Coupling systems and methods for carts
A coupling system and method for connecting a first cart to a second cart includes a first stabilizing arm configured to span between the first cart and the second cart on a first side, and a second stabilizing arm configured to span between the first cart and the second on a second side opposite from the first side.
1 . A coupling system for removably connecting a first cart to a second cart, the coupling system comprising:
a first stabilizing arm configured to span between the first cart and the second cart on a first side, the first stabilizing arm including a first aperture;
a second stabilizing arm configured to span between the first cart and the second on a second side opposite from the first side, the second stabilizing arm including a second aperture;
wherein each of the first stabilizing arm and the second stabilizing arm includes one or more flanges that extend downwardly to trap an outer upper side edge of each of the first cart and the second cart; and
a cross member connecting the first stabilizing arm and the second stabilizing arm and including a first end and an opposing second end, the first end having a first downwardly extending tab extending into the first aperture of the first stabilizing arm, the second end having a second downwardly extending tab extending into the second aperture of the second stabilizing arm.
2 . The coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the cross member is configured to extend proximate to ends of the first cart and the second cart.
3 . The coupling system of claim 2 , wherein the cart cross member comprises:
a spanner bar connected to the first stabilizing arm and the second stabilizing arm.
4 . The coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more flanges comprise:
one or more first flanges downwardly extending from a first side of a ledge; and
one or more second flanges downwardly extending from a second side of the ledge, wherein the second side is opposite from the first side.
5 . The coupling system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more first flanges have a first size, and wherein the one or more second flanges have a second size that differs from the first size.
6 . The coupling system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first stabilizing arm and the second stabilizing arm includes a central notch that traps upper edges of the first cart and the second cart.
7 . The coupling system of claim 1 , further comprising a basket that connects the first stabilizing arm to the second stabilizing arm.
8 . The coupling system of claim 1 , further comprising a countertop that connects the first stabilizing arm to the second stabilizing arm.
9 . The coupling system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first cart and the second cart has a first length that is half a second length of another cart.
10 . A method for removably connecting a first cart to a second cart, the method comprising:
connecting a first cart having one or more wheels to a second cart having one or more wheels with a first stabilizing arm spanning between the first cart and the second cart on a first side, and a second stabilizing arm spanning between the first cart and the second on a second side opposite from the first side;
wherein when connecting the first cart to the second cart, trapping an outer upper side edge of each of the first cart and second cart with one or more flanges of the first stabilizing arm and the second stabilizing arm that extend downwardly;
connecting the first stabilizing arm to the second stabilizing arm with a cross member, the cross member including a first end and an opposing second end, the first end having a first downwardly extending tab extending into a first aperture of the first stabilizing arm, the second end having a second downwardly extending tab extending into a second aperture of the second stabilizing arm.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the cross member is connected proximate to ends of the first cart and the second cart.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein said connecting comprises trapping upper edges of the first cart and the second cart within a central notch of each of the first stabilizing arm and the second stabilizing arm.
13 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising connecting the first stabilizing arm to the second stabilizing arm with a basket.
14 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising connecting the first stabilizing arm to the second stabilizing arm with a countertop.
15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein each of the first cart and the second cart has a first length that is half a second length of another cart.
16 . A system comprising:
a first cart having one or more wheels;
a second cart having one or more wheels; and
a coupling system that removably connects the first cart to the second cart, the coupling system comprising:
a first stabilizing arm spanning between the first cart and the second cart on a first side, the first stabilizing arm including a first aperture;
a second stabilizing arm spanning between the first cart and the second on a second side opposite from the first side, the second stabilizing arm including a second aperture;
wherein each of the first stabilizing arm and the second stabilizing arm includes one or more flanges that extend downwardly to trap an outer upper side edge of each of the first cart and the second cart; and
a cross member connecting the first stabilizing arm and the second stabilizing arm and including a first end and an opposing second end, the first end having a first downwardly extending tab extending into the first aperture of the first stabilizing arm, the second end having a second downwardly extending tab extending into the second aperture of the second stabilizing arm.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the cross member is proximate to ends of the first cart and the second cart.
18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the coupling system further comprises one or both of a countertop or a basket that connects the first stabilizing arm to the second stabilizing arm.
19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein each of the first cart and the second cart is one or more of a meal cart, a beverage cart, or a waste cart, and wherein each of the first cart and the second cart has a first length that is half a second length of another cart.
20 . The coupling system of claim 3 , wherein when the coupling system couples the first cart to the second cart the one or more spacer tabs are configured to engage the first cart or the second cart to exert a moving force on the first cart or the second cart.