WO2008044947A2

WO2008044947A2 - Shopping cart with dual display systems

Info

Publication number: WO2008044947A2
Application number: PCT/NZ2007/000299
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas James Bartlett; Brendon Leslie Haworth
Original assignee: Cabco Group Limited
Priority date: 2006-10-10
Filing date: 2007-10-10
Publication date: 2008-04-17
Also published as: WO2008044947A3

Abstract

A shopping cart (100) having a compartment (102) adapted to house one or more children and a basket (152) coupled to the compartment for holding one or more items to be purchased. The shopping cart also includes a support system (104) coupled to the compartment for supporting the shopping cart upon a surface (106), the support system including a plurality of wheels (108). The shopping also includes a media system (200) comprising a child screen (204) disposed in the compartment for displaying images to a child when present in the compartment and an adult screen (202). The adult screen is oriented to display images externally of the compartment for viewing by an adult disposed outside of the compartment. The media system is adapted to display a first set of images upon the child screen and simultaneously display a second set of different images on the adult screen.

Description

ing Cart

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a shopping cart, and in particular, but not exclusively to a shopping cart having separate provisions to carry and protect a child, and an on-board media display system.

Background of the Invention

In previously developed shopping carts, digital images have been provided to entertain or inform the users. Typically, these images are child oriented, and contain cartoons or other images designed to entertain children, or are adult oriented, and contain images which an adult find entertaining or informative. Although effective, these previously developed shopping carts are not without their problems. For instance, by providing adult oriented content, the child remains insufficiently entertained. Or by providing child oriented content, the adult is not entertained nor informed of product information or specials available in the store. Accordingly, there exists a need for a shopping cart that addresses this problem and improves upon same.

Further, it is noted that previously developed shopping carts which have compartments for housing children take up a fair amount of floor space when not in use. Accordingly, there exists a need for a shopping cart which takes up less floor space when not in use. Further still, previously developed shopping carts do not provide sufficient information to the shopper regarding products and promotions available in the store and/or in vicinity of the shopping cart.

Additionally, previously developed shopping carts do not fully protect a child during use since the child is not protected from falling objects or has openings in which the appendages, such as legs, of the child may extend through and be exposed to danger.

Also, previously developed shopping carts do not provide the ability for remote monitoring of the functions and use of the shopping cart, nor permit shoppers to select and print out coupons and promotional offers. Accordingly, there exists a need for a shopping cart that provides one or more of the following attributes: has a small foot print when stored; that provides enhanced child and shopper entertainment, product, and/or promotion information; which is reliable; which protects a child from injury; which permits remote monitoring of cart functions; which permits remote printing of coupons and promotional offers, and/or which is easily manufactured.

Object of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a shopping cart which will at least go some way towards overcoming the above mentioned problems, or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a shopping cart having a compartment adapted to house one or more children and a basket adapted to hold one or more items to be purchased. A support system is coupled to the compartment for supporting the shopping cart upon a surface, the support system including a plurality of wheels. A media system comprising a child screen disposed in the compartment is used for displaying images to the one or more children when present in the compartment. An adult screen is positioned and oriented to display images externally of the compartment for viewing by an adult disposed outside of the compartment. The media system is adapted to display a first set of images upon the child screen and simultaneously display a second set of different images on the adult screen.

The shopping cart may further include a control system comprising a detection system for detecting the shopping cart's proximity to a selected product or location in a store. The media system of the shopping cart can be adapted to play a selected advertisement related to the selected product or location in the store on the adult screen when the detection system

- determines that the shopping cart is in proximity to the selected product or location in the store. The shopping cart may also include a signal transmission unit for transmitting requests for printed material to a printing device located remotely of the shopping cart. The shopping cart may also include a handle attached to the compartment permitting a user to move the shopping cart by pushing or pulling on the handle. The adult screen can be coupled to the handle, or alternatively be connected to an upper part of the compartment. The compartment may be adapted to house at least two children within an interior space of the compartment. The compartment may have a seat assembly for supporting the at least two children in a forward facing orientation. The compartment may include a roof disposed above the at least two children.

