Shopping, services, and entertainment center for elderly persons

• US 20110108363A1
• Filed: 11/08/2009
• Published: 05/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Regina Sherman
• Original Assignee: Regina Sherman
• Inventors: Sherman, Regina
• Application Number:
  US12/614,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20110108363A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 186/36
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 14/00 Buildings for combinations of different purposes not covered by any single one of main groups E04H1/00-E04H13/00 of this subclass, e.g. for double purpose E04H3/02, E04H9/06 take precedence; Buildings of the drive-in type
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/02 Hotels; Motels; Coffee-houses; Restaurants; Shops; Department stores

Abstract

A shopping and entertainment center for elderly persons includes: a motorized scooter adapted to be ridden by the user; a shopping structure to dispense provisions, including a shelf adapted to store and dispense the provisions at a distance above the ground that allows the user to access the provisions while riding the scooter, and a lane adjacent the shelf that is wide enough to allow the user to access the provisions while riding the scooter without blocking the lane; an entertainment structure to provide entertainment, including a module for seating the user while riding the scooter so that the user may receive the entertainment. The scooter, the shopping structure, and the entertainment structure cooperate to provide shopping and entertainment to the user. Also included are covered parking and entrances, and valet parking with attendants.

Claims

1. A system for providing shopping and entertainment to a user, comprising:

a motorized scooter adapted to be ridden by the user;

a shopping structure to dispense provisions, including a shelf adapted to store and dispense the provisions at a distance above the ground that allows the user to access the provisions while riding the scooter, and a lane adjacent the shelf that is wide enough to allow the user to access the provisions while riding the scooter without blocking the lane;

an entertainment structure to provide entertainment, including a module for seating the user while riding the scooter so that the user may receive the entertainment;

wherein the scooter, the shopping structure, and the entertainment structure cooperate to provide shopping and entertainment to the user.

2. The system of claim 1, the shopping structure further including signage large enough to identify the provisions to a user while riding the scooter;

and

the entertainment structure further including a visual module adapted to provide images to visually impaired persons.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the shelf of the shopping structure is between 1 feet and 5 and ½

feet above the ground, the lane of the shopping structure is at least 8 feet wide, and the signage of the shopping center has lettering at least 0.5 inches tall.

4. The system of claim 1, the entertainment structure further including an audio module adapted to provide sound to hearing impaired persons.

5. The system of claim 1, the entertainment structure further including push-up seats to accommodate a user who is mobility impaired.

6. The system of claim 1, the shopping structure providing step-and-curb-free access to the provisions, and the entertainment structure providing step-and-curb-free access to the entertainment.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a parking module for the scooter having an entrance and an exit generally opposite the entrance;

wherein the user rides the scooter into the entrance in a direction, parks the scooter, and then rides the scooter out the exit in generally the same direction.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a bathroom having an entrance wide enough to receive the scooter and rails to accommodate a user who is mobility impaired.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

high-positioned toilets having pull up bars to facilitate getting up, adult diaper dispensers, and a call button.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the user is an elderly person, and the scooter, the shopping structure, and the entertainment structure cooperate to accommodate the elderly user.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

living accommodations, the shopping structure, entertainment structure, and living accommodations cooperating to accommodate elderly persons.

12. A method for providing services to a user, comprising:

providing a vehicle to transport the user;

providing a shopping facility having shelves and lanes adapted to help the user navigate the shopping facility to shop;

providing a communications facility having visual and audio enhancements to help the user communicate; and

providing a sanitary facility having rails to help the user perform sanitary functions.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the user is an elderly person.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing vehicle parking assistance to the user utilizing a covered overhang drop-off and parking spaces to guard from inclement weather.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing prepared food to the user utilizing cups and dining ware adapted for use by elderly persons.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing living accommodations to the user having rails to help the user navigate the living accommodations.