Foldable shopping and transport cart

Abstract

Foldable shopping and transport cart with a container (2) for the transport of goods and products, with a chassis (1) for holding the container (2), wherein the chassis (1) has at least one lower horizontal strut (8) and at least one lower vertical strut (18), wherein the lower horizontal strut (8) has, on the one hand, rotatable rollers (9) and, on the other hand, rigid wheels (10), wherein the two lower struts (8, 18) are connected to one another by a joint (13), wherein the chassis (1) has a locking and unlocking mechanism, wherein the locking and unlocking mechanism locks the two struts (8, 18) at a right angle to each other in a locking state or allows a rotational movement of the struts (8, 18) via the joint (13) in an unlocking state, wherein the chassis (1) has an upper horizontal strut (27) for longitudinally supporting a container and an upper vertical strut (23), wherein the chassis (1) has a folding mechanism, wherein the lower vertical strut (18), the upper vertical strut (23) and the upper horizontal strut (27) are connected to one another via the folding mechanism, with a holding and locking device for securing the shopping trolley in a loading space of a motor vehicle, wherein the holding and locking device is connected to the upper horizontal strut (27) via a pivot joint (32), characterized in that the folding mechanism has a base plate (26), two shafts (16, 17) and two gear wheels (19, 21), wherein the base plate (26) has a bore and an elongated hole (22), wherein one of the shafts (16, 17) is guided through the bore and the elongated hole (22), wherein on each of the shafts (16, 17) on the one hand one of the spur gear wheels (19, 21) and on the other hand one of the vertical struts (18, 23) is mounted, wherein the two gear wheels (19, 21) form a spur gear transmission.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a foldable shopping and transport trolley.

[0002] Shopping and transport trolleys of this type are known from FR 2 673 587 A1, EP 1 180 463 A1, DE 10 2008 061 318 A1, DE 196 11 542 A1, DE 196 11 543 A1, and WO 2006 094958 A1. All of these shopping and transport trolleys feature a pivoting or collapsible chassis with a container mounted on it. All chassis are pushed under the free space of a vehicle's rear end, thus simultaneously pushing the container into the trunk or cargo area of ​​the vehicle. The chassis is then folded using various mechanisms and pivoted into the trunk or cargo area of ​​the vehicle. From DE 10 2008 061 318 A1, DE 196 11 542 A1, and DE 196 11 543 A1, it is known that the chassis can be pivoted into the trunk or cargo area without folding. From WO 2006 094958 A1, a receiving guide mounted on the loading surface of the trunk or cargo area is known.This is intended to prevent direct contact between the shopping cart and the vehicle.

[0003] The publication DE 202 00 679 U1, which arguably represents the closest prior art, describes a transport trolley consisting of two levels arranged one above the other, each suitable for holding transported goods. The lower level has four swivel casters on the underside and serves as a chassis. An operating handle is mounted on one side of the upper level, by which the transport trolley is pushed or pulled. The upper platform is vertically and force-lockingly connected to the chassis platform only at the two corners of the operator side. The height distance between the two platforms depends on the intended use of the transport trolley. Both platforms have a rectangular frame that allows stackable containers to be locked into place without slipping.The vertical connecting element can be rotated or tilted relative to the upper platform within an angular range of 0 degrees to at least 180 degrees and the chassis platform can be rotated or tilted by 90 degrees relative to the vertical connecting element, whereby the lower rotating connection on the chassis is locked in the operating position at 90 degrees and is load-bearing.

[0004] The publications DE 10 2005 049 421 A1, DE 10 2008 031 541 A1, DE 10 2009 025 665 A1, DE 10 2010 022 452 A1, DE 202 03 465 U1, DE 101 25 949 A1 and DE 20 2004 020 135 U1 all describe a transport trolley, wherein a chassis of the transport trolley can be folded for storage in a vehicle.

[0005] The document DE 10 2005 042 610 A1 describes a shopping cart fixation for fixing a shopping cart relative to a vehicle, in particular for loading and unloading the shopping cart, wherein the shopping cart fixation is designed as a connecting means which can establish a connection between the vehicle and the shopping cart.

[0006] All known solutions have the disadvantage that they either cannot be safely and securely inserted into the vehicle due to a lack of mounting hardware, or they lack sufficient flexibility with regard to the different heights of the loading area. Their height must be precisely aligned to a specific vehicle model. Furthermore, all of the aforementioned solutions assume a level loading area. This further limits the flexibility of use for different vehicle models, as in many vehicles the loading sill is higher than the loading area. The result is damaged bumpers and loading sills, as well as no or time-consuming securing of the shopping cart before driving.

