Auxiliary pusher device
First Claim
1. An auxiliary pusher device for pushing a wheeled cart along a travel surface, the cart having rear and front ends and a rearwardly extending handle for pushing the cart, wherein the device comprises:
- an adjustable length chassis having first and second ends;
a grip element connected to said first end of said chassis for engaging and gripping the handle of the cart;
a drive wheel connected to said second end of said chassis, adapted to frictionally engage the travel surface;
a selectably operable motor drivably engaged with said drive wheel which, when activated, is operative to apply a drive force to said drive wheel, thereby applying a corresponding drive force to said chassis and via said grip element to the cart, the drive force including a force component substantially parallel to the travel surface, thereby causing the cart to travel therealong; and
a hand grip connected to said chassis for guiding the direction of travel of the cart,wherein said device, when activated, advances in the direction of the cart until touching it, thereby causing a component of said drive force to act on the cart and when advancing toward the cart there is a resulting increase in chassis length and an increase in an angle formed by said chassis length with a perpendicular line from the handle of the cart to the travel surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An auxiliary pusher device for pushing a wheeled cart along a surface, the cart equipped with a handle for pushing the cart. The device includes an adjustable length chassis, a grip element connected to the chassis for engaging and gripping the handle of the cart, a drive wheel connected to the chassis, and a motor engaged with the drive wheel. The motor is operative to apply a drive force to the drive wheel, thereby applying a corresponding drive force to the chassis and via the grip element to the cart. The drive force includes a force component substantially parallel to the surface causing the cart to move on the surface. A hand grip is connected to the chassis allowing a user of the device to guide the direction of the cart. A parking station for the device and a method for use of the device is also discussed.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An auxiliary pusher device for pushing a wheeled cart along a travel surface, the cart having rear and front ends and a rearwardly extending handle for pushing the cart, wherein the device comprises:
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an adjustable length chassis having first and second ends; a grip element connected to said first end of said chassis for engaging and gripping the handle of the cart; a drive wheel connected to said second end of said chassis, adapted to frictionally engage the travel surface; a selectably operable motor drivably engaged with said drive wheel which, when activated, is operative to apply a drive force to said drive wheel, thereby applying a corresponding drive force to said chassis and via said grip element to the cart, the drive force including a force component substantially parallel to the travel surface, thereby causing the cart to travel therealong; and a hand grip connected to said chassis for guiding the direction of travel of the cart, wherein said device, when activated, advances in the direction of the cart until touching it, thereby causing a component of said drive force to act on the cart and when advancing toward the cart there is a resulting increase in chassis length and an increase in an angle formed by said chassis length with a perpendicular line from the handle of the cart to the travel surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for parking an auxiliary pusher device, comprising:
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an auxiliary pusher device for pushing a wheeled cart along a travel surface, the cart having rear and front ends and a rearwardly extending handle for pushing the cart, wherein the device comprises; an adjustable length chassis having first and second ends; a grip element connected to said first end of said chassis for engaging and gripping the handle of the cart; a drive wheel connected to said second end of said chassis, adapted to frictionally engage the travel surface; a selectably operable motor drivably engaged with said drive wheel which, when activated, is operative to apply a drive force to said drive wheel, thereby applying a corresponding drive force to said chassis and via said grip element to the cart, the drive force including a force component substantially parallel to the travel surface, thereby causing the cart to travel therealong; and a hand grip connected to said chassis for guiding the direction of travel of the cart; and a parking station comprising walls on three sides configured so that when said pusher device is positioned within said parking station said device is prevented from falling or being knocked over; and a card reader which is adapted to read a card of a user and a locking mechanism for locking said device, said locking mechanism in electronic communication with said card reader, said device released for use from said locking mechanism when said card reader reads the card of a user and the user has been charged for use and rental of the device by said card reader. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. An auxiliary pusher device for pushing a wheeled cart along a travel surface, the cart having rear and front ends and a rearwardly extending handle for pushing the cart, wherein the device comprises:
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an adjustable length chassis having first and second ends; a grip element connected to said first end of said chassis for engaging and gripping the handle of the cart; a drive wheel connected to said second end of said chassis, adapted to frictionally engage the travel surface; a selectably operable motor drivably engaged with said drive wheel which, when activated, is operative to apply a drive force to said drive wheel, thereby applying a corresponding drive force to said chassis and via said grip element to the cart, the drive force including a force component substantially parallel to the travel surface, thereby causing the cart to travel therealong; a hand grip connected to said chassis for guiding the direction of travel of the cart; a card reader system mounted on said chassis for debiting a user card for use and rental of said device, said card reader in communication with a customer account debiting system of a business entity; and a locking mechanism integrated with said card reader system, wherein when a user card is read by said card reader, said card reader debits the user'"'"'s customer account for use and rental of the cart and also releases said device from said locking mechanism permitting use of said device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification