Stack comprising a number of identical shopping carts pushed one inside the other

The invention accordingly relates to a complex consisting of a number of identical shopping carts pushed together in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 and according to the preamble of claim 2.

[0002] Shopping carts of the type found here are sent to recipients by producers in complexes. The means of transport are, as a rule, trucks, ships, containers and the like. The recipients of shopping trolleys are usually self-service stores of well-known chain stores. Shopping carts are delivered by producers ready for use. To ensure the function of shopping trolleys, the ready-to-use condition requires a certain minimum distance between the individual shopping trolleys available in the complex at the collective place. These functions include, for example the freedom of running rollers so that when pulling shopping trolleys out of the complex, they do not get caught on the running rollers of the nearest shopping trolleys, or the guarantee of the possibility of disconnecting the shopping trolley from the complex and reconnecting it without difficulty when using coin locks. Also, which is extremely important, individual shopping trolleys must be placed in a complex at intervals so far away from each other that entire complexes, including those formed spontaneously when moving a corrugated form, in parking lots, can be moved without problems using machines or without without jamming or hooking individual shopping trolleys, especially their rollers. Finally, the spacing of shopping trolleys made available for use must be selected so that, after using the shopping trolleys, you will not squeeze your fingers when sliding the shopping trolleys into the complex.

[0003] Shipping shopping carts costs and the fewer shopping carts, chassis or baskets to transport the complex fit on a predetermined surface of the transport means, the higher the shipping costs resulting on the shopping cart.

[0004] Shopping carts are known, which are equipped with mitigation means that arise when pushed together, i.e. when combining shopping carts into a complex of impact forces, to reduce noise on the one hand, and to avoid damage to shopping carts on the other. The means can also be so extended that they serve as a movement limiter for the movable rear wall closing the opening of the rear of the shopping trolley basket. EP 0 842 838 B1 and WO 2008/122257 A1 describe shopping trolleys in which, when sliding parts or construction sections of a trolley inserted from behind, they rub against the cushioning means of the previous shopping trolley or vice versa. Those measures only a few millimeters thick are placed on shopping trolleys

-2 during the production of shopping carts and before their release, so that the shopping carts are ready for use before they are released.

[0005] US 5,199,728 A describes a shopping trolley according to the preamble of claim 1 that can be arranged in a complex with the same trolleys, equipped with plastic spacers located on both sides on the lower chassis frame. Both spacers protrude on the lower frame and are intended to prevent damage to the shopping trolley part when it is inserted to save space in the previous trolley. The spacers are placed on the lower frame in a permanent and thus immovable manner and are attached to the assembly of shopping carts. From the aforementioned description it follows that the distance elements can be attached to shopping trolleys also later, i.e. after their release. Due to the fact that the spacers protrude on the frame, shopping carts equipped with spacers cannot be slid as close as in the case of the same shopping carts not equipped with such spacers. This effect is visible in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 of said patent specification.

[0006] GB 2 284 985 A describes shopping trolleys having at least one movable means, assuming in the form of retracted shopping trolleys such a position that the front steering rollers can rotate freely about their vertical axis and when the trolleys are pulled out. for purchases from the complex, they go into a position that prevents the front rollers from moving freely around their vertical axis. Then the front rollers act as so-called "trestle rollers", which means that the shopping trolley during use, especially when driving along road sections with a side slope, does not run sideways. Thus, shopping trolleys equipped in this way can better hold on to traffic routes.

[0007] The transport cart described in DE 89 11 371 U1, in turn, is intended to prevent damage to the transport cart that may occur when sliding the carts to save space. Therefore, the transport carts are fitted with mounting stops that have a buffer effect. When sliding the transport trolleys, the movement stops hit each other. The limiters have dimensions such that, in the slid state between the individual transport carriages, a gap is created to ensure that any damage is avoided.