[0007] The object of the invention is to create a collapsible shopping or transport trolley with a holding device which enables easy picking up in just a few simple steps at different loading heights and loading edges of the vehicle and which enables immediate load securing by means of the holding device.

[0008] The object is achieved according to the invention by a shopping and transport trolley having the features of claim 1 and an arrangement having the features of claim 6.

[0009] The description of the locking and unlocking mechanism and the folding mechanism is given for one side of the stroller. The function is the same on the opposite side. The invention in detail

[0010] The central element of the locking and unlocking is preferably a rotating disc.

[0011] In their locked position, this holds a horizontal strut and a vertical strut, which are connected to one another by a joint, either locked at a right angle to one another or allows the struts to rotate via the joint. Preferably, the axis of rotation of the joint on the horizontal strut is not on the extension of the long axis of the vertical strut, but offset laterally on the side in which the direction of rotation runs. The lateral offset of the axis of rotation causes, in addition to the rotational movement, a vertical lifting movement of the vertical strut away from the horizontal strut. This also advantageously supports secure hold in the locked position. The disc is usually mounted on the vertical strut so that it can rotate. The disc usually has a semicircular elongated hole whose opening starts at the pivot point of the disc and runs parallel to the outer edge of the disc.A support strut, which is generally pivotally connected to the horizontal strut at one end and is usually guided through the slotted hole in the disc at the other end by means of a bolt, holds the horizontal and vertical struts at right angles to each other when the disc is locked. The connection of the support strut to the horizontal strut is preferably located opposite the pivot axis of the joint, as seen from the longitudinal axis of the vertical strut.

[0012] When the disc is rotated into the unlocked position, the elongated hole in the area of ​​the bolt or at the disc's pivot point on the vertical strut moves approximately vertically. This clears the path for the retaining strut bolt within the elongated hole, and the retaining strut loses its holding function. A rotational movement of the vertical strut about the joint's axis of rotation is enabled.

[0013] Instead of a rotating disc, a straight plate with a straight slot can also be used. The operating principle is not significantly different from the one described above. However, the plate rotates in the opposite direction.

[0014] The folding mechanism usually consists of a base plate with a bore and an elongated hole. The base plate is usually shaped like a rectangle or trapezoid, but can also have other shapes. The bore and a short side of the elongated hole are usually arranged one above the other at right angles to the long side of the plate. The elongated hole describes an arc around the center of the bore and breaks through the plate on the short side of the plate closer to it. Two shafts are guided through the bore and the elongated hole, to which two equally sized spur gears are non-positively mounted. The two gears form a spur gear mechanism. Struts are non-positively mounted on the other side of the shafts and can form a common vertical longitudinal axis. The parallelism of the two shafts is preferably ensured by guiding them at their ends in additional radial bearings.

[0015] The shaft, which is guided in the slotted hole, can be guided out of the base plate through this slotted hole. The gear and the associated shaft rotate with the other gear through its rotational axis, out of the base plate.

[0016] A horizontal strut is mounted on the base plate, preferably at a right angle to the vertical struts. This strut can advantageously also serve as one of the longitudinal supports for the container. Locking blocks are usually provided on the shaft side of the vertical struts to prevent the right angle from being exceeded. The blocks are usually located perpendicular to the shaft axis on the side of the struts. Two end faces of the blocks touch each other over their entire surface at the latest when the vertical struts generally form a common longitudinal axis. The blocks can have the shape of a right-angled triangle. The blocks can also have other shapes and be attached to the side of the vertical struts facing away from the base plate. A particularly advantageous feature is that the blocks can therefore be arranged in a variety of ways.This can result in the contact of the end faces of the blocks occurring earlier and thus the angle between.

[0017] the horizontal strut on one side and the vertical struts on the other side.

[0018] A rotation of one vertical strut results in the same rotation of the other vertical strut, but in the opposite direction. This is only possible, however, when the locking and unlocking mechanism is unlocked. This has the advantage that before unlocking by rotating the upper vertical strut, the horizontal cross strut on the opposite side is raised and thus the container is also raised on the side facing the vehicle. Unlocking results in the horizontal struts and thus the container as a whole being lowered. After a rotation of the two vertical struts by up to 90 degrees, they lie parallel to one another. A further joint rotation of the struts via the gear wheel that is guided through the hole usually allows the entire chassis to be inserted into the trunk of the vehicle.