The basket may have an upper portion disposed over the compartment and a rear portion disposed behind the compartment. The basket may include a rear wall moveable from a first position in which the rear wall forms a boundary of the basket during use of the shopping cart and a second stowed position permitting a substantially identically shaped shopping cart to be partially nested within a space previously occupied by the basket when the shopping cart is not in use. The basket may include a rear wall pivotally coupled to a bottom wall, the rear and bottom walls each moveable from a first position in which the rear and bottom walls are adapted to retain the one or more items in the basket during use of the shopping cart and a second stowed position permitting a substantially identically shaped shopping cart to be partially nested within a space previously occupied by the basket.

The shopping cart may include a nesting recess disposed in a rear portion of the shopping cart, the nesting recess adapted to at least partially receive a front portion of a substantially identically shaped shopping cart in a nested relationship. The shopping cart may include an error identification system for automatically scanning the media system for errors and for automatically broadcasting an electronic error signal for transmission remotely of a store in which the shopping cart is in if a problem is identified during scanning. The shopping cart may also include a charging system for charging a battery coupled to the media system for powering the media system, the charging system including an induction coil for generating electrical current to charge the battery without a direct physical connection to an electrical source.

In a second aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a shopping cart having a main body, the main body including a nesting recess for receiving a portion of a substantially 2007/000299

- 4 - identically shaped shopping cart in a nested relationship and a compartment. The compartment may be coupled to the main body, the compartment having an interior space adapted to house one or more children. A basket may be coupled to the main body, the basket adapted to hold one or more items to be purchased. A media system may be used comprising a child screen disposed in the compartment for displaying images to the one or more children when present in the compartment and an adult screen oriented to display images externally of the compartment for viewing by an adult disposed outside of the compartment. The media system may be adapted to display a first set of images upon the child screen and simultaneously display a second set of different images on the adult screen.

The shopping cart may include a control system comprising a detection system for detecting the shopping cart's proximity to a selected product or location in a store. A media playing device may be used to play a selected advertisement related to the selected product or location in the store on the adult screen when the detection system determines that the shopping cart is in proximity to the selected product or location in the store. The basket may include a rear wall moveable from a first position in which the rear wall forms a boundary of the basket during use of the shopping cart and a second stowed position permitting the substantially identically shaped shopping cart to be partially nested within the nesting recess when not in use.

In a third aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a shopping cart having a main body, the main body having a nesting recess for receiving a portion of a substantially identically shaped shopping cart in a nested relationship and a media system. The media system includes a child screen orientated for displaying images to the one or more children when transported by the shopping cart and an adult screen oriented to display images to an adult moving the shopping cart, wherein the media system is adapted to display a first set of images upon the child screen and simultaneously display a second set of different images on the adult screen. A control system may be used, the control system having a detection system for detecting the shopping cart's proximity to a selected product or location in a store.

The shopping cart may include a media playing device adapted to play a selected advertisement related to the selected product or location in the store on the adult screen when the detection system determines that the shopping cart is in proximity to the selected product or location in the store. NZ2007/000299

- 5 -

A basket may be attached to the compartment for holding one or more items, wherein the basket includes a wall moveable from a first position in which the wall forms a boundary of the basket during use of the shopping cart to retain the one or more items within the basket and a second stowed position permitting the substantially identically shaped shopping cart to be partially nested within the nesting recess. The shopping cart may also include a compartment coupled to the main body for housing one or more children within the compartment. The child screen may be disposed within the compartment and the adult screen may be disposed externally of the compartment.

The shopping cart may include a handle attached to the compartment permitting a user to move the shopping cart by pushing or pulling on the handle, wherein the adult screen is coupled to the handle. The shopping cart may also include a signal transmission unit coupled to the compartment for transmitting requests for printed material to a printing device located remotely of the shopping cart. The shopping cart may additionally include an error identification system for automatically scanning the media system for errors and for automatically broadcasting an electronic error signal for transmission remotely of a store in which the shopping cart is in if a problem is identified during scanning.

The invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of the parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if they were individually set forth.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front isometric view of a first example of a shopping cart formed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a front isometric view of the shopping cart of Figure 1 shown in a stored condition in which the shopping cart is nested within a rear of a substantially identically shaped and configured shopping cart;

Figure 3 is a rear isometric view of the shopping cart of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is an elevation view of an entertainment center disposed within a compartment of the shopping cart;

Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the shopping cart of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the shopping cart of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the shopping cart of Figure 1 ;

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a media system of the shopping cart; and

Figure 9 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a second example of a shopping cart in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figure 1, a first example of a shopping cart 100 formed in accordance with the present invention is shown. Generally described, the shopping cart 100 includes a compartment 102 for housing one or more children (not shown). The compartment is fully supported by a support system 104 upon a surface 106. The support system 104 may include a plurality of wheels 108 adapted to fully support the shopping cart 100 upon the surface 106 such that the shopping cart 100 can be moved upon and fully supported by the plurality of wheels 108. The shopping cart 100 may include a media system 200 (See Figure 8) for providing a child disposed in the compartment 102 and/or an adult using the shopping cart 100 with information, such as information regarding products available in the store or in proximity to the shopping cart 100, promotions available, or entertainment, such as games, music, or video.

In light of the above general description of the shopping cart 100, the structure of the shopping cart 100 will now be described in greater detail. The compartment 102 is preferably adapted to substantially fully enclose a child, although compartments 102 which partially expose a child, are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The compartment 102 may include a roof 1 18 for at least partially protecting the child from falling objects, a back 120, a left side 122, a right side 124, a front 126, and a floor 128. Doors 130 may form part of the left and right sides 122 and 124. The doors 130 preferably include handles 131 for locking the doors 130 in a closed position. The handles 131 are preferably only operable by an adult located externally of the compartment. A seating system 132 may be disposed in the compartment 102 for providing seating for one or more children in the compartment. In the illustrated embodiment, a bench seat is provided that is adapted to seat at least two children in a forward facing position. Preferably a plurality of windows 134 provide an occupant of the compartment 102 a view of the surrounding environment. The windows 134 in the illustrated embodiment are formed by providing open apertures in the compartment 102 which are preferably absent of glazing or other barrier. In the illustrated embodiment, windows are provided in the front, side, back panels, and the doors. In the illustrated embodiment, the compartment is of a sufficiently large volume to fully surround two children and all of their appendages, and provide overhead protection, such that the child occupant or occupants are protected from injury and are blocked from grabbing items surrounding the shopping cart.

Preferably, the shopping cart 100 has a small foot print, such as less than 10,000 cm², and - more preferably less than 9,000 cm², and most preferably less than 8,000 cm². Preferably the width of the shopping cart 100 is less than about 90 cm, and most preferably less than 80 cm, and ideally approximately 70cm. Preferably the length of the shopping cart 100 is less than about 1,800 cm, most preferably less than 1,650 cm, and ideally less than 1,500 cm. Preferably the height of the shopping cart 100 is greater than about 60 cm and less than about 150 cm, most preferably less than about 130 cm, and ideally less than 120 cm. The small foot print of the shopping cart 100 permits the shopping cart 100 to be stored in a compact manner that takes up very little floor space of the store.

To further decrease the floor space needed to store the shopping cart 100, the shopping cart 100 is preferably adapted to be disposed in a nested relationship with a substantially identical, or exactly identical, shopping cart 100. For instance, referring to Figure 2, a first shopping cart IOOA is shown in a stowed position in which the shopping cart IOOA is nested at least partially within a second identical shopping cart IOOB to conserve floor space. The nesting process will be described in greater detail below. 00299

Referring to Figure 5, the support system 104 preferably includes a plurality of wheels 108, preferably three or more, and most preferably four or more. The rear wheel or wheels 108A are preferably fixed type wheels in the sense that they are not adapted to be rotated about a substantially vertical axis to facilitate turning of the shopping cart 100. Although not preferred, the rear wheels 108A may alternately be castor style wheels able to rotate (turn) about a vertical axis. The front wheels 108B may be fixed wheels or castor type wheels, but are preferably castor wheels. As noted above, the support system 104 is preferably adapted to fully support the shopping cart 100 such that the shopping cart 100 can be freely moved upon the support surface 106.

Referring to Figure 3, the shopping cart 100 may include a stowage assembly 150 having one or more goods baskets 152. In the illustrated embodiment, the stowage assembly 150 includes a forward goods basket 152A disposed over the roof 118 of the compartment 102 and extending in a cantilever arrangement forward of the roof 118. The forward goods basket is shallow in depth, having a depth of approximately 17 cm.

The stowage assembly 150 also includes an aft goods basket 152B disposed behind the rear wall 120 of the compartment 102 and extending both below and above a height of the roof 118. Accordingly, the aft goods basket 152B has a deeper depth, of approximately 70 cm. Preferably, the baskets 152A and 152B are made of a substantially translucent material or a mesh material that permits at least some vision therethrough, and therefore does not block the adult from peering through the basket or baskets 152 and through the rear window 134 disposed in the back panel 120 such that the shopper may view occupants of the compartment 102 to monitor their safety.

Turning now to Figures 2 and 3, the rear or aft basket 152B is preferably at least partially collapsible to permit an identical shopping cart IOOA to be disposed in a nested position within the area previously occupied by the basket 152B. To facilitate the partially folding or collapsing of the aft basket 152B, the aft basket 152B includes a bottom panel 140 pivotally coupled to a rear panel 142 by a hinge assembly 144. The bottom panel 140 may be horizontally oriented, and the rear panel 142 vertically oriented, with the hinge assembly 144 pivotally coupled to the rear edge of the bottom panel 140 and to the bottom edge of the rear panel 142. A lift bar 146 may be coupled to the bottom panel 140 to permit the bottom panel to be rotated in a counter clockwise direction (when viewing the left side of the shopping cart) and the rear panel 142 in clockwise direction, moving both panels forward to a vertical stowed position as shown in Figure 2. With the bottom and rear panels 140 and 142 in the stowed position shown in Figure 2, a nose 148 of the aft shopping cart IOOA may be inserted (i.e. nested) within a nesting recess 138 disposed in the rear of the forward shopping cart 10OB. The nesting recess 138 is sized and configured to cooperatively receive the nose 148 of the aft shopping cart IOOA, and preferably occupies a space disposed between the two rear wheels 108A and a space which was previously partially occupied by the aft basket 152B prior to it being folded into its stored position.

Referring to Figure 8, the shopping cart 100 may include a media system 200 for providing information and/or entertainment to either the occupant of the compartment or the shopper, or both. The media system 200 may include a control system 201, an adult screen 202, a child screen 204, a power system 206, a detection system 208, a signal transmission unit 210, a printer 212, and a remote management system 222. Turning to Figures 3 and 7, the adult screen 202 is preferably mounted to the compartment 102 such that images displayed on the adult screen 202 are viewable by a shopper located externally of the compartment 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the adult screen 202 is located externally of the compartment 102, and more specifically is coupled to a control handle 138 of the shopping cart 100, the control handle 138 being the handle gripped by the adult user to manoeuvre the shopping cart through the store.

Referring to Figure 4, the child screen 204 is preferably mounted within the compartment 102 such that images displayed on the child screen 204 are viewable by an occupant of the compartment 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the child screen 202 is located in the compartment 102 on an entertainment panel disposed on a dash board of the front wall 126 of the compartment 102. Of note, the dash board also preferably includes a mock steering wheel 214 for child entertainment. The screens 202 (See Figure 3) and 204 may be any now known or to developed display device adapted to display electronic images, a few suitable examples being plasma screens, LCD screens, computer monitors, etc.

Returning to Figure 8, the control system 201 may be adapted to display electronic images upon the adult and child screens 202 and 204. Preferably, the control system 201 is adapted to display different images of different subject matter simultaneously on the screens. For instance, the control system 201 is preferably adapted to display child appropriate images on the child screen 204, such as children movies or games, while simultaneously displaying adult oriented images on the adult screen 202, such as movies, promotions, advertisements, programs, sitcoms, still images, video images, etc. The control system 201 is also adapted to provide an associated soundtrack; different for each screen. The images may be sent to the control system 201 for display via an external source, such as a satellite transmitter, for immediate, instantaneous play, or may be stored in memory for later retrieval and playback. Alternatively, the images may be downloaded from a computer linked to the control system via a direct connection or wireless connection. Further, the images may be downloaded via the internet, GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), or WiFi™ system from an external source directly to a receiving station located in the store. The receiving station then transmits the images for instantaneous display or for storing by the control system 201 via RF (Radio Frequency), WiFi™ or similar technology.

