Cart retriever vehicle

• US 5,934,694 A
• Filed: 02/13/1996
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dane Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dana Industries Inc.
• Inventors: Dominquez, Stephen, Schugt, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Assistant Examiner(s): CUFF, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US08/600,627
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 180/167, 180/65.1, 180/65.6, 180/15, 180/16, 180/19.1, 180/19.2, 180/19.3, 180/14.1, 180/22, 180/21, 180/209, 180/907, 180/11, 280/33.991, 280/33.992, 280/504, 280/510
• US Class Current: 280/33.991
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/00 Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00; electric transmission arrangements B60K17/12; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles per se B60L; current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/40 Adaptation of control equipment on vehicle for remote actuation from a stationary place devices along the route for controlling devices on rail vehicles B61L3/00; central rail-traffic control systems B61L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/44 Industrial trucks or floor conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/30 Parking brake position
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/18 of two or more battery modules
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1404 Means for facilitating stowing or transporting of the trolleys; Antitheft arrangements B62B5/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0006 Bumpers; Safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0053 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0076 Remotely controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/60 Electric or hybrid propulsion means for production processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A vehicle for retrieving wheeled shopping carts in parking lots. The vehicle is an electric-powered vehicle with electronic remote control which allows one operator to use the device for retrieval of the wheeled shopping carts. The vehicle can be operated in a remote or manual mode. The vehicle includes a cart coupling means for securing the wheeled shopping carts to the vehicle. The cart coupling means is electrically isolated from the vehicle. The coupling means includes two arcuate jaw members which surround the rear tube frame members of the shopping cart. A locking rod is pushed across one jaw member to secure the shopping cart to the coupler assembly. When operating in the remote control, the operator guides the vehicle with a radio transmitter. The vehicle can likewise be operated in a manual mode. The vehicle provides a foot pedal seat and steering wheel for manual operation. The electric drive means for powering the vehicle includes dynamic braking and a parking brake. The parking brake is actuated automatically when the vehicle has come to a stop or the operator sets the brake manually.

Claims

1. A vehicle for moving at least one wheeled cart, the vehicle comprising:

a chassis supported by at least two wheels;

electric drive means supported by the chassis, the drive means coupled to the at least two wheels;

means for generating a drive signal, the drive signal comprising at least one target speed;

a controller coupled to the electric drive means, the controller operative to energize the electric drive means to move the vehicle in response to the drive signal;

a front plate mounted on the chassis;

two jaws protruding from the front plate, wherein said jaws operate to engage corresponding vertical frame members of the at least one wheeled cart; and

locking means for locking the at least one wheeled cart to at least one of the jaws, wherein the locking means includes a moveable pin positionable across an open portion of one of the two jaws.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the means for generating a drive signal comprises a remote transmitter;

and

the vehicle further comprises a receiver on the vehicle for communicating with the remote transmitter, the receiver connected to the controller.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein the remote control comprises a speed control actuator.

4. The vehicle of claim 3 wherein the speed control actuator comprises a speed control lever operable to select from a range of vehicle speeds.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:

means for controlling the vehicle speed at the target speed including;

a disk coupled to the electric drive means;

the disk including a plurality of apertures along a circumference of a concentric area of the disk; and

means for counting the plurality of apertures as the disk rotates.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 further comprising a speed limiter for preventing the vehicle from exceeding a predetermined speed.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:

means for braking the vehicle including;

a motor drive shaft coupled to at least one of the two wheels;

a brake disk on the motor drive shaft;

a moveable rocker arm adjacent the brake disk; and

means for positioning the rocker arm in a first position in friction contact with the brake disk and a second position wherein the friction contact is released.

8. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the means for generating a drive signal comprises a speed control actuator for selecting from a range of vehicle speeds.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the speed control actuator comprises a foot pedal having an extent of pedal travel that corresponds to the range of vehicle speeds.

10. The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the speed control actuator comprises a foot pedal wherein a first portion of pedal travel activates a dynamic braking mechanism and a second portion of pedal travel corresponds to the range of vehicle speeds.

11. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising an operator seat.

12. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a steering wheel mounted on a steering column coupled to a steering mechanism, the steering mechanism operable to steer the at least two wheels by turning the steering wheel.

13. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the speed control actuator comprises a foot pedal, the vehicle further comprising:

a steering wheel mounted on a steering column coupled to a steering mechanism, the steering mechanism operable to steer the at least two wheels by turning the steering wheel; and

a housing hinged to the chassis, the housing including an opening through which the steering column extends from the steering mechanism.

14. A vehicle for moving at least one wheeled cart, the vehicle comprising:

a chassis supported by at least two wheels;

electric drive means supported by the chassis, the drive means coupled to the at least two wheels;

means for generating a drive signal, the drive signal comprising at least one target speed;

a controller coupled to the electric drive means, the controller operative to energize the electric drive means to move the vehicle in response to the drive signal, the controller comprising means for controlling the vehicle speed at the target speed including;

a disk coupled to the electric drive means;

the disk including a plurality of apertures along a circumference of a concentric area of the disk;

means for counting the plurality of apertures as the disk rotates; and

means for coupling the at least one wheeled cart to the vehicle;

a front plate mounted on the chassis;

two arcuate jaws protruding from the front plate, the arcuate jaws operative to engage corresponding vertical rear frame members of the at least one wheeled cart; and

locking means for locking the at least one wheeled cart, wherein the locking means includes a moveable pin positionable across an open portion of one of the two arcuate jaws.

15. The vehicle of claim, 14 further comprising a speed limiter for preventing the vehicle from exceeding a predetermined speed.

16. The vehicle of claim 14 further comprising:

means for braking the vehicle including;

a motor drive shaft coupled to at least one of the two wheels;

a brake disk on the motor drive shaft;

a moveable rocker arm adjacent the brake disk; and

means for positioning the rocker arm in a first position in friction contact with the brake disk and a second position wherein the friction contact is released.

17. The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the means for generating a drive signal comprises a speed control actuator for selecting from a range of vehicle speeds.

18. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein the speed control actuator comprises a foot pedal having an extent of pedal travel that corresponds to the range of vehicle speeds.

19. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein the speed control actuator comprises a foot pedal wherein a first portion of pedal travel activates a dynamic braking mechanism and a second portion of pedal travel corresponds to the range of vehicle speeds.

20. The vehicle of claim 14 wherein the means for generating a drive signal comprises a remote transmitter;

and wherein the vehicle further comprises a receiver on the vehicle for communicating with the remote transmitter, the receiver connected to the controller.

21. The vehicle of claim 20 wherein the remote transmitter comprises a speed control actuator.

22. The vehicle of claim 21 wherein the speed control actuator comprises a speed control level operable to select from a range of vehicle speeds.

23. The vehicle of claim 14 further comprising an operator seat.

24. The vehicle of claim 14 further comprising a steering wheel mounted on a steering column coupled to a steering mechanism, the steering mechanism operable to steer the at least two wheels by turning the steering wheel.

25. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the speed control actuator comprises a foot pedal, the vehicle further comprising:

a steering wheel mounted on a steering column coupled to a steering mechanism, the steering mechanism operable to steer the at least two wheels by turning the steering wheel; and

a housing hinged to the chassis, the housing including an opening through which the steering column extends from the steering mechanism.

26. A vehicle for moving at least one wheeled cart, the vehicle comprising:

a chassis supported by at least two wheels;

electric drive means supported by the chassis, the drive means coupled to the at least two wheels;

means for generating a drive signal, the drive signal comprising at least one target speed;

a controller coupled to the electric drive means, the controller operative to energize the electric drive means to move the vehicle in response to the drive signal, the controller comprising means for controlling the vehicle speed at the target speed and means for braking the vehicle, the means for braking including;

a motor drive shaft coupled to at least one of the two wheels;

a brake disk on the motor drive shaft;

a moveable rocker arm adjacent to the brake disk;

means for positioning the rocker arm in a first position in friction contact with the brake disk and a second position wherein the friction contact is released; and

means for coupling at least one wheeled cart to the vehicle, the means for coupling including;

a front plate mounted on the chassis;

two arcuate jaws protruding from the front plate, the arcuate jaws operative to engage corresponding vertical rear frame members of the at least one wheeled cart; and

locking means for locking the at least one wheeled cart, wherein said locking means includes a moveable pin positionable across an open portion of one of the two arcuate jaws.

27. The vehicle of claim 26 wherein the means for controlling the vehicle speed at the target speed further comprises:

a disk coupled to the electric drive means;

the disk including a plurality of apertures along a circumference of a concentric area of the disk; and

means for counting the plurality of apertures as the disk rotates.

28. The vehicle of claim 26 further comprising a speed limiter for preventing the vehicle from exceeding a predetermined speed.

29. The vehicle of claim 26 wherein the means for generating a drive signal comprises a speed control actuator for selecting from a range of vehicle speeds.

30. The vehicle of claim 29 wherein the speed control actuator comprises a foot pedal having an extent of pedal travel that corresponds to the range of vehicle speeds.

31. The vehicle of claim 29 herein the speed control actuator comprises a foot pedal wherein a first portion of pedal travel activates a dynamic braking mechanism and a second portion of pedal travel corresponds to the range of vehicle speeds.

32. The vehicle of claim 26 wherein the means for generating a drive signal comprises a remote transmitter;

and wherein the vehicle further comprises a receiver on the vehicle for communicating with the remote transmitter, the receiver connected to the controller.

33. The vehicle of claim 32 wherein the remote transmitter comprises a speed control actuator.

34. The vehicle of claim 33 wherein the speed control actuator comprises a speed control lever operable to select from a range of vehicle speeds.

35. The vehicle of claim 26 further comprising an operator seat.

36. The vehicle of claim 26 further comprising a steering wheel mounted on a steering column coupled to a steering mechanism, the steering mechanism operable to steer the at least two wheels by turning the steering wheel.

37. The vehicle of claim 29 wherein the speed control actuator comprises a foot pedal, the vehicle comprising:

a steering wheel mounted on a steering column coupled to a steering mechanism, the steering mechanism operable to steer the at least two wheels by turning the steering wheel; and

a housing hinged to the chassis, the housing including an opening through which the steering column extends from the steering mechanism.