GRIP CAP

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a handle cap of a shopping trolley, a push handle unit of a shopping trolley and a shopping trolley.

[0002] Prior art includes, for example, EP 0515979 A1, which describes a screw connection between a handle cap and a handle of a shopping cart. Furthermore, DE 9313499 U1 and EP 0844592 A2 disclose two handle caps that are screwed to a handle. GB 2014527 A and DE 198 30 297 A1 disclose further push handle units.

[0003] A handle cap is a connecting element between a shopping cart and a handrail or handle bracket. Two handle caps are mounted at the ends of a handle bracket, thus forming a push handle unit or part of a push handle unit of a shopping cart.

[0004] Typically, the grip caps are screwed onto the handlebar. Therefore, installing a sliding handle unit is time-consuming.

[0005] One object of the invention is therefore to provide a handle cap, a push handle unit and a shopping cart so that the mounting of a handle cap onto a handle can be carried out quickly.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by a sliding handle unit according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] A handle cap is provided as a lateral end of a push handle unit of a shopping trolley, which establishes the connection of a handle bar to a shopping trolley, wherein the handle cap has a first element that enables a detachable or non-detachable connection with a second element of the handle bar, wherein the first or the second element is a spring element.

[0008] Replacing the screw connection with a spring element connection can reduce assembly time, thereby increasing productivity. By inserting the spring element of the handle cap into the handle bracket, the spring element snaps into a wire loop, creating a detachable or permanent connection between the handle cap and the handle bracket.

[0009] A sliding handle unit for attachment to a shopping cart is provided, comprising a handle cap and a handle bracket, wherein a handle cap is arranged at one end of the handle bracket in such a way that the first element forms a detachable connection with the second element.

[0010] A shopping trolley is provided for use in a shop or supermarket, comprising such a push handle unit.

[0011] Exemplary embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0012] A handle cap is provided, wherein the first or second element has 2, 3, 4, 5 or any number of spring elements.

[0013] A clipping device can be made possible with several spring elements.

[0014] In a further embodiment, a handle cap will be provided, wherein the first element is a spring element and the second element is a wire loop, or wherein the first element is a wire loop and the second element is a spring element.

[0015] A wire loop represents a complementary element that, together with a spring element, can act as a clip connection.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment, a sliding handle unit is provided comprising a handle cap and a handle bracket, wherein 2, 3, 4, 5 or any number of spring elements are arranged in the handle cap, the spring elements engaging in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or any number of wire loops of the handle bracket.

[0017] In a further embodiment, a sliding handle unit is provided comprising a handle cap and a handle bracket, wherein 2, 3, 4, 5 or any number of spring elements are arranged in the handle bracket, the spring elements engaging in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or any number of wire loops of the handle cap.

[0018] A spring element can be attached to a wire loop as a clip connection. Alternatively, two, three, or more spring elements can be inserted into a single wire loop and connected with a clip.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, a sliding handle unit is provided comprising two handle caps and a handle bracket, wherein the sliding handle unit comprises the handle bracket which has a handle cap at each end, or wherein the sliding handle unit has two handle caps and two handle brackets.

[0020] In a further embodiment according to the invention, a handle cap is provided, wherein the handle cap has a retaining section and an insertion ramp with undercut within the recess in order to clip a springy part of a shopping trolley into the handle cap.

[0021] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a handle cap is provided wherein the handle cap has an undercut so that a groove of the handle clips into the undercut.

[0022] If a groove of the handle engages in the undercut of the handle cap, the mechanical stability of the connection between the handle cap and the handle is significantly increased.

[0023] One aspect of the invention is to provide a handle cap for a shopping cart push handle unit that is not screwed onto a handle bracket, as a further element of the push handle unit, but rather clipped into it. For this purpose, several spring elements are arranged on the handle cap or, alternatively, on the handle bracket, which can be inserted into a complementary receiving device in the handle bracket or the handle cap and clipped into place.

