Sliding Shopping Cart Step Stool That Preserves Cart Nesting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Shopping carts lack an integrated step-stool system that allows users to reach higher shelves while maintaining the ability to nest with other carts.
Innovation Solution
A retractable, sliding step-stool system is attached to a shopping cart, featuring a platform that slides between stowed and deployed positions, with extendable legs and a bias member to facilitate easy deployment and retraction, allowing the cart to nest with others.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a step-stool system is integrated into a shopping cart, then users can reach higher shelves, but the cart's nesting capability may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The step-stool system is divided into separate components: a platform that slides along the cart frame and legs that hinge from the platform. This segmentation allows the step-stool to be deployed when needed and retracted to maintain nesting capability, resolving the contradiction between adding functionality and preserving the nesting mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The step-stool system transitions between static and dynamic states. The platform can slide along the frame between retracted and extended positions, and the legs can hinge between folded and extended positions. This dynamic design enables the step-stool to adapt between providing elevation functionality and maintaining cart nesting capability.
2Ease of operation
If the step-stool is extended to provide elevation, then users can reach higher shelves, but the cart cannot nest with other carts
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is designed to slide along the cart frame between a retracted position (allowing nesting) and an extended position (providing elevation). This dynamic positioning enables the system to switch between compatibility with nesting operations and functionality for reaching higher shelves, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the step-stool components from the main cart structure, the platform can independently slide to extend or retract. This segmentation allows the cart to maintain its nesting capability when the step-stool is retracted while providing elevation functionality when extended, balancing ease of operation with adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the step-stool system is added to the shopping cart, then users gain elevation capability, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The step-stool system is segmented into simple, independent components: a platform that slides along the frame and legs that hinge from the platform. This segmentation reduces structural complexity by avoiding a monolithic design and allows each component to perform its function with minimal complexity while achieving the desired elevation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simple dynamic mechanisms (sliding platform and hinging legs) rather than complex actuation systems. The platform slides along the frame using basic guide rails, and the legs hinge using simple hinges, achieving elevation functionality without introducing significant structural complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the platform is extended from under the cart, then users can stand and reach higher shelves, but the cart cannot nest with other carts
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is designed to slide dynamically along the cart frame between a retracted position (maintaining nesting capability) and an extended position (providing a standing platform). This dynamic positioning allows the system to switch between enabling user elevation and preserving cart nesting operations, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform is separated from the main cart body, allowing it to slide independently along the frame. This segmentation enables the platform to extend for user elevation without permanently obstructing the nesting mechanism, as it can be retracted when nesting is required, thus balancing ease of operation with device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to reach higher shelves and sit comfortably, while maintaining the cart's nesting capability without obstructing the nesting mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The step-stool apparatus may have a spring connected between the platform and the legs to urge the legs to a stored position under the platform
Implementation Method 2
The step-stool apparatus may also comprise a bias member connected to the platform and at least one of the legs in a manner that urges the legs to the stored position, wherein the bias member is selected from the group consisting of a spring, a gas cylinder, and an elastic
Data Source
AI summary
A step-stool system that is connected to a shopping cart. The step-stool system includes a platform that has a stowed position and a deployed position. When the platform is in the deployed position, a person may stand on the platform to reach items on higher shelves in a store. When the platform is in the stowed position, the shopping cart can nest with other shopping carts.