Such a coupling device is described, for example, in Netherlands Patent 1 002 573 in the name of J. Kortleve. The coupling device shown in this patent is constructed for coupling two trolleys positioned alongside one another in the direction of travel. The present invention relates to a construction for connecting two trolleys positioned one behind the other in the direction of travel.

The fixing bar in Netherlands Patent 1 002 573 is provided with projections which in the use position extend downwards and are slid into seatings in the trolley concerned. Such seatings are present in, for example, auction trolleys. With this construction it is extremely important to position the projections of the fixing bar absolutely vertically when fitting and to allow them to drop uniformly into the seatings. In practice it is found that if the position is somewhat skew the projections jam in the seatings and will not drop further downwards. The same problem arises when removing the fixing bar. This jamming by tilting is, moreover, promoted because the fixing bar is some distance away from the projections, as a result of which a small tilting moment is always exerted on the projections when exerting vertical force on the fixing bar. In practice this means that both fitting the fixing bar in, and removing the fixing bar from, the seatings in the auction trolley is a precision operation to which considerable attention has to be paid in order to produce good coupling between the trolleys.

The aim of the present invention is to avoid this disadvantage and to provide a coupling device to be used for two trolleys positioned one behind the other.

This aim is achieved with a device as described above in that the bar is provided with seating means close to each of the ends, the mouths of said seatings delimited by said seating means facing away from one another with respect to said bar. In contrast to the construction described above, the seatings according to the present invention engage behind the vertical uprights mounted on a (n) (auction) trolley. By, for example, simply placing the fixing bar

concerned at somewhat of an angle this can be inserted in the gap between the vertical uprights and by then allowing the fixing bar to drop (under gravity), as a result of which said fixing bar comes to bear on the horizontal platform of the auction trolley, locking is produced in that the limits of the seatings engage behind the uprights concerned.

The hinge construction between the two coupling components can comprise any construction known in the state of the art. In the most simple embodiment a pin/hole construction is possible. In the case of a somewhat more complex construction this hole can be open to the surroundings on one side in order to make easy uncoupling possible (Aalsmeer coupling).

Of course, one or both coupling components can be provided with the seatings described above. Moreover, it is possible to construct the limit of one of the seatings such that it can be flipped away so that the fixing bar is able to move horizontally between the uprights of the trolley, after which the limit concerned is flipped back and it engages behind the relevant upright. This can be of importance especially when transporting a number of auction trolleys on top of one another, where the spacing between the bottom trolley and the subsequent trolley is relatively limited.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising two trolleys positioned behind one another in the direction of movement, as well as a coupling device as described above arranged between said trolleys.

It will be understood that the seatings are adapted to the shape of the uprights concerned and that the distance between the seatings is, of course, adapted to the distance between said uprights.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to illustrative embodiments shown in the drawing. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention where a coupling component is connected to an auction trolley; Fig. 2 shows a side view of the construction according to Fig. 1 connected to two trolleys; Fig. 3 shows the operation for coupling a fixing bar to a trolley; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the coupling device according to the invention; Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the coupling device according to the invention;

Fig. 6 shows fitting of the coupling device according to Fig. 5; Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of a coupling device according to the invention; Fig. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of a coupling device according to the invention; Fig. 9 shows a sixth embodiment of a coupling device according to the invention; and Fig. 10 shows a further embodiment of a coupling device according to the invention; In Fig. 1 the coupling device according to the invention is indicated in its entirety by 1.

Said device consists of a coupling component 2 and a coupling component 3. Coupling component 2 is connected to (auction) trolley 17. Said trolley 17 is provided with vertical uprights 19 for carrying the various trays on which, for example, flowers and the like can be transported. Coupling component 2, and more particularly fixing bar 11, is provided close to the ends thereof with plate-shaped parts 13 which have a U-shaped seating 12. The mouths of the"U"of the two plate-shaped parts 13 face away from one another. That is to say the bases of the Us face one another.

Coupling component 2 is provided with two tongues some distance apart provided with in-line holes 5 through which a pin 4 (Fig. 2) can be fitted in order to lock a connecting rod 7, which is constructed as a triangle and, in turn, is hingeably accommodated, via transverse rod 8, in lugs 9 fixed to fixing bar 10. Fixing bar 10 is likewise provided with plate-shaped parts 13 which delimit a U-shaped seating 12. The direction of travel of the trolleys is indicated in Fig. 1 by arrow 6. This direction of movement is chosen in the main at low speeds at which accurate control of the trolleys is important. For higher speeds, at which there is a risk of slewing, the direction of travel will be precisely the opposite.

A side view of the various features is shown in Fig. 2, in which, furthermore, part of trolley 18 is shown, which trolley is also provided with uprights 19 for attaching fixing bar 10.

Fig. 3 shows how fixing bar 11 is tilted between the uprights 19. To facilitate tilting the "body"of the U-shaped seating is of chamfered construction. This is indicated by 16 in Fig. 1.

Fig 4 shows a variant of the construction according to the invention in which the connection is of somewhat different construction. This connection is now constructed as a simple pin/hole connection, the pin being indicated by 14 and mounted on fixing bar 11. In other respects the construction, apart from drawbar 15, is unchanged.

Fig. 5 shows a variant with which tilting through an appreciable angle as shown in Fig. 3 is no longer necessary. In Fig. 5 the entire coupling device is indicated by 21. Fixing bar 10 is now provided with a seating 22 constructed in a somewhat different manner. As is

clear, a flanged strip section 23 has been fixed to bar 10.

On the other side, the fixing bar 10 is provided with a seating 22, one limit of which is formed by a lock 25 which can be flipped away with the aid of a lever 26. Lever 26 and lock 25 are joined via a pin accommodated in a bush 24. Fitting of this coupling 21 is shown highly diagrammatically in Fig. 6. It is clear that fixing bar 10 only has to be kept horizontal, so that the distance between an article on top, such as a further (auction) trolley, can be very small. After turning in the horizontal plane in accordance with arrow 20, lock 25 can be flipped back and engaged behind upright 19.

Fig. 7 shows a further variant in which the coupling device is indicated in its entirety by 31. Only part of the coupling device is shown, specifically the part that belongs to fixing bar 11. This is now provided with a locking lip 33. Such a locking lip 33 can be used because, as in the case of the embodiment according to Figs. 5 and 6, a seating 32 can be opened by the presence of a lock 36 which can be operated via lever 37 with wire 34. A carrying handle 35 is also present.

Grasping the carrying handle 35 also operates the wire 34 and unlocking takes place, after which the fixing bar 11 can be brought into its position by rotation in the horizontal plane. During this operation locking lip 33 engages below the horizontal cross-member 33 of the trolley. By then simply releasing the hold on the handle, the tension in wire 34 is released and lock 36 drops, as a result of the weight of part 37, into the locked position behind upright 19.

Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of the coupling device according to the invention.

This device is indicated in its entirety by 41. The plate-shaped parts which delimit the seating are indicated here by 43, whilst 45 comprises a fixing for some form of coupling.

A stop plate is indicated by 44. The vertical upright of the trolley concerned is located in the gap between plate-shaped part 43 and stop plate 44. By fitting such a plate it is possible to prevent the coupling device according to the invention from tilting out and detaching on braking. This tilt direction is indicated by arrow 46.

Fig. 9 shows a further variant of the invention. This is indicated in its entirety by 51.

This variant is provided with a carrying bracket 60 which makes fitting and detaching easy.

The vertical uprights of the trolley are gripped by the plate-shaped parts 53. An additional reaction lip 55 which engages on the vertical upright of a trolley is fitted. With this embodiment, as in the case of the embodiment according to Fig. 7, locking takes place at the bottom of the horizontal cross-member of the trolley. However, in contrast to Fig. 7, fitting by

turning in a vertical plane is possible. This is achieved by the presence of a lock 52 which can be operated with the aid of rod 58 and handle 59.

In order to attach the construction shown in Fig. 9 to an auction trolley, the lip 53 on the right in the drawing is first fitted behind the relevant upright and part 53 and then part 55 are then fitted behind the opposite upright by tilting bar 60 downwards. On passing over the horizontal cross-member of the trolley, lock 52 moves upwards, as a result of which further movement is possible, and once it is under the horizontal cross-member lock 52 snaps back.

Upward movement is possible only by first moving lock 52 upwards with the aid of handle 59. The various features are controlled by gravity, so that no complex devices with springs and the like are needed. The coupling to another trolley is indicated by 50. It can be seen that this is an appreciable distance away from the middle, which is caused because the construction shown in Fig. 9 is intended in particular for the simultaneous movement of two trolleys. Drop lock 54 is fitted for this purpose. Said drop lock is accommodated in bush 56 with the aid of pin 57 such that it can hinge freely. By this means it is possible to engage a further auction trolley. In particular this is effected in that the further auction trolley has an upright which extends only over a very small distance. The two vertical uprights are indicated by 65 and 66. For fitting, drop lock 54 is first placed in upright 66, after which the fixing, described above, to the"left-hand"trolley takes place. Other coupling systems for use with two trolleys are conceivable.

Finally, Fig. 10 shows an embodiment which is indicated in its entirety by 61. Various components shown in Fig. 9 are also present in this embodiment. The difference is the rod 62 with free end 63. This free end 63 can be fixed in a position in which it has been brought upwards, as shown in Fig. 10, with the aid of a locking device 64, but it can also be moved downwards in order to engage in a chain track or the like by means of which the trolleys are transported automatically.

It can be seen from the number of embodiments given above that many further variant embodiments can easily be conceived by those skilled in the art. These are all considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims.