Device for coupling carriers, such as shopping carriers and luggage carriers

摘要

A device for coupling carriers comprises a housing adapted to be mounted on the carrier and having a face with an opening forming a coupling trap. A flexible cable has one end secured to the housing and an opposite end extending out of the housing which has a plug thereon which is engageable in the coupling trap of an adjacent carrier. The housing also carries a releasable lock which is engageable with the plug to hold it in the trap when it is inserted therein. The device operates electrically under the control of a coin which passes through a coin chute in the housing and actuates an electrical switch which has an actuator portion in the chute. The switch is connected to the lock and it releases the lock and traps the coin in the chute so as to permit release of the plug from the trap and use of the carrier. When the carrier is returned and the plug is again inserted into the trap, the coin is released.