Preferably, the control system 201 is coupled in communication with a detection system 208. The detection system 208 is adapted to detect the proximity of the shopping cart 100 to a selected product or location in the store and relay this information to the control system 201. For instance, the detection system 208 is adapted to detect the shopping cart's 100 presence in the vicinity of a selected product, such as COKE branded soft drinks, or in a certain location in the store where a selected product, such as soft drinks, are sold and send a trigger signal to the control system. The control system 201, upon receiving the trigger signal that a COKE product is in the vicinity of the shopping cart 100, plays an advertisement or promotional offer related to the product on the adult screen 204, or less preferably, upon the child screen 202.

In one embodiment, the proximity of the shopping cart 100 is determined by providing the shopping cart 100 with an onboard scanner 216 that picks up a signal from a transponder or tag 218 that alerts the detection system 208 that the shopping cart 100 is the vicinity of particular product (COKE) or type of product (such as soft drinks). Some suitable technologies that provide this capability are RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), Infrared, RF, Laser, Photoptic Light Sensor, WiFi™, etc. In another embodiment, the shelfs are scanned by light based transmitting system which searches and reads tags, such as barcodes, upon the shelfs to determine when the shopping cart 100 is in proximity to a selected product. In another embodiment, the location of the shopping cart 100 in the store is determined. The shopping cart 100 includes a location determiner assembly 221 having a transmitter that emits a signal that is picked up by an external location fixing system 223 which is able to determine the location of the shopping cart 100 from the signal received, and from the location information, determine the location of the shopping cart 100 relative to selected products or types of products in the vicinity of the shopping cart 100. A signal is then sent to the detection system 208 or control system 201 by the external location fixing system 223 resulting in the control system 201 displaying media images upon the adult screen 202 related to the products in the vicinity of the shopping cart 100. Some suitable technologies suitable for this embodiment are radio signal triangulation systems, such as RF and WiFi™, and light triangulation systems, such as Laser and Infra-red, or other technologies, such as

GRPS, and sonic (i.e. radar based technology). One suitable method of determining the carts proximity to products is discussed in U.S. Patent No. 5,295,064, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

The control system 201 is preferably coupled to a power system 206 for powering the control system 201 and other components attached thereto. The power system 206 preferably includes a battery (not shown) disposed on board the shopping cart 100. A charging system 220 is preferably coupled to the power system 206 for charging the battery. Preferably, the charging system 220 is an induction charging system for charging the battery by induction. For instance, the charging system 220 may include a mat that provides an induction charge to a pick up coil located within the charging system 220 of the shopping cart 100, wherein the power system 206 is charged by placing the shopping cart 100 over or in close proximity to the mat without having to physically connect the charging system to the power system 206 of the shopping cart 100.

The shopping cart 100 may further interact with a remote management system 222. The control system 201 is adapted to store key transaction and customer interaction data (a few suitable examples being the media displayed to the child and/or shopper, time of use, duration of use, goods purchased by user) and system evaluation data (a few suitable examples being equipment errors or failures). The control system 201 is adapted, on a continuous or periodic basis, or when prompted, to transmit this data to the remote management system 222 for storage. The remote management system 222 is preferably a computer system located in the store. This data is then displayed and made accessible via a system such as internet, a company network, or similar system. Preferably, the data can be sent in "live" format, hourly each day or at a preselected time sequence. Preferably, control system is adapted to conduct continuous or periodic system evaluations to determine if a system error or equipment failure has occurred or is likely to occur. Upon detecting an adverse condition, the remote management system 222 is adapted to alert an external agency of the existing or pending problem via a messaging system that may include WiFi™, internet, GPRS, RP or similar. This alert may go to a cell phone, a database, or a computer system located remotely of the store, preferably to a service provider able to rectify the error or potential error.

