Shopping cart collection, storage, and retrieval system

• US 6,910,828 B1
• Filed: 02/03/2004
• Issued: 06/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Metra Hughes
• Original Assignee: Metra Hughes
• Inventors: Hughes, Metra
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartmann, Gary S.
• Application Number:
  US10/771,858
• Time in Patent Office: 511 Days
• Field of Search: 404/1, 404/6, 404/9, 404/71, 256/1
• US Class Current: 404/9
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/04 for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1404 Means for facilitating stowing or transporting of the trolleys; Antitheft arrangements B62B5/0423 takes precedence

Abstract

A self-guiding shopping cart collection, storage, and retrieval system is provided which is integrated into the parking lot construction. A collection channel is adjacent and parallel to a row of parking spaces which is formed as an inset trough configured to allow rolling translation of a shopping cart to a collection end. The collection channel has a generally planar floor and at least one inclined side bank with the floor being downwardly linearly inclined toward the collection end. Lateral feed channels intersect with the collection channel which are configured to allow rolling translation of a shopping cart from the parking lot into the collection channel. Thus, shopping carts from the parking lot are introduced into the lateral feed channels at the parking lot level and guided therethrough into the collection channel.

Claims

1. In a parking lot, a self-guiding shopping cart collection, storage, and retrieval system, comprising:

at least one array of a plurality of demarcated parking spaces arranged as a row having a length, wherein each of said parking spaces has demarcation lines on either side defining a plurality of aisle ways between said plurality of parking spaces;

a collection channel adjacent and parallel to said row formed as an inset trough configured to allow rolling translation of a shopping cart along the length of the row to a collection end, said collection channel having a generally planar floor and at least one inclined side bank wherein said floor is downwardly linearly inclined toward said collection end; and

a plurality of lateral feed channels intersecting with said collection channel and aligned with said aisle ways, said plurality of lateral feed channels having said each having opposing side banks and configured to allow rolling translation of a shopping cart from the parking lot into said collection channel, said lateral feed channels having a linearly inclined floor with an upper end contiguous to said parking lot and a lower end contiguous to said floor of said central channel whereby shopping carts from the parking lot are introduced into said lateral feed channels and guided therethrough by said opposing side banks into said collection channel.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said collection channel and said lateral feed channels are formed from a rigid material inset into a substrate.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said collection end of said collection channel includes an oppositely sloping ramp intersecting with said floor of said collection channel whereby shopping carts in the collection channel can be pushed up the ramp to the parking lot.