The invention relates to a coupling mechanism for a mobile container.

Existing coupling mechanisms for a mobile container are usually connected to the container for pivoting round a shaft. Such a coupling mechanism, for example a triangle with a coupling ring in the apex angle, can thereby be moved as desired between a folded-out, horizontal position and a folded- up, vertical, non-operational position. When a container is situated in non-coupled position, the coupling mechanism will generally be placed in the folded-up, vertical, non-operational position. This is to limit the space occupied, to prevent passers-by injuring themselves on a coupling mechanism and to prevent coupling mechanisms being damaged. A drawback to these coupling mechanisms is however that, when they protrude above the bearing surface of the mobile container in the folded-up, vertical, non-operational position, the empty containers are not stackable. In addition, sufficient space above the bearing surface of the container is required for a folded-up coupling mechanism. The present invention has for its object to provide a coupling mechanism for a mobile container with which the above- stated problems are prevented in that in the folded-up, non- operational position the coupling mechanism no longer protrudes wholly above the bearing surface of an empty mobile container. The coupling mechanism should nevertheless be simple to operate, little susceptible to breakdown and relatively simple to manufacture and maintain.

The present invention provides for this purpose a coupling mechanism for a mobile container comprising at least two shafts standing practically perpendicular to each other, round each of which the coupling mechanism is pivotable relative to the container. The extra shaft round which the

container is situated, the coupling mechanism can be placed with a greater measure of freedom into a desired position. In practice this will mean that in the non-operational situation of the coupling mechanism it will cause less obstruction and that the chance of the coupling mechanism being damaged is reduced, and that thereby the useful surface area of the container is very favourable in all situations.

A preferred embodiment of the coupling mechanism is characterized in that the first shaft lies practically perpendicular to the bearing surface of the container, so that the coupling mechanism is pivotable between a stowed-away position lying parallel to the bearing surface of the container and an operational position located on the periphery of the container. The advantageous situation arises particularly in this preferred embodiment wherein the coupling mechanism can be placed in the stowed position parallel to the bearing surface. That is, the coupling mechanism can extend for example along the underside of the bearing surface of the container, but it is also possible for the coupling mechanism to be received in the bearing surface of the container or for the coupling mechanism to be placed on the upper side of the bearing surface of the container. In any of these positions the coupling mechanism is well protected against possible damage and because there are no projecting parts the extra space occupied by the coupling mechanism is minimized.

The second shaft preferably runs practically parallel to a side of the container. This also provides the coupling mechanism with all the functionality of already existing coupling mechanisms. That is, the coupling mechanism according to the invention can be applied in situations in which existing coupling mechanisms are applied without adaptations being required therefor.

Another preferred embodiment of the coupling mechanism is characterized in that the coupling mechanism comprises a locking device for locking the coupling mechanism relative to the first shaft in an operational position. The locking device can block rotation of the coupling mechanism round the first shaft, whereby it is possible using the coupling mechanism in operational situation to steer the

container in a desired direction, insofar as the degrees of freedom in the construction allow this.

In a stowed position the coupling mechanism is preferably also lockable relative to the first shaft by the locking device. This step can prevent the coupling mechanism pivoting at an undesired moment relative to the first shaft and thereby projecting from the container in undesirable manner.

The locking device preferably comprises a pedal for the control thereof. By means of the pedal it is possible to operate the locking device in an ergonomically responsible manner. The coupling mechanism preferably also comprises a spring which is connected to the container and which functions as stop when the coupling mechanism is placed in the stowed- away position. The stop facilitates pivoting away of the coupling mechanism but also simplifies pivoting the coupling mechanism out of the stowed position. The spring therein presses against the coupling mechanism whereby a first part of the pivoting movement is realized without an external force being exerted at that moment. It is moreover possible to place a fixed stop behind the spring in order to limit the maximum compression.

The present invention will be elucidated further with reference to the non-limitative embodiment shown in the following figures. Herein: fig. 1 shows a partially cut-away perspective view of a coupling mechanism according to the invention in operational situation and a partly shown mobile container, fig.2 shows a perspective view of the coupling mecha¬ nism and the part of the container shown in fig. 1 wherein the coupling mechanism is situated in a stowed position, and fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the coupling mechanism as shown in fig. 1 and 2 in a vertical, non-opera¬ tional situation.

Fig. 1 shows the coupling mechanism 1 to which a container 2, only partially shown here, can be coupled to for example a tractor or another container. The mobile container 2 comprises wheels 3. A container 2 with coupling mechanism 1 as shown here can be used for instance to transport flowers, plants or food products. In the operational position of the

coupling mechanism 1 shown here it is possible to connect a coupling, ring 4 to another object. In the position shown the coupling mechanism 1 is pivotable "relative to container 2 round a horizontal shaft 5. A pivoting movement round a vertical shaft 6 is prevented by a locking device 7. In the situation shown the locking device 7 secures a U-shaped bracket 8 which forms part of the coupling mechanism 1. In the bracket θ is also received the horizontal shaft 5 whereby this latter is also in a locked position. By displacing downward a pedal 9 which forms part of the locking device 7, it is possible to release the locking of bracket 8 whereby this becomes pivotable round the vertical shaft 6 and the whole coupling mechanism 1 is for instance movable to a position 10 as shown partially using dashed lines. This position will be elucidated further in the following figure.

Fig. 2 shows the coupling mechanism 1 in a stowed position. To this end the coupling mechanism 1 is rotated round the vertical shaft 6 such that it is wholly located within the periphery defined by the container 2. The coupling mechanism 1 is thereby less vulnerable and passers-by are prevented from bumping against the coupling mechanism 1. The container is provided with a resilient stop 11 for co-action with the bracket 8. In the position shown here the coupling mechanism 1 is also lockable using the locking device 7. In order to release the locking the locking device 7 has to be displaced by depressing the pedal 9 as according to arrow PI. The force exerted by the resilient stop 11 on the bracket 8 will produce a limited pivoting of the coupling mechanism 1 round the vertical shaft 6 as according to arrow P2. For re-placing in the position as shown in fig. 1 or for urging back into the stowed position as shown in fig. 2, the coupling mechanism 1 must be gripped, for example with the foot, in order to be placed in this desired position.

Finally, fig. 3 shows a limited part of the container 2 with the coupling mechanism 1 wherein the bracket 8 is situated in the same position as in fig. 1, i.e. a locked operating position. The only difference from the situation shown in fig. 1 is that the coupling mechanism 1 is now rotated round the horizontal shaft 5 to a vertical position. It is

possible to fix the coupling mechanism 1 in this position using a clamping element 12.

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