Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cleaning a multidirectional wheel, wherein the wheel has a wheel body which is rotatable about an axis and has a plurality of rotating bodies which are located at the outer periphery of the wheel body and which form the running surface of the wheel, wherein the wheel body has at least one hollow space which has at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for a flushing fluid and wherein the method comprises the introduction of a flushing fluid through the inlet opening into the at least one hollow space of the wheel body and the washing around of the rotating body by the flushing fluid after the discharge of the flushing fluid from the outlet opening.

Abstract: A device to wash an underside of an automobile comprises a handle comprising a first end and a second end, wherein a fluid flow through the first end of the handle is regulated via a valve member, wherein the handle comprises a canister to store and dispense one or more detergents during the wash. A pipe section fixedly attached to and extending obliquely from the second end of the handle to couple with a horizontal member via an elbow section and the horizontal member comprising a spraying head positioned at a distal end of the horizontal member, wherein the spraying head comprises a plurality of nozzles to spray the fluid in the underside of the automobile during the wash. A method of washing an underside of an automobile using the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle pedal device rearward movement preventing device includes: a sub bracket coupled to a pedal bracket being rotatable about a second axis parallel to a first, and having one end extending beyond the pedal bracket toward a rear of the vehicle; and a support member mounted on a vehicle body-side member located closer to the driver's seat than the dash panel, supporting the one end of the sub bracket, and allowing the one end to be disengaged from the support member when the sub bracket is moved rearward with the rearward movement and displacement of the dash panel. When the one end is disengaged from the support member, the sub bracket is withdrawn and rotated about the second axis so that the one end is displaced toward a vehicle lower side, allowing the operation pedal pedal portion to be mechanically restrained from being moved rearward toward the driver's seat.

Abstract: A vehicle traveling control apparatus of the disclosure stops a friction force application and maintains a vehicle at a stopped state by an engagement lock when a first time elapses from a stop of the vehicle by a particular control. The apparatus stops the friction force application and maintains the vehicle at the stopped state by the engagement lock when a second time shorter than the first time elapses from the stop of the vehicle by a forced stop control which is executed when a driver is under an abnormal state.

Abstract: A vehicle behavior control device is for use in a vehicle including a brake pedal, a master cylinder generating a hydraulic pressure in response to an operation with the brake pedal, an electric hydraulic pressure generator connected to the master cylinder and electrically generating a hydraulic pressure based on the operation with the brake pedal, and a wheel cylinder in each wheel for braking. The device controls a brake hydraulic pressure to be applied to the wheel cylinder to control vehicle behavior. When brake control is executed such that a brake hydraulic pressure not based on the operation with the brake pedal is generated if the brake pedal is not being operated, a hydraulic pressure applied to a wheel cylinder in a diagonal wheel positioned diagonal from a brake wheel for controlling the behavior of the vehicle is adjusted to the hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder.

Abstract: A brake pedal emulator for a brake-by-wire system of a vehicle extends and connects between a support structure and a brake pedal operatively engaged to the support structure. The brake pedal emulator includes a hydraulic cylinder having a magneto-rheological hydraulic fluid and an electrical element configured to carry an electrical current for controlling a viscosity of the magneto-rheological hydraulic fluid and thereby controlling a first force exerted by the hydraulic cylinder when actuated by the brake pedal.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic control apparatus and a brake system capable of preventing or cutting down a cost increase. According to one aspect of the present invention, a hydraulic control apparatus includes a hydraulic source provided inside a housing and configured to generate a hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic generation unit mounted on a wheel via an oil passage, a switching electromagnetic valve provided integrally in the housing and configured to be used to permit an inflow of brake fluid into a stroke simulator provided separately from the housing and configured to generate a reaction force of a brake pedal operation performed by a driver, and a control unit provided integrally in the housing and configured to be used to drive the hydraulic source and the switching electromagnetic valve.

Abstract: A vacuum brake booster for a motor vehicle brake system, comprising a housing having axially opposing end wall regions which are connected together via a peripheral region, wherein the end wall regions each comprise at least one receiving opening for receiving components introducing braking force or releasing braking force, wherein at least one reinforcing rib is formed in at least one end wall region. According to the invention, the reinforcing rib extends outside of an inner circle arranged concentric to the receiving opening and spans an inner circle segment which encloses an angle of at least approximately 60° and at most approximately 180°.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a regenerative air brake system disposed inside the vehicle body. The regenerative air brake system includes a conduit, a turbine positioned in the conduit, and an electrical generator operatively connected to the turbine and positioned remotely from the conduit. The regenerative air brake system may be activated during vehicle braking events to assist in decelerating the moving vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a brake system. The brake system includes a hydraulic brake line having a line pressure. The vehicle additionally includes a vacuum reservoir. The vacuum reservoir is selectively fluidly coupled to the hydraulic brake line. The vacuum reservoir is configured to, when fluidly coupled to the hydraulic brake line, reduce the line pressure during a drive cycle.

Abstract: A brake pedal apparatus for actuating a vehicle brake assembly includes a stationary structure, a brake pedal emulator assembly, and an emulator override device. The brake pedal emulator assembly includes a brake pedal operatively engaged to the stationary structure, and a brake pedal emulator operatively engaged between the stationary structure and the brake pedal along a centerline. The brake pedal emulator is configured to electrically operate the brake assembly. The emulator override device includes a mechanical linkage operatively engaged to the brake assembly, and a latch configured to selectively connect and disconnect the mechanical linkage from the brake pedal emulator assembly. The mechanical linkage is configured to mechanically operate the brake assembly via at least in-part movement of the brake pedal along the centerline.

Abstract: In the case of a method for performing a function check on an electromechanical brake device having at least one electric brake motor, the motor current is measured at the brake motor and compared with a calculated motor current, wherein an error signal is generated in the event of an inadmissibly high deviation.

Abstract: In a method for avoiding an overheating of a brake of a vehicle, in particular of a commercial vehicle and/or a trailer, a first temperature signal and at least a second temperature signal are read in, with the first temperature signal representing a temperature of the brake and/or of a functional part of the brake, and the at least second temperature signal representing at least one additional temperature of at least one additional brake of the vehicle. An error state of the brake is detected using the first temperature signal and the second temperature signal in order to avoid an overheating of the brake. A control device for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the operational safety of at least one thermally stressed functional part of at least one vehicle brake, in particular of a commercial vehicle and/or a trailer, and/or for reducing brake wear and/or drive power, wherein the method has the following steps: inputting a temperature signal of the at least one brake, which temperature signal represents at least one temperature of the brake and/or of a functional part of the brake detected by at least one sensor, and inputting a brake request signal and/or brake pressure signal for the at least one brake; determining a thermal error condition by using the temperature signal and the brake requirement signal and/or brake pressure signal; and providing an adapted brake requirement signal and/or adapted brake pressure signal using the determined thermal error condition in order to increase the operational safety of the at least one functional part of the at least one vehicle brake exposed to thermal stress, and/or to reduce the brake

Abstract: Transportable system for the diagnosis, evaluation and prediction of leakages in hydraulic circuits of low pressure between 0 to 7 bar and of high pressure from 0 to 170 bar, quickly and safely for the operator is provided having a first independent circuit of high pressure and low flow and a second independent circuit of low pressure and high flow wherein the first independent circuit comprises: a first pressure subsystem, which delivers pressure to a first 4/3 valve with ports A, B, P and T, which is actuated by first solenoids, to deliver pressure to a first coupling A or to a first coupling B, in fluid communication with the ports A and B of the first 4/3 valve respectively a computer arranged to control the pressure of each pressure subsystem and associated method.

Abstract: A primary clutch assembly for a continuously variable transmission is provided. The primary clutch assembly includes a fixed sheave and a movable sheave centered on a post for joint rotation therewith. A rotational unit disposed on the post generates centrifugal forces during rotation of the post that are translated axially to urge the movable sheave along the post towards the fixed sheave. The primary clutch utilizes an actuator assembly that is configured to establish a locked condition that prevents axial movement of the movable sheave as the rotational unit builds-up centrifugal force and an unlocked condition to allow sudden axial movement of the movable sheave towards the fixed sheave. The actuator assembly includes a bearing unit that extends through a hole in the post to contact the movable sheave in the locked condition and is housed within the hole and spaced from the movable sheave in the unlocked condition.

Abstract: A system for establishing a torque limit for a vehicle is provided. The system uses impending terrain and speed conditions to determine an optimum torque, which improves engine efficiency and reduces fuel consumption.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a vehicle speed control unit for controlling the speed of a vehicle, and provisional and final anomaly determination units for determining whether or not a driver of the vehicle is in a provisional anomalous state or in a final anomalous state in which the driver has lost his/her ability to drive the vehicle. After the driver is determined to be in the provisional anomalous state, the vehicle speed control unit decelerates the vehicle at a first deceleration before the driver is determined to be in the final anomalous state. When the vehicle speed becomes lower than a second vehicle speed, the vehicle speed control unit maintains the vehicle speed at the second vehicle speed. After the driver is determined to be in the final anomalous state, the vehicle control apparatus decelerates the vehicle at a second deceleration and stops the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle traveling control apparatus stops a vehicle when the driver is under the abnormal state that the driver loses an ability of driving the vehicle, and then performs a stopped state maintaining control to maintain the vehicle at the stopped state. The control apparatus forbids a termination of the stopped state maintaining control if the acceleration pedal operation amount is equal to or greater than a threshold value greater than zero when the termination of the stopped state maintaining control is requested.

Abstract: A driver is prevented from carrying out hands-free driving while lane keeping assist control is being carried out, thereby appropriately determining an abnormal state of the driver. When a steering wheel no-operation state continues for a first period or more, a driving support ECU sets a control mode of LKA to a “weaker mode”, thereby decreasing a control amount of the LKA. As a result, an own vehicle swerves within a travel lane, and the driver neglecting the steering wheel operation can be prompted to operate the steering wheel. Further, when the no-driving operation state continues for a second period or more, the driving support ECU establishes determination that the driver is in an abnormal state, returns the LKA to a “normal mode”, and decelerates and stops the own vehicle.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of managing vehicle electrical power that includes determining that there is at least one low emission zone along a route, determining a required power capacity a vehicle electric power source needs to propel the vehicle through the at least one low emission zone, determining a remaining power capacity of the vehicle electric power source and controlling use of electrical power on the vehicle to preserve at least a portion of the remaining power capacity corresponding to the required power capacity for use in propelling the vehicle through the at least one low emission zone.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes: a motor-generator to regenerate an electric power; a secondary battery to be charged with the electric power regenerated by the motor-generator; an electrical load to be activated with an electric power supplied from at least one of the motor-generator and the secondary battery; a power supply device to supply the electrical load with the electric power generated by the motor-generator based on a deceleration power generated by a braking operation of the vehicle; and an electronic control unit to calculate excess power which is electric power exceeding chargeable power with which the secondary battery is chargeable of a required deceleration power required by the braking operation, and to control the power supply device in accordance with a command value for causing the electric power supplied from the power supply device to the electrical load to be less than the excess power.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle having an engine, an electric machine, and a step-ratio transmission includes a controller programmed to, in response to an accelerator lift-pedal event when operating in a towing mode, learn a vehicle speed, and apply a lift-pedal torque when vehicle speed exceeds the learned vehicle speed, and apply an adjusted lift-pedal torque based on a gear ratio after downshifting the transmission to maintain a constant output shaft torque otherwise.

Abstract: A control device that includes an electronic control unit that is configured to, in a case where a request to start the internal combustion engine is made while a downshift for changing a speed ratio of the speed change device so that the speed ratio after shifting is higher than the speed ratio before shifting is being performed in the electric drive state, perform the first start control after the downshift is completed.

Abstract: A method for automatically detecting and safely traversing an accumulation of ice on an impending bridge. The method automatically identifies, by the vehicle, impending approach of the vehicle to a bridge and senses an accumulation of ice on the bridge. The method then calculates a speed of the vehicle needed to prevent longitudinal slip between the vehicle and the bridge, and automatically slows the vehicle at a rate sufficient to enable the vehicle to reach the calculated speed by the time it reaches the bridge. A corresponding system is also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining vehicle spin-out conditions including conditions indicative of a vehicle spin-out ahead of the vehicle actually spinning-out. The methods and systems receive motion parameters of a vehicle based on sensed signals from at least one vehicle sensor of an electronic power steering system and an inertial measurement unit. The method and systems estimate pneumatic trail based on a rate of change of self-aligning torque with respect to axle lateral force. The methods and systems determine vehicle spin-out conditions based on the estimated pneumatic trail. The methods and systems control at least one feature of a vehicle in response to the determined vehicle spin-out conditions.