[0008] The solution proposed in DE 92 12 615 U1 is to prevent detachment of transport trolleys, especially those found at airports, from the complex formed during the collection of transport trolleys. In this connection, it is proposed to create an active connection of the movable part of the movement limiter with the movable handle, wherein the movement of the carriage on the carriage is released or blocked by the movement of the handle. In the slid state of the transport trolleys, the movable part of the slide limiter inserted from the rear of the transport trolley grips from the rear the cross connection located on the previous transport trolley. From this position, the last retracted transport trolley can only be pulled out of the complex if the transport trolley handle is moved sufficiently to release the brake. Then a part of the travel stop no longer grips from the rear of said transverse connection of the previous carriage

-3transportowego. Thus, a part of the travel stop is useless even when using the transport trolleys whenever the push handle is pivoted from the braking function of the transport trolley to the release position of the transport trolley. Thus, the function of the limiter parts is reduced solely to securing the transport carts against release from the complex. This applies especially to moving such a complex on a slightly sloping road section.

[0009] Starting from this prior art, the task of the invention is in the case of complexes of the type present herein to seek solutions that reduce shipping costs.

[0010] With respect to the complexes present here, these solutions are described in the characterizing part of claims 1 and 2. Further features of the solutions are found in the dependent claims.

[0011] As far as the length of the complex intended for transport and the length of the same complex intended for the collection place has always been the same, the decisive advantage of the invention is that now by closer sliding of shopping trolleys in complexes intended for length transport the complexity of these complexes is shorter than before, which is why now there are many more shopping carts per unit area on the transport means than complexes, which are made available for use in shopping trolleys in collective places of self-service stores and due to the requirements given at the outset must have a greater length. Thus, the proposed solutions can achieve a significant reduction in shipping costs on the shopping trolley delivered.

[0012] The first advantageous possibility of reducing the length of the complex to be transported or increasing the length of the same complex intended for the collective place is by omitting the distance-mounted spacers in shopping carts to be transported and then mounting the distance-elements after transporting the complex in appropriate places fastenings on individual shopping carts, that they are useful for sharing in collective places and for use. Depending on the type of construction of the shopping trolleys, the fastening places are arranged differently. All baskets and chassis are suitable for this, as well as separate means connecting the baskets with the chassis. As spacers, they are suitable for mounting with fastening means or applied in a ratchet connection or for generally spaced spacers made of buffers and remaining fixed after being fixed in their designated place on the shopping trolley. These places are so chosen on the baskets or chassis or connecting means that when the shopping carts are pushed inside, some part or parts of one shopping cart hit the distance elements of the neighboring cart, or vice versa. Preferred places for fixing the spacers are the side walls or bottom or rear bottom edge of the basket for the basket. In the case of chassis, for example, stringers lifting a basket are suitable, or at least one

-4 cross connection connecting the side members in a known manner. Said connecting means are also suitable for lifting or creating fastening points.

The second option of reducing the length of the complex intended for transport or increasing the length of the same complex intended for a collective place is to provide movable spacers also at the attachment points on shopping trolleys as described earlier, whereby the spacers can be carried out from the first position in which the complex it is intended for transport and its length is therefore shorter, after transporting the complex to the second position, also the individual intervals in the complex between shopping trolleys are larger and the newly created complex intended for a collective place is longer.

The examples listed are intended to show that there are various possibilities to achieve the effective effect sought according to the invention. In the case of the state of the art shopping carts described at the outset, this effective effect cannot be achieved because the means, parts and the like described therein are not intended to form complexes of varying length, but to fulfill other tasks.

[0013] The invention will be explained in more detail on the basis of embodiments. Fig. 1: a complex formed of identical shopping trolleys, intended for fig. 2 fig. 2a fig. 3 fig. 4 fig. 4a fig. 5 fig. 6 fig. 6a fig. 7 fig. 8 transport;

the same complex equipped with later mounted spacers in a collecting place; two details from Figs. 1 and 2;

two shopping carts with reference to Fig. 1;

two shopping carts with reference to Fig. 2;

two details from Figs. 3 and 4;

two more shopping carts with reference to Fig. 1;

two more shopping carts with reference to Fig. 2;

detail from fig. 6;

shopping trolley with movable spacers;

a complex in which both the distribution of distance elements of shopping trolleys intended for transport as well as their arrangement in shopping trolleys intended for use can be seen;

figures 9 to 11 show further possibilities for the design and arrangement of movable spacers;

Fig. 12 shopping trolley with further possible spacers and

[0014] The shopping carts 2, 2a included in the invention, see drawings, apply to all shopping carts made available to customers for use in self-service stores in collective locations 14. Because the construction of such shopping carts 2, 2a is well known, detailed description is superfluous here. Common to all these shopping trolleys 2, 2a is that they have a chassis 3, 3a, lifting at least one basket 4, 4a, secured against disconnection, so placed on the chassis 3, 3a stationary and remain in the mounted position . It is also important that the shopping carts 2, 2a can be pushed into each other while saving space in a known manner, such that at least two of the same shopping carts 2 or 2a form a complex 1 or 1a, with their chassis 3 or 3a and their baskets 4 or 4a are partially inserted. For this purpose, the rear opening of the basket 4, 4a of the shopping trolleys 2, 2a can also be closed in a known manner by a swinging rear wall 5, see also fig. 12.

[0015] Fig. 1 shows the complex 1 provided for transport by the shopping cart manufacturer 2 to the self-service store, formed by at least two identical and pushed shopping carts 2 in each other. Shopping trolleys 2 are so pushed together undercarriages 3 and baskets 4 that in a known manner they touch with some parts or sections of the nearest shopping trolley 2, so that, also in a known manner, so that a correspondingly created gap in the complex from one to the next shopping cart 2, length a, which cannot be further reduced. The total length of the shopping cart 2 formed in this way for transporting complex 1 is characterized by the measure A. In addition and a dashed line is shown the unused space of the complex 8 formed between two shopping carts 2, which is formed when it is inserted in shopping carts 2 and not used by the remaining rear section of the slide-in shopping cart 2, respectively. This area of ​​the complex 8 space is called in the professional language the "dead area of ​​the complex". Its horizontally extending length is the distance in complex a.

[0016] Fig. 2 shows the complex 1a described in Fig. 1, formed of the same number of shopping carts 2a, now positioned at the collection place 14 of the self-service store so that customers can pick up individual shopping carts 2a for normal use. This use requires, as noted at the outset, the pre-established minimum distance between two adjacent shopping trolleys 2a in the complex with the length b, which is greater than the distance in the complex a, see Fig. 1. Greater distance in the complex b it can be obtained in the example by the distance elements 9, such as bumpers 10 and the like, placed later, after transporting the shopping carts 2 on each shopping cart 2a. Due to the introduced volume of spacers 9, the distance in the complex between individual shopping carts 2a for to b increases. It is recommended to provide at least two spacers 9 on each shopping cart 2a, with only one spacer 9 per cart being conceivable for shopping 2a, which then would have to be wider. The distance elements 9 remain stationary on the shopping trolleys 2a in the same position. This arrangement can be obtained, for example, by using appropriate mounting locations

Shopping trolleys 2, 2a by screwing or riveting, or by mounting with a subsequent ratchet attachment, etc. In this way, the distance elements 9 can be placed, for example, on the bottom side 4d of the bottom of the basket 4b, or on the rear bottom edge 6 baskets 4a, either on both side walls 4e of the baskets 4, or on two support devices 15 connecting the baskets 4 to the chassis 3, or on the chassis 3, see also Figures 3 to 6a. The schematic representation shows that in the example for each shopping trolley 2a, regardless of whether the distance elements 9 are placed on the basket 4, on the support devices 15 or on the chassis 3, looking at the view shown in shopping trolleys 2a from the side, spacers 9 are located in the area between the front side 4f and rear side 4g of baskets 4. The location of the distance elements 9 is in the example on each shopping cart 2a selected so that when the shopping carts 2a are inserted in to form the complex 1a, the shopping carts 2a on or with their spacers 9 collide with at least one suitable structural element with unchanging the position of the next shopping cart 2a, respectively, and through the introduced distance elements 9 between the shopping carts 2a, a gap is created in the complex b, greater than the distance in complex a, formed respectively between shopping trolleys (2) of complex 1 to be transported. In the example, at least one spacer 9 inserted into the shopping trolley complex 1a 2a hits the rear lower edge 6 of the basket 4a of the previous shopping trolley 2a. However, the spacers 9 may also hit the chassis 3 of the previous shopping trolley 2a. For comparison, presented in Fig. 1 the unused area of ​​the complex 8 is also inscribed in Fig. 2. From the drawing, it can be seen from the last shopping trolley 2a inserted into the complex 1a that at least one distance element 9 looking in the direction of moving the shopping trolleys 2a is spaced in front of the space area complex 8, so that a larger gap is created in complex b. The closer it gets in the example with the placement of spacers 9 to the front side 4f of the basket 4, the greater the length of the spacing in complex b. It follows that after placing the spacers 9 on shopping trolleys 2a, the length B intended for the collecting place 14 of the complex 1a is greater than the length A shown in Fig. 1, consisting of the same number of shopping carts 2 and intended to transport the complex 1.

[0017] In addition to Fig. 2, Fig. 2a shows the area in which both distance elements 9 are arranged on shopping carts 2a. Below the basket 4, 4a of each shopping trolley, for example, a cross connection 7 is provided, connecting the longitudinal sides of the chassis 3, 3a in a known manner. Each transverse connection 7 has, for example, two attachment points 10a, which, made as hooks, are arranged on the transverse connection 7. After transporting the shopping trolleys 2, the spacers 9 made in the form of bumpers 10 are put on the free-facing ends of the hooked fastening points 10a. The fixing points 10a are, measured from the floor, lower than the rear lower edge of the baskets 4, 4a. The figure again shows the clearances in the complexes a and b.

[0018] On the basis of the two shopping carts 2, 2a pushed together, Figures 3, 4 and 4a show another example of how, in a practical way, you can change the spacing in the complex and shopping carts 2 to the spacing in complex b Unlike the solutions proposed in Fig. 2, the spacing 9 is not placed between the front side 4f and the rear side 4g of the baskets 4a, but behind the rear lower edge 6 of each basket 4a, see Fig. 4. Here too, the attachment points 10a are located lower than the rear lower edge 6 of the baskets 4, 4a. Below the basket 4, 4a of shopping trolleys 2, 2a is, for example, a cross connection 7, also located between the front side 4f and rear side 4g of each basket 4, 4a and belonging to the chassis 3. Fig. 3 shows two shopping carts 2, without spacers 9. When the two shopping trolleys 2 are pushed together, the transverse connection 7 of the rear slide-in shopping trolley 2 strikes, for example, at the rear lower edge 6 of the basket 4, but not at the attachment points 10a of the previous shopping trolley 2. A gap is created between the individual shopping carts 2 in complex a, which in turn, from a number of identical shopping carts 2, a complex 1 of length A, intended for transport, is created. In addition and again a dashed line is shown formed between the two shopping carts 2 by the gap in the complex and the unused area of ​​the complex space 8. The fastening places 10a are located in each shopping cart 4, 4a behind the area of ​​the complex space 8.

