Abstract: An anti-theft system for a shopping cart includes a mounting structure for supporting anti-theft apparatus on the cart, the mounting structure being secured to the base frame of the cart. The anti-theft apparatus is removably carried by the mounting structure, with the anti-theft apparatus including a collapsible front suspension assembly having a housing; a first set of casters mounted to the housing, retractable pin elements carried by the housing and engagable with the mounting structure for maintaining the front suspension assembly in operative mode in which the first set of casters engage a supporting surface, a sensor assembly for detecting an activation signal and actuating the retractable pin elements to cause retraction of the pin elements and render the front suspension assembly inoperative, and a second set of casters fixed to the shopping cart base frame for preventing the cart from moving in a linear direction when the front suspension assembly is rendered inoperative.

Abstract: A new shopping cart includes a wheeled base having forward and rear portions, a pedestal formed on the base for supporting a container or basket thereon, where the pedestal is secured to the base at a location between the forward and rearward ends of the base, and the container is supported on the pedestal so that the rear of the container is disposed forwardly of the rear of the base, and the cart as a whole exhibits a lowered center of gravity. The cart also includes an upwardly extensive handle member, and the pedestal includes a surface for supporting the rear of the basket forwardly of the rear of the base. The basket is hung from the handle member at a location disposed a substantial distance from the upper part of the handle member. A pair of connecting rods attaches the handle member to the rear of the pedestal to support the latter against excessive longitudinal forces.

Abstract: A multi-level personal utility cart includes a frame including a vertical rear panel and a handle including latching structure on side portions of the handle, each latching structure being structurally engaged with a portion of the rear panel, a lower basket assembly carried by and pivotably attached to the frame, an upper basket assembly carried by and pivotably attached to the frame, where the upper and lower basket assemblies are pivotable in a direction toward the upper portion of the handle so that the upper and lower basket assemblies can be collapsed against a portion of the frame into a compact and substantially planar structure. The latching structure on the handle operatively cooperates with the rear panel to automatically lock the cart in an opened position. An access door to the lower basket assembly is provided.

Abstract: A shopping cart having a lowered center of gravity and including a wheeled base having forward and rear portions, a pedestal formed on the base between the forward and rearward portions for supporting a container or basket thereon, so that the rear of the container is disposed forwardly of the rear of the base. The cart includes an upwardly extensive handle member, and the basket is hung from the handle member at a substantial distance from the upper part of the handle member. The pedestal is supported against excessive longitudinal forces by connecting rods attaching the rear of the pedestal to the handle member. Two horizontal hinge rods are mounted to the handle member, one above the other, with the lower hinge rod pivotably securing the rear pivoting gate of the basket. A child seat on the pivoting gate is disposed in the rear of the basket substantially below the upper end of the handle member.