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.

A system for monitoring shopping carts or other human-propelled carts includes wireless access points that communicate on a wireless network with wheel assemblies of the carts. The system is capable of monitoring a path followed by a cart in a store or building, and using the path (optionally together with other criteria) to determine whether to authorize the cart to exit. For example, if a shopping cart fails to pass through a checkout lane of a store, the system may perform an action that blocks or inhibits the shipping cart from exiting the store. The wheel assemblies may include LEDs or other visual indicators that alert store personnel when a wheel assembly is in a particular state.

A wheel locking mechanism, suitable for locking a wheel of a pushchair, the mechanism comprising: a rotatable member, adapted to be mounted on the hub of a wheel, whereby the rotatable member is co-rotatable with, and by rotation of, the wheel, the rotatable member comprising a locking surface, and a non-rotatable member, comprising a locking pin adapted to selectively cooperate with the locking surface of the rotatable member, whereby the relative positions of the rotatable and non-rotatable members are lockable. Also disclosed is a pushchair comprising a chassis having a rear axle, at each end of which a wheel is mountable, wherein each end of the rear axle is provided with such a wheel locking mechanism.

A wheel structure that makes braking easy and prevents sudden stops, and a pushcart having the wheel structure are provided. The wheel structure includes a rotor that is rotatable about an axle and is stopped from rotating by a brake member, a wheel that is coaxial with the rotor and is rotatable about the rotor, and a relative-rotation resisting member that is disposed between the rotor and wheel and produces resistance force resisting the relative rotation of the rotor and wheel.

A system for monitoring shopping carts or other human-propelled carts includes wireless access points that communicate on a wireless network with wheel assemblies of the carts. The system is capable of monitoring a path followed by a cart in a store or building, and using the path (optionally together with other criteria) to determine whether to authorize the cart to exit. For example, if a shopping cart fails to pass through a checkout lane of a store, the system may perform an action that blocks or inhibits the shipping cart from exiting the store.

A pallet sled includes a base and a plurality of tines extending forward from the base. At least one of the plurality of tines includes a wheel supporting the tine away from the base. A brake assembly is positioned adjacent the wheel to selectively brake the wheel. The brake assembly may include a drum adjacent the wheel. Alternatively, the brake assembly may include a brake shoe selectively directly contacting the wheel to brake the sled.

A system for monitoring shopping carts or other human-propelled carts includes wireless access points that communicate on a wireless network with wheel assemblies of the carts. The system is capable of monitoring a path followed by a cart in a store or building, and using the path (optionally together with other criteria) to determine whether to authorize the cart to exit. For example, if a shopping cart fails to pass through a checkout lane of a store, the system may perform an action that blocks or inhibits the shipping cart from exiting the store.

A system for monitoring shopping carts or other human-propelled carts includes wireless access points that communicate on a wireless network with wheel assemblies of the carts. The system is capable of monitoring a path followed by a cart in a store or building, and using the path (optionally together with other criteria) to determine whether to authorize the cart to exit. For example, if a shopping cart fails to pass through a checkout lane of a store, the system may perform an action that blocks or inhibits the shipping cart from exiting the store. The wheel assemblies may include LEDs or other visual indicators that alert store personnel when a wheel assembly is in a particular state.

A system for monitoring shopping carts or other human-propelled carts includes wireless access points that communicate bi-directionally on a wireless network with wheel assemblies of the carts. The system supports both unicast and multicast command transmissions from the access points to the wheel assemblies, including multicast transmissions in which the target wheel assemblies are specified in terms of their states. For example, an access point can transmit a command that is addressed to all wheel assemblies that are locked, or to all wheel assemblies that are moving.

A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel assembly containing sensor circuitry capable of sensing one or more types of conditions, such as wheel rotation, wheel vibration caused by skidding, and specific electromagnetic and/or magnetic signals indicative of particular wheel locations. The wheel assembly may also include a brake mechanism. The wheel assemblies may be mounted on shopping carts and used to collect and monitor shopping cart status and location data via a wireless network. In one embodiment, the wheel assembly communicates via a wired or wireless connection with a handlebar mounted display unit of the cart.