A nestable shopping cart may include an upright frame, and a tray pivotally connected to the upright frame and comprising a utility position and a nested position. The nestable shopping cart may further include one or more casters configured to be removably attached to the upright frame, the one or more casters comprising a stem comprising a shape directionally aligned with a first opening of the upright frame.

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 embodiments herein relate to powered pusher devices configured to push wheeled objects from one location to another. Further embodiments relate to wheeled objects such as carts for transporting items from one location to another. Other embodiments relate to platform powered pushers that can be coupled to a family of various wheeled objects.

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 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 furniture cart includes a body portion and at least one support portion. The body portion is provided with a pair of first casters that are arranged at one end in a first direction and are spaced apart in a second direction. The support portion is provided with a first inclined portion and a second inclined portion which support furniture. The body portion and the support portion are at least partially located in a region between the pair of first casters in a plan view so as not to interfere with the pair of first casters of a furniture cart located on the upper side when the furniture carts are stacked.

A shopping cart for personal use includes a basket portion for collecting items, a platform supporting the basket portion, and a frame operatively attached to the platform configured to position the cart in an in-use position and in a collapsed position for transport and storage. The frame includes foldable bars constructed with upper and lower bars lockably hinged via a lockably hinged connector, to convert the shopping cart from in-us to the collapsed position. A handle bar is connected across the upper bars, wherein upward pulling on the handle unlocks the cart from the in-use position, allowing the upper and lower bars to hingedly collapse parallel to one another. An upper set of wheels positioned on the platform contacts a ground surface only when the shopping cart is in a collapsed horizontal position.

A mobile body that is human-powered includes three all-directional wheels with axles thereof displaced from each other by 120 degrees, a connection portion that connects two front wheels, a brake attached to a rear wheel, and a disconnection portion that disconnects the two front wheels from each other. The connection portion connects the two front wheels such that the two front wheels rotate in directions opposite to each other. The connection portion connects the front wheels with the rear wheel such that the two front wheels rotate in the same direction, while the front wheels rotate in a direction opposite to a rotational direction of the rear wheel.

A shopping cart includes a frame, a plurality of wheels for supporting the frame for movement over a floor, an arm connected to the frame, and a projection positioned proximate at least one of the wheels. The frame has a front end and a rear end. The arm is configured to engage the tow member for moving the frame. The projection engages the guide member to prevent one of the front end and the rear end from rotating over the other of the front end and the rear end. A handle assembly may include an elongated slot positioned proximate a handle. The shopping cart may also include a tray is releasably secured to the frame by inserting a tab into a slot. The shopping cart may also include a tab received within a slot to secure a basket against movement relative to the frame.

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.