Shopping cart corrals with at least two advertisement panels arranged in a staggered fashion and method of providing same

• US 8,984,782 B1
• Filed: 08/08/2011
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starlite Media LLC
• Original Assignee: Starlite Media LLC
• Inventors: Lueken, Harold
• Primary Examiner(s): Islam, Syed A
• Application Number:
  US13/205,594
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 406/060.3, 406/061.3, 406/061.4, 406/420.2, 211/17, 211/22, 256/25, 248/225.11
• US Class Current: 40/606.03
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/04 for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/00 Show stands, hangers, or shelves, adapted for particular articles or materials A47F5/0006 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0043 connected to a receptacle of public utility, e.g. a waste receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/00 Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on or in vehicles G09F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/06 the advertising matter being combined with articles for restaurants, shops or offices on paper articles G09F23/10
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/002 weather-proof panels or boards G09F7/02 - G09F7/14, G09F7/18 - G09F7/22 take precedence

Abstract

Certain embodiments disclose a corral and enclosure defined by three members having an opening configured to hold one or more shopping carts and display one or more advertisements, with two substantially parallel walls of different lengths and advertisement panels affixed on the walls, such that they are staggered. The staggered arrangement of the at least two advertisement panels facilitates better visibility and allows the simultaneous viewing of at least two advertisement panels. The longer member also further protects vehicles parked on its side from colliding with shopping carts.

Claims

1. A corral configured to hold one or more shopping carts and display one or more advertisements, the corral comprising:

an enclosure defined by three members and having an opening configured to receive the one or more shopping carts;

at least one first panel coupled to a first one of the three members, the first panel being adjacent to the opening of the enclosure, and displaying one or more advertisements;

at least one second panel coupled to a second one of the three members, the second panel being adjacent to the opening of the enclosure and displaying one or more advertisements, the second member being shorter than the first member, a third member being coupled to the other two members which are substantially parallel to each other; and

a bar member coupled to, and extending through, the at least one first panel and the at least one second panel near the opening of the enclosure, wherein the bar member is coupled to portions of the at least one first panel and the at least one second panel such that the bar member is situated at an angle that is not parallel with respect to the third member.

2. The corral of claim 1, wherein:

each one of the first and second panels having an interior surface facing the enclosure and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface; and

each one of the one or more advertisements appears on one of the interior or exterior surfaces of said panels.

3. The corral of claim 1, wherein:

each one of the first and second members is coupled to a leg having a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion configured to rest on a surface and at least partially support the corral; and

the corral comprises a barricade section coupled to the top portion of the leg and the at least one first panel.

4. The corral of claim 3,

wherein the bar member provides structural support to the corral, and wherein the bar member and legs of the first and second members form an integral part of a railing that goes through at least the first and second panels so as to affix the panels on the first and second members respectively.

6. The corral of claim 1, wherein the at least one first panel and the at least one second panel are configured to display print advertisements.

7. The corral of claim 1, wherein the at least one first panel and the at least one second panel are configured to display electronic advertisements.

5. A method of providing a corral configured to hold one or more shopping carts and display one or more advertisements, the method comprising:

providing an enclosure defined by three members, the enclosure having an opening configured to receive the one or more shopping carts,

wherein;

at least one first panel is coupled to a first one of the three members, the first panel being adjacent to the opening of the enclosure, and displaying one or more advertisements,

at least one second panel is coupled to a second one of the three members, the second panel being adjacent to the opening of the enclosure and displaying one or more advertisements, the second member being shorter than the first member, a third member being coupled to the other two members which are substantially parallel to each other, and

a bar member is coupled to, and extends through, the at least one first panel and the at least one second panel so as to further couple the corral near the opening of the enclosure, wherein the bar member is coupled to portions of the at least one first panel and the at least one second panel such that the bar member is situated at an angle that is not parallel with respect to the third member.