 10 has a second locking device 45 for blocking at least one of the wheels 40. Any locking device that blocks the rotation of at least one of the wheels in such a way that the transport device 10 cannot be rolled away by unauthorized persons is suitable as a second locking device 45. The second locking device 45 can be electronic, mechanical, or electromechanical. In particular, the second locking device 45 has a second key that is accessible only to a limited group of people, in particular only to the user of the transport device 10. The second key can be mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic.

[0032] The second locking device 45 can, for example, be designed as a bolt extending from the container 20 into the spokes or a recess of a wheel 40, or alternatively as a latch arranged between two wheels 40 to connect them in a rotationally fixed manner, or as a bolt that engages radially in a recess arranged on the axis of rotation of a wheel 40 to prevent rotation of the axis of rotation and thus rotation of the wheel 40. The second locking device 45 can be designed to be operated either manually, electromechanically, or electronically. Possible keys for the second locking device 45 include, for example, mechanical keys, combinations on combination locks or codes, transponders, or RFID cards.

[0033] In one embodiment, the first locking device 25 and the second locking device 45 can be coupled to each other in such a way that when the second locking device 45 is closed, the first locking device 25 is also closed.

[0034] The means of transport 10 can be the personal property of an individual and used to transport groceries or other items to and from their residence. The owner can place it in their apartment, house, basement, entrance area, garage, or anywhere else on the property and use it as needed. Alternatively, the owner can also place the means of transport 10 within walking distance of shops, a shopping center, or a city center, locking the first locking device 25 and the second locking device 45 for security purposes, and retrieve it from there as needed.

[0035] Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to make a large number of such means of transport 10 available to users, for example through an operating company, for example within the framework of a system 100 described below.

[0036] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a system 100 with a collection station 110 and several means of transport 10. Only one collection station 110 is shown as an example; the system 100 can also have several collection stations 110 at different locations. For example, in the Fig. The 3 shown collection station 110 only illustrates four possibilities for positioning means of transport 10, whereby of course each collection station 110 can have a multitude of possibilities for positioning means of transport 10.

[0037] The transport means 10 can be docked at each of the collection stations 110 via a docking element 120, wherein the docking element 120 is understood to be a device for creating a detachable connection between the collection station 110 and each of the transport means 10. The docking element 120 is designed such that when the transport means 10 docks at the collection station 110, both the first locking device 120 and the second locking device 45 are closed. When undocking from the collection station 110, preferably both the first locking device 120 and the second locking device 45 are released.

[0038] Collection point 110 is ideally located within walking distance of shops, a shopping center, or a city center, and ideally situated near a parking lot, train station, or bus station. This allows people traveling from outside the city center to the shops or shopping center to pick up one of the transport vehicles 10 at collection point 110 for shopping or exploring the city. Preferably, the docking element 120 is only released after a deposit has been paid or after a payment transaction, to ensure that the transport vehicles 10 are returned to collection point 110 after shopping is complete.

[0039] The collection station 110 can have a control unit 130 at which a user can initiate the release of a docking element 120. There can be one central control unit 130 for the entire collection station 110, or alternatively, one control unit 130 for each docking element 120. Release can be initiated, for example, by depositing a deposit or making a payment. Subsequently, one of the docking elements 120 is released, and the user can then take the corresponding transport device 10 from the collection station 110. When the docking element 120 is released, the first locking device 25 and the second locking device 45 are also released, enabling the user to move the transport device 10 and fill the container 20.Upon release of the docking element, the user also gains access to the first key of the first locking device 25 and the second key of the second locking device 45. This can be done, for example, by handing over the corresponding mechanical keys or providing the corresponding codes. This allows the user to leave the transport vehicle 10 briefly unattended while shopping or walking through the city and to lock at least the second locking device 45, and preferably also the first locking device 25, for this period. Preferably, when the second locking device 45 is locked, the first locking device 25 is also locked, so that the transport vehicle 10 can be left unattended.The first locking device 25 can advantageously also be locked independently of the second locking device 45 in order to make it more difficult for unauthorized third parties to access items arranged in the container 20, even when the means of transport 10 is being carried along.

[0040] The user can now use the transport device 10 to go to nearby shops or through the city center and do their shopping. As soon as items are placed in the container 20, they can close the container 20 using the first locking device 25, preventing anyone else from removing items from the container 20. Furthermore, it is possible to leave the transport device 10, for example, briefly in front of a shop to run errands inside, and secure it against theft using the second locking device 45. After completing all shopping or errands, the user can return to the collection station 110 with the transport device 10, load their purchases into the car parked at the collection station 110, and return the emptied transport device 10 to the collection station 110. Reference symbol list 10 means of transport 20 containers 21 floor element 22 Cover element 23 Seating area 25 first locking device 30 handle 40 wheels 45 second locking device 100 System 110 Collection point 120 docking element 130 control unit

Claims

[1] Transport means (10) for transporting objects by an individual, in particular a shopping trolley, with four wheels (40), a container (20), a handle (30) and a docking element (120) for docking at a collection station (110), wherein the transport means (10) has a first closure device (25) for closing the container (20) and a second closure device (45) for blocking at least one of the wheels (40), wherein the first locking device (25) has a first key and the second locking device (45) has a second key, which are designed electronically or mechanically or electromechanically, and wherein the first key and the second key can only be used when the docking element (120) is released. [2] Transport means (10) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the container (20) has a particularly trough-like base element (21) and a lid element (22) and the first closure device (25) is arranged between the base element (21) and the lid element (22). [3] Transport means (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that when the second closure device (45) is closed, the first closure device (25) is also closed. [4] Transport means (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the container (20) is made of a waterproof material. [5] Means of transport (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the container (20) is made of an opaque material. [6] Transport means (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the wheels (40) are designed for off-road use. [7] Transport means (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover element (22) has a seat surface (23). [8] System (100) with a plurality of transport means (10) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one, preferably several, collection stations (110), wherein the transport means (10) can be docked at each of the collection stations (110) via a docking element (120). [9] Method for operating a system (100) with a plurality of transport means (10) according to claim 8 and at least one, preferably several, collection stations (110), wherein the transport means (10) can be docked at each of the collection stations (110) via a docking element (120), wherein upon docking at the collection station (110) both the first closure device (25) and the second closure device (45) are closed. [10] Method according to claim 9, characterized by that the docking element (120) is only released after a deposit has been made or after a payment transaction. [11] Method according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized by that the first locking device (25) has a first key and the second locking device (45) has a second key, which are preferably arranged on the transport means (10) and which can only be used when the docking element (120) is released. [12] System (100) with a plurality of transport means (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7 and at least one, preferably several, collection stations (110) for carrying out the method according to one of claims 9 to 11.

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