US-12616622-B2 - Device to facilitate the transport or storage of items by a person seated in a wheelchair or using other mobile devices

US12616622B2US 12616622 B2US12616622 B2US 12616622B2US-12616622-B2

Abstract

A collapsible device designed to assist individuals to securely store and transport items while using, for example, a wheelchair. The design allows the user, in some instances, to transport and store items, such as groceries, quickly and effortlessly while seated in the wheelchair.

Inventors

Diana Perkins Kamada
Chloe Anna Joelle Rosenberg
Hannah Stewart Mintz

Assignees

includesign LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20210504

Claims (12)

1 . An apparatus for use in personal wheelchairs comprising: one or more structural members that provide a collapsible frame including an open wall and first and second sides, each of the sides being attached to a respective end of the open wall, wherein each of the first side and the second side comprises ends formed as hooks, each hook receiving a portion of the open wall therethrough to attach the first side and the second side to the open wall; an external cover containing the collapsible frame so as to define a container-like structure having an inner space, wherein the external cover attached to the collapsible frame defines an inner space comprising four upward extending walls, an open top and a bottom wall, and wherein a vertical edge of a first upward extending wall contacting a vertical edge of a second upward extending wall forms a corner; means to secure the apparatus to a person who is seated, wherein the means to secure the apparatus to a person who is seated includes a belt, the belt comprising at least one of a side release buckle or a hook and loop fastener; wherein the belt is attached on a first end to a middle of a first corner, thereby extending along a length around a waist of a person, and wherein the belt is attached on a second end to a middle of a second corner: wherein, in an unfolded state, a connecting portion of the first side and a connecting portion of the second side are each disposed within respective recesses formed into a base across an entire width of the base, each of the recesses having a diameter across the entire width of the base relative to a diameter of the connecting portions to releasably secure the connecting portions within the recesses, each of the connecting portions engaging the recesses across a portion of the width of the base.
2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the collapsible frame is attached to the external cover.
3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising one or more handles.
4 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus has a folded state and the unfolded state, wherein, when the apparatus is in the unfolded state, it enables a wheelchair user to securely hold and transport items placed in the inner space.
5 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each connecting portion is snap-fit by press fit or friction fit into a respective recess.
6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the external cover containing the collapsible frame is constructed of a fabric with a high friction coefficient.
7 . An apparatus for use in personal wheelchairs comprising: a collapsible frame including: an open wall; and first and second sides, each of which is attached to a respective end of the open wall, wherein each of the sides is operable to be swiveled partially about the respective one of the ends of the open wall so that the collapsible frame can be placed in a folded or unfolded state, and wherein each of the first side and the second side of the collapsible frame comprises ends formed as hooks, each hook receiving a portion of the open wall therethrough to attach the first side and the second side to the open wall, in an unfolded state, a connecting portion of the first side and a connecting portion of the second side each being disposed within respective recesses formed into a base across an entire width of the base, each of the recesses having a diameter across the entire width of the base relative to a diameter of the connecting portions to releasably secure the connecting portions within the recesses, each of the connecting portions engaging the recesses across a portion of the width of the base; an external cover on the collapsible frame so as to provide a container-like structure having an inner space, wherein the external cover on the collapsible frame provides an inner space comprising four upwardly extending walls, a bottom and an open top, and wherein a vertical edge of a first upward extending wall contacting a vertical edge of a second upward extending wall forms a corner; and a strap configured to secure the apparatus to a person who is seated, wherein the strap is a belt; and wherein the belt is attached on a first end to a middle of a first corner, thereby extending along a length around a waist of a person, and wherein the belt is attached on a second end to a middle of a second corner.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the external cover attached to the collapsible frame defines the inner space comprising four upward extending walls, an open top and a bottom wall, and wherein the apparatus further includes handles attached, respectively, to at least one of the upward extending walls.
9 . The apparatus of claim 7 , further including a base to support the collapsible frame inside the external cover.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the base includes respective recesses to receive portions of the collapsible frame.
11 . The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein each connecting portion is snap-fit by press fit or friction fit into a respective recess.
12 . The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the external cover containing the collapsible frame is constructed of a fabric with a high friction coefficient.

Description

CROSS-SECTION TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/060,191, filed on Aug. 3, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to devices to facilitate the transport or storage of items by a person seated in a wheelchair or using other mobile devices. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Disabilities continue to be common both in the United States and throughout the world. For example, millions of people who are unable to walk as a result of illness, injury or disability use a wheelchair full-time or part-time as a means of transport. Although many more people need a wheelchair, only a small percentage of them have access to one. These individuals must accomplish everyday tasks, often while using a wheelchair, and for those individuals without personal aids, these tasks can be extremely difficult. Among the necessary, but particularly difficult, tasks for wheelchair users is shopping. Shopping for groceries is one essential task that burdens all individuals, but some more than others. Although there are current shopping services, such as home delivery and personal aids, these services can become fairly expensive, and for individuals who wish to partake in the shopping experience, they are less than optimal. In view of these and other challenges, the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), for example, provide guidelines for stores on how to make their isles and checkout lanes more accessible. Although the ADAAG helped make grocery stores more accessible, there are still limited options available for people in wheelchairs when it comes to holding their groceries. Some current options include adaptive shopping carts and motorized shopping carts. Adaptive shopping carts are shopping carts that can be used by an individual in a manual or automatic wheelchair. These adaptive shopping carts are designed to be roughly the proper height and size to be pushed by the wheelchair user, however, these carts extend roughly two feet in front of the wheelchair, which adds to the already difficult task of maneuvering through the aisles. Motorized shopping carts, which are automatic shopping carts where a basket is often attached to the front of the cart, are available in some countries. These carts are also longer than the traditional wheelchair, which adds to the difficulty of maneuvering through the aisles. In addition, such motorized shopping carts typically are owned by someone other than the user. Therefore, the user must relocate herself into and out of the motorized shopping cart, which can be extremely difficult for people with less upper body strength and/or control over their motor functions. Additionally, in order to use these carts, a wheelchair user must leave her personal chair unattended while she shops. BRIEF SUMMARY The present disclosure describes, among other things, a device including a basket that allows a wheelchair user to quickly and effortlessly transport purchased goods including, but not limited to, groceries while remaining in his or her wheelchair. Means to secure the apparatus to a person, or to a chair in which the person is seated, can be included as well. Unlike traditional shopping baskets, the device can help prevent items from falling out of the basket when the user either releases both hands to propel a wheelchair or stops abruptly in a wheelchair. In addition, in some instances, the device can provide an improvement over adaptive shopping carts and motorized shopping carts by avoiding both the added difficulty of maneuvering a basket extension or a large motorized wheelchair through the shopping aisles of a grocery store or when attempting to relocate into and out of a secondary wheelchair. This device can be used, for example, in any industry where items must be held or transported by the wheelchair user. This basket can also be used by a wheelchair user in any employment role when the employee needs to carry or transport items. In one aspect, the device includes a collapsible basket that can rest, for example, on the wheelchair user's lap and can be fastened, for example, around the user's waist to secure the basket and prevent it from falling. This design allows the user to quickly and effortlessly transport various items, including groceries, while remaining in her own, personal wheelchair. By fastening the basket to the user's lap, the items are less likely to fall out of the basket when the user either releases both hands to propel the wheelchair or stops abruptly in the wheelchair. Additionally, the device can be used to transport groceries or other purchased goods, for example, from the store to the user's car and from the user's car to her home. The device also can, in some cases, be beneficial to the stores as the device may be less costly than either motorized or adaptive shopping carts, and need not requir