Shopping basket

Abstract

To provide a shopping basket which can be changed into an arbitrary size.SOLUTION: A shopping basket (1) includes a bottom wall constituting part (100) and a cylindrical side wall part (203). The bottom wall constituting part (100) and the side wall part (203) are connected by a first fitting structure (2).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shopping cart. [Background technology]

[0002] In some stores, people put items into a shopping cart, and after completing the purchase at the register, they transfer the items to a personal basket similar to the shopping cart to take home. This is an alternative to carrying items in a plastic bag.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an eco-basket that allows a user to place a store basket inside their own (personal) basket while shopping. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-241503 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the personal basket disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the size of the basket (for example, the volume of the basket) is fixed and cannot be changed.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a shopping cart that can be resized to any size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a shopping basket according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a bottom wall component and a cylindrical side wall component, and the bottom wall component and the side wall component are connected by a first interlocking structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a shopping basket that can be resized to any size can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a shopping cart according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a shopping cart according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a partially enlarged view of a shopping cart according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a shopping cart according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where the size is changed. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view showing a modified example of the shopping cart according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the exterior of a shopping basket according to another embodiment of the present invention in an unassembled state. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the exterior of a shopping basket according to another embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a shopping basket according to another embodiment of the present invention, disassembled into components, as viewed from the top side of the shopping basket. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a shopping basket according to another embodiment of the present invention, disassembled into components, as viewed from the bottom side of the shopping basket. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a belt member, which is one of the components of a shopping basket according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a belt member, which is one of the components of a shopping basket according to another embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the bottom side. [Figure 12] 10 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a shopping basket according to another embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state; FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a partially enlarged view showing a part of the inner surface of a second side wall portion at the top of a shopping basket according to another embodiment of the present invention when the shopping basket is in an assembled state. FIG. [Figure 14]10 is a partial enlarged view of a portion of the outer surface of a first side wall portion at the bottom of a shopping basket according to another embodiment of the present invention when the shopping basket is in an assembled state. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a shopping basket according to another embodiment of the present invention when the shopping basket is in an assembled state. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a shopping cart according to another embodiment of the present invention when the shopping cart is in an unassembled state. FIG. [Figure 17] 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of the shopping basket taken along the line AA' shown in FIG. 16. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a shopping cart according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shopping basket 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the shopping basket 1. The shopping basket 1 includes a bottom wall component 100 and a second side wall component 200, which is a cylindrical side wall component, and the bottom wall component 100 and the side wall component (second side wall component 200 including second side wall component lower section 203) are connected by a first fitting structure 2. This allows the second side wall component 200 including second side wall component lower section 203 to be attached to and detached from the bottom wall component 100 in the first fitting structure 2, allowing the size (capacity) of the shopping basket 1 to be changed to any desired size.

[0012] In short, by releasing the engagement between the side wall portion (second side wall portion 203) and the bottom wall constituent portion 100 in the first engagement structure 2, a shopping basket 1 having a relatively small capacity for the bottom wall constituent portion 100 alone can be realized. On the other hand, by engaging the side wall portion (second side wall portion 203) and the bottom wall constituent portion 100 in the first engagement structure 2, a shopping basket 1 having a relatively large capacity can be realized.

[0013] Each component will be described below, and may be referred to as "upper" or "lower" during the description. In this specification, when the shopping cart of this embodiment is placed with the bottom plate portion of the bottom wall component horizontal to a horizontal surface, the direction along the vertical direction toward the zenith (opening side) is defined as "up" (upward direction), and the opposite direction is defined as "down" (downward direction), and these definitions will be used.

[0014] (Bottom wall component 100) The bottom wall constituent part 100 is a box-shaped structure including a substantially plate-shaped bottom plate part 110 and a first side wall part 120 extending upward from the peripheral edge part of the bottom plate part 110. The bottom wall constituent part 100 has a large number of through holes formed throughout, forming a basket-like shape.

[0015] The bottom plate portion 110 has a generally rectangular shape, and a first side wall portion 120 rises from the peripheral edge of this rectangle, approximately perpendicular to the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 110.

[0016] The first side wall 120 is provided with a locked portion 21 that fits into a protrusion 22 (locking portion) provided on the lower part of the inner surface of the second side wall 200 (specifically, the second side wall lower step 203).

[0017] The locked portion 21 includes a fitting hole 24 (locking hole) into which the protrusion 22 fits and locks, and a slit hole 26 formed to be connected to the fitting hole 24. Specifically, the slit hole 26 is formed by an elongated through-hole extending vertically along the wall surface of the first side wall portion 120, and there are fitting holes 24 at both ends (upper end and lower end) of the slit hole 26.

[0018] When the protrusion 22 of the second side wall lower step 203 is fitted into the fitting hole 24, the protrusion 22 can be retained within the fitting hole 24 unless a certain amount of external pressure is applied to the second side wall lower step 203. In short, the protrusion 22 is locked by the fitting hole 24, and thus movement into the slit hole 26 and sliding within the slit hole 26 are restricted.

[0019] With the protrusion 22 fitted into the slit 26, the protrusion 22 can slide along the longitudinal direction (up-down direction) of the slit 26. This allows the second side wall 200 (specifically, the second side wall lower step 203) on which the protrusion 22 is provided to expand and contract relative to the bottom wall forming part 100.

