A wheelbarrow braking assembly for slowing or stopping a wheelbarrow includes a brake rotor that is attachable to a wheel of a wheelbarrow. A caliper is mountable to the wheelbarrow such that the caliper is aligned with the brake rotor for slowing or stopping the wheelbarrow. A brake handle is provided that is mountable adjacent to an end of a respective rail of the wheelbarrow. In this way the brake handle is accessible to the user when the user is maneuvering the wheelbarrow. The brake handle is in mechanical communication with the caliper and the caliper is engaged when the brake handle is squeezed.

A method for using a mobile anchor cart assembly can include repositioning the mobile anchor cart assembly from an anchored position to a mobile position on a ground surface, mobile anchor cart assembly including a cart, the cart including a frame resting upon the ground surface in the anchored position, the frame clearing the ground surface in the mobile position; and an axle assembly mounted to the frame, the axle assembly clearing the ground surface in the anchored position, the axle assembly contacting the ground surface in the mobile position; and a load defining a load center of gravity, the load center of gravity being vertically aligned over at least a portion of the axle assembly in the anchored position; and rolling the mobile anchor cart assembly along the ground surface with the axle assembly.

A container with an axle-less wheel assembly can include: a substantially hollow body including a first wheel retention portion and a second wheel retention portion; and a wheel assembly including a first wheel including a shaft continuously formed with the first wheel extending from a center portion of the first wheel, and a second wheel including a shaft continuously formed with the second wheel extending from a center portion of the second wheel. The first wheel can be rotatably secured in the first wheel retention portion when the shaft is inserted into the first wheel retention portion, and the second wheel can be rotatably secured in the second wheel retention portion when the shaft is inserted into the second wheel retention portion. The first wheel can be uncoupled to the second wheel such that the first wheel and the second wheel operate independently from each other.

A container with an axle-less wheel assembly can include: a substantially hollow body including a first wheel retention portion and a second wheel retention portion; and a wheel assembly including a first wheel including a shaft continuously formed with the first wheel extending from a center portion of the first wheel, and a second wheel including a shaft continuously formed with the second wheel extending from a center portion of the second wheel. The first wheel can be rotatably secured in the first wheel retention portion when the shaft is inserted into the first wheel retention portion, and the second wheel can be rotatably secured in the second wheel retention portion when the shaft is inserted into the second wheel retention portion. The first wheel can be uncoupled to the second wheel such that the first wheel and the second wheel operate independently from each other.

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.

A wheelbarrow with an electric motor built into the wheel helps the user to push and brake the wheelbarrow. A sensor is installed on the handle support, which detects the position of the hand in the axial direction. A button is mounted on the handle support next to the handle. There is an acceleration sensor and a gyroscope on the wheelbarrow. Based on the axial movement of the hand, the wheelbarrow controller calculates the pushing or pulling force of the arms on the handles. The operation of the electric motor is controlled by the wheelbarrow controller via the motor controller, based on the information received from the motor controller, the detected sensor values and the switch status. As a result, the force of the electric motor can be used effectively for an additional drive or braking, so that the required push force of the arms can be reduced. When braking, the motor acts as a generator and charges the battery. Two batteries are placed in the supported legs of the wheelbarrow, which contributes to the weight balance of the wheelbarrow and allows good cooling of the batteries. The construction of the frame provides battery protection and is adapted to transportation on a towing hitch of a passenger car.

A wheelbarrow with an electric motor built into the wheel helps the user to push and brake the wheelbarrow. A sensor is installed on the handle support, which detects the position of the hand in the axial direction. A button is mounted on the handle support next to the handle. There is an acceleration sensor and a gyroscope on the wheelbarrow. Based on the axial movement of the hand, the wheelbarrow controller calculates the pushing or pulling force of the arms on the handles. The operation of the electric motor is controlled by the wheelbarrow controller via the motor controller, based on the information received from the motor controller, the detected sensor values and the switch status. As a result, the force of the electric motor can be used effectively for an additional drive or braking, so that the required push force of the arms can be reduced. When braking, the motor acts as a generator and charges the battery. Two batteries are placed in the supported legs of the wheelbarrow, which contributes to the weight balance of the wheelbarrow and allows good cooling of the batteries. The construction of the frame provides battery protection and is adapted to transportation on a towing hitch of a passenger car.

A method for using a mobile anchor cart assembly can include repositioning a cart of the mobile anchor cart assembly from an anchored position to a mobile position on a ground surface, the cart including a frame defining a front side and a rear side, the frame defining a front foot and a rear foot, the front foot and the rear foot resting upon the ground surface in the anchored position, the front foot and the rear foot clearing the ground surface in the mobile position; and an axle assembly mounted on the front side, the axle assembly clearing the ground surface in the anchored position, the axle assembly contacting the ground surface in the mobile position, the front foot positioned between the axle assembly and the rear foot; and rolling the mobile anchor cart assembly along the ground surface with the axle assembly.

A method for using a mobile anchor cart assembly can include repositioning a cart of the mobile anchor cart assembly from an anchored position to a mobile position on a ground surface, the cart including a frame defining a front side and a rear side, the frame defining a front foot and a rear foot, the front foot and the rear foot resting upon the ground surface in the anchored position, the front foot and the rear foot clearing the ground surface in the mobile position; and an axle assembly mounted on the front side, the axle assembly clearing the ground surface in the anchored position, the axle assembly contacting the ground surface in the mobile position, the front foot positioned between the axle assembly and the rear foot; and rolling the mobile anchor cart assembly along the ground surface with the axle assembly.