Shopping cart chassis

Abstract

A shopping cart chassis is provided with at least one tubular frame member. At least a first part of the length of the frame member has a wall with a hollow cylindrical configuration defining an annular transverse cross-section. At least a second part of the length of frame member has a wall with a hollow configuration defining an elongate transverse cross-section having a longer dimension and a shorter dimension. A second part of the frame member is oriented so that the longer dimension of the elongate transverse cross-section is generally parallel to the direction of the force of gravity when the shopping cart is in its normal use orientation.

1 . A shopping cart chassis comprising: 
 at least one tubular frame member that has a length and at least one lengthwise bend and wherein    at least a first part of the length of said frame member has a wall with a hollow cylindrical configuration defining an annular transverse cross-section;    at least a second part of the length of said frame member has a wall with a hollow configuration defining an elongate transverse cross-section having a longer dimension and a shorter dimension;    said second part of said frame member is oriented so that said longer dimension of said elongate transverse cross-section is generally parallel to the direction of the force of gravity when said shopping cart is in its normal use orientation;    said frame member first part includes a first connection portion;    said frame member second part includes a second connection portion;    said first and second connection portions each define a generally longitudinal central axis;    said first connection portion is disposed on top of said second connection portion with said longitudinal central axes of each connection portion aligned generally parallel; and    a weld joins said first connection portion with said second connection portion.    
   
   
       2 . The chassis in accordance with  claim 1  in which said frame member second part wall that defines said elongate transverse cross section has two spaced-apart parallel straight sections joining two semi-circular sections.  
   
   
       3 . The chassis in accordance with  claim 1  in which 
 said first part of said frame member has a generally uniform wall thickness;    said first part wall thickness and said second part wall thickness are substantially equal.    
   
   
       4 . The chassis in accordance with  claim 1  in which said frame member is steel.  
   
   
       5 . The chassis in accordance with  claim 1  in which said frame member has at least one transition portion connecting the annular transverse cross section of said first part with the elongate transverse cross section of said second part.  
   
   
       6 . A shopping cart chassis comprising: 
 at least one tubular frame member wherein    at least a first part of the length of said frame member has a wall with a hollow cylindrical configuration defining an annular transverse cross-section;    at least a second part of the length of said frame member has a wall with a hollow configuration defining an elongate transverse cross-section having a longer dimension and a shorter dimension; and    said second part of said frame member is oriented so that said longer dimension of said elongate transverse cross-section is generally parallel to the direction of the force of gravity when said shopping cart is in its normal use orientation.    
   
   
       7 . The chassis in accordance with  claim 6  in which said frame member second part wall that defines said elongate transverse cross section has two spaced-apart parallel straight sections joining two semi-circular sections.  
   
   
       8 . The chassis in accordance with  claim 6  in which 
 said first part of said frame member has a generally uniform wall thickness;    said second part of said frame member has a generally uniform wall thickness; and    said first part wall thickness and said second part wall thickness are substantially equal.    
   
   
       9 . The chassis in accordance with  claim 6  in which 
 said frame member has at least one lengthwise bend;    said frame member first part includes a first connection portion;    said frame member second part includes a second connection portion;    said first and second connection portions each define a generally longitudinal central axis;    said first connection portion is disposed adjacent said second connection portion with said longitudinal central axes of each connection portion aligned generally parallel; and    a weld joins said first connection portion with said second connection portion.    
   
   
       10 . The chassis in accordance with  claim 6  in which said frame member is steel.  
   
   
       11 . The chassis in accordance with  claim 6  in which said frame member has at least one transition portion connecting the annular transverse cross section of said first part with the elongate transverse cross section of said second part.