Abstract: Autonomous driving assistance systems, methods, and programs acquire a present location of a vehicle, acquire a road shape of a road where the vehicle travels, and set, on the basis of the present location of the vehicle and the road shape of the road where the vehicle travels, control content of first autonomous driving control that causes the vehicle to travel without deviating from a lane and second autonomous driving control that controls a speed of the vehicle in accordance with the road shape. The systems, methods, and programs perform the first autonomous driving control or the second autonomous driving control in compliance with the set control content, detect a steering operation by a driver of the vehicle, and continue or stop the first autonomous driving control or the second autonomous driving control on the basis of the detected steering operation, the present location, and the road shape.

Abstract: A driver assistance system is provided in a motor vehicle, which driver assistance system executes at least active transverse guidance interventions. The driver assistance system can be activated while decoupled from the activation of a longitudinal control system but can also be active both, with and without longitudinal control, and includes both a traffic jam assistance sub-function and a track guiding assistant sub-function. The two sub-functions can be jointly activated and deactivated by a single on-/off-button. The driver assistance system is characterized by a special combination of the sub-functions track guiding assistance and traffic jam assistance. They each take turns depending on the presence of conditions, which are defined differently for each sub-function.

Abstract: A driver assistance system in a motor vehicle takes into consideration a target speed, in particular in order to regulate the speed at a specified target speed, and includes a detection system for detecting upcoming events which require an adaptation of the target speed; a functional unit which triggers a request notification output to approve an automatic adaptation of the target speed to a new target speed at a defined point in time when an upcoming event is detected that requires an adaptation of the target speed; a notification system for outputting the request notification to the driver after the defined point in time; and an operating element which is designed to allow a clearance to approve the automatic adaptation to the new target speed when the request notification has been output and the operating element has been actuated. In response to the clearance, the functional unit automatically triggers the adaptation of the target speed to the new target speed.

Abstract: A vehicle traveling control apparatus of the invention executes a following-travel inter-vehicle-distance control for controlling acceleration and deceleration of an own vehicle such that an inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and a preceding vehicle is maintained at a target distance. The apparatus sets the target distance to a base distance and executes the following-travel inter-vehicle-distance control when the driver is determined not to be under the abnormal state. The apparatus sets the target distance to an increased distance larger than the base distance and executes the following-travel inter-vehicle-distance control when the driver is determined to be under the abnormal state.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling a host vehicle relative to a first vehicle positioned immediately ahead of the host vehicle, including, detecting a second vehicle driving behind the host vehicle and in the same lane as the host vehicle. The method including detecting a braking operation initiated by the vehicle system of the host vehicle. The braking operation causes the host vehicle to decelerate based on an acceleration control rate in order to maintain a preceding headway reference distance with the first vehicle. The method includes, determining a relative rear headway distance between the host vehicle and the second vehicle with respect to a rear headway reference distance and modifying the acceleration control rate based on the relative rear headway distance and the rear headway reference distance. Further, the method includes controlling the vehicle system according to the modified acceleration control rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting impairment of a vehicle operator are provided. The method includes detecting a first impairment level at a first time; detecting a second impairment level at a second time after the first time; based on the detected first impairment level and the detected second impairment level, determining a third impairment level at a third time after the second time; and inhibiting vehicle operation in response to determining that the third impairment level is greater than an impairment threshold. The apparatus and method may be used in a vehicle or other apparatus to prevent vehicle operator from operating the vehicle while impaired or prior to becoming impaired.

Abstract: A vehicle control device includes control means for executing coasting control to disengage a friction engaging element and set a rotation speed of a rotary shaft of a drive source at zero when a predetermined condition is established, the predetermined condition including at least a condition according to which an accelerator pedal is not depressed. The control means starts the coasting control after predicting that an actual speed ratio of a continuously variable transmission will be modifiable to a target speed ratio of the coasting control during the coasting control, even in a case where the accelerator pedal is not depressed but the actual speed ratio has not yet reached the target speed ratio.

Abstract: A vehicle travel control apparatus includes an anomaly monitoring section for determining, through monitoring, whether or not a driver is in an anomalous state in which the driver has lost his or her ability to drive the vehicle, and a deceleration section for automatically stopping the vehicle by decelerating the vehicle after a final anomaly determined time which is a point in time when the anomaly monitoring section finally determines that the driver is in the anomalous state. The deceleration section prohibits deceleration of the vehicle in the case where the deceleration section determines that the vehicle is present in the deceleration prohibited section after the final anomaly determination time.

Abstract: A vehicle control device includes control means for executing coasting control, in which a friction engaging element is disengaged and a rotation speed of a rotary shaft of a drive source is set at zero, when a shift range corresponds to a travel range and a coasting condition is established, and the control means executes the coasting control when the shift range is modified to a neutral range.

Abstract: A method for adapting a vehicle velocity of a vehicle, the method including determining a required steering torque for guiding the vehicle along a curved driving trajectory, and ascertaining a permissible velocity of the vehicle for guiding the vehicle along the curved driving trajectory using the required steering torque and an available steering torque.

Abstract: A lane change from a lane which is currently being travelled in by the motor vehicle to an adjacent lane is carried out autonomously if a recommendation to change the lane is output by a control device. The recommendation to change from a relatively fast lane to a slower lane is out-put by the control device if (1) a lane change is possible without putting at risk the motor vehicle and/or another vehicle travelling on the slower lane, (2) the motor vehicle is not being prevented from travelling at a predefined speed by another vehicle travelling ahead in the lane which is currently being travelled in, and (3 ) no other vehicle which is travelling at a higher speed than the speed of the motor vehicle is detected in the slower lane at a specific distance behind the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method and a device for estimating coefficients of friction of a wheel of a vehicle with respect to an underlying surface including decomposing a supplied trajectory into individual curve segments, estimating a lateral force and a slip angle for a front axle of the vehicle, assigning respectively estimated lateral forces and slip angles relating to the associated individual curve segments and storing these value pairs in a memory, estimating a tire characteristic curve for each of the curve segments based on the value pairs stored for the respective curve segment in the memory, estimating a coefficient of friction for each curve segment based on the respectively estimated tire characteristic curve, and storing the estimated coefficients of friction relating to the respectively associated curve segments in a coefficient of friction map.

Abstract: A vehicle traveling control apparatus of the invention stops a vehicle by causing a braking force applying device to apply a braking force to the vehicle after determining that a driver is under an abnormal state. When a stop of a control for maintaining a vehicle at a stopped state is requested while a shift lever is set at a range other than parking and neutral ranges, the apparatus limits a driving force requested for a driving force supplying device to supply to drive wheels, to a value smaller than a driver's requesting driving force.

Abstract: A stimulus imparting device is provided with at least one of a first vibration device and a second vibration device, the first vibration device being provided to a vehicle seat (chair) where a driver (user) sits on and imparting a stimulus to a tendon part of the latissimus dorsi muscle of the driver, the second vibration device being provided to the vehicle seat and imparting a stimulus to a tendon part of the gluteus medius of the driver and a control device provided with a drive control unit for imparting a stimulus to the driver by performing drive control for at least one of the first vibration device and the second vibration device.

Abstract: A system for adjusting wheel adhesion levels on multiple locomotive axles in a rail vehicle consist is provided. The system includes a first controller associated with a lead locomotive and a second controller associated with at least one trailing locomotive. A wheel adhesion level sensor is configured to detect a low wheel adhesion level at an axle and transmit that information to the first or second controller. The first controller adjusts the load being delivered to the axles by the motor in response to the low wheel adhesion level.

Abstract: A railcar includes: an underframe including a pair of side sills and a plurality of cross beams each connected to the pair of side sills, the cross beams being arranged at intervals in a car longitudinal direction; and a floor pan arranged in a space surrounded by the pair of side sills and a pair of adjacent cross beams among the plurality of cross beams, the floor pan being fixed to the underframe, the floor pan being configured as a strength member configured to bear at least one of a compressive load and shearing load applied from the underframe.

