Abstract: A secure receptacle allows packages to be delivered to domestic premises when members of the household are absent. The apparatus has a pair of doors, which are normally locked, buy may be accessed in sequence to allow a package to be moved from an outer area to a secure inner area. The sequential opening of the doors ensures the inner area is not directly accessible, even to someone making an authorized delivery. The chamber for receiving the package may be collapsed when not in use to minimize the visual and special impact of the apparatus.

Abstract: A braking assembly for use with caster wheels of vehicles such as carts includes a main body and a braking member movable relative to the main body, the braking member including an arcuate first portion which extends around a portion of the periphery of the caster wheel and a second plate portion disposed between the first portion and the main body, the second plate portion rotating so as to move the arcuate first portion to between the caster wheel and the supporting surface on which it moves when the braking member is moved from an inoperative position to an operative position, the second plate portion including a raised surface abutted by a trigger finger to retain the braking member in an inoperative position, the trigger finger being movable with passage of the braking assembly over a magnetic area in the supporting surface to release the second plate portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a braking device for use with a vehicle which moves along a surface, the braking device being operated by an area of magnetic material, and is particularly, but not exclusively, for use with a wheeled trolley or cart to deter its removal from a designated area. The braking device comprises a first portion for mounting on the vehicle, a braking portion movable relative to the first portion from an inoperative position to an operative braking position in braking contact with the surface, and retaining portion for retaining the braking portion in its inoperative position. The retaining portion comprises a blocking portion and trigger portion, the trigger portion being movable between a primed position and a triggered position by passage in close proximity to the magnetic material, and in the primed position, holding the blocking portion in a blocking position preventing movement of the braking portion.

Abstract: A dispensing machine in the form of a vending machine for vending generally planar articles, which may be rigid or flexible, includes an article feed system having a first generally horizontal conveyor on which the articles are arranged generally vertically side-by-side and by which they are moved towards a second generally transversely extending conveyor which removes the endmost article from the first conveyor and supplies it to an outlet slot in the housing of the machine and from which it is removed by the user. The second conveyor may remove articles from the first conveyor generally vertically upwardly or generally horizontally. The article feed system is driven by operation of a handle by the user through an intermediate mechanical drive system connected between the handle and the article feed system and keys may be provided for preventing operation of the article feed system in the absence of the provision by the user of the required amount of money for an article.