AU2013100320A4 - Trolley accessory - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for attachment to a trolley, or pail thereof, in order to prevent access by an infant to a key (29) associated with a locking device (22) on the trolley, where the locking device (22) is adapted to lock the trolley to another trolley, the apparatus including a key 5 receiving member (12) for receiving a portion (28) of the key (29) such that the key (29) cannot be removed from the apparatus (10) by the infant and means (14) for connecting the apparatus (10) to the trolley or part thereof, wherein the key (29) is able to be removed from the apparatus (10) by the person controlling the trolley at any time. 14 \ to tto

Description

TROLLEY ACCESSORY Field of Invention This invention relates to a trolley or cart accessory and more particularly to apparatus for attachment to the cart or trolley which prevents access by an infant to a key associated with a 5 locking device on the cart or trolley. Background of the Invention Supermarkets and other retail stores generally have carts or trolleys that allow customers to store products that they intend to purchase when they are in the store. Each trolley is fitted with a locking device which locks a first trolley to a second trolley in a row of trolleys and the -0 locking device retains a coin or token until the trolley is returned. In order to use the first trolley, the coin or token is placed within the locking device so as to release the first trolley from the second trolley. A key attached to a chain, which in turn is attached to the locking device of the second trolley, is released from the locking device of the first trolley by the coin or token being pushed against the key of the second trolley. To encourage customers to return the trolley to a .5 designated area, the coin or token is only returned or able to be accessed by the customer when the key of another trolley is inserted into the locking device of the first trolley used by the customer, by pushing the coin or token outwardly of the coin slot of the locking device of the customer trolley. While the customer or shopper is using the trolley its respective chain and key dangle -O from the locking device, which is typically affixed to the handle of the trolley. The dangling key is generally of no danger to an adult, however a young child or infant sitting in the trolley, or walking or standing behind the trolley, is able to handle the chain and key. Some keys have edges that are sharp or pointed and if the child or infant inserts the key into their mouth or against another part of their body, then there is potential for injury to the child. 5 The present invention seeks to overcome one or more of the above disadvantages by providing apparatus which stows the chain and key in a safe position which is not able to be readily accessed by an infant who is seated in the trolley or walking behind the trolley. The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in O the art in Australia. 2 Summary of the Invention According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for attachment to a trolley, or part thereof, in order to prevent access by an infant to a key associated with a locking device on the trolley, where the locking device is adapted to lock the trolley to 5 another trolley, the apparatus including: a key receiving member for receiving a portion of the key such that the key cannot be removed from the apparatus by the infant; and means for connecting the apparatus to the trolley or pal thereof; wherein the key is able to be removed from the apparatus by the person controlling the .0 trolley at any time. The apparatus may be adapted to be connected to the locking device. The apparatus may be adapted to be connected to the handle of the trolley. The apparatus can be connected to the locking device by securing means, said securing means also securing the locking device to the handle of the trolley. 5 Preferably the key receiving member has a first end and a second end and is so shaped as to prevent inadvertent removal of the key portion. A gap may exist between the first end and the second end to enable the key portion to be connected to the key receiving member. The connection means is preferably in the form of an upstanding portion connected to either the first end or the second end and having an aperture therethrough to receive the securing to means. The key portion is preferably a blade of the key having an opening adapted to be positioned over the other of the first or second ends of the key receiving member not connected to the upstanding portion. Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention will hereinafter be described, by way of 5 example only, with reference to the drawings in which: Figure l is a side view of apparatus for attachment to a trolley; Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1; 3 Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the apparatus fitted to a locking device of a cart or trolley and having an associated chain and key connected to the apparatus; Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to Figure 3 but having links of the chain connected to the apparatus. 5 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown an apparatus 10 for attachment to a trolley or cart. Hereinafter a reference to the term "trolley" is also a reference to the term "cart". The apparatus 10 is adapted to receive a blade 28 of key 29 which is attached to chain 24 through a key mount 26 and hook 37. The apparatus 10 is adapted to receive the blade 28 of the .0 key 29 so as to prevent access by an infant to the blade 28. The apparatus 10 has a key receiving member 12 and means 14 for connecting the apparatus 10 to a part of the trolley, typically the trolley handle. The key receiving member 12 is bent into the shape of a chain link or oblong (oval) shape having an entrance or aperture 17 existing between a first end 16 and a second end 18. The first end 16 acts as a hook to receive the blade 28. Any particular shape may be used 5 for the key 29 receiving member 12 as long as it has at least one end through which the blade 28 of the key 29 may be inserted or fitted to and therefore linked to the body of the key receiving member 12. At the second end 18 there is attached an upstanding portion 14 which forms the means for connecting the apparatus 10 to the trolley. Although it is the handle of the trolley that the apparatus 10 is normally attached to, any other suitable frame or part of the frame of the 0 trolley may be used to attach the apparatus 10. The only criteria would be for the apparatus 10 to be in the vicinity of the chain 24 and key 29 associated with the locking device 22, which is affixed to chain 24 through hook 35. The connection means 14 has an aperture 20 for receiving a fastening means such as a screw 36 so as to attach the apparatus 10 to the locking device 22 (see Figures 3 and 4). Suitably t5 the screw 36 can also be used to attach the locking device 22 to a portion of the trolley, generally the handle. In each of Figures 3 and 4 there is shown the blade 28 of key 29 which is positioned on the key receiving member 12 so that instead of dangling downwardly, it is restricted in length and somewhat looped over the member 12. Figure 4 shows a slightly different arrangement in 0 that one of the links 31 in the chain 24 is hooked over end 16 to reside in the key receiving member 12. In each situation the blade 28 of key 29 is positioned on the key receiving member 4 12 so that thelinfant-is not able to handle the key 29 where it could injure him or her. The locking device 22 has a coin 34 positioned in slot 32 and this can only be removed once the trolley is returned afteruse and the key!blade of an adjacent trolley is positioned into the locking device 22 5 which;pushes the coin .34 outwardly from slot 32. An alternative slot 33 is provided 5 for a different denomination of coin or differently sized coin. Therefore in use a customer inserts a coin into the locking device 22 to release a chain and key associated with.a locking device of an adjacent trolley. The user, who may have an infant placed.or seated in the trolley, can then immediately link the aperture 27 of the key blade 28.over end 1.6'of the key receiving member 12 to place the key blade 28 and chain 24 in a 10 position where the-infant cannotlaccess the key 29. Once the user has finished with the trolley then the reverse procedutboccurs Where the user can unhook or unleash the key 29 from the key receiving mdmber,12 and .insert the key blade of an adjacent trolley into the back of slot 32 (or - slot 33 depending on which slot-has the coin stored therein) to push out and retrieve coin 34. The: present provides-a device that enables a parent or guardian to use a trolley or cart 15 where the key, that.generally has sharp or protruding surfaces, of an associated trolley locking device is 'towed s'afelyso'thatia young child or infant is not capable of releasing it and potentially injuring himself or herself 20 25 5

Claims (9)

1. Apparatus for attachment to a trolley, or part thereof, in order to prevent access by an infant to a key associated with a locking device on the trolley, where the locking device is adapted to lock the trolley to another trolley, the apparatus including: 5 a key receiving member for receiving a portion of the key such that the key cannot be removed from the apparatus by the infant; and means for connecting the apparatus to the trolley or part thereof; wherein the key is able to be removed from the apparatus by the person controlling the trolley at any time.

2. Apparatus according to claim I wherein the apparatus is adapted to be connected to the locking device.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is adaptedto beconnected .5 to a handle of the trolley.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the apparatus is connected to the locking device by securing means, said securing means also securing the locking device to a handle of the trolley. 20

5. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims wherein the key receiving member has a first end and a second end and is so shaped as to prevent inadvertent removal of the key portion. 25

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a gap exists between the first end and the second end to enable the key portion to be connected to the key receiving member. 6

7. Apparatus according to any one of claim 4 to 6 wherein the connection means is an upstanding portion connected to either the first end or the second end and having an aperture therethrough to receive the securing means. 5

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the key portion is a blade of the key having an opening adapted to be positioned over the other of the first or second ends of the key receiving member not connected to the upstanding portion.

9. Apparatus for attachment to a trolley substantially as hereinbefore described with .0 reference to the accompanying drawings. 7