An apparatus for automatically braking a user-propelled cart such as a grocery cart, luggage cart or the like is provided. The preferred apparatus includes a braking mechanism (40) shiftable between braked and released positions, which brakes at least one support wheel (22) of the cart (12). A shiftable handle (44) is interconnected to the braking mechanism (40) and causes corresponding shifting of the braking mechanism. The braking mechanism (40) and handle (44) are spring biased toward the braked position for automatic braking of the cart when not in use. The braking mechanism includes a brake shoe (78) designed to engage the wheel (22) more tightly in accordance with the amount of forward force applied to the cart (12). In operation, a user pushes generally forwardly on the handle (44) which shifts the interconnected braking mechanism to a released position. When the user releases the handle (44) the spring automatically biases the brake shoe (78) to the braked position. When forward force is applied to the braked cart (12), as by a heavy load or a steep incline, the brake shoe (78) engages the wheel (22) more tightly.
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