Shopping cart corral for displaying one or more advertisements and method of providing same

• US 9,138,081 B1
• Filed: 07/25/2014
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Starlite Medite, LLC
• Original Assignee: Starlite Medite, LLC
• Inventors: Allen, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Michener, Joshua J
• Assistant Examiner(s): AKBASLI, ALP A
• Application Number:
  US14/341,318
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 52/33, 52/362, 211/17, D20/19, D20/39, D20/41, 406/060.3, 406/070.3, 405/91, 406/24
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 10/04 for storing or handling self-service hand-carts or baskets
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/22 Advertising or display means on roads, walls or similar surfaces, e.g. illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles

Abstract

Some embodiments disclose a corral configured to hold one or more shopping carts and display one or more advertisements. The corral can include: (a) an enclosure having an opening configured to receive the one or more shopping carts, the enclosure having a first side; and (b) at least one first panel located at the first side and configured to display at least a first advertisement of the one or more advertisements. The advertising panels can be configured to be coupled adjacent the opening of the corral to facilitate better visibility.

Claims

1. An apparatus for retaining two or more shopping carts, the apparatus comprising:

a first wall with a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a second wall with a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the second wall coupled to the second end of the first wall;

a third wall with a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the second end of the third wall coupled to the second end of the second wall, the third wall opposite the first wall, wherein the first wall is spaced apart from the third wall such that the two or more shopping carts can be placed between the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall;

at least one first panel coupled to the first wall and at least one second panel coupled to the third wall, the at least one first panel and at least one second panel being configured to display one or more interactive advertisements that provide promotional content for a business located within a vicinity of the corral; and

a member coupled to, and extending through, the at least one first panel and the at least one second panel so as to further couple the first wall with the third wall.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one first panel and at least one second panel include electronic displays that are configured to display multimedia advertisements.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electronic displays are configured to display interactive advertisements comprising videos or images.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one first panel and at least one second panel include a screen or button that can be engaged by an individual to provide the individual with a coupon.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the corral includes a printer that prints the coupon for the individual in response to the individual engaging the screen or button.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one first panel or at least one second panel includes a display screen that directs an individual to a location of the business in response to the individual engaging the display screen.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the promotional content enables a product offered by the business to be obtained at a discounted price.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one first panel or at least one second panel include a device capable of outputting audio.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one first panel or at least one second panel include a touch screen device that is configured to receive input from an individual.

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

an enclosure having an opening configured to receive the one or more shopping carts;

a first structure, a second structure, and a third structure, wherein the second structure is coupled to the first structure, and the third structure is coupled to the second structure so as to be spaced apart from the first structure, the enclosure being defined by the first, second and third structures;

at least one first panel and at least one second panel coupled to the corral near the opening of the enclosure, the at least one first panel and at least one second panel being configured to display one or more interactive advertisements that provide promotional content for a business located within a vicinity of the corral;

at least one second panel coupled to the third structure adjacent to the opening of the enclosure, and configured to display another one or more advertisements; and

a member coupled to, and extending through, the at least one first panel and the at least one second panel so as to further couple the first structure with the third structure near the opening of the enclosure.

11. The corral of claim 10, wherein the at least one first panel and at least one second panel include electronic displays that are configured to display multimedia advertisements.

12. The corral of claim 11, wherein the electronic displays are configured to display interactive advertisements comprising videos or images.

13. The corral of claim 10, wherein the at least one first panel and at least one second panel include a screen or button that can be engaged by an individual to provide the individual with a coupon.

14. The corral of claim 13, wherein the corral includes a printer that prints the coupon for the individual in response to the individual engaging the screen or button.

15. The corral of claim 10, wherein the at least one first panel or at least one second panel includes a display screen that directs an individual to a location of the business in response to the individual engaging the display screen.

16. The corral of claim 10, wherein the promotional content enables a product offered by the business to be obtained at a discounted price.

17. The corral of claim 10, wherein the at least one first panel or at least one second panel include a device capable of outputting audio.

18. The corral of claim 10, wherein the at least one first panel or at least one second panel include a touch screen device that is configured to receive input from an individual.