SHOPPING CART

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge damper for a shopping cart basket flap or a child seat, a method for mounting the shopping cart flap or child seat to the shopping cart, a system for connecting a bent wire to a shopping cart rod, and a shopping cart. Prior art, for example from EP 0842838 A1, discloses how to bend a wire end so that it can grip a shopping cart rod. This allows movable parts to be attached to the shopping cart. Typically, a hinge, preferably made of plastic, is mounted between the bent wire and the rod.

[0002] CN 2014 27598 Y describes a swivel sleeve for a shopping cart around which a wire is bent to enable the attachment of a swiveling device to a shopping cart.

[0003] Further devices for connecting a bent wire to a rod on a shopping trolley are shown in EP 0411316 A1, in KR 100883182 B1 and in DE 202012102078 U1.

[0004] Shopping carts can be equipped with various folding mechanisms. In particular, a shopping cart may have a basket flap or a child seat flap that can be folded down when not in use. This provides storage space for shopping items.

[0005] For example, two wires can be bent around the handle of a shopping cart so that the wire grips the handle. The basket flap or child seat can then be attached to the wire. This allows the basket flap or child seat to pivot. The wire is bent using a bending device, with a plastic hinge damper placed between the handle and the wire before the bending process.

[0006] The swivel sleeve of CN 2014 27598 Y does not describe a collar that grips a bent wire. Rather, the wire is bent around the swivel sleeve, which can only be done directly on the shopping cart.

[0007] A disadvantage of this method is that the finished wire can be scratched during the bending process. Furthermore, the bending process is a complex and difficult step, as the swiveling device must be mounted directly onto the shopping cart.

[0008] One object of the invention is therefore to provide a method, a device, a system and a shopping cart so that a quick, cost-effective arrangement of a pivotable device can be arranged on a shopping cart, while excluding damage to the wire to be bent.

[0009] According to the invention, this problem is solved by the features defined in the claims.

[0010] The first aspect of the invention provides a device for connecting a bent wire to a rod on a shopping cart, whereby a folding device, in particular a basket flap or a child seat, which is arranged on the bent wire, is foldably arranged on the shopping cart, comprising: a collar for receiving the bent wire and a recess for receiving the rod, whereby the folding device is pivotable about the rod.

[0011] The device according to the invention enables the basket flap or child seat to be clipped onto a shopping cart. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to bend a wire to attach a foldable unit to the shopping cart. This also eliminates the risk of damaging the wire during bending.

[0012] As a second aspect of the invention, a method for attaching a folding device, in particular a basket flap or a child seat, to a shopping cart is provided, comprising: a bent wire on which the folding device is arranged, a bar of the shopping cart about which the folding device can be pivoted, and a device according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the steps: loosely hooking the bent wire into the bar, clipping the device in place, and moving the device along the bar until the device is arranged between the bent wire and the bar.

[0013] As a third aspect of the invention, a system for connecting a bent wire to a bar of a shopping cart is provided, whereby a folding device, in particular a basket flap or a child seat, can be folded onto the shopping cart, comprising: the bent wire on which the folding device is arranged, and the bar about which the folding device is pivotable, wherein a device according to one of claims 1 to 6 is arranged between the bent wire and the bar.

[0014] As a fourth aspect of the invention, a shopping cart for use in a shop or supermarket is provided, comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or a system according to claim 8.

[0015] Exemplary embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0016] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a device is provided, wherein the device consists of a plastic, in particular polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA) or PE (polyethylene). The device can be manufactured in particular by an injection molding process.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, a device is provided wherein the collar has a recess or wherein the collar is formed as a closed section along its radial circumference.

[0018] If the collar is not split but continuous along its radial circumference, the risk of injury from cutouts, into which children in particular could insert their fingers, can be eliminated. If the collar has cutouts, so that it is interrupted along its radial circumference, a mechanically more stable material can be used, since it does not have to compress when the gap widens to accommodate the rod. Advantageously, in this case, a durable material can be used that is well suited to withstanding the elements outdoors.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a device is provided wherein the device has a locking lug for retaining the bent wire that has been inserted. The locking lug provides a better hold for the bent wire within the device.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, a device is provided wherein the device has a gap for the recess. The gap can be widened, thus creating a channel for the rod to enter the recess.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a device is provided wherein the collar at least partially encircles the bent wire. This encircling action provides the bent wire with a mechanically stable hold within the device.

[0022] One aspect of the invention is to provide a hinge damper that can create a connection between a bent wire and a shopping cart rod in such a way that the wire can pivot around the rod. Assembly can be achieved by threading a pre-bent wire into a rod, clipping the hinge damper onto the rod, and then, by moving it along the axis of the rod towards the bent wire, positioning it between the bent wire and the rod, so that the hinge damper can function as a hinge between the bent wire and the rod.

[0023] Further details and advantages of the invention will become clear with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. These show Fig. 1 a first device 1 according to the invention with a recess 3 for receiving a rod, Fig. 2 the same device 1 according to the invention with the collar 2 for gripping the bent wire, Fig. 3 the same device 1 according to the invention in a side view with the collar 2, Fig. 4 the same device 1 according to the invention in a top view with the interrupted collar 2, Fig. 5 the same device 1 according to the invention in a longitudinal section with the recess 8 into which the bent wire can be inserted and locking lugs 9 which prevent the bent wire from falling out of the recess 8, Fig. 6 the same device 1 according to the invention in a perspective view, Fig. 7 the same device 1 according to the invention in the assembled state, wherein the hinge damper 1 has received the bent wire 10 and the rod 5, Fig. 8 a second embodiment of a hinge damper 6 with a two-part collar 2, Fig.Fig. 9 the same second embodiment of a hinge damper 6 in a side view, Fig. 10 the same second embodiment of a hinge damper 6 in a top view, Fig. 11 the hinge damper 6 in a perspective view, Fig. 12 a third embodiment of a hinge damper 7 with a closed collar 12, Fig. 13 the hinge damper 7 in a side view, Fig. 14 the hinge damper 7 in a top view, Fig. 15 the hinge damper 7 in a perspective view.

[0024] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a hinge damper 1 in a front view which can be widened along the gap 4 so that the hinge damper 1 can be clipped onto a shopping cart rod, the rod being received through the receptacle 3.

[0025] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows the same hinge damper 1 in a rear view with the collar 2, which grips the bent wire, thus enabling better centering of the hinge damper 1. Furthermore, the collar 2 prevents children from getting their fingers between the rod and the bent wire, as it provides a cover.

[0026] Fig. 3 shows the same hinge damper 1 in a side view with the collar 2.

[0027] Fig. 4 shows the same hinge damper 1 in a top view.

[0028] Fig. 5 Figure 1 shows the same hinge damper 1 in a longitudinal section view with the recess 8, which is designed to receive the bent wire. In the assembled state, the collar 2 grips the bent wire. The hinge damper 1 may also have additional locking lugs 9 that prevent the wire from falling out.

[0029] Fig. 6 Figure 1 shows the hinge damper 1 in a perspective view with the recess 3 for receiving a shopping cart rod and the collar 2 for gripping a bent wire.

[0030] Fig. 7 Figure 1 shows the hinge damper 1 in its assembled state, wherein the hinge damper 1 has a bent wire 10 and a rod 5, such that a unit attached to the bent wire can pivot about the axis of the rod 5 of the shopping cart. Such a unit can be a basket flap or a child seat flap, wherein the basket flap or the child seat flap can be designed to be opened and closed by means of the hinge damper.

[0031] Fig. 8 Figure 1 shows a second embodiment of a hinge damper 6 according to the invention, which is characterized by a two-part collar 2, wherein the collar 2 does not have half a circumference, as in embodiment 1. Fig. 1 bis 7 , but covers a smaller circumference. In addition, the hinge damper 6 has a gap 4, which allows the hinge damper 6 to be expanded so that a shopping cart rod can be inserted into the recess 3.

[0032] Fig. 9 shows the hinge damper 6 in a side view.

[0033] Fig. 10 shows the same hinge damper 6 in a top view.

[0034] Fig. 11 Figure 1 shows the same hinge damper 6 in a perspective view with the recess 3 for receiving a shopping cart rod. The hinge damper 6 is flexible enough that the gap 4 can be widened sufficiently to allow the rod to be inserted into the recess 3. Furthermore, the hinge damper 6 has a collar 2 that is divided into two parts, specifically a recess 11. This recess 11 facilitates the widening of the gap 4 when a rod is inserted into the recess 3. The recess 11 allows the two parts of the collar 2 to move towards each other without resistance when the gap 4 is widened.

[0035] An advantage of the first and second embodiments of the hinge damper 1 and 6 is that the material of the hinge damper 1, 6 does not need to be particularly soft or elastic, since no compression of the material of the collar 2 is necessary when the gap 4 is widened to guide a rod into the recess 3.

[0036] Fig. 12 Figure 1 shows a third embodiment of a hinge damper 7 according to the invention, wherein the collar 12 does not have a recess 11. Therefore, when the gap 4 widens, the collar 12, which is opposite the gap 4, is compressed to create a sufficient opening for passing a rod to the recess 3. The third embodiment of the hinge damper 7 is thus a hinge damper 7 with a collar 2 made of a soft or elastic material.

[0037] Fig. 13 shows the same hinge damper 7 with the collar 12, wherein the collar 12 has no recess 11 as in the first or second embodiment 1 and 6 of the Figuren 1 bis 11 The collar 12 serves to partially grip a bent wire, thus enabling the detachable connection of a device attached to the bent wire and a shopping cart, since a shopping cart handle can be inserted into the recess 3. The hinge damper 7 allows the device to pivot relative to the shopping cart. The device can be a basket flap or a child seat.

[0038] Fig. 14 shows the same hinge damper 7 with the radially continuous collar 12.

[0039] Fig. 15 Figure 1 shows in perspective the hinge damper 7 with the continuous collar 12, which means that the collar 12 has no recess 11.

[0040] An advantage of the third embodiment of the hinge damper 7 is that gaps or openings are avoided by means of recesses 11 in the collar 7, thereby eliminating the risk of injury, especially for children who could insert their fingers into gaps.

[0041] It should be noted that the term "include" does not exclude further elements or procedural steps, just as the terms "a" and "an" do not exclude multiple elements and steps. LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS

[0042] 1. First embodiment of a hinge damper 2. Collar for gripping a bent wire 10, wherein the collar has at least one recess 11 3. Recess for receiving a rod 4. Gap for widening the hinge damper 5. Rod that is received in the recess 3 6. Second embodiment of a hinge damper 7. Third embodiment of a hinge damper 8. Recess for receiving a bent wire 9. Detent for holding the bent wire in the recess 8 and for pre-centering 10. Bent wire 11. Recess to facilitate the insertion of a rod into the recess 3 12. Collar for gripping a bent wire 10, wherein the collar does not have a recess 11 and is therefore continuous along its circumference

Claims

1. Device (1, 6, 7) for connecting a bent wire (10) to a rod (5) on a shopping trolley, enabling a folding device, in particular a basket flap or a child seat arranged on the bent wire (10), to be foldably arranged on the shopping trolley, comprising: a collar (1, 12) for receiving the bent wire (10) and a recess (3) for receiving the rod (5), as a result of which the device (1, 6, 7) is designed to be pivotable about the rod (5), wherein the device (1, 6, 7) is suitable to be clipped onto the rod (5), characterised in that by moving the device (1, 6, 7) along the axis of the rod (5) towards the bent wire (10), the device (1, 6, 7) can be arranged between the bent wire (10) and the rod (5) to perform the function of a hinge between the bent wire (10) and the rod (5).

2. Device (1, 6, 7) according to Claim 1, wherein the device (1, 6, 7) is made of a plastics material, in particular polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA) or polyethylene (PE).

3. Device (1, 6, 7) according to any one of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the collar (1) has a cut-out (11) or wherein the collar (12) is closed along its radial circumference.

4. Device (1, 6, 7) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device has a locking tab (9) for retaining the bent wire (10) that has been received.

5. Device (1, 6, 7) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (1, 6, 7) has a gap (4) leading to the recess (3).

6. Device (1, 6, 7) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collar (1, 12) at least partially encloses the bent wire (10).

7. Method for attaching a folding device, in particular a basket flap or a child seat, to a shopping trolley, comprising: a bent wire (10) on which the folding device is arranged, a rod (5) of the shopping trolley around which the folding device can be pivoted and a device (1, 6, 7) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps: loosely hanging the bent wire (10) in the rod (5), clipping the device (1, 6, 7) onto the rod (5) and sliding the device (1, 6, 7) along the rod (5) until said device (1, 6, 7) is arranged between the bent wire (10) and the rod (5).

8. System for connecting a bent wire (10) to a rod (5) of a shopping trolley, enabling a folding device, in particular a basket flap or a child seat, to be foldably arranged on the shopping trolley, comprising: the bent wire (10) on which the folding device is arranged and the rod (5) around which the folding device can pivot, wherein a device according to any of Claims 1 to 6 is arranged between the bent wire (10) and the rod (5).

9. Shopping trolley for use in a shop or supermarket, comprising a device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 or a system according to Claim 8.