If, after transporting the complex 1, rear shopping trolleys 3a are placed on the rear, at least one, usually two spacers 9 on the rearwardly projecting rear rear edge 6 of the basket 4 places for attachment 10a, through the introduced volume of spacers 9 arises when sliding equipped with spacers 9 shopping trolleys 2a the distance in the complex b, greater than the distance in the complex a. For comparison also shown in Fig. 3 the unused space of the complex 8 is also plotted in Fig. 4. From the drawing, it can be seen from the last shopping trolley 2a inserted into the complex 1a that at least one spacer 9 looking in the opposite direction of the shopping trolleys 2a is positioned at a distance behind the space of complex 8 and thus through its volume a larger gap is created in complex b. The further back, therefore, at least one distance element 9 is placed on shopping trolleys 9 away from the space area of ​​complex 8, the greater the length of the spacing in complex b. It follows that the length B of the complex 1a thus formed , now designated for collection place 14, is greater than the length A of the complex 1, consisting of the same number of shopping trolleys 2, intended for transport. The same effect can also be achieved when the distance elements 9 after transporting the complex 1 are placed in a suitable manner on the rear lower edge 6 of the baskets 4a, from where the distance elements 9 protrude backwards or down a predetermined piece. When the shopping trolleys 2a are inserted into the cross-connection 7 or the chassis 3a of the retractable shopping trolley 2a strikes, to form a distance in the complex b, at least one protruding spacer 9 downwards or downwards.

[0019] Figs. 5, 6 and 6a (top view) show, with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, another possibility for the subsequent placement of spacers 9 on shopping carts 2. In principle

-8 baskets 4 shopping trolleys 2, 2a are attached to the chassis 3, 3a by means of even supporting devices 15. Supporting devices 15 are arranged in a known way on flat-edged bridges. In the front area, the support devices 15 are provided with a horizontal gap extending transversely to the direction of travel of the shopping carts 2, 2a. Each gap creates a place for attachment 10a for the spacer 9 made as a stop 10. Each spacer is plugged in after shopping cart 2 breaks and secured against disconnection. Instead of supporting devices 15, it is possible to provide on each longitudinal side of the basket elements made of steel flat bars, also having a similar place for fixing 10a of spacer 9. In the complex 1a, the protruding spacers 9 protrude on the rear against the back restraint 4h of the side walls 4c of the baskets 4a of the previous shopping carts 2a, respectively. In the drawings, different distances in the complexes a and b as well as different lengths A and B of the complexes 1 and 1a are plotted again. To avoid repetition, all subsequent features and details can be determined in conjunction with the preceding execution examples based on the positional numbers plotted.

[0020] Fig. 7 shows a shopping trolley 2, on which at least one is arranged, usually two movable spacers 9 are arranged, which, so far described, the spacers 9 are also intended to produce a larger number of carts apart purchases 2 at least the 2 shopping carts intended for use at a larger distance in complex b. In this embodiment, the shopping trolley 2 is equipped on both sides with a correspondingly one support device 15 connecting the basket 4 to the chassis 3, usually a movable spacer 9 is arranged on each support device. Such movable spacers 9 can also be provided in the right way and in the right places for fixing 10a on the chassis 3 or on the basket 4, especially on its bottom side 4d. From the drawing it is again seen that at least one spacer 9 is located in the area between the front side 4f and rear side 4g of the trolley 4. Each spacer 9 is placed in the example below or deeper than the one made in the known manner as a grating or with intermittent bottom of the basket 4b. The detail drawn in the circle shows the fragmented and enlarged layout just described. Each spacer 9 is a simple buffer portion movably mounted around a horizontal axis 16 on an axis section 17 forming a mounting location 10a. Each spacer 9 can be moved manually or spontaneously by gravity from an unused position in which it is positioned approximately parallel to the bottom of the basket 4b and in which, when the shopping trolleys 2 is inserted, it has no function in the downward usability, see representation with a dotted line in which it can perform its function as a bumper. The unused position at least one distance element 9 assumes when the complex 1 formed of a number of identical shopping trolleys 2 is to be transported. In use, however, at least one spacer 9 is provided for hitting at least one part located in the rear area of ​​the previous shopping cart 2, e.g. the rear lower edge 6 of the basket 4a, the spacer 9 being supported

Backwards, for example on the support part 15 mounted on the support device 15 or on the chassis 3, to absorb the impact arising from the shopping carts 2a sliding in, see also fig. 9. The double arrow shows the mobility dimension of at least one spacer 9. Thus, each spacer 9 is placed on shopping carts 2, 2a with the possibility of moving from the first position (non-use position) to the second position (use position).

