Hand trucks having a powered lifting assembly are disclosed. In certain aspects, hand trucks having a motor assembly and a battery pack mount arranged to removably receive a battery pack arranged for a portable tool are disclosed. Hand trucks having a pivoting rearward support are also disclosed, with particular arrangements advantageously pivoting the rearward support upwardly as it is configured into the retracted configuration so as to lift wheels of the rearward support above other wheels of the hand truck.

A vehicle has first and second parts with at least one road wheel. The first part pivotally connects to a connecting member at two spaced apart points to pivot about a first axis relative and the second part pivotally connects to the connecting member at two spaced apart points 18 to pivot about a second axis, which is perpendicular to the second axis, intersecting at a pivot point. A first drive shaft rotatably mounts to the first part and extends in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first part, a second drive shaft rotatably mounts to the second part and extends in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second part. The first and second drive shafts connect by a universal joint so that the two shafts to pivot relative to each other about the pivot point.

A vehicle has first and second parts with at least one road wheel. The first part pivotally connects to a connecting member at two spaced apart points to pivot about a first axis relative and the second part pivotally connects to the connecting member at two spaced apart points 18 to pivot about a second axis, which is perpendicular to the second axis, intersecting at a pivot point. A first drive shaft rotatably mounts to the first part and extends in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first part, a second drive shaft rotatably mounts to the second part and extends in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second part. The first and second drive shafts connect by a universal joint so that the two shafts to pivot relative to each other about the pivot point.

A releasable wheel assembly is presented. The releasable wheel assembly includes a base plate and a bracket coupled to the base plate. The bracket includes multiple bosses and each boss includes a hole. An axle passing through the hole of each boss. The axle includes a circumferential groove adjacent to each end of the axle. Additionally, a brace is coupled to the base plate and the axle.

A releasable wheel assembly is presented. The releasable wheel assembly includes a base plate and a bracket coupled to the base plate. The bracket includes multiple bosses and each boss includes a hole. An axle passing through the hole of each boss. The axle includes a circumferential groove adjacent to each end of the axle. Additionally, a brace is coupled to the base plate and the axle.

A gyroscopically-responsive power assisted moment arm is disclosed for use in connection with vehicles such as load carrying devices. A moment arm extends to a pivot point such that when a longitudinal force is applied at the moment arm, a sensor senses such force and outputs an energizing signal to a motor to drive a wheel. If a rotational or vertical force is applied to the moment arm, the motor need not be driven. According to the invention, therefore, a power assist can be provided to a user to drive a wheel in a desired direction of transport while not causing drive during tipping or unloading of the load carrying portion of the vehicle. Such an apparatus can be advantageously applied to a power assisted wheelbarrow, as one exemplary application.

A gyroscopically-responsive power assisted moment arm is disclosed for use in connection with vehicles such as load carrying devices. A moment arm extends to a pivot point such that when a longitudinal force is applied at the moment arm, a sensor senses such force and outputs an energizing signal to a motor to drive a wheel. If a rotational or vertical force is applied to the moment arm, the motor need not be driven. According to the invention, therefore, a power assist can be provided to a user to drive a wheel in a desired direction of transport while not causing drive during tipping or unloading of the load carrying portion of the vehicle. Such an apparatus can be advantageously applied to a power assisted wheelbarrow, as one exemplary application.

Embodiments of the invention are designed to be improvements over existing wheelbarrows. Certain embodiments comprise a frame, one or more weight-bearing wheels, and a pan. In certain embodiments, a wheelbarrow comprises a bight or a bumper having wheels. The wheels on the bight or bumper are located to the sides of a weight-bearing wheel. In certain embodiments, wheels located on each side of a bight or bumper portion allow a user to maneuver a wheelbarrow up or down a curb, or navigate stairs without causing damage to surfaces. Certain embodiments of the invention allow more efficient unloading of the contents of a wheelbarrow bed. Certain embodiments are designed to retrofit on existing wheelbarrows.

An collection and method of use for collecting material, such as for example, waste, garbage, or other material. The collection cart includes an upper feed section spaced from a lower base section. The collection cart has and open side intermediate the upper feed section and lower base section. The upper feed section has a collection bag channel or tubular section through which a collection bag or other material collecting container can be inserted, with the upper end of the bag or container removably secured to the upper feed section. The bag or container can be removed from the upper feed section and removed through the open side, and the collection cart can be moved by grasping handles or other grippable structure space from each other and extending from the open side of the collection cart.

Self-adjusting balanced multipurpose transport carriers and methods of using the same are provided. Aspects include a transport carrier for carrying a balanced load comprising a harness belt for attaching to a user, a mono-wheel, a platform, a stop plate, and a frame comprising first and second side rails and a pair of crisscross shoulder straps.