Method and apparatus for securing a shopping cart

• US 7,490,701 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2006
• Issued: 02/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kartdox, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kartdox, LLC
• Inventors: Scheffer, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): King; Bradley T
• Application Number:
  US11/360,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20060207840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 188/32, 188/36, 188/19
• US Class Current: 188/32
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 3/00 Portable devices for preventing unwanted movement of vehicles, e.g. chocks
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/049 locking against movement by contacting the floor or a wall

Abstract

A method and apparatus for securing a wheeled device such as a shopping cart is disclosed. In one embodiment, the securing structure comprises a depression formed in a support surface, such as a concrete or asphalt parking lot. The depression is configured to accept one or more wheels of a wheeled cart therein for restraining the cart. An advertising platform is located in the depression. The advertising platform bears advertising or other information. Another embodiment of the invention is an advertising platform for use with a cart securing structure which is mounted to a support surface. The platform may span the space between two securing structures, the platform having a top surface configured to bear advertising or other information.

Claims

1. A shopping cart dock for securing a pair of spaced wheels of a shopping cart comprising:

a parking lot surface comprising a substantially continuous layer of paving material, said parking lot surface having a depression formed therein, said depression having a bottom surface defined by said paving material, a first end and an opposing second end defined by said paving material, said bottom surface offset in at least one location below said parking lot surface adjacent to said depression, said depression having a length between said first and second ends which is greater than a distance between said spaced wheels of a cart to be engaged with said depression, whereby said paving material forming said parking lot surface defines cart wheel engaging surfaces for retaining a cart; and

an advertising insert located in said depression below said parking lot surface, said advertising insert having a top surface which bears advertising, said top surface facing upwardly towards said parking lot surface, whereby said advertising is visible when viewed in said depression.

2. The shopping cart dock in accordance with claim 1 wherein said depression is generally “

U”

-shaped in cross-section.

3. The shopping cart dock in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bottom surface slopes downwardly from a leading edge where the bottom surface is congruous with said parking lot surface to a rear wall which extends downwardly from said parking lot surface to said bottom surface.

4. The shopping cart dock in accordance with claim 3 wherein said rear wall is generally vertically extending.

5. A shopping cart dock for securing a pair of spaced wheels of a shopping cart positioned on a support surface, said dock comprising, in combination:

a depression formed in said support surface, said depression comprising a leading edge, a sloped bottom surface, a rear wall, a first side and a second side, said leading edge flush with said support surface, said bottom surface sloping downward into said support surface and away from said leading edge towards said rear wall, said rear wall defining a depth said bottom surface is recessed below said support surface, said leading edge and said rear wall establishing a depression width, said first and second sides establishing a depression length, said depression having a length exceeding its width, wherein said depression is configured to simultaneously accept the pair of spaced-apart wheels of said cart; and

an advertising display located within said depression, said display comprising a generally planar insert having a top surface and a bottom surface and a pair of opposing sides, said bottom surface positioned adjacent said sloped bottom surface of said depression and connected thereto, said top surface of said insert positioned below said support surface whereby no portion of said advertising display extends outwardly from said depression above said support surface, said top surface of said insert bearing indicia which is visible to a user looking towards said depression containing said insert.

6. The shopping cart dock in accordance with claim 5 wherein said depth defined by said rear wall and said bottom surface is substantially within in the range of 2-4 inches.

7. The shopping cart dock in accordance with claim 5 wherein said advertising display is secured to said bottom surface with adhesive.

8. The shopping cart dock in accordance with claim 5 wherein said support surface comprises a parking lot.

9. The shopping cart dock in accordance with claim 5 wherein said insert comprises a plastic plate.

10. A method of creating a dock for a shopping cart, the method comprising the steps of:

preparing at least one depression in a support surface, wherein said depression comprises a leading edge, a sloped bottom surface, a generally vertical rear wall, a first side and a second side, said leading edge flush with said support surface, said bottom surface sloping downward into said support surface and away from said leading edge towards said rear wall, said rear wall defining a maximum depth said bottom surface is recessed below said support surface, said leading edge and said rear wall establishing a depression width, said first and second sides establishing a depression length, said depression having a length exceeding its width; and

locating an advertising display located within said depression, said display comprising a generally planar insert having a top surface and a bottom surface and a pair of opposing sides, said bottom surface positioned adjacent said sloped bottom surface of said depression, said top surface of said insert positioned entirely below said support surface, said top surface bearing indicia which is visible to a user looking towards said depression containing said insert.

11. The method in accordance with claim 10 including the step of locating said advertising display below said support surface.

12. The method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising a step of adhering said advertising display to said bottom surface of said depression.