The control system 201 may also interact with a signal transmission unit 210. The signal transmission unit 210 includes a transmitter for broadcasting a signal to a printer 212 instructing the printer to print a selected document. Preferably, a shopper is able to use the adult screen 202 to interface with the control system 201 to instruct the control system 201 to print a selected document, such as a coupon or rebate offer, at the printer 212. The printer 212 is preferably located remotely of the shopping cart 100 but within the store, and may be used by all other shopping carts 100. For instance, multiple users can request different documents to be printed at a stand having the printer 212, and pick up the documents later during their shopping rounds as convenient. Alternatively, the printer 212 is located on the shopping cart 100 itself.

In light of the above description of the physical structure of the shopping cart 100, the operation of the shopping cart 100 will now be described. During use, a shopper places a child in the compartment 102 and secures them in place using seat belts, straps, and/or by closing the doors of the shopping cart 100. The shopper views the adult screen 202 and selects a type of media to be displayed upon the child screen 204 and upon the adult screen 202. The shopper removes the shopping cart 100 from the charging system 220 by rolling the shopping cart 100 off the induction charging mat. A sensor senses the movement of the shopping cart 100 off of the induction charging mat and starts displaying the selected media on the screens 202 and 204. The media images displayed on the adult screen 202 may be interrupted while an advertisement is displayed regarding a selected product or service. This advertisement is set to play on a timed basis regardless if the shopping cart is in the vicinity of the advertised product or service or not. As the shopping cart 100 enters an aisle, the detection system 208 determines that a specific product is available further up the aisle. The control system 201 accordingly interrupts the media being displayed on the adult screen 202 and plays a 15 second 'impulse buy' purchase advertisement of that item. The control system 201 resumes displaying the media (typically an entertaining movie, sitcom, etc.) initially selected by the shopper upon completion of the 'impulse buy' advertisement. The shopper may request the printing of selected documents, such as coupons, rebates, or promotional offers to be printed either on a remote printer or a printer located in the store but remotely of the shopping cart, such as at a print stand.

The shopper continues their shopping and enters the check out stand. The shopping cart 100 detects that the shopping has finished and sends instructions to the shopper and asks the occupants of the compartment 102 to exit the compartment 102. The control system 201 stops displaying the media on the screens 202 and 204. The shopper either removes the child or children and purchased goods from the shopping returns the shopping cart 100 over the induction charging mat of the charging system 220 either after transfer these items to their car or prior to leaving the store depending on the requirements and the policies of the store (i.e. if they permit the shopping cart 100 to be taken outside).

The control system 201 in coordination with the remote management system 222 monitors the use of the shopping cart 100 to collect use data, and also monitors the shopping cart 100 for operating errors and failures. Preferably this information is transmitted to a computer system located remotely of the store for monitoring. Preferably, if a scan of the systems of the shopping cart 100 reveals a problem, an instantaneous alert is sent to service personnel located remotely of the store requesting corrective action.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

Variations

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is hereinbefore described.

Figure 9 shows a second example of a shopping cart 300 in accordance with the present invention. This second example of a shopping cart 300 is similar to the first example 100 in all aspects, except as follows.

In the shopping cart 300 an adult screen 302 is positioned on a roof 304 of a child compartment 304, and is oriented so that it can be viewed by an adult who is using the cart 300. In this way, the adult screen 302, and any wiring to it, can be fitted to, or be housed within, the body of the compartment 304, as the child screen (not shown) is. In this configuration all of the electronics of the cart 300 can be contained within, or be attached to, the body of the compartment 304.

A handle 306 and a back panel 308 of a rear goods basket 310 of the cart 300 are shown in an exploded view. Bolts 312 and end caps 314 are adapted to pass through handle mounting cavities 316 at the aft end of each side of the goods basket 310, and through mounting provisions 318 at each side of the top of the back panel 308, and connect to each end of the handle 306. In this way the back panel 308 is pivotally mounted to the aft end of the rear goods basket 310 about a centreline of the handle 306. The handle 306 can be used to push and guide the cart 300 about a shop or retail establishment.

A floor panel 320 of the rear goods basket 310 is pivotally mounted to the cart 300 along its forward edge 322. When the cart 300 is in use, the floor panel 320 is oriented such that its aft edge 324 is slightly higher than its forward edge 322.

The carts 300 are designed to at least partially stack or nest together, with one cart 300 in front of another, in much the same way as shown in figure two for the first example of a cart 100. The forward end of an aft cart 300 is able to fit at least partially within an aft end of a similarly configured forward cart 300. When the aft cart 300, of a pair to be nested together, is nested with a similarly configured forward cart 300, a forward face 325 of the aft cart 300 contacts rollers 326, of the forward cart 300, which are situated at or adjacent a lower edge 328 of the back panel 308. The aft cart 300 can push against the rollers 326, causing the lower edge 328 of the back panel 308 to move forward as the back panel 308 pivots about its connection to the aft end of the goods basket 310. When the back panel 308 pivots forward a short distance it contacts the aft edge 324 of the floor panel 320 and pushes against it in a forward and slightly upwards direction. This causes the aft edge 324 of the floor panel 320 to lift since the floor panel 320 is able to pivot about its forward edge 322.

In this way, both the back panel 308 and the floor panel 320 rotate about their respective pivots to provide room for the forward end of the aft cart 300 to at least partially enter into an aft nesting recess 330 in an aft end of the fwd cart 300. And at the same time, the handle 306 of the forward cart 300, and its retracted back panel 308, are able to at least partially enter a forward nesting recess 332 which is located below a forward end of the goods basket 310 and above the aft sloping forward face 301 of the compartment 304 where the forward face 301 transitions into the roof 304 of the compartment 305. And since the handle 306 is lower than the forward end of the goods basket 310, the forward end of the goods basket 310 of the aft cart is able to pass over the top of the handle 306 and can sit nest within the aft part of the goods basket 310 of the forward cart when the carts are nested together.

Throughout the description of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprising" and "comprises", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Advantages

A shopping cart formed in accordance with the present invention provides many advantages over previously developed shopping carts, a few examples of these advantages are recited below: a) nestable with an identically shaped shopping cart to conserve space; b) a small foot print such that the shopping cart can be stored in a smaller space; c) provides separate screens for the parent and child; d) can provide targeted advertisements of products or services provided in the vicinity of the shopping cart; e) can be charged without requiring connection of an electrical chord to the shopping cart; f) can monitor system functions and customer use and provide alerts and information remotely of the store; g) can instruct customer selected coupons and promotional offers to be printed at a remote location or onboard the shopping cart; and h) provides a safe enclosure that substantially encases a child to protect the child from injury.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A shopping cart comprising:

(a) a compartment adapted to house one or more children;

(b) a basket coupled to the compartment, the basket adapted to hold one or more items to be purchased;

(c) a support system coupled to the compartment for supporting the shopping cart upon a surface, the support system including a plurality of wheels; and

(d) a media system comprising a child screen disposed in the compartment for displaying images to the one or more children when present in the compartment and an adult screen positioned and oriented to display images externally of the compartment for viewing by an adult disposed outside of the compartment, wherein the media system is adapted to display a first set of images upon the child screen and simultaneously display a second set of different images on the adult screen.

2. A shopping cart as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shopping cart further includes a control system comprising a detection system for detecting the shopping cart's proximity to a selected product or location in a store and a media playing device adapted to play a selected advertisement related to the selected product or location in the store on the adult screen when the detection system deteπnines that the shopping cart is in proximity to the selected product or location in the store.

3. A shopping cart as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the shopping cart further includes a signal transmission unit coupled to the compartment for transmitting requests for printed material to a printing device located remotely of the shopping cart.

4. A shopping cart as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adult screen is attached directly to the compartment.

5. A shopping cart as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shopping cart further includes a handle attached to the compartment permitting a user to move the shopping cart by pushing or pulling on the handle, and wherein the adult screen is coupled to the handle.

6. A shopping cart as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compartment is adapted to house at least two children within an interior space of the compartment, the compartment having a seat assembly for supporting the at least two children in a forward facing orientation, and wherein the compartment includes a roof disposed above the at least two children.

7. A shopping cart as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basket has an upper portion disposed over the compartment and a rear portion disposed behind the compartment.