[0020] Here, the inner diameter of the second side wall lower section 203 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical first side wall section 120. Therefore, when the second side wall lower section 203 is contracted relative to the bottom wall constituent section 100, the inner peripheral surface of the second side wall lower section 203 faces and overlaps with the outer peripheral surface of the first side wall section 120. This is shown in FIG. 4. This type of expansion and contraction can be called telescopic expansion and contraction. This telescopic expansion and contraction configuration is convenient because it is not necessary to remove the second side wall section 200 (specifically, the second side wall lower section 203) from the bottom wall constituent section 100 when the size (capacity) of the shopping basket 1 needs to be reduced, and the shopping basket 1 can be expanded when the size needs to be increased.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, a total of six engagement portions 21 including fitting holes 24 are provided along the circumferential surface of the cylindrical first side wall portion 120. Correspondingly, a total of six protrusions 22 are also provided on the inner circumferential surface of the second side wall portion lower step 203. Note that some of the protrusions 22 are hidden and not visible in FIG. 2. In the example of FIG. 2, three engagement portions 21 (engagement holes 24 and slit holes 26) are provided on each of a pair of long sides of the rectangle, but the arrangement positions are not limited to these positions. Furthermore, the number of arrangements is not limited to six in total. The engagement holes 24 will also be described below with reference to FIG. 3.

[0022] (Second side wall portion 200) 1, 2, and 4, the second side wall portion 200 has a multi-stage structure. Specifically, when the second side wall portion 200 is fully extended, the second side wall portion includes a second side wall portion upper stage 201, which is the uppermost stage, a second side wall portion middle stage 202, which is the middle stage, and a second side wall portion lower stage 203, which is the lower stage. Of these, the second side wall portion lower stage 203 has the aforementioned protrusion 22 provided on its inner surface.

[0023] The second side wall portions constituting the second side wall portion 200 are connected to each other by the second fitting structure 3. That is, the second side wall portion lower step 203 and the second side wall portion middle step 202 are connected to each other by the second fitting structure 3, and the second side wall portion middle step 202 and the second side wall portion upper step 201 are connected to each other by the second fitting structure 3. Each second side wall portion will be described below.

[0024] The lower section 203 of the second side wall section is provided with a slit hole 36 (slit section), which is a slit extending up and down along the wall surface similar to the slit hole 26 of the first side wall section 120, and an engaging section 31 including mating holes 34 (engagement holes) provided at both ends of the slit hole 36.

[0025] A protrusion 32 (locking portion) provided on the inner surface of the second side wall middle section 202 is slidably fitted into the slit hole 36. The sliding movement allows the second side wall middle section 202 to expand and contract relative to the second side wall lower section 203. The inner diameter of the cylindrical second side wall middle section 202 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical second side wall lower section 203. Therefore, when the second side wall middle section 202 is contracted relative to the second side wall lower section 203, the inner peripheral surface of the second side wall middle section 202 faces and overlaps with the outer peripheral surface of the second side wall lower section 203, thereby achieving telescopic expansion and contraction (FIG. 4).

[0026] The fitting hole 34 is provided so as to be connected to the slit hole 36, similar to the fitting hole 24 of the first side wall portion 120. The fitting hole 34 can engage and retain the protrusion 32 provided on the inner surface of the second side wall portion middle stage 202. Specifically, when the protrusion 32 of the second side wall portion middle stage 202 is fitted into the fitting hole 34, the protrusion 32 of the second side wall portion middle stage 202 can be retained within the fitting hole 34 in a state where a certain amount of external pressure is not applied to the second side wall portion middle stage 202. When the protrusion 32 is engaged with the fitting hole 34, movement of the protrusion 32 into the slit hole 36 and sliding within the slit hole 36 are restricted.

[0027] Here, the fitting hole 34 will be further described with reference to FIG. 3, which shows an enlarged view of the configuration of the area enclosed by the dashed line in the center portion of the second side wall portion lower step 203 shown in FIG.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3 , fitting holes 34 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the slit 36. The boundary between the slit 36 ​​and the fitting holes 34 has a narrower opening width and a constricted shape. A protrusion 32 provided on the lower part of the inner surface of the second side wall middle section 202 is fitted into and locked into the fitting hole 34 provided on the upper end side of the slit 36 ​​when the second side wall middle section 202 is extended relative to the second side wall lower section 203 shown in FIG. 1 . Meanwhile, a protrusion 32 provided on the lower part of the inner surface of the second side wall middle section 202 is fitted into and locked into the fitting hole 34 provided on the lower end side of the slit 36 ​​when the second side wall middle section 202 is retracted relative to the second side wall lower section 203 shown in FIG. 1 . Even when the protrusion 32 of the second side wall middle section 202 is fitted into and locked in the fitting hole 34 provided at the lower end of the slit hole 36 of the second side wall lower section 203, the protrusion 32 can be kept in the fitting hole 34 unless a certain amount of external pressure is applied to the second side wall middle section 202. This prevents the second side wall middle section 202 from freely expanding and contracting relative to the second side wall lower section 203, and the expansion and contraction can be controlled by the user of the shopping cart 1.

[0029] The fitting hole 24 and the slit hole 26 of the first side wall portion 120 described above are also equivalent to the fitting hole 34 and the slit hole 36 shown in FIG.

[0030] 3, the protrusion 22 has a protruding structure that protrudes inward from the inner surface of the second side wall portion lower step 203. The protruding shape has a constricted portion midway so that the cross section has a T-shape. This prevents the protrusion 22 from easily coming out of the fitting hole 24 and the slit hole 26.

[0031] The convex portion 32 of the second side wall middle section 202 and the convex portion 32 of the second side wall upper section 201 may have the same structure as the convex portion 22, or may have a different structure.

[0032] Similar to the second side wall lower section 203, the second side wall middle section 202 is also provided with an engaged section 31 including a slit hole 36 (slit section), which is a slit extending up and down along the wall surface, and fitting holes 34 (engaged holes) provided at both ends of the slit hole 36. A protrusion 32 (engaging section) of the second side wall upper section 201 is fitted into the engaged section 31 of the second side wall middle section 202, and when fitted into the slit hole 36, the protrusion 32 can slide along the longitudinal direction of the slit hole 36. The sliding movement allows the second side wall middle section 202 to expand and contract relative to the second side wall lower section 203.

[0033] Here, the inner diameter of the cylindrical second side wall upper stage 201 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical second side wall middle stage 202. Therefore, when the second side wall upper stage 201 is contracted relative to the second side wall middle stage 202, the inner peripheral surface of the second side wall upper stage 201 faces and overlaps with the outer peripheral surface of the second side wall middle stage 202, thereby achieving telescopic extension and contraction (FIG. 4).

[0034] As described above, according to the shopping basket 1 of this embodiment, the second side wall portion 200 is connected to the bottom wall constituent portion 100 by an interlocking structure, and the interlocking structure employs a configuration in which the second side wall portion 200 expands and contracts relative to the bottom wall constituent portion 100. This allows the size of the shopping basket 1 to be changed.

[0035] In this embodiment, the multiple second side wall portions (203, 202, 201) are connected and assembled in an expandable manner, but the present invention may also be embodied in such a way that the second side wall portions 203, 202, 201 are not assembled but exist as individual portions, and the user can connect any number of second side wall portions to the bottom wall constituent portion 100. That is, to facilitate understanding, using the components shown in FIG. 1 for explanation, the shopping basket can be used by engaging only the lower second side wall portion 203 with the bottom wall constituent portion 100, and the size (capacity) of the shopping basket can also be increased by further engaging the middle second side wall portion 202. In this way, the present invention may be embodied in such a way that the user can add any number of side wall portions to the basket.

[0036] In the above example, when the locking portion is locked in the locking hole, the sliding of the locking portion along the slit portion is restricted, and when the user applies external pressure, the restriction is released and the locking portion can slide. However, instead of the user applying external pressure, the side wall portion may be stretched as shown in FIG. 1 by the weight of the contents contained in the shopping basket 1 when the user holds (lifts) the shopping basket 1 or hangs the shopping basket 1. In other words, the locking portion does not need to have the fitting holes 24, 34 as long as it has a structure (e.g., a slit hole) that allows the locking portion (the side wall portion on which the locking portion is provided) to slide.

[0037] In the above example, the fitting holes 24, 34 and the slit holes 26, 36 are configured as through holes, but this is not limiting, and they may be configured as recesses that do not penetrate through.

[0038] In addition, in the above-described example, the inner surface of the side wall portion is provided with the protrusions 22, 32 that protrude inward, but the arrangement of the protrusions is not limited to this, and may be, for example, protrusions that protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface of the side wall portion, protrusions that protrude upward from the upper end surface of the side wall portion, or protrusions that protrude downward from the lower end surface of the side wall portion. In these cases, it is sufficient to provide a corresponding locked portion for each of them.

[0039] In the above example, the first side wall 120 has the locked portion 21 (the fitting hole 24 and the slit hole 26), and the second side wall lower step 203 has the protrusion 22 (locking portion), but this is not limiting. In other words, the first side wall 120 may have the protrusion (locking portion), and the second side wall lower step 203 may have an locked hole corresponding to the locked portion that locks the protrusion.

[0040] In the above example, the cylindrical side walls expand and contract in the vertical direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second side wall lower section 203 may be configured by arranging two U-shaped members facing each other in the horizontal direction, and instead of the vertically elongated slit hole 36 in the above example, a horizontally elongated slit may be provided, and the protrusion may slide horizontally along the slit.

[0041] The shopping basket 1 may be provided with a handle member that can be held by hand or put through an arm. An example of the handle member is the handle member 400 (FIG. 6) of the following embodiment.

[0042] Furthermore, the shopping basket 1 described above can also be provided with a handle on each of a pair of short edges of the upper section 201 of the second side wall. The handle may have a structure that penetrates vertically, for example, and can be configured to allow a hand or finger to be placed on it. An example of the handle is the handle 500 of the following embodiment (FIG. 6).

[0043] [Modification] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a modification of the above-described embodiment, and is a partially enlarged view of the inner surface of the second side wall portion lower step 203A, similar to Fig. 3.

[0044] The second side wall lower section 203A of this modification does not have the slit hole 36 (FIG. 3) of the above-described embodiment, but has a plurality of fitting holes 34a, 34b, 34c (locking holes) aligned in the vertical direction. In this modification, the position at which the protrusion 32 (FIG. 2) of the second side wall middle section 202 is fitted is changed among the three fitting holes 34a, 34b, 34c shown in FIG. 5, thereby allowing the second side wall middle section 202 to expand and contract relative to the second side wall lower section 203A.

[0045] An example of a protrusion for realizing this modification is a configuration in which the protruding tip is forked, as in protrusion 22A shown in FIG. 5. In this case, the user can pinch the forked portion with their fingers to eliminate the gap between the forks, allowing the protrusion to be inserted into or removed from the fitting holes 34a, 34b, and 34c. In this case, when the protrusion is fitted into the fitting holes 34a, 34b, and 34c, the forked gap is returned to its original position, thereby locking the fitting holes and the protrusion, thereby realizing the fitting structure. The number of fitting holes (34a, 34b, and 34c) may be one or four or more. There may be two or more protrusions 22A.

[0046] The configuration of this modification is not limited to the second side wall lower step 203A, but can also be applied to other side wall portions.

[0047] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0048] The shopping basket of this embodiment can change its shape to a compact form when there are no items or other shopping baskets in the storage space (hereinafter, this state will be referred to as "unstored"). Furthermore, it is configured so that the shape does not change in an inconvenient way (does not return to its original state) when in this compact form. An example of an embodiment that realizes this configuration will be described below. Note that in this embodiment, as in the above-described first embodiment, the terms "up" and "down" may be used to describe components. In this specification, when the shopping basket of this embodiment is placed with the bottom plate portion of the bottom wall component horizontal to a horizontal surface, the direction toward the zenith along the vertical direction is defined as "up" (direction), and the opposite direction is defined as "down" (direction), and these definitions will be used.

[0049] FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the shopping basket 1A of this embodiment when the shopping basket is in an unassembled state. Here, the "unassembled state" refers to a state in which the second side wall portion 200, described later, is contracted when not being stored. In particular, the state in FIG. 6 is the shape of the shopping basket 1A when the shopping basket 1A itself is being carried or stored. Meanwhile, FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of the shopping basket 1A when it is in an assembled state. Here, the "assembled state" refers to a state in which a storage space for storing items or another shopping basket has been assembled, and the second side wall portion 200, described later, has been assembled to the bottom wall component 100.

[0050] That is, the shopping basket 1A of this embodiment comprises a bottom wall constituent part 100 including a substantially plate-shaped bottom plate part 110 and a first side wall part 120 extending upward from the peripheral edge part of the bottom plate part 110, and a second side wall part 200 (cylindrical side wall part) that is cylindrical and telescopically expands and contracts relative to the bottom wall constituent part 100. The shopping basket 1A further comprises a belt member 300 (locking part, first fitting structure, second fitting structure) that connects the bottom wall constituent part 100 and the second side wall part 200, and that restricts contraction of the second side wall part 200 when the second side wall part 200 is in an expanded state relative to the bottom wall constituent part 100 and restricts expansion of the second side wall part 200 when the second side wall part 200 is in a contracted state relative to the bottom wall constituent part 100.

[0051] Here, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the shopping basket 1A disassembled into its constituent elements, viewed from the top side of the shopping basket 1A, and FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the disassembled state, viewed from the bottom side of the shopping basket 1A.

[0052] The bottom wall constituent part 100 is a box-shaped structure including a substantially plate-shaped bottom plate part 110 and a first side wall part 120 extending upward from the peripheral edge part of the bottom plate part 110. A number of through holes are provided in the bottom wall constituent part 100. Furthermore, the bottom wall constituent part 100 is provided with a first locked part 103 and a second locked part 105 (first fitting structure, locked part, locked hole).

[0053] The first locked portions 103 are portions that are locked by the locking portions 305 (first and second fitting structures) of the belt member 300. The first locked portions 103 are provided at the boundary between the bottom plate portion 110 and the first side wall portion 120. In the example shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the first locked portions 103 are provided at the middle positions of a pair of short edges of the bottom plate portion 110, which has a rectangular peripheral edge. Each first locked portion 103 is a hole that penetrates from the inner surface to the outer surface of the bottom wall component 100, into which the locking portions 305 of the belt member 300 can be inserted and fitted. When the shopping cart 1A is in an assembled state, one first locked portion 103 and the other first locked portion 103 are locked by the locking portions 305 of the belt member 300 (FIG. 10).

[0054] Two second latching portions 105 are arranged side by side in the center of the bottom plate 110 along a pair of long edges of the bottom plate 110, which has rectangular peripheral sides. When the shopping cart is in an unassembled state, one second latching portion 105 and the other second latching portion 105 are latched with latching portions 305 (FIG. 10) of separate belt members 300. As shown in FIG. 12, the second latching portion 105 consists of two through regions aligned laterally. One side (the rail portion 107 side described below) is provided with an insertion region with a larger opening diameter, and the other side is provided with a fitting region with an opening diameter smaller than that of the insertion region. Meanwhile, the fitting region has an opening with a diameter substantially the same as (slightly smaller than) the diameter of the constricted portion midway along the protruding shape of the latching portion 305 (locking shaft portion). The insertion region and the fitting region are continuous. Furthermore, the two through regions of the second locked portion 105 may be arranged side by side so as to be perpendicular to the rail portion 107 described below. When the locking portion 305 is locked to the second locked portion 105, the locking portion 305 is inserted into the insertion region with a larger opening diameter, and then moved to the fitting region with a smaller opening diameter for fitting.

[0055] The first and second latched portions 103 and 105 are latched to the latching portion 305 of the belt member 300 when the shopping basket 1A has different shapes. Specifically, the latching portion 305 latches to the first latched portion 103 when the shopping basket 1A is in an assembled state, and latches to the second latched portion 105 when the shopping basket 1A is in an unassembled state.

[0056] The bottom plate portion 110 is further provided on its upper surface with a rail portion 107 (FIGS. 6 and 8).

[0057] The rail portion 107 (engaged portion) extends from one second engaged portion 105 to the first engaged portion 103 provided on the short edge of the rectangular bottom plate portion 110 to which the second engaged portion 105 is closest. The rail portion 107 also extends from the other second engaged portion 105 to the first engaged portion 103 provided on the short edge of the rectangular bottom plate portion 110 to which the second engaged portion 105 is closest.

[0058] The first side wall 120 corresponds to a portion rising from the peripheral edge of the bottom plate 110, which has rectangular peripheral edges. The first side wall 120 rises approximately perpendicular to the upper surface of the bottom plate 110. In addition to a number of through-holes, the first side wall 120 is formed with slits 120b (slit holes) extending vertically along the wall surface. A protrusion 203a (locking portion) provided on the lower part of the inner surface of the second side wall 200 is slidably fitted into the slits 120b. This allows the second side wall 200 to telescopically expand and contract relative to the bottom wall constituting portion 100. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, three slits 120b are provided on each of the first side walls 120 provided on a pair of long edges of the bottom plate 110, which has rectangular peripheral edges. However, the number of slits is not limited to this.

[0059] 8 and 9, the shopping basket 1A of this embodiment has a second side wall 200 configured in multiple stages, specifically including a second side wall upper stage 201 (side wall) located at the top, a second side wall middle stage 202 (side wall) located at the middle, and a second side wall lower stage 203 (side wall) located at the bottom. Of these, the second side wall lower stage 203 has the aforementioned protrusion 203a provided on its inner surface, which slidably fits into the slit 120b of the first side wall 120.

[0060] Similarly to the slits 120b, lower slit stages 203b, which are slits extending vertically along the wall surface, are also formed in multiple locations on the second side wall lower stage 203. Middle protrusion stages 202a, which are provided on the inner surface of the second side wall middle stage 202 and are similar to the above-mentioned protrusions 203a, are slidably fitted into these lower slit stages 203b.

[0061] Furthermore, similar to the slits 120b, middle slit stages 202b, which are slits extending vertically along the wall surface, are formed in multiple locations on the second side wall middle stage 202. Upper protrusion stages 201a, similar to the aforementioned protrusions 203a, provided on the inner surface of the second side wall upper stage 201, are slidably fitted into these middle slit stages 202b.

[0062] By lowering these protrusions 203a, 202a, 201a along the slits 120b, 203b, 202b, the second side wall portion 200 in the assembled state shown in Fig. 7 becomes the state (unassembled state) shown in Fig. 6 in which it is shortened relative to the bottom wall constituent portion 100. Conversely, by raising the protrusions 203a, 202a, 201a along the slits 120b, 203b, 202b from the unassembled state shown in Fig. 6, the second side wall portion 200 becomes the assembled state in which it stands up and extends relative to the bottom wall constituent portion 100 as shown in Fig. 7.

[0063] The second side wall portion 200, which telescopically expands and contracts in this manner, has its expansion and contraction movement regulated by the belt member 300. The structure of this belt member 300 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0064] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the belt member 300 as seen from the top side, and is the same view as the belt member 300 shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the belt member 300 as seen from the bottom side, and is a view showing the belt member 300 as shown in Fig. 10 turned inside out.

[0065] The belt member 300 is belt-shaped and has a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction, with an attachment portion 303 provided at one end 301 and a locking portion 305 provided at the other end 302.

[0066] The attachment portion 303 has a structure that allows it to be attached to the upper end of the second side wall 200, specifically, to the second side wall upper section 201. Here, FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the shopping basket 1A in an assembled state. FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged view of a portion of the inner surface of the upper portion (second side wall upper section 201) of the shopping basket 1A in an assembled state. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the second side wall upper section 201 is provided with an attachment receiving portion 204 to which the attachment portion 303 is attached. Once the attachment portion 303 is inserted into the attachment receiving portion 204 and attached, it cannot be easily removed, and allows one end 301 of the belt member 300 to be fixed to the second side wall upper section 201.

[0067] The locking portion 305 is provided on the underside of the other end portion 302. Specifically, the locking portion 305 is a locking shaft portion that protrudes from the underside of the other end portion 302. The locking portion 305 has a shape with a constricted portion midway along its protruding shape so that its cross section is T-shaped. The locking portion 305 can be inserted into the first locked portion 103 and the second locked portion 105 of the bottom wall forming portion 100 described above. In the assembled state shown in FIGS. 7 and 12, the locking portion 305 is inserted into the first locked portion 103. Here, the locking between the locking portion 305 and the first locked portion 103 will be described with reference to FIG. 14.

[0068] FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged view of a portion of the outer surface of the first side wall portion 120 at the bottom of the shopping basket 1A when the shopping basket 1A is in an assembled state.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 14, the first locked portion 103 is composed of two through-hole regions arranged vertically. The upper side has an insertion region 103a with a larger opening diameter, and the lower side has a fitting region 103b (locked hole) with a smaller opening diameter than the insertion region 103a. The opening diameter of the insertion region 103a is larger than the outer diameter of the locking portion 305 (locking shaft portion). On the other hand, the fitting region 103b opens with a diameter that is approximately the same as (slightly smaller than) the diameter of the constricted portion in the middle of the protruding shape of the locking portion 305 (locking shaft portion). The insertion region 103a and the fitting region 103b are continuous. Alternatively, the lower side may have the insertion region 103a with a larger opening diameter, and the upper side may have the fitting region 103b with a smaller opening diameter than the insertion region 103a. When the locking portion 305 is locked to the first locked portion 103, the locking portion 305 is inserted into the insertion region 103a from the inner surface side of the bottom wall constituent portion 100, and in the inserted state, the locking portion 305 is moved downward (or upward) to fit into the fitting region 103b. Figure 14 shows a state in which the locking portion 305 is locked to the first locked portion 103 (fitting region 103b).

[0070] When the engaging portion 305 is engaged with the first engaged portion 103, as shown in FIG. 12, the belt member 300 extends upward and has a predetermined rigidity, thereby preventing the upwardly extended second side wall portion 200 from telescopically contracting due to its own weight.

[0071] The locking portion 305 that has locked the fitting region 103b of the first locked portion 103 can move to the insertion region 103a, and by moving to the insertion region 103a, the locking portion 305 can be moved toward the inner surface of the bottom wall constituent portion 100. By moving the locking portion 305 toward the inner surface of the bottom wall constituent portion 100, the locking portion 305 can be released from the locked state with the first locked portion 103. The finger hook 111 shown in FIG. 14 can be used to move the locking portion 305 to the insertion region 103a.

[0072] The finger hook 111 is a protruding portion provided on the outer surface of the bottom wall component 100 (first side wall 120), and is formed to protrude outward from a position above the first locked portion 103. The operator can pinch the finger hook 111 and the locking portion 305 (locking shaft) with their fingers, thereby easily releasing the locked state of the locking portion 305. This allows the second side wall 200 to be efficiently extended and retracted from the outside of the shopping basket 1A.

[0073] A rib 112 shown in FIG. 14 is further provided on the outer surface of the bottom wall forming portion 100 (first side wall portion 120). Like the finger hook portion 111, the rib 112 protrudes outward and extends in the vertical direction. Two ribs 112 are provided, one on either side of the finger hook portion 111. The two ribs 112 and the finger hook portion 111 are continuous. The first locked portion 103 is located between the two ribs 112. When the locking portion 305 is locked to the first locked portion 103, the outer end surface of the rib 112 protrudes outward from the outer surface of the bottom wall forming portion 100 (first side wall portion 120) to a height higher than the protruding end of the locking portion 305 (locking shaft portion). As a result, the locking portion 305 (locking shaft portion) locked to the first locked portion 103 does not protrude outward beyond the outer end surface of the rib 112. This configuration can prevent the locking portion 305 (locking shaft portion) from getting caught and releasing the locked state when the shopping basket 1A is placed.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 10 , an operating portion 306 is formed on the other end 302 of the belt member 300. The operator can also release the locked state of the locking portion 305 by operating the operating portion 306. Specifically, the operator displaces the operating portion 306 upward to release the locked state, and then grasps the raised curved portion 307 to release the locking portion 305 (locking shaft portion) from the first locked portion 103. The released locking portion 305 (locking shaft portion) is guided by the rail portion 107 to the second locked portion 105. That is, in this embodiment, the locking portion 305, which is in the locked state, can be released not only from the outside of the shopping basket 1A using the finger hook 111 but also from the inside of the shopping basket 1A using the operating portion 306. Operation using the operating portion 306 is effective even when there is no space to operate the finger hook 111.

[0075] Here, the installation mode of the belt member 300 in the assembled state will be described using Fig. 15 as well as Fig. 12. Fig. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of the shopping basket when the shopping basket is in the assembled state, showing the state cut along the longitudinal direction of the belt member 300.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 15 , the first side wall 120 is provided with a first insertion portion 122 through which the belt member 300 is inserted. Furthermore, the second side wall lower section 203 and the second side wall middle section 202 of the second side wall 200 are each provided with a second insertion portion 222 through which the belt member 300 is inserted. The first insertion portion 122 and the second insertion portion 222 are formed to have substantially the same width as the width of the belt member 300. The edges of the first insertion portion 122 and the second insertion portion 222 restrict displacement of the belt member 300 in the width direction, thereby reducing rattle of the belt member 300. Furthermore, when the belt member 300 is moved in accordance with expansion and contraction of the second side wall 200, the belt member 300 can be stably operated.

[0077] The bottom wall forming portion 100 has a chamfered shape 109 at the boundary between the bottom plate portion 110 and the first side wall portion 120. Meanwhile, the other end portion 302 of the belt member 300 has a curved portion 307 (FIGS. 10 and 15) that curves away from the bottom plate portion 110 when the second side wall portion 200 is contracted and engaged with the second engaged portion 105. This curved portion 307 is formed to follow the chamfered shape 109. As a result, when the second side wall portion 200 is in an expanded state, the curved portion 307 is aligned with the chamfered shape 109. The engaging portion 305 protrudes from the underside of the curved portion 307. By providing the curved portion 307, when the second side wall portion 200 is contracted and the other end portion 302 is locked to the second locked portion 105, the curved portion 307 is spaced apart from the bottom plate portion 110. This makes it easier for an operator to grip the other end portion 302, improving the operability of the belt member 300. Furthermore, when the second side wall portion 200 is expanded and the locking portion 305 is locked to the first locked portion 103, the curved portion 307 fits along the chamfered shape 109, thereby preventing an article from getting caught between the belt member 300 (particularly the other end portion 302 of the belt member 300) and the bottom wall forming portion 100.

[0078] Furthermore, protective portions 109a (FIG. 12) are provided at the ends of the chamfered shape 109 to protect the side surfaces of the belt member 300. Specifically, the protective portions 109a (FIG. 12) provided at the ends of the chamfered shape 109 guard the side surfaces of the curved portion 307 when the curved portion 307 is fitted into the chamfered shape 109, thereby protecting the curved portion 307 from external impact. The protective portions 109a are walls that rise from the ends of the chamfered shape 109 and have surfaces that face the side surfaces of the curved portion 307. The protective portions 109a are provided in pairs on both end surfaces of the belt member 300 in the width direction so as to sandwich the curved portion 307 therebetween. The provision of such protective portions 109a makes it possible to prevent damage to the locking portion 305 caused by an article placed in the shopping basket 1A colliding with the side of the belt member 300. It is also possible to prevent an item contained in the shopping basket 1A from colliding with the side of the belt member 300, causing the locking portion 305 to unexpectedly come off the first locked portion 103. In this example, the protective portion 109a protects only the curved portion 307, but the protective portion 109a may be formed continuously up to the upper end of the first side wall portion 120, and may protect not only the curved portion 307 but also the belt member 300 in a range extending up to the upper end of the first side wall portion 120.

[0079] 16, chamfered shape 109 has a recess that is one step lower than the surface of bottom plate portion 110, and curved portion 307 is accommodated in this recess. This prevents curved portion 307 from protruding from bottom plate portion 110, and reduces damage to items stored in shopping basket 1A.

[0080] In this embodiment, the curved portion 307 is protected by the recess of the chamfered shape 109 and the protective portion 109a, but it may also be protected only by the recess of the chamfered shape 109, or it may be protected only by the protective portion 109a.

[0081] When shopping basket 1A is in the assembled state as shown in Fig. 7, an operator can rotate handle member 400 to raise it up, and then carry shopping basket 1A by gripping the raised handle member 400 with a hand or putting an arm through it. This allows shopping basket 1A to be carried in the same manner as shopping baskets commonly seen in stores.

[0082] Next, the position of the belt member 300 in the unassembled state will be described using Fig. 6 as well as Fig. 16 and Fig. 17. Fig. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of the shopping basket 1A when it is in the unassembled state, and Fig. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of the shopping basket taken along the section line AA' shown in Fig. 16. In the unassembled state, the second side wall 200 is contracted, and the second side wall upper section 201, the second side wall middle section 202, and the second side wall lower section 203 overlap in this order. The opening regions of the second insertion portions 222 of the second side wall middle section 202 and the second side wall lower section 203 overlap each other and also overlap with the first insertion portion 122 of the first side wall 120. The belt member 300 extends from the attached portion 204 through the overlapping first and second insertion portions 122 and 222 to the second locked portion 105 in the center of the bottom plate portion 110.

[0083] When changing the configuration of shopping basket 1A from the assembled state to the unassembled state, as described above, the operator places a finger on finger hook 111 to release the engagement between first locked portion 103 and locking portion 305. As second side wall 200, to which belt member 300 is attached, is displaced downward by its own weight, unlocked locking portion 305 is guided by rail portion 107 and slides along rail portion 107 to second locked portion 105 in the center of bottom plate 110. This allows the operator to operate belt member 300 stably.

[0084] As shown in Figures 6, 16 and 17, the locking portion 305 locks the second locked portion 105, thereby maintaining the shape of the shopping basket 1A shown in the figure (unassembled state) and preventing the second side wall portion 200 from undesirably stretching (returning to the assembled state of Figure 7).

[0085] When changing the configuration of shopping basket 1A from an unassembled state to an assembled state, belt member 300 is slid to push second side wall upper section 201, to which belt member 300 is attached, upward by rigid belt member 300, and then second side wall middle section 202, which is connected to second side wall upper section 201, is displaced upward, thereby assembling the basket. In this way, the configuration can be changed to the assembled state simply by operating belt member 300, resulting in excellent assembly workability.

[0086] The bottom wall constituent portion 100 and the second side wall portion 200 can be made of the same material. For example, they can be made of polypropylene (PP), but this is not a limitation. The belt member 300 can also be made of PP, for example. When assembled, the belt member 300 needs to support the second side wall portion 200 by tensioning it at one end 301 side and the other end 302 side to prevent the extended second side wall portion 200 from shrinking. Therefore, it needs to have a degree of rigidity that can achieve this, and is realized with a size (belt width, belt thickness) that makes this possible.

[0087] The second side wall 200 (second side wall upper section 201) is provided with handles 500, as shown in FIG. 6, for example. The handles 500 are respectively provided on a pair of short edges of the second side wall upper section 201, which has a rectangular peripheral edge. The handles 500 have a structure that penetrates vertically, allowing for a hand or finger to be placed on them. When the shopping basket 1A is in an unassembled state as shown in FIG. 6, one handle 500 faces the zenith and the other handle 500 faces the ground, and the shopping basket 1A can be held in one hand by gripping one handle 500, making it easy to carry. The carrying of the shopping basket 1A in an unassembled state is not limited to this. It is also possible to carry the shopping basket 1A by gripping both handles 500 with the opening side facing the zenith as shown in FIG. 6. The handles 500 are integrally formed with the second side wall upper section 201. It should be noted that the grip portion 500 need not be formed through in the vertical direction in the state of FIG. 6, as long as it can be hooked with a finger, and may be formed as a recess that opens downward.

[0088] In the unassembled state shown in FIGS. 6, 16 and 17, the handle member 400 is disposed along the second side wall portion 200 (second side wall portion upper step 201).

[0089] As described above, the configuration of the shopping basket 1A of this embodiment includes the telescopically extending and retracting second side wall 200. Therefore, when the shopping basket 1A is empty, the second side wall 200 can be retracted to allow the shopping basket 1A to have a compact shape, making it convenient for storage and transportation without being bulky. Furthermore, the configuration of the shopping basket 1A of this embodiment also allows the belt member 300 to restrict the second side wall 200 from expanding when the second side wall 200 is retracted relative to the bottom wall component 100. This prevents the second side wall 200 from expanding undesirably.

[0090] [Modification] In the above-described embodiment, the second side wall 200 has a shape that becomes increasingly open as it extends upward. That is, the first side wall 120 has a frame configuration with the smallest diameter, and the second side wall lower section 203 has a frame configuration with a larger diameter than the first side wall 120. Furthermore, the second side wall middle section 202 has a frame configuration with a larger diameter than the second side wall lower section 203, and the second side wall upper section 201, which is the uppermost section, has a frame configuration with a larger diameter than the second side wall middle section 202. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The first side wall 120 may have a frame configuration with the largest diameter, and frames with smaller diameters may be stacked one on top of the other as they go up. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, there are three second side walls (the second side wall upper section 201, the second side wall middle section 202, and the second side wall lower section 203). However, there may be only one.

[0091] In the above-described embodiment, the first insertion portion 122 is a through hole whose outer periphery is surrounded by the first side wall portion, and the second insertion portion 222 is also a through hole whose outer periphery is surrounded by the second side wall portion lower section 203 or the second side wall portion middle section 202. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first insertion portion 122 may be realized in the form of a notch whose outer periphery is cut out at the upper end of the first side wall portion. Furthermore, the second insertion portion 222 may be realized in the form of a notch whose outer periphery is cut out at the lower end of the second side wall portion lower section 203 or the second side wall portion middle section 202.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, the two belt members 300 are attached to a pair of short edges of the second side wall upper section 201 having rectangular peripheral edges. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the belt members 300 may be attached to a pair of long edges of the second side wall upper section 201 having rectangular peripheral edges. In another embodiment, the belt members 300 may be attached to a pair of long edges and a pair of short edges of the second side wall upper section 201 having rectangular peripheral edges. This embodiment includes four belt members. The two belt members 300 described in the above-described embodiment may also be connected at the other end portions 302. In other words, the belt members 300 may be realized as a single belt member. In this case, an elastic structure or a hinge-like structure may be provided between the other end portions 302 so that the length between the other end portions 302 can be adjusted.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the shopping basket 1A has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. The first side wall 120 and the second side wall 200 may have a cylindrical shape. As a modification of the above-described embodiment, the rail portion may penetrate the bottom plate portion, and a continuous through-hole may be formed to connect the first and second locked portions.

[0094] In the above embodiment, one end 301 of the belt member 300 is fixed to the inner surface of the upper part 201 of the second side wall portion, and the locking position of the other end 302 is changeable, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure both the one end 301 and the other end 302 as removable locking portions, provide locked portions at appropriate positions on the bottom wall constituent portion 100 and the second side wall portion 200, and change the locking positions of both the one end 301 and the other end 302 to different locations when changing from the assembled state to the unassembled state.

[0095] 〔summary〕 A shopping basket according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a bottom wall component and a cylindrical side wall component, and the bottom wall component and the side wall component are connected by a first fitting structure.

[0096] According to the above configuration, a shopping basket whose size can be changed to any size can be provided.

[0097] A shopping basket according to a second aspect of the present invention may be configured as in the first aspect, wherein the shopping basket includes two or more side walls, and the side walls are connected to each other by a second fitting structure.

[0098] According to the above-mentioned configuration, by providing a plurality of side walls, it is possible to provide a shopping basket whose size can be adjusted from a variety of sizes to the size desired by the user.

[0099] A shopping cart according to aspect 3 of the present invention may be configured in accordance with aspect 1, wherein the first fitting structure is such that a locking portion provided on one of the bottom wall component and the side wall component fits into a lockable portion provided on the other of the bottom wall component and the side wall component.

[0100] A shopping basket according to aspect 4 of the present invention may be configured in the same manner as in aspect 3, wherein the engaged portion includes a slit hole through which the engaging portion can slide, and the side wall portion expands and contracts relative to the bottom wall portion.

[0101] A shopping basket according to aspect 5 of the present invention may be configured in the same manner as in aspect 2, such that the second fitting structure is configured such that a locking portion provided on one of the side wall portions fits into a locked portion provided on another of the side wall portions.

[0102] A shopping basket according to aspect 6 of the present invention may be configured in the same manner as in aspect 5, wherein the engaged portion includes a slit hole through which the engaging portion can slide, and the one side wall portion can expand and contract relative to the other side wall portion.

[0103] A shopping basket according to aspect 7 of the present invention may be configured in accordance with aspect 4 or 6, wherein the engaging portion is provided at both ends of the slit hole and includes an engaging hole into which the engaging portion is engaged to restrict sliding of the engaging portion.

[0104] [Additional Notes] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1. 1A Shopping Cart 2. First fitting structure 3 Second fitting structure 21, 31, 103 Locked part 22, 32, 22A, 32, 203a Convex portion (locking portion) 24, 34, 34a, 34b, 34c mating hole 26, 36 slit holes 100 bottom wall component 103 First locked part (locked part, locked hole) 103a Insertion area 103b Mating area (locking hole) 105 2nd locked part (locked part, locked hole) 107 Rail part (engaged part, slit hole) 110 Bottom plate portion (bottom wall component) 120 first side wall portion (bottom wall component) 120b Slit section (slit hole) 200 Second side wall portion (side wall portion) 201 Second side wall upper section (side wall section) 201a Upper protrusion (locking part) 202 Second side wall middle section (side wall section) 202a Middle protrusion (locking part) 202b Middle slit section (slit hole) 203, 203A 2nd side wall lower stage (side wall part) 203b Lower slit section (slit hole) 300 Belt member (first fitting structure, second fitting structure) 305 Locking part 400 Handle material 500 Handle

Claims

1. a bottom wall component; a cylindrical side wall portion; the bottom wall constituent portion and the cylindrical side wall portion are connected by a first fitting structure, The first fitting structure is a locking portion provided on one of the cylindrical side wall portion and the bottom wall constituent portion; a locking portion provided on the other of the cylindrical side wall portion and the bottom wall portion, The cylindrical side wall portion is configured to expand and contract relative to the bottom wall forming portion, and the locking portion is fitted into the locked portion whether the cylindrical side wall portion is in a contracted state, an extended state, or a state in which the side wall portion is expanding and contracting, and the locking portion is configured not to come off the locked portion. Shopping cart.

2. a bottom wall component; a cylindrical side wall portion; the bottom wall constituent portion and the cylindrical side wall portion are connected by a first fitting structure, There are two or more side wall portions, the side wall portions are connected to each other by a second fitting structure, the second fitting structure is configured such that a locking portion provided on one of the side wall portions fits into a locked portion provided on another of the side wall portions, One of the certain side wall portion and the other side wall portion is configured to expand and contract relative to the other, and the locking portion is fitted to the locked portion whether the one is in a contracted state, an extended state, or a state in which the one is expanding and contracting, and the locking portion is configured not to come off the locked portion. Shopping cart.

3. There are two or more cylindrical side walls, The cylindrical side wall portions are connected to each other by a second fitting structure.

2. The shopping cart of claim 1.

4. the bottom wall component has a portion where the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface are both convex outward, the cylindrical side wall portion has a portion where the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface are both convex outward, the surface-changing portion of the bottom wall constituent portion and the surface-changing portion of the cylindrical side wall portion are at the same position in the expansion / contraction direction, The first fitting structure is provided in the surface-changing portion. A shopping basket according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Each of the side wall portions has a portion where the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface are both convex outward, the surface-changing portions of the side wall portions are at the same position in the expansion / contraction direction, The second fitting structure is provided at the surface-changing portion between the side wall portions.

4. A shopping basket according to claim 2 or 3.

6. The locked portion is a slit hole through which the locking portion is slidable; and a locking hole provided at each end of the slit hole, into which the locking portion is locked to restrict sliding of the locking portion. A shopping basket according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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