[0019] The central component of the support device is preferably two mirror-image arranged guide elements with the task of guiding and centering a roller attached to the front of the chassis. The sloping sides of the guide elements are usually arranged in such a way that they preferably form the shape of an opening funnel towards the shopping trolley and center the shopping trolley in the center of the support device via the roller. It can be particularly advantageous to arrange several guide rollers on top of each other if necessary. This can further increase the variability with regard to bridging the different loading heights. The guide elements are usually made of bent round rods or tubes. The guide elements preferably have pivot axes with a round cross-section. On the facing sides of the guide elements, the pivot axes are ideally rotatably mounted by a U-shaped profile.Ideally, the U-profile ensures free passage of the roller attached to the front of the chassis. The rotatable mounting of the guide elements gives the mounting device preferably the function of a rocker. The axis of rotation is ideally positioned so that the top is heavy in the opposite direction to that of the shopping trolley. The starting position is preferably horizontal. The possible inclination of the guide elements ensures the inventive effect of problem-free mounting of the front of the chassis despite loading surfaces of different heights. The inclination of the guide elements is achieved by increasing the load using the weight of the front of the chassis. The mounting device usually has a rear stop which the.

[0020] The stop is designed to support the front of the chassis and limit its movement in both horizontal and vertical directions. Typically, a profile corresponding to the profile of the chassis's front cross member is used for the stop. The side of the stop facing the front cross member is open.

[0021] It is advantageous to mount the mounting device on the loading area in a rotatable manner. This is usually achieved by mounting the U-profile on a suitable pivot bearing. A 90-degree rotation allows the chassis to be completely inserted into the vehicle.

[0022] A pivoting holding and locking device with a front element is usually mounted between the horizontal struts and the front horizontal cross strut of the chassis. The holding and locking device is heavier towards the front element when viewed from the pivot point than on the opposite side of the pivot point. When the chassis is retracted into the receiving device, the front element of the holding and locking device runs onto the two guide elements and ideally reaches the parallel area of ​​the guide elements when approaching the rear stop. Two recesses are machined into the underside of the front element. These recesses preferably have the same spacing and cross-section as the parallel guide elements, which means that the front element engages with the guide elements. The angled guide elements lock the front element.This prevents the chassis from moving backward out of the receiving device. By pressing down a lever, preferably located on the opposite side of the locking device's rotational axis, the locking device can be raised, thereby releasing the locking mechanism.

[0023] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to several drawings which merely represent an exemplary embodiment. An exception to this is the Fig. 2E.

[0024] It shows Fig. 1A the shopping and transport trolley according to the invention in side view in the direction of travel on the left Fig. 1B the shopping and transport trolley according to the invention in the rear view. Fig. 1C the shopping and transport trolley according to the invention in the front view. Fig. 1D the shopping and transport trolley according to the invention with a possible variant of the receiving device which is mounted in the loading space of a vehicle Fig. 1E the shopping and transport trolley according to the invention with a possible variant of the mounting device which is mounted in the cargo space of a vehicle. Unlike in Fig. 1D the loading space has a higher loading area and the loading device and the chassis are inclined. Fig. 2A the locking and unlocking in a side view in locked position Fig. 2B, Fig. 2C and Fig. 2D locking and unlocking in a side view in different unlocked positions Fig. 2 E the locking and unlocking in a side view in the version with straight plate Fig. 3A the folding mechanism in a side view in the starting position Fig. 3B the folding mechanism in a side view after rotation by 90° from the starting position Fig. 3C the folding mechanism in a side view after rotation by a further 90° from the Fig. 3B out Fig. 3D side view of the folding mechanism with vertical strut 18. Rotation of struts 23 and 27. Fig. 4A a variant of the receiving device and the holding and locking device in the non-combined state in side and top view. Fig. 4 B shows a variant of the receiving device and the holding and locking device in the combined state in side and top view. Fig. 5 The front of the front element of the holding and locking device after engaging in the guide elements Fig. 6A, Fig. 6B and Fig. 6C The folding of the shopping cart during loading in a highly simplified representation. Fig. 7 The situation as in Fig. 6C, however, with the shopping cart rotated 90 degrees using the mounting device. The rotation was performed to the right, as seen from the rear of the vehicle.

