Brake assembly and control mechanism for a cart, and method

{
  "publication_number": "US2009127808A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Brake assembly and control mechanism for a cart, and method",
  "abstract": "A cart having a frame for conveying cargo. The cart includes at least one brake assembly mounted within the frame of the cart. The brake assembly is configured to provide braking by engaging and disengaging a rear wheel axle. The cart further includes a control mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage the brake assembly by rotation of a cart handle. In addition, the cart includes a brake release device configured to disengage the brake assembly when carts are nested.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A cart for carrying cargo, the cart comprising: a frame having support members that define a cargo carrying region; a moveable handle connected to the frame; a brake assembly mounted to the frame, the brake assembly including a brake mechanism and an axle; a wheel mounted to the axle of the brake assembly; wherein the brake mechanism of the brake assembly is configured to engage the axle to provide braking operation of the cart, and disengage the axle to permit free rotation of the axle. 2. The cart of claim 1, wherein the brake mechanism of the brake assembly includes a wrap-spring configured to engage and disengage the axle. 3. The cart of claim 1, further including a brake control arrangement configured to disengage the brake assembly when the handle of the cart is rotated. 4. The cart of claim 3, wherein the brake control arrangement disengages the brake assembly when the handle of the cart is rotated in a first direction. 5. The cart of claim 4, wherein the brake control arrangement disengages the brake assembly when the handle of the cart is rotated in either the first direction or a second opposite direction. 6. The cart of claim 1, wherein the wheel and brake assembly are arranged such that the wheel fits within a guiding wheel slot of a rental-return station. 7. The cart of claim 1, further including a brake release device attached to the frame, the brake release device being configured to pivot from a first position to a second position, wherein the brake mechanism disengages the axle to permit rotation of the wheel when the brake release device is in the second position. 8. The cart of claim 7, wherein the cart is a first cart, and wherein the brake release device of the first cart pivots to the second position when a second cart is nested within the frame of the first cart. 9. The cart of claim 8, wherein the brake assembly remains disengaged when the brake release device returns to the first position from the second position, and remains disengaged until the handle of the cart is rotated and released. 10. The cart of claim 8, wherein the brake mechanism re-engages the axle when the brake release device returns to the first position from the second position. 11. The cart of claim 1, further including a brake release device configured to pivot from a first position to a second position to disengage the brake assembly independent of the brake control arrangement. 12. The cart of claim 11, wherein the brake mechanism is engaged when the handle is in a non-rotated position and the brake release device is in the first position. 13. The cart of claim 12, wherein the brake mechanism is disengaged when the handle is rotated or when the brake release device is in the second position. 14. The cart of claim 1, further including a brake rod, the brake rod having a first end operably interconnected to the handle and a second end located adjacent to the brake assembly, the brake rod being positioned within one of the support member of the frame. 15. A brake and control assembly for a cart having a frame, a handle, and a wheel, the brake and control assembly comprising: a brake assembly configured to mount to the frame of a cart, the brake assembly including a brake mechanism and an axle configured to connect to the wheel of a cart, the brake mechanism being arranged to selectively engage and disengage the axle during braking and non-braking operation of a cart; and a brake control arrangement configured to couple to the handle of a cart, the brake control arrangement including an actuation member positioned adjacent to the brake assembly to control the braking and non-braking operation of a cart. 16. The brake and control assembly of claim 15, wherein the brake mechanism contacts only the axle during braking operation of a cart. 17. The brake and control assembly of claim 15, wherein the brake assembly further includes wheel bearings that permits free rotation of the axle when the brake mechanism is disengaged from the axle. 18. The brake and control assembly of claim 15, further including a brake release device configured to disengage the brake assembly independent of the brake control arrangement. 19. A method of operating a cart, the method comprising the steps of: providing a cart having a frame, a handle connected to the frame, a brake assembly having a brake mechanism and an axle, and a wheel mounted to the axle; rotating the handle of the cart to disengage the brake assembly to permit free rotation of the axle; releasing the handle to engage the brake assembly such the brake mechanism contacts the axle to provide braking operation of the cart. 20. The method of claim 19, further including pivoting a brake release device to disengage the brake assembly and permit free rotation of the axle independent of rotation of the handle of the cart."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "B62B 3/1404",
    "B62B 2202/24",
    "B62B 3/1476",
    "B62B 5/0006",
    "B62B 5/04",
    "B62B 5/0442"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "SMARTE CARTE INC"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2008-11-10",
  "publication_date": "2009-05-21",
  "priority_date": "2002-11-08",
  "application_number": "US-26815508-A",
  "family_id": "32312929",
  "citations": [
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  ]
}