[0024] Further details and advantages of the invention will become clear with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. These show Fig. 1 a handle cap 2 according to the invention with a spring element 1 instead of a handle tube screw, Fig. 2 the same handle cap 2 according to the invention in a longitudinal section view with the spring elements 1, Fig. 3 the same handle cap 2 according to the invention in a side section view with a part of a shopping cart 5, Fig. 4 the same handle cap 2 according to the invention in a top view with the spring elements 1, Fig. 5 the same handle cap 2 according to the invention with the recess 3 into which a part of a shopping cart can be inserted, Fig. 6 the same handle cap 2 according to the invention in a perspective view with the spring elements 1, Fig. 7 the same handle cap 2 according to the invention in a side view, Fig. 8 a shopping cart with two handle caps 2 according to the invention which are connected to a handle 6, Fig. 9 the same shopping cart in a side view, Fig.10 a handle cap 2 with spring elements 1 that engage in a handle 6 and a recess 3 for receiving spring parts 5 of a shopping cart, Fig. 11 the handle cap 2 according to the invention, Fig. 12 a spring part 5 of a shopping cart that is inserted into a handle cap 2, wherein it is held in the front area of ​​the spring part 5 by the front section 8 (as seen from the recess 3) of the handle cap 2 and in the rear section of the handle cap 2 (as seen from the recess 3) is initially pushed out of its longitudinal direction by an insertion ramp 4 when inserted into the recess 3 and in its final position, after overcoming the insertion ramp 4, is springily clipped in, Fig. 13 the handle cap 2 with the spring elements 1 when inserted into a handle 6 and Fig. 14 the handle 6 inserted into the handle cap 2.

[0025] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a handle cap 2 according to the invention with spring elements 1, which has a recess 3 for mounting on a shopping cart. The spring element 1 serves to be inserted into the handle of a shopping cart. The handle contains, for example, a wire loop into which the spring element 1 snaps, thereby creating a detachable or permanent connection and thus providing part of a fully assembled handle tube of a shopping cart.

[0026] Fig. 2 Figure 2 shows a side sectional view of the handle cap 2 with spring elements 1. The handle cap 2 has spring elements 1 that are inserted into a handle bracket. The spring elements 1 of the handle cap 2 can be inserted into one or more wire loops of the handle bracket and clip into place in an end position. This creates a releasable, secure connection between the handle cap 2 and the handle bracket. In an alternative embodiment, one or more spring elements 1 can be arranged in the handle bracket, which can be inserted into one or more wire loops or similar, complementary receiving elements and then held in place therein. A handle bracket is part of a handle or push handle assembly of a shopping cart. In an alternative embodiment, the handle bracket is the handle or push handle assembly of the shopping cart.

[0027] Fig. 3 The handle cap 2 with the spring elements 1 is shown in a side partial sectional view with a part of the shopping cart 5.

[0028] Fig. 4 The handle cap 2 according to the invention is shown in a top view with the spring elements 1.

[0029] Fig. 5 The handle cap 2 is shown in a rear view with the recess 3 for receiving a part of a shopping trolley.

[0030] Fig. 6 Figure 1 shows the handle cap 2 in a perspective view with the spring elements 1 and the recess 3. The handle cap 2 is a corner piece that connects to a handle and a shopping cart. According to the invention, a method for connecting the handle cap 2 to a handle is provided, enabling quick assembly. This involves clipping the handle cap 2 into a handle, or vice versa. This clip connection advantageously replaces a screw connection, as assembling a screw connection is a time-consuming process.

[0031] Fig. 7 The handle cap 2 shows the recess 3 and the spring elements 1.

[0032] Fig. 8 shows a shopping cart with a handle cap 2, the spring element of which is inserted into a handle bracket 6.

[0033] Fig. 9 shows a shopping cart with a handle cap 2.

[0034] According to the invention, a screw connection between a handle cap 2 and a handle bracket 6 is replaced by a clip connection. The handle cap 2 and handle bracket 6 form part of a push handle unit of a shopping cart. In particular, one or more spring elements 1 are arranged on the handle cap 2 or on the handle bracket 6 as a clip device. The complementary receiving element, for example a wire loop, is arranged in the handle bracket 6 or the handle cap 2. One spring element 1 can be provided for a wire loop, or several spring elements 1 can be provided for a single wire loop. For example, several spring elements 1 can be provided in a handle cap 2, which can be inserted into one or more wire loops arranged in the handle bracket 6.

[0035] A handle cap 2, like a handle bracket 6, can be considered part of a shopping cart push handle assembly. A handle cap 2 is an angled piece that acts as a "redirection" for the push handle assembly, allowing it to be connected to the shopping cart. Typically, a push handle assembly comprises two handle caps 2, which form the respective lateral ends of the assembly. A push handle assembly also includes one or two handle brackets 6. The handle brackets 6 provide a gripping surface for pushing the shopping cart.

[0036] Fig. 10 Figure 2 shows a handle cap with spring elements 1 that are inserted into a handle bracket 6. A part 5 of the shopping cart can also be inserted into the recess 3, thus attaching the handle bracket 6 to the shopping cart.

[0037] Fig. 11 Figure 1 shows the spring elements 1 that can be inserted into the handle 6. Furthermore, the parts 5 of the shopping cart are at least partially enclosed by the handle cap 2.

[0038] Fig. 12 Figure 2 shows the handle cap 2 with spring elements 1. Furthermore, parts 5 of the shopping cart are designed as spring elements which, when inserted into the recess 3, are aligned along their longitudinal axis by the front part 8 of the handle cap 2 (as seen from the recess) and are springily pressed from this direction by an insertion ramp 4. When the front section of the spring element 5 reaches its end position, it can align itself according to the longitudinal direction enforced by the section 8 of the handle cap 2 and snaps into a receptacle in the handle cap 2. The undercut 7 of the insertion ramp 4 prevents the part 5 of the shopping cart from falling out of the handle cap 2.

[0039] Fig. 13 shows the handle cap 2, which is inserted into a handle bracket 6.

[0040] Fig. 14 Figure 1 shows the retracted spring elements 1 in the handle 6. In an alternative embodiment, the handle 6 has one or more grooves 9 which can engage in complementary undercuts 10 of the handle cap 2 and thus increase the mechanical stability.

[0041] It should be noted that the term "include" does not exclude further elements or procedural steps, just as the terms "a" and "an" do not exclude multiple elements and steps.

[0042] The reference symbols used serve only to increase clarity and should in no way be considered restrictive, the scope of protection of the invention being defined by the claims. LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS

[0043] 1 Spring element 2 Handle cap 3 Recess for receiving part of a shopping cart 4 Inset ramp 5 Part of a shopping cart 6 Handle / handrail 7 Undercut 8 Section of the handle cap that holds part 5 of the shopping cart in its longitudinal axis 9 Groove 10 Undercut

Claims

1. Pushing handle unit (2, 6) for arrangement on a shopping trolley, comprising a curved hand grip (6) and a handle cap (2) in the form of a lateral closure of the pushing handle unit of the shopping trolley which produces the connection of the curved hand grip (6) with respect to the shopping trolley, wherein the handle cap (2) has a first element which enables a releasable or non-releasable connection with a second element of the curved hand grip (6), characterized in that the first element has 2, 3, 4, 5 or any number of resilient elements (1) and the second element is a wire loop or in that the first element is a wire loop and the second element has 2, 3, 4, 5 or any number of resilient elements (1).

2. Pushing handle unit (2, 6) according to Claim 1, wherein the handle cap (2) has a retaining portion (8) and an inclined introduction member (4) with an undercut (7) inside the recess (3) in order to clip-fit a resilient member (5) of a shopping trolley in the handle cap (2).

3. Pushing handle unit (2, 6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle cap (2) has an undercut (10) so that a bead (9) of the curved hand grip (6) clip-fits in the undercut (10).

4. Shopping trolley for use in a shop or supermarket, comprising a pushing handle unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.