Abstract: A deployable gage restraint measurement system includes a measurement axle assembly, a cross member, first and second support frames, first and second load cylinders, first and second swing arms, and an anti-rotation arm. The first and the second support frames are each pivotally coupled to the cross member. The first load cylinder is pivotally coupled to the first support frame and the second load cylinder is pivotally coupled to the second support frame. The first swing arm is pivotally coupled to (i) the first load cylinder about a first axis of the first swing arm, (ii) the first support frame about a second axis of the first swing arm, and (iii) the measurement axle assembly about a third axis of the first swing arm. The anti-rotational arm is pivotally coupled to (i) the first support frame and (ii) the measurement axle assembly.

Abstract: A rail vehicle wheel flat warning system comprising a first sensor, a second sensor and a controller. The first sensor may be located adjacent to a first side of a rail to provide data associated with a rail vehicle wheel passing over the first side of the rail. The second sensor may be located adjacent to the first side of the rail to provide data associated with the rail vehicle wheel passing over the first side of the rail. Furthermore, the controller may be in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor to receive data from the first sensor and the second sensor. The controller may determine a potential wheel deformity based on the data received from the first sensor and the second sensor.

Abstract: A method includes generating a trip plan that dictates operational settings to be implemented by a vehicle system moving along a route. The trip plan is based on a temporary work order issued for a restricted segment of the route. The work order provides a maximum speed through the restricted segment for a limited time period that is expressed using a time standard. One or more of the operational settings of the trip plan specify movement of the vehicle system through the restricted segment at a vehicle speed that is less than or equal to the maximum speed. In response to determining that the temporary work order has expired, the method includes at least one of prompting an operator of the vehicle system to confirm that the work order has expired or generating a new trip plan in which the vehicle system exceeds the maximum speed through the restricted segment.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a track-guided vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, includes readjusting a distance measuring device on the vehicle for obtaining position-determining distance measurement values based on position marker information available at position markers on the track, wherein the position marker information is captured by a position marker information recorder connected to the distance measuring device. In order to be able to carry out an exact determination of the position of a track-guided vehicle in a comparatively simple way, the position marker information of the same position marker is detected again by a further position marker information recorder being offset relative to the first position marker information recorder in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a generation of further position-determining distance measurement values is initiated. A positioning device for determining the position of a track-guided vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a train movement to a stop at a stopping position between a first position and a second position. Determining constraints of a velocity of the train with respect to a train position forming a feasible region (FR) for a state of the train during the movement, such that a lower curve bounding the FR has a zero velocity only at the first position, and an upper curve bounding the FR has a zero velocity only at the second position. Determining a control invariant subset (CIS) of the FR, wherein for each state within the CIS there is at least one control action having a value selected from a finite set of values that maintains the state of the train within the CIS. Controlling train movement subject to constraints by selecting a control action maintaining the state of the train within the CIS of the FR.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a flatbed trolley with casters capable of not folding when a handle rotates, which comprises a bearing frame (1), a handle (2), rotary frames (3), wheel carriers (4), and casters (5). The handle (2) is fixed at an upper portion of the bearing frame (1) via a connecting structure. The connecting structure comprises a left joint (14), a right joint (15), a left gear seat (12), a right gear seat (13), and a handle locking mechanism. The handle locking mechanism comprises a cross bar (7), locking blocks (8), connecting bars (9), switches (10), and a spring (11). The cross bar (7) is a hollow tube with an end being supported on the left gear seat (12) and the other end being supported on the right gear seat (13). An end of the cross bar (7) is provided with the locking block (8), wherein the locking block (8) is slidable along an extension direction of the cross bar (7).

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying and/or storing shelves which is capable of folding into a compact condition to minimize the footprint of the device when not in use for carrying or storing shelves. The apparatus includes a releasable transverse cross member extending between the side frames to form a base for supporting shelves.

Abstract: A navigation system uses a dead reckoning method to estimate an object's present position relative to one or more prior positions. In some embodiments, the dead reckoning method determines a change in position from the object's heading and speed during an elapsed time interval. In embodiments suitable for use with wheeled objects, the dead reckoning method determines the change in position by measuring the heading and the amount of wheel rotation. Some or all of the components of the navigation system may be disposed within a wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.