The cart may include a plurality of fastening members attached to the outer frame of at least one of the first side panel, second side panel, front panel and end panel. Additionally, there may be a plurality of rotational members attached to the outer frame of at least one of the first side panel, second side panel and front panel. At least one of the first side panel, second side panel, and front panel are removably attached to the cart via at least one of the first side panel, second side panel, front panel, and end panel that itself may be rotatable, removable, or both. Some embodiments include a kit for converting a standard shopping cart to an improved shopping cart. Some embodiments include the improved cart as a flat bed shopping cart with up to three downwardly foldable panels.

A system for monitoring and controlling shopping cart usage comprises a wheel assembly that attaches to a shopping cart. In some embodiments the wheel assembly includes a wheel, a brake that can be activated to inhibit rotation of the wheel, a controller that controls the brake, a VLF receiver, and an RF transceiver. The RF transceiver may, for example, operate in a 2.4 GHz frequency band. In some implementations, the RF transceiver may be used to detect entry of the shopping cart into a checkout area of the store, and the VLF receiver may be used to detect that the shopping cart is exiting the store. The controller may activate the brake if the shopping cart attempts to exit the store without first passing through a checkout area.

A system for monitoring and controlling shopping cart usage comprises a wheel assembly that attaches to a shopping cart. In some embodiments the wheel assembly includes a wheel, a brake that can be activated to inhibit rotation of the wheel, a controller that controls the brake, a VLF receiver, and an RF transceiver. The RF transceiver may, for example, operate in a 2.4 GHz frequency band. In some implementations, the RF transceiver may be used to detect entry of the shopping cart into a checkout area of the store, and the VLF receiver may be used to detect that the shopping cart is exiting the store. The controller may activate the brake if the shopping cart attempts to exit the store without first passing through a checkout area.

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.

A stackable control device is equipped with a plurality of casters provided on a side of a bottom surface, and a support member provided on an upper surface and configured to support a control device that is stacked on a side of the upper surface. Two from among the plurality of casters sandwich the support member of a control device that is stacked on the side of the bottom surface.

The cart may include a plurality of fastening members attached to the outer frame of the first side panel, second side panel, front panel and end panel. Additionally, there may be a plurality of rotational members attached to the outer frame of the first side panel, second side panel and end panel. the first side panel, second side panel, and end panel are removably attached to the cart via the first side panel, second side panel, front panel, and end panel that itself may be rotatable, removable, or both. Some embodiments include a kit for converting a standard shopping cart to an improved shopping cart. Some embodiments include the improved cart as a flat bed shopping cart with three downwardly foldable panels.

This invention offers a new hands-free electric powered utility cart, that is controlled by voice commands from the user, and by the cart detecting and tracking an electronic device or chip that a user simply carries or attaches to his or her garments.

Once the cart is powered-on, the user speaks voice commands such as “CART, FOLLOW ME” and the cart will follow approximately three feet behind the user wherever they walk. When the user wants the cart to stop, they can either stop walking, or use a voice command such as “CART, STOP”. The user can voice additional relevant commands such as “CART, FOLLOW TO MY RIGHT, or LEFT”, in order to control the cart's mode of operation.

All kinds of carrying baskets tailored to specific uses such as for beach, shopping, tools, golf equipment, and even a baby carriage are fitted to the cart's standardized chassis.

Shopping carts and mobile shopping baskets equipped with one or more bag attachment mechanisms are discussed. The shopping carts and mobile shopping baskets may include multiple rows of bag attachment mechanisms located at varying distances from a top edge of a cart or basket side wall. The shopping carts and mobile shopping baskets may include bag attachment mechanisms on multiple side walls of the basket. The bag attachment mechanisms may take a number of forms including downward facing loop attachment mechanisms, clipping mechanisms and/or hook mechanisms.

Systems and methods for transporting objects using a cart that is driven by human action or self-driving vehicle is disclosed. The cart system and method comprises a chassis portion supporting a payload to be moved by the cart. The cart system further comprises of a first side rail and a second side rail. A first front wheel and first rear wheel is attached to the first side rail and a second front wheel and second rear wheel is attached to the second rail. The handle portion pushes the cart which comprises of a handle bar supported by vertical support members. The brake actuator is used to engage and release the brakes on the rear wheel. A horizontal engagement bar is used which comprises of a plurality of engagement pads. A payload-bearing surface bears payload such that the payload can be transported by the cart.

A system for monitoring and controlling shopping cart usage comprises a wheel assembly that attaches to a shopping cart. The wheel assembly includes a wheel, a brake that can be activated to inhibit rotation of the wheel, a controller that controls the brake, a VLF receiver, and an RF transceiver. The RF transceiver may, for example, operate in a 2.4 GHz frequency band. In some implementations, the RF transceiver may be used to detect entry of the shopping cart into a checkout area of the store, and the VLF receiver may be used to detect that the shopping cart is exiting the store. The controller may activate the brake if the shopping cart attempts to exit the store without first passing through a checkout area.