Abstract

A braking system is provided having a rotatable split axle mounted laterally between the wheels of the hand cart. The axle is split in the middle of the axle to form two distinct segments. The adjacent ends of the axle have a longitudinal hole drilled in the axles and a pin is inserted between the holes to connect the two segments of the axle. A fixed hub for mounting the wheels is secured at the ends of the axle. The axle extends through bearing mounted on a bearing support brackets at the bottom of the hand cart. Each axle segment rotates with its respective wheel, and the axle segment and wheel on one side of the cart rotate independently of the other axle segment and wheel combination. A brake is mounted on the axle at the junction of the two axle segments. An actuator handle is mounted on the cart at a convenient point for actuating the brake. When the brake is manually operated, the braking force is applied to both segments of the axle to smoothly stop the hand cart. The brake is preferably a disc brake or a drum brake, although other braking devices may also be used in the present system.