Collapsible storage device for temporary attachment to a shopping cart

{
  "publication_number": "US10011292B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Collapsible storage device for temporary attachment to a shopping cart",
  "abstract": "A storage device for removable attachment to a shopping cart includes a collapsible container having an interior storage space accessible through an upper opening; and an attachment assembly secured to the collapsible container and including at least one attachment for removably securing the collapsible container to the shopping cart. The at least one attachment can be one or more pairs of hooks of different sizes interchangeably and removably attached to the collapsible container. The attachment assembly includes an attachment bracket secured to the collapsible container that forms one or more pairs of spaced-apart predetermined attachment locations for the one or more pairs of hooks.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A storage device for removable attachment to a shopping cart, the storage device comprising, in combination: a collapsible container having an interior storage space accessible through an upper opening; and an attachment assembly secured to the collapsible container and including at least one attachment for removably securing the collapsible container to the shopping cart; and wherein the at least one attachment comprises a pair of hooks interchangeably and removably secured to a first pair of spaced-apart predetermined attachment locations of the attachment assembly with snap-lock connections and a second pair of spaced-apart predetermined locations of the attachment assembly with snap-lock connections.",
    "2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment assembly includes an attachment bracket secured to the collapsible container and forming the first pair of spaced-apart predetermined attachment locations and the the second pair of spaced-apart predetermined locations.",
    "3. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment comprises an alternative pair of hooks interchangeable with the pair of hooks, and the alternative pair of hooks have a different size than the pair of hooks.",
    "4. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible container is convertible between a use configuration wherein the interior storage space is usable for storage of items and a storage configuration wherein the collapsible container is substantially flat and the interior storage space is not usable for storage of items.",
    "5. The storage device according to claim 4, wherein the wherein the collapsible container is configured as a rectangular-shaped tote bag having a bottom wall, left and right side walls extending up from left and right side edges of the bottom wall respectively, and front and rear walls extending up from front and rear edges of the bottom wall respectively and connecting the left and right side walls so that the bottom wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, the front wall, and the rear wall cooperate to form the interior storage space accessible through the upper opening.",
    "6. The storage device according to claim 5, wherein the bottom wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, the front wall, and the rear wall each comprise a flexible fabric and are supported by rigid support panels so that the collapsible container is self-supporting in the use configuration.",
    "7. A storage device for removable attachment to a shopping cart, the storage device comprising, in combination: a collapsible container having an interior storage space accessible through an upper opening; an attachment assembly secured to the collapsible container and including a pair of hooks for removably securing the collapsible container to the shopping cart; and wherein the pair of hooks are removably and interchangeably secured to a first pair of spaced-apart predetermined attachment locations, and a second pair of spaced-apart predetermined attachment locations; and wherein the attachment assembly includes an attachment bracket forming the first pair of spaced-apart predetermined attachment locations and the second pair of spaced-apart predetermined attachment locations, and the pair of hooks are secured to the attachment bracket with snap-lock connections.",
    "8. The storage device according to claim 7, wherein the attachment assembly comprises an alternative pair of hooks interchangeable with the pair of hooks, and the alternative pair of hooks have a different size than the pair of hooks.",
    "9. The storage device according to claim 7, wherein the collapsible container is convertible between a use configuration wherein the interior storage space is usable for storage of items and a storage configuration wherein the collapsible, container is substantially flat and the interior storage space is not usable for storage of items.",
    "10. The storage device according to claim 9, wherein the wherein the collapsible container is configured as a rectangular-shaped tote bag having a bottom wall, left and right side walls extending up from left and right side edges of the bottom wall respectively, and front and rear walls extending up from front and rear edges of the bottom wall respectively and connecting the left and right side walls so that the bottom wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, the front wall, and the rear wall cooperate to form the interior storage space accessible through the upper opening.",
    "11. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the second pair of spaced-apart predetermined locations are spaced apart a greater distance than the first pair of spaced-apart predetermined attachment locations.",
    "12. The storage device according to claim 2, wherein the attachment bracket is secured to the collapsible container with mechanical fasteners extending between the attachment bracket to a bar to clamp a rear wall of the collapsible container between the attachment bracket and the bar.",
    "13. The storage device according to claim 12, wherein the attachment bracket comprises plastic the bar comprises metal.",
    "14. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the first pair of spaced-apart predetermined locations and the second pair of spaced-apart predetermined attachment locations face the same direction.",
    "15. The storage device according to claim 7, wherein the alternative pair of spaced-apart predetermined locations are spaced apart a greater distance than the pair of spaced-apart predetermined attachment locations.",
    "16. The storage device according to claim 7, wherein the attachment bracket is secured to the collapsible container with mechanical fasteners extending between the attachment bracket to a bar to clamp a rear wall of the collapsible container between the attachment bracket and the bar.",
    "17. The storage device according to claim 16, wherein the attachment bracket comprises plastic the bar comprises metal.",
    "18. The storage device according to claim 7, wherein the pair of spaced-apart predetermined locations and the alternative pair of spaced-apart predetermined attachment locations face the same direction.",
    "19. The storage device according to claim 10, wherein the bottom wall, the left side wall, the right side wall, the front wall, and the rear wall each comprise a flexible fabric and are supported by rigid support panels so that the collapsible container is self-supporting in the use configuration."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Not Applicable\n\nNot Applicable\n\nNot Applicable\n\nThe field of the present invention generally relates to temporary attachments for shopping carts and, more particularly, to storage devices for temporary attachment to shopping carts that are configured to provide supplemental storage for items to be purchased while shopping and to provide means for carrying the items after purchase.\n\nShopping carts have been in existence for many years in which shoppers can push the shopping carts through a store and place items to be purchased into the shopping carts. When ready to purchase the items, the shoppers can push the shopping carts to cashiers where the items are purchased and typically placed into paper or plastic bags so that they can be easily carried to their cars. The shopping carts are typically constructed of metal and/or plastic and typically have an open frame construction. While these shopping carts generally provide exemplary performance, they sometimes do not provide enough storage space. Particularly, if there is a need to have a small child ride in the shopping cart within the storage space. Additionally, small items can occasionally fall through the open structure of the shopping carts and fragile items can be damaged by other items when all placed within the shopping cart.\n\nIn an attempt to solve one or more of these problems, attachments have been developed to be attached to shopping carts for providing supplemental and separate storage spaces for items to be purchased. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos.",
  "cpc": [
    "B62B 3/1464"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B62B 3/14",
    "B62B 3/00"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Rebecca Strawser",
    "Bradley L. Strawser"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-06-24",
  "publication_date": "2018-07-03",
  "grant_date": "2018-07-03",
  "priority_date": "2015-06-24",
  "application_number": "US-201615192941-A",
  "family_id": "57586652",
  "cited_by_count": 6,
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}