Shopping cart attachment

• US 4,988,025 A
• Filed: 12/14/1989
• Issued: 01/29/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: R J Reynolds Tobacco Company (R. J. Reynolds Tobacco)
• Original Assignee: R J Reynolds Tobacco Company (R. J. Reynolds Tobacco)
• Inventors: Lipton, Jack B., Hall, Pamela A., Morbelli, Mario J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kupferschmid, Keith
• Application Number:
  US07/450,887
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 224/277, 364/710.04, 364/710.07, 364/710.14, 364/405, 364/710.12, 340/706, 340/815.01, 340/815.3, 340/715, 340/711
• US Class Current: 224/411
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1424 Electronic display devices
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1428 Adaptations for calculators, memory aids or reading aids
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A shopping cart attachment includes an advertisement and a calculator including a display. The calculator displays a message related to the advertisment on the display, in response to a predetermined occurrence such as depression of the CLEAR key. Because the calculator displays the advertising message, it is difficult for the shopper to ignore the advertisement. A freestanding pocket or desktop calculator may also display a message related to an advertisement on its case or housing, in response to a predetermined occurrence.

Claims

1. A shopping cart attachment comprising:

a substrate; and

means for attaching said substrate to a shopping cart;

said substrate including an advertisement and a calculator, said calculator comprising an electrically interconnected microprocessor, keyboard and display, said calculator being adapted to display a message related to said advertisement on said display, in response to a predetermined occurrence.

2. The shopping cart attachment of claim 1 wherein said keyboard comprises a plurality of keys, and wherein said predetermined occurrence comprises depression of a key.

3. The shopping cart attachment of claim 1 wherein said keyboard includes a CLEAR key, and wherein said predetermined occurrence comprises depression of the CLEAR key.

4. The shopping cart attachment of claim 1 wherein said keyboard comprises a plurality of keys, and wherein said predetermined occurrence comprises expiration of a predetermined time during which none of said plurality of keys are depressed.

5. The shopping cart attachment of claim 1 wherein said keyboard comprises a plurality of keys, and wherein said predetermined occurrence comprises expiration of a predetermined time during which a predetermined one of said keys is not depressed.

6. The shopping cart attachment of claim 1 wherein said message comprises an advertising slogan related to said advertisement.

7. The shopping cart attachment of claim 1 wherein said display comprises an alphanumeric display.

8. The shopping cart attachment of claim 1 wherein said calculator further comprises a memory having a control program therein for controlling said calculator, said control program including a program routine for causing said microprocessor to display said message related to said advertisement on said display in response to the predetermined occurrence.

9. The shopping cart attachment of claim 1 wherein said calculator further comprises a solar cell, electrically connected to said microprocessor, for providing electrical power to said calculator.

10. The shopping cart attachment of claim 1 wherein said substrate comprises a plastic housing.

11. The shopping cart attachment of claim 1 wherein said attaching means comprises a bracket.

12. The shopping cart attachment of claim 1 wherein said substrate includes first and second receptacles thereon, said first receptacle being adapted for holding said advertisement, and said second receptacle being adapted for holding said calculator.