[0025] In the Fig. 1 AC shows the shopping and transport trolley according to the invention in the unfolded state, as it is regularly used for shopping or transporting.

[0026] The wire mesh basket 2 shown in the figures represents only one possible variant. Other containers made of various suitable materials can also be mounted on the chassis 1. The chassis 1 essentially consists of the locking and unlocking as well as the folding mechanism and the struts belonging to these two assemblies. Rigid wheels 10 next to the rear of the strut 8, rotating rollers 9 under the front of the strut 8, a guide roller 33 and the handrail 28 complete the chassis. The struts 8, 18, 23 and 27 are advantageously made of aluminum profile tubing. These can have a round, oval, rectangular, or as shown in the Fig. 1 AC, have a square cross-section.

[0027] The locking and unlocking is as in Fig. 2A. It consists of a rotatable disc 3 with a semicircular slot 4 milled out of it. Rotation occurs via the mount 7, which is rotatably mounted on the vertical strut 18. The crossbar 15 is attached to flat profiles 14. In addition, the locking and unlocking mechanism has a retaining strut 6 with bolts 5 and is rotatably mounted on the strut 8 via the connection 12. The vertical strut 18 is rotatably connected to the horizontal strut 8 by means of the swivel joint 13 via the pivot point 11.

[0028] The folding mechanism is in the initial position as in Fig. 3A. It consists of the base plate 26 with slotted hole 22, the gears 19 and 21, the locking blocks 24 and 25, and the rail 20, which guides the shafts 16 and 17 in parallel through its holes.

[0029] In the Fig. 4A, the holding and locking device can be seen below the horizontal strut 27. This consists of a profile 29 to which the end element 30 with the milled recesses 31 is mounted on one side and a lever 34 on the other side. The profile 29 and the lever 34 are rotatably connected to the strut 27 via a pivot joint 32.

[0030] In the Fig. Figure 1 D shows an approach to the rear of a vehicle in whose cargo space a variant of the support device is located. The roller 33 attached to the front of the chassis is located on the front side of the guide elements 35 facing the shopping cart. The horizontal position of the support device is shown. The support device consists of a pivot bearing 38 with a U-profile 36 mounted thereon, the guide elements 35 mounted thereon via the pivot axes 39, and the stop 37.

[0031] According to the invention, the locked position of the locking and unlocking mechanism keeps the strut 18 in a vertical position. On the folding mechanism, the strut 27 can therefore only be pivoted upwards by rotating the strut 23. This situation is Fig. 3 D. By raising the strut 27, it is possible to overcome loading areas of different heights. Another advantage is that the power transmission via the gears 19 and 21 creates a leverage effect, making it easier to lift heavier loads in the container.

[0032] Fig. 1 E presents the same situation as in Fig. 1 D, but with the tilted support device and a different vehicle. This vehicle has a higher loading sill. Lifting the shopping cart using the folding mechanism, in conjunction with the tilted support device, allows it to be overcome by the different loading sill heights.

[0033] The shopping cart is pushed into the vehicle via the receiving device until the front of the shopping cart reaches the stop 37. This situation is in Fig. 4 B. The front ends of the struts 27 rest against the stop 37. The front element 30 of the holding and locking device is located in the area of ​​the guide elements 35, which run parallel here, and locks by engaging the milled recesses 31.

[0034] The locked position is shown as a cut in Fig. 5 shown.

[0035] Due to the position of the shopping cart now being fixed by the holding device, locking and unlocking from the locked position can be carried out as in Fig. 2 A. This is shown in Fig. 2 B. The disc 3 is rotated upwards by means of the crossbar 15. The retaining strut 6 with the bolt 5 loses its holding function. The disc 3 and thus also the vertical strut 18 are released and can move as in Fig. Move to the left as shown in 2C.

[0036] As in Fig. 6A, by pulling the handrail towards the user, the folding mechanism is now released from its basic position as shown in Fig. 3A shown up to the maximum position Fig. 3B. Strut 23 and strut 18 are now both in a horizontal position. This position is also in the Fig. 6B.

[0037] Fig. Figure 6C then shows the final position of the folded chassis. The locking and unlocking positions are the same as in Fig. 2D. The position of the folding mechanism corresponds approximately to the position in Fig. 3C.

[0038] After a 90-degree rotation via the receiving device, the shopping cart is completely moved into the vehicle. The vertical axis of the pivot bearing 38 of the receiving device is preferably located at a distance from the rear of the vehicle greater than half the total width of the shopping cart. This process is shown in the Fig. 7.

Claims

[1] Foldable shopping and transport cart with a container (2) for the transport of goods and products, with a chassis (1) for holding the container (2), wherein the chassis (1) has at least one lower horizontal strut (8) and at least one lower vertical strut (18), wherein the lower horizontal strut (8) has, on the one hand, rotatable rollers (9) and, on the other hand, rigid wheels (10), wherein the two lower struts (8, 18) are connected to one another by a joint (13), wherein the chassis (1) has a locking and unlocking mechanism, wherein the locking and unlocking mechanism locks the two struts (8, 18) at a right angle to each other in a locking state or allows a rotational movement of the struts (8, 18) via the joint (13) in an unlocking state, wherein the chassis (1) has an upper horizontal strut (27) for longitudinally supporting a container and an upper vertical strut (23), wherein the chassis (1) has a folding mechanism, wherein the lower vertical strut (18), the upper vertical strut (23) and the upper horizontal strut (27) are connected to one another via the folding mechanism, with a holding and locking device for securing the shopping trolley in a loading space of a motor vehicle, wherein the holding and locking device is connected to the upper horizontal strut (27) via a pivot joint (32), characterized by , that the folding mechanism has a base plate (26), two shafts (16, 17) and two gear wheels (19, 21), wherein the base plate (26) has a bore and an elongated hole (22), wherein one of the shafts (16, 17) is guided through the bore and the elongated hole (22), wherein on each of the shafts (16, 17) on the one hand one of the spur gear wheels (19, 21) and on the other hand one of the vertical struts (18, 23) is mounted, wherein the two gear wheels (19, 21) form a spur gear transmission. [2] Foldable shopping and transport trolley according to claim 1, characterized by that the locking and unlocking is designed in the form of a rotatable round disc (3), wherein the disc (3) contains a milled recess in the form of a semicircular elongated hole (4) and a bolt (5) guided in this elongated hole, which is mounted on a holding strut (6), can be released or locked by rotating the disc (3). [3] Foldable shopping and transport trolley according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the upper horizontal strut is mounted on the base plate, wherein in the locking and unlocking state the upper horizontal strut (27) can be pivoted by means of a rotational movement of the upper vertical strut (23) via the folding mechanism and at the same time the lower vertical strut (18) remains in a vertical position. [4] Foldable shopping and transport trolley according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that in the unlocking state of the locking and unlocking, a rotational movement of one vertical strut (18, 23) is converted into an opposite rotational movement of the other vertical strut (18, 23) via the folding mechanism, so that the chassis (1) can be folded via the folding mechanism. [5] Foldable shopping and transport trolley according to claim 4, characterized bythat the two gear wheels (19, 21) can be driven in opposite directions and that the shaft (16) guided through the slot (22) can be led out of the base plate (26) via the other gear wheel (19). [6] Arrangement with the collapsible shopping and transport trolley according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the arrangement has a receiving device for receiving the shopping and transport trolley, wherein the holding and locking device prevents the chassis (1) from running back out of the receiving device. [7] Arrangement according to claim 6, characterized bythat the receiving device has two guide elements (35) converging at the same angle to one another and an end stop (37), and that the shopping and transport trolley has a roller (33) mounted on the front with a vertical axis, wherein the shopping and transport trolley is guided in a desired direction by means of the two guide elements (35) and with the aid of the roller (33) and is received after reaching the end stop (37). [8] Arrangement according to claim 7, characterized by that the guide elements (35) of the receiving device serve both as a guide and as a barrier due to their oblique and then parallel course. [9] Arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, characterized bythat the holding and locking device has a front element (30) which tapers to a point at an oblique angle towards the front and outwards, wherein the front element can run onto the guide elements (35) and, after reaching the end stop (37), can be latched into the guide elements (35) via milled recesses (31) which correspond to the cross section of the guide elements (35). [10] Arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by that the receiving device has a U-profile (36), wherein the guide elements (35) can be tilted about a horizontal axis of rotation (39) via the U-profile (36), so that a receiving height of the receiving device is variable. [11] Arrangement according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized by that the receiving device has a further rotary bearing (38), wherein the receiving device is rotatable by means of the further rotary bearing (38).

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