US4868544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shopping cart retrieval system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-06-28
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Granted: 1989-09-19
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Expires: 2008-06-28
Abstract
Abstract The shopping cart retrieval system has been designed to allow search teams to detect and recover stolen or misplaced shopping carts. It consists of two distinct units of electronic equipment integrated together to form a retrieval system. The heart of the system is a VHF "beacon " radio transmitter implanted in the handle of the shopping cart which is continuously emitting a signal when it leaves the store. A search team, assigned the task of locating and recovering shopping carts, is equipped with a VHF radio receiver with both omni-directional antenna for detection of a shoping cart at maximum range, and a directional antenna used for the close-in location process.
Inventors
- 👤 Rex Havens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:24
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14; B; B62; B62B; B62B5/00; B62B5/0096; B62B3/00; B62B3/14; B62B3/1404; B62B5/06; H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/06; H01H2009/068; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S194/00; Y10S194/905; Y10S280/00; Y10S280/04; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/2078; Y10T74/20822
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A shopping cart retrieval system comprising: a shopping cart having a handle; a radio transmitter asembly having a radio transmitter; means for attaching said radio transmitter assembly to said shopping cart comprising an elongated plastic housing that snaps on the shopping cart handle, said radio transmitter assembly being mounted in said housing; and means for activating and de-activating said radio transmitter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A shopping cart retrieval system comprising: a shopping cart having a handle; a radio transmitter asembly having a radio transmitter; means for attaching said radio transmitter assembly to said shopping cart comprising an elongated plastic housing that snaps on the shopping cart handle, said radio transmitter assembly being mounted in said housing; and means for activating and de-activating said radio transmitter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A shopping cart retrieval system as recited in claim 1 wherein said radio transmitter is of a VHF beacon type.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A shopping cart retrieval system as recited in claim 1 wherein said radio transmitter assembly is mounted on the handle of a shopping cart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A shopping cart retrieval system as recited in claim 1 wherein said radio transmitter assembly has an antenna in its circuit and said antenna is located entirely within said plastic housing and completely hidden from view.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A shopping cart retrieval system as recited in claim 4 wherein said antenna is of the helical(loaded type) type which gives it additional electrical length compared to its actual length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A shopping cart retrieval system as recited in claim 1 wherein said radio transmitter assembly has an electrical circuit having a magnetic on/off switch that is activated and deactivated by a magnet mounted on a collar that snaps on to the exterior of said plastic housing adjacent said magnetic switch which itself is mounted in the interior of said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A shopping cart retrieval system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a VHF radio receiver with an omni-direction antenna for detection of the shopping cart at a maximum range and a directional antenna used for the close-in location process.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A radio transmitter assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said switch is a reed switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A shopping cart retrieval system comprising: a shopping cart having a handle; a radio transmitter assembly having a radio transmitter; means for mounting said radio transmitter assembly on the handle of said shopping cart comprising an elongated plastic housing having a top half and a bottom half that are secured to each other by fasteners and which has the transmitter assembly mounted therein; and means for activating and de-activating said radio transmitter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
A shopping cart retrieval system comprising: a shopping cart having a handle; a radio transmitter assembly having a radio transmitter; means for mounting said radio transmitter assembly on the handle of said shopping cart comprising an elongated plastic housing having a top half and a bottom half that are secured to each other by fasteners and which has the transmitter assembly mounted therein; and means for activating and de-activating said radio transmitter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-18 | 1993-03-20 | 1993-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-18 | 1997-03-20 | 1997-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-18 | 2001-03-20 | 2001-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |