Magnifying device for a shopping cart

• US 6,262,854 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2000
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: E-Z BEAD, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brenda J. Meyer, Timothy J. Perrelle
• Inventors: Perrelle, Timothy J., Meyer, Brenda J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack, Ricky
• Application Number:
  US09/585,529
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: 359/802, 359/806, 334/88, D16/135, 403/08, 248/444.1
• US Class Current: 359/802
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 3/1428 Adaptations for calculators, memory aids or reading aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 25/002 Magnifying glasses

Abstract

A magnifying device for a shopping cart for magnifying information located on items to be purchased. The magnifying device for a shopping cart includes a frame portion. The frame portion has a peripheral wall and an opening therein. A magnifying means for magnifying objects is mounted to the peripheral wall such that the magnifying means extends over the opening. A coupling means for pivotally couples the frame portion to a shopping cart. The coupling means is integrally coupled to and extends away from the peripheral wall. The coupling means is adapted to is pivotally mounted to the bar.

Claims

1. A magnifying device for shopping carts, said device being pivotally couplable to a child seat portion of a shopping cart, the child seat portion having a bar defining a top edge of the seat portion, said device comprising:

a frame portion, said frame portion having a peripheral wall and an opening therein;

a magnifying means for magnifying objects, being mounted to said peripheral wall such that said magnifying means extends over said opening; and

a coupling means for pivotally coupling said frame portion to the shopping cart, said coupling means being integrally coupled to and extending away from said peripheral wall, said coupling means being adapted to being pivotally mounted to said bar.

2. The magnifying device for shopping carts as in claim 1, wherein said peripheral wall comprises:

two pairs of spaced lateral walls, said lateral walls being integrally coupled together such that said frame portion generally has a rectangular shape.

3. The magnifying device for shopping carts as in claim 2, wherein said coupling means comprises:

said coupling means comprising a plurality of annular members, each of said annular members being coupled to an outside edge of one of said lateral walls and being spaced from each other, said annular members being positioned such that said annular members are generally co-axial; and

wherein said bar is placed through said break such that said annular members are pivotally coupled to the bar of the shopping cart, wherein said annular members are relatively difficult to remove from said bar.

4. The magnifying device for shopping carts as in claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises:

a pair of brackets, each of said brackets having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being removably coupled to said frame portion, a second portion being removably coupled to said bar, each of said brackets having a middle portion comprising a hinge such that said first and second portions may pivot with respect to each other.

5. The magnifying device for shopping carts as in claim 4, wherein said coupling means further comprises:

said first and second portions each comprising U-shaped brackets each having two legs and rod therebetween, said rods each having a lug thereon, said lugs extending toward each other and being hingedly coupled together by a pin, each of said legs for said second portion having a fastening means therein for removably fastening said second portion to said bar, each of said fastening means comprising a screw extending through a leg, said first portion having a leg having a securing means extending therethrough for removably securing said frame between said legs of said first portion, said securing means comprising a screw.

6. A magnifying device for shopping carts, said device being pivotally couplable to a child seat portion of a shopping cart, the child seat portion having a bar defining a top edge of the seat portion, said device comprising:

a frame portion, said frame portion comprising two pairs of spaced lateral walls, said lateral walls being integrally coupled together such that said frame portion generally has a rectangular shape, said frame having a generally open area therein, said frame portion comprising a plastic material;

a magnifying means for magnifying objects, said magnifying means comprising a lens, said lens being fixedly mounted to said lateral walls such that said lens extends across said open area in said frame portion, said lens comprising a plastic material;

a coupling means for pivotally coupling said frame portion to the shopping cart, said coupling means comprising a plurality of annular members, each of said annular members being integrally coupled to an outside edge of one of said lateral walls and being spaced from each other, said annular members being positioned such that said annular members are generally co-axial, each of said annular members having a break therein, said plurality of annular members being three annular members, each of said annular members comprising a plastic material; and

wherein said bar is placed through said break such that said annular members are pivotally coupled to the bar of the shopping cart, wherein said annular members are relatively difficult to remove from said bar.