Security device for shopping carts and the like
First Claim
1. A security apparatus for a shopping cart having a plurality of wheels, comprising:
- a braking member for rotatably mounting on a wheel axle for movement between a raised position spaced above the ground surface and an operative position contacting the ground surface, the braking member having a portion projecting radially outwardly from the outer peripheral rim of the wheel at least in said operative position so as to lift the wheel from the ground and impede movement of a shopping cart;
a locking device for releasably locking the braking member in the raised position; and
a trigger device for releasing the locking device in response to a signal from an electrical signal system extending around an area in which carts are to be retained, whereby the braking member can rotate into the operative position.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A security apparatus for a shopping cart having a plurality of casters has a braking member rotatably mounted on a wheel axle of one of the wheels. The braking member is movable between a raised position spaced above the ground surface and an operative position contacting the ground surface, and has a portion projecting radially outwardly from the outer peripheral rim of the wheel at least in the operative position so as to lift the wheel from the ground and impede rotation of the wheel. A locking device releasably locks the braking member in the raised position, and is released by a trigger device in response to a signal from a signal system extending around an area in which carts are to be retained, at which point the braking member rotates into the operative position.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A security apparatus for a shopping cart having a plurality of wheels, comprising:
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a braking member for rotatably mounting on a wheel axle for movement between a raised position spaced above the ground surface and an operative position contacting the ground surface, the braking member having a portion projecting radially outwardly from the outer peripheral rim of the wheel at least in said operative position so as to lift the wheel from the ground and impede movement of a shopping cart; a locking device for releasably locking the braking member in the raised position; and a trigger device for releasing the locking device in response to a signal from an electrical signal system extending around an area in which carts are to be retained, whereby the braking member can rotate into the operative position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A combined shopping cart caster and security assembly, comprising:
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a wheel supporting yoke; a wheel axle secured to the yoke; a wheel rotatably mounted on the axle, the wheel having an outer peripheral rim for rolling along a ground surface; a braking member rotatably mounted on the axle for movement between a raised position spaced above the ground surface and an operative position contacting the ground surface, the braking member having a portion projecting radially outwardly from the outer peripheral rim of the wheel at least in said operative position so as to lift the wheel from the surface and impede motion of the shopping cart; a locking device movable between an advanced position locking the braking member in the raised position, and an inoperative position releasing the braking member; and an electrical actuator for moving the locking device into the inoperative position in response to movement of the wheel outside a predetermined area, whereby the braking member moves into the operative position to prevent further rotation of the wheel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification