Abstract: A cart management apparatus for retaining and vending carts such as luggage carts, shopping carts, and strollers, includes a retaining rail for receiving cart keys disposed on the carts, a rotatable paddlewheel including a plurality of paddles, at least one of which projects into the retaining rail to provide an obstruction therein, an electromagnetic brake coupled to the paddlewheel to selectively inhibit rotation of the paddlewheel and restrict removal of cart keys from the rail, and a one-way clutch, also coupled to the paddlewheel to allow free rotation of the paddlewheel in a return direction to allow cart keys to be inserted into the retaining rail when carts are returned to the apparatus. The preferred apparatus may be used with existing carts which are retrofit with cart keys that are suitable for being retained within the rail.

Abstract: A nestable cargo cart 10 suitable for carrying a plurality of cargo items is disclosed. The cart includes a lower frame 11 disposed about a longitudinal axis having longitudinally spaced forward and aft ends 11a and 11b respectively, wheels operatively connected to the lower frame 11, aft upright members 20a and 20b operatively connected to the lower frame 11 adjacent to the aft end 11b and rising generally vertically upward in the first vertical orientation, forward upright members 15a and 15b operatively connected to the lower frame adjacent to the forward end 11a and rising generally vertically upward in the second vertical orientation, and first and second cargo retainers 33a and 33b operatively connected to the aft upright members 20a and 20b and disposed generally inward.

Abstract: A multi-purpose luggage cart (10) is disclosed. The cart includes first and second primary support wheels (24a) and (24b) coaxially mounted to a lower frame (11) adjacent the trailing end (11a) and at oppositely disposed sides. A caster (25) is rotatable about a vertical axis (28) and is mounted to the lower frame (11) along its longitudinal axis (12) and adjacent the forward end (11b), wherein the primary support wheels (24a) and (24b) and the caster (25) movably support the lower frame and cart on a floor surface. An upper frame portion (40) includes a cross bar (43), a longitudinal bar portion (44) and a handle portion (45). A step support member (33) is cooperatively connected to the lower frame (11) proximate the forward end (11b) in order to stabilize the cart (10) and prevent movement of the cart (10) when it is positioned upon an escalator.

Abstract: A lock mechanism (12) discriminates between "valid" and "invalid" keys that are mounted to grocery carts (114). A valid key (98) includes a key portion (106) that passes through an ingress template opening (21) and into the lock mechanism (12). The lock mechanism (12) includes a first door (42) and a second door (62) through which the key (98) must pass. Opening the first door (42) causes a door latch (50) to engage the second door (62) so that the second door (62) cannot be opened while the first door (42) is open. Once the first door (42) closes the second door is "enabled" to open, the door latch (50) returning to its original position. A depth gauge (66) is acted upon by the lowermost portion (112) of the key (98) so that the depth gauge (66) disengages from the second door (62) to allow the second door ( 62) to open once it is engaged by the valid key (98). Opening the second door (62) cocks a vend bar (40) which is connected to a vend mechanism within a dispenser column (14).

Abstract: An anti-reversing tab (54) attached to a nestable cart (14) is the subject of this application. The tab (54) extends from the cart (14) proximate a second wheel (42) thereof to engage an entry end of a channel (24) which normally captures the first wheel (40) of the cart (14).

Abstract: An improved versatile cart (20) structure is the subject of this invention. The cart (20) has a lower frame structure (20) for supporting bulky objects, a pair of spaced upright supports (30) extending from the lower frame (22) and an upper frame structure (30.1a) extending rearwardly from the upright support (30) and over the lower frame (22) in spaced relationship, for carrying objects and also forming a guide handle (32) for the cart (20). In preferred form, the cart (20) is configured for nesting engagement with similarly styled carts and for use for automatic cart vending systems. A unique wheel structure supports the cart (20) in a manner that enables stable positioning of the cart (20) on escalators. In one configuration, the cart (20) forms a luggage carrier having a child seat convertible to an adult seat for use as a temporary wheelchair.

Abstract: An improved, simply operable, self-servicing vending system for wheeled vehicles, particularly of the hand-operated cart-type. A vending island is designed to guide and retainably hold a plurality of wheeled carts in consecutive alignment. The vending island includes a platform for holding the carts having vehicle handling receiving and dispensing terminals. Carts are irremovably accepted to the platform at the receiving terminal by a receiver apparatus that is positioned to engage and controllably guide in the receiving direction a support wheel of the cart being received. The receiver apparatus enables a coin refund unit to eject therefrom a predetermined monetary amount upon complete acceptance of the cart by the receiver apparatus to the platform. Carts are dispensed from the platform at the dispensing terminal by a dispenser apparatus.