Abstract: A system and method for returning empty luggage carts over long distances from a remote collecting station to a retrieval station in a passenger terminal, where they may be retrieved by arriving passengers for the transportation of their luggage to parking lots, cab and bus loading areas, etc. A plurality of carts are inserted in nested arrangement into a load-in station. The carts are engaged individually, separated from the nested arrangement, and transported individually, in spaced-apart relation along a series of transport conveyor sections, changing elevations as appropriate and extending around curves as required to reach a discharge and retrieval station near the terminal luggage discharge area.

Abstract: A cart conveyor system for the transport of load-carrying carts, as frequently used in airports, supermarkets, etc. up and down inclined pathways. The cart is provided with front and back wheels with different spacing, and the conveyor has separate tracks for the front and back wheels, arranged to support the wheels in a manner that maintains the cart in a generally horizontal orientation as it moves up or down the conveyor path. The cart is engaged adjacent one end by laterally opposed conveyor elements, which advance the cart along the incline. At the other end of the cart, a retaining element extends downward and is engaged by a retaining track to prevent tipping of the cart as it is moved along the conveyor path.