A horn for a shopping cart includes a base plate and a pair of legs extending downwardly away from the base plate and opposed to one another. Each leg includes a first end connected to the base plate, an opposed second end, a central portion positioned between the first end and the second end, a first aperture, and a second aperture, with the first and second apertures being vertically aligned with one another and positioned proximate the second end.

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.

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.

Methods and systems are provided for evaluating shopping cart wheels using a sensor module or one or more microphones engaged with the shopping cart. The microphones can be used to detect sounds generated by the wheels of the shopping cart. A sound signature can be determined from the detected sound and compared to sound signatures in a database. If the detected sound indicates that a wheel of the shopping cart is failing, an alert can be generated using an associate alert system.

A cart includes a chassis and attached wheels; an upper basket attached to the chassis; and a lower basket attached to the chassis. In some embodiments, the cart includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the cart such that access is unobstructed to the upper and lower baskets from the rear of the cart by a person. In some embodiments, the chassis defines on each lateral side of the cart a pair of vertically spaced handles, each handle surrounding and defining an opening. The handles preferably include handle bars shaped in an oval. On each cart side a curved elongate member extends between and connects the handles, and the curved elongate members represent the rearmost part of the cart. The rear area of the upper basket defines a seat for an infant, and a rear ledge of the lower basket defines a seat for a toddler.

A wheel for a cart comprises a hollow cylindrical body. The hollow cylindrical body is formed of a stiff material and has a corrugated outer surface and a corrugated inner surface.

A shopping trolley for self-service shopping, includes a frame (1) supported by wheels (51, 52) The frame includes longitudinal beams (2) which at an upper end portion are coupled to each other by a handrail (3) that extends transverse thereto. A suspension assembly (4) extends operatively intermediate of the wheels and the frame. A scale (7) that includes an upward facing weighing surface is operatively supported by the frame. The shopping trolley includes a removable shopping bag (9) with a bottom (91). A pair of releasable grips (8) are operable to secure the shopping bag in a position with its bottom (91) on the weighing surface of the scale. An electronic terminal (6) is in operative connection with the scale.

A cart includes a chassis and attached wheels; an upper basket attached to the chassis; and a lower basket attached to the chassis. In some embodiments, the cart includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the cart such that access is unobstructed to the upper and lower baskets from the rear of the cart by a person. In some embodiments, the chassis defines on each lateral side of the cart a pair of vertically spaced handles, each handle surrounding and defining an opening. The handles preferably include handle bars shaped in an oval. On each cart side a curved elongate member extends between and connects the handles, and the curved elongate members represent the rearmost part of the cart. The rear area of the upper basket defines a seat for an infant, and a rear ledge of the lower basket defines a seat for a toddler.

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 cart includes a chassis and attached wheels; an upper basket attached to the chassis; and a lower basket attached to the chassis. In some embodiments, the cart includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the cart such that access is unobstructed to the upper and lower baskets from the rear of the cart by a person. In some embodiments, the chassis defines on each lateral side of the cart a pair of vertically spaced handles, each handle surrounding and defining an opening. The handles preferably include handle bars shaped in an oval. On each cart side a curved elongate member extends between and connects the handles, and the curved elongate members represent the rearmost part of the cart. The rear area of the upper basket defines a seat for an infant, and a rear ledge of the lower basket defines a seat for a toddler.