8. A shopping cart as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basket includes a rear wall moveable from a first position in which the rear wall forms a boundary of the basket during use of the shopping cart and a second stowed position permitting a substantially identically shaped shopping cart to be partially nested within a space previously occupied by the basket when the shopping cart is not in use.

9. A shopping cart as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basket includes a rear wall pivotally coupled to a bottom wall, the rear and bottom walls each moveable from a first position in which the rear and bottom walls are adapted to retain the one or more items in the basket during use of the shopping cart and a second stowed position permitting a substantially identically shaped shopping cart to be partially nested within a space previously occupied by the basket.

10. A shopping cart as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shopping cart includes a nesting recess disposed in a rear portion of the shopping cart, the nesting recess adapted to at least partially receive a front portion of a substantially identically shaped shopping cart in a nested relationship.

1 1. A shopping cart as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shopping cart further includes an error identification system for automatically scanning the media system for errors and for automatically broadcasting an electronic error signal for transmission remotely of a store in which the shopping cart is in if a problem, is identified during scanning.

12. A shopping cart as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shopping cart further includes a charging system for charging a battery coupled to the media system for powering the media system, the charging system including an induction coil for generating electrical current to charge the battery without a direct physical connection to an electrical source.

13. A shopping cart comprising:

(a) a main body, the main body including a nesting recess for receiving a portion of a substantially identically shaped shopping cart in a nested relationship;

(b) a compartment coupled to the main body, the compartment having an interior space adapted to house one or more children;

(c) a basket coupled to the main body, the basket adapted to hold one or more items to be purchased; and

(d) a media system comprising a child screen disposed in the compartment for displaying images to the one or more children when present in the compartment and an adult screen oriented to display images externally of the compartment for viewing by an adult disposed outside of the compartment, wherein the media system is adapted to display a first set of images upon the child screen and simultaneously display a second set of different images on the adult screen.

14. A shopping cart as claimed in claim 13, wherein the shopping cart further includes a control system comprising a detection system for detecting the shopping cart's proximity to a selected product or location in a store and a media playing device adapted to play a selected advertisement related to the selected product or location in the store on the adult screen when the detection system determines that the shopping cart is in proximity to the selected product or location in the store.

15. A shopping cart as claimed in any one of claims 13 or claim 14, wherein the basket includes a rear wall moveable from a first position in which the rear wall forms a boundary of the basket during use of the shopping cart and a second stowed position permitting the substantially identically shaped shopping cart to be partially nested within the nesting recess when not in use.

16. A shopping cart comprising:

(b) a media system comprising a child screen orientated for displaying images to the one or more children when transported by the shopping cart and an adult screen oriented to display images to an adult moving the shopping cart, wherein the media system is adapted to display a first set of images upon the child screen and simultaneously display a second set of different images on the adult screen;

(c) a control system comprising a detection system for detecting the shopping cart's proximity to a selected product or location in a store and a media playing device adapted to play a selected advertisement related to the selected product or location in the store on the adult screen when the detection system determines that the shopping cart is in proximity to the selected product or location in the store;

(d) a basket attached to the compartment for holding one or more items, wherein the basket includes a wall moveable from a first position in which the wall forms a boundary of the basket during use of the shopping cart to retain the one or more items within the basket and a second stowed position permitting the substantially identically shaped shopping cart to be partially nested within the nesting recess; and

(e) a compartment coupled to the main body for housing one or more children within the compartment, and wherein the child screen is disposed within the compartment and the adult screen is disposed externally of the compartment.

17. A shopping cart as claimed in claim 16, wherein the shopping cart further includes a handle attached to the compartment permitting a user to move the shopping cart by pushing or pulling on the handle, and wherein the adult screen is coupled to the handle.

18. A shopping cart as claimed in any one of claims 16 or claim 17, wherein the shopping cart further includes a signal transmission unit coupled to the compartment for transmitting requests for printed material to a printing device located remotely of the shopping cart.

19. A shopping cart as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the shopping cart further includes an error identification system for automatically scanning the media system for errors and for automatically broadcasting an electronic error signal for transmission remotely of a store in which the shopping cart is in if a problem is identified during scanning.