Cart connection assemblies and methods
First Claim
1. A cart connection assembly configured to releasably connect with a shopping cart, the connection assembly comprising:
- a housing configured to couple with a cart retriever;
an engagement member pivotally connected with the housing and having a recess and a flange, the engagement member rotatable relative to the housing about an engagement member pivot axis between a first position and a second position with respect to the housing, wherein when in the first position the engagement member is configured to receive a leg portion of a shopping cart in the recess, and wherein when in the second position the leg portion is inhibited from being removed from the recess;
a biasing element configured to bias the engagement member toward the first position;
a latch configured to pivot relative to the housing about a latch pivot axis and configured to engage the flange of the engagement member when the engagement member is in the second position, thereby retaining the engagement member in the second position, the latch pivot axis being not parallel with the engagement member pivot axis; and
a release configured to disengage the latch and the flange, thereby allowing the engagement member to rotate from the second position to the first position.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In certain embodiments, a connection assembly can engage a cart, such as a retail shopping cart, to facilitate pushing and/or pulling the cart or a number of carts that have been nested together. In some embodiments, the connection assembly includes an engagement member with a recess. In an open position of engagement member, the recess can be configured to receive a portion of a frame member of the cart. In a closed position of the engagement member, the portion of the frame member can be secured with the connection assembly, thereby providing a secure connection with the cart to facilitate movement of the cart to a desired location.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A cart connection assembly configured to releasably connect with a shopping cart, the connection assembly comprising:
-
a housing configured to couple with a cart retriever; an engagement member pivotally connected with the housing and having a recess and a flange, the engagement member rotatable relative to the housing about an engagement member pivot axis between a first position and a second position with respect to the housing, wherein when in the first position the engagement member is configured to receive a leg portion of a shopping cart in the recess, and wherein when in the second position the leg portion is inhibited from being removed from the recess; a biasing element configured to bias the engagement member toward the first position; a latch configured to pivot relative to the housing about a latch pivot axis and configured to engage the flange of the engagement member when the engagement member is in the second position, thereby retaining the engagement member in the second position, the latch pivot axis being not parallel with the engagement member pivot axis; and a release configured to disengage the latch and the flange, thereby allowing the engagement member to rotate from the second position to the first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification