A coupling system and method for connecting a first cart to a second cart includes a first stabilizing arm configured to span between the first cart and the second cart on a first side, and a second stabilizing arm configured to span between the first cart and the second on a second side opposite from the first side.

An IV-pole base has at least one blank and one complimentary tab formed on sides thereof. By one approach, this base comprises, in effect, a jigsaw-puzzle piece that can fully interlock with other such bases in a substantially tessellated manner. So configured, a plurality of IV poles having such a base are easily interlocked with one another to facilitate moving that plurality of IV poles from one place to another. By one approach, the aforementioned blanks and tabs have a substantially circular shape. As one illustrative example, the base comprises a square having two blanks and two tabs, with one such feature formed on each side of the square. By one approach the blanks are formed on sides of the base that are opposite to the tabs.

The embodiments described herein are directed to a cart and related methods. The cart includes a base, a plurality of wheels connected to the base, a lower platform mounted to the base, a back panel mounted to the base, a set of lateral panels, an opening side of the cart, and a linking mechanism. The set of lateral panels defines an interior space of the cart. At least one of the set of lateral panels includes a shelf. The shelf is pivotally mounted to a rectangular frame of the at least one of the set of lateral panels. The opening side of the cart is open to provide access to the interior space of the cart. The linking mechanism is configured and arranged to connect the cart to another cart.

A cart apparatus includes a child cart that includes a base frame structure including a pair of side beams and a lateral beam that extends between the pair of side beams. A parent cart includes a base frame structure including a pair of side beams and a lateral beam that extends between the pair of side beams. The base frame structure of the parent cart defines a nesting area that is sized and arranged to receive the base frame structure of the child cart. A cart interlock mechanism includes an engagement member that is rotatably mounted to the base frame structure and a foot pedal that is linked to the engagement member. The foot pedal rotates the engagement member from a locked position that engages the base frame of the child cart to an unlocked position that releases the base frame of the child cart.

The embodiments described herein are directed to a cart and related methods. The cart includes a base, a plurality of wheels connected to the base, a lower platform mounted to the base, a back panel mounted to the base, a set of lateral panels, an opening side of the cart, and a linking mechanism. The set of lateral panels defines an interior space of the cart. At least one of the set of lateral panels includes a shelf. The shelf is pivotally mounted to a rectangular frame of the at least one of the set of lateral panels. The opening side of the cart is open to provide access to the interior space of the cart. The linking mechanism is configured and arranged to connect the cart to another cart.

Examples include systems and methods for lifting and moving gondolas using a modular gondola moving system. Components of a modular gondola moving system include interchangeable skates. The interchangeable skates are further removably attached to a longitudinal member which, when connected to the longitudinal member, form a skate system. Multiple skate systems are positioned to the underside of a gondola and may additionally be connected together by connector bars for stabilization and to form the modular gondola moving system. One or more lifting devices are provided independent of and are used in combination with each skate system for positioning the gondola on each skate system. The one or more lifting devices may be repeatedly used in order to place the gondola on a single modular gondola support system.

The present invention relates to a hand cart, for loading and transferring an article, comprising: a loading board (10) on which an article is loaded; a first coupling plate (20) and a second coupling plate (30) alternately formed on the lateral surface of the loading board; an L-shaped first coupling groove (50) formed on one edge of the upper surface of the loading board; a second coupling groove (55) formed on the other edge of the upper surface of the loading board; and a H-shaped coupling pin (60) mounted on the first coupling groove. The upper surface of the first coupling plate (20) is formed on the same level as or lower than the bottom surface of the second coupling plate. When two hand carts are coupled side by side, the upper surface of a first coupling plate (20) is mutually coupled to the bottom surface of a second coupling plate (30) by overlapping such that the carts do not shake vertically or horizontally.

A carrier device includes a coupling mechanism for connecting an automatic controlled vehicle to a carriage. The coupling mechanism includes a first roller assembly and a second roller assembly. The first roller assembly includes a first roller and a third roller, provided on a first common shaft. The second roller assembly includes a second roller and a fourth roller, provided on a second common shaft. The first roller and the second roller can enter a gap of the guide rail section in the automatic controlled vehicle. When the lock member moves from the first position to the second position, the lock member is sandwiched between the third roller and the fourth roller.

A carrier device includes a coupling mechanism for coupling an automatic controlled vehicle to a carriage. The coupling mechanism includes a first shaft member, a second shaft member and a third shaft member. The coupling mechanism includes a guide rail section, a lock member, and an actuator that moves the lock member. The guide rail section is provided on the automatic controlled vehicle. When the lock member moves from the first position to the second position, the lock member enters between the first shaft member and the second shaft member. The third shaft member fits with the fitting portion of the lock member.

A method and apparatus for assisting in removing a wheels-on-ground type daughter cart from a mother cart, and a mother cart incorporating such a method and apparatus, utilize a daughter cart ejector apparatus mounted on a mother cart and having a selectively actuatable ejector element for urging the daughter cart to move out of engagement with the mother cart in an unloading direction. The ejector element is configured and operatively connected to bear against the daughter cart and apply force in a manner that assists in initiating movement of the daughter cart in the unloading direction and reorienting casters supporting the daughter cart on an underlying surface from a rolling orientation that is generally parallel to a transport direction of the mother cart, to a rolling orientation that is generally transverse to the transport direction and parallel to the unloading direction.