[0021] Fig. 8 shows on the left the complex 1 intended for transport and moving to the right the same complex 1 a, now intended for use in the collective place 14. Each of the two complexes 1, 1a is shown for simplicity by three respectively shopping carts 2, 2a. In the case of the complex 1 to be transported, the spacer or spacers 9 assume an unusable position in which they are arranged more or less parallel to the bottom of the basket 4b. In order that the shopping carts 2, 2a can be arranged in a complex while saving space, a space 19 is appropriately created between the individual ascending and displaced bottoms of the shopping baskets 4b of the shopping carts 2. The invention uses this circumstance. It can be seen in the drawing that at least one in the unused position respectively the spacer 9 is located respectively in space 19, located between the bottom of the basket 4b of the shopping trolley 2 and the bottom of the basket 4b of the previous shopping trolley 2, respectively, see also Fig. 9. The height of each space 19 is indicated by dimension H. In the case of the complex 1a shown on the right, at least one spacer 9 is in the position of use. In this position, i.e. in the second position, a gap is created in complex b, larger between the individual shopping carts 2a intended for use than the corresponding distance in the complex and shopping carts 2, forming the complex 1 intended for transport and in which the distance elements 9 assume a position first. For comparison, unused areas of complex 8 were drawn again. Therefore, the length B of the complex 1a formed in this way, intended for the collecting place 14, with intervals in the complex b is again greater than the length A formed of the same number, having the spacing in the complex a, of the complex 1 intended for transport.

[0022] Fig. 9 shows a fragmentary and schematic view of the bottoms of the trolleys 4b of three pushed into each other to save space in the shopping trolleys 2. The drawing shows at least one spacer 9 of the other, and thus the central shopping trolley 2 of the complex 1. The illustrated element the spacer 9, usually one on each side of the shopping trolley 2, is mounted with a limited pivot on an axis section 17 around the horizontal axis 16. The spacer 9 is located wholly or partly in the space 19 formed by the bottom of the basket 4b of the second and third shopping trolley 2. The axle section 17 or attachment place 10a is in the example arranged on the support device 15 and pulls horizontally. Corresponding axle sections 17 can also be positioned at appropriate attachment points 10a on the bottom side 4d of the baskets 4b or on the chassis 3a. The spacer 9 is in the unused position and is located approximately parallel to the bottom of the basket 4b above it. drawn

-10 at the bottom of the basket 4b belongs to the first, i.e. the front of the three shopping trolleys 2. The top of the basket 4b shown above belongs to the last inserted shopping trolley 2. On its upper side the spacer 9 can be equipped with a protrusion 9a, carried out up through the bottom of the basket 4b in the form of a grid and enclosing from above one of the cross wires 4c of the bottom of the basket 4b. As a result, the spacer 9 is locked in the unused position and cannot swing from this first position downwards. When assembling shopping trolleys 2, the spacers 9 are placed in this secured position after the basket 4 is placed on the chassis 3, so that the spacers 9 perform no function. Each spacer 9 is connected to the projection 9a through the location of the required turn 9c. When the shopping trolley 2 is pushed into the shopping trolley 2 in front of it to form the complex 1 to be transported, the bumper 20 provided on the basket 4 or on the support device 15, or depending on the type of construction, the bumper 20 crossover wire 4c the bottom of the basket 4b of the inserted shopping trolley 2, hits the projection 9a of the spacers 9 and separates it from the spacers 9. As a result, each spacer 9 is de-energized and only falls down until it lies on the upper side of the bottom of the basket 4b of the previous shopping cart 2. When separating shopping carts 2 from complex 1, each shopping cart 2 is pulled out of the complex 1 backwards. In this case, each spacer 9 of the pulled shopping trolley 2 is "shaken" from one to the next cross wire 4c of the bottom of the basket 4b of the previous shopping trolley 2 until it overcomes the lower rear edge 6 of the basket 4 of the previous shopping trolley 2. The unblocked spacers 9 fall themselves down and rest, assuming a second position and thus a position of use, backwards on the support part 18, positioned in accordance with the purpose on the bottom side of the bottom of the basket 4b, or on the support device 15. The spacer or spacers 9 hang down and the last section 9d remaining on the spacer 9, formed between spacer 9 and projection 9a of the required fracture 9c, can be seen. With this process, projection 9a falls as unnecessary to the ground and no longer has any function. In addition, the bottom lower edge 6 of basket 4 of the previous shopping trolley 2a was drawn with a dotted line. Each spacer 9 strikes when the shopping cart 2a is pushed against the rear lower edge 6 of the basket 4 of the previous shopping cart 2a. Thus, a greater number of shopping trolleys 2a with distance elements 9 placed in the use position creates a complex 1a intended for use and making available in a collective place 14, in which the distance in complex b of individual shopping trolleys 2a is greater than the corresponding distance in the complex a of individual trolleys for shopping 2, forming the complex 1 intended for transport. The process just described also functions with spacers 9, although having a projection 9a, but not meshing with the transverse wires 4c. Depending on the position of the center of gravity of the distance elements 9, they may also remain in the unused position spontaneously and only after the impact take the intermediate position until the shopping trolley 2a is again pulled out of the complex 1a and

The distance elements 9, due to their pre-determined center of gravity position, will automatically take on their use position.

[0023] Referring to the solution of Fig. 9, Fig. 10 also shows movably mounted on the axis section 17 serving as the mounting location 10a around the horizontal axis 16, the spacer 9 in the position of use, in which at least one spacer 9 is supported on placed on the chassis 3 of the cross bridge 3c, connecting, for example, both longitudinal sides of the chassis 3. On each longitudinal side of the chassis 3 a bumper 3c may also be provided, taking over the function of a cross bridge 3c. The spacer 9 has a jaw 9e, so partially enclosing the cross bridge 3c, that the basket 4a is supported by the at least one spacer 9 additionally on the chassis 3. The drawing also shows the moment when the shopping cart 2a during the insertion process of the previous shopping cart 2a hits its rear lower edge 6 of the basket 4a, see also Fig. 9. Thus, with each impacting process, at least one spacer 9 presses with its jaw 9e for cross bridge 3c. If the jaw 9e is equipped with a small notch at the back 9f, at least one spacer 9 remains locked in the position shown in the drawing. When using the shopping trolley 2a, it does not detach from the cross bridge 3c. The dotted line shows at least one spacer 9 in the unused position in which it is located below the bottom of the basket 4b parallel to it and assumes the first position. Instead of at least one movable spacer 9, at least one spacer 9 mounted after transporting the complex 1 may also be provided, see fig. 2, with which the basket 4a is also additionally supported on the chassis 3. All the details not described in more detail here can be taken analogously to the descriptions according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 9.

[0024] Fig. 11 shows a fragmentary view of two shopping cart areas 2, 2a in which the rear lower edge 6 of the basket 4, 4a is disposed. In the example, the lower lower edge 6 serves as a fixing place 10a for at least one, in principle for two spacers 9. The spacer or spacers 9 are pivotably mounted on the rear lower edge 6 around the horizontal axis. In the unused position, drawn with a dotted line, the distance elements 9 are directed backwards and run parallel to the bottom of the basket 4b, taking the first position. In the drawing, the distance elements 9 are pivoted down into the use position, in which they assume the second position. The spacers 9 strike a jaw-shaped cutout in one or, respectively, one separate support part 18, belonging to the chassis 3, 3a. A dotted line draws the cross-section of the cross-connection 7 or two separate sections of the cross-connection 7. The cross-connection 7 belongs to the shopping trolley 2, 2a 2, 2a slid from the back of the shopping trolley, is located on its chassis 3, 3a and hits at least one spacer 9 to create a gap in complex b, also see top view. The cross connection 7 or the sections of the cross connection 7 are placed a dimension c lower than at least one supporting part 18. This makes it possible, with the spacers 9 positioned in the unusable position and thus tilted upwards, to push the shopping carts closer together 2 for

- creating gaps in complex a, smaller than the gaps in complex b. During this process, transverse connection 7 or cross-connection sections 7 go below at least one supporting part 18. Complex 1a with spaces in complex b is again intended for collecting place 14 and its length B is greater than length A of complex 1 to be transported with spacing in complex a, see also earlier descriptions.

[0025] Fig. 12 shows still further possibilities for making and placing spacers 9, or their shaping by 2 functional parts already in the shopping trolley. Eg. on the lower chassis frame 3b can be used after transporting shopping carts 2 useful as a spacer 9, for example to stiffen the chassis 3 cross support 11, which is hit by the front side of the chassis 3a of the slide shopping cart 2a, to create a larger distance in the complex b. The spacer 9 thus made is placed looking from the side at the shopping cart 2a between the front side 4f and the rear side 4g of the basket 4.

Also, the known pivoting rear wall 5 of the basket 4, located on the rear side of the basket 4, can additionally assume the function of a spacer 9. In the complex 1a, the rear wall 5 pushed up requires, except for the last inserted shopping trolley 2a, to avoid jamming are adjacent rear walls 5 of some free space. As a result, this free space increases the spacing in complex b. If the complex 1 of shopping trolleys 2 is transported without the rear walls 5 mounted, the individual spacing in the complex decreases to dimension a. The result is the complex 1 for length A, intended for transport, and after the rear walls 5 are installed for shopping trolleys 2a, complex 1a with length B, intended for collecting place 14.

The same can be achieved after mounting the complex 1 in each basket 4 shopping trolleys 2 provided in the front area of ​​the basket 4, taking over the function of a spacer 9 of the partition wall 12 that the front side 4f of the basket 4a of the slideable shopping trolley 2a hits the partition wall 12, thus creating a larger gap in the complex b. Also here, the spacer 9 thus formed is located between the front side 4f and the rear side 4g of the basket 4.

The handle 13 of each shopping trolley 2a can also serve as a spacer 9, because after transporting the shopping trolleys 2 the handle 13 can be attached to the basket 4, e.g. snap-in and stationary, so that between each shopping trolley 2a there is a larger gap in the complex bi thus, a larger length B of complex 1a was created. The handle 13 is located on the rear side 4g of the basket 4 and thus on the back of the shopping trolley 2, 2a.

Instead of the stationary handle 13 mounted on the rear side 4g of the basket 4 or on the rear side of the chassis 3, a movable handle 13 which can function as a spacer 9 can also be placed, which from the first fixed position with the resulting spacing in the complex can be moved to the second fixed position

-13 with the resulting gaps in the complex b. If the laterally arranged handle 13 moves in a known manner movably around the horizontal axis, the handle 13 of each shopping trolley 2 can be pivoted upwards for transport, so that gaps occur in complex with dimension a and length of complex 1 with dimension A. When, after transport, the handles 13 of shopping trolleys 2 tilt down to the position of use, in which the handles 13 are then locked stationary, greater spacing arises between shopping trolleys 2a and thus greater overall length B of complex 1a, which is now suitable to be shared in a collective place 14. With the exception of the movable handle 13, all the examples proposed here again use the already described dimensional relationships resulting from the unused space of the complex 8.

[0026] The illustrated embodiments show that already due to the different construction form of the known shopping trolleys 2, there are many possibilities to use the advantages of the invention with the help of spacers 9. Also all described attachment points 10a can be used in a manner known to the skilled person both later spacers 9 as well as movable spacers 9. The term "spacer element" should also be understood not only as the "expansion element" itself, but in general the device, intended and suitable for increasing the spacing in the complex between individual shopping trolleys 2 for up to and thus the length of the complex 1 from A to B to obtain the complex 1a.

Małgorzata Trejgis Patent Attorney