A locking unit 21 is adapted to be fixed to a manually-propelled wheeled cart (e.g. shopping trolley handle 7). The unit comprises locking means controllably and releasably lockable to a second locking unit, e.g. on another trolley, by both mechanical means 22 by insertion of a coin (15, fig. 2) or coin-like token, and electrical means 23 in response to a (e.g. wireless) signal from a remote control unit (31, fig. 5). The electrical means may act on the mechanical means to release the lock, e.g. via an electromagnet or solenoid. The locking unit may have a wireless receiver 26, 27, control unit 24, card reader with NFC device 25, a GPS 28, and a rechargeable battery 30 which may recharge via motion of the cart. It may also have an indicator 29, e.g. a light or display. An apparatus and method including a plurality of the locking units is provided, wherein the control unit may be connected to a payment handling system (36, fig. 5) for confirming a payment card validity to release the locking means. A usage charge may be taken. A punitive charge may also be taken if using the cart outside pre-set parameters.
Trolley regulation equipment
23.04.2025
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch