Patent US4723118A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4723118A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Magnetic detection system for items on the lower tray of a shopping cart
Assignee: RETAIL SECURITY SYSTEMS 920 S GREELEY ST STILLWATER MN 55082 AN INDIVIDUAL PROPRIETORSHIP OF
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Filing: 1986-09-15
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Granted: 1988-02-02
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Expires: 2006-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A detection system for use by a checkout clerk in a checkout line to detect a load left on the lower tray of a shopping cart by the customer. The shopping cart has a lower tray pivotably mounted on a frame. The tray is movable between a first and second position when a load is placed on the tray. A field producing source such as a permanent magnet contained within a shield material is attached to the cart, and the field is actuated at a distance when the tray is moved from the first to the second position by displacing the magnet and the shield material. A detector for detecting the presence of that field as the shopping cart passes through the checkout line is coupled to a control circuit capable of signaling the checkout clerk that the load is on the lower tray.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles M. Hooley
- 👤 Patrick J. Utecht
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:54
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62B; B62B3/00; B62B3/14; B62B3/1488; A; A47; A47F; A47F9/00; A47F9/02; A47F9/04; A47F9/045; G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14; G08B13/1481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
On a shopping cart having a frame and a tray, said tray being movable between a first position and a second position when a load is placed on said tray, the improvement being a detector system comprising: a field producing source carried on the cart and generating a field detectable at a predetermined distance; actuation means on the cart for selectively actuating said field at said distance responsive to movement of the tray from the first to the second position; detection means for detecting said field at said distance; and signaling means for signaling the detection of said field by said detection means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
On a shopping cart having a frame and a tray, said tray being movable between a first position and a second position when a load is placed on said tray, the improvement being a detector system comprising: a field producing source carried on the cart and generating a field detectable at a predetermined distance; actuation means on the cart for selectively actuating said field at said distance responsive to movement of the tray from the first to the second position; detection means for detecting said field at said distance; and signaling means for signaling the detection of said field by said detection means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
107 words
On a shopping cart having a frame and a tray, said tray being movable between a first position and second position when a load is placed on said tray, the improvement being a detector system comprising: a field producing source carried on the cart and generating a field detectable within a range of distances; actuation means on the cart for selectively actuating said field within said range of distances responsive to movement of the tray from the first to the second position; detection means for detecting said field within said range of distances; and signaling means for signaling the detection of said field by said detection means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
On a shopping cart having a frame and a tray, said tray being movable between a first position and second position when a load is placed on said tray, the improvement being a detector system comprising: a field producing source carried on the cart and generating a field detectable within a range of distances; actuation means on the cart for selectively actuating said field within said range of distances responsive to movement of the tray from the first to the second position; detection means for detecting said field within said range of distances; and signaling means for signaling the detection of said field by said detection means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a cart having a frame and a tray to support a load, the improvement being a detector system comprising: a field producing source carried on said cart and generating a field detectable at a predetermined distance; actuation means on the cart for selectively actuating said field at said distance responsive to placement of the load on the tray; detection means for detecting said field at said distance; and signaling means for signaling the detection of said field by said detection means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a cart having a frame and a tray to support a load, the improvement being a detector system comprising: a field producing source carried on said cart and generating a field detectable at a predetermined distance; actuation means on the cart for selectively actuating said field at said distance responsive to placement of the load on the tray; detection means for detecting said field at said distance; and signaling means for signaling the detection of said field by said detection means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a cart having a frame and a tray to support a load, the improvement being a detector system comprising: a field producing source on the cart for generating a field detectable within a range of distances; actuation means for selectively actuating said field within said range of distances responsive to placement of the load on the tray; detection means for detecting said field within said range of distances; and signaling means for signaling the detection of said field by said detection means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a cart having a frame and a tray to support a load, the improvement being a detector system comprising: a field producing source on the cart for generating a field detectable within a range of distances; actuation means for selectively actuating said field within said range of distances responsive to placement of the load on the tray; detection means for detecting said field within said range of distances; and signaling means for signaling the detection of said field by said detection means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The detection systems of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein the field is induced by a permanent magnet, said permanent magnet normally being mounted within a shield for relative displacement movement between said shield and said magnet, said actuating means comprising means to spatially displace said permanent magnet and said shield relative to each other to thereby expose said permanent magnet and the field generated to the detection means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The detection system of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein the shopping cart moves along a path through a checkout line, and the detection means comprises a plurality of detectors locatable at positions displaced within said checkout line proximate to said path of the shopping cart.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
The detection system of claim 5 wherein: the detection means includes a receiving coil in which an electromotive force is induced responsive to detection of the field; and said signaling means includes a control circuit electrically connected to said receiving coil, said control circuit having an amplifier for amplifying the electromotive force induced by said receiving coil, a logic circuit electrically connected to receive a current induced in said receiving coil by said electromotive force, a holding circuit electrically connected to and operated by said logic circuit, and a visual or audible display connected to and activated by said control circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
The detection system of claim 1 wherein said field producing source is a permanent magnet normally contained within a shielding housing, said magnet and said housing being movably displaceable with respect to each other; and said actuation means is mechanically connected between said tray and said magnet and is constructed and arranged to displace said magnet from said shielding housing in response to the movement of said tray from said first to said second position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The detection system of claim 8 wherein said tray is the lower tray on a shopping cart and is pivotally connected to said frame at one end thereof for downward pivotal movement from said first position to said second position in response to the placement of a load on said tray.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The detection system of claim 9 wherein said actuation means comprises an elongated spindle member connected between said tray and said magnet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The detection system of claim 8 wherein said shielding housing is of elongated tubular shape and includes a shielding ring normally embracing said magnet in blocking relation to the magnetic field generated by said magnet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-02-01 | 1991-08-03 | 1992-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-01 | 1995-08-03 | 1996-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-01 | 1999-08-03 | 2000-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |