A motorized cart retriever, which may be a cart pusher or a cart puller, can apply a force to a nest of human-propelled, wheeled carts to facilitate retrieval of the carts. The cart retriever can include a transceiver configured to wirelessly receive cart status information from cart transmitters of the wheeled carts and wirelessly report event data to a control unit. The cart status information may include an identification of the cart transmitter, a location of the cart, a lock or unlock status of a cart wheel, a misuse condition, etc. The event data can include the cart status information, a number of wheeled carts being retrieved, etc. The cart wheel may include a brake. The transceiver may communicate a message to the cart wheel to keep the brake unactuated during retrieval. The control unit may analyze the event data to detect traffic patterns of the carts.

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to detect shopping carts and/or estimate the number of shopping carts in a specified area of a retail facility. In some embodiments, detected magnetic fields from an area are compared with values from a database to estimate the number of shopping carts present, and notifications may be provided regarding actions to be taken based on the arrangement and density of shopping carts in the area.

A mobile accessory storage, maintenance and tracking system and methods of using same.

A bracket assembly includes a bracket for attachment to a shopping cart and a cover connected to the bracket and covering at least part of the bracket. The bracket includes a metal plate having first and second faces, where the length is greater than the width, and the width is greater than the thickness. The bracket has a projection extending outward from the first face and a recess extending inward from the second face and corresponding to the projection. The cover has two walls and a cavity defined between the walls, and the bracket is received within the cavity such that the first and second faces each confront one of the walls. The cover further has a slot in at least one wall, such that the cover is press-fit on the bracket and the projection is received in the slot to retain the cover in connection with the bracket.

A multi-functional transport apparatus includes an adjustable ramp capable of being positioned within the existing trunk of the existing motor vehicle, and a collapsible cart selectively positioned on the adjustable ramp. Advantageously, the collapsible cart is at a folded position when positioned on the adjustable ramp. Such a collapsible cart is deployed to an unfolded position when displaced off the adjustable ramp. Notably, the collapsible cart is selectively tilted between a plurality of inclined positions while seated on the adjustable ramp.

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Various techniques utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Navigation techniques can include navigation history and backtracking, motion direction detection for dual swivel casters, use of gyroscopes, determining cart weight, multi-level navigation, multi-level magnetic measurements, use of lighting signatures, use of multiple navigation systems, or hard/soft iron compensation for different cart configurations.

A contactless power feeding device of an embodiment includes: a placement portion on which a plurality of carts including a device and a power receiving unit that receives power to be fed to the device is placed in a state of being arranged in one direction; a power transmitting unit that is provided at each of placement positions at which the cart is placed in the placement portion and transmits power to the power receiving unit by contactless power feeding; a lock unit that is provided at each of at least a first placement position at which a first cart in the one direction is placed and a second placement position at which a next cart is placed among the placement positions, and locks movement of the cart; and a control unit that controls an operation of the lock unit.

A shopping cart for use in forming a horizontal stack of shopping carts that includes a support frame, a basket, and a lifting fender. The support frame includes a chassis and support masts extending substantially vertically from the chassis. The chassis is coupled to front wheels and rear wheels and includes a rear cross bar extending across the chassis. The basket is supported by the support masts over the chassis and defines a compartment. The lifting fender is formed separately from the support frame and is selectively coupled to an underside of the rear cross bar. The lifting fender defines a lift section extending below the rear cross bar and defines a bottom surface configured to be the initial contact point for a second, rear shopping cart when the horizontal stack of shopping carts is formed decreasing contact between the second, rear shopping cart and the rear cross bar.

A power generation system for wheeled objects comprises a generator mechanically coupled to one or more of the object's wheels to convert wheel rotational energy into electrical energy. The power generation system may comprise an electrical storage device configured to store the electrical power produced by the generator. Power from the generator and/or the electrical storage device can be used to provide power to other electrical systems in or on the object. In certain embodiments, the electrical storage device comprises a bank of high-capacity capacitors connected in series. Some embodiments use a control circuit, for example, to regulate the charging and discharging of the capacitor bank and to provide suitable voltages for other systems. The power generation system may be disposed within an object's wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.

Various systems for monitoring wheeled vehicles (such as shopping carts) are disclosed. The system can include an RF antenna unit that is buried and is configured for bi-directional communication with the electronics on the cart. In some embodiments, the antenna comprises a plurality of transmitters, which can emit synchronized signals. In some embodiments, the antenna comprises a radiating cable, which can emit a signal along some, substantially all, or all of its length.