A trip device serves to cause at least one function on one or more means moved along a predetermined path of motion. It comprises an mounting rail on which a plurality of trip units and at least one bus station are mounted. The bus station is connected by a serial bus with a control means and is connected by flexible control cables with several trip unit. The bus station for its part produces suitable actuating signals from serial bus signals intended for the trip units, such actuating signals being fed to the respective trip units by means of the flexible control cables. On the other hand the bus station produces serial bus signals on the basis of sensor signals arriving from the trip units. Generally the trip device possesses a straightforward structure, renders possible high speeds of operation and is easily serviced.