Shopping Trolley Swing Stop Unit Anti-Wobble Holding Means

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shopping cart storage devices with holding means for pivoted support arms often experience abrasion, leading to permanent positioning in the use position rather than the non-use position, causing disruptions during stacking and mobility issues.

Innovation Solution

Enhanced holding means that fix the support arm and storage device by utilizing a non-symmetrical trough design with an eyelet and recess system, preventing wobbling and slipping, and allowing secure positioning on both vertical and horizontal wires, ensuring the storage device remains in the non-use position when not in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a holding means is provided on one of the two support arms to secure the storage device, then the storage device can be held in the use position, but abrasion occurs on the holding means causing the storage device to remain permanently in the use position and disrupt stacking and mobility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding capabilityVSAvoidstacking and mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the holding function from the support arm itself and relocates it to a separate holding means mounted on the chassis. This separation allows the support arm to remain smooth and wear-free while the dedicated holding means (with its trough and fixation elements) handles the securing function. The holding means can be easily detached or adjusted without affecting the support arm, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable holding and ease of stacking/mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding means acts as an intermediary element between the support arm and the chassis. It provides a dedicated interface for holding the support arm in both use and non-use positions through its trough structure and fixation elements (eyelet and recess system). This intermediary component absorbs the wear and holding stresses, protecting the support arm while enabling reliable positioning and easy stacking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the storage device is pivoted backwards from non-use position to use position by support arms, then the storage device becomes accessible for storing goods, but without permanent mounting in non-use position the storage device remains permanently in use position due to abrasion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage position flexibilityVSAvoidposition retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a dynamic holding system where the holding means can transition between different states: allowing the support arm to move freely into the trough during positioning, providing passive retention through the trough geometry, and enabling active fixation when needed through the eyelet and recess engagement. This dynamic behavior maintains both position flexibility and reliable retention without abrasion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The trough structure of the holding means is designed to anticipate and accommodate the support arm's movement. The curved geometry of the trough provides a cushioning effect that guides the support arm into the correct position and prevents over-pivoting. This beforehand cushioning ensures the support arm remains in the desired position without requiring excessive friction or wear-based retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If holding means is used to secure the storage device, then the storage device can be held in position, but abrasion on the holding means causes it to fail to return to non-use position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition holdingVSAvoidmaintenance and reset
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By extracting the holding function from the support arm and placing it in a separate holding means with a trough structure, the invention eliminates the abrasion problem that prevents resetting. The trough design allows the support arm to be easily removed and repositioned without wear, making maintenance and reset simple operations while maintaining reliable position holding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP1800989B1Shopping trolley
Publication Date: 2011.11.23 WANZL METALLWARENFAB GMBH
  • EP1800989B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1800989B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2e

AI summary

The trolley has a positioning device (2) and a chassis frame (4) with a cage (3) having side walls (3.1) made of wires (3.2). A stop unit (6) is provided in a back of the trolley and is moved from a non-usage position into a usage position and vice versa. The stop unit with a carrier arm (6.1) and a stop surface (6.2) is formed like a swing. A holding unit (7) is arranged in an edge wire and in a horizontally running wire and is provided with two elevations, where one elevation prevents the automatic pivoting of the stop unit from the non-usage position into the usage position.