Shopping cart retrieval system

• US 4,868,544 A
• Filed: 06/28/1988
• Issued: 09/19/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rex Havens
• Original Assignee: Rex Havens
• Inventors: Havens, Rex
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/212,578
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568, 340/571, 340/572, 340/539, 340/531, 340/573, 186/26, 186/27, 186/31, 186/45, 186/62, 455/95, 455/97, 455/99, 455/100, 194/212, 194/905, 180/167, 180/1 B, 200/61.85, 280/242 R, 280/289 H, 280/645, 280/651, 280/659, 280/47.17, 280/DIG. 3, 280/DIG. 4
• US Class Current: 340/568.5
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1404 Means for facilitating stowing or transporting of the trolleys; Antitheft arrangements B62B5/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0096 Identification of the cart or merchandise, e.g. by barcodes or radio frequency identification [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/06 Hand moving equipment, e.g. handle bars for cycles B62K11/14, B62K21/12
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/068 with switches mounted on a handlebar, e.g. for motorcycles, fork lift trucks, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 194/905 Shopping cart return
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 280/04 Grocery store cart
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20822 Attachments and accessories

Abstract

The shopping cart retrieval system has been designed to allow search teams to detect and recover stolen or misplaced shopping carts. It consists of two distinct units of electronic equipment integrated together to form a retrieval system. The heart of the system is a VHF "beacon " radio transmitter implanted in the handle of the shopping cart which is continuously emitting a signal when it leaves the store. A search team, assigned the task of locating and recovering shopping carts, is equipped with a VHF radio receiver with both omni-directional antenna for detection of a shoping cart at maximum range, and a directional antenna used for the close-in location process.

Claims

1. A shopping cart retrieval system comprising:

a shopping cart having a handle;

a radio transmitter asembly having a radio transmitter;

means for attaching said radio transmitter assembly to said shopping cart comprising an elongated plastic housing that snaps on the shopping cart handle, said radio transmitter assembly being mounted in said housing; and

means for activating and de-activating said radio transmitter.

2. A shopping cart retrieval system as recited in claim 1 wherein said radio transmitter is of a VHF beacon type.

3. A shopping cart retrieval system as recited in claim 1 wherein said radio transmitter assembly is mounted on the handle of a shopping cart.

4. A shopping cart retrieval system as recited in claim 1 wherein said radio transmitter assembly has an antenna in its circuit and said antenna is located entirely within said plastic housing and completely hidden from view.

5. A shopping cart retrieval system as recited in claim 4 wherein said antenna is of the helical(loaded type) type which gives it additional electrical length compared to its actual length.

6. A shopping cart retrieval system as recited in claim 1 wherein said radio transmitter assembly has an electrical circuit having a magnetic on/off switch that is activated and deactivated by a magnet mounted on a collar that snaps on to the exterior of said plastic housing adjacent said magnetic switch which itself is mounted in the interior of said housing.

7. A shopping cart retrieval system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a VHF radio receiver with an omni-direction antenna for detection of the shopping cart at a maximum range and a directional antenna used for the close-in location process.

8. A radio transmitter assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said switch is a reed switch.

9. A shopping cart retrieval system comprising:

a shopping cart having a handle;

a radio transmitter assembly having a radio transmitter;

means for mounting said radio transmitter assembly on the handle of said shopping cart comprising an elongated plastic housing having a top half and a bottom half that are secured to each other by fasteners and which has the transmitter assembly mounted therein; and

means for activating and de-activating said radio transmitter.