Auxiliary pusher device

• US 9,333,979 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2014
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avi Iron Solutions Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Avi Iron Solutions Ltd.
• Inventors: Pinchas, Avraham
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARCE, MARLON ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US14/179,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20150225008A1
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 180/11
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2206/06 adjustable in height
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/14 characterised by provisions for nesting or stacking, e.g. shopping trolleys collapsible shopping trolleys B62B3/027
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0026 Propulsion aids
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0033 Electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/005 Detachably mounted motor units
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0063 guiding, e.g. by a rail
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0069 Control
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0079 Towing by connecting to another vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/04 electrical, e.g. using an electric servo-motor connected to, or forming part of, the steering gear
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 7/14 with the engine on an auxiliary wheeled unit, e.g. trailer, sidecar trailers B60P, B62D; sidecars B62K27/00

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.

Claims

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.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein after activating said motor, said length of said chassis is of a varying length depending on the distance said device wheel has advanced in the direction of the cart after activating said motor.

3. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a compressive element in mechanical communication with said grip element and operative to exert a force on and releasably engage said grip element with the handle of the cart.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said compressive element is selected from a group consisting of:

a hydraulic piston element, a pneumatic piston element, and a spring.

5. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a motor activation and control element in electrical communication with a controller, said motor activation and control element activating, deactivating and modulating the operation of said motor and the speed or power of said device.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said motor activation and control element is positioned on said hand grip and is a twist grip throttle.

7. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a braking element in mechanical communication with said drive wheel, said braking element adapted for preventing rotation of said drive wheel.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said adjustable length chassis is formed of upper and lower chassis portions arranged for mutual telescopic adjustment.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device further comprises a controller and an energy source for providing energy to said motor and said controller, said controller in electronic communication with said motor, said energy source and a motor activation and control element and said controller controlling said motor and said energy source.

10. A system for parking an auxiliary pusher device, comprising:

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.

11. A system for parking according to claim 10, wherein said parking station is adapted to connect to an external electric outlet and also, after any necessary voltage conversion by a voltage converter, to connect to an energy source of said pusher device thereby recharging said energy source.

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:

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.

13. A device according to claim 12, further comprising an energy source comprising at least one battery and a battery tester in electrical communication with said at least one battery for determining when said at least one battery needs recharging or replacing and indicating such.

14. A device according to claim 12, wherein said drive wheel is a